Thriving Artists: The Daily Joyride with Robyn Cohen

How to Be an Unstoppable Actor: Overcoming Anxiety and Owning the Room with Alison Rodriguez

• Robyn Cohen • Episode 16

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Ever wonder how artists conquer fear and thrive? Curious about mastering the art of auditions with authenticity and flair? Eager to balance a panoply of creative roles while basking in power and joy? Join host Robyn Cohen on 'Thriving Artists: The Daily Joyride' for an illuminating conversation with the extraordinary Alison Rodriguez. As a shining beacon for artists and creatives, Alison reflects on her journey from growing up in a theater family to becoming an award-winning casting director, actress, and comedian. Discover how embracing vulnerability and authenticity defines true artistic success. Alison shares actionable advice on navigating tough challenges, highlighting the power of humor and incremental steps toward achieving your dreams. This heartwarming episode is packed with insightful lessons on creating a fulfilling artistic life and the indispensable role of supportive communities. Embark on this inspiring joyride and uncover the tools to unleash your full creative potential.

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Time Stamps:

01:59 Alison Rodriguez's Background and Achievements

04:58 Early Life and Theater Legacy

09:37 The Casting Process and Authenticity

27:39 Comedy and Overcoming Anxiety

36:54 Melting Fear Through Repetition

38:22 Exposure Therapy and Its Intensity

41:30 Mindfulness and Presence

57:12 Empathy and Understanding Others

01:00:20 The Joy of Making People Laugh

01:06:10 Encouragement to Share Your Gifts

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Robyn Cohen:

Well, hello. Hello, and welcome back to Thriving Artists, The Daily Joyride. I'm your host, Robyn Cohen, and today it is such a delight, such a treat, To have the amazing Alison Rodriguez on our show. Alison is a beacon of hope and light for artists and creatives everywhere. She's the resident casting director at a Noise within a classical theater company in Pasadena, California. She's a creative comrade an amazing friend, a gifted actor, A hilarious comedian. She is just everything delightful and delicious, and we're about to have a magical conversation about what it is. To absorb yourself and immerse yourself into the world of arts and crafts. It's what we're doing Six ways to Sunday in class, which starts up November 3rd at 11:00 AM in the zoom room, as well as Tuesdays at 6:00 PM also online. Then we're gonna have some in-person sessions in Hollywood, California come December. So if you're interested in jumping in and getting on your feet with some Shakespeare or Chekhov or John Patrick Shanley, come on along. if you just wanna observe and. taste the honey, you're welcome to come as my guest. and the first audit is for free. So DM me if you'd like to participate. I'm on Instagram@RobynCohenActingStudio or you can email me at Robyn@cohenactingstudio.com and get in there. You won't wanna miss this. We have such an incredible group of artists and human beings that are so in it to win it. So on fire. So in their passion and their purpose, it's everything that Alison and I are about to dive into. And I promise you this episode is gonna light you up like Times Square. So without further ado, let's dive in. This is me holding back. I know you can't tell, but this is me trying to do as little as possible. but I'm so excited. hello and welcome back to the Daily Joy Ride. Today we have the delicious pleasure of welcoming Alison Rodriguez to the show. Alison is a dazzling performer and a primo arts educator whose contributions have enriched the theater community in LA and beyond so deeply, and whose very existence gives me significant hope for the future of live theater, for arts education, and of the healthy continuation. Of show business itself. Alison is a multi award-winning casting director and associate producer at A Noise Within theater. She was previously the education director at a private art school in Miami and has been a teaching artist for countless, can't even count them. There's too many to count organizations nationally. As an actress, she has performed in over 20. Theater productions, including the Tempest Six Characters in Search of an Author, A Flea in her Ear, Tartuffe, and The Beaux Strategum. Alison also has written and produced multiple comedy gold sketches. Her favorite being Two Girls, One Bard, a two person adaptation of Hamlet. And she also holds an MA, a master's degree in theater Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Come on. As well as a Bachelor of Arts in Theater from the University of California. UCLA Alison, we are so thrilled to have you with us today. Your journey in the performing arts, both as an educator and as a performer, is uniquely inspiring and we are so looking forward to going a little deeper. So let's go.

Alison R:

Welcome to the show. Oh my God. Thank you. What did you say? Deliciously something?

Robyn Cohen:

I gotta likely, it was something having to do with being magically delicious. Magically d some kind of unicorn in that vein, like somewhere in that vein. I,

Alison R:

I have to get a transcript of that,

Robyn Cohen:

bio that you just wrote because it'll be in the show notes on the podcast, apple, Spotify, and YouTube channel because everyone's gonna want that. Everyone actually needs it. Make no mistake. They need it. Okay, so speaking of needing it. Yes. So Like all that. It sounds like amazing and unbelievable and it's all true. Can you just wind us back a little bit in terms of like how you have become so immersed in the fabric of theater and the performing arts and Yeah. You know, both in LA and beyond. So would love to hear like how you got hooked, if you will. How, how I got hooked Yeah. Like where did it all begin with? Like, little Alison.

Alison R:

Little Alison? Yeah. What a treat she was. Um, um, well it really started when I was a couple years old. Uh, so I'm a, a native Los Angeleno, grew up here, born and raised, and my parents started a theater company about 33 years ago. called A Noise Within.

Robyn Cohen:

Yes.

Alison R:

and so I was around the theater all the time. So I quite literally grew up in that environment from a very young age. and I would come to the theater after school. I would be involved in rehearsals and falling asleep in the back of the house to some of the greatest plays ever written. And I would always, you know, kind of amazing. I would always meet new people, you know, there's always new artists coming in and, it was a really beautiful place to grow up. and unique because my peers at school, you know, didn't have that experience at all. and so I'm very grateful for that. And I think that started me off. In terms of having an appreciation for art and building empathy and learning how to talk to people from very different walks of life because you were always meeting new people and always having new experiences. So that's kind of where it's started for me, really. and then, initially, I wasn't sure if that was just something that was a part of my life, I wasn't sure in terms of like, if that was something that was gonna be my path or it's just something that I did and I was involved in. so I kind of tried a bunch of different things, in high school and, you know, I did sports and choir and stuff like that. And then like between the decade of my twenties and thirties, I tried a bunch of different things just to see if there was something else for me, perhaps. Yeah, yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

And

Alison R:

I'm,

Robyn Cohen:

I'm so in that time, I'm so curious, by the way, I love that it's 33 years, which is the age that Jesus Christ was when he went to the cross and then was resurrected 33 years of age. I think I am no coincidences. obviously maybe I'm Jesus and I but I'm curious like you're literally, you're being breast fed backstage. Yeah. I don't know. I was actually not breastfed. Hopefully by my mother. Hopefully by your mother or some altruistic mother nearby. And, um, I you're immersed, you're like mm-hmm. Swimming in the oceans of it. You're going through and you're sort of seeing, is this what I really wanna do? Yeah. was there a particular experience or show you saw or something that just blew your hair back that you were like, oh, this is it? I know it might not be, the conventional path, I might wanna do other things on this path, but Yeah. Did something like some work of art that you saw in the world of arts and crafts that sort of clarified that for you?

Alison R:

You know, I don't, because I was around it so much, I can't speak to one moment where I was like, this is the thing. Yeah. It was so, it was so much a part of my life that I saw so many shows and so many rehearsal processes that there wasn't, there wasn't a moment or a play where I thought, that's it. That's what is inspiring me to continue down this path. for me, I really think it was, what always draws me in, to this realm and it did then was not necessarily the work, but the people doing the work. Mm-hmm. I just felt connected to artists and was inspired by their vulnerability on stage and this idea Of people putting themselves out there in that way and failing in the process and succeeding in the process. I mean, I watched that happen over and over and I was really drawn to that vulnerability and that level of empathy and, what a process can do, and the people involved. So I kind of had to come to the realization that it wasn't necessarily about the work. It probably should be about both things, but for me it was always like, who's gonna be around?

Robyn Cohen:

That's so fascinating that you say that. I mean, it's such a reflection of the warmth and the golden heart that you have. Because if you look, what you just shared about it was the humanity and vulnerability. And the people that you got to work with and observe that really moved you. Yeah. I'm so touched just listening to you share that because, you know, as a casting director and an associate producer, it's the very thing that I would imagine that you're looking for when someone comes in to audition for you. But I would love for you to say more about that for people and students and actors that are listening in. Mm-hmm. Like mm-hmm. What is the thing that you're like, check, I don't know if it's for this show, I don't know what it's for, but check, let's work together. it sounds like it has something to do with this authenticity, if you can say more about that. Totally.

Alison R:

No, authenticity is a great word. I mean, I think the casting process is a number of different things. I view it as far as I'm concerned, as a compatibility test on two fronts. So. I see it as a compatibility test personality wise. Like when someone comes into a space, are we compatible? Is there like a sense of humor? Is there a warmth? Is there that compatibility? And then coupled with am I or whoever's in the room with that actor, are we compatible in terms of the content that an actor is presenting? Do I value, the choices they're making, how connected they are to the reader, how they receive notes. so for me in general, that's sort of the process is like, are we compatible? in both realms. Yeah. It's like creative, platonic, dating, creative. Totally. Totally. It is. Is there a vibe? It is, it is. And sort of my job too is to find if, these artists are also compatible with the directors that are gonna be working with them in the process. Do the personality types mesh? Do they not, does the content of what is being presented in that such brief period of time, is that compatible with the folks that that artist might be working with in the process? Yeah, so in my mind that's generally what it is. and also I'll say, when it comes to authenticity. Are we able to, in the room find moments of authenticity together? Mm-hmm. Because, uh, you know, I was thinking about this and I feel like advice, you know, people ask advice for actors, you know, coming into an audition process. And my least favorite advice is to be yourself. Yeah. Is to be yourself. Yeah. Because very few people are authentically themselves all the time. Mm. Very few people. You're one person who I feel like is authentically yourself all the time. We had a

Robyn Cohen:

really good dance party and I was sweating before we even hit record. So that's the truth of that. The body doesn't lie,

Alison R:

and, and I'm sure there are moments where you're not, you don't feel like a hundred percent. Of course. So, so that advice, no offense to anyone who's ever given that advice for an actor to be themselves when they come in the room, but. I just think it's so unrealistic to ask that because there are so many factors involved. Like Yeah. Like why should an actor come in and automatically just be authentically themselves? Like Yeah. there's not a trust yet. Uh,

Robyn Cohen:

yeah. yes.

Alison R:

So,

Robyn Cohen:

so my, that's a sensitive, that's such a sensitive way to approach it because it addresses just the humanity of like, they're kind of scared. They don't know they're strangers to us. Like why should they just explode their hearts open to people that they haven't yet collaborated with? Like, I

Alison R:

can't expect that. And, and also I can't expect that of myself or the people in the room. even with people I've met a number of times, there are very few people I'm like 100% myself with. Yeah. So I think for me it's more about, I. For the actor, finding moments of authentic moments of authenticity in the work. Maybe one in the sort of interchange between you and myself or whoever's in the room. Maybe there's a moment there. because those moments, once you feel more comfortable and you get to know somebody, those moments become more and more. Yeah. But I think it's unrealistic to ask for someone to come in and just be yourself super easy. Yeah, no problem. Yeah. So that goes for me too. I need to find moments of authenticity in the room. I have to,

Robyn Cohen:

yeah.

Alison R:

If I'm asking someone else to

Robyn Cohen:

do that. I love that so much. So for those of you listening in sports fans, Alison, you literally just created like even just one moment, a couple of moments.

Alison R:

Mm-hmm.

Robyn Cohen:

Is something that stands out, you know? Yeah. And that we don't have to put this pressure on ourselves to like splay open our souls on the first creative date, you know? But trusting in you, someone that's been doing this since birth can recognize, can recognize in just a moment or two that spark and I think that's helpful and can put people's minds at rest. like, we're gonna see it, We'll see you, we'll see you. And it doesn't have to be perfect, right? Like, it totally, like, let's just take that off the table, what is perfection anyway? When we're talking about a creative collaborative process, it doesn't even exist. So

Alison R:

Yeah. It's unrealistic. I mean, yeah. I also think, that. Compatibility. And then I'll add a side note that's important, but I think that that compatibility also has to like allow the artist to also have agency. So I think coming into the space for the artists to also be like testing it to be like, do I get along with this group of people? Like do I feel like I could be in a rehearsal process with them? Yeah. Do I feel like the note that I just got was of value? Yeah. To what I have to offer, what I feel, you know, performance is. So

Robyn Cohen:

yes,

Alison R:

that agency can also be with the artist. But the side note I was gonna say is like, it's tricky because there's already an inherent power imbalance going into it because someone's coming in and I have a job that that person wants. So it's a little tricky to, yeah. Although I will say, just a side note,

Robyn Cohen:

I will say I have rarely. And, it's why our sort of cosmic creative connection continues. when we saw each other in person, and I came in for an audition, a general audition, and I

did something from What the Constitution Means to Me, we had actually never

Robyn Cohen:

really hung out in person, but we had been, you know, over covid and everything had been online and, you know. Yeah. Um, and I, walked in and we just, like, we just held each other in each other's arms. Like, we hadn't ever like, it was like, hello, and we're gonna hug and like, it's good to finally meet you in person. Yeah. but it goes on from there. And what I really wanna Point out is that I haven't been in the space from that moment when I met you through to Skin of Our Teeth and other things and mm-hmm. Other auditions mm-hmm. In the presence of a, a cocreative that holds as much space as you do, Alison. And it's so special. and it's so unique in like, show business, you know, when someone has that much capacity and I think it has a lot to do with why you just always, you just get the best people and the people who have that strength and that vulnerability.'cause you hold a space where all of that vulnerability and all of that creativity can arise. I mean, I remember some of our email exchanges and you'd be like, do whatever you want. I was like, okay. I was like, okay.

Alison R:

Hopefully that was in reference to something.

Robyn Cohen:

Now

Alison R:

it was, well, because you had,

Robyn Cohen:

it was, it was wildly positive. I think it was for, because you were having actors read like all the three witches and you were just like, do. What you doing? We're not gonna just go play. Yeah. With that invitation, like, wow. I think that's when you really get to see artists and creatives and Totally. And what they're made of and what they can do. But it's just very rare. And so thank you for, being a container for that. You know, you can hold all of it. You can hold our fear and our nervousness and our creativity and imagination and it's just, it's incredible to be in your presence. Like, it doesn't feel like a typical experience at all. And I imagine it has something to do with the fact that you've done so much performing, you're doing so much performing, which is also so rare.'cause you're like, yeah. You literally toggle back and forth like on the daily between, right. I'm tired. I'm tired, Robyn. I will only keep you here an hour. Yeah, yeah. But I mean, just like, like how is that experience for you? I'd love to hear more about that.

Alison R:

for sure. just going back a second. Thank you so much for your kind words. I receive that. I really appreciate it. it's a mutual, it's a mutual joy and, I kind of really feel like it's the least I can do. I can't really understand anything but being, trying to be warm and kind because you're gonna get the best work from somebody. Who you need to fill a spot that's like mutually beneficial. Yeah. It seems like super, you think obvious to me. I know you think blows my mind, but No, no, no, I you need to teach lessons. Put, you know, it's counterintuitive. It's so counterintuitive. and then I'll answer your question. I do think that it has a great deal to do with growing up in the theater and understanding the process and also seeing how challenging and brutal auditioning is. It's just, it's brutal. Do you find

Robyn Cohen:

it, do you find it that even now? Do I

Alison R:

find it that way? Yeah, I do. I mean, I think just as a concept, it's hard. it's a part of the job, and I really admire people who are like, I love auditions. Like it's my favorite thing. I really do. I do when

Robyn Cohen:

they're with you.

Alison R:

But other than that, I know, you know, I know. Yeah, I know. But it's just as a concept, it's really hard. You come in and you have to prove something or, you know, it's complicated. Mm-hmm. so I really empathize with that process. And so because of going through it and also being a performer and how vulnerable and scary that is, that I. on top of that. I'm also just so grateful that artists are coming in to audition. Like, I'm just, I understand how much time it takes getting there, the nerves, the prep. there's so much that goes into it. and so even if it's not a right fit with somebody, I have a lot of gratitude for how much work that it takes and, and someone coming into to, then put it all out on the table. I mean, yeah. So, yeah, I can't understand any other way. mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And even if I'm having a bad day and I go into an audition, like it's my job, I feel to push through and be kind and be warm because like, what else am I doing? What am I doing? Yeah. What else are we, what are we doing? You know, God

Robyn Cohen:

bless you for doing that.'cause that graciousness is oftentimes like the difference that makes the difference. Yeah. Not only for that audition, but like in someone's day or weak.

Alison R:

Oh man. If I can be a part of that, that's the best. that's what I enjoy doing. So, yeah. and then your question. Oh, balancing all, whether you're performing all the things or playing

Robyn Cohen:

producer, casting director.

Alison R:

Yeah, Wow. Yeah, it's a lot. That's Seesaw. That's Seesaw. It's a lot. I can't say that I've found the perfect balance of any of it, you know, and I've kind of given up on trying to find this balance. Good for you, because I'm just gonna be like, for the rest of my life, like, oh, the balance, but I want the balance, you know? Um, I, you know, I, I just try to find time for the things that are enjoyable to me and try to, I love that space them out in my life in whatever way. even if I'd like to do more, for example, comedy, if it's just not possible in my schedule to do it as much as I want, I just try to do it a little bit like, maybe it's like once a week or twice a week. I set aside some time to do that and build it into my life in a small way. yeah. Yeah. In whatever way that I can, in that given week, in that given month. Um, I love that you said, I love that you said, I just wanna

Robyn Cohen:

do

Alison R:

what's enjoyable. What a, I mean, what a concept. What a concept. What a concept,

Robyn Cohen:

but what a concept. We come, we were, we were born into a hustle culture.

Alison R:

Yeah,

Robyn Cohen:

So it's not intuitive. intuitive until it becomes something that you bring to your awareness like you just did. And we're like, well, I don't wanna do this. If it's struggle and hustle and all of that desperation energy. Like why, why? And I think it takes some serious and some really, honest rewiring of a lot of the things that I grew up to believe. I went to a conservatory and they were Juilliard and they'd pull me aside every day and be like, listen, it's gonna hurt. Like it's gonna be, you know, and I had struggles suffer. You're like suffering so collapsed. Like it couldn't be good unless it was painful. Totally. Well, that eventually landed me in the hospital literally on several occasions, Mm-hmm. so Of course it did. Of course it did. So it's thrilling like, that was the first thing that you shared, like, I wanna do, what's actually enjoyable. Yeah. that isn't making my insides go berserk. Like, I wanna do some comedy, I wanna do this, but if I'm not doing it with a regulated nervous system, I don't wanna do it, you know?

Alison R:

yeah. I know. I mean, as far as I'm concerned. a successful life is one where you just have more consistent moments of joy in it and, and finding those and on a journey to find those, that's what success is to me. All the other stuff doesn't matter, to be honest, but that perspective really fights against the world that we live in. Yes, it does. So it almost feels like you're constantly, in conflict Yeah. With what's going on and what the sort of global mentality seems to be and what is sort of pushed against

Robyn Cohen:

us. So it's complicated. We have experience in that because as artists, we're already outliers. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. we're already going out the third door. Right. Yeah. And, finding a new path. And in a way there is this element that if we're actually gonna enjoy being creative and have longevity and have range to our lives. Yeah. I think, just for very practical health reasons, we have to lead with that joy. And in doing so, it can make you antisocial. Listen, I'm not, I'm not for everyone tell. I'm not, but you know what I mean? There's something wrong with them,

Robyn, but

Robyn Cohen:

it's just what you said. Like Yeah. You know what I mean? Like to some people that joy is an act of resistance. Mm-hmm. Well, didn't you turn on the news? Well, didn't you see the headlines? Yeah. Well, aren't you Like how dare you? Do you know what what I mean there is that. Yeah. and that's okay.'cause we're not here. we're here as artists to trigger people and trigger ideas. Mm-hmm. But It's wonderful and not surprising at all. It's just amazing. Like, you should be my co-host on this podcast. Because the point is like, can we lead, don't say that with, with I'm saying it and you all heard it and it's gonna be on the recording, but do we not have a right to grow and live our lives? With an approach that includes creative joy and not creative suffering and, Right. It's like, yeah. So I love that, that big. I think it's

Alison R:

evolving, you know, I it's evolving. I think that, that grind mentality and that sort of pushing through and doing a million things and because that's just the way it goes, I think slowly that is evolving, with each generation I see it even in, my generation of folks being like, you know, I don't, I don't need to have one career for the rest of my life. I, I wanna do what I wanna do, even if it's like, I do this for a couple years, or the next year I do something else. And really leading with. what is it that is fulfilling? Yeah. What is it that makes me feel present? Uh, yes. So yes,

Robyn Cohen:

What is it that keeps my pores open? Keeps me receptive so I can actually like, stay sensitive to, let's face it, the magnificence of the sunrise or the sunset or the air, or, you know, fill in the blank. Speaking of comedy. Great, great segue. I know, I gotta get much better at this air, the air and the, the sky.

Alison R:

Speaking of comedy,

Robyn Cohen:

oh, What, like, okay, so, when we complete, I'm gonna make sure that you tell everyone where they can find you on Instagram, because I've been Oh, yeah. Time, because Alison the co like, I cannot, yeah. Okay. I, I almost don't have words like you, so you've, You've been talking about, like when you can a couple times a week. Yeah. Yeah. How, where are you exploring, um, the comedy world? Like, are you performing? Are you doing standup? Are you doing your own content? Because what I saw in Alison, like just in these, some of these reel that she posts, it's like, she's like the comedy wizard of my life. Like, I just, I'm going, I'm going on the ride with you, Alison. Like, it doesn't matter what you're talking about. And you're talking about faith of nonsense, mostly nonsense. I don't even know. Yeah. But for some reason, I don't even know. It makes more sense to me than anything I know. So I just, I'm obsessed with it. That is a statement. It's like this wizardry comes through about like the truth of what it is to be a human being walking around on this blue ball. So, and so where is that finding its way into the thousand, thousand things you're doing? Yeah. And when did that get started?

Alison R:

Yeah. You know, I have a complicated relationship with comedy a little bit in that it's always felt like it's something that, is really number one for me. Um, really, and, and it's, uh, scared me a little bit because I'm like, uhoh, what does that mean? Sort of just, yeah, yeah. Just kind of a resistance to like, am I good enough? What is this? What does that mean? What is the path? What is this? And so, I think that that relationship has been complicated and I've kind of, over the years been like. No, that's, I can't do that.'cause how do I make money and how do I, this is so brilliant

Robyn Cohen:

creative path. Okay. that quagmire, that crossroads.'cause I find this every direction I look with myself, students, any collaborators, our greatest desire, front of the hand, our greatest terror back of the hand. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Here's our greatest thing, the greatest stream. And here's our biggest fear. What is that about? Like how do we get through that? Yeah. How do we deal with that?

Alison R:

What a great question. I think it's so layered. Uh, I don't think there's one answer, But I will say. let me scoot back a sec. But in terms of comedy, like, that path for me and then I'll come back to that. Yes, yes, but I, I feel like I was always drawn to it. Like of course growing up I, happened upon Lucille Ball and Loving, I love Lucy and Golden Girls idolizing her Golden Girls. Not as much, but great too. You had the scarf when I saw.

Robyn Cohen:

Oh yeah. I saw Alison in our reading and She was in, in this shrouded, in this golden girls scarf. It was my world.

Alison R:

It's so true.

Robyn Cohen:

but yes, being immersed

Alison R:

in that, yeah, and like Abbott and Costello and just being really into that. And then anytime there was an opportunity in school to do like a video project, yeah, I would do that. I would opt in for that, that to be creative and and dumb, even if it was something, a very serious topic, I'd find a way to not make it that way. Um, and so, so yeah. in my mind, I, it sounds like you were

Robyn Cohen:

doing what you might do on Saturday Night Live. They take news headlines, which are really, it's not funny. It's not funny, it's not funny. But somehow people that can think on their feet like that, like you were doing in school, you're like, Yeah.

Alison R:

Yeah. And I always just enjoyed that. So over the years, I didn't, I. Here's the thing, I, I super hard on myself in that. Like, I never really denied comedy, like reality wise. Like yeah, I've always been involved in comedy in some capacity, but I'm like, well, I wasn't involved enough. I'm like, well, okay. But I was, I was, yeah. But over the years It was everywhere. Yeah. Over the years, I did, I've done a lot of improv, you know, I've done standup. I've written my own shows and, and wow. Not shows that anyone has seen, but it's fine. Yeah. it's practice, yet it's practice

Robyn Cohen:

and it's all, it's all one step closer to people watching and iterating. Yeah. That's all we do our whole lives. We just keep iterating. Totally.

Alison R:

Totally. That's the game. And I think I reached a point with it, you know, trying kind of all facets of it. I reached a point where, I wasn't doing it as much for a period of time and I missed it. And so as of late, probably the past couple years, I was like, you know what? Kind of the thing I was saying before, how can I not overwhelm myself with accomplishing something or whatever I feel like I should in comedy and just take many steps back and do like sort of the atomic habits thing of like what steps that lead to a place. So small, manageable steps that can actually fit into my life that are actually realistic. that could be like a comedy reel a week and posting that or Yeah. Or writing a sketch or you know, whatever that might be. Or connecting with somebody who, who's a creative that maybe I admire and I'm a little afraid to like reach out to, and yeah. Embarrassed to and just kind of like, what is the step before that? Do I send an email? You know, Like this sort of cognitive behavioral therapy exposure therapy that then I applied to some of the work in comedy and really, for me, it's about consistency in very small ways and manageable. Manageable, brilliant,

Robyn Cohen:

brilliant, brilliant. Consist so that's what Ive Consistency in

Alison R:

discovered small ways.

Robyn Cohen:

Yes. Yes.

Alison R:

And it leads to it, those steps lead somewhere. They don't just kind of drop off. they lead somewhere. of course it's a staircase somewhere.

Robyn Cohen:

A hundred percent. So I

Alison R:

try, I really try to live by that and, and more recently just try to, yeah. Like I said, just do small things that I can Yes, yes. And not overwhelm myself with

Robyn Cohen:

Yeah.

Alison R:

I have to write a pilot by next week. Yeah. You know. Ew, I gotta call Netflix, you know? and nobody is answering. But I wrote a pilot.

Robyn Cohen:

I mean, and you will when it's enjoyable. You know, when it's enjoyable. that's so fascinating. Yeah. I think there's a, there's a universal cosmic energetic truth to everything you just said about like, it's just like one step at a time. Yeah. That's how we kick it down the road. Yeah. What the Constitution Means to Me. You know, I've, that's been in my craw for a couple years now. Mm-hmm. And I just like to find every possible moment that, makes itself available or that I create to be available to just whether it's I'm auditioning for you, I'm just like, I just wanna keep this play. Yeah. In my world.'cause it's, it. Feels important. It means a lot to you. Mm-hmm. It means a lot. It feels important. Mm-hmm. I love the ideas that are being expressed in that play. And, so, you know, I teach and so then I get my students together and we do a production. You came to see that and I just sort of keep it bubbling, like Yeah. not, not, I'm trying to get to Broadway with it. Um, it's not that Sure. It's actually just like this week, I'm, that's not the goal,

Alison R:

but if it happens along the way in those steps, that's great. Lovely. But that, that's not the concern. Yeah. Right.

Robyn Cohen:

The concern is like, this week, how cool would it be to cast one of my students as the debater and then, and have some people come like, mm-hmm. That would be magic. and then this morning. I get, an email from my agents that, they know me from one of these little productions that I did. Uh, would I come and do What the Constitution Means to me at the Hope repertory Theater in Michigan, for a three week run at a, like a Lort d Professional equity Theater? Oh, geez. And it's like, oh, how lovely. And it doesn't, like you said, it doesn't feel like I gotta get this to a profess, like it was just as you mentioned, like just every week, like, what could I do this week? what would be fun? Like, let me see if I can like. learn the alternate debate for the Constitution this week. Or let me see what I can, like, you know, it just like, it's so

Alison R:

funny that that's your week. That's your week. I know.

Robyn Cohen:

Like, who knows? Like, really Well I gotta get out more. No, I have to get out more. We should go dancing. And we had such a good rehearsal for that in our pre-show dance party to Bruno Mars. Yeah. Which is not

Alison R:

recorded,

Robyn Cohen:

unfortunately. Not recorded, unfortunately. But you all can imagine. So what do we do with this terror? how do we muster the 20 seconds of courage when it does feel like it's that scary? Yeah. It's, it's that scary. Well, but I think you have to pair it back like, when I was 15, I, started to get really terrible anxiety. Like panic attacks. Panic attacks, Like up the wazoo and actually was diagnosed with a anxiety disorder and did a, ton of therapy. and continue to, manage that. But I did a trial run, at UCLA of two different types of, what is it, forms of therapy for somebody with an anxiety disorder. I was a part of one of those trials, which it was basically a whole study that I was involved in. And that one trial that I was in, we did exposure therapy, under sort of the umbrella of cognitive behavioral therapy. So what we did was, and it was horrifying and terrible. but ultimately. It was very helpful. Um, is this like a Clockwork orange exposure? The, what is this? I'll tell you, I'll tell you. Oh my God. Sounds insane. And then it's related, I think to what we were just talking about, hundred percent. Maybe I'm just telling you something. This is the conversation, but basically exposure therapy, and there are many different kinds of exposure therapy, but this one that I did was, you look at a scale of one to 10, 10 being the scariest thing, the thing that you're kind of most afraid of doing, basically, that like you want to do. okay. 10 is like the scariest thing you can imagine. And like the most anxiety inducing one is like, gives you a little bit of anxiety, but it's like manageable, manageable. So my 10 was, I don't mind sharing this. I don't care. My 10 was taking improv class. I was like 22. My 10 was taking improv class. I get it. I get it. Yeah. Like anxiety. I was like, can't even imagine hundred percent. My one. My one was like going to a dance class by myself.

Oh,

Robyn Cohen:

which which

Alison R:

was that by yourself? A

Robyn Cohen:

solo. Wait

Alison R:

by yourself?

Robyn Cohen:

Meaning what is that? Is that a

Alison R:

private No, it means like dance. It means going to like a group dance, not knowing anybody, not a group dance. That's so weird. A dance class, not knowing anybody and like you don't know anybody.

Robyn Cohen:

Correct.

Alison R:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

That's number one. Okay. That was number

Alison R:

one at the time. It's still things have, yeah, But anyway, what you do is you do your number one for like three weeks kind of over and over and over. So I would go to a dance class over and over and over again by myself. And you kind of analyze how that experience was. Did the worst thing that you thought would happen happen? Often? It does not. And you kind of become your own detective in that way. So you do that for a while, reflect on it, then you go to your number two. Okay. And then you just keep going up and exposing yourself to these things. Wow. until you get to 10 basically. And so it's the repetition of it that then gets you not numb to it at all, but gets you used to it. And so it becomes a little bit easier the more you do it. So for weeks I would do one, and then I would do two, and I would do some ones, and then I would do some twos, and then 3, 4, 5, 6 until you get to 10. So the idea is to build up to that 10. So I took an improv class. And then I just kept doing that. And that's kind of how I look at scary things in my life now, which is what is my 10 and then, what are the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 that I can repeat to then get up to the 10? Because if you start at a 10, you're never gonna do that 10 again. so, so that was an intense time. I mean, exposure therapy for that trial was very intense. And then, you know, you don't have, you can't sustain doing that so much because it's very intense. Like Yeah. I think one of my numbers too was like, looking stupid. Like I was afraid that I'd look stupid or not know Yeah. What I was talking about. So they brought someone in who I didn't know into a room, and I had to, like defend abortion rights or something. I had to speak about a subject, which Yes, totally, totally. But at the time I was just so panicked that

Robyn Cohen:

it wouldn't be the right information or you wouldn't seem smart about it. Correct or

Alison R:

So, so you walked this person I didn't know, and I was just like, well, because of this, and I don't know, because of that. And it was not great. But that was kind of the point is like, that can happen. Yeah. And you survive that. Yeah. And you look stupid, but it is what it is. And you're fine. You're okay and you're fine, And you're fine. so it'd be a lot of things like that, that I would Wow. That they would have me repeatedly do. and I think it's kind of the best therapy I ever had because it, It's so helpful and it also ties into this idea of doing small steps as you go and all that. Yeah. It feels almost Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

Yogic in the way that it's a daily kind of stretch. Yeah. I'm not gonna try to touch the floor because I'll pull my hammies and that's excruciating. You have to build,

Alison R:

you have to build to it, and it gives you more confidence too, because a hundred percent, the more you do it, you're like, oh, I can do this. Like 10 doesn't feel as scary as yeah. as it was. When I think about just doing that thing, when I think about calling Netflix and writing a pilot today, yeah, that's like a 10, you know, but also calling Netflix kind of unrealistic, like, Hey, Netflix.

Robyn Cohen:

I mean, 1-800-NETFLIX one 800 buy my pilot. so that's a long-winded way of answer, but there were two different ways you said That's so brilliant. I mean, what is baked into that in terms of like what we wanna take on as a practice on the daily mm-hmm. Through the duration of our lives where we constantly just keep breathing into the stretch. Yeah. And incrementally by gradation realize that we're not gonna get killed.

Alison R:

Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

Even, even at the level 10 level when you did get to the improv class. Like, unless we

Alison R:

are killed, unless we are killed Robyn, and then we're killed, and then

Robyn Cohen:

Los Cito, and then what else is there? That means, I'm sorry, in Spanish as you know, but, um, and what was the other piece to that? You said there were two groups? Yeah, there were two trials. Did cognitive therapy,

Alison R:

I can't speak to which one was more successful. I just did one. They, it was a study, so they were seen. the success rates of both of them. they were both happening at the same time. It was wild. The other one, I forget exactly what the form of therapy was, but I wanna say it had to do with, mindfulness. they've seem connected. They seem connected to me. Ideally, you got both those

Robyn Cohen:

things. A hundred percent. Yeah. Do you have a, um, do you have a She's, for those who are watching, you can see it. For those who are just listening on Apple or Spotify, you can't see. She's shaking your head. I was about to ask her. Alison, I knew you were gonna ask, Do you have a spiritual practice? We're laughing. Just so you know. Alison's an angel, like she is a goddess and spiritual just in her very being. I am, I'm a but I was gonna, I wa she's a total spirit. But I was gonna ask like, do you have mindfulness practices that help, or, or religiosity or spirituality in your world, is that baked into your creative process? Because I think creativity is kind of a spiritual game.

Alison R:

Yeah. Yeah. I I do not in that sense. in the traditional sense, I, yeah. I struggle to have the patience with mindfulness, which I think is the point of mindfulness to begin with, you know? Mm-hmm. So, yeah, it's something that I would like to explore because I feel like my. Therapy and the way that I approach, trying to find stillness in my mind is very logical and, doesn't have a ton to do with the body. So sometimes it feels a little bit disconnected. Like I think I know how to be present with other people and find people I feel present with and find activities I feel present in. But when it comes to like being present in my body and being present with myself, I think I struggle with that part. it's

Robyn Cohen:

fascinating you just said that because I think the whole point of mindfulness is to put us into that kind of presence, which you do experience with people. Correct? and in a sense, but the application

Alison R:

Yes. To self Yes

Robyn Cohen:

to self is,

Alison R:

tricky

Robyn Cohen:

or Yeah, for me

Alison R:

It can

Robyn Cohen:

be. And I think it's baked into what you're doing. See, I think, people think that mindfulness, we have to slow down and just sit there like a lump on a log with our thoughts, and that turns a lot of people off. And who and why wouldn't it? Because it doesn't sound fun. But what is fascinating to me is when we are actually on the precipice of the now of nows, in the present moment, things actually move at lightning speed. Mindfulness is a practice to give us access to the fullness of the present. Mm-hmm. And when we are in that state of presence and being in the moment, I notice that that actually moves faster than the speed of light. And things start to. Through the mindfulness practice of just being present. Yeah, yeah. Move like, like wildfire in the best way, you know?

Alison R:

Totally, totally. I, 100% agree with you. That's kind of the whole point, right? I think the part that I struggle with, which I think like some mindfulness when it comes to the body and calming the body, would be really valuable for me because I struggle with, being present when I'm by myself.

Robyn Cohen:

Hmm. I,

Alison R:

I can accomplish, I can find people and activities that thrust me into the present. But when I'm like internal and I'm by myself, I think that's where that's where mindfulness almost like an internal, It's an inside job. Yeah, which is where I would love to pair all the other stuff with. So that's something that, just getting my body moving and getting my body, to calm down When I'm alone is the thing that is a practice that I would love to, explore more, which is an important one, right? It's like, for sure. It's by yourself is like

Robyn Cohen:

I, I'm trying out different things every day. There's all these you know, the breathing techniques. There's the six ins, six out, there's the four squared box breathing. breathe in for four. Hold for four, breathe out for four. Hold for four. Yeah. or the 4, 7, 8. I breathe in for four. Hold for seven. Exhale on the eight to make sure the exhale is longer than the inhale signifying to the central nervous system that you're safe. I'm trying it out. I'm like going, I love that. It's like a wine. It's like the opposite of a wine tasting, but it's kind of a wine tasting. I mean, do you know what I mean? Because it's like outside. Both can be practical. Yes. And, that's true at certain times. So, it's kind of like I'm sampling cause these days, like you said, things are shifting, awareness is being brought to the importance of

Alison R:

sustainability.

Robyn Cohen:

Yes. On all the fronts. Yeah. The individual, the community, the planet. Correct. And, and it's the planet.

Alison R:

We're not doing so great, but No,

Robyn Cohen:

but it's gonna take us waking up and being awake and present and conscious, right? Mm-hmm. Whether that's for the audition and where we wanna bring our full embodied selves. Present at the moment, or mm-hmm. To what's needed and wanted to clean up our environment. Like it's part of the same conversation. And so, yeah. I think we are in a kind of dabbling of there in all of these kind of modalities. I think the one that you shared, what you did in college is Brilliant. and I would invite anyone listening into this or watching like, what an amazing way, and you could sort of journal about it, The one through 10, what is the one through 10 So, oh my gosh, the time is flying. We're in the zone. It's fine right now. It's good. It's good right now. Let's keep it going. Let's keep going. Okay. Okay.'cause I'll keep you here for the next four hours. I'm kidding. Won't I won't, but I want, I know, but I want, but wanna, I wanna, so And this is actually one of the questions that I wanted to ask you.'cause you had said now what scares you or what brings up that, excited, excitement, if you will. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Or slash anxiety slash panic. It's sort of changed. so these days, this is just kind of a fun little, like getting to know you question, but like, what would you say is the biggest risk that you've ever taken?

Alison R:

Oh man. The biggest risk I've ever taken doing this podcast, Robyn.

Robyn Cohen:

Oh my gosh. Is it true? No, no, no. I'm scary. No, I know. I look like a menace to society. The biggest risk I ever taken. What the risky thing, like what's your 10 these days? Oh, what's my 10 these

Alison R:

days? God, I think, I think it going to a dance class. I'm just kidding. Oh, it's all, it's

Robyn Cohen:

all

Alison R:

reversed

Robyn Cohen:

itself. I'm going alone. Yeah. My

Alison R:

10 now a ballet

Robyn Cohen:

class in the middle of Burbank and I'm showing up with my ballet shoes. Let's go. Like that is kind of a nightmare situation. Yeah. Well, I think,

Alison R:

my 10 now is sharing something that I've created with other people. you know, I'm slowly doing that, but I think that's been a bit of a 10 for a while for me. I think a lot of, I mean, not including social media, right? which is also sharing your work with people.

Robyn Cohen:

But

Alison R:

I just mean like involving other people in that creative process. it has been a ton of like, just the reach out of like, Hey, would you look at this? I mean, it seems so, like in five years from now I'll be like, that was like a dance class or whatever. But that's the idea is the continue to grow and continue to elevate. Like I, a couple years ago, I can't even imagine myself having, posted something on Instagram that is a reel. so my goal is to always continue to elevate those one to tens. But I would say, my 10 right now is, and I'm kind of in that space Where I'm slowly making choices and slowly, sending someone something and saying, Hey, what do you think of this? And so I think the 10 for me is involving other people in my creative process. Yes. and I have to say, coming on on this podcast is like a risk in, in, a way. But I, probably wouldn't have done something like this a year ago. And me neither. I wasn't ready to do it either. Bet a year ago. Bet. Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

In a sense, right? But what a beautiful

Alison R:

thing to look back and be like, wow. Like I can't help but like be dedicated to growth. I just can't let myself just just coast. I just, it's not in my personality and I wanna look back and be like, am I proud of. what I'm doing now that I hope to do last year, and to acknowledge that. Yes.'cause it's easy to be like, well, I'm not calling Netflix, you know? Yeah, Yet,

Robyn Cohen:

without taking even a second, just to acknowledge the milestones. Yeah. Along

Alison R:

the way. however small, because it doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if they're small or I don't even know what large is, but whatever they might be. And they're different for everybody, right? Yeah, exactly. Getting out of bed might be a huge success. Huge.

Robyn Cohen:

Exactly. Yeah. Some days it is for me, and so and I love that because it winds back to what you said earlier, like. When people are coming in for you and auditioning and they're, they drive, they create something, they bake the cake. You shared with all of us, like, the gratitude you have for that, right? Mm-hmm. That they shared, the gratitude you have for that. And it's so fascinating because on the other side of our sharing, whatever it is we have to share with people is that gratitude. Yeah. But we're so afraid and paralyzed by It's not possible for me. Yeah. They don't want me, and what if they don't like me? It's like this myriad of, you know, we've read the books, the atomic habits, like all these things. Yeah. Which are, basically rooted in a FTA belief system. I'm not enough. It's not possible for me. Yeah. they're not gonna like me. What if fill in the blank happens and it's amazing that we can hold those beliefs, even though you on the daily are like just in the gratitude, even if the person isn't right for the part. Totally. Even if they're not, it doesn't matter. Like, thank you. Yeah. And we have to like remember to remember that. Mm-hmm.'cause we have these lies of scarcity and separation that are ingrained and oftentimes running the show. Which is why I just, it's phenomenal what you shared about just like the repetition of taking a breath, mustering up the 20 seconds of courage to

Alison R:

Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

You know, at the time it was go to a dance class and then it was the next piece, and then it was the next piece. Mm-hmm. Until it was taking that improv class. Yeah. And not knowing what the heck was gonna happen, but developing that muscle in ourselves and debunking. As we develop that muscle debunking these lies of I'm not enough and it's not possible for me. Yeah.

Alison R:

Yeah. and that stuff really keeps you from the practice. Yes. It keeps you from doing, it's very paralyzing Yes. And overwhelming. Yes. And of course everybody goes through phases like that. That's totally normal. But yeah. Some of that stuff just, I'm not good enough. I shouldn't be doing this. I wanna do this, but should I, I mean, all this stuff just keeps you inactive

Robyn Cohen:

Yeah.

Alison R:

In those experiences.

Robyn Cohen:

And you know how you said, you know, I went and yeah, it wasn't all perfect, but the worst thing that happened, happened, and I'm fine. I'm gonna be okay. Yeah. Like, the same Like, okay, so we call up Netflix, right? Like, what is the wor, you know what I mean? Like, or we post a reel on Instagram. Yeah. And we get Some dysregulated person that has nothing better to do than be obsessed with you and make weird comments. Fine. But like, the point is and I've, I have to get this lesson and I, keep having to remember, to remember I'm not for everyone and I'm not trying to be for everyone. I'm doing something that is an expression. Yeah. You're doing something that is, you know, you being fully self-expressed in this delicious way And there are people that like, want and need and are just like, you're the answer to a problem. They don't even know how to ask truly. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. But we get stopped by this one naysayer. Like, I'm literally not gonna start this podcast because there's someone that I'm thinking about in high school that's gonna like, say something mean on Facebook. So when you like drill it down, it's like we're stopping because of like. Someone usually that's in our mind, a family member, a close friend, one of the girls from high school, whatever it is, that's gonna say something. And then I'm like, that has to stop.

Alison R:

Yeah,

Robyn Cohen:

that has to stop.

Alison R:

And the more you do it, the less those things are at the forefront of your mind and the more confident you get in doing it too. Yes. I mean it does often feel like you get all this positive feedback, right? And the one thing is the thing you focus on, like getting great reviews, but then having one that was awful and that you're like. I'm gonna take that one and that one's true. That

Robyn Cohen:

has to be true. seared into my brain. I remember every word, unforgettable. I know, I know. Isn't that amazing how the brain, the pattern recognition system, which literally has to delete a trillion bits of information to land on. I'm no good. Like literally has to delete about a trillion bits of things and generalize and distort, which is what the brain does. Totally. And it's, it's nice when we can interrupt that with practices and ways that you've talked about. Mm-hmm. Where we can use our mind to talk to our brain and say, Hey, hey, thanks brain. And trying to protect me and it's ego.

Alison R:

You know what I mean? It's all Oh yeah. It's all ego. Like with the reviews or someone is gonna think whatever about you, you know, it's just, yeah. Yeah. it then becomes not about the work at all. Yes. Like, it always has to be about the work and what you're putting out there and what you wanna put out there and the creative process. It has to be about that.'cause then

Robyn Cohen:

yes,

Alison R:

if it gets into this other stuff, you perhaps might be in it for the wrong reasons, you know? Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

Another agenda, and I don't blame people because we're looking for approval. I it we're looking for love in all the wrong places. It is an agenda of trying to get approval that we never got when we were young. Mm-hmm. And unafraid. Totally. Uh, and the

Alison R:

approval that we don't get, you know,

Robyn Cohen:

on the

Alison R:

daily Yes.

Robyn Cohen:

And then we have to wind it back down and do the breathing exercises to generate the approval for ourselves. Yeah. So that we can stop outsourcing it to anybody for anything ever again. Yeah.'cause we give away our power on a dime when I need your approval to be Okay. Which is so fascinating that we're in the arts and crafts show business world.'cause all we're doing all the time is trying out. But I, I, I think there's a way, because you've touched on this with all of those beliefs old, ancient belief systems in play. I'm not enough. I'm not, we're never gonna be able to share and gifts are meant to what? To be given. Like literally gifts are meant to be given. Yeah, totally. Totally. That it's,

Alison R:

really a distraction. yeah, from all of that. Yes. But it's not a perfect science. we all go through times where we're like, where it feels like you don't wanna continue. Yeah, But your desire to, yeah. To be creative and put. your work out there and collaborate with others has to be stronger. It has to be stronger than that. Yes, it does. Or else it, maybe it's not the thing for you, you know? Right. That's possible.

Robyn Cohen:

That's possible. A hundred percent. And it would be wonderful to discover that too, because the world needs more gardeners and architects and people in the science field, all of it.

Alison R:

Totally. Totally.

Robyn Cohen:

This is so good. Okay. Two more questions. I'm ready to change my life for

Alison R:

the better. I love it. I

Robyn Cohen:

know, I know. I And

Alison R:

even though she's making a joke, it's true. But it's the truth and that's funny.

Robyn Cohen:

Yeah. So, okay. Okay, so two things. The penultimate question, If you could be someone else for a day, walk a mile in someone else's shoes, whether that's in history from the beginning of time or they're currently alive, who would you wanna be for a day?

Alison R:

A man. Any man. No. You know what? Any, any man, just, this man is so good. Just kidding. I'm just kidding. Any dude. Um, pick a dude. I think, you know, I think a man that walks through the space and has a great deal of courage and agency Mm. And is unrestricted oof. I would love to be that man. I love that avatar. I love that. Okay. The man that comes to mind though, this is somebody who I, I very much admire and, um, just think he's wild, but, uh, Eric, Andre. Love him. Love him. Do you know everyone? Look him up. yeah. His, show is wild. He just, I just feel like he's somebody that creates art. through his intuition. Yeah. Um, and so maybe him, I hope he hasn't done that. Any ter love any terrible things, because I haven't done, we haven't done the research.

Robyn Cohen:

But you know, that's you too. You could only see that in Eric Andre because it's a reflection of you. You can only see that which you are and would recognize. That is you too. Thank you, Alison. Creating from that place, from that pool of vibrations. Yeah, totally. I love that. Or just any

Alison R:

man to be honest. Yeah. what it feels like to not have to worry about. Not that men don't, I mean, not that men don't, but to take on a whole other set of worries. Correct. Correct. That you're current, correct, correct, correct, But to

Robyn Cohen:

I love that.'cause it's so compassionate. Like what are these people, what are these dudes dealing with? Well, what does it feel like?

Alison R:

Yeah. What does it feel like? Wow. In certain ways. I mean, of course, it depends like who we're talking about. Yeah. It just like, it's so general. Yes. but just to, just to know what that feels like a little bit.

Robyn Cohen:

I love that curiosity. It just reminds me like, you can't be a creative, you can't be an actor certainly without wild empathy, like totally passion. like what is it to walk a mile in someone else's shoes? Like you can't even be an actor. Like, don't even,

Alison R:

that's, and to really understand what that means, I think it's like thrown around a lot. Yeah. and I feel like without. People really knowing what it means to sit in that. Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

yeah.

Alison R:

And to listen and to just be an active listener in that. Yeah.

Robyn Cohen:

Yeah. It's so beautiful and sensitive to that fact that you would say just to be a man, like, because it's one thing to say walk a mile in someone else's shoes, but it's another thing to get under it. And when I gave you the genie bottle, you rubbed it and you're like a man. Any, any guy. just to see. I'll take anybody, you know, I'll take, I love that. Okay. Okay. This is so juicy. alright. This will be the last thing. Okay. Yeah. So, yeah, I know. I should do my podcast as like a slumber party and then we could just go all night. I love it. That'll be maybe next season, season two. I love it.

Alison R:

But

Robyn Cohen:

in the meantime, just for people,

Alison R:

for people who are on road trips and things.

Robyn Cohen:

Yeah, right. so in everything, gosh, that you're doing, like in all the pools you swim in mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. In, the contribution that you are for artists and creatives everywhere and from all walks and in arts education, in the performing, in the, just making people laugh, like the belly laughs that you bring about, like ultimately, what would you say, what is the engine that makes all of this go for you, Alison? Or said another way? What is it that ultimately you want to give the world?

Alison R:

Hmm. I really at my funeral. Would love it if many people said, God, she just made me laugh. Oh. And then I'll come back to life. You know? That's kind of the dream.

Robyn Cohen:

Just kidding. She's pops up and she goes, just kidding. It's really,

Alison R:

that is so good. It's really simple For me. It's as simple as that because I, I, I know what that feels like for me to live in that silliness and because the world, it's just so hard. Yeah. Often. Yeah. And the more I can live in that silliness and, share the silliness and the humor and the comedy with others. that's the driving force. Yeah. For me to live in those spaces.

Robyn Cohen:

Yes, yes. It's a legacy. Ultimately. That's it. I mean, that's it. It fills the hearts of stadiums and stadiums of people Yeah. Okay. So toward that end Where can people find you so that when they get to your funeral, they know firsthand. Yeah. That prep, that you cracked them up. But Where can they go to see some of this comedy goal? be in touch with you or ask questions or Totally. Just see some of these reels, like, tell everyone how to connect with you.

Alison R:

So to prep for my funeral for speaking at my funeral, you can find me at Big Al Towing. It's a little confusing'cause there's also a towing company called Big Al, but, but Alison Rodriguez will be under it at Big Al Towing. You can dm. You can DM me. That's it. I mean, those are the way, that's the way. That's perfect. And I'll put that now the show notes. That's way now way. Yeah. We're gonna

Robyn Cohen:

put it in the show notes so they can like just click on it. Yeah. Is that Facebook too or Instagram mostly or? No, I left

Alison R:

Facebook. There you go. I'm on Instagram and I'm on TikTok and I think, I think my handle is at big. I think it's at Big Al Towing Company because I couldn't get at Big Al Towing.

Robyn Cohen:

Okay, this is the most epic episode ever we are going out in the spirit of just everything. You are such the embodiment of everything you've shared of everything that you contribute just by being you, Alison, like it's such a joy to be in your glowing presence. I thank you so much for oh my God, doing whatever it took to come onto your computer. I don't know what people have to do to get here. Thank you. It is such a gift. and do keep in touch with Alison because she's gonna light up. Your life and your days and moments of your days in the most wondrous and unexpected ways. So thank you for always being that joyful surprise Alison, in every interaction I've ever had with you, So so your amazing in the wonderfulness that you bring to life. So thank you so much for being here. Thank you.

Alison R:

Oh my God, what a beautiful. I mean, this is the best thing to ever happen to me, so thank you. It look like

Robyn Cohen:

a funeral or a wedding. It's either like a, like your bat mitzvah or like a funeral. I dunno. It's like a Yeah,

Alison R:

it really is. Thank you so much. Does I feel so connected to you and I just feel like we, I mean, obviously you're the greatest of lights and, and so warm and kind. And the fact that you're doing this is such a beautiful thing and bringing some amazing people on here. And it's not a coincidence, you know, by any means the community that you're creating. So, it's a joy to know you and. To be around you when those things happen. And this has been just a treat. Oh, I mean it, I mean, I was nervous, right. But I, you know, this has been, I

Robyn Cohen:

feel like, so easy. Like I, we, we, I'm so glad we had to dance out. Right. But I feel like dancing it out helped. Right? Yeah. That was like, it did help.

Alison R:

It helps a lot. Those dance classes I had to do over and over again for my level one. Really happy full circle. Oh my gosh. Thank you. Full circle. Circle. We'll talk soon. Thank you. We'll

talk

Robyn Cohen:

soon, Alison. Thank you. God to bless you. So bless you. Bye. Amazing.

Alison R:

Amazing. And more amazing.

Robyn Cohen:

O-M-G-O-M-G. How brilliant is that? It's the repetition of stretching ourselves. Oh my gosh. that was just incredible that Alison shared that today. Like there is a process whereby if we're just that little willingness to like. Try, try again to do that thing that's a little uncomfortable. And how we can actually generate courage and the metal and the joy in ourselves that makes things that were previously really terrifying and really herky jerky smooth as butter. So, what an incredible joy ride. that's just one of the takeaways, this episode. Wow. It just has me present to It's all, it's a gift and gifts are meant to be shared, and it's worth it to go through these practices and these trials to try to regulate our central nervous systems so that we can get over the wall of terror and actually share our unique once in a cosmos selves, because the world needs it. The world needs your light. Like no question. It's undeniable and you are undeniable. And so I honor you and the courage you have to keep showing up to listen to this podcast to get some ideas about how you too can get over the wall. Speaking of that, if being in an acting class and exploding your creative talent is a 10 for you, join me Just slide into my dms on Instagram@RobynCohenActingStudio Thank you very much. Or email me at Robyn@cohenactingstudio.com and you can just come in and observe, just see what other people who are terrified just like you are doing in class. See what it's like to have a creative community rooting you on to meet people like Alison in an acting class or an improv class that we're all going through it. And I just love that that we're not alone. We're all sweating you know, scared to go to bat. But the main thing is that we stay on the court and try, try again. On the other side of that terror is all of our creative dreams and otherwise coming true. On the other side of that fear is the poetry that the world can't wait to see, or the one woman show, the one man show, the, tapestry that you created the world is starving for presence and creativity and. When we have an opportunity to share that, I do think, again, it is our moral obligation to do so with help from friends like Alison and this podcast and all these guests that come on and share so openly and wholeheartedly. We are together. All together now we are the world. Let's go till the next time See you soon.