I've Never Said This Before With Tommy DiDario

This week Tommy is joined by actor Oliver Stark, best known for his starring role in the smash hit drama series 9-1-1 on ABC.  9-1-1 is one of the most watched shows on primetime television, chronicling the high-pressure experiences of first responders who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. What makes this show even more special is that we get to also see these characters lives unfold once they hang up the firefighter gear for the day. Oliver plays the confident and compassionate firefighter, Evan Buckley (aka Buck) and quickly became a fan favorite on the show since day one. Today, Oliver opens up about Buck’s realization that he is bisexual, why he will always stand by storylines that are about inclusion and love, the moment he decided to make an Instagram post to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, what he hopes we will see with Buck’s journey in the future, what he has most learned about himself through doing this show, the thing that this Buck would tell Buck from Season 1, the relationship between Eddie and Buck that had many people talking about, and how he wishes he focused more on building friendships throughout the last decade of his life. This episode originally aired April 30, 2024. 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 Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk” Tommy explores when and how to give a friend space. We all have different emotional needs, and we all want to feel seen and understood. That’s why it’s so important to honor what our loved ones require in a friendship. Let’s dive into how giving space can actually strengthen and support our closest relationships.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 Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Milo Ventimiglia, whose career has spanned beloved television roles, heartfelt dramas, and unforgettable characters that continue to resonate with audiences. From being stopped on the street for Jack Pearson to reflecting on the lasting cultural impact of Gilmore Girls and its sharp, enduring writing, Milo looks back on the characters that shaped his career and the complicated legacy of playing a “toxic” love interest. He shares what he really thinks about Jess today, the advice he would give his younger self, and why he has never been afraid of rejection. This conversation also explores maintaining boundaries between work and home life and why separating emotion from career has been key to longevity. Milo also opens up about stepping into I Can Only Imagine 2, taking vocal lessons and guitar training for the role, and how personal loss, including losing his home in the fires just before welcoming his first child, deepened his connection to the story’s themes of faith, resilience, and gratitude. He reflects on what having faith means to him, why relying solely on work for happiness can be dangerous, and what his relationship is like with fear. Milo also speaks candidly about letting life experiences shape creativity rather than the other way around. 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 Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy discusses if work-life balance is really attainable. He explores what “balance” really means in today’s fast-paced world. Is it about splitting your time evenly between career and personal life? Or is it more about feeling fulfilled and in control of what matters most to you? Whether you’re climbing the career ladder, raising a family, building a business, or just trying to carve out more time for yourself, let’s rethink the idea of balance because maybe the real question isn’t whether work–life balance is attainable, but how you choose to define 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, Celia Romano Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Eric Winter, best known for his role as Tim Bradford on ABC’s long-running hit The Rookie. Now heading into season eight, Eric reflects on being part of such a successful show and how his role has evolved alongside him. He opens up about Tim’s journey from a tough, controversial training officer in season one to one half of one of the show’s most talked about slow burn relationships. Eric discusses how the writers listened to fans in developing Tim and Lucy’s romance, the pressure of delivering storylines audiences are deeply invested in, and if he and Lucy belong together. He also shares what it was like filming pivotal moments for his character. Also, he shares how portraying law enforcement has deepened his appreciation for the real-life officers who inspire the series. Beyond the show, Eric talks about longevity…what keeps The Rookie feeling fresh after eight seasons, the chemistry of a cast that genuinely gets along, and how social media and TikTok have reshaped fan engagement. He reflects on how he wants Tim to be remembered one day when the series ends. This conversation also explores entrepreneurship and launching his rum brand (Palm Republic Rum) with intention, his perspective on acting as a job rather than his identity, and the importance of taking time for himself outside of work.  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. This episode is presented by Travel Guard.   Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network Producers: Andrew Pugliese, Stephanie Lane, Josh Kolodny, Celia Romano Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @NeverSaidThisBefore Check out Eric's rum: http://www.palmrepublicrum.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tommy Talk, Tommy dives into the unwritten rules for calling, texting and FaceTiming. Is it ever okay to rogue FaceTime someone? Are voice notes longer than one minute annoying or actually appreciated? How long should someone take to respond to a text? Does anyone even leave voicemails anymore, and do they still have value? Tommy shares his millennial perspective, then turns to his two Gen Z producers, Celia and Steph, to find out what really triggers them when it comes to phone communication in 2026. From hot takes to hard truths, let’s see how many of these situations you relate to and whether any of our opinions change the way you think about communicating in the modern world. Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network Follow us on socials! Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @neversaidthisbeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actress Melissa O’Neil who plays Sergeant Lucy Chen in ABC’s THE ROOKIE. Melissa has been a fan-favorite character over the course of eight seasons of this smash hit series. You may also know and love Melissa from playing the lead role in the Syfy Channel series, DARK MATTER. At 16, Melissa was the youngest and first female winner of Canadian Idol and went on to become a platinum selling recording artist. She also has performed on Broadway in both Les Miserables and Jesus Christ Superstar. Today, Melissa opens up about that cliffhanger in the season seven finale, what she thinks might happen for Lucy and Tim in the future, what it’s been like creating a beloved on-screen relationship with co-star Eric Winter, what she has most learned about herself since starting on THE ROOKIE, if there was ever a time in her career when she was uncomfortable with a scene, how she learned to communicate her concerns, the parts of playing Lucy that are both easy and harder for her, some of her favorite moments for Lucy, her reaction to Lucy being promoted to Sergeant, if she ever tries to give the writers ideas about her character, what she would want Lucy’s endgame to be, if she has the itch to do Broadway again, some of her dream roles, what her perfect day off is, how she maintains a positive outlook, something powerful she has never said before, 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 Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @neversaidthisbefore See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tommy Talk, Tommy dives into the world of love just in time for Valentine’s Day. It’s one of the most polarizing holidays out there. Some people adore it, others absolutely can’t stand it. But in a world that can feel dark and heavy, maybe there’s a way to reframe Valentine’s Day into something everyone can actually enjoy. This episode breaks down the hype, the pressure, the cringe, and the cool. So grab some chocolate and let’s lay it all on the table. Executive Producers: iHeart Media and Elvis Duran Podcast Network Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @neversaidthisbeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Tommy is joined by actor Luke Thompson, who steps into the spotlight as Benedict Bridgerton in the newest season of Netflix’s global hit Bridgerton. After years of watching the series become a cultural phenomenon, this marks the first season in which Benedict’s love story takes center stage. Luke opens up about what it means to carry the season as the lead, from the excitement and pressure of stepping into a role previously held by other Bridgerton brothers to discovering new layers of Benedict’s identity. He reflects on how Benedict has evolved since season one, how he sees him as the most free-spirited of the siblings, and what Benedict is truly searching for this season…love, freedom, or purpose. Luke also shares how collaborative the process was in shaping Benedict’s arc and whether stepping fully into the role revealed anything surprising about the character. Luke discusses the legacy of Bridgerton’s leading men, the influence of watching Regé-Jean Page take the role seriously in season one, and what he’s learned from sharing the screen with a dynamic ensemble cast. Thoughtful and intimate, this episode offers a deeper look at Benedict Bridgerton’s journey and the heart of the season, while getting to know who Luke Thompson is beyond his work. 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 Follow us on socials!  Instagram: @neversaidthisbefore YouTube: @neversaidthisbeforeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of “Tommy Talk,” Tommy dives into why turning 40 is the ultimate glow-up. In a world obsessed with youth, I’m flipping the script and dropping some real truth: your 40s are better. This decade brings more confidence, clearer boundaries, deeper relationships, less chaos, and far more alignment. I have great memories from my 20s and 30s, but it’s stepping into my 40s that I truly feel exactly where I’m meant to be...and you should too. Because you EARNED the life you’re living today. Let’s celebrate that and dive into why your 40s are better than any decade before.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.