In this episode of The Experts, Dr. Jenelle Kim sits down with actor, comedian, and creator Leah Knauer for a candid, funny, and unexpectedly personal conversation about confidence, authenticity, humor, and what it takes to step into your own power.
Leah opens up about spending years trying to fit into the male-dominated comedy world before realizing that hiding parts of herself wasn't making her safer or more successful. When she finally began showing up unapologetically — sparkles, bold colors, femininity, humor and all — things began to change.
The conversation also goes deeper. Leah shares the experience that dramatically changed her perspective on fear and life, while Dr. Kim explores why laughter, music, movement and joy can be powerful tools for breaking through stagnation and reconnecting with ourselves.
🔥 In this MUST-WATCH episode, you’ll learn:
✅ Why trying to fit in can keep us from fully stepping into our power
✅ What changed when Leah stopped hiding her femininity in comedy
✅ Why authenticity can be one of the most powerful forms of confidence
✅ How humor can create connection and release tension
✅ Why Dr. Kim considers laughter and joy a form of medicine
✅ How music, movement and laughter can help shift stagnant energy
✅ Why Leah stopped waiting for opportunities and started creating her own
✅ How a life-changing health crisis transformed her relationship with fear
✅ Why living authentically still has to be rooted in kindness
✅ What it means to use your own gifts to positively affect other people
TIMESTAMPS (8:58 total)
00:00 – Welcome to The Experts
Dr. Jenelle Kim welcomes actor and comedian Leah Knauer and shares why she believes Leah's ability to inspire women to be themselves makes her work so special.
01:09 – Learning to Own Who You Are
Leah reflects on 15 years in acting and comedy and how long it took her to truly become comfortable showing up as herself.
01:38 – Trying to Fit Into a Male-Dominated Industry
Leah gets candid about why she initially tried to blend in and make herself less noticeable in comedy — and the fears that were behind it.
01:49 – “I'm Just Going to Show Up as Me”
Pink. Sparkles. Boldness. Femininity. Leah explains what happened when she stopped allowing other people to make her feel bad about who she was and began fully embracing herself.
02:50 – Why Humor Is Medicine
Dr. Kim brings the conversation back to something central to both women's work: the power of humor and laughter.
03:19 – Laughter, Connection & Releasing Tension
Leah explains why humor simply makes us feel better — creating connection, releasing tension and helping us move through difficult moments.
03:43 – Dr. Kim on Stagnation, Energy & Joy
Drawing from Eastern medicine, Dr. Kim explains her perspective on stagnation and why something as simple as smiling, laughing or moving can help shift our internal state.
04:19 – Why Music & Movement Are Part of Leah's Comedy
Leah explains why music, dancing and audience participation are intentionally woven into her performances — and how they help people get into their bodies and release tension.
05:09 – Stop Waiting for Permission
Leah shares how moving to Los Angeles to act quickly taught her that she didn't want to sit around waiting for auditions. She began creating opportunities for herself through stand-up, improv and musical improv.
06:23 – What Gave Leah the Courage to Get on Stage?
The conversation takes a much more personal turn as Dr. Kim asks what it was like to begin performing stand-up.
06:38 – The Experience That Changed Leah's Relationship With Fear
Leah shares that shortly before starting stand-up, she went to rehab and experienced serious alcohol-related health complications. Facing her own mortality changed her perspective: getting on stage suddenly didn't seem so frightening.
07:07 – Life Is Short. Be Who You Are.
Dr. Kim and Leah reflect on the moments that wake us up to how short life is — and why authenticity and pursuing what matters should still be rooted in being a kind person.
07:44 – Using Your Gifts to Affect Other People's Lives
Dr. Kim reflects on what she sees in Leah: someone using laughter, music, movement and her own personality to bring joy and energy into other people's lives.
08:05 – Where to Find Leah
Leah shares where audiences can follow her work, before the conversation ends exactly as you'd expect — with a little more comedy.
FREE RESOURCES & LINKS
🌿 JBK Wellness Labs: jbkwellnesslabs.com
🎓 Dr. Jenelle Kim – Living Meditation & Longevity Potions: jenellekim.com
Code: DJK15 for 15% off
Connect with Leah Knauer
Instagram: @leahknauer
TikTok: @leahknauer
Website: leahknauer.com
Connect with Dr. Jenelle Kim
IG: @drjenellekim
FB: @drjenellekim
LinkedIn: Dr. Jenelle Kim
TikTok: @drjenellekim
