Vulnerable Podcast

Society & Culture
TV & Film

Everyone thinks Christy Carlson Romano had a storybook career. That she just sprang into Disney Channel stardom overnight, made millions, and lived happily after. Spoiler alert, she didn’t! There were countless failures along the way and there still are. The Vulnerable Podcast is an invitation to hang out every week with Christy as she invites friends, celebrities, and experts for in-depth conversations discussing the good, the complicated, the beauty of being human, and what it means to be vulnerable. Join Christy every Tuesday as we navigate the ups and downs of her guests’ paths to success.

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Vulnerable EP01: Boy Meets World Actor Will Friedle Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I invite Will Friedle to share the journey of his long career in acting. Will shares how he started acting as a kid in New York City and how he wasn’t the first Eric Matthews cast on Boy Meets World. Will also discusses his journey with anxiety and how he structures his lifestyle to mitigate anxiety spirals.

Will and I reflect on our time doing Kim Possible together and our shared love for voice acting. Will talks about how he transitioned from live-action acting to exclusively voice acting and how he really enjoys interacting in the diverse world of voice actors. Brendan Rooney (AKA my husband) also joins in the conversation (he’ll be a part of every episode). This episode highlights Will and I’s long-standing friendship. There also *MIGHT* be a special announcement at the end of the episode…

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.

You can’t follow Will Friedle because we need to Teach Will the Internet ™.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable on Instagram @thevulnerablepodcast and TikTok @thevulnerablepodcast. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.
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Vulnerable EP02: Comedians Syd and Olivia Get Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I invite the hilarious duo, Syd and Olivia, to share their journey to becoming TikTok comedy queens! Syd and Olivia have always wanted to perform, write, and create comedic stories. They met and began to collaborate when they were just tweens. Fast forward to today they currently have a show, The Generational Talk Show, on Ellen Tube and are hosts of Syd and Olivia Talk Sh*t podcast. They have skyrocketed TikTok success with their hilarious sketches and have new work in development.

What’s so awesome about Syd and Olivia is that they have a clear vision for their comedy, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily been easy. Syd, Olivia, and I reflect on what it's like to be a woman in comedy. They share their journey to get representation and how they’ve created a space online for their artistic endeavors when traditional spaces are slow to open up. Syd and Olivia are a DREAM TEAM and truly hilarious! Seriously you will be laughing out loud. This episode highlights how important it is to believe in yourself and create the art you want to see in the world.

Be sure to follow Syd and Olivia @sydandolivia on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Don’t forget to check out The Generational Talk Show on Ellen Tube and Syd and Olivia Talk Sh*t podcast. You can also engage with other series they have created on their website.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.
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Vulnerable EP03: Scientist Emily Calandrelli Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I geek out with my favorite aerospace engineer Emily Calandrelli AKA The Space Gal. Emily shares her journey to becoming an Emmy-nominated science TV host and author.
Growing up in the coal mine country of West Virginia, Emily was looking for a sustainable future and decided to pursue engineering. Amid her education, she fell in love with aerospace engineering and the different avenues she was able to educate and raise awareness. Today, Emily is the Host and Co-Executive Production of Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix AND Host and Executive Producer of Fox’s Xploration Outer Space. Emily, through her writing and speaking events, wants to inspire more females to pursue STEM careers.

Brendan and I got to ask Emily all of our space and education-related questions as Emily has been a source of inspiration to our own daughters. Emily shares how she has navigated being a female in a male-dominated industry and why this new era of space exploration and tourism is out of this world!

Emily is a shooting star of inspiration. This episode highlights how you can create your own unique career despite industry standards.

Follow Emily @thespacegal on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter. Watch Emily’s Wonder Lab on Netflix and Xploration Outer Space on Fox. You can Pre-Order Reach for the Stars here. Be sure to check out Ada Lace Adventures Chapter Books here. You can also watch Emily’s kid-friendly science experience to do at home on her YouTube Channel.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.
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Vulnerable EP04: Actress Alyson Stoner Gets Vulnerable

*Content Warning* In this episode, Alyson Stoner and I discuss the realities of child labor and the exposure child actors experience. We do discuss different traumas we experienced. It may be triggering, and we encourage you all to take care of yourself.

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with the incomparable multi-disciplinary artist in my most vulnerable conversation to date: actress, singer, dancer Alyson Stoner.

Alyson and I share our experiences of growing up as child actors. As adults, we have been working hard to unpack it all and advocate for current and future child actors. This episode isn’t a salacious conversation, rather a sobering insight behind the curtain of fame. Alyson’s passion for advocacy has prompted her to work with a team of experts to create modules that educate and protect child actors.

Beyond being a multi-disciplinary artist, published author, and global speaker, Alyson and I discuss how she Co-Founded Movement Genius, a digital platform using movement to improve mental and emotional health. Alyson and the Movement Genius team are incredibly generous and offer Vulnerable listeners 30 Day Free Trial of Movement Genius. Please use this link: https://bit.ly/3iOP32Z to access the 30 Day Free Trial.

Follow Alyson @alysonstoner on Instagram and TikTok. You can also follow Movement Genius @movementgenius on Instagram. To learn more about Movement Genius, go here. To access the 30 Day Free Trial of Moment Genius go here.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel. And be sure to join The Vulnerable Podcast on Patreon for exclusive content and more!
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Vulnerable EP05: Reality TV Star Hana Giraldo Gets Vulnerable

*Content Warning* In this episode, Hana Giraldo discusses experiencing childhood bullying. It may be triggering, and we encourage you all to take care of yourself.

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with the charismatic singer, songwriter, and actress Hana Giraldo. She also happens to be the daughter of rock icons Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo.

I first met Hana a few years ago, so it was great to catch up and learn what she is currently up to. At the time of our interview, Hana’s show Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules on E! was mid-season. Hana details what it was like to be working on a ranch with other celebrity offspring, embracing the whole experience and how she stayed grounded in a unique situation. Hana’s childhood was anything but normal. She grew up on tour with rockstar parents, yet their humble beginnings and creative spirits fostered Hana to grow into her own creative and independent direction. Even as a child, she designed merch for her mom. She later began writing songs for other artists, performing in music videos, and producing campy social media videos.

Hana has experienced intense childhood bullying and people developing friendships with her to get close to her parents despite her creative success. Today, Hana has a serious radar on authenticity and is leaning more into her creative endeavors. Be on the lookout for a new EP from Hana!

This episode highlights how expressing your unique perspective and voice will only ground you in confidence and self-love.

Follow Hana @hanagiraldo on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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Vulnerable EP06: Jerry Maguire Actor Jonathan Lipnicki Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with the incredibly talented actor and producer Jonathan Lipnicki. You may remember him from films such as Jerry Maguire, Stuart Little, Little Vampire, and more.

Jonathan gets SO real with me and Brendan (AKA My husband) about the struggles of growing up extremely famous and navigating becoming an adult. With the stereotype that follows child actors, Jonathan was very cautious not to make mistakes as a young adult. Now that he’s in his 30s, he reflects on how going to therapy, surrounding himself with positive and real friends, and becoming a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have kept him grounded. Jonathan is passionate about allowing yourself to grow, and through this lens, he applies the tenets of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in everyday life and is working with a mental strength coach. Jonathan also details that he felt as if he wasn’t a good actor for a period in his life. He took acting classes and now feels more prepared to take on new roles.

Jonathan also shares about his community activism due to the rise of antisemitic violence in LA. Jonathan and a community of like-minded individuals have been escorting families and individuals to the synagogue. Synagogue members have labeled them the Shabbat Angels.

This episode highlights how you always have room to grow as a human being and help the people around you in your community. It is worth your time and effort.

You can follow Jonathan @jonathanlipnicki on Instagram and @jlipnicki on Twitter.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.
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Vulnerable EP07: Author & Activist Blair Imani Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with the LA Times Bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter, Blair Imani. She is an award-winning educator, historian, and influencer.

I learned about Blair through her Smarter in Seconds series on Instagram and TikTok. She educates everyone on a spectrum of subjects like toxic positivity to gender to the civil rights movement, and more!

Blair shared her journey into education and activism with Brendan and me. Blair is a Black bisexual Muslim woman born and raised in Los Angeles, California. During her college career at Lousiana State University, she learned to have complicated and nuanced conversations with people who thought differently than her. She became an advocate and activist for LGBTQ+ rights and Black Lives Matter while at school. At Blair’s core, her activism and education are to make the world a better place for all humans to live and thrive. Her work hasn’t been necessarily easy or safe. As she has navigated and grown in these spaces, she has found a way to educate with joy and positivity in 30 seconds!

Blair gets vulnerable about converting to Islam as a young adult and how she handled that with her family. She shares about being arrested at a protest and so much more.

This episode highlights how you have the opportunity to learn more information about complicated or nuanced issues. You can be an activist by educating yourself and your community to make positive changes.

You can follow Blair @blairimani on Instagram and TikTok. You can shop her Smarter Lip Sets here. You can learn more about her books and her work at blairimani.com.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.
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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vulnerable EP08: Celebrity Tan Expert Jimmy Coco Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with the Celebrity Tan Expert, Jimmy Coco. Jimmy Coco is the pioneer of personalized mobile beauty & tan. Co-founder, Jimmy Coco International, Skincare enthusiast & expert. Inventor- BUFF ‘N’ GLOW 3-in-1 full-body mitt. Known as the Celebrity Tan Expert and outside of celebrity clientele, he also is the man behind many of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows.

Years ago, I met Jimmy Coco when he spray-tanned me. His care and attention made an impact on me. So it was delightful to have him come to the Vulnerable Studio and share with Brendan and me, the man behind the brand.

Jimmy has lived many lives. Jimmy shares stories of growing up in Sacramento, feeling different, and knowing he wanted to experience life out of Sacramento. Jimmy details his experiences in modeling and singing. Finally, in learning about spray-tanning, he came up with a ground-breaking idea that would shift the industry, mobile spray-tanning. Despite Jimmy being the go-to tanning expert for the Kardashians, Victoria's Secret Models, and many more A-list celebrities, we learn how close Jimmy is to his family and how he values those familial relationships.
Finally, Jimmy shares about his legacy project, his documentary Sunergize with Jimmy Coco | The Salton Sea. You can watch it here.

This episode highlights how family is important; whether it’s your birth family or found family, make time in your life to build relationships that will allow you to be yourself and loved.

You can follow Jimmy @jimmyjimmycoco on Instagram and @jimmycoco On Twitter.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok. You can watch the video version on my YouTube channel.
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Vulnerable EP09: Halloweentown Actress Kimberly J. Brown Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with Kimberly J. Brown. Kimberly is an actress who started her career at just five years old. We grew up together in the industry, crossing paths at commercial auditions, on Broadway, and later in California during our Disney Channel days. So it was great to catch up with my friend!

In this episode, Kimberly and I reflect on our experiences in NYC being child actors. Kimberly shares what it was like to be Young Cosette in Les Miserables and how she juggled being on Broadway and a regular on Guiding Light at the same time.

We also talk about being the first Disney Channel “stars” and what it was like to usher a new era for the Disney Channel in terms of entertainment that adults and kids today still enjoy!

Kimberly shared how she navigated her education while acting and why she decided to go to college and study something entirely outside of “the arts.” Kimberly’s deep wisdom from growing up in the industry, has allowed her to really own her creative endeavors, from continuing her acting, to writing and producing sketches on her YouTube and social channels, to selling unique graphic tees on her Etsy shop, to traveling and interacting with fans at Cons. Kimberly has crafted a life she enjoys. She truly loves that her work can bring someone joy.

PLUS, we even learn how unexpected love came into her life when she reconnected with her Halloweentown co-star.

This episode highlights how you can design a life you love that will uplift all the talents that make you, you!

You can follow Kimberly @OfficialKJB on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. If you are a fan of custom artwork, graphic tees, and more, check out Kimberly’s Etsy shop CraftilyCreative. You can also learn more about Kimberly J. Brown at her official website here.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.
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Vulnerable EP10: Wizards of Waverly Place Actress Jennifer Stone Gets Vulnerable

Today on Vulnerable, I sit down with actress and nurse Jennifer Stone. Jennifer began acting at age six, which led her on a journey where she became Harper Finkle on the Disney Channel Original Series Wizards of Waverly Place. In her early twenties, she was diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). She took some time away from acting and went to school and studied nursing. She became a registered nurse in 2020 and joined the ER front lines during the pandemic. Brendan and I were excited to deep dive with Jennifer about how she balances her acting career with her nursing career.

In this episode, Jennifer reflects how acting has always been something she was passionate about from a young age. As an adult, she realized that although the art of acting is something she continues to love, she needed to spend time doing something that wasn’t just about her. She didn’t want to become the narcissistic and self-involved side of the industry she was exposed to as a child. Being a nurse has allowed her to continue pursuing acting while grounding herself in the real world.

It was so interesting to talk to Jennifer about how acting has informed the way she taps into empathy while navigating the ER, how patients sometimes recognize her, and how she has survived working on the frontlines during the pandemic.

This episode highlights how it’s important to cultivate a resource that grounds you and supports your artistic expression. It doesn’t even have to be a career, it could be a mantra, an ethic, a community action, anything that guides you to be more fully you.

You can follow Jennifer @jenniferstone on Instagram, Twitter, and @jenniferlstone on TikTok.

Be sure to follow Vulnerable @thevulnerablepodcast on Instagram and TikTok.
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