Love, Take Two

How Jeremy Crittenden Turned a Difficult Chapter Into a Stand-Up Comeback

We’ve all hit our own version of a rock bottom, right?Well, for this week’s guest, Jeremy Crittenden, that rock bottom moment became his take two.Known for his work in science fiction television, including roles on Star Trek: Discovery and The Expanse, Jeremy opens up about his unexpected journey into stand-up comedy, his experience performing on Broadway, and the deeply personal turning point that reshaped his life and career. What could have remained an extremely hard chapter instead became the catalyst for reinvention. Jeremy shares what it’s like to chase creative fulfillment across mediums — from scripted sci-fi to live comedy stages — and how humor became both a survival tool and a form of healing. This conversation dives into resilience, identity, risk-taking, and the courage it takes to pivot when life forces your hand.This is a story about reclaiming your narrative and turning your hardest moments into something unexpectedly amazing!Key TakeawaysJeremy’s leap into stand-up comedy and why it changed everythingThe Broadway chapter of his career Transforming an extremely difficult life moment into a true “take two.”Using humor as a tool for resilience and reinventionNavigating two divorces and what dating looks like for him now If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a reminder that even the hardest chapters can become the beginning of something new — and come hang out with us on social!Connect with Us⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠Credits:Edited by: Jerson BarajasRecorded by: MCM CreativeProduced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

Lena Hall on Kinky Boots, Hedwig & Winning a Tony Award

What’s a childhood moment that quietly shaped who you became?For this week’s guest, Lena Hall, it was sending out invitations to her eighth birthday party and no one showed up.In this episode of Love, Take Two, Lena reflects on how her early experiences with performance, rejection, and identity influenced the trajectory of her career — both the drive that fueled her and the pressure that followed. That once self-described theater kid went on to become a Broadway powerhouse, appearing in major productions including 42nd Street, Tarzan, Dracula, and Kinky Boots, and later taking home a Tony Award. She’s also appeared in television series like Snowpiercer and Your Friends & Neighbors.But success didn’t come without cost.Lena opens up about the unexpected unhappiness she felt at the height of her Broadway career, her pivot into rock music, and how she has processed grief and personal loss through her work. Key TakeawaysGrowing up as theater kids — Lena and Jaimie reflect on their early yearsHow childhood experiences shaped Lena’s career and creative identityThe surprising emotional toll of Broadway successPivoting from Broadway to rock musicProcessing grief and pain through performanceReclaiming joy after burnoutIf this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs a reminder that reinvention is possible and come hang out with us on social! Connect with Us⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram⁠Credits:Edited by: Jerson BarajasRecorded by: MCM CreativeProduced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

Missing Out Was a Win: Drew Droege on Life’s Second Acts

We all thought we’d have it all figured out by 28… but what happens when not getting what you wanted turns out to be the best thing for you?In this week’s episode, Drew Droege shares candidly about missing the arbitrary goals he set for himself and how asking the question, “What does making it really mean?” completely changed his perspective. Drew Droege is an actor, comedian, and writer best known for his viral Chloë Sevigny impressions and his work on shows like Key & Peele, Bob’s Burgers, and Reno 911! He’s also the creator of acclaimed off-Broadway shows, including Bright Colors and Bold Patterns and Messy White Gays, which recently ran in New York.Key Takeaways:Drew’s experience producing and working on Messy White GaysHow can dark humor help process grief?Reflections on rejection and how it shaped his careerThe gut-wrenching experience of bombing a stand-up setLearning not to be precious about critiquing your own workWhy Drew and Jaimie both hate RentConnect with Us⁠⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠Jose Rolon InstagramCredits:Edited by: Jerson BarajasRecorded by: MCM CreativeProduced by: Jose Rolon, Jaimie Kelton, and Dianni Hall

Dominique Jackson on Pose, Activism, and Finding Her Power

José Rolón and Jaimie Kelton sit down with the iconic Dominique Jackson — actress, model, and LGBTQ+ advocate best known for her role as Elektra on Pose — for a conversation about what a real take two looks like.Dominique opens up about her journey, from the debilitating fear she endured under the new administration as a trans woman to being brought back to life by her community. Together, they talk about Dominique’s experiences with domestic violence and her first marriage, what being on Pose was actually like, and the lessons she learned from it, and how she continues to take action as an activist for the trans and LGBTQ+ community.If you’ve ever wondered how Dominique Jackson became the icon she is today, you won’t want to miss this.Connect with Us⁠Love, Take Two Instagram⁠⁠Love, Take Two Tiktok⁠⁠Love, Take Two Youtube⁠⁠Jaimie Kelton Instagram⁠⁠Jose Rolon Instagram

Welcome to Your Second Act with Jaimie Kelton and José Rolón

Welcome to Love, Take Two! In this solo kickoff episode, José Rolón and Jaimie Kelton share why they created this podcast and what “take two” really means to them.They open up about the moments that forced them to pivot — in love, in work, and in life — and why starting over isn’t failure, it’s information. Think less “perfect comeback story” and more honest reflections on detours, doubts, and choosing yourself when things don’t go the way you hoped.This is the beginning of a series of conversations about reinvention, resilience, and the weirdly beautiful process of trying again.Connect with UsLove, Take Two InstagramLove, Take Two TiktokLove, Take Two YoutubeJaimie Kelton InstagramJose Rolon Instagram