Vulnerable Podcast

Today my guest is the QUEEN of roasting on TikTok, the icon herself, Drew Afualo.

In this episode, Drew shares with me her journey to becoming one of the most loved and hated people on TikTok. FYI - I LOVE HER (#TeamDrew). From getting her dream job at the NFL to being fired because she couldn't "build a following" to creating her TikTok account in the early pandemic, in these past few years, Drew has completely transformed her career. Today she spends her time calling out misogyny, patriarchy, bigots, and racists. She advocates for women, femmes, the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and other marginalized groups with witty honesty, humor, and her iconic laugh. She speaks truths that a lot of people react to.

Drew opens up about her support system, how she stays grounded and navigates the vitriol that is piled upon her. Despite the heavy load of hate that is thrown her way, Drew's healthy boundaries, self-awareness and confidence keep her motivated to advocate and speak truth to oppressive systems and people. Drew continues to create her own path to fulfill her dreams. She is hosting two podcasts, collaborating with CHNGE on a capsule collection, hosting on red carpets, and more.

We celebrate Drew for the content she creates, her advocacy, and holding bigots and racists accountable. We're here to support her journey and can't wait to see all the places she goes to in her career.

You can follow Drew @drewafualo on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter. Her podcast Two Idiot Girls is going on tour. Get tickets here.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano, TikTok @christcarlsonromano, and subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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Today my guest is actor, singer and content creator Paul Butcher. You may remember Paul as Dustin from Zoey 101, My Neighbor Totoro, Meet the Robinsons, and more.

In this episode, Paul and I sit down in the Vulnerable Studio to discuss how he got into acting as a child. He details how his education helped him stay grounded throughout his child-acting career. Beyond acting, Paul is a very talented singer. He shares his stories of navigating the music industry and why he's independently producing his music. He talks about his new single Horses. Paul also has a major presence on social media. Paul and I chat about how fun it is to create content for Instagram and TikTok.

This conversation was a delight, I hope you enjoy it.

You can follow Paul @paulbutcher on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and @thepaulbutcher on Twitter. To listen to Paul's single Horses and see what Paul is up to, click on this link - paulbutcher.komi.io.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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Today my guest is actor, dancer, and content creator Garrett Clayton. You may remember Garrett from the Teen Beach Movies, Hairspray Live!, King Cobra, and more!

In this episode, Garrett unpacks the multi-faceted levels of bullying he has experienced throughout his life. From his elementary days to his management encouraging him to stay in the closet, Garrett, despite it all, is such a lovely and infectious human being. I love that Garrett communicates how he learned to create boundaries with the people he works with and spends time with.

Today Garrett continues to be booked and busy. He's acting in tv, film and the theatre. He's hosting a podcast with his husband, A Gay in the Life on Spotify. He's dancing and creating content on social media platforms. He's living his best life. A life where he is happy and thriving.

You can follow Garrett @garrettclayton1 on TikTok and Instagram. You can listen to Garrett and Blake's podcast A Gay in the Life on Spotify.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

*Content Warning* In this episode, Lindsey Shaw and I discuss our journeys to sobriety. There were multiple rock bottoms, a mental health diagnosis, and more. We do discuss different traumas we experienced. It may be triggering, and we encourage you all to take care of yourself. 

Today my guest is actress and acting teacher Lindsey Shaw. You may remember Lindsey from Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, ABC Family's 10 Things I Hate About You, Pretty Little Liars, and more!

In this episode, Lindsey and I deep dive into her journey to sobriety. She details multiple rock bottoms, finding the right sponsor, learning how to be a friend and so much more. One important piece in her sobriety journey is being diagnosed with BPD, borderline personality disorder. She shares how acting may have delayed her diagnosis and how she manages symptoms.

Lindsey was generous, open, and very honest. She shares what she finds joy in and how she teaches acting through Elissa K. Studios. I'm so grateful that she took the time to have a conversation with me. I hope you enjoy this episode.

You can follow Lindsey @ladymshawsters on Instagram and @lindsey.shawsters on TikTok.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today my guest is the founder and CEO of Social Curator, Jasmine Star. Jasmine Star empowers entrepreneurs to market their business on social media, build a brand, and create a life they love.

In this episode, Jasmine shares with me how she went from dropping out of law school to helping over 35,000 business owners through Social Curator. Jasmine is one of those individuals that inspires you because she doesn't shy away from the hard situations in life. She learns from them and grows. She's done this personally and professionally. Today, she is a momma, wife, CEO, podcast host, and so much more.

I felt like I was in a masterclass. She was so encouraging to me, and I hope you too find encouragement through our conversation today.

You can follow Jasmine @jasminestar on Instagram and @officialjasminestar on TikTok. Be sure to check out Social Curator. Go to www.socialcurator.com to learn more.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

*Content Warning* In this episode, Bug Hall and I discuss the exposure child actors experience and sexual assault. We do discuss different traumas we experienced. It may be triggering, and we encourage you all to take care of yourself. 

Today my guest is former actor and producer Bug Hall. You may remember Bug as Alfalfa in Steven Spielberg's The Little Rascals.

In this episode, Bug takes me on a journey detailing why he's chosen to leave Hollywood, take a vow of poverty and live on a homestead in Michigan. We connect over the trauma that child actors endure. Bug details his personal experience of being taken advantage of on sets and the destructive coping mechanisms he developed. Today he's a devout Catholic, married, a father of four, and living a life he finds peace in.

I want to extend my gratitude to Bug for being so open and honest about his journey. I hope you enjoy this episode.

You can follow Bug @bug_hall on Instagram and Twitter.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today my guest is model, screenwriter and entrepreneur, Ireland Baldwin.

In this episode, Ireland and I connect on our very abnormal childhoods. She shares with me what it was like to navigate her famous parent's very public divorce as a young child. We both discuss how challenging it is for a world of strangers to have opinions on public people and their relationships. Ireland details the events and circumstances that led her to go to rehab. Today Ireland is living and thriving in Portland, opening Good Times, a cafe and boutique, along Oregon's coast.

Ireland is honest, witty, and open. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

You can follow Ireland @irelandshmireland on TikTok and @irelandirelandireland on Instagram. Be sure to follow along her journey opening Good Times @goodtimes on Instagram.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today my guest is New York Times bestselling author, actress and television personality, Holly Madison. Holly is an OG reality tv star from E! The Girls Next Door.

In this episode, Holly and I connect on THE DAY her new podcast Girls Next Level launched. We talk all about her podcast, her relationship with Hugh Hefner, and her time on The Girls Next Door. She also shares her complicated history of being constantly associated with Hugh and Playboy and why she leans into it now. We also connect on our experience as content creators, the TikTok community, and being moms in the public eye. PLUS she shares what it was like to write a memoir.

Holly is generous, kind, and open. It was such a pleasure to connect outside of social media. I hope you enjoy this conversation.

You can follow Holly @hollymadison on Instagram, Twitter, and @hollyjeanmadison on TikTok. Be sure to check out her new podcast Girls Next Level and her YouTube Channel.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today my guest is actress, singer, and songwriter, Hayley Orrantia. You may know her as Erica Goldberg from the hit ABC sitcom "The Goldbergs." Big sisters unite!

In this episode, Hayley and I chat about how she got into "the business." I was surprised to learn that acting was originally a means to land a record deal for Hayley à la Hannah Montana style. She shares stories about being on the X-Factor and how she stayed grounded despite being launched into fame through "The Goldbergs." She details how she got into flipping houses and what it's like to produce her own music independently.

Hayley is talented, joyful, and true to herself. It was such a pleasure connecting as "older sisters" and now as friends.

You can follow Hayley @hayleyorrantia on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to check out her new single Gasoline on YouTube.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today my guest is host, pop culture extraordinaire, and TikTok creator Tefi. Her recent deep dive on Amy Winehouse has everyone remembering why she was so beloved.

In this episode, Tefi and I chat about what drew her to TikTok and start creating content. Tefi is one of the OG TikTokers. She also is a storyteller. With that winning combination, she'll likely pop up on your FYP offering insights on how to embrace your humanity. She highlights significant pop cultural figures as a way to help others embrace their feelings but also offer others a little more empathy. When she's not offering us "big sister" insight, she is also a host on Instyle's TikTok and MTV's Merch Masters.

Tefi and I also talk about her Tedx presentation “The Future of Confidence”. She details how she has created conscious boundaries with social media and how using it to highlight humanity creates confidence within oneself that "likes" will never produce.

Tefi is SO fun to converse with. We could have talked for hours, so I hope you enjoy this episode!

You can follow Tefi @hellotefi on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter.

Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano, on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.