Rebecca promised us, “Nothing bad ever happens on Christmas Eve,” and if you rewatched “Last Christmas” like we did, you know it’s a close call. Kate gets her appendix out; Dr. K is in the same hospital, dying, about to go into surgery; Randall’s co-worker, Andy, is preparing to take his life; and Toby has a heart attack… and who is coding?!?! Navigating the holiday season is already a tricky thing to do. How do we celebrate the joys of life when we’re at death's door? Where do we find peace ami...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast The Big Three head to the family cabin after a chaotic Thanksgiving and Olivia heads over to join them with her ex-boyfriend, Asher, and Sloane in tow. What should be one last joyful trip before Rebecca sells the vacation home becomes quite the trip for Randall, thanks to Asher’s mushroom smoothie. And while Randall works through his anger for Rebecca with ghost daddy Jack, Kate and Kevin work through the hiccups in their own relationship. Sibling relationships, navigating one’s emotions, self-d...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast Thanksgiving comes early this year! That’s right, in this episode, we’re introduced to Pilgrim Rick and the birth of the Pearson’s favorite holiday traditions. A 3.4 mile hike, Police Academy 3, hot dogs with Kraft singles and crushed Saltines, a ball of yarn, and the hat of “Pilgrim Rick” are essential. Will Miguel ever get a chance to play Pilgrim Rick? No dice. Will we talk about Randall confronting Rebecca about her letter he found at William’s? Absolutely. Let’s break bread and dig in. Foll...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Family secrets can create a strong bond, or be divisive. When William and Beth bond over special brownies, a major secret is spilled: Rebecca and William have known each other all this time with no one, not even Randall, the wiser. Meanwhile, also divisive is that of the relationship between Randall and Kevin. It all comes to a head, and so as we break down the episode, we also break down familial relationships and discuss the moral responsibilities we face within our own family networks. Follow...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast Susan Kelechi Watson, aka Beth Pearson, is in the house, which means so is R&B! We hear about everything from her audition process to the behind-the-scenes efforts that went into portraying and building Beth's backstory. Join us as we reminisce and rediscover the anchor that is Beth Pearson. Pantry wine optional. Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X!
Jul 02, 2024•57 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast What do you want to be when you grow up? It's the age-old question most of us were asked when we were little. Sometimes a childhood dream job becomes a reality. And sometimes there's a pivot or sacrifice made along the way that leads to a career path different than imagined. Life's twists and turns allow the Pearsons (and us) to discover new passions/gifts and use them professionally. So as the Pearsons consider (or reconsider) what they're meant to do and how they got to where they are, we do t...
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Life is full of color, and we each get to add our own color to the painting of life. Even in death, we’ve still left our mark. We’re still a part of the painting. Kevin Pearson illustrates the beauty of this message, which also serves as the meaning behind what “That Is Us” is all about. As Kevin said, “There’s no you or me or them. It’s just us.” Come be a part of our painting and join us in conversation. Follow That Was Us on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads, and X!
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Jack, Rebecca, and The Big Three are off to the pool, which sounds fun, but in actuality, feels a bit like Rebecca’s book: Misery. Randall and Kevin fight with each other, Kevin fights for attention, and Kate opts not to fight her bullies. Kevin miserably auditions for his first Broadway play, Toby bumps into his ex-wife, and William is mistaken as a loiterer. There are a lot of dynamics at play - parenting, self-discovery, racial injustice, weight insecurities, bullying, and forgiveness - and w...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Grief. Where do you begin when you feel like you’re slipping through quicksand? Jack and Rebecca bring home three babies while grieving the loss of another. Randall just reunited with his birth father, William, but now grieves his terminal illness. All channel their grief differently. How do we go through the process of grief with care and ultimately come out on the other side of it? Who do we lean on in these moments of darkness so we don’t have to face it alone? Kate reminds us of the importan...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast It’s been eight years since The Big Three were born, and there’s friction in the Pearson household. We see the early signs of disconnect between Kevin and Randall, and we see that a decade’s worth of marriage and child-rearing has taken its toll on Jack and Rebecca’s marriage. Kate wrestles with weight insecurities and did Tess just call Miguel “Grandpa”?? In this episode, we explore navigating the highs and lows of marriage, sibling dynamics, body image issues, advocating for yourself in relati...
May 28, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast Dan Fogelman (This Is Us, Tangled, Cars, Fred Claus, Crazy, Stupid, Love) is a legend around here. He brought us the Pearsons, and he brought us together! Dan joins us to discuss what went into writing the show, and how he was able to surprise us with bombshell reveals and leave us hanging week after week. Mandy, Sterling, Chris, and Dan talk about the evolution of the Pearson’s stories through time, the process of filming when working with kids who grow up fast, and the importance of weaving in...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast Tissue Tuesdays are back! In our premiere episode, we travel back in time to the early days of This Is Us and the making of the “Pilot”. We break it all down, from the audition process to our first impressions of each other, and we introduce you to the first of many fan segments. What did the Pearsons teach us? What does “This Is Us” mean to us? How did the reality of what these characters were going through affect the reality of our own lives and perspectives on life’s trials and challenges? Jo...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Join hosts, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, and Chris Sullivan as they dig back into each episode of This Is Us on That Was Us, a rewatch podcast. Every Tuesday, hosts will explore the overarching themes of the Pearson’s stories, bring in very special and familiar guests, share never before heard behind-the-scenes moments, and feature listeners in highly anticipated fan segments. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and watch new episodes on YouTube. Join the That Was Us family! I...
May 07, 2024•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
