Little Known Facts offers weekly doses of inspiration…
One sweltering morning in late August 2017 began like any other: I woke up groggily, immediately regretted checking into the sociopolitical climate via Twitter on my phone, and eventually dragged myself out of bed to make what felt like a life-saving cup of coffee. Armed with caffeine, I logged onto my laptop and anxiously began to write.
(…then I checked Twitter again about twelve minutes later, as freelance writers with zero self-control and writer’s block so often do.)
As I mind-numbingly scrolled through my feed, ignoring the frenzy of words firing around my tired brain that I couldn’t seem to put down on paper, I stumbled upon a Broadway World article promoting a podcast called Little Known Facts With Ilana Levine.
I’d never heard of it before, but I knew the name Ilana Levine (massive theatre nerd who loves You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown right here). The brilliant Tony Award-winning Ben Platt of Dear Evan Hansen was the stage and film actress’ latest interviewee in question. And so, in need of a distraction from the work I admittedly wasn’t doing, I gave it a listen.
The next half-hour or so was filled with the most wonderfully warm, funny, and open discussion, as Levine and Platt shared interesting stories about their careers, personal lives, and their passion for the arts. As the episode came to a close, I genuinely felt more inspired than I had in a long while, and later felt like I wrote more freely and honestly than I had in weeks.
These intimate conversations are witty, engaging, intelligent, and raw…and they never fail to enlighten.
I followed Little Known Facts on Twitter, before tweeting about how much I loved the podcast. Then I got back to work, fully not expecting anything to come of it.
But the thing about Ilana is that, in addition to being absurdly talented, she is also as kindhearted and classy as they come. And I was shocked when I received alerts saying she had not only followed me back, but had also reached out to thank me for the follow and for sharing the DEH love. This struck me. Ilana was grateful that I had shared and enjoyed her podcast, but she specifically mentioned Platt’s show, because her focus was, and continues to be, supporting and sharing stories about the performing arts.
Since then, I’ve become an avid listener. Ilana and I have shared a lovely back and forth about the podcast, the business, and musical theatre, and I feel very lucky indeed to call her my friend.
Little Known Facts offers weekly doses of inspiration through a unique behind-the-scenes look at the performing arts. Ilana’s guests include some of the most successful, passionate, and genuine artists, who happily share tidbits from their careers and lives, including their secrets, fears, inspirations, struggles, and triumphs. These intimate conversations are witty, engaging, intelligent, and raw.
Ilana’s recent guests have included the likes of Kelli O’Hara, Donna Murphy, Will Roland, Cazzie David, Allison Janney, Julianne Moore, Brian d’Arcy James, and many more. Their unfiltered stories are special, they are valuable, and they never fail to enlighten.
Ilana Levine is an actress, producer, wife, mother, activist, and overall wonderful human being. She also has the best voice. Most known for her turn as Lucy in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, she has also starred on Broadway in Jake’s Women, Wrong Mountain, and The Last Night Of Ballyhoo. Her multiple television and film credits include Seinfeld, Damages, The Job, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Kissing Jessica Stein, Ira and Abby, Failure to Launch, Friends With Kids, and Five Flights Up.
In May of 2016, Ilana decided to take on the podcasting world as the host of Little Known Facts, and I genuinely believe the arts community is all the better for it. This podcast is seriously a must-listen.
Little Known Facts With Ilana Levine can be found on iTunes and anywhere else podcasts can be heard. Be sure to follow Ilana on social media here: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
Disclosure: I received no compensation for writing this post. All opinions are my own.
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