Jamie Loftus, a comedian, writer, and podcaster, discusses her journey in comedy, navigating controversy and criticism, building an audience, blending comedy and reporting, and sharing personal experiences. They also talk about their podcast on the book Lolita and their new book on the history of hot dogs.
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Quick takeaways
Comedy has helped Jamie Loftus overcome the fear of failure by normalizing it through the nature of the craft.
Jamie Loftus emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between informative content and engaging storytelling when incorporating dark and serious themes into a comedy podcast.
Deep dives
Jamie Loftus on her podcasting career and projects
Jamie Loftus discusses her journey into comedy, starting with stand-up and sketch in college. She talks about her transition into podcasting, starting with the Bechdel Cast and then moving on to solo projects like the Lolita podcast and Rodog. Loftus shares her approach to creating content, emphasizing the importance of being passionate about the topics she covers. She also discusses the challenges of working on a deadline and the pressure to continuously release new content. Overall, Loftus is open and honest about her creative process and how she navigates the different formats she works in.
The creative process behind the Lolita podcast
Loftus delves into the creation of the Lolita podcast, highlighting the extensive research and exploration she conducted on the book, its adaptations, and the cultural reactions to it. She explains how she approached the topic with preconceived notions and aimed to examine her own biases while providing a lighthearted and humorous perspective. Loftus also discusses the challenges of incorporating dark and serious themes into a comedy podcast, as well as the importance of striking a balance between informative content and engaging storytelling.
The genesis of the Raw Dog book
Loftus shares her journey in writing the book Raw Dog, which explores the history of hot dogs in America. She explains how the idea originated from her desire to cover a topic she was passionate about and the process of translating the podcast format into a book. Loftus discusses her approach to writing, including conducting interviews, visiting hot dog stands, and incorporating personal experiences. She also reflects on the challenges of structuring the book and ensuring it has a cohesive narrative arc.
Navigating personal experiences in creative work
Loftus opens up about incorporating personal experiences, including dark moments and past trauma, into her creative work. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the intention behind sharing personal stories. Loftus reflects on her evolution as a writer and performer, recognizing that earlier in her career, she may have been too willing to share vulnerable details without fully considering the potential consequences. She now takes a more intentional and considered approach to sharing personal aspects of her life, ensuring that it serves a purpose within the larger context of the work.
“Comedy has been super helpful to me because it's so based on failing every night sometimes that I wasn't afraid of failure in the same way because it's just like, Well, that's going to happen to me at some point this week. Why not in this format?”