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.

To learn more about therapy with NOCD, go to nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call with their team.

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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.

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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.

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00:00 Introduction

03:31 Caleb McLaughlin’s Broadway Beginnings

05:40 Life as a Young Performer

14:49 Family Dynamics and Sibling Rivalry

18:55 Navigating Crushes and Relationships

26:14 Faith and Grounding

34:57 Reflecting on Stranger Things Journey

35:37 The Audition Process

36:26 Meeting the Cast

38:10 Broadway Connections

39:30 Favorite Characters and Deaths

41:24 Lucas and Max’s Relationship

45:43 Reflecting on Stranger Things

53:52 New Projects: GOAT and Shooting Stars

01:02:52 Voice Acting and Animation

01:05:07 Concrete Cowboy and Personal Growth

01:07:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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[Original air date: June 12, 2024] In Part 1 of this two-part conversation with the extraordinarily prolific Ariana Grande, the crew has a wide-ranging conversation on childhood, her Broadway origins, and getting to act alongside her best friends. Ariana shares thoughtful reflections on her time at Nickelodeon and why therapy should be mandatory for all child actors.
 
For more on music, Eternal Sunshine, BTS on The Boy is Mine MV, and Wicked, check out Part 2.
 
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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. 

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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.

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Check out our new book CRUSHMORE, out now! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993

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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). 

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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. 

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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. 

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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! 

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Our new book Crushmore is out now! Go go go! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993   

00:00 Introduction

04:19 Lily’s Early Acting Journey

10:05 Challenges and Rejections

15:52 Moving to LA and Booking Riverdale

25:13 First Crushes and Heartbreaks

28:08 Embarrassing School Memories

30:18 Transition to Adulthood

30:54 Moving Back to LA and Auditioning for Riverdale

33:03 Booking the Role and Moving to Vancouver

34:20 Chemistry Tests and Initial Reactions

37:05 Shooting the First Season of Riverdale

39:01 Impact of Riverdale’s Success

39:28 Favorite Storylines and Behind-the-Scenes Memories

42:36 Challenges and Rewards of Independent Television

54:10 The Love Hypothesis and Handling Fan Expectations

57:16 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans

01:02:24 Advice to 12-Year-Old Self 

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