Tis the season to reflect back on a year that, more than anything else, was marked by intra-party fights. S.E. recaps the many ways the Democrats and Republicans — and MAGA — are their own worst enemies. Has fighting just become the point? S.E. also singles out Ben Shapiro’s Talking Points USA speech. Shapiro has been called courageous for condemning his own people — some of whom were speaking on the very same stage — for poisoning the conservative movement from within. But S.E. thinks Shapiro didn’t go far enough. (and you can read more on her Substack). And S.E.'s guest, former New York representative, Biden White House adviser, and current senior adviser to Vote Vets, Max Rose, also weighs in on the battle inside of MAGA and what Democrats should really be focusing on.

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It’s the holiday season, and that can often mean a mixed bag for mental health. Between all the joy and merriment (and Hallmark movies), there’s often also the extra burden of shorter days, familial complications, the pressure of expectations, and loneliness. Luckily for all of us who experience that full holiday cheer-to-anxiety spectrum, S.E.’s guest this week is comedian Aparna Nancherla. Aparna has a new special out on Dropout, Hopeful Potato, and she (like so many comedians, it seems) has particularly keen insights about dealing with mental health challenges. She sat down with S.E. to talk about why she is holding the holidays more lightly and why comedy is so great at exploring, as she put it, “the smallness of life that can end up feeling so big.”

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S.E. is back with her producers Lauren and Derrick to discuss all the news that's fit to sip, including an in-flight coffee controversy, celebrity coffee brands, how coffee can help blueberries last longer in the fridge, and the personality traits associated with French press coffee drinkers. But first, a mug triggers the realization of an important shared connection among the three pour-over pundits: a shared obsession with Disney's Aladdin.

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This week on Talkin' Politics, Trump finally returns to the issue his voters care about — affordability. But instead of outlining all the ways he intends to improve the economy, Trump this week gaslit voters, telling them the economy is great and their feelings on the matter don't matter. Well, S.E. has some thoughts. And stay tuned for a chat with Steve Israel, former longtime New York congressman who knows a little something about midterm elections. Also, S.E. and Steve talk about his new book that’s out now, called The Einstein Conspiracy — a historical thriller about a Nazi plot to abduct Albert Einstein.

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This week, S.E. talks to Chris Noth, known for his memorable roles on Sex and the City and Law and Order. Chris talks about those iconic projects, but SE and Chris go deep on childhood and the loss of his father, how a boarding school in upstate New York saved him, what he's learned about mental health and men, acting regrets, and what Me Too taught him.

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On this week's Talkin' Politics, S.E. sits down with Emmy-nominated producer and writer Scott Stenholm. Scott comes with some really important insights into the role Hollywood should and shouldn't play in our lives. He's also thinking a lot about our collective, social-media-related mental-health crisis and how Hollywood — and the narrative storytelling it excels at — can help. If, that is, Hollywood can get it together.

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Technically yes, S.E. is sitting down with a politician this week, and keen listeners know that Off the Cupp is S.E.'s break from all that. But Andrew Yang is an exception to the rule. He's also a dad, ice cream addict, entrepreneur, and consistent risk taker who ran for president in 2020 despite having no previous political experience. Today, Andrew is once again trying to shake up the political system with his centrist political party, Forward Party. Andrew's also thinking a lot about our tech additions and, through his new company Noble Mobil, is trying to improve our mental health when it comes to our screens. Stay tuned for a very surprising lightning round — you'll never guess which reality shows Andrew has been asked to join!

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This week, S.E. gets to talk shop with one of the greatest writers working today, Susan Orlean. Susan Orlean is known for her long-form, immersive profiles that take readers into seemingly ordinary but absolutely extraordinary worlds, from orchid collecting, to competitive surfing, and teenage suburban life. And now, she's turning that keen eye for detail on herself. S.E. and Susan talk about the pressure and privilege of writing, the pain of writing about yourself, and the changing journalism landscape. Susan takes us down some of her craziest reporting rabbit holes and behind the scenes of Adaptation, the wild award winning movie based on her book, The Orchid Thief. And stay tuned for a very writerly lightning round. Susan's memoir, Joy Ride, is out know.

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How is it that two of the biggest stories in politics today are that MAGA influencers with massive platforms are whitewashing neo-Nazis and pedophilia? Hear S.E.'s take on just how low MAGA will sink to twist reality to defend MAGA's a-moral faction (that Trump opened the door for in 2016, by the way) or help launder Jeffrey Epstein's posthumous reputation. To what end? Also, S.E. gets NewsNation anchor Leland Vittert's take on some of stories of the week.

Leland Vittert's new memoir, Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism, is out now.

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Rahm Emanuel has many former big titles attached to his name: President Obama's chief of staff, mayor of Chicago, ambassador to Japan. He also has a pretty hefty — potential — future title (*cough* 2028 presidential contender) attached to his name as of late. But that's not what S.E. and Rahm are here to talk about. In this episode, the two dig into Rahm's past, his family, his pivots and passions, and maybe a little bit of politics sprinkled in. The two also get to nerd out on a surprising number of parallel paths and hobbies, from ballet to fly fishing.

And if you're feeling a little lost in the murky language of fly fishing, check out S.E.'s very alluring fly fishing vocab break down bonus episode. It might just make you want to wade into the hobby.

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