Suspiciously Healthy

9 Jan 2025 · 20 min

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Podcast Notes: Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend - Episode: Suspiciously Healthy

Podcast Overview Host: Conan O'Brien Theme: Conan's journey to build real friendships with celebrity guests. The podcast is a playful and candid exploration of human connection, free from restrictions.

Episode Summary In this episode titled *Suspiciously Healthy*, Conan O'Brien engages in a lively conversation with Eugenia Fernandez de los Ronderos Jimenez, a physician resident from Madrid, Spain. The discussion revolves around cultural differences in relationships, particularly focusing on Public Displays of Affection (PDA) as Eugenia shares her experiences with her Irish-American fiancé, Sean Dempsey.

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Key Topics Discussed

  1. Introduction to Eugenia
  2. Background: Resident physician in Madrid, with American relatives including her fiancé, Sean, who is Irish-American.
  3. Meeting Sean: They met while he was studying abroad in Seville, leading to a long-distance relationship that blossomed over time.
  1. Cultural Differences in Relationships
  2. Drinking Cultures:
  3. Eugenia mentions that in Spain, people often start drinking at noon and can continue until the early morning, contrasting with Sean’s more restrained drinking culture.
  4. Public Displays of Affection (PDA):
  5. Eugenia describes how PDA is common in Spain, leading to a culture shock for Sean, who was raised in a more reserved environment in the Midwest.
  1. Humorous Anecdotes
  2. Conversation about the differences in their drinking habits and how Sean has adapted to Spanish culture.
  3. Conan jokes about his own background and how he could help Sean become more comfortable with PDA, portraying an exaggerated image of Irish men being uptight.
  1. Eugenia's Concerns
  2. She discusses the struggles Sean faces with showing affection in public and the cultural sensitivity surrounding it.
  3. This leads to a light-hearted examination of how Conan could coach Sean into being more expressive.

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Key Takeaways

  • Cultural Sensitivity: The episode underscores the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences in relationships, especially in expressions of affection.
  • Humor in Relationships: The comedic exchanges highlight how humor can be a tool for navigating cultural differences, making light of serious topics.
  • Conan's Approach: He offers a mix of genuine support and humorous insights, emphasizing the podcast's theme of exploring real human connections.

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Conclusion This episode of *Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend* showcases the charm of cross-cultural relationships through a comedic lens, illustrating how love and affection can be influenced by background and upbringing. Conan’s willingness to help Eugenia and Sean navigate these differences adds a layer of warmth and humor to the discussion.

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Production Credits

  • Produced by: Matt Gourley
  • Executive Producers: Adam Sachs, Jeff Ross, and Nick Liao
  • Music: Jimmy Vivino

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Transcript

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0:12Eugenia Fernandez de los Ronderos Jimenez. That's me. That's too long. Too long. I always keep traveling the customs when I try to get to see my family in the U.S. But, yeah. Okay. So, tell me how to pronounce your name. I want to make sure I say it correctly. Eugenia. Eugenia. I am conando. Encantada, conando. Let's see. Tell us, Eugenia, tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you right now in the world? So, right now, I'm in Madrid, Spain. from my house. And I work here as a physician resident in a hospital. Oh, okay. Very good. You work in a hospital and you take care of people. That's very good.

0:59I like that. And you mentioned that you have American relatives. Is that true? Yeah. My fiance, he's American. He's Irish American. Sean Dempsey. I like how your accent. Yeah, wait, your fiancé is Irish-American and his name is Sean Dempsey. Here in Spain, people call him Chong, Chang. Seeing if they see it written, these people cannot really pronounce his name. Yeah, well, I'm sure anything's okay with Sean. Yeah, he goes by Juan sometimes when he gets tired. Yeah, guess what? He's not going to really say his name right. The Irish, we just don't care. As long as we're welcomed in and someone has something to drink and something to eat, we're fine.

1:48You know, call me whatever you want. And that's how it is here. So tell me a little bit, how did you meet this guy? We met in 2016. He went to study abroad. He came actually to my hometown, Seville, in southern Spain. A lot of Americans go to study there abroad, actually. And we fell kind of in love, but it didn't make any sense. I was 19 and I was studying medicine. After a year, we met again. And that's how we decided like, if in one year we couldn't meet anyone that beat that. Well, I don't think it's that - Okay, Eugenia, I don't think it's that you couldn't meet anyone. I just think he was the special one.

2:26He was the one. He was the one. I don't think you should go around telling him. I waited and when it just, no one came along. You'll do. You'll do. He's fine. He's got used to the Spanish way of be in a relationship with a Spanish woman. So he's fine. Okay, well, what are the differences, say, between a Spanish woman and an Irish Catholic guy? What's the thing that, what's the biggest difference between you? How have you had to change him? That's tough, because I think we actually have a lot of things in common, like Southern Spanish people and Irish people. But probably like the drinking culture, it sounds weird, but like we can start drinking at 12 in the noon, like 12 p.m.

3:16and then end drinking at 4 a.m. after being the whole day with our friends, eating and everything. But he and you guys like struggle with that type of culture when you get smashed in 30 minutes. You guys? Well, wait a minute. Hold on a second. Let's clean up a few things here, Eugenia, if that's even your real name you're saying that you guys can start drinking at noon and you can go to 4am and it's no problem right? that you can tolerate it, you're fine you pace yourselves and are you saying that what does he and his family do that's different? just I mean start earlier way earlier like breakfast early and finish before lunch and maybe okay Sean may have a problem yeah this might not be an Irish thing I don't think it's that I mean so he's starting at breakfast and then at noon he sort of passes out he's been four years in Spain he's got a rehab since what?

4:26oh shit he's been four years in Spain he's already living here with me so he came along with the culture here and now he's totally fine Oh, okay. We thought you meant he went to rehab and suddenly we weren't laughing. And it wasn't a joke. But now that we've learned he hasn't gone to rehab, we think it's really funny again. Language barrier. And now it's fantastic. Now it's fun when you can laugh about it. What about, okay, drinking aside, what are other things that maybe were different about the two of you? Do you know what I mean? Yeah. I think the biggest main thing at the beginning of our relationship was PDA.

5:08We don't have that in Spain or Europe. What do you mean? You don't have public display of affection. You don't show affection publicly or you do? We do. We do. And we don't care about what other people think. So it was very violent for him at the beginning. He was raised a part of his life in the Midwest. Oh, boy. Oh, yeah. But then he taught me about that. and I learned to respect it because it's a cultural difference. At the beginning, I thought he didn't like me because he was like kind of running. Oh, no, let me explain something to you, Eugenia. I think it is a very Irish thing, which is we are kind of uptight and we don't show a lot of public displays of affection.

5:49Whereas, of course, I know it's a, but when I think about Spain, I think of people being very open with their emotions. and so you don't even know what to do with your hands right now oh you want me to simulate you want to sit me no okay then shut up trying to find the word you can't even do private displays of affection he's speaking in spanish he's got a plumbing push you hand you hand you let me explain something to you i've been married for 21 years and my wife has never seen me naked it. Never. I when I take a shower, I'm wearing a business suit. But this is her choice, though, right? That she will.

6:31She saw me once and she said, I demand that you wear a five piece suit. I didn't even know what a five piece suit was. But Eugenia, there is a difference, which is we're more repressed. And I think but I've learned I've learned I'm heavily medicated. I also drink a lot and I live now in Southern California and I've changed a little bit. And I think I could talk to Sean and I could help him with his fear of public displays of affection because you're a very beautiful woman. I think he should be able to embrace you openly. What is that? You are so awkward. Oh, my God. It's like you're holding a tuba.

7:16So awkward. Well, listen, I'm assuming she's wearing a parka. It's cold. Sometimes it gets cold. Is it a hug? Are you hugging? What are you doing with your hands? I'm sorry. I don't know how to act this out. Eugenia. Oh my God. I'm going to talk - Hug me through your finger. No, no, no. You're a very beautiful woman. I was just, I don't want to put, even on your imaginary self, I don't want to get too close because of, I think that's, you know, the whole me too thing. That's why I'm being very, I'm showing even an imaginary way. I'm showing a lot of respect and distance. I'm giving you your space.

7:54But anyway. Pretty marital counseling we get for Sean, I think. Maybe you could show him a little bit the ways. You want me to show you? You want me to show Sean, give him some premarital counseling on how to be more affectionate in public? No. Maybe it could be a two way kind of relation where maybe your wife will be also happy that he tells you some tips about it since you're also struggling. No, no, no. Listen, we're not getting my wife involved in this, okay? You know, and it's not a two-way if my wife's involved. Listen, Eugenia, I feel for Sean because I know what he's going through. We are an uptight people.

8:35And so what you're saying is, and I'd like you to actually say this, you think, do you think that I could come and help Sean with his public display of affection issues? I think it would be very helpful with Sean and his public display of affection issues. You think I could maybe help him and coax him to be a little more of a Latin lover, so to speak? Yeah, like a coach, like a kind of a coaching experience. Eduardo's laughing really hard right now. That's okay, I'm getting what I need to get. Do you just be someone that can speak the dead language of Latin? No, I know exactly what I'm doing and I won't be pulled off track.

9:12Okay. Why, you idiots.

9:23So when is this wedding taking place? It's March 15th, next year in Seville. Okay. Spain. I'd very much like to be at that wedding. Oh, boy. You will be very welcome. I don't know what your wedding planner skills are, but I really need help with my Irish-American guests over 30 to navigate the Spanish drinking culture and also Sean's fear of displaying affection in our own wedding. Okay. This is what I'm going to say. I would happily help plan your wedding. Okay? I would do that. I would plan your wedding. And my first, my only recommendation is that the Irish-Americans are restrained in their seats and that no alcohol is anywhere near them.

10:10And all the Spanish people can drink as much as they want, but not a drop for these Irish bastards. Not a drop. Do you think that's an easy job? I think I can handle it. Let's just say I've been down this road before. So, yeah, I will help you navigate this because... Thank you. I know what you're going through. and I feel like I have, clearly I understand where Sean is coming from. You know, he's shy. He doesn't know about making out in public. What's wrong with that? Did you make up that he's shy? He might not be a shy person. Wait, he's not shy? He can surprise you. You think he's going to make a pass at me?

10:58He might be funnier and pump some jokes. They're only like, ooh, wow. I thought you were shy. Oh, okay, okay, yeah. No, I just meant physically. That's all, physically shy. I thought you meant like he's a shy person. No, no, no, I just meant physically shy about public displays of affection if you're not. Well, I'm having a great time with her. It's you guys I can't seem to get in sync with. You should try reading the research, huh? What's that? All right, what does this? No, it's interesting because with like, for example, like in flamenco dancing, it's very expressive type of dancing. Yep. And when he dances flamenco, He actually does a good job.

11:33He expresses himself well. But in other fields, he doesn't succeed. He doesn't succeed as much. Like what? Like what other fields? Like showing real affection. Like what you said, like physical affection. Yeah. Like in public. In public. Yes, I'm sure. Listen, all Irish men, we're a little stilted and stuff in public. But in private, we are very passionate. Come on. And I am. I'm sorry. I'm going to speak up. I've never heard that. What's that? Never heard that before. You've never heard that before. She's engaged to an Irishman.

12:13Eugenia, I'm not sure I can make this wedding. I want to help you, but you've got to work with me here and at least pretend that I'm a very, just pretend that I'm a very sensual man. I've seen you in other stuff and I think you can put your sensual self. When you want to, for sure. Yes, yes. No, it's very true. I can be very sensual when the time comes. When it's time, then I can be quite sensual. When the time comes. When the appropriate moment has arrived. 7.30 p.m. when I can touch it. Time to be sensual. And see Alice. It's a Saturday night for 10 minutes. See Alice will make sure you're ready when the time comes.

13:01All right. Well, you know, I'm going to do my best by you. I really would like to try and help you. I'm obviously much older than Sean. I'm a very old man. I'm sure you can see. You don't look that old, I have to be honest. Oh, really? You keep yourself in good shape. Oh, thank you. I try. Yeah, you can tell. I haven't had any work done on my face yet. You look suspiciously healthy. Conan O 'Brien, suspiciously healthy. Wait a minute. I look suspiciously healthy. What do you need to live that, John? Do you think that I'm doing something to my face or to my body? I think it's either Botox or that you're using a lot of sunscreen because of your skin tone and everything, which could be both.

13:52Well, first of all, I will tell you, I've never, ever done Botox ever in my life because I'm a comedian. and I always worried like that, you know, that stuff freezes up your face and this thing's my money maker. Oh my God. But I don't use a lot of sunscreen. I just have never gone outside in my life. Okay, that explains a lot. Sexy, huh? Does Sean go outside much? He does and he gets burned. That's why he uses a lot of cream, sunscreen. Yeah, yeah. It's always good when a man applies many creams. Yeah, it's not sexy at all to wear sunscreen all the time. Well, it's not sexy to say, I'll be right with you, Eugenia, for our walk where I never touch you outside.

14:37But first, I must apply my creams. That's not good. Yeah. Yeah. I wish holding hands. It's actually eye contacting. Like that's probably the first base. Wait, he doesn't make eye contact with you? Eye contact is hard. Yeah, for him. Have you had his eyesight checked? maybe he can't see you maybe he's so drunk by noon that he doesn't know which Eugenia to look at I love you and I love you I mean yeah well is Sean aware of my tomfoolery has he ever listened to the podcast or anything he has yeah he went back to you through me I brought you back to him and he also is a huge fan That's nice. That's important for me to know.

15:27Yeah, respect. Because if he's not a fan, I'm not going to help him. No. I mean, he can always pretend, but... Does he know that you're getting advice about your relationship from Conan on here today? He's aware. He wishes he could be here with me, but I think he was a friend to know it. I think... Eugenia, I am... I would like to help you. I really would, and I would like to talk to him because, as I say, I know where he's coming from. I used to be, believe it or not, I used to be an uptight Irish guy, but I've changed. I live in Southern California and I've done a lot of work on my body. I've read the Kama Sutra.

16:06Oh, boy. Oh, God. Yeah. I didn't know it was the Kama Sutra. I thought it was an in-flight manual. In some ways it is. Yeah. I thought it was what to do in case of a crash. I didn't know why these people were getting together during a plane crash. But anyway, so, but I, I feel like I could be, and I also would like to get in touch with my, I think I have an inner Latin side, an inner Spanish side that should come out. I think every, not every, but many Irish Americans do have a Latin, repressed Latin soul in them. And when they release them, it's like a very interesting experience. I will get on camera.

16:45Yeah. Yeah. Very good. I'll be recording. Yeah. You can. Well, I do not wish my sensual side to be recorded. We did that once and it's doing very well in Switzerland. It's a film. I'm trying to live down, but I performed well. Listen, I want to thank you for talking to us. And I want to wish you and Sean the best. Thank you so much. What'd you say? I'm just so defeated. Well, I just looked over at Sona and this is what she was doing. Wait, what's wrong with you? Yeah. What do you mean what's wrong with me? Why are you defeated? I just don't want to hear so much about your sexual prowess. And I think that it's kind of sad that you're saying so much.

17:30I'm only talking about it so much because, you know, of my failings. Yeah, but you... Oh, wait, that is sad. That is sad. Yeah, you get very squeamish when women talk about, like, certain parts of their bodies. And you're going to go teach this guy about how to be more sexual. It's just funny. Sona, you're a little, Sona's a little extreme. She talks about things that normal people don't talk about. She's very graphic. And I don't think, I don't get that sense from Eugenia Fernandez de los Ronderos Jimenez. Okay. You know what I mean? She's, I don't think she's walking around talking about various graphic things.

18:08I think she just wants some eye contact and some more, a little sensuality from her man. That's all you want. Yes. Yeah. And show us again how you're going to hold her. Yeah. I'm going to teach him to hold you like this. Like a koala. Him giving you a eucalyptus leaf. Yeah. Okay. You went, ooh, wasn't that kind of sensual? The eucalyptus leaf? You learned that in Kama Sutra? It's the special Australian edition, yes. Well, Eugenia, I love talking to you. Congratulations on your upcoming, I love this word, nuptials. And tell Sean that Conan says hey, and Conan's going to help him. Thank you so much, Conan.

18:56Thank you so much, guys. Nice to meet you all. Bye-bye. See you later. Bye-bye. Adios. Bye. Conan O 'Brien Needs a Fan with Conan O 'Brien, Sonam Ovcesian, and Matt Gourley. Produced by me, Matt Gourley. Executive produced by Adam Sachs, Jeff Ross, and Nick Liao. Incidental music by Jimmy Vivino. Take it away, Jimmy. Supervising producer Aaron Blaird. Associate talent producer Jennifer Samples. Associate producers Sean Doherty and Lisa Byrne. Engineering by Eduardo Perez. Get three free months of SiriusXM when you sign up at SiriusXM.com slash Conan. Please rate, review, and subscribe to Conan O 'Brien Needs a Fan wherever fine podcasts are downloaded.

From the publisher

Conan chats with Eugenia in Madrid about how to help her Irish-American boyfriend get more comfortable with Public Displays of Affection.

 

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