The Sam Sanders Show How Did Therapy Change Sherry Cola’s Comedy?
Feb 6, 2026
Sherry Cola, comedian and actor known for Good Trouble, Joyride, and Shrinking, talks about therapy, representation, and coming out. She explains how therapy shifted her comedy and emotional honesty. She reflects on radio roots that taught hustle and on choosing roles that challenge the model minority myth. She also shares how playing a queer character helped her come out to her parents.
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Radio Boot Camp Shaped Her Career
- Sherry Cola describes starting in college radio and working street teams before hosting, which taught her many production skills.
- That radio boot camp prepared her for celebrity encounters and gave her confidence to pursue TV and film.
First TV Role Felt Like Home
- Sherry got her first TV break on I Love Dick after working at the radio station and showed up excitedly to set with Catherine Han and Kevin Bacon nearby.
- The experience made her realize acting felt like where she belonged.
Therapy As Normalized Storytelling
- Shrinking normalizes therapy by showing patients and therapists as relatable, multi-dimensional people.
- Sherry sees Maya's role as pushing back against AAPI expectations to bottle emotions.
