I've Never Said This Before With Tommy DiDario

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Callina Liang who plays the iconic character Chun-Li in the new Street Fighter movie. In this episode, Callina opens up about the emotional moment she broke down crying after her final Street Fighter auditions, the pressure of stepping into the shoes of one of gaming’s most beloved female fighters, and what it took to master the nunchucks in less than two weeks. She reveals the intense daily training routine and diet that helped her grow her thighs by more than six centimeters to authentically embody the character, her favorite scene to film, and the never-before-shared backstory she created for Chun-Li to help get into character. Plus, she shares what she did before filming her scenes with Bison, the process of bringing Chun-Li’s iconic costume to life, what she hopes to see in a potential sequel, the role she auditioned for in Fourth Wing, why some of the rejection she’s experienced throughout her career has felt deeply personal, her commitment to helping future generations of Asian actors get the fair shot they deserve, and so much more. And don’t miss Callina's mini rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, our part 2 to this conversation where she’s answering burning fan questions, dropping Thursday, November 5!

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Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” I’m opening up about a personal realization that sparked a much bigger conversation about identity, change and giving ourselves permission to evolve. From learning to distinguish what we genuinely want from what we’ve simply gotten used to wanting, to releasing the pressure to fulfill every dream our younger selves had, I'm exploring why changing our minds isn’t a failure, an identity crisis, or a betrayal of who we once were. It’s growth, maturity, and sometimes it’s freedom. This episode is your reminder that you’re allowed to want something different, let go of who you thought you were supposed to become, and embrace who you are today, without guilt, shame, or explanation.

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Bethany Joy Lenz (of One Tree Hill) comes on to share her hot takes! Will she survive this round of rapid fire questions the fans have been wanting the answers to? And after listening to this, check out the full interview with Bethany that dropped earlier this week (the episode prior to this one)!

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Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

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This week, Tommy is joined by actress and author Bethany Joy Lenz, who you know and love as Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. Her new book, The Betrayal of Cora Wexford, is out now! In this episode, Joy opens up about celebrating 23 years of One Tree Hill, finally introducing the series to her daughter, the scenes she’s most excited (and least excited!) for her daughter to see, and what she’s most proud of from her work on the show. Then, we dive into her incredible new book and the deeply personal experiences that inspired it. Joy shares why she knew she had to tell this story, the parts of her own lived experience she poured into its pages, and who the “invisible women” are that she dedicates the story to. She also reflects on what it means to push aside your gut instincts even when something inside you is telling you otherwise, how to recognize manipulation and narcissistic behavior, her personal journey with grief, and why forgiveness doesn’t always mean the anger disappears overnight. Plus, she shares a big revelation about Taylor Swift and so much more! And don’t miss Joy's mini rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, our part 2 to this conversation where she’s answering burning fan questions, dropping Thursday, October 29!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be everything to everyone, and why do we get so disappointed when the people in our lives don't show up exactly the way we expect them to? In this episode of Tommy Talk, Tommy opens up about the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves and others, the guilt that comes with not always being able to show up for the people we love, and how these pressures can create unnecessary stress, disappointment, and resentment in our relationships. From missing family gatherings and struggling to balance busy schedules to feeling frustrated when others don't do things the way we would, Tommy explores why we can be so quick to judge without considering what someone else might be going through. He reflects on the importance of recognizing that everyone has different capacities, different ways of showing love, and different ways of navigating life. Just because someone doesn't call as often, miss a special occasion, or show up on our timeline doesn't necessarily mean they care any less. So how do we learn to communicate our needs instead of expecting others to read our minds? How do we distinguish between relationships that genuinely aren't serving us and the everyday imperfections that require a little more understanding? And how do we stop holding ourselves to impossible standards?

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Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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Heather Dubrow (of Real Housewives of Orange County) comes on to share her hot takes! Will she survive this round of rapid fire questions the fans have been wanting the answers to? And after listening to this, check out the full interview with Heather that dropped earlier this week (the episode prior to this one)!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation!
Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network
Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

Follow us on socials!
Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore
YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by reality TV royalty Heather Dubrow, who has been a fixture on The Real Housewives of Orange County for 10 seasons. In this episode, Heather gets candid about what made this season especially difficult, why returning to RHOC felt different after leaving the show, and why she believes her OG franchise is the best. She opens up about why she feels some of the women are always waiting for her to fall, the moment she had to immediately shut down a comment made this season to protect her husband, and what she does when DMs land in her inbox containing potentially life-altering dirt on other cast members. Heather also reveals the one thing she’s protective of showing on camera, which past-season fights she can finally laugh about after some time, and what she really wants to set the record straight about when it comes to “Paparazzi-Gate.” Plus, she shares why she will forever be a champion for the LGBTQ+ community, how her perspective on aging has shifted as she’s gotten older, why she’s giving fewer F’s as the years go by, and so much more!

And don’t miss Heather's rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, our part 2 to this conversation where she’s answering burning fan questions, dropping Thursday, October 22!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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What if the happiness you’ve been chasing is already waiting for you in the life you’re living right now? In this episode of Tommy Talk, Tommy explores why we keep putting happiness on hold, waiting to be happy until something “big” happens. Why do we convince ourselves we’ll finally feel fulfilled when we get the promotion, find the relationship, achieve the goal, or reach the next big milestone? What happens when we become so focused on building the life we want that we forget to enjoy the life we already have? After turning 40 earlier this year, Tommy shares his own journey toward living more presently, finding joy in the seemingly ordinary moments, and breaking the cycle of constantly worrying about what comes next. He also explores why gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring life’s struggles, why we need to stop overlooking the little things that make life meaningful, and how learning to appreciate the present can change the way we experience our lives. Because one day we might look back and realize that the moments we were rushing through were the moments that mattered most.
Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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Marina Squerciati (of Chicago P.D.) comes on to share her hot takes! Will she survive this round of rapid fire questions the fans have been wanting the answers to? And after listening to this, check out the full interview with Marina that dropped earlier this week (the episode prior to this one)!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation!
Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network
Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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This week, Tommy is joined by actress Marina Squerciati, who you know and love as Detective Kim Burgess on Chicago P.D. In this episode, Marina opens up about why her and her character’s growth has been parallel over the course of the series, the one scene she would show someone who has never watched Chicago P.D., whether she created any elements of Kim’s backstory to help her get into character, and why she’s rooting for Kim and Adam Ruzek’s love story. She also reflects on the only times in her career when losing a role left her feeling defeated, why she was always willing to risk it all to become an actress, and what she considers one of Kim’s most defining moments. Plus, Marina shares how she navigates the show’s darker storylines, the one thing that genuinely scares her on set, a painful rejection that was hard to shake and what it taught her, why she sometimes feels like she’s failing as a mother, why she would never want her kids to become actors, why she’s learning to stop focusing on the things she doesn’t do well, and so much more. And don’t miss Marina's mini rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, our part 2 to this conversation where she’s answering burning fan questions, dropping Thursday, October 15!
Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this deeply personal Tommy Talk, Tommy takes you inside the modeling industry of the early 2000s, and shares the truth about what it was really like behind the scenes. After being scouted and signed by Ford Models right out of college, Tommy found himself thrust into a world he knew almost nothing about, booking major campaigns and working with some of the biggest names in fashion. But behind the larger than life photo shoots and exciting opportunities was an industry with few boundaries, little regulation, and an environment where models were often treated like commodities. Tommy opens up about being put in situations he’s never talked about before. He also reflects on why he rarely talks about this chapter of his life, how these experiences shaped him, and why he’s grateful that the entertainment and fashion industries have become more protective of artists and models today. This is Tommy’s unfiltered look at a time when the industry felt like the Wild West, and a reminder of why speaking up, setting boundaries, and protecting people in positions of vulnerability matters.

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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Matthew Lillard (of Carrie, Scream & more) comes on to share his hot takes! Will he survive this round of rapid fire questions the fans have been wanting the answers to? And after listening to this, check out the full interview with Matthew Lillard that dropped earlier this week (the episode prior to this one)!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation!
Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network
Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Matthew Lillard, who you know and love from so many beloved roles, including Stu Macher in the Scream franchise. Up next, he can be seen in Mike Flanagan’s highly anticipated series Carrie. In this episode, Matthew opens up about what it really means to be called horror royalty, why he calls Billy and Stu the “first husbands of horror,” and why he thinks so many people view Scream as a queer franchise. He reveals if there are any scenes from Scream he would want to redo today, why he resented making Scooby-Doo for the longest time, and how he then navigated a downward trajectory in his career before making a kick ass resurgence. Matthew also shares what makes this adaptation of Carrie the right one, what working with Mike Flanagan has meant to him, and the teachers in his life who made a lasting impact on him. He gets candid about whether he feels valued by Hollywood as an actor, what rejection has taught him throughout his career, and the surprising and incredible fan base he’s built over his 40+ year career. Plus, Matthew talks about championing Phoebe Bridgers early in her career before the world knew her, starting his spirits brand, the story behind his famous viral Ghostface vodka, the new dark comedy play he’s producing, what he has never said before, and so much more. And don’t miss Matthew's mini rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, our part 2 to this conversation where he’s answering burning fan questions, dropping Thursday, October 8!

This episode is brought to you by Travel Guard. Enter here to win $10,000 for your most unhinged & unforgettable travel story!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even when the world feels heavy, we have to hold onto hope. On this episode of Tommy Talk, Tommy discusses how to keep believing in better days when it sometimes feels impossible to do so. Between difficult headlines, personal struggles, and the constant noise of social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but caring deeply doesn’t mean we have to carry every painful thing happening around us. Tommy opens up about protecting your peace without losing your compassion, allowing yourself to experience joy without guilt, and finding hope through small acts of kindness and everyday moments. He shares why the people we surround ourselves with and the stories we consume matter, and reminds us that darkness is never the whole story. An honest, heartfelt conversation about holding onto goodness, remembering how much your presence matters, and believing there are still beautiful moments ahead that you haven’t even imagined yet.
Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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Tiffani Thiessen (of Coven Academy, Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills, 90210) comes on to share her hot takes! Will she survive this round of rapid fire questions the fans have been wanting the answers to? And after listening to this, check out the full interview with Tiffani that dropped earlier this week (the episode prior to this one)!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation!
Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network
Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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This week, Tommy is joined by actress Tiffani Thiessen, who you know and love as Kelly Kapowski on Saved by the Bell and Valerie Malone on Beverly Hills, 90210. Now, she’s channeling her inner witch in Coven Academy. In this episode, Tiffani opens up about what she wishes she’d known early in her career, the moment she realized Saved by the Bell was becoming a massive hit, and why she was drawn to playing Valerie after years as Kelly. She reflects on growing up as a working actress, the role she didn’t get that broke her heart, and how she’s learned to handle rejection. She also shares how Coven Academy challenged her, whether she’d want her kids to become actors, how she turned her love of cooking into a business, how fame has changed since the ’90s, why you should always eat the bread, and so much more. And don’t miss Tiffani's mini rapid-fire “Hot Takes & Hangouts” interview, our part 2 to this conversation where she’s answering burning fan questions, dropping Thursday, October 1!

This episode is brought to you by Travel Guard. Enter here to win $10,000 for your most unhinged & unforgettable travel story!

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

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And just like that, its that time of year again. On this episode of Tommy Talk, Tommy is celebrating the season that seems to wake up all our senses at once. From crisp mornings and changing leaves to cozy sweaters, favorite movies, and the familiar (pumpkin) smells of the season, fall has a way of making us feel comforted and connected to our memories. But Tommy believes this season offers us something even bigger: a chance to begin again. Today Tommy explores why fall can feel like an unofficial new year. As summer winds down and familiar routines return, many of us feel ready to reset, reconnect with the people we love, and make space for what matters most. If life has felt busy or disconnected lately, consider this your invitation to make the plans, put on the cozy sweater, savor your favorite fall treat, go after your hopes and dreams and enjoy this chapter while it’s here. The season goes quickly. Let’s give ourselves permission to celebrate it.

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

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This week, Tommy is joined by beloved country singer and songwriter Carly Pearce. Her new album, Honest Woman, is out now, and it’s some of her most personal work yet. In this episode, Carly opens up about how this is the first album she has made no compromises on, why she will never hide her age, and why she sees growing older as a gift. She shares how she deeply explored comparison in some of her most vulnerable songs on Honest Woman and why our worth can’t rest entirely on our careers. She also talks about collaborating with Riley Green, how she goes about choosing an album’s final tracklist, the song she can’t wait to hear fans sing back to her on tour, her personal connection to the late great Dolly Parton, what Dolly meant to her, her powerful message to women and so much more.

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

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Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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This week, we’re taking a fall rewind as Tommy revisits a fan-favorite conversation with Caterina Scorsone, also known as Dr. Amelia Shepherd on Grey’s Anatomy, ahead of the Season 23 premiere in just a few weeks. Caterina opens up about what keeps playing Amelia exciting after almost two decades, why her connection with fans feels so intimate, and which of Amelia’s moments have meant the most to her. She also reflects on exploring Amelia’s meaningful relationship with Kai (played by E.R. Fightmaster), reveals how Amelia was originally conceived as a queer character, and discusses the care she has poured into portraying Amelia’s addiction journey. Caterina also shares her personal relationship with grief, why prioritizing our mental health is so important, and so much more.

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane

Follow us on socials!

Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

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On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy takes you back to Paris in 2015 to share for the very first time the full story of the day his husband Gio surprised him with a proposal in front of the Eiffel Tower, and how one engagement photo unexpectedly became something much bigger than either of them could have imagined. After the photo went viral, Tommy and Gio began receiving deeply moving messages from the LGBTQ+ community who saw new possibilities for their own lives, as well as parents who felt more hopeful about the futures awaiting their children. The experience showed Tommy firsthand how powerful representation can be and that no matter what walk of life we come from, we all just want to feel seen. Eleven years later, Tommy reflects on everything that moment taught him including love still gives people hope, happiness is worth celebrating and that joy, even the joy of complete strangers, can bring us together. In a world that often feels divided, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that there is still so much goodness around us and so many people rooting for love to win.

Subscribe, rate, and leave a written review if you enjoy this conversation! Tune in every week for new episodes of I’ve Never Said This Before.

Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network

Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny

Follow us on socials!

Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore

YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore

See https://omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.