Podcrushed – Caleb McLaughlin (December 31, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of Podcrushed welcomes Caleb McLaughlin, best known as Lucas Sinclair from "Stranger Things," to reminisce about his journey from child Broadway star to television icon, and reflect deeply on faith, family, maturity, and career transitions. Hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari create a playful, honest atmosphere, moving through themes of first crushes, growing up in the spotlight, and maintaining spiritual/mental wellness. Caleb discusses his recent projects—including the animated film "Goat"—and shares wisdom well beyond his 24 years.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Beginnings and Broadway as a Child

• Starting Out on Broadway ([06:49])
  • Caleb describes auditioning (and succeeding, despite having the flu) for The Lion King, joining the show at age 10 and finishing his run at 12.
  • “As a kid, you have this dream and you just go for it. I’m glad my parents were able to kind of support me in that. A lot of parents don’t have the time to do that.” (Caleb, [07:26])
  • Vivid memories of opening night: the unique backstage smell, nerves about literally falling into the orchestra pit, and pausing to pray before going on stage ([10:39]).

Early Life, Dance, and Family Dynamic

• Caleb's path began with dance—Happy Feet, his first ballet class, and the experience of being "the only boy in ballet" ([13:45]).
  • On gender norms: “Everyone kind of tells you, ‘oh that’s what girls do.’ And I’m like, girls are cool, like that’s awesome.” (Caleb, [15:37])
• Supported by an unusually nurturing and open family—including three siblings and parents who encouraged music and movement ([16:42]).

Siblings, Music, and Family Influence

• Unique dynamic: Two pairs—older siblings close together in age, then Caleb and his younger sister a few years apart ([17:10]).
• Family played an outsize role in shaping Caleb’s tastes and confidence (“They influenced my music taste, and they put me onto a lot of different stuff.” [20:14]).
• He describes a lack of rivalry and lots of sibling support.

Crushes, Heartbreaks, and Middle School Stories

• First crush: Savannah in pre-K. “I know that was—I was in diapers, just head over heels.” ([21:29])
• First heartbreak: In a dance class, thought he was building a connection with a girl, only to discover she already had a boyfriend. “I cried…My life is over. She’s gonna marry him.” ([23:23])
• Teenage dating was delayed due to focus on work and a protective family environment (“I’ve only been in one relationship and that was when I was like 19…up until that point it was just a lot of crushes, talking…Nothing really deep.” [25:07])

Openness, Parental Guidance, and Healthy Boundaries

• Caleb is unusually open with parents about his romantic life, seeking their advice. He admires their long relationship and strong faith ([26:01]).
  • “Honestly, I’m pretty open and honest with them. There’s nothing they shouldn’t know. Very, very open…from my first kiss to whatever.”
• His parents did not force dating, faith, or any path—giving him room to find his own way.

Faith, Spiritual Grounding, and Navigating Adulthood

• Caleb identifies as “not just spiritual, I’m religious”—his father is a reverend, yet faith was never forced on him ([33:02]).
  • “I kind of found my own relationship with God…It’s always been part of me.”
• On prayer and replenishment: Learning to return to prayer and grounding as adulthood brings complexity and pressure ([34:20]).
  • “Sometimes you get so caught up in relying on worldly desires…but when you’re able to sit down and ground yourself and pray…that’s the foundation.” (Caleb, [36:25])

Growing Up on "Stranger Things"—Audition, Friendship, and Positivity

• Auditioned for "Stranger Things" (code-named "Montauk" at the time) at 13; had an existing friendship with Gaten Matarazzo and Sadie Sink from Broadway ([41:30]).
• The set fostered a culture of support, mentorship, and letting kids be kids—even as the show became a phenomenon ([60:07]).
  • “They allowed us to be kids. They allowed us to grow up…there was a blurred line between being on screen and off screen.” (Caleb, [60:14])

Reflections on Lucas Sinclair and Character Growth

• Lucas’s relationship with Max is the storyline Caleb finds most meaningful (“He’s willing to do anything and to make it work.” [49:16]).
• Appreciative of the emotional and narrative maturity that developed as the series went on.
• Says goodbye to his character and the show with true gratitude: “From 13 to now, I’ve been on the show, and it’s shaped me and has molded me to the man I am today…it’s a deep feeling, a deep journey.” ([52:41])

On the Final Season & Fan Expectations

• Responds to speculation about the ending feeling like Game of Thrones: cast was focused on the love, community, and art rather than external pressure ([56:44]).
  • “This last season was for…the family that I built…all the other seasons were like, yeah, I want the fans to like it…this last season was for…the family and the love that we built the past 10 years.”

Basketball, Films, and New Work

• Recent animated film Goat—produced by Steph Curry—follows a literal goat with NBA dreams, continuing a run of basketball-related projects (after Shooting Stars with LeBron James) ([62:41]).
  • “I feel like I’ve manifested this…Just hear these stories, and it takes a village…You can’t do it on your own.” ([65:16])
• On Shooting Stars: Drew Joyce was an underdog, orchestrator, and essential to LeBron’s early career; Caleb felt honored to portray him. Notably, he made every three-pointer required for a key scene ([67:15]).
• Value of meeting the real-life subjects to build authentic performances—lots of observation and learning ([68:45]).

Craft, Voice Acting, and Career Growth

• Loving transition into animation, citing Spider-Verse and Kung Fu Panda as major inspirations ([71:22]).
• Heart for trying new things and pushing himself: “I wanted to expand my range as an actor and understand what that was…voice acting was that next thing for me.”

Social Impact, Fame, and Staying True

• Addressed the pressures and responsibilities of being an influence as a young public figure ([74:00]).
• Key to handling fame: “Having that foundation…Having for me that spiritual foundation, having God in my life, is the only thing I keep my eye on because I can’t rely on all the other voices, the good or the bad.”

What Would You Tell Your 12-Year-Old Self?

• “Enjoy the journey that is to come. It’s going to be a great one. Don’t overthink. Write in your journal all the time.” ([76:14])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Girls are cool. Like, that’s awesome…” (Caleb, on breaking dance gender stereotypes, [15:37])
• “I prayed and I was just like…thank you. I want to have so much fun and keep me safe because it is a dangerous thing…” (Caleb, on Lion King opening, [11:04])
• “I love meeting people. I love meeting new people and…learning myself as well…” (Caleb, on relationships and openness, [26:01])
• “There’s something about not knowing is so rich…” (Caleb, on the innocence of childhood, [37:58])
• “My dad is a reverend…He didn’t force religion or church on me…faith…it’s always been part of me.” (Caleb, [33:02])
• “Having for me that spiritual foundation, having God in my life, is the only thing I keep my eye on because I can’t rely on all the other voices, the good or the bad…” (Caleb, [75:45])
• “You were allowed to be children…that’s why the dynamic with us was so pure when we were younger…” (Caleb, on Stranger Things set, [60:07])
• “It takes a village for a story like LeBron’s. You can’t do it on your own…” ([65:16])
• On goat’s visuals: “It’s the same creators from Spider-Verse. The visuals are going to be…one of the best movies ever.” ([70:31])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dance & Gender Experience: [13:45]–[16:33]
• Siblings & Family Dynamics: [16:42]–[20:38]
• First Crush & Heartbreak: [20:56]–[23:36]
• Faith/Journey with God: [32:35]–[38:18]
• Stranger Things Audition & Broadway Circle: [41:30]–[44:17]
• Reflections on Lucas & Character Growth: [45:45], [48:54]–[49:54]
• Handling Show’s Conclusion/Legacy: [52:04]–[54:17]
• Fan Pressure & Legacy: [56:44]–[59:28]
• Set Culture & Mentorship: [60:07]–[61:57]
• Goat/Shooting Stars/Basketball Projects: [62:22]–[71:22]
• Voice Acting & Career Expansion: [71:22]
• Advice to 12-year-old Caleb: [76:14]

Overall Tone & Takeaways

This conversation exemplifies warmth, humility, and wisdom—often surprisingly so for a young star. Caleb is playful, open about anxieties, and candid about how family, faith, and supportive environments have grounded him amid rapid professional and personal change. Whether recounting childhood heartbreak or navigating the evaporation of childhood wonder in adulthood, he offers plenty of insights for listeners on self-acceptance, groundedness, and gratitude.

“Enjoy the journey that’s to come. It’s going to be a great one. Don’t overthink. Write in your journal all the time.” – Caleb McLaughlin ([76:14])