This month, we’re thrilled to feature comedian, actor, writer, and wellness trailblazer Carla Collins, whose uniquely Canadian charm and brilliantly off-kilter comedic lens offer the perfect close to our 2025 series. Here’s our conversation with Carla — a Q&A filled with humour, honesty, and the kind of perspective only she can deliver.
You’ve had a long and varied career as a comedian, writer, actress and host. Could you share a bit about your Canadian upbringing and how that shaped your comedic voice?
Well, I’m originally from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario so ‘nuff said. I mean, these aren’t my original teeth. Hockey and humor are the two greatest currencies in the Soo. First guy I made out with was my cousin George. I know what you’re thinking “Ewww, how could you kiss a dude called George?” I come from a family where joking, teasing and laughter were mandatory and highly encouraged. In retrospect, it was probably wildly inappropriate that my parents exposed us to Mel Brooks movies and Cheech & Chong records when we were children, but I’m very grateful they did. I was brought up on Canadian classics: Wayne & Schuster, Maclean & Maclean, SCTV, the list goes on. I’m also still a big Three Stooges fan, especially Shemp, the thinking woman’s stooge. I wrote a speech on humor for a Kiwanis Club competition in grade six. And not to brag but, I won.
My Mom was a writer, and she was always my greatest influence and supporter. I worked in my Dad’s convenience store and was held up at gunpoint in two armed robberies when I was a tween. Two armed robberies? There was only one gun in Canada at that time. I think these events made me good under pressure and a fan of dark humor. It’s slimming.
My first two jobs were uber Canadian: I was an Air Canada flight attendant and a weather woman. If I had become a nurse, I would have been all three of the OG slutty Halloween costumes.
Carla Collins
Comedian, Actor, Writer
How did the pandemic and the more general social / political climate influence or reshape your approach to comedy?
I have never been a very political comedian; there are many other comics who are extremely passionate about politics and who cover these topics beautifully. Politics is now completely absent from my routine. During these rapture adjacent times, I’ve taken a more silly and absurdist approach to comedy. My material is also now much more personal and vulnerable. I guess the stooges are still an influence because my delivery has become quite physical, a little like the poor man’s Sebastian Maniscalco in drag. Without sounding trite, I want the moments I’m on stage to be an escape for the audience from the current Mad Max dystopian landscape; maybe even bring people together instead of pushing the divide. Avant goof, is that a genre?
What was the pivotal moment when you decided to combine comedy and wellness into what are your two signature offerings?
This combination happened pretty organically just before the pandemic. For some time, I had been writing and recording my own meditations because I wasn’t crazy about the ones online. There was literally a meditation on YouTube where the woman said “take a deep breath in, now exhale through your vagina” kinda took me out of it. Like, WTH? Can it breathe? Should I get it an N95 mask and where will I find one that small? Anyway, one evening a breath guru didn’t show up at my friend’s wellness center and clients had already arrived for the sesh. I offered to sub in and do some comedy followed by an authentic guided meditation. Those in attendance really enjoyed the comedy and meditation medley the local NBC’s California Live covered it the following week. Soon after, the world shutdown and it transitioned nicely online. Some find meditation centers and gurus intimidating and I just wanted to make it more accessible, just take the woo woo out of it. As someone who is as hyper as a Chihuahua on meth, I also reasoned laughing, releasing endorphins and burning off some energy before attempting to be in a relaxed state would be helpful in a world where doom scrolling fights for our energy 24/7.
As for the vision pop boards, art is my first love, but I hadn’t done a piece since high school. My brother encouraged me to take it up again and asked what I would draw/paint if I could choose anything. I landed on vision boards. This way, someone could have an original piece of art hanging on their wall and gracing their phone’s wallpaper instead of the typical vision board images of letters cut out of a magazine that I think resembles a hostage ransom note.
What has been your biggest challenge merging comedy and wellness, and how did you overcome it?
Welp, initially it seemed like inviting the Bloods and the Crips over to Gwyneth Paltrow’s place for brunch. No one wants that. The spiritual community thought it might be a parody, and the comedy peeps thought it would be too precious. The whole reason laughter and meditation work is because they both produce a gamma brainwave. That’s why laughing before meditation puts everyone in a deeper state of relaxation.
A LOT of people confuse meditation with yoga and would tell me they didn’t want to come because they had a bad back so I had to make it clear they would just be laughing and closing their eyes. I countered this in a couple of ways: it’s experiential so I offered a few sessions for free, you know, the standard drug dealer formula. I removed “meditation” from the title because people can be funky about that word and started calling it “Chuckle & Chill” because who doesn’t need to laugh and relax? That’s all it is. I came up with some sassy sell lines like “It’s where haha moments lead to aha moments” and “Where stand up meets lie down” and “Like Botox for your third eye.” Honestly, word of mouth is always the best marketing tool. I’ve now done Chuckle & Chills at bachelorette parties, sober living centers, senior citizens residences, private homes and small theaters. I’m finding in this apocalyptic era people are looking for some wacky with their wellness and are a lot more open to this offbeat Hollywood marriage.
As for the Vision Pop Boards, people on socials keep asking me to put them in touch with the lady who does the custom vision boards to which I reply: “That’s no lady, that’s me”. I’ve only been doing these boards for less than two years now and I guess people are surprised I do art and shocked I found something less stable than standup comedy: fine art.
What mantra or affirmation do you tell yourself daily or before going on stage?
Yowza, I can already hear eyes rolling but I’ll admit it, I do some light affirming. I created a vision pop board with the mantra: “Message: You have to be a mess before you become a sage.” I’ve really been leaning into that one in the hopes of making it to the sage stage in this life. Daily? I’m a big fan of the “I am” mantras: “I am love, I am joy, I am so rich I’m wearing Fruit of the Illuminati underwear” I don’t think I’ve said a mantra before going on stage but “Bitch, be funny” is usually going through my head.
What advice would you give to creatives considering launching a hybrid model like yours?
I would highly recommend anyone who is considering cross-pollinating their passions read The Medeci Effect: Breakthrough Insights at the Intersection of Ideas, Concepts and Cultures by Frans Johansson. As the title longer than one of my marriages suggests, the author illustrates how groundbreaking, innovative ideas often emerge at the intersection of diverse disciplines, perspectives and cultures. It’s all about the combo platter, Pokemon is a great example of this. As is Reese’ Peanut Butter Cups. Also, the creatives would be in good company, both Richard Branson and Prince have used the Medeci Effect very effectively.
What are one or two big items currently on your vision pop‑board for 2026 and beyond?
I’m doing a comedy tour, so I’d like to record another comedy album. Getting my new book, The HuaHua Way published. It’s written in the style of The Little Prince so a children’s book with adult themes. I’ve finished the text and am currently working on the illustrations for each chapter. I believe I’m also legally required to host a podcast in 2026. I wouldn’t say no to a vision pop board mural.
Finally, I want to launch my own line of specialty products for comedians with big, feral hair and call it Mane Room.
Find her on IG: @carlacollinscomedian and visit her site here: www.carlacollins.com