Podcast Summary – “Call It with Kim Raver”
Podcast: Call It What It Is
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: “Call It with Kim Raver” (Sept 29, 2025)

Main Theme

This candid and energetic episode brings together Grey’s Anatomy stars Jessica Capshaw, Camilla Luddington, and special guest Kim Raver. The three dive into the highs and lows of friendship on and off the set, female camaraderie in the entertainment industry, the complexities of character development, and lessons learned from their years on a groundbreaking series. They swap stories about their first impressions, workplace dynamics, navigating showbiz as working moms, and the importance of addressing conflict and advocating for women. The conversation is peppered with humor, vulnerability, and nostalgia, offering both fans and fellow professionals insight into authentic lasting friendship — the kind that survives “season finale-level” drama.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Welcoming Kim Raver: Warmth and Anticipation

• Kim Raver joins Jessica and Camilla, who note that fans have been requesting Kim as a guest since the podcast’s inception.
  • “This guest has been asked for since ... the beginning of the podcast.” — Jessica Capshaw [02:50]
• Banter quickly turns affectionate and honest, with Kim praising Jessica and Camilla for balancing their podcast and acting careers, calling them “a huge advocation for women” [03:24]. They reflect on the challenge of second jobs and supporting women balancing multiple roles.

Female Friendship & Advocacy On and Off Set

• Jessica and Kim reminisce about meeting on Grey's Anatomy and quickly bonding, not just as colleagues but as friends and moms with similarly aged kids.
  • “So immediately enjoyed you ... having so many other parts of our lives that we would share ... outside of work.” — Jessica Capshaw [04:08]
• Kim describes coming from a male-dominated set ("24") to a warm, women-centric environment at Grey’s Anatomy.
  • “To walk on the set and be embraced by so many amazing women ... you guys are just so like, here it is. Here’s what’s happening. Let’s do this.” — Kim Raver [05:23]
• The trio discusses how real friendships mirror and differ from those onscreen, and how being straightforward and honest with each other fosters trust and grace.
  • “If I piss her off or she pisses me off ... you'd be like, shut up, you're being annoying.” — Camille Luddington [11:06]
• Camilla and Kim talk about the experience of being “people pleasers” and how they’ve grown to advocate for their own needs and boundaries.

Navigating Workplace, Roles, and Responsibility

• They swap stories of seeking support — both emotional (peptalks in stressful times) and practical (managing kids, wardrobe quirks, and last-minute packing panic).
• Kim and Jessica tease each other about being “type A” vs. “type B,” highlighting their differences.
  • “I like to scream, Kim. ... Did you bring your house slippers on this three day trip?” — Camille Luddington & Kim Raver [16:45]
• The importance of supporting other working parents — especially mothers — and teaching the next generation about collaboration instead of competition.

Grey’s Anatomy: Chemistry, Storylines, and Character Growth

• Kim details how she was cast, the chemistry meeting with Kevin McKidd, and the serendipity of joining the established Grey’s family [20:45].
• They discuss the “Odd Couple” dynamic onscreen and how it evolved:
  • “Our relationship on Grey's is ... such like, the odd couple.” — Kim Raver [24:09]
• Memorable behind-the-scenes moments, including giggle fits that “got them flagged” by production for being unable to get through scenes together [25:19].

Portrayal of Female Relationships

• Kim and Camille highlight the mentorship storyline between Teddy and Cristina, lauding it as a rarely-seen depiction of passionate, ambitious female mentorship rather than romance [26:03].
  • “It was this amazing mentorship between two women and Cristina's absolute commitment and passion towards being the most incredible surgeon at any expense.” — Kim Raver [26:03]
• This friendship, with all its generational and hierarchical complexities, models healthy conflict — from radical honesty to graceful repair.
  • “Pain is inevitable, the suffering part is optional ... accountability ... that’s real relationship.” — Camille Luddington [27:13]
  • “There is going to be friction ... it's how are you in those moments, and who are you?” — Kim Raver [29:12]

Leaving and Returning to Grey’s Anatomy

• Kim reflects on her departure and eventual return to the show, describing the opportunity as a gift and an example of personal and professional growth.
  • “I can recognize an amazing gift when it’s there ... For me, it was a no brainer.” — Kim Raver [33:49]
• Jessica and Camilla share how difficult it is to say goodbye to long-running characters — both emotionally and as actors trying to balance grace, sadness, and audience expectations [47:43].
• The trio discusses how audience feedback and social media reactions to characters can impact their own perceptions, ultimately choosing to root for their characters, flaws and all.
  • “Whatever she does, if she does something that the audience don’t like, I’m still rooting for whatever she’s doing.” — Jessica Capshaw [49:36]
  • Kim: “For me, then that’s the interesting journey. That’s the storytelling ... How does she earn back trust and forgiveness?” [51:03]

Evolution of Female Roles on Television

• They credit Shonda Rhimes for pioneering fuller, more nuanced, and sometimes “unlikable” women on TV.
  • “The fact that Meredith Grey ... that slut storyline in the first season ... I hadn't seen that on TV yet.” — Jessica Capshaw [53:44]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Women Supporting Women:
  “You two are really great examples of supportive, inclusive, and how to sort of let the light shine on others around you. ... Lifting up others only brings light to the whole group.” — Kim Raver [05:23]
• On Radical Honesty:
  “If I piss her off or she pisses me off ... you’d be like, shut up, you’re being annoying ... and it makes friendship so much easier.” — Camille Luddington [11:06]
• On Learning from Conflict:
  “There is going to be friction throughout a long ... friendship. It’s how are you in those moments, and who are you, and do you have grace?” — Kim Raver [29:12]
• On Character Attachment:
  “I feel like I have a healthy attachment [to my character] ... Whatever she does ... I'm still rooting for whatever she's doing.” — Jessica Capshaw [49:36]
• On Growth and Accepting Roles:
  “I can recognize an amazing gift when it’s there ... For me, it was a no brainer.” — Kim Raver [33:49]
• Behind-the-Scenes Fun:
  “We got flagged. They were like, never put these two together because we’ll never get ... and then we promise them ... We swear we will get through this scene.” — Kim Raver [25:19]
• On Audience Judgment:
  “I love hearing from the fans why they're angry at Teddi ... but that's also so fascinating.” — Kim Raver [50:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Greeting and Introduction - [02:11]
• Welcoming Kim Raver & Reflections on Friendship – [03:00] – [08:00]
• Balancing Work, Motherhood, and Friendship – [08:00] – [15:00]
• On-Set Chemistry, Personality Differences – [15:00] – [18:00]
• Kim Raver Joins Grey’s – Casting & Early Days – [20:35] – [24:05]
• Character Dynamics, ‘Odd Couple’ Vibe – [24:05] – [26:30]
• Mentorships and Female Relationships in the Script – [26:30] – [29:00]
• Handling Conflict and Growth as Friends – [29:00] – [33:30]
• Departure and Return to Grey’s Anatomy – [33:30] – [37:00]
• Attachment to Characters & Handling Criticism – [47:43] – [53:00]
• Legacy of Shonda Rhimes & Complex Female Roles – [53:00] – [54:07]

Tone & Style

The episode is candid, comfortable, and full of good-natured teasing — three close friends and colleagues catching up, not holding back on honesty, humor, or heartfelt moments. There’s an authentic and empowering undercurrent: about women sticking together (even when clashing personalities or professional setbacks get thrown their way), about embracing the messiness of real relationships, and celebrating the kind of growth that comes with experience—on screen and off.

End of Part 1; episode concludes with a cliffhanger for a two-parter.