Regina Spektor discusses her evolution from self-releasing albums to signing with a major label and experimenting with more elaborate production on Begin to Hope. She reflects on the freedom she gained with a bigger budget, her struggles with perfectionism — especially when re-recording "Samson" — and how she structured her contract to retain creative control. Spektor also critiques the music industry’s treatment of female artists, addresses concerns from longtime fans about her changing sound, and expresses her belief that knowledge of classical music enhances songwriting rather than hinders creativity. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes her love for character-driven songwriting and her rejection of purist attitudes, asserting that her artistic choices are motivated by exploration rather than adherence to expectations.