S3 E.5 Our Punk Rock Dreams Have Come True! | A Conversation with Andrew and Kelly McMahon
In this EpisodeThis is not a drill! In today’s episode, Adriana and Bill sit down with Andrew McMahon (of Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, and Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness) and his incredible wife, Kelly. Andrew just happens to be Adriana’s favorite artist of all time, so this is the peak of her career. No big deal, just completely fangirling.
The story starts during Adriana and Bill’s honeymoon in Hawaii. Bill noticed Andrew and turned to Adriana. Adriana seriously didn’t believe it. Turns out, it was Andrew and he was learning to hula with his daughter, Cecilia. Adriana and Bill approached them and of course gave them bracelets! While getting ready for dinner, Adriana and Bill were listening to Andrew’s music when they heard a knock on their door – it was a concierge with a bouquet and a note from Andrew thanking them. WHAT?!?!
Andrew and Kelly take a trip down memory lane recalling how they met. Kelly was Andrew’s sisters’ best friend, and one summer, she came home from college and hosted a bonfire. The two completely hit it off! Their relationship wasn’t always flawless – they broke up for about 9 months and had to learn to create a new life without each other. Kelly notes that she never wanted to break up, but Andrew did. Clearly, he came back around, and they both agree that glowing through this time of difficulty helped them to discover who they are individually and as a couple.
Just as they got back together, Andrew was diagnosed with Leukemia. Andrew refers to this as the “death of another life” - he was in his early 20s and the spontaneity that people usually have during that time was nonexistent for him. There were so many conversations that he and Kelly still needed to have as far as their relationship, and everything was put to the side.
Kelly says that in her mind, there were 2 different sections of Andrew’s journey – the beginning in the hospital, and after the hospital. The beginning had an ounce of certainty in a completely uncertain circumstance. Her job was to offer emotional support at night and on the weekends, while still balancing her full-time job. After the hospital is when things started to get tricky. There wasn’t that sense of protection from the hospital, and this required Kelly to become more independent with the support that she offered.
Let’s face it…the time between the ages of 18 and 30 is an extremely pivotal time. We see lots of charities supporting pediatric cancer, but not nearly as many supporting young adults who are diagnosed. Andrew and Kelly founded Dear Jack, with the goal of providing solace to the alienation that many patients feel. The organization also provides support to the patients’ partners and family. The work they do is truly amazing and changes so many lives.
Andrew and Kelly briefly touch on their experience with IVF. They knew that it was very likely going to be a reality for them when Andrew got sick. Many who go through IVF have had lots of prior disappointments – their experience was different. Andrew and Kelly went straight to IVF, so they had much more steam in their tanks. They lost a pregnancy at 11 weeks and it took time to try again. After solidifying their relationship as a couple, they welcomed their beautiful daughter, Cecilia!
Andrew has never identified with a glamorous life – he is just a guy who naturally connects with music and people. From Something Corporate to Jack’s Mannequin to Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, his ultimate goal is to intentionally build life around who he is in the moment. Everything he does is organic, beautiful, and true to his form.
Fans constantly beg Andrew for one thing…to play Konstantine. It’s a burning question! Adriana asks for the reasoning, and it’s simple. The song is 11 minutes long, so if he played it all the time, it would eat up so much time on stage! There is one night that he will ALWAYS play the song: 11/11. This date is also LWP’s founding date – what a sign! Safe to say we’ll have to celebrate at the 11/11 show.
Andrew and Kelly close out this episode with some insightful parenting advice: throw out any script or societal expectation and simply do what works for you. There’s no right or wrong way to parent, and every situation is so different. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again! DO YOU!
Today’s episode felt like a movie…we are so grateful to have Andrew and Kelly in our community. Everyone go check Adriana’s pulse because she is probably still intensely fangirling. Keep glowing, and we’ll catch you next time!
Important Times0:50 - Welcome back!
10:45 - How Adriana and Bill met Andrew and Kelly
12:17 - How Andrew and Kelly met
17:30 - Breakup
23:10 - Infertility
29:03 - Inspiration for being parents
32:35 - Leukemia
37:42 - Kelly’s experience during Andrew’s journey
42:30 - Something Corporate/Identity
48:44 - Konstantine
52:51 - Closing/Rapid fire questions!
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Welcome bestie.
We’re so glad you’re here.
We’re Adriana and Mariah. Co-hosts, entrepreneurs, BFFs, and girls just like you trying to figure it out as we go.
