I remember browsing through Twitter to see what my favorite actors were up to and I found Smallville alum, Michael Rosenbaum. This was back in 2017. One of his tweets was a video clip of him talking to Tom Welling. I was over the moon. It was a reunion that would make any Smallville fan happy. That is how I discovered the Inside Of You Podcast. It is a platform for Michael to interview various guests in the entertainment industry and to host heart-to-heart conversations.
What I have noticed over the years is that in interviews or on talk shows, a lot of the actors have talking points to promote their work or fun stories that can appeal to the audience. It is structured and while I find them entertaining, they can feel rushed and fake. I think Craig Ferguson, Arsenio Hall, George Lopez, and maybe Trevor Noah are some of the few people that take the time to break away from that narrative. It is nice to hear thoughtful and insightful conversations that veer away from the industry.
What I love about Rosenbaum is that he makes his guests very comfortable. He takes the time to get to know the people he is talking to and we hear some amazing stories about how someone got their start in Hollywood and how they deal with their internal struggles. It is quite moving. Once you get past the money and the fame, you realize that celebs are people. They are human beings with raw emotions and vulnerabilities. It is nice to know that someone you admire and never met has gone through something you may have gone through and you know it’s going to be okay. You feel less alone and you know others are going through the same fight you are going through.
I found it riveting to hear Tom Welling talk about the challenges of working on Smallville and dealing with his decade-long marriage. When you get attached to Clark Kent for so long, you have this idea the actor reflects the character. Hearing him open up helped me break down those preconceived notions.
I will say that the one moment that made me realize how special this podcast is and the impact it can have on people was Rosenbaum’s interview with Zachary Levi. He opened up with such fervor and grace. Many know Levi as this upbeat lovable geek persona of a man with musical whimsy. But he showed so much calmness through many of his painful struggles and I was so moved. I was forever inspired later on through his countless convention appearances and Instagram lives with him leading the charge on mental health. Stephen Amell (Arrow) surprised me as well.
It’s okay not to be okay and this podcast is a constant reminder every week I tune in to watch. It is the gift that keeps giving.
Mack's Musings 