That Was Us Becoming Toby | "Toby" (305) with special guest Director Chris Koch
May 27, 2025
In this engaging conversation, director Chris Koch, known for his work on 'This Is Us', dives deep into Toby's mental health journey and its impact on his relationship with Kate. He reflects on the challenges of directing emotionally charged scenes, emphasizing the importance of character depth and authenticity. Koch shares insights on navigating the intricacies of comedy and drama, while advocating for mental health awareness and vulnerability as strengths. His experiences on set reveal the collaborative spirit of storytelling and the ongoing conversations around relationships and identity.
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Toby's Childhood Humor Mask
- Toby's humor masks his underlying mental health struggles from childhood.
- The portrayal shows his effort to brighten his overwhelmed mother's day as a coping tool.
Sadness Blocks Happiness
- Sadness can cause some people to believe they don't deserve happiness.
- This leads them to remove sources of happiness from their lives, like Kate does with music.
Sterling's High School Dating Story
- Sterling K. Brown shared a personal story about racial barriers in high school dating.
- The experience revealed early challenges of interracial relationships in a small town.