If you’ve been a part of my life for any amount of time, you know about MO.

Grandma MO, or “GramMO,” is not just an icon, but she’s turning 83 on Thursday. Spry as ever — easily could live to 100, even though she constantly jokes about being ‘ready to go’ now… This one’s for her.

And Grams, since you read this, I hope this makes your day. I hope everything makes your day. You deserve it. xoxo ‘Pookie Girl’

I’m not sure what my life would even look like, had MO not been my grandma.

We often spend our entire lives and careers searching for meaning, success and recognition. But then, there’s MO — someone who’s spent 83 years showing up for others without ever needing any recognition for it.

That’s where I get to come in. Recognition, activated.

MO worked as a receptionist at an animal hospital when I was a kid in North Carolina, and any animals that came in injured to be put down, she wasn’t havin’ it. She took in so many busted or unwanted animals as her own, nursed them back to health, and gave them a new lease on life. At one point, our pets included: baby ducklings, a bunny, a blind and deaf cat named Fred, multiple dogs and cats, and even hermit crabs. We were basically a petting zoo.

MO loved dogs so much she couldn’t help but stop and visit every stray or litter she found in the South. She kept bags of dog food and dog bones in the car, and fed so many strays they all knew her van and would run to it as she drove up. She helped so many puppies find good homes, or raised them herself.

MO and her husband, Grandpa Curt, took over 90 acres of unlivable woodland heir property in North Carolina, opting to spend their own time and money to make it habitable. Grandma found a double-wide that had been hit by a semi truck and was sitting in someone’s yard, and asked if they could have it. This became their “half house tent” on the property for 18 months — without running water or electricity — while they tilled the land, put in plumbing, made a road, and built an add-on to the house by hand. My gramps and dad both are tradesmen in exterior house work. This came in handy.

GramMO and ‘GramPO’ built a campground ministry on their land in NC, and every Sunday, despite being strapped for cash themselves, would invite dozens of families in need onto their property to grill steaks and make huge potluck dinners for them and their children. They would even leave non-perishable gifts on people’s doorsteps, never acknowledging who they were from.

…and after my grandpa passed unexpectedly in 2016, Grandma packed up her home they built together on that land, gifted her entire house to a family in need, and left it all behind. She’s never seen that house again. “Not without grandpa,” she says. “That era is over.”

This is only a sliver of the character of MO, and this is why I’ve spent my breadth of creative work weaving her into everything possible. She deserves to be known.

The Hustle

Over the past decade, I've made it my mission to make sure the world knows MO.

In 2016, right after she lost gramps, I pulled the memoir she'd written years before from a secret folder in my email. She'd never shown it to anyone. I gave it a polish and released it on Amazon, then flew her to LA for a proper book launch party and signing with my friends. Her book “Did You Know Her” is available on Kindle.

2017 - 2019, Grams toured with me a few times, and I was able to get her life story on a two-part episode of my podcast — the most downloaded episodes I've ever had — more than any comedian or actor I've interviewed. Episodes Part 1 and Part 2 are worth every second.

In 2019 when I shot my first special, I of course interviewed her in part of the cut-ins. Right after taping, I filmed a pilot for a TV show about our relationship. She FaceTimed in and relived the moment she lost gramps on camera — raw, honest, devastating. She’s a natural. HERE was her “Oscar winning moment.” I swear on my life I’ll get this show sold.

And of course, this year on my TED talk (release date coming soon), she gets to star in a portion.

Every project I create, I think: how can I weave MO into this? Because her story deserves to be told. And if I have a platform, I'm damn well going to use it to make sure she's remembered.

The Chill

It's easy as artists to get wrapped up in our own story. But there are so many stories right around us that deserve the spotlight too.

Some of my most meaningful conversations have been with MO. I was just with her over Thanksgiving weekend, actually. She loves my comedy, hates when I say 'fuck' — though she's dropped an F-bomb herself occasionally, and hearing it is like watching a toddler swear. Hilarious and slightly shocking.

Most importantly, Grams hates when I'm on my phone around her. Which, unfortunately, happens too often.

Last weekend over Thanksgiving, I was sitting next to her on the couch while she watched her Hallmark movies. I was half-watching, half-scrolling. Working. Always working.

She didn't say anything. Just gave me that look. The one that says more than words ever could.

So I put the phone down. And we just sat there. Watching rom-coms with predictable endings and actors who all look vaguely the same. And it was perfect.

MO has taught me what no amount of career success ever could: presence is the only currency that matters.

All the projects, all the hustling, all the platform-building — it's great. But none of it means shit if I'm not actually here for the moments that count. For the people who showed up for me long before I had anything to offer back.

MO spent 83 years showing up for others without recognition. The least I can do is show up for her. Phone down. Fully there.

To my motor-cycle riding best friend — my mentor, my therapist, my minister, my wise sage — I’m blessed I got you as my GrandMO. You’re a badass. A force of nature. One of the toughest women on the planet.

Happy 83rd birthday, Grams. I'm still learning from you. And you’ll get the spotlight you deserve — or at least your dream tiny home and obnoxious yellow Hummer — one day so soon.

Upcoming Shows

Shows I want to see you at this week:

Thursday December 4th: iO Theater Chicago — Second co-headlined show with Hypnotist Chris Jones. We put on one hell of a show together last month, so don’t miss this reboot.

Sunday December 7th: Karaoke Storytellers at Schubas Chicago — I believe we are sold out already, but if you’re interested in coming, let me know ASAP and I’ll se what I can do.

Tues December 9th - Wed December 10th: Creativity in the age of Ai Los Angeles — Flying to LA for this on Monday. Code: CAET50 gets you 50% off… I’ll be documenting my talk and my co-founders, so if you can’t make it, I’ll see about getting you the links to watch.

Love you all and cheers to the hustle + chill. We aspire to be even a little like M☺️.

xx NPH