An Inspired Chat with Megan Nager

Megan Nager shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Megan, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I’ve spent the last few years going back and forth between Los Angeles and South Florida, and ultimately decided to build a comedy scene right here – in one of the towns I now call home. When I first arrived, there wasn’t much happening in the comedy world — but it was clear the community was craving it.

Fast forward three years, and the improv comedy workshop and showcase I created is now entering its fifth round of classes and performances. I’ve had the joy of teaching everyone from complete beginners to people with some experience, and our most recent showcase was our biggest yet — over 100 people showed up to support the performers. Hearing my students share how comedy has helped them break out of their shells, feel more confident, and connect with others made me incredibly proud of what we’ve built here.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Megan Nager — a comedian, filmmaker, and creative entrepreneur splitting my time between Los Angeles and South Florida. I wear a lot of hats, but at the heart of everything I do is storytelling with a comedic twist.
I co-own Wake & Make Media, a digital-first video production and marketing agency where we help brands stand out through smart, creative storytelling — often with humor at the core. I also run Pineapple Laughs, an improv comedy program and showcase I founded to bring comedy to a community that didn’t have much of a scene before. It’s grown into a thriving hub for connection, creativity, and big laughs.

Outside of producing content for others, I regularly create viral comedic videos of my own and host two travel shows that combine my love of exploring new places with my comedic voice. Whether it’s performing, producing, or teaching, I’m passionate about making people laugh, telling meaningful stories, and building communities around creativity.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My dad is, without a doubt, one of those rare people who truly saw me before I ever fully saw myself — and, honestly, he still does to this day. From the time I was little, he had this uncanny ability to recognize my potential long before I had the confidence to believe in it. He wasn’t just supportive in a general sense; he was intentional. He encouraged me to follow my curiosity, to take risks, to explore new ideas, and to lean into the things that made me different.
Whether it was cheering me on during my early creative experiments, patiently listening to my wild ideas, or reminding me over and over that I was capable of more than I thought, my dad helped shape the foundation of who I am. He’s the one who nurtured my adventurous spirit, my love of learning, and my passion for creating. Even now, as an adult, he continues to be that steady voice reminding me of my strength, even in moments when I doubt myself.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell her that it’s okay to slow down, breathe, and actually be happy in the moment. For as long as I can remember, I’ve carried this constant pressure to keep chasing success — to always be moving, achieving, and pushing forward. I thought that if I just worked hard enough and stayed ahead, I’d finally feel fulfilled.
But as I’ve grown older, I’ve looked back and wished I’d given myself permission to simply enjoy life more — to take a break, to laugh, to not treat every single moment as a stepping stone to something else. Growing up in such a competitive academic environment, I constantly felt the need to overprepare, to excel at everything, even when it meant sacrificing my own peace of mind. I wish I had known then that slowing down doesn’t mean falling behind. Sometimes, it’s actually where the best parts of life happen.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I think, in many ways, the public version of me isn’t all that different from who I really am. But the truth is, I can be a lot more reserved and quiet than people might expect. As an entertainer, there’s this unspoken pressure to always be “on” — to bring energy, humor, and connection wherever you go. And while that side of me is very real, it’s not the whole picture.
There are also moments when I just want to retreat, be alone, and recharge. I don’t always feel “on,” and I definitely don’t always feel funny or eager to entertain. Sometimes, I just want to exist quietly, without performing or being “the personality” in the room. That balance — between the public and the private — has become something I really value.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I only had ten years left, one of the first things I’d let go of is people-pleasing. It’s something I’ve wrestled with my entire life — this instinct to put others’ needs ahead of my own, even when it costs me my energy and peace. Over the years, I’ve made a lot of progress in unlearning that pattern, but it’s still something I have to consciously work on.
I have a tendency to give so much of myself, to go out of my way to help and support others, even when that generosity isn’t always reciprocated. And while kindness is a core part of who I am, I’ve learned that constantly overextending myself can leave me feeling depleted. If time were limited, I’d focus more on protecting my energy, setting boundaries, and living in a way that feels true to me — not just pleasing everyone else.

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Megan Nager

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