About this episodeGina Yashere discusses her memoir 'Cackhanded,' detailing her journey from a restrictive Nigerian upbringing i…AI summary
Gina Yashere discusses her memoir 'Cackhanded,' detailing her journey from a restrictive Nigerian upbringing in England to becoming the first black female engineer at Otis Elevator Company and a successful comedian. She shares how writing the book helped her process childhood resentment and trauma, while also highlighting the systemic racism and sexism she faced in male-dominated engineering fields and the segregated comedy circuits of the 1990s.
Key takeaways 5
The title 'Cackhanded' refers to being left-handed, which in many cultures is associated with clumsiness or uncleanness, serving as a metaphor for Yashere's unconventional life path and her struggle against societal expectations.
Yashere overcame intense childhood resentment toward her mother's strict parenting by reframing her mother's actions as protective measures born from fear and isolation as an immigrant woman.
In the UK comedy scene of the 1990s, there was a strict 'one in, one out' policy for black comedians, creating a glass ceiling where established stars protected their spots, forcing Yashere to move to the US for better opportunities.
Yashere's engineering background influenced her comedic work ethic; she treated comedy like a job, driving long distances to perform in both white and black venues to build confidence regardless of audience demographics.
She advises comedians to stop comparing themselves to others, noting that the entertainment industry does not follow linear meritocracy like engineering, and that comparison breeds bitterness.
Notable quotes 5AI-generated: wording and quote attribution may be wrong. Use the play link to verify.
“I was like, I don't want to be the token anymore. I want to host the show. I want to have my own show. And if you're not going to give me my own show, what is the point of me being there?”
▶ 50:24Explaining her decision to leave the UK comedy circuit where she was frequently booked as a diversity quota-filler but never given her own platform.
“It's either that [coming out] or live a lie your entire life.”
▶ 54:37Advice given to individuals from immigrant families who are afraid to come out as LGBTQ+, emphasizing the necessity of living one's truth despite potential family rejection.
“I don't seek to offend people. I do jokes about everybody, but I also do jokes about myself... If I can do it in front of these people [the group being joked about] and they can see the humor in it... then I know that I'm feeling free to do that material everywhere else.”
▶ 1:00:15Her philosophy on comedy and 'cancel culture,' distinguishing between punching down and observational humor that includes self-deprecation.
“When I was 14... there was a party going on across the street... I said to my mom, 'This party is across the street... you can reach from the comfort of your couch without getting up and drag me out of that party if you want.' And she wouldn't let me go.”
▶ 13:59A specific anecdote illustrating the strictness of her upbringing and the source of her childhood resentment, which she later processed through writing.
“I came in higher qualified than most of the guys because I've been studying part-time for years... I'm a woman and 21 years old and black. They hated me from the jump.”
▶ 24:38Describing her experience entering the male-dominated engineering field at Otis, facing open misogyny and racism.
Chapters & Sections (61)▼
0:00Celebrity Memoirs and Comedy Specials Discussionchapter2
0:00Celebrity Memoirs and Comedy Specials
2:10Author's Journey to Writing a Memoir
5:05Writing Habits and Creative Processchapter4
5:05Writing Process and Creative Freedom
7:24Left-Handedness and Cultural Significance
8:40Self-Censorship in Writing and Personal Relationships
9:58Sharing Private Family Abuse Experiences in Writing
11:39Overcoming Childhood Resentment through Writingchapter3
11:39Parental Influence and Family Dynamics
13:23Overcoming Childhood Trauma and Resentment
14:49Childhood Regret and Parental Decision Making
16:17Childhood Trauma and Family Historychapter3
16:17Childhood Trauma and Family History
18:03Childhood and Education in Patriarchal Societies
19:16Family History of Suspicious Circumstances and Reincarnation
21:04Breaking into Male-Dominated Engineering Fieldschapter5
21:04Breaking into Male-Dominated Professions
22:40Choosing a Career in Engineering
24:03Overcoming Phobias and Workplace Harassment
25:17Overcoming Workplace Bullying and Harassment
26:42Early Influences on Fashion Sense Development
27:58Growing Up as a Minority in Londonchapter3
27:58Growing Up as a Minority in London
30:09Cultural Identity Crisis Among Immigrant Children
32:03Language Learning and Cultural Identity
34:06Discovering Comedy through Community Performancechapter2
34:06Discovering Comedy through Community Performance
36:38Overcoming Adversity in a Competition
38:14Career Disbandment and Early Stand-up Experienceschapter4
38:14Failed Group Project and Career Transition
39:43Early Days of Stand-Up Comedy Career
41:07Racial Segregation in Early Comedy Circuits
42:17Breaking into the Stand-up Comedy Industry
44:18Overcoming Comparison and Finding Passion in Comedychapter3
44:18Overcoming Self-Doubt in Pursuing a Career
45:59Overcoming Negative Thinking and Embracing Abundance
47:10Challenges of Unique Talent in Auditions
48:26Diversity in Comedy and TV Opportunitieschapter3
48:26Diversity in Stand-up Comedy and TV
50:12Breaking Down Barriers in the Comedy Industry
51:54Writing and Timing of Socially Relevant Literature
53:13Embracing Identity and Overcoming Fear of Rejectionchapter3
53:13Embracing Identity and Overcoming Immigrant Fears
55:13Coming Out to Immigrant Parents
56:31Embracing Identity and Acceptance in Relationships
58:58Approach to Comedy and Avoiding Offensechapter2
58:58Approach to Comedy and Avoiding Offense
1:00:41Testing Humor in Different Cultural Contexts
1:03:23Authentic Representation of African Stories in Mediachapter2
1:03:23Authentic Representation of African Stories in Media
1:04:56Authentic African Representation in Media
1:07:35Representation of Everyday Jobs in Mediachapter2
1:07:35Representation of Everyday Jobs in Media
1:09:52Defining Personal Sense of Home and Belonging
1:12:32Overcoming Racial Stereotypes and Self-Doubtchapter2
1:12:32Overcoming Racism and Self-Doubt through Comedy
1:14:30Criticizing Cancel Culture and Woke Culture
1:17:00Childhood Influence of British Comedy Sketcheschapter2
1:17:00Childhood Influence of British Comedy Sketches
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