More Time With: David Archuleta

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Teen Beat – "More Time With: David Archuleta"

Host: Danielle Fishel
Guest: David Archuleta
Release Date: May 29, 2026

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and engaging episode, Danielle Fishel connects with singer-songwriter David Archuleta for a candid conversation about growing up in the public eye, facing embarrassing moments, the pressures of performance, body image, faith, coming out, and ultimately finding one’s own voice and truth. The episode is equal parts nostalgic and empowering, tracing David's journey from "American Idol" and his intensely sheltered upbringing to his current work as an author, musician, and LGBTQ+ advocate. Danielle weaves in her own experiences as a child star, creating a warm space for honesty and relatable humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. High School Embarrassments and Nicknames

(04:25–09:27)

• Danielle recounts classic school slip-ups, like calling a teacher “mom.”
• David shares a “naughty” story: his friend “Fish” convinced him to help “steal” her ex-boyfriend’s car (only to move it as a prank). They disguised themselves with pantyhose over their heads, only to park the car nearby and flee, feeling both exhilarated and embarrassed:
  • "I was very embarrassed by that. So... I don't know, it was, like, exciting. But I felt so embarrassed that I was doing something that I shouldn't have been doing." (07:24, David)
• Nicknames: David was called "lettuce boy" for his love of Subway sandwiches and defending lettuce at lunch.

2. Food, Body Image, and the Early Pressures of Showbiz

(09:27–14:24)

• Both recount formative moments realizing what they ate was being watched and judged:
  • Danielle recalls a childhood moment being scolded for eating two Pop-Tarts before dinner, which permanently changed her relationship to food:
    • "It was like all of a sudden, it was like, right. Calories." (11:44, Danielle)
  • David discusses a manager insisting he cut out ranch and soda for weight:
    • "I cut out ranch and I cut out soda... things he told me to cut out." (10:13, David)
• Both reflect on the heightened scrutiny from growing up on TV, now expanded in the age of social media.
  • "Now for kids growing up on TV... they go back to their phones and they get to read the person immediately... It's like a bad feedback loop." (14:24, Danielle)

3. Social Media, Outside Critique, and Navigating Judgment

(12:13–15:03)

• The pair discuss the evolution of public opinion and 24/7 feedback.
  • David observes: "People can now see how much it messes with your mind, like having a peanut gallery constantly commenting on everything you do..." (13:14)
• Danielle shares her disbelief at “hate following”:
  • "There are so many people I love that I want to follow and I barely have time to consume the things I love. Why would I fill any of my time with things I hate?" (14:59)

4. The Pressures and Joys of Live Performance/Competitions

(18:32–23:02)

• Danielle recalls her experience on "Dancing with the Stars," the nerves and thrill of live competition, and being surprised by her own empathy for other contestants.
  • "I wanted that for myself, too. But it didn't change the idea that whether I won or lost... as long as I was rooting for everyone to be doing the very best they could that week, it was all gonna work out." (19:44, Danielle)
• David discusses his own nerves, referencing similar jitters on "American Idol."
  • "Even just in the audience, I get, like... I freak out." (21:41, David)
• Danielle shares her visualization strategy for calming pre-performance anxiety:
  • "I do a lot of visualization... I visualize all my cells inside my body. Imagine yourself shrinking down really, really small... and you can travel to different parts of your body that maybe need a pep talk." (23:11, Danielle)

5. Visualization, Personal Growth, & Quantum Leaps

(23:11–26:26)

• Danielle guides David through a mindfulness visualization she uses to regain a sense of control, independence, and strength.
  • "You're healing yourself and you can travel to different parts of your body that maybe need a pep talk or energy... When I feel like I've visualized it to the point that I feel calm... I then travel back up and out of my body the same way I came and become my big self again." (24:56, Danielle)
• David resonates with the practice, relating it to the idea of a “quantum leap” in overcoming fear and resistance:
  • "It was so cool to, like, push [fear] away for a moment. Like, that's what this reminded me of." (26:17, David)

6. Music, Authenticity, and Art Reflecting Self

(31:20–31:57)

• David reveals he’s working on a new Christmas album, different from previous (more religious) ones, now including Spanglish tracks reflective of his cultural identity.
  • "I wanted to do a Christmas album reflecting where I am now. It's like, more fun... I've been experimenting with Spanglish, doing Spanglish because I live my life Spanglish." (31:28, David)

7. Faith, LGBTQ+ Rights, and Using Influence for Change

(31:58–37:30)

• David speaks passionately about his hopes for advancing LGBTQ+ rights, particularly addressing discrimination in religious institutions:
  • "If one person can have that much influence, what can one person have influence on the other side?... The problem is it's not just the Mormon church, it's religion in general. Almost all churches do." (33:02)
• He wants to see religious legal exemptions for discrimination challenged in court:
  • "If they were challenged legally... Someone deciding to love each other and they go to your church building is not going to entice your children to... It's not going to be a threat to your children the way you think it is." (34:23)
• David highlights the real damage of “lavender marriages” and growing up in religious systems pointing out the harm caused by denying people the chance to live authentic lives and love openly.
• Ultimately, he expresses hope for a “quantum leap” in legal change led by voices like his.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• David: "I was very embarrassed by that. So... it was, like, exciting. But I felt so embarrassed that I was doing something that I shouldn't have been doing." (07:24)
• Danielle: "There are so many people I love that I want to follow and I barely have time to consume the things I love. Why would I fill any of my time with things I hate?" (14:59)
• Danielle: "I do a lot of visualization... Imagine yourself shrinking down really, really small, going up through your nose into your body. And then all your little cells inside your body... You're healing yourself..." (23:11–24:56)
• David: "If one person can have that much influence, what can one person have influence on the other side?... I'm like, the problem is it's not just the Mormon church, it's religion in general." (33:02)
• Danielle: "It's not like, well, very clearly heterosexual marriage is calm and peaceful and serene all the time." (35:10)

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• Embarrassing School Stories & Nicknames: 04:25–09:27
• Child Stardom and Body Image/Early Food Memories: 09:27–14:24
• Social Media and Public Critique: 12:13–15:03
• Performance Anxiety & Visualizations: 18:32–26:26
• Career Updates & Cultural Identity: 31:20–31:57
• Faith, Queerness, Legal Rights: 31:58–37:30

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Overall Tone & Appeal

Heartfelt, earnest, and vulnerably humorous, this episode features two individuals intimately familiar with the joys and challenges of growing up under the spotlight. Through laughter and reflection, Danielle and David offer comfort, wisdom, and hope to anyone struggling with identity, pressure, or just feeling different in a critical world. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to their stories, the conversation provides gentle guidance and reassurance, highlighting the transformative power of authenticity and empathy.

Transcript

[Sophia Donner]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[David]

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[Starbucks Narrator]

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[David]

All?

[Starbucks Narrator]

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[Danielle Fishel]

When Kohler, global design leader in luxurious kitchen and bath products, asked me to be their ambassador for timeless, elegant, durable cast iron, I said, I'm in. Soon after, I was in their Kohler Wisconsin foundry watching molten iron poured, enamel applied by hand, and the beautiful finished pieces ready to ship. Since 1883, Kohler cast iron has been crafted by incredible artisans and and seeing it firsthand gave me a whole new appreciation for their craftsmanship. Now I am proud to lend my stamp of approval to my favorite Kohler cast iron products for their durability, beauty and enduring style. Shop my curated [e-mail] as the Kohler cast Iron ambassador, I say, long live Cast Iron.

[Kal Penn]

Hey everyone, it's Kal Penn. I'm inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever Heard with my PODC, HearSay, the Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. Every episode, I nerd out with amazing guests and dive into the best new audiobooks available on Audible. It's the book club for your ears. Listen to Earsay, the Audible and iHeart audiobook club on the iHeartradio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danielle Fishel]

Give me money for cigarettes.

[David]

I'll never leave your cookie bed. I stay the night and one night weekend two or three years the kids are not all right but that's okay Cause no one here is take me

[Danielle Fishel]

Every week I ask Our listeners to send in their own embarrassing stories. Something that will hopefully make us feel better about our own misery. And this week we are hearing from Melissa.

[David]

Melissa.

[Danielle Fishel]

Hi, Danielle and guest. My name is Melissa and in 9th grade biology class, I was reading out loud and said orgasm instead of organism. My teacher corrected me by simply saying organism. And I just thought, okay, yeah, because I hadn't noticed what I did. I kept reading and said it again without realizing it. I was able to laugh about it, but for weeks people came up to me and said, living orgasm.

[David]

Oh, my gosh, that is.

[Sophia Donner]

Do you have.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, you were homeschooled, so you don't have the same experience of raising your hand in class and saying mom like I do. I don't know how on earth that happens, but I think every kid had that happen at least once where you go to say your teacher's name, but for some reason mom comes out and you're in the middle of your class and you're like, mom. And then you're like, not mom. I mean, Mrs. Duckworth. Like, I had that happen so many times. But do you have any. I mean, we can kind of think of American Idol as being a very short term high school experience for you.

[David]

I did go to high school. I was like on and off. And I, my, my first full years of school were 9th and 10th grade. So I went for two full years in high school.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay, do you have any horribly embarrassing high school stories?

[David]

I'm trying to think. Gosh, I feel like I was really good at avoiding.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right? You, you were just watching.

[David]

But I will say this, okay. One time, one of my friends plotted this thing. Her nickname at the time was Fish. We'd call her Fish, but she.

[Danielle Fishel]

Why'd she have the nickname Fish?

[David]

Because one of her friends, one of our other friends gave her a handshake and it was like, that feels like a fish. And so he started calling her Fish. And she doesn't like the nickname anymore. But at the time, but we were at like a. Another friend's house party. Like a party. And she's like, I'm going to go and steal my ex boyfriend's car. She's like, do you want to come? I was like, okay. And she's like, yeah, come with us, David. And so we go. She had plotted with one of her other friends. They were going to a pool to like have a pool day. Like with one of her. She was hanging out with this ex and she had like acquired like the spare key to her. Her ex's car wired.

[Danielle Fishel]

I Love that. She had acquired it. She had acquired it. We're not gonna say how, but she had come into contact with the spare key.

[David]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[David]

Yeah. And so they plotted. So she. They. They got. We got these, like. Neil, what are they called? This. Nylon socks.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my gosh. Like pantyhose over.

[David]

Pantyhose? Yeah, yeah, pantyhose. Put it over our heads so that we would look like robbers.

[Danielle Fishel]

This is terr.

[David]

Okay, go on. I'm so naughty. This is the naughtiest thing I've ever done.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, oddly.

[David]

Well, like in. In high school, so I was an accomplice where I just simply. They planned it out so that they would be walking back to the apartment from the pool as we drove by in his car. Oh. And so. And we roll down the windows with the nylon mask. The nylon, like. Yeah, like the. I think it was pantyhose over our heads. And so they were walking, and we sneak in, we get his car, and as they're walking back, we drive by in his car with the. The windows roll down with the pantyhose over our heads.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did he scream?

[David]

No, he was just kind of like. I don't think it took him a minute to, like, figure out what was going on. He's like, is that my car?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. There's a lot to process. You're like, do those people have pantyhose on their head?

[David]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And are they in my car?

[David]

Yeah. Are they driving my car? And I think, like. I think we just drove by and then, like, parked it, like, in another parking spot, like, nearby there. So we didn't take his car away from him, but then we just, like, ran off and like.

[Danielle Fishel]

You acquired a car for a joyride is all that happened in that story, as far as I'm concerned.

[David]

Yeah, it was, but it was pretty wild. But I was very embarrassed by that. So. I don't know, it was, like, exciting. But I felt so embarrassed that I was doing something that I shouldn't have been doing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[David]

And I was like, I can't believe I did that.

[Danielle Fishel]

And yeah, for someone who always felt like he was being watched, that was a. Well, that was bold. Did you know quite what you were getting into when she was like, I'm gonna go take my ex boyfriend? Yeah. You're like, what?

[David]

I didn't real. I don't think I wrote. Yeah. But at the same time, like, Fish was like, my outlet of try new things in the world, so. Thanks, Fish. She would call me lettuce boy because I loved Subway and Subway Was a lot cheaper back then.

[Danielle Fishel]

It was.

[David]

They had $5 footlongs. And do they not have that anymore? No, I feel like it's like $15.

[Danielle Fishel]

$15 footlongs.

[David]

Yeah. Yeah. Or maybe even more. I don't know. It's.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wow.

[David]

Gosh. Yeah, it's. Everything's so expensive now. But we're old.

[Danielle Fishel]

Look at us. Everything's so expensive.

[David]

Back in my day, we had $5 footlongs.

[Danielle Fishel]

$5 footlongs.

[David]

I can't even.

[Danielle Fishel]

Now they're $15.

[David]

Back in my. They have the dollar menu at Wendy's and stuff. But so I literally. Cause one of my. When I was in fourth grade, I had, like, a temporary fourth grade teacher for a little bit because I would, like. My parents would, like, have me in school for, like, a couple months and then take me out and homeschool me for. I don't. I'm not sure what the dynamic. But Mrs. Coughlin, she would say, like, yeah, back in my day, we had penny. It was a penny for a piece of candy for a penny.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep.

[David]

So now here we are.

[Danielle Fishel]

Dollar menu.

[David]

Dollar menu. Five dollar, footlong. But, yeah, she would call me lettuce Boy because they were all slamming Subway's lettuce. They're like, oh, this lettuce is so disgusting. And I never said anything. Like, I was known as the quiet boy who just sat in the background. I just enjoyed everyone's company. And I just said, but I love lettuce. And they all burst out laughing. Because first off, like, wait, first off, David, you said something, right? You're talking.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's what you said. It was a defense of lettuce.

[David]

Yeah. And so they all started calling me lettuce Boy after that.

[Danielle Fishel]

What's your favorite kind of lettuce? I'm a big butter lettuce person. Or a red leaf. Or an arugula.

[David]

Oh, you know. You know your lettuce.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know my lettuce. Yeah.

[David]

You know, I didn't know arugula was lettuce.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm not sure it is now that I say that out loud. Is that, like, an herb? It's a weed.

[David]

Is it a weed? Oh, I love it. I buy it. I love me some arugula.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's like that bitter, spicy.

[David]

Yeah. The spice in it. But, I mean, back then, I loved just iceberg lettuce.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[David]

I just loved the crunch. For me, it was crunchy water. And I loved water. I still love water.

[Danielle Fishel]

So I love iceberg lettuce, especially with ranch dressing on it. Like, if you're gonna go to, like, a. You know. Have you been to a soup plantation or a sweet Tomato?

[David]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. I love.

[Danielle Fishel]

Giant plate of iceberg lettuce, some croutons, little garbanzo beans, some cheese and ranch. It's the least. It's the. It's the least healthy thing you could.

[David]

I can't do croutons, but I. I feel. And I stopped doing ranch when I found out that it wasn't healthy for you. I was like, I'm trying to. Because there was a period of time where I had, like, a manager when I was a kid, and they're like, he needs to lose weight, because. So I stopped. I cut out ranch and I cut out soda because those were some of the things he told me to cut out. So.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yep, I also went through that.

[David]

Oh, did you as well?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, yeah, I remember. I think a pop tart was the first time. I was like, 12 years old and. Sorry, mom. Not trying to. Not trying to trash your name, but we were leaving set. So I had been on. You know, I'd been in school all day, and then we had been rehearsing all day, and we had done our run through. We had gone through our long note session. It was probably like 5pm and we were leaving set for the day. And just on the walk out, passing craft services, I just grabbed a thing of pop Tarts. And my mom not incorrectly looked at me and said, danielle, you don't need two pop Tarts. Do you have any idea how many calories are in two pop Tarts? We're going home to eat dinner. Two pop Tarts is not like a thing you grab and just eat at 5pm before dinner. I don't think at all before then I had ever correlated what's in this thing I'm about to eat and what am I putting? And it goes into my body, and then something's gonna happen to my body with it, whether that's fullness or weight gain. And then I'm gonna go eat again. It was like the very. It was like all of a sudden, it was like, right. Calories.

[David]

Oh, my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I really distinctly remember thinking after that, being aware of the transactional nature of the food we eat, the things we consume, and, like, that means something. And so for me, like, pop Tarts was. That was that thing that really, like, every time I think of a pop Tart, I still, to this day, actually can eat. I'll eat a donut, no problem. I'll actually eat multiple donuts. But when I think of Pop tarts.

[David]

I love donuts.

[Danielle Fishel]

I can't eat a Pop Tart.

[David]

Wow. It affected you that. Yeah, deeply. Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

And I guess also like you said you were. How old were you?

[Danielle Fishel]

I was 12.

[David]

12. I feel like 12 is when you start becoming more conscious of what other people think of you. Like your mind is transitioning into not really caring what other people think of you too. Like, oh my gosh, you're suddenly aware of someone might think this of me or someone might notice this about me. But also when you grow up on T, like in front of a camera, you're also very, you're. Everyone nitpicks everything about what they see about you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[David]

And they say it out loud. They notice. I notice this about. And it's like, you don't even know these people.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[David]

And it's so, it's, it's kind of wild. And I feel like people were, didn't. Were out of touch with that for a long time. They're like, I can't even imagine. But now that we have social media,

[Danielle Fishel]

everyone gets to experience it. Oh, the joy.

[David]

Yeah. Everyone understands what you had to deal with your whole life.

[Danielle Fishel]

That's exactly right.

[David]

Which is. And it's like. And I think people can now see how much it messes with your mind.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

Like having a peanut gallery constantly commenting on everything you do and you're like, what are you? I'm like, there's like, that's not even a thing. I wasn't even bringing that up. And I'm just trying to, like, I'm just trying to share this or I'm just trying to do my job. I'm just trying to act or I'm just trying to, you know, bring you into like this, you know, thing that we're trying to create. And you're noticing so many other things about me that I don't.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

Like, I don't know, it's just.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well now the double edged sword of both. So at least for me in the 90s, there wasn't social media. So I, I had to, I had to deal with it from like a press or producers or those people nitpicking me. But I didn't necessarily know what the public thought about me because they didn't have the outlet to tell me. So somebody would have to say what they thought about me to my face in order for me to know. Now for kids growing up on tv, they perform, they do the thing, then they go back to their phones and they get to read the person immediately. I thought that performance was really crappy. I also didn't like what they were wearing and why did they do them. So they get it immediately. Immediately. That it's like a bad feedback loop.

[David]

And yeah, and there's so many bots too. They're like bots. People make bots just to troll.

[Danielle Fishel]

Correct. Or they're just trolls to then argue to have conversations with each other. I'll notice that sometimes the drama.

[David]

Why? Why? Yeah, why are we so drama fueled? Y'?

[Danielle Fishel]

All Right. I know, I know. I think all the time about how many people hate follow someone.

[David]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I'm like, oh God, I don't have time for the Love follows for the. There are so many people I love that I want to follow and I barely have time to consume the things I love. Why would I fill any of my time with things I hate?

[David]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

That just feels terrible. But so many people thrive on it.

[David]

I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Kal Penn]

everyone, it's Kal Penn. I'm the host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook project, Hail Mary massive sci fi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone, very far from Earth.

[Starbucks Narrator]

I really had to make a decision because I caught myself getting that frog in my throat and starting to get teary as I'm narrating some of these sections. And it's like, okay, yo, yo, yo. Is this indulgent? And I really thought about it. I was like, no. At this point, it would kind of be betraying the trust the author and the listener have in telling this story if I don't go through it. But there's places in this book that that deeply, emotionally affected me, and I left it on the mic. That's great because it served the story. People will say, like, oh, my God, I cried at the end. It's like, yeah, dude, me too.

[Kal Penn]

Listen to Irsay the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[David]

How did it feel doing dancing? I came to one of the tapings, by the way. It was so fun to see you doing your thing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you.

[David]

Like, I'm just like, oh, my gosh. You just don't know what someone has, like, what other things someone can do or, like, can, like, dedicate and work on and discipline themselves with. And it was so fun to see you do Dancing with the Stars. I, I, I've had so many people say, are you going to, Would you do Dancing with the Stars? And I think it would be fun. Oh, my gosh. But it seems so intimidating how? Because it's just, like, another moment to be in a. Like, I think I get traumatized by competitions.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, of course.

[David]

And, like, how was it being in a competition for you? Have you done competitions before?

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, That I had never done a competition like that before. But I am a pretty competitive person. I like to. I like to win. I like to do well at something. I'm a type A personality. I want to be the best at things that I do.

[David]

I want to be the very best.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thank you. I'm so glad you sang it. Not me. I was thinking, I'm gonna go in there, I'm gonna. Of course I'm gonna be nice to all these people, but I'm in a competition with them. No. I walked in, I was like, I

[David]

love all of you, and I want

[Danielle Fishel]

you all to do so well. I wanted that for myself, too. But it didn't change the idea that whether I won or lost or came in last or first, as long as I was rooting for everyone to be doing the very best they could that week, it was all gonna work out. However it was supposed to. It was all just gonna work out. I just knew it was gon to be fine, and I was going to have as much fun as I possibly could until they yanked me out of the dance floor. And I did. I just every moment. Loved it, loved it, loved it. And it is. It is intimidating. Did you grow up dancing at all?

[David]

A little bit, yeah. My parents had me in some, like. Like kids production, like things where they would perform and sing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[David]

For a little bit, but you don't

[Danielle Fishel]

have, like, a dance background. Like, you're not gonna be walking into it with. Yeah, so it is. That part is a little intimidating because in every season, there are other people that do corrupt all their lives doing it.

[David]

Like Whitney.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly like a Whitney.

[David]

And there was someone else who had grown up with. On your season. Well, her name is.

[Danielle Fishel]

Elaine Hendricks. Had been a dancer. Alex Earle had been a dancer. And so, yeah, you know, you. I ended up on a team with Jordan Chiles, who's a gold medal Olympic athlete, and Whitney Levitt.

[David]

And then me, and I was like,

[Danielle Fishel]

oh, I get to be the. I get to be the only girl.

[David]

Did so well.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, I did come in eighth, so, you know. No, but I. It was. It was so fun. I really had the time of my life. And if I could in any way encourage you to do it. If they ask and you want to talk about anything, I. Let me tell you, you would. I think you would love it.

[David]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

I really do. I think you would be shocked at how hopefully not triggering the com. The live show would probably feel a little triggering because that even just to

[David]

be there, like, even just in the audience, I get, like. I Freak out.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

Like I don't know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

So you. It gave you. It gives you the jitters.

[Danielle Fishel]

The jitters that. Especially that first. That first live show where the good news is you get three full weeks to prep that first dance. So you really do more than any other week. You really feel prepared. You're like, I'm not gonna forget my moves. Unless of course, you're one of those people who steps out in front of a live crowd and everything falls out of your head. But for people like us, are you that person?

[David]

That happens to me, does it? It happened to me on American Idol, like I would.

[Danielle Fishel]

My mind was one of the weeks you picked your own song, right?

[David]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And that made you feel. I'm telling you, I think it was a self fulfilling prophecy. I think you.

[David]

Why? Why do we do that? Why do we like tell ourselves and like make it happen? Like we believe it so much that we make sure it happens.

[Danielle Fishel]

What you send your energy to is

[David]

going to change your energy.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, you gotta, you gotta.

[David]

Do you have any tips?

[Danielle Fishel]

So you were just so nervous about the fact that you were choosing your own song. So much of your energy was going to all the bad things that might happen. Because I'm not letting my dad pick. But then that's what I almost feel like.

[David]

It's like this incapable of me is like coming in where I'm like, I'm imagining myself on this show. So I'm like, I can't do this on my own. Danielle, tell me what I need to do. I need someone to guide me. I'm like, wait, David, come on, take a step back.

[Danielle Fishel]

Can I give you something that works for me? That may sound very hippie dippy, but I'm gonna explain it because really.

[David]

And I love that word. I love that hippie dippy. I've never heard that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, it's very hippy dippy, hippy dippy lovey. I do a lot of visualization, but I visualize, like I close my eyes and I visualize all my cells inside my body. Imagine yourself shrinking down really, really small, going up through your nose into your body. And then all your little cells inside your body. Some of them have little outfits on. You have nurse cells, doctor cells that are working to repair you. So if something's ailing you, I envision those like doctor cells inside my body. But they're all little versions of you. You're healing yourself and you can travel to different parts of your body that maybe need a pep talk or energy. Maybe it's your heart center and so you go visit your heart. What do the cells that are working on repairing your heart look like? What do they say? What do they do? What do you need? What do you need to hear more of? And I envision I will really spend a lot of time visualizing how I want something to go, how I want my body to heal, how I want my heart to feel. And then when I feel like I've visualized it to the point that I feel calm, that I feel centered, I feel empowered, I feel supported, I then travel back up and out of my body the same way I came and become my big self again.

[David]

That's beautiful.

[Danielle Fishel]

And now I get to go back out into the world, having healed myself in that way. So if you're looking to change energy, you feel like, you know what I'm saying? Trapped in a loop, and it's not a positive loop. I'm going to shrink myself, send myself into my mind. You'll heal those things for yourself, and it helps that then it's you doing the work and that you don't have to give it to someone else. You don't.

[David]

I like that.

[Danielle Fishel]

Have to give it to a dad or a podcast host.

[David]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

You're in control.

[Starbucks Narrator]

Yeah.

[David]

Even though, you know, it was funny to see, like, I loved that it reminded me. There's this, like, reel that I saw this morning where it's like, this girl's like, I'm gonna. Do you want a quantum leap with me? And she, like, takes you back to, like, a place where you envision yourself succeeding in the thing that you already did. Like, you're on your phone call with your friend, and I wish I remember her name, but it just came up when I was getting ready, and she was like, yeah, just. You're on your phone with your friend. It's six months from now, and you've done the thing that you were waiting to do, and envision yourself, like, what does it feel like in the. And so you're, like, imagining and thinking, like, what did you do that helped you get there? And then you can still back here, and you know what you need to do. It was such a cool feeling.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[David]

Instead of letting fear and hesitation and like. But what ifs.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

Control your every step forward. It was so cool to, like, push that away for a moment. Like, that's what this reminded me of.

[Danielle Fishel]

Absolutely. That is. It is basically the same thing. It's setting yourself up for the success that you inevitably want to have and to see yourself doing it and accomplishing it. Hello, It's Danielle Fishel and I am here to talk treats. I take them serious and as you know, they can make or break a day. Whether you're looking for something on a hot afternoon, an after dinner treat, or just a little moment to make the day feel special, Johnny Pops is such an easy family favorite. Johnny Pop's frozen treats are deliciously made with simple ingredients and no artificial dyes, which means I love sharing them with my four and six year olds. And the flavor options run the gamut. Organic rainbow fruit stacks, chocolate fudge minis, chocolate dipped strawberry, organic cotton candy, unicorn twist, and even some no sugar added options. And one of my favorite things about Johnny Pops is that not only are they delicious, they're full of joy. Every stick has a kind deed printed on it and that small moment can turn snack time into a little reminder that kindness is king. Johnny Pops are available in all your favorite stores. To find the store nearest you, visit J O N N Y p o p s.com Johnny Pops a better Pop for a Better World this is Bowen

[Bowen Yang]

Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of yourself can feel impossible. That's why Premier Protein are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting after life. 30 grams of protein gives you the fuel you need. It's not just for intense gym sessions, it's just for life. With the wide variety of flavors from cafe latte to cake batter, it never feels boring. There's a flavor for everyone. I personally love the peaches and cream, but maybe you're a root beer floater cinnamon roll kind of person. Premier Protein empowers me to say yes to more. Find your favorite [e-mail] that's P R E M I E R protein.com or at Amazon, Walmart and other major retailers.

[Kal Penn]

Hey everyone, it's Kal Penn. I'm the host of Irsay The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club. This week on the podcast, I am sitting down with Ray Porter, the narrator of Andy Weir's audiobook project Hail Mary Massive Sci fi adventure about survival and science and what happens when you wake up alone, very far from Earth.

[Starbucks Narrator]

I really had to make a decision because I caught myself getting that frog in my throat and starting to get teary as I'm narrating some of these sections and it's like, okay, yo, yo, yo. Is this indulgent? And I really thought about it. I was like, no. At this point, it would kind of be betraying the trust the author and the listener have in telling this story if I don't go through it. But there's places in this book that that deeply, emotionally affected me. And I left it on the mic. That's great because it served the story. People will say like, oh, my God, I cried at the end. It's like, yeah, dude, me too.

[Kal Penn]

Listen to Irsay the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sophia Donner]

Okay, Real talk. I am very much a different pair for every mood kind of girl. And that's exactly why I love Diff Eyewear. Like, some days I want something sleek and put together, and other days I want to throw on a bold pair and just feel like that girl, you know? Diff makes stylish sunglasses and prescription frames. And the range is so good. They get that you're not just one vibe. You're like 12 vibes. And depending on the day and the playlist and honestly, the weather. And here's the part that actually makes you feel good about it. Every Diff purchase gives back. So you look amazing and you're doing something meaningful. That's the combo right there. So go check them out. It's diff eyewear.com. define your style. Seriously, go look right now because you will not leave empty handed. I'm just warning you. That's diff eyewear.com again. Diff eyewear.com.

[Danielle Fishel]

David, I am so thankful that you came and spent your time with me. I'm so thankful and grateful for your book. I really enjoyed every second of it. I want everyone to go out and get it. Before I let you go. One last thing. I keep saying this before I let you go, and then I keep you here. What are your current goals? What's your current relationship with music, and what do you want to see and do and accomplish next?

[David]

Well, I am doing. I've been working on a Christmas album.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[David]

So I've done two already.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I love Christmas albums.

[David]

I wanted to do one that was more fun because where I was in my first album, it was very religious and I was very religious, so it was a reflection of where I was. So I want to do a Christmas album reflecting where I am now. It's like, more fun. I have, like, one that's even like, I've been experimenting with Spanglish, doing Spanglish because I live my life Spanglish. I'm half Hispanic and I did. I, I released an EP last year where I had a couple songs. All right. Like, I had a song called Creme Brulee that I like was. It was in Spanglish.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

So I'm doing that with Christmas now. And just I, you know, and also like the, the thing that I quantum leaped with. Well, it's not music, but I was thinking about the book. Like, what do I want to see the book help me accomplish? And where I saw myself in six months, I was like, if I could have something like a Quantum Leap kind of experience, it would be to make it so that religion no long having the discussion and even bringing forth to courts in the country and stuff, at least here in the US to make it so that it's not a thing. Where it's like, churches feel like they need to protect their religious freedom by not allowing gay relationships to be a thing because there's so much misunderstanding towards the gay community and what a gay relationship is and what God. What God would think of a. Of that. I'm like, these are so many misconceptions. And I'm like, my godly experiences I've had were not anything what any church is teaching right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

And I think people, a lot of people feel it. It's like my church is saying this, but I feel one way. And I'm like, I feel like that's the God in people telling them where things need to move towards. And I'm like, but there's, I feel like there's too many protections, legal protections that I know people in my church, like the prophet of the church currently, Dallin H. Oaks, used to work for this, used to be like a judge in the, in the Supreme Court. And he spent decades working on the other end of defending marriage and defending religious freedom, which he would expound on. And it was defending his right to discriminate and not allow gay marriage and gay people to practice their lives in his church. And I'm like, if one person can have that much influence, what can one person have influence on the other side? And I'm like, I. The problem is it's not just the, the Mormon church, it's religion in general. It's, you know, almost all churches do. But I'm like, but I feel like they're too enabled to continue having misconceptions and discriminating. They're not challenged to say, well, what if this isn't. What if this is an old way of Thinking that I'm still able to get away with because legally I'm allowed to.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[David]

If they were challenged legally. And I mean, I know that's a dangerous thing. Maybe people are like, how dare you try and threaten my religious. But it's like, that's how you've been conditioned to look at it as. Because someone deciding to love each other and they go to your church building is not going to entice your children to. You know, it's. It's not going to be a threat to your children the way you think it is.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[David]

You know, you look at. I look at Lance and Michael. I look at my other friends who've been married for decades in gay relationships, and they just live a simple, peaceful life. They've learned how to do the work within their families and their friendships where they understand and they respect them.

[Danielle Fishel]

And it's not like heterosexual marriages are all. I mean, come on. Like, divorce.

[David]

Watch Secret lives of Mormon Wives.

[Danielle Fishel]

Exactly. Divorces and swinging. And, you know, it's like. It's not like. Well, very clearly heterosexual marriage is calm and peaceful and serene all the time. It's like.

[David]

And. And there are a lot of lavender marriages. Yep. Which is, you know, someone who's gay in marrying a heterosexual person or two gay people marrying each other. And there's a lot of neglect, a lot of abuse, a lot of resentment, bitterness. That was when my. When I found out from one of my friends I talk about in the book that she was in a marriage where he was keeping secrets, and when he couldn't hold it in anymore, he started beating her.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

And I was just like, that's where I'm leading to. And I'm like, there's what. How is that a good marriage? I'm like, yeah, they're producing children, but a lot of children grow up really difficult lives.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

In. And as orphans, as foster kids. Not getting the love that they deserve.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

And so it's like, not everything looks the way that it's painted. Like, we only want to show the good. The success stories.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

And there's so many. Not success stories. But so with hetero. Even with heterosexual ideal choices and stuff. So I want to challenge courts and say, why do you give them so much freedom to discriminate? Because it prevents them from ever having to look at it differently and probably in the way that. In that if there is a God, it would be the way God would want them to try and expand their perspective on it and to change their way of looking at it. Because if there's a God. He keeps creating gay people. And they're not the monsters, they're not the perverts that you make them out to be. You know, a lot of times they blend in and you. So you would never even know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

And they. Because they never bother anybody and they never bother you. And if anything, they add a lot of beauty and color to your life.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[David]

So I want to make it, you know, the US is a trendsetter in a lot of ways. If we change that. There have been times where they almost, I mean, they, they almost made progress, like even like the 70s and whatnot. Like, but, you know, the religious communities that were did not understand it voiced their opinion and so they won. But I'm like, if, if you have the right conversations and the right arguments, you can make change. And so I want that to happen. That's, that's my quantum leap.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love it. That is your quantum leap. You've manifested it. You can get David's incredible book, Losing my Faith to Find Myself right now, wherever you get books, but maybe go to a local bookseller. That would be nice. I can't recommend this book enough. You have quite a story to tell. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you, Danielle. Sharing a bit of it with me. You're just stuck with me.

[David]

I love it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Teen Beat is an I heart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor Tara Sudbaksh. The theme song is by Mark Hoppas. Yes, that Mark Hoppas. Follow us on Instagram teenbeatpod. Hello, it's Danielle Fishel and I am here to talk treats. I take em serious and as you know, they can make or break a day. Whether you're looking for something on a hot afternoon, an after dinner treatment, or just a little moment to make the day feel special, Johnny Pops is such an easy family favorite. Johnny Pop's frozen treats are deliciously made with simple ingredients and no artificial dyes. Which means I love sharing them with my four and six year olds. And the flavor options run the gamut. Organic rainbow fruit stacks, chocolate fudge minis, chocolate dipped strawberry, organic cotton candy, unicorn twist, and even some no sugar added options. And one of my favorite things about Johnny Pops is that not only are they delicious, they're full of joy. Every stick has a kind deed printed on it and that small moment can turn snack time into a little reminder that kindness is king. Johnny Pops are available in all your favorite stores to find the store nearest you, visit J-O-N N Y P O P S.com Johnny Pops a better Pop for a Better World this is Bowen

[Bowen Yang]

Yang from Lost Culture Research with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang. We all know the feeling when life gets really busy. Taking care of can feel impossible. That's why Premier Protein shakes are my go to. They have 30 grams of protein, 160 calories, no added sugar, and they taste amazing. So they're a healthy choice you'll actually want to make. It's not just for fitness, it's for getting after life. Premier Protein powers me to say yes to more Find your favorite [e-mail] that's P R E M I E R protein.com

[Kal Penn]

hey everyone, it's Cal Penn. I'm inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with my podcast, Hearsay, the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club. Every episode I nerd out with amazing guests and dive into the best new audiobooks available on Audible. It's the book club for your ears. Listen to Earsay, the Audible and I Heart Audiobook Club on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Sophia Donner]

This is Sophia Donner from OK Storytime this summer. Find your next obsession on Prime Video and listen. We're not saying you need another obsession, but there could be a lot worse ones. Steamy romance, addictive love stories, and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice, so why not watch them a third time off campus? L the Love Hypothesis and more. Slow Burn Second Chances chemistry you can feel through the screen and it makes you wish you were actually in that movie. We've got binge worthy series can't miss movies. Perfect for when you're ignoring your own problems or procrastinating as one does. Your next obsession is waiting. Watch only on prime. This is an iHeart podcast.

[Danielle Fishel]

Guaranteed Human.