Podcast Summary: "Not Skinny But Not Fat" Episode Title: HEIDI GARDNER: SNL, THE CHIEFS, AND SECOND CHANCES
Host/Author: Amanda Hirsch
Release Date: December 3, 2024

1. Thanksgiving and Family Traditions

Amanda Hirsch opens the episode by sharing her family's unconventional Thanksgiving traditions. Rather than sticking to the traditional turkey, Amanda and her family have opted to enjoy their favorite foods, eliminating the dry turkey from their celebrations.

“In my family, we haven't had turkeys in Thanksgiving for years...just do a dinner on Thanksgiving with our favorite food.”
[00:03]

2. Parenting Challenges and Celebrities

Amanda delves into the challenges of parenting during holidays, particularly Thanksgiving, while referencing Jason and Kylie Kelsey's expanding family. She reflects on balancing personal family traditions with the dynamics of having a baby.

“I have two boys. No complaints...But I'm still, like, how are you wanting to be pregnant four times?”
[04:31]

3. Introduction of Heidi Gardner

Amanda introduces today's guest, Heidi Gardner, highlighting her roles on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) and "Shrinking." Heidi's deep connection to Kansas City and her love for the Chiefs are emphasized, setting the stage for an engaging conversation.

“Today I have the amazing, the funny, the talented Heidi Gardner from SNL... I'm lucky to have Kansas City.”
[05:34]

4. Kansas City and Chiefs Obsession

Heidi and Amanda discuss the vibrant community spirit in Kansas City, especially following the Chiefs' successes. They highlight how the team's performance has united the city and elevated the local culture.

Heidi Gardner: “He elevated it.”
[07:30]

5. Balancing Home and New York Life

Heidi shares her experiences juggling life between Kansas City and New York due to her commitments with SNL. She describes the contrasting vibes of the two cities and how each environment influences her personally and professionally.

Heidi Gardner: “There’s something really cool to me and stressful when I'm in Midwestern Kansas City...I feed off that.”
[13:17]

6. Heidi’s Career Path: From Hairdressing to Comedy

Heidi recounts her unexpected journey from pursuing a career in hairdressing to discovering her passion for comedy and improv. Influenced by her father's background in improv and encouragement from friends, Heidi transitioned into the entertainment industry.

Heidi Gardner: “I went to see a show at the Groundlings, and I was just like, wow, that's the funniest thing I've ever seen.”
[25:48]

7. Joining SNL: A Rapid Progression

Heidi details her swift climb to becoming an SNL cast member. After performing in showcases and participating in The Groundlings' Sunday Company, she was scouted by SNL scouts and quickly moved through auditions to join the main cast within a month.

Heidi Gardner: “It was like they saw me in a showcase...and then I got it.”
[27:06]

8. A Week in the Life on SNL

Heidi provides an insider's look into her hectic weekly schedule on SNL. From pitching jokes and writing sketches to rehearsals and live performances, she illustrates the demanding yet exhilarating routine that defines her life as a cast member.

Heidi Gardner: “Our rehearsals, and we shoot all the pre tapes...I watch Chiefs games on Sundays.”
[30:08]

9. Memorable Moments and Sketches

Heidi shares her favorite moments on SNL, including her struggles with maintaining character. A standout moment was her experience breaking character during a sketch with Ryan Gosling, which she describes as both challenging and endearing.

Heidi Gardner: “I just couldn't help it...It was so cool.”
[35:38]

10. Expanding Horizons: "Shrinking"

Transitioning from SNL, Heidi discusses her role as Grace in the show "Shrinking." She highlights her collaboration with writer Bill Lawrence and how this role allowed her to explore different facets of her acting career.

Heidi Gardner: “Tell me about getting that.”
[46:58]

11. Introducing "Second Chance Stage"

Heidi introduces her new project, "Second Chance Stage," a reality competition on Max focusing on individuals pursuing their dreams for a second time. She explains the show's heartwarming concept and her role as a judge, emphasizing the vulnerability and resilience of the contestants.

Heidi Gardner: “The contestants are People that are taking a second chance at their dreams.”
[59:07]

12. Closing Remarks and SNL Superlatives Game

The episode concludes with a light-hearted game where Amanda and Heidi assign humorous superlatives to SNL cast members. This segment showcases their camaraderie and the fun dynamics behind the scenes.

Amanda Hirsch: “Most likely to host an award show.”
[65:47]

Notable Quotes:

• Amanda on Family Traditions:
  “I have to say, regarding babies and a little bit of celeb pop culture stuff, Jason Kelsey and Kylie Kelsey are having a fourth girl.”
  [04:31]

• Heidi on SNL's Influence:
  “He elevated it.”
  [07:30]

• Heidi on SNL Casting:
  “It was like they saw me in a showcase...and then I got it.”
  [27:06]

• Heidi on Breaking Character:
  “I just couldn't help it...It was so cool.”
  [35:38]

• Heidi on "Second Chance Stage":
  “The contestants are People that are taking a second chance at their dreams.”
  [59:07]

Key Insights:

• Balancing Personal and Professional Life:
  Heidi emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections to her roots in Kansas City while thriving in the fast-paced environment of New York and SNL.

• Unexpected Career Transitions:
  Heidi's journey from hairdressing to comedy underscores the value of embracing unexpected opportunities and nurturing latent talents.

• Community and Support:
  Both Amanda and Heidi highlight the significance of community support, whether it's cheering for the Chiefs or fostering relationships within the entertainment industry.

• Vulnerability in Pursuing Dreams:
  "Second Chance Stage" embodies the essence of vulnerability and determination, inspiring listeners to pursue their passions despite setbacks.

Conclusions:

In this engaging episode of "Not Skinny But Not Fat," Amanda Hirsch and Heidi Gardner explore the intersections of family traditions, career evolution, and community spirit. Heidi's candid reflections on her journey to SNL, her love for Kansas City, and her new venture into reality television provide listeners with a heartfelt and inspiring narrative. The episode underscores the importance of embracing one's roots, the power of unexpected opportunities, and the resilience required to pursue one's dreams.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections to focus solely on the meaningful discussions and insights shared during the episode.