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[0:00] Erika Henningsen: Hi, I'm Erika Henningsen and you are listening to The Art of Kindness.

[0:10] Robert Peterpaul: Hello, beautiful people. Welcome to The Art of Kindness where we have compassionate conversations with artists from all areas of the entertainment industry who are using their voice to spread joy and make this big spinning planet in the universe a better place to be. I'm Robert Peterpaul and I'm so glad you're here. Hello, friends. We're back just in time and just for you after this long holiday weekend celebrating not only July 4th, insert firework noises here. Oh, that's definitely not a firework sound. But we also commemorate four years of The Art of Kindness podcast. Shout out to my old friend Amanda for reminding me about this because I honestly completely forgot. And then I thought it was three years because I can't do math.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being a part of this kindness community. I have been blown away by how we've grown, what we've been able to accomplish over these past four years. And I am filled with so much gratitude for you, not only for being a part of this community, but for taking action to build a kinder world. And before I get so sappy that I turn into, get it, like sap on a tree, we're going to party like it's 1950 little baby with a full A-OK episode. It's been way too long since we've had one of those. We're going to go somewhere beyond the sea featuring a beacon of light that I've been hoping would shine her light over our kindness community for quite some time now. Today's guest is powerhouse performer Erika Henningsen.

Erika Henningsen stitched her thread onto the fabric of pop culture as the original Cady Heron in Mean Girls, the musical on Broadway, earning an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination. She has continued to shine like the stars at night on both the stage and screen ever since. The Cali native went on to appear in hit series like Girls5eva, Harlem, Blue Bloods, and FBI: International, and brings her powerhouse voice to the lead role of Charlie Morningstar in A24 and Amazon's animated musical comedy Hazbin Hotel. Most recently, you can bask in Erika's glow on Broadway in Just in Time opposite Jonathan Groff or Netflix's Four Seasons, which I think we've finished in four days, alongside comedy icons like Steve Carell and Tina Fey, who clearly loves working with her.

I've witnessed Erika's passion for showbiz firsthand and more importantly, for show people. She truly seems to lead with kindness on and off the stage, and I am so grateful for this conversation. If you enjoy this chat, please spread the sunshine and share it with a friend or seven. Or if you're feeling extra kind, we'd appreciate a follow slash review wherever you listen to podcasts or on social media at Art of Kindness Pod Slash at Rob Peterpaul. OK, you can also watch our conversation on our YouTube channel, which we're trying to grow. So join the party over there as well. Now, without further ado, please welcome the electric Erika Henningsen.

[3:57] Erika Henningsen: How are you? I am so well, I'm literally like I'm so cozy, I'm just sitting on the ground in front of the couch with my tea and it's just been a lovely, chill day. I'm so excited to see you.

[4:16] Robert Peterpaul: I love that for you. We kind of match, too. We've got like this.

[4:27] Erika Henningsen: We do kind of match. I know I almost I was like about to like really do the hair up and I was like, you know what? Let's be authentic. It's a weird hair day. It's all good. Listen, authentic beauty. I'm always wearing a ball cap, except for right now I have my full jersey out on display. But is this your apartment?

[4:43] Erika Henningsen: It's very relaxing. It is my apartment. It's actually like our rental apartment, because when Kyle—so we live uptown, but when Kyle got old friends and he was going to be gone for a while and we were both going to be on the same—he was going to be gone for six weeks. And then when he came back, we were both going to be in tech and previews and opening. And then I was also doing Four Seasons Press. And I was like, I think we need to live closer to work for like three months, especially because we have a dog and we just needed to like come home.

[5:19] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah. So what kind of dog?

[5:26] Erika Henningsen: Wait. She's the best. She's a German Shepherd Cattle Dog. Oh, I know. She crazy. And yeah, we just were like, let's just see if we can find a place in midtown to sell it for a couple months. And we found a great spot, like 10 minute walk from the theater. So we've been here and we had back uptown pretty soon, but it was really nice for like all of March, April, May during all the chaos to be close by.

[5:49] Robert Peterpaul: Well, congratulations on all the cast. And I remember actually when we met, you showed me a picture of your dog and it's so cute. And I'm just so grateful you're doing this. I'm so ready. Tell me if there's anything I should turn on to ensure like, should I go put headphones in and just turn on party mode? Sorry, that was really dumb.

[6:02] Erika Henningsen: I think you're good. I think you're good. I'm just going to say, Erica, I am so happy to spend some time with you. I think you like just put such good yellowy, beautiful energy into this industry and you deserve all the things. And I'm so grateful that you're a role model for people to look up to because I know you teach as well. So thank you for being here. I'm excited to kind of pick your brain about kindness today.

[6:30] Erika Henningsen: Oh my goodness. I'm so excited. Yeah, I'm so excited. It's so good to we got to, you know, obviously meet post Just in Time. I'm happy that we've like come back around full circle.

[6:39] Robert Peterpaul: I know. And I have to say too, like, do you, I feel like you must make everybody feel like they're your new best friend because you just have that kind of vibe. Where do you think that comes from? Because I immediately was like, I could be friends with you. Like, you're awesome.

[6:51] Erika Henningsen: Oh my gosh. I mean, I always want, I always want to leave feeling like I've made friends with somebody. So part of it is my own, my own desire. What was I watching recently? Where I was—oh my goodness. It was some fictional character where they were like, you can't be okay. I'll have to remember it, but I don't know where it comes from. I mean, I will say like, I remember watching my mom like growing up just very much, whether she was at like swim meets or like dance recitals, she was just very social. And like remembered facts about people and remembered everybody's names and just sort of like made them feel very comfortable. So I feel like I kind of picked not just like my personal desire to do that, but sort of like how you do that from her.

But yeah, I don't know. I'm also like a younger sibling and my, my older siblings were always running around and hanging out with the two of them. So I think maybe I've just always been looking for friends, like in any situation. Like hiding behind the couch while they're hanging out. Hey, what are you watching? You're too young for this movie. Get out.

[8:06] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, exactly. Oh yeah. That was so true. That's like very iconic. Yeah. My friend, Jenny, she, when I moved to LA for like nine months, that was actually when I realized for the first time I had to sort of like start making friends again, because I didn't really know anybody there. And I really enjoyed that. I don't want to say challenge, I just enjoy doing that. Whereas in New York, I kind of know everybody. And it's really rare to meet somebody who I don't have at least like one degree of separation from. And it was a cool new like swimming pool to dive into to be in Los Angeles and to remember like, oh, yeah, I love meeting new people.

[8:42] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, well, I feel like whatever pool you're in, people are probably swimming over saying you're a good swimmer and giving you compliments, because like I just did at the start of this to have a really chunky transition here, because I feel like everyone's probably, for the most part, such a fan of you and what you do. And you put so much joy out there, literally with the show Joy at One Time in Your Life. So I'm wondering what, which I just saw the other night, what—sorry, I have questions about it. What do you think is the way you handle compliments? Like how are you at accepting compliments as someone who I'm guessing gets a lot of them? That's sort of part of this business and you want it, but it's tricky.

[9:16] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, I feel like I'm learning to—I mean, it's even happening at Just in Time. I divert pretty quickly. Like people will come to each other like you're great. And I'll be like, I know, isn't Jonathan like so incredible? And it's like, no, you—I'm like, yeah, totally. Oh my gosh, it's like funny thing happened backstage. And it's not because I think it's not because I can't take a compliment. It's not because I don't want to hear it. I just—I’m less interested in talking about like this the like ego versus art kind of thing.

[10:02] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, yeah.

[10:03] Erika Henningsen: Like, I always—and I always want to make—I always want to talk about them. Like my question always after I see somebody who comes to the show is like, where are you sitting? Did you have good seats? Like did Jonathan dance with you? I feel like they just watched me for two hours. You know, the last thing I feel like they want to talk about more is me and I want to hear about their experience. And some of that is probably protective. But I tend to really turn the lens and turn like the light to other people. And I don't want to pretend that that's not some of it is a true genuine interest. Most of it's a true genuine interest. And some of it is, I'm sure like a protective mechanism as well, which is, you know, fascinating. Like it's both.

[10:49] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, I can relate to that so much as a recovering people pleaser. Actually, the movie you were trying to figure out before I'm like, is that the movie I'm trying to write? That's called People Pleaser. And it's like a dark comedy thriller murder. Oh my gosh, like people pleasers until you're in like a killing someone's situation. Yeah, I don't know. There's something there. But I feel like I've had to learn in my own life as it crossed my legs, and you're going to therapize me today. I don't know if you knew that, that you don't have to always like—you got the tea. What's on the mug? Is that a little animal?

[11:24] Erika Henningsen: Oh, no, it's just the—

[11:25] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, okay. This should be called Not A-OK and ADHD with Robert. Sorry, that was—okay. But I feel like I've had to learn not to be the host sometimes, like, and I get the vibe from you that like, when someone comes over to you, you feel like—and maybe I'm just projecting—but that the pressure—and it's a good pressure sometimes—but like that you have to lead the conversation, make sure they're having a good time. It's like you got to fill the awkward silence. And if you don't, I don't know, I feel like that's become part of my personality. And it can be so tiring, right?

[11:55] Erika Henningsen: But do you feel like that's a struggle for you too?

[12:02] Erika Henningsen: It is so 100% part of my personality. Um, one of—there's like, three things that made me think of my castmate Emily Burgle. And I would call ourselves as cruise directors. Like, we always want to facilitate the hang, we want to facilitate the Saturday night on Broadway party, we just feel the need to create the atmosphere of like, even though we're doing eight shows a week of adding something on top of that. The other thing is when I have, you know, I shot—somebody asked me, I shot the Four Seasons, and they were like, How similar are you to your character? And I said, we have some things in common. But there's this line where my character Ginny would say, she invited all these friends on a trip.

And she basically goes, Do you think everybody's having a good time? And that's like, so me is just, is everybody having a good time? It's why my own wedding, like, my gosh, I don't think I relaxed. Yeah, well, but I knew I knew this about myself, I was so excited to get married. And our wedding day was wonderful. I don't know if I was fully present for a lot of it, because I was just so worried about everybody having a good time. There was like, this moment where our wedding planner brought Kyle and I upstairs to our hotel room after the ceremony to kind of like, have a moment for the two of us.

[13:17] Erika Henningsen: And we did, and he's very similar to me, and after like 10 minutes we were like, okay, yeah, like we have to get back down to our party because who is hosting it if it's not us.

[13:26] Robert Peterpaul: Yes, yeah, I totally get that. We were the same at our wedding, yes, like two years ago, and it's the best day of your life, and at the same time, it's draining, and it becomes almost like not about the two of you. Like we were like, how can we make sure we see everyone? And then we played this weird table game where we had to stop at every table before the song ends to take a picture with everybody.

[13:44] Erika Henningsen: Exactly, yeah. We should have made a game out of it, but instead we just ran around the entire dinner, and I think that's a beautiful instinct. Yeah, it's gotten me—I don't want to say it's gotten me far, it's just it's given me a beautiful life of like wonderful people that I love, and in an industry that is full of like so many incredible humans, being able to give that energy out is something that I do not take for granted. I'm glad I have that battery inside me, but it is—I've had to really learn like sometimes silence is okay.

[14:22] Robert Peterpaul: Oh wow, that hit me deep. I'm about to pass out.

[14:30] Erika Henningsen: That's—yeah, there's—I just—that question was so—I just my brain went to three different places. Like I just finished Amy Bowler's book, and she has a whole thing where she talks about somebody super famous, and she's like, I'm just not gonna say anything. I'm just gonna—and I remember thinking, oh yeah, I really need to work on that because I feel the need to cruise control—it's cruise direct, not cruise control—cruise direct, like yeah, every situation.

[14:52] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah.

[14:53] Erika Henningsen: Because I immediately meet someone, and I feel like if they're quiet, like my connection is that they don't like me from the start, and that's probably not true. It's just they're calm, they're cooler, and maybe they're awkward even. Like maybe they're just like remaining cool. Yeah, I'm not cool. I'm like, oh my god, look at that sign! Like what does that say? You know, I'll pull anything out of thin air just to try and like make a conversation going, and learning that not everybody is chatty or needs to talk—that's a lesson too. And I wonder for you if you've found that started. I'm sure that was part of you growing up in Mirage.

[15:28] Erika Henningsen: Oh, but Mirage is fun! Let's call it Mirage. I know I was thinking of Aladdin. My brain's—I could practice something, and I'll never say it right, let's be real. There's no reason you should know how to pronounce Mirage, California. But I know you've said it's like a Pleasantville, and I kind of grew up in a situation like that too. What do you feel like your definition of kindness was early on, and how do you think it has changed over the years? I know that's a bigger question, but as we get into the topic, I'd love to know.

[16:01] Erika Henningsen: Wow, I think it's really interesting. I think kindness—because I grew up in sort of a Pleasantville—was very black and white, very sort of this is what is good, this is what is bad. Kindness was intertwined with not just morality but like not disappointing people, and it was usually a focus on kindness to others, which is incredibly important, but not always a kindness to ourselves. I feel like I didn't really learn about kindness to myself until recently. Like I feel like that was a lesson that I'm still learning of how to have kindness for yourself. And the one journey—it's a journey—and the one thing I will like never forget because it's how I kind of want to conduct myself, especially because we are—I am an actor, and so much of what we do is judged, and so much of what we do is going to see other things that people are in and forming judgments—is I had this incredible acting teacher named Janley Marshall, and we were just—shout out Janley, the best!

She still teaches, she's incredible. And we were in like an improv class with her, just sort of a scene study class, and somebody made a choice, and this is a rule of improv, which improv is like say yes, but somebody made a choice, and the girl next to me, who was a dear friend and still is, we like teased it or we laughed at it. And I will never forget that—it was the first time somebody spoke to me like an adult and wasn't like, oh, you get into marriage. She turned to us immediately and just like with a ferocity and a clarity just said, "Don't be mean." And I will never—like that I truly think that is the moment I like came online because—sorry, I used to be able to do the dial-up, I can't do it.

[18:18] Erika Henningsen: Yes, it was like I was dialing up. It was true. It was because it wasn't the thing that was like, you know, where you had conflict managers on the playground, it was like, what did she say? How did that hurt your feelings? And can you apologize? It was a clear visceral like do not do this to somebody who was putting themselves out there, and it was an acting class, and I will never ever forget that. Yeah, and it stayed with me particularly as an actor because I just—I’ll never forget it. It was like not being kind means not just being good, but being supportive and like letting people's personality—even if it's something that you're like, oh god, I wouldn't have the confidence to do that—like letting it exist and breathe and just showing support no matter what.

And I feel that a lot as an artist sometimes where it's so easy for us to cut one another down, and I just think like the fact that any of us do this at all is a miracle because it requires such bravery of self. And I just—I don't know, I think there's so much nasty energy in the world, this little corner, unfortunately, I'm like, I never—I never want to be that. And I'll like—I’ll never forget that that was sort of when I realized that kindness—I think I maybe was outwardly kind as a kid but would like laugh, you know, behind my hands with a friend at somebody, and to be caught doing that and to be called out so directly but so clearly and for somebody to be so in the right—yeah, like I never forgot it. It truly is.

[20:14] Robert Peterpaul: Thanks for sharing that.

[20:16] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, yeah, that well that even takes—I think vulnerability is the word that comes to mind, and that even takes vulnerability to share that, so I appreciate that because I was sort of the same in that I would want to match people and I think fit in and be everyone's friend. And so if someone else thinks something's not cool, like I don't think it's cool either. And then I learned, you know, if you're everybody's friend, you're really no one's friend. And so having the vulnerability on the other side too, like it's actually very vulnerable to be an audience member. I sit with friends that like will cry, will shout, will say, "You!" and so interactive that like people are turning their heads, and I'm like fighting to not cry at the, you know, whatever the show I'm watching is, you know? So it's—I'm like the notebook, why did you make me cry? It's like having that—I know, having that vulnerability on both sides.

[21:05] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, that applies to life. Like it's so vulnerable just to smile at someone on the street, right? Because it feels—yes, like rejection could come your way.

[21:16] Robert Peterpaul: You're so correct about—I think like what you said of if you're everybody's friend, you're no one's friend.

[21:21] Erika Henningsen: And that I think I used to interpret kindness as like agreeing with people and being agreeable, and like you said, just mirroring whatever they thought, whether it was a strong opinion or just something they liked, and being like, "Yeah, me too." And I got into a lot of trouble with that like in my early 20s, just sort of realizing like this person doesn't—this person likes me because I'm just a mirror for them. And sometimes I was being a mirror for things that were negative opinions of others, being like, "Yes, totally! Oh my god, that was terrible!" Yeah, and I actively had to figure out like how do I allow somebody the freedom to express their opinion and sit with that uncomfortable moment of silence of being like, "I don't agree with them." That's okay! That doesn't mean I'm being bad, that doesn't mean I'm being righteous, it's just I don't have to mirror you to be liked.

[22:20] Robert Peterpaul: And I really think that's the poll quote that's being put on a post-it right after. I'm making mugs, Erika!

[22:27] Erika Henningsen: That's so true! It's so tough! It's so hard to not—you feel bad after you do that. I mean matching and being friendly to everyone I think can—it's a great skill, and at the same time, you have to stay true to yourself. And sometimes I think staying true to myself hurts someone else's feelings, but that's not—it's not true! Like it's like if it hurts their feelings, then that's on them or so. And I wonder for you as someone who—I have like 87,000 questions for you, but I feel like we could go down 20 rabbit holes already, and I'm excited. I'm like, oh my god, I know! Welcome to my brain! It's just like we go one way, and then we like go down.

[23:04] Robert Peterpaul: Oh no, I love it! That's why I write down questions. I'm like, this podcast is the only time I'm comfortable in silence because I'm prepared, probably, but maybe I'll unpack that later. You—I feel like hit these really major milestones, and whether it feels like it or not, I feel like you were around such luminaries so early on from Sheryl Crow and Diner to Les Mis with all these Broadway icons. And I mean that was just a Broadway blockbuster in itself, and I feel like people want to check that show off the list. I'm wondering—and I'm such a fan of yours, by the way! I don't think I said that, but did—I’m sure I said that after Just in Time—but did getting such major and well-deserved, obviously, opportunities in the beginning kind of inform kindness to yourself at all? We sort of touched on that, but like did that validate you in certain ways? Did it make it worse? Like what were your feelings early on as you embarked on this Broadway career?

[24:05] Erika Henningsen: It's a really good question. Well, the question made me think of two things, which is you're right, I have gotten to work in front of people who are massive luminaries, to use your word. And if I could give any advice to like young people, it's sometimes I think the reason I've gotten where I've gotten is because when I don't know who somebody is, I treat them the same way as when I do. If anything, I actually prefer not knowing how important somebody is because I start to get weird, and I love researching people, but then I—I mean, I'm always weird, but like then I'll get weird, weird.

[24:38] Robert Peterpaul: Correct, correct.

[24:39] Erika Henningsen: And I really—I think I've made some wonderful connections and inroads in this field because I would be seated next to somebody and have no idea who they were and just be nice and be kind and curious about them, not realizing they were XYZ. And like that to me is—for every young student, it's like, look, if you show up at the party and you don't know who anybody is, don't try and talk to the most important in the room. Just be yourself. If that person—like if somebody comes to talk to you, treat them kindly because you have no idea who that person might be, and they might be the person to give you this incredible job down the line.

[25:20] Robert Peterpaul: It's just a weird—I really think sometimes my ignorance of people's power is in combination with kindness and curiosity towards others is my superpower because I just end up—you leave a nice taste in somebody's mouth when they can tell you're just outwardly generous, not trying to get something back because you don't even know who they are. It's a level playing field.

[25:46] Erika Henningsen: And do you sometimes get people that don't believe it? Like they don't believe you're genuine? Have you encountered that? Because I feel like that happens in our industry too. It's like they don't think you're being real, but you are.

[25:53] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, I had some interesting experiences when I was younger in theater during some of these shows you were talking about where I was in my early 20s, and people were maybe like a decade or so older than me. And I remember somebody saying to me like, "I can't wait for you to get older just for the world." And this is like a direct quote, and I'll never forget it. She's like, "To break your spirit." And I remember just being like, "What?" And I was so young, and I just kind of laughed at it because it was said with that sort of like sarcastic thing where like there was some real edge on that comment, but it was said couched in a joke.

[26:35] Erika Henningsen: The only option was to laugh at it. And probably on a couch. I like that you used couch. Probably on a dusty couch backstage somewhere. Yeah. And I think all I remember from that era was like, I don't want to lose whatever this sort of people saw as naivete is inside of me, which is that like, I am happy to be here. I want to be friends with everybody. Not because I want to get something out of them, but because I just think life is more pleasant that way.

[27:14] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah. It's actually science too. There's actually science behind that. Not to get totally nerdy, but...

[27:19] Erika Henningsen: No, I love that stuff. I really do. And it's like, I've got, I obviously have like my close, close friends, but the question, like the kindness to myself that you asked about, I feel like I wasn't concerned with that for a while, because I was just being, I don't know. I think I just didn't, I didn't, I didn't have like a ton of compassion for myself. And getting work felt like validation. And that became the way that I could have, I'd be like, yes, you did a job well done. And now I'm slowly starting to separate work validation from self-validation, like, and not, not confusing my identity as the roles I've booked or gotten to do. I don't know if that makes sense.

[28:28] Erika Henningsen: It's so hard.

[28:28] Robert Peterpaul: No, that makes so much sense. No, I appreciate you sharing that. And I feel like in looking at your career, it's interesting because you've had sort of rejection for these big things you've gotten close to, and then you've gotten those big things. And I wonder, I'm like, if that was me, how do you not psych yourself out going back? But then I heard you in another interview, talk about rejection and the power of rejection. And I thought that was so cool. And I would love for you to do like a TED Talk on rejection, because we hear it as like a trigger word, and it's like a bad word, but you actually call it kind of like a superpower in a way.

[29:03] Erika Henningsen: Superpower. It's, it's, it's exposure therapy. I was going to do a TED Talk at U of M about rejection. And I, hopefully they'll keep asking me because I've had to cancel twice now for a work obligation. But I had sort of written out this concept of like, you know, I, my older sister, she wouldn't mind me sharing this, is she works in finance. She's older than me. She's kind of worked in the same industry, in the same job for many years. She was with a partner for like eight years. And two things happened where it was like her, her personal life, and this partnership ended. And, and then she had left the job that she had been working at. And it was like, obviously, that is a seismic thing to shift in your life.

[29:58] Robert Peterpaul: Good word.

[29:58] Erika Henningsen: Yeah. Seismic, but it was really wild to watch this person who was incredibly intelligent and strong deal with what I think was maybe one of the biggest rejections of her adult life. And it caused such a like rift in her soul that I deeply understood. But it also made me realize like, wow, I get rejected. And especially in my twenties, I got rejected like four times a week. And it starts to lose its power over you. Like I love reading about all those, like exposure therapy camps that kids go to for like phobias. I don't think I should ever do it. But it is true. It's like, if you fear rejection, you're gonna, the only way to get over it is to throw yourself at the wall and get rejected over and over.

And I kind of feel like that is something that has allowed me to develop like a kindness for myself is I don't feel like the slings and arrows of rejection as deeply as I used to. And that's like allowed me to really not beat myself up. Like I think when some people get rejected, they go, oh, it was me. It's like, I did something wrong. And I, for better or for worse, I no longer think it's about me because it's happened to me times I've gotten rejected. And it's also happened a couple of times where I haven't. And there was no difference in the preparation or the work. It was just not the job.

[31:21] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. It's like building the callus to play the guitar or something. I mean, I'm constantly being rejected. I'm in the rejection stage. And I think what I struggle with is like not rejecting myself first. So like let them reject you. But don't reject yourself before you even actually like present something you're proud of. And you had this kind of big rejection right before Mean Girls. And I feel like people will come for me if I don't touch on Mean Girls really quick. But in general, your career, it seems like you went through many of those experiences and then surprise you booked it. We kind of just touched on like you not getting psyched out and the power of rejection, then stepping into Mean Girls. And I love I heard you talk about how you like blacked Tina Fey out the first time you saw her sitting behind the table and you like couldn't look at her.

[32:05] Erika Henningsen: I don't remember her being there. Like how did you struggle with imposter syndrome at all? Like how did you kind of break into this big, iconic role with this amazing team? And yeah, succeed so beautifully?

[32:23] Erika Henningsen: A really good question. And I remember a teacher like a year into a college professor called me and was like, Can you believe it? He's like, like, why? How did you ever think that? Like, you know, like you're leading Mean Girls on Broadway with Casey Nichol and Tina Fey. He was like, what made you think you could do that? And I was like, I never. I was like, the audacity of that question didn't occur to me. I knew I...

[32:53] Robert Peterpaul: We're gonna pause shaking her. You're being loud. And we need a dog cameo.

[32:59] Erika Henningsen: Dog cameo doggy. Come here. Hi, baby girl. Oh, my God. She cries.

[33:07] Robert Peterpaul: My cats are under the door. Speaking of crazy. My cats are like, yeah, they're Mean Girls fans.

[33:20] Erika Henningsen: He asked that question. And I was like, yeah, at some point, I must have doubted if I could do it. But because it was a year into doing it. I was like, I don't remember that feeling. But I think like when I think back to auditioning, there are a couple things that come to mind. When I auditioned for the lab, I was so like desperate, like so desperate, because it had come off the heels of getting close to Frozen, Anastasia. And I think something else maybe it was just Anya and Ana.

[33:53] Robert Peterpaul: Which we all know now like you'd be you would kill so it's sort that's also speaks to like rejection. It's just not it doesn't say anything about your talent.

[34:01] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, not at all. Not at all. And every girl who was in the final callback room for all three of those shows, everybody would have crushed it. And you really maybe it was coming off of those rejections that like allowed me when I got rejected from the lab for Mean Girls. I had like two things. One was I had a best friend who was in a very different part of her career, but who let me like cry on her couch about it. And if you don't have friends who no matter where they are in their career, if they're quote unquote, further along or still getting off the ground, you need to be able to make space and have friendships that can support you in those moments of rejection, even if in the back of their mind, they're like, God, I would kill to be rejected by Casey Nichol and Tina Fey in a final callback. Like, yeah, my friend really held me and didn't ever say, Well, you're lucky you were in the room, and I will forever be for that. And that was like, the person I went to immediately after.

[35:05] Erika Henningsen: So I really had like, a strong support system where I could like grieve losing it like really grieve losing it. And then when it came back around, two things happened when it came back around. Like, my God reject. Like, I just remember like, the callous was built up. Yeah, I was I was also probably a little mad. Because I think somewhere in my body, I would never have been like this in the room. I was like, I'm going to prove to you that I'm your girl. And I and I could have been your girl the first time. But you needed to like work something out. And, and it wasn't even that I wanted to prove it to them. I was just like, I've known something in my heart. There's like something here for me. And now I get to go in, because you're questioning, and I'm going to take advantage of that. They had doubt and I was like, I will not doubt myself.

[36:02] Robert Peterpaul: And my dad has this like, which is why when you said you can't reject yourself before they do like my God, that is, I have another story about that. I have to tell you that I must tell you.

[36:14] Erika Henningsen: Okay, I already need to schedule like 20 more interviews with you because this is great. Okay, well, it's weird. Like you kind of get a retroactive thing because it's like my parents were not show parents. They did not blow smoke up my ass when I got into college. Like they were as shocked as I was like, there was no sort of like, you're going to be a star. But my dad always had this saying, which was leave no doubt, which is this quote from Remember the Titans, which is like, leave no doubt.

[36:41] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, it's a perfect movie.

[36:41] Erika Henningsen: And it's like, like, okay, honestly, honestly, the soundtrack is incredible for the movie. Yes, yes. But his thing was like, you may not be the person for the part, even if that's what is wasn't even what he was talking about. But he was like, leave no doubt that you deserve to be in that room. Be prepared, be kind. And don't question yourself for a second. He's like, because if you doubt that you're supposed to be there, then they're going to. And again, it's a really, it's a really beautiful thing for a parent to say to their kid, because it's not saying you're magnificent. It's saying leave no doubt about your work ethic and your skill.

[37:26] Erika Henningsen: And then just leave the room and then get out of it. Like, it's the best. Like, I really I hold that in with me because it takes the onus off of I have to prove something or I have they don't like me or like the negative intention, which is what they scream in acting class. They're like, have a positive intention. You're like, what does that mean? I'm not happy. And it's a positive, active intention. It's like it's so active. And I I just like love that somewhere that infiltrated my brain from my dad. And the thing that you said about like, don't count yourself out for they do the I mean, my Broadway debut doing Les Mis and I was initially brought in for Cosette and I was doing Diner out of Town.

I didn't get Cosette. But a week later, they were like, well, you come in for Fonteen. And I called a mentor and friend, Rachel Hoffman, who works at Telsey. And I was like, I don't think I'm going to get on a train to go like I'm not a Fonteen. Like, I don't want to spend my last Monday in D.C. when all the cast is going to be hanging out. And she was like, don't count yourself out before they do. She was like, they asked you to come audition. They think you could do it. They're not seeing you if they don't do it. And thank God she said that.

[38:46] Erika Henningsen: Yes. Like how I made such an important lesson. Yeah. Think about all the people you watch on stage that you're blown away by that. You're like, wait, actually, I wouldn't pay you to be this part when I read it, you know, where you watch a movie and it's that same feeling. And I love what you also said about Mean Girls in the sense of I'm sure it made it easier to not get lost in the imposter syndrome sauce when you feel like you have a family immediately. And it makes me wonder because you've talked so much about how it was so special. And I know you're feeling that again with Just In Time. I guess. Can you pinpoint? I know it's the people, but what kind of makes that a kindness first process? And how do you think we can have more of that? Because we all feel that when it's not there.

[39:20] Erika Henningsen: Oh, my God, you really do. And I've only had a couple of experiences where I haven't felt that. And I feel very lucky that for the most part, the experiences I've had have been like bathed in kindness and support. I love that. Yeah. One, I think it's the leadership. Tina Fey basically read the four agreements to our cast of Mean Girls on day one. I love that.

[40:23] Erika Henningsen: Don't be mean. Like, we were doing a show about Mean Girls, but it was like, if you have a problem, communicate it. Be impeccable with your word and your energy, but don't talk behind your hands to one another. And I think... I just thought of Wicked when you did the hand thing. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Like, it's so, it's so true. Like, oh God, that scene in Wicked where um, Elfie and Glinda dance. Oh, I know. Like, I just like, bawled my eyes out because it was so, like, to me, that is what kindness is. It's like supporting somebody's weird. Like, supporting somebody. Yeah. Supporting somebody's humanity in public. Like, I think there's a lot of people who, um, especially because what we do is such a public art form.

Like, we're always in rehearsals room and in rehearsal rooms in front of one another, and people are feeling insecure and scared. And like, you have to, like, hold people gently and allow that. Um... Well, and it came from the top down with Tina, you know, and that makes me wonder too, is there, I mean, from Mean Girls to Four Seasons, I'll squeeze in two as our time, like ticks away, but we're just in time. Let's be real. Do you feel like you witnessed any acts of kindness from her? I'm sure there were, and I hope there were many, but is there anything that stands out to you as someone we all look up to that you could share? Yes. Oh my God. I mean, the greatest, uh, the greatest act of kindness she's given me is treating me like an equal.

And what that's done is it's allowed me to see myself as somebody who could be in the same rooms that she is creating in. Um, to me, that is the biggest kindness that somebody of her stature could, could offer a young actor is like, there is such an equanimity. Is that the word I mean? Equanimity with how she treats... You're dropping good words. I love vocab words. You have a good lexicon. Yes. With how she treats everybody. Like, again, it's that thing of like, I'm sure, um, if there was a dinner table, like, I don't think Tina is one of those people who is aware of who has the most power or maybe she's aware of it, but she doesn't treat anybody differently. And I think that's like, I see that so often in this industry where people, uh, want to touch the money and they want to touch the, um, whatever is shiniest and most powerful.

And like you sense that, and that can only get you so far. I really believe like treating people equally is the kindest thing you could do for yourself and for the longevity of whatever you are pursuing. Like there is a selflessness to that and it comes back in dividends. And I like really, um, It does. It's science again. It's science. Yeah. It's just like what you put out, you get back. Um, I think so. So treating me like an equal is like the kindest thing she has ever done. Um, and treating everybody like an equal, like she, the person who does her hair on set every day is a person that she has known for years. And she treats that person, um, with like such love and tenderness the same way as she treats, you know, the number two on the call sheet.

So like, I am just very impressed by how much she wants to acknowledge everybody's humanity on set, no matter, uh, what job they're doing towards me specifically. Um, and especially in Mean Girls, there was actually, there's two moments with, and I always want to shout out Katie Nicola as well, because the two of them were like mother and father during that process. I mean, what epic parents I've heard so many amazing things about Casey too. And Tina gave me like bravery. Like if, um, if, if, if I was Dorothy, she gave me my, she like gave me my courage. She gave me my courage and, um, and Casey gave me, he had this moment where like, he could see I was crumbling and he took me off stage and was like, he just looked me in the eyes and he was like, you need a second.

I was like, I do. And I just like cried and he, we were not close to one another. Like I had just, it was like two months into working together. I didn't know him very well yet. And he just kind of like stood and let me cry because I was so overwhelmed. And then he just like put his hand on my shoulder and was like, take as much time as you need right now. And you need to promise me, you're going to take care of yourself. I don't know how you take care of yourself. He was like, because I don't know you, but he was like, but whatever that is, you must find it. You must protect it because you are more important than this. And like saying that in the middle of tech before we open in DC, he's like, we have no time.

I am going to take her off stage. Cause he knew worse than anything is for me to cry in front of my whole cast for me personally. And he just gave me like an okayness with vulnerability and an okayness to choose myself. Like to say you're being such a team player, but I need you to remember that you are the team captain and the team captain needs to honor. Like it comes from you. I think a lot of people don't realize when they're in the audience, when you're backstage, like you could get a cut, something traumatic happens backstage. Like your eyelashes are falling out. I don't even know what's going on, but you have this moment of like, put it on. Like, I don't care if this burns, like it's I'm going to get on stage.

And then you do the thing. You're like, I don't care what happens. I need this moment. And then afterwards it's like, Oh wait, but this is my body and me. And as someone who gives so much energy on stage and off, which I've heard you talk about too, learning to kind of like rest. I wonder, I saw this at just in time when me and Hey Laura, my best friend, Muppet Laura got to see you. And we talked after and you were so warm, so fun. Like we had a great chat and then you went and you greeted every single person at the stage door and you maintained that same energy I felt like. So talking about what Tina taught you, I feel like you're already paying that forward, whether you know it or not of treating everybody like an equal.

And you mentioned something to me about the Mean Girls fans in the stage door and how that's kind of linked with kindness for you. So I just wanted to like, hold space for that right now and see if there's anything you wanted to share there. What did I? Well, the kindness of the stage door, the stage door for me was like the stage door at Mean Girls in particular was kind of like a club hangout. Um, because there were, I mean, it's just so many young girls and just like, it was just so beautiful to see all of them just like show up with joy and be so unabashedly just happy about this thing, this theatrical experience. Um, one thing that, that I have learned, especially about stage door is I want you to continue your positive experience.

And I stage door when I know I can provide that. And I, I don't stage door if I don't think I can. And that's something that I've kind of learned where to me, that actually is a new version of kindness for others and kindness for myself, which is sometimes on a Saturday night when you're on show seven and you've got one more tomorrow, you're like the energy that these people deserve who are waiting outside that I want to give them. I don't have it. And kind of like I've had moments where I've met my heroes and if I caught them in a bad moment, which we all have, I would rather have not met them. Yeah. And I sometimes feel that I feel this responsibility of like, I want to give you, and I'm not saying like I put on a face, but I'm like, I want to give you the version of myself that I am proud of that I think you are excited to meet.

And that person doesn't always exist on a Saturday night after a show. Um, Oh my gosh. Yeah. After the long week. And then do you find too, as someone who walks into the room, which I always try to do, I'm like walk into room, leave it brighter and better than, you know, what it was before you came in there. Do you find it's hard to navigate that when you walk in and then someone just like pops your balloon and it deflates and they're not giving you that energy? Like, how do you navigate that with kindness? Especially if you're then going to be with that person for however many months or years. I mean, I feel like if I've done anything while it's like, I can like avoid what I call them human landmines, like with the vampires.

Yeah. Yes. I really can. And like, it's not even that I avoid them because I oftentimes, um, not in current situation, but have had to work with people where I'm like, Oh, you are, you're going to suck the joy out of the room. I know. Yeah. You're gonna like, I don't want, I don't want you to be the, the like anchor dragging our, our boat down. Um, yeah. Which happens in everybody in every job. I think it's a very relatable thing that we unfortunately have to navigate because yeah, it does part of life. It's part of life. And like, one thing I will say is like, I just, I think maybe I used to feel the need of making them not be like that. And I just realized like people who act that way want to be that way.

I don't know why they've decided that for them it's cooler, sexier to be blase or uninterested. And I just like, don't operate that way. And so, um, Oh, hi Kaya. And so I just, I don't know. I kind of, I, I, I tend to just like divert, like I tend to just like divert my attention elsewhere. Yeah. I think that's all you can kind of do. Cause it's hard not to take it personally. And then, you know, you can go down our whole journey with that. But I want to ask, I mentioned our friend Laura, who we saw just in time with had the best time just in time also is just in time. We need that right now in this world. It's given people such a good time. And I have a million questions about it that I, I won't ask, but I'll ask a question she wanted to know, which is that just in time, obviously it's about a famous figure mean girls was about an iconic movie.

We mentioned, remember the Titans, you know what she wanted to know what other iconic role, maybe from like growing up in our childhood, would you want to tackle in a musical? If there is one, I mean, for a really long time, I heard that a league of their own was going to be a musical. Um, and I just want, I just love, I like working with women. That's about a whole team of softball, women's softball league. So I would love to play kit to somebody's Gina Davis, Casey Levy, if she's available. Um, yeah. Oh, yeah. Oh, that's a good call. Yeah. So that's a character. Um, that's what I would want to do in a musical. Um, I'd love to do Joe March at some point if there's a little women. I mean, I know we've already done it, but I would just love a revival of that.

Um, I love that so much. She's incredible. Oh my God, the doggy. Yeah. I feel like that. And then I've always like, I actually like have a new, like, I was not an athlete growing up, but I like loved women. Like I, like I grew up during like the era of like Mia Hamm and like the women's 1998, um, soccer team and like all this net, like I was so inspired by those women. I would love to do a movie like about that soccer team and be one of the players on it, because I love being active Beckham. Yes, exactly. Like I've always wanted to do something in like a movie where I'm actually like playing an athlete and I get to do the sport while we're filming. Oh, I love that for you. Okay. Let's manifest that. And I mean, I know you also manifested on your bucket list, working with Jonathan Groff, who you mentioned at the top, you did say it to us too, after we saw you for the show, you're like,

[53:11] Robert Peterpaul: Erika, Jonathan is like this very sweet, like, gorilla, who is like, come over here, sit down, I made it nice. I'm here, I'm going to create a nice space for us. If you need me, I'm over here. Would you like to talk? Fantastic.

[53:41] Erika Henningsen: He is, his kindness is such a different color than mine. Mine is yellow. And Jonathan is like this deep blue, where it is so soothing. And it's why I think he's able to do the show he does and then host people for like an hour after in his dressing room.

[54:12] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah.

[54:13] Erika Henningsen: Because he creates like an aura that you feel comfortable in. And I think that comes from a comfort with himself of like not having to prove his gratitude that you're there, his desire to make a quick connection. He's just like, I am here.

[54:35] Robert Peterpaul: Easy.

[54:36] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, it is on the back of his, it's on the heels of his feet, as opposed to the balls. And I just like, it's so beautiful. And it's such a different energy, but it creates the same feeling of love and acceptance that I think when you do have a yellow type of kindness, you want to create. But I'm trying to learn that that version not only is necessary when you have a demanding job, but is equally as powerful.

[55:16] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, it's like the, there's like Glinda kindness and there's Elphaba kindness. It's like a quieter one and a bubblier one and they're both needed.

[55:39] Erika Henningsen: Exactly. That is exactly what it is. And we are Glinda's and the world needs Glinda's. But sometimes I wonder like...

[55:48] Robert Peterpaul: Do you want to be a Glinda?

[55:50] Erika Henningsen: Well, yeah, it's like, it's so clear. Like, it's so funny that what Glinda does is she becomes this sort of like face. She becomes a public figure. And Jonathan is not a, Jonathan's a well-known entity, but he is not a public figure. Like, he is not on Instagram. He is not, he does not stage door, but you feel his love and connection based just how he acts in private.

[56:16] Robert Peterpaul: And so like, I sometimes feel this thing of this tear between my public persona of whatever people attribute to me, wanting to ensure that my private persona is, if I were to disappear, that I can rely that my private persona could also be enough. That like, I don't have to...

[56:42] Erika Henningsen: It's so interesting, as you play Sandra Dee, because that's kind of, well, I guess she didn't really have control over her public figure, like you do. And like we do with social media, although we really don't have total control. It's like, she had that, people assume she was one thing. And then behind the scenes, as we learned just in time, she was something else.

[57:02] Robert Peterpaul: And that's a really interesting struggle and something, it's oddly relatable now because everyone's on social media. And so even if you're really famous, or if you have like 300 followers, it's kind of the same when you run into people. It's like, oh, I saw you were, you know, skiing. And it's like, yeah, that was the best time ever. But it's like, actually, there was family trauma on the trip, you know, so I think that's relatable. I know I gotta let you go, but I would love if we could play a surprise game really quick.

[57:28] Erika Henningsen: I love a game.

[57:29] Robert Peterpaul: Ding, ding, ding. Okay, yeah, I have a theme song that I'll insert here. It's super kooky. Okay, okay.

[57:34] Erika Henningsen: Everyone's beautiful in their own way. It's the Compliment Game on me. Yeah, okay. It's the Compliment. Compliment. Compliment Game.

[57:43] Robert Peterpaul: Bump.

[57:45] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, speaking of me being on like the front of my feet and needing to prove my love for everyone, my love for you is going to be proved with this game called the Compliment Game. Basically, Erica, I reached out to someone that you know, someone in your life. It's not Laura. Sorry, Laura, because I thought that would be obvious. And I asked for a genuine compliment about you. I'm gonna read it to you. And then you have to guess who said it.

[58:07] Erika Henningsen: Wait, this is like the most fun game ever.

[58:10] Robert Peterpaul: Thank you. I love playing it. And I don't always get to but this person got right back to me. And I think this is great. This is actually a first of its kind compliment because there is an image to go with it that I'm going to withhold because that'll give it away possibly.

[58:23] Erika Henningsen: Okay.

[58:24] Robert Peterpaul: Okay, I'm gonna read it to you. You can ask me yes or no questions.

[58:27] Erika Henningsen: Okay.

[58:28] Robert Peterpaul: I mean, what do I what do I know? But I'll try to answer. Okay, we'll say you get three guesses. People get really freaked out when there's no rules. Okay. Erica is my girl, my partner in crime. We joke we see each other more than we see our sweet angel husbands. One of my favorite things about her is her ferocity for life, while also being the kindest, most loving and supportive friend in the whole wide world. I watch how she pushes herself to strive for more the way she advocates for herself and those around her and her fervor for not wasting a minute of this life and it truly motivates me to do the same.

[59:07] Erika Henningsen: I'm going to withhold the end for now.

[59:09] Robert Peterpaul: Is it Christina Alvado?

[59:11] Erika Henningsen: Yes, it's Christina.

[59:13] Robert Peterpaul: Okay, someone hasn't gotten it on the first try in a long time. But that was a good compliment.

[59:20] Erika Henningsen: I think what was helpful was the first line I was like, that's Chris. Like, Erica is my girl. I was like that. And we do she is my like work wife and like social life like our husbands wish our husbands wish they were in my club.

[59:40] Robert Peterpaul: We're in our own club.

[59:42] Erika Henningsen: I love that.

[59:45] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, I heard she's so lovely. Oh, well, okay. I hope this makes it to because she said, also show her and your listeners this meme, which perfectly encapsulates.

[59:55] Erika Henningsen: Love you, Erica. I think it is. I've never shared anything on here before, but like no time to learn like when you're actually in an interview. Can I share it?

[1:00:06] Robert Peterpaul: Yeah, it is. Nobody can see it. That's listening. But it, it is the Barbie meme.

[1:00:11] Erika Henningsen: You sitting in the end, they look kind of deranged. They're like weird Barbie like keep making a weird Barbie. And they're staring at one and they're like both saying and pointing at the other girl. Exactly.

[1:00:22] Robert Peterpaul: Yes, it's giving like Cynthia. She's a really cool dancer. Yes, I dig it.

[1:00:27] Erika Henningsen: Christina is Tina. Thank you. Also like a beautiful like a totally different type of kindness like I really love I have I have some girlfriends in my life who are like, shout out to like my friend Chelsea growing who is truly like Glinda like really like making good in the world with like acts of kindness in communities that need it. I have like Christina is like a deep purple kindness that is like, Whoa, does she make space for like your big, big feelings. It's just, it's like so like what is like I don't think I have like any friends who are unkind, but like their kindness means something different to me.

[1:01:13] Robert Peterpaul: I love that. And I just like think that for people who are maybe like, Oh, I'm not super out like it's hard for me to be outgoing or hard for me to be out there and like putting myself out there. I'm like, there is a way to like share your love and warmth in in the, in other ways like the way that people like john. I just keep attributing colors to it. But like, I think that's beautiful. I'm like a sparkly kindness. It's kind of like round, but kindness that has meant the most me is from some of my girlfriends that is like a totally different like quiet, deep kindness for what I'm going through that like, nobody knows about except me and that like, it's just great.

[1:01:58] Erika Henningsen: We all need other colors. We need opposite colors. So we can make a new color together. No, but I think that's the only reason tension comes into play is when there's like you don't understand someone else's kindness, because like being excited and wild and talkative might actually like offend somebody who was very reserved, you know, so it's really interesting to hear you say that and I know I got to let you go. I would love if we could just end our time together, Erica, by you sharing a tangible kindness tip. So something you would like for everybody out there to do on their own corner of the world to try and make it a little bit kinder in these times.

[1:02:33] Erika Henningsen: My God, it's so small, but help people on the subways. And in tiny ways, like when somebody has more bags than you do, let them sit. When people are trying to get when you're trying to get on, let the other people get off. If you don't like giving money out. I always carry some granola bars in my bag. Like, yes, this is maybe more for New Yorkers. Subway to me is where we have the chance to be our worst versions of ourselves or in small ways, the best versions of ourselves and help moms when they have strollers, carry them down the stairs. Like, it's so small. I think we get on the subway and we tune out and we look at our phones and we put our headphones in every single person in every subway car. Somebody needs help in some way.

[1:03:25] Robert Peterpaul: That's so beautiful.

[1:03:56] Erika Henningsen: Flip on the pole with the flippers.

[1:03:58] Robert Peterpaul: Let him do it.

[1:04:00] Erika Henningsen: Let him do it.

[1:04:02] Robert Peterpaul: And applaud after. And then you can put your headphones back in. Like, it's so simple. Just do it. Make the subway better.

[1:04:10] Erika Henningsen: I love that. And it'll make you feel better, too. There's a campaign here. My friend was actually just like on a serious note, accosted on the subway. And the only reason which happens all the time. The only reason she got through it is because of like the glances, the people coming up to her, the other people that were kind and aware. So I think that's a really great point is be kind on the subway.

[1:04:30] Robert Peterpaul: And now that you've given a tip for everybody. Wait, this is so random, but I'm going to the Heather's opening Monday. And it made me think, what would Katie Heron advise Veronica Sawyer? Because I feel like they're in similar boats. I'm sorry. This is a random question.

[1:04:44] Erika Henningsen: I'm so jealous you're going to Heather's opening. I want to go.

[1:04:47] Robert Peterpaul: Come. Oh, my gosh, you can come.

[1:04:49] Erika Henningsen: What would my advice?

[1:04:51] Robert Peterpaul: Oh, God, I don't know Heather's as well. Wait, which went to Veronica? Is that the part that Barrett Wilbur Reed played?

[1:04:56] Erika Henningsen: Yeah, she's like the Katie.

[1:04:59] Robert Peterpaul: Basically, kind of.

[1:05:01] Erika Henningsen: Um, what would my advice to her be?

[1:05:04] Robert Peterpaul: Stick with the person who likes the weird things that you like. Like, I forget because isn't something bad happens at the end?

[1:05:13] Erika Henningsen: Um, so like, do bad things. But like, I would say that to kids where I'm like, even if you find one person who likes the weird game you like, or the weird TV show, like, stick with that person. I feel like we try to homogenize ourselves and our interests to fit in and to have more friends.

[1:05:32] Robert Peterpaul: And it's just like, I'm so happy that I stuck with theater. And because I just made all my friends there. And like, it wasn't, it wasn't not the cool thing to do. It was just sort of like, I got you. I was kind of the only girl in my friend group who did it. And then I made my actual friends when I stuck with it.

[1:05:54] Erika Henningsen: It's hard to own what you love. But once you do, yeah, you'll find the people that love it, too. And I thank you for doing that. And for being you, Erica, and for bringing your beautiful glittery yellow kindness to the world and the industry. You make everyone feel like they're your people. And we need more of that. So thank you for being here.

[1:06:10] Erika Henningsen: Thank you so much. And sorry, my dog is like staring creepily at my shoulder.

[1:06:14] Robert Peterpaul: I'm like, hey.

[1:06:17] Robert Peterpaul: Until next time, remember, everything is gonna be a-okay.