Podcast Summary — Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

Episode: Brie Larson & Courtney McBroom
Release Date: October 22, 2025
Host: Sophia Bush
Guests: Brie Larson (actress, director, producer) & Courtney McBroom (chef, producer, former culinary director of Milk Bar)
Topic: Friendship, the art of gathering, and their collaborative cookbook "Party People"

Overview

This episode celebrates joy, nostalgia, and community through the lens of food and hosting. Sophia Bush sits down with Brie Larson and Courtney McBroom to discuss their friendship, shared love for parties and food, and their joint project: the cookbook/party guidebook "Party People." Together, they explore the connective power of gatherings and how to reclaim fun and togetherness in an age when people need it most.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Childhood Roots of Hosting & Friendship

[06:13–09:49]

• Both Brie and Courtney were “party people” as kids:
  • Brie credits her mother’s elaborate event planning for inspiring her love of gatherings — citing unique childhood parties like a casino-themed birthday and an Indiana Jones scavenger hunt.

    “She turned their chiropractic office into a casino… it was like lucky number seven birthday.” — Brie Larson [07:09]

  • Courtney loved making chaotic breakfasts for her parents and inventing dishes as a child (e.g., "black pepper hot dogs").
• Their childhood selves would be excited to know they made a career from that spirit.

2. Food as Storytelling & Cultural Connection

[09:49–12:55]

• Brie shares how food connects her to family and culture:
  • Recipes in “Party People” were inspired by their families; translating her grandma’s “by feel” recipes was an act of love.

    “Food is such a direct line to our hearts and to our memories and to comfort.” — Brie Larson [08:41]

• As an actor who often travels, Brie realized actively seeking out local food transforms a place from a layover into a memory.
  • She developed a personal rule: street food, a fine restaurant, and a local art museum in every city.

    “No hotel food… it’s a way of understanding tradition and culture… you feel grounded.” — Brie Larson [11:43]

3. The Power of Gathering & Creating Nostalgia

[12:55–16:21]

• Sophia notes how food and hospitality foster nostalgia and lasting connections.
• “Party People” is not just a recipe book, but a storybook that encourages readers to build their own traditions.
• Brie and Courtney’s friendship began at a party — a Hillary Clinton debate viewing — over a pot of queso.

  “Love at first… bite, I think is what that says.” — Courtney McBroom [15:29]

• Food boundaries: “Anyone who has a passion for food in that way is always a plus in my book.” — Courtney McBroom [16:23]

4. Making Hosting Accessible & Enjoyable

[21:25–27:54]

• Writing the book after working together on “Lessons in Chemistry,” Brie’s show with a food focus.
• Importance of making parties enjoyable for hosts as much as guests:

  “The memories are for everybody, including the host.” — Brie Larson [24:56]

• Practical philosophy: use hacks, compostable plates, and don’t stress about perfection.
• Courtney: “Maybe you just take one recipe from the book and you order pizza…” [25:16]
• Sophia points out the generational shift for women — hosts deserve to enjoy their own parties.

5. Embracing Imperfection, Grace, & Fun

[26:48–29:13]

• Parties are “liminal spaces” with “space for grace.”

  “We all make mistakes. We all do stuff. We burn the souffle…” — Courtney McBroom [27:54]

• Not fearing “cringe” or mess — laughter and mistakes are part of memories.

  “Don’t be afraid of being cringe. Just let the mess be part of the magic.” — Podcast Host [27:57]

6. Collaboration, Communication & Friendship

[28:14–32:33]

• Working together taught both about the importance (and challenge) of creative control.
• They committed to regular “How’s our friendship?” check-ins to avoid resentment and protect their bond.

  “Secret resentments will totally kill the vibe. They kill the party.” — Courtney McBroom [32:25]

• Joy in their dynamic: they play games together after working — “It’s a very special thing…” [32:04]
• Courage to embrace tough conversations as part of the process.

7. Allowing Joy Beyond Public Roles

[32:49–37:47]

• Brie reflects on balancing her public persona (activist, actor) with her fun, quirky side through non-performative spaces like this cookbook.

  “I believe what I’m saying more than the fear of being misunderstood.” — Brie Larson [36:27]

• Sophia notes how the book feels freeing and is a “new kind of permission slip” for expressing joy on one's own terms.

8. Party Tips, Themes, and Archetypes

Lightning Round – [42:46–50:58]

• Ideal Party Size: For an intimate party, 8–10 people. For big ones, sky’s the limit — but consider the venue and your own bandwidth.
• Best Reason to Throw a Party:

  “There’s no idea too small for a party.” — Brie Larson [45:15]

• Dress codes and goofy themes encouraged (e.g., holiday “Santa” party, hot dog festival, spelling bee nights).
• Best Tip for Party Guests:
  • Ask what you can bring (ice always needed).
  • Offer to help with cleaning.
  • Be attentive: “I have a friend who was always invited… because she loved doing the dishes at the end of the night.” — Brie Larson [48:43]
• Party Archetypes: The nostalgic one, the party animal, the know-it-all, the helper, the one with interesting booze, the party pooper (rare), the shy one, the story topper.

9. Traditions: Hot Dog Festival, Themed Parties, Halloween

[53:10–56:34]

• Brie and Courtney’s annual hot dog festival, complete with a dog costume contest, hot dog trivia, and hot dog eating tally (“I think next year we’ll have to move it outside… we have sponsors now.” — Brie Larson [55:36])
• Halloween party plans: pop star theme; last year, Brie won the “Golden Skull” for best neighborhood house decoration.

  “I have it next to my Emmy and my award from the murder mystery party.” — Brie Larson [52:14]

10. Reflections: Ongoing Personal “Work in Progress”

[57:32–61:19]

• Brie’s WIP: Learning to value rest and simply “being”, despite her drive to help others and the world.

  “Where can I still find value in the being and not the doing?” — Brie Larson [58:40]

• Courtney’s WIP: Continuing to inspire people through her authentic self, carving her own unique path.

• Sophia wraps up with thoughts on how parties, joy, and memory-making are vital for our sense of presence and community.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On food and nostalgia:
  “Food is such a direct line to our hearts and to our memories and to comfort.” — Brie Larson [08:41]

• On being present at your own party:
  “The memories are for everybody, including the host.” — Brie Larson [24:56]

• On embracing mess and imperfection:
  “Don’t be afraid of being cringe. Just let the mess be part of the magic.” — Podcast Host [27:57]

• On party tricks:
  “No limits… how much are you willing to spend? Because more people is more expensive.” — Brie Larson [43:27]

• On recurring joys:
  “We do a murder mystery party and we have a hot dog festival. These are my. Our two events for the year. Truly couldn’t do them more than that.” — Brie Larson [44:04]

• On friendship and collaboration:
  "Secret resentments will totally kill the vibe. They kill the party.” — Courtney McBroom [32:25]

• On joy and being multifaceted:
  “I believe what I’m saying more than the fear of being misunderstood.” — Brie Larson [36:27]

• On the value of being:
  “Where can I still find value in the being and not the doing?” — Brie Larson [58:40]

Segment Timestamps

• [03:12] — Introduction: Sophia Bush welcomes guests and introduces the new book.
• [06:13] — Bree & Courtney’s childhood party roots.
• [09:49] — Food as storytelling; family recipes.
• [10:58] — Brie’s press tour travel rules & seeking authentic experiences.
• [12:55] — Nostalgia, personal stories, and the power of gathering.
• [14:33] — How Brie & Courtney met (over queso).
• [21:25] — Genesis of the cookbook; writing together.
• [24:56] — Presence, host joy, and redefining perfection in parties.
• [26:48] — Embracing messiness and grace.
• [28:26] — Collaborating as friends and managing control/perfectionism.
• [32:49] — Balancing public persona vs. private joy.
• [42:46] — Lightning round: hosting tips, party archetypes, themes.
• [53:10] — Hot dog festival, themed parties, Halloween plans.
• [57:32] — Personal “work in progress” reflections.
• [61:27] — Podcast signoff and invites to future parties.

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Frank, warm, and full of laughter—this conversation invites listeners to think of gathering not as a chore, but as an act of joy, connection, and presence. Brie and Courtney embody the idea that perfection isn’t the goal: real memories, shared vulnerabilities, and fun are. “Party People” isn't just for seasoned hosts—it’s for anyone who craves camaraderie, nostalgia, and a little magic in everyday life.

If You Listen for One Thing:

The deep wisdom that you can (and should) be a masterpiece and a work in progress—at your table, in your friendships, and in your own skin.