Podcrushed

Podcrushed

Podcrushed — the podcast where Penn Badgley reads your middle school story -- explores the heartbreak, anxiety and self-discovery of being a teenager. Hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari bring you stories and conversations about middle school - from childhood crushes, to battles with body hair, to schoolyard scuffles. The results are sometimes awkward, sometimes heartwarming, and always relatable. Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/

Episodes

September 10, 2025 60 mins

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...

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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:/...

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August 27, 2025 61 mins

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...

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August 20, 2025 64 mins

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...

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August 13, 2025 72 mins

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...

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August 6, 2025 54 mins

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...

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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...

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July 23, 2025 79 mins

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...

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July 16, 2025 66 mins

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...

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July 9, 2025 62 mins

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  

Click thi...

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July 2, 2025 80 mins

Podcrushed superfan and acclaimed actor Allison Williams (Get OutGirlsM3GAN) 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   

 

Want more from Podcrushed? Follow our so...

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June 25, 2025 62 mins

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...

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June 18, 2025 61 mins

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...

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June 11, 2025 52 mins

Today’s guest is the wildly talented Karen Gillan, the actor you know from major franchises like Guardians of the GalaxyAvengers: 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...

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June 4, 2025 46 mins

Kevin Smith, the acclaimed film director whose comedic films and franchises include ClerksMallratsChasing 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...

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May 28, 2025 50 mins

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...

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May 21, 2025 43 mins

Susan Sarandon, the actor whose five decade career has earned her six Primetime Emmy nominations and an Academy Award for Best Actress, joins the pod to talk about her early days as a God-fearing Catholic kid in New Jersey. She details the unexpected and serendipitous path that led her to acting, and talks about her new film Nonnas, about a man who risks everything to honor his late mother by opening an Italian ...

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May 14, 2025 75 mins

Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect, True Blood) comes by to help us wrap up our YOU extravaganza. She talks severe childhood bullying and a sweet adult comeuppance, slinging drugs in jorts for the school play… as a six year old, and the moment while fully naked and exposed in Equus that almost made her break. We get into all things YOU as she unpacks her show-stealing performance as Reagan AND Maddie Lockwood.


Massive thank you to...

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Our YOU Season 5 celebration continues! This is part two of our YOU Season 5 finale rewatch episode with director Lee Toland Krieger. And if you want to see clips from the show, watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zp7H_9NxJso

 

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

 

Want more from Podcrushed? Follow our social channels here:

Ins...

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Our YOU Season 5 celebration continues! Today we're launching a two part reaction episode to the YOU S5 Finale, featuring director Lee Toland Krieger. Keep an eye out for Part 2, out tomorrow! And if you want to see clips from the show, watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/L4UZsjbCOIE  


And preorder our new book, Crushmore, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Nava-Kavelin/9...

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