L:isa Birnbach, Daniella Pantoliano and Joe Pantoliano
My guests this week are my first father-daughter combo. Actor Joey Pantoliano, who you know from his work on Risky Business and The Goonies, to The Matrix, his Emmy-winning role as Ralphie in The Sopranos, and many many more. Today you’ll meet his 29 year old filmmaker daughter, Daniella. They have just begun their new podcast, called “No Kidding? Me Too!” which is their candid discussion about depression and other mental diseases in an attempt to destigmatize them. He has devoted a significant portion of his life to doing just that through his foundation, books, documentary, and now this.
Boy, time goes fast when you’re stuck indoors and not feeling very motivated, doesn’t it?
I am not morose or being serious, but all the same, I haven’t awakened in a while feeling great, to tell you the truth. I have so much on my mind – it occurs to me that my brain resembles my cluttered desk – and yes, I intend to straighten them both up.
There’s so much to be grateful for. So much. And yet I feel somewhat stuck. That is my own doing – no one has taped adhesive to me. As Cher said in Moonstruck, the only movie about Italian-Americans that Joey Pants wasn’t in, “Snap out of it!” And I shall.
But I just want to add my voice to the large chorus that is trying to find the best meaning and purpose in the gloom of the pandemic. We are not alone.
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Before I speak to the Pantses, here are my five things that make life better:
1. I got my second vaccine! Thank you underlying conditions! My side effects were principally headaches – or one enormous headache that lasted two days but hey, it’s better than having this pernicious disease.
2. A feeling of competence that has grown since last year when we were shut down. I have taught myself how to bake with occasionally magnificent results. I have improved my cooking skills. I can look at my pantry and make a tasty meal out of whatever I have at home. I know how to be a telemedicine patient. I’m taking care of my fella and our puppy, and doing okay.
3. The Biden/Harris administration, which is doing what it promised to do – make life better for us. They have propelled the vaccination program, and they are sending financial relief this week.
4. My ability to work with some of my #Exhibits™. Exhibit B and I are developing some projects together. How much fun would that be, I ask the Pantses…
5. My memory. It’s not as fine-tuned as it used to be, but it’s still quite serviceable. And combing through it is like an adventure – sometimes in daydreams, sometimes in conversations with my brothers. I can’t say my life has been dull.
Daniella and Joe Pantoliano
JOE AND DANIELLA PANTOLIANO’S 5 THINGS
JOEY’S 5 (6) THINGS:
1. Came face to face with my traumatic past
2. Patient loved ones, who knew I was nuts way before I did
3. Winter & Spring
4. Thank god I found the pony...
5. Nancy
6. That I survived around long enough to give back.
Dani’s 5 Things:
1. My family
2. My dogs - especially my new puppy David
3. My closest friends and boyfriend.
4. Nature
5. Me
MORE ABOUT JOE AND DANIELLA PANTOLIANO
Instagram: @nkm2_podcast
Instagram @realjoeypants
Twitter @RealJoeyPants1
Facebook @realJoePantoliano
Facebook @daniella.pantoliano
Instagram @daniella.pantoliano.
The 5 Things That Make Life Better podcast is recorded and produced at The Field in NYC. My team is Shpresa Oruci, Michael Porte, Sam Haft and Boco Haft.The Field in NYC.