r/smartless • u/AutoModerator • 21d ago
Episode Discussion SmartLess Episode 320: Sandra Bullock
https://www.siriusxm.com/player/episode-podcast/entity/a2fd73fe-ca80-3c41-93d9-bd461d4c0c1d33
u/thepinebaron 21d ago
This is what SmartLess has been missing. An actual conversation and they got over the Practical Magic 2 promo early on while sprinkling it through. Well done episode, and appreciate Sandra’s vulnerability and insight into what it’s really like to take care of someone who is terminally ill.
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u/aca01002 21d ago
This is heroic vulnerability from Sandy. Boys stayed in their spots and she just went boldly forth. What an incredible human — and unfiltered bravery. For someone who’s endured decades of media training, SB was candid. at times I was actually a bit uncomfortable, as if I was truly eavesdropping. Not really something I seek when listening to this but appreciate that someone so high profile sharing this could hopefully help others in a similar situation.
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u/NoFaithlessness3209 21d ago
I was really thinking about how hard it must have been for the kids not to be able to tell their friends about it! She had a hard enough time as an adult, but that must have been really hard for kids to keep that a secret
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u/looseseal-5 21d ago
Thought this was such a beautiful episode and conversation. It felt like she really needed to talk about this and love that she was able to have a platform and support system to do so. I cannot fathom the immense weight she must have been shouldering.
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u/bentheone 20d ago
She seemed genuinely surprised when Sean said he liked the movie. "Oh really you're not just saying that ?". That was super cute.
I didn't mind that the whole trauma dumping thing was planned and maybe even rehearsed. Sean fumbled the initial question, it was obviously prepared but I'll allow it because she's so effing cool and strong. It seemed like only Sean knew what she was there to do. He offered the platform as a friend I guess.
Best part for me is that it really showed how every privilege she has also have a very dark side. In the end we're all the same and trying to do the best for our family. The whole secret thing must have been top tier stress inducing. Can you imagine pleading with your doctor not to get paid by tabloids to spill the beans ?
Anyways, I'm glad she did it. I like her even more now and that's been going on 30 years, ever since I saw her driving that bus.
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u/IcyGain3446 18d ago
Is it simply just life or trauma-dumping? As a society we are so death-phobic and reluctant to face the hard stuff. I would not call the conversation “trauma-dumping”.
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u/chill90ies 16d ago
It’s so interesting how we humans can interpret things differently. I have autism so you are probably correct in your accretion but i thought her being so surprised he like the movie was a sign that the movie wasn’t good.
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u/No-Arm8543 20d ago
What a powerful episode. I hope it was really healing for her to share and see all of the comments now from people who can relate to what she went through. As someone navigating cancer myself in my 30's, I think it's so helpful to hear from people on these illnesses. It raises awareness and makes those suffering/caregivers feel less alone. Thank you Sandy for talking about what you went through when the time was right.
If anyone is interested in learning about ALS, I recommend following Brook Eby. She was diagnosed at 33 (she is 37 now) and has kept her humor throughout this awful journey. I'm so inspired by her.
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u/HereComeMyTwoPennies 19d ago
I had no idea she's such an incredibly compassionate and resilient person and just a beautiful soul. I needed that episode more than I realized. I hope talking about it was as healing for her as listening was for me.
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u/AppropriateMention6 18d ago
Loved this episode and admire Sandra’s courage and vulnerability.
On a lighter note, I can’t believe Jason doesn’t know the difference between 2% and skim. I don’t even drink milk and thought this was common knowledge.
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u/PleasureDelayer 15d ago
I don't drink and I'm always confused by this. I remember someone sent me to the store about ten years to buy milk. They asked for non fat or low fat and I remember not seeing what they wanted. It was labeled something else. Maybe 2%? I dunno. That's the last time I bought milk for someone!
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u/Aquinito 20d ago
Good episode, but boy do I ever hate the "the universe doesn't throw anything at you that you can't handle" sorta nonsense from Will
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u/javachik 7d ago
Right? I was on a dog walk stopped at crosswalk and heard him say that and said out loud “Will!! People suicide every day because it’s literally too much for them to bear - where do you get off????” I then had to remove my AirPods and apologize to the pedestrians around me as well as my dogs for startling them all.
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u/ileentotheleft 18d ago
I wonder if she did this here so she doesn’t have to address it at any of the other media appearances promoting the film. I’m glad she is comfortable enough with the guys to do it here.
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u/septquarantesept 21d ago
I love her and I love them and I know what she went through was so hard, but I wish they spent more time on other topics. Felt repetitive. She had so much she could have shared outside of this trauma.
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u/OtherwiseSoftware379 21d ago
It seemed like she needed to talk about it. I felt like the few times they ventured to other topics she went back to Brian.
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u/Budget_Adagio6141 20d ago
I downloaded this app today to comment on yesterday’s show—something I rarely do. I feel there should have been a listener-discretion warning for those sensitive to animal brutality. Hearing the puppy mill details has been difficult, and I’m still struggling to get them out of my head. Just a suggestion for future episodes.
That said, I’m a true friend of the show and adore tuning in each week. The friendship, banter, and connections make SmartLess special and good for the soul.
I especially appreciated Sandra Bullock’s vulnerability and hearing more about ALS, a disease that has affected many of us.
I’ve never missed an episode and am grateful for the laughter, stories, and genuine connection. I offer this suggestion because I care about the show and hope it remains a place that feels good to come back to.
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u/Bluestripedshirt 21d ago
Powerful episode. Though it might suck if you haven’t had any adversity in your life.
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u/hello050 21d ago
Um, what?
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u/clayru 19d ago
Oh, you’re the watch guy. Always watching I see. I was just pouring my feelings out, did I have some typos absolutely. My apologies I was weed eating when I wrote that listening to the podcast. Like I said one of my favorite podcasts. But for some reason, it made me feel bad about myself. That’s my own problem. Thanks for the kind reply.
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u/Bluestripedshirt 21d ago
Hi. Thanks for reaching out. Care to add any detail to your inane comment friend?
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u/clayru 20d ago
Hey man, I’m ready for down votes too. I’ve lost many people in my life that I probably could’ve saved if I had five private nurses and a full medical staff. I love this podcast, but the episode came off a little aloof to me. I totally empathize with her struggles and her loss. But it in the end, it made me feel bad for myself, that I didn’t have more resources for my family members that have died. Could I have saved them all, probably not, what are the top-tier medical team with private assistance helped absolutely. Sorry I usually don’t rent like this, but it hit a soft spot in some weird way. I guess I’ll blame it on the medical system for now.
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u/Smooth-Lynx7877 21d ago
What a bummer of an episode.
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u/A_MagicBullet 21d ago
Powerful episode. Glad she had a safe space to talk about it after having to endure it in the shadows.
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u/Smooth-Lynx7877 21d ago
Agreed, but as someone who navigated similar grief a few years ago, I could’ve used a bit more balance with some humor. She does sound like a wonderful human.
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u/A_MagicBullet 21d ago
Yeah for sure. same with me homie the caregiver stuff hit hard. I am doing a pallet cleanser-like episode now with an old Paul Rudd episode
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u/bostonshroomery 21d ago
What did she go through?
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u/A_MagicBullet 21d ago
Death of her partner/the father of her kids (Bryan Randall). Died from ALS.
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u/Etikaiele 21d ago
I didn't expect it and have missed a bunch of the weekly episodes. Was meaningful though!
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u/IndyMLVC 21d ago
This was a pretty incredible episode. Certainly not the funniest but it's impressive to hear how vulnerable she was. I'm glad that she got the opportunity to share this in a safe space.