OK. So the beautiful woman who is about to walk out here, I last saw at the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary. And I had been, you know, like when you see someone and you're like, God, I just want to tell them this thing. No, I don't want to bother them. OK, you know what? No, forget it. Forget it. You know what? Screw it. I'm going in. So that was the last time I saw her. I'm really looking forward to speaking with her. She's been in the newsroom, X-Men, a correspondent on The Daily Show. She is literally funny. She's a great wife, amazing mother, and really just an extraordinary health advocate. So without further ado, it's Olivia Munn. Oh my God. Oh my God. I really did. I was like, should I try to offer her? That's where my mind is now. That's where my mind here is. Oh, my. I mean, I really did feel that way. Like, you were with your husband, and the great comedian John Mulaney. It doesn't get better. I love him so much, too. But I'm, like, not a schmoozer. I don't cross rooms to, like, hobnob. And so when I saw you guys, I felt really shy. But I just thought, I'm going to go in, and I'm going to tell you all I wanted to tell you, which was thank you for what you've been doing in your life, with your life. That is such a crazy thing to hear. Because you have no idea how many friends I texted after that to be like, I cannot believe Drew Barry knows who I am. It was just like, can you imagine? Oh, I've known who you are for so many years. And you always struck me too, because when you started out on the scene, I remember thinking, wow, now there's a girl who's so cool, and all the guys love her. They want to be your best friend. They want to date you. You came up in the world in a way that always interested me, because I have such a 13-year-old boy sense of humor, and I grew up mostly with boys. Yeah, I have two brothers. And in the beginning, like that dynamic that you're talking about really came about because I just took advantage of the opportunities that were given to me, but it wasn't always what I felt like I wanted to do. You know, like you just like, this is presented, it was like my first time, like getting like a big acting job and it was like a host actually was what, you know, like was my big break. And it was just like this thing inside me that was like, okay, I'm just going to keep like doing this because I get to be in Hollywood, I'm doing it. But when you look at, I've looked at, you know, so many different scripts and a lot of times the women are portrayed in like kind of a naggy way sometimes or like that's, I had this thing that I come like decided at one point early in my career, like I only wanted to do projects where she would exist even even if he didn't exist. You know, that it wasn't just his story. And I was like, I'd rather just play like a cashier in one moment, in one scene where she's really interesting and you can tell that she goes home and has a whole other life than to be the lead with just his story. I always felt that way too. And I thought it was such a disservice to women to be that like sidekick, non-eventful girl that usually is a little unnerving and grating. And I was like, no, I don't want to do that to us women. That's not what we're like. And by the way, if they are, run. But that's not the majority of our experience. It isn't. And also, I also went in, I think, that idea of hating men and portraying that energy as well, it just creates the divide. I just think it's important to lead with positivity. But that doesn't mean that I haven't had those experiences. I mean, there have been a few times where I've been filming something and my character, like we're either like CIA or a cop or something. And there's been scenes where my character has been the one to save the other character And I remember I was in this bunker once And if you read the script it was that he was guarding his side I was guarding my side then we switched sides and then there a guy that was coming for him who was going to shoot him in the back so I shoot him And then we're about to shoot, and somehow, I guess he didn't read the script, and in that moment he realized, wait, wait, wait, hold on, she can't save me. No, no, she can't save me. And then everything stops down and there was no insecurity about being obnoxious. And everyone hearing this would be like, she can't save me, we're not doing this. And then the director, he was combative with the director. And finally I was like, after like 45 minutes of just stopping down, I said, okay, how about instead of my character saving you, it just is that we switch because it's time for us to switch and so this is my guy to get. He was like, okay. Now here's the interesting thing. nothing changed. Yeah. It's just what he thought. Yeah. I was doing the exact same thing. Yeah. Yeah. But that's what I mean. You always, that's the epitome of what I was trying to say earlier. You always came off to me like a woman who could handle themselves around men. I can say what I mean and I stand up for what I think is right. But that doesn't mean that like, like for the longest time, I have been very, like I had armored up, you know, I was very strong. I had like a really hard childhood. And so I grew up being really strong. Like that was my thing. I was going to fight back. And I just felt, wow, look how powerful I am when I use my voice and when I scream. And so what happened was I carried that through my life. And so I felt like, you know, if something is wrong, if there's an injustice, I will just decimate you. But I didn't realize how damaging that was to me and to different relationships and how I was presenting myself. I wasn't presenting myself like a warrior. I was presenting myself like somebody you're like, okay, okay, she's kind of unstable or she's so extreme. And it wasn't till I was diagnosed with breast cancer that I had gone through this period of time realizing that I dropped my armor. Because when I was diagnosed in that doctor's office and she's going through everything and she's like, this is really aggressive and it's multifocal, multi-quadrant, bilateral, which means it's like all over both breasts and we've tested it, it's aggressive, fast moving. You gotta do this right now. Here's double mastectomy. Hysterectomy. Hysterectomy, ophorectomy means like I took out my ovaries, my fallopian tubes, my uterus, my breasts. And it was just like, it was so daunting that I knew instinctively without actually knowing that I had to drop my armor. But it was because of that that I had realized, oh my gosh, without that armor, I'm actually stronger. I'm stronger that I'm more vulnerable. And now where I'm at now, and I'm so happy that I'm in my mid-40s and there's still a lot of life ahead of me that I can kind of now go forward with that knowledge. And I must say, thank God you did have that warrior outspokenness, because if you hadn't, you might have gone through all of this without sharing it with other people. And that would be very different. Yeah, thank you so much for showing up. But I so understand what you are saying. In fact, I'd love a little advice, if you don't mind. Oh, my gosh. I would love to talk about anything. Well, trust. OK, what's the question? Like, how do you trust again? We're back with more Olivia Munn. I'd love a little advice, if you don't mind. Oh my gosh, I would love to talk. Like, how do you trust again? You know, like, when you met your husband, I find that sometimes for me, trust is my armor. Now, when you're talking about trust, I've had to deal with that a lot, a lot. And the thing that came to me, so when I only started dating my husband when I was six months pregnant, the best time to start dating someone. And a lot of trust had to come forward. And again, I was like, ew, there's just, it's so hard to trust people. And then I realized that if I believe in myself and I feel like there are people out there who are trustworthy the way that I know I'm trustworthy, then there's a way for us to meet. And if somebody betrays your trust, just leave. I know that's easier said than done, but when you give yourself rules and parameters, then you stick to that You like this is what I do and I move on Because if you don open yourself up to trust then you won seem trustworthy yourself And you have to know that if there is you you exist in the world right Like, you are here, and you know, even if subconsciously, even if subconsciously you don't feel like that you're worthy of self-love, you also, you know it. You're like, I want to be happy. I want this person. I want to find this person. So you do believe in yourself. And if you exist, somebody else out there exists for you. Now, when it comes to making the decision to walk away when someone breaks your trust, I find that what's really helped me is I think about my future self. I'm like, you know, the me in 10 years is depending on the me today to do the right thing. Like the me today is really hoping that the me two years ago started working out, but I didn't. So I'm like, oh, you know, and then that time is passed, right? Because you're like, oh, if I could, you know, it's so easy to look back on the past because you're not in that moment anymore. And it's exhausting and hard to get up in the morning. And it's hard to be sore after the first two workouts. You don't want to do anymore. But if I had started two years ago, today, I wouldn't have all that lactic acid from just first working out and being all sore, you know? So like, I think to myself often, like the me today is really, really hoping that me at 33 left that bad relationship. I was like, no, no, no, I'm gonna leave. But also I will say, when it comes to trust, I look at my children, I think if they were in this situation, would I want them to be guarded and to not trust people? I would want them to lead with an open heart, but also be self-protective. I want them to be really kind and really strong and really protective. Does that help at all? Very much so. Very much so. I don't know your husband at all, but he has publicly expressed how happy he is and how much his life has improved since he met you. I get it. Oh, I understand it. I totally see it. Thank you so much. And then for you, hopefully, like, does he make you laugh? He's the funniest guy. He just is the, I mean, he said something yesterday I cannot remember, but he just says funny things all of the time. You know, when I was diagnosed, this feeling came over me, and I remember when my grandmother died when I was in college, and it was such a traumatic moment. I loved her so much. She was, her name is Estelle, and she was the kindest person you'll ever meet. And I was there the night that she passed away. I was in the next room and I heard my grandpa going like, honey, honey, are you okay? And like I go in there, it's like three or four in the morning and I have to call 911. It's a whole thing and she passes the next day. And I remember coming back to my bedroom and it was the summer in Oklahoma and it was really bright and felt warm outside. You know, that warm feeling of the summer in your body. It was not ominous. It was not scary. It wasn't like how it looked in the movies, but this was a huge day. This was a core memory. This marked something in my life. And I realized then that it's not the birthdays or the Christmases or the New Year's that I'll remember. It's like life happens on a Tuesday. It just does. And so I've thought about that a lot when it comes to my kids and being here. And that reminds me that it's all these little moments. because one day I'll be 90 and I'll be looking back on my life and I will think about those really clever funny observations my children made or that time that my son was lying on the ground kicking and screaming in Whole Foods for 10 minutes and when I'm 90 and thinking back on my life these are the moments I'll come back to these are the memories that I will want to be in not just the big events. No. It is the little thing. Yeah. We'll be right back. Welcome back. I'm here with Olivia Munn. I did watch your show and I love it. In fact, Amanda Peet was here. And it's now in season two. It's your friends and neighbors on Apple TV, which is a huge success. Because it's in season two. And is it true that this was also your first job when you went back to work post everything that you had been through with cancer? And what was that like? And did anyone show up for you in a way that surprised you So this was so I went through COVID like the rest of the world And then in 2021 I was pregnant And then in 2022 I had the worst postpartum anxiety And I always love to talk about that whenever I have the opportunity to have a platform and to speak to women out there because I was not prepared for the postpartum anxiety. I was prepared for depression, which is only thing I'd heard about. And it was about like a month or so post having the baby that all of a sudden I woke up at 4 a.m. My eyes popped open and I would just go and I would feel this pressure in my chest and the tightness and I would walk around the entire day like that. And I woke up every day exactly like that at 4 a.m. for almost a whole year. And I struggled so much. I didn't tell anybody at first because I was like, what is this? I don't know what this is. Can I ask, like, what was, if there was the question of what is the worst fear, what is the worst thing that could happen, what would the answer be? You know, anything horrible happening in my children. Yes. Okay. I can't believe you're saying this because I, like, I literally have lived in that state since my kids were born. Oh, yes, yes, yes. It's like, you know, John and I talk about it a lot. It's changed. Oh, my gosh. Hi. Hi, hi, hi. I was wondering why everyone was laughing. Me too. Hi, hi, hi. He knows. He always knows. Yeah, you're so sweet. I so appreciate you saying that because that is validating a reality that I always felt like people didn't believe me. I was being too hyperbolic. You mean about the fear of your children? Yes! You know, this is the only thing that has helped me. I think of, and I think it's really going to help you. I'm like, I made it. Like, I used to run the streets of Tokyo. That's where I grew up. at like six years old by myself with my siblings, and I'm still here. Like our kids will be okay. We are here, they are here, and they're gonna be okay. I mean. I love you. I love you. I so understand why people in your orbit are so drawn to you because you're wise and calming and brilliant, really brilliant. I have my moments for sure where I don't feel like that and I'm spiraling and you know. But I mean, you just have to keep doing what you're doing because I can see the effect it has on everybody. I see what you did for breast cancer and women. I see how your husband is like, my life changed when I met this woman. I see how you're carrying your mom through cancer. Thank you so much. You are so beautiful too. By having this show and being you, being completely thoroughly you, when everybody is like, why is she touching everyone? You know? I don't, I know, it's so embarrassing. No, it's not because it's like you, what you're putting out in the world, where a lot of us have things that are so curated and we want people to see that we have everything under control, you're allowing people to be more vulnerable and to hold each other and to touch each other and to connect with people that we've just met with. And you just helped me. Well, I hope I did. You really did on like four different things. Trust, children, we came to talk about your friends and neighbors, and I'm going to leave here a better person. You know? I mean, it's true. Thank you. And by the way, I could never be that person who's over here like, oh, really? That's so interesting. Yeah. I have to stop myself from straddling. And I don't. It's true. You can straddle. I don't. I don't. I thought I was in and then one wrong move and I'm out again. Yeah, one wrong move. Yeah, well. Well, that's a spectacular undersell. It's not like you used the wrong fork for your salad. Look, I'm not saying I don't deserve it. Mistakes were made. You know, I was under duress. Is that an explanation or an excuse? Can it be both? Whatever gets me the second date. All right, everyone, we make this show for you, so take it with you. When beloved family patriarch Gary Ferris went missing, his family looked everywhere on their property until they came across something horrifying. It's a homicide. Absolutely. The blame game in this family went round and round. This is Blood is Thicker, the Ferris wheel. I don't see how anyone can look at this story and think they were happy. Binge the full series, Blood is Thicker, the Ferris wheel, on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts.
