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

Hi Haely, so given all the recent changes to how we live our life given the crisis, have you had any interesting epiphanies?
When something of this magnitude occurs, we are awakened to our truest selves and suddenly light is shown on the darker parts, forcing us to take a closer look inside ourselves. After navigating through the immediate grief of not seeing the people I love, and getting to do many things that bring me joy, I realized that this is a colossal awakening. For myself, for my family and for all of humanity. When all the of the excess disappears we have nowhere to go but inward. I love to fill my life to the very brim, and suddenly with a plate less full, things have started to make more sense. I find myself looking forward to slow mornings with my son, watering our garden and walking barefoot in the grass. Things I’d told myself I didn’t have time for, but it was just a matter or prioritizing. I really hope that we are able to come back from this with more respect for nature and the delicate balance we live in, and that this time isn’t taken for granted. I think we may look back longingly on these simple, quiet days chasing butterflies and blowing bubbles. But let’s be real: working from home with a small child is the ultimate test of character and strength!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m really honored to make comedy for a living and shine light on the uncomfortable and often bizarre things so we can laugh about it together. I heard a great quote from Amy Poehler, “No one is going to write the perfect part for you and cast YOU in it” — and I decided from that moment on, it was up to me to take my career into my own hands and stop waiting for someone to give me the job I wanted. I’m proud I had the balls to keep creating while I worked all sorts of odd jobs. I went to film school but I’ve really mostly taught myself how to edit, write, and direct while making videos on my own. It’s never been glamorous but many years of plotting one foot in front of the other. I even sold my laptop on Craigslist to make rent! The interesting thing about working for yourself, is that you rarely stop to consider when you wanted what you now have. Sometimes it’s all about keeping it afloat, and racing towards the next best thing– so I’m trying to remind myself to take moments like this in. The hustling never really stops, but the gratitude is what unlocks the next level.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I could write a book about this because I’m so in love with this city! The list never ends and the city is always evolving but off the top of my head, here goes: I’m currently a westsider so we’d start with a little beachside action: sipping a pineapple mojito, watching the wavesand diggin g our toes into the sand at Paradise Cove in Malibu. If we’re feeling fancy, maybe we’ll pack a picnic and drive up the coast to hide out in El Matador’s rock caves and watch the sea lions. Nights are for dinner and dancing east side. We’d start at Otium and hit the dive bars downtown, then make our way to the Echoplex for a a grungey dance-a-thon at Bootie LA. If we’re better prepared, maybe see show at the Greek and stop off for nosh at my favorite local spots in Thai Town, then to the Griffith Observatory’s planetarium. My husband proposed at the top there, so it will always be one of my favorite spots. Weekend days are for pool parties, beach volleyball, farmer markets, flea markets and brunch somewhere with a vibe like a boho barn (Everleigh in Weho) or a bottomless hip hop breakfast (Sunnyside in Venice). Ah, this all feels so dreamy after quarantining for so long. I can’t wait to experience the city again.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I rarely get to mention him in interviews, but it’s my husband, Dave. We met when I was in the thick of it: mid twenties, totally broke, frustrated, and jaded by the industry. He came into a dumpster fire mess and picked me up and let me spread my wings. Sometimes you just need one person to be your hype man when you start doubting yourself and say: don’t you dare quit.

Website: www.haelywhite.com, www.dcmm.tv
Instagram: @haelywhite, @dontcallmemommy
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haely-white-5295184/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/haelyscomet
Facebook: www.facebook.com/haely
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWhqAStT-5Fi4Udt4dCTtmQ

Image Credits
Ographr, Hung Doan Photography, We Are Kismet

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