In a candid conversation on Keke Palmer’s podcast, “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer,” Jonathan Van Ness delved into a heated exchange he had with Dax Shepard on a recent episode of Shepard’s podcast, “Armchair Expert.” The discussion between the two personalities escalated when Van Ness challenged Shepard’s perspective on The New York Times and its stance on transgender issues.
During the Armchair Expert episode, Van Ness expressed disagreement with the notion that The New York Times leans left, citing the publication’s regular inclusion of articles and op-eds that are perceived as anti-transgender. The tension escalated when Shepard suggested that some people are uncomfortable with teenagers transitioning and voiced concerns about potential infringements on women’s rights if transgender rights were expanded.
Throughout the podcast, Van Ness compared the exchange to talking to a family member, remarking, “I feel like I’m talking to my dad,” and was visibly moved to tears by the intensity of the conversation.
When asked by Keke Palmer about the discussion with Shepard, Van Ness humorously remarked, “No, it went real to the Right,” indicating the strong divergence in viewpoints. Despite the intensity of the exchange, Van Ness expressed gratitude for Shepard’s willingness to release the episode and acknowledged that it sparked a broader conversation on LGBTQ issues in many households.
However, Van Ness also revealed that the podcast episode underwent editing, leaving out significant portions of the conversation that contributed to his emotional response. He emphasized the need to address the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation about queer people, particularly in discussions involving influential figures like Shepard.
Jonathan Van Ness’s decision to share insights into the emotionally charged podcast exchange reflects the importance of open dialogue and understanding in discussions surrounding LGBTQ rights and representation.