Advertise on podcast: Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

In a moment when politics can feel like an endless culture war, Kal Penn makes the case for focusing on what actually changes people’s lives. Drawing on his time inside the Obama White House and his perspective from outside it, Kal reveals why outrage distracts from real problems, and how we can collectively confront the issues that matter most. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Hollywood to the White House and back again, Kal Penn has had a front row seat to fame, power, politics and the systems behind them. Kal reveals the wild ride of Harold & Kumar, his decision to put acting on hold for the Obama White House, and what he’s learned about public life along the way. Plus, the twisted real-life saga behind his new movie, "Trust Me, I’m a Doctor." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is in partnership with BetterHelp.Some rules are meant to be rewritten! This World Mental Health Day, Sophia and BetterHelp clinician Sonni Williams unpack the contradictory expectations that keep us second guessing ourselves and diminish our self-worth. Together, they share game changing insights on how to recognize and question ingrained patterns so we can rewrite our personal rule books.Plus, a Work in Progress podcast exclusive - hear how listeners can access 10,000 hours of free therapy through BetterHelp’s Permission Project.Access the Rewrite Guide and get more information at www.betterhelp.com/permission-project See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a childhood in the South led her to DC, Jen Palmieri spent two decades inside the Clinton and Obama White Houses and at the center of presidential politics. Now she’s gone back home, traveling all over the South to figure out what Americans in that region really think about the state of the country. The conversations she had were deeply eye-opening! Jen shares the confessions she heard from southern voters, why she's convinced Americans are actually fighting stereotypes instead of each other, and the surprising discoveries that gave her hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don Lemon has built an independent media company with nearly 11 million followers, but he’s still operating like a scrappy, fearless startup, and he’s got plenty to say about what happens when the government comes after you for doing your job. Don lets loose about being arrested while covering an anti-ICE protest and why he thinks Democrats need to stop playing it safe. Plus, Sophia and Don exchange hot takes about what it will take to end the war in Iran, what good government looks like, and why young voters have all the power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The unforgettable moments keep coming! Part Two brings even more standout conversations with Valerie Bertinelli,  Mira Sorvino, Jennie Garth and Kelli Giddish- brilliant women who have shared their humor, bared their souls and made us all a little richer from their hard-earned wisdom. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who doesn't need friendship, fierce honesty, big laughs, and some seriously unforgettable moments? In honor of International Women’s Friendship Month, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations with the women who have made Work in Progress a true labor of love. Hear from Dr. Jill Biden, Rosie O'Donnell, Laverne Cox, Leslie Jones, and Brooke Shields. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does leadership for all really look like? What does it mean to rise above politics as a form of competition? What does it take for a Democrat to successfully lead in one of America’s reddest states? Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear opens up about the father who taught him how to lose, the woman whose cancer treatment showed him the power of government, and whether a run for president might be on the table.Governor Beshear's new book "Go and Do Likewise: How We Heal a Broken Country" is available here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophia gets candid about her new memoir, the stories she was scared to tell and the unexpected freedom of finally laying them bare. Plus, she reveals details about her next rom-com, including the mystery love interest and why the nostalgia factor might make you very happy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From "Never Have I Ever" to HBO’s thrilling new series "Lanterns," Poorna Jagannathan has built a career playing complicated women who refuse easy labels. She opens up about reinventing herself in midlife, challenging stereotypes, breaking the silence around sexual violence, and what it takes to create a life on your own terms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does one of the worlds’ leading historians see when he looks at America right now? Professor Timothy Snyder (one of Sophia’s favorite brains) has spent decades studying how democracies flourish or fall apart. Now he shines a light on the urgent and very-present warning signs, the historical patterns he recognizes, and the dire consequences when ordinary people believe they're powerless and stop paying attention. He also shares what small moves we can make that could change everything for the better. It’s a dose of hope we all need right now!Pick up Tim Synder's books "On Tyranny" and "On Freedom" at bookstores everywhere.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congresswoman LaMonica McIver could face up to 17 years in federal prison. Why? For doing her job — trying to complete an oversight visit to an ICE detention facility in her district — and a “confrontation” with federal officers during which she repeatedly asked not to be touched by masked men and no matter how many times she said it, they didn’t listen. Now, while pregnant and fighting a case many believe is meant to intimidate her and other members of Congress from doing their jobs, Congresswoman McIver is refusing to back down. Hear in her own words what really happened at Delaney Hall, the staggering personal cost of the fight, and what it feels like to take on the full power of the federal government.Learn more about the case here:What is at stake: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/08/lamonica-mciver-trump-lock-her-up-president/Where things stand today: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/24/nyregion/lamonica-mciver-justice-department-prosecution.htmlDonate to the legal fight: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lrm-support2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben McKenzie takes us inside his journey to the dark side of cryptocurrency through his new documentary "Everyone Is Lying to You for Money." He exposes how billions in crypto have poisoned American politics and the stunning connection between Jeffrey Epstein and the early development of Bitcoin.Plus, is a Ben McKenzie/Sophia Bush romcom the antidote we all need to cure the 2026 blues? Find out why these two are ready to commit!Go to everyoneislying.com/watch to stream Ben's documentary. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Harvard basketball captain to one of the country’s most formidable attorneys general, Maura Healey has never backed down from a fight. Now, as Massachusetts’ first woman and first openly LGBTQ governor, she’s facing her biggest challenge yet: leading a state through rising costs, a housing crisis, and an increasingly high-stakes battle with the Federal Government that’s causing all this chaos.Governor Healey gets real about power, pressure, resilience, and what it takes to keep fighting when the responsibility for millions of people rests on your shoulders.Learn more about Governor Healey at www.maurahealey.comFind everything you need to vote at https://www.vote.org/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelley Robinson went from MMA fighter to Obama organizer to now president of the renowned Human Rights Campaign - a celebrated nonprofit striving to make equality, equity and liberation a reality for all LGBTQ+ people.As the first Black, queer woman to lead HRC and a mom of two, Kelley takes very seriously any threats to civil rights. She shares practical advice, resources, and a much-needed dose of hope for anyone wanting to be on the right side of history. Learn more about the Human Rights Campaign at HRC.org or on Instagram here.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.