Overview

Mentorship opportunities are highlighted throughout the podcast, from the webisode "The Mentor" featuring Angela teaching Erin office skills, to personal stories from listeners and hosts about transformative mentor relationships that shaped their careers and lives.

The webisode production showcases how The Office crew fostered professional development, with Kelly Cantley making her directorial debut after transitioning from assistant director, demonstrating the show's commitment to helping team members expand their roles.

The hosts share deeply personal mentorship experiences, including Jenna's breast cancer journey where Christina Applegate connected her with Clea Shearer, illustrating how mentorship creates a cycle of support as mentees often become mentors themselves.

The podcast reveals how mentorship crosses generations and contexts - from workplace guidance to life skills passed down by family members, as exemplified by Angela's tribute to her grandmother who taught her practical skills and values that continue to influence her today.

Content

Podcast Introduction and Personal Story

* Jenna Fisher and Angela Kinsey are hosting their Office Ladies podcast * Today's episode will cover a webisode called "The Mentor" * Jenna shared a personal story about: - Initially planning a low-effort day in drawstring pants - Deciding to put on makeup despite her initial instinct - Accidentally stabbing herself in the eye with a mascara wand - Experiencing pain and regretting not listening to her initial impulse * They have a guest in the studio - Ramen, Sam's dog, who briefly interacted with the microphone

"The Mentor" Webisode Background

* A 2010 webisode featuring Angela mentoring Erin * Production details: - Directed by Kelly Cantley (her directorial debut) - Written by Nate Fetterman and Jonathan Hughes - Originated from pitch ideas supervised by Aaron Shore * Behind-the-scenes context: - The show often provided opportunities for crew members to expand their roles - Stephanie Kinch and Rusty Mahmood were part of the DGA mentor program - Kelly Cantley transitioned from first assistant director to director * Kelly Cantley's directing preparation: - Sought advice from directors like Charles McDougal - Received unusual advice to wear uncomfortable shoes to stay alert - Dressed differently for directing (blazer and scarf) compared to her AD role - Demonstrated clear vision and preparedness during filming * The hosts note the webisode could have made a great full episode on the main show

Fan Letter and Mentorship Discussion

* The hosts read a letter from Grace T, a 15-year-old fan who considers her mom her greatest mentor * Grace and her mom bond through running, with her mom helping her improve in the sport * One host shares about her sister's involvement with Girls on the Run, a national organization supporting girls through running and mentorship * The organization started in 1996 in Charlotte, NC, and hosts 5K events across the US * The hosts mention webisodes can be found on YouTube and Peacock * They humorously note they are not sponsored by Peacock and joke about wanting sponsorship

Webisode Breakdown - Beginning

* The webisode features Erin (Ellie Kemper) looking longingly at the accounting department * Ellie Kemper describes the webisodes as particularly "stupid" and fun * Erin approaches Oscar in the kitchen to learn about becoming an accountant * Erin does a Sesame Street "Count" impression when Oscar asks if she's good with numbers * Both Ellie Kemper and Angela Kinsey can do the Count impression * Angela offers to mentor Erin at work, initially seeming reluctant but seeing potential in her

Angela's Mentorship of Erin

* Angela teaches Erin workplace skills, including how to seal envelopes properly * Angela criticizes "licking" envelopes, specifically calling out Kevin's envelope-licking habit * The hosts discuss mass mailings and envelope-sealing techniques * One host shares an anecdote about a temp job in healthcare where she: - Was temporarily responsible for determining health coverage - Decided to approve coverage for everyone during her week of work - Reflected on the impersonal nature of the coverage decision process * Angela demonstrates makeup application to Erin * Explains the importance of precision, noting that a mascara fleck could be mistaken for a decimal point and cause a $1,000 accounting error

Webisode Production Details

* Director Kelly Cantley: - Extensively prepared for shooting - Had only one 11-hour day to shoot 11 pages of material - Worked closely with director of photography Randall Einhorn - Received support from Paul Lieberstein and Steve Burgess

Webisode Plot Development

* Michael took the office to Spaghetti Eddie's, resulting in food poisoning * Erin is distributing reimbursement checks * Meredith receives a reduced check due to late receipts * Erin and Angela interact with Creed, with an improvised line about showering * Angela and Erin are mimicking each other's mannerisms and style * They are walking and sitting similarly and strictly enforcing expense report rules * Angela prevents Erin from going to lunch with Ryan and Kelly * Angela offers to teach Erin accounting using the "Kohler method" (a real method referenced from Eric Lewis Kohler's accounting dictionary)

Side Plot with Creed

* Episode ends with Erin telling Creed he won't be reimbursed for a monkey paw purchase * Creed appears to be involved in questionable black market trading * Discussion about the monkey's paw leads to: - W.W. Jacobs' short story "The Monkey's Paw" published in 1902 - The story involves three wishes with dire consequences for interfering with fate - Stephen King's "Pet Sematary" was reportedly inspired by the story * Historical context on rhino horns: - Historically used in traditional Chinese medicine for various conditions - No scientific proof of medical effectiveness - Falsely claimed to cure cancer and act as an aphrodisiac - President of American College of Chinese Medicine confirms it was only used sparingly for fever and infection - Poaching rhinos for their horns is destructive and unethical

Kelly's Attempt to Win Erin Back

* Kelly shows Erin a slideshow of their "friendship" photos * Kelly gives Erin an ultimatum: "Are we going to be BFFs or just Fs?" * Kelly attempts to bribe Erin to come to lunch * Ryan is attempting to set up a potential threesome scenario * Creed appears briefly and is unphased by Ryan pulling Erin into a closet

Production Note - "Wig Gate"

* One host (Angela) noticed a difference in Erin's bangs in two talking head segments * Angela believes Erin might be wearing clip-on bangs or a wig in one segment * She plans to text the actress (Ellie) to confirm her observation * Discussion of "fakie bangs" and hair styling techniques

Webisode Conclusion

* Erin has a confrontation with Angela about a work-related issue * Kevin offers to mentor Erin in accounting after her falling out with Angela * Kevin demonstrates using an adding machine with only 70% accuracy * Oscar makes a snarky comment about Kevin's teaching abilities * Kelly is upset about her sister being named prom queen * Kevin tries to comfort Kelly when she's crying * Erin ends the webisode feeling positive about her new friendship with Kelly and accounting opportunity * Erin views her situation as a "win-win-win" - repairing friendship with Kelly and getting a new mentor

Listener Mentorship Stories

* Katie M. from Richmond, VA: - Katie was mentored by a slightly older coworker - Her mentor helped her navigate workplace challenges and career development - The mentor supported Katie through interview preparation - Result: Katie received a promotion and now works on an all-women team

* Omar R. from Brooklyn: - Shares a mentor story about two French gentlemen he met in a bar at age 21 - These mentors taught him etiquette, introduced him to dinner parties and Broadway shows - Encouraged him professionally and believed in his potential - Omar now mentors younger friends himself

Hosts' Personal Mentorship Stories

* Jenna's experience with Terri Weinberg: - Terri was an executive producer on The Office - She helped Jenna with a script, offering guidance and professional advice - Terri encouraged Jenna to always reach out for support - Terri continues to champion Jenna's career milestones

* Kristen's calligraphy mentorship: - Learned from Betsy, a woman in her 70s - Betsy taught Kristen advanced calligraphy skills - Kristen credits Betsy with helping her start a business, write a book, and become a professional organization president - Betsy referred jobs to Kristen before passing away from ALS

* Angela's tribute to her grandmother, Lena May Kinsey: - Provided a constant home during Angela's childhood of frequent moves - Taught practical life skills like driving, using a riding lawnmower, crocheting, and gardening - Was a passionate gardener who grew her own produce - Dedicated to family documentation (created family history book, sent letters/cards) - Made personalized gifts like quilts and Bible covers for grandchildren - Instilled values of service and graciousness - Influenced Angela's home decor and personal style

Jenna's Breast Cancer Journey and Mentorship

* Reached out to Christina Applegate (whom she worked with previously) after diagnosis * Christina immediately understood something was serious * Christina offered to connect Jenna with her friend Clea Shearer, who had a similar breast cancer experience * Clea provided crucial support during Jenna's breast cancer journey: - Offered comfort, guidance, and mentorship during a challenging time - Was someone who had gone through a similar experience - Provided emotional support and practical advice - They became close friends through this process * The experience inspired Jenna to similarly support other breast cancer patients * Jenna learned the value of sharing experiences to help others feel less alone * She has since privately counseled other breast cancer patients * Clea is known for her work on The Home Edit and ABC's Home Makeover Home Edition

Podcast Wrap-Up

* One host mentions her eye condition is improving * One host is taking tamoxifen as part of breast cancer treatment and experiences hot flashes as a side effect * The podcast episode concludes with gratitude to guests and listeners

Webisode: The Mentor