A welfare caseworker first told Ms. Pat she had a knack for turning painful stories into comedy. She was 20, fresh out of prison for selling drugs, and already in charge of six kids–some hers, some the children of family members who needed a safe place to stay. It would take 10 more years for Ms. Pat to get on stage at an open mic, but once she started, she didn’t stop. She now sells out shows and has starred in a BET+ sitcom based on her life for five seasons.

In this episode, Ms. Pat talks about moving between economic classes and the lies she told to blend in, learning to manage money from her husband, and building the big, full house she never had growing up.

Ms. Pat’s latest memoir is called Ms. American Dream: A Memoir of Making It, No Matter What.

Podcast production by Zoe Azulay

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Death Sex & Money

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