Kyle MacLachlan’s Journey into Podcasting: Bridging Generational Gaps Through Conversation
In a refreshing new venture, veteran actor Kyle MacLachlan has stepped into the world of podcasting with “What Are We Even Doing?” – a platform where he engages with millennial and Gen Z stars to explore the entertainment industry through their unique perspectives. Speaking candidly at the premiere of FX’s “The Lowdown,” the 66-year-old actor shared his excitement about this new chapter in his career. With genuine curiosity driving him, MacLachlan has created a space for intergenerational dialogue that reveals surprising insights about how younger performers navigate their creative journeys in today’s rapidly evolving entertainment landscape. His approach combines lighthearted conversation with meaningful exploration of creative processes, offering both entertainment and valuable perspective to listeners who might wonder about the differences and similarities between Hollywood generations.
MacLachlan expressed particular interest in having Timothée Chalamet as a guest on his podcast, describing the 29-year-old Dune actor as “very interesting” though “quite reserved.” Having previously met during a W Magazine photo shoot, MacLachlan feels drawn to Chalamet’s “very specific journey” and the variety of roles he’s tackled throughout his career. With a touch of humor, he added they could “talk about riding sandworms together” – a nod to their shared connection to the Dune franchise, with MacLachlan starring in David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation and Chalamet leading Denis Villeneuve’s recent reimagining. This potential conversation represents exactly what MacLachlan hopes to achieve with his podcast: bridging generational gaps through shared professional experiences while exploring the unique paths each performer has taken.
The podcast’s debut featured model and actress Kaia Gerber, daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, who surprised listeners by revealing she never thought her famous mother was “cool” growing up. MacLachlan related this to his own experience with his 17-year-old son Callum, noting how children often take time to appreciate their parents’ accomplishments. “There is that period of time where they have to come to that,” he reflected, showing how the podcast often reveals universal parenting experiences alongside industry insights. MacLachlan praised Gerber as “a wonderful guest” who was “very up for anything” and “incredibly well-read,” particularly finding her non-traditional education journey fascinating. These moments of discovery highlight the podcast’s value in challenging assumptions about younger performers while creating space for genuine connection.
When explaining his decision to focus exclusively on younger actors for his podcast, MacLachlan revealed a refreshingly humble perspective: “This is the generation that I know the least about. So for me, it was a journey of discovery.” Rather than positioning himself as the authority, he approaches each conversation with curiosity about their creative processes, priorities, and challenges. In return, he offers his perspective “from the ripe old age of 66,” creating a two-way exchange that benefits both participants and listeners. This approach stands apart from many celebrity-hosted podcasts by prioritizing genuine learning over self-promotion, allowing MacLachlan to evolve his understanding of the industry he’s been part of for decades.
The podcast represents a significant shift in MacLachlan’s career trajectory, embracing digital media after decades of success in film and television. Best known for iconic roles in “Twin Peaks,” “Blue Velvet,” and “Dune,” MacLachlan has consistently reinvented himself throughout his career, and this latest venture demonstrates his willingness to step outside traditional acting roles. “I’m enjoying it. The sky is the limit in a weird way, and why not go out and explore this?” he shared, embodying the creative adaptability that has sustained his long-standing career. However, he’s quick to acknowledge he couldn’t have launched the podcast alone, emphasizing how “incredibly important” his team is to the project’s success – showing both humility and business acumen in recognizing collaborative requirements for digital content creation.
Through “What Are We Even Doing?” MacLachlan is creating a valuable cultural bridge between entertainment generations while demonstrating how established performers can remain relevant and engaged with evolving media landscapes. The conversations go beyond surface-level celebrity chat to explore genuine questions about creativity, social media navigation, and finding artistic inspiration in today’s world. As streaming platforms and social media continue transforming how entertainment is created and consumed, MacLachlan’s podcast offers a thoughtful space for examining these changes through meaningful intergenerational dialogue. For listeners, the show provides not only entertainment value but also a blueprint for how different generations can learn from each other through open, curious conversation – proving that despite age gaps and technological changes, creative passion and human connection remain timeless elements of the entertainment industry.
