🎙️ This week we're joined by longtime friends Aaron and Kenda Benward and their mega-talented son, actor Luke Benward, who "Zooms" in from Nashville! Luke has been acting since childhood (fun fact: he was the original Zed in the Zombies & Cheerleaders pilot 👀) and has starred alongside the likes of Dove Cameron, Maia Mitchell, Channing Tatum, Mel Gibson, and more!

This episode dives into the journey of growing up in the business with grounded, intentional parents by his side.

Felicia and Aaron have written hundreds of songs together—spanning K-pop, country, and everything in between—this conversation hits multiple spheres of entertainment experience and is full of nuggets of wisdom!

Luke's parents Aaron and Kenda have been role models to Loren and Felicia since Malachi was young...in how they navigated Hollywood as a family and in how they parent with purpose. Kenda (whose many "momager" roles included being Luke’s acting coach) brings incredible insight into raising a working actor while keeping his head and heart in the right place.✨

We talk about:

*Luke's evolution from child actor to adult roles

*Mom as an acting coaching!

*The "Family Dinner" tradition Aaron and Kenda started in LA to support young actors far from home

*A heartfelt surprise video tribute to the Benwards...get ready for the tears!

*Words of wisdom from some of the BEST parents in the business!!

This episode is full of laughs, tears, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart. ❤️👇 Drop your favorite moment in the comments and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell!

Chapters:01:06 - Intro

04:40 - The original Zed...a Zombies evolution

09:35 - Sticking with your dream

11:35 - "How to Eat Fried Worms"

15:18 - Tales from the audition

24:05 - Getting to know Luke's "momager" Kenda

31:43 - Actors make great directors

34:45 - Getting to know "A.B."

39:05 - "Faith it til ya make it!" -Kenda :)

41:24 - Growing up in an artistic family

43:05 - Hey Luke...let's pull up your music video!! ;)

46:40 - Fantasy Football segue

47:58 - Family Dinner

55:57 - SURPRISE VIDEO from Family Dinner "alumni"!

1:01:39 - The intersection of natural & unnatural

1:05:29 - To Be Continued...

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#MomagerPodcast #LukeBenward #BenwardFamily #ChildActorJourney #FamilyDinner #HollywoodParenting #ZombiesPilot #KpopSongwriting

EpisodeSocials:

@labenward

@aaronbenward

@kendabenward

@momagerpodcast

@malachibarton

@feliciabarton

@lorenbartonofficial

@thebartonfamofficial

Filming & rough edit:

@GlendalePodcastStudio

Art & final edit:

@camdogfx