Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias

Ava Ryan joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about playing Georgia in Netflix’s hit comedy series Free Bert, which recently climbed into the Netflix Top 10.

In this episode, Ava opens up about landing the role, instantly connecting with the script, and working alongside Bert Kreischer and Arden Myrin. She also breaks down Georgia’s emotional journey — from being the awkward new girl at school to navigating popularity, frie...

Nadine Bhabha joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about her role as Elena in the hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry.

Nadine opens up about landing the role without a traditional audition, why she immediately connected with Elena’s personality, and how the character became the emotional anchor for Kip throughout Season 1. She discusses Elena’s “rough love” approach to friendship, the sibling-like bond between Elena an...

Scott Foley joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a powerful and emotional conversation about his role as Malcolm in the drama series It’s Not Like That.

Scott opens up about portraying a grieving husband, devoted father, and faith leader who must find his voice again after devastating loss. He shares how his real-life experiences as a father shaped Malcolm’s parenting, why vulnerability was central to the character, and what dr...

Arden Myrin joins Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about stepping into her first-ever leading role as LeeAnn Kreischer in Netflix’s hit comedy series Free Bert. In this fun and heartfelt conversation, Arden shares how she approached playing a real-life person, what surprised her most about working with Bert Kreischer, and why the show has more heart than viewers might expect.

Episode Highlights: • Arden on becoming a leading lady for...

Fiona Dourif joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an in-depth conversation about The Pitt Season 2, her role as Dr. McKay, and the emotional weight carried by the series following the mass-casualty event.

In this episode, Fiona reflects on realizing how big The Pitt had become, why Dr. McKay is the role closest to her real personality, and how Season 2 explores trauma, resilience, and quiet authority inside the hospital. She al...

Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a deep dive into her breakout role as Svetlana in Heated Rivalry, one of the most talked-about series of the year.

In this revealing conversation, Ksenia breaks down Svetlana’s true role in the story, addresses fan theories surrounding Jane and Shane, and explains why her character is far more than a romantic distraction. She opens up about auditioning in both Engli...

Calista Craig stops by Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about joining Stranger Things in its final season and stepping into the world of Hawkins as Mary.

In this episode, Calista shares what it was like entering one of the biggest TV shows of all time at the very end, keeping her role a secret for nearly two years, and navigating Mary’s emotional journey throughout the final season. She reflects on working with the Duffer Bro...

Kerry Frances joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about her breakout role as Tammy in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery — the latest chapter in Rian Johnson’s acclaimed murder-mystery franchise.

Kerry reveals how she returned to the Knives Out universe without an audition, why she instantly connected with Tammy’s calm, unbothered attitude, and how a simple granola bar became one of the film’s biggest fan-favorite mome...

Sydney Agudong joins Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to dig into her emotional role as Aria in Netflix’s hit drama Ripple — a young woman navigating music, identity, heartbreak, and the ripple effects every decision creates.

Sydney opens up about:

Relating to Aria’s creative struggles and imposter syndrome

 The powerful meaning behind “What It Means to Be Human”  The episode that left the entire cast in tears  The bond she formed ...

Jon Heder Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his latest film Tapawingo and his uniquely lovable character, Nate.

In this conversation, Jon breaks down what drew him to the quirky indie script, how Nate fits into the lineage of characters fans love, and why this role allowed him to explore a quieter, more confident kind of hero. He also discusses the film’s offbeat small-town world, working with an eccentric ensemble cast,...

Adrianna Mitchell joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about her role as Jamilah in the Paramount+ comedy series CRUTCH. Adrianna opens up about her journey from Spelman College to Broadway to television, the setbacks that shaped her resilience, and why Jamilah’s “coming home and starting over” storyline resonated so deeply with her.

She also shares behind-the-scenes stories from CRUTCH, h...

David Tomlinson joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to discuss stepping into the horror genre with Silent Night, Deadly Night, the reimagining of the cult classic holiday slasher. David breaks down his role as Max Benedict, a small-town police officer contending with a brutal series of murders unfolding around the holidays — and why the character is far more layered than he initially appears.

During the conversation, David opens u...

Michael Jai White joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias for an in-depth conversation about his latest film Exit Protocol, an assassin-driven thriller centered on loyalty, survival, and living by a personal code.

Michael breaks down his role as Isaac, a character who’s always five steps ahead, and explains how he approaches playing men who operate in morally gray worlds. He also shares what first drew him to the script, the personal ...

Van Crosby joins Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias to talk about returning as Kyle in The Family Plan 2, the hit action-comedy sequel streaming on Apple TV. In this episode, Van reflects on the massive success of the first film, how surreal it was realizing millions of people watched it worldwide, and what fans can expect from the Morgan family’s next chaotic adventure.

Van dives into how Kyle has grown up since the first movie, the s...

Ian Harding joins the Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to talk about his new Netflix drama Ripple, where he stars as Nate, a wine bar owner whose life is turned upside down by an unexpected health crisis and a marriage falling apart.

In this conversation, Ian breaks down Nate’s emotional journey, the meaning behind the show’s central idea of “ripple moments” — small decisions that quietly change the course of our lives — and why this...

Claudia Black joins Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss her powerful role as Cossutia in Spartacus: House of Ashur. In this in-depth conversation, Claudia breaks down the emotional and political complexity of her character, the bold “what-if” direction of this new Spartacus chapter, and the intense pace of filming the series.

She also shares the unexpected way she was approached for the role, how this character challenged her creative...

Emily Hall joins Pop Culture Unplugged for a festive, feel-good conversation about her breakout role as Sienna in Netflix’s holiday hit A Merry Little Ex-Mas. From landing the role through auditions to becoming the emotional core of the film, Emily shares what it really takes to bring heart to a modern Christmas movie.

Emily opens up about working alongside Alicia Silverstone, Oliver Hudson, and Melissa Joan Hart, filming in real s...

Sarah Drew sits down with Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged — and this debut conversation delivers everything fans could hope for. 

In her FIRST interview with the show, Sarah opens up like never before about returning as Emily Lane in Mistletoe Murders Season 2, navigating the biggest emotional stakes yet, and why this series is the most meaningful job of her entire career.

From brand-new flashbacks revealing Emily’s past, to the fie...

Mikkal Karim Fidler joins Elias to break down his role as Teddy in IT: Welcome to Derry. Mikkal talks about joining the Stephen King universe, the emotional weight behind Teddy’s guilt, and how real friendships off-camera helped shape the on-screen chemistry fans are loving.

Hear Mikkal open up about the audition process, building Teddy’s layered mindset, and the intense stunt work that challenged him in surprising ways.