What happened in this episode?
Jay Shetty interviews actor Tom Holland on criticism, mental health, education and sobriety. Holland says he tries to focus on what family, friends and his local community think, rather than strangers’ opinions, and shares a quote he attributes to Christian Bale about only taking criticism seriously from people who know you. He recounts being in New York filming The Crowded Room when he deleted Instagram because he felt addicted to scrolling and to checking what people were saying about him. Holland alleges that some press coverage reframed his social media break as a “mental breakdown”, which he argues was unfair and reinforced stigma around seeking help.
He also discusses being diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, crediting his parents’ emphasis on effort over grades and his mother’s hands-on support. Holland describes how acting began as a hobby after he was spotted at a dance class and cast in Billy Elliot in the West End, later leading to film work including The Impossible. He recalls receiving comments at school for doing ballet at a rugby-focused school.
A central section focuses on alcohol: Holland says he did not set out to quit but began with Dry January after heavy Christmas drinking, then became concerned by how preoccupied he felt with alcohol. He says extending the break improved his sleep, mental clarity and ability to handle stress, and he describes social rituals and supportive friends as key to sustaining sobriety. The episode ends with short “final five” questions, including a joking anecdote about advice from Mark Wahlberg and Holland’s suggestion that schools should teach emotional and life skills alongside basic first aid.
