Work in Progress with Sophia Bush

One of our favorite guests is back on the pod! Multi-award-winning actor, producer, director, and proud father David Oyelowo has been very busy in front of and behind the camera! Currently, he can be seen in his Apple TV+ series “Government Cheese,” and if you love the art of acting, this chat is not to be missed!    The actor joins Sophia for a revealing conversation about his new show and the long road to getting it made, being a forever student of acting and storytelling, the things you can’t learn in drama school, the sheer amount of rejection you will face in this industry, and the key to successfully pitching projects!    Plus, he chats about him and his wife being “half empty nesters,” how he feels about his son going to the same drama school he did, and his current work in progress!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie Lynskey has viewers glued to their TVs with her on-screen work in Showtime's Emmy-nominated hit series, “Yellowjackets,” but she once thought the show would never get off the ground! The award-winning actress joins Sophia to discuss her ever-evolving career in Hollywood, women’s experiences in the industry, and why she thought nothing would come of “Yellowjackets!” She also opens up about overcoming her eating disorder, loving motherhood, why she goes to a psychic, and the deliciousness of being on a hit show in her 40s! Plus, Melanie revisits her time working with Kate Winslet on “Heavenly Creatures” 30 years ago, being obsessed with her hubby’s (Jason Ritter) show “Matlock,” and she and Sophia trade stories about meeting and fangirling over Megan Thee Stallion!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

True talent speaks for itself, and Micael Urie has it in droves! From playing fan favorite catty assistant Marc St. James on "Ugly Betty" to playing a hilarious narcissistic attorney in Apple TV+'s "Shrinking" to entertaining fans with his podcast and putting queer stories front and center with Pride Plays!  Actor, producer, writer, and director Michael Urie joins Sophia to chat about his acting journey, including a fascinating chat about the interesting relationship actors have with the camera, what he has learned from Harrison Ford on the set of "Shrinking," what it was like hosting the GLAAD awards, and working (playing) with his "Ugly Betty" co-star and real-life friend Becki Newton on the rewatch podcast "Still Ugly!"Plus, he shares the backstory on co-founding Pride Plays and putting queer stories center stage, what his younger self would think of his career, and what he believes is the greatest show ever!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve seen the headlines, the news footage, and the online outrage about the ICE raids in LA, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joins Sophia to give a real-time report on the State of the City.How did a small pocket of unruly protesters in one of the largest populations in America lead to military movement on city streets? Should law-abiding Angelinos be living in fear?Mayor Bass sounds the alarm on the daily departure from due process, and what could be next in the immigration sweeps happening across the country.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Activist and author Shannon Watts has an important message for women - it is not too late — and you are not too old! — to go after what you really want. The founder of Moms Demand Action is back on the pod with Sophia to chat about the inspiration and message behind her new book, "Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age." Shannon opens up about the turning point in her life, the phone call from Maria Shriver that led to her new book, and the inspirational stories from women living their most authentic lives.  Plus, real talk from Sophia and Shannon about living with ADHD, Michelle Obama's parenting advice, and the importance of practicing hope . . . especially through the next four years. "Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age" will be available for purchase on June 17. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Her motto in fourth grade was, 'If you can believe it and dream it, you can do it!' And Heather McMahan has done it! She's got a standup special streaming on Hulu right now, is on the road with her Bamboozled comedy tour, and is the host of her own popular podcast, "Absolutely Not!" The comedian joins Sophia to discuss life on the road, the inspiration behind her podcast, and why hosting awards red-carpet shows is the wildest experience ever, but she has a bigger goal in sight . . . hosting the big show itself - The Emmys! Yes, she's manifesting! Plus, Heather opens up about how losing her Dad impacted her comedy, how grief can expand one's capacity for joy, and how she knew her husband was the 'right one.'Heather's comedy special, "Breadwinner," is streaming on Hulu now, and for info on how to see her live and in person on her Bamboozled tour, visit heatherontour.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triple threat, O-T Fagbenle, has had viewers glued to their screens with his portrayal of Luke on Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale," which is coming to its conclusion after six intense seasons!The actor, writer, and director joins Sophia to talk about the final season of the Emmy-winning show, including his evolving relationship with his on-screen wife, June Osborne — aka Elisabeth Moss — his audition for the role, and his feelings about the show ending. Plus, a deep dive into AI, a conversation about politics and community, and O-T's heartfelt work in progress.The final episode of "The Handmaid's Tale" will drop on Tuesday, May 27, on Hulu.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Temperatures are climbing in here! Radio and podcast host and NY Times best-selling author, Tinx, has just dropped her anticipated debut fiction novel, "Hotter in the Hamptons!” It’s a romance for a new generation, sizzling with sexual tension! TikTok’s “big sister” joins Sophia to talk all about her steamy new tale — including addressing the ghostwriting drama — her novel getting the TV treatment, and what she learned in her 20s that she wants all young women to know! Plus, dating red flags, learning boundaries as a content creator, and her work in progress! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a small-town girl doing plays as an 8-year-old in Macon, Georgia, to being a leading lady on her own hit TV show! Carrie Preston shines as 'Elsbeth Tascioni' in one of CBS' most successful dramas, a show she thought would never see the light of day!Carrie Preston is opening up to Sophia about reprising the Emmy-winning role of 'Elsbeth,' which viewers first saw on the small screens 15 years ago in "The Good Wife," and what it's like playing a woman of a certain age reinventing herself. She also shares her journey to becoming an actress, director, and producer and using her platform for good.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that Tony Award-winning actress Annaleigh Ashford is a versatile force to be reckoned with! From her captivating performances on Broadway in 'Legally Blonde' and 'Wicked' to her current role on the small screen in the true crime drama "Happy Place," she's proven she can do it all! Act, sing, and dance, but did you know she's also good at impressions?Ever get together with a friend you're comfortable around, and you let loose and start making silly voices? That happens a lot when Annaleigh joins Sophia on the pod, and it's hilarious! Besides slipping into her 'puppet Judy Garland' character, the actress talks about her new series based on a real-life story and why it's different from other true crime drama shows, making the transition from stage to television, and why it's so easy to slip into people-pleasing mode on sets. Plus, she opens up about working alongside the late great James Earl Jones on the Broadway revival of "You Can't Take It With You" and the surprising request he made near the end of their show's run that taught her an unforgettable lesson! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.