Podcrushed

In Part 2 of this special conversation with Ariana Grande, Ariana spills the beans on why she keeps casting TV serial killers as her music video leads, the dance move Penn tried to sneak into the "The Boy Is Mine" video, and the inspiration for her Eternal Sunshine era. The gang share their reactions to the Wicked trailer, and Ariana opens up about all the magic she experienced bringing Glinda to life — in front of and behind the scenes. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gang is joined by Matthew Hussey, the renowned relationship coach and New York Times bestselling author of “Love Life”. Matthew goes into his personal journey of confidence and clarity in relationships, shares simple advice on how to find a long-term partner, and gives insight into how to avoid the avoiders (and tame the avoider within). Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in the history of Podcrushed, Penn flies solo with our guest, Daisy Ridley (Star Wars Trilogy, Murder on the Orient Express). She gushes over her first big crushes on Pink and Julia Stiles, how pain shaped part of her adolescence, and the role that intuition played in landing her, a then-unknown actress, the most coveted role of the 2010s as Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. They also take a deep dive into her more recent foray into independent films, including her latest role as the first woman to ever swim the English Channel in Young Woman and the Sea. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today the gang chats with B.J. Novak, the actor, writer, and all-around comedic force from films like Inglorious Basterds and The Founder, and shows like The Mindy Project, The Newsroom, and The Office. He recounts summer camp crushes, his slow realization that he was funny, and the prank that made him a Boston legend. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first of several themed AMAs this season, Penn, Sophie and Nava tackle timeless questions, like "would you forgive a friend who cheated with your partner while high?", "would you publicly out a cheating spouse?", and "should you let your friends know about all their annoying habits?" Nava recalls her most traumatic friend breakup, Sophie shares how she saved a friendship from drifting too far apart and Penn… is there. Tune in and get ready for some extra laughs this week. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are blown away by Karamo Brown (Queer Eye, Karamo Show), whose life consists of a series of plot twists almost too-incredible to believe. Karamo opens up about living authentically at school while hiding himself at home, how a one-time encounter with his best friend turned into the greatest plot twist of his adult life, why life after MTV's The Real World was almost unbearable, and how he managed to land his role on Queer Eye even though he missed every round of casting but the last. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The inimitable, outrageously talented Elisabeth Moss (Mad Men, Handmaid's Tale) is here and we're NOT OK! Elisabeth shares about her years training as a ballet dancer, the tough lessons she learned from early adolescent manipulation, why she wished she'd been cast on Gossip Girl, and why she refuses to ever go method. We get into all things Handmaid's Tale and her exciting new project, The Veil. Tune in to find out how Penn made Elisabeth blush...by comparing her to a baby? Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We couldn't be more excited to kick things off in Season 3 with the one and only Jake Johnson (New Girl, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)! Jake reflects on the trauma of being called "little boy!" in front of his crush, how his mother's intuition saved him from going to juvie, and why you should always listen to your gut, even when you're wrong sometimes. He also reminisces about his time on New Girl and what excites him most about switching things up behind the camera. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTok Instagram XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Podcrushed is back for Season 3! We’re so excited that we had to show you a sneak peek of what’s to come. We hope you enjoy, and don’t forget to mark your calendars for our premiere on April 24!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In honor of our friend Ramy Youssef's recent SNL performance, and the overwhelming success of his Academy Award winning film Poor Things, we're rerunning our episode with him! Come join us as Penn falls in love with our guest, Ramy Youssef (award-winning actor, producer, and stand-up comic). Ramy shares what it was like to be a Muslim kid in New Jersey the day after 9/11, why he loves Jesus but won't eff with Santa, and why in middle school he literally would have rather shit his pants than miss out on a good time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're rerunning our Taylor Tomlinson episode in celebration of the release of her new Netflix special "Have It All"! You may know her from her other Netflix specials, "Quarter Life Crisis" and "Look at You", but this week's guest, the bright, witty, and ludicrously funny Taylor Tomlinson, feels duped! She thought she was coming on for a breezy conversation on first periods and childhood crushes, and instead found herself deep in a conversation on heartbreak, rejection, death, and mental illness. The hosts hold nothing back, too, this week as they reflect on sudden loss and middle school trauma. This is a special episode of Podcrushed you won't wanna miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our Season 2 finale the one and only Ziwe stops by! Her legendary sharp wit and inimitable comedic voice are on display as she showers us with stories of adolescence and coming of age. She shares why being completely herself has been critical to her career, an update on her future foray into pop stardom, and why the keys to success are within our own reach. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our penn-ultimate episode of the season, we interview the trailblazing renowned psychotherapist and relationship expert, Esther Perel. We learn about her new course "Turning Conflict into Connection," and Esther shares her profound wisdom on love, conflict, and human connection. She leads us in answering personal questions from her new game "Where Should We Begin", while she shares personal stories of worst dates and delicate family dynamics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our final EXTRA CREDIT episode this season, we talk to Katie Florence, whose father and brother both died when she was young. We explore the process of navigating grief and using humor as a tool to heal and survive devastating losses. Follow Podcrushed on Socials: InstagramTikTokXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

YOU asked, we delivered! This week the one and only Charlotte Ritchie (YOU, Ghosts) brings Penn to tears with stories of her tween gymnastics days in his favorite embarrassing story of the season. She and Penn share some Season 4 BTS and share their predictions over Joe and Kate's fates in the final season of YOU.Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a full circle moment, on this EXTRA CREDIT episode we connect with Quinn Hardy (@quinickle) — a content creator whose plea for Penn to "duet" him went viral last year. He talks all things bullying, social media infamy, and gets surprisingly philosophical.Follow Podcrushed on Socials: InstagramTikTokXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seth Meyers (Late Night with Seth Myers, Saturday Night Live) and Josh Meyers (Mad TV, That '70s Show) join us this week for a hilarious conversation on their Midwestern upbringing. They recall their first 'birds and the bees' chat with their dad, why Seth is incapable of lying, how Josh handles heartbreak, and why they're each other's biggest supporters. Sophie, Penn and Nava declare them the most wholesome guests they've ever had and try to find a way to become part of the Meyers' family.Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there such a thing as twin telepathy? Find out on this week's extra credit YOUR STORY episode, featuring listeners and twins Nahja and Nahjeniq Buchanan. Nahja and Nahjeniq share about their twin hijinks in middle school, establishing their own identity separate from being a twin and tapping into their twin intuition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s extra credit YOUR STORY episode, Nayya Hassan opens up about her teenage experience with a forced arranged marriage to her own cousin. Nayya blows the team away with her strength, resilience and courage.Follow Podcrushed on Socials: InstagramTikTokXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The stand-up comic taking the world by storm, Matt Rife, drops by this week and shares about his first love, his most epic on-stage bomb at 15, how comedian Ralphie May changed his life, and for the first time, shares the full story of how he and his girlfriend met and fell in love. We have a feeling you’re gonna love this one. Stick around! Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us this week for our second extra credit YOUR STORY episode, where we devote an entire episode to a conversation with a listener. Today we we talk to our youngest guest ever— 16 year old Sophie Fergi shares about how severe bullying in middle school led to a home-schooling journey that has culminated in a very prominent online presence on social media. She shares what she’s learned about navigating hate, both from peers in real life, and trolls on the internet. Follow Podcrushed on Socials: InstagramTikTokX See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Come join us as Penn falls in love with our guest, Ramy Youssef (award-winning actor, producer, and stand-up comic). Ramy shares what it was like to be a Muslim kid in New Jersey the day after 9/11, why he loves Jesus but won't eff with Santa, and why in middle school he literally would have rather shit his pants than miss out on a good time. **This episode was recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.** Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us this week for the launch of our first ever extra credit YOUR STORY episode, where we devote an entire episode to a conversation with a listener. Today we talk to Simran Jeet Singh, a professor, activist, and author, about his first memorable encounter with religious discrimination on a soccer field, and in a boys' locker room, in Texas. Follow Podcrushed on Socials: InstagramTikTokXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are joined by the sensational Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada shares about her tumultuous adolescence in Baltimore, how her time in a metal band helped her learn how to shield her heart from bitterness, what she’s learned about healing and forgiveness in family relationships, and why love is only possible when we sacrifice our ego. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World-renowned expert on the science of happiness, Dr. Laurie Santos (host of The Happiness Lab; professor of Yale University’s most popular class in history!) takes the time to answer YOUR most submitted questions on happiness this week. From sharing about the most misunderstood ideas on happiness (hello money!) and the most overlooked aspects of happiness, to whether single people can actually be as happy as married couples, to the fastest way to lift yourself up out of sadness (the answer might surprise you), this episode of Podcrushed will leave you armed with new insights to improve your happiness, in the short and long term. Follow Podcrushed on socials:XTikTokInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we have not one, but two guests -- Bob Odenkirk, the award-winning actor, writer, and comedic trailblazer whose career has spanned decades, and his daughter Erin Odenkirk, an accomplished multimedia artist and illustrator. Together they co-authored a book of children’s poems and illustrations called ‘Zilot & Other Important Rhymes”, which manages to entertain while also encouraging children to write their own poems. Bob tells us why he still sometimes feels like a fourteen-year-old, Erin tells stories of growing up in the uber-creative Odenkirk household, and the hosts finally discover what exactly a "zilot" is. Follow Podcrushed on socials:XInstagramTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Geri Halliwell-Horner — the singer you may know best as *the* Ginger Spice from the Spice Girls — joins us to talk about her first experiences navigating fame as a Spice Girl, her lifelong journey with spirituality, and her NYT best-selling fantasy novel for young readers “Rosie Frost and the Falcon Queen." Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokXInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**This episode of Podcrushed was recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.** Today we're joined by James Scully, the actor you may know from shows like Titans and Heathers, or from characters like Forty Quinn from Penn's show You. Coincidentally, James just so happened to be taught by Nava when he was in ninth grade. Yes, that's right -- Nava was James Scully's teacher when he was in high school. James shares his favorite memories from Nava's class, gets candid about growing up as a theater kid in Texas, and recalls his favorite moments working alongside Penn on set.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we get to experience Kevin Bacon in the first degree! Kevin tells us all about his new podcast, Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon, how his mother influenced his passion for philanthropy, and how he came out of the womb seeking attention. Kevin shares why fame doesn't bother him (too much), how he draws inspiration for his spirited Tik Tok account, and most significantly, finally agrees to share a piece of marriage advice. Instagram TikTok XSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Who is the most charming man alive?” and come up with Matthew McConaughey, you are correct. This week, the hosts bask in the light of Matthew’s infectious spirit as he regales them with stories from his adolescence in Texas, important lessons on love and patience, why a little bullshitting is vital, and shares the inspiration behind his new children’s book, Just Because. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest this week is the one and only Bobby Berk (Queer Eye, Nailed It!). Bobby shares about his road to self discovery, from coming out to his family and church community as a teen, to finding his passion for art and design. He shares about how he manifested the Fab 5 with a group chat before final casting of Queer Eye, the time he almost punched a fan by accident, the principles of design that his new book Right at Home, explores, and why making your bed every morning can make or break the rest of your day. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TwitterTikTokInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**This episode of Podcrushed was recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.** Our guest this week is none other than Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless, Gossip Girl). She and Penn reunite for the first time since filming the season finale of Gossip Girl in 2012. Taylor shares what it was like being the youngest actor on set, her impressions of working with Penn, and why it was important for her to give her all to pursuing a career in music. Taylor lets us in on her creative muses, how she's drawn inspiration from the darkest moments of her life, and how she's learned to pick herself up after facing heartbreaking losses. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokTwitterInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we bring you an episode from "I Weigh", the podcast against shame hosted by Jameela Jamil, where she sits down with Penn for a wide-spanning conversation. From Jameela's feed: "Actor, podcaster, and most thoughtful man Penn Badgley joins Jameela and the two ponder life, love and fame. They discuss his experience becoming an adult in the limelight, what it feels like to be heavily sexualized, why they both don't enjoy sex scenes, how his fame affects his children, his personal journey with finding peace and happiness, and together they ask the toughest question - what is love?" Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTokTwitterInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hosts are back with their S2 AMA (or should we say AUA -- Ask Us Anything) episode. They reflect on who their favorite guests have been, their most vulnerable moments on the show, things they’ve learned about each other in the process of making Podcrushed, and everyone shares a critical lesson they’ve learned about love. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TwitterTikTokInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**This episode of Podcrushed was recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.** Today we're joined by actor, podcaster, and certified Hollywood icon Rob Lowe, who spares no details about the highs and lows of his truly remarkable life. Nothing is off the table -- from stories of his teenagehood in the limelight, to his journey with sobriety and spirituality, to his discoveries about parenthood, Rob's signature blend of honesty and optimism is in full force throughout. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokTwitterInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may know her from her viral Netflix specials, "Quarter Life Crisis" and "Look at You", but this week's guest, the bright, witty, and ludicrously funny Taylor Tomlinson, feels duped! She thought she was coming on for a breezy conversation on first periods and childhood crushes, and instead found herself deep in a conversation on heartbreak, rejection, death, and mental health. The hosts hold nothing back, too, this week as they reflect on sudden loss and middle school trauma. This is a special episode of Podcrushed you won't wanna miss. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TwitterInstagramTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ALOK (author, poet, comedian) wows the Podcrushed gang with their deep insights into human nature, connection, friendship, and identity. They share stories of self-discovery and acceptance, healing and growing with compassion — all with their trademark blend of wry humor and deep wisdom. Follow Podcrushed on socials:InstagramTikTokTwitterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**This episode of Podcrushed was recorded prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike.** Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) stops by the pod to share recollections from her early adolescence, including her time as a substitute on the national Canadian gymnastics team, navigating Canadian culture under a strict Bulgarian upbringing, and recognizing how recreating family-seeking patterns in romantic relationships was preventing her from finding real love. Follow Podcrushed on socials! InstagramTwitterTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the brilliant Jenny Han—creator of To All the Boys I've Ever Loved, XO Kitty and The Summer I Turned Pretty—shares the real story behind the letters she wrote to all the boys she'd ever loved. She also talks about the importance of protecting her young actors, investing in new talent, and how she convinced Taylor Swift to let her use a track off the unreleased 1989 (Taylor’s Version!) Follow Podcrushed on socials:InstagramTwitterTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Clarkson, the award-winning singer, songwriter, and television personality, brings her buoyant spirit to the pod for a wide-ranging chat about everything from winning the very first season of American Idol, to living out of her car after her apartment burned down, to the moment she had as a middle schooler when she realized she could sing. (Like, SING sing). Follow Podcrushed on socials: TwitterTikTokInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we're running back one of our favorite episodes! America's favorite friend Lisa Kudrow speaks candidly about her adolescence, family tragedy, her days in a comedy troupe with Conan O'Brien, and what it was really like to revisit "Friends" after all these years. Folllow Podcrushed on socials:TwitterInstagramTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Multi-hyphenate talent — actor! writer! comedian! book imprint owner!—Phoebe Robinson (Two Dope Queens, Sooo Many White Guys) struggles to keep her cool in front of Penn, while opening up about why she *wasn't* the class clown when she was younger, the most insulting thing a guy's ever told her during a romantic moment, and what she's learned from her astrologist who's also her life coach. Follow Podcrushed on socials: InstagramTikTokTwitterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gang sits down with Dr. Sasha Hamdani, who weaves together her personal experience growing up with ADHD and her professional experience as a psychiatrist to upend some fundamental stigmas about ADHD. And it’s not all business — Sasha tells stories of starting a riot in her classroom in fourth grade and biting her water polo teammate mid-game. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TwitterTiktokInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld, Veep) proves why she’s such a national treasure. Authentic, charismatic, and thoughtful — Julia shares about standing up to a major studio when they wanted to sue her as a young actress, how fighting breast cancer was a lot like surviving a shark in open waters, and why she stays open to life’s great mysteries. Follow Podcrushed on socials! TwitterInstagramTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Goodbye YOU: A Farewell to Sera Gamble" In this very special episode of Podcrushed, we invite YOU showrunner, Sera Gamble (The Magicians, Supernatural) to reflect on 4 seasons of YOU—from her earliest pitch meetings, to landing on Penn as Joe, to saying goodbye four seasons later. We get to hear her side of the now infamous boundary-setting conversation, and Sera shares why she's the real Joe Goldberg. Follow Podcrushed on socials:TikTokTwitterInstagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lilly Singh -- YouTube icon, author, actor, and the first female late-night host in over 30 years -- drops by the pod and impresses the hosts with her wit, warmth, and depth. From her middle school obsession with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, to the obstacles she faced in late night, to why she'll still be anxiously seeking her mother's approval on her death bed -- Lilly does not hold back! Follow Podcrushed on socials! TikTokTwitterInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our conversation with Roy Wood Jr, front runner to take over the Daily Show and host of this year’s White House Correspondent’s Dinner, runs the gamut —from why he started a fight at a Stop the Violence rally when he was a middle schooler to why he isn’t afraid to get political in his standup. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TikTokTwitterFacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's guest is Iliza Shlesinger, the inimitable stand-up comedian, best-selling author, and podcaster. She opens up about growing up Jewish in conservative Texas, confronting her crush while in her high school mascot regalia ("a gigantic foam hornet head"), and doing stand-up comedy in parking lots. Follow Podcrushed on socials: InstagramTwitterTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The brilliant Jameela Jamil (She Hulk, The Good Place) stuns the group with her unparalleled ability to flip between painful recollections, deep wisdom, and delightfully wicked humor all in the same thought. Jameela shares about the inspiration behind I Weigh, why she backed out of a chance to star in S4 of YOU, and why failure is her good place (we had to!). You also won’t want to miss the moment Jameela cries out “what the f&$k Penn,” while Sophie and Nava lose their minds with glee. Follow Podcrushed on socials: TwitterTikTokInstagramSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.