Podcast Summary: Not Skinny But Not Fat — “Brittany Snow is an Aca-Real One” (October 28, 2025)
Host: Amanda Hirsch
Guest: Brittany Snow

Episode Overview

This episode features actress Brittany Snow in a candid, open, and often hilarious conversation with host Amanda Hirsch. The discussion dives deep into Brittany’s recent “year of yes,” her notable acting projects (especially Netflix’s “The Hunting Wives” and Hulu’s “Murdoch: Death in the Family”), her personal evolution in the spotlight, and her candid conversations on mental health and self-acceptance. Fans of Brittany’s work in “Pitch Perfect” and “John Tucker Must Die” will enjoy behind-the-scenes stories, industry insights, and genuine moments of vulnerability and laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Catching Up & Hollywood Hangs

• Amanda and Brittany recently met at Lukas Gage’s book party ([08:03]):
  • Brittany describes the event as “the most crowded party I’ve ever been to” and admits to only lasting 30 minutes before fleeing due to claustrophobia ([09:47]).
• Brittany’s dog makes an off-screen appearance, as requested by Drew Barrymore ([08:25]).
• Social dynamics in Hollywood:
  • Amanda and Brittany bond over being “pro-margarita” but lament hangovers now hit harder with age ([10:24]).
  • Both reminisce about wild younger days: “I used to go running the next day… Now I am not.” — Brittany, ([11:08])

2. Early 2000s Fame & Perception

• Amanda credits Brittany as a “cool girl” icon of the 2000s ([12:33]), to which Brittany responds:
  • “I never knew that it was a moment. We weren’t aware… I didn’t know I was cool.” ([12:54])
• Struggles with self-worth and imposter syndrome:
  • “It takes a lot for me to be in the moment of, ‘Wow, this has happened…’ I’m always trying to be better, and that’s the perfectionist in me.” — Brittany ([13:56])
• Humility and perspective:
  • Amanda: “It’s cooler to say, ‘No, I don’t know I’m a big deal’ than saying, ‘I know I’m a big deal.’” ([14:23])

3. “The Hunting Wives” & Female Chemistry

• On meeting co-star Malin Akerman and instant friendship:
  • “It was an instant connection… we relate on so many issues and so many topics.” ([16:21])
• On-screen chemistry sparking rumors:
  • Amanda: “All the gay lovers of this show were like, ‘Oh my God!’ thinking [the chemistry] meant something more.” ([17:10])
  • Brittany responds: “The power of a female connection — it can look like you’re in love. I’m totally fine if people think I’m in love with Malin Akerman…” ([17:27])
• The show’s sexual themes as “breaking new ground”:
  • “We were breaking new ground—late 30s, 40s, two women… people were shocked to see it on Netflix.” — Brittany ([18:05])
• Industry “inside baseball”:
  • Brittany shares this is the first time she didn’t have to audition for a part; “I’m not an offer-only gal” but the show’s success “blew the f*ck up” ([20:27], [21:21]).
• SNL parody of “The Hunting Wives”:
  • “I had a body reaction—I just immediately started sweating and laughing so hard.” — Brittany ([22:00])
• Filming Season 2:
  • Brittany teases the group’s “safe environment” and “all women loving each other,” hinting Season 2 might be “sexier” and the schedule is “pretty quick.” ([22:51]-[24:01])
• Funny behind-the-scenes story:
  • Both Brittany and Malin ate so many breath mints before intimate scenes, they got sick. “Women are so mindful of each other… With guys, they sometimes don’t care.” ([24:11])

4. Age, Nudity, and Sexuality in Hollywood

• On nudity at nearly 40:
  • “There’s a stigma… once you reach 40, you’re no longer seen as a sexual being, which is completely false.” ([31:11])
  • Host Amanda: “Stop talking about being almost 40 as it being old, Brittany!” — [31:02]
• Importance of representation:
  • “I love that our show brought new light to that, that you don’t stop having sex when you’re 40. I hope you have more.” — Brittany ([31:27])

5. “Pitch Perfect,” Fandom, and Group Chat Gossip

• Pitch Perfect’s ongoing legacy:
  • Amanda: “Fans are still doing edits. Is that so special?”
  • Brittany: “It’s so special… It’s so cool I’m in one of those movies [like Mean Girls] that people think about like that.” ([33:20]-[33:52])
• Group chat revelation:
  • “We are [friends]. I mean, we have a group chat that keeps going and we are family… It’s called Bellas. It really is that cheesy.” ([34:11])
• Queer subtext:
  • Amanda: “Are you like a mother in the gay community?”
  • Brittany: “I don’t know if I’m mother... Thank you?” ([35:05])

6. Early Career, Vulnerability, and Self-Work

• Child acting & lost confidence:
  • “I was the director, the star, the writer… friends could be the trees… When I became a teenager, confidence went down.” ([38:44]-[38:57])
• Struggles with visibility:
  • “I went through a long time where I kept myself small… I didn’t like being looked at. It was safer.” ([39:08])
  • “I wore everything on my sleeve… so I think I was okay with not having my career be very big because it was safer.” ([39:45])
• Turning point:
  • “When I turned 30, I stopped caring as much and failed a lot… took some time off… new passion, a new acceptance.” ([41:27])
• Letting go of self-sabotage:
  • “I was really in a flow… I’m not going to self-sabotage myself anymore. And then things just started.” ([42:30])

7. Surreal Awards Moments

• Unexpectedly called to present at the Emmys while in the audience:
  • “She turns to me and she says, ‘We have to present, someone dropped out…’ A calm fell over me—I can do this.” ([43:33])
• Writing their own jokes last minute backstage:
  • Brittany details how she and Malin improvised the “I can’t come out… I don’t mind waiting for you to come out” gag ([45:39])
• “No one cares” advice from Patricia Arquette:
  • “Every time that you do that, you need to just say to yourself like, no one cares, everything’s fine. She was like, just sing to yourself.” — Brittany ([47:09])

8. “Murdoch: Death in the Family” and True Crime

• Researching the role of the podcaster:
  • “It was such an honor [to play Mandy]… showing what true journalism can do. She’s got a really specific cool voice—not only physically, but emotionally.” ([53:03])
• True crime obsession:
  • “Last night as I was going to bed, I was watching the BTK killer thing on Netflix. What’s wrong with me?” ([53:35])
• Victim-focused storytelling:
  • “We wanted to give voices to the victims.” ([53:52])

9. Scenes Cut, Directing, and Industry Realities

• Handling disappointment when scenes are cut:
  • “I just more care about my character… I shouldn’t have rested so much on that one scene.” ([57:10], [58:02])
• Directorial debut:
  • “I wrote and directed Parachute… I had to cut so many things. The best performed scene, sometimes. So I don’t take it personally.” ([58:07])
• Cultural shifts and paparazzi spoilers:
  • “Everyone wants to have an opinion before they actually know all the facts… Everything is very quick to judge… It’s an element of control.” ([59:52])

10. Mental Health Advocacy & September Letters

• Why Brittany started the project:
  • “When I was a teenager, I found an article… it was the first aha moment… I realized there’s a name to what I’m doing… Sharing your story… could be the very thing people need.” ([64:23])
• On recovery:
  • “The eating disorder voice is so soft now… That is the marking of how much recovery I have and how proud I am.” ([66:09])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I never knew that it was a moment… I didn’t know I was cool.” — Brittany Snow, ([12:54])
• “The power of a female connection… it can look like you’re in love.” — Brittany Snow, ([17:27])
• “There’s a stigma… once you reach 40, you’re no longer seen as this a sexual being, which is completely false.” — Brittany Snow, ([31:11])
• “We have a group chat that keeps going… It’s called ‘Bellas’. It really is that cheesy.” — Brittany Snow, ([34:18])
• “No one cares, everything’s fine. Whatever—you know, just make up a song.” — Patricia Arquette to Brittany, ([47:43])
• “The eating disorder voice is so soft now… That is the marking of how much recovery I have.” — Brittany Snow, ([66:09])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Meeting at Lukas Gage’s book party / Starting the episode - [08:00]
• Early 2000s fame & pop culture perspective - [12:33]
• Imposter syndrome & humility - [13:56]
• The Hunting Wives, female chemistry, queer representation - [15:02–24:01]
• SNL parody & Season 2 teasers - [21:58–24:01]
• Aging, nudity, and representation - [31:02–31:27]
• Pitch Perfect legacy & group chat - [33:11–34:33]
• Childhood acting & struggles with confidence - [37:37–39:08]
• Letting go of self-sabotage & embracing the ‘year of yes’ - [41:27–42:54]
• Emmys last-minute presenting story - [43:03–47:09]
• “Murdoch: Death in the Family” & true crime - [53:00–54:15]
• September Letters & mental health journey - [64:23–66:41]

Summary & Takeaways

Amanda Hirsch’s chat with Brittany Snow is both fun and affecting—a journey through stardom, self-doubt, and resilience, with behind-the-scenes industry gems and honest conversations about mental health. Brittany’s self-awareness, candor about growth, and humor make this a must-listen for fans and newcomers alike.

Brittany on vulnerability:
“I went through a long time where I kept myself small because I was scared… But when I turned 30 there was a total shift… I stopped caring as much… I found a new passion for it and new acceptance of starting over.” ([39:08], [41:27])

Final endorsement:
If you love Hollywood gossip, genuine self-reflection, meaningful mental health advocacy, and want to root for real women telling real stories, this episode delivers.

For more:

• Watch “The Hunting Wives” and “Murdoch: Death in the Family”
• Learn about mental health storytelling at September Letters

(Summary prepared for listeners seeking in-depth insight, honest reflections, and engaging Hollywood chatter.)