The Defenders

Each week, comedians and best friends Jessica St. Clair and June Diane Raphael take a ‘deep dive’ into their real lives and discuss a wide range of topics including how to pursue joy amidst the insanity of motherhood and family, grief and loss, sh*t they put on their faces, and why they refuse to check their voicemails or unpack their suitcases. 

In this episode, June and Jessica petition to bring back the return of intercoms. Plus Jessica rents some deadstock exercise equipment from the 90s, June places an extreme order of half and half, and we discover the limitations of Jessica’s calendar system. 

For more episodes of The Deep Dive, follow wherever you get your podcasts or head to: https://lnk.to/thedeepdivefd

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No One Is Coming To Save Us, hosted by veteran reporter Gloria Riviera, returns for a new season diving deep into America’s childcare crisis.

This season, you’ll hear stories about everyday people rolling up their sleeves to demand better childcare in America, whether it’s guaranteeing access for all kids ages zero to five, creating supportive services for families, or ensuring the highest quality education possible. 

The goal is to create an unified roadmap that gives us the language, knowledge, and power to advocate for the system our kids deserve  – whether that’s at the ballot box, the PTA meeting or in conversation with our community leaders.

For more episodes, follow No One Is Coming To Save Us or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/nooneiscomingtosaveusfd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we’re thrilled to introduce you to Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know from Lemonada Media. Hosted by comedian Hasan Minhaj (from The Daily Show and Patriot Act), he sits down with some of the biggest names in politics, culture, and tech. 

Hasan asks the tough questions, some thought-provoking, some straight-up absurd—but all of them come from a real place of curiosity. Every episode is tailored to the guest, their story, their vibe. So if you're out here trying to make sense of the world and find answers—come hang and find out. Because at the end of the day, Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know! 

We’re going to play you a little sneak peek of the first episode, featuring parenting expert Dr. Becky. After you listen, search Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know wherever you get your podcasts, or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/hasanminhajdoesntknowfd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just in time for the excitement of March Madness, join us for this deep dive into leadership, teamwork, and unlocking potential—on and off the court. What happens when someone believes in you–before you’re even ready to believe in yourself? In this powerful conversation, Duke Professor Kate Bowler sits down with legendary basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) to talk about trust, leadership, and the important work of calling out greatness in others. From his storied career at Duke to coaching Team USA, Coach K shares what he has learned about the power of honest feedback, why trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships, and how four simple words–”I believe in you”–can change everything. There’s even a story where he hangs up on a player. Twice. (It worked.)

In this humorous and heartfelt conversation, Coach K and Kate discuss:

• Why trust (not talent) is what makes a team great.
• The courage it takes to offer honest feedback—even when it’s uncomfortable.
• How to call out the best in others (and yourself).

For more episodes of Everything Happens, head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/everythinghappensfd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re excited to share a show we know you’ll love: Pantsuit Politics. Hosted by Kentuckians Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, Pantsuit Politics offers a refreshing, thoughtful take on news and culture. It’s all about paying attention to what’s happening in the world—without the anxiety. 

This week, destruction can be part of the building process; it certainly is a key part of Elon Musk’s approach to business and his new - legally ambiguous - role with DOGE. There is, however, a fine line between disruption and destruction. The tech mantra of “move fast and break things” can be dangerous, particularly when applied to the government. On today’s show, Sarah and Beth explore this idea and how the new Trump administration is letting Musk run full steam ahead.

Plus, they discuss the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy, most notably marked this week by Ukraine’s exclusion from the negotiating table with Russia. Outside of politics, Beth shares her new hack for managing her online shopping.

Topics Discussed

• Ukraine Excluded from Negotiations
• Is Elon Musk Building or Destroying Through DOGE?
• Outside of Politics: Online Shopping Strategies

Visit our Substack page for complete show notes and episode resources. For more episodes, listen to Pantsuit Politics wherever you get your podcasts or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/pantsuitpoliticsfd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re dropping something special in your feed this week- we’re reexploring BEING Trans. BEING Trans was the first series of its type when it premiered in 2022- it’s reality TV for your ears. No scripts, no interviews, just real life as it happens. The show follows four trans people as they go about their lives in Los Angeles. You’ll be there for the highs and the lows, the messy, complicated, beautiful moments that make us who we are.

Trans people don’t often get to tell their own stories, in their own voices, on their own terms. That’s why this show is so important. They’re not here to explain themselves or justify who they are. They’re just letting you in—to listen, to experience, to understand.

We’re about to play you an episode from BEING Trans, featuring Chloe, a trans woman who recently transitioned and is very inexperienced with dating, so much so that she's not even sure about her sexuality but is hoping to change all of that in LA. This is BEING Trans. To hear the full series, search for BEING Trans where you are listening right now, or head to https://lemonadamedia.com/show/being

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s it like to spend years in a state penitentiary and then make it big in Hollywood? What makes a death row warden become a leading voice in prison reform? How does a conservative Christian in the deep South decide we can’t incarcerate our way out of a drug crisis? For all of these people, they had a moment when their thinking about justice and safety changed. In this series, host Ana Zamora – founder of The Just Trust – sits down with business leaders, advocates, actors, artists, and unexpected changemakers to learn about when it all clicked for them, and what they’re doing about it. 

You’re about to hear an episode from When It Clicked, focusing on the transformative power of art within the justice system. For Clarence Maclin, the answer unfolded during his incarceration at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Through a program called Rehabilitation Through the Arts, he used theater as a way to process trauma onstage and off. Now starring in the A24 film "Sing Sing", Clarence tells us what it was like acting out his own story on the big screen. Plus, how a more compassionate justice system doesn’t just transform the lives of incarcerated people – it strengthens society when they return as productive, creative and empowered community members.

To hear more of When It Clicked, head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/WhenItClickedfd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hope you have been enjoying the incredible guests and stories from this season of The Defenders. Now, we want to hear from you. We’re conducting a survey with three simple questions: Did you learn something, has your opinion changed, and do you feel empowered to put these new ideas into action? You can complete this simple, three question survey at bit.ly/defenderssurvey We appreciate you! 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Across the country, reproductive freedom is popular – 63 percent of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases. So why don’t our laws reflect the will of the people? As the Executive Director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE), Kimberly Inez McGuire breaks down how opponents of abortion access have targeted voting rights and democracy to advance their agenda – and how we can all fight back at the polls and beyond. 

Learn more about the work happening at URGE to protect democracy by visiting urge.org. 

This series is supported by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Levi Strauss Foundation.

Follow The Defenders wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership.

You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan.

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

State Supreme Courts are crucial to abortion rights, yet most people have no idea what these courts do. Or that in many states we actually vote for these judges. Thirty-three states will have supreme court seats on the ballot this November. Alicia Bannon of State Court Report tells us why these courts matter to abortion rights and how to be better informed going to the ballot box. We’ll also zoom in on Texas, where the Find Out PAC is trying to unseat three Republican justices on the Texas Supreme Court. 

Read coverage on State Supreme Courts at statecourtreport.org and learn more about the 2024 Election at statecourtreport.org/election-2024. Another great resource is Bolts’ Guide to the 2024 Supreme Court Elections. Learn more about the Find Out PAC at findoutpac.com. 

This series is supported by Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Levi Strauss Foundation.

Follow The Defenders wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad-free on Amazon Music with your Prime Membership.

You can also get premium content and behind the scenes material by subscribing to Lemonada Premium on Apple Podcasts.

Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia.

Want to become a Lemonada superfan? Join us at joinsubtext.com/lemonadasuperfan.

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and all other Lemonada series: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices