THE HOLLYWOOD PODCAST

Brittany Hites is a production designer whose recent film Regretting You - starring McKenna Grace, Mason Thames, Dave Franco, and Allison Williams - is now streaming on Paramount+. Brittany has built an impressive body of work in feature film and TV - with her previous credits including The Suicide Squad, Shazam Fury of the Gods, Megalopolis, Thunderbolts and Peacemaker. On Regretting You, a novel-adapted drama about a mother-daughter relationship upended by tragedy, Brittany was tasked with creating the physical world that supports the emotional journey of the characters.

Director Valerie Weiss has built an impressive career across both film and television, with credits ranging from the Netflix feature Mixtape and the indie film A Light Beneath Their Feet to major TV franchises like Chicago Med, How to Get Away with Murder, Scandal, Outer Banks and more recently - Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and NCIS: Tony and Ziva.

What makes her path especially interesting is that she came to filmmaking from a completely different world — she earned a Ph.D. and was on a medical career track before making the leap into directing.

In this episode, we discuss her background in science, why she made the leap toward storytelling & her latest directorial projects with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and NCIS: Tony and Ziva.

Emmy- and Critics' Choice-nominated nominated makeup designer Siân Richards has had a long, impressive career — starting in London in fashion and beauty, then going on to lead makeup departments for film and TV. Over the years she’s worked on big-name projects like Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War as well as Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Da 5 Bloods, and Judas and the Black Messiah.

Now she brings that experience to Ryan Coogler's Sinners — a critical and cultural phenomenon that's become a major Oscar contender this awards season.

Actor Jefferson White and director Adam Volerich discuss their new film DRINK AND BE MERRY. Jefferson is best known for playing Jimmy Hurdstrom from YELLOWSTONE — but his resume goes way beyond that. He’s popped up in shows like HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, HOUSE OF CARDS, BLINDSPOT, THE ALIENIST and even had a stint on CHICAGO PD as Sean O’Neil. On the film side, he’s shown up in projects like GOD'S COUNTRY, EILEEN, and the 2024 movie CIVIL WAR.

With this film, Adam is making his feature film directorial debut after directing several shorts over the years as well as being a writer and cinematographer. Adam's previous credits include producing and developing the Signal Award Winning and Ambie and Webby Nominated narrative fiction podcasts AMERICAN HOSTAGE (Amazon Originals), starring Jon Hamm (soon to be a TV Show from Shawn Ryan and MGM+), and THE FOXES OF HYDESVILLE (QCODE), starring Carey Mulligan, for Criminal Content. Adam is the host of Wondery film podcast Eye of the Duck.

Today on the podcast, we’re clicking our heels and heading straight to Oz. I’m joined by actor John O’Hurley, known for Seinfeld, Broadway’s Chicago, his memorable run as host of Family Feud, and his past Lythgoe Panto appearance in Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. Also with us is director Becky Lythgoe, who has helmed favorites like Rapunzel and Her Holiday Wish and helped shape the modern American panto tradition. Together they’re bringing a festive new twist to a classic story in The Wonderful Winter of Oz, opening this December in Thousand Oaks.

Andrew Polec stars as the titular character in 'Dr. Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical', now playing at The Old Globe in San Diego. In this episode, we dive into his process, his experience bringing this beloved story to life, and what it’s like performing in a show that spreads holiday cheer to audiences of all ages.

Polec previously starred in Bat Out of Hell: The Musical.

Emmy-winning composer Mac Quayle is known for his music from Mr. Robot, American Horror Story, Feud, 9-1-1, Pose, The Politician, Ratched, and so many other unforgettable scores. Now he’s brought his unique musical voice to Netflix’s Monster: The Ed Gein Story — a series that dives into one of the most unsettling chapters in American true-crime history.

Thomas Sadoski is one of those actors who you recognise from so many different corners of entertainment — from playing Don Keefer on the HBO drama The Newsroom, to playing the affably flawed Matt Short on the long-running sitcom Life in Pieces, as well as his stage work in Broadway productions such as his Tony-nominated performance in Reasons to be Pretty

In his latest project, Adult Children, he takes on the role of Josh — one of the older half-siblings in a family pulled together when a crisis hits, only to discover that the lift they expected from each other is maybe more fragile than it looks.

Today’s episode is for the dreamers, the collectors, the annual passholders, the snack-ranking experts, the popcorn bucket resellers — yes, we’re talking about Disney Adults.

My guest is AJ Wolfe, founder of the massively popular Disney Food Blog and now author of the new NY-times bestselling book Disney Adults — a smart, empathetic, and often hilarious deep dive into one of the most passionate—and misunderstood—fandoms out there.

We’re going to talk about what it really means to be a Disney Adult, the emotional pull of nostalgia, the fine line between joy and overindulgence, and why some people spend thousands chasing the magic... while others just don’t get it at all.

Whether you're a lifelong park-goer or a curious skeptic, this conversation just might reframe how you think about fandom, fantasy, and what it means to grow up in a chaotic world.

Tony-nominated actress Starletta DuPois discusses her captivating role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s latest film, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. She explores her journey working with one of cinema’s most visionary directors, the challenges and triumphs of her character, and what it was like bringing this intense story to life.