Inside Of You

Never disappoints! Zachary Levi (Shazam!, American Underdog) joins me this week to catch up on how he’s holding up mentally and what the process of shooting a football biopic over the last couple years was like with American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story. Zach delves very deep into what it means to love oneself and how that not only affects our own lives but others as well. We discuss relationships with our mothers, the imminent return of Chuck, and the difference between love and like.

Back and better than ever! Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) joins us this week to talk about what it’s been like transitioning into the show The Boys and what the future could look like for Supernatural fans. Jensen opens up about the drama surrounding the ending of Supernatural and reminisces on things he may have done differently towards the tail end. We also discuss the strong unbreakable bond he has with Jared Padalecki, his experience with Jessica Alba, and becoming Batman?

Angie Harmon (Rizzoli & Isles, Law & Order) joins us this week to talk about everything from her obsession with the true crime genre to the difficulty in trying to raise three girls as a single mother while pursuing a career in Hollywood. Angie shares her crazy encounter with David Hasselhoff on an airplane and how it launched her career. We also discuss preparing for darker roles, encounters with creepy fans, and her mixed feelings on the modeling industry.

Chris Diamantopoulos (Silicon Valley, Red Notice) joins us this week to discuss his wild story of getting paid nothing for his dream role in The Three Stooges and portraying iconic figures like Mickey Mouse and Robin Williams. Chris and I talk about the drama surrounding The Three Stooges, changing his role in Red Notice, and the impact his insane character in Silicon Valley has had on the hustle and grind culture of millennials today.

Jack Reacher himself, Alan Ritchson (Reacher, Blue Mountain State) joins me this week to bravely discuss his battle with bipolarism and the struggle in finding his true identity in Hollywood. Alan and I talk about being a better fit for Jack Reacher compared to past actors, hitting rock-bottom mentally, and the intense filming schedule of Amazon Prime Video’s Reacher.

Kristin Kreuk blesses us again with an appearance on the podcast to talk about her feelings around the ending of Burden of Truth and her experience with shows ending as her career matured in Hollywood. Kristin expands on the idea in previous appearances of how her nervousness that she used to have on Smallville has evolved with age and experience. We also talk awkward interactions with actors at cons, letting go of our judgment of our past selves, and removing ego for the betterment of a piece of art.

Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things) joins us this week with a ton of energy and a handful of different stories of what it was like to overcome Hollywood’s opinion of him as a child actor because of his condition, cleidocranial dysplasia, and how great it felt landing the hit sensation Stranger Things on Netflix. Gaten discusses his evolution from being a nine year old theater junkie to getting his shot with shows like the Blacklist. We also talk about his preset fandom for the 80’s, his deep relationships with costars in Stranger Things, and some maybe not-so-cool pranks that happened on set.

Cedric Yarbrough joins us this week for what some are calling, “about damn time.” Tons of fun stories in this week’s show. We go back to Cedric’s childhood and talk about what it was like for him to grow up in the opposite of racial diversity within Minneapolis, plus while being raised Jehovah’s witness by his single mother. Then we get into his Curry-esque skill with “improvistating” and how he’s adapted his goals since achieving them by coming out to Los Angeles to become a working actor. We also talk about random fights he’s had, our last Christmas together, and his time working on Curb and The Goldbergs.

Alexander Ludwig (Vikings, Heels) joins us this week to share his journey in fighting his demons head on by finding sobriety, plus the experiences in this industry that have given him hope and the reassurance that kindness and gratitude win in the end. Alexander talks about his passion for adventure and activity to calm his anxiety and how difficult it is to pursue his passions given the contracts he has on certain shows. We also talk about going all out with Stephen Amell during scenes on Heels, how fitness helps center himself, and his love for and pursuit of a country music career.

Josh Peck (How I Met Your Father, Drake & Josh) joins us this week to give a glimpse into the amazing, film-worthy stories he has inside his new book “Happy People Are Annoying.” Josh shares everything from the thought of having to grieve what he never had after the loss of his father, to the truth behind the media storm fallout that came from his wedding day and those who didn’t get invited. We also talk about the idea of endless voids that we try to fill with vices, his experience as a child stand up comic, and how the difference between public opinion and what goes on behind the scenes within a cast.

Misha Collins (Supernatural, Roadfood) joins us in the studio this week to share his experience growing up with adversity and having to learn to be comfortable fitting ‘inside of you’ and not giving concern to standing out. Misha goes on to talk about his experience shooting PBS’ Roadfood and the different life wisdom he was able to draw from that time simply from slowing down, in comparison to the go-go-go schedule he had to keep up with Supernatural. We also talk about his relationship with Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki, the fake manufactured drama some fans project, and his experience with anxiety attacks on set.

Rahul Kohli (iZombie, Midnight Mass) joins us this week to tell his inspiring story of how a lucky twist of fate, while he was on the brink of quitting acting because of a horrible audition, landed him his life changing role in iZombie. Rahul explains, however. that the onset politics, stress of being on a bubble show, and shooting in Canada caused him to spiral into unhealthy abusive and unhealthy habits. We also talk about his deep relationship personally and professionally with Mike Flanagan, the typecasting of South Asian actors, and his experience being diagnosed with bipolar.

Lesley-Ann Brandt (Lucifer, Spartacus) joins us this week to share the lessons learned and different obstacles she faced pursuing a career acting in Hollywood after growing up in the completely different world of apartheid stricken South Africa. Lesley attributes her upbringing and environment in South Africa for her edge, strong attitude, and self preservation that’s helped her throughout her career on hit shows like Spartacus and Lucifer. We also talk about how actors get painted as villains for leaving a series, the importance of fitness in her life, and the self indulgence of mental wellness that some cultures aren’t afforded.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell, Franklin & Bash) joins us this week to share why despite his multi decade long career in this industry he still maintains a glass half empty attitude after the countless times he’s been disappointed along the way. He expands this idea into our personal lives and the thought that nothing is forever, so don’t take anything for granted. We also talk about how Mark’s ego took a hit during the period after Save by the Bell ended, his experience as a child actor, and his surprise with projects like Pitch and Mixedish.

Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Doom Patrol) joins us this week and opens up on his experience throughout life filling a void with things like substance abuse to professions in the spotlight like being a musician and actor. Mark gets candid about the evolution of his time on Supernatural, his fondness for the cast and crew, and the issues he had with his departure. We also talk about his experience alongside Brendan Fraser on Doom Patrol, his opinion on the “c word,” and Mark’s strengthened relationship with his father after working side by side.

Kate Siegel (Hush, Midnight Mass) joins us this week and is completely open about her lowest lows while attempting to make acting a full time job and the unrelenting ambition that lead to her break. Kate talks about the balance between her need for validation and the need to keep a set moving, all while needing to drop your ego to get out of your own way when performing a scene. We also talk about how she’s handled the trauma of her father’s passing, the surprising best thing about getting sober, and her experience working alongside her husband Mike Flanagan.

Steve Agee (Peacemaker, Sarah Silverman Program) joins us this week to talk about the ups and downs of his career in Hollywood as a character actor, and how James Gunn helped pull him from a pit during the worst year of his life with his recurring role as John Economos on Peacemaker. Steve lays out the entire origin story of his acting experience going from aspiring musician, to hopeful marine biologist, to satisfied Starbucks employee, and even to his time working the circuit of popular 2000’s reality television post production. We also talk about how Sarah Silverman saved his life in more ways than one, working with Jimmy Kimmel, and his experience with denial through the Groundlings.

Judd Apatow (Superbad, Knocked Up) joins us this week with endless stories of his experience making comedy magic from being roommates with Adam Sandler and seeing his brilliance before the rest of the world to his directorial/ production experience alongside comedic icons making films with cemented reputations in comedy. Judd talks about the reasoning for having so many projects going at once because of times in the past with some falling through, like Freak and Geeks, or even some taking years and years to get greenlit, like Superbad and Pineapple Express. This description could literally be 1,000 words with how much notable stuff Judd talks about this week… enjoy folks.

Erica Durance (Smallville, Saving Hope) returns this week to reminisce about the good and bad of her experience on Smallville while reflecting on how her upbringing of idolizing perfection led to prolonged stress and anxiety throughout her career. Erica goes on to open up about how she has a need to stay busy in order to keep calm and how she’s learning that ‘if it doesn’t get done, that’s okay.’ We also talk about our experience on set with fellow cast mates, our happy place, and the false narratives we sometimes create in our own heads.

Jared Padalecki (Walker, Supernatural) returns this week to share the challenges of transitioning into Walker and out of Supernatural all the while wanting to retire from being on screen entirely. Jared gets candid about his work ethic and attributes it to the guilt he felt after an embarrassing story during his time on the Gilmore Girls. We also talk about upcoming prequels, having Jensen Ackles direct an episode of Walker, and why he needs to pour himself into every character he portrays.

Annette O'Toole (Smallville, Virgin River) joins us this week to share iconic stories from her decades of work alongside Hollywood legends and all the while how her naivety prevented her from being taken advantage of throughout her early career. Annette goes on to tell a crazy story of her travels back and forth across the country during 9/11 and how it inevitably led to her winning an Academy Award. We also talk about her relationship with Michael McKean, enjoying acting now more than ever, and the special impact Smallville has had on people’s lives.

Caity Lotz (Legends of Tomorrow, Arrow) joins us this week and shares her evolution from working as a dancer for Avril Lavigne and Lady Gaga to gaining the respect of her cast and crew as a director on Legends. Later in the show Caity sheds light on her opinion of Legends of Tomorrow ending and how the working conditions, writing, and morale on the show improved with time. We also talk about her first gig in Mad Men, her emotional drive to continue acting, and her desire to distance herself from the Hollywood scene.

William Fichtner (Prison Break, Black Hawk Down) joins us this week to share his multi decade journey through Hollywood working alongside legends on the screen and how it all started with a random referral while in college. Ficthner gives insight into his process and how, without fail, he always puts in the work before playing any role; expanding on this with a story of his blind character in Robert Zemeckis’ Contact. We also talk about favoring performance over appearance, entering an industry as an outsider, and not chasing people’s approval.

Nathan Fillion (Castle, The Rookie) returns to the show this week to reflect back on tenured success across multiple serieses like Castle and The Rookie, along with cult adoration in Firefly and Serenity, leading us to discuss what’s next and what the escape plan is once his run in Hollywood is done. Nathan shares his secret for positivity in life and his freedom of being in a position to say no rather than taking roles out of need. We also talk about how adversity brings out one’s true colors, rumors of Firefly reboots, and his experience swimming with sharks.

Kate Flannery (The Office) joins us this week and shares her experience going from bankrupt after toxic relationships to waiting tables through the first season of The Office before it became one of the most beloved sitcoms ever. Kate opens up about using the ‘net of comedy’ to break the pace of emotional or serious performances she may give and how it clouds vulnerability. We also talk about our shared near death plane experience, curbing expectations as an actor, and coming up through Second City performing with the likes of Stephen Colbert and David Koechner.

Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy, Power Book IV) joins us this week and opens up on how his near death experience after a knife fight led to him not only changing career paths from being a DJ to acting, but also allowed him to realize that it’s okay to fear things in life. Tommy talks about drawing from experiences and interactions in his past to inspire his ‘tough guy’ bravado that he portrays with a lot of the roles he has. We also talk about his underprepared experiences on Braveheart and Gladiator, how he was able to overcome imposter syndrome in this insecure business, and his time shooting Power Book IV: Force.

Gianni Paolo (Power, Ma) joins us this week and shares his story of going from a world class hockey player with a trajectory for the NHL to leaving that all behind and pursuing his passion for acting. Gianni talks about how his improv skills gained him more time and spin-offs in the Power universe on Starz while also gaining the props of its creator 50 Cent. We also talk about growing up humble after his father lost tens of millions of dollars in the dotcom bubble, his business venture with Keenan Thompson, and the switch in his life after being caught dealing as a teenager.

Robert Patrick (Peacemaker, Terminator 2) joins us this week and shares his unique perspective in this industry with a forty year tenure, no practical training, and missed opportunities before he found sobriety. Robert opens up on how despite how iconic his character as T-1000 was in Terminator, and how he owes his career to James Cameron, he had to change his appearance to distance himself from the character. We also talk about his chemistry and bond with John Cena, how Demi Moore’s psychic helped save his life, and how Robert got Clint Eastwood to break on set uncontrollably.

Doug Jones (Star Trek Discovery, The Shape of Water) joins us this week to share his accidental introduction to the world of creature features and how he’s cemented his legacy as one of its most iconic actors with captivating performances in Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy, Hocus Pocus, and Oscar best picture winning The Shape of Water. Appearing in countless films together, Doug talks about his special relationship with mastermind Guillermo del Toro and how the two have a unique shorthand way of communicating with one another. We also talk about his early success in McDonald’s commercials, difficult lessons learned from his father’s early passing, and why his contract doesn’t allow for him to be dubbed over.

Cassidy Freeman (The Righteous Gemstones, Smallville) joins us this week and talks about the lonely and uncomfortable experience of joining Smallville in its eight season along with the bonds and connections she eventually created with castmates Tom Welling, Erica Durance, and Alison Mack. Cassidy shares her thoughts on the false idea of perfection during comparison and how she has started to let go of the idea of perfectionism. We also talk about the joy of working on the set of The Righteous Gemstones with Danny McBride and John Goodman, her love for Longmire, and leaving a legacy through journaling.

Matt Walsh (Veep, UCB) joins us this week and shares the turning points in his life that moved him from studying psychology and working in a psych ward to becoming a founding member of UCB and a household name in comedy. Matt shares praise for Julia Louis-Dreyfus and notes how important it is to have a good leader for the success of a show like Veep. We also talk about difficulty in dramatic roles, how the middle child is expendable, and how nice it is to take the role of a viewer on your own projects by doing a rewatch.

What an episode this week. Kim Coates (Sons of Anarchy, Bad Blood) joins us to talk about how he’s had to learn to slow down and get back to being himself during points in his life when his career was on the rise and he was focused on pleasing others. Coatesy shares fond memories working with Bruce Willis and Kevin Costner, but also remembers other times on set where he had to stick up for people against difficult, rude talent. We also talk about his special relationship with William Fichtner, how doing a Sons of Anarchy rewatch has made him realize the impact of the show, and what it’s like to work alongside his daughter in the new Neon Lights.

Katherine McNamara (Arrow, Walker: Independence) joins us this week to talk honestly about her experience shooting the prequel to Walker, how it’s different than your typical Western, and what it’s like to be in her first lead role since filming Shadowhunters. Katie Mac goes on to share her emotions returning to the Arrowverse as Mia Smoak and her thoughts behind the spinoff (Green Arrow & The Canaries) not getting picked up. We also talk about the idea of responsibility vs. stress, why Katherine is more drawn to character roles in television rather than film, and her return to Shadowhunters.

Comedian Adam Ray (Young Rock) joins us this week for an awesome episode full of equal parts (1) vulnerability talking about his troubled past and (2) comedic relief that’ll make you laugh. Adam talks about how he got the role of Vince McMahon in Young Rock and how a bit on Instagram led to his unique friendship with The Rock. We also talk about when crowd work can go wrong, the reason Adam pursued a career in comedy, and his Gemini tendencies.

Wil Wheaton (Stand By Me, Big Bang Theory) joins us this week to share his brave story of coming to grips with the trauma of his childhood, breaking the cycle so it doesn’t carry on to future generations, and understanding that part of his healing process may lead to a lifetime split from his family. Wil is an open book as he talks about problematic introductions to the world of child acting and how his career was propped up from parental projections onto him. We also get into his annotated look back into the past with Still Just a Geek, his amazement of being in Star Trek as a trekky, and how he manages his anxiety depression and PTSD.

Brian Baumgartner (The Office, Off The Beat) joins us this week to reflect on how the celebration of the ordinary with a show like The Office has led to its resurgence as one of the most popular shows today, even years after it ended. Brian shares stories landing his role as Kevin and talks about how the show has gained a second life with podcasts, NY Times best sellers, and his very own chili cookbook. We also talk about our shared backroom run ins with Jack Nicholson, how separation from his phone by going golfing eases his anxiety, and Brian’s catalyst moment that moved him from theater to film and television.

Theo Rossi (Sons of Anarchy, Emily the Criminal) joins us this week to share his unique perspective on life and how he’s been able to let go of the nonsense and worries that plague people day to day and focus on being a good person. Theo shares the life changing moment that helped him make the decision to leave drug dealing and pursue a career in Hollywood. We also talk about protecting your time when it's finite, the weight of Sons of Anarchy, and the lovable complexity of villains.

Annie Lederman (Trash Tuesday, Don’t Bore Me) joins us this week and shares a ton! She talks about how having little-to-no boundaries in her childhood led to difficult and traumatic altercations that left her betrayed, took years to overcome, and eventually helped feed her career in comedy. Annie talks about her tendencies to be a people pleaser early in life and the different therapeutic things she’s turned to for help now. We also get into her upbringing as a Quaker, how her dreams of being an Olympic swimmer ended, and some good ole heckler stories.

Pete Holmes (Crashing, You Made It Weird) joins us this week to share his triumphant story of going from existential desperation after a canceled late night show to traveling across the country to pitch Judd Apatow on what would go on to become HBO’s Crashing. After we clear the air with fart jokes and punderful bits, Pete opens up on the idea of embracing and acknowledging feelings that many people have a negative connotation of. We also talk about Star Wars cease and desists, spiritual training, and the joy and comfort in absurdity.

Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows) joins us this week to share his journey going from growing up in poverty, collecting cans to fund his pursuit of acting, to landing a hit role in What We Do in the Shadows. Harvey talks about the love and support he received from his family during this pursuit and talks about what it was like coming out to his mother who already had her suspicions. Such a packed episode this week. We also talk about his Metro PCS ads being the pinnacle of his success to his family, what it’s like having half of the WWDITS episodes improved, and how ‘strikes’ against him early in his career are now his strengths in this industry.

Chris Sarandon (Fright Night, The Princess Bride) joins us this week for an amazing episode full of classic film nostalgia, openness on being humbled at the heights of success, and reflection on an illustrious career. Chris shares several behind the scenes stories of landing roles during auditions including how nerves helped propel his performance during his read with Al Pacino for his break in Dog Day Afternoon. We also talk about which film sent him on a mission of discovery and reflection in Africa, his favorite Andre the Giant story, and his relationship with his first wife Susan Sarandon.

Tom Holland joins us this week to share incredible story after story from his 60+ year tenure in Hollywood. From taking on the sequel that nobody dared to touch in Psycho 2, to the difficulties of making a doll that people feared in Child’s Play, to resurrecting the vampire genre with a love letter to horror fans in Fright Night… this man has stories! Tons of tales from some memorable eras of cinema. We also talk about how rare horror fans were during his youth, how he left law school to continue pursuing film, and how he found Lee Strasburg emotionally exhausting. Enjoy.

Kyle Gallner (Outsiders, Smallville) and Sosie Bacon (13 Reasons Why) join me this week to talk about the genius of their new horror film SMILE and what went into the project to get it bumped into theaters from its streaming origins. On top of talking about the twists and turns on and off the screen with Smile, Kyle and Sosie talks about what sorts of insecurities and nerves they carry with them going into every role. Sosie clears up misconceptions about her parents’ (Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick) role in her desire to become an actor and what it was like growing up with negative influences in Manhattan. Kyle shares his suburban bad boy roots and talks about how the stigma around actors performing in horror roles has been obliterated nowadays.

Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite, Blades of Glory) joins us this week and talks about the feeling of ‘constantly being an outsider’ coming to Hollywood from a humble upbringing in the PNW and then heading back to Washington after years in the film industry. Jon shares some crazy stories from his family history that helped shape him into the anxiety and stress free man that he is today. We also get into (of course) our shared bond of horror, why Napoleon Dynamite never had a sequel, and Jon’s memorable run-ins with Will Ferrell, James Cameron, and Ali G.

Deborah Ann Woll (True Blood, Daredevil) joins us this week to share her process as an actor in taking pride and enjoyment in your performance, but not lingering on it after the fact and letting the opinions of others make you defensive in your next role. This idea of other’s opinions gets expanded as Deborah shares her experience being bullied as a teenager and how the isolation and trauma still lingers with her to this day. We also talk unfinished Marvel projects with Daredevil and the Punisher, guarding your confidence, and the legacy of True Blood.

Kristin Bauer (True Blood, The Boy Behind the Door) joins us this week to share her experience going from a small town upbringing in Wisconsin, to becoming a cosmetologist, and eventually falling in love with film and landing a dream role in True Blood. Kristin tells all this week, and opens up about some unfortunate experiences in this industry, including being fired off of HBO’s Hung and an extremely uncomfortable and risque audition for Dancing at the Blue Iguana. We also talk about ageism in Hollywood, her love for the crew and writing on a set, and how she’s able to pull from her emotions so easily during a performance.

Alex Winter (Bill & Ted, Lost Boys) joins us this week to share his experience of being under the limelight since he was a child, unexpectedly hitting fame with Bill & Teds, and then leaving Hollywood for a much needed sanity break. Alex talks about his enjoyment for acting the lifelong friendships he’s been able to build with costars like Jason Patric and Keanu Reeves. We also talks about growing up with free thinking Bohemian parents, his love for creating documentaries, and burning out in Hollywood.

Sam Jaeger (Parenthood, The Handmaid's Tale) joins us this week and opens up on how the repetition of denial as an actor has him feeling like his last job will be his last, despite his success in hit shows like Devil in Ohio, Parenthood, and more. Sam talks about how he feels like he’s made it haphazardly through life with his ADD and how later in adulthood he faced anxiety and depression. We also get into what it was like directing co stars on Parenthood, his iconic Gene Hackman stories, and how he feels like sloppy seconds for Owen Wilson and Ewan McGregor.

Samm Levine (Freaks and Geeks, Minx) joins us this week and shares what it was like going from regurgitating stand up performances at bat mitzvahs to catching the eye of Judd Apatow and lucking into a role in the cult Freaks and Geeks. Samm talks about his time shooting the show and the panic that ensued as a young actor who just had his show canceled. We also talk about working alongside Quentin Tarantino in Inglourious Basterds, his entry into the industry via Lisa Kudrow, and how his impression of William Shatner landed him an iconic role.

John Oates (Hall & Oates) joins us this week to share his experience in the music industry and the ups and downs that come with being in a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted, multi million record selling duo like Hall & Oates. John opens up on how he was able to pull himself out of the spiral his life was in during the late 80’s as he wanted to change his image, was dealing with a divorce, and found out that he was being hoodwinked by Wall Street money managers. We also get into the mental health messaging that John includes in his music, who he was most excited to perform with, and some unfortunate things to happen on stage while he was performing.