Transcript

Chace Crawford (0:00)

I guess the shell is more about finding your voice. And I still, to this day, that's such an important thing to meditate on that, like, I have a voice and you know what I mean? And sort of, what do I care about? What direction do I want to go? What makes me, what makes me happy? What. You know, instead of all this outside input telling you what you should do, you know, you're trying to sort of realize that don't listen to any of that. You know what I mean? What do I say? And it's still very quiet at first, and then it's tough. Fine.

Narrator/Host Intro (0:35)

This is Pod Crushed, the podcast that

Penn Badgley (0:37)

takes the sting out of rejection one crushing middle school story at a time.

Sophie Ansari (0:41)

And where guests share their teenage memories, both meaningful and mortifying.

Nava Kavilan (0:44)

And we're your hosts. I'm Nava, a former middle school director.

Sophie Ansari (0:48)

I'm Sophie, a former fifth grade teacher.

Penn Badgley (0:49)

And I'm Penn, a middle school dropout. We're just three Baha' Is who were

Nava Kavilan (0:53)

living in Brooklyn, wanting to make stuff

Sophie Ansari (0:55)

together with a particular fondness for awkward nostalgia.

Penn Badgley (0:58)

Well, I struggle with nostalgia. I'm here for the therapy pen.

Nava Kavilan (1:02)

Today's guest is a good friend of yours, and I'm just.

Penn Badgley (1:05)

Who is it? Who is it? Who is it?

Sophie Ansari (1:07)

Oh, my God.

Narrator/Host Intro (1:07)

It's Chace Crawford.

Sophie Ansari (1:08)

Okay, I feel like we have to acknowledge that Nava, in a previous episode named Chace Crawford. She got to choose any person, but she named Chace Crawford as the one person she would offer her laptop to if he asked. And today we got to interview him.

Nava Kavilan (1:24)

Yeah, that's true.

Summary

Podcrushed – [Rerun] Chace Crawford

Date: March 11, 2026
Hosts: Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
Guest: Chace Crawford

Episode Overview

In this episode of Podcrushed, Penn, Nava, and Sophie welcome Penn’s old friend and fellow Gossip Girl alum, Chace Crawford. The conversation explores Chace’s middle and high school years, early struggles with identity, the pressures of fitting in, and heartfelt stories of heartbreak and growth. The group also reflects on fame, the legacy of Gossip Girl, life in the public eye, and personal boundaries in Hollywood, including industry changes post-#MeToo. With candor and humor, the episode dives into masculinity, privacy, the transformative power of “fuck it,” and advice for their younger selves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Chace’s Middle School & Growing Up (04:44–08:45)

Early Moves and Identity:
- Chace was born in Lubbock, Texas, then moved to Oklahoma City, and later Minnesota.
  
  “I remember having, like, a bit of an identity crisis, even at that age. Like, well, what do I relate to? Am I like Minnesotan now?” – Chace (04:50)
- Returning to Dallas at age 10 posed challenges fitting in, highlighting how social circles solidify early.
Fitting In Through Fashion:
- Chace’s mother helped him try to fit in via “bleach highlights,” “frosted tips,” JNCO jeans, Doc Martens, and puka shells.
- “But in fifth grade, you’re just trying to, you know, read Matilda and get through, you know.” – Chace (06:26)

Family, Sports, and Finding Social Belonging (06:51–09:35)

Sports Trajectory:
- Early attempts at football ended when his dad realistically broke down future prospects in Texas; Chace pivoted to golf at age 11.
- Despite family athleticism (notably brother-in-law Tony Romo), Chace felt more socially driven than athletically ambitious.
Family Dynamics:
- Dad was a driven doctor; mom a warm, beloved teacher.
  
  “Everyone loves Dana Crawford.” – Chace (08:45)
- Chace describes himself as social, often people-pleasing to make connections.

Adolescence, Heartbreak & Self-Discovery (10:06–12:50)

First Heartbreak:
- Chace shares a story of falling for a best friend at 15, writing her a “three page long crazy thing” in hopes she felt the same.
  
  “It was like the most meaningful relationship in my life as a best friend as well.” – Chace (11:16)
Lasting Impact:
- The heartbreak marked the rest of his high school years, shaping his approach to love and rejection.
  
  “I feel like that left a mark on me probably for my entire high school experience.” – Chace (12:36)

The Transition to Acting & Voice (13:48–15:35)

Beginnings in Art:
- In high school, Chace was drawn to art, photography, and creative classes.
Entering Acting:
- After a gap year working and valeting cars, he discovered acting via a Meisner class, finding it “cathartic” and therapeutic.
  
  “The shell is more about finding your voice. And I still, to this day, that’s such an important thing to meditate on...” – Chace (15:02)
Self-Expression & Boundaries:
- Chace discusses the challenge of balancing inner voice and outside expectations, a theme that remains relevant throughout his life.

Gossip Girl Years & The Price of Fame (15:35–25:38)

Disorientation of Early Fame:
- Penn and Chace reminisce about the intensity of early Gossip Girl days, from faces on billboards to sudden loss of privacy.
  
  “People do feel like they know you…when it’s really, you know, there’s all these other layers.” – Chace (17:08)
Living Under Public Scrutiny:
- Both felt objectified and sometimes disempowered by playing characters so closely identified with their real selves.
  
  “Sometimes your voice can get lost in this avatar.” – Penn (15:59)
Post-Gossip Girl Crash:
- Chace likens the end of the show to an athlete’s career-ending injury: social identity and routine vanish overnight.
  
  “Your identity’s just kind of like, pulled out—the rug’s pulled out from under you…” – Chace (24:52)
- He shares the sense of loss leaving behind the “family” of cast and crew.

Closeness, Group Dynamics, and “Typecasting” (29:59–34:55)

Living with Ed Westwick:
- Explains why he and Ed Westwick, not Penn, lived together—practicality, timing, and circumstances, not personal drama.
On "Type" in Casting:
- Penn explains how many roles for young actors are extensions or simplifications of their real personalities, blurring the line between character and self.
  
  “You’re gonna get cast as some kind of version of yourself…” – Penn (32:36)
- The cast often found themselves seen as their characters, a frustrating, youth-amplified experience.

Intimacy, MeToo, and Changing Hollywood (35:14–38:42)

Intimacy on Set:
- Chace describes his first experience with an intimacy coordinator during The Boys (2021), calling it “so much nicer” and expressing surprise it took so long for that standard.
  
  “How has this not happened since the dawn of, you know, of film?” – Chace (37:03)
#MeToo & Industry Change:
- Chace and Penn agree the movement is necessary, bringing abuses and imbalances to light. The rise of intimacy coordinators is pointed to as a direct positive result.
  
  “It’s for the best to bring that into the light.” – Chace (38:22)
Gendered Expectations:
- There’s more pressure on men to be “fine” with intimate or uncomfortable scenes; acceptance of speaking up is slowly changing.

On Playing “Creeps,” Satire, and Forgiveness in Storytelling (39:03–44:03)

Role Parallels:
- Both reflect on being asked to soften “creepy” scenes, e.g., Penn’s repeated masturbation scenes in You, and Chace’s character “The Deep” in The Boys.
  
  “Every time I’ve done a masturbation scene…it’s always, ‘make it less creepy’...” – Penn (40:44)
Writing in the “Gray”:
- Chace appreciates that The Boys writers lean into moral ambiguity and pose challenging questions of forgiveness and redemption.
  
  “There’s nothing that’s really black and white villain and good guy.” – Chace (43:42)

Spirituality & Southern Baptist Roots (44:03–45:50)

Upbringing & Perspective:
- Grew up attending Christian school, now reflects on both the positives and negatives of faith communities.
  
  "There’s so many good things and bad things and how religion can be weaponized... loses what it’s really meant to be about.” – Chace (44:12)

The Power of "Fuck It" & Growing Up (45:50–47:42)

Letting Go:
- Chace remembers a past talk with Penn, in which Penn advised the value of "fuck it"—accepting responsibility, letting go of old baggage, and moving forward.
  
  “I’ve always gone back to the power of fuck it…part of being an adult is taking responsibility.” – Chace (46:38)

Reflections on Pressure, Humor, and Advice for Young Chace (47:42–49:30)

Social Pressures & Humor:
- Penn attributes Chace's success to his graciousness under unique attention and pressure.
Advice to His 12-Year-Old Self:

“Don’t take yourself so seriously. For one. It’s all going to be okay. And… don’t sweat all the small stuff, you know what I mean? Life is short.” – Chace (49:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Middle School Fashion:

“Frosted tips. You know, I went through the braces phase... bad Abercrombie t-shirts. But in fifth grade, you’re just trying to, you know, read Matilda and get through, you know.” – Chace (06:26)
On Early Identity Crisis:

“I remember having, like, a bit of an identity crisis, even at that age…” – Chace (04:50)
On Lasting Adolescence Heartbreak:

“I feel like that left a mark on me probably for my entire high school experience.” – Chace (12:36)
On Acting and “Finding Your Voice”:

“The shell is more about finding your voice. And I still, to this day, that's such an important thing to meditate on...” – Chace (15:02)
On Fame:

“It's like, disorienting…Sometimes your voice can get lost in this avatar.” – Penn (15:59)
On Intimacy Coordination:

“I was like, this is awesome…How has this not happened since the dawn of, you know, of film?” – Chace (37:03)
On Post-GG Identity:

“I kind of describe it like, again, like an athlete or a quarterback or someone getting injured…your identity’s just kind of like, pulled out—the rug’s pulled out from under you.” – Chace (24:52)
On Letting Go:

“I’ve always gone back to the power of fuck it...part of being an adult is taking responsibility.” – Chace (46:38)
Advice for Teenage Chace:

“Don’t take yourself so seriously ... don’t sweat all the small stuff. Life is short.” – Chace (49:10)

Important Timestamps

Middle School Memories & Identity: 04:44–08:45
Family, Sports, and Social Belonging: 06:51–09:35
First Heartbreak: 11:05–12:50
Discovering Acting: 13:48–15:35
Gossip Girl Fame and Repercussions: 15:35–25:38
On Group Dynamics and Casting: 29:59–34:55
Intimacy Coordination & #MeToo: 35:14–38:42
Satire, Forgiveness in Storytelling: 39:03–44:03
Faith, Upbringing, Spirituality: 44:03–45:50
Letting Go & Adult Advice: 45:50–47:42
Advice for Young Chace: 49:10

Episode Tone & Style

Conversational, reflective, often humorous, and deeply honest. The hosts and Chace balance poignant admissions with banter and self-deprecation, offering an authentic window into adolescence, fame, and growing up both in and out of the spotlight.

For New Listeners

This episode is a heartfelt, often funny, sometimes vulnerable trip through Chace Crawford’s formative years and professional journey. It’s rich with relatable stories about growing up, the complexity of fame, and candid wisdom for young people—all filtered through the hosts’ signature blend of nostalgia and introspection. You’ll hear why “finding your voice” is a lifelong process—and why the power of “fuck it” is sometimes the most liberating lesson of all.