Ilana Glazer is connecting with their inner animal

Summary

Wild Card with Rachel Martin: Ilana Glazer Connects with Their Inner Animal

Released on December 12, 2024

In this captivating episode of Wild Card hosted by Rachel Martin from NPR, comedian and actress Ilana Glazer delves deep into personal reflections, parenting insights, and creative endeavors. The conversation is uniquely guided by a deck of cards, turning the episode into an engaging, choose-your-own-adventure dialogue that reveals the layers of Ilana's experiences and philosophies.

---

1. The Wild Card Format: A Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Conversation

From the onset, Wild Card distinguishes itself by eschewing traditional interview scripts. Instead, Rachel Martin and Ilana Glazer engage in a dynamic game using a special deck of cards to prompt meaningful questions. This format allows for spontaneous and honest discussions, creating a natural and intimate atmosphere.

---

2. Late Rebellion and the Impact of Parenting

Ilana Glazer opens up about their form of rebellion during adolescence, highlighting a delayed response to defiance. At [05:00], Ilana reflects:

"My rebellion came honestly, like I was not secure in it until like the past few years… I had some rebellion and I guess it finally came in the form of having sex and smoking weed in my senior year of high school."

This unconventional rebellion underscores a transition towards personal autonomy, influenced significantly by the responsibilities of parenthood. Ilana explains how becoming a parent necessitated setting boundaries, which in turn redefined their personal and professional life.

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3. Childhood Memories and the Journey Through Therapy

Delving into childhood experiences, Ilana shares poignant memories that have shaped their adulthood. At [07:54], they reveal:

"I have found how limited parenting makes the rest of your life really helpful. It has forced me to draw lines that I never wanted to draw before."

A particularly impactful memory involves using the bathroom with the door open, a habit Ilana initially attributed to cultural reasons but later examined through therapy. This reflection highlights the long-term effects of early upbringing on personal boundaries and privacy.

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4. Embracing Creativity: Ilana's Standup Special "Human Magic"

Shifting focus to creativity, Rachel congratulates Ilana on their new standup special, "Human Magic," which premiered on Hulu. Ilana describes the special as:

"The first time in which I felt personally organized, you know, and I felt, like, more polished professionally than ever before."

"Human Magic" serves as a return to Ilana's comedic roots, intertwining reflections on early parenthood with humor. The special not only showcases Ilana's comedic talents but also their ability to find joy and laughter amidst the chaos of raising a child.

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5. Balancing Social Energy and Alone Time

A significant portion of the conversation explores Ilana's struggle and growth in balancing social interactions with the need for solitude. At [16:29], Ilana candidly states:

"I'm going to say increasingly. But it's tough. I really feed off people. I love people. I love intellectual intercourse… but I'm increasingly comfortable alone."

This admission reveals Ilana's journey towards self-awareness, recognizing the importance of alone time for personal well-being while still valuing deep connections with others.

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6. Reflections on Time: A Complex Force

When prompted about time's role in their life, Ilana offers a nuanced perspective. At [23:25], they express:

"I am a planner and I want to make the most of my time. And I decreasingly feel it slipping away as I am more able to practice presence and accept what is."

Ilana grapples with the duality of time as both a limited resource and a relentless force, striving to balance planning with mindful presence to enrich their daily experiences.

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7. Sacred Spaces: The Bath as a Sanctuary

Ilana identifies the bath as their sacred place, a sanctuary for relaxation and family bonding. At [26:18], they share:

"The bath… sometimes we get in the bath with her, just her taking a bath and just, like, watching her."

This sacred space serves as a metaphor for intimacy and simplicity, offering a reprieve from the complexities of daily life and a place to connect deeply with loved ones.

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8. Predestined Paths and Spirituality in Judaism

Exploring spirituality, Ilana discusses their belief in predestined paths intertwined with free will. At [27:37], they reveal:

"I feel absolutely connected through my bloodline, through my many lives, the different bodies my spirit has inhabited."

Ilana's renewed connection with Judaism provides a spiritual framework that complements their beliefs in destiny and personal agency, fostering a sense of purpose and community.

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9. Memory Time Machine: Remembering Kevin Barnett

In the heartfelt concluding segment, Ilana selects a memory to revisit: the loss of their friend Kevin Barnett. At [30:31], they recount:

"Claude is based on our mutual best friend, Kevin Barnett, who passed away in 2019. It was a huge loss for the comedy community, but also the world."

This poignant reflection emphasizes the enduring impact of Kevin on Ilana's life and career, underscoring themes of loss, legacy, and the bittersweet nature of cherished memories.

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Notable Quotes

• Ilana Glazer at [05:00]:

  "I didn't quite rebel very much as a child or a teenager. I was very good and was focused on goodness and achieving."

• Ilana Glazer at [09:07]:

  "I have found the limits of how limited parenting makes the rest of your life really helpful."

• Ilana Glazer at [16:30]:

  "I'm going to buck the binary with this answer and say, fuck it… Increasingly."

• Ilana Glazer at [25:09]:

  "I decreasingly feel it slipping away as I am more able to practice presence and accept what is."

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Conclusion: Celebrating Creativity and Remembering Loved Ones

The episode wraps up with Rachel Martin highlighting Ilana's standup special and paying tribute to the late poet Nikki Giovanni, who had previously appeared on the show. Rachel also announces upcoming bonus content available through Wild Card+, enticing listeners to further engage with the series.

Ilana's episode on Wild Card offers a rich tapestry of humor, vulnerability, and profound insights into personal growth, creativity, and the complexities of modern parenthood. Through the innovative game format, listeners are invited to connect deeply with Ilana's journey, making it a memorable and inspiring conversation.

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Tune in to Wild Card to experience more thought-provoking and entertaining dialogues like this one. Don’t forget to follow the show on your preferred podcast platform and rate and review to help others discover these enriching conversations.

Transcript

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[Rachel Martin]

Hey, everybody, it's Rachel. As we approach the end of the year, I just wanted to thank everyone who has been with us since the very beginning. And I also want to say hi to all the new listeners who have joined us recently. What's up? I am so glad you're here. Whether you're just finding out about us because the New York Times named us one of the top 10 podcasts of the year. Hello. Or you've been listening religiously for months, I want to remind everyone to make sure to follow our show on your podcast player so you automatically get a heads up when there's a new episode. And if you like us and you want to help spread the word, be sure to rate and review us as well so other people can find us. It gives. Gives our show life. Seriously. Okay, that's all. Here's the show. And just a heads up, there is a singular curse word in this episode and a little bit of sex talk. What was your form of rebelling as a teenager?

[Ilana Glaser]

Oh, my goodness. This. You cracked right in, Rachel Martin.

[Rachel Martin]

I did.

[Ilana Glaser]

You cracked right in. You know why? Because.

[Rachel Martin]

Question what?

[Ilana Glaser]

I mean, this is just playing three strings on a guitar for me. This is a whole chord, which is that I didn't quite rebel very much.

[Rachel Martin]

I'm Rachel Martin and this is Wildcard, the show where cards control the conversation. Each week, my guest chooses questions at random from a deck of cards. Questions about the memories, insights, and beliefs that have shaped them.

[Ilana Glaser]

I have found how limited parenting makes the rest of your life really helpful.

[Rachel Martin]

My guest this week is comedian Ilana Glaser.

[Ilana Glaser]

It has forced me to draw lines that I never wanted to draw before. I want it to be everything for everybody.

[Rachel Martin]

I met Alana exactly 10 years ago. Alana and their co star, Abbie Jacobson were riding high on the success from their hilarious web series Broad City, which became a hit TV show. I interviewed both of them, but I was just back from parental leave for my second kid and I have to tell you, I was so deeply exhausted in that moment. And what sticks with me from that interview to this day is Alana's energy, like capital E energy. They were just bursting at the seams with ideas and stories and potential. And I share this because the tired new mothers out there often feel Sort of alone and separate from the well rested, creatively fertile people. So when I saw Ilana Glaser's new comedy special on Hulu, Human Magic, which is about the bonkers part of life that is early parenthood, part of me was selfishly like, yes, they have crossed the Rubicon. They get how exhausting it all is. But then I watched Alana's comedy special, and I saw the same big E energy, even though they're now the parent of a toddler. And I realized, damn it, this person is just built this way. And maybe they're gonna tell me it's all smoke and mirrors, but from where I sit, I think Alana Glaser's default setting is energy and enthusiasm. And I'm gonna add joy to the mix because whenever I watch them perform, I come out happier than I was an hour or two before. Alana Glaser, welcome to Wild Card.

[Ilana Glaser]

Thank you so much. That was, as, you know, the experience of becoming a parent. I am constantly feklempt and I could just let myself go down the avenue and, like, cry right now. That is so meaningful to me. And I'm so grateful to you for holding that time those, you know, that point A to point B of 10 years is like, just a lot for a lot. Yeah, a lot. Like, in my heart and in my mind. And while so much joy occurred and was created, it was so intense. And it's like, wow.

[Rachel Martin]

There'S a deck of cards in front of me. Okay, I'm going to hold up three at a time, and then you pick randomly. 1, 2, or 3.

[Ilana Glaser]

I surrender to you.

[Rachel Martin]

You have some power, though. I will give you this power. You have two tools at your disposal. You can skip one. So if you're just like, this is not my question.

[Ilana Glaser]

Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

And you can also flip it on me so you can ask me to answer one of the questions before you do.

[Ilana Glaser]

Okay. If you're so inclined. Skip or flip?

[Rachel Martin]

Skip or flip. We're breaking it up into three rounds. We sort of get deeper as we go.

[Ilana Glaser]

Copy that.

[Rachel Martin]

And I'm ready if you are.

[Ilana Glaser]

I'm ready. I trust you.

[Rachel Martin]

You're ready? Yeah. Okay, good. Okay, first three cards. One, two, or three.

[Ilana Glaser]

I'm going to go with three. You're left three.

[Rachel Martin]

What was your form of rebelling as a teenager?

[Ilana Glaser]

Oh, my goodness. This. You cracked right in, Rachel Martin.

[Rachel Martin]

I did.

[Ilana Glaser]

You cracked right in. You know why? Because question one. I mean, this is just playing three strings on a guitar for me. This is a whole chord, which is that I didn't quite rebel very much as a child or a teenager. I was very good and was focused on, I guess, goodness and achieving. And my rebellion came honestly, like I was not secure in it until like the past few years, my rebelling like literally against my parents.

[Rachel Martin]

LOL.

[Ilana Glaser]

I'm 37 years old and it's like, I mean, it was really in the process of becoming a parent too, that I was like, no, I am separate from my parents. And also I disagree with this. But of course I had some rebellion and I guess it finally came in the form of having sex and smoking weed in my like senior year of high school. It was like, I mean, that's pretty.

[Rachel Martin]

You know, by the book. Definitional of rebellion. Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

Standard.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

I would honestly say patriotic. So, you know, like, finally it came as well as myself, but it was a late. A late bloomer. And then I feel like really becoming a parent. I'm like, oh, I don't care. You know what I mean? I don't care about being accepted. I care more about discovering who I am and what I need and what I like. I care about that more than crossing a line and being accepted back, you know, so that's really when I found.

[Rachel Martin]

Wait, I need more on that. Like in terms of your parenting now, like, how does having a kid make you rebellious?

[Ilana Glaser]

You know, like, as long as I'm focused on fulfilling my needs of myself and my family and my child, then the rest of it, you know, I can be unlikable or not fulfilling the, you know, supportive role or appearance of supportive role that I was hoping to fill before or. Or actually filling. You know, I have found the limits of how limited parenting makes the rest of your life really helpful. It has forced me to draw lines that I never wanted to draw before. I want it to be everything for everybody. And it's like so important to my health and my kids health, but also like who you put out into the world. It's really important for the. It's actually serves the world at large to give the. Give it the healthiest kid I can. So it's been like such a helpful reorganization.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. Okay, we got three more cards. We're gonna keep going. One, two or three.

[Ilana Glaser]

Now I'm gonna go with my left. Number one, please.

[Rachel Martin]

What's something you thought was normal about your childhood that you now realize was un.

[Ilana Glaser]

Um, my mother and I using the bathroom with the door open. There's so much in my childhood that like, you know, my dad would always say if he didn't have an answer for something, where I'm like, why do you do this? He would always say, cause I'm Jewish. Cause I'm Jewish. And I. So I really thought a lot of things were, like. Because we were Jewish. I thought that my.

[Rachel Martin]

Like, that's why you left the bathroom door open.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes. And I don't think this is Jewish tradition is what I'm gather. I don't. You know. Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

I love that you were that comfortable in your house.

[Ilana Glaser]

I was that comfortable and. But also that uncomfortable with temporarily separating.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, whoa.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

No wonder you didn't want to rebel. Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

I do a lot of therapy, and I'm like, really? These themes. You better believe we're going to circle these themes back and forth and back and forth, return and loop de loop through them, because, yeah, it's like, it's something that I carried into my adulthood and then got to a point at which I had to really look at. Why is the door open? Why can't I be with myself for this moment?

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

Dogs. You know what I mean? Like, we had a corner of the yard that my mom trained our chocolate lab to go to to pee and poop. If Emma is peeing and pooping in privacy.

[Rachel Martin]

In relative privacy.

[Ilana Glaser]

In relative privacy, I think this human. I think her relative. Human sister should do that too.

[Rachel Martin]

How are you doing on going number one and number two behind a closed door these days?

[Ilana Glaser]

I am. It's good. It's going well. Okay.

[Rachel Martin]

Good.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah, it's good. It's like my daughter is using the potty, and I have to say, now it's, like, making sense as I'm articulating this all. I love it. I love peeing and pooping at the same time when she's on potty and I'm here or, like, really, like, being close to her as she goes to the bathroom, I find it just so sweet, you know what I mean? This person, like, doing these things for the first time.

[Rachel Martin]

It's very intimate.

[Ilana Glaser]

It's intimate. It's, like, so weirdly beautiful, you know, it's, like, so funny and, I don't know, animalistic. I really do appreciate that being like, damn, we're just animals. We're just apes. We're dogs. We're pigs. You know, like, we're. It's just. But then the separation and modeling it is useful. I recently was, like, actually, it was a couple months ago. So she's like, almost three and a half. She was like three and a quarter. And it's just so interesting to watch her brain. You can see her eyes register certain things and. Or I can see her eyes register certain things. And like, I asked her recently, I was in the bathroom and I was like, can I have some privacy for a second? And she was like, what is going on? You need privacy from me? And I saw her register in it and she was a little upset and then she turned and walked away.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh.

[Ilana Glaser]

And I was like, okay. You know, that's a hard separation, but here we are. And this is an. This is good. I think it's healthy.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I remember all those moments with my boys. How old are the very first time? They're 10 and 12.

[Ilana Glaser]

Oh my God. So crazy now that like, kids of any age are three to me because my daughter's three. You know what I mean? I'm just like, damn. Wow.

[Rachel Martin]

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[Rachel Martin]

Okay, I'm going to pull away from the game for a second and talk about your creative life, specifically what you're working on right now because you made a standup special. Congrats.

[Ilana Glaser]

I did. Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

[Rachel Martin]

It's called Human Magic and it's a return to your roots, right? Stand up is like where you started.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes. Standup is, as Michelle Buteau, my co star in Babes and one of my favorite comedians literally of all time, said once, we were just yapping on the phone like a year, a year or Two ago, maybe, before both of our tours. And we were just talking about how hard it is and how we need it and we love it, but we cannot stand it. And she said, it's an affliction. It's an affliction. Standup's an affliction. And I was like, damn, is that ever true. It reminds me of Passover and reading the Seder and reading about these biblical afflictions. It's like this thing that I can't not do, need, but just turns me inside.

[Rachel Martin]

Like locusts.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes. Truly, it turns me inside out. It makes me rethink everything. But this special was really the first time in which I felt personally organized, you know, and I felt, like, more polished professionally than ever before and, like, proud professionally of standup than ever before is totally hilarious.

[Rachel Martin]

It is well worth seeing. A lot of it is your reflections about early parenthood.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes.

[Rachel Martin]

Which I find interesting because I. It's only in retrospect that I find a lot of that funny in the moment. I had a real hard time, like, getting outside of it and being like, you will laugh someday, even though you're so tired and your house is a disaster and it feels like you've raised two little monsters into the world. But it'll be funny someday. Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

Well, you have two boys, too.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

Which is like, you know, I hate to create separation between genders, but it is different so far I've seen in my experience. But I'm sorry I cut you off.

[Rachel Martin]

No, but can you. Are you good at in the moment being like, this is hard, and it's also hilarious. And I shall remember this for my comedy special.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah. I think this is, like, just what I've been training for forever. To be in it, but also of it and to be thinking of it. Speaking of an affliction, it's mentally ill. The three scopes. You know what I mean? I'm at several levels at once. And this is what I'm saying also, is like, I struggle to be present. It's like an anxiety thing where sometimes I'll jump away from the present moment to write in my head, to cope with how hard it is in the moment. And it's not. I don't like it. I want to just be present. I want to be a present animal. I'm thinking of Mariel Heller's Night Beast. Everybody should go see that. I want to be a dog. You know what I mean? I just want to be sniffing and up in it, and I'm, like, writing. It's like, you know what I Mean, like, I really.

[Rachel Martin]

It takes you out of it.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah. And I yearn to be. I like that messiness. I admire it. I just. And I'm trying to be it. But it's also a coping mechanism that does work for me.

[Rachel Martin]

We're getting back in the game.

[Ilana Glaser]

Okay, let's do it.

[Rachel Martin]

Next round. One, two or three?

[Ilana Glaser]

Number one, please.

[Rachel Martin]

Well, I feel like we know the answer to this. Oh, great.

[Ilana Glaser]

We've covered so many themes.

[Rachel Martin]

I don't know. How comfortable are you with being alone?

[Ilana Glaser]

I'm gonna. I'm gonna. I'm gonna buck the binary with this answer and say, fuck it, Alana. I'm going to say increasingly.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

Ooh, is your mind. Blow my therapy, Rachel Martin. But that is the. That is the accurate answer. Increasingly. But it's tough. I really feed off people. I love people. I love intellectual intercourse. I love connecting and engaging. But I'm increasingly comfortable alone and also, like, having such a high needs. Tiny individual needing me so often. It's like much more contrasted as a relief to be a little alone.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. Yeah. Whereas before, there may have been anxiety associated with that, and now it's just such. It's just in such scarce supply.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

That it's like, you gotta look forward to it.

[Ilana Glaser]

But I'm nuts. I'm leaving voice memos. People aren't even available. I'm still letting them know what's on my mind.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, yeah. But I am someone who very. I like, crave alone time. And so. Yeah. Then. Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

Are you tall?

[Rachel Martin]

I don't know. Am I.

[Ilana Glaser]

How tall are you?

[Rachel Martin]

Five. I mean, I think I'm five seven. My husband insists that I'm five, six and three quarters.

[Ilana Glaser]

Oh, copy that. You know, I don't know if. If it's changed, but in the early 2000s, in those toxic days of toxic days. I was a teenager at that time and the toxic messaging I got. For some reason, I know that modeling, you have to be 5, 7. So it's like you're model height, babe.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay, wait, how does this. Is this just a random. Interesting.

[Ilana Glaser]

I don't know. I just feel like craving alone time and being, like, walking, like being a model. Being a model and like gliding through the streets of D.C. lA.

[Rachel Martin]

That's what I do.

[Ilana Glaser]

Gliding through the streets of D.C. and like, popping your collar and like, not wanting the bottom half of your face to be seen. I'm just like, yeah, she likes to be alone. I'm like, short and I'm like, hey, everybody, Anybody want to hear a joke? You know, I don't know, I just. Just wanted to. I just wanted to picture it. I just wanted to picture it.

[Rachel Martin]

Okay. Yeah, for sure. I want you to always think of me that way. It's completely the opposite.

[Ilana Glaser]

I thought you were five nine. I thought you were five nine.

[Rachel Martin]

I was five nine. I was giving five, nine energy. Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

And it's like this, like. I don't know, this, like, goyish tall thing that I'm just like, wow. Like, just like. And her hair, like, flown. It's, like, flying back.

[Rachel Martin]

That made me. I think I sped. Hilarious.

[Ilana Glaser]

I love it.

[Rachel Martin]

Talk to Loogie at that. Okay.

[Ilana Glaser]

I haven't skipped. I haven't flipped. I'm loving these cues. Read your mind.

[Rachel Martin]

You're just go. You're just going. All right, one, two, three.

[Ilana Glaser]

Oh, three.

[Rachel Martin]

Are you good at knowing when something should end?

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I am. I am. Has been that way. Mm. Yes. Yes, I have. Broad City. I was like a big. You know, we had. We had signed our contract of seven seasons, and then, you know, we both. We both came to it, and Abby and I. But. And it was. Comedy Central was like, huh? But I was like, you know, and we were, like, ambivalent and unsure, but, like, it just. I think that's. Yeah, that's something I would say is elegant about me knowing when things are at their end.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah, that's a. That's a admirable quality because it's not. It's not the same for everybody. And especially if you have. If you got something good going on and there are people telling you it's good, just keep going. It's good. And to be able to have something internally that tells you, nah, I think I'm. I think I'm gonna stop now.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah. And, like, being able to trust that I am generative beyond this moment, whether it's a creative project or anything, you know, but that I am secure, that I will keep generating new layers and, like, do without thinking. That was something that. The experience of pregnancy was so incredible. I'm such an overthinker and a planner. Creating a person without thinking about it was. I was like, I'm not even thinking about this, and my body knows what to do. And, like, you know, we get a scrape and the skin grows back, and it's just like, just trusting in my own humanity.

[Rachel Martin]

What, though? Is it like, just a gut feeling on the endings thing? You're just like. I just. I just feel like we should stop.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah. You know, it's like. I don't know. I was a drummer for many years. I miss it. And I love. Yes. And I just loved percussion for a time. I was like, I'm gonna be an orchestra percussionist. Can you imagine me like on a timpione, like bum, bum, bum. And it's like, I think it's like a rhythm thing. You know what I mean? It's like a larger scale rhythm thing of like, this is over, you know, and accepting the loss too.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. But new things happen after that.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah.

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[Rachel Martin]

We'Re into round three. Here are the cards. Um, one, two or three?

[Ilana Glaser]

Let's go with number one.

[Rachel Martin]

Oh, I like this question. Is time a positive or negative force in your life?

[Ilana Glaser]

I mean, what, what even is that? Yeah, it's a. It's a force. It's by force. I'm constantly like, wow, one day I'm gonna die. And I really hope it's long before you, you little nugget. I mean, I'm constantly thinking about holding my death, thinking about how precious with my kid, it's, oh my God, is it painful? But it's so crazy how the pain is so beautiful. It's like so such a crazy dichotomy that, like capitalism and like, middle class, the construct of the middle class is so. Has so tactlessly decomposed where it's like, pain is bad and beautiful's good. And it's like, no, it's two sides of the same coin and so much more complex than we've allowed the space for in mainstream discourse as we've reduced sentences to either, like, I don't even know what authoritarianism or, like, you know what I mean, like skincare nonsense or something. So I can't really, like, it's not good or bad time. It just is the framework I'm working within. Yeah. But I'm a planner and I want to make the most of my time. And I decreasingly feel it slipping away. I decreasingly feel it slipping away as I am more able to practice presence and accept what is.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah, it's a weird thing. People are always like, the days are long, but the years are short. And I hated those maxims of people telling me about this weird bullshit phrases that parents say. And then you get in it and you're like, wow, that's weird. That's true. That's a weird and true experience.

[Ilana Glaser]

I had this. This bit that I cut where, like. Because it was like, I never found. It was just, like, too much to encompass. But like, I. When people are like, it goes so fast. It goes so fast. I'm like, shut up. You know, because I'm. I'm seeing a, like one of those, like, sand timers. That's how it feels to me, that it's slipping away. Like, shut up. Also, like, you're dumping your regrets on me. Like, leave me alone.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

And I like, really. I try to be really. My husband and I both, we try to be really mindful about being present and just paying attention, paying close attention. That stretches it out, you know, if you're really noticing the changes as it happens.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. Okay, three more. One, two, three.

[Ilana Glaser]

Act number one. Now I'll go with number two.

[Rachel Martin]

What's a place you consider sacred?

[Ilana Glaser]

The bath.

[Rachel Martin]

The bath.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. That's your space.

[Ilana Glaser]

Love it. Love the bath. My husband and I have, like, solved many problems, or so we thought, in the bath. And it's so fun with a little kiddo. And like, how, I don't know, sometimes we get in the bath with her, just her taking a bath and just, like, watching her. She's at this age where she's, like, coming up with all these Stories. And it's just like so much is happening in here and like, water is just to like, get to get in that element literally changes things.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah. Sitting on the side of the bath with my kid. So my older kid no longer will let me be anywhere near him when he is showering or bathing, but the younger one will still let me come in, you know, and like, sit on the toilet while he's taking a bath. And that's where the good stories come. Yes, the good stories. And I'm just waiting for the day when he's like, buh. Bye.

[Ilana Glaser]

So sad. Okay, okay. The only one left is Trace.

[Rachel Martin]

Last three.

[Ilana Glaser]

One, two, three. Thank you. You speak a little Spanish. So.

[Rachel Martin]

Is there anything in your life that has felt predestined?

[Ilana Glaser]

I mean, like, my whole life feels predestined to me. I feel absolutely connected through my bloodline, through my many lives, the different bodies my spirit has inhabited.

[Rachel Martin]

You're laughing, but do you think that.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes. Yeah, I'm laughing because it's like, damn, girl, here we are talking about this and I'm telling you what I really believe. Yeah, I believe. Oh, gosh, I'm like increasingly spiritual, increasingly observant in my Judaism.

[Rachel Martin]

Are you?

[Ilana Glaser]

Yes, increasingly praying more and more and more. Yeah, I absolutely believe my work, my family. I do believe it's predestined. I do also believe in free will and willingness or like rising to meet your destiny. I don't think it just is handed to you. I think it's there for you to take if you can build the ladder to reach and grab it or whatever. But yeah, all of it.

[Rachel Martin]

That's a beautiful revelation. What about Judaism? You said you're rediscovering that or finding more of it to be applicable to your life.

[Ilana Glaser]

Yeah, I. I'm so grateful for my Jewish faith and culture as part of my identity in this life and in, you know, finding the real Jewish left in New York makes me feel so found. You know, Jews who hold progressive values, speak truth to that power and build community and organize around our truth. Seeking values is something I am so proud of and associate with Judaism and I love, you know, connecting it with other people who identify that same kind of value system with their culture or faith. But for my experience in my life, it's my Judaism that is the vessel through which I claim these values.

[Rachel Martin]

We end the show the same way every time with a trip in our memory time machine, where you choose one memory from your past that you would like to revisit. It is not a memory you would Want to change anything about you? Just want to linger there a little longer. What moment do you choose?

[Ilana Glaser]

Okay. My response comes with a deep sadness. Maybe that's the situation always. But.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah, the tone and the pain.

[Ilana Glaser]

At the same time, you know, because. Yes, yes. Pain and beauty, which is actually what I really learned from this friend. So you know Josh Rabinowitz, who I wrote Babes with.

[Rachel Martin]

Yeah.

[Ilana Glaser]

And do you know the character Claude in Babes?

[Rachel Martin]

Yes, from Babes.

[Ilana Glaser]

So Claude is based on our mutual best friend, Kevin Barnett, who passed away in 2019. And it was a huge loss for the comedy community, but also the world. Like, you would be interviewing him tomorrow. He was just talented at everything and so charismatic and his energy. He was so brilliant. And remember the Lucas brothers, Darren, Babes. There are the std.

[Rachel Martin]

Yes, the STD guys.

[Ilana Glaser]

Bad moniker, but, yeah, Keith and Kenny Lucas. So Josh and Kevin and Keith and Kenny. Lucas and I. Broad City was ending, and, you know, Abby and I had chosen it and made it. And right before this physical world lost Kevin, these boys and I, we were having dinner at Night Market. There's, like a Night Market in la. It's this Thai restaurant that's so delicious. And there's one in West Hollywood, one on the east side. We were at the one in Hollywood, or WeHo. And we had. We were. I was 32, and we had all known each other for about 10 years at this point. And with Broad City ending and with our, like, first, you know, the first act of all of our careers, and we had found our footing in this career ending, we were, like, just having dinner and we were so happy together, and we were just cracking up and laughing and just so excited about what was ahead for us all as a group. And then we went. We made the adult decision not to go out and drink, but to go back to my hotel. And we ordered ice cream and tea. And they were also these. The boys were, like, so happy to be taken care of by me. And I, like, love being a mommy. And I was like, we'll just have tea. And we just, you know, we just. We did spend hours together. But, like, I wish. I don't know, I wish, like, even an extra hour, even just an extra hour, like, it didn't have to end, you know, even though I'm very good at endings, I think I ended it at the right time. But looking ahead at the loss of Kevin, so shortly after that, about a week after we. I could have just stayed up till dawn with them. I think that would have been even better.

[Rachel Martin]

Alana Glaser you can see their new standup special out December 20th on Hulu. It's called Human Magic. It is indeed magical. As are you, Alana. Thank you so much for doing this.

[Ilana Glaser]

Thank you, Rachel. This was such a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me.

[Rachel Martin]

I want to close with a remembrance today. The poet Nikki Giovanni died this week. Nikki was on our show this past summer and it was one of the most life affirming conversations that I've had on this show. She was just a remarkable person who changed the world with her words. One of the cards that came up during my conversation with Nikki was about legacy. She didn't want to think about hers, but it is impossible for all of us not to duty. Above all, she told me she fulfilled hers and then some. So go listen if you want to feel inspired and maybe need a laugh because she was so, so funny and not even like funny for a poet, like actually funny. You'll love it. Just a heads up that this week we are making our Wild Card plus episode to everyone, not just our subscribers. These are our episodes where you get to hear a little more from our guests and I share some of my reflections about the show. You can hear a bonus question with John Lithgow and you'll also hear Alana talk about adjusting to the world of adult responsibility.

[Ilana Glaser]

I started Mothers Helping at nine, which.

[Rachel Martin]

Is like babysitting but the parents around. But yeah, you get but the parents are drunk. Next week on Wild Card we talk to director Barry Jenkins. This episode was produced by Lee Hale and edited by Dave Blanchard. It was mastered by Kwesy Lee. Wildcard's executive producer is Beth Donovan. Our theme music is by Ramtin Arablouei. You can reach out to [e-mail] we love it when you do. We'll shuffle the deck and be back with more next week. Talk to you then.

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