Sibling Revelry with Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson

Episode: Manifest This with Anthony Anderson

Date: November 10, 2025
Guest: Anthony Anderson

Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, Kate and Oliver Hudson welcome acclaimed actor and comedian Anthony Anderson to discuss family, the power of manifestation, navigating personal and professional challenges, and the joy of feeding (and entertaining) others. The conversation touches on the unique sibling dynamics in Anderson's childhood, his journey from Compton to Hollywood, and the spiritual tools he uses to stay focused and achieve his dreams.

Main Discussion Points

1. The Nature of Power and Family Influence

00:20 – 08:41

• Kate reflects on being honored at the Variety “Power of Women” event, meditating on the double-edged sword of power.
  • “Power can be amazing and used in these amazing ways, or it could be, like, really destructive.” (Kate, 04:49)
• They discuss how family traditions—like instantly breaking into song—are a “family superpower.”

2. Meet Anthony Anderson: Sibling Bonds and Early Life

09:00 – 14:22

• Anthony shares candid stories about growing up in Compton as the eldest of four siblings.
  • “Born and raised in Compton, California... three siblings. I’m the oldest of four. Three boys and a girl. My sister’s the youngest.” (Anthony, 10:41)
• He vividly recalls the tragic loss of his younger brother in a car accident.
• Parents’ creativity: His father’s plus-size women’s clothing stores were named “Three Ds and an Angel,” referring to the siblings.
  • “The D stand for devils, but he didn’t put that on the sign outside.” (Anthony, 11:39)

3. Family Age Gaps & School Days

13:01 – 14:42

• Anthony discusses the close age range of his siblings and how his mom had him at 17.
• Describes being a “latchkey kid” and the responsibility of looking after his siblings.

4. Discovering a Calling: The Spark of Performance

14:44 – 18:18

• Anderson realized at age nine he wanted to be an actor after watching his mother in “A Raisin in the Sun.”
  • “I realized my energy was put on this earth to entertain... This is why I’m here.” (Anthony, 16:18)
• From early on, he seized every public performance opportunity—even singing “Amazing Grace” in church despite his lack of singing ability.
  • “Any chance I got to have a captive audience... I took it.” (Anthony, 17:16)

5. First Jobs and Acting Breaks

26:46 – 30:41

• Anthony reminisces about his first gig as “Captain Cravings,” a dessert company mascot (in full costume).
  • “That was my first acting gift... full costume. I was Captain Cravings.” (Anthony, 28:05)
• His first SAG card came from a Roger Corman movie, Alien Avengers, starring alongside George Wendt.

6. Breakthrough Roles & Impact of Fatherhood

30:41 – 34:38

• Landing his second-ever professional job on In The House with LL Cool J and Debbie Allen; this coincided with becoming a young father.
  • “I got to get me a television show. And two weeks later I got a television show.” (Anthony, 32:01)
• The birth of his daughter provided drive and focus, compelling him to “claim” his career and responsibly pursue his acting dream.

7. Comedy vs. Drama: Finding a Path Through Humor

36:09 – 37:23

• Anderson’s comedy emerges naturally from his upbringing and environment.
  • “Comedy was a way in. I’m funny by nature. I got it from my mother... from my friends growing up.” (Anthony, 36:23)
• His friends joke he “was never funny” but always had at least “that one” line.

8. The Power of Manifestation

41:37 – 52:58

• Anderson unpacks his philosophy on manifestation, explaining the importance of claiming what you want, being specific, and matching intention with action.
  • “I stopped wanting for things in life a long time ago because I realized I would always want... and I realized... all I did was create a want for it.” (Anthony, 42:23)
  • “I have my own little personal mantra... I claim this as my own if it’s meant for me to have, and if it’s not, it’s gonna go to Kate... or Oliver.” (Anthony, 42:55)
• Tells story of wanting to shoot a film overseas (not just Canada), specifying his request, and very soon being cast in Kangaroo Jack, filming in Australia.
• Discusses vision boards and the science and ritual of manifestation—Kate shares her nighttime intention-setting habit.
  • “Words are powerful. I started to watch what I say with regards to negative things.” (Anthony, 47:59)
  • “Sometimes being powerful can be relinquishing your power because you’re not in it.” (Oliver, 06:24)
• Oliver reflects on the evolutionary roots of negativity bias and how intentional positivity is “work.”

9. Navigating the Arts: Purpose, Privilege & Individual Journeys

50:31 – 53:19

• Discussion on the rarity and honor of making a living as an artist, and the humility required to recognize others’ unseen talents.
  • “For every one, great artist... there’s a thousand of them just as good that have never had the opportunity.” (Kate, 50:31)
• Anthony’s approach: claim only what’s meant for you and leave the rest for others.
  • “I was told that that is mine right there. That is mine right there. That is mine. I’m going to get it all... The other pieces that I leave behind, I’m leaving behind because those aren’t meant for me.” (Anthony, 51:34 & 52:48)

10. Barbecue, Friendship, and Food as Family

53:19 – 59:07

• Anderson’s passion for barbecue, inherited from his father, inspires a business with longtime friend Cedric the Entertainer: seasonings, sauces, a restaurant, and a TV show, Kings of Barbecue.
• Oliver shares his love of grilling and dreams of a backyard barbecue show.
• Both marvel at the joy of feeding friends and family, more fulfilling than eating the food itself.
  • “At the end of the day, I don’t find myself eating anything. I just find myself feeding people and just enjoying them enjoying what I was able to prepare.” (Anthony, 58:35)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Power and Femininity:
  “Someone on the carpet was like, you know, where do you get your power from? I was like, my vagina.” (Kate, 05:27)
• On Manifestation:
  “All I did was create a want for it. I never said that it was mine. I never claimed it as my own.” (Anthony, 42:28)
• On Vision Boards:
  “Words are powerful... I write it down, and in my other room over here... I’m putting together a vision board.” (Anthony, 47:59 & 48:13)
• On Sibling Dynamics:
  “I was a latchkey kid... so it was, you know, I was like the second parent.” (Anthony, 23:49)
• On Comedy Roots:
  “If you were to talk to my friends, they’re like, Anthony was never funny... He did always give you that one that would drop you to your knees.” (Anthony, 36:23)
• On Achievements:
  “All I can be concerned about is what I’m going through and what it means to me... I am going to get all that has been told is mine.” (Anthony, 51:34)
• On Barbecue & Joy:
  “I just find myself feeding people and just enjoying them enjoying what I was able to prepare for them. That—that—yeah, that’s my thing.” (Anthony, 58:44)

Key Timestamps for Major Topics

| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:20 | Power of Women | Kate discusses the meaning and complexity of "power" | | 10:41 | Anthony’s Siblings | Anderson introduces his family background | | 16:18 | Discovering Acting | Recounts recognizing his destiny as an entertainer | | 28:05 | First Acting Job - Captain Cravings | Humorous mascot story | | 32:01 | Breakthrough & Manifesting a Sitcom | How becoming a dad drove Anthony to land In the House | | 42:17 | Manifestation Philosophy | Deep dive into spirituality and the mechanics of manifesting | | 47:59 | Words and Vision Boards | Speaking, writing, and vision boarding as manifestation tools | | 53:19 | Barbecue Roots | Anderson's family barbecue traditions, business with Cedric | | 58:35 | Feeding Others | Discussing the emotional satisfaction of cooking for loved ones | | 51:34 | Claiming What’s Yours | Personal philosophy on ambition and respecting others’ journeys |

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is warm, good-humored, and candid, filled with playful sibling banter and Anthony Anderson’s infectious energy. The hosts and guest foster an encouraging environment, freely trading personal stories and hard-won insights, with laughter never far behind.

Summary

This episode weaves Anthony Anderson’s personal and professional experiences into universal lessons about family, self-belief, hard work, and the unseen but critical power of intention. With memorable stories of childhood responsibility, unlikely acting gigs, early parenthood, heartbreak, and career triumphs, Anderson exemplifies manifesting dreams through clarity, specificity, and action. The dialogue is peppered with practical wisdom, humor, and reminders of the privilege and joy found in both artistic expression and feeding the people you love.