Kerry Washington on Rewriting Your Narrative

Summary

Podcast Summary: The GOOP Podcast Episode with Kerry Washington on "Rewriting Your Narrative"

Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host: Gwyneth Paltrow
Guest: Kerry Washington
Podcast Series: The GOOP Podcast

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Introduction

In this engaging episode of The GOOP Podcast, Gwyneth Paltrow hosts actress and producer Kerry Washington, delving deep into the themes of personal growth, narrative rewriting, and the complexities of familial relationships. Recorded live before an enthusiastic audience, the conversation seamlessly navigates Kerry's latest projects, her upcoming memoir, and her personal journey toward self-discovery.

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Exploring "Unprisoned"

[05:57] Kerry Washington:
"This is a dream project for me. I love the dramedy tone of the show. I play Paige and her father, portrayed by Delroy Lindo, who is an acting hero of mine."

Kerry discusses her new Hulu series, "Unprisoned," where she not only stars but also serves as an executive producer. The show centers around Paige, a woman navigating life alongside her father, who has been in and out of prison. Inspired by Tracy McMillan's real-life experiences, the series explores the challenges of reintegration into society and the impact on familial bonds.

[06:20] Kerry Washington:
"One of my visions for the show is that people walk away loving their dads more and appreciating them more. My dad is very charming and funny, yet our relationship is complicated, much like most."

The show aims to portray the authentic humanity of its characters, balancing humor with serious undertones to reflect real-life complexities.

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Father-Daughter Relationships

[08:26] Kerry Washington:
"I've been in relationships where I'm struggling to trust myself and the other person. Pulling from that experience, there's an imaginary version of my dad in the show that Paige interacts with, revealing deep-seated trust issues."

Kerry delves into the nuances of loving someone you don't fully trust, especially a parent. She highlights how these dynamics influence one's ability to form healthy romantic relationships.

[10:02] Unknown Host:
"One letter apart. So brilliant."

Referencing Tracy McMillan's line, Kerry emphasizes the close yet distinct relationship between parents and partners.

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Mental Health and Social Media

[16:27] Kerry Washington:
"Paige puts her truths out there because she knows it will make people feel less alone. Similarly, we aim to embrace our truths in the show, addressing the stigma around mental health."

Kerry reflects on the role of social media in destigmatizing mental health issues. She contrasts her private nature with her character's openness, discussing the balance between public vulnerability and personal introspection.

[21:23] Kerry Washington:
"The title 'Unprisoned' is not just about the prison industrial complex. It's also about being unprisoned in our hearts, learning to love each other more, and being more ourselves in our relationships."

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Writing Her Memoir

[21:56] Kerry Washington:
"I've been in the process of writing a memoir, which is crazy for me, being as private as I am. I wanted to share my process of healing my relationship with truth and trusting myself."

Kerry opens up about her upcoming memoir, aiming to shed light on her personal journey and the new information about her family that has reshaped her self-perception and relationships.

[24:32] Kerry Washington:
"I realized I was not the center of my personal story. I needed to figure out my narrative and not be afraid of it, which is why I wrote the book."

Her memoir seeks to empower others to become the protagonists of their own stories, emphasizing the importance of self-narrative in personal growth.

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Personal Anecdotes and Relationships

[28:05] Kerry Washington:
"We have a few seasons to this story, and I love it because most of the work I've done is very serious, dramatic work. Hosting SNL allowed me to explore comedy, showcasing the full range of who we are."

Kerry shares her experiences transitioning between dramatic roles and comedic performances, highlighting the versatility required to authentically portray diverse characters.

[32:44] Kerry Washington:
"Being a wife and mother are my favorite hats because that's where the accountability comes in. I want to honor those relationships closest to me."

She emphasizes the importance of personal relationships in maintaining accountability and fostering personal growth.

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Wellness Practices

[33:19] Kerry Washington:
"I love to walk, Pilates is a big part of my fitness routine, and I try to eat whole foods. I need to be better about sleep and meditation, though I do meditate about four or five mornings a week."

Kerry outlines her wellness regimen, balancing physical activities like Pilates and walking with nutritional mindfulness and mental health practices such as meditation.

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Conclusion

[34:15] Kerry Washington:
"Thank you for having me."

The conversation wraps up with mutual appreciation, leaving listeners inspired by Kerry's dedication to personal and professional growth, her commitment to authentic storytelling, and her proactive approach to wellness.

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Notable Quotes

• Kerry Washington [06:20]:
  "One of my visions for the show is that people walk away loving their dads more and appreciating them more."

• Kerry Washington [21:56]:
  "I've been in the process of writing a memoir... I wanted to share my process of healing my relationship with truth and trusting myself."

• Kerry Washington [25:38]:
  "The show is about people trying to do better and be better for themselves and each other."

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Key Insights

• Narrative Control: Kerry emphasizes the importance of being the protagonist in one's own story, advocating for self-narrative as a tool for personal empowerment.

• Family Dynamics: The episode explores the intricate balance between love and trust within familial relationships, particularly between fathers and daughters.

• Mental Health Advocacy: Through her character and personal experiences, Kerry highlights the role of openness and vulnerability in destigmatizing mental health issues.

• Wellness Integration: Balancing physical health with mental and emotional well-being is presented as essential for a holistic approach to life.

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This episode offers a profound exploration of self-discovery, the impact of familial relationships on personal growth, and the transformative power of rewriting one’s narrative. Kerry Washington’s candid discussion serves as both an inspiration and a guide for listeners seeking to navigate their own journeys toward authenticity and healing.

Transcript

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

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[Kerry Washington]

When you are pioneering anything or introducing new ideas to the culture, you get criticized.

[Unknown]

You do?

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah, did you hear about that?

[Unknown]

I didn't find the one. I found someone I respected, and we made it the one. In the sort of longing kind of view of love, people understand each other as if by magic. Nothing in itself is addictive on the one hand. On the other hand, everything could be addictive if there's an emptiness in that person that needs to be filled. I now know that nobody changes until they change their energy. And when you change your energy, you change your life.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

I'm Gwyneth Paltrow. This is the GOOP Podcast, bringing together thought leaders, culture changers, creatives, founders and CEOs, scientists, doctors, healers and seekers here to start conversations. Because simply asking questions and listening has the power to change the way we see the world. Here we go. This week, we're sharing a gem from the GOOP Podcast archives. My guest today is the very wonderful Kerry Washington. As you will hear in our conversation, we recorded this episode in front of a live audience. We haven't done very many live podcast recordings, but this is Carrie's second time on the GOOP Podcast and the second time she's done it live. Carrie has a new Hulu series called Unprisoned. She stars in it and is an executive producer, too. I asked Carrie about how she embodied the therapist role that she plays on the show and why she felt compelled to tell this story. We also talk about being the protagonist of our own Journeys, which is the inspiration behind Carrie's upcoming memoir. I'll let her tell you more about it in today's episode, but I'm very excited to read it when it comes out. Carrie has such an inspiring story, and I'm so proud of everything she's accomplished since our high school days together at Spence. So let's get to my chat with Kerry Washington.

[Unknown]

Welcome, everyone. Thank you so much for being here. I'm so excited to be talking to Kerry, whom I adore. I don't know if any or many of you know this, but we went to high school together in New York City. I'm much older than she is.

[Kerry Washington]

Not much.

[Unknown]

She was in 8th grade when I was in 12th grade.

[Kerry Washington]

But we did a production of Midsummer Night's Dream together. Yes, we did, because the middle schoolers were allowed to audition for the fairies in the upper school production. So she was Queen Titania and I was a fairy, and that was really the production you wish you saw.

[Unknown]

That's right. That's right. And look at us now. So, you know, this is funny. We have not done very many live podcast recordings. In fact, we've only done one other, and it was with Kerry Washington, and really good live. She's really good live. So I'm very excited to have you back here today, and I do recommend listening to that one as well. It was a really good one. And, you know, you just always bring so much depth, Depth and wisdom to everything. So I'm really. No pressure. No. So I'm excited to talk to you today about your new show, which I've seen the pilot, and it's so great. It's so funny. It's really fantastic. And it has such a. Like, a unique tone because it's funny and you're really funny, but it has quite a serious, like, underpinning of the whole story, which is. It's called Unprisoned. And you're a producer, right?

[Kerry Washington]

I am, yeah.

[Unknown]

Will you tell us a little bit about what it's about?

[Kerry Washington]

Sure, sure. So this is a dream project for me. Cause I love this tone, actually. I'm very drawn to Dramedy, which is how I would describe the show. And I play Paige and my dad on the show, who's played by the brilliant Delroy Lindo, who's an acting hero of mine. Yeah. Like, just so he. My dad on the show has been in and out of prison my entire life. And he comes out, and the show is really about what it's like to be a returning citizen, somebody who's trying to adjust to life as a formerly incarcerated person and what it's like to love somebody who's formerly incarcerated and what that adjustment period is like. And the show's inspired by the real life of a woman named Tracy McMillan, who's kind of a love relationship guru. And her dad was in and out of prison her whole life. And her two rules were, we can have a great relationship, but you can't ask me for money and you can't live with me.

[Unknown]

So.

[Kerry Washington]

So the show is kind of her asking the question, like, what if she wasn't great about those rules and bended them a little bit, what would that be like?

[Unknown]

And it's a beautiful relationship between a father and a daughter and all the complexities that can sometimes accompany that relationship. What was it about this particular story of father, daughter love? And you also have a son, so it's like son, mother, father, which is such an interesting dynamic. Was there something about a father, daughter relationship that appealed to you?

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah, I felt like that was one of the reasons why you would love it, because it really is. I do feel like one of my visions for the show is that people walk away loving their dads more and appreciating their dads more. I love my dad very much and we have a complicated relationship. Like most people I love. There's a saying that I love that our parents know how to push our buttons because they install. And so I think, you know, if any of you follow me on Instagram, you know, my dad is very charming and really funny. And also it's complicated. These relationships are always complicated. And on the show, I think the through line with my relationship with my dad is that as complicated as it is fundamentally, there's so much love and laughter even in the hardest of times. And that's Tracy's relationship with her real dad. And I just, I think it's so important. I think that's where the tone of the show comes from too, because we're really aiming for truth in these people. You know, that goal in acting of trying to nail down the true humanity of a character. But we just got really lucky. Cause these people are funny. They're just really funny humans. So we get to tell the truth and be in joy about it.

[Unknown]

And it struck me watching, it's interesting when there is a lot of love and not a lot of trust. And I feel like in our snaps, in our non parental relationships, we can kind of do something about that, right? Like, we can say, you know, this doesn't feel like it's in integrity for me. And like, if I don't trust this person, maybe I don't want to have sex with them anymore or like work with them anymore or whatever the case may be. But when it's your parent, it's very.

[Kerry Washington]

Hard to uncouple with your parent. It's really hard.

[Unknown]

So how did you navigate that feeling of like. Because you can see so clearly she does not trust this man. She does not trust what he says. And then of course, there's all the love. So how did you explore that?

[Kerry Washington]

Wow, that is such a good question. I think I know something about what it's like to love somebody and not trust them. You know, maybe not in that relationship in particular, but I've been in relationships where I'm struggling to trust myself, struggling to trust that person. So trying to kind of pull from that experience and put it into this one. It's interesting. Like later on in the series, there's an episode where there's almost an imaginary version of my dad that I'm in conversation with. There's a lot of like, inner child work on the show. There's a little girl who plays my inner child who I talk to, talk to on the show. She's amazing. You have not lived till you've seen an eight year old girl say like fucking the same ho. So great. I'm so grateful to her parents for like allowing us to explore her talents. That filthy mouth is so funny. But I think, oh God, I lost track of what I was saying. Oh, so there's this imaginary version of Delroy of the character of my dad, Edwin in some. Paige has more of a relationship with the imaginary father than she does with the real one because that's who she spent her life with. So kind of just getting real about all of that stuff and trying to fold it into the experience. And Tracy McMillan actually wrote a beautiful memoir about her experiences. There's a line in the pilot that how you got parented is how you partner. And that's what her book is about.

[Unknown]

Yeah. She says, remember that parent and partner.

[Kerry Washington]

Are one letter apart.

[Unknown]

One letter apart. So brilliant.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah. And so the book is really about, like, how the complexity of her relationship with her dad has made it hard for her to be in romantic relationships. And I did a deep dive in that book.

[Unknown]

And yeah, yeah, it's funny too. That's like the, you know, especially with the parent as a kid, like you carry such a strong projection of. Right. It's like your parent is like this larger than life. They're your sun and your moon. Even if they're very flawed people.

[Kerry Washington]

They all are.

[Unknown]

We all are.

[Kerry Washington]

We are all flawed.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Kerry Washington]

I think that's also one of the things that drew me to the show is, is that three generational storyline you talked about. Because I think so much of what it's about is it's not just a father daughter story. It's also a mother son story. It's also a grandfather grandson story. And it's. I identify so much with that sandwich generation as somebody who has young children and has aging parents and that dance of really taking care of both.

[Unknown]

Yeah, absolutely.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

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[Unknown]

So it's based on a real person who is a relationship counselor, therapist. And in the show, you are one of these therapists that's like on social media talking about your problems and, you know, which is like a real thing. I mean, it's a way that huge. And there's a part of it, I think that just is like a pre Internet kid. Like, I always wrestle a little bit with like, why are we having to put everything on social media? And like Chase, who you just met from our video team, like, I'm always like, chase, I don't want to be on Instagram. You know, and yet especially around the topic of mental health or anything really, that's like heavily stigmatized. Social media is this way to destigmatize. And it was funny. Like the quick arc I went through, like, oh my gosh, this character is gonna be like, on talking about. And then I was like, oh, wait, but this is. This is how you change culture right by. And the way. And the tools right now are social media. So even though I'm like an old lady trying to like get with the times of how this stuff works, and like. Or I guess more like get comfortable with it. What was that like for you? Because you're a really private person, and how did you sort of so fully embody a character that was so comfortable on social media and kind of like growing her business via social media channels?

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah, I. I again, did a really deep dive on Tracy McMillan, because she is on social media a lot. I need to find out. Yeah, she's so, so wonderful. She has a show on OWN called Family or Fiance, and she's really fun.

[Unknown]

Wait, what does that mean?

[Kerry Washington]

It's like choosing, are you my cousin.

[Unknown]

Or are you my fiance? No.

[Kerry Washington]

No. It's like, you have to choose between marrying this person or are you gonna be in loyalty to your fiance or in loyalty to your family? It's when the families don't get along with the fiance. So she's all about kind of going into these homes and healing relationships.

[Unknown]

Oh, that's.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah. So I really stole a lot from her. But I found a lot of freedom in my relationship with my dad on social media. Like, my.

[Unknown]

Yeah, talk a little bit about that.

[Kerry Washington]

So I am really private on social. And I have still yet to ever post a picture of my kids.

[Unknown]

Yep.

[Kerry Washington]

But I decided that somebody had to take one for the team. Right. Like, I needed to have more of my personal life out in the world. And my dad was, like, waiting in the wings. Cause he is. This is. I mean, he just wants to be famous so badly. So this is perfect. It was, like, the perfect arrangement. I remember we filmed our first video in the craft service truck while I was doing little fires with Reese, and I showed her the edit of the video, and she was like, he is everything. I was like, I know. So he's become, like, the star.

[Unknown]

He's the master.

[Kerry Washington]

He is. And he. You know, it really does allow for me to kind of those, like, the dad. I have a dad joke series that I do with him.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Kerry Washington]

Where he tells dad jokes. And in real life, dad jokes are so annoying. Like, when my dad tells his jokes, I'm always rolling my eyes. But when I put them on social media, I'm like, this is brilliant.

[Unknown]

He's so lovable.

[Kerry Washington]

Like, look at how wonderful he is. So I think I tried to lean into that idea of, like, sometimes when we can be more public, it lifts some of the shame or the discomfort. There's an embrace of our truths when we don't hide them, when we share them. And I think that Paige does a lot of that. She just puts her truths out there because she knows that it will make people feel less alone. And it's funny because I do think that's what we're trying to do with the show. Also, there are 80 million Americans walking around with criminal records. So. So if you think about every single one of those people having a story of reentry into society and then that each of them is surrounded by a circle of people that love them and that went through their own adjustment period of re entry. So the show is about so many of us in this country. So many of us can relate, but we're not talking about it. We tell a lot of stories about what it's like to go into prison, a lot of stories about what it's like to be in prison, but we don't talk about the real challenges of coming out and how that impacts families and lovers and children.

[Unknown]

Yeah, absolutely. So going back to the mental health piece of that, like, and I can't wait to watch the rest of the show. But do you, you know, it seems like, right, so you're on social media, you're being very transparent about, like, your stuff and it's very kind of out there. But then. And I don't know where it's going, so. But it seems like. And I think it resonated so much with me because I'm always looking for my blind spots, which is really hard because they're blind spots. And I'm like, my blind, like, what are they? And I want people to tell me what they are. And I think one of the ways of kind of tricking yourself that you don't have blind spots is to be like, I'm really vulnerable and I'm putting it all out there. So does your character, like, does the father end up teaching her something about her own blind spots and what she has left to learn?

[Kerry Washington]

Absolutely.

[Unknown]

And what are those things?

[Kerry Washington]

Well, I mean, her inability to trust him, of course, bleeds into her inability to be in healthy romantic relationships.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

It seems like you have a weird white boyfriend.

[Kerry Washington]

Very weird white boyfriend. Very weird. And who is played by the lovely Tim Daly. But yes, there are other romantic interests that come along as well.

[Unknown]

Okay.

[Kerry Washington]

So we get to see her kind of working through her stuff. And her dad does point out her blind spots in big ways. Yeah, yeah.

[Unknown]

Does your dad point out your blind spots in real life?

[Kerry Washington]

I think my interactions with my dad sometimes reveal my blind spots to me. Right. I'm like, totally. Why am I suddenly a 14 year old child at this dinner table? Like, what is it about me that's getting worked up that I Can't be the woman that I am in every other room. Yeah. So I get that. Sometimes I get aware of my limitations or my lack of boundaries or. Yeah.

[Unknown]

And who are the people in your life that you really like that really do hold that space for you to talk about your blind spots or.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah. My husband. Big time. My therapist. Plural. Big time. Like, my regular therapist. I have a regular one, a couples one. And then my really, you know, really good old friends, you know? Yeah.

[Unknown]

Do you have friends from Spence still?

[Kerry Washington]

I do. I do. I'm not as close to them as I would like to be. Yeah, I know you do.

[Unknown]

I do.

[Kerry Washington]

Were you there from kindergarten?

[Unknown]

No. 7 through 12. Okay.

[Kerry Washington]

Okay. Okay, great.

[Unknown]

Were you 7 through 12?

[Kerry Washington]

Yes. Also 7th through 12, the ones who are there from kindergarten to 12th we call survivors, which sounds pejorative. It does. But I'm glad I was there from 7th through 12th.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Yes. Me too.

[Kerry Washington]

Such a great school.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

It was.

[Unknown]

It was a good time.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

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[Unknown]

So in terms of, like, the generations of therapy, you know, I feel like I certainly and definitely like my friends who are younger than me. There's such an openness about talking about mental health. And, you know, I even see with my own kids who are, gosh, 18 and 16, like, there's a sort of fluency with how they feel about something or if they have worries about something or they're naming, like, their anxiety or. Do you think that, like, in terms of doing your research, of playing a therapist, like, is this a good thing that, you know, because it's sort of. I look at kind of my parents generation. It was so stoic, and there wasn't a lot of, like, exploration of self or in that way. Really?

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

And sometimes I think, like, you know, like, where is the boundary of kind of putting everything, you know, processing everything? Live all the time with everybody listening and then the internal piece of, like. Not that I would ever want to go back to like my parents generation, but how, like, what do you think the sort of line is there? Do you think it's healthy? I guess the best way is just to like, let it all out all the time. Or do you think we need more internal processing as well?

[Kerry Washington]

I've been thinking about this a lot, actually, because I've been in the process of writing a memoir, which is so crazy for me, being as private as I am.

[Unknown]

I love this. I can't wait for this.

[Kerry Washington]

And I do. I've been asking a lot of myself, like, how much is too much? Is there too much? What's the point of it? And I feel like for me it really is very individual. And for me it's a lot about intention. Like, what is. Am I doing this to get attention to. Sometimes I think the very external processing without any internal process can do more harm than good. Right? I love that expression. Like, say what you mean, mean what you say. Don't say it mean. And I like to give myself time to process so that when I'm saying what I'm saying, I can try to say it without saying it mean. So I don't know. I don't know how much is too much. I know for me, I've erred on doing more privately than publicly, but it was interesting. It is really interesting to play a character who is so expressive and shares so much of her process, because this character was a lot more free than other characters I played. Like, the title Unprisoned is not just about the prison industrial complex. It's also about being unprisoned in our hearts, learning to love each other more and be more ourselves in our relationships. And it was really exciting to play a character who's just so open. You know, she's so. She's also messy. Like, so messy. But she's not afraid of that. And I think there's some real freedom and lightness and there's power in that in some ways, because she doesn't have a lot of shame about being a person who's in process, which is what we all are. You know, we just are. Like, we have different levels of performativity of how good we're feeling on a given day. And sometimes that performativity is appropriate.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Kerry Washington]

Like, I don't need to walk into my All Stars. That's what we call our all Hands meeting. Like our All Stars meeting and just like put all my crap out there on my Employees every day. Like, there are appropriate places and times for me to express different things, but. Yeah, that's amazing.

[Unknown]

Wait, so what did you. What have you found the. Like, what is the reason for the memoir? Like, have you figured out why you're writing it?

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah, I started to get some new information about my family a few years ago, and it was really beginning to impact. Almost immediately, it started to impact how I thought about myself and my relationship with my parents. And I wanted to process that and share it and not be. Not have shame around it, not feel like I had to keep it a secret.

[Unknown]

So your intention is to. Is it to help other people as well, like, process through or how, like, understand how they relate to their own shame or.

[Kerry Washington]

I think it's to, like, share my process of. Well, I started to ask myself about my relationship with truth and about my relationship with my own instincts.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Wow.

[Kerry Washington]

What brought that on, this new information?

[Unknown]

Oh, God.

[Kerry Washington]

And so I really. I wanted to share that process of, like, healing my own relationship with Truth and with my sense of trusting myself.

[Unknown]

Wow. I sense. The third live podcast. When this book comes out, I'm gonna.

[Kerry Washington]

Send it to you early. I'm gonna send it to you.

[Unknown]

When is it coming out? You better. Oh, my God, this is so exciting. I love that, you know, you do so many things, like, you're such. And also just, you know, when I was thinking about you writing a book, like, you also are so inspiring, and, you know, you're. I've been lucky to know you, you know, like. Like this in and out throughout the years and. And you have an amazingly inspiring story, and you have so much intellect and strength and, like, the way you bring all these interests together and feels like a book. I don't know, now that you say it, it feels like a really intuitive thing to be able to create your own narrative and.

[Kerry Washington]

Oh, that's so. You know what's funny? Thank you. First of all, what's funny is I built this company at Simpson street where we talk about upending the idea of other. And this firm belief that we have at my production company, that every single one of us is at the center of the story of our lives, that each one of us is the protagonist of our own story, and none of. Hi, Katie. And that none of us is relegated to being a supporting character. We can choose to be supporting characters, and we must choose to be supporting characters and forces in people's lives. But that fundamentally, that's a choice because we know that we're the hero of our own journey, and that has Been kind of how I've operated and how I've chosen projects as an actor and as a producer. But I realized I was not the center of my personal life, that I was not living as the protagonist of my own story. And that was part of why I wrote the book. I was like, what is that? You know, what is this story of my life? And how do I center myself and figure out what my story is and not be afraid of it?

[Unknown]

Yeah. Oh, my gosh.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Wait, I recognize you. Are you on Scandal? Yes.

[Kerry Washington]

It's Quinn Perkins from Scandal. Oh, my God.

[Unknown]

I'm starstruck when you talk about Friends. Oh, my God. How great. Should we talk about Scandal?

[Kerry Washington]

We can. Katie actually has a podcast about Scandal. It's like a rewatch podcast that she does with Guillermo, who played Huck, and I just was a guest on it, but it hasn't aired yet.

[Unknown]

Right.

[Kerry Washington]

My episode.

[Unknown]

I think it does. Maybe next.

[Kerry Washington]

Maybe soon. Yeah.

[Unknown]

Okay. I will be. You're a great guest. She's a great podcaster. She's a great. You see, I recommend the live podcast angle for Kerry Washington, but so obviously, you know, I love Scandal. I was obsessed with it. And, you know, having you. It was also really, I don't know, so sweet for me to watch you, like, this big star of, like, a network TV show and everything. I was so proud.

[Kerry Washington]

I was so. I remember it was like a Grammy week party when you ran up to me and you were like, I'm watching. And I was like, oh, my gosh. I was so excited. You've always been so supportive.

[Unknown]

Well, of. I mean. And so now you're starring in another TV show. My return to television, like, and so this will go. This isn't just a limited series.

[Kerry Washington]

We have a few seasons in us. There's a few seasons to this story, and I love it because, again, most of the work I've done is very serious, dramatic work. But, you know, one of the most thrilling weeks of my life was hosting snl. Like, I love comedy, and I love being able to. You know, I feel like on the piano, there are, like, dramatic keys and comedic keys, and I just love having the full range on this show that I don't get to. I don't have to choose. I really get to have all those colors of who we are.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

It's great because we are like that.

[Kerry Washington]

Yes, you're very funny.

[Unknown]

I don't know about that. So when you think about, you know, people watching the show, like, what do you hope is it kind of around that Dispelling of shame or, like, being free to share. Like, what do you hope. If someone was gonna say, I want to. I'm gonna watch this show, and I hope to be inspired in this way. Like, what would you hope for them?

[Kerry Washington]

A few things. But I think mostly the show is about a bunch of people who are really trying to do better and be better for themselves and each other.

[Unknown]

And.

[Kerry Washington]

And I hope that that's what people walk away with. This sense of wanting to be their best selves, wanting to love each other more, wanting to figure out how to be more forgiving and in radical acceptance of ourselves and our loved ones. And yes, like, letting go of the shame about the secrets that our families hold and the things that make our family and ourselves feel different, that those are the things that make us beautiful, you know, and to be willing to think more about our justice system and the ways that it is doing damage to families and how we can all do better when it comes to, you know, enacting policies that support returning citizens and reforming the system so that we provide opportunities for. For people to really change and be in a rehabilitation process as opposed to suffering their entire lives for one wrong choice.

[Unknown]

Often, you know, are you getting more involved in that aspect of the community?

[Kerry Washington]

I am. You know, what's interesting is I've been invited to get involved more in criminal justice work, but I've also been invited to get more involved in the foster care system work that is desperate. My character, because her dad was in prison, her whole life was in and out of foster homes. One of my favorite characters in the show is this incredible. I have a sister on the show who's my foster sister who was in and out of Korean orphanages her whole life. So it's just such a fun show where it's like this black woman with a Korean sister and a white stepmom. And it's just. It's really fun and so real, like with the world we live in, you.

[Unknown]

Know, and it strikes me just about what you were saying before. You know, we need community when we're on a journey of self exploration and we want to improve ourselves. And the only way I think you can track progress in a way is if you have people around you who love you and are holding you accountable. It's like sometimes you could be in a vacuum, sort of having therapy and doing work, but unless you're sort of sharing that with the closest people to you and they're an active participant. And that's really what it seems like, you know, the direction, the show is going in. And also for me in my life, like, if I. If I didn't have people around me that I love, you know, holding me accountable and being a process, it's like, it would be such a lonely way.

[Kerry Washington]

It's so true. I mean, I think that's why I was on a red carpet last night. And they were like, you wear so many hats. Actor and director and producer and what's your favorite hat? I was like, hands down, wife and mother. Because those are the. That's where the accountability comes in. And that's where, you know, the person I want to be is the person who honors those relationships closest to me.

[Unknown]

Okay, so my last question for you. I want to ask you a little bit about wellness because.

[Kerry Washington]

Yes, we're at.

[Unknown]

And so will you tell me, will you share with us a little bit about what your wellness practice is in your life? What are the things that you actively choose to do that make you feel whole and integrated?

[Kerry Washington]

We were talking earlier. I love to walk. Like, movement in general. Fitness for me is a big part of that. I'm a big Pilates girl. Huge Pilates girl. Erica Bloom, Pilates in New York. I've been working with her forever. I love her very much. And walking and cardio, and I try to eat whole foods. I really need to be better about sleep. I know that sleep is such a huge factor in overall wellness. And so that I have to do. And I'm off and on with the meditation. I try. I tend to meditate about four or five mornings. I'm not all seven.

[Unknown]

That's pretty good.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

That's great.

[Kerry Washington]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Well, thank you for coming. Thank you for sharing with us.

[Kerry Washington]

Thank you for having me.

[Unknown]

Thank you all for being here.

[Kerry Washington]

Thank you, guys.

[Gwyneth Paltrow]

Thanks for listening to my conversation with Kerry Washington. Her new show, Unprisoned, is out now. Thanks for tuning in. This has been a presentation of Cadence 13 Studios. I hope you'll listen, follow, rate, and review all of our episodes, which are available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Odyssey, or wherever you get your podcasts.