Alyson Stoner - Episode 2 of Signed: Conversations with Digital Mavericks Podcast

In this powerful episode of Signed: Conversations with Digital Mavericks, entertainment lawyer Anita Sharma sits down with Alyson Stoner (@alysonstoner)—former Disney child star turned mental health advocate, New York Times bestselling author, and certified mental health coordinator.

Alyson opens up about their journey as a child performer, the reality behind the "toddler to trainwreck industrial complex," and why they're fighting to change laws protecting children in entertainment and online. From signing contracts before they could write in cursive to building a mental health company, Alyson's story is one of resilience, advocacy, and reimagining what success really means.

We discuss their New York Times bestselling book "Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything," their groundbreaking documentary series "Dear Hollywood," Movement Genius (the mental health company they co-founded with their sister), and the crucial advocacy work around the Kidfluencer Protection Act.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Growing up as a Disney child star and the hidden costs of fame
Why child entertainers are exempt from federal labor protections
The $8 billion kid influencer industry (and where the money really goes)
Signing contracts as "President" before being able to write in cursive
What it's like to be recognized everywhere since age 8
The transition from traditional media to building a digital platform
Behind the scenes of "Dear Hollywood" documentary series
Movement Genius: Connecting mental health and movement
Advocating for the Kid Fluencer Protection Act
Writing "Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything"
What it really means to be "well-adjusted" in a dysfunctional system

ABOUT ALYSON STONER: Alyson Stoner is a New York Times bestselling author, mental health advocate, certified mental health coordinator, and co-founder of Movement Genius. Known for their work as a Disney child star in projects like Camp Rock and appearances in iconic music videos, Alyson has transformed their platform to focus on mental health advocacy and child protection in entertainment. Their book "Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything" and documentary series "Dear Hollywood" provide unflinching looks at the realities of child stardom. Alyson is actively working on legislation to protect children in digital spaces and serves as a mental health coordinator for film and TV productions.

FOLLOW ALYSON: Instagram: @alysonstoner TikTok: @alysonstoner Movement Genius: @movementgenius

BOOK: "Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything" - Available now wherever books are sold

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Welcome Alyson! 02:08 - Becoming a Child Performer 04:48 - The "Toddler to Trainwreck Industrial Complex" 08:27 - The Reality Behind the Screen 11:33 - Adult Workplaces, Child Workers 13:51 - Overdeveloped Yet Unable to Brush Their Own Teeth 16:59 - "I Don't Know Life After Age 8" 18:01 - What Can the Industry Do Better? 21:34 - Child Labor Laws & Entertainment Exemptions 24:00 - The Curated Image vs. Reality 27:15 - Kids Online & Digital Footprints 28:49 - The Kid Fluencer Protection Act 32:19 - Transitioning to Social Media 38:50 - Writing "Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything" 44:18 - What Does It Mean to Be "Well Adjusted"? 47:14 - Movement Genius: Mental Health Meets Movement 54:43 - Lightning Round 01:02:44 - Taking Their First Break Ever

ABOUT Signed: Signed: Conversations with Digital Mavericks is hosted by entertainment lawyer Anita Sharma, who represents some of the most innovative digital-first creators in the world. Each episode features candid conversations about the journey from traditional media to digital platforms, navigating the creator economy, and using influence for positive change.

Disclaimer: I’m a lawyer, but this podcast isn’t legal advice. It’s for general information only. Listening doesn’t make us attorney and client, so if you need legal advice, please talk to a lawyer in your area.

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