The Things We Do... - Interview with Tahlia Merlino

This is the Things We Do podcast, a podcast about film, life, television culture, mental health and all of that fun jazzy stuff. Today I've got my special guest and friend Talia Molino. Hey! I did it! You did it! You did it! Talia, how are you? Good, thank you! I'm having a good laugh. That's great! It's only, what, being four minutes in and you're like, I'm in! That's it! I'm having a great conversation, great laugh. That's great!

Talia, tell everyone on the internet who you are and what you do. It's a very existential question. I'm Talia, Talia Molino. I am an actor, emerging writer and director as well, and actually like a teaching artist. So I work with like NIDA and ATYP. So what I was doing today is school holiday teaching. A lot of fun. Oh yeah? Little year three, four kids that I've got to make a like 10 minute show to like show their parents. It's a choose your own adventure is the theme of this week.

So we're making like a not at all Jumanji ripoff about kids that are sucked into a video game because their dad without their glasses chooses reality mode instead of virtual reality. It sounds like Honey I Shrunk the Kids versus Jumanji. It kind of is, but with like year three to four kids. And a lot less like budget and everything. What got you into that though? What was the direction of that? So I studied at NIDA back in 2018.

I did a diploma state and screen performance and then they kind of just look for assistant teachers like from their BFA's and graduates and whatever. And so when I finished with them, I was working as an assistant teacher. And then with that, I then went down to Melbourne for a bit, came back here. I caught up with the past director of mine and she's on the ATYP board and was like, well, ATYP is always looking for people if you want more money. And I was like, yes, please.

And so I then went to ATYP. I started working with them as an assistant teacher. And then I kind of realized, it was fun when I was kind of just graduated NIDA. I was like, I'm getting paid to play drama games with people. But I found that I actually really like teaching. I actually really do. Sometimes it's like very ironic, but at the same time, it's a lot of fun. And I kind of got to the point where like NIDA hadn't done an intake for two years because of COVID.

ATYP only started last year with them, but I was like, I could do this myself. Like I could take this class myself. And so I kind of went to both of them and like, yo, can I teach? And they're like, yeah. And so I just kind of, I guess, because I had years of experience with NIDA anyway. And then ATYP, I worked with them for a few months as an assistant until I just was like, Hey, can I teach? And Claude was like, yeah, who's my boss? She was like, yeah, take a class. And I was like, thanks.

So it was like a pretty easy transition, but I just kind of realized, I was like, Oh, like I'm a bit bored of just like playing drama games and telling kids to be quiet. Like I kind of want to be the one who can run everything as well. And you know, yeah. So I kind of just, it was that progression where I just went from being an assistant to being a teacher. That's awesome. Yeah, it's good fun. It is a lot of fun. That's like nuts though.

Did you, did you ever kind of have that imposter syndrome though? That, I mean, like what's kind of cool is when I was, you know, 10 years old or whatever myself, I was doing like NIDA open classes. So it's kind of like cool that I've gone like full circle, but it's definitely this thing of, yeah, definitely you're imposter syndrome. Like I, cause also I kind of, you know, studied at NIDA. I was working here for a bit, working at Luna Park as we were talking about before and doing some shows.

And then I went down to Melbourne and then I studied until, like I did the 16th street one year full-time program. And I graduated into COVID. Wow. Yeah. So like first COVID wave, like I remember we literally had an online graduation. I remember our graduation was like on this zoom call and we had, it was like, they were like, you can wear your PJs or you can wear a nice gown. And so like, it was the weirdest thing. Cause some people like dressed up really nice.

And then some people like, I'm sick of being stuck in my room. I'm in my PJs. I'm just rocked up like, and it was this weird like dynamic where some people were literally in their PJs. Did you come in your PJ? I did both. So I had like a nice like, um, a jumpsuit thing on and I put my dressing gown over the top of it. I was like, I'm the best of both worlds. I like that. You've come out the fact. So I was like, okay. Yeah. So that was fun.

But I pretty much with the old imposter syndrome, I, yeah, I kind of graduated into this massive, you know, COVID wave.

So it's been really hard now, you know, things are kind of happening again, which is awesome, but it's been so hard to get like things kickstarted that it's so easy to like come up this with this like imposter syndrome thing of like teaching something that like, I know I know what I'm talking about and everything, but it's like, I feel like, like, uh, the first kind of show that I'd done in a couple of years was the beginning of this year.

Like, and it was really fun to be back on a stage and everything. But yeah, it was that thing of like, Oh, do I even know what I'm doing? Like, cause I'm not practicing. Yeah. I mean, like it's a, it's a psychological battle, isn't it? Like, do you, do you feel like though? Like, because people might look at you, do you feel like you're, you know, this big person now like as an actor and as a performer as well, or do you feel like you're still on the lower end? I mean, emerging, I would say.

Yeah. I would say I have some pretty cool opportunities. Even with A-T-Y-P, I'm assistant directing one of their shows at the moment. Oh wow. Yeah. And it was so fun. And that was just kind of cause yeah, I've worked with these guys and my boss, Claudine was like, Hey, what are you doing the second half of this year? And I was like, what do you want from me, Clauds? I was like, what do you want me to be doing? What kind of blackmail do you? Yeah, pretty much.

Cause I was like, you know, with teaching and everything, which is mainly what I do, it's like term to term kind of basis. And so I was like, what do you want me around for? And so this show Shaq, one of the, I think as an education coordinator or something like that with A-T-Y-P, George Kemp is his name. He works with like A-T-Y-P, but he's also a brilliant writer.

And he's written a play, which is called Shaq, which is about a bunch of, I think there's nine kids in the play, like in the cast of it. It's about these kids who win this global warming contest, essay thing. They have to write an essay and they get to go to Antarctica for free. And so while they're in Antarctica, they get hit by a blizzard. And so it kind of starts with them all being like, Oh, quick in here, like blah, blah, blah, blah.

And then it, you know, it's this, these kids who were like, the cast of it is 10 to 14 year old kids. Yeah, which was such a fun audition and callback process. We had like 50 kids or whatever, pretty much. And we ended up working with 18 because we double casted it. You know, just COVID and illness and all that fun stuff. So that would be like, yeah, mortality. Yeah, mortality. You make it sound like, yeah, you're really, it's like Blake.

Yeah, and so it was, yeah, but that thing's kind of that production, it's getting like a week run in the rebel theater. Oh, sick. We forgot like, it's technically still a workshops program in the sense that it's like the kids, you know, they had to audition and get in and everything for it, but like they're paying because it's like a class, but the whole, it's got young industry studio, which is being a professional production. Oh, nice.

Yeah. So Hayden Tadazi is a brilliant like theater director. He's done a bunch of things like indie theater, like KXT and Griffin and all that kind of stuff. He is directing it. Then we've got like a stage manager on it. We've got lighting designer. We've got like, we've come up with a concept for it, which is sick. And then yeah, and then Claude was like, yo, so want to assist and direct this? And I was like, uh, yes. Yeah. Yes, please.

Yeah. Cause it's something where like, I think the more that I, it's interesting. It's this push and pull between like, I definitely want to act, like I love acting. And the more that I'm doing the behind the scenes stuff, I'm like, no, I want to be like on this, like we did a table read with them and I'm like, I want to do a table read kind of thing. But at the same time, I'm also finding how much I kind of like doing the other side of things.

And so what was really cool is I think I just said to Claudine one day when we'd all gone and had like work drinks, she was like, so what do you actually like want to do with yourself? I'm like, oh, you know, like acting for sure. But you know, I'm always writing stuff and, and I feel like directing would be fun.

And so she kind of had that conversation in the back of her mind and was like, well, here's like a really easy way to kind of throw yourself in the deep of it in a not so stressful kind of way. Everyone's like, it's got your back and everything with it. And it's this weird thing where you kind of, you realize you know more than you think you do as you're like thrown straight into it. And even Hayden, like, I love Hayden, but Hayden's insane.

Hayden rocks up and he's like, we're getting through three scenes today in this like three hour period. Holy crap. Yeah. So he'll be like, you're taking this group of kids, go have fun, go block this whole scene. I'm going to block this one. And we're going to like rejoin in, you know, 40 minutes and then we're moving on to this one, which is awesome because it's kind of like just throwing me straight into it. And I'm like, oh, okay.

Yeah. This is something that like one I like, but also I weirdly know things about that you like wouldn't think that you do when you're like, oh, you know? Yeah. I mean, like, I think there's also great things about like ATYP and you know, and NIDA and stuff like that, that those kind of classes, cause I did ATYP back in the early 2000s to mid 2000s. Oh awesome. Yeah. And after I left high school as well. And I did, you know, did bits and pieces back when I wanted to do acting.

And it's sort of, yeah, it was a great like learning ground. I did like the monologue classes and stuff. And you end up like, I think it's sort of really good, especially because yeah, it's one of those things that I think you never really forget. Yeah, definitely. Like you don't, you're not like in 30 years going, I forgot how to act cause I haven't done it in like, you can get rusty, but your muscle memory is still there. And I feel like it's one of those things.

I think it was like one of the abilities that pissed me off during high school was I had the ability to cry on cue. I had the best ability to cry on cue. And for some reason, ever since my late teens it's gone and I'm so, Are we getting like a reenactment? No, not even. I wish. Cause it was like, I literally, I spent, you know, and this is how I got out of maths class. I spent the entirety of the time crying so that my teacher would just leave me the fuck alive.

It sounds really awful, but I did. She did. She hated me. But I got left alone. And, but it was like one of those skills that I think I appreciated having. But then also really sad that I don't have it anymore. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Like, man, it's one of those things, like I think with, you know, muscle memory and stuff, and also I'm like the same as you, the moment I went behind the scenes, like this is so much fun as well.

So I do miss acting, like acting is some of this like fun playground, but you know, doing other things like helping people and, you know, and supporting people and like teaching people is way like this other net or like ground of playground. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Cause you're still kind of flexing those muscles in a sense. Like it's very much a lot of what I do with A2IP anyway, their classes are very performance kind of based.

So if you do like a holiday workshop, like I'm on with them this week, I have to put a show together for the end of the week for the parents. With my term classes, I have like 10 weeks to do that. So I take the homeschool kids with A2IP, which is such an interesting mix of kids pretty much because it's like, I think the youngest is 11 and the oldest is 17.

And like, it's really fun because a lot of what my job last term was, was literally just helping them write and direct this like little performance for their parents. We ended up making this, this like a performance about a bunch of kids who go through and their minds just work so differently as well, being homeschool kids. Like it's, they do. Yeah. It's really interesting. But they were obsessed with for some reason, the idea of a kid government.

Yeah. So when I said, cool, like what are we interested in? Like, what are we going to make this about? Everyone was like, kid government. And I was like, sorry? Political turn point, kid, child government. Literally, right? And so I was like, I was like, okay, give me a week to think of this.

And I was like, I don't know where we're going to go with the story of a kid government, but I had this idea of like, what if it's this thing of, you know, these kids are in like a clinical trial to like get smart so like they can help the government kind of thing. And, um, were you writing an episode of the twilight zone at this point? It feels like that sometimes.

Yeah. And it turned into this like, you know, just little funny piece where these kids were like acting like little kids, but it's funny because you've got like the 17 year old literally acting like a two year old as well. And then they get given the wrong amount of the formula. Like someone gave them like a ladle, the dumb person gives them a ladle amount rather than like a teaspoon. Yeah. The next minute, because for some reason kids are like the pinnacle of intelligence is a British accent.

Um, in the next scene, these kids are all just like, they wake up and they're like really smart and they've got a British accent. So they're all like, oh, good morning to you. Like the UV index is 11. Like talking like so intelligent. And so yeah, this like the last term, it was one of my favorite things I think I've ever done with A2YP. But it was just, we spent these like term just putting this little piece together for them to kind of get to perform.

And um, they also got to kind of perform it in the rebel theater as well, which is really cool. Like especially cause A2YP has got, they're back on the wharf now. So they, um, yeah. I love that place. It's so nice. Oh, it's not a bad office. It's usually since they did it up, like it's so much nice. It's nice now. I remember it was, I remember it was pretty derelict back in the day. They didn't have, they don't have the, they didn't have the resources I think until like probably a few years ago.

And then they just upgraded like so much. It's so fancy now. Yeah. Well they've full got a theater now. Like they've got, it's not just like sidewalls. It's sort of theater. And so that was really cool for the kids, I think, um, like for my guys, but for all the classes is they got to be like, Oh cool. I'm like performing this in a theater with like lights and like, you know, it's that thing of really giving them that kind of experience, which is awesome.

Yeah. I love that about children as well. And especially like about now, because, um, especially growing up, you know, like the nineties, I think that sort of was very lacking. Yeah. I think it was like when I was a kid, um, to have that ability where it was so free flowing. Cause I remember like you were a nerd if you went to drama school or you went to like ATYP. It was kind of like the reach. It was really strange. It was like the reject shop.

Like you go there because you clearly had troubled for like, like experiences a lot. And now it's like this most involved place because I think like, you know, in the last like 10 years acting has been sort of like respected and, and yeah, it's actually changed a fair amount to what is deemed creativity. Yeah. But, uh, you know, we used to back in the day, imagine it was the misfits. Yeah. It was like the miss. That's amazing. Um, cause I loved it. I thought it was the, like the best thing.

And I remember I did like comedy classes there. I did, um, you know, because they just encouraged, it was all about encouragement. So you did, you know, absolutely like you did the 10 week course and you try and write skits. Um, but I think it was also like, you know, it was just very, it was fun. It was ludicrous. And it's like, I'd never done, unfortunately, neither courses. I would have loved to, but I don't think I knew of them until many, many years later. I was like, Oh, that's a thing.

Um, but yeah, like ATYP was the place to go. And other than like community theater and stuff, um, like, especially my family, we didn't know the ins. We knew the theater scene, um, because my mom was, um, head of the Sigma center. So she knew, like she worked, um, and dealt with a lot of that. So we went to the theater for free, uh, kudos to getting free tickets. Um, and I used to go to the theater a lot. I worked there for three years and it was the best experience.

Um, and I just sort of loved, and I still do to this day, love theater. It's like one of my favorite sort of forms of, um, art. I actually like, um, I'm obsessed with like the three platforms that most people are like, Oh, what, you know, most people pick one, but I'm like theater, um, film and radio, like my three favorite platforms. Um, cause across the board, they're just very different. They're very uniquely different, but also they're just so much fun.

Like, I feel like it really drives you as a performer as well, um, to just kind of go for it. And I actually like the great thing about theater is you watch it and there's no time for a stop like there is in film and kind of in the same with radio because radio can be performed like a play, but then feel, you know, because you can do a whole scene in one. And if you don't have to be like, okay, cut here, let's change angles and stuff.

You're like, no, you're going from A to B. So you've got to get to A to B like in one go rather than, you know, stopping to think about it. Um, whereas film kind of gives you the opportunity where you, you know, can think about what your next move will be. And, you know, I find like that probably the less thrilling, but some, because I love that moment of you're always doing something on the go. Yeah, there's definitely, I mean, with theater, there's theaters.

I love theater and film, but there is definitely an, I mean, also I kind of, I've, I don't know how many times I've said to random people like, I want to start a podcast, but then like, I've just like never done anything about it. But I also, you know, it's actually like, it's so cool. Um, I love it. But with the thing with theater, like there's an energy that you seem to get when you're on stage that like, you'll never get on a set in a sense, because it's that thing of like, yeah, we're live.

Like, you know, there's whatever happens, happens kind of thing. Um, and it's almost, it's, it's a very like ensemble kind of building experience for people in a sense. And you do definitely get, you know, any kind of creative medium you've got so many people who put in to make this thing. But there's something I think so brilliant about like, I'm, I'm a big theater fan because it's just, it's live.

And there's like that adrenaline you get when you're like, do a good performance and you know it's a good performance. And you're like, woo, kind of thing. Or like just, or like just going and watching it as well. So one really nerdy thing that I did once, I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to like creative things. I was having a massive nerd out with one of my friends today about this idea for like a short film I want to write and stuff.

But I went and saw a show, I can't remember what show it was, but I went and saw some show and I'd already seen it because I had like, you know, been given free tickets and then I like went again. And rather than watching the show, I kind of watched the audience watch the show. And it was just this like really cool thing in a weird way where it was like, you know, people are being like, well like what?

No. Well like, like all my friends say that I'm hilarious to go to theater with because I'm a very like expressionist theater watcher. So like, you know, like I went and saw a fan girls, I remember at the opera house kind of recently and there's this, they come back from the intermission or whatever and they're, have you seen fan girls? No. It was a brilliant show.

It's, it was originally I think on a Belvoir and then they were on it, the opera house earlier this year, but it's kind of, it's literally about fan girls. It's like this, the story of it, I guess is this one fan girl who's obsessed with Harry, Harry from True Direction or whatever. So like, yeah, yeah, like complete like, you know, satire kind of thing of the whole boy bands and she ends up, if no one's watched this and wants to watch it, spoilers.

She kind of ends up like, she's like, oh my God, like this man's going to fall in love with me. Like I see him, like I know he like doesn't want to start him and like all these things. And so she kidnaps him. What? It's like the funniest show. Like cause I was just sitting there. It was, it was an assault on the senses in the sense of like, there were so many like strobes and like everything going. Like it was like big, like old, like 2007 concert vibes.

Jesus. But it, but yeah, I was laughing the whole time cause it's just like the funniest concept. I'm like these 13 year old kids like kidnapped. And assaulted someone and just taking them back to. Yeah, literally. And so there was this moment in it where you come back from intermission and they were like, Harry's dead or whatever. As in, and, and cause they're saying like he's dead as in no one can find him. And I would just go, what? And like, like straight out loud.

But the funny thing was the next line of that show was also like, what? So it like covered me cause otherwise everyone would have been like, like, what are you doing? But I just sit and looked like ultimate fangirl of fangirls because I was like, I was just so shocked. I was like, what? And they like said at the same time. And my friend cracked up laughing. She's like, Tyler, you're so lucky. Cause I would have had everyone around me just being like, shh. I'm like, sorry.

Like get into my theater. Like you just like said, they're going, oh my God, this is the best. It's so like, it's like, it's apparently like, it's a show to watch me watch a show. Cause I'm like, now I need to go to the theater with you. Just like, I just need to record you. It's like, yeah, how does record? Yeah. Cause I'm just like, oh, or I'm like, oh, or whatever. Like it's just that thing where I just, I can't, I just get very into what I'm watching.

Have you ever seen in like, um, cause when I was at the Seamless Center, there was one musical play which everyone loved, which was Carrie the musical. Have you ever, I've never, I know Carrie cause everyone knows Carrie, but I've never seen it. The musical is fantastic.

It's a great, great musical, but it was one of those things that like the posters came up and normally when we worked at the Seamless Center, we used to get a lot of uni like plays and everyone was like uni plays are so hit and miss. Like sometimes they're great and sometimes no, no one knows what to do. So you're like, okay, cool. I remember once everyone went in and our boss was just like, okay, pre warning you, this show might be okay. It might be terrible.

Like everyone was like, oh, it's going to be terrible. It sucks. So we all went down and then I think once I said, I was like, I need to see this show. And she was like, no, we've all been told that we can only see it once each. So she would always roster someone different to watch it. So none of us missed out. And I reckon like none of it, cause, cause most of the time our job is actually you would have to look after the patrons.

Like your job was to make sure the elderly didn't die of a heart attack. So a lot of the time you'd be sitting there and trying to keep an eye on things, looking at your phone, checking the time, keeping an eye on people, half watching the show and watching, but none of the time we watched any of the people, we just spend our time watching the show. If someone died in the audience, we'd have no clue. It was like, that was how good it was. So it was like, but I do, I do miss the days as well.

Cause I loved going to the theater and seeing really terrible plays as well. Like I remember, um, I saw years ago on adaptation of, um, uh, I can't remember the plays, um, but it's a Charlie Brown play modernized. And it's about like, what if, um, you know, Snoopy was dead. What if like Charlie Brown was just a miserable old like solid who was in his twenties? Not Snoopy. I know, right? I know my heart is broken.

Oh, but I remember watching this and I remember just like everyone, everyone, including the, the staff and everyone just kind of went this play, like the material was great, but it was just so badly directed and it was sort of like lapping, lacking that sort of like weird quirkiness that the script clearly had. And everyone was just like, man, this is like, cause my brother's ex partner was reading the script, like cause she worked as the lighting director.

Like she would do the lighting for the, um, if anyone's been to the cinema center, it's the region theater down below. It's a small theater and yeah, she was just like reading the script and she would chuckle, but she was like the before she was looking at the performance grand house. This is not like this is not clearly like what page to see. And I think that was when you work at a theater and you see so much, you do become hypercritical of as an hours perspective.

Like have you tried to employ that? Oh yeah. Yeah. Like, yeah, yeah. I think, um, I mean, I went and saw a show that a friend of mine was in recently and I was talking to another actor afterwards actually about this.

Cause it's that thing where you're like, you try to turn it off because you just want to be able to like enjoy the show, but you find, um, like it's just little things of maybe like, oh, that was a cool, when they did that there, that's a cool director choice or like, oh, the lighting or like, you know, like it's little things. Where if it's a good show, it's normally good things. I'm like, that's cool. Whoever directed that, like snaps to you, you know?

Uh, if it's patcher, um, it's, I try to, I mean, one of the biggest things I always think, look, I'll always have my thoughts with like friends and stuff after, um, you know, after, after the shows, not in front of people, like, you know, after a few drinks, like, yeah, but it's that thing where, um, I think one of the biggest things I always think anyway is like any form of theater, any form of art really is subjective.

So everyone is going to have a different reaction to something, think something different or whatever. So it's, it's interesting sometimes. Um, and I think I, you know, if I see something that's not that great, I'm probably not going to be like, oh, that was terrible. Like, you're not going to stand there with a sigh, say this was the worst I've ever seen.

Yeah. I'm not going to like stand there just like, or like, nah, I'm not quite, you know, like I'll keep my thoughts to myself, but I do love a good creative yarn about the choices and stuff that people do kind of make. Um, and being like, oh, I wonder why they did that. Rather, rather come at it with an inquisitive mind rather than want to have done that, you know, like, yeah.

I mean, that's really good as well, because I feel like, yeah, when people get too cynical of things, it kind of drags you down to this sort of like hypercritical of everything. Yeah. And I'm not an expert. Like I know, like as in I'm an, I'm, no one's an expert is what I mean, is that thing where like, you know, yeah, I'll have like certain things that I like better or thoughts on something or whatever, but it doesn't mean that like what I have to say goes.

No. It's the same thing with like anything that I'm doing. Um, uh, when I'm teaching or in this assistant directing thing or whatever, I'm like, Hey, here's a thought. Um, and one of the funniest things, um, that Charlie Vaux said to us when we gave him like the script and everything to have a look at, and he spoke to us, he was like, so, um, you can tell me to fuck off, but these are my thoughts. Like it was that thing where he was like, Hey, like, I'm not an expert.

I just like, like this concept. I like the script. I want to give you thoughts, but like, tell me to fuck off if you want. And I very, I can, I swear on this. I was like, there's no like child warning. Just this will be previewed for small children later. Yeah. So it's that thing of like, I'm, I'm no expert. I will have thoughts and sometimes people like my thoughts. Sometimes people won't like my thoughts. It's the same about anything else that I see here.

Whatever. It's the same reason I think also like, um, I know Kat reached out to me, a mutual friend, cause it was like the same thing. It was like, Oh, you have thoughts. You have opinions. You're good at this. And I'm like, am I? I have thoughts, but it's like, those are few and far between. But I mean, like it's also, I think the fun thing about reading people's scripts, especially is you always have your own vision for something or you have your own ideas for something.

And I think, um, it's never like, and I, and I often say this to people, yeah. Your first idea at all. So like collaboration is my favorite kind of working with anyone because I'm such a big like nerd to collaborate and go, how do you see it? How do you see it? And kind of like deep dive into people's brains.

It's one of my favorite things to do, but I definitely all the time, like we'll sit and dissect something and just go, okay, where fundamentally is there not a point working and where does it work? Like where does the flow stop and how are we going to pick that flow up again? Because I think like when you look at pieces subjectively, especially as an audience member, you're really looking for the flow all the way through. It's like A to B, everything like it's seen to seeing you have a flow.

And it's, it's kind of like the thing. And it's like, I know most audience people don't notice it, but I think when you worked in it, the like, you know, like 10 years, five years, you know, a couple of years, like you really kind of pick up on things that you find degrading about like things, you know, if you're in a film and suddenly it changes style halfway through, you're like, was that a creative choice or did something just happen and you had to force it?

Yeah. It's that thing where like some things would just stick out like a thumb. Yeah. Very much so. And I think that's kind of like half the fun because you're working with people and you know, it's like, you know, you're saying I can fuck off. That's fine. Yeah. It's like, I'll give you my opinion, but also like it doesn't mean my opinion is like gospel. Yeah. Yeah. 100%.

You know, but that's why like, I mean, I will never tell anyone to fuck off who has something to like say about something that, cause I just, I'm like, that's half the fun in my eyes anyway, like working with people, collabing with people. Yeah. Like, yeah, like having those like creative yarns about like, oh, why are we doing this? Or like, yeah.

Yeah. And like, I think that's the acting sense when I was studying at 16th street, one of the biggest like nerdiest, but fun things to do would be when we're working on something for class and like sitting there with my partner and mining the script down to like all these details and more like detectives of like, Oh my God, they do that because of that. And like, and literally I'd get up and I'd be like, you know, like jumping around the room.

Like it was this like, you know, yeah, it's good fun. I mean like that's, that's the only way to live as well. And it's like, when I, it's like, when I write ideas, especially with one of my great co-writing collaborators, and we always sit there and we always like, when we have zoom meetings, cause it's currently over in New Zealand, we like have zoom meetings and we're jumping around the room, just going, that's brilliant. That's brilliant.

And like, I think when you have, when you sort of like have a soundboard as well, it's like soundboards are great when you have someone who you just fire off or you have a thought process where you just kind of dissect something, it really creates more fun. Cause I feel like it's one of those things, it's when you find the right creative group, you find the right creative gel and the right creative scene. It's so good.

Like you're just like, this, you know, it's like honey, everything's moving, everything's oiled, let's go, let's, um, it's honey the right word, it's probably very thick. It's like oil, how about that? Um, yeah, it's Manuka honey. Well that's what we think. I like it, I like it out. Like, yes, it's like, go to your local shops. What are the metaphors? It's like a Jenga puzzle. You know? Yeah. It's like a Jenga puzzle. I love that.

Um, but you know, I mean like for you though, was this, was this like acting always the trajectory for young Talia? Was that always like ever since you were a kid? Honestly, um, I, this is my, my claim to fame as a small child is, um, I played the Virgin Mary in our school play in kindergarten. I was the starring role of Mary. And from that moment forward, I was like, this, this is me. So what, you needed to play the Virgin Mary for life? You were just like, this is my career.

Yeah, no, it was, it was just that thing where, um, there were two things, I think, when I was, it was something I was always quite interested in. Actually, when I was younger, I apparently wanted to be a comedian. I can say that. Yeah. Oh, stop it. Um, but I couldn't say comedian, so I'd say chameleon. Um, so that makes more sense. Yeah. I mean, both technically.

Um, but it was that thing where I think that was, my mom was saying that it was cause my nan would always be like, oh, you're such a comedian. So I'm like, yeah, I'm a chameleon. Um, so like everyone would be like, Hey Talia, what do you want to be when you're older? I'm like, uh, chameleon. Everyone's like, okay, Talia, strange child. Like, all right. Um, but it was very much, I, I used to actually be quite a shy kid as well though. I really, yeah, genuinely.

Um, my mom, I've got an older sister and my mom laughs because her and I completely swapped in personality. Like my sister was the one who was like dancing on tables in tutus when she was younger and like bossing me around to being like, you're going to be my backup dancer. Not that I boss around now, but like it was that thing of, she was very like the commanding the room. Um, and then, and, and I was like a lot more quiet. Like I was very much like hiding between my mom's legs.

Like on the first day of school, she had to give me her watch and be like, when this hand gets to this hand, I'll come pick you up. And you know, like I was like a really shy kid. Um, and then I think, yeah, I mean, yeah, I played Mary, um, moment. And then, uh, there was like a few other kind of, you know, dramatic things I did. I remember we made a, a amazing play published, which was called turtle trouble.

When I was in like year two or something, which were like these actors that came to the school and helped us kind of put something together. Um, and just from then I was like, this is really fun. Like it's something that I actually can't remember not loving. And I remember like going to my mom and I'm being like, I want to do classes. And my mom put me into a night of class when I was like, I think 10, I think she told me you had to be 10, which was a lie. Uh, but when I like, who are you mom?

Yeah, come on. No. Um, but when I was 10, I did my first night of glass and it was the funniest thing. Cause it was like the Shakespeare like term thing. She'd put me in that she, I don't think she even knew like what she was like putting me in or like, like she was just like, oh yeah, like the night of class, Vitalia let's go. And then I like did this Shakespeare course for like a term.

Wow. And I was like, yeah, it was like this 10 year old, like I was probably like, yeah, like 10 or 11 or whatever and we're doing like Shakespeare. And I was like, this is fun. And so it was something that I always loved, um, from a pretty young age. And then when I got to like, and then, you know, throughout school, I was doing all of the shows and like the musicals. Um, I did drama for my HSC and like, like it was always, I did like drama. Clubs did like theater sports and all that fun stuff.

Theater sports, theater sports, or how fun it was. And then, um, yeah, when I kind of got into year 12, I think I kind of, it was something that I was like, oh, this is actually something I could like take more seriously. Um, and I remember I, so with like your IP and your GP and all that jazz, there's something called you're you, you're new South Wales. Yeah. So, you know, like, so on stage, which is like, um, yeah. So it was a bit of like a turning moment.

I remember for me in year 12, cause I was like, oh, this is something I enjoy, but I don't know if this is like something I'm like good at or like, I'm all right, but like, you know, I'm like that good. Um, and I remember I did, uh, an IP, which is this monologue, this like black comedy New York and lady in jail talking to like this pro bono lawyer kind of thing. Um, and I got nominated for on stage and it was a thing where like, I was kind of like, oh, maybe I can like, yeah.

Like, and this thing of like, you know, I've been only kind of really doing it at school and like bit of fun and whatever, but it was like this kind of nice thing of all some people who, and I had so many qualms with like HSC dramas, uh, marking criteria. Like I remember talking to my teacher and being like creates a subjective performance. I mean, no, creates a believable performance. Uh, that's subjective. Like I'd like, I like, yeah, I was like arguing. I was like, this is dumb.

You can't grade like this thing, you know? And um, and yeah, and I ended up getting nominated for on stage and then I kind of went, oh, this is cool. People outside of like, you know, this room who were like these HSC markers or whatever have come and been like, this was a good performance that like, you know, one should get four marks, four marks. Thanks. And like two like deserves to be seen by other people.

And then I kind of went, oh, maybe this is something that I like have some sort of talent in and then went in like, um, you know, thought about it more and like audition for night. Oh yeah. Yeah. Oh my God. That's awesome. Yeah. So that's like a full on blown creative all the way from the get go. Pretty much. Yeah. It was, it's something that I've like always loved. That's like, people ask me, they're like, and you know, how long have you wanted to do that for?

And I was like, since kindergarten, since, since Mary, since Mary, since that Virgin Mary thing I did back in the day. Look at me. I'm great. Yeah, exactly. I was famous then I'm famous now. Always believe. Yeah. It's like, it's, it's always my favorite thing as well. Like do you, as an actor though, it's like one of the things I always think, are you, are you an actor who likes to have heaps of lines or are you like such a sort of very much depends on the character? Depends on the character.

Yeah. Yeah. Depends on the character. Cause I mean like, you know, I know there's so many, like there's a lot of actors out there, I guess they want to be the lead role. And I think, or it depends, like you can be the silent lead because you got like, um, was it, um, why is the name escape G? Give you thinking music. Um, he's in every film he's been in. Batman is being Gary Oldman. Thank you. I think he music help.

But you got people like Gary Oldman who's been, you know, like who is one of those actors who can be in almost everything he touches. And it's whether it's a massive speaking role or like Hugo weaving same again, quiet role or massive speaking role and can kind of do the both best of both worlds and everyone knows who they are. Like it's one of those weird skills, but I think people put into categories like lead role means automatically you just have the most amount of lines.

And sometimes it's actually the lead role tends to have probably a significant less amount of lines. Oh, definitely. Um, is, is that, I mean, you've got to be a good actor to be able, like, I mean, anyone can say lines in a sense or learn some lines. Like in a sentence. Yes. Yeah. You know, say lines in a sentence. It's like, yeah. I mean, the, the best kind of actors are the ones who like don't actually have to say anything, but like have that presence.

Yeah. Like it's very much like a presence thing, I think with some of the best actors, like, you know, they can just like, it's different obviously between like film and, um, and TV, but even like some of the best film actors, they just have that presence just being there. Yeah. Like it's that thing where it's just like, Oh, like they're watchable. Yeah. Like that person, like they, like, yeah, like they don't even have to say anything, but you're like, Oh, look at that.

I, you know, like, well like that intensity or whatever it's that. Yeah. Do you feel like you avoid the typecast world of acting as well? Do you feel like you're very good at it? So it's interesting. It's such an interesting conversation, like the world of typecast. Um, because I, I've been told, you know, like by casting directors or producers, whatever, um, that when it comes to types, that I can kind of play into a few.

Yeah. I remember, uh, I remember one thing that I got told by this scout of some agent after, um, a nighter, uh, nighter showcase, whatever, he kind of came up to us and started telling us what he thought we would play. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. In that, in the very like, you're the nerd, you're that like, in a way where it's like, okay, children. Um, and I remember I'm like dressed up really nicely.

It's more like, you know, I like, uh, grad showcase thing, whatever have like makeup on look quite feminine, like, and he just goes straight to me and goes, you're gonna play the butch lesbian. And I was like, sorry. Like I actually was like, sorry. And he was like, cause you have a low voice, like, you know, like just, and I was just like, okay, like thanks dude. Like that's really, you know, like, okay. I guess.

Um, but it's that thing where that was one of the funniest things I think I've ever had happen. Um, but it is that thing where like, I've been told on one hand, I seem like I would play someone who's like quite cool, like leather jacket. I got told by someone, uh, that like, I could, I look like I could, I'm totally not like you've realized I'm a puppy by now probably, but like that I could like kick someone in the teeth, in the teeth.

Like it's like the strong eyebrows and like, you know, like, I think it's like, um, you know, differently it's one of those things that it's like everyone, you know, casting directors classify as appearance as well. But I was like, I remember, uh, telling a bunch of my friends, it's like, I don't, when I cast people, I don't look at the box that they've tried to fit into like all casting directors, cause it's like, I look at you and I can kind of see a multitude of facets.

Like you've got everything. Yeah. Like I mean, obviously like quite offensive the way that person said that, like so many reasons like that's so not okay. I mean, who are they to think that's a PC? No, it literally, and that's the thing. Like we all were like, thanks. Like cause like the way this person, I'm going to say though, in the late twenties, okay. They've clearly never left their house. Yeah. Look, yeah. Um, yeah, but it was just the way they kind of came at, like, I was like, wow.

It was just a little bit, yeah, you know, chill dude. And also just everyone else, like it was just like, so like black being like, you're the nerd, you're this, you're that, you're whatever. It's like, well, no, actually, like we could be multitudes of things. And it was that thing where from actually, you know, reputable people, um, it was spoken to me before as in like, uh, casting directors or producers or whatever, like teachers at drama school.

Um, they say on one hand, yeah, you seem like you're, you know, cool, like could be wearing a leather jacket, like troubled person, how to go, blah, blah. But then on the other hand as well, you completely play into like a girl next door, like kind of like funny best friends, like those kinds of things too. And funny enough, um, I remember what, yeah, one of the casting directors said to me is like, it's kind of good for you because you just have to know how to manipulate yourself.

Yeah. So if you're going for characters who are, you know, a bit more, who aren't so straight edge and a maybe like, um, like, have you seen sex education? Like Maeve kind of like, if like that kind of thing of like, oh, cool person, whatever. Then like, where, where a leather jacket, like this kind of thing.

But then on the same, um, sense, if you're going for the romantic lead or the girl next door or something like that, like smile a bit more, uh, you know, um, not that I can completely change my voice, so it's quite resonant and low, but like, you know, yeah, like keep like, you know, a little bit, keep it a bit higher. We're a nice, like we're pink.

We're like, and it's just about those things of like, kind of learning how to manipulate yourself so that you can play these kinds of different characters. It's not so much like, cool, you're up. Like the one thing I do know is like, um, like I was saying before I'm 22, but I think, I think I do look quite young. Maybe I don't. That's just because I've had like timeless. Oh, timeless. Well, I've had like, um, the Virgin Mary really sunk into it.

I've had like parents of kids that I teach before, they'll be like, so are you here for the class? And I'm like, in a way, um, I am the class. Like, um, is that a hype thing? Do you think? Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm, I'm, I'm widdle. Well, I mean like you're the same size as my partner, Emily. And it's like, one of the things that I feel we get on a daily, we almost get on a weekly basis is someone just goes, how old are you? And her response is just fuck off.

Like, and I don't blame her because I just try to stand there and be the respectful partner and just go, no, she's going to deal with it because, but also if I need to step in, then I will.

Um, because apparently like, but it's also, I, and I say this quite frankly, it's like as someone who doesn't identify with the male population of this planet and has never sat on any sort of like a little box, it's really frustrating to me when the people just go, but you're the man in the situation, like, yeah, but you can fuck off and actually be respectful to anyone. Yeah. Really doesn't take that hard because it's the same.

It's the same thing that I look at you and I'm like, okay, well you could play like the cool kid. You could play the villain. You could play the girl next door character, but you could also play like someone with all those facets. Like, yeah. And it's not so much like, it's so, uh, what's like one dimensional, I think. And I think that's actually something probably that like, I think, you know, roles that are being written these days and everything.

I think there's like a big push to try and like present as much as possible, but like present life like for kind of what they are. Like even like the new show Heartbreak High, like if you've said, like, I love that. I love that Netflix is just like spamming that show to me. Oh yeah. So good.

And it's just like, I think it's also, you know, it's, it's that thing as well, because you, that turnbull of just like how the characters fit, how everyone identifies, how we sort of sit because it's like, I mean, for you, like the most important thing is how you see yourself. Yeah. And then, you know, and what characters you want to fit in versus everyone else going you're this. Like, yeah, it is. It's definitely, it's interesting.

And I mean, I personally, so at the moment I'm kind of, cause I've let acting go, cause I've been more like teaching and this assistant directing thing and everything, but I'm kind of trying to, you know, update on my show real stuff, getting you headshots to all that stuff. Manifesting that I'm going to like book a good, like better agent under you kind of thing. Manifest. Hard, hard, hard work at work.

But no, like getting all that stuff kind of together to be able to, you know, do all that and kind of get back on the acting train a bit more. Cause I've fallen off. And it's that thing of where I'm figuring out of what scenes and stuff to kind of put down for myself. I'm like, okay, cool.

I get the, I know that like more reputable sources than this person from NIDA, but like, you know, teachers who I've had mentors who I've had casting directors who are reputable, who have been like, you're cool. Like kind of thing. Like I know that I'm like, okay, I lend myself into, you know, that, that kind of category. I'm going to find a scene that shows me that that shows them that. Then at the same time, I'm going to find a scene that's completely different.

Like, you know, maybe like that tough person with the heart of gold kind of like bit broken, but so like it has like a kind of, you know, and then on the same vein, I'm going to then shoot a comedic thing, you know, the next kind of tape in my, in my reel is going to be a comedic thing. Yeah. Or that like flirty girl next door kind of thing or whatever. Right. Like, because then that's showing like, I can do that, but I can do that, but I can do that.

But I have also taken into consideration where I want to be and also where I probably will sit. Like I know just from like height, but I know that I probably, like I wouldn't play a mom role right now. I like, I know that where I'm pitching myself, you know, for the next little bit, is those like Netflix team kind of shows, younger, you know, teens or early twenties, mid twenties. Like I know that I'm not, I know what I'm not going to play.

So it's like, I can kind of figure out what I can, like what I will kind of play and then put those, you know, put material down, even with headshots and stuff. Like every time I've gone headshots, I've got one that's more commercial and like that, like yeah girl next door kind of thing. And then I always have one in leather jacket. It's just, yeah. Cause I'm just like, okay, cool. I know where I need to. Yeah. You got to tick the boxes.

Yeah. Yeah. Does that ever frustrate you though, that a little bit like our industry is to tick a box? Definitely. It definitely does, but it's that hard thing where things, there's, there's definitely things that have like, well, look, if I was like to cast something myself personally, you know, I think I'd, for me, even just me as Talia, I look at people a lot of time for just like who they are, like, as in like who, like you are as a person, are you nice to me?

Cool. I'll be nice to you kind of thing. Like I'm not like, I'm, I used to be like a big like label hater in a sense. Like I was just like, you're a cool person. You got a good like heart, got a good soul, whatever. Then like, that's how I'm going to see you. And as, as much as I possibly can, like you make like, just because we're ingrained, it's so ingrained in us to like make assumptions and do that.

Like it still happens, but as much as possible, I'm trying to be like, no dude, like you're a person, I'm a person. But it is very, but that's the thing is that that's not how it is seen. And one thing I remember, like one of the biggest things, you know, Les would say to us, Les Chantry is an acting teacher at NIDA. He would always be like, look, yeah, there's all these things that like, maybe we have qualms with about the industry, but the industry is not going to change in five seconds.

So it is that idea of you need to learn how to work with it if you want to get somewhere, but also not like, you know, it's a balancing act, I guess. Like it's even, I remember one thing we were talking about was like personal branding and I'm like, I'm terrible with social media. Like I need to be better. I'm pretty bad at posting and stuff, but it's like, it's a tool.

It's a tool of like, this is who, in a weird way, you as an actor or writer or director or whatever, anything where you're kind of in that spotlight or whatever, your brand. And so, yeah, it is, I mean, I'm definitely about the fact that that's the way that it is, but you can't push against it to the point where like, you're not going to be able to kind of, you know, get anywhere as well. Yeah. So it's this weird balancing act.

I think the biggest thing, one thing Les always said to us, and it took me to working with him at 16th Street to actually figure out what he meant, is he would always say, you're more interesting a person than you are an actor, which I completely agree with. But his kind of mentality is be unapologetic. And so I remember when I was back at NIDA, I think I was only 18 when I was at NIDA.

And some people kind of took that in a way which wasn't like, you know, be unapologetically yourself, which is what he meant, but like, oh, don't apologize for anything. Like, you know, and like that kind of like, and I'm like, not that person at all. And so it was interesting kind of, I remember being at NIDA and I'm like, I don't know what you mean by this. Like be unapologetic. Like, you know, if you trip someone over, apologize. Like, I don't know.

And I remember, yeah, when I was at 16th Street, we worked with Les online and he was like, you know, his philosophy hadn't changed in a few years. And I finally understood where I was like, oh, what he's saying is not like, yeah, you know, be unapologetic. It's like be unapologetically yourself, as in like know who you are. So he's like, so if you're actually someone who like values, you know, like you're someone who actually likes being, you're not a very opinionated person.

You're someone who like keeps, likes to keep harmony or you're someone who like values this or values that or whatever. And you know that about yourself, then don't apologize for that. So it was like, so everyone's going to be different, but just don't apologize for who you are.

And that I think is the balancing, I think that's how I try and, or I will also, I do and I will try and navigate that balancing act is I know the kind of person I am to like, you know, to, to, I mean, I'm always changing. We all are, but I know what my values are. I know what I want to be. I know how I want to be seen and kind of just unapologetically being that, like I'm quite a goofy person or like, yeah.

And so then when it comes to like those things that are like that branding or whatever, I think like, like all my captions on Instagram are like puns, like, cause I'm just like, like I'm such, I'm just a dag, like I'm like a daggy dad. And I've like accepted that, that's like in, in my, in my daggy dad clothes, as you said before. I'm kind of loving it as well, because it's like, sums up, it sums up the brief moment that I get to know you and I just love it.

But I mean, like, also, do you think that because of all that, do you think that how are you sort of with your own sort of like, are you an anxious person? Cause you talked about being a shy person when you were a kid, but being really confident now, does that come with its own trials and relations where you sort of feel like quite anxious about things, but then trying to hide it through like, I guess, projecting confidence? I, oh, I mean, psychoanalyze time. Do it. No, I mean, definitely.

I am definitely quite an anxious person. I'm very, it's just, I think what I care about less now, rather than when I was a bit younger, like I'm still quite young, but I think actually going to 16th street, honestly, like it really changed me as a person. Made me feel a lot more comfortable myself. It opened me up. It made me like, be okay with being vulnerable as well. Like, but I think it's that I don't care until I do in the sense that I'm not trying to be anything.

I'm not trying to be anything. Yeah. I think definitely when I was younger, I still care about what people think of me. Of course I do. I'm only human. Yeah. But it's that thing, like, I just kind of, for example, if I meet a bunch of people, I actually just really like meeting people. I love talking to people. I think people are interesting. I'm like, cool, who are you? Tell me about yourself. And so I definitely, I'll get in my head, I'll get insecure when things kind of make me feel that way.

But I just try, on the most part I've got, I'm definitely like, I'm an anxious person. I think a lot, but I don't let it control me is the other thing as well. I've gotten to a point where on the most part, I can have a thought and not spiral into what that thought is. So I can have that thought of like, oh, this person obviously doesn't like you or this person, whatever. And then I can go, okay. And actually this is a thing I was talking to my mate about once, who also suffers with anxiety.

It's this thing where I talk to my anxiety. Like I actually, like, rather than, that's one of the things that helps me the most. Like, obviously I also like go to see a psychologist and everything too. And you know, when it gets to a point where it's like more physical, that's when it's a bit harder to control, but when it's thoughts, I can be like, hello. So you're telling me this thing and I'm hearing this thing, but I don't think you're like completely correct.

You're just me projecting this thing because obviously, you know, I don't feel that great right now and stuff. And then like, thanks for like, you know, being here and like, yeah. In a weird way of like, it's almost like, there was an article I read once about like the talking to your demons and stuff. So it's almost like I've tried to personalize, I'll personify whatever the word is, late at night. My anxiety into being something that I can talk to.

And actually when it pops up to me, just be like, oh, hey, do you mind? Like why are you here right now? But okay, you're here, you know, trying to like keep me safe and everything. Thanks for that. But also like, can you go away now? Yeah. And it's just the way that I look at things I think is a bit different. I think when I was younger, I used to spiral a lot more with my anxiety. I think now the biggest thing is I'm very sensitive. Like I'm a very sensitive person.

So I'm very sensitive to the energies of like people around me and stuff. And I think that's sometimes where like, always kind of making sure other people are okay and whatever that kind of thing. That's where sometimes my anxiety can spiral. But in terms of like me being like, it's that thing of me just going, okay, hi, you're not helping right now. Bye kind of thing.

Yeah. I think that's really good because I mean, you know, the downside of a lot of, you know, people, especially with mental health issues, cause I suffer from anxiety too, but it's like one of those things that I guess I'm able, depending on the thought to able to push it to the side, but not all the time. Oh, for sure. No way. And I think like, I'm one of those people who's very sensitive. Like, oh, if anyone knows me personally, I wear my heart on my sleeve.

So big cancer baby is my friend's life to call me. Like you're such a cancer. Okay. Um, but I mean like it's, it's that thought. Cause it's so true because I feel like, you know, when you're emotional and you're vulnerable and it's important because it took me a long time like yourself to kind of feel vulnerable. And a lot of that came from after high school. Like a lot of it didn't come from high school.

It actually came from outside of a high school to be vulnerable because it was easier, I guess, as an adult. And I don't think this happens to every adult. I think most adults actually find it harder to be emotionally vulnerable. Oh, for sure. And I'm like, yeah, whatever. Like, if you want to feel shit, you want to feel shit. Like, you know, that's a, that's the reality.

But I do find it funny because as being someone who never fits a box, I'll always be the first person and, and like, I'm very perceptive. I've always been like this, but I will automatically know who's sad in a room. Like even if everyone's smiling. I'm the same. Or I'll know what's going on in the room as well. Like I remember, um, someone who I was seeing, uh, a few years ago, I went to like a, house party of friends of his. And I was like, are those two hooking up?

And then it was like, it was like, no, like a weak light that they were. Like I was just like, I could just like, and like, no, he was like, how could you like tell that? And I was like, I just, like, I just knew. Like I just walked in. It wasn't even like they were overtly flirting or anything. I was just like, oh, there's an energy between those two. Yeah. It was just that I'm very much that too, but it's actually funny where we're talking about like being a sensitive person.

Like I'm learning how to set boundaries with myself to not always do that. As in like, if some, like, because I am very much that person that like, if I can tell someone's upset, I'm going to go over, I'm going to make sure they're okay. Like blah, blah, blah. But I'm also realizing like it's that thing of being like, oh, okay. How do I feel right now? And can I take on this energy or do I need to actually not do that this one time kind of thing? And so it's about learning.

Yeah. Or like, you know, have people in, yeah, especially if you're a sensitive person, when you know, you have people in your life who are like going through something and then you're kind of hanging out with them. And then afterwards you're just, you know, like if you get that, you feel that, that I'm just crumbling in the chair. That's the kind of vibe because it's like, I love you so much and you're going through this really hard time.

And that's really hard for me to see you going through this. And also you like this energy, like what, and it's just this thing of like, this really hurts. Yeah. And so I'm trying to learn as someone who's never really been good at setting boundaries, to be fair, up into this point, I've, I'm learning how to see that, to see that person who's like maybe a bit upset or whatever, but be like, can I mentally handle this right now? Or is, am I going to leave feeling worse off kind of thing?

Yeah. Because as much as I am very much like, I care a lot about the, of the, about the people around me. I need to, I need to care for myself sometimes. And I don't, I think that's a line. There's a few lines I'm starting to learn, you know, as I move into my early twenties and everything, I'm like, I'm so old now. I'm like, yeah, it's just that thing of, can I actually take this on right now? And actually genuinely having that and thinking like, oh yeah, no, I can.

But then it's like, you can't. And knowing like, yeah. And also knowing how to like, when someone isn't good for you, because I'm, you're probably the same, like I'll give people like a million chances. Like if I care about someone, I'm so dumb. I'll care about them like forever kind of thing. And it's that thing where now rather, I still will never like cut anyone off or whatever. I won't, you know, use that term, but I'm like, I'm just going to choose to love you from afar.

Yeah. Yeah. I'm, I'm very similar. Like I'm, I'm very good. Like I've definitely in the past cut people off because of various different things. But I mean like that, that is tends to be extreme circumstances. Always like, you have to really push my buttons in order for that to happen. But I do think that a lot of the time, you know, it has taken me a long time to sort of put my own boundaries up as well.

Like I used to be like, Oh, you know, like I'll help everyone and then sort of be inside just eventually like having, you know, like nothing left to give myself. Yeah. So I really think that that's important to kind of step back and know your own sort of self-worth and your self-re- you know, the ability of what you know, you can give.

Yeah. Because I think when you're too kind, you know, you can be too kind, but I think you can sort of like love too much and therefore it's like, and I feel it's kind of like, you know, sometimes people can use it to their advantage as well, which I think is the downside of, you know, situations because like it's one of those things where it's like, Oh, I've given you so much.

Like I remember one of my friends actually said, it's like, she was like, I find it more stressful that you're so good at giving, you know, more than most friends. Like, in fact, more than any of her friends. She was like, I don't understand how you're so good at giving people more than what they deserve because it was like the only friend that she knew that would go out of their way to do stuff. And it's really not that common. Like it's actually surprisingly rare. It is. It's the weird thing.

Like, yeah, cause it's that thing too where, I mean, I don't think of any kind of friendships, or relationships or whatever, it was like transaction of like, you have to do this for me and I'll do this for you. But it is that thing where like most people do actually think about themselves.

And you know, like, yeah, it's just that interesting thing where I, and I guess, I don't know if that's like upbringing and it's just being a sensitive person, whatever it is, but it's that thing where like, I also come from like a big family in the sense, like I have three other siblings. So I've always been, you know, very much like, gonna take care of the people around you and everything. And I'm second in the kind of pecking order. In the pecking order.

Makes it sound like your mother just had chooks and she was like, okay, cool. Yeah. But it is that thing where it's interesting because it's like, I don't even know where this comes from. It's also something I wouldn't want to change about myself. But it's like, just doing it in a way that also doesn't leave you being like, like burnt out, like, you know, from like, you can be burnt out from work and stuff too, but you can be like burnt out like emotionally and everything.

But do you, do you strike yourself as then a very genuine person, which, you know, what you meet is what you get kind of thing? I think so. I think, I think the biggest thing, it's such an interesting, like, I also find it like really hard to take compliments and stuff sometimes. And when you like thinking like, oh, do you find it like genuine, which is normally like a positive thing to do, but it's- It's like, let me self-criticise.

I mean, it's so easy for everyone to like self-criticise rather than build yourself up. I would say, I mean, yeah, I genuinely think what you say is what you get. I think the biggest thing that people say to me is what you were saying before, this, this thing of like, is this confidence? Like, yeah. Like people think I'm like really, really confident and like that, you know, nothing fazes me. And that's definitely not true. Like definitely not true.

I think that's one of the biggest things is like when people get to know me more and I'm like more open and like vulnerable and stuff with them and they're like, whoa, like what? Like not that you're like, oh, you have feelings, but like, oh, like you actually have like insecurities and stuff and I'm like, yeah, like a lot, like it's that kind of thing. I think that's the, but I think, yeah, I, I don't try and really like be anything. Like it's even like, I'm a pretty, um, affectionate person.

Like I'll walk up to someone and give them a hug when I first meet him. No, in like a professional sense, I wouldn't be like, oh, hello, come here. But like, you know, we're like, I meet people out at a pub or like friends of friends or whatever. I find it hilarious if someone checks my hand. Like I, it just feels like, I don't know. It just feels, but I can, I also like read people and be like, they're not a hugger. I'm not going to hug them.

But it's that thing where like most of the time I will go up and give someone a hug because that's just something that's like unapologetically me. Yeah. And I'll, yeah. Like I don't, I don't think I really try too hard to like be something else. I think the only thing is probably that like people get the idea that I'm, I have my shit more together than I do. That would be the only thing I think.

I think it's like, it's one of those things that, you know, it's, it's people automatically assume you're happy or like, I think it was one of my, one of my favorite sayings. And it happened to me, like probably when I was like, in like teens was one of my friends was like, you're always happy. Like are you ever sad? And I was like all the time.

Like it's like one of those things that I think, you know, cause I do have anxiety and I do have depression, but I also have ADHD, which is like a neurological thing. So it tends to be with ADHD people. You are more prone to mental health issues as well. Yeah. It's fun. Yeah. It's funny. That's something I'm actually looking into myself at the moment. Really? I've got a referral to go to a psychiatrist about it because this excites me greatly. Yeah. Cause I like, I always, I have an inkling.

I have an inkling in the way you talk and the way you, cause there's always, everyone who knows me, everyone's like, totally. It's like, it's the way, it's like 50 thoughts at once. But I remember once like one of my friends was recently like looking into it and he's going to go and get himself properly diagnosed. But he was like talking to his psychologist about it and he was like, I think I have this and she was like, okay, cool. Let's go and get you actually like find out through the tests.

Yeah. Um, but I was like talking to him about it and he sort of came up to me and we were at this presentation thing and it was a really nice presentation. We were chatting and he was like, I think I have ADHD. And I was like, this would explain a lot. Like all of the conversations that I suddenly just went, if you're not neurotypical, then I have like, or neuro diverse. Like I have no idea quite like what's going on.

I had the, I had the funniest, um, conversation with a friend of mine the other day. Cause, uh, we're like, one of my friends who I went to school with. So I've known her since like year seven, but I was out with her and like her group of uni mates who I see like every now and then, but they're like really good friends of mine.

And um, we're talking about when I saw my friend recently and I was kind of like to her, you know, I thought it was like this, I was like, Oh, everyone's telling me I have ADHD. Like do I have ADHD? Like, and I kind of say to her, I'm like, Hey, like, you know, you've known me for like a good few, like you've known me since like year seven. Like I think I might have ADHD. And she goes, yep. Like no hesitation. She goes, yeah, you do.

And I was like, and like, she's like studying med and you know, she's smart and everything, but she was like, yeah, haven't, don't, you know, you don't know this. And I was like, cool. Okay. And so the other night, like she was, she, you know, she was, I said that to her. I was like, yeah, like I was like, Oh, this is a really like big moment for me. And you're just like, no, you do. And like many people like that I've, that's why I've actually gone and checked it out recently.

I was having a chat like we cat about it is like a mutual friend of ours. But also just like anyone, I was dating someone earlier this year who has ADHD and they were like tiles. And I was like, Oh, it's just that thing. So many people pointed it out to me and I'm like, okay, cool. So we're going to go check it out. I mean, it's, it's also kind of interesting.

And I like the fact that, you know, like I feel, you know, one of the things I always find especially with dating and having ADHD or, you know, or at least you're on the spectrum somewhere is dating is also kind of all over the shop. Am I wrong? I think I just answered that question. It's like, it's not easy.

Cause like, it's, it's like, I think one of my, one of my all time favorite people in the world, we, we chat about on a regular basis, but it's like, you literally do it like in, and I give my partner Emily a kudos cause she actually did a bunch of research and she read a book about it.

But I was like, loved it because I was sitting there and just going, normally people find it the most difficult like thing to deal with because, um, I don't mean like this in a positive way because you know, people with ADHD are very easy to deal with, but we talk a lot and all we deal with things a lot and a lot of different ways and we do things in different ways. I mean, I, we don't know. I haven't yet, but I probably do. It's like, yeah.

Talking out loud as well is like, as in like just talking the thoughts out. Yeah. So yeah, someone who said to me the other day, like you're the funniest person to watch like, you know, cause you're like three people having a conversation with yourself.

So I'm like, I'm like, Oh, I was going to say, Oh, I'm actually not going to say, Oh, like that kind of thing or whatever, where she's just like, there's like three, like she started doing this in my like thoughts to be like, yeah, so these are like the three people talking at each other. I think it's like my favorite thing is watching you visually as well is like how I talk. I'm very animated. Yeah. It's like, I love that.

But I remember like one thing, particularly when I was younger, when I first went to the theater, like theater with my mom, this was like such an ADHD child, but she was just like, stop fidgeting. Cause I was sitting in the chair, just go, Hmm, hmm. Cause I'm so animated and it's like always the thing of just moving. Like I can't sit still. It's amazing.

I have a desk job, but I'm always like this because I've, and I feel, you know, it does, it does make sense because, you know, and I can sort of clearly see it in you as well. Cause I, I, I deal like if the thing is also when people are sort of getting diagnosed and I encourage it in everyone, because I think it's more common than people realize. Yeah. And especially it's harder to diagnose in women because, you know, normally they just go, Oh, but it's hormonal.

Oh, it's this, that, like, is that, was that an avenue that you found quite frustrating? I mean, for me, I just, I just chalked everything down to my personality. I'm just a bit of a hot mess. Like, you know, like, yeah, it was that kind of thing of, I, it's funny. Cause now that I'm actually looking into it, I remember like back in year 11, my, your director sitting me down at one point and being like, so let's go through this test. And like, I'd made all these like dumb mistakes.

And she was like, so like, you know, go through it, but blah, like explain it. I'm like, you know, get everything right. And she was like, you don't test well. And there's a reason why, and like, she wanted to do something with it, but she like never did.

And I think as well, like when I was younger, I definitely, um, my, my thoughts on mental health now compared to when I was younger was so different in the sense that like, it's not that I was like, Oh, I don't believe in mental health or whatever, but it's that thing of like, there's such a stigma. And like, I don't want to like, like, even I remember when I went and saw a psychologist in like, I was having like a rough time and like year nine or whatever.

And they were trying to be like, Oh, anxiety, like depression, blah, blah. And I was like, I was like, no, like I refuse. I know. Like, you know, like, and it was that thing where I, I just, I was like, no, I'm just a person and persons have feelings and blah, blah, blah. And like, anyway, as I've gotten a little bit older, um, one, I think everyone go to therapy. It's amazing.

Uh, and the second thing is like, no, it's actually like, you know, it's a, it's a thing like you can, you can like change the, there's, there's arguments for like, you can change the way your mind thinks and like that kind of thing and certain things you can, but then also there's like, like chemical imbalances in the brain and things that like, you know, like it's, um, yeah.

And so I think for me, I honestly, like, it's funny now that I'm actually like going down this, this route of being like, yeah, okay, I'm actually going to go and, cause it's not that I'm not functioning, but I just think I could function better if it was something I got under control. Um, so I think that what I was saying about Kat and I keeping each other on task, writing this play together because I will sit down right for an hour, won't touch something again for like weeks.

Like, yeah, like, you know, that struggle. Um, and so, yeah, but it's that thing where like, I would just, you know, I, I'm also hot mess. Great. Um, as I like to put it. I love that this episode just could be Tali is a hot mess. Tali is a hot mess. Yes. Um, but it was, I just put it down like my personality. Oh, you know, I'm just a bit, you know, I lose things all the time to the other day.

I left my car keys in an Uber, like, you know, and it's that thing where as I like get a bit older and I have more responsibilities in my head and everything, I'm just kind of like, Oh, okay. I know these things actually affects more like they affect the day to day kind of like me being like, Oh, I can't drive my car for two days now because of the car keys and Uber. Like I gotta wait for the Uber guy to like drop it back or where you've got bills and like the things.

And also when you're like a creative person and you have all these things you want to do, but you can't make yourself do the thing. Like it's like, I know, like this, like so many millions, million ideas I have going on up here and I'm like, just do it, put it on paper, do the thing. Um, but yeah, it was more just that thing that I just, I just don't think I've kind of believed that it could be a problem. Not that I didn't like believe in mental health, but I didn't want to believe in it.

Yeah. If that makes sense. That does. Like that's a, I don't mean like, look, it's not a problem for everyone, but I mean like it does, you know, even I haven't taken medication since I was about 18. But even now I find things that like day to day are not fab. Like there's definitely tasks, but I mean, it's really, I think it's also one of those things that because it's so misdiagnosed and it, and especially when you have chemical imbalances I've gone to job interviews or stuff like that.

And they've just been like, Ooh, Ooh, if they're like ADHD, what's like, it doesn't mean you're easily distracted. I'm like, not necessarily. Yeah. Because, cause you know, with ADHD, you can kind of get really hyper-focused and like sometimes I'll disappear upstairs, like on my laptop upstairs and not be seen for hours. And I think it's one of those things that when I get into the zone, I work really hard. But then when I'm, when that zone is broken, it's hard for me to get back into it.

And that's the struggle. That's where the struggle really begins. So it's like, it's not the process of doing the job. It's just getting into that mode and doing it completely and following it through. Yeah. And there's so many other, yeah. As I kind of, like, cause I did some research and stuff until people start pointing out to me, I'm like, okay, cool.

And there's, yeah, there's so many other things as well that it's like, you know, it's not just, Oh, do you get like, you know, distracted, like conversational, whatever. But it's like, I was talking to Kat about this recently where I was like, do you ever go to like, I don't know, the pub or something and you're distracted by like the lights that are like changing behind you, but you're like trying to like, listen to this conversation.

But you're like, it's that thing where it's like, sometimes it's just my mind's like a bit, it feels scattered. And I'm like, I'm trying to like be here, but my mom wants to go there. But like, I do that all the time. It's really bad. It's like, oh, it's kind of like one of those things. And it's the worst, it's the worst when you're trying to focus on something and you're like, you're like, or like, um, I have to do this occasionally.

And I've, I think I've talked to Kat about it is like, you know, if I'm having a serious conversation in like, I'm tired, I need neural stimuli to kind of keep myself awake and alert. And I will look at Instagram, not to look at anything in particular, but just to scroll so my brain is staying wired. And so I then use the auditory to kind of fill my head of what's actually going on. So it's like, you can do multiple different things, but that comes with training as well.

Like back in the day when I was a kid, I couldn't do that. That was a lost cause. I definitely also go through periods where it's like, I will sit and go, huh? Sorry, what were you saying? And that like, someone's talking to me for the last 10 minutes and I'm like, I feel like awful, but you know, it's even that thing of like, um, yeah, I don't know for sure, but everyone's, everyone seems to think I have it. So we'll find out.

Um, but it's, it's even that thing though, like, you know, whether or not you decide to go down the medication route or whatever with it, just kind of knowing things. And so like, yeah, the person I was seeing earlier this year, um, who has ADHD, they were telling me about like body doubling to get things done. And like, just this idea of like, I need to clean out my wardrobe or this or whatever. So like this person is going to like sit with me while I do this and then I can get it done.

And so it's that like, and that's something that's stuck with me now. And for the, you know, the tasks that I like find some things hard to do, like I gotta clean my room. I don't want to clean my room. I'm like, Hey friend, can you just come and sit in my room with me and like have a chat while I do this thing? And then like suddenly it's easier to do the thing.

And so even if it's not like, um, like you were saying, you like haven't taken medication or anything, even if you're not going down that route with it, it's just, I guess having, if that's something that's like affects you having that awareness, you can figure out ways to better manage that kind of what you're kind of dealing with. I think that's very true and it's like how we did tasks the other day. Like Emily helped me do like a massive cleanup.

We had clothes everywhere and we were like, okay, we need to put half of these in the wash and half of these in a way. But it was one of those things that because I couldn't sit there by myself doing the task, I needed her just to sit by and keep my brain like doing something. So I didn't feel like this task was as big. Yeah, definitely. And I'm, I'm always like that. I'm for some reason, what better with people in the room or sometimes I might like, it really depends.

Like, but sometimes I'm like, oh my God, I get things done. And then I'm like, how did that happen? Yeah. It's like, whoa, my room's clean. Yeah. Like, yeah, I know it's so much better when you arrange claim. Um, but yeah, it's like the simple mundane things. And I mean like, you know, do you think it will open, you know, like this diagnosis or when whatever you find out what's going on with, you know, inside your brain, do you think that's going to open up doors for you?

Or do you think it's kind of like for your own personal doors? I think it's, I think it's that idea of, because even like I spoke to my psychologist who then gave me a referral to go see a psychiatrist. Cause she's like, I can't do the assessment and stuff, but I, yeah, probably check it out. Um, is I was like, it's not that it's not that I'm not functioning.

Like as in, yeah, it's not like something that's like debilitating me, but it's that thing where, where I used to like, I don't know, chalk things down and just be like, I'm a bit of a mess. Sorry. Like, you know, like, like there's this video, um, when I was moving down to Melbourne, my, that I took of my sister where we're cleaning up my room and she finds this like bag of organizers being in a bag rather than being used for it. And they're like meant to be useful, which is organizing.

She's just like, is holding up these bags of organizers. And he's just like, this is you, this is you summed up in a video. Like you've got all the organizers stashed in a bag instead of organizing your shit pretty much.

And so, yeah, and you know, so it's that thing where I don't feel like I'm not functioning, but I think one with like the things that I need to kind of, you know, get more on top of, um, I don't, I don't know about like, I'll, I'll kind of see where, how I kind of want to go with medication and that kind of thing.

But it's, it's more that like, if I can get a handle on some of those things on like a day to day basis, that would be great because it just takes up a lot of space that you don't realize it does. And I think as well, I was talking to a friend who said, um, I haven't watched this talk, but there's a talk which is called like the cost of ADHD, um, which people can't like, it's someone going into how it kind of affects you.

Like in the sense that it's like, oh, you lose things, you gotta buy it again.

Like it actually like, you know, adds up, but it's also the kind of, um, I guess low, also like low self esteem and stuff of like, cause what happened to me, which, which was a bit of a game changer is a couple months ago, um, I've had so many people telling me that they got ADHD and I just broke down one day because I was just like, I've got, I'm so overwhelmed by all these things I have to do and I can't seem to get them done.

And I feel like a mess and my car's a mess and every, and it was that thing where I was just like, I'm just sick of feeling like a mess. And then I was like, you know, talking to Kat and talking to other people and stuff. And, and I was like, cool. Like, you know, maybe that is, maybe that's, maybe that's a reason why it is like that. Cause I'm a very like motivated person. Um, and so I guess, you know, it's just that idea of, I feel like having a bit more control over things.

Yeah. Um, and just kind of having my shit together a bit more, which is good for the mundane stuff. And so the other reason I'm, I'm seriously looking into this is like I was saying, like the million and one ideas of like, I want to write this script. I want to do this thing.

I like, like the way my mind works a lot of the time is, um, it is different for film like to theater, but, um, there's a short film I really want to write and I keep having just random thoughts of like, I want this transition or I want this or like, and so like my notes are like just all like millions of things of like, you guys can't say it, but it's like, just like so many pages of just like random ideas of cool, this transition

like of this thing to this or, um, or I come up with a random, uh, concept for something randomly. And it's like, I've got, you know, my notes in my mind in a way, I like these scattered thoughts. And I feel like if I kind of get a handle on it a bit more, if it's something that I am dealing with that I'll produce better work because I'll be able to actually sit down and compile everything together and be like, great. Now I've got, rather than like these million shot ideas, here's a script.

Yeah. And it's just, I guess, making, bridging that gap between like all these ideas and the follow through of doing it. If that makes sense. Yeah, no, it does. It does make sense. And I mean like, yeah, it's, it's very much like, you know, if, if it is the prognosis and everything, and I mean like, you know, speaking with someone who's had it for their entire life, um, it's, there's pros and cons to everything.

I think like, um, you know, the tasks that you can, it's like, you can just over stimulate yourself as well. You get very excited and you sort of get very like self, you know, like then suddenly can go into stress mode. Yeah. But I mean like, there are a lot of ideas that, you know, like have taken a few years to formulate and stuff.

And you know, I think had it not been for quite a few friends who also have like ADHD and knowing, you know, like Kat and stuff who I've known over the years and talked to about their own experiences, it kind of solidifies a lot more for me because I think growing up and I didn't have any friends who had it, that was a really kind of like head slammer moment. It was like, I don't know anyone and now I have all these friends who have it. A lot of creatives seem to have it. Yeah, I know.

Um, and they have it in various different spectrums. Yeah, definitely. But I mean like for my experience, it was something that I was like, okay, well, this is my trajectory in this, you know, like whether I'm a writer, whether I'm a producer, whether I'm a director, you know, whether I'm an editor, like whatever sort of direction I take, um, I just want to do the best that I can with that particular project. Yeah, for sure.

But to maintain that I don't take too much on is also that like, because I get excited by literally everything as well. So it's like my Achilles heel. Yeah, I'm very similar. I'm like, oh my God. Um, but you know, like that I think is half the, the, the excitement. And I, and I mean like, you know, your own personal journey will, you know, I I'm sure it will have its own trials and tribulations like that, that, you know, that's bound to happen.

But I mean, a lot of it does, you know, and I think even now, you know, I'm 30, I don't have all my shit together. Like I never will. Um, but I mean, I'm okay with that because I remember like, I'm not trying to be like everyone else. I'm trying to be the best me. So it's like, well, that's more important, you know, with my own like, you know, um, brain and, and how I see the world, I think that's the best thing I can possibly do. Yeah, definitely.

Yeah, I just think it'd be, I think one of the biggest reasons, if any, that I was like, I want to, you know, have a, have a look at if this is something that is affecting me is because it's very much like, yeah, I want to, you know, just be a bit more that's, but also like, I think it is definitely a, a project driven creative kind of thing where I'm like, I just want to get shit done. And if like, it helps me get some shit done, then that would be great. Like kind of thing.

Yeah. No, I agree with that. Yeah. Can I just say I've loved chatting with you. I've loved chatting with you. This has been so much fun. It's so much fun. I'm going to use this as a perfect point to wrap us up, but I literally could talk to you for days. I know this is great. Such high value. So Talia, where can people stalk you on the internet? Where can they find you? What is social? People can stalk me on, I mean, Instagram is probably the main kind of platform I think people use these days.

You know, I mean, I'm on them. I'm on them all. I'm not on like the Tiki talks or the Tiki talk. I can't say this is, see, this is where the old madness comes out. Yeah. I'm not on the Tiki talks, but I mean, Instagram, Talia, underscore Molino, very original, I know is my Instagram. And then yeah, like I'm on Facebook. I don't know. I'm a Vimeo, which has, but Vimeo is mainly just my auditions and stuff. Like I don't know if you guys really watch me do some things. I don't know. Do you?

I mean, do you? We'll see. I'm trying to like update it once I've got, oh, actually really quickly, I'm doing a challenge. And if any other actors or whatever are listening to this, I don't know who sets this challenge, but look up self tape May, but I'm doing it not in May. I'm doing it in October because a friend of mine told me to do it. But the whole thing is you have to film 16 self tapes, like within a month. Wow. So it's like me and my housemate have given ourselves a few extra days.

Like we started last night, but then by the end of October, we have to have kind of 16 self tapes together. Holy shit. And so once, and that's for like footage reasons, just for also just dusting off the rust, kind of, yeah, de-rusting a little bit. And then yeah, when I kind of then get that together, I mean, that's something that I'll like, you know, that's also like a platform of like, here's the work that I've done or like show real stuff. Yeah. So, yeah. Oh my God. Yeah. Yeah.

And it's also just fun. Yeah. Like I'm, I've missed doing, cause I've just fallen so much into the other stuff. I'm like, I've missed the acting stuff. I'm like, let's go. Let's like get this show on the road. Let's do it. Oh my God. I love that. That's so much like enthusiasm. Yeah. This is what you need. It's like, listen, listen, listeners out there, take time as it was, just to come enthusiastic with everything and you'll be fine. You'll be sweet. You'll be sailing. Oh my God. I love that.

Yeah. But that sounds like a fun challenge that I recommend. Yes. Everyone try that. Do it. Do it. Choose a month. It doesn't have to be May. But that's just when she does it. So she'll probably do it again next May. I can't remember the person is who like started the thing, but if you look up self-tape May, you'll find it. Oh, I do remember. It's a podcast called Audrey Helps Actors. That rings a bell. Don't know what her name is, but I know it's Audrey Helps Actors.

Well, go and look up Audrey Helps Actors on Spotify. I'm sure you'll find it. Yeah. But if you want to go and check out more episodes of this podcast, you can check them out on Apple and Spotify. I'll be speaking with another guest next week. Exciting. I know. I know. Right. And thank you, Talia. Thank you so much. And I'll speak to everyone all later. Goodbye. Thank you. Goodbye.