Podcrushed Episode Summary: Brienne Howey

Release Date: March 5, 2025

In this engaging episode of Podcrushed, hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari sit down with actress Brienne Howey to delve into her middle school experiences, familial dynamics, burgeoning acting career, and the transition into motherhood. Through heartfelt conversations and candid anecdotes, Brienne provides listeners with a relatable glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of adolescence and beyond.

1. Introduction to Brienne Howey

The episode opens with the hosts introducing Brienne Howey, known for her breakout role in Netflix's acclaimed series "Ginny in Georgia", and her recent film "Kind of Pregnant" alongside Amy Schumer and Will Forte. They highlight her versatile performances in both television and film, setting the stage for an in-depth conversation about her personal and professional journey.

2. Early Life and Family Dynamics

Brienne shares insights into her upbringing in Pasadena, California, as the oldest of five siblings. She recounts the impact of her parents' divorce when she was around ten years old, leading to her mother becoming a single parent who emphasized academic excellence.

Brienne Howey [06:08]: “My mom was so worried about me getting into a really good college... It was a lot of pressure.”

Brienne discusses the athletic prowess of her siblings and how her own struggles with sports pushed her towards discovering her passion for acting.

3. Discovering Acting

Brienne describes her late introduction to the world of acting during high school, where she found solace and community in improv and theater after facing repeated setbacks in sports.

Brienne Howey [08:57]: “I was so bad at every sport. So I had to go to... I tried out for improv, and I made that team.”

Her experience in high school plays, especially auditioning for an all-boys play while attending an all-girls Catholic school, marked the beginning of her acting trajectory.

4. Relationship with Parents

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Brienne's close relationship with her mother, which evolved into a deep friendship. She poignantly shares the loss of her mother to cancer when Brienne was 21, reflecting on how motherhood intensified her connection to her late parent.

Brienne Howey [28:20]: “It's hard to explain. We were really good friends... it feels like my mom's meddling up there and brought me this because it feels so much of my story.”

Brienne emphasizes how her mother's ambition and work ethic influenced her own approach to life and career.

5. First Experiences with Love and Heartbreak

Brienne opens up about her long-term relationships during her teenage and college years, highlighting the intensity and drama that accompanied her high school romance. She draws parallels between her past experiences and her current role as a mother.

Brienne Howey [24:31]: “I had a very serious boyfriend throughout all of high school for four years, and then we broke up when I went to NYU. It was so dramatic.”

6. Embarrassing Middle School Stories

Brienne shares a humorous yet mortifying memory from middle school when she mistakenly ran laps around the pool instead of the gate during volleyball tryouts, leading to an embarrassing encounter with the junior water polo team.

Brienne Howey [26:08]: “I entered the gate, and I literally ran around the perimeter of the pool... It was the most mortifying experience.”

7. Acting Career and Roles

The discussion transitions to Brienne's career choices, including her role in "Ginny in Georgia" and the challenges of balancing dramatic roles with her desire to explore lighter characters. She recounts a dangerous on-set accident during the filming of "The Exorcist", where a stunt double was injured, underscoring the unpredictability of acting.

Brienne Howey [35:54]: “We had one freak accident on set... the stunt double... fell on the coffee table and broke his ribs.”

Brienne also touches upon her role in "Kind of Pregnant", where she portrays a character experiencing real-life-like birth stories, blending vulnerability with humor.

8. Motherhood and Balancing Life

Brienne discusses the profound impact of becoming a mother on her personal life and acting career. She narrates her real birth story, which was incorporated into "Kind of Pregnant", highlighting the emotional and physical challenges she faced.

Brienne Howey [38:12]: “The scene in the bathroom floor in Kind of Pregnant is actually my real birth story... it was the first time I've seen my partner so scared.”

She shares the supportive environment on set, especially from co-star Amy Schumer, who facilitated a nurturing space for Brienne and her newborn daughter during filming.

Brienne Howey [44:30]: “It was so awesome to just be surrounded by other women, especially other women who are working with kids. And they let Siggy come to set all the time. It was so sweet.”

9. Conclusion and Reflections

In the final segment, Brienne reflects on her character Georgia from "Ginny in Georgia", discussing the complexities and challenges of portraying such a dynamic role. The hosts wrap up with personal questions about Brienne's relationship with her husband, their meeting story, and advice she would give her younger self.

Brienne Howey [58:24]: “I would tell her not to worry so much that it's all going to be okay. Less worry. And maybe I would change my passwords.”

Brienne's heartfelt and introspective responses provide listeners with a deep understanding of her resilience, adaptability, and the balance she maintains between her personal and professional life.

Notable Quotes

• Brienne Howey [06:08]: “My mom was so worried about me getting into a really good college... It was a lot of pressure.”
• Brienne Howey [08:57]: “I was so bad at every sport. So I had to go to... I tried out for improv, and I made that team.”
• Brienne Howey [26:08]: “I entered the gate, and I literally ran around the perimeter of the pool... It was the most mortifying experience.”
• Brienne Howey [38:12]: “The scene in the bathroom floor in Kind of Pregnant is actually my real birth story... it was the first time I've seen my partner so scared.”
• Brienne Howey [58:24]: “I would tell her not to worry so much that it's all going to be okay. Less worry. And maybe I would change my passwords.”

Key Takeaways

• Family Influence: Brienne's mother's emphasis on education and success significantly shaped her early life and career choices.
• Passion for Acting: Discovering improv in high school redirected Brienne away from sports and into the performing arts, where she found her true calling.
• Navigating Relationships: Long-term relationships during formative years provided both challenges and lessons that Brienne carries into her adult life.
• Balancing Career and Motherhood: Brienne demonstrates the ability to navigate the demands of a successful acting career while embracing the responsibilities and joys of motherhood.
• Resilience and Adaptability: From overcoming athletic setbacks to handling on-set accidents and personal loss, Brienne exhibits resilience and adaptability in both her personal and professional spheres.

This episode of Podcrushed offers a compelling narrative of Brienne Howey's journey from a pressured middle schooler to a celebrated actress and devoted mother. Her candid storytelling and introspective insights make for a deeply relatable and inspiring listen.