177 episodes

We make a lot of choices, every single day. Some explode, some implode, most we barely remember. Each week on Choice Words, Samantha Bee sits down with people she admires to examine the biggest choices they’ve made in their lives and the ripple effects those decisions have had. What’s a story a journalist took a chance on that changed history? A vote that a politician never should have cast? A song lyric a musician came up with in the shower that made them instantly famous?

Sam’s made a lot of choices, too. She may have to interview herself about starting this podcast.

Choice Words with Samantha Bee Lemonada

    • Comedy
    • 4.3 • 1.7K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

We make a lot of choices, every single day. Some explode, some implode, most we barely remember. Each week on Choice Words, Samantha Bee sits down with people she admires to examine the biggest choices they’ve made in their lives and the ripple effects those decisions have had. What’s a story a journalist took a chance on that changed history? A vote that a politician never should have cast? A song lyric a musician came up with in the shower that made them instantly famous?

Sam’s made a lot of choices, too. She may have to interview herself about starting this podcast.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Theater or Therapist? (with Rachel Dratch)

    Theater or Therapist? (with Rachel Dratch)

    When Rachel Dratch was growing up, she figured she’d have some sort of “normal” career like therapist. Then she saw a performance of Annie and thought she could be one of the people on stage too. Sam talks to Rachel about how important it is to ask for the parts you want (and then winning a Tony for it), how the biggest thing that ever happened to her wasn’t even a choice, how improv can even make a “lazy pisces” live in the moment, ordering the worst thing on the menu, and accidentally going viral on Tik Tok.
    Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
    For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 41 min
    NYU or Nowhere? (with Paul Scheer)

    NYU or Nowhere? (with Paul Scheer)

    When Paul Scheer was a senior in high school he decided that he would only apply to NYU because if it was good enough for Theo Huxtable, it was good enough for him. Sam talks to Paul about decisions he’s made since then (not based on Theo Huxtable), like having kids and deciding what kind of parent to be. They bond over being “latchkey kids,” the crazy stories their grandmothers used to tell them, seeing movies in theaters, and what their ideal sex-ed class looks like. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 51 min
    International Relations or International Popstar? (with Rachel Platten)

    International Relations or International Popstar? (with Rachel Platten)

    While in college, Rachel Platten was on the path to a career in international relations. But then she decided to switch course and swap a semester abroad in Spain for a semester abroad in Trinidad where she fell in love with music. She now has a song that has been streamed more than a billion times (Fight Song) and a new album “I Am Rachel Platten” out at the end of the summer. Rachel talks to Sam about the impact postpartum depression has had on her music, how she loves having bossy friends, and how sometimes music can save you when nothing else can.
    Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
    For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 47 min
    Doctor or Doc…umentary Filmmaker? (with Joy-Ann Reid)

    Doctor or Doc…umentary Filmmaker? (with Joy-Ann Reid)

    When MSNBC host Joy-Ann Reid was growing up she was expected to be a doctor, lawyer, or architect. Then she decided to drop out of Harvard, ditch her doctor aspirations, and re-enroll as a documentary film major. These days the biggest decision Joy makes every day is deciding what news stories to include in her show The ReidOut. Sam talks to Joy about what qualifies as “breaking news,” why she doesn’t believe undecided voters, and her new book “Medgar and Myrlie” and why it’s so important for Civil Rights love stories to be written. 
    Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
    For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 55 min
    College or Kitchen? (with Alison Roman)

    College or Kitchen? (with Alison Roman)

    While a student, Alison Roman made a life-changing decision to leave college to start working in a restaurant kitchen and has never looked back. Sam talks to Alison about being such a decisive person, creating viral recipes, the magic of pasta water, weighing information and intuition and making the content for yourself that you wish to see in the world when no one else will make it for you.
    Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
    For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 41 min
    Woman in Late Night or Woman on Tour? (with Taylor Tomlinson)

    Woman in Late Night or Woman on Tour? (with Taylor Tomlinson)

    When Taylor Tomlinson was interviewing to be the host of After Midnight, she wasn’t even sure she wanted the job. She loved making her own schedule as a touring stand up comedian, and loved her road family. But when the network said she would still have time to be on the road, it was an easy decision to say yes. Sam asks Taylor about how the stakes of her decision making have gotten higher now that other people work for her, choosing to be part of a team, getting advice from other female comedians, and how anxiety can be helpful.
    Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
    For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
1.7K Ratings

1.7K Ratings

k.e.r. san fran ,

More Sam Bee and her rare type of brilliance!

It was a sad day when the Full Frontal was no longer going to be on the air, so the delight I felt when I discovered this podcast was sort of a quiet reward and a long time coming. Samantha Bee is so distinctive; her level of attention and insight is really remarkable. It’s rare to see/hear someone so adept at being extremely smart and extremely funny and extremely sensitive, and to do it with such great care. Love the show and love her guests and she’s the best.

StayHydrated! ,

Would listen if this wasn’t on Lemonada Network

Sam is a great woman, but I cannot support this network because of its shady business practices. I wish she would move networks because it’s not good to be a part of such a bad company.

bearshark215 ,

Love This Podcast

Sam B is the best! I love the topics and guests.

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