You Asked, Gwyneth Answered

0:28What makes a great pair of glasses?

0:33When you are pioneering anything or introducing new ideas to the culture, you get criticized. You do? Yeah. Did you hear about that? I didn't find the one. I found someone I respected and we made it the one. In a sort of longing kind of view of love, people understand each other as if by magic. Nothing in itself is addictive on one hand. On the other hand, everything could be addictive if there's an emptiness in that person that needs to be filled. I now know that nobody changes until they change their energy. And when you change your energy, you change your life. I'm Gwyneth Paltrow. This is the Goop Podcast, bringing together thought leaders, culture changers, creatives, founders and CEOs, scientists, doctors, healers and seekers.

1:20Here to start conversations. Because simply asking questions and listening has the power to change the way we see the world. Here we go. Hi, I'm Gwyneth Paltrow, and welcome to the Goop Podcast. Today, I'm all by myself. A little bit ago, I asked you guys to send in your questions, and you did, so I'm going to take a stab at answering as many of them as I can right now.

1:51This is impossible. This is like, there's no way I can answer this. MFK, Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr. or Timothee Chalamet. Okay, I would marry Robert because we would just laugh so much and have such a fun, weird life and travel and anyway, I'm already basically married. I am married to him in movies, so what's the difference? I think, hmm, who am I gonna fuck you guys, Jude or Timothee Chalamet? That's very tough. I mean, I guess I have to say Jude only because it's like robbing the cradle, really, if I do it with Timothy. I think my children would kill me if I did that. But I'm not going to say that.

2:44I'm not going to say. I'm not going to say. Both. I'm going to marry all three. I'm going to marry and fuck all three. How's that? I'm a modern woman. I'm not killing anyone. Favorite lobster roll spot since it's summer? Controversially, probably my favorite lobster roll is in California at Connie and Ted's seafood restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard. Would you consider writing another cookbook dedicated to boyfriend breakfasts? You know, I've been asked this question a bunch of times. I can't imagine that anybody would want only a breakfast cookbook, but I mean, I've been asked it now enough times to think maybe I should write a boyfriend or at least like put all the recipes on the website.

3:34Maybe we'll do that. Do you do HRT or use a topical estrogen cream? I do do HRT. I think I would kill everyone and myself if I didn't. I don't have a topical estrogen cream, but I've actually been reading about it for, like, to help with skin quality. So I'm currently researching. What are you doubting about yourself currently? I think I've gotten to the age where I don't doubt very much about myself. There are certain things I don't like about myself, but I feel like I work on those things, but fully accept myself and kind of understand where, like, exactly who I am. So I think it causes me not to doubt myself anymore.

4:25What's your go-to goop kitchen order? My goop kitchen order, I mean, that's a tough question. It depends if it's lunch or dinner. I'm very into the rotisserie chicken for dinner. We make the best sauces, the best clean barbecue sauce and the best spicy sauce. So good. My favorite lunch order at the moment is the Brad summer salad. It's a tuna salad that I make a lot. It's very delicious. Lots of amazing flavor. Advice when you're feeling energetically stuck. Mmm. I think whenever you're energetically stuck, I think the best thing to do is really get out of your comfort zone and what you're comfortable with.

5:12So like force yourself into some kind of uncomfortable situation, like say yes to something you normally wouldn't say yes to or travel somewhere. I think we feel stuck when we are kind of like in a feedback loop of our life. and I think it's really important to shake it up. Even if it means like reading a book that you wouldn't normally read, like get yourself out of your current perspective. Favorite movie scene of all time, one you're in and one you're not. I'm gonna go with the end of 16 Candles when Jake Ryan comes to pick up Molly Ringwald's character after her sister's wedding for the one I'm not in.

5:54And let's see, my favorite scene of a movie that I'm in, I usually don't like the scenes that I'm in because I don't like to watch myself. I guess I recently saw the montage in The Royal Tenenbaums where Margot is just, the private investigator's been following Margot and there's like a million different scenes of her cheating on her husband and making out with a whole bunch of people. That's probably my favorite. it. How did you handle the extreme amount of change that came with your 30s? It's actually interesting because I think 30s is really when you feel like you're supposed to be totally grown up and you're supposed to be married.

6:40You're supposed to be really established in your career. There's all these sort of shoulds on your 30s. And a lot of times, like I was not married when I was 30. I did not have a kid when I was 30, but the expectation was there. And I think maybe we need to sort of like give ourselves more grace, especially in our 30s because there's this like, for women, there's this time pressure around having kids. And it really is like a huge change from the 20s to the 30s. It's like a real step into adulthood. So I would just say, just give yourself some grace. do things on your own timeline, it's okay. You don't need society to pressure you into any particular paradigm, and I think that makes it a bit easier.

7:29What's one thing you know now about love that you didn't know at 30? I think when I was 30, I still was very caught up in this idea that I had to earn love and that I wasn't just inherently lovable. And I think that's something that I've been able to really work through. And now I feel that love is something that we just all deserve. We don't need to earn it. There doesn't have to be a carrot that we're dangling, you know, dangling in front of us. Like we just, each of us are just completely lovable exactly as we are. What's something your kids have taught you recently? I feel like my kids recently have taught me, well, there's definitely some slang, which I've now forgotten.

8:23But there are like these weird Gen Z words that they have that like, what are you guys saying? And now I can't remember. And they teach me about like new music acts too a lot. My son is always telling me about cool new bands like this one band called Royal Otis that have become, I'm obsessed with. And Apple's gotten me into French indie pop. I learn something from these guys every day, I gotta tell you. What's the best book or resource to learn about menopause or hormone options? I think the best book would be Mary Claire Haver's book. Dr. Haver is, this is what she does. She's total domain expertise in this subject, and I really, really trust her.

9:18I think her book is excellent. That's the one I would recommend. How do you know when something is worth doing versus just being a good idea? I don't think there's really a way to know that. And that's why we make mistakes, right? That's why, like, sometimes instinctually you'll feel something's a really good idea and you'll go do it and then it turns out it wasn't such a good idea. But I think you can't know until you try. And it's okay to try something and have it turn out to be a bad idea. That happens all the time. I think it's in the trying that, like a lot of the lesson, then the insight is in the trying.

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11:07What's a creative risk or decision that paid off and one that maybe didn't? I mean, I think starting Goop was a creative risk that has been like an incredible journey and I've learned so much about myself and about business and I'm so proud of everything we accomplished so I feel like that's one that has really worked out well even no matter what the outcome like ultimately it's been such a rich and amazing experience. What's a creative risk I took? I mean, I think we've made a number of creative decisions at Goop over the years that haven't worked out. We tried to do Goop men for a while, and we never got really enough customers there.

11:57But it was still fun to do. What's a small thing that brings you a disproportionate amount of joy? Honestly, being in nature on a beautiful day, like, gives me an incredible amount of joy. It's obviously so simple and so accessible, but I don't know. There's just something about being outside when the weather's beautiful that, like, puts everything, sets the world to rights. How do you ask a guy out when you're in your 40s? Ooh, that's a good question. How do you ask a guy out when you're in your 40s? I wonder is this like an online thing or an in-person thing? God, I would be so freaked out if I had to ask a guy out.

12:48But if I was... What about like if you're... What about just trying to like make eye contact and sort of suggest that you want him to talk to you? Is that too old fashioned? Pay someone a compliment? I like your shirt, sir. Where did you get that shirt? Your favorite thing about Brad. My favorite thing about Brad, there's so many things. So let me think about what my favorite thing would be. I think just how unconditionally loving he is. He is like there's this like wellspring of love from him all the time. I never feel like he's over me or like annoyed. He's just so loving. Brad's favorite thing about you?

13:39I wish I could text him to get the answer. Do you want to text him? Yeah. I want to text him. How do you cope with all the criticism that's aimed at you? You seem so resilient. I think I'm just very detached from other people's opinions, especially strangers' opinions. Like, I don't know. I think just over the years I've become very inured to other people's ideas of me. And I think the more that I have accepted myself and really become friends with myself, like deep, deep friends with myself, I just don't really care that much anymore. I used to care a lot and get hurt, but now I've made peace with who I am, and I just, I don't know, just I don't engage in it.

14:38I don't let it be a reflection of who I am back to me. My wife says boyfriend breakfast is staged. I say no. Well, how could I stage that? I mean, I'm just trying to think, like, pretend that I… it's definitely… I think I understand the question. It's not staged. I mean, I think about what I'm going to make the day before so I can get the ingredients and everything. And then I really make it by myself and I serve it to him. And it's every week I think about, I try to think about a new exciting thing to give to him. Sometimes I ask him for inspiration. But no, it's not staged. I definitely, it's definitely me in there doing it.

15:34What's your favorite wine under$30? My favorite wine under$30 is Avaline for sure. It's made with organic grapes. There's no weird additives in it. They don't put sugar in it. It's a very kind of like clean wine that is made by some incredible women. And it's a great price point. I just think it's fantastic. What traits do your children have that inspire you? Well, my son is possibly the kindest person ever of all time. He's just so kind and he's never like even snarky in a funny way. He's just such a good person. So I find that very inspiring because I am snarky in a funny way and he's a much better person than I am.

16:27And my daughter, I really admire and am inspired by her strength. She's very self-possessed. She's a very strong young woman and she is hilarious, like one of the funniest, quick-witted people I've ever met. Best book that you've read lately? Oh, what's the book? Oh my God, I know the author, but what's the name of the book that I'm halfway through right now that's so good? By Ocean Wong. The Emperor of Gladness. I'm reading that book now. It's so good. It's beautiful. Incredibly written. Amazing author. Young, beautiful man. Loving it so far. What's the most un-goop thing about you? Mmm. I mean, what is the least goopy thing about me?

17:29I'm pretty goopy, guys. Like, I mean, I definitely still have one cocktail a week, but I feel like that is goopy. So I don't know. There's... Yeah, I think I'm just goopy through and through. I hate to say it. What's something deeply uncool that you secretly love? Hmm. Phil Collins. Love Phil Collins. Favorite way to use ChatGPT or AI? So I've built some GPTs that have, like, I upload with specific information that have then this incredible knowledge base. So, for example, I use one for Goop and, you know, I'll upload like information and then I can ask it a million questions. So I've built a few of these and I find them incredibly helpful.

18:29I have one around health data. I have one for Goop Kitchen. I have one for friends health. So I'm totally, I'm on it a lot. What things do you consider when deciding what businesses you want to invest in? I really love being an investor. I've invested, I think, in almost 80 companies over the years, which is kind of crazy to think about. And being an investor is kind of one of the most interesting things I do. I think when I first started investing, I just kind of thought, like, oh, this is a good idea. I'll invest in it. Now I think that I put more of a process around it, but I really look for an incredible founder.

19:18I think founders are critical and I look for something that I, that is, that I would use and love. Like I invested in aura ring when everybody was like, why are you doing that? I don't get it. Nobody's going to care. Nobody's going to wear an aura ring. But I I personally was so interested in personal health data and sleep data, and I thought, no, this is going to take hold. People are going to want to invest in that, or they're going to want to buy it and use it. So I think that's an example of a product that I was really excited to invest in. I really like Better For You things, you know, unsurprisingly, like Olipop is something I invest in.

19:59I love that brand. And just looking for things that I think I have a good instinct around what's coming around the corner. And so I look for opportunities to invest in that.

20:21Who are your style icons? Jane Birkin was probably my main style icon, sort of easy, undone French thing. I really love that. It's a really good look. Yeah, she's probably my number one. How has your relationship with yourself changed now that your kids are out of the house? Well, if you've listened to this podcast before, you know that it was very tumultuous for me when my kids left the house. But it's actually been kind of incredible to reconnect with myself in a deeper way that I hadn't done in a long time. You know, I think when you're so oriented around your kids and your schedule and everything, Brad said it really well.

21:10He said, like, my nervous system was tethered to them and their plans and their emotional well-being. And when they leave the house, you sort of get all this space back. So it's been really interesting to, you know, it's been 20 years since I've had that kind of time to reflect or to center myself in a day. And I think it's really deepened my relationship with myself. And I think, you know, it's sort of interesting to kind of flash forward 20 years and then be able to reflect back on everything that's happened in the last 20 years or so. So it's been really interesting. Who would you want to play you in a movie?

21:52And who would you want to play in a movie? Well, Apple Martin could play me in a movie, right? She would be the logical choice. And who would I want to play? Who would I want to play? Hmm, it's a good question. I mean, maybe back in the day I would have liked to play someone like, you know, like an adventurer like, I don't know, Amelia Earhart or Joan of Arc or something like that. Like somebody really, really bold and boundary breaking. Favorite thing you've ever worn on the red carpet? One you might regret. My favorite thing I've ever worn on the red carpet, I think, is a Prada dress I wore to Venice Film Festival in maybe 20, I want to say, 2011 maybe?

22:47Maybe around there. It was this beautiful peach blush colored dress with a big bow at the back and so pretty. That's probably my favorite. And my regret, my red carpet regret, hmm. Well, there's the very controversial Alexander McQueen number that I wore to the Oscars in I don't even know what year. Sort of a goth situation. I think it's cool, but maybe it wasn't the best overall. The hair was a little severe. The makeup was, you know, it's probably not my best. You still have it? I still have it, yes. Apple tried it on the other day. Actually, it was awesome. So fun. What does a perfect day look like for you?

23:36A perfect day would start with me having an excellent sleep score on my Oura Ring, like well into the 90s. And then, you know, like any other day, my coffee hour with Brad in the morning. and then just a day with nothing to do, no obligations whatsoever, just sort of letting the day unfold, preferably with all the kids home. What's your favorite restaurant in LA? Ooh, that's tough. I think my favorite right now is this tiny little sushi restaurant called Yamamoto, which is like eight seats, and it's just so exquisite. The chef is amazing, and it's a really sublime experience. Just all the, even the ceramics and it's just beautiful.

24:31I'm not usually a big omakase person, but this place is like unbelievable. What would you say has been your most valuable life lesson or a lesson you had to learn the hard way? That love is painful. It just, it just is. and to not do the inevitable guarding against it. Like, just relent into the fullness of love and all of its vulnerability and expose yourself to the potential of the pain of losing it because that's really all there is. How do you handle the grief of friends moving through different phases of life before you, having babies, getting married, et cetera? Again, I think that society puts all of these constraints or expectations on us, like we have to do something by a certain time or achieve this goal by a certain age.

25:40And so we transpose that onto our friends. So if somebody's married before us, we think there's something wrong with us or we're never going to find our person. I don't know. I think it would be cool to just put all of that down and just like fully embrace the radicalness of your own path and not look sideways at what your friends are doing and just love the uncertainty of your life, knowing that one day if you want to get married, you will get married and then you'll be married for the rest of your life so embrace it now while you're free the ups and the downs and yeah once you have kids your life is never the same so I think just be punk rock about it about your single hood and embrace it.

26:32Any update from Brad yet? Oh I honestly don't have a favorite he said. I truly love every aspect of you. Your physical beauty, the way your body moves through space, the way you disappear a little when you're working, the way your hands add something to a pan, your love of dirty jokes and well-plastered walls, how much you know about art, that you feel so comfortable naked and hate fake people, when you're needy, when you're angry on the road. I love when you chug water by the bedside at night. I like the things you choose to worry about and how you handle problems. I love your morning routine and when you act like I've been demanding you to get out of the bath when I haven't said a word about it.

27:20I love the skin on the back of your knees and the arch of your feet and when you smile at me in bed after you've put in your retainers. I love how hard you try and how often you succeed. I can keep going if you like. Okay, I'm crying a little. Keep going? Who's coming up next on the podcast? Oh, well, we are actually going to take a little bit of a summer break, but we're going to be back in September. And we have some really exciting guests coming up. So, yeah, tune back in in September. Thank you so much for tuning into the Goop podcast. I hope you have enjoyed this AMA session and I appreciate your time and your care and interest.

28:11And I'll see you next time.

28:17Thanks for tuning in. This has been a presentation of Cadence 13 Studios. I hope you'll listen, follow, rate, and review all of our episodes, which are available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Odyssey, or wherever you get your podcasts.