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Ryan O\u2019Connell and Punam Patel join the podcast together this week to discuss advocating for oneself as an artist, giving voice to communities underrepresented in entertainment, and their hit Netflix comedy, \u201cSpecial,\u201d which just premiered its second season. The two Emmy-nominated actors provide relatable advice to performers and writers looking to make their mark in Hollywood\u2014confidently. \u201cYou can trust your own instincts no matter where you are in your career,\u201d says Punam. \u201cJust [believe] that you deserve to be there,\u201d adds Ryan.\n\nChasing a childhood dream of becoming a TV writer, the California-born Ryan turned the blog writing of his 20s into a memoir, \u201cI\u2019m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves,\u201d which Jim Parsons optioned through That\u2019s Wonderful Productions. \u201cSpecial,\u201d which premiered as a 15-minute Emmy-nominated sitcom inspired by Ryan\u2019s life as a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, made its way through development as Ryan wrote for the series \u201cAwkward,\u201d \u201cDaytime Divas,\u201d and \u201cWill & Grace.\u201d Punam, who was the only actor auditioned for the role of Ryan\u2019s coworker and friend Kim on \u201cSpecial,\u201d studied journalism and theater in Florida, then comedy in Chicago, before moving to Los Angeles and booking \u201cKevin From Work,\u201d \u201cTime For Bed With Punam Patel,\u201d the upcoming \u201cI Love This for You,\u201d and more.\n\nNext week, be sure to check out BackstageFest: a virtual celebration of the year\u2019s best and buzziest TV! Visit join.backstage.com/backstagefest to RSVP.\n---\nBackstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage\u2019s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today\u2019s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Jack Smart, Awards Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ\n\nFollow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:\n- https://www.facebook.com/backstage\n- https://www.twitter.com/backstage\n- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope\n- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast\n\nLooking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe\nBrowse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e\nCheck out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0\nBackstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5\n\nSpecial thanks to...\n- Host: Jack Smart\n- Producer: Jamie Muffett\n- Social media: Katie Minard, Alysa Cirelli\n- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins\n- Additional support: Christine McKenna-Tirella, Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Benjamin Lindsay, Oriella St. Louis