Street You Grew Up On
Kerry Washington | Daylight Media·8 episodes·Weekly
Quick Facts
Kerry Washington takes her guests back to where their stories began. Starting with one simple question — Can you tell me about the street you grew up on? — Kerry explores the people, places, family stories, and defining moments that made them who they are.
Past guests include Michelle Obama, Jane Fonda, Queen Latifah, John Legend, Issa Rae, Jay Shetty, and more.
Episodes
Latest Episode
November 11, 2026 · 1h 4m
Harry Shum Jr. joins Kerry Washington to talk about Glee, Dancing with the Stars, and finding confidence after years of feeling different. Born in Costa Rica to Chinese parents, Harry revisits learning English in California, working in his family’s restaurant, and the school performance that helped a shy kid feel seen. He shares the wordless directing note that changed how he played Mike Chang, the challenge of learning Grey’s Anatomy’s medical dialogue, and why returning to dance became a chance to rediscover joy. Plus, childhood sitcoms, his parents becoming his unofficial PR team, and growing up between languages and cultures on California’s Central Coast. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly! 💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On: 🎤 Follow Kerry Washington: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Simpson Street: Instagram: TikTok: Follow Daylight: Instagram: Website: ➡️ Buy any two single cans of OLIPOP in store — any flavor, any retailer — and they'll pay you back for one. That's a free can! Visit for details. ➡️ Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Head to to find a therapist the easy way. 00:00:00 Growing Up Between Cultures 00:10:51 Wrestling and Storytelling 00:23:56 Grey's Anatomy and Glee 00:39:26 Learning to Celebrate Success 00:47:58 Aphantasia and Dance 00:59:56 Giving Back and Community See Privacy Policy at and California Privacy Notice at .
More Episodes
Nov 4, 2026 · 1h 14m
Mel Robbins joins Kerry Washington to talk about childhood anxiety, building confidence, and the ADHD diagnosis at 47 that helped her understand herself. Growing up on Lake Drive in North Muskegon, Michigan, the future podcast host was a shy kid with big feelings—and dreams beyond her small town.Mel revisits the parents who taught her that everybody matters, the friendships that lasted a lifetime, and the lessons she learned working at a local tavern. Plus, summers on the lake, watching Oprah after school, leaving home for Dartmouth, and learning to move forward even when you’re scared.Content note: This conversation includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse and a medical emergency involving a death.📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly!💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On:https://linktr.ee/streetyougrewupon🎤 Follow Kerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashingtonFollow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreetFollow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com/➡️Try ZipRecruiter for free at https://ziprecruiter.com/street to save time and meet great candidates sooner.➡️Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://ARTICLE.COM/STREET and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.00:00:00 Growing Up in Michigan00:12:43 Anxiety and Childhood Fears00:25:08 ADHD and Dyslexia00:32:00 Oprah and Family Influence00:52:27 Teachers, Work and Community01:04:52 Purpose, Healing and ServiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 28, 2026 · 1h 3m
Jake Shane joins Kerry Washington to revisit growing up in Washington Heights, the childhood Broadway dreams he nearly gave up on, and the friends who helped him find his confidence. The Therapuss host opens up about anxiety and OCD, finding acceptance at home, and turning videos made for friends into a career. Plus, his teenage Scandal obsession, reality-TV favorites, making his dad laugh, and why performing on Broadway felt like a dream come true.📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly!💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On:https://linktr.ee/streetyougrewupon🎤 Follow Kerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashingtonFollow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreetFollow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com/➡️ Get $15 off your first month's subscription and free shipping at https://nutrafol.com with promo code STREET.➡️ Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Head to https://RULA.com to find a therapist the easy way.00:00:00 Jake’s New York Childhood00:08:48 Scandal and Reality TV00:20:34 School, Money and Fitting In00:29:14 Broadway Dreams and Family00:39:36 Anxiety and Coming Out00:52:50 Dreams, Home and Giving BackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 21, 2026 · 1h 10m
Billy Porter joins Kerry Washington to talk about growing up gay in Pittsburgh, the women who raised him, and how music and theater helped him find his voice. He revisits the church that celebrated his singing but struggled to accept him, the performances of The Wiz and Dreamgirls that changed his life, and his mother’s journey toward embracing her gay son. Plus, chosen family, Sunday-best fashion, an elaborate senior portrait shoot, and the little boy who knew his voice could take him somewhere new.Content note: This episode includes discussion of childhood sexual abuse, physical punishment, and homophobia.📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly!💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On:https://linktr.ee/streetyougrewupon🎤 Follow Kerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashingtonFollow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreetFollow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com/➡️ Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Head to https://RULA.com to find a therapist the easy way.If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse or is experiencing emotional distress, you are not alone.National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)Call 800.656.4673 | Text “HOPE” to 64673 | rainn.orgFree, confidential 24/7 support in English & SpanishThe Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Support)Call 866.488.7386 | Text “START” to 678-678 | thetrevorproject.orgFree, confidential 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention for young people988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (General Mental Health)Call or Text 988 | 988lifeline.orgFree, confidential 24/7 support for emotional distress00:00 Billy Porter’s Pittsburgh Childhood06:27 Family’s Big House17:25 Identity & Childhood Abuse23:53 From Preacher to Performer38:30 Church Fashion & Self-Expression44:54 Activism, Pride & Chosen Family59:25 Style, Advice & What’s NextSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 14, 2026 · 1h 9m
Demi Lovato joins Kerry Washington to revisit growing up on Wilkes Drive in Colleyville, Texas—from singing in her bedroom until sunrise to the auditions that led to Barney & Friends and Camp Rock. She shares how Kelly Clarkson shaped her voice, what her Dallas Cowboys cheerleader mom taught her, and how she’s finding joy in marriage, cooking, and accepting herself. Plus, thrift-store pageant dresses, her first song about a crush, and a heartfelt conversation with Kerry about eating disorder recovery and the home she hopes to create for her future children.Content note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders and body image.📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly!💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On:https://linktr.ee/streetyougrewupon🎤 Follow Kerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashingtonFollow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreetFollow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com/➡️ Get $15 off your first month's subscription and free shipping at https://nutrafol.com with promo code STREET.00:00 Growing Up on Wilkes Drive04:21 Her Bedroom & First Songs15:28 Kelly Clarkson’s Influence29:12 From Pageants to Barney39:01 Camp Rock & Leaving Home52:21 Food, Body Image, Recovery1:00:16 Her Hopes for Future ChildrenSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Oct 7, 2026 · 1h 1m
Colin Kaepernick joins Kerry Washington to talk about growing up Black in a white adoptive family, his childhood NFL dream, and the experiences that shaped his activism. From driveway basketball on Pine Valley Court to finding community in a Black barbershop, he revisits the moments that taught him who he was—and how to stand up for himself. Plus, the fourth-grade prediction that came true and why his wife, Nessa Diab, refuses to play games with him. 📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly! 💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On:https://linktr.ee/streetyougrewupon 🎤 Follow Kerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashington Follow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreet Follow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com ➡️ Try ZipRecruiter for free at https://ziprecruiter.com/street to save time and meet great candidates sooner. ➡️ Thanks to Article for sponsoring this podcast! Article is offering our listeners $50 off your first purchase of $100 or more. To claim, visit https://ARTICLE.COM/STREET and the discount will be automatically applied at checkout.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 30, 2026 · 1h 11m
Ben Affleck joins Kerry Washington for a deeply personal conversation about growing up on Cottage Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the mother who shaped him, and the childhood experiences that still influence the father, actor, and filmmaker he is today.Ben reflects on being a latchkey kid, his legendary friendship with Matt Damon, the high school drama teacher who helped him discover his voice as a writer, and the path that eventually led to Good Will Hunting. He and Kerry also explore what his upbringing taught him about empathy, collaboration and directing—and how those lessons shaped their experience making their new film, Animals.Plus: childhood movies, Boston vs. New York, the story of Ben’s stolen Big Wheel, and what the kid from Cottage Street might think of his life now.📺 Subscribe for new episodes released weekly!💥 Follow Street You Grew Up On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreetyougrewupon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thestreetyougrewupon🎤 Follow Kerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashingtonFollow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreetFollow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com/➡️ Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Head to https://RULA.com to find a therapist the easy way.➡️ Shop at Sephora or get 10% off your first purchase at https://k18hair.com with code KERRY.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sep 23, 2026 · 1m
Kerry Washington’s Street You Grew Up On is back. And this time, with a NEW FORMAT. NEW GUESTS. SAME QUESTION.“What is the street you grew up on?”The digital series is now a full-length podcast, and Kerry is sitting down with Ben Affleck, Colin Kaepernick, Demi Lovato, Billy Porter, Jessica Alba and more for conversations about the childhood memories, neighborhoods, people and experiences that shaped who they are today.From Simpson Street and Daylight.Follow Street You Grew Up On for new episodes every week.Street You Grew Up On:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreetyougrewupon/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thestreetyougrewuponKerry Washington:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerrywashingtonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thekerrywashingtonFollow Simpson Street:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simpsonstreetTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@simpsonstreetFollow Daylight:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylightmediahq/Website: https://daylightmedia.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.