Episode 20

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Published on:

14th Jan 2021

2 Men Swimming in Vulnerability with Don Fanelli

This week in the diner I got to kick it with an old friend and improv buddy, Don Fanelli. This session was jam packed with personal development strategies, parenting insights, and the quick wit that you love to see from two comedians. We talked about the self-talk strategies that are useful in a creative field and life in general, and Don gave an honest take on the ups and downs of parenting. We talked about the importance of therapy, the vulnerability needed in forming adult relationships (especially relationships between men) and recognizing how friendships morph and serve us in different ways over time. Whether you’re a parent, a creative type, or a friend, this episode is full of nuggets of wisdom and worth your time.

About the Guest: 

Don Fanelli (4% Homo Neanderthalensis) grew up in Northern New Jersey and graduated with an engineering degree which he used for approximately 11 months. He finally discovered the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City and had the honor of performing with the longest running weekend team, The Stepfathers, as well as 2x Cagematch Finals Champions, Fuck That Shit and 3x Three-on-Three Tournament Champions, Sabonis, and in UCB’s flagship show, Asssscat.

Don was honored to be selected to perform in the 2015 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in the New Faces: Characters division and was a series regular on the PopTV show Nightcap where he got to improvise with stars such as Paul Rudd, Michael J. Fox, Whoopie Goldberg, and up and comer Julianne Moore. Don continues to act and write out of Los Angeles and retired his long running podcast The Need to Fail this year.

He joined the ranks of fatherhood last year which is a constant source of joy and fear, dabbles in secular Buddhism and evolutionary psychology, took a break from most social media, and finds peace in cooking. Amen.


Connect with Don and learn more:

Website: www.don-fanelli.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donfanelli

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/donfanelli



About the Host: 

Friends! Here's a somewhat stuffy bio of me:  

I am an author, professional speaker, coach, host, and entrepreneur. My first book, Leading Imperfectly: The value of being authentic for leaders, professionals, and human beings, is available wherever people buy books. I speak internationally to willing and unwilling attendees about authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership. My clients include American Express, General Electric (GE), Accenture, Yale University, The Ohio State University, and many others. As a speaker, I am doing the two things I loves the most: making people think and making people laugh! 

I host my own events multiple times a year. They are 2-day events called Living Imperfectly Live (and sometimes they are 1-day virtual events). They are a space where humans from every walk of life can come together to be part of a community on the pursuit of badassery. The goal is to help attendees start living the life we say we want to live.

Alas, you're here because of an idea I had a number of years ago and didn't think I was good enough to pull it off. I finally acted on it and alas Diner Talks with James was born! As you can see from what I do in my professional life, Diner Talks is alligned with everything I believe in and teach. If this wasn't dry enough, and you would like to know more info about my speaking, events, or coaching feel free to check out my website: JamesTRobo.com.


Let’s Be Friends on Social Media!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamestrobo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestrobo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrobilotta/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/JamesRobilottaCSP

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/JamesTRobo


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About the Podcast

Diner Talks With James
Conversations That We Never Want to End, With Friends We Never Want to Leave
Remember the last time you and few close friends stayed up too late at the Diner because no one wanted to leave? You didn’t need that grilled cheese with a side of pancakes but damn if it didn’t hit the spot! You laughed until you cried or cried until you laughed. Regardless of which lead to what, you left feeling a little more thoughtful, grateful, and actually full. Those are the best conversations we have in our lives, and the reason why Diner Talks with James exists. I’ll be your bearded bespectacled host, James Robilotta. I’m an author and professional speaker who talks to willing and unwilling audiences on the role that authenticity and vulnerability must play in life and business. I am a life coach with a Masters in counseling and 16+ years of improv comedy experience. Most importantly, I am a fellow human being with a fervent curiosity for others’ passions, relationships, insecurities, ambitions, patterns, and food quirks. So, come join me in The Diner. Slide into the booth, place your order, and tell me a story.

About your host

Profile picture for James Robilotta

James Robilotta

Friends! Here's a somewhat stuffy bio of me:

I am an author, professional speaker, coach, host, and entrepreneur. My first book, Leading Imperfectly: The value of being authentic for leaders, professionals, and human beings, is available wherever people buy books. I speak internationally to willing and unwilling attendees about authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership. My clients include American Express, General Electric (GE), Accenture, Yale University, The Ohio State University, and many others. As a speaker, I am doing the two things I loves the most: making people think and making people laugh!

I also occasionally host my own event multiple times a year called: Living Imperfectly Live. It is a space where humans from every walk of life can come together to be part of a community in the pursuit of getting out of their own way so they can live a great story. The goal is to help attendees start living the life we say we want to live.

Alas, you're here because of an idea I had a number of years ago and didn't think I was good enough to pull it off. I finally acted on it and alas Diner Talks with James was born! As you can see from what I do in my professional life, Diner Talks is aligned with everything I believe in and teach. If this wasn't dry enough, and you would like to know more info about my speaking, events, or coaching feel free to check out my website: JamesTRobo.com.