Podcrushed

This week's episode was recorded live at the 92nd Street Y in New York City! It was an intimate evening with beloved New York Times Modern Love podcast host Anna Martin exploring the tender, turbulent terrain of adolescence and its lasting impact on our lives. In this special conversation, Penn, Nava, and Sophie welcomed Anna for a night of storytelling about the universal threads that connect our coming-of-age experiences.

Jay Ellis (Insecure, Top Gun: Maverick, Escape Room) joins Podcrushed to discuss his early life as a military brat, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and how his Sam Jackson-inspired potty mouth got him into trouble as a kid. Jay shares insights from his book Did Anyone Else Have an Imaginary Friend or Just Me? and shares what drew him to take part in his new stage play Duke and Roya.

Alyson Stoner - multi-disciplinary entertainer, author, and founder & CEO of Movement Genius, a pioneering mental health company - opens up about the intense pressures of early fame, personal family challenges, and their transformative journey to healing. With decades of experience in Hollywood and a deep commitment to mental health education, Alyson shares powerfu stories, practical tools, and compassionate insights to empower young performers navigating similar struggles.

Tony Hale (Veep, Toy Story, Arrested Development) takes us from his globetrotting childhood as an army brat to his breakout roles in Arrested Development and Veep. Along the way, he opens up about anxiety, faith, and fatherhood, while sharing the life lessons and practices that keep him grounded. He also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his new project, Sketch, plus a few surprising Emmy stories.

Join the gang as they dive deep with acclaimed actor Riz Ahmed (Sound of Metal, Nightcrawler, Rogue One). From his 12-year-old self navigating between his British Pakistani community and a posh private school to the chance haircut that landed him his first big break, Riz regales the hosts with story after story after story. Don't miss this one!

Actress and podcaster Ambyr Childers (You, The Master, Ray Donovan) joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about her path from child actor to acclaimed performer, the lessons she's learned from parenting and sobriety, and how she's found new meaning in spirituality. With stories that are equal parts funny, heartfelt, and inspiring, this episode is a must-listen.

Paul Wesley (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, The Vampire Diaries, Tell Me A Story) joins the pod for an engaging convo about his journey from Marlboro Township, New Jersey to the silver screen. He shares memories from his time alongside co-stars like lan Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev, his approach to playing the iconic Captain Kirk, and opens up about the anxiety he faced during his days as a struggling actor. He also reflects on his comedy aspirations and the important life lessons he's learned along the way.

We asked, you answered. Sophie and Nava read YOUR worst date stories, submitted by Crushies all over the world. From car fires and peanut allergies to mystery billionaires and embarrassing mishaps, they share a mix of hilarious and cringe-worthy experiences. Plus, Sophie and Nava share their own dating disasters (which, unfortunately, are on par with yours). Laugh along with their live reactions to these unforgettable tales.

This week we're joined by author and actor Tembi Locke. She takes us from her whirlwind childhood to her life today as a bestselling writer and performer. We talk about the heart behind her memoir From Scratch and her new audiobook Someday, Now, the rituals and traditions that keep us grounded, and why midlife can feel a lot like adolescence (in the best way). It's a rich conversation on grief, creativity, and finding light through it all.