Podcrushed Creators & Guests

former 5th grade teacher, current podcast host

Penn Badgley is an American actor and musician, best known for his portrayal of Joe Goldberg in the popular Netflix psychological thriller series You. He gained early recognition for his role as Dan Humphrey on The CW’s Gossip Girl (2007–2012), which became a defining part of his career. His performance in You has earned him several award nominations, including the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television. Outside of acting, Badgley is the lead singer of the indie band MOTHXR, with whom he released an album, Centerfold, in 2016.

Ramy Youssef is a stand-up comedian and writer of Egyptian descent.

Ilana Glazer is a comedian, writer, and actress. She is best known for co-creating and co-starring in the Comedy Central series Broad City, which is based on the web series of the same name.

Taylor Michel Momsen is a singer, songwriter, model, and former actress.

Taylor Tomlinson is a comedian. She gained national attention with her Netflix specials Quarter-Life Crisis (2020) and Look At You (2022), which showcase her candid takes on millennial life, mental health, and relationships. Starting stand-up at 16, Tomlinson has been featured on Conan, The Tonight Show, and Last Comic Standing. She was named one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in 2021 for her impact on comedy. Her podcast, Sad in the City, explores similar themes with humor and vulnerability.

Brianne Howey is an actress.Her full name is Brianne Nicole Howey. She has appeared on the Fox TV shows The Exorcist and The Passage, as well as the The CW show Batwoman. Howey is also one of the leads of the Netflix series Ginny & Georgia.

Ariana Grande is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful vocals and wide vocal range. Ariana began her career in theater and gained early fame starring as Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious and Sam & Cat. She transitioned to music with her 2013 debut album Yours Truly, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. Grande has released multiple chart-topping albums including My Everything (2014), Sweetener (2018), and Thank U, Next (2019), earning numerous accolades including Grammy, Billboard, and American Music Awards. In 2024, she returned to acting as Glinda in the film adaptation of Wicked.

Sophie Thatcher is an American actress and musician.

Ben Platt is an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known for his Tony Award-winning performance as the titular character in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen (2016–2017), a role that also earned him a Grammy and an Emmy. He first gained attention for his role as Benji Applebaum in the Pitch Perfect film series (2012, 2015). Platt has also released successful solo music albums, including Sing to Me Instead (2019), showcasing his vocal and songwriting talents. In addition to his stage and music career, he starred in the Netflix series The Politician (2019–2020) and the film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen (2021).

Jake Johnson is an actor and comedian.

Diamonté Qiava Valentin Harper is known professionally as Saweetie. She is an American rapper and singer.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is an accomplished actress and producer, recognized for her significant contributions to television and film. She gained prominence with her role as Elaine Benes on the influential sitcom "Seinfeld," a performance that earned her critical acclaim and several awards. Louis-Dreyfus further demonstrated her versatility and talent with leading roles in "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and the political satire "Veep," where she portrayed Selina Meyer. Her work on "Veep" earned her multiple Emmy Awards, underscoring her status as a leading figure in the entertainment industry. In addition to her acting career, Louis-Dreyfus has also made notable contributions as a producer. Her career is distinguished by her ability to bring depth and nuance to her characters, establishing her as a respected professional in her field.

Elisabeth Moss is a highly acclaimed actress known for her powerful performances in television and film. Born in Los Angeles, California, Moss gained fame for her role as Peggy Olson on "Mad Men" (2007-2015), earning multiple awards and nominations. She received widespread acclaim for her portrayal of June Osborne in "The Handmaid's Tale" (2017-present), winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress. Moss's film work includes notable roles in "The Invisible Man" (2020) and "Shirley" (2020). She continues to be a leading figure in contemporary drama, recognized for her ability to portray complex and resilient characters.

Conan O'Brien is a television host, comedian, writer, and producer. O'Brien moved to Los Angeles to join the writing team for HBO's popular news-show parody Not Necessarily the News. He wrote for the program for two years and acted in several improvisational groups, including the Groundlings. O'Brien is best known for his work as a host for late-night talk shows for 28 years. O'Brien is the host of the Conan Needs A Friend podcast.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is an American actor best known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett on the hit ABC sitcom Modern Family (2009–2020), a role that earned him five Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Before his television success, Ferguson built a strong stage career, performing on Broadway in productions like The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In addition to his acting work, he has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and co-founded Tie The Knot, an organization promoting marriage equality.

Esther Perel is a psychotherapist, advisor on sex & relationships, speaker, and author.

Daisy Ridley is an English actress. She rose to fame for her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy: "The Force Awakens" (2015), "The Last Jedi" (2017), and "The Rise of Skywalker" (2019). She is also well known for playing Mary Debenham on "Murder on the Orient Express" (2017). More roles include "The Marsh King's Daughter" (2023) and "Young Woman and the Sea" (2024).