Grab your frosted tips and denim jackets because we’ve got a member of 90s music royalty in this episode! From his rise to *NSYNC superstardom to Broadway hits like & JULIET, Joey Fatone drops into the neighborhood for a big-hearted convo about how friendships last when life gets loud. He dishes on about being the “harmonic glue” of *NSYNC, why tough love and follow-through matter more than grand gestures, and the long-distance habits that keep the connection alive. We swap stories about that infamous cut STAR WARS: ATTACK OF THE CLONES cameo and an awkward family dinner with Lance Bass, then test Joey’s Star Wars trivia (hint: he’s a Jedi Master). Despite being upstaged by his poodles, Vinny and Bruno, Joey’s true superpower shines through: communication. It’s equal parts behind-the-scenes pop history and a friendship playbook you can use today.

(00:00:00) Cold Open – Joey Fatone’s Dog Vinny Steals the Spotlight

(00:01:49) Welcome: Friendship, Fame, and Fun

(00:06:02) Pageants & Golden Corral: nostalgia lightning round

(00:08:04) Ashley’s Live Taste Test: Spanish vegan olive oil almond cookies

(00:09:32) Hypes & Gripes: Missing socks (👻), IRL friend reunions, and the joy of the grocery store

(00:26:27) Good Gossip: Australian postman or laundry man?

(00:32:46) Neighborhood Drop-In: Special Guest Joey Fatone (*NSYNC)

(00:36:09) High School HypeFriends: How a tough drama teacher shaped Joey Fatone’s career

(00:38:44) Why Florida’s Dr. Phillips High School spawned so many stars

(00:40:17) Theater troupe throwback with Michael

(00:42:55) Positivity with guardrails: tough love in his friendships

(00:45:28) Long-distance friendships that stick

(00:47:21) You’ve gotta work before you “kiki”

(00:49:12) Meet Bruno: Joey Fatone’s Poodle and Podcast Scene-Stealer

(00:57:21) *NSYNC as friendship and family

(00:58:45) Culture shock dinner: Lance Bass meets Joey’s family

(01:16:41) Life after *NSYNC: pivoting

(01:21:11) The Attack of the Clones cameo that didn’t make the cut

(01:24:07) Padawan or Master: Joey Fatone’s ‘Star Wars’ quiz showdown

(01:31:48) One Last Thing: Why communication is Joey Fatone’s superpower

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one barking poodlebye, bye, bye) at a time!

Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate Arian Moayed, (From Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Succession, to the Broadway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning stage alongside Robin Williams in Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo with Robin Williams), Arian Moayed sits down with Michael and Ashley to discuss the friendships and philosophy that power his work. We trace the moments that shaped him—from movie-rental marathons and early theater obsessions to the Bill Murray “you’ve got one chance—do what you want” lesson that changed a scene and stuck for life. Arian opens up about co-founding Waterwell to make art in the service of communities, and the Zoroastrian mantra “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds” that anchors how he shows up for people. Plus: a 90s hip-hop pump-up, the nicest wedding crash of all time, and why you can’t miss season 2 of Netflix’s hit comedy, Nobody Wants This.

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one good deed) at a time!

From paw prints to magic carpets, Josh Dela Cruz, host of BLUES CLUES & YOU!, has been chasing clues and chasing dreams as long as he can remember. Josh shares his HypeFriend journey — from performing opposite Michael James Scott on stage as “Aladdin” in ALADDIN on Broadway to inspiring millions of kids with “Blue.” Along the way, Josh opens up about how stepping into beloved roles didn’t just entertain audiences—it helped him discover his own voice and the courage to live it out loud. Consider this episode as your cue (and your clue) to be unapologetically you!

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one clue!) at a time!

We’re hanging out with the voices of a galaxy far, far away— Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker) and James Arnold Taylor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) drop into HypeFriend for a fast, funny, wide-open conversation about the friendship that outlasts the recording studio! Get a peek behind-the-scenes of a generation’s favorite Saturday morning Star Wars saga, including details about the Mortis arc, how recording in-person forged genuine trust, and the moment James helped Ashley find her “Dark Side Ahsoka” voice. Matt and James bring heart, humor, and some Jedi wisdom to the neighborhood. There’s craft talk, vulnerability, and some live voice-acting flexes. They open up about life beyond the mic, sharing what it means to be not just a good parent, but a true HypeParent, and provide us all a blueprint for work friendships that become found family.

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one voice!) at a time!

Radio legend Delilah Rene and her longtime producer—and best friend—Janey Bullman pull back the curtain on 30 years of late nights, love song dedications, and the friendship that built the airwaves’ iconic #1 show. We rewind to the prank call that started it all, get the scoop behind the iconic “De-lil-lah” jingle, and find out the songs they’d dedicate to each other. Whether you grew up listening to her—or you’re discovering her now—this is a masterclass in friendship, the power of laughter threaded together through a million inside jokes, and how to stay genuinely human through it all.

Join us in our HypeFriend revolution, one HypeFriend (and one slow jam) at a time!

Style icon and creator Color Me Courtney (Courtney Quinn) goes beyond the rainbow to show how color becomes confidence—and how to build a real community by being radically transparent. She traces the path from MBA at 21 to the Coach stockroom, blogging for her grandma, and finally betting on herself; shares her “say it out loud” habit that helped turn a midnight sketch into Disney’s sold‑out Tiana ears; and unpacks what it means to be your own HypeFriend—text the people you think about, create safer spaces, and when you’re not invited? Throw your own party. If you need a courage jolt (and permission to be a lot), this episode is your blueprint.

Join us in our HypeFriend revolution, one HypeFriend (and one color of the rainbow) at a time!

Screenwriting duo Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit (Spaceballs 2, Pokémon Detective Pikachu, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, The Addams Family 2) drop into HypeFriend to show how a friendship‑first partnership delivers laughter to audiences—including their next project, LEGO® Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past on Disney+. We trace their theater kid meet‑cute in a college lighting booth, the yin/yang strengths that keep their work brave, the loyalty that opened doors (hi, Josh Gad!), and how “failure” can become your best break. Inside Rebuild the Galaxy, we talk joyful mash‑ups (yes, Darth Jar Jar), why Ahsoka’s heart still shines—even as a BrickHead—and the thrill of playing with every toy in a galaxy far, far away. If you’re building anything with a friend, this is your blueprint.

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one LEGO brick) at a time!

Ariel herself drops by! Disney Legend Jodi Benson dives in with us to talk about using your voice in IRL, building friendships rooted in mutuality, and knowing when a chapter has lovingly run its course. We also get Jodi’s no-cooking recipe for a perfect friends’ night—plus her ideal Disney park day. Bring your dinglehopper; leave with courage!

Join us in our friendship revolution, one HypeFriend (and one episode) at a time!