The SECRET To Finding Purpose In Life STARTS HERE... | Katherine McNamara & Jay Shetty | Summary and Q&A

Transcript

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Summary

In this video interview, Jay Shetty speaks with actress Catherine McNamara about her life, career, and perspective on service and education. Catherine shares her passion for charity work and her involvement with the WE Charity and WE Day. She discusses her love for acting and how she perceives her role as a chameleon in portraying different characters. Catherine also talks about her upbringing, her interests outside of acting, and her belief in the power of perspective and choosing joy. The interview concludes with a rapid-fire round of questions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Catherine get involved with WE Day?

Catherine shares that she has known about WE Day for a long time through her cast members from Shadowhunters. She had been looking for an opportunity to get involved and the timing was perfect after finishing shooting Arrow and before starting The Stand.

Q: What are Catherine's favorite memories of growing up in Kansas City?

Catherine recalls her favorite memories of growing up in Kansas City, which mainly took place at her grandparents' house. She describes their backyard as a nature playground and a source of inspiration for her creative imagination. Catherine also mentions the sense of community in Kansas City and her involvement with the Big Slick organization.

Q: How did Catherine go from wanting to be an economist to becoming an actor?

Catherine explains that she initially wanted to become an economist because of her love for math and fascination with the real-world application of economics. However, her path took a dramatic turn when she got involved in a community theater production as a dancer. Walking on stage for the first time, she had a moment of clarity and realized her passion for storytelling and acting.

Q: What have been some recent lessons or learnings for Catherine?

Catherine emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to be present and absorb the moments of chaos and busyness in her life. She shares her belief in the power of vulnerability to joy and striving to find something good or to laugh at in any situation. Catherine also mentions the importance of perspective and the choices we make in how we view the world.

Q: How did Catherine finish high school at 14 and get a college degree at 17?

Catherine credits her love for learning and education to her preschool teacher and her family. She explains that education was always presented to her as a joyful discovery and allowed her to go at her own pace. Through online and correspondence programs, Catherine was able to pursue her academic interests while still participating in traditional school activities.

Q: What message does Catherine have for children on stage at WE Day?

Catherine expresses gratitude for their consciousness of the world around them and for being global citizens who serve others. She encourages them to think beyond themselves and their own lives, and believes that if everyone took a few seconds each day to think of others and do something kind for them, the world would be a better place.

Q: What is Catherine's approach to acting and transforming into different characters?

Catherine explains that she admires actors who completely transform themselves for every role, like Meryl Streep and Sam Rockwell. She strives to similarly immerse herself in every character she plays, seeing it as a way to serve the story and play her part well. She describes her process, which includes research, studying source material, using Pinterest for inspiration, and watching similar tonal projects or characters.

Q: What is Catherine's attitude when things don't go as planned or when there's chaos?

Catherine tries to find something good or humorous in chaotic situations, often laughing at how absurd things can get. She shares that her family has always approached life with humor and the ability to make any situation silly. Catherine believes in laughing rather than crying and carries this mindset in her career and life.

Q: If Catherine could be the voice of any Disney character, who would it be?

Catherine loves Disney and expresses her interest in being part of any Disney or Pixar universe. She particularly admires Mulan and Pocahontas as strong female characters from her childhood, but is open to any role that allows her to contribute to the magical storytelling that Disney is known for.

Q: What is Catherine's biggest risk and toughest decision?

Catherine's biggest risk was moving to New York City at 14 after booking a job, not knowing how long she would be there or what she was doing. Her toughest decision was choosing to frame a dark situation positively and find a silver lining instead of allowing herself to be consumed by negativity. She credits the people around her for helping her make that choice.

Takeaways

Catherine McNamara shares her journey from wanting to be an economist to becoming an actress, emphasizing the importance of perspective, choosing joy, and finding something good in every situation. She believes in vulnerability to joy and the power of laughter in chaotic moments. Catherine's dedication to education and serving others is evident in her involvement with charity work and her appreciation for the impact children can make in the world. As an actress, she strives to transform into different characters and serve the story through immersive research and preparation. Catherine's message to children on stage at WE Day is a heartfelt thank you for their global citizenship and a reminder to think beyond themselves and do something kind for others.