Debbie sits down with the wickedly sharp and super funny Kelly MacFarland for a conversation that swings from espresso-martini worship to the kind of soul-level honesty most people spend years avoiding. They dive into the messy beauty of friendship, the gut-punch reality of losing parents, and the corporate-world chaos that can grind down even the toughest among us. Kelly opens up about clawing her way into stand-up, the grit behind self-producing her special Hot Gnome, and why trust and presence aren’t just comedy tools, they’re survival skills. It’s a raw, hilarious, and deeply human conversation packed with stories you’ll feel in your chest and laughs that hit a little too close to home.

Topics

00:29 Mutual Friends and Funny Anecdotes

00:48 Espresso Martinis and Wedding Stories

04:32 Comedy Style and Career Journey

10:50 Challenges and Triumphs in Comedy

28:04 Balancing Personal Life and Career

31:51 The Dyson Hairdryer Saga

32:11 Dyson Repairs and Sponsorship Dreams

33:39 Coupon Boners and Finger Boners

34:20 ADHD and Tangents

34:49 IVF and Endometriosis

38:40 Intrusive Thoughts and OCD

43:18 Postpartum Depression and Prozac

44:28 Losing a Friend to Suicide

49:52 Parenting and Transparency

53:02 Hustling and Childhood Lessons

56:36 Performing at TD Gardens

58:07 Losing Parents and Finding Purpose

01:01:04 Going All In: Self-Funding and Producing

01:01:24 The Journey of Self-Production

01:03:07 Finding the Right Team

01:06:48 The Comedy Special: Hot Gnome

01:09:12 Comedy Inspirations and Influences

01:12:25 Personal Stories and Reflections

01:23:53 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Farewells