Stay ConnectedPodcrushed — 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.
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Copyright: © 2025 Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
[Original air date: December 18, 2024] Acclaimed actor, comedian, and impressionist Jay Pharoah (SNL, Jared) tells the gang about his days getting in trouble for impersonating his preacher, the pivotal moment that came from forgetting his lines on stage, and the strange coincidences that keep shaping his life.
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[Original air date: December 11, 2024] Riley Keough (Under The Bridge, Daisy Jones & The Six) regales the hosts with stories of her early dual-life -- the ultra shy kid who once tried to run away from her own birthday party, and the budding performer who was discovering the same elation of being on stage as her grandfather Elvis Presley. Riley also tells stories from her new book, From Here To The Great Unknown, about her relationship with her mother Lisa Marie Presley and the complexities of their family.
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[Original air date: October 9, 2024] Chase Stokes (Outer Banks, Uglies) joins us for a candid conversation spanning childhood sports injuries to living in his car in Hollywood. He hilariously recalls bombing his Stranger Things audition, only to later stand before those same execs to land his breakout role as John B in Outer Banks. Chase also shares how he was able to work up the courage to nail the most epic first kiss story we’ve ever heard.
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[Original air date: June 24, 2024] Maya Hawke (Stranger Things, Inside Out 2) drops by the pod and shares why conventional schooling wasn’t for her, and how growing up immersed in art shaped her. She reflects on how it felt to be the new kid on Stranger Things, and talks about the inspiration behind her new album "Chaos Angel."
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[Original air date: December 20, 2023] 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.
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[Original air date: September 20, 2023] 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.
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[Original air date: September 6, 2023] 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.
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[Original air date: June 6, 2023] 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.
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[Original air date: April 11, 2023] This week Adam Brody (Fleishman is in Trouble, Shazam!, The O.C.) stops by and wins the group over with his endless trove of middle school stories. Adam gets passionate explaining his take on marriage, and shares why he’s the happiest he’s ever been.
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[Original air date: November 29, 2022] Conan O’Brien steals the show this week, helping Penn regain control from the normies (Sophie & Nava). He also reminisces about his disastrous first school play and reveals his Gossip Girl standom.
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