PodCompanions
Discussions: 2026-W43 — page 48
Discussions added each week. These are publication dates here; the original episodes may be older.
- 1:01:50–1:05:49
Berlant and Poehler discuss awkward wedding speeches, parties and the tension between planning carefully and allowing events to unfold.
- 27:04–28:47
Berlant recalls being a keen student and taking classroom maps; the conversation turns to joking about cosmetics and everyday expectations.
- 28:47–32:26
Berlant reflects on her relationships, attraction and discomfort with fixed categories; both discuss gender performance and emotional distance.
- 42:37–45:09
Berlant recalls performing scripted callers for morning radio and losing the job after missing a call, before the conversation returns to Early.
- 56:40–59:55
Poehler asks quick questions; Berlant describes beliefs about psychics and experiences she interprets as ghosts, alongside jokes about paid curse removal.
- 20:53–23:21
Berlant describes breaks from social media, returning to scrolling and feeling more connected to her memories when she stops.
- 18:38–20:53
Berlant explains the title of Parmesan, connects it to a joke about online commenting, and discusses her relationship with her phone.
- 34:45–36:33
Poehler asks about physical performance; Berlant describes movement as self-regulation, and Poehler connects laughter and dancing with releasing anxiety.
- 39:19–41:34
Berlant describes her father’s metal collage, her mother’s prop work and growing up among adults in an artistic household.
- 41:34–42:37
Berlant and Poehler consider sibling relationships, then Berlant recalls copying the mannerisms of film characters as a child.
- 36:33–39:19
Berlant discusses a joke about anaesthesia and recounts anxiety after using a neck massager, followed by a medical scan.
- 59:55–1:01:50
Berlant and Poehler compare Los Angeles with New York, discussing solitude, chance encounters and the appeal of Hollywood’s dreams.
- 52:34–56:40
Berlant discusses shoes at home and Poog’s origins, while both explore the pleasure of searching for products and domestic comforts.
- 23:21–27:04
Berlant recalls girls’ school and a teenage comment about funny women, while both discuss comedy and gender expectations.
- 1:05:49–1:07:56
Berlant thanks Poehler and recalls comforting comedy films; Poehler closes with advice to keep wedding speeches brief, funny first and sincere last.
- 32:26–34:45
Berlant recounts inventing a shoulder problem on a flight, and both consider self-conscious performance in everyday interactions.
- 10:45–13:01
Early supplies playful questions for Berlant about humour, Paris, relationships and hosting, with jokes about representing her.
- 50:28–52:34
Poehler relays Early’s questions, and Berlant describes the teasing messages and pretend voicemails that make her feel loved.
- 2:04–6:50
Poehler welcomes John Early, who recalls meeting Berlant and the immediate ease of their friendship.
- 6:50–10:45
Early and Poehler discuss passive aggression, pretentious authority and the influences they hear in Berlant’s comedy.
- 47:24–50:28
Berlant discusses withdrawing from conflict and recounts a dispute with a chimney sweep; both consider the difficulty of confronting someone at home.
- 45:09–47:24
Berlant and Poehler discuss her partnership with John Early and how fictional personas let their comedy explore concealed hostility.
- 14:35–18:38
Berlant and Poehler joke about backstage gifts, exchange appreciation and discuss Berlant’s early admiration for the Upright Citizens Brigade.
- 1:00:00–1:03:39
Cooper returns to The Ruin, then thanks contributors and supporters and closes the episode.