Maddie Fragner: Overcoming Every Obstacle | Planet Tyrus

Summary

Planet Tyrus – “Maddie Fragner: Overcoming Every Obstacle”

Date: March 19, 2026
Host: Tyrus (Outkick)
Guest: Maddie Fragner

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Episode Overview

This episode features an inspiring conversation between Tyrus and 19-year-old author and artist Maddie Fragner. Maddie, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, shares her journey overcoming challenges, cultivating her faith, and developing her creative passions. The discussion delves into the ups and downs of authenticity, creativity, and refusing to be defined by adversity. Both Tyrus and Maddie highlight the importance of family, faith, and resilience, while bonding over a shared love of literature, anime, and horses.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. On Authenticity and Taking Off the Mask

• Maddie’s Philosophy: Maddie opens up about her desire to “take the mask off” and show the world her true self, not just the positive or "inspirational" side.

  • Quote: “I just really want to take the mask off. Yes, people can see me as an overcoming spirit, but honestly, just life is hard in general and not many people know that. I kind of have a spicier side to myself.” – Maddie (03:09)

• Tyrus’ Reaction: Tyrus encourages her to embrace her authenticity and promises to let things get a little “spicy” in the interview.

  • Memorable Moment: “But get out the Tabasco sauce because we're going to get spicy in here today.” – Tyrus (03:44)

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2. Early Foundations of Maddie’s Writing and Artistic Journey

• Influences: Maddie attributes her love of stories to her mother reading fairy tales and classics like Peter Rabbit to her as a child.

• Big Break: In third grade, her teacher secretly submitted her short story to a school program and it was chosen to be performed, igniting her passion for writing (07:54–08:19).

• Current Projects: Maddie recently self-published her first short story, “An Angel Called Rose,” which is a “biblical allegory” inspired by “The Littlest Angel.”

  • Quote: “No matter what tragedy we face, God can turn it around for good and make it better than what we can initially imagine.” – Maddie (09:57)

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3. Overcoming Adversity and Staying Grounded

• Sources of Strength: Maddie credits her survival and success to her parents and her faith.

  • Quote: “The only reason why I'm here is because of my mom, my dad, and because Jesus kept me safe.” – Maddie (16:01)

• The Struggle Behind the Smile: Maddie describes internalizing others’ praise as “a light and an inspiration” and how that sometimes resulted in pride and feeling like she was living a lie.

  • Quote: “I was tired of living a lie. And frankly, I just... yeah, I don't.” – Maddie (17:31–18:06)

• Dealing With Expectations: Puberty, health setbacks, COVID isolation, and the loss of grandparents forced Maddie to confront her flaws and lean further into family and faith for support (19:00–20:19).

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4. Shared Passions: Books, Anime, and the Creative Arts

• Anime Fandom: Maddie is a fan of “Sailor Moon,” appreciating the main character’s vulnerability and perseverance (12:21).

• Book-Loving Bond: Both Tyrus and Maddie love “Animal Farm,” “Chronicles of Narnia,” and Shakespeare.

  • Favorite Animal Farm Character: Boxer for both (13:18–13:28).
  • Shakespeare Favorites: Maddie loves “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” and “Much Ado About Nothing” (23:39).
  • Discussion on the meaning and contemporary relevance of classics.

• Artistic Accomplishments: Maddie is not only a published author but has also had her artwork displayed at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort (50:19–51:23).

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5. Creativity as Connection and Healing

• Writing as Therapy: Maddie wrote a backstory to “Romeo and Juliet” inspired by her grandparents’ real-life meeting, helping her process grief (20:32–21:48).
• Greek Mythology: She’s taken recently to the “relatable flaws” of gods and goddesses, especially Aphrodite (21:58–22:18).
• Voice Acting Dreams: Maddie aspires to voice characters, being friends with a vocal coach connected to Nickelodeon (31:08).

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6. Navigating Criticism and Stereotypes

• Tyrus Shares His Story: He explains struggling to be taken seriously as a writer because of stereotypes, ultimately proving critics wrong through perseverance.

  • Quote: “When you create, when you write something, in a lot of ways, it's... it's you. It's like an extension of you... And they look at and they go, eh, I don't know. That hurts.” – Tyrus (34:04)

• Lesson: Both host and guest agree setbacks and failure can become motivational “soil” for new growth and achievement (34:33–34:39).

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7. Horses and Childhood Stories

• Shared Love of Horses: Both express deep affection for horses – Tyrus with his daughter and their horses, Maddie relating to “Black Beauty” and horse movie stories.

  • Memorable Moment: Maddie gives Tyrus feedback on his book "Georgie and her Great Horse Adventures" (38:47–39:41).

• The Power of Emotional Stories: Books like “Charlotte’s Web” and “Where the Red Fern Grows” are discussed as formative, often because of the way they make readers cry (40:38–41:52).

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8. The Value of Work Ethic & Defying Stereotype

• Exceptional Young People: Tyrus emphasizes Maddie is a counterexample to negative stereotypes about Gen Z or disabled people.
  • Quote: “The more people will see work ethic, commitment, understanding, humbleness. And we didn't, we haven't talked about any handicaps because that's just, it's just life. It's just life.” – Tyrus (44:07–45:24)

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9. Looking Forward: College, Art, and Dreams

• Education & Goals: Maddie is majoring in English, possibly considering theater or art, but affirms her primary ambition is to be a writer (42:36–43:19).
• Artistic Residency: She is an artist-in-residence with pieces in a prominent Paso Robles hotel (50:19–50:57).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Overcoming Adversity:

  • “I'm here, I'm kicking ass and taking names and I've got issues just like everyone else does, but I'm not defined by whatever was put in front of me.” – Tyrus (00:39, restated at 44:07)
  • “I wish I could be more honest about that because people just usually see the joyful side of me.” – Maddie (16:41)

• On Faith and Family:

  • “The only reason why I'm here is because of my mom, my dad, and because Jesus kept me safe.” – Maddie (16:01, repeated throughout)

• On Literature’s Relevance:

  • “Even though it was written in what, 1942?... it's so prevalent today. And, like, it's funny how history always repeats itself, but you don't know it if you don't read it.” – Tyrus (14:06)

• On Writing and Resilience:

  • “You took that pain and you turned it into soil, and you put your little idea in and it grew, and you did it yourself.” – Tyrus (34:33)

• On Artistic Growth:

  • “The best work that I do is often when I'm just in the quiet, just me and just kind of chilling and doing whatever.” – Maddie (36:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:30 – Maddie on authenticity and removing the “mask”
• 03:44 – “Spicy” conversation and anime love
• 07:54–08:19 – Maddie’s third-grade story moment
• 09:57 – Maddie explains the inspiration behind “An Angel Called Rose”
• 13:18 – Favorite characters in “Animal Farm”
• 16:01 – Faith, family, and survival
• 17:31–18:06 – Battling internal contradictions and perfectionism
• 20:32 – Storytelling as a way to process family loss
• 21:58 – Greek mythology as creative inspiration
• 31:08 – Maddie talks voice acting dreams
• 34:04 – Tyrus on the pain and triumph of rejection
• 39:03 – Maddie’s review of Tyrus’s horse book
• 42:36–43:19 – Maddie’s college ambitions
• 50:19–50:57 – Art residency at Allegretto Vineyard Resort

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Closing Thoughts

Tyrus and Maddie’s discussion offers a refreshingly authentic portrait of a young creator living with disability yet refusing to be defined by it. Their rapport is humorous and heartfelt, covering classic literature, finding strength in faith, and the tenacity required for creative work. The episode stands as a testament to the resilience and complexity of “exceptional young people”—a term Tyrus uses to encapsulate Maddie’s spark, work ethic, humility, and joy for life.

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Listen for:

• Vibrant discussions of favorite books and what makes stories stick (13:16–14:28)
• Insights on handling public expectations and personal vulnerability (16:41–18:06)
• Fun tangents on anime and horses, revealing the universal quirks and passions that bind us all (12:21, 36:49)

For more info on Maddie’s art and book:

• Her book An Angel Called Rose is home-printed and order info is shared directly via her family and art at the Allegretto Vineyard Resort, Paso Robles.

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Final words from Maddie:
“This was awesome. I’d totally do this again.” (54:08)

Final words from Tyrus:
“There is a lot of young people and older people that are going to be inspired by you... Nothing stands in your way. I think that is remarkable.” (53:02–53:33)

Transcript

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[Maddie Fragner]

I just like how authentic you are and that you don't kind of beat around the bush. And I honestly have kind of come to a point in my life where I just really want to take the mask off.

[Podcast Host]

What you're saying is I'm here. I'm kicking ass and taking names and I've got issues just like everyone else does, but I'm not defined by whatever was put in front of me.

[Maddie Fragner]

The only reason why I'm here is because of my mom, my dad, and because Jesus kept me safe.

[Podcast Host]

I'm. I'm just so impressed with you and I love your story and what we're going to do today. And I know this for someone like yourself who's very humble, we're going to talk about you and the amazing things that you're doing and the things you've overcome. And I am so impressed with how your ability to humble yourself, which is a rare quality today. So again, for people just joining us because we're. We're recording live right now or not? Well, we're going to be live, but like, we're live. You and me are live right now, but like, you know, it'll be almost live to them, but we're live right now, but. So the incomparable Maddie Fragner. Am I saying Fragner? Right? Is it Fragner? Okay, cool. Because I am notorious for butchering up names. Age 19. You are a baby. Age 19, wheelchair bound young lady with physical disability of cerebral palsy from birth who has spent her life trying to overcome life's obstacles in order to achieve her best possible future. What a opening statement.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So what now? The reason now? You and I, we have a mutual teacher.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Chris Epting. He's my writing coach. And he's your writing coach? Yes. And you, you have classes with Chris? I do, so. And my name came up.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And I gotta be honest, a. A 19 year old. I don't want to say teenager because that's mean, but like.

[Maddie Fragner]

No, it's not mean. It's fine.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Because you're still a teenager. I mean, it's. You're not the big 20 yet. And I was like a young person in today's day and age. And you guys are so. You know what? When my name came up and you said you were a fan, he had to be shocked a little bit.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, I don't know what about what Chris thought, but I have been a fan of yours for quite a while. I watch you on the Five and Gutfeld, of course, I just like how authentic you are and that you don't kind of beat around the bush. You just stay stuff like it is. And I honestly love that authenticity about you. And I honestly have kind of come to a point in my life where I just really want to take the mask off. Yes, people can see me as an overcoming spirit, but honestly, just life is hard in general and not many people know that. I kind of have a spicier side to myself and I wish I could show that more often.

[Podcast Host]

But get out the Tabasco sauce because we're going to get spicy in here today.

[Maddie Fragner]

Literally. That's my favorite condiment ever. I love it. It's really.

[Podcast Host]

Now I can't eat spicy food. I am the biggest wimp. Like, I will, as. As far as spicy goes for me is Italian food. Yeah, that's as far as I can go now. I grew up in California and I had to. I had to maneuver around jalapenos and hot sauce and taco sauce. I just never. I grew up in the. Before we moved to California, I grew up in the east coast. So my taste buds, all our neighbors were Italian. So that's about as far as I went. As far as, like, spicy? It was like lasagna, so I'm not very good. So what's your favorite spicy food?

[Maddie Fragner]

Oh, boy. I really am obsessed with Japanese food. I'm kind of just like your normal teenager. I love anime and different kinds of stuff like that. And I'm obsessed with the food. I love wasabi and sushi and all that kind of stuff.

[Podcast Host]

So, yeah, I. I love sushi, but I can't do wasabi. I got it. I love ginger. I will take. I will always order a pile of ginger. I gotta, like, load the ginger up on my sushi. I love it. But if there is a smidge, a scotch of wasabi on it, I will. My face will turn bright red, my nose will start running, and I will knock over a small village to get water in. In my mouth. So I'm not as tough as you are when it comes to that. But what I really. When I hear you talk about taking the mask off because that's just a powerful thing to say because people don't know you're. And one of the things we're going to talk about is you're a poet, you're a writer. So you're going to say adjective type things that you, you, you sound like a writer, you sound like a poet. Like, you, you're, the way you use your words is you paint a picture. So I, I, I can see New York Times bestselling author in, in your future.

[Maddie Fragner]

So thank you.

[Podcast Host]

So let's talk about that passion. What made you start to get into like writing poetry and stuff?

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, writing in general, kind of, it goes way, way back. When I was really little, my mom would always read kind of fairy tales to me, Brothers Grimm and all that kind of stuff, and different kids books that I love, like Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter. And that just really kind of sparked my love for stories and it kind of provided a relaxing kind of escape. And I just love the idea of different worlds and that just, I love stories. But kind of when I got into third grade specifically, I had this really amazing teacher who taught us critical thinking. She was super encouraging and she had us write all kinds of different things. And it was really that grade that I got inspired to really want to be a writer. And I wrote a short story during that time. But around the time that I did that, my school had partnered up with this company called the Imagination Machine, where like, every student from every grade would enter like a story to this place, and each, like, one student from each grade would get their story selected and have the chance to have it played out live on stage for the entire school that this group would do. And without me knowing, my teacher submitted my story without permission. And it came to the day of the assembly where I was walking there with my friends and I saw my parents in the audience with a friend of ours. And I'm like, why are my parents here? And I was, wow, it was so weird. But then finally, like an hour into the whole thing, they were just about to announce the next story and they said my name and the crowd went absolutely nuts. I was screaming, my friends were screaming, and, and they played out my story for the entire school to see. I was mad because they did a gender bender on my main character. He was initially a boy, but they made him a girl. I was mad.

[Podcast Host]

The nerve. And you know what? Now that I know you watch, I'm going to work on my, my language. I think I might be, because I get, you know, sometimes I say bad words.

[Maddie Fragner]

But no, it's okay. You can do that.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. If it's okay with you. Haha. That America. I, I will work on that. So you didn't even know? No. And then after that, is there any way I can get a chance to read that story? Because I actually at some point I'll have your maybe send it. I'd love to read it. Or even maybe we could read it on the when if you come back on sometime.

[Maddie Fragner]

That was a story I wrote a long time ago, but now that I've actually, I actually have self published my first short story. That's a lot better. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I'm sorry, I'm a parent. I just want you to know I'm a parent and I've got a 23 year old. A 20 year old, three 14 year olds, an 11 year old. Now my 11 year old is, is a published author like yourself. But my other ones, I don't know what they're doing. So as a parent, when I see a young person just doing things, it's like that's the, this is what the American people need to see is like our kids who are kicking butt and taking names. How does that feel to be you're an author?

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, I couldn't have done this without the help of my mom and my parents because she was the one that helped me put the book together and we have a graphic designer that helped and I have the book right here if you want to see it.

[Podcast Host]

May I see it please?

[Commercial Narrator 2]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Oh wow. I see the anime influence and a little bit an angel called Rose. Oh, nice. Very nice.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And we'll have information where people can order this book.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, we're just, I'm just kind of, I'm just printing it out like at home. So it's a very.

[Podcast Host]

I hope, I hope your printer is ready.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, I'm sure it will be, but so far I've gotten good feedback on it and it's really encouraging.

[Podcast Host]

So.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

But hold the book up one more time just so we can get a good look and then have your mom send us a picture and where people can information where they can order it. And an angel called Rose. Right? Is that right? Awesome. So tell us a little bit about what the book is about.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, it's kind of a biblical allegory. My favorite things to write about are romances and biblical allegory, fairy tale, fantasy, that kind of stuff. I just, I this book essentially I got inspired to write it because I really love Jesus as a whole. And this story kind of it capitulates the idea that no matter where we are in our lives, like, no matter how what tragedy we face, like God can turn it around for good and make it better than what we can initially imagine, you know, so. But this is just a really special story that I actually wrote it for my mom for her birthday. But then kind of when she wrote it, when, when she read it, she was like, we need to like, get this to other people. Just like they need to hear this. So. And that's just kind of how it started and kind of. I originally got inspired to re write this story because have you ever heard of this short story called the Littlest angel by Charles Tazewell?

[Podcast Host]

Yes, I've heard of it. Yes, ma'.

[Maddie Fragner]

Am. Yeah, so I, I found that in like a bookstore actually at the same library that Chris teaches the class in person. I went into the bookstore that they had and they had an original first edition copy of that story. And I heard so much about it that I got it and Reddit. I started crying and I honestly could see myself in the main character so much that I decided to kind of create my own spin off of it.

[Podcast Host]

Nice.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So I noticed in the COVID you have an anime influence. Now my favorite anime is Dragon Ball Z. All things Dragon Ball Z. I believe that I was Piccolo in another life. But also there's a part of me that could be very nappa ish. But. And my. And I actually wrote a. A graphic novel, a comic book. So actually maybe you could help me out because you know what? I have not got. I don't know if you can see this or not, but I have not. I have not got a review for this yet.

[Maddie Fragner]

Okay.

[Podcast Host]

And if my people were to send my. My graphic novel and it's, it's classic and if you would be willing to, to write me a review, I would really appreciate that.

[Maddie Fragner]

That would be awesome.

[Podcast Host]

But be brutally honest. If it's. If you don't like it, it's okay.

[Maddie Fragner]

That's okay.

[Podcast Host]

I can't be better. I can take criticism, but you're gonna love it.

[Maddie Fragner]

Right now I'm really obsessed with the classic anime Sailor Moon.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. I remember that.

[Maddie Fragner]

That's my favorite right now. So it just. I just kind of love the romance, the action, and I guess I love the main character as a whole because she cries, she doubts herself, but it's her friends and her love interest that just keeps her going. Honestly, see myself in her because I just. I really wish to aspire to be like her one day.

[Podcast Host]

But yeah, and this is the power of reading and this is what happens when you read books. You escape and your mind becomes like a canvas. And I. I think book. Reading books is more. Does. Is more valuable than watching a movie, because the movie, they're telling you what to see and how to interpret a book, you go off in your own. You go make your own movie. Yeah, yeah. Like, your characters look different. Like, for example, one of my favorite books, Animal Farm.

[Maddie Fragner]

It's one of mine.

[Podcast Host]

What? Let's say our favorite character at the same time. All right, ready? One, two, three. Boxer.

[Maddie Fragner]

Boxer is mine too, actually. And then I forget who. What's the donkey's name, actually?

[Podcast Host]

Oh, the one who just doubts everything. Yeah. Oh.

[Maddie Fragner]

Actually, also, my second favorite character is Molly, actually.

[Podcast Host]

She's a prima in her obsession with sugar, and she bailed out on everyone because the. The man offered her ribbons.

[Maddie Fragner]

I love prima donna.

[Podcast Host]

And the donkey's name was Benjamin, right?

[Maddie Fragner]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

I liked Boxer and Napoleon. I was like, this dude. This dude, he's something else. But I. That book, even though it was written in what, 1942?

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I'm crazy. It's so prevalent today. And, like, it's funny how history always repeats itself, but you don't know it if you don't read it.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah, exactly. I mean, I read that story in high school just a few years ago, and I just found it to be really kind of interesting. And, I mean, it was like a darker version of Charlotte's Web. And I honestly, like.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Maddie Fragner]

It just. It taught a very valuable lesson. And I love stories where, like, the author personifies animals, like in the Chronicles of Narnia. I love that book series. And I just. It really kind of teaches the value of keeping your mind open and just be aware of what you listen to and who you believe, because if you're not careful, just terrible things can happen. And that's just what I've seen in our world. And it's just really sad. So

[Commercial Narrator 2]

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[Podcast Host]

I think that's the beauty of when you're an artist, when you're a writer, is that you can take what you see in the world and present it in a way to where it's memorable for people and they can see the beauty in life and the hardships. But I think you should never shy away from talking about the bad stuff.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Because that's how you fix bad stuff, is everyone talks about it. And sometimes stories, all stories have to have. There has to be a reason for us to, to be, to be inspired, you have to overcome something. And you're sort of an expert on overcoming things. I mean, straight from birth, you came out to this world and you already had to overcome things.

[Maddie Fragner]

I did a lot. I mean, but it's. The only reason why I'm here is because of my mom, my dad, and because Jesus kept me safe. Without them, I wouldn't be here at all. And kind of really, they're the reason. And Jesus is the reason why I've just been able to push forward because other than that, I can complain as much as the next person. So I'm just a regular person. And a lot of people can seem to be very inspired by me, but just really, I have my struggles, I have my flaws just like anybody else. And honestly, I kind of wish I could be more honest about that because people just usually see the joyful side of me.

[Podcast Host]

Right. And that you're a human being and you have good days and bad days and you're going to say, say there and. And you talk about it. And there's this. I love this. Tumultuous teens marked by tragedy and constantly hearing from others that she was a light and an inspiration and an angel while growing up. She ended up internalizing these comments and characteristics as an integral part of her self concept. Before long, her self esteem became rooted in pridefulness and arrogance. Yeah, that is a very honest, real brave thing to say. Because you know what? We all do that.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And being able to recognize that is very powerful. So was there a moment where you were like, hey, I don't like the way I'm acting, or was there a specific moment?

[Maddie Fragner]

Kind of like when I was younger, even when I was joyful on the outside, I knew deep down that I was very flawed, but I didn't like to admit it. But then kind of when I got into puberty and all this other kinds of stuff, and when my grandparents died and I really started to lose my sense of self, that's when I started to really kind of have to face the horrible fact that I was terribly flawed. I wasn't the nicest person on the block as people claimed. And it's like I just felt so tired of living a lie. And frankly, I just. I hate that I. Yeah, I don't.

[Podcast Host]

It is tough. And I can relate to that because people see me on TV and they always think that I'm funny or in a good mood. I'm a dad and I'm juggling careers and I don't get to see my family because I live in Florida. I work in New York. That means I spend most of my times sleeping in hotel rooms. And so there's days that you're just like, ugh. But people expect it turned on. They expect you to be always glowing and happy and things like that. And there's a moment where you're just like, look, I'm a real human. I have bad days like everyone else. I get put on hold on the telephone like everybody else and yell at customer service, you know? So how was it that. Because recognizing that's not easy when, like I said, was there as particular issues, just the. The constant high expectations was. Just became too much.

[Maddie Fragner]

The kind. Constant high expectations. Like when you hit puberty and all that kind of emotional complications and growth and change. That was. It hit me really hard, especially when I'm disabled. That also affected my disability too. And I. I'm like, I used to walk in a walker, but now I have to do a power wheelchair because I can't even stand up like that anymore. So that was. And also Covid was a nightmare. And, like, that kept us all shut in for, like, a few years. So I didn't have enough exercise and all that. So that was just crazy. And I just kind of. I didn't like. It got to the point where I just, like, was in the pits and I felt like I wasn't good enough. But really, it was like kind of over time. Like in 9th grade specifically, I actually watched the 1968 movie Romeo and Juliet and read the play by Shakespeare. And it was through that piece of work, that kind of Jesus really started to speak to me, and I could kind of hear him through Romeo, the character, and I started to fall in love with him. So it was a combination of that and plus the right people at the right time, my mom and the right people who could help me, that I was just able to get saved and just come back to how I was before, in a sense. So, yeah, that's just for you.

[Podcast Host]

What keeps you so grounded is you have a strong family and your deep faith. Those are your. Those are your superpowers that you rely on to kind of navigate through this weird world that. That we live in.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah. And I also kind of lean into what I love. I love certain movies, I love certain stories. I love to write as well. And kind of to honor my grandparents who passed away, I actually did a backstory. I started doing a backstory to Romeo and Juliet. That was kind of my Lord of the Rings.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, nice.

[Maddie Fragner]

Two of the main characters in there were based off of my grandparents and how they met in real life. And, I mean, the story itself, I don't think will ever be finished because there are just some things that I would like to forget. And kind of. Back when I was writing that thing, there was a lot of pain going through me, and I don't think I would want to revisit that. But there are certain. Certain scenes in there that I hold very dearly. And there's one scene in particular that I would actually like to change into a manga strip one day if I found the right person to do the illustrations of my characters. But, I mean, kind of that story was important because kind of God was speaking to me through those words and revealed his heart to me through the characters, and that's why I'm obsessed with them. And I shared that scene with a friend of mine, and she was obsessed with the male lead. And I was so happy, but it kind of allowed me to have a springboard to write kind of different things. And I've also recently become obsessed with, like, Greek mythology. I love.

[Podcast Host]

There's some good stuff in Greek mythology, good monsters in there. I myself, sometimes people say I look like I came out of something from Greek mythology, and I. I take it as a compliment.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah, I mean, like, I just love the whole concept of Greek mythology as a whole, because the gods are a lot like superheroes, but at the end of the day, they're people that are very flawed, and in a way, they're kind of relatable. And honestly, my favorite character goddess is Aphrodite. I just kind of love how, like, one.

[Podcast Host]

I'm sensing a trend where you really like romance.

[Maddie Fragner]

I do, yes.

[Podcast Host]

You. You're like, what's your favorite? I guess my favorite romance movie would be the Princess Bride. That, to me, that's a classic. I think that's. That's a classic. So I. I'm a movie buff. I will watch movies anytime. Anybody. I love the old, older the movie, the better. So let's go through. Okay, so what would you Give me? Top 3 Best Romantic Movies or comedies?

[Maddie Fragner]

Let me see. My favorite, of course, is the 1968 Romeo and Juliet, directed by Franco Zeffirelli. That movie is a very special place in my heart because that was the literal movie that God used to bring me out of the dark. Let's see, what else? I mean, I wouldn't be able to narrow this down to all three, but I also.

[Podcast Host]

It's hard.

[Maddie Fragner]

I also really love the Sound of Music. I really, really love the Great Gatsby. With Mia Farrow and Robert Red.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, the original one, not the remake. Yes, the original. I watched the original one, too.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah. So. But, like, kind of. I really like my favorite writer of all time. Has to be Shakespeare. He's the goat. I absolutely love him. Other than Romeo and Juliet, as my favorite play, my second favorite play would be Hamlet. And if I had to say a third, Much Ado About Nothing. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Really. Okay. So again, we have something in common. When I was in school, in junior high and high school, I was in Shakespeare festivals, and I actually won first place for playing for Taming of the Shrew.

[Maddie Fragner]

Wow.

[Podcast Host]

And I played Thisbee in Midsummer Night's Dream.

[Maddie Fragner]

I love Midsummer Night's Dream. That one's good.

[Podcast Host]

Yes, I Can I kiss you through the walls I cannot see Yeah, I remember all that stuff. But my favorite Shakespeare play is Othello. I love Othello. And my favorite character is Iago. He's the. Iago is the greatest villain of all time. You know why?

[Maddie Fragner]

Why?

[Podcast Host]

So at the end, when they're laying in the bed and he's his wife, Iago's tricked him, and Othello has realized that it was Iago the whole time. And. And Iago never really tells us why. The story never tells us why. Iago. We have assumptions that it was like he got passed over, but he really didn't get passed over by him. Othello was already where he was when they were. So they're laying in the bed, and Othello stabs him. And as the two of them are bleeding out, dying together, Othello says to him, why? Why did you do all this? And Iago says the greatest line ever. You know what? You know, I will speak of it no more. That was the biggest sorry F you ever. And because you know how bad guys always give the plot away. You know, well, I'm glad you're here, because as we're speaking, my rocket on this side of town, and. And he just give away. And why. They're giving away the whole plot. The good guy's texting his partners the coordinates to where the rocket's at. Iago wouldn't do that. He was evil in the beginning. He was evil throughout. And he went out like, I have this thing. You're either in life when it comes to putting in work and something. You're either eggs or bacon on a plate. Now, if you're. Hear me out. If your eggs. You give something. A chicken gives eggs, right? She puts something on it. There is some effort there. But the bacon went all out. They left everything they had on that plate.

[Maddie Fragner]

Exactly.

[Podcast Host]

And when it comes to. Literally. And when it comes to villains, I feel like Iago is bacon.

[Maddie Fragner]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

Every other villain is eggs. If as soon as you tell the plan, it's not the same thing. And that's why. Yeah, yeah. And all of what do you. Okay, conspiracy theory. Was Shakespeare one man or was it a bunch of different authors that just that, like.

[Maddie Fragner]

I always hate the fact that people like. I honestly. I don't know if it's true or not, but I honestly would like to believe that he was just one person with the family.

[Podcast Host]

Me too. Yes.

[Maddie Fragner]

I just. It makes me so angry that a lot of people are accusing of him to not even write the stuff in the first place and that even girls wrote something and it's like

[Podcast Host]

that Only. Only a. Were. Right. That stuff. I know that sounds sexist. I'm not being sexist. But if Iago was written by a woman, he would have told. He would have told how he was feeling. That's the thing. Iago never told her how he's feeling. He would have been like, we have to understand, the reason why I tricked you into think your wife was having an affair on you and forced you to kill her is because you never acknowledged my hair. You never said I had pretty eye. You know, it'll be, oh my gosh. And then we'll all be sitting there going, oh, man. Why is he. No, no, that's how we know. That's how we know. Yeah, I saw that. The more recent one. Yeah.

[Maddie Fragner]

How I know kind of specifically is. I mean, Shakespeare had a son Hamnet, and he was very special to him and kind of he. After Hamnet died tragically, he wrote Hamlet, I guess, in honor of his son Hamlet. Hamnet is kind of one of the same. And there was a movie about Hamnet that came out and my favorite director ever is Kenneth Branagh. He is just awesome with this kind of stuff. But like, kind of. I was talking to a friend the other day about it and we both agreed that you can't fake being a famous writer like this for 500 years. It just doesn't.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I think someone would say something.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So I'm just lucky that we. We got to have his work because so many of the great works and stuff in this. In this world have perished and we'll never know. I mean, maybe Shakespeare was a mediocre writer and there was all these great plays, but. But for whatever reason, his. His library, his collection of works have been able to be Passed down from generation to generation. So in effect, Shakespeare is immortal because I really think that he, through his work, he will live forever.

[Maddie Fragner]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

I. And here's the thing. I don't know if there's anything been written better as far as plays go, like Macbeth. I love Macbeth. I really enjoyed. Did you see the one with Denzel?

[Maddie Fragner]

No.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, I highly recommend it. I highly recommend it. Denzel Washington rendition of Macbeth is phenomenal. And they did. It's in black and white, so it's really cool.

[Maddie Fragner]

I think I saw the opening of it. I mean. Oh.

[Podcast Host]

Because she's like a contortionist.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And the witch is like. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Maddie Fragner]

I mean, personally, Macbeth scared me right from the get go.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, it still scares me.

[Maddie Fragner]

But my favorite character in that play was Lady Macbeth. I just loved her personality.

[Podcast Host]

It's her fault. It's all her fault. Again, that's how you know Shakespeare was a man. He told you, out, out, damn spot. Stick your courage to the sticky place. Like, who talks? You're telling your husband to commit murder, and you're talking to him like, he didn't take the trash bag out on time. Like, what are we doing here? Why is she not dead? Go work. Go do work. Like, it's just. Just the pure evil, that play. To this day, whenever I read it, I still get a little like. Because. But that he. That behavior is so relevant today. Like, you know, the conspiring and the things like that. And, and. But those, Those plays, when we just. The more we talk about it, the more I remember fun. Like, I always found his. His plays were fun. 1. Not just because trying to. Like the first time you read a Shakespeare play, you're not gonna understand it.

[Maddie Fragner]

No.

[Podcast Host]

You know, and it's like, it's almost like a different language.

[Maddie Fragner]

It is. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And then there's that time where you'll just randomly pick it and all of a sudden it all makes sense.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah. I mean, honestly, when I first started reading Romeo and Juliet, I didn't understand a word of it. But then when I watched the movie, I started to fall in love with it. And now kind of when I read the play, it just makes sense because particular play, it's easier to understand than most. And Hamlet's actually pretty easy to understand. I love the character of Hamlet as well, but it's just. It's an incredible. I just love how Shakespeare used Elizabethan language to just bring new life into words. And that's just kind of my favorite style that they used back in the day. So. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So you're you're already a published author and your love of movies and writing stories in your future, are you considering maybe writing a nice sci fi series or awesome love story or something that would be on the big screen one day?

[Maddie Fragner]

I mean, definitely. I really wish I could like write a love story, but actually.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, I think you could.

[Maddie Fragner]

But one day. I really would actually like to get into voice acting. I know I'm friends with a, with a vocal coach and she works with a lot of voice actors that are actually on Nickelodeon. And like, I really want to get back to her because I just, I love acting and I really one day wish I could just be like part of a show or something. I just. That would be so incredible. I love that kind of stuff.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that would be. And I, I think you can 1000% crush that.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Especially. And because anytime you. And here's the thing, here's the beautiful thing about entertainment. And I've been, I've been told no more times than yes, like, and I know it's like, oh, I see you on TV and, and you see all this stuff, but for it, like, even my first, when I first wrote my books, they didn't think I was smart enough.

[Maddie Fragner]

That's what I mean. Chris kind of mentioned, but I thought that was really sad.

[Podcast Host]

No, it's life. They look at me, they judge me. And they said, we don't. You have to have a writing a ghost rider. And I don't want. Who can talk like me, who can tell my story.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Really, you want to hear some guy. I'm Tyrus and I'm six foot. You know, no one's going to believe that. And this morning I woke up and I was just miffed, you know, like, that doesn't sound like me. But they, they slammed the door in my face, said, nope, you know, And I ran into Chris by chance and he believed in me. And he was like, no, I think you could. And you know, when I. My book came out and their book came out. My book destroyed their book. All their books, actually, so. And then, you know, of course afterwards, you know, all of a sudden, oh, he is smart. But there's. We all kind of carry. People have judgments and disperse and stereotypes and they think, yeah, a certain way. And I think it's good to know it's out there. I think it's good to understand that. That you might get judged that way.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

But when it happens, you're prepared for it and understand that sometimes when those opportunities, because I could have quit, they're like, no, we don't think you can write a book. So I could have said, okay. One said, no, so I will never write a book and just forget about it. But I took their no as fuel. That failure, because it was a failure. They said, we don't think you're good enough. No, thank you. But I took that pain and embarrassment because, you know, when you create, when you write something, in a lot of ways, it's. It's you. It's like an extension of you. It's like. It's like a baby. And you're handing it to somebody, and they. They're holding something that you created and nurtured and dreamed about. And they look at and they go, eh, I don't know. That hurts.

[Maddie Fragner]

It really does.

[Podcast Host]

It does hurt. And you want to say things like, give me back my paper, you jackass. You know, like, you don't know what you're talking about. I'm gonna. You're. You have no clue. You're no Daisy at all. And then, you know, and. And it does hurt. But then once you get past that initial hurt, this is when special people do their thing. This is. And you will relate to this because you're a special person. You took that pain and you turned it into soil, and you put your little idea in and it grew, and you did it yourself.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

It feels great when you overcome something, and while you're doing yourself, a new door opens.

[Maddie Fragner]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

You know, And I think you have been exemplary in showing that. And it's funny, because we are so different, but yet we have so much in common. Yeah, that's really cool. Like, we're both book nerds, but if anybody calls us book nerd, don't worry. I'll handle it.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, don't worry. I got it, too. But you can.

[Podcast Host]

You can write the story to get me out of trouble when we twist them up. So you'll tell the story of what happened. You'll do the prequel of what happened.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So what are you working on? Anything new now? Are you having projects you're working on?

[Maddie Fragner]

Not at the moment. Mostly I'm just kind of focusing on my art. I just. The most writing that I've done is in Chris's class, and I'm just taking kind of a lot of college classes right now, so that's just kind of kept me busy as well. And the most recent college. The most recent story I've done was this. So. Yeah, but I mean, I have done. I've been kind of dabbling in secret with several story ideas, but Just kind of have kept them off to the side because life just gets busy. So.

[Podcast Host]

Well, make sure you make your little outlines and keep them because you can. These are projects, right? I always like, they're no longer ideas, they're projects.

[Maddie Fragner]

They are.

[Podcast Host]

Put them on your little back burner and when the time's right, you break that project out. And don't tell anybody about your projects and have them stealing your good ideas.

[Maddie Fragner]

No, absolutely not.

[Podcast Host]

Get you a little safe.

[Maddie Fragner]

The best work that I do is often when I'm just in the quiet, just me and just kind of chilling and doing whatever and then kind of once a lot of it's done, I'll just bring it out and just see what people think because like I love, I love just to write and I even wrote a part of a story that's kind of Greek mythology based, but I just put that on the back burner because life got out, got busy, so. But anyways. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Because what I like to do, I, I don't, I love fish tanks. Like I have, I'm an animal junkie. And we're going to talk about. Because we have something else in common. We both love a certain four legged animal a little bigger.

[Maddie Fragner]

Okay. Horses. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yes, yes. I have three horses also. And Elise, but, and my, my youngest daughter Georgie. She, she jumps horses. So. But I, I've always had. Black Stallion is one of my favorite movies of all time.

[Maddie Fragner]

I've never seen that, but I've heard so many.

[Podcast Host]

Another homework assignment. So you've got two. You're writing a review from my comic book. You're promising to watch the movies, the Macbeth and the Black Stallion.

[Maddie Fragner]

Okay?

[Podcast Host]

Now the ending of Black Stallion is one of the greatest endings of all time in movies. It's one of my favorite, it's one of my favorite movies. Now I'm just gonna tell you, when I was little, it's one of the first movies I ever went to. My grandmother, who I didn't get a lot of time with in life, took me to see a movie and she took me to see the Black Stallion. And I still remember sitting in the movie theater with her, the popcorn I had. And I thought it was the greatest thing I ever saw in my life. And it's my favorite movie. Absolutely all time favorite movie. I, I, I think you will. It's inspiring. So you might watch it and the next thing you know, come up with another one of your projects because it's really, you're really going to enjoy it.

[Maddie Fragner]

A horse movie that I really loved was the Black beauty live action one. It was, it came out in the 90s or something that incredibly good. I love it.

[Podcast Host]

And then there's some old classics like Flicker.

[Maddie Fragner]

There was that one.

[Podcast Host]

Yep. And then there's. I think there's the Disney has like some old, old horse movies and there's this one about this red stallion that no one could catch. And like I think Flickr was maybe it was like they. You. But there's a lot of like cool books and stuff about horses over time. And like I said, me and my daughter, we were. We wrote the. But I'll have to send you that, have you take a look at it.

[Maddie Fragner]

I have the book, actually.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, you do? You have the book? You have Georgie and her Great Horse Adventures.

[Maddie Fragner]

It was so amazing.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, thank you. Did you, you read it?

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah, I did. It was okay.

[Podcast Host]

Would you, would you please give me a review? I'll have my hands crossed and I will take your criticism. I'm ready.

[Maddie Fragner]

There's no criticism. In fact, I thought it was kind of a wonderful story. I love the art especially I thought it was amazing that Georgie was the main character and kind of. I could relate to many parts of it too where she kind of developed a relationship with several of the horses. But then she had to keep moving on. And that especially was kind of hard for me in the past because I've often gotten attached to horses and people and just kind of when they leave, it's heart wrenching. But like I just, I love horses and that really kind of encapsulated that for me as well. I just thought you did a really incredible job and I look forward to seeing your next one.

[Podcast Host]

So, you know, a lot of. Thank you for that. One of the things in, in writing a book like that I just remember and you A lot of our books that we share, like Charlotte's Web, where the Red Fern Grows, that's one of my all time favorites. If you haven't read where the Red Fern Grows, I highly. Big Dan, Little Ann, you're gonna cry. But all of the, but all of those books, Charlotte's Web, Animal Farm, where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, all these books always have the same thing. The reason why I remember them is because I cried reading them at one point when Charlotte says goodbye. Yeah, I cried. Yeah. You know, even Templeton couldn't make it better. And I love though, he's awesome. His little. His little love affair with foods and then the same thing and. And I won't. Spoiler alert. I won't ruin where the. I cried the most with Boxer because I was yelling at the book for him to get out of the wagon.

[Maddie Fragner]

That's like, I did the exact same thing.

[Podcast Host]

Yes. I was like boxer. No. And Benjamin was like, no, no, you idiot. Because Boxer never learned the rule because he was too trusting.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And I get, I'm getting, I get sad. And I recently got the book and reread it. I got Animal Farmer and reread it and I read it in the airport. I think I took me. I think I had a two hour layover and two, two hour flights or whatever. But when I was getting off the plane, I had finished it and I was still, I was still like a little, like a little choked up when the park. Because I, I knew it was. I think it was funny as, because you, when you read something again for the second time or third time and you're like, as you start turning the pages, you're like, oh, no, the chapters. Yeah. And then maybe he changed it. Maybe they changed it. Maybe he's okay and he wasn't okay. He never got off the cart. And I remember making up my own story. Like, actually it wasn't a glue factory he was going to. It was actually he went to the same place that the other horse that Escape went to. And he's living up his best life. And I just remember the teacher writing, putting a C on my paper going, no, that's not what happened.

[Maddie Fragner]

I did that exact same thing to one of my Greek mythology myths that I absolutely loved. Apollo and Daphne. I was so mad when Apollo didn't get the girl of his dreams that I was like, you know what? I'm gonna change this. And I wrote like a 32, like 23 page rewrite of when she actually fell in love with him. And it was like finally I wanted to get my way with that. It was very special.

[Podcast Host]

So that's a beautiful thing about when you have an amazing creative mind to be able to do things like that. Because by writing it and positioning it. See, we. And again, I would have, I would have loved to have read something like that. So you're going to. I heard college. So what are we majoring in? What is the. What are we. What are we thinking about?

[Maddie Fragner]

I mean, English, of course. I. I really want to get into writing. I mean, maybe in the future I would consider theater, maybe. But I'm not quite sure. Like, all I know for certain that I want to be a writer. And I've got a bunch of other ideas that I love. I also really love art as well. Like Kind of those white marble sculptures that you would see at Hearst Castle. Hearst Castle is literally one of my favorite places to go in the world. And I just, I really love paintings like William Adolph Bouguereau, Botticelli, all those different kinds of great artists. And I just love to kind of see those kinds of museums and those kinds of art whenever I can. So. But I'm just still trying to figure myself like I just started.

[Podcast Host]

You're 19 years old, you're a baby. So you have a lot of time to figure things out. But I, I will tell you, you are ahead of the curve, young lady. You. Because I can tell you right now, there's a lot of 19 year olds that. And I, I had two young boys, so I know where I would be like, hey, what are you doing today? Just a simple question. And the answer was I don't know. So you are, you are destroying them. Like, I'm going to make my boys watch this and be like, what are we doing, fellas? She's already published. What, what are we doing? Like, get it together. You're an, you are going to be inspiring. Because the reason, one of the reasons why I had you on today was I'm so tired of hearing about all the problems with our younger generation. Everyone always did millennials this.

[Maddie Fragner]

But you know what?

[Podcast Host]

There are superstars out there who are going to make. And I have a sneaking suspicion at some point, many years from now they're going to be like, this will run and be like Tyrus got the first interview with 16 time New York Times best selling Tony Award winning actress writer, you know, and I'll be like, haha. So you know, and actually you are my, this is my, my podcast. I like to give things like chapters or whatever, but exceptional young people is what. That's not too spicy. I got to work on it a little. You know, I got to jazz it up and tyrus it up. But, but, but basically it's like you, the more people will see work ethic, commitment, understanding, humbleness. And we didn't, we haven't talked about any handicaps because that's just, it's just life. It's just life. And then you're not diminishing it. What you're saying is, I'm here, I'm kicking ass and taking names and I've got issues just like everyone else does, but I'm not defined by whatever was put in front of me. And that was powerful.

[Maddie Fragner]

At the same time though, kind of my disability is still a part of me to a certain I don't like it all the time. I admit I wish I could be sexier physically, but.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, well, don't we all. Don't we all, like. Listen, I'm affectionately described as Shrek Sully, you know, so it's not, you know, those, Those. Those guys aren't getting cast as James Bond.

[Maddie Fragner]

That's literally one of my favorite cartoon movies ever. I love that movie so much.

[Podcast Host]

But which one? Monsters Inc. Or Shrek?

[Maddie Fragner]

I love Shrek.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I guess I'm kind of Shrekish. I'd rather be Shrek, but then Foggwar. I mean, I guess Gutfeld's fog, but. Well, no, that would make Cat the donkey. Okay, I've got to rethink this. But basically the same. The. The. The same premise, but yeah, I. I just. It. It's a very interesting. It's very interesting and exciting to interview someone who is so accomplished and so young.

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[Maddie Fragner]

Well, I mean, I'm honored to be here. I mean, this is.

[Podcast Host]

Honor is all mine.

[Maddie Fragner]

I just. This is legit. My first podcast ever. I've interviewed, like, at least two authors before, but it was never like, anything this big before, so I was absolutely.

[Podcast Host]

You absolutely are crushing it. Absolutely crushing it.

[Maddie Fragner]

Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Like, you were the. This you. You might have to think about. Maybe a podcast might be in your future. I think you'd be great at interviewing people maybe and talking to fellow artists and. And writers and stuff. You know, bring Chris on there and ask him the tough questions. Questions like, how many pluses are going on your A's in class? That's what I want to know. Four or five.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, I mean, maybe one day, but, like, I'm just gonna take it one step at a time, I suppose. But you.

[Podcast Host]

You sound. You sound so professional. Like, that's the greatest. One step at a time we'll do. You know, I'll put it in the hands of God and just let things fall where they may. You. That. That answer right there. You could. Whether you're a president, NFL player, or a writer is the greatest answer you can Ever give anyone. Yeah, well, this has been absolutely amazing. And. Oh, wait, you didn't tell. What's our major? You said English. But like, what's the, what's your mate? What's the goal? Because you know what, young lady, I have to say this. Chasing amazing things like writing and anime and voiceovers, we got to have a ground game. We gotta. Like for me, I have my teaching degree, which means if all this fancy TV stuff went away, you would see me in a classroom. Hopefully. I don't think they have chalkboards anymore, but no, the dryer. Yeah. Or probably a laptop or whatever. But I could go, I could go teach and, and coach football. So I have to. Because we've been talking about the amazing things you do as a writer. Is there, is there a ground game like an English teacher or a professor? Or is there anything that is just in terms of. Just between your greatness? Just the A and B. I always say plan B, the ground game.

[Maddie Fragner]

I mean, like an author would be the first choice voice actress I think would be the second. And I'm not quite sure after that. I do a bit of art on the side, but that's just something small that I do. But that would be kind of it so far. I mean, more could be added. But honestly, like, people have told me, like, you should be a teacher and I honestly hate the idea of that because I don't want to deal with snobby kids and grades and all that, so.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, I, I know. Trust me, I. I know. And you know what? And that's okay. And that's okay because you'll over time you'll see where you're at. But I think you'd be an amazing teacher because you have great patience. But you know what? If it's not in your wheelhouse, it's not in your wheelhouse because yeah, kids are. Especially other people's kids.

[Maddie Fragner]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Really, it's not, it's not. You know, I always say this, this. I say, look, I don't have a problem, problem with children. I just have a problem with other people's children because sometimes they, you know, because you can't. It's not the, the kids fault when they're acting that way. They're only acting how mom and dad let them act.

[Maddie Fragner]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

So which can be in, in the school setting is just absolutely insane. So. Okay. But we've got a good game plan. And you're, and you're. You're already in a published author anyway, so we're already checking some boxes and you're Going to. We'll put up. Up to where if anybody wants to purchase the book, where they can order it from.

[Maddie Fragner]

And also I wanted to say that as well, I work with a hotel in Paso Robles that's kind of one step down from Hearst Castle. It's really fancy and luxurious. And for now I'm kind of their small artist in residence there.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, you already have an. You have a residency as an artist?

[Maddie Fragner]

I mean, kind of. I have one of my art. Like two of my art pieces that are in their hotel right now. So I just. It's.

[Podcast Host]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. And also I was. I've been misled because I was under the impression I was talking to an author. I didn't know I was talking to a. A published author and artist.

[Maddie Fragner]

I mean, like, kind of like when I was 11 years old, many years ago, I like made like a small sculpture for my own purposes. And like on vacation, my family went to this hotel just for a vacation and. And I brought it with me for something. And then somehow, like, I like, I met the owner and he's like, hey, could you put this here? Could we keep it? And like, it just has been there ever since. And I'm honored to have it there.

[Podcast Host]

We get a picture. So the people at home. Because when we edit this, you don't do it or have your mom send us some photos and stuff for your. Because we. That would. Plus the book too. So when we talk, when you and I are talking, when it goes to my face, they would rather see like the COVID or the book or, you know, the art thing. So people that are going to watch this can also see the coolness of what you do.

[Maddie Fragner]

We can do that. And also I have a second vignette there of a second drawing a copy of a famous painting that I've done. And also I've written a poem about the place that it's at. So those are some other things I have stationed there too.

[Podcast Host]

So we can get. We can get copies of all that stuff so the people at home can. And they can go to see your amazing artwork and just to see the

[Maddie Fragner]

hotel in general because it sounds magical there. I love it.

[Podcast Host]

And what's the name of the hotel again?

[Maddie Fragner]

It's called the Allegretto Vineyard Resort. It's in Paso Robles. And it's just absolutely insane. It's like you're walking onto a palace grounds. It's very sacred and you know how

[Podcast Host]

to give a plug. This is amazing. You are on Your. Your way. There is no way I could have done all this in my first interview. You. I would have been saying and am. And you know, and like, huh, what do you say? At 19, I probably. I would have completely ruined it. So you are light years ahead in terms of maturity. And one of the things we hear a lot about your generation is how you guys aren't humble, how you guys don't work hard.

[Maddie Fragner]

It makes me so angry, actually.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And it's not. It's the furthest thing from the truth. Truth. The knuckleheads and who do stuff on social media for attention don't represent you guys.

[Maddie Fragner]

No.

[Podcast Host]

And I, I am so honored that I got a chance to. To kind of narrate and show and put your story out there because there is a lot of young people and older people that are going to be inspired by you. And I know that's nothing new to you, but I think the thing that they will probably hopefully take the most away from this interview and the. The time we got to talk is just. Just how much you love life, how much you attack life head on and nothing stands in your way. And I think that is remarkable.

[Maddie Fragner]

Well, thank you. And I. It's been an honor to be here and you're awesome. I just. I love this. This was awesome. Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Thank you so much. And would you please consider coming back to do. I'm going to send you my books to do a book review? Yes, sure. Yeah. So I will get this stuff. Our people will get in touch with your family. You'll get or actually you know what, Chris can bring it right to you you at class and he better because I know he has copies everything little greedy troll. And I'll have him bring everything and then you could give me a review and we could do another podcast together if you and your family are interested.

[Maddie Fragner]

This was awesome. I totally do this again.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, thank you so much. Well, it has been a tremendous pleasure. You have a wonderful day and thank your thanks mom and dad for having letting you come on and hopefully we can do this again soon. And thank you for being a fan. I appreciate you very much.

[Maddie Fragner]

You're awesome.

[Podcast Host]

And thank you for letting me still be okay to cuss.

[Maddie Fragner]

No problem.

[Podcast Host]

All right. Thank you. You have a wonderful day.

[Maddie Fragner]

You too.

[Podcast Host]

Bye.

[Maddie Fragner]

Bye.