Pod Meets World — “Nicholle Tom Meets World”
Podcast: Pod Meets World
Host: Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, Will Friedle
Guest: Nicholle Tom
Date: December 8, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, the Pod Meets World crew welcomes Nicholle Tom, beloved for her role as Maggie Sheffield on "The Nanny" and as a star of the "Beethoven" movies. The episode dives into Nicholle's Hollywood origin story, her iconic roles, the ups and downs of being a child actor, celebrity run-ins on set, and her creative passions outside of acting. The hosts and Nicholle share candid memories, funny behind-the-scenes moments, and thoughtful reflections on childhood fame, creativity, and family.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Childhood Gifts & Memorable Birthdays
- Hosts swap stories about their most thoughtful or memorable birthday gifts, setting a personal and nostalgic tone for the episode.
- Ryder Strong shares the story of a custom vinyl album of personally selected songs from friends and family, made by his wife.
Quote: "I just fell apart and bawled opening it up, and then I can still pull it out and put it on and hear a whole collection of songs from people in my life." (04:28) - Will Friedle recounts how his godfather gifted him his first car, which he still owns.
Quote: "He gave me my car, my Celica, which again, I still have." (05:29) - Danielle Fishel reminisces about a birthday scavenger hunt organized by her mom, ending with a Commodore 64.
Quote: "The way the gift was done was so memorable… and they ended with a Commodore 64 computer." (06:27)
- Ryder Strong shares the story of a custom vinyl album of personally selected songs from friends and family, made by his wife.
2. Nicholle Tom's Crafty Side & Creative Workspace
- The hosts and Nicholle have a playful discussion about her unique home décor and crafting hobbies.
- Nicholle reveals she creates one-of-a-kind chandeliers for fun and plans to sell some on her friend's website, "The WTF" (12:20).
- Quote: "I make crazy chandeliers ... I'm going to be taking some photos of some of my artwork at an art show earlier on in the year." (12:14)
3. Hollywood Origins: Family, Moving, and Acting Aspirations
- Nicholle traces her journey from Illinois to Hollywood, shaped by her family's transitions and her mother's ambitions.
- Her mom’s creative background as a teacher and puppeteer influenced Nicholle’s artistic side.
- The family’s move to Seattle due to her father's career, then to California for pilot season.
- Early struggles with shyness and not booking commercials like her siblings, until encouragement in acting class changed her path.
- Quote: "I was kind of a shy child ... I like to make believe and climb trees with my hamster and pretend I was in a different land in my tree house." (16:48)
- She attended the Young Actors Space, forming early friendships with future industry peers, including Ryder Strong.
4. Landing Roles: From Beethoven to The Nanny
- Nicholle details her first major auditions:
- Her second audition ever was for “Beethoven,” which launched her career. (24:51)
- Describes filming "Beethoven" with dozens of St. Bernards and what it was like as a “kid working with kids and animals.”
- Quote: "It was like a dream come true... I just love animals so much." (27:41)
- Memorable behind-the-scenes fact: To get Beethoven to "kiss" them, the trainers smeared chicken baby food behind the actors’ ears (33:41).
- Anecdote: Accidentally discovering Charles Grodin’s toupee on set.
- Quote: "I noticed this netting... So I immediately stopped playing with his hair, but he probably was so like, what is she doing?" (31:41)
5. “The Nanny”: Auditions, Set Life, and Children vs. Adults
- Nicholle went through nine auditions before landing the role of Maggie Sheffield (27:05).
- At her first audition, she mistook Fran Drescher for the casting director because she’d never seen her movies and was struck by her voice (43:39).
- Life on set:
- Differentiated "kid" and "adult" worlds on the show; she loved wardrobe, the audience tapings, and especially the craft service table ("bagels and lox every morning" (48:04)).
- Quote: "We were the kids show, and then there were the adults... I loved going to the wardrobe room and getting fitted for all the clothes." (46:14)
- Favorite episode: Gym class with Rita Moreno as her gym teacher, though she recounts embarrassment at needing help to climb a rope for a scene (49:03).
- The intimidating presence of actors she admired made her nervous as a teen (52:05).
- Industry connections: "Grandma Yetta" (Ann Morgan Guilbert) was the mother of Nicholle’s acting teacher.
6. Working on Other Major ’90s Shows
- Guest spots on "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Beverly Hills, 90210":
- Discusses behind-the-scenes drama on the 90210 set, though the cast was kind to her (53:29).
- Notes multiple connections across shows and roles, showing the interconnectedness of ‘90s TV productions.
7. Growing up Acting & Working with Siblings
- The Tom siblings (Heather and David) have all continued working in entertainment, sometimes intersecting on the same projects.
- Quote: "My sister and I played twins one time... We were on Wedding Bells together, which was a David E. Kelley show." (60:40)
- Explains family dynamics and the unique experience of acting alongside relatives.
8. Alternate Life Paths & Passions
- Nicholle's dream job if she hadn't acted? Possibly a veterinarian or running a creative shop.
- Quote: "I've always loved putting stuff on... sticking stuff on stuff. I've been sticking stuff to stuff for my entire life." (62:03)
- Hosts encourage her to open her own artsy vintage shop or turn her crafting passions into a business/podcast.
9. “Crime & Crafting” Podcast Idea (Fun Segment)
- The group brainstorms a potential true-crime-and-crafting podcast show, with hilarious pitches and enthusiasm.
- Will Friedle: "So they found the body partially decomposed with a beautiful rhinestone buckle." (63:53)
- Danielle: "Crime and crafting as a podcast is a great idea." (64:15)
- Nicholle promises to consider launching it — see her Instagram for updates.
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Crafting and Creativity:
Nicholle Tom: "I bedazzled these pears on the chandelier… I make crazy chandeliers." (11:50) -
On The 'Nanny' Set:
Nicholle Tom: “I would sit like on the stairs and just watch the audience... Oh gosh, the craft service was so good!” (46:34) -
On Family Dynamics:
Nicholle Tom: "My sister has always been like the older sister, the matriarch… I've always just wanted friends, like, so much." (23:13), (41:03) -
On Being a Kid Actor Surrounded by Celebrities:
Nicholle Tom: "The people on the show frightened me as a child... Their personalities— I looked up to them so much." (52:05) -
On Alternate Careers:
Nicholle Tom: "I feel like I would have my own store of sorts... a business that sells vintage, weird things, and I make lamps. Something really creative." (62:43)
Important Timestamps
- Best Birthday Gifts: 03:37 – 08:05
- Nicholle’s Crafting Garage & Hobbies: 09:38 – 13:07
- Early Family Moves & Entering Acting: 13:09 – 20:58
- Child Actor Peers and Classes: 20:03 – 22:21
- Breaking into Acting, “Beethoven”: 24:06 – 33:41
- Charles Grodin’s Toupee Story: 31:34 – 32:05
- Beethoven On-Set Puppy Facts: 32:21 – 34:01
- Life After “Beethoven,” School and Studio Apartment: 41:03 – 43:14
- Auditioning for “The Nanny,” First Meeting Fran Drescher: 43:27 – 44:14
- The Nanny Set & Favorite Memories: 45:41 – 49:35
- 90210 Drama, Guest Roles Recap: 53:09 – 54:59
- Working with Siblings: 60:16 – 61:12
- Alternate Careers & Crime-and-Crafting Podcast Pitch: 61:29 – 64:19
- Plugs: Nicholle’s Instagram and The WTF Shop: 65:01 – 66:15
Where to Find Nicholle Tom
- Instagram: @nicholletom (mentions she’s getting back into posting)
- The WTF (selling her one-of-a-kind crafts): thewtf.com
- Future podcast/creative endeavors: Stay tuned for possible “Crime and Crafting”!
- Quote: "I've been sticking stuff to stuff my entire life." (62:11)
- Quote: "Crime and crafting as a podcast is a great idea." (64:15)
Summary & Takeaways
This episode is a heartfelt, fun, nostalgia-infused trip through ‘90s family TV, child stardom, and the enduring power of creativity—both on screen and in life. Nicholle Tom proves to be as quirky, charming, and honest as her on-screen persona, gracefully sharing the realities of her journey through fame, Hollywood’s interconnected world, family, and artistic passions. The episode is a must-listen for fans of "The Nanny," "Beethoven," and anyone curious about what it was really like growing up in the entertainment industry.