Achilles' Heel with Alex Hooper

Latest Episodes:

Belonging with Jade Catta-Preta Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Belonging is in between food/sleep and self-esteem. Important? Yeah. Maybe a little. I'm joined by Jade Catta-Preta (Host of The Soup!) as we delve into moving from Brazil to Virginia at age 11, performing in two languages, and why finding your people is paramount to thriving in your field. So much laughter and insight is contained within this conversation and I promise at the end, you'll feel like you're part of the group.

Intimacy Avoidance with Lara Beitz Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

We all want love, but why do so many of us push it away? Lara Beitz (Lights Out with David Spade) joins me to discuss how her childhood formed a difficult view of relationships, abandonment vs engulfment, and why it is so necessary to do the work on yourself so you can understand others. Lara is a wonderful comedian and a great friend and I love how open she was during this conversation.

My Skin with Chaz Moneypenny Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

Comfortable in your own skin? Chaz Moneypenny (Creative Manager and Director, Universal Studios Japan) is a true renaissance man when it comes to the arts, unless he wakes up with a zit. We deep dive on how perception of ourselves is often viewed through the lens of others, what it's like to design rides for Disney and Universal, and why your favorite childhood activities are the keys to finding happiness. Though our 16-year friendship has had it's rocky patches, we have managed to remain close as we live our dreams on opposite ends of the world.

Follow Chaz: @chazmoneypenny

Comfortability with Brandon Leake Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

It's difficult to find your place in a world that is filled with noise and distractions. Brandon Leake (America's Got Talent Winner!) knows all about being uncomfortable. He also knows how to rise above his fear and find ways to thrive in unfamiliar settings. We discuss his insane rollercoaster of a year marked with having a baby, his first time on TV, the aftermath of winning, and how comfort and growth must be separated to truly find success.

Follow Brandon: @brandon_leake_ctm

www.calledtomovectm.org

2020 and Mental Health with Rajiv Satyal Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Depression! Confusion! Anxiety! Helplessness! Fear! This year has been a non-stop emotional rollercoaster. Rajiv Satyal (The Man in the Middle) joins me to ask each other the difficult questions about how we have struggled to maintain not only our mental health, but our optimism and hope. Having been friends for over a decade, we let honesty take over and approached this subject with reverence and levity. If you're feeling lost or overwhelmed, never be afraid to reach out to a loved ones and express your truth. That's what this episode is all about. Two comedians with positive attitudes figuring out how to stay that way. Enjoy it!

Follow Rajiv: @funnyindian

www.rajivsatyal.com

Black Existence with Katrina Davis Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

This year, more than ever, we have been forced to examine ourselves and the world with a much more powerful microscope. Who are we and how do we relate to our environment? Katrina Davis (Time Out LA Comic to Watch) has spent her entire life figuring out her identity as a black woman in America. We talk growing up in a non-diverse section of Florida, learning about your heritage, protests, sound baths, and so much more. This conversation is not only hilarious, but also educational and important. Get yourself some!

Follow Katrina: @katrinasivad

katrinasivad.com

Time with Daniel Webb Oct 19, 2020

Show notes

Not enough? Too much? Almost everyone allows time to stress them out. But what if you could control your life by making time do anything you'd like? Daniel Webb (Comedy Central, Comedy Dynamics) joins me to discuss why he's usually a few minutes late, his different approaches to music and comedy, and how no matter what, he'll always be a sweet Texas boy. This one is tangent-city and we keep laughing the whole way through.

ADHD with Tema Sall Oct 12, 2020

Show notes

We're back! We took a pandemic-style break but enough is enough! You asked for it and I'm so happy to return to the show. On our first episode in 6 months, Tema Sall (Big Uke Energy on Amazon) breaks down the fascinating highs and debilitating lows that our brain can deliver in the scattered world of ADHD. Tema and I began standup 5 days apart from each other and it's been quite the ride ever since.

FOLLOW TEMA: @TEMASALL

Boredom with Shane Mauss Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

Season 1 Finale:

Too much time can be a luxury, but it can also be a curse? Shane Mauss (Conan, Psychonautics on Amazon Prime, We Are Here Podcast) breaks down how lack of being still has gotten him into some hairy situations, why psychedelics can lead to epic breakthroughs, and what happens to your psyche when you achieve all of your childhood goals too quickly. Ever the inquisitor, this episode might just make you take a trip down the rabbit hole.

Follow Shane: @shanemausscomedy

Follow Alex: @hooperhairpuff

www.hoopercomedy.com for tour dates.

Recorded at Third Wheel Studios in Los Angeles, California.

Focus with Emilie Hagen Mar 30, 2020

Show notes

Strap in and get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Emilie Hagen (Emilie Knows Everything) can't even focus long enough to decide what her true Achilles' Heel is. We delve into her oddly strange sexual history, the many hats Hollywood wants you to wear, and why she needs how to learn how to accept a compliment.

Follow Emilie: @emilieknowseverything

Follow Alex: @hooperhairpuff

Recorded at Third Wheel Studios in Los Angeles, California.