Direct questions, real answers. On with Kara Swisher is where “Silicon Valley’s most feared and well-liked journalist” gets to the heart of what makes powerful people tick. Kara makes sense of tech, business and politics through tough conversations with the newsmakers who matter. So why do they show up? “Smart people,” says Kara, “like difficult questions.” Plus, it’s fun. Every Monday and Thursday. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Geena Davis became a breakout star in Hollywood with an Oscar under her belt and starring roles in hit films like “A League of Their Own” and “Thelma & Louise.” Yet even all that success didn’t always protect her from feeling small in Hollywood. In this episode we visit her memoir “Dying of Politeness” and Davis opens up about moments in her life and career when she felt too polite to speak up. Decades later many of these moments remain raw. Before and after the episode Kara and Nayeema reflect on their own personal experiences talk about the tax that women pay and discuss how Hollywood Silicon Valley and other powerful industries have changed — and how they haven’t.  You can find Kara Swisher and Nayeema Raza on Twitter @karaswisher and @nayeema. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are You “Dying of Politeness”? Geena Davis Explains.

On with Kara Swisher