147 episodes

Sometimes TikTok superstar V Spehar needs more than a minute to bring you the news. The Under the Desk News anchor is bringing their sharp outfits and sharper commentary to a new weekly show with Lemonada Media. V highlights the interesting parts of stories we often lose in the chaotic news cycle and goes deeper into the complex, evergreen Big Issues that matter most, but don’t have a simple, Tweetable solution. Part explainer, part thought-starter show, V’s goal is to make you the most well-informed and “v interesting” person in any crowd. 

V Interesting with V Spehar Lemonada

    • News
    • 4.9 • 865 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Sometimes TikTok superstar V Spehar needs more than a minute to bring you the news. The Under the Desk News anchor is bringing their sharp outfits and sharper commentary to a new weekly show with Lemonada Media. V highlights the interesting parts of stories we often lose in the chaotic news cycle and goes deeper into the complex, evergreen Big Issues that matter most, but don’t have a simple, Tweetable solution. Part explainer, part thought-starter show, V’s goal is to make you the most well-informed and “v interesting” person in any crowd. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Listen Now: Podcrushed

    Listen Now: Podcrushed

    Today, we are dropping into your feed to introduce Podcrushed! In each episode, hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari bring you stories and conversations about middle school—from childhood crushes to battles with body hair to schoolyard scuffles. The results are sometimes awkward, sometimes heartwarming, and always relatable.

    The first episode of Season 3 is out now! To hear more, head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/podcrushedfd
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 2 min
    Bonus: From Charity to Solidarity

    Bonus: From Charity to Solidarity

    There are countless barriers facing immigrant communities when it comes to finding success and economic security in the US. Today we hear from two women who are working tirelessly to level the playing field by reimagining capitalism. Lemonada’s Hoja Lopez chats with Ruby Bolaria Shifrin, head of community at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and Claudia Arroyo, executive director of the non-profit Prospera. They discuss the value of supporting latinx entrepreneurs and putting female-owned businesses at the forefront of their local economies.

    This episode is supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease and improving education, to addressing the needs of our local communities. CZI's mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone. To learn more, visit https://chanzuckerberg.com.

    Thank you to Prospera for joining this conversation. Prospera advances Latina economic empowerment through leadership development, entrepreneurship and cooperative business ownership. Prospera believes that when women are at the forefront of our local economies, entire communities thrive. To learn more and get involved, visit https://prosperacoops.org.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 40 min
    Bonus: The Real Cost of Care Work

    Bonus: The Real Cost of Care Work

    When we think of care workers, we often picture individuals who nurture, assist, and heal other human beings. But behind that picture are the harsh realities of domestic work and the many sacrifices this marginalized group makes to uplift others. In this episode, producer and former Lemonada host Hoja Lopez chats with someone who’s uncovering the truth behind the care economy and its exploitative roots. Activist, historian, and Barnard College professor Premilla Nadasen walks Hoja through her most recent book, CARE: The Highest Stage of Capitalism. The two discuss the unfair treatment low-wage workers, immigrants and women of color face in an industry that’s built on inequality, and how despite all this, they’re actually the people whose work “makes all other work possible.” 

     

    You can learn more about Premilla’s work by following her on Twitter @premillanadasen.

     

    This episode was made possible by the Marguerite Casey Foundation. Learn more about Marguerite Casey Foundation at https://www.caseygrants.org/
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 42 min
    Bonus: Addressing Gender-Based Violence

    Bonus: Addressing Gender-Based Violence

    We live in an undeniably violent world. Gender-based violence poses a particular threat to the intersecting identities of women, people of color, and marginalized communities. But these survivors are the same folks spearheading some of the biggest efforts to end it. In this special episode, Lemonada co-founder Stephanie Wittels Wachs sits down with two leaders who understand the importance of supporting and empowering survivors in order to achieve change. Stephanie speaks with Aleyamma Mathew, executive director of The Collective Future Fund a donor collaborative organization that works to shape a future free of violence, and Mónica Ramirez, founder and president of Justice For Migrant Women, a nonprofit funded by CFF to help address injustices within the migrant community. The three discuss the harsh realities migrant women and their families are facing, and why helping share their truths also means letting them decide what healing and justice looks like for them. 

     

    You can find The Collective Future Fund at collectivefuturefund.org, @cofuturefund on Twitter, and @collectivefuturefund on Instagram. Justice For Migrant Women can be found at justice4women.org, @mujerxsrising on Instagram, and at Justice For Migrant Women on Facebook.

     

    Thank you to both of these organizations for making this episode possible.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 43 min
    Throwback: Who Is a Criminal? with Toni-Michelle Williams

    Throwback: Who Is a Criminal? with Toni-Michelle Williams

    This throwback episode is brought to you with support from The Marguerite Casey Foundation. V sits down with Atlanta-based artist, celebrated community organizer, and Solutions Not Punishment Collaborative Executive Director Toni-Michelle Williams. When she isn't protesting injustices or going toe-to-toe with police and city council, Toni-Michelle is finding ways to make Atlanta more joyful for Black and trans folks. From documenting the city’s public safety failures to partnering with the Citizen app, V learns how Toni-Michelle is supporting her community's needs and helping cultivate their sense of belonging.  

    Follow Toni-Michelle’s work at @Snap4Freedom on Twitter and Instagram. For more information on policing, reformist, and abolitionist efforts in Atlanta, check out the Deeper Than Visibility report.

    Keep up with V on TikTok @underthedesknews and on Twitter @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 41 min
    Throwback: The Hidden History of Home Ec

    Throwback: The Hidden History of Home Ec

    When most people think of home economics, they imagine women baking muffins and caring for practice babies. But in this throwback episode, we’re learning that the field was much more than just “stitching and stirring.” It was an empowering way for women to gain respect and recognition. Journalist and author Danielle Dreilinger joins V for a look back at the history of home economics and how it shaped American culture. We’ll hear about the personal lives of home economics women who decided to either stay at home or join the workforce. Plus, what role HBCUs and science universities like MIT played in creating this field, and how unsung economists of color helped push the movement forward. 

    Follow Danielle on Twitter at @djdreilinger.

    Keep up with V on TikTok @underthedesknews and on Twitter @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.
    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
865 Ratings

865 Ratings

boredgamer693 ,

Love it!

Often the subjects discussed are things I know very little about so each episode is a glimpse into a new world for me.

ArlieLP ,

It’s V Good!

As an Under the Desk news fan, it’s been so cool to hear V’s perspective in my podcast feed! They consistently offer compelling updates on the latest news, punctuated by fascinating conversations with unique guests. It’s such a fun and educational listen - highly recommend checking it out!

BrieGus ,

Best place to get the current news

Love all the hard work and how awesome V explains it all!! Thank you!!

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