The Struggle is Fine?: Recent Episodes
The Struggle is Fine
When you think creatives you don't think Type A personalities, but making it in entertainment requires goal-setting, hard work, and dedication like anything else. Historically unfocused comedians Laura Merli and Mary Cait Kelly try to hold each other accountable for reaching their goals, without judgement or condescension. They also interview other comics, authors, content creators, and more on how they navigate creative life.
Listen to them try to do stuff, sometimes fail, sometimes succeed, and overall, just try to stay "fine."
We wine and chat with headline contributor to The Onion and Reductress Meredith Dietz about focusing on a bunch of different things, insecurities, and that sweet, sweet runner's high. Meredith also writes for LifeHacker--which just finished their writers strike right before the pod, and is also a joke machine on twitter (@dietz_meredith)
Felipe Di Poi, animator turned comedian, chats with your hosts Laura and Mary Cait about putting in his 10,000 hours, how being an artist is a paradox in pining for your dreams to become a reality, and sometimes you just gotta pick up another hobby.
Gracie Canaan is a comedian, writer, and illustrator who was selected out of a gagillion candidates for the NBC Late Night Writer's Workshop. She's also a great motivator--to herself and your hosts Laura Merli and Mary Cait Kelly. They talk about balancing pushing yourself vs self care, corporate vs freelance stress, and mental health.
insta/TikTok: savegraciecanaan
We Zoom it out with Laura High, trending TikToker and NYC Standup, to discuss some of life's greatest struggles. When should you absolutely get a DNA test? Why do waitstaff get shit on so much? Why aren't we all more obsessed with Robin Williams film career?
Alex Guaglianone joins us to talk about growing up with a twin brother who was effortlessly funny, his graphic design day job, and how screenplays are never really finished. Alex performs on the sketch team Kiss on the Lips and was a writer on UCB's Maude night.
Laura Hankin, author of Happy and You Know It and A Special Place for Women, shares her successes and struggles with creating two very popular book titles and how kids birthday parties ground her back on Earth.
Sheria shares her struggles with mental health and how she plans on taking control of her own projects after her pilot was viewed as too niche and weird for industry executives.
Why pursue a creative career? What do you do once you've made that decision? Laura Merli and Mary Cait Kelly get into it. fea. segues on the Real Housewives and the joys/frustrations of assembling furniture.
Two creatives with weird laughs try to remain "fine" while breaking into the entertainment industry. Productivity. Goals. And bouncing back when you fail at both.
Hosted by Laura Merli and Mary Cait Kelly.