Barak Hardley: Maker / Actor / Director / Still Funny Recovered Comedian

@barakhardley

The scene:
We are in Los Angeles, CA sitting in Barak’s living room joined by his two cats. This is the first interview I’ve been bullied into (is it bullying if you’re willing?) We have a total blast talking about life experiences that have shaped the way we think. At one point, Barak commandeers the interview to have us create something together - that’s an interview first! Barak is lovely, unique, kind, creative, and funny. Join us as we plan world domination…or maybe just another really good idea for keeping his cat from turning on the faucet.

Highlights:
+ A new year’s resolution of getting on Tik Tok
+ Learning to verbalize what you’re creating
+ Sharing the process of creating things with others
+ Dialoguing with others while creating
+ We met on the set of a music video - shoutout to @mamahotdog (hire us again! K thanks! ;)
+ Life is art vs. Art is life
+ Avoiding displeasure by creating opportunity out of any experience
+ Being inspired by others responding to your art
+ Reprioritizing social media beyond likes
+ Barak used to be a pastor and then stopped believing in God
+ Losing your “truth” and finding another one
+ This world is chaos and it’s so unlikely that we would exist
+ We are the universe aware of itself, enjoying itself
+ Podcasts: meet a stranger and talk like best friends for an hour
+ Becoming a comedian to deal with depression and insecurity
+ Developing more healthy aspects of validation
+ Making deeper friendships through projects
+ Transitioning from hoarder to maker
+ Removing obstacles from the creative process
+ Fighting through depression, being grateful for the experience
+ Craving challenges, knowing they bring breakthroughs
+ From avoiding uncomfortability to embracing the challenge
+ Figuring out that you like the struggle
+ Chasing the creative dream to feel genuinely satisfied in life
+ Creating the possibility that you can do whatever you want however you want
+ The necessity of the hustle to maintain the creative spirit
+ “What’s the place where I’m the best?” - where passions overlap
+ All the projects we pursue are connected, that crossroads is our own magic
+ Being confident in what you’re talking about and being less defensive
+ Barak hijacks the interview and I let him
+ We concept an experiential event on a white board
+ The greatest harm in life was comparing himself to others
+ Question the voice that says NO

A taste:
“I think the process of making things is so interesting to me. It’s more interesting than the thing itself.”

“I’d much rather be creating and building than spend another minute trying to resuscitate an acquaintance.”

Favorite saying:
“This is a cold brutal world, but it was cobbled together by people who had it much worse.”