American Idol BTS - Part 2 - McKenna Faith Breinholt and her mom Lisa | #19 | MOMager
Part 2 of our American Idol deep dive is here—and this one hits the heart. ❤️🎤We’re joined by 2024 semifinalist McKenna Faith Breinholt and her incredible mom, Lisa, for a memorable behind-the-scenes look at their Idol journey. From the emotional moment McKenna met her birth family on national TV, to the quiet strength it took to recover from vocal surgery right after the show wrapped—this episode is about perseverance, purpose, and the power of family.Whether you're an Idol hopeful or just love the show, McKenna and Lisa drop some must-hear wisdom for future contestants and their families. Plus, get an honest look at what it really feels like to chase your dreams on the biggest stage in America and how difficult it can be keep chasing that dream when the cameras stop rolling and you're back home to figure out "what's next?"🎧 Hit play for tears, laughs, and the real story behind the Idol spotlight.Chapters:01:48 - Introducing: McKenna and Lisa!04:39 - Why audition for Idol?06:33 - Favorite & most surprising parts of being on TV08:58 - Overcoming vocal injury...and surgery!11:20 - Music business BOOT CAMP12:06 - It takes a family...and sometimes 2 ;)17:48 - Life after Idol23:44 - What's next for McKenna?25:23 - Parenting a "creative"28:42 - If you could rewind the Idol clock...29:54 - Rapid-fire Idol questions!34:56 - Funniest BTS moments on Idol39:15 - Advice for Idol hopefulsHave you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastShop MOMager merch: ➡️ https://momager.printify.me/Follow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastJoin our PATREON:➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #MomagerPodcast #AmericanIdol #FeliciaBarton #BehindTheScenes #HollywoodJourney #IdolHopefuls #MomsInTheIndustry #ABCIdol #MusicDreams #McKennaFaithBreinholt #IdolJourney #VocalRecovery #BehindTheScenes #RealityTV #HollywoodFamilies #MusicWithHeart #AdoptionStory #IdolSemifinalist #SingerLife #DreamBig #BTSIdol #FamilySupport #RealityTVBehindTheScenesEpisode Socials:@mckennafaithbreinholt@lisabreinholt@americanidol@momagerpodcast@malachibarton@feliciabarton@lorenbartonofficial@thebartonfamofficialFilming & story editing:@GlendalePodcastStudioArt, color & intro:@camdogfx
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41:28
American Idol BTS with executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick | #18 | MOMager
This week on Momager, we’re taking you behind the scenes of American Idol… 👀🎤Felicia opens up about her unforgettable journey as a contestant on American Idol Season 8—including never-before-shared behind-the-scenes stories, emotional moments, and the rollercoaster of being a young mom chasing a dream. She also gives us a sneak peak into a day-in-the-life with the current American Idol band.Then, we welcome Megan Michaels Wolflick, the Executive Producer of American Idol on ABC. Megan brings her wisdom as a mom and an executive, sharing what it takes to succeed on the show in 2025—from advice for hopefuls and parents, to how they keep Idol fresh year after year! And you don't want to miss Megan's Memory Challenge...or Malachi's hilarious impersonation of Felicia!Whether you’ve watched since the early days or have just discovered your favorite Idol this season, this episode is full of nostalgia, inspiration, and eye-opening moments from both sides of the Idol stage.Chapters:01:03 - Felicia's journey as an Idol "hopeful"06:31 - BTS of Idol now!10:26 - Special guest: Megan Michaels Wolflick11:45 - Getting to know Megan's family15:37 - Never-before-seen MOMentos19:03 - Balancing MOM and Executive Producer24:24 - Family as a support system26:56 - Let's talk SANGERS!!!29:21 - Megan HATES "reality" TV & "contestants"32:07 - Viral auditions/ Megan's start on Idol36:48 - GAME: "Megan's Memory Challenge"49:38 - Advice for auditioning on Idol51:30 - Developing artists & musicians55:34 - Advice for parents on Idol59:17 - Next time on MOMager...Have you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastShop MOMager merch: ➡️ https://momager.printify.me/Follow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastJoin our PATREON:➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #MomagerPodcast #AmericanIdol #FeliciaBarton #BehindTheScenes #HollywoodJourney #IdolHopefuls #MomsInTheIndustry #ABCIdol #FoxIdol #MusicDreams #MeganMichaelsWolflickEpisode Socials:@americanidol@momagerpodcast@malachibarton@feliciabarton@lorenbartonofficial@thebartonfamofficialFilming & editing:@GlendalePodcastStudioArt & color:@camdogfx
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59:53
Sway Bhatia & her mom Dharmangi | #17 | MOMager
This episode, we're joined by the incredibly talented Sway Bhatia and her amazing mom, Dharmangi this week! 🎙️✨You may know Sway as “Vera” in the upcoming Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires—but her career stretches even further, with iconic roles in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers and Succession. (Yes...she learned from the very best, working alongside legends like Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong—where her love for filmmaking truly took root.)In this episode, we dive into Sway’s journey from TV star to NYU hopeful to budding filmmaker, unearth some long-held family secrets, and even get a surprise video from her mysterious and hilarious dad, Ranjeet! 😂Plus, Malachi and Sway face off in a brand-new game called Blurry Mems—can they recognize throwback memories from their Zombies adventures in New Zealand? 👀Get ready for laughter, surprises, and major behind-the-scenes vibes with this powerhouse family!Chapters:01:08 - Intro02:46 - Succession08:44 - Parent of the Year award?!?12:29 - Sway's iconic acting opportunities14:18 - Balancing education and work17:14 - Mental health care on set22:59 - What motivates Sway?25:37 - Dharmangi on being a "hard mom"28:08 - Admission video for NYU31:39 - Fan girl?!?32:49 - Getting to know Dharmangi42:50 - Wonder wall & "little wins"44:36 - GAME: "Blurry Mems" Sway vs Malachi48:45 - Celebrating Holi in New Zealand51:43 - GAME: "Blurry Mems" continued...1:00:17 - Who is Ranjeet???1:13:46 - What to expect from Zombies 4!1:16:42 - Like sisters1:17:30 - Thanks for coming!Have you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastFollow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastJoin our PATREON:➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #Momager #MomagerPodcast #ChildActor #MalachiBarton #Parenting #TVFilm #Sway #SwayBhatia #Zombies4 #Z4 #Succession #TheMightyDucks #FamilySecrets #BehindTheScenes #DisneyChannel #YoungHollywood #TheBartonFamEpisodeSocials:@sway_bhatia@dharmangibhatia@momagerpodcast@malachibarton@feliciabarton@lorenbartonofficial@thebartonfamofficialFilming & shot edit:@GlendalePodcastStudioArt & final edit:@camdogfx
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1:18:12
Luke Benward & his parents Aaron and Kenda - Part 2 | #16 | MOMager
THE BENWARDS ARE BACK...with Part 2 of our heartfelt and hilarious convo with Luke Benward and his parents, Aaron and Kenda! 🎙️In this episode, we wrap up the legendary Family Dinners—the safe space Aaron and Kenda created for Luke and other young actors in LA during their pivotal teen and early adult years.Loren opens up about his personal journey with depression, Aaron and Kenda riff on the joys (and nicknames!) of grandparent life, and the episode takes a WILD TURN with "Dinner Table Confessions"—a game where truth and storytelling collide. Can YOU figure out who’s telling the truth in a room full of actors? 👀Luke takes us behind-the-scenes of his "Life of the Party" experience (with Melissa McCarthy) and openly shares about his recent sobriety journey. Aaron and Kenda reflect on their own growth—learning to direct and produce tv & film projects from a place of true identity...with family by their side. This episode has it all: laughter, vulnerability, and a whole lot of love...and you’ve got a seat at the "Family Dinner" table. Chapters:00:01 - Previously on MOMager...01:03 - Luke's "Family Dinner" experience04:10 - Homeless and still human (Alyson Stoner story)05:43 - Loren battles depression in Nashville08:24 - "Loud thoughts" and "God math"10:52 - The Benward Fam extended...with nicknames!14:18 - GAME: Dinner Table Confessions!!!16:01 - Felicia: "I once stole something from tv/film set"18:10 - Luke: "I once pranked someone onset & it BACK FIRED!"21:50 - Kenda: "I may/may not have lied on a resume"27:07 - Aaron: "I once dipped out early to avoid clean up"29:58 - Malachi: "A celebrity once blew up our bathroom"33:05 - Loren: "I once blew up the bathroom at Family Dinner"35:55 - Luke: "I bombed an audition w/ a Cockney accent"41:39 - Advice from Luke for Y.A. actors44:47 - Advice from AB & Kenda for parents of young adults47:07 - Luke on Sobriety, Directing, & Producing49:02 - Kenda on directing & producing with family51:51 - Working with Melissa McCarthy on "Life of the Party"53:30 - AB on "living from true identity"Inspired by Luke's sobriety journey?➡️ https://www.aa.org/Have you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastFollow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastJoin our PATREON:➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #MomagerPodcast #LukeBenward #BenwardFamily #HollywoodFamilyLife #FamilyDinner #DinnerTableConfessions #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #FaithAndFilm #ChildActorJourneyEpisode Socials:@labenward@aaronbenward@kendabenward@momagerpodcast@malachibarton@feliciabarton@lorenbartonofficial@thebartonfamofficialFilming & rough edit:@GlendalePodcastStudioArt & final edit:@camdogfx
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58:05
Luke Benward & his parents Aaron and Kenda - Part 1 | #15 | MOMager
🎙️ This week we're joined by longtime friends Aaron and Kenda Benward and their mega-talented son, actor Luke Benward, who "Zooms" in from Nashville! Luke has been acting since childhood (fun fact: he was the original Zed in the Zombies & Cheerleaders pilot 👀) and has starred alongside the likes of Dove Cameron, Maia Mitchell, Channing Tatum, Mel Gibson, and more! This episode dives into the journey of growing up in the business with grounded, intentional parents by his side.Felicia and Aaron have written hundreds of songs together—spanning K-pop, country, and everything in between—this conversation hits multiple spheres of entertainment experience and is full of nuggets of wisdom! Luke's parents Aaron and Kenda have been role models to Loren and Felicia since Malachi was young...in how they navigated Hollywood as a family and in how they parent with purpose. Kenda (whose many "momager" roles included being Luke’s acting coach) brings incredible insight into raising a working actor while keeping his head and heart in the right place.✨ We talk about:*Luke's evolution from child actor to adult roles*Mom as an acting coaching!*The "Family Dinner" tradition Aaron and Kenda started in LA to support young actors far from home*A heartfelt surprise video tribute to the Benwards...get ready for the tears!*Words of wisdom from some of the BEST parents in the business!!This episode is full of laughs, tears, inspiration, and a whole lot of heart. ❤️👇 Drop your favorite moment in the comments and don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that bell!Chapters:01:06 - Intro04:40 - The original Zed...a Zombies evolution09:35 - Sticking with your dream11:35 - "How to Eat Fried Worms"15:18 - Tales from the audition24:05 - Getting to know Luke's "momager" Kenda31:43 - Actors make great directors34:45 - Getting to know "A.B."39:05 - "Faith it til ya make it!" -Kenda :)41:24 - Growing up in an artistic family43:05 - Hey Luke...let's pull up your music video!! ;)46:40 - Fantasy Football segue47:58 - Family Dinner55:57 - SURPRISE VIDEO from Family Dinner "alumni"!1:01:39 - The intersection of natural & unnatural1:05:29 - To Be Continued...Have you subscribed to MOMager on YouTube?➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@MomagerpodcastFollow us on Instagram: ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/momagerpodcast/Follow us on TikTok:➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@momagerpodcastJoin our PATREON:➡️ https://www.patreon.com/momagerpodcastVisit our WEBSITE:➡️ https://www.momagerpodcast.com #MomagerPodcast #LukeBenward #BenwardFamily #ChildActorJourney #FamilyDinner #HollywoodParenting #ZombiesPilot #KpopSongwritingEpisodeSocials:@labenward@aaronbenward@kendabenward@momagerpodcast@malachibarton@feliciabarton@lorenbartonofficial@thebartonfamofficialFilming & rough edit:@GlendalePodcastStudioArt & final edit:@camdogfx
Go behind the scenes of Hollywood family life...with the Barton Fam!
Felicia, Loren, and Malachi sit down with your favorite stars (and their "momagers") to GET REAL about the ups and downs of surviving the entertainment businesses, as a family...and now you get to be part of "THE FAM".
New Zealand