Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias

Jack Molloy Legault joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his breakout role as Phil in HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry! Jack opens up about the surreal journey from self-tape audition to becoming part of the IT universe, working alongside his real-life sister Matilda, and how he brought humor and heart to the horror-filled streets of Derry.

🎙️ Highlights include: – How Jack discovered his audition was secretly for IT: Wel...

Sarah Cortez joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her role as Dulce in the Western drama Long Shadows, premiering November 7. Sarah shares how she instantly connected with the character’s strength and vulnerability, the emotional challenges of filming, and the surprising twist that made her “throw her laptop.”

🎧 Interview Highlights:

• Why Long Shadows is a different kind of Western with heart and hope.

• The emo...

Clara Stack joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her breakout role as Lilly in HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry. Clara opens up about landing the role through a self-tape audition, exploring Lilly’s emotional depth, and stepping into the Stephen King universe. She also discusses balancing real-world trauma with supernatural fear, meeting Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, and the friendships formed behind the scenes. Clara even r...

Maggie Lawson joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her new role as Sarah Silver in Boston Blue! 💙

In this episode, Maggie dives into what it’s like stepping into the shoes of the youngest superintendent in Boston PD history, how Boston Blue honors the Blue Bloods legacy while creating its own identity, and her excitement about working alongside Donnie Wahlberg and Sonequa Martin-Green.

She also opens up about h...

Madeleine McGraw joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias, to discuss her powerful performance as Gwen in The Black Phone 2. Madeleine opens up about revisiting Gwen’s trauma, how the character has evolved since the first film, and what it was like reuniting with Ethan Hawke and Scott Derrickson.

She also shares emotional insight into Gwen’s guilt, strength, and the unbreakable bond with her brother Finn, played by Mason Thames. Plus, ...

Becca Breitfeller joins Pop Culture Unplugged with Elias to talk about her breakout role as Sasha in Hulu’s hit comedy Chad Powers!

Becca opens up about her journey from film student to actor, the wild audition process that landed her the role, and why playing a loud, chaotic “mean girl” became one of her favorite experiences on set. She also shares behind-the-scenes moments with Frankie Rodriguez and how she hopes Sasha’s story co...

Australian actress Claire Lovering joins Elias on the Pop Culture On Point podcast to talk about her breakout role as Brenda in Shane Black’s new action-comedy Play Dirty 🎬

Claire shares how a last-minute self-tape audition landed her the part, what it was like working with Keegan-Michael Key, and the fun improv moments that made it into the final cut. She also opens up about her transition from theater to film, her dream roles, a...

Actress Simone Kessell joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about her captivating role as Sarah in Apple TV+’s new thriller The Last Frontier. 🎙️

Simone opens up about the emotional heart of the series — portraying a wife, mother, and survivor alongside Jason Clarke, who plays her husband, Frank. She shares how their relationship drives the story, what it was like filming in -25° weather, and why she believes The Last Fron...

The one and only Cash Flo — better known as Bigfoot from Tulsa King — returns to Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an exclusive conversation about Season 3, working with Sylvester Stallone, and what’s next for one of TV’s most talked-about shows.

In this new episode, Cash opens up about Bigfoot’s journey, behind-the-scenes moments, and the lessons he’s learned from being part of such a powerhouse production.

💥 Interview Highlight...

Michael Iskander joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk all about House of David Season 2. Picking up after David’s legendary battle with Goliath, the new season dives deeper into faith, leadership, and the pressures of power. Michael shares insight into David’s emotional and spiritual growth, his evolving relationships with Jonathan and King Saul, and how portraying such an iconic biblical figure has shaped his own perspective on fai...

Kaitlyn Bernard joins Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her powerful performance as Rachel Jeffs in Lifetime’s Surviving My Father: The Rachel Jeffs Story.

Based on Rachel Jeffs’ real-life memoir Breaking Free, the film follows her courageous escape from the control of her father, convicted cult leader Warren Jeffs. Kaitlyn opens up about:

• Preparing emotionally for such an intense and true story

• Speaking with Rachel Jeffs be...

Ariel Winter — you remember her as Alex Dunphy from Modern Family — joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her exciting new role as Sabrina Grimm in Apple TV+’s animated fantasy adventure The Sisters Grimm.

In this interview, Ariel shares what drew her to the series, how she connected with Sabrina, and what makes this magical, fairy-tale-meets-mystery world so special. We also dive into her voice acting process, favorite moments...

Yuvi Hecht joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about his breakout role as Young David in A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. From self-tape auditions to working alongside Colin Farrell, Yuvi shares how he prepared for the role, the emotional weight of the story, and the advice that helped him bring authenticity to the character.

Highlights from the interview:

• How Yuvi landed the role of Young David through a self-tape audi...

Kerr Smith (Jack McPhee from Dawson’s Creek) joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about the upcoming Dawson’s Creek Reunion Benefit for F Cancer, supporting James Van Der Beek, and why this event means so much to the cast. Kerr opens up about Jack’s groundbreaking storyline, emotional fan encounters, and how the role changed television history. He also teases his upcoming book that dives deep into the Creek years and reveal...

Michael Chiklis & Mike Flynt join Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about The Senior, the inspiring true story of a man who returned to play college football at 59.

Michael shares why this role moved him deeply and how the film is about so much more than sports — exploring redemption, family, and second chances. Mike opens up about seeing his real-life story come to the screen, the moments that hit hardest, and why this st...

Rob Corddry & Mary Stuart Masterson join Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about The Senior, the inspiring true story of Mike Flynt — a man who returned to play college football at 59.

They share what drew them to this incredible project, how the film balances humor, heart, and family, and why The Senior is more than just a sports drama. From tackling themes of second chances and resilience to reflecting on unfinished drea...

Jesse Kove returned on  Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about his latest action thriller President Down, now streaming on Tubi. Known for his role in Cobra Kai, Jesse opens up about stepping into the shoes of Agent Jacob Pike, why this film feels like a return to ’90s-style action, and what’s coming next in his career.

Interview Highlights:

• Doing his own stunts, including an intense airplane sequence.

• Being handpicke...

Te Kohe Tuhaka joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss his role as Namakeʻ (Laʻamaikahiki) in the epic Apple TV+ series Chief of War. He shares how he landed the role, the cultural importance of playing a ritual-driven Hawaiian leader, and what it was like training alongside Jason Momoa. Te Kohe also opens up about his deep personal connection to the ocean, preparing physically and emotionally for the role, and why Chief of...

Ezra Franky joins Pop Culture Unplugged with Elias to discuss her breakout role as Lucy in Netflix’s hit series UNTAMED. In this emotional and revealing conversation, Ezra reflects on Lucy’s powerful arc—from surviving trauma to reclaiming her own narrative—and how the role has impacted her personally and professionally.

She shares how she landed the role through a self-tape, what it was like working with Eric Bana and Sam Neill, t...