Mindy Kaling

During a summer of inordinate hot air (from the election cycle as well as the heat outside), Mindy Kaling’s down-to-earthiness is a welcome cool breeze. When asked about being brave, one of the only women to create, produce, write and star in her own network series—and the only one to put her name in the show’s title—is quick to contextualize her courage. “Have I been brave?” Kaling asks. “I’m not sure—I hope so. Bravery to me takes its form in women like Gabrielle Giffords and Malala Yousafzai. I have learned so much from them.”

Here, Kaling, whose book Why Not Me? comes out in paperback next month, took a break from working on Season 5 of The Mindy Project (premieres October 4 on Hulu) to talk about the work lessons she has learned along her path. Read More →