The Funny Kid Becomes the Dad: How We’re Raised with Kenan Thompson
4/14/202632 min
We all grow up playing a role in our family — the responsible one, the easy one, the funny one. For Kenan Thompson, that role started early. In this episode of How We’re Raised, Dr. Becky talks with Kenan about how becoming “the funny one” shaped the way he connects with people — and what it looks like to parent with more intention today. They discuss:
The connection between humor and emotional survival; What made Kenan’s childhood feel grounded despite early fame; Why he’s choosing a different approach to discipline with his daughters; Why he chose to write his new...
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First 90 secondsBecky Kennedy· Host0:00
I recently traveled to Switzerland for work, and I have to say, the home I booked on Airbnb really shaped the whole trip. It overlooked the mountaintops, and there was this sweet little porch where I could sit in the morning and drink my coffee. If you were following me during that time on Instagram, you saw me post from that exact location. Also, there was just this incredible coffee machine that somehow made my morning routine feel intact, even across the ocean. And I was also just able to get sunshine before a full day of conversations. All those quiet moments in the morning, they grounded me. Oh, and this touch I just loved, was I got three bars of Swiss chocolate left by my host, and I can confirm they were all gone by the end of my three-day stay. When I travel, I don't just want a place to sleep. I want a place to land, a living room where I can decompress, and a space where I can do bedtime over FaceTime and feel at home when I'm away from home. That's why I book homes on Airbnb. It helps me find places that feel grounding, not just convenient. Because when where you stay feels good, everything else feels a little better, too.
Kenan Thompson· Guest1:01
[Instrumental music] One of the biggest kind of ironic situations that a lot of comics are dark people.
Becky Kennedy· Host1:06
Mm-hmm.
Kenan Thompson· Guest1:07
But I wanna be a, a light person, you know what I mean? I wanna be a person that provides joy but also has joy.
Becky Kennedy· Host1:13
Mm-hmm.
Kenan Thompson· Guest1:14
And, like, what are we gonna do? Are we gonna dwell on, you know, negativities? Like, I would much rather try to spin towards the light.
Becky Kennedy· Host1:24
Here's something I think about a lot: the roles we play as kids.