Episode 26: Failing Up with Viral Star DJ Pryor
“If it looks like it might fail, I'm probably clinging to it because I know that that's usually the area I find my success.” - DJ Pryor
Failed it! Fam, get ready to go to church! DJ’s inspirational story will bring you to tears, make you laugh, and will motivate you to look at things in a different perspective. You may have seen his bright spirit on a viral video with his son, Kingston. DJ really knows how to fail up as a comedian, actor, motivational speaker, musician, and “world’s greatest dad.” If you need a ray of sunshine, but on your sunglasses and tune in! This episode brings so much light!
About the guest: DJ Pryor is taking entertainment head-on this year. Maintaining the true essence of what it means to be a multi-threat entertainer through stand-up comedy, acting, motivational speaking and musicianship to name a few, the young comic is preparing his seat the table among the greats. From starring in music videos, commercials with Allstate and Jack Daniels to leading in the upcoming independent film "The Konichiwa Kid", all the while perfecting his first love- stand-up-comedy, he is directly on the path to stardom. Most recently the actor-comedian's "comedy-mojo", which he refers to as his "comojo", allowed him to be one of twenty artists to take the stage in the 2019 CBS Diversity Comedy Sketch Showcase.
DJ is married to Shanieke Pryor and a father of two Jabari, 8, Kingston, 2. DJ was most recently known for a viral video with his youngest son Kingston coining him the "World's Favorite Dad" for Father's Day 2019!
From acting, directing and performing at popular venues including Zanies in Nashville, TN. Los Angeles's infamous Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, and more to launching his latest digital endeavor, Laughter is Universal, there is no stopping DJ Pryor. You can find him on all social platforms as Comedian DJ Pryor, or DJ Pryor!
About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award.
This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre.
When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl.
You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!