Finding Laughter in Life & Death with Jennica Schwartzman

After losing her father suddenly, actress, producer, and stand-up comic Jennica Schwartzman turned to comedy, storytelling, and creative community as a way to navigate grief and reclaim her identity. She joins Beauty in the Break for a powerful conversation about healing after loss, diving into stand-up comedy, and the ways her ministry upbringing shaped her voice as a storyteller. Jennica also shares how she continues to build inclusive creative spaces while parenting and producing meaningful art.

This is what it’s really like to handle the business of death—from managing legal documents and phone calls to emotionally processing a parent’s digital life. What does it mean to become the adult in your family? What do we inherit beyond objects? And how do we feel alive again?

If you've ever wondered how to prepare for a parent's death, how to grieve creatively, or what it means to reinvent yourself after life breaks you open—this is the honest conversation you need to hear.

In this episode:

• The secret ingredient behind Jennica’s wildly creative life
• Starting stand-up comedy in your 30s (and what it awakens)
• Why grieving might be the most adult thing you ever do
• What Jennica learned from inheriting 38 books on the Assassination of JFK
• The bittersweet beauty of wearing your father’s clothes
• How to become “dad” when no one else can
• How to prepare for a parent’s death (while they’re still alive)

Jennica Schwartzman:

• Follow her on Instagram
• Get her book Behind the Screens
• See her next stand-up show!

If this episode spoke to you, you will love Episode 3: Foster’s Loss where she tells the story of her late-term pregnancy loss and the beauty on the other side. You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, take a moment to follow Beauty in the Break on your favorite podcast app and leave a review—it really helps!

Reach out to the show—send an email or voice note to [e-mail] and be sure to follow on Instagram. 

Cesar Cardona:

• Attend his upcoming speaking engagements
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify
• Receive his monthly newsletter Insights That Matter

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her monthly newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

Editor: Bessie Fong

Special Guest: Jennica Schwartzman

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