How to Undo the Idea That You’re Not Enough with Monica Padman
On this week’s episode, I talk with fellow recovering good girl, Monica Padman.
Monica, an actress and podcast producer, hustled her way into acting and co-leading one of the most downloaded podcasts today, Armchair Expert. She double majored in theatre and PR at the University of Georgia and then moved to LA to pursue her dreams of acting. She’s appeared in several TV shows, such as The Good Place, and Drop Dead Diva, and performed a role specifically written for her in the 2017 movie, CHIPS. Armchair Expert, the podcast she co-hosts with Dax Shepard, started off as something they did for fun, and has now exploded into one of the most downloaded podcasts. The duo have interviewed musicians, entertainers, writers, doctors, and psychologists including Alicia Keys, Brené Brown, Monica Lewinsky, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Emilia Clarke.
In this episode, Monica shares how she met Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell. She talks about the familial relationship she’s built with them, and how that relationship influenced her path. You’ll also hear about the parts of herself she kept hidden in order to fit in as a good girl, which are now the parts she’s reclaiming for herself. Monica’s story shows that you can do whatever it takes to create your dreams, while staying authentic.
Featured Moment
Majo: Is there something that you’re taking back for yourself?
Monica: What I’m trying to undo now is the idea that I’m not enough. What I’m growing toward reclaiming is embracing what makes me different. I was so afraid of being different for so long. I was adamantly walking toward sameness and assimilation. At some point there was a realization of, I don’t want to be like everyone, I want to stand out, as me. I want to bring what I bring to the table. Different is good, it’s not a bad thing.
Show Notes
Monica’s childhood as a careful, shy, rule follower
The early influences that fueled her love for acting
Her experience with being a good girl and her need to fit in during school
Monica’s relationship to her Indian culture growing up in the South
How she dealt with the uncertainty of making the leap into a full-time acting career
The importance of community and relationship
Ensuring she built out other areas of her life so that acting wasn’t the only focus for her
How she built a close, family type relationship with Kristin Bell and Dax Shepard
The inspiration for the Armchair Expert podcast
The role Monica plays with Armchair Expert, and how she feels about it
References
The Best Little Boy in the World
Featured Black Female Voice
Today’s Black female spotlight is Nancy Douyon, design ethicist and product philosopher.
You may remember Nancy from our episode “Fight for Authenticity” where we talk about overcoming obstacles, healing relationships, and the role art plays in her life.
Here’s what Nancy is up to now:
Hosting virtual UX classes and design sprints at the Design & Innovation Research Hub
Nancy is currently developing the Douyon Research Institute, Silicon Valley’s first social enterprise research institute focused on bridging the gap between mental health and tech innovations.
Recently featured on Invision’s Inside Design Blog about what she calls “the nobility complex” in design
You can find more about Nancy’s work on douyonsignature.com and on Instagram @therealnancydouyon.
One Last Thing
My book, Break the Good Girl Myth is now available! The first few weeks of a book’s publication really determines whether it gets picked up by the media and included on reading/bestseller lists, etc. Every single order counts. If I’ve supported you in any way ever through this newsletter or the podcast, it would truly mean so much and be incredibly helpful if you bought the book right now (vs. later). Order the book. Deep thanks to you!