Pod Meets World — “Michael Stephenson Meets World”

Original Air Date: October 20, 2025
Host(s): Danielle Fishel, Ryder Strong, Will Friedle
Guest: Michael Paul Stevenson (actor, documentarian; “Troll 2”, “Best Worst Movie”)

Episode Overview

This week, the Pod Meets World crew welcomes Michael Paul Stevenson — child star of infamous cult classic “Troll 2,” director of the acclaimed documentary “Best Worst Movie,” and old Oakwood childhood connection to Ryder Strong. The group delves into the weird journeys of childhood stardom, making peace with “bad” art that endures far beyond expectations, the true heart (and embarrassment) behind cult films, and Stevenson’s transition from in-front-of to behind the camera. The episode brims with hilarious memories, thoughtful insights on the meaning of legacy, and the bittersweet joys of creative work you can’t control.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reconnecting with Old Friends & Oakwood Memories

[17:13–18:45]

• Michael and Ryder discover they were childhood friends, bonding at the Oakwood apartments during pilot seasons.
  • “I remember your family being one of the very few, if not the only sane families that lived in Oakwood.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [17:50]
• Reminiscing about skateboards, rollerblades, and the peculiar culture of young actors in LA.
• Mention of the “Hollywood Complex” documentary about Oakwood’s unique child-actor ecosystem.

The Troll 2 Origin Story & Early Embarrassment

[19:05–23:42]

• Michael grew up in Utah, discovered acting in local theater, and pushed his parents for an agent — landing “Troll 2” on his very first audition.
  • “And the first movie audition I ever had was Troll 2.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [19:44]
• The cast filmed a movie called “Goblin” with no idea it would be relabeled “Troll 2.” Michael’s parents surprised him with the VHS on Christmas:
  • “It was not even a minute into that, and it was like, oh my God, this is a bad, bad movie.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [21:14]
• Early on, Michael wished no one would ever see the film—relatives would call to say, “Your crappy movie is on again!” [22:23]
• “In the TV Guide… below a half star, it was an icon of a turkey… Yeah, I got a turkey.”
  — Michael Paul Stevenson [23:38]

Navigating “Best Worst Movie” & Finding Meaning

[23:50–27:13]

• Ryder praises “Best Worst Movie” as universally relatable for actors coping with “cringe” projects that outlive more “serious” work.
• Michael describes reconnecting with “Troll 2” director Claudio Fragasso and seeing beauty in the movie’s sincere, earnest failure.
  • “As I got older… I kept thinking about like, God, this guy somehow made this movie about vegetarian goblins in Utah with actors who couldn't act, couldn't speak the language. And he made it and it will be remembered.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [25:43]
• The cast, especially George Hardy (his movie father), have become lifelong friends [25:04].

The Cult Phenomenon — Sincerity, Earnestness, and Lasting Impact

[27:13–31:29]

• The group compares “Troll 2” with other cult films, noting that what makes a “bad” movie endure is the sincerity of its creator.
  • “He made exactly the movie he wanted to make… and that is impressive.”
    — Ryder Strong [28:12]
• Michael reflects on how Fragasso eventually came to appreciate the humor and love fans found in his work, staying positive and supportive.

Making & Releasing “Best Worst Movie” — The Process

[41:26–45:57]

• Michael explains his switch from acting to filmmaking, starting with documentary shorts and skateboard films.
• “Best Worst Movie” was self-financed and pieced together with help from T-shirt sales (“Nilbog” and “Goblin” shirts) and encouragement from his wife Lindsay.
  • “I made these simple green shirts… That’s my plane ticket to the next place… throughout that whole journey… you have moments where you’re like, how am I gonna do this?”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [44:49]
• The emotional toll was greater than anticipated, especially meeting cast/crew dealing with mental health issues, and seeing fans interpret the film anew every year.

Documentary Filmmaking — Becoming Close with Subjects

[47:20–50:02]

• Michael on documentary work: lasting, almost sacred relationships with his subjects, learning more from them than anticipated.
  • “There’s really no other relationship you can compare it to outside of somebody… you really love.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [48:16]
• Quote from doc legend Al Maysles:
  • “When you make docs, it’s almost as though you have a thousand teachers.” [48:51]

Post-Doc Work: The American Scream and Scripted Directing

[50:02–55:36]

• “The American Scream” (about home-haunter families in Massachusetts) originated from a TV network’s Halloween request; Michael pivoted from a “top 10” format to heartfelt character stories.
• First scripted film “Girlfriend’s Day,” starring Bob Odenkirk, came about when Odenkirk cited “Best Worst Movie” as a favorite in an interview—Michael had put Bob’s name on his “dream actor” vision board weeks earlier.
  • “He was like, I got this really weird comedy it’s never gonna get made, but I’d love for you to make it with me.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [55:19]

Lessons from Child Acting for Directing

[55:40–57:04]

• “Acting was my first point into all of it… I understand how hard it is.”
  — Michael Paul Stevenson [56:11]
• Feeling more empathetic and better able to communicate with actors as a director.

Family Life & Generational Legacy

[57:08–61:04]

• Michael is a father of three daughters (ages 9–18); two are interested in the arts, and the oldest is making her own films.
• Shares parental ambivalence about pushing kids into showbiz, given the difficulties and inevitable disappointments:
  • “It’s hard when you see inside the kitchen of this business. Right?... I want to encourage art and creativity, but I’m also a little more cynical now.”
    — Michael Paul Stevenson [60:45]

The Enduring Mystery of Taste and Legacy

[63:37–64:44]

• Danielle, Will, and Ryder discuss the unpredictable life of artistic work: sometimes your “good” work is forgotten, “bad” work lasts forever (“The Room,” “Troll 2”).
  • “You do your best, you put it out there… it fails, and then 10 years later it’s everybody’s talking about it… and vice versa.”
    — Ryder Strong [63:38]
  • “If your goal as an artist is to make something that lasts, you’ve done it.”
    — Will Friedle [64:30]
• The importance, and powerlessness, of letting go of legacy and control.
  • “Is it one of the great lessons of life that we just don’t have control over anything?”
    — Danielle Fishel [64:44]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I went on and I acted in other things that I thought would be more remembered… but those things didn’t, and so Troll 2 just continued.”
  — Michael Paul Stevenson [22:44]
• “Dog fighting!” — Will’s wild idea for a celebrity reality competition [07:00]
• “You become friends for a reason probably at the age of 10 or 11 and it’s probably a good reason to stay.”
  — Ryder Strong [66:13]
• “When you do feel like you have a story, part of it is just trying to listen to what that wants to be, as opposed to maybe what you want it to be.”
  — Michael Paul Stevenson [53:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [17:13] – Michael & Ryder uncover childhood Oakwood connection
• [19:05] – Michael’s journey to landing “Troll 2”
• [21:14] – First viewing of Troll 2 and reactions
• [25:04] – Relationships with cast/crew, including director Fragasso
• [28:12] – Cult sincerity, what makes “bad” movies memorable
• [41:46] – Transition from actor to documentary filmmaker
• [44:49] – DIY documentary production and emotional struggle
• [47:48] – Building relationships with documentary subjects
• [50:02] – Making “The American Scream”
• [55:19] – Origin of “Girlfriend’s Day” and working with Bob Odenkirk
• [57:08] – Raising kids and thoughts on showbiz legacy
• [63:37] – The unpredictable afterlife of pop culture projects

Final Thoughts

This episode weaves together humor, nostalgia, and surprisingly profound commentary on fame, creation, and the legacy of art that persists—whether you want it to or not. Michael Paul Stevenson proves a warm, thoughtful guest, leaving both hosts and listeners smiling and reflecting, not just on “bad” movies, but on the strange forces that shape what endures.