https://www.listennotes.com/e/baf5b74fe67d429685402b77eb27e3b2

Hi, I'm Andy Page. You know me as Pearl on ABC's General Hospital. And you're watching EA Interviews.

EA Interviews, episode 541. Inspiration, transformation, success stories and the Imperfect Action Round. Seven days a week. Join Mario Ficini for today's expert authority effect Interview disrupting television. Things change over time. It started with radio, we moved on to tv. You, and the Internet comes out all these different mediums you're watching right now probably through the Internet. You're listening right now maybe on a jog, through a headphone set, maybe through your smartphone, whatever the case is. And I am super excited because I don't know the answer to this and I'm chomping at the bit because I have none other than Andy Page. Pearl from General Hospital, longest running soap. I remember it talking with my neighbors about it when we were younger. She's an inventor, author and she's been in the business. And we're going to talk about. I'm going to see if I can get some secrets on how to look better on camera and do more stuff because I know if you're watching this, you're an ambitious entrepreneur and we're trying to get publicity. But she does it. So I'm super excited. I'm going to be back with Andy Page. Every business needs a book, including yours. And that's why I'm launching my new book to help you regardless of where you think your current writing abilities are. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com today to learn the seven steps to publish and promote your nonfiction lead and profit generating business book in eight weeks. Once again, that's eapublishingmethodbook.com Here she is, ladies and gentlemen, the lovely Andy Page. Andy, how are you feeling today?

I am so excited to be with you. I've been looking forward to this for weeks.

Me too. I know there's a lot of people out there saying we can get you on camera, you can do this. And we were talking about some things just now. But I want to hear from your experience why you feel it's so important to have a presence and use the mediums we have nowadays. And you better tell me the secret that you didn't tell me yet because I want to know what you got up your sleeve about how TV is going to be changing all this. I mean, what's your take on all of it?

Well, that's a loaded question.

So good.

With regards to. I got more with regards to having a presence, you know, if I were to tell business owners One thing that you want to do, if you're launching a business or you're trying to, you know, work hard and have your business grow, I would say you cannot ignore technology. Technology is the one thing that is crucial to today's, you know, business development and success. So we have so many mediums at our disposal. You want to take advantage of all of those. So visual mediums like this are extremely important if you can present yourself in the best possible light. And so attention to detail in something like this is important because what it says to the consumer is that if you can see that I pay attention to details here, you can probably bet that I pay attention to the details in my products, my services, and all areas of my business. So, you know, presence says a lot, not only about you, but how you conduct yourself and what people can expect from all of your products.

And you're not talking about gifts for Christmas or birthday or anything. You're talking about how you appear on camera, right?

Yeah. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wrap a damn good gift. But I am talking about your presence in all of these mediums. And you don't want to squander any of these opportunities. If you are lucky enough to be interviewed by you or anyone, you want to recognize that you never know who's going to hear that. See that? So you always want to put your best foot forward in anything and everything that you do.

I love it. I was telling you beforehand, like, you're. You're one of the most polished, put together people. And I know you, it's your background and I could argue you have to be. So tell me a little bit behind the scenes because I know some people in the industry and I've done modeling and acting stuff before. My background's in video. But you've, like, lived it. I admittedly do it when I want and I like it, but I'm not doing it 24 7. So how is TV life different than normal everyday life? And do you have any secrets on how to go even more incognito when you don't want to be on?

Well, I mean, it's not that I live my life on, but I come from a very small town in Alabama where, like, my grandmother, if I were to have her, you know, like, peek in and be on set with me today, you'd see that she, at 98, she has bright red hair, you know, beautiful purple glasses and lipstick. And so the women in my life really took pride in being Southern beauties. And I'm really fortunate that I have that as an example in my life. So going incognito, I mean, maybe I wouldn't have on lashes like I put on for you, Mario, or. But for the most part, you're not going to see me at the grocery store without lipstick and my hair brushed. So I just believe that it doesn't take that much effort, Honestly. If you've got your wardrobe, is your workforce, you can reach in there. Everything fits great, everything looks great. It's easy to pull yourself together. I just believe that it's worth the effort. When I feel good and I have the confidence of my appearance, I linger longer in conversation. I have no problem engaging. I want to interact and socialize, and it gives me that extra boost that makes my life bigger. And it's that one pebble in my pond that I find is really effective in everyone I come in contact with.

I've got two or three questions now. I'm going to give them one at a time. Ask them. But you were saying the reputation. It sounds like you've been doing this for years. This is just who you are. You've always presented yourself well, whether you're on TV or not. You're. You're going to be presentable, right? That's what I'm hearing.

Yeah. Yeah. I'm not that girl who needs, you know, a makeup artist to come and make me feel comfortable on set. But, you know, I will tell you, I have lived my life with the belief that we don't eat the fruit the same day that you plant the seed. And so when you show up to every situation with the intention of making that situation better, making it easier on the people who are leading the situation, giving your best self, you know, coming to learn and to contribute in a positive way, that sets an example. And so, you know, you might not get this job, things might not go your way at that very moment, but. But the people that you were working with will probably leave with the lasting impression. And the fact that I'm the latest cast member on General Hospital, this is my very first acting job at age 54, is proof positive of that. I come from a reality television background, but it was the producers that I worked with 22 years ago.

Wow.

Who had this segment or had this opportunity on General Hospital, and they had seen on LinkedIn that I was now a guest host on QVC. And they reached out to me and was like, do you remember me? And I'm like, of course. How are you? How's your mama? You know, the whole thing. And they're like, well, we have this interesting opportunity for you. And three days later, I had the job. So it was congratulations again. Oh, well, thank you. But if you were to ask them, they would tell you. It's because, you know, the couple years that we worked together, I showed up on time and I was always prepared. I did my best. If they needed me to go get coffee or scrub a floor, I'd be like, sure, no problem. I'm not degraded by that. I'm happy to support you. However you need me to show up, I actually think that that's really important. I think a lot of people need to hear that. I am not in any way insulted if you need me just to pitch in and whatever capacity is needed at that moment. And so I think that they know that. And with this being a new venture and really in a television experiment, this is a perfect example. So one of the ways that we're getting out the word about this new experiment is for me doing these podcasts. And I was like, of course I'm happy to do that. I would love to do that.

And you definitely jumped in at it.

Yes, I have, and I've enjoyed it so much. But there are lots of people who'd be like, yeah, no, that's not my bag. But I have actually loved it.

So what I'm hearing here is a lot of you really come to every situation looking to add value to it, and that's what people are remembering.

I do think, I mean, I guess that might sound a little self centered or self.

No, not at all. That's what I'm hearing. Because one of the things with entrepreneurship, I've said this for years, like, when you create value for someone, the business is not rocket science. It's like, I have this thing, I can help you. Do you want this thing? Here's how much it is. It's just serving and you get compensated for it. And people think it's like, I mean, I tell people all the time, if you have a pad of paper and a pen, like, you can create a business, it's like not rocket science. I assure you, if I can, anyone can. But so many people lose this value creation. It's like, well, now I got to do all these things and you're just keeping it simple. It really, I'm hearing a lot of you're just keeping it simple. Like, I just look for ways to add that in. The other thing I heard was within three days you had the job. Do you think that had more to do that? Do you think that had more to do with they knew you, they could trust you. And I mean, that just seems like an insanely quick timeline for any casting.

No, it's true. And I do think it's because they were able to convince the powers that be that that they knew that they could depend on me, that I was someone that they could put, they could put this on my shoulders and I'd help them carry it for sure.

I'm seeing more and more of that. Can you tell us the secret? Now you're teasing me here. You even said it in here. You said it's an experiment. There's this new thing and I'm like, huh, you're really segueing into this. So I know, what is this experiment? Why is it an experiment? I don't think it's experiment having someone as good as you on there, but in the show's been around. So what is the experiment?

Well, so it is an experiment. And let me just tell you, you're right. The show has been on for 61 seasons. I used to watch General Hospital with my great grandmother in the 70s. So to think that I'm now a part of this legacy show is amazing. And I don't know if I mentioned it, but did I tell you that my co host is Morgan Fairchild?

No, not yet, but.

Oh, it's very cool. For your listeners who don't know, Morgan Fairchild was a huge star in the 80s. She was on a show called Knott's Landing. But most recently, if you've ever watched Friends, she was Chandler's mother, that gorgeous blonde bombshell. And now she is my co host in this particular storyline of General Hospital. And so here's the experiment. So we are watching television in very different ways. And it's called a soap opera for a reason, Mario, because historically soap has paid for it. So soap companies historically paid for the, the shows and daytime television. That's why it's called a soap opera.

For the commercials, the advertisements.

Yeah, that's right. So, you know, we think that television is free, but actually it is the advertisers that ultimately pay for the shows that we enjoy. And because most of us are watching shows differently now, we're streaming them or in some way trying to dodge the commercials. They're having to become a little more creative with how they can maintain ad revenue and ultimately the survivorship of the show. So on General Hospital, there has been a 20 year old storyline about deception beauty and deception. Beauty is this cosmetic company that is run by these amazing, gorgeous, powerhouse women. And the fans and viewers have had the opportunity to watch a lot of the products come to life. They've seen red light therapy wands developed and serums and the processes of packaging and patenting. And all the viewers have really had an education in this over the past 20 years. And the fans have been, you know, really kind of asking for a lot of these products to come to life. And as I said, things are changing. So a few years ago, the genius at General Hospital decided, okay, well, what if we brought Deception beauty to life and we created a way for people to actually use the show as a consumer base to buy things. And so let me show, let me explain how that works. So what happens is they have brought deception to life. Deception beauty is now a real thing. And as the products are licensed and produced, they are then brought to home and Heart, which is the shopping network within General Hospital. And there are two hosts there, Morgan Fairchild and me, and we present those products. And then they are moved to shophomeandheart.com where consumers can now buy the products that they have watched being developed. So when this was pitched to me, you know, in that three day period, they basically said, you know, what if you could have bought Fonzie's jacket?

Oh, that's cool. Yeah.

Or what if, you know, you could have figured out and purchased, you know, the hair care products that Monica and, you know, Rachel were using on Friends. So we believe that what is going to happen is that if this works, that what you will be watching in network television will all be, you will be able to consume it. So whether it's the cloth on the wall, whether it's a sweater someone's wearing, whether it's cosmetics, every show will eventually have a website so that you can purchase anything that you see within a show. And that is not only going to support the show, but it's going to allow you to use that opportunity to, to consume as well.

That's awesome.

So it is an experiment and hopefully it's going to work because again, this is the longest running show in television history. There's still 2 to 3 million people who watch this a day and want it to live on for more generations. So this is just one experiment to see if ad revenue can shift. And if it can, I can assure you it's only a matter of time before every show picks up on it.

So this is, this is surreal because I feel like we're talking about AI and augmented reality, but it's not. But it is, because you're augmenting reality with the virtual, but you're doing it with A real thing, not just a video game.

That is very complex and true, I think. Yes. And you know, the fact that they have developed the storyline, that there is a fictitious shopping network. So that within the storyline you are seeing me do my normal QVC pitch because I'm also a QVC host. So you're seeing me kind of do my QVC pitch within the show and it's a part of the storyline that kind of takes the virtual out of it, if you will, because I am realistically doing that. And then when you go to shophomeandheart.com, i do again my QVC pitch just as Andy Page showing you all of these products. So, yeah, I do think that there are some virtual there, but all of the products and everything that you're seeing is coming to life and you can bring them into your home. So, yes, it is a mix of the virtual, but the fact that, you know, you can really buy the things that you've seen, developed or, you know, thought that you wish you could have. I mean, I can remember watching Sex and the City, you know, in the 90s and the 2000s, I should say. And there was. Carrie had this amazing painting on her wall that I would just obsess over. And I always wish that I could have. That I could have it. So to think that, you know, it's just a matter of time before everything that we see that we're watching is something that we can acquire through a link or a website. I think it's very exciting. And it's also closer than you think.

It's. I want to say it's wild again, because it is, but it's not. It's reality. I mean, I remember when I was publishing my latest book, I was telling everyone I'm publishing a book on book publishing. And it was very meta and like nerve wracking, if I'm being honest. Because you can write a book on anything and it's like, okay, cool, it's done. But I was like, this better be right because everyone's judging me 10 times more than normal. And it's also reminding me of the Instagram, the food, the food stuff where it's like they make a post and then they say, here's the spoon, here's the thing. And they, I noticed the last few years they started and it's probably been eight years. I just, whatever, it's not my bag. Putting the links to the things. So how else are you guys thinking about, are you doing social post with the linkage to the thing Also, and I gotta get out of you what's coming out that you haven't talked about yet that you're going to tell with us and reveal to our audience, you know, in the next three to six months. Because I know you just have this. You're sharp and I know there's more that you're not saying, so you got to tell us a little bit more.

Well, it is true. So this is the first show, and again, it's an experiment. But I will tell you that as it stands right now, there are. There's at least one more, possibly two more. We'll find out in the. The next week, actually, that are shows that are beginning from, you know, Inception. They're launching in 20. They will be launching with all of this technology completely built into them.

Wow.

So this is, like I said, the first. And, you know, ABC felt that the deception storyline lent itself to, you know, starting here. But there are other networks who have picked up on it, and those networks are building an entire show where every single thing that you witness will be purchasable. So the. I do think that we're going to see that this is a part of everything that we consume, both on streaming as well as on network television, which actually makes sense. I mean, there are so many times when I'm watching, I'm like, oh, my gosh, that looks so good. Or, oh, that's really interesting.

You just want to buy it instantly.

Yeah. You want to know, you know, is it affordable? Is it luxurious? And the other thing that you have to know is it's just a matter of time, as all this happens, that they're going to be, you know, dupes and knockoffs and, you know, so it will be very interesting to see how all of this progresses. But I do think that this is a way that television is going to sustain itself, just because, like I said, our number one goal, especially in a season like this where, you know, we've all been so bombarded with, you know, campaign ads and political ads, the last thing I want to do is watch television and have to watch an ad. So. Yeah, and I'm not alone in that, you know, so I do think that this is going to be revolutionary and actually kind of a little fun, so.

A little fun. It sounds like a lot of fun. But I agree with the ad stuff because, you know, like, YouTube Premium and all these things, they're like, oh, yeah, there's all these services, and if it feels like six or 12 months ago, they all go, oh, we're losing money on all the ad stuff. So now it's like, oh, you have to pay and get paid to have the ads removed. Which I do, because I don't like them. As much as I love advertising marketing, helping you grow your business. I'm. When I want to relax, I'm. You know what I mean? I'm like, I don't want to deal with it. But it brings up the point. Like you're saying, what do you do with all that shifting in buyer demographics? And are you doing anything with. And I remember this from years ago. It's not even new, but they were pushing, like during a commercial break or something, scan the QR code. They like new people were on their phones watching. People are on a screen watching a screen. So they were like, forget about it. Let's just add something in. So they had supplemental content, like during the commercial break, like, do you think Chandler's gonna get back with whoever it was at Monica? Whichever one. That's correct. They had it, like, follow along to keep you engaged and basically keep you sitting there.

Yeah, it's very interesting. As a matter of fact, in Los Angeles and Hollywood right now, they actually have what's known as a double screen test. And the double screen test is, can this content withstand the attention of a double screen? And in other words, watching a screen, knowing that someone is honest, watching on a phone, watching on a screen. And can it still, you know, keep someone's attention? Because everyone in Hollywood knows that people are watching at least two screens when they're watching anything. So it is true. You are going to see, you know, QR codes and double screen language in more of television. And that will actually be how you get to a website with regards to products being consumable within the show or, you know, and then within that, you know, taking you deeper into more content about that specific product. So, yes, you are going to see, you know, QR codes and more double screen language. Because that is absolutely part of, you know, everyone's media experience these days.

That is wild. So they're already testing for that. And I knew it was nothing new, but it was just like, I can't say that I was with someone. Huh?

The double screen test is also a litmus test for movies now because not only are you double screen testing for television, you double screen test for movies. That is an actual thing. And it has to withstand the double screen test even when you're in a movie theater.

Wow. So people are. Yeah, you're right. You're right. Because that's real easy to spot. So the scenario I was thinking of it's going back quite a bit, and it's with people I don't talk to as much anymore. And I was just like, everyone was sitting on the couch watching this thing, and there must have been seven or eight screens for three or four people. And it was just like, are we gonna watch this or not? Like, why am I here tablet, here thing, here, lap. Like, just like, holy smokes. Like, how much are you trying to handle? So I can understand if it's like, hey, I see something cool. Let's make sure we buy that. Cool. Pull out the phone. But I've also seen the live tweet thing before. Hey, we're gonna live tweet the thing. And you're just sitting there like, oh, I caught it right as it came through. So where do you see this in five years from now, Even beyond this? What more do you think could be done? That's not part of the standard now, even though they've already upgraded to double screen test and the interactive. I mean, this. I think it's surreal, and I feel like part of you feels like it's surreal, too, maybe playing the character just because, like, we both knew it, but you're also so good at it and comfortable with it. It's your new norm, right?

Well, it is. I honestly think the next thing that's going to happen, to be honest, is you're going to be able to communicate directly with the celebrities. Like last weekend, I actually, during the.

Show, while it's live, I do think so.

I'll give you an example. So last weekend, I was at the largest national General Hospital fan event, and there were still over a thousand people there from all over the country to come and meet the celebrities and to talk to them and to take photos with them, to engage with them. These are, you know, fans that have been watching, you know, these storylines for decades. There were mothers, daughters and granddaughters there who've been watching the show together for years. And I think that the next evolution will be opportunities for you to literally watch live with, you know, your celebrity, and then you pay for that. I think that that is. It's going to be a thing. I think it will be a part of contracts. People want so much to have that personal connection, even if it's with, you know, someone that's a part of a storyline and they know that it's a fictional storyline, and they know that this is a real person. The interaction to people is still extremely valuable and it means something. So I think that is one other facet That I think we can probably see in a way for people to. Or I should say for networks to keep people. To keep people connected to network television.

Why do you feel that it is so important to have that they want that connection with the celebrity they're watching?

I think that people are really involved in the storylines. And, you know, I was fortunate. I had a camera crew with me for the two days that I was at the fan event interviewing people and learning more about, you know, their dedication to this show. And what it seems is if these people have become so invested in a show like General Hospital that these people become their fans family and they become so real to them and they want the opportunity at almost any cost to have that connection and to be validated for their loyalty, especially when it comes to a show like this, they want the validation that they're seen and that their loyalty means something. And I think connections directly with the celebrities often offer that.

Do you think this is going to go to a pay per view type of thing? Is it per episode? Is it by a season pass? Do you think it's a monthly subscription?

No, you know, I don't know about that. I can't speak to that. But I do think that there will be another. And again, it's not. Because I'll be honest with you, I don't have any insight into this. I just.

Okay, educated guess, maybe.

Well, and I've done two fan events, right? So I have actually done two fan events. So I have seen what this means to the celebrities. And I. Excuse me, both the celebrities and the fans. And so I just think it's a matter of time before, you know, someone kind of picks up on that and makes it recognizes how important that is to sustaining a show like General Hospital or a show that's been on for, you know, several seasons.

Talk to me about cameo because I feel like this is all in the same vein.

It is. You know, that's very interesting because. Do you like cameo?

I think it's cool. Yeah.

I actually find it extremely disappointing for what we were talking about earlier, because, you know, to see a celebrity, you know, when they're on set and, you know, have had, you know, all of the hair and makeup and the grooming and they take on that character with the help of, you know, dozens of artisans, if you will, who have worked very hard to craft that specific image and then to, you know, get a cameo from someone who looks like they basically just did their launch laundry, I find it really disappointing. So I could be wrong, but every time I've ever attempted to do a cameo or I've attempted to purchase a cameo for someone, I'm always just like, yeah, no, I'm not interested in sending a video that does not reflect the character that I thought was there. So I don't know. I personally am always disappointed in a cameo.

So when you're getting them from other people, have you done them for people?

No, I'm not on cameo. I'm not on cameo. I don't know that anyone. First of all, I'm very accessible. I mean, you can find me. So I am not, you know, if there were a D list celebrity, I'm like an ST or an R list celebrity. I mean, so I'm not on cameo. No one is ever asked to do that.

Well, I appreciate the hum. Humility and not what most do, but because I was gonna say, if you're on set, it would be real easy in my mind, like if someone wanted in the office or in the studio. Here, you just go to that setting like you're going to be there at certain times a week anyhow.

That's true.

You just put something in there that says, I only film once every two weeks, but it is going to be better than everyone else's promise.

Yeah, I mean, that's probably something I haven't seen. So I do think people need to up their Cameo game, and I'll probably leave it at that.

It also sounds like it might be an opportunity for you to have your own platform and make a standard where it's like, better than Cameo, because no, you know, we don't let anyone do it while they're doing their laundry at the laundromat or whatever.

Well, it's a good point. And Mario, you set the standard for podcasts, so, you know, maybe that is my next business venture, me setting the standard for, you know, cameos.

I appreciate that more than you know, but a lot of my friends are going to be like, really? I've been doing it 10 times longer than him. There's a lot of good people out there. But I. Everything we do, like the books, the show, everything one on one. I. I like to set the example for people, let them know what's possible. Because I think in business and life, there's just so many people who just. They have these great ideas. I wasn't joking about the competitor to Cameo and different things, but people just. I think we've all lost. Not all. Okay, don't pigeonhole. Don't make generalities. I say this all the time in marketing. Be specific. There's a lot of people who have lost their imagination. They lost the ability to dream. They lost. Maybe they didn't lose it. They're afraid to use it. Until, like you said, what if you set the standard and now everyone goes, well, let's get her cameo, because she does it like this and no one else does. What if you set the stage here? You know, I'm a firm believer, and I knew we were going to have a great conversation, but when you were saying, I like bringing light, I like bringing joy, my turtle's name is Joy, and I'm a firm believer with the light. And you can be the beacon of hope for someone, wholeheartedly be the lighthouse and 100%. So just being a certain way, people will see you're different. Whether it's for business or. I'm not even talking marketing strategy this or that. I'm just saying be better and you'll attract better.

I definitely think that we find what we're looking for. And if you are, you know, looking for, you know, bright, inspirational, amazing people, you will definitely find that. And if you, you know, speak ill of people and you speak, you know, in less than positive terms, then you will ultimately find the negative in the world as well. So I definitely think that you're. You're right about that. You know, one of the things, I don't know if I. If I mentioned this in my Bio, but so 15 years ago, I actually cut off my right foot. And so there was a time when I was very aggravated and kind of mad at God in the universe, and I could not understand how something so traumatic and horrible, you know, would happen to me. I was five days away from leaving to start filming the next season of my show, and it just didn't make a lot of sense to me. Why, you know, God, if you will, will do this to me because I've always been, you know, a good girl and positive and all of that. And it took me a while to realize that no matter whether I had a right foot or that the blessings that I have in my life and the positives that I have in my life far outweigh the negatives, like, far. So if I just focused on this one thing and allowed it to defeat me and allowed it to filter all of my thoughts and my response to the universe, then it was ultimately going to see me as a victim. And I refuse to be a victim of this world. I am. I am, you know, far more than that. So I definitely believe that, like you say, we reap what we sow. And you can turn anything into a positive. If I had not, you know, cut my foot off, I would have never developed the Girly Go Garter, which is, you know, my patented product that helps women all over the world. I would have never married my husband. I wouldn't have three amazing kids. So I think that, you know, we have to recognize that no matter the situation, no matter the circumstance, you've always got to look at the bright side of things. And I know that that can be really hard. But you've to focus yourself to think about things with gratitude and blessings and not with punishment and victimhood.

100%. I was about to make a joke. You said, you find what you're looking for, you attract to you what you're looking for. I can't top that. But I was going to ask, what if you think you found what you're looking for and then it gets thrown all over the place and it doesn't work out the way you expected it? And I know with every adversity, there's equal and opportune seed of greatness. And if this isn't what God gave you, there's something better down the road. But then why still, like, I'm not a beginner. This isn't my first rodeo. Like, why does stuff still just make you go, huh? That's weird.

Yeah, I mean, that was a, you know, cutting my foot off was a huge kind of stop sign in the trajectory of my career, to say the least. But obviously I needed to kind of regroup, and now I'm coming back to television with a whole other level of wisdom. So after my accident, I started working behind the scenes because I really struggled with walking without a limp for a long time. And so, you know, I went on to do hair, makeup, and wardrobe for Celebrity Apprentice. I went on to work behind the scenes on lots of shows and to help individuals and to bolster them and lift them up, which has ultimately been, you know, my small pebble in their pond that's allowed them to help people. So no matter the circumstances, if you can just take a break and take a breath, and even when you think, like, why on earth did this happen? I. I just believe that if you can give it a moment and give it a thought and look at it in the larger terms, there are other ways that you can give. Contribute, help, support, and be in service to help others. And like I said, those seeds will come back around. I mean, now I, you know, I'm 15 years out. I've had seven surgeries. I walk without a Limp. And I am back, you know, at the top of my game. And all of that has come full circle.

Okay. You're amazing. I want to bridge the gap from all the people who don't think that's possible to. Literally what you just said. And I know it has to do with attitude and stuff, but I don't. I know there's more. I. I have not gone through all that. But how. How do you maintain such a good attitude? Have the gratitude, still have the courage, the discipline? Because it's not any one thing. It's that iceberg picture we all see, you know, success and then what it takes, and it's all that. And it's just like, why do some people that don't have that. I've noticed a correlation. It seems like the. The worst upbringing and the worst life someone's had, and sometimes they just go off the rails and it doesn't work out at all, and they're, like, horrible. But then I've. No, I've noticed a direct correlation ever since I started. I knew it before, but people I've had on the show, it's just like, they just keep going. I'm like, really? Like, how? How? Because I like to think, yeah, I do the same thing. No, no. I know what I can deal with, and pretty much everyone's had it worse. And I'm just like, how do you overcome it? How is it courage, discipline, prayer?

Sure, it's all of that. And, you know, I think it's really asking yourself, what are the ratios?

What's the biggest one?

Well, I mean, I have never had a problem being courageous. I mean, I dropped out of high school at the age of 17 and moved to New York by myself because I was determined. I wanted to have a big life and not be the postmaster of Chickasaw, Alabama, which is what my grandparents wanted me to do. So I am very fortunate that I have had good opportunity. There's no doubt about that. And I also had a really strong upbringing. I went to a Catholic school where I was in church five days a week at a Catholic school, and then I was at a Baptist church two days a week. So I truly walk in faith with the belief that God is my bud. And wherever I'm supposed to go, I am perfectly fine with God leading me there. And I do believe that. But that leads me to the bigger picture, is if you ask yourself, okay, why am I on this planet? What is my true purpose? And I firmly believe that all of us have the purpose of serving in some way. We are Here to serve in some way? And so my attitude has been, okay, well, if I can't serve people in front of the camera because of my accident, how else can I serve? How can I take the talents, the gifts that I know I have? I mean, I obviously have a talent. I can speak directly to the camera. I can rally a crowd. I can, you know, sell anything. I recognize that I have this talent and gift. And if I can't do it in front of a camera because of my accident, who can I help? How can I teach? How can I continue to be of service in some way? So for me, I think the question comes with, really, how may I serve the universe? How may I serve others with whatever talents and gifts that I have? And I do believe that every single person listening to this has talents. It's just, you have to take yourself, your wants and your needs out of it and ask how you can be of service to others instead.

And with all those great attributes, you never once thought politics?

Oh, gosh. Well, no. I mean, I have been encouraged to go into politics, to be honest, but I don't know that I have, you.

Know, where you're at right now.

Yeah, I don't know that I have it in me. To be perfectly fair, My dad was an elected official, and so I'm very aware of what it takes. And that's probably why, you know, I lived with my dad. Going through four elections is a very difficult thing. And even my husband had played with, you know, running for governor for a little while. And so I. I just. Yeah, that's. It's a very sweet thought, but no, yeah, it's.

I know people, too. It's kind of grueling, but I just had to throw that in on today. But that. But honestly, there's so much. And I was going to ask you about the flip side of it from business, my lane, publishing, speaking. Have you considered doing more public speaking events outside of I'm the character at the con event or the industry thing? Just because you're completely motivational and inspirational? Like, could you see yourself just doing that, too?

Oh, most definitely. When I was launching my book and doing lots of things with my old shows, I would. I would absolutely do a lot of public speaking, primarily around image, the importance of image and how to help people look like a million without spending a fortune, you know, which is kind of my moniker. TV Guide, you know, kind of labeled me the budget bombshell. So I took that and ran with it for years. Before my accident. I did a lot of public speaking. I'M extremely comfortable in front of people, so. Sure. And I would be happy to do that again if that, you know, if that door opened, I'm happy to follow where the leads take me.

That's so inspired. I feel the same way. There's so many things you could do, anyone. When you're good at one thing, it's easy being good at, like, multiple things. It's one reason I have to rein in our authors going, oh, I got 15 I ideas for doing the books. I'm like, cool, well, pick one. That's the book we'll do first. And it's like, well, I can do this, this, this. But there's something magical that happens when you focus and just get it done. And I 100% agree with you on feeling led. Personally, for me, I know God's got me on a path. And it's like, when you're on there, it's like, this may not make sense most of the time, but you're on the right path. And when you're not, like, to me, it's very obvious. Just like, nothing seems to work no matter how hard you try. And then conversely, you can do, like, close to no work. And it's just like, really three more months of smooth sailing. Take it. Thanks.

Yeah.

What about the first 20 years? Just saying.

No, I 100% think you're right. I mean, you know, what is meant for you is meant to for you, and there's almost no way you can thwart that. I definitely believe that. So I see your point, and I think it's true. But, you know, the other thing that I really want people to hear is, you know, again, I'm 54 years old. I want to live to be 100.

No one would know that. Just saying.

I try. There's no doubt I try. But my point is, is that, you know, in my mind, I'm only halfway done. I still want another 50 fabulous years of work and experience. And the one thing that I think going to project me in whatever direction is next is my curiosity. Because the minute that you think you know everything is the minute that not only are you aging yourself, you stop growing. So I never want to, you know, come off as old, but I also never want to come off as someone who feels like they know everything. So I do not know everything. And I continue to stay curious and I follow those curiosities. And that ultimately is what kind of leads me to my next project or, you know, my down. My next path.

I agree 100%. This is. This is surreal. I remember having be Jeffrey Madoff. He produced the Victoria's Secret fashion shows for 20 years. And I had him on the show. And he said the very similar things. The curiosity. Curiosity. And one of my favorite quotes, when I was zoning out in choir class, even though I loved it, there was a quote. Mr. K had that calendar quote on the desk. And whatever the first day of school was, I asked if I could take it, but it was Einstein. And it said, imagination is more important than intelligence.

I love that.

I've stuck with that. And if it's not in my book, it should be maybe on the next edition. That always goes back. So many people trying to learn everything in the world. It's like, first, you're not God. Second, you're gonna need three lifetimes to pick this up. How about just ignore it all and do what's on your heart?

Well, I do love that. And it's reassuring for a B student, which I really was.

Oh, you actually got letter grades. That's fantastic. Like you were making a joke earlier. I'd be an rst Lne, like on Wheel of Fortune. Hi.

Yes, I. I did. But no, I, I absolutely love that. I think imagination is, Is. Is extremely important. But also, I, I just think there's so much lost. We're kind of in our second generation of people who are more comfortable in a virtual world than they are in a reality, you know, 100. And I feel like we're really experiencing a loss in so many areas. And, of course, technology is wonderful, and we are all really benefiting from lots of technology, but there's so much to the personal experience and to the personal growth that doesn't revolve around virtual and technology. So I hope that people are both inspired to utilize those things, but in our words, recognize that what we're talking about is really the human experience that's so important at being able to see things, you know, from a higher plane and understand your mission on a higher level.

So this might be dating us a little bit, but do you remember when kids used to leave their bikes on the lawn?

Yeah, my kids still leave their bike on the lawn.

People would actually play outside and kick or throw a ball.

Well, sure, I, I absolutely remember that. I think it's. I don't know. Do people not do that anymore?

I think it depends where you're at. I've asked this to a lot of people, and when you were talking about people are more comfortable with virtual, it's like, oh, and here's the fun spillover about what, seven, eight years ago, the whole Pokemon Go thing, where people are just walking through real life in the streets, like, but it was still augmented. I'm like, dude's getting hit by a car for a Pikachu.

Yeah. Well, at least I got him out of the house. But, yes, now I definitely understand. I definitely understand what you mean.

You know, so now the adults need a playpen.

Yeah. Well, I think I told you so. The latest thing that has my curiosity is dating. I mean, I am happily married, but I am obsessed. What's going on with modern dating? And so I've been doing all of this research and doing a deep dive into modern dating. I have created a podcast that I have on your show because I'm not 100% happy with it yet, but it's called the Dating Lab with the Hillbilly Yenta. I'm the hillbilly yenta because that's what my husband calls me, because I'm just so nosy and want to get in there and make sure everybody's in love. But this is, you know, one of the curiosities. And so it's my curiosity, but I also think it is an area where we are really seeing that the virtual world and reality are not, you know.

Why do you think that is? Why do you think. And I was going to make a joke. You said, what's going on with the dating world? And I was going to say, is anything going on? Because everyone I talked to is, like, irritated with it. Like, why do you think there's such a disconnect in. I don't even know. I'm the worst person in the world to be asking this right now.

Well, are you in love, Mario?

No.

Are you dating anyone, Mario?

No.

So, Mario, let me just tell you a few statistics that I have learned. You should know that the top 10 dating apps are all owned by one hedge fund. And the goal with these apps is not to help you find love. It is to help you maintain $30 a month.

Right.

And there's also a 70. 30. It's disproportionate. There are 70% men and 30% women because they have really realized that men will continue to stay on the app because men engage in FOMO far more than women do. So they have really adjusted the algorithms to keep men, like, really succumbing and to keep men on the apps, which is unfair, because the other thing that I'm discovering is that men are really struggling right now. Men, in many ways, have kind of lost their drive, and women have lost their power. So men are Feeling disenfranchised. We have got to figure out in this country how we can elevate women without diminishing men. And women now are pursuing men, which has completely changed the ball game. And it's not how things change should ultimately be done. It makes it. It sets everything up very oddly for most men. So my. I, again, I'm doing all this research, and what I am learning is that what there is is, like you say, there's a lot of people who are, you know, uncomfortable and sad and just do a lot of bitching about this, and there's not a lot of solutions. So as I deep dive, what I'm really trying to come up with is solutions to how we can ultimately reconnect. And I mentioned the two generations of people who are more comfortable in the virtual world because we are now experiencing so much ghosting and people stand people up. And there's.

Regardless of if it's Halloween or not.

Oh, yes, of course. Well, ghosting is just hitting, you know, game over button, right? Which is what we are all comfortable with. Oh, I don't like this. My. My player's not doing so well. Oh, okay. Well, boop. Game over. That's what ghosting is. And, you know, it's. It's unfortunate. It's. It's not courageous. It's. It's awful. So we've got to get back to having courage and curiosity and wanting to get to know people in person in real life.

I was just going to say irl because at some point, cool. And I don't. I'm familiar with the apps. It's not really my. I'd rather talk to someone in person, meet organically. But the logic of it, it's the same thing. I joke about this in business when people are like, oh, I'm not going to the meeting. I'm not going to the event. I'm not going to the seminar. I'm not going to whatever the thing is, in person, they're like, oh, I just email them. I'm like, how boring. I go, what about just Zoom? And some of them go, oh, we have Zoom calls. I go, even client. Depending on your client. For six years, you've never met in person once. Like, how cool is that from a business standpoint? Like, hey, we can work together. And this. We might do this once a week, but I would still want to meet at, like, after a few months. Like, hey, this is like, it's a friendship relationship, whatever. There's a real world out there. Like, it's hard to eat Through a screen like, hey, let's get more of this dessert. Like two of them. Just, you know, business conference, whatever the case is. Or dating. What? You know what I mean? At some point, how do you take this out of the machine and into real life? And I think that's where a lot of companies dating relate anything. It's like, that's the cinch point. Everyone's good technically, but how do you hold a conversation like this? We just met. You're awesome. I'd love to meet you in person.

Yeah, I think you're awesome too. As a matter of fact, we're going to stay in contact because I'm going to find you love and I'm going to give the best, you know, toast at your wedding. I'm feeling it. But wow.

Okay, now, yeah, this thing's still on and live. Fantastic.

But I definitely think that you're right. I mean, in person is something that is missing. And I, I agree with you. We need to give people more courage and skill. So to get back to in person on everything. In business, in life, in dating, in relationships and everything.

Wow, cool. This is not what I talk about in the show. Ask me business stuff. Okay. Expert authority world. You know, I always want to deliver for you. I'm going to do something I've never done in 500 plus episodes. So when you ask me, am I dating anyone? And I was like, no, no. There was someone I thought was like. And it's been years before that was the thing I've been confused about, like, what the hell is going on? Because based on every. I actually. Should I say this live? Probably not. I even said to people, I can't say that I have enough proof of conversations and things that If I am 100% confident, and I know she can see this, but I'm 100% confident. If I showed you everything, you'd be like, oh, yeah, she likes you. And I'm confident if it was a season of a show with all the. It just doesn't make sense to me. So that's where that was stemming from. Now that you brought that up. But I appreciate the. That just painted a picture that was surreal. I would love nothing more than to find someone, have a family of my own, all of that.

And yeah, great, let me help you. But in addition to that, if there is someone that's on your radar, you owe it to yourself to take a swing. I mean, home run hitters, home run hitters strike out the most, Mario, so don't stop. My husband asked me to marry him three times.

Please ask me some publishing stuff. This is. No, no. I don't want to back down from this because too many people do, but for. I just talked to her the other day, too.

Look at this. How fortuitous. Well, anyway, this is why my husband calls me the hillbilly yenta. Because literally, it's like one of my favorite new passions to find out if you're in love, to get in there, let's figure out why, let's figure out what's going on, and let's make a match. I mean, every mop has a handle. There is no reason why we are, you know, 50% singles in the United States. We have got to. You know, the other thing is that God tells us that life is to be lived through love. And so we're so many of us are missing out on so much. So I know it sounds crazy, but this is my latest passion, in addition to General Hospital and QVC and all the other things. But this is definitely something that people. My curiosity.

There's people I'm thinking of. My friend Kimmy actually helps people to flirt better.

Yes. Flirting is definitely a lost art because it's not even allowed at any workplace anymore. So it is definitely needed. Go, Kimmy. Teach them.

Yeah, there's people I'm more than happy to introduce you to, and I can't wait to talk more. Wow, this is. I sure wore my red tie. I feel like I might be matching it right now.

You're blushing.

Am I?

But that's okay. Yeah, just a little. You know what? I'm so happy.

Let me adjust the camera real quick. The white balance.

I love that we've had this time. And I love that I have, like, poked a little. Yeah, Mario, I was trying to get.

Stuff out of you, and you flipped it so well.

That's okay. That's okay.

Yeah.

This has been great.

I gotta ask you a couple more quick questions before we finish. This is the Wheel of Whatever.

Oh, I love the Wheel of Whatever.

You want yellow or black?

I do love yellow. It's my favorite color.

Cool. That's. I'm familiar with it, too. So your question on yellow. You see that right there?

Yes, sir.

With everything we were talking about and how great you are technically in the. On broadcast, all of these things, and. And you're definitely motivational. Where do you think we are going to be down the road and how can we help more people to learn to socialize and just. Just be normal again? You know, you. You made the comment about, you know, it makes the Women in weird situations. I almost said backwards. And I'm sure that's going to get backlash. But the reality is I know women are supposed to be in feminine and, and men are supposed to be in masculine and it's just whatever. Now some people are just shut your mouth, stop talking. You know what I mean? Like how do we get back to just people actually caring, helping and just traveling and being normal humans, like you said, that are curious. Like we grew up with where we actually built stuff and made the world a better place.

I do think that the pendulum is swinging back and I think the more you know this, the truth is all of the technology that we're experiencing in social media and everything, it is, you know, very much an experiment. We don't know how it's going to affect us. And the more we become aware of how it's affecting us and we are becoming more aware, I do think that we will start to self correct. I do truly believe that. I believe that parenting will, you know, like for example, I have a 22 year old daughter and I have 18 year old daughters. The 22 year old daughter got, you know, a device in the sixth grade. The 18 year olds did not get a device until they were 14. Because you learn and you adjust. So I definitely think that we will start to adjust as we realize, okay, this is not okay. We are all ultimately not happy. We are not self fulfilling, we are not procreating, we are not enjoying life to its fullest. And so I think the more that we recognize what we are going through right now is a very big experiment with all of the technology that we will become educated and we will ultimately, you know, honestly change things, adjust things. I know I have with my kids, I've absolutely changed things and I am teaching them, you know, how to have more courage. Do not ghost. Be honest. Say the hard things, engage in the tough conversations, you know, push yourself. You've got to have courage in this world. You've got to be able to, you know, even if it's uncomfortable, just do it and you will build that muscle. So I do think that we will start to self correct.

Good. Okay, I'm happy again because I was like, why aren't more people like you? And then that I am. I'm always hopeful. It's just weird a lot of things. But it's why I think business is so good. You can speak, you can author, you can do all these different things. You can literally get compensated to help people. If you can't, if you don't have this much of a heart to go. I'm not even doing this selflessly. Like, I'm doing this to get paid. Fine, whatever. Work on your heart. Pray. But cool. Still. Go build a successful company so you're not dependent on everyone. You can still help thousands of people and maybe down the line you'll just be a better person. But I just. I'm glad. I'm glad we had this conversation because.

Me too.

I know you know more people like you. And I can't wait to introduce you to other good people. Kimmy's one of them. Allison's another one. There's a lot of. I mean, I could be here for days naming. I'm just looking for all the good people. And I had a feeling about you. So.

Well, I have so enjoyed our time. It has been absolutely wonderful and I'm so excited to. Yeah, I'm obviously going to have you on my podcast.

Oh, okay. Oh, good. So you can go deeper with all the romance stuff. Fantastic.

Thank you so much for this. It's been awesome.

And where would you like people to find you other than General hospital and on TV and everywhere?

You can go to andypage.com and I spell it A, N, D, Y, P, A, I, G, E. You can also find my girly go Garter, which is my hands free purse that I invented. And I encourage all the listeners to go to shop home and to really engage in this experiment and to take advantage of the opportunities that General Hospital has created for the viewers and consumers.

I love it. Well, Andy, it's been great talking with you and I can't wait to continue the conversation.

Me too. Thank you so much.

All right, Expert Authority world. We have another great episode here today. I'll see you on the next one. Have a great day and God bless. You're already the expert, but have you transformed your expertise into a tangible asset that will generate qualified leads while increasing profit for you 24 7? And if so, how well are you promoting it? With my new book, the Expert Authority Effect publishing method, I take you through my process step by step. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com today to learn the seven steps to publish and promote your nonfiction, lead and profit generating business book in eight weeks. Visit eapublishingmethodbook.com to get started. Now. Once again, that's eapublishingmethodbook.Com thanks for listening to today's episode. I would love to know what you enjoyed most from it if you haven't done so already. I invite you to connect with me on my new LinkedIn. You can go to it directly at eainterviews.com LinkedIn Once again, that's eainterviews.com LinkedIn lastly, check out the full eainterviews.com site for complete show notes, the full interview video experience, links to review to the resources we mentioned, and more. Have a blessed day and I'll see you on the next one.