The Wayward Podcast Episode 22 review: Wayward People from the Past

This episode of The Wayward Podcast was a little different than the others. While there were some questions pondered, most of the show was a tribute to say thank you or um, not, to a few people from the past.

Our opening point from this episode of The Wayward Podcast was that “it’s never too late.” We all know that’s a saying, and it keeps us going, that’s for sure. But we also see as we get older that it’s not always realistic. While it’s always OK to go back and correct something, or show appreciation, sometimes too much time passes to alter it. At the same time, sometimes that passing of time is exactly what we need.

Kim also brought up the basic idea when she said that we don’t have to wait to say thank you. Oscar speeches are a great time, but it’s OK to say it now! But sometimes we don’t know what we should be saying or doing, and that’s OK, too! Kim said she feared a lot of her speech would be taken up with apologies.

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Sometimes it’s not until much later that we see things for what they really were, and that’s just part of life. That’s where “it’s never too late” comes in. In those cases, we should certainly reach out if we can. Not only is it good for us, but it’s good for them, too.

Looking back, sometimes there are people we really wish we had thanked, enjoyed more, or that we could just forget entirely. In Episode 22, we heard a little of all of that, and we got to think some about who we might like to add to our own lists of people we maybe should’ve said something or another to.

As always, this review is packed with spoilers, so if you haven’t yet listened to “Wayward People from the Past,” I suggest heading over and giving it a few minutes before you continue. As always, if you need or want assistance enjoying The Wayward Podcast, you can look for the link at the end of this story to transcribed and translated episodes.

When you’re ready, let’s head on through and have a look at what Briana and Kim thought about the wayward people from their pasts and just how important they really are.

Thanks for the memories

The first point on The Wayward Podcast this episode was about saying thank you, and how it’s never too late. But like I said above, sometimes it is too late. I learned this all too sadly and I always like to encourage truth today.

Both Briana and Kim had lovely words and thoughts for former instructors in their path through acting. Briana talked about a high school teacher that could see her passion from the start. She was so glad he gave her the advice he did.

He said she would want to quit, maybe a lot, but she should keep on going. She has kept that in her head through all of these years. Having that person who could see her passion and potential was instrumental in the way she trudged through those days when she did, in fact, feel like stopping. “Just keep going,” stayed with her and was much needed.

Briana also talked about a group of girls she acted within a performance of Grease back when they were around 16 years old, (not the time she played Betty Rizzo, though). She is still in touch with a few of them but said that she always thinks of them.

https://twitter.com/officialbrianab/status/834972352551120896

They made a pact to thank each other when one of them won an award one day. The joy and excitement they all shared left a seared joy on her heart ever since. But as it turns out, the ladies have come to realize an award is not the true measure of accomplishment.

While it’s always nice and neither of them is trying to turn one down or anything, they still feel like they’re doing swell. And Briana added that you just never know what is going to impress on you as time goes by. Sometimes it’s not until you look back on them, that you realize who was there for you, who supported you when you were “just a girl living on a chicken farm.”

Another memory she had of that same teacher was that he had such a disregard for the importance of High School Grad (prom in the U.S.). He said that although it seemed so critical, and they were sure allowed to give it such regard, it was merely a blip in life. He knew one day they’d realize that and now she knows what he meant that day.

Kim also had fond memories of a certain mentor from her time at The Wilma Theater. Blanka Zizka wasn’t just enjoyed by Kim, but by many. And to be honest, I could totally listen to her speak all day long with her soothing accent, voice, and wise words.

This speech she gave when accepting The Vilcek Prize in 2016 really reminded me of Rachel Miner’s statements on The Wayward Podcast. She has said more than once how acting has always given her a way to experience other characters and to portray them with that understanding.

This acceptance speech mentioned a lot of that concept, how the actors in a production become a tribe and experience the show together as a reality. “It’s not a job, it’s a calling,” she said. “Art is not a product.” I can certainly see why this woman is being awarded, she has the truest of passions.

Kim was guided by her when it came time to play a comedic character. Kim was worried because she said she was not a comedian, she didn’t know if she could do comedy. Mrs. Zizka told her, “You don’t do comedy, you act.” (You should hear this in Kim’s accented version of speaking like Zizka).

Briana agreed with her in that. She said that not every comedian can act, but every actress should be able to do comedy. Kim and Briana both had great regard for teachers from their pasts. Another one that impressed on Kim was Mr. Rogers. Yes, that’s right. Her teacher from high school who started a creative writing group after school.

Kim was having her day as an outspoken teen who wanted all adults to know what she thought of them when this guy saw right through her. He knew she needed an outlet. He saw that she wasn’t a wacky, crazy person, but a young girl with passion.

Thanks for nothing

“Hello? Yes, it’s me, Bonnie. I just wanted to call and let you know that I did a wayward thing, and I am super, and you had nothing to do with it. Also, you were wrong. OK, thanks for nothing, have a nice day, bye.”

I think we all have at least one name we could put on that list of people we’d potentially give that speech to. One day, we think, “oh, I am here despite so and so.” Sometimes we might look them up on Facebook and see what became of them. Sometimes we want to say that speech up there, but sometimes it just doesn’t matter anymore.

Briana said that she works actively not to let past pain rule her life today. At this point, she tries to confront pain at the time so she doesn’t have to go back to it later, as she has through her life at other times. In regards to those who have already hurt her or caused her strife, she feels she has gotten good at forgiving.

But Kim points out that forgiving is not forgetting. Briana is in full agreement in that, while she’s no longer feeling active anger or pain about past things, she still wouldn’t want to have a nice, fun lunch with that person who previously betrayed her. One exception was if she was going for the purpose of talking through stuff. She’s always up for a constructive confrontation.

Kim brought up a story she has from her past. There was a director who she did not want to name. But she was speaking to him directly. After she experienced a traumatizing and inappropriate situation at his hands while she was still young, she warned him. “Don’t.” She wanted him to know that she knew now that what he did was terrible.

At the time, she was afraid to say anything. He walked away laughing after she firmly refused to participate in his ideas. She didn’t want to lose her job, but she knew that wasn’t OK. She did what so many do, and kept quiet. She says that even though we forgive, it doesn’t mean that we can’t still draw that line as a boundary.

“Never again,” she said. She’ll never work with him, she won’t burn his house down, but he will never get away with that again. And no one will when it comes to her. Sometimes all we can take from something bad is a lesson. Forgive, but don’t forget, so no one can do that to you again. It’s looking back that gives us a fresh perspective we need to fully understand our lessons, sometimes.

This is where Kim talked about the super friend she had. She loved him and didn’t know. While it isn’t something she can change now, she has realized it and holds high regard for that time she had with him.

Love, actually

Kim pointed out that sometimes you don’t even know that there’s something to be said. She talked about a guy friend she had when she was younger. She loved hanging out with him and thought he was a great, wayward, superfriend.

It was only looking back with her adult eyes that Kim realized she “deeply loved him.” I really enjoyed what she explained about this. She talked about how when we are young, we attach so many ideals, details, expectations to the concept of love.

So many expectations and assumptions that we often disregard something of high value because we are looking in another direction inadvertently. Once we shave away all the intricacies of what Disney and the world tells us is to be included in “true love,” we can see that only our soul is the true judge.

As The Wayward Podcast says, it’s never too late. It’s never too late to go back and think, to remember and honor those from our pasts who we have loved, adored, and appreciated. It’s never too late to realize that we have had an immense support system and have been so fortunate, even in our darkest times.

It’s never too late to be that person to someone new and remind them of what you didn’t remember when you were their age or stage. If you remember that life is short and precious and we are all in it together, you can strive to live in today, where you are.

If only we could go back and tell our younger selves all the things we’d see later on. I try to do this with my kids. I give them the freedom to experience the seriousness of their feelings at the moment. That one phrase we all despised “you’re too young to know what love is,” will never cross my lips.

I know that every breakup is more shattering than the one before. Every party you don’t get invited to is a testament to how your life will end up. And as Rachel Miner pointed out in “Wayward Happiness,” at that age, a zit is the end of the world. But I also remind them when the time comes, as Briana learned in high school as well, “it’s just a blip.”

Every joy we can give is a blessing to all involved. So if you love someone, tell them. If you are grateful to someone, tell them. It’s never too late. But sometimes it is. Carry on my wayward loves, I appreciate you!

Did this episode make you think of someone from your past? Is it someone you want to say “thanks” to, or “thanks for nothing?” Let us know in the comments below, or send us a tweet!

New and archived episodes of The Wayward Podcast are free and downloadable on Podbean! If you want or need transcribed or translated versions of the show, you can find them here!