Tell Me Lies: Official Podcast
Episode: We're All Spiraling
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Stassi Schroeder
Featured Guests: Jackson White (Steven), Spencer House (Wrigley), Jay Wadley (Composer)
Episode Overview
This episode dives into the spiraling drama of season three, episode two of "Tell Me Lies," focusing on the evolving friendship between Steven and Wrigley with actors Jackson White and Spencer House. Host Stassi Schroeder also welcomes the show’s composer, Jay Wadley, for an in-depth look at the series’ musical identity. The episode blends playful banter, emotional honesty, and behind-the-scenes stories—offering an insider’s take on everything from relationship dynamics to on-set friendships and the creative process behind the show’s unique soundtrack.
Rapid Recap: Season 3, Episode 2
[00:06 - 02:04]
- Brie tries befriending Amanda (the freshman seen leaving Oliver’s office previously)
- Evan connects the dots about Brie’s older, married lover and attempts a confrontation—ending up asking Oliver for relationship advice instead
- Steven grows more volatile with Lucy, threatening to tell Brie about her hook-up with Evan
- Panic and confessions: Brie opens up to Lucy, who panics over how close Brie is to learning the truth
- Pippa calls Alex (the campus drug dealer) to help with Lucy’s anxiety; Brie realizes she recognizes him
- Lucy stands up to Steven after he asks her to choose between him and Brie—she chooses Brie, ending things (for now) with Steven
- Diana and Pippa finally kiss
Karaoke Antics & Cast Chemistry
[02:41 - 04:10]
- Discussion kicks off with the karaoke scene from the show
- Spencer House shares, “Spencer got up and did Nickelback. He did ‘Photograph.’” [03:13]
- Stassi admits, "I don’t karaoke. I have a giant stick up my ass and I’m scared of embarrassing myself. But I would really give anything—I'd pay $20,000 to go with you guys and watch you karaoke." [03:19]
- The group jokes about their comfort (or lack thereof) with karaoke and the general weirdness of remote interviews
Steven & Wrigley: Friendship on the Rocks
[04:10 - 05:34]
- Jackson on the characters: “We used to be really good buddies...I think Wrigley’s getting hip to the tricks.” [04:10]
- Spencer: “Wrigley’s growing and Steven’s staying in the same place.” [04:36]
- Stassi relates it to real life: “It's a normal thing in your early 20s to have that friend you just make excuses for. At some point you wake up and you’re like, okay, maybe not.” [04:53]
Lucy’s Choice & Steven’s Toxicity
[05:32 - 07:05]
- Key plot point: Steven makes Lucy choose between him and Brie, and Lucy chooses Brie
- Jackson’s reaction: “Good. Good growth. Good for her. He’s bad. He’s bad. Bad news.” [05:48]
- Jackson reflects on Steven’s possessiveness: “That feeling is real... and then Steven’s like a sociopath, so he doesn’t... he’s just fucking possessive.” [06:49]
- On whether Steven respects Lucy’s choice: “Maybe he’s impressed. Maybe he’s like, cool. Good chess move. Nice.” [06:57]
On-Set Vibes: Bromance, Bonding, and Gamer Nights
[07:05 - 16:11]
- The cast genuinely hangs out both on and off set
- “We’re all pretty tight knit. We lucked out in that way.” - Spencer [07:28]
- No major gossip on set. “For all the negativity in the things that the characters do... there’s not a ton of gossip.” - Spencer [10:06]
- Spencer’s practical style: “I don’t like to wear shoes that I couldn’t just pull the car over and run up a mountain.” [11:39]
- On “cast group chats”: multiple, sometimes exclusionary for logistical reasons or planning surprises [12:08]
- Fondest memory: “We got like a random party bus one night... when the adrenaline was still going and we’re like TV! And then we got a party bus. I hated that night so much.” - Spencer [13:32–13:47]
- Both Spencer and Jackson dislike loud parties and drinking, preferring low-key hangouts and video games:
- “We play a ton of video games together. Dark Souls, original Halo, tag football. It was like a bunch of college nostalgic stuff.” - Spencer [14:26–15:46]
- “We sound... I think it sounds great.” - Both, affirming their wholesome off-screen friendship [16:02–16:06]
- Stassi on authenticity: “Fans can see through bullshit. Viewers are smart. You guys are being yourselves and it’s fascinating.” [16:16]
Reality TV & Upbringing
[17:03 - 21:00]
- Stassi reflects on her early reality TV days, sharing a story about competing on "Amazing Race" as a teenager [17:16–18:59]
- Fun exchange about childhood, goth phases, and family dynamics
- On step-parents:
- Stassi: “I've had four stepmoms.” [19:39]
- Jackson: “I've had three.” [19:43]
- Both discuss how this shaped their commitment in adult relationships [20:00]
Families and Fame
[21:00 - 22:18]
- The conversation covers siblings, parents’ relationship status, and how real-life families react to the show
- Jackson: "My little sister is not allowed to watch this." [21:15]
- On fan interactions:
- Jackson: “It’s a lot of like, ‘Oh my god, I hate you.’ And you’re like, ‘I know. I’m so sorry.’ But I get it. It means we’re doing our jobs.” [21:56]
Typecasting & the Actor’s Insecurity
[22:21 - 24:21]
- Stassi asks Jackson if he worries about being typecast as a "psychopath":
- Jackson: “That is the insecurity of doing something that becomes popular — okay, now I’m going to be this... But as soon as you come out and do something else, you remember you have an eclectic instrument. We all do.” [23:06–24:21]
Favorite & Hardest Scenes
[24:29 - 26:17]
- Pool party and party scenes are favorites for their fun and camaraderie
- Hardest scene: “The sauna scene in season one... I was just. It was just frustrating.” - Spencer [24:39–25:21]
- Mutual respect shines through:
- Spencer: “Jackson’s one of my really close friends, but I also just love working with you because you do it so great. It’s just so fun working with you... when we have a scene, it’s like playing ping pong.” [25:49–26:07]
- Jackson: “Me too, I love when we get to do something. It’s easy, you know?” [26:08]
Behind the Score: Interview with Composer Jay Wadley
[27:02 - 35:00]
- Jay’s karaoke pick: “The Killers. It’s an easy one.” [27:13]
- On the show’s distinct musical style:
- Covers (e.g., Gnarls Barkley, The Killers) chosen and reimagined to match the emotional tone and story
- “Megan [showrunner] had the idea to do those covers initially. She has very clear ideas... so Kat and I would reimagine [songs] in the sound of the show.” [27:46]
- Character themes:
- Steven’s “manipulation” guitar motif
- Lucy and Steven’s organ “tension” chord
- Wrigley’s “intimate, reflective” piano theme [29:07–30:14]
- Music themes blend as characters evolve
- Blending licensed music and original score to create nostalgia and cohesion:
- “The fusion of those various sounds creates something that’s familiar but also fresh.” [31:34]
- Jay’s process:
- Watches locked episodes, collaborates with the editor and showrunner, tracks character themes through the season [32:46]
- Uses prior season’s score as placeholders during new edits and adapts as needed [31:48]
- On karaoke anxiety:
- “Growing up as a theater kid... karaoke becomes more of a competition than actual enjoyment.” [33:32]
- Trivia: Jay graduated from Yale School of Music [34:27]
- Joke about whether Steven could be a “Yalie”:
- Jay: “I don’t think, ideally, no. Someone with a little better character.” [34:40]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Stassi: “I would really give anything... to go with you guys and watch you guys karaoke.” [03:19]
- Jackson: “Wrigley’s growing and Steven’s staying in the same place.” [04:36]
- Spencer: “We’re all pretty tight knit. We lucked out in that way.” [07:28]
- Jackson: “Fans can see through bullshit... Viewers are smart. You guys are being yourselves and it’s fascinating.” [16:16]
- Jackson on acting: “As soon as you come out and start reading something else, you’re like, ‘Oh yeah, I have an eclectic instrument. We all do.’” [24:05]
- Spencer on hard days: “The sauna scene in season one... It was just frustrating.” [24:39]
- Jay Wadley: “The fusion of those various sounds creates something that’s familiar but also fresh.” [31:34]
- Jay (on Steven being a Yalie): “I don’t think, ideally, no. Someone with a little better character.” [34:40]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Recap of Episode: [00:06 – 02:04]
- Cast Banter & Karaoke: [02:41 – 04:10]
- Steven & Wrigley Relationship: [04:10 – 05:34]
- Lucy’s Choice: [05:32 – 07:05]
- On-Set Bonding & Group Dynamics: [07:05 – 16:11]
- Reality TV and Upbringing: [17:03 – 21:00]
- Families and Fame: [21:00 – 22:18]
- Typecasting & Acting Process: [22:21 – 24:21]
- Behind the Scenes Faves & Challenges: [24:29 – 26:17]
- Composer Jay Wadley Interview: [27:02 – 35:00]
Final Thoughts
This episode captures the warm, chaotic, and sincere camaraderie of the "Tell Me Lies" cast and crew. It offers fans not only entertaining stories and relatable confessions, but also an intimate look at character development, relationships both on and off screen, and the artistry behind the show’s distinctive music. Whether you’re here for the drama, the bromance, or the behind-the-scenes magic, this episode is a must for any fan seeking a deeper connection to the world of "Tell Me Lies."