Comedian Harriet Kemsley on Embracing Mistakes, Dyspraxia, and Finding Humor in Life

Embracing Imperfection and Cringe

• 💡 Harriet Kemsley shares that her dyspraxia taught her early on not to take herself too seriously, making it easier to navigate the "cringe" phase of learning something new.
• 🧠 She believes that pushing through awkwardness and mistakes builds resilience applicable to all areas of life.
• 🎭 Turning personal shame into jokes provides a sense of power and a way to move past difficult experiences.

Comedy, Career, and Motherhood

• 🎤 Kemsley discusses her 15-year career in stand-up, noting the shift from being an "up-and-comer" to a seasoned performer.
• juggling co-parenting with her ex-husband, a fellow comedian, involves significant logistical challenges due to their conflicting work schedules.
• 👶 She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing time with her daughter, Mabel, despite a demanding career and the fear of saying "no" to opportunities.
• 😅 Kemsley admits to making mistakes daily, including letting her children watch "Last One Laughing," highlighting the raw nature of parenting.

Navigating Divorce and Dating

• 💔 Kemsley and her ex-husband have been open about their divorce, using stand-up as a way to process difficult experiences.
• 📱 She co-hosts a podcast called "Single Ages in your area" about dating after long-term relationships, exploring dating apps and speed dating.
• ⚠️ Kemsley aims to challenge the rhetoric that men dislike funny women, suggesting that only insecure men are put off by humor.

The Stand-Up Journey and Female Comedy Network

• 🚀 Kemsley's parents encouraged her to pursue stand-up comedy, a suggestion she found unusual compared to typical career advice.
• 💡 She recommends starting stand-up secretly to avoid the pressure of announcing intentions, emphasizing the importance of just booking a gig.
• 😅 Her first stand-up experience was terrifying, but she found it to be the right path, driven by a motto to do the thing that scares you the most.
• 🤝 Kemsley highlights the growth of a strong female network in comedy, contrasting it with the past where women were pitted against each other.
• 🎤 She notes that the comedy world is still disproportionately male, but significant progress has been made in supporting female comedians.

Finding Your Happy Place

• 🏔️ Kemsley identifies three happy places: on stage when in a flow state, snowboarding in the mountains, and at home with her daughter and dog.
• 🎯 She believes that finding your own version of wellness and activities that bring joy, like reformer Pilates over yoga for some, is key.
• 🌟 She admires comedians like Maria Bamford and Nate Bargatze for their unique, raw, and authentic styles.