Podcrushed — Adam Pally
Hosts: Penn Badgley (absent this episode), Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
Guest: Adam Pally
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Podcrushed welcomes comedian, writer, and actor Adam Pally. The conversation dives into Adam's formative years—frequent moves, his musical and theatrical family, middle school awkwardness, and discovering comedy as a path to belonging. Adam shares behind-the-scenes stories from his career, insights into long-term relationships, collaborating with friends, the making of his new special, and the joys and absurdities of working with his dad.
Key Topics & Insights
1. Adam’s Childhood and Family Background
[06:03–09:45]
- Adam grew up moving between cities due to his parents' shifting ambitions (from musicians to more conventional careers).
- Early exposure to the entertainment world via his parents’ band, Pally and Pal, gave him a sense of creative possibility, even as it meant a less-than-glamorous lifestyle.
- He felt like an outsider when moving to the suburbs at 12, compensating through music, fashion (“long hair parted in the middle, band T-shirts”), and a budding comic persona.
- Quote: “Making people laugh...came out of a deep need to be seen, and to have something special about me.” — Adam Pally [08:37]
2. Finding Comedy: Inspiration and Early Practice
[10:11–12:25]
- In high school, Adam was less interested in sports and immersed himself in the school’s television studio, learning editing, filming, and comedy production.
- Created and hosted his own comedic segments for school broadcasts, which led to local recognition.
- Reflects on the satisfaction of being recognized—“a parent was like, I saw your skit on the public access. And I was like, oh, wow. Like. Like, this is how it works.” [11:19]
- Still influenced by his high school media teacher, Mr. Daly.
3. Romance, Belonging, and Lasting Love
[13:11–18:32]
- Talks about first crushes and early relationships during his middle school years as a new, slightly mysterious kid.
- Met his wife at 16—both come from parents who were high-school sweethearts, which fostered a sense of commitment.
- The importance of choosing and holding onto meaningful connections, especially lacking lifelong friendships due to frequent moves.
- Quote: "When you move around a lot as a kid... I don't have, one of the things that I don't have in my life is like a best friend, a family that I grew up with next to me...When I met my wife, I was like, oh, this is something I can't let go of.” — Adam Pally [15:10]
- “I've known many different Daniellas...But still, she's still like the coolest person I know.” — Adam Pally [17:23]
- On love: “I think that's what love is, when you're like, I need that thought in my mind all the time, and if I don't have it, then I'm not whole.” — Adam Pally [18:22]
4. Comedy Career and Creative Path
Upright Citizens Brigade & Breaking Through – [23:13–26:01]
- Adam describes the “nonlinear” journey from acting student to comedian to TV star.
- The vibrant, interconnected world of early-2000s UCB gave Adam his comedy community.
- Success (e.g., Happy Endings) came after years of relentless collaboration, performance, and hustle, rather than as an overnight break.
- “As long as I'm doing comedy, then something will happen. And that's kind of how I still feel about it.” — Adam Pally [25:22]
The Mindy Project – [26:01–27:40]
- Praises Mindy Kaling’s work ethic, vision, and leadership.
- Inspired by watching Mindy seamlessly juggle multiple creative roles—writing, acting, producing.
- “If you want to make something, then you have to make it. Mindy makes stuff...I'm still inspired.” — Adam Pally [27:13]
Producing & Acting: Mr. Throwback – [27:56–30:13]
- Likes playing dual roles: in front of and behind the camera, shaping both dialogue and vibe.
- Detailed the importance of chemistry with collaborators (notably with Ego Nwodim), adjusting casting to fit the real, organic dynamic.
- Memorable moment: Eggo roasting Adam’s “shitty” beard during a chemistry test improv [29:07].
5. Friendships, Podcasts, and Wellness
Collaboration with John Gemberling
[31:07–32:20]
- Discusses working and podcasting with his best friend John Gabris—“It feels weird to be this old and have a best friend, but. Yes.” [31:17]
- Navigating the perks and quirks of collaborating with close friends.
The Staying Alive Podcast – [32:20–34:49]
- Motivation: Approach wellness as “guys who like to party but want to live long enough to keep doing it.”
- Goal: To help an audience usually alienated by health and wellness content tap in through relatable humor.
- Expresses skepticism about “snake oil” wellness fads and the absurdity of certain advice (e.g., “Get eight hours of sleep”? Not realistic for parents).
- Quote: “We like dinner. We like to party...That can shorten your life, so maybe let's take some of that energy and...elongate it.” — Adam Pally [33:17]
6. Family: The Saga of Showbiz Dad
[34:27–38:52]
- Adam’s dad is a recurring character—demanding, hilarious, and deeply supportive.
- Stories include his dad embarrassing him by seeking out celebrities, barging onto TV sets, and generally acting as an enthusiastic “showbiz dad” even though Adam is now 43 years old.
- “He’s a liability. You gotta be careful with him.” — Adam Pally [37:47]
- Ultimately, Adam values his dad’s interest and presence—“I think I’m very lucky to have a dad that’s interested... better for my psyche that he is.” [38:39]
7. On Stage & New Special
An Intimate Evening with Adam Pally – [44:36–46:29]
- Describes the special as “formatless”—part show, part movie, always leaning into chaos and surprise.
- Includes music, guests, and some improvisational spirit; inspired by The Muppet Show's meta, “will the show even happen?” energy.
- Jokes about comedians disliking his anti-format approach, i.e., “Wait till they see a comedian with a guitar, no jokes, in an HBO special.” [46:18]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “My grandmother would say that I was sent from hell to finish the job.” — Adam Pally [09:37]
- “Livingston [High School] lays no claim to me...They'd rather be involved with Chris Christie than me.” — Adam Pally [12:41]
- “People often assume I'm religious, but I'm actually just careless.” — Adam Pally [14:27]
- On showbiz parents: “They would take this, like, banter break...‘do you know what the most important thing in the world is, Karen?’...‘Friends.’...Then they'd sing, ‘You gotta have friends.’” — Adam Pally [38:59]
- “I would just say, you just keep doing what you’re doing, kid. You got it... Don’t worry, they’ll see you.” — Adam to his 12-year-old self [46:55]
Timestamps for Core Segments
- [06:03] 12-year-old Adam: moves, identity, family
- [10:11] Comedy beginnings: high school TV studio, first recognition
- [13:11] First crushes, relationships, meeting his wife, family influences
- [23:13] UCB, early career hustle, getting to Happy Endings
- [26:01] Working with Mindy Kaling on The Mindy Project
- [27:56] Producing and costarring in Mr. Throwback, working with Ego Nwodim
- [31:07] Friendship and collaboration with John Gabris, work-life with friends
- [32:20] Launching the Staying Alive podcast, the ethos behind it
- [34:27] The legend of Showbiz Dad—embarrassing and supportive moments
- [44:36] Adam’s new special: An Intimate Evening with Adam Pally
- [46:55] Advice for his 12-year-old self
Tone & Style
The conversation is playful, deeply personal, and self-deprecating, filled with anecdotes that oscillate between heartwarming, awkward, and laugh-out-loud funny. Adam Pally brings a candid vulnerability as he recounts teenage struggles and adult lessons, while the hosts create an encouraging, teasing rapport.
For Listeners Who Missed The Episode
This episode is both a comedic and poignant exploration of what shapes us: family, movement, the itch to perform, romance, creative perseverance, and the messy, beautiful business of being seen. Adam Pally’s stories—whether about his showbiz dad or chasing both laughs and love—remind us that the longing to fit in, create, and connect never goes away; it just changes (slightly) with age.
Recommended Segment:
If you want the essence of Adam’s identity and approach to comedy, don’t miss [44:55–46:29], his description of the new special’s formatless format. For a sense of his introspection and heart, the closing reflection to his 12-year-old self at [46:55] is a highlight.
Special Note:
Penn Badgley was absent for this episode, leading to running jokes about not knowing “the guy from YOU.”