Podcast Summary

Call It What It Is

Episode: "Remembering Diane Keaton…with Kimberly Williams-Paisley"
Date: October 24, 2025
Host(s): Jessica Capshaw & Camilla Luddington
Special Guest: Kimberly Williams-Paisley

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and lively installment, Jessica and Camilla welcome Kimberly Williams-Paisley to reflect on her career, personal growth, the loss of Diane Keaton, and behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood. The conversation traverses topics like Kimberly's nonprofit work, her changing relationship with her voice (after losing it and regaining it), Diane Keaton's influence, Hollywood “almosts,” and playful revelations about family life and celebrity crushes. The tone is candid, friendly, and sprinkled with nostalgia, humor, and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kimberly’s “Day in the Life” & Nonprofit “The Store”

Timestamps: 02:31–07:35

• Kimberly describes her ideal day, balancing self-care and charity work.
• She details her nonprofit, The Store, a community food resource in Nashville designed to preserve dignity for those in need.
• The Store focuses on choice and community—resembling a warm, welcoming grocery where families pick their own food.
• The origin stories include lessons from Kimberly’s childhood experiences with food charity work, and the partnership with Belmont University was key to opening and expanding The Store.

Quote:
"Our vision with the store is really to give people dignity in choice, in getting to, like, come and shop for what they need and what their preferences are, and to have their kids see their parents in a position of power."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (03:37)

2. Remembering Diane Keaton

Timestamps: 07:35–14:10

• The hosts and Kimberly share how they learned of Diane Keaton’s passing, describing the experience as a "stop everything" moment.
• Kimberly met Diane at age 19, when auditioning for Father of the Bride. Diane became an inspiration and motherly mentor.
• They share amusing and poignant Diane stories, including swap-meet shopping (where Diane turned it into a fashion adventure) and surviving an LA earthquake together.

Quotes:
"She was just so generous and so funny and wise...especially on the second film, I felt like we really bonded and, you know, just laughed like you and I do."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (09:10)

"She showed up in her full Diane Keaton, like, you know, her suit, top hat...and she gave me $5. And she’s like, go buy something. And I'm gonna go buy something, too."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (10:47)

• Diane was Kimberly’s “safe mother figure” during the anxiety of her early acting years, acting as a dream analyst and listening ear.

3. On Regret, Confidence, and Legacy

Timestamps: 13:15–14:31

• Camilla references a clip of Diane Keaton expressing regret at not having more confidence to "do the thing.”
• This leads to a discussion about living authentically and leaving nothing unsaid, especially relevant to Kimberly's personal growth.

Quote:
"[Diane] said, 'I wish that I had had more confidence to do the thing...my lack of confidence or my worry kept me from doing things I wish I had.'"
—Camilla Luddington, (14:00)

4. Finding Her Voice—Literally

Timestamps: 17:47–23:46

• Kimberly recounts her health struggle that temporarily threatened her ability to speak, leading to feelings of invisibility.
• She discusses the hard-learned importance of speaking up for herself and being heard, and how this experience reshaped her self-advocacy.

Quote:
"That comes out of two years of being, like, maybe no one's gonna ever hear me. Maybe I am invisible. Maybe my...how am I gonna have my voice be heard? So practicing for two years, well, over the course of two years, to speak up..."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (19:16)

• Ironically, her new role after surgery is as the disembodied 911 dispatcher’s voice.
• She talks about the literal and metaphorical transition to a “quieter, deeper” voice and facing fears during her television comeback.

Quote:
"It’s not as loud. For a while it just kept getting higher and higher. Until then it just kind of turned whispery. And so it's not as loud."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (22:10)

5. Hollywood’s “Almosts” and Perspective on Rejection

Timestamps: 24:03–26:43

• Kimberly shares stories about nearly nabbing iconic roles—like Buffy the Vampire Slayer—but not dwelling on losses.
• The group discusses how time reframes disappointments, often leading to gratitude for "what not getting it got you."

Quote:
"I always say...with some perspective, what not getting it got you for sure. And I mean, yeah, I can. There are years..."
—Camilla Luddington, (24:45)

6. Set Stories & Personalities

Timestamps: 27:03–28:31

• Lively banter about set quirks and co-stars, such as Jesse Williams’ multitasking with various devices and Capshaw's own “high maintenance” cast chair setup.
• Camilla, Jessica, and Kimberly discuss personal quirks and etiquette, like Jessica’s impeccable table manners—a playful running joke.

7. Keepsakes, Crushes, and Pop Culture

Timestamps: 31:19–34:42

• Kimberly reveals she kept a quirky pin from Diane Keaton and (sort of) a souvenir basketball from Father of the Bride set—but can’t identify which one.
• They recount their celebrity crushes: Kimberly had a (platonic) crush on George Newbern and Tom Cruise; Camilla favored Michael J. Fox; Jessica was team Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
• The group laughs over how crushes fade and the odd paths of Hollywood relationships.

Quote:
"I honestly crushed on my co star, George Newbern. I had a crush on him. He was so cute."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (32:49)

8. Favorite Filming Experience and Movie Recommendations

Timestamps: 34:42–36:54

• Father of the Bride holds the deepest meaning for Kimberly, who recalls the movie’s lasting impact on audiences and herself.
• She insists friends must view the cult film Troll 2 as a hilarious group activity, not solo viewing.

Quote:
"Father, the Bride was really...That changed my life. It was a classic movie. It’s something people talk to me about every day."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (35:19)

9. Family, Table Manners, and Being Honest with Brad Paisley

Timestamps: 37:53–42:42

• The group shares funny stories about Kimberly's husband Brad Paisley, including him taking a call from their son mid-concert to discuss decorations.
• Jessica and Camilla praise Kimberly for being honest with Brad when reviewing his new songs, even if it means telling him a love song is "too schmaltzy."

Quote:
"For sure. And it'll be about me, and it's like a love story or love song or something. And I'm like, it's too schmaltzy."
—Kimberly Williams-Paisley, (41:40)

• Humor about table etiquette, with a fun reveal about Jessica’s “classy” dining habits inspiring others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On community dignity:
  "Our vision with the store is really to give people dignity in choice...to have their kids see their parents in a position of power." (Kimberly, 03:37)

• On Diane Keaton's influence:
  "She was just so generous and so funny and wise. Just like wonderful. And especially on the second film, I felt like we really bonded." (Kimberly, 09:10)

• On losing her voice:
  "Practicing for two years...to speak up for what I need to be heard and stepping out for me and, like, you know, how can I take care of myself best? And that's what came out of that period of feeling invisible." (Kimberly, 19:16)

• On authenticity in partnership:
  "Being in a relationship where you feel like you can say this thing I’m gonna say might disappoint you, and say it anyways. That's fantastic." (Camilla, 42:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kimberly’s Nonprofit & Day in Her Life: 02:31–07:35
• Remembering Diane Keaton: 07:35–14:10
• On Regret & Confidence: 13:15–14:31
• Losing and Regaining Her Voice: 17:47–23:46
• Hollywood Rejection & Perspective: 24:03–26:43
• Set Stories & Camaraderie: 27:03–28:31
• Celebrity Crushes: 32:20–34:42
• Favorite Films & Troll 2 Watch Party: 34:42–36:54
• Stories About Brad Paisley: 37:53–42:42

Tone & Style

The tone remains genuine, supportive, humorous, with plenty of insider stories and laughter. Jessica and Camilla excel at making deep conversations feel like a cozy hangout, while Kimberly offers vulnerability and wisdom. There’s a strong “girl talk” energy mixed with touching moments about career, loss, and resilience.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a heartfelt homage to Diane Keaton’s memory and the power of mentorship, a reflection on overcoming personal hurdles, and a candid peek behind the scenes of both Hollywood and family life. Listeners walk away with stories that are both moving and amusing, a reminder to "call things what they are"—and to live, love, and speak up fearlessly.