Monica Joy shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Monica, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I have an intimidatingly adorable Spaniel named Remington. He brings endless amounts of laughter, happiness, and the destruction of anything worth more than $20. Although he is my service dog, he makes it very clear that his work for me will only last as long as the peanut butter flows like water. He cracks me up, reminds me to keep things in perspective, and that joy, as well as love, arrives in many shapes and forms.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an award-winning Creator/Writer/Showrunner/Director/Producer renowned for writing, creating, developing and producing beloved television shows, films, digital series such as Blues Clues, Bubble Guppies, CoComelon, Future Chicken, Go Dog Go!, Kamp Koral, SpongeBob SquarePants, Team Umizoomi, Wallykazam, Nimona, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, Ice Age V, and The Peanuts Movie to name a few. I’ve also spent years working in live-action entertainment, gaming, and published half a dozen books.
For me, outside of following my passion, it’s important to give back to others. As such I mentor hundreds creatives around the globe, and regularly lecture at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, New York University and the School of Visual Arts.
Well outside of the 9-5, I’ve run my creative studio, Monica Violet Joy Productions for the last 13 years. We exclusively focus on creating, producing, and consulting on work from perspectives we feel are important and voices that need to be heard – i.e. female driven, or from those who identify with a marginalized group, or with a disability. Important to us is creating original art only. In addition, we often partner up with organizations in the arts, women’s healthcare, environment protection, and animal rights sectors to fundraise and channel profits to. We hope to use our platform to not just entertain, but to unite communities and create a more harmonious, healthier world.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In my late teens I was in a terrible accident. My back had been fractured and I had broken dozens of bones. I can still remember the taste of the dirt as I lay on the ground and the panic of not being able to feel parts of my body. For the next few weeks I was frantically shepherded to doctor after doctor. They all argue whether I would ever walk or live a normal life again. Worse than that, for me, it had ended the professional, athletic career that I hoped to be pursuing for an eternity. It was a difficult period and for years I had to recover both physically and emotionally from the trauma.
Over a decade later, I’m lucky to be mobile and alive, and still finding dreams to pursue. What occurred was tragic but constantly reminds me that when the world seems dark, difficult and challenging, there is always hope, new goals to chase, and it’s key to cherish the little wins that when added up, are the most important ones.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Navigating the Gongaga region in the Final Fantasy remake nearly broke me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
To a fault. Especially when I speak to students, whilst remaining professional, I don’t attempt to hide vulnerability or authenticity. I stand by my values and hope to encourage that if something is important to you, for example your human rights, your nearby national park, or creativity itself, get out there and fight for it. In this day and age, nothing seems to be guaranteed. Now is definitely not the time to rest on our laurels.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If immortality were real, what would you build?
An enormous wildlife sanctuary in every county, as well as a permanent, inalterable, and protective status on any building built before 1940, in both the US and the UK. I’d like to work whilst focusing on sustainability and having a place to go to watch animals at peace, is there anything better than that?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.monicavioletjoyproductions.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-violet-joy-97637a5b/
Image Credits
Original artwork created by Monica Violet Joy Productions
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
