V Interesting with V Spehar

In places beyond Memphis, deadly police squads remain in operation. In Hobbs, New Mexico, abortion clinics have been banned. In Ohio, thousands of homeschooling parents have been teaching white supremacy. How is all this happening? V explains what's going on in all these states, then gets joined by “America’s Government Teacher” to fill in the rest. V sits down with Sharon McMahon, host of the podcast Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, to talk congressional committees, impeachment, and the history that got us here.

Follow Sharon at @sharonsaysso on Instagram and TikTok and at @sharon_says_so on Twitter. You can find her podcast, Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, wherever you listen.

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. 

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This week has brought a lot of change for public health. On one hand, the first electric school buses have started rolling out, courtesy of bipartisan infrastructure funding. On the other, politicians proposed severely limiting SNAP benefits. V breaks down what all this means for our communities. Then, V welcomes medical-rights advocate and comedian Laura High to talk about being a donor-conceived person. From serial sperm donors to sibling pods, there are many ways that a lack of regulation can corrupt the infertility industry, and Laura shares how she's pushing for more protection.

Follow Laura at @laurahigh5 on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

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.

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V pops in with a quick update: new weekly episodes will drop on Fridays! Yes, Fridays! So long, Tuesdays! Fridays will be our new home, where we’ll bring you all the news and novelty you’ve come to love. So hang tight — we’ll see you soon!

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.

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

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New year, new… ways to get hooked on smoking? V explains how tobacco giant R.J. Reynolds has been attempting to sidestep regulation. Plus, they’ll walk you through the ongoing conundrum of Ozempic, diabetes, weight loss, and healthcare access. Then, V sits down with Whole30 co-founder and CEO Melissa Urban to discuss lifelong healthy habits. Whether it be finding “food freedom” or building better boundaries, there are many ways to prioritize your well being — and not feel guilty for it.

Follow Melissa on Instagram at @melissau and keep up with the Whole30 community at @Whole30 on Twitter and Instagram. Find The Book of Boundaries wherever books are sold, then join the conversation at lemonadabookclub.com.

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.

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This bonus 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 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.

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From the NFL to the halls of the Capitol, there were a few too many close calls this past week. V digs into Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin’s recovery and the hard knocks that Republicans served to their barely elected speaker Kevin McCarthy. Plus, they’ll get into the nuances of the FDA’s new ruling on pharmacies and abortion pills. Then, they continue the conversation on bodily autonomy with Lizz Winstead, creator of Abortion Access Front and co-founder of The Daily Show, about how comedy can be used to expose anti-choice hypocrisy and rally behind reproductive rights.

Follow Lizz at @lizzwinstead on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, and find out how to get involved in the fight for reproductive justice by following Abortion Access Front at @abortionfront on Twitter and Instagram and @abortionaccessfront on TikTok.

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.

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In this New Year’s offering, V welcomes Comedy Central writer and comedian Rose Kelso. Rose uses her Long Island upbringing and Jewish background to connect with viewers both on professional stages and on social media platforms. We’ll hear about writing jokes for different audiences, dealing with hecklers and criticism, and staying rooted in compassion even when she’s firing people up. Plus, what inspired some of her hit musical comedies like Boomer Stoop and European Boys. 

Follow Rose at @longislanddirt_ on Instagram and TikTok.

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.

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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 [email protected].

Please note, Raised By Ricki contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

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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.

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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.

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