Show Notes
This week on That Was Us…we’re back with another Chat Was Us! This time, inspired by the many journeys of ambition and self-discovery in This Is Us, we’re tackling one big question: What does it really mean to be successful? From chasing dreams and career milestones to fulfillment, purpose, and legacy, Mandy, Sterling, and Chris reflect on how their definitions of success have evolved over the years.
In this episode, the hosts chat about:
* How their definitions of success have shifted from external achievement to personal fulfillment
* The difference between being successful and feeling successful
* Why our brains naturally fixate on failure and how encouragement can quiet the inner critic
* The role childhood competition, sports, and early ambition played in shaping their drive
* Fame versus fulfillment, and how public recognition differs from lasting happiness
* The career milestones that made them feel like they had finally ""made it""
* Why longevity, meaningful work, and the respect of your peers matter more than awards
* The artists and mentors who have redefined success through decades of purposeful careers
* Why passion (not money) is often the clearest path toward purpose
* How luck, preparation, and saying ""yes"" to opportunity all play a role in building a career
* Raising children to value effort, curiosity, and joy over simply winning
* The legacy they hope to leave behind and what a truly successful life looks like at the end
Plus, along the way, the conversation takes a few unexpected detours into childhood summers, Slurpees and hose water, youth sports, camp counseling, terrible self-talk, and an emotional compliment game that reminds the hosts just how much they mean to one another.
And a friendly reminder, you can catch new episodes of That Was Us every Monday, a day early, exclusively on Hulu. Available on Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts on Tuesdays like usual!
That Was Us is produced by Rabbit Grin Productions. Music by Taylor Goldsmith and Griffin Goldsmith.
-------------------------
Support Our Sponsors:
- Don’t just take our word for it – go grab one for yourself. Head to Walmart today to try a bar or stock up on 4CTs of your favorite flavors, like Blueberry Pie and Salted Peanut Butter, sold exclusively at Walmart. Check out https://Walmart.com to find a store near you!
- Get 40% off select Lola Blankets products at https://Lolablankets.com by using code THATWASUS at checkout. Experience the world’s #1 blanket with Lola Blankets.
-------------------------
🍋 About the Show:
The stars of This Is Us, 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.
Join your favorite family back in the living room to examine our past, cherish our present, and look to the future with new episodes of That Was Us every Tuesday.
-------------------------
Executive Producers: Natalie Holysz and Rob Holysz
Creative Producer: Sam Skelton
Production Coordinator: Andrew Rowley
Video Editor: Todd Hughlett
Mix & Master: Jason Richards
About Headgum:
Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.
» SUBSCRIBE to Headgum: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeadGum?sub_confirmation=1
» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum
» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/
» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from That Was Us
On today’s episode of That Was Us, we’re diving into Season 6, Episode 8: “The Guitar Man.” Sterling K. Brown and co-host Ryan Michelle Bathe are joined in studio by the episode’s co-writer, Jake Schnesel, to discuss the making of the episode. As Kevin takes his twin babies to the family cabin on his own, he struggles with his confidence as a father. Meanwhile, Cassidy experiences an unexpected trauma response, and Nicky helps Kevin understand that sometimes the best thing you can do for someone is simply be there.
This week on That Was Us, Sterling and co-host Ryan Michelle Bathe are joined in studio by Caitlin Thompson, who played Madison on This Is Us. From Madison’s evolution from comedic relief to a fully realized character, to the realities of navigating Hollywood as a woman and a mother, Caitlin reflects on her years on the show, her transition from acting to writing, and the experiences that have shaped her both personally and creatively. In this episode, Caitlin chats about:
On today’s episode of That Was Us, we’re diving into Season 6, Episode 7: Taboo. As the Pearsons gather for Thanksgiving, Kate and Toby confront lingering tension and Rebecca makes an important decision about who will care for her as her illness progresses.
This week on That Was Us…another favorite segment of the pod, Chat Was Us! This time, we’re talking about something at the heart of so many This Is Us stories: marriage, partnership, and what it means to build a life together. And for this conversation, Mandy, Sterling, and Chris have brought along their spouses! Together, the six of them get candid about love, commitment, compromise, and all the ways a marriage evolves over time.
On today’s episode of That Was Us, we’re diving into Season 6, Episode 6: Our Little Island Girl, Part Two. Beth steps into her calling as a mentor, Kevin faces the consequences of his choices, and the Pearsons reckon with the people and experiences that have shaped who they’ve become.