Episode 352: Doing the Damn Thing
Acting Business Boot Camp
This week’s episode is all about doing the damn thing. Inspired by Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass, we explore how to move from wishful thinking into real, consistent action. Because let’s face it: Epiphanies are useless without execution. Self-help without follow-through is shelf-help. Trying to be an actor isn’t the same as being one. From Passive Habits to Active Action Many actors fall into the trap of passive self-help habits. That looks like reading books, journaling, or attending seminars but never actually taking the uncomfortable, messy steps that move...
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Episode 351: Your End of Summer Pep Talk
Acting Business Boot Camp
Okay actors, here it is—your end-of-summer pep talk. I don’t know how we got here so fast, but summer’s basically over and it’s time to stop stalling. Time to get your act together. In this episode, I’m giving it to you straight. Yes, I even drop a few swear words, because honestly, sometimes that’s what it takes to shake things up. I’ll share the story of Bowie the cat (our very cautious little housemate) and how it perfectly connects to where so many of you are stuck in your careers. The question is: are you going to stay scared Bowie… or step up and be brave Bowie? And I’m...
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Episode 350: Improv and Leveling Up Your Takes
Acting Business Boot Camp
When I Froze on “Three Takes” I’ll be honest, the first time a casting director asked me for three takes in the same vibe, my brain short-circuited. The first one felt okay. The second? I made it louder. The third? I whispered and hoped for divine intervention. Sound familiar? If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. No one really teaches us how to do this. We just… guess. But over the years, I’ve learned that “three takes” doesn’t have to be torture. It’s actually an opportunity to show range, subtlety, and intention — if you know where to focus. My Five Go-To Tools for...
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Episode 349: Why Tracking Data is the Secret Weapon in Your Acting Career
Acting Business Boot Camp
Most actors treat their careers like a guessing game. Send a few emails. Hope someone notices. Post on Instagram. Cross your fingers. But what if you could know what’s working? What if you had the exact information to make better choices, save time, and book more work? That is what tracking data does for you, and yes, it is way less boring than it sounds. Why Most Actors Avoid Tracking (and Why That Hurts Them) A lot of actors shy away from anything that feels “too business.” They think tracking numbers will suck the artistry out of what they do. But here is the thing: you are...
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Episode 348: How to Spot a Voiceover Scam
Acting Business Boot Camp
If you’ve ever gotten an email offering $850 for 45 minutes of voice work and thought, huh, that sounds… generous—you’re not alone. Today I’m walking you through one of the most common and dangerous traps voice actors fall into: the voiceover scam. Let’s talk about how to recognize one, why we fall for them, and how to protect yourself. These Scams Are Getting Smarter I’ve seen so many of these land in my inbox or get forwarded from friends and students. And honestly, they’re getting better. Better design. Better phrasing. More personal. But when you...
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Episode 347: Your Mind Is Your World
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this solo episode, Peter gets deeply personal about a challenging week—and the powerful mindset shift that came from it. After getting emotionally “twisted,” Peter turned to her most trusted tools: journaling, meditation, and coaching. What started as a spiral led to a breakthrough realization: Your mind is your world. And your world is your mind. When you’re in your fear-based thought system, everything feels like a problem. But when you shift into a more loving, conscious mindset, you begin to see challenges as opportunities. Peter shares how unconscious thinking patterns can...
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Episode 346: Why VO Actors Should Try TikTok
Acting Business Boot Camp
If you're a creative who rolls their eyes every time someone says, “You should be on TikTok,” I get it. I did too. But I’ve also seen firsthand how a free platform with a low barrier to entry can quietly change your entire business. Not overnight. But steadily. Strategically. Without becoming someone you’re not. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I use TikTok to stay visible, book clients, and build trust—without filters, dances, or pretending to be an influencer. So, why TikTok? I never expected to like it. I don’t love being on camera. I...
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Episode 345: Shifting Your Momentum with Stephen Ridley
Acting Business Boot Camp
How to Change Your Momentum When You’re Stuck as a Creative If you’re an artist or creative who feels stalled—like you’ve hit a wall in your motivation, progress, or passion—you’re not alone. Whether it’s burnout, fear, comparison, or just plain fatigue, creative momentum can vanish without warning. And getting it back? That can feel impossible. But here’s the good news: momentum is a choice. Not something that magically returns when the conditions are perfect—but something you can actively create, even in the mess of real life. In this week’s Acting Business Boot...
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Episode 344: Passion vs. Aptitude in Voiceover
Acting Business Boot Camp
Let’s talk about something most coaches won’t say out loud: Just because you love something doesn’t mean you’re great at it. I know. It stings. But it’s important. In this episode, I’m digging into the uncomfortable (but necessary) gap between interest and aptitude—especially in voiceover. Because if you're frustrated that you're not booking in your dream genre, you might be ignoring the thing you're actually great at. What I Talk About in This Episode: Why passion doesn’t always equal potential How to spot the areas where you naturally shine Why...
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Episode 343: Building Real Confidence as an Actor
Acting Business Boot Camp
In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most important and misunderstood parts of an actor's journey: confidence. Without confidence, you're benched. Without humility, you're a liability. Confidence is essential in the entertainment industry, but it has to be real—not performative, not overblown, and definitely not hubris. I break down how to build real, grounded confidence that will keep you moving forward in your voiceover or acting career, using neuroscience-backed tools and personal experience from over two decades in the industry. Key Topics Covered: Why confidence is essential,...
info_outlineWhen I Froze on “Three Takes”
I’ll be honest, the first time a casting director asked me for three takes in the same vibe, my brain short-circuited. The first one felt okay. The second? I made it louder. The third? I whispered and hoped for divine intervention.
Sound familiar? If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. No one really teaches us how to do this. We just… guess.
But over the years, I’ve learned that “three takes” doesn’t have to be torture. It’s actually an opportunity to show range, subtlety, and intention — if you know where to focus.
My Five Go-To Tools for Variety
Here’s what I rely on:
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Change the environment. Close your eyes and imagine where you are. A noisy coffee shop shifts your energy in a completely different way than a quiet office.
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Add human sounds. We don’t speak like robots. A breath, a chuckle, a little “mm-hmm” makes your read feel alive.
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Play with pauses. I love a pause. It can create tension, warmth, or surprise. Same words, totally different rhythm.
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Change your listener. Who am I talking to? A best friend feels different than a five-year-old. A stranger feels different than a coworker.
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Shift your motivation. This one’s huge. Maybe I’m trying to inspire. Maybe I’m trying to tease. Same emotion, new motivation — and suddenly the take has layers.
These adjustments keep me from falling into the “loud-soft-whisper” trap. Instead, each take feels intentional.
Why I Lean on Improv
Here’s the secret I wish someone had told me sooner: improv isn’t about being funny. It’s about being present.
When a casting director says, “Make it feel more natural,” what they really mean is, “Stop performing and start reacting.” Improv trains me to do that. It helps me:
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Make stronger choices quickly
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Stay grounded when I mess up
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React honestly instead of overthinking
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Give multiple takes that feel genuinely different
As Kristen Wiig said, “Improv is about listening and not trying to be funny. It’s about being honest.” I’ve found that to be absolutely true.
What Fear Taught Me
I know improv scares people. It used to terrify me. My brain would scream, “Don’t mess this up. Don’t look stupid.”
But here’s what shifted everything: fear means I care. Fear tells me I’m right at the edge of something interesting. If I can use it, not run from it, that’s where the magic happens.
Now, I remind myself: I don’t have to be clever. I don’t have to be perfect. I just have to be available. And ironically, that’s when my best work happens.
Why This Matters for You
If you’ve been frustrated by the 1-2-3 take request, know this: it’s not about pleasing the casting gods. It’s about showing them you can be flexible, creative, and real.
With these five tools and an improv mindset, you’ll stop guessing. You’ll start delivering takes that feel grounded and alive — and most importantly, like you.
If you want help practicing this, I’d love to work with you. I offer free 15-minute consults, and I’m always excited to help actors build confidence in the booth and on the mic.