When offenders cause people harm, the criminal legal system is quick to cause more harm. The incarceration system is unforgiving and cruel, but as we learn this week, there’s a more humane approach to getting justice that also puts survivors first. V invites restorative justice experts Cymone Fuller and Danielle Sered on to talk about their work in this field. We’ll hear about how the length of a person’s incarceration has no direct benefit to the healing of the person they hurt and why restorative justice programs work to resolve conflict and reduce harm. Plus, how you can make a difference on a small level by implementing these practices in your own communities. Keep up with Cymone and Danielle’s restorative justice work on Twitter at @impactjustice and @common_justice.  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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Last week, you might have heard that the railroad strike was averted, but as V tells us, that's actually just a tentative deal. There's more that needs to happen to make it official. Next up, we all know money makes the world go round... and apparently it also gives you the clearance to solve public health crises? V explains how billionaire Bill Gates is using his clout to control global vaccination response. Then: COVID tests, hours of waiting, intense security, and autographed red, white, and blue M&Ms. We’ll hear about V’s exclusive trip to the White House. They were briefed about the administration’s new healthcare and climate policies and even offered Vice President Kamala Harris a little food for thought about the Great Lakes. 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

The producers of this series wanted to recommend another Lemonada Media podcast that they know you’ll love. New episodes of Raised by Ricki premiere every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts.  Grab a friend and some snacks – we’ll provide the tea. We’re traveling back to the 90s, when The Ricki Lake Show was the place for drama and fun unlike anywhere else on TV.  Ricki and Kalen are joined by Stuart Krasnow, former supervising producer of The Ricki Lake Show, to talk about the show’s beginnings and its lasting impact on a new generation. To hear the second episode right now, head to https://link.chtbl.com/RaisedbyRickiPodcast If you were a past guest or audience member of The Ricki Lake Show, email us at hey@lemonadamedia.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coming out as a person seeking therapy to your partner, parents, or friends can be difficult, and sometimes even dangerous. Sometimes the people who are supposed to love us most are the first to hold us back, or we feel guilty for “leaving them behind” as we grow through various seasons of our lives. You’re not alone in your journey — in fact, millions follow clinical counselor Shani Tran for her candid takes on therapy, and this week she chats with V about who can benefit most from therapy and how newbies can get started. From questions you might not know to ask in an appointment to when to go “no contact” with harmful people, these tips will leave you more prepared than ever. Follow Shani on TikTok and Instagram at @theshaniproject. Her book, Dope Therapy: A Radical Guide to Owning Your Therapy Journey, is out now.   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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

This week, V’s digging into how federal judges are chosen and how the Federalist Society plays a significant part in the decision-making process. They’ll explain why this once student-led organization has become one of the most influential legal groups ever. We’ll also hear about a prestigious Ivy League university offering some students free tuition, and V breaks down the concept of learning loss and what we can do to help kids catch up academically. Later, they’ll share how having dyslexia has both challenged and empowered their approach to learning. 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

This week, V’s opening up about something very personal that has shaped the last seven years of their life. Through this tragedy, V found comfort and support in Lemonada’s mission to help “make life suck less” and decided to leave their dream job to pursue a higher purpose. At a time when V didn’t have all the answers, they leaned on one of the most stabilizing forces in their life to help make sense of a loss. In this powerful and insightful conversation, V meets with Lemonada co-founder and Last Day host Stephanie Wittels Wachs to talk about substance use disorder, harm reduction, and grief. We’ll hear about the healthy ways of managing an addiction and the resources available to help you or your loved one get through those tough times.  Follow Stephanie at @wittelstephanie on both Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to catch her series Last Day and Call For Help.  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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Today, V invites comedian and co-host of I’m Sorry, Hoja Lopez, to chat about how CNN is shifting the way it covers news to mirror a right-wing media outlet. And how far would you go to get a blue checkmark on Instagram? We’ll hear about a verification scheme that cost users thousands of dollars. V and Hoja also weigh how effective some protesting tactics are – like wearing Handmaid’s Tales costumes and using coat hanger iconography – when fighting for reproductive rights. Plus, resources on how to safely receive emergency contraception and medical abortion pills. Later, V asks Hoja about public apologies, cancel culture, and owning up to your mistakes.  Follow Hoja at @alohahoja on both Twitter and 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

When you think of a union job, do you imagine a blue collar worker in a hard hat with a lunch pail? The reality is that the labor movement belongs to a lot of people, and its history is different from what you probably learned in school. This Labor Day weekend, V talks to journalist and activist Kim Kelly about her book "Fight Like Hell." Kim is a third-generation union member who tells us about the lesser-known groups that helped fuel the movement. We’ll hear about how there’s power in collective action and where the labor movement is headed today. Follow Kim on Twitter at @GrimKim and on Instagram at @KimKellyWriter.  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.    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Today, V is trying something new by bringing on stand-up comedian Trae Crowder to go over some interesting headlines together. Because V gets kind of lonely over here! Speaking of, a recent article in Psychology Today claims men are lonelier than ever. Turns out trolling women on the internet and waiting three days to text back doesn't translate to matches. Good news though! You are better than that, and we'll talk you through leaving toxicity behind. Trae gives us his trademark "liberal redneck" take on the student loan forgiveness decision and shares his own experience of dealing with college debt. We’ll also hear about the unsealed affidavit used to justify the search of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago. Plus, Trae’s post-and-ghost approach to social media, and advice he has for other liberal rednecks in unfriendly environments, such as family dinners. Follow Trae at @traecrowder on 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Most people grow up in a home with their loved ones. But very rarely do people grow up in a funeral home with a stranger's deceased loved ones. This week, V chats with their favorite mortuary director, Eileen Hollis, about growing up around death and helping her dad run the family business. Eileen uses her TikTok account to demystify death and answer questions everyone’s dying to know like can you be buried naked? And do dead people really sit up? We’ll hear about her job of embalming and beautifying people who have passed. She’ll also walk us through what happens after we die, what questions to ask when planning funerals and what opportunities you can pursue within the death care industry.  Follow Eileen at @hollisfuneralhome on TikTok and 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.    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

V got to talk to the actual Secretary of Education about student loans - and we’ve got the exact notes on the 3-part effort to manage student debt. There’s a ton of misinformation, disinformation, wishes, hopes, and dreams out there right now - so we’re giving you only and exactly what is most true as of this moment. In today’s mini episode, V breaks down how to identify yourself to the Department of Education for forgiveness and how to re-apply for the public service loan forgiveness program, especially if you’ve been denied in the past. Plus, answers to your most pressing TikTok questions on when, how, and who pays for student debt forgiveness.More loan forgiveness information for student borrowers and public servants.  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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Today, V’s putting your information literacy skills to the test by taking a look at recent news that didn’t happen but received a lot of attention. Sometimes the truth doesn’t make for an interesting story, so people spice it up with lies in the hopes of getting clicks. And in these cases, it worked. V debunks rumors including New York City’s water being contaminated with polio, the IRS hiring for armed jobs, and Denmark banning kids from getting vaccinated. So, how do we spot false news and make sure we’re spreading facts? V asks Google Product Manager Nidhi Hebbar to weigh in on the issue. We’ll hear about what tools Google has launched to combat misinformation and how to identify lies early enough to flag for friends and family. Follow Nidhi at @nidhihebbar on Twitter and take a look at Google’s misinformation tools. 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

When most people think of home economics they imagine women baking muffins and caring for practice babies. But this week, we’re learning that the field was much more than just “stitching and stirring.” It was an empowering way for women to gain respect and recognition. Journalist and author Danielle Dreilinger joins V for a look back at the history of home economics and how it shaped American culture. We’ll hear about the personal lives of home economics women who decided to either stay at home or join the workforce. Plus, what role HBCUs and science universities like MIT played in creating this field, and how unsung economists of color helped push the movement forward.  Follow Danielle on Twitter at @djdreilinger. 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

They determine our financial livelihood. They use our past against us so we can’t move forward. And no matter how hard we try, they never make us feel creditworthy. Today, V’s talking about the outdated and scammy credit score system, and how it’s disproportionately affecting women and communities of color. Equifax? More like Equifake! We’ll also hear about why the FBI is busy handling investigations against Trump and branches of the Southern Baptist Convention. Plus, how one of V’s favorite political TikTokers uncovered an ugly truth about local elections. Then, stay tuned for an honest and vital conversation about prioritizing our mental well-being with Zak Williams. We’ll hear about the new mental health hotline 988 and how the death of Zak’s father, Robin Williams, helped start him on his own path to better mental health and advocacy work. Follow Zak at @zakwilliams on Twitter and @zakpym 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

This week, Comedy Central writer and comedian Rose Kelso joins V for lots of laughs. Rose uses her Long Island upbringing and Jewish background to connect with viewers both on professional stages and 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 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Today, V looks into how a married couple from Hawaii stole the identities of two deceased children from Texas to escape their past. Also, why are so many countries angry at America right now? Valid, but not a great look. Then we’ll give an update on how Roe v Wade is affecting abortion rights across the country about a month after the ruling was overturned. And while many people are still streaming movies from the comfort of their homes, a record number of us are buying movie tickets and hitting the theaters again. V chats with two popular Gen Z movie reviewers, Maddi Koch and Rendy Jones, about the best seats and snacks, favorite summer blockbusters, and big films to watch out for this fall.  Follow Maddi on TikTok at @maddikoch and Rendy on Twitter at @rendy_jones. 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

This week is special because it’s V’s birthday episode! As a gift to their listeners, V invited one of their favorite comedians, Adam Conover, on the show to talk about his new Netflix special, The G Word. Adam went from ruining everything from weddings to airlines, to investigating the U.S. government. He’ll talk about getting access to some of the most guarded government buildings and taking viewers behind the scenes to build trust. We’ll hear about how the country regulates food and why we’re not subsidizing more fruits and vegetables. Plus, how the government has complete control over the money supply and why PPP loans benefited the wealthy instead of the small businesses they were intended for.  Follow Adam at @adamconover on Twitter and 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Today, V explains the new Florida law that allows military veterans to skip the university and certification requirements to teach school in the state. How do you know when your political advocacy is unwise or even ungodly? There are 5 questions Christians claim you need to ask yourself to guard against false prophets, is it working? We’ll also take a SWING at Pickleball, the hottest new sport with roots to the pro-choice movement of the 1970s, good for grandma then, good for grandma now! Then, V sits down with Jason Kander, former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer and author of “Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD,” for a meaningful conversation about how he put his mental health before his political career. Jason shares what role masculinity plays in therapy, why getting help is a sign of strength, and how to support others who are also battling depression and PTSD.   Follow Jason on Twitter and Instagram @jasonkander. 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

If you're seeing this podcast, the universe has a message for you! Don't ignore this sign! Do you talk to the dead? Hit up the tarot deck? Keep crystals in your pockets? Does your spirit guide manifest in a cape? Well you might be a Spiritualist, or at least, might be interested in learning more about this uniquely American religion started in the mid 1840's by two teen girls the night before April Fools Day. Part parlor trick, part grief therapy sesh, part star spangled - if you describe yourself as "not really religious, more spiritual" you're about HALFWAY to becoming an American Spiritualist. Ghost Church podcast host & comedian Jamie Loftus joins V to talk about how the Spiritualist movement got started, influenced presidents, and promoted women's rights. We’ll find out what keeps people seeking the truth even after a century of psychic mediums at the center of the religion being "debunked.”   Follow Jamie on Twitter @jamieloftusHELP and Instagram @jamiechristsuperstar 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.

Today, V breaks down the Respect for Marriage Act, because we all deserve the joy of sharing a bed bath and beyond with the person of our choosing and no Republican divorcée congressman is gonna stop us! We’ll also find out how green became the international color of abortion rights. (Spoiler: we didn't start it). Then, V puts our media literacy skills to the test by showing listeners what’s actual news versus clickbait. Later, V chats with the head of the largest flight attendants’ union, Sara Nelson, about the truth on summer air travel, including staffing shortages within the airline industry and flight cancellations. She’ll give us the inside scoop on the inequities between flight attendants and pilots and why women should “Join Unions, Run Unions” to diversify and empower labor movements.   Follow Sara Nelson at @flyingwithsara on Twitter and 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.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows 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.