Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

On Wiser Than Me, Julia seeks out the wisdom of women who have lived longer than she has. Today, we’re bringing you something a little different: Julia’s appearance on the podcast Friends Keep Secrets, where the roles are reversed. Its hosts, Benny Blanco, Dave Burd (Lil Dicky) and Kristin Batalucco, grew up on her work. Recorded at Dave and Kristin’s Los Angeles home, the show skips the formal interview. Instead, the hosts and their guests cook, play games, or simply spend time together. Julia’s visit was especially meaningful to all three hosts, who credit Seinfeld as one of the inspirations for their show. Julia talks with them about her approach to cooking, raising her children, and her favorite memories from Seinfeld. She also recalls the NBC crossover idea that Larry David turned down immediately.

Watch the full video on the Friends Keep Secrets YouTube channel, and follow Friends Keep Secrets wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes are released every Tuesday at 6 AM PT.

We are saddened by the news of Gloria Steinem’s passing at the age of 92. Gloria was a force and the defining leader of the women’s movement. Steinem’s commitment knew no bounds, as she spent her life fighting for women's equality, autonomy and a seat at every table. She shifted the world as we know it and taught every one of us the value of our voice. We’re sharing her conversation with Julia from 2024 as we mourn her loss and honor a lifetime spent lighting torches for the rest of us to carry.

In this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 92-year-old author and revolutionary Gloria Steinem. The two delve into Gloria's remarkable journey as a pioneering feminist and discuss joining the army of gray-haired women who will take over the world. Gloria also gives Julia THE most incredible advice for aging without shame. Plus, Julia’s mom, Judy, recounts her early ambitions in acting and her initial reservations about working outside the home.

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This week on Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 73-year-old style and music legend Cyndi Lauper. The pair talk premonitions, pop hits, and why she thinks she owes Steven Spielberg a decades-overdue apology note. From singing in the shower as a kid to writing the Broadway musical Kinky Boots, Cyndi talks about her creative chaos, and standing up to anyone who tells her to “just sing.” She opens up about marriage, activism, and why flowers apparently wave back when you’re famous. Plus, Julia and her 92-year-old mom Judy discuss Julia’s childhood psychic powers.

Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com.

Keep up with Cyndi @cyndilauper on Instagram.

Pre-order the latest book from Julia’s mom Judy Bowles here: https://finishinglinepress.com/product/they-spoke-of-the-river-by-judith-bowles/  

Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today by hitting 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or lemonadapremium.com for any other app.

For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. 

For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

Julia is joined by 85-year-old folk legend and lifelong activist Joan Baez, who is still dancing, still showing up, and still refusing to be quiet. They talk about singing before a quarter million people at the March on Washington in 1963, what made Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. laugh, and what real courage feels like from the inside. Joan opens up about her decades-long struggle with anxiety, forgiveness, and dissociative identity disorder. Oh, and she sings. Three times. Afterwards, Julia calls her 92-year-old mom Judy — who, it turns out, was playing folk music on a portable Victrola in Sri Lanka when Julia was young.

Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com.

Keep up with Joan Baez @joancbaezofficial on Instagram.

Pre-order the latest book from Julia’s mom Judy Bowles here: https://finishinglinepress.com/product/they-spoke-of-the-river-by-judith-bowles/  

Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today by hitting 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or lemonadapremium.com for any other app.

For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. 

For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

This week, Julia sits down with 78-year-old Janet Mills, Maine's first female governor, first female DA, and first female AG in the state's history. Governor Mills, who recently suspended her Senate campaign, takes Julia behind the scenes of that legendary White House moment when she looked Trump in the eye, said "see you in court," and won. Julia also learns how Janet navigated the ups and downs of becoming a stepmom to five young girls, and what her Republican family said when she became a Democrat. Plus Julia and her 92-year-old mom Judy talk about the broad appeal of Mary Oliver and Judy's own journey to becoming a Democrat.

Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com.

Keep up with Janet Mills @governorjanetmills on Instagram.

Pre-order the latest book from Julia’s mom Judy Bowles here: https://finishinglinepress.com/product/they-spoke-of-the-river-by-judith-bowles/  

Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today by hitting 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or lemonadapremium.com for any other app.

For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. 

For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

This week, Julia sits down with 76-year-old trailblazing actress Pam Grier, Hollywood's first female action star. Pam opens up about the childhood injury that left her with a stutter, and how a giant draft horse healed her. She reflects on channeling her mother's quiet strength into the iconic titular character Coffy, gets candid about her Stage 4 cervical cancer diagnosis, and shares thoughts on the unexpected pleasures of aging you did not see coming. Plus, Julia tries to explain karaoke to her 92-year-old mom Judy. 

Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com.

Pre-order the latest book from Julia’s mom Judy Bowles here: https://finishinglinepress.com/product/they-spoke-of-the-river-by-judith-bowles/ 

Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today by hitting 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or lemonadapremium.com for any other app.

For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. 

For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 74-year-old scene-stealer Jean Smart. They get into the final season of Hacks, the highs and lows of a career in Hollywood and what it feels like when great material finally meets the actor it was meant for. Jean opens up about parenting a teenager in her 70s, dating as a widow, and her family’s witchy past. Plus, Julia shares behind-the-scenes Seinfeld writer’s secrets, and her 92-year-old mom Judy reflects on her days as a beauty queen.

Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com.

Keep up with Jean Smart @realjeansmart on Instagram.

Pre-order the latest book from Julia’s mom Judy Bowles here: https://finishinglinepress.com/product/they-spoke-of-the-river-by-judith-bowles/ 

Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today by hitting 'Subscribe' on Apple Podcasts or lemonadapremium.com for any other app.

For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. 

For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

We’re coming back with more episodes of Wiser Than Me, and Julia’s still asking older, wiser women to tell her everything they know. It's all on the table – the triumphs, the missteps, and the wisdom that comes from surviving it all. And of course, each episode ends with a check-in from Julia's 92-year-old mom, Judith. New episodes start May 6th, from Lemonada Media.

Julia tells you how you can listen to the brand new episode of Wiser Than Me featuring the one-and-only Cyndi Lauper. Plus, even more new episodes are coming soon!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are heartbroken by the news of Catherine O’Hara’s sudden passing at the age of 71. Her brilliance, humor, and kindness touched so many of us, and we’ve taken comfort in listening back to Julia’s conversation with her from last year. We’re sharing it now as we mourn her loss and celebrate the sheer joy she brought to millions around the world.

On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia sits down with 71-year-old comedy icon – and star of The Studio, Beetlejuice, and Schitt’s Creek – Catherine O’Hara. Catherine and Julia share their improv origin stories and reminisce about the freedom and experimentation of their early comedy careers. They also swap stories about visiting the Vatican, over-apologizing, and how they both find laughter incredibly sexy. Plus, Julia’s mom Judith tries very hard to tell a joke.

Follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast.

Pre-order the latest book from Julia’s mom Judy Bowles here: https://finishinglinepress.com/product/they-spoke-of-the-river-by-judith-bowles/ 

Find out more about other shows on our network at @lemonadamedia on all social platforms.

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

For exclusive discount codes and more information about our sponsors, visit https://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors/. 

For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.