Wild Card with Rachel Martin: Natalie Morales is Trying to Shake the "Should"

Released on February 20, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Wild Card with Rachel Martin, NPR host Rachel Martin invites actress Natalie Morales to delve deep into life’s most profound questions. Unlike typical interview podcasts, Wild Card utilizes a unique deck of cards to guide the conversation, allowing guests to explore topics they've never been asked before. This episode, titled "Natalie Morales is Trying to Shake the 'Should'," offers an intimate look into Morales's perspectives on authority, personal growth, and her latest cinematic endeavor.

Early Life and Upbringing

Natalie Morales opens up about her childhood in Miami, juxtaposing her playful memories with the complexities of her upbringing. When asked, “What activity gave you a sense of freedom as a kid?” (03:00), Morales nostalgically recalls climbing mango trees and running a “mango monopoly” in her neighborhood. She shares:

"I didn’t have a lemonade stand. I had a mango. A mango stand, and I sold mangoes. Did you? Yeah, I did like mango. I can’t remember." (03:07)

Morales describes her mother as highly protective, which fostered a yearning for freedom and perspective beyond the confines of her home. This sense of longing is further emphasized when she reflects on her time spent in a backyard shed, watching the highway and sky:

"That definitely made me feel freer. I think I felt a little bit confined where I grew up." (03:55)

Career Path and Challenges

Transitioning to her career, Morales discusses the pressures and expectations she faced, especially as a Latina and a first-generation American. When prompted about misconceptions regarding Miami, she states:

"Miami is really misconceived. A lot of people from Miami are industrious and know how to take advantage of that. They make the city what you want it to be." (04:44)

Her journey to Los Angeles with her best friend Serena was fueled by a desire to pursue artistic endeavors over the prevalent party-centric culture she observed in Miami. Morales candidly shares the challenges of fitting into Hollywood’s authoritative structures, expressing her struggles with respect and authority:

"I have a hard time with authority unless they are like, I don’t respect people just because they have any kind of title." (20:00)

This sentiment underscores her independent nature and commitment to authenticity over conforming to external expectations.

Discussion of 'My Dead Friend Zoe'

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Morales's latest film, My Dead Friend Zoe. Rachel Martin praises the film's emotional depth and its exploration of trauma and friendship, to which Morales responds:

"It is a beautiful movie with a message about how we care for one another and the long trauma of war." (02:19)

Morales delves into the character dynamics, describing her role as Zoe’s spirit as a manifestation of survivor's guilt rather than a traditional ghost:

"I felt like she was more like a guilt demon... a manipulative force in your life trying with many different tactics to keep you in that place." (15:16)

She highlights the film’s focus on female veterans, a niche rarely explored in cinema, emphasizing the authenticity brought by having most of the cast as actual veterans.

Beliefs Round Highlights

In the Beliefs Round, Morales reflects on profound philosophical questions. When asked if the idea of an infinite universe excites or scares her (25:13), she responds:

"Both. It’s scary to feel small. And it’s also liberating to feel small." (25:22)

She further explores her acceptance of mortality, sharing a poignant moment of contemplating her possessions outliving her:

"I think I've made peace with it. The more that we are okay with that, the more we get to really appreciate what we have while we have it." (30:47)

However, Morales's most impactful insight emerges when discussing the concept of "should":

"No one is supposed to be anything other than what they are. There's no supposed to. There's no should, there's no none of that. You just... There's no right way to be you other than what's already there." (31:15)

This revelation underscores her commitment to authenticity and rejecting societal pressures to conform.

Memory Time Machine

Concluding the episode, Rachel and Natalie embark on the "memory time machine" segment. Morales chooses to revisit moments with her grandfather, who serenaded himself with Cuban boleros in a lazy boy recliner:

"He was just doing it for himself. It wasn’t really that loud. It was just kind of, like, quietly singing." (34:35)

This memory encapsulates Morales's appreciation for quiet moments of joy and individuality.

Conclusion

Rachel Martin wraps up the episode by commending Morales's authenticity and resilience. She encourages listeners to explore more of Morales's work through Wild Card+, where fans can enjoy bonus content, including Morales's reflections on dreams featuring 90s pop icons. This episode of Wild Card not only showcases Natalie Morales's multifaceted personality but also offers listeners a profound exploration of self-acceptance and the courage to defy societal expectations.

Notable Quotes:

• Natalie Morales on Authority:

  "I do not respect you at all. So I'm pretty bad with authority." (00:18)

• On Letting Go of 'Should':

  "There’s no right way to be you other than what’s already there." (31:15)

• Reflecting on Mortality:

  "I think I've made peace with it. The more that we are okay with that, the more we get to really appreciate what we have while we have it." (30:47)

Timestamps Reference:

• Authority Discussion: 00:16 – 20:08
• Early Life Stories: 03:00 – 07:55
• 'My Dead Friend Zoe' Insights: 13:23 – 18:21
• Beliefs Round Highlights: 25:05 – 34:15
• Conclusion and Wrap-Up: 35:45 – 37:48

This episode serves as an inspiring testament to embracing one's true self and the power of authentic storytelling in both personal and professional realms.