Critical Role Podcast Summary

Title: Weird Kids | Episode 1: Welcome to Weird Kids
Release Date: March 25, 2025
Host: Ashley Johnson & Taliesin Jaffe
Description: Welcome to Weird Kids, a new podcast hosted by Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe, where they delve into their lives as former child actors. From eccentric upbringings to embracing unconventional interests, Ashley and Taliesin share their unique experiences and insights.

Introduction to Weird Kids (02:28 - 05:07)

Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe kick off the first episode by introducing their new podcast, Weird Kids. They express excitement about sharing their personal journeys and set the tone for an honest and engaging conversation.

• Ashley Johnson: "We are popping in here to share with you all the first episode of our new podcast, Weird Kids."
• Taliesin Jaffe: "In this series, we're diving into our lives as former child actors, from unraveling our eccentric upbringings to embracing all the delightfully odd interests we still have today." (02:39)

Childhood as Child Actors (05:07 - 13:15)

The hosts delve into their experiences growing up as child actors, discussing the challenges and peculiarities of their upbringing.

• Taliesin Jaffe: "There is something that happens when you spend your entire childhood being treated like a child, but being expected to behave like an adult and not actually knowing any real children. And yeah, some people break hard. We did not break hard." (05:07)

• Ashley Johnson: "I was a fairly good kid."

• Taliesin Jaffe: "My memories are shot, which is ironic for doing a podcast. I remember everything before, like, 2010." (07:03)

Struggles and Adaptations (13:15 - 22:35)

Ashley and Taliesin discuss the impact of their early acting careers on their personal development, mental health, and relationships.

• Taliesin Jaffe: "I had a great heart... trying to get what a real childhood is like and still attempting to figure it out." (06:58)

• Ashley Johnson shares her experience with the transition out of child acting, emphasizing the importance of feeling forced into the role and how she overcame it.

• Taliesin Jaffe: "I quit everything that day. That was it." (21:08)

Navigating Adulthood and Mental Health (22:35 - 36:16)

The conversation shifts to their struggles with mental health, anxiety, and the lasting effects of their childhood experiences.

• Ashley Johnson: "I think I worked with... I have a harder time advocating for myself deeply." (31:08)

• Taliesin Jaffe: "I'm incapable of expressing any opinion at anybody." (31:26)

• Ashley Johnson reflects on her nervousness and how performing continues to affect her.

Nostalgia and Reflecting on Past Roles (36:16 - 52:54)

The hosts take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, sharing and analyzing old commercials from their childhood acting careers. They provide humorous and honest reflections on these experiences.

• Taliesin Jaffe discusses a Strawberry Krispies commercial, highlighting the chaotic shooting process and the challenges faced on set.

  • Taliesin Jaffe: "Every cut, to me, is always a different angle. And I felt bad when the girl threw up in the corn suit." (40:22)

• Ashley Johnson shares her experience with a Baby Bundle commercial, recounting an embarrassing moment when she accidentally peed on stage due to nerves.

  • Ashley Johnson: "He asked me, do you know who George Bush is, and I said, yes, he's a small tree. And I peed on the stage." (34:04)

• They also discuss a Coca-Cola commercial, detailing the production quirks and the competitive dynamic with Pepsi ads.

  • Taliesin Jaffe: "I did a Coke commercial. There's a McDonald's commercial somewhere." (48:07)

Transition to Adulthood and Current Lives (52:54 - 57:20)

Ashley and Taliesin reflect on their growth beyond child acting, sharing how their past has shaped their present lives and careers.

• Taliesin Jaffe: "I'm excited... We're going to do some field trips and talk about our experiences." (53:04)

• Ashley Johnson expresses enthusiasm for future episodes, hinting at deeper explorations into their personal struggles and triumphs.

Humorous Segment and Future Plans (57:20 - End)

The episode concludes with a light-hearted segment where Ashley writes a humorous letter to Dave Heatwave, requesting a theme song for their podcast, followed by friendly banter and a promise of more engaging content in future episodes.

• Ashley Johnson: "Dear Mr. Dave Heatwave... Can you please make us a theme song?" (55:29)

• Taliesin Jaffe: "That's a fit letter. I'm in on that." (56:46)

Key Takeaways

• Honest Reflection: Ashley and Taliesin provide candid insights into the complexities of growing up in the acting industry, highlighting both the challenges and unique experiences.

• Mental Health Awareness: The hosts openly discuss their struggles with anxiety and the lasting impact of their childhood careers, offering a relatable narrative for listeners with similar backgrounds.

• Humorous Nostalgia: By sharing and dissecting old commercials, they blend humor with nostalgia, making the episode both entertaining and informative.

• Engaging Future Content: The introduction sets the stage for future episodes to delve deeper into personal stories, mental health, and the quirky aspects of their lives as "weird kids."

Notable Quotes

• Taliesin Jaffe (05:07): "Trying to get what a real childhood is like and still attempting to figure it out."

• Ashley Johnson (34:04): "I peed on the stage. I had an epiphany... I'm done."

• Taliesin Jaffe (31:26): "I'm incapable of expressing any opinion at anybody."

• Ashley Johnson (57:20): "We did it. All right. Well, hey, at some point, we'll find a sign off here, but thanks for sitting with us at our table."

Conclusion

Weird Kids | Episode 1: Welcome to Weird Kids serves as an authentic and engaging introduction to Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe's new podcast. By sharing their personal stories, struggles, and humorous anecdotes from their time as child actors, they create a relatable and inviting space for listeners to explore the unconventional paths they've navigated. This episode lays a strong foundation for future discussions, promising deeper dives into their lives and the unique challenges they've overcome.

Disclaimer: The timestamps and quotes are based on the provided transcript excerpts and are used to highlight key moments in the podcast episode.