V Interesting with V Spehar

Go Ricki! Go Ricki! The V Interesting team wants to share this special episode of Raised by Ricki featuring another daytime legend. You may remember her from “The Flintstones” or even the OG “A League of Their Own.” Three years after The Ricki Lake Show first aired, Rosie O’Donnell made her talk show debut. The Rosie O’Donnell Show featured the likes of Tom Cruise and Madonna, where she was known for her authenticity and quirky sense of humor. Rosie joins Ricki and Kalen to talk about her old show, witnessing 9/11, motherhood, and coming out after leaving the daytime circuit.To hear more of Raised by Ricki, head to https://link.chtbl.com/RaisedbyRickiPodcast If you were a past guest or audience member of The Ricki Lake Show, email us at hey@lemonadamedia.com. Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fake the Nation is a series from our friends at HeadGum that we think you’ll love. Be sure to check out this special episode featuring our own V Spehar. Hosted by Negin Farsad, everyone’s favorite Iranian American Muslim Comedian Podcast Host with Black Hair and Red Glasses, Fake the Nation is a comedy show that isn’t afraid to talk about news, culture, and humanity’s weirdness. Every week Negin is joined by her funniest, smartest, and most politically astute friends. People like Samantha Bee, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Paula Poundstone, Margaret Cho, Larry Wilmore and others. They’ll make you laugh, think, and deliver a gut punch to the country we all love, America. It’s like a really fun dinner party where nothing is off limits but you don’t have to pretend to like salad. This week Negin is joined by host of the V Interesting podcast from Lemonada Media, V Spehar, and returning guest, the wonderful Sally Kohn, to explain what’s going on in Iran, why it’s sparked international interest, and if it’s our responsibility to get involved. The panel also discusses what’s going on in Italy and the most important things to do before you turn 40.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holidays are here! And V’s got some festive facts that can liven up even the worst dinner conversations. From the cost of pear trees to an advent calendar from Tiffany, there’s so much trivia to toss around. They’ll also introduce you to some groups of people who don’t deserve their naughty-list designation. Then, V takes a deep dive with American Public Media correspondent Emily Hanford, who explains why so many U.S. classrooms are following an outdated reading curriculum. With all the problems this can cause later in life, they discuss what can be done to fix it. Find Emily on Twitter at @ehanford and her podcast Sold A Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Santa at @santajclaus on YouTube and TikTok and at @santa_j_claus on Instagram. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

Oh, you thought the World Cup was expensive? V shows you how billions of dollars are spent annually on sports, and that’s just in the United States. Plus, they’ll break down the risks posed by AI-generated art — and how, on the other hand, there’s nothing to fear about drag performance, despite what some people say. They’ll then chat with GLAAD’s Chief Communications Officer, Rich Ferraro, to share the importance of supporting and normalizing queer stories in the media year-round, not just during Pride month or after a crisis. Follow Rich’s work with GLAAD on Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram at @glaad.  Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

Over the weekend, it was inaccurately reported that Iran disbanded its morality police. V explains what really happened. They’ll also talk about the power of adding new words to the English lexicon, official or not. Then, two guests join to discuss how we can make the holiday season healthy AND happy. We learn the steps to take to protect ourselves from the current “tripledemic” of respiratory illness, courtesy of immunologist Dr. Zach Rubin. Then food connoisseur Kerry Diamond cooks up suggestions for holiday hosts, no matter the budget or occasion. Big thanks to the Cherry Bombe team for recording Kerry and V’s conversation at their Hell’s Kitchen studios. Check out their other great work on the Radio Cherry Bombe podcast, including episodes guest-hosted by V! Follow Dr. Rubin at @rubin_allergy on Instagram and TikTok, and get tips from Kerry and her culinary crew at @cherrybombe on Instagram. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

Hallmark has become an expert at cranking out holiday movies. And Brandon Gray and Daniel Thompson have become experts at watching and reviewing them. V brings on these good friends to duke it out over which Hallmark movies are actually good and to share everything they’ve learned about the Hallmark universe, like how the network has evolved under new leadership. As hosts of the popular Deck the Hallmark podcast, Bran and Dan have a whole sleighful to unload. For more of Bran and Dan’s hot Hallmark takes, follow @hallmarkpodcast on Twitter and Instagram. You can find Deck the Hallmark wherever you get your podcasts. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

Happy Giving Tuesday! Today we’re giving you a lot to think about, from how the U.S. government has found ways to bridge a divided Congress to why we care about some animals more than others. Plus, can technocracy save society? Then, V talks to Jillian Olmsted, the executive director of The INN Between. Her organization offers medical care and hospice services to the unhoused population, leading the fight in Salt Lake City and inspiring similar efforts around the country. Keep up with The INN Between on Instagram and Twitter at @_theinnbetween and online at https://tibhospice.org/. And give to your favorite organization this Giving Tuesday — and every day! Follow V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.  For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

You heard him on Tuesday’s show — now check out comedian Kareem Rahma on his new podcast from Lemonada Media, SomeFriends, and SALT. On FIRST!, Kareem dives into the untold stories of BIPOC icons from around the world that you won’t want to miss. Most importantly, in Kareem’s hands, these stories are laugh-out-loud funny as he recounts them to fellow comedians, and they both learn a lot along the way. On the episode you’re about to hear, Kareem talks to comedian, writer, actor, and Golden Globe winner Ramy Youssef about Omar Sharif, who was the first Arab actor to be nominated for an Academy Award. To check out more episodes of FIRST!, search for the show wherever you get your podcasts or click here. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

We may have just bid farewell to Elton John’s touring career, but there’s so much excitement in learning about “firsts,” not just lasts. V is joined by comedian Kareem Rahma to talk about his new podcast where famous firsts are the focus. V also relays important updates on the language and resources supporters should be using to help the Iranian people leading the anti-regime efforts — that is, leading the revolution, which has grown well past a protest.   For calls to action and up-to-date information, follow the organization Middle East Matters (@middleeastmatters) on Instagram.   You can find Kareem at @kareem on Instagram and @kareem.rahma on TikTok, and catch his series Keep the Meter Running at @keepthemeterrunning on TikTok. To listen to FIRST!, search wherever you get your podcasts or click here. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.

Alison Teal was literally born into a life of adventure. Raised by professional explorers, she’s lived in some of the most remote and tropical places on the planet, befriending monkeys and geckos along the way. Armed with a pink surfboard made from recycled trash, Alison now sets off to teach people about plastic pollution and to motivate change. V and Alison discuss everything from sustainability to survival, including her successful run on Naked and Afraid. Plus, she shares why you don’t have to go far to start living a life of adventure.  Follow Alison at @alisonsadventures on Instagram and TikTok. For a closer look at her adventures, check out Alison’s book and blog series. Keep up with V on TikTok at @underthedesknews and on Twitter at @VitusSpehar. And stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, 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.