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:
TikTok
Instagram
X

See 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.