Over a homemade mini apple pie (with cheddar on the side for a proper taste of America!), Madison is joined by Swedish writer, director, and editor Ia Wik for a conversation full of exciting news, honest reflections, and plenty of shoutouts! Ia shares the news of her short film’s world premiere at the Nordic International Film Festival in New York on October 23rd, alongside her exciting new representation for directing with FLX Stockholm.

Between bites, the ladies get into the highs and lows of the creative journey, navigating rock bottom one day at a time, and the importance of continuing to follow the art that lights you up. It’s a sweet reminder that even when the path feels uncertain, there’s always a reason to keep creating, keep believing, and keep going.

Socials: @Iawik

A new chapter of My Slice of Life is here—and Madison is celebrating her 31st birthday by officially launching the My Slice of Life Substack!

In this special solo episode, Madison shares why she’s so excited to bring My Slice of Life beyond the podcast and into a new space for even more recipes, reflections, recommendations, rabbit holes, and all the little things that make life feel sweet.

She also reflects on turning 31 and the importance of truly getting to know yourself—your tastes, your passions, your values, and the little things that make you you. Because getting older isn’t necessarily about having everything figured out; sometimes, it’s simply about becoming more comfortable with who you are and more curious about who you’re becoming.

Consider this episode the official invitation into the next slice of My Slice of Life—and the very first taste of what’s to come on the Substack.

My Slice of Life Substack

On this week’s slice, Madison is joined by her dear friend Rodrigo Varandas, a Brazilian actor, dancer, singer, screenwriter, choreographer, and newly minted pop star performing under the name KAEL. Over slices of a warm chocolate-vanilla marbled bundt cake, the two settle into a conversation about all the simple, mundane joys that make life sweet—and the beautiful roller coaster ride of being a working performer.

From pursuing big dreams and navigating the highs and lows of a creative career to finding comfort in the people (and puppies) we come home to, Rodrigo and Madison explore the things that keep us grounded when life gets a little wild. Because at the end of the day, no matter how many stages, sets, auditions, or dreams are calling our names, life is really about who we hold at night. And in Rodrigo’s case, that includes one very lovely boyfriend and one very adorable puppy.

This week on My Slice of Life, Madison sits down with her dear friend Noa Kretchmer for a cozy catch-up filled with nostalgic stories, life advice, and the many wonderfully strange rabbit holes that come up when two old friends get talking. They reminisce about the past, discuss telepathy as a concept (hint: it's very real), and dive into Noa’s enduring obsession with all things psychology and David Lynch—all over a warm, homemade gooey cinnamon roll.

After a short vacation break, Madison’s back behind the mic and catching up on an unforgettable trip through Japan. In this solo episode, she's sharing a complete travel recap from Tokyo, Mount Fuji, and Kyoto—covering the best food, must-see sights, hidden gems, memorable experiences, and the little moments that made the journey so special.

From favorite restaurants and matcha stops to iconic landmarks, peaceful temples, scenic day trips, and honest travel tips, she's taking listeners along for every bite, sight, fright, gripe, and delight. Whether you're planning a Japan itinerary of your own or simply looking for a cozy travel escape, this episode is filled with thoughtful reflections, practical recommendations, and plenty of stories from the road.

In this solo slice of life, Madison reflects on consistency, self-discipline, and the importance of creating goals that feel attainable during a season built around growth and renewal. Inspired by the Substack article How to Be Someone Who Actually Does Things by Evermuse, she explores how showing up for yourself doesn’t always have to look big or dramatic — sometimes it’s found in the quiet, repeated choices that slowly shape who we become. A gentle spring conversation on momentum, grace, self trust, and building a life one small habit at a time.

This week, Madison sits down with her dear family friend Natasha Mynhier—director, AFI fellow, and film extraordinaire—for a cozy, conversation-meets-“how-to” episode centered around tea and matcha. As they share their love for the ritual, they reflect on the beauty of slowing down and creating small, meaningful moments in your day. Part guide, part heart-to-heart, this episode is a reminder that a little whimsy can be found in even the simplest routines.

Shout outs from this episode include-

Tea Sommelier: @ohhowcivilized

Brands: @kettltea @fellowproducts @Yalacoffee @Traderjoes @Malkorganics

This one is especially close to home 💛 Madison is joined by her brother, Max, for a cozy, heartfelt conversation about stepping into the new and beautiful world of fatherhood. Over shared brownies and gentle reflection, Max opens up about what this chapter has really felt like—and how all the unexpected twists and turns in his life seem to have led him right here. Together, they talk about the little moments that feel bigger now, the shift in perspective that comes with becoming a parent, and the quiet realization that maybe everything really does unfold the way it’s meant to. It’s warm, honest, and full of love—a simple conversation about family, growth, and finding your way exactly where you’re supposed to be.