That Was Us

This week on That Was Us, we break down that intense courtroom scene with Randall's adoption case judge (Delroy Lindo) and how his scenes in this episode sparked major discourse among This Is Us fans. We also discuss Kevin's "nightmare" confession to Sophie, how Mandy, Chris, and Sterling are surprised by the show's twists and turns, and what it is like to gain an audience's trust. Were you surprised by William's legal battles briefly intersecting with Jack and Rebecca's court case? Plus, special guest Debra Jo Rupp (the social worker!) joins us to share her memories of working on the show! 

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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Join us as we dive into "The 20's," an episode that explores the pivotal moments and defining experiences of the Pearson family in their twenties. We'll delve into Kevin's core wound, the personal romantic struggles Kate is going through, and the challenges and joys of parenthood for Beth and Randall— which leads Sterling, Mandy, and Chris to ask themselves and listeners: “What kind of answers did your children bring when they came into the world?”

Plus, we're joined by the talented Zoe Hay, makeup artist extraordinaire from This Is Us! Zoe shares behind-the-scenes insights and reveals the secrets behind those iconic Pearson looks. And for a bit of fun, we'll take a peek at some amazing This Is Us-inspired Halloween costumes from fans over the years.

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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Join us as we recap "Brothers," the episode that shows us the inner workings of not only Randall and Kevin’s brotherly bond (or lack thereof) but Jack’s complicated relationship with, surprise, his own brother! We'll delve into Jack's complex relationship with his father, the discovery of his brother Nicky, and the lingering impact of their childhood trauma. We'll also discuss Kevin's turn towards painkillers, the heartwarming breakthrough between Randall and Deja, and Ka-Toby sharing the excitement of Kate’s pregnancy together. And that's not all! The wonderful Caitlin Thompson, who plays Madison, joins us to share the inside scoop on how her character came to be on the show.

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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There's a lot that's still lingering for the Pearson family...and in this episode we dive into Kate, Kevin, and Randall's past to uncover what's eating away at them. From the kids battling chickenpox to the Pearsons confronting deeper issues like identity, racism, and generational differences, this episode had A LOT to cover. We discuss Kate’s pregnancy secret, Kevin’s fight to rise above his injury, and Randall piecing together how his race shaped his family dynamic. Plus, Rebecca’s complicated relationship with her mother takes center stage, leading Mandy, Sterling, and Chris to share their thoughts on complicated parent/child relationships and the delicacy of figuring out how to impart lessons onto children of their own. We’ll also share a heartfelt message from a listener who connected with the show through her work in the foster care system.

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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Join us for a special episode featuring the amazing Chrissy Metz, who captured our hearts as Kate Pearson on This Is Us! Chrissy opens up about her incredible journey from working as an agent to landing the role of Kate with just $0.81 in her bank account. She shares candidly about overcoming self-doubt, finding confidence, and the profound impact playing Kate had on her own life.

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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Join us as we revisit the episode where Jack takes a brave step toward recovery, Randall embarks on a journey to find his birth mother, and Deja adjusts to life with the Pearsons. We'll discuss the emotional challenges of working on a deeply moving show like This Is Us and how the cast and crew navigate those intense moments on set. Plus, we'll delve into Deja's story and the power of finding your place in a new family (specifically the Pearson family!).

And guess who's joining us? The amazing Lyric Ross (Deja herself)! Lyric shares her incredible audition experience, including a memorable encounter with Sterling K. Brown, and opens up about her emotions when she learned about Deja's transformative haircut. This episode also features a touching message from a listener named Jennifer, who shares how This Is Us helped her cope with the loss of her father. This conversation was filled with heartwarming moments, insightful reflections, and the reminder that "it's okay to not be okay."

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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Join us as we revisit the episode where Kevin does a memorable taping of "The Manny," Kate finds her voice (literally!), and Randall and Beth consider expanding their family.

We'll dive deep into Kate's struggle with self-doubt and the complex mother-daughter dynamics between her and Rebecca, sharing our own relatable experiences with parental relationships. Plus, we'll explore the ripple effects of fostering and how it impacts the entire family ecosystem, offering "a lesson for living," as Sterling wisely puts it. We're also thrilled to welcome the incredibly talented Hannah Zeile (younger Kate) to the podcast as she opens up about landing the role of Kate after a four-year acting hiatus – talk about a comeback story!

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.

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Another year, another birthday, and the Big Three are turning 37! That’s right, we’re talking about the season two premiere of “This Is Us,” which means we’re officially kicking off season two of “That Was Us.” Big life changes are transpiring, including perhaps the biggest to come: Jack’s death. It’s in this episode that we get a closer look at when and how Jack might have died. Here to catch up with us and provide his POV on the matter is Logan Shroyer, aka Teen Kevin. Ready?

That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions and Sara Wehrheim.

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It's a wrap on season one of That Was Us! Here with us to celebrate is Executive Producer and Director of 32 episodes of This Is Us, Ken Olin. Join us as we attempt to recap the best moments of season one... emphasis on "attempt" because, with Ken Olin, we can get carried away. 

You know the conversation will be interesting, and we know you'll love Ken Olin like we do by the end of the episode. And then? Get ready for Season Two of That Was Us.

It’s the episode you’ve all been waiting for… Milo Ventimiglia, aka Jack Pearson, is in the house! And you know what? ENOUGH SAID.

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The season one finale of “This Is Us” has us worried about the future of Jack and Rebecca… In today’s episode of “That Was Us,” we catch up with Sam Trammell, aka Rebecca’s old boyfriend and bandmate, Ben, whose surprise kiss kicks off a punch to the face, the end of the band, and the biggest fight between Jack and Rebecca yet.

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In the aftermath of William’s passing, Tess and Annie throw a Fun-eral (emphasis on “fun”), while Randall considers how to honor William's life. How do we honor the legacy of loved ones no longer with us? How do we grieve and move on without their physical presence? Join us as we recap the episode, and welcome Denis O’Hare (Jessie, William’s partner) as our special guest... All the way from France!

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In Memphis, we said goodbye to William Hill, but as we know, his story continues on through the fabric of the Pearson’s lives. We also remember Ron Cephas Jones, whose stunning portrayal of William left us with infinite lessons, wisdom, and broken hearts. Join us as we recap the episode, share its impact on our lives, and catch up with Jermel Nakia, aka Younger William.

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What would Jack Pearson do? In the moments before Kevin is due to take the stage on the opening night of his play, he asks himself this question. The answer had all of us crying. We watched Kevin run to his brother, Randall, who is still at the office, curled up on the floor, in the midst of a breakdown, and just hold him. A beautiful moment for brothers who have not had an easy going relationship, and a full circle moment for Kevin, to do the right thing. We also examine the other Pearson relationships played out in this episode and you better believe we’re taking sides! So today, we're talking about mental health, healthful relationships, and the return of Sophie all these years later… and yes, Alex Breckenridge (Sophie) is here with us too!

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Join us in welcoming the composer of “This Is Us,” “Only Murders in the Building,” and so much more… Siddhartha Khosla. How did he develop the most perfect heartstring-tugging music for the show? How did his roots and upbringing inspire the soundtrack? What was it like being college roommates with Dan Fogelman (creator of “This Is Us”)? You are in for a real treat! Performing his song, “Evergreen Cassette,” and bringing back all the feels, Siddhartha Khosla sends us down memory lane to relive the beautiful connection we all felt with the Pearsons when watching “This Is Us” for the first time.

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While Jack and Rebecca say, "I do," Miguel and Shelly say, "I don't," and we say, "Let's talk about it,"... Marriage, that is. Marriage is hard! It's constant work. Jack and Rebecca's marriage wasn't perfect, but they consistently worked together to push through all the hiccups along the way. They fought for each other, and they fought for their love. In this episode, we break down the budding, building, and rock-solid Pearson couples. How do you fight for your marriage every day? How do you keep the spark alive? How do you communicate conflict when it inevitably comes up? We're not experts, but we'll share what works for us! Ready for date night?

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Young Randall didn’t care that only three friends showed up to his birthday party. He was happy that his three good friends were there to celebrate with him. All his life, William dreamed of driving around in a cool car, with his favorite drink, listening to his favorite record. How special that his son was able to help make that dream come true. Sometimes, life’s defining moments aren’t grand. It’s a shift in perspective, the little things, that define who we are and impact our lives and the lives of those we touch. Join us as we recap and reflect on our own birthdays, parenting stories, and more.

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We are all about hot takes and the rehashing of a very big day! Yes, that means we're going back to the pilot, but from a different angle and a few new POVs. As the birth of The Big Three fast approaches, Rebecca forgets Jack’s birthday, Dr. K struggles with the loss of his wife, while firefighter Joe prays for a miracle. Speaking of miracles, we're gonna need one to get through this without crying, so grab your tissues, and let's get started.

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Jon Huertas, aka Miguel Rivas, is with us! That's right, Jack's best friend, and Rebecca's second husband... we'd say, "awkward", but now that we know the whole story, we can say, "we love Jon Huertas and we love Miguel too"! Right? Tune in to hear how Jon handled the Miguel hate that spanned several seasons and the process he went through to land the role. Join us as we pry for exclusive behind-the-scenes tidbits.

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The right thing to do isn’t always what you want to do and vice versa, so how do we know right from wrong? Jack knocks on his estranged dad’s door to ask for money so he can afford a home to fit his growing family; Toby initially fights against it, but reluctantly opts for additional surgery to avoid more serious complications down the road. Randall fights tooth and nail to find a treatment to give William more time, but stops when he is truly able to hear what William wants, which is to stop chemo; and Kevin doesn’t feel passion in his relationship with Sloane, but stays because he believes it’s the right thing to do. We all face moments where the right thing to do isn’t obvious, but all we can do is our best. Decisions, decisions… Let’s sift through.

Check out Your Mom Is A Podcast, a new podcast from Milana Vayntrub & Sandeep Parikh where they embark on the hilarious journey of parenting improvement.

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