Vulnerable Podcast

This week on Vulnerable, I’m joined by the incredibly talented actor and TikTok star, Luke Cook. Luke is best known for his role as Lucifer in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and he keeps his 1.5 million TikTok followers entertained with some of the funniest anti-influencer parodies you’ll ever see. Luke and I dig into his experience as an actor in Hollywood and his journey to get where he is today. He shares how he found his niche of pushing back on celebrity culture on TikTok, his very worst audition experiences, and how he’s remained motivated as an actor. We also talk about the vulnerabilities of child actors in the industry and what it’s like raising children of our own. What was Luke’s most disappointing experience on a TV set? How long did he go without booking any roles? Tune in to find out! You can follow Luke @thelukecook on TikTok and Instagram. Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I’m joined by actor and musician Corey Feldman! Corey got his start from his roles in The Goonies, Stand by Me, and The Lost Boys, and has gone on to have a successful music career. As someone who has worked in the industry since he was 3 years old, Corey has a unique passion for child actor rights and protections. He shares about his tell-all memoir, his friendship with Hugh Hefner, and the controversial circumstances surrounding his unfinished documentary. He also gives a look into his teenage romance with Drew Barrymore. Which famous Disney animated movie was Corey a voice actor for? How often did Corey go to the Playboy mansion? Join us now! You can follow Corey on Instagram @cdogg22 and Twitter @corey_feldman. You can order his new Love Set 2.1 Boxset here. Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I get to chat with Melanie Samuels and Melissa Coulier! Melanie is a holistic nutritionist and Melissa is a fitness instructor and award-winning photographer. They are the Co-Founders of Living Well with Mel and Mel, a wellness brand focused on bio-individuality and managing inflammation. Melanie and Melissa talk about their unique holistic wellness journeys, and how Melanie’s battle with disordered eating and Melissa’s Lupus diagnosis brought them together to find healing and restoration for their bodies. They also share the dangers of the diet industry, what it’s like to live with chronic pain, and their mission for their wellness community. Why don’t women talk more about their wellness journeys? How has Dave Coulier been impacted by holistic health? What went wrong when Christy’s husband proposed? Join us to find out! You can follow Melanie on Instagram @choosewellwithmel, Melissa on Instagram @melissacoulier, and Living Well with Mel and Mel on Instagram @livingwellwithmelandmel and visit their website here. Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I review Jennette McCurdy’s beautiful and heart-wrenching memoir, “I’m Glad My Mom Died.” So much of what Jennette shares is close to my heart, and I was deeply impacted by this book. Jennette’s book gives a raw and honest look into her life growing up in the industry. She talks about her complex and often confusing relationship with her mom, the abuse she suffered from her mom and Nickelodeon, and how her trauma compounded into years eating disorders and addictions. But her story didn’t end there. With therapy and supportive relationships, Jennette was able to take back control of her life. Change is needed in the industry. Networks and creators need checks and balances and true accountability. Visit this link to learn more about the Coalition for Child Performers and how you can take action today: https://www.coalitionforchildperformers.com/ You can follow Jennette McCurdy @jennettemccurdy on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, and order “I’m Glad My Mom Died” here. Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I’m joined by Dan Benson! Dan is an actor best known for his role as Zeke Beakerman on “Wizards of Waverly Place,” and has recently found a new kind of fame on OnlyFans. Dan is the epitome of Vulnerable, and gives an up close and personal view about his experience transitioning from a Disney Channel star to an OnlyFans star. He shares the unexpected circumstances of how he was introduced to OnlyFans, how he’s grown in self-confidence, and the importance of organizations like the Trevor Project. What fanfiction was Dan a part of? What’s the craziest thing he’s been DM’d? Tune in to find out! You can follow Dan on Instagram @danleebenson, TikTok @danleebenson, Twitter @_danbenson, and OnlyFans @danbenson Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I have the opportunity to talk with the brilliant Dr. Bruce Perry. Dr. Perry is a teacher, clinician, and researcher in children’s mental health. Dr. Perry shares all about the complexities of childhood trauma, and we explore how that manifests in the entertainment industry. We dig into how advocacy is often seen as a hindrance in Hollywood, how child actors are given little to no protection in the industry, and the hope that these realities might change for the better one day. How are celebrities often dehumanized? What is a common dynamic between child actors and their parents? Why do so many child actor stories end in tragedy? Join us now. You can follow Dr. Perry on Twitter at @BDPerry Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I get to chat with the one and only Anneliese van der Pol! Anneliese is an actress and singer best known for her role as Chelsea Daniels on “That’s So Raven” and “Raven’s Home,” as well as her time as Belle on Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast.” She opens up about her experiences on “That’s So Raven” and shares what it was like reprising her role for “Ravens Home.” She also talks about her relationship with Raven-Symoné, her Hollywood hookups, and why child actors are such easy targets for substance abuse. What role in “That’s So Raven” did Anneliese initially audition for? Which Disney star taught Anneliese about sex? Join us to find out! You can follow Anneliese van der Pol on Instagram at @anneliesevanderpol. Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I chat with Juliana Joel! Juliana made history by being Disney Channel’s first openly transgender actress through her role as Nikki in “Raven’s Home.” She discusses the lack of positive trans representation in the industry while growing up, how she accidentally outed herself in high school and now, confidently owning her identity.  What advice did Raven give Juliana when she walked on the Disney Channel set? How did she deal with the negative press? Listen now!  You can follow Juliana Joel on Instagram at @thejulianajoel, on Twitter at @thejulianajoel and on TikTok at @thejulianajoel.  Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I chat with Nathalia Ramos! Nathalia is a former actress and current Associate Director for Studio B at Berggruen Institute in Los Angeles. She is best known for her role as Yasmin in the movie “Bratz” and as Nina in the Nickelodeon television series, “House of Anubis.”  She talks about her transition from actress to political content creator and merging her two passions in her role at Berggruen Institute. She shares her experiences filming the movie “Bratz,” the moment she realized she wanted to pursue a career outside of acting and her mission to make knowledge sexy. Nathalia also tells an unbelievable story about meeting two of the most talented stars in Hollywood that you don’t want to miss. Is Nathalia still friends with her co-stars from Bratz? How did Christy play a role in the evolution of Nathalia’s career? Tune in now!  You can follow Nathalia Ramos on Instagram at @nathaliaramos, on Twitter at @nathalia73 and on TikTok at @nathaliaramos82.  Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on  Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today on Vulnerable, I chat with actress and children’s rights activist, Taylor Dooley! Taylor made her debut into the industry with her role as Lavagirl in The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl. She opens up about her experiences as a child actor, and shares some of her most traumatic moments on set. She also talks about her relationship with her mom, advocating for change in Hollywood and reprising her role as Lavagirl on We Can Be Heroes. What did Matthew Lawrence warn her about on the set of National Lampoon? Did she actually get along with Taylor Lautner? How has becoming a mom helped her process her trauma? Listen now!  You can follow Taylor Dooley on Instagram at @taydools and on Twitter at @taylordooley.  Follow me, Christy Carlson Romano on Instagram @thechristycarlsonromano and TikTok @christcarlsonromano, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow Brendan Rooney on Instagram @thebrendanrooney and TikTok @brendanrooney. Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.