Meet Karola Raimond | Storyteller & Creatrix

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

Hi Karola, how do you think about risk?
What’s the saying again- No Risk No Fun!? But seriously I don’t believe anything ever happens when we play it safe. Life is not meant to be safe. There is no build in security net. We are meant to explore, push boundaries, fall, fail, get back up and try again. Life is an adventure. Full of ups and downs, twists and turns. We wouldn’t have the incredible highs, if we didn’t also experience the moments of doubt and fear. The truth is we can’t control anything. We might think we can, but that is only an illusion. I always knew I was an artist. But I had to first overcome the fear of what it truly meant to be one. And as every artist can attest, committing to being an artist comes with a lot of hardship, unpredictability and judgement. I remember being told by my high school teacher when I was 15 years old that I will be basically throwing my life away. I’m not going to lie that thought did scare me, so instead of running away at 16 to New York City to go to acting school I went to University first. I graduated with a Master of Arts in Sociology and Social Psychology. And I enjoyed studying and learning about the complexities of the human psyche and I’m glad I was able to receive that knowledge. While I was in University I studied acting, played theater and booked my first TV-roles and commercials. After graduating I knew I had to go for what I truly desired and that was moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. I heard my pessimistic teachers voice loudly inside my head, but I went anyways.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the leassons you’ve learned along the way. What did you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
We are each such snowflakes with our individual stories. I used to think that there is a “right” way of doing things and then obviously, there must be a “wrong” way too. That thinking, I thankfully extinguished. There is only your unique way and you have to trust it and go with it in unwavering faith. Don’t get distracted by all the noise around you that wants to tell you what you have to do. I realized that the most success I have is when I’m not trying to figure everything out, but instead follow my intuition and go for it even if it doesn’t seem to make sense on a rational level. We as a collective are too much in our left brain side needing to know every next step ahead of time. Life is not linear. Everything changes all the time, so we might as well get good at surfing the waves. Embracing uncertainty is not an easy task, but it does set you free. Sometimes I’m better at it than other times. Most importantly I want to stay curious and playful to whatever is next.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh my there is so much fun stuff to do in LA. Let me think. Hmm probably start with having an epic brunch on top of the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills overlooking the city, go to the Getty Villa, enjoy the tranquility of the gardens at the Self-Realization Fellowship in the Palisades, go for a walk on the beach, Go to Moonshadows in Malibu for a sunset dinner, go stargazing at the Observatory in Griffith Park, hiking in Temescal Canyon is a must, coffee and pastries at Urth Caffé in Santa Monica, go play and have fun at the Flutter experience, on an overcast day visit the Getty Center, watch the sexy Burlesque Show at Harvell’s on a Sunday night, watch some improv at the Comedy Store, have a dinner at the Little Door, walk down Abbott Kinney and grab lunch at the Butchers Daughter in Venice, visit the Huntington Gardens, go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market, if it’s summer visit the Jazz Nights at MoMA, have lunch or dinner at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel, have drinks or coffee at the Bel Air Hotel, Spa day at Burke Williams, watch a movie at the Egyptian Theatre. I can think of more. She probably has to stay a second week <3

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?
Well my biggest Shoutout has to be to my amazing parents who taught me to be my authentic self no matter what. They lived by example and that truly inspired me. The first years in Los Angeles were challenging and some of the friendships that developed during that time will last for a lifetime. We supported each other through all the uncertainty, trials and tribulations. I’m very grateful for these beautiful relationships. And then when I discovered Kundalini Yoga on my spiritual quest I found a special group of kindred souls that became my soul tribe.

As an actor my biggest growth came through my long term acting coach and veteran actor Steve Eastin. He taught me how to get out of my own way, by getting out of my head. His incredible style of teaching based on the late Charles Conrad is quite revolutionary and unites technique with spirituality. That was exactly what I was seeking. It was a game changer for me.
Then my dear friend and mentor Rick Kellard who always believed in me, inspired me to write and produce my first short film “The Cuddler”. Rick is an established Screenwriter and Producer who is one of the first people I met after moving to LA. I also have to thank my kick ass writing/ producing partner and soul sister Jul Kohler who is as crazy as I am for crowdfunding and making a film during the pandemic.

Lastly of course my wonderful partner in love and crime, John Rigney, who grounds me so I can fly.

Website: www.karolaraimond.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karolaraimond/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karolaraimond/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/karolaraimond/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karolaraimond/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h4PCUVBuRU

Image Credits
MRPIX Melanie Reisert and Serena Duffin