Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Star Vincent Rodriguez III on Flow State, Filipino Identity, and Finding Your Purpose
July 23, 2026 · 35 min
Why listen
A working actor breaks down how flow state, Filipino identity, and curiosity built a life worth living.
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In this episode
- What flow state actually is and how to use it in your own work
- How reconnecting with cultural roots can reshape your sense of self
- Why ADHD and neurodivergence can be genuine creative strengths
- How to teach yourself new skills and define success on your own terms
About this episode
Actor, singer, keynote speaker, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend star Vincent Rodriguez III joins Tawny Platis to make friendship bracelets while talking about flow state, Filipino identity, lifelong learning, and the surprising science behind creativity.
Vincent shares how growing up in a traditional Filipino household shaped his relationship with performing, why reconnecting with his heritage transformed the way he sees himself, and how discovering the psychology of "flow" changed both his career and his life. He also opens up about living with ADHD, embracing curiosity, and learning to define success on his own terms.
Along the way, the conversation takes plenty of delightful detours; from Broadway auditions and martial arts to dinosaurs, Hamilton, magic tricks, and why everyone should learn how to teach themselves something new.
Bracelets from this episode benefit The Jed Foundation, with 100% of proceeds donated to support youth mental health.
Vincent talks about:
Why he considers curiosity his greatest superpower
The science of flow state and how it transformed his acting career
Growing up in a traditional Filipino household and rediscovering his heritage
Living with ADHD and embracing neurodivergence as a strength
Learning new skills, from languages to magic, by teaching himself
How Broadway, dance, and fitness shaped his approach to performance
Why presence is the key to creativity, confidence, and connection
Finding purpose through kindness, legacy, and helping others grow
Follow Vincent Rodriguez III:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vrodrigueziii/Web: https://www.vrodrigueziii.com/
Follow Tawny:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tawnyplatis/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tawnyplatisWeb: https://tawnyvoice.com/
About String and Tell with Tawny Platis and Kristen DiMercurio
New episodes every Thursday Buy a bracelet: https://www.ebay.com/usr/stringandtell Voice actors Tawny Platis and Kristen DiMercurio challenge each other to voice act in deliberately miscast performances each week on their show String and Tell ("read this scene from Twilight but perform Bella as Jennifer Coolidge")
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