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Podcrushed
Podcrushed
Author: Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
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© 2026 Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
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Podcrushed — the podcast where Penn Badgley reads your middle school story -- explores the heartbreak, anxiety and self-discovery of being a teenager. Hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari bring you stories and conversations about middle school - from childhood crushes, to battles with body hair, to schoolyard scuffles. The results are sometimes awkward, sometimes heartwarming, and always relatable.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
185 Episodes
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[Original air date: May 24, 2022] Drew Barrymore joins the crew to share hilarious and heartfelt stories about her turbulent adolescent years in the spotlight. They marvel at the power a little discomfort has in bringing you closer to your full self. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Well folks... this is it. The final episode of Podcrushed. As a final parting gift, the gang called the only person befitting of the 'final guest' title: Leighton Meester. Leighton is not only the very first guest we ever had on Podcrushed, or Penn's co-star from the iconic series Gossip Girl, or the actor you know and love from projects like The Roommate and Nobody Wants This... but is also the most requested return guest of all time on Podcrushed. Be sure to stick around to the end to hear final thoughts from the hosts after three seasons and well over 100 episodes of Podcrushed. David is offering our listeners a special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to https://www.davidprotein.com/PODCRUSHED. To learn more about therapy with NOCD, go to https://www.nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call with their team. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this special double episode, the gang tackles a big question: could the turbulence and chaos in our world be signs that humanity is collectively coming of age? To help them answer, they've recruited Jay Shetty, award-winning podcast host of On Purpose and New York Times bestselling author, and Michael Karlberg, a professor at Western Washington University whose work reconceptualizes human nature, power, social organization, and social change in the pursuit of peace and justice. Simply put, Michael helps make sense of our world, and Jay helps make sense of our place in it. Don't miss this one! Right now, new customers can get 15% off sitewide at https://magneticme.com. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jesse Metcalfe comes on Podcrushed and opens up about being bullied for being “too pretty,” carrying a chip on his shoulder into Hollywood, and how the peaks and valleys of his incredible career introduced him to spirituality. He revisits John Tucker Must Die with Penn for the first time in decades, including JTMD moments from behind the scenes, and a dinner moment involving edamame that still haunts Penn to this day. There’s soap-opera hell portals, pilot-season pressure cookers, and a brutally honest reckoning with fame and identity. Funny, uncomfortable, and unexpectedly deep — this one's a banger. David is offering our listeners a special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to https://davidprotein.com/PODCRUSHED Right now, new customers can get 15% off sitewide at https://magneticme.com. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, the effortlessly talented actor Meghann Fahy stops by for a candid look at her journey from shy, gap-toothed singer to Emmy-nominated star. Meghann reflects on her "two-line" Gossip Girl debut, her whirlwind days on Broadway, and subverting expectations as Daphne on the smash series The White Lotus. Plus, Penn and Meghann discuss their upcoming rom-com, You Deserve Each Other, and the social media feud that nearly broke the internet. To learn more about therapy with NOCD, go to https://www.nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call with their team. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Madison Beer -- the inimitable, twice-Grammy-nommed pop superstar -- joins the gang to talk about her first experiences on social media, being discovered by Justin Bieber (who, apropos of nothing, was also her first celebrity crush), and the challenges and insights gained from her years in the spotlight. Madison shares the pressures of teenage celebrity, her explosive career growth, and the inspiration behind her new album 'Locket,' out now on Epic Records & Sing It Loud. To learn more about therapy with NOCD, go to nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call with their team. David is offering our listeners a special deal: buy 4 cartons and get the 5th free when you go to davidprotein.com/PODCRUSHED. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, the gang sits down with culture critic and commentator Blakely Thornton, who takes them from his early days playing competitive tennis and football to his recent years as a leading voice in pop culture critique. Blakely opens up about his experiences navigating identity, battling societal norms, and finding his voice. Plus, Blakely shares his thoughts on current trends, the rise of AI, and why it's time to roll credits on reboots and gendered awards in acting. To learn more about therapy with NOCD, go to nocd.com and schedule a free 15-minute call with their team. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pop-rock sisters Aly & AJ Michalka join us for a deeply nostalgic, laugh-out-loud, and unexpectedly tender conversation about growing up in the spotlight — together. From childhood auditions and Disney Channel chaos to first crushes, sibling telepathy, and writing their earliest songs on bedroom floors, Aly & AJ reflect on the moments that shaped their bond and their artistry. They open up about navigating fame as kids, protecting their sisterhood at all costs, and why choosing each other has been the throughline of their entire career. It feels less like an interview and more like hanging out in the kitchen with old friends — and you won’t want to leave. Make changing time easier for you and your little one… order Magnetic Me today! New customers get 15% off your first order when you go to https://www.MagneticMe.com Check out our new book CRUSHMORE, out now! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Caleb McLaughlin, best known for his role as Lucas Sinclair in Stranger Things, reminisces about his experiences growing up on screen, from Broadway beginnings to international fame. Caleb shares his insights on the positive dynamics of the Stranger Things set, the impact of faith and family on his life, and his new projects, including the animated film 'GOAT' produced by Steph Curry. Tune in for an engaging discussion on childhood crushes, career milestones, and the journey of a young actor navigating the complexities of fame and personal growth. Make changing time easier for you and your little one… order Magnetic Me today! New customers get 15% off your first order when you go to https://www.MagneticMe.com 00:00 Introduction 03:31 Caleb McLaughlin’s Broadway Beginnings 05:40 Life as a Young Performer 14:49 Family Dynamics and Sibling Rivalry 18:55 Navigating Crushes and Relationships 26:14 Faith and Grounding 34:57 Reflecting on Stranger Things Journey 35:37 The Audition Process 36:26 Meeting the Cast 38:10 Broadway Connections 39:30 Favorite Characters and Deaths 41:24 Lucas and Max’s Relationship 45:43 Reflecting on Stranger Things 53:52 New Projects: GOAT and Shooting Stars 01:02:52 Voice Acting and Animation 01:05:07 Concrete Cowboy and Personal Growth 01:07:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
[Original air date: June 12, 2024] 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:TikTokInstagramXSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Comedian and actor Kumail Nanjiani (Eternals, Silicon Valley) joins the crew to discuss his latest comedy special, 'Night Thoughts.' Kumail reminisces about his early childhood in Karachi, Pakistan, dealing with bullying, and the journey to self-acceptance. He shares candid insights into his creative process, the role of his wife Emily in his work, and the challenges of returning to standup comedy after a long hiatus. Podcrushed listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF! Visit https://www.rosettastone.com/podcrushed today to get started. Go to https://www.airalo.com and use code PODCRUSHED for 15% off your first eSIM. Terms apply. Make changing time easier for you and your little one… order Magnetic Me today! New customers get 15% off your first order when you go to https://www.MagneticMe.com 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marvel superstar Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Kim's Convenience) joins the hosts to delve into his fascinating origin story -- including candid memories of his early childhood in China, his wholly unexpected journey to Canada, and the biggest moments in his stratospheric acting career. Plus, he offers exclusive insights into his latest project, the espionage thriller series The Copenhagen Test, premiering all episodes on Peacock on December 27th. Podcrushed listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF at https://rosettastone.com/podcrushed. That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Go to https://airalo.com and use code PODCRUSHED for 15% off your first eSIM. Terms apply. Make changing time easier for you and your little one… order Magnetic Me today! New customers get 15% off your first order when you go to https://www.MagneticMe.com Check out our new book CRUSHMORE, out now! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lola Kirke -- the actor and musician known for Mozart In The Jungle, Gone Girl, and her recent role in Sinners -- joins the hosts to discuss her fascinating upbringing in a family she describes as 'wolves,' her journey into country music, and the challenges of balancing an acting and music career. She also shares candid stories of growing up around rock stars, and spills the tea on what it's like to be Penn's sister-in-law. (Seriously, she's Penn's sister-in-law). Podcrushed listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF at https://rosettastone.com/podcrushed. That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Go to https://airalo.com and use code PODCRUSHED for 15% off your first eSIM. Terms apply. Check out our new book CRUSHMORE, out now! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The gang sits down with Gaten Matarazzo — the quick-witted Broadway kid who became a global sensation as Dustin Henderson on Stranger Things. Gaten takes us all the way back — from hustling backstage at Les Mis, to the chaotic on-stage disaster he’ll never live down, to the moment the beloved Steve-and-Dustin duo was born. We also dig into who Gaten is off-set — the music he’s making, the life he’s building, and what comes next now that Hawkins is in the rear-view. Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://skims.com/podcrushed. #skimspartner Head to https://prettytasty.com and use code PODCRUSHED at checkout for your first subscription order FREE (up to a $49 value), plus 15% off every subscription order after that. Podcrushed listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF at https://rosettastone.com/podcrushed.That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Go to https://airalo.com and use code PODCRUSHED for 15% off your first eSIM. Terms apply. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Lizzy Caplan -- the Emmy-nominated actor you know from Mean Girls, Cloverfield, Party Down, and Fleishman is in Trouble -- joins the hosts to open up about everything from her first crushes to the impact of losing her mother at only 13. She recounts her experiences filming Mean Girls and Fleishman is in Trouble, and spills the tea on her new film Now You See Me: Now You Don't. Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://skims.com/podcrushed. #skimspartner Head to https://prettytasty.com and use code PODCRUSHED at checkout for your first subscription order FREE (up to a $49 value), plus 15% off every subscription order after that. Podcrushed listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF at https://rosettastone.com/podcrushed.That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Go to https://airalo.com and use code PODCRUSHED for 15% off your first eSIM. Terms apply. 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The star of Riverdale and Chemical Hearts, Lili Reinhart, joins Podcrushed to discuss her journey from a 12-year-old aspiring artist to a booked-and-busy actor. Lili reflects on her early struggles and auditions, the transformative experience of Riverdale, and the challenges of bringing indie projects like Hal & Harper to life. She also opens up about her latest productions and the pressures of adapting popular IP, all while maintaining her sanity in Hollywood. Don’t miss this one! For a limited time, you can try Pretty Tasty for free - just go to http://prettytasty.com, pick your flavor, and use code PODCRUSHED. Podcrushed listeners can grab Rosetta Stone’s LIFETIME Membership for 50% OFF at rosettastone.com/podcrushed.That’s unlimited access to 25 language courses, for life! Our new book Crushmore is out now! Go go go! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 00:00 Introduction 04:19 Lily’s Early Acting Journey 10:05 Challenges and Rejections 15:52 Moving to LA and Booking Riverdale 25:13 First Crushes and Heartbreaks 28:08 Embarrassing School Memories 30:18 Transition to Adulthood 30:54 Moving Back to LA and Auditioning for Riverdale 33:03 Booking the Role and Moving to Vancouver 34:20 Chemistry Tests and Initial Reactions 37:05 Shooting the First Season of Riverdale 39:01 Impact of Riverdale’s Success 39:28 Favorite Storylines and Behind-the-Scenes Memories 42:36 Challenges and Rewards of Independent Television 54:10 The Love Hypothesis and Handling Fan Expectations 57:16 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans 01:02:24 Advice to 12-Year-Old Self 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sam Smith joins us for a raw and revealing conversation. Discover the surprising revelation about their journey from a young, talented singer to a global pop sensation. Sam talks about overcoming stage fright, the inspiring moments of writing their hit songs, and the unique way they find peace in New York City. Plus, get a sneak peek into Sam's intimate Brooklyn residency and learn why this next album might be their best work yet. For a limited time, you can try Pretty Tasty for free - just go to prettytasty.com, pick your flavor, and use code PODCRUSHED. Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/podcrushed and use code podcrushed to get 60% off your first box! 00:00 Intro 04:53 Sam Smith’s Childhood and Early Influences 06:28 Navigating School as a Queer Kid 09:52 The Power of Music and Female Voices 20:41 Struggles with Weight and Self-Acceptance 26:27 First Experiences with Love and Heartbreak 31:30 Embarrassing Moments and Overcoming Stage Fright 34:21 Pursuing a Career in Music 36:22 Early Career and Record Deal Challenges 37:11 Deciding Between Musical Theater and Pop Stardom 37:58 Musical Influences and Recording Experiences 40:04 Family Influence and Early Performances 42:04 Themes of Love and Safety in Music 46:18 Personal Growth and Mental Health 47:34 Creating Authentic Music and Overcoming Challenges 49:40 New York Life and Relationship 54:27 The Importance of Water and Flow in Life 59:27 Reflecting on Career and Future Projects 01:07:55 Intimate Performances and New Music 01:12:07 Final Thoughts and Advice to Younger Self Our new book Crushmore is out now! Go go go! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We’re so excited to share a new show from Lemonada Media, Don’t Listen To Us, an advice show for advice-skeptics and wisdom-lovers, hosted by Mandy Patinkin, Kathryn Grody, and their son Gideon. Legendary actor Mandy (The Princess Bride, Homeland, Criminal Minds) is the consummate entertainer who shoots from the hip, stage actress Kathryn is the thoughtful connector who sees all the nuance, and Gideon is the brave soul keeping them on track (or at least trying). Together, Mandy and Kathryn have 40+ years of marriage, 140+ years of life experience, and a series of viral social media posts where Gideon interviews them and watches both chaos and wisdom ensue. They don’t always agree on what advice to give—in fact, they rarely do. But they draw from their highs and lows as artists, parents, lovers, and humans, to give their unique take on real dilemmas submitted by you -- the listeners. Hang out with this family and you’ll walk away with insights you didn’t expect, stories you’ll want to repeat, and comfort knowing that you’re not alone in figuring out how to survive this fakakta world. You’re about to hear the first episode from Don’t Listen To us. After you listen, head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/DontListenToUsfd to hear the full episode and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
OUR BOOK IS OFFICIALLY OUT! To celebrate the release of "Crushmore: Essays on Love, Loss, and Coming-of-Age", we sat down with Phoebe Robinson and a few hundred fans in NYC to chat about the process and stories behind the book. Check out Crushmore everywhere you get books and audiobooks, or click here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this special host AMA, we're diving deep into the mystical world of spirituality. Join us as we get personal and discuss our own spiritual journeys, all sparked by your questions and comments. We'll talk about transcendental experiences, faith, near-death encounters, and much more. Sophie shares a poignant story of feeling her late grandfather’s presence, Penn recounts an unexpected moment of peace among chaos, and Nava reveals a life-saving divine intervention. Our new book Crushmore is out now! Go go go! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993 🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


![[Rerun] Drew Barrymore [Rerun] Drew Barrymore](https://s3.castbox.fm/9e/f6/1d/40d3d6601213aa137f31b72ef3a479bdbf_scaled_v1_400.jpg)


His voice ❤️🔥🤦🏻♀️
Amazing guyssssss 💥🔥 wow
today, i was very much angry at myself and suddenly decided to listen to this podcast out of complete randomness. today was a bit weird.
also my boyfriend looked exactly like penn badgley back in the day and I'm loving it
I literally love this podcast ❤️
This was the best to listen too. Thank you for loving your daughter like this 💕💕💕💕💕💕
My daughter and I wanna be trees when we pass away also 🌳🌴🌲
♥️♥️♥️♥️
One of the best and most honest episodes of Podcast Crush
One of your best episodes. Thank you for making this.
woah, Penn's voice...
Best episode so far! What an amazing guest, and such an important talk. Thank you all so much for creating this.
The fact that Iranian women Still can't get custody of their children though...🥲
thank you for making this interesting podcast.🙏
keep it up guys. ❤️ bring Jacob elordi
tired of hearing from her...
great episode, so sad we can't watch this on video
Omg. I love Penn! He's a very intelligent person and the topics that he talks about , he relates to people so much, he says things that no one is willing to talk about. It is very true that we all need Love at the end of the day and that is why people more and more nowadays watch TV shows that are about friendships and relationships
This paper is great, and my wife and I really appreciate all the hard work you've put into it https://iogamesfree.io
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥