We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eddie Wiedmann a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Eddie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

On June 1st, 2019 I resigned from being a Police Officer in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Up to that point I was a 24 year old kid living on his own with a bright future and the ability to retire at the age of 47 with a healthy pension. Seems like a lot of peoples dreams and for a while it was mine too. I pretty much had my life figured out up to that point, so I thought. After long hours of sitting in my police cruiser and dealing with the stresses of the job I knew this was not a sustainable lifestyle for me. My finances were finally in order for the first time in my life but my mental health was at an all time low and I knew I needed to make some changes. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but they say the hardest decisions are the best ones to make. After working about 80 plus hours a week for 2 years I resigned from being a Police Officer and took a well needed 3 month hiatus to relax and explore the wonders of SouthEast Asia. After almost dying from a mosquito I returned back to the states with a clear mind and a hunger for a new start. I had a burning desire to start my new chapter in California and in April 2019 right as the pandemic hit I decided to pack up my life and drive across the country. Without looking back I ended up in San Diego where I started planting some seeds of where I wanted a future. And now I am living in Los Angeles with my lovely girlfriend that I met out here and pursuing a career in comedy and acting. I am finally at a place in my life that feels right, is aligned with myself and it is going very well so far. Had I not made that crazy decision to leave my career and start a new life 3000 miles away I don’t think I would be sitting here writing this story to share to the world. Without the risks there would be no reward, so continue to take risks in your life, listen to your heart and don’t be afraid of anything.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

For folks who don’t know who I am, I am a former Rhode Island Police officer who is now living in Los Angeles pursuing a career in comedy and acting. I got into the industry by starting a podcast with my roommate which really taught me a lot about marketing, creating a brand and having an online presence. I have now shifted into focusing on my personal brand, writing and performing stand up comedy, creating comedy content on social media, and improv acting. I am not sure exactly where my future will bring me, but I know by not having limitations I am free to explore all areas of comedy and entertainment.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist/creative is being able to create whatever you want! When I am writing and performing stand up comedy there are no limitations to my act, I am free to say and express whatever I want and there is truly something magical about that. All my material is unique and personal and no one can take that from me. And of course the ability to make people laugh is truly a powerful gift. When you laugh you have a release of natural endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin which all feel really good in the brain. As a comedian I am metaphorically getting people high and that is amazing.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Social media is a tough code to crack and my advice is to keep posting! At first I was afraid of judgment and people not liking my stuff and that is a very negative voice to listen to in your head. You don’t know what the people will like, so by not posting you’re doing a disservice to your audience and potential new audience members. Collaborate with as many people as you can, you will go a lot farther in your career when you team up with people, than just doing things solo. You are exposing yourself to other people’s audiences who may not know you, and so by collaborating you’re reaching these new people. Find a way to have fun with it and try not to get burned out! Also always look at your progress and see what’s working, sometimes you may need to redirect your focus in certain areas and that is okay.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @eddiewiedmann_
• Facebook: Eddie Wiedmann
• Youtube: @eddiewiedmann
• Other: TikTok: @eddiewiedmann_