I’m Kara Mayer Robinson. I’m an interviewer, therapist, mental health advisor, journalist, friend, mom, and TV and film lover. I really, truly like people.

I’m all about getting to know you as you really are. If you sit across from me during an interview, at a café, or on your phone, I’m 100% there with you, totally connected, in the zone.

I recently moved from the New York City suburbs to Los Angeles, CA (take a look at my “NY to LA” Instagram highlight for behind-the-scenes fun). I have three kids, a husband and a black Labrador retriever (“Stellaaaaaaa!”).

I feel extraordinarily lucky that I carved out this career, especially considering its odd and winding path. (Let’s just say it involves an accounting degree, Comedy Central, Bob Newhart, Columbia University, a New York therapy license, The New York Times, Edie Falco and a lot of trial-and-error with microphones and video cameras.)

But truth be told, I work for it. I’m a “go for it,” “let’s do this” person. When I set my sights on something, I get super passionate about it, figure out what I need to do, and I just do it. (I owe this quality to my mom.)

I also love nestling on the couch for a few hours of great TV. I watch it all—the latest Max, Apple TV+, Hulu and Netflix series and the classics, from North By Northwest to The Brady Bunch.

I can tell you what’s good and what’s not—just ask! (I owe my film and television appreciation, as well as my listening skills, to my dad.)

Assorted movies and shows I adore: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Before Sunset, Doctor Zhivago, Gomorrah, Borgen, Severance, Fisk, Platonic, Hacks. (There are plenty more—believe me.)

Other passions: celebrity memoirs, Italy, speaking Italian (well, trying to), long and speedy walks, people watching, fine chocolate, rich espresso, summer dresses, fabulous shoes of all kinds, train stations, expansive views and last-minute plans.

(OK, now this is starting to feel like a dating app profile…let’s move on.)

If you’d like to hear more of my personal stories, how I got here, my thoughts on life, etc., you’ll find scoop on The Story of Me blog.

TALK SHOW HOST

I absolutely love hosting my talk show, interviewing celebrities on stage and taping interviews for television, podcasts and YouTube. It’s my jam.

I’m a therapist, so my talks tend to be real - and fascinating. We don’t just talk about nonsense. (Well, sometimes we do, because it’s fun to talk about things like weird habits and guilty pleasures.)

We get into things you’d talk about when you haven’t seen your best friend in a few weeks and you’re dying to catch up. You have things on your mind. Ups and downs. Relationships. Anxiety. Self-doubt. Dreams. Hopes. Ideas. Reflections on life. The new TV series you just found.

People say I bring out the best in people. They also say I feel like a best friend. I really like that. (And if you want to compare me to Oprah, Barbara Walters or Ellen, which I’ve heard a few times, well—I’m honored!)

Which talks do I love most? All of them. But if you want to feel the essence of my talks, here are a few classics: Michael Imperioli, Tim Daly, Julian McMahon, Kim Fields, Danny Aiello, Suzanne Somers, Tim Gunn, Louie Anderson, Meredith Vieira, and a mental health special with Veep’s Reid Scott.

THERAPIST

I’m a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC). Before starting Really Famous, I had a private practice in New York. I earned my Master of Arts at Columbia University in New York City.

My training, empathy, and intuition add up to create a synergy that leads to deep, personal, meaningful conversations.

Not only do I help them open up, but in a totally safe and satisfying way.

I see people — really, truly see them. I also read people. And I genuinely appreciate them.

People say I bring out the best in everyone.

I think they’re right.

Want to know about my availability as a therapist? Click here.

MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT

Now I bring my skill set to TV and film productions.

I work on sets as a mental health advisor, wellbeing facilitator, wellness coordinator, coach and consultant. I’m an emotional support resource. I’m on set to make sure everyone’s mental health is OK. Whether it’s personal struggles or a work conflicts, I smooth out the edges, calm the waters and help everyone feel better so they can do a better job.

Learn more about my on-set mental health services at HollywoodWellness.org.

JOURNALIST

I’ve written hundreds of pieces published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, Emmy Magazine, Travel + Leisure, Time Out New York, WebMD Magazine and more. Many are cover stories. Many are celebrity profiles. Take a look, if you’d like:

• Entertainment

• Style

• Travel

• Chefs / Food

• Health & Fitness

Assorted faves: Spike Lee (NYT), Jesse Eisenberg (Time Out), Sharon Stone (WebMD cover), Michael Rapaport (NYT), Keri Russell & Matthew Rhys (WSJ), Regina King (WebMD cover).

ONSTAGE INTERVIEWER, SPEAKER, PANELIST, TV SEGMENT HOST

As it turns out, I LIVE FOR live interviews. I host them at venues large and small.

I moderate panels. I host events. I speak about why celebrities are just like us, interviewing, podcasting, television, film, women in media, and more.

Recent appearances include the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters), Digital Hollywood and Podcast Movement.

You can hire me to dazzle up your event, film festival, movie screening, panel, Q&A or corporate meeting.

MEDIA APPEARANCES

Sure, I’m a good listener. But I’m also a good talker. I love to talk — about my show, celebrity guests, favorite TV shows and movies, life, you name it.

Check out my guest spots on these radio shows + podcasts:

• Bialik Breakdown with Mayim Bialik

• Really Famous (with guest host Peter Hermann)

• Take the Lead

• The Bill Alexander Show

• The Mike Wagner Show

• Born to Talk

• The Happier Hour

REALLY FAMOUS BACKSTORY

I owe it all to Tim Gunn.

On a cold January afternoon in 2015, I went to Tim’s apartment in New York City to interview him for a piece I was writing for The New York Times. It was a short piece—maybe 700 words about his typical Sunday routine. All I needed was a rundown on when he wakes up, what he does all day, where he goes, what he eats, his bedtime routine, that sort of thing.

When we sat down in his living room (which was impeccably decorated, naturally), we really got into it. Not only did he describe his favorite Sunday attire (a suit), activity (The Metropolitan Museum of Art), and cocktail (Manhattan), but we found ourselves talking about everything from the fashion industry’s elitist habits to his real feelings about the Project Runway judges, his mother’s death, his relationship with his sister, his Thanksgiving ritual, and why receiving gifts makes him cringe. We drank coffee and ate brownie bites. He showed me his Emmy and his pjs. It was sublime.

Three hours later, I walked out of Tim’s place—fully alive, 100% myself, endorphins coursing through my body. This was my thing. Deeply authentic, honest, fun, sad, meandering conversations and genuine connection was what I was made for.

When I got home, I reminded myself I could fit maybe 7-8 tiny pieces of what Tim told me that day in my short newspaper piece. So, about 10 minutes of our three delicious hours. But que será, será.

And then, as I recounted my most fabulous experience with Tim to my husband, Dave, he said quite simply, “You should do a podcast.” (An early adopter of podcasts, Dave had gotten me hooked a few years earlier. But until that day, I never dreamed of hosting one.)

Hmmm…a podcast. With no limit on what my guests and I talk about or how long we talk, our natural connection and conversation—not just snippets and sound bites—would be there for everyone to enjoy. Brilliant!

So that was that.

After a year or two of perusing the idea, I did it. A couple of months of research, some basic equipment, and a name (Really Famous: I interview famous people, but I’m interested in the real person)—and I was on my way.

In 2017, Really Famous was launched.

My first guest? Tim Gunn.

GALLERY OF PHOTOS

Click to see the many sides of me and my colossal conversations.

REACH OUT

Book an appearance. Propose a collaboration. Sponsor the show. Pitch a celebrity. Hire me for your TV or film production.

I’m here for you. Here’s how to get in touch.