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Sarah attempts a listener’s suggestion to pee sitting backwards. Plus, she enjoys some titillating Bible verses, decides whether a caller is overreacting about a Jewish joke, and gives hope to a heartbroken caller who worries she’s lost her nephew forever.

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Transcript

SPEAKERS

Sender 10, Megan, Karen, Sender 4, Michael, Sarah Silverman, Anna, Sam, Serena, Dave, Kristen

Sarah Silverman  00:14

Hey everybody, it’s your old pal, Sarah, I am going on tour in the fall. You can buy tickets on my the link in my Instagram bio for Post Mortem, that’s the name of the tour, Post Mortem tour, few shows in September and then October through February 1, boom I’ll be in a city near you. In regards to the caller who suggested peeing sitting down, facing the toilet. I thought it was a brilliant idea, and went to try it. That’s why I was I was five minutes late today because as I was leaving, I went, oh, fuck. I meant to try that, and I had to pee anyway, and I did it, but, and it was great, worked, great. But here’s the caveat, here’s the thing I didn’t anticipate, which, of course, is obvious now that I’ve done it, um, I couldn’t just pull down my pants in my underwear. I had to take them off, which meant I had to also remove my shoes. So, uh, not wildly convenient, and you’re like, Sarah, no, but he’s really was talking about, like, in the middle of the night, yeah. I mean, unless you sleep naked, um, you still gotta, like, take off your your pajama bottoms, or your underwear or whatever, not complaining, just saying there is a little extra thing to do in order to do that. But it went well. I took a couple snaps, actually, I don’t know what for, just in case we needed, in case I had to prove it, and that’s that. Let’s take some calls.

 

Dave  02:14

Hi, Sarah, my name is Dave from Southern California. I love how insightful you are with just humans, actually mammals in general. Thinking of your squirrel stand up bit, which I love. I’ve just gone through a significant amount of loss in my life. Over the last six years, I’ve lost eight people and my dog, including my mom was my last loss about a year ago. She died in my living room. I cared for a couple of years.

 

Sarah Silverman  02:45

So sorry.

 

Dave  02:46

And it’s really kind of blown up my life in a lot of ways, and my relationship ended. I just realized that wasn’t being seen or supported in a way that really allowed me to really kind of just like figure out who the hell I am, because it seems like, you know, whenever somebody dies, a part of you dies with them. So I’m kind of trying to rediscover who I am. And I was wondering, given that you lost both your parents so close together, how that’s impacted your relationships, not you know, specifically, just with Rory, but just in general, thanks so much, love you.

 

Sarah Silverman  03:21

I’m so sorry for all your losses and well, I totally understand, that kind of identity crisis. Who am I without them? I would say, you know, in good and bad ways, ooh, I’m trying not to put good or bad onto things in, in ways. Yeah, I relate yeah, it’s, you know, one is that when I have stumbles in my relationship with with Rory, or we argue or whatever, I can’t talk to my parents about it. And I used to do that, you know, they, I used to, we were very close. I, you know, so I was, I used to talk to my parents about problems and stuff. But I have my sisters, and by the way, you know, my three sisters, we all went through that loss together. So, you know, and also, Rory also really knew them and loved them, you know, which I feel so grateful for, but I guess when I’m low, or when I’ve when I’ve done something exciting, when I have something braggy, I’m dying to tell someone I told my parents. That’s who you tell that stuff too. You know, I remember having a boyfriend, and we had a mutual friend who was very braggy, and it would drive my boyfriend, at the time, crazy, and I would say, but he, you know, both his parents had died when he was young, and I was like, he doesn’t have parents for that. We have parents for that. That braggy stuff, where we can call and go, guess who I had dinner with, or get or I won this, you know, or whatever, whatever, that kind of stuff that your friends don’t need to hear about it, your sisters don’t need to hear about it. The public, you know, you don’t. It’s braggy stuff, and that’s for that’s special for your parents, you know, because they get nachos out of that. I think I said that, right? That stuff that I would only tell my parents, yeah, that feels awful. I just ache for them, but it’s not the worst ache, you know, because it’s also a reminder of these amazing people that I got to have in my life for so long, who knew me when I was just only little, you know. And again, it’s been lovely in that Rory really got to know them, and he misses them too, and he saw the relationship I had with them, and the dynamic of the family and how they were the center of it, and he has so much empathy for this loss, and it’s just really nice to be with someone who who knew them. You know, I wish he knew my mom and my stepdad, John O’Hara, but this is this is life, baby, death and taxes, the only two guaranteed things, or at least death anyway, what else?

 

Sam  06:25

Hi, Sarah, my name’s Sam. I’m from the great state of Vermont, by way of New Jersey.

 

Sarah Silverman  06:31

I love Vermont.

 

Sam  06:32

My question for you is, why do you think society punishes, hates, tries to silence outspoken, opinionated women, either single women, childless women, or both. You’ve been a champion of that for a long time, and I really appreciate it. Just trying to grapple with it, and I love to hear your advice on things. Thank you. Love you.

 

Sarah Silverman  07:03

It’s a thing, isn’t it? It’s a real thing, and boy, the single aspect is very interesting, because when I’ve been single, in particular, I’ve been threatened and attacked much more in the public sphere than when I have a to be heteronormative male counterpart. It’s interesting, my dad was kind of that as well, you know. And I’m thinking about, I don’t remember when this was years ago. I was single at the time, and a rabbi, some, some orthodox rabbi wrote some essay or op ed or some shit about how I should stop being politically active and that, you know, my public voice should, should be no more. And if I had a family and I was married and had children to take care of, I wouldn’t, you know, have this itch to scratch where I voice my opinions publicly and blah, blah, blah, and I would have never seen it, but my dad, of course, having a Google alert on my name, did see it and wrote back in the comments underneath, and somehow it got, like picked up in the press, how my dad came to my defense. And it was kind of a sloppy, angry comment he wrote, but it was just a lovely, adorable, not beautifully written but very passionate response, defending his daughter and boy, whatever religion it is, they seem to there, I’ve been definitely come at because, remember, there was that pastor in Florida on YouTube who told his congregation it would be God’s will if somebody knocked my teeth out and killed me. You know the beauty of religion. It’s just so beautiful, anyway, yes, I agree. I’ve experienced it. I’m sure you have too, and yet we persevere. There you go, what else?

 

Anna  09:20

Hi, Sarah, it’s your best friend, Anna, in Switzerland. You can probably hear the bird singing behind me. Very Swiss. I was just wondering if there was ever a time when you thought you wouldn’t meet your person. I know you’re so happy with Rory, and that gives us all hope out there, those of us who haven’t found our person. So I was just wondering if there was a time maybe between partners where you thought, Ah, maybe it’s not going to happen for me, and whether you made peace with that. I’m just struggling with that feeling at the moment, so any advice you have would be much appreciated. Okay, love you bye.

 

Sarah Silverman  10:00

Yes, absolutely is my answer, but my advice is this, find your person in you like it wasn’t until I felt sure I would never live with a man again, and I felt secure in maybe I would not find my person, but I really fell in love with hanging out with this guy. I’m pointing to myself with my thumb. I love being alone. I’m not afraid of being alone. These are things that have not always been how it’s been for me, but I really learned how to love being alone so much so that when I met my person, I really didn’t want to give that up, and it took a long time for me to get back in it. And, you know, live with a person and share my life. But in terms of finding your person, which I feel I’ve done with, roar, roar, I think the best way to find your person is to fall in love with being alone and fortifying nourishing friendships and nourishing your time with yourself. I think that taking the time to fall in love with being alone and all the freedom that comes with it, you’re gonna find your person, because you won’t be looking for someone to not be alone with, you’ll be looking for someone that is additive, additive to your life, to an already full, complete, whole life. And I think that’s the best kind of relationship, you know. And and you’re at a place, hopefully, where you know what you don’t want in a relationship, you know what you want in a relationship, and as things get more and more serious with someone, you can really negotiate those things and have things that are non negotiable, and you won’t be too afraid to be alone to wait for the right person. Good luck.

 

Sender 4  12:27

Hey friends, I would just like to clarify something on the topic of God coming in one’s mouth. So I was raised Southern Baptist by preacher, actually, and I’m going to try and go about this in the way I think he would. So there are several verses in the Bible that actually refer to the church, meaning Christians as the bride of Christ. There’s Ephesians, chapter 5:25, Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the church. There’s also Second Corinthians, 11, verse two, Revelations, 19, seven through nine. Revelations, 21 one through two. There’s also revelations 22-20 which says, surely I am coming soon, in quotes. And then, amen come Lord Jesus. So we’ve got that in Ephesians, chapter 5-22, Wives submit to your husbands as to the Lord, then we’re going to skip ahead to 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members, members of his body. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, man and wife become one, God and the church become one. What we’re essentially hearing described is a spiritual, sexual oroboros, meaning God wants us to come in our own mouths. Hope this helps.

 

Sarah Silverman  14:01

It doesn’t, but that’s a great call, because first of all, your interpretation of these Bible verses is not the craziest interpretation I’ve ever heard of the Bible, certainly. And I think what it does help is it helps to prove that the Bible, or any Bible, the Torah, the Quran, whatever, is art more than doctrine or, I don’t know if I use the right word, but it’s art in that it is to be interpreted for meaning, and none of it has just one meaning. It means what it means to you, art, that’s art. That’s what art is. You know, it’s not an insult to the Bible or the Torah or the Quran, etc, but it’s, it’s art. It’s an art is crucial to our well being, to living the best life, to be used as a guide where it may help and to disregard it in places where it’s bullshit. You know, it should only serve you. I’m sure, of course, many people would disagree, and that’s fine too, because it’s art. But there are going to be places where you, even if you, you know, are big, big time Christian who, who loves the Bible, or whatever you’re going to there are going to be places that you disregard, like man not lying with man. That’s bullshit, right? You know, or it being blasphemy to eat shellfish. I think a lot of God loving, God fearing, Christians eat shellfish, just like Jews do. It’s trafe, right? You know, we make our own choices. We make our own religion to a degree. All this to say, stop fucking with other people’s lives. It’s your business. Jesus Christ, the right is just amazing to me. It was their whole basis for existing is to get big government out of their lives. And damn it if they don’t want to control ours. I mean, our body is our choices, where we put our dicks and pussies, what we rub them against. That’s fucking personal shit, and it’s none of your business, certainly not the business of the government. But these people that want the government out of their lives really want it in our pants. All right, yeah, it’s art. The reader decides, not the nerds who wrote it a zillion years ago. Art, all right, what else?

 

Karen  16:51

Hi, Sarah, this is Karen. I know it used to be a name I loved. I wanted your opinion about something I went to see pretty famous comedian, do a stand up. And I’ve loved this guy. Love this guy. I don’t know. I want to hear what you think. If I’m overreacting. In the middle of his act, he was doing a bit about his grandfather going senile and confusing him, the comedian, with an old business partner of the grandfather. And so every time he saw him, the grandfather would confront him about, you know, what are you doing stealing my business. And in the middle of one of these tirades, he had his grandfather say, what are you going to do, Jew me down. And he didn’t pause after saying that very racist thing, or look at the audience, or in any way acknowledge he just said something racist. Nor did he have the grandfather be a racist old man, like it wasn’t like he said a bunch of racist things, and that was one of them. He said it like it was a normal, okay thing for two professionals to be saying to each other when confronting over business, and it made my stomach sink, but that’s my question, am I overreacting?

 

Sarah Silverman  18:22

I’m sorry I’m smiling because I know exactly the comic you’re talking about. And I love that bit. It’s beyond genius. I understand how you feel. And listen, I grew up in New Hampshire where Jew me down. There were no Jews anywhere. But people said Jew me down a lot, and it cut me, you know, especially because it wasn’t with love. It wasn’t said by a Jew, you know, it wasn’t said by an ally to Jews. It was just like what kids learned from their parents and used in language. And I did say something in high school. At my high school, actually, not. I didn’t report it to like teachers. I like went up at assembly and did a whole bit, because sometimes I would like do jokes I had. It was a pretty cool school, and they let me do a little stand up every couple minutes, here and there, sometimes at assembly. And this one took a turn, and I was like, it was funny. And then it said, like, Jew me down is not a fucking, you know, whatever. I didn’t say fucking, but I said something like mentioning it, and all of a sudden everyone was quiet. And I think it was good, actually. Anyway, I know the comic you’re talking about, and he is not Jewish, but he is a friend of the Jews, and I love him. And listen, I’m not going to say hey, you’re overreacting. You took this in in a moment where whatever you were feeling, you were feeling, you know, and that’s art as well. You can see the same thing every day and have different experiences depending on what’s going on in the world around you, depending on what’s going on inside your heart and mind. So that could be an element of it. You may have been feeling sensitive, or maybe this is just really how you feel, and then that’s also fine. Comedy is wildly subjective. I saw that whole bit not long ago. I saw him do it live, and I thought it was brilliant, and I thought it was to me, it was very clear that his grandfather was from a very different time. He also mentions he was , very old. He comes from, like, I think he was in World War One or something, or, I don’t know, somehow, he had an extremely old grandfather, who died when he was young, of old age, and he was in dementia. And I would have heard that funny. It always matters who’s saying it, and what their heart and soul that transcends through their material tells you about it. And to me, he’s not Jewish, but he is, you know, not anti semitic. And I loved it I thought it was totally brilliant. And you’ll all be seeing it soon, I’m sure, when he does his special but, yeah, you know, we had different takes from it. I get it, I hear you and but I’m not gonna tell you, you’re overreacting. You reacted the way you reacted, but you might hear it in another, maybe time in history where, like, everything isn’t terrifying as a Jew in America, certainly a liberal Jew in America. You might hear it differently, I don’t know, but I loved it. I know exactly who you’re talking about, all right what else?

 

Serena  22:12

Hi, Sarah, this is Serena, fellow Jews in the Midwest, and I have a question for you. I’ve heard you speak a few times now about the fact that you’re trying to work on the fact that you interrupt people. And I do that as well. And I’d always thought, oh, it’s because I lose my train of thought so quickly and so often, and one of those people who can’t get it back that I want to get my info out before I can, you know, lose it forever.

 

Sarah Silverman  22:49

You forget it. Yes, that’s what I know.

 

Serena  22:51

It’s rude, and I always kind of excused it for myself, but I was reading something just yesterday that said it’s a symptom, potentially, of PTSD, as well as people who pick or scratch at their skin or nails. There were a few other examples, which makes me really examine that as a possibility. I don’t know if that would be a possibility for you, but it’s something I’m really exploring, and would really like to hear what you think. Especially since October 7, my stress level has been really high, so I’m kind of looking at all potential ways to fix it. Thanks, love you bye.

 

Sarah Silverman  23:41

That’s very interesting. I wonder if there’s a part of me that’s like, is she thinking of ADHD, which would thoroughly make more sense to me of why someone would interrupt. I don’t know why I do it. I absolutely relate to the I’m gonna lose this thought if I don’t come in right now aspect of it, but that’s just because I feel like I am losing my mind, which I’m told is a symptom of menopause, and will eventually this intense, ridiculous dementia, like brain fog will lift PTSD like, I wonder, what kind of PTSD specifically or or is it just in general? Anyone who has it interrupts people I or something else that reminded me of that I wanted to say, but I lost it because I didn’t interrupt you to say it.

 

Megan  24:35

Hi, Sarah, my name’s Megan, and I’m from California, but me and my spouse lost our unit in California, so we had to move to Iowa, unfortunately for their families out here, so we were able to rent the house from them. Anyways, I. Um, I came out as queer about six years ago, probably more, and my mom and my sister did not handle it well. They were really cruel, but my dad always had my back. And then my spouse came out as non, very binary, trans masculine, and right now they’re in California recovering from top surgery, and I’ve never seen them so happy, I love that for them, because they’re amazing, but I’m incredibly heartbroken. Since my parents went through a divorce, I um, touches a bit, really high, and my mom and my sister coming off from my sweet nephew, who I’m so close to, because I’m toxic and drama can’t do anything but defend myself.

 

Sarah Silverman  26:06

Oh, sweetheart.

 

Megan  26:08

So I’m sending my nephew a gift, and I don’t even know if it’s gonna make it to him, but I’m writing in a journal because like for him to tell him everything from my side, because I do believe when he gets older, he’s gonna reach out to me and wonder why I just disappeared. I’m afraid he thinks that I just stopped caring and just stopped trying to talk to him, afraid he thinks I just abandoned it. I was, hoping that you’d have, like, some words of encouragement. I really value the way you look at things, and maybe you could make me see it in a different way, or just really desperate for some words of encouragement, or something I don’t know.

 

Sarah Silverman  27:05

Oh, baby.

 

Megan  27:07

Thank you so much for having this platform. And just always been so caring. I just, I am so glad I found this podcast. I’ve always been a fan. Also, another thing, I also pull out my pubes in the shower, and they’re straight and anyways, just another person. Okay, thank you.

 

Sarah Silverman  27:34

First of all that the end of that call is hilarious, especially if somebody is listening to it that does not know the context of that, okay, Soul Sister, in terms of that, but the bulk of your call, let’s talk about that, I’m so sorry, and I can hear how much pain you’re in, how frustrating that must be. And I know when you called you were in it. You know you were really in it. And that maybe there may be other times where you have a little more perspective and you can see a bigger picture. But boy, that sucks. And all I can tell you is I think your nephew is going to grow up, and before you know it, you’re going to be connected and you’ll it’s not going to feel that frustrating feeling of of the what if? What if they’re filling his head with this? What if he thinks this? What if he thinks I abandoned him? That’s all stuff, it could be true, but there is not anything you can do about it right now, and you just have to hope he grows up and has the tools to become his own individual person. And I bet he will, he’s got your genes, your mom and your sister, that is so sad, it’s sad for you. It’s really sad for them. That’s just closed minded, short sighted stuff there, and you can’t that’s just who they are, or it’s who they are right now, I’m so happy your dad has your back and that you have a closeness with him. That’s huge. That’s a big win to have that person and your partner, that you have this amazing partner that you adore and support, who supports you. Another huge win, huge these are blessings to count. Maybe your mom and your sister will come around, maybe they won’t, but be grateful that you are living your authentic self. You’re with a partner who’s also doing so, and you have friends who love you, I’m sure, and the family that you make your mish Bucha and your dad. You know, I get in bed at night and I’m and I’m not saying, Oh, you’re so ungrateful. I’m just trying to give you, like you said, some kind of perspective to be able to go, Oh, thank goodness, you know, like I get in bed these days and I am, I just think I am so grateful just to be warm and dry, you know, and then beyond that, so many things, so many things I’m grateful for. But really, at the root of it, just not being cold or wet is really big for me. I don’t know why. I’m just so grateful for that shit, you know, but you have a lot of things too, and I’m not saying you can’t be upset about your mom and your sister and and them holding your nephew from you, but time is longer than you it’s short and it’s really long, if you let it, you know life, and before you know it, your nephew’s going to be a person who decides who he has connections with and talks to and and I love that you’re keeping a journal, and that even if your journal is to him, you know, in addition to your own stuff, you know, but um, something you can kind of give him, you know, not just to say your side, but just to be expressing the tabs you’re keeping on him, the bottomless, infinite love you have for him, and how you are biding your time for as long as it takes to be able to reconnect with him. And I think you’re doing it right. And cry if you need to cry. Crying is good. It’s healthy, it’s your body working. And wish I could give you a hug. Oh, I would give you such a hug. I’m really good at it. All right. What else?

 

Michael  32:17

Hey, Sarah, it’s your friend Michael from Western Massachusetts. I’m calling in because the year was 1993 or four, and I was working briefly at the Late Show with David Letterman. And your sister, Laura was backstage with Jonathan Katz, who was going to be a guest, and I got introduced to her, and Jonathan Katz’s wife said, Oh, he’s cute. And Laura nodded, and I froze, and I know it was what 93 was 30 years ago, but I’m available, and I’m just wondering if Laura is okay. Thanks, see ya. Love you.

 

Sarah Silverman  33:00

Well, thanks for calling in, Michael, and I’m definitely gonna play this question for Laura, but I have terrible news for you. She is married to the greatest guy. You’re probably a great guy too. This could have been a really good meet cute. I’m sorry it isn’t, but that’s really, that’s lovely. I’ll pass that on to her, sorry and thank you. And I bet you’ll find someone wonderful. She met her husband on Bumble just saying. Lots of great people out there, especially women, so many. I have a list of single friends in my phone that I keep, and the list of amazing women is so long, and the List of amazing single men is so short. All right, what else?

 

Kristen  34:05

Hey, Sarah, it’s your friend, Kristen from Baltimore. I just heard my initial voicemail on your program, your most recent program. So thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to respond to it. My initial voicemail was regarding being unemployed for almost six months and unemployment almost running out, feeling very rejected, feeling very down. But I am happy to report that I was able to land an amazing job at the beginning of May. It definitely fits my skills, my needs and surprisingly, aligns with my values really well. So you know, even though I didn’t hear your response until after I was employed, I just want to let you know other callers know that it is important to stay resilient. It’s really important to just keep plugging along. That’s really the only way we’re all going to be successful, right? We just keep doing what we need to do. So thank you again. Good luck to those job seekers out there. I know how tough it is, but keep it up. Keep your head up. I know it’s easier said than done, but it is possible. So thank you again. Sarah, love you so much.

 

Sarah Silverman  35:22

Kristen, from B. More. I’m so fucking happy for you that thank you and thank you for calling in. I always want to know what happened. You know, that’s such great news. I’m psyched. Congratulations, what else?

 

Sender 10  35:43

Hey, Sarah, I sort of remember leaving you a message about a year ago. I was in the process of hitting rock bottom, binging on alcohol, prescription drugs and other recreational drugs. For some reason I thought that would be the perfect moment to call you up anyway I’m calling to share that I’ve just celebrated my first year of being completely sober. I never thought I would be capable of becoming clean, so I wanted to let others who may be struggling with sobriety know that it actually is possible. Thank you for always being there with a non judgmental attitude and love for your fans. Oh, and every day after I walk my dogs, I sing to them, cookie party.

 

Sarah Silverman  36:38

Hey, thanks, that was Justin Roiland wrote that, Hey, I am so fucking happy for you, and I am so proud of you. I mean, we don’t always do what’s best for us, even if we know we’re gonna be happier and healthier, because it’s just not what’s familiar, and it’s not how we’ve ever coped and just fucking so proud of you. You know, I have a very close relative who just celebrated four years sober. I’ve never seen her this happy and thrive this much. It’s just the ticket for her, and it sounds like it’s just the ticket for you and I’m and just fucking kick ass. Man, that’s just awesome. Dad, wherever you are, we are winding down. This is the part of the podcast when I say, send me your questions. Go to speakpipe.com/theSarahSilvermanpodcast. That’s speakpipe.com/theSarah Silvermanpodcast. And subscribe rate and review wherever you listen to podcasts, and there’s more of the Sarah Silverman podcast with Lemonada Premium subscribers get exclusive access to bonus questions, like one from a guy who wonders if he should use a pen name for his controversial new book. Subscribe now at Apple podcasts.

 

CREDITS  38:10

Thank you for listening to the Sarah Silverman podcast, we are a production of Lemonada media. Kathryn Barnes and Isabella Kulkarni produce our show. Our mix is by James Sparber. The show is recorded at the Invisible Studios in West Hollywood. Charles Carroll is our recording engineer. Additional Lemonada support from Steve Nelson, Stephanie Wittels Wachs and Jessica Cordova Kramer. Our theme was composed by Ben Folds. You can find me at @SarahKateSilverman on Instagram. Follow the Sarah Silverman podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or listen ad free on Amazon music with your Prime membership.