January 10, 2024 • 45 mins
As I sat with my good friend Morgan McGhee, sipping on caramel delight oolong tea, we unraveled stories of artistic growth and mindful living. Morgan, a vibrant force from Baton Rouge to New York and now Chicago, joins me, in a rich discussion that meanders through our shared stage memories, to the intricate dance of mindfulness in our lives.
This talk is a journey—a reflection on the post-pandemic social renaissance where the thirst for connection meets a world still learning to be present. We openly critique the superficiality of performative self-care and emphasize authentic, intentional living. Our conversation isn't afraid to pose the hard questions, like how does one maintain a sense of purpose amidst the noise? Morgan and I don't just ask; we share our personal anecdotes of grounding morning routines, from crafting the perfect breakfast sandwich to the solace of dark, music-filled showers. So, pour yourself a cup of your favorite tea and join us in this heartfelt exploration.
Join us in conversation on socials:
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
TJ (00:15):
Hey friends, it's TJ.
And you're listening to Teawith TJ, where our love for tea,
conversation andself-improvement intersect.
So let's take a deeper diveinto my cup and let's have a
chat.
Hey friends, it's TJ.
(00:35):
So today I have a very specialguest, a really good friend of
mine.
But before we go there becauseyou were very explicit about
wanting to taste the tea fortoday Today we are having a
caramel delight.
It's a dark oolong tea, like aroasted oolong tea.
(00:58):
So go ahead and taste it andtell me what you think.
, before I was going to say,the smell of it reminds me of
those caramel rice cakes.
I used to eat them when I waslittle.
They was nasty, but this smellsreally good.
That's nice because it smellssweet, but it's not.
(01:18):
It's very earthy, but not like.
You know how sometimes a darkertea will taste burnt, I guess,
if it's steeped too long orwrong.
It'll taste very bitter.
Bitter that's the word.
Morgan (01:34):
That's nice, you know, I like earthy stuff.
TJ (01:38):
I picked this one just for you.
So, please introduce yourself.
Morgan (01:45):
Hello world.
My name is Morgan McGee.
I'm originally from Baton Rouge, louisiana, and now I live here
in the adjacent to the BigApple.
I have moved to New Jersey,thank God, but it's still New
York.
It's 100% still New York.
I can get to Midtown fasterthan people in Queens, brooklyn.
(02:08):
Or up here.
Yes, what's the other one?
Only yellow A story.
TJ (02:15):
That's Queens.
Morgan (02:16):
Whatever, it's not the real Queens, but what else?
Yeah, I'm here.
I love TJ very, very much.
I love you.
We used to have some adventures?
TJ (02:28):
Yes, and I feel like we should probably.
So, okay, let's do this.
How to explain to our audiencehow did we meet?
Morgan (02:38):
Me and TJ did a show together Jesus Christ Superstar,
and that was something westarted in Lancaster.
Right, we started in Lancaster,sat down for two months and
then we went to the West Coast.
That was a time it was.
(03:00):
That was really nice.
It's always so funny too,because when people bring up
Jesus Christ, I was like, oh,yeah, I did a show.
They'd be like, oh, when didyou do it?
I was like it was a tour.
They'd be like, oh, you did thenational tour.
And I was like, no, I alwaysremember Amy being like this is
(03:22):
a special engagement.
She's like girl, but yes, andthen we came and sat back down
in Florida and yeah, we've beenfriends ever since.
TJ (03:37):
I remember our rehearsal period.
And I think it was still earlyin the process.
I don't think we were off bookyet, but I think it might have
been when we were blocking.
What was that number that wehad together with the lepers,
and it was like the temple scene.
(03:57):
Oh, yes, yes, yes yes, I thinkthat's when we first started
talking to each other and Iimmediately was like oh OK,
we're of the same mind.
Morgan (04:07):
I don't know when in the process it was, but I do
remember being like oh, ok, Iwas also jealous of you, because
I really wanted your part.
TJ (04:17):
OK, all right.
Well, that's not fair why?
Morgan (04:23):
I have very limited musical theater roles in my
repertoire, I know, but it wasjust you just did it so well,
and the fact that I thought thatI could do it comparable to you
.
I wanted to do it so bad.
Oh gentlemen, oh my gosh, itwas amazing.
TJ (04:45):
But anyway, for those who don't know, that TJ is very very
talented, thank you.
I play Caiaphas in thisproduction of Jesus Christ
Superstar.
So what is happening with younow?
Because it's been a while We'venot seen each other.
Morgan (05:00):
Yeah, I just got back from Chicago.
I feel like I was in Chicagoall last year.
I was there in the summer doingthe who's Tommy, and then I
just got back doing Boop, theBoop or Doop'sicle, sweet Lord.
So silly but it's cute.
I'm having a good time in liferight now, a little tired, but
(05:24):
like I'm on the way to getting alittle rest, you know.
But yeah, I feel blessed, really, really blessed right now,
because, even though it is someof the processes are long and
stringy-wise, but I've been very, very fortunate to be doing,
like for the past two yearsworking on original stuff you
(05:47):
know like, in creating roles andbeing a part of, like the
beginning of the creativeprocesses.
I've always wanted to say thatin some kind of connection and
just seeing like the groundworkthat's done and like how things
change and how much they changeand being a part of why it
(06:10):
changes, and I think it's reallyreally cool to me and I have a
lot of respect for people who,you know like, are able to step
into themselves and createsomething, you know, because
it's not easy, but yeah, so I'vebeen very, very fortunate and
(06:32):
I'm just kind of riding the waveright now of gratitude and
blessings and yeah.
TJ (06:41):
So I let you pick the subject for this episode.
And I think just in your briefintroduction and catching up, I
feel like it kind of aligns withpretty much what you've been
going through, but you chosemindfulness which I think is
something that is a dying art.
(07:05):
But I feel like we, like ourgeneration, is slowly becoming
more and more aware of likemental health and trying to be
mindful in situations and tryingto take care of our minds and
our bodies and our spirits.
And so, with all that you'vegone through in the past few
months, of like being away fromhome for like months on end and
(07:27):
like doing all of these projects, how have you been able to tap
into that mindfulness?
Morgan (07:33):
I don't, I'm not able to not.
If that makes sense.
It's just something I I can'tbe unaware of the things around
me, and I don't understand howthat is so easy for people, and
(07:57):
it's not even just other people,it's things, too, things that
don't belong to us, or eventhings that we think do belong
to us.
You know, I just don't, I don'tknow, I don't know what that's
like to walk around and have noregard.
Jesus.
I just, you know what I mean.
No regard, yes, okay.
TJ (08:17):
So what would you say is your, because I feel like people
have different perspectives onmindfulness and how they
practice it.
What would you say is yourpoint of view when it comes to
being mindful?
Morgan (08:33):
I really think it comes from religion, and just being
brought up in a religioushousehold and treat your
neighbor as thyself beat intoyou.
You know, it's just a.
I don't wanna treat anybody howI wouldn't wanna be treated,
(08:54):
you know, and I just can't.
The thing for me is how peoplethink that, like when things
happen that they are so removedfrom that and it's just so far
away from their reality.
And it's not Crazy.
Things can happen, and I thinkthat's the point.
Crazy things can happen, likeno matter where you are in life,
(09:19):
what you're doing, no matterhow successful you think you are
or how far removed or howprotected you think you are, and
we see examples of it every day.
It's why I hate the internet,but it's just.
I can't imagine doing it andI'm not perfect.
(09:41):
I've done things before, butI'm also not above knowing that
I'm wrong and apologizing andtrying to make it right, and I
think that is also the thing,like when we do slip up,
acknowledge it.
TJ (09:54):
Yeah, yeah, I think that's one of my biggest things when it
comes to being mindful istrying to remain mindful not
only for myself, but for thepeople around me, and I have
encountered people, which Ithink is what you're hinting at,
but I've encountered people whocan be a little aloof when it
(10:15):
comes to being mindful of others, and I'm sure both of us have
stories of rehearsal rooms andjobs and experiences, yeah.
I mean, even on the train in NewYork City, it's like there are
so many times where I am sittingthere or standing on the
platform or standing on thetrain and the complete like
(10:40):
unawareness that there issomeone else next to you or in
front of you or beside you.
So many times I've encounteredpeople who literally will come
and stand right here, yeah, andbe on their phone or somewhere
else and completely unaware oflike how close they are to
another human being and I'verealized I think the pandemic
(11:03):
taught me a lot coming out ofDisney and coming back to New
York and having to be isolatedand having to be with myself for
a long period of time, when Ifinally was back around people I
started to realize andcomprehend and be like wait a
minute like there are otherhuman beings around me, like I
(11:25):
didn't realize how much I missedbeing around people.
And so when we started to likereopen the city and like grocery
stores would open and like gymsand theater opened, just to be
around people was kind ofinvigorating.
But what I noticed is that alot of people coming out of that
(11:45):
and coming out of the pandemicwere unaware of the other people
around them.
Yeah, yeah.
Morgan (11:55):
And it's not just physical, because I really feel
like the physical thing is thesmallest most.
It's just like yeah, whatever,like people are stupid.
But it's also I'm starting tonotice a lot of things in like
(12:15):
relationships and not romantic,like friendships or, you know,
like working relationships andpeople not being aware of what
they say, like what comes out ofyour mouth, especially if it's
somebody that you know or youclaim to know.
you know experiences that thisperson has gone through you
(12:37):
might even know what's going onin their life right now and for
people to not be considerate ofthat when things come out of
their mouth or you know, justeven actions that they may
display, it's mind boggling tome and I can't, I don't
(13:01):
understand it and sometimes,when I really think about it, it
makes me sad, because it's likewhy can't you take the extra?
two seconds to think about whatyou're gonna say, who you're
talking to, especially if youknow Jesus Christ.
Nowadays people always likespread love, give love, love,
(13:25):
love, self-love, self-care Shutup and the mindfulness too, kind
of goes.
It's an excuse for it to go outthe window too.
When people like I'm self-care,I'm taking care of myself, Girl
boy, sir, ma'am, that's not athing Like, because if you claim
(13:46):
to embody love and it wouldalready be inside of you, Like,
once again, I'm not perfect.
I'm not perfect, but I justdon't understand.
TJ (14:01):
Thank God that we are blessed and privileged to be in
the spaces where we are, and Iknow sometimes it's not perfect,
but Jesus Christ, I think therehas been this explosion of and
I said this earlier there's beenthis explosion of our
(14:24):
generation focusing on mentalhealth and trying to better
ourselves or better themselves,and I agree that there is a
point where it can become alittle too much.
Or, let me rephrase, I agreethat in some cases it can be
very performative.
And I think those are themoments and those are the
(14:47):
interactions that I have nointerest in, because the past
few years has shown me a lot andtaught me a lot about myself
and has pushed me into a placeand I'm going to just throw this
out there I feel like you havebeen with me in a very
vulnerable place before andcompared to where I am now,
(15:11):
having not seen me for a fewyears, I know that that version
of me was not as strong as thisversion that exists now.
Morgan (15:20):
Amen Congratulations.
Thank you.
TJ (15:23):
And so, you know, the past few years has really taught me a
lot, especially being on theother side of 30 and realizing
that every decision that is madeis mine to make, not my
partners, not my families, notmy friends, right, not my
employer, none of those people.
Every decision is on me, and soif there is a certain quality
(15:44):
of life that I want, if there isa certain type of relationship
that I want, if there's acertain lifestyle that I want,
all of those decisions have tocome from me.
And I think, if we're talkingabout mindfulness as a whole, I
think that is the piece that Ihave been focusing on for the
past few years of like reallybeing intentional about what I
(16:09):
want from the life that I haveand figuring out how to achieve
that and how to put things inplace so that things can happen.
But I feel like, again, I feellike so many people have become
very performative when it comesto self-development, self-care,
self-love, all of those things,because I do feel like those
(16:31):
things are important asindividuals, because I would not
be sitting here today had I notgone through that journey.
But in a lot of instances,people can use it and manipulate
it to be very performative andto garner attention.
(16:55):
That is not genuine.
Morgan (16:58):
A lot of things now are also trendy, you know.
So it's like you see thesepeople once again on the
internet.
So I hate the internet.
And people are like, oh, I likethis person, or I like their
persona, I like their style, Ilike their vibe.
I'm going to try and do that.
TJ (17:20):
But I see that I think that is my problem when it comes to
that, because I'm like but youaren't them.
No, and the thing that makesyou special is your
individuality.
Morgan (17:31):
Yeah, and by all means take some time to figure out
what that is, but you can't copyand paste something else.
TJ (17:38):
So shifting gears for a moment.
I'm curious to know because Iknow I have certain rituals and
things in place when I amworking on a show and how I
practice mindfulness in thosesituations.
What are some tools that youuse, or what are some practices
(17:59):
or rituals that you use when youare performing?
Morgan (18:02):
Let me tell you something I'm the most
inconsistent person on theplanet.
Like.
I don't, I'm just, I'm waking up.
I like to get lots of sleep.
Sometimes it doesn't happen,but if I can get lots of sleep
then I'm a great person.
If I could crack two eggs inthe skillet and put it, you know
(18:27):
what.
That's my ritual.
I like breakfast, no matter whattime it is.
I can't eat too early, butbefore, like, say, rehearsals at
10, before I leave the house, Ineed to have made breakfast and
wrapped it up some kind of way.
And when I get there maybeabout noon, the first break I
(18:48):
have to eat my breakfast,because if I don't, it's not
cute.
I get that.
And now, the more that I thinkabout this, it is like a ritual
thing, without even thinkingabout it.
I always make.
If I don't have time to eat thebreakfast, I always make a
breakfast sandwich.
And when it comes about timefor that break that first break
(19:10):
and hour and 20 minutes intowhatever, I always sit in a
corner and I drink my tea,whatever I brought that day, my
matcha or whatever it is and Ilike to eat my breakfast and I
really do believe that thatkeeps me grounded and that makes
me a better person.
TJ (19:26):
I get that.
I get that.
I'm like tea is one of thosethings for me, like one of those
tangible things, because I feellike you've encountered this
when we worked together.
But I need a cup before I dealwith the world yeah, and a lot
of.
Or I need a cup when I need amoment to myself to think
(19:51):
without the outside world aroundme.
Yeah.
And this whole idea of the showcame from that of like these,
like moments where I'm sittinghaving a cup of tea and I have a
thought and I'm like, oh, thatwould be an interesting
conversation or a quote orsomething or whatever, and so
(20:13):
that's how I started the show.
But I completely understandthat.
I get that Sometimes you haveto figure it out and ground
yourself before you openyourself up to the world.
Morgan (20:24):
Yeah, and I wish I was one of those people who, like
I've always wanted to get upearly and like complete a
morning routine.
But I really like to sleep andif I know I don't need to do
whatever that thing is, I'mgoing back to sleep.
But I wish, in a perfect world,I wish I could get up at seven
(20:51):
am and feel rested and stretch.
Do me a little Pilates, yousweat a little bit.
Fix me some tea, sit on my yogamat and like maybe write
something down a little bit orread something.
Fix me some breakfast, eat itand then go by my day.
TJ (21:10):
But it just don't happen like that I was gonna say,
because I'm not a morning personeither.
Morgan (21:13):
Oh.
TJ (21:14):
But the problem is is that, like I'm a night person, I'm a
night owl Me too, and some of mybest ideas, some of my best
thoughts, some of my mostsolitary thoughts happen at
night, like just last night.
I was literally on TikTok,scrolling through, because my
TikTok is church TikTok, becauseI've fallen into that.
(21:34):
I'm so weak but it's very me.
But I fell like I fell down arabbit hole last night and I was
scrolling and just watchingsome videos and had this and I
told you this when I came in,when you came in, that I'm like
was in a gospel mood todaybecause I was just there.
Morgan (21:53):
He had the jams playing like I was.
TJ (21:55):
But like last night contributed to that, because I
fell down this rabbit hole andforgot the sensation and the
sense of joy and, like thebeauty and the I don't know how
else to say it, but like how themusic kind of washes over you,
that feeling like I forgot whatthat felt like.
And so it does it feels so goodit.
(22:16):
For me it feels very similar towhen I hear like an orchestra
play.
Yeah.
Morgan (22:23):
The strings.
TJ (22:23):
Yeah yeah, like that's what gospel music does for me,
especially like praise andworshipy type of songs.
Morgan (22:32):
Full choir.
Please no praise teams.
TJ (22:35):
Well, it's, and it's a chord thing.
Morgan (22:36):
It's totally a chord thing for me.
It like a chord sheet, mm-hmm.
TJ (22:41):
You know, I think last night it started with this morning
when I rose, like I had scrolledand I saw that and I was like
oh, I remember that, I rememberlistening to that on Sunday.
But yeah, I think I also thinkthe the lifestyle we live as
actors contributes to this, likenot really having a morning
(23:03):
routine thing, Because you're soused to working at night and
being up and like active and,you know, being present.
Morgan (23:10):
Yeah.
TJ (23:11):
But I will say that Disney kind of did this to me because
our shows were during the day,where they weren't like super
early, they were kind of likemid-morning, I think the first
show was at like 10 or 11.
But it's, it gave me enoughtime to kind of have like a fake
morning, and I appreciated thattoo.
(23:32):
Yeah, cause, don't call me tooearly.
Morgan (23:35):
I don't, I don't.
Yeah.
TJ (23:37):
I mean 7, 8 o'clock.
I'm not.
I'm not up.
Morgan (23:39):
Yeah.
TJ (23:40):
Like don't expect to meet to form full thoughts at all.
Morgan (23:42):
Mm-mm.
And you know, sometimes I thinkabout it like I was saying, I
wish I was that kind of personwho had like rituals or you know
, like people do sound, soundbaths and all of a sudden,
sometimes I wish I was that kindof person.
And then sometimes I'm like,thank God, I don't need that,
(24:03):
you know, because and I thinkit's just a strong foundation,
you know, yeah, I was raisedright.
TJ (24:10):
I was gonna say I think, my modern equivalent.
I don't want to say modernbecause I've.
I'm interested in the idea of asound bath, again mainly
because of the, the sounds.
They do something to me.
But I think my version of thatfor myself that probably does
the same thing, is I will get inthe shower.
Mm-hmm.
(24:30):
I will turn the lights off andplay like something like either
like a gospel song or like aorchestral song, and just let it
like feel the room.
Morgan (24:44):
That was scared of the Jesus out of me, yeah.
In the dark.
TJ (24:48):
Really what, why it's so soothing?
Morgan (24:52):
I am so like I need to see everything that's happening,
especially like in the bathroom.
I probably watched too manymovies, but in the bathroom I
feel like that's where all ofthe the, the crimes happen.
People, people have their backturned, they singing in the
shower.
It's steamy.
So you, you, you know you can'tsee what's going on.
Turn that light on.
(25:12):
I need to be mindful of everyof everything that's happening
in that bathroom.
Okay, I'm also probably alittle, a little touched, but
it's okay.
TJ (25:25):
In a perfect world, say you, you're living your most amazing
life, you have everything youever wanted.
You know, whatever that is foryou, what would be your, your
routine, to like ground yourself.
Morgan (25:43):
Oh my gosh, that's so funny because not to be dramatic
, but my eyes just startedwatering.
I'm just so dramatic.
I was literally thinking aboutthis Like I.
The thought started maybe likea month ago and I think about it
constantly now.
My dream world I live on a farm.
(26:06):
I get up, that's my alarm.
I get up, I'm going to saywhat's up to the chickens,
seeing what they got, gatheringthem.
You know talking to them, goodmorning y'all.
You know milk the cow orsomething you know, whatever's
there, you know picking somefresh fruit off the vine or the
(26:31):
tree or whatever.
whatever we have, hopefullythere's an abundant harvest
going into the kitchen, puttingsaid things away the milk, the
eggs, putting the fruit in therefrigerator, going into my
(26:51):
sunroom on my yoga mat and doingwhatever I want, and that's a
stretch.
Maybe I do a little Pilates, ormaybe I just sit there on the
mat, lay there and breathe, orwhatever.
And when I'm done I wanna goand I wanna chop that fruit up
or rinse it, wash it, put it ina bowl, put it on a counter or
(27:15):
put it in the refrigerator andhave it available for snacks for
the entire day.
Take some other said fruitjuice, it have that be available
for the day.
Fix my family some breakfast,because children are involved in
this, and whenever that processis at least halfway done, y'all
(27:37):
wake up, it's time to get up.
Okay, very gently though, comeon, come on, y'all, it's time to
get up.
How y'all feeling today?
All right, go wash the crusts,I jazz and let's see what we got
today.
And everybody come downstairsand we eat breakfast.
Maybe the kids go to school ormaybe they, you know, depending
(28:00):
on what day it is.
Oh, my husband, he gonna comedownstairs too.
I guess he's there.
I mean, you know, husband, orwhatever word we decide to use,
whatever.
And later that day, maybe, whenwe figure out what we wanna eat
, we go pick it and we bring itinto the kitchen and wash it and
(28:27):
maybe I do a little work,depending on what's going on.
Maybe he does a little work,maybe he leaves to go and do
whatever work you know needs tobe done, but I have these strong
, strong aspirations to justlive off of some land in a very
(28:48):
modern way.
I get that.
I need stainless steelappliances in a yes, of course,
of course, Of course I can't Aoverhead shower Right.
TJ (28:57):
Not in our house.
Yes, exactly.
Morgan (28:59):
But yeah, and then, and maybe it's like that for a month
and then I go and I grind forfour months and then I could
come back home and I have thatroutine every day.
And I'm not saying it has tohappen every day, but like, even
if it's an on and off kind ofthing, I feel like I need that
in my life, I know.
(29:20):
I know I need that in my lifebecause I see it and I see it
all the time, since I've beenthinking about it, you know, and
I get that?
TJ (29:30):
Yeah, so you mentioned something that I wanted to ask
you about, about doing yoga.
Do you find that that isanother space that you inhabit
that helps you kind of groundyourself?
Morgan (29:47):
Yes, Especially doing it with someone too.
It's so funny.
When we were doing a boop inChicago, there's this girl in
the cast.
I love her so much, gabriella.
She went and found this yogacause she loves yoga too.
She found this yoga studio andshe invited me, and it was one
of the best classes I had evertaken.
TJ (30:10):
And what kind of class was it?
Morgan (30:14):
A yen.
It was a yen class but it washeated, not too much, but it was
like 80, 85 degrees in the room.
But it was the right balance oflike challenging and
rejuvenating, and it always justfeels good to have somebody
next to you that's on the samewavelength.
(30:35):
You know that y'all trying toaccomplish the same goal, like
start the day off right.
I love going to yoga.
Sometimes I've been to someyoga classes where the vibe is
off and I have wanted to leavemid-class but I paid my money so
I stayed.
But that's something that youknow sets my body in the right
(30:58):
way.
I would love it doesn't happenall the time, but I would love
to start my day like that youknow, I love y'all.
TJ (31:06):
Yeah, I was gonna say I really enjoy.
I think it's called ViniasaFlow.
Ooh yeah, cause it almost feelslike a dance, like there's such
a good sense of movementthroughout, like the practice,
and I fell in love with it a fewyears ago I think, maybe,
(31:29):
probably like right before JesusChrist Superstar and it kind of
it shifted me.
I was like, oh, I didn't knowthat this was a thing.
Now I understand why peoplelove yoga.
So much.
Would you say, cause I know youto be a performer all around,
(31:50):
with an emphasis in dance, likeI would consider you like a top
tier dancer, oh shucks.
But I feel like I'veencountered people and I know
people who are very aware oftheir body, and you said
something when you were talkingabout yoga that kind of pinged a
thought for me.
Do you notice, in thinkingabout this space of mindfulness,
(32:14):
do you notice when your body islike immediately off?
Morgan (32:18):
Oh, like, how do you rectify that?
100%.
So when I went to school atAmdah I am so thankful for that
experience because my dancebackground is standing in front
of TV, you know, like imitatingthings Like I had no idea what I
(32:41):
was doing.
I had never took like a formaldance class until I got to
college and that was when I wasgoing to Clark, atlanta, like
sometimes people would come in,cause I was on a dance team,
sometimes people would come inand we would have like a
technique class, but I neverreally learned the correct way
(33:03):
to hold my body up or like thecorrect muscles to use or like
the correct feeling that I wassupposed to have in my body.
Until I went to Amdah Causesome of the teachers were like
either were currently studyingor already studied like anatomy
or like kinesiology.
My mouth just broke.
(33:24):
But it was so helpful becauseand this is something that I
wish like every, not justdancers, like just people in
general, even with everydaymovements, I wish people could
understand the muscles thatyou're supposed to use to walk
(33:45):
up the steps, or like how you'resupposed to be leaned over the
sink when you brushing yourteeth or washing your face in
the morning and supposed to iswhatever, but the most effective
way to do it.
And I never forget when I Idon't know what was going on,
(34:08):
but I was like out of shape andI don't know why or what I was
doing, but I was leaned over thesink one day and that's why I
said that leaned over the sinkand I was like why does my back
hurt?
And I would notice everymorning when I'm leaning over
the sink, my back hurt, my backhurt, my back hurt.
And one day I got up and I waslike I'm not using my core and
(34:31):
that sounds like no, but I getit, like I completely get it.
It's yeah.
TJ (34:38):
Cause there's, you know, for those who are not performers, I
feel like that's a or peoplewho go to the gym.
I feel like you will understandthis, but that is a term that
gets thrown around a lotSpeaking about engaging your
core and making sure you know.
But from a performancestandpoint, I feel like it's
something that we encounter somuch when we do shows, depending
(35:01):
on if there's choreographyinvolved, if it's a movement
heavy quote.
Unquote movement heavy show ora dance heavy show.
But even in delivering linesand like speaking on stage and
singing, your full body has tobe engaged 100%.
Yeah, and there's no way aroundit.
Believe me, I've tried, I'velooked for an alternative and it
(35:22):
does not exist.
One of the exercises that weused to do in school that, I
think, kind of helped the ideaclick for me when it came to
like really listening and beingaware of my body and being
mindful of it.
We would do a warmup at thebeginning of an acting class and
(35:44):
we would drop to the groundright Like release the tension
from your body, and it's aphrase that sticks out in my
mind to this day.
But the teacher would alwayssay, okay, now slowly roll up,
vertebrae by vertebrae, and one.
The image of that in my mind,in my mind's eye, the image of
that in my mind has always beenalmost like a slinky yes, like
(36:09):
how you, you know, slowly comeback to standing.
But as I got older, as Iperformed more, I understood why
that warm-up was so important.
Because there's so much stuffthat you do on that stage From
picking up a crate of milk orapples or whatever the prop is,
to holding someone up to movinga set piece that if you are not
(36:35):
fully aware and engaged withyour body you will hurt yourself
.
Morgan (36:38):
Yes, stepping off the stage.
Stepping on the stage standingup, because that's another thing
people don't realize either.
What is holding you up is notjust your feet.
I wish it was something thatwas normal, something that was
taught.
(36:58):
I feel like it needs to be apart of PE classes in elementary
and middle schools, becauseit's important and it's why
people get older and they hurtthemselves.
I don't really believe in I'mold, so this is just how my body
is.
No, as you get older, we allhave wear and tear, but it's how
(37:22):
you take care of your body andthe upkeep that is why you feel
the way you feel.
I had a friend.
She was telling me that her,was it her uncle?
I can't remember if it was heruncle or her grandparents anyway
, but elderly couple.
They have a farm and a gardenin the backyard.
The husband was outside workingin the garden and the wife was
(37:45):
inside.
She wasn't bothering thembecause that's what he liked to
do, or whatever.
And some time went by and theneighbor ended up, I guess like
seeing him over the fence.
He was outside on the groundand couldn't get up.
Can you imagine falling downand not being able to roll over
(38:13):
onto your back or just like pushyourself up?
I can't imagine that.
I never want to be in aposition where I can't get up
off the ground.
TJ (38:30):
I think being tall, that has been one of my biggest fears as
I've gotten older, of likegetting to an age and being so
far from the ground and fallingand not being able to be back up
.
Morgan (38:42):
Yeah, and it's more than just like because if you break
something, break a leg, that'sokay.
You can still push yourself upand bear crawl to somewhere To
get some kind of assistance orsomething.
But I don't know, it's justanother part of being mindful,
(39:04):
like you got to listen to yourbody.
Yeah, akes and creaks andgroans is probably something
that needs to be eitherstrengthened or released.
Yeah, I would love to be ahippie.
I don't have enough money,though, so what inspires you?
the most.
TJ (39:25):
The first thing that came to my mind was like people coming
after me.
Morgan (39:30):
In whatever capacity that is like, whether it's like
a child or me and like a childthat came from me, or like a
mentor or somebody who's wantsto do what I'm doing, or just I
just think that positiveinfluences and role models are
so important and if I can dosomething to give somebody a
(39:51):
little hope, you know I want todo something.
That's not just a child, it'slike this is a little vein, but
it makes my heart smile, likewhen I talk to my little cousins
or I talk to my nieces andnephews and they say, morgan,
(40:14):
you still have a lot of peoplethat want to help you.
I'm like, yeah, and they'relike you doing a show, when is
your show?
You doing a show?
Or I'll be like, yeah, becauseit's cute.
(40:37):
You know, because I remember,you know like seeing people when
I was younger and be like, wow,that's cool.
You know like, yeah, littlepeople or big people, you know
where specifically, and thiscould be metaphorically or a
physical place, but where do youfind the most joy?
TJ (40:57):
Whoa.
Morgan (41:04):
From people who also want to be joyful.
I feel like it's interestingJoyful.
I feel like in spaces wherepeople also want to experience
joy.
That's where the most joyhappens, naturally, you know,
because I could say like oh, youknow around people that I love
(41:25):
or people who love me, butsometimes they suck, you know.
And you know because sometimes Isuck, you know, depending on
what's going on.
You know I might be in a funk,you know.
But yeah, and in a good plateof food.
And you mixed them two together.
Yeah, maybe with a littlechampagne.
TJ (41:47):
Yeah.
Morgan (41:49):
That's a joyful combination it is.
TJ (41:53):
If you were not performing, what would you be doing?
Morgan (41:57):
Something with food.
Okay, like whether that's likeI saw myself on a farm, like I,
that's a whole.
I got a whole like plan in myhead, something dealing with
food.
I see myself on a farm.
I need to like whether it'slike gathering vegetables,
(42:22):
harvesting vegetables and noteven vegetables like all kinds
of food, because it's people sayall the time food is medicine
and it sounds like very hippie.
Dr CB ish, you know, but likeyou know I'm not sure.
Dr CB ish, you know, but likeit's not a lie, you know, and I
feel like if people knew thatlittle Debbie cakes number one
(42:45):
don't taste good and number twoare literally plastic and a real
cinnamon bun is not that hardto make.
Yes, it got some sugar in his,got some bread in it, but it's
so much better for you than youeating that stuff out of a
packet.
And you eating three cinnamonbun, three little Debbie cakes,
(43:12):
in one sitting is worse for youthan if you made a whole tray of
homemade cinnamon buns and ateall of them.
You know, like I don't know, Ijust uh, oh, jesus, something to
do with food.
I used to me and my mama used to.
(43:34):
I really want a sandwich shopor one tidd one.
I don't really know what thatis about anymore, but I see
myself in the kitchen and in afarm farm, two kitchen.
It also goes with, like, thebody.
You know what I was talkingabout.
I just I really think that'simportant and then food goes
hand in hand.
(43:54):
You know, um, very, very, very,very passionate about the body
and how it relates to food andhow, if we are aware of what's
going on in our body, how we canfix it and we can heal it at
home.
Yeah, you know.
TJ (44:16):
Thank you so much for doing this.
Morgan (44:18):
Oh, thank you I greatly appreciate it.
TJ (44:20):
I appreciate your joy, um, and I hope that it does not take
this long to see you again.
Morgan (44:26):
I know.
TJ (44:28):
Because I need to see your face more.
Morgan (44:29):
I know and you can see each other's faces more 100% and
I, um, I'm manifesting in theuh in the new year and the years
to come to just kind of likesolidify my place in the world
as it relates to a home base youknow I get that.
TJ (44:48):
I'm trying to get pregnant oh okay, have some kids, oh, all
right.
Morgan (44:53):
Well, and wake them up on the farm.
TJ (44:56):
All right, Well, thank you so much for being on the show.
Um and with that, I'll see younext week.
Yeah.
Hey friends, it's TJ.
And you're listening to Teawith TJ, where our love for tea,
conversation andself-improvement intersect.
So let's take a deeper diveinto my cup and let's have a
chat.
Hey friends, it's TJ.
(00:35):
So today I have a very specialguest, a really good friend of
mine.
But before we go there becauseyou were very explicit about
wanting to taste the tea fortoday Today we are having a
caramel delight.
It's a dark oolong tea, like aroasted oolong tea.
(00:58):
So go ahead and taste it andtell me what you think.
, before I was going to say,the smell of it reminds me of
those caramel rice cakes.
I used to eat them when I waslittle.
They was nasty, but this smellsreally good.
That's nice because it smellssweet, but it's not.
(01:18):
It's very earthy, but not like.
You know how sometimes a darkertea will taste burnt, I guess,
if it's steeped too long orwrong.
It'll taste very bitter.
Bitter that's the word.
Morgan (01:34):
That's nice, you know, I like earthy stuff.
TJ (01:38):
I picked this one just for you.
So, please introduce yourself.
Morgan (01:45):
Hello world.
My name is Morgan McGee.
I'm originally from Baton Rouge, louisiana, and now I live here
in the adjacent to the BigApple.
I have moved to New Jersey,thank God, but it's still New
York.
It's 100% still New York.
I can get to Midtown fasterthan people in Queens, brooklyn.
(02:08):
Or up here.
Yes, what's the other one?
Only yellow A story.
TJ (02:15):
That's Queens.
Morgan (02:16):
Whatever, it's not the real Queens, but what else?
Yeah, I'm here.
I love TJ very, very much.
I love you.
We used to have some adventures?
TJ (02:28):
Yes, and I feel like we should probably.
So, okay, let's do this.
How to explain to our audiencehow did we meet?
Morgan (02:38):
Me and TJ did a show together Jesus Christ Superstar,
and that was something westarted in Lancaster.
Right, we started in Lancaster,sat down for two months and
then we went to the West Coast.
That was a time it was.
(03:00):
That was really nice.
It's always so funny too,because when people bring up
Jesus Christ, I was like, oh,yeah, I did a show.
They'd be like, oh, when didyou do it?
I was like it was a tour.
They'd be like, oh, you did thenational tour.
And I was like, no, I alwaysremember Amy being like this is
(03:22):
a special engagement.
She's like girl, but yes, andthen we came and sat back down
in Florida and yeah, we've beenfriends ever since.
TJ (03:37):
I remember our rehearsal period.
And I think it was still earlyin the process.
I don't think we were off bookyet, but I think it might have
been when we were blocking.
What was that number that wehad together with the lepers,
and it was like the temple scene.
(03:57):
Oh, yes, yes, yes yes, I thinkthat's when we first started
talking to each other and Iimmediately was like oh OK,
we're of the same mind.
Morgan (04:07):
I don't know when in the process it was, but I do
remember being like oh, ok, Iwas also jealous of you, because
I really wanted your part.
TJ (04:17):
OK, all right.
Well, that's not fair why?
Morgan (04:23):
I have very limited musical theater roles in my
repertoire, I know, but it wasjust you just did it so well,
and the fact that I thought thatI could do it comparable to you
.
I wanted to do it so bad.
Oh gentlemen, oh my gosh, itwas amazing.
TJ (04:45):
But anyway, for those who don't know, that TJ is very very
talented, thank you.
I play Caiaphas in thisproduction of Jesus Christ
Superstar.
So what is happening with younow?
Because it's been a while We'venot seen each other.
Morgan (05:00):
Yeah, I just got back from Chicago.
I feel like I was in Chicagoall last year.
I was there in the summer doingthe who's Tommy, and then I
just got back doing Boop, theBoop or Doop'sicle, sweet Lord.
So silly but it's cute.
I'm having a good time in liferight now, a little tired, but
(05:24):
like I'm on the way to getting alittle rest, you know.
But yeah, I feel blessed, really, really blessed right now,
because, even though it is someof the processes are long and
stringy-wise, but I've been very, very fortunate to be doing,
like for the past two yearsworking on original stuff you
(05:47):
know like, in creating roles andbeing a part of, like the
beginning of the creativeprocesses.
I've always wanted to say thatin some kind of connection and
just seeing like the groundworkthat's done and like how things
change and how much they changeand being a part of why it
(06:10):
changes, and I think it's reallyreally cool to me and I have a
lot of respect for people who,you know like, are able to step
into themselves and createsomething, you know, because
it's not easy, but yeah, so I'vebeen very, very fortunate and
(06:32):
I'm just kind of riding the waveright now of gratitude and
blessings and yeah.
TJ (06:41):
So I let you pick the subject for this episode.
And I think just in your briefintroduction and catching up, I
feel like it kind of aligns withpretty much what you've been
going through, but you chosemindfulness which I think is
something that is a dying art.
(07:05):
But I feel like we, like ourgeneration, is slowly becoming
more and more aware of likemental health and trying to be
mindful in situations and tryingto take care of our minds and
our bodies and our spirits.
And so, with all that you'vegone through in the past few
months, of like being away fromhome for like months on end and
(07:27):
like doing all of these projects, how have you been able to tap
into that mindfulness?
Morgan (07:33):
I don't, I'm not able to not.
If that makes sense.
It's just something I I can'tbe unaware of the things around
me, and I don't understand howthat is so easy for people, and
(07:57):
it's not even just other people,it's things, too, things that
don't belong to us, or eventhings that we think do belong
to us.
You know, I just don't, I don'tknow, I don't know what that's
like to walk around and have noregard.
Jesus.
I just, you know what I mean.
No regard, yes, okay.
TJ (08:17):
So what would you say is your, because I feel like people
have different perspectives onmindfulness and how they
practice it.
What would you say is yourpoint of view when it comes to
being mindful?
Morgan (08:33):
I really think it comes from religion, and just being
brought up in a religioushousehold and treat your
neighbor as thyself beat intoyou.
You know, it's just a.
I don't wanna treat anybody howI wouldn't wanna be treated,
(08:54):
you know, and I just can't.
The thing for me is how peoplethink that, like when things
happen that they are so removedfrom that and it's just so far
away from their reality.
And it's not Crazy.
Things can happen, and I thinkthat's the point.
Crazy things can happen, likeno matter where you are in life,
(09:19):
what you're doing, no matterhow successful you think you are
or how far removed or howprotected you think you are, and
we see examples of it every day.
It's why I hate the internet,but it's just.
I can't imagine doing it andI'm not perfect.
(09:41):
I've done things before, butI'm also not above knowing that
I'm wrong and apologizing andtrying to make it right, and I
think that is also the thing,like when we do slip up,
acknowledge it.
TJ (09:54):
Yeah, yeah, I think that's one of my biggest things when it
comes to being mindful istrying to remain mindful not
only for myself, but for thepeople around me, and I have
encountered people, which Ithink is what you're hinting at,
but I've encountered people whocan be a little aloof when it
(10:15):
comes to being mindful of others, and I'm sure both of us have
stories of rehearsal rooms andjobs and experiences, yeah.
I mean, even on the train in NewYork City, it's like there are
so many times where I am sittingthere or standing on the
platform or standing on thetrain and the complete like
(10:40):
unawareness that there issomeone else next to you or in
front of you or beside you.
So many times I've encounteredpeople who literally will come
and stand right here, yeah, andbe on their phone or somewhere
else and completely unaware oflike how close they are to
another human being and I'verealized I think the pandemic
(11:03):
taught me a lot coming out ofDisney and coming back to New
York and having to be isolatedand having to be with myself for
a long period of time, when Ifinally was back around people I
started to realize andcomprehend and be like wait a
minute like there are otherhuman beings around me, like I
(11:25):
didn't realize how much I missedbeing around people.
And so when we started to likereopen the city and like grocery
stores would open and like gymsand theater opened, just to be
around people was kind ofinvigorating.
But what I noticed is that alot of people coming out of that
(11:45):
and coming out of the pandemicwere unaware of the other people
around them.
Yeah, yeah.
Morgan (11:55):
And it's not just physical, because I really feel
like the physical thing is thesmallest most.
It's just like yeah, whatever,like people are stupid.
But it's also I'm starting tonotice a lot of things in like
(12:15):
relationships and not romantic,like friendships or, you know,
like working relationships andpeople not being aware of what
they say, like what comes out ofyour mouth, especially if it's
somebody that you know or youclaim to know.
you know experiences that thisperson has gone through you
(12:37):
might even know what's going onin their life right now and for
people to not be considerate ofthat when things come out of
their mouth or you know, justeven actions that they may
display, it's mind boggling tome and I can't, I don't
(13:01):
understand it and sometimes,when I really think about it, it
makes me sad, because it's likewhy can't you take the extra?
two seconds to think about whatyou're gonna say, who you're
talking to, especially if youknow Jesus Christ.
Nowadays people always likespread love, give love, love,
(13:25):
love, self-love, self-care Shutup and the mindfulness too, kind
of goes.
It's an excuse for it to go outthe window too.
When people like I'm self-care,I'm taking care of myself, Girl
boy, sir, ma'am, that's not athing Like, because if you claim
(13:46):
to embody love and it wouldalready be inside of you, Like,
once again, I'm not perfect.
I'm not perfect, but I justdon't understand.
TJ (14:01):
Thank God that we are blessed and privileged to be in
the spaces where we are, and Iknow sometimes it's not perfect,
but Jesus Christ, I think therehas been this explosion of and
I said this earlier there's beenthis explosion of our
(14:24):
generation focusing on mentalhealth and trying to better
ourselves or better themselves,and I agree that there is a
point where it can become alittle too much.
Or, let me rephrase, I agreethat in some cases it can be
very performative.
And I think those are themoments and those are the
(14:47):
interactions that I have nointerest in, because the past
few years has shown me a lot andtaught me a lot about myself
and has pushed me into a placeand I'm going to just throw this
out there I feel like you havebeen with me in a very
vulnerable place before andcompared to where I am now,
(15:11):
having not seen me for a fewyears, I know that that version
of me was not as strong as thisversion that exists now.
Morgan (15:20):
Amen Congratulations.
Thank you.
TJ (15:23):
And so, you know, the past few years has really taught me a
lot, especially being on theother side of 30 and realizing
that every decision that is madeis mine to make, not my
partners, not my families, notmy friends, right, not my
employer, none of those people.
Every decision is on me, and soif there is a certain quality
(15:44):
of life that I want, if there isa certain type of relationship
that I want, if there's acertain lifestyle that I want,
all of those decisions have tocome from me.
And I think, if we're talkingabout mindfulness as a whole, I
think that is the piece that Ihave been focusing on for the
past few years of like reallybeing intentional about what I
(16:09):
want from the life that I haveand figuring out how to achieve
that and how to put things inplace so that things can happen.
But I feel like, again, I feellike so many people have become
very performative when it comesto self-development, self-care,
self-love, all of those things,because I do feel like those
(16:31):
things are important asindividuals, because I would not
be sitting here today had I notgone through that journey.
But in a lot of instances,people can use it and manipulate
it to be very performative andto garner attention.
(16:55):
That is not genuine.
Morgan (16:58):
A lot of things now are also trendy, you know.
So it's like you see thesepeople once again on the
internet.
So I hate the internet.
And people are like, oh, I likethis person, or I like their
persona, I like their style, Ilike their vibe.
I'm going to try and do that.
TJ (17:20):
But I see that I think that is my problem when it comes to
that, because I'm like but youaren't them.
No, and the thing that makesyou special is your
individuality.
Morgan (17:31):
Yeah, and by all means take some time to figure out
what that is, but you can't copyand paste something else.
TJ (17:38):
So shifting gears for a moment.
I'm curious to know because Iknow I have certain rituals and
things in place when I amworking on a show and how I
practice mindfulness in thosesituations.
What are some tools that youuse, or what are some practices
(17:59):
or rituals that you use when youare performing?
Morgan (18:02):
Let me tell you something I'm the most
inconsistent person on theplanet.
Like.
I don't, I'm just, I'm waking up.
I like to get lots of sleep.
Sometimes it doesn't happen,but if I can get lots of sleep
then I'm a great person.
If I could crack two eggs inthe skillet and put it, you know
(18:27):
what.
That's my ritual.
I like breakfast, no matter whattime it is.
I can't eat too early, butbefore, like, say, rehearsals at
10, before I leave the house, Ineed to have made breakfast and
wrapped it up some kind of way.
And when I get there maybeabout noon, the first break I
(18:48):
have to eat my breakfast,because if I don't, it's not
cute.
I get that.
And now, the more that I thinkabout this, it is like a ritual
thing, without even thinkingabout it.
I always make.
If I don't have time to eat thebreakfast, I always make a
breakfast sandwich.
And when it comes about timefor that break that first break
(19:10):
and hour and 20 minutes intowhatever, I always sit in a
corner and I drink my tea,whatever I brought that day, my
matcha or whatever it is and Ilike to eat my breakfast and I
really do believe that thatkeeps me grounded and that makes
me a better person.
TJ (19:26):
I get that.
I get that.
I'm like tea is one of thosethings for me, like one of those
tangible things, because I feellike you've encountered this
when we worked together.
But I need a cup before I dealwith the world yeah, and a lot
of.
Or I need a cup when I need amoment to myself to think
(19:51):
without the outside world aroundme.
Yeah.
And this whole idea of the showcame from that of like these,
like moments where I'm sittinghaving a cup of tea and I have a
thought and I'm like, oh, thatwould be an interesting
conversation or a quote orsomething or whatever, and so
(20:13):
that's how I started the show.
But I completely understandthat.
I get that Sometimes you haveto figure it out and ground
yourself before you openyourself up to the world.
Morgan (20:24):
Yeah, and I wish I was one of those people who, like
I've always wanted to get upearly and like complete a
morning routine.
But I really like to sleep andif I know I don't need to do
whatever that thing is, I'mgoing back to sleep.
But I wish, in a perfect world,I wish I could get up at seven
(20:51):
am and feel rested and stretch.
Do me a little Pilates, yousweat a little bit.
Fix me some tea, sit on my yogamat and like maybe write
something down a little bit orread something.
Fix me some breakfast, eat itand then go by my day.
TJ (21:10):
But it just don't happen like that I was gonna say,
because I'm not a morning personeither.
Morgan (21:13):
Oh.
TJ (21:14):
But the problem is is that, like I'm a night person, I'm a
night owl Me too, and some of mybest ideas, some of my best
thoughts, some of my mostsolitary thoughts happen at
night, like just last night.
I was literally on TikTok,scrolling through, because my
TikTok is church TikTok, becauseI've fallen into that.
(21:34):
I'm so weak but it's very me.
But I fell like I fell down arabbit hole last night and I was
scrolling and just watchingsome videos and had this and I
told you this when I came in,when you came in, that I'm like
was in a gospel mood todaybecause I was just there.
Morgan (21:53):
He had the jams playing like I was.
TJ (21:55):
But like last night contributed to that, because I
fell down this rabbit hole andforgot the sensation and the
sense of joy and, like thebeauty and the I don't know how
else to say it, but like how themusic kind of washes over you,
that feeling like I forgot whatthat felt like.
And so it does it feels so goodit.
(22:16):
For me it feels very similar towhen I hear like an orchestra
play.
Yeah.
Morgan (22:23):
The strings.
TJ (22:23):
Yeah yeah, like that's what gospel music does for me,
especially like praise andworshipy type of songs.
Morgan (22:32):
Full choir.
Please no praise teams.
TJ (22:35):
Well, it's, and it's a chord thing.
Morgan (22:36):
It's totally a chord thing for me.
It like a chord sheet, mm-hmm.
TJ (22:41):
You know, I think last night it started with this morning
when I rose, like I had scrolledand I saw that and I was like
oh, I remember that, I rememberlistening to that on Sunday.
But yeah, I think I also thinkthe the lifestyle we live as
actors contributes to this, likenot really having a morning
(23:03):
routine thing, Because you're soused to working at night and
being up and like active and,you know, being present.
Morgan (23:10):
Yeah.
TJ (23:11):
But I will say that Disney kind of did this to me because
our shows were during the day,where they weren't like super
early, they were kind of likemid-morning, I think the first
show was at like 10 or 11.
But it's, it gave me enoughtime to kind of have like a fake
morning, and I appreciated thattoo.
(23:32):
Yeah, cause, don't call me tooearly.
Morgan (23:35):
I don't, I don't.
Yeah.
TJ (23:37):
I mean 7, 8 o'clock.
I'm not.
I'm not up.
Morgan (23:39):
Yeah.
TJ (23:40):
Like don't expect to meet to form full thoughts at all.
Morgan (23:42):
Mm-mm.
And you know, sometimes I thinkabout it like I was saying, I
wish I was that kind of personwho had like rituals or you know
, like people do sound, soundbaths and all of a sudden,
sometimes I wish I was that kindof person.
And then sometimes I'm like,thank God, I don't need that,
(24:03):
you know, because and I thinkit's just a strong foundation,
you know, yeah, I was raisedright.
TJ (24:10):
I was gonna say I think, my modern equivalent.
I don't want to say modernbecause I've.
I'm interested in the idea of asound bath, again mainly
because of the, the sounds.
They do something to me.
But I think my version of thatfor myself that probably does
the same thing, is I will get inthe shower.
Mm-hmm.
(24:30):
I will turn the lights off andplay like something like either
like a gospel song or like aorchestral song, and just let it
like feel the room.
Morgan (24:44):
That was scared of the Jesus out of me, yeah.
In the dark.
TJ (24:48):
Really what, why it's so soothing?
Morgan (24:52):
I am so like I need to see everything that's happening,
especially like in the bathroom.
I probably watched too manymovies, but in the bathroom I
feel like that's where all ofthe the, the crimes happen.
People, people have their backturned, they singing in the
shower.
It's steamy.
So you, you, you know you can'tsee what's going on.
Turn that light on.
(25:12):
I need to be mindful of everyof everything that's happening
in that bathroom.
Okay, I'm also probably alittle, a little touched, but
it's okay.
TJ (25:25):
In a perfect world, say you, you're living your most amazing
life, you have everything youever wanted.
You know, whatever that is foryou, what would be your, your
routine, to like ground yourself.
Morgan (25:43):
Oh my gosh, that's so funny because not to be dramatic
, but my eyes just startedwatering.
I'm just so dramatic.
I was literally thinking aboutthis Like I.
The thought started maybe likea month ago and I think about it
constantly now.
My dream world I live on a farm.
(26:06):
I get up, that's my alarm.
I get up, I'm going to saywhat's up to the chickens,
seeing what they got, gatheringthem.
You know talking to them, goodmorning y'all.
You know milk the cow orsomething you know, whatever's
there, you know picking somefresh fruit off the vine or the
(26:31):
tree or whatever.
whatever we have, hopefullythere's an abundant harvest
going into the kitchen, puttingsaid things away the milk, the
eggs, putting the fruit in therefrigerator, going into my
(26:51):
sunroom on my yoga mat and doingwhatever I want, and that's a
stretch.
Maybe I do a little Pilates, ormaybe I just sit there on the
mat, lay there and breathe, orwhatever.
And when I'm done I wanna goand I wanna chop that fruit up
or rinse it, wash it, put it ina bowl, put it on a counter or
(27:15):
put it in the refrigerator andhave it available for snacks for
the entire day.
Take some other said fruitjuice, it have that be available
for the day.
Fix my family some breakfast,because children are involved in
this, and whenever that processis at least halfway done, y'all
(27:37):
wake up, it's time to get up.
Okay, very gently though, comeon, come on, y'all, it's time to
get up.
How y'all feeling today?
All right, go wash the crusts,I jazz and let's see what we got
today.
And everybody come downstairsand we eat breakfast.
Maybe the kids go to school ormaybe they, you know, depending
(28:00):
on what day it is.
Oh, my husband, he gonna comedownstairs too.
I guess he's there.
I mean, you know, husband, orwhatever word we decide to use,
whatever.
And later that day, maybe, whenwe figure out what we wanna eat
, we go pick it and we bring itinto the kitchen and wash it and
(28:27):
maybe I do a little work,depending on what's going on.
Maybe he does a little work,maybe he leaves to go and do
whatever work you know needs tobe done, but I have these strong
, strong aspirations to justlive off of some land in a very
(28:48):
modern way.
I get that.
I need stainless steelappliances in a yes, of course,
of course, Of course I can't Aoverhead shower Right.
TJ (28:57):
Not in our house.
Yes, exactly.
Morgan (28:59):
But yeah, and then, and maybe it's like that for a month
and then I go and I grind forfour months and then I could
come back home and I have thatroutine every day.
And I'm not saying it has tohappen every day, but like, even
if it's an on and off kind ofthing, I feel like I need that
in my life, I know.
(29:20):
I know I need that in my lifebecause I see it and I see it
all the time, since I've beenthinking about it, you know, and
I get that?
TJ (29:30):
Yeah, so you mentioned something that I wanted to ask
you about, about doing yoga.
Do you find that that isanother space that you inhabit
that helps you kind of groundyourself?
Morgan (29:47):
Yes, Especially doing it with someone too.
It's so funny.
When we were doing a boop inChicago, there's this girl in
the cast.
I love her so much, gabriella.
She went and found this yogacause she loves yoga too.
She found this yoga studio andshe invited me, and it was one
of the best classes I had evertaken.
TJ (30:10):
And what kind of class was it?
Morgan (30:14):
A yen.
It was a yen class but it washeated, not too much, but it was
like 80, 85 degrees in the room.
But it was the right balance oflike challenging and
rejuvenating, and it always justfeels good to have somebody
next to you that's on the samewavelength.
(30:35):
You know that y'all trying toaccomplish the same goal, like
start the day off right.
I love going to yoga.
Sometimes I've been to someyoga classes where the vibe is
off and I have wanted to leavemid-class but I paid my money so
I stayed.
But that's something that youknow sets my body in the right
(30:58):
way.
I would love it doesn't happenall the time, but I would love
to start my day like that youknow, I love y'all.
TJ (31:06):
Yeah, I was gonna say I really enjoy.
I think it's called ViniasaFlow.
Ooh yeah, cause it almost feelslike a dance, like there's such
a good sense of movementthroughout, like the practice,
and I fell in love with it a fewyears ago I think, maybe,
(31:29):
probably like right before JesusChrist Superstar and it kind of
it shifted me.
I was like, oh, I didn't knowthat this was a thing.
Now I understand why peoplelove yoga.
So much.
Would you say, cause I know youto be a performer all around,
(31:50):
with an emphasis in dance, likeI would consider you like a top
tier dancer, oh shucks.
But I feel like I'veencountered people and I know
people who are very aware oftheir body, and you said
something when you were talkingabout yoga that kind of pinged a
thought for me.
Do you notice, in thinkingabout this space of mindfulness,
(32:14):
do you notice when your body islike immediately off?
Morgan (32:18):
Oh, like, how do you rectify that?
100%.
So when I went to school atAmdah I am so thankful for that
experience because my dancebackground is standing in front
of TV, you know, like imitatingthings Like I had no idea what I
(32:41):
was doing.
I had never took like a formaldance class until I got to
college and that was when I wasgoing to Clark, atlanta, like
sometimes people would come in,cause I was on a dance team,
sometimes people would come inand we would have like a
technique class, but I neverreally learned the correct way
(33:03):
to hold my body up or like thecorrect muscles to use or like
the correct feeling that I wassupposed to have in my body.
Until I went to Amdah Causesome of the teachers were like
either were currently studyingor already studied like anatomy
or like kinesiology.
My mouth just broke.
(33:24):
But it was so helpful becauseand this is something that I
wish like every, not justdancers, like just people in
general, even with everydaymovements, I wish people could
understand the muscles thatyou're supposed to use to walk
(33:45):
up the steps, or like how you'resupposed to be leaned over the
sink when you brushing yourteeth or washing your face in
the morning and supposed to iswhatever, but the most effective
way to do it.
And I never forget when I Idon't know what was going on,
(34:08):
but I was like out of shape andI don't know why or what I was
doing, but I was leaned over thesink one day and that's why I
said that leaned over the sinkand I was like why does my back
hurt?
And I would notice everymorning when I'm leaning over
the sink, my back hurt, my backhurt, my back hurt.
And one day I got up and I waslike I'm not using my core and
(34:31):
that sounds like no, but I getit, like I completely get it.
It's yeah.
TJ (34:38):
Cause there's, you know, for those who are not performers, I
feel like that's a or peoplewho go to the gym.
I feel like you will understandthis, but that is a term that
gets thrown around a lotSpeaking about engaging your
core and making sure you know.
But from a performancestandpoint, I feel like it's
something that we encounter somuch when we do shows, depending
(35:01):
on if there's choreographyinvolved, if it's a movement
heavy quote.
Unquote movement heavy show ora dance heavy show.
But even in delivering linesand like speaking on stage and
singing, your full body has tobe engaged 100%.
Yeah, and there's no way aroundit.
Believe me, I've tried, I'velooked for an alternative and it
(35:22):
does not exist.
One of the exercises that weused to do in school that, I
think, kind of helped the ideaclick for me when it came to
like really listening and beingaware of my body and being
mindful of it.
We would do a warmup at thebeginning of an acting class and
(35:44):
we would drop to the groundright Like release the tension
from your body, and it's aphrase that sticks out in my
mind to this day.
But the teacher would alwayssay, okay, now slowly roll up,
vertebrae by vertebrae, and one.
The image of that in my mind,in my mind's eye, the image of
that in my mind has always beenalmost like a slinky yes, like
(36:09):
how you, you know, slowly comeback to standing.
But as I got older, as Iperformed more, I understood why
that warm-up was so important.
Because there's so much stuffthat you do on that stage From
picking up a crate of milk orapples or whatever the prop is,
to holding someone up to movinga set piece that if you are not
(36:35):
fully aware and engaged withyour body you will hurt yourself
.
Morgan (36:38):
Yes, stepping off the stage.
Stepping on the stage standingup, because that's another thing
people don't realize either.
What is holding you up is notjust your feet.
I wish it was something thatwas normal, something that was
taught.
(36:58):
I feel like it needs to be apart of PE classes in elementary
and middle schools, becauseit's important and it's why
people get older and they hurtthemselves.
I don't really believe in I'mold, so this is just how my body
is.
No, as you get older, we allhave wear and tear, but it's how
(37:22):
you take care of your body andthe upkeep that is why you feel
the way you feel.
I had a friend.
She was telling me that her,was it her uncle?
I can't remember if it was heruncle or her grandparents anyway
, but elderly couple.
They have a farm and a gardenin the backyard.
The husband was outside workingin the garden and the wife was
(37:45):
inside.
She wasn't bothering thembecause that's what he liked to
do, or whatever.
And some time went by and theneighbor ended up, I guess like
seeing him over the fence.
He was outside on the groundand couldn't get up.
Can you imagine falling downand not being able to roll over
(38:13):
onto your back or just like pushyourself up?
I can't imagine that.
I never want to be in aposition where I can't get up
off the ground.
TJ (38:30):
I think being tall, that has been one of my biggest fears as
I've gotten older, of likegetting to an age and being so
far from the ground and fallingand not being able to be back up
.
Morgan (38:42):
Yeah, and it's more than just like because if you break
something, break a leg, that'sokay.
You can still push yourself upand bear crawl to somewhere To
get some kind of assistance orsomething.
But I don't know, it's justanother part of being mindful,
(39:04):
like you got to listen to yourbody.
Yeah, akes and creaks andgroans is probably something
that needs to be eitherstrengthened or released.
Yeah, I would love to be ahippie.
I don't have enough money,though, so what inspires you?
the most.
TJ (39:25):
The first thing that came to my mind was like people coming
after me.
Morgan (39:30):
In whatever capacity that is like, whether it's like
a child or me and like a childthat came from me, or like a
mentor or somebody who's wantsto do what I'm doing, or just I
just think that positiveinfluences and role models are
so important and if I can dosomething to give somebody a
(39:51):
little hope, you know I want todo something.
That's not just a child, it'slike this is a little vein, but
it makes my heart smile, likewhen I talk to my little cousins
or I talk to my nieces andnephews and they say, morgan,
(40:14):
you still have a lot of peoplethat want to help you.
I'm like, yeah, and they'relike you doing a show, when is
your show?
You doing a show?
Or I'll be like, yeah, becauseit's cute.
(40:37):
You know, because I remember,you know like seeing people when
I was younger and be like, wow,that's cool.
You know like, yeah, littlepeople or big people, you know
where specifically, and thiscould be metaphorically or a
physical place, but where do youfind the most joy?
TJ (40:57):
Whoa.
Morgan (41:04):
From people who also want to be joyful.
I feel like it's interestingJoyful.
I feel like in spaces wherepeople also want to experience
joy.
That's where the most joyhappens, naturally, you know,
because I could say like oh, youknow around people that I love
(41:25):
or people who love me, butsometimes they suck, you know.
And you know because sometimes Isuck, you know, depending on
what's going on.
You know I might be in a funk,you know.
But yeah, and in a good plateof food.
And you mixed them two together.
Yeah, maybe with a littlechampagne.
TJ (41:47):
Yeah.
Morgan (41:49):
That's a joyful combination it is.
TJ (41:53):
If you were not performing, what would you be doing?
Morgan (41:57):
Something with food.
Okay, like whether that's likeI saw myself on a farm, like I,
that's a whole.
I got a whole like plan in myhead, something dealing with
food.
I see myself on a farm.
I need to like whether it'slike gathering vegetables,
(42:22):
harvesting vegetables and noteven vegetables like all kinds
of food, because it's people sayall the time food is medicine
and it sounds like very hippie.
Dr CB ish, you know, but likeyou know I'm not sure.
Dr CB ish, you know, but likeit's not a lie, you know, and I
feel like if people knew thatlittle Debbie cakes number one
(42:45):
don't taste good and number twoare literally plastic and a real
cinnamon bun is not that hardto make.
Yes, it got some sugar in his,got some bread in it, but it's
so much better for you than youeating that stuff out of a
packet.
And you eating three cinnamonbun, three little Debbie cakes,
(43:12):
in one sitting is worse for youthan if you made a whole tray of
homemade cinnamon buns and ateall of them.
You know, like I don't know, Ijust uh, oh, jesus, something to
do with food.
I used to me and my mama used to.
(43:34):
I really want a sandwich shopor one tidd one.
I don't really know what thatis about anymore, but I see
myself in the kitchen and in afarm farm, two kitchen.
It also goes with, like, thebody.
You know what I was talkingabout.
I just I really think that'simportant and then food goes
hand in hand.
(43:54):
You know, um, very, very, very,very passionate about the body
and how it relates to food andhow, if we are aware of what's
going on in our body, how we canfix it and we can heal it at
home.
Yeah, you know.
TJ (44:16):
Thank you so much for doing this.
Morgan (44:18):
Oh, thank you I greatly appreciate it.
TJ (44:20):
I appreciate your joy, um, and I hope that it does not take
this long to see you again.
Morgan (44:26):
I know.
TJ (44:28):
Because I need to see your face more.
Morgan (44:29):
I know and you can see each other's faces more 100% and
I, um, I'm manifesting in theuh in the new year and the years
to come to just kind of likesolidify my place in the world
as it relates to a home base youknow I get that.
TJ (44:48):
I'm trying to get pregnant oh okay, have some kids, oh, all
right.
Morgan (44:53):
Well, and wake them up on the farm.
TJ (44:56):
All right, Well, thank you so much for being on the show.
Um and with that, I'll see younext week.
Yeah.
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