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- [00:00]
Kelly Giddish
This is an iHeart podcast guaranteed human
- [00:04]
Commercial Announcer
Xolair Omalizumab is proven to significantly reduce allergic reactions if a food allergy accident happens. Xolair 150mg is a prescription medication used to treat food allergy in people 1 year of age and older. To reduce allergic reactions due to accidental exposure to one or more foods while taking Xolair, you should continue to avoid all foods to which you are allergic to. Don't use if you are allergic to Xolair. Xolair may cause a severe life threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Tell your doctor if you have ever had anaphylaxis. Get help right away if you have trouble breathing or if you have swelling of your throat or tongue. Xolair should not be used for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Xolair is for maintenance use to reduce allergic reactions including anaphylaxis while avoiding food allergens. Serious side effects such as cancer, fever, fever, muscle aches and rash, parasitic infection or heart and circulation problems have been reported. Please see xolair.com for full prescribing information. Ask an allergist about Xolair. This is an advertisement for Xolair paid for by Genentech and Novartis. Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone Paying Big Wireless Way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month.
- [01:26]
Kelly Giddish
Of course if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments.
- [01:28]
Sophia Bush
But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway.
- [01:33]
Commercial Announcer
Give it a try@mintmobile.com Switch upfront payment
- [01:36]
Sophia Bush
of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full terms@mintmobile.com and now a quick break from our sponsor, Miracle Grow. Life is digitally distracted and time starved, but gardening is the perfect way to unplug. It isn't just about plants, it's about trading the digital noise for a quiet way to reconnect with yourself. Whether you're in an apartment or you've never even touched a shovel, don't let self doubt stop you. With 75 years of expertise, Miracle Gro takes the stress out of the process and makes it pure Joy. Head to miraclegro.com to check out all of their easy to use products and start your growth journey today.
- [02:18]
Sponsor Voice
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- [02:54]
Sophia Bush
Hey, everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to Work in Progress. Welcome back to this week's Work in progress. Friends, I am sitting down with someone I love to watch and that I love to act with. This week's guest is none other than the iconic Kelly Gish. She has spent over a decade inhabiting one of television's most complex and quietly evolving characters. On Law and Order svu, Kelly brings a depth and grit and vulnerability and kindness to Amanda Rollins in ways that have resonated so far beyond the screen and off screen. I've been lucky enough to spend some wonderful time with her. And let me tell you something, there is nobody cooler to grab a burger and a beer with than miss Kelly Goodish. Her journey has been shaped by her early ambition in the south and the grind of New York theater and moments of uncertainty that tested her resolve. And in this conversation, I was just so inspired to hear about the turning points that have defined her path and who she's found in herself. In the quiet moments, Kelly has really mastered the art of giving work. Her all stepping away to take really considered time for herself and then diving right back in with her full heart. Let's figure out how she's figured that out. Let's dive in with Kelly Giddish. Well, gosh, Hi, my dear. It's so nice to have you here today.
- [04:47]
Kelly Giddish
Nice to be here.
- [04:49]
Sophia Bush
I've just missed you. I can't believe how long it's been.
- [04:52]
Kelly Giddish
I know, I know. I. It's that I think about. I. I don't know how many times I came over and got to play on Chicago PD's set when you were. When you were there, but they were so memorable those times. And like you, you showed me Chicago and the places to eat and my in Oshibal, I don't know if you remember. And now they open one here. And that's like the only place my husband and I go out to eat here is Asheville here. And it's. I'm like, well, we can thank Sophia Bush for this long time. It's been a long time. I'm so happy to see all the things you're into. All of the things you're. You're getting to do, it's. It's really exciting following what you're doing.
- [05:37]
Sophia Bush
Thanks, honey. It's so nice. And, yeah, it was. It was so much fun when you guys came to visit, and I always had the best time coming to work on your set. I mean. Yeah, you just run such a great ship, all of you, over on svu. Congratulations on it.
- [05:54]
Kelly Giddish
I think so, too. It's a really. It's a really nice place to work.
- [05:57]
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Oh, it's the best.
- [06:00]
Kelly Giddish
And especially in this. In this environment, this atmosphere, this. This time where they're like, oh, yeah, the show, it's a. It's a great show. You. You. You read the script. You're, like, excited about everyone who's involved. You know, maybe it's a new possibility. And they're like, and it's going to be in Dublin. And you're like, oh, yeah, you know, or just Budapest or. Or Winnipeg or, you know, and you're just like, oh, my God, this is my 15th season of SVU, so I've been. I've gotten to be in New York, you know, and raised my. My little family here and not have to worry about. About that. And that's. That's so much to me, you know?
- [06:42]
Sophia Bush
Oh, totally. I. I mean, it's really interesting. I've always had to pick up and go for work, and it's so tough.
- [06:51]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [06:52]
Sophia Bush
And I. I think to be in a city that you actually live in, getting to do what you love to do, it really. It's. It's kind of like winning the lottery.
- [07:01]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah, it's huge. You don't. You don't factor that in. When you're. When you're. 28 years old and you're like, yeah, whatever, Texas. When. When. When do I come? You know, we're staying in the Ritz for a month. Yeah, no problem. You know, now you'd be like, I need a kitchenette, first of all, like,
- [07:16]
Sophia Bush
whatever, you know, like, also, my kids are in school. Wait, what?
- [07:20]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah, it's. It's totally. Totally different from. From the. The priorities you have in your 20s, as they should be. Um, yeah, but it. That was fun then, too, like, getting to hop around on different jobs. And, you know, you were. You got to be part of the circus. And that was. That was so much fun, you know, so many different places work with so many different crews. Beautiful, awesome crews. You know, it's like, not everything, you know, not everything revolves around New York, you know, and sometimes it feels that way. I Think to people when you live here and you work here, you're like, well, everything here, you know, and it doesn't. And there's so many. There's so many talented and beautiful. Beautiful. Especially crews and. And just cast members and, like, you know, when they do local casting. And when I worked in Georgia, I was like, God, the hair and makeup crew there, you know, from Georgia. And, like, getting to. Yeah. Getting to walk in first thing in the morning and hear a Southern accent and hear, you know, like they. They're. They're eating the same kind of breakfast I grew up on.
- [08:18]
Sophia Bush
So totally.
- [08:19]
Kelly Giddish
That was always great.
- [08:21]
Sophia Bush
Yeah, I had such a similar experience in North Carolina. I mean, it is really special to get to go and plug into these other pockets. And at least for me, I feel like it's kind of the both. And it's so great. And it's hard to leave your family and your home. You're so lucky, and you're trying to navigate something really difficult given the hours that we work. But I love that you've been able to go home a little bit and work, you know, in your adulthood. When you think about growing up in Georgia, I'll never forget, you know, talking with you over burgers, and you said this thing that really stuck with me that I think is. It's the way you phrase it. You say that you were a latchkey kid with a lot of freedom, like, running around there. And I just wonder, what was your childhood like? What was Georgia like when you were 8 or 9 years old? What were you into performing already? Can you. Can you give us a little childhood peek?
- [09:24]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah, I mean, I. I played. I played softball. You know, like, my dad was the coach of my softball team, so I was the one that had to call every girl on the roster and say, okay, practice is not canceled today, even though it's raining. We're all going to meet up, you know, be there. Yeah, leave a message. And I had to make notations, you know, as the coach's daughter there. But then also, I guess it was around that time that, like, I was in an elementary school that, you know, that I don't. In my mind, the library was, like, the size of Madison Square Garden. And, like, the. The roofs were so huge and beautiful and. And miss Godsey was the. The librarian, and I just thought she was magical and just, she. She curated, you know, so many experiences for all. All different kinds. Kinds of kids. But for me, like, she. I think she saw a little bit of, like, a performing little thing and mentioned it to somebody. Else in the county for side county. And then they kind of mentioned it to somebody else, and they go, well, you know, we're doing a community play, the Velveteen Rabbit. She should try out. So my mom asked me, she was like, hey, they. They think maybe you'd like to do this. I was like, yeah. And I was like, what do I have to do? And, you know, they go, you have to audition. I was like, okay. That mean, you know. So I sang do your ears hang low for my first audition, I think. And I got the part of the boat, so. Did pretty good on that one. But, you know, it's like, then I. Then I ended up doing, you know, another play with. With that community group, and I found. I found a person that totally changed my life. And. And she was huge in the community, this woman named Yatesy Harvey who taught at the high school there.
- [11:11]
Sophia Bush
And.
- [11:11]
Kelly Giddish
And, you know, my mom. My mom was a teacher in the county, and so I moved over to her high school that. That theater teacher taught there. And so I got to kind of go 9th through 12th with this woman who was a fireball, Just a complete fireball. And I learned everything I needed to know. I mean, God bless my. My college, but I. She prepared me for, like, a life of performing, like, to take it super seriously. You know, she. She. She brought us to New York. She, you know, she show act in a theater as an audience member. She showed us what it meant to really care about to, you know, and that kind of thing. But, like, even when I was a little kid, you know, it's like, if I wasn't on my bike at, like, 5pm My parents would be, what are you doing home? You know, what are you. And, like, my. My other friend had a go kart that we figured out how to. How to make the gas, like, loosen up so that you could go faster.
- [12:08]
Sophia Bush
Oh, yeah.
- [12:09]
Kelly Giddish
And we crashed it. I mean, it was like we were always in. There was a creek behind my house that I got to go and make bridges over. And, you know, it's just like building forts, like, that kind of. That kind of thing. So I see my kids now, and I'm like, okay, piano on Tuesday, ceramics on Wednesday, you know, and. And I'm like, I don't know if I did an after school, like, structured activity. I don't know if I did that until really, like, I did softball. But, you know, you look at the kids now, and it's like so much of their time is structured playtime, you know, and it's. It's so different it's just, it's a different, a different thing. Like I, I had to call my dad when I got home from school at like 8 and just be like, okay, I made it home, you know, and then I would be like, all right, what snacks am I going to get into here? So that's, that's kind of what it was like growing up. It was, it was absolutely a beautiful place to grow up. Northern Georgia, picking farms and, and cows and you know, it's like all kinds of local lore about different, different parts of the county. You could like, like go on and like all these different mystical tales about what had gone on in different areas and. Yeah, so that was, it was, it was really, really beautiful. And I, all of my immediate family was down there, so I got to spend a lot of time at my grandmama's, you know, and you know, my aunts, my cousins and you know, so it was, it was really kind of idyllic. I love that.
- [13:37]
Sophia Bush
It's so special. And you're right. It's a weird thing. I hear you on watching your kids and seeing how different time is. You know, I think about when I was a kid, we did a stint in Central California in a really small town and like, we'd get our, my parents, closest friends and their kids and like, we'd go to the creek on Fridays and catch frogs and like sit out and watch the sunset. And I realize even for me now, if I don't structure a break, like if I don't put. Take a walk in my calendar, I won't go outside and I'm like, wait, like I'm a nature kid. How did this happen? Everything is so different in such a strange way. But yeah, man, the idea that we have to structure our play is so surreal.
- [14:32]
Kelly Giddish
It's crazy. It's, it's been, it's been a lot of fun at this stage in my life, like because my, I have a 10 and a 7 year old that's not, they're not old. But I also now have a two year old. So it's like as soon as he learned how to walk, we'd get up and you know, you don't have to have a plan with a one or two year old. You just kind of go and look at rocks or dirt. Yeah, it's like that is one thing I love about New York. You don't really have to have a plan if you don't want to to like if you're ever feeling down, like even in your 20s or whatever. Like if you're ever feeling like, ah, you just go out for a while, just go outside. It's. It's great. It's like, it's weird because you'll all of a sudden you'll meet up with someone that you were thinking about like that.
- [15:15]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [15:15]
Kelly Giddish
In five years and you're like, oh my God, I was just thinking about you. Let's go get some coffee.
- [15:19]
Sophia Bush
Like, what are you doing on the street here?
- [15:21]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [15:22]
Sophia Bush
Yes.
- [15:22]
Kelly Giddish
And it's. You conjure, you conjure these, these things up, you know, it's like they, they happen.
- [15:28]
Sophia Bush
Well, that's so interesting. You know, you talk about the kind of mystical, magical of northern Georgia. And there's a mystical, magical in New York.
- [15:35]
Kelly Giddish
There is.
- [15:36]
Sophia Bush
So in my brain I was gonna ask you, was it a crazy culture shock when you moved to start pursuing acting? But I actually wonder if as different as the cities are, if you felt that kind of similarity in the magic of the two places.
- [15:54]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah, I mean, I think I. My head, I'm very, you know, like a lot of people, I'm just very adaptable to new, new places. It was like I remember my first morning after moving to New York. I woke up in Chelsea where I'd rented a futon in someone's apartment for five a night a month. And, and I go down the steps and I'm like, New York, you know, here I am, let's go down. And there's like an 18 inch black dildo. Like crack files. But I, I was like, well, okay. You know, it was just like, boom, Reality, you know. And I was like, I can deal with that too. You know, it's like, okay, so someone had a great time here or you know, last night. I'm gonna go get my coffee and bagel. But yeah, it was, it. I don't. Culture shock doesn't really happen to me. Like, I've always loved traveling. I've always loved being the, like a stranger in a strange land. You know, I like even, even other countries and that kind of thing. I never minded like being by myself, traveling, you know, and taking it all in. Like, it's. That's just. I love doing that.
- [17:07]
Sophia Bush
I do too. I love, I love knowing that about you. Yeah, I, I find it so exciting to get to a new place and figure out what it's all about. Especially if it's different than where I've been.
- [17:19]
Kelly Giddish
Same, same. And my dad instilled like a love of maps, you know, so it's just like me with the map and in a new city. I. It's like it's heaven to me.
- [17:29]
Sophia Bush
Oh, I love that.
- [17:31]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [17:31]
Sophia Bush
Well, when you, you know, you moved to New York, obviously you have a pretty wild initial career. Like, immediately you're on stage opposite Farrah Fawcett. Then you're working on All My Children. I mean, you did over a hundred episodes on that. And then you get onto svu. Like, did it just feel like one thing after another or were. Or were there all those days that we know as actors of, like, pounding the pavement and chasing the thing that other people don't see?
- [18:02]
Kelly Giddish
Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, like, I. I remember when I first moved here, like, I got kicked out of the $500 a month apartment. She was like, okay, it's time for you to go. And I was like, oh, okay. Yeah. Huh. And so I. And I was working as a waitress, you know, like, at a. At a little restaurant around the corner, making four forty dollars a night. I was like, this is not gonna. This is not sustainable. And I'm like, I don't know what.
- [18:28]
Sophia Bush
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
- [18:30]
Kelly Giddish
And I'm taught. I'm like, I'm in kind of tears because I'm like, I don't know. And, you know, one of my regulars that, you know, me and old men have always gotten along. He's like. He's like, what's wrong? And I go, I don't have any place to live, you know? And he's like, well, my housekeeper has a place. It's 500 bucks a month. It's right up the road. And I go, yes. So, like, I take that. And, you know, but in the meantime, I was all. I was always like, you know, I waited tables and did all that. But, like, I always had friends here from college, right? You know, playwrights and that kind of thing that I would do black box theater and that stuff, I threw my whole heart and mind into, you know, and, like, being able to figure out how to make that work, you know, make enough money, like, on the weekends so that I could audition during the week and. And go to rehearsals for another thing at night and. And do all of that, you know, it's. I. You. Of course, you don't regret a second of it is the funnest time, you know, of your life where you. You're living in, like, a crap hole and just, like. Just, like, working. Working so hard on these plays and, like, these new things and, like, trying to make it work and. And figuring out, like. And I. I. Throughout all of it, I always believed work begets work. No matter what it was, you know, and at some moment I was like, well, there's nothing for me to be in right now. I'm going to write. And, you know, and I ended up writing this one woman show, and somebody from all my children had come to see that. And that's how I got catch on that it was like, I know, I know that work begets work. That's all I know. So all I have to do is keep working in some kind of fashion. And, you know, whether it's. Whether it's the. The mindset that, you know, just like. Just like playing guitar or something, you have to keep. Keep that up, you know, you have to keep up your chops. Whether it's that, you know, and you just keep the. The momentum moving forward. Yeah. Whether it's just trying to put yourself in places to be seen. I think it's both of those, you know, because no one's going to see you if you're not out there, you know? Of course. So the. I. Throughout any hard times, I always just believed I was like, work begets work. So whatever kind of work it is, you know, like, if it's a reading, if it's this, if it's that, like it's gonna lead to something else, you know? Yeah.
- [20:50]
Sophia Bush
I love that. It's like the. The idea that the muse has to find you working.
- [20:57]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [20:57]
Sophia Bush
You know, I remember there's. That there's a great book called the War of Art.
- [21:02]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [21:03]
Sophia Bush
You know, that was based on the Art of War. And it's like the. The idea that if you just continue making, things to make will continue finding you. I think there's something really powerful in that.
- [21:16]
Kelly Giddish
I do too.
- [21:17]
Sophia Bush
How do you kind of balance, though, then? You know, always being at work, especially when you've been on a series for so long, and then the periods where you do want or need a break, where you do want to go somewhere with your family or work on something else for a moment of freshness. Like, how do you. How do you grapple with those things?
- [21:45]
Kelly Giddish
It's super hard because I have. I have three kids. So if I, If. If work that isn't paying the bills is not like, if I'm on a break from that, then I'm like, okay, full on, Mom. You have me every second, every, every hour, every day, you know, And. Yeah, and I'm trying to get better about that, you know, like setting some time aside for. For just my mind, for just to. For just staring off that in the. You know, into space at the wall and yeah. And being open for the muse or whatever, but it. It is. That's. It's really hard balancing that and, like, just daydreaming and. And then making. Making the conversations happen and the meetings happen that, you know, somebody tells you of an idea or, like, you come up with something and it won't leave you alone. And actually, you know, honoring that to. To go after it and to keep. To. To keep cultivating it, I definitely think it's a. It's a skill. A learned. A learned skill that, you know, like I said, I'm trying to get better at. At honoring that because it's. It's. It's really easy when you're. When you do feel like you have a job that fulfills you. And I get to go to work every day, and I get to, you know, figure out some kind of puzzle, and that's satisfying to me, you know? Yeah. And there's. There's also a ton of other stuff I want to do. There's different worlds I want to, you know, different characters I want to inhabit, different people I want to work with. So. But like I said, work begets work. And. And right now I'm doing. I'm doing, like. It just feels really good where I am getting to be the mom that I get to be and all of that stuff. At the end of the day, I fall asleep very well. Like, my. My head lays on the pillow very nicely at night. You know, like, the things that I feel like I'm getting done. And, you know, it's like, you know. You know, you need to set. Set some more time aside to. To. To just daydream and. And, you know, and, like, have those conversations, follow up on those. On those inklings of things that you're like, that's. That's something, you know, and I have done that, you know, and it hasn't gone very far yet, but, you know, it's. It's going to. And I'm going to keep working at it. And, like, in working with Mariska and seeing all the things that she's. You know, it took her a long time to make a movie about her mom, and she did it, but it took her a very, very long time to get to a place where it was possible, you know, for her heart, for a brain, and. And things come at the right time. You know what I mean? But it's. It's certainly nice working with a good role model like that, you know, who's a few years ahead of me that I'm like, okay, all right. I see you, you know, like, that's when you did that. That's, that's the decade that comes, you know, and that's, that's kind of, that's kind of awesome, being a woman and just seeing another powerful woman get after it and, and do, do the things that make her happy. So I'm totally so happy I have her as a role model.
- [24:52]
Sophia Bush
Well, and I think, you know, for you, certainly at work and in your friendship, but I, I would say that that ripple effects out, you know, also having worked there and seeing it for your crew, when you have someone like her in the position of number one on the call sheet, the world is so vastly different from what it could be without her.
- [25:16]
Kelly Giddish
Absolutely.
- [25:17]
Sophia Bush
And a person who leads like that and manages to bring such professionalism and also such humor into a space where like, y' all are dealing with a lot of really heavy stuff.
- [25:29]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [25:30]
Sophia Bush
And you managed to laugh a lot on that set. And I think that that's really profound.
- [25:34]
Kelly Giddish
I do, too.
- [25:36]
Sophia Bush
And now for our sponsors.
- [25:39]
Commercial Announcer
Xolair Omalizumab is proven to significantly reduce allergic reactions if a food allergy accident happens. Xolair, 150 milligrams is a prescription medication used to treat food allergy in people 1 year of age and older to reduce allergic reactions due to accidental exposure to one or more foods. While taking Xolair, you should continue to avoid all foods to which you are allergic to. Don't use if you are allergic to Xolair. Xolair may cause a severe, life threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Tell your doctor if you have ever had anaphylaxis. Get help right away if you have trouble breathing or if you have swelling of your throat or tongue. Xolair should not be used for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Xolair is for maintenance use to reduce allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, while avoiding food allergens. Serious side effects such as cancer, fever, muscle aches and rash, parasitic infection, or heart and circulation problems have been reported. Please see xolair.com for full prescribing information. Ask an allergist about Xolair. This is an advertisement for Xolair paid for by Genentech and Novartis.
- [26:48]
Sophia Bush
Oh, friends, spring is springing and I am so excited. Temperatures are starting to warm. The days are getting a little bit longer. I feel like my energy energy is getting a refresh and I can't wait to get out and refresh everything in my life from a spring cleaning in the closet to replanting in the garden. It's time and one way you can welcome spring is by changing up your routine. A refresh can be as simple as amplifying your look with clean beauty from Thrive Cosmetics. Every one of their products is 100% vegan, cruelty free and made with skin loving ingredients that work with your skin, not against it. And when we use Thrive Cosmetics, we're helping others shine too. With over $150 million in product and cash donations to over 600 giving partners, every purchase fuels real impact. And that's what I call beauty with purpose. I love a bold lip, so I use their Empower Matte Precision Lipstick Crayon. This one comes in 18 buildable, long lasting matte shades. It's designed to be worn as either a liner or layered and it leaves your lips looking luscious and fuller. I also love their brilliant eye brightener. It's a waterproof eyeshadow highlighter stick made to brighten and open your eyes. Definitely comes in handy after long days on set. So amplify your everyday Go to Thrive Cosmetics Progress for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. That's Thrive Cosmetics. C A U S E M E t I c s.com progress BOEM is
- [28:30]
Sponsor Voice
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- [29:04]
Sophia Bush
e.com hey, quick question for any parents out there listening right now. When's the last time your kid asked for something and you felt good saying yes? Because lately a lot of families have been hearing the same good thing. Can I have Lingokids please? Here's the thing. Lingokids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids with more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows, Astronauts, wild animals, superheroes, dinosaurs. It's literally everything that kids love all in one place. So when they ask for it, you can actually feel good about saying yes. Download Lingokids for free and start exploring today or unlock even more amazing content with LingoKids Plus. And if you go with the yearly plan, you can save up to 60%. Yes, 60. Search lingokids in the app Store or Google Play Lingokids Everything Kids love. This segment is brought to you by Miracle. Grow. My friends and family know I am literally obsessed with the great outdoors and obsessed with my garden. My place at home has almost 50 fruit trees, lavender plants, herbs, even an apiary with 100,000 bees. Yes, friends, if you've been living under a rock. I am a beekeeper, and it is truly my favorite hobby. I started building out a garden in a really small way. I'm talking about a little patch with a couple of herbs, and then I got a tomato plant. And then I spent the next five years going crazy. And I built myself my own little wonderland. And being out there brings me so much peace, especially when I'm getting down in the dirt. I think gardening is such a special hobby because it becomes part of your lifestyle. You get to grow food and you get to give it away and you get to really be reminded how magical it is being outside. I love watching the birds and watching my plants grow and feeling like I'm really in rhythm with nature, with the seasons. And, you know, I get a thrill every once in a while having to chase a neighborhood critter out of the yard because let me tell you what, they come after my fruit and they gotta go. But now that I'm spending an awful lot more time on the east coast, bless my west coast roommates for attending to my garden while I am gone. You know, I had to start a garden over here. My latest project. I'm deep in research to figure out I might need a greenhouse. Guys, it gets cold here and I still want to grow tomatoes and herbs and other plants all year round, even in the snow. So in case you're ever wondering what I'm doing when I can't sleep, I am in a research rabbit hole learning every single thing I can about growing in the winter. This is new for me. So I have been going full dirt nerd to find out what I can use to set my plants up for success. I am not an experienced snow grower, but give me a few years and I think I'm going to do great. I've really started realizing how important things are that I didn't think about as much on the west coast, like aeration and moisture control and the quality of my potting mix. I mean, that is so, so important to growing, and it's exponentially more important when you're dealing with serious variations in temperature. I'm learning a about growing in a more controlled space, and I will keep you all posted. Never fear. What I do know is that the littlest things make a huge difference, which is where Miracle Gro organic outdoor potting mix comes in. It is the best here. The organic feeding power helps keep the plants going strong even when they're just starting in the garden or in the greenhouse. I'm telling you, fam, it is the only one I trust. I'm so excited to experiment and figure out what I need to get this just right. And I am also trying to decide which plants I should grow and what lighting sources will be my best. I'm honestly so thrilled that Miracle Gro is joining the work in progress family, because now I get to ask the experts. Gardening is and always will be its own work in progress, but that's what makes it fun. Head to miraclegrow.com to check out all of their easy to use products and start your growth journey today. I'm curious about that for you too, you know, because you've been playing Amanda Rose Rollins since 2007. You know, you're coming up on 20 years here, which is so crazy. And in the middle of that, as you've discussed, you became a mom, you know, for the first time 10 years ago. And I, I really wonder. I've said it. I think you guys do a really great job of taking the material very seriously, as it deserves to be. And as a cast, you have such a great group. You managed to find such levity. I mean, I've done some of my favorite acting and then also like laughed the hardest I've ever laughed on set with you guys.
- [34:10]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [34:10]
Sophia Bush
Like, do you think that being able to do both at work when you're playing a character who is immersed in so much hardship, you know, trauma, heavy stuff. Did the duality you guys have on set help you keep the light side at home as a mom?
- [34:29]
Kelly Giddish
Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely. And people, people are like, are you, do you parent scared? I'm like, no. Like my, no. Like my kids a lot of free. They're like, how can you let them do that working on the show you work on? And I'm like, that, it, that doesn't, it's not, I can't like, yeah, you can't live scared just because you're immersed in, in these horrible stories, you know, on a day to day basis. And I rarely ever like bring that, that, that side of my work home. So it definitely helps. I know when I've taken breaks from the show, the biggest thing I, I, I find that I miss is the belly laughs that, that we have on set.
- [35:12]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [35:13]
Kelly Giddish
You know, but I, I, like, I, I certainly didn't have an actor as a mom. And I don't. It's got to be annoying at points for my kids. I'm so sorry. I'm like, I, you know, because I, I give it to them, you know, and it's. They, they. They roll with it and, you know, we laugh a lot and there's a lot of different characters they get to see and a lot of different funny voices just like every mom does at out there, you know?
- [35:41]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [35:42]
Kelly Giddish
Like today I go, I was doing like. I was doing like, oh, my gosh, I forgot my external hard driver at work.
- [35:50]
Sophia Bush
Oh.
- [35:50]
Kelly Giddish
And I was like. I was like, was that good acting, guys? And they were like, no, they're terrible. Oh, my God.
- [35:55]
Sophia Bush
Like, oh, my God, mom, you're a schmactor.
- [35:58]
Kelly Giddish
I tried it again and they're like, that's terrible. Terrible. And I go, okay, your turn. And like, we're trying to get out the door to go to school. We're late. You know what I mean? But we take the moment to, like, get the moment, the. The acting down. Right. For leaving your external charger at work and not being able. Yeah, whatever. So it's just like, it's, you know, that's. That hopefully it's fun for them, you know, and. Yeah, it's. It certainly does, like, the level of play that. That you do at work definitely carries over when you come home.
- [36:28]
Sophia Bush
For sure. Yeah, totally. Oh, I have found that especially for me, loving voice work as much as I do. And, you know, having. Having been lucky enough to play a character in a Pixar movie, it's like, now I'm lucky enough to live with these two magical little humans, thanks to my partner. And, oh, my God, like, I turn out. I do full Pixar movies when we read books every night with, like, voices and characters and the creepy, crawly little witch and the, you know, and she's just like, who are all these people? And I'm like, I don't know. It's just coming out of me.
- [37:02]
Kelly Giddish
I don't know.
- [37:03]
Sophia Bush
They love it.
- [37:04]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [37:04]
Sophia Bush
And it's like all those years of theater school you. You think you did and left there. Oh, they're in. They're in. Us.
- [37:10]
Kelly Giddish
They're there. They're there. How old are they?
- [37:12]
Sophia Bush
Five and three and a half.
- [37:13]
Kelly Giddish
Oh, perfect.
- [37:14]
Sophia Bush
It's so fun. Aubrey Plaza. Oh, my God. The funniest. Which is the joy of my life. Aubrey Plaza wrote this great Halloween book about a little girl on a block who becomes friends with the witch who lives across the street.
- [37:29]
Kelly Giddish
Oh, wonderful.
- [37:30]
Sophia Bush
And like, oh, man, you've got to read it. That book is a big hit in our house. And doing all the little voices is so fun.
- [37:39]
Kelly Giddish
That's great. Yeah.
- [37:41]
Sophia Bush
I feel like being an actor gives you really great play skills at home. Like you can just make anything into an improv game.
- [37:49]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah, yeah, exactly. And a lot of times, like, if, if oldie, the little one, if he's like really upset, I mean, just totally not reachable, you know, like, then I'll pretend like his voice is knocking me down, you know, and like all of a sudden I'm crawling across the kitchen, you know, and it's just like, yeah, at least I got that. Like, I got that in my toolkit to make him laugh, you know what I mean? And that being, being that parent is, you know, I may, I may mess up a lot of other stuff, but at least, at least I can reach him and make him laugh when. When things are getting hairy inside of his brain.
- [38:24]
Sophia Bush
So fun.
- [38:24]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [38:25]
Sophia Bush
How is it having such a little one with two bigger kids? Like, do they love having the baby around or.
- [38:32]
Kelly Giddish
They love.
- [38:33]
Sophia Bush
Oh, they love.
- [38:34]
Kelly Giddish
It's magic. And like my two oldie burst onto the scene and he was like, I heard you needed a baby in the family. You know what I mean? He was like, got it, got it, got it, got it. But also, to be honest, it's frustrating because we can't ever play the same board game.
- [38:53]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [38:53]
Kelly Giddish
So it's like the age difference is. I mean, they dote on him, they take care of him. They're such good big brothers. He. He can throw a spiral and dunk and. You know what I mean? Like, way ahead. Wow. Their two year old, I've seen, so he's advanced in a lot of that thing, in a lot of those things. But like, find a board game.
- [39:10]
Sophia Bush
Absolutely not a two year old's gonna swallow the pieces of the board game. You can't even. You can't open those boxes anymore.
- [39:17]
Kelly Giddish
Exactly. Yeah. I guess that's the first challenge. Find a board game in my house with all the pieces intact. That right? Yeah, that's. That's not me. Organization is not my, not my strong suit, but it, it is, it's frustrating. So like when you find a show, you know, or a movie that you can all watch, sit down and watch for. For a while, and everyone is like engaged. It's like, it's a win. It's like, oh my God, everyone's actually doing the same thing all at once, you know, so that's when the pool, you know, or like Going outside, you know, like, going for walks. That's those things everyone can do. And everyone has a different interest level in something. And we're all doing something together, though, you know what I mean? So it's those kind of things that you have to find.
- [40:03]
Sophia Bush
Oh, that's so fun.
- [40:05]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [40:05]
Sophia Bush
Thank God it's finally getting warm out here too, right? This winter was so tough.
- [40:10]
Kelly Giddish
I. Well, last week, I think it got up to like, 70 for a day. All my husband. I dropped the two year off at school and I was like. He didn't answer. He was. He was doing something. So I was like, I just want to tell you, I'm so grateful for you and for the boys. I love our life, and this is so great. All right, have a good day. And like, I'm like, what's going on? I was like, oh, the sun is out.
- [40:35]
Sophia Bush
The sun's out.
- [40:36]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [40:37]
Sophia Bush
My seasonal effect of depression is starting to wane.
- [40:40]
Kelly Giddish
Yes. It's so crazy how much it. How much it affects everyone. But, like, for me, I was just like, what is going. Oh, that's right. It's. It's above 30. Yes. Yeah.
- [40:51]
Sophia Bush
Yes. I can walk outside without my snot freezing in my nose.
- [40:55]
Kelly Giddish
That's correct. Yeah. But I still love the seasons, you know? Like, I still love going through all of it because it really do. The crocus and the daffodils coming up and.
- [41:05]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [41:05]
Kelly Giddish
You know, it makes it all special because you've waited for it for so long.
- [41:09]
Sophia Bush
I love it. Just starting to see, you know, where I am. The birds are all starting to come back. We just saw our first pack of turkeys, you know, moving through the property the other day, and I was like, oh, my God, they're all home. Everyone's coming home. You know, it's really. It is really sweet.
- [41:28]
Kelly Giddish
The little things are not so little, you know what I mean? It makes it make your whole day better.
- [41:34]
Sophia Bush
You mentioned your sweet husband, Beau.
- [41:38]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [41:38]
Sophia Bush
You guys met while you were at svu. Like, and forgive me, I know we've talked about this, but I feel like it's probably been 10 years since the last time we had a beer together. Remind me of your meet Cute story.
- [41:53]
Kelly Giddish
So he. He was. He was. He was driving me and I, like, it's. We didn't even talk that much in the car. You know what I mean? And I. I was going through a divorce pretty much when he met me, and, like, we didn't really. We didn't really even talk, like, personal stuff. We just played music in the car and it was just like a beautiful little oasis of peace and calm. And his taste in music was really good, you know, and like. Yeah, I was like, oh, my gosh. And then the, then the divorce was happening, and so that I was leaving that behind, and then he kind of emerged as. It's like, oh, I'm like, I, I. I kind of want more of that. You know, it just kind of. It just kind of slowly bloomed into something really special and really, like, I'm like, oh, this is my person.
- [42:54]
Sophia Bush
I totally get it.
- [42:55]
Kelly Giddish
I want to rely on. And. And I want him to rely on me. And I want to be. I, like, I'm gonna be a bigger, better person with this. This guy beside me. And that, that, to me is like. I mean, the biggest thing you can say for your relationship is just. Just wanting. Wanting to be better so that you can make them better. And, you know, and, like, knowing you go through really hard stuff with someone and they're just. They're going to be right beside you, and it's who you want rubbing your back, you know, it's, yeah, this back you want to rub, you know, and it's. I'm so, I'm. I'm so grateful the sun is shining, but I am. I'm so grateful. So we, we had. We had a son together almost three years ago, and. And now we have this beautiful little blended family that's just. It's a lot of boys and a lot of balls in the house, and, and it's just we're rolling along and time. It's crazy how fast time goes, but, you know, it's like these kids have known him since he was little, and now, you know, and as a. As their stepfather and, you know, he really embraces that role in a beautiful way, and he's embraced fatherhood to, to oldie in such a beautiful way. And, you know, seeing, seeing that, it's. I like you. I'm just still excited for what's to come. Even though, like, we've done the big milestones of having a baby and gotten married, like, now it's like, okay, now, like, the, the meat of the relationship starts, you know, it's like the falling in love and everything like that. That's. That's beautiful. But it's like I, I said to him the other day, I was like, that's. That's kind of the easy part, you know, like, now to get. To make our relationship what it's going to be, you know, and in 10, 20 years. And that, that all that work is exciting. Exciting for me. Yeah.
- [44:52]
Sophia Bush
Oh, my gosh. I. Yes, yes, yes, yes. I feel like everything you're saying, I'm like. And that part, and that part, and that part. In that part, I think there's a really profound thing that can happen when. When you have the courage to say, oh, the checklist we all get handed isn't. I don't think it's my list. Like, I did it, but I don't think it's for me. And I think when you wind up in community with people that are having their versions of that experience, magic can. Can come out of that. I know that it did for me. And. And there is something really special, I think, about recalibrating your life to what brings you joy, not just falling in line and doing the thing that everyone told you to do.
- [45:51]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [45:51]
Sophia Bush
It's like. It's so. I don't know if you feel this, but I feel like I'm living the most normal version of my life I've ever lived, and it's also the most exciting.
- [46:03]
Kelly Giddish
Yes. Same. Same.
- [46:06]
Sophia Bush
That's crazy, right?
- [46:07]
Kelly Giddish
Because it's like, if you had written it down, I would have been like, wait, what? I. Then I fell in love with my driver, and now we. We get to work at the same place, and then we have. I have three children in that life.
- [46:19]
Sophia Bush
Are you serious?
- [46:20]
Kelly Giddish
Like, I'm the mom to three kids? That's crazy, right? You told me that. Yeah. If you told me that at 25 or do you know. Or whatever. Whatever. It's. It's. And now it's like I. I'm. I don't know. I've carved it out and I'm. I'm so. I don't know. I'm so happy. And, like, the. The things that I have to make decisions on are. Are so wildly. So wildly normal, you know? Like, you have to make them together with a partner, and. And. And then you have to. You have to worry about your kids and, like, all the. All the things you're. You're doing good and all the things you're messing up and the finite amount of time you have with them at home. Like, I never. I don't know. You just, like. Because when I was. When I got my driver's license at 16, my parents, like, we were laughing about it the other day. They were like, we never saw you after that.
- [47:12]
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Bye.
- [47:14]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah. Super tight. Like, And. And I don't remember calling them when I was in college. Like, I. Like, they were just always there for me, and I. I, like, I love speaking with them. I loved going back home to visit, but it was just like they were always just the. The net for me. And, yeah, you know, hopefully that's how I can be for my kids. But I. I'm like, but they have to call me a lot of. They can't be like, I was, you know, and being England and traveling the world and just not just, you know, they have to email. But it's like, we didn't. We didn't even do any of that. You know, it's like, life. 360. Like, that didn't. That stuff didn't exist.
- [47:53]
Sophia Bush
No way. I was so similar. I went to college and, you know, my mom and I have talked about this more recently, but, you know, I finally was like, you were really, but hurt that I didn't call you more. And she was like, well, you know, we were just so close, and you left. And I was like, mom, like, you gotta reframe that. You did a good job. You raised me to be an independent kid. And then I was independent. Like, aren't you glad I wasn't, like, calling you to clean up my messes and asking you for money and shit? And then she was kind of like, oh, oh. I was like, that's a sign you did well as a mom.
- [48:30]
Kelly Giddish
And she was kind of like, oh,
- [48:32]
Sophia Bush
I never thought about it that way. And we had a really good giggle.
- [48:36]
Kelly Giddish
You know, go with everybody. Framing mom.
- [48:39]
Sophia Bush
Yeah, you know, serving. Serving kind of in the role in my household that, you know, Beau does in yours. Like, now my mom knows these kids that are in my world, and she's, you know, she's so. God, she's so sweet with them. And then there's these moments where I'll be talking about, like, a leap, you know, some verbal leap or some. Some streak of independence about something. And she's like, oh, gee, wonder what that's karma for? And I'm like, you know, they're like, no, let me help you. I know you can do it yourself, but let me help you. I love. I love, like, doing things with you. And my mom's like, get ready. Wait till they get a driver's license. So it's that, I think, for sure.
- [49:21]
Kelly Giddish
Super big karma coming back at us,
- [49:24]
Sophia Bush
but in a good way.
- [49:25]
Kelly Giddish
That means we've done a good job at that time.
- [49:27]
Sophia Bush
That part. That part. And now a word from our sponsors that I really enjoy, and I think you will, too.
- [49:35]
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- [50:44]
Sophia Bush
Oh friends, Spring is springing and I am so excited. Temperatures are starting to warm, the days are getting a little bit longer. I feel like my energy is getting a refresh and I can't wait to get out and refresh everything in my life. From a spring cleaning in the closet to replanting in the garden. It's time and one way you can welcome spring is by changing up your routine. A refresh can be as simple as amplifying your look with clean beauty from Thrive Cosmetics. Every one of their products is 100 vegan, cruelty free and made with skin loving ingredients that work with your skin, not against it. And when we use Thrive Cosmetics, we're helping others shine too. With over $150 million in product and cash donations to over 600 giving partners, every purchase fuels real impact. And that's what I call beauty with purpose. I love a bold lip, so I use their EmpowerMat Precision lipstick crayon. This one comes in 18 buildable, long lasting matte shades. It's designed to be worn as either a liner or layered and it leaves your lips looking luscious and fuller. I also love their Brilliant Eye Brightener. It's a waterproof eyeshadow highlighter stick made to brighten and open your eyes. Definitely comes in handy after long days on set. So amplify your everyday Go to Thrive Cosmetics Progress for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. That's Thrive Cosmetics C-A U S E M E T I C S.com progress
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Sophia Bush
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- [53:00]
Sophia Bush
e.com hey, quick question for any parents out there listening right now. When's the last time your kid asked for something and you felt good saying yes? Because lately a lot of families have been hearing the same good thing. Can I have Lingokids please? Here's the thing. Lingokids is the number one entertainment platform for young kids with more than 4,000 interactive games, songs and shows. Astronauts, wild animals, superheroes, dinosaurs. It's literally everything that kids love all in one place. So when they ask for it, you can actually feel good about saying yes. Download Lingokids for free and start exploring today, or unlock even more amazing content with LingoKids Plus. And if you go with the yearly plan, you can save up to 60%. Yes, 60. Search lingokids in the App Store or Google Play. Lingokids Everything kids love. You know, you were mentioning how cool it is. You couldn't have seen it coming. Which, wow, do I understand that in my bones. But, you know, now you, you get to work with your man. You've built this big family, you know, SVU, in its own way, I would imagine, feels like a family. It's your other home. It's your other world.
- [54:21]
Kelly Giddish
Sure.
- [54:22]
Sophia Bush
And then, you know, it's also work. And work can be complicated. Like, you know, as things are, you clearly love it and you all love each other and you've, you've talked about how there were tougher seasons and there were moments where you were all in and moments where you were kind of out. Not, you know, by choice. Like, we all know what that's like in the world of creativity, right? How did you take a break that felt weird and figure out how to make it feel amazing, like you touched on it a little bit earlier? I'm curious. Do you feel like it gave you the space to recalibrate priorities? Did it give you the space to try a creative thing you hadn't tried because you seemed, at least from the outside, from somebody who likes to cheerlead. You seemed like you made incredible strides during that time. So in reflection, does it feel like that it.
- [55:23]
Kelly Giddish
Yes, it does. I mean, the, the break that I took coincided with, with the birth of my third. Third baby. Now in the first two I had breastfed on set. I like, like, for one of them, I, I was back doing ADR a week after giving birth, like, back filming like four weeks after, you know, and I'm, I'm, I'm a workhorse. Like, I love, I'm, I'm good at, I'm good at showing up. I'm good at long hours. I'm good. I'm just, I'm good at working. I like, I like it. But when I didn't have a call sheet coming to my inbox every morning and you're like, oh, there's no plan for me today. I get to make my own plan. You know, that's when I started lifting weights a lot. And wow, after I, I swear it was like, I love doing that. Like, actually finding that, you know, like, like in your 20s and 30s, you're just like running on the, on the track or like on the treadmill, you know, like actually like really making myself strong, like really strong physically and like pursuing an opportunity to sell a show, you know, and to go out on pitches for, for this show that I absolutely loved based on this book. And then all these conversations happened about like, starting up this. I did this show called the Berg, which is like, it was like one of the first Internet shows. Like, SAG didn't even know what to do. They were like, we don't know what to do. Like, what is this? Yeah, so it was, it was, that was really fun. And I've kept those, the, the, the creators of that show close to, to me, close to my heart. And then they're the funniest people I know and like, just get circling back with them and going, hey, what are you guys up to? Like, like, what? Yeah, let's, let's see if this has any more life in it, you know? And like, so that's an ongoing thing. And like, I think just learning those lessons of, of it's, it's okay to make your own schedule. Like, you're good at this, you know, like, you, you get, you get done. It's okay, you know, and like getting to be at home with the baby, like, just at home.
- [57:37]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [57:37]
Kelly Giddish
You know, and like watching a Rick Rubin documentary at 12 o' clock in the afternoon if I want to with the baby. You know what I mean? Like, that felt. I've never. I haven't done that. Like, I've been working. I've been working for. Since forever. So to. To kind of be able to. That was the big thing I. I learned is that you. You can make your own schedule pretty well, and you make good use of your time. You're. It's. It's okay. You know, it's okay if you don't get a call sheet in your inbox every morning.
- [58:10]
Sophia Bush
Do you feel like, did you have a. A kind of template for your schedule or was it different every day? And the reason I ask is because I. I like you. I'm a great workhorse. I love to show up, tell me where to be, tell me what to do. I'm all in. I'll figure out how to make it fun. I'll probably get a snack truck. Like, that's my vibe. And I find that unscheduled time is my. It's the most exciting thing to me and also my biggest source of panic because the list of things like the Rick Rubin documentary and everything else that I haven't had time to do that I want to do is so overwhelming that then I can't decide what to do.
- [58:49]
Kelly Giddish
Yes.
- [58:50]
Sophia Bush
So, like, how'd you do it? Did you have certain days you did certain things on to give it a cadence or, like, what's the inside scoop on how you learned how to manage your time?
- [59:00]
Kelly Giddish
Well, the gym and the sauna were the priority. You know, okay. It. That was. That was the priority. And, like, as long as, you know. And, like, I would do that during nap time, so I wasn't missing oldie time. You know what I mean? So it's like. So I didn't have mom guilt about going to take care of myself because it was during the morning nap. He was asleep. Anyway.
- [59:17]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [59:18]
Kelly Giddish
So then. Then you get to go out to the park, and then you get to schedule a meeting in the afternoon nap.
- [59:24]
Sophia Bush
Right.
- [59:24]
Kelly Giddish
So I never. Because the mom guilt is crushing for me. Like.
- [59:28]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [59:28]
Kelly Giddish
I don't know what it is. I'm like, it's. It's fine. You're there. You're there.
- [59:31]
Sophia Bush
You're right there.
- [59:33]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah. Doesn't. It's. It's very hard to let go of that for me. So I think, you know, it's like scheduling meetings and. And knowing, you know, like, knowing that I had to. I had to give myself time to prepare for that meeting the day before or two hours before, you know, to. To kind of go off on a tangent and write some. Some new ideas. You know, to bring to that meeting, to, you know, like. Yeah, I. Because I know I need. I need 30 minutes of time to, like, settle down, and then I'll work for like an hour, hour and a half, and then I'm like, okay, who's missing me? You know what I mean? And then I come back out of it, you know? So it's like. I know my cadence. About, like, about. It's like, when you go on vacation, you need, like, two days to calm down, to, like, settle. You're like, okay, let's go do something. Let's not do something. You don't care at that point because you're already settled in. You're like, we can go on the boat or we can not. I really give a shit less. Yeah. And then, like, you come home and you need a day to. To do it, you know, it's like. It's the same kind of thing, you know, so it's like just knowing how much time, like, it takes for me to. To kind of get in the headspace, like that. That's super important to me. But, yeah, the gym. The gym was super important. And then, like, scheduling things in the afternoon where I knew, like, the kids were already taken care of. They were already doing their own thing, they didn't need me. So then I'd be back for, you know, even if I didn't leave the house, I'd be back, you know, in the mix for homework and dinner and. And all of that.
- [61:04]
Sophia Bush
That's so cool. It's like you've. You figured out how to take the nap trap and make it work for you.
- [61:09]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah. Yeah. And now this little guy is like, he's barely taking naps. So now I'm just like, ah, okay. All right. We've got preschool in the morning. That's what we've got. Three and a half hours. Go and get it done. But I do feel that pressure of, like, okay, you've got three and a half hours. Preschool. Last three and a half. What. What do you. What do you want to accomplish? You know? And you're just like, it's. It's okay, guys. Like, the park behind me, it's like, there's maybe nothing. Maybe I just want to read.
- [61:36]
Sophia Bush
Yeah, maybe. Maybe I want to go for a walk.
- [61:39]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [61:39]
Sophia Bush
Unscheduled free time.
- [61:42]
Kelly Giddish
Unstructured playtime for Kelly, who could imagine. Oh, my God.
- [61:48]
Sophia Bush
Yeah. I've got a friend who, twice a week, blocks, unmovable meeting, do not overlap in her calendar. And it's just unstructured time. And she said to me, if I do not save the time, I'll fill it.
- [62:05]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [62:06]
Sophia Bush
And I just thought that was pretty genius.
- [62:08]
Kelly Giddish
That's. That is smart.
- [62:09]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [62:10]
Kelly Giddish
Very smart. Smart.
- [62:11]
Sophia Bush
Well, you got in your groove, and then you. You showed back up for season 27.
- [62:16]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [62:17]
Sophia Bush
What. What was that like? Like, what felt like a homecoming? What felt new? I know the show has its first ever female showrunner now, which is so cool.
- [62:27]
Kelly Giddish
Huge.
- [62:27]
Sophia Bush
So what, like, what's it like?
- [62:29]
Kelly Giddish
Right. And we've got Brenna Malloy, who is the producing director. I don't know if we've ever had a female producing director. And I am. And I'm so, I'm so in love with her and how she directs and how she runs the set. Yeah. And, like, she calls you, like, on your poop. You know what I mean? She's like, you know how you were doing it? Let's get back to that. And you're like, wow, awesome. Awesome.
- [62:55]
Sophia Bush
Thank you. You know what I mean?
- [62:56]
Kelly Giddish
So it's just like, you have to be present in the moment every take, and that's exciting for me. Whenever she gets to direct, I, I'm, I'm, like, thrilled. I'm like, oh, God, it's Brenna's episode. You know what? Know, it's. You're, you're in for a treat, and you know you're gonna do good work. And, like, so much of it was just like being back with the crew. I, I, I love that crew. I love it. I love them. I love that. I, I love our camera. I love our sound department. I love wardrobe. I love makeup. I love, I love every. Love props. I love. It's just, I, I, I, I have so much love for all those people, all the hours we spend with them and all the things that we've all gone through over all of these years that we've all worked work together, you know, I mean, like, I wonder about films, you know, because, like, they set up a circus for three months, six months, and then it blooms and it grows, and then it just gone. And you, you know, you never see those people again. You know, it's like, with this, I'm gonna take it for what, for what I, I can find that I love about it, which is just I get to see these people year after year, and their kids have, have graduated middle school and high school and then college, then gotten married. You know what I mean? And it's me. There's so few friendships, I think, that we all have from, from when we were little like this. I have that with these People. So that's a lot of. It felt like really, really, really good. I haven't done one single thing to my dressing room. There's still stock, stock paintings up there. There's still an ugly rug. And I'm just like, I refuse to do anything that, that stakes my claim in this particular place because it could be very, very temporary. And I'm okay with that.
- [64:38]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [64:39]
Kelly Giddish
Okay with it.
- [64:40]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [64:41]
Kelly Giddish
It is what it is. And I, I. The nature of the beast, I totally understand. And the way the business is changing and moving and it's, it's, it's absolutely insane. All the things that I think that all the suits are having to juggle, I do think it's, it's crazy, you know, and, yeah, their numbers look, look probably a lot different. And so I'm okay with it just being what it is right now, this month, this season, you know, and we'll see about next season. But who knows, you know, I'm grateful for this year.
- [65:16]
Sophia Bush
I think when you're in such a good place in your life and your workplace feels so healthy and everything feels like it's rooted in something good, it's
- [65:25]
Kelly Giddish
so,
- [65:27]
Sophia Bush
I don't want to say it's easy. I think it's easier to hold all that goodness with an open hand.
- [65:33]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah, yeah. You know, clenching at all.
- [65:36]
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Yeah. And it's. I don't know, it's just so nice to see you so happy.
- [65:41]
Kelly Giddish
Oh, thanks. You too. I'm really, I'm really happy to see how successful this has been. I think it's such a perfect thing for you because you, you've always asked such great questions and inquisitive and been such a good host. I think you're the best and you show me such a nice time every time I've seen you. And so I'm really, really happy to see you.
- [66:03]
Sophia Bush
Me too. We'll have to, we'll have to plan a non zoom hang soon since I'm on your coast.
- [66:09]
Kelly Giddish
Sounds good.
- [66:11]
Sophia Bush
Well, I have to ask you my very favorite question to ask everyone.
- [66:14]
Kelly Giddish
Yes.
- [66:15]
Sophia Bush
You know, things feel so good for you and so in the right place. And I'm curious from this moment, you know, as you look around at your life, as you look at the rest of the year ahead, what feels like your work in progress right now.
- [66:33]
Kelly Giddish
My work in progress is to really, to carve out more time where you are. You're just. You can be an island for a little while, you know, and all that, all that space and all that stuff happening inside my head, you know, and because I love my mind. You know what I mean? And.
- [66:57]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [66:57]
Kelly Giddish
And just to, just to get some, some time to access that and, and not have to be any, you know, at the, at the, the school door at 7:45 and the other school door at 8:20 and then make sure that he had to have a sandwich and make sure that there's.
- [67:13]
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
- [67:13]
Kelly Giddish
House. And oh my gosh, no, there's no goldfish for his lunch. And oh my, I can't believe I forgot the cucumbers. And they really want cinnamon rolls tomorrow morning. Like to just leave, leave some of that. And, and know that these are really good boys. My husband's really happy. Like everybody's in a good place and I can go.
- [67:33]
Sophia Bush
Okay.
- [67:34]
Kelly Giddish
I, I think that there's some, there's some, there's some stuff to carve out of me now, you know, and, and it'll happen like it's a work in progress, but it's there. Yeah.
- [67:45]
Sophia Bush
That's awesome.
- [67:46]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [67:46]
Sophia Bush
Well, congrats on everything.
- [67:49]
Kelly Giddish
And to play piano, I need. That's a work in progress. I'm taking lessons, so that's a big work in progress.
- [67:54]
Sophia Bush
That's on my list too. And I still haven't done it.
- [67:57]
Kelly Giddish
So fun. Do it. It's so fun. It's so fun. I play the same thing over and over and over. And my, my family's like, oh, that's great, mom. That's really good. Congratulations.
- [68:08]
Sophia Bush
You did it.
- [68:10]
Kelly Giddish
I'm like, nailed it again.
- [68:14]
Sophia Bush
Look at me, I'm an artist.
- [68:16]
Kelly Giddish
Yeah.
- [68:18]
Sophia Bush
Oh, I love it. I love it. Well, congrats on everything. Just so, so happy for you.
- [68:25]
Kelly Giddish
Thank you. For you too. It's nice to see your face.
- [68:27]
Sophia Bush
You.
- [68:44]
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- [69:53]
Sophia Bush
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- [70:27]
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- [71:02]
Sophia Bush
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- [71:57]
Kelly Giddish
This is an I Heart Podcast. Guaranteed human.