Six Degrees with Kevin Bacon

Dancing With The Star's icon Maksim Chmerkovskiy joins Kevin this week to discuss the magic of dance, how Maksim became a dancer in the first place and what it was like hearing first news of the current war in Ukraine. Makshim's father joins them to highlight the efforts of Baranova 27, their mutual foundation that is focused on providing aid to families and citizens still trapped in the ongoing conflict. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with Baranova 27, head to Baranova27.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy holidays from the Bacon family! This week Kevin hosts his wife, Emmy and Golden Globe winning actress, producer, and director Kyra Sedgwick.  The two discuss the question they get asked the most as a couple, diaper service in the middle of nowhere and the power of turning big feelings into bigger impact.  The couple is joined by their friend Stacy Huston, who is the Executive Director of SixDegrees.Org and Executive Producer of this podcast.  They discuss the origin of SixDegrees as a nonprofit, and shine a light on their mission to amplify today's changemakers while providing essential care items to communities in need. Stay tuned until the end as Stacy makes a BIG announcement in celebration of the upcoming 40th anniversary of Kevin’s iconic film, “Footloose." To learn more and get involved with SixDegrees.org or to give for our Giving Tuesday campaign, head to SixDegrees.org or text 'BACON' to 707070.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Penn Badgley joins Kevin today and opens up about the origins of his love for acting, his journey with faith and eventually finding a home within Baha'i. The two discuss his passion for giving back and are joined by Anusce Sanai, Managing Attorney for the Tahirih Justice Center, an organization dedicated to supporting immigrant survivors of gender-based violence.  *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with the Tahirih Justice Center, head to TahirihJusticeCenter.com. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broadway star and powerhouse vocalist Idina Menzel joins Kevin on the podcast this week. The two discuss the downside of green stage makeup, their shared goal of raising good humans, and Idina’s dream of amplifying the power of every young woman and gender-expansive youth through her organization, A BroaderWay Foundation. Executive Director Torya Beard joins the conversation to share the impact the organization is having and their dreams for the future.  *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with A BroaderWay, head to ABroaderWay.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Broad City is BACK! Just kidding - but this weeks episode sees Ilana Glazer and Kevin dive deep into the delicacies of working with your best friend, the unexpected challenges that come with making a cultural hit and fighting for the future of democracy with Glazers organization Generator Collective. They are joined by her co-founder, Glennis Meagher to discuss how they are lowering the barrier to entry for Gen-Z and Millennials to engage in civic discourse.  *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with the Generator Collective, head to www.TheGeneratorCollective.com. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this feel-good episode, comedian and New York Times best-selling author Phoebe Robinson chats with Kevin as they delve into podcasting hierarchies, the less glamorous aspects of touring, and how Phoebe's upbringing shaped her advocacy and activism. They are joined by Jennifer Lotito - President and COO of (RED) who shines a light on the (RED)ucator initiative and the ongoing battle to end AIDS. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with (RED), head to RED.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Kevin sits down in studio with Alyssa Milano. She talks about the beginning of her acting career on "Who's The Boss?", fame at a young age, her life-changing friendship with Ryan White and her activism in HIV awareness in the 1980s. She then shares her connection to Dawwie, a UNICEF supported Girls’ Empowerment Initiative in Egypt, that is educating young women and amplifying their voices. They are joined by Dina Heikel, a Social and Behavioral Change Officer currently working with the Dawwie initiative. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with Dawwie Initiative, head to unicefusa.org/stories/how-unicef-empowering-girls-egypt. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. To support children that are directly affected by the current conflicts and war, please head to unicefusa.org/what-unicef-does/emergency-response/conflict UNICEF is on the ground in 190 countries and territories, supporting children with lifesaving supplies and programs. In all wars, it is children who suffer first and suffer most. UNICEF is calling for an immediate end to the hostilities in Israel and Gaza. UNICEF and its partners are responding to the immediate needs of children and families in Gaza with medical supplies and medicines, as well as mental health and psychosocial support. UNICEF will continue to respond to critical humanitarian needs as the situation evolves. To learn more about UNICEF’s work and to donate please visit unicefusa.org/ActNowemergencies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jewel joins Kevin this week and they chat about 5 hour sets, how one of her biggest hits was the first song she ever wrote, and why Jewel believes that helping the "whole child" is what will put an end to 'Misery Systems'. They are joined by Ryan Wolfington, the founder of Inspiring Children Foundation and President of Jewel Inc. who discusses how Inspiring Children is supporting physical and mental health, wellness, and job skills for young people in Las Vegas. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with Jewel's Inspiring Children Foundation, head to InspiringChildren.org or JewelNeverBroken.com To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alex Daddario and Kevin chat about prep school etiquette, White Lotus' massive success and how young people are facing mental health challenges at an all-time high. Dr. Ariana Hoet from "On Our Sleeves" joins the show to discuss how her organization is leading the charge in children's mental health.  *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with On Our Sleeves, head to OnOurSleeves.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stand-up comedian and Actor Ron Funches and Kevin catch up since their last hang out involving Costume Karaoke 6 years ago. Ron talks about how he doesn't shy away from the humor that comes with having an autistic son and growing up as a performer. Special guest, Sinead Chilton from School on Wheels joins them to address unhoused children living in poverty in Los Angeles and beyond and shares what this organization of mainly volunteers is doing to combat it.  *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with School on Wheels, head to SchoolOnWheels.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Country music star Thomas Rhett and Kevin revel in their mutual love of Nashville in this week's episode. Thomas Rhett shares what it was like growing up with a famous dad, the challenges of being on the road with little ones and gets nostalgic when he talks about the first time he laid eyes on his eldest daughter. The guys are joined by Suzanne Mayernick from Love One International, an organization that provides life-saving medical care for children in Uganda.  To learn more and get involved with Love One International, head to www.LoveOneInternational.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Matthew McConaughey joins Kevin as they discuss the movies they (haven't) been in together, LA as a concept and the importance of family. They are joined by guest Leon Clayborne of the Just Keep Livin' Foundation to explore the ethos of Matthews non-profit and the power of giving kids a solid start. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with Just Keep Living Foundation, head to jklivinfoundation.org/. To support more intitiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On September 16, 2022 Mahsa Amini was killed by "morality" police in Iran for not wearing her hijab correctly, as determined by Iranian code. Since then a social uprising has taken over the country with a single cry: Woman. Life. Freedom. Nazanin Boniadi and Roya Piraei join Kevin to speak about what has been lost, the power of women and the ongoing revolution in Iran. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To join their efforts to recognize gender apartheid as a crime under international law visit endgenderapartheid.today. And to learn more about human rights crises in Iran and the historic ‘Woman Life Freedom‘ protests, head to IranRights.org .To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Ruffalo and Kevin reminisce about the old days of acting, being political (or not) and the power of climate justice in this week's episode. Special guest Gloria Walton, president and CEO of The Solutions Project, joins them to discuss the importance of a holistic approach and the sacrifice of "most impacted" communities. *Note: this interview was recorded before the SAG-AFTRA strike took effect. To learn more and get involved with The Solutions Project, head to www.thesolutionsproject.org. To support more initiatives like this program, text 'BACON' to 707070 or head to SixDegrees.Org to learn more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.