That Was Us Podcast Takes Listeners on LA Road Trip

Season 3 Episode 7 of the That Was Us podcast revs up some serious wanderlust as hosts Justin Hartley and Mandy Moore—better known as Jack and Rebecca Pearson—trade studio seats for the open highway. Titled “Sometimes,” the latest installment finds the duo hitting the road en route to Los Angeles, digging into Jack’s Vietnam past, and spotlighting listener memories of life on the move.

Road Trip To Los Angeles

“It’s new episode Tuesday and this week…we hit the road!” Moore teases in the official Instagram caption. The pair banter about Southern California freeways, roadside diners and the soundtrack that defines a cross-country drive. Their easy chemistry makes you feel like you’re along for the ride—complete with the rumble of the car engine and the crisp California air.

In the episode’s cover image, Jack and Rebecca share a laugh behind the wheel beneath a sunlit sky, hinting at the perfect blend of nostalgia and discovery awaiting fans. As they navigate crowded LA streets, the pair reflect on how the Pearson family’s journey mirrors our own path-finding moments.

Unraveling Jack’s Vietnam Legacy

Halfway through the episode, Kevin (Justin Hartley) and Zoe (Susan Kelechi Watson) join via phone to retrace Jack’s steps in Vietnam. Their conversation uncovers layers of his wartime experience, turning personal souvenirs into universal tales of courage. Moore listens as Hartley revisits a crucial battlefield memory, offering fresh context for viewers who first met Nicky Pearson on screen.

Fan-fueled Travel Tales

No road trip is complete without passenger stories. The hosts share a curated selection of listener submissions—ranging from an impromptu cross-state engagement to a grandmother’s bus-station reunion. These heartfelt and often hilarious snapshots of real-life journeys remind us why podcasts like That Was Us resonate so deeply: they connect us through shared experience.

Moore’s Off-screen Milestones

While she guides fans through Rebecca’s emotional twists, Mandy Moore keeps busy beyond the microphone. In an April Instagram post, she took the stage at the 2023 Peabody Awards to present the documentary Mountain Queen Movie with filmmaker Lucy Walker. Moore’s caption read: “Thanks for having me @peabodyawards and allowing me to present to the fantastic @lucywalkerfilm and team for their doc @mountainqueenmovie. It’s a must watch.” (Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKaTo6Vujjo/)

From her early days as a pop-star breakout to her ongoing acclaim as a Golden Globe–nominated actress on This Is Us, Moore has built a varied career that spans recording studios, movie sets and now podcast booths. Fans tuning in to “Sometimes” get more than a recap; they’re invited to join two performers who continue to evolve both on and off screen.

The new episode is available now on all major podcast platforms and on YouTube, so buckle up—this week’s journey promises to merge classic storytelling with the thrill of open-road adventure.

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Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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