Brianne Howey: Grief, Growth & Georgia

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Squeeze Episode: Brianne Howey: Grief, Growth & Georgia
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Host: Taylor Lautner
Co-host: Antonia
Guest: Brienne (Actress known for "Ginny and Georgia" and "Scream Queens")

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1. Introduction to Brienne and Her Roles

The episode begins with host Taylor Lautner and co-host Antonia welcoming Brienne, an accomplished actress known for her roles in "Ginny and Georgia" and "Scream Queens." The conversation sets the stage for an in-depth discussion about Brienne's personal journey, mental health, grief, and her portrayal of complex characters on screen.

2. Brienne’s Acting Journey

Brienne delves into her passion for acting, which ignited during her high school years. She shares how initial struggles with athletics led her to discover improv, which became a pivotal point in her career.

[07:54] Brienne: "In high school, I tried basketball, volleyball, tennis—all the athletic extracurriculars my family encouraged. None of them worked out, and I ended up making no teams. Then I joined the improv team, and that’s when everything changed."

Her determination paid off when she auditioned for the rebooted "90210," landing her first named role as Stacy despite it being her initial audition.

[10:12] Brienne: "I booked my first audition, went in for a girl role, and ended up getting a named role. It was surreal and really boosted my confidence."

3. Balancing Acting Career and Motherhood

Brienne discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding acting career with her role as a mother. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and support from her husband and nanny.

[21:16] Brienne: "Prior to having a family, balancing work was tough. With COVID allowing my husband to work from home, it added much-needed flexibility. Season three of 'Ginny and Georgia' was our first time traveling as a family, which was both challenging and rewarding."

She highlights the difficulty of missing family milestones and the emotional toll of maintaining a work-life balance.

[23:22] Brienne: "It’s tough to find balance. I constantly remind myself that this is temporary and cherish the moments I have with my daughter, even if they are brief."

4. Coping with Grief

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Brienne's journey through grief after the passing of her mother. She reflects on the lasting impact of her mother's death and how it has influenced her personal and professional life.

[38:22] Brienne: "My mom passed away 14 years ago from cancer when I was 21. It was sudden and traumatic. I remember feeling aimless and lost for months, throwing myself into work as a distraction."

Brienne shares how therapy has been instrumental in her healing process, helping her navigate complex emotions and rebuild her life.

[29:22] Brienne: "I’ve been in therapy for almost seven years now. It’s helped me name my feelings and prevent myself from becoming my own worst enemy."

5. Mental Health and Therapy

The conversation shifts to the importance of mental health and the role of therapy. Brienne advocates for seeking professional help and discusses the stigma surrounding mental health, especially in demanding careers.

[32:13] Brienne: "Therapy has been the best thing for me. It helps nip negative narratives in the bud before they escalate."

Antonia and Taylor echo these sentiments, emphasizing the value of having a trained professional to navigate emotional challenges.

[34:03] Brienne: "Our generation is the first to openly talk about mental health. It’s crucial for our children to grow up with this awareness."

6. Portraying Georgia in "Ginny and Georgia"

Brienne reflects on her role as Georgia, drawing parallels between her character and her real-life experiences. She finds playing a strong, ambitious single mother both challenging and healing.

[55:00] Brienne: "Playing Georgia allows me to interact mentally with my mom in a way that's not about grief. It’s about celebrating her attributes and understanding her ambitions."

She credits her mother's influence for instilling a sense of control and ambition in her, which she brings to her portrayal of Georgia.

[55:00] Brienne: "My mom was a CEO at 30, building her own company from the ground up. Watching her hustle has made me more comfortable stepping into the unknown and taking risks."

Brienne also discusses the nuances of her accent and character development, highlighting the dedication required to authentically portray complex roles.

[58:10] Brienne: "Georgia is intense and passionate, much like my mom was. We had a dialect coach on set to perfect the accents, which added another layer to the character."

7. The Impact of "Ginny and Georgia"

The episode concludes with Brienne emphasizing the meaningful impact of "Ginny and Georgia" on its audience. She shares heartfelt stories of how the show has helped listeners navigate their own struggles.

[52:02] Brienne: "It’s motivational to hear that the show helps people. Knowing that my work resonates and aids others in their journey makes every challenging scene worth it."

[52:37] Antonia: "I have cried watching it, and the acting truly immerses you in the characters’ experiences."

Conclusion

In this emotionally charged episode, Brienne opens up about her personal battles with grief, the complexities of balancing a career and motherhood, and the therapeutic role of acting. Her candid discussions provide listeners with valuable insights into mental health, resilience, and the healing power of storytelling.

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Notable Quotes:

• Brienne on Therapy:

  "[29:22] I’ve been in therapy for almost seven years now. It’s helped me name my feelings and prevent myself from becoming my own worst enemy."

• Brienne on Grief:

  "[38:22] My mom passed away 14 years ago from cancer when I was 21. It was sudden and traumatic. I remember feeling aimless and lost for months, throwing myself into work as a distraction."

• Brienne on Portraying Georgia:

  "[55:00] Playing Georgia allows me to interact mentally with my mom in a way that's not about grief. It’s about celebrating her attributes and understanding her ambitions."

• Brienne on Impact of the Show:

  "[52:02] It’s motivational to hear that the show helps people. Knowing that my work resonates and aids others in their journey makes every challenging scene worth it."

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Timestamp Highlights:

• 07:54: Discovery of passion for acting through improv.
• 10:12: Landing first named role in "90210."
• 21:16: Balancing acting career with motherhood.
• 29:22: Importance of therapy in mental health.
• 38:22: Personal journey through grief after mother's passing.
• 55:00: Connection between real-life experiences and portraying Georgia.
• 52:02: Impact of acting role on listeners’ lives.

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This summary encapsulates the depth and breadth of the conversation between Brienne and the hosts, offering a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode. Through her honesty and vulnerability, Brienne provides inspiration and comfort, aligning perfectly with the podcast's mission to discuss mental health and well-being.

Transcript

[Brienne]

The following podcast is a Dear Media production.

[Taylor]

Oh, she's killed multiple people.

[Antonia]

I go, she's a single mother, and she's killed multiple people. And he goes, she's.

[Taylor]

She was acting like it was.

[Brienne]

Because she's a single mother.

[Taylor]

She was acting like it was normal. So where do we pick up from there in season three?

[Brienne]

It picks up. It's like, I think only two weeks have passed. George is locked up.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

In the slammer. The local slammer.

[Taylor]

I hadn't seen the show tuned in as she was watching the season two finale, and I was like, oh, oh.

[Brienne]

Cause she has to be a single mom. Everyone must die.

[Antonia]

Yes.

[Brienne]

She doesn't have help. Everyone's going to hell. Seems to be like a Blumhouse horror. Like a. A woman with a vengeance. Because she's a single mom. I kind of love that.

[Antonia]

What are you most excited about? About season three coming out.

[Brienne]

Okay. Season three. A lot of payoff. We love payoff with some romance.

[Taylor]

Oh.

[Brienne]

I think what's really cool about this season is Ginny and Georgia fully swapped. Not like Freaky Friday situation, but, like, they're swapping.

[Antonia]

Brianne, welcome to the Squeeze.

[Brienne]

Hi, you guys. Thank you so much for having me.

[Taylor]

Of course.

[Antonia]

This is fun for me because I love Ginny and Georgia. We'll get into it. That's, like, my comfort show.

[Brienne]

Oh, my God.

[Antonia]

That is. Literally. I started watching it on an airplane, like, after sometime when the first season after it had come out, and I was like, okay, so this is, like, my show.

[Brienne]

I love it.

[Antonia]

I love it so much.

[Brienne]

So I'm so glad you like it. Thank you for watching.

[Antonia]

So this is fun for me, but. Okay, so our game.

[Brienne]

Okay.

[Antonia]

We start each episode off with a jar. It's called Citrus Got Real. If you want to pull a little piece of paper out of there.

[Brienne]

I do.

[Antonia]

And read it.

[Taylor]

I do. Drum roll.

[Brienne]

Favorite Disney World slash land ride.

[Antonia]

Ooh.

[Brienne]

Okay, I'm going to say Matterhorn.

[Antonia]

Okay, thoughts. You know that's RIP now.

[Brienne]

No, wait, it is. Wait, what happened?

[Antonia]

Matterhorn.

[Taylor]

Wait, which one's Matterhorn?

[Antonia]

Now? That's.

[Taylor]

Is that the one that shakes you?

[Brienne]

Yeah. It's, like, really?

[Antonia]

Isn't that Tiana's? Now I remember.

[Brienne]

I haven't been there in forever.

[Taylor]

Tiana's.

[Brienne]

Yeah. And which princess is. Oh. Oh, my God. As the one with the child, I should know this.

[Antonia]

Wait, wait, wait. So I'm just gonna.

[Taylor]

Is Matterhorn the one that would, like, bruise my elbows?

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah. So I've just totally dated myself to be. Guys, RIP Matterh.

[Taylor]

Just like that. Shut down in 2015.

[Antonia]

I thought they changed it to, you.

[Brienne]

Know, it didn't feel safe.

[Taylor]

I suppose I enjoyed it, but I definitely. It would rock you around.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Or is it spa? Is it Splash Mountain? They changed the.

[Brienne]

Oh, God, I hope not.

[Antonia]

Okay.

[Brienne]

Cause that's really. That's a good one, too. That's really fun. I don't know. Matterhorn is very nostalgic, and I. I.

[Taylor]

Don'T think they got rid of Matterhorn.

[Brienne]

I feel like you wouldn't make this up. You must have heard this somewhere.

[Antonia]

No, no, I think. I think I'm wrong. And it's. I think it is Splash Mountain because there is no way the Princess Tiana wouldn't take place in the snowy.

[Taylor]

Because I remember being there the last time whenever we were there, seeing that one under construction that they were building. But we went on Matterhorn that day, so it wasn't. It wasn't Matterhorn.

[Brienne]

Why are we getting rid of Splash Mountain?

[Antonia]

I don't know.

[Taylor]

That seems iconic.

[Antonia]

Technically, it's there, but they just, like, rebranded it. Yeah. Yeah.

[Brienne]

Okay. Okay. So you're still going down the hill, you're still getting a picture, you're still getting splashed, but it's maybe for Tiana.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Taylor]

Got it.

[Brienne]

I've gotta go, I guess, is the bottom line. I need a refresher, and I have to go back.

[Antonia]

I know.

[Taylor]

I wanna go to Disney. I haven't been to Disney World since I was a child, so maybe it's not that special anymore, but I've never.

[Antonia]

Been, so we need to go.

[Brienne]

When I was in seventh grade, my mom was a software consultant and she worked for Disney. And we lived at Disney World for, like, three months.

[Taylor]

Oh, wow.

[Brienne]

And we had to stay at each hotel for only two weeks because that's all that her work would pay for. So we had to keep moving around. But I stayed at every hotel in Disney World.

[Taylor]

Oh, wow.

[Brienne]

But it became too much. Like we had, like. It was like Mickey Mouse waffles every morning. And, like, everywhere you turned Disney characters. And I was, like, so over it by the end. Like, I couldn't handle anything Disney anymore.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Brienne]

But it's very close to my heart.

[Antonia]

Yeah. I don't know what my favorite ride would be, really.

[Taylor]

Space Mountain.

[Brienne]

That's solid. Yeah, it's a good one. They have the.

[Antonia]

Oh, yeah, that's cool.

[Brienne]

Cause you get the orange smell.

[Taylor]

I do love Soren. I think we did that twice in a row last time.

[Antonia]

Yeah. And I get a little something. I've Learned as I've gotten older is I like it. Motion sickness now. And I don't know, that one gave me a little bit of motion sickness. And there was something. Oh, we went to Universal. We went to Universal.

[Taylor]

You hate the ones where the thing moves and you're looking at the screen.

[Brienne]

We did.

[Antonia]

I don't even remember what it was because I couldn't look.

[Taylor]

Simpsons. It was something. It was Back to the Future. And then they got changed to the Simpsons. Right.

[Antonia]

Wasn't it? Oh, I thought it was like Transformers. Oh, was it that I did? I couldn't even look, but it was like, it was just a screen and you're just, like, moving. And I got off and I was like, I'm gonna throw up.

[Brienne]

But it was so fun getting older and all these new things pop up and you're like. That didn't used to bother me ever. Like, now I get weird allergies that I never had before.

[Antonia]

And, like, I had allergies for the first time this year.

[Brienne]

Yes. Well, welcome.

[Antonia]

Thank you.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Taylor]

Sorry, sorry. I just remember, I just remembered my favorite ride, for sure.

[Brienne]

Okay.

[Taylor]

It's that Star wars one that's at Disneyland, right?

[Antonia]

Oh, yeah, the new one.

[Taylor]

That one's unbelievable.

[Brienne]

Oh, it's new. See, I really gotta go.

[Antonia]

No, you actually do this.

[Brienne]

We gotta go.

[Antonia]

And he hasn't really seen many. You haven't really even seen them?

[Taylor]

No, not all of them.

[Antonia]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. The new, like, Star Wars Land. And there's a ride in there.

[Taylor]

Oh, my gosh.

[Antonia]

Unreal. It's an experience. You, like, walk through this whole thing?

[Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah, we're really cool.

[Antonia]

Okay, we should all go.

[Brienne]

So there we go.

[Antonia]

There we all go.

[Brienne]

Sponsored by the Squeeze.

[Antonia]

Okay. Yes. I can get behind that. Okay, let's get into this. I. I have a funny story to tell you before we officially start.

[Taylor]

So funny.

[Antonia]

So it's just. It is funny. Or ironic. I don't know what the word is. But as I said, Ginny and Georgia is, like, my airplane show.

[Brienne]

Okay.

[Antonia]

And so I don't. Because I just, like, need it like this in my headphones, and I'm, like, watching it. And we're on our way back from something, but the plane is like, Taylor and I were sitting on the aisle seat so we weren't next to each other. I'm like, in my own world, like, in my headphones, like, noise cancel. Watching my little phone. And I look over and he's watching something on his phone, which is weird because he doesn't normally watch things on his phone. And I was like, what is he watching? And I'm like leaning over, like trying to look. I'm like, wait. And I look back at my phone and I see you on my phone. And then I see you on his phone.

[Brienne]

And I was like, wait, what is he watching?

[Antonia]

And I'm like trying to flag him down. And I'm like, hun, what are you watching? He's like this new movie, kind of pregnant. I was like, oh, my gosh. We were literally watching Brienne like all. Yeah.

[Brienne]

Without knowing you were gonna say you were also watching Gingerbread. No, wait, that's so sweet.

[Taylor]

We're just like big fans of yours, apparently.

[Antonia]

I know, that was so funny. I was like, I literally have her on my phone right now.

[Taylor]

Oh my gosh.

[Brienne]

Oh, how funny. Well, I'm honored.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah. How was. I was watching it because I've done like three Happy Madison movies.

[Brienne]

Have you?

[Taylor]

Yeah. I love the Happy Madison.

[Brienne]

They're amazing. Yeah, it was the best. I mean, they're half the reason I was so desperate to be a part of it. Are you kidding me? Like, that's what I grew up watching. I think the world of them and it was such a privilege to get to.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

To get to be a part of it. Yeah. It was epic.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Their sets are like nothing else.

[Brienne]

It was so fun.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

It's just a good vibe and. And it was like pure fun. It was playing.

[Taylor]

Yeah. It was a fun movie.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Especially compared to Ginny and Georgia, which is so heavy to shoot, right? It was. Yeah.

[Taylor]

Nice little light break.

[Brienne]

Yes. It was a little lighter.

[Antonia]

Yeah. So I know that you were raised in California.

[Brienne]

Yes.

[Antonia]

Went to school in New York. Where did your passion for acting and entertainment stem from?

[Brienne]

So it kind of came about truthfully or. I discovered that this was something meaningful to me because in high school, I feel like high school was all about, like getting into a really good college. There was a lot of pressure. So it was all about getting really good grades and having the right extracurriculars and blah, blah, blah. And part of finding the right extracurriculars. I don't know. My family's kind of athletic. Like, my parents are tall. They were just like, you need to do basketball or volleyball or tennis or something. And I tried all of them very earnestly and like, no, go. Not for you, not for me. Not working. I made no teams. I did all the sleep away camps. It was miserable. Like, I did not enjoy myself. But I kept trying them all. There's so many options. And like, literally I didn't make any teams. Then I tried out for the improv team in high school. I made the team. It felt so good. I found my people. The coach of the improv team was, like, Brianne, you know, have you ever considered doing the plays? And I was like, no, not really. And he was like, I don't know. You should give it a go. Like, you should try. And then that's literally. That was it. That's how it started. Then I just started auditioning for the plays in high school. Then I fell in love with nyu and I thought, if I could get into Tish, then maybe this is the real deal. And if I don't get into Tish, like, I'm not gonna be an actor. And then I got into Tish.

[Taylor]

Jeez.

[Antonia]

Wow.

[Taylor]

Can't say no to that.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Antonia]

When. When did you start auditioning?

[Brienne]

Not until after college.

[Antonia]

Okay.

[Brienne]

And that's kind of how I knew I was with the right team. It's my manager, who I'm still with now. I met them a semester before I finished graduating, and I was. I was in LA for the summer, and they were like, let's just do a little trial. They, like, sent set me up with a couple of auditions, and I ended up booking my first audition. It was like the rebooted 90210. And I went in for Girl. And. Cause it's, like, literally my first audition ever. And I ended up booking a named role, Stacy. And I had to. Then I was. It was like the scene we were at some high school charity, and I was, like, betting on a guy, like, raising some panel to win him to, like, I guess, pay to have a date with him, I think. And then the scene was literally just us hooking up in the back of his car. But that was my first ever role.

[Taylor]

Oh, my gosh. So you auditioned for Girl in Green, but they, like, upgraded you to Stacey?

[Brienne]

Sure did. That's impressive.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

So I was like, what's the big deal, everyone? And of course, yes. No, this is a very hard industry.

[Taylor]

So after you got your first audition ever, how was the journey after that?

[Brienne]

Oh, yes. Thank you. The whole point of telling that story was that my. I appreciated what my team said at the moment was, finish school. Like, you only have one semester left. Do this role. So I did. It was like, over the summer, I did it, and then I finished my last semester of school. But I thought that that was really cool of them to be, like, finish college.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

So then after. Then I finished college. Well, then here's what happened then. My mom passed right after I graduated college. So then I kind of was aimless and lost for like at least six months. I didn't do anything. Then I got like a retail job and that kept me busy and was really good for me. And then I think it was probably like nine months later. My team was super understanding and patient. There was like a little web series that they were like, for some reason we just wanted to send this to you, no pressure. And then I booked that little web series and I think from that point on then I kind of hit the ground running a little bit more. I still had all my day jobs, of course, for like five more years probably. But then I felt like I was like auditioning and trying to be an actor.

[Antonia]

Yeah, I just love hearing like people's stories because there's no two stories are the same of just how you get.

[Brienne]

Into the industry and there's nothing linear about it and there's no path really, and there's no right or wrong. It like just kind of is. It's so different.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

For everybody.

[Antonia]

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[Taylor]

And he was like, I did season two.

[Brienne]

Yeah. I hadn't put that together actually. But now that, of course, I kind.

[Taylor]

Of forget that I did it, to be honest with you.

[Brienne]

I mean, it was a while ago. Great show, though. And that's like one of those cool shows where everybody has gone on to do such incredible things.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah. They find really great people.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Taylor]

What did you do in the first season?

[Brienne]

Okay, so it was season one. My favorite part of getting to do that was my character's name, Melanie Dorcas. I was a sorority God and I didn't do the Greek system in college. I was like a sorority leader. I don't know, head something. But like, basically. And actually, I don't even remember now. Either I bitched Emma Roberts out or she bitched me out. It was some type of a fight. And then I had. Oh, oh. Someone tried to kill me via spray tan. Oh, yeah. So I had third degree burns all over me. And I was like, someone put like acid. I was getting a spray tan from the girls in the sorority, but there was acid in every spray.

[Taylor]

I remember this.

[Brienne]

So then I had. We thought I was gonna die. And then I just end up being looking like Freddy Krueger for like one scene at the end with a veil. And, like, the girls come to give me flowers or something. And then that was it. But it was so fun. It was so ridiculous.

[Taylor]

Is it also in that opening episode where they do the lawnmower thing?

[Brienne]

I think so.

[Taylor]

Okay.

[Brienne]

I think so. And, like, New Orleans was great.

[Taylor]

Oh, you shot in New Orleans.

[Brienne]

So it was season two, not New Orleans.

[Taylor]

No, we did it here.

[Brienne]

La Gosh. So cool.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah. I remember everybody talking about New Orleans, but now we shout at Paramount.

[Brienne]

Wow.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

I mean, those are the good old days. I feel like nothing shoots here anymore.

[Taylor]

Yeah, they just built, like, because season two was in a hospital. Like, me and John Stamos were doctors and, like, the Chanels were nurses.

[Brienne]

Oh, my God.

[Antonia]

And it's such. Like, I hadn't watched the show, and then when we started dating, like, we watched some of Taylor's old stuff together, and we had started watching that show, and I was like, what is happening here?

[Taylor]

It's a crazy show, but it's really. They do a really good job.

[Brienne]

Ryan Murphy knows what's up.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Yeah. It's a fun show.

[Antonia]

His brain cracks me up. He's good. He's got. He's got some good stuff.

[Taylor]

Killed by spray tan.

[Brienne]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Death by spray tan.

[Antonia]

That's honestly impressive that he, like, thought of that.

[Taylor]

What?

[Antonia]

Killed by. I don't know.

[Taylor]

It doesn't surprise me.

[Brienne]

Sagas.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Brienne]

I mean, she never. Melanie. Dorcas did not see it coming.

[Antonia]

She literally.

[Brienne]

Dorcas, Right. I'm like, why is this her last name? I don't know, but I'm here for it.

[Taylor]

My character's name was Cassidy Cascade. Yeah. Pretty gross.

[Antonia]

Wait, what was, like, the.

[Brienne]

A lot of nuance in that name.

[Antonia]

What was, like, the villain or the. Cause I know your thing was the Green Meanie.

[Taylor]

Green Meanie? Yours? The. It was the Red Devil.

[Brienne]

It was the Red Devil.

[Taylor]

Was it just called the Red Devil?

[Brienne]

I think so.

[Taylor]

Okay.

[Brienne]

I think so.

[Taylor]

It looked like.

[Brienne]

Yeah, there was some really good twist, and I'm sure through now also, Ariana.

[Antonia]

Was only in a couple episodes of. That I saw.

[Brienne]

I was in some of her episodes.

[Taylor]

You were.

[Brienne]

I think that was. Yeah.

[Antonia]

I'll have to look, because I thought.

[Taylor]

Yeah, she got killed.

[Brienne]

Yes, she got killed pretty quick. And Keke Palmer was Keke in season two.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Okay.

[Antonia]

Okay. Because I thought, just from seeing the promo, I thought she was in the full season, and then when I looked on the IMDb, it was only, like, four episodes.

[Taylor]

Yeah. I think she died in, like, three or something.

[Brienne]

They get you with iconic.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

That's what I.

[Taylor]

Spoiler alert. I was the Green Meanie.

[Brienne]

Taylor.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

My God. I know.

[Antonia]

Apologies for anyone that I haven't watched it.

[Brienne]

I don't know if the listeners knew that yet. Wow.

[Taylor]

It's My greatest accomplishment.

[Brienne]

Do you like being the villain?

[Taylor]

It was fun.

[Brienne]

It's fun, right?

[Taylor]

It's fun. I had been a villain character before, so it was really fun. Yeah.

[Antonia]

Yeah. That's not really something that you. No, you, you were the, you were the mean kid in that one show as a.

[Taylor]

When I was 8 years old.

[Brienne]

Yeah, yeah.

[Taylor]

One line of my wife and kids.

[Brienne]

I'm glad it didn't pigeonhole you.

[Antonia]

Another world did. It's fine. I'm just teasing. I'm just teasing. Not really, but okay. We were talking before about how like, like in this industry, like, you're just not home. Like, yeah, we know nothing's filmed here. You're always gone. How, like, how do you stay, like, sane and try to prioritize your self care when you're like, away from your community?

[Taylor]

Especially when having a family.

[Brienne]

It's so hard. Like, I'm definitely still in the midst of figuring it all out. I by no means have all of the answers, but it's very challenging. Like prior to having a family, it was still hard. Right. You kind of feel like you're living a double life. You make a lot of sacrifices, like you're missing birthdays and anniversaries and graduations and you miss a lot of stuff being away. But it is what it is and that's the name of the game. And then adding the family aspect to it, I mean, look, I'm very fortunate that my husband, I was saying earlier, ever since COVID could work from home. So that added so much more flexibility into our lifestyle. I don't know what we would do if that wasn't the case. So thank God for that. And then thank God my nanny came with us for season three. So season three was the first time that we traveled as a family. And we actually did kind of pregnant and Junie and Georgia, season three back to back. So it was like we were in New York for two months for kind of pregnant and like I wrapped on a Tuesday and we started our table read on a Wednesday for Ginny and Georgia. We had to really go straight through. And then we were in Toronto for like four and a half months. So it is tough. Like you, it's trying to find a little bit of balance, even though that doesn't really exist. And I think I just kept telling myself, like, this is very temporary. It's not forever. I'm lucky that they're at least here with me so I could see my daughter some morning, some afternoon, some evenings. Like they would come to set and come visit. But Yeah. I, like, am kind of a softie, especially since having a kid. And, like, it was brutal, but we got through it and it didn't affect our closeness or any of that. And I think a lot of it is probably, like, stories I have in my head that are false narratives about things that we don't know until we try. So. And now that I've done it once, I can, like, try to quiet some of those other narratives about, like, what if she and I don't feel as close throughout this process. But now I know that, like, that's just an old thing I was telling myself, and now I have more evidence in my life that that's not what happens. And it's still so hard.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

But, yeah, I mean, it truly takes a village. And, like, I don't think I could do it without my husband and my nanny.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Did you put those false narratives in your head or was it someone.

[Brienne]

It's a good question. Like, you know, I. Yeah, I probably. I probably put them in there a little bit. I mean, I grew up. My mom worked a ton when I was little, and it was hard. Like, I remember crying to her when I was little, being like, do you have to go on this work trip? And she'd be like, yeah. Yes, I do. You like all these things we have then. Yeah, Mom's gotta go.

[Taylor]

Yeah. And it's not Disney World.

[Brienne]

And it unfortunately.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Does it. When you are home and not working, like, does that perspective, like, help you cherish, like, the little moments here, like, completely?

[Brienne]

It makes me want to, like, be as present as possible when I can, or, like, try to put my phone down, you know, Like. And again, it's not. It's so much easier said than done, but for sure. It also, though it goes, it gets tricky because I was like, I don't want her to think. I almost sometimes don't want to be home every day, all day if I'm not working. Because I don't want to set her up to think that, like, that's that normal either. Because we don't really have a normal. Like, we kind of just have these extremes.

[Antonia]

Yeah, that's true.

[Brienne]

But it's also. That's because right now I have the privilege of getting to be on Ginny in Georgia.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And I don't know what it's going to look like afterwards.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Like, I don't know. Maybe I. Maybe I won't book something that's out of the state. Or maybe we will again. I have no idea. So, like, kind of trying to Stay flexible and take it day by day for sure. But it's tricky.

[Antonia]

Yeah, I know we've had the conversation before. Like I grew up with going like after school. I always went to like daycare after school. My parents picked me up after work. Like I. There wasn't like a stay at home parent. I mean your parents, obviously they were both working. But you, when you moved here, your mom was home. Yeah, I don't know if she was home there. But like we've talked about how like he was like you went to daycare like every day after school. And I'm like, yeah, like. But just like the differences between that and I've never really liked, like that was my normal.

[Brienne]

Yeah, exactly. And it's all, you know.

[Antonia]

Yeah. And so in my mind I'm like, oh no, I go to school and I'll go to daycare and like, you know.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

That my parents will pick me up at 5. Like that's like.

[Brienne]

And I think something that has really helped me, like with the transition of like being away from her is that it's. The more I try to like learn and understand about how this affects kids. It's not about the length of time that you're with them, it's the quality of that time. If you are only with your child even for 15 minutes a day, which sounds so hard, but some people's lifestyles, for whatever reason, maybe that's what they have. If for those 15 minutes, like you are so present with them and you're playing, like it goes so far.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Like that should be like reassuring to you. I feel like that we talk a lot about like just like the unknown of, you know, Taylor going back to work. Like, what is that going to look like when we have kids? Like, just there's a lot of like unknowns. And I know like he is so excited to be a dad and I know he'll like really want to. Like, you'll want to. Literally you're. I'm gonna have to like rip you away and. But I think that should alleviate because I feel like you, you put pressure on. You will put pressure on yourself.

[Taylor]

If not maybe scary thought for sure.

[Antonia]

Like, of being like, well, I don't want my kids to think I'm leaving.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Like, but I think, I think that should be a little bit of like a reassurement.

[Taylor]

Yeah, it's good advice.

[Antonia]

Reassurance.

[Brienne]

Yeah. I mean some parent, like, I talk about this with my therapist all the time and she's like brienne. Some people go to work from like 8 o' clock in the morning till 8 o' clock at night.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And they only see their kids right before or right after and sometimes they're asleep and like they're still happy, healthy, regulated, functioning children. But it doesn't mean it's easy.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Like, it's still so hard and like part of having kids, I guess. I mean, my child is still so young. It's not even two. So like this again, very beginning phases for me. I don't know what I'm talking about. Like it's. It seems like there is this process of like you let them go a little bit. Like they do. Like they are these independent people in their life. They're not mini versions of you and they're. That's not what they're meant to be. They're their own person. And like I was reading this thing because I am so worried about like attachment.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

I was reading the secure attachment book and it was saying that like we. You could view your kid as like, you're not the pilot of their plane, you're just the mechanic. You're keeping it safe and you're making sure it runs well and you're giving it all the tools it needs. But like, you don't. You're not flying that airplane. They're flying the airplane. And that like really shifted it for me about like, I love that. I don't actually need to be there 24 7. Cuz I. I thought I was the pilot and I'm by no means the pilot. Like she's the pilot of her own plane.

[Taylor]

Wow, that's good.

[Brienne]

But it's hard. It's like very hard to.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

To like let them grow and be and, and like, you know, the goal is to like, when you say bye in the morning, have them not have a meltdown and like leave happily with the nanny. But then sometimes that hurts too. You're like, oh my.

[Antonia]

Exactly. All right.

[Brienne]

You like her more than me. Yeah. Of like, they're confident and they know that you'll be there when they come home. And they know that like to you it might feel inconsistent, but like, if they know that they'll see you again, that's secure. That's their security.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

I love that airplane analogy.

[Brienne]

I know, I know. It really helped me.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Or. And I still think about it.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Because I feel like you can even like apply that to like a family member that's struggling. Like when you were first singing it, I was like, it feels like, like, you know, someone that's like going through addiction or, like, going through a tough time. Like, you can pour into them, but, like, at the end of the day, it's up to them to make that decision.

[Taylor]

Yeah, for sure.

[Antonia]

Wow. That really fits on a lot of. I like that. I need. I need to write that down.

[Brienne]

Yeah, it's just a control thing, which I have so many of those. Yeah, you just want to control everything, and you can.

[Antonia]

You mentioned therapy. How long have you been in therapy?

[Brienne]

So I've been in therapy, or I've been with my therapist. God, probably for, like, almost six or seven years now.

[Antonia]

Okay. It's amazing.

[Brienne]

Yeah, probably a while. I think in the beginning it was, like, dating a little bit. Like, I, like, tried a couple different people, and, like, maybe none of them lasted that long, but I did that for, like, a year or two. Maybe, like, sporadically.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And then. Yeah. My. My person now, the lady I'm with now, that just never left.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Taylor]

Was it anything specifically, or you just, like, felt connected, so.

[Brienne]

Oh, yeah. Oh, with her. It's a good question. I mean, look, I'm not gonna lie. She loves Bravo. We do have a lot of reality TV in common. No, I mean, she does have that, but I don't know. Yeah. I guess I don't know if it was, like, an energy or age or gender, but for whatever reason, that, you know, concoction seemed to work.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah. And she took the SAG insurance as well, so that helps.

[Antonia]

Yeah. That's very nice.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Well, because that's the thing. It's so expensive. I mean, you still have to go out of pocket a little bit, but, like, sometimes it covers some of it. But, like. Yeah, I think that's probably why a lot of people don't go. It's so expensive.

[Antonia]

Yeah. What prompted you to start going to therapy?

[Brienne]

So I've been with my husband now for, like, nine years, and when we first got together, he had been in therapy for kind of his whole life, and our conversations just turned into, like, kind of these therapy conversations where he'd be like, well, why do you think you feel that way about that? Or, like, well, what happened to make that happen? Or whatever it was. And then he finally was just like, I do think you could probably go to a therapist. We're already kind of talking about these things. And, like, I had. When I was really little, like, maybe when my parents got divorced, I, like, went to a couple sessions with my mom so she could feel like, you know, are we okay? What's going on here? More as, like, a checkup, maybe? And then I was like, yeah, you know what I mean? He's not wrong. I have a handful of things that would be good to maybe talk about. And there was a little part of me with him. Like, I could feel that Matt was someone and something that was going to be a really big part of my life. And I think I kind of also felt like I don't know what I'm doing and, like, am I low key gonna mess this up? So I wanted to. Yeah. Talk to somebody about it or just get some of this stuff out. And it's been, like, the best thing.

[Antonia]

I love it. Yeah. Therapy's been such a big thing for us, and it is. It can be hard, but I'm really thankful. There's, like, so many different. There's a lot of, like, online platforms now that take a lot of insurance and it's. I just feel it's really important to be able to confide in someone that knows, is professionally trained to ask you the right questions or, like, to help give you the advice that you need.

[Brienne]

Yeah. And to, like, name it. I think sometimes, like. Or if, like, I'm left to my own devices, I'll come up with a narrative that's, like, so negative and not great, and it helps nip some of that in the bud before you can, like, you know, be your own worst enemy sometimes. Or maybe like, creatives especially, like, your imagination can really go wild and. Yeah, let's use it for good and not bad. But that's so hard. Yeah, no, I'm with you. Like, I'm right there with you.

[Taylor]

Yeah. And like. Yeah, like, talking with you with friends is great and it's, you know, very important to have that. But. But it's like you're not trained to identify, like, exactly why you are doing something.

[Antonia]

Well, I had. The other day, I was in. We have the same therapist and we've seen them together, separate. And I was in there by myself with him, and I was talking about something and he was like, well, yeah, Taylor does this because he's processing. And I was like, oh, yeah, I.

[Taylor]

Don'T even know that about my husband.

[Antonia]

I was like. And he, like, he just, like, said it. So, like, matter of fact. And he, like, knew that about you. And I was like, oh, my gosh, I've literally, like, I would have never known. And it was something.

[Brienne]

Unless you kind of go, yeah, talk.

[Antonia]

To somebody and the therapist has, like, that bird's eye view of the situation.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Like, I would have never come to that conclusion ever. I would have never.

[Taylor]

And that's why you go and see a therapist. Exactly. But, like, I've, like, talked to a couple of my friends recently that are, like, going through a rough time, and I'm like, hey, I've, like, just like, thrown out the idea of therapy to them or if they need, like a contact or anything. And I've had a couple be like, you know, no, I got my family, you know, I got. I got great friends. And I'm not gonna push it any further than that. But it's like, it's different.

[Brienne]

I think it's, like, so generational, too. I feel like it's. Our generation is kind of the first ones to really talk about it maybe so openly. Like, I don't. Like, a lot of my friends, parents and mine weren't in therapy or talking about mental health or even, maybe even accepting that there are ramifications to some of this stuff.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

I don't know.

[Antonia]

No, for sure. I feel like our kids are gonna be, like, so expressive and how they're feeling because, like, we now have the tools to, like, ask the right question or give them the space to feel their emotions and all of this stuff. And I feel like they're gonna be like, well, this is how, like, you did this and this is how it made me feel. And we're gonna be like, oh, whoa. Like, they're just gonna be so self aware.

[Brienne]

It's so cool. Yeah. Like, I'm gonna take a breath.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

I could see our child doing that, but with some sass from you. He's the sassy one of us. Okay. Lemon drops. You all know that Taylor and I love having a signature scent. We love smells. I always have candles lit. I love perfumes. I love fragrances. We even had our own wedding candle because we wanted to have our own scent for our wedding. And like the that you love, you want an unforgettable signature and nothing sticks out in our memory like a show stopping scent. Complete your shower routine with amazing smelling richly lathering body wash from Harry's. I absolutely love Harry's body wash for many reasons. Honestly, because the consistency is great. It lathers great, it's sudsy. Everything you would want in a body wash. But also the scents are truly unreal. Some of my favorites are the spring, which are notes of lemon and basil, which, you know, I love a good lemon smell. There's fig, that's notes of cedar and orange. Also stone that has notes of charcoal and lime. This formula was created by experts with years of experience at luxury brands. The scents are made by a family owned luxury French fragrance house and it's non stripping and leaves your skin actually feeling soft and conditioned. The best part about all of this is it looks, feels and smells like an expensive high end brand body wash. But it only cost eight. Harry's also offers deodorant, antiperspirants and a two in one shampoo and conditioner so you can uncover your signature scent and every step of your routine. Beer on Icon Shower with Harry's Try Harry's Body Wash today for just $8 at Harry's.com squeeze that's Harry's.com squeeze for a sniff of this incredible body wash. Whether you work from home and never know what to put on or you're just not in love with anything, when you open up your closet, it's time to find clothes that work with your life. Right now, now whatever phase you're in, Splendid has cozy, stylish, timeless pieces you'll actually be excited to wear. Splendid has the world's softest closet staples to elevate your wardrobe and help you feel comfortable and confident in every outfit. Think buttery soft tees, pull on pants that fit just right, easy sets, sweaters for every season, and so much more. Their pieces are next level soft and actually hold up in the wash. I am one, as you guys know. You see me each week on this podcast. You know I love being comfortable, but just because we're comfortable doesn't mean that we have to sacrifice looking good. And that's where Splendid comes in. Because their clothes, let me tell you, are so comfortable. Their T shirts are my absolute favorite T shirts ever. They are just this like buttery yummy. I honestly don't know how else to describe it than yummy. Their clothes are amazing and they're also cute. So I can be comfortable in what I'm wearing, but also look cute. With Splendid, the basics aren't boring, they are closet its secret weapon. These are the staples that simplify your morning and elevate everything after that. And right now Splendid is offering our listeners 20% off. When you go to splendid.com and use promo code Taylor at checkout or when you shop at Splendid in stores, go to splendid.com and use code Taylor to get 20% off online or in store. That's splendid.com promo code Taylor. Okay, so you mentioned, you mentioned your mom passing and I'd love to kind of hear about your journey with grief because we talk a lot about grief on the podcast because that's kind of like the one underlying thing that Everyone.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Has or will experience in their life. So I'd love to hear just about your journey, how it started, and where you're at today with it.

[Brienne]

I mean, it's a great question. It's like, my mom passed probably, like, 14 years ago now, and it's still very much. Much a work in progress. It's still very much a part of my every day. I mean, I think. Right. So my mom had cancer. She was really young. She was 43. So a kind. It.

[Antonia]

She had.

[Brienne]

She was sick for maybe like, five years, but it still took us by surprise.

[Antonia]

Yeah, it's.

[Brienne]

We thought maybe things were on the up and up, but. And again, this was a while ago now, and medicine has come so far, but, like, chemo can be complicated. It can, like, kill all the good stuff, too. You're a nurse. You know all these things. So that's kind of what ended up happening. Um, and my mom had three kids, me and my two younger siblings from the same mom and dad. My sister and I were five years apart, so I was like, 21. My sister was 16. And then my mom and her second husband had one more kid who was four at the time. So, I mean, truthfully, it was, like, pretty shocking and traumatic, and it happened fast, and nobody knew what to do. My mom didn't have her ducks in a row, like, with, like, legal stuff, because it was sudden. So it was pretty complicated. And my mom was one of eight, so my mom, I had seven aunts and uncles. Like, I have a huge family. Everyone is in Southern California. Like, all grew up around Pasadena, La Canada area.

[Antonia]

Oh, wow.

[Brienne]

And my dad grew up in Glendale. So I think the beautiful part is I have a huge family.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

We were all together all the time. Relied on everyone very heavily and did not go through anything alone. Like, just very grateful to. And like, my poor boyfriend at the time. We were together for, like, four years. He was amazing. But, yeah, look, it sucked. I think I tried to go to therapy right off the bat. It didn't last very long. Like, I don't think I was in the right headspace. I didn't. I was 21. You know, I then, like, probably partied a little bit too hard for a couple years. Just distraction, distraction, distraction. And I threw myself into work. Work was the only thing that felt good. I loved working. I had plenty of day jobs and then was just auditioning and work. I just. Work felt really good, and I got a lot of confidence from it.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And I think I just kind of rode that wave for a while. Until Covid hit.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Then there was no more work to be had. And then I was like, oh, no, this is. I've been distracting myself for like six years.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And it was terrible. We got a dog that was amazing. But I did kind of realize, oh, holy shit. I've just. I've just been distracting myself with work. And, you know, that served its purpose. But I probably need to, like, pay attention to some of these other areas because it's not sustainable. And that also sort of started my conversations with Matt, my partner, about like, oh, are we gonna have a family? What are we doing? What does that look like? So then. I don't know now. Where are we at now? So then. So, yeah, Covid happened then, I think. Yeah. Throughout Covid, I did a lot more work on myself, like, with my therapist and my partner. About, like, okay, we've hit a wall. These are some pretty big potholes here. I'm not okay if I'm not working, and that's not okay.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

So we had to work through that for a while. Kind of did that. I think I've gotten a lot better, but it's still there. Like, it doesn't feel good if you're not working. But I also have colored in so many other aspects of my life now because now I have a family. So, yeah, I have my dog and my husband and my daughter, and they take up so much space in my life in so many beautiful ways that has nothing to do with work, and I love that. So in the now present day. Yeah. Still a work in progress. I think having my daughter has actually kind of like, re triggered some things about, like, missing my mom and being a mom.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

It's like. Like there nothing shines a spotlight on your stuff like seeing it in your child or being afraid that they're gonna get it or the social media of it all. Like, I read this quote that was like, your child doesn't treat themselves the way you treat them. They treat themselves the way you treat yourself. Which I think is maybe a little extreme. I did talk about that with my therapist, and she's like, hold up. Okay. She's like, sure, sure, there's. There's some light to that. But. But of course, it's not only that. Like, that's a little bit extreme, but it did make me think. I was like, well, my God, I certainly don't want that to happen. My God. So let's. We need to keep working on some things. So, yeah, it's tricky, but it's also. I don't Know having her is kind of healing, but again, I still. Very much in the throes of it all, but, yeah, still in therapy. Like, mother's days are still so hard and, like, her birthday is hard and stuff like that.

[Antonia]

That.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

But it's also cool. Like, I have. My mom was a single mom, worked her ass off. My mom had me at 21. I mean, I had my daughter at 33.

[Taylor]

Okay.

[Brienne]

Holy crap. I could not imagine having done doing that 12, 15 years ago. Like, I just have so much respect. I already did for my mom. But, yeah, living it out even more. So. So, yeah. Does that kind of answer it?

[Taylor]

I know we.

[Brienne]

I touched a lot of subjects.

[Taylor]

I know. I was left with wanting to ask what kind of dog you have.

[Brienne]

I know.

[Antonia]

I literally almost said, I know Taylor's gonna ask.

[Taylor]

I was like, I don't want to come across insensitive, but I was just curious about the dog.

[Brienne]

Bode's the most healing. Okay. So I never even wanted a pet because, I don't know, I work a lot. I was like, we're never home. What is the point? Blah, blah, blah. Covid hit. Bode is the love of my life. Like, I don't know. I can't believe all that I was missing out on prior to having him like that. I didn't get a pet until I was, like, over 30. Are you kidding?

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

So he's amazing. He's an Australian Shepherd Pit mix we got him when he was eight weeks old.

[Taylor]

Australian shepherd pit?

[Brienne]

Yes.

[Taylor]

Oh, I'm gonna have to see a photo.

[Brienne]

I'll show you so many pictures. We stayed in touch with his litter. We, like, found him on Pet Finder. It was the beginning of COVID but it was so early Covid. It was back when everyone was wearing gloves but no masks. Like, do you remember that phase, like, when we all thought that was the move? Whatever. I just remember waiting, like, at some home by lax, really late night with our gloves on and no mask. Masks and, like, trying to stay away from people. But we wanted to get a dog. And I put my gloved hand in this little pen, and there were only, like, three dogs left. And Bode ran up and, like, touched my hand, and we were like, okay, you're our guy. And we had just finished watching the Wire and loved the character Bodhi. So that's who he's named after.

[Antonia]

Cute.

[Brienne]

And, yeah, he's our everything. And he's having such a. He's been so jealous of his sister. It's been a very hard transition. Oh, my God. He. I don't think he even looked at her or kissed her until she started eating real food and dropping it.

[Antonia]

That's so funny.

[Brienne]

Now he's.

[Taylor]

Now she has some negotiating.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Now he's like, she can stay around. Like she could stay.

[Antonia]

That's so funny.

[Taylor]

She's sexy when she eats. I like it.

[Antonia]

Exactly.

[Brienne]

He's like, it's fine now. It's fine. But for a while there, like we would put peanut butter on her to be like, bode, please. You acknowledge her. Give her a kiss. Like she's part of the pack now. And that is so funny.

[Antonia]

Oh my gosh. I know. I'm so curious how our dogs are.

[Brienne]

We dogs.

[Antonia]

I'm so curious how like they'll be.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Especially, I mean, she's not a puppy, she's four, but she's like a Malinois German Shepherd, Australian shepherd mix.

[Brienne]

Oh, my gosh.

[Antonia]

So. And she is the baby and she knows it.

[Taylor]

She gets a lot of attention, I think. Yeah. She might be a little shocked.

[Antonia]

Yeah. I'm so curious. Any advice for someone like us who are like wanting to be parents? Like something that you, you've learned about it.

[Brienne]

I mean, guys, I don't know. No. I'm like, who am I to be giving anybody any advice? But like, you gotta rely on each other and ask for help.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

It truly like there's something to be said for like these people used to do this in like multi generational homes and like it took a village.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And I feel like nowadays we want to do everything by ourselves and like, like there's nothing wrong with. Yeah. Asking for help. But it is like, of course it's so hard, but it's like the most game changing. Like my. I feel like my heart has truly expanded. Like I would never change it. And it's the most magical, beautiful thing.

[Antonia]

I'm so excited.

[Brienne]

Yeah. I'm excited for you.

[Antonia]

I'm the hold up. He's the.

[Brienne]

There's no. No. There's no right or wrong time. Literally.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Taylor]

She's still young too.

[Antonia]

Yeah. I told my. I'm 28, so I told myself at 30, I'm throwing birth control out.

[Brienne]

And maybe that's my advice. Wait. Do all the things. Have fun. Go travel. Do all the things.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah. There's literally no rush because it changes everything. No rush.

[Antonia]

No. For sure. Do you have anything else you want to ask before we get into.

[Taylor]

I know you want to get into Jenny and Georgia, so you go right ahead.

[Antonia]

Well, it's funny because after that Whole airplane thing. When we had got home, we had watched it again because Taylor was like, this movie's hysterical. You need to watch it. And it was funny for me because I'm just used to hearing you with, like, the thick accent. And I was like, that's weird.

[Brienne]

She's faking it. This is false.

[Antonia]

Like, it's not. Unbelievable.

[Brienne]

What a liar.

[Antonia]

I know. And I was watching it the other day. Well, because I've had. Because I've had to do prep. I've had access to the first five episodes. But here's the thing, though, is I haven't watched them all because I. I don't have the end. I need to know how it ends.

[Brienne]

Also. Are you distracted by that? The ADR is not finished yet. They're pretty rough. I actually didn't know they were sending them out. And I was like, oh, people are watching this.

[Antonia]

I did open it, and I had the time stamp. I don't know what. I don't know what it's called, but it had that going. And I was like, oh, yeah, it's not.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Just. Yeah. Wait.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

You're not receiving the final picture. I mean, the story's all there and it's all happening, but the sound is all over the place.

[Taylor]

I hadn't seen the show, but I, like, tuned in as she was watching the season two finale, and I was like, oh, wow.

[Brienne]

And I, like.

[Taylor]

I was, like, asking all the questions. Like, I'm like, what is.

[Antonia]

Wait. What was I trying to explain to you earlier?

[Taylor]

She's killed multiple people.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

I go, she's a single mother, and she's killed multiple people. She. And he goes, she's.

[Taylor]

She was acting like it was.

[Brienne]

Because she's a single mother.

[Taylor]

She was acting like it was normal.

[Brienne]

Like, keep in mind, because she has to be a single mom, everyone must die.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Yes.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Taylor]

I know.

[Brienne]

Nothing. Have help. Everyone's going to hell.

[Taylor]

She made it sound normal. And I go, hold up.

[Antonia]

What.

[Taylor]

What do you mean, because she's a single mother? She's killed multiple people.

[Brienne]

I kind of love this. This needs to be, like, a Blumhouse horror, like a. A woman with a vengeance. Because she's a single mom. I kind of love that.

[Taylor]

And she's like, well, it makes sense. And, like, they deserved it. And, like, I'm like, what?

[Brienne]

It's, like, for good. Like, you got to think like Robin Hood or Dexter, you know? Like, sure, a few people have had to go away, but they were a threat to either her children or their livelihood.

[Taylor]

Okay.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

She explained That a lot better than I did.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

I was like.

[Taylor]

The way you worded it, I was.

[Antonia]

Like, starting to give, like, the whole backstory of like, well, she was pregnant as a teen, then they were there, and then she. I was literally giving him.

[Brienne]

There's a lot.

[Antonia]

Pregnant again. Had another son with another.

[Taylor]

Yeah. Just seeing the finale, the last two minutes to season two.

[Brienne]

Was it Deez? It was Austin running after the car. Oh, that broke my face. You being put arrested during our first dance.

[Taylor]

Yeah. So you were dancing?

[Brienne]

Yeah, it was our first dance. We were getting married. There's like, beautiful VO to her daughter and how beautiful her daughter is. And she never thought all of her dreams could come true. Cut to. She's been arrested. Really killed the body in front of the community.

[Antonia]

Yes. Okay, I have a lot of questions, so we're gonna get into this.

[Taylor]

So where do we pick up from there in season three?

[Brienne]

Kind of right where we left off.

[Taylor]

Okay.

[Brienne]

It picks up. It's like, I think only two weeks have passed past and George is locked up. Yeah, George is in the slammer. The local slammer.

[Taylor]

Yeah, local slammer.

[Antonia]

That's so good. Okay, I'm gonna dive into my questions because.

[Taylor]

Go ahead.

[Antonia]

Sorry.

[Taylor]

Really derailed that.

[Antonia]

You're good. You're good. Okay. So something that I love about the show, actually, before I ask that question. What is the category of the show?

[Brienne]

It's ya. It's a young adult show.

[Antonia]

Okay. So that's what I thought when I started it. And I'm a freaking sucker for a YA show, let me tell you.

[Taylor]

That's a heavy ya.

[Brienne]

Hit the spot.

[Antonia]

It's a heavy YA show.

[Brienne]

It's so heavy, you guys. And season three more than anything.

[Taylor]

Wow.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Yeah. I mean, this is what's tricky about like. Or not tricky is the wrong word, but, like, you don't. When you sign on to go do a show, you don't know where a. You don't even know how long is this going to go on for, and you don't know where the story's going to go. I was very surprised to see how heavy this season was, but in so many ways, I see, like, where the writers room was. Like, this is all past paths led here. Like, this is Georgia had to get caught.

[Taylor]

Wow.

[Antonia]

Yeah. So it's something that I love because I feel like it's. Even though. Even though the storyline, like, as we literally were just saying it, like, sounds insane. It's. Honestly, there's a lot of undertones that are so relatable to. I feel like Any age group from, you know, high school to adults, and it is heavy. But what is it, like? Like, being a part of a show that, like, really doesn't, like, shy away from a lot of scenarios.

[Brienne]

Yeah. I mean, it's a privilege, like a. As an actor, you know, you don't assume that that's something you're going to get to be a part of.

[Antonia]

Of course.

[Brienne]

And I had no idea that this show would start that kind of dialogue. But to have people on the street come say, like, hey, it helped me. Like, I was at this wedding once, and this woman came up to me and told me about how it completely. Or it was. It helped her almost grieve her relationship with her mom. Her mom was still around, but they didn't have the relationship. Maybe she wanted.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And, my God, it hits you like a ton of bricks. And on those days where it can feel like too much or it can feel too heavy. Yeah. I do kind of think about the audience, and I think about. That the show actually means something to somebody.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

And it's motivating.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Yeah. I've, like, definitely cried a couple times, and I don't like crying when I watch things. But it truly just, like, the. I mean, the acting in it, too, is, like. I'm not just saying that because you're here. Like, truly, the acting in it is so good. And I don't feel like. I really feel like I'm in. I think that's why I love watching it in my headphones, like, on my phone, because, like, you're there. Like, you're fully there with these characters, and everyone just does such a good job at it. But I'm curious. I can't imagine how hard that is to film. What. What is decompressing? Like. Like, how do you not. I mean, I'm sure you carry that home with you.

[Brienne]

I don't know yet. I know. I think. I wish I did maybe a better job during season three not bringing it home, but it was tough. Like, season three is heavier than seasons one and two, and because I have a kid now, it, like, it just. Everything felt like a punch to the gut. Like, it just. Like the kit, you know? I mean, it's brutal. And, yeah, I just, again, I felt like such a softie. But the good news is everyone on set is amazing. Antonia, who plays Ginny, feels like another appendage to me at this point. I feel so close with her, and I love her so much, and it's such a safe space. Like, it's definitely not. It's a very safe space to play or mess up or whatever. But, yeah, I'm, like, sweating bullets and have butterflies in my stomach leading up to all of those scenes because, a. I don't wanna. I wanna do justice and honor to the script and the characters and the audience and that these are, like, some heavy themes and knowing that it is so meaningful to people. Yeah, I don't wanna. I wanna get it right now.

[Antonia]

We talked about how you were raised by a single mother and you play a single mother. And when I. When I learned that, I was like, wow, this actually, like, I could feel that. Like, it made sense to me. Like, I. I'm like, oh, this is why I feel like she portrays this so well is like, there's something deeper in here. I'm curious, what. What was it like when you were a kid watching your mom just, like, hustle and sacrifice to give you, like, the life that she wanted? And how have you kind of brought that into playing Georgia?

[Brienne]

Yeah, I mean, my mom was like the biggest hustler I know. By the time she was 30, she was CEO of her own software consulting company. She built it from the ground up. My mom was just crazy ambitious and so smart, almost to a detriment. Like, she tried to squeeze in so much and she did not take no for an answer and, like, almost forced things in. Like, it was like she almost. There was a lot of control happening there. I can see now in the moment. I had no idea. But it's very much, I think, think probably, unfortunately, where so much of my desire to control things probably comes from. But she was just a go getter and would jump right into the deep end. And I think it's made it a little bit more normal for me to step into the unknown, to step into things that feel uncomfortable, to try to take some big risks, because that's all I watched her do. And she just kind of made it seem like that's a normal thing to do.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Has playing Georgia been, like, healing for you in a way?

[Brienne]

Totally. I think, because I. It allows me to, like, interact mentally with my mom in a way or, like, to think about her in a way that isn't about the grief of it or isn't about her passing or isn't about her being sick? Like, it's just about, like, the type of person that she was or, like, her attributes is cool and, like, fun to engage with it and her in that way.

[Taylor]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Or to be like, what would my mom have done in this moment? Like. Or what? Like, something funny even. Like, that's not heavy and so serious.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Taylor]

It really seems like this role was made for you and you were made for this role.

[Brienne]

Like, it's kind of, like, crazy. I know you're gonna give me chills. I don't know. Like, you. Yeah. I mean, I very much believe that, you know, things can be kismet and are meant to be and things find you for a reason, and that's why you kind of gotta. It's so hard to trust the process, you know? Still, that's a work in progress. But it may be an example of, like. Yeah, I guess if I look back, like, I was on a show right before that that had gotten canceled, this vampire show called the Passage. And I was devastated when it got canceled. Devastated. And then. What do you know?

[Taylor]

What do you know?

[Brienne]

You know, look at you.

[Taylor]

You're not Girl in Green or Stacy.

[Antonia]

And honestly, it's like, you're. Your accent is believable. Like, it's so thick. I feel like anyone else, I'd be like, okay, okay. Like, okay, this is not.

[Taylor]

Did you go. Did you see that?

[Brienne]

We had a dialect coach on set. Season one for me and for. Two of our main actors are Australian.

[Taylor]

Oh.

[Brienne]

And then everyone else is Canadian.

[Antonia]

Wait, who?

[Brienne]

Felix. Felix, who's the neighbor.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Who plays Marcus. He's Australian. And then Diesel, who plays Austin. My son is also Australian.

[Taylor]

Wow.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Oh, my gosh. I didn't know that.

[Brienne]

Remarkable.

[Taylor]

Wow.

[Brienne]

Fantastic. Yeah. So we had a guy there, season one. Yeah. And also because, like, Georgia is so intense and passionate and generally, like, screaming or drinking a lot of wine or angry. Like, it just. It just enhances it. So even if I, like, try to do it subtle, we're screaming in the scenes and. Or she's like, you know, being a hurricane or the Tasmanian Devil and, like, it gets a little thicker.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

But I, like, for a while, when I would get auditions afterwards, the feedback would be like, oh, no. She could do her real accent. And we'd be like, what do you mean? She could do the Southern accent. It's okay, stop. And it's like, no, she is doing her regular. Yeah. But I think I also am, like. I think my cadence is a little musical. Or, like, I don't know, I, like, gesticulate a lot. And I'm kind of animated, so I think that lends itself towards Georgia.

[Antonia]

Yeah.

[Brienne]

Like, I'm a little big. Yeah.

[Taylor]

Yeah. That's so funny.

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

She could do her normal.

[Taylor]

She could do her normal.

[Brienne]

We like it, like, oh, she doesn't have to Put on standard American. They're like standard American. Well, no, that is. That's. That is. She's from Pasadena.

[Taylor]

She's from Pasadena.

[Antonia]

Is Pasadena girly?

[Brienne]

Yeah.

[Antonia]

Oh, my gosh. That's. That's so funny. Oh, my gosh. Okay. Well, I mean, you kind of already asked, but what. What are you most excited about? About season three coming out. What can you and fans and myself look forward to?

[Brienne]

Okay, season three. There's a lot of payoff.

[Taylor]

We love payoff.

[Brienne]

There's a lot of payoff with some romance.

[Taylor]

Oh.

[Brienne]

So that's exciting. And I think what's really cool about this season is Jenny and Georgia fully swap. I mean, not like Freaky Friday situation, but, like, they're swapping. They're taking a page out of each other's books. For better or for worse.

[Taylor]

Yeah, that's cool. Fun to play.

[Antonia]

Oh, my gosh. I'm so excited. You're gonna need to get. Get caught up, because I'm definitely. Or not.

[Taylor]

I have.

[Antonia]

Yeah, I have some shows like that are just mine.

[Brienne]

Yeah, that's nice, too.

[Antonia]

Yeah. Like Bridgerton. That was mine. That was mine. Like Summer I Turned Pretty. That's mine.

[Brienne]

Yeah. Ya. You like the ya? I do. Yeah. Who doesn't?

[Antonia]

I do.

[Brienne]

Thank you. It's a. Thank you. So glad you like it. Yeah. Keep liking it.

[Antonia]

Liking it. It's so good. Well, I'm so excited. It's out tomorrow. Everyone who's listening, so go watch it if you haven't. It's truly. I'm not actually just saying it is one of my favorite shows. I do love it.

[Brienne]

We believe you.

[Taylor]

We believe you.

[Antonia]

Thank you. Thank you. Well, thanks for coming and hanging with us.

[Brienne]

You guys are the loveliest. Thank you so much for having me. This was so fun. Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products.

[Antonia]

Or services referred to in this episode.