Emmy nominee Wendi McLendon-Covey on Reinvention, Risk-Taking & Owning Midlife

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:00:34

If you can be the person that makes everybody else laugh, that's a gift. That's kind of a superpower.

Roxy: 00:00:41

That's a gift. Not everybody has comedic timing.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:00:43

You know, if you say something out loud, that is a powerful thing. And work. You have to work your ass off.

Roxy: 00:00:50

Duran Duran follows you. Hello. I was like, oh, my God. But I'm sure they equally see you and they're like, oh, that's fun. Cool. Like, Wendy's here. Like, yeah.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:01:05

Who is this chick?

Roxy: 00:01:07

I love when you refer to yourself as a late bloomer. My whole life trajectory has been late bloomer.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:01:13

It doesn't matter where you start, it matters where you finish. So the ending is more important than the beginning. Do the trial and error thing and realize, oh, wait, it didn't work out, but it also didn't count.

Kill me, did it? What's great about the HRT is that every doctor has a different philosophy about it. So you can't get the real information.

Roxy: 00:01:34

No, you can't.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:01:36

Can you people get on the same page, please? There's a lot of sweaty, itchy, bitchy people who would like some relief.

Roxy: 00:01:42

Yes. As well as their partners. Today's guest is a master of sharp comedy, layered characters, and saying exactly what everyone else else is thinking.

Wendy McLendon Covey is best known for her scene stealing roles in Bridesmaids, the Goldbergs, and Reno 911. But what you may not know is that she didn't start booking major roles until she was well into her 30s.

Since then, she's built a career on playing women who are polished on the surface, but one emotional paper cut away from unraveling and somehow making that feel both iconic and deeply relatable.

In this episode, we talk about the power of being a late bloomer, the absurdity of Hollywood's obsession with age, the parts she'll never play again, and what she's completely done apologizing for. We also get into improv chaos on set, truths, comedy myths, and the joy and heartbreak of animal rescue.

Wendy is wicked smart, wildly funny, and refreshingly unfiltered. And this conversation is exactly the kind of midlife energy we're here for.

Follow the iconic Midlife wherever you get your podcasts and share this episode with your funniest, most fearless friends. Wendy, welcome to the iconic Midlife. It is so great to chat with you again.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:03:07

It's. I'm thrilled to be here.

Roxy: 00:03:09

Oh, I'm so glad. I know you're so super good. Oh, my God, you look so good. I love the top. You're wearing. I'm obsessed. It's so pretty.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:03:17

You're so pretty. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Roxy: 00:03:20

I know you're busy, so I'm so glad we were able to do this. How's work going? You just.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:03:27

It's going really well. And believe me, I know how blessed I am to be able to say that. So it's going well.

Started filming season two of St. Denis, like, back in June, and I have the day off today, which is lovely. And, yeah, it's been great. It's been really fun.

Roxy: 00:03:48

How fun? What's the weekend look like? Like, what does that look like to you when you get time off or time away?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:03:53

Oh, God, I love doing nothing.

Roxy: 00:03:56

Oh, the best. The best.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:03:58

I just love staying home, you know, I love it. I love a good putter. I like to putter around the house. I've recently resumed my sourdough studies, so I've been driving everyone crazy with that.

And so that's a constant cleanup and gardening, you know, dancing my dance around the house. I just love not being in the car, so. Nice. Yeah. It takes very little to make me happy these days.

Roxy: 00:04:36

Oh, my gosh. Well, you know why I also love you so much is because you rescue animals as well. And that is something that is near and dear to my heart, too.

So what got you into that?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:04:50

You know what? I've always been like, my heart has always been with the animals ever since I was a little kid. Like, don't give me a baby doll when I was a kid.

Like, don't. I. Don't saddle me with a kid, but give me all the stuffed animals I can handle. And so I was always like, oh, there's a kitty outside.

I have to make friends with it. Oh, you know, knew all the animals in the neighborhood, whatever, and stray cat cats just kept finding their way to us, always, throughout my life.

And so finally got our own house. My husband and I. Someone gave us a cat that they couldn't take care of anymore. And it was. It became like the love of our lives. And then it.

And then again, kitties just keep showing up. They know that we are suckers.

Roxy: 00:05:43

They know where the getting's good, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:05:45

Yeah. And it's so funny that you asked that question, because there's been a feral cat living in our bushes for, like, the last month or so.

And today, like, 20 minutes ago, it let me pet it for the first time.

Roxy: 00:06:00

It's a sign. It's a sign.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:06:02

Yeah.

Roxy: 00:06:03

Are we talking cat number seven or eight? Now.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:06:08

This would be Number eight. But he has to stay outside, which. Which bugs me.

I know I gotta lure him into the backyard, you know, because on the ring cam, we see a little pack of. Of coyote pups. Oh. In the yard.

Roxy: 00:06:27

Oh, okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:06:28

Every night this week. So it's like. No, no, no, no.

Roxy: 00:06:33

The two don't quite meet up. Well, you know.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:06:36

No, they don't. Anyway, I. Another thing I got to worry about. But the sweet baby, he figured out, like, okay, you're safe here.

Roxy: 00:06:45

Oh.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:06:45

So I love that.

Roxy: 00:06:47

Another mouth to feed. But you know what? It's for the love of the animal. Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:06:51

You got to do it. I can't let an animal starve in our yard. I just. I can't.

Roxy: 00:06:55

No, not at all. Not at all. So, okay, correct me if I'm wrong.

Tell me if this is true, but when I watch you and when I am, like, listening to all of you, like, you're so fucking funny, I feel like you are one of these people, because it seems like it comes so naturally to you. Like, it's so inher and, like, just in your body. Have you always been like that? Like, since you were yay high, little kid?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:07:25

Well, God, I would love to say I've been hilarious my whole life, but I. I definitely learned early how to jolly people out of being mean to me, so I've. I've had that facility to, like, get what I need with it.

But then on the flip side of that coin, I'm sure there's plenty of people that just find me irritating, which is fine, too. I. I could get that. I. I understand that. So I don't know. But I've. I've always known that this is what I want to do. Okay. This is.

I want to do, and I'm gonna do it. And I'm lucky that I got to.

Roxy: 00:08:10

So it sort of came out of a defense. Like a defense mechanism in a way. Like, it kind of protected you from bullying growing up.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:08:16

Yeah. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:08:18

Wow.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:08:19

A little bit. I mean, when I was really young, I was scrawny and sick all the time. Just, you know, that kid that always had a runny nose or a sore throat.

Like, I was always at the doctor's office, and. And I didn't grow for a long time. And so, you know, being the shortest kid in the class and the scrawniest. Yeah. You got picked on and you.

You very quickly. It's like a sink or swim thing, right? As. As a kid, no one's going to come to your rescue in the classroom. So you got to figure it out.

And, yeah, this is back when, like, you were bullied all the time and your parents were just like, okay, figure it out, kids. We don't know your teachers being mean to you. Well, next year, hopefully, it won't be that way. But, like, your.

Your parents didn't storm down to the school to help you out. You had to figure it out on your own. So I did that and seemed to work for a while. And I don't know, here we are. But I've always.

I've always found funny people interesting in that, like, people gravitate towards them. And if you can be the person that makes everybody else laugh, that's a gift. That's kind of a superpower to, like, be able to change the mood.

I knew that was a good thing. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:09:49

Do you remember, like, the first moment you felt that, like, when you were maybe in the classroom or around a group of people and you got that first laugh and that, like, dopamine hit where you're like, oh, my God, this is. This is what. What I want.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:10:02

I feel like it happened on a camping trip and I made all the adults laugh for some reason. And. And that was like, oh, I'm never going back. I gotta make this happen again. You know, it felt so powerful, and I can't even tell you what I said.

I don't know what it was. I just know everybody was doubled over laughing, and it wasn't at me. It was because of something, an observation.

And so that was like, oh, let's make this happen again and again.

Roxy: 00:10:40

And having the adults laugh at you probably was different. It was, like, so much more than having your peers laugh at you. Right. I mean, getting that, like, you know, recognition in a way.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:10:52

Yeah. Because all you want to do when you're, you know, seven years old is be 10 years old. You know, you're always.

You're always trying to aim higher than your age when you're young. Now at this age, you're like, oh, I'm down with the kids. I. I get, you know, it's true.

Roxy: 00:11:10

The little babes. You're like, okay, I'm 12.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:11:13

Yeah, she's old. She's 28. Oh, oops. So I'm 55, but don't look a.

Roxy: 00:11:22

Day of a 25. Of course. I mean, look.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:11:25

Right, right. Let's tell people that.

Roxy: 00:11:30

You know, I love. I've listened to some of your, you know, interviews, and I love when you refer to yourself as a late bloomer, because that, to me, I completely.

That resonates with me as Well, I feel like my whole life trajectory has been late bloomer.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:11:45

Yeah, there's something to be said for late bloomers because if you think about it like, it doesn't matter where you start, it matters where you finish. So the ending is more important than the beginning. So if you have a bunch of success in your 20s, how does that set you up for the rest of your life?

I mean, if you're smart, you can keep that going if you're strategic. But for a lot of people, if they get success too young, they're kind of frozen in that era.

And your brain doesn't even finish developing until you're 25. So I don't know, I feel like it sets a really bad precedent for people to feel like, oh, yeah, I've got it all figured out and I'm in my 20s.

Well, I don't know, I think about my 20s and I would hate to be solidified to any decisions I made back then, you know?

Roxy: 00:12:47

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:12:48

I didn't know what the hell was happening. Now that I'm older, I can appreciate it or I can see for. See things for what they are and maybe not take things as personally, although I still do.

But I know it's wrong. At least I don't know. But yeah, late, late bloomers. I feel like most of us are that.

Roxy: 00:13:09

Yes, yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:13:10

And there's nothing wrong with it.

Roxy: 00:13:12

No, I'm so here for the late bloomer. I mean, it's. It's like a badge. I'd rather peak later than have peaked in high school or in college. Right?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:13:22

Yes.

Roxy: 00:13:23

I mean, dear God.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:13:25

Yeah, thank God.

Roxy: 00:13:26

Thank God. And thank God we had no social media because, oh my God, think about, like all I did. So many crazy. I'm like, how am I even still alive?

Well, yeah, it's like, wow, right? Is there anything in your 20s that you're so glad, you know, you didn't. You weren't so famous for at that time?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:13:49

Well, I gotta say that in my 20s.

Roxy: 00:13:53

I.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:13:55

And for anybody listening to this who is in their 20s, like, let's just call it what it is, you were sold a bill of goods, that this is going to be the greatest decade of your life. It isn't. It's full of self doubt. It's full of trial and error. You don't really know what you want in your 20s.

You think you do, and everything's legal by the time you're in your 20s, but most of the time you're broke. You're acting a little bit out of desperation. You're acting a little bit out of insecurity. You don't know yourself that much yet as an adult.

So yeah, I don't look at my 20s like, wow, I wish I could go back there. No, I felt like, oh, by the time I was 40. Oh, 40 was such a great age. Like, ah, I felt like I was climbing onto a life raft. And then 50 was better.

Like for me it's like this getting older thing. I like it, I really like it. But I don't know if I answered your question.

I can't say like, like, did I do anything that I would be really embarrassed about? Not really.

I was kind of not getting anywhere and just trying things, you know, bouncing from job to job and sometimes working like three dead end jobs at a time. But that's what your 20s are, you know. I'm sorry. Especially when you try to be in a creative field.

Roxy: 00:16:03

Yeah. There's no guarantee, right. You're like, I could work all day long at 10 jobs and there.

But then you see people that seemingly overnight kind of get something. So it's like there's no rhyme or reason, right?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:16:16

Yeah.

Roxy: 00:16:17

So you just have to keep like kind of trucking. Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:16:19

Just keep going. Your path is your path. Don't compare yourself to anybody. Which is really, really hard. Yeah, that's really hard not to do.

But it, it gets you nowhere and just makes you miserable.

Roxy: 00:16:31

Yeah. Have you had to like kind of reckon with that a bit? Like, how did you do it? Because social media, you know, is everywhere.

We can see people doing whatever they're doing, you know.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:16:41

Yeah. So again, thank God we didn't have that because that would have driven me to suicide, you know, I mean, let's, I'm not joking.

Like it, it's so toxic and horrible. I would have just been sobbing all the time. But it, it does force you to get resourceful.

It does force you to pivot and it forces you to like do the trial and error thing and realize, oh, wait, okay, so I did this. It didn't work out, but it also didn't kill me, did it? Now at least I know something. It's like going through a maze, right?

And you hit your head against a wall and then. So what are you going to do? Just stand there staring at the wall you hit your head against?

Or are you going to look to your right, look to your left, look behind you and see where the next path is? You know, that's what you have to do. And some people, they do stay looking at the wall. They just hit their Head against saying, I don't. I don't.

I don't see another way. I guess I'm screwed. No, you're not trying, you know, you have to kick your own butt.

Roxy: 00:17:53

That's a great analogy, Wendy. Like the maze. I've never heard it described like that, but it's. It's so visual. And it's like. That's exactly it. It's like you have a choice.

You always have a choice, right? So you can go forward, backward, right, left. Like you pick your. Pick your way, you know, but make that step.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:18:11

Your maze is going to be different than somebody else's maze. So there is really no reason to compare yourself to other people. Again, I say that like it's easy to stop doing that. It isn't.

But at least have the awareness that you know it's bad.

Roxy: 00:18:28

Exactly. Just kind of know that a little bit. Right. Do you think, like all of your amazing improv and groundlings, do you think that prepared you even more?

Because you have to be so. So in the moment, you know, it's like you're getting reactions from. It's. It's just so like you're present right there.

Do you think that that helped prepare you even for, like, midlife?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:18:49

You know, a hundred percent, 100%. And you don't realize that when you're. When you're going into it.

But what I have learned looking back is that it really did prepare me for everything. Because when you're improvising and you're improvising well, it's not about getting all the laughs.

It's about keeping the story moving so that the story goes somewhere. Otherwise, bad improvisers will just end up fighting, starting an argument and trying to get punchlines out. No, no, no.

You have to keep adding information so that again, you keep moving through the maze. So now I can talk to anybody, I can have a conversation with anybody and bluff my way through any topic if I need to.

You know, that does come in handy. Don't ask me to give you an example, because I can't right now. But it does come in handy. And it's all about saying yes to things. You never deny.

So if someone lays out information, you don't turn around and say, nuh, that didn't happen. No. In improv, you always say yes, and then you justify it, and that's where the comedy comes out. So with that in mind. Yeah.

As you're going through life, just keep saying, okay, then what? Yes, then what? Then what, then what? That's how you get ahead. That's how you keep moving.

Roxy: 00:20:19

That's good too, because yeah, if you say yes, if you're a yes person, you don't know what you could be opening opportunity right and left that maybe you didn't before. It's all reframing your mind. Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:20:30

Reframing your mind. And sometimes it's yes, and I can't do that, but I can do this. But starting from a mindset of what can I do? Feature that.

Don't feature what you can't do. What do you bring to the table?

Roxy: 00:20:51

Right. Brings another option. Even if you have to right the.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:20:55

Option no one's thought of.

Roxy: 00:20:56

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:20:57

Because I always say, like, no one wants dessert until you parade the dessert cart by. And then they say, oh, wait, I do want that. I do want that scone. I do want that tiramisu. You know, it took you showing it to me, realize I wanted it.

Roxy: 00:21:15

See, that's, that's also good for women in midlife because I feel like, you know, we can tend to get stuck a little bit sometimes, you know, the weight of the world and. Yeah. Where we are in life. And these timelines start playing sometimes in your head, you know, and it's like, okay, check myself.

Like at 40, am I supposed to be here at 45? At 50, at 55. And you just kind of go down the thing. And my thing is I'm like saying, fuck timelines.

Like, if you want to go and start a business at 75, do it. If you want to. Yeah. If you're in an unhappy marriage and you want to get out at 60 years old, do it.

Like there's nothing holding people to these timelines in their heads. And I wonder if you've ever contended with that. Have you ever had that timeline sort of mentality?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:22:01

Yeah, when I was young, I had it because everybody else did, you know, and so you kind of take on the mindset of the people you surround yourself with. But as you get older and your time becomes more precious and your, your mental well being, and thank God people are talking about this more now.

Mental well being becomes everything you realize, or I realize at least. Like, hey, I'm in my 50s. I don't feel any different than I did when I was in junior high school. Except I have that lack of self consciousness.

Self consciousness. Now I can drive a car and I got some money, but I feel the same. So what does that mean? I could live another 50 years.

The women in my family live until their early hundreds. So, like, this is a second. Let's let's talk about this as a second chance. And it's almost like, hey, I'm doing it. I. What's holding me back? There's.

There's. Is there something to be gained by me not doing xyz? No. So do it. You know, again. Maybe. Maybe you only live five more years.

Don't you want it to be good? Don't you want it to be blissful? So. So what's stopping you from doing the thing?

Roxy: 00:23:40

It's the fear. It's the fear, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:23:42

And what. What's the worst that can happen? It doesn't work out. Guess what? How many things in life have not worked out? And here you are still.

Is it going to kill you? No. Are you going to lose all your money? Well, I hope.

I hope you're not that ridiculous, but, you know, there's research out there to, you know, motivate you or give you a blueprint for whatever that thing is. And what's to stop you? Just do it. Just, you know. God, I don't know. I'm starting to get repetitive, but I think it's true.

Roxy: 00:24:17

It's like, get. Get out there. Do it. Like, don't be embarrassed. I think embarrassment, too, holds people back.

A lot of them, they're like, oh, what will, you know, Tom from the office think? Or, what will this other mom think? Or what? You know, whatever it is, it's like people don't have the time to even.

I think that they think that people are ruminating over their choices, and it's like, nobody has the time. Like, just go, dear God, no one's.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:24:39

Thinking about you that much.

Roxy: 00:24:41

No.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:24:41

No. And if they are, they're mentally ill and you shouldn't be hanging around with them. Like, what's the worst case scenario? They say something snide.

Who cares?

Roxy: 00:24:53

Who the fuck cares, right?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:24:55

I mean, seriously, are they paying your bills? No. You don't even like this person. It sounds like.

Roxy: 00:25:03

Who cares about Tom from the office?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:25:05

Seriously, Office can suck it. So.

Roxy: 00:25:09

So, you know, being in Hollywood, geez, you're, like, on this global platform and there's so many. There's so much attention. How do you protect your peace and your mental health?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:25:19

One thing. I never moved to Los Angeles. I still live in Long Beach.

Roxy: 00:25:23

Oh, you're still in Long Beach. Oh, wow. Okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:25:27

I don't want to live up there. Yeah. So that's a big part of it right there. Sure. I spend hours on the freeway every day. But that's okay because I'm. I'm down Here. I like it here.

People around me are not trying to all do the same thing. My parents are three miles away. My best friend is a mile away. Like, I'm set up here. It's very nice. Okay.

And I don't do like you, you don't see me going to clubs or everybody's party. Like, please don't make me go to a party.

Roxy: 00:26:02

No freak offs.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:26:04

Oh. Can you think of anything more dreary, I mean, than a freak off?

Roxy: 00:26:11

Honestly, I'm like, why? Like, there's no redeeming. There's nothing redeeming like, the way these things are described. I'm like, why? Sounds awful.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:26:22

How awful? And what do people think they're gonna get? Yeah. Career or relationship? Yep, honey. I mean, that's a big part of it.

And I, you know, I, I do what I need to do to keep my career going. But to me, that does not include, like, going to every single red carpet thing there is. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:26:48

Do you like that though? Do you like going to like, when you have to do press and like the red carpet?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:26:53

I don't mind doing press.

Roxy: 00:26:55

Okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:26:58

I would say I do just the right amount. But the red carpet stuff is very soul crushing.

Roxy: 00:27:08

Saying the same thing over and over.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:27:12

And like having your elbows critiqued or like, you know, I just never get the fashion totally right. And I'm, I'm someone who, look, I, I can snatch it up when I need to, but there's always going to be cat hair on me.

There's always going to be like something askew and, you know, I just, oh, God, whatever it. And then someone's always going to have something to say about it. Yeah, but like, I'm here for the, the working part of it. I like the acting bit.

The other stuff is like, it's, I have to do it, you know, and I've made my peace with it, but I can't say it's fun. I will say that I don't hate it, but it's not. It is work. It's work.

Roxy: 00:28:09

It's definitely part of the job.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:28:10

Right.

Roxy: 00:28:12

What about with unsolicited advice specifically about career or body? And I'll give you an example.

Back in my earlier days when I was kind of mentoring with this person, I remember I was going in, we were doing some hosting stuff, practicing, and this person looked at, told me, just kind of unprompted, turned around and said, you don't look like a Victoria's Secret model, so you're probably not gonna work TV and hosting. But, you know, you could maybe try singing or something else, like, trying to give other things. And it. Did it hurt?

Like, it hurt the shit out of me at the time, you know, I was like, God, what an ass. How could he say this? And maybe he was right. But in a way, it kind of fueled me to even be more like, no, fuck that. I'm gonna go after it.

Like, I'm gonna do it my own way, you know? So it was kind of like. I don't want to say it wasn't inspiration, but it was fuel, you know, like, in a lot of ways.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:29:04

Yeah.

Roxy: 00:29:05

Have you had any experiences like that where it's kind of like that unsolicited, you know, critique or.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:29:10

Oh, somebody always feels like they gotta weigh in on such matters, you know? And what I've found is the first person to say something snarky like that is the first person to leave the industry, so.

Oh, you don't look like a Victoria's Secret model. Yes, most people don't. They don't even look like themselves. Like, that takes a weird regimen. You tell me. Show me one.

Show me a Victoria's Secret model that's really gone on to break barriers in the industry. And, like, I don't know. I just think that's a weird comparison. Like, okay, you're a Victoria's Secret model. That's great.

You can walk around in your knickers on the Runway while having an active eating disorder, but do those people. Are they good at hosting? Like, feels like comparing apples to some other fruit that has a very short shelf life.

Roxy: 00:30:19

Totally.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:30:20

Totally.

Roxy: 00:30:21

It does.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:30:22

That's such a dumb thing to say. Yeah. Don't.

Don't assume that that's what everybody in the world wants to look at or hear from, because then you have plenty of other examples of people that weren't that. I'm looking at you. Oprah. You. Seems to be doing okay.

Roxy: 00:30:45

Made a name for herself.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:30:47

Yeah, that's. That's so snarky.

And a lot of times people will say things like that as a power play to sort of show you, you know, to kind of get you in line on their terms. But it doesn't even mean that it's true. It just means they know it's gonna hurt you or affect you in some way. So. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:31:10

What do you do with those people?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:31:11

The bird. And keep it moving.

Roxy: 00:31:13

Exactly. They're not. They're lost in the maze. They're not getting out of that maze.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:31:18

Yeah, they're not getting out of that maze.

Roxy: 00:31:19

Nope.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:31:20

Not at all.

Roxy: 00:31:22

So what is one Thing Especially, like, I found that in midlife, that I am done apologizing. Like, a lot of times I'd be like, oh, gosh, sorry. Like, if I had to, you know, say something out of. Out of turn or whatever.

What is something that you're done with apologizing for at this stage?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:31:40

Ooh, I love that. Apologizing. Oh. I will never apologize for asking for what's fair for me. Like, in a negotiation.

Roxy: 00:31:58

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:31:59

Okay. And it's funny that that's come up less and less. I've. I've been able to prove that I'm worth what I'm asking for. Okay.

But it is interesting how sometimes on the other end, a. An entity that I might be negotiating with is. Wow, someone's. Really. Huh. You. You think you deserve that? Yes. And here's why.

And here's what I bring to the table. Do you need references? I've got those, too. I've got a track record of X, Y, Z. So, yes, this is what I want.

And if we can't make it work, then we don't need to do this. I always have one foot out the door, and I'm ready to go. Like, if.

If I ask for something, and I don't mean this to sound like arrogant or whatever, but I put in the time I've put in, you know, and I. And I know what I bring.

So, not trying to be arrogant, but, like, if you want me to come in and do your movie that is half written, I assume you're going to want me to do some improv and fill in the blanks and give some connective tissue. Okay. This is what it's going to be. And if we can't make it work, peace and love. I won't be there. I'm not caving. I know what I've done before.

That's fine. I won't die. If this doesn't happen, move on to the next thing. Move on. Move further down the maze. So, like, that's.

That's something I think women should not need to feel bad about it. Like, ask, you know, but know your worth, know what you bring, and know what you've got going on at home.

So if you need certain accommodations, listen, if they're not out of line, you shouldn't feel bad asking would a man? Probably not. Doesn't matter. But if you. If you want me to do a certain job a certain way, this is what I need.

Roxy: 00:34:22

Have you always been like that? Especially, like, with work? No.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:34:25

I love that I always be the one that's like, so would you like me to bring my own clothes? Or, you know what? If you don't have the money right now, just pay me in a month. That gets you nowhere.

Yeah, you got to show people how to treat you and then be worth it.

Roxy: 00:34:45

That's the problem. I feel like women can be. Feel guilty asking for their worth, and that is such.

That is something that needs to be dispelled, like, so hard because everyone. We're all worth it. Like, why feel guilty? Like, you're saying a man will walk into a room and be like, I need this. Like, now.

We'll think twice about it.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:35:05

You know what men won't do is say, oh, really? Well, it's interesting that you're talking to me like that. Like, would you, like, don't qualify it. Like, for instance, what I just said about.

Well, a man wouldn't do that. Well, some women might say that in a negotiation. Would you say that to a man? No, don't even go there. They know they wouldn't say it.

Just say, this is what I need. No. Bye. And stick to it.

Roxy: 00:35:36

Yeah, stick to it. That's important, too.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:35:39

And if they want you, they will come back. But you might be on to the next thing.

Roxy: 00:35:46

Yeah, right. It could be better. It could be better. You know, it could be better.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:35:50

This or something better. This or something better. That's what you got to think about.

Roxy: 00:35:55

Do you manifest?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:35:56

I hear that probably. You know, one of the many manifestation books I've read in the last 20 years. But. But it's true. It's true. Do you manifest?

Roxy: 00:36:06

Do you do that?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:36:09

Yes.

Roxy: 00:36:09

Oh, okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:36:11

Again. And. And that's such a. That's such a funny way of saying it. And we've. It's been so ingrained in the culture now, but it's like. But it has to be.

How do I want to say it? You know, the secret came out and it ruined us all. It made it sound like, oh, yes, you know, you.

You put your order in with the universe and it all just comes to you. But that's. No, you have to, like, want it and then take the proper steps. Take inspired action to go get it right and work.

You have to work your ass off. But, yeah, I do feel like if you put something. If you say something out loud, that is a powerful thing.

And if you start taking the steps, things will align if it's aligned with you, and if not, at least you know, not to go in that direction, that there is something better. But you just have to know and understand that if something Goes away, something else comes along. Always, always, always, always, always. Yes.

Roxy: 00:37:24

Correct.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:37:25

So when I miss out on something now at this advanced age, like, if I don't get a part or something, I never sulk about that because I have never looked back on something that I didn't get and said, damn, that should have been me. I always think, hey, it wasn't mine, and I don't want it if it's not mine. This was meant for that person or I dodged a bullet. Yeah. You know? Yeah.

Roxy: 00:38:01

I mean, can you feel also happy for that person? Like, if they maybe got okay. So you can feel happy and be like, I am so glad that that person got it.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:38:09

Yeah, that's.

Roxy: 00:38:10

That's really good. That's really good energy to put out.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:38:14

You know, when I was young, I would. It's not fair. You know what? Come on, don't be like that. It wasn't yours. Shut up about it. Shut the fuck up.

Roxy: 00:38:30

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:38:31

Your life is ruined. No, it isn't.

Roxy: 00:38:35

Isn't that funny how those things. We feel like it's the end of the world at that age, you know, I'm like, those were the things that were not even.

I mean, it wasn't even that serious back then. Now it's like it's so different, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:38:47

You think your life is. Is over because of this dumb little job that you didn't get or some man that you didn't get. Come on.

Roxy: 00:38:56

Oh, yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:38:57

No, no, no. You placed way too much importance on that.

Roxy: 00:39:00

Yes, correct.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:39:01

Acting like a shitty friend to yourself to keep saying these things.

Roxy: 00:39:05

That's true. We are our own worst. Our own worst friends to ourselves, you know? And that.

That kills me because it's like, if you are not good to yourself, how can you expect anyone else to be good to you?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:39:17

Yeah, don't carry that ickiness around with you because it's. It stops everything.

Roxy: 00:39:22

Yes, it does.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:39:24

No, it stops your blessings. Listen to me. Acting like a wizard over here. I don't know.

Roxy: 00:39:29

Wizarding.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:39:30

Windy.

Roxy: 00:39:31

We like that. There is, like, this term that's, like, out that I just. I hate. It's called aging gracefully. And I'm like, oh, God, here we go.

So they want us to just sit there, you know, sit back, take it as it comes, whatever. And in my opinion, it's more like, take it as you want it. Like, so maybe you're aging unapologetically. Maybe you're.

You're content with just staying the same. Maybe you want to make changes. Maybe you want to do things different. Maybe you want to do plastic surgery. Maybe you don't want to do plastic surgery.

It's whatever that person wants. So what do you think about that whole sort of notion?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:40:12

Yeah, that's a term that's. That I've been hearing since I was a kid.

And I understand what people mean by it, but I also think it's very limiting because after a while, you shouldn't even worry about if people. If people think you're aging gracefully or not. I Does. What does it mean? Don't make an ass of yourself. Don't wear inappropriate attire.

But I. I sure never took that to mean put yourself on the sidelines and start crocheting, unless that's really what you want to do. But I think, you know, you want to go with your face. Do it, but do it for your reason.

Don't do it because someone online told you you needed to, because those people are going to tell you you did too much. So it's got to be your decision and nobody else's. And don't do it for anyone other than yourself.

If you want to go and get your teeth put where your eyelashes should be, then God bless, okay? And you want to wear an Abe Lincoln hat for the rest of your life, do it. But it's got to be you that's. That's doing it.

It's got to be your motivation and yours alone, not because someone else said something.

Roxy: 00:41:36

True.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:41:36

I don't know. Yeah, but, you know, listen, go wear your hot pants. I don't. I don't care. Whatever.

Roxy: 00:41:43

Throw on your tube top, your crop top, all your tops.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:41:46

Throw on your crop top and. And a tutu. Yeah. And do your thing, girl. Go to Costco and live it up. I don't know.

Roxy: 00:41:55

Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:41:56

You know who I think looks really good?

Roxy: 00:41:59

Who? Tell me.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:41:59

Talk about aging gracefully. First of all, Debbie Harry, Blondie.

Roxy: 00:42:04

She looks amazing.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:05

Goddess.

Roxy: 00:42:06

How old is she now, do you think?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:08

80.

Roxy: 00:42:08

No, she's not.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:09

Yes, she is.

Roxy: 00:42:11

Oh, my gosh. Like, she looks amazing.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:14

She looks amazing. Tony Basil, 81 looks amazing. These are the women that I'm looking at. The Go Go's. The whole group, like, hey, love it. Love your look. Love your vibe.

Love everything.

Roxy: 00:42:29

Still rocking out, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:30

Still rocking out. Yeah. Doing things the way they want to do it. That's what I love. And that's. That's kind of the generation, I guess. It's a Gen X thing.

Like, hey, we survived. Put on your combat boots. We.

Roxy: 00:42:49

We were taking care of ourselves at 10 years old.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:51

I mean, it's like, no, but don't you remember babysitting? I mean, I don't, I don't know how old you are.

Roxy: 00:42:56

50.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:42:57

50, okay, so we're same generation. But you remember probably being 10 or 11 years old, watching babies like you're babysitting infants by yourself. Yeah, for a dollar an hour.

I mean, that's what we did. That's what people trusted us to do. That.

Roxy: 00:43:18

I mean, it taught us, look where it's gotten us, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:43:20

Look where it's gotten us. And I know, you know, I have friends with kids now who are like, I don't know. I don't know if I can leave my 16 year old at home.

Well, that's pathetic.

Roxy: 00:43:31

That's not a good sign, people. I'm like, if you can't walk into the house at nine years old, make your own dinner, you know, get a kid to sleep, then what the heck are you doing?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:43:43

Yeah. Yeah. We didn't always have babysitters ourselves. I remember being left alone in elementary school to take care of my sister. And I loved it.

Roxy: 00:43:51

Yeah, it gives you independence, keeps you into. Yes, there's something to be said for that. But between that and our drinking out of the garden hoses, I mean, we survived that. Hello.

Warm plastic garden hose.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:44:06

Water so dead. All the time.

Roxy: 00:44:10

All the time. I mean, look at this time.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:44:12

Yeah. And you know, oh, gosh, I just remember always having scrapes on me and. Oh, yeah, bandages and this and that. And I loved it.

Roxy: 00:44:23

Loved it.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:44:24

Go roller skating in the street and fall down and. No, get back up and keep. Keep going. I think that's, maybe that's just our generation. We, we just know how to, how to take it.

Roxy: 00:44:38

We took care of ourselves and like everybody else that we had to, you know, and we didn't about it like the, you know, I mean, it's just a different, it was a different time.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:44:49

Yeah.

Roxy: 00:44:50

But it made us so much more self sufficient. Like, I'm so glad. Right. Like, we just were like, you know what? We don't need. We can, we can take care of ourselves. Okay. Right?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:45:00

Yeah.

Roxy: 00:45:01

I mean, it's, it's. I miss the, the Gen X. And speaking of Gen X and rockers, I noticed Duran Duran follows you. Hello. I was like, oh my God, I'm.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:45:15

Good friends with, with the girl that runs their social media.

Roxy: 00:45:18

Oh, okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:45:19

I was like, oh, yeah, she does. Her name's Caddy Krasner. She's awesome. And she, you should have her on your podcast. She's very interesting.

But she does a radio show Every week with Simon Levon. So they're co hosts of this. This music show where they, like, give you new things for your playlist, which we all do. We. Which we all need. Right.

So we're not listening to the same stuff over and over, but it's a really fun show, and they have, like. They introduce you to a lot of music around the world that you just wouldn't know about normally. And so, yeah, I've. I've gotten to meet Simon.

I've gotten to go backstage, which is very cool. But it's. But she is a kick in the pants. She's really fun, and she lives in New York.

If she lived out here, I told her, girl, you'd have keys to my house. Total fridge privileges. You know, I'd have a bail account for you to get her out of jail.

Roxy: 00:46:31

You're like, I'll be your call.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:46:32

She's awesome. She's really fun.

Roxy: 00:46:35

Wait, that is GS. So you've been backstage to meet the band?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:46:38

Yes.

Roxy: 00:46:39

Okay, that's cool. How were they?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:46:42

It was so. It was like, did I leave my body? Yeah, because this is.

It was one of those things where it's like I might throw up all over myself or I will hold it together and scream later. I don't know how this is gonna go. So I don't think I made a fool of myself.

Roxy: 00:47:03

Okay, that's good.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:47:05

It was lovely. I got to meet Simon. I took a picture with Roger. Yasmin Le Bon.

Roxy: 00:47:12

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:47:12

She was there. And. And his daughter Talia Lula. So I got to meet them. Just lovely people. Just lovely people. But, like, I love going to concerts.

My husband and I, we go to as many shows as we can. I love, love, love live music, and it's so fun to be able to tell artists that you grew up with, like, oh, my God, you're.

Your music is like the soundtrack to all the plans I was making for world domination.

Roxy: 00:47:50

Totally your evil plan.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:47:53

But it's so funny, because the last time I got to go see Duran Duran, it was earlier this year in January. And a friend of mine who is a celebrity photographer now, and he lived across the street from me as kids.

We were just like, these weird Long beach kids, and we've had some. Some success, but we went out to the Yamaba Casino.

Roxy: 00:48:15

Oh, is that, like, in the desert or something? Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:48:18

Riverside or whatever. But it's a great place to see a show, and.

And we got backstage and everything, and we're in the green room, and, like, oh, there's Simon and Blah, blah, blah. But then the clock is ticking and I'm like, I'm tired. We don't have to say hi.

Like, I wanted to so badly, but it was also like, look, this man has just performed for two hours. I don't know what we can possibly expect from him. He doesn't need to bullshit with us. Let's just go.

So we did, but I'm telling you, my, my 14 year old self was like, what?

Roxy: 00:48:58

So you left before saying like a full. Are you.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:49:01

Yeah, it's this past time.

Roxy: 00:49:03

Okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:49:03

We, we didn't say anything, but you.

Roxy: 00:49:05

Know, I mean, when we're tired, we're tired. You know, when we're done, we're done.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:49:10

Yeah. And I, and I just was like, listen, he's got a whole room of people he's got a schmooze with. You can we can sit this one out?

It was very nice of him to give us the tickets. Let's just let him do his thing and go to bed. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:49:28

You know, but I'm sure they equally see you and they're like, oh, that's cool. Like, Wendy's here. Like, yeah, she's awesome.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:49:43

Oh, that weird lady from. Who is this chick?

Roxy: 00:49:50

Not even. They're probably like, yes. Like, that's awesome.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:49:57

Okay.

But you, I'm sure you've had that, that experience yourself where you're like, oh my God, I'm in the presence of someone that I've been watching for years and years and years and I just want to tell this person how much they've meant to me all these years.

Roxy: 00:50:12

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:50:12

You know, and it's such a gift to be able to do that.

Roxy: 00:50:15

It is. No, you're right. And when it's, when it's good and when they're like really kind in return, that's huge.

But I've also had it the other way where it's somebody I've really looked up to. I met them and they were not the people person that I thought they were. I know. And it bummed me out.

I was like, oh, I just wish I had never even met her because I looked up to her for so long. And then she was very kind of dismissive and just not. I just. And it was like heartbreaking. I'm like, oh. I'm like, why did I have to meet her?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:50:46

And was it like, okay, maybe they were having a bad day? Or like, oh, no, you're a genuine bitch.

Roxy: 00:50:52

I think she was a genuine bitch because I was with another friend who she was extremely kind to, like within the same beat. So I was like. I'm like, maybe she didn't. I mean, maybe she just didn't vibe with me from the beginning and just didn't like me.

That's a possibility, too. But, like, I don't.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:51:09

I don't see how that was a possibility, Roxy. I simply do not accept that.

Roxy: 00:51:14

Oh, my good. Well, thank you. Thank you. But it was such a bummer. I'm like, damn. They always say, don't meet your heroes. And, like, I can see that sometimes.

But then, like, other times, if it's good, it's good, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:51:29

That's such a bummer, though. And you're like, oh, God. Well, that. Think my whole life.

Roxy: 00:51:37

Right. All right, I know. Damn.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:51:39

Who was your. Like, when you were growing up.

Roxy: 00:51:42

Yeah.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:51:42

And you watched TV or movies or whatever? Like, who was your North Star? Like, oh, I want to. I want to look like her. I want to be like her.

Roxy: 00:51:54

hool who rushed home to watch: 2020

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:52:06

Oprah.

Roxy: 00:52:07

Obviously, she's, like, so good at what she does, but then also, like, Maria Shriver and, like, Diane Sawyer and, you know, all these people.

Barbara Walters and, like, you know, just seeing all of these women, especially, like, in the 80s when, you know, women were still climbing that ladder, you know, and kind of trying to get somewhere, like, we still are a lot of the time. So for me, that was really, like, something that I loved. Like, I. I was kind of a nerd in that way, though.

I mean, who watches an interview show at 8 years old?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:52:38

Nerds rule the world. There's nothing wrong. Don't you say that like it's a bad thing. The nerds are the ones that get ahead.

Roxy: 00:52:44

Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:52:45

But you've always known you wanted to be an interviewer.

Roxy: 00:52:47

Yeah.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:52:48

Yeah, I love that.

Roxy: 00:52:50

Yeah. So that kind of was the thing. I'm like, nerd. Like, interview girl. How about you? What was your. What was your thing growing up? To watch?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:52:58

You know, I always vibed with, like, women who had some swagger. Okay. So, like, your. Your hair and makeup are on point, the nails are there, but you could also kick some ass if you needed to. So, like.

Or, like, there was a masculine swagger quality, like, Cher goddess, like Christy McNichol when she was a younger girl. I saw her on an episode of Starsky and Hutch, and I was like that right there. Look at how her hair is perfectly feathered when she runs.

Like, I never, like, Girls that did things. Okay. So it wasn't enough to, like, have on an evening gown. You had to be able to, like, I don't know, stick it to the man.

Roxy: 00:53:54

Yes. You know, actually, you know, when you're saying that, who comes up? And I remember, because I used to watch this show all the time with my parents.

Was the Carol Burnett Show.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:54:04

Yes.

Roxy: 00:54:04

Do you remember Carol Burnett? I mean, she was iconic. Iconic, right. And she kind of had that masculine energy, in a way, because she would stick it to her guy.

Same with Lucille Ball. I mean, they had that.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:54:17

They had that they could compete. Yes, yes. I'm like. And dominate.

Roxy: 00:54:22

Yes, and dominate. And they're funny. Like, there's something about people who are funny. Like, you're saying that you're drawn to them. I mean, that's a gift.

Not everybody has comedic timing, you know.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:54:33

No, and not everybody. There was something. The thing with Carol Burnett, it wasn't just that she was funny.

It was that there was a warmth to her where you felt like she was talking just to you, you know, and that is the biggest thing about having staying power, is your audience needs to feel that you. That you love them and that they're doing. You're doing this for them. And with her, you always felt like, yeah, she's famous, but she's mine.

Roxy: 00:55:16

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:55:17

You know?

Roxy: 00:55:18

Yes. She had that connection, like, that deep connection.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:55:21

And she's so gracious. Like, I've.

Roxy: 00:55:23

Have you met her?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:55:25

A couple times.

Roxy: 00:55:26

Oh, my God.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:55:27

And I haven't been able to, like, you know, swoon over her. And, like, you don't know what you meant to me as a child, but I. I've run into her.

I've taken some pictures of her, and she really is the most gracious woman with just a glow around her. Dolly Parton has it, too.

Roxy: 00:55:46

Oh, she. Iconic. I mean.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:55:48

Yeah. Where you're like, why don't we just dispatch you to the Middle East? Right? Because I think you could fix it just by your presence in a minute.

Roxy: 00:55:58

She could.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:55:59

Yeah. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:56:01

Have you met her, too? Tell me.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:56:03

No, I. I did get to go to the CMAs once, and she was like, oh, my God. Swanning back and forth. And I was like, she has it. You know what I mean? Some people just have. You. You feel electricity when they're there.

Roxy: 00:56:21

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:56:21

And she has it.

Roxy: 00:56:22

It's like when. Like Moses, like, parting the seas. It's like that right? When she walks in, it's like people. Everybody turns around, right?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:56:30

Everybody turns around and, you know, she's got the. Her. She Decks herself out in a very specific way. But damn it, it works.

Roxy: 00:56:40

She can get away with anything. Anything.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:56:42

She can get away with it. And you, and you're like, yes. I don't want you to look any different than you do. You are perfect.

Roxy: 00:56:50

Yes, more.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:56:51

More. Yes, yes.

Roxy: 00:56:54

More. We need more, Dolly, more.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:56:56

How do I feed off of this?

Roxy: 00:56:59

Yeah, it's true. So what advice would you give to your 25 year old self? First of all, what was 25 year old Wendy like?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:57:10

So 25 year old Wendy was still living at home and going to school and working a dead end job that I was still lucky to get because it was an office job and not retail at a shitty hotel in Anaheim.

Roxy: 00:57:27

Oh, Disneyland area.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:57:29

Right down the street from Disneyland. And I did know my husband at the time, so that's good. That's the one thing I had going for me that was good.

And I just did not know how I was going to get anywhere in life because I had no blueprint for what I wanted to do. I knew what I wanted. I had no encouragement. My family just did not think me getting into this business was a good idea.

That took a long time for them to come around, but they have. And I just felt very stuck. Very, very stuck. But looking back, that's kind of par for the course. Like better to feel stuck at 25 than at 40.

Get that out of the way. Get all that indecision and ugliness out of the way when you're young.

And I'm lucky that I had parents that let me live at home, you know, but I had no self confidence. I had. And I saw I was very, very lost. Very, very lost and trying to find things to do, employment wise that would.

I was trying to do everything but get into acting. But that's all I ever wanted to do. So I thought, well, I got to do something to make a living.

And I don't know, I just, I was, I was, I don't even, I don't even like to look at pictures of myself from that time. It was very different. Yeah.

Roxy: 00:59:24

Wow. How did you get unstuck?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 00:59:27

Well, you're not going to hear this from that many people, but I found getting married and leaving the house to be very liberating. So I luckily married a nice man and he was the one that said, well, why don't you try this? I, I think you can do it.

So that's when I got that permission. Him giving me permission and saying I think you can do it gave me permission to give myself permission. Does that make sense.

So that's when things kind of started falling into place. It's like, oh, so you're telling me I. We can pay for improv classes, we can do this. Yeah.

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work, but you might as well try. And until that, my. My life motto was kind of like, Homer Simpson, you tried and you failed. So the lesson is never try.

Roxy: 01:00:30

In the wise words of Homer.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:00:35

Someone you want to listen to. So my sweet little Greg, he was the reason. He's the reason I have any happiness. It's literally because, you know, he was there for you.

Roxy: 01:00:51

I mean, he believed in you and.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:00:54

Let me not feel crazy.

Roxy: 01:00:57

Does it change and does it evolve over time because you guys are still obviously married and, you know, like, especially Hollywood. I mean, that's a rarity. You guys have something special.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:01:07

Yeah.

Roxy: 01:01:07

You know.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:01:09

Yeah. That's been like, continues to be the best decision I've ever made. You know, get yourself a good partner who gets it and who can ride the waves.

And, you know, the. The thing of it is, is, like, if I have him, I know everything's gonna be okay. It could all go away.

But, like, I'd rather be poor with him than rich with somebody else. I'd rather sit in LA traffic with him than go to Paris with anyone else. Like, I know, you know, this is. This is solid. This is my person.

Roxy: 01:01:54

And if you can sit in LA traffic with somebody and not kill them and be laughing my head off, I mean, that's huge. I mean, Duran Duran in the background, that's pretty perfect. That's pretty good. With John Taylor and Simon Levon on one side and the Hubs on the.

I mean, don't need them.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:02:22

Oh, my God.

Roxy: 01:02:24

So how are you living iconically during this part of life right now?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:02:30

How am I living iconically? I don't know how to answer that question.

Roxy: 01:02:35

You just are iconic. I mean, come on, lady.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:02:38

I am living iconically by being unapologetic about my decisions at this point. Powerful.

Roxy: 01:02:52

Powerful, isn't it?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:02:53

Because anyone that's got anything to say negatively about my decisions is not someone I need to be hanging out with is not someone who's even close in the circle. So who the hell cares? I don't know. But am I living iconic? Well, I did just get a new floral bathing cap.

Roxy: 01:03:19

Oh, I saw this on your Instagram. Yes, lady.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:03:23

Uhhuh. I mean, let's bring those back. I mean, let's just bring them back.

Roxy: 01:03:28

Yes. And they're dual purpose pool, shower. I mean, you can do a lot with it.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:03:33

Yeah. I mean, feeding the crows out in the driveway in front of the neighbors.

Roxy: 01:03:38

Yes, yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:03:40

You know, 100%.

Roxy: 01:03:42

I am obsessed with your shower cap.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:03:44

You know, every last needs a good shower cap, and the louder, the better.

Roxy: 01:03:50

Yes, yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:03:51

Go to the neighborhood who's the weirdest, you know, and then they don't come over and try to borrow things.

Roxy: 01:03:59

It's a twofold. You know, there's a purpose to this. I want to live in your neighborhood. That sounds like the fine neighborhood.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:04:10

Oh, my gosh.

Roxy: 01:04:11

Oh, so good. Amazing. Well, we love to play a game at the end of the episodes. Would you be up for a game, Ms. Win?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:04:19

I love game.

Roxy: 01:04:20

All right, this will be easy for you because you're, like, improv queen. Okay, let me put on the old specs, because these eyes just don't work like they used to.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:04:29

Oh, isn't that something, too? Yeah. Take care of your eyes, people.

Roxy: 01:04:34

Oh, my God.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:04:35

Seriously, get the fish oils in.

Roxy: 01:04:37

Oh, my God, the eyes, the brain fog, the exhaustion. I'm like. Of all the things.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:04:43

Oh, the brain fog.

Roxy: 01:04:45

Oh, my God. Do you get it, too?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:04:46

Okay, first of all, I had Covid really bad. That could be an after effect. But also, menopause does that too, you know, because it's fun being a lady.

Roxy: 01:04:57

Yeah. Oh, I know. It's so many things. And then deciding, like, HRT and, like, treat.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:05:04

Oh, yeah.

Roxy: 01:05:05

It's a lot, you know, and it's.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:05:08

It's. What's great about the HRT is that every doctor has a different philosophy about it. So you. You can't get the real information.

Roxy: 01:05:16

No, you can't.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:05:17

Can you people get on the same page, please? There's a lot of sweaty, itchy, bitchy people who would like some relief. Yes.

Roxy: 01:05:26

As well as their partners.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:05:28

You know, my poor husband. So bad.

Roxy: 01:05:35

He's like, please, can you try something?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:05:38

Because do something. Yeah, please do something.

Roxy: 01:05:41

I can't have you yelling at me every time I breathe. You know, like, was that a chew?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:05:48

No more night kicking? Yeah, exactly.

Roxy: 01:05:54

Okay, so this is called. The name of the game is say the quiet part out loud.

So what I will do is I will say a phrase, and then, you know, when we typically have, like, an inner dialogue that's going on in our head, but we kind of keep it quiet.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:06:12

Yes. Yeah.

Roxy: 01:06:12

Say it out loud.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:06:13

Oh, that's interesting. All right.

Roxy: 01:06:15

Yes, yes, yes. Okay. When someone says, you're aging so gracefully, what's the quiet part?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:06:22

You're thinking, oh, God, I really want to give you something Good here, Roxy. But you're aging so gracefully. I would say. No, I just have 10 pounds of makeup on.

Roxy: 01:06:38

Good point, good point. As do we all.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:06:45

What if I told you I was 94?

Roxy: 01:06:49

God, you look great for 94.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:06:52

Right? Tell your friends.

Roxy: 01:06:56

Plastic surgery.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:07:02

Little lip, little tuck. Yeah, it's all natural.

Roxy: 01:07:06

It's all natural.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:07:07

It's all natural.

Roxy: 01:07:08

Although I did say, while we're talking about facelifts, Chris Jenner looks amazing. Lindsay Lohan looks amazing. I'm like, I want what they're having.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:07:16

What? What the hell? Now I want to see that in. In real life. Yeah.

Roxy: 01:07:22

Right. We need to inspect. Yeah. Right.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:07:25

Yeah. But, yeah, there have been great strides made.

Roxy: 01:07:30

Yes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:07:31

In that field.

Roxy: 01:07:32

Okay. When a producer tells you that they're going in a different direction and it's with a man named Chad, like, oh.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:07:57

Oh, boy. I guess the quiet part would be, don't ever call me again, you stupid idiot. Don't waste my time.

Roxy: 01:08:08

Lose my number.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:08:12

Let's never speak again.

Roxy: 01:08:14

Totally. Totally.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:08:15

A man named Chad.

Roxy: 01:08:17

A man named Chad. And Chad of all things too, right? The name, it's like you can see Chad in your head. Right?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:08:24

Like, of course it's Chad.

Roxy: 01:08:26

Of course it's Chad. Right? Chad always. Yeah, he always up. When a red carpet reporter calls your look unexpected.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:08:40

I would say, is that code for, you know, ugly? Like unexpected. Oh, I suppose you think I have a good personality, too. Unexpected. That's a. That's a sandwich, right?

That's a. Yeah, that's a backhanded compliment. That's not a compliment. Right. Unexpected.

Roxy: 01:09:13

Unexpected. And it's like in that tone too, you know, like, please.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:09:19

Yeah. Huh. Huh.

Roxy: 01:09:22

When someone asks you how do you stay so grounded?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:09:28

I would say, is that unusual? Like, you know, that's one of those other, like, nonsense things like say, oh, my God, that's so human. Yeah. Oh, God. Yeah. Those are just mouth sounds.

Yeah. I don't even know what that sounds.

Roxy: 01:09:54

Totally. A mouth sound.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:09:55

Like, that's just being so present. Or. Yeah, it's. It's like goofy speak. I don't even know what.

Roxy: 01:10:06

Yeah. Like, what does that even mean? Like, come on.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:10:08

How do you stay so grounded? Yeah, well, coffee, enemas. I don't. I don't even know what that's. That's a weird prelude to a conversation that's boring as hell, I guess.

Roxy: 01:10:22

Oh, yes. You already know you're going to be checking out of that one. You're like, okay, yeah, that's not happening.

When you hear a 26 year old actor Complain about being too old for roles.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:10:38

So life is going to be really hard for you. You need to broaden your scope. Too old. Too old. Now. Yes, I have heard that. I have heard that idiotic statement.

But I would say you're saying that because someone said it to you. Get rid of that person.

Roxy: 01:11:02

Because naturally a 26 year old should never think something like that. Yeah.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:11:08

Unless you're auditioning for High School Musical. Whatever.

Roxy: 01:11:13

Yeah, yeah.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:11:17

But dear God, whoever is saying something that dumb needs to get in a time machine and go back to the 40s. Yeah.

Roxy: 01:11:26

And stay there.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:11:27

Stay there and stay there. Yes.

Roxy: 01:11:30

No need to come back.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:11:33

Wow. Too old. But yeah, I have heard that and that is really sad.

Roxy: 01:11:38

That's sad. That's scary.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:11:41

Bonkers.

Roxy: 01:11:42

Yeah, that's crazy. When the director says, just be more likable.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:11:49

You want to give me an example? Show me. What does that look like to you? Be more likeable.

Roxy: 01:12:02

Be more likable.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:12:03

Why'd you hire me?

Roxy: 01:12:05

Yeah, exactly, exactly.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:12:10

You should recast this role thing right away. Oh, be more likable. Oh dear, I'm adorable. Eat. Yeah, exactly. How dare you. How dare you say how very dare you. Oh.

Roxy: 01:12:33

When a fan quotes your line, but it's from a different actor in a different movie, but they think it's you. Have you ever had that happen? Has anyone ever mistaken you for somebody else?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:12:46

Yes, that has happened. Who? Who was it for? They haven't quoted me or quoted another. Is that true?

No, I did, I did get mistaken for someone that was on a very short lived show and I was too embarrassed to even say anything about. Was like, okay, let's just end this interaction now. Now's not the time. It was at a party, it was very loud. It was like I was already uncomfortable.

So I was just like, oh, yeah, okay, like you're not gonna remember this. Let's just end it. Sometimes it's, it's just too embarrassing to go. Yes.

Roxy: 01:13:28

And you're almost like more embarrassed for the. Than the person. Right. Like you almost feel more embarrassed for that.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:13:34

Yeah. No harm, no foul. You think you met so and so.

Roxy: 01:13:38

Yeah. When someone says, you're nothing like your characters.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:13:46

Yes. Thank you for noticing. Thank you for noticing.

Roxy: 01:13:53

Yeah, yeah, that's great.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:13:55

Wouldn't it be weird if I, if I were like my characters? Yeah, that would be. That would be terrible. But yeah. And yet some people are disappointed.

Roxy: 01:14:08

Are they? Because they think you're gonna be like, whoever.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:14:12

Wait a minute, you're not a mom. No, no, no. Yeah, I do find that remarkable. Yeah.

Roxy: 01:14:24

Huh. That's interesting.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:14:26

Yeah.

Roxy: 01:14:27

But maybe that means you play a mom so well that they think maybe. Oh, she's a mom. She's definitely a mom.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:14:33

Yeah. You're not a pothead. You're not like a bloody pothead. No. I'm so sorry. And there's no. There's no Tooth Fairy either. And there's no Santa Claus.

Roxy: 01:14:49

Like, you're gonna get let down a lot today.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:14:51

I know. I'm so sorry in advance for all the disappointment you're going to experience.

Roxy: 01:15:00

Oh, my gosh.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:15:01

It's so funny.

Roxy: 01:15:01

Okay, Hollywood, when somebody says, I don't have any idea of what to do with a woman over 40 in this.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:15:10

Role, well, then you aren't good at your job and you haven't been paying attention because they are legion. And if you.

I mean, the Internet is free, so if you start Googling who people are and what their real ages are, I think you're going to be surprised to see that there are plenty of people out there who do know what to do with them. So you might want to switch careers.

Roxy: 01:15:40

Exactly. You're like, time for a new job.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:15:43

Time for a new job. Go to Nickelodeon. I don't know what to tell you.

Roxy: 01:15:51

Yep. I mean, come on. I do feel like it's getting better the more I look around.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:15:55

Don't you? I think so, too. Yeah.

Roxy: 01:15:57

It's really changing, like, a lot, which is exciting. I mean, it's about fucking time already.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:16:04

I mean, we are interesting and there are, you know. Yeah. I feel like with all. There's so many stories that can be told and there's so many interesting, like, just read the newspaper.

There's lots of good stories there to be told. And, you know, that's so weird that. That anyone would say that, and yet they still do say it. But it's like, what. Who were we talking about earlier?

Deborah Harry? Blondie, who is 80. She is killing it.

There's like, I could rattle off so many pages and pages of names of women who are still in the game, and if you don't see that, you're not looking.

Roxy: 01:16:53

Yeah. They're not evolving. They're not looking, you know, and it's just. It's time to open your eyes.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:00

And also, like, getting older is the natural order of things. Like, every person, every sentient being, every object, everything is aging. So, like, why would you swim against that tide? That's what's happening.

Roxy: 01:17:18

Totally. Because the alternative is not being here anymore. So why, you know, I mean, go with it. Do it the best you can, you know?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:28

Yeah.

Roxy: 01:17:29

I mean, we're all in this together, lady.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:31

We're all in it together.

Roxy: 01:17:32

Oh, my gosh. Well, thank you so much, my love, for joining.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:36

You're so welcome.

Roxy: 01:17:37

You're so lovely, and I'm so glad.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:40

I got to chat with you again. I know. I'm so glad it worked out and so soon.

Roxy: 01:17:44

I know. Oh, my God. Amazing, amazing, amazing. Oh, Wendy, tell everybody where they can find you. I know you're on Instagram under your.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:52

Name, but I'm on Instagram. And that's. That's it.

Roxy: 01:17:57

That's it. And I'm.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:17:58

Any of the other socials.

Roxy: 01:18:00

Oh, okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:18:02

Yeah. So that's it. And I'm on a show called St. Denis Medical on NBC and Peacock, and we are filming season two right now. It should come out in November.

Roxy: 01:18:12

Do you have any aspirations for directing, writing, creating features, anything like that?

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:18:18

Yeah, we. I started a production company with some gals a couple months ago, and we are optioning things. And I have no interest in directing, though.

I like producing, but I don't want to direct. I'll leave that to people who really love that part of it. I don't.

Roxy: 01:18:40

Okay.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:18:41

I like being in front of the camera and I like getting other people jobs, but I. And I like writing stories or creating things, but I don't. I don't love being chained to my computer.

Roxy: 01:18:58

And that's what it is, right? It's like edits and takes, reviewing and.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:19:03

Exactly. It's a lot.

Roxy: 01:19:04

It's a lot.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:19:05

I'll let. I know plenty of good lady directors, and I'll let them do it.

Roxy: 01:19:11

Well, we love watching you, so keep doing that, lady. The best. The best.

Wendi McLendon-Covey: 01:19:16

Thank you, Roxy.

Roxy: 01:19:21

That was Wendy McLendon Covey. And honestly, I could have talked to her for hours.

She's sharp, hilarious, and completely unapologetic about who she is and how she shows up in the world.

Whether she's creating complex, unforgettable characters or quietly doing the work that matters, like rescuing animals and supporting other women, Wendy reminds us that midlife isn't about reinvention. It's about fully stepping into what's already yours. Be sure to follow her.

WendyMcLindoncovey and check the show notes for everything she's up to on screen and beyond. If this episode made you laugh, nod, or feel just a little bit braver, send it to a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review.

Every listen and every share helps the iconic midlife reach more women who deserve to be seen and heard. Follow the show, Share the love. And remember, we're not doing midlife quietly. We're doing it on our terms.