Acting Business Boot Camp

Our goal is to break down the business of becoming a working actor into a simple, actionable, step by step roadmap. We'll cover everything from creative entrepreneurialism and mastering what we call the language of the agents and casting directors, to the importance of top notch training and tools for boosting your confidence in self tapes and on the set. Ready to take your acting career to the next level? Let's get started.

Episode 330: Are You a Good Actor? 04/02/2025

Episode 329: Acting Through Fear and Uncertainty 03/26/2025

Episode 329: Acting Through Fear and Uncertainty Hey there, it’s Peter Pamela Rose. In this episode, I’m getting real with you. After what feels like forever since I last recorded (even though I know that might not be true if you’re bingeing episodes!), I’m back to talk about something that’s been coming up a lot in my weekly classes—how to deal with fear, anxiety, and overwhelm when the world feels like too much. Whether you're feeling the pressure of what's going on globally, or you're just tired of asking yourself, “How the hell did I end up back here again?”—this episode is for you. Here’s what we get into: The Serenity Prayer and how I actually use it in my daily life A simple but powerful tool called “Just For Today” The difference between your conscious and subconscious mind Why it feels so hard to change—and how we actually can And how to keep your actor mindset strong when everything feels uncertain This episode comes straight from the heart—and from what’s been resonating in my Weekly Accountability Group and The Weekly Adjustment class, where we dive into both the business of acting and the emotional and mental work behind it. 🎯 Want to try one of my classes for free? Come join me on Fridays from 12–2 PM Eastern. You’ll get the full live experience and access to over 100 hours of recorded content to watch on your own time. 👉 Also, if you haven’t already listened to the two-part interview with Erik Passoja about AI and the future of acting—please, please go check that out. And if you’ve got questions, send them in! I’m bringing Erik back for a follow-up episode and I want to include your voice in that conversation. Thanks for listening. Be safe, stay grounded, and treat yourself real well. With love and gratitude, Peter Pamela Rose 💛 🧠 Quote of the Day: “Just for today, I have food in my belly, a roof over my head, and money in the bank. And that’s all I need.” /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35855305

Episode 328: Conquer Conferences – Smart Networking for Actors 03/19/2025

Episode 328: Conquer Conferences – Smart Networking for Actors Thinking about attending a voiceover or acting conference? Conferences can be an absolute goldmine for networking, learning, and career growth—but only if you go in with a plan! In this episode, Mandy Fisher shares her personal experience attending (and now avoiding) conferences, including why she prefers virtual attendance due to being partially deaf. More importantly, she breaks down exactly how to make a conference work for you so you don’t just leave with a pile of swag and a drained bank account. Learn how to: ✅ Identify your specific goal before attending ✅ Research attendees and speakers in advance ✅ Develop a tight, compelling elevator pitch ✅ Network like a pro without being salesy ✅ Follow up after the conference to build real connections Whether you're a first-time conference attendee or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you maximize your investment and leave with meaningful industry relationships—not just free pens. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Know Your Why: Be clear on what you want—clients, agents, casting connections, or coaching. 🔹 Do Your Research: Check out the speaker list, social posts, and attendee rosters. 🔹 Craft a Strong Elevator Pitch: Who you are What makes you unique Why people should care 🔹 Engage, Don’t Just Sell: Instead of forcing your business card on strangers, start conversations with curiosity: “I loved what you said about industry trends. What do you think is next?” “How did you land that TikTok project? What was that process like?” 🔹 Follow Up Like a Pro: Send emails within a week Connect on social with a personal message Take notes to remember key details 🔹 Mandy’s Conference Checklist: ✅ Research the attendee list & make a target list ✅ Polish your online presence & elevator pitch ✅ Pack your business cards (yes, people still use them!) ✅ Bring a phone charger (you’ll need it!) ✅ Attend the right panels & introduce yourself ✅ Follow up with new contacts within a week Resources & Contact: 📲 Follow Mandy Fisher: TikTok: Substack: Email: 📢 Let us know what conferences you’re attending! Tag us on social or send us a message—we’d love to hear about your experiences! 🎭 Join the Acting Business Bootcamp Community: Want more industry tips and career guidance? Visit for coaching programs, insider insights, and more. 👉 And remember—wear comfy shoes! 🎧 Listen now and get conference-ready! /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35750105

Episode 327: Authenticity, Privacy & Oversharing in Acting 03/12/2025

Episode 326: An Actor's Guide to AI (Part Two) 03/05/2025

Episode 326: An Actor's Guide to AI (Part Two) In last week’s episode, we explored the fascinating yet daunting world of AI in the entertainment industry. If you haven’t listened to yet, stop right now and go back! Everything we cover in this episode builds on what we discussed previously. In this follow-up episode, we continue our conversation with Erik Passoja—an AI expert and industry professional—who provides deeper insight into how AI is reshaping the acting world, especially in voiceover work. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the rapid advancements in AI, you’re not alone. But don’t worry—Erik offers practical ways to navigate this shifting landscape while empowering actors to embrace their expertise. You Are the Expert One of the most impactful takeaways from this episode is Erik’s powerful statement: “When you perform, you are the expert.” As AI continues to evolve, actors must remember that what makes them unique cannot be replicated by machines. AI can generate voices and even expressions, but it cannot create the deep emotional connection that comes from human experience. Your authenticity, presence, and ability to breathe life into a character are irreplaceable. The Rise of AI in Voiceover and Performance Erik discusses Eleven Labs, a company that has mastered AI-generated voice replication. With just seconds of recorded speech, they can generate a synthetic voice pattern nearly identical to the original. While this technology is exciting, it also raises significant concerns about privacy, copyright, and ethical use. One shocking example Erik shared was how a deepfake voice of President Joe Biden was used in a robocall scam. This highlights the dangers of AI voice cloning and underscores the importance of protecting actors’ voices and performances. How to Protect Yourself as an Actor So, how can actors ensure they remain in control of their work in this evolving AI landscape? Here are some key takeaways: Read your contracts carefully. If you’re represented, make sure your agent is reviewing all AI-related clauses. If you’re non-union, be extra cautious. Look for AI-related language. Contracts should specify that your voice, image, or likeness will not be used beyond what was originally agreed upon. Stay informed. The entertainment industry is actively working on protections, such as digital watermarking, which will help track AI-generated performances and ensure fair compensation. Advocate for AI ethics. Legislation such as the No Fakes Act is currently being proposed to regulate AI use in entertainment. Call your representatives and voice your support! AI as an Opportunity, Not Just a Threat While AI presents challenges, it also opens new possibilities. AI could potentially be used to generate passive income for actors by licensing their voices for ethical projects. With proper regulations and safeguards in place, AI could create opportunities rather than replace human talent. Overcoming Overwhelm Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. The key to staying grounded is focusing on what you can control: Stay present. Instead of getting lost in fear of the future, focus on honing your craft. Take care of yourself. Avoid getting consumed by the doom-and-gloom AI narratives—spend time in nature, engage in self-care, and nurture your artistry. Keep storytelling alive. As Erik eloquently put it, storytelling is what has connected humans for thousands of years. AI may change the industry, but it will never replace the need for powerful human performances. What’s Next? We want to keep this conversation going! If you have any questions about AI and its impact on acting, click the link in the show notes to submit your questions. We’ll be gathering them and bringing Erik back for another episode where he’ll address your concerns. Also, if you feel like you need to hit the reset button on your 2025, I’m opening up free consults again! If you want to take charge of your acting career with clarity and confidence, click the link in the show notes to set up a session. Are you ready to take your acting career to the next level? I’m offering free consultations to help you gain clarity, confidence, and actionable steps to move forward. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, let’s talk! Click the link in the show notes to book your free consultation today. As always, stay safe and treat yourself real well. Until next time! /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35535050

Episode 325: An Actor's Guide to AI (Part One) 02/26/2025

Episode 325: An Actor's Guide to AI (Part One) AI in Entertainment: Essential Insights for Actors The world of acting is evolving, and one of the most significant changes affecting performers today is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). From digital likenesses to synthetic voices, AI is reshaping the entertainment industry at an unprecedented pace. If you're an actor, understanding how AI impacts your career is no longer optional—it's essential. In a recent episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, hosts Peter Pamela Rose and Mandy Fisher sat down with Erik Passoja, a SAG-AFTRA leader and digital identity advocate, to break down everything actors need to know about AI, contracts, and protecting their digital identity. The Rise of AI in Acting AI technology is advancing rapidly, and its effects on performers are profound. Whether it’s through deepfake technology, voice synthesis, or motion capture, AI is being used in new ways that could impact actors' careers and livelihoods. Without proper regulations, AI could allow companies to use an actor’s likeness, voice, or movements indefinitely—without additional compensation. Key AI-related concerns for actors: Digital likeness rights AI-generated voices Deepfake manipulation Contract loopholes allowing indefinite use Residuals and monetization concerns Actors must stay vigilant and informed about how their image and voice are used in the industry. Read Your Contract: The #1 Rule for Actors Erik Passoja couldn’t stress this enough: Read your contract! Many performers unknowingly sign agreements that grant companies rights to their voice and likeness in perpetuity. This is particularly concerning for non-union actors, who may have fewer legal protections. If you’re a performer, here’s what you need to do: ✅ Check for AI clauses in any contract you sign. ✅ Seek legal advice if anything seems unclear. ✅ Understand how your likeness and voice will be used before signing. ✅ If you’re non-union, be extra cautious—you may have little legal recourse. Even union actors must be aware of the nuances of SAG-AFTRA agreements related to AI. While protections have been put in place, ongoing advocacy is needed to strengthen them further. Erik Passoja’s Activision Case Study: A Real-Life Example Erik shared his own experience with AI exploitation in the gaming industry. After working on Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, he discovered that his likeness had been repurposed without additional compensation. His digital image was used in ways he never agreed to, and because of the contract he signed, he had no legal recourse. His story highlights a growing problem: AI technology is advancing faster than legal protections. Actors must take charge of their own digital identity by being proactive, informed, and careful about what they sign. AI & Union Protections: What You Need to Know SAG-AFTRA has implemented AI protections in recent contracts, but there’s still work to be done. New legislation is being proposed to further safeguard performers, ensuring that companies cannot exploit their digital identity without consent or compensation. Some of the latest AI-related regulations include: Watermarking AI-generated content to track digital use Informed consent laws for AI usage in entertainment Stronger residual structures for AI-generated performances As AI becomes more prevalent, SAG-AFTRA continues to negotiate protections that will benefit all performers. Staying informed about these updates is crucial. How to Protect Yourself as an Actor in the AI Era 🎭 Stay Informed: Follow SAG-AFTRA updates and AI policy changes. 📄 Read Every Contract Carefully: Look for AI-related clauses and seek legal advice if needed. 🚫 Avoid Unregulated Scanning: If you’re non-union, be extremely cautious about contracts that involve AI ingestion. 🔎 Educate Yourself on AI Rights: Understand how AI-generated performances affect your residuals and future work opportunities. Need Help Navigating Your Acting Career? Peter Pamela Rose is offering a FREE career consultation to help actors restart their 2025 with clarity and direction. If you’re unsure about how AI and other industry changes affect your career, this is the perfect opportunity to get expert advice. 📌 📌 Final Thoughts: The Future of AI in Acting AI is here to stay, and its impact on the entertainment industry will only grow. While technology can bring exciting opportunities, it also presents risks. By staying informed, advocating for fair contracts, and protecting digital identities, actors can ensure that their careers remain secure in the age of AI. 📢 If you found this post valuable, please share and leave a comment! #ActingBusinessBootcamp #AIinActing #DigitalIdentityProtection #SAGAFTRA #ActorsRights #VoiceoverAI #FilmIndustryNews #ActingCareer /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35431120

Episode 324: Work Harder, Nobody Cares 02/19/2025

Episode 324: Work Harder, Nobody Cares Today we're talking about a phrase that might hit you right in the gut. “Work harder. Nobody cares.” And I say it with love because it's a funny phrase and it's also a tough pill to swallow because it's one of the most freeing truths that you can embrace as a person and as an artist. This episode is inspired again by one of my posts on Substack which you can find at the Actors Index and it's a mantra for anyone chasing a creative career or pursuing a big dream. It's a mindset shift that could be the key to unlocking your full potential. So buckle up. We're driving into the gritty, no nonsense reality of what it really takes to succeed and why the nobody cares part might be the most empowering thing you'll hear today. Let's start with the truth. Nobody cares about your dream as much as you do. And honestly, that's the way it should be, right? The creative industry, whether it's voiceover, acting, writing, directing, anything else, it isn't designed to hold your hand. It's competitive. It's challenging. It requires you to show up every day with your A game. Even when nobody's watching, and this isn't to say that people are indifferent to you as a person, but when it comes to your goals, the responsibility to succeed falls squarely on your shoulders. And here's the thing, there's no shortcut to success. Talent isn't enough. I'm going to say that again. Talent isn't enough to succeed. Connections aren't enough. The only thing that will ever matter is the work that you put in. So, let's flip this narrative. Instead of saying nobody cares, or seeing nobody cares is harsh, let's see it as liberating. Because once you accept that no one's coming to save you, you get to take full ownership of your entire journey. You get to be in the driver's seat, which again, is as it should be. One of the biggest myths I encounter in the creative world is the idea that you need to feel motivated to work hard. I'm not feeling motivated today. I just don't want to do anything today. I'm not inspired. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And let me tell you something. Motivation is fucking fleeting. There's going to be days when you wake up feeling like the most inspired, unstoppable version of yourself. And then there will be days, probably more often than not, that you can barely drag yourself to the desk or to the studio or in front of the camera. But the successful people, guess what, buttercup, they show up and do it anyway, and they do it well. That is discipline. We are so driven as human beings to follow our wants that are like easy wants. I want a cupcake. I want to nap. I want to do X, Y, Z. But we should be replacing that with, I want to be successful, so in order to do that, I have to do X, Y, Z, because that's discipline. It's about building habits that keep you moving forward, even when you don't feel like it. Do you think I feel like sitting behind my computer every day and spending hours researching and creating content for cold leads and direct marketing? No. But I want the job. So, the good news is discipline is something that you can cultivate. It's not really about willpower, it's more about creating systems that set you up for success based on your goals. So for example, if you're a voiceover actor like me, you might have a morning routine that gets your voice warmed up before you even check your email or open your phone. It might mean setting a timer for 25 minutes to focus on your marketing outreach, no matter how unmotivated you feel. So here's the takeaway for you: Ask yourself, what's one habit I can build this week, today, that will make it easier to work hard, even on the hard days. But you gotta start small. If you start small, you can build on top of that. I don't expect you to figure it out right away. It's something that takes time. But you have to start somewhere. Success isn't linear. There's going to be days, weeks, maybe even months where it feels like you're running in place, that you're putting in the effort, but the results just aren't showing up. You'll look at your month and say, well, I didn't book anything. What did I even do? And that's why you have to track. All of those wins, you, whatever it is that you're accomplishing for yourself and your business and your goals, you have to mark that down, put a sticker on the day, put a little dot, do something, write a note in your notes app, do something that celebrates those small wins so that at the end of the month when you're like, well, I didn't book anything, I failed, you can say, no, no, no, wait, look at all this shit I did. Those are accomplishments, that's success, because when you don't see the results that you have mismanaged your expectations to see, that's when most people quit. They tell themselves it's not working, that they're not cut out for it, that they're not talented enough, that they're not good enough, and that they'll never make it. The plateaus. That's part of the process. That's part of growth. Growth happens in those moments when it feels like nothing is happening. It's like planting the seed. You don't see the roots growing underground, but that doesn't mean that they're not there doing what they're supposed to do. So how do you keep going? By measuring your progress in ways that aren't tied to immediate results. So instead of focusing on how many bookings you've had this month, focus on how many auditions you've submitted, because that's the work. Instead of obsessing over how many people are following you, track how many meaningful connections you've made. Small wins, right? Small wins add up. Celebrate the shit out of them. And if you're gonna work harder I hate to break it to you, sorry I had to find out this way, but you have to develop thicker skin. The creative industry is filled with rejection and other people who are going to have opinions about your work, whether it's positive or negative. And that's not going to change. But the difference between those who make it and those who don't is how they handle that. So here's a little reframe for you: Rejection isn't personal. It's data. It's feedback. It's an opportunity to ask yourself, okay, what can I learn from this? What can I change next time? Because maybe you need to tweak your approach or refine your skills or target a different audience. And sometimes rejection just means you weren't the right fit for that particular opportunity right now. But that doesn't mean you're not talented. It means that there's something. else suited for you out there, but you're not going to find it if you take that rejection and just give up. So let the rejection be fuel and not a roadblock. I know we've talked about some harsh realities, but now it's time to talk about why this mindset works harder. Nobody cares is actually super empowering because when you realize that nobody cares as much as you do, you stop waiting for external validation. You stop relying on other people to give you permission to go after what you want. You become the driver of your own journey. And that's a powerful place to be because again, the people who succeed in this industry aren't necessarily the most talented. You know that you've seen it there, but they're the ones who have kept going when it got hard. They're the ones who learned to work harder, smarter, and with more resilience. And the best part is that's something that you can choose to do right now today while you're listening to me on and on and on and on and on. So before we wrap up, I want to leave you with some practical tips to work smarter and not just harder. Prioritize. Focus on the tasks that move the needle the most. If you're not sure what those are, just ask yourself, what's the one thing I can do today that will have the biggest impact? Okay, make a list. I'm a big lister. Love lists. Make a list and prioritize. Batch tasks together. Group similar things together to save time and mental energy because you don't want to burn out doing all of these things. So, for example, dedicate one day to recording samples and another to marketing. You can break it up and do it every single day, but if you give yourself some reliable sort of boundaries, okay, every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, I'm going to do marketing stuff. There you go. That's batching. And tracking. Oh my gosh, track your progress. How else are you going to know what works and what doesn't if you don't collect the data? Keep a journal or spreadsheet. I have a free accountability spreadsheet that you can email me and I’ll send it to you. It’s an accountability tracker, where you can track your progress, track how you feel, track your wins, no matter how small, because seeing how far you've come is really motivating, right? Invest in yourself, take classes, read books, surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, join discords, join my voiceover discord, join the Acting Business Boot Camp discord, find places where you can ask questions. Be involved in the conversation because growth requires that time, money, and energy requires that investment in yourself. Okay? There's no other way around that rest and recharge. This might be the most important one that we neglect most of the time because working harder doesn't mean burning yourself out and burning the candle at both ends. You need to schedule downtime to rest, reset, and come back stronger. I literally have it. in my calendar to rest, because if I don't put it there, I won't do it. Okay, here is your challenge for the week. I'm going to challenge you to do three things because we know I love the power of three, right? Number one, identify one habit you can build to stay disciplined on the hard days. Because there will be hard days. I promise you, they're coming for you, okay? And you need to identify one thing that you can build to stay disciplined even on those days where you are not motivated, where you're having a tough time, because they'll happen. And it's, yes, I understand sometimes you need down days, but when you are struggling or when you're having a tough day, give yourself permission to do things on that day. Can be really empowering. Number two, reframe a recent rejection as a learning opportunity because again, getting that data about what happened is so valuable to you as a person and as a business person. Those are little gold nuggets that are telling us, they're signals from the universe telling us here's what needs to change, here's what needs to be built upon, here's the opportunity for you to grow. And number three, write down three small wins at the end of every day, not the week, every single day. The whole week next week, I want to see three small wins by the end of the day. I don't care if it's that you drank your daily water amount, because I'm guilty of that too. That's a win, because that goes towards your health. Three small wins every single day, okay? And if you take on this challenge, I want to know how it goes. Reach out to me. Email me, Find me on TikTok at AstoriaRedhead. All the things, right? Leave a comment. Whatever, whatever floats your boat. I'm, I'm here for you. I just want to say one final thing. Remember that success is in your hands. Work harder, nobody cares, and that's your superpower. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35343185

Episode 323: The Power of Three 02/12/2025

Episode 323: The Power of Three I'm excited to explore a concept that has sort of a strange and spooky and undeniable power in our lives, which is the power of three. This episode is inspired by one of my recent Substack posts that I called three, and if you haven't read it yet, please go check it out. But don't worry, I'm going to break it all down for you right here. So, why Three. Why does this number show up in storytelling, in structure, and even how we sometimes have to make sense of the world? Well, stick around and let's unpack it together. Let's start with that very basic, simple question: Why is the number three so universally effective? If we think about it, we tell jokes in threes. You know, three times funny in improv, a priest, a rabbi, and a minister walk into a bar. Stories are structured in threes, beginning, middle, end, and even in visual design, groups of three feel balanced and complete. There's something really satisfying about three. It's just enough to feel substantial without being overwhelming. Psychologists call this the rule of three, and it's rooted in how our brains process information. Too much, we lose focus. Too little, it doesn't feel complete. So whether you're crafting a story, building a business, or even just making a to do list, Three is a magical number. Our brains are wired to recognize patterns, and three is the smallest number needed to create a pattern. Two points form a line, add a third, and suddenly, you got a triangle. Something complete, balanced, and again, visually satisfying. That's why we see the rule of three in so many places. Just do it. I'm loving it. Eat, pray, love. And once, now that you are acutely aware of this, it's going to start showing up in all kinds of things that you weren't probably paying attention to before. But number three has this, it really is just like a magical ability to stick in our minds. But it's not just marketing. It's not just this gimmicky thing. It is us. Past, present, future. Mind, body, spirit. It's universal. Now nowhere is the power of three more obvious than in storytelling. Think about what you grew up learning. Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The Three Little Pigs. Each story has three trials, three choices, or three characters. And why, why does it work so well? Because three creates a rhythm. The first is the setup. The second builds tension. The third delivers the punchline or resolution. And of course, it's not just in fairy tales. Modern stories do this too. Movies have three act structures. And in my work as a voiceover actor, I think about the beats of a performance. The setup, the build, the payoff. I'm constantly looking at scripts, even short 15 second commercial scripts, to find that structure, that storytelling aspect of it, and I always find it and it always helps me fill in the gaps because we're just given a little bit sometimes. Fifteen seconds is a blip, it is almost nothing, but it is our job to turn that nothing into something. So if you're creative, whether you're writing a script, performing the scene, or designing a marketing campaign, think in threes. It's a simple framework that works literally every time. We are built to recognize that. So let's move on from storytelling to something a little bit more personal. How the power of three can show up in your life and work. In my Substack post, I shared three words that guide me, clarity, creativity, and connection. I already shared my word of the year with the specificity, but it all kind of boils down to the fact that these aren't just buzzwords, they're a framework for how I approach everything from my business to my relationships. So, clarity, creativity, and connection are my three, and I encourage you to find your three. What are your three core values or principles that define who you are and how you operate? Write them down. Like, literally, write them down right now. Say them out loud and let them guide your decisions. I'm going to give you some time to think about it, obviously, like you can do this on your own time, but if you're struggling and you're just like, I don't know what defines me. I can't figure it out. Thanks a lot, Mandy. Think about these three questions to find your three: Ask yourself, what matters most to you right now? What do you want to be known for? What principles help you make decisions? And you're going to write down a bunch of words. Write down a bunch of words. When I was finding my three, I wrote down a bunch of words that don't even have anything to do with anything. I just wrote down words that I like. Like, I really love the word elixir, okay? But that's not going to help me. But it's going to help you just get it out so that you're not distracted by it. And here's another tip: When you're overwhelmed or stuck, you should break things down into threes. Three goals for the day. Three priorities for the week. It is such a simple way to focus and move forward. And then reset every single time you need to move forward. It's just going to give you that balance and structure and boundary that you need. And just like I told you to ask yourself those three questions, again, it is that type of reliability that is going to give you comfort and confidence. So I also want to talk about how three applies in business. If you're running your own creative business, like I do, you have to think about how you communicate your offerings. Too many options like a fricking cheesecake factory menu can confuse potential clients. Instead, guess what? If you present three clear choices, you are almost guaranteed to get clear answers. So for example, if you're a voiceover actor, you might offer three tiers of a service. Quick turnaround time, premium full production package, and a middle of the road option. Or if you're marketing yourself, you can focus on three key traits that set you apart. And for me, it's professionalism, creativity, and a little bit of sass. Right? That's my brand in a nutshell, like we talked about in the last episode about branding. And when you keep things simple and structured, people are more likely to understand and engage with what you're offering, which is your goal as a business owner. So I want you to look at your website, your social media, your pitch materials, including emails, subject lines. Are you overloading your audience with too much information? I know that we all want to be seen as experts. I know that we all have amazing skills that sometimes we gatekeep because we don't think anybody's going to give a shit about them. Sometimes they will, sometimes they won't. But, you owe it to the person that's landing on your website or listening to your stuff. You owe it to them to show them that you can deliver what you say you're going to deliver. So if you go on my website, I say that I am an expert in commercials with, along with some like two or three other things, right? But I am an expert in commercial delivery. People landing on my website might need me for something else, but they also know that they're going to get expert commercial delivery. I don't hide behind other things. It is right up front, right there. Here's my commercial demos. Here's my commercial reels. Here's some videos. It's all commercial focused. And then comes the other stuff. So how I communicate, how I create content, how I connect with people, is as this expert in these things. So can you simplify your message into three core points? Can you provide that clarity to the people who want to hire you for the things you owe it to them to be able to do that as part of your job as a creative entrepreneur? Some actionable takeaways from this are how can you start using the power of three in your life today? You're gonna define your three words, your three core words, three values or principles that represent you and you're gonna use them as your North Star. Then you're gonna set three goals. I don't care what they are. It can be for the day, for the week, for the month. You pick three things to focus on and you will be amazed at how much clarity this is going to bring to your life. And then thirdly, you're going to simplify your message. You're in business, babe. You need to boil down your offerings into three clear points. The rule of three isn't just a trick or a gimmick. It's a way to bring focus, balance, and impact to everything you do. So there you have it. The power of three. Whether you're telling stories, or running a business, or just trying to organize your fucking life, this little number is your secret weapon. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35247335

Episode 322: Interview with Diane Strand 02/05/2025

Episode 322: Interview with Diane Strand About Diane: Diane Strand is a multi-award-winning serial entrepreneur, executive producer, best-selling author, nonprofit founder, and a TEDx and national speaker. Strand has over 22 years of entrepreneurial experience. She is the majority owner of JDS Video & Media Productions, Inc. and JDS Actors Studio, and the founder of the 501(c)3 nonprofit JDS Creative Academy (JDSCA). Strand is the creator, executive producer, and co-host of the locally broadcasted and nationally streamed magazine-style news and information television series, Spirit of Innovation: Arts Across America, the first of its kind for Riverside County. Strand has written two approved curriculums: A Title 17 video production job-training day program for adults with developmental disabilities and a California State Apprenticeship program. She has helped launch over 100 careers in arts and entertainment. She aspires to make dreams come true by providing H.O.P.E. – Helping One Person Everyday. Her goal is to spread the Arts Across America and inspire new creative academies across the country. She is deeply involved in the local community as an active Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce member, serving as the DEI Chair, and on the Women in Business committee. She served three years as the elected Board President of Southwest Economic Development Coalition and recently completed a 10-year service as an appointed Board Member for Riverside County’s Workforce Development. Prior to her entrepreneurship, Strand earned an impressive list of Hollywood A-List credits on shows such as: General Hospital, Friends, and Veronica's Closet. She built the high-def control room at Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), produced for Barbra Streisand, and worked for Universal Creative and as an in-house producer for Disney Channel, including the launches of Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35155730

Episode 321: The 3 Elements of Personal Branding 01/29/2025

Episode 321: The 3 Elements of Personal Branding I am talking about all things voiceover and creative entrepreneurialism. Hope you are having a fantastic Wednesday. Let's jump right into today's topic, which is branding. And I want to sort of unpack the essence of what branding is because we are drawn in to people who do this for a living. People who create brands for actors. And I just want to get it out into the open. That if you don't have a catchy tagline, if you don't have a palette of colors, if you don't have a logo, it's okay. You don't have to have those things in order to be a successful actor business person. If you do have those things, that's amazing. And if you want those things, you can absolutely have them and incorporate them into your business. However, you don't have to have them in order to be successful. But let's just talk about the entire branding package, what it is, why it is, and all of those things. Let's get into it. So if you follow me on my sub stack, thank you by the way you will remember I wrote a post called brand and it's been resonating with so many people. And if you haven't read it yet, I encourage you to go check it out. It's packed with insights and things that I'm going to expand upon today. You can go and find it on the actor's index on a sub stack, but grab a notebook, grab a cup of coffee, whatever helps you focus. And let's talk about what branding really is and how you can develop yours without all of the bells and whistles that we often get tempted to buy into. So first things first, when you hear the word branding, most of us automatically do think of logos and colors and catchy taglines. And yes, those are part of branding, but they're not the whole picture. Branding is the perception people have of you. It's the emotional connection you create with your audience, clients, your community, your colleagues. It's the way people feel when they hear your name, see your work, listen to your work or engage with your content. So for example, if you think about your favorite brands, whatever they are. Why do you love them? Chances are it's not because they have a cute logo or it's not because they use your favorite color. It's related to the way that they make you feel or how they impact your life. That is the magic of branding. So personal branding is a huge part of my journey as a voiceover actor and coach because when I first started out, I thought branding was just about “looking professional.” But over time, I really realized that it is so much deeper than that. It's about communicating who you are, your personality, your values, what makes you unique, what you care about, and how you continue to care about others, and what their problems are and their pain points are and how you can help to solve those issues. So for me, my brand is all about being sassy, trying to be witty, clever, telling it like it is while delivering professional and polished work. It's in everything I do from my TikTok series, like the voiceover actor help desk, to the way I write on my sub stack to how I'm talking to you now. And most importantly, it's authentically me, you know, like nobody else is going to see those things or listen to those things and think that it's coming from something else. And that is something that I have spent a lot of time crafting. And you can too. I don't have a logo. I don't have a color palette. I don't have any kind of catchy phrases that people associate with me. And that's okay. It's okay to not have them, and it's okay to have them. The key to personal branding is consistency. So it boils down to what people need to know about what to expect from you, whether it's your tone of voice. The way you show up online, the day that you show up online, or the kind of work you deliver, consistency continues to build trust. So what makes a strong brand? There's kind of three parts to this, and I've already sort of talked about the visual identity which includes or could include your logo, color palette, overall design. Aesthetic, whatever it is, even as an individual person in my, you know, internet life, I'm Astoria redhead, I have red hair. I live in Astoria, so that's sometimes part of my visual identity is that name and those things. Right? But you're sending out emails to potential clients, your visual branding. Could make a statement about who you are. Second is your tone of voice and how you communicate. It's just as important, you know, as the visual aspect. Are you formal and polished? Are you casual and conversational? Your tone should align with your audience and your goals. And then lastly, it's your values and your mission. What are the things you stand for? What's your why? You know, people connect with brands that have a purpose. For me, my mission is to help creatives and voiceover actors succeed while staying true to themselves. That's what drives everything I do on the coaching side of things, right? But of course, branding isn't all sunshine and rainbows. One of the biggest challenges is staying consistent. While evolving, your brand has to grow with you. You don't want to lose the core of what makes you just because you change something or become something in addition to what you already are. And another challenge is standing out in this very, very, very crowded marketplace. Every part of the entertainment industry, you're going to hear somebody say, Oh, well, it's oversaturated, saturated. Of course it is. In the voiceover world, there's so many talented people, but what makes them different isn't just their voice, it's their personality and expertise and all of the other things that make them unique. And just because there's lots of people who do these things, not everybody gets the same jobs all the time. There's room at the table. If you want to do this, there's room for you, but you can't copy someone else's success. You can't just show up and not have who you are and what you bring to the table together, right, which is another thing that sort of, I think, really gets in people's minds and forces them almost into imposter syndrome if you don't know who you are. And you don't understand what you bring to the table, you're going to start to spiral in who am I, why do I claim this certain brand identity, why am I this person, why can't I be like that, why am I not doing this, am I not good enough, am I not right enough, you're going to spiral. We never want to be in that place because the truth is your uniqueness is your superpower, and you need to own that shit, identify it and own it. Okay, so if you're if you're really ready to start branding or refining your brand, the key kind of things to keep in mind are who are your audience? Who are you trying to connect with? What do they care about? Authenticity. I know we're kind of sick of this word, but don't try to copy someone else's brand. It's just not gonna work for you. Just be authentic to who you are. Whoever that person is, zero in on that and then stay consistent from your social media to your email signature. Everything should feel cohesive. Then ask for feedback. Ask for feedback. Sometimes other people see things about a brand that we don't. Sometimes there's something going on with what you're putting out into the world that may just not be hitting the mark. And it's because there's a disconnect. Sometimes you need to ask for feedback and then evolve strategically as you grow, let your brand grow with you too. As you start to develop new skills, put them out into the world. You don't just have to be a niche person, a niche brand. You can develop those things. Just don't stray too far from your roots. And remember, branding isn't a one time thing. If you don't like something, you take it down and you add something else. You can change. It's yours. You get to decide, but be patient. Don't just throw something up out into the world and then pull it back in automatically because you're scared. Give it some time. Okay, let's recap. Branding is about connection, authenticity, consistency. Whether you're a voiceover actor, a creative entrepreneur, or just somebody who wants to make an impact, your brand is your story. It's who you are. You cannot separate those two things. So if you want to talk more about this, if you want more brand insights, definitely check out my sub stack post brand and while you're there, subscribe so you don't miss any of my future posts. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/35058770

Episode 320: Specificity 01/22/2025

Episode 320: Specificity My co coach over here at Acting Business Bootcamp, VO expert extraordinaire, Mandy Fisher will now be joining the podcast as my co host. Today for her first episode ever on the Acting Business Bootcamp podcast, she is going to be talking about specificity, being clear about who you are and what you offer. And also about who you are reaching out to building a business includes growing it and building trust. I want to dive right into my word of the year for 2025. And this is a practice that I started doing a couple of years ago because I think it helps you enter the year with intention. And so this year, my word is specificity. Why specificity, Mandy? Why are we talking about being specific? Well, because it's the game changer. It is literally a game changer that's going to help you refine your messaging, your actions, and ultimately your results. So whether you're a voiceover actor, a creative entrepreneur, or anyone trying to land more opportunities, grow your business, getting specific is the key to cutting through the noise and all of the other shit that's happening and reaching exactly who you want to reach, which are people who are going to hire you for what it is that you do. So grab a notebook or just take this all in. Take a deep breath because we're going to talk about how specificity in your content and actions can transform your outreach to agents and casting directors or direct marketing clients and even how it can improve your website and emails to bring in more inbound opportunities. So, why does specificity matter? Let's start with that. In this world where everyone is shouting from the rooftops, like everybody, especially people in these positions like agents and casting directors and your direct marketing clients where they get pitched to by actors, and even other vendors. All the time, all day, every day, probably, vague messages get drowned. They get drowned out by all of these other people constantly seeking their attention, their money, their value, whatever it is. Think about the emails that you receive. How often do you just skim and delete and skim and delete and slide left or right or whatever it is to delete on your device. Like how often do you do that? Because the sender doesn't grab you with something clear and relevant, right? Casting directors, agents, and clients are no different. They need to know exactly who you are, what you do, and why you're the solution to their problem. Specificity also builds trust. It tells the recipient that you've done your homework, that you're not just spraying and praying your message, but that you see them and their specific needs. Here's an example. Let's say you're emailing a potential client about their product launch. Instead of saying, “I'd love to work with you on this project,” get specific, reference the product, point out a gap in their current marketing, explain exactly how your voiceover services or things that you do alongside a voiceover, whether it's editing or SEO or whatever, can help them solve that problem. Specificity shows confidence. It makes you an expert. And that gets results. Now let's talk about your content. Specificity in your content means creating work that is tailored for the audience you want to reach. On your website, for example, are you speaking to everyone or are you speaking directly to your ideal client? And I'm not saying that you can't have multiple things that you do. I do lots of things. But it's better to be an expert in one thing than to do a lot of things, like, pretty well. There's lots of actors who do a ton of things really well or moderately well. How many of them do you see that are experts in what they're doing? Now, I would say probably not a ton, and that's not a dig at their talent, but people want to work with people who know what they're doing to the degree that they are paying for, right? So, does your website spell out exactly what you offer in the language that these people landing on it will understand? Not just casting directors and agents, but direct marketing clients as well? Because remember, we need to speak the language of the people that we are talking to. And if you're a voiceover actor, think about your demos and samples and reels. Are they a general sort of mishmash, or do they speak directly to specific industries? If you're trying to book more commercial work, your demos and reels and samples should sound like they're frickin ready to go, and that you have the skills and you understand the nuance of commercial work. And if you're posting on social media, specificity means avoiding generic captions like, another day in the studio. That's great, but instead, just share what you're working on. And if I see one more post about “would love to share what I'm working on, but NDA,”… don't share it yet. Like if you're under NDA for a project, pretty soon you won't be. So just wait it out until you can tell us what you're working on because those posts are noise. They don't mean anything. They don't move the needle for anybody and it can just cause. Some weird toxicity cycle for you or other people in your community or other people that you potentially want to work with. Be mindful and specific about what you're doing. And that leads me to being specific in your actions. It doesn't just stop with your content. It's being specific in your actions is just as important. And when you're reaching out to agents, casting directors, or direct marketing clients, specificity is key. If you have something like you speak Japanese, you have studied opera for 10 years, you trained at UCB for 20 years. Like these are all skills that people have told me that they have that I didn't know. Until I started coaching with them one on one, and they were like, casually dropping, Oh yeah, I trained at UCB for 20 years, and I was like, wait, what? I've been working with you for two months, and now you drop that on me? It's nowhere on your resume, nowhere on your website, but you have this skill and this background, and you're telling me now? That's crazy! Those are things that are important for people to know, especially people that you want them to hire you. So when you're reaching out to these people in your emails, don't just introduce yourself and say you'd love to work with them. I was working with somebody yesterday who showed me her agent pitch and while there's nothing inherently wrong with it, one of the first lines was, I've heard great things about your agency. And that might be true, but if you don't say specifically what that is, perhaps saying, I've heard great things about your agency, like talking to, someone on your roster, they told me that you book a lot of interactive work for them and I would love to do that too. That's specific. Because when you get into that meeting, say you book a meeting with that agent and they're like, Oh, what great things have you heard? And you haven't actually heard great things. You just said it. You're going to be like you're great. And then you're either trying to come up with something on the spot or you're lying about something and that doesn't set a good tone. tone for the future of your relationship. So get specific or don't say it. If you're talking to people, I know a lot of people still actually do some cold calling. Don't just say, I'd love to collaborate with you. Get specific about what you bring to the table and why they should care. Even in your goals, specificity matters. Instead of saying, I want more clients this year, say, I want to book five new direct marketing clients in the e-learning industry by June. That's specific as hell. I love that. So when you get specific with yourself, you get clear, actionable things. And when you're clear, people take notice. Because when you embrace specificity, it not only makes your messaging stronger, it makes you more effective overall. It brings confidence to you overall. And think about how much time we waste when we're vague when we're living in Vagueville over here. How many emails go unanswered because we didn't take the time to personalize them. And I'm not saying like copy and pasting an email and changing out someone's name. Right? How many emails just slip through the cracks because our demos don't scream, this is the voice you need. This is the skill you need to complete your thing. Specificity forces you to slow down and do the work, it requires research, strategy, intention to be a successful voiceover actor. I didn't build a six figure voiceover business by being vague and being mysterious and gatekeeping my own talents. Are you kidding me? I know that it's a lot of work. I know it's hard to research. I know it's hard to send personalized emails. And when I direct market to people, I send personalized content. Doesn't that take a long time, Mandy? Like, what are you doing all day? Yes, it takes a shit ton of time. It takes a lot of time to create custom content for people that I'm pitching to. But the payoff is huge. Specificity leads to clarity. Clarity leads to action. And action. Leads to results. So as you head into 2025, I'm going to challenge you to take a hard look at your messaging and your actions. Where can you get more specific? How can you tailor your outreach, your content, and your mindset to reach the exact people that you want to work with? So here's your homework: Number one, you're going to audit your website and portfolio. You're going to take ten minutes to review your website front to back, like all the Lever 2000 parts. You're going to look at all of it, and you're going to assess, does it clearly communicate who you are? What you do, the types of clients or projects you're looking to do, I want you to write down one specific tweak you can make this week to improve it. Number two, you're going to send a tailored email to a direct marketing client. Identify one potential client or agent or casting director or somebody you've been meaning to reach out to. And before you hit send, you're going to make sure that your email is specific as shit. Mention something unique about them or their work and clearly explain how you add the value. If you're struggling, reach out to me, [email protected] Number three, you're gonna set one super specific goal for January. Whether it is Bigger, small, medium size. I don't care. You're going to land a new client, refreshing your demo, creating a new sample, posting consistently on social media, write it down and outline the first step that you're going to do to make it happen. And remember, the more specific you get, the easier it is to take action. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/34950390

Episode 319: The LA Fires & Dealing with Stress 01/15/2025

Episode 319: The LA Fires & Dealing with Stress I hope you had A safe week. I am actually recording this podcast from New York. However, I do live in Los Angeles and I own a house there. And, like so many, all of us Angelenos, it's been a terrifying week, and I'm saying it's been a terrifying week, and I haven't even been there. But I've been watching the fire creep closer to my house, and at the moment I am recording this, thankfully, I am out of immediate danger. My family is out of immediate danger. My house is out of immediate danger. I want to talk today. Briefly, this will be a shorter podcast about stress. Because over the past two weeks, I have endured a lot of stress. My mom and dad came out to Los Angeles to celebrate the holidays with us. And on Christmas night, my mom unfortunately had a stroke. She spent the night in the hospital. And believe it or not, this is my mom's seventh. That once I got my parents settled, almost like I went upstairs and that's when I heard about the fires in L.A. and it was stressful with my mom because she didn't have all of her doctors around her. And that was stressful. And then I got her home and I was like, okay, because I kept saying to myself, okay just wait till Sunday, just get her settled on Sunday. And then, I got her settled over the next couple of days and then this happened. So stress has been something that I have personally been dealing with. I also need to say I fully realized that my stress is my stress but the stress to those people who have lost houses is unimaginable. What I want to talk about is just one thing, because sometimes when so much is happening, it's the only thing we can do is focus on just one thing. And that is the tool of journaling. One of the things that I've picked back up recently, because of the situation with my mom, but also because I've decided to, quite frankly, go deeper with my spiritual practice. I'm doubling down. I'm raising the level. I am raising the frequency. Of what I am living, of how I am living. And one of the things that has helped me to do that is stream of consciousness journaling. I found it before everything happened with my mom, meditating, to be something, I wouldn't call meditation easy, but something that I enjoyed. But while this has been going on, that has proven to be a bit too challenging for me. Visions of the news, visions of maps, visions of, all the horrible things that all of us have seen circle in my head. But what I can do is I can sit down, and I always talk about getting a nice cup of tea because I'm a big tea drinker, sitting down and journaling just stream of consciousness. And, In situations like where we're in right now, especially for those of you who are so directly affected, I find that really forcing myself to do it for a good 20 minutes. All this is really necessary as long as you can till your hand starts to hurt. Now notice I say my hand because again when it comes to journaling I so strongly believe in writing it out. So that is my tool. Really, double down, raise the level, raise your frequency around your spiritual practice now. And stay safe, stay super safe, and take care of yourself this week. I hope this helps. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/34860110

Episode 318: Are You Too Nice As An Actor? 01/08/2025

Episode 318: Are You Too Nice As An Actor? Today is a podcast request. Yes! I take requests. So if you have an idea for a podcast, . So this is a listener who wanted to talk about the idea of being too nice. So being too nice. She said, how often have you heard, “You're too nice.” I have had a few times and while I appreciate the other person's honesty and transparency, it got me thinking about the undertone behind that phrase, especially when it comes to going after what you want as an actor, performer or artist. In pop culture, actors can get a general reputation for being, dare I say it, self centered or too into themselves. But you also hear about those mostly established actors who also get the, “Oh, they're so great to work with and are so nice. What rules do you follow? What rules do you fudge a little?” Especially if you're still trying to establish yourself as an actor. Does being too nice translate into being too safe? Is it a balance of being kind with luck? and timing. When someone says this, what are they communicating? You're not being fully honest with yourself or would be not being nice mean focusing on others, not on yourself energy. I decided to take this subject and tackle it this week. And give five kind of points on how to navigate that being too nice, but not being stepped on as an actor and an artist. Now, some of these things, guess what? I know big surprise. If you listen to my podcast on a regular basis, you will notice they are, some of them sound familiar. And the first one is just that, set clear boundaries. Being kind doesn't mean saying yes to everything. My favorite codependents out there. Are you hearing that? Being kind doesn't mean saying yes to everything. Clearly define your limits, and that means with yourself, such as your working hours, your ideas on a particular project, and communicate, how you would want to be communicated. So if somebody keeps emailing you, but you don't see it, tell them, “Hey, it would be better to text me instead.” Now there's something else I wanted to talk about with this. I really think that the idea of being too kind and being too, aggressive, which I'm going to get to in a minute. It also has to do with knowing yourself emotionally, and being emotionally self sufficient, so that your niceness doesn't overcompensate for your lack of belief in yourself. One of the things I talk about in the weekly adjustment, which is my core work class is that I talk about how important it is to be able to get yourself out of those emotional and mental ruts or spirals so that you don't try and look to your work or to your business to fix you. How many decades have I done that? So it's so essential that you set boundaries with yourself. I'm also going to give you a tip on if you are one of those people who just is yes. Memorize these words: Let me get back to you. I just need to check on something. Let me get back to you. And then you if you think you want to say yes, you can say that sounds good, but let me get back to you. And if you can memorize that before saying yes, you're going to help yourself out, especially during the busy season. Okay. Next one. Be assertive, but not aggressive. In a business meeting recently, someone said “you're very aggressive.” And I, I literally said, “No, I'm not. I said, I'm actually assertive.” And then they said to me, they go, “You know what? You're right. You're assertive. You're not aggressive.” And I could tell that I had really thrown them for a loop because they wanted to put that, aggressive thing on me, but I wasn't being aggressive. I was just extremely assertive. Stating how I felt and what I needed and ultimately in the end, they really respected that and I got a very positive result from that meeting in the end. Being assertive allows you to express your needs and your ideas confidently. But while respecting other people, I talk about in boundary setting, telling someone how you feel and what you need, but leaving the word you out, meaning you keep it with you. It also prevents others from mistaking your kindness for weakness, which so often happens. Again, I want to be assertive, but all of this is tied into this valuable core work that I talk about. And that is that I'm not going to other people to fill my insecurity. That I am enough in and of myself. I am able to be assertive and not overcompensate by being aggressive because, all the time through my life, I never got what I wanted, but this time I'm going to. Again, really using I when you're being assertive. Use the I statement. Keep it with you again. State how you feel and what you need, but leave the word you out and keep it with I. Okay, tip number three in the balancing the too nice with with, being I don't know not nice. Or, no no asserting yourself. Is align generosity with strategy. When you offer someone value, what that does is it builds goodwill. And that also should align with your values and your goals. It's that idea that Brian Cranston talks about in his book. It's about dropping off the gift of your talent. So I go into an audition with the idea of, “Hey, this is how I would do it. This is how I would solve the problem of the problem, the challenge of this character. So I'm going to do it the way I see it.” “And then, hey, if you have any adjustments or any other ideas, hey, let's play together and let's do that so that we're working on something together.” Avoid giving away too much of your time is something that you also want to do. You want to, again, give, you want to do something that mutually benefits people in this industry. Win, win. You need an actor to book, I'm a talented actor who can book. Not only am I good at my job, but I know I'm good at my job. Being Decisive Podcast Being decisive and also being solution oriented. Nice people may hesitate to make tough decisions, and that's because they're worried that they might make a mistake. If you make a mistake, you will be able to handle the consequences of that mistake. You will, because we are never given more than we can handle, but we are given more than we can control. In business, and this is show business, decisiveness earns respect. You want to be empathetic, sorry I'm having trouble speaking today, empathetic. But you also want to be firm when, stating your boundaries or or stating your opinion. And that sometimes will involve, potential conflict. If you are one of those people who do not like conflict, make your ears grow bigger and set up a consultation with me. We gotta get that shit sorted. Because the best acting is about conflict. Finally, is also holding other people accountable. And this means that you're not so nice that people walk all over you. I used to be somebody like that. And if you've only known me recently, you would find that hilariously funny. Because I'm not exactly someone who lets people walk all over them. But OMG! did I used to be. Somebody would treat me poorly. I'd make an excuse of why either I deserved it or why they treated me so badly. I would try and justify their unjustifiable behavior. Don't let kindness excuse unprofessional behavior from others make sure that you know when people say they're going to follow up with you that you follow up with them if they don't do so in a timely manner, you want to respect yourself and respect your timelines and respect yourself on people who you work with. And what I mean by that is, is that if you find that someone in the business is not saying, not doing what they say they're going to do, it may be time for you to look elsewhere for someone else to fit your needs. With all of this, the goal is being emotionally self sufficient so that you know you. So that you know when someone isn't treating you that you don't deserve it, and you know how to defend yourself. And also, you know yourself to not say that word, yes, immediately, but go back and say, let me get back to you. So that you can take some time out away from the conversation, away from the situation and really see if that thing that you're about to say yes to is right for you. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/34768750

Episode 317: Meditation For the New Year 01/01/2025

Episode 316: Meditation to Close Out the Year 12/25/2024

Episode 315: Practice Self Care At This Time of Year 12/18/2024

Episode 315: Practice Self Care At This Time of Year Today I'm going to do a podcast on self care. And the reason why I'm doing it now is that I find that December January time to be in some ways the hardest time. And I just had this idea. I'm recording this a couple weeks before the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays. And I'm like, Peter, you're going to need to really listen to this in a couple of weeks. But yeah, I'm going to be honest. I find December and January to be tough. December, because there's so much going on. And January, because even if I'm in California, it's cold. Sometimes it's really rainy. And I feel sometimes overwhelmed by the entire year ahead of me. And I hope someone out there relates to that. I do find December and January to be the two trickiest months of the year. All the rest I'll take. But December. December, I particularly find December tough, but January's tough too. The focus of this podcast is on self care. What I most need to do when I'm feeling overwhelmed, whether that be because there's so much going on or because there's so much ahead of me. A couple of phrases: Whatever you put before taking care of yourself, you're going to lose. And the thing you're probably gonna lose is your sanity, your peace of mind, your serenity. Also, I find that taking care of myself pays enormous dividends. I wish I'd mastered that one so much sooner than I did. But at least I think I've got it now. Which is taking care of me, loving me, because I'm the person who I'm going to be spending the most amount of time with in my life, and I want to make sure that I have the best relationship with me that I possibly can. And in order to do that, I need to take good care of myself. The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie There's a phrase in coaching and I believe I did a podcast episode about it called planting a seed. It's a very powerful tool where you say to yourself, “Yeah, I don't know how I'm going to get everything done, but you know what? I know I'm going to figure it out.” This first quote is from Language of Letting Go, and Melody says, “I don't precisely know what you need to do to take care of yourself, but I know you can figure it out. Rest when you're tired. Take a drink of cold water when you're thirsty. Call a friend when you're lonely. Ask the universe to help when you feel overwhelmed. Many of us have learned, many of us have learned how to deprive and neglect ourselves. Many of us have learned to push ourselves hard. When The problem is that we've already pushed too hard. Many of us are afraid the work won't get done if we rest when we're tired. The work will get done. It will be done better than work that emerges from tiredness of soul and spirit.” Seems obvious, but how many times do I just push through? I think one of the things that I've learned to do is when I get really tired, is I stop for five minutes and meditate. I find that really helpful. OMG, how many times do I let myself get dehydrated? Take yourself out to a cafe and journal, if you've got a lot on your mind. Thank you universe for helping me to change the story of my being overwhelmed. I invite you to support me in changing this and making a shift. And I think more than anything for me, it's when my soul gets tired. When I literally ache in my solar plexus because I'm so spiritually tired because I've been giving so much. But not giving to myself. Remember that balance. Find that balance. Give to yourself. It's okay to stop. It's okay to stop and breathe. It really is. And you know what? If something falls apart, I know, planting a seed here, you'll be able to handle it. Because we are never given more than we can handle. We are just given more than we can control. Because guess what? Controlling is not our business. Managing and handling is. “Nurtured, nourished people who love themselves and care for themselves are the delight of the universe.” And I will add to that, that good can come easily. If you're a workaholic, that's a hard one to swallow, but it is a true concept. And that is a True that good can come easily. “People who are nourished. and nurture themselves are well timed, efficient, and divinely led. Today, I will practice loving self care, even if it just means taking a breath.” /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/34478175

Episode 314: Your Important Morning Routine 12/11/2024

Episode 314: Your Important Morning Routine Today is going to be a short podcast, but it's going to be a very useful one. I'm going to talk about morning routines. I'm going to be using, I haven't used it in a while, the fabulous Melody Beattie. And this reading that I'm going to be coaching off of is called Morning Cues. Melody says, “There is an important message for us first thing every day. Often, once we get started with the day, we may not listen as closely to ourselves and life as we do in those still moments when we first awaken. An ideal time to listen to ourselves is when we are laying quietly, our defenses are down, and we're open and most vulnerable.” Now, I'm going to stop there because I'm going to tell you what I do for my morning routine and then I'm going to continue to read Melody's reading. Every morning, when I get up, I make myself a cup of tea. That's a non negotiable. And then,while my husband makes me a egg white omelette, as he does pretty much every single morning, He's a master at the egg white omelette. I just have to say. The guy should open up a cafe. What I do is I go outside and I look at the mountains because I live near mountains. And I sit and I go through two prayers. And after I finish those two prayers, I then open up my little notebook and I read out loud the things that I want most. And in reading those things, I am affirming them. And sometimes I'll be using visualization. Sometimes I'm just saying them. Sometimes I'm just thinking them. But what it does is it really tunes me into what I want the focus of my life and my day to be. And when I finish, I always say these words, “Peter Pamela Rose, suiting up, showing up, reporting for duty.” And that duty is not only to the Universe, God, whatever you want to call it, my God, it's also to me. And it's also to my life and what is important to me, in this one brief shot I have on this earth. So I hope that inspires you, but I'm going to go on and continue to read what the fabulous Melody Beattie says. She says, “What is the first feeling that floods through us? The feeling that perhaps we are trying to avoid during the business of the day? Are we angry, frustrated, hurt, or confused? That is what we need to focus on and work through. That is the issue.” We need to address and I agree that is very helpful and then go on to affirm that you will be able to do that or that you are doing it in that morning routine for me what I am filled with in the morning and this is I'm coming up on my 30th anniversary of doing this work is that I am at peace with who I am now. And I just want to become a bigger, better, badassier version of Peter Pamela Rose than I already am. She also asks, “What is the first idea or thought that enters your mind? Do you need to finish a timely project? Are you in need of a fun day, a restful day?” I also think that is a great question to ask yourself, because that tells you what you most don't want to do, which becomes the number one thing you need to do to build self esteem, to build trust in yourself. She asks, “do you feel sick and need to nurture yourself? Are you in a negative frame of mind? Do you have an issue that you need to resolve with someone?” Again, pay attention to those first thoughts so you know where the healing needs to go. Do you need to tell someone something? Is something bothering you? Is something feeling particularly good? Does an idea occur to you? That happens to me all the time while I'm affirming in the morning. In the morning does an idea occur to you? Something you could get or something that would make you feel good? What are those things? Embrace the good. Embrace the challenge. Embrace the learning that you are listening to first thing in the morning. When you awaken, what is the first issue that presents itself? You don't have to be fearful. Be brave. You don't have to rush. Go as slowly as you need to in order to take care of yourself. Lay. Listen. Be still. Accept the message. And then, affirm the good. Find that relationship between you and the universe. And state to yourself that today, I will suit up, show up, and report for duty. Mostly to myself. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/34379585

Episode 313: Interview with Matthew Corozine 12/04/2024

Episode 312: The Hazard of Making Excuses 11/27/2024

Episode 312: The Hazard of Making Excuses Today I'm going to talk to you about the hazard of making excuses as an actor. And I'm going to start with perhaps something that if you were like me, or you are like how I used to be the idea of it's only me. So it's only me and therefore it doesn't count or, I'm tough, I can handle it. One of the things that making excuses as an actor does is it stalls personal growth. And anything that would affect me in a negative way, I used to be like, “Hey, I'm young. I can take it. Hey, no worries. I can overcome it.” Until I couldn't. And so the first thing I'm going to talk about in terms of the hazards of making excuses as an actor is just that. Stalling personal growth. See, now, as a middle aged woman, I don't want to do anything that stalls me. I don't want to have any energy that is moving against me. I want everything moving for me. Because you know what? I deserve it. And so do you and this making excuses and stalling my personal growth, what it does is it prevents me from taking responsibility and it also limits opportunities for self improvement and for learning from my mistakes. I've talked about how when we make mistakes, those can be our great learning opportunities. The thing is that when I prevent myself from taking responsibility, what happens is that I'm saying I am not part of the problem. And if I am not part of the problem, there is no solution. I also have to say that when I stall my personal growth, I limit opportunities, because what I do is I'm so closed off in my thinking, and when I'm so closed off in my thinking, I don't know what to do. I'm only seeing that little bit. It's like I'm putting blinders on the side of my face. I can't see anything except what is in front of me. And I want to be seeing everything. I want to be looking at my life and moving things to work for me and the creating the potential for a better result. I want all of it. Not just some of it. It's like when I talk about the two power systems, I have the ego power system, and I have the universal power system. When I am in my ego power system, I have only finite energy. Energy that begins and ends with me. When I am in the universe power system, oh my gosh, it's infinite and what I want to do as a finite human is I want to hook up a a pipeline to the universe to that infinite energy. The other thing is that making excuses does is it damages credibility. It doesn't only damage credibility with other people, my credibility with others, but it also damages credibility with me. One of the biggest things that I have learned in the pandemic and post pandemic is learning trust. And that trust within myself is when I say I'm going to do something, actually doing it. Like today I said, I'm going to record two podcasts today. So today I'm going to record two podcasts. Now would it be a big deal if I only recorded one? No. But the person who I most need to be building that trust with, she would know. And that is myself. That getting trust from yourself is in some ways the hardest person to get it from because it's also the easiest per person to skimp it from. So really, wanting to build credibility with me and not making excuses, even to myself, is so important. Because if I don't do it, I erode trust. I erode my own reliability with myself. And I make others and myself doubt my commitment and my own integrity, building my own integrity with me. It is of paramount importance. The other thing that making excuses does, when I talk about, working for you and getting everything to work for you instead of against you, is that making excuses creates a negative mindset. It creates a negative mindset. Again, I want to have an anabolic mindset, which is filled with anabolic energy that works for me, that that is growing, is healing energy. When I am in a negative mindset, I want to I am in catabolic energy, and that is, I just described it to my weekly class I describe that as being like having a really bad virus. It feels like your body or something in you is working so hard against you and just making you feel so weak. Also, when I make excuses and I create a negative mindset, I rely on those excuses to create something that I don't want to create, which is a defeatist attitude. And that making excuses that create, that creates a negative mindset also it reinforces my own limitations and my own limiting beliefs in myself when instead I could be using it as an opportunity to do the thing that I want to make an excuse about to build trust in myself, build the ability to seek solution, and also build the self esteem that comes with it. And I always talk about how building self esteem, building confidence, what does it do? It improves belief in the self and self esteem. The other thing that making excuses does is it enables you to miss opportunities, and those excuses, what they do is that they feed into that dirty P word of procrastination. They also feed into that other dirty word of perfectionism. Perfectionism leads to procrastination, leads to paralysis. And what ends up happening when I make an excuse and I have a missed opportunity is that causes inaction. And it causes me to miss chances for success, or a learning, or an education, or an advancement. Finally, the thing that making excuses does is it also hinders problem solving. And it makes me think that I'm not that smart. Ouch. And when I blame some external factor, like the person I read with in that audition, or the fact that the casting director just doesn't get me, instead of addressing the issues directly, and those issues are, if I'm not part of the problem, there is no solution. What it does is, again, it erodes my ability to overcome challenges. When I come to that fork in the road, do I make an excuse or do I find a way? Finding a way, that increases my ability to solve problems, that increases my ability to let go of wanting to make an excuse and take the “easy way out” and go what may initially look like the harder way, but actually in the long run. The easy way, because when I don't make excuses, and I take responsibility for my life, and I acknowledge that if I am not part of the problem, there is no solution. I find ways of finding a way. I build self esteem. I build trust in myself. I build self confidence. And also, just as a bonus, I diminish, I neutralize, I minimize any anxiety or self doubt I may have. So today, let's find a way. Let's build self esteem. Let's believe in ourselves, just even for a moment. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/34169340

Episode 311: Interview with Tim Phillips 11/20/2024

Episode 310: Unsupportive Family & Friends 11/13/2024

Episode 310: Unsupportive Family & Friends Today I'm going to talk about what I find a sad subject, and it is about unsupportive friends and unsupportive family members. And I'm gonna give you a few points and things to think about. So that you can have the support, at least from me, and I'll talk about getting more support in a moment, that helps you when you're dealing with this. Now, the first thing, and I know because, man, I hated this word when I first learned it, was boundaries. Learning to set boundaries, clearly communicate your goals and values to others, and establish boundaries when necessary. This helps you to protect your energy and stay focused on what matters most to you without having that negativity affect you. Now, I think that's really important, and I'm going to say something about boundaries in a moment, but I also need to teach you this little phrase. Don't go to the hardware store for lemons. If you know that a family member or a particular friend is not supportive of your acting career, here's an idea stop talking to them about it. Stop talking to them about it. You have a choice. Here's another idea. They call, you find them difficult to deal with this particular person. Don't pick up the phone. Let it go to voicemail. And call them back when you feel strong. When you feel strong. There's another great phrase. I just thought of it. I learned this in a 12 step program, which is Don't dial pain. Or don't text pain. If that person, if you know that person, is not going to give you the empathy, the love, the support that you need, go to someone else, and if you don't know who to go to, oh, for goodness sakes, please shoot me an email. The other thing here and it goes right into it, is you want to limit negative interactions. When I go to places where I don't feel that I'm really going to be supportive, I remind myself that all I need to do is be civil and polite. And sometimes if it's like a party, I can ask questions. And just listen to other people. I don't have to be giving everything of myself. It's not required. It's not my duty to entertain people. I can ask them how their lives are doing. And I am going to walk away feeling, one, good that I was there for another person, but two, also that I have protected myself. Limit negative interactions. If there are certain people consistently undermining your efforts, consider reducing the time you spend with them. I always say there's another phrase that is arrive late and leave early, arrive late and leave early. And also, the restroom can be a wonderful place to just reconnect yourself, to gather your thoughts, to gather your resolve. If you're in situations that you can't get out of your family. For example, I, by the way my parents are the most supportive people in the whole world, so I can't imagine not having supportive family members. But I have had unsupportive friends, so I can relate. You want to support yourself with positivity whenever possible to keep your motivation strong. That's one of the things that is so freaking wonderful about that weekly adjustment class. We are All supporting each other. It's such a wonderful class on that line. Seek external support. We cannot do this on our own. It takes a village. We want to find like minded individuals who can uplift and encourage you and whether that is through an online community or getting a mentor or having supportive friends. Those are the people you want to be support surrounding you yourself with as much as possible because their reinforcement can balance out any negativity from other people. I think it does so much more than balance it out. I think it tips the scale. Also, Remember to stay focused on your vision. Remind yourself of why you are pursuing your goals. And remind yourself that you are worth it. And that you were put on this planet for a reason. And it is worth you standing up for. Focus on your vision. on your long term vision. When you do that, it helps you to remain steadfast, even when those around you may not. Support your choices. Don't abandon yourself, and don't abandon your dreams. You are worth it. You are worth it. Finally, respond with compassion. Oof, this is a toughie. Sometimes, unsupportive friends or families, family, may be acting out because of their own fears or their own misunderstandings. Try to respond with empathy, but don't let their worries derail your progress. Focus on your path, knowing that their opinions do not define your self worth. If someone is saying that I'm worried that you're in a risky job, with your goal of being an actor. Tell them that you can handle it. Tell them how much you love and appreciate that they're concern, but that you've got this and that all you ask is that they love you. They don't even have to support you, but just that they love you. Just that they're your friend. And then you can make the mental note of whether they heard that or not, and of whether you go to them again. Whatever you don't quit five minutes before the miracle. Don't do it. Keep going. Consistence. Persistence. Tenacity. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33904887

Episode 309: Interview with Risa Bramon Garcia 11/06/2024

Episode 309: Interview with Risa Bramon Garcia About Risa: For the past 4 decades Risa has worked consistently as a director, producer, casting director, writer, and teacher, and is a founder of The BGB Studio, a training space and artistic home for actors. She’s had the great fortune to have collaborated with some of the most talented, passionate, and groundbreaking artists in the world. She’s continued to move successfully from one arena to another – from theatre to film to television and back. With two feature films in her directorial body of work – the cult classic, 200 CIGARETTES, and more recently, THE CON ARTIST, made in Canada, Risa’s also directed in television, including multiple episodes of THE TWILIGHT ZONE for the WB, and several shows for HBO, Lifetime, and Comedy Central. Risa has cast some of the most memorable movies of the past 40 years. Risa’s résumé includes decades of classics such as DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN, SOMETHING WILD, THE JOY LUCK CLUB, TRUE ROMANCE, ANGEL HEART, FATAL ATTRACTION, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, JFK, WALL STREET, TALK RADIO, THE DOORS, SPEED, JACOB’S LADDER, AT CLOSE RANGE, SNEAKERS, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT, DEAD PRESIDENTS, TWISTER, BENNY AND JOON, and FLIRTING WITH DISASTER. She’s cast numerous television shows and pilots, including ROSEANNE, CSI: NY, all four seasons of the Showtime series MASTERS OF SEX, THE AFFAIR, and SEAL TEAM. Risa served as a Producer on Oliver Stone’s films HEAVEN AND EARTH and NATURAL BORN KILLERS, movies she also cast. Risa’s directed dozens of plays in New York (The Ensemble Studio Theatre, The Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club) and in Los Angeles. She calls The Ensemble Studio Theatre her original artistic home, where she’s been a member in NY for decades, producing and directing several years of the flagship festival MARATHON OF ONE-ACT PLAYS. And she founded EST-LA, a thriving Los Angeles theatre company. Read her full bio . /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33811922

Episode 308: Don't Quit 5 Minutes Before the Miracle 10/30/2024

Episode 308: Don't Quit 5 Minutes Before the Miracle A subject that has come up with private clients of mine and in my weekly group class has been the subject of discussion of quitting. And the phrase that I have been coaching on, is don't quit five minutes before the miracle. Don't quit five minutes before the miracle. And I get it. Especially for those of us in the U. S. who have been struggling with the industry this year. Let's just be blunt. It's a bitch, okay? It's just been awful. I have a friend of mine who's a producer and he says the word he keeps using is brutal. It's been a brutal year. But here's the thing. We're not gonna quit. There is no plan B. So let's talk about the things that we need to do to motivate ourselves to not quit five minutes before the miracle. So I'm going to have five points that I want to make and I'll coach a little bit around each one. So the first one is, and this is really true for someone who has been in this business for 36 years. Progress happens over time. And often it's that level of you work, you grind, and then you get to the next level. And then you work, you grind and you get to the next level. Now, something I've noticed with me is right when I'm about to get to that next level, whatever level that may be, that is when all my limiting beliefs come up. My self-doubt comes up, all like my demons as it work come up. But here's the thing, through coaching the principles and through this core work, I can go, oh, it's you again. Look at that. Oh, there you go. You may feel like you want to give up. But if you could just persevere for just a little bit longer. What you may discover is that you may discover you're having a breakthrough moment. And then you get to that next level. But understand that, it's darkest before the dawn. It's the same thing with not quitting five minutes before the miracle. It's when, it's those moments when you are just about I cannot do it another second. Those are the moments. When you need to keep going, those are the moments when you need to keep going. I know something is about to happen when I start getting really squirrely, or my thinking starts to get really stinky, that means I'm on the verge of something. It's so funny that we actually think it's negative. But what if it was positive. Again, I go back to one of my favorite quotes, “change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” So remember that progress happens over time. And again, you work, you grind, you get to the next level. And right as you're about to get to that next level, don't forget to keep on going. Don't forget to keep on going. Even though every cell in your body may be going, What the fuck? I wanna quit. Keep going. Keep going. No matter what. Okay, next one. Patience. Patience pays off. I just have to say, Peter Pamela says, patience pays off. Success requires consistent effort. One of the things I talk about with my clients is consistence and persistence and tenacity. Quitting too soon could mean abandoning all the work that you've already invested. And I'm sorry, no, no effing way, okay? No fucking way am I quitting after I've put in this much work. And that next step might be the one that creates the shift you need. Again, don't quit five minutes before the miracle. Continue to wake up, suit up, show up, and report for duty. And report for duty to what you are meant to do on this earth, whatever your dream may be. The next one is that keep in mind that challenges build resist resilience. Challenges build resilience. When things get tough, it's easy to want to quit. It's what I was talking about in that first point. All that stuff comes up right as something is about to break. However, pushing through strengthens your ability to handle future obstacles, making you more resilient and prepared for greater opportunities. See, one of the things I talk about is that fear of success. And when the thing about the fear of success is that at some point, what happens is that we have that fear of success because we realize that fear of success will mean that we will have more responsibility and more And that freaks us out just a little bit. And what happens, our negative thoughts come up, because it tries to protect us. It tries to keep us the same. It tries to keep us stagnant. Not because it doesn't like us, but because it wants us to stay the same. Remember, handling obstacles makes you more resilient and prepares you for greater opportunities. Number four, success is not linear. OMG, can I tell you about that one? I find that this business is cyclical. You'll go through the biggest drought and then you'll be so damn busy you won't know what to do with yourself. This business is cyclical. So is life. Progress can feel slow. And sometimes freaking invisible, or as I like to say, go is at a glacial pace and staying the course, even when you can't see the immediate results ensures that you are still moving forward toward your goal. Something that was brought up in my group class. This week that I thought was so interesting that they were saying that they're doing baby steps in so many areas that it doesn't feel like they're moving forward. But the thing Is that of course they are, because they're even taking those baby steps. Even by taking those baby steps, they are moving forward. That's the key. Keep moving. I have this mountain, I went running yesterday, and I call this this mountain Killer Mountain. And this mountain is, it's awful. I'm just gonna say, it is freaking awful. And I do it at the beginning of my runs so I get it over with. And I must run. I don't even know if I'm running at one mile an hour up this thing, but I keep jogging. I don't walk. I keep jogging. And as I'm going up it, I say to myself, while I'm totally miserable, I just say to myself, this is how you succeed. You just do it. Keep moving. You keep going forward. You keep persevering. Now, I'm not in physical pain while I'm going up this mountain, but I am working hard. Cause it is steep, okay? But the thing is that every time I go up it, I'm saying, okay, not only are my legs and my body and my heart and my lungs and everything getting stronger, the other thing that's going on is I am learning that spiritual lesson of putting one foot in front of the other. I'm learning that spiritual lesson of consistence, persistence, resilience, tenacity gets you there. It moves me forward towards my goal, which is to get to the top of the mountain, even though it may not be at the pace I would like it to be. I love this last point. Self belief drives momentum. Ooh, baby, there is nothing I like better than self esteem. There is nothing that I like better than learning how to not abandon yourself. Learning the importance of emotional self sufficiency. I love that. That's what I'm teaching every week in my weekly class. It's so freaking good. If you quit now, you're only going to reinforce doubt and limit your potential. All of my coaching is about creating the potential to get a better result. Creating the potential to get a better result. Trusting your ability to endure tough moments fuels confidence and keeps you going. Until the miracle happens. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33678692

Episode 307: Making a Pivot In Your Acting Career 10/23/2024

Episode 307: Making a Pivot In Your Acting Career So today's podcast is going to be about making a pivot in your acting career. The first thing you want to do when you are making a pivot is you want to clarify your new career goal. I understand that the goal may be to be a working actor, but what exactly does that mean to you? And when you've made a goal, asking yourself that follow up question, that empowering question, what does that mean to you? What does that look like? How will it feel when you achieve it? You want to take time to identify exactly where you want to pivot, and I think those questions can really, truly help you. Now, whether that is in a new area of the industry, or maybe with a new renewed energy towards a different area or a renewed energy towards an old goal? That is fine. The big thing I want you to think about is being specific. Really setting a clear goal for yourself of what you are looking to do. Now one of the things that I always talk about with my clients is, and if you can put this on a piece of paper, make three columns. In column one, I want you to put goal. In column two, I want you to put thought and in column three, I want you to put action. So whatever in life your goal is, you need to keep in mind that your thoughts must be aligned with that goal, your thoughts, and that means what you think and what you say, your vocabulary. I've been talking a lot in my weekly coaching group about vocabulary lately. So what your vocabulary is around that goal and also what your actions are around that goal, making sure that those actions are alignable actions. The other thing you want to do is really look at, and I'm all about the training. You really want to make sure that your training as an actor is where it needs to be. Now, that again, click on the link in the show notes, that again, I am willing to help you with. Send me your picture, send me your resume, tell me what kind of class or what kind of skill you are really looking for. Looking to work on with your new pivot with that. Let me help you. I'm offering this to you for free. So let me help you because this business is so tough. It is so important that you stay on top of your skills that you stay on top of them. Don't ever underestimate how good you need to be as a casting director, I need you to be good at your job. Now that may involve you taking new classes or gaining experience in some other way. But this is the thing we want you to be competitive. And therefore we need your skills to be at the level that other working actors are at. The next thing I want you to think about is leveraging your existing network. In my signature course, The Working Actor Road Map, and in my weekly class, which is the Weekly Accountability Group, I talk all the time about a follow up list and staying on top of your follow up list. Because you really want to be reaching out to those connections. Now the thing is, you may not even realize that you have valuable connections. Again, I can guide you with this, networking and making relationships with casting directors, with writers, directors, film festivals at film festivals, these are all things that you can do. Again, this business is a lot about letting go of the things you cannot change or control. And really embracing and handling and managing and changing the things you can. So I want to help you to get really clear. And in this step, I want you to look at what are the things in this business that are out of my control and what are the things that I want to change that are in my control. And I want you to put that here when you're talking about your networking. How can I network more? How can I get myself out there more? Again, if you need help, click on the link in the show notes and we will talk about it. The other thing is as I want you to look at, and this is again where I get very woogie about putting this in a podcast just for general consumption, because I have a theory about your materials. You want to be going over your materials. That's the next step here. But this is the thing. The biggest mistake that I feel actors make is that their materials don't speak the language of the agents and the casting directors. And I want to put it to you this way. If let's say you have a day job. Okay, I want you to think of certain jargon that is spoken in your day job, or maybe your hometown, or maybe at your college, or your acting school. A jargon. And I want you to think of three words, like three big words, that if somebody brand new came into your university or your day job and they didn't speak those three words, what would you know about them? One, that they're new. Two, that they're not really in the know. And three, if you're gonna be in charge of them, you're gonna have to explain it all to them. That's how it is for casting directors and agents and managers. We want to be working with people who are, who already know the jargon, who are already speaking our language, because we don't have time to teach you. But I do. And that's the thing that I really want to stress. It is that you need your materials. If you're going to be revamping them, if you're looking for an exfoliation of your acting career, we gotta talk. And the reason is because you will be deleted or discarded if your materials don't speak the language of the agents and the casting directors. So again, another tip here is to really go over your materials. Next bit is, and this is a big one. Start with small steps. And I talk about this a lot. Anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time. Anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time. Big steps, giving yourself big steps in your acting career is just going to lead to nothing getting done. Why? Because our perfectionism kicks up. Perfectionism leads to procrastination, which leads to paralysis. So that is why we want to make it baby steps. When we do baby steps, one, we're more likely to get it done. And two, when we get it done, we build that incredible thing that money can't buy, which is self esteem and self worth and the confidence to go on to the next step. So baby step it. The next one I want to tell you about is seeking mentorship. And again, that is why I started off this podcast saying, hey, if you need someone to guide you through this, I'm here. Schedule a free consult with me. Let's work it out. Because you do need those outside eyes to guide you. And you want it to be someone who is qualified in this industry. Okay, last one. And this is a core work one. Oh baby, you know it because it's me, which is to be prepared for setbacks and stay resilient. Making a shift, making a pivot, can take time and may involve setbacks. And I know that freaking sucks to say, because already you're making a pivot because you've had a setback. And let's be honest, 2024 has been a rough time for the industry. The thing is that you want to embrace the lessons that you're learning. You want to stay patient. You want to focus on small wins, and you want to progress. The fact of the matter is this is your dream. And you've only got one life to live. So let's freaking go for it. Remember, being resilient is key in staying alive. motivated. And of course, all of my podcasts are here to help you. And so am I. So if you want, if you would like to be brave, or you want to get that mentorship, click on the link in the show notes, and I'll be happy to help. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33577267

Episode 306: Reframing Disappointment as an Actor 10/16/2024

Episode 306: Reframing Disappointment as an Actor Today I'm going to talk about reframing disappointment. One of my favorite quotes. It's from Dr. Wayne Dyer, he says “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” And in reframing disappointment, we need to look at it in a different way. So I'm going to give you a few tips. I'm going to give you some Action steps to do when you face disappointment and hopefully that will help you to move through it because again, another one of my favorite quotes, again, a top five is Robert Frost, which is the “best way out is always through.” So this podcast is about moving you through disappointment. Number one, acknowledge the disappointment. And this is so important. One of my phrases that I teach is awareness, acceptance, and action. Obviously, you are aware of the disappointment, but you really need to accept it. And acknowledge it so that you can then move on through the rest of this podcast to take action to reframe it and also learn from it and move on from it. So it's important to first allow yourself to feel disappointment, rather than suppressing it. Another one of my little phrases is, feelings aren't facts. And also, feelings aren't going to kill you. And also, this is survivable. Whatever happened that's disappointing you, it is survivable. But it is important to feel your feelings. One of my favorite ways to feel my feelings, especially when they're a bit confused or jumbled, is to make a cup of tea and to start writing it out. And I just literally do stream of consciousness. And it can be even, I don't know what the hell to write, I don't know what to do this is what happened and then I describe the whole thing and as I'm describing it, the feelings come out and hopefully some tears come out or some anger or I do a run or something like that. But it helps me to feel those feelings because suppressing it is not going to help. Recognizing your emotions helps you to process them in a healthy way. Everything I just talked about is processing your emotions in a healthy way, which is the first step towards reframing the situation and moving forward. So our first step is to acknowledge the disappointment. Again, awareness, acceptance, action, journal, those feelings out. Exercise those feelings out, but feel those feelings so they don't get suppressed. The second one, a personal favorite of mine, although it's not very pleasant while you're going through it, is to identify the lessons learned. I have said so many times that my biggest mistakes have been my greatest teachers. Every setback is a learning opportunity and has a learning opportunity, take the time to analyze what went wrong and what you can gain from the experience. You could've done that audition, did it to the absolute best of your ability, and still not have gotten the part. And you're like, you know what? I left it all on the floor. I did everything I could, and yet I still didn't get the role. Maybe what you learned is, that's the level you need to be performing at because you know you can perform at that rate. One of the things I think is so painful is living with the knowledge that you could be doing so much better, that you could be doing so much better. Trust me, that feeling is so much worse than walking through your fears to reach your full potential. That's so much more painful than being brave and best way out is always through walking through your biggest fears, because once you've conquered those biggest fears, then there is absolutely no limit to what you can achieve. So that is why it is so important to take the time to analyze what happened and what you can gain from the experience, understand how you can grow from this disappointment or this setback really helps you to shift your focus from this being a failure, to actually an incredible growth experience. And I know that's distasteful and makes you have just a little bit of bile in your mouth. But it's the truth. It's the truth. Your biggest mistakes are your best teachers. But take the time to learn the lesson. So you don't have to go through it again. Focus on what you can control. Now big thing I talk about is the serenity prayer. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. I cannot change other people, places, things, or situations. Courage to change the things I can. I can only change myself, my attitudes, my thoughts, and my actions, and wisdom to know the difference between what I cannot change and control, which is other people, places, things, and situations, and what I can manage and handle, which is myself, my attitudes, my thoughts, and my actions. Disappointment often stems from outcomes outside of your control. That first part that grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Other people, places, things, or situations I can't change or control them. What I want to do is to refocus my energy on what is within my power, which is courage to change things. The things I can, which is courage to change, manage, handle my thoughts, my attitudes, my thoughts, and my actions. And by doing that, by looking at what is within my power, again, my thoughts, my actions, my attitudes, those things, those decisions, that mindset, by shifting my attention to the things that I can do something about, what happens is that I regain a sense of agency and purpose. Also another tip is to reframe the failure as feedback. Instead of viewing a career disappointment as a personal failure, reframe it as constructive feedback. Again, what you can learn, and what you can gain, and what you can change. Really get this disappointment as constructive feedback. How can you make it work for you instead of against you? Ask yourself, what insights this experience offers and how can it guide you to further actions? The next time I intend to fill in the blank, fill in the blank. This perspective turns a negative event into a tool for, yes, you guessed it, Improvement. Next one. Practice gratitude for your progress. Often disappointment makes us overlook the progress that we've made so far. I always talk about progress, not perfection. Look back at your entire career journey and appreciate the milestones you have achieved. Adopt an attitude of gratitude. This will help you to keep a balanced perspective, reminding you that one setback does not define your overall success, or define you as a human being. I am what I am. Embrace that. And again, don't let this one thing define who you are. Next one, we're getting to the last couple here, is set new goals. Maybe you need to baby step it a little bit more. Remember anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time. Break those larger objectives into smaller, actionable steps allows you to rebuild your momentum and focus on progress rather than dwelling on past outcomes rather than dwelling on past outcomes. You want to rebuild that momentum. You want to get yourself going again. And sometimes by breaking it down into those bite sized pieces that you know you can swallow, those smaller action steps that you know you can take, you will achieve a little more self esteem to help you to gain confidence. The ability to achieve those bigger goals in the long run. It's like slowing down in order to speed up. Next one, talking to mentors, peers, or friends can help provide a fresh perspective on disappointment. They can offer advice. They can share their own experience, strength, and hope, and remind you of the Truth with a capital T, that setbacks are common, are a common part of life, and also career development. And also, support from friends and your mentors can help you to build your career resilience. Last one. Embrace the long term view. A single disappointment is rarely the end of your career path. OMG, when I was an actress starting out, I wouldn't get a call back and I would cry for days. And then at some point I realized that if that was going to be my approach to my career, I wasn't going to make it to 20. I was wrecked. I just would beat myself up terribly. Beating ourselves up. Stop. End beating ourselves to a pulp so that we feel we are such a horrible person is not the way to go. We need to, again, take those little baby steps to build that self esteem. When reframing disappointment, remind yourself that success is a process and is also a long term journey. This perspective helps reduce the emotional weight of short term setbacks and also reinforces your commitment to your acting career. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33477022

Episode 305: Quantum Manifestation with Jocelyn Sandstrom 10/09/2024

Episode 305: Quantum Manifestation with Jocelyn Sandstrom Today I am talking with Jocelyn Sandstrom about quantum manifestation. About Jocelyn: Growing up in Hawaii, Jocelyn has lived and worked in 12 different countries. This experience has allowed her to realize that even though we may speak different languages or have different traditions, at our core, we are all the same. She has used this knowledge to help and support clients around the world in creating next-level success not just in their careers but in their personal lives as well. Since 2010, she has been providing Quantum Energy Sessions and teaching Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Neurological Re-patterning, and the Millennium Method to clients globally. In 2022, she founded Wellness and Metaphysical, a community-driven platform that promotes a higher level of consciousness through expos and retreats. Jocelyn's mindset and energy work have propelled her career, allowing her to work with leading global luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Christian Louboutin, and Yves Saint Laurent, among others. She has been featured on the covers of Elle, Marie Claire, Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and more. Alongside her husband, she has hosted two travel shows and appeared in various feature and short films. Now, she is focused on sharing her knowledge and experience through coaching and mentoring to help others to quantum leap their reality. Jocelyn specializes in helping clients release deep-rooted issues from their past that are holding them back. She supports clients in building not just success but also fulfillment at the same time because success without fulfillment is empty, leading to burnout and anxiety. She supports her clients to discover their authentic truth and share that with the world, magnetizing their energy to start attracting people and opportunities out of the blue, enabling them to fall in love with themselves and their life while creating more success than ever before! How did you get into quantum manifestation? So basically I got into doing this one because my mom got sick in 2002 and so it was my inspiration to really dive into this world and I helped her to get better naturally and then through that at the same time I was working on my career when I was modeling and I was able to take that career to a place beyond my wildest dreams through quantum manifestation. And I just kept blowing my mind over every time I would work on something and a job would show up or an opportunity would show up. And so much so that my husband was like, what in the world is it that you're doing? And he ended up taking all the classes because he couldn't believe it as well because we lived in such a fixed reality of you do this, then this happens, you do this, then this happens. But when you play with quantum manifestation, you're co creating with the universe, things in your life that don't make sense, that drop in out of the blue, those magic emails, opportunities, chance encounters, being in the right place at the right time. And every time that happens, it quantum leaps you to a whole other energy. And so my passion is to share that with the world, because really, we don't need to be doing it the hard way anymore. There's this way that we haven't tapped into yet that just helps you to collapse time. And my passion is to help everybody to do that. My big thing is about waking up every day, suiting up, showing up, and reporting for duty. I so strongly believe that the universe has a much better plan for me than I do. Because I have all of my limiting beliefs that I've brought with me throughout my, throughout my life. And I have found that, that suiting up, showing up and reporting for duty, really, it's amazing how fast things work. Can you talk about the very beginning process of quantum manifestation? So there's a couple of different things. The first one is being able, I call it tapping into your inner knowing or your inner soul knowing, whatever word you want to use for that. We all know, I truly know that any of my dreams and visions are my soul or my inner knowing showing me what it came here to experience. And so to me in quantum physics, past, present, future, it's now like it's happened. It's a future memory, a future echo showing me what's coming. If I show up every single day and take aligned action. It's the knowing that's inside. If you listen to any actor that's doing their acceptance speech, it's this is for everybody that told me I couldn't I knew that I could, and when I first took my career to the next level, I was told by everybody that you're too old. You don't have the right look. You're not this, you're not that. Can't do it. And I'm like, no, watch me. And I just, that was so deep that I didn't let people suppress it. And so every single day I took aligned action. I know that we are an energetic match for our goals. The only thing in the way is our beliefs, our doubts, our worries, all of these stories that it then has to come through to find us. And so my job is to help you to find those beliefs, to shift them out, to clear those worries so it can drop in faster. And so if you just tap into that inner knowing, I have a soul evolution process. Anybody can message me on Instagram. If you do that every single day, you're going to cultivate your inner knowing to be stronger than your conditioned mind. Our job is to override the conditioned mind. Our conditioned mind is going to give us more of what exists. Like you said, that your soul, the universe, your knowing has a bigger plan. Like I always tell my conditioned mind to let go of the steering wheel and let my soul take me on the ride of my life. Because what's waiting for me on the other side is beyond my wildest imagination. So if I try and figure out the how, I limit myself, I kill the magic, and I get stuck in more of the same. And we're not here to play in more of the same. We're here to innovate and create and bring in the next level of things. Two thought and power systems. There's the ego thought system and power system which is finite. And then there's the universe's power and thought system which is infinite. And what I want to be living is in the infinite. But that has taken me to really work on. And what I love about quantum manifestation is that we're really talking about moving it as fast as it possibly can, and easier. So the thing is with quantum manifestation in the past, I used to manifest like individual things, right? Like I want this and then I want this and then I'm so exhausted because I had to put all my energy into manifesting that one thing that I'm like, okay, I need a break, right? Instead of just continuing to go. In quantum manifestation, we don't work on the projection, we don't work on the symptoms, we work on the root. We work on that root to shift that root from the core so that you're just being. You are just being this new way that all that other stuff just works. So once you shift that, it's when you're trying to untangle your hair, if you start from here, it takes forever, right? But if you start from here, it's, it just untangles effortlessly. That's the core, like really tapping into that inner knowing from yourself, reprogramming those beliefs, any trigger, any fear, any anxiety, there's a belief there, there's a story, there's something that we picked up that's not serving us, that's allowing us to be triggered. And so you just need to find what that is and shift that story out. An easy way to do it without the reprogramming process, is if you've really if you've really anchored in your knowing from within and you know that's the plan that's coming you know that it's inevitable if you just show up and take a line action every single day. I do soul work so if you tap into the inner power of your infinite soul because all our souls are same power but different or one of the same and so if you recognize that a lot of these things are just the conditioned mind of what we took on, but they're not our soul. If we're afraid of taking a leap because we're afraid of the rejection, the only part of us that's going to be bruised is our ego, not our soul. Our soul is infinite. And so if you can tap into that knowing and into that power, you can override a lot of the stories. You can say, Hey, that's not mine. That's my parents. That's societies. That's from a past life, whatever it is. And you can remember who you are, which is limitless, which is infinite potentiality. And so a lot of times just that can shed some of those beliefs. Other beliefs are so deep that we have to do a reprogramming process on them because your conditioned mind is so afraid of letting them go because it doesn't know what's going to happen, right? But when you can just cultivate that every single day to override it. And I love that because I love it. Yeah. Blow my mind every single day. I'm like universe blow my mind today. It's really change your thoughts, change your world. But it's not only your thoughts. You said something very pertinent that I think is so important, which is you're changing your thoughts every day. And you're changing your actions. It cannot be just one or the other. So you have your goal. You need to make sure that all of your thoughts are aligned with that goal. And you need to make sure your daily actions are aligned with that goal. You're taking aligned action or what is going to bring the most value to your vision, not just doing all the time, we're like, no, we're very clear that what is going to bring the most value to this. If I could do everything, what's that one thing that I could do today? I also talk about for those of you who are older tuning, if you can imagine a radio dial Getting it off the station of ego and turning it on to the station of the universe, if that makes sense. What do you tell the disbelievers? The people who are like, the universe has it out for me. Nothing ever good happens to me and I don't believe anything ever will. I used to have to do everything the hard way because my condition mind needed to prove that I didn't, I wasn't the lucky one that I didn't, it didn't just fall into my lap that I'm not, it's just not easy for me. And it's not like for everybody else. Until I realized I don't want to live that life. Like I don't need to prove to you. If I get to live an easy life, I'm the one that's riding the, riding down the lazy river. I don't care what other people think. So that's when I realized I'm not here to prove it to anybody. Like I'm here to live it. And if you want to hop on, I'll give you the secret. And if not. That's totally fine. You can continue to live that. The other thing is, we validate whatever story we desire to validate over and over again. Because we're the ones that get to live this life, and if you don't want to, that's totally fine, everyone has a different journey, some people want that journey, and that's perfect, it's exactly as it's meant to be for them, it's just not my journey anymore and validating it someone will come to me and they'll say, this always happens, I always attract these people, I always get to this point, and then it just sabotages, or whatever it is, and I'm like, okay, always, and they say, No, not always, but this. And I'm like, okay, congratulations. You validated it. Do you want to keep validating that? Or do you want to start validating a story that you actually want to live? Because You can say, I'm not, I'm just not confident and all of these reasons why you're not confident, but you're very confident that you're not confident, right? Or I just can't trust, I just can't trust this happens and this happens, but you can't trust that you can't trust, but you trust that you can't trust or that I'm not the creator of my reality. Everything is outside of my hands. And so you just continue to show up that way. So of course, you're going to have a reality that's out of your hands, but once you decide what you want that narrative to be and you start validating it like the red car theory. If you were driving down the street, how many red cars did you see? But then the next day if you did, how many red cars would you see if you were looking for the red cars? Like you'd see a red car down an alley parked somewhere because you were looking for it, right? So just make your new story, your red car, of course, there's a lot more to it than that, but that's where you get to start. You get to say, okay, what are all these patterns showing up in my life that aren't in my life that aren't serving me? And do I continue to want to have this pattern or what would I like to shift it to instead? And how do I then stop validating that story and start validating this story? And once you do that, your whole world is going to shift. Sayings is from Dr. Wayne Dyer changed the way you look at things and the things you look at change. A hundred million percent and overnight. Yeah. It's overnight. That's the crazy thing. I didn't realize how fast it would be. Like I used to always attract people into my life, so called attract, because, and we'd always start out at the same point. Yeah. But by the end of it, I'd be doing all the work, whether it was a partnership, whether it was a corporate company. By the end, I'd be always doing this. And I couldn't understand why I keep attracting these people until I did the inner work and realized, oh, it's because I didn't think I was worthy and deserving. So I'd start out this way, but then I kept having to prove that I was good enough. And so I'd keep taking on the work. And if they say, can you do this? I'd say yes. Or if they didn't do it, I'd say, don't worry about it. I'll do it for you. I got you. You take a rest, and then I would, I was bringing, I was creating it out of them. And the minute I realized that, and I said, stopped and I saw one of my ex partners and just randomly, and I was like, I'm not that person anymore. I know who I am. And I spoke to her, same power, but different. All of a sudden, the relationship changed instantly. And she started asking me questions and offering me things. I had no idea it would happen that fast. That's how fast we can change our reality. We get to fall in love with our life in an instant. If we realize that we're in love, that everything we're living now, there is a younger version of us that dreamed about it and manifested it. And so if we live this life for them and stop like living on the next chapter, we get to live this life, like that version of us that dreamed about it, like this house that I used to drive by every day envisioning my son playing in the yard and all of those things and then you move in and you're like okay that's great what's next right but then now I sit there and I watch him and Iwatch him in the yard like that girl that used to drive by I watch it for her and I feel the feels deep in gratitude while i'm creating the next level so instantly your life changes because just like the frequency on the radio you've now shifted your frequency to gratitude you're no longer in lack you're now in abundance And when you're in the abundance frequency, you just start attracting more abundance. And it just becomes that you get to love this incredible life that you get to live while you're creating the next level instead of, I just need to get there. Can you talk about how you work with actors in particular? Just like any industry, it doesn't matter what it is. We just go in and we find what those blocks are. I'll ask you, what's that pattern that's coming up? What's the thing that you've been like you plateaued in, or what's that thing that you want to open up that you want to call in when everybody says you can't. If you know that it's possible, I know it's possible. So then we go on a deep dive and we discover what are those blocks, where are they coming from? What story are we going to shift it to? What are we going to reprogram from the root so that you now just create this new reality where it just flows and drops into your life. It becomes effortless because you're just getting the things that are in the way out. So you become magnetized. When your energy is magnetized, you're not chasing the butterflies. You're building the garden. So the butterflies come to you. You will start receiving emails or opportunities in your, or you run into somebody at the Starbucks and be that thing. That's how I started doing corporate workshops, right? I wanted to do a corporate workshop and I was doing all the behind the scenes actions, and then the universe is okay, you're ready. And they dropped in a CEO and told them and said, Oh yeah, I have a team. I said, absolutely. I train, I do that. Suddenly the proposal I did, boom, you quantum leap into that. So when it's acting, it's the same thing. Those roles, those meetings, the right people, the right place at the right time, we just got to clear out the stuff that's getting in the way. That's already trying to make its way to you, but it's going through all of this stuff. And so when your job is to just be in the zone, to get in the zone and be in the zone to amplify your magnet your magnetism, you let your energy in the universe do the work for you. But of course there's aligned action that we're going to have to take. And a lot of times aligned action is not comfortable, but that's why I'm here. To help you to make it comfortable, right? So on that subject, I'm going to use myself as the guinea pig and I'm going to talk, tell you how I have come through this and then I would love to get your feedback. I have always from, and I'm validating it right now because I just consider it to be a fact, I have suffered from anxiety pretty much my whole life up until a few years ago when somehow the thing, if you ask me, what is the thing that frightens you most in the world, I will tell you, having a panic attack. Or getting that anxiety. And I know what that is. But then this started to happen. I went, that's not gonna go away, that is a pattern that I live with. And so if I just accept that it is a pattern that I live with, and I started to realize there were things that I could do that when it would come up would diminish it, and then I would walk through it, and then I'd get something else. I'd get the confidence that I know how to deal with it, which was like humongous confidence, right? So self esteem. So much so that a situation that I now can't even remember what it was happened, I don't know, a week ago, that the anxiety didn't come up anymore. Because I know that when it comes up, I will be able to deal with it because I have found the antidote for those specific things that I use tough love, I know what aligned action I need to take when it comes up. So that's how I have worked through it. And to this day, continue to do it and will continue to do it. And like I said, The anxiety doesn't come up as much, but would you say, and I'm even being brave asking it because I'm like, okay, I got it. I got it. I don't even want to know more, but I no longer want to be afraid of it coming up anymore because again, I know how to deal with it. Is that how you deal with it? Or do you think you just don't have anxiety anymore, because on some level, I do think, it's not that I don't have anxiety anymore, but it certainly, it isn't stopping me anymore, so I'm curious to get your feedback on that. The first thing, if you're I believe what I would do. What you did is amazing. Like basically our conditioned mind is here to keep us safe. And so if you push yourself out of your comfort zone, your conditioned mind... /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33385242

Episode 304: Nepotism & Keeping The Focus on Yourself 10/02/2024

Episode 304: Nepotism & Keeping The Focus on Yourself Okay, so today's podcast is motivated by someone writing to me, wanting to me to talk a little bit about nepo babies, nepotism. Of course, I'm going to say that nepotism and keeping the focus on yourself is the key. The focus because there's nothing you can do about somebody else is, birthrights or relatives, but you can do something about keeping the focus on yourself because that is your birthright. So my wonderful listener gave me this topic and she asked what my take on nepo babies and their advantages and disadvantages are in booking roles or projects. Again, what I would say is this is not something that you can control. And I talk about this in terms of the serenity prayer. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Courage to change the things I can. And wisdom to know the difference. And what that means for me is to grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Means I cannot change. Make your ears grow bigger. Or control other people, places, things, or situations. So whether I'm going up for a role where there is someone's famous relative going up for the role, As well, that is not something I can change or control. Courage to change the things I can. I can only change, manage, or handle myself, my attitudes, my thoughts, and my actions. My focus on that audition, regardless of who else is up for it. And wisdom to know the difference. Wisdom, my favorite word in the American language. Wisdom to know the difference. And that wisdom is the ability to know what I cannot control, which is other people, places, and things. And I can't change that either. And what I can change, manage, handle, which is myself, my attitudes, my thoughts, and my actions. So the ability to differentiate that. So my take on NEPO babies and their advantages and disadvantages in booking roles and projects, it's none of my damn business. My business is to stay focused on my work and what I can do for my life. This listener goes on to say, “What chance do I have, if I even have the opportunity to compete with one?” Again, none of my damn business. It doesn't matter who else is up for the role. It matters that I am up for the role. And that I take advantage of every opportunity that I have. And I need to do that by being good at my job, by being good at the business. But most of all, by knowing me, by being emotionally self-sufficient, I can get myself over these mental and emotional hurdles, so that I can do my job. I want to see, there was one more thing she said that I really liked. She mentions this, and then kind of goes with this, but I want to add it in because I think it's so good and you may relate to this. “I had just said to a friend, I feel like I'm always coming in second.” This is what I would say: Second best is only one step behind the first. Second is one step behind first. And last week I talked about tenacity and I talked about doubling down. If you feel that you're always coming in second or third or you're getting the avail but you're not getting the job or you're getting put on hold and you're not getting the job, my joke is all the different ways we can, we we can term that avail check, pinned, first refusal. If you find that's where you're at, it is time to listen to that Podcast episode, the one before this, right after you finish listening to this one and doubling down on your commitment. I also want to just give you a few tips on keeping the focus on yourself because I always like to be at the cause of my life and not at the effect of it. And if you think about the theme of this particular podcast it's right in there. The first one is this, and I said it before, but avoid comparison and despair. It's a wonderful little phrase. Compare and despair. Focus on your own journey and progress rather than mention than measuring yourself against others. Rather than measuring yourself against others. Another great one is watch measuring someone else's. Stop putting your self worth on and depending on other people's outsides by judging on your insides. It's just not comparable. The other thing is to prioritize self care. Make sure that you're taking good care of you. So that you don't abandon yourself. I did a great podcast a little while ago that got more listens than just about any other podcast I did about abandoning the self. Regularly engage in activities that nourish your physical, mental, and emotional being, and I talked about last podcast allowing me to be your mentor, allowing me to be that positive voice in your life, listen to these podcasts while you're doing the dishes, you're doing the laundry, you're doing the mundane. Because one of the things that I did while I was really starting this work, is on my cassette tapes, I would listen to, that's how long ago it was, I would listen to positive messages. So no matter what I was doing, I had positive messages going in, not the crap that was going on between my ears. And the final one that I want to tell you about today is really setting personal boundaries. Learning how to say no to distractions or demands that take you away from what it is you really want. Your personal goals and your priorities. Personal growth. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33291972

Episode 303: Staying Tenacious as an Actor 09/25/2024

Episode 303: Staying Tenacious as an Actor Okay, so let's talk about being tenacious. The number one thing about being tenacious is actually embracing it. And I talk about this in terms of my own experience, which is that my biggest mistakes have been my best teachers. My biggest mistakes have been my best teachers. And really understanding, when you make a mistake or you have a roadblock, you don't get a role that you really thought you were going to, is looking at the situation and asking yourself, what can I learn from this? And if what you can learn from it is what my mom always told me when I was a little kid, which is you pick yourself up, you dust yourself off, and you start all over again. And sometimes the hardest parts of this business, I was going to get emotional about this, has really shown me how incredibly strong I am. How incredibly strong and resilient I am. And what that teaches me is self confidence, and self esteem. Persistence comes from resistance. Diamonds are made under pressure. The other thing I want to talk about in terms of tenacity is maintaining focus. I think that is another huge lesson, one of the things I find when I start to get scattered is I tell myself to double down on my focus, double down on what it is I want to do to achieve. And just like I can look at my setbacks and write down what I've learned from that. What I can ask myself in maintaining focus is what do I need to do to double down? What do I need to bet stronger on me and on this goal that I have, keeping in mind my long term vision and not letting distractions or setbacks derail me from making progress towards my dream. The other slogan I love in this is progress, not perfection. Because remember, perfectionism is something that derails me and it derails me because with perfectionism, I get procrastination. And with procrastination I get paralysis. And that is the absolute opposite of what I need in staying tenacious in my acting career. The third thing I want to talk about is breaking it down. Now if you know anything about me, I am a big one on baby stepping. Because sometimes I'm either too frightened, or too intimidated, or too tired, or too scattered to focus on something big. I need to break it down into bite sized pieces. Now, not that I advocate eating elephants, but anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time. Setting small, achievable milestones to make the pursuit of my goal less overwhelming and more manageable is key. And also I think what's important is what am I going to do to celebrate? What am I going to do to celebrate my win for today? I'm watching a television show that I'm really enjoying. Because I say to myself at the end of the day, I'm going to make dinner and I'm going to organize myself for the next day. And then I'm just going to, I'm really going to enjoy watching this show because I've put in a good day's work. The other thing about that is something that a friend of mine told me at the very beginning of doing this work, which is I'm only responsible for today. I'm only responsible for putting my head forward. I'm going to be talking about the importance of being on the pillow tonight. That's all I'm responsible for from now until then. And this one, this next one is huge. Cultivating self discipline. Consistently pushing myself to work hard even when motivation is low or progress feels slow. Now, one of the biggest self-disciplines that I have is my physical fitness. It was something that I started at the end of the pandemic. And it was something that I applied using one of the tools that I talked about before, which is I doubled down. I decided I was really going to push myself. Because how I do one thing is how I do all things. So if you can get disciplined in one area of your life, it's going to help you to get disciplined in other areas of your life. Remember how you do one thing, that is how you do all things. The other thing, and this is my last little tip, is surrounding yourself with positivity. Now sometimes that's difficult because either the people you live with or your family or maybe even some of your closest friends may not be able to support you. But you can support you. You can listen to me. This podcast, have it going on in your ears as you walk down the street, as you drive in your car, as you do your dishes, as you do your laundry, as you do the mundane. Have positive messages like these core work sessions or maybe one of the interviews from the past. We have over 200 podcasts here. Let me be your positive mentor. Let me help you. Let me be there for you. Because we want to be seeking out those positive messages, those positive mentors, peers, and environments that encourage your ambition and your growth. And that's why I always say, I also think watching shows or movies that get you, and that can even be a silly action film that gets you going, that get you psyched. Another thing that I use is music to get me going, to make me realize that even though things may not look good, they really are. So let's go over those little tips again. So I talked about embracing your setbacks. I talked about maintaining focus. I talked about breaking it down. Remember, anyone can eat an elephant one bite at a time. I talked about cultivating self discipline. How you do one thing is how you do all things. all things. And I talked about surrounding yourself with positivity. We have a wonderfully positive community here at Acting Business Boot Camp. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33196757

Episode 302: Gossip and the Acting Community 09/18/2024

Episode 302: Gossip and the Acting Community This week we're going to talk about gossip. Oh my god, I used to love gossip. I used to love to talk about other people, what they were doing. Ugh, it was so amazing. Can you tell I was a teenager in the 80s? But today I'm going to talk about why gossip is actually not that great. And I have really been the target of gossip as well, and maybe I had to burn through some karma there. It's really hurtful, so hurtful when you are the one being gossiped about and you find out that somebody else is saying something about you, whether it's good or bad. If it's good, it's nice, but if it's not so nice, it's not great. And I think we probably have all been on both sides of it. If not, you're probably not human. But I want to talk about why it's not great as an actor. And it's something that I have really honed in on. It's been a long time now, but yeah, it's just something that I've really tried to curb. Because it's not nice. Gossip isn't nice. And I know this is not this might be one of those podcasts where you're like, I don't want to listen to this one. Let's listen to another one. But if you're feeling that way, make your ears grow bigger. So here's the thing about gossip. Number one. I have five points about this. It erodes trust. Yeah. It's very hard for me to trust someone who's talking shit about somebody else. Basically, what it does is gossip, it undermines. It undermines trust. It really undermines, and I also, there was once I had an acting teacher at Guildhall who said, if you don't want to be judged, don't judge. Because it really undermines trust, and especially if you're in a production of some sort, whether that be film, television, theater, commercial, it doesn't matter, it really erodes trust. It also creates an environment, and you create your own environment in this industry of suspicion. And it breeds insecurity. Oh my god, let's talk about acting class. I want my acting class where I need to be free, to be free of gossip and bad talk. And the thing is that people then if there's an environment of that, you become wary. You become wary of sharing personal information that really might be helpful for the work. And isn't that what we're trying to do? To become better actors. They may feel or someone may feel or I may feel that information that I shared while trying to find truth in a character might be misused or spread or might damage a relationship. So this idea that, gossip at the moment sometimes it feels so good, and let's talk about why it feels so good. It feels so good because it gets the focus off of ourselves. I have to tell you, I just had this feeling come over me, which was like, yuck. And that's the whole thing. Gossip is really yuck. Because what it is doing is It brings me back to this phrase, winners focus on winning, losers focus on winners. And that's why gossip is so harmful to us, but also to others. But I wanted to do a podcast about this because I feel this is not a subject that is brought up enough around in the acting community. And it needs to be because we are a creative community. The other thing is, and this is, it's very painful is that it really can damage people's reputations. There's two sides to every story, and maybe we don't know the whole story. And also, why is it our business? I find I, in the past, I've tried to make something that isn't my business, because I didn't want to focus on my life and take responsibility for what is going on with me. And damaging somebody else's reputation is so unfair. It's so unfair. The thing is that when we keep the focus on our own lives and our own creativity and on our acting training and on our business and on our core work, when we do that, man, we don't have freaking time to gossip or to focus on somebody else. And also, I was teaching this in my private class and actually in the weekly class as well, this thing about assumptions. We assume things about people. Or we assume that somebody means something when they don't. Watch assuming that somebody means the same thing that you do. We always want to get clarity. Are you saying, just so we're clear, nobody ever is upset about getting clarification. I once heard that assumptions are the mother fucker of all fuck ups, and that is such a great phrase. So I don't want to assume something about somebody else, just because somebody else had said it about them. And this is a biggie. This is a biggie. You know what gossip also does? It increases stress and anxiety. And I don't know about you guys. I don't know about you. I don't need any more stress. I don't need any more anxiety. And this is the thing, it also can make you feel very isolated. You think that you're connecting with somebody about how bad somebody else is or what somebody else did. But ultimately, it's going to lead to some kind of anxiety and possibly even some kind of depression, depending on which way of the spectrum you like to go. I personally like to freak the fuck out rather than get depressed. But, whatever your bag is. And it can negatively really impact your mental health when we talk about others. And look, I've done it! I have done it! I used to do it a lot! Especially as a teenager. I didn't know any better. But these are the things we want to think about. Because again, what are we trying to do? We're trying to do that thing that we most need to do, which is keep the focus on ourself and as actors on our acting training, becoming a better actor, moving ourselves forward in business and doing the work on ourselves. So when those opportunities come, we are ready for them and gossip has no place in any of that. And again, going on this idea of the toxicity. of gossip, is we want to create health in our lives. And what gossip does is it really creates like a toxic work environment. And that work might be in our very own apartment while we're chatting on the phone, or negatively texting about somebody, or negatively emailing about something. That might get passed along. We don't need that. We don't need that. We want to create support and love in our lives. The last thing that I want to say about gossip is that it's time consuming. Because let me tell you, it's going to be easy to find somebody who's going to want to jump right in there with you. Jump on the bad, the hate bag bandwagon. We don't need to do that with gossip. Other people, and we don't need to do it to ourselves. Because that energy could be spent on productive tasks. That energy could be spent on becoming more efficient in our acting career. Becoming more focused on our acting career. And that will stop us from being more positive. If you find yourself doing this, and this is a big one again, it's using your mind to govern your brain, I beg of you, catch yourself, just stop. Stop. Apologize to the other person. Say, you know what? I want to stop this because this is not making me feel good and I'm sure on some level it's not making you feel good either. Let's just stop. Let's talk about something else. It's okay to do that. It's okay to do that, especially when you're moving yourself in a more positive direction. Okay, one more thing. Just thought of this. It wastes energy. And we really only have a finite amount of time and a finite amount of energy. Let's make sure we're doing it that's moving us towards something good, Like a fabulous acting career. And a fabulous life. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33101047

Episode 301: Abandonment and the Actor 09/11/2024

Episode 301: Abandonment and the Actor Today I'm going to talk about the abandoned actor and this is something that I have been really delving into on a deeper level in my private work, the private work I do with clients, but also in my weekly classes. And it's the idea of when we audition, or when we go to a set, or anything, maybe it could even be in your personal life when some kind of pressurized situation happens. We abandon ourselves. And I'm gonna start talking about I, just to make this easier to explain. I would abandon myself. Meaning, I would abdicate my feelings, my point of view, my talent to everybody else but myself, and that's what I mean by abandonment. One of my weekly classes is in my sister coaching company called Chiropractor for the Mind. And what I teach is emotional self sufficiency. And it's emotional self sufficiency, by teaching you emotional intelligence and teaching you to raise your intelligence emotionally. And this idea of emotional self sufficiency, let me just talk about that for one moment, is that when I'm just talking about me, when I am emotionally self sufficient, that means whatever comes my way in life, I am able to coach myself, I am able to help myself out of that emotional confusion. And emotional confusion is a problem for an actor because when you go in to do a scene, you want to be in the moment, emotionally on point. You want to be emotionally understood. You want to be able to access every single emotion in you in the moment. But if you are emotionally confused as a human being, oh boy, do we have a problem. So here's the thing, through core work, which is all that I talk about, that's how we become emotionally unconfused. And it is also where this ability to coach yourself is so important, and that is especially important when it comes to this idea of how do you abandon yourself. Now, a lot about abandonment has to do with feeling that you are a victim, thinking that you can't handle it, that you can't manage the situation you are in. But as all of my teachings have taught me and others, it is that we will never be given more than we can handle, but we will be given more than we can control. I'm just going to use the audition situation to keep this easy. Why when we walk into a meeting or an audition, why do we feel the need to abandon us? Why all of a sudden does it matter what the writer, director, producer, casting director thinks, but not what we think? And one of the things I talk about with my private clients and in the weekly classes are, this idea that if I go in and pretend I am the character of Sally. If I believe I'm Sally, if the only person that I am focusing on that needs to believe that she is Sally is Peter Pamela Rose, guess what automatically will happen? Automatically, everybody else in the room will. And I've only had to put the focus on making myself believe. And when I do that, I am not abandoning myself. I am not abandoning myself. Now let's just talk about anxiety and abandoning ourselves. I want to talk about a few points of When I start to feel that I am, like, abdicating my responsibility for myself to someone else, the number one thing I need to do when that happens is, I need to become aware. And I need to acknowledge my feelings. I talk about awareness, acceptance and action. the first step in core work is becoming aware because you don't know what you don't know, right? So becoming aware. And as I am aware and I accept that, “oh, look, I am doing this,” then I can, then that awareness happens, the acceptance that I am doing it happens, and then I want to move very quickly into action. The subject of awareness and acknowledging is really about recognizing and validating my emotions and also allowing myself to say, “okay, it's okay to feel it,” but this is the thing, if I try to say it's not happening, or just go away please, which is what I always like to say to my anxiety, it's not going to work. I need to be in the room, with my feelings and go, this is happening, okay, how am I going to help myself with this? How am I going to walk through it? And this is the thing. I don't want to judge it. I just want to acknowledge it. Because as soon as I start to judge it as being something bad that is happening, that's me trying to get rid of it. Not gonna work. It's not gonna work. I need to figure out how me and my, let's say, anxiety can function together so that I can say, Oh, look, there you are. Oh, okay. You don't want to eat. Okay. What do I know? I need to do need to make sure when was the last time I ate. Okay. It was an hour ago. Okay. Set my alarm for three hours from now. That's when I'm going to eat. In other words, I need to practice tough love with myself and support myself and love myself through the feeling of abandonment. I also recommend that when this happens, you immediately go to either talk to someone, Journal, talk to the universe, or listen to one of these podcasts, one of my core work podcasts. Why do I say that? Because we need to get out of ourselves. We can't cure a sick mind with a sick mind. And when we're in that, we're a little sick. Our thinking is stinking. Stinky thinking. Journaling helps because our, the smarter part of ourselves, our higher coach gets in there and can help us. Praying helps, okay, or reaching out to the universe, talking to a friend to get us back on point. Or, listening to a podcast like this to get yourself back, to get yourself back. The other thing that's very important is that I take care of myself. That's why I go to the food. I know when I get anxious, the number one thing I don't want to do is eat. Therefore, I need to put myself on an eating schedule and then decide how much I'm going to eat and then I don't allow myself to get up from the table until I finish it. And if you think that I don't like doing this, you are correct. Not my favorite thing. But, it does work. Why? Because I'm going through. The best way out is always through. The other thing is, I really need to challenge my negative emotions and my negative thoughts. What is my stinking thinking telling me? And how is it making me want to abdicate responsibility for whatever is going on in this moment? Because I am capable. I am the most capable person I know. How am I going to take care of myself at this moment? What do I need to tell myself? What good things do I need to tell myself? And then, after I've done these things, then I need to put it all into action. Put it all into action. And not forget to Baby step it. Baby step it. It doesn't matter how small it is, because when we accomplish small tasks, we build what? We need that thing that we really need when it comes to abandonment. Knowing that we have the ability to get ourselves out of it. Knowing that we have the ability to get ourselves out of it. To regain, to take back our power in that audition room. And focus on the job. Which is to act. There's no need to abandon yourself. Stay with yourself, love yourself. /episode/index/show/actingbusinessbootcamp/id/33000662

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