The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast

Here we are! We've hit the 500th and final episode of The Hamilcast (at least for now). Please excuse the shameless reference, but I am honored and thrilled that in this episode, Lin-Manuel Miranda really and sincerely teaches me how to say goodbye. And honestly, we have a blast! This episode is beyond packed! We talk about how much we love Renee Elise Goldsberry (including Co-Op and Girls5Eva), the Dawson's Creek reunion, we cast movies (and Hamilton!) with The Muppets, you'll learn about Lin's very specific favorite parts of Hamilton including references that were cut almost immediately and the things that really are just coincidences because in a show with layers on layers on layers, some things really are just happy accidents. Lin also talks about The Hamilton Mixtape, that time Steven Sondheim visited his high school and shared a bunch of West Side Story secrets with the class, and there are at least TWO deep dives: one is Lin's writing process with Warriors: The Concept Album and working on bringing it to the stage, and the other is about professional wrestling AND WHEN I TELL YOU I WAS ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. I'm not even kidding; it is fascinating and so much fun. And speaking of fun... I mean it 100% when I say I've had the time of my life making this podcast for you. The Hamilcast has changed my life, full stop. It's been a decade of stories and memories and friendships and "skitch, how did we get here?" moments. Each and every one of you have really made me feel like the richest girl in town, especially as we've been celebrating the end of the show and the journey we've all been on together. I also mean it when I say that there is always a possibility the show will drop more episodes in the future (Mariska, call me!), so you never know what the future may hold. The Hamilcast website is staying up, the episodes will live online forever, and @TheHamilcast will continue to be active on socials. You can find me online @GillianWithaG and I'll still be recapping true crime documentaries with Patrick over at True Crime Obsessed. Mike - you know Mike! - is @MPSmithNYC on everything. These last eight episodes with The Cabinet were recorded at WTF Studios in Manhattan in October and November of 2025. They were produced by Natalie Grillo from Any Moment Productions, in collaboration with Meghan Miles. These two incredible women are invaluable and I am so grateful for them both. Thank you to everyone who took the time to come on this show and generously share your stories with me, sometimes more than once. I am so lucky to call so many of you my friends. And to the listeners, to quote Tommy Kail when he first came on in 2018: I made this show for you. Thank you for being excited about things with me. It has been a true honor to do this for ten years and 500 episodes and I could not have done it without you. My dearest, Patreon Peeps: you are one in a million and are definitively the kindest, warmest, and most welcoming corner of the internet. With my unending gratitude… I am G.Pen. xoxoxo /// Warriors: The Concept Album Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist by Daniel Pollack-Pelzner Daniel Pollack-Pelzner on The Hamilcast /// #88: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part One (2017) #89: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Two (2017) #90: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Three (2017) #91: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Four // The B-Sides (2017) #92: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Five // The B-Sides (2017) #225: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part One (2020) #226: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part Two (2020) /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on TikTok The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Hamilton director Thomas Kail is back for round two and he usually makes me cry at the end of the episode, but this time he's switching it up and doing it at the top of the second episode. But don't worry, I deflect and change the subject pretty quickly! Whew! Tommy is as thoughtful as he is honest, so while he talks about the power of live theatre and offers insight into how and why he works the way he does, he also asks the questions that permeate almost every single project he works on: How much time do I have? And what do I do with my time? Those questions, and the fact that he takes such amazing care of the audience (regardless of the medium) are two of the reasons why I'm so honored he took the time to record with me again, almost seven years after his first visit to the pod. I've said it a million times on this podcast, but I'll say it again because it's true: if you want to truly be seen and heard, have a conversation with Thomas Kail. And yes, we also laugh a lot and have fun! Tommy talks about his kids, It's a Wonderful Life, upcoming projects (live action Moana!), and why he's never leaving New York City. It's all about balance, mostly because "sometimes you're the Tommy, and sometimes you're the Lin." This episode was recorded in November of 2025 at WTF Media Studios in Manhattan and produced with Natalie Grillo from Any Moment Productions in collaboration with Meghan Miles. #124: Thomas Kail // Part One (2018) #125: Thomas Kail // Part Two (2018) /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on TikTok The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Alex Lacamoire is back for round two and I hope you're ready because not only does he put that keyboard to very good use, but Alex was also kind enough to bring isolated stems from the Hamilton cast album. Yep, I know, it's insane. Not only does he play some of his favorite parts (the Stevie Wonder moment in One Last Time and the Eleanor Rigby part of the opening number, for example) but Alex gives us a tour around the orchestra, one instrument at a time: strings from Burn, percussion from Guns and Ships, guitar in Helpless, stride piano in The Room Where It Happens, the list goes on and on and onnnnn. Plus! We talk Billy Joel, Chopin, Steven Sondheim, Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl, the connection between The Beatles and Sisqó, and Alex shares fantastic stories from his experience working on Sweeney Todd. This is such a deep dive and I promise that you'll love every second of it! Seriously, this barely scratches the surface of Lac's generosity. What'd I tell you? The vibes. are. PRISTINE. This episode was recorded in November of 2025 at WTF Media Studios in Manhattan and produced with Natalie Grillo from Any Moment Productions in collaboration with Meghan Miles. #126: Alex Lacamoire // Part One (2018) #127: Alex Lacamoire // Part Two (2018) #128: Alex Lacamoire // Part Three (2018) /// MUSE: Musicians United for Social Equality Alex Lacamoire on Instagram /// #118: Andrés Forero: When you knock me down I get the fuck back up again // Part One #119: Andrés Forero: When you knock me down I get the fuck back up again // Part Two #475: Jonathan Dinklage // Hamilton Broadway's Concertmaster // Part One #476: Jonathan Dinklage // Hamilton Broadway's Concertmaster // Part Two /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on TikTok The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Hamilton choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler is an absolute treasure trove. There's really no other way to say it. This is his fifth episode of The Hamilcast and he's still dropping details and Easter eggs and insight into a show we've all been talking about for over ten years. HOW DOES HE DO IT?! I have no idea, but at the very least, these episodes let you in on his incredible thought process. This week is all about the deep dives, so I hope you're ready for endless mind explosions. There are way too many to mention in the description but here's one just so I'm not totally leaving you hanging: Andy breaks down his process for "The Room Where it Happens," including details that never saw the light of day (hello nasty sand dance!), how Burr is essentially locking himself into a room ("he's screwing himself"), and we unpack some details we talked about last time ("The Room Where it Happens" = Road to Perdition). But seriously, that is just the tip of the iceberg with the deets and I cannot stress that enough. Andy also talks about the super tricky process of translating his very lyric-based choreography to work for the German production, which Easter eggs actually just coincidences, the Hamilton choreography he wants to go back and change, and why it's important to always, always, always be studying and working and creating so you can constantly be pulling from your catalogue. This episode was recorded in October of 2025 at WTF Media Studios in Manhattan and produced with Natalie Grillo from Any Moment Productions in collaboration with Meghan Miles. #217: Andy Blankenbuehler // Part One (2020) #218: Andy Blankenbuehler // Part Two (2020) #219: Andy Blankenbuehler // Part Three (2020) /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on TikTok The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

It feels very fitting that after ten years and speaking to dozens of actors who have played Aaron Burr, the very last one to grace the podcast is Hamilton Broadway's original (inimitable!) Leslie Odom, Jr. We didn't have a long time, but let me tell you... we had a GREAT time. This episode is funny, it's moving, it's layered, it's healing, it's so much of why Leslie Odom, Jr. is such a fascinating person to talk to. He tells me about how his beautiful cover of Tonight, Tonight" by the Smashing Pumpkins came to be, his experience with Purlie Victorious, how much he loved pushing the nerd bar to a ten with Owen Tillerman in Central Park, and how playing the legendary Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami... meant the world to him. Aaron Burr is surrounded by ghosts and Leslie Odom, Jr. is no different because when it comes to his monumental return to Hamilton ten years after his Tony Award winning run originating Aaron Burr, the ghosts are everywhere: from his fellow original cast members to his younger self (omg wait until you get to that part, you're going to lose your mind). Coming back to Hamilton after a decade was his idea and Leslie is bringing ten years of therapy, regret, loss, grief, joy and everything in between to the stage of the Rodgers. Luckily for all of us, Hamilton is a show that can handle whatever he's bringing to the room that day. And even though he's playing Burr with more frustration this time around, he promises - promises! - that every single night he's trying his very best not to kill Alexander at the end of this thing. From his favorite Burr line to the importance of listening to your soul and why he promises to never, ever waste our time, Leslie Odom, Jr., lays it all out on the table. Leslie Odom, Jr. - An Offering: Live at Speakeasy Studios Leslie Odom, Jr - "Tonight, Tonight" (Smashing Pumpkins cover) Leslie Odom, Jr. on Spotify "Havin' a Plan" from Central Park One Night In Miami… (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Purlie Victorious See Leslie Live! Leslie Odom, Jr. on Instagram Leslie Odom, Jr. on Facebook /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on TikTok The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Time for another throwback! The truly effervescent Mandy Gonzalez came on the podcast in 2017 and gave new meaning to "I'm about to change your life." It was so important that she came on the show because, duh, she is THEEEEEEEE Mandy Gonzalez. Mandy was kind, gracious, and generous, and her recording was a big turning point in the life of The Hamilcast. It was a really, really big deal that she came over. And! This is the episode that made Lin-Manuel Miranda want to come on the podcast, so yeah, life changing status ACTIVATED. This is the full, untouched episode from 2017 and below is the original description. /// Calling all #FearlessSquad members (aka #SquadKicks): We have the one and only Mandy Gonzalez on the podcast this week! Mandy talks all things #FearlessSquad, what it's like playing Angelica in Hamilton on Broadway, her experience as Nina in In The Heights, the importance of having a fight within you, and why the world is a better place with Lin-Manuel Miranda in it. You will feel so motivated by the end of this episode! MandyGonzalez.com Mandy Gonzalez on Instagram Lin-Manuel Miranda and Mandy Gonzalez perform "Empire State of Mind" at Lincoln Center for "The Hamilton Mixtape"/American Songbook /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

On August 21st, 2025, I hosted a #HamilTEN event where I was asked to moderate a conversation with five actors who have played Aaron Burr over the years: Nik Walker, Donald Webber Jr., Jared Dixon, Marc delaCruz, and Deon'te Goodman. It was extra fun because they are all my friends and have all appeared on the podcast! This is the full audio of our chat, including the first announcement about the ending of The Hamilcast. It won't be any surprise for you to learn that this conversation was *excellent.* All of these guys have so much insight and incredible things to say; we absolutely could have kept talking for a lot longer but with subways to catch and half hour calls to make, we were on a very strict deadline. We had deep dives on deep dives into Burr the person, Burr the character, and everything that comes with the massive responsibility of playing this role. We talked about if Burr is truly a villain or really just misunderstood (and kinda valid in his thought process?!), and learned about clues into the real Aaron Burr's psyche the night before the fateful duel against Alexander Hamilton (hint: handwriting!). Plus, fun details about performing the role onstage, how other characters can inform the way this one is played, and you can't have a conversation about A.Burr without going in on the dreaded table jump. Thank you again to everyone who came to the event, to Hamilton for asking me to do this, and to the wonderful guys sharing the mics with me. Nik Walker's episodes: 60, 61, 130, 131, 209, 210, 211 Donald Webber, Jr.'s episodes: 114, 115 Jared Dixon's episodes: 236, 237, 238, 276, 277 Marc delaCruz's episodes: 163, 164, 165 Deon'te Goodman's episodes: 205, 206 /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Jennifer Simard is back for round two and I do not at all regret to inform you that this is now a First Wives Club fan podcast. As she takes questions from the Patreon Peeps, Jennifer talks a lot about her process as Helen Sharp in Death Becomes Her, from respecting the source material without doing a Goldie Hawn impression to staying true to the story that is in front of her (the script on a Broadway stage as opposed to the movie from 1992). Jennifer also dives into the what she calls "the real nougaty center of comedy" which is, say it with me! Pain! Darkness! Tragedy! I mean, come on, that's where the good stuff is! Why? Because all of those things come back to the truth. Oh hey did you know betrayal therapy is a thing? It sure is, and if Jennifer wasn't a multi-faceted and unbelievably talented performer, she'd probably be studying that area of psychology. Don't worry, we still have fun this week! Jennifer unabashedly loves television and talks about the people and shows she loves: Carol Burnett, Laverne and Shirley, Columbo (Peter Falk), Madeline Kahn, and an interesting tidbit about Carol Channing when she stopped by Forbidden Broadway in the nineties. Jennifer Simard on TikTok Jennifer Simard on Instagram Jennifer Simard sings "You'll Be Back" as Hamilton's King George III /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

As I wrap up with author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner, we have a first for the pod! A Patreon Peep is taking questions from his fellow Peeps! The deep dive continues as Daniel shares more stories that didn't make the book (Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist) and even tells us more details about things that *did* make the book. Plus, Daniel nerds out about Shakespeare, talks about his incredibly inspiring students and why "the future of the form is in good hands" (seriously, you will want to see these musicals YESTERDAY), and if you thought we were done talking about the nineties you have notttt been paying attention! Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist Daniel Pollack-Pelzner What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague (ARTICLE) Art + Medicine: What Shakespeare Actually Did During the Plague (VIDEO) Scrivener App (Not an ad! I don't do ads! It was mentioned!) Agustina San Martín Warriors /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Daniel Pollack-Pelzner is an award winning author, educator, and bonafide fan of culture, Shakespeare, musicals, and artists. His new book, Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, is part biography, part deep dive, and part oral history. It's also a very beautiful (and honest!) tribute to Lin-Manuel and all the people and steps involved in the journey to who he is today. But if you think this is a boring stop on a press tour, think again! Daniel has been a Patreon Peep of The Hamilcast since 2018 and after years of writing about Hamilton's cultural impact and then talking to over 150 people about Lin-Manuel Miranda for this book, he has three amazing episodes packed with story after story after story. This week, Daniel talks about the origin story of the book, pitching the idea to Lin-Manuel, Lin's high school screenplay about the Hamilton-Burr duel, and why LMM's one request was that the first person to be interviewed be his mother, Luz Towns-Miranda. She is a renowned psychologist (with a focus on children and family), and her acceptance of young Lin's empathy and sensitivity became an undeniable cornerstone of his creative expression. On behalf of all of us, I say: thank you, Luz! Over the years, Daniel has had a lot of connections to Hamilton the show, Hamilton the person, and Lin-Manuel Miranda himself. From Joanne Freeman: Badass Historian™ to knowing old high school girlfriends, it's clear this whole thing is enthusiastically approved by The Universe. Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist Daniel Pollack-Pelzner 21 Chump Street /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Tyler McKenzie is back for round two! Tyler just wrapped up an eight year journey with Hamilton, starting as a swing on Broadway for six months and then spending the rest of his time as a Universal Swing and the Dance Captain of the Philip Tour. Make no mistake, Tyler was traveling all over the place, but as an original member of that now-famous (infamous?) Philip Company, "Philip will always be home." This week, Tyler talks about embracing his role as a teacher and a leader, which is absolutely pivotal when you're the dance captain. His teaching philosophy is simple: he understands that every performer learns differently. It's simple, but it feels rare! Tyler rightfully sees his ability create a safe space as his superpower, and he explains how he loves allowing dancers to learn, question, grow, and be as authentic as possible. It was wild to hear about how he was able to find all *kinds* of stability when his phone could ring at any moment telling him he needs to get on a plane tomorrow morning to dive headfirst into another COVID outbreak. No but seriously that happened ALL THE TIME. From marrying his husband Dallin to buying a home, Tyler explains how important it is to always remember that it's all still a business and you need to keep your eye on that, always. With Tyler, the possibilities are endless, but there's at least one thing on his mind right now: "Who wants to Blacken up yoga?! Let's do it!" Tyler on Instagram http://www.tylermckenzie.net/ #106: I'm not falling behind or running late #130: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Two #131: I came as soon as I heard // #LasVegust Part Three /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

The news is out! After nearly ten years and what will be 500 episodes, The Hamilcast will be coming to an end on January 26th, 2026, the podcast's official ten-year anniversary. While the community isn't going anywhere and the archive will always remain available, the weekly episodes you've come to expect will soon be wrapping up. Until then, this is going to be a PARTY. Let's celebrate this journey with memories, special events, plus a few repeat episodes to bring things full circle and look back on some extraordinary moments on the pod. While there is plenty of time to get emotional, I do want to make sure that I say I've loved making this show for you for all these years. Thank you for always being excited about things with me. It's been such a fantastic ride and I'm so happy to be celebrating with you. As we kick off the final stretch of The Hamilcast, let's revisit when we fanned that spark into a flame, otherwise known as the time Lin-Manuel Miranda came over and ate popcorn with me and Mike for four hours while drinking a custom cocktail inspired by the bodegas of Washington Heights. We're going back to October 2017, when Lin-Manuel Miranda himself first joined me on the podcast. It all started with a Twitter DM, which led to Lin visiting my tiny New York City apartment (slanted floors, whistling toilet, the works) to record one of the biggest conversations of my life. It was a monumental moment for me, for the podcast, and for the listeners. What followed became known as #Lintoberfest: five episodes filled with the excitement, stories, and rare audio from that unforgettable day. Below you'll find today's relevant links including the rest of Lin's episodes, as well as the original description from when Episode 88 originally dropped in 2017. Playbill Exclusive: After a Decade, The Hamilcast: A Hamilton Podcast Will Drop Final Episode in 2026 Aaron Burr Panel at the South Street Seaport /// Lin-Manuel Miranda on The Hamilcast (so far) /// #88: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part One #89: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Two #90: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Three #91: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Four // The B-Sides #92: Lin-Manuel Miranda // Part Five // The B-Sides #225: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part One #226: Lin-Manuel Miranda Returns! // Part Two /// Original description and links from October 1st, 2017 /// Lin-Manuel Miranda came over to my apartment and we had so much fun that I have FIVE episodes for you! Welcome to #Lintoberfest, with my husband Michael Paul Smith joining me for these episodes. In Part One, I try to get over the fact that Lin is recording in my living room – spoiler! I don't! – But regardless, we tell the story of how Lin ended up on the podcast, details of the early days of Hamilton, why Lin is a Hamilton/Burr hybrid, and quote The West Wing a LOT. We also eat popcorn and drink the Spark Into a Flame cocktail, made especially for Lin and inspired by his Inwood, NYC roots. Stay tuned for four more episodes: two more with Lin and then the Lin B-Sides which will be outtakes, non-sequiturs, and commentary by me and Mike (you know Mike). And no, I'm still not over the fact that this happened! No chill whatsoever! To help Puerto Rico:https://hispanicfederation.org/donate Donate to disaster relief:List of charities to donate to victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and MariaBaker RipleyOne America AppealThe Humane Society Previous episodes referenced:Shockwave Part OneShockwave Part TwoMandy GonzalezIan Weinberger Part OneIan Weinberger Part Two Episode Transcript /// LinManuel.com /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps

Desmond Sean Ellington spent five years on tour with Hamilton as a Standby and recently made his Broadway debut in Hell's Kitchen, after starting with the show down at The Public. Desmond's story is so interesting because it's a case study in what can happen when you make the hard decision to leave something behind that you know deep down isn't meant for you - even if it's terrifying! In Desmond's case, he left college without a plan and even though he had no interest in theatre at the time, he always knew he "was going to be a star." Once he walked away from what didn't serve him, the whole world opened up. And to be fair, Desmond has an uncanny ability to speak what he wants into existence, like when he gave himself two years to be cast in Hamilton and found himself on tour with the show two months later. From performing in Atlanta (shout out to The Alliance Theatre) to seeing the world as a background vocalist for renowned gospel/R&B recording artists, to being bit with the Broadway bug when he saw his first Broadway show at 33 years old, Desmond brings his life experiences to every creative thing he does. Desmond Sean Ellington on Instagram /// Gillian's Website The Hamilcast on Twitter The Hamilcast on Instagram Join the Patreon Peeps