Ashley Johnson Meets World

Summary

**Podcast Episode Summary: "Ashley Johnson Meets World"
Podcast: Pod Meets World
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: June 2, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of Pod Meets World, hosts Danielle Fishel, Will Friedel, and Ryder Strong delve deep into their journeys as child actors, sharing personal anecdotes, behind-the-scenes insights, and meaningful discussions on the challenges they faced in the entertainment industry. The episode spotlights guest Ashley Johnson, an accomplished actress and entrepreneur, who brings her wealth of experience to the conversation, offering a fresh perspective on navigating fame and sustaining a career in acting.

Early Acting Experiences

The hosts reminisce about their early days in the spotlight, discussing the excitement and uncertainties that come with landing roles at a young age. Danielle recounts her first significant role in "Growing Pains," highlighting the warmth and support she received from the cast and crew.

Danielle Fishel [41:34]: "Everyone was so wonderful to me. I had been there for the last two seasons, and it felt like a family."

Will shares his experience on "Growing Pains," emphasizing the balance between work and education.

Will Friedel [35:54]: "We used to make that drive from Orange County to LA for auditions, sitting in traffic, doing homework in the backseat or falling asleep."

Challenges Faced as Child Actors

The conversation shifts to the pressures of being a child actor, including managing rigorous schedules, handling public expectations, and maintaining personal well-being. Ryder discusses his brother Indy's intense workload, juggling multiple plays and voiceover gigs simultaneously.

Ryder Strong [02:22]: "It's been a crazy week because he's doing two different plays, two different musicals, and he's actually been working as a voiceover actor too."

Ashley Johnson adds her insights on the evolving landscape for child actors, noting that while there’s greater awareness today, the fundamental challenges remain.

Ashley Johnson [23:18]: "The industry has changed so much, but the core pressures and expectations are still very real."

Maintaining Friendships and Personal Relationships

Maintaining friendships amidst demanding schedules is another topic the hosts explore. Danielle highlights the importance of a reliable support system, mentioning her lifelong friendships that have endured despite the fluctuations of their careers.

Danielle Fishel [46:13]: "I have my core group of friends that I've had since elementary school. My best friend, who I met in elementary school, is still my best friend."

Ryder and Will echo similar sentiments, emphasizing the value of long-term friendships in providing stability and understanding.

Mental Health and Therapy

A significant portion of the discussion centers on mental health, with the hosts candidly sharing their struggles and the importance of seeking professional help. The episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, underscoring the hosts' commitment to mental well-being.

Ashley Johnson [10:24]: "I've been open about my struggles, but it wasn't always like that. I had to admit I needed help."

Ryder Strong [10:33]: "If you're a man and you're feeling the weight of the world, talk to someone."

Industry Changes and Evolving Roles

The hosts reflect on how the entertainment industry has evolved, particularly regarding the treatment and support of child actors. They discuss the shift from exploitative practices to more protective and nurturing environments.

Will Friedel [25:02]: "The actual on-set experience for kids now is a lot more. This should be fun. We should be enjoying it."

Danielle contrasts their experiences with historical practices, mentioning the infamous hardships faced by past child actors.

Ashley Johnson [26:13]: "The child actor has been very loved, but it's still a fragile balance."

Guest Spotlight: Ashley Johnson

Ashley Johnson shares her extensive career, transitioning from child roles to becoming a prominent figure in projects like Critical Role. She discusses the creation of her media company and the development of her podcast, Weird Kids, which explores the intricacies of growing up in the spotlight.

Ashley Johnson [65:48]: "We started playing and decided to build whatever it is that we've built, and we released our first RPG, Dagger Heart. It's been so fun."

Philanthropy and Community Support

Ashley details her involvement with the Critical Role Foundation, a charitable arm dedicated to supporting various causes. The foundation has successfully raised substantial funds for initiatives like the LA wildfires, demonstrating the power of community and collaboration.

Ashley Johnson [68:31]: "We've raised about $415,000 for the LA Wildfires and worked with amazing nonprofits like First Nations Development Institute and 826 La."

Ryder introduces "Ashes to Film," a nonprofit initiative aimed at supporting filmmakers impacted by natural disasters, further highlighting their commitment to giving back.

Ryder Strong [70:27]: "Ashes to Film supports filmmakers directly impacted by the fires, allowing them to create and showcase their work."

Future Plans and Collaboration

The episode concludes with enthusiastic discussions about future collaborations and charitable events, including ideas for charity food fights and community gatherings. The hosts express their excitement about continuing to support each other and their philanthropic endeavors.

Ashley Johnson [72:52]: "Charity food fight. I don't know if it's ever been done. I'm in."

Danielle Fishel [73:07]: "We love it. Thank you so much for coming and joining us. Let's seriously get together."

Conclusion

"Ashley Johnson Meets World" is a heartfelt and insightful episode that not only revisits the nostalgic days of childhood fame but also addresses the profound challenges and responsibilities that come with it. Through honest conversations and shared experiences, the hosts and guest Ashley Johnson provide valuable perspectives on maintaining mental health, fostering meaningful relationships, and giving back to the community. This episode serves as an inspiring testament to resilience, friendship, and the enduring impact of supportive networks in the ever-evolving world of acting.

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Notable Quotes:

• Danielle Fishel [41:34]: "Everyone was so wonderful to me. I had been there for the last two seasons, and it felt like a family."

• Ryder Strong [02:22]: "It's been a crazy week because he's doing two different plays, two different musicals, and he's actually been working as a voiceover actor too."

• Ashley Johnson [10:24]: "I've been open about my struggles, but it wasn't always like that. I had to admit I needed help."

• Will Friedel [25:02]: "The actual on-set experience for kids now is a lot more. This should be fun. We should be enjoying it."

• Ashley Johnson [65:48]: "We started playing and decided to build whatever it is that we've built, and we released our first RPG, Dagger Heart. It's been so fun."

• Ryder Strong [70:27]: "Ashes to Film supports filmmakers directly impacted by the fires, allowing them to create and showcase their work."

• Ashley Johnson [72:52]: "Charity food fight. I don't know if it's ever been done. I'm in."

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Note: Timestamps are approximate and correspond to moments within the main content of the episode, excluding advertisements and non-content segments.

Transcript

[Danielle Fishel]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Will Friedel]

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[Ashley Johnson]

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[Ashley Johnson]

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[Ryder Strong]

No purchase necessary. VGW Group void. We're prohibited by law 21 plus, terms and conditions apply. Indy is doing. It's been a crazy week because he's doing two different plays, two different musicals, and he's actually. He's been working as a voiceover actor, too. He's doing a cartoon. So this week, he was working on his cartoon, and he had his show Matilda this weekend, which was amazing. So fun. Oh, my God.

[Ashley Johnson]

Never seen it. I don't know.

[Ryder Strong]

So it's the new Matilda. You know, they. Tim Minchin, who's an amazing songwriter, comedian, wrote the Matilda musical that came out, and now there's. There's a Netflix movie, which is wonderful. So it's that version of Matilda. And Indy played Bruce, who's the kid who has to eat the cake, and he just killed it. It was so fun, like, because there's this moment where, like, once Ms. Trunchbull gets kicked off stage, you know, like, they get the revenge on the teacher, and he just stands up and sings like this run, like. And it. Like, the audience was just like, what just happened? Yeah. And he's got a really good singing voice. It's. It's. It's kind of. It's amazing. Yeah. And. But he, you know, of course, he's so nervous. He's anxious and stressed out.

[Ashley Johnson]

He's an actor.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

What's the second play?

[Ryder Strong]

The Descendants.

[Will Friedel]

Like, two different companies. Is that how he has two going at the same time? Okay.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, man.

[Ryder Strong]

But, you know, he loves. I mean, he loves it, but, yeah, I feel like we're. We're gonna take the summer off from plays and just sort of be like, are you still into this? Like, what do you want to do, man? Like, because, you know, it's a lot. Like, he's got a lot of scripts to be reading and songs to be rehearsing and. But, you know, I think, like, last. Like, he did the show the last two nights, and I think it gave him the high, so he's like, oh, this is. I just want to do it. Again. Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Never goes away.

[Ryder Strong]

It's weird, man, having a, like, trying to relate to him and like, you know, support him, but also not pressure him, you know. And of course, I have all my own stuff about this. I mean, I feel like doing, being, being a theater parent or an actor parent in the midst of doing this podcast is truly weird, you know? Cause I feel like I'm coming to.

[Ashley Johnson]

Terms with how much fun you had when you were his age on stage.

[Ryder Strong]

I know.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cause it was. You loved it.

[Ryder Strong]

Right? And what I have to remember too, and like, you know, the reason I fell in love with acting was because I did theater and I loved that process. Like, I, you know, what I ended up not liking is what being an actor actually is, like, which is the audition process and like, the lifestyle of like, that is being an actor. And I just don't, I don't have the stomach for that or the, the skin, I guess the. I don't have to take enough skin for that. But what he's doing, like getting in a group and everybody nervous before the show and putting together, that was the best. And really, that's what Boy Meets World was too. We were doing a play every week and like, that was the exciting part that was so fulfilling. Yeah, it was all the, the fame and all the other stuff that really bummed out.

[Will Friedel]

What did your mom think? Your mom came down. What did your mom think?

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, she, you know, she just loves him, of course. And everything he does is magical and spectacular and it's true. Yeah. Yeah. But, yeah, I was, I was talking to her about like, you know, we were driving him to his play. You know, he had to be there a couple hours ahead of time. Meanwhile, first he had three hour rehearsal for the Descendants, then the show that night for Matilda. And I was like, I turn to my mom, I was like, you were driving me to San Francisco six days a week when I was 10 to do Les Mis, and I was doing eight shows. And she's like, yeah. I'm like, that's crazy. She's like, yeah. I'm like, that just. I'm like, I'm so stressed out about. Indy's got two shows this weekend, and our whole life is all about that. And she's like, yeah, that was my. Like, it disrupted our entire lives. I'm like, that's insane.

[Ashley Johnson]

Like, I remember my mom used to.

[Ryder Strong]

Have everything I've said to you, oh, my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

She would.

[Ryder Strong]

I would want to stay for curtain call because it was a three hour show, so we. I would be rapping at 10:30 at night or 11:00 clock at night. And she would have to drive me an hour and a half back to Sebastopol from San Francisco. And she talks about how she would suck on ice cubes to stay away, stay awake. So, like, crazy just for your kid to be in a play, like.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

What would you, what would you do for your kid to be happy? You do anything?

[Ryder Strong]

Everything. Yeah, no, that's, that's. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, it's, it's a lot though. I mean, I, I actually would have a hard time if, like, if Indy was doing eight shows a week, I'd be like, is this really worth it? Are you really gonna do this kid?

[Will Friedel]

Right?

[Ryder Strong]

Like, is this what you want to. You know, but for my mom, like, she gave up everything. Everything. That's.

[Ashley Johnson]

And she had two of you.

[Ryder Strong]

I know. We were both doing it. I know.

[Ashley Johnson]

I mean, that's the thing. You're taking what you've done and doubling it. It's, it's crazy.

[Ryder Strong]

But that's what, but that's what I remember is that like the, the kids who didn't work as kid actors were the ones whose parents had, you know, stuff to do. Like they couldn't give up everything.

[Ashley Johnson]

The exceptions, because my parents could not give up anything and I was working all the time and that's why they drive me to the wolves.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, they just let you.

[Will Friedel]

That's why you were, they left you to the wolves.

[Ryder Strong]

You were here.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, they just said I had to go out bus. Dad. They're like, if you want to do this, you know, you're. We can't, we physically can't quit our jobs. Like, we can't quit our jobs.

[Ryder Strong]

Right.

[Ashley Johnson]

So, you know, my dad had his own private practice. My mom was running all three courts in Connecticut. It's like, we can't quit.

[Ryder Strong]

So crazy.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. This is just. And eventually we got to the point where we hired a guy named Bud Bauer. He was an 82 year old ex World War II fighter pilot who would drive my dad's car with me in the back down to the city. He's the coolest guy. He told the best stories ever. And he would drive me down while just telling me stories. Stories about like breaking off from formation while they were in a training exercise to buzz his girlfriend's house with, with his plane. I mean, he would just. Yeah, he was the greatest guy in the world. So, yeah, eventually we had to get somebody because it is, it takes up your whole life.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, you're an O.C. right, Danielle? So you also had a.

[Will Friedel]

Well, we were in Orange county when I first started when I was 10. But by the time I started on Boy Meets World, we had moved to Calabasas, which know Stove far, but at least closer than Orange County. But yeah, we used to make that drive from Orange county to LA for, you know, auditions and sitting in traffic and be doing my homework in the backseat or falling asleep. My mom would ask me to fall asleep with my head high enough so that she could still be in the carpool lane without being worried that a cop wouldn't see me. She'd be like, danielle, you need to sit up a little higher. I need them to know I'm allowed to be in this carpool lane. But yeah, I mean, and the only reason I was able to do it is because my mom was a stay at home mom. And so she didn't have a job that she was giving up. She had working at home that she had to give up.

[Ryder Strong]

But no, my mom quit. I mean, she was a nutritionist teacher, and she just quit her whole career to dedicate it to me and my brother.

[Ashley Johnson]

Two actors, two of you.

[Will Friedel]

We love you, mom.

[Ryder Strong]

Thank you, mom and dad, so much appreciation.

[Ashley Johnson]

And Bud Bauer.

[Will Friedel]

And Bud Bauer. Welcome to Podmeats World. I'm Danielle Vigil.

[Ryder Strong]

I'm Rider Strong.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I'm Will Friedel.

[Ryder Strong]

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp.

[Ashley Johnson]

Let's not beat around the bush here. The last few years have been a lot to take in. I can tell you firsthand the immense pressure we're all facing to perform, to provide, and to keep it all together.

[Ryder Strong]

It's no wonder that 6 million men in the US suffer from depression every year.

[Ashley Johnson]

And it's often undiagnosed or men are scared to admit it.

[Will Friedel]

But real strength comes from opening up and doing something about it. For you, for everyone in your life.

[Ryder Strong]

If you're a man and you're feeling the weight of the world, talk to someone.

[Ashley Johnson]

I've been open about my struggles, but it wasn't always like that. I had to admit I needed help. Then I took the step to find a therapist. And it not only helped with my anxiety, it changed my life for the better. Without it, I wouldn't be where I am today.

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[Ashley Johnson]

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We like to talk about how busy we were as child actors in the 90s, having a job before our teen years. Still going to school every day while having to learn pages and pages of dialogue, smoldering our very own grappling hooks, and constantly blurring the line between kid and adult week after week. Dealing with these issues was hard enough, but what if we did it for 15 years consistently, over and over and over again? Well, this week's guest and her jam packed IMDb page knows exactly what that feels like. Because there were kid actors and then there were kid actors. She first burst onto the scene as Chrissy Seaver from the legendary sitcom Growing Pains, which honestly would have been enough. Wrap it up, call it a day, start a Rewatch podcast 30 years later. But no, that was just the beginning. She would star in eight television shows by the age of 21, a statistic that seems almost made up. She'd voice characters on animated projects like Recess, King of the Hill and Teen Titans. She'd appear in movies like Nine Months, the Help and the Avengers. She'd show up on TV shows like er, Blindspot, and Last of Us, and to many people's surprise, she was part of the extended Boy Meets World universe. And still, through all this, she'd somehow find time to co create a revolutionary media company from just a casual D and D weekly hangout. And now she's looking back on it, all in the form of a new podcast, Weird Kids, a show she co hosts all about her journey As a child actor. Now as a grown adult in a business that is, for the most part, truly unbelievable. So let's welcome to Pod Meets World, the very busy Ashley Johnson.

[Danielle Fishel]

Hello. Hello. Hi, pals.

[Will Friedel]

So great to see you. Us growing.

[Danielle Fishel]

So fun.

[Will Friedel]

Us grown kid actors who now analyze our experience through the medium of podcast have to stick together.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, we do. Oh, my God, it's so great to see you analyzing our trauma together.

[Ryder Strong]

Exactly.

[Ashley Johnson]

We call it unpacking. Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yes. Just a simple unpacking, which is always nice.

[Will Friedel]

A light dusting of some unpacking.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, just a little light dusting.

[Ashley Johnson]

A light dusting of trauma.

[Will Friedel]

A light dusting of trauma. Some tears.

[Danielle Fishel]

Some tears, too.

[Will Friedel]

I know most people expect me to start with some growing pains talk, but I want to ask about your first job. At seven years old, you co starred in the movie Lionheart with Jean Claude Van Damme.

[Danielle Fishel]

I sure did.

[Will Friedel]

I have to imagine there were some great stories from it. What was Van Damme like through the POV of a 7 year old?

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God. Yeah, I remember. I mean, I was so young, but the memories that I have from it were great. Yeah, I mean, I remember. I mean, it's. It's a great ultimate. Ultimate.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's the great.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, it's a great movie.

[Ashley Johnson]

He's getting.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, if you have just to.

[Ryder Strong]

Get you a bike, let's do an episode.

[Ashley Johnson]

Buy that. Yeah, please buy that little girl a bike. Oh, I can do all the lines.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean. Yes, you might know it a little better than I do. Yes, there is a bike involved.

[Ashley Johnson]

There is a great movie.

[Danielle Fishel]

I remember I had so much fun that was shooting at the time. I was still living in Michigan and we had come out for, I think with that job. We had come out to visit some family friends and their kid was auditioning for that part.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, those are the best stories ever.

[Danielle Fishel]

I know, I know. And we had gone and the. I believe this was Lionheart. This was either Lionheart or Growing Pains.

[Will Friedel]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

And we. I went in, the casting director was like, hey, do you want to audition for this? And then I did, and then I got it.

[Will Friedel]

Oh, my gosh. Your family friends were like.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, not friends with that.

[Ryder Strong]

No, we are, we are.

[Danielle Fishel]

They're very cool. Very cool. Yeah, just, you know, it's. And it's also like, it was kind of like learning early on that you just don't know who's gonna be right for what part. And just like, it's a. It's a crapshoot. It's a crap shoot.

[Will Friedel]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

So, yeah. But I remember I had so much fun. And I remember I had, like. I think I had a little bit of a crush on Jean Claude.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Oh, yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Who did it. Just because, like, he had, like, this. This accent, you know, he was like. He was beautiful. He was a ballerina.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah. I had a crush on my. I had a crush on my principal when I was in elementary school, and he wasn't beautiful or a ballerina.

[Danielle Fishel]

So isn't it funny when you go back and you look at the pictures and you're like, holy? Yeah, I had a crush. So this is funny because last night when I was. I was preparing and looking at you guys again, and I was like, I remember I had such a crush on Ryder when I was a kid, because everybody did at that time, and it was so funny. And I looked back at some of the older pictures, and I feel like we all shot on the same lot. Am I making that up? Yeah, we did, right?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, I'm sure.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, yeah, well, so you did maybe this time, right? Was that was the name?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, that's with my brother.

[Ryder Strong]

So my brother was working with you directly? Shiloh was like.

[Will Friedel]

Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

He was in the pilot in the first couple episodes or. I don't know, whatever. He ended up not being on the show as a regular, but he was in the pilot, I think, of maybe this time, with you.

[Danielle Fishel]

And he was so great.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, yeah, he was so great. He also worked with your sister at.

[Ashley Johnson]

Some point, so my.

[Danielle Fishel]

My sister. And I actually meant to call her before this, but I didn't get a hold of her. She played. I believe she played your girlfriend writer on an episode.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay. Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Haley Johnson.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

She was either your. She was somebody's girlfriend for, like, what.

[Ryder Strong]

Episode she was in.

[Ashley Johnson]

I don't think it was mine. It must have been yours.

[Danielle Fishel]

I don't think it was yours.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay, so. So actually, then we probably knew Haley first, and then you were like, Haley's sister, who also.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

That's so funny. I love it.

[Will Friedel]

Because both of your siblings are. Were also child actors. So which one of you was the first to broach the idea of acting? And how did your parents ever juggle three different kids going to auditions?

[Danielle Fishel]

I know. Can you. Can you even imagine that?

[Will Friedel]

No, like, we're just talking about writer's son is an actor, and Neely is in two plays and a voiceover actor. And, like. Right. We were like, how do you. How your entire life is upended for one kid?

[Ryder Strong]

I know. Let alone three multiples.

[Danielle Fishel]

Let alone three. I. You know, it's my. My brother ended up going more behind the camera as time went on. And so it was just my. My sister and I, for the most part.

[Will Friedel]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I just. I remember it just worked. I don't think we were working at the same time like my sister did. She did Kids Incorporated.

[Ashley Johnson]

K I D S. Ok. We made it. Sorry.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. So she did that. And I remember we would never be working at the same time. I don't know how it ended up working that way.

[Will Friedel]

Right.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, are you still in Michigan at this point, or have you moved out here?

[Danielle Fishel]

We went back and forth a lot.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

But then we finally moved out here when it was just kind of like, okay, I guess this is something that we're all gonna continue to do and we enjoy. And my parents were super cool about it. I don't have one of those stories of, like, I was forced into it and I hated it from the beginning. Like, I always liked it.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I didn't start to love it until later.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But, yeah, for a parent, I mean, thinking back on just going to auditions as a kid, like, that was so strange.

[Will Friedel]

Such a strange experience.

[Danielle Fishel]

It was such a strange world. And it's so fun talking to other kid actors because there's. It's such a weird. It. It's. It's a weird experience.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm glad I had it.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's a gone experience too, though, because the industry has changed so much.

[Danielle Fishel]

Very much so.

[Ashley Johnson]

That. That sitting in a room with 20 other kids that you're gonna then grow up with in a certain way, writing.

[Will Friedel]

Our Social Security numbers down on a piece of paper for all to read. Why did they need that?

[Ryder Strong]

Don't you remember the waiting room more than the actual audition? Like, it's you. The room was where you saw the other kids and got a sense. It was those room, like the waiting rooms that you remember.

[Ashley Johnson]

And it would be whittled down. It would start with 15 of you in a room, and then by the end, there's like, the four left that didn't get a pilot that season.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

It was just. It was crazy. It was such. And it's a world that's gone now.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's gone. Yeah, it's gone. My. I mean, you probably have this experience writer with your kid now. Like, my. A lot of my nieces and nephews have started to get into it. And I think in the beginning I was like, I don't know. I don't know, guys. Like, not that I had a bad experience, but you are exposed to and.

[Ryder Strong]

People do have bad experiences, you know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

We watch a lot of people.

[Will Friedel]

Means we were lucky. Not that it's. Yeah, we were lucky.

[Danielle Fishel]

We were lucky. We were lucky.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I think, yeah, they're getting into it and it's such a different experience now. Like, some of them have worked on some jobs and they're like, it's so cool. It's so fun. And I'm like, it is. And I feel like just this old crow in the corner. And I'm like, well, be careful. Don't let anybody touch you. Don't let. Don't take anything from anybody.

[Will Friedel]

Right.

[Ashley Johnson]

You just wait, kid. You wait.

[Ryder Strong]

Hollywood's gonna bring you out.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Also, I will say, like, we've talked about it a little bit too. As a director on a lot of these newer kid shows, the pressure is significantly less than it used to be for us.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

Even I would agree with you and everything so.

[Will Friedel]

Well, that's a different type of. A different type of pressure for sure. But like, the actual on set experience for. For kids now is a lot more. This should be fun. We should be enjoying it. We need to protect each other. We. If something's not working, it's not your fault. We'll change it. Let us adjust it. Those conversations are happening among the adults, not involving the kids. The ability to, like, the amount of pressure the adults put on themselves to make sure all their parents and all the kids are away before any note given about a performance thing. And then it's a convers. Like it's just a totally different world and.

[Ryder Strong]

Right. And we were already in a better world than it was for like actors, generations, right?

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

I mean, we already were like, oh, we have limited hours. We have studio teachers. I mean, you think about like, you know, Judy Garland day is like, it was a disaster.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. That was rough.

[Ryder Strong]

Right. And then like the 70s, even, like if you were a kid on a TV show, you were just expected to be just like the adult and everything. That was kid. Like, it was an annoyance. By the time we were there, there was like, okay, we have some sort of. And I think you're right. Nowadays there's like a real understanding. Like, this is a fragile.

[Ashley Johnson]

Do you know the dog. This is not a joke. The dog that played Toto made more money than Judy Garland did.

[Danielle Fishel]

No.

[Ashley Johnson]

When they were doing.

[Danielle Fishel]

No.

[Ryder Strong]

She got paid, like, cigarettes and chicken broth. Right. She was. She was literally put on a diet. They were like, you can only have.

[Ashley Johnson]

Cigarettes and chicken broth with amphetamine. And the dog made More money than Judy Garland did.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wait, that's crazy. I didn't know that.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. So it's.

[Ryder Strong]

It is.

[Ashley Johnson]

The child actor has very loved.

[Danielle Fishel]

All right, we're doing okay, y' all. We're doing okay.

[Will Friedel]

If that's what you're comparing it to, we're great.

[Danielle Fishel]

I think about all the time, and I don't know if, if, if you guys have this. I guess I'll call it an issue where it. I feel like when, when you're a kid and you're like, okay, you're. You're rewarded for sort of doing what you're told and standing where you're supposed to stand and taking direction well.

[Ryder Strong]

Not being a squeaky wheel.

[Danielle Fishel]

Not being a squeaky wheel. And as you sort of get older and you're like, oh, this is sort of turning into like a people pleasing thing. I don't know. Yeah. You're like, I don't know how to, like, advocate for myself.

[Ryder Strong]

Absolutely.

[Danielle Fishel]

In a way sometimes.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. It was, it was when I was like, early 20s and I was complaining about how I was being treated on a set to John DiMaggio, our friend, voiceover actor, and DiMaggio was like, Ryder, you're a grown man. Tell them to treat you like a grown. And I was like, oh, my. And it was. I was like, probably 24. And it hadn't occurred to me. I was like, right, I can stand up for myself. I can. And because I always thought that if an actor was a pain in the ass or a difficult act, I didn't want to be a difficult. But it's like, no, yeah, you don't.

[Danielle Fishel]

Want to be difficult.

[Ryder Strong]

Right. But conflict is part of the process. Like, directors want certain things, producers want writers. Everybody comes together to collaborate and conflict is okay. Like, and not. Not judging one another for that. Conflict is something that's taken me a long time to. To learn. Just, oh, there's no one right or wrong. This is just the process. This is how the sausage is made. And we're going to come at each other and we're going to need to compromise.

[Ashley Johnson]

You know how we came up, though? I mean, again, we were also on a set where people got fired all the time.

[Ryder Strong]

We were rewarded for doing exactly what we were told, you know, that's how we were rewarded.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Aside from the people pleasing aspect, I also had to learn how to be in touch with what I actually felt. I don't know, because all. I'm so used to you telling me, just tell me what to do and I'll do That for you. That, like. And I just want to make you happy. And so what do I need to do? And then when it's put on me and it's like, well, you have to make a decision. It's like, what do you mean? I don't know what my personal style is. I don't know what I. I don't know. I don't. I don't know. Thing about myself because.

[Ashley Johnson]

Can you do that again, Danielle, with more passion, one more time, please.

[Will Friedel]

You're giving me ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba, ba. Okay, we have another.

[Ashley Johnson]

Another question for you, something we've talked about. We. As we've been going through this, we found one of the weird kind of things we deal with. Do you have a weird kind of issue with how fast you get dressed?

[Will Friedel]

Do you have any issues around picking out clothes for yourself?

[Danielle Fishel]

Fascinating.

[Ryder Strong]

Changing clothes, stress changing clothes 100.

[Danielle Fishel]

It does.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

We just have to figure it out.

[Will Friedel]

Because it's on tape nights and you have to do it so fast.

[Ryder Strong]

Everyone's waiting for you.

[Danielle Fishel]

I hate getting dressed.

[Ryder Strong]

I hate getting dressed.

[Will Friedel]

And do it as fast as humanly possible.

[Ryder Strong]

It was right before we started this podcast. I, like, was changing, and I was like, my heart was racing. I was like, I gotta do. And I went into my wife and I was like, do you get stressed out when you change? She's like, what are you talking about? I'm like, I hate changing my clothes more than anything.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, she.

[Ryder Strong]

Panic attack. Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

So I go into. I go into my closet and I'm like, all right. I go over to where the tops are and I go, pick something fast. You've got it. And if I. Whatever, I take off, Even if I put it on and don't like it or for whatever reason, I'm like, I don't have time. I. Even if I have all the time in the world, this is what I have to wear now. I picked it. It's on. I'm done.

[Ashley Johnson]

Realize this is why I kept sweaters and shirts from Boy meets world for 15 years. I knew they were right.

[Ryder Strong]

I knew they were.

[Ashley Johnson]

And people would say to me, like, why are you wearing that sweater? I'd be like, because it was picked up. It's okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

So funny, you guys. I think you just unlocked something for me, dude.

[Ashley Johnson]

It happens where we'll be talking about something and we'll go, oh, my God. That's totally the same.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I think those are the weird things that you can't quite place. And later, and then when you talk about it with other people who have had the experience and you're like, oh yeah, that's totally a problem I have. But I still have like, I think I probably have clothes still from when I was on growing paints.

[Will Friedel]

Oh yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Or like where I just like can't get rid of them.

[Will Friedel]

Yep.

[Danielle Fishel]

But the same thing if like it's, it's been approved so you can wear.

[Will Friedel]

That and you know, the color looks good on you. It's like it was for you. How could I bomb throw this away?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, they gave it to me. I have to keep it.

[Ashley Johnson]

The memories Unlocking childhood trauma here on POD Meets World. Thanks for joining us, Ashley.

[Danielle Fishel]

You're so welcome. Thank you. I love talking about trauma. Foreign.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway, now through June 24. Score hot summer savings and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags on items like Starbucks ground coffee, Red Bull energy drinks, Spam Classic Planet Oat milk, Charmin bath tissue, Totino's pizza rolls and Frito Lay chips. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go pickup or delivery subject to availability restrictions. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Danielle Fishel]

Honestly, honestly, honestly, no one wants to.

[Unknown]

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[Will Friedel]

Summer is fast approaching and it is time to make sure your hot dogs don't taste like sadness.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, I've been there before.

[Ryder Strong]

And that's why we're telling you about Dietz and Watson.

[Will Friedel]

Whether you're grilling for friends or just alone in flip flops at 11pm, you deserve better.

[Ashley Johnson]

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[Ryder Strong]

Their signature Dietz dogs are delicious. All premium uncured beef. You can add actually taste the difference.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I am a fan of their spicy cheesy jalapeno cheddarwurst and their bold grill Perfect smoked beef hot sausage, a.

[Will Friedel]

Perfect double offering no long list of unpronounceable ingredients. Just good, honest food made the right way.

[Ryder Strong]

They ensure everything goes above and beyond their quality. Above all else standard.

[Ashley Johnson]

So visit dietzandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the deets difference.

[Will Friedel]

Your taste buds and summer buds will thank you.

[Ryder Strong]

That's D I E T Z and Watson Slash the Right Way this summer.

[Unknown]

Disney is going retro for real with all of your Disney and Hulu throwback faves.

[Danielle Fishel]

Shut up.

[Unknown]

Hit endless rewind on Disney with the Princess diaries, the Lizzie McGuire Movie and Freaky Friday.

[Danielle Fishel]

Could you like chill for a sec?

[Unknown]

Then with Hulu, throw it back with Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill and Full House.

[Will Friedel]

You got it dude.

[Unknown]

All these and more now totally streaming With Hulu on Disney plus bundle subscription required 18Select Hulu content on Disney Plus Additional content on Hulu App Terms apply.

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[Will Friedel]

So let's jump into growing pains. You booked the role of Chrissy Seaver in what appears to be your first TV job ever, right?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Do you remember that audition?

[Danielle Fishel]

Vaguely. Vaguely. I remember. So this is going really far back. I had. So at my. When I still lived in Michigan, there was a talent scout that had come to our school, which is so weird to me.

[Will Friedel]

I know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Thinking about that now. And they.

[Will Friedel]

May I come to your school and look at your children?

[Danielle Fishel]

Thanks. For a TV show.

[Ashley Johnson]

I can take them from you.

[Will Friedel]

I'm just gonna look around, see if I see any of your children are special.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Will Friedel]

Just give me permission to look at your kids like they.

[Unknown]

Like.

[Danielle Fishel]

How did that conversation go to the principal? Like, hi, I'm a. I'm a man. I work for. You know, what, Whatever. But it was.

[Will Friedel]

That's all they needed. I'm a man.

[Ashley Johnson]

Come on in.

[Will Friedel]

You're allowed.

[Danielle Fishel]

So I had. They had come for a talent search for Star Search.

[Will Friedel]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I. I guess at the school, I told this person that I sang, and. And they were like, oh, great. We'll have you on Star Search. And so my parents were like, wait, what do you. What do you mean? Like, you. You sang for this person? Like, what. What's going on? So anyway, so I ended up getting on Star Search.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, wait, you were on Star Search?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. Not to brag. I was on Star Search.

[Ryder Strong]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

How many stars did you get?

[Danielle Fishel]

I don't remember.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, I don't.

[Danielle Fishel]

I did not win. I did not win.

[Will Friedel]

Did you. Which song did you sing?

[Danielle Fishel]

I. Oh, this is so embarrassing. Cause it's so, like, child actor. I sang. Oh, God. What's it called? Broadway Baby.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so I. I went on, and I remember there was like, another. The. Another kid. That was the other contestant. His name was Bud McGregor.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And he was.

[Ashley Johnson]

Play the banjo. Like, what happened with that?

[Danielle Fishel]

No, he was like a country singer. He was amazing.

[Ryder Strong]

I wonder if you wear, like, a sequin tuxedo. Did you have, like, a top?

[Danielle Fishel]

I wore. I did wear a sequin. Dress was gorgeous. Of course, you know, taffeta and whatever.

[Will Friedel]

All the other materials are little actor girl dreams were made of.

[Ryder Strong]

Amazing.

[Danielle Fishel]

Absolutely. So I don't think I. I didn't win, but I think because of Star Search they had me come in for. For Growing Pains. So I went in. I. I'm sorry.

[Ashley Johnson]

You can't. You can't. You can't jump off a star search that quickly. I apologize.

[Danielle Fishel]

Did.

[Ashley Johnson]

Did you. So. So you met Ed McMahon.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

And they bring. And I can't. But we have to find out how many stars you got, because I want to hear.

[Ryder Strong]

Is this on three and a half stars.

[Danielle Fishel]

We got to be able to find it somewhere. It's got to be. I believe, thinking about it, I think we. I think we had gotten a tie. And then at the end they do like a re judge or something. Yeah. So. And then I ended up losing, which was great because I think I only had one song that I sang. I think I only sang. Sang that song. And you needed to prepare all of these other songs. But yes, I got to meet Ed McMahon. I don't. I remember my mom said I had 103 fever.

[Will Friedel]

Oh, my gosh, guys, the show must go on. You know the clip. We found the clip.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, you did not.

[Ashley Johnson]

Where did you find it so much? I love our producer so much.

[Danielle Fishel]

Smokes. Oh, my God. 89, y' all.

[Ryder Strong]

What are you, like six?

[Danielle Fishel]

Probably. Wait, hold on. I was born in 83. Yeah, I was six. But what's hilarious about this to me is how everyone was like, let's make a tiny Shirley Temple. Let's do Shirley Temple again. But I mean, that was my hair.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, my God.

[Danielle Fishel]

I look like a little space cadet.

[Ashley Johnson]

The microphone is bigger than your head, baby.

[Will Friedel]

On this Broadway baby Learn how to.

[Danielle Fishel]

Sing and dance now. Ashley, do you have a sister?

[Ryder Strong]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

What's her name?

[Will Friedel]

Haley.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you have a brother?

[Ryder Strong]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

And what's his name?

[Ashley Johnson]

Chris.

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you have a dog?

[Ryder Strong]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

What's its name?

[Ryder Strong]

Bob Barker.

[Danielle Fishel]

This is kid. That's wonderful. Oh, wait, we get to see how many stars. Three and three quarter stars. The challenger, Ashley Johnson receives three and three quarter stars.

[Ryder Strong]

It was a tie.

[Ashley Johnson]

They should just let you fight it out.

[Danielle Fishel]

I had no idea what was going on. Clearly. Look at my face.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, that's the best. In all fairness, Bud had the belt buckle of a full grown man.

[Danielle Fishel]

He had the belt buckle. He had the hat with the. It said his name on it. Like I wouldn't be surprised if he wanted. He actually had a really great voice. So I'm sure he. He went on to hopefully bigger and better things. He's one of the Star Search was not.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, he's one of the Blowfish now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wait a second.

[Ryan Seacrest]

It was Weird enough to be true.

[Danielle Fishel]

It totally was. But I was like, that could be totally true.

[Will Friedel]

That incredible Star Search performance leads you to.

[Danielle Fishel]

So that led me to Growing Pains.

[Will Friedel]

I mean, this is clearly a part that kid actors dream about. It's still a classic show that has survived the test of time as an adult. Now, having been on hundreds of sets since, what are your overall feelings about that experience on Growing Pains?

[Danielle Fishel]

God, I. Every memory that I have from that is so good. It really, really is. Like, I feel like that show. They were such a family on that show already because I came in on the. The sixth season. I think I was on it for the last two seasons.

[Will Friedel]

Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I just. Everyone was so wonderful to me. I mean, not that they're gonna be, you know, a bunch of. To a little kid, but they could have been. They could have been. They could have been.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And they were just. So. They just took me in. Like, I had been there and were so nice to my family. And I remember shooting on. It shot on Warner Brothers Ranch, and at the time, the lot there was like, the old Little House on the Prairie set was still there, and there was the old Jason barn from Halloween. And I just remember just going out and just playing every day. And it was. It was such a. It was a great start to this career, I think. You know, some. Some weird jobs came later, weird people. But Growing Pains, for the most part, was. I still have such incredible memories from it. Oh, it really was just so. It was so good. It was so good.

[Will Friedel]

Infamously, another child actor made a stop on Growing Pains. Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, yes, the Leo decaps.

[Will Friedel]

What do you remember about young Leo?

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God, I do remember. He was so. He was so good. Like, you could tell so early on. And I think at that time, he had just finished filming this Boy's Life, I think.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

And then that hadn't come out yet, so he was on sort of the last bit of. Of the season for Growing Pains. And I just remember everyone was like, this kid is so good.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, he just had. He just. Just. He had it. He had it. You know, we felt it, and it was. Yeah, he was great. I just remember. But he was like a teenager, you know, he was a kid, so it was. But I remember he was so sweet to me, and, you know, we just stayed. We stayed lifelong friends.

[Will Friedel]

Best friends.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, just friends, of course. You know.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah. No, I get it. I get it. You're in the posse.

[Danielle Fishel]

Me and my Paleo. Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I did actually see him. Well, I Got to see a lot of the last time I saw everybody. Not the greatest, but I went to Alan Thicke's funeral and. Which he was the greatest. He was the greatest. And, like, I just. I mean, as, like, a first TV dad.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, just. I just remember I loved hugging him and just being around him, and he was just so. He was wonderful. But I saw a lot of Joanna Kearns and Jeremy Miller and getting to see all these people as an adult, I mean, not at a very good time, not at a good celebration, of.

[Will Friedel]

Course, sad circumstances, bad circumstances.

[Danielle Fishel]

But I hadn't seen a lot of them in a while, and it was really. It was sad, but it was really cool to see them as an adult and get to sort of have a different conversation with them that I had, had, had, had never had, but. Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Did you ever return to, like, real normal school because you genuinely have never stopped working.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I did. I did. So I only. I only went to school. I didn't go to high school. I homeschooled through high school, but I went to elementary and middle school. And they weren't fun. Yeah, they weren't fun. I mean, elementary school is fine, but middle school is where it kind of just like.

[Will Friedel]

Like, took advantage, I think no matter who you are. Middle school sucks.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, it. It does. So it's a. It's.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

I've also said even when. Even when it's something good or cool, like being an actor, anything that makes you different as a kid is bad.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. Yeah. They're like, oh, you think you're super into yourself, or, you know, you. It's. It's. Yes. Anything that is different is bad. And so I was very. And I still am. Like, I'm a very introverted. I'm not a social creature. Like, I love spending time alone.

[Will Friedel]

Yes.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like, I could totally just be out on an island and be fine. Like, send me to Mars. I'll be fine. I'll be fine out there. Yeah. So a lot of it, I was. It was hard, but I had my core group of friends that I have still have since elementary school. My best friend, who I met in elementary school, still, she's my best friend. Will has met her before Mila.

[Ashley Johnson]

Oh, of course. Of course it's Mila.

[Danielle Fishel]

So we. Yeah, so we've. We've rolled dice together.

[Will Friedel]

We have.

[Ashley Johnson]

We have. We've formed a shield wall together. We know.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, we have. Yeah. I. I mean, I kind of kept to myself for the most part when I was in school, but, yeah, there is that sort of Otherness that when you have that, you're sort of pushed out of the inner circle, which I was fine with because I, I've always kind of been a little weird. Lone wolf.

[Will Friedel]

You starred in eight different TV shows by the time you were 21. How. Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

You don't know you met your career. I don't.

[Will Friedel]

How did you avoid burnout or did you ever think about walking away?

[Danielle Fishel]

I, yes, there was a very brief time when I was thinking about going to college. There was a very sort of brief amount of time, you know, 17, 18, where I'm like, is this, is this what I want to do? Do I want to go to school for something else? Learn and learn something else at least? And I just kept doing it.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I mean, the thing is, like, it's, it's, I do love it. Like, I love. You love parts of it sometimes. Like there's, and of course it's, it's like that, I'm sure with any job. But I, there's, I think there's also that thing that we have as actors where you don't know when the next job is coming. So you're always just like ready to go and just want to keep working because, you know, at some point it probably will stop. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I think I, I think I just kept doing it because of that reason. Because I'm just, I'm like, at some point it's just gonna stop, so I might as well keep doing it.

[Ashley Johnson]

We've also talked about how there's the people that keep going. There's a certain group of people. It's like a stand up comedian where you know that you're supposed to be a stand up comedian or an actor if you can't not do it.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

And I think there's a point where you're just like, I, I don't picture my life, life without doing something in this industry. I just, it's, I couldn't imagine not doing it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

So, yeah, it's almost a call. You hate to use the word calling, but it seems to kind of be like a calling.

[Danielle Fishel]

It does kind of. Yeah, it kind of feels that way. And I, I, I mean, I don't know, I, I guess there's a part of me that, that I'm like, I don't know if it's a calling for me as opposed to just, it's what I do. It's kind of like because I've been doing it since I've been a little wee baby. It's.

[Will Friedel]

What is the alternative.

[Danielle Fishel]

What is the alternative? But I do love it. I love each aspect of it. And even now with working with critical role stuff, and we do a writer's room or comic books and sort of getting to sort of do this in another way.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Do the other creative stuff. So you're, you're one of the few people that can really give us an insight. And I know this is, it's for a lot of actors, it's like asking which of your children do you like better? But you've done, you've done sitcom for a long time, but you've also done a lot of really good single camera work. So for television, do you prefer multicam or do you prefer single cam?

[Danielle Fishel]

Jeez, I haven't done a multicam in so long. And I feel like I, I don't remember what my last multicam or sitcom was. I mean, I think I was probably, probably early 20s, so, you know, a couple decades ago. But there is, I mean, it's like the same as theater. There is an energy there that you don't get from just a single camera.

[Ashley Johnson]

Right.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, but there, there's, there's, they each have their, like, pros and cons.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

You know, but there is something like the, the, the, the sitcom multicam schedule is the best, you know, because it's like, it's consistent. You have your, you have, it's, it's the closest thing that we have to a nine to five, I think.

[Will Friedel]

Exactly.

[Danielle Fishel]

And it's, it's. I haven't done it in so long and I feel like it would be so fun to do it again. But.

[Will Friedel]

Well, we. Let's remind you of some multicam with talking about a very odd moment in your child acting career which ties directly into Boy Meets World. We talked about it. The show called maybe this Time, which was created and executive Produced by one Mr. Michael Jacobs.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God, that's right.

[Will Friedel]

Yes. Co starring Betty White and Marie Osmond. And there is a very meta scene in the show where your character is watching Boy Meets World and then Cory and Sean start talking directly to you, your character, through the screen.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wait, what?

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

So may not remember this.

[Will Friedel]

Maybe we need to play credited on.

[Ryder Strong]

IMDb for being in maybe this time as Sean, which is. Yeah, it's so weird.

[Unknown]

Have you not.

[Danielle Fishel]

You don't remember this?

[Will Friedel]

My God, for you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Because I want to see it.

[Will Friedel]

It's like, I think you have to remember it once you see it, because especially you've said like, you remember you had a crush on writer. So I would imagine I wonder.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. So it maybe was just like that. Oh, my God. I can't wait to see this. This is so crazy. I haven't seen any of maybe this time since it aired, so I don't remember it at all.

[Will Friedel]

Was it a great experience for you?

[Danielle Fishel]

Do you remember the best? Come on. Betty White.

[Ashley Johnson]

Betty White.

[Danielle Fishel]

Marie Osmond. It was just. It was. I was surrounded by incredible women. Yeah, it was great.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, I don't give up on you. She sees that and she doesn't give up on Nikki. Who's Nikki?

[Danielle Fishel]

You know, the little boyfriend.

[Will Friedel]

What? Wow. Never seen this episode before.

[Ryder Strong]

Okay, but I still got one question. Is she dreaming or is this actually on tv? Well, essentially, she's experiencing what we call a waking dream. It's the momentary blurring of the line between the conscious and the unconscious. I live my entire life like that. Hey, what's going on? What's with all the slime?

[Danielle Fishel]

Relax, it's just a special effects.

[Ryder Strong]

It means our work here is done.

[Danielle Fishel]

Done. So long, Gracie.

[Ryder Strong]

Good luck.

[Danielle Fishel]

What the heck? Yeah. Oh, my God. I have a vague memory of that now. Thanks for that, but. How great were you guys?

[Will Friedel]

They're so great. They're so great.

[Ryder Strong]

It's weird because it's actually like a Boy Meets World storyline scene pretty accurately to our character. It's weird. It's.

[Danielle Fishel]

I wonder what prompted them to write.

[Will Friedel]

That in Michael Jacobs.

[Ryder Strong]

Michael Jacobs.

[Will Friedel]

Michael Jacobs, yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, because, yeah, he's just trying to, like, you know, put them all together.

[Ryder Strong]

Right. But it's also so funny because it explains his philosophy with Boy Meets World. Like, he literally did believe that he was teaching children how to behave.

[Will Friedel]

Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

With our, you know, like, that moralizing quality is what he thought. You know, he won. He. He looked at it as, like, his mission to inspire kids to do the right thing. And, like, he's literally spelling out, like, like the writing philosophy behind the Cory Shawn dynamic. It's really interesting. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God. That is so wild to see.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and safeway. Now through June 24th, score hot summer savings and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags on items like Pringles, Ritz crackers and chips, sliced soda, Wonder Buns and bread, and Natural Choice lunch meat. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go, pickup or delivery subject to availability restrictions. Apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Ashley Johnson]

Honestly.

[Danielle Fishel]

Honestly.

[Unknown]

Honestly, no one wants to think about hiv, but there are things that everyone can do to help prevent it. Things like prep. PREP stands for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis, and it means routinely taking prescription medicine before you're exposed to HIV to help reduce your chances of getting it. Prep can be about 99% effective when taken as prescribed. It doesn't protect against other STIs, though, so be sure to use condoms and other healthy sex practices. Ask a healthcare provider about all your prevention Options and visit findoutaboutprep.com to learn more.

[Will Friedel]

Sponsored by Gilead Summer is fast approaching and it is time to make sure your hot dogs don't taste like sadness.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, I've been there before and that's.

[Ryder Strong]

Why we're telling you about Dietz and Watts.

[Will Friedel]

Whether you're grilling for friends or just alone in flip flops at 11pm, you deserve better.

[Ashley Johnson]

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[Ryder Strong]

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[Ashley Johnson]

And I am a fan of their spicy cheesy jalapeno cheddarwurst and their Bold Grill Perfect Smoked Beef hot sausage, a perfect double.

[Will Friedel]

Offer no long list of unpronounceable ingredients, just good, honest food made the right way.

[Ryder Strong]

They ensure everything goes above and beyond their quality, above all else standard.

[Ashley Johnson]

So visit dietzandwatson.com therightway to learn more about the Dietz difference.

[Will Friedel]

Your taste buds and summer buds will thank you.

[Ryder Strong]

That's D I E T Z and Watson slash the right way.

[Unknown]

This summer, Disney is going retro for real with all of your Disney and Hulu throwback faves.

[Danielle Fishel]

Shut up.

[Unknown]

Hit endless Rewind on Disney with the Princess diaries, the Lizzie McGuire Movie and Freaky Friday.

[Danielle Fishel]

Could you like chill for a sec?

[Unknown]

Then with Hulu, throw it back with Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill and Full House.

[Will Friedel]

You got it dude.

[Unknown]

All these and more now Totally streaming With Hulu on Disney plus bundle subscription required 18 + select Hulu content on Disney + additional content on Hulu App.

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[Will Friedel]

What was your experience with Michael like? I know he co created the show with Boy Meets World writer Susan Estelle Jansen.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Ryder Strong]

And then David Trainor was directing it, right?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Will Friedel]

Very tall, skinny David Trainor.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. Oh, my God, yes.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

You guys are giving me so many flash. There's like.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Every, you know, like there's that part of time in your brain of. Of being a kid where it's all just a little fuzzy and blurry.

[Will Friedel]

But yeah, that's for me, most of my life.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But you guys are making it a little more sharper around the edges. Yes. David Trainor. Oh, my God, he was such a fun director.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

I just remember with Michael. I remember he was really fun. I mean, maybe this time only was. I think we only did one season and I remember. I just remember it was a great. I mean, any. I feel like because of the age that I was. Any sort of problems that were happening on set and I think there were some. I Was shielded from them.

[Ashley Johnson]

Sure.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

You know, it was like, okay, the kid is on set now. So everybody's. You know, we put our differences aside at the moment. Yeah. But I remember he was. He was really nice to me.

[Will Friedel]

Good.

[Danielle Fishel]

And I think. I don't remember him being there a lot.

[Will Friedel]

Okay. Yep. That could make sense. Maybe. Maybe Susan was there more.

[Danielle Fishel]

I feel like Susan was there more, but I just. Yeah, a lot of. A lot of maybe. This time is a very vague memory. I just remember that there was a basketball court on the Disney lot, and there would be, like, lunchtime. Yeah, it's gotta be.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah, yeah. Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

The cage.

[Danielle Fishel]

That was our gym class.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Will Friedel]

That's where you did gym.

[Danielle Fishel]

The home improvement kids.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

You guys.

[Ryder Strong]

Thunder Alley.

[Danielle Fishel]

Andrew Keegan.

[Will Friedel]

Andrew Keegan. Yes. Yep. Thunder Alley. Zach Taran and Haley Joel Osmond was there.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. Haley Joel Osmond.

[Ashley Johnson]

It was a strange gym class, if we're honest.

[Danielle Fishel]

It was because I don't feel like we did gym. We just probably do.

[Ashley Johnson]

You won the basketball.

[Will Friedel]

Angel and Vicky. Were they your gym trainers, by any chance?

[Danielle Fishel]

Wait, those names sound very familiar to me.

[Will Friedel]

To me, they were, like, a married couple who did personal edge. Personal edge training.

[Ryder Strong]

They would come and, like, hang out with us on set and, like. Yeah. During that.

[Will Friedel]

Maybe get you sponsorships, like, take you to, like, Reebok.

[Ryder Strong]

Holy snowboards.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wait, this is so great. This is. So you guys are bringing up stuff that I haven't. I don't think I've ever thought about.

[Ryder Strong]

Well, you were younger than us, so you were. You were probably only, like, eight, Right?

[Will Friedel]

Or she's not that much younger than me. You're two years younger than me. So if I was 12.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm 41.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah. And I'm 40. Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

So, I mean, like.

[Ryder Strong]

Right.

[Danielle Fishel]

Wait, this is so crazy. You are bringing up so much stuff that I haven't thought about in so long.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God.

[Will Friedel]

Well, get used to this feeling, because you have recently started a podcast, and with a friend, Tellison Jaffe. Am I saying that name right? Another former child actor.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Will Friedel]

From movies like Mr. Mom and TV shows like Facts of Life. And you guys have decided to dig deep into the vault that contains the very complicated memories of our preteen jobs. It's called Weird Kids. How has that treated you so far? And has it thrown you into therapy like the rest of us?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes, absolutely. I mean, we. We sort of. We had talked for a long time about wanting to start a podcast, and with our group of friends, they're like, you guys have a perspective of being child actors that a lot of us don't have. And you know that that's not our main. In general. Taliesin and I are very weird.

[Ashley Johnson]

No, you're not. I refuse to believe that.

[Danielle Fishel]

So we're both like, fl. Little. A little off center. So I think the. The. A lot of it is not just about, you know, the experience we had on sets, but also just the two of us just being very weird kids. So we've had a really good time. But it is funny how when you start talking about from when you were a kid and then you're like, oh, this is. This is bringing up some really interesting. Yeah, interesting things that now we are dealing with. But it's been great. I mean, I. I love podcasts. I listen to podcasts all day long. When I'm not working or doing something, I'm. I. Mostly political podcasts. That is what I listen to a hundred percent of the day.

[Will Friedel]

But do you talk about Ed Dubevix on your podcast?

[Danielle Fishel]

Whoa, wait, I was just talking about Edic with somebody like a week ago because BJ's and Burbank used to be an Ed as well. Yeah, but not the OG One.

[Will Friedel]

No, no, not the og.

[Danielle Fishel]

I loved Ed to Bevic.

[Will Friedel]

Didn't we all?

[Ashley Johnson]

We went. There was one left in Chicago and they had us there at the one.

[Ryder Strong]

Because we took a listen on the podcast. So they invited us in.

[Ashley Johnson]

They invited our podcast to go, and we were actually at the Ed Dubics in Chicago, dancing on the Ed Dub in Chicago.

[Danielle Fishel]

Ed Dubev Evicts was nationwide.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Well, no, I think there was just Chicago in la.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God. Wait, I didn't. Is it still there?

[Will Friedel]

Yeah, we just went like last year.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, my God, you guys. How fun.

[Will Friedel]

Take Weird Kid.

[Danielle Fishel]

We'll take Weird Kids to Ed to Beviks and. And just. Oh, my God.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah, it's the best when you're not looking and dance on the table. It's amazing, that kind of stuff.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, they stay in character. They're like, yeah, it's.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes. We need to bring it back here to la. What is happening?

[Ashley Johnson]

I don't know.

[Will Friedel]

I don't know.

[Danielle Fishel]

I don't know if there's a.

[Ashley Johnson]

Maybe la.

[Will Friedel]

We just got a group of us together, a group of us kid actors.

[Danielle Fishel]

And reopened it and reopened it and.

[Ashley Johnson]

Reopened it to Bevis.

[Danielle Fishel]

I'm all for it.

[Ashley Johnson]

The restaurant industry is very safe. It's a very safe.

[Danielle Fishel]

It is really safe to invest in.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Not a stressful career.

[Danielle Fishel]

No, I mean, podcasting definitely. Probably Helps prepare you for restaurant touring.

[Will Friedel]

Exactly. It's a, it's the new straight shot. You go from Poscat directly into opening your own restaurant. No, bitcoin is a stop on your way. Yeah, it's a stop on the way. You make millions, then we do some.

[Danielle Fishel]

Bitcoin and then we're there.

[Will Friedel]

We love it.

[Ashley Johnson]

We love it.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Anything is possible because you did become hugely successful playing Dungeons and Dragons. So again, you've proven that, that even just a childhood fun craziness can then turn into a business. Now, I know a little bit about how it started, but can you tell us how this incredible foray into the world of beautiful nerdom started?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yes.

[Will Friedel]

You are a founding member of the revolutionary critical role. So tell us, how did that start?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, we, it started so there's eight of us and one of the members, Liam o' Brien, had wanted to play DD for his birthday day. And some mutual friends of ours, Matthew Mercer, he was a dungeon master and was like, I can run the game. And I actually was not at the first game, but I went to the second game that we played and we just, once we started, we couldn't stop because we were like, oh, this is, I mean it's long form improv in a fantasy setting, which, you know, I love fantasy, I love sci fi. So I was, I. And it was something I had always wanted to play as a kid but I couldn't because I was working and I couldn't. You know, it's, it's. You got to get in with that group as a kid in school and they're not going to let me play in their group when I was in school.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But, yeah, so we started playing and we played for a little over two years just at home. And then another friend of ours, Felicia Day, who had a streaming channel geek and sundry at the time, and we, she was like, would you want to try streaming it? And we were like, I don't know who's going to be. That's so long.

[Ashley Johnson]

Who's going to watch this?

[Danielle Fishel]

Who's going to watch this? You know, it's because it's hours and hours, one game of over. It's over like four hours long. So we're like, well, we'll try it. It's something that we all love so much. So if it takes away from our love for it and the love, you know, we'll stop, we'll just stop. And we didn't. And then it just kept working and we just kept going and we just decided to build Whatever it is that we've built, you know, and we just released our first rpg, Dagger Heart, which is crazy. Which we've been like building it over the past five years or whatever. And it's finally going to be out there in the world. And it's, it's so, it's just so fun. Like we're, we're just, I mean, at work every day we just sort of play make believe and, and you know, I've just continued to sort of do that my whole life and I love it.

[Will Friedel]

You also run the Critical Role foundation, the charity arm of the company, which is awesome. Tell us about what you guys do there and what your goals are for the initiative.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh my gosh. So we, we started the foundation in 2020, which was. We had wanted to start earlier, but then when Covid hit, which is. I would not suggest trying to start a nonprofit. It in the middle during that time.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

But it really, it's, it's. It's been so incredible. Like we just ran a charity one shot. The last sort of big initiative that we did, we tried something where we played a live game and we wanted to raise money for the LA wildfires and we raised about $415,000.

[Ryder Strong]

Wow.

[Danielle Fishel]

And so we, we raise money for LAFD, the Latino Community Fund. I'm forgetting what the third one is right now, but it's. Our community is so incredibly, I guess, giving generous. Generous. And so when we had started the foundation, it was a lot of like, well, we love what we do. We love doing this. There's gotta be a way that we can give back. And we did. So we started the foundation and it's been incredible. I mean, we've worked with amazing nonprofits from First Nations Development Institute, 826 La Red Nose Day Pablo Foundation. It's really been kind of the highlight of, of what we do. And I, I think Matt, Matt and I are the ones who are most closely related to it. Matthew Mercer and me. And we can't always talk about. We're like, that's. This is going to be our. What we leave for the world.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

Like later as we get older and we keep going and we can still work on the foundation. It's our, our legacy.

[Will Friedel]

We will have to tell you about Ashes to Film Films as well. What is this? Please tell me. Writers Brothers started non profit.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. To support filmmakers after the fires. So it's. He's basically raising funds to allow filmmakers to make 10 short films and you know, filmmakers that were. And then hire crew and all filmmakers.

[Will Friedel]

That were directly impacted by the fires and then like, have a festival to.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, yeah, it's great. Yeah.

[Danielle Fishel]

How cool is this Ashes to Film.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah, you got to join. You gotta. You gotta help out. Yeah, I. I'll put you in touch with them.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah, we'll definitely want to help.

[Danielle Fishel]

Incredible.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah, you look incredible. So great. Well, Ashley, you are an absolute joy and we. It has been so wonderful reconnecting with you. You guys can all watch or listen to Weird Kids right now on Beacon TV through Critical Role or learn more about it on Instagram at the Weird Kids pod or check them out at the Chicago Ed to Bevix. Right. I mean, you know you're gonna be there.

[Danielle Fishel]

Let's go. Yes. Or, you know, you'll see us at the opening of the new Ed Dubevix here in LA that we're gonna be selling.

[Will Friedel]

We should get together to talk about Ashes to Films and then as a side project, work on how do we open Ed to Bevix la.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay. I want to throw something out there, there.

[Danielle Fishel]

All right.

[Ashley Johnson]

I'm going to. I'm going to go crazy. I'm going to go crazy right now.

[Danielle Fishel]

Okay.

[Ashley Johnson]

Charity, ed deic 90s kid food fight.

[Danielle Fishel]

Can we also get some slime like a. Like a double? Like a.

[Ryder Strong]

Something dropped on us?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, something dropped on us. Green.

[Will Friedel]

We get dropped into a vat of something like a. Like how Will was dropped in into the butter as a lobster. Something needs to get dropped on us. We need to get dropped into something.

[Ashley Johnson]

I think it'd be good. We can. People can come and join the Food fight for charity and we raise a whole bunch of money. We'll. We'll pick some great charities out there and I bet you we'd raise a ton of money to come and have a giant.

[Danielle Fishel]

That sounds so fun.

[Will Friedel]

We do actually have the connection to the Ed Dubics in Chicago. We could reach out to them. We could get Ed Dubik Chicago to come out to LA for an event and. And do something really fun.

[Ashley Johnson]

Charity food fight. I don't know if it's ever been done. Charity Food fight.

[Danielle Fishel]

Fight. I am in. And I will destroy.

[Ryder Strong]

Yes.

[Ashley Johnson]

I should also mention Ashley can be a little bit competitive.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love it.

[Ryan Seacrest]

I have seen this happen.

[Danielle Fishel]

I love games.

[Ashley Johnson]

That can happen too.

[Will Friedel]

So, so fun, man.

[Danielle Fishel]

Well, thank you guys so much. This was so fun.

[Will Friedel]

Thank you. Thank you so much for coming and joining us. We appreciate you so much. Let's seriously get together. I feel like we've got so many more. More stories to share. I'm in thank you, Ashley.

[Ryder Strong]

Great to see you.

[Danielle Fishel]

Bye, guys.

[Will Friedel]

Bye, writer. We figured out Haley played Linda in the beard episode. You were. She was your love interest in the beard episode.

[Ryder Strong]

Which one's. There are two because the other was the original Topanga sister. There are two girls in that episode.

[Will Friedel]

Right, right, right.

[Ryder Strong]

Wow.

[Will Friedel]

Two sisters.

[Ashley Johnson]

Which one's the beard?

[Ryan Seacrest]

Weird.

[Ryder Strong]

That's the one where I'm trying to date two different girls, and if I don't remember, it's where everyone at Chubby's calls me scum. Calls me and Ben scum, like we're. Because we're. I. Ben ends up taking one of them out.

[Will Friedel]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

He takes Haley out.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh.

[Ryder Strong]

And then she falls for him. I don't know.

[Ashley Johnson]

It's like he's holding on to hers in case you want to date her too, or something like that.

[Ryder Strong]

Right, right.

[Will Friedel]

He was supposed to be the safe one, right?

[Ashley Johnson]

Yes. Okay.

[Danielle Fishel]

Right.

[Ryder Strong]

It's.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

Oh, that's so funny.

[Will Friedel]

She's great.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. She's awesome. And she's a ton of fun to play games with. She really. It's that energy for five hours.

[Will Friedel]

Oh, my gosh.

[Ashley Johnson]

As you're rolling into a town with your crew and you're trying to destroy everything in the town, it's. Yeah.

[Ryder Strong]

She was always such a solid actor, too. Like, you know, she's one of those, like, oh, there's a reason you worked nonstop.

[Will Friedel]

That's why she's never stopped working.

[Ryder Strong]

Yeah. Just. Just immediately arrived with, like, a complete ability to act like, it's just.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah.

[Ashley Johnson]

Yeah. She's phenomenal.

[Will Friedel]

Thank you all for joining us for this episode of Pod Meets World. As always, you can follow us on Instagram Pod Meets World show. You can send us your emails podmeetsworldshowmail.com and we've got merch.

[Ashley Johnson]

Okay, so Jean Claude Van Damme is leaving the French Foreign Legion. He's got to escape the French Foreign Legion, and he has to get into an underground fighting ring to help save his family, which is. Ashley Johnson is his niece. Lionheart merch.

[Will Friedel]

Pod meets worldshow.com writer. Send us out.

[Ryder Strong]

We love you all. Pod dismissed. Pod Meets World is an iHeart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Wilfred L. And Ryder Strong, executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor, Tara Sugbash, producer, Maddie Moore, engineer and Boymitor super band, Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram @podmeats worldshow or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com.

[Will Friedel]

Let'S face it, with travel come curveballs. From flight delays to lost luggage, they put even the best laid plans at risk. Thank goodness for Avis. With them you know your rental car will come through and your plans are protected at all costs. Because it turns out Avis is here for your plans and they'll do whatever it takes to ensure you keep them, which is a big deal. And speaking of deals, you can save 20% when you pay now. Go to avis.complanonus to learn more. Avis Plan on us big things are happening at your local CVS Extra big.

[Ashley Johnson]

You don't want to miss these extra big deals and more are coming every two weeks, so keep coming back back.

[Ryder Strong]

Use your extra care card to unlock savings every time you shop. Extra care is the way to save at cvs.

[Will Friedel]

So if you're not a member yet, join for free online or in store and start saving.

[Ashley Johnson]

Visit your local CVS store or cvs.com extra big deals to shop this week's.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Deals hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and safeway. Now through June 24th. Score hot summer savings and earn four times the points. Look for in store tags on items like Starbucks ground coffee, Red Bull energy drinks, Spam, Classic Planet, Oatme milk, Charmin bath tissue, Totino's pizza rolls, and Frito Lay chips. Then clip the offer in the app for automatic event long savings. Shop in store or online for easy drive up and go. Pickup or delivery subject to availability restrictions apply. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Danielle Fishel]

This is Bowen Yang from Las Culturistas, and I'm Matt Rogers, and we're the hosts of Las Culturistas. It's Pride Month, and you know what that means.

[Ryder Strong]

Friendship parties. Dancing.

[Ashley Johnson]

Correct.

[Danielle Fishel]

And do you know what the perfect thing to bring to any Pride event is? Bowen, we talked about this. I'm not a thing. Oh, I met Casamigos. Okay, Chic and honestly, the only other correct answer. A Casamigos margarita during Pride. Now that's a slay. Ah, Casamigos. Anything is a sleigh because anything goes with my Casamigos.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Anything goes with my Casamigos.

[Danielle Fishel]

Beau, you're a poet. Please drink responsibly. Imported by Casamigos Spirits Company, White Plains, New York. Casamigos Tequila 40% alcohol by volume. Behind every successful business is a vision. Bringing it to life takes more than effort. It takes the right financial foundation and support. That's where Chase for Business comes in. With convenient digital tools, helpful resources, and personalized guidance, we can help your business forge ahead confidently. Learn [e-mail] business chase for business make.

[Will Friedel]

More of what's yours the Chase Mobile.

[Danielle Fishel]

App is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. JP Morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co. This is an iHeart podcast.