Podcast Summary: Therapuss with Jake Shane — Session 111: Maddie Ziegler

Release date: March 26, 2026
Guest: Maddie Ziegler
Host: Jake Shane

Overview

This episode features the multi-talented dancer, actress, and now leading lady Maddie Ziegler. Jake and Maddie dive deep into her new film Pretty Lethal, her experience growing up in the dance and entertainment world, managing mental health, and the challenges of navigating fame and friendships. With light-hearted banter, they also help listeners with their own drama in the signature “Tell Me What’s Wrong” segment. The energy is introspective but playful, consistently self-referential and candid.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. On Maddie's New Movie "Pretty Lethal"

• Filming Experience

  • Shot for three months in Budapest with a tight-knit, mostly female cast (04:31–07:11).
  • Maddie was first on the call sheet for the third time, a role that felt both new and weighty:

    "You have a responsibility as number one. You have to set the tone for the environment and, like, everyone will move accordingly. Be gracious to everyone." — Maddie (06:19)

  • Addressed common stereotypes about women competing:

    "Put five girls in a room, they're gonna hate each other and, like, cat fight. I'm like, no. We were best friends. We were sisters." — Maddie (07:05)

• Behind the Scenes

  • Uma Thurman knitted between takes; gifted the cast knitting kits (07:44–08:14).
  • All the cast members completed ballet and stunt training, guided by professionals from the Royal Ballet (29:20–30:25).

• Action Sequences & Stunt Work

  • Maddie did most of her own dancing and stunts, except hazardous moments like jumping out of a flaming building (30:33–31:03).
  • The film drew references from Kill Bill and received an enthusiastic, interactive response at South by Southwest (28:57–29:19).

2. Growing Up in Dance & Transitioning to Acting

• Began in competitive dance; met fellow performers like Tate McRae when young (09:16–10:14).
• Reflected on both love and trauma in the dance community:

  "It's very toxic in a lot of ways, but it's also my favorite community." — Maddie (10:47)

• Navigating typecasting:

  "I needed to prove myself as an actor...I can do this on my own without having the dance thing a part of it." — Maddie (27:49)

• On why she briefly stopped dancing after an injury and how acting eventually took over creatively (27:32–27:46).

3. Mental Health, Self-Soothing, and Therapy

• Maddie practices self-soothing, notably hair-twisting—a subconscious habit since childhood (08:34–09:05).
• Both Jake and Maddie underscore the challenge of finding the right therapist:

  "It really is like dating, like, finding your therapist. You have to go, like..." — Maddie (25:17)

• Jake reveals recent OCD revelations and the journey to a therapist who recognizes and treats it:

  "I have really bad OCD...I have confessional OCD where I have to, like, tell you everything I think." — Jake (24:39–25:14)

• Both emphasize the importance and reward of sticking with therapy, even when it feels daunting to begin or continue sessions.

4. Cultivating Home, Routine, and Self-Care

• Maddie is a "homebody," finds sanctuary in an organized, cozy home (16:01, 35:05–36:09).
• Her self-care routines include Pilates-inspired gyrotonics and regular bodywork to counteract the physical toll of professional dance (26:05–26:51).

5. Cultural Touchstones: TV, Music, Pop Nostalgia

• Maddie and Jake bond over TV obsessions, notably Scandal, Breaking Bad, How to Get Away with Murder, and share recommendations for listeners dealing with ADHD or seeking escapism (16:18–17:16, 54:49–55:41).
• Extensive pop culture appreciation—Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour compared to sports fanaticism (65:03–66:41).
• Maddie’s love for Inside Out 2:

  "The second movie, it changed my life. I couldn't believe how much I sobbed...I've never felt so seen in my life." — Maddie (36:54)

• Musical favorites include Addison Rae, Rihanna’s Anti, and country recommendations like Kacey Musgraves (13:09–15:04).

6. Friendships & Interpersonal Dynamics

• Jake makes a surprise call to his friend Julia, a devoted Maddie fan, leading to touching and affirming moments about the importance of acknowledging admiration and forming genuine connections (32:08–33:56).
• Both advocate for open compliments and recognizing impact in others' lives.

7. "Tell Me What’s Wrong" — Audience Advice Segment

(59:41–end; notable questions and responses summarized)

• Toxic Situationships:
  • Both agree: if it’s toxic and friends dislike him, it probably won’t work out. Maddie prescribes watching “Tell Me Lies” to process the situation.
• Family Boundaries:
  • On parental oversharing:

    "At the end of the day, you are still the kid..." — Maddie (51:03)

  • Suggest seeking a real therapist and holding firm on boundaries.
• Modern Dating Stress:
  • Recommendations for choosing between multiple suitors (Hannah Montana analogy), and reminders not to rush or people-please.
• Workplace Burnout and Flops:
  • Both share stories of mistakes and normalize moving on. Maddie:

    "Sometimes that's just what you got to do. Like sitting in it. You have to just find things to put your energy into, keep it moving." (63:55)

• Partner Obsessed With Sports:
  • Paralleled to pop-culture obsessions (Taylor Swift), with both advocating compromise and seeing partners’ passions as “hot” and part of their identity (65:03–66:41).
• Unrequited Love:
  • Advice to find solace in music or art (Taylor Swift’s “the 1,” “Past Lives”).

    "One of the most difficult parts about growing up is realizing that life isn't fair...and a lot of people will be like, how did you not realize that sooner?" — Jake (58:33)

• Miscellaneous:
  • Several playful, pop-inspired prescriptions, e.g., TV show recommendations to help manage ADHD or life transitions (Scandal, Schitt's Creek).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Handling Setbacks:

  "You have to tell yourself everything happens for a reason...I manipulate myself...when things aren’t working out, I’m like, it’s happening for a reason." — Maddie (23:04)

• Fan Admiration:

  "You are her North Star." — Jake, to Maddie about his friend Julia (32:01)
  "I will be the first person to go up and be like, I'm a fan of you." — Maddie (33:41)

• Embracing Complexity:

  "The only thing to do is laugh. What else are you gonna do? Cry? No, there’s two options—laugh or cry. Or three, I guess, and do nothing." — Jake (61:49)

• On Personal Growth:

  "I try to surround myself with people that are gonna give me energy, not deplete my energy." — Maddie (69:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Maddie’s Budapest Filming Experience: 04:31–07:11
• On Setting the Mood On Set: 06:19–07:11
• Dance Community Reflections: 10:47–11:36
• Music & TV Recs / Personal Favorites: 13:09–17:16, 54:49–55:41
• Therapy & OCD Discussions: 24:39–25:17
• Self-Soothing Habits: 08:34–09:05
• Bodywork and Self-Care: 26:05–26:51
• Audience Advice Segment (“Tell Me What’s Wrong”): 48:18–end
• Affirming Friend-to-Fan Call: 32:08–33:56
• Closing Thoughts on Friendship and Energy: 69:18–end

Tone and Style

The episode is marked by rapid-fire wit, candid vulnerability, and affectionate humor. Jake’s conversational interviewing puts guests at ease, encouraging genuine reflection, while both he and Maddie bring earnestness, relatability, and a dash of theatricality. Their exchanges weave between profound insights and unapologetic pop-culture gushing—a tone that both entertains and resonates deeply with their audience.

Conclusion

This episode is a rich blend of showbiz insight, mental health wisdom, and pop culture celebration. Maddie Ziegler emerges as confident, self-aware, and open, candidly discussing both professional highs and the emotional lows behind the scenes. Listeners are left with actionable advice, plenty of laughs, and heartfelt reminders about friendship, perseverance, and the value of finding the right support—professionally and personally.