

That Was Us
Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan, and Sterling K. Brown
This Is Us stars Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan dive back into the world of the Pearsons, reliving each episode and all the life lessons that came with it.Together, they dig in and dig deep, have the tough conversations, bring in very special and familiar guests, share never before heard behind-the-scenes moments, and feature listeners in highly anticipated fan segments.With new episodes out every Tuesday, join your favorite family back in the living room to examine our past, cherish our present, and look to the future. That Was Us...
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 31, 2024 • 53min
RE-RELEASE - Susan Kelechi Watson and Us | Beth Pearson
RE-RELEASE episode! We're looking back on some of our listeners' favorite episodes over the next few weeks and re-sharing them for anyone who might've missed the conversation! This week, we're starting with Susan Kelechi Watson aka Beth Pearson! We hear about everything from her audition process, what it meant to Susan to portray a modern black woman in America on television, the importance of a hair and makeup team who understands the individual's needs, the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into the portrayal and building of Beth's backstory, and so much more! Join us (again) as we reminisce and rediscover the anchor that is Beth Pearson.That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 24, 2024 • 38sec
Holiday Hiatus | That Was Us Takes a Break
That's a wrap on 2024, This Is Us fans! Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey through both the heartbreaking and hilarious moments of the show! We're sending a big Pearson-sized hug to all our amazing listeners! We're taking a little holiday break to recharge and prepare for more Pearson family deep dives. But don't worry, we'll be back with new episodes on January 21st! Until then, may your days be filled with warmth, laughter, and maybe a little bit of ugly crying (it wouldn't be This Is Us without it!).That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 12min
Agree to Disagree | "The Most Disappointed Man" (S2E7) with special guest Debra Jo Rupp
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 2024 • 1h 12min
20/20 Vision | "The 20's" (S2E6) with special guest Zoe Hay
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 17min
Brother Bonding Gone Wrong | "Brothers" (S2E5) with special guest Caitlin Thompson
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 26, 2024 • 1h 3min
Lessons, Layers, and Love | "Still There" (S2E4)
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 19, 2024 • 1h 15min
Chrissy Metz and Us | Kate Pearson
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 12, 2024 • 1h 13min
It's Okay to Not Be Okay | "Déjà Vu" (S2E3) with special guest Lyric Ross
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 5, 2024 • 1h 9min
A Lesson For Living | "A Manny-Splendored Thing" (S2E2) with special guest Hannah Zeile
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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 29, 2024 • 1h 25min
One Year Older | "A Father's Advice" (S2E1) with special guest Logan Shroyer
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.” 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.Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices