Sam Smith episode artwork

EPISODE · Nov 5, 2025 · 1H 17M

Sam Smith

from Podcrushed · host Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, Sophie Ansari

Sam Smith joins us for a raw and revealing conversation. Discover the surprising revelation about their journey from a young, talented singer to a global pop sensation. Sam talks about overcoming stage fright, the inspiring moments of writing their hit songs, and the unique way they find peace in New York City. Plus, get a sneak peek into Sam's intimate Brooklyn residency and learn why this next album might be their best work yet.    For a limited time, you can try Pretty Tasty for free -  just go to prettytasty.com, pick your flavor, and use code PODCRUSHED.    Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/podcrushed and use code podcrushed to get 60% off your first box!   00:00 Intro 04:53 Sam Smith’s Childhood and Early Influences 06:28 Navigating School as a Queer Kid 09:52 The Power of Music and Female Voices 20:41 Struggles with Weight and Self-Acceptance 26:27 First Experiences with Love and Heartbreak 31:30 Embarrassing Moments and Overcoming Stage Fright 34:21 Pursuing a Career in Music 36:22 Early Career and Record Deal Challenges 37:11 Deciding Between Musical Theater and Pop Stardom 37:58 Musical Influences and Recording Experiences 40:04 Family Influence and Early Performances 42:04 Themes of Love and Safety in Music 46:18 Personal Growth and Mental Health 47:34 Creating Authentic Music and Overcoming Challenges 49:40 New York Life and Relationship 54:27 The Importance of Water and Flow in Life 59:27 Reflecting on Career and Future Projects 01:07:55 Intimate Performances and New Music 01:12:07 Final Thoughts and Advice to Younger Self   Our new book Crushmore is out now! Go go go! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993    🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Smith joins us for a raw and revealing conversation. Discover the surprising revelation about their journey from a young, talented singer to a global pop sensation. Sam talks about overcoming stage fright, the inspiring moments of writing their hit songs, and the unique way they find peace in New York City. Plus, get a sneak peek into Sam's intimate Brooklyn residency and learn why this next album might be their best work yet.    For a limited time, you can try Pretty Tasty for free -  just go to prettytasty.com, pick your flavor, and use code PODCRUSHED.    Take the guesswork out of your dog's well-being. Go to ollie.com/podcrushed and use code podcrushed to get 60% off your first box!   00:00 Intro 04:53 Sam Smith’s Childhood and Early Influences 06:28 Navigating School as a Queer Kid 09:52 The Power of Music and Female Voices 20:41 Struggles with Weight and Self-Acceptance 26:27 First Experiences with Love and Heartbreak 31:30 Embarrassing Moments and Overcoming Stage Fright 34:21 Pursuing a Career in Music 36:22 Early Career and Record Deal Challenges 37:11 Deciding Between Musical Theater and Pop Stardom 37:58 Musical Influences and Recording Experiences 40:04 Family Influence and Early Performances 42:04 Themes of Love and Safety in Music 46:18 Personal Growth and Mental Health 47:34 Creating Authentic Music and Overcoming Challenges 49:40 New York Life and Relationship 54:27 The Importance of Water and Flow in Life 59:27 Reflecting on Career and Future Projects 01:07:55 Intimate Performances and New Music 01:12:07 Final Thoughts and Advice to Younger Self   Our new book Crushmore is out now! Go go go! https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Crushmore/Penn-Badgley/9781668077993    🎧 Want more from Podcrushed? 📸 Instagram 🎵 TikTok 🐦 X / Twitter ✨ Follow Penn, Sophie & Nava Instagram Penn Sophie Nava TikTok Penn Sophie Nava See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Sam Smith

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This episode was published on November 5, 2025.

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Sam Smith joins us for a raw and revealing conversation. Discover the surprising revelation about their journey from a young, talented singer to a global pop sensation. Sam talks about overcoming stage fright, the inspiring moments of writing their...

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