This week on That Was Us, we’re joined in studio by Lyric Ross, who grew up before our eyes as Deja Pearson on This Is Us. From booking the role at just thirteen to navigating life and her career as a young adult, Lyric reflects on her years on the show, the challenges that shaped her, and the person she’s becoming beyond Deja.

• Getting her start as an actor in Chicago and the childhood moment that first sparked her love of performing

• Booking This Is Us at thirteen and Sterling’s memories of knowing she was the right person to play Deja

• The work ethic her mother instilled in her and learning to trust herself as a performer

• Cutting her hair for Deja and the complicated experience of navigating beauty, identity, and self-esteem as a young Black girl

• Her journey from struggling with low self-esteem to seeing her own beauty and finding confidence through her faith

• What it means to see herself as a child of God and how her faith has shaped her identity

• Working with Joy Brunson and Asante Black and the challenges and rewards of some of Deja’s most emotional storylines

• Why watching herself on screen is still one of the hardest parts of being an actor

• The qualities she admires in Deja, including her boldness, bravery, and self-assurance

• Navigating the transition from child actor to young adult and searching for more mature, challenging roles

• Continuing to build her career beyond This Is Us, including her role in Ironheart on Disney+

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

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🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

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On today’s episode of That Was Us, we’re diving into Season 6, Episode 5: Heart and Soul. As Rebecca opens herself up to life after loss, Kate and Rebecca navigate a painful shift in their relationship, Kevin searches for the right path forward, and Randall learns how hard it is to let go of the people you love.

- Jon and Chris' scripted sci-fi audio podcast

- Chris Sullivan’s experience directing the episode and the “scaffolding” that came with directing a show he already knew so well

- The cast members who got the chance to direct or write during the final season

-The very important question: how do you actually pronounce “asterisk”?

- Rebecca’s speed-dating experiment

- Kate and Rebecca's fight and Ithe fallout that followed

- Kate confronting Rebecca about her illness and the fear of leaving her alone with the kids

- The meaning behind the episode’s title, “Heart and Soul”

- Kevin reuniting with Cassidy and the harsh truth she tells him

- The emotional final montage of Rebecca and Kate at the piano across three different stages of their lives

And a friendly reminder, you can catch new episodes of That Was Us every Monday, a day early, exclusively on Hulu. Available on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts on Tuesdays like usual!

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

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🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Join your favorite family back in the living room to examine our past, cherish our present, and look to the future with new episodes of That Was Us every Tuesday.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us, we’re excited to welcome director Chris Koch, who returns to the podcast to take us behind the scenes of some of This Is Us’ most memorable episodes. Joined by guest co-host Jon Huertas, Chris shares his journey from making Super 8 films to building a long creative partnership with Dan Fogelman, and reflects on directing everything from comedy to some of the show’s most emotional moments.

* Jon Huertas’ latest adventures, including farm life, directing, and his dreams of eventually owning a boat

* Chris Koch’s first experiences making films and how a love of Super 8 led him toward directing

* His unexpected path through advertising and branding at MTV, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central

* His longtime creative partnership with Dan Fogelman and how it has evolved across multiple shows

* The differences between directing comedy and drama…and why the best lessons can come from both

* Some of Koch’s favorite and most challenging This Is Us episodes, including the family therapy and Vietnam sequences

* Memorable performances, on-set stories, and the importance of treating every member of a crew with kindness

* What he learned from working with the cast and crew of This Is Us and the advice he would give to someone hoping to build a long career in television

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

Support Our Sponsors:

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🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Join your favorite family back in the living room to examine our past, cherish our present, and look to the future with new episodes of That Was Us every Tuesday.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us, we’re breaking down This Is Us Season 6, Episode 4: “Don’t Let Me Keep You.” As Jack says goodbye to his mother, Marilyn, he begins to discover the life she built after leaving his father and confronts how much of her story he never knew. In this episode, the hosts chat about:

* Sterling’s memories of staying up late with his mom and the importance of simply being present with the people we love

* How losing a parent can change the way we see them—not just as our parents, but as people with lives and stories of their own

* The complicated feelings that can come with grief, including regret over the time we didn’t have

* Why being fully present may be one of the greatest gifts we can give someone

* Jack arriving at Marilyn’s home and realizing how much he didn’t know about her life

* Meeting Mike, Marilyn’s boyfriend, and discovering the life she built after leaving Stanley

* Marilyn and Jack’s Sunday phone calls

* Jack finding the ice skates Marilyn bought for Kevin, Kate, and Randall

* Jack’s emotional eulogy and his realization that his mother had finally built a home of her own

* The meaning behind the episode’s title, “Don’t Let Me Keep You”

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

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🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us…we’re back with another Chat Was Us! This time, inspired by the many caregiving stories throughout This Is Us, we’re tackling a topic that touches millions of families: what does it really mean to care for someone? Joined by caregiving advocate and storyteller Lydia Storie, hosts Mandy, Sterling, and Chris explore the realities of caregiving, why seeing these experiences represented on screen matters, and how storytelling can help people feel less alone.In this episode, the conversation covers:

* The research behind This Is Us’s caregiving storylines and how they impacted viewers

* How seeing characters like Rebecca, Randall, Miguel, and Kate navigate care can open up conversations in our own lives

* Rebecca taking agency over her end-of-life planning

* Randall and Miguel’s honest conversation about needing a break from caregiving

* Kate’s experience as both a parent and a caregiver

* The importance of cultural authenticity in Miguel’s family story

* Why storytelling can sometimes be more powerful than education or traditional PSA campaigns

* The idea that there are more than 130 million people in the U.S. living in the thick of care

* How seeing your own experience reflected on screen can create a powerful sense of “I’m not alone”

* The parasocial connection audiences develop with characters—and why that can make conversations about care feel more personal

* How we can change the way we value aging, disability, caregiving, eldercare, paid leave, and care in our culture

https://learcenter.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/caregiving_thisisus_lear_cag.pdf

Audience impact research from Norman Lear Center -- which analyzed how This Is Us S6 affected viewers' opinions and attitudes about care

Support Our Sponsors:

- Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://www.article.com/discount/twu and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

-------------------------

🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us, we’re breaking down Season 6, Episode 3: "Four Fathers." As Kevin adjusts to co-parenting, Randall faces the reality that Deja is growing up, and Kate and Toby struggle to stay connected amidst long distance. The episode explores parenthood, changing family dynamics, and the memories that stay with us long after the moment has passed.

In this episode, the hosts chat about:

They also break down the episode, including:

- Jack learning that his mother has died just as the day comes to an emotional close Randall teaching Deja to drive and accidentally hearing

- Malik's revealing text over Bluetooth

- Beth and Randall realizing Deja is growing up faster than they're ready for

- Kate and Toby's growing tension as long distance begins taking its toll -

- Toby's heartfelt proposal to buy a Green Egg smoker and create new family memories

- Kevin struggling with co-parenting after missing Franny's first steps

- Kevin turning to Cassidy as he wrestles with loneliness and finding his place

A special fan segment featuring listeners sharing the moment they first realized their child wasn't a little kid anymore

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

Support Our Sponsors:

- See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child’s full potential! Enroll online today at https://k12.com/thatwasus

🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» SUBSCRIBE to Headgum: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeadGum?sub_confirmation=1

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This week on That Was Us…we’re back with another Chat Was Us! This time, inspired by the many journeys of ambition and self-discovery in This Is Us, we’re tackling one big question: What does it really mean to be successful? From chasing dreams and career milestones to fulfillment, purpose, and legacy, Mandy, Sterling, and Chris reflect on how their definitions of success have evolved over the years.

In this episode, the hosts chat about:

* How their definitions of success have shifted from external achievement to personal fulfillment

* The difference between being successful and feeling successful

* Why our brains naturally fixate on failure and how encouragement can quiet the inner critic

* The role childhood competition, sports, and early ambition played in shaping their drive

* Fame versus fulfillment, and how public recognition differs from lasting happiness

* The career milestones that made them feel like they had finally ""made it""

* Why longevity, meaningful work, and the respect of your peers matter more than awards

* The artists and mentors who have redefined success through decades of purposeful careers

* Why passion (not money) is often the clearest path toward purpose

* How luck, preparation, and saying ""yes"" to opportunity all play a role in building a career

* Raising children to value effort, curiosity, and joy over simply winning

* The legacy they hope to leave behind and what a truly successful life looks like at the end

Plus, along the way, the conversation takes a few unexpected detours into childhood summers, Slurpees and hose water, youth sports, camp counseling, terrible self-talk, and an emotional compliment game that reminds the hosts just how much they mean to one another.

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

Support Our Sponsors:

- Don’t just take our word for it – go grab one for yourself. Head to Walmart today to try a bar or stock up on 4CTs of your favorite flavors, like Blueberry Pie and Salted Peanut Butter, sold exclusively at Walmart. Check out https://Walmart.com to find a store near you!

-------------------------

🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us, we’re breaking down This Is Us Season 6, Episode 2: “One Giant Leap.” From Deja's life-changing weekend with Malik to Nicky's search for a love he never forgot, the episode explores first love, second chances, and the hope that keeps us moving forward.

In this episode, the hosts chat about:

* Chris's unforgettable (and now admittedly creepy) road trips in pursuit of romance

* How making amends can reveal just how much we've changed over time

* The lasting impact of criticism and why one comment can change how we see ourselves

* Meeting Malik's ex, Jennifer, and stepping into the realities of his life as a father

* Deja preparing for her “first time”

* Malik's tenderness, patience, and reassurance during one of the biggest moments of Deja's life

* Nicky, Rebecca, and Miguel's road trip to find Sally decades after Vietnam

* The awkward reunion with Sally and the unexpected truths they all discover

* Why Nicky realizes that closure doesn't always come in the way we expect

* The surprising plane ride home that introduces Nicky to his future wife, Edie

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

Support Our Sponsors:

- See how K12 Powered Schools can help unlock your child’s full potential! Enroll online today at https://k12.com/thatwasus

-------------------------

🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us, we’re beyond excited to welcome cinematographer Yasu Tanida, the visionary behind the distinctive look of This Is Us. Yasu takes us behind the camera to reveal how he helped create the show's signature visual language, from its soft and nostalgic aesthetic to the intimate handheld style that made viewers feel like they were living alongside the Pearson family.

In this episode, Yasu chats about:

* How he developed the iconic visual style of This Is Us and why the show was designed to feel like a memory

* The handheld camerawork and lens choices that helped create intimacy with the Pearson family

* Working to “detune” lenses and create the soft, dreamy glow seen throughout the series

* The role color palette, framing, and composition play in creating the show's nostalgic tone

* Why the camera often sits outside rooms, quietly observing the characters

* Collaborating with the lighting team to create beautiful images

* The technical considerations of lighting different skin tones

* His philosophy that actors and story always come first

* Creating efficient lighting setups that allow scenes to flow naturally

* Spending time in the editing room with Dan Fogelman to learn the visual “language” of the show and refine his storytelling instincts

* How he pushed the signature This Is Us look even further on Paradise and other projects

And a friendly reminder, you can catch new episodes of That Was Us every Monday, a day early, exclusively on Hulu. Available on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts on Tuesdays like usual!

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

-------------------------

Support Our Sponsors:

- Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://www.article.com/discount/twu and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.

- Get a $49 annual membership with promo code podcast at https://www.shipt.com/offer. Terms apply.

🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on That Was Us, we’re breaking down This Is Us Season 6, Episode 1: “The Challenger.” Through the lens of one of America’s most shocking tragedies, the episode explores how children process grief, fear, and uncertainty. From the Challenger explosion, to Randall’s need to save others, to Rebecca’s growing memory loss, this episode reminds us that the moments we never fully understand as kids often stay with us forever.

In this episode, the hosts chat about:

* The surprising return of Pop-Tarts (including the new protein-packed versions)

* Their own childhood lemonade stand successes (and failures)

* Talking to young children about death, grief, and mortality

* How kids process difficult events differently at different ages

* Getting older, staying healthy, and confronting our own mortality

They also break down the episode, including:

* The Challenger disaster and why it became such a defining moment for a generation

* How Kevin, Kate, and Randall each react differently to the tragedy

* Rebecca's fear that Randall will spend his life trying to save everyone around him

* The origins of Randall's "catcher in the rye" instinct to help people in need

* Randall's encounter with the man who burglarized his home and his decision to help rather than punish

* Rebecca's growing memory concerns and the significance of the missing word "caboose"

* The heartbreaking PET scan results that reveal plaques forming in Rebecca's brain

And a friendly reminder, you can catch new episodes of That Was Us every Monday, a day early, exclusively on Hulu. Available on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts on Tuesdays like usual!

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.

Support Our Sponsors:

- Make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to https://Quince.com/twu for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too.

- Get a $49 annual membership with promo code podcast at https://www.shipt.com/offer. Terms apply.

- If your glasses are overdue for a refresh, now is the time. Use code PODCAST15 for 15% off your first order at https://bit.ly/4viuTlw

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🍋 About the Show:

The stars of This Is Us, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan, dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.

Together, they dig in and dig deep, have the tough conversations, bring in very special and familiar guests, share never-before-heard behind-the-scenes moments, and feature listeners in highly anticipated fan segments.

Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz

Creative Producer: Sam Skelton

Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley

Video Editor: Todd Hughlett

Mix & Master: Jason Richards

About Headgum:

Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.

» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum

» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices