Episode 1561 - Anna Akana
4Digest
This episode of "Welcome to it" features an interview with comedian and actress Anna Akana, known for her YouTube videos on mental health. Mark Marren, the host, shares his initial hesitation towards younger comics and how he connected with Anna through their shared experiences with grief and stalker situations. The conversation delves into sensitive topics like suicide, with Mark providing resources for those struggling. Anna shares her upbringing as a military child, the tragic suicide of her sister, and her experiences with bullying and racism. She reveals her use of psychedelics to cope with grief and her journey into comedy, inspired by Margaret Cho. Anna discusses her stand-up career, her decision to quit due to online death threats and anxiety, and her return to stand-up with a new hour that tackles deeper issues. She also shares her experiences with stalkers and the unique challenges she faces as an Asian woman dealing with mental health issues. The interview concludes with Anna discussing her touring plans, her goals for her new hour, and her approach to funding her work through YouTube brand deals, acting, and voiceover work.
Outlines
Introduction and Upcoming Events
Mark Marren introduces his podcast "Welcome to it" and shares his current location in Canada, where he's experiencing a lively event across the street. He also mentions upcoming tour dates and a new independent film project.
Interview with Anna Akana
Mark discusses his recent interview with comedian and actress Anna Akana, known for her YouTube videos on mental health. He shares his initial hesitation towards younger comics and how he connected with Anna through their shared experiences with grief and stalker situations.
Discussing Suicide and Grief
Mark acknowledges the sensitive topic of suicide in his conversation with Anna Akana and provides resources for those struggling. He reflects on his own experiences with suicide in his family and how it shaped his childhood and emotional development.
Anna Akana's Background and Family
Anna shares her upbringing as a military child, moving every two years. She discusses her father's career as an aerospace engineer in the Marine Corps and his decision to turn down a promotion to protect his men.
Anna's Sister's Suicide and its Impact
Anna recounts the tragic suicide of her sister when she was 13 years old. She describes the family's reaction to the event, including her father's abusive behavior and their lack of support for therapy.
Anna's Experiences with Bullying and Racism
Anna shares her experiences with bullying and racism in California, including being segregated by race at her high school and encountering hate speech. She also discusses her involvement in a dance group at school.
Anna's Use of Psychedelics to Cope with Grief
Anna reveals her use of psychedelics, particularly acid, to cope with her grief. She discusses the challenges of confronting her mortality at a young age and her mixed feelings about the experience.
Anna's Journey into Comedy
Anna explains how she was inspired to pursue comedy after seeing Margaret Cho's stand-up show. She reflects on the lack of Asian female comedians in the industry at the time and how Margaret's performance resonated with her.
Anna's Stand-Up Career and Mental Health Journey
Anna discusses her stand-up career, revealing how she quit comedy due to online death threats and anxiety. She shares her experience with mental health issues and how she found solace in creating YouTube videos.
Returning to Stand-Up and the New Hour
Anna talks about her decision to return to stand-up after a hiatus. She describes her new hour, which tackles deeper, darker issues and reflects her growth as a writer and performer.
Dealing with Stalkers and Fetishization
Anna discusses her experience with stalkers and the restraining order she obtained. She reflects on the unique challenges she faces as an Asian woman dealing with mental health issues, including fetishization and hyper-sexualization.
Touring and Venue Preferences
Anna shares her touring plans, including upcoming shows in Edinburgh and a fall tour. She discusses her preference for alternative venues and the positive feedback she's received on her new material.
The Hair Artifact and its Impact
Anna talks about the hair artifact she uses in her show, which is a piece of her own hair that she cut off during a difficult time. She explains how it serves as a grounding element for the audience, reminding them that she is a real person with a past.
Goals for the New Hour and Future Plans
Anna reveals her goal of selling her new hour to a network and potentially doing a special. She discusses her preference for one-night shows and her approach to investing.
Funding and Brand Deals
Anna explains how she funds her work through YouTube brand deals, acting, and voiceover work. She shares a humorous anecdote about a Taco Bell commercial that paid off her car.
Content Creation and YouTube Strategy
Anna discusses her content creation process, emphasizing her ability to shoot months' worth of material in a short period. She reveals her strategy of milking her YouTube channel for as long as possible.
Self-Producing and Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Anna contemplates the possibility of self-producing her special if Netflix were to offer her a deal. She shares her plans for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she will be performing her show daily.
Press Coverage and Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Anna expresses surprise at the positive press coverage she's received for her Edinburgh Fringe Festival show. She discusses the unique nature of the festival and the sheer number of shows taking place.
Comparing Anna's Show to "Baby Reindeer"
Anna compares her show to "Baby Reindeer," a show about a man's stalker. She discusses the similarities in their themes and the challenges of portraying such intense material comedically.
Exploring Sexual Trauma and Anna's Personal Experience
Anna discusses the B-story in "Baby Reindeer" about the protagonist's sexual trauma. She shares her own experience with a babysitter and her uncertainty about whether or not it was a traumatic event.
The Importance of Processing Trauma Through Comedy
Anna reflects on the process of processing trauma through comedy. She explains how her experience with her sister's death has helped her develop the skills to handle difficult material in a comedic way.
The Placement of the Babysitter Bit
Anna discusses the placement of the babysitter bit in her show and how the audience's reaction has varied depending on its position. She explains how the bit has evolved and become a significant part of her performance.
Keywords
Anna Akana
Anna Akana is a comedian, actress, and YouTube personality known for her videos on mental health and her one-person show about her sister's suicide.
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. It is a serious public health issue and can be influenced by factors such as mental health, substance abuse, and social isolation.
Grief
Grief is the emotional response to loss, often characterized by sadness, anger, and guilt. It is a natural process that can vary in intensity and duration.
Mental Health
Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and behave.
Racism
Racism is the belief that different races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, and that one race is superior to others. It often manifests in prejudice, discrimination, and violence.
Bullying
Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior that is intended to harm or intimidate another person. It can take many forms, including physical, verbal, and social bullying.
Psychedelics
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that alter perception, mood, and thought processes. They can induce hallucinations and profound spiritual experiences.
Stand-Up Comedy
Stand-up comedy is a form of comedic performance in which a comedian performs a set of jokes and stories to a live audience. It is often characterized by its improvisational nature and the comedian's ability to connect with the audience.
Online Death Threats
Online death threats are threats of violence or harm directed at an individual through online platforms such as social media, email, or messaging apps. They can have a significant impact on the victim's mental health and safety.
Fetishization
Fetishization is the act of objectifying or sexualizing a person or group based on their race, ethnicity, or other characteristics. It can be harmful and perpetuate stereotypes.
Q&A
What are some of the key themes explored in Mark Marren's interview with Anna Akana?
The interview delves into themes of grief, mental health, suicide, and the impact of personal experiences on artistic expression.
How did Anna Akana's upbringing as a military child influence her life and career?
Anna's frequent moves and exposure to different cultures fostered a sense of adaptability and a desire to explore different facets of her personality, ultimately leading her to a career in entertainment.
What were some of the challenges Anna Akana faced in dealing with her sister's suicide?
Anna struggled with guilt, self-destructive behavior, and a lack of support from her family. She also grappled with the complexities of grief and the difficulty of processing such a traumatic event.
How did Anna Akana's experiences with racism and bullying shape her perspective?
Anna's encounters with racism and bullying in California heightened her awareness of social injustices and fueled her desire to use her platform to address these issues.
What role did psychedelics play in Anna Akana's journey of healing and self-discovery?
Anna used psychedelics, particularly acid, to confront her mortality and process her grief. While she acknowledges the potential benefits of these substances, she also highlights the importance of approaching them with caution and intention.
What led Anna to quit stand-up comedy?
Anna quit stand-up comedy due to online death threats and the overwhelming anxiety she experienced while performing. She felt unsafe and unable to cope with the fear.
How did Anna's experience with mental health issues influence her YouTube content?
Anna incorporated sincere mental health messages into her YouTube videos, often sharing her own experiences and advice from qualified sources. This resonated with her audience and helped her gain a large following.
What are some of the unique challenges Anna faces as an Asian woman dealing with mental health issues?
Anna faces fetishization and hyper-sexualization, which can be particularly challenging when discussing mental health issues. She believes that these experiences contribute to the stalker behavior she has encountered.
What are Anna's goals for her new stand-up hour?
Anna's goal is to sell her new hour to a network and potentially do a special. She is also planning a fall tour to new cities.
Show Notes
Moving from place to place throughout her childhood was difficult on Anna Akana, but it was growing up alongside the internet that really changed her life. Anna tells Marc how her career as a comedian and actor got going when she turned to YouTube after dealing with the lack of Asian representation in traditional media. Anna also explains how she became a mental health advocate due to her sister’s tragic death and why she decided to go back to comedy as a way to explore sensitive issues.
Content warning: This conversation contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know are struggling and need support, call 988 from any phone to speak with someone at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Sign up here for WTF+ to get the full show archives and weekly bonus material! https://plus.acast.com/s/wtf-with-marc-maron-podcast.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Table of contents
United States
