Overview of Not Skinny But Not Fat with Mandy Moore
In this episode of Not Skinny But Not Fat, Amanda Hirsch opens with a personal update on turning 38, her feelings about birthdays, and the ongoing drama from the Summer House reunion before shifting into a warm, wide-ranging conversation with returning guest Mandy Moore. The interview covers Mandy’s family life, motherhood, birth experiences, her close friendships, and her latest film, Breadwinner.
Amanda’s Opening Thoughts
Amanda kicks off the episode with her usual candid, conversational style, sharing:
- Her birthday is around the corner, and she’s feeling weirdly superstitious about “claiming” 38 before it happens.
- She’s trying to change how she approaches birthdays by taking more control instead of leaving all planning to others.
- Her husband is excellent at gifting, while she struggles to shop for him.
- She reflects on the Summer House reunion and her general instinct to show compassion toward people being publicly attacked.
Summer House reunion takeaways
Amanda spends a good chunk of the intro reacting to the reunion fallout, especially:
- Her belief that reality-TV villains are often over-weaponized by the internet.
- Sympathy for cast members getting pile-on treatment, even when they’ve clearly behaved badly.
- The dynamic between Ciara, West, and Amanda, including the sense that Ciara’s anger was more rooted in hurt than cruelty.
- Her view that the situation is messy, but still not a reason to dehumanize anyone.
Mandy Moore on Motherhood and Family Life
Mandy Moore returns for her second appearance on the podcast and immediately dives into life as a mom of three.
Her three kids and unexpected third pregnancy
- Mandy has three children: two boys and a baby girl.
- She explains that she and her husband had considered a third child, even trying IVF as an option to preserve the possibility.
- The IVF round didn’t work, so she assumed their family was complete.
- She was surprised when she conceived naturally afterward.
Birth experiences
Mandy opens up about the differences between her births:
- Her first two deliveries were unmedicated.
- Her third birth, with her daughter Lou, was medicated after a medical issue involving low platelets made an epidural possible and safer.
- She describes the epidural as a “dream” after two unmedicated births.
She also shares a memorable horror story from one labor:
- A doctor was on his phone during her delivery and complaining about missing a lobster truck outside the hospital.
- The story was both frustrating and darkly funny, and it led her to appreciate the doctor she later found for subsequent births.
Mandy’s Career and New Movie: Breadwinner
Mandy talks about her new film Breadwinner, which stars comedian Nate Bargatze in his first movie role.
Why she wanted the role
- She’s a huge fan of Nate’s stand-up.
- She loved the script because it felt like a throwback to family movies that work for both adults and kids.
- She was drawn to the idea of making something her children could someday enjoy.
Her character in the film
- Mandy plays a type-A entrepreneurial mom whose husband has to hold down the fort at home.
- The movie highlights the invisible labor moms carry and the chaos that can follow when that labor is suddenly shifted.
Cast and tone
She mentions the film includes a strong comedic lineup, including:
- Colin Jost
- Kate Berlant
- Kumail Nanjiani
- Will Forte
Mandy Moore on This Is Us, Legacy, and Working with Icons
Amanda and Mandy also revisit some of Mandy’s past projects and collaborators.
Because I Said So and Diane Keaton
- Mandy reflects on working with Diane Keaton and how maternal, warm, and singular she was.
- She describes Diane as someone whose legacy goes beyond acting—fashion, energy, and the way she made people feel are part of what made her iconic.
This Is Us
- Mandy talks about how the series became a kind of love letter to the creator’s mother.
- She notes that while Jack got a lot of the early “hero” energy, Rebecca ultimately emerged as the glue of the family.
- She also says the show’s legacy is tied to family, grief, and the emotional weight mothers often carry without receiving full credit.
Friendships, Motherhood, and Hillary Duff
A major part of the conversation centers on Mandy’s close friendship with Hillary Duff.
Their friendship dynamic
- Mandy and Hillary were friends before becoming moms together.
- Their husbands are best friends too.
- Their friendship deepened through shared parenting experiences, including pregnancy during COVID and navigating early motherhood together.
The “mom group” rumor
Amanda asks about the public rumor that Mandy and Hillary weren’t friends, which Mandy says is ridiculous.
Her reaction:
- She finds it frustrating that women are so often pitted against each other.
- She says motherhood has actually brought her some of the most meaningful adult friendships of her life.
- She emphasizes how essential community is for moms.
Personal Habits, Style, and Small Life Details
The interview also touches on lighter, more personal topics:
- Mandy’s blonde hair transformation for The Land and whether she’ll keep it.
- Her hair stylist Barb, whom she happily shares with friends.
- Her coffee routine, including half-and-half, protein, and various supplements.
- Her grocery and travel preferences, plus how she manages life with three kids.
- Her close relationship with her mother-in-law, especially after they all lived together for months following the fires.
What’s Next for Mandy Moore
Mandy teases several future projects:
- Breadwinner is out May 29.
- The Land is expected early next year.
- She mentions a couple of projects in development, including:
- An erotic thriller called Teach Me
- Another show tied to IVF/fertility themes
She says she’d love to do more bold, creative work—especially projects that feel chic, layered, and a little unexpected.
Key Takeaways
- Mandy Moore is in a grounded, family-focused phase of life, but still clearly energized by creative work.
- She’s candid about the realities of motherhood, birth, marriage, and the invisible labor women carry.
- Her friendship with Hillary Duff is a strong example of the kind of support system she values.
- Amanda’s opening commentary underscores her continued comfort in talking frankly about pop culture, reality-TV drama, and the emotional extremes of public scrutiny.
- The episode balances gossip, personal reflection, and career conversation in a very classic Not Skinny But Not Fat style.