Podcrushed

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 experiences.

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.

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 powerfu stories, practical tools, and compassionate insights to empower young performers navigating similar struggles.

Tony Hale (Veep, Toy Story, Arrested Development) takes us from his globetrotting 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 stories.

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!

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.

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 lan 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 his comedy aspirations and the important life lessons he's learned along the way.

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.

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 light through it all.

Comedian Adam Pally joins Penn, Nava, and Sophie for an episode that’s equal parts hilarious and tender. From the chaos of constantly moving as a kid to finding his voice (and trouble) at Livingston High, Adam opens up about the lessons behind Happy Endings, The Mindy Project, and his brand-new comedy special. But it’s what he reveals about marriage, fame, and why he almost quit comedy that’ll stick with you long after the episode ends.

Sam Smith joins us for a raw and revealing conversation. Discover the surprising revelation about their journey from a young, talented singer to a global pop sensation. Sam talks about overcoming stage fright, the inspiring moments of writing their hit songs, and the unique way they find peace in New York City. Plus, get a sneak peek into Sam's intimate Brooklyn residency and learn why this next album might be their best work yet.

The star of Riverdale and Chemical Hearts, Lili Reinhart, joins Podcrushed to discuss her journey from a 12-year-old aspiring artist to a booked-and-busy actor. Lili reflects on her early struggles and auditions, the transformative experience of Riverdale, and the challenges of bringing indie projects like Hal & Harper to life. She also opens up about her latest productions and the pressures of adapting popular IP, all while maintaining her sanity in Hollywood. Don’t miss this one!

Lizzy Caplan -- the Emmy-nominated actor you know from Mean Girls, Cloverfield, Party Down, and Fleishman is in Trouble -- joins the hosts to open up about everything from her first crushes to the impact of losing her mother at only 13. She recounts her experiences filming Mean Girls and Fleishman is in Trouble, and spills the tea on her new film Now You See Me: Now You Don't. 

The gang sits down with Gaten Matarazzo — the quick-witted Broadway kid who became a global sensation as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things. Gaten takes us all the way back — from hustling backstage at Les Mis, to the chaotic on-stage disaster he’ll never live down, to the moment the beloved Steve-and-Dustin duo was born. We also dig into who Gaten is off-set — the music he’s making, the life he’s building, and what comes next now that Hawkins is in the rear-view.

Lola Kirke -- the actor and musician known for Mozart In The Jungle, Gone Girl, and her recent role in Sinners -- joins the hosts to discuss her fascinating upbringing in a family she describes as 'wolves,' her journey into country music, and the challenges of balancing an acting and music career. She also shares candid stories of growing up around rock stars, and spills the tea on what it's like to be Penn's sister-in-law. (Seriously, she's Penn's sister-in-law).

Marvel superstar Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Kim's Convenience) joins the hosts to delve into his fascinating origin story -- including candid memories of his early childhood in China, his wholly unexpected journey to Canada, and the biggest moments in his stratospheric acting career. Plus, he offers exclusive insights into his latest project, the espionage thriller series The Copenhagen Test, premiering all episodes on Peacock on December 27th.

Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals, Silicon Valley) joins the crew to discuss his latest comedy special, 'Night Thoughts.' Kumail reminisces about his early childhood in Karachi, Pakistan, dealing with bullying, and the journey to self-acceptance. He shares candid insights into his creative process, the role of his wife Emily in his work, and the challenges of returning to standup comedy after a long hiatus

Caleb McLaughlin, best known for his role as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things, reminisces about his experiences growing up on screen, from Broadway beginnings to international fame. Caleb shares his insights on the positive dynamics of the Stranger Things set, the impact of faith and family on his life, and his new projects, including the animated film 'GOAT' produced by Steph Curry. Tune in for an engaging discussion on childhood crushes, career milestones, and the journey of a young actor navigating the complexities of fame and personal growth.

Pop-rock sisters Aly & AJ Michalka join us for a deeply nostalgic, laugh-out-loud, and unexpectedly tender conversation about growing up in the spotlight — together. From childhood auditions and Disney Channel chaos to first crushes, sibling telepathy, and writing their earliest songs on bedroom floors, Aly & AJ reflect on the moments that shaped their bond and their artistry. They open up about navigating fame as kids, protecting their sisterhood at all costs, and why choosing each other has been the throughline of their entire career. It feels less like an interview and more like hanging out in the kitchen with old friends — and you won’t want to leave.

Today, the gang sits down with culture critic and commentator Blakely Thornton, who takes them from his early days playing competitive tennis and football to his recent years as a leading voice in pop culture critique. Blakely opens up about his experiences navigating identity, battling societal norms, and finding his voice. Plus, Blakely shares his thoughts on current trends, the rise of AI, and why it's time to roll credits on reboots and gendered awards in acting.

Madison Beer -- the inimitable, twice-Grammy-nommed pop superstar -- joins the gang to talk about her first experiences on social media, being discovered by Justin Bieber (who, apropos of nothing, was also her first celebrity crush), and the challenges and insights gained from her years in the spotlight. Madison shares the pressures of teenage celebrity, her explosive career growth, and the inspiration behind her new album 'Locket,' out now on Epic Records & Sing It Loud.

This week, the effortlessly talented actor Meghann Fahy stops by for a candid look at her journey from shy, gap-toothed singer to Emmy-nominated star. Meghann reflects on her "two-line" Gossip Girl debut, her whirlwind days on Broadway, and subverting expectations as Daphne on the smash series The White Lotus. Plus, Penn and Meghann discuss their upcoming rom-com, You Deserve Each Other, and the social media feud that nearly broke the internet.

Jesse Metcalfe comes on Podcrushed and opens up about being bullied for being "too pretty," carrying a chip on his shoulder into Hollywood, and how the peaks and valleys of his incredible career introduced him to spirituality. He revisits John Tucker Must Die with Penn for the first time in decades, including JMD moments from behind the scenes, and a dinner moment involving edamame that still haunts Penn to this day. There's soap-opera hell portals, pilot-season pressure cookers, and a brutally honest reckoning with fame and identity. Funny, uncomfortable, and unexpectedly deep - this one's a banger.

In this special double episode, the gang tackles a big question: could the turbulence and chaos in our world be signs that humanity is collectively coming of age? To help them answer, they've recruited Jay Shetty, award-winning podcast host of On Purpose and New York Times bestselling author, and Michael Karlberg, a professor at Western Washington University whose work reconceptualizes human nature, power, social organization, and social change in the pursuit of peace and justice. Simply put, Michael helps make sense of our world, and Jay helps make sense of our place in it. Don't miss this one!

Well folks... this is it. The final episode of Podcrushed. As a final parting gift, the gang called the only person befitting of the 'final guest' title: Leighton Meester. Leighton is not only the very first guest we ever had on Podcrushed, or Penn's co-star from the iconic series Gossip Girl, or the actor you know and love from projects like The Roommate and Nobody Wants This... but is also the most requested return guest of all time on Podcrushed. Be sure to stick around to the end to hear final thoughts from the hosts after three seasons and well over 100 episodes of Podcrushed.