Call It What It Is – "Call It with Kim Raver (Part 2)"

Podcast: Call It What It Is
Hosts: Jessica Capshaw, Camilla Luddington (absent), Sarah Drew
Guest: Kim Raver
Airdate: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues an in-depth and refreshingly candid conversation with Kim Raver, best known for her role as Teddy Altman on Grey's Anatomy. Hosted by real-life BFFs Jessica Capshaw (Arizona Robbins) and Sarah Drew (April Kepner), the discussion centers on the evolution of Teddy’s character, the intricacies of portraying and directing pivotal storylines, experiences working with fellow actors, empowerment and growth behind the camera, and the realities of acting—including those close calls with major Hollywood roles.

Throughout, the trio shares emotional memories, backstage anecdotes, and thoughtful reflections on professional resilience, women supporting women, and personal milestones—making it a must-listen for both Grey's fans and anyone interested in the entertainment world.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Handling Fan Questions and Season Finale Spoilers

• The episode opens with the hosts rapidly fielding fan questions for Kim, especially about the jaw-dropping Grey's season finale and the fate of key characters.
  • On Surviving the Finale:

    "I'm always worried." – Kim Raver [03:13]

  • The group praises the showrunner (Meg) for keeping both cast and audiences surprised and emotionally on edge after 22 seasons.

2. Teddy’s “I Choose Me” Moment

• The group unpacks Teddy’s powerful monologue and turning point—her decision to end her relationship with Owen and choose herself.
  • Kim on the Monologue:

    "For her in that moment, to say I choose me is a pivotal game changer moment, and I just love it. Also for women and for the fans out there, to see that you can...in a vulnerable moment and in a solid, clear moment to be able to say I choose me." – Kim Raver [04:26]

  • The significance for female viewers: Courage, personal boundaries, and the importance of trusting oneself—even when facing the unknown.

3. Chemistry and Collaboration with Sophia Bush

• Listeners ask about Kim’s relationship with Sophia Bush, both on and off set.
  • Both actors felt instant chemistry, making their on-screen partnership smooth (and raising the dramatic stakes in the ongoing love triangle with Owen).
  • Kim describes directing herself in love scenes with Sophia Bush, balancing professionalism with creative freedom and control:

    "I was completely in my body as Teddy. But I also was able to have this overhead director view, but then like drop back in. It was an incredible experience." – Kim Raver [10:47]

4. Directing Grey’s Anatomy: From Shadowing to Calling the Shots

• Kim shares her journey from actor to director, the mentorship she received (especially from Debbie Allen), and how directing changed her approach to acting.
  • On Learning from Debbie Allen:

    "To really be shadowing Debbie Allen is a true gift. It's a class. So that when I was given that opportunity, I felt really prepared." – Kim Raver [27:06]

  • The importance of advocating for oneself and the unique challenges faced by women seeking expanded roles in the industry:

    "I feel like me and my female friends, we are learning to ask...Being able to voice that we want to be bigger and expand and do more." – Kim Raver [29:46]

  • Kim describes fighting for a key scene as a director, with the crew rallying behind her to get the perfect shot:

    "The entire crew, like, lifted up these huge lights, and everyone is, like, running up the stairs...We got that shot and that shot, they used it, like, in all of, like, the publicity. And it just. It. It was, for me, something that was so important." – Kim Raver [21:45]

5. Behind the Scenes: Real Life Friendships and Set Dynamics

• Fans are curious about Kim’s real-life relationship with Kevin McKidd (Owen). Their off-screen rapport—complete with "I got you" moments during tough days—is built on years of collaboration and mutual support.

  • "The amount of, you know, 4:30am and my kid has the flu and hasn't slept through the night, and I'm...I don't know my dialogue. Like, I got you. Like, the amount of I got yous even. Not even spoken. I got you." – Kim Raver [24:45]

• The hosts recount hilarious moments of Kim auditioning for directing by shadowing Debbie Allen—Jessica lamenting how Kim became suddenly “unavailable” for off-set gossip:

  • "She was not open for me...it was literally like a toddler, you know, trying to get into the bathroom when you're in the bathroom." – Jessica Capshaw [38:48]

6. Empowering Women, Rejection, and Grit in the Industry

• The conversation shifts to how women can get in their own way by not asking for what they want, and the realities of hearing "no" in show business.

  • "If you hear a no, how are you going to turn that no into a yes if it's something that you really want? ...Our whole business. 99.9% of the time is rejection." – Kim Raver [31:56]

• Sarah and Jessica discuss the psychology of “nepo babies” and carving your unique path, irrespective of famous family or industry pressure.

7. Rapid Fire: Fun with Fan Questions

(from 45:22 onward)

• Did Kim have a say in the open marriage plotline?
  • Yes—both Kim and Kevin McKidd protected their characters’ emotional truth, pushing for mature, considered storytelling around the topic. [47:45]
• Music on Teddy’s Playlist:
  • Kim is presently inspired by Jessie Murph, a young country/rap/rock singer-songwriter. [48:32]
• Costume Details:
  • Subtle wardrobe choices reflect Teddy’s emotional state (though scrubs limit options!). Scrub caps and clogs are discussed at length, much to fans' delight. [50:32]
• What’s next for Teddy?
  • Kim is excited to see what happens in Teddy's "free fall" after she chooses herself: "What's she gonna do?" [53:17]
• When did Teddy know open marriage wouldn’t work?
  • Both Kim and Jessica agree it was the painful moment Teddy saw the emotional intimacy between Owen and Nora: “This was a terrible mistake. This is not saving." [54:13]
• Roles that got away:
  • Kim was close to roles in "Last of the Mohicans" and "Minority Report," providing candid insight into the heartbreaks and near-misses common to actors.
  • The group reflects on how even big stars (like Scarlett Johansson) rarely get their first choice parts—resilience is key. [60:10]

8. Women Supporting Women & Authentic Praise

• The trio gets heartfelt about the importance of women openly complimenting and supporting one another.

  • "You guys genuinely are so. It's like you find these beautiful, like, the sparkle in people, and you. You support that. And I just. It's really. It's really amazing." – Kim Raver [39:49]

  • Sarah underscores how saying positive things fosters connection and empowerment. [41:12]

9. Dream Crossover & Light-Hearted Close

• They joke about a possible "Grey’s Anatomy"/"911 Nashville" crossover and what it would be like to appear in both worlds. [61:27]
• Sarcastic banter and camaraderie run throughout, with ongoing references to shenanigans, Paris trips, and the unique, supportive dynamic among the show's women.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Making Brave Choices:

  "To be able, in a vulnerable moment and in a solid, clear moment, to be able to say 'I choose me.' ... It's not retaliation, it's not anger. It's such a simple thing of, I need to go get my together, and I need to put myself first to do that."
  – Kim Raver [05:22]

• On Directing Herself in a Love Scene:

  "She was like, what's happening? We were like mid kiss. And I was like, you know what? I just had a thought...But I wasn't watching myself. I was completely in my body as Teddy."
  – Kim Raver [10:55]

• On Rejection:

  "Our whole business. 99.9% of the time is rejection...How do we mental health protect ourselves?"
  – Kim Raver [31:56]

• On Open Marriages Storyline:

  "I just wanted to be sure Teddy had learned from her mistake...I felt really heard. The concerns that Kevin and I had, and I think that Teddy and Owen's relationship is a very evolved and mature relationship."
  – Kim Raver [45:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – Finale spoilers & "who survives?"
• 04:26 – The power of Teddy’s “I choose me” scene
• 07:25 – Emotional responses to the monologue
• 09:09 – Chemistry with Sophia Bush, directing love scenes
• 10:47 – Directing oneself: inside and outside the scene
• 18:24 – Are you directing more episodes?
• 21:45 – Behind-the-scenes story: fighting for the perfect shot
• 24:45 – Real-life rapport with Kevin McKidd
• 27:06 – How Kim shadowed Debbie Allen to learn directing
• 29:46 – Women learning to ask for what they want
• 31:56 – Handling rejection, building resilience
• 38:48 – Jessica’s frustration when Kim was “shadowing”
• 45:22 – Rapid fire: Open marriage storyline, music, costume details
• 53:17 – What’s next for Teddy
• 54:13 – The moment Teddy knew the open marriage wasn’t working
• 55:31 – Audition stories and roles lost
• 60:10 – Reflection on never being the “first choice;” Scarlett Johansson anecdote
• 61:27 – Crossover and closing banter

Tone & Takeaways

The episode mixes laughter, hard truths, genuine admiration, and relatable anecdotes about both the creative process and personal growth. It provides a window into the emotional labor behind long-running TV storytelling and the quiet strength behind women-led creative teams. Fans leave with new appreciation for the closeness of the Grey’s cast, the craft behind their work, and Kim Raver’s vulnerability, hard-won wisdom, and humor.

Perfect For:

• Grey’s Anatomy fans
• Aspiring actors, directors, creatives
• Anyone seeking honestly about resilience, rejection, and female empowerment
• Listeners who love real-life friendship intertwined with showbiz