Lawyer or Journalist? (with Jodi Kantor)

Choice Words with Samantha Bee

Lemonada Media

Comedy

4.3 • 1.8K Ratings

🗓️ 23 April 2026

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Journalist Jodi Kantor joins Sam to talk about her new book, How To Start, and how, much to the chagrin of her parents, she dropped out of Harvard Law to go into a career in Journalism. They talk about why it is so uniquely hard to find a job out of college these days, and how even if you’re not a recent grad, AI is destroying the interview process and the need for entry-level jobs. They talk about why the American college system makes it so hard to take risks, the fog of technology, and the importance of focusing on craft if you can. They agree their kids will never take career advice from them and can only hear wisdom if it comes from Tik Tok, and why it would be best for everyone to find a career where they’re happy in ten minute increments. Keep up with Samantha Bee @realsambee on Instagram and X. And stay up to date with us @LemonadaMedia on X, Facebook, and Instagram. For a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this and every other Lemonada show, go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Lemonado. Between mergers, corporate plundering, and just running out of money, it is a hard time to run any sort of
0:13.1	newspaper or media company these days. Every day, it feels like an esteemed newsroom closes its doors,
0:19.4	and that is just a shame.
0:22.7	However, I'm even shocking myself with some good choice words for a news organization that has
0:29.3	certainly seen its fair share of drama over the years. That's right. Give it up for TMZ.
0:36.7	TMZ just launched its first ever DC Bureau.
0:40.3	Pueving that politics and celebrity really are the same thing these days. And you know what?
0:45.0	In a time where politicians need to be held accountable, more than ever, I think TMZ might just be the right person for the job.
0:52.1	Their first victims have been Lindsey Graham,
0:55.3	RFK, Jr. and Ted Cruz, a real chef's kiss of a takedown roster. All I know is anytime
1:02.1	they find those guys and ask about their trips to Disney World or to comment on some insane
1:07.0	thing that President Trump has said, I will, I shall be. Yes, I will be tuning in.
1:25.2	This is Choice Words. I'm Samantha B. My guest this week is journalist Jody Cantor, who is here to talk about her new book, How to Start. Oh, I loved talking to her. And after you enjoy this episode, please be sure to look up spring dates for my How to Survive Menopause tour. Now Up on SamanthaB.com. Until then, take a listen and make good choices.
1:53.7	Sam, it's so significant to do this with you because you're not going to remember this, but I see you every couple of years. I always tell you this.
2:00.7	Right.
2:01.8	You and I were on the same tour of the maternity ward of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital before we each had our first kids who are now in the demographic of the book that we're talking about.
2:20.0	That is so crazy.
2:23.5	You were on the Daily Show and I was like, oh, that's CMB.
2:26.5	Like, I really admire her.
2:27.6	But I'm obviously not going to say anything because she's like here for the most intimate of reasons.
2:32.7	Oh, my gosh.
2:33.5	Do you remember just I remember just holding a baby doll and pretending to like wipe it with a little towel?
	...

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