

Here We Go Again With Kal Penn
iHeartPodcasts
Each week, Kal Penn takes today’s trends and headlines and asks: Why does history keep repeating itself? From the new space race and plane delays to fad drugs and movie remakes, our guest's answers will make you feel better about everything.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 13, 2026 • 49min
Non-Monogamy with Ruby Rare
Lately, it seems like throuples and open relationships are all the rage. But for many individuals, this way of life is more than a trend. Is non-monogamy suddenly back in style? Or is it something biological? Something that never really went away? Sex educator and author Ruby Rare has a lot to say about it all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 6, 2026 • 43min
Is the Dynasty Dead? with Alexis Coe
Kennedys, Clintons, Bushes, Trumps. For better of worse, their names are synonmous with American politics. We're rapidly approaching the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. But if we openly revolted against the monarchy that long ago, then why does America continue to prop up dynasty families? Or are there signs the dynasty is finally on its way out? Presidential historian Alexis Coe guides us through America's history of powerful political families and what it all means.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

4 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 45min
Union Busting with Sara Nelson
Sara Nelson, President of the Association of Flight Attendants and a powerful labor leader, dives into the history and current state of union busting in America. She reveals how unions shaped the New Deal and how Reagan's actions devastated labor power. Nelson discusses the public's rising support for unions, despite low membership rates, and emphasizes the importance of workplace democracy. She outlines effective strategies for workers to reclaim their power and improve safety and wages, highlighting that unions uplift communities overall.

Dec 23, 2025 • 36min
A Star is Born... Again with Karina Longworth
Hollywood is all about remakes. So, it probably doesn't surprise you to hear that the 2018 film, "A Star Is Born," starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, was its fourth -- yes, fourth! -- iteration. Why do we stick to stories that work? And what is it about this particular story that makes it so quintessential? Kal sits down with film critic, author, and You Must Remember This podcast host, Karina Longworth, to talk about why A Star Is Born... again and again and again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 16, 2025 • 48min
The Fashion Police with Alok Menon
Throughout history, certain moments have brought the fashion police and -- not to mention the acutal police -- around in full force. Why should schools, the government, our job, or anyone for that matter stay out of our closets? Kal talks to the poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor Alok Menon about the history of policing clothing as a way to control people's identity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 9, 2025 • 44min
The Youth Vote with Stacey Abrams
Voter turnout among young people is climbing, political affiliations are shifting, and the generation that grew up with social media is flexing their electoral muscle. Stacey Abrams is renowned for getting 800,000 people registered to vote in 2020. So, why is the youth vote so important? What's changed since 18 year olds gained the right to vote in 1971? And how have forces like Rock the Vote or TikTok shaped young people's POV on politics?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 2, 2025 • 40min
Reinventing the Political Parties with Jon Favreau
These days, it can sometimes feel like the terms Democrat and Republican are confusing -- that they've lost meaning over time. Former Speechwriter and Pod Save America host, Jon Favreau, actually wrote his college thesis about a concept called "realignment." Or, the idea that political parties frequently reinvent themselves and their values. But why do the parties keep changing their identities? Is it as alarming as it sometimes feels to us as voters? And what does that mean for the future of our country?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2025 • 42min
Another Economic Crash with Michael Lewis
Back in 2008, it seemed like everyone was talking about the financial crisis. And then came The Big Short, Michael Lewis' book-to-screen story that exposed the corrupt subprime mortgage industry and its impact on the 08 crash. Now, it seems like everyone's wondering: Are we heading towards another big recession? Who would you trust if you were that very man who exposed that broken system in the first place? Kal gets candid with journalist and author Michael Lewis about our financial future, who he trusts with his money, and why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 18, 2025 • 43min
The Need to Secede with Ed Helms (SNAFU Crossover)
In this joint episode of HERE WE GO AGAIN and SNAFU, Ed Helms tells Kal the story of a small town that decided to secede from America, only to realize a strong desire to buy beer and party would win out in the end. Then, Ed and Kal call up U.S. historian Richard Kreitner to learn about secession movements in America today, such as Calexit, Texit, and the Greater Idaho Movement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 11, 2025 • 45min
The Creator Hustle with Lilly Singh
“Content creator” is not a term they taught me in acting school, yet, the creator economy is turning Hollywood on its head. Internet content was once a springboard to the world of entertainment. It’s now its own billion-dollar industry. Is this just a phase, or are we headed for a future where Clooneys and Pitts are permanently replaced by Rizzlers and Beasts? To find out, we’re talking to the legendary entertainer, actress, writer, producer, and gender equality advocate, Lilly Singh.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


