String and Tell

Tawny Platis

Join voice actor and content creator Tawny Platis as she sits down with fellow entertainers to talk about what they actually care about while racing to make as many friendship bracelets as they possibly can in 20 minutes. The best part? Each bracelet made by our celebrity guests is available to purchase by viewers like you, with 100% of the sale proceeds donated to a nonprofit organization of the guest’s choice. Every bracelet has a story, and every bracelet helps a cause.

  1. 3 days ago

    Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Star Vincent Rodriguez III on Flow State, Filipino Identity, and Finding Your Purpose

    Actor, singer, keynote speaker, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend star Vincent Rodriguez III joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about flow state, Filipino identity, lifelong learning, and the surprising science behind creativity. Vincent shares how growing up in a traditional Filipino household shaped his relationship with performing, why reconnecting with his heritage transformed the way he sees himself, and how discovering the psychology of "flow" changed both his career and his life. He also opens up about living with ADHD, embracing curiosity, and learning to define success on his own terms. Along the way, the conversation takes plenty of delightful detours; from Broadway auditions and martial arts to dinosaurs, Hamilton, magic tricks, and why everyone should learn how to teach themselves something new. Bracelets from this episode benefit The Jed Foundation, with 100% of proceeds donated to support youth mental health. Vincent talks about: Why he considers curiosity his greatest superpower The science of flow state and how it transformed his acting career Growing up in a traditional Filipino household and rediscovering his heritage Living with ADHD and embracing neurodivergence as a strength Learning new skills, from languages to magic, by teaching himself How Broadway, dance, and fitness shaped his approach to performance Why presence is the key to creativity, confidence, and connection Finding purpose through kindness, legacy, and helping others grow Follow Vincent Rodriguez III:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vrodrigueziii/Web: https://www.vrodrigueziii.com/ Follow Tawny:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatisWeb: https://tawnyvoice.com/

  2. 16 July

    Jenny Yang Is Finally Making Her First Stand-Up Special

    Writer, actor, comedian, and podcast host Jenny Yang joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about pizza, conspiracy theories, immigrant family expectations, overachievement, and learning how to enjoy the process instead of chasing the next goal. Jenny shares why she's finally creating her first stand-up special after years of personal loss, including two miscarriages, multiple rounds of IVF, and the death of her father. She reflects on growing up in a Taiwanese immigrant family, how becoming hyper-independent shaped her career, and why comedy became both an outlet and a path toward healing. Along the way, the conversation takes plenty of delightful detours; from Neapolitan pizza and backyard pizza ovens to student government, ADHD, true crime, and the surprising connection between making people laugh and winning elections. Jenny talks about: Why she's finally recording her first hour-long stand-up special Processing grief after years of infertility and loss Growing up in a Taiwanese immigrant household and becoming fiercely independent The hidden emotional cost of being the "overachiever" Learning to enjoy the creative process instead of obsessing over outcomes Her obsession with pizza, pasta, and Italian food culture How student government unexpectedly launched her comedy career Why she believes understanding humanity (even its darkest parts) makes us better people Making friendship bracelets while unpacking perfectionism, purpose, and joy Bracelets from this episode benefit the Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP), with 100% of proceeds donated to support their work. Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Follow Jenny Yang:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyyangtv/Web: https://www.jennyyang.tv/ Follow Tawny:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatisWeb: https://tawnyvoice.com/

  3. 9 July

    Comic Artist Hannah Hillam Turned Her ADHD Brain Into a Career

    Illustrator, comic artist, and 500 Open Tabs co-host Hannah Hillam joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about creativity, comics, weird internet rabbit holes, and embracing the wonderfully chaotic way her brain works. Hannah talks about: Growing up drawing comics and realizing art was always the career she was meant to pursue Writing her graphic novel Cat People and why "cute but deeply unsettling" became her signature style How 500 Open Tabs was born from never closing browser tabs and turning random curiosities into a podcast The bizarre history of Icelandic Dracula and why it's completely different from the original The Carrington Event, solar storms, and the surprisingly real possibility of an internet-ending apocalypse Raising kids, true crime obsessions, and why everything somehow turns into a cult or an arsonist story The two also get into Studio Ghibli tattoos, Taylor Swift discourse, tiny trinkets, friendship bracelet storytelling, and why every weird little object deserves its own elaborate backstory. Plus, every bracelet made during this episode is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to PCF, Hannah's charity of choice. Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Follow Hannah Hillam:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahhillam/500 Open Tabs Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/500-open-tabs/id1720585294 Follow Tawny:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatisWeb: https://tawnyvoice.com/

  4. 2 July

    Voice Actor Rosie Okumura Catches Scammers for a Living

    Voice actor, content creator, musician, and private investigator Rosie Okumura joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about undercover investigations, voice acting, anime, and finding creative outlets wherever life takes her. Rosie talks about: How scam-baiting videos unexpectedly led her to becoming a private investigator Going undercover with disguises, DoorDash bags, and improv skills to serve difficult legal papers Discovering voice acting by accidentally imitating Siri behind a bar Landing anime roles, including Sakamoto Days, and why auditioning is all about making an impression Her obsession with crafting, painting, miniatures, and ADHD-fueled creative hobbies Why Google Calendar, canceled plans, and protecting her downtime are the keys to avoiding burnout Solo travel, food adventures, and planning the ultimate birthday trip to Japan The two also talk about dating apps, Studio Ghibli, travel anxiety, tiny crafts, cats, White Claws, and why improv might be the most valuable class you can ever take. Plus, every bracelet made during this episode is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to The Spay and Neuter Project, Rosie’s charity of choice. Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Follow Rosie Okumura: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irlrosie/ Follow Tawny: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatis Web: https://tawnyvoice.com/

  5. 25 June

    The Cosplayer Who Dances as Animated Characters On TikTok

    Content creator, dancer, and cosplayer Sabrina Mae joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about cosplay, creativity, dance, storytelling, and building a career by embracing what makes you different. Sabrina talks about: • How a lifelong love of Halloween costumes evolved into a full-time cosplay career• Combining professional dance training with cosplay to create her signature videos• Why she prefers bringing her own personality and flair to beloved characters• Growing up in Michigan and adjusting to life in Los Angeles• The creative process behind transforming animated characters and even inanimate objects into cosplay• Learning new skills like makeup, mask-making, and costume design through trial and error• Why artistic growth often means being uncomfortable and trying things that scare you• Finding inspiration in movies like Avatar, Elemental, Moana, and A Bug's Life• The reality of creating content online and why predicting what will go viral is impossible• How modern dance taught her to trust her instincts and create her own rules Plus, Sabrina and Tawny discuss favorite movies, theater, improv, friendship bracelets, work-life balance, and the joy of making art that's uniquely your own. Every bracelet made during this episode is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to the Animal Welfare Institute. Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Follow Sabrina Mae: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sabrinamaecosplay/ Web:sabrinamaecosplay.com Follow Tawny: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatis Web: https://tawnyvoice.com/

  6. 11 June

    Crystal Lee's Unexpected Path to Voice Acting

    Voice actor Crystal Lee joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about unexpected career pivots, Dungeons & Dragons, language, creativity, and learning to trust yourself when life takes an unexpected turn. Crystal talks about: Growing up in a Taiwanese-American household and losing touch with her first languages Why Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Michelle Yeoh left such a lasting impression on her Studying biomedical engineering and earning two degrees before becoming a full-time actor The acting class that completely changed the direction of her life Discovering voice acting during the pandemic and building a career from a closet recording booth How Critical Role introduced her to both Dungeons & Dragons and the world of voice acting The importance of hard work, luck, and trusting your instincts when pursuing a creative career Why she loves escape rooms, tabletop RPGs, and storytelling in all forms Moving from New Jersey to Seattle and eventually finding her home in Los Angeles Tarot cards, whimsy, creativity, and finding balance between logic and imagination Plus, Crystal and Tawny discuss pizza, palm trees, Baldur’s Gate 3, friendship bracelets, and why sometimes the biggest risks lead to the most rewarding adventures. Every bracelet made during this episode is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to the National Association of Voice Actors. Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Follow Crystal Lee:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.crystal.lee/ Web: https://www.crystalylee.com/ Follow Tawny: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatis Web: https://tawnyvoice.com/

  7. 4 June

    David Farrier on Dark Tourism, Weird America, and Why Journalism Still Matters

    Journalist, filmmaker, and Dark Tourist creator David Farrier joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about documentaries, weird American subcultures, creative obsession, and the strange reality of building a life in the U.S. as a journalist. David talks about: Growing up in New Zealand and how storytelling slowly became his career Why journalism still matters, even as media and documentaries continue to change How Flightless Bird and Web Worm let him explore bizarre rabbit holes and overlooked stories The emotional toll of making documentaries about narcissists and abusive people Why America feels chaotic, overwhelming, fascinating, and creatively inspiring all at once The difference between documentaries, podcasts, newsletters, and short-form storytelling Traveling across the U.S. to investigate Dungeons & Dragons, niche communities, and strange cultural phenomena Why he’s happiest when he’s constantly creating and staying busy The two also talk about fish and chips on New Zealand beaches, friendship necklaces, Portland vs. New York, hiking, live music, and why Alaska feels magical despite neither of them having been there. Plus, David shares his thoughts on the “Netflix-ization” of documentaries, the best comment section on the internet, and how a compliment from his grandfather shaped the way he thinks about storytelling to this day. Every bracelet made during this episode is available for purchase, with 100% of proceeds going to Feed the Streets. Remember, every bracelet has a story, and every story helps a cause. Follow David Farrier: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidfarrier/ Follow Tawny: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatis Web: https://tawnyvoice.com/

About

Join voice actor and content creator Tawny Platis as she sits down with fellow entertainers to talk about what they actually care about while racing to make as many friendship bracelets as they possibly can in 20 minutes. The best part? Each bracelet made by our celebrity guests is available to purchase by viewers like you, with 100% of the sale proceeds donated to a nonprofit organization of the guest’s choice. Every bracelet has a story, and every bracelet helps a cause.

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