We had the good fortune of connecting with Regan Danner and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Regan, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Gratitude. It was instilled in me from a young age that the nicest thing you could do for someone is thank them for all they do. Some of the most humbling words are “Thank you”. I have really struggled with trying to prove that I can do everything I set my mind to without asking for help. Being able to seek assistance when needed or willing to accept help when it comes along has long been a mental battle. However, whenever I am able to admit that I need help, you best believe that I am the most grateful person you’ve ever met.
Without the help from family, friends, mentors, and even the barista that makes my mobile order coffee, I would not be the woman I am today.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The phrase “controlled chaos” gets tossed around a lot when I think about how I create art. Approximately 73% of what I make comes from me personifying fleeting thoughts that may not have needed that much screen time, but inevitably we are better off having than not. This makes everything I do feel like a passion project. The biggest challenge for me is carrying the initial passion through to the end. There are points where I hit walls, but it’s in those moments that I take a breather and remember why I love to create. Because, no one else is going to represent me better than myself. A plus sized woman from the midwest who doesn’t make the butt of her jokes her weight is not something common on any screen. I want to be the woman I needed to see on tv when I was 12. If I could tell that girl who she becomes and what she was going to do in her life, she would have lost her mind.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My younger sisters have been planing a trip out to see me in LA since the pandemic started, and I want to share with you the places that scream home to me, and are the top of the list for when they finally make the trek.
Dirt Dog: One day while mindlessly scrolling through a facebook video crawl, I discovered this hotdog shop that goes above and beyond with creating new twists on the classic easy food. Their Elote Dog is to die for and their fries are addicting.
Los Amigos: I am very picky when it comes to my Mexican food. Some days I want a simple tortilla filled with meat, other times I want to be dazzled. Los Amigos in Burbank makes me feel as if I have stepped into my family friend’s kitchen and that I am going to be taken care of. Nothing says “you are in a safe place, please feel at home” like someone listing the 20 different flavors of margaritas they have to offer. (PS, order a side of their corn cake. You’ll thank me later)
The AMC Burbank 6,8, and 16: The local cinema I grew up going to had 12 screens. The next closest was 25 minutes away. If I could tell 11 year old Regan that she would have access to THREE THEATERS within walking distance of each other, she would have never processed it. Plus, one has a GIANT Batman statue outside, so be sure to pay respects to the Bat that watches over downtown Burbank.
Anything on Ventura Blvd (Sherman Oaks): My roommates and I make it our mission to try out a different brunch place every Sunday. If you want to guarantee that you will have a good start to the day, pick the first spot on Ventura Blvd that has parking, and within 3 minutes you will find a breakfast place, most likely next door to a bakery and a thrift shop. Please make a day of it, you deserve something nice.
LA AXE: Sometimes, in order to feel more connected to nature and to help make my dad less worried about his strong, confident daughter in the big city, I like to head to LA AXE to throw axes at wooden planks. It looks and feels a lot cooler actually doing it. If you go with friends, be sure to make it a competition *before* you’ve thrown a bullseye, as you may never hit it again.
Hidden Treasures (Topenga Canyon): Is this a little out of the way? Yes. Are there a lot of twists, turns, and a literal mountain to get passed to get there? Also yes. But this art instillation of a thrift shop will absolutely blow you away. Come for the mystery spot feel of it all, and stay for the variety of color and one of a kind statement pieces that you will get compliments on for the rest of your days.
Any Karaoke Bar in Ktown: Finally, if you’ve ever needed to take a break from society, lock yourself in a room, and scream your heart out, google “karaoke bars in LA”. Approximately 76% of them are just private rooms you can book by the hour, and if you’re really feeling it, you could just sing Bohemian Rhapsody on repeat until you’ve worked through all of your feelings.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Is this the section where I thank my mom, dad, siblings, and/or friends for everything they have done for me and how they have been there for me at my highest and lowest points? Yes. Thank you. However, a wise man and mentor of mine once said “Find your sabbath. Whatever your sabbath is, make sure you make time for it.” Your “sabbath” is taking time to do something you enjoy and making sure you feel personally fulfilled and at peace. So, to Nathan Scoggins, know I am still taking time to sabbath and am still trying to “be cool.”
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