Summary of Julia Louis-Dreyfus | You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes

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00:00:00 - 01:00:00

Julia Louis-Dreyfus appears on You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes to talk about her new podcast, Wiser Than Me, in which she speaks with older women about the aging process. During their conversation, they discuss various topics such as the societal pressure for women to have children, fame, and parenting. They also talk about their experiences with risk-taking and trying new things, as well as Louis-Dreyfus's background in theater, including experiences in drama and improv. Overall, the interview is a candid conversation between two well-known comedians about life, work, and the pursuit of happiness.

00:00:00 In this section, Pete Holmes introduces Julia Louis-Dreyfus, star of Veep and The Jerry Seinfeld Chronicles, who is in the studio to talk about her new podcast, Wiser Than Me. Pete also promotes his stand-up comedy tour and his pick this week, Alpha Brain, a supplement that supports memory and focus. They briefly discuss studio renovations and Julia's thoughts on Pete before jumping into the interview.
00:05:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus discusses her podcast, "Wiser Than Me," and how it focuses on conversations with accomplished women who are older and wiser than her. She explains that the podcast is a lot of work because she wants to be super prepared and have thoughtful conversations with her guests about their experiences with aging. Louis-Dreyfus also shares her mission to change the narrative of the "old wise woman" trope and views older women as an untapped natural resource. Through her conversations, she wants to encourage people to think about aging as a mind-expanding experience and what people can gain from it rather than just what they lose.
00:10:00 In this section of the transcript, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about the societal pressure for women to have children and how it ties into the idea that women are only useful if they are consuming or producing. She mentions that in other cultures, there is an emphasis on the later years of life being reserved for cultivating wisdom and stillness, but in Western society, there is a lack of respect for elders. She also discusses her current workload and how she feels most fulfilled when she is working, but sometimes feels lost when there is nothing pressing to do.
00:15:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pete Holmes discuss a variety of topics, including a YouTube documentary about a man who lives alone in a terrible forest and plays cans with his forks during his free time. They also talk about the show "Alone," which features contestants who must survive in the wilderness with very few tools. Later, Holmes asks Louis-Dreyfus what it's like to be a cultural icon and how she deals with strangers approaching her in public. Louis-Dreyfus shares that she tries to normalize her life and brushes it off when strangers approach her.
00:20:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about her experience with fame and how she tries to live a normal life despite being a public figure. She shares that while she enjoys meeting fans, it can be alarming when people want to hug and pick her up due to her small stature. Julia also expresses her love for Mr. Rogers and his emphasis on kindness and simplicity in a world that often values the opposite. The conversation ends with a discussion of parenting and the uncertainty and unfairness that comes with it.
00:25:00 In this section of the interview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pete Holmes discuss the phenomena that our brains are programmed to screen out unimportant things to help us deal with anxiety and stress, but children’s brains do not have this “editing” ability, which is why they are amazed and excited by everything. They also touch on how certain drugs like psychedelics and marijuana can stop this process and allow people to see things differently, but it may not be a helpful or productive experience. They also discuss their experiences with their children discovering things like the fact that we are bags of fluid and that we have two sets of teeth.
00:30:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about her husband's qualities, including his intelligence, sense of humor, generosity, and technical skills. However, she also mentions his forgetfulness and struggles with object permanence. On the other hand, she has a hard time knowing what her wife, Val, truly thinks since she sometimes says yes when it actually means no. One instance was when Val said she wanted to go to an event, but in reality, she didn't. Despite this, Julia and Val have a healthy relationship, and they help each other out with their respective flaws. Julia feels more herself when she's with her husband and misses him when they're physically apart.
00:35:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus answers questions about her motivations for pursuing acting. She explains that she enjoys the feeling of being engaged and heard and likes the challenge of pretending to take on different characters. She admits to being a highly sensitive person who can find the world to be overwhelming and is more comfortable in controlled circumstances like stand-up comedy and being on a set. When it comes to dinner parties or social engagements, she prefers one-on-one conversations and quieter settings as she finds loud, crowded events to be phony and overwhelming.
00:40:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pete Holmes discuss how she prefers smaller gatherings over large parties. Julia explains that she tends to feel exhausted and tired during big parties, and that she would rather attend smaller get-togethers that offer a more proper conversation. The two also talk about James Gandolfini and their experience filming the movie "Enough Said", where Julia confirms that he was a nice and sensitive guy with a lot of insecurity. She also shares how Edie Falco once approached her at the Emmys to tell her that the movie captured Gandolfini's true self, adding that it was a gift to hear such beautiful words said about her late co-star.
00:45:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus shares her experience of being a risk-taker in her job as an actress, which makes her feel nervous about trying new things. She recalls trying weird, bizarre things before in the hope that they would work, but she has been corrected many times to course correct her career from doing something foolish. Julia gets seen as well-forged, but she is not as she has gained experience; when she tries new things, it feels Bill and Ted's, and she can get a little nervous. Julia relates to the feeling of being unsure of her choices in career progression and stories about forming theater groups with her neighbors as a child.
00:50:00 In this section of the interview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus discusses her experience acting in a play called "Sorry, Wrong Number" at a young age with five- and six-year-olds. The play involved heavy material and she recalls getting mad at one kid who didn't say his line correctly, even though he was only five. She also talks about how comedy wasn't always her focus as she had experience doing dramatic plays like "Three Penny Opera" and "Joe Egg" while in college. When asked about whether she was trying to pick up comedic techniques and tricks during her time on Seinfeld, she explains that she was always studying and learning from watching classic shows and movies.
00:55:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about her past experience in improv theater, specifically at Second City where she was in the touring company and not the main stage. She mentions that she was rejected from the main stage but states that it wasn't her cup of tea because they were doing other people's material, everyone was high, and there was a lot of competition and bitterness. She would later go on to work in Seinfeld where everyone worked together as a proper ensemble to elevate the already phenomenal material even further. She also mentions that her husband's theater company, Practical Theater Company, was a better fit for her because they did shows that were a lot of fun and successful.

01:00:00 - 01:50:00

In a conversation with host Pete Holmes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about various topics such as her experience during the audition process for the Seinfeld series, paparazzi intrusion, spirituality, and dealing with cancer. Louis-Dreyfus also mentions a product she uses to ease anxiety and stresses and talks about the importance of laughter, paying attention to instincts, trusting the universe, and being grateful for one's work and loved ones' support. The interview ends with Louis-Dreyfus responding perfectly to Holmes's request to "keep it crispy," a phrase used to end the show.

01:00:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about Pym Choose, a product that is her go-to solution for anxiety and stress without being addictive or psychoactive. She explains that it helps her ease into whatever she's doing, helps her fight off stress, and sleep more deeply. The product is made with proven amino acids, complexes and adaptogens, and can also make mood magnesium which includes three of the most effective magnesiums for reducing stress and improving sleep. Julia encourages listeners to support the show by trying out Pym Choose and using the promo code "weird" for a 15% discount.
01:05:00 In this section of the interview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about how she landed the role of Elaine on Seinfeld. She explains that her audition process was a bit different because she already knew Larry David, who had written the script. She read four scripts and was impressed by the material, which was different from anything on television at the time. Louis-Dreyfus was not in the pilot, and after reading the scripts, she met with Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. They read a scene together, and afterwards, David came out to the sidewalk to offer her the part. Louis-Dreyfus was not required to go through a test deal because NBC already knew her from Saturday Night Live and her previous sitcom Day by Day.
01:10:00 In this section of the video, Julia Louis-Dreyfus reflects on the early days of Seinfeld, revealing that she thought the show was so good that it would never get picked up. The show was initially only scheduled for four episodes, and it was a mid-season replacement that was snuck in through late-night programming. After those four episodes, they got picked up for 13 more. Having children at the time of the show was a natural reminder of the significance of priorities of life. Julia also discusses how the meaning of life is not about being sparkly, special, shiny, or funny, but rather about the connection between human beings. She feels that this perspective is often overlooked in the entertainment industry, where substance abuse and the need to stay on top have become intolerable.
01:15:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about paparazzi and the intrusive nature of fame. She recalls a time when she and the cast of Seinfeld tried to blow people's minds by sitting outside in New York dressed up like rock stars, but not a single person seemed to notice or care, except for a homeless man. She emphasizes the importance of staying balanced and grounded in the face of fame, and mentions that her husband is also in show business but stays behind the camera. They discuss spirituality briefly, and a conversation about Eckhart Tolle leads to a discussion of the role of good comedy in helping people laugh and gain distance from their own negative self-talk.
01:20:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus discusses her views on spirituality with host Pete Holmes. Although she does not pray to a specific God, she is in awe of the mystery of life. She shares a quote from road manager Barry Taylor, who said that God is the name of the blanket people use to cover the mystery and give it shape. Julia reflects on the vastness of space that fascinates and humbles her, giving her both anxiety and peace. They also briefly joke about climate change and reflect on the idea that although life on Earth may not be okay in the future, the planet will carry on.
01:25:00 In this section of the interview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pete Holmes talk about a time when she performed stand-up comedy and struggled to make the audience laugh. She then reminisces about how Tony Hale and Pete were laughing uncontrollably in the audience while no one else seemed to be amused. They also discuss Eckhart Tolle's message to focus on 'just being' in the present moment and how that can be achieved through meditation and spending time in nature. Julia reveals that she practices Transcendental Meditation, but at times, struggles to maintain a routine. They then discuss the Japanese expression of 'forest bathing,' and how spending time in nature can be a source of comfort.
01:30:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Pete Holmes discussed the psychological challenges of embracing a vegan lifestyle for environmental reasons. Julia eats chicken despite knowing the negative impact that animal consumption has on the environment, such as high emissions and waste. Pete mentioned that the only way to get people to embrace veganism fully might be to erase and simplify the narrative and reboot everyone's memory entirely. The conversation later took a personal turn when Pete asked Julia about how she dealt with having cancer. Julia talked about the wicked chemotherapy that made her extremely sick, and how she had to be laser-focused on getting through one day at a time. She didn't pay much attention to the rest of the world as she was busy dealing with the worst kind of physical and emotional pain imaginable.
01:35:00 In this section, Julia Louis-Dreyfus discusses how her battle with cancer made her appreciate the support of her friends and family even more and gave her a deeper sense of gratitude for her work. She talks about the joy of laughter and how it helped her get through the darkest times. She also touches on the unexplainable, including her experience with a ghost, and muses on the mystery of death and what lies beyond.
01:40:00 In this section of the interview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus discusses the concept of awareness and how it connects us all. She explains that there is only one awareness that we all share, and therefore, her late father and sister are with her. She also talks about the importance of trusting her instincts in show business and listening while acting, advice she has learned from her experiences in the industry. Additionally, she shares a piece of advice for young mothers to relax and trust that everything will be okay.
01:45:00 In this section of the transcript, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about how sometimes when she's feeling anxious, she thinks to herself that at least she can still breathe and get air into her lungs, which helps her not freak out about the mystery of not knowing what's going on in life. She also tells a story about singing a ridiculous and forbidden song in her school's Glee Club in fifth or seventh grade, which she and her friend found so funny that they got into trouble after not being able to stop laughing during a recital in front of parents and teachers.
01:50:00 In this section of the interview, Julia Louis-Dreyfus talks about how she once attended a wedding where a woman sang an atrocious version of "I Will Always Love You". Julia admits that she found it uncomfortable and wanted to laugh but refrained from doing so, as it would have been unkind. She discusses the reasons for her restraint, citing the vulnerability she felt when singing poorly, and how she feels similarly towards those who stutter. The interview ends with Pete asking Julia to "keep it crispy", a phrase used to end the show, to which she responds perfectly.