1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:03,200 Speaker 1: Ask to be sure, ask the questions, ask the important, 2 00:00:03,760 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: ask them important questions, and have conversations. Let's have conversations 3 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: as families, questions with each other. It's so important. Hi, 4 00:00:19,400 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: I am so let Moonfry and I am so humbled 5 00:00:24,000 --> 00:00:26,200 Speaker 1: and honored to be here today with Brian. 6 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 2: Welcome back everybody. If you're hearing my voice, that means 7 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,200 Speaker 2: you're listening to the podcast. I like to call off 8 00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 2: the beat and I am your host, Brian Baumgartner, my 9 00:00:43,400 --> 00:00:46,400 Speaker 2: guest today. Well, it may cause a little bit of 10 00:00:46,479 --> 00:00:50,760 Speaker 2: a generational divide of sorts with you listeners. For me, 11 00:00:51,360 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 2: people around about my age, let's just call it gen X. 12 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 2: She is an icon of nineteen eighties television. I'm talking 13 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:04,960 Speaker 2: about Punky Brewster herself. Solei Moonfry is on the show today. Now, 14 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:09,440 Speaker 2: if you don't know Punky, who doesn't know everybody knows Punky? 15 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:13,319 Speaker 2: Am I right? It was an absolute smash hit, a 16 00:01:13,319 --> 00:01:16,479 Speaker 2: total classic, and they even made a reboot a couple 17 00:01:16,480 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 2: of years ago. Now, if you're a bit younger than me, 18 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 2: you may not have seen or know that much about Punky. 19 00:01:21,520 --> 00:01:24,640 Speaker 2: That's fine. Millennials, you may have watched a show called 20 00:01:24,720 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 2: Sabrina The Teenage Witch on TGIF Friday Nights. Well, Soley 21 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:34,119 Speaker 2: was there playing Sabrina's college roommate Roxy or if you're 22 00:01:34,200 --> 00:01:37,840 Speaker 2: gen Z or maybe Jen Alfa. I don't know if 23 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:40,600 Speaker 2: you would listen to this. She is the voice of 24 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:45,120 Speaker 2: Jade in the Brats cartoons or Zoe on Proud Family. 25 00:01:45,440 --> 00:01:49,920 Speaker 2: If you're anyone of any age, I hope that you 26 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 2: have seen her relatively new documentary kid ninety, where she 27 00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 2: documents her early life of stardom and everything that happens. 28 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 2: It is a fascinating watch. Basically, what I'm saying is this, 29 00:02:03,760 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 2: there's a lot to choose from. And on top of 30 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 2: her acting career that spans literal generations, she's a mother 31 00:02:09,639 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 2: of four. She also works with GSK and the Ask 32 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 2: to Be Sure campaign to help spread awareness about meningitis 33 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,919 Speaker 2: B and the meningitis B vaccination. Let's talk to her 34 00:02:21,080 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 2: about all of that right now here. She is the 35 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 2: utterly delightful solet moonfry, Bubble and Squeak I love it, 36 00:02:35,600 --> 00:02:40,799 Speaker 2: Bubble and Squeakna Bubble and Squeaker cook. 37 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:44,560 Speaker 1: Get every mole lift over from the night before. 38 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: Hi, Sile, how are you? Hi? How are you? I 39 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:03,280 Speaker 2: mean I'm better now talking to you. 40 00:03:03,480 --> 00:03:05,960 Speaker 1: I love it. I'm so happy to be talking. 41 00:03:05,639 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 2: To you me as well. Now we have to get 42 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:11,280 Speaker 2: this out of the way. This is like the traditional 43 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:16,640 Speaker 2: Hollywood I don't know, six degrees of separation. Do you 44 00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 2: remember us meeting? Tell me remind me when my memory 45 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 2: of it is so so scattered. We have been discussing 46 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:31,519 Speaker 2: this through our mutual friend, which we'll talk about in 47 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 2: a minute. I'm not a Hollywood Hills house party guy 48 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 2: at all. 49 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:40,600 Speaker 1: Okay, Oh boy, anything that starts with Hollywood Hills house 50 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: party is uh. 51 00:03:43,200 --> 00:03:47,280 Speaker 2: Because I was there. It had to have been some 52 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: like Emmy or some awards adjacent. There was a band, 53 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 2: There was Demi Moore dancing a lot. 54 00:03:57,840 --> 00:03:58,280 Speaker 1: Okay. 55 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 2: I ended up talking to a long time to Andy 56 00:04:01,680 --> 00:04:05,680 Speaker 2: Roddick and Brooklyn Decker and you and I met outside 57 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 2: at a food truck. 58 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,200 Speaker 1: Well, I love a food truck. 59 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:15,280 Speaker 2: Other than that, I don't know why I was there. 60 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:17,720 Speaker 2: I don't know who I was with. I don't know 61 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 2: anything about it. But anyway, we've met. So it's good 62 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:23,680 Speaker 2: to see you again, basically basically. 63 00:04:24,040 --> 00:04:28,120 Speaker 1: So nice to connect again. Um, what kind of food 64 00:04:28,120 --> 00:04:28,720 Speaker 1: truck it was? 65 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 2: No, I don't even remember whose party it was. I 66 00:04:33,480 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 2: don't I don't remember. I don't remember why, or who 67 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 2: or anything. It was more like official, It wasn't like red. 68 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:47,240 Speaker 1: So I had a huge kind heart at the time. 69 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 2: You did, and from what I hear about you, you 70 00:04:50,839 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: always do. We have been connected by my well in 71 00:04:55,440 --> 00:05:02,080 Speaker 2: relative terms, new friends doctor Shaka Gilla who who Well, 72 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 2: she's my pediatrician. 73 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: Well, Saka is one of my favorite people in the 74 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: world and one of my best friends since I was 75 00:05:11,960 --> 00:05:15,440 Speaker 1: fourteen years old, and we met at a UB forty concert. 76 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,359 Speaker 2: Are you serious it goes back that long? 77 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:21,559 Speaker 1: Yes, that's I mean, literally, it goes back that long. 78 00:05:21,839 --> 00:05:24,360 Speaker 1: And she and her sister have been such an important 79 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:27,680 Speaker 1: part of my life, my whole life and my kids' lives, 80 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:29,680 Speaker 1: and they're just amazing. 81 00:05:30,640 --> 00:05:33,480 Speaker 2: Wow. I did not know it had been that long. 82 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:36,880 Speaker 2: But she started telling me about this thing that you 83 00:05:36,880 --> 00:05:40,840 Speaker 2: guys have been kind of working on together. Yes, the 84 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:45,440 Speaker 2: Ask to Be Sure campaign, which is about bringing awareness 85 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:50,560 Speaker 2: to meningitis, the meningitis B vaccine. Shaka was telling me 86 00:05:50,640 --> 00:05:53,920 Speaker 2: how important this is. Tell me how how you got 87 00:05:53,920 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 2: involved with this campaign? Absolutely? 88 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 1: Well, you know, I learned about meningitis B and I 89 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:02,799 Speaker 1: I had no idea, you know. I had the assumption, 90 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:05,360 Speaker 1: like so many people, that when the kids are younger, 91 00:06:05,400 --> 00:06:08,240 Speaker 1: they get vaccinated for it. And what I didn't realize 92 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,839 Speaker 1: was meningitis BE was totally different. And it was right 93 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 1: around the time that my daughter Poet turned sixteen, and 94 00:06:15,440 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: of course, as a mother, I want to do everything 95 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:20,200 Speaker 1: I can to help protect my kids. Uh So I 96 00:06:20,279 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 1: was really surprised to find out about it, and I 97 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 1: learned so much through the process. Of course, I reached 98 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:29,360 Speaker 1: out to one of my best friends, being Shaka, and 99 00:06:29,640 --> 00:06:32,840 Speaker 1: learned so much about how you know, meningitis is an 100 00:06:32,920 --> 00:06:36,960 Speaker 1: uncommon but serious illness and that it can be potentially fatal. 101 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 1: And I went on this whole journey to ask to 102 00:06:40,560 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: be sure and it has been such a learning experience 103 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 1: and just really an amazingly eye opening experience. 104 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 2: Now you're talking to someone who is not very specifically 105 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:57,800 Speaker 2: not a doctor, but I remember I remember, like when 106 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 2: I was a kid, people getting meningitis and this was 107 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:07,279 Speaker 2: a very serious thing. But meningitis B is slightly different, right, and. 108 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:09,640 Speaker 1: People are so unaware of it because I think so 109 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,840 Speaker 1: many people think it's something that kids, you know, get 110 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,600 Speaker 1: vaccinated for when they're younger, but really it does affect 111 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 1: sixteen to twenty three year olds especially, you know, as 112 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:25,000 Speaker 1: kids are going out into college, living in closer you know, areas, 113 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: sharing things, you know, all of that. And so really 114 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:32,080 Speaker 1: for me, this has been a journey of asking questions 115 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 1: and being able to talk to, you know, my pediatrician 116 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 1: and having this conversation. I think it's important for us 117 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:42,120 Speaker 1: to have conversations and to never be afraid to ask, 118 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,720 Speaker 1: to be short, to never be afraid to ask your doctor, 119 00:07:44,760 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: to talk to the pediatrician, and such a learning experience 120 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: that I was really unaware of. And so it has 121 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: been quite the journey. 122 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:57,360 Speaker 2: Last year, you partnered with GSK and Lifetime and actually 123 00:07:57,400 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 2: made a short film, which is is not something uncommon 124 00:08:01,800 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 2: for you. We're going to talk about a little bit 125 00:08:03,760 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 2: called I Never Thought to Ask a Mom's Quest for Answers, 126 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 2: which was really about educating other moms about meningitis. Be 127 00:08:12,520 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 2: was this your idea? 128 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 1: It was such an incredible experience, you know, it was 129 00:08:17,360 --> 00:08:20,840 Speaker 1: really holistic, and we teamed up with Lifetime and of 130 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 1: course GSK, and it was amazing. My dear friend, one 131 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: of my best friends, Melissa Joan Hart, and I got 132 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:29,600 Speaker 1: to be on the journey together as well as Shaka, 133 00:08:29,720 --> 00:08:33,160 Speaker 1: and so really it was coming from such an authentic place, 134 00:08:33,280 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: you know, and it was such an amazing experience to 135 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:39,920 Speaker 1: be a part of. And you know, it's so incredible 136 00:08:40,000 --> 00:08:44,160 Speaker 1: to see how also this whole experience inspired, you know, 137 00:08:44,360 --> 00:08:48,319 Speaker 1: my own kids and my daughter Poet to have an 138 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: interest in public health going forward in life. And so 139 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 1: you know, it has all come from a really authentic place. 140 00:08:56,320 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 1: And I think authenticity is so important and being able 141 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,360 Speaker 1: to these conversations, it is so important, and so when 142 00:09:02,400 --> 00:09:05,040 Speaker 1: you watch the documentary, it really is. You know, Melissa 143 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 1: is one of my best friends, Shaka doctor you know, 144 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:10,080 Speaker 1: you know doctor Shaka. I mean, she is one of 145 00:09:10,120 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: my lifelong friends. So these are real conversations. And it 146 00:09:13,840 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 1: was really so wonderful to team up with GSK on 147 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,480 Speaker 1: this and this Has to Be Sure campaign and to 148 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:23,400 Speaker 1: meet the incredible survivors and families who have lost their children, 149 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 1: and the way in which they have touched my heart 150 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 1: and left such a blasting effect on our lives has 151 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:32,000 Speaker 1: been so profound. 152 00:09:32,880 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 2: Good for you, Good for you, I mean you you 153 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:37,959 Speaker 2: brought up the word authentic. I say this all the time, 154 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:41,600 Speaker 2: like work that is borne out of something that is 155 00:09:41,800 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 2: organic and true for you. Is just always better. It's 156 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:47,680 Speaker 2: just always better, always well. 157 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:52,520 Speaker 1: Again, everyone has different perspectives in life, right and comes 158 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:57,720 Speaker 1: from different experiences. It's so important to have conversations and 159 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:01,880 Speaker 1: to have the courage to have conversations. You know when 160 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:06,520 Speaker 1: when speaking with these incredible mothers who had lost their children, 161 00:10:06,640 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 1: you know, you hear about intuition, you hear about mother's instincts, 162 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:13,920 Speaker 1: you hear about all of these these things parents, you know, 163 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:18,079 Speaker 1: having instincts, And I think so often it's so important 164 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:20,880 Speaker 1: to listen to that inner voice and to be able 165 00:10:21,040 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: to really ask those important questions in all areas of 166 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:28,640 Speaker 1: our lives because we are our children's advocates. 167 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:32,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, you know, you bring up an interesting point. You know, 168 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:34,599 Speaker 2: I started in the theater, and you know, one of 169 00:10:34,679 --> 00:10:38,360 Speaker 2: the things that that I always talked about was that 170 00:10:38,559 --> 00:10:44,319 Speaker 2: art shouldn't be preachy. That really the central, the central 171 00:10:44,400 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 2: focus of art in and of itself should be asking questions. 172 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,800 Speaker 2: And that's really what that's really what I love about this. 173 00:10:51,960 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 2: And you know what, I feel like no one should 174 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 2: be able to argue. You're not preaching, you're not saying 175 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:06,679 Speaker 2: do this, You're saying, ask questions. Educate yourself, because if 176 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 2: you don't know, you can't do anything about it right. 177 00:11:09,480 --> 00:11:12,199 Speaker 1: Right, Ask to be sure, ask the questions, ask the 178 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:17,320 Speaker 1: important ask the important questions, and have conversations. Let's have 179 00:11:17,520 --> 00:11:22,760 Speaker 1: conversations as families ends with each other. It's so important. 180 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:31,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, your career is incredible, the diver the diverse projects 181 00:11:31,880 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 2: that you've done. You're an author, You're a photographer. I mean, 182 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 2: I'm going to ask you about being a cinematographer. I 183 00:11:38,679 --> 00:11:40,560 Speaker 2: think you should be if you never thought about that 184 00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 2: before you started in a well, in a Hollywood family 185 00:11:46,600 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 2: is that I hate that word, but I don't even 186 00:11:48,559 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 2: know what to say. A family in the entertainment business. 187 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 2: Your dad was an actor, your mom was an agent 188 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:56,040 Speaker 2: and a case. 189 00:11:56,400 --> 00:11:58,440 Speaker 1: One was actually a food artist. She was she was 190 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:02,080 Speaker 1: a food artist. Yes, so she yes, food She was amazing. 191 00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 1: My My family incredible, full of artists and activists, and 192 00:12:08,720 --> 00:12:11,840 Speaker 1: so activism is always run in our blood and just 193 00:12:11,880 --> 00:12:16,480 Speaker 1: an incredible family of artists. And I started acting very 194 00:12:16,600 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 1: very young. I grew up watching my brothers and my dad, 195 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:21,600 Speaker 1: and I was so shy. I actually didn't talk till 196 00:12:21,600 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 1: I was three. And then once I started I didn't stop, 197 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: and I think acting really helped bring me out of 198 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,880 Speaker 1: my shell. And I started acting at five and started 199 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 1: Punky at seven, and just wow, what a journey. I mean, 200 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 1: just an incredible, incredible journey. 201 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:38,800 Speaker 2: You know. One of the things that I like to 202 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:42,240 Speaker 2: focus on here is moments that sort of shaped and 203 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:47,079 Speaker 2: change a person that maybe maybe was unexpected early on. 204 00:12:47,200 --> 00:12:49,760 Speaker 2: I mean, it sounds like you're in this environment. You 205 00:12:49,800 --> 00:12:54,040 Speaker 2: don't speak to the age of three, that's crazy. Your 206 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:56,360 Speaker 2: family is around all these people. I mean I read 207 00:12:56,520 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 2: Muhammad Ali's build a Cherry Coke on you, Yes, you kid, 208 00:13:00,640 --> 00:13:01,679 Speaker 2: And my dad. 209 00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 1: Was a golden glove boxer, so it was really that 210 00:13:03,679 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 1: was quite the highlight. 211 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:08,160 Speaker 2: Oh seriously, so like he was he boxing with him 212 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 2: or in the same jail. 213 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:11,400 Speaker 1: So my dad was a golden glove boxer. So meeting 214 00:13:11,440 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 1: Muhammad Ali was like, you know, huge for me. And 215 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 1: he had a white suit on, I believe, and my 216 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:19,440 Speaker 1: cherry coke went flying out of my hand and all 217 00:13:19,480 --> 00:13:20,920 Speaker 1: over him, and he was wonderful. 218 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,640 Speaker 2: When did you decide, Okay, well, acting is kind of fun, 219 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:27,760 Speaker 2: it's getting me out of my shell, but that this 220 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:31,120 Speaker 2: was something that you wanted to do, was this. I'm 221 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:33,600 Speaker 2: sure it was encouraged at least. Was it pushed by 222 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 2: your parents? Was this something that you were driven to 223 00:13:36,040 --> 00:13:39,000 Speaker 2: do on your own at such an incredibly young age. 224 00:13:39,240 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 1: My mom actually thought I was so shy that she 225 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: didn't know that I would ever, you know, like speak 226 00:13:44,080 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 1: when I went in to try it out. But it 227 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:47,680 Speaker 1: was something that was so close to my heart. I 228 00:13:47,760 --> 00:13:50,640 Speaker 1: just I loved it. It was playing make believe, and 229 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,360 Speaker 1: we really did always have our childhoods as well, you know, 230 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:56,840 Speaker 1: growing up on Punky. It was it was such a wonderful, 231 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,480 Speaker 1: vibrant experience, you know, we were riding around in scooters 232 00:14:00,480 --> 00:14:03,600 Speaker 1: and pogo sticks and playing you know, for me, acting 233 00:14:03,760 --> 00:14:06,880 Speaker 1: was always playing make believe, you know, and so yeah, 234 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:10,400 Speaker 1: so I was really fortunate that it was something that 235 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:14,320 Speaker 1: I really, you know, loved and wanted to do. And 236 00:14:14,360 --> 00:14:18,479 Speaker 1: so my experience, you know, although I definitely had rollercoasters 237 00:14:18,520 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 1: of emotions, and I had an incredibly beautiful, full life, 238 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:26,720 Speaker 1: and there was moments of insecurity and pain and all 239 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 1: of the things that come along with it, you know, 240 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:33,760 Speaker 1: but overall, I really have always held acting so close 241 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:34,240 Speaker 1: to my heart. 242 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:38,720 Speaker 2: A couple of your early jobs, which there's a point 243 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 2: to this Missing Children, a mother's Story, Invitation to Hell? 244 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 2: Who will love my children? It sounds like you started 245 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:55,880 Speaker 2: off with some pretty damn dark material. Did you feel 246 00:14:56,240 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 2: comfortable because it was make believe? And I say this like. 247 00:14:59,480 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 1: My daughter now it's a great question. 248 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:06,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, my daughter now, who's eight, nothing scares her, which 249 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:09,920 Speaker 2: is interesting, like very she could not be more sweet. 250 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:14,440 Speaker 2: But yeah, I mean she's like doing doodle sketches of 251 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 2: like horrible monsters and it's like, isn't this cool? Dad? 252 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:22,000 Speaker 2: When you're there, you have to be aware that it's 253 00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:26,080 Speaker 2: not real. But are you getting support there on set 254 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 2: to help you tell this story? 255 00:15:28,520 --> 00:15:31,000 Speaker 1: Well, we could have a whole conversation at some point 256 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 1: around the physics and matrix of all that is very really, 257 00:15:36,760 --> 00:15:40,600 Speaker 1: I think is fascinating. Ultimately, I was working with such 258 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:45,720 Speaker 1: incredible people and of course had an amazing foundation within 259 00:15:45,760 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 1: my own family. I was working with Anne Margaret and 260 00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:52,160 Speaker 1: Mayor Winningham were the two women that played you know, 261 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 1: my mother and Mayor and one and Ann Margaret and another, 262 00:15:56,360 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: so you know the colorizy of people that I was 263 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,280 Speaker 1: working with. And George Gains, you know with Punky, I mean, 264 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: his kindness and love just so exuberant. So I was 265 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: so fortunate to work with some of the greatest people 266 00:16:12,920 --> 00:16:17,480 Speaker 1: ever and they were so nurturing. Jeff Goldbloom, you know, 267 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:20,920 Speaker 1: played my fallow something. I mean, just the caliber of 268 00:16:21,000 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 1: people and that kindness. You know, there are these moments 269 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:28,920 Speaker 1: in time. For example, Andy Gibb, Oh my gosh, one 270 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:31,600 Speaker 1: of my biggest crushes of all time, right, and when 271 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:34,720 Speaker 1: you look at the amount of time that we spent together, right, 272 00:16:35,240 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: I'll get emotional talking about it. But the impact that 273 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 1: people have in our lives last forever, and so ultimately, 274 00:16:45,240 --> 00:16:48,320 Speaker 1: the kindness that I was shown and the ways in 275 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:52,000 Speaker 1: which I was treated as a human being and really 276 00:16:52,040 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: seen and heard, that has stuck with me so much. 277 00:16:54,640 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 1: So I think it is so important, you know what 278 00:16:57,320 --> 00:17:00,720 Speaker 1: I mean when you have these experiences, and it was 279 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,080 Speaker 1: certainly something when we went on with Punky that was 280 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:05,480 Speaker 1: so important to me, is how we treat each other 281 00:17:05,560 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 1: because it makes such a difference. And I loved scary movies, 282 00:17:08,800 --> 00:17:11,400 Speaker 1: you know, I had big brothers, like I was obsessed 283 00:17:11,440 --> 00:17:13,919 Speaker 1: with scary movies. So working with Wes Crave, you know, 284 00:17:13,960 --> 00:17:16,040 Speaker 1: working with Wes Craven, it was like, oh my god, 285 00:17:16,119 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 1: this is you know, it was a dream come true. 286 00:17:18,960 --> 00:17:22,880 Speaker 1: So really, I think it comes down to that point 287 00:17:22,920 --> 00:17:25,879 Speaker 1: around people, you know, and how we touch each other's 288 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 1: lives and this tapestry. And I think sometimes, you know, 289 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 1: people don't realize the impact they have on others, and 290 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:35,399 Speaker 1: they can have very different experiences and they can be 291 00:17:35,520 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 1: very painful, and I think, you know, it's a real juxtaposition, 292 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:41,480 Speaker 1: like you hear in show business that you know, there's 293 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,520 Speaker 1: parents that are amazing and loving and wonderful and make 294 00:17:45,520 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 1: sure their kids have a really healthy home life, and 295 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:51,480 Speaker 1: then there's other extremes, you know, so and by the way, 296 00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,480 Speaker 1: you can also be as loving as possible and give 297 00:17:54,520 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 1: your kids everything that they could ever imagined, and still 298 00:17:57,480 --> 00:18:00,679 Speaker 1: people sometimes get lost, you know. So it interesting and 299 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,119 Speaker 1: anyone anytime people bring up you know, downfalls and trials 300 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:07,440 Speaker 1: and tribulations, I always look at it and go, you know, yes, 301 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:09,800 Speaker 1: there are so many deer people that I love that 302 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:12,200 Speaker 1: didn't always make it out, you know, in the best way, 303 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,040 Speaker 1: and then there's so many that have and that have 304 00:18:15,119 --> 00:18:19,480 Speaker 1: such flourishing, beautiful lives. And so, you know, I think 305 00:18:19,520 --> 00:18:39,240 Speaker 1: it's like with anything you know in life. 306 00:18:39,520 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 2: You know, I've talked to a lot of people here, 307 00:18:42,520 --> 00:18:46,920 Speaker 2: many of whom like yourself who started much younger, and 308 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:49,359 Speaker 2: I just kind of want to hear your perspective on this. 309 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 2: You kind of already answered the question, but you know, 310 00:18:52,720 --> 00:18:56,800 Speaker 2: you think about kids and kids' activities, right, and that's 311 00:18:56,880 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 2: usually like the soccer team, right, or you know, the 312 00:19:02,119 --> 00:19:05,520 Speaker 2: youth theater or whatever. You know, there is something about 313 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:10,119 Speaker 2: your experience. Thankfully you are with a lot of very positive, loving, 314 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:14,600 Speaker 2: nurturing people. But just aside from even that, the ability 315 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:19,080 Speaker 2: to go at such a young age and have your ensemble, 316 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 2: have your world be people who are so diverse in 317 00:19:25,680 --> 00:19:28,639 Speaker 2: terms of age and experience and as long as they're good. 318 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,920 Speaker 2: What a gift that is early on, you know, you're 319 00:19:32,920 --> 00:19:35,600 Speaker 2: not with the six and seven year old soccer teams. 320 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:39,040 Speaker 2: Not that there's anything wrong with that, my daughter does 321 00:19:39,080 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 2: that too, but having that experience of having you know, 322 00:19:43,240 --> 00:19:45,800 Speaker 2: older people who, if they're if they're giving and nurturing, 323 00:19:45,840 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 2: that are mentoring you and helping you and helping you 324 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 2: to see not just the work but the world in 325 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,760 Speaker 2: a new way. For me, that's always been a valuable gift, 326 00:19:54,800 --> 00:19:57,320 Speaker 2: and this was this was not a part of my reality. 327 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:00,760 Speaker 1: I think that you're so spot on with that, and 328 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 1: I think people come into this world in their unique ways. 329 00:20:05,160 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: My kids are all so uniquely different, right, It's so 330 00:20:08,600 --> 00:20:10,640 Speaker 1: fascinating to me that you could be born into this. 331 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:14,720 Speaker 1: And you know, Poet is just like her activism, her 332 00:20:14,760 --> 00:20:20,360 Speaker 1: heart for activism, her just mind blowing jagger, her filmmaking, 333 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:26,160 Speaker 1: her inspiration, her heart. Lyric, I mean, he is a comedian. 334 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 1: He is like literally, he's like a ninety year old 335 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 1: man in a ten year old body. You know, my 336 00:20:32,000 --> 00:20:35,399 Speaker 1: youngest self, he's you know, he's obsessed with basketball, and 337 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:37,760 Speaker 1: it's such a big heart. They each have such big hearts. 338 00:20:37,760 --> 00:20:40,679 Speaker 1: And you know, my son, Lyric, he gets, you know, 339 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:42,600 Speaker 1: on a nightly basis, Hey can I do my comedy? 340 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:44,239 Speaker 1: You know, and he's like ready to get up right, 341 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:50,200 Speaker 1: And it's like he's a performer and he was born 342 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:53,000 Speaker 1: that way and he is who he is. And I 343 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:58,119 Speaker 1: want to encourage that, you know, And I really want 344 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 1: my children to be able to be who they want 345 00:21:03,119 --> 00:21:05,600 Speaker 1: to be. And I think one of the greatest things 346 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 1: that we can do in life, one of the greatest 347 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,720 Speaker 1: gifts is to inspire our kids to follow their passions, 348 00:21:10,800 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: you know, and to do it with kindness and heart. 349 00:21:13,880 --> 00:21:16,080 Speaker 1: It's like the two of the biggest lessons I can 350 00:21:16,119 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: pass on to my kids is like, you know, find 351 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:22,560 Speaker 1: that thing that you're passionate about, find what it is 352 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 1: that inspires you and drives you each and every day, 353 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:29,959 Speaker 1: and then go out and also help make a difference 354 00:21:30,000 --> 00:21:33,040 Speaker 1: in the world. You know, help make a difference. Be kind, 355 00:21:33,280 --> 00:21:36,879 Speaker 1: grow up, be kind, be kind in this moment, be 356 00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:40,159 Speaker 1: kind in the future, and make a difference. Those are so, 357 00:21:40,280 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 1: you know, those are the things that I want to 358 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,439 Speaker 1: pass on self. Love like it all starts within, you know, 359 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:49,200 Speaker 1: and so anyway, so so my point being that, yeah, 360 00:21:49,280 --> 00:21:52,640 Speaker 1: they are who they are, right, and so I try 361 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:55,440 Speaker 1: to encourage it and also encourage the education and all 362 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 1: the different things to try to help, you know, them 363 00:21:58,600 --> 00:22:00,520 Speaker 1: be as well rounded as possible. And at the same 364 00:22:00,520 --> 00:22:05,679 Speaker 1: time they're their own people. And so right, I'm trying 365 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:06,439 Speaker 1: my best here. 366 00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 2: Oh my god, you're such a good mom. I mean 367 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,520 Speaker 2: everything you're saying I love. I don't have to take 368 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:14,919 Speaker 2: notes because I have a recording of this, but I 369 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 2: just love everything that you're saying. You mentioned it a 370 00:22:18,320 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 2: few times. We're not going to go through Punky Brewster 371 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:23,520 Speaker 2: minute by minute, but there were a couple of stats 372 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 2: that I looked at, and I was more curious about 373 00:22:26,400 --> 00:22:32,520 Speaker 2: your psychology as a seven year old Punky Brewster. Three 374 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:38,520 Speaker 2: thousand young girls tried out, including five hundred and fifty 375 00:22:39,359 --> 00:22:43,160 Speaker 2: in Los Angeles alone, which is acounding. 376 00:22:43,440 --> 00:22:45,320 Speaker 1: It may have been even more than that. I don't know. 377 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 2: Oh, I'm sure. I'm sure what it's like, Yeah, it's 378 00:22:49,080 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 2: like those were the ones reported, but you know, I'm 379 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:53,639 Speaker 2: sure it was happening even more. Do you remember how 380 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 2: many auditions? Was it like fifty? 381 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: There was a lot and then there was a story 382 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:02,280 Speaker 1: that you know, when I went in for one of 383 00:23:02,320 --> 00:23:06,560 Speaker 1: the one of the final auditions, someone did say they 384 00:23:06,600 --> 00:23:09,600 Speaker 1: had already gotten it. So I think my mom was like, Okay, 385 00:23:09,640 --> 00:23:11,520 Speaker 1: let's head out. I was like, I'm still going in. 386 00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:15,040 Speaker 1: You know. It was a great deal of competition out there, 387 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:18,520 Speaker 1: But I just I connected to Punky so much. And 388 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:23,320 Speaker 1: I'll be really honest. You know, she was my superpower, 389 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: my superhero, you know, and she still is. And it's 390 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:29,919 Speaker 1: so wild because it makes me emotional just thinking about it, 391 00:23:29,960 --> 00:23:36,520 Speaker 1: because through my best moments, through my most difficult moments, 392 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:40,040 Speaker 1: it's like she's like that superhero that like pulls me 393 00:23:40,440 --> 00:23:43,720 Speaker 1: through it, you know, and so it's why I have 394 00:23:43,800 --> 00:23:46,560 Speaker 1: such an affinity, you know, and I think, like I'm 395 00:23:46,640 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 1: so I'm in such gratitude. Like any time anywhere that 396 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 1: someone says what Punky means to them, it's like it's 397 00:23:56,760 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 1: like the greatest gift in the world, you know, one 398 00:24:00,480 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 1: of the greatest gifts in the world. 399 00:24:01,960 --> 00:24:05,520 Speaker 2: And so for me, I say that all the time. 400 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:07,280 Speaker 2: That's so crazy as a. 401 00:24:07,600 --> 00:24:09,840 Speaker 1: Mom, you know, as at the time, you know, my 402 00:24:09,880 --> 00:24:12,959 Speaker 1: mom was a single mom raising us, and you know, 403 00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:15,600 Speaker 1: my dad and she stayed friends, but they weren't together, 404 00:24:15,600 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: you know, and all those things. And I think through 405 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:21,159 Speaker 1: Punky like she became you know, my escape into this 406 00:24:21,320 --> 00:24:25,400 Speaker 1: superhero part of ourselves and gave me so much courage, 407 00:24:25,520 --> 00:24:28,439 Speaker 1: you know, and and still does today. I mean, in 408 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:31,960 Speaker 1: the last years, you know, with my family and all 409 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,359 Speaker 1: of the different you know, trials and tribulations that we 410 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:37,840 Speaker 1: went through, Like I totally have leaned into Punky. You know, 411 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:40,439 Speaker 1: Punky is that super power for me. 412 00:24:41,040 --> 00:24:43,639 Speaker 2: You know, Usually you have a you know, a show 413 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,639 Speaker 2: or a movie and they start auditioning and you realize 414 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 2: it's very important for the network and the studio, and 415 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:54,080 Speaker 2: you auditioned more and more it sounds like pretty early 416 00:24:54,119 --> 00:24:55,960 Speaker 2: on because I was going to ask, at what moment 417 00:24:56,080 --> 00:25:00,359 Speaker 2: was it like, no, this is mine? Like this is 418 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:02,240 Speaker 2: me pretty early. 419 00:25:02,760 --> 00:25:06,080 Speaker 1: I feel like from the moment that, like, it's interesting. 420 00:25:06,119 --> 00:25:09,639 Speaker 1: I haven't thought of it in that way really necessarily 421 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 1: for so long, but like, there was never a moment 422 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:14,720 Speaker 1: that Punky didn't feel like a part of me, you 423 00:25:14,800 --> 00:25:17,600 Speaker 1: know what I'm saying, Like, yeah, she was me, I 424 00:25:17,760 --> 00:25:20,880 Speaker 1: was her, like it just it was so interconnected. And 425 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:24,600 Speaker 1: it's interesting because now years later, as I've been so 426 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:28,480 Speaker 1: grateful to work with incredible foster youth at different times 427 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:32,639 Speaker 1: and stuff, I realized, you know, my mom was a 428 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:35,639 Speaker 1: foster youth, and so I think there's like, you know, 429 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 1: something around the generational you know, patterns that connect us 430 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:42,680 Speaker 1: through our DNA lines, and perhaps there was a part 431 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:45,719 Speaker 1: of that that I've actually been thinking about now at 432 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 1: this stage in life, as I reflect, I'm like, oh, 433 00:25:48,000 --> 00:25:51,720 Speaker 1: that's so fascinating, Like my mom was in a youth 434 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:54,119 Speaker 1: home at an early age because she had lost her mom, 435 00:25:54,200 --> 00:25:56,919 Speaker 1: and you know, and it's so interesting because for so 436 00:25:57,040 --> 00:25:59,359 Speaker 1: many years that wasn't something that I really thought about, 437 00:25:59,400 --> 00:26:02,879 Speaker 1: but I can understand the parallels. You know what I 438 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:07,119 Speaker 1: mean in a deeper way now, and so I think 439 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 1: that it makes a lot of sense that it always 440 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:12,960 Speaker 1: felt like such a part of me and so much 441 00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:14,439 Speaker 1: of the heart of what I felt. 442 00:26:15,440 --> 00:26:20,720 Speaker 2: You mentioned George Gaines. I freaking loved George Gaines. I mean, 443 00:26:21,000 --> 00:26:27,159 Speaker 2: I loved George Gaines and his performance at Tootsie is. 444 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 2: I mean, it's just it's outstanding. It's so nice for 445 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:34,120 Speaker 2: me to hear that he because I read somewhere else 446 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:36,159 Speaker 2: you've said nice things about him that you considered him 447 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 2: your acting mentor that he was giving to you behind 448 00:26:39,240 --> 00:26:40,160 Speaker 2: the scenes as well. 449 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:46,239 Speaker 1: Absolutely, you know, he he always treated me, you know, 450 00:26:47,200 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 1: as an equal, and so to have the career that 451 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:55,880 Speaker 1: he had and to show up in that way where 452 00:26:55,920 --> 00:26:59,400 Speaker 1: he listened and he was engaged and he was kind 453 00:26:59,480 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: and here you were running wild. 454 00:27:01,760 --> 00:27:01,960 Speaker 2: You know. 455 00:27:03,040 --> 00:27:07,800 Speaker 1: I remember him giving me these beautiful, you know, leather 456 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 1: diaries from the time I was really young, and he 457 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:13,600 Speaker 1: knew I loved to write, and you know, that kindness, 458 00:27:13,680 --> 00:27:16,879 Speaker 1: that heart, I mean, it just it sticks with you forever. 459 00:27:17,760 --> 00:27:21,679 Speaker 2: Punky becomes well, to say it becomes huge is like 460 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:26,680 Speaker 2: an understatement. The show and specifically you become a pop 461 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:30,720 Speaker 2: culture phenomenon. Up here, here, Here were some of the 462 00:27:31,359 --> 00:27:33,360 Speaker 2: here were some of the things we dug up. Appearing 463 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:36,800 Speaker 2: in parades, Okay, getting thousands of letters from fans a week, 464 00:27:37,160 --> 00:27:41,359 Speaker 2: judging puppies for a dog food company. Well, really you 465 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:45,719 Speaker 2: remember that, leading anti drug marches and becoming involved with 466 00:27:45,840 --> 00:27:49,399 Speaker 2: Just Say No campaign, which ties into you talking about 467 00:27:49,520 --> 00:27:51,880 Speaker 2: wanting to get back and be an activist as well 468 00:27:51,920 --> 00:27:55,160 Speaker 2: as an artist. You know, it sounds like you loved 469 00:27:55,560 --> 00:28:00,360 Speaker 2: the work. How did your young brain deal at that 470 00:28:00,520 --> 00:28:02,560 Speaker 2: time with all of that? 471 00:28:03,880 --> 00:28:05,560 Speaker 1: I mean, you know, so much of it was such 472 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:08,600 Speaker 1: an adventure, Like I I how amazing to be able 473 00:28:08,640 --> 00:28:11,560 Speaker 1: to go to the White House, into the Eastering role 474 00:28:11,760 --> 00:28:12,840 Speaker 1: and travel. 475 00:28:12,960 --> 00:28:16,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was awesome. 476 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:19,239 Speaker 1: I mean there's just so many highlights throughout life, you 477 00:28:19,240 --> 00:28:22,879 Speaker 1: know that have been so colorful and amazing. And also, 478 00:28:23,160 --> 00:28:26,680 Speaker 1: you know, it's interesting. My best friend Torri has been 479 00:28:26,680 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 1: my best friend since I was two years old, and 480 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:33,040 Speaker 1: so many of these memories are actually with she and 481 00:28:33,119 --> 00:28:36,000 Speaker 1: I going to these places. So my mom would do 482 00:28:36,040 --> 00:28:36,880 Speaker 1: this thing where it was like. 483 00:28:37,080 --> 00:28:39,600 Speaker 2: Your plus one, Yeah you're plus one your. 484 00:28:39,440 --> 00:28:43,760 Speaker 1: Best friend, and so yes, so we traveled all over 485 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:45,600 Speaker 1: the world together and be like here we go to 486 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:49,040 Speaker 1: New York and here and there. So that quality of 487 00:28:49,240 --> 00:28:53,680 Speaker 1: like of having you know, that essence of childhood as well. 488 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:57,040 Speaker 1: It was so amazing because it was such a full life. 489 00:28:57,120 --> 00:28:58,800 Speaker 1: You know. We went to New York and would be like, Okay, 490 00:28:58,800 --> 00:29:00,800 Speaker 1: I'm taking the girls to like the nearest you know, 491 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:04,320 Speaker 1: the nearest place where there's a fair going on. 492 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:04,680 Speaker 2: You know. 493 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:08,640 Speaker 1: So it really was so fun. And then every summer 494 00:29:08,640 --> 00:29:10,120 Speaker 1: I went to summer camp. I went to summer camp 495 00:29:10,160 --> 00:29:11,880 Speaker 1: from the time I was five to seventeen. I went 496 00:29:11,880 --> 00:29:13,920 Speaker 1: back to become a counselor, like and I went to 497 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:17,440 Speaker 1: the same camp like I pretended to get in. Yeah, 498 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:20,600 Speaker 1: and so I went to this camp, Cottontown Ranch. I 499 00:29:20,600 --> 00:29:23,600 Speaker 1: went there my whole life. So I really did have 500 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:27,840 Speaker 1: these childhood experiences. And there was a great deal of 501 00:29:27,880 --> 00:29:30,360 Speaker 1: innocence there. And even with my friends that I grew 502 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:32,680 Speaker 1: up with that were in the business, there was a 503 00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:34,960 Speaker 1: great deal of innocence for so many of us. And 504 00:29:35,600 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 1: just the joy and the playing and having fun and 505 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,040 Speaker 1: hanging out. And of course we went on to have 506 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:44,960 Speaker 1: wilder times, but really there was a great deal of 507 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:50,040 Speaker 1: love and innocence around us and childhood and play and yeah, 508 00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 1: it was just it was so much fun. 509 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:54,960 Speaker 2: I pitched a show one time, I want to talk. 510 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 2: I want to Talk to Torri. At some point nobody 511 00:29:57,080 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 2: bought it. It was like it was literally my own 512 00:29:59,720 --> 00:30:04,800 Speaker 2: family destination. But I maintained I'm steadfast and its ability 513 00:30:05,440 --> 00:30:08,320 Speaker 2: that the show it was called plus one, and so 514 00:30:08,520 --> 00:30:10,160 Speaker 2: it would the idea. 515 00:30:10,480 --> 00:30:12,800 Speaker 1: It was really a plus one let's get real. 516 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:15,240 Speaker 2: Wait, sit again, But I was. 517 00:30:15,240 --> 00:30:17,960 Speaker 1: Really her plus one. Let's get real, because I mean, 518 00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 1: the gift that shocks me is, oh, my goodness, the best. 519 00:30:22,080 --> 00:30:24,720 Speaker 2: Well that's very generous, no, but I mean just that 520 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:29,680 Speaker 2: experience of watching and being a part of I don't know, 521 00:30:29,680 --> 00:30:30,040 Speaker 2: I think. 522 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:32,400 Speaker 1: You know, we actually have these hard tarts. We talk, 523 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:35,280 Speaker 1: you know, every day, however, many times a day, and 524 00:30:35,720 --> 00:30:39,960 Speaker 1: you know, we talk about just like what it is 525 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:44,440 Speaker 1: when you want each other to win, and friendships and 526 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:46,640 Speaker 1: family where it's like, I mean, I look at the 527 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:48,880 Speaker 1: people in my life and I'm so blessed to have 528 00:30:48,960 --> 00:30:51,920 Speaker 1: such a beautiful family and such incredible friends. And it's 529 00:30:51,960 --> 00:30:54,320 Speaker 1: interesting as I've gotten older, you know, as it's gotten 530 00:30:54,320 --> 00:30:57,880 Speaker 1: more expansive. Also, I feel like my my, my, my crew, 531 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:00,160 Speaker 1: you know, is pretty intimate. You know, the people that 532 00:31:00,240 --> 00:31:03,760 Speaker 1: I really that's most and love most, but there's something 533 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:06,320 Speaker 1: that we have where it's like I just it's like 534 00:31:06,360 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 1: I want to see the people I love succeed, you know, 535 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: and I want to be talking about love and life 536 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:15,080 Speaker 1: and joy and how we're making the world better and 537 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:18,560 Speaker 1: you know, all of those things. I'm so grateful for that. 538 00:31:18,680 --> 00:31:23,080 Speaker 2: You know, you're eleven or twelve years of age and 539 00:31:23,160 --> 00:31:28,320 Speaker 2: the show ends, you're feeling at that time about that journey? 540 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:30,640 Speaker 2: Are you ready for it to end and move on 541 00:31:30,720 --> 00:31:31,360 Speaker 2: to other things? 542 00:31:31,520 --> 00:31:35,080 Speaker 1: I was ready for like the next chapter, which was exciting. 543 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:37,160 Speaker 1: I love Punky so much. I went on to do 544 00:31:37,200 --> 00:31:39,479 Speaker 1: a pilot and then you know, the pilot didn't go 545 00:31:39,640 --> 00:31:42,400 Speaker 1: and then I started developing rapidly, you know, which we 546 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:45,680 Speaker 1: explore in the documentary Kid ninety for sure. And yes, 547 00:31:46,120 --> 00:31:51,600 Speaker 1: what was really interesting and really took a lot to 548 00:31:51,680 --> 00:31:55,040 Speaker 1: digest was once I started going through puberty and all 549 00:31:55,080 --> 00:31:59,040 Speaker 1: of that and and just this the insecurities that come 550 00:31:59,080 --> 00:32:02,920 Speaker 1: along with being a tween teen and then just having 551 00:32:02,920 --> 00:32:06,280 Speaker 1: them magnified so much so I would say those teen 552 00:32:06,400 --> 00:32:12,680 Speaker 1: years were definitely some of my most insecure moments. 553 00:32:12,000 --> 00:32:14,479 Speaker 2: Right well, I mean that makes sense, and having that 554 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,280 Speaker 2: played out you know, it's hard enough to have those 555 00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:21,040 Speaker 2: years play out in your junior high school right when 556 00:32:21,520 --> 00:32:24,760 Speaker 2: now you're playing you know, it's playing out across the country. 557 00:32:25,120 --> 00:32:26,800 Speaker 2: I want to talk about I am going to talk 558 00:32:26,840 --> 00:32:29,000 Speaker 2: about kid ninety and just a little bit, but I 559 00:32:29,040 --> 00:32:33,040 Speaker 2: want to know your experience as a kid journalist, Like what, 560 00:32:33,160 --> 00:32:37,400 Speaker 2: at what point did you decide you were going to 561 00:32:37,440 --> 00:32:39,320 Speaker 2: pick up a camera and you were going to just 562 00:32:39,400 --> 00:32:42,840 Speaker 2: start filming things around you. Did you want to be 563 00:32:42,880 --> 00:32:47,120 Speaker 2: a cinematographer, were you interested in framing shots, or was 564 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:49,840 Speaker 2: like what was the impetus at that moment to just 565 00:32:49,920 --> 00:32:50,640 Speaker 2: start filming. 566 00:32:51,240 --> 00:32:55,120 Speaker 1: I kept a diary from the time I was about five. Okay, 567 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:58,640 Speaker 1: then I got an audio recorder when I was about ten, 568 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:02,680 Speaker 1: and I started recording via audio, and then I dove 569 00:33:02,720 --> 00:33:08,240 Speaker 1: into the video camera. And I love documenting this incredible, 570 00:33:08,320 --> 00:33:12,320 Speaker 1: colorful world around me. And I realize now, really I 571 00:33:12,440 --> 00:33:16,560 Speaker 1: was a teen journalist and I thought the world around 572 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:21,080 Speaker 1: me was so colorful and incredible. And I started documenting 573 00:33:21,080 --> 00:33:24,680 Speaker 1: our lives and I never put that camera to It 574 00:33:24,680 --> 00:33:29,840 Speaker 1: came everywhere with me, I carried it everywhere. I just thought, Wow, 575 00:33:29,920 --> 00:33:33,160 Speaker 1: what a colorful world. I think it also acted as 576 00:33:33,160 --> 00:33:35,560 Speaker 1: a protective device when I was going through such a 577 00:33:36,080 --> 00:33:38,960 Speaker 1: here phase in life, because it was like, now I 578 00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:40,960 Speaker 1: can be behind the camera, so I can you know 579 00:33:40,960 --> 00:33:42,720 Speaker 1: what I mean? It was like, now I'm the one 580 00:33:42,720 --> 00:33:46,080 Speaker 1: behind the lens. So I started filming my friends and 581 00:33:46,160 --> 00:33:49,440 Speaker 1: our worlds and went on to continue doing it. And ultimately, 582 00:33:49,800 --> 00:33:52,640 Speaker 1: when we talk about sole purpose, you know, and purpose 583 00:33:52,640 --> 00:33:55,880 Speaker 1: in life, that journalistic side of me, the director in me, 584 00:33:56,760 --> 00:34:01,280 Speaker 1: all of those elements existed. They were the tapestry of 585 00:34:01,320 --> 00:34:04,600 Speaker 1: those early years. And to have been able to go 586 00:34:04,720 --> 00:34:08,600 Speaker 1: on to continue that, it's super interesting because for many years, 587 00:34:08,719 --> 00:34:10,920 Speaker 1: you know, I've had such an incredible life, and of 588 00:34:10,960 --> 00:34:14,640 Speaker 1: course I love acting and love it so much. You know, 589 00:34:14,920 --> 00:34:17,720 Speaker 1: I tried so many different things for so many years, 590 00:34:17,760 --> 00:34:21,919 Speaker 1: you know, and then when I went back and went 591 00:34:21,960 --> 00:34:24,400 Speaker 1: through all the tapes that had been sitting in tupperware 592 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:27,000 Speaker 1: and peeling back the layer, you know, it was like 593 00:34:27,080 --> 00:34:30,640 Speaker 1: this spark inside of me reignited and I had really 594 00:34:30,920 --> 00:34:33,680 Speaker 1: associated that more with youth, and it was like, oh, 595 00:34:33,800 --> 00:34:38,480 Speaker 1: this is my purpose, like you know, in so many ways, 596 00:34:38,600 --> 00:34:45,200 Speaker 1: like my children, my faith, my inner being, my relationship 597 00:34:45,239 --> 00:34:48,319 Speaker 1: with source, all of those elements, you know, so fundamentally 598 00:34:48,360 --> 00:34:53,080 Speaker 1: important the philanthropic work that I love to do, and 599 00:34:53,200 --> 00:34:55,960 Speaker 1: my art, the art that I get to create and 600 00:34:56,120 --> 00:34:59,480 Speaker 1: do is so important to me, and I feel like 601 00:35:00,160 --> 00:35:03,279 Speaker 1: it just reignited me in such a meaningful way and 602 00:35:03,680 --> 00:35:05,960 Speaker 1: my goodness to do what I love. I just I 603 00:35:06,000 --> 00:35:08,800 Speaker 1: love it. And I think that's one of the reasons 604 00:35:08,800 --> 00:35:12,080 Speaker 1: why I was so grateful that Kid ninety connected to people, 605 00:35:12,120 --> 00:35:13,920 Speaker 1: because for me, it was like I wanted them to 606 00:35:13,920 --> 00:35:16,920 Speaker 1: feel like it was their story too, or that you know, 607 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:19,080 Speaker 1: they were able to see themselves in some way. And 608 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:22,399 Speaker 1: I think that's one of the greatest parts about being 609 00:35:22,440 --> 00:35:25,960 Speaker 1: a documentarian is when you can be you know, most 610 00:35:26,040 --> 00:35:29,680 Speaker 1: genuine and allow people to have a shared experience. 611 00:35:29,800 --> 00:35:49,560 Speaker 2: You know, if you guys haven't seen a Kid ninety 612 00:35:50,280 --> 00:35:54,640 Speaker 2: out a couple of years ago, it is fascinating you 613 00:35:54,719 --> 00:35:59,200 Speaker 2: revisit your past, you explain why you started or what 614 00:35:59,280 --> 00:36:02,759 Speaker 2: happened when you start looking at the tapes. Leonardo DiCaprio, 615 00:36:03,320 --> 00:36:07,160 Speaker 2: Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Sheen, Mark Paul Gosler, my neighbor now 616 00:36:07,200 --> 00:36:10,600 Speaker 2: by the way. For you as you're watching it, it's 617 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:14,160 Speaker 2: so exciting and also like it's got to be like 618 00:36:14,960 --> 00:36:17,359 Speaker 2: for you going through it. So many years later now 619 00:36:17,360 --> 00:36:20,640 Speaker 2: in a totally different which is what I love about it, 620 00:36:20,719 --> 00:36:22,800 Speaker 2: going through it at such a different time in your life. 621 00:36:23,400 --> 00:36:26,799 Speaker 2: You see the like you must have felt like some 622 00:36:27,040 --> 00:36:30,560 Speaker 2: awkwardness or like some like, oh my gosh, I got 623 00:36:30,560 --> 00:36:33,080 Speaker 2: that shot. That's beautiful. Oh my gosh, I can't believe 624 00:36:33,120 --> 00:36:36,080 Speaker 2: I did that or I said that or whatever. What 625 00:36:36,120 --> 00:36:37,920 Speaker 2: was the biggest thing that surprised you? 626 00:36:38,560 --> 00:36:42,800 Speaker 1: Oh? The whole experience was completely life changing. It changed 627 00:36:42,800 --> 00:36:46,760 Speaker 1: my entire life. The process of the documentary changed everything 628 00:36:46,840 --> 00:36:50,640 Speaker 1: for me in so many ways. It changed, It changed 629 00:36:50,680 --> 00:36:55,520 Speaker 1: so much because it was it was going back and discovering, 630 00:36:55,800 --> 00:36:59,880 Speaker 1: you know, that teenage girl inside all of the dreams, 631 00:37:00,080 --> 00:37:01,920 Speaker 1: all of the things, all of the people, you know, 632 00:37:02,000 --> 00:37:04,120 Speaker 1: I mean just I mean, it was such an exploration, 633 00:37:04,320 --> 00:37:08,680 Speaker 1: you know, ultimately, I think, you know, something that was 634 00:37:08,719 --> 00:37:10,840 Speaker 1: so perfect. I mean, there were so many profound parts 635 00:37:10,840 --> 00:37:13,319 Speaker 1: of it. But it's so interesting because when we're in 636 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:16,960 Speaker 1: the moment, right, we're not always able to see or 637 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:19,919 Speaker 1: hear things, you know, the way that they really are. 638 00:37:19,960 --> 00:37:24,120 Speaker 1: And I've found this even for recent months and years, right. 639 00:37:25,080 --> 00:37:27,160 Speaker 1: But it was really interesting because I had never gone 640 00:37:27,200 --> 00:37:30,000 Speaker 1: through the videos at length, you know, I had never 641 00:37:30,520 --> 00:37:32,400 Speaker 1: gone through all the audios, you know, so here I 642 00:37:32,480 --> 00:37:36,400 Speaker 1: was like living with this treasure trove of all of 643 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:40,600 Speaker 1: these memories. And I'll use this example, which is, you know, 644 00:37:40,760 --> 00:37:45,120 Speaker 1: I love talking about love, right And And an example 645 00:37:45,239 --> 00:37:48,160 Speaker 1: is that I was watching this footage of myself with 646 00:37:48,200 --> 00:37:51,480 Speaker 1: someone who I was just crazy about as a teenager, 647 00:37:51,560 --> 00:37:54,680 Speaker 1: right crazy about, and I'm looking at it and I'm like, 648 00:37:54,719 --> 00:37:57,400 Speaker 1: am I And I now I've already gone and visited 649 00:37:57,400 --> 00:37:59,719 Speaker 1: them and this whole thing. And I turned to this 650 00:37:59,800 --> 00:38:02,879 Speaker 1: incredible person who I'm editing with, and I go, am 651 00:38:02,920 --> 00:38:06,319 Speaker 1: I trying to put in a love story here? And 652 00:38:06,360 --> 00:38:08,680 Speaker 1: she goes so like, do you see the way you 653 00:38:08,719 --> 00:38:11,040 Speaker 1: guys are looking at each other? And at this point 654 00:38:11,040 --> 00:38:14,160 Speaker 1: in the edit, Bay, I had watched the footage at 655 00:38:14,280 --> 00:38:17,800 Speaker 1: least ninety nine times, and it was the hundredth time 656 00:38:18,680 --> 00:38:21,320 Speaker 1: that I not only saw the way I was looking 657 00:38:21,320 --> 00:38:23,520 Speaker 1: at that person, but the way they were looking back 658 00:38:23,560 --> 00:38:28,279 Speaker 1: at me. And I was like, oh, my goodness. If 659 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:32,080 Speaker 1: we go through the world with these blinders on, you know, 660 00:38:32,200 --> 00:38:35,000 Speaker 1: so often where we aren't able to see all the 661 00:38:35,040 --> 00:38:39,520 Speaker 1: different perspectives, what are we missing? And in that moment, 662 00:38:40,040 --> 00:38:42,040 Speaker 1: and again I get emotional about it. I was like, 663 00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:46,520 Speaker 1: oh my god, I have always loved people so much. 664 00:38:47,040 --> 00:38:51,680 Speaker 1: I didn't realize how much love I had back. And 665 00:38:52,239 --> 00:38:57,759 Speaker 1: it was a level of realizing the love around me 666 00:38:58,040 --> 00:39:02,160 Speaker 1: in such a deep way, you know, and the insecurities 667 00:39:02,200 --> 00:39:05,719 Speaker 1: of teen you know, teenage nests and teen years and 668 00:39:06,080 --> 00:39:08,600 Speaker 1: new people like you, do they not like you? You know, 669 00:39:08,719 --> 00:39:11,160 Speaker 1: all the things that stick with you. The story you 670 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:15,160 Speaker 1: tell yourself, whatever you know, experiences you had, and whatever 671 00:39:15,640 --> 00:39:17,839 Speaker 1: you know that twelve year old me told myself from 672 00:39:17,840 --> 00:39:21,120 Speaker 1: that or your house. My house got toilet paper by 673 00:39:21,160 --> 00:39:22,680 Speaker 1: a group of kids that I just wanted to be 674 00:39:22,680 --> 00:39:24,640 Speaker 1: friends with. And what did I tell myself, you know, 675 00:39:24,680 --> 00:39:27,480 Speaker 1: or whatever it was, you know, or the person that 676 00:39:27,520 --> 00:39:30,279 Speaker 1: picked on you or chased you down and said they were, 677 00:39:30,320 --> 00:39:31,839 Speaker 1: you know, going to be you up, whatever it was. 678 00:39:31,920 --> 00:39:35,400 Speaker 1: And there was many of those moments, you know. But 679 00:39:35,600 --> 00:39:39,319 Speaker 1: what was it that, you know, or my development, or 680 00:39:39,520 --> 00:39:42,440 Speaker 1: what the world was saying about me, what my friends 681 00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:46,000 Speaker 1: were saying, whatever it was, it's not about them. It's 682 00:39:46,040 --> 00:39:48,880 Speaker 1: it's that idea that like things happened for us and 683 00:39:48,920 --> 00:39:51,759 Speaker 1: not to us, you know. But it was like all 684 00:39:51,840 --> 00:39:56,719 Speaker 1: of those stories, realizing that those were just stories and 685 00:39:56,840 --> 00:40:00,319 Speaker 1: that we were all going through our experiences and that 686 00:40:00,400 --> 00:40:03,280 Speaker 1: we were all going through our pain and our trials 687 00:40:03,280 --> 00:40:07,920 Speaker 1: and tribulations, and those insecurities started to strip away. And 688 00:40:07,960 --> 00:40:11,120 Speaker 1: now here I am, you know, forty years old or something, 689 00:40:11,440 --> 00:40:15,520 Speaker 1: and to be at that stage in life and going, oh, 690 00:40:15,560 --> 00:40:20,080 Speaker 1: my goodness, like wow, I can see like my own 691 00:40:20,160 --> 00:40:24,200 Speaker 1: self love, I can discover my worth in another way, 692 00:40:24,320 --> 00:40:29,440 Speaker 1: my value. It just again it became like a superpower, 693 00:40:29,560 --> 00:40:33,560 Speaker 1: you know, without you know, ego, you know about like 694 00:40:33,719 --> 00:40:36,319 Speaker 1: righteousness or any of that, but just like, oh, I 695 00:40:36,360 --> 00:40:40,200 Speaker 1: can actually feel a deeper level of love. Does that 696 00:40:40,239 --> 00:40:47,240 Speaker 1: make sense right? No, It's so easy to get wrapped 697 00:40:47,320 --> 00:40:51,480 Speaker 1: up and just pain of the past or experiences and 698 00:40:51,880 --> 00:40:54,560 Speaker 1: allow those to define us. And I think it was 699 00:40:54,680 --> 00:40:58,600 Speaker 1: for me a really important lesson in stripping all that 700 00:40:58,680 --> 00:41:01,959 Speaker 1: away and being who and who am I today? Who 701 00:41:02,080 --> 00:41:04,719 Speaker 1: is the version of me today? And I want to 702 00:41:04,760 --> 00:41:08,279 Speaker 1: be my best person today? And of course we all 703 00:41:08,840 --> 00:41:11,440 Speaker 1: have choices and take different paths and can make mistakes 704 00:41:11,480 --> 00:41:12,960 Speaker 1: and all those things. But it's like, how do I 705 00:41:12,960 --> 00:41:14,200 Speaker 1: show up in a room today? 706 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:18,320 Speaker 2: It's beautiful because it's real. So I don't want to 707 00:41:18,360 --> 00:41:20,799 Speaker 2: be reductive of this, but I do have to tell 708 00:41:20,840 --> 00:41:24,160 Speaker 2: you and I have no idea how familiar you are 709 00:41:24,360 --> 00:41:27,680 Speaker 2: with the television show at the office, but I was 710 00:41:27,800 --> 00:41:31,960 Speaker 2: struck watching it. That really what Greg Daniels was trying 711 00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:36,120 Speaker 2: to create on that show. There is a similarity. And 712 00:41:36,239 --> 00:41:40,000 Speaker 2: let me explain why it's scripted, the cameras are directed. 713 00:41:40,680 --> 00:41:44,600 Speaker 2: All of that is true. However, the idea that these 714 00:41:44,640 --> 00:41:47,439 Speaker 2: are characters who, in our case, were filmed for ten 715 00:41:47,520 --> 00:41:53,240 Speaker 2: years and never seeing the end result, never seeing how 716 00:41:53,280 --> 00:41:57,839 Speaker 2: your portrayed over that extended period of time. It's one 717 00:41:57,880 --> 00:42:00,600 Speaker 2: of the reasons Greg said, when the characters in the 718 00:42:00,640 --> 00:42:05,279 Speaker 2: show finally see this documentary that's been filmed for some 719 00:42:05,360 --> 00:42:08,520 Speaker 2: reason about a paper company for ten years, the show 720 00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:13,800 Speaker 2: ends because now they adjust how they are perceived because 721 00:42:13,800 --> 00:42:17,360 Speaker 2: they see how they're perceived through another person's lens. And 722 00:42:17,400 --> 00:42:19,560 Speaker 2: so I'm not at all trying to be reductive, but 723 00:42:19,600 --> 00:42:21,000 Speaker 2: when I watched it, I was like, Oh my god, 724 00:42:21,040 --> 00:42:24,919 Speaker 2: this is like a live, real version because so much 725 00:42:25,040 --> 00:42:29,520 Speaker 2: time passed and you have this whole new perspective as 726 00:42:29,520 --> 00:42:32,040 Speaker 2: you're watching it again, and certainly for you seeing it 727 00:42:32,080 --> 00:42:35,040 Speaker 2: again and seeing yourself from so many years ago, it 728 00:42:35,160 --> 00:42:37,120 Speaker 2: just must have been just an incredible thing. 729 00:42:37,640 --> 00:42:43,200 Speaker 1: It was so incredible and I really believe it's been 730 00:42:43,280 --> 00:42:47,839 Speaker 1: fundamental in my journey and who I am today, every 731 00:42:48,320 --> 00:42:51,960 Speaker 1: minute of it, Starting from the time that I started 732 00:42:52,840 --> 00:42:54,520 Speaker 1: writing that dollar five years old. 733 00:42:54,600 --> 00:42:58,840 Speaker 2: I'm like, wow, I mean it's crazy. Well, your first 734 00:42:59,280 --> 00:43:01,880 Speaker 2: directorial view is at twenty two years of age, I 735 00:43:01,920 --> 00:43:04,759 Speaker 2: mean Wild Horses. You also wrote it with. 736 00:43:04,680 --> 00:43:06,520 Speaker 1: It it was actually nineteen at that time. 737 00:43:06,719 --> 00:43:08,480 Speaker 2: You were nineteen. Oh, it was twenty two when it 738 00:43:08,520 --> 00:43:08,919 Speaker 2: came out. 739 00:43:09,120 --> 00:43:10,960 Speaker 1: I don't it actually never came out. 740 00:43:11,400 --> 00:43:12,960 Speaker 2: Oh, it never came out. 741 00:43:13,200 --> 00:43:16,319 Speaker 1: No, it's sitting it's sitting somewhere. We go, we gotta 742 00:43:16,360 --> 00:43:17,279 Speaker 1: go dig it out. 743 00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:22,080 Speaker 2: Really, Yeah, I didn't know that that's a whole Well, 744 00:43:22,120 --> 00:43:23,640 Speaker 2: that's a whole other episode that you and I have 745 00:43:23,680 --> 00:43:26,719 Speaker 2: to sit up. Well, that's that's a whole other episode. 746 00:43:27,120 --> 00:43:29,480 Speaker 2: What was the impetus behind that? Again? Was that just 747 00:43:29,560 --> 00:43:32,240 Speaker 2: an extension of wanting to be behind the camera? 748 00:43:32,680 --> 00:43:33,640 Speaker 1: Absolutely? And I was. 749 00:43:33,680 --> 00:43:33,960 Speaker 2: I was. 750 00:43:34,000 --> 00:43:37,120 Speaker 1: I had gone off to school and I had this idea, 751 00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:39,040 Speaker 1: and I came back and I was like, I want 752 00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:40,680 Speaker 1: to make this and they were like, great, go write 753 00:43:40,680 --> 00:43:43,400 Speaker 1: it in a week and I did, which is crazy 754 00:43:43,440 --> 00:43:45,759 Speaker 1: because it's something that only, you know, an eighteen year 755 00:43:45,800 --> 00:43:49,520 Speaker 1: olds would do. You know it right exactly, and I did, 756 00:43:49,600 --> 00:43:51,600 Speaker 1: and it was like a blessing and it ended up, 757 00:43:52,040 --> 00:43:54,120 Speaker 1: you know, we ended up making it. And then I 758 00:43:55,280 --> 00:43:57,920 Speaker 1: fell in love during that journey and that ended up 759 00:43:57,960 --> 00:44:00,640 Speaker 1: becoming the person that I was married to and having 760 00:44:00,680 --> 00:44:04,680 Speaker 1: four beautiful children with. And so it was just like 761 00:44:04,760 --> 00:44:08,880 Speaker 1: this incredible, wow life path. And then I did this. 762 00:44:09,200 --> 00:44:12,440 Speaker 1: I had an amazing experience with my father who had Alzheimer's, 763 00:44:12,440 --> 00:44:15,560 Speaker 1: and we drove a cross country and made this documentary 764 00:44:15,600 --> 00:44:20,640 Speaker 1: Sonny Boy, which at some point I will share, but yeah, 765 00:44:20,680 --> 00:44:24,240 Speaker 1: I mean just And then I love I love making 766 00:44:24,360 --> 00:44:28,160 Speaker 1: art and creating, and I love directing, I love producing, 767 00:44:28,160 --> 00:44:29,600 Speaker 1: I love all of it. I love all of it. 768 00:44:29,680 --> 00:44:30,880 Speaker 1: I love creating. 769 00:44:31,920 --> 00:44:35,960 Speaker 2: What about voiceover? I love it. I love oh I 770 00:44:36,120 --> 00:44:37,399 Speaker 2: love it well. 771 00:44:37,440 --> 00:44:40,279 Speaker 1: And I've had such a it's so great. And I've 772 00:44:40,280 --> 00:44:42,560 Speaker 1: had the honor of being part of Proud Family for 773 00:44:42,600 --> 00:44:46,520 Speaker 1: so many years as Zoe, who is my other superpower 774 00:44:46,760 --> 00:44:50,839 Speaker 1: hero that I lead in too often, and Brats Brats 775 00:44:50,920 --> 00:44:53,200 Speaker 1: absolutely so wild. 776 00:44:54,600 --> 00:44:59,239 Speaker 2: I get so much joy creating characters through the voice. 777 00:44:59,239 --> 00:45:02,920 Speaker 1: Absolutely you could just do my goodness. 778 00:45:03,200 --> 00:45:07,680 Speaker 2: Oh well, thank you, that was nice. Uh. The reboot 779 00:45:07,760 --> 00:45:11,880 Speaker 2: Punky Brewster happened during uh, well, this little thing some 780 00:45:11,880 --> 00:45:16,440 Speaker 2: people like to call COVID. Were you excited to revisit that? 781 00:45:16,960 --> 00:45:21,360 Speaker 1: SI thrilled. I was thrilled. And it was so special. 782 00:45:21,480 --> 00:45:23,680 Speaker 1: And we did the pilot before COVID, and then COVID 783 00:45:23,760 --> 00:45:28,560 Speaker 1: hit and it was it was such a surreal experience. 784 00:45:28,600 --> 00:45:31,680 Speaker 1: It was Oh, Punky, I love it so much, and 785 00:45:31,760 --> 00:45:36,160 Speaker 1: really it was such a special continuation and the people 786 00:45:36,239 --> 00:45:41,200 Speaker 1: were so wonderful and the response was incredible, and really 787 00:45:41,520 --> 00:45:47,520 Speaker 1: just it was really really special and so wonderful and 788 00:45:47,680 --> 00:45:50,719 Speaker 1: just a beautiful experience that I held so close to 789 00:45:50,719 --> 00:45:51,080 Speaker 1: my heart. 790 00:45:51,680 --> 00:45:54,359 Speaker 2: You've said before, and you said it almost in this 791 00:45:54,440 --> 00:45:57,880 Speaker 2: way earlier today that you've never known where Punky ended 792 00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:01,920 Speaker 2: and you began because of you were alike and she 793 00:46:02,040 --> 00:46:06,120 Speaker 2: was your superpowers. You mentioned after revisiting her. You still 794 00:46:06,160 --> 00:46:06,920 Speaker 2: feel that way. 795 00:46:07,160 --> 00:46:11,160 Speaker 1: Absolutely, And you know, and the way in which we 796 00:46:11,160 --> 00:46:13,719 Speaker 1: were in this parallel journey, the person that I've been 797 00:46:13,719 --> 00:46:15,399 Speaker 1: married to for so many years and I were going 798 00:46:15,440 --> 00:46:18,680 Speaker 1: in different directions Punky and her husband, I mean, it 799 00:46:18,719 --> 00:46:22,560 Speaker 1: was just like whoa you know. I mean, it was 800 00:46:22,640 --> 00:46:26,120 Speaker 1: definitely a place for me to put creative energy into, 801 00:46:26,360 --> 00:46:26,759 Speaker 1: you know. 802 00:46:27,360 --> 00:46:31,799 Speaker 2: Good for you. I am well. I'm a bigger fan 803 00:46:31,880 --> 00:46:35,520 Speaker 2: of yours now than I was before. You continue to 804 00:46:35,600 --> 00:46:41,440 Speaker 2: do incredible work giving back on issues that are important 805 00:46:41,920 --> 00:46:45,160 Speaker 2: to you. I do want to ask or remind people 806 00:46:45,239 --> 00:46:49,640 Speaker 2: again to go check out ask the Number two Be 807 00:46:50,480 --> 00:46:54,759 Speaker 2: Sure campaign. Will put it in the description here so 808 00:46:54,800 --> 00:46:58,040 Speaker 2: that all of you parents out there can be educated 809 00:46:58,040 --> 00:46:59,000 Speaker 2: about meningitis. 810 00:46:59,000 --> 00:47:02,120 Speaker 1: B thank you so much for having me and letting 811 00:47:02,120 --> 00:47:06,400 Speaker 1: me share and being so kind and such an amazing listener. 812 00:47:06,440 --> 00:47:11,799 Speaker 2: And oh please, Shaka is the best. She is. I 813 00:47:11,840 --> 00:47:15,400 Speaker 2: think she's the best pediatrician in the world, but maybe 814 00:47:15,400 --> 00:47:17,200 Speaker 2: I just think that because she's mine. 815 00:47:17,480 --> 00:47:20,640 Speaker 1: Yeah. And Shaka is also one of the best human feeds. 816 00:47:21,600 --> 00:47:26,239 Speaker 2: Yes, and I love how much you value that for real. 817 00:47:26,760 --> 00:47:27,000 Speaker 1: Yeah. 818 00:47:27,040 --> 00:47:28,880 Speaker 2: Best to you. Thank you so much. 819 00:47:29,360 --> 00:47:31,279 Speaker 1: And Melissa of course for coming on. 820 00:47:31,480 --> 00:47:35,080 Speaker 2: Yes and tell her I said hello. I'll harass her 821 00:47:35,080 --> 00:47:38,200 Speaker 2: at some point here and get her on the program. 822 00:47:38,719 --> 00:47:42,279 Speaker 2: Solet moon fry. Thank you to honor to be here. 823 00:47:42,360 --> 00:47:45,840 Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Brian, and thank you for raising 824 00:47:45,840 --> 00:48:00,719 Speaker 1: awareness with us. Best to be Sure, So. 825 00:48:00,880 --> 00:48:03,719 Speaker 2: Leigh, thank you so much for being here. That was 826 00:48:03,760 --> 00:48:08,120 Speaker 2: such a treat. I learned so much about you, primarily 827 00:48:08,320 --> 00:48:12,040 Speaker 2: that you have a huge heart and you care about 828 00:48:12,120 --> 00:48:15,000 Speaker 2: not just your kids and your family, but your whole community. 829 00:48:15,040 --> 00:48:17,839 Speaker 2: God bless you. It was such a pleasure come back anytime. 830 00:48:18,280 --> 00:48:21,120 Speaker 2: As for me, so Leay probably won't be back next week, 831 00:48:21,200 --> 00:48:24,640 Speaker 2: but I will, so come back and join me please. 832 00:48:25,560 --> 00:48:38,880 Speaker 2: Until then, guys, have a great week. Off. The Beat 833 00:48:39,120 --> 00:48:43,480 Speaker 2: is hosted and executive produced by me Brian Baumgartner, alongside 834 00:48:43,520 --> 00:48:48,120 Speaker 2: our executive producer Lang Lee. Our senior producer is Diego Tapia. 835 00:48:48,160 --> 00:48:51,800 Speaker 2: Our producers are Liz Hayes, Hannah Harris, and Emily Carr. 836 00:48:52,080 --> 00:48:56,040 Speaker 2: Our talent producer is Ryan Papa Zachary, and our intern 837 00:48:56,239 --> 00:48:59,960 Speaker 2: is Ali Amir Saheed. Our theme song Bubble and Squid 838 00:49:00,520 --> 00:49:03,600 Speaker 2: performed by the one and only Creed Bratton