5 Questions for the Very Funny Helene Ellford

Helene Ellford is a writer/producer at The Peoples Improv Theater. I asked her 5 questions.

1) What can you tell us about "QSN with Helene Ellford?"

"QSN with Helene Ellford" is a super cheesy home shopping parody where I play the host to a series of oddball "entrepreneurs" who come on the show to sell things.

2) Have your experiences in the comedy world led you to believe that being funny is something to be developed or something people have in them from birth?

I think you have to have a sense of humor and be able to laugh at yourself, however the skill of "developing a comedic idea" must be learned. Just like writing an academic paper, you learn a format, and then the ideas you develop should be all your own. That's sounds like such a boring answer but I feel like structure sets you free!

3) Is the "window of funniness theory" true? In other words, do funny people stay funny forever, or is being funny a fleeting phenomenon?

Great questions! I think (at least I hope) a person's spirit and sense of fun and play stays the same throughout life. The only thing that has ever made me feel "unfunny" is just personal stuff I am going through, and that's just usually because it's draining (fighting with boyfriends etc.). So largely, I am gonna say yes: funny forever!

4) Who is your favorite comedian of all time?

Joan Rivers. Incredible on stage and screen. 

5) Do you plan to go see "The Interview?"

Some Thoughts from the Author Richard Brink

In 1839, the English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote one of the most quoted lines of all time in his play 'Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy,' and I believe it to be true, and you also will become a believer. He wrote, 'Beneath the rule of men entirely great the pen is mightier than the sword.' The line itself expresses the essence of Democracy, for it offers a process of achieving goals through written words, which in itself implies a civilized approach to governance through the mutual exchange of ideas as opposed to through violence and brute force.

While it's true that our current Democracy is flawed, it has produced the strongest and healthiest society for its people as well as the Earth in all of human history, and this success can be attributed to the laying down of blunt objects as tools of manipulation by a few in favor of the law of many through words and debate. While it's true that this land was first taken by force from the Native Americans, it has come to be the view of the vast majority that those early violent events should be viewed as injustices rather than as accomplishments. Although Native Americans have not always fared well in modern American society as a result of the wars waged against them, all are now full citizens of the United States, a right that was won through law and debate, and have the equal opportunity to pursue the fruits of our great society.

What you have suggested is a re-establishment of the boundaries and use of this land to pre-European standards. You would like to see this land as the Native Americans once did -- forests teaming with game, plains engorged with massive herds of buffalo, waterways overflowing with fish. For sure, the nostalgia for such abundance and natural wonder is great, but we can never return fully to those days, except in our imaginations. What is done is done, for better or for worse, and we move forward as a nation, just as other great civilizations did before ours.

Although our civilization may not be most remembered for preserving the Earth's natural beauty, centuries from now our ancestors will recall that it was we who created a more just society for women, children and people of color and paved the way towards equality by making it law that no person should be oppressed or discriminated upon by another. This recognition of the value of all human life makes our civilization the greatest to have ever walked this Earth. There is no going back on this. We have come too far to return back to a time when the fanciful ideas of a few should be foisted upon the many. Modern dictatorships with their threat of the use of force, which is what you have suggested, have always built short-lived and flimsy societies.

My greatest power comes from the words that I produce. I have built a small empire of my own with my writing. I value this power above all else, for all that I have can be attributed to it. I live and die by the pen as it were and from my own ideas put to paper. To allow the vehicle of my own writing to be driven by another would result in my own demise, just as surely as lack of food and water would lead to my death. At least if I should succumb to the latter, my body may wither and crumble, but my inner self shall remain intact. You can go to Hell because I won't write a line for you.

On the Slaughter of Children

These words are my tears. When you read them, your tongue may taste the salt of your own tears. They are not tears of joy. They are the tears wrought from the shrieks of terror of children everywhere, and they will echo desperately for as long as humans walk the earth. Do you hear the echo, or do you tune it out? Does it infringe on your pursuit of happiness? I am told that happiness comes from within, but one would have to be deaf to the dehumanizing clamor all around or as hardened as the slaughterer of children to not feel on the inside in these times something that bears no resemblance to happiness. I know you know about which I speak. It is this realization that humanity is by nature capable of reducing itself to the level of insects. It is no different than when you were a child and one among you (perhaps you) decimated a school of ants. It was so amusing at the time, and yet now it feels completely different. The only consolation that I see in it is that it was done for one reason: to inflict pain. And to feel pain is to feel.

5 Questions for World Traveler Valerie Conners

Valerie Conners quit her job as an Editorial Producer of Digital Media for The Colbert Report to start a life of Location Independence with her fiancé. I asked her 5 questions.

1. When you and your boyfriend (now fiancé) quit your good jobs in New York City to travel the world and create new lives for yourselves, did you have a set budget in mind that was in line with your savings at that time? 

We did work out a budget for ourselves based on our estimated monthly earnings, which took into consideration what we would put aside for taxes and savings, as well as fixed monthly costs - like rent, phone bills, car insurance, health insurance, etc. We then could come up with a budget for things like entertainment and dining out.

2. Since leaving your jobs and lives in New York City, have you ever felt insecure financially or otherwise about your choice to leave the rat race? 

We both have savings, which helps me feel more secure, but there is always a concern that if a contract ends or freelance project comes to a close without being replaced that there could be financial insecurity. That said, these are the risks any freelancer or independent consultant takes, whether you're location independent or not. 

3. Have you had health insurance since embarking on your travels? 

We do - we both pay independently for health insurance.

4. Do you intend to sustain the rambling lifestyle if you decide to have children? 

That is most definitely TBD. 

5. What is the best advice that you could give somebody who has an interest in attempting to lead a lifestyle of extensive travel? 

I would say to take a deep breath, and do it, even if they're scared. Location independence is certainly a scary prospect with its fair share of unknowns and challenges, but I think a lot of the things that people think are insurmountable (things like what to do with a house or furniture) actually have workable solutions. And the pay-off of having this lifestyle has been extraordinary.

5 Questions for LVMH Recruiter Liraz Isaac

1. How significant is social media to you as a recruiter?

Social Media is increasingly becoming an essential tool for recruiting. Not only does it give us a platform on which we can announce our searches thereby increasing potential candidate outreach, but it can also provide us with further insight into our existing candidates as well as access to sourcing passive candidates. The amount of exposure we can potentially give and receive is vast. This makes Social Media management a standard in my daily essential tasks. 

2. What advice can you give current job seekers that will help them accelerate entry into a position?

Know yourself and the position you want! Every day, at least one job seeker contacts me with their resume asking if I have any positions available that I think would match their background. It's always nice to try to make a connection and I commend the effort. However, this is not the strongest strategy in comparison to other messages I receive from people who took the time to research our site and found a job they love and then email me their resume with a compelling explanation as to why they would be the perfect fit for the role they chose.  This type of job seeker is more interesting for me to pursue because right away they exemplify strong qualities like thoughtfulness, motivation, and passion. If you don't know what you want in your next step, I would suggest consulting with a career counselor. Agency recruiters may also be a great way to explore opportunities if you have a good background and are flexible with positions and industries. Referrals are also a fantastic way to accelerate your process.  In this industry we value potential candidates who come highly recommended to us from trusted sources. So don't be afraid to leverage your network and make strong contacts to help you in your job search! 

 3. How has recruitment changed in the past 5 years?

Recruitment is very much Social Media-driven now than it ever before. I use LinkedIn, FaceBook (facebook.com/lvmhcareers), and even Twitter for recruiting purposes. I could not say that five years ago! 

 4. Should companies be concerned with high turnover rates?

From a business perspective, absolutely. High turnover is generally not great as it would then involve dedicating time, money, and effort into recruitment, onboarding, training, etc -- not to mention losing employees that are already familiar with the respective company's brand, processes, culture, etc. On the flip side, retention can also be costly as it may involve investing in employees through further training and development in order to keep them engaged and motivated. Being business and quality minded, I certainly would prefer the latter. I am proud to say that within my current role, the vast majority of my requisitions are newly created positions and very few are due to turnover. This, to me, is very exciting and speaks highly of the company!! 

5. What makes millennials in the workforce unique?

Millennails are born with technological knowledge that most non-Millennials were not blessed with.  They seem to multitask more easily within different applications and expect fast results. They don't check their voicemails much so it's better to email them.