Podcast Summary: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von - Ep #622, Miles Teller
Date: November 4, 2025
Guest: Miles Teller (actor)
Main Theme:
A funny, heartfelt, and reflective conversation between Theo Von and actor Miles Teller, exploring Miles’ upbringing, career, experiences with loss and adversity, the community around the Grateful Dead, love and relationships, his new movie "Eternity," the meaning of home, service and gratitude, and plenty of small-town stories and off-the-cuff comedic moments.
Episode Overview
In Episode #622, Theo sits down with award-winning actor Miles Teller, known for Whiplash, War Dogs, Top Gun: Maverick, and now the upcoming film Eternity (released Nov. 26). The conversation winds through hilarious and poignant territory: stories from Teller’s youth in Florida and New Jersey, reflections on home, loss, and the meaning of memory, deep dives into relationships and the creative process, and thoughts on military service and gratitude. All delivered in the signature loose, irreverent style of both Theo and Miles.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Meeting and Shared Connections
[01:31–03:05]
- Miles and Theo bond over Nashville connections, shared friends, and their first meeting at a local social club.
- Banter over eccentric acquaintances, e.g., the man with a triceratops skull on loan to a museum.
Theo, on Louisiana museum exhibits: “Their artifacts are a little bit different. Like a beer bottle, you know, or like...” [02:55]
2. Small Town Upbringings & Festivals
[03:05–04:48]
- Teller recounts rural Florida stories: Cooter Festival (a turtle-focused event), small-town oddities, Daily Show visits, and ‘Cooter Tober.’
- Humorous back-and-forth about how the turtle got its name, and town attempts to ban "the devil".
3. Hilarious Stories—Two Vaginas and Double Barrel Cheryl
[05:21–08:12]
- Theo brings up a TikTok story about a woman with two vaginas, sparking Teller’s own legendary “Double Barrel Cheryl” anecdote from an Ohio wedding.
- Both riff on the absurdity, joking about uses, nicknames, and what life would be like with multiple organs.
Miles: “She used to say, like, this one's for my boyfriend. I'm saving this one for my husband.” [06:23]
4. Grateful Dead & The Power of Community
[09:01–11:49]
- Miles discusses his love of The Grateful Dead, attending shows, losing cherished memorabilia in a house fire, and the kindness of Deadhead fans.
- The inclusive, vibrant atmosphere of Dead shows, and the deeper meaning found in such a loving music community.
Miles: “Their crowds were rainbow colored before anybody... you know what I mean?” [10:10]
5. Childhood, Family, and Florida Nostalgia
[12:02–20:15]
- Both reminisce about growing up in the humid South, the special feeling of hot, sticky air, and late childhood freedom and mischief.
- Reflections on parents: Theo’s sweat-soaked Louisiana, Miles’ real estate-working mom “Merry”, and the sometimes strange characters of small-town America.
6. Retirement, Hobbies, and Dads Tinkering
[17:21–19:48]
- Conversation about what happens when parents retire—dads building birdhouses, tinkering, finding solitary hobbies, and memories of bus drivers with odd nicknames (“Fingers”).
7. Nostalgic Tangents - Biking, Games, and Childhood Injuries
[20:15–21:08]
- Teller tells of knocked-out childhood games and being suspected at school for frequent black eyes.
- Theo: “...everything was so severe... just these moments when you were a kid...” [19:52]
8. Loss, Home, and Dealing With Disaster
[25:10–34:26]
- Miles shares the story of his family losing their house in the Palisades to a fire.
- The trauma of losing all possessions and identity-markers, the community's pain, reflections on what truly matters.
- He describes the chaos and disbelief during evacuation, and not realizing the gravity until seeing drone photos from TMZ.
- Emotional resonance: losing a home’s “attachment to anything” and the overwhelming task of deciding what to save.
Miles: “When you can’t look around and see anything that reminds you of your life, there’s no attachment to anything.” [26:16]
- Theo asks about the catharsis of losing everything; Miles notes the duality—trauma, but also the growth and lessons it gives.
- Cautions against “bright-siding,” invalidating grief by focusing only on silver linings.
9. Film Discussion—Eternity (Major Segment)
[33:46–47:37]
- Introduction to “Eternity”: a comic, heartfelt film where the deceased choose their version of the afterlife, with wild ‘eternity’ options (e.g., “Marilyn Manson World” or “Miami Beach Spaghetti and Cocaine”).
- The film’s creative premise: after death, you pick an eternity, but must live with that choice forever.
- Teller describes the plot: his character’s wife (Elizabeth Olsen) must choose between two loves in the afterlife—her first love (lost in the Korean War) and the partner she lived life with.
Miles, summarizing the film’s core question: “If you've already gotten to live one love, if you got to go back, would you choose a different one?” [46:05]
-
Reflection on the nature of love, memory, nostalgia, and the impermanence of relationships.
-
Theo notes the originality and emotional depth of the movie—how it makes one contemplate mortality, love’s endurance, and “how long love lives.” [36:59]
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Philosophical digression: DMT, consciousness, and the afterlife.
-
Both muse on death, core memories, relationships as the ultimate object of meaning.
10. On the Importance of Relationships & Work-Life Balance
[38:20–40:48]
- Both discuss the real payoff of a creative or busy life—the quality of relationships.
- Miles values time off, maintaining friendships, and not being solely “career-focused.”
- Theo reflects on the realization that after years of touring, the best joys are connection and community.
Miles: “The thing...I'm gonna be thinking about, you know, my wife, my... family, my relationship with whatever higher being I have.” [38:48]
11. Stories: School Assemblies, SWAT, and DARE
[51:08–54:22]
- Theo and Miles recount odd educational programs: DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), and sardonically recall “coach” teachers.
- Anecdote: “SWAT” is a Florida-only anti-tobacco youth group.
12. Florida Field Days, Key West, and Small-Town Mischief
[54:20–58:24]
- Nostalgic reflections on Key West, live music, small-town parades, and epic misadventures (e.g., a friend hotboxing a parade float in a homemade tree).
13. On Acting, Film Sets, and Craft
[62:52–66:39]
- Miles discusses his team-focused attitude on film sets, low-maintenance needs, preference for camaraderie and collaboration, and dislike of “dictator” directors.
- Emphasizes the challenge and joy of building something creative together.
14. Heist Stories & The Louvre
[67:02–71:04]
- Conversation about recent news of a daring jewelry heist at the Louvre.
- Joking about how attainable museum thefts seem and the reality of crime vs. movies.
15. Military, Service, Mental Health, and Veterans
[72:22–78:18]
- Miles discusses working with Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick), his deep respect for servicemembers, and work on the film “Thank You for Your Service.”
- The unique challenges veterans face upon returning, issues with the VA, and the societal gap in helping soldiers transition home.
- Both stress the importance of empathy, service, and gratitude for freedoms.
Miles, via a film director: “We've known how to send guys to war for centuries... We still don't really know how to bring them back.” [76:18]
16. Sports, Childhood, and the Joy of Simpler Times
[81:28–94:54]
- Miles reminisces on discipline and camaraderie from sports; Theo reflects on mischievous youth and the universal innocence of children, even in the toughest conditions.
- Both note the sadness of children losing childhood too soon due to adversity.
17. Philosophy & Empathy in Acting
[87:28–89:30]
- Teller observes that the best actors reflect “the human condition,” stressing empathy and curiosity as the core acting tools.
- Discusses his upbringing: moving often, family tragedy, exposure to hardship, and how it shaped his worldview.
18. Love, Marriage, and Personal Life
[102:35–105:12]
- Teller gives a tribute to his wife Kelly’s new pajama and robe line, and heartfelt reflection on 13 happy years together.
- Talks about the importance of friendship, companionship, and mutual support in a strong relationship.
Miles on Kelly: “She cracks me up... She says being calm is her superpower, but she is... unflappable.” [104:44]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the power of community and loss:
“...when you can't look around at any point and see anything that reminds you of your life, there’s no attachment to anything.” — Miles Teller [26:16] -
On romantic comedy and the new film
“I think it fits with kind of the classic romantic comedies that are more character driven and... I'm really excited for people to see it.” — Miles Teller [96:49] -
On loss and resilience:
“We'll be able to sit down with our kids and say, you know, when your mother and I... we lost everything. And we figured it out.” — Miles Teller [31:30] -
On the meaning of life:
“The most important thing in life for me... is relationships.” — Miles Teller [38:20] -
On acting and empathy:
“We're shining a mirror up to society really... Empathy... and curiosity, that will really aid you.” — Miles Teller [87:28] -
On working with Tom Cruise:
“He’s one of our great, great actors... nobody works harder. He knows everyone's name. He’s first one in, last one to leave.” — Miles Teller [72:32]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|----------------| | Opening & Banter | 01:30–04:48 | | Childhood Stories & Cooter Fest | 03:05–04:48 | | Double Barrel Cheryl / Two Vaginas Story | 05:22–08:12 | | Grateful Dead & Community | 09:01–11:49 | | Family & Humid Nostalgia | 12:02–20:15 | | House Fire, Loss & Grief | 25:10–34:26 | | Eternity Film Deep Dive | 33:46–47:37 | | Acting, Teams, & Collaboration | 62:52–66:39 | | Heist: Louvre Story | 67:02–71:04 | | Service, Veterans & Gratitude | 72:22–78:18 | | Acting Philosophy / Childhood Hardship | 87:28–89:30 | | Relationship & Personal Tributes | 102:35–105:12 |
Tone & Style
- Loose, self-deprecating, and playful:
The episode is laced with comedic detours, wild stories, and quick-witted banter. - Emotional and sincere:
Both Theo and Miles are unafraid to discuss vulnerability, trauma, and hope. - Philosophical and reflective:
Deep dives into meaning, memory, the afterlife, and the value of human connection.
Final Thoughts
This is an engaging, laughter-filled, and unexpectedly touching episode. Miles Teller’s humility and good humor shine, with sincere reflections on adversity, the creative journey, love, and legacy. For fans of Theo, Teller, or anyone pondering life’s meaning (and ready for a few wild detours), it’s a rewarding listen.
Check out Miles Teller in “Eternity”—in theaters Thanksgiving week, 2025! And keep your eyes out for Kelly Teller’s new pajama and robe line.