Unpacking The Toolbox - podcast cover

Unpacking The Toolbox

Shondaland Audio and iHeartPodcastswww.iheart.com

Shondaland Audio in partnership with iHeartPodcasts present: Unpacking The Toolbox. Each week, BFFs and Scandal co-stars Katie Lowes and Guillermo Diaz dive into an episode of Scandal, reliving their favorite memories from the set and breaking down the episode with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories and even more laughs. Joined by some of their fellow Scandal stars, Katie and Guillermo are sure to cover it all from the Olitz romance to the down-and-dirty deeds as Huckleberry Quinn. Calling all #Gladiators – Come join the Scandal fam for new episodes every Thursday, starting February 9th.

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Episodes

318: The Price Of Free And Fair Elections w/ Paul Adelstein

It’s the Season 3 finale! And in a hilarious and epic send off, Paul Adelstein, aka Leo Bergen, joins Katie and Guillermo to break down some iconic quotes from the series. Plus, no season finale would be complete without covering the explosive moments leading up to Huck and Quinn’s tabletop scene and Jerry Grant’s death. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly a...

Aug 15, 202442 minSeason 3Ep. 18

317: Flesh and Blood w/ Debbie Allen

Katie and Guillermo couldn’t be more excited to break down this super steamy episode, and who better to join them than the brilliant director who directed their first sex scene: Debbie Allen! Debbie shares her story from joining Grey’s Anatomy to directing for How To Get Away With Murder before they break down the full episode. Plus, some of the best (most anti-Quinn) Tweets of the Times. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to sha...

Aug 08, 202442 minSeason 3Ep. 17

316: The Fluffer w/ Kelly McCreary

The legendary Kelly McCreary shares her experience on Scandal before being cast in a long-term Grey’s Anatomy role. Then Katie, Guillermo and Kelly break down some iconic moments from the show including Mellie’s slap! But, not before they take plenty of time to pick out cheesy moments from Huck and Quinn. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. W...

Aug 01, 202441 minSeason 3Ep. 16

315: Mama Said Knock You Out

Katie and Guillermo don’t have a guest this week. Why? Because the episode focuses so much on Huck and Quinn’s (creepy) relationship, that they decided they wanted to share their own stories about making out in a cemetery, fist fights and what they could definitely not get away with now on set. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would lov...

Jul 25, 202432 minSeason 3Ep. 15

314: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang w/ Jeff Perry

It was so hard for Katie and Guillermo to decide when to have Jeff join them on the podcast, but he is finally here! And he explores how Shonda Rhimes helped guide him toward finding Cyrus’ character before diving into one of the most heart-wrenching episodes of the season. Plus, Katie and Guillermo get awestruck multiple times from Jeff. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about ...

Jul 18, 202442 minSeason 3Ep. 14

313: No Sun On The Horizon w/ Dan Bucatinsky

Our own beloved James Novak (Dan Bucatinsky) joins to break down an infamous episode and what it was like to find out he was the one killed off. Plus, Katie and Guillermo explore James’ career while acting on Scandal and simultaneously writing on Grey’s Anatomy. And to wrap things up, Scott Foley shares his thoughts on the episode and having to kill James. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, ...

Jul 11, 202459 minSeason 3Ep. 13

312: We Do Not Touch the First Ladies w/ Tony Goldwyn

You asked and you we answered: President Fitzgerald Grant is back again this season to talk about his recent works in film, and what he thought of this season. Then, Katie and Guillermo break down one steamy episode as this season starts heating up with couples hooking up left and right. Plus, Katie relishes in some Tweets that hate on Quinn! What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, ab...

Jul 04, 202444 minSeason 3Ep. 12

311: Ride, Sally, Ride w/ Jimmy Kimmel & Raamla Mohamed

Two words: Jimmy Kimmel. Not only do Jimmy, Katie and Guillermo gush about their favorite moments from Scandal history, they also cover some of the many appearances on late night TV and the pranks they performed on fellow Scandal cast. Then, Raamla Mohamed joins to talk about her time writing on Scandal and some of the unbelievable moments from this wild, wild episode. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts abo...

Jun 27, 20241 hr 8 minSeason 3Ep. 11

Special Guest Episode: Interview w/ Columbus Short

Scandal co-star Columbus Short (Harrison Wright) sits down with Katie and Guillermo for an intimate conversation about the show and Columbus’ struggles. As Guillermo’s trailer-mate on set, Columbus shares some of his favorite memories of being on the show and how he got the job. Then, Katie dives into the difficult questions: What happened? What was Columbus going through that led to his downfall and how has he since recovered? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jun 20, 20241 hr 4 min

310: A Door Marked Exit w/ Tony Goldwyn & Zahir McGhee

In a jam-packed episode, guests Tony Goldwyn and staff writer Zahir McGhee join the show to share some never-before-heard info from behind the scenes. Katie and Guillermo learn how Sally Langton’s crazed speech was written and filmed, plus Tony reacts to being berated by Papa Pope. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about the show. We would love to hear fro...

Jun 13, 20241 hr 9 minSeason 3Ep. 10

309: YOLO w/ Sabrina Brier

Special Guest and TikTok star Sabrina Brier wasn’t directly involved with Scandal (or was she?) but she might just know more about the show than even Katie and Guillermo as they dive into one of the most famous episodes of all time. They cover it all: The teeth, the lick, and yes, even fetching a water bottle for a famous director on set. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about ...

Jun 06, 202456 minSeason 3Ep. 9

308: Vermont Is For Lovers, Too w/ Shonda Rhimes

The one-and-only Shonda Rhimes joins the podcast this week to talk about her favorite moments of Season 3, the season she lovingly calls “The Hell Or High Water” season. Plus, did Shonda and the writers know where the series was headed? And then Katie and Guillermo break down the most horrific episode of Scandal yet! What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostly about...

May 30, 202451 minSeason 3Ep. 8

307: Everything's Coming Up Mellie w/ Bellamy Young

What better episode to guest star the one-and-only Bellamy Young than the origin story of how Mellie became Mellie? This week, Bellamy, Katie and Guillermo deep dive into the making of the famous flashback episode – Cyrus’ hairdo, big Jerry’s despicable act and stories about shooting (and re-shooting) scenes due to an unplanned tanning accident. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food,...

May 23, 202445 minSeason 3Ep. 7

306: Icarus w/ RuPaul's Drag Race Winner, Symone

What do RuPaul’s Drag Race and Scandal have in common? It turns out, quite a lot! Season 13 winner, Symone, was (and still is) a Scandal superfan. Symone joins Katie and Guillermo in gushing over highlights of the series, including some facts about the show that Symone knows more details about! Then, Katie and Guillermo break down a very emotional episode as Olivia confronts the truth about her mom’s death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

May 16, 202446 minSeason 3Ep. 6

305: More Cattle, Less Bull w/ Scott Foley

Since Scott Foley, aka Jake Ballard, was notorious for fart noises in set, which spread through the rest of the Scandal cast, it’s only appropriate that this episode comes with a content warning: Gas. But when Scott, Katie and Guillermo aren’t discussing mouth noises, they deep dive into how Scott got cast on Scandal, then RE-CAST on Scandal, and the infamous basketball scene with President Fitz. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-147...

May 09, 202446 minSeason 3Ep. 5

304: Say Hello To My Little Friend w/ Melora Hardin

The unbelievably famous and talented Melora Hardin joins Katie and Guillermo as they break down her guest appearance in a classic case-of-the-week episode. Guillermo is shocked (and horrified) to learn that Melora hasn’t watched TV in 22 years. And Katie gushes over an up-doo French Twist while Melora shares her experiences getting cast on Scandal and The Office. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the...

May 02, 202442 minSeason 3Ep. 4

303: Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington w/ Cynthia Stevenson

In a new case-of-the-week style episode, guest star Cynthia Stevenson joins Katie and Guillermo to break down an explosive episode. Plus, Katie shares some secret info about Kerry Washington’s time on set. Then Cynthia talks about her style of method acting while Guillermo gushes over a new favorite horror movie connection. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts about the show, about food, about life, but mostl...

Apr 25, 202442 minSeason 3Ep. 3

302: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner w/ Kerry Washington

Katie and Guillermo are no strangers to working on the weekend from their time on Scandal, and they’d record any time day or night, or over a cliff, for the one-and-only Kerry Washington. Kerry shares never-before-told stories from her newly-published book, and deep dives into the development of Olivia’s character. Plus, the OPA team answers your burning fan questions. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Shondaland.com or leave us a voicemail at 805-298-1474 to share your thoughts abo...

Apr 18, 202454 minSeason 3Ep. 2

301: It’s Handled w/ Tom Verica

We’re back through Hell or High Water! Shondaland royalty, director Tom Verica, joins Katie & Guillermo for the inaugural episode of Season 3 to discuss Kerry’s unbelievable acting in this episode, and the shocking reveals of Papa Pope. Plus Guillermo and Tom reminisce about a blooper with a shake-weight, and Tom shares his favorite recording session from his time on Scandal. Then Katie asks Tom about directing love scenes and all the… spit. What do you think, Gladiators? Email us at UTT@Sho...

Apr 11, 202449 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Unpacking The Toolbox Season 2 Launches April 11th!

We’re back through Hell or High Water! Unpacking The Toolbox premieres with brand new episodes every Thursday starting April 11th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 04, 20242 min

216: Top of the Hour

As Quinn gets the spotlight of this week’s episode, Katie and G gush over some of their favorite moments including a never-before-shared story about an rewritten line from the pilot. But wait – there’s always room for a mid-way tangent about Rosie O'Donnell, before they get into some of the best Tweets of the season so far. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 28, 202440 minSeason 2Ep. 16

215: Boom Goes the Dynamite w/ Sam Page

Kicking off the first of what’s sure-to-be many amazing guest star interviews, Katie and Guillermo invite Sam Page (Will Caldwell) to dig into his experience on set as a short-term star. Katie and G can’t stop laughing at Huck’s stank in this episode, and Sam admits how nervous he was working with Kerry Washington. And was an unfortunate first table read the reason it took Sam almost ten years to become a series regular on a Shondaland show? Probably not, but the story behind it is hilarious. Se...

Mar 21, 202436 minSeason 2Ep. 15

214: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

This is a special episode for Katie and Guillermo, and not just because the episode's title is secretly a bad word. This is the first time we see Huckleberry Quinn, and both Katie and Guillermo are questionably attracted to depressed-angry-sexy-post-bullet-head Fitz. Plus Katie breaks down Fitz and Olivia's hottest sex yet… inside a church maintenance closet at baby Fitz's christening. Classy! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Mar 14, 202445 minSeason 2Ep. 14

213: Nobody Likes Babies w/ Debra Mooney

Nobody Likes Babies, originally meant to be the season finale, was a turning point for the show – There’s no going back after the events in this episode, with Fitz’ dramatic choice. Katie and Guillermo unpack the twists and turns with the esteemed Debra Mooney, AKA Supreme Court Justice Verna Thornton, including diving into Debra’s acting history and what she was really doing in the coffin during her final scene… Plus, are Katie and Guillermo officially getting old (and sleepy)? See omnystudio.c...

Mar 07, 202441 minSeason 2Ep. 13

212: Truth or Consequences w/ Adam Shapiro

Adam Shapiro who plays the infamous Jesse Tyler joins Katie & Guillermo to relive life on set, getting blown up and what it’s like to be married to another actor on Scandal… Katie! Plus, Katie and Guillermo merge their love for food with their dislike for rodents as they talk about eating… Guinea pigs. And, Jesse’s death marks the first (chronological) member of the Scandal body count, a brand new segment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 29, 202459 minSeason 2Ep. 12

211: A Criminal, A Whore, An Idiot, And a Liar

Olivia Pope delivers one heck of a knockout speech at the top of episode 211, so naturally Katie & Guillermo gush over their favorite performances from Kerry Washington. Then, Katie dives into what it was like to get news that she wouldn’t be in this episode. Plus, Guillermo learns that Director Tom Verica had a famous role in theatre before he got into directing. This episode is NOT Sponsored by Sialis or Subway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 22, 202437 minSeason 2Ep. 11

210: One For the Dog

Guillermo was once accused of killing Joe Morton (Eli Pope), which he definitely didn’t do. And Katie shares a story of a stalker who kept calling her after Scandal ended. From talks of waterboarding practice runs on set to a debate about Olivia Pope’s amazing gloves, this episode has it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 15, 202443 minSeason 2Ep. 10

209: Blown Away w/ Darby Stanchfield

Katie and Guillermo practice their eye-hugging with the one and only Darby Stanchfield, AKA Sassy Abby, AKA Big Red, AKA Abby Whelan! Darby shares the story of her stare-down with Shonda Rhimes and what it was like to silently stick her fingers in Joshua Malina’s mouth... Plus, Katie & Guillermo dive into important moments from the episode, like when Huck finally gets laid. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feb 08, 202448 minSeason 2Ep. 9

208: Happy Birthday Mr. President

Written by Shonda Rhimes herself, Happy Birthday Mr. President is one of the most memorable episodes of Scandal, and Katie & Guillermo laugh, cry and swoon over all the iconic scenes of Olitz. In the hypothetical re-enactment of the episode, Katie thinks she’d be a better Fitz than Guillermo. And would G touch the declaration of independence if given the opportunity? Plus, memories of wrap presents from set. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Feb 01, 202447 minSeason 2Ep. 8

207: Defiance

Defiance is one of the most shocking episodes of all time with its twist ending, and Katie and Guillermo can’t wait to dive in. Don’t come hungry because Huck loves a hoagie, and this episode is a very food-forward conversation. Plus, as Katie says, this is the first time Quinn “isn’t dumb” as she’s on the trail to figure out if Huck was involved in her relocation. #WhatTheHuck See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 25, 202444 minSeason 2Ep. 7
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