In this episode of LaidOPEN Podcast, host Charna Cassell sits down with award-winning playwright, performer, and teacher Ann Randolph, whose autobiographical solo shows blend comedy, storytelling, and profound transformation. Together they explore their long-held desire to collaborate — a journey guided by synchronicity, presence, and creative courage.

Ann shares how her early days working the graveyard shift at a homeless shelter evolved into a celebrated career sharing the stage with icons like Mel Brooks and Alanis Morissette. She opens up about using comedy to approach trauma, the healing power of daily writing, and the importance of embodying your story rather than just telling it.

Charna and Ann dive deep into the somatic roots of storytelling, the interplay between vulnerability and creative freedom, and the spiritual practices that sustain both art and healing. Whether you're a writer, performer, or simply someone seeking personal transformation, this conversation invites you to embrace failure, presence, and play as pathways to authentic expression and connection.

Show Notes

00:00 – Introduction and Guest Introduction

02:11 – Charna's Journey to Meeting Ann

03:39 – The Power of Daily Writing

04:18 – Writing for Transformation

05:02 – Ann's Solo Shows and Comedy

09:18 – Victim, Hero, and Perpetrator Dynamics

12:22 – Somatic Practices in Storytelling

18:19 – Collaborations with Alanis Morissette

23:10 – Working with Mel Brooks

27:42 – Support and Validation

28:15 – Mentorship and High Stakes

29:16 – Opening in New York and Personal Loss

31:27 – Turning Grief into Art

41:26 – The Healing Power of Storytelling

45:29 – Spiritual Practices and Personal Growth

47:42 – Current Projects and Offerings

51:53 – Conclusion and Farewell