Off the Cupp with S.E. Cupp

iHeartPodcasts and Reasoned Choice

S.E. Cupp needs a break -- from the news, from politics, from the triggering headlines and heated discussions … from the mental load of it all. Off the Cupp is just that. It’s a place to get loose and personal, to talk about what’s going on in our lives - beyond (and, yes, maybe because of) the news. Through a lens of mental health, S.E. invites her famous guests — celebrities, athletes, authors, journalists, politicians, reality stars — to share their life stories, their trials and tribulations and to talk about what it’s like living in this world, even when this world can feel like a lot.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

132 episodes
Updated July 1
Explicit

Episodes132

Newest first

Jul 30, 2025 · 55 min
Ricki Lake on talk shows, musicals, and starting over
This week it's the ultimate reinventionist, Ricki Lake! S.E. finds out how Ricki Lake manages to always take big swings in her career — from her out-of-the-blue starring role in Hairspray, to becoming a talk show legend in her 20s, to making a very personal and revealing documentary — and doesn't get pulled under by self doubt and the pressures of a fickle business. Ricki shares some of her personal heartache and why, despite it all, she can still view life optimistically. She talks about the shock of losing her home in the LA wildfires, her return to New York City and why she's living her best life now. And stay tuned for a very musical lightning round! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 23, 2025 · 54 min
Jennie Garth and that ‘reinvention’ word
This week, S.E. chats with Jennie Garth! The 90210 star talks about how she maneuvered the Hollywood machine as a teenager, her ups and downs with the industry, and how it was faith in herself that freed herself from the hamster reel. S.E. and Jennie get personal about how they face the fissures in their careers and debate the merits of reinvention. And stay tuned for a nostalgic lightning round! Plus, Jennie shares the skin care she used in the 90s that she still swears by. Check out more of Jennie Garth on the I Choose Me podcast and keep an eye out for her memoir, I Choose Me, out spring 2026. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Eric Hutchinson on Roger Federer, Paul Simon, Seinfeld and...people who liked high school??
This week, it's singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson! S.E. shares the story of how her and her husband came to find Eric's music. Eric talks about the song-writing process, how not to write a song that's already been written and some of the wild (and hilarious) story sources for some of his songs. The pair also talk and debate the best singer-songwriters of all time, the surprising connection between Seinfeld and Paul Simon, their complicated feelings around kids music and censorship and why there still isn't a song of the summer! Also ... S.E. sings! Stay tuned for a very lyrical lightning round! Eric is on tour through November 2025! Check out his updated shows here. Eric’s latest album, “Cliff Notes — Best of Eric Hutchinson 2014-2024,” is out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9, 2025 · 59 min
Justin Bartha on existential life questions, the pandemic turning point, and the Gigli of it all
This week, S.E. chats with National Treasure and The Hangover star Justin Bartha! S.E. and Justin find they have a LOT in common, including a shared hometown — at the same time — in Michigan. Justin talks about the lengths he went to follow Robert De Niro into the business, his first big break in — and the fallout from — the much-maligned movie Gigli and how he carved a surprising path forward. He shares his own mental health journey and how he's able to keep Hollywood at a healthy distance, even if it impacts his career. There's also a very fun Hangover themed lightning round, so stay tuned! Justin's new movie, Nuked, is available to stream starting July 11. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 7, 2025 · 49 min
S.E.’s Talkin’ (and Tastin’) Coffee
On this edition of Talkin’ Coffee, it’s the battle of the coffees! Which cup comes out on top in a blind taste test: Dunkin’, McDonald’s, or Starbucks? To find out, SE is joined not only by her producers Lauren and Derrick but also her husband (and coffee soulmate) John. Summer intern Logan also makes an appearance to defend her generation’s invention of the “home cafe.” Plus all the news that’s fit to sip! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2, 2025 · 39 min
No offense to Bradley Whitford
This week, S.E. challenges her cardinal rule here on Off the Cupp (no politics!) with a most delightful and very much politically engaged guest, Bradley Whitford. It's not just Bradley's tenure as White House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman in Aaron Sorkin's beloved drama the West Wing that makes him particularly political. Bradley is also putting himself in the mix every chance he gets — advocating for political candidates, policies, and social justice issues. He just can't help himself. S.E. and Bradley talk about his childhood as youngest kid, "the mistake's friend," finding his people through theater, and some incredible near misses in his illustrious career. They also talk about the sometimes debilitating power of confidence, monitoring their media intake, stimulation overload. It's also a very presidential lightning round! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
Jemele Hill on the WNBA, mental health in sports, and why there's no escaping politics
This week, S.E. sits down with sports journalist, commentator and Spolitics podcast host, Jemele Hill. S.E. and Jemele have a lot of shared knowledge and experience, both coming and finding their place in the TV journalism world. They talk about where those worlds intersect, where they diverge, and how politics is, despite anyone's best efforts, inescapable. Jemele brings us back to her cub reporting days, newsroom antics, and how she climbed her way into a white, male dominated world. She talks about facing backlash, stepping into her courage to get louder, and riding the media wave. And prepare yourself for one of the most controversial lightning round answers we've ever heard! If you like this conversation — which you will — you have got to go listen and follow Jemele's fantastic politics, Spolitics, wherever you listen to your favorite shows. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Stephen Kellogg on midlife crises, admitting you're wrong, and pizza
This week, S.E. sits down with a friend! The singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg joins S.E. in the iHeart studio to talk about why he's searching for a pivot, the toll of being a touring musician, and the moments of failure he's learned from. As a father to four, he also shares his best parenting hacks and how he and his longtime partner make it work. S.E. and Stephen also get into some controversial opinions about the best pizza (is it *really* in New Haven?!) AND who he thinks is America's best singer-songwriter of all time (his answers may surprise you). Stephen Kellogg's latest album,"To you, old friend.", is out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 11, 2025 · 50 min
Jay Mohr on ego, aging, and dad’s all nighter
This week it’s Jay Mohr! S.E. sits down with the stand-up comedian and host of the “Mohr Stores” podcast to talk about his early career, 90s male archetypes, and how he’s transitioning into this second half of life and career. Jay talks about his journey to sobriety, his lows, and rebuilding the bridges he had burned. And it’s a very Jay lightning round with questions about Nascar, SNL, and the greatest joke writer of all time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 9, 2025 · 32 min
S.E.’s Talkin’ Coffee … and bustin’ myths
It’s all the news that’s fit to sip! In this episode of Talkin’ Coffee, S.E. chats with her producers, Lauren and Derrick, about common coffee-related myths. Does drinking coffee actually stunt your growth? What about dehydration? Then, we take to the skies for news of a certain brand collaboration that has S.E. soaring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4, 2025 · 57 min
Spencer Garrett: That guy from EVERYTHING
This week, S.E. sits down — in person! In LA — with a real LA guy who you'll surely know from that thing — Spencer Garrett! Spencer and S.E. get into his childhood growing up in Los Angeles, with a family that was riding the highs and lows of their various roles in "the business." Close listeners of Off the Cupp will enjoy hearing the backstory of something that has come up with many guests — the Character Actors Dining Society — a group of character actors (including Spencer, former guests Rob Morrow and Steven Weber, and so many more) who get together in support and in admiration of one another. They also talk about how Spencer met his wife and S.E.'s friend and colleague, Dana Bash, and how they each manage their respective, quickly evolving, often struggling, industries. Before a fun lightning round, S.E. gets the dirt on some of the more infamous Hollywood conspiracy theories — how much is true?! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28, 2025 · 58 min
Dr. Drew Pinsky: Talking openly about the hard stuff
This week, S.E. sits down with one of the original TV doctors, Dr. Drew Pinsky. Dr. Drew talks about going from a late-night radio show to MTV with the 90s hit, Loveline with Adam Carolla. He also takes S.E. behind the scenes of the making of Celebrity Rehab. S.E. and Dr. Drew gets personal, too, with Dr. Drew sharing the traumas of his childhood and, later, his extreme anxiety. S.E. shares her experience and Dr. Drew offers some real-time care. It’s an intimate conversation that wraps with a TV doctor’s version of Marry, F, Kill. Find more of Dr. Drew, Chief Patient Officer at The Wellness Company, at DrDrew.TV. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
Andrew Zimmern's wild — and tasty — ride
Andrew Zimmern always knew he would be involved with food. On this week’s episode, S.E. talks with the chef and adventurer about how that connection started in his childhood days in the kitchen, grew throughout his adolescence in the New York City food scene (attending James Beard’s Christmas parties?!), and blossomed on his TV shows where he demystifies global food. But the wild aspects of Andrew’s life run deeper and beyond his taste buds. S.E. and Andrew get into it all — addictions, his lowest points, and crawling his way out of it all. And of course, stay tuned for a yummy lightning round! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2025 · 58 min
Michael Chiklis on Boston accents, John Belushi and ignoring the internet
This week, S.E. sits down with TV legend, Michael Chiklis. Known for his police roles from The Commish to The Shield, Michael shares with S.E. more about his early life in Massachusetts, and finding inspiration and support in the Greek philosophies spun out by his beauty-salon-owning father. They talk about parenting, the social media drain and the story of landing his first major movie that was riddled with controversies. Keen listeners will catch the many times the two “Massholes” slip into Boston accents. And stay tuned for a Boston-themed lightning round! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 12, 2025 · 35 min
S.E.’s Talkin’ Coffee … and uncomfortable confrontations
It’s all the news that’s fit to sip! In this episode of Talkin’ Coffee, S.E. shares the story of a confrontation she had recently that made her question everything! She asks her producers, Lauren and Derrick, and you all, to weigh in! In coffee news, there’s a sports and coffee crossover we didn’t know we needed, what we wouldn’t skimp on in this economy says a lot about us, and you wouldn’t believe what goes into McDonald’s coffee. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7, 2025 · 54 min
Is Brad Thor better at predicting the future than 'The Simpsons'?
This week, S.E. gets to see into the future with best-selling author Brad Thor. Brad talks about the impact of his favorite childhood book series and what inspired him to finally get to writing books later in life. S.E. and Brad do step lightly into politics and talk about how it shapes Brad’s audience, more than his storytelling. Brad talks about his narrative clairvoyance and where he gets his ideas from. He even gives advice to S.E. and writers out there on how to overcome those stubborn blocks and writing obstacles. Plus, it’s a super fun, thriller-inspired lightning round! Stay tuned to find out Brad’s favorite book-to-screen adaptation. Brad’s latest book is called Shadow of a Doubt and it’s out now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 30, 2025 · 40 min
Donny Deutsch on the art of talking
This week, S.E. sits down with one of the best communicators, maybe, on the planet — it's Donny Deutsch! The TV host and master marketer talks about growing up in Queens and how being a New Yorker is such an embedded part of his identity. They talk about the evolution of branding and what makes a great brand — and what definitely doesn't. Donny also shares his meandering path to ambition — his first TV appearance on a game show with Betty White — and what it took for him to lock in and get to work. S.E. and Donny also dig into the wild world of the 1980s advertising (very different vibe than Mad Men). There's a lot to learn from this episode and, make no mistake, Donny will tell it to you straight! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Brian Austin Green's second Act
David Silver is 52?! Yes, and we're all the better for it. This week, S.E. taps into the ultimate nostalgia interview with Brian Austin Green — the youngest star of the 90s teen drama, 90210 — only to experience one of the wisest, most thoughtful, life-lesson-filled conversations she's had on Off the Cupp. Brian and S.E. talk about 90210, of course, but they also talk about his childhood, parenting, midlife, and what he has learned from his neurological breakdown. Brian also turns the table on S.E.! And asks her about her career paths and life choices. And stay tuned for a very special 9-0 quiz! If you want more Brian Austin Green, check out his podcast, Oldish. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 16, 2025 · 58 min
Judy Gold: ‘There's no funny without the truth’
This week on the pod, comedian, actress all around talent, Judy Gold! The comedian talks about the struggle to be funny in this moment, the Trump Effect on comedy and the intrinsic elements of humor — vulnerability and truth — that are so unfortunately lacking right now but in this political regime in particular. Judy shares what she was like as a kid - a natural observer who said everything - whose appearance and height were the source of endless bullying. Judy talks about her career, the breaks and disappointments and how stand-up will always be her main squeeze. S.E. and Judy also trade anxiety stories and find a lot of each other in them. Stay for the lightning round to see if Judy really knows the details of her own career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 14, 2025 · 49 min
S.E.’s Talkin’ Coffee … and controversial opinions
It’s all the news that’s fit to sip! This episode of Talkin’ Coffee includes advice from baristas on how to brew the best cup, surprising coffee-related White Lotus tie-ins, a little bit of bad news, and some pretty controversial opinions on the best coffee cities. Oh, and we hear from listeners! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.