Episode 34
Cool Cool Cool
Join host Erika Audrey on an inspiring journey through the creative process with special guest comedian Mark Kendall on this episode of Clover Club.
In this candid and engaging discussion, Erika and Mark delve into the essence of creativity, exploring how authenticity and humor play pivotal roles in the creative journey. From the sparks of inspiration to the grind of refining ideas, they share personal insights and anecdotes that illuminate the path of creation.
Discover the power of showing up authentically and embracing humor as a catalyst for innovation and connection. Whether you're an artist, writer, or simply curious about the creative process, this episode offers invaluable perspectives to inspire and uplift.
Tune in as Erika and Mark unpack their own approaches to creativity, offering practical tips and encouragement for anyone seeking to tap into their creative potential. Prepare to be inspired, entertained, and motivated to infuse more creativity into your life.
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Check out Cool Cool Cool productions here
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Transcript
Welcome to clever club, a podcast
about curious conversations and stories
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:intended to make you laugh and learn.
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:I'm your host, Erica.
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:And today I'm elated to be joined
by my friend, mark Kendall mark.
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:Hi.
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:Hello.
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:How are you?
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:I'm really good.
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:Thanks for having me.
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:I'm thank you for coming.
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:You.
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:You know, you were one of the first people
that I've reached out to where I was like,
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:he's not going to say yes to this, but
I need to just, I just am going to ask.
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:I would also say I would
absolutely say yes, no.
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:Very cool.
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:Yes.
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:You didn't just say yes.
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:You said he asked him like
the most flattering way.
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:You're like, oh, I like listen to it.
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:Like, yeah.
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:I was blown away.
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:I enjoy the podcast.
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:It's really nice.
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:I, , you know, I love
the variety of guests.
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:You have.
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:I love the vulnerability of the stories
like from yourself and the other people.
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:You know, people like
share their experiences.
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:You know about like
successes and failures.
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:Yeah.
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:You know, I just really,
I really appreciate it.
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:Well, I appreciate you.
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:Appreciate it.
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:So this is, this is a huge honor
for me to have you in the studio.
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:, Typically mark.
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:When I have people on the show that
I have mutual friends with and mark
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:and I I'll give a tiny backstory.
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:You were my improv teacher, like.
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:Eight years ago for a hot minute.
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:, and so we just kind of, we overlap
in the comedy circle a little, but we
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:do have a handful of mutual friends.
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:And so I've reached out to
people and I'm like, Hey, I'm
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:recording with market Kendall.
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:You have any crazy stories, any fun facts?
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:Anything that can add to this interview.
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:And the consistent
response from everybody.
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:It was a, oh my God.
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:We love mark.
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:But also like you seem to be the most
unproblematic human being in the world.
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:Like everyone's like, we don't
know actually anything about.
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:Like he is just always nice.
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:Always present.
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:And like, I got no dirt.
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:I got no dirt on you.
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:So, I guess.
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:Are you surprised to hear that?
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:Uh, I don't know.
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:There's definitely, there's
definitely dirt out there.
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:I'm.
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah.
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:Okay.
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:Well maybe.
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:I need to do more.
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:Where reconnaissance work.
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:, but I guess like, do you go out of
your way to garner a good reputation
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:or is, I mean that, like, I feel
like everything people said about
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:you behind your back with lovely.
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:This is what everybody would
want people to say about that.
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:If they weren't in the room, you know?
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:Oh yeah, no, I mean, I try to have
like positive interactions with folks.
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:Uh, so I try to do that.
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:Yeah.
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:Uh, but beyond that, you know, not really.
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:Just naturally fabulous.
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:I just try, I just try to have
positive exchanges with folks.
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:I remember when I was younger.
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:, someone said something along the lines
of like, you know, you can, you know,
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:make someone's day better or worse.
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:And it's not like I necessarily go into
an interaction thinking like I'm going
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:to make the day better or worse, but
it's just like, I don't want to make
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:someone's day worse if I can help it.
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:Yeah.
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:Maybe that's in the back
of my mind a little bit.
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:Yeah.
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:That, that took root.
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:I think that's a great way.
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:Like I'm just going to not make the
world worse as I go out into it.
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:I still do something.
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:But like, yeah, I'm
going to try to try to.
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:That's totally fair.
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:, do you ever have bad days?
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:Absolutely.
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah, definitely a bad days.
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:I think.
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:, uh, you know, I, I enjoy
doing morning pages.
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:Have you ever done the artist's way?
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:I haven't done the artist's
way, but I'm familiar.
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:And I've been here with morning pages.
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:Yeah.
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:So it's like quick
description of artist's way.
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:It's this workbook, basically.
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:It's like a 12 week workbook where
you do creative exercises and read
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:about creativity just in general.
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:I did it maybe over 10
years at this point.
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:Oh, I thought it was really beneficial.
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:Yeah.
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:One of the aspects of the artist's
way is you journal every morning
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:for about like three pages.
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:Okay.
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:And so I don't necessarily
do it every day, but I have
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:moments when I do do it a lot.
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:And I found that it's just really helpful
just in terms of getting thoughts out and
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:processing feelings and things like that.
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:So that's definitely
one of the things that.
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:I like, like to go to, if
I'm having like a bad day.
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:And also like, , You know, creative
when I'm being creative, when
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:I'm being creative with other
people that that helps a lot.
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:It helps a lot.
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:Yeah.
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:That makes a lot of sense.
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:And.
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:You're coming about being
creative with other people.
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:That's such a skill.
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:And I learned throughout my, I had
probably like two years where I
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:was like deeply dabbling in improv.
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:And I learned I'm not good at
being creative with other people.
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:And I was like, I think I should be
doing standup instead because I'm just
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:like, not good at improv because I,
uh, I just, I think I'm naturally,
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:literally not good at it cause I'm like
too controlling and I just try to fill
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:in gaps, which is the opposite that
you're supposed to like, I don't know.
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:, so are you naturally really good
at being collaborative or did you
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:learn to be better through improv?
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:You know, not, not necessarily.
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:Yeah.
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:I think that, you know, I'm more
naturally tend towards something
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:like stand up things like that.
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:And also too.
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:I mean, like, you know,
I saw your improv class.
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:You're not bad at improv.
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:Very funny and, you know, I think.
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:The other thing too, like when it
comes to doing something that you're
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:doing as a group, no one's ever going
to contribute in the exact same way.
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:And so the way I kind of see
it is like, all right, there
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:might be some things that.
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:Uh, you know, in the moment you look back.
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:Or you look back and you're like,
oh, that didn't help the improv show.
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:But also, it's just like, that's the
offer that you made, whatever that is.
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah.
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:So like in a perfect situation,
like, like in an idealized version
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:of improv, it's like, whatever you
happen to bring is what you bring.
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:And that's great.
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:You.
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:You know, so.
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:All that to say is like,
I think I personally.
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:Veer more towards, you know,
solo performance, solo,
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:creative projects as well.
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:But I like how I have to maybe
more for change in order to
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:collaborate with other people.
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:Yeah.
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:Even if it's just being like an audience
member, you know, that makes sense.
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:That makes a lot of sense.
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:So, did you get your start?
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:Well, let me even back up from there,
like how did you get into comedy?
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah.
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:Um, in college.
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:Yeah.
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:So, , in college I was a film
major and, you know, I was really
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:into like, You know, writing
and directing and making films.
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:Like I read spike spike.
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:Lee had like these books.
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:Uh, I don't remember these books.
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:He did.
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:So like, But like his first five films.
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:Uh, he had like a companion
book that would come out.
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:Sounds familiar.
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:Yeah.
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:And so it had like a journal that
he kept, it had the script and
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:he was basically trying to like
demystify the filmmaking process.
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:It was sort of like, it was like
director's commentary before
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:DVDs and blue Ray were an option.
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:That's awesome.
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:That was like, man, filmmaking
is a processing, so cool.
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:And I was getting really into that.
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:So.
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:In college, I'm a film major.
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:And, , I wanted to get
experienced with equipment.
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:, and there was a sketch group on
campus and YouTube was maybe just out.
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:Like just like I'm dating myself.
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:Maybe it was like brand new.
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:So this sketch group, it was a video
sketch group, but they wouldn't
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:even put their stuff on YouTube.
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:It's like they would shoot stuff.
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:And then at the end of the semester,
they'd have a show where they play
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:video sketches for their friends.
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:And that was kind of it.
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:, so I was like, oh, great.
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:I'll be a crew member for this.
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:So I like on the weekends, I like hold
booms or put up lights and it was great.
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:Okay.
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:Uh, but another part of being
in the group is that every week
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:they'd have writers meetings.
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:So there's a writing team and an acting
team, and they would read these sketches
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:and the crew would listen to the sketches.
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:And then you give feedback event.
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:It was like a really cool process.
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:This is, this is fun., and then at around
that same time at the end of my freshman
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:year, Comedy central had this program.
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:It was start by Chris rock was called
the comedy central summer school.
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:And it was an opportunity for
writers of color to spend the summer
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:at comedy central in New York.
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:And they would just kind of like
rotate you through departments.
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:To expose you to different types
of jobs you could have as a writer.
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:And I think it was partly inspired
by the fact that like when
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:Chris rock was on us and now.
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:I don't think there
were any black writers.
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:So like experience of him
getting material on was like much
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:different deal than other people.
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:As I'm sure it was for like a bunch
of other groups that weren't like
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:properly represented on the show.
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:Yeah.
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:So that was him and comedy central, trying
to like create ways to address that.
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:Yeah.
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:Uh, so, so that was freshman
year and I was like, oh, this
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:is cool because it's like, this
is an internship that would pay.
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:And, uh, they'd cover my
housing, all that kind of stuff.
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:Uh, so I applied and I did not
have like prior comedic experience.
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:I'm not like a class clown type
or anything like that, but I, I
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:wrote sketches for the first time.
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:And.
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:And sent in an application and
I didn't get in, but they left.
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:Like a very nice.
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:It was a complete failure,
but I've got a great about it.
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:Because I tried really
hard on that application.
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:Beautiful.
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:I didn't get in, but they
left a very encouraging email.
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:Like we liked your, we liked
your application and we'd
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:love for you to apply again.
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:So I literally, I kept that voicemail
in my phone, like the whole year.
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:And occasionally I listened to it, like.
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:You know, they really
liked my application.
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:I'm going to.
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:Yeah.
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:So then the next year.
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:The next year.
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:I submit again and, uh, and
this time the east coast.
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:Director of development caught me up
because he was a Northwestern alum.
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:Okay.
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:I didn't get in the second year either.
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:Did you go to Northwestern?
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:Oh yeah, I did.
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah.
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:Those are the ones about.
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:No, but random.
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:So
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:we went to the same school.
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:That's why he called me up.
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:And so.
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:And, uh, and he's like, yo, I like your
stuff or whatever, but it's not really.
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:You're not gonna like get
to the next level with this.
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:And he sat on the phone with me.
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:And, when you work in development,
you're the person that's kinda
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:like deciding what scripts.
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:You know, go from being
scripts to becoming TV shows.
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:So you're like developing it.
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:So this person.
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:Is an expert on reading and understanding.
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:Matches.
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:What's funny, but what's also
a fit for comedy central.
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:So he read my samples, which is wild
and kind of like walked me through them.
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:And, , at the time I thought
my samples were great.
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:Cause it's just like, My
friends thought they were funny.
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:And he's just like, that's cool, but you
need to make a stranger laugh really hard.
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:Yeah.
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:I'm reading the words on the page and
I'm like, I really took that to heart.
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:That's a good tip.
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah, it was really great.
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:Tip.
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:And so then I sort of I remember that.
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:And so then I applied to
third year and I got in and.
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:Yeah.
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:I was like, oh, fantastic.
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:And , so I spent the summer in
New York and so you'd rotate
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:through different departments.
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:So you spent time in the development
department so that, uh, Northwestern
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:alum, I got to work in his
department for a couple of weeks.
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:Uh, and then they had a blog back then.
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:So I got to like be at the
blog for a little while and
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:I wrote a blog post for them.
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:, I was in there on, off air
promotions, so I got to pitch like.
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:Ideas to them, but the CRA.
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:The fun part of the program was I got
to spend a week shadowing the writers
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:at the daily show with Jon Stewart.
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:And then I got to spend a
week, , shadowing the riders
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:at the Colbert report.
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:Wow.
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:What that meant was I wasn't really
liking coffee or anything like that.
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:I'd show up, I'd go to
all the writer's meetings.
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:And then if I felt like,
and I'd pitch a joke or two.
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:And, , it was a really eyeopening
experience because up until that point,
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:you know, I've been a crew person.
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:I had written stuff, but I'd
never been in a room where
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:you're pitching jokes verbally.
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:I'd always like been off in my own dorm
room, writing a script to myself and then.
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:Shooting at myself or turning it in.
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:What's different about these TV writers'
rooms or at least how they worked.
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:In those rooms is like, , you are off
on a, on a computer writing stuff, but
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:there are moments when you're pitching
concepts, you're pitching jokes.
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:And what I had to learn to get better
at was one, like just pitching out loud
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:in a room because I was not a performer.
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:, and also, you know, you might write
something that reads funny, but can
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:you give someone a line that they
then say later that evening out loud
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:to an audience that's in their voice.
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:That's also funny.
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:So it's like a different skill kinda sure.
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:And, um, and so that was
a great experience, like
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:learning what that looked like.
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:Uh, and, , one thing that was like a
really big confidence builder for me.
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:Was at the Colbert report.
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:I pitched a joke in a version
of that Roundup on the show.
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:So like Cole bear said like a
joke that like started as my idea.
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:And I was like, oh my gosh.
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:And all the writers were very kind
and encouraging like, oh, good job.
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:You know?
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:And, you know, I really dug the vibe
of the Colbert report writer's room.
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:And what I found out was that like a lot
of them were improvisers from Chicago.
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:And I was going to college
in a suburb of Chicago.
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:So a lot of those writers also went
to the school that I had gone to.
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:. And they're like you should, , when
you go back to school, Try
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:some improv, try some standup.
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:Those are the things
that will help you pitch.
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:So, because what I was observing was
like, You know, you go into the office
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:each day with these writers, they'd
pitched these brilliant jokes and then
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:they would then go to the clubs at
night and then do their own materials.
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:So I started to follow them doing that.
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:I'm like, oh, okay.
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:This makes sense.
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:They're not just writers.
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:They're brilliant performers in their own.
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:Right.
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:Nearly all of them, even if they
weren't like performers, they had
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:some kind of performance experience.
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:So I'm like, okay, this is something I,
if I want to write, this is something
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:that I need to learn, how to do.
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:If I want to write in
these kinds of spaces.
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:And so, uh, my roommate during that
summer, who was also part of the
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:program, He was already a standup.
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:So he was like going out each night.
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:So I started following him and I went
up and did my first stand-up open mic.
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:It was like in the
basement of this taco spot.
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:And it didn't go good, but it's just
like, what I found was like, oh,
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:like speaking in front of people
that doesn't really make me nervous.
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:I didn't do that.
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:Gray eye.
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:You know, I was fine.
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:So I'm like, oh, okay.
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:I can do this.
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:And I think also a certain
level of pressure was removed.
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:'cause I'm like, I'm not
trying to be a standup.
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:I'm just trying to do this.
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:To get better at writing.
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:So there was like a layer removed, whereas
it, maybe it would be a lot different if
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:my whole life I'm like, oh gosh, I want
to be like Richard Pryor, Steve Martin.
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:And I got to make this work you're
bad for a really long time, you know?
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:So it's like, I can see
how that could maybe.
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:Be a tougher thing, but, but to
me, I'm just like, I'm just trying
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:to learn, write jokes, you know?
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:Yeah.
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:So there was a lot that
was removed from that.
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:, and so then when I came back, To school
for my senior year, I started going
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:to open mics for stand up on occasion.
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:I took my first improv class while also
still, you know, riding and making stuff.
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:So.
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:That's kind of how comedy
kind of came about.
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:And I think the other thing too was, you
know, Being in film school at the time
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:you watch a lot of student films and.
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:At least when I was in film school.
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:What I appreciated
about the comedy comedy.
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:Uh, once it was like, if something was
meant to be funny, like the audience
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:would either laugh or they wouldn't.
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:Yeah, but for other films, you know,
you're trying to make like a historical
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:drama, but on like a $250 budget, it
was kind of hard to determine, like, I
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:don't know, like your dorm room doesn't
look like:
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:So.
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:So if that makes any sense.
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:So what I appreciate about comedy
was that like, oh, I like it where
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:it's like, you try to make the
audience have a certain reaction.
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:And they either do what they don't.
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:And then you kind of go
back to the drawing board.
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:If you didn't get what you wanted.
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:Um, and so that's the long story.
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:I love that story.
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:That's super, super cool.
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:Yeah.
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:, are there any people that were in those
writer rooms that have now gone on to
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:have big kind of individual careers?
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah.
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:So like, Uh, at the daily show when I
was there, it was like, why it's an X,
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:like first week or something like that.
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:Are you like just got there.
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:And so he went on to be like
a great correspondent and
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:then did a bunch of stuff.
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:Uh, John Oliver was a
correspondent at the time.
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:And as well as in the writer's room.
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:And I remember like the first or second
day at the daily show, there was like one
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:of those like office basketball goals.
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:And like, he was just very nice.
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:Like I remember like, he's like, I
forget how it started because I want
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:to play horse or something like that.
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:And like we played horse on
the thing and I lost and I
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:was going to pay him 10 bucks.
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:Like I can't take your money.
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:That's true.
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:They shouldn't be taking my money.
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:Um, , Oh, and, , also during the program,
, we'd go to like comedy central events too.
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:So comedy central had like a lot
of standup shows around town.
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:So it was, uh, so that summer I saw Bo
Burnham when he liked just moved to New
423
:York, he was maybe like 19 at the time.
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:Oh my God.
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:He may have still been like
in school or something.
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:Yeah.
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:, I saw Hannibal Burris
before I'd seen them on TV.
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:I think maybe before each shown up on TV.
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:, Amy Schumer was still like very, very new.
430
:So like, you'd go see these people
at the show and then they'd still
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:just be hanging out after the show.
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:And you would just be talking to them.
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:So I saw, like I saw Mike Birbiglia
for the first time that summer.
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:Just a bunch of people.
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:Yeah.
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:It was really, it was really nice.
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:Yeah.
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:I feel like when I hear stories like this.
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:It's like we more
cutthroat and I love that.
440
:You're like, oh, I had a lovely
experience and everybody was
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:really uplifting and kind yeah.
442
:I feel like that's the perfect
experience for you to have, because
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:that's how you show up in these
rooms now with other people.
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:Yeah.
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:Yeah.
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:And I will also say too, not that
it wasn't a lovely experience, but I
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:think that some things can feel rough.
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:So it's like I did also pitch
jokes that did not go well.
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:Sure.
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:And like you might get a look.
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:And so like, depending on what your
emotional state is on that date, maybe
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:that might make you feel really bad
or it's just like, people will give
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:you very direct, honest feedback.
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:Like this sucks.
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:And maybe they raise their
voice or something like that.
456
:And it's not like nothing scary,
but it's like, depending on
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:the day or your temperament.
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:That might throw you off or whatever.
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:So.
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:Uh, but that said, I mean, these were
shows that were operating at like
461
:a really high level, so they didn't
really have that kind of energy.
462
:Like something that would
get said in the daily show, I
463
:think was like best idea wins.
464
:Meaning like they didn't care if
the intern had the idea or John
465
:Stewart had the idea or whoever.
466
:Right.
467
:It's just like they're trying
to create an environment so
468
:that the best idea gets heard.
469
:So that can wind up on the show
cause that's good for the show.
470
:And so.
471
:There's that too, because I mean, not
all creative spaces are like that.
472
:Some of them.
473
:Much more toxic.
474
:Yeah.
475
:It's just for that particular program.
476
:I didn't encounter much of that.
477
:Yeah.
478
:That's wonderful.
479
:Yeah.
480
:Oh, I love that.
481
:And I'm so glad you got
finally got accepted.
482
:Oh yeah.
483
:Yeah.
484
:Yeah, absolutely.
485
:So, okay.
486
:So you have this experience,
you graduate from college.
487
:, I know there were probably a
couple of years in between that
488
:and when I met you as an improv
teacher, so how did you get to.
489
:Let's connect the dots for me between
there and now, because I've seen you
490
:perform at the Alliance and your own solo
show, which I want to circle back to you.
491
:, I mean, you've done some awesome shit.
492
:, so yeah, like how, how has
all this unfolded for you?
493
:So I came back to Atlanta and
originally I was like, oh, I'm
494
:only going to be in, oh, sorry.
495
:Are you originally from Atlanta?
496
:Yes, I am.
497
:Gotcha.
498
:Okay.
499
:So.
500
:So I came back to Atlanta after
college, Atlanta is where I'm from.
501
:And originally I thought like, oh,
because all my friends from college
502
:were mostly going to the coast, like
New York or LA, because that's where
503
:most of the filmmaking is happening.
504
:But I came back to Atlanta and I was
very briefly for like a hot second.
505
:I was one of the casting
assistants at Tyler Perry studios.
506
:So it was back when they were filming
a meet the Browns and how's the pain.
507
:And that was a really
great learning experience.
508
:It was just a very short period of time.
509
:But in that short period of
time, I got to see a lot.
510
:So the casting department that
I was at, they were casting
511
:for two shows at the same time.
512
:So Tyler Perry, he kinda like
pioneered this, uh, style of shooting.
513
:Sitcoms where, you know, maybe back in the
day, you'd shoot like a sit-com a week.
514
:And then each season you'd have like 22
or 24 episodes at a certain it's not as
515
:common to do that anymore, but yeah, but
that's kinda like what it was like, what.
516
:Tyler Perry did with his studio.
517
:He would shoot like four episodes a
week and shoot a bunch, uh, over the
518
:course of like three or four months.
519
:And then you'd have
like 80 episodes of TV.
520
:And just have like much more.
521
:Uh, and he was just doing
it for much cheaper.
522
:So what that meant for the casting
department is rather than casting for
523
:like, I don't know, like an episode
of TV a week, you would cast for
524
:like eight episodes of TV a week.
525
:So then you're seeing
that many more auditions.
526
:Yeah.
527
:Was that efficient or overwhelming?
528
:, I was just an assistant.
529
:I'm sure it was overwhelming
for some people.
530
:But I don't know if my job
necessarily changed that much.
531
:It's not like I was like doing eight
times as much, if that makes sense.
532
:Okay.
533
:So I'm sure that fell on someone.
534
:It just didn't fell on me.
535
:Yeah, but.
536
:But what I.
537
:Uh, what I got to take away from that
was, you know, Just how often, like you
538
:would see, or this is just my experience,
but it's like, I'd see auditions
539
:for Rome and I'd have my favorites.
540
:Like, oh, that person
was clearly the best.
541
:They wouldn't necessarily get the wrong.
542
:You know, like it was super interesting,
like, or, , you know, someone
543
:might not get a role for something,
but they made a great impression.
544
:Uh, and so then they get
brought back into site.
545
:Oh, okay.
546
:Just worry about what
you can kind of control.
547
:And just try and go and
have a good audition.
548
:, you see like interesting choices, things
that are maybe more boring choices.
549
:So like you see 20 people.
550
:Do the same line.
551
:And so you see how many people make
the same choice versus the people
552
:that do a little something different.
553
:, oh, that was really cool.
554
:And then I met , , some writers of the
show at the time, some of the folk, some
555
:of those folks I'm still in touch with.
556
:And so.
557
:Yeah, it was a good learning experience.
558
:, it definitely wasn't what, , I
don't know what I was expecting.
559
:Yeah.
560
:But, but like, it, wasn't what I
was expecting, you know, like, , But
561
:looking back on it, those, those are the
positive things that I took out of it.
562
:Okay.
563
:But then after that, that ended.
564
:And I wanted to make sure that I
continued to work the performance muscles.
565
:Uh, in addition to riding.
566
:And so, , after that I became, , the
former artistic director at dad's garage.
567
:His name's Kevin Gleason.
568
:I was his intern.
569
:So, , basically what that means.
570
:I go on a couple of times a week.
571
:And like, you know, help Tim
with stuff like admin stuff.
572
:It looks good.
573
:Yeah.
574
:And then they gave me free classes
and, um, and that was really nice.
575
:Cause it's just like, that helped me.
576
:Be able to take improv
classes are expensive.
577
:And Amber Nash.
578
:She was the education
director at the time.
579
:And I remember, I was like, Hey
Amber, you know, I get free classes.
580
:Y'all have four levels.
581
:Can I just take all four of them
at once and she's just like, yeah.
582
:And so, so, so I had, you know,
extra evening time on my hands.
583
:So I would just take
all the classes at once.
584
:And I did that like maybe a couple
of times throughout my internship.
585
:Wow.
586
:, and slowly over time, like, Uh, you know,
intern, I would take classes at one place.
587
:I start performing someplace else.
588
:, And so over time, like I accumulated.
589
:, like stage time.
590
:And reps through that.
591
:Cause I didn't really
study acting in college.
592
:Not, not really.
593
:I mean, And maybe took, , like
a couple acting classes,
594
:but I wasn't like an acting.
595
:, major and I think sometimes maybe felt
insecure, not insecure, but I didn't feel
596
:like a trained actor because I had friends
that were like, that was their craft.
597
:And I saw how seriously they took it.
598
:, in college and like what that
looked like, and I'm like that Amy.
599
:So.
600
:And so, , I was trying to like catch up
isn't the right word, but I was like,
601
:all right, I've seen how seriously.
602
:My friends take acting.
603
:I want to try to apply that to
like my improv stuff into this.
604
:Comedy stuff that I'm going to do.
605
:And so, yeah.
606
:, I got to perform more at dad's garage.
607
:, and something that is unique about
how that theater works earliest.
608
:It was when I was there.
609
:I'm not there currently, but
back when I was performing there.
610
:, they're an improv theater.
611
:So they put on improvised comedy shows.
612
:They're also a theater company.
613
:So they have like a scripted.
614
:Season of theater that
they do each year as well.
615
:And what was unique about the way
they did theater was they had the
616
:improvisers write most of the scripts.
617
:And so, , if you're a playwright,
at least like in Atlanta, you might
618
:write a play, but getting a theater to
produce your work can be a challenge.
619
:, if you don't have a relationship
with that theater, you know, , and
620
:even if you do it can just be tough.
621
:Yeah.
622
:Uh, so, , what dad's
garage allowed for war?
623
:Uh, newer playwrights.
624
:Maybe you've never had anything
produced, but you could get
625
:something produced, uh, there.
626
:So, , I've been there for a little
while and I pitched a solo show.
627
:, called the magic Negro and other
blackness, and it was a satirical
628
:one person sketch show, looking
at the magic Negro archetype.
629
:It pops up in American culture.
630
:Uh, and, and so, yeah, so I got to
do that and then I was like teaching
631
:improv and then touring what that
touring, what that solo show.
632
:So that's the solution
I mentioned earlier.
633
:That's how that came to be.
634
:Okay.
635
:That's interesting.
636
:I didn't realize that
it had started at dad's.
637
:That's awesome.
638
:, I have a funny story.
639
:Then I think of, and bring up with
a friend of mine that I saw your
640
:show when actually fairly regularly.
641
:So this show that mark reference,
he did at the Alliance theater, and
642
:I took a good friend of mine and we
were like, We should get stoned first.
643
:Do you, are you cool
with talking about weed?
644
:Okay.
645
:Um, first thing is really funny.
646
:It's cause.
647
:Like funny side story.
648
:You're not the only person that's
come to see the show really.
649
:a weird combination.
650
:my favorite combination.
651
:Um, so.
652
:We were, we got there a little early.
653
:Whereas sitting in the parking
garage at the Alliance.
654
:And I had brought like
my weed, my grinder.
655
:And like literally a bowl and
this friend that I was with, he.
656
:Matt is married and didn't get out much.
657
:And, uh, he's like my fun buddy.
658
:And I'm like, do you want to hit this?
659
:And he was like, I mean, yeah,
Um, and so I hit the ball.
660
:I had him the wall, we're
passing it back and forth.
661
:We're just like, hotboxing my little,
whatever car I drove at the time.
662
:, just giggling, having a wonderful time.
663
:And then he had one of those stone
thoughts of like, you know, how,
664
:when you hit a bull, you like inhale.
665
:Look, I wonder what happens if you exhale.
666
:And so he exhaled and all
of this weed, it just goes.
667
:my car.
668
:Loved the magic track.
669
:I mean, I, I sold that car and there
were definitely weed bits everywhere.
670
:I.
671
:It was like a bomb went off.
672
:And I just looked at
him and I'm like, bro.
673
:We just like, could not stop.
674
:And then I was like,
well, I guess that's that.
675
:Go keep it, keep it going.
676
:And then we came in and
watched your show and.
677
:Aye.
678
:Um, it was great.
679
:Start to finish.
680
:Of course.
681
:I think you're hilarious.
682
:, but there's this one segment.
683
:That I, I literally
referenced this regular.
684
:But it's the part about Marta?
685
:Oh yeah.
686
:One of the funniest things
I've ever seen in my life.
687
:I don't know if it's
cause I'm in Atlantan.
688
:Lifelong and I just like, get it, but
will you tell me about the inspiration
689
:for that and just kind of tell
people what I'm referring to you.
690
:Sure.
691
:Sure.
692
:Yeah.
693
:So I have a, a bit that
started from that show.
694
:Called, you know, if Marta
expanded a cop county.
695
:So in Atlanta, Marta is our
public transportation system.
696
:, there's a train system.
697
:, but it's fairly limited.
698
:It's more limited than it should
be for a city of Atlanta size.
699
:And then that contributes a lot to
traffic and a lot of other byproducts of
700
:not having enough public transportation
and just people having the way
701
:to get to where they need to go.
702
:Yeah.
703
:Cobb county is a suburb of Atlanta
and they have not allowed Marta
704
:to expand to the suburb in the
way that it should at this point.
705
:And for many years, a big narrative of
why, You know, public transportation
706
:would not expand to that part of town.
707
:Is because, oh, we don't want public
transportation to come here because
708
:we don't want crime to come here.
709
:Crime being like another word
for black people basically.
710
:Yep.
711
:Have you look at the history of traffic,
public transportation streets in Atlanta,
712
:the way that it's carved up divided.
713
:Yeah.
714
:In general roads.
715
:The ground you walk on.
716
:Yeah.
717
:Like a lot of the way that it's
been, you know, , manufactured is
718
:due to, you know, racism and a fear
of societies and neighborhoods
719
:mixing in one way or another.
720
:And this narrative of
public transportation.
721
:Bringing crime is a thread that you
even will still hear two days really.
722
:It's wild.
723
:Yeah.
724
:But, I mean, but if you think about
what it would actually take for someone
725
:to take tra public transportation, To
steal something that you value in your
726
:home, like a television set or a sofa.
727
:And then get back onto a bus and
then a train is wild, you know?
728
:Uh, so that's kind of
what the bit is about.
729
:I take on the perspective
of a, like a feat, a robber,
730
:whoever I'm talking to my boys.
731
:And I'm like, yo Cobb county
just opened the flood gates.
732
:You know, Expanded Marta to Cobb county.
733
:So we're going to Rob Cobb county night.
734
:We're bringing black crime to Cobb county.
735
:You know, and so I take
like a very detailed look of
736
:what it would actually take.
737
:And as I'm breaking it down to you,
you're like, wait, this is impossible.
738
:This doesn't make any sense.
739
:And so that's kinda what
that, that bits about.
740
:It's so, so, so good.
741
:Oh, Uh, they just, or was
it an April fool's joke?
742
:Did Kemp just approve
funding to expand Marta?
743
:Or was that an April fool's joke?
744
:Do you know?
745
:Oh, well, I do know that there are a
diff additional Marta stops being added.
746
:But I don't know if it's necessarily
being expanded to those spots.
747
:So I'm not, I guess the short,
short way of saying is I'm not sure.
748
:Exactly.
749
:Okay.
750
:I'll have to do a little research and.
751
:Yeah, I will leave that in
the show notes, the shore.
752
:Uh, I, uh, every time
Marta comes up, I'm always.
753
:Because people naturally
they're like, oh, crime.
754
:Like you bring up this part
of like bringing a baby grand
755
:piano on the Martin buses.
756
:No one's going to do that.
757
:That's not how this works.
758
:Yeah.
759
:, so I guess you've done.
760
:And continue to do a really nice
job of infusing, , a kind of social
761
:awareness and politics into your comedy.
762
:And that's brought you to kind
of where you're at now and
763
:the podcasts that you have.
764
:Sure.
765
:So, will you tell us a little bit
about how you continue doing that?
766
:Absolutely.
767
:Well, you know, going back to
that experience at comedy central.
768
:And New York that I had, you know,
Tom Purcell, who is the head writer
769
:of the Colbert report at the time, he
was the person that would be reading
770
:a lot of the writing that I was just
doing when I was there for that week.
771
:And something that I wasn't good at
at the time, but he really pushed was
772
:having a very strong point of view and
writing something that you care about.
773
:And that like, you know what
you care about subconsciously,
774
:but you may not necessarily know
what you have a point of view on.
775
:Cause you just think about it every day.
776
:And so for me, that experience was helpful
in starting to develop, like what, what
777
:are the things that I do care about?
778
:What.
779
:, do I have a point of view on, and,
, and also being, you know, with the
780
:Colbert report and the daily show,
a lot of it is simply like drawing
781
:inspiration from current events,
, broader things that are happening.
782
:, I think another way to look at is
like, you know, what's happening in
783
:your own neighborhoods in your own
hometown, wherever that may be, you know?
784
:, and so.
785
:, using the martyr pieces as an
example about how that kind
786
:of led to what I'm doing now.
787
:So, you know, that was part of a show
that I toured for a number of years.
788
:Uh, and, , bill Worley,
he's an improviser in town.
789
:Uh, also a really talented
filmmaker and a quick sidebar.
790
:So I've known bill for over
10 years at this point.
791
:I mean, and I've been saying
that for a couple of years,
792
:However many years that is.
793
:Um, but, uh, we worked
on a project together.
794
:It was a show we did.
795
:It was me bill Worley and John Mangan.
796
:Who's another great actor in town.
797
:And John Megan had this idea.
798
:That we both kind of talked
about called like magic and bird.
799
:Who's like, what if we did.
800
:A live stage adaptation of the rivalry
between magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
801
:It was very, very silly
and very ridiculous.
802
:And, , neither one of us looked
like magic Johnson or Larry
803
:Bird, but it was very fun.
804
:So we like had the jerseys and we're
doing like this live show and it was
805
:just this bonkers bonkers show that
would also have like little documentary
806
:snippets throughout the bill shot.
807
:And we also did a sketch for it and
I just really enjoyed the experience.
808
:Of working with bill and I was like,
yo, this was a great experience.
809
:Would you want to shoot
something else with me?
810
:It's like, yeah.
811
:And so I had the sketches,
you know, from my solo show.
812
:So we shot the Marta piece.
813
:, and then like two weeks
later, the world shut down.
814
:Yeah.
815
:Yeah.
816
:So like I wasn't performing
or anything like that.
817
:And you know, that's most of
what I've been doing, I've
818
:been going out every night.
819
:Uh, you know, teach improv to
perform someplace, doing something.
820
:And so we were just kind of
sitting on this sketch for months.
821
:, but then after a while, we're like, I
think we should just kind of put it out
822
:because it's like some of the things that.
823
:It brings up a related to conversations
that were being had at the time
824
:around like, you know, race equity,
you know, all these kinds of things.
825
:Right.
826
:Uh, and then that did well.
827
:, it resonated with folks.
828
:And what I kind of learned from
that experience was like, oh,
829
:you know, a point of view can be
about something very specific.
830
:To you.
831
:So like, you know, this very like niche
issue in Atlanta, but what would happen
832
:is because I was so specific with it.
833
:When I talk to people in other.
834
:, cities or I've even been to
Canada and done this bit.
835
:It's like people all over the
country, unfortunately have some
836
:version of what's happening in
martyr where people don't want.
837
:Uh, group to be in a certain space.
838
:You know, so they're doing
things to keep people out.
839
:Yeah.
840
:, and so that resonated with
folks and, you know, , again,
841
:working with bill was fantastic.
842
:So we kind of started putting out.
843
:Safely.
844
:Like these solo sketches that I had,
because we were able to either shoot like
845
:outdoors or like socially distance and.
846
:It got momentum.
847
:And we were eventually approached by some
folks to make, Videos around voting.
848
:Fair districting, all
these different things.
849
:So we're like, oh, people are asking
us to, they want to pay us to do this.
850
:So we formed a production company.
851
:Awesome.
852
:And so that production company is called.
853
:Cool, cool productions.
854
:. And so we've taken on, , clients like
new Georgia project and fair count.
855
:We've worked with adult swim.
856
:, you know, we're working with
United way of greater Atlanta
857
:right now for a certain project.
858
:And what we found is it's like the
things that bill and I just kind of like
859
:naturally tend towards are things like
civic engagement, community building.
860
:These are the things
that we just like anyway.
861
:We like talking about Atlanta, right.
862
:, and so the production company uses
comedy as a way to discuss these topics.
863
:Something that we found was, you
know, if you talked to someone
864
:about like boating, let's say.
865
:Uh, it can be rough.
866
:You know what I mean?
867
:Cause it's like, especially
being at a place like Georgia
868
:during an election season.
869
:You find yourself being inundated, all
types of media, phone, call, texts, mail
870
:knocks on doors, all that kind of stuff.
871
:And it can be a lot, even if those
things are coming from a great place.
872
:But what we found is with, uh,
comedy specifically comedy that isn't
873
:attempting to incite joy in some way.
874
:That makes you more likely to
take some form of an action.
875
:You know, there's also really
important comedy being done this
876
:like more satirical or whatever.
877
:Yeah.
878
:This also really important.
879
:I think.
880
:Necessary for like a dialogue.
881
:Sure.
882
:But it's just like, that may not
necessarily make you take an action.
883
:So it's like a slightly different thing
to use a form of comedy that incites
884
:some form of like joy specifically.
885
:And those are also really useful tools
against like misinformation or just
886
:like being depressed about a topic.
887
:And so for these organizations that we're
working with, A lot of times they may
888
:not necessarily use comedy all the time.
889
:Some of them did, but.
890
:But they may not necessarily
use comedy all the time.
891
:And what they found was like, oh, when
we have like this dense, complicated,
892
:new information that we're trying
to get to our audiences, What they
893
:bought when they work with us, it's
like, oh, well, because we use comedy.
894
:It's more surprising.
895
:It's more engaging.
896
:And a lot of times, if you, , here's
something new for the first
897
:time, it can be challenging.
898
:You.
899
:Like I know in my experience,
I hear something new that runs
900
:counter to what I already know.
901
:I'm more likely to like, knock it down.
902
:Sure.
903
:But if it's something that's making
me laugh, as I'm hearing it, I might
904
:be like, oh, that's kinda interesting.
905
:I'm thinking about that.
906
:And you're more likely to, you know,
think about that topic over time.
907
:And maybe I might be more
likely to change my mind.
908
:As opposed to like holding tighter
to what I already think to be true.
909
:, and so that's what we've found.
910
:And so we've gotten a chance
to do like a lot of really
911
:cool projects because of that.
912
:, one of them.
913
:Uh, is our podcast we
have in collaboration.
914
:With w a B E a, which is
called what's good Atlanta.
915
:And so as a podcast, I cohost with
the great comedian data, Purdue,
916
:not the politician, the community.
917
:Yeah.
918
:And we take, we take, you know, positive
uplifting stories in and around Atlanta.
919
:And we kind of just
talk about what's good.
920
:Literally it's a, it's a very
short 10 or 11 minute podcasts.
921
:Bill will also do person on the
street interviews with folks
922
:where he'll literally go to like
Piedmont park or wherever he's at.
923
:And ask people like, Hey, what's good.
924
:, and so, yeah, so that's kind of how
that, that, that partnership came to be.
925
:That's so awesome.
926
:Do you enjoy podcasting?
927
:I do it's it's, uh, it's definitely
like a skill like, so, , bill and I,
928
:we had a podcast with iHeart media
for awhile called ridiculous news.
929
:And that was a great learning experience.
930
:I enjoyed that too.
931
:I enjoyed that very much.
932
:Thanks.
933
:Thank you.
934
:But what I learned is it's like I had to
learn, I had to learn a bunch of things.
935
:I mean, like, it was, there's
definitely like a learning curve.
936
:I think for me when I first
started podcasting, I got, so
937
:self-conscious about just saying.
938
:The wrong thing.
939
:And I think what has helped since
then is knowing like, I'm going
940
:to say the wrong things sometimes.
941
:Cause I'm like an imperfect person.
942
:Sure.
943
:I might say something that
I'm embarrassed by later.
944
:, but, uh, I've learned to kind of
let that go a little bit more.
945
:, because being in my head about
that doesn't really help me.
946
:Okay.
947
:Uh, and then also just working with
folks that I think are great, like
948
:David and bill and our producer.
949
:Scotty.
950
:You know, All that helps, you know, So.
951
:Uh, so, so it is
something that I do enjoy.
952
:Yeah, but it was also very much
like a learning curve for sure.
953
:Yeah.
954
:I can obviously relate
to that learning curve.
955
:Yeah.
956
:But I think rewarding.
957
:Yeah.
958
:And it's leading you to tonight.
959
:You're doing a live show.
960
:, I have this podcast.
961
:Yes.
962
:Did you ever do anything
live with ridiculous news?
963
:Will this be your first
foray into live podcasts?
964
:So for ridiculous thing for a friend.
965
:Yeah.
966
:So for ridiculous news,
we never did a live thing.
967
:And with WBE, I think, cause it's a little
bit more locally focused, like WBE they're
968
:out in the community a little bit more.
969
:So the, and because David and I are both
lie performers, it kinda makes it a little
970
:bit more organic for us to do live stuff.
971
:So for example, last week we
did our first live episode.
972
:There was four or four day.
973
:So we were at 4 0 4 day
and we did a live episode.
974
:We talked to Tori who is one of the
founders of Atlanta influences everything.
975
:It was a really nice time.
976
:And so, , with this show, this
tonight, I'm very excited about it.
977
:So.
978
:, it's going to be part comedy
variety show part, David and I like.
979
:, hopping on Mike's to
record our podcast as well.
980
:She's going to be a
little bit of everything.
981
:It truly is like an experiment.
982
:Uh, and it came about, , because, , I
do work with this organization called
983
:the center for artistic activism.
984
:So I was a fellow of their as last year.
985
:And occasionally I'll I'll help
facilitate workshops with them or
986
:collaborate on different projects.
987
:Uh, and they provided some funding
to basically carry out a civic
988
:experiment, being like, Hey, how can
you, , increase excitement around
989
:voting in a time when people are not.
990
:You know, and so my pitch was, it's
just like, all right, well, I'm
991
:going to put on this variety show.
992
:, I'm going to give out free donuts.
993
:I'm going to give out thank
you cards that I've written.
994
:And I'm going to bring folks together
and, , we're going to have standup comics.
995
:When I have poets, but in the middle.
996
:, we're going to talk
about civic engagement.
997
:So we've invited and say, Ooh,
fought, who is a brilliant mind.
998
:She, , used to run new Georgia project.
999
:Does all kinds of really cool
voting work around the world.
:
00:40:31,822 --> 00:40:33,682
, and you know, the goal for tonight.
:
00:40:33,712 --> 00:40:36,202
I don't know what we're going to talk
about, but the goal ideally is that we
:
00:40:36,202 --> 00:40:40,612
talk about, you know, how she finds joy
in her work, how she finds joy in voting.
:
00:40:40,732 --> 00:40:41,092
Yeah.
:
00:40:41,122 --> 00:40:44,152
And then we're also interviewing
a former guest of yours actually
:
00:40:44,182 --> 00:40:45,112
saw I was listening to you.
:
00:40:45,232 --> 00:40:45,742
Podcast.
:
00:40:45,802 --> 00:40:48,022
Uh, research, uh, Alex,
the Atlanta magnet.
:
00:40:48,982 --> 00:40:50,092
Yeah.
:
00:40:50,632 --> 00:40:51,292
Need royalty.
:
00:40:54,382 --> 00:40:55,012
Yeah.
:
00:40:55,042 --> 00:40:57,622
So, so listening to your
interview was amazing.
:
00:40:57,652 --> 00:40:57,712
It.
:
00:40:57,952 --> 00:41:01,732
I mean, it was a great interview,
but, , and so what was funny was, , we
:
00:41:01,822 --> 00:41:03,802
talked about him on the podcast once.
:
00:41:04,072 --> 00:41:05,812
And we're like, oh, it'd
be cool to talk to him.
:
00:41:06,172 --> 00:41:10,972
And then I found like, oh, Eric has
talked to Alex before and he I've
:
00:41:10,972 --> 00:41:12,832
lived next door to him for 16 years.
:
00:41:14,392 --> 00:41:14,692
Yeah.
:
00:41:15,112 --> 00:41:15,232
And.
:
00:41:15,622 --> 00:41:17,902
What's great about the
work that Alex does.
:
00:41:18,202 --> 00:41:21,112
Picking up the nails and
debris from the road.
:
00:41:21,502 --> 00:41:22,402
It's like, isn't it.
:
00:41:22,432 --> 00:41:24,802
It's like just another
form of civic engagement.
:
00:41:24,982 --> 00:41:30,502
You know, And so what I'm curious to see
is like, you know, talking about voting
:
00:41:30,502 --> 00:41:34,072
directly, but also talking about other
forms of civic engagement and just how
:
00:41:34,072 --> 00:41:36,112
there's a lot of different entry points.
:
00:41:36,502 --> 00:41:38,272
And just from two
completely different people.
:
00:41:38,692 --> 00:41:40,552
Um, and so, yeah.
:
00:41:40,552 --> 00:41:40,762
Yeah.
:
00:41:40,822 --> 00:41:41,002
And so.
:
00:41:41,062 --> 00:41:41,662
That's kind of cool.
:
00:41:46,582 --> 00:41:49,222
So it's really just kind of
like an experiment in the
:
00:41:49,222 --> 00:41:50,212
center of artistic activism.
:
00:41:50,212 --> 00:41:53,662
They're like, it's an experiment, meaning
like it can be a success or a failure,
:
00:41:53,662 --> 00:41:55,402
so don't be afraid to fail with it.
:
00:41:56,122 --> 00:41:58,432
I'm trying to remember that
because I think a lot of times.
:
00:41:59,092 --> 00:42:00,532
I'm going to produce a
live show or whatever.
:
00:42:00,532 --> 00:42:02,782
Um, Hosting something or making a video.
:
00:42:02,812 --> 00:42:06,982
I'm like, I cling tight to it being
like, it's gotta be good success.
:
00:42:07,222 --> 00:42:09,982
And what I'm trying to remind
myself for this is like, you
:
00:42:09,982 --> 00:42:11,722
know, it's okay if it's not.
:
00:42:11,752 --> 00:42:12,082
And.
:
00:42:12,502 --> 00:42:14,272
I don't think it was
going to be a good time.
:
00:42:14,362 --> 00:42:14,512
It's.
:
00:42:14,662 --> 00:42:19,072
Not that, but it's more so just allowing
myself to just experiment with it.
:
00:42:19,362 --> 00:42:20,322
, and being like, all right.
:
00:42:20,322 --> 00:42:23,442
So like we're trying to
mush these things together.
:
00:42:23,712 --> 00:42:28,422
If at some point it gets Rocky learn from
that, because then I can do another one.
:
00:42:28,482 --> 00:42:29,052
It's something like.
:
00:42:29,472 --> 00:42:31,662
And so that's kind of like the, the.
:
00:42:32,502 --> 00:42:33,522
The, , the attitude.
:
00:42:33,672 --> 00:42:35,082
Yeah, I'm trying to
take into this evening.
:
00:42:35,322 --> 00:42:39,072
I think it's wonderful because I think
for me, I'm such a perfectionist.
:
00:42:39,882 --> 00:42:43,872
And when it comes to creative endeavors,
those two things don't necessarily mix
:
00:42:43,872 --> 00:42:45,942
because you have to just put it out there.
:
00:42:46,182 --> 00:42:47,892
And kind of see what happens.
:
00:42:47,922 --> 00:42:48,162
Yeah.
:
00:42:48,732 --> 00:42:51,492
I mean, that's just the best attitude
to have of, you know, we're going to
:
00:42:51,762 --> 00:42:56,172
learn from this one way or another,
and I think defining success and
:
00:42:56,172 --> 00:42:59,982
failure for yourself to you as, you
know, Like just a individual thing.
:
00:43:00,042 --> 00:43:00,402
Yeah.
:
00:43:00,462 --> 00:43:00,642
Yeah.
:
00:43:00,732 --> 00:43:00,972
Thanks.
:
00:43:00,972 --> 00:43:01,422
I appreciate it.
:
00:43:01,752 --> 00:43:05,892
Uh, like a goal for mine like this just
in general, creatively has been to try to
:
00:43:05,892 --> 00:43:08,772
like, just put more out there in general.
:
00:43:08,772 --> 00:43:12,942
Like, I think that there are seasons when
like I'm doing more or I'm doing less.
:
00:43:13,062 --> 00:43:16,812
And I was just kinda like, let me
say yes to a few more shows that
:
00:43:16,812 --> 00:43:18,492
normally I may or may not normally do.
:
00:43:18,492 --> 00:43:20,922
So I perform with people that I
haven't performed with before.
:
00:43:21,252 --> 00:43:25,032
Let me do, let me apply to some things
that like I wouldn't normally apply to
:
00:43:25,032 --> 00:43:26,532
just for the sake of doing it, you know?
:
00:43:26,952 --> 00:43:30,582
So I've been trying to do more
of that, knowing that is not
:
00:43:30,612 --> 00:43:32,022
going to be perfect each time.
:
00:43:32,892 --> 00:43:35,472
But I feel like when you're
putting that energy out there as
:
00:43:35,472 --> 00:43:37,362
is, I wanted more of that feeling.
:
00:43:37,782 --> 00:43:39,402
Um, being like, oh, what about done?
:
00:43:39,432 --> 00:43:41,352
You know, Yeah, I like that a lot.
:
00:43:41,352 --> 00:43:43,632
And that was one of my favorite
takeaways from doing improv with
:
00:43:43,632 --> 00:43:47,592
like driving home after an improv
class and like analyzing what I did,
:
00:43:47,652 --> 00:43:48,942
what I would've done differently.
:
00:43:48,942 --> 00:43:53,052
And it's like these little quick kind
of forays into being vulnerable and
:
00:43:53,052 --> 00:43:57,552
trying new things with kind of a low
bar of risk at the end of the day.
:
00:43:57,942 --> 00:43:59,532
, May I have a quick question for you.
:
00:43:59,532 --> 00:43:59,682
If that's.
:
00:44:00,432 --> 00:44:00,672
Yeah.
:
00:44:00,672 --> 00:44:00,972
Yeah.
:
00:44:01,692 --> 00:44:02,202
Yeah.
:
00:44:02,412 --> 00:44:05,682
So like when, when, when you're you
mentioned being a perfectionist.
:
00:44:05,952 --> 00:44:08,112
Like, I, I feel like I am as well, like.
:
00:44:08,412 --> 00:44:09,552
What are the things that your birthday.
:
00:44:09,642 --> 00:44:10,692
Uh, the 15th of September.
:
00:44:10,902 --> 00:44:11,592
Oh, you're a Virgo.
:
00:44:16,542 --> 00:44:16,782
sorry.
:
00:44:17,172 --> 00:44:19,302
I was like, I already know the
answer to this, but let me just.
:
00:44:20,112 --> 00:44:20,742
Um, okay.
:
00:44:20,742 --> 00:44:21,552
Sorry to interrupt you.
:
00:44:21,612 --> 00:44:22,482
What were you asking me?
:
00:44:22,512 --> 00:44:24,282
So you mentioned, you mentioned
being a perfectionism.
:
00:44:24,462 --> 00:44:27,822
I'm curious, like for yourself,
like what do you do to.
:
00:44:28,242 --> 00:44:29,382
Either balance that out.
:
00:44:29,472 --> 00:44:31,002
You know, like w what, what are you.
:
00:44:31,242 --> 00:44:32,412
When Matt comes up.
:
00:44:32,802 --> 00:44:33,792
That's a wonderful question.
:
00:44:33,932 --> 00:44:40,592
, so I find that if I do a lot of, kind
of legwork in advance and I can use
:
00:44:40,592 --> 00:44:41,762
here's the, here's a really good example.
:
00:44:41,972 --> 00:44:45,902
, This past Sunday night, I hosted
a sound bath here at the shop.
:
00:44:46,132 --> 00:44:48,082
, there's this woman, Natasha riles.
:
00:44:48,112 --> 00:44:50,362
Who's a Atlanta woman who is awesome.
:
00:44:50,362 --> 00:44:52,102
She just does these amazing sound baths.
:
00:44:52,402 --> 00:44:56,362
And I wanted to kind of introduce
that to my clients here.
:
00:44:56,462 --> 00:44:59,312
, but again, I'm very kind of
particular about the flow of things.
:
00:44:59,822 --> 00:45:05,162
So I literally meditated and I just forced
myself to just picture, like, start to
:
00:45:05,162 --> 00:45:07,862
finish how that whole experience would go.
:
00:45:08,102 --> 00:45:12,752
Um, and then I wrote it all down
and then I, uh, in a non meditative
:
00:45:12,752 --> 00:45:15,222
state, read through it and just
kind of pictured analytically,
:
00:45:15,222 --> 00:45:16,122
like how's that going to work?
:
00:45:16,152 --> 00:45:16,302
Dah.
:
00:45:16,662 --> 00:45:20,292
So I really, I think I go out of my
way and maybe it's a little anxiety to
:
00:45:20,292 --> 00:45:24,492
you, but to kind of in advance, figure
out, oh, that's not going to work or
:
00:45:24,492 --> 00:45:26,292
here's the pitfall potential here.
:
00:45:26,532 --> 00:45:29,562
, so I like to eliminate kind of obvious.
:
00:45:29,862 --> 00:45:32,382
Issues or failures that
could come with an idea.
:
00:45:32,662 --> 00:45:37,582
, and then I'm like, okay, I'm, I'm more
relaxed and I can show up to this and be
:
00:45:37,582 --> 00:45:41,302
kind of open and just let it unfold and
things didn't go exactly the way that
:
00:45:41,302 --> 00:45:43,252
I had written down in my little list.
:
00:45:43,372 --> 00:45:45,292
On Sunday, but they probably want better.
:
00:45:45,412 --> 00:45:45,892
Right?
:
00:45:46,072 --> 00:45:46,792
Great feedback.
:
00:45:46,792 --> 00:45:48,052
And it was a wonderful event.
:
00:45:48,352 --> 00:45:53,392
, and yeah, so I think I just, I try to get
ahead of potential issues from the jump
:
00:45:53,602 --> 00:45:57,742
and then just know like, Hey, you've done
what you can, as far as that goes, Now you
:
00:45:57,742 --> 00:45:59,392
just have to show up and just be present.
:
00:45:59,542 --> 00:46:00,292
Wow.
:
00:46:00,322 --> 00:46:03,232
I love the, uh, what you
mentioned about meditating it,
:
00:46:03,232 --> 00:46:04,222
writing it down, reading it.
:
00:46:04,372 --> 00:46:05,662
Yeah, I'm going to take that.
:
00:46:05,782 --> 00:46:06,382
You should.
:
00:46:06,952 --> 00:46:08,842
, and I'm sure you know this
with your morning pages.
:
00:46:08,842 --> 00:46:11,152
It's like, there's something
about pen to paper that.
:
00:46:11,242 --> 00:46:16,822
Like really just it's that does something
in your neuro pathways that a scientist
:
00:46:16,822 --> 00:46:20,122
could tell you about, better than I
can, but I really do like, feel better.
:
00:46:20,122 --> 00:46:22,762
Just kind of physically getting it out.
:
00:46:23,102 --> 00:46:26,222
, so yeah, that's a very, very
important part of my creative process.
:
00:46:26,282 --> 00:46:26,882
Yeah.
:
00:46:27,152 --> 00:46:27,902
That's really helpful.
:
00:46:28,142 --> 00:46:28,742
To hear that.
:
00:46:29,402 --> 00:46:29,702
Yeah.
:
00:46:29,822 --> 00:46:30,632
I feel freedom to freedom.
:
00:46:31,232 --> 00:46:31,742
Sure.
:
00:46:31,902 --> 00:46:33,432
, I remember what I was
going to ask you before.
:
00:46:33,732 --> 00:46:38,832
So what you referenced COVID are you,
is this your main source of income?
:
00:46:38,832 --> 00:46:42,432
Like how did you fare COVID cause
as a creative and same for me, like,
:
00:46:42,432 --> 00:46:43,512
I didn't work for three months.
:
00:46:43,512 --> 00:46:44,622
I had no income for three months.
:
00:46:44,652 --> 00:46:45,522
It's scary.
:
00:46:45,772 --> 00:46:47,002
, so how did you navigate that?
:
00:46:47,002 --> 00:46:48,082
How did it impact you?
:
00:46:48,292 --> 00:46:49,762
Oh, it changed.
:
00:46:49,822 --> 00:46:51,322
I mean, everything went upside down.
:
00:46:51,622 --> 00:46:57,142
It's just like, fortunately
like certain gigs that I had did
:
00:46:57,172 --> 00:46:59,032
move to being virtual, you know?
:
00:46:59,032 --> 00:47:02,532
So like, , rip creative circus, for
example, like that's an example of
:
00:47:02,532 --> 00:47:06,042
like a gig I had where I was teaching
in person and that moved to virtual.
:
00:47:06,072 --> 00:47:06,342
Cool.
:
00:47:06,402 --> 00:47:09,552
Fortunately it's like,
things like that did happen.
:
00:47:09,852 --> 00:47:13,152
And like, because more things were
moved, moving virtually more gigs moved.
:
00:47:13,512 --> 00:47:18,082
Virtually, which was nice, but it
really like shifted a whole bunch.
:
00:47:18,142 --> 00:47:18,352
Yeah.
:
00:47:18,382 --> 00:47:21,952
Because I mean, before the pandemic,
like I mentioned, I was mostly saw
:
00:47:21,952 --> 00:47:24,112
myself as like a live performer.
:
00:47:24,472 --> 00:47:28,992
And post pandemic, I still perform
when I can, but so much more of
:
00:47:28,992 --> 00:47:33,432
my time now goes towards things
that are in some way related to.
:
00:47:33,782 --> 00:47:35,612
, you know, building up
this production company.
:
00:47:36,002 --> 00:47:40,742
Whether it's like trying to plan for a
shoot, but also more so just like building
:
00:47:40,742 --> 00:47:46,622
relationships with folks that we work
with or are in similar fields, like not
:
00:47:46,622 --> 00:47:50,132
even necessarily to work with them, but
just like to build these relationships.
:
00:47:50,132 --> 00:47:51,572
So it's just like the way.
:
00:47:52,022 --> 00:47:55,202
Uh, also like I went from being
like a night person, you know?
:
00:47:55,202 --> 00:47:58,142
Cause it's just like, you
just be out all night.
:
00:47:58,562 --> 00:48:00,572
To now, like, I'm like, oh
man, I think I've been a
:
00:48:00,572 --> 00:48:01,682
morning person this whole time.
:
00:48:02,162 --> 00:48:05,882
So, so it was like, you know, like, and I
can do the late night thing, but I think
:
00:48:05,882 --> 00:48:07,712
I'm more naturally like a morning person.
:
00:48:07,712 --> 00:48:08,462
So interesting.
:
00:48:09,032 --> 00:48:12,632
Like I could probably talk for a
while about all the things that
:
00:48:12,692 --> 00:48:17,702
that changed, but it was definitely
like of like a very big shift.
:
00:48:18,092 --> 00:48:19,712
But what, what about Joseph?
:
00:48:20,102 --> 00:48:21,782
, it's interesting, kind of similar to you.
:
00:48:21,812 --> 00:48:25,802
I learned, I took
advantage of the downtime.
:
00:48:26,042 --> 00:48:30,272
And I did kind of learn about
myself in ways that I didn't have
:
00:48:30,272 --> 00:48:34,562
the opportunity to when you're just
like, You've got your schedule.
:
00:48:34,592 --> 00:48:36,722
You're like, I'm going
to work on these days.
:
00:48:36,722 --> 00:48:37,892
I sleep at these times.
:
00:48:37,892 --> 00:48:41,402
I socialize at these times, everything
was kind of pre prescribed and I'd been
:
00:48:41,402 --> 00:48:42,962
doing things the same way for so long.
:
00:48:42,962 --> 00:48:43,202
I.
:
00:48:43,412 --> 00:48:46,472
I there wasn't an opportunity
to take a step back and assess.
:
00:48:46,862 --> 00:48:51,962
Is this in tune with my natural,
like inclinations and body rhythms
:
00:48:51,962 --> 00:48:52,982
and all of that type of stuff.
:
00:48:53,262 --> 00:48:54,882
, so kind of like you I'm like,
yeah, I looked a little.
:
00:48:54,912 --> 00:48:55,902
Go to bed kind of early.
:
00:48:56,152 --> 00:48:58,552
, I wouldn't call myself a
morning person either per se.
:
00:48:59,422 --> 00:49:00,442
I just like to sleep.
:
00:49:00,472 --> 00:49:02,602
I really, I enjoyed the leisure.
:
00:49:02,852 --> 00:49:04,772
, but I enjoy an income even more.
:
00:49:05,162 --> 00:49:07,502
, but there was, , Actually, I
don't know if you remember this.
:
00:49:07,532 --> 00:49:08,552
It was when you were teaching.
:
00:49:08,702 --> 00:49:09,902
I broke my finger.
:
00:49:09,932 --> 00:49:10,292
Do you remember?
:
00:49:10,322 --> 00:49:11,672
I came in for like a giant cats.
:
00:49:13,152 --> 00:49:18,192
, but that planted the seed of like, I
need to have like revenue and income
:
00:49:18,342 --> 00:49:23,442
that isn't based solely on me cutting
hair or being physically present at work.
:
00:49:23,622 --> 00:49:25,782
, which kind of for you as a live
performer, it's like, okay,
:
00:49:25,782 --> 00:49:27,072
there's you gotta diversify.
:
00:49:27,312 --> 00:49:29,622
And so COVID kind of really was up.
:
00:49:30,132 --> 00:49:33,642
Uh, supercharged, like dip it
back into that mindset of like,
:
00:49:33,822 --> 00:49:35,022
you got to shake things up.
:
00:49:35,022 --> 00:49:39,852
And so that was kind of where I had the
idea of, , Branch and more into retail.
:
00:49:40,062 --> 00:49:42,252
And I started working with this business
coach and she's the one that , she's
:
00:49:42,252 --> 00:49:43,902
like, you have to do this podcast thing.
:
00:49:45,052 --> 00:49:48,292
, and, uh, uh, podcast had come up a lot of
times and like friends had suggested it.
:
00:49:48,292 --> 00:49:49,252
And I was like, no, no, no.
:
00:49:49,312 --> 00:49:51,082
Like there's other people that are better.
:
00:49:51,082 --> 00:49:53,182
And like were at after that, to me.
:
00:49:53,452 --> 00:49:58,012
, But I, uh, yeah, I think COVID really kind
of laid the groundwork for me to become
:
00:49:58,402 --> 00:50:00,052
the version of myself that I am now.
:
00:50:00,262 --> 00:50:01,882
And I feel very balanced.
:
00:50:02,122 --> 00:50:06,502
Um, so I still provide services and
take a select number of clients.
:
00:50:06,772 --> 00:50:07,222
I've got.
:
00:50:07,732 --> 00:50:08,752
Physical retail shop.
:
00:50:08,782 --> 00:50:10,042
I've got an online retail shop.
:
00:50:10,072 --> 00:50:13,072
I've got the podcast, which
makes me $0 yet, but it will.
:
00:50:13,912 --> 00:50:19,312
And so, yeah, I think that look, the scary
thing is like losing, like your, your,
:
00:50:19,402 --> 00:50:23,122
the roof over your head and like that
security and safety and getting close
:
00:50:23,122 --> 00:50:28,312
to that really kind of forced me to, to
reevaluate and kind of renegotiate what
:
00:50:28,312 --> 00:50:29,902
I'm doing, where I'm going, what I want.
:
00:50:29,902 --> 00:50:30,832
What's important to me.
:
00:50:31,292 --> 00:50:33,752
, and so I feel very clear
and present on that now.
:
00:50:34,532 --> 00:50:35,072
That's great.
:
00:50:35,072 --> 00:50:36,062
I haven't filed a question about that.
:
00:50:36,062 --> 00:50:38,612
So it's like, you know, you mentioned
bounce and it's just like, how did you
:
00:50:38,612 --> 00:50:43,202
know that you were getting closer to
being balanced just with everything.
:
00:50:43,442 --> 00:50:44,972
What were some indicators for you?
:
00:50:45,122 --> 00:50:46,202
That's a wonderful question.
:
00:50:46,362 --> 00:50:51,672
, I think so, especially as a woman there
and at my age, I came up in the kind
:
00:50:51,672 --> 00:50:53,982
of toxic girl boss season of things.
:
00:50:54,372 --> 00:50:58,092
Where you're told what balance
is and not really invited to
:
00:50:58,092 --> 00:50:59,532
assess what it means for you.
:
00:50:59,952 --> 00:51:04,272
And what I realized was there's no
such thing as actual balance, but for
:
00:51:04,272 --> 00:51:07,392
me, it's, Hey, I'm going to go hard
this week and then I'm not going to
:
00:51:07,392 --> 00:51:08,772
over-schedule myself the next week.
:
00:51:08,932 --> 00:51:13,252
, so, so if you look at my schedule,
it may not look balanced, but
:
00:51:13,252 --> 00:51:17,122
for me and my energy levels,
it's a net neutral, basically.
:
00:51:17,402 --> 00:51:21,062
, so just really getting clear
with myself and meditation was
:
00:51:21,062 --> 00:51:22,712
huge for this to just really.
:
00:51:23,312 --> 00:51:26,462
Putting away all the noise and other
people's ideas and opinions of what
:
00:51:26,462 --> 00:51:28,082
I should be and what I should do.
:
00:51:28,292 --> 00:51:31,472
And just, just being clear
with my inner voice and what.
:
00:51:32,192 --> 00:51:35,792
I need to be happy with myself and
content with what I'm creating.
:
00:51:36,072 --> 00:51:37,722
And no one to trust
that over anything else.
:
00:51:37,722 --> 00:51:40,092
And of course I love feedback
and constructive criticism.
:
00:51:40,092 --> 00:51:41,322
That's super important.
:
00:51:41,652 --> 00:51:43,452
, but yeah, I think I just got really clear.
:
00:51:43,452 --> 00:51:46,092
And so it was, you know, I'm going
to say no to this thing that I
:
00:51:46,092 --> 00:51:47,682
wouldn't have said no to last year.
:
00:51:47,842 --> 00:51:50,602
, because I know that it's going to put
me out of whack for what my goal is.
:
00:51:51,052 --> 00:51:52,072
Uh, so I guess.
:
00:51:52,582 --> 00:51:53,752
I got, did that answer your question?
:
00:51:53,752 --> 00:51:54,472
It does.
:
00:51:54,532 --> 00:51:58,342
I think something that resonates a lot
is like, You were talking about one
:
00:51:58,342 --> 00:52:01,792
week, may look different from the next,
but it balances your energy levels.
:
00:52:01,852 --> 00:52:02,422
Yeah.
:
00:52:02,542 --> 00:52:04,612
And I think that that resonates a lot.
:
00:52:04,612 --> 00:52:08,422
Cause like, you know, sometimes
we might travel to shoot
:
00:52:08,422 --> 00:52:09,982
something or travel for work.
:
00:52:10,012 --> 00:52:10,432
Yeah.
:
00:52:10,462 --> 00:52:14,362
And so then it's important then to have
like, I'm just processing this for myself.
:
00:52:14,362 --> 00:52:15,862
It's like, So then the next week.
:
00:52:16,282 --> 00:52:17,782
You know, maybe don't push it.
:
00:52:18,622 --> 00:52:19,222
Yeah.
:
00:52:19,222 --> 00:52:19,552
Yeah.
:
00:52:19,582 --> 00:52:21,952
Just like, cause when you know
yourself, you can anticipate
:
00:52:21,952 --> 00:52:22,912
what you're going to need.
:
00:52:23,182 --> 00:52:24,832
, And I was just talking to a
friend last night, actually,
:
00:52:24,832 --> 00:52:25,942
who travels a ton for work.
:
00:52:25,942 --> 00:52:30,262
And he's like having a hard time
dating because you know, he'll have
:
00:52:30,262 --> 00:52:32,992
just been out of town for a week and
coming home and has no groceries.
:
00:52:33,292 --> 00:52:34,492
And people are like, do
you want to get a drink?
:
00:52:34,492 --> 00:52:35,542
Like where do you want to go?
:
00:52:35,722 --> 00:52:36,202
What do you want to do?
:
00:52:36,232 --> 00:52:36,502
Dah, dah, dah.
:
00:52:36,532 --> 00:52:38,212
And it's like, I don't want
to answer these questions.
:
00:52:38,242 --> 00:52:41,212
Like, if you want to get a drink, say,
Hey, meet me at this place at this time.
:
00:52:41,332 --> 00:52:43,852
But , my bandwidth is like
not present right now.
:
00:52:44,182 --> 00:52:47,842
And, uh, he's like the priority
has to be what pays my bills.
:
00:52:47,872 --> 00:52:51,512
Like, you know, , and so just knowing,
like, don't even try to book a date
:
00:52:51,512 --> 00:52:54,482
the night that you just got back in
town after a week long term, you're not
:
00:52:54,482 --> 00:52:55,742
going to be your best self on that date.
:
00:52:56,072 --> 00:52:57,842
You're going to be tired.
:
00:52:57,872 --> 00:52:59,972
And if that person doesn't bring
their a game, you're gonna be
:
00:52:59,972 --> 00:53:00,752
like, what a waste of time.
:
00:53:02,822 --> 00:53:02,972
Yeah.
:
00:53:03,542 --> 00:53:03,932
Yeah.
:
00:53:03,962 --> 00:53:07,322
So I think just figuring out
yourself and a lot of people.
:
00:53:07,682 --> 00:53:11,312
You know, social media is so toxic
and a lot of ways, of course, but you
:
00:53:11,312 --> 00:53:14,672
see these people at the end of life
and it's not a day in their life.
:
00:53:14,702 --> 00:53:14,942
It's a.
:
00:53:15,182 --> 00:53:16,322
It's content right.
:
00:53:16,442 --> 00:53:18,242
Um, and people were like, oh my
God, this is what people are doing.
:
00:53:18,272 --> 00:53:19,052
I'm not doing enough.
:
00:53:19,052 --> 00:53:20,222
And you compare yourself.
:
00:53:20,522 --> 00:53:22,082
And that is that.
:
00:53:22,412 --> 00:53:23,402
I stopped doing that.
:
00:53:23,402 --> 00:53:24,482
I think that's like the biggest thing.
:
00:53:24,512 --> 00:53:26,072
And I was like, it doesn't
matter what she's doing.
:
00:53:26,102 --> 00:53:26,432
Yeah.
:
00:53:26,462 --> 00:53:26,912
Oh, you.
:
00:53:27,452 --> 00:53:30,152
That actually brings up another
question because you brought
:
00:53:30,152 --> 00:53:31,412
something up on a previous episode.
:
00:53:31,652 --> 00:53:34,832
You're talking about social media and
you were talking about, , trying to
:
00:53:34,832 --> 00:53:36,272
paraphrase some, something to miss things.
:
00:53:36,632 --> 00:53:40,742
We were talking about like, you know,
For your work, like there's a certain
:
00:53:40,742 --> 00:53:42,242
amount of social media that has to happen.
:
00:53:42,812 --> 00:53:45,782
But like you interacting
with it in an authentic way.
:
00:53:46,502 --> 00:53:48,812
In a way that makes
sense can be challenging.
:
00:53:48,992 --> 00:53:51,812
And also sounds like you don't care
about it a hundred percent, you know,
:
00:53:51,872 --> 00:53:56,012
and like, I thought it was so interesting
that that resume resonated with me.
:
00:53:56,372 --> 00:54:00,752
'cause when we first started putting out
videos, like they were getting views.
:
00:54:00,752 --> 00:54:02,762
And so like, we were putting
them on different platforms.
:
00:54:03,032 --> 00:54:05,402
And at the time we first
started doing videos.
:
00:54:05,432 --> 00:54:06,752
I was on Facebook and nothing else.
:
00:54:06,752 --> 00:54:10,142
So I've never been on Twitter, never
been on Instagram, never been on Tik TOK.
:
00:54:10,292 --> 00:54:12,452
I'm not had to join these things.
:
00:54:12,872 --> 00:54:14,702
And so some of them were pretty cool.
:
00:54:14,732 --> 00:54:15,392
I was like, I get it.
:
00:54:15,452 --> 00:54:18,992
I get it now with this grant, but it's
like you mentioned comparing earlier.
:
00:54:19,022 --> 00:54:19,562
Yes.
:
00:54:19,712 --> 00:54:20,942
And it was very difficult.
:
00:54:21,272 --> 00:54:24,182
You know, not to do that,
even if you don't want to be.
:
00:54:24,662 --> 00:54:27,362
You're just scrolling and you're
like, oh, well, they're here.
:
00:54:27,362 --> 00:54:28,262
Um, I'm here.
:
00:54:28,292 --> 00:54:28,442
Yeah.
:
00:54:28,502 --> 00:54:30,752
So that in itself isn't comparison.
:
00:54:31,472 --> 00:54:33,962
Uh, I don't know what the question
is other than like, how are you?
:
00:54:34,472 --> 00:54:35,552
What works for you?
:
00:54:36,422 --> 00:54:39,752
Well, I guess that depends
on how you define what works.
:
00:54:40,262 --> 00:54:40,952
Yeah.
:
00:54:41,132 --> 00:54:42,152
So, uh,
:
00:54:43,712 --> 00:54:48,272
I'm still every day, I'm navigating
that because I genuinely don't care.
:
00:54:48,492 --> 00:54:52,392
, so like my Instagram for this podcast.
:
00:54:52,722 --> 00:54:56,052
I think I have like 150 followers,
but the followers I have are engaged.
:
00:54:56,052 --> 00:54:56,082
There's.
:
00:54:57,712 --> 00:55:01,672
, so it's like, of course there's other
podcasts that have 25,000 followers
:
00:55:01,672 --> 00:55:04,162
and like their videos are on point and
they're clearly paying a production
:
00:55:04,162 --> 00:55:05,452
company to create all of this.
:
00:55:05,782 --> 00:55:08,932
And I find myself like, I'll just
set my phone down and I'm like,
:
00:55:08,992 --> 00:55:09,772
oh, you're not doing enough.
:
00:55:09,772 --> 00:55:10,432
You're not doing enough.
:
00:55:10,642 --> 00:55:14,152
And then I remind myself, you're
doing the max that you can.
:
00:55:14,362 --> 00:55:14,842
I.
:
00:55:15,412 --> 00:55:16,402
Do you all have this?
:
00:55:16,402 --> 00:55:19,192
I produce this, I edit
this, I published this.
:
00:55:19,422 --> 00:55:22,872
, and I enjoy that because
again, I'm controlling and, uh,
:
00:55:22,872 --> 00:55:25,332
it's my creative, uh, Output.
:
00:55:25,672 --> 00:55:28,282
And so at this stage of things,
I just have to be comfortable
:
00:55:28,282 --> 00:55:29,362
where I'm like, I'm doing.
:
00:55:29,662 --> 00:55:33,622
As much as I can, and that will
evolve as I've watched it evolve
:
00:55:33,622 --> 00:55:35,212
in other facets of my career.
:
00:55:35,482 --> 00:55:37,432
And that will show up online.
:
00:55:37,462 --> 00:55:41,092
But at the end of the day, And I was
actually having a conversation about this
:
00:55:41,092 --> 00:55:45,082
for the Instagram, for my, my retail shop,
which is more popular than the podcast.
:
00:55:45,362 --> 00:55:48,812
, Uh, but followers don't equal revenue.
:
00:55:48,932 --> 00:55:52,322
So there's lots of people where
you look at their pages and you're
:
00:55:52,322 --> 00:55:55,082
like, oh my God, like, how do they
already have 50,000 followers?
:
00:55:55,472 --> 00:55:57,692
, but you know that person and
you're like, oh, they couldn't
:
00:55:57,692 --> 00:55:59,162
pay their lease last month.
:
00:55:59,512 --> 00:56:03,862
, so I think that you just have to know
that for me and my values, like I'm
:
00:56:03,892 --> 00:56:07,252
very, very pleased with the quality
of the content that I'm putting out.
:
00:56:07,432 --> 00:56:10,342
I'm doing the best job I can
while still learning how to do it.
:
00:56:10,672 --> 00:56:13,942
And that's what makes me sleep
well at night, not having a
:
00:56:13,942 --> 00:56:14,992
certain number of followers.
:
00:56:15,202 --> 00:56:17,272
Because that's just like
the social media people.
:
00:56:17,452 --> 00:56:19,402
That's that's Metta telling me.
:
00:56:19,432 --> 00:56:23,062
Yeah, that like, I'm not cool unless I
have a lot of followers and I disagree
:
00:56:23,062 --> 00:56:24,442
and I think I'm cool without them.
:
00:56:24,652 --> 00:56:24,742
Yeah.
:
00:56:24,852 --> 00:56:27,942
, so I would, of course like to
grow at, because I want more
:
00:56:27,972 --> 00:56:29,382
visibility for this project.
:
00:56:29,502 --> 00:56:29,682
Right.
:
00:56:29,682 --> 00:56:34,032
But at the end of the day, if it's not
going to pay my mortgage, I don't care.
:
00:56:34,182 --> 00:56:35,292
Right, right.
:
00:56:35,772 --> 00:56:36,612
Yeah, no, that's super.
:
00:56:37,722 --> 00:56:38,682
That's super helpful.
:
00:56:38,892 --> 00:56:39,222
Yeah.
:
00:56:39,462 --> 00:56:40,902
And I appreciate you sharing.
:
00:56:40,932 --> 00:56:45,072
I like to ask people about it cause it's
like, We all deal with it as creative.
:
00:56:45,132 --> 00:56:46,002
Yeah.
:
00:56:46,092 --> 00:56:46,602
Yeah.
:
00:56:46,782 --> 00:56:48,912
Cause it's kinda like, it's not as
simple being like, oh, I'm going
:
00:56:48,912 --> 00:56:51,792
to turn it off a slight, well,
you got to gain a little bit.
:
00:56:51,822 --> 00:56:52,182
Correct.
:
00:56:52,452 --> 00:56:56,022
I was working for other people and
like, From what other folks are doing.
:
00:56:56,082 --> 00:56:56,352
Yeah.
:
00:56:56,412 --> 00:57:00,372
I'm absolutely learning every day
because I don't know what, like.
:
00:57:01,002 --> 00:57:02,802
The magnet man is
actually a great example.
:
00:57:02,802 --> 00:57:07,062
I mean, he started that page four months
ago and he's got like 25,000 followers.
:
00:57:07,632 --> 00:57:11,742
And all he's doing is just
being so authentically himself.
:
00:57:12,162 --> 00:57:13,062
, and he deserves all of this.
:
00:57:13,242 --> 00:57:14,142
I mean, he's awesome.
:
00:57:14,262 --> 00:57:17,862
However, at least as we're recording
this, like that page, doesn't monetize.
:
00:57:18,012 --> 00:57:19,392
So like, he's got great engagement.
:
00:57:19,392 --> 00:57:22,662
He's got a lot of followers, but
again, it doesn't pay his mortgage.
:
00:57:22,662 --> 00:57:24,342
It's just truly a creative outlet.
:
00:57:24,342 --> 00:57:28,812
So it's like, how do you quantify the
value of that number of followers?
:
00:57:28,962 --> 00:57:29,232
Right.
:
00:57:29,232 --> 00:57:30,492
Likes and comments, right?
:
00:57:30,522 --> 00:57:31,122
Right.
:
00:57:31,602 --> 00:57:31,872
Yeah.
:
00:57:31,932 --> 00:57:32,922
So I don't know, man.
:
00:57:32,982 --> 00:57:33,462
It's definitely.
:
00:57:35,682 --> 00:57:36,912
If you're listening, please follow me.
:
00:57:40,572 --> 00:57:41,052
If you don't mind.
:
00:57:42,522 --> 00:57:45,552
And it does nothing to you
is like, I don't really, I'm
:
00:57:45,552 --> 00:57:46,782
not good at asking for help.
:
00:57:46,962 --> 00:57:49,092
I'm not good at asking for stuff.
:
00:57:49,272 --> 00:57:52,122
If I can do it alone, I'm going
to do it alone, which maybe
:
00:57:52,122 --> 00:57:53,802
is like a trauma response to.
:
00:57:55,272 --> 00:57:56,532
Things I should talk about in therapy.
:
00:57:57,312 --> 00:57:59,262
Uh, but I'm not good at being like, like.
:
00:58:00,072 --> 00:58:03,192
I kind of, um, I want to build
it and let it come type of thing.
:
00:58:03,192 --> 00:58:05,952
So it's like, if you feel, and I wonder
if this resonates with you, but like,
:
00:58:06,252 --> 00:58:07,992
Hey, I put it all into the sketch.
:
00:58:08,022 --> 00:58:09,042
Like I feel good about this.
:
00:58:09,042 --> 00:58:09,522
This is solid.
:
00:58:09,552 --> 00:58:10,422
This represents me.
:
00:58:10,632 --> 00:58:13,392
I'm going to put it out there and
just like, see what happens and not
:
00:58:13,392 --> 00:58:15,432
worry about people's reaction as much.
:
00:58:16,272 --> 00:58:18,012
Um, learning to get much better at that.
:
00:58:18,252 --> 00:58:18,672
Yeah.
:
00:58:18,672 --> 00:58:19,452
Yeah, yeah.
:
00:58:19,482 --> 00:58:24,262
I've learned to like, I think, , cause
I think I, yeah, I think also too, just
:
00:58:24,262 --> 00:58:28,672
the way you put comedy out has changed
so much, so much now versus like.
:
00:58:28,972 --> 00:58:29,842
When I started.
:
00:58:30,232 --> 00:58:33,622
So like, for example, like when I
started, if you're like a standup
:
00:58:33,622 --> 00:58:37,522
comic, you wouldn't put stuff out on the
internet because you wouldn't want to
:
00:58:37,522 --> 00:58:40,072
burn jokes or like whatever the case.
:
00:58:40,432 --> 00:58:42,462
May be, , and you would
wait until it's light.
:
00:58:42,462 --> 00:58:44,532
We'll wait until you get on
TV or something like that.
:
00:58:44,832 --> 00:58:46,722
But now it's just like, that's flipped.
:
00:58:46,722 --> 00:58:47,952
It's just like you got something good.
:
00:58:47,952 --> 00:58:49,332
Like put it out there and see.
:
00:58:49,872 --> 00:58:51,642
Uh, what happens, you know?
:
00:58:51,642 --> 00:58:52,902
And so I become.
:
00:58:53,112 --> 00:58:54,132
I think in a positive way.
:
00:58:54,192 --> 00:58:54,432
Yeah.
:
00:58:54,462 --> 00:58:57,462
Like I'm less concerned.
:
00:58:57,492 --> 00:59:00,552
Like when I put something out there,
like I'm more like, well, this is
:
00:59:00,552 --> 00:59:02,592
interesting to me at this time.
:
00:59:02,592 --> 00:59:04,662
I, I want to put it out,
so I'm going to put it out.
:
00:59:04,662 --> 00:59:07,122
So, which is, which was
not necessarily the case.
:
00:59:07,542 --> 00:59:12,402
Like when I first started with things and
again, I don't think it was bad then, you
:
00:59:12,402 --> 00:59:15,852
know, It was just more so like, uh, I was
just like, oh, I want to put out some of
:
00:59:15,852 --> 00:59:20,202
this quality and that's a good impulse
to have, but I think also being okay.
:
00:59:20,892 --> 00:59:22,332
I'm putting something
out just to put it out.
:
00:59:22,482 --> 00:59:23,592
Yeah, that's it.
:
00:59:23,592 --> 00:59:27,792
And I know like there's episodes, I've
put out where I'm like, was this the best
:
00:59:27,792 --> 00:59:29,172
thing I've ever created in my entire life?
:
00:59:29,202 --> 00:59:30,792
Like maybe not.
:
00:59:31,012 --> 00:59:34,342
, but it's, there's still, if somebody has
a takeaway and gets a little something
:
00:59:34,342 --> 00:59:38,392
from it, then it's worth producing
and not everything we see, we do, you
:
00:59:38,422 --> 00:59:40,372
can be 110% of ourselves at all times.
:
00:59:40,372 --> 00:59:40,912
I mean, that's just.
:
00:59:41,242 --> 00:59:41,872
UN UN.
:
00:59:42,622 --> 00:59:46,882
Um, reasonable or unrealistic
expectation when you're talking about
:
00:59:46,882 --> 00:59:49,882
something creative, it's not math where
it's like, this is right or wrong.
:
00:59:49,942 --> 00:59:50,152
You.
:
00:59:50,452 --> 00:59:52,462
There's no, like binary like that.
:
00:59:52,852 --> 00:59:55,192
, so yeah, creative stuff is
just tough and subjective.
:
00:59:55,222 --> 00:59:58,642
And, , I think you just have to, if
you feel that calling to do something
:
00:59:58,642 --> 01:00:03,172
creative, you just have to do it and
put it out there and, uh, Be like
:
01:00:03,202 --> 01:00:04,402
have integrity behind your work.
:
01:00:04,882 --> 01:00:09,562
If you feel like it's authentic and a
true representation of yourself than a.
:
01:00:10,132 --> 01:00:11,842
I mean, I'll sleep sound, you know?
:
01:00:12,232 --> 01:00:12,982
Yeah, I love that.
:
01:00:13,252 --> 01:00:14,422
Oh, I had another question for you too.
:
01:00:14,932 --> 01:00:15,262
How did.
:
01:00:15,712 --> 01:00:17,872
How did you get into comedy originally?
:
01:00:18,152 --> 01:00:18,422
, okay.
:
01:00:18,422 --> 01:00:19,052
Great question.
:
01:00:19,602 --> 01:00:21,642
I've always been funny.
:
01:00:21,972 --> 01:00:23,952
And I don't mean that like a braggy way.
:
01:00:23,982 --> 01:00:24,042
Um,
:
01:00:26,292 --> 01:00:27,192
You are a funny person.
:
01:00:27,192 --> 01:00:27,672
You are what?
:
01:00:27,702 --> 01:00:28,902
Yeah, like I know what you mean.
:
01:00:28,902 --> 01:00:29,622
You are a funny person.
:
01:00:29,952 --> 01:00:32,682
Like, I always, I've never have had
a hard time making people laugh.
:
01:00:32,712 --> 01:00:34,062
And my dad is hilarious.
:
01:00:34,092 --> 01:00:36,432
He's an asshole, but he is hilarious.
:
01:00:36,462 --> 01:00:40,962
And I think I grew up in a household
where humor was used to diffuse
:
01:00:40,962 --> 01:00:42,462
things and to address things.
:
01:00:42,702 --> 01:00:46,212
We didn't have a lot of sit down
deep, serious family conversations.
:
01:00:46,332 --> 01:00:50,472
, humor was the vehicle for kind of
some important content back to what
:
01:00:50,472 --> 01:00:53,882
you were saying about the, you know,
, civil engagement type of step in.
:
01:00:54,362 --> 01:00:55,802
Kind of putting that under
the umbrella of comedy.
:
01:00:56,052 --> 01:00:57,972
, so I think I always grew up.
:
01:00:58,482 --> 01:01:00,822
Being shown there was
a value in being funny.
:
01:01:01,092 --> 01:01:03,522
Um, and of course, making
people laugh feels good.
:
01:01:03,552 --> 01:01:03,702
Yeah.
:
01:01:03,922 --> 01:01:08,602
, and so I, uh, never would have
thought that I would like.
:
01:01:09,172 --> 01:01:11,662
I be like, I be a standup
or anything like that.
:
01:01:11,982 --> 01:01:13,242
, but, uh, was.
:
01:01:13,602 --> 01:01:17,802
I think I have like a business coach and
I was in my, probably mid twenties, late
:
01:01:17,802 --> 01:01:19,212
twenties when I started doing improv.
:
01:01:19,212 --> 01:01:21,852
And she was like, this is going
to help you with public speaking.
:
01:01:21,882 --> 01:01:23,352
Oh, oh, I'm glad you asked me this.
:
01:01:23,352 --> 01:01:23,742
I'm like, I've got.
:
01:01:24,922 --> 01:01:28,222
, I was doing a lot of teaching
and educating for my salon work.
:
01:01:28,312 --> 01:01:33,082
Um, so I'd be going to other cities and
other salons and, you know, it was getting
:
01:01:33,082 --> 01:01:35,212
to the point, I think the biggest group
of people I spoke in front of us, like
:
01:01:35,272 --> 01:01:36,772
maybe a hundred ish people, but for some.
:
01:01:38,122 --> 01:01:40,312
Um, and I just got crippling anxiety.
:
01:01:40,312 --> 01:01:41,092
Like I didn't like it.
:
01:01:41,272 --> 01:01:46,822
Um, Uh, in, in, uh, in that I
totally, that totally makes sense.
:
01:01:46,822 --> 01:01:47,992
I'm not saying like, how's that possible?
:
01:01:48,082 --> 01:01:48,532
But yeah.
:
01:01:49,252 --> 01:01:53,542
When I, when I've seen you speak in
class elsewhere, it's just like you
:
01:01:53,542 --> 01:01:55,162
could, you can man, the room, I.
:
01:01:55,252 --> 01:01:57,442
And I'm curious, like where that's
from and also want to learn how
:
01:01:57,442 --> 01:01:59,632
you got into comedy, but that
was also just interesting to you.
:
01:01:59,752 --> 01:02:00,382
Yeah.
:
01:02:00,682 --> 01:02:01,702
, that's bravado.
:
01:02:02,002 --> 01:02:02,542
That's fake.
:
01:02:02,782 --> 01:02:05,182
, and you know, it's funny you
remember Ian from Highwire.
:
01:02:05,552 --> 01:02:09,442
, we have like a post graduation,
like, , A feedback session.
:
01:02:09,742 --> 01:02:12,952
And I remember sitting down with him, we
were at some little like Irish pub and he
:
01:02:12,952 --> 01:02:14,272
just looked at me and he was like, would.
:
01:02:14,272 --> 01:02:16,612
Would it kill you to not
play an alpha character?
:
01:02:16,642 --> 01:02:20,032
And I was like, and it's never occurred
to me to not play an alpha character.
:
01:02:20,662 --> 01:02:21,442
I just am.
:
01:02:21,772 --> 01:02:22,792
It's a control thing though.
:
01:02:22,792 --> 01:02:23,422
You know what I mean?
:
01:02:23,872 --> 01:02:27,442
, but And people always are surprised
to hear that about me because I do
:
01:02:27,442 --> 01:02:32,362
when I'm out there, I turn it on
and I'm like, everything's fine.
:
01:02:32,362 --> 01:02:35,212
Kind of once I get started,
But like that lead up to it.
:
01:02:35,212 --> 01:02:39,862
I mean, sweaty palms, heart racing,
just, I mean, Uncontrollable anxiety.
:
01:02:40,222 --> 01:02:44,332
And, uh, so I, it was suggested that I
take up improv because it would help me.
:
01:02:44,332 --> 01:02:47,392
I mean, I would like rehearse a phone
call before I make it type of anxiety.
:
01:02:47,752 --> 01:02:48,532
, And improv.
:
01:02:48,592 --> 01:02:49,762
There's no time to be anxious.
:
01:02:49,762 --> 01:02:52,282
Like it really helps you
to work through that.
:
01:02:52,282 --> 01:02:53,122
And I a.
:
01:02:53,662 --> 01:02:57,652
Like the me on the other side of having
taken up, like pretty intensive, I mean,
:
01:02:57,652 --> 01:02:59,332
to look pretty intense years of improv.
:
01:02:59,452 --> 01:03:00,382
Um, education.
:
01:03:00,772 --> 01:03:01,402
, oh my God.
:
01:03:01,402 --> 01:03:04,222
I mean, it's so much better and I still
will get anxious from time to time,
:
01:03:04,222 --> 01:03:07,672
but nothing like it was before, but
it was a hundred percent of fake it
:
01:03:07,672 --> 01:03:09,832
till you make it like bravado thing.
:
01:03:09,862 --> 01:03:10,192
Like.
:
01:03:10,582 --> 01:03:10,912
Yeah.
:
01:03:12,352 --> 01:03:16,462
So got into comedy largely just
from the public speaking aspect.
:
01:03:16,462 --> 01:03:16,852
Yeah.
:
01:03:16,942 --> 01:03:18,712
I'm curious, you know, you
doing it for two years.
:
01:03:18,712 --> 01:03:22,552
Was there something, did you, were there
other things too that had you stick with?
:
01:03:22,582 --> 01:03:23,662
And I suppose, you know, cause.
:
01:03:24,202 --> 01:03:27,442
Um, in some respects, maybe you could
have taken a class, gotten wish needed.
:
01:03:27,742 --> 01:03:28,282
Yeah.
:
01:03:29,102 --> 01:03:31,742
, I really enjoyed, so.
:
01:03:32,342 --> 01:03:35,612
Especially as a woman in your late
twenties, mid to late twenties.
:
01:03:35,652 --> 01:03:38,022
, that's when people are starting
to get married, starting to have
:
01:03:38,022 --> 01:03:40,872
babies and starting to get boring,
and I didn't want to do any of that.
:
01:03:40,872 --> 01:03:44,682
And so I noticed, you know, my
social circle kind of fluctuating
:
01:03:44,682 --> 01:03:48,762
and I'm like, you know, I want to
do, uh, some, some stuff for me.
:
01:03:48,952 --> 01:03:51,442
, and I, uh, really enjoyed it.
:
01:03:51,442 --> 01:03:53,092
I loved the people that I met.
:
01:03:53,222 --> 01:03:55,982
, I, uh, have never dated
so much in my life.
:
01:03:55,982 --> 01:03:57,332
I was so popular.
:
01:03:57,752 --> 01:03:59,282
I'm like, oh my God.
:
01:04:01,922 --> 01:04:05,252
It's like a really nice little pool
to meet real people in real life.
:
01:04:05,252 --> 01:04:05,552
Right.
:
01:04:05,782 --> 01:04:07,222
, and I liked the social aspect of it.
:
01:04:07,222 --> 01:04:11,812
And I enjoyed knowing like once a
week for two hours, I'm going to be
:
01:04:11,842 --> 01:04:16,162
vulnerable and silly and have fun and
just play with other people who, uh,
:
01:04:16,432 --> 01:04:18,112
Maybe I have nothing in common with.
:
01:04:18,452 --> 01:04:21,242
, but I loved the, uh, like.
:
01:04:21,572 --> 01:04:24,932
All of the labels that we all
have prescribed to ourselves.
:
01:04:25,202 --> 01:04:29,552
I feel like don't, maybe don't isn't is a
stretch, but like, I feel like you leave
:
01:04:29,552 --> 01:04:32,702
a lot about it at the door and you can
really pretend and play around with being
:
01:04:32,702 --> 01:04:34,142
anybody as long as they're not a beta.
:
01:04:34,471 --> 01:04:34,682
Um,
:
01:04:40,232 --> 01:04:40,682
So.
:
01:04:41,192 --> 01:04:43,592
Yeah, I just, I just
like really enjoyed it.
:
01:04:43,642 --> 01:04:44,692
, uh, but it's, I.
:
01:04:44,932 --> 01:04:48,022
I guess as the people that I met along the
way, and the people that I'm still friends
:
01:04:48,022 --> 01:04:53,292
with to this day and really appreciate,
, Having experienced knowing in my life.
:
01:04:53,352 --> 01:04:53,892
That's cool.
:
01:04:53,982 --> 01:04:56,922
And so you did improv,
did you stand up as well?
:
01:04:57,162 --> 01:04:58,152
I did not do stand out.
:
01:04:58,372 --> 01:05:03,322
, I, uh, at some point I will, I feel,
I feel a little bit of a calling.
:
01:05:03,352 --> 01:05:03,562
Yeah.
:
01:05:03,892 --> 01:05:04,852
My toes into that.
:
01:05:04,882 --> 01:05:05,092
Yeah.
:
01:05:05,221 --> 01:05:07,112
, uh, but I haven't yet got.
:
01:05:07,622 --> 01:05:08,792
Lace Larry's class school.
:
01:05:08,852 --> 01:05:11,612
I haven't taken it, but I've seen
the students that I see coming out
:
01:05:11,612 --> 01:05:13,532
of class are always super hilarious.
:
01:05:13,532 --> 01:05:14,492
So it seems like a great experience.
:
01:05:14,492 --> 01:05:17,132
We have a previous guest
who took classes with lace.
:
01:05:17,162 --> 01:05:18,482
Libby and suggested them.
:
01:05:18,482 --> 01:05:20,822
And so that, it's interesting,
you're saying that because that
:
01:05:20,822 --> 01:05:24,152
seed has been planted and I think
I would definitely take hers.
:
01:05:24,512 --> 01:05:25,562
, if I were to pursue it.
:
01:05:25,922 --> 01:05:26,132
Cool.
:
01:05:26,522 --> 01:05:28,772
But I definitely like, I have
a notes app where I'm like,
:
01:05:28,802 --> 01:05:29,912
Hey, this is a funny thing.
:
01:05:30,692 --> 01:05:34,172
And I'll record voice memos of myself,
like telling jokes and stuff like that.
:
01:05:34,382 --> 01:05:35,612
Sometimes I go back and listen.
:
01:05:35,642 --> 01:05:36,212
I'm like delete.
:
01:05:37,562 --> 01:05:38,582
I'm like, there's something here.
:
01:05:40,112 --> 01:05:41,072
This can be refined.
:
01:05:41,192 --> 01:05:41,282
Absolutely.
:
01:05:41,672 --> 01:05:45,272
, so yeah, I think just humor is so
important to me because I do think
:
01:05:45,272 --> 01:05:50,812
it's a vehicle for, , diffusing tension
and it allows for conversations around
:
01:05:50,842 --> 01:05:54,412
topics that maybe are tough for people.
:
01:05:54,652 --> 01:05:55,822
And so, uh, yeah.
:
01:05:56,152 --> 01:05:58,102
Humor is just very, very,
very important to me.
:
01:05:58,132 --> 01:05:58,552
Yeah.
:
01:05:58,552 --> 01:05:58,942
Yeah.
:
01:06:00,471 --> 01:06:00,712
Yeah.
:
01:06:01,312 --> 01:06:01,492
Yeah.
:
01:06:01,522 --> 01:06:01,942
Yeah.
:
01:06:02,812 --> 01:06:04,792
, one of the things that I, uh, enjoy a lot.
:
01:06:04,882 --> 01:06:06,172
You know, I mentioned earlier.
:
01:06:06,892 --> 01:06:08,182
Uh, creating with other folks.
:
01:06:08,212 --> 01:06:08,392
Yeah.
:
01:06:08,662 --> 01:06:12,952
Uh, even if I'm just an audience
member, like a spectator, right?
:
01:06:12,982 --> 01:06:13,221
Like I draw.
:
01:06:13,402 --> 01:06:14,662
A lot of inspiration from that.
:
01:06:14,962 --> 01:06:18,922
And I think that something that I'm
really thankful for in Atlanta is
:
01:06:18,922 --> 01:06:22,582
just like the creative scene and
there's all these really cool pockets
:
01:06:22,582 --> 01:06:25,792
of artists making great stuff.
:
01:06:26,152 --> 01:06:29,572
And so something that is exciting
about the show tonight is the
:
01:06:29,572 --> 01:06:32,392
people that I'm inviting or
people that I feel that way about.
:
01:06:32,392 --> 01:06:35,572
Like when I watch them, I'm like,
wow, there's something that you
:
01:06:35,572 --> 01:06:37,072
do that inspires me in some way.
:
01:06:37,402 --> 01:06:40,792
, , so that's something that, uh, I've
drawn a lot of inspiration from,
:
01:06:40,822 --> 01:06:42,862
because I think like pre pandemic.
:
01:06:43,102 --> 01:06:45,772
I was so focused on getting on
stage as much as I could, right.
:
01:06:45,862 --> 01:06:46,012
To.
:
01:06:46,162 --> 01:06:48,232
Like get reps and to build those skills.
:
01:06:48,562 --> 01:06:51,471
And I think in slowing down from
the pandemic, something that I.
:
01:06:52,042 --> 01:06:53,602
I think was reminded of how much I enjoy.
:
01:06:53,632 --> 01:06:55,792
It was like, oh, I'm so
like watching this stuff.
:
01:06:55,882 --> 01:06:56,182
Yeah.
:
01:06:56,721 --> 01:06:57,112
For sure.
:
01:06:57,442 --> 01:07:01,162
And not just comedy, but like
going to see a movement piece or
:
01:07:01,162 --> 01:07:03,022
going to see a player going to see.
:
01:07:03,772 --> 01:07:05,512
Uh, musician or something like that.
:
01:07:05,512 --> 01:07:10,552
And so I think something that has recently
been exciting for me creatively has been
:
01:07:10,582 --> 01:07:15,322
like the role of an audience member and
finding inspiration from other folks.
:
01:07:15,471 --> 01:07:15,592
Yeah.
:
01:07:15,862 --> 01:07:17,902
Just like in different lanes than myself.
:
01:07:17,992 --> 01:07:18,292
Yeah.
:
01:07:18,802 --> 01:07:20,212
And so, so, so I'm in.
:
01:07:20,542 --> 01:07:24,322
And I really love when those, uh,
different disciplines come together.
:
01:07:24,442 --> 01:07:29,092
So like a variety show, style thing, or
even you might not even be at a variety
:
01:07:29,092 --> 01:07:31,912
show, but like, you know, like when
you're at, like, I don't know, this is
:
01:07:31,912 --> 01:07:34,462
just a random example, like you're at
a dance show or something like that.
:
01:07:34,522 --> 01:07:36,232
And there's a lot of
great dancing going on.
:
01:07:36,232 --> 01:07:38,122
You're like these people
are moving this fantastic.
:
01:07:38,302 --> 01:07:38,812
I was talking.
:
01:07:39,202 --> 01:07:41,692
And then suddenly somewhere,
someone started singing lyrics
:
01:07:41,721 --> 01:07:42,952
and you're like, what is this?
:
01:07:43,192 --> 01:07:43,492
Yeah.
:
01:07:43,852 --> 01:07:46,642
And normally it wouldn't be that
surprising on stage for someone to
:
01:07:46,642 --> 01:07:49,492
sing lyrics, but when they haven't been
singing the whole time and they start
:
01:07:49,522 --> 01:07:50,962
singing, you're like, Hey, how about that?
:
01:07:50,992 --> 01:07:51,322
Yeah.
:
01:07:51,382 --> 01:07:54,442
And there's certain shows around town
where I feel like, I feel like right
:
01:07:54,471 --> 01:07:58,992
club does this really well, where
they, , Um, invite people of different
:
01:07:58,992 --> 01:08:01,812
disciplines to come together in one space.
:
01:08:02,082 --> 01:08:03,192
And I just really love.
:
01:08:03,252 --> 01:08:05,712
You know, that, that mashup
with that, that desire.
:
01:08:06,492 --> 01:08:07,272
I love that.
:
01:08:07,272 --> 01:08:11,332
Cause I do think, , ah, There's
inspiration everywhere and
:
01:08:11,332 --> 01:08:12,862
so many unexpected places.
:
01:08:13,162 --> 01:08:15,352
And you just have to be open to it.
:
01:08:15,442 --> 01:08:17,122
And seeing people.
:
01:08:17,721 --> 01:08:19,912
Interpret things differently
and perform them.
:
01:08:19,912 --> 01:08:20,992
It's just so cool.
:
01:08:21,051 --> 01:08:24,471
And Atlanta's the, I mean, there
are issues with Atlanta, of course,
:
01:08:24,471 --> 01:08:27,502
but it's a creatively, it's such a
wonderful city to be in and we're
:
01:08:27,502 --> 01:08:30,622
surrounded by so many people who
just like are passionate and just are
:
01:08:30,622 --> 01:08:33,022
trying to put out really cool stuff.
:
01:08:33,082 --> 01:08:33,292
Yeah.
:
01:08:34,042 --> 01:08:37,551
I think it just invites all of us to
level up and just, you know, Yeah,
:
01:08:37,582 --> 01:08:39,022
produce it our best level as we can.
:
01:08:39,112 --> 01:08:39,381
Yeah.
:
01:08:39,381 --> 01:08:39,742
Yeah.
:
01:08:39,772 --> 01:08:43,912
And I think like from watching those
artists that I really enjoy a lot.
:
01:08:43,971 --> 01:08:46,761
It's informed a lot of my work
in the sense of like how I
:
01:08:46,881 --> 01:08:48,292
collaborate with folks, you know?
:
01:08:48,292 --> 01:08:48,322
Cause.
:
01:08:48,801 --> 01:08:52,402
A lot of what we do with cool,
cool productions is like, you
:
01:08:52,402 --> 01:08:54,922
know, we'll collaborate with an
organization or a company or whoever.
:
01:08:55,341 --> 01:08:58,822
And it's like, and it's not always
just comedy, but it's like, how
:
01:08:58,822 --> 01:09:00,652
can we create some sort of content.
:
01:09:01,011 --> 01:09:01,792
With you.
:
01:09:02,572 --> 01:09:06,292
To help you, you know, tell your own
story the way you want to see it told,
:
01:09:06,292 --> 01:09:10,852
you know, And so it's learning how to
work with people that may not necessarily
:
01:09:10,852 --> 01:09:14,062
be, uh, comedians or may not necessarily.
:
01:09:14,922 --> 01:09:15,582
, you know, consider.
:
01:09:16,032 --> 01:09:17,862
Do storytelling all day, every day.
:
01:09:17,922 --> 01:09:18,192
Right.
:
01:09:18,192 --> 01:09:22,362
You know, and, but they have
stories and they have a point of
:
01:09:22,362 --> 01:09:25,152
view and learning like, how can
we kind of bring this together?
:
01:09:25,232 --> 01:09:28,172
I think that's why I'm attracted to the
variety show format, because it sort of
:
01:09:28,172 --> 01:09:32,971
then shows up in the work, you know, Uh,
and that's something that's really cool.
:
01:09:32,971 --> 01:09:35,732
Like, so for example, bill and
I are working with some folks
:
01:09:35,761 --> 01:09:36,782
in the public health space.
:
01:09:36,961 --> 01:09:38,341
I don't know anything about.
:
01:09:38,792 --> 01:09:40,982
I'm learning a little bit about
it, but it's like, it's definitely
:
01:09:40,982 --> 01:09:44,881
like a new space and learning how
we each see things differently,
:
01:09:44,881 --> 01:09:46,292
but like seeing where we meet.
:
01:09:46,631 --> 01:09:48,381
, is something that's been, , really great.
:
01:09:48,412 --> 01:09:52,582
So, so yeah, like different forms
of, uh, collaboration where you're
:
01:09:52,582 --> 01:09:54,682
kind of like trying to blend
things, you know what I mean?
:
01:09:55,042 --> 01:09:57,952
Uh, that's been something that
I've really, I think I appreciated
:
01:09:57,982 --> 01:10:01,462
most about, you know, getting to
do this production company stuff.
:
01:10:01,702 --> 01:10:02,812
Oh, that sounds amazing.
:
01:10:02,872 --> 01:10:03,322
Yeah.
:
01:10:03,442 --> 01:10:04,222
That's amazing.
:
01:10:04,282 --> 01:10:04,642
Yeah.
:
01:10:05,272 --> 01:10:05,782
All of that.
:
01:10:05,872 --> 01:10:05,992
Yeah.
:
01:10:06,532 --> 01:10:07,612
Well, mark.
:
01:10:08,242 --> 01:10:09,952
I'm excited to see you
in just a couple hours.
:
01:10:11,122 --> 01:10:11,752
It's variety.
:
01:10:11,752 --> 01:10:12,112
Shout out.
:
01:10:12,522 --> 01:10:15,702
, this episode will air after
that, but I will link all of your
:
01:10:15,702 --> 01:10:16,992
information and stuff like that.
:
01:10:16,992 --> 01:10:19,752
And then I'll share it on our page today.
:
01:10:19,752 --> 01:10:21,312
So hopefully is it sold out?
:
01:10:21,702 --> 01:10:25,122
Uh, if sought out, but just like,
you know, come combine track.
:
01:10:25,602 --> 01:10:26,502
Yeah.
:
01:10:29,022 --> 01:10:29,502
Okay.
:
01:10:29,672 --> 01:10:32,282
, well, mark, will you let people
know where they can find you?
:
01:10:32,402 --> 01:10:32,912
Yeah.
:
01:10:33,092 --> 01:10:34,832
So, uh, my name is mark Kendall.
:
01:10:34,832 --> 01:10:38,112
So, , on like Instagram, if you
want to see my comedy videos and
:
01:10:38,112 --> 01:10:40,092
stuff, look at mark Kendall comedy.
:
01:10:40,422 --> 01:10:43,572
Uh, but for cool, cool
production staff, you can go to.
:
01:10:43,572 --> 01:10:43,812
Cool.
:
01:10:43,812 --> 01:10:44,052
Cool.
:
01:10:44,052 --> 01:10:44,322
Cool.
:
01:10:44,352 --> 01:10:45,522
pro.com.
:
01:10:45,882 --> 01:10:48,162
You can also look me up on LinkedIn.
:
01:10:48,522 --> 01:10:52,602
There, you know, if you want to, uh, look
at that more corporate side or whatever.
:
01:10:52,982 --> 01:10:54,602
, also I'm just around Atlanta, too.
:
01:10:54,602 --> 01:10:57,722
So I'll post about shows that I'm
doing or where I'm performing.
:
01:10:57,722 --> 01:10:58,682
So come and say hello.
:
01:10:58,772 --> 01:10:59,072
Yeah.
:
01:10:59,222 --> 01:10:59,642
Perfect.
:
01:10:59,792 --> 01:11:01,052
, And I'll link all of
that in the show notes.
:
01:11:01,052 --> 01:11:02,642
Of course also, Mark.
:
01:11:02,672 --> 01:11:04,022
Thank you so much again for your time.
:
01:11:04,022 --> 01:11:06,962
This has been so enjoyable and
such a treat to get to spend so
:
01:11:06,962 --> 01:11:08,312
much one on one time with you.
:
01:11:08,732 --> 01:11:13,502
, you can find at Clover club on
Instagram at Clover club, pod and
:
01:11:13,502 --> 01:11:18,182
friendly reminder listeners get 15%
off@hawkinsonclover.com with promo
:
01:11:18,212 --> 01:11:21,662
code Clover club, all caps and mark.
:
01:11:21,692 --> 01:11:22,502
I'll see you tonight.
:
01:11:22,562 --> 01:11:24,512
Listeners I'll hear you next week.
:
01:11:24,542 --> 01:11:25,292
And yes.
:
01:11:25,352 --> 01:11:26,312
Thank you so much.
:
01:11:26,342 --> 01:11:26,972
Thank you.
:
01:11:27,182 --> 01:11:27,842
Bye.
:
01:11:28,592 --> 01:11:28,892
Great.
:
01:11:29,312 --> 01:11:29,852
Yeah.
:
01:11:30,182 --> 01:11:31,172
This table is awesome by.
:
01:11:35,732 --> 01:11:35,912
Okay.
:
01:11:36,002 --> 01:11:37,682
As you're watching this on
the podcast wants to do.