Transcript

Ao Wodom (0:00)

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (0:06)

And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show. Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date? Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird. Yeah, the bird looks out of your league. Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

Ao Wodom (0:34)

The story I've told myself can then shape my behavior, and that can lead me to sabotage the possibility of connection this mental health awareness month. Tune into the podcast Deeply well with Debbie Brown. If you've been searching for a soft place to land while doing the work to become whole, this podcast is for you. To hear more, listen to Deeply well with Debbie Brown from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:14)

I'm ready. I'm always ready.

Ao Wodom (1:16)

I'm ready as well. And I'm gonna do your intro.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:19)

Okay. I'm gonna sit here and watch you do it.

Ao Wodom (1:20)

My next. And rate me. Could you give me out of five?

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:24)

Sure.

Ao Wodom (1:25)

Out of five.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:25)

Five being the highest.

Ao Wodom (1:26)

Highest.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:27)

Okay.

Ao Wodom (1:27)

Okay.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:28)

Yeah, let's go.

Ao Wodom (1:30)

No, I'm stressed. My next guest is and love from Modern Family, his podcast, Dinners on Me. And the star of The Broadway show Tru is Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson (1:44)

Hello. Hello. That was a 4.5.

Summary

Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim — Episode with Jesse Tyler Ferguson

iHeartPodcasts | April 28, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Ego Nwodim in a warm, lively conversation with actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Centered around themes of gratitude, self-care, family, food, and the realities of parenting, the dialogue dances through moments of humor, vulnerability, and practical advice. The two connect over skincare routines, dinner party disasters, the pressures of being the eldest sibling, culinary obsessions, and modern parenting, all with Ego’s signature candidness and Jesse’s quick wit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Who Do You Want to Say "Thanks" To?

[03:02–04:23]

Jesse thanks "this beautiful day," reflecting on New York’s erratic weather:

“We have been suffering so hard in New York with this winter… if this winter gives me any more mixed messages, I’m going to fall in love with it.”
Both joke about being in a “situationship” with unpredictable Mother Nature.

2. Life On (and Off) Stage

[02:29–02:54]

Jesse is performing a one-man show ("Tru" about Truman Capote), describing it as exhausting but artistically rewarding.
He jokes about manifesting Broadway but admits, "I'm tired" and is content with off-Broadway.

3. Skincare, Sunburn, and LA vs. NYC Living

[07:18–09:12]

Jesse talks about growing up as a redhead in sunny Albuquerque and his lifelong effort fighting sunburn.

"I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is like a terrible place to raise a redhead."
He shares a unique LA-influenced self-care routine: hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy to heal recent facial burns and rejuvenate skin.
- Jesse’s burn story: filling a Zippo lighter led to a flash fireball, singeing his eyebrows and beard (“I had a show in two hours”).
- Busy Phillips tells Jesse after seeing his burn via FaceTime:
  
  "I just keep forgetting, like, gay men are just men. Like, you refuse to do anything for yourself." [16:16]

4. Supplements and Wellness

[09:22–11:11]

Both hosts compare their supplement regimens (CoQ10, NAD, turmeric). Ego admits:

"I have so many supplements, I'm like, this is now teetering from healthy to unhealthy. No way am I supposed to be taking 20 pills." [09:31]
Discussion about placebos and the cult of wellness.
Jesse: "I'm here to bring my LA gulu energy to you." [09:42]

5. Sibling Dynamics & Childhood

[23:37–25:34]

Jesse is the oldest of three and feels he “forged the way” for his siblings.
He was a shy, bullied child who found connection and community in theater.

"The theater community that I found outside of school was like, oh, these are where all the weirdos are." [24:57]
Talks about pressure and how it played out differently among siblings.

6. Family & Parenting as a Gay Dad

[27:06–28:02]

On becoming a parent, Jesse describes how marriage equality shaped his family planning and contrasts his own upbringing with his husband’s vision for having kids.

"For me, like, being gay, having a family was not really something that I always strived for..."

7. Parenting Styles & Marriage

[28:02–29:13]

Jesse and his husband Justin fall into clear parenting lanes; Justin is the disciplinarian, Jesse the fun dad:

“I thought I would be more disciplinarian, and I'm definitely more the fun time.”

8. Type-A Tendencies and Home Technology

[28:56–29:29]

Jesse: "I like things a specific way... I'll get on the cameras, be like, no, that's too bright."
Lighthearted talk about home security cameras and whether they really improve safety.

9. Social Media, Screen Time & The “Brick”

[31:33–35:04]

Both admit frequent doomscrolling, often rationalizing it when alone ("it's not hurting anyone").
Screen time notifications are viewed as “passive aggressive.” Jesse on attempted digital detox:

"There was this thing that I was using for like 2.5 days called the brick..."
They laugh about the unexpected hassles of limiting device use.

10. Obsession with Food and Restaurants

[40:55–43:43]

Jesse’s love of food grew after moving to New York. He describes his journey from home cook to cookbook author and podcast host (Dinners on Me).
Selection of restaurants is based on research from Infatuation, Eater, but never Yelp ("feels like the Applebee's of food blogs").
Candid restaurant tales: Discuss quirky menu items ("Kiss the Chef") and LA culinary scandals.

11. Dinner Parties: Logistics & Etiquette

[44:41–61:04]

Ego and Jesse share dinner party hosting disasters and best practices.
Jesse's advice: ask about dietary restrictions, plan around a “guest of honor,” keep the menu manageable, and don’t be afraid of potlucks.
On gifted wine:

“I would Google it, and I put a sticker on it with the price and who gave it to me...” [61:03]
The “re-gifting” cycle of wine and candles continues to amuse them.

12. Self-Care, Working Out, & Aging

[50:06–52:44]

Jesse shares his self-care routine: sleep, Pilates, occasional Barry’s Bootcamp.
Both dislike running; Jesse rides bikes in both NYC and LA, believing LA is riskier for cyclists.

13. Sibling Love Among Jesse’s Kids

[55:27–56:03]

Sweet moment sharing about his sons:

"I want Sully to stay healthy forever." (overheard while one son washed the other’s back in the bath)

14. Modern Parenting: Openness and Boundaries

[56:13–57:45]

Jesse and husband don’t shield kids from the world but answer questions candidly ("We’re not traumatizing our children—obviously age-appropriate things").
On being a parent vs. a friend:

“I don’t think I want them to feel like I’m their friend, but like, if that’s how they feel... I wouldn’t discourage against that.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Jesse, on acting and exhaustion:
"It's only six shows a week, but it's mostly ... all me. Oh, yeah, it's a one man show. So it's just. It's a lot of work that is exhausting." [02:31]
Busy Phillips to Jesse, after seeing his burn:
"I just keep forgetting, like, gay men are just men. Like, you refuse to do anything for yourself." [16:16]
On the cinnamon challenge:
Ego: "I almost choked on the school bus in sixth grade doing the cinnamon challenge." [11:11]
Jesse, on the futility of security cameras:
"That's great. Now what?...We all watched the video. We're like, well, that's scary ... Now what? Your jewelry is gone." [30:29]
On supplement culture:
"I'm here to bring my LA gulu energy to you." [09:42]
On digital detox aids (‘The Brick’):
"But then I would be out and about...I wanted to, like, look up what this dish is...and it wasn’t available to me." [34:32]
Ego, on her own dinner party mishap:
"I was making cocktails. I might have already been a little drunk myself." [44:41]
Jesse, on parenting lanes:
"I thought I would be more disciplinarian, and I'm definitely more the fun time." [28:13]
On gifted wine:
"I would put a sticker on it with like the price. And like, so I just know..." [61:03]

Suggested Listening Timestamps for Key Segments

Introduction & Gratitude: [01:14–04:23]
Skincare, Supplements, and Wellness: [06:00–12:28]
Jesse's Burn Story: [12:36–17:38]
Sibling/Childhood Discussion: [23:37–25:34]
Parenting Realness: [27:06–29:13]
Dinner Parties, Hosting Tales: [44:41–47:09]
NY & LA Food Favorites: [47:45–49:25]
Parenting Styles & Sibling Love: [55:27–56:13]
Party Hosting Strategies: [58:32–61:13]

Tone and Style

The conversation is casual, confessional, and brimming with comedic asides. Both Ego and Jesse offer honest takes on everything from LA self-care quackery to the realities of multitasking as parents and hosts. Vulnerability, playfulness, and real-life messiness are embraced, with frequent laughter and rapport.

For Future Listeners

If you missed the episode, you’ll come away knowing Jesse Tyler Ferguson’s hacks for burns, his no-nonsense dinner party strategy, and which LA restaurant he runs to for Thai. You’ll also get a true-to-life snapshot of navigating adulthood, self-care, and family—with plenty of mishaps, resilience, and humor along the way.