Podcast Summary: “Work in Progress with Sophia Bush”

Episode: Work in Progress: Malin Akerman

Release Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Sophia Bush
Guest: Malin Akerman
Main Theme: Redefining Authenticity, Representation, and Joy – On the Professional, the Personal, and the Fluid

Overview

This episode features actress and advocate Malin Akerman (“The Hunting Wives,” “27 Dresses,” “Billions”) in an intimate, wide-ranging conversation with Sophia Bush. The discussion dives into Malin’s transformative new series The Hunting Wives, queer and female representation on screen, the evolution of self-worth and confidence, intergenerational change in mental health conversations, and the deep value of authentic relationships—both with others and with oneself. The tone is frank, supportive, celebratory, and often laugh-out-loud funny.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Names, Heritage, and Friendship (04:32–08:36)

• Pronunciation & Identity: Malin shares the correct Swedish pronunciation of her name ("Malin Ockerman"), and how it becomes “Malin” in Canada and the U.S.
  • Quote: “If we were to say it in Swedish, it’s ‘Malin Ockerman.’” – Malin Akerman (06:43)
• Decades-Long Friendship: The two recall nearly 20 years of friendship, highlighting joyful shared moments, mutual growth, and cheering for each other’s wins.
  • Quote: “There’s nothing better than seeing your friends win.” – Sophia Bush (08:24)
• Sisterhood & Community: Malin reflects on the importance of supportive female circles, uplifting each other, and what it means to rule the world together.
  • Quote: “…when we prop each other up, when we support each other, girl, we can rule the world. Hell yeah!” – Malin Akerman (09:13)

2. Childhood, Self-Perception, and the “Gremlins” Within (10:15–13:43)

• Revisiting the Inner Child: Sophia asks if Malin’s young self would recognize who she became.
  • Malin recalls being “so shy and so insecure, but still very goofy and positive.”
• Life Paths & Self-Talk: They reflect on pivotal choices, and Malin underscores the importance of mentors who helped her focus on the “silver lining” instead of “downward spirals.”
• Addressing Self-Doubt: Malin talks about the ongoing process of quieting inner critics (“gremlins") and teaching her son to do the same:
  • Quote: “I really don’t like to voice them out loud because I don’t want to give them power.” – Malin Akerman (12:11)

3. Cultural Roots, Moving Between Worlds, and Looking After Each Other (14:38–18:45)

• Dual Citizenship: Malin describes growing up between Sweden and Canada—frequent flights, split parents, and how this formed her worldview.
  • Both nations’ systems, she notes, are rooted in communal care (“you get a return on your investment”—15:22).
• Formative Experiences: Sophia and Malin exchange stories about their own multicultural or multi-place upbringings, agreeing it fostered curiosity, empathy, and a sense of global citizenship.
  • Quote: “I think being a global citizen is really, really important… being open to discussion… there’s so much beauty to be found.” – Malin Akerman (18:15)

4. Activism, Advocacy, and Representation—On-Screen and Off (25:08–28:48)

• Logic versus ‘Alternative Facts’: They lament the cultural shift away from logical, community-first policymaking and toward divisive “identity wars.”
• Cultural Context & Courage: Sophia admires the fact that The Hunting Wives breaks boundaries as the “gayest show on TV” (26:28), premiering at a time when LGBTQ+ stories face pushback.
• Representation With Subtlety: Malin discusses how the show’s approach—fluidity, identity, sexuality—resonates because it avoids labeling and instead lets characters simply exist.
  • Quote: “It’s not like coming out and going, ‘this is the L Word’… but it is an exploration of what it is to be human.” – Malin Akerman (26:57)

5. The Hunting Wives—Casting, Character, and Breaking Taboos (31:36–38:02)

• How the Role Arrived: Malin received all eight scripts at once (rare for TV), initially doubting the character but quickly realizing its depth.
• Her Husband’s Support: Her partner championed her taking the role, valuing projects that showcase her full talent (32:04–33:24).
• Taboos & Representation: They delve into the show’s sex scenes—specifically a pegging scene that Malin found daring and significant for TV.
  • Quote: “That was sort of the nail in the coffin for me was that scene… this is so brave.” – Malin Akerman (35:05)
• Breaking Shame Around Sex: The conversation opens up about changing public attitudes to topics like pegging, shame, and honesty about sexuality, with anecdotes from both Sophia’s and Malin’s lives.

6. Intimacy, Marriage, and Emotional Growth (38:23–51:10)

• Relationship Transparency: Malin explains how mutual respect and open conversation form the backbone of her marriage. Her husband’s support is rooted in never wanting to “put her in a cage.”
  • Quote: “He would never try to change that because that’s what he fell in love with.” – Malin Akerman (40:22)
• Navigating On-Screen Intimacy: Open communication, trust, and understanding the realities of shooting such scenes are key. At 47, Malin is confident in what she wants, and values honesty and boundaries (42:20–42:40).
• Self-Love as Prerequisite: The two affirm that genuine love for oneself is essential for loving or partnering with someone else.
• Progress in Female Representation: They contrast past experiences (the male-gaze-driven kiss in “John Tucker Must Die”) with the female gaze of The Hunting Wives, and how much more authentic and nuanced queer intimacy is now portrayed (49:32–51:10).

7. Fluidity, Labels, and Being Seen (51:10–58:31)

• Intimacy & Visibility: Sophia observes that seeing genuine, tender intimacy (not just sexual) between women is having an impact, even on viewers who aren’t queer.
• Bisexual and Queer Visibility: Malin touches on the complexities and pressures around labeling, biphobia, and belonging.
  • Quote: “The fact that we have to label it all the time is a shame…most people are born fluid, and I think that society just kind of says you have to be one or the other.” – Malin Akerman (57:33)

8. Breaking Free from Scripts, Building Authenticity (63:32–66:45)

• Rejecting Perfection: Sophia recounts breaking down a “picture perfect life” to be true to herself, and the difficulty society imposes on straying from traditional paths.
• Societal Pressure: Both note that mainstream norms may push people into “traditional marriage” even if it’s toxic, rather than supporting genuine happiness in nontraditional relationships.

9. Entertainment as Catalyst for Change (68:25–71:46)

• Power of Entertainment: They assert TV’s transformative influence on public attitudes, citing “Will and Grace” as a catalyst for civil rights advances.
  • Quote: “Entertainment…is the most powerful medicine.” – Sophia Bush (69:13)
• Mental Health as a Cause: Malin shares her personal connection to mental health advocacy—caring for a depressed parent, supporting her own son, and the need for open conversations in schools.
  • Quote: “To give children especially a voice is really huge.” – Malin Akerman (73:53)

10. Advocacy, Community Engagement, and “Silver Linings” (73:35–79:45)

• Malin’s Charities:

  • Children’s Mental Health: Angel Carter’s organization offering resources for kids and schools.
  • Environmental Media Association and Opportunity International (micro-financing for women).

• Engagement Over Perfection: Both advocate for finding any avenue to get involved—money, time, word of mouth.

  • Quote: “Sustained engagement is what really creates change…giving your time is just as valuable.” – Sophia Bush (77:06)

• Ongoing Growth: Malin closes by embracing being “a work in progress,” emphasizing the importance of authenticity, positivity, and always looking for “the silver lining.”

  • Quote: “Here I am. I finally see who I am…and I’m loving it.” – Malin Akerman (78:25)
  • Quote: “There always is a silver lining. Always.” – Malin Akerman (79:45)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Supportive friends? We can rule the world!” – Malin Akerman (09:13)
• “I really don’t like to voice them out loud because I don’t want to give them power.” – Malin Akerman (12:11)
• “It’s not a prestige show...it’s popcorn, entertainment, but...just real, inherent human curiosity and people being fluid.” – Malin Akerman (26:57)
• “We don’t have jealousy in our relationship…we’re not those people.” – Malin Akerman (41:00)
• “Most people are born fluid…society says you have to be one or the other.” – Malin Akerman (57:33)
• “You have to love yourself first in order to love somebody else. It’s as simple as that—and the hardest thing to do.” – Malin Akerman (48:08)
• “Entertainment is the most powerful medicine.” – Sophia Bush (69:13)
• “Here I am. I finally see who I am...and I’m loving it.” – Malin Akerman (78:25)

Important Timestamps

• Name Pronunciation & Heritage: 06:36–08:32
• Female Friendship & Advocacy: 08:12–09:35
• Inner Child and ‘Gremlins’: 10:15–13:43
• Queer Representation & The Hunting Wives: 26:00–29:00
• Breaking Taboos (Pegging, Sex, TV): 31:36–38:02
• Intimacy, Marriage, Authenticity: 41:00–51:10
• Labels, Biphobia, Fluidity: 56:39–58:31
• Mental Health Journey & Advocacy: 70:02–75:46
• Season 2 Announcement: 77:32–78:05
• Final Reflections / Silver Lining Wisdom: 78:25–79:45

Takeaways

• Malin Akerman embodies both “masterpiece” and “work in progress,” championing growth, vulnerability, joy, and authentic representation.
• The Hunting Wives is more than a buzzy streaming hit—it represents progressive, nuanced, and fluid queer storytelling at a critical cultural moment.
• Real intimacy—on screen and in life—requires curiosity, communication, and the courage to be seen.
• Change is cumulative and collective: Whether through entertainment, activism, or friendship, small actions and honest conversations are a powerful force.

For more:

• Watch The Hunting Wives on Netflix
• Visit onoursleeves.org for children’s mental health resources
• Explore the Environmental Media Association and Opportunity International

Season 2 of The Hunting Wives premieres Summer 2026.