I spoke to Jenny McCarthy, executive producer of the scripted comedy Return of The Mac and former co-host of the ABC talk show The View, about her participation in the 15th annual BTIG’s Commissions for Charity Day, how she's made transitions throughout her career, her passions, future projects and best career advice. The Commissions for Charity Day takes place today across BTIG’s 14 global locations, including nine offices throughout the U.S. and five affiliate offices in Europe, Asia and Australia. Since the event’s inception in 2003, BTIG has donated more than $40 million to hundreds of charitable organizations around the world, including more than $5 million from the May 2016 event.
McCarthy began her career in 1993 as a nude model for Playboy magazine and was later named their Playmate of the Year. McCarthy then parlayed her Playboy fame into a television and film acting career. She is a former co-host of the ABC talk show The View and the enormously popular MTV dating show Singled Out. She has starred in many films, including Dirty Love, the Sundance 2005 film that she also wrote.
She is the author of nine books, including Baby Laughs: The Naked Truth About the First Year of Mommyhood and Healing and Preventing Autism: A Complete Guide. Additionally, she hosts The Jenny McCarthy Show weekday mornings on SiriusXM.
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Dan Schawbel: Why did you decide to participate in the BTIG charity event this year?
Jenny McCarthy: I've always been a talker, so working the trading floor comes naturally to me! When BTIG approached me to participate and offered to support my autism organization, Generation Rescue, I couldn't refuse. Any chance I get to give back to causes near and dear to my heart and use my gift of gab, I'm all in. Now, let's raise some money!
Schawbel: You’ve evolved your career overtime from a Playboy model to a talk show host and author. How were you able to make those transitions and what were some of your struggles along the way?
McCarthy: If everything happens for a reason then my career is an example of that. Each job I had was tailor-made for what was going on in my life. I needed to get out of Chicago to pursue a life-long dream in Hollywood and Playboy was there to help a Southside Chicago girl get to La La land.
From there I transitioned into MTV. That was the hardest leap I had to make. Not just because I only had Playboy Playmate on my resume but because MTV refused to allow Playmates audition back in the early 90s. I crashed the audition and got my first job on TV, which then catapulted me into a hurricane of overnight success.
After many guest star appearances and pilots that went no where I started writing. During this time, I became a mother, so not only was it a wonderful transition but the best stay-at-home job a mom could have.
I wrote nine books, proudly most of them New York Times best-sellers. This is when my philosophy of "if everything happens for the best reason" can easily be proven. My son was diagnosed with autism at age three and I was successfully into my 3rd book. Autism is a full-time job. Most kids require 40 hours of ABA therapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. Even if I was the biggest movie star in the world, I would have to quit during the early years. Early intervention is everything so I knew exactly where I was supposed to be with my son. And the universe/God allowed me to be home and work on him while writing the next six books that followed.
Today, I host The Jenny McCarthy Show weekday mornings on SiriusXM, once again proving that my job provides me with exactly what I need: time with my son, and enough to bring home some bacon.
Schawbel: Two of your big passions are parenting and the environment. Why are these two topics so important to you and can you share some of your thoughts around them?
McCarthy: My son is my everything. And when I saw how much our environment impacted him, it changed my life. I vowed to do everything in my power to help other parents in my situation and create a conversation about the health of our kids. They're our future and we have to protect them. Now my mission is paying it forward; sharing what I've learned with other moms. Whether you're an autism mom like me, or a new mom expecting your firstborn, you have options. Read, research, and trust your gut.
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Schawbel: What are some of your future projects and what kind of legacy would you like to leave behind to your child?
McCarthy: I am currently executive producer of the scripted comedy Return of The Mac (Wednesday's on Pop TV), which stars Joey McIntyre. I'm also working hard at writing my next book, which is to be release in 2018! And I am launching a new lemonade vodka cocktail line this summer that I created myself that tastes good and eliminates all the added sugar!
I would say the legacy I would like to leave behind, especially for my son, is one of strength and hard work.
Strength in having enough guts to stand up and speak your truth even if you get vilified for it. And hard work, so you can experience the joy in your own accomplishments. There is nothing better than looking back and saying "Wow, I did that?!" Indeed I did.
Schawbel: What are your top three pieces of career advice?
McCarthy:
1. Work hard. A strong work ethic will help you make your dream come true. Once you reach it, you'll be able to appreciate it that much more. I was just a Chicago girl with a dream and a really strong hustle.
2. Trust your gut. That's one of the greatest lessons I've learned and it applies to all aspects of my life. You know what you want, even when you don't want to admit it. Your gut knows. Trust that instinct and believe in yourself all the way.
3. Give back. Whether it's sharing the lessons you've learned or supporting the charity you love, it's one of the most important things we can do. It fosters a sense of community and keeps you humble.
