We recently connected with Meredith Styer and have shared our conversation below.

Meredith, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had started sooner?

If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing about when I started my creative career. I began comedy during my midlife pivot, and honestly, it felt like the exact right time. Looking back, I realize that if I’d started 20 years earlier, I wouldn’t have had the same depth of connection with my audience. The past 25 years taught me how to truly relate to people—how to understand their stories, emotions, and experiences. That makes me a better comic. Sure, there are dreams I had, like being a cast member on SNL, that feel less attainable now as a woman in her late 40’s. But less likely doesn’t mean impossible! I trust the path I’m on and the timing. I don’t regret a single moment of the journey—because this is exactly where I’m meant to be, doing what I love.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I had a unique upbringing in a small town. Grew up in a family compound of sorts. My family owned multiple small businesses, and I was always surrounded by creatives. I remember watching the Al Alberts Showcase and wanting to be one of those girls so badly. Every person I met became an opportunity to entertain someone new. I was a talkative kid starting at age 1, and I haven’t shut up since. That’s who I am.

Authenticity has always been my driving force. That’s what drew me to comedy. Stand-up is raw and exposed. It’s not about subtlety—there’s no guessing game. I’m up there saying it all, maybe even too much, but that’s the beauty of it. For someone who spent years pretending to be someone different in order to be “successful,” comedy is a space where I can be fully, unapologetically myself.

What I’m most proud of? Creating a space where people, especially women, feel seen, heard, and free to laugh at the absurdity of it all. There are so many of us who are too much, too loud, too big, too bold, and I get to connect with them every time I’m on stage.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The best resource in comedy is other comics -BUT- everyone’s journey is so different, and what works for one person might not work for another. I wish I had known just how important open mics would be—not just for working out material but for networking and getting a feel for the comedic energy in your area. I’ve learned that it’s essential to have a group of people you trust enough to bomb in front of—that shared vulnerability creates a bond. Comedy is such a solo sport, but open mics are where the community can be found. I also wish I had understood how unpredictable this journey can be. One minute, you’re crushing it in front of 250 people, and the next, you’re yelling jokes at 15 diners on a patio with no mic. It’s a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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

The most rewarding part of being a comic is the freedom to be unapologetically myself—using my own words, even the bad ones, and being rewarded for it. Not everyone gets me, and that’s okay. Art is subjective; some people love it, and others just walk by. The best moments are when someone comes up after a show and says, “Dude, I thought I was the only one.” Recently, someone retold a joke of mine about my mom telling me I wasn’t allowed to wear horizontal stripes. That connection? That’s the wildest and most fulfilling part.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @makemelaughmeredith
• Youtube: @makemelaughmeredith
• Other: tiktok: @make.me.laugh.mer

Image Credits

Ronan Mayock