Podcrushed – Episode: Susan Sarandon Release Date: May 21, 2025
Hosts: Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari
Guest: Susan Sarandon

Introduction

In this heartfelt episode of Podcrushed, hosts Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari welcome the legendary actress Susan Sarandon. The conversation delves deep into Susan’s formative years, her unexpected journey into acting, personal experiences with motherhood, and her reflections on beauty and self-worth.

Early Life and Adolescence

Susan opens up about her challenging childhood, being the eldest of nine children in a modest New Jersey household. She shares insights into her upbringing, highlighting the responsibilities she shouldered from a young age.

• Family Dynamics:
  “I was at home. I was not someone who... didn’t know that I was missing out on anything. This was just my life to take care of, folding the diapers and taking care of the kids.”
  (06:25)

• Religious Upbringing:
  Susan recounts her deep religious experiences, including a childhood fear rooted in her Catholic education.

  “I was the Blessed Virgin in third grade in my classroom...I was terrified... until I found out that my Aunt Betty had given me Glow in the Dark.”
  (07:17 - 09:28)

• Transition to High School:
  Moving to a public high school exposed Susan to a more diverse and challenging environment, shaping her worldview.

  “And I had completely given up the Catholic Lord's Prayer to do the Episcopal.”
  (09:28)

Entry into Acting and Career Development

Susan describes her accidental plunge into acting, crediting influential figures and serendipitous events that propelled her career forward.

• First Acting Experiences:
  “In junior year, I was cast in a play called 'My Sister Eileen.' It was fun, but I didn’t think much about it.”
  (11:00)

• Meeting Chris Sarandon:
  Her encounter with Chris Sarandon during her time at Catholic University was pivotal.

  “He introduced me to film and poetry, and basically saved my life.”
  (07:17 - 16:30)

• Early Roles and Breakthroughs:
  Susan shares anecdotes from her initial roles, including her unexpected casting in the film Joe and her reflections on early Hollywood dynamics.

  “They likened it to Easy Rider, which also was a terrifying dystopian kind of thing. And that became a huge hit.”
  (16:30 - 18:39)

First Love and Personal Relationships

The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as Susan recounts her first love, Richie Davis, and the societal pressures that influenced their relationship.

• High School Romance:
  “Richie Davis was our best athlete at Edison High School... All these other guys made sure that did not happen.”
  (19:15 - 24:16)

• Reunion Revelation:
  At her high school reunion, Susan learns the truth about her past relationship, leading to personal growth and understanding.

  “When I went to my first reunion, I said, was that true? Did that happen? And they said, I'm ashamed to say, but yes, that did happen.”
  (19:15 - 24:16)

Motherhood and Family Life

Susan delves into her experiences as a mother, balancing her acting career with raising her children, and the impact of her upbringing on her parenting style.

• Cooking and Family Meals:
  “I love not only having big families, but having tables that have tons of friends. And I gravitate towards chaos. That's probably just my conditioning.”
  (29:33 - 31:35)

• Influence of Her Parents:
  Reflecting on her parents' shortcomings in parenting, Susan emphasizes the lessons she imparted to her children.

  “The biggest gift I've given my kids is flexibility and a broader perspective on the world.”
  (37:48 - 42:22)

• Educational Philosophy:
  Susan criticizes the current education system, particularly middle schools, advocating for more creative and engaging teaching methods.

  “The early part of education sucks in this country... I wish they had been exposed to a more interesting formative year.”
  (37:48 - 42:22)

Production of "Stepmom" and Personal Reflections

Susan discusses her role as a producer in the film Stepmom, drawing parallels between the film’s themes and her personal life.

• Creative Process:
  “I produced it. The first thing I did was a big rewrite and I had to fire the original director.”
  (33:27 - 36:56)

• Incorporating Personal Experiences:
  Elements like the famous quilt were inspired by Susan’s own motherhood experiences.

  “It's about dealing with fears and the reality of loss... It gave me a chance to learn and isolate something.”
  (33:27 - 36:56)

Reflections on Beauty and Self-Image

The conversation shifts to Susan’s perspectives on beauty, aging, and self-confidence.

• Adolescence and Self-Perception:
  Susan candidly shares insecurities from her youth.

  “I didn’t think I was beautiful growing up. I look like an ostrich with these big eyes.”
  (46:05 - 50:32)

• Embracing Vitality:
  She contrasts her early self-image with her later understanding of beauty as vitality and confidence.

  “What makes them so charismatic is that they are saying yes to life.”
  (46:05 - 50:32)

• Notable Quote:
  “Feeling beautiful is not so much about how you look, but it's about how you feel. It's being seen, heard, confident, and strong.”
  (46:05 - 46:36)

Advice to Younger Self and Final Thoughts

Susan offers heartfelt advice to her younger self and shares final reflections on her journey.

• Advice to Her 12-Year-Old Self:
  “If you could go back to 12-year-old Susan, what would you say or do? I’d say, hang on.”
  (50:42 - 50:45)

• Closing Remarks:
  The hosts express their admiration and gratitude for Susan’s openness and inspiring career.

  “Susan, you are an incredibly warm and open book... It was a real pleasure to have you on.”
  (50:32 - 51:09)

Conclusion

The episode concludes with warm thanks and information on where listeners can watch Nonna's on Netflix and follow Susan Sarandon online.

• Final Quote:
  “Thank you.”
  (51:09)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. Susan Sarandon on Early Responsibilities:
   “This was just my life to take care of, folding the diapers and taking care of the kids.”
   (06:25)

2. On Fear and Misunderstanding:
   “I was terrified the Blessed Virgin or any other saint would visit me... [but it was] Glow in the Dark.”
   (09:17 - 09:28)

3. On First Love and Societal Pressures:
   “Everyone stepped in and just made sure that did not happen.”
   (19:15 - 24:16)

4. On Education System Flaws:
   “The early part of education sucks in this country... I wish they had been exposed to a more interesting formative year.”
   (37:48 - 42:22)

5. On Beauty and Confidence:
   “Feeling beautiful is not so much about how you look, but it's about how you feel. It's being seen, heard, confident, and strong.”
   (46:05 - 46:36)

6. Advice to Younger Self:
   “I’d say, hang on.”
   (50:42 - 50:45)

Final Notes:
To watch Susan Sarandon in her latest film Nonna's, visit Netflix. Stay connected with Susan through her official website susansarandon.com.

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