Show Notes
THE BENWARDS ARE BACK...with Part 2 of our heartfelt and hilarious convo with Luke Benward and his parents, Aaron and Kenda! 🎙️ In this episode, we wrap up the legendary Family Dinners—the safe space Aaron and Kenda created for Luke and other young actors in LA during their pivotal teen and early adult years. Loren opens up about his personal journey with depression, Aaron and Kenda riff on the joys (and nicknames!) of grandparent life, and the episode takes a WILD TURN with "Dinner Table Confessions"—a game where truth and storytelling collide. Can YOU figure out who’s telling the truth in a room full of actors? 👀 Luke takes us behind-the-scenes of his "Life of the Party" experience (with Melissa McCarthy) and openly shares about his recent sobriety journey. Aaron and Kenda reflect on their own growth—learning to direct and produce tv & film projects from a place of true identity...with family by their side. This episode has it all: laughter, vulnerability, and a whole lot of love...and you’ve got a seat at the "Family Dinner" table. Chapters: 00:01 - Previously on MOMager...01:03 - Luke's "Family Dinner" experience04:10 - Homeless and still human (Alyson Stoner story)05:43 - Loren battles depression in Nashville08:24 - "Loud thoughts" and "God math"10:52 - The Benward Fam extended...with nicknames!14:18 - GAME: Dinner Table Confessions!!!16:01 - Felicia: "I once stole something from tv/film set" 18:10 - Luke: "I once pranked someone onset & it BACK FIRED!"21:50 - Kenda: "I may/may not have lied on a resume"27:07 - Aaron: "I once dipped out early to avoid clean up"29:58 - Malachi: "A celebrity once blew up our bathroom"33:05 - Loren: "I once blew up the bathroom at Family Dinner"35:55 - Luke: "I bombed an audition w/ a Cockney accent"41:39 - Advice from Luke for Y.A. actors 44:47 - Advice from AB & Kenda for parents of young adults 47:07 - Luke on Sobriety, Directing, & Producing 49:02 - Kenda on directing & producing with family 51:51 - Working with Melissa McCarthy on "Life of the Party"53:30 - AB on "living from true identity"
Inspired by Luke's sobriety journey?➡️ https://www.aa.org/ Have you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastFollow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastJoin our PATREON:➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #MomagerPodcast #LukeBenward #BenwardFamily #HollywoodFamilyLife #FamilyDinner #DinnerTableConfessions #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #FaithAndFilm #ChildActorJourneyEpisode Socials:@labenward@aaronbenward@kendabenward@momagerpodcast@malachibarton@feliciabarton@lorenbartonofficial@thebartonfamofficialFilming & rough edit:@GlendalePodcastStudioArt & final edit:@camdogfx
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It’s the Season 1 FINALE of MOMager 🎬💥 and this one hits extra close to home—literally!!! On the same day as the LA premiere of Malachi’s brand new Disney movie Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the Barton Fam (Felicia, Loren, and Malachi) takes you further behind the scenes than you’ve ever been before! From epic fails to hard-won lessons, unseen footage to tear-filled reflections...we’re wrapping up Season 1 of MOMager with honesty, heart, and a lot of laughs. Plus...Malachi catches us up on rehearsing for a 44 city arena tour! We’re talking: 🎥 Exclusive photos/videos from Z4 & the tour! 😬 Our biggest fails 💬 Learning how to communicate better (the hard way) 😂 Funny moments that didn’t make the pod 🥹 And all the feels as we close this chapter and look ahead to Season 2... Thank you for coming along for the wild ride of Season 1. We’re dreaming big for Season 2 and cannot wait to introduce you to more incredible guests (and maybe some surprises 👀). 💥 Have the best summer—and don’t forget to come see us on the Descendants Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour! 💥Timestamps: 00:32 - Barton Fam Behind the Scenes 02:00 - MOMager “firsts” 14:33 - Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires Premiere 17:20 - **Exclusive** Zombies Cast Video 18:51 - Descendants/ Zombies Worlds Collide Tour 23:29 - **Exclusive** DZ Tour Cast Video 27:50 - Fits be fittin’ 29:26 - Real life check-in 36:44 - “One word” to describe Season 1 41:38 - BTS confessions 45:55 - GAME: Who’s in charge?!? 49:26 - I know I drive you crazy when I… 52:20 - Final reflections and thank you’s!
🎭 From Broadway to Descendants: The Rise of Red — Joshua Colley is no stranger to the spotlight, and in this episode of MOMager, we go way behind the scenes. Felicia, Loren, and Malachi sit down with Josh and his incredible parents, Robbie and Brad, for an honest and hilarious convo about growing up in the biz, staying grounded through it all, and what it really takes to raise a triple-threat. We talk about Joshua’s Broadway roots (Newsies, Les Misérables), his journey into film, and how it felt stepping into the Disney universe as Young Hook.Plus, we dig into family dynamics, audition realities, and what it’s been like for Robbie and Brad to support Josh’s dreams—without losing themselves in the process. Whether you’re a fan of musical theater, Disney, or just love a good parenting moment, this episode is one for the books.🎬 Don’t miss this episode—it’s packed with laughs, heart, and a competitive game of Descendants vs. Zombies!👇 Hit play, and make sure to subscribe for more BTS from the Barton fam.Timestamps:01:20 - Introducing Joshua Colley & his parents09:40 - Journey to Broadway13:36 - Play'N Around - cultivating talent20:51 - Working as a young adult actor22:16 - The voices in Josh's head24:46 - Musical theatre kids36:16 - Game: Descendants vs Zombies42:25 - MOMager "spidey senses"47:03 - Family & friendships on tour51:07 - Broadway or TV/film?53:39 - Robbie & Brad's "MOMager Survival Guide"59:58 - If Josh weren't an actor1:01:25 - Advice for raising a performer1:06:08 - DZ Worlds Collide "tour life"1:10:08 - Twin life!1:14:11 - Staying together as a family1:19:47 - What's next for Josh?!?
It’s a Father’s Day Takeover—and the dads are taking the mic 🔥🎙️ In this special episode of MOMager, Malachi is joined by two generations of dads around the firepit in his own backyard for a transparent (and hilarious!!) conversation about fatherhood, faith, and family. 👥 Malachi introduces us to his Uncle Preston, “Pap” Rick Hocker, and “Papa” Dan Barton, and together with Loren, they get real about raising kids to let them soar…and the challenge of letting them go. 💬 Malachi shares the unforgettable story of his recent rite-of-passage hike with his dad—a symbolic and sacred event marking his graduation from boyhood into young manhood. His Trail of Passage unveils the names and faces of the mentors who have shaped him along the way. 🌌 You won’t want to miss a single detail of Malachi’s solo hike into the darkness...or the powerful moment when a legacy sword is passed from father to son, with the clear message “You have what it takes.” With heartfelt stories, generational wisdom, and honest reflections on what it truly means to be a man, a father, and part of a family rooted in love and faith—this episode is a celebration of legacy. But don’t worry—it’s not all serious... 😅 These DADagers also face off in a backyard game of epic proportions: 🔥 “DAD or DUMB?!” 🎧 Pull up a seat by the fire and celebrate Father’s Day with us—MOMager style.
The Barton Fam goes on location at Malachi’s school—Oak Park Independent School (OPIS)—to take you behind the scenes of education in the entertainment industry! From balancing schoolwork with production demands to meeting state requirements while chasing big dreams, we’re breaking down how it all works.Our expert guest is Kate Thompson, Malachi’s "teacher to the stars" (and basically his 2nd mom!) who’s been guiding his education since 7th grade. Things get emotional as Malachi opens up about his recent high school graduation, the on-set teachers who have shaped him, and what it means to close this chapter. Tears flow as Felicia talks about the journey of our “star" pupil! 😭 Whether you're a fellow industry family or just curious how student-actors do it all—this episode is for you. 🎓 Hit play to learn, laugh, and maybe cry a little with us.Timestamps:01:06 - Malachi's graduation and a special introduction...02:53 - Kate Thompson's OPIS journey07:03 - OPIS & Kate...Disney legends!!07:41 - School at Stuck in the Middle10:25 - Educating Actors12:22 - Balancing education and acting16:11 - Malachi's favorite set teachers16:48 - MOMager in education17:50 - The value of a teacher who gets you20:10 - Malachi's favorite books!22:56 - Kate's "star students"30:05 - Malachi's POP QUIZ!!!33:28 - Guiness World Record holder35:18 - Professor Barton...back to the quiz! 37:57 - Work permits 41:54 - So you want a real education!? 49:10 - Kate surpises the Barton Fam! 53:06 - Big thanks to OPIS Interested in OPIS?➡️ https://www.oakparkusd.org/OPISShop MOMager merch: ➡️ https://momager.printify.me/Join our PATREON now!!!➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastHave you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastFollow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #MomagerPodcast #Episode21 #OnSetSchooling #HollywoodEducation #MalachiBarton #OPIS #KateThompson #SetTeacherLife #HighSchoolGradFeels #BehindTheScenes #ChildActors #EntertainmentEducation #StudentActorLife #StarPupil #HollywoodFamilies #FeliciaBarton #LorenBarton #GraduationSeason #MomTears #ProudParentMoment #SchoolOnSet #PodcastOnLocationEpisode Socials: @ktbruin @oakparkhighschool @opisknights @momagerpodcast @malachibarton @feliciabarton @lorenbartonofficial @thebartonfamofficial
Episode 20 already?! We can’t believe it either. 🎉 This week, the Barton Fam—Felicia, Malachi, and Loren—press pause to take a breath and reflect on how far we’ve come since launching MOMager. From hilarious behind-the-scenes moments to heartfelt conversations with some of the most inspiring families in Hollywood, this episode is all about gratitude, growth, and stopping to smell the roses! We’re watching back some of our favorite clips live on the pod and sharing what we’ve learned from our amazing guests—about parenting, podcasting, and the beautiful chaos of life in entertainment. Whether you've been here since episode one or have just joined the fam…this one’s for you! ❤️ 🎥 Hit play and let’s celebrate 20 episodes of laughs, lessons, and love!