Overview of Call Her Daddy — Jane Fonda: The GOAT (FBF)
Alex Cooper interviews Jane Fonda (actress and longtime activist) in a wide-ranging conversation about friendships, feminism, activism, mental health, body image, and aging. Fonda reflects on how Vietnam turned her into an activist, how friendships sustained her through hardship, her struggle with eating disorders and recovery, the importance of interdependence, and practical advice for young people on climate action and civic engagement. The episode mixes personal memoir, historical perspective, and direct recommendations for listeners.
Guest snapshot
- Jane Fonda — two-time Academy Award–winning actor, producer, and activist whose public work spans film, TV (Grace and Frankie), and decades of on-the-ground political organizing. She is candid about personal struggles (eating disorder, family dynamics, health) and emphasizes sustained collective action.
Key topics covered
- Maintaining and nurturing friendships (intentionality, uneven seasons)
- Evolution from independence to interdependence
- Turning point into activism (accounts from soldiers during Vietnam)
- Using celebrity/privilege to help movements (on-the-ground work vs. fundraising)
- Body image and eating disorders (bulimia/anorexia, recovery, Prozac)
- Feminism, relational therapy, and consciousness-raising groups
- Climate crisis: urgency and practical civic actions
- Health benefits of female friendships
- Film work and friendships (Grace and Frankie, 80 for Brady)
- Humorous/relatable personal anecdotes (meeting Tom Brady, family dynamics)
Notable quotes and soundbites
- "If you want to maintain a friendship you have to be intentional."
- "The mark of maturity was independence... I don't need anybody." (on cultural shifts toward recognizing interdependence)
- "We have to understand we have to work together and that we are interdependent."
- "Not having women friends is as bad for your health as smoking." (referencing Harvard research)
- "The movement needs you. Not only should you not quit, take your career seriously… make your movies reflect your values."
Main takeaways
- Friendships require effort and intentionality, especially as lives change; sometimes one friend gives more during rough seasons and that's okay.
- Asking for help and accepting interdependence is a strength that often grows with age and experience.
- Celebrity/privilege can be leveraged to amplify movements — both by being visible and by doing ground-level work when possible.
- Eating disorders often start innocuously and can become addictive; recovery can include therapy, medication (Fonda cites Prozac), community, and deliberate behavioral changes.
- Collective action is essential for systemic problems (climate, reproductive rights). Individual changes help, but political engagement, voting, and organizing are critical.
- Female friendships have measurable health benefits and should be prioritized even in romantic relationships.
- Younger people should learn the facts (e.g., climate science), join organizations, and vote — both to protect their future and to build community.
Practical advice / action items for listeners
- Be intentional: schedule and prioritize friendships; don’t assume equal effort means equal commitment.
- If you're struggling (mental health, eating disorders), seek support — group work, therapy, medical treatment can help; you don’t have to hide it.
- Use your platform/privilege strategically: amplify marginalized voices, lend visibility to causes, and pair visibility with solidarity on the ground when possible.
- For climate action: educate yourself, join local groups, hold elected officials accountable, and vote for candidates who prioritize climate policy.
- Form or join consciousness-raising/support groups to combat body-image pressures and build collective resilience.
- Maintain friendships during new relationships: make time for friends early so boundaries and routines are established.
Memorable personal stories shared
- Eve Ensler flew to massage Fonda’s feet after a botched hip replacement — an example of deep friendship care.
- Early wartime encounters with soldiers changed her worldview and catalyzed a lifetime of activism.
- Arrested while marching with Indigenous activists at Fort Lawton — recounts the tension between celebrity/privilege and solidarity.
- Long struggle with bulimia/anorexia: secretive behavior, isolation, eventual cold turkey approach, and later use of Prozac for anxiety-driven aspects of the disorder.
- Joyful on-screen/off-screen friendship with Lily Tomlin and Sally Field; discussed their chemistry and repeated collaborations (Grace and Frankie; 80 for Brady).
- Meeting Tom Brady: starstruck but amused.
Who should listen and why
- Fans of Jane Fonda and Grace and Frankie — for candid behind-the-scenes and personal reflections.
- Young adults and women — for practical, empathetic advice about friendships, relationships, mental health, and civic engagement.
- Anyone interested in activism, intergenerational learning, and how cultural figures balance privilege with movement work.
Final note
The episode blends memoir and manifesto: Fonda’s life lessons (about asking for help, collective action, and using influence responsibly) are framed as both personal recoveries and a call to civic responsibility — especially for younger listeners confronting climate and political crises.