From Broadway to the Supra: Carrie Manolakos on Life After Lockdown

Welcome to the first episode of “Save Me a Spot at the Supra” on Heavy Things Lightly where John Heers hosts singer and Broadway performer Carrie Manolakos (best known for her performances in Mama Mia! and Wicked) at his restaurant after she attended a Supra, discussing how the tradition builds community, the role of the tamada, and ways to bring more music into American Supras. Carrie reflects on her early discovery as a vocalist, her training in the Syracuse Children’s Chorus, performing professionally as a child, and later learning to belt and pursuing powerful roles. She describes major hardships beginning around 2014, and how COVID brought stillness, but also industry pressures she refused, leading her to step away, stay quiet, and later face public backlash after speaking openly, including support for RFK Jr. She shares how pain, a dental injury, and her film “Metanoia” coincided with returning to Orthodoxy, deepening her faith and art, and closes with a toast about eye-to-eye connection, grace, and unity.Chapters00:00 Welcome to the Supra02:43 Meet Carrie Manolakos04:05 First Impressions of Supra07:37 Tamada and Table Magic08:56 Why We Sing Together15:00 Getting Americans to Sing21:15 Why You Must Go22:35 Famous Guests Wish List25:40 Carries Early Talent26:50 Training and First Gigs30:41 Work Ethic and Athletics32:19 New York Pull in Her 20s32:50 Losing Innocence33:27 Building a Belt36:01 Scarcity and Worth37:26 Faith Roots and Drift39:48 2014 Breaking Point41:43 Alone Through Crisis45:22 Defining Diva Needs51:54 Wicked Standby Chaos53:19 COVID Career Exit55:59 Intuition and Refusal58:40 Hiding and Backlash01:07:00 Nashville Reset Plan01:10:00 Reading Scripture Again01:11:50 Art Led to Faith01:12:06 Going Rogue in Nashville01:15:50 Injury and Metanoia01:19:56 Sermon Hits Home01:23:37 Learning as a Convert01:26:29 Speaking Out and Backlash01:30:05 Floods and Guardianship01:33:57 Politics as Religion01:37:42 Writing America Song01:39:27 Dealbreakers and Values01:41:15 Art and Human Commonality01:42:57 Ala Verde Toast01:49:41 Final Blessing and Outro__🏷️ Sponsored by Conrad's Beef Jerky — loyalty not guaranteed.Conrad's Deli - The best jerky you'll ever have ➜ https://conradsdeli.com/ ⭐ Use promo code "FIRST THINGS" for 10% off.🔥 Support First Things Foundation field workers like Sarah (featured in this episode): https://first-things.org✈ Become a Field Worker with FTF: https://first-things.org/opportunities📢 First Things Telegram: https://t.me/firstthingsfoundation🍷The best dinner party you've ever experienced - Supra Dinner Society: https://supradinner.com/🥂 Keipi Restaurant: https://keipirestaurant.org✒ Substack: https://johnheersftf.substack.com/ⓧ https://x.com/johnfromftf🏖️ Tailormade tours that give back: https://www.gratitude-travels.com/hom__Credits Music: Intro / Outro Provided by Greg Gilbertson & Band

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