From The Archives: Don Lemon Writes About God

Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin

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4.3 • 8.4K Ratings

🗓️ 10 February 2026

⏱️ 47 minutes

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Summary

One need not look very far to see that the television landscape has rapidly changed in the last few years, with an influx of new streaming platforms and shifting audience viewing patterns. Another notable upheaval: In 2023, Don Lemon, the Edward R. Murrow and Emmy Award-winning journalist and longtime host of “CNN Tonight with Don Lemon,” was let go from CNN after seventeen years with the network. Following his exit, Lemon took time for introspection, resulting in his new book, “I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America.” The work is a deeply personal exploration of his spiritual journey and the role of religion in the country. It is Lemon’s third book, following “Transparent” and the #1 New York Times bestseller “This Is The Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism.” Earlier this year, the anchor launched his new endeavor, “The Don Lemon Show,” on YouTube and podcast platforms. Host Alec Baldwin speaks with Don Lemon about the shakeup at CNN, the role of his faith in trying times, and the importance of the press and the First Amendment in a free society.

Originally aired October 21st, 2024.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This is an IHeart podcast.
0:02.3	Guaranteed Human.
0:06.1	This is Alec Baldwin,
0:08.1	and you're listening to Here's the Thing from IHeart Radio.
0:12.2	The last few years have seen drastic changes
0:15.3	in the rapidly evolving landscape of cable and streaming television.
0:20.3	You know the times have changed when even the
0:22.6	news is making news. At CNN, there were reports of chaos and uncertainty. The sudden resignation of
0:30.3	President Jeff Zucker, followed by the installation of his successor, Chris Licked, and drastic changes
0:36.8	to their lineup.
0:38.6	One of the biggest changes?
0:40.6	Moving my guest today, CNN Tonight anchor Don Lemon, to mornings after a decade in prime time.
0:48.2	Shortly after, Lemon made some controversial comments on air and was unceremoniously fired from the network 17 years
0:56.8	into his tenure. Now he has released a book, I once was lost my search for God in America,
1:04.2	a deeply personal journey of his faith through difficult times that also takes a hard look at
1:09.6	politics and religion in America today.
1:12.9	The Emmy-winning journalist launched a new series earlier this year of the Don Lemon Show
1:18.0	on streaming podcast platforms and on YouTube.
1:22.0	I wanted to know how he made the decision of where to launch his new show.
1:27.7	YouTube is the number one network in the world.
1:30.7	It has surpassed Netflix.
1:32.8	It's because everyone has a computer in their pocket, and that is the new television.
	...

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