Podcrushed

This week we’re joined by author and actor Tembi Locke. She takes us from her whirlwind childhood to her life today as a bestselling writer and performer. We talk about the heart behind her memoir From Scratch and her new audiobook Someday, Now, the rituals and traditions that keep us grounded, and why midlife can feel a lot like adolescence (in the best way). It’s a rich conversation on grief, creativity, and finding l...

[Original air date: Sept 20, 2023] If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who is the most charming man alive?” and come up with Matthew McConaughey, you are correct. This week, we bring you a rerun of Matthew's episode of Podcrushed, replete with Matthew’s infectious spirit as he regales them with stories from his adolescence in Texas, important lessons on love and patience, and why a little bullshitting is vital.

We asked, you answered. Sophie and Nava read YOUR worst date stories, submitted by Crushies all over the world. From car fires and peanut allergies to mystery billionaires and embarrassing mishaps, they share a mix of hilarious and cringe-worthy experiences. Plus, Sophie and Nava share their own dating disasters (which, unfortunately, are on par with yours). Laugh along with their live reactions to these unforgettable tales.

An...

Paul Wesley (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Vampire Diaries, Tell Me A Story) joins the pod for an engaging convo about his journey from Marlboro Township, New Jersey to the silver screen. He shares memories from his time alongside co-stars like Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, his approach to playing the iconic Captain Kirk, and opens up about the anxiety he faced during his days as a struggling actor. He also reflects on...

Actress and podcaster Ambyr Childers (You, The Master, Ray Donovan) joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about her path from child actor to acclaimed performer, the lessons she’s learned from parenting and sobriety, and how she’s found new meaning in spirituality. With stories that are equal parts funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, this episode is a must-listen.

And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https:/...

Join the gang as they dive deep with acclaimed actor Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal, Nightcrawler, Rogue One). From his 12-year-old self navigating between his British Pakistani community and a posh private school to the chance haircut that landed him his first big break, Riz regales the hosts with story after story after story. Don't miss this one!

Preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/boo...

Tony Hale (Veep, Toy Story, Arrested Development) takes us from his globe-trotting childhood as an army brat to his breakout roles in Arrested Development and Veep. Along the way, he opens up about anxiety, faith, and fatherhood, while sharing the life lessons and practices that keep him grounded. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his new project, Sketch, plus a few surprising Emmy st...

Alyson Stoner — multi-disciplinary entertainer, author, and founder & CEO of Movement Genius, a pioneering mental health company — opens up about the intense pressures of early fame, personal family challenges, and their transformative journey to healing. With decades of experience in Hollywood and a deep commitment to mental health education, Alyson shares powerful stories, practical tools, and compassionate insigh...

Jay Ellis (Insecure, Top Gun: Maverick, Escape Room) joins Podcrushed to discuss his early life as a military brat, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and how his Sam Jackson-inspired potty mouth got him into trouble as a kid. Jay shares insights from his book Did Anyone Else Have an Imaginary Friend or Just Me? and shares what drew him to take part in his new stage play Duke and Roya.

Preorder our new book, Crush...

This week's episode was recorded live at the 92nd Street Y in New York City! It was an intimate evening with beloved New York Times Modern Love podcast host Anna Martin exploring the tender, turbulent terrain of adolescence and its lasting impact on our lives. In this special conversation, Penn, Nava, and Sophie welcomed Anna for a night of storytelling about the universal threads that connect our coming-of-age exper...

Well folks, they’re here. The Jonas Brothers — a once-in-a-generation trio who’ve helped define pop culture for the past 20 years — join the pod for a candid, unfiltered conversation about their early years. From playing mall shows in Wyckoff, New Jersey to headlining stadiums across the globe, they reflect on family, fame, and the road to their monumental comeback. Plus, they share a sneak peek at their new...

In this engaging and nostalgic episode, Rachel Bilson chats with the hosts about her upbringing, the unique insights from her podcast 'Broad Ideas', and fun behind-the-scenes stories from her time on 'The OC'. They also delve into high school memories, people pleasing, and personal growth through challenges.

And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077...

Naomi Ackie (I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Blink Twice, The End Of The F***ing World) swings by the pod to spit some heckin' righteous Bible raps from her days as an 11 year old auditioning for the school play, and gives the BTS scoop on her intriguing new project, A24's Sorry, Baby.
And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993  

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Podcrushed superfan and acclaimed actor Allison Williams (Get Out, Girls, M3GAN) delights the hosts with tales from her AOL Instant Messenger days, sharing everything from her seven-way celebrity crush to memories of her first cigarette.

And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993   

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Candice King (The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Juno, Deadgirl) joins the pod today to share about her early days in a girl group, what it was like growing up as the creative kid in a household with an engineer mom and a doctor dad, and her favorite memories from the set of The Vampire Diaries.

And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993  &n...

Today we’re joined by Bryce Dallas Howard, the acclaimed actor and director known for blockbuster films like Jurassic World: Dominion, Argyle, and Deep Cover, as well as standout roles in series like Black Mirror. Bryce shares a range of hilarious and heartfelt stories — from hanging out with Colin Hanks on her father Ron Howard’s film sets as a kid, to lightly stalking her now-husband Seth Gabel in her early twen...

Today’s guest is the wildly talented Karen Gillan, the actor you know from major franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Endgame, and Jumanji, as well as her breakout role as Amy Pond on Doctor Who. Karen talks about her early days growing up in Inverness, Scotland, and how her relentless teenage ambition landed her an agent (spoiler alert: she cold-called every casting director and agent i...

Kevin Smith, the acclaimed film director whose comedic films and franchises include Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Jay & Silent Bob, swings by the pod to talk about the freedom of his (mostly) unsupervised childhood, his near-religious experience watching Raiders of the Lost Ark for the first time with his father, and his iconic cult-classic film Dogma, which is celebrating i...

Our guest today is Ashley Flowers, New York Times bestselling author and host of Crime Junkie, one of the biggest true crime podcasts ever, with over a billion downloads since its 2017 debut. She talks about her early life in the church, her late-night-grind to get Crime Junkie off the ground, and her theories on why crime is so fascinating. 

And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.si...