Actress Rachel Bilson Opens up About Sex-Positive Upbringing and Launch of “Broad Ideas” Podcast
Rachel Bilson, known for her roles in hit TV shows like The O.C. and Hart of Dixie, has never been one to shy away from uncomfortable conversations. Thanks to her mother Janice, who is a sex therapist, Bilson grew up in a household that was open and candid about all topics, including sex.
In a recent interview with Yahoo! Life’s The Unwind series, Bilson discussed how her upbringing has shaped her comfort level with discussing taboo subjects. “Growing up in a household that was so sex-positive and free and candid…definitely made me more obviously open talking about things,” she shared. “These are the things women go through, and there’s nothing connected to it that feels like, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t be talking about this.”
This openness and comfort with discussing taboo topics has led Bilson to launch the Broad Ideas podcast in 2022 alongside her best friend of 25 years, Olivia Allen. The podcast aims to provide a platform for open and honest discussions about a range of broad topics, including sex, infidelity, and mental health, all free of filters or fake niceties.
“I’m a little more unhinged, but it’s nice to be able to feel free with it,” Bilson explained in an interview with E! News. “Authentic is the better word and I think people are craving it more than ever.”
Bilson is passionate about providing a “safe space” for women to share their experiences, and she envisions the podcast feeling like a weekly hangout with “true friends” that don’t judge one another. “It’s just having these soul sisters that you can go through everything with that have been there through everything and will never judge you,” she said. “It just felt like my best friends and I are always having these conversations, why not make that the norm?”
With the launch of Broad Ideas, Bilson is carving out a space for authentic and unfiltered discussions, aiming to break down societal taboos and provide a platform for women to openly share their experiences.