We recently had the chance to connect with Adam Cozens and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Adam, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day usually involve getting up with my wife Laura and getting my two young daughters (ages 9 and 5) dressed, fed and ready for school. I’ll enjoy – as best I can – my first cup of coffee while Laura and I field lots of questions such as “How high do parasailers go?”, “Does God have a mom and dad?” and “Why didn’t you put the vacuum away last night?” The latter because, we know we’d probably use it again this morning. We live close enough to walk our kids down the street to school after which I come home, vacuum up what the kids spilled this morning, drink a second cup of coffee and check my email for any messages from my fellow early-rising west coasters and much more wide-eyed east coast friends and partners. My wife and I will talk about how the morning went and any plans for later in the day and then I’ll retreat to my in-home office for morning meetings, calls and project assignments. Between calls I’ll attend to dishes, possibly squeeze in a shower and make sure nothing world-changing has happened on social media. Another cup of coffee is likely consumed around this time and if possible, a walk.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Adam Cozens. I’m a husband, father, stand up comedian and comedy writer. I have been fortunate enough to work as a television showrunner, producer, director, writer and generally useful guy in the entertainment and creative marketing industries for the last two decades. I currently serve as a marketing manager in the pop culture space as well as a writer and showrunner on a daily child-oriented television program. I am the creator of the hyper-local Southern California suburb Instagram account @MemesOfGlendora and travel wherever they’ll have me perform my brand of stand up comedy. All that said, my truest joy comes from being a father to Lucy and Joy and a husband to my best friend of nearly 25 years – Laura. I’ve made some questionable choices in my life and career at times, but marrying Laura was the best thing I could have ever done.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
From all accounts I was a fun kid. I was very curious and loved to laugh and liked getting dirty and making up games in my head. I would rip holes in the knees of all my pants because I’d always be sliding into made-up “home bases” around my family’s front yard in West Seattle. I would host fake talk shows in my room and would custom paint my action figures to make them look like different people . I’d read my dad’s daily “Far Side” one-a-day calendar and pretend I got the jokes. I really enjoyed reading biographies of stand up comedians and actors. I found them to be fascinating and of course – funny. I was very anxious as well. I had lots of fears and concerns which of course would never pan out. I had a HUGE conscience which was very helpful to my parents. They never had to question me about anything because I’d come right out and confess to anything I did. I’d even confess to stuff my sister had done. I just didn’t want anything eating at me. I don’t think I answered your question. Who was I before the world told me who to be? Probably the same person I am now. I’m still curious and love to be creative and laugh and use my imagination whenever possible. I’m not as anxious as I used to be. Now my fears and worries are for my kids and the world they are going to inherit. So I try to make sure that no matter what happens in the future, they can look back and know they grew up in a warm and loving house where they were supported to try new things and be curious and not afraid to fail.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I learned to use humor at a young age as a defense mechanism. When I was in 4th grade I was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome which made me stand out in my classes, and generally, not in the best way. The junior high years weren’t the most desirable times to draw attention to yourself. But I learned how to mask many of my incessant tics (or at least, I felt like I was masking them) and learned the art of self-deprecation which is a tool I carry with me to this day. I can’t imagine not being able to laugh at myself. Taking yourself too seriously is a curse I wouldn’t wish upon anyone. Well, I guess I would wish it upon some people. But c’mon, we are all a mess. At least admit it and have a little fun with it.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my industry tells is that the only path to success is to sacrifice everything that stands in the way of your career. The most successful people I know hold a balance between their work and passions and their personal life. They hold fruitful and enjoyable relationships that have nothing to do with work while also being leaders in their chosen profession. Its okay to push hard and commit yourself to a dream, but if you don’t have a community to share it with, what’s the point?
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I treated everyone kindly. I haven’t always agreed with everyone around me and I’m sure that has shown through from time to time (in fact, I know it has) but I always feel like there is more that ties people together than separates. I know that is corny and cliched and I feel like such a dork even typing that but I do feel it’s truth in my heart. Most people at the end of the day desire for the same common things. We have different ways and approaches of getting them but we share such core DNA that to reject each other over our differences feels ridiculous. I do know we each have our personal lines in the sand that we have to draw and I respect those. I have my own as well. But until I get to that line, I try to give everyone I connect with an equal and inviting space.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.AdamCozens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamcozens27/, https://www.instagram.com/memesofglendora/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-cozens-3470028/
- Twitter: https://x.com/adamcozens27
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adamcozens
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Adamcozens27
