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Sophia Bush
This is an I Heart podcast.
Melanie Lynskey
Imagine a toilet so striking it inspired a couture dress. The Kohler Veal Smart Toilet in Honed Black actually inspired creative director and fashion designer Laura Kim to create a stunning black chiffon dress. The Veil Smart Toilet with its curved design, deep rich textural color, touchscreen remote control and customizable cleansing features can can transform your routine into something extraordinary. And we all deserve extraordinary. Design changes everything. Veil Smart Toilet in Honed Black only from Kohler Discover the Veil Smart Toilet and go behind the scenes of Kohler's partnership with Laura Kim@kohler.com hey friends, let's talk about simplifying our beauty routines. I know we have all been there feeling overwhelmed by 12 step skincare regimens and palettes with 50 eyeshadows. Here's the thing. I don't have time for that. That, and I'm pretty sure you don't either. That's why I am so excited that Merit is sponsoring this podcast. Merit is all about a less is more approach. Their makeup and skincare products are designed to enhance your natural beauty, not cover it up. From their minimalist foundation and concealer all in one to their incredible flush balms, it's like Blush, but better. With their simple products, I can get my whole routine done in under five minutes. If you are looking to simplify your morning, head to meritbeauty.com and get their signature makeup bag free with your first order. That's meritbeauty.com oh whip smarties, do we have the scoop for you. So what is it, you ask? It's that Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. But before you tell us to clock out of our shift at the rumor mill, we have proof that this kettle of tea is not only piping hot, but 100% true. So yeah, sometimes it pays to be a little nosy, but it always pays to Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com creditcard.
Malcolm Gladwell
Your business deploys AI pilots everywhere. But are they going anywhere? Or are they stuck in silos, exhausting resources, unable to scale? Maybe you don't need hundreds of AI pilots. You need a holistic strategy. IBM has 65,000 consultants with gen AI expertise who can help you design, integrate and optimize AI solutions. So you're not just deploying AI, you're scaling it across your business. Learn more@IBM.com consulting IBM, let's create hello, hello.
Melanie Lynskey
Malcolm Glabwell here from Revisionist History. Did you know T Mobile for business has an awards show specifically for their customers. It's happening October 20th in sunny Orlando, Florida and I'm encouraging you. Yes you to enter. This event honors outside the box thinking that changes industries, communities and even the world. And if that doesn't sound great already, I'll be there as the keynote speaker. If your company did something next level using T Mobile for business, you're eligible. Entries close July 31, so head to t mobile.com entertainment to learn more and nominate your team. Hey everyone, it's Sophia. Welcome to work in progress. Hello, friends. We have a guest you have all been waiting for, asking for, excited for today, we're joined by the iconic Melanie Lynske on the podcast. Melanie has become an industry staple. She has amassed a plethora of gorgeous, thought provoking roles across film and television over the course of 30 years. And we are all obsessed with her latest role, starring opposite Christina ricci in the 10 time Emmy nominated Showtime series Yellowjackets. Soon Melanie is leading a film called pike river opposite Robin Malcolm, directed by Robert Sarkees, which touches on the profound impact of a disaster sister in New Zealand. We recently got to fangirl her on HBO's critically acclaimed the Last of Us. And today we're gonna dig into what inspires her and motivates her as an artist, a parent, a spouse, and the coolest girl any of us knows. Let's dig in with Melanie Lynske. Well, hi.
Sophia Bush
Hi.
Melanie Lynskey
I'm so glad you're here.
Sophia Bush
I'm so. Thank you for having me.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh my God.
Sophia Bush
It means so much to me. It means so much to me.
Melanie Lynskey
I feel like life is so crazy and since the pandemic, no one hangs out, which is okay because everyone. It's crazy. But I'm like, sometimes I just have to figure out a way to bamboozle people to come sit here just so I can squeeze you and tell you I'm sis to you.
Sophia Bush
I know, I know. I feel the same.
Melanie Lynskey
Easton, this is obviously a side note, but like this woman I've known for so long, you're one of those people I have that deep feeling with where I'm like, we never are in the same place so we don't really hang out. But I am convinced. And I don't mean this in the way that fans say it to me and I'm sure they say it to you. I mean it in a real way where I'm like, she's kind of my best friend, only I don't know it.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, I feel the same with you.
Melanie Lynskey
I feel like if we hung out all the time, you would know my. You would just be one of the first people I'd call. I don't see you a lot, but you make me feel safe that way. Like the way my closest friends make me feel.
Sophia Bush
What's the loveliest thing you could possibly say? And I feel so the same. And it's funny. And I felt it from the moment I met you. I was just like, oh, yeah. I was like, oh, hi. Yeah, yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Were we in. Where were we? You had that cute little house in, like, Eagle Rock or Echo Park.
Sophia Bush
I was in Eco park for so long. Oh, it's cute because we met when you worked with Jimmy. With my ex husband.
Melanie Lynskey
Yes.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
You say that so gently and kindly. I love that. I don't have the same feeling about mine, so well done, you.
Sophia Bush
No, it's good.
Melanie Lynskey
I'm glad.
Sophia Bush
My daughter's, like, fascinated with him. Wait, really? Yeah. I accidentally said ex husband in front of her one day, and she was like, mommy. And she was like, did you kiss him?
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my God.
Sophia Bush
I said, yeah, I sure did.
Melanie Lynskey
Bunch of times.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, I know. I was like. And I kissed other people too. It is good for her to know. I don't want her to have the, like, sure. Princess, singular princess thing fantasy, you know, like, where she's like, there's one true love. Like, I can't stand it.
Melanie Lynskey
Womp, womp.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, how old is she now?
Sophia Bush
Six.
Melanie Lynskey
Wow. Oh, yeah. So you're really in it. Yeah, yeah, it's. It's really funny. My partner has kids. Oh, yeah, they're four and about to be three. And I don't remember exactly what it was, but it was something about, you know, blended family for us. And her little best friend at school has two moms and one of the other kids at school has two dads. And so everyone's, you know, there's all these different families and to kids, it's so obvious. But someone said something in front of her about, oh, it was us, we were going to a wedding. And she was like, but what's a wedding? And we were like, oh, how do you. How do you explain to a four year old what a wedding is?
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And we said, you know, you know how people have mommies and daddies and usually, you know, if you don't have two houses with, you know, two mommies and bonus parents and Gigi's and Mimmies and, you know, big extended families, some people just have two people they like, and sometimes the mommy and daddy or the mommies or the daddies are married. Yeah, you know, it's. And I'm like, how do you say? It's a ceremony that gives you a tax break. Like, I don't know how to explain any of this to a child. And so we showed her some pictures from weddings, and when we got home, we showed her pictures of our friends who got married, and they're like very cool elder lesbians in their 60s. This very cute wedding. And the immediate feedback was, wow, Auntie Cindy looks so pretty. And Auntie Michelle looks so pretty. And wow, look at those. Look at the big trees. Cause we were in Palm Springs. She was very into the palm trees. And then she turns and goes, this looks fun. And we said, yeah, weddings are fun. And she goes, okay, I'm gonna marry Ruby, who's her best friend at school. And we were like, that's so cute. Yes, sure, absolutely. Whatever you want.
Sophia Bush
Oh, my God. I overheard my daughter the other day. A babysitter who hasn't been with us for a while was there. And Kahi, my daughter, was like, I have a crush on Levi, and I'm gonna marry Levi. And her babysitter was like, oh, I thought you had a crush on Ione, who was her best friend. And she goes, well, she's my ex girlfriend, but we're still friends. I heard Sophie just start laughing so much.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, it's so fun. The stuff they say.
Sophia Bush
Oh, my God, she's my ex girlfriend.
Melanie Lynskey
It's wild. You're like, where did you learn that?
Sophia Bush
I don't know.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, maybe now she has context for. Yeah, phase two.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, exactly.
Melanie Lynskey
I love it.
Sophia Bush
That's cute. But, yeah, kids are not like, wait, why are two women marrying each other? They're just like, oh, yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
They're like, cool.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. These people are in love. Those people are in love.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, we are really. We're jumping into kids and real present. But interestingly enough, the place I love to start with people is connected, because so many people know you, especially you, from the iconic nature of your filmography. All the movies you've given us and the shows you've given us, the treats you've given us as viewers. And I always think this question's more interesting for people with young kids, because I think about how an audience really meets you in your work, and I wonder about who people were before they were known. And if. If you got to kind of put a little wrinkle in time and walk into the park and see yourself at your daughter's age.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Would you see yourself in her? Like, would you as an adult, go, oh, there I am.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And do you think you see that part of yourself in your kid?
Sophia Bush
I don't know that I do. I mean, I. I see some of myself and my child, and I just got emotional about it last night, so I'm probably gonna get emotional again because I just. She's a very deeply feeling child, and her need to express herself and say how she's feeling is so great. And she can't sit around with an emotion. She drives her crazy. And I was the same. Like, I felt things very deeply, but I didn't necessarily have, like, a safe place to get them out. Like, I'm the oldest of five. My household was very busy a lot of the time, and I don't know, it was just. My husband and I were both with our daughter and, like, holding her and listening to something that she was, like, outraged about. And I was like, gosh, this would have felt nice to have two parents who are just on your level, just like, tell me about it. Tell me how that felt. I understand that you're angry. I'm so sorry. You know, I was like, God, that would have been amazing. And I think I love the confidence that she has because of it. I love the way she feels totally fine to talk about her feelings and she understands who she is, and it just. Yeah. So the little version of myself that never really felt like it was okay to do that. I think also, though, that's why I fell in love with acting when I was so young. I was like, oh, you're allowed. You can get on the stage and be whoever you want to be.
Melanie Lynskey
You're allowed to be loud.
Sophia Bush
You're allowed to be loud. You're allowed to feel different things. I really did understand the aspect of taking something from your own life and channeling it into your work. Even when I was quite young, the catharsis of it, you know, and I got kind of addicted to it. So I don't know if I would have necessarily found it to be such an outlet for myself if I had been allowed to express whatever I wanted.
Melanie Lynskey
Right.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Maybe if you hadn't been in that eldest daughter role, you wouldn't have found your art.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
But that's so interesting that you, you know, from not having had it, how to give it to your kid.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Yeah. And I probably go a little overboard, but it's. But also, is there any such thing as going overboard when it's, like, listening to your child? I don't.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't think so.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Because here's the thing that I think. And it's not like there's some solution, right. Or. Or some equation, you know, we're not talking about math, but, you know, you mentioned she's six. You're not, you're not overindulging a 20 year old.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Though I hope when your kid is 20, you love listening to her feelings.
Sophia Bush
You know, I hope she wants to talk to me about them.
Melanie Lynskey
Of course. But it's like what I think about, especially when they're little, is the, the more you can give them and the more kindness you can show them and the more you can permit their feelings, the more you'll be able to help them refine those feelings and their. I feel like we're the generation where all our therapists talk to us about having a toolkit because clearly our parents didn't have any. And it's like she will be more adept at using her tools sooner because you've given her the space to identify the feelings first and then eventually to start learning what the tools are.
Sophia Bush
I hope so. Yeah. Like, I remember she was like 18 months old or something and she fell down and she started really crying. And there was a family member there who was like, you're okay, you're okay. And it was very hard for me to speak up, but I was like, we actually don't know if she's okay. Like, that's not our body. So I never, like, want to tell her she's okay. I want her to figure out when she's okay. And, you know, for a while she would really react Every time she got hurt, even a little bit, it was a bit like, you are actually okay. But I also was like, I'm gonna let her figure it out. And she's now much more resilient. Like, she'll fall down and she'll be like, I'm okay, but I don't want to tell someone that they're okay. Like, it's such an odd instinct for me and something that we just grew up with and being like, you're fine, you're fine. And then it's like you start to lose track of your internal compass that is telling you whether you're fine or not. I just wanted her to be able to decide.
Melanie Lynskey
I think that's really beautiful. I think. And listen, I can't pretend to know what it was for our parents, but it really does seem like our generation of women was very much raised to have everything be okay as long as everything was people pleasing and polite and overachieving. And you got good Grades and you made sure you looked nice and you made sure you took care of everybody else.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, very much.
Melanie Lynskey
And to unlearn that, to learn that you're allowed to be loud, to learn that you're allowed to express feelings, to learn that you're allowed to be angry, that it's human.
Sophia Bush
Oh, God, it's such a journey.
Melanie Lynskey
Did. Did art help you get there, do you think? Maybe before you even knew.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, I guess so. But I always had trouble. It was always the hardest thing for me to access. And I think just because it's so ingrained in us as women like to not be angry. And I never felt like it was justified. I never felt like the circumstances had warranted it. You learn to push things down. You're like, well, how did I play a part in this? Also codependent and all that stuff. But I went to a place and did, like five days straight of therapy after I broke up with Jimmy because I was going a little crazy. And so I did a very intensive five days. And one of the things I had to do was just be angry. I had. There were like, all these plastic, like, foam blocks, and I had to hit them with a baseball bat. And initially I think I was just like, oh, you know, like, just. That seems fine. And my therapist was, like, encouraging me to go a little further. And by the end of it, she and I were both just weeping. Like, she was standing there weeping with me because there were so many years that were built up of things I never felt like it was okay to be angry about. And I realized, like, oh, I'm scared that I'll start feeling angry, and then I'll just be bitter and angry forever. I didn't understand letting it out and moving through it and being a more healed and healthy person.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
And so that was the beginning of it. Wow. Yeah, it was great.
Melanie Lynskey
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Melanie Lynskey
Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.
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Melanie Lynskey
There's always a trade end.
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Melanie Lynskey
I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma.
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Melanie Lynskey
I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender.
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Melanie Lynskey
Seriously, Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints.
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Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.
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Melanie Lynskey
I went through something similar leaving a. Leaving a job and knowing that I had to, but also being confused because we don't do that in our industry. Right. And we certainly don't do that to protect ourselves. How dare you, ma' am. You know, and I went to a similar place. I did a five day intensive and really had to start to figure out how to process. And weirdly, the thing that helped me begin to understand that I deserve to be angry was when I finally started to share with some of my closest people and they were so taken aback and then so outraged and I was like, oh, I mean I felt like a baby.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Because I was having something mirrored and learning that that's how humans feel.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And going, oh, I'm allowed to feel this. And then it took me years to work through some of that.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
As you said, because There was a period where I was like, am I just going to be enraged forever?
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
But the weirdest thing is I had to learn that actually falling in love with my anger, like, learning to cultivate it and listen to it in the way you talk about listening to your daughter, I had to listen to it. And when I loved was like years of armor fell off of me. Oh, my gosh. I felt the softest and most patient but also solidly boundaried I'd ever felt in my life. And I was like, is this a thing people do?
Sophia Bush
Wow. Yeah. That's so beautiful.
Melanie Lynskey
Do we just get to do this? But I know.
Sophia Bush
Isn't it funny sometimes how it really does take someone else looking at you and being like, that is not okay.
Melanie Lynskey
Yes.
Sophia Bush
For you to go, oh. Like, I. For about 10 years, I had a very, very restrictive eating disorder. And I was so unkind to myself, and I would eat, like, a certain number of calories a day, and if I went anything over, I would grow up. I was never, like, a bingy person or anything like that. It just was, like, very restrictive. And I had a boyfriend when I was 21, and we were living together and kind of was like, something's going on. And when I talked to him, I shared it with people before, and people had been like, oh, I hate my body, too. I have an eating disorder, you know? And I shared it with him, and I remember him just looking at me and saying, that's so violence. And I never thought. I was like, oh. He said, I can't believe you've been doing that to yourself. And then he just cried, and he was like, I'm so sorry. You're so perfect. You're so beautiful. And it was this compassionate. It shook me. I just was really, like. It changed something, like, just to see somebody, like, witness it and just say, like, that's. That's not okay. And that was the beginning of, like, my recovery, which was pretty. Yeah. I'm very, very grateful. Yeah. You sometimes do need somebody to. Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Someone mirroring you so honestly and authentically and from a place of kindness.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Not to minimize. Excuse. You know, it struck me earlier when you were saying, like, oh, yeah. All these sort of concessions that women get taught to make, and you don't even realize how many you're making.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
I think something that happens to us a lot, too, to divest us from our anger is. Well, it could have been worse.
Sophia Bush
Yes.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, yeah. That guy was a creep, but he didn't fill in the blank. Yeah, this was terrible. But you didn't fill in the blank. There's always a couching of. Well, it was unfortunate but not awful. And like sometimes awful things are just awful.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And in a way, this man who just had never been taught to minimize his feelings, I'd bet didn't minimize yours. And so you could stop.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
It wasn't like, oh, well, you're trying to be an actress and all actresses are on a diet or whatever gross, disgusting thing they loved to tell us when we were young. You know, the industry was so toxic and so icky.
Sophia Bush
Oh my God.
Melanie Lynskey
And I bet there are so many women who were given. Well, you're just, you're just strict with yourself. Oh, you're just very disciplined. It's like, no, I'm being violent with myself actually. Yeah, that's a big shift.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
When did that develop for you? If you don't mind me asking about it?
Sophia Bush
I never wanna, you know, like around early puberty.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay.
Sophia Bush
Like, I already was very. I was like a very regular child, you know. I don't think my mother would mind me saying she has had issues with her eating. And I think, you know, you see particular things being modeled and people not eating. There was a lot of like weird food talk in our house and you know, I already felt so self conscious and so aware of what my body looked like and not being like a stick thin little child, just a normal regular child. And then my body started changing and I like freaked out. I just was like, how can this happen? I already was trying to make peace with what it was. And I also felt very vulnerable. And then I was reading some like teenage girls magazine, like bulimia. And I was like, oh, this is a great idea.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh God.
Sophia Bush
Like, it just seemed like such a quick fix. Quick fix. Yeah. And then I. Yeah, it mostly was just very, very restrictive, which I was praised for, you know, And. Yeah, a very long. Yeah. Ten years of just thinking. Also thinking about food so much.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
Thinking about my body so much. Looking at myself in the mirror, like as parts. Parts of a body. Like this part, that part. What's wrong with this? What's wrong with that? And not taking myself in as a human being, which also like breaks my heart. Like, I not do this thing. But there are some mornings I look at my daughter and I just think, oh my God, she's so gorgeous. And I always say to her, I think that you got more beautiful in the night. And she like runs over to the mirror and she's like, I think I did. Looks at herself. She's like, oh, I think I did get more beautiful. And I'm like, I think so. And then I have Jason. So I'm like, do you think she got. And he's like, oh, yeah. I think, like, I just want her.
Melanie Lynskey
To know, like, that she's amazing.
Sophia Bush
You're so beautiful. You're so perfect. And she's never looked at herself with anything other than, like, love. And she's only six. You know, the world is coming for her. But I just remember just whittling myself down and being so aware of all the things that were wrong and such an exhausting way to live and boring. And it was interesting because I was a little feminist. Like, I read so many. I read everything. I had read so much feminist literature and I was very aware of, like, the issues with body image and society and, you know, women's rights. And we were living in the era of like third wave feminism. I felt very excited about possibilities and I still felt the need to make myself smaller.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Sometimes I wonder though, about that. How much you can know and believe about the world and what the world deserves and what your friends deserve and what women deserve and somehow it won't settle for you.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. You know.
Melanie Lynskey
It took me a long time and really wondering how I had a moment where I woke up and went, how is this my life to go? How have I paid so much attention to everyone else's well being and community well being and the well being of a set and of friends and family and co workers and all of which I love. I don't want to give that up. But why haven't I paid attention to mine? How have I erased myself in my own spaces? And I. I don't think we're taught to pour into ourselves. And it really feels, and I don't know, maybe our parents felt this way, but it really feels like our generation of women wants to shift that for our kids.
Sophia Bush
Yes.
Melanie Lynskey
Like, we really want this to be, you know, a tipping point.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And maybe it's part of why there's this crazy backlash against us. Because they're like, oh, God, they've had a generation of access and they really want to use it. I'm like, yeah, yeah. Oh, we do.
Sophia Bush
Absolutely. The reason. And then you see, you know, in society, suddenly, like, being extremely thin is like becoming really fashionable again and like.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, making yourself small.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. And it's like, oh, that's interesting.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, it's interesting to me too, when I think about this, because I think about my favorite women to watch and preparing for today. I was like, oh, my God, how could I forgotten that two of my favorite women to watch made one of their first movies together. You know, we were. You were.
Sophia Bush
Yes.
Melanie Lynskey
15. Oh, when you did Heavenly Creatures.
Sophia Bush
Crazy.
Melanie Lynskey
And I think about. Especially these projects that you and Kate Winslet have been doing, these conversations you've had about women's experiences in this industry, the incredible bodies of work you both have, and how somehow we're in a moment where the whole industry is like, these women are having their moments. Melanie Lynskey's getting her due. Kate Winslet has a show that finally deserves her. Like, you guys have. You've sprinkled. Sprinkled magic dust on all of us. And it's not lost on me that you did that project together when you were in the midst of trying to figure this all out for yourself.
Sophia Bush
Both of us.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't know her personally, but she shared many of these things. It even feels like, oh, these incredible women are helming the most successful projects in entertainment and really taking up their space. And then, you know, the sort of backlash to our autonomy and liking ourselves seems to be so strong. And I'm just like, no, this is my side of the seesaw.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, me too. It's crazy to me. I'm just like, oh, no, we can't let go of it. We just can't.
Melanie Lynskey
No.
Sophia Bush
I do have to say, like, when I worked with Kate and I was 15 and she was 17, I was so in awe of her. I just adored her. We had very, like, big sister, little sister vibes. Like, I worshiped her. And we were very, very close. Like, best, best, best friends. And to watch her work and to just see, like, she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever. I didn't know people could be that beautiful in real life. Like, I just was like, this is crazy. She just looked. She was so gorgeous. And then, you know, she went out in the world and she started working. And it just. It felt like the natural order of things because I was like, I've met, like, a genuine movie star. And then she started to become a movie star. I was like, that makes sense. That's what should happen. And then to see. I guess it was mostly after Titanic, this crazy backlash that she had to endure. And the way people talked about her body, I felt like I was living in an alternate reality. I was like, no, but that. Like, it was so bizarre, and people commenting on her body, and I was like, that's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Don't talk about anybody like that. But it just. It. I just. It felt like backwards world.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
And the fact that she had to endure that, and she did it with so much grace and so much care for other women at a time when it was not spoken about, People were not sitting around talking about body image, because nobody had different bodies. And she didn't even have a different body. She was tiny.
Melanie Lynskey
That's the thing.
Sophia Bush
But she was forced into this position, and she stepped into it so gracefully. And I remember at the time being, like, so furious on her behalf that she had to do that, but also just in awe of the fact that she was able to. And she wanted to uplift other women. And I knew it was a struggle for her. I knew how she felt about her body was a struggle. And I. I don't know. I wonder if she likes. Came to accept herself more because she was put in a position of lifting up other women and making other women feel seen, but just, like, how difficult that was for her and how unfair. And at a moment where she was just, like, stunning the world with her talent. And, of course, people. Someone has to, like, take you down. You're, like, literally on top of the world. And in the biggest movie of all time, someone has to be like, ben, this thing, an invented thing, that's not even wrong with her. And I don't know. I just have a lot of compassion for what she had to go through. And she's still doing that. She's still, like, such an incredible spokesperson for women. It's really, like, for all these years, it's pretty amazing.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
It's such an odd thing to be, because it does feel like they want to put you on the pedestal just so they can enjoy knocking you off.
Sophia Bush
Oh, yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Was the moment of making that film because you all were so young and hadn't quite exploded out into the world of the industry yet. Did you know it would change things, or did it feel a bit like summer camp?
Sophia Bush
It was my first job, so I just. I couldn't believe I was on a movie set and Kate was, like, very professional. And she had been working for a long time. It was her first movie, but she'd done a lot of television. And so she was really telling me how things worked. And I remember her saying, like, what are you gonna spend your money on? It wasn't very much money when I look back. But, like, I was like, I spent this money, and I realized, like, she was thinking she was gonna get another job. She was gonna. I was like, this is it for me. Like, I'm gonna keep this money in a bank account to last me for the rest of my life, which is so funny. But she was, you know, thinking about, like, jobs in the future, and I was just. I couldn't believe I was there. I felt like I'd won a fan competition or something. Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
We'll be back in just a minute after a few words from our favorite sponsors. Hey, friends, let's talk about simplifying our beauty routines. I know we have all been there. Feeling overwhelmed by 12 step skincare regimens and palettes with 50 eyeshadows. Here's the thing. I don't have time for that. And I'm pretty sure you don't either. That's why I am so excited. Excited that Merit is sponsoring this podcast. Merit is all about a less is more approach. Their makeup and skincare products are designed to enhance your natural beauty, not cover it up. From their minimalist foundation and concealer all in one to their incredible flush balms, it's like Blush, but better. With their simple products, I can get my whole routine done in under five minutes. If you are looking to simplify your morning, head to meritbeauty.com and get their signature makeup bag free with your first order. That's meritbeauty.com there's nothing more pleasant than the discovery of unexpected beauty in everyday objects. And what's more unexpected than a beautiful toilet? An elegant, sleeked, curved, beautiful toilet. And you see, this toilet is the Kohler veil Smart toilet in honed black. Its unique shape and color are so stunning that they actually inspired fashion designer and creative director Laura Kim to design a couture dress. Beauty inspires beauty. The sleek, curved honed black veil Smart toilet from Kohler and the long, flowing black chiffon dress that Kim designed were born from the belief that design can transform how we live and feel. The Veil Smart toilet, with its bold design, intuitive touchscreen remote control, and customizable cleansing features, creates an experience that is far beyond the expected. It can transform your everyday routine into something that is extraordinary. And don't we all deserve extraordinary like a gorgeous Laura Kim design dress? And if you don't know Laura Kim, you should Design changes everything. Veil Smart Toilet in Honed Black only from Kohler. Discover the Veil Smart toilet and go behind the scenes of Kohler's partnership with Laura Kim@kohler.com oh, whip smarties, do we have the scoop for you. So what is it, you ask? It's that Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. But before you tell us to clock out of our shift at the rumor mill, we have proof that this kettle of tea is not only piping hot, but 100% true. So, yeah, sometimes it pays to be a little nosy, but it always pays to Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com creditcard hi, Zoe Saldana.
Zoe Saldana
Welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us.
Melanie Lynskey
Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.
Zoe Saldana
You don't need to trade in. When you switch to T Mobile, we'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro. Plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it.
Melanie Lynskey
There's always a trade in.
Zoe Saldana
Not right now. @ T Mobile.
Melanie Lynskey
I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma.
Zoe Saldana
That's okay.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender.
Zoe Saldana
I'm good. Seriously.
Melanie Lynskey
Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints.
Zoe Saldana
Really, I'm fine.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.
Jason Ritter
It's our best iPhone offer ever. Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. We'll even pay off your Phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line, $100 plus a month on experience beyond finance agreement. $999.99 and qualifying. Boarded for well qualified plus tax and ten dollar connection charge. Payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits and imbalance due if you pay off earlier. Cancel CT mobile dot com.
Malcolm Gladwell
Your business deploys AI pilots everywhere. But are they going anywhere? Or are they stuck in silos, exhausting resources, unable to scale? Maybe you don't need hundreds of AI pilots. You need a holistic strategy. IBM has 65,000 consultants with gen AI expertise who can help you design, integrate and optimize AI solutions. So you're not just deploying AI, you're scaling it across your business. Learn more@IBM.com consulting. IBM, let's create.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, so what happened next? Because you know your filmography is over 100 titles long.
Sophia Bush
Is it?
Melanie Lynskey
Yes.
Sophia Bush
Oh, it doesn't seem right.
Melanie Lynskey
I was like, my goodness gracious. It's a factoid that I read and went, okay. It's crazy. And you have been part of such iconic things through your career. And I've also heard you talk about how, you know, it's been Gorgeous. And it never quite did the globally explosive thing like this until Yellowjackets. But you're, like, one of the most prolific, successful actors ever. How does that. Is it just hard to have it sort of resonate, the things you're doing? Or is it that actor's stress of every job? You're wondering if you're ever gonna get another job?
Sophia Bush
Yeah, it's that thing.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay.
Sophia Bush
And I never had the goal of being famous. I'm very shy. I don't like it. I'm very grateful. Now I don't get recognized very much. And when I do, somebody's very specific and they know exactly. It's either they know exactly where they know me from and they have something very specific to say, or it's someone who's like, did you go to such and such college? And I'm like, I didn't. They're, like, thrown off by the accent. So I can kind of still move around and just be normal in the world. I was always so afraid of not being able to do that, you know, And I never sort of being like a true famous person. It feels like a prison.
Melanie Lynskey
I agree.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Yeah. So this has come sort of like, as close as I would ever want to get. And it's very strange, but also manageable.
Melanie Lynskey
But it's also so cool as a, you know, as a fan of yours and then as such a fan of the show, to watch what you ladies have built and to watch the hunger for it, the reception of it, the excitement around it for women who, you know, when we were in our 20s, they were telling us by the time we were 40, we'd all never work again.
Sophia Bush
I know.
Melanie Lynskey
And you're like, sorry, I'm just owning the hottest show on TV at 44. You're welcome. Is it sort of delicious?
Sophia Bush
It's incredibly delicious.
Melanie Lynskey
It's so great.
Sophia Bush
I love it. I love it, too. And I. I just think there's so much opportunity. Like, a. A very dear friend of mine in New Zealand created a show. She's just turned 60. She created a show that she's the star of. It just got nominated for a BAFTA for Best International Show. It's called after the Party. Her name is Robin Malcolm. Oh, yeah. Whenever it comes out here, it's so, so, so good. And she's, like, sexy and great and funny, and she made it happen for herself. And it was everywhere it's aired, it's been huge. It's been so popular because, like, there's a hunger for it. People want to see stories about women who are not, like 25 years old. No disrespect to 25 year olds, but, you know, it's. People want to see stories about women who are like themselves.
Melanie Lynskey
Yes. And I want to see stories that aren't just about high school.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And I understand the irony of saying that as a girl who got famous on a show about high school, but it can't just be that. And when I look at our, you know, small to overlapping large groups of friends, we are all so much hotter, better looking, funnier, and more interesting than we were 20 years ago. And I think 20 years ago, we were pretty cute.
Sophia Bush
I think so, too.
Melanie Lynskey
But we're better now. And I want this. I want our world reflected well. And I want the girls that are playing the high school girls now to know, like, we're here. We got you.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Oh, yeah. I want that so much.
Melanie Lynskey
What is it like doing that sort of dance with yourselves and your younger selves on the show? You know, because obviously you're shooting in, I would imagine, different locations, different times. Do you get to spend much time with the alter ego high school kids or not really?
Sophia Bush
We try to. We try to see each other whenever we can. Sophie and I are really close, and my closest friend on the show was Simone, who played Lottie, and hers is Courtney, who plays Lottie. So the four of us would get together a bit, which was really cute and fun and a thing that I found because I was very concerned with, like, being an advocate for everybody. And I reached out and I was like, if you need anything, I'll be your spokesperson. Whatever you need. And they were all kind of like, oh, thanks. They were like, that's so sweet. But they did not need me at all. There's an agency that they have that is just inherent and a way of standing up for themselves that I love. I love it. Yeah. Nobody's like, is it okay if I say this? They're just like, well, I'm gonna say something. And I just. I'm like, okay, you really don't need me.
Melanie Lynskey
Do you feel like you learn from them too?
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Oh, yeah, very much.
Melanie Lynskey
And I always wonder about this when you're on a show that has just changed the zeitgeist in the way that Yellowjackets has. Did you know when you read the script, did you think, oh, this is one of the best things I've read in years? Or was it this sort of arc of season one? Like, did you have a clue before it came on and you saw the reception, or were you sort of Taken with it, the way the audience was.
Sophia Bush
I thought it was really good.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
I thought the pilot was so well written. I also had an infant and I was interested in being in half of a show. I was so tired. I was like, that sounds great. That sounds great.
Melanie Lynskey
By the way. I agree.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
I'm like, how do we do more of what you're doing?
Sophia Bush
Oh, please. They're like, and then half of the show will be this other timeline. I was like, I'm listening. Oh, but I just thought the pilot was so good. I have no idea how many people they offered it to before it came to me. No, but I'm very. But no, I know that there were really. Yeah. But I'm very grateful. Thank you. To all those people who passed. I just was. I'm. I. I just loved it. I loved it so much. And I was just like, yeah, this feels right. And then we made the pilot. Everything felt great and we just heard nothing. Not like, good job. It looks great.
Melanie Lynskey
What?
Sophia Bush
Nothing. We heard absolutely nothing. And then it was the pandemic. And I was just like, well, I guess nothing's happening with that. Then it seems like just like nothing at all. And then I was on a call with my psychic and all I wanted to talk about was whether I was going to have another baby. And she started to tell me that there was something going to happen in my career. That because it didn't happen when I was 25, I thought, well, that's never gonna happen. She said, that's coming and you've already done a bit of it. I was like, I did a pilot, but I don't think it's going. It's like, oh, no, that's it. It's going.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay, well, I want this woman's phone number.
Sophia Bush
I'll give you her phone number. She's amazing. I've given her phone number to so many people now she's impossible to get an appointment. No, she makes time for me. But. But yeah, it was absolutely. So I had that kind of a heads up. Whoa. Because she's never wrong. But it didn't make any sense to me. I was just like, I don't think so. I'm 44 years old. We've heard not a word about this pilot. It's been nine months. I think, at that point, like, nothing.
Melanie Lynskey
It's so crazy.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And then what? You got the call and they said, you need to move to Vancouver in six days.
Sophia Bush
Three months later. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. In one month, please, like, pack up your entire life. Yeah, exactly.
Melanie Lynskey
And your Baby.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. In the middle of Pandora.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my God. Wait. I have all these questions about your co workers and female rage and all these thoughts, and I'm like, hold on. When did you start seeing a psychic? Tell me everything.
Sophia Bush
Oh, my therapist. I had a therapist who was like, no, you should talk to.
Melanie Lynskey
No.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
I love this.
Sophia Bush
I know. And she's been very. She's very healing.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay. Because a lot of people get very judgy about these things. And then there's also a part of me that thinks, look, there's so much we know. There's so much we know. We don't know about science and the universe. And we know we're this teeny tiny galaxy in this giant, you know, McFlurry of galaxies, essentially. Like, there's so much out there that we can't possibly understand. When I think about the things we know that our grandparents didn't know, that doctors didn't know.
Sophia Bush
Oh, yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
I get excited about possibilities and energy. And I think there are people who are tapped into that. A lot of us aren't. Yeah, but how do you. I mean, I'm sure there's a little bit of a feeling of, well, why not? If my therapist says it to me. But how did you make the leap to say, oh, it. I'm just gonna book an appointment with a psychic and see what happens?
Sophia Bush
I just was too curious. She was a very unconventional therapist. She passed away a few years ago.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I'm sorry.
Sophia Bush
But she did a lot of weird. I was in group therapy with her. That was always a fun time.
Melanie Lynskey
Was she your five day person?
Sophia Bush
She'd sent me the first time she met me. She sent me to the five day place.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I like her.
Sophia Bush
It's a.
Melanie Lynskey
It's my kind of broad.
Sophia Bush
It's not.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't feel like you're professional, but.
Sophia Bush
I don't feel like you'd say lady.
Melanie Lynskey
Like, she feels like a broad.
Sophia Bush
She's a broad. She was abroad. I like abroad. She really was. She really was. But yeah, the first time she met me, she was like, you know where you have to go? And she, like, called them. And I was like, we've been talking for 20 minutes. Are you sure? Like. But I trusted her.
Melanie Lynskey
Is it time?
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Wow. It was very strange.
Melanie Lynskey
And then how do you. I'm so curious about this. How do you kind of mitigate the maybe, maybe not that comes from a psychic? Like, people will say, it can be fun, take it with a grain of salt. And I'm like, yeah, but then I'm obsessed with things. So how do you let it be additive and not make you paranoid?
Sophia Bush
I think because I talked. She's very good at talking about energies, how to deal with particular people, the types of energy that's going to be coming towards you. Like, if there's somebody you're having difficulties with, she can tell you. Like, there was one co worker I was kind of, like, intimidated by years ago, and she was like, just sit there and say nothing. And I was like, that's so rude. And she was like, it's not like he needs a little space. I just couldn't figure out. I was like, I want to be friends with him, but I'm sort of nervous, like. And she said, just say absolutely nothing. And I was like, yeah, but I did. I just, like, sat in the cast chair. And then one day he goes, you know what? I love you. Don't come in here going, feeling like you need to talk. It just really, like, feels really calm. And I feel like you're just waiting for the time to be right. And then we, like, we're still very dear friends.
Melanie Lynskey
Wow.
Sophia Bush
Like, she just knows. I don't know. Yeah, she just knows things about how people operate. So a lot of it when I talk to her is that is just, you know, energy, or she can read the energy around, like a project that might come up and.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my God, I'm excited.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
How fun.
Sophia Bush
She's very. She's very fun.
Melanie Lynskey
And now for our sponsors. Hey, friends, let's talk about simplifying our beauty routines. I know we have all been there. Feeling overwhelmed by 12 step skincare regimens and palettes with 50 eyeshadows. Here's the thing. I don't have time for that, and I'm pretty sure you don't either. That's why I am so excited that Merit is sponsoring this podcast. Merit is all about a less is more approach. Their makeup and skincare products are designed to enhance your natural beauty, not cover it up. From their minimalist foundation and concealer all in one, to their incredible flush bombs, it's like blush, but better. With their simple products, I can get my whole routine done in under five minutes. If you are looking to simplify your morning, head to merit beauty.com and get their signature makeup bag free with your first order. That's meritbeauty.com there's nothing more pleasant than the discovery of unexpected beauty in everyday objects. And what's more unexpected than a beautiful toilet? An elegant, sleeked, curved, beautiful toilet. And you see, this toilet is the Kohlervale smart toilet. In honed black. Its unique shape and color are so stunning that they actually inspired fashion designer and creative director director Laura Kim to design a couture dress. Beauty inspires beauty. The sleek curved honed black veil smart toilet from Kohler and the long flowing black chiffon dress that Kim designed were born from the belief that design can transform how we live and feel. The Vail Smart Toilet, with its bold design, intuitive touchscreen remote control, and customizable cleansing features, creates an experience that is far beyond the expected. It can transform your everyday routine into something that is extraordinary. And don't we all deserve extraordinary like a gorgeous Laura Kim design dress? And if you don't know Laura Kim, you should Design changes everything. Veil Smart Toilet in honed black only from Kohler. Discover the veil Smart toilet and go behind the scenes of Kohler's partnership with Laura Kim@kohler.com oh Whip Smarties, do we have the scoop for you. So what is it, you ask? It's that Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. But before you tell us to clock out of our shift at the rumor mill, we have proof that this kettle of tea is not only piping hot, but 100% true. So, yeah, sometimes it pays to be a little nosy, but it always pays to Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com creditcard hi Zoe Saldana.
Zoe Saldana
Welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us.
Melanie Lynskey
Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.
Zoe Saldana
You don't need a trade in when you switch to T Mobile. We'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro. Plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it.
Melanie Lynskey
There's always a trade in.
Zoe Saldana
Not right now. @ T Mobile.
Melanie Lynskey
I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma.
Zoe Saldana
That's okay.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender.
Zoe Saldana
I'm good. Seriously.
Melanie Lynskey
Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints.
Zoe Saldana
Really, I'm fine.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.
Jason Ritter
It's our best iPhone offer ever. Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. We'll even pay off your phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits. New line, 100 plus a month on experience beyond Finance Agreement 9.99 and qualify imported for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge. Payout via virtual prepaid card. Allow 15 days credits and imbalance due if you pay off earlier.
Malcolm Gladwell
Cancel your business deploys AI pilots everywhere. But are they going anywhere or are they stuck in silos, exhausting resources, unable to scale? Maybe you don't need hundreds of AI pilots. You need a holistic strategy. IBM has 65,000 consultants with gen AI expertise who can help you design, integrate, and optimize AI solutions. So you're not just deploying AI, you're scaling it across your business. Learn more@IBM.com consulting IBM, let's create.
Melanie Lynskey
So that's something I'm curious about, because energy is important on a project. I try to explain to people that being cast on a show is essentially like having an arranged marriage with 15 to 25 people.
Sophia Bush
Oh, my God. Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Because you have to be immediate family. You have to have great chemistry. You have to somehow know how to communicate with everyone, even though everyone communicates differently and they're total strangers.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And they're gonna ship you off somewhere and you're gonna live together.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. It's so true.
Melanie Lynskey
It's like if you had to marry everyone on Big Brother.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
It's confusing.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And I'm really curious because you do. You've got these parallel storylines on the show, and it's this big group of women. And I do think we're in different time where we get to be additive to each other instead of encouraged to behave like, oh, there's only room for one of you. So compete, ladies.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
How do you. How does it feel energetically with this big group of women and then this sort of younger group of women that you guys want to look out for.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
But who are teaching you things too. Did you have to sort of sit down and go, okay, guys, I know we all come from the early aughts, absolute nightmare of Hollywood, but we're gonna be cool and be friends. Or were you all just ready?
Sophia Bush
I think we were all ready. We were all very, very grateful for the job, which is a nice thing. And it was also during COVID we couldn't really hang out very much.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, wow.
Sophia Bush
So we would, you know, Marco Polo. We would leave each other these Marco Polos where we were just talking, like. And it would be at different times. Like, mine would be when my daughter had finally gone to sleep and it would be spring sitting next to her in bed. Juliets were, like, roaming around the streets and the cameras, like, over here somewhere. And she's like, yeah. So anyway, you know. And they were all. Christina's were always driving. She was like, I'm fine. I put the camera somewhere.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
They were all like such like a microcosm of our personalities, but we just witnessed each other, like how each other's days were. And then we just started talking about our families, our past, like who sexually harassed us, you know, just everything came out and it was so bonding. And so then by the time we were at work together, we're like sisters. And also, I'm grateful that we all wanted to do that and trusted each other enough. And then, you know, I know people have had arguments and it's never going to be easy when there's a group of people who are so close knit. But the younger cast is like that too. They're so close. Like at Samantha, who plays young Misty, she had a baby shower during production last season and everybody was there and it just was like, really a special time to see how well we all knew each other.
Melanie Lynskey
It was really special. What a cool. What a cool moment.
Sophia Bush
I know.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't know if you're allowed to tell us, but you know, the data we have all the numbers, including, you know, your filmography. Season three was the most watched season. Are we gonna get a four?
Sophia Bush
I don't know. I hope so.
Melanie Lynskey
I wanna know.
Sophia Bush
I know we're all a bit panicky.
Melanie Lynskey
I can't. I mean, well, just, I don't know. We gotta call the psychic.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, I'm scared to ask her. I haven't talked to her for a few months.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. When you. This is gonna seem like a weird tangent, but my brain made the connection, which was. Well, it's kind of the inner knowing. Right. And then I was like, oh, I wonder if that's how you felt when you met Jason. And I was like. I realized I was just gonna ask you, did you feel like you just knew when you met Jason and you're like, ma' am, what is this segue? But it made sense in here.
Sophia Bush
I understand.
Melanie Lynskey
I understand the connection.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
You know?
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Did it feel very different to you, you know, when you guys met each other? Or was it. Cause I know you did movie after movie together. Did it take a while for you to go, oh, my God, wait, is it this guy that I know?
Sophia Bush
Well, we on the first movie was when we like got together, but we were both in very chaotic. We both had, like, just gone through breakups, like, just. And it was.
Melanie Lynskey
He.
Sophia Bush
I don't know, everybody seemed Kind of like background noise to me. I just couldn't focus on anyone or anything. And it felt so chaotic, and, like, my husband moved out of the house. Like, it was just.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, you. Yeah. Because you were going through a divorce.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. And it was so. And it was even before, like, the divorce. Jimmy and I took a long time to sign divorce papers because it was just so depressing. Every time we hung out, we were like, let's do it next time. It just felt we didn't have. It was a very easy process, but just assigning.
Melanie Lynskey
No, I get it.
Sophia Bush
Oh, yucky.
Melanie Lynskey
I also think that's. Listen, that's adulthood.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Nobody decides to get a divorce until they've been on a torture train for a pretty long time.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And when you. When you say it's time and someone moves out or you both move or whatever, that's a long time coming. And. I don't know. Well, and maybe it felt different for you, too. I'm like, maybe I'm projecting my experience. And also the experience of a bunch of my friends who weirdly went through it when I did.
Sophia Bush
Oh, that's interesting.
Melanie Lynskey
It was a really weird summer. Speaking of, I watched a video by a psychic who said 2023 was the year of the great divorce. Like, 1929 was the year of the great depression. 2023 was the year of the great divorce. And if you actually look at the records, I'm like, I am a basic bitch that I got divorced in 2023. So did everybody else.
Sophia Bush
But maybe we survived it.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, but I find it so interesting, because when you meet someone or reconnect with someone or whatever it is in that absolute chaos, I think maybe it's easy to think, oh, this is a sweet rebound moment or a nice distraction or whatever. But also maybe it's the moment you meet the love of your life. I don't know.
Sophia Bush
I mean, it ended up being that. But if someone had come down and been like, that's the love of your life, I would have been like, oh, I hope not. I don't. He's not doing very well. Like, he was such a. Such a mess. So cute, but he was, like, such a mess. I. I don't know. I barely kind of noticed it. Like, I was like, it seems sweet. I just had too much else going on.
Melanie Lynskey
Totally.
Sophia Bush
And then one night, he was like. You know, when I went through my breakup, like, one of the things that was really great for me was, like, kissing someone. Like, when you realize you can kiss someone. And I was like, oh, okay. Like, it just felt so weird and inappropriate.
Melanie Lynskey
Kiss me.
Sophia Bush
I know. I was like, what? And he was like, I don't know. Just wondering. Just thought that was, like a helpful thing. And I was like. And then I realized, like, whoa, I'm free too. I guess. Like, it feels too soon.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
But all right. And so then that happened. And then it was very weird. We could say, like, I don't know, it's like the spirit of our daughter or something. Which sounds weird when you're talking about kissing each other, but something happened.
Melanie Lynskey
You, like, felt something.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, weird. Something weird. Not just like, oh, that's sexy. Like, it was like kind of like an oh, no sort of feeling.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, God.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Like, I'm not even gonna get to have the slutty rebound sex.
Sophia Bush
I know. People said, well, there that goes. Yeah. It just was. It was very. I think also neither of us were anywhere near ready for it.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
And I just didn't want it. Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
But when it happens to you, it happens.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And it's weird because, you know, things are so clear in hindsight.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
When I think about that. Oh, my God, by the way, in the absolute chaos, being like, there could be no worse time. No. Realizing that I loved my partner and being like, oh, God, I have. There's no not trying to do this.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
I've given myself every reason not to, and now I'm going to, I guess.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And I. I had a. Not as. Not a spirit of a wise six year old, but what I had was like a. I felt like something passed through me, if that makes sense. Like, I took a deep breath in a way I never had before.
Sophia Bush
Oh, that's interesting.
Melanie Lynskey
And I went, oh, yeah. But thank God. Because it was complicated and it was hard, and I think if I hadn't had that feeling that made me sit and be quiet.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Like you'd been on set with that man. Just wait. I was like, I'm just gonna sit in my chair and I'm gonna wait. And I don't know why.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Because I probably should run. But what I'm gonna do is I'm gonna sit here and I'm gonna wait. I sat and I waited. And now I'm like. Like I'm too old to say I know what's forever and what the future holds. But I'm like, I've just. I've never. I've never taken a deep breath like this, so.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
That's nice.
Sophia Bush
I. Jason and I were talking the other day, and I was like, everybody's boring. Like, people are great. I love people. I love meeting people, talking to people. But there's no, like, oh, what would that be like? You know, like.
Melanie Lynskey
Isn'T it weird when you're like, I genuinely want to just hang out at home, All I want to do. I know.
Sophia Bush
I mean, this is lovely.
Melanie Lynskey
It is.
Sophia Bush
By the way. You know, what I was about to.
Melanie Lynskey
Say is, I'm like, what I would really love is for you two to come. Or we'll come. Yes. Then I'm like, oh, my God. Other people that are so happy at home, I'm like, do you want to hang out in my home? Or maybe we come to yours.
Sophia Bush
Exactly.
Melanie Lynskey
It's just that.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, we have to do that.
Melanie Lynskey
And I'm set otherwise.
Sophia Bush
I know. I feel great.
Melanie Lynskey
It's wild. Okay, wait. I love knowing because I adore him. And, you know, I adore you.
Sophia Bush
He is. And he adores you, too.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my God. He's just the most wonderful. And I just think about, you know, we used to run around LA and go to auditions together when we were babies. And so it's like, I cherish him in this. That sweet childhood sort of energy.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
But it's funny to know that you were, like, not him and that everything was a mess.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Because on the Internet, you guys are couple, you know, your couple goals. The hashtag. Which is probably so annoying, but it's also because it's really undeniable how lovely you both are, and you're lovely together, and you're just very genuine about all of it, I think. How much you love each other and how silly life is.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
How do you feel? Do you try to ignore the Internet or does it amuse you?
Sophia Bush
I think it amuses Jason. Jason is more, like, online than I am. It sort of freaks me out a little bit. It is funny because I think if him from that period of time could see this, he would be so shocked. He'd be like, what is happening? Who's this guy? For facing his love? Like, he was really trying to be, like, cool, single guy. Stop it. I know, I know. It was really. He did his best.
Melanie Lynskey
Sweet.
Sophia Bush
It was a real journey.
Melanie Lynskey
Sweet baby.
Sophia Bush
I know. Sweet baby. But we were in couples therapy, like, three weeks after we met each other with the same therapist.
Melanie Lynskey
Amazing.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
What did she say?
Sophia Bush
In our first session, she figured out that she was also seeing Jason. And I was like, oh, well, then I guess you can't be my therapist. She was like, she's like, come in together. Let's see what happens. I was like, okay, okay. You have no boundaries.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my God.
Sophia Bush
Amazing. Also, I love you.
Melanie Lynskey
I wish my therapist had no boundaries. I keep trying to get him to hang out with me, and he won't. And I'm like, trevor, you're married to a woman. I'm dating a woman. It's so not weird. Like, let's all go to lunch. And he's like, no, it's not ethical. And I'm like, but why? It's like, we talk about our partners all the time, and I wanna, like, I don't know. It feels weird that I don't know her. And he's like, it's not weird for me. Stop, stop.
Sophia Bush
This is how it should be. That is more normal.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't like it.
Sophia Bush
That is more normal. I mean, my therapist was, like, bringing a shaman in now and again.
Melanie Lynskey
I'm not mad at it.
Sophia Bush
I think we need the shaman for this session.
Melanie Lynskey
For as deeply nerdy about science as I am, I'm also really into the mystical. It's like the pendulum really swings both ways for me.
Sophia Bush
Yeah, I'm very into the mystical.
Melanie Lynskey
I like it.
Sophia Bush
We moved a little while ago to a new house, and my organizer made this box. She said, and I'm making a box that's gonna be called Mystic Box. And I was like, oh, what? She was like, it's for all your mysticism items. And I was like, I don't think I have. And then I was like, oh. Oh, my God.
Melanie Lynskey
Many an item.
Sophia Bush
So many. And that's animal cards, perhaps? Oh, my God. And the tarot decks.
Melanie Lynskey
And I have a good one for you.
Sophia Bush
Oh, do you?
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I'm excited.
Sophia Bush
Okay.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, I'm excited. And now a word from our sponsors that I really enjoy, and I think you will, too. I love being in my 40s, and I love what love feels like in my 40s, and I LOVE our world of even work in our 40s. What does it feel like for you? Like, to be here and so present and. I don't know. Are you kind of in love with your 40s too?
Sophia Bush
I am, I think, like, a big surprise. Not surprise, but, like, if I'm being super honest. I love being a mother so much, and so a big part of my time, I think, in my 40s, because I had my daughter when I was 41, and then I was like, I just. I want to do that again. And I haven't been able to. So that's taken up a lot of. I guess I have not had as much appreciation from my 40s because I felt a little bit of a ticking clock on this thing that I think I'm starting to make peace with. I have the greatest kid in the world. Just give everything to this little person.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
So that's been the only kind of like about that. But otherwise, I just feel I'm very grateful to be parenting at this age. Even though it's meant that another one hasn't been able to happen.
Melanie Lynskey
Right.
Sophia Bush
Because I just. I know myself. I know her. I know her dad. I love her dad. Like, it's not a relationship where we're trying to figure things out or figure each other out. It's very calm.
Melanie Lynskey
Right.
Sophia Bush
And I. I just. And work has been so surprisingly wonderful.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
There's. I never like to say a settled feeling, because I always feel like using that word is so close to settling down or settling.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
You know, but it's like a. An ease. Like, there's more of a rest in how it feels maybe to be in.
Sophia Bush
This stage very, very much. And I didn't think that was a thing I was capable of. Like, I remember that same boyfriend who helped me through my eating disorder. We, like, went on a vacation, and I was sneaking away to the payphone to call my agent because I knew he was like, just relax. It's not time for work. And I was like, totally. And then I'd be like, is anything coming? Like, what happened with that audition? Like, I was so worried about what's next? What's next? What's gonna happen?
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
I couldn't imagine, even all through my 30s, I felt that so much. Like, what's coming? How's it gonna be received? What's the next job? And, you know, I know part of that is being in a place where work has been easy for the last few years, which I'm so grateful for, but it's also just being happy.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
And when I go to work, I'm like, do I really want to leave my house? Do I really want to not be able to volunteer at school for a few weeks and not do drop off and not drive her home and hear about her day and everyone who's annoying her and everyone who she loves? You know?
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, it's so crazy. We had a biting incident with one of Ash's kids. Not doing it, having it done to them at school. And I was like, what is this feeling? What is this rage? What is this? Like, I will punt a small child if they don't stop doing this to this kid who is magic to me. And I was like, wow, this is. And I called a lot of my friends who have little kids. And I was like, nobody told me about, like, the defensive rage part. One of my girlfriends goes, you know that adage about how a mom could pick up a car?
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
I was like, yep. Ding, ding, ding. Yeah, Understood. Got it. That's what it is.
Sophia Bush
The angriest I've ever seen. Jason, I think, was. We were in Atlanta. My daughter, like, met a little friend on the playground. He was a boy. He was, like, maybe 18 months older than her. He was maybe four and a half. She was like three. And he said to her, you just sit in the corner, and I'm gonna be playing, and you just watch me playing. And she was like, I'll play. And he was like, no, no, no. You just watch, and I'm gonna be. And so she sat there, and I was like. And Jason was like, get out. Like, he was so. He didn't, like, yell at a child, but he, like, grabbed. He was like, come on, get out of there. Like, don't play with this kid. And I was like, you gotta take it down a notch. But he was so furious that anybody would, like, tell our child to sit in a corner and just watch it. She was like. He was like, no.
Melanie Lynskey
I was like, what a metaphor for the patriarchy. My God.
Sophia Bush
Truly.
Melanie Lynskey
On the topic of saving the world, if you had to be stranded in the woods and now this can be person or character with one of your Yellowjackets castmates. Like, back to the apocalypse question. Who are you picking to really help you survive?
Sophia Bush
Person or a character? Gosh, they'd all be very, very good. I do feel like Christina is very practical, and she would be good in an emergency, I think.
Melanie Lynskey
I like that.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
If you could reboot any classic 90s film or show and star in it, what would it be?
Sophia Bush
I don't like reboots. Really? Oh, I shouldn't say that. My husband's on metlock. I like that.
Melanie Lynskey
You know what I think of that as Is more of a reimagining.
Sophia Bush
It's a reimagining.
Melanie Lynskey
Perhaps even a chapter two.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. It's so different.
Melanie Lynskey
It is. Yeah.
Sophia Bush
The Matlock is so different, and it's very fun, and I am obsessed with it.
Melanie Lynskey
I am, too.
Sophia Bush
Do you have an answer for this? It's such a good question. I do.
Melanie Lynskey
And I re. The weird thing is, it hit me this week, moonlighting.
Sophia Bush
Oh, that's so good.
Melanie Lynskey
Come on. Right?
Sophia Bush
See, my favorite show when I was maybe, like, 10. That's not quite the. When was 30 something. That was my favorite show. But I think that's late 80s.
Melanie Lynskey
That's okay. It's close enough.
Sophia Bush
It was my favorite show. Oh, I loved it. And I also really loved LA Law.
Melanie Lynskey
Oh, my God. LA Law was so good.
Sophia Bush
So good.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
Is there a good, like, flashy legal.
Melanie Lynskey
We could be, like, sexy lawyers, you know?
Sophia Bush
I would like to play a lawyer.
Melanie Lynskey
I would, too.
Sophia Bush
I never get to do stuff like that.
Melanie Lynskey
Why?
Sophia Bush
I always have a car. I'm always, like, in a plaid shirt or, like, Mom's shirt.
Melanie Lynskey
You are so emotionally available as an actor that people are like, let us see her. Let us see the darkness. And you're like, give me a. You want a power suit?
Sophia Bush
I do.
Melanie Lynskey
And a nice heel.
Sophia Bush
I do.
Melanie Lynskey
And to put some shitty lawyer named Zach in his place.
Sophia Bush
I never have to wear heels at work.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay.
Sophia Bush
Never.
Melanie Lynskey
Hollywood, like, who do I address for this part? If you're listening, Hollywood, we'd like to do a law show. Thank you.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. And you should be honest.
Melanie Lynskey
I love it. Oh, my dad still can't believe I'm not a lawyer. He's like, you just. He's like, you were made to argue on behalf of people. I'm like, you're not wrong, Charles Bush. You're not wrong. What's a role? Well, this is always a funny question, because I'm like, this came from one of our producers who's never had to audition for anything. What's a role that you turned down that you still think about?
Sophia Bush
Well, I was never in a position to be.
Melanie Lynskey
Like, when people say, how do you choose your roles? You're like, I am auditioning, trying to get a job. I know.
Sophia Bush
I will say it's been a long time since I auditioned, which I feel very grateful for. Which feels correct, because I'm bad at it.
Melanie Lynskey
I hate it.
Sophia Bush
I hate it. I think it's a separate skill.
Melanie Lynskey
It is. And it's like, I'm never gonna have the experience. I don't care who I'm reading with that I'm gonna have with you in a scene. Neither when you surprise me with something you think or like, it's alchemy between two people. And the audition is inherently hollow because the other person isn't there.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. Like a chemistry read. I'm fine with same. Yeah. But just an audition. And especially when they give you, like, all the crying scenes and it's like.
Melanie Lynskey
12 pages by tomorrow.
Sophia Bush
I know. Oh, my God. No.
Melanie Lynskey
Thank you.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay. I think this is a long list, but who has been the celebrity fan of yellow jackets that's just tickled you the most or surprised you the most?
Sophia Bush
Gosh, it's really nice that it's been received so well. God, I actually don't know.
Melanie Lynskey
I don't know why in my brain, I have this vision of Meryl Streep telling you how much she loves yellow jackets. I don't know if it's happened, but.
Sophia Bush
I feel happy it's not happened.
Melanie Lynskey
Okay, well, in my brain, that would be the really fun one for you.
Sophia Bush
That would be a really fun one for.
Melanie Lynskey
I think it's tr. I think it's true.
Sophia Bush
I. I was at a party, and Megan the stellium was like, I love you. And I said, I love you. And she goes, no, you don't. And I was like, I don't look that uncool. Like, yes, I do. I was like, I really genuinely do.
Melanie Lynskey
She's so cool.
Sophia Bush
She's so cool.
Melanie Lynskey
The fact that you said that. Okay, we're officially now the Megan Thee Stallion fan club means I have to tell you what happened. So this past year, Elton John does his big fundraising during the Oscars to raise money for the AIDS foundation. I went. I turn around, and Megan thee stallion is 8 inches from my face, floating by in this, like, marigold dress. She's so beautiful. And I go, she's so beautiful.
Sophia Bush
It's like crazy.
Melanie Lynskey
I lost control of my physical body and gasped that loud into her face. And she turned, and I went, sorry, I love you. And she goes, oh, my God, girl, I love you. And I was like, like, not possible. And she was like, what? And her friend was like, no, she. She really, like. She likes your show. And I was like, wait, what? And I was like, we have to take a picture. Nobody's gonna believe me that this happened. And we took a picture, and then for the rest of the night, I'm like, she's just really a nice lady who probably is so nice to everyone who loves her and makes you feel like she knows you and loves you. And I saw her yesterday, and I walked into a room, and she went, sophia, hey, girl. And I was like, oh, my God, she meant it. So I'm telling you this.
Sophia Bush
It's.
Melanie Lynskey
She likes serialized television dramas, and she meant.
Sophia Bush
Okay, she meant it. That's nice. She was very sweet.
Melanie Lynskey
She's an icon.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. I could not have been more awkward.
Melanie Lynskey
No.
Sophia Bush
And then I stood there for a minute, and then I was like, can I get you a drink? She was like, okay, there's no, like, buying drinks. You know, you just get a Drink.
Melanie Lynskey
I can't be.
Sophia Bush
She can get a drink.
Melanie Lynskey
She's fine.
Sophia Bush
Just like, thanks, though.
Melanie Lynskey
You're like, cool.
Sophia Bush
Well, I don't know. I was such a nerdy kid. Like, I don't know how to.
Melanie Lynskey
I can't be in those rooms. I can't be around famous people. And my best friend. It's difficult. It's horrible. And my best friend goes to things with me and she'll be like, stop it. You're being so weird. You are also a famous person. And I'm like, not like Megan, thee stallion. Like, I can't. I don't know why suddenly I lose the ability to be regular because I'm like, well, do I tell you about all the things I know that you've done that I think are great, or is that awkward? So then do I not tell you? So then do I pretend that I don't know about you? So I feel like I become the, like, clown car version of myself?
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
It's not a good look for me.
Sophia Bush
I'm sure it's very adorable. It's not, but I know what you mean. Like, it's a really. It's very hard to know how to behave.
Melanie Lynskey
Well, I can't wait to just start running and hiding behind you at words.
Sophia Bush
Please. Please. Yes.
Melanie Lynskey
Thank God.
Sophia Bush
The more awkward person.
Melanie Lynskey
Perfect. Great. Stand in the corner.
Sophia Bush
Come out from behind me. You'll seem really collected. No, really cool.
Melanie Lynskey
I just. I'm going to take a page from the psychic and just be quiet.
Sophia Bush
That's also weird.
Melanie Lynskey
I know.
Sophia Bush
You're just like, I've never felt more awkward in my life. But she was right.
Melanie Lynskey
Well.
Sophia Bush
Yep.
Melanie Lynskey
And now you're friends with this man, dying to know who it is. But I shan't ask whilst the world is listening. My dear. My favorite thing to ask people is. And it can be personal or professional. It can really be anything that comes to mind. But right now, for you, in this lovely moment in your life, what feels like your work in progress.
Sophia Bush
Oh, gosh, there's. There's so much. I feel like I still am learning to accept good things. Which sounds a bit silly, but I had to admit that to myself the other day.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
Like, you don't have to sort of struggle through something. You can ask for things to be better. You don't have to be like, well, this is, like, better than my wildest dreams. You know, it's just allowing yourself to want good things and good people around you and, like. I don't know, I just sort of. I'm. It's so hard for me to accept positive things happening. That there's a part of me that's like, well, that's enough then. That's good. Thank you so much. I had. And then I was like, no, I want good things to keep happening. And I.
Melanie Lynskey
And some multiply and.
Sophia Bush
Yeah. And so I think it's that. And then also just every day with my daughter, just trying to be a better parent to her and learn more about her. Just.
Melanie Lynskey
I love it. I mean, it's sort of interesting, right? You'd never want her to feel like she had a finite amount of good things.
Sophia Bush
Oh, no. So, yeah, there's an interesting like re parenting of yourself that happens.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah. It's kind of cool.
Sophia Bush
It's amazing. And I remember Sarah Paulson said that to me years ago, who is one of my very wisest friends. And she always like, she would be a therapist if she wasn't an actor. She just always has the most perfect thing. And I remember being very anxious about doing something after work or something like that and feeling very guilty about being away from my child. And she pointed out to me that, you know, when you've had any kind of like, neglect is a big word, but you know, you felt sort of things missing in your life, you can really try to overcorrect with your kids. And she said, you have to understand that like having your own time and doing something for yourself is not. Not neglect. It's very natural. It's actually really good for her to see that.
Melanie Lynskey
Yeah.
Sophia Bush
And I was like, oh yeah. I am kind of over correcting. And she doesn't want a parent who's just like, well, I'm just gonna be here with you whenever I'm not actively working for the household. You know, she's seeing her mom have a life. Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And the thing is the, the love you model with your spouse will teach her.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
The love she sees you give yourself will teach her. The love she sees between you girlfriends.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
Will teach her. And I think it's really special to remember that, you know, if this is neutral and your upbringing felt like this much was in the red, you don't want to go that much farther into the green.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
You wanna, you wanna get like just on the other side of the neutral in a way. So it's full but easy.
Sophia Bush
Yeah.
Melanie Lynskey
And that's, that's a really, that's a beautiful observation me. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for coming.
Sophia Bush
Thank you for having me. I love it. This was so fun.
Melanie Lynskey
It's so fun. Imagine a toilet. So striking. It inspired a couture dress. The Kohler Veil Smart Toilet in Honed Black actually inspired creative director and fashion designer Laura Kim to create a stunning black chiffon dress. The Veil Smart Toilet with its curved design, deep rich textural color, touchscreen, remote control and customizable cleansing features, can transform your routine into something extraordinary. And we all deserve extraordinary design changes everything. Veal Smart Toilet in Honed Black only from Kohler Discover the Veil Smart Toilet and go behind the scenes of Kohler's partnership with Laura Kim@kohler.com hey friends, let's be real for a second. Mornings can be tough. We're all rushing to get out the door and sometimes the last thing we want to do is spend an hour. Who has an hour for a beauty routine? That is where our friends at Merit come in. And let me tell you, it's a game changer. Merit is all about simplifying beauty without sacrificing results. They make clean, vegan and cruelty free makeup that helps enhance your natural beauty in just minutes. Seriously, their products are so easy to use you barely need a mirror. They have this Flush Balm. It's a sheer buildable cream blush that blends seamlessly for a fresh, healthy cheek flush. I have have it. Le Bon Bon is my favorite shade. And then there's the Minimalist. It's a foundation and concealer all in one bless. It gives you natural coverage that lasts all day. I just ordered their great Skin Serum and cannot wait to try it. It is a daily must have that makes your skin feel instantly hydrated and plump, giving you that dewy fresh glow without all the extra steps. So if you are like me and tired of feeling overwhelmed by your routine and it's time to simplify, head to Merit Beauty.com and get their signature makeup bag free with your first order. Trust me, you will love how easy it is to feel beautiful with MERIT.
Sophia Bush
That's meritbeauty.com behind every successful business is a vision. Bringing it to life takes more than effort. It takes the right financial, foundation and support. That's where Chase for Business comes in. With convenient digital tools, helpful resources and personalized guidance, we can help your business forge ahead confidently. Learn more@chase.com business chase for business make more of what's yours the Chase Mobile app is available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply JP Morgan Chase Bank NA Member FDIC Copyright 2025 JP Morgan Chase & Co. We.
Jason Ritter
Finally switched to T Mobile because with.
Malcolm Gladwell
Them we can be connected here and there.
Melanie Lynskey
Dad the cousins in Mexico have a surprise for you.
Malcolm Gladwell
And enjoy the gift of staying connected. Switch and start saving today.
Jason Ritter
Get four Samsung Galaxy S25 phones with Galaxy AI on us and four lines.
Malcolm Gladwell
For just 25 bucks per line plus.
Jason Ritter
Non stop contacts and data between us and Mexico. Visit a store t mobile.com or call 1-800-t-Mobile 1-800-t-Mobile see details@t mobile.com It's Megan. Are you ready for hashtag Megan Summer.
Sophia Bush
Megan Megan Megan Megan Megan. Would you prefer that I give you a printout that you can at your own pace? Megan yes, it's me. What a shock.
Melanie Lynskey
Etc on June 27.
Sophia Bush
She is a smoking hot warrior princess. All right me sax, let's get to work. Are you going to stand in my way?
Jason Ritter
The be is back.
Sophia Bush
You think you learned your lesson the first time?
Melanie Lynskey
Megan Megan 2.0 only in theaters June.
Sophia Bush
27Th for DPT 13. This is an iHeart podcast.
Podcast: Work in Progress with Sophia Bush
Host: Sophia Bush
Guest: Melanie Lynskey
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Sophia Bush welcomes the iconic Melanie Lynskey, celebrating her extensive career spanning over 30 years. Melanie is renowned for her diverse and thought-provoking roles in film and television. Currently, she stars alongside Christina Ricci in the highly acclaimed Showtime series Yellowjackets, which has been nominated for ten Emmy Awards. Melanie is also set to lead the film Pike River opposite Robin Malcolm, directed by Robert Sarkees, which explores the profound impact of a disaster in New Zealand. Additionally, Melanie recently appeared in HBO's critically acclaimed The Last of Us.
Notable Quote:
"Melanie has become an industry staple. She has amassed a plethora of gorgeous, thought-provoking roles across film and television over the course of 30 years." ([04:58])
The conversation delves into the deep, almost sibling-like bond between Sophia Bush and Melanie Lynskey. Despite not spending much time together, both cherish their connection and the sense of safety and understanding they provide each other.
Notable Quotes:
Melanie Lynskey: "You make me feel safe that way. Like the way my closest friends make me feel." ([05:52])
Sophia Bush: "I feel the same." ([05:40])
Melanie and Sophia discuss their experiences as parents, emphasizing the importance of allowing their children to express emotions freely. Melanie shares an anecdote about explaining weddings to her four-year-old daughter, highlighting the process of fostering an environment where children feel safe to express their feelings and desires.
Notable Quotes:
Melanie Lynskey: "The more you can give them and the more kindness you can show them and the more you can permit their feelings, the more you'll be able to help them refine those feelings." ([14:36])
Sophia Bush: "She’s a very deeply feeling child, and her need to express herself and say how she's feeling is so great." ([13:02])
Melanie’s Journey with Anger: Melanie opens up about her intensive five-day therapy after a breakup, where she confronted years of suppressed anger. This breakthrough allowed her to embrace her emotions healthily, leading to profound personal growth.
Notable Quotes:
Melanie Lynskey: "I realized, like, oh, I'm scared that I'll start feeling angry, and then I'll just be bitter and angry forever." ([24:00])
Melanie Lynskey: "I felt like something passed through me, like, I took a deep breath in a way I never had before." ([67:46])
Sophia’s Battle with an Eating Disorder: Sophia shares her decade-long struggle with a restrictive eating disorder, reflecting on how compassionate support from her then-boyfriend initiated her path to recovery. She emphasizes the importance of external validation in overcoming self-destructive behaviors.
Notable Quotes:
Sophia Bush: "People have been like, oh, I hate my body, too. I have an eating disorder, you know? ... It was this compassionate moment that shook me." ([26:43]-[27:05])
Both hosts reflect on the societal expectations placed on women regarding body image and emotional expression. They discuss the internalized pressures to suppress anger and the importance of reclaiming the right to express a full range of emotions.
Notable Quotes:
Melanie Lynskey: "We are the generation where all our therapists talk to us about having a toolkit because clearly our parents didn't have any." ([14:36])
Sophia Bush: "I remember reading so much feminist literature and being very aware of the issues with body image and society." ([30:58])
Melanie recounts how she met her partner amidst personal turmoil, highlighting the role of therapy and intuitive guidance in forming meaningful relationships. Sophia shares her own journey of meeting her partner, emphasizing the serendipitous and healing aspects of their relationship.
Notable Quotes:
Sophia Bush: "Jason and I were talking the other day, and I was like, everybody's boring... He adores you, too." ([69:28]-[71:21])
Melanie Lynskey: "It was such a real journey... I've never taken a deep breath like this, so that was nice." ([67:40]-[68:40])
Sophia and Melanie discuss the challenges of fame, including awkward encounters with other celebrities. Melanie shares a humorous and heartwarming story of meeting Megan Thee Stallion, highlighting the genuine connections that can form despite the pressures of celebrity status.
Notable Quotes:
Melanie Lynskey: "I lost control of my physical body and gasped that loud into her face... She likes your show." ([82:04]-[83:37])
Sophia Bush: "If she sees me from that period of time, she would be so shocked." ([70:50])
The hosts explore the unique dynamics of working together on Yellowjackets, a show that has significantly impacted the entertainment landscape. They discuss the necessity of strong chemistry among cast members and the supportive environment they've cultivated, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable Quotes:
Sophia Bush: "We would leave each other these Marco Polos where we were just talking... everything came out and it was so bonding." ([60:41]-[62:14])
Melanie Lynskey: "It's never going to be easy when there's a group of people who are so close-knit." ([59:22])
Sophia reflects on her journey towards accepting positive aspects of her life, a theme that resonates with Melanie’s own path of emotional acceptance. They emphasize the ongoing nature of personal growth and the importance of continuously striving to improve oneself.
Notable Quotes:
Sophia Bush: "I still am learning to accept good things... I'm trying to be a better parent to her and learn more about her." ([85:23]-[86:58])
Melanie Lynskey: "You wanna get just on the other side of the neutral... full but easy." ([88:16]-[88:43])
As the conversation winds down, Melanie and Sophia share their hopes for future seasons of Yellowjackets and their ongoing commitment to personal and professional development. They express gratitude for the support they've received and the progress they've made in their personal lives.
Notable Quotes:
Melanie Lynskey: "I wanna know if we're gonna get a four?" ([62:19])
Sophia Bush: "I just feel I'm very grateful to be parenting at this age." ([73:53])
Work in Progress with Sophia Bush featuring Melanie Lynskey offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of two accomplished actresses navigating the complexities of personal growth, parenting, and professional success. Through candid conversations, they explore themes of emotional expression, societal pressures, and the enduring strength of female friendships. This episode serves as an inspiring testament to embracing both one's strengths and ongoing journey towards self-improvement.
Notable Quotes Summary:
Melanie Lynskey on Emotional Safety:
"You make me feel safe that way. Like the way my closest friends make me feel." ([05:52])
Sophia Bush on Her Daughter’s Emotional Depth:
"She’s a very deeply feeling child, and her need to express herself and say how she's feeling is so great." ([13:02])
Melanie Lynskey on Suppressed Anger:
"I realized, like, oh, I'm scared that I'll start feeling angry, and then I'll just be bitter and angry forever." ([24:00])
Sophia Bush on Overcoming Eating Disorders:
"It was this compassionate moment that shook me." ([27:05])
Melanie Lynskey on Therapy and Toolkits:
"The more you can give them and the more kindness you can show them and the more you can permit their feelings, the more you'll be able to help them refine those feelings." ([14:36])
Sophia Bush on Accepting Positivity:
"I'm trying to be a better parent to her and learn more about her." ([85:45])
This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the conversation between Sophia Bush and Melanie Lynskey, highlighting their personal and professional journeys, while providing insightful quotes to emphasize key points.