Exploring Anxiety, Empathy, Guilt, and Dating as a Comic with Chase O’Donnell

Off The Cuff with Danny LoPriore

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1+ y ago 1:06:35

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On today’s episode of Off the Cuff with Danny LoPriore, actress, writer, and stand-up comic Chase O’Donnell joins me to discuss the juxtaposition of having anxiety and working in the entertainment industry. Furthermore, we look at the changes comedy has undergone from the ‘90s to the present.

“I feel like, with where comedy is going now, we're all like super neurotic, you know? And I think we're just a little more expressive about it now. Like you kind of have to cater to the evolution of our audience. Yeah, it's true in the nineties. Like it was all very much like observational comedy, and that's been done. And now it's like going into your feelings and “what's real” comedy.” (8:17)

We chat about how death can be a dark but beneficial motivator, the importance of staying true to yourself, how appeasing your inner child can still be authentic to who you are today and the pros and cons of flexing your comedic chops in the open mic circuit.

“That's very insightful. And honestly, just hearing this makes me feel better about that questioning I do have of like, “am I just doing this because younger me wants it? And is it really what I want?” But if younger me did want it, that's when we are the most authentic and true to ourselves.” (16:18)

We also chat about topics such as handling imposter syndrome as a performer, how guilt is “an illusion,” and the power of saying “no.” Chase then provides me with key insights into the struggles of women in modern dating, her personal struggles dating as a female comic, her experience with stigmas surrounding female comics, and what she looks for in a potential partner.

“So now that I'm aware, I've been having to be selfish for the first time. And if someone asks me something, I have to; it's like a four-step process. I have to go, “why am I scared to say no? What am I scared of?” And then usually it's like, “I'm scared they're not going to like me. I'm scared. I'm not going to be the teacher's pet anymore.” Like whatever it is, it's so silly. And then I write out like, what's the action that I need to do for me, not for them. For me, it's that I need to say no and I need to take a day at home. And then I have to do the action. So when I go through these, like, I'm really having to break it down because I'm so ingrained to be a people pleaser and just say yes. And I have like an instant reaction, and my body gets like, okay, I have to do it. And I have to slow down and be selfish and tell myself what it is that I need for the first time I'm doing this. [You have to] It is a game changer to be selfish.” (31:02)

In This Episode:

(2:51) “High School Musical” slaps
(6:00) Getting anxious at the most random times
(8:17) Comedy in the’90s vs. comedy today
(9:26) Being motivated by death
(14:23) Staying true to yourself vs. appeasing your inner child to stay authentic
(20:04) The pros and cons of an open mic gig
(22:50) Coping with imposter syndrome as a stand-up comic
(27:09) The intersection of guilt and selfishness
(35:20) Seeing the power in saying “no” and being honest about how you feel
(40:05) Modern dating as a female stand-up comic
(44:26) The stigmas of women in stand-up comedy
(46:06) The overcorrecting of casting in the modern entertainment industry
(51:39) Being on guard as a single female comic
(54:35) How naps benefit comics
(58:32) The two things women are great at
(1:00:04) These are the traits you need to woo Chase

Our Guest

Chase O’Donnell is a creative force to be reckoned with. As a writer, actress, and comic, she brings unapologetic honesty and razor-sharp wit to the table, making her a truly unique and talented performer. Her style and personality have made her a fan-favorite on numerous podcasts, such as "Dr. Drew After Dark" and "Where My Mom's At.” When she’s not entertaining the masses with her comedic chops, she is flexing her wordsmithing skills as a writer for National Lampoon's Final Edition Podcast. Chase’s work has earned her accolades, such as the Best of Fest at the Burbank Comedy Festival, and she is a winner of the coveted Uncle Clyde's Comedy Contest. Be sure to check out her website below for her upcoming shows!

Resources & Links

Off The Cuff

Chase O’Donnell

100 episodes

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