Inside Of You With Michael Rosenbaum

Rhys Darby (Flight of the Concords, Our Flag) joins us for laughs, insights into a lighter side of life, and more laughs… look it up. Rhys talks about the comfort and comedy he was brought up under by his single mother and why he ultimately had to leave New Zealand to achieve his dreams. We also talk about humble beginnings on Flight of the Concords, the greats of improv on set, and his Yogi Bear inspired aspirations. Thank you to our sponsors:

Grant Gustin (The Flash, Glee) joins us in person this week for a deeper conversation exploring how impostor syndrome limits new creative exploration and how he’s shaken perceptions over the last few years. Grant talks about his legacy as The Flash and how he was ready for the show to come to a close during the last couple seasons after some much needed perspective. We also talk about the power of saying No, his prep for singing TV episodes during Glee, and performing theater for Spielberg. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Steven Ogg (GTA, Better Call Saul) joins us this week to share his practice of setting boundaries to maintain sanity and the vulnerability he’s able to tap into to deliver dark, emotional performances. Steven talks about the simple pleasures in his life that reflect his mental health and allow understanding to take precedence over feelings. We also talk about lessons learned from leads on The Walking Dead and Better Call Saul, the truth to his opinion of Trevor on GTA, and the joys of… farting. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs, St. Denis Medical) joins us this week for a fun and candid conversation about her experience in this industry and the insatiable workaholic tendencies that have contributed to her success when her back was against the wall. Wendi shares the joy of working on the improv fueled Reno 911! and how she was about to quit acting before landing the audition. We also talk about how she fought to land her hilarious role on Bridesmaids, the ups and downs during her decade on The Goldbergs, and the worst part of performing improv. Thank you to our sponsors:

Kevin Durand (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, The Strain) joins us this week to share how he went from professional hockey aspirations as an 11th generation Canadian lumberjack to pursuing his dreams of acting and storytelling in Hollywood. Kevin talks about the difficult impact of prepping for the physicality of certain roles like Planet of the Apes and a Hulk Hogan biopic have taken on his body; while sharing his aspirations to explore roles ‘outside the box’ of his typical character type. We also talk about the daily work he does to maintain a positive, gracious state of mind and how embracing ‘ignorance is bliss’ has helped him rediscover joy in life.  Thank you to our sponsors: ⚕️ Lumen: https://lumen.me/inside

Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess, Spartacus) joins us this week to share the unabashed passion and connection she has with her newest documentary Never Look Away: exploring the traumatic and thrill seeking life of an adrenaline fueled journalist touring war zones. Lucy talks about her time during Xena: Warrior Princess, including what it was like discovering she was a voice for the marginalized and issues that occurred with guests on set. We also talk about her journey overcoming PTSD, the power of re-parenting yourself through having a child, and issues during nude scenes while filming Spartacus. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ This episode is sponsored by by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/inside and get on your way to being your best self.

Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings, Wilfred) joins us this week to share his ‘going out on a limb’ moment that helped him land a life changing role in one of the most beloved and groundbreaking franchises in LOTR. After sharing some fellow hobbit appreciation, Elijah talks about his upbringing as a child actor and how delayed success was paramount to his level headed perspective later in life. We also talk about not being defined by work, shared experiences with panic attacks, and his standard for passion in every project. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ This episode is sponsored by by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/inside and get on your way to being your best self.

Rose McIver (Ghosts, iZombie) joins us to share the balance between deep gratitude for her career and light hearted levity she needs to bring to the performances in her various diverse roles. Rose talks about her time filming iZombie and Ghosts, noting the unique character building and difficulties that come with shooting both types of series. We also talk about her strength in coping with uncertainty, finding upside in the cards you’re dealt, and feeling pride in being ‘worth the flight.’ Thank you to our sponsors:

Nathan Mitchell (The Boys, Ginny & Georgia) joins us this week to share the growth of his career in this industry and the validation that comes from within until you get big breaks like the hit series The Boys and Ginny & Georgia. Nathan talks about landing The Boys during a lull in his confidence as an actor and the reflections he has as the show comes to its end in Season 5. We also talk about his personal difficulties filming Arrow, learning how to balance life and work, and his early aspirations as a sharkeologist. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Ike Barinholtz (The Mindy Project, Blockers) joins us this week to share his experience going from an upbringing in a comedy heavy household to landing a big break on MadTV to the reality check he received after his time on the series was over. Ike discusses passing the ‘crazy test’ with his writing and his initial fears of joining the Mindy Project in the writers room alone. We also talk about his dad’s claim to fame in Jury Duty, his experience winning celebrity Jeopardy, and what NOT to do in improv. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle, Nascar) joins us this week for an open and honest conversation about everything from the realities of what’s asked of child actors to the reflections on family dynamics once he became a father himself. Frankie talks about the chip on his shoulder that he’s carried into his new racing career and the different misconceptions/ dangers that come with the sport. We also talk about the surprises during Malcolm in the Middle, how he’s masked the low points throughout his life, and glass half full perspective he has about upbringing in Hollywood. Thank you to our sponsors:

Chris Judge (Stargate SG-1, God of War) joins us this week for an open, honest, and forthcoming conversation about the pain in his past and how he’s been able to not only overcome it throughout his career, but also use it to his advantage when portraying characters like Teal’c in Stargate SG-1 and Kratos in God of War. Chris shares his tumultuous upbringing with an abusive father, chilling stories where he avoided tragedy, and how he’s been able to break the cycle of violence. We also talk about the coincidental story that helped him land Stargate SG-1, the best parts of working as Kratos, and his journey leaving football stardom for Hollywood. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) joins us this week for a humble and grounded conversation about the rise in his career from indie movie hits to massive blockbusters, all the while trying to mitigate the ‘black dog’ of depression following him. Simon talks about his brotherhood with Nick Frost, how they drop everything to have each others back, and the origins of Three Flavours Cornetto. We also talk about the Tom Cruise effect while filming, going from class clown to actor, and his most valuable acting advice from Jeff Bridges. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Cassandra Peterson (Elvira: Mistress of the Dark) joins us this week to grace us with stories she couldn’t share before her book release… warnings from Elvis, retiring her Elvira get-up, coming out and more! We talk about what could have been with Paul McCartney and other iconic stories during her tenure as Mistress of the Dark. Cassandra shares the impact of helping people embrace being different, what made her accept the path to Elvira, and the heartbreak of losing Paul Rubin (Pee-wee Herman). Thank you to our sponsors:

Eric Roberts (Dark Knight, The Pope of Greenwich Village) joins us this week on the heels of the release of his new memoir ‘Runaway Train: or, The Story of My Life So Far’ to share lessons learned through his decades experience with this industry… from the misconceptions that come early in an actor’s career, to realizing fear is behind ego, to a life changing break by adopting honesty. Eric opens up about his mental health journey and how he’s been able to clear clouds of depression while realizing commonality through therapy. We also talk about his bond with Mickey Rourke, the serendipity of meeting his wife, and being humbled on Dancing with the Stars. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

DJ Qualls (Supernatural, Hustle & Flow) joins us this week to share his experience coming out of a strict rural South upbringing, having to hide who he truly was while on sets in Hollywood, and eventually carving a path of success that allows him to operate on his terms without any curated persona. DJ opens up on why he hid his sexuality when he came out to LA along with his opinion of changing dynamics on sets today and the context needed to be given to those in the past. We also talk about his rise during the birth of the TMZ era, how he got roped into Supernatural, and the importance in redirecting childhood trauma to make yourself a better person. Thank you to our sponsors: __________________________________________________

Heather Graham (Boogie Nights, The Gunslingers) joins us this week to share the addictive side to Hollywood and the pride she has in being able to be her own boss and create on her terms… like with the new film she has written, directed, and starred in: Chosen Family. Heather shares her experience in Boogie Nights, how she threw caution to the wind to capture lightning in a bottle and the fallout that came afterwards. We also talk about bringing women into Westerns, seeing something through that you believe in, and the Catch-22 of smarts and attraction. Thank you to our sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/inside

Michael Dorn (Star Trek, Steelworks) joins us this week to share his record setting tenure throughout Star Trek as Worf along with the grounding and gratitude that has allowed him to maintain a love and passion for his character and cast mates. Michael talks about auditioning for the role with the likes of the late great James Avery and how embracing ‘being outsider’ helped throughout the series. We also talking about escaping the Hollywood hamster wheel, his life changing prostate cancer diagnosis, and a great story onset Rocky where he was uncredited. Thank you to our sponsors:

Meg Donnelly (Zombies, American Housewife) joins us this week to share the duality of having a history of severe anxiety while being an entertainer, and how she’s been able to turn that into a superpower over the last few years navigating this industry. Meg talks about pessimistic expectations going into new projects and her feelings after the Winchesters/ losing the Supernatural fanbase. We also talk about the wonderful world of farts, falling in love on set, and being haunted by bad first impressions. Thank you to our sponsors: