Culinary Emotional Intelligence: Carla Hall’s Recipe for Leadership

[00:00] Ugh, I barely got any sleep last night. What? Why? I spent hours fighting with AI. All because I was trying to make a website. [00:08] It started out okay, but then I got stuck just trying to change one button. Okay, okay, relax. Just try Wix Harmony. [00:15] What's that? It's Wix's new website builder. Let's you switch back and forth between AI tools and hands-on editing anytime. So I'm not just prompting and praying? Nope. Just try it for free at Wix.com slash Harmony. Honestly, I put off building a website way longer than I should have. [00:34] Then I tried Wix Harmony, and it was way easier than I expected. [00:38] I just described what I wanted, and I had an incredible-looking website. The best part? I could change anything myself, or ask my AI agent for help. [00:48] I had everything my business needed right there. So if you've been procrastinating, this is your sign. Start building a website for free at Wix.com slash Harmony. All right, so you all know that Carla Hall, Top Chef legend, Food Network legend, the judge of judges. But what you don't know and what you're going to hear in this conversation is how powerful she is with emotional intelligence and mental health. We talk about just that. We talk about her journey, [01:17] We talk about some really cool things that she has going on, so make sure you go to the end. [01:21] because I'm going to give 10 of you that are watching or listening the opportunity [01:25] to join me and Robert Irvine [01:28] at Carla Hall's One Woman Show later this summer. I am truly honored

[01:33] to bring you [01:35] my good friend, Chef Carla Hall. [01:39] You're listening to Mick Unplugged, hosted by the one and only Mick Hunt. This is where purpose meets power and stories spark transformation. Mick takes you beyond the motivation and into meaning, helping you discover your because and becoming unstoppable. I'm Rudy Rush, and trust me, you're in the right place. Let's get unplugged. [02:02] Chef, how you doing today? Mickey Mick! How you doing? [02:08] having me. I'm honored. [02:10] I'm truly honored. You know, I was telling you before, um, [02:14] My son, 25 years old. [02:16] Football coach. [02:17] Football guy just in general. He's he would be considered a guy's guy. Yeah, right? I [02:22] A man's man. [02:25] But five years ago, he started baking. [02:27] and really got into baking and the technical aspect, because as you know, like for me, I can cook, right? But I don't need to measure anything. I can just eyeball it. I can taste test and like, yeah, it's good. You know, grandma taught me how to do all that. [02:42] Baking is a skill. Baking is precision. Yeah, it's science. So for him... [02:46] My son, who also may have a little ADHD too, right? For him to take baking on. [02:52] And not just take it on. [02:54] But say dad. [02:55] I want to do everything that Carla Hall knows. I was like, what? [02:59] Because we've been watching you for years since he was like knee high.

[03:03] You are his inspiration. [03:05] in the kitchen. [03:07] And I owe you so much because it rounds him out. It relaxes him. You know, he's got a tough day at work coaching kids and teaching kids. He's like, I want to go in the kitchen. And here's what I think. [03:20] draws him to you. [03:22] Because you said it to me offline. You're a teacher. He's a teacher. You have that connection. Dude, why are you going to have me cry at first thing? [03:30] I mean... [03:31] Wow. That, that means the world to me. Um, [03:35] It really does. And I'm going to tell you, I have a baking book coming out at the end of the year. So in September, so your son's going to be getting one of the first ones off the press. So I just want you to reach back out to make sure that I get him a sign copy. [03:50] Jay, you heard that Carla's got you covered, but absolutely. Absolutely. Carla, again, I'm honored. Um, [03:57] I always ask my guests this question. And for you, you're probably going to make me cry when you reveal your answer to this, because I know the heart that you have. [04:05] I always ask my guests, what's your because? That mission that you have, that thing that's deeper than your why, and [04:12] And Carla, I know, like, I always feel like I connect with you when I see you on TV. [04:17] What is your because? Why do you continue to do what you do? What's that purpose behind Carlyle? You know, I tell people I I really love people like I I don't pretend to like people like I really like people. I am the person who will be in a line at a restaurant in California.

[04:37] the airport and there's a person behind me and they're a singlet. I'm a single. And I'm like, Hey, do you want to eat? Do you want to eat with me? [04:44] because I am curious and I just really like people. And I think that [04:50] We don't we don't know each other. [04:53] And it is... [04:55] My joy to break down walls to even like a person who is unhoused. [05:02] And if they ask, like, you know, can I have some money? [05:05] I may be like, no, thank you. I don't choose to participate in giving you money, but I will look at you in the eyes and see you as a human. [05:14] Like I really, I really like people and I love connecting with people. [05:19] You totally do. And it comes across on the screen. It comes across off screen. You know, I told you Robert Irvine is my best friend in the world. Right. [05:30] And, [05:31] You're the polar opposite, but the same, right? Like Robert is going to break you down, but then he's going to give you the love and all the support that you need. And everybody knows that, right? Like he has the biggest heart in the world. [05:43] But he wants to get through to you in his way. Yeah. And Carla's like that mama bear. Right. Like when you see Carla, she's like, all right, I know this is tough, but you've got it. Come on. You can do this. You just have that encouragement. Where did that come from? Um, my grandmother, my grandmother said it is your job to be happy, not to be rich. [06:04] Also, I have this motto, say yes, adventure follows, then growth.

[06:09] so [06:11] that paired with everything happens for a reason, [06:15] When I am judging, when I am... [06:19] uh encouraging folks on my team i don't want to break them i want to encourage them i i i know you can do it but i will also be honest with you and i think sometimes people think well how how how do you deliver bad news i'm like i don't deliver bad news i deliver constructive news [06:36] Because I really believe in that person. And I believe that when you allow them, because they've already said yes, and you help them [06:45] through the adventure, the hard part, [06:48] I know that when they get to the other side of that, they're going to be amazing. And they're going to be like, wow, I did that. And they're going to say yes to another hard thing. And I am a part of that journey. And my grandmother did that for me. My mom did that for me. My dad did that for me. [07:04] You know, when somebody believes in you, [07:07] You're like... [07:09] Okay, they believe in me. I can do it. And I'm sure your son in coaching, he's like that too. You know, the first time somebody hits the, what is it, the thing, the field? I am not a sports person. [07:24] What's the little box? The little rectangular thing with the lines? You know, it's hard. [07:29] You know, you're like, I ran track. You know, you step on the field, you step on a... [07:34] attract and it's hard when you first when you first do it and then you get to the end of the season. You're like, wow. Oh my gosh. I can't believe my progress.

[07:42] I mean, that's life every day, right? [07:45] It is. It is. So when did the culinary journey start for you? [07:51] Dude, I fell into this when I tell you it was like a hole in the ground. [07:59] So I, um, I was an accountant. [08:02] I wanted to be in theater. I didn't get into the school, Boston University. Well, they were going to defer my admission. So I'm like, well, I'm not going to go there. So my sister was going to Howard and I said, okay, I'll go to Howard. And she said, okay, I'll go to Howard. [08:17] I was so rejected by theater that I didn't even... [08:20] And I said, I'm not even going to go to Howard to do theater. [08:23] I like my accounting teacher in high school, so I majored in accounting and. [08:29] You know, and then my whole thing is I'll major in something. I'm like, okay, what is the pinnacle? What is the goal? They're like, okay, big eight accounting firm. Okay, you know, CPA. I'm like, okay, I'll do that. So, but then I did the things. I took the test. I'm like, oh my gosh, I hate this. [08:47] And so I quit. [08:49] I started modeling and I went to Paris. [08:52] as one would do, you quit your job, you go to Paris, you know, you don't have any money, you know. [08:56] Back in the day, you know, and that's where I fell into food and food became a [09:04] an act of gratitude. You know, I would, [09:08] cook for people who allowed me to sleep on their couches. And I did not start cooking until I was in my mid-20s. I mean, I did not cook. I went to my grandmother's house every Sunday. I knew nothing about any of the recipes that she was making.

[09:23] And it was only when I went to Paris and everybody started cooking and they're like, well, my mother makes macaroni and cheese like this. My mother makes it like this. I'm like, oh, my gosh, I have no idea. And I'm very competitive. So I'm like, OK, let me get on that. Let me go get a cookbook. You know, it's funny how. [09:40] we see these moments or challenges and all of a sudden we take it on. Like, I think my competitiveness and my stubbornness protects me and it propels me forward. [09:53] Yeah. So you started cooking in your 20s. [09:58] And now you're a TV star. [10:01] In multiple facets, but one of those facets obviously is cooking. How did that happen? [10:06] I think Top Chef, I think that was the big moment. I also think that because I did theater, I don't watch myself. I'm okay with being the weird girl. I'm okay with being myself and [10:19] I'm okay with the challenge. So, and I'm okay with being vulnerable. So when I said yes to Top Chef, [10:27] Being in a position of, you know, you have to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. [10:33] I grew and I learned from every challenge. [10:36] Right. Oh, my gosh, I'm still here. OK, what? What I'm on the bottom. But the thing is about being on the bottom, you get feedback. [10:44] You know, back in the day when they were doing Top Chef, when you were on the bottom, you got feedback. When you were on the top, you got feedback. If you're in the middle, you don't really get anything. [10:52] So sometimes having the constructive criticism on the bottom is much more valuable than having the praise when you're on top.

[11:02] Agreed. And I want everybody that's watching or listening to understand this, because, again, I'm not. [11:07] Robert Irvine is my best friend. So I've gotten to see a lot of things behind the scenes and, and, [11:12] Me watching, I've been a food guy forever. [11:16] Me watching, sometimes I'm like, yeah, this is somewhat set up. [11:19] Right. No, that stuff is real. Like you were really cooking. Sometimes. And these are the things I know. Sometimes your food sits out for 45 minutes before it gets tasted. And it's like you got to understand salt. I understood that. You got to understand salt when your food sits out. That's right. That's right. But talk to us about just that. The things that people don't understand on the competition shows of TV. Just there's a lot that goes into it. You're not just making a dish and here you go. [11:49] timing. So they create a pressure cooker because it's more fun when people don't have a lot of time. [11:58] And also you don't know the kitchen. [12:01] So the first few challenges, I mean, at least on the baking championships, you're in the same kitchen. For Top Chef, you are not in the same kitchen. So every time you win and you're like, where's the equipment? You know, how do the ovens work? You know, are they calibrated? You know, all of that. It's more like next level chef, you know, because you're in different kitchens and you have to navigate that. [12:22] Also, everybody is running for the same things. The more organized you are, the more you can run and get all of your equipment, the better you will do, because now you're not waiting for somebody. You're not fighting for everybody. There are not there's not a pan for everybody. The exact pan. Right. You will have a pan.

[12:39] But in terms of your first choice equipment, you have to run and get those things. [12:44] Also, knowing that you're going to be judged changes things. [12:49] looking over and here is somebody, your competitor, and you're like, wow, they're doing something that looks really cool. You know, is my dish really cool? So you have that element of second guessing yourself. [13:00] You know, it is a lot of pressure. And some people realize you may be a great cook, [13:06] but you may not be able to cook under that pressure. [13:09] That is the key. [13:10] You know, how do you handle stress? How do you regulate your nervous system? [13:16] That is really the key. And I think because I was 44 when I did Top Chef, [13:21] I was probably, I may not have been the best cook, [13:25] But I knew I was the most... [13:28] um [13:29] I think [13:31] mature, [13:32] And the cook with the emotional intelligence to do that show. [13:38] Yeah. [13:39] And that's exactly where I want to go next because in the world, that's what I teach, right? I'm an emotional intelligence culture fan. [13:45] But I'm also a huge mental health advocate. [13:48] And I tell people all the time, Carla, if there's two people, [13:54] that you see that deserve big hugs and conversations. [13:58] It's comedians. [13:59] and chefs. Comedians, everybody expects them to be funny all the time, right? So you got to deliver, right? Like, even if they're just chilling, watching a game, they expect you to be funny. [14:09] And chefs have this hard thing because they,

[14:12] When people go to restaurants, [14:15] I got to figure out how to say this the right way. When you go to a restaurant, [14:19] You expect the food to be... [14:21] perb all the time. You expect to be wowed. [14:25] So chefs never hear that as much as they hear what goes wrong. Exactly. [14:29] And so you've got to really make sure that you're checking on your friends that are comedians, comedians. [14:36] that are in the restaurant business because they usually only see the negatives most of the time. Again, you get the pat on the back. [14:44] But I'm sure, Carla, you can count pat on the back more than you can count. Carla, this is messed up. This is wrong. How many times have people, they go to a restaurant, they're like, I could do this. Mine is better. [14:55] But are you cooking for 100 plus people? [14:58] Are you making one dish? You know, are you managing a team? You know what I mean? Also, you just have a... [15:09] A bad day. [15:10] You really can. When I go eat, people always ask me, do you judge the food? And I don't. [15:16] I really don't. Unless now I have to say this. [15:19] When I go to certain restaurants, the higher end they are, [15:24] the more [15:25] my expectation rises, right? But there are certain restaurants that they aren't highbrow, they're consistent, and I go there for the consistency. [15:37] I don't go there for the intellectual, let me be wowed and blow my socks off experience.

[15:44] I rarely go to those restaurants. [15:48] Yeah. [15:49] How do you help others in your field with that? Because I, again, I know enough about Carla that, you know, you are the voice of reason for some of your peers. And I can just see, you know, how people gravitate towards you. How do you help them with that? [16:06] One, the emotional intelligence side, but then also the mental health side of the culinary business. Well, I think there are two things. When someone says something about you and I take them through this process of social media, I think social media trains us to honestly a little bit. [16:22] because we get those main tweets or whatever. [16:25] I think it may prepare you a little more for the restaurant world than before, because everybody has an opinion. [16:32] And you hear it. You know what I mean? You see it. [16:36] Yeah. [16:37] So for me, I ask my friends, [16:42] Was there some truth to what was said? [16:46] You know, because we get a little... [16:50] We want to protect, we get a little defensive about our food. And sometimes there is truth to it. [16:56] Could it have been said differently? Yes. Could they have said something in the moment so that you could have corrected it? Yes. [17:02] Um, [17:03] But if there was truth to it, take it as constructive criticism. [17:07] you know, and work on that dish. [17:09] If you believe that dish... [17:12] was perfect and you would not change it. End of story.

[17:15] It doesn't matter what that person thinks. It doesn't matter that that person says, my grandmother's dish would beat this. Okay. [17:22] go to your grandmother's house. I mean, you know, at some point, you really just have to have that bucket of efforts. [17:28] Because you have to, I mean... [17:30] you know, just allow them to have their opinion, but you also have yours. It's not a one way street with opinions. [17:39] Totally, totally, totally agree. Again, and I think... [17:43] One of the many, many reasons I love you so much is just that, right? Like just... [17:48] Knowing that you're that person people can depend on, knowing that you're [17:54] You come from a place of maturity. You come from a place of... [17:59] You're not judging. And I think that also... [18:02] is critical as well too. Like people, [18:05] aren't going to allow themselves to be vulnerable if they feel like they're judged. Right. [18:08] That's right. [18:09] That's right. And I also think that this is another thing that I've said to some young chefs, you know, and especially when, [18:17] you know, they're young managers, managing people. [18:21] And a lot of times it's hard for him to deliver what they consider bad news. [18:27] And I say, [18:28] In this moment, you are the messenger of this person's lesson. [18:33] Do you care enough about them to deliver it? [18:36] Because if you just kick that can down the road, [18:40] you know, they're not going to get what they need. Somebody else is still going to deliver it eventually. [18:45] Right. But also,

[18:48] It is your lesson to learn how to deliver it. So it's a two-way street. [18:53] Right. A lot of times when I have when I bad news is deliberate to me or constructive news, I'm like, oh, OK. [19:01] And I may not see it in the moment. I'm not going to lie. I, I, I, I'll be having, I will have an eye twitching moment. [19:08] But... [19:10] you know, [19:11] That person is the messenger of my lesson. And here's an example. When I was on the CHU, [19:16] The first three years, I thought I was going to get fired. When I tell you the learning curve was steep, [19:21] The learning curve was incredibly steep and nobody, nobody knew that, but it's just because I'm tenacious. I'm a tourist. I'm like, I'm going to get it. I'm going to walk up this really steep hill. Yeah. [19:33] Um, [19:34] But I would go home and I would like, oh my gosh, I can't do this. When I am not living my truth, [19:41] That's when I get a lot of feedback that is hitting me left, right, center. You know what I mean? [19:47] When you are living for somebody else's truth, that's when you get beat up the most. [19:53] Yeah, my prayer at that job every day was to find my authenticity. It took me three years because I didn't know the job. And I am depending on someone else to help me find that thing. [20:06] Right. But eventually I got it. And I, after this show ended, I ended up calling, [20:13] The executive producer said, thank you for being the messenger of my lessons. [20:17] Because had it not been for him, I honestly can tell you, I wouldn't be where I am now.

[20:22] I wouldn't because the lessons were hard. I stayed in, I got them. And I took that to the next level. [20:29] venture the next project. [20:32] And, you know, [20:33] it's almost like you can read my brain with where I wanted this conversation to go, because I was going to talk to you about authenticity next. Right. Because. [20:41] from your Southern roots to national stages, [20:44] One of the things that I can say [20:47] If people that say, how would you define Carla Hall? I would say, [20:51] Consistency. [20:53] Evolution and Authenticity. [20:55] So with all the things that you do, like how do you evolve and stay authentic? [21:01] Because that's usually hard, especially today when, you know, like on Food Network, there's a new show, a new theme, like all the time you're doing things with Gordon Ramsay now. Like there's a lot of things that are evolving because society is saying we don't like this format anymore. Right. Like now we need to do this. [21:17] How do you stay authentic? [21:20] often, you know, how do you say authentic when, you know, [21:26] everything's constantly evolving around you. [21:29] But the thing is, I'm evolving too. [21:32] What I would have wanted... [21:34] Like Top Chef was 18 years ago. [21:37] What I would have wanted leaving that show is very different from what I want now. You have to allow yourself to grow and change. [21:47] I think a lot of times when we see people on television, we sort of keep we take a snapshot of whenever we saw them.

[21:57] And we expect them to be that person. So Top Chef replays those episodes constantly, right? [22:03] Well, people will come up to me if they, let's say if they just have, for whatever reason, they have just discovered the show. [22:10] They expect me to be the person that I was at 44. Well, I'm 61 now. [22:15] So I allow myself to change unapologetically. I am not trying to change. [22:21] to be the person that is on the television to match that person because I have fans from that snapshot. [22:29] of my life. [22:30] Right. So, um, [22:33] Then you have to... [22:36] Deborah Grayson-Riegel. [22:38] She is a she's an executive coach and she talks about. [22:44] the things that [22:47] tick you off [22:49] and the things that make you tick and I and and I'm I'm [22:52] Paraphrasing. [22:54] But, [22:54] There could be something that makes you tick and all of a sudden it ticks you off. [22:58] The difference is your values have changed. [23:01] And you have to recognize your values changing and you growing. [23:05] So all of the experiences that you have out here, they change you. [23:10] The problem isn't your finance team. It's the spreadsheet they're stuck using at month end. [23:15] Chasing receipts, reconciling transactions, hoping nothing was missed. [23:20] With the American Express corporate program, you get real-time visibility into company spending as it happens. [23:26] Issue employee cards or virtual cards, set controls up front, and see the transactions instantly.

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[25:03] I'm sad for you. [25:05] If you have not changed and grown and, you know, and that is also a part of emotional intelligence, intelligence, and that's also a part of. [25:14] your, I think our mental health and allowing ourselves [25:19] to change and allowing ourselves to like really check in and be who you are. [25:25] So that people see this consistent person and the consistency is the authenticity. I will say things now that I wouldn't have said before because I know who I am. [25:38] I also know what I bring to the table. I also know what I expect from my employer. I am going to walk into a set now. [25:48] saying, even though I haven't been there before, if I'm judging, I know my style of judging. I'm not going to ask you, how should I be in this moment? Because this is a new job. If you hired me, you're hiring all of this. You're hiring everything I'm bringing to the table. And if you don't want all of this, then you don't want me. And you have to get to the point [26:11] of that is your North Star. [26:13] Because you are here... [26:15] You are actually here on this earth plane. [26:18] to be yourself. [26:20] That is the work. End of story. That is the work. [26:24] Yeah. [26:25] Yeah. [26:26] I could end the segment now. Like you, you given us a masterclass on emotional intelligence. And I don't think people realize that coming into the episode.

[26:36] But that's what, again, that's what I've known about you just by following you for as long as I have in the evolution of Carla Hall and. [26:44] Again, just how you generally touch people. You know, you just said something... [26:48] just now that reminds me of my grandfather, right? My grandfather used to say all the time, the same thing that make you laugh will make you cry. Like growing up in the South, we always heard that saying, right? And it's true in the business world. I'm pretty sure it's true in your field, in your genre as well too. Like people don't understand that, [27:06] That's what evolution is. The same thing that makes you laugh, [27:09] At some point, it's going to make you cry, right? [27:12] Yeah. [27:13] So let's talk about what you have going on now. What is Carla Hall up to today? So, wow. [27:22] I have the main menu. The main menu is... [27:28] is a self-directed [27:33] personal growth program that I'm doing with Deb Grayson Regal. [27:38] is online. It's called the me menu and it, [27:41] We don't discriminate, but really we chose to do this for women 50 and older. [27:46] Because a lot of times I think as you age, you feel like you're aging out. [27:51] you know, of, you know, work, you know, social, socially. And we're all about helping women have main dish energy. [28:00] And, um, [28:02] This program came out of...

[28:07] a one-woman show that I'm doing, but we distilled all of these, what we call flavors, [28:16] that you will work on one week at a time. I mean, you can, [28:19] You can work on them longer, but it's, [28:21] possibility, [28:23] Hope. [28:23] imagine, reframe, open and acceptance. Those are the different things that you work on. And when you look at a situation in your life and you're like, okay, [28:31] you have a situation like, how would I imagine myself doing this? [28:36] And after you move through all of these things, [28:40] um, [28:41] flavors, hopefully you have a better idea of who you are, what value you have, what you bring to the table, and you can create something with the wisdom. Because my thing is, [28:51] A lot of times people say, oh, she's just old and they want to put older people out to pasture. But actually, we're the ones who have the wisdom. Menopause, and a lot of people have said, is this an upgrade? It's an upgrade. And I've already said it. The bucket of buckets is real. When you stop caring about other people and you can step into your brilliance. But if you listen to others. [29:13] then you minimize your brilliance. [29:17] And this is about lifting you up. So I'm working on that, the meat menu. [29:20] Um, like I said, I have a baking book. It's called Carla Bakes, which is coming out in September. [29:26] And so remember, I started out, I was into theater. [29:30] I didn't get into Boston University. [29:33] For the last five years, I have been working on my consciousness to bring through a one woman show.

[29:39] Tell us about this one woman show. I'm ready. Okay. It's called Carla Hall. [29:45] Please underestimate me. Okay. I'm intrigued already. And it is the story of my life. [29:53] It is a play. There are some flashbacks. [29:57] I talk about when I was 12 and I wanted to be the black Carol Burnett. I talk about my challenges at the two. I talk about, [30:04] you know, some other things that have happened in my life. So you understand, [30:07] who I am and why I am this way. And I take you through this, but not only that, but I'm hoping that people see themselves in my story and, [30:16] how you don't stop, you keep going, you pivot, [30:20] You know, there's a fork in the road and you have choices and you take those choices and there is not a bad choice. You will learn. [30:27] with either path, [30:29] And so I'm really excited about that. [30:31] And I love talking about it because... [30:35] About five years ago, the shoe ended one in 2018. So that was seven years ago. [30:42] And after that, I was like, you know, what am I going to do? [30:45] And, you know, about five years ago, like, I really, I really want a variety show. I mean, Carol Burnett had a variety show. What if I brought back a variety show? I don't know who would pay for it, but that would be amazing. No, I was going to know that I was trying to do that. But then I started saying, I really want to. [31:00] do a one woman show and i started asking people [31:04] I told my agent that I wanted to, um, [31:08] get me on voiceovers, get me cameo roles. I got an acting coach. I mean, my thing is if I say that I want to do something, I don't just say it.

[31:16] I look at [31:18] I break down everything I would have to do to change my consciousness to do that thing. [31:24] Right. So if you say, hey, I want a car, I want a Mercedes Benz and you don't have a car, you don't have Uber on your, you know what? [31:33] You don't know how to rent a car. You have work to do on your consciousness. So you have to build it up and you have to dissect how to get from point A to point F, Z or whatever. Right. [31:44] And that's how you manifest. [31:46] You don't just manifest by saying you want to do something that that that's no there's no work in that. That's just talking. [31:52] No, absolutely. So I'm excited about this one woman show, but I am really excited about it. When is it going to be ready for people to come attend or view? It's at Olney Theater in Olney, Maryland. O-L-N-E-Y. [32:06] And it starts June 6th. [32:09] 6th through July 12th, unless there's a two-week extension. If there's a two-week extension, it goes until July 28th. So, Mick, so here I am. [32:19] my first [32:20] solo show. It's seven shows a week. [32:24] It's for six weeks or eight. [32:27] So it's a proper thing. And I am at the moment just sort of working out, trying to have the stamina and the strength to do it. [32:38] I've yet to get a voice coach because that's also a muscle that I have to work on. Again, breaking down what's necessary to be successful.

[32:47] Look at that. Always evolving, always getting better, right? Challenging yourself to be the best version of you. That is Carla Hall summed up. Like, [32:55] I'm coming to the one woman show. I might just go up there for a week and just go to a show a day because that's what I want to do. How about that? I would love that. Seriously. And you know what I should do? What? [33:09] I should... [33:11] invite and pay for 10 people to join me? What if we do that? What if it's like Mick? [33:18] And 10 friends. [33:20] are coming. [33:21] So, [33:23] If you message me one woman show. [33:27] You're going to get the chance. [33:29] I'm going to pick 10 people. Oh my gosh. [33:31] Robert Irvine is going to have to be one of them. Yes. So it'll be me, Robert, and [redacted address] it's fair. [33:38] We're going to come hang out and we're going to come be a part of this show. [33:41] I love it. [33:42] I love it. I'm serious. [33:44] Yeah, I hear you. I'm bringing 10. So when it's time, send me the information. I'm going to buy... [33:49] 12 tickets. [33:51] And me, Robert, and 10 people are going to come hang out with Carla Hall and be your biggest supporters front row. I am going to say it's a small theater. I love I will actually see you. [34:02] Tickets are already on sale, so I'm going to send you the link. [34:06] If you like Carla Hall, please underestimate me. Olney Theater is... [34:11] it will come up. Oh, I can Google. Look, Google exists. I can find it then. If tickets are already available, I'm going to buy 10, but I'm going to take a screenshot so you see that I actually bought 10.

[34:22] Or 12, sorry, 12. [34:23] So you can see Robert, me and 10 people were coming to support you. I love it. I love. Thank you. That is huge. [34:30] I appreciate that. [34:32] That's what you mean to me. It's the least I could do with what you've done for my family. So thank you. [34:37] I love that. [34:38] Thank you. [34:39] All right, I'm going to get you out of here on my rapid fire quick five. [34:42] Ready? [34:43] All right. [34:44] So you said you ran track. What was your event? 880 and the two-mile relay. [34:49] distance. Oh, see, I couldn't. Anything, anything over 200, I'm passing out. I don't have the family for that. [34:56] I don't have the stamina for that. [34:58] You learned to cook. What was the first dish that you wanted to make when you started cooking? Chicken pot pie. [35:05] Yeah, it was chicken pot pie. [35:07] All right. [35:08] The baking book coming out. [35:11] What's the one recipe in there that's going to shock people? Oh, it is going to be the patachew. [35:19] So the patachou recipe, I really worked hard on that recipe so that [35:24] It is very simple. I think people are going to, the tricks and techniques that I'm giving you, [35:29] you will have perfect pat of shoe. [35:32] And it's sort of out the box. [35:35] Mmm! [35:36] All right. Pat a shoe. It is pat a shoe. It is when you are making a meal for yourself. [35:42] It's like you've had... [35:43] A long day, a long week, and it's like, I just want comfort food. [35:47] What does Carla Hall want? Eggs, salad, and toast. My friends know that. They know if I come to their house out of the blue, they had better have some eggs. I love eggs.

[35:59] Oh my God. I love it. Scramble. I gotta learn to like, dude. Okay. Okay. Time out. Well, okay. What, what, what don't you like about eggs? Do you know why you don't like eggs? [36:11] Yeah, I don't like, they don't taste like anything to me. [36:14] Yeah. Salt, pepper, herbs. What are you even saying? [36:19] I don't know. They're just like, eh, okay, they're eggs. Cool. [36:23] Oh, I'm getting in trouble by you and Robert. No, you're not. You're not getting in trouble. I just want to I want to make eggs for you. [36:30] Okay. Yeah. Let's do it. Yeah. I want to make you a beautiful French omelet that's creamy with herbs and maybe a little goat cheese and... [36:40] you know, a nice salad, you know, with some crispy toast, like grilled toast. What? [36:46] All right, I'm there. Minus the goat cheese. Okay, it can be any cheese. You want cheddar? What do you want? What? Let's go. Any cheese. We can change the cheese, child. [36:53] love it love it last question [37:00] One word. [37:01] that Carla Hall would use. [37:04] to describe Carla Hall. [37:07] Oh my God. [37:14] I was going to say energetic. [37:16] And energetic. And I say that because literally energy is, [37:23] and energetic. [37:24] are two different things, but I'm encompassing both of those. [37:28] I know when I walk into a room, I give energy. When I show up,

[37:32] I send my energy ahead of time to greet me, to meet me, to be with the people who are there. [37:37] when I am tired, [37:41] I have to call forth energy. [37:43] Deep. [37:44] to get through the thing. Right. So when I'm excited, I have a lot of happy energy, but so energetic or energetic. Yeah. [37:53] Okay. I like it. I like it. Carla, again, [37:56] Thank you so much. [37:58] You don't know how my day has been made because of you. First of all, let me just tell you this. [38:04] You are so welcome. [38:05] I am an audio person, so I listen to a lot of audiobooks. [38:10] And when I secretly, y'all, [38:13] Okay, it's a little judgy, but when someone speaks, I'm like, oh, I could listen to their voice in an audio book. [38:20] Ooh, I can't listen to that voice. Your voice, I can listen to. I love your voice. [38:26] Oh, now you're making me blush. I see you're brown, but I see your brush. You're literally blushing. Your ears are changing. [38:35] They are. They are. I like it. I like it. Carla, again, thank you. You mean the world to me. However, I can support you. You know, I'm going to, I can't wait to see you in June and July in Maryland. It's going to be dope. Thank you. That's so generous. Thank you so much. [38:52] You got it. And to all the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. [38:57] Go Unleash It. [38:59] That's another powerful conversation on Mick Unplugged. If this episode moved you, and I'm sure it did, follow the show wherever you listen. Share it with someone who needs that spark and leave a review so more people can find their because. I'm Rudy Rush, and until next time, stay driven, stay focused, and stay unplugged.

[39:23] Thank you.