How the unlikely pairing Studio Ghibli animation and '7th Heaven' paved the way for Anna Suzuki's comedy.

How Roy Wood Jr. almost chose firefighting instead of comedy.

How a childhood spent watching movies through one good eye led to a career in film criticism and comedy for Jourdain Searles.

How Barney the dinosaur and the acting bug paved the way for Grant Lindahl's animation career.

How indie filmmakers like Kevin Smith and MTV’s ‘Jackass’ inspired Jordan VanDina’s screenwriting and directing career.

How Brooklyn, Whoopi Goldberg, and a dash of anger inspired Kerry Coddett's unique career as a TV writer, fashion designer, musician and more.

How a childhood love of 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' aspirations of being a swimming cartoonist trash man laid the path for Ian Abramson's comedy career.

How a lifelong fascination with ads and a passion for finding the truth inspired journalist Madeline Moitozo to launch the social impact company, Juniper Media.

How Zach Cherry centers himself throughout his genre defying acting career.

How a childhood love of acting guided Sonia Denis away from the lucrative world of coding and onto a roller coaster of entertainment, including standup, TV writing and acting in Marvel’s ‘Ironheart.’

How comedy, a grandfather who wrote mystery novels, and growing up in a full house helped TV writer and podcaster Molly McAleer's embrace her own genre.

How skateboarding to Blink-182 led to Freddie Nunez's current country sound.

How ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents’ forged Rob Schulte’s path from high school theater to professional podcasting.

How listening to sports radio and watching self-aware sitcoms and variety shows guided Greg Iwinski toward late night television and beyond.

How 'Adventures of Gummi Bears' and yarn encouraged Dr. Mary Rambaran-Olm to combat false notions of our past.

How a childhood love of cartoons fuels the work of James III on stage and behind the scenes.

How dollar store media, Robin Williams' Popeye, and Buddhism guided Milly Tamarez toward her own comedic genre.

How watching 'Kill Bill: Volume 1' with his uncle helped Saturday Night Live writer Steven Castillo embrace his own genre.

How ‘Late Night with David Letterman,' ‘The Twilight Zone' and the work of Stephen King helped Mike Sacks become his own genre.

How queer television, criticism and comedy helped Ashley Ray become her own genre.