Main Character Energy

It’s time to get in the game for MCE Book Club with Kayla Meyers! Krista’s author sister is back to educate Krista and Gabby on what it takes to write the ultimate main character. We get into modern millennial writers and why smut novels are inspiring the next wave of self-discovery. From driving fast to being trapped in Roller Coaster Tycoon, we celebrate the millennial main character experience. Cue the montage!

Krista’s sister Kayla joins the show. In part one, we dissect the main character energy and point of view and American historical … influencers?

Gabby and Krista welcome their friend Armando, who works in community engagement in local government. They discuss balancing work and life, the quirks and challenges of tall people's lives, and the importance of staying grounded outside of work.

This was supposed to be a mini-episode. It is not. There are tangents.

This episode's Main Character is Steve Genett, gamer, birdwatcher, and adult ADHD therapist.

Charlotte comedian Don Garrett joins Krista and Gabby.

Tall people have MCE, and we're working to find out why with Queen City Podcast owner and insanely tall person Brian Baltosiewich.

This week, we’re talking about how main character energy can drive real change with Victim Advocate and Certified Trauma Support Specialist, Lauren Weingarten. After over a decade working behind the scenes in film and TV, Lauren turned her own MeToo story into a mission to support survivors and spark conversations online that matter. We dive into how social media can be a tool for healing and how reclaiming your own narrative (even with trauma as part of it) can help shape what comes next. We also chat about what it’s actually like working in entertainment, why RoboCop deserves more cultural clout, our official stance on Meredith Blake from The Parent Trap, and why Lauren’s dog Donut is the true breakout star of this episode. We discuss sexual violence, emotional abuse, and trauma. Please take care while listening. Learn more at mtmvsupport.com and follow Lauren @mtmvcommunity.

Hey Carrie, sit down and listen up! We're getting extra sketchy this week with comedy writer, Studio C cast member, and all-around main character Kiri Case. From writing scene-stealing leads to being part of an ensemble both on the screen and in the writer's room, Kiri unpacks how crafting (and playing) main characters has shaped her perspective on identity, collaboration, and comedy writing. As a cast member, author, American Ninja Warrior (yep), wife, and yappin' teacher, Kiri shows us what it really means to show up in any role in life, whether you're main, side, or supporting. Gabby and Krista also continue their quest to Maine, dive deep into the ethics of wearing college sweatshirts, and casually create an earthquake response plan. Comedy writers, am I right? Follow Kiri on IG @thekiriouscase, watch her sketches on @studioctv, and grab her novel "The Hollywood Dropout" on Amazon!

You come at the King, you best not miss. This week’s main character of the pod is none other than the King of Queen City Comedy himself, Cale Evans. Call-e Baby helps us unpack main character energy through the lens of improv comedy, where the whole point is to share the spotlight. So … is MCE even a thing in improv? Does thinking you're funny actually matter? Are Krista and Gabby funny? Does anything matter? Cale disrespects the entire MCE staff (yes, that includes the hosts), drops cold hard truths like “nobody cares about your dreams, your dog, or your body temperature." We also get into the MCE of Swifties, Cybertrucks, Tom from MySpace, and why you should absolutely care whether Cale made eye contact with you while getting a soda. No one is safe this episode. Not even Krista’s dog, Sully. Follow Cale on Instagram at @QueenCityComedy and stay up to date with QCC shows at queencitycomedy.com!

Are you actually booked and blessed? Probably not as much as our main character of the week: Danielle Renee Houston! She’s a film and stage actor (and Gabby’s coworker) who knows a thing or two about balancing main character energy on set. Whether she’s the lead or standing in for Angela freaking Bassett, Danielle breaks down what it’s like to literally own your MCE at work without letting life turn you into an unhinged main character. She’s hilarious, insightful, a mermaid?! We get into how MCE shows up in her career, how she keeps perspective in an industry that thrives on the spotlight, and why embracing your main character moment doesn’t mean losing yourself in the role. Catch Danielle on Instagram @daniella__enchanted, and don’t forget to check out her show with Gabby!

When does main character energy first take hold? This week, we’re getting dramatic (in the best way) with the queen of D&D therapy, Katie Lear! A theater school dropout turned counselor, Katie uses theater and video games to help kids with anxiety—and she’s here to break down the intersection of anxiety and MCE, from its chaotic adolescent origins to its inevitable evolution into semi-functioning non-playable character status. Katie’s theater kid energy is contagious, pulling both Gabby and Krista straight back into their own dramatic pasts. We talk video games, social anxiety, and the exact moment adulting kicks us out of baseline juvenile MCE. Oh, and in true MCE fashion, Katie might just have a business idea about a business idea about a business idea (but you have to act now)! Follow Katie @katielearcounselor, learn more about her work at katielear.com, and check out Young Dragonslayers at youngdragonslayers.com!

It’s time to get shame-less with Psychotherapist, Founder, Speaker, fellow podcaster & Author Kim Honeycutt! Her story is all about turning up your main character energy and living your authentic truth. After years of working in secular facilities, Kim wanted to be more open about her life as a Christ-centered, recovered alcoholic. She shares how she stepped into her main character energy as a member of the queer community within religious spaces and how you can break free from toxic love, people-pleasing, and self-abuse. No matter where you fall on the religious spectrum, this conversation is an eye-opener. It’s about love over shame, healing over fear, and stepping fully into who you are. Kimmy Kim drops knowledge all episode long and we also debate whether Jack Daniels is kind of a babe (spoiler: definitely hotter than Kevin James). Follow Kim at @kbhoneycutt, listen to her podcast Flip Your Lid, and grab her book "But Your Mother Loves You: How to Overcome the Cycle of Toxic Love and Live Your Life Without Shame" and discover more about icuTalks and view resources to icuTalks.org. This episode discusses addiction, physical and emotional abuse, suicide, and other sensitive topics. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available: 📞 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Dial 988 📞 SAMHSA Helpline (Substance Use & Mental Health): 1-800-662-HELP (4357) 📞 Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 🌐 Find a therapist: PsychologyToday.com

Krista and Gabby debate the merits (and the genre) of High School Musical; Gaby had a curious crush; GUEST: actress/comedian Skylar Schock (She Had It Coming)

Krista's friend Danielle Clark, a licensed mental health professional, discusses Main Character Energy, and being gaslit over a traffic cone.

We’re all the main character in our own story. Our lives are an elegant blend between being the protagonist in our own story, a side character in someone else’s, or even as a part of an ensemble cast. Sometimes we’re even a side character in our own lives! But what if you see yourself as the main character in every aspect? Main character energy is defined as a person that unintentionally lives, breathes, and is like the protagonist in a story or series.