Director Kelly Park, Part 2: Fearless, Funny & Full of Magic

Producer Jess shares about her 10 year old’s observation about doors (0:00), Kelly on how she and her husband John both improvise, plan and manifest (2:04), Kelly shares about how she, John and Sydney family support each other in their careers (4:18), Kelly shares how she and John utilize their own gifts to be the ultimate parents for Sydney (10:08), building stories that last forever and protecting your circle (18:56).

 

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Hosts: Cherice Barton and Shelly Hutchinson  

Guest: Kelly Park

Producer: Jessica O’Keefe, Breatheasy Productions

 

Extended Summary:

This week, Cherice and Shelly sit down for Part 2 with the absolutely magical Kelly Park — director, actor, writer, and creative force — whose journey from marketing and tech to becoming one of television’s most sought-after directors is nothing short of inspiring.

Kelly also dives deep into the process of writing her first pilot and fearlessly sending it directly to an executive at Netflix, proving that boldness and belief can open unimaginable doors. Her dream project? A film co-created with her husband that is always developing creatively. 

Throughout the conversation, Kelly reflects on what it means to be tenacious, fearless, and self-driven while still staying grounded in gratitude for her village and creative community. She and her husband have not only built thriving artistic careers but also created a home where they became the parents they needed when they were young—supportive, loving, and full of possibility.

Kelly has directed hit shows including Grace & Frankie, The Neighborhood, Station 19, Lopez vs. Lopez, and more. But beyond her impressive résumé, what shines most is her heart and her grounded, fearless approach to creativity, family, and self-belief. In this powerful and emotional conversation, Kelly shares how motherhood became a creative expansion rather than a limitation, and how leading with boldness and intuition — like fearlessly sending her first pilot directly to a Netflix executive — can open unimaginable doors. She also reflects on the power of gratitude, community, and partnership, and how she and her husband have built not only thriving creative careers, but also a home rooted in love, laughter, and possibility. This episode is a beautiful reminder that magic is real — and Kelly Park is living proof.

Tune in for an honest, inspiring, and joy-filled conversation that will leave you believing in what’s possible.

 

FOLLOW KELLY:

Instagram: @kelp1031

IMDb @ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3815120/

Alliance of Women Directors @ https://www.allianceofwomendirectors.org/icon-spotlight-on-kelly-park/

Film Fatales @ https://www.filmfatales.org/directors/kellypark/

 

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KELLY’S BIO:

Director Kelly Park is from Philly. Her early years were spent attending Quaker schools, which helped shape a unique life perspective. After launching her career as a marketer and project manager in the technology and advertising industries, she decided to switch things up. Inspired by her actress mother to listen to her "funny bone", she took a leap of faith, and moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy. She began studying at Second City and The Groundlings, which led to commercials, short films, and sketch comedies. However, she soon realized being in front of the camera wasn't what fed her soul, teaching was. This eventually would lead to teaching children and young adults the fundamentals of acting and improv. Kelly quickly became one of the most sought-after acting coaches in television, working on numerous pilots and television shows for Nickelodeon, D