Libsyn Directory

Reaching next levels & incorporating gratitude - with Ajarae Coleman

Release Date: 01/12/2023

it's my birthday & i'm NOT where i thought i'd be by now...(SEASON FINALE)

Actor Problems

So I'm 36. Here's what I haven't done so far... Booked a co-star Gotten my EMC card Been in a long term relationship Moved out of my studio apartment that I've lived in for 9 years ...and I currently don't have theatrical reps. AND - all of this lacks context... Today in our season finale, we're gonna discuss how to calm that negative chatter telling us we should be "further" by now, plus how to add context if/when that chatter comes up. Links referenced.. My money coach - Let's stay connected! MY WEBSITE: ...

You're doing branding wrong & auditioning for the "I'm not right for this" role - with Jodie Bentley

Actor Problems

Today’s special guest is actor and coach Jodie Bentley Jodie Bentley is an LA-based actor, audiobook narrator, and career coach for actors. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Acting, she’s worked for Netflix, Hulu, ABC, CBS, Apple TV and many more. Since 2008, she’s been educating and helping actors to get the careers they want without wasting any more time and money! She’s taught workshops at SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity, Comicon, and over 50+ universities and training programs. With her signature programs, and , Jodie’s students have gone on to...

Getting Uncomfortable + Why You Won't Actually Get Blacklisted - with Dana N Anderson

Actor Problems

Today’s guest is actor, TedX speaker, and multi-hyphenate Dana N. Anderson. Dana is a sometimes Chicago-sometimes Phoenix-based, globally minded multi-hyphenate with boundless talent. A performer and creator whose work spans on-camera, stage, voiceover and music, she’s appeared in major network shows and commercials. Add Emmy® Award winner to her titles: she co-directed “The Lost Story of Emmett Till: Trial in the Delta,” earning a 2022 statuette for Outstanding Achievement for Human Interest - Long Form Content. Also in 2022, she made her TEDx speaker debut, delivering an...

i lied & how actors can get better results

Actor Problems

....I lied about something last week. (Kind of.) I'll share why, plus one super important way we can all learn from those who are getting better results in their careers. I'll tie in a strategy that I find super helpful towards getting those results too ;) Let's stay connected! MY WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM: FREE SELF-CARE NEWSLETTER: FREE SELF-CARE FB GROUP: Wanna work together? Check out OR click here to book a free call with me (as spots are available) -

what to do when your confidence sucks

Actor Problems

Has you confidence taken a hit? When we don't feel confident, we're going to do less. When we do less, we get less. (So like, less acting opportunities....less money....you get it) This week we're talking all about confidence.... Why it matters The number one thing we can do to start to feel more confident An example of how to be confident in front of casting directors The opportunities we miss out on when we lack confidence How to be intentional and consume specific content based on our area of improvement ....and more. ...

3 quick tips for the next time you're stressed AF

Actor Problems

Keeping it short and sweet today! Here are 3 quick tips you can easily implement the next time you're feeling stressed AF. Let's stay connected! MY WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM: FREE SELF-CARE NEWSLETTER: FREE SELF-CARE FB GROUP: Wanna work together? Check out OR click here to book a free call with me (as spots are available) -

Former talent agent shares why talent isn't everything - with Michael McCracken

Actor Problems

Hear some actor industry info from former talent agent, actor, and found of Vagabond School of the Arts - Michael McCracken, Michael has been in the professional entertainment industry for over 20 years. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Vagabond School of the Arts. Before founding Vagabond School he was a tv/film, commercial and theatrical talent agent (Grossman & Jack Talent, Shirley Hamilton Talent) here in Chicago. As a teacher and coach, he brings his experience as a freelance casting session director (Simon Casting, The Cast Station), SAG-AFTRA Actor (Chicago MED,...

Laughter, Cancelled Shows, & Watching Friends Get Famous - with Antoine McKay

Actor Problems

Today we're joined by Antoine McKay. Antoine McKay is an actor, educator, and father from Detroit, MI. After performing on both the Detroit and Second City Mainstages, he’s gone on to have a career working on shows including Empire, Southside, Sense8, Patriot, Sports Action Team, and Prison Break. He is best known for his roles as 'Bunkie' in the hit TV primetime drama Empire and 'Uncle Spike' in South Side, and has performed alongside stars including Keegan-Michael Key (which we talk about!) In this episode, we discuss..... What initally helped his career get started to...

Vulnerability & Self Care with the One Broke Actress (aka Sam Valentine)

Actor Problems

Today we have a very special guest who has become wildly popular in the acting community. Sam Valentine is the host of the One Broke Actress podcast: An honest account of actor life, plus a few lessons she's learned in the process. In this episode, you'll hear... The story of her former (shitty) agent that led her to start One Broke Actress Why some of the best things come from moments of desperation How she nearly quit the business just a couple of years ago How her acting career has improved since starting side businesses What she’s learned about being vulnerable in...

scared. stuck. stressed.

Actor Problems

Feeling scared about stuff going on in your life?? Not sure which move to make next in your career? ...and is all of this (and like, life) making you stressed AF? Let's break down these three areas (with some examples from yours truly), plus my tips on what to do when we're feeling these emotions for a prolonged period of time. Let's stay connected! MY WEBSITE: INSTAGRAM: FREE SELF-CARE NEWSLETTER: FREE SELF-CARE FB GROUP: PS - Wanna work together? Check out

More Episodes

Today’s guest is actor and career coach Ajarae Coleman.

Ajarae (she/her) is a Harvard-educated actress, producer, and career coach. Ajarae’s credits include SCANDAL, NCIS: NEW ORLEANS, I’M SORRY, 2 BROKE GIRLS, REVENGE, DAYS OF OUR LIVES, and more. She also works extensively in commercials, having appeared in campaigns for brands like LUVS, VERIZON, and PANTENE.

Ajarae recently wrapped shooting a feature that is set for release in early 2023. She is also co-producing and starring in a short film about pregnancy loss and motherhood, after leading a successful campaign to finance it. She will appear in the upcoming series HIGH DESERT on AppleTV+ with Patricia Arquette and Matt Dillon.

Ajarae founded Acting Resource Guru in 2012 to give actors practical steps to book more work and take ownership of their careers. Her career and lifestyle coaching membership, The Table, empowers actors to book more work by building communities of collaborators, strengthening their mindset, and developing residual income streams that allow them to live in abundance while pursuing their creative dreams. She has created Agent Alchemy, an online program that helps actors partner with the right agent or manager in 44 days, and Step Into Your Star Power, an acclaimed mindset and embodiment program that helps actors end burnout and overwhelm, and gain career momentum using mindfulness.

Ajarae lives in Los Angeles with her partner and two adorable cats.

In this episode, you'll hear...

How Ajarae started coaching - even though she never wanted to be a coach

How the life of an actor doesn’t have to be a “hard grind”

Dealing with the parts of the biz that just feel “icky”

The misconceptions about networking

How she manages her business alongside her acting career

Why it’s just as important to pay attention to how we’re feeling as it is get things done

Her gratitude practice and why it’s important to getting to the next level

The importance of finding things within yourself that you already appreciate

The difference between “power moves” and “paper pushing” activities

How the downtimes are something we should expect