Meet Meg Ryan: Comedy Writer & Single Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Meg Ryan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Meg, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
“Work life balance” wasn’t really in my lexicon when I was starting out. I used to admire people who worked themselves ragged. Losing sleep and forgetting to eat because you were so ambitious and singularly driven towards your goals seemed so rock and roll in my early 20s. Likewise, that meant those moments where you’d finally got to let loose should be equally as ambitious and be just as extreme. Nothing about that approach seems balanced in hindsight. After having kids I quickly realized that was no way to live. I couldn’t be the rollercoaster of hyperfocus and then belligerently irresponsible when two people needed me. It’s not sustainable without children, but it’s definitely not a behavior I’d ever want my children to mimic as they grew into their own passions. Besides, if it’s not good enough for my children, then why shouldn’t it be not good enough for me? Now I consider my work life balanced when I don’t feel guilty about what I need to prioritize in the moment. That means being able to step away from work for the day if my kids need me (or frankly I just need to check in with myself) or spending extra time on a project if I’m in a particularly prolific groove. But always prioritizing sustainability over fleeting frenzied productivity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My comedy is heavily informed by my experience as a woman and a mother. Most of my life I have felt like I have done things out of order, whether that’s getting pregnant a few weeks out of college or starting my comedy career when both my kids were under the age of three, my life just never seems to be in time with anyone else around me. Where I am today professionally was due in large part to being too stubborn to give up. None of it was easy, but I was never under the impression that pursuing what you’re passionate about was supposed to be. I still have a long way to go before I feel like I’m close to accomplishing what I’ve dreamed of for myself and my children, but I suppose that’s all part of the journey. I’ve learned to trust myself and not take anything too seriously. To let the failures and setbacks stay where they belong (behind me) and to always keep looking forward at the next level of success.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Let’s be realistic here, I’m not the type of person to take someone to LACMA. No, no. We’re going for the high sensory input tour of Los Angeles. Surfing Breakwater at Venice Beach in the morning, then promptly head to Universal Studios. And immediately after the park is closed, straight to Tiki No, or Lono. Rinse and repeat. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
In April of 2020, I lost a great mentor. Michael C McCarthy was a former television writer turned comedy writing instructor in both Chicago and Los Angeles. I started taking Michael’s classes in the summer of 2014. He was the first person in comedy, and frankly in my life in general, who made me feel like my experience as a young mother was a valuable asset to my comedic point of view, rather than an obstacle I would constantly be overcoming. Over the years, Michael was endlessly happy to offer feedback on my work, arrange opportunities, and support my career in whatever way he could. I was just one of many comedy writers both in Chicago and Los Angeles who can point back towards Michael as an instrumental part of their comedy careers. I miss him dearly.

Instagram: The_meg_Ryan

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-ryan-cilfone/

Twitter: The_Meg_Ryan

Image Credits
Christian Wisseh, Sam Kimbrell