Comedian ANT: A Journey of Humor, Recovery, and Kindness

01/03/23 • 44 min

Join commedian ANT as Brad's guest and be inspired to get up and create change with kindness.
"It cost nothing to be kind. And I wasn't always kind. I got wrapped up in fame for a long time. I got wrapped up in money. I got wrapped up in the trappings. And I forgot the cardinal rule that my parents brought me up with, which is kindness is always important."
ANT is an internationally renowned comedian and actor, known for his appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Tyra Bank Show, and NBC's Last Comic Standing. He is passionate about using comedy to bring attention to different perspectives and to help people forget their pain.
ANT shares this story, and reflects on his journey as a comedian addiction, recovery, and how kindness is essential. He emphasizes the importance of laughter. He also encourages people to ask for help if they are struggling with depression or mental illness. In the end, he reminds everyone "It costs nothing to be kind."
In this episode, you will learn the following:
1. The Role of Comedy in Raising Awareness: Explore how comedy can be used to draw attention to difficult topics and how comedians take the "temperature of America".
2. Mental Illness in the Entertainment Industry: Investigate why depression and substance abuse are more common among entertainers, and how to foster a supportive environment.
3. The Power of Kindness: Uncover the importance of kindness and how it can help people overcome difficult times.
Follow ANT:
Twitter @antcomic
Instagram @theofficialant

Transcripts
Transcripts and more on the Queer We Are podcast website.
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Queer We Are logo created by Umeworks

Transcripts
Transcripts and more on the Queer We Are podcast website.
Connect with Brad

Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
Queer We Are logo created by Umeworks

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Some of the Guests Scheduled 2023

With it being the week between Christmas and New Year's, there is no new episode released this year, but I will give you a taste of some of the many great guests schedule in 2023.

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Next Episode

From CNN, Miguel Marquez on Reporting, Politics, & Being Queer

"Giving voice to the voiceless and covering those stories is incredibly important - there are people who have died doing that." - Miguel Marquez
Miguel Marquez is a CNN senior national correspondent that has worked in broadcast journalism for 25 years. He and Brad discuss covering difficult stories from around the world and if being gay has affected his career. He has covered many difficult stories such as the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, the Bahrain riots, and domestic clashes. Most recently, as a reporter, he documented the heartbreaking stories of the pandemic in hospitals in New York and Texas. Despite the challenges of reporting on such a chaotic and random enemy, Miguel Marquez shares the importance of allowing people to tell their stories and respecting their opinions even if he didn't agree with them.
You will learn:
1. Miguel Marquez's experience reporting on the pandemic in US hospitals
2. Objectivity versus subjectivity in reporting on protests against COVID-19 mandates
3. Coming out in the professional environment and the challenges it poses.
Follow Miguel on Twitter: @miguelmarquez

Transcripts
Transcripts and more on the Queer We Are podcast website.
Connect with Brad

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Facebook
Queer We Are logo created by Umeworks

Queer We Are - Comedian ANT: A Journey of Humor, Recovery, and Kindness

Transcript

[Brad Shreve]
ANT, I want to welcome you to Queer We Are.
[Comedian ANT]
Well, thank you. It's lovely to be here.
[Brad Shreve]
It's great to have you here. You know, I clearly remember seeing one of your standup routines for the first time. And even though I was with my ex, I still had a good time. I remember laughing nonstop. Unfortunately, I'm so old, I don't remember if it was on TV or I saw you live. Either way, it was great. But do you consider yourself a genuinely nice gu