Indie/Self-Publishing: Writing Your Own Path to Success with Vanessa Haney
Conversations with Alya Lei
Vanessa Haney, an emerging expert in the realm of horror book releases, brings a business-minded approach to the world of self-publishing, drawing parallels between the book and film industries. With a dedication to mastering the craft, she continually enhances her understanding through courses and industry group involvement, positioning herself as a supportive and knowledgeable figure among her peers. As she recently released her horror short story 'Slush' and horror novel 'Crotch Goblin,' Vanessa remains committed to indie publishing, valuing the creative control it offers over her work. ...
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Entertainment Industry Journey of Christopher Silveri, VP & Partner of UIA Talent
Conversations with Alya Lei
Christopher Silveri, a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, boasts a rich career that began with casting commercials at Liz Lewis Casting Partners and evolved into leadership roles at Gilla Roos Limited and Prestige Management Group. Graduating from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Silveri's extensive experience in talent management led him to establish his own company, showcasing his dedication to nurturing talent featured on major television networks and films. Now a Partner and Vice President at UIA Talent, he remains committed to supporting actors while sharing his insights...
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Breaking Free from Debt: Establishing Lifelong Financial Stability with Rhianna Basore
Conversations with Alya Lei
Rhianna Basore is a celebrated serial creative entrepreneur committed to promoting financial empowerment among creatives. An international director, producer, writer, and award-winning actor, her creative endeavors have graced stages from Off Broadway to Reykjavik, Toronto, and Paris. Basore's impactful work in the realm of financial empowerment and the arts has been highlighted in esteemed publications like the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. With vast experience in business development for a multi-million dollar nonprofit, Basore now leverages her expertise to support female...
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Lynn Harris: Championing Diversity and Inclusivity in Comedy
Conversations with Alya Lei
Lynn Harris is a trailblazer in the comedy world, passionately addressing gender disparity through her transformative initiatives and perspectives. As the founder of Gold Comedy, Harris has created a nurturing platform that empowers women and underrepresented groups to pursue comedy careers, challenging the traditional male-dominated narrative. She highlights the systemic gender biases in the industry, noting the unequal representation of women in leading roles and the significant power dynamics where humor dictates societal structures. Through her work with Gold Comedy and Persisticon, Harris...
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Zhive Media and Mara McCann: A Dynamic Duo in the Film Industry
Conversations with Alya Lei
Mara McCann, the visionary founder of Zhive Media, is at the forefront of shaping the future of the entertainment industry by bridging the gap between film financiers and creative talents. Through Zhive Media, she has established a vibrant membership community and a distribution incubator, empowering writers, directors, and actor/producers to seamlessly bring their projects to market. Mara's passion for creative and business growth is evident in her commitment to mentoring pre-seed companies and curating opportunities for collaboration and innovation within the film ecosystem. Her efforts are...
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Healing through Comedy: Aidan Park's Story
Conversations with Alya Lei
Aidan Park, the dynamic founder and CEO of the Yay Foundation, harnesses his talents as an award-winning stand-up comedian and bestselling author to pioneer emotional healing and inner child work. Through his book, "The Art of Being Yay" (The OMG NSFW Memoir and Guide to Authentic Joy), Aidan underscores the significance of joy and authenticity, drawing from personal experiences to demonstrate the transformative power of embracing one's inner child. He believes that unresolved childhood traumas can manifest as intense reactions in adulthood, and his innovative use of comedy serves as a...
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From Anchor to Actress: Morgan Deer's Journey to Success
Conversations with Alya Lei
Morgan Deer, now based in Los Angeles, shares a unique and inspiring perspective on her acting journey, rooted in her transition from a career as a news anchor in Humboldt County. Her dedication to the craft is palpable, as she immersed herself in various acting workshops, studios, and improvisation classes, all while living with epilepsy—a condition that has only fueled her determination. Despite facing self-doubt and uncertainty, Morgan draws inspiration from renowned actors like Natalie Portman and Anthony Hopkins, embracing every opportunity to bring memorable characters to life,...
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Vanessa Haney: Horror Stories Author
Conversations with Alya Lei
Vanessa Haney (pen name: Van Haney) grew up in the new age circus known as the entertainment industry. Van was first published in an anthology of poems in 1997. In the early 2000's she was showcased in young filmmaker competitions for her screenplays, and in 2018 while getting her Master's in Education, while also working as VP of Communications at Shoreline Entertainment, she self-published her first book of short stories, "Stories to Curl Your Toes". Now after two children and a move to the Pacific Northwest she's unleashing her stories into the world once again. "Bloody Ever After" nine...
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Stephanie Bell - Award Winning Producer
Conversations with Alya Lei
STEPHANIE BELL, PGA A member of the Producers Guild of America, Stephanie is an Emmy nominated & multi-award-winning producer and line producer with over 25 years experience in film, TV & digital content. Her films (both features and shorts) have screened in over 75 film festivals around the world, garnering more than 50 awards, including 14 for “Best Feature”. Stephanie’s goal is to tell daring and provocative stories that spark a dialogue about the human condition and how our actions impact it. She is the founding partner of three production companies, BelLipoma...
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Achieve acting success anywhere with a strategy from award-winning actor Chrissy Hogue Bartels
Conversations with Alya Lei
Achieve acting success anywhere with a strategy from award-winning actress Chrissy Hogue Bartels! Chrissy Hogue Bartels shares her journey as an actor, challenges of being "derailed" from acting and her strategy to be successful as an actor no matter where you live! Chrissy is a multi-award winning actor with a recent Best Supporting Actress Award from the Iowa Motion Picture Association for her role as "Katie" in a film she produced titled A Swan Song. She recently became SAG Eligible after booking a co-star on the popular NBC TV Show Chicago PD, holds an MFA in TV &...
info_outlineAidan Park, the dynamic founder and CEO of the Yay Foundation, harnesses his talents as an award-winning stand-up comedian and bestselling author to pioneer emotional healing and inner child work. Through his book, "The Art of Being Yay" (The OMG NSFW Memoir and Guide to Authentic Joy), Aidan underscores the significance of joy and authenticity, drawing from personal experiences to demonstrate the transformative power of embracing one's inner child. He believes that unresolved childhood traumas can manifest as intense reactions in adulthood, and his innovative use of comedy serves as a powerful tool to foster mental and emotional health, encouraging self-expression and connection. Aidan Park's collaborative efforts through engaging wellness programs continue to inspire individuals to delve into past experiences, empathize with their inner child, and pursue genuine happiness and self-acceptance.
Here are three key takeaways from the episode:
1. **Utilizing Comedy for Healing**: Aidan Park's Yay Foundation utilizes comedy as a tool for promoting mental and emotional health. By incorporating humor into educational programs and workshops, the foundation fosters self-expression and healing through laughter.
2. **Personal Storytelling and Connection**: Aidan Park emphasized the importance of embracing emotions and narratives, encouraging individuals to engage in inner child work and empathize with themselves. By revisiting past emotional experiences, it is possible to heal and grow from unresolved traumas.
3. **Spreading Joy and Compassion**: The Yay Foundation aims to empower individuals to find joy and healing through a compassionate and joyful approach to mental well-being. By creating safe spaces for personal storytelling and connecting through comedy events, the foundation promotes emotional balance and self-acceptance.
National Alliance of Mental Illness
American Foundation of Suicide Prevention
Aids Healthcare Foundation
Website: https://www.theyayfoundation.org/
Instagram: @aidanparkshow
(00:01:40) Healing through Comedy: Yay Foundation's Impact
(00:14:45) "The Art of Being Yay": Finding Purpose
(00:16:44) Impact of Childhood Molestation on Fear
(00:27:12) Embracing Emotional Balance for Lasting Happiness
(00:30:08) Desperation-Fueled Drug Use for Coping
(00:36:50) Journey of Self-Discovery and Compassion
(00:45:32) Embracing Authentic Narratives Through Comedy
#MentalHealthAwareness #ComedyForHealing #FindingHappiness #EmotionalBalance #EmpathyMatters #OvercomingChallenges #StorytellingThroughComedy #InnerChildWork #SelfExpression #JoyfulHealing #EmbraceEmotions #SupportThroughHumor