#186 Brett Cooper - The Real Reason She Left The Daily Wire

Brett Cooper discusses her family dynamics, marked by trauma and the need for resilience. Her family endured significant grief after losing her brother, facing her father's mental health struggles, and her mother's efforts to hold the family together. Amid the chaos, Brett developed the resilience necessary to overcome her family's dysfunctional cycle.

Brett Faced Trauma: Brother's Death, Parents' Divorce, Father's Suicide Attempt, Brother's Schizophrenia

Brett describes her early life on Orcus Island, where her parents moved in an attempt to resolve marital issues, and she was born at the end of a 10-year stay. Tragedy struck when Brett's brother, David, died at the age of 17 from cardiac arrest triggered by consuming Red Bull. The difficult dynamics intensified with her parents' "really, really bitter divorce" and another brother's battle with schizophrenia. Brett also uncovered her father's suicide note, confronting his despair and absence during her formative years.

Brett's Family Endured Grief: Losing Her Brother, Father's Mental Health Struggles, and Mother's Efforts to Hold Them Together

The Cooper family grappled with anguish and instability caused by internal and external factors. David's sudden death weighed heavily, leaving deep emotional scars. Her brother Reed, struggling with addiction, alcohol, and mental health issues, reflected the pervasive grief within the family. Her father provided support in unexpected ways, reflecting the complexity and changing dynamics of family relationships.

Amid Chaos, Brett Developed Resilience to Break Her Family's Dysfunctional Cycle

Brett emerged with a determination to disrupt the patterns of dysfunction manifested in her family's history. Experiencing her father's attempt to please but ultimately fail, Brett made a pact not to replicate the unhappiness she witnessed growing up. At a young age, she resolved to live differently and break the cycle by seeking autonomy and control over her life.

Brett Processed Her Grief Through Therapy and Coping Mechanisms to Move Forward Healthily

Facing the trauma of her brother's schizophrenia and her father's suicide attempt, Brett sought therapy to understand and manage the complexities of her family's experiences. These measures helped her heal and establish a stable life, even choosing to legally emancipate he ...

Brett Cooper's journey in the acting world began as an emotional outlet and mode of expression amid a tumultuous childhood, leading her to pursue a career in Los Angeles that ultimately led her to reassess her goals and values.

As a Child, Brett Wrote To a Broadway Agent About Her Dream Of Starring In Shows and Pursued Acting and Singing Opportunities

Brett Cooper discovered her love for theater and acting from an early age. At one point, she contacted a Broadway agent to express her ambition of starring in shows. This early passion for the stage saw Brett pursuing acting and singing opportunities vigorously. Despite being classically trained as a singer, Brett found it difficult to perform solo because she felt overly exposed, contrasting with the escapism that acting and musical performances offered her.

Brett Found Emotional Release and Control Through Acting In a Tumultuous Home, Exploring Her Creativity

During her childhood, which was marked by her brother's death and her parents' messy divorce, Brett saw acting as an escape that allowed her to be someone else, providing a profound emotional release and control. These experiences fueled her creativity and passion for storytelling. However, she admits that initially stepping in front of the camera felt strange because it only involved being herself, something she found challenging at the time.

Brett's Acting Career in Los Angeles Led Her to Reconsider Her Goals

Brett worked consistently as an actor in Los Angeles, achieving a measure of independence by covering her apartment expenses and saving for a car and college. However, logistical difficulties arose due to her status as a minor, such as needing her mother to be on set. Despite these efforts, she began to see the darker side of the industry.

Disillusioned With Acting, Brett Pursues Value-Aligned Paths For Balance

As Brett transitioned from viewing acting as a hobby to considering it a serious career, she became disillusioned. She didn't admire the lives of those she met in the industry and disliked the lack of control they had over their personal lives. Observing that even successful actors could barely afford to live without roommates, Brett began to question the career path she was on.

Feeling a disconnect with her values and the characters in al ...

Brett Discovered Community and Purpose in Conservatism Amid UCLA's Political Tensions and Divide

Brett Cooper, in recounting her experiences at UCLA, speaks to how expressing conservative ideas led to significant social backlash but also paved her path toward finding a community and purpose within conservatism.

Brett's Political Sharing Sparked Backlash, but Opened New Discourse Opportunities

Brett mentions that merely stating her intention not to vote for Democratic candidates like Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden led to stark changes in her social circle. She was met with fierce backlash, including having communist manifestos thrown at her and facing criticism in social settings. Brett describes a specific incident where she spoke about her Southern family's history, which led to her facing accusations and being labeled a racist. After sharing her political views candidly with friends, she faced heated arguments, especially when she revealed her consideration to vote for Trump.

Brett's Work at the Daily Wire, Launching the "Comments Section" Show, Honed Her Communication Skills and Expanded Her Audience

Brett's mother, though not an ardent Trump supporter, voted for him and admired his business acumen. Inspired partially by her mother's logic for preferring a successful businessman to career politicians, Brett found a connection with conservative politics. During the isolation caused by COVID-19, she noticed, even in group chats and Zoom hangouts, that friends would indirectly target her support for Trump with disparaging comments.

Brett's brother Chase gave her the poignant advice that true friends should respect differing opinions, something she wasn't experiencing. Expressing optimism about political developments, Brett shows reverence for members of Trump's circle like RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard, demonstrating her engagement with political discourse.

Brett's Daily Wire Success: 4.5 Million Subscribers in Three Years

Her initial show at the Daily Wire, "Comments Section," was a grassroots effort—created out of necessity by people her age and with minimal funding.

Brett's Connection With Her Audience, Authenticity, and Tackling Of Controversial Topics Fueled Her Show's Rapid Growth and Popularity

Despite executives' lack of understanding toward the proposed concept, Brett managed to get the show greenlit. It became a phenomenal success, hitting one million subscribers in four months and amassing 4.5 million subscribers in t ...

After her time at the Daily Wire, Brett Cooper decided to strike out on her own and create Cooper Confidential, pursuing more than just a new business but a shift in her professional ethos toward maintaining creative control, integrity, and a balanced personal life.

Brett Left the Daily Wire to Launch Cooper Confidential, Her Independent Media Platform

Independent Decision: Brett's Pursuit of Creative Control, Work-Life Balance, and Integrity

Brett Cooper describes her move to independence as "very freeing," saying it allowed her to have a complete understanding and control of her career and brand, which she deeply values. This move seems driven by her desire to cultivate a work environment that suits her personal and professional principles.

She talks about the importance of producing content that is meaningful and not just for views or clicks, suggesting a priority on content that resonates authentically with her audience and upholds her own integrity. Cooper emphasizes her commitment to consistency between her on-screen persona and her real-life actions, understanding the trust that her audience places in her.

Transition to Independence Posed Challenges; Brett Navigated Building a New Platform From Scratch, Potentially Sacrificing Stability and Resources At the Daily Wire

The transition to independence wasn't without its difficulties. Cooper acknowledges there were unanticipated challenges and a steep learning curve in her new venture. She admits the move was terrifying and involved a lot of risk, such as potentially sacrificing her financial stability.

In stark terms, Brett discusses the risk of starting over financially and even the possibility of moving back in with her mother to make ends meet. In reflecting on her transition, she speaks about contemplating the next steps in her career, including how to build something authentic without compromising her values.

Brett's Show Gains 1 Million Subscribers in First Month

Brett's Values, Audience Connection, and Risk-Taking Drive Platform Success

Brett Cooper’s new platform was an immediate success, quickly gaining 1 million subscribers in the first month after its launch. This success points to her solid values, ability to connect with her audience, and her willingness to take significant risks in her career. She discusses the importance of having a team she trusts as she builds ...

Brett's Future Focus: Preserve Authenticity, Explore New Opportunities

Brett's Interest in a Cookie Company Shows Her Willingness to Diversify Beyond Political Commentary

Brett Cooper expresses a desire to preserve her authenticity and explore new avenues that reflect her values and aspirations. Diversification beyond her established career path in political commentary is on the horizon, as reflected in her inclination to start a cookie company. This potential venture into the culinary business indicates her readiness to embrace different capacities, thereby showcasing her adaptability.

Brett Prioritizes Balancing Career and Starting a Family

Brett Cooper has married life in the frame with her one-year wedding anniversary approaching and living on a farm in Tennessee with her husband. Her plans reveal an earnest attempt to synergize her professional aspirations and personal life. Reflecting on her swift transition from engagement to marriage and the significant milestones it entailed, Cooper outlines her life's priorities, emphasizing the significance of family and seeking a balance through adaptability.

Brett's Mentors Include Candace Owens and Liz Wheeler, Who Balance High-Profile Careers and Motherhood

Brett Is Committed To Learning From These Women to Balance Her Professional Aspirations With Her Personal Goals

The commitment to learning how to successfully merge the responsibilities of motherhood with a demanding professional life is evident in Brett Cooper's admiration for Candace Owens and Liz Wheeler. Owens, managing her business endeavors with her spouse, and Wheeler, adeptly incorporating her children into her professional routine, serve as mentors to Cooper. Through their examples, Cooper discerns invaluable lessons in setting boundaries and cherishes the support of her mother to augment her journey towards achieving a fulfilling work-life balance.

Brett's Adaptability, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and A ...