Kenan Thompson

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim" Featuring Kenan Thompson

Podcast Information:

• Title: Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim
• Host: Ego Nwodim
• Guest: Kenan Thompson
• Release Date: October 28, 2024
• Description: Raised by a single mom, Ego Nwodim invites father figures to be her “Dad for the Day,” engaging in heartfelt and humorous conversations about their experiences with their own dads and as parents. Each episode concludes with practical life advice from the guests.

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Introduction

Ego Nwodim introduces the episode by sharing her background of being raised by a single mother and her intention to fill the paternal void through conversations with father figures. She welcomes Kenan Thompson, an Emmy-winning actor known for his work on "Saturday Night Live," "Good Burger," and "The Mighty Ducks," as her guest for the day.

Notable Quote:

• Ego Nwodim [00:10]: "I don’t think I’m ever gonna have one with him because he’s dead. Yep, he’s dead."

Maintaining Positivity

The conversation begins with Ego noticing Kenan's consistent positivity. Kenan explains his focus on maintaining a positive outlook by emphasizing lessons learned and reframing negative experiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Kenan Thompson [01:22]: "I focus on the positive or the lessons in life... it's just a good way to take life as it comes."
• Kenan Thompson [01:37]: "I don’t try not to feel things... I feel it, but I also reach toward the positive."

Upbringing and Family Dynamics

Kenan discusses his upbringing in a religious household, highlighting the contrasting personalities of his parents. His father is described as highly religious and optimistic, while his mother is practical and focused on tangible matters like paying bills.

Notable Quotes:

• Kenan Thompson [02:06]: "My dad is most definitely, he’s really religious and like daily affirmative."
• Kenan Thompson [02:55]: "Prayer without action is a form of wrongdoing."

Impact of Divorce

Ego and Kenan delve into the topic of divorce, with Kenan sharing that his parents divorced when he was twelve. Unlike Ego, who experienced parental divorce in infancy, Kenan remained close to both parents post-divorce, maintaining regular contact and a strong relationship.

Notable Quote:

• Kenan Thompson [05:29]: "They divorced when I was like, 12. Anytime I think past the age of you being able to remember, which is like three years old. Divorce is tough."

Lessons from His Father

Kenan reflects on the valuable lessons his father imparted, both intentionally and through observation. These include traditional values such as providing for the family, handling emotions, and being street-smart. He emphasizes the importance of resilience and preparedness for life's challenges.

Notable Quotes:

• Kenan Thompson [18:06]: "He’s taught me how to be a man, how to be a wise person, how to be a good stand-up... a solid part of the brotherhood."
• Kenan Thompson [26:58]: "Being a provider and like all that kind of... shoot guns, protect your family and loved ones."

Therapy and Personal Growth

The discussion shifts to therapy, with Ego sharing her experiences of not feeling a paternal void and challenging the notion that her lack of a father causes her issues. Kenan supports her perspective, highlighting the diversity of individual experiences with therapy and personal growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Ego Nwodim [14:12]: "I don’t feel like I lived a full life... because I don’t feel that way."
• Kenan Thompson [16:14]: "Keenan, you are not wrong."

Navigating Relationships and Boundaries

In the advice segment, Kenan offers insights into recognizing when to step away from unhealthy relationships. He emphasizes the importance of personal boundaries, emotional intelligence, and the ability to assess relationship dynamics critically.

Notable Quotes:

• Kenan Thompson [51:37]: "Any fluctuation... that’s not a good thing to be able to invest in."
• Kenan Thompson [53:56]: "You gotta believe people on sight."

Protecting and Raising Children

Kenan shares his philosophies on parenting, focusing on protection, respect, and teaching resilience. He discusses balancing being a father and a friend, instilling respect, and preparing his daughters for the complexities of the world.

Notable Quotes:

• Kenan Thompson [43:25]: "I want them to see me as their father... I am not their little buddy."
• Kenan Thompson [44:38]: "Trying to give them those tools of respect to survive."

Conclusion

Ego thanks Kenan for his openness and the valuable insights he shared. Kenan reciprocates the appreciation, highlighting the importance of supporting father figures and the meaningfulness of their conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• Kenan Thompson [56:30]: "Having dads in the conversation, it's big to support dads."
• Ego Nwodim [56:41]: "It's really beautiful to have these conversations, and it’s really enlightening."

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Final Thoughts:

This episode of "Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim" offers a profound exploration of fatherhood, personal growth, and the complexities of family dynamics. Kenan Thompson's candid reflections provide listeners with both humor and heartfelt wisdom, making it a compelling episode for anyone navigating similar experiences or seeking inspiration from a respected father figure.

Resources Mentioned:

• Headgum Podcast Network: headgum.com
• Subscribe and Leave a Review: Available on Apple Podcasts and other platforms.

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Transcript Excerpts:

• For full context and additional insights, refer to the complete transcript of the episode.

Transcript

[Keenan Thompson]

This is a headgum podcast.

[Ego Wodem]

Hello, hello, hello, I'm Ega Wodom, and welcome to thanks, Dad. I was raised by a single mom and I don't have a relationship with my dad. And, spoiler, I don't think I'm ever gonna have one with him because he's dead. Yep, he's dead. But that's okay, guys, because on this podcast, I'm sitting down with father figures who are either old enough to be my D or who are just dads themselves. I'm getting to ask the questions I've always wanted to ask a dad, like, how do I know if the guy I'm dating is right for me? Or how do I even change the oil in my car? And can you help me perfect my jump shot? I'm so bad at basketball. Maybe because I didn't have a dad. Anyway, let's get into it with my dad for today. My next guest, you know, today's Emmy award winning guest from Saturday Night Live, Good burger, the Mighty Ducks, and so much more. So much more. Please welcome my dad for the day, Keenan Thompson.

[Keenan Thompson]

It is a pleasure.

[Ego Wodem]

I feel like there should be applause.

[Keenan Thompson]

Put it in there. That's an easy thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Let's. Can we do? Yeah, let's. Yes. Come on. Come on. I'm so happy you're here.

[Keenan Thompson]

How you doing?

[Ego Wodem]

I'm good. How are you?

[Keenan Thompson]

I'm great.

[Ego Wodem]

You are. You always are great. You always say you're great.

[Keenan Thompson]

I'll be trying. Yeah.

[Ego Wodem]

You're always positive. Do you feel positive most of the time?

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. Cause I focus on that. You know what I mean? I try to focus on the positive or the lessons in life. You know what I'm saying? Like, it's just a good way to, like, take life as it comes as opposed to, like, hyper reacting to things.

[Ego Wodem]

Right?

[Keenan Thompson]

Not that I try not to, like, not feel things or whatever. Like, I feel it, but, you know, I also would like to feel my journey through getting, you know, through the pain of it and getting back to the positive. You know what I'm saying? So, like, I'm already reaching towards the positive way earlier, so it feels like the positive comes back sooner.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. So I want to ask you, because you're so. He's giggling because I'm. We're. We're going there. Kenan.

[Keenan Thompson]

Get in there, Keaton.

[Ego Wodem]

No. Are your parents positive people? Like, optimistic?

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. I mean, my dad is most definitely at this point, he's, you know, really religious and like daily affirmative. You know what I mean? And, like, they both raised me in Like a non denominational kind of truth kind of church, which is very like, you know, power and spoken word and stuff like that. So I want, Yes, I wanna say so, like, my mom is a little more. How do I word this? It's like she believes in, you know, what she doesn't know necessarily, but she's more focused on the tangible, you know what I'm saying? Cause she has to deal with the tangible more. And like, my dad can kind of, you know, just be in the hopeful, you know what I mean, in his mindset or whatever. And she's very much like, yeah, that. And tackle the day at the. At at present hand with my hands, you know.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, this is what I'm actually facing. This is what I can actually control. This is what, this is what needs to be done. Right, okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

Without taking anything from it. Like, yeah, it's nice to believe in your imagination and put it that way, you know, I don't want to put it like that, but she definitely is much more like focused on like, yeah, these bills are here to be paid.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. Okay, right. And we can pray about it, but okay, the bills still need to be paid. And Con Ed is not gonna take my.

[Keenan Thompson]

But even in that, it's like they say, like prayer without action is a form of, you know, a wrongdoing, if.

[Ego Wodem]

You will, because faith without deeds is dead.

[Keenan Thompson]

Right? All of that. So it's like you still gotta. It's in there that you gotta do the work still. So it's not like you can just hope and dream and then, you know, you get taken away by the unicorns to the streets of gold, right?

[Ego Wodem]

That doesn't happen.

[Keenan Thompson]

It doesn't work while you're here. You have to go through life, basically.

[Ego Wodem]

You'Ve been given the ability to do because you're meant to. Like, you're.

[Keenan Thompson]

I mean, that's the other thing. When you talk about, like, how you doing, it's like, yeah, we're going to talk about comparisons, man. Like, when you think of like what you're going through, that's not necessarily physically hurting you or like emotionally hurting you, hurting you. You know, you can, you can add up the pros in your life. You know what I mean? Like, I like being black. I like being American, right. I like being, you know, able to walk. I got all my limbs and I'm beloved and I'm a child of God and all these things, you know what I'm saying? So you start reaffirming those things. Hopefully that should start spinning you out of anything negative. That's happened or been brought up or whatever. But easier said than that, I'm sure.

[Ego Wodem]

Absolutely. Okay. Were your parents people who fostered community or were people always over? Because I'm like, I feel like that's also a. Inherent to you or not sort of thing to be like, I'm gonna be. Remain close to people or super connected to people.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah, we were communal. Like, you know, they both come from. My mom comes from, you know, she's oldest of seven, I want to say. And my dad was like a middle child of three, but they're extended. Like, his mom and dad had a lot of kids and like.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

Or cousins or brothers and sister. Siblings. That's what it is. So they come from big families. And then we had a lot of cousins, me and my brother growing up. And then like, I have my sister when she came along later in life and stuff like that. So I think us not being on a level of like, time sharing kind of thing to where you want to, like, do a lot of, like, out of town vacationing. All of our vacations growing up were like, back home, like back to their hometown kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay, so like, you're. Both of your parents are from Virginia, right? Okay. Are they still together?

[Keenan Thompson]

They are not.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

They divorced when I was like, 12.

[Ego Wodem]

When you were 12? Was that hard or was it fine for you? My parents got divorced when I was a baby, so I'm like, I don't know.

[Keenan Thompson]

Anytime I think past the age of you being able to remember, which is like three years old. You know what I'm saying? It's tough. Divorce is tough.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. Yeah. Did you remain close to your dad, though?

[Keenan Thompson]

I'm close with both of them.

[Ego Wodem]

You're close with both of them? What's your dad like?

[Keenan Thompson]

He's funny.

[Ego Wodem]

Like, I know. Religious. Is it Christian or is it not quite that it is Christian.

[Keenan Thompson]

It's Christian. Like, they both grew up Baptist, but the church that they went to was a lady who grew up Baptist that started a non denominational church.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay, cool.

[Keenan Thompson]

But very, very Baptist, you know, adjacent, if you will, as far as, like the music, you know what I'm saying? But still preaching from the Bible as well, you know, but also like using the words and like finding the truth in the story as opposed to the metaphors, you know? I mean, like, instead of the metaphoric version, it's like, what is the actual truth? Like, what are you actually capable of doing kind of thing. Like, some people do have healing properties. Some people have sight. So, you know, like, real. Like real Talking. It's not necessarily sight, but it's a feeling of. Or, you know, a voice that says, you know, I don't know. I witnessed some wild shit growing in that church.

[Ego Wodem]

You did?

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. Early on, like, early on, you know, our preacher had this lady come who's, like, from Trinidad.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

And she was just laying hands on people and laying people out, you know what I'm saying? And, like, I watched my mom get laid out, you know what I'm saying? And she just put her hands on her and, like, she just fell out. And I was like, once I saw what happened to my mom, I was like, yo, was that real?

[Ego Wodem]

Right? Well, because it sounds like your mom.

[Keenan Thompson]

Was like, what happened? She was like. I was like, for real? I was like. She was like, yeah, I just passed out. She's like, wow.

[Ego Wodem]

Because your mom is. I want to say Ms. Anne is. Is. Is not as. She's not gonna buy in. She wouldn't.

[Keenan Thompson]

That's what I'm saying. She's more practical.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. So when it. When it happened to her, you're like, hold on, because.

[Keenan Thompson]

And it was immediate, you know what I mean? Like, how it be, like, on the televangelist or they be like, fanning me.

[Ego Wodem]

My grandmother used to watch tbn. Huh.

[Keenan Thompson]

But this lady was really, like, speaking about people's futures and things like that. Like, she put her hands on, like, my chest, and she was like, careful with your chest kind of thing in the interesting. Like, careful with your lungs.

[Ego Wodem]

She said, what do you take that to have meant then?

[Keenan Thompson]

I mean, I. I don't really know. Like, sometimes it can be, like, influential, you know what I'm saying? To where it could have led me down, like, oh, what's going on with my lungs? And, like, am I going to be a smoker later on in life? And, like, having those thoughts ingrained early maybe could have led me toward the path, maybe. But at the same time, you know, we're at where we're at kind of thing, and she wasn't necessarily wrong to be cautious of.

[Ego Wodem]

So, like, yeah. So then when it happened to your mom, you were like, okay, I believe this is. I believe this is real. Because my mom is the practical one.

[Keenan Thompson]

Well, you know, I can't vouch for all the mother strangers. They're adults, you know what I'm saying? And like, I was 9ish. 8ish. 9ish. And I'm watching all this happen. And it was a night service, too. It was like an off time, you know what I'm saying? It wasn't like the normal Sunday afternoon. It was like an evening thing. So it was like a private gathering of voodooism.

[Ego Wodem]

I was like, was she wearing all white?

[Keenan Thompson]

They doing magic?

[Ego Wodem]

The woman?

[Keenan Thompson]

No, she was very simply dressed and she was a little lady, you know what I mean? That's what I remember. But she was a little powerful lady.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. Did your dad branch off from the Baptist church to this non denominational one? Because there were things about the Baptist church he wasn't meshing with, or was it something about the woman who started the church?

[Keenan Thompson]

It was the lady that started the church, I think, and the locale. Because when they first moved to Atlanta, I think they were looking for a church home kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And that helped them, like, learn the community.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

Basically from being out of town kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. And he still goes to church and your dad. Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

I think so, yeah.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. And. Okay. So how would you. So he's just religious. What else would you say? It's true of his general Persona, personality.

[Keenan Thompson]

He likes to talk.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

Because he feels like he's seen a lot, learned a lot. He wants to share it, but very giving, you know? And yeah, we. We have more like a sibling kind of bond.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

Point kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. You say now at this point, but like, was it always like that or did you feel like.

[Keenan Thompson]

No.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

It was father son dynamic for sure.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I mean? It wasn't, you know, the opposite until much later in my adulthood.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. Was. Do you think it was like after you had your own kids or something? Or before.

[Keenan Thompson]

It was before that.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

But like, it was when I was starting to be like the most financial, stable person around, basically kind of thing. And it was like in my, like, mid to late 20s kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. Do you guys always get along?

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

No, I mean, like, Pops was always cool.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know, like whatever happened is, like, between them and for them to have to work out. But, like, he never came to me sideways.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. I'm always like. Because my parents got divorced so young, and I've seen how divorce later has affected some of my best childhood friends. Or like, their parents getting divorced when they were like, 10 or their parents getting divorced when they're like, 14. I'm like, what is that experience, like, in your experience, where you're like, he never came at me any kind of way. Do you. Were you able, even at that age to just be like, whatever went on with them is what went on with them, and my relationship with each of them is a separate thing. Like, were you did. You have the wherewithal at that age to feel that or recognize that.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah, because, like, every day we're still around, you know what I'm saying? Like, we all still went to the same church. And, like, my dad met my sister's mom at the church. Like, I knew my sister's mom before they started dating kind of thing, you know what I mean? So it was all very, like, close. Maybe too close, but it was close. So it was never like a distant thing. It was just like he lived somewhere else in Atlanta now kind of thing, you know what I'm saying? And, like, he's around and, like, I'll see him, like, when I see him kind of thing, but, you know, I live at home or whatever.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

So, like, it wasn't a lot of, like, a couple days over here, a couple days over there all the time. It was like, I live at home and I'll see him and spend the night maybe, you know? But then I was also, like, by the time he remarried and was, like, raising my sister, like, getting towards, like, later years in high school kind of thing, so I don't really be spending the night anywhere anyway, you know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

So it wasn't really like, a whole lot of, like, kicking it time until I was already, like, out of the house kind of thing. And then I would, like, you know, choose to spend my time with whoever.

[Ego Wodem]

Right. What kind of stuff would you guys do when you did kick it?

[Keenan Thompson]

You and your dad just hanging out, talking, watching sports or something, or like, we went to the super bowl when it was in Atlanta. You know what I mean? Like, that kind of relationship.

[Ego Wodem]

I started this podcast because I had male figures in my life, so I don't feel. Someone asked me, Mikey asked me. He was like, do you feel like you missed out? And I go, that's a question I ask myself all the time, but not all the time I've asked myself, I should say. And I'm like, I don't really. Like, I really feel like I lived a full life.

[Keenan Thompson]

You've lived the life that you've lived, you know what I'm saying? Like, it doesn't necessarily have voids unless you look at them as voids kind of thing, you know what I'm saying? So if it wasn't a void for you, then it's just been like, no, the life you've lived is good. Good on you. Like, you feel good in it kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, that's what I was alluding to, too, is that I'M like, I feel like I have lived the life that I've lived, but seeing movies and TV shows suggest. Because I feel like movies and TV shows are quite powerful. And that maybe does not sound profound in any way and is maybe basic and rudimentary, but I'm like, they are quite powerful even when you talk about your dad and like the affirmations and like what you see and what you choose to believe. So point is, I'd see, like, it's like you're supposed to be so fraught and torn up about not having a dad. But I don't feel that way. And I didn't feel that way because.

[Keenan Thompson]

I feel like it's not. It's different for you because nothing was necessarily torn from you. You know what I'm saying? Like, you hadn't built up this whole bank of memories and then all of a sudden they have to be different now. Like for you, it was just like on the one path the whole time kind of thing. You know what I mean? Did you have. Did your mom like remarry or anything?

[Ego Wodem]

She didn't remarry, but I have a lot of uncles. She's one of nine. She didn't remarry, but I have a lot of uncles. I have two older brothers. I have my faith. And so I'm like, I just.

[Keenan Thompson]

And when you had to like explain to people like where your dad may or may not be, do you remember feeling a certain kind of way about it? No.

[Ego Wodem]

And it's interesting cause I'm like, I don't think anyone really asked. Like, if I'm really pausing to think about it, I'm like, I don't think anyone really asked. Almost like it was like understood, like, Right. I remember going to college and a friend being like, it might be the root of some troubles. And I'm like, I guess low hanging fruit.

[Keenan Thompson]

What kind of troubles?

[Ego Wodem]

Right, right.

[Keenan Thompson]

What is reflective of like, not really knowing what you're missing?

[Ego Wodem]

Right. That's my thing. I was like, if you want to believe that, because I know you've seen it in movies and on TV shows, that's totally fine. I actually had a therapist a few years ago, so in 2020. And she was so like, the dad thing. The dad thing. And I had to tell her after like three sessions. I was like, hey, so the dad thing. I was like, listen, it's not that. I just don't. Yes.

[Keenan Thompson]

And I don't really think we're getting anywhere focusing on that.

[Ego Wodem]

Literally. Not what it is that Literally. Yes. And I said, hey, if we organically, over time, working together, discover, ah, the dad thing, fine. But you, like, often.

[Keenan Thompson]

I kind of put it on there.

[Ego Wodem]

I was like, that's not so. Two years of working together, I will.

[Keenan Thompson]

Say, well, that's what it is.

[Ego Wodem]

It's the dad thing that's the problem. Your stomach hurts? It's the dad thing that's fine. So I had to tell you find.

[Keenan Thompson]

That within, like, the first five questions of knowing somebody. So, like, are your parents together? It's like, no, right?

[Ego Wodem]

Ah, there it is.

[Keenan Thompson]

And which one do you think you're closer to?

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

My mom, currently. I spent most of that. Well, then everything is on your dad.

[Ego Wodem]

It's the dad. It's the dad. It's because of the dad. But I think shoddy people do professional.

[Keenan Thompson]

That's not a professional.

[Ego Wodem]

I also think this is a hot take. I don't think this is maybe too hot. I think there's a good number of therapists that aren't good.

[Keenan Thompson]

Oh, snap. Is that hot take?

[Ego Wodem]

I didn't name names.

[Keenan Thompson]

I'm not.

[Ego Wodem]

I'm not naming names. I just think there's, like, people.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah, it's got to be, like, any industry. There's some people that are like, yeah, right. Some people are just, like, getting by for sure.

[Ego Wodem]

And then people are going to therapy because it's this big thing to go to therapy. It's a big. It's a huge step, and it's so vulnerable. And your hope is that you're not, like, bouncing around from therapist to therapist because it's already a big deal that you've made up your mind to go.

[Keenan Thompson]

Right?

[Ego Wodem]

So I think some therapists are getting by on, like, yeah, they signed up for therapy. And I don't have to be that good. I don't have, like, I get to be okay at my job.

[Keenan Thompson]

I a. Say nothing.

[Ego Wodem]

But am I wrong?

[Keenan Thompson]

Hear me say nothing.

[Ego Wodem]

Am I wrong?

[Keenan Thompson]

Keenan, you are not wrong.

[Ego Wodem]

But you're not saying anything, but so spot on.

[Keenan Thompson]

And I think it's. It's. It's, you know, it's crazy, people. There's a lot of therapy going on these days. And, like, you know, I know people that I've, like, watched closely go to therapy. And then, like, after a while, they'd be, like, still feeling like stage one in here. You know what I'm saying? Like, not really getting too far with shit that I already didn't kind of know. You know what I'm saying? So it's like.

[Ego Wodem]

And sometimes they're great, by the way. Sometimes they are great. But I think there's a lot of that going on. So I told this woman, I was like, I don't think it's that, but if we get there over, we work together and you go, okay, but ego. Now that I know all of this information in context and we've been working together for some time, I really feel strongly. It's the dad thing.

[Keenan Thompson]

Right.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. We do two years together and at the end of the two years, as we were having our like, okay, it's time to part ways. She was like, I just also want to say thank you for not letting me go with the low hanging fruit. And that's what I called it when we first started working together. And I was like, you keep on with this dad thing. But she was like, I appreciate it. She's like, I actually don't think that's your problem.

[Keenan Thompson]

I know.

[Ego Wodem]

I was like, I know. I tried to tell you. I don't know what, what my problem is, but I'm gonna tell you, it's not that.

[Keenan Thompson]

Right?

[Ego Wodem]

Like, it's. It's definitely not that.

[Keenan Thompson]

Listen to.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

Listen to the client.

[Ego Wodem]

Yes. And I feel like a lot of therapy is retraining people to trust their own voice and instinct and gut because so much in life has caused people to stray from their own instincts and guts. And.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah, I mean, it's a, there's a level of like instruction to it. You know what I mean? And some people, not that you don't know these things already, but you might need to be reminded to focus on for sure.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. Were there lessons that your dad taught you though, that you. That really stick with you to this day?

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. In intent and non intent. You know what I mean?

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, learning from observance is a very powerful thing that I've. I don't know if it's not that I'm good at it, it's just like what I do. I'm a very observant kind of person. I think it's why I'm somewhat of an impressionist kind of thing because, you know, I just take on these things that I notice.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

But yeah, he's taught me a lot. Like, he's taught me a lot of, you know, how to be a man, how to be a wise person, how to be a, you know, a good stand up. This, that, you know, a father kind of a business person and just like, just like a solid like part of the brotherhood as well, you know, I mean, like, you know, I take being black very seriously and, you know, a lot of people might misconstrue it because I try to push past the boundaries at SNL kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Right?

[Keenan Thompson]

And they might make it seem like I might be whitewashed. Whitewashed or something like that, but it's kind of the exact opposite of that. I'm just trying to, like, uplift and project forward always kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

I understand being. It's also, I just want to say, too, just working at snl, and I don't have to tell you this, right? But I get to now, after six seasons, have my own insight about the place. But you'll never understand if you've never worked there, Right? You just won't. You just. There's. You can read all that you want.

[Keenan Thompson]

Everybody's journey is specific, too.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I'm saying? Like, it's weird. Like, we are both African American, but at the same time, like, my journey is not yours, and, like, my sense of humor and like, it's. There's. It's similar, you know? But it's also. I emphasize certain errors that you might not necessarily emphasize. You know what I mean? You're also younger and this, that, and the other. So everybody's path is just, like, organically gonna be different. But you service the show very well, you know what I mean? Like, I know it's appreciate you like a landmine, you know what I mean? But, like, you the person and you the talent, like, you're gifted, man. Like, I imitate you so much because it impresses on me. You're like. You have such a different style and sound and sense of humor. Like, it's. It's great.

[Ego Wodem]

Thank you, Keenan. That means a lot to me coming from you, because I also. It's a challenging place, and seeing how you've navigated it and remembering, like, there's Wednesdays after Table read where I go, man. I wonder what it was like for Kenan 17 years ago, though, here. Just Kenan, like, going through it, right? I see Kenan now, and that's the easy thing to do. And this is in life.

[Keenan Thompson]

That's crazy.

[Ego Wodem]

It's crazy. But I'm like, I see you now, right? Year 2024, at table read, and I'm like, I see the time you're having. I see what your Saturday looks like. I see the respect you're given, that you deserve beyond deserve. And it would be very easy for me to go, oh, man. I just. That's. I want that, right? But I have to remember, and I advise people, too, where I'm like, that's not Always been Keenan's experience. Keenan has not always had that experience. Keenan has had probably some worse experience than we've even had. And I'm like, and everyone's journey is different. Yes. But it's easy to, like, look at where someone is today, right now, and not even consider what their path might have been and what challenges they might have faced. So it means a lot to me to hear that coming from you. And you're always very complimentary and generous.

[Keenan Thompson]

It's real. And, like, I can't fake it, you know what I mean? Like, it's. It's like what comedy is. Like, if is the joke funny or not, period? You know what I'm saying? Like, if it doesn't get a laugh. That just told you. Right? You know what I'm saying? Like, there is no in between.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

So, like, I don't have to, like, big you up with fakes, you know what I'm saying? At all.

[Ego Wodem]

Like, I'm not getting any laughs at Kenny's. Like, she's great.

[Keenan Thompson]

A massive amount of work that's made it on the show. Forget about what has it, you know what I'm saying? Which is eight times that, you know what I'm saying? Like, brilliant at the table on Wednesday, you know what I mean? It's just like swing take, taking swings.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And, yeah, you can see the. This is going to be a continuous thing for a person kind of thing, like, early, you know what I'm saying? And then it's nice to be able to, like, watch it play out kind of like in a positive. Like, you said you finished six seasons. Like, some people, you know what I mean, get the one, some people get the three, some people get the four and a half, you know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know, shout out to Punky and Molly. I'm gonna miss them. Being there a long time. You watch people come and go, you know what I'm saying? So you have to, like, deal with the parting of friendships and kind of thing. Mourning of the loss of, like, certain people's presence and all that. So it's. So there's a lot of bittersweet to it, you know? I mean, like, we've had crew members die, you know, like all kinds of.

[Ego Wodem]

So, like, it's.

[Keenan Thompson]

It's a heavier thing than just, like, shit is sweet for me because I've been there a long time kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

I can only imagine. Honestly, I have an immense. I've never. I don't know if I've told you, because we don't I don't know, but I have a lot of respect for you and what you do at the show. And bigger than all of that, which I just had a conversation with someone yesterday about this, the thing that really matters here to me, in my opinion, and the thing I admire and respect about people that at snl, for people that I do have a lot of respect for, is the way you show up and the way you treat people. You know, I'm not pointing any one individual, but there's a sort of like, everyone feels kind of tired and worn down, and we do work these crazy hours. So I empathize with that, and I've experienced that. Right, but you choose to be positive, and you choose to be kind, and you seem. You continue to seem like you have gratitude for the position you are in, in life and in. At the show, and it's unique unto you, honestly, in that way. And so I don't know that I've said it, but it makes a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot difference.

[Keenan Thompson]

No, I appreciate it. I've. I've heard you say, you know, versions of that, of course, but at the same time, you know, it's almost too much to focus on, you know what I'm saying, to, like, focus on how big the show is or focus on my impact on others kind of like that. It's just it that will start to bring the stress, you know what I'm saying? So I just. Because, like, whenever I ran up against. It's very. It's very like deflating to meet a hero. That's, like, shitty, right?

[Ego Wodem]

I know. And let me tell you what, in my little time at snl, I'm like, oh, damn. Well, that sucks.

[Keenan Thompson]

So, number one, thank you for saying that. But, like, number two is like, man, I don't really understand why people aren't like that same.

[Ego Wodem]

But the reality is, at the end of the day, we're not all like that. And so I want you to know that it is not lost on us, and it's certainly not lost on me. Just, you are consistent. You are consistent, and I couldn't pay a higher compliment in terms of, like, just a solid, kind presence. And I have the utmost respect for you for that because it doesn't have to be that way. And there would always be grace if you didn't show up that way, because that place is hard and people have things going on in their personal lives, et cetera, but you still show up the way you do. You said something to me, Kenan, about Your dad teaching you how to be a man when you were like, these are the things I learned from him. Whether intentionally or unintentionally or just by observation. Fascinating topic to me, a woman. Even if I wasn't a woman, I just to ego. Honestly, what did you learn from him about how to be a man? Like, I'm so curious what it means because it's such a. That definition feels like variable for people.

[Keenan Thompson]

Well, I mean I felt like the dynamic was pretty traditional there. They both worked. But he didn't really cook like that. His cooking was a lot more random. So like the providing of nourishment and nurture seemed to come from my mom's side, which is like very traditional kind of thing. And then yeah, we would throw footballs or we would work on cars or we would talk about, you know, comedy. Like the way we talked about comedy was different. Like my mom was a little more like tee heish with comedy. And he was much more like, let's talk about Eddie Murphy and Arsenio and like what they're doing and like where I learned my usual like traditional kind of black man sense of humor from. And like so like that's where being a provider and like all that kind of the side of being a man kind of thing was what he was like, cut your hand, you just go fix it, you don't really cry kind of thing. But also like, you know, the fear of God, the power of the spoken word, the power of lessons, you know, because that's what the Bible kind of is a book of. Whether you believe it's stories or if you just, even if it is stories, take the lessons from it kind of thing, both can be valuable and helpful. So like a lot of people, you refer to it as a tool or a sword, you know what I mean? Like, because it's just equipping you with some sort of weaponry to like combat life. Right. I'm saying on a day to day, right. And you know how to like own your own business or being your own man or whatever, shoot guns, protect your family and your loved ones. Don't take no shit, you know, I mean, watch out for the wolves, that's that seem like sheep or whatever kind of like all those kind of lessons.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. So one day I found myself in years past and I'm actively trying to be like, don't, don't, don't do that. But I said something that I was like, I wanted to get ahead of any like sort of like, oh well, that's an outdated way of Viewing the world. So we were on the floor, I think it's my second season. And I don't know what exactly we were talking about. It was like me, you, and another cast member were waiting to do blocking. We're waiting for the control room to be ready. And I said something like, can. I can't remember what we're talking about. But I go, I know, I know. But, like, not that dads have to protect their daughters, because that's outdated. And you go, well, if they're not like they should be. And he's like, if they're not, what are they? What are they doing? And I. The reason I remember it partially is because I. One was like, I do agree with you. And then two is because I go, why did. Every once in a while I'll say a thing to be like, let me get. Like, I know this is not the progressive thing to say. So I'm gonna say, I know, I know. It's not like the man protecting his daughter.

[Keenan Thompson]

Right.

[Ego Wodem]

But that's not actually what I believe. And then you said it, and I was like, yeah. I mean, that's actually what I believe. You know what I mean? Yeah. What does it mean to you to protect your daughters?

[Keenan Thompson]

I mean, forget about it, you know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

Forget about it.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, people don't wanna find out, you.

[Ego Wodem]

Know what I'm saying? Okay. Yeah. So the answer to that one is fuck around and find out.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah, don't even. Even bother, you know what I'm saying? Because it's like, they're so precious, and I've watched them from their most innocent moment, you know what I'm saying? So to me, anything that's going to, like, garner my reaction, they definitely didn't deserve, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, don't even think about it, you know?

[Ego Wodem]

And you take it seriously when it.

[Keenan Thompson]

Comes to a child. It's like anybody that would, like, watch a situation where someone who's bigger than the other is getting taken advantage, you know what I mean? Like, the smaller person. Again, taken advantage of a situation. Look at. That's not fair. You know what I mean? So you would step in and, like. Like, maybe I don't have to be the one to fill the shoes, but let me, like, find somebody your size, homie, and maybe y'all can go at it kind of thing as opposed to this dynamic.

[Ego Wodem]

Right?

[Keenan Thompson]

So, you know, as long as the child's not a dick.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. It's not problem child.

[Keenan Thompson]

Even if it is, they're probably going through something that they don't really know how to get to their, like, decent self, you know what I'm saying? Because they are a child and they're like, whatever, you know, like, the way they're acting is probably not. We know it's not the way it was meant to be because, you know, hopefully if you're born into, like, even America kind of thing, you know, like, the hopes is life can be beautiful, you know what I'm saying? Like, you got a lot of opportunity here just having a U. S. Passport, you know, like, as in, like, broad overstroke of life, being an American. Like, of course we have our food deserts and things like that. You know, financial, you know, huge gaps and, you know, wealth disparities or whatever. But, you know, the ideology is like, it's better here than a lot of places. Right, right. So you try to focus on that being more so the. The want of the reality of a child. Even though if they're misbehaving or whatever, still they should have the mentality that you can overcome these moments kind of thing. So when people are, like, trying to take advantage of them or harm them in any sort of way, it's hyper egregious.

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

Which garnishes me to react however the fuck I want. You just open the whole floodgates to, like, any reaction that I want. And it's like, why would you want to do that? You should just avoid doing that. But some people are sick.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, that's true. That's true. I mean, I appreciate the perspective of. Of it's that level of love and protection that you feel for not only your children, but children in general or vulnerable populations. I saw a quote that said, there are everyone. Children are everyone's children. And something. I'm bastardizing it, but, like, to that effect. And I'm like, that is beautiful.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. Because I feel like if that weren't the case, it wouldn't be so hard to raise a child by themselves. You know what I'm saying? By yourself, by themselves. You know what I mean? It really is so much better with a village.

[Ego Wodem]

Oh, yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I mean?

[Ego Wodem]

Even when I talk about getting raised, when I'm like, my family, right. People. Some people, like, misquote me and be like her parents. And I go, I said, my family. So I have my mom and I have all my aunts and uncles and my big brothers who don't play about.

[Keenan Thompson]

Me and your play aunts and uncles and your mentors and your teachers and your community and you Know, beyond. So, like, I feel like, you know, I was raised by my parents, but I was also raised by their friends, teachers, mentors, society, and then Atlanta and then, you know, America on top of. You know what I mean? All these things kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Right, right. I'm curious because you said also something about your dad, about, like, if you cut your hand, you don't cry. Just you fix it. Did you feel like. Which. That sounds very traditional. I also feel like the generation that I'm straddling is one that is sort of like, get yourself together. We don't show emotion. We're not particularly vulnerable. And then this newer generation that feels more in tune and in touch and expressive concerning emotions. Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. And it wasn't necessarily, like, stifling emotion.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

I think, like, to me, like, when I tell my, like, girls, like, stop crying. You know what I mean? Because they're, like, going on and on about something, and, like, it feels like the moment has passed for them to, like, cry and, like, get past it or whatever. So then it's like, okay, y'all are.

[Ego Wodem]

Just dwelling, indulging, maybe. Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And that's when I'm like. Especially when the little one starts going in and she's just, like, whining. You know what I'm saying? Like, I'm like, we don't do the whining thing. You know what I'm saying? Because, like, I feel like my perspective is prepper, preparing them for things that may come along that are, like, way more serious than what's happening kind of thing. Not to, like, diminish how they feel about a specific thing in the moment, but also, like, give a little bit of perspective of, like, this isn't the end all, be all thing to where you're acting like it is. You know what I mean? So you can really just move past it. And, like, the way I watched them, like, change their mind and whole attitude and all of that, I'm like, so what was you crying so much about in the first place? Kind of thing. You know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

Right, right.

[Keenan Thompson]

So when my pops was like that, I feel like he was preparing us for things that might be much worse than, like, a nick.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I'm saying? Like, is real. And he's seen versions of that growing up through the 50s and 60s and 70s kind of thing and all that kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Did he ever share anecdotes from his life with you? Because you're saying he likes to talk. That's, like, his thing.

[Keenan Thompson]

And he and Much more later on. Because earlier in life he was busy, you know, so we didn't have a lot of like one on one time to just sit and chat.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

Kind of thing. But like, when I was older, you know, he started like running down, you know, because our time would just be like, okay, we got two hours to really just like kick it. You know what I'm saying? So he'll spend that time just like, telling me all these stories. So I recently found out that he grew up with, like an outhouse and like that. And he used to get stomachaches because he was scared to use it. This is in Virginia. Get really cold in the winter time. So I'm thinking, like, you know, outhouse for real. That's like every day, all day. It's not like every house, like in the winter or in the summertime when it's nice. It's like. No, that's how you do that thing you. We do every day.

[Ego Wodem]

Every day, multiple times a day. And I drink a lot of water and I'm like, I go to the bathroom.

[Keenan Thompson]

I feel like every time, like, stomach aches and shit like that. Because he never wanted to go because he was scared of snakes or whatever. And the snakes would be in there. Maybe, sometimes, maybe. But like no light. And also in the cold. You know what I'm saying? Like, like. And that put a whole lot in perspective because, yeah, I've always looked at him as like a modern dude. Like, you know, this town he grew up in, he grew up in the town. My mom is the one that grew up in the woods. You know what I'm saying? Her family's in the woods, like in the fields and blah, blah, blah. And they're the ones with, like, septic tanks.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

Wow.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know, when I would visit my. My dad's, like, childhood home, they had like a sewer system, you know, in. In place.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

So I never knew he had grown up with an outhouse like the previous version.

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

That shit was crazy.

[Ego Wodem]

Wow. And I'm just like, trying to imagine. I'm sorry. Because now I'm stuck. I'm like, he had an outhouse and he would get stomach aches because he didn't want to go and expressing that vulnerability to you. I was thinking recently about optimism, adopting optimism. But, like, if I can make myself believe that everything is gonna work out exactly how I want it to work out, or even better than I can imagine. And then perhaps from time to time I'm disappointed because it doesn't measure up to that. I'm like, but what it does for my mind to think positively, there's no real loss in that to like, because things are gonna turn out sort of how they might, but there's a potential for you to change the course of how they turn out just by thinking positively. But also the like, it's such a better place for your mind to be than being like, I'm preparing for the worst or for an undesirable outcome.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. Because it's not like denial. I'm not naive. You know what I mean? I'm gullible, but I'm not naive, you know?

[Ego Wodem]

Do you think you're gullible?

[Keenan Thompson]

Very, very.

[Ego Wodem]

He looked, he said, very, very gullible.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, I'll believe whatever stories until it's like, wait, really crazy.

[Ego Wodem]

Which one of your parents is gullible? Because I'm always like, I feel like we get it all from somewhere.

[Keenan Thompson]

My mom is. She's such a book nerd. She's just like in her own, like, world. So when someone like, says something to her, like, she just assuming it's going to be the truth because you were distracting her from what she's doing.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay, okay, okay. So you.

[Keenan Thompson]

Why would somebody, like, pull me out of what I, like, tell me lies?

[Ego Wodem]

Isn't that crazy?

[Keenan Thompson]

100%.

[Ego Wodem]

That's what I want to talk to her about. Because that's what I. I have questions about that myself now. Why would you pull me out of.

[Keenan Thompson]

What I'm doing to just going through life like, just on my daily, like, blank mindedness, you know what I'm saying? Like, it's a nice day. Like, what do I have to do work wise? What do I not have to do? It's a free moment. Great. I'm not really thinking about nothing and.

[Ego Wodem]

So I could tell you anything.

[Keenan Thompson]

Wants to, like, come up to me and start telling me shit. Yeah. If they're a super duper stranger, there's walls up. But if it's somebody I know, it'll take me a while to figure out if they're doing a bit or not.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. Do you wish you were less gullible?

[Keenan Thompson]

No.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

The wonder I'm like expecting kind of not expecting anything, you know.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

I love just like hearing and reacting kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

As opposed to like always being like, you know, having a shark, a sarcasm kind of filter up, you know, just to try to like, is this sarcasm? Am I catching it like too quickly?

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know, or quickly enough kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

You don't care.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like. No, I'm not really, like, Investing in, like, other people's shit, you know what I mean? Until it starts affecting me. So it's like, all right, you're telling me a story, and, like, that's affecting me. So, like, where is this story going? You know what I'm saying? If it's not going nowhere, I'm like, okay, so you were playing with me.

[Ego Wodem]

The host, and then what happens?

[Keenan Thompson]

I know when people are playing with me.

[Ego Wodem]

So when they're playing with you, it.

[Keenan Thompson]

Doesn'T land very well because I don't react like, oh, that was amazing. Blah, blah, blah, you know what I'm saying? I'm always just like, cool. Do you have anything for real you want to say? Because that would be nice. I have awkward interactions with people all the time because they come up here doing bits, and I'm like, always on some real shit.

[Ego Wodem]

Well, this is the thing about you, if that's your reaction to it, is like, oh, you were playing. Okay, Are you going okay? Because at that point you're a little annoyed that they were playing with you. Because, you know, you could give them a fake. You could give them a fake.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, I'm annoyed by the situation because I know I'm not that guy, and they don't know that I'm not that guy. And I have to introduce them to that. And it's always terrible because they're expecting me to be just that, like, jokey, jokey, ha ha. Or have that kind of shit on my mind constantly or whatever. And I rarely do. You know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

I feel similarly even. Like, when I. I think I did my first late night show appearance, I came in, I went back to work. I think I was on Seth Meyers. And I came to you and you were like, oh, how was it? And I was like, I don't know. I guess I'm supposed to be joking all the time. I was like. Like, it was Seth. No problem of Seth. But I was like, oh, I think I'm supposed to be joking at all times. But I'm a pretty earnest person, like.

[Keenan Thompson]

Because I. I think I get tired of it. You know what I mean? It's the same way I try not to, like, do too much joking around. Lauren that's not prepared. Yeah, because he's heard so many jokes. And it's like, if you're just taking swings, you can see the frustration on people's face, and they just, like, get disinterested and walk away. So I was like, I'm nipping that in the bud.

[Ego Wodem]

Enough. It's Funny, because now that you're saying this, there is someone who I feel like tries to do a bit with me that I'm not in on. And I'm like, it's not.

[Keenan Thompson]

It's so much better if you are.

[Ego Wodem]

I'm like, I'm not in on. And I'm like, here's my thing. I'm like, who's the audience? Where's the audience that I don't see? Because it's just me and you in an interaction.

[Keenan Thompson]

Also, people forget that they might be strangers, you know what I'm saying? And, like, a stranger is a real thing. You know what I'm saying? Like, I don't really go like, you know, there's crazy people in the world, you know what I'm saying? So you can't just assume everybody's, like, living above board.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, they should be.

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I mean? So, like, it's not my fault that I didn't catch the joke because, like, I'd be ready to swing on, and.

[Ego Wodem]

I was about to. It's like, punk. I would have loved to see you on pause.

[Keenan Thompson]

We were talking about that two days ago. Like, as. I think I felt like they were targeting people that were doing patternistic behaviors, but also kind of like high signing a little bit, since I wasn't moving like that. They didn't really have a reason to.

[Ego Wodem]

Like, yeah, I'm go back and see the list of people they punked. I. I think. I think there's some validity to that.

[Keenan Thompson]

And, like, a lot of them, like, were set up by their reps and shit. And I felt like my reps knew not to play with me like that.

[Ego Wodem]

You know what I'm saying? Don't play with me. You know what it is? You've been doing comedies for so long. I feel like.

[Keenan Thompson]

And I'm joyous.

[Ego Wodem]

I'm a happy person, you know what I'm saying?

[Keenan Thompson]

But at the same time, like, I had to learn a lesson. I used to be very comfortable with people. Like, I remember I was, like, crossing the line with tc, his real name Rest in Peace. But he played TC on Magnum PI And I kept tapping him on the shoulder. I was like, my man, tc. My man. I kept tapping his shoulder because he was a big dude. And I was like, yeah, that's what's up. He was like, hey, man, stop touching me. I was 14, 12, 14, you know what I mean? Like, really young. And he was like, like, got serious with the child. I was like, stop touching me. I was like, oh, wow. There Are boundaries in life.

[Ego Wodem]

Wow. Is that something you think, like, it would be important to you to teach your girls?

[Keenan Thompson]

I think what I should teach my girls is to be prepared for and just go ahead and take the picture and smile anyway. Because that interaction is better than trying to keep it real most of the time. But at the same time, stay true to yourself. If you're not feeling it, then articulate that in a polite way. But hopefully, like, for me, I had to learn, like, it's better to just shake the hand and take the picture. You know what I'm saying? Because it's like, when you share what's really going on with you, you realize people don't care.

[Ego Wodem]

So when they say, how are you? They don't actually.

[Keenan Thompson]

They would rather you not tell them the other side of it. Yeah. You know what I mean? Because then you might start sparking things on them and they're just barely holding on to their positivity in that moment kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

You might send them spiraling down and.

[Ego Wodem]

You gotta not ask.

[Keenan Thompson]

You gotta be careful when someone's drowning, you know what I mean? That they don't pull you down with them kind of thing. So. Yeah.

[Ego Wodem]

What are other lessons that, like, are important to you to teach your daughters?

[Keenan Thompson]

Do you think, as a parent, the throat chop is a good one? Just a quick.

[Ego Wodem]

He said, don't play with him.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I mean? Just get away. There's ways to get away. But also just, like, try to be aware when people might be hustling them. Whether that's people or games. Because a lot of them games when paywalls, you know what I'm saying? I'm like, yo, this is a hustle. You don't see that the actual games. Yeah. Like, bro, do their phones.

[Ego Wodem]

They have iPads. IPads and phones. Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know? And, like, I just want them to be aware of the world behind the glossy, you know, tech that's in their hand. Like, the world that makes that. And the purpose of. And, like, it is to make money, which is fine. But, like, don't let it get, like, take advantage of you if. If possible kind of thing. And, like, just get swallowed and let it be the end all. Be all if your phone ain't charged. Yeah. Come on. You know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

Like, right.

[Keenan Thompson]

See the bigger picture, but also, like, be very, like, street smart if they can be. And they are, like, growing up in New York, you know, they're very, like, aware of a lot and, like, culturally aware of how diverse the world kind of Is. And that's all great.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay. Do you want them to look at you as a friend? Is that important to you?

[Keenan Thompson]

I want them to look as. No, I'm their father, you know what I'm saying? So like, I want them to love me and like we have friendly times, of course, but I am not their little buddy, you know what I'm saying? That's what they used to say with like that, like, I had to tell Georgia not to call me bro, you know what I'm saying? It's like we're not. No, no, that's not the dynamic right now, you know what I'm saying? When you're older, yes, but like, while I'm providing and protecting and teaching and this, that and the other, like, there needs to be respect and like, I don't know, like, if you call other adults bro, but if that's the case, like, that shouldn't be the case, you know what I mean? Like, you should respect your elders, this kind of other, you know, I mean, just to try to like, like set that in. Because it's not about how she talks to me, it's how she goes out into the world and is able to survive in the world, you know what I'm saying? Like, there's like, I worry, I. I can't even imagine like how your mom is about having you in the world, you know what I'm saying? Like, as an adult out here on a daily, like, it's got to be stressful. And yeah, I had dinner with one of my buddies the other day that was like a writer on the show from when we were kids, and he's got his kids and they growing up and they drive. He was like that driving, man. That's like the last step. Once they drive, they're just, I can out in the world and you just worry.

[Ego Wodem]

Only imagine. I can only imagine because I'm just.

[Keenan Thompson]

Trying to give them those tools of respect to like survive with when I'm not able to be there to protect them kind of thing. And I think your manners are one of those things that can do that.

[Ego Wodem]

Right, right. To Georgia and Gianna, is there something that you want to impart to them specifically that's straight from your dad, that you're like, I put that in my pocket and I want to give it to these, these girls of mine.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. But I think it's subtly in their sense of humor, you know what I mean? Like, I, I see the things that they laugh at and it's like silly. And I think our sense of Humor on the silly side definitely comes from my dad. Like my mom's. She has her sense of humor, too. It's. It's sharper and a little more like, like tabooish. But, like, that's what you said. Yeah, yeah.

[Ego Wodem]

Huh.

[Keenan Thompson]

But my father's just like, silly. So, like, his silly was shaped by the black perspective growing up, you know, through the 60s, 70s, you know what I'm saying? And, like, being very black. So was mine growing up in Atlanta through the 80s, 90s, you know what I mean? And then carrying all of, like, what I've seen from the age of television, whoever was funny, perspective as, you know, on the black side of things, but also being hyper intrigued by In Living Colors and the Jim Carrey's and like, you know, the George Collins on, you know, a much more like broader cultural, like, comedic silliness kind of thing. Three Amigos, you know what I'm saying? Like, felt like my dad was much more like, pro black.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And then I was exposed to, like, a lot more stuff with just HBO coming out, you know what I'm saying? And being able to watch Spies Like Us, you know, on a regular basis, or Ghostbusters, which is like, like majority white, you know what I'm saying? And then like Cheech and Chong and like learning about, you know, Mexicans at all kind of.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And like, you know, not a lot of Spanish people in Georgia at that time, you know what I'm saying? So, like, just getting all those perspectives kind of like from television. And then my girls are growing up in, like, current day New York City, you know what I mean? So, like, their perspective is broader and the things that they're aware of is much broader. But. But what they do end up laughing at is usually the silly part of those things, which is. Which is fun.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. Did you feel like you could confide in your dad, like, about emotional things?

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah, okay. Absolutely.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And a lot of the time he would, like, refer to a verse that he'd come across or he would. He would know what. What verse? Kind of like, because, you know, it's prolific with the Bible. Like, he's read it a few times or something like that. So he's like, usually had a story to tell about it or a life lesson from something that his father had told him or his stepfather had told him, you know what I mean? So it was usually some life wisdom or, you know, a Bible reference or something like that that he could always kind of refer to to help, you know, an emotional conversation. But at the same time, when the birds and the bees talk was him handing me a pack of condoms and being like, there's the instructions in there.

[Ego Wodem]

Is there a reason he didn't want to. He didn't want to have that conversation. And he loves to talk. You say he's like, yeah, he just was like.

[Keenan Thompson]

He would always just tell. I guess it was just like, he assumed I knew what to do.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

We would always just, like, talk about, you know, like, girls and jokes and, like, just overhear his conversations with, like, my brother or whatever when he was older and kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And, like, movies would, like, refer to things or whatever kind of thing, so he just assumed that I just.

[Ego Wodem]

He's like, he's picked up enough little tidbits here and there. I don't need to have a conversation.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, I remember really, like, reading it. Instructions, like, all right, how does this work?

[Ego Wodem]

Wow.

[Keenan Thompson]

Exactly.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And the pictures being gross.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, I was gonna say. And then I'm in my mind, I'm like, YouTube, but I'm like, YouTube. Wasn't. YouTube. Wasn't around that. And even then, you don't really want to be on YouTube. Do you want to be on YouTube?

[Keenan Thompson]

No, I go back.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah. I didn't mean to age you. You look. You got a baby face. Baby face. He doesn't age.

[Keenan Thompson]

I'm also kind of glad that it was a little slower. Like, if I would have saw it all out in YouTube, it might have been too shocking.

[Ego Wodem]

Do you. You said that you want the girls to see you as their father. Know you're their father first. Do you want them to be able to talk to you about anything? Do they want, like, the inclination? Yes. Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

And then, like, if I need to get an expert on it, then I will. I'll be like, talk to your mom. You know what I mean? Kind of thing. But, like, yeah, I want them to see me as their friend, too. But at the same time, like, you know, it is deeper than that, you know, for now, basically. Because, you know, it's my responsibility to. To raise them. You know what I'm saying? They're. They're being raised. If they were already raised in. Yeah, we could be friends and that, you know, Belichick kissing his grown daughter in the mouth. That shit's weird. You know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

I just. Why am I.

[Keenan Thompson]

What my perspectives are on things.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah, we do. That's what I'm saying. Keenan's all knowing. I just saw that because someone referenced it or something. So I was like, google what in the.

[Keenan Thompson]

You will always See your babies as babies kind of thing. But, like, you have to understand, like. Like how society sees these things as well. And it's like, easy for you to just be like, that's just my family. You know what I'm saying? Whatever. Like, y'all can judge however, blah, blah. But it. For the rest of us, it kind of feels a little weird. And it's nice that they're that close. That's a beautiful, like, it's a beautiful relationship. I mean, but, like, that's not the point.

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I mean? The point is how it is looked at and perceived. And you can ignore perception because, like, you don't have to deal with it necessarily, but it is there, so you can't necessarily deny it.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I'm saying?

[Ego Wodem]

I understand what you're saying, but do you. Is there any party that goes, okay, I respect it if they're like, we know how this. Again, we can't ignore perception. We know how it's going to be perceived. And yes, we know it's there. And this is an conscious choice to be like, this is what we do still.

[Keenan Thompson]

Yeah. And like, as long as it's understood that it is what it is. But if there's any sort of an awakening to it being awkward or anything like that. But then I feel like you're doing more harm than good by just continuing to just ignore societal norms.

[Ego Wodem]

Fair enough. Okay. Okay. Keenan. Each episode I asking my dad for the day for a piece of advice. I need advice from you.

[Keenan Thompson]

Come on with it.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay.

[Keenan Thompson]

We have these advice conversations a lot.

[Ego Wodem]

We do in real life. In real life. So if I'm in a relationship, what are. Like. It's always hard to, like, navigate, like, okay, this is a big problem. You have to get cut off. Or this is just like a human flaw, and I have to get.

[Keenan Thompson]

And I can work with it. I can change you.

[Ego Wodem]

I can save him. I swear to God, not me. I cannot save you. I cannot change you. I'm not gonna try to anti way. No, I'm not going to. So what would you say is something that is, like, grounds for immediately, you need to step away from this man, barring, like, putting his hands on me or, you know, the very obvious things. What would you say that where to draw a line with a guy?

[Keenan Thompson]

I mean, it's. It's. It's tough because none of us are perfect. You know what I'm saying? So, like, any warning sign I would give you, I probably have done myself, you know what I'm saying? But at the same time, a lot of people deserve grace. A lot of people deserve an attempt at understanding or anything like that. But like usually like hyper temper situations are like zero to one hundreds, you know what I mean? Kind of like dynamic demeanor shifts, if you will, you know what I'm saying? Like any type that you're not dealing with, just a constant, you know what I'm saying? You're dealing with a fluctuation. Yeah, like that's not a good thing to be able to, to invest in, you know what I'm saying? Like you're investing in your future, in, in all of your time spent with anything, you know what I'm saying? So it's like, like when you invest in things and is highly fluctuate, that's not usually an event, an investment you tend to want to target.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay?

[Keenan Thompson]

So just like, just keep it on like that kind of level. But like, you know what you, you want, you know what you're attracted to and you know what you'll like tolerate basically. And if any one of those things is pulling the rubber band a little too far, I think you naturally feel it. And you're also just like either trying to bandage it for the sake of something, you know what I'm saying? Or you don't really know how to, or you don't want to just completely like cut a person off kind of thing just out of being a good person, you know what I'm saying? You don't want to see them just flopping around or just leaving a person, you know, behind any kind of that, which is a good characteristic, you know, for a person to have. But this is your life, you know what I mean? And this is your bank. So people aren't contributing to the bank.

[Ego Wodem]

Right?

[Keenan Thompson]

I don't know, homie. Yeah, be rough for you to continue to participate in my life kind of thing.

[Ego Wodem]

Okay? You have to be contributing to the bank in a real way. And it doesn't mean like, yeah, you.

[Keenan Thompson]

Are, yeah, you're contributing to theirs.

[Ego Wodem]

Right?

[Keenan Thompson]

You know what I'm saying? For sure, it's like, like any sort of like thing that rubs you wrong is probably rubbing you wrong for a reason, you know what I'm saying? And like, however you react to that in the moment, whether you cut it off or you want to witness more examples of that is up to you.

[Ego Wodem]

When you put it that way, you want to witness more examples, you kind.

[Keenan Thompson]

Of know, like, oh, no thanks kind of thing, you know what I mean?

[Ego Wodem]

And you can honor that.

[Keenan Thompson]

It's hard, I feel like, probably dating in a ginormous city of people that are, like, focused on excelling. Because when you focus on excelling, you don't usually bring your true self along. In the beginning, you've kind of introduced most of those things to people later because it's like, oh, if they saw me how I really am, would they still love me? Kind of thing, or whatever. So there's a lot of discovery, I think, in things that you wouldn't normally put up with later on down the road kind of thing that you don't necessarily see if you just. Like in Atlanta, you know what I'm saying? Like, in Atlanta, you can't really hide your surroundings like that. Like, if you take someone home, they're going to see how you really living, like, pretty quickly.

[Ego Wodem]

Yeah.

[Keenan Thompson]

Like, whether you live in a house or an apartment or. Or, you know, a nice version of either kind of thing, you know, you can kind of really tell what's going on with that person as far as, like, at least financially, what's happening. And you can make your decisions on that kind of thing. It's like, you see them living in, like, whatever kind of party, like, oh, you're not doing as well as you may have seemed. And, like.

[Ego Wodem]

Right.

[Keenan Thompson]

I don't know if that's necessarily someone I am looking for right now that's not as prepared for life as I am at this. But, you know, I mean, like, all those things you can kind of, like, see up front. But yeah, I don't know, man. It's. It's tough. Like, he's really trying to say, like, hopefully you can weed all that out quickly if you can possibly. But I don't really know if you can, you know, I mean, you really have to start just spending time with people and, like, you know, spend as much time.

[Ego Wodem]

Take time. Take time.

[Keenan Thompson]

You kind of have to. If you're going to find someone that you want to like. Like, okay, now you're spending time keeping up with each other on text, or now you're spending time, yeah. Making a plan to see each other and, like, as it builds and builds and builds, you know what I'm saying? So while it's building, you know, hopefully you can keep checking in with each other as far as, like, if you're checking each other's boxes continuously or if there's been some sort of. Hey, I don't like this kind of thing. Is that how you really are? Or if you notice some shit, you.

[Ego Wodem]

May not even have to ask if that's how you really are. I Think even that. That's sticky. I'm like, I'm just gonna. You gotta believe when people show you who they are.

[Keenan Thompson]

You gotta believe them that that's them.

[Ego Wodem]

We don't have to have an interview about it. Yeah, we don't have to. I believe you. I just believe you. I believe you on site. That's what we're doing.

[Keenan Thompson]

There you go.

[Ego Wodem]

For the rest. For the rest of eternity.

[Keenan Thompson]

Thank you for summing up. Believe people on site.

[Ego Wodem]

On site. Keenan, thank you so, so much. Is there anything you want to plug before you go?

[Keenan Thompson]

My pleasure, man. I want to plug you, man. I applaud you, man, for just getting out here on a side effort. I like that.

[Ego Wodem]

Thank you.

[Keenan Thompson]

And, you know, having dads in the conversation, it's big to support dads, you know, I'm really.

[Ego Wodem]

I love to hear from you all. It's really beautiful to. To have these conversations, and it's really enlightening.

[Keenan Thompson]

And I think we're one of those societal groups that's like. Like us. You want. You want to talk to us?

[Ego Wodem]

I do. I'm so curious, but thank you so much. Appreciate you.

[Keenan Thompson]

Of course.

[Ego Wodem]

Thanks. Dad is a Headgum podcast created and hosted by me, Ego Wodem. The show is produced and edited by Anita Flores and engineered by Anita Flores and Anya Konovskaya with executive producer Emma Foley. Katie Moose is our VP of content at Headgum. Thanks to Jason Matheny for our show art and Ferris Monstie for our theme song. For more podcasts by headgum, visit headgum.com or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and maybe, just maybe, we'll read it on a future episode. That was a Headgum podcast.

[C]

Hi, I'm Caleb Herron, host of the so True podcast now on Headgum. Every week, me and my guests get into it and we get down to what's really going on. I ask them what's so true to them, how they got to where they are in life. A bunch of other questions. And we also may or may not test their general trivia knowledge. Whether it's one of my sworn enemies like Brittany Broski or Drew a Fualo, or my actual biological mother, Kelly, my guests and I are just after the truth, and if we find it, great. And if not, no worries. So subscribe to so True on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and watch video episodes on the so True with Caleb Herron YouTube channel. New episodes drop every Thursday. Love.