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#197 From Open Mic Dabbler To Booked and Paid Pro

Release Date: 11/22/2025

#197 From Open Mic Dabbler To Booked and Paid Pro

Inside The Audition

Ep 197 – From Open Mic Dabbler To Paid Pro What if you could turn your late night open mics and bar shows into a real career on stage and on screen, without going broke, burning out, or killing the joy that made you start in the first place? In this solo episode of Inside the Audition, I answer 6 raw, honest questions from one of my clients who wants to go full time in comedy. I walk through what I actually did, what I would do differently now, and how you can use the same principles whether you are a comedian, actor, or any performer who wants to get paid for what you love. If you feel...

#196 The One Demo That Changes Everything (But Most Actors Don’t Have)

Inside The Audition

🎙 Inside the Audition – EPISODE 196 🎧 “The One Demo That Changes Everything (But Most Actors Don’t Have)” with voice coach and demo producer Moneen Daley 🎙 Most actors are chasing roles with their face. But the smart ones are getting paid with their voice. In today’s episode, we reveal the one marketing asset that opens doors to remote gigs, recurring income, and creative freedom. Most actors don’t have it. You can. 🎙 IN THIS EPISODE: Actors are often told to build their reel and get seen. But in a $6 billion voiceover industry... What about getting heard? In...

#195 The Lead Role That Will Outlive You

Inside The Audition

This one’s different. It’s not about audition technique. It’s about you. Your real life. The role you're already playing and the one you'll be remembered for. After attending a celebration of life for a family friend, I reflect on a truth too many actors learn too late: 💥 “There’s no callback that can replace a moment that matters with the people you love.” If you're chasing every gig and saying yes out of fear… If you’re burning out while trying to “make it”… If you feel guilty for choosing rest, or family, or joy... This episode is your wake-up call. Your permission...

#194 Drop Your Armour and Act from Humanity with Kody Poisson

Inside The Audition

🎧 TL;DL: Your most powerful auditions don’t come from perfection—they come from presence. In this episode, I chat with actor, poet, filmmaker, and self-described “soldier of the arts” Kody Poisson for a deep dive into what it really takes to drop the armor and deliver an unforgettable performance. From growing up in the mountains of Germany to training in the UK, from crashing and burning in auditions to getting a single life-changing redirect, Kody shares what it takes to go from rigid performance to intuitive artistry. Whether you’re overthinking your self-tapes, stuck in your...

#193 Breaking Mental Blocks and Booking Bigger Roles with Danya Douglas Hunt

Inside The Audition

TL;DR: Get ready for the most transformative coaching session you’ll ever hear. In this episode, I sit down with Danya Douglas Hunt, a former Olympic therapist turned mindset master, to crack open the beliefs and inner blocks that keep you playing small. This isn’t about working harder—it’s about showing up with unshakeable confidence, booking the roles you’re meant for, and finally stepping into your power. Key Takeaways You’ll Love: 🎯 Olympic-level performance secrets for the audition room 🎯 Why your biggest breakthroughs won’t come from another acting class 🎯...

#192 The Training I Rewatch Every Year (and Why You’ll Regret Missing It)

Inside The Audition

🎧 A Special Crossover Episode with the Mind Your Business Podcast This is the episode I’ve been dreaming of. I finally got to share my full story on James Wedmore’s Mind Your Business Podcast — and now I’m bringing that conversation straight to you. If you’re an actor, comedian, or creator juggling auditions, day jobs, and side hustles... wondering how the hell to build something sustainable — this is your wake-up call. I walk you through how I went from an actor with a duct-taped, do-it-all-myself coaching business to building two digital memberships that now bring in over...

#191 How to Stand Out in Every Audition with Hools Kay Wyder

Inside The Audition

What happens when you stop shrinking yourself to fit the mold—and start auditioning like you? In this powerful and inspiring episode, I sit down with Hools Kay Wyder, a proudly queer, asexual, non-binary, and neurodivergent actor, coach, and creative force. From their early days in musical theatre to carving out space in the world of film, Hools shares what it really takes to stand out in the audition room—without compromising who they are. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite “fit” in this industry, this episode is your permission slip to stop apologizing and start showing up...

#190 The Audition I Bombed… and Why It Was the Best Thing That Ever Happened with Sahil Zirvi

Inside The Audition

What happens when you show up to your first big audition... and completely bomb? In this episode, I'm joined by actor, model, and new Actors Audition Club coach Sahil Zirvi, who shares the painful (and powerful) story of the audition that could have broken him... and why it turned out to be the wake-up call that changed everything. We talk about: The one mistake that ruined Sahil's shot at a major role — and why he never made it again The harsh reality of being judged by casting in your first 30 seconds (or less) What makes a "professional" audition — and why most actors still...

#189 Why Most Actors Blow Their Auditions (And How to Fix It) with Alex Fiallos

Inside The Audition

🎙 She Was Just a Reader… Until the Director Gave Her the Job! What happens when you treat every opportunity like it’s yours to book — even when you’re not auditioning? In this powerful episode, Alexandra Fiallos shares how she landed a commercial by accident, why Shakespeare is still a booking machine in 2025, and how coaching actors turned into one of her greatest creative callings. Whether you’re just getting started or gunning for your next lead role, this conversation is a masterclass in preparation, mindset, and artistic ownership. It’s the episode actors didn’t know they...

#188 How to Turn Your Monologues into Money

Inside The Audition

Get ready to learn the secrets to nailing every audition and getting those big roles you dream about. This episode will help you change your acting journey with easy tips and smart ideas. Here's a little look at what we talk about: Stand Out in Auditions: Find out the simple tricks that will help you stand out and make casting directors remember you. Earning Money Steadily: Discover how to use online products to stop being a "starving artist" and build a career that lasts. "Audition Hero 2025" Contest: Learn how you can join this fun contest that celebrates how actors like you grow and...

More Episodes

Ep 197 – From Open Mic Dabbler To Paid Pro

What if you could turn your late night open mics and bar shows into a real career on stage and on screen, without going broke, burning out, or killing the joy that made you start in the first place?

In this solo episode of Inside the Audition, I answer 6 raw, honest questions from one of my clients who wants to go full time in comedy. I walk through what I actually did, what I would do differently now, and how you can use the same principles whether you are a comedian, actor, or any performer who wants to get paid for what you love.

If you feel stuck between “I love this” and “how do I make money from this,” this one is for you.

In this episode, I share:

How I went from unpaid open mics to higher paying gigs
The real steps that moved me from “I will perform for beer and wings” to corporates, keynotes, and paid shows, plus the stuff I would skip if I was starting again today.
Craft vs cash, and why they are not the same game
How to think about getting really good at what you do, and separately, how to think about making money from it, so you stop confusing the two and beating yourself up.
How to handle the money roller coaster without frying your nervous system
Day jobs, runway, expenses, when to quit, when not to, and how I would set things up now so you can pursue your art without living in constant panic.
The “writing vs hustling” question
How much time should you spend on new material vs finding gigs and opportunities, what “balance” actually looks like, and how I personally create new material in real life, not in theory.
Mentors, coaches, and why I lost years trying to lone wolf it
The story of the headliner who took me on the road, what I learned from generous veterans, and why I now put so much value on coaching, acting classes, business coaching, and real communities.
How to actually network with full time comedians without being weird
Where to show up, how to become part of the community, why hosting your own show is a cheat code, and simple ways to build real relationships instead of awkward transactions.
Staying positive when you are not booking as many gigs as you want
Why tying your happiness to “how many shows I have this month” is a trap, how I think about slow seasons now, and what to do when your calendar is light so you do not spiral.
Performing in the States and visas
How my dual citizenship works, what most Canadian and international performers pursue instead, and what you should start saving and documenting now if the US is in your future.
The bigger game: who you are being, not just what you are doing
Getting specific about what you actually want your career to look like, why energy and identity matter more than any single tactic, and how to think long term while still being ready for magic today.

Rough timestamps

00:00 Why I turned one client’s text into a full episode
03:04 Craft vs money, and why you need to separate them
07:06 My early days saying yes to almost everything
10:08 Being a pro on and off stage so shows lead to more shows
18:42 Handling money, quitting your job, and not nuking your nervous system
20:48 Writing new material vs hustling for gigs
24:59 Mentors, coaching, and the cost of doing it alone
32:12 Where to actually meet and connect with working comics
36:02 Staying optimistic when you are not booking
42:33 Working in the US and the O 1 conversation
44:56 Bonus: getting brutally clear on what you really want

Connect with me

Instagram: @joeyfreddylarsen
Website: JoeyFreddyLarsen.com
- Learn about Actors Audition Club
- Join my courses and workshops
- Book me as a speaker, comedian, or emcee for your next event

If you have a question you want me to answer on a future episode, send me a DM on Instagram and tell me where you are stuck in your career right now.

In this episode, I share:

Rough timestamps

Sponsored by: Monologue of the Month Club

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