Must-Listen: Aubrey Plaza Guest Stars on Amy Poehler’s Heartfelt Podcast

It’s always tough when a beloved star goes through a profound loss, and seeing Aubrey Plaza open up about the tragic death of her husband, Jeff Baena, is a moment that sticks with you. In a raw and emotional conversation with her former Parks and Recreation co-star and friend, Amy Poehler, Plaza shared a glimpse into her world of grief, which has been turned upside down since Baena’s passing. This podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone who has followed her career, offering a side of the famously deadpan actress that we rarely get to see.

Must-listen: Amy Poehler has Aubrey Plaza on Good Hang

The discussion took place August 19 on Amy Poehler’s podcast, Good Hang, where the reunion between the two friends quickly turned from lighthearted to deeply personal. Poehler, with the care of a close friend, gently opened the door for Plaza to speak about the “terrible, tragic year” she’s endured since Baena died by suicide in January at the age of 47. It was a heavy topic, but one that fans and friends alike have been concerned about.

Plaza’s response was a masterclass in honest vulnerability. “Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning,” she shared, admitting it’s a “daily struggle.” But what really hit hard was when she used a cinematic metaphor for grief, comparing it to the sci-fi movie The Gorge.

A Movie Became Aubrey Plaza’s Metaphor for Her Grief

For anyone who hasn’t yet seen the film, The Gorge features two characters trapped on two cliffs, with a large chasm below filled with monsters. It’s a wild premise, but for Plaza, it became a perfect, if “dumb,” analogy for her emotional state. She described her grief as a “giant ocean of just awfulness” that’s always present.

“Sometimes, I just want to, like, just dive into it and just, like, be in it,” she confessed. “And then sometimes I just, like, look at it. And then sometimes I’m like, I just try to get away from it. But it’s always there.”

It’s a very relatable sentiment for anyone who has experienced loss. Grief isn’t a linear path; it’s constantly present, sometimes it’s quiet, and other times it’s a monstrous force threatening to pull you down. Hearing Plaza articulate this in the must-listen podcast gives fans a sense of what she’s been going through. It’s a somber reminder that under the quirky and comedic characters she typically portrays, there’s a real person in there, struggling with life-altering pain.

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena’s Relationship

The tragic news of Baena’s death shocked many fans – especially since he and Plaza were notoriously private about their long relationship. The couple began dating back in 2011 and they collaborated on several indie films including 2014’s Life After Beth and The Little Hours. The couple privately married in 2021. Their relationship was not just a romantic one, but also a creative one, therefore making Baena’s sudden death that much more surprising and sad.

Adding in another element of complexity to the story is that Aubrey and Jeff had separated in September 2024, several months before his tragic passing. This came to light shortly after he died, giving yet another layer of heartbreak to Aubrey’s grief. It’s a difficult situation to imagine and a true testament the amazing strength it took for Plaza to bravely talk about it on a public platform, such as Poehler’s podcast.

A Must-Listen Podcast Showing Support and Friendship

Throughout the heartfelt conversation, the deep bond between Aubrey Plaza and Amy Poehler was obvious. Poehler tackled the difficult topic with incredible grace. Also she created a space for her longtime friend to feel safe and show vulnerability. Amy didn’t shy away from hard questions but approached them with both support and empathy that can only evolve from a long standing friendship. It was a moving example of how to be there for and support someone in their darkest moments.

This episode of Good Hang is much more than merely a celebrity interview; it’s a profoundly human conversation about tragedy, loss, resilience, and the harsh and often messy reality of grief. For fans of actress Aubrey Plaza, it’s definitely a must-listen to understand the true person who is behind the persona.

For anyone who has ever dealt with loss, it’s a reminder that you’re not alone in that abysmal “gorge.” Hearing someone as high-profile as Plaza talk about her struggle in such an unfiltered way is both heartbreaking and incredibly validating. It’s a reminder of her resilience and a powerful piece of must-listen that will resonate with listeners for a long time after it ends.

 

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or dial 988.