We were lucky to catch up with Faith Alpher recently and have shared our conversation below.

Faith, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I am definitely happiest when I’m creating art. Whether I’m speaking—doing stand-up comedy, working with corporations, or speaking at schools across the country—that’s when I feel most alive. No two assemblies are ever the same. There’s always so much energy, and you can feel the excitement in the room. These students are incredible! They are fearless. I am truly honored when educators reach out for one of my programs. Of course every program is always tailored to fit their specific needs, so I need to make sure to be an incredible listener. Ahhhh, I could go on and on about traveling and speaking to schools. It’s life giving.

I never considered having a traditional job because it just wasn’t me. I respect those who do, but that hasn’t been my story. Honestly, I’ve always felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. I remember moving to California in 1999 and getting a job in a corporate setting. I think I lasted only a year because I just didn’t fit in. I showed up every day, was always on time, but the meetings drove me crazy. I even had an opportunity to move up in the admin department, but I declined.

Instead, I got the chance to perform my first one-woman show at a local theatre. That’s when I knew—without a doubt—what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In truth, I think I’ve always known, but that moment solidified it. I think there was hesitation because I allowed other voices to get in my head. But those days are behind me.

I love creating.

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.

Well, I’m basically a Jersey girl who never gave up. I’ve been in the entertainment industry my whole life, but I never imagined I’d end up traveling and speaking at schools—especially since I did horribly in college. I was kicked out of two schools simply because I failed. But I decided to get my act together, re-enroll in the same school, and graduate. And I did just that. Then, I went on to earn my master’s degree and graduated with honors.

I never saw myself working in education, but I found my creative side there—teaching students through social and emotional programs and PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support). When I speak to students, usually middle and high schoolers, I share my story. If it’s age-appropriate, we dive deep into why I never thought I was good enough. I feel honored to travel to so many schools and connect with students, but I make sure we do it in a way that’s fun and exciting.

What sets me apart is that I love speaking at schools just as much as I love performing stand-up comedy—which I’ve been doing for about 20 years. I don’t just see what I do as speaking—I consider it an educational performance. It’s not just about sharing information; it’s about bringing it to life in a way that’s fun, engaging, and truly uplifting.

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at Nyack Middle School in Nyack, New York, and later, to the high school athletes. The middle school assembly was electric! The energy in that auditorium was off the charts—I was moving through the aisles, connecting with students and educators, tossing candy into the audience, asking questions, cracking jokes—all while delivering an impactful lesson on kindness and anti-bullying. The principal gave me a signal to keep going, which was such a great feeling, but I made sure to wrap up with a strong call to action.

Then, something unforgettable happened. As soon as the assembly ended, students rushed to the front to talk to me. It caught me off guard—I had completely forgotten to invite them up! The moment was incredible; we were laughing, talking, and the energy was just overwhelming in the best way. The Dean even had to step in and say, “Give her space!” and then joked, “Faith, I feel like I’m your security!” It was a moment I’ll never forget.

The high school session was a completely different atmosphere. It was after school, and with over 250 athletes in the room, I knew they were likely exhausted. There were side conversations happening, but the organizer, who was incredibly gracious, subtly made sure students stayed engaged. At first, I wasn’t sure if they were fully absorbing the message—but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

By the end, the students applauded loudly, some even stood up, smiling. And then came the most powerful part—several students courageously shared their personal stories with me. My heart stood still in those moments. I realized just how deeply they had been listening.

Two schools. Two very different assemblies. Yet, the mission remains the same—to uplift, empower, and leave a lasting impact that extends far beyond the time we spend together. It’s about planting seeds that will resonate not just today, but for the rest of their lives.

Something I want people to know about me is that I identify as neurodiverse and have ADHD. To me, being different means I can make a difference. And, of course, with so many stories running through my head, I had to write a book! Chasing Faith: A Journey of Humor, Hope, and Triumph is uplifting, funny, and full of heart—I’m really proud of it. I also wrote a poetry book, which I’m hoping to publish in 2025!

For those who don’t know me yet—just hand me a microphone, and I’ll show you what I can do.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I finally got back into the college I had been kicked out of, I was terrified. The last thing I wanted was to get academically dismissed again. I remember it like it was yesterday—the Resident Life Director sat me down and told me I needed to make some big changes. He said I should withdraw from being an RA, quit my job at Wendy’s, and probably even leave the choir. He insisted it was impossible to juggle all that while taking a full course load. And since my GPA was so low, I couldn’t afford even a single C—I needed all A’s and B’s to stay.

I sat across from him, tears streaming down my face, and said, “I’m not changing anything. I can do this.” He rolled his eyes, turned his back to me, and dismissed me like I was a lost cause. It was such a horrible moment.

But that semester, I proved to myself what I was capable of—I earned all B’s, kept my RA position, and managed it all. I was so proud. I even went back to him, transcript in hand, ready to show him what I had accomplished. He barely acknowledged it, just shrugged me off.

And that’s when it hit me—why did I even do this for him? I didn’t. I did it for me. It was never about proving anything to anyone else. It was about proving to myself that I could be resilient, that I wouldn’t give up.

And I didn’t. I stayed. I graduated. And to this day, that moment reminds me that I’m stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding part of being a creative person is that I get to be myself. And that’s what I love sharing with others.

When I speak to corporate businesses, I remind them to share their stories. They didn’t just start working—they had a journey. So why are we so afraid to talk about what we’ve been through? Is it fear? Guilt? Maybe the feeling that we should be further along in our careers? But we should never shrink back from embracing who we truly are.

It might sound simple—even a little unbelievable—but the most beautiful, powerful thing you can do is fully embrace who you are. Perfection? It doesn’t exist. It never has. We weren’t meant to blend in—we were meant to stand out.

Yet, so many people are sitting on their gifts, holding back parts of themselves out of fear, doubt, or hesitation. I see it like standing in the wings of a stage. The spotlight is waiting, your name is being called—but are you stepping forward?

It’s go time. Walk out there with your head held high, no shame, no hesitation. Bring all of you—the brilliance, the flaws, the lessons, the story that only you can tell. Because you never know how your story could change someone’s life. And the best part? You might just discover that you have far more in common with others than you ever imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.FunnyGirlFaith.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faith_alpher/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faithalpher
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faithalpher/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@faithalpher