Comedian Katherine Ryan shares her journey in finding her voice and being a disruptive woman. Topics include obstacles faced by women in comedy, her mother's influence on pursuing a comedy career, her experience working at Hooters, and embracing rejection and finding strength in mistakes.
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Quick takeaways
Katherine Ryan emphasizes the importance of authenticity in comedy, as she developed her own unique voice to challenge societal norms and advocate for women of color.
Ryan embraces rejection and failure, viewing them as opportunities for growth, while maintaining a positive mindset and attracting positive energy.
Deep dives
The Power of Authenticity
Catherine Ryan discovered the importance of authenticity in her comedy career after appearing on 8 Out of 10 Cats. She realized she couldn't imitate established male comedians and had to develop her own unique voice. This has allowed her to tackle intersectional issues and challenge societal norms, such as white and male privilege. While she acknowledges the risks involved, she stays true to herself, motivated by a desire to advocate for women of color and address important political and social topics.
Navigating Rejection and Failure
Ryan embraces rejection and failure as opportunities for growth and resilience. She believes that not getting certain opportunities simply means they weren't meant for her. Rather than viewing setbacks as permanent, she focuses on attracting positive energy and remaining grateful for what she has. Ryan's approach allows her to maintain a positive mindset and move forward, both professionally and personally.
Using Personal Experiences in Comedy
Ryan draws from her own life experiences, including being a single mother and navigating the comedy industry, to create relatable and impactful routines. She humorously addresses themes such as privilege, sexuality, and societal expectations. By sharing her vulnerabilities and celebrating her unique perspective, she captivates audiences and challenges traditional comedic boundaries.
Balancing Authenticity and Acceptance
As a comedian, Ryan has learned to balance her authentic voice with audience expectations. She acknowledges the challenges of being a woman in comedy, including being outnumbered on male-dominated panel shows. While she maintains her integrity, she also recognizes the importance of adapting to different audiences and finding common ground. This balance allows her to connect with diverse audiences and continue to grow as a comedian.
Samira Ahmed speaks to comedian Katherine Ryan, as part of the Intelligence Squared series How I Found My Voice. From working at Hooters and her first stand-up gigs to watching TV with her mum, they discuss the moments that inspired Katherine to find her voice and, in her own words, be a disruptive woman. This episode was first aired in 2019. How I Found My Voice explores how some of the world's greatest artists and thinkers became such compelling and unique communicators.
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