Forever35 – Episode 391: “Just Try Stuff” with Charlene Kaye

Hosts: Doree Shafrir & Elise Hu
Guest: Charlene Kaye
Release Date: March 2, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on creativity, self-care, and the importance of trying new things—whether it’s a new creative outlet or a personal wellness practice. Musician, comedian, and viral musical satirist Charlene Kaye joins the Forever35 hosts for a rich, funny, and candid conversation about her multifaceted career, her journey into viral musical comedy, embracing vulnerability and imperfection (even in the public eye), and navigating both creativity and self-care as an adult.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Self-Care Practices

• ASMR for Nervous System Reset
  • [10:48] Charlene’s nightly self-care routine is watching ASMR videos, especially those with a “caring friend” vibe. It helps her feel calm and cared for, almost tricking her brain into feeling supported.
    • Quote: "It really resets my nervous system to have someone just speak to me…like tricks my brain into having some sort of caring friend that's like everything's going to be okay." — Charlene K., [10:48]
  • The hosts share thoughts on the spread and personalization of ASMR, including Elise’s daughter using slime ASMR videos for self-soothing.
  • The group discusses different ASMR "triggers" and joke about testing various video types to find personal favorites.

2. Charlene’s Creative Journey

• Multi-hyphenate Artist Origins
  • [15:30] Charlene introduces herself: musician, comedian, dancer, and teacher. Grew up in Hawaii, lived globally, started with classical music as a child, discovered guitar through her sister, and moved to NYC to pursue a music career.
  • Currently performs as herself and in new projects: King Mei Mei (new band), “Tiger Daughter” (her show about family), and “Diversity Shredder.”
  • Gave a TED Talk (with thanks to Elise for the encouragement) and bonded with Elise over Korean beauty and their mutual fangirling.
    • Quote: "I just respect you so much, and your brain is a beautiful thing, and it's just an honor to be in your orbit." — Charlene K., [16:43]

3. Viral Musical Comedy & Deconstructing Pop Music

• Going Viral Analyzing Artists’ Styles

  • [18:23] Charlene describes how her deep love and knowledge of music theory and pop tropes led to her viral videos (e.g., “Every Taylor Swift Song”), breaking down how famous artists craft their hits.
  • She combines music and comedy by highlighting patterns, including chord progressions and stylistic quirks, making this analysis accessible and funny for both musicians and regular listeners.

• Origins of the Talent

  • [18:34] She explains learning guitar from her sister (and sibling rivalry), preference for learning music by ear, and her analytical approach stemming from her experiences as both a sideman and songwriter.
    • Quote: "I've always loved pop music ... and it was really easy for me to learn something by ear, which is probably why I understand music in the way that I do." — Charlene K., [21:39]

• The Secret of the Taylor Swift Bridge

  • [22:11] Charlene analyzes why Taylor Swift bridges are so powerful—using musical structure to create emotional high points and connect listeners on a personal and universal level.
    • Quote: "The thing about Taylor Swift's bridges is that they heighten the song almost 100% of the time…they make you just want to run through a field." — Charlene K., [23:20]

4. Reactions from Celebrity Subjects

• Praise & Pushback

  • [25:02] Most artists (e.g., Chapel Roan, Ed Sheeran) have loved Charlene’s parodies, often publicly commenting with supportive words.
    • "Ed Sheeran commented…'pretty much. This is the formula.'" — Charlene K., [25:24]
  • [26:42] Discusses her recent spoof of a Machine Gun Kelly guitar solo that went viral—including the downside: MGK directly messaged her, upset that he saw it as “hating.”
    • Quote: "He messaged me…'Why are you using your platform to hate on me? ... This was one of the hardest mental health days of my life.'" — Charlene K., [26:42]

• On Public Mistakes, Internet Culture, and Empathy

  • The hosts and Charlene unpack public “fail” moments (like Nick Jonas or Ashlee Simpson live flubs) and debate the line between humor, criticism, and empathy—especially for famous people.
    • Elise’s advice: "There is something to delighting and celebrating when we fuck up…it makes us human. Is there a way to hold up another person's error in a way that isn't punching down?" — Elise Hu, [27:43]
  • Charlene hopes stars learn to join in on the joke, referencing Hilary Duff embracing a meme of herself as a positive example.

5. Creative Sisterhood & Gender in Music

• Women-Fronted Tribute Bands & Representation
  • [31:23] Charlene shares what it’s like to perform in all-woman bands like Labiahead (Radiohead tribute) and Guns and Hoses—a healing, empowering experience after feeling isolated as a woman guitarist for years.
    • Quote: "It just is very healing to my inner child because I never had any girl friends who could play guitar back then... It feels like a real sisterhood that I never had when I was growing up." — Charlene K., [33:01]

6. Advice for Aspiring Creatives

• Persistence & Permission to Be Bad

  • [34:34] Charlene advises:
    • Try things even if you’re bad at first—persistence matters more than immediate success
    • Don’t compare your worth to external validation or social standards
    • Mimic what you love as a way to find your own voice (she did countless covers before creating original viral content)
    • Keep learning—her own journey includes learning comedy and dance as an adult
    • Quote: "You just have to allow yourself to be bad for a while…If you just make one little tap every day, pretty soon that wall is going to crumble between you and whatever you're looking for." — Charlene K., [34:34]

• “Just Try Stuff” Mantra

  • She began dancing at 30 and learned K-pop choreography during the pandemic through online communities, reiterating to listeners that age and ability shouldn’t hold you back.
    • "Just try stuff, and if you mess up, that's for you, Machine Gun Kelly." — Charlene K., [38:31]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Hang on, I’m self soothing with my ASMR.” — Elise’s 10-year-old daughter, [11:33]
• “The verses are for you. The choruses are for everyone else.” — Charlene K., [23:20]
• “We bond because we understand and appreciate music in this same sort of humorous, analytical way.” — Charlene K., [20:37]
• “I think about a songwriter like Max Martin and all that pop I imbibed in the 90s…” — Charlene K., [23:03]
• “Being an artist means the learning never stops.” — Charlene K., [37:32]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 10:48 — Charlene’s self-care routine: ASMR and finding your personal triggers
• 15:30 — Charlene’s background, path to becoming a multi-hyphenate
• 18:34 — Origin story: learning guitar, sibling rivalry, and music by ear
• 22:11 — Breaking down the Taylor Swift bridge and pop music structure
• 25:02 — Feedback from the famous: artists respond to viral parodies
• 26:42 — Machine Gun Kelly pushback: ethics of online humor and mental health
• 31:23 — Playing in all-women tribute bands and the empowerment of female musical community
• 34:34 — Advice for creative late bloomers and the mantra: “Just try stuff”
• 38:31 — Social media handles, closing questions, and whimsical jewelry discussions

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is lively, compassionate, and humor-infused, full of mutual admiration and a sense of camaraderie. The hosts and guest blend thoughtfulness with playful, “let’s not take ourselves too seriously” energy—perfectly embodying the episode’s encouragement for listeners to try new things, accept imperfection, and celebrate both the sublime and the cringe.

Summary Takeaways

• Find what soothes or excites you—don’t judge your path by others’ standards.
• Being creative means being persistent and okay with imperfection.
• Supportive communities—especially among women—can be transformative.
• Even viral success comes with nuance: consider empathy and mutual respect in public criticism.
• There’s no age limit to trying new things or learning new skills: just try stuff.

For more from Charlene:

• Find her on Instagram: @charlenekaye
• See her live in Labiahead or catch her shows “Tiger Daughter” and “Diversity Shredder.”
• Discover more Forever35: forever35podcast.com and on Instagram @forever35podcast