Rephonic
Artwork for Podcrushed
Mental Health
You
Middle School
Friendship
Acting
Middle School Experiences
Adolescence
Ariana Grande
Motherhood
Comedy
Family Dynamics
Childhood
Social Media
Anxiety
Music
Bullying
Family Relationships
Susan Sarandon
The Handmaid's Tale
Self-Discovery

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 a... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes224Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureComedy

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Artwork for Podcrushed

Latest Episodes

[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 co... more

[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 ... more

[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... more

[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.

Learn more a... more

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Recent Guests

Taylor Momsen
Lead singer of The Pretty Reckless; former Jenny Humphrey in Gossip Girl
The Pretty Reckless
Episode: [Rerun] Taylor Momsen
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Actress and comedian known for SNL, Seinfeld, Veep
Episode: [Rerun] Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Jenna Ortega
Actress known for Wednesday, You, Jane the Virgin
Netflix/Wednesday
Episode: [Rerun] Jenna Ortega
Demi Lovato
Singer and actress
Self
Episode: [Rerun] Demi Lovato
Nina Dobrev
Actor and public figure discussed in the episode
Episode: [Rerun] Nina Dobrev
Kelly Clarkson
Singer, songwriter, television personality
Self/Artist
Episode: [Rerun] Kelly Clarkson
Elizabeth Lail
Actress known for You and other roles
Actor
Episode: [Rerun] Elizabeth Lail
Chace Crawford
Actor known for The Boys; guest of this episode
Actor, The Boys; former Gossip Girl cast member
Episode: [Rerun] Chace Crawford
Eddie Redmayne
Award-winning actor
Actor (The Day of the Jackal, The Theory of Everything, Cabaret, The Good Nurse)
Episode: [Rerun] Eddie Redmayne

Hosts

Penn Badgley
Host of Podcrushed; primarily drives interviews with a focus on adolescence, fame, and healing.
Nava Kavelin
Co-host guiding discussions with empathy, focusing on childhood, growth, and personal narratives.
Sophie Ansari
Co-host known for thoughtful prompts, warm demeanor, and deep listening.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.5k ratings
  • Anna Camp episode ❤️

    Absolutely one of my favorite episodes! Anna killed her characters on You. I had to look up to see if she had a twin sister because I thought omg I didn’t know she had a twin. I loved Anna Camp before being on You. But I have an even bigger love for her now. And Penn you were amazing as always.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jamierfe
    United Statesa year ago
  • Mess

    As a massive fan of You I listened to the women of You episode and what an absolute mess. So many voices continuously talking over each other, very long winded responses that don’t really say anything, and excessive mutual appreciation. If ever a podcast needed an editor and producer this is it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    coolhandlukas
    Australiaa year ago
  • Thank you <3

    This is definitely weird but I started listening to this podcast because Penn is a perfect doppelgänger for my brother. They even share the same mannerisms, sense of humor, and gentleness. Unfortunately, my brother is more of a Joe than a Penn, so we have very little contact (I do NOT listen to his podcast). This show has become an odd source of comfort and healing for me, it remembers for me the kind and curious parts of my brother, and finds hope that we might end up on a path together again s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lesbian frankenstein
    United Statesa year ago
  • love these three

    came for penn and just fell in love with this pod. i love the questions relating to childhood. celebrity or not, we all had a first heartbreak and embarrassing teenage moments and it makes the guests seem so relatable. also, the guests are great! i don’t know who many of them are before listening and still very much enjoy them!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alleyooooooooop
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great for insomnia

    There’s something about Penn’s voice. Or is it just me? The girls are fun too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NDA74
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critiques often call for tighter editorial focus and more varied guests.
Fans highlight engaging conversations and depth in discussing fame and resilience.
Some reviews note inconsistency in pacing or overemphasis on celebrity status at times.
Listeners praise the candid, empathetic host dynamic and the relatable middle-school nostalgia.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

[Rerun] Ziwe
Q: Tell us about your first big crush or infatuation and your first heartbreak?
She shares a memory from first grade involving a boy named Patrick, where a crush led to a lesson on consent and boundaries. In high school, a long-ago relationship taught her about the pain of unreciprocated interest and how deeply she invested in someone who had no real interest in her, shaping her understanding of love, self-worth, and the dynamics of relationships.
[Rerun] Ziwe
Q: An embarrassing story from middle school that you remember?
Ziwe recalls being dressed in unflattering, exaggerated underwear that showed at a lunch table, which became a defining moment: she used humor to deflect trauma, though it reflected an experience of shame and humiliation rather than empowerment. She also notes the complexity of that memory as part of her early development in humor and resilience.
[Rerun] Demi Lovato
Q: What would you tell your 12-year-old self if you could go back?
I would tell her that she is beautiful, that it's okay to take breaks, and that meaningful human connections are more important than chasing external validation or fame.
[Rerun] Demi Lovato
Q: What inspired you to tell your story in Child Star the way you did, and why now?
I wanted to reflect on why child stardom happens, how it affects young performers, and to explore how healing and accountability can emerge when you look back honestly at those pressures.
[Rerun] Demi Lovato
Q: Describe for me, if you can, just a snapshot of life for you at 12. How are you seeing the world?
I saw a life of intense focus on craft mixed with loneliness and the beginning of serious public attention, which shaped my sense of purpose and the weight of expectations early on.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Podcrushed

What is Podcrushed about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A candid, personality-driven interview show centered on middle school memories, adolescence, and identity, featuring conversations with celebrities and public figures from entertainment, music, and beyond. Episodes commonly explore fame, personal growth, resilience, and healing, often anchored by social and cultural commentary on growing up in the public eye. Notable strengths include a warm, multi-host dynamic, relatable nostalgia, and a knack for connecting high-profile experiences to universal teen moments. The format tends to blend candid life stories with practical reflections that can resonate with both fans and aspiring guests, making it appealing for listeners seeking comfort, inspiration, and entertainment from candid conversations... more

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How many listeners does Podcrushed get?

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To see how many followers or subscribers Podcrushed has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Podcrushed?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Podcrushed:

1. Hey Jonas!
2. Call Her Daddy
3. Work in Progress with Sophia Bush
4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

How many episodes of Podcrushed are there?

Podcrushed launched 4 years ago and published 224 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Podcrushed?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on Podcrushed?

Recent guests on Podcrushed include:

1. Taylor Momsen
2. Julia Louis-Dreyfus
3. Jenna Ortega
4. Demi Lovato
5. Nina Dobrev
6. Kelly Clarkson
7. Elizabeth Lail
8. Chace Crawford

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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