Lauren Ashley Smith (Black Lady Sketch Show, The Rundown) failed to get into a top MFA acting program two years in a row. But she never would have started writing if she did. We talk about how her day job as a producer helped prepare her to be a head writer, why it is a pleasure and privilege to fail, and the last minute packet change she made that got her hired at The Rundown (without having an agent or manager).

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THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST
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Episode 115: Lauren Ashley Smith

What do all of your favorite comedians, actors, writers, and artists have in common? At some point, they’ve all completely failed. Comedian Don Fanelli sits down with folks at the top of their game to talk about the times their dreams felt more elusive than ever. These hilarious, heartbreaking, and incredibly relatable stories remind us that failure is not only necessary when pursuing a dream, but ultimately the inspiration that keeps us moving uncompromisingly forward. Produced by the Forever Dog Podcast Network.

Comedy

Comedy Interviews

In our series finale, we check back in with Chris Gethard (Beautiful/Anonymous, Space Force) who recently came close to committing himself for the first time in almost a decade. We talk about being on the downslope of success, where he fucked up along the way, the surprising success of his podcast, and what he thinks supersedes the failure/success conversation.

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THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST
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The Final Fail: Chris Gethard

In our final episodes of The Need to Fail, I will be checking back in with my original guests from seven years ago. Next up: Lauren Lapkus (The Wrong Missy, Big Bang Theory) who talks about not booking 90% of the roles she goes out for, how her true humor came through in The Wrong Missy and how she thought she would suck in the audition, getting written off of Orange is the New Black, her current vision board usage, and the myth that things fall into place after getting to a certain point in your career. 

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THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST
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Seven Years Later: Lauren Lapkus

In our final episodes of The Need to Fail, I will be checking back in with my original guests from seven years ago. Next up: Abbi Jacobson (Broad City, Disenchantment) who talks about ending Broad City and the pressures of adapting an iconic movie to the small screen. We also chat about how success hasn't stopped the doubts from creeping in, the missteps with Broad City and how audience feedback helped grow the show, the difficulties writing her book, and what happens with goals when you reach them. 

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THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST
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Seven Years Later: Abbi Jacobson

In our final six episodes of The Need to Fail, I will be checking back in with my original guests from seven years ago. Next up: Josh Patten (SNL) who talks about how things have changed over his eight seasons at SNL. We talk about craft related setbacks & trying to get better at his job, how it took time and experience to look past his analytical approach, not getting any jokes on an episode where his mother came to watch, and balancing the buckets of life.

CONNECT W/ THE NEED TO FAIL & DON FANELLI ON TWITTER:
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https://twitter.com/donfanelli

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SUBSCRIBE/RATE/REVIEW TN2F on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST
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Seven Years Later: Josh Patten

In our final six episodes of The Need to Fail, I will be checking back in with my original guests from seven years ago. Next up: Josh Ruben (Scare Me, Werewolves Within) who talks about his frustrating journey auditioning for SNL, the star-studded pilot he was cast in that didn't get picked up, his reflections on Sundance, and how his necessity with adapting and being in survival mode in the past is helping him cope with the pandemic today.

CONNECT W/ THE NEED TO FAIL & DON FANELLI ON TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/theneedtofail
https://twitter.com/donfanelli

AND PLEASE SUPPORT TN2F ON PATREON FOR BONUS EPS & MORE:
https://www.patreon.com/theneedtofail

SUBSCRIBE/RATE/REVIEW TN2F on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.

THE NEED TO FAIL IS A FOREVER DOG PODCAST
https://foreverdogpodcasts.com/podcasts/the-need-to-fail
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 115: Lauren Ashley Smith

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