← Mick Unplugged
Loading summary
Transcript117 lines
- [00:01]
Progressive Commercial Insurance Announcer
This episode is brought to you by Progressive Commercial Insurance. As a business owner, you take a lot of roles, marketer, bookkeeper, CEO. But when it comes to small business insurance, Progressive has you covered. They offer discounts on commercial auto insurance, customizable coverages that can grow with your business, and reliable protection for whatever comes your way. Count on Progressive to handle your insurance while you do well. Everything else Quote Today, in as little as 8 minutes, @progressivecommercial.com, progressive Casualty Insurance Company. Coverage provided and serviced by affiliated and third party insurers. Discounts and coverage selections not available in all states or situations.
- [00:30]
Mick Hunt
If the climate headlines ever feel overwhelming, I want to share something different. It's called Planet Visionaries, hosted by Alex Honnold. You probably know him from Free Solo where he climbed El Capitan without ropes. Now he's focused on the biggest challenge of protecting the only planet we've got. What makes this show stand out is its perspective. It's not about fear, it's about. It's about solutions. Every episode is rooted in hope, progress and real people doing meaningful work around the world. Alex talks with scientists, explorers, activists and storytellers like Mark Ruffalo, wildlife photographer Bertie Gregory, and conservation leaders who prove optimism isn't naive, it's a strategy. Upcoming episodes span the globe, from protecting our oceans to reimagining food systems and climate justice, all told through deeply human stories that inspire action. In partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, this is Planet Visionaries. Listen or watch on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you're listening to this podcast. All right, so you all know that Carla Hall, Top Chef legend, Food Network legend, the judge of judges. But what you don't know and what you're going to hear in this conversation is how powerful she is with emotional intelligence of mental health. We talk about just that. We talk about her journey. We talk about some really cool things that she has going on. So make sure you go to the end because I'm going to give 10 of you that are watching or listening the opportunity to join me and Robert Irvine at Carla Hall's one woman show later this summer. I am truly honored to bring you, my good friend, Chef Carla Hall. You're listening to Mick Unplugged, hosted by the one and only Mick Hunt. This is where purpose meets power and stories spark transformation. Mick takes you beyond the motivation and into meaning, helping you discover your because and becoming unstoppable. I'm Rudy Rush, and trust me, you're in the right place. Let's get unplugged Chef, how you doing today, Mickey?
- [02:41]
Carla Hall
Mick, how you doing? I am great. Thank you for having me.
- [02:46]
Mick Hunt
I'm honored. I'm truly honored. You know, I was telling you before, my son, 25 years old, football coach, football guy. Just in general, he's. He would be considered a guy's guy.
- [02:59]
Carla Hall
Right.
- [03:00]
Mick Hunt
A man's man. But five years ago, he started baking and really got into baking and the technical aspect, because, as you know, like, for me, I can cook.
- [03:10]
Carla Hall
Right?
- [03:11]
Mick Hunt
Right. But I don't need to measure anything. I can just eyeball it. I can taste test and, like. Yep, it's good. You know? Know grandma taught me how to do all that. Baking is a skill. Baking is precision.
- [03:21]
Carla Hall
Yeah. It's science.
- [03:22]
Mick Hunt
So for him, my son, who also may have a little adhd, too, right. For him to take baking on and. And not just take it on, but say, dad, I want to do everything that Carla hall does.
- [03:35]
Carla Hall
I was like, what?
- [03:36]
Mick Hunt
Because we've been watching you for years, since he was, like, knee high. You are his inspiration in the kitchen, and I owe you so much because it rounds him out, it relaxes him. You know, he's got a tough day at work coaching kids and teaching kids. He's like, I want to go in the kitchen. And. And here's what I think draws him to you, because you said it to me offline. You're a teacher. He's a teacher. You have that connection.
- [04:04]
Carla Hall
So, dude, why are you gonna have me cry at first thing? I mean, wow, that. That means the world to me. It really does. And I'm going to tell you, I have a baking book coming out at the end of the year, so in September. So your son's going to be getting one of the first ones off the press. So I just want you to reach back out to make sure that I get him a signed copy.
- [04:27]
Mick Hunt
Jay, you heard that? Carla's got you covered, but absolutely. Absolutely. Carla, again, I'm honored. I always ask my guests this question, and for you, you're probably gonna make me cry when you reveal your answer to this, because I know the heart that you have. I always ask my guests, what's your because that mission that you have, that thing that's deeper than your why? And, Carla, I know, like, I always feel like I connect with you when I see you on tv. What is your because? Why do you continue to do what you do? What's that purpose behind Carla Hall?
- [05:00]
Carla Hall
You know, I tell people I. I really love people. Like, I. I don't pretend to like people. Like, I really like people I am the person who will be in a line at a restaurant in the airport, and there's a person behind me, and they're a singlet. I'm a singlet. I'm like, hey, do you want to eat? Do you want to eat with me? Because I. I am curious, and I just really like people, and I think that we don't know each other. And it is my joy to break down walls, to even, like, a person who is unhoused. And if they ask, like, you know, can I have some money? I may be like, no, thank you. I don't choose to participate in giving you money, but I will look at you in the eyes and see you as a human. Like, I really like people, and I love connecting with people.
- [05:57]
Mick Hunt
You totally do. And it comes across on the screen. It comes across off screen. You know, I told you Robert Irvine is my best friend in the world, right? And you're the polar opposite, but the same, right? Like, Robert's gonna break you down, but then he's gonna give you the love and all the support that you need. And everybody knows that, right? Like, he has the biggest heart in the world, but he wants to get through to you in his way. And Carla's like that mama bear, right? Like, when you see Carla, she's like, all right, I know this is tough, but you've got it. Come on, you can do this. And you just have that encouragement. Where did that come from?
- [06:35]
Carla Hall
My grandmother. My grandmother said, it is your job to be happy, not to be rich. Also, I have this motto. Say yes. Adventure follows, then growth. So that paired with everything happens for a reason. When I am judging, when I am encouraging folks on my team, I don't want to break them. I want to encourage them. I know you can do it, but I will also be honest with you. And I think sometimes people think, well, how do you deliver bad news? I'm like, I don't deliver bad news. I deliver constructive news because I really believe in that person. And I believe that when you allow them, because they've already said yes, and you help them through the adventure, the hard part, I know that when they get to the other side of that, they're going to be amazing, and they're going to be like, wow, I did that. And they're going to say yes to another hard thing, and I am a part of that journey. And my grandmother did that for me. My mom did that for me. My dad did that for me. You know, when somebody believes in you, you. You're like, okay. They believe in me. I can do it. And I'm sure your son in coaching, he's like that, too, you know.
- [07:52]
Mick Hunt
Yeah.
- [07:53]
Carla Hall
The first. The first time somebody hits the. The. What is it? The thing, the field. I am not a sports person. What's the little box? The little rectangular thing with the lines? You know, it's hard. You know, you're like, God ran track. You know, you step on the field, you step on a track, and it's hard when you first. When you first do it and then you get to the end of the season, you're like, wow. Oh, my gosh. I can't believe my progress. I mean, that's life every day, right?
- [08:23]
Mick Hunt
It is. It is. So when did the culinary journey start for you?
- [08:28]
Carla Hall
Dude? I fell into this. When I tell you, it was like a hole in the ground. So I. I was an accountant. I wanted to be in theater. I didn't get into the school. Boston University. Well, they were going to defer my admission, so I'm like, well, I'm not going to go there. So my sister was going to Howard, and I said, okay, I'll go to Howard. And I was so rejected by theater that I didn't even. I didn't. I said, I'm not even going to go to Howard to do theater. I like my accounting teacher in high school, so I majored in accounting. And, you know, and. And then my. My whole thing is I. I'll major in something. I'm like, okay, what is the pinnacle? What. What. What is the goal? They're like, okay, big eight accounting firm. Okay. You know, cpa. I'm like, okay, I'll do that. So. But then I. I did the things. I took the test. I'm like, oh, my gosh, I hate this. And so I quit. I started modeling, and I went to Paris, as one would do. You quit your job, you go to Paris, you know, you don't have any money, you know, back in the day, you know, and that's where I fell into food. And food became an act of gratitude. You know, I would cook for people who allowed me to sleep on their couches. And I did not start cooking until I was in my mid-20s. I mean, I did not cook. I went to my grandmother's house every Sunday. I knew nothing about any of the recipes that she was making. And it was only when I went to Paris and everybody started cooking, and they're like, well, my mother makes macaroni and cheese like this. My mother makes it like this. I'm like, oh, my gosh. I Have no idea. And I'm very competitive, so I'm like, okay, let me get on that. Let me go get a cookbook. You know, it's funny how we see these moments or challenges, and all of a sudden we. We take it on. Like, I think my competitiveness and my stubbornness protects me, and it propels me forward.
- [10:31]
Mick Hunt
Yeah. So you started cooking in your 20s, and now you're a TV star in multiple facets, but one of those facets, obviously, is cooking. How did that happen?
- [10:43]
Carla Hall
I think Top Chef, I think that was the big moment. I also think that because I did theater, I don't watch myself. Like, I'm okay with being the weird girl. I'm okay with being myself, and I'm okay with a challenge, so. And I'm okay with being vulnerable. So when I. When I. When I said yes to Top Chef, being in a position of, you know, you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, I grew and I learned from every challenge, right? I'm like, oh, my gosh, I'm still here. Okay. What? What? I'm on the bottom. But the thing is about being on the bottom, you get feedback. You know, back in the day, when they were doing Top Chef, when you were on the bottom, you got feedback. When you were on the top, you got feedback. If you're in the middle, you don't really get anything. So sometimes having the constructive criticism on the bottom is much more valuable than having the praise when you're on top.
- [11:39]
Mick Hunt
Every year, people set fitness goals, and every year, most people quit because they overcomplicate it or follow bad advice online. You don't need another influencer telling you what worked for them. You need something built for you. And that is why I use fitbod. Fitbod takes the thinking out of training. I open the app, it knows my goals, my recovery, how much time I have, and what equipment I'm working with. The workout is ready. No guesswork, no wasted reps. It honestly feels like having a personal trainer in your pocket. The workouts adapt as you get stronger, push you when you're ready, and help you stay consistent even when you're traveling or short on time. That's the difference. Consistency beats motivation every time. Level up your workout in the new year. Join Fitbod today to get your personalized workout plan. Get 25% off your subscription or try the app free for seven days at Fitbod. Me Mick that's f I t b o d me Mik this episode is
- [12:48]
Progressive Commercial Insurance Announcer
brought to you by Progressive Commercial Insurance. As a business Owner. You take a lot of roles, marketer, bookkeeper, CEO. But when it comes to small business insurance, Progressive has you covered. They offer discounts on commercial auto insurance, customizable coverages that can grow with your business, and reliable protection for whatever comes your way. Count on Progressive to handle your insurance while you do well. Everything else. Quote. Today, in as little as eight minutes, at progressivecommercial.com, progressive Casualty Insurance Company coverage provider, and serviced by affiliated and third party insurers. Discounts and coverage selections not available in all states or situations.
- [13:17]
Mick Hunt
Agree. And I want everybody that's watching or listening to understand this, because, again, Robert Irvine is my best friend. So I've got to see a lot of things behind the scenes. And me watching, I've been a food guy forever. Me watching. Sometimes I'm like, yeah, this is somewhat set up, right? No, that stuff is real. Like, you were really cooking sometimes. And these are the things I know. Sometimes your food sits out for 45 minutes before it gets tasted. And it's like, you got to understand salt. I understood that. You got to understand salt when your food sits right.
- [13:50]
Carla Hall
That's right. That's right.
- [13:52]
Mick Hunt
But talk to us about just that. The things that people don't understand on the competition shows of tv, just, there's a lot that goes into it. You're not just making addition. Here you go.
- [14:03]
Carla Hall
No. So there's the timing. So they create a pressure cooker because it's more fun when people don't have a lot of time. And also, you don't know the kitchen. So the first few challenges, I mean, at least on the baking championships, you're in the same kitchen. For Top Chef, you were not in the same kitchen. So every time you went and you're like, where's the equipment? You know, how do the ovens work? You know, are they calibrated? You know, all of that. It's more like next level Chef, you know, because you're in different kitchens and you have to navigate that. Also, everybody is running for the same things. The more organized you are, the more you can run and get all of your equipment, the better you will do. Because now you're not waiting for somebody. You're not fighting for everybody. There are not. There's not a pan for everybody. The exact pan, right? You will have a pan. But in terms of your first choice, equipment, you have to run and get those things. Also, knowing that you're going to be judged changes things. Looking over and here is somebody, your competitor, and you're like, wow, they're Doing something that looks really cool, you know, is my dish really cool? So you have that element of second guessing yourself. You know, it is a lot of pressure. And some people realize you may be a great cook, but you may not be able to cook under that pressure. That is the key. You know, how do you handle stress? How do you regulate your nervous system? That. That is really the key. And I think because I was 44 when I did Top Chef, I was probably. I may. I may not have been the best cook, but I knew I was the most, I think, mature and the cook with the emotional intelligence to do that show.
- [15:54]
Mick Hunt
And that's exactly where I want to go next. Because in the world, that's what I teach. Right? I'm an emotional intelligence culture person. But I'm also a huge mental health advocate, and I tell people all the time, Carla, if there's two people that you see that deserve big hugs and conversations, it's comedians and chefs. Comedians. Everybody expects them to be funny all the time, right? So you gotta deliver, right? Like, even if they're just chilling, watching a game, they expect you to be funny. And chefs have this hard thing, because when people go to restaurants, I got to figure out how to say this the right way. When you go to a restaurant, you expect the food to be superb all the time. Right? Like, you expect to be wild. So chefs never hear that as much as they hear what goes.
- [16:43]
Carla Hall
Exactly.
- [16:45]
Mick Hunt
And. And so you've got to really make sure that you're checking on your friends that are comedians that are in the restaurant business, because they usually only see the negatives most of the time. Again, you get the pat on the back. But I'm sure, Carla, you can count pat on the back more than you can count, Carla. This is my wrong.
- [17:05]
Carla Hall
How many times have people, they go to a restaurant, they're like, I could do this. Mine is better. But are you cooking for 100 plus people? Are you making one dish? You know, are you managing a team? You know what I mean? Also, you can just have a bad day. You really can. When I go eat, people always ask me, do you judge the food? And I don't. I really don't. Unless now I have to say this. When I go to certain restaurants, the higher end they are, the more my expectation rises. Right?
- [17:44]
Mick Hunt
Right.
- [17:45]
Carla Hall
But there are certain restaurants that they aren't highbrow, they're consistent. And I go there for the consistency. Right. I don't go there for the intellectual, you know, let me be wowed and blow my socks off experience. I rarely Go to those restaurants.
- [18:03]
Mick Hunt
Yeah. How do you help others in your field with that? Because I, I again, I know enough about Carla that, you know, you are the voice of reason for, for some of your peers. And I can just see, you know, how people gravitate towards you. How do you help them with one, the emotional intelligence side, but then also the mental health side of the, the culinary business.
- [18:25]
Carla Hall
Well, I think there, there are two things when someone says something about you, and I take them through this process of social media. I think social media trains us to honestly, a little, because we get those mean tweets or whatever. I think it may prepare you a little more for the restaurant world than before because everybody has an opinion and you hear it, you see, you know what I mean? You see it. So for me, I ask my friends, was there some truth to what was said? You know, because we get a little, we want to protect, we get a little defensive about our food and sometimes there is truth to it. Could it have been said differently? Yes. Could they have said something in the moment so that you could have corrected it? Yes. But if there was truth to it, take it as constructive criticism, you know, and work on that dish. If you believe that dish was perfect and you would not change it, end of story. It doesn't matter what that person thinks. It doesn't matter that that person says, my grandmother's dish would beat this. Okay, go to your grandmother's house. I mean, you know, at some point you really just have to have that bucket of efforts because you have to, I mean, you know, just allow them to have their opinion, but you also have yours. It's not a one way street with opinions.
- [19:54]
Mick Hunt
Totally, totally, totally agree again. And I think one of the many, many reasons I, I love you so much is just that, right? Like just knowing that you're that person. People can depend on knowing that you come from a place of maturity, you come from a place of, you're not judging. And I think that also is critical as well, too. Like, people aren't going to allow themselves to be vulnerable if they feel like they're judged.
- [20:23]
Progressive Commercial Insurance Announcer
Right?
- [20:24]
Carla Hall
That's right. That's right. And I also think that this is another thing that I've said to some young chefs, you know, and especially when, you know, they're young managers managing people, and a lot of times it's hard for them to deliver what they consider bad news. And I say, in this moment, you are the messenger of this person's lesson. Do you care enough about them to deliver it? Because if you just kick that can down the road, you know, they're not going to get what they need. Somebody else is still going to deliver it eventually. Right. But also it is your lesson to learn how to deliver it. So there's. It's a two way street, right. A lot of times when I have, when I bad news is delivered to me or constructive news, I'm like, okay. And I may not see it in the moment. I'm not gonna lie, I will have an eye twitching moment. But you know, that person is the messenger of my lesson. And here's an example. When I was on the Chew the first three years, I thought I was gonna get fired. When I tell you the learning curve was streak was steep. The learning curve was incredibly steep. And nobody, nobody knew that. But it's just because I'm tenacious, I'm a Taurus. I'm like, I'm going to get it. I'm going to walk up this really steep hill.
- [21:48]
Mick Hunt
Yeah.
- [21:50]
Carla Hall
But I would go home and I would like, oh my gosh, I can't do this. And when I am not living my truth, that's when I get a lot of feedback that is hitting me left, right, center. You know what I mean? When you are living for somebody else's truth, that's when you get the get beat up the most. My prayer at that job every day was to find my authenticity. It took me three years because I didn't know the job. And I am depending on someone else to help me find that thing. Right. But eventually I got it. And after this show ended, I ended up calling. The executive producer, said, thank you for being the messenger of my lessons. Because had it not been for him, I wouldn't be, I honestly can tell you I wouldn't be where I am now. I wouldn't. Because the lessons were hard. I stayed in, I got them and I took that to the next venture, the next project.
- [22:47]
Mick Hunt
And it's almost like you can read my brain with where I wanted this conversation to go. Because I was going to talk to you about authenticity, not next. Right. Because from your southern roots to national stages, one of the things that I can say if people that say, how would you define Carla Hall? I would say consistency, evolution and authenticity. So with all the things that you do, like how do you evolve and stay authentic? Because that's usually hard, especially today when, you know, like on Food Network there's a new show, a new theme, like all the time you're doing things with Gordon Ramsay now. Like there's a lot of things that are evolving because society is saying, we don't like this format anymore. Right. Like, now we need to do this. How do you stay authentic? Often?
- [23:37]
Carla Hall
Authentic. Right, right, right.
- [23:38]
Mick Hunt
How do you say authentic when everything's constantly evolving around you?
- [23:44]
Carla Hall
But the thing is, I'm evolving too. What I would have wanted, like top chef was 18 years ago. What I would have wanted. Leaving that show is very different from what I want now. You have to allow yourself to grow and change. I think a lot of times when we see people on television, we sort of keep. We take a snapshot of whenever we saw them, and we expect them to be that person. So Top Chef replays those episodes constantly. Right. Well, people will come up to me if they. Let's say if they just have. For whatever reason, they have just discovered the show. They expect me to be the person that I was at 44. Well, I'm 61 now, so I allow myself to change unapologetically. I am not trying to be the person that is on the television to match that person, because I have fans from that snapshot of my life. Right. So then you have to. So I. Deborah Grayson, Regal. She is a. She's an executive coach, and she talks about the things that tick you off and the things that make you tick. And I. And. And I'm. I'm paraphrasing, but there could be something that makes you tick, and all of a sudden, it ticks you off. The difference is your values have changed, and you have to recognize your values changing and you growing. So all of the experiences that you have out here, they change you.
- [25:26]
Shopify/American Airlines Advertiser
Yes, online shopping is quite literally at our fingertips, but that doesn't mean it's always simple to buy. Whether it's trying to remember one of a million different logins you can actually place your order, or getting almost all the way through checkout before realizing your card is nowhere near you. There are many hiccups that can get between you and placing that order, which is why it's such a relief when you see that purple pay button that has all of your information saved, making checkout as simple as a tap of your screen. That iconic purple shop pay button is why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet, Meaning less carts going abandoned and more sales going to you. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Thrive Cosmetics, Gymshark and Allbirds to brands just getting started. And they're not just great at converting sales. If people haven't heard about your brand yet? Shopify can help you find your customers with easy to run email and social media campaigns and they have world class expertise in everything from managing inventory to international shipping to processing returns and beyond. Tackle all of those important tasks from one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. See less carts go abandoned and more sales go with Shopify and their Shop Pay button. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com realm go to shopify.com realm that's shopify.com realm the American
- [27:03]
Carla Hall
Airlines Advantage Business Program is changing the way companies book travel and get rewarded. Designed for fast growing businesses, the program
- [27:11]
Shopify/American Airlines Advertiser
makes it easy to earn rewards and it's free to join your company.
- [27:15]
Carla Hall
Earns one Advantage mile for every dollar spent on business travel booked anywhere with American.
- [27:21]
Shopify/American Airlines Advertiser
Use these miles to help offset future
- [27:22]
Carla Hall
travel expenses, transfer to employees and more.
- [27:26]
Shopify/American Airlines Advertiser
You'll also gain access to a suite
- [27:28]
Carla Hall
of tools to streamline travel management, including
- [27:30]
Shopify/American Airlines Advertiser
the ability to view employee activity, manage
- [27:33]
Carla Hall
trip credits and report with ease. And it's a win win. Travelers can earn additional loyalty points on top of what they already earned through the Advantage program, helping them reach status faster. Earn more on business travel you're already taking with the American Airlines Advantage Business Program. Register today@aa.com AdvantageBusiness so when we jump on somebody like oh my God, at 18 you did blah blah blah. I'm like, dude, if you are still the person at your 50 something and you're still the person you were at 18, I'm sad for you if you have not changed and grown and you know, and that is also a part of emotional intelligence and that's also a part of your, I think our mental health and allowing ourselves to change and allowing ourselves to like really check in and be who you are so that people see this, this consistent person and the consistency is the authenticity. I will say things now that I wouldn't have said before because I know who I am. I also know what I bring to the table. I also know what I expect from my employer. I am going to walk into a set now saying, even though I haven't been there before, if I'm judging, I know, I know my style of judging. I'm not going to ask you how should I be in this moment because this is a new job. If you hired me, you're hiring all of this. You're hiring everything I'm bringing to the table. And if you don't want all of this, then you don't want me and you have to get to the point. Point of that is your North Star, because you are here. You are actually here on this earth plane to be yourself. That is the work. End of story. That is the work.
- [29:27]
Mick Hunt
Yeah, Yeah. I could end the segment now like you. You given us a masterclass on emotional intelligence. And I don't think people realize that coming into the episode. But that's what, again, that's what I've known about you just by following you for as long as I have. And the evolution of Carla hall. And again, just how you genuinely touch people. You know, you just said something just now that reminds me of my grandfather. Right? My grandfather used to say all the time the same thing that make you laugh will make you cry. Like, growing up in the south, we always heard that saying, right? And it's true in the business world. I'm pretty sure it's true in your field and your genre as well too. Like, people don't understand that that's what evolution is. The same thing that makes you laugh at some point is going to make you cry.
- [30:14]
Carla Hall
Right?
- [30:17]
Mick Hunt
So let's talk about what you have going on now. What is Carla hall up to today?
- [30:24]
Carla Hall
So, wow. I. I have the main menu. The. The main menu is a self directed personal growth program that I'm doing with Deb Grayson, Regal. It's online, it's called the Me menu. And it. We don't discriminate, but really we chose to do this for women 50 and older because a lot of times I think as you age, you feel like you're aging out, you know, of, you know, work, you know, social, socially. And we're all about helping women have main dish energy. And this program came out of a one woman show that I'm doing. But we distilled all of these what we call flavors that you will work on one week at a time. I mean, you can work on them longer, but it's possibility, hope, imagine, reframe, open and acceptance. Those are the different things that you work on. And when you look at a situation in your life and you're like, okay, you, you have a situation, like, how, how would I imagine myself doing this? You know? And after you move through all of these flavors, hopefully you have a better idea of who you are, what value you have, what you bring to the table and you can create something with the wisdom. Because my thing is a lot of times people say, oh, she's just old and they want to put older people out to pasture. But actually we're the ones who have the wisdom. Menopause and a lot of people have said, is this an upgrade? It's an upgrade. And I've already said it. The bucket of fuck. It's real. When you stop caring about other people and you can step into your brilliance, but if you listen to others, then you minimize your brilliance. And this is about lifting you up. So I'm working on that. The meat menu. Like I said, I have a baking book. It's called Carla Bakes, which is coming out in September. And so remember, I started out, I was into theater. I didn't get into Boston University. For the last five years, I have been working on my consciousness to bring through a one woman show.
- [32:44]
Mick Hunt
Tell us about this one woman show. I'm ready, dude.
- [32:47]
Carla Hall
Okay. It's called Carla Hall. Please underestimate me.
- [32:52]
Mick Hunt
Okay. I'm intrigued already.
- [32:54]
Carla Hall
And it is a story of my life. It is a play. There are some flashbacks. I talk about when I was 12 and I wanted to be the black Carol Burnett. I talk about my challenges at the Chew. I talk about, you know, some other things that have happened in my life so you understand who I am and why I am this way. And I take you through this. But not only that, but I'm hoping that people see themselves in my story. And how. You don't stop, you keep going, you pivot. You know, there's a fork in the road and you have choices and you take those choices and there is not a bad choice. You will learn with either path. And so I'm really excited about that. And I. And I love talking about it because about five years ago, the shoe ended when? In 2018. So that was seven years ago. And after that I was like, you know, what am I going to do? And about five years ago, I'm like, I really want a variety show. I mean, Carol Burnett had a variety show. What if I brought back a variety show? I don't know who would pay for it, but that would be amazing. No, I was. Nobody was trying to do that. But then I started saying, I really want to do a one woman show. And I started asking people. I told my agent that I wanted to get me on voiceovers, get me cameo roles. I got an acting coach. I mean, my thing is if I say that I want to do something, I don't just say it. I look at. I break down everything I would have to do to change my consciousness to do that thing, right? So if you say, hey, I want a car. I want a Mercedes Benz. And you don't have a car. You don't even have Uber on your. You Know what? You don't know how to rent a car. You have work to do on your consciousness. So you have to build it up and you have to dissect how to get from point A to point F, Z or whatever. Right. And that's how you manifest. You don't just manifest by saying you want to do something that. That's. No, there's no work in that. That's just talking.
- [34:56]
Mick Hunt
No, absolutely. So I'm excited about this one woman show, but I am really excited about when is it going to be ready for people to come attend or view.
- [35:05]
Carla Hall
It's an Olney theater in Olney Mar L N E Y and it starts June 6th through July 12th. Unless there's a two week extension. If there's a two week extension, it goes until July 28th. So, Mick, so here I am, my first solo show. It's seven shows a week. It's for six weeks or eight. So it's, it's a proper thing. And yeah, I am at the moment just sort of working out, trying to have the stamina and the strength to do it. I've yet to get a voice coach because that's also a muscle that I have to work on again. Breaking down what's necessary to be successful.
- [35:50]
Mick Hunt
Look at that. Always evolving, always getting better. Right. Challenging yourself to be the best version of you. That is. Carla hall summed up like, I'm coming to the one woman show. I might just go up there for a week and just go to a show a day because that's what I want to do. How about that?
- [36:08]
Carla Hall
I would love that. Seriously.
- [36:11]
Mick Hunt
And you know what I should do?
- [36:12]
Carla Hall
What?
- [36:13]
Mick Hunt
I should invite and pay for 10 people to join me. What if we do that? What if it's like Mick and 10 friends are coming. So if you message me one woman show, you're gonna get the chance. I'm gonna pick 10 people.
- [36:33]
Carla Hall
Oh, my God.
- [36:35]
Mick Hunt
Robert Irvine's gonna have to be one of them. Yes. So it'll be me, Robert and 10 other people. So that way it's fair. We're gonna come hang out and we're gonna come be a part of this show.
- [36:44]
Carla Hall
I love it. I love it.
- [36:46]
Mick Hunt
I'm serious.
- [36:47]
Carla Hall
Yeah, I hear you.
- [36:48]
Mick Hunt
Serious. I'm bringing 10. So when it's time, send me the information. I'm going to buy 12 tickets and me, Robert and 10 people are going to come hang out with Carla hall and be your biggest supporters.
- [37:00]
Carla Hall
Front row. I am going to send. It's a small theater. I will actually see you. Tickets are already on sale. So I'm going to send you the link if you like Carla Hall, Please underestimate me. Olney Theater. It will come up.
- [37:16]
Mick Hunt
Oh, I can Google. Look, Google exists. I can find it there if tickets are already available. I'm going to buy 10, but I'm going to take a screenshot. You see that? I actually bought 10. Or 12. Sorry, 12. So you can see Robert, me and 10 people, we're coming to support you.
- [37:30]
Carla Hall
I love it. I love. Thank you. That is huge. I appreciate that.
- [37:35]
Mick Hunt
That's what you mean to me. It's the least I could do with what you've done for, for my family. So thank you.
- [37:40]
Carla Hall
Love that.
- [37:41]
Mick Hunt
Thank you. All right, I'm going to get you out of here on my rapid fire quick. Ready? All right. So you said you ran track. What Was your event?
- [37:50]
Carla Hall
880 and the 2 mile relay distance.
- [37:53]
Mick Hunt
Oh, see, I couldn't anything, anything over 200. I'm passing out. I don't have the family for that. I don't have the stamina for that. So you learned to cook. What was the first dish that you wanted to make when you started cooking?
- [38:07]
Carla Hall
Chicken pot pie. Yeah, it was chicken pot pie.
- [38:11]
Mick Hunt
All right, the baking book coming out. What's the one recipe in there that's going to shock people?
- [38:17]
Carla Hall
Oh, it is going to be the pate a choux. So the pate a choux recipe, I really worked hard on that recipe so that it is very simple. I think people are going to the tricks and techniques that I'm giving you. You will have perfect pate a choux. And it's sort of out the box.
- [38:39]
Mick Hunt
All right, pate a choux it is. Pate a choux it is. When you are making a meal for yourself, it's like you've had a long day, a long week, and it's like, I just want comfort food. What, what does Carla hall want?
- [38:52]
Carla Hall
Eggs, salad and toast. My friends know that. They know if I come to their house out of the blue, they had better have some eggs. I, I love eggs.
- [39:02]
Mick Hunt
I don't like.
- [39:03]
Carla Hall
Oh my God, I love eggs. Scrambled eggs.
- [39:05]
Mick Hunt
I gotta learn to like. Dude.
- [39:07]
Carla Hall
Okay, okay, time out. While you don't. Okay, what, what don't you like about eggs? Do you know why you don't like eggs?
- [39:15]
Mick Hunt
Yeah, I don't like. They don't taste like anything to me.
- [39:18]
Carla Hall
Yeah, Salt, pepper, herbs. Like. What are you even saying?
- [39:23]
Mick Hunt
I don't know. They're just like, eh, okay, they're eggs. Cool. Oh, I'm getting in trouble by you. And Robert.
- [39:29]
Carla Hall
No, you're not. You're not getting in trouble. I just want to. I want to make eggs for you.
- [39:34]
Mick Hunt
Okay.
- [39:34]
Carla Hall
Yeah, let's do it. Yeah. I want to make you a beautiful French omelette that's crazy creamy with herbs and maybe a little goat cheese. And, you know, a nice salad, you know, with some crispy toast, like grilled toast. What?
- [39:49]
Mick Hunt
All right, I'm there. Minus the goat cheese.
- [39:51]
Progressive Commercial Insurance Announcer
Okay.
- [39:51]
Carla Hall
It can be any cheese you want. Cheddar. What do you want? What?
- [39:53]
Mick Hunt
Let's go cheddar.
- [39:55]
Carla Hall
We can change the cheese. Chile.
- [39:59]
Mick Hunt
Love it. Love it. Last question. One word that Carla hall would use to describe Carla Hall.
- [40:13]
Carla Hall
Oh, my God. I was going to say energetic.
- [40:20]
Mick Hunt
Okay.
- [40:20]
Carla Hall
And energetic. And. And I say that because, literally, energy and energetic are two different things, but I'm encompassing both of those. I know when I walk into a room, I give energy. When I show up, I send my energy ahead of time to greet me, to meet me, to be with the people who are there. When I am tired, I have to call forth energy deep to get through the thing. Right. So when I'm excited, I have a lot of happy energy. But so energetic. Or energetic. Yeah.
- [40:56]
Mick Hunt
Okay. I like it. I like it. Carla, again, thank you so much. You. You don't know how my day has been made because of you.
- [41:05]
Carla Hall
And first of all, let me just tell you this. You are so welcome. I am an audio person, so I listen to a lot of audiobooks, and when I secretly, y'. All, okay, it's a little judgy, but when someone speaks, I'm like, oh, I could listen to their voice in an audiobook. Ooh. I can't listen to that voice. Your voice I can listen to. I love your voice.
- [41:30]
Mick Hunt
Oh, now you're making me blush.
- [41:32]
Carla Hall
I see you're brown, but I see your breath. You're literally blushing. Your ears are changing.
- [41:37]
Mick Hunt
They are. They are. They are. I like it. I like it. Carla, again, thank you. You mean the world to me. However I can support you, you know, I'm going to. I can't wait to see you in June and July in Maryland. It's going to be dope.
- [41:53]
Carla Hall
Thank you. That's so generous. Thank you so much.
- [41:56]
Mick Hunt
You got it. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it. That's another powerful conversation on Mick Unplugged. If this episode moved you, and I'm sure it did, follow the show wherever you listen. Share it with someone who needs that spark, and leave a review so more people can find there because I'm Rudy Rushed and until next time, stay driven, stay focused, and stay unplugged.
- [42:30]
Progressive Commercial Insurance Announcer
This episode is brought to you by Progressive Commercial Insurance. As a business owner, you take a lot of roles. Marketer, bookkeeper, CEO. But when it comes to small business insurance, Progressive has you covered. They offer discounts on commercial auto insurance, customizable coverages that can grow with your business, and reliable protection for whatever comes your way. Count on Progressive to handle your insurance while you do well. Everything else Quote Today in as little as 8 minutes@progressivecommercial.com Progressive Casualty Insurance Company coverage provided and serviced by affiliated and third party insurers. Discounts and coverage selections not available in all states or situations.