The Zack Arnold Podcast

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

Guest Bio:

Sam Lavin is an award winning DGA director, assistant director and writer who has worked on film and television projects including “Lucifer”, “The Mayor” and “Criminal Minds”.

Samantha adapted and directed the British play “Key Change” in its West Coast premiere. It received an LA Times 99 Seat Beat Critic’s Pick for its innovation and raw staging of a story highlighting women in prison.

Samantha wrote and directed the film, "In Memory of Me" which screened at over 40 festivals worldwide, winning awards including Panavision’s New Filmmaker Grant. She also created a television show called "Out of the Frying Pan" which was optioned by NBC/Comcast.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How do I make my website tell the right story and attract the right people? [HSF]

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In this hot seat session, community member Ted Husband wants to workshop his website if the layout is attractive enough to his target audience. Rather than focusing on layout alone, we dive into a strategy that shifts the spotlight onto his audience and make the website more about them. Together, we explore how to guide his target audience through the site, addressing their needs and leading them toward that all-important call to action.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

[CASE STUDY] How to Make the Most of Slow Work Periods and Make a Career Pivot | with Malinda Zehner Guerra

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Today's guest is Malinda Zehner Guerra who is an Emmy nominated film and TV editor. She is also a long time Optimizer OG since the pre-pandemic days. Malinda has over 15 years of experience cutting a variety of genres on such shows as Shark Week, Naked & Afraid, and A Black Lady Sketch Show for which she has earned her 4th Emmy nomination. But what led to her interview today is her unusual story of transitioning from working on unscripted shows to doing scripted and eventually landing her dream job in one of the top level scripted shows on TV. Malinda shares how she said 'no' to an opportunity to transition to scripted as an assistant editor, why she decided to turn down the offer, and what she did instead. She also shares how she made the most of her downtime during the pandemic by going through the Optimizer program to help in her transition to scripted.

In this student case study, not only will you learn about the steps you can take to help you make a career transition, you will also learn the important mindset and relevant skills you need that goes beyond the technical aspect of your resume. I highly recommend that you listen to this Optimizer student case study to give you a better understanding of what you need to do to make your own career shift.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Malinda turned down the offer to assist in her dream show
The reason why Malinda joined the Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship program
How Malinda made her first contact into scripted during the pandemic
The subject line she used to catch the attention of the editor she's reaching out to
How Malinda maximized her membership in the Optimizer community (she only did a few Hot Seats!)
The exact exercise that Malinda did to identify her transferrable skills from different genres
The reason why people are pigeonholed and how to avoid it
How Malinda chose who to reach out to
How to have the courage to say 'no' to the wrong opportunities
The right way to ask for help from someone
How Malinda convinced the gatekeepers to take a chance on her despite her lack of experience in scripted

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep76: Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Ep204: [CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile

Ep172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

Ep192: [CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia

Ep179: Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello

Ep145: [CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin

Ep62: [CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello

Ep15: Transitioning From ‘Reality TV’ to Scripted Drama | with Monica Daniel

Ep160: Convincing People You Can Do The Job (When You Don’t Have the Credits) | with Chris Patterson

Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia

Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

Guest Bio:

Malinda Zehner Guerra

Malinda Zehner Guerra is a three-time Emmy nominated Film and TV editor. Her love for storytelling first brought her into the entertainment industry as a performer, but she soon found her true passion was in the edit bay helping to bring the story to life. Her body of work includes a wide variety of genres and formats in both the scripted and unscripted space. She earned Emmy nominations for her work on Naked & Afraid XL, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars and Born This Way. Her most recent work can be seen on Season 4 of the hit HBO Max show, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and the upcoming season of American Horror Stories.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How do I figure out what my unique skill set is that makes me stand out to potential employers? [HSF]

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In this hot seat session, community member Debra Weinstein is looking for guidance on how to better define her unique value and stand out in her career search. While she’s been making progress with the Design Your Dream Career course, she's hit a roadblock in identifying what sets her apart—why people turn to her and what unique skills she offers. Listen in as I help Debra gain clarity on her strengths so she stands out to potential employers.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

The Art of the Pivot: Going From Freelancer to Entrepreneur | with Nick Milo

Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Today's guest is Nick Milo, a long-time Optimizer OG who’s transitioned from the entertainment industry to the realm of Personal Knowledge Management (PKM). Nick worked as an assistant editor on popular shows like Better Call Saul, Coyote, and Blindspot. But he’s since left the industry to focus on helping others organize their ideas and knowledge more effectively.

Through his educational site and YouTube channel, Linking Your Thinking, Nick shares the strategies he once used to piece together complex narratives in television. Now, he’s teaching those same techniques to people from all walks of life, helping them boost their creativity and produce more meaningful work.

In our conversation, Nick and I discuss what PKM is and how it can transform the way you approach your work. We explore the challenges of information overload in today's generation and discuss practical ways to manage it. Nick also sheds light on how his approach to knowledge management stands apart from Tiago Forte’s concept of building a second brain.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information and ideas in your life, this episode is for you. Nick’s journey from Hollywood to helping others harness their creativity is also a testament to the power of diversification and the value of transferring skills across industries.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Nick found Optimize Yourself and how he and Zack reconnected years after
Why and how Nick transitioned from editing to becoming a personal knowledge management geek
How Nick bridged the gap between ‘this is interesting’ and getting paid
KEY TAKEAWAY: People don’t pay for solutions, people pay for results
How Nick grew his email list
What creativity is according to Nick
KEY TAKEAWAY: Organization leads to ideation
Better questions to ask if you have a collection of ideas
How to better manage your knowledge and ideas
KEY TAKEAWAY: We don't need more new knowledge every second, instead we need to get better at developing the knowledge that we already have.
How to avoid adding more information and becoming overwhelmed
How to overcome the limiting belief of ‘other people are already doing it’
How to converge ideas to spark the ideation process
The difference between PKM and Tiago Forte’s second brain

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Linking Your Thinking

Obsidian App

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

How to Master the Metaskill of ‘Ultralearning’ | with Scott Young

From Information Overload to Getting Better at Anything by Finding the Right Mentors | with Scott Young

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Continue to Listen & Learn

Breaking Through Your Upper Limits and Living In Your Zone of Genius | with Gay Hendricks

How to Be a Multi-Hyphenate Creative and be the CEO of Your Creative Career | with Nelson Paredez-Parks

Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Building Skills, Relationships, and Weathering Industry Storms | with Shie Rozow

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Find Your Creativity by Finding Your Why | with Dr. Mark Shrime

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

Becoming a ‘Digital Minimalist’ | with Cal Newport

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

The Zen-like Art of ‘Getting Things Done’ | with David Allen

Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Guest Bio:

Nick Milo

Nick Milo has spent the last 15 years using digital notes to create and grow a fitness boxing into an international company, produce two independent feature films, and become a TV and film editor. Most importantly, as he shares in his website, his use of digital notes helps him calm his thoughts and make better sense of the world.

He has tested and stretched the limits of linked notes in the real world from the fitness industry to the film industry, the football field to civil engineering,

strength training to the boxing ring, public speaking to content creation and learned that being effective at managing knowledge is a superpower—and linking your thinking supercharges it.

Today, he teaches through his educational site, Linking Your Thinking, the frameworks to unlock your ability to work with ideas in a way that is fast, flexible, and future-proof.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

TOP 5: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Tue, 27 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping.

For the next five weeks, we are releasing our best conversations with experts on the topics of creativity, mindset, and career diversification. You will learn the laws of creativity, how to master change, how to design the life you want, avoid burnout, and how to manage the negative chatter in your mind that keeps you from thriving in your life and career. Stay tuned for this Top 5 Series called the Creative’s Guide to a Thriving Life & Career.

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five-interview series with Ethan Kross. He’s the author of Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It. This conversation is going to help you manage the negative voice inside that keeps you from doing your best creative work.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode161.

TOP 5: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five-interview series with entrepreneur, author, and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Christina Wallace. Christina is the author of The Portfolio Life, which is an essential guide to finding the intersections in your life that will make you valuable in any industry you desire. This conversation will teach you how to become irreplaceable and highlight the next steps you need to take to keep up with an ever-changing world.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode232.

TOP 5: Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five-interview series with award-winning artist, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and photographer Chase Jarvis. Chase and Zack discuss how to find your creative calling, how to surround yourself with the right people, and how to make your life and career thrive.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode216.

TOP 5: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five-interview series with Brad Stulberg who is the best-selling author of Master of Change (among several other titles). Brad breaks down the science behind how we react to change and reveals a simple formula for how to manage it.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode231.

TOP 5: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is episode one of our five-part interview series with Joey Cafone, author of The Laws of Creativity. In this conversation, Joey and Zack dive deep into the details of his book and break down the components of optimizing and maximizing your creativity.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode214.

How to Work with Challenging Colleagues Without Losing Your Mind (or your job) | with Amy Gallo

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

My guest today is Amy Gallo who is a workplace expert and cohost of Harvard Business Review's Women at Work podcast. Amy is also an author and speaker focusing on gender, interpersonal dynamics, difficult conversations, feedback, and effective communication. Today, we're delving into her book, Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People), because, like it or not, collaboration is an inevitable part of our professional lives.

In our conversation, Amy challenges the common preference amoung creative introverts, like myself, that we work best in isolation. She explains why collaboration is essential and highlights the importance of developing the skill to get along with others to achieve our best work. We explore the various types of colleagues we may encounter, including the difficult ones, and discuss how to transform these challenging relationships into productive and collaborative partnerships.

Amy's insights are invaluable, regardless of your industry or if you work independently. Given that interaction and collaboration with others is necessary it only makes sense to turn these into positive, productive connections.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How organizational strategies can collapse (even good ones) if people aren't getting along
Why workplace relationships are more important than hard skills
How creative introverts who think they work best alone are actually hindering their creativity
KEY TAKEAWAY: The best idea didn't start as the best idea but as an idea that had some potential
The importance of disagreements and creative friction to bring about the best possible product
KEY TAKEAWAY: Healthy relationships lead to better creativity
The first question you ask when you're overwhelmed and how it can reduce your stress
Why people don't like to work with people
KEY TAKEAWAY: Even difficult relationships can be valuable
Why it’s beneficial to be friends with people you work with
What are the 8 archetypes of difficult people and how to deal with them
KEY TAKEAWAY: The traits that bother you most often are the ones that are just like you
How to frame disagreements so you're all on the same side instead of competing with each other
Gender differences and conflict: how to deal with biases
How to deal with conflict brought about by generational gaps
The most important metaskill to learn: strategic empathy
The 9th archetype of difficult people that isn’t in the book
How to know if it's time to quit

Useful Resources Mentioned:

How to Build Collaborative Cultures & Fix Toxic Creative Environments | with Chris Deaver

How to Know (Without a Doubt) If It’s Time to Quit | with Annie Duke

Amy’s newsletter

Continue to Listen & Learn

Overcoming Communication Fears for Introverted Creatives | with Bridget Sampson

Meetings Don’t Have to Suck: Learn a Better Way to Create and Collaborate | with Dr. Steven Rogelberg

Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE

Fostering Better Relationships and Improving Team Culture | with Jason Barger

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia

Building Skills, Relationships, and Weathering Industry Storms | with Shie Rozow

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

On the Vital Importance of “Being Nice” | with Jesse Averna, ACE

Improve Your Networking Skills By Serving First (Instead of Selling) | with Liston Witherill

Guest Bio:

Amy Gallo

Amy Gallo is a workplace expert who writes and speaks about gender, interpersonal dynamics, difficult conversations, feedback, and effective communication. She is the author of Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict, as well as hundreds of articles for Harvard Business Review. For the past three years, Amy has co-hosted HBR’s popular Women at Work podcast, which examines the struggles and successes of women in the workplace. She is frequently sought out by media outlets for her perspective on workplace dynamics, conflict, and difficult conversations. Her advice has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Marketplace, and The Austin American-Statesman, as well as on WNYC, the BBC, and ABC (Australian Broadcasting

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Meetings Don't Have to Suck: Learn a Better Way to Create and Collaborate | with Dr. Steven Rogelberg

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

My guest today is Dr. Steven Rogelberg who is an organizational psychologist and author of the new book, Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings, and according to Adam Grant, Dr. Rogelberg "knows more about how to improve meetings than anyone on earth." He has helped a number of leading organizations including Google, Facebook, Amazon, Pfizer and Warner Brothers.

Now, we all know that meetings often get a bad rap and according to Dr. Rogelberg, it's not just us. It's bad everywhere. In this episode, Dr. Rogelberg and I dive into the underlying reasons why we struggle at meetings and why we still need to crack the code to have better meetings. We also talk about why meetings are so important in any organization, including the creative space, despite our collective aversion to it. More importantly, Dr. Rogelberg shares how you can reclaim your time, energy, and creativity using different strategies to make meetings productive, engaging, and even (dare I say) enjoyable.

Regardless of the industry you are in, my conversation with Dr. Rogelberg will help you transform your meetings from soul-sucking snooze-fests to dynamic hubs of productivity and collaboration so you can have the bandwidth to do great creative work.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why we struggle at meetings
Why it's hard to change the way we do meetings
What makes meetings for creatives essentially similar to other industries
The connective tissue that universally makes us bad at meetings
Why doing a round-robin in a meeting is a bad idea
The alternative strategy to satisfy our need for genuine connection and why it works
How to build team cohesion and have better meetings (versus the other way around)
The reasons why not everything can just be an email
How to figure out if a topic should be a meeting or an email
How to have better meetings (for creatives)
Why meeting about meetings (and training on meetings) is important
How to help make better meetings as an attendee

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings by Dr. Steven Rogelberg

Parkinson's Law

Kairos

Continue to Listen & Learn

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Optimizing Your Remote Post-Production Workflow (and Maintaining Your Sanity) | with Michael Kammes

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Using the Athlete’s Mindset to Hone Your Creativity & Productivity | with Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

Fostering Better Relationships and Improving Team Culture | with Jason Barger

6 Ways to Be More Productive and Creative with your Filmmaking

Best Practices for Adopting a Remote Post-Production Workflow

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

Optimizing Sleep, Productivity, & Creativity Using Ultradian Rhythms and Self-Tracking | with Dr. Azure Grant

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Guest Bio:

Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg

Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg, an organizational psychologist, holds the title of Chancellor's Professor at UNC Charlotte for distinguished national, international, and interdisciplinary contributions. His last book, The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance (Oxford) was recognized by the Washington Post as the "#1 Leadership Book to Watch for" and featured on CBS This Morning, Freakonomics, HBR, NPR, WSJ, and BBC World. He was the inaugural winner of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Humanitarian Award and just finished his term as President of SIOP, the largest professional organization in the world for I-O psychology.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Build Collaborative Cultures & Fix Toxic Creative Environments | with Chris Deaver

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

Today's guest is Chris Deaver, the co-founder of BraveCore, a leadership consultancy dedicated to helping leaders embrace creativity and empowering creatives to become better leaders. Chris has worked with Fortune 500 companies like Apple and Disney, inspiring them to develop groundbreaking content through a culture known as co-creation.

In today's corporate landscape, many companies stifle creativity and operate under toxic cultures, often without realizing it. As Chris and I discussed, this has been the norm for years because it worked. But now we've reached a tipping point where things are starting to fall apart, and the way we collaborate and build relationships needs to evolve. Chris and I explore what the culture of co-creation entails and how it has benefited early adopters like Apple. More importantly, he provides practical steps you can take to cultivate a culture of co-creation in your own environment.

Even if you're not a manager or CEO, my conversation with Chris provides essential advice for anyone who is a creative collaborating with others.. It highlights the importance of changing how we communicate with each other to foster more nurturing relationships, regardless of our roles.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Chris left his job at Disney after meeting a 'successful' animator
How the International Mentoring Network started and how it grew
KEY TAKEAWAY: There isn't a single path but a set of building blocks
What is co-creation and how it helps in collaboration
Why companies kill creativity
The concept of the beast versus the baby
How co-creation became an essential tool in the writing of Iron Man
The questions you can ask to activate your creativity
The toxic cultures that kill creativity (without us realizing it) and how to change them
If there are better ways to do things, why aren't we doing it?
What are the four turnings and where we are now in the cycle
How to begin a culture of co-creation
What are brave conversations
KEY TAKEAWAY: If you want to affect change, it has to start with you and the next person, not from the top down.
The first step toward building a culture of co-creation
How to change behaviors and rethink relationships

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Brave Together: Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation: Deaver, Chris; Clawson, Ian

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration: Catmull, Ed

The Creative Act: A Way of Being: Rubin, Rick

What Is the Fourth Turning? Strauss and Howe's Theory of Crisis | Shortform Books

First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy

https://bravecore.co

Continue to Listen & Learn

Overcoming Communication Fears for Introverted Creatives | with Bridget Sampson

Fostering Better Relationships and Improving Team Culture | with Jason Barger

On Hiring Editors & AE’s, Fostering Creative Collaboration, and Managing Happy Post Teams | with Paul Leonard

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Building Skills, Relationships, and Weathering Industry Storms | with Shie Rozow

Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

Guest Bio:

Chris Deaver

Chris Deaver is cofounder of BraveCore, a leadership consultancy that helps leaders be more creative and creatives be better leaders. He’s influenced Fortune 500s from the inside, including Apple and Disney, creating breakthrough content like Different Together and Collaboration by Design, and inspiring teams shaping iProducts and Star Wars experiences.

His clients also include other Fortune 500 companies, such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, LinkedIn, Nike, and Lockheed Martin. He is the co-author of Brave Together: Lead By Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation that was published in December of 2023.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Overcoming Communication Fears for Introverted Creatives | with Bridget Sampson

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Bridget Sampson who is an author, leadership coach, and the founder and CEO of Sampson Coaching and Consulting. She is also a professional public speaker at TEDx and has written a book, Communication Secrets for Success.

Now, before you dismiss this episode as something that's 'not for you' because you're introverted like me, I want you to understand that effective communication is essential for building relationships and expanding your network. In our conversation, Bridget and I explore how the fear of putting yourself out there is not only experienced by introverts like us but by everyone. Bridget even shares her own journey from being terrified by early public speaking experiences to becoming a confident communicator. Bridget and I break down the mindsets needed to overcome that fear. More importantly, she reveals the process of crafting a thoughtful, meaningful message to share with the world.

If you find yourself struggling to communicate effectively to build relationships, I highly recommend listening to my conversation with Bridget. The insights she offers are incredibly valuable for developing your communication skills and achieving success.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Bridget overcame her fear of public speaking and pursued a career in communication
Why people are ‌afraid of public speaking and how to overcome that fear
The three steps to coming up with a 'point'
How important are the words that you actually use
What you should focus on more when you want to deliver a message
KEY TAKEAWAY: It's easier to deliver a message with a lot of energy if you actually care about what you are talking about.
The importance of emotions when conveying a message
Professional speakers also experience the same pressure as everyone else when preparing to speak publicly
How to start believing that you can put yourself out there
The first steps you can take to develop your communication skills
Bridget's journey of having a transgender daughter revealed to her just before the pandemic happened
Bridget and her daughter's Transgender School podcast
The thin line between therapists and coaches and knowing which one you need

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Communication Secrets for Success: Sampson, Bridget

Prof. Albert Mehrabian and The 7%-38%-55% Rule

Transgender School Podcast

Managing & Alleviating Chronic Pain with…Creativity? | with Anna Holtzman

Sampson Coaching & Consulting

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

How to Tell Good Stories | with Jeff Bartsch

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

Building Skills, Relationships, and Weathering Industry Storms | with Shie Rozow

Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

How to Master “Offline” Networking at Live Events | with Camille Virginia

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

Guest Bio:

Bridget Sampson

As the Founder and CEO of Sampson Coaching and Consulting (SCC) for over 25 years, Bridget Sampson and her team have been designing and delivering transformative training, retreats, keynote addresses, and coaching programs on communication, mindset, leadership, and much more. SCC clients include Google, Mattel, Capital Group, several nonprofit organizations, and six universities. Bridget’s TEDx talk, How Public Speaking Will Change Your Life, is described as the most powerful TEDx talk on conquering public speaking anxiety. Her book, Communication Secrets for Success, has received rave reviews on Amazon.

Bridget is also a Professor Emeritus, having retired from 28 years of teaching Communication Studies courses at California State University, Northridge, where she was honored to receive the Excellence in Mentoring award from the Educational Opportunity Program and Polished Apple Teaching award. Bridget is certified as a professional coach with The International Coaching Federation and The Life Coach School, and a True Colors personality identification facilitator. She and her daughter Jackie are also the co-founders of Transgender School, an LGBTQ advocacy & education program. Bridget is the host of 3 podcasts: Growth & Gratitude, The Right Questions, and Transgender School. Currently, Bridget is in her second year of Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield's 2-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

From Information Overload to Getting Better at Anything by Finding the Right Mentors | with Scott Young

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

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Scott Young is the bestselling author of the book Ultralearning which we covered extensively in his first appearance on this show. Today we dive deeper into the art of learning as we discuss his new book, Get Better at Anything. In our increasingly connected world, the biggest challenge we're facing isn't lack of information but rather information overload. Scott and I discuss how traditional education prepares us with structured learning, yet often fails to equip us for independent learning as we enter the real world.

In our conversation, Scott and I talk about how AI is changing the way we learn and how we can master the skill of learning in today's digital age. Scott also challenges the notion that self-directed learning is always the best approach and more importantly, reveals what we should do instead.

In an era defined by accessible and abundant information, the ability to distill, process, and learn is even more important than ever. This conversation will get you started and Scott’s new book, Get Better at Anything will help you reignite your passion for learning.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Revisiting the art of ultralearning
What is the internet's double-edged sword effect when it comes to learning
Why Scott compares today's internet to fast food
Is there even a point of learning with AI around
The difference between how artificial intelligence works and standard computers.
How the school system prepared us for structured learning but not for the real world
How to learn when you are overwhelmed by all the options
KEY TAKEAWAY: You can't get better at anything alone.
What is the Tetris effect and why it's important to understand if you want to get better at anything
Why it's difficult to self-learn by just using what's available on the internet
Why learning from seasoned professionals is not always the best approach
The advantage of learning from groups
KEY TAKEAWAY: Learn by asking the right questions
How imitation can help you learn and create something original
What feedback really is (it's not only what other people are telling you)
Why it's difficult to ask for feedback and what you should ask instead

Useful Resources Mentioned:

How to Master the Metaskill of 'Ultralearning' | with Scott Young

Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career

Gartner Hype Cycle Research Methodology | Gartner

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You're Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Top Performer

Adam Grant — The Man Who Does Everything | The Tim Ferriss Show

Scott Young's website

Get Better at Anything book

Continue to Listen & Learn

Breaking Through Your Upper Limits and Living In Your Zone of Genius | with Gay Hendricks

Find Your Creativity by Finding Your Why | with Dr. Mark Shrime

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Becoming a ‘Digital Minimalist’ | with Cal Newport

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

The Zen-like Art of ‘Getting Things Done’ | with David Allen

The Beginner’s Guide to Optimizing Yourself

Guest Bio:

Scott Young

Scott H. Young is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Ultralearning, a podcast host, computer programmer, and an avid reader. Since 2006, he has published weekly essays to help people learn and think better. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Pocket, and Business Insider, on the BBC, and at TEDx among other outlets. He doesn’t promise to have all the answers, just a place to start. He lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Be a Multi-Hyphenate Creative and be the CEO of Your Creative Career | with Nelson Paredez Parks

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

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My guest today is Nelson Paredez-Parks who is a Hollywood talent manager, entrepreneur, and a life & business coach. Nelson has been helping actors shape their careers by equipping them with an entrepreneurial spirit. He has also been sharing his business strategies to help businesses and entrepreneurs grow.

In our conversation, Nelson and I will help you learn how to view your creative profession as a thriving business, with you as the CEO. Nelson shares his secrets for managing your time and energy so you can grow your business while also running your business. Then he shows you how you can craft your own business plan to help fuel your creative passion.

I highly recommend that you listen to my conversation with Nelson as it is packed with a lot of actionable strategies that translate to any career path.. The tools and mindsets he shares will equip you to become the CEO of your creative journey and take your career to the next level.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What the creative world looks like at the management level
The difference between a manager and an agent
Why Nelson transitioned from being a talent manager to becoming a life & business coach
KEY TAKE AWAY: Your life is dictated by the questions that you ask yourself
How to ask the right questions
Nelson's strategy to managing his time that gives room for growth
Why you need a CEO mindset no matter what your job is
Why understanding and integrating AI into your expertise has become essential in this age
The importance of having an 'always half full' mindset
How to craft your own business plan
The importance of relationship planning
Why it's important to have a business plan no matter what your job is
How to get unstuck from 'I have one skill and I have one job' mindset
Why some people are more miserable the more they become successful
What is 'Break for Breakfast'
The importance of pausing to connect and build relationships

Useful Resources Mentioned:

https://helpandanswers.com

Breaking Through Your Upper Limits and Living In Your Zone of Genius | with Gay Hendricks

How to Accomplish Your ‘One Thing’ Every Day | with Jay Papasan

https://theaixperts.com

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

On Authenticity, Luck, and Designing Life (and Footwear) On Your Own Terms | with Xero Shoes CEO Steven Sashen

The Creative’s Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob Howard

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

How to Transition From ‘Technician’ to ‘Entrepreneur’ | Mastermind Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

The Business & Craft of Trailer Editing, Making Your Side Hustle Your Career, and Staying Motivated Along the Way | with Chris MacDonald

How to Optimize Your Finances As a Freelancer or Small Business Owner | with Sylvia Inks

How to Optimize Your Money to Buy You Time (and Experiences) | with Laura Vanderkam

The ‘Profit First’ Financial System (That Gives You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ to the Wrong Gigs) | with Mike Michalowicz

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

Guest Bio:

Nelson Paredez-Parks

Nelson Paredez-Parks is a dynamo renowned for his eclectic skill set and embodying multiple roles. As an acknowledged expert in the entertainment industry, Nelson is known for his leadership of The ESI Network, a premier talent management company with over 30+ years in the entertainment world. He’s an expert in getting your kids into show business as well as navigating the entertainment business with healthy boundaries.

Two other initiatives including the latest two he is most excited with are Helpandanswers.com which helps business owners and entrepreneurs scale up and grow their businesses and TheAIxperts.com, which is an informational site educating entertainment professionals about how to integrate A.I. into their current business models.

His other entrepreneurial past ventures include organizations like “Talent Plan,” a celebrity and impersonation company, “Break for Breakfast” a large networking group in Hollywood, “Rise up Entertainment” which developed a series of commercial spots that Nelson directed and produced, and “Kidz Eyes,” a nonprofit company that provided arts scholarships to underprivileged kids in the Los Angeles area.

By combining his robust educational background from Columbia College and USC with a passion for mentorship and extensive travel, Nelson Paredez-Parks continues to influence the entertainment industry and inspire our youth. He is not just a player but a game-changer, mentor, and inspirational leader.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Overcoming the Grief of "Invisible Losses" (Including Losing Your Job), and Getting Out of "Survival Mode" | with Christina Rasmussen

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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My guest today is Christina Rasmussen who is an acclaimed grief educator and counselor. She is the bestselling author of Second Firsts, Where Did You Go? And her new book Invisible Loss is the focus of our conversation today. Now you might be wondering why I’m talking to a grief counselor on a podcast about optimization. But you’ll quickly realize that living a fulfilling and rewarding life is hindered by “invisible losses.” These unrecognized losses leave us feeling like we’re not living the life we’re meant to live.

Christina and I delve into the concept of the 'Thriver Self,' the part of us that's unhindered by fear, eager to try new things, looking for opportunities, and ready to take action. She argues that through an invisible loss, we lose our connection to our Thriver Self thus hindering our ability to move forward.

You will hear Christina put me on the hot seat as the tables turn and I get vulnerable about the circumstances of my life over the last year and a half. Christina helps me connect to my Thriver Self and identifies a simple step I can take to restore what was lost. This practical approach that she calls Life Reentry, is a process that will help us move on and thrive in our new reality.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Christina's origin story of why she chose to become a grief counselor (she didn't lose anyone yet)
Why Zack calls the COVID pandemic, The Great Correction
Why Zack decided to make a career transition
The (untold) Christopher Rush story
How Christina discovered invisible loss
KEY TAKE AWAY: Invisible losses can be more catastrophic than recognized loss
What is Mental Stacking and how is it done
The Survivor Self and Thriver Self and why it's important to distinguish them
Mental stacking with Zack - finding and recognizing an invisible loss
What's a 'plug in' and how can it help to reconnect with your Thriver Self

Useful Resources Mentioned:

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It

GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story

The Invisible Losses Library

Invisible Loss book

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You’re Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens

A New Approach to Relieving Stress & Anxiety (and Improving “Emotional” Health) | with Nick Wignall

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

The Power of a ‘Mindfulness’ Practice | with Dr. Swati Desai

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There

The difference between exhaustion and burnout (and my dirty little secret)

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Guest Bio:

Christina Rasmussen

In her spare time, she is learning to play the piano and planning her first trip to the edge of space. She works and lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Eric, and their two dogs.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Managing the Burnout, Anxiety, & Depression Created By Your "Busy Brain" | with Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Dr. Romie Mushtaq who is a board-certified physician who brings together more than two decades of leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She is the author of the recently published book, The Busy Brain Cure.

Dr. Romie offers a fresh approach to understanding stress, anxiety, and burnout from the perspective of a brain doctor. In our conversation, Dr. Romie and I talk about what she calls 'busy brain,' a condition stemming from unchecked stress and burnout, and how these can lead to burnout without us even realizing it. We dive deep into the symptoms of a busy brain and I reveal the score I got when I took Dr. Romie’s Busy Brain Test. We discuss what circumstances led to that score and she introduces me to the concept of Caregiver Burnout which was revelatory to me.

Dr. Romie knows the science of the busy brain but she also shows her deep empathy for anyone who may appear to have it all together but inside you are falling apart. She wants you to know that you are not alone and there is help. Dr. Romie provides your next steps to understanding your own chronic stresses to help you create a personalized path to healing.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Dr. Romie's origin story and what led her to write her book
How modern society repackages meditation, mindfulness, healing as some 'new age cure' without addressing the real problem
The difference between acute and chronic stress
What is Hormetic stress
The Busy Brain Test
The differences between anxiety, depression and burnout
KEY TAKE AWAY: Only trained professionals can diagnose depression, anxiety, and burnout.
The top reasons for depression
What are the symptoms of a busy brain
How medications can lead to stimulant-sedative cycle
The root cause of burnout
How to practice non-attachment without detaching yourself from your goals

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Busy Brain Test

How Your Gut Health is the Key to Unlocking a Healthier & Happier You | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

On the Frontlines with COVID-19, How to Boost Your Immunity, & Testing Safely | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You’re Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens

A New Approach to Relieving Stress & Anxiety (and Improving “Emotional” Health) | with Nick Wignall

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

The Power of a ‘Mindfulness’ Practice | with Dr. Swati Desai

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There

The difference between exhaustion and burnout (and my dirty little secret)

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Guest Bio:

Dr. Romie Mushtaq

Dr. Romie Mushtaq is a board-certified physician who brings together more than two decades of leadership in neurology, integrative medicine, and mindfulness. She is an award-winning speaker working with Fortune 500 companies, professional athletes, & global associations. Her brainSHIFT programs improve mental well-being and help to build a culture of wellness. Dr. Romie serves as Chief Wellness Officer for Evolution Hospitality, where she scaled a mindfulness & wellness program to over 7,000 employees. Her expertise is featured in the national media, such as NPR, NBC, TED talks, and Forbes. Her first book, The Busy Brain Cure is published by Harper Collins in January 2024.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The Ugly Truth About Burnout (Even When You're Unemployed), and How to Build Immunity From It | with Dr. Kandi Wiens

Tue, 28 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Dr. Kandi Wiens, Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Masters in Medical Education Program and co-founder of Big Sky Leadership Labs. But what brought her to my attention is her book, Burnout Immunity, and her perspective on the subject.

My conversation with Dr. Wiens starts deep and goes deeper with both of us admitting to feeling burned out right out of the gate. This isn’t two experts who have it all figured out spouting advice from the mountain top. This is a very real conversation talking about burnout from the trenches. Dr. Wiens takes us deep into the psychology of burnout to gain an understanding of its root causes. We explore why we tend to drive ourselves to burnout, even when we may be unemployed or underemployed. Dr. Wiens reveals how the term burnout is often overused and that sometimes, we might not be burned out at all. More importantly, Dr. Wiens and I talk about the strategies and tools you can use to develop burnout immunity so you can build resilience and heal your relationship with your work and live a more balanced, fulfilling life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Dr. Wiens personal experience led her from being a management consultant to studying burnout
How past experiences affect how we deal with stress and also hold ourselves back
What is Emotion Focus Coping and how we can shift away from it to taking 'control' of our stress
The root cause of burnout and why it's important to know
What drives us to burnout (without us realizing it)?
Burnout versus Overextension and why it's important to know the difference
How to know your degree of burnout
What are protective patterns when dealing with burnout
How we can be burned out even without a job
What is Burnout Immunity and how to develop it
How to self-regulate and change your mindset

Useful Resources Mentioned:

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Are You Burned Out? Or Is It Something Else?

Burnout Risk Assessment | Kandi Wiens

Managing & Alleviating Chronic Pain with…Creativity? | with Anna Holtzman

kandiwiens.com

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There

[CASE STUDY] From Total Burnout to Shooting for the Moon (Literally) | with David J. Turner

The difference between exhaustion and burnout (and my dirty little secret)

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

So You’re Burned Out…Now What? [7 Ways to Climb Out of the Hole]

7 Red Flags You Might Be Burned Out (Or You’re Headed There)

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Guest Bio:

Dr. Kandi Wiens

Kandi Wiens, EdD is the Director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Masters in Medical Education Program and the Penn Health Professions Education Certificate Program. As a sought-after international speaker, Dr. Wiens is co-founder and chief research officer of Big Sky Leadership Labs, where she leads and conducts evidence-based research on executive performance, emotional intelligence, burnout, and resilience. Her work has been prominently featured in the Harvard Business Review and in several Harvard Business Review Press books.

A Senior Fellow at Penn, Dr. Wiens is Academic Director of the PennCLO Master’s Program and teaches various graduate-level and executive-format courses. She has designed and delivered over 2,000 leadership development programs focused on helping leaders build and leverage their emotional and social intelligence to amplify their positive impact and protect themselves from burnout.

Dr. Wiens holds a doctorate from the Penn Chief Learning Officer executive doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania, an M.B.A. from the University of Oregon, and a B.S. in business administration from Montana State University.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Breaking Through Your Upper Limits and Living In Your Zone of Genius | with Gay Hendricks

Tue, 21 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Gay Hendricks who is a psychologist and leader in the fields of personal growth, relationship transformation and bodymind therapies for more than 45 years. He is the author of numerous bestsellers, including The Big Leap, The Genius Zone, and Conscious Loving.

In our conversation, Gay and I talk about what he calls the Upper Limit Problem - a concept in which we ourselves tend to sabotage our own successes, preventing us from reaching our own full potential. We dive deep into how the Upper Limit Problem works in order to better understand where it's coming from and more importantly, how to overcome it. Gay walks us through some of the strategies described in his book, The Big Leap Year, to break through the upper limit problem and reach an area he calls The Genius Zone where you can grow in your own innate creativity and live a more fulfilling life.

If you feel that something keeps holding you back from your own breakthrough, I highly recommend that you listen to my conversation with Gay Hendricks as well as read his books, The Genius Zone and The Big Leap Year. He offers life-altering strategies in order for you to end negative thinking so you can live more freely in your own genius zone and creative fulfillment.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What is the Upper Limit Problem?
How Gay discovered the Upper Limit Problem
KEY TAKEAWAY: The Upper Limit Problem affects even the highest functioning people
How the upper limit problem works
How to identify where our limiting beliefs are coming from and why knowing this can help us overcome our upper limit problem
The four zones of life where we spend our time
What is the Genius Zone?
How to find your genius zone
How does the Woo Woo factor play a role in the upper limit problem?

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Gay Hendricks’ Books

Continue to Listen & Learn

Find Your Creativity by Finding Your Why | with Dr. Mark Shrime

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick

Guest Bio:

Gay Hendricks

Gay Hendricks has served for more than 30 years as one of the major contributors to the fields of relationship transformation and bodymind therapies. Along with his wife, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks, Gay is the author of many bestsellers, including Conscious Loving, At The Speed Of Life, The Big Leap, and the New York Times bestseller, Five Wishes. Dr. Hendricks received his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford in 1974. After a twenty-one-year career as a professor at University Colorado, he founded The Hendricks Institute, and later co-founded its charitable organization, Foundation for Conscious Living. He was also the founder of a virtual learning center for transformation and a publishing company and was a co-founder of a conscious entertainment company. Throughout his career he has done executive coaching with more than 800 executives, including the top management at such firms as Dell Computer, Hewlett Packard, Motorola and KLM. His book, The Corporate Mystic, is used widely to train management in combining business skills and personal development tools.

Gay is also a mystery novelist, with a series of five books featuring the Tibetan-Buddhist private detective, Tenzing Norbu. In recent years he has co-created a popular podcast called The Big Leap with Gay Hendricks and Mike Koenigs. He has appeared on more than 500 radio and television shows, including OPRAH, CNN, CNBC, 48 HOURS and others.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Find Your Creativity by Finding Your Why | with Dr. Mark Shrime

Tue, 14 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Dr. Mark G. Shrime, who is the author of the book, Solving for Why: A Surgeon's Journey to Discover the Transformative Power of Purpose. You might wonder why I’m talking to a surgeon on a podcast about creativity and living a fulfilling life, but as you’ll learn, Dr. Shrime is also a sought-after speaker helping others find meaningful career paths. In this conversation, you will discover how to take risks, make tough decisions, and listen to your heart in order to live a life of passion, meaning, and purpose.

Dr. Shrime explains the power of solving your why so you can get unstuck and move onto the right path. He lays out 4 questions and a 3 step plan to help you live a life aligned with your passions, skills, and values. . He also shares how to overcome the decision paralysis that is keeping you on the wrong path.

If you're stuck in an unfulfilling job or feel like you’re not living to your full potential, this conversation could be the first step towards the rewarding life you deserve.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Dr. Shrime's origin story and the three ethics he had to unlearn
What is moral injury and how it affects our life
Dr. Shrime's epiphany of what he really wanted to do after 15 years of doing a job he hated
KEY TAKEAWAY: Intention is the key to constructing a fulfilling life
The importance of knowing your why and how it changes your perspective of the path you are on
The three-step process to solving your why
The 'Gary Parker Rule' and how it can help you in your decision-making
Dr. Shrime's American Ninja Warrior story: Lessons about failure and how you perceive yourself
The four questions to answer to understand your path in life
How to live in alignment with your why
What to do if you fail to build your life around your purpose
BIG MYTH: The next decision must be the right one

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes - William Bridges

Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life - Richard Rohr

Start With Why - Simon Sinek

How to Know (Without a Doubt) If It’s Time to Quit | with Annie Duke

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Ikigai - Wikipedia

Continue to Listen & Learn

Feeling Lost? It’s Time to ‘Find Your Why’ | with David Mead

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Stop Delaying Your Dreams and Live a Life Rich in Experiences | with Bridget Hilton & Joe Huff

A Mental Performance Expert on Shifting Your Mindset to Endure Setbacks | with Derin ‘DMac’ McMains

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

Terrified to Make a Big Change In Your Life? Start By “Showing Up Small” | with Eddy Roche

Why Becoming a Failure is Essential to Success | with Alex Weber, ANW

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

How to Accomplish Your ‘One Thing’ Every Day | with Jay Papasan

Guest Bio:

Dr. Mark Shrime

Dr. Mark G. Shrime is the International Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Ships and a Lecturer in Global Health and Social Medicine at the Harvard Medical School. He is the author of Solving for Why: A Surgeon's Journey to Discover the Transformative Power of Purpose (Hachette 2022).

He previously served as the O’Brien Chair of Global Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, as the founder and Director of the Center for Global Surgery Evaluation at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and as Research Director for the Program in Global Surgery and Social Change at Harvard.

He has spoken at the United Nations, WHO, Harvard, Princeton, and around the world addressing issues of healthcare inequity, moral injury in the healthcare workforce, and the non-health outcomes of health policies. In 2018, he was awarded the Arnold P. Gold Humanism in Medicine Award by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

TOP 5: Silvia Inks on How to Optimize Your Finances As a Freelancer or Small Business Owner

Tue, 07 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Given the vast uncertainty in the job market over the last year, it can feel near impossible to both structure your time so you actually feel productive and also manage your finances so you have the confidence you’ll weather this storm.

That’s why the Optimizer team & I have put together this Top 5 series the Creative’s Guide to Time & Financial Freedom. We have chosen my most relevant conversations with some of the world’s experts on both time & financial management to help you gain a little more control in a world that feels very out of control. These episodes are packed with actionable tips from brilliant minds who understand the unique challenges faced by freelancers and creatives, both inside and outside, of the entertainment industry.

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five-interview series with Silvia Inks. She’s the founder of SMI Financial Coaching where she helps people organize their finances so they can sleep easy at night and focus on the things they love instead of worrying about their money.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode43.

TOP 5: Mike Michalowicz on The ‘Profit First’ Financial System (That Gives You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ to the Wrong Gigs)

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with financial expert, Mike Michalowicz. Mike is the author of Profit First, which is an essential guide to organizing your finances, especially if you are a freelancer in the gig economy. This conversation breaks down his financial system designed specifically for freelancers & entrepreneurs, and this is the same system I use to manage all of my money, both business and personal. It’s game changing stuff…

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode88.

TOP 5: Matt Sandrini on Your Time Is Worthless (Here’s How to Invest It Properly)

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with author and productivity expert, Matt Sandrini. Matt and I discuss how you can invest your time just as you would invest your money and why the idea of work-life balance is a myth (and what you should aim for instead).

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode77.

TOP 5: Laura Vanderkam on How to Optimize Your Money to Buy You Time (and Experiences)

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five-interview series with Laura Vanderkam who is the author of All the Money in the World: What the Happiest People Know About Wealth. Despite the book being ten years old, the information is timeless and this conversation will help you see the relationship between time, money, and happiness in a whole new way.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode241.

TOP 5: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Tue, 09 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is episode one of my five-part interview series with Ramit Sethi, founder of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, and author of the New York Times bestseller of the same name. In this conversation, Ramit, who is also my business mentor, delivers a slew of actionable steps you can take to design a richer life for yourself far beyond the spreadsheet.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode105.

Building Skills, Relationships, and Weathering Industry Storms | with Shie Rozow

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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My guest today is composer and music editor Shie Rozow whose lifelong passion for music and storytelling led him to work on over 150 feature films including The Flash, The Lost City, Guardians of the Galaxy and Hustle & Flow. Shie has earned 17 Golden Reel Award Nominations, winning for his work on Chicago (as assistant music editor), IMAX: Deep Sea, and Wu Tang: An American Saga along with 4 Telly Awards for his scores to Matt and Maya, Lost Time, One Day You’ll Go Blind, and Body Language: Bill Shannon.

But here's the thing: Shie's journey isn't your typical award-winning musician, child prodigy story. In fact, Shie shares that he couldn't even read music when he applied to music school. You’ll learn how his passion and determination have allowed him to grow and thrive as a creative professional despite the ups and downs of the volatile entertainment industry. Shie has discovered how to diversify his skills, interests, and passions in order to make himself irreplaceable.

In addition to diversifying his skills, Shie has made it a point to build meaningful, genuine relationships. He generously shares the strategies he uses to maintain them and these are some of the best warm outreach strategies I’ve ever heard!

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Shie got a scholarship at Berklee College of Music despite his 'not-so-good' application & audition
How college prepares you for the real world according to Shie
Why Shie said 'yes' to so many different things throughout his career
The importance of diversifying your skills both in and outside of work
How to be irreplaceable by AI based on Shie's years of industry experience
KEY TAKEAWAY: How to respond to rejections without the negative impact
Why building relationships is way better than networking
The BEST WARM outreach strategies I’ve ever heard!
Why Shie never landed a job from cold outreach
Why Shie wrote a book about music primarily for filmmakers (not just musicians)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

OpenAI’s SORA

Shie Rozow's Books (enter the coupon code 'Optimize' at checkout for $5 off)

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Creative’s Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob Howard

Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

The Craft of Film Composing (And Working with Composers) | with Joseph Trapanese

Make Yourself Memorable: How to Leave an Impression, Build Your Network, & Get Hired | with Carole Kirschner

Guest Bio:

Shie Rozow

Composer and music editor Shie Rozow (pronounced Shy ro-zov) has taken a different path than most leading him to work on over 150 feature films including major international blockbusters like The Flash, The Lost City, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Hustle & Flow.

Armed with over 25 years of industry experience and driven by his lifelong passion for music and storytelling, Shie has earned 17 Golden Reel Award Nominations, winning for his work on Chicago (as assistant music editor), IMAX: Deep Sea, and Wu Tang: An American Saga along with 4 Telly Awards for his scores to Matt and Maya, Lost Time, One Day You’ll Go Blind, and Body Language: Bill Shannon. He brings his inexhaustible talent and natural ear for music to every story, weaving a rich musical narrative that compliments the filmmaker’s vision and unlocks new layers of depth.

Equally skilled working in film, TV, and video games, Shie has contributed his talent on hundreds of hours of TV including Desperate Housewives, Arrow, and The CW’s Stargirl, along with Amazon’s anthology series Welcome to the Blumhouse and Shudder’s Creepshow. In addition, he has also worked on music for Disney theme parks and Cirque du Soleil. Shie also composes concert music, which has been performed from coast to coast, releasing his first album Musical Fantasy in 2016. His first book Preparing for Scoring Sessions was published in March 2023 and is now required reading at Berklee College of Music’s Film Scoring program. His second book Every Note Tells a Story was published in October 2023 and has won the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[CASE STUDY] Why People Don’t Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis

Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

If you're a creative professional in the entertainment industry, you are probably feeling pretty discouraged by the lack of jobs popping up this year. At Optimize Yourself, we like to focus on the things we can control and set goals that we are empowered to achieve.

While we can't control what jobs are out there or whether they are offered to us, we can put ourselves in positions where we will be the first to hear of jobs when they pop up. This involves building relationships with people.

That's why today, I'm sharing this episode from the archives with editor and assistant editor Scott Davis, who, back in 2018, made a big move from New York to Los Angeles with zero contacts or connections. The strategies he used apply the same today as they did back then. I hope you find this useful and actionable so you can let go of what you can't control and take action on what you can control.

→ Click here to see the original published episode

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Scott’s ‘origin story’ from New York to Hollywood with no connections and ‘no idea what to do’ (sound familiar?)
The terrifying feeling of trying to get into this ‘fortress of opportunity’ in Hollywood where the only way in seems to be from people inside who are working & too busy to help you.
The dilemma of just 'finding the next gig to pay the bills' vs. ‘playing the long game’ to pursue the career path you really want.
The counter-intuitive shift in focus that makes that effectively eliminates that so-called ’dilemma’. (Listen for this key takeaway!)
Why there’s no more important skill than networking in this industry and the step-by-step path to networking for introverts.
Discover the ’secrets’ to “cold emailing” / “cold outreach” and how Scott boosted his response rate from 5% to 75%.
The REAL goal of sending an outreach email. (HINT: It sounds so easy it couldn’t possibly work.)
How to ‘crawl inside the brain’ of the person you send an outreach email to and see it from their perspective.
How to get people to OPEN your approach email and why doing a few minutes of research goes a LONG way.
Why the idea of “nobody wants to help me” is just wrong and right way to tap into people’s natural tendency to WANT share their wisdom & experience with you.
Connecting the dots: Scott’s story of turning rejections into opportunities.
What it really means to “lead with value” and the power of ‘validation’.
The momentum that builds when you invest in building relationships over time.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Get The Insider’s Guide to Writing Great Amazing Outreach Emails

The Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship Program

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep244: [CASE STUDY] How Marc Wiltshire Optimized His Cold Outreach Strategies (and Expanded His Network) to Land His Dream Job

Ep204: [CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile

Ep192: [CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia

Ep172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

Want a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things

Why Writing Cold Emails Is the Most Important ‘Soft Skill’ You Must Master (Especially If You’re An Introvert)

The 5 Most Common Mistakes You’re Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them)

Ep184: Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

Guest Bio:

Scott Davis

J. Scott Davis is an editor, assistant editor, outdoorsman, hopeless introvert and constant seeker of knowledge.

"I lived and worked in NYC for over 10 years working with some of the greatest documentarians on some really great films like: “Makers: The Women Who Make America”, “Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies”, “Wagner’s Dream” and “Outside the Bubble”. In the fall of 2018 I headed west to Los Angeles to escape bad weather, lack of sunlight, and 5th floor walk ups. The lifestyle change is glorious but the true joy is I am now pursuing a long held dream of working in scripted features and series."

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The Creative's Guide to Understanding AI and Leveraging AI to Build Workflows & Optimize Your Creativity | with Rob Howard

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Today's guest is Rob Howard who is a professional software developer and the founder of Innovating with AI, a company that helps entrepreneurs harness the power of AI. As a veteran with over 20 years in the tech industry, Rob is here to help us demystify AI by giving us a glimpse of how Large Language Models (LLM) really work. Rob breaks down for us what makes AI tick and how understanding it can shift our perspective from fear to opportunity, as AI becomes another tool for unleashing more of our creativity so we can do great work.

Rob also shares how you can start to dabble with AI so you can integrate it with your own unique talents and skills. Regardless of how you feel about AI, this conversation will open your mind and help you future-proof yourself in order to stay ahead in an ever-evolving landscape.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How being a Jack-of-all-trades can create robustness in what you do in life and in business
Why Rob compares AI to a giant Plinko board
What tokens are and how are they used in Large Language Models (LLM)
The math that makes AI work
How AI gives us decent answers and why it shouldn't terrify us
The big change AI brought us that we didn't think was possible
The root cause of our fear of AI and why it's actually a good thing
What will make you replaceable by AI, and more importantly, what won't
The level at which AI fails and how to leverage it to do great work
How to innovate with AI without being a coder

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Plinko board

Image: Zombie crawling to the finish line

The iron triangle

Innovating with AI

Rob's No Code Toolkit

Continue to Listen & Learn

OpenAI’s Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

What Does The Future Hold for “AE’s” In the Age of “AI”? | LACPUG Panel

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

Guest Bio:

Rob Howard

Rob Howard is a 20-year tech industry veteran, software developer, startup founder, investor and entrepreneur – and the creator of Innovating with AI.

Rob’s story starts at age 12 – when he learned to code and built his first HTML websites. A few years later, his first online business was featured in Entertainment Weekly, and he was off to the races in a career that combined tech and entrepreneurship with journalism, public communications and a unique approach to building companies that make their customers and employees proud.

Rob founded a 1-million-user cloud storage startup that was acquired in 2009, and since then he’s built, acquired and invested in a range of tech startups, including acquisitions of MasterWP and Understrap and the launch of EveryAlt, BusinessEnglish.ai and Inbox Autopilot, three AI-powered software-as-a-service platforms.

Rob is the CEO of HDC, a web development firm that has served brands including Harvard University, MIT, The World Bank, and Marriott. His software powers more than 100,000 websites, including sites for Intel, Facebook and The Oscars.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What Does The Future Hold for "AE's" In the Age of "AI"? | LACPUG Panel

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing and causing a stir among creative professionals that ranges from excitement at new possibilities to fear of rendering jobs redundant and unnecessary.

As the responsibilities of assistant editors have morphed into highly technical tasks over the years, a disconcerting question emerges: are their roles at risk of being assumed by AI?

At last year's LACPUG, I was honored to be the moderator of a panel that talked about this very topic. The distinguished panelists were Ashley McKinney, Assistant Editor (Gotham Knights, Shooter, The Last Movie Star); Scott Jacobs, Assistant Editor (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, WandaVision, The Orville); and Richard Sanchez, Visual Effects Editor (Ahsoka, Bill & Ted Face the Music, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law).

Whether you are an assistant editor or any creative professional in any industry, this conversation applies to you. AI is not going anywhere and the more we understand how it impacts every job and person we interact with, the more we can adapt and grow with it. Join us for a candid conversation about what this paradigm shift means for all creative professionals. This is a discussion you won't want to miss and I am immensely grateful to LACPUG for allowing me to publish it here.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why it’s important to say Assistant Editor as opposed to AE
Should we allow AI into the creative workflow?
Where AI can be dangerous in the workflow and what we can do to avoid that
The MovieLabs 2030 Vision Initiative and how it affects the assistant editors' world
Efficiency versus effectiveness and which one should you focus on more
Will there be a new path to becoming an editor?
Understanding the limitations of AI and using that as leverage
How to protect your boundaries in the midst of efficiency brought about by AI
Where you can start to learn more about AI
The essential skills you need to develop to become irreplaceable

Useful Resources Mentioned:

EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

The 2030 Vision Initiative (MovieLabs)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep249: OpenAI’s Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive

Ep222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Ep245: How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

Ep231: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

EditFest 2023: Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Art of Editing

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

When it comes to AI, I've made it pretty clear where I stand. I believe we are seeing the transition away from specialization and back to generalization when it comes to the value we bring to the workplace. And AI is only accelerating this process. As creatives, we can choose to embrace the possibilities of what AI can offer us while doubling down on our unique zone of genius that sets us apart from the machines or we can choose to be left behind.

At last year's EditFest, I was one of 4 panelists invited to talk about the convergence of AI with the creative process, particularly related to the art of editing. My fellow distinguished panelists were Jon Dudkowski, ACE Editor (Star Trek Discovery, Umbrella Academy, Man in the High Castle) ; Chad Nelson, producer and creator of Critterz, an AI-generated short film; and Cristobal Valenzuela, co-founder and CEO of Runway (and named one of the top 100 most influential people in AI by Time magazine). The panel was moderated by Carolyn Giardina, tech editor at The Hollywood Reporter.

I was honored to be part of a panel on this important topic and I am immensely appreciative to EditFest and Jenni McCormick for giving me permission to publish the talk here for all of you to experience. Please enjoy the 2023 EditFest Panel, Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Technology and It's Impact on the Art of Editing.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What generative AI is and how it works
What separates humans from machines
How AI can be used in the cutting room
How AI enhances the editing process
Where AI was used in creating the animated short film, Critterz
What AI can't do and why the human mind is still essential in the creative process
How AI can help creatives
The Gartner Hype Cycle and where we are in terms of AI technology
What creatives can do to catch up with AI
What mentoring in the edit bay can look like in the age of AI
What makes humans irreplaceable (even actors and voice actors)
How data sets that AI feeds on are used and maintained

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence by Ray Kurzweil

匚尺丨ㄒㄒ乇尺乙 — An animated short created with AI

The Gartner Hype Cycle

Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

Ep85: Mentorship, Networking, and Surviving Hollywood Blockbusters | with Dody Dorn, ACE

The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI by Marcus Du Sautoy

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep249: OpenAI’s Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive

Ep222: Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

Ep221: How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Ep214: What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Ep212: The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Ep246: Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Ep245: How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

Ep231: How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

OpenAI's Chad Nelson on How Artificial Intelligence Could Shape the Future of Creativity, Collaboration, and How We Can Survive

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is AI specialist Chad Nelson, who is also an award-winning creative director and technology strategist with over two decades of blending technology and entertainment seamlessly. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of emerging technologies and applying them to create new entertainment experiences. And this new era of AI is no different.

Chad has recently created an animated short film, Critterz, with the help of AI. Though AI has created a lot of controversy in the creative space, Chad reveals a different perspective in which AI is just another tool that artists can use to let their ideas come to life. We go way beneath the surface of prompts and AI art to unravel why and how the creative human mind remains indispensable in any creative work. We also discuss the ethics involved in using AI as well as how creatives can harness AI to stand out from all the noise that, ironically, AI will create.

As a creative myself, I too understand the fear that this age of AI can bring. But this conversation with Chad shines a new light on understanding AI and shows us how irreplaceable the creative human mind is.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Combining technology and experiences: Chad's origin story
How playing golf while on vacation inspired a brilliant idea
The mindset that Chad takes on to follow through with his ideas
How Chad created his first AI-generated image using a short prompt
Using AI in the ideation phase of creative work
The cons (and pros) of replacing certain jobs with technology
Where ethics draw the line between technology and people
The ethical use of AI in creative work
The pros and cons of democratization of creativity tools
How to stand out in the midst of the rise of AI
How the creative human mind, education, and experiences still plays a vital role even in using AI

Useful Resources Mentioned:

EditFest 2023 AI Panel

Remember These Free AOL CDs? They're Collectibles Now | Smart News| Smithsonian Magazine

First AI generated image that Chad created using a short prompt

匚尺丨ㄒㄒ乇尺乙 -- An animated short created with AI

Continue to Listen & Learn

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

Guest Bio:

Chad Nelson

Chad Nelson is an award-winning creative director and technology strategist with over 2 decades of experience combining the latest technologies and entertainment to create immersive experiences. He is a co-founder of Eight Cylinder Studios and WGT Media and has collaborated with Intel, Sony and Microsoft to name a few. Chad currently works with OpenAI as a creative collaborator.

Chad's recent work is Critterz, an animated short film created with the help of OpenAI's DALL-E and was shown in festivals such as the Portland Festival of Cinema, Annecy International Animation Film Festival, Cannes Lion and Qld XR Festival 2023 where it was awarded Best in Creative AI.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Make Yourself Memorable: How to Leave an Impression, Build Your Network, & Get Hired | with Carole Kirschner

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Carole Kirschner who, after spending fifteen years as a television development executive, a former Vice President of Television for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and a Comedy Development executive at CBS, decided to switch to the other side of the desk to help creative professionals build a thriving career in the entertainment industry. If there is anyone who has been on the studio executive side who 'gets us,' Carole is the one.

In today's conversation, Carole shares the unadulterated reality of what it takes to have a successful creative career. We dive deep into the qualities you need to have as well as the right way to tell your story in order for you to stand out. Carole shares her strategies for networking to help you draw attention and leave a lasting impression, whether you're doing it in a mixer, cold outreach or through social media.

My conversation with Carole is filled with strategies and mindsets from an executive’s perspective to set you on the path to creative success.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Carole transitioned from a successful career in the entertainment industry to becoming a coach
Why you need to have 'Entrepreneurial' in your list of qualifications
How to structure your story so people will give you their time
What makes a story bad and how do you make it better
How to make your story about the other person and not you
Why people hate networking and how to take the pressure off of you
How to make yourself memorable to people
The right way to provide genuine value
Building relationships via social media
How to make sure you're not killing yourself while going the extra mile at work

Useful Resources Mentioned:

How to Break Into Any Industry (Without Having Experience) | with Niceole Levy

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

Business card - Wikipedia

YouCanBookMe

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Carole Kirschner

Continue to Listen & Learn

Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Mentorship, Networking, and Surviving Hollywood Blockbusters | with Dody Dorn, ACE

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

On the Vital Importance of “Being Nice” | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Provide Value & Get Paid What You’re Worth | Mastermind Q&A with Monica Daniel

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia

How to Master “Offline” Networking at Live Events | with Camille Virginia

The Right Way to Network In Hollywood | with Chris Visser

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Guest Bio:

Carole Kirschner

Carole Kirschner spent fifteen years as a television development executive. A former Vice President of Television for Steven Spielberg's first Amblin Entertainment and a Comedy Development exec at CBS, she’s had the privilege of working with some of the most respected writers in the industry.

Switching to the other side of the desk she became a consultant and created and runs the CBS/Paramount Writers Mentoring Program. And has been the director of the WGA Showrunner Training Program since its inception.

Carole, through her career coaching practice, Carole Kirschner Entertainment Career Strategies works primarily with screenwriters who are stuck or need help navigating the political landscape. She is also an international speaker and her book, Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment is taught in colleges across the country.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

When the Passion Tax Leads to a Stroke & How to Rebuild Your Life | with Troy DeVolld

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Troy DeVolld who is a reality television producer, author and speaker with dozens of credits on shows such as The Surreal Life, The Osbournes, The Bachelor, and Dancing with the Stars. Troy is also the author of the books Reality TV, One Hundred Poems about Los Angeles series and the book about the TV notes process, And Another Thing.

In his more than 23 years in the industry, Troy has no doubt developed an in depth passion for his craft. Troy and I dive deep into some of the wisdom he gained from his experiences to be happy and fulfilled in his chosen craft, including diversifying your skills, setting boundaries while collaborating effectively, and even setting boundaries with yourself. Troy has so succinctly summarized our entire conversation into one short sentence:

"I sacrificed my life to have a version of my life."

No doubt that my conversation with Troy will inspire you to rekindle your passion for your craft while equipping you with the right tools and mindsets so you can stay happy, sane and well.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Troy went from an aspiring comic book artist to producing reality TV
How Troy 'fell into' writing for a Woody Woodpecker commercial
What makes networking valuable to both you and the person you’re reaching out to
The advantages of being 'older' in the industry
The right way to 'do it all' when you have multiple passions
What makes all your past experiences and skills relevant and valuable
The difference between being exploited and caring for what you do
How to collaborate with people no matter what your working stye is
Why Troy wrote a book about how to handle studio and network notes
How to get out of your own way and let creativity flow
Reality TV: Ugly Stepchild of Hollywood?
Why Troy decided to stay in the business even after having a stroke

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Allee Willis

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

Troy DeVolld's website & blog

StoryExpo.com

Reality TV: An Insider's Guide to TV's Hottest Market

And Another Thing: A Beginner's Guide to the Television Notes Process

Continue to Listen & Learn

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

How a Tentpole Hollywood Feature Editor Stays Healthy, Fit, and Sane | with Alan Bell, ACE

How to Maintain Health No Matter How “Busy” You Are | with Jeff Greenberg

Setting Boundaries Between Work & Life (Even When You Work For Steven Spielberg) | with Sarah Broshar

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Maintaining Boundaries, Well-Being, and Sanity on Hollywood Blockbusters | with Jeffrey Ford, ACE

Mental Health is Not a Luxury…Even For “Top Guns” | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 2]

Life After 3 Heart Attacks in 24 Hours | with Marc Wielage

[Hollywood On the Record] How to Create Your Dream Job by Setting Healthy Boundaries | with Jerilynn Stephens & Kimi Messina

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Balancing Health, Happiness, & Hollywood (and the Consequences When You Don’t) | with Roger Barton

Mob Scene CEO Tom Grane on What It Takes to Succeed in Trailers & Marketing (Without Sacrificing Work-Life Balance)

Guest Bio:

Troy DeVolld

Troy DeVolld began his career in Hollywood 23 years ago on the MTV series Fear and has been credited on shows like The Osbournes, The Surreal Life, The Bachelor and multiple seasons of Dancing With The Stars. He's a sought-after consultant in the reality space and a speaker at Story Expo and Masters of Story events. Books include Reality TV, And Another Thing and the One Hundred Poems About Los Angeles series.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Building a Career Beyond Your Job Title, Strategically Crafting Your Story, and Diversifying Your Career Portfolio | with Jeff Bartsch

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Today's guest is Jeff Bartsch who is a visionary storyteller and communication strategist at Story Greenlight. He has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and online business. Jeff has also been a guest on my podcast before, talking about storytelling and making a living out of storytelling.

In our conversation today, we discuss the craft of storytelling from a strategic perspective. "Strategic" storytelling can change our human interactions in our daily lives. Storytelling is what really governs all human interactions whether you're starting a business, looking for a job, writing outreach emails, or even selling a product or service. We dissect what makes a story bad, and what makes it so powerful that it builds bonds between people. Jeff also shares candidly how understanding the psychology of storytelling revived his business from failure.

No doubt that my conversation with Jeff will unravel the strategies you can use to reinvent the way you interact with people, no matter where you are in your career.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What creativity really means and why understanding it can change your own creativity
Why a comment Jeff got as a kid changed the way he thought about creativity
How understanding your technical skills can take your creativity to the next level
What does Jeff mean by the 'thing underneath the thing' in your story
The four elements of a story definition and how it governs all human interactions
The difference between tactical storytelling and strategic storytelling
How bonds are formed between the storyteller and the audience
How to construct your own story and apply it in your human interactions
Jeff's business that (almost) tanked and how understanding storytelling revived it

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Art of Asking: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Let People Help by Palmer, Amanda, Brown, Brené

A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: How I Learned to Live a Better Story by Donald Miller

Quote by Steve Jobs: “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ...”

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Leveling Up Your Ability to Tell More Engaging Stories using EditMentor | with Misha Tenenbaum

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Peter McKinnon - YouTube

Story Greenlight

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

How to Rewrite Your Own Story | with Dr. Steven Isaacman

Building An Oscar-Winning Career…Without Sacrificing Your Values | with Paul Rogers

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Why Providing Value & Supporting Your Community is Essential | with Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

Guest Bio:

Jeff Bartsch

Jeff Bartsch is a visionary storyteller and communication strategist at Story Greenlight. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and online business, Jeff has helped shape content for clients including ABC, NBC, Universal, Disney, Apple, and many others. Jeff’s commentary has been featured in major publications including Time Magazine, USA Today, and the Associated Press. Through Story Greenlight, Jeff and his team empower business experts and leaders to tell their stories, serve more clients, and expand their impact in the world. He believes that the power of story is within reach of everyone, and that human connection is everything.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Reinvent Yourself, Pursue Your Dreams, and Change Careers at Any Age | with Marcelo Lewin

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Marcelo Lewin who considers himself a serial "accidental entrepreneur." What he means by that is that he creates websites around his passions, and in his own words, “somehow they turn into something other companies want.” He loves the intersection of business, productivity and creativity, and now, at the age of 56, he decided to switch careers to pursue his lifelong dream of filmmaking after 30+ years working in the tech industry. From an outside perspective, it might look like Marcelo can’t decide what he wants to do with his life, but in reality, he’s following passion and opportunity with great intention.

In our conversation, Marcelo reveals that his career shifts were driven by his active choice to pursue them. We talk about why he keeps switching careers and the mindsets and strategies he applies to pull them off. We also discuss his views on failure, why he seems to always expect it, and the strategies he uses to manage it.

This conversation is full of knowledge bombs that you can use on your own path whether you're transitioning to a new career or looking to excel on your current career path.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Marcelo's origin of story of coming to the US with little money
Why Marcelo decided to shift careers from tech to filmmaking at the age of 56
The mindsets and strategies Marcelo uses to shift careers
Why the entrepreneur mindset is important, even if you're working for someone
The concept of Plan B and how to apply it
How to have a side project while working full time
The key to learning something new and how to even begin
Key mindsets and strategies to manage failure
Marcelo's approach to AI while pursuing a career in filmmaking
Marcelo's definition of the word 'success'

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Is it time to re-invent yourself? | LinkedIn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Become 'Indistractable' | with Nir Eyal

How to Know (Without a Doubt) If It’s Time to Quit | with Annie Duke

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

[CASE STUDY] How to Make the Most of Slow Work Periods and Make a Career Pivot | with Malinda Zehner Guerra

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

How to Know What You Actually Want (and Find Support to Make It Happen) | with Philippe Danielides

How to Create Your Own Opportunities to Pursue Dream Projects | with Richard Sanchez

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

On Pursuing Your Passion (Instead of Paychecks), and Finding the Right Mentor | with Joaquin Elizondo

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

Overcoming “The Paycheck Paradox” (so you can make a living doing what you love)

Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello

[CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin

Guest Bio:

Marcelo Lewin

Marcelo Lewin calls himself an "accidental entrepreneur" having created multiple websites around his passions, which later became small startups "by accident" and later were acquired, including My Internet Desktop, Pixel Heads Network, Filmmaking Webinars, How to Create VR and Headless Creator.

He's been a Developer, Technical Architect, Project Manager, Podcaster, Blogger, Videographer, Designer, VP, and Director at many companies including NBC, Toyota, Walt Disney Imagineering and J.F. Shea Co, Inc.

Marcelo is making a midlife career transition at the age of 56 from 30+ years in the tech industry to filmmaking to fulfill his dream of working in Post-Production. He is currently enrolled at the UCLA Extension Filmmaking Program focused on Post-Production and Editing.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[CASE STUDY] How Marc Wiltshire Optimized His Cold Outreach Strategies (and Expanded His Network) to Land His Dream Job

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 14:01:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Today's guest is Marc Wiltshire who is a television editor and a valued member of the Optimizer community. Marc had been working on high profile shows like Star, Our Kind of People, Bel-Air and Wu-Tang: An American Saga. In our conversation, Marc shares his journey of living in Singapore for 4 years to study in film school, to moving to LA, knowing no one, to then getting consistent work on high profile projects.. From the outside perspective, we can say that Marc is just one 'lucky' person. But he played a big role in making his own luck.

Marc is one of the many editors who decided to take the traditional path of becoming an Assistant Editor first before becoming an editor. But what's different is Marc's mindset, which allowed him to shorten his 5-year plan to 2 years. In our conversation, find out why Marc didn’t view taking an AE job as stepping down, but he actually considered a move up.

You’ll also hear how Marc landed his dream job of cutting Wu-Tang with the help of the Optimizer program. We go in depth into the mindset shift he needed to nail one of the toughest interviews of his career.

This student case study with Marc will show you all the necessary tools you need to create your own luck and keep landing your next dream job.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The role luck played in making Marc's job connections
What gave Marc the confidence to say 'yes' to a high profile opportunity
Why Marc thinks the Assistant Editor route is what's best for him
The importance of narrowing down who you want to work with
How Marc shortened his 5-year plan of sitting in the editor's chair to just 2 years
The big difference between doing the hard work and allowing yourself to be exploited
The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
The course in the Optimize Yourself program that made Marc land his dream job
The mindset shift Marc needed to help nail his toughest job interview

Useful Resources Mentioned:

[CASE STUDY] How to Make the Most of Slow Work Periods and Make a Career Pivot | with Malinda Zehner Guerra

To Assist or Not to Assist…That Is the Question (pt 1) | with Chris Cavanagh

Continue to Listen & Learn

[CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile

[CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

The Right Way to Network In Hollywood | with Chris Visser

How to Negotiate Your Real Value (and Advocate For Yourself) As an Assistant Editor | with Scott Jacobs

Why Providing Value & Supporting Your Community is Essential | with Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE

To Assist or Not to Assist…That Is the Question (pt 2) | with Wellington Harrison

How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

Breaking “Bad” From Assistant to Editor | with Kelley Dixon, ACE (pt 1)

Breaking “Bad” From Assistant to Editor | with Kelley Dixon, ACE (pt 2)

Guest Bio:

Marc Wiltshire

Marc Wiltshire is a Film & Television Editor known for Wu-Tang: An American Saga, BEL-AIR, and Lee Daniels' STAR.

Born in Montreal, Canada, now residing in Los Angeles, Marc initially found his passion for storytelling through writing, leading him to write and direct several short films. While editing his first short film on a 16mm Steenbeck, Marc discovered his passion for Film Editing. He is committed to making bold choices, protecting the story, and bringing the best version of the filmmaker's vision to life.

An alumnus of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Film Department, Marc worked closely with Oliver Stone and Todd Solondz in the making of his short film My Avatar, which premiered at the Fantasia Film Festival in 2011. His film Bullshit (2016) became a hit on the festival circuit, winning awards in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Prior to moving to LA, Marc lived in Singapore for four years editing dozens of short films, commercials, music videos, and documentaries.

An avid cinephile and record collector, you can find Marc at the movies every week.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

A Mental Performance Expert on Shifting Your Mindset to Endure Setbacks | with Derin ‘DMac’ McMains

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Derin 'Dmac' McMains is a former baseball player, coach and manager turned Director of Mental Performance at global cybersecurity company, ReliaQuest. He's taken mental performance principles to train athletes, executives and other high performers to take their game to the next level. In our conversation, Derin and I talk about mindsets and how changing your relationship with your goals will allow you more freedom to make mistakes and trust the process instead of the outcome.

We explore how your self-image has a big impact on the goal setting process. Derin reveals his unique framework to setting goals that lets you see not only the action plan but also the story you need to tell yourself to make it happen. He puts it simply:

"How I see myself determines how I see the world. So how I see myself, my identity, determines my perspective and my perspective is going to determine my thoughts and my thoughts are going to determine my emotions and then it's my emotions that influence my actions."

This perspective flips the script on how we typically think of goals. Instead of relying on achieving goals to boost our self image, Derin suggests it starts with a positive self image and the goals come second. No doubt that this conversation with Derin will not only give you a fresh perspective about goals but also lets you walk away with the right mindset and more importantly, action steps to take them on.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The ‘comparison trap’ and the importance of identity
How to rewrite your story to get out of the ‘comparison trap’
How to find your ‘best performance’
The three questions to ask yourself when rewriting your story
How changing your relationship with your goals gives you more freedom to make mistakes
Breaking down Carol Dweck’s ‘Growth Mindset’ to make every moment a refining moment
The danger of getting to the top and what you can do to avoid the trap
The SMART-AS(S) Goals framework and why SMART Goals are not enough
Why the first decision of the day is important to achieving your goals
How to get into the ‘flow state’ and develop your skill to be present

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Performance Paradox - How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dweck, Carol S. S.

The No Show Dogs Podcast

Continue to Listen & Learn

Why People Fail And How To Properly Set Your Goals | with Jeanette Goodrich

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

Here’s Why Over 90% of People Fail to Achieve Their Resolutions

Stop Delaying Your Dreams and Live a Life Rich in Experiences | with Bridget Hilton & Joe Huff

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch

Feeling Lost? It’s Time to ‘Find Your Why’ | with David Mead

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

[CASE STUDY] How to Identify Your “One Thing” and Accomplish It Every Day | Mastermind Q&A

Guest Bio:

Derin 'DMac' McMains

Derin McMains is a former professional baseball player and manager, now Director of Mental Performance at global cybersecurity company ReliaQuest. McMains has spent the last decade-plus training athletes, executives and other high performers using mental performance principles to take their game to the next level. He’s built out mental performance programs for the San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, and the University of Notre Dame. One of the most important skills he teaches is a simple (yet not easy) one: learning how to be a high performer by staying in the present moment.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Optimize Your Money to Buy You Time (and Experiences) | with Laura Vanderkam

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Laura Vanderkam who is the author of several books about time management & productivity. She first appeared on this show to talk about her latest book, Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters, which I highly recommend you listen to if you haven’t yet. Today, she's back because of a book she wrote more than 10 years ago, All the Money in the World: What the Happiest People Know About Wealth.

Now, before you dismiss this as just another financial advice episode with a self-proclaimed 'financial guru,' hold on. Laura and I delve deep into the psychology of wealth, where money, happiness, and fulfillment intersect. In our conversation, we talk about the real reason people struggle to find fulfillment regardless of their financial standing. More importantly, Laura reveals how some happiness can be bought and it might not be as expensive as you think.

I have no doubt that Laura's unique perspective on money is still so relevant today as it was when she wrote it, it will help you make better choices and find fulfillment no matter where you stand financially.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The similarities and differences of money management and time management
How scarcity mindset affects your decisions
The money question people find hard to answer and the reason why
What the 2010 Daniel Kahneman study reveals and why it matters
Can money buy happiness?
The difference between happiness, fulfillment and well-being
What is ‘opportunity cost’ and how can it affect the quality of your life
What the word ‘enough’ really means
How being clear on your values can help you make better financial decisions
1099 mindset vs W2 mindset: and how each one can change your perspective
The most important questions to ask yourself when making a decision about your finances
Why people still can’t find fulfillment after being ‘retired’

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Using Time Tracking and Habit Formation to Create Moments That Matter | with Laura Vanderkam

"All the Money in the World" | A Book by Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam: How to gain control of your free time | TED Talk

Coffee shop economics (people are a good use of time) - Laura Vanderkam

Daniel Kahneman study on income and happiness

Ramit Sethi Podcast Interview on Forging Your Own Rich Life: Episode 105

How to Overcome Your Upper Limits

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Organize & Prepare Your Finances As a Freelancer | Mastermind Q&A

How to Optimize Your Finances As a Freelancer or Small Business Owner | with Sylvia Inks

The ‘Profit First’ Financial System (That Gives You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ to the Wrong Gigs) | with Mike Michalowicz

Stop Delaying Your Dreams and Live a Life Rich in Experiences | with Bridget Hilton & Joe Huff

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Your Time Is Worthless (Here’s How to Invest It Properly) | with Matt Sandrini

How to Determine If a Job Is Worth The Costs | Mastermind Q&A

William Zabka on Managing Overnight Success, Choosing the Right Opportunities (to Avoid Being Pigeonholed), Staying Creative, and Balancing Fatherhood with Hollywood

How to Know What You Actually Want (and Find Support to Make It Happen) | with Philippe Danielides

Guest Bio:

Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including the new Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters, along with Juliet’s School of Possibilities, Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. Her work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Fortune. She is the host of the podcast Before Breakfast and the co-host, with Sarah Hart-Unger, of the podcast Best of Both Worlds. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and five children, and blogs at lauravanderkam.com.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Stop Delaying Your Dreams and Live a Life Rich in Experiences | with Bridget Hilton & Joe Huff

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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My guests today are Bridget Hilton and Joe Huff who are co-authors of the best selling book, Experiential Billionaire: Build a Life Rich in Experiences and Die With No Regrets. Before you dismiss this episode thinking you're too busy making a living and you don't have the resources to do the things you want to do, my conversation with Bridget and Joe delved into exactly that fear:

"People get scared because it's easier to wrap their heads around what they have to lose than what they have to gain." - Bridget Hilton

Bridget and Joe surveyed over 20,000 people from all walks of life and the result is eye opening. People's regrets are very similar no matter their age and income status and in our conversation, we talk about why people often put things that matter in the fictional world of 'someday.' But more importantly, we talk about the exercises described in their book that can help you have that sense of urgency to start doing the things you love.

If you have a bucket list that you've stowed away in that fictional world of 'someday' because you think you don't have the time or resources to do them or they're simply too big to make them happen, this episode is for you. Our conversation will walk you through the actions you can take to start building a life rich in experiences with no regrets.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

What it means to be an Experiential Billionaire
The number 1 regret people have according to a Cornell study
The number 1 excuse people have for putting things in the 'someday' list
Why bucket lists often become deterrents to achieving something
The Memento Mori and Treasure Map exercises and how they can give you a sense of urgency
The eye-opening result of the survey from more than 20,000 people of all ages and income status and what it tells you
What the Japanese art of Kintsugai is and what you can learn from it
How to handle difficult situations when you're actually in it (and not looking back at it)
How to live a life rich in experiences without breaking the bank
The real fear people have that stops them from doing the things they want

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Experiential Billionaire: Build a Life Rich in Experience and Die With No Regrets

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

experientialbillionaire.com

bridgethilton.com

joehuff.com

Continue to Listen & Learn

Why People Fail And How To Properly Set Your Goals | with Jeanette Goodrich

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

Here’s Why Over 90% of People Fail to Achieve Their Resolutions

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch

Feeling Lost? It’s Time to ‘Find Your Why’ | with David Mead

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

[CASE STUDY] How to Identify Your “One Thing” and Accomplish It Every Day | Mastermind Q&A

Terrified to Make a Big Change In Your Life? Start By “Showing Up Small” | with Eddy Roche

On Authenticity, Luck, and Designing Life (and Footwear) On Your Own Terms | with Xero Shoes CEO Steven Sashen

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Guest Bio:

Joe Huff & Bridget Hilton

Bridget Hilton and Joe Huff are obsessed with experiences. Determined to unlock the secrets of their power to transform lives, they have spent years interviewing social science experts, conducting the largest study on life experiences ever done, and turning themselves into experiential guinea pigs. Together they have trained to be samurai, danced with the northern lights, tracked silverback gorillas in a hailstorm, stood face to face with hungry lions on safari, absorbed life lessons from Maasai Mara tribesmen, sped across glaciers on dogsleds, built schools for kids in need, studied with monks, helped give 50,000 people hearing, swum with sharks, and explored the experiential riches life has to offer.

Together they have been interviewed on the Today Show, Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, TechCrunch, The Verge, Buzzfeed, Entrepreneur, Monocle, Inc., Fast Company, and The Los Angeles Metropolitan Local News.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

TOP 5: Optimizing Sleep, Productivity, & Creativity Using Ultradian Rhythms and Self-Tracking | with Dr. Azure Grant

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Given the holiday season is ironically when happiness and well-being are often at their lowest and anxiety at its highest, I thought it might be helpful to share with you five of my favorite podcast episodes with some of the world’s foremost experts who can help you stay healthy, happy, and sane through this holiday season.

During the next 5 weeks, you will learn about the importance of movement, how it affects your creativity (and how to sneak it into your crazy day with minimal time), the practice of intuitive eating so you can still enjoy all the holiday food (but without the guilt), how to use mindfulness to keep calm amidst the holiday chaos, and finally how to maintain your sanity by improving the quality of your sleep.

Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five-interview series with Dr. Azure Grant, a sleep & hormone researcher who loves to geek out on sleep & energy biohacks. If you’re looking to better understand your energy rhythms throughout the day and how they affect your creativity, the quality of your sleep, and your well-being, I have no doubt you’ll be just as fascinated by this conversation as I was.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode189.

If you enjoy this top 5 playlist I invite you to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your interests and your goals, curated from our library of over 250 conversations.

TOP 5: A Former Monk on Managing Overwhelm (and Following Your Intuition) | with Cory Muscara

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five-interview series with mindfulness teacher and former monk, Cory Muscara. This conversation offers practical advice and tips for integrating mindfulness into your busy life where even 1 minute of practice can help alleviate the anxiety and stress of the holiday season (or any season for that matter).

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode193.

TOP 5: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five-interview series with transformational eating coach, Melissa Costello who will help you better understand your relationship with food so the holidays can be more about enjoyment without all of the rules, restrictions, and guilt.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode84.

TOP 5: Deskbound - Standing Up to a Sitting World | with Kelly Starrett

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five-interview series with Dr. Kelly Starrett who is an author and physical trainer to the military, professional athletes, and everyday people like you and me. His latest book is Built to Move: The Ten Essential Habits to Help You Move Freely and Live Fully, but in this conversation we cover his earlier books and he gives us an endless amount of information on how to stay mobile while being creative (and eliminate all the chronic pains we accumulate along the way).

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode02.

TOP 5: How Regular Movement Makes You Smarter | with Dr. John Ratey

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is episode one of my five-part interview series with Dr. John Ratey, a clinical psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School, who tells us about the relationship between movement and brain power. This podcast was one of the key resources I used to create my ultimate guide to building a healthy, ergonomic workstation. If you want to download a copy of that guide go to optimizeyourself.me/workstationultimateguide.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode30.

Reduce Pain, Increase Productivity, and Enhance Your Creativity with the QOR360 Chair | with Turner Osler, MD

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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My guest today is Turner Osler, who is a trauma surgeon turned epidemiologist, now turned inventor and entrepreneur. Turner has the usual trauma surgeon backstory, from medical school to residency to fellowship as a trauma surgeon, with over 300 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters. He made a transition to becoming an entrepreneur to build the company, QOR360, after he made the transition to research epidemiologist which inspired him to solve the problem of sitting when he found himself at a desk for many hours for the first time in his career.

If you're a long-time listener to my podcast, you know how I love to recommend products that promote an active workstation. The chairs that Turner designs really caught my attention because he's not trying to make a better chair; he’s trying to change your relationship to sitting. Turner reveals that standing is as detrimental to your health as sitting still, and we delve into the human body's natural physiology of sitting, standing, and movement. You’ll learn what active sitting is and about the physical and mental benefits it will give you. Turner's company is so passionate about their chairs that they've decided to give away the design for one of their models called the 'button chair' for free so that kids can reap the benefits and eliminate sitting disease for future generations to come.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What’s wrong with ‘ergonomic chairs’ that Turner decided to design his own chairs
What caused Turner to suddenly switch from being a doctor to becoming a founder and inventor
The negative effects (both physically and mentally) of sitting still for long periods of time
Why is standing just as immobilizing as sitting
The real opposite of sitting (it’s not what you think)
The natural architecture of the human body
How QOR360 chairs work
Why are QOR360 chairs different from any other active chairs?
How children can also benefit from active sitting
What are ‘button chairs’ and why Turner and his team decided to give away the design for free

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Turner Osler on TED Talk: Active sitting - could we give our kids a future without back pain

How Being Sedentary Is Damaging You (According to NASA) | with Dr. Joan Vernikos

How Regular Movement Makes You Smarter | with Dr. John Ratey

Deskbound – Standing Up To a Sitting World | with Dr. Kelly Starrett

QOR360

Button Chairs

QOR360 FitterSitter App

Sit Better: A Doctor Explains How “Ergonomic” Chairs Undermine Posture and Health, Causing Back Pain and Shortened Lives

Continue to Listen & Learn

Sitting Is Killing You, But Standing Isn’t the Answer (And Neither is Exercise)

Take Your Standing Desk to the Next Level with the Topo Mat – REVIEW

The Ultimate Guide to Building a Healthy Workstation (And Being Less Sedentary)…All For the Price of a Single Desk Chair

On Authenticity, Luck, and Designing Life (and Footwear) On Your Own Terms | with Xero Shoes CEO Steven Sashen

Balancing Health, Happiness, & Hollywood (and the Consequences When You Don’t) | with Roger Barton

The Freelancer’s Guide to Building a “Dynamic Workstation On the Go”

The Top 10 (Healthy) Must-haves For Any Editing Gig

The Beginner’s Guide to Alleviating Chronic Pain In 5 Min a Day…Right at Your Desk [VIDEOS]

Simple Solutions to Your Chronic Aches & Pains (and Where They Came From) | with Dr. Sadie Sanders

The Solution to Your Sedentary Lifestyle | with Ben Greenfield

Guest Bio:

Turner Osler

Turner Osler has the usual academic trauma surgeon back story: BA Neurobiology (Princeton), MD (Medical College of Virginia), surgical residency (Columbia, Harvard), fellowship (University of New Mexico) and then 20 years an academic trauma surgeon (University of Vermont) with over 300 peer reviewed papers and book chapters.

But then Turner went off scrip, got a masters in Biostatistics and an NIH grant and abandoned the operating room to study trauma epidemiology. Somewhere in the last decade he became obsessed with the problems that come from sitting too much, and especially sitting badly. Because no one else was doing it, Turner and some friends created a company (QOR360.com) to make active sitting chairs affordable enough for everyone to have one. Turner lives in Vermont with his wife, son and dog who have been surprisingly tolerant of his mania and are being gradually drawn into the madness. Except the dog.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Setting Boundaries Between Work & Life (Even When You Work For Steven Spielberg) | with Sarah Broshar

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Today's guest is award-winning film editor, Sarah Broshar who’s short list of credits includes The Fabelmans, West Side Story, Ready Player One, and The Post. All of which were projects that had her working with Hollywood legends Steven Spielberg and editor, Michael Kahn. Looking at her credits in her IMDb profile, you might think, "She must have gotten really lucky," but as Sarah shares in our conversation, her 'luck' mostly comes from consistently solving problems and providing value over and over.

As we go deeper into her story, Sarah shares that not only is she 'lucky' to be working with legends, she's also working with people who value family and boundaries which is not very common to high demand projects (or the industry, in general). Getting your foot in high-profile projects and working with people who will respect your boundaries is already challenging enough but as we find out in Sarah's story, she paved her own way to get to where she is now. Sarah's inspiring story reveals that creating your own 'luck' is the key to working with the best and setting boundaries is the key to having a life outside of work.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Sarah’s origin story
What Sarah did that got her recommended for an internship with Michael Kahn
How Sarah got into the room without even focusing on getting in the room
Sarah’s view on ‘luck’
How Sarah became invaluable from working as an intern in an environment that hasn’t worked with interns before
How Sarah chooses opportunities and how she can say ‘no’ without regrets
How Sarah finished West Side Story during the pandemic while being pregnant
The challenges of working with legends
Sarah’s non-negotiable (even for Steven Spielberg) and why Steven and Michael respect that
Sara’s creative calling
What makes creatives irreplaceable according to Sarah
The advice that Sarah gave years ago to someone she mentored at AFI and why she can’t relate to that advice now

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

The Performance Paradox – How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño

The Fabelmans (IMDb)

Roofless Painters

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.

Continue to Listen & Learn

Building An Oscar-Winning Career…Without Sacrificing Your Values | with Paul Rogers

How to Become Oscar-level Successful (Without Being a Dick) | with Peter Ramsey

Why You Don’t Need to Go to Film School to Be Successful | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 1]

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Maintaining Boundaries, Well-Being, and Sanity on Hollywood Blockbusters | with Jeffrey Ford, ACE

The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood | with Carol Littleton, ACE

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Ralph Macchio ‘Waxing On’ About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life

William Zabka on Managing Overnight Success, Choosing the Right Opportunities (to Avoid Being Pigeonholed), Staying Creative, and Balancing Fatherhood with Hollywood

Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Balancing Health, Happiness, & Hollywood (and the Consequences When You Don’t) | with Roger Barton

Guest Bio:

Sarah Broshar

Sarah Broshar recently finished co-editing The Fabelmans, which marks her ninth collaboration on a Steven Spielberg directed film. Along with Michael Kahn, she also co-edited West Side Story (Critics Choice Award winner for Best Editing), Ready Player One and The Post. She served as Additional Editor on Bridge of Spies and The BFG, after working as First Assistant Editor on War Horse and Lincoln. She began her journey with Spielberg and Kahn in 2009 by operating the Avid on The Adventures of Tintin. In 2019, Sarah edited Paramount’s hit Pet Semetary. She has also edited a number of independent features and was nominated for an ACE Eddie Award for The Post. Sarah is a graduate of the American Film Institute and Northwestern University.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

A New Approach to Relieving Stress & Anxiety (and Improving "Emotional" Health) | with Nick Wignall

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Nick Wignall is a board-certified clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive and behavioral psychology. Nick also writes a weekly newsletter called The Friendly Mind, which offers simple. practical advice for emotional health and wellbeing.

With the endless supply of challenges this year has delivered to us, including recession, the rise of AI, and the Hollywood strikes (to name just a few), anxiety has been on the rise and we’ve never been more desperate for solutions. Nick offers us an abundance of solutions to this evergreen topic, addressing anxiety in all aspects of life including the workplace.

In our conversation, Nick and I dissect what anxiety really is and peel each of its layers to help you identify how to deal with it. Nick gives us some great tips on how to work with your anxiety so you can still live your life and even make important decisions despite feeling anxious. Lastly, Nick reveals the benefits of training our minds to worry at specific times of the day and more importantly, how to do it.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Nick helps those who aren't clinically anxious but need more than self help books.
The difference between mental health and emotional health
How trying to help people with anxiety led to Nick having anxiety himself
Why it's not a good idea to hold off decision making until you're less anxious and what you should do instead
What anxiety really is and why it's perfectly normal
Why 'negative' emotions aren't really bad
Why understanding your emotions is vital to addressing your anxiety
The different types of fear and how knowing which type you're experiencing can help in your decision making
How to make a decision (especially big ones) amid a difficult emotion
The different layers of anxiety and how understanding them can help you identify your next action step to address your anxiety
Why values, even though they're generally good, aren't always helpful
Why is it important to know which of your values are operating but aren't being helpful to you
How values come in conflict with each other and what can you do when it happens
Why it's important to constantly update your values and how to do it
What is 'scheduled worry,' why it works in addressing anxiety and how to do it

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Inside Out (2015) - IMDb

Ramit Sethi Podcast Interview on Forging Your Own Rich Life: Episode 105

The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts: Chapman, Gary

Scheduled Worry – Discover the magic of worrying on purpose

The Friendly Mind newsletter

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

A Former Monk on Managing Overwhelm (and Following Your Intuition) | with Cory Muscara

How To Reduce Anxiety and Take Back Control During COVID-19 | Mastermind Q&A

FEAR: How to Protect Your Mental Health From the Infection Far Worse Than COVID-19

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

“I Was Fired For Requesting a Single Mental Health Day” | with Jim Page

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

How to Become Resilient In the Face of Change (and Manage an Identity Crisis) | with Brad Stulberg

The Power of a ‘Mindfulness’ Practice | with Dr. Swati Desai

Guest Bio:

Nick Wignall

Nick Wignall is a board-certified clinical psychologist specializing in cognitive and behavioral psychology. After years treating anxiety and insomnia clients, Nick left his clinical practice to help found a company that works with organizations to improve their culture and employee well-being. In addition to his day job, he writes a weekly newsletter, The Friendly Mind, which offers simple, practical advice for emotional health and wellbeing. Nick is married with four young kids and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Building An Oscar-Winning Career...Without Sacrificing Your Values | with Paul Rogers

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Paul Rogers who is an award-winning film editor. His work on Everything, Everywhere All At Once recently won him an Oscar. But the epicenter of our conversation today is the speech he gave backstage after the awards:

"There's a problem in our industry that the more you kill yourself for a movie, the braver you are and that's bullsh*t. We can do our jobs and we can live our lives and the more fully we are able to live our lives and the more humanely we treat ourselves and the people around us the better we can do our jobs."

If you’ve been a long time listener to my podcast, no doubt that you’ll recognize this as something that I’ve been advocating for years already. What’s interesting is that Paul did not plan on saying this in his speech, but instead, it came out of nowhere while trying to refocus from all the awards commotion. My intuition tells me that it’s deeply connected to his values as a film editor, as a human being and how he defines work-life balance.

In this conversation, we talk about boundaries, what type of projects he would do and why, and how winning an Oscar has changed his life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Paul accidentally said a quote that went viral after the Oscars
Paul’s different perspective about work-life balance and why it’s the best one to have
What changed for Paul after his quote went viral
Why Paul and his wife decided to leave their comfortable life and take a risk to make it in Hollywood
How Paul got his start in the entertainment industry
The short film that made Paul realize why he wanted to edit films
Lessons Paul learned from working on the wrong projects
What makes a work more rewarding beyond the money, credit and reputation
What Paul looks for when hiring assistants (it’s not about the credits and past experiences)
Paul’s view about winning awards
What Paul believes separates creatives from AI

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Until the Quiet Comes - short film by Kahlil Joseph

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

PARALLAX

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Become Oscar-level Successful (Without Being a Dick) | with Peter Ramsey

Mental Health is Not a Luxury…Even For “Top Guns” | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 2]

Staying True to Your Core Values (When Hollywood Tries to Steal Your Soul) | with Sean Corvelle

Mob Scene CEO Tom Grane on What It Takes to Succeed in Trailers & Marketing (Without Sacrificing Work-Life Balance)

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Dear Hollywood: Loving What We Do Makes Us Easy to Exploit. Here’s Why.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal.” Normal Wasn’t Working.

Dear Hollywood…We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

[Hollywood On the Record] How to Create Your Dream Job by Setting Healthy Boundaries | with Jerilynn Stephens & Kimi Messina

Hollywood on the Record: The Real Story Behind @IA_Stories | with Marisa Shipley & Amy Thurlow

Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Guest Bio:

Paul Rogers

Editor Paul Rogers recently won the Academy Award for Best Editing for the film Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Paul Rogers began his professional career in 2007 editing documentary films for public television in Alabama, winning 4 Emmy Awards. He made the jump to Los Angeles in 2013 and kicked off a career in music videos with the DANIELS’ directed Turn Down For What and further collaborated with DANIELS on the short films Interesting Ball and Boat Dad as well as one half of the duo, Daniel Scheinert, on the A24 feature film The Death of Dick Long, which premiered at Sundance in 2018. He dipped back into documentaries in 2020 with You Cannot Kill David Arquette, an official SXSW selection and winner of the Adobe Editing Award. His next film is Isaiah Saxon's debut feature The Legend of Ochi.

Along with feature films, he has edited for the Eric Andre Show, Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, Haim, and Thundercat among others.

Paul has also collaborated extensively with director Kahlil Joseph on projects such as ‘Lemonade’ for Beyonce, ‘Process’ for Sampha, and Joseph's most recent work 'BLK NWS.’

Paul is a partner in the editorial company PARALLAX located in Los Angeles.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

TOP 5: Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Given the vast amounts of fear & uncertainty surrounding the current job market I thought I’d give you a dose of inspiration, motivation, and dare I say, even a little gratitude to remind us all of the resilience and adaptability of the human race. On the heels of my recent conversation with Brad Stulberg who wrote the book Master of Change which provides practical ways to adapt and develop resiliency in the face of change, as well as my recent conversation with disability advocate Taylor Lewis, this upcoming series is sure to give you a new appreciation for the growth that arises from adversity.

For the next five weeks I’ll be releasing some of my favorite interviews with everyday people overcoming insurmountable obstacles to and achieve extraordinary things. In this top 5 series, you will hear from a wide range of guests who have faced extreme adversity and made it through to the other side to tell the tale.

Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five interview series with Jimmy Choi, a motivational speaker, an advocate for Parkinson’s research, an ultra-endurance athlete, a Parkinson’s patient, and an American Ninja Warrior. After getting diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’t at age 27 and falling into a deep depression, Jimmy turned his life aorund with one simple goal: Just do better than yesterday.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode67.

TOP 5: Being Grateful In the Face of Adversity | with Humberto Gurmilan

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with Humberto Gurmilan who is an Emmy award-winning producer, author, speaker, podcaster, and all-around inspiring guy. He is also the founder of the Gurmilan Foundation which empowers individuals with disabilities in challenged communities. If you are frustrated with your current circumstances, this conversation will help you flip your situation with a dose of gratitude and mobilize you to change what’s in your control.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode25.

TOP 5: Transforming Your Disabilities Into Superpowers | with Erik Stolhanske

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with actor, writer, and producer Erik Stolhanske who is best known for his role as ‘Rabbit’ in Super Troopers 1 and 2. His lesser known role is the one he plays himself in Tony Horton’s P90X Plyometric workout. He’s the one with the wooden leg! And he has a lot to teach us about how we can all turn our disabilities into superpowers.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode190.

TOP 5: Rewiring Your Brain to Be Happier | with Shane Burcaw

Tue, 03 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five interview series with Shane Burcaw who is an award-winning author, Emmy-winning producer, and writer of a blog with over 600,000 followers. Beyond that he is also the co-founder of Laughing at My Nightmare, a non-profit which inspires people to use humor to overcome challenges and also provides disability equipment to people with muscular dystrophy.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode20.

TOP 5: What Five Near-Death Experiences Can Teach Us About Living | with Dr. David Fajgenbaum

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is episode one of my five-part interview series with the author of Chasing the Cure, Dr. David Fajgenbaum. As a former Division I college quarterback, a state-champion weightlifter, a holder of multiple degrees including an MD from The University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA from The Wharton School of business, you’d think that David simply has it all. But what is missing from that list of accolades is that David has a rare disease that has threatened his life on five separate occasions. He has a lot to offer on the topic of facing adversity and keeping perspective on what is important in life.

The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode100.

Breaking Barriers: Rethinking Disabilities in the Workplace | with Taylor Lewis

Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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My guest today is Taylor Lewis who is an editor, writer, and disability advocate. He recently wrapped working as an Editorial PA on the Netflix feature film, Rebel Moon. But most of our conversation today focuses on Taylor's advocacy for disability representation in every level of the entertainment industry so they can share their perspective in life. Taylor believes that the best story to tell about a person with a disability is one that focuses on what they do as a human being with the disability being secondary.

In our conversation, Taylor tells his story about how he got into the entertainment industry by turning down an entry-level job because he believes it was offered to him out of 'charity' (by the way, did I mention that he has his own unique disability that you’ll hear him talk about?). We also deep dive into the different definitions of the word 'disability' and how some disabilities exist simply through the systems we put in place. Taylor believes that accommodating disabled people at every level not only benefits them, but it benefits all of us.

I encourage you to listen to my conversation with Taylor as his views on representation and his advocacies will ask you to consider that in some contexts, everyone has a disability and a disability can also be a superpower.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Taylor’s perspective on the best way to tell the story of someone with a disability
Why entry-level jobs are often inappropriate for people with physical disabilities
How to properly define disability by taking in social, economic, physical, and mental factors
Why context can turn a disability into a superpower
Why are people with disabilities portrayed by able-bodied people in films
What Taylor believes is more important than winning awardsHow can accommodating people with disabilities benefit everybody
How you can help advocate for people with disabilities

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Peanut Butter Falcon

1in4 Coalition

Jack Thorne

Group Effort Initiative

Inevitable Foundation

Go Far: The Christopher Rush Story

[CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello

Continue to Listen & Learn

Finding Strength On the Road to Disability | with Chris Anselmo

Rewiring Your Brain to Be Happier | with Shane Burcaw

Transforming Your Disabilities Into Superpowers | with Erik Stolhanske

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Never Take ‘No’ For An Answer | with Natalie Asatryan

Being Grateful In the Face of Adversity | with Humberto Gurmilan

Tired of Life Kicking Your Ass? Learn to Fight Back Like a True ‘Cobra Kai’

Want to Be Part of the Solution but Don’t Know How? Start with Listening.

Recognizing, Mentoring, and Promoting Diversity In Hollywood | with Monty DeGraff, ACEGuest Bio:

Taylor Lewis

Taylor Lewis started his career in post-production for advertising and documentaries. He recently decided to make the jump to feature films and is currently working as an Editorial PA on a Netflix feature film. Taylor also does disability content consulting for ad agencies, gives presentations about disability representation in media, and runs the Instagram account @disabilitycallsheet highlighting disabled actors.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[CASE STUDY] How to Make the Most of Slow Work Periods and Make a Career Pivot | with Malinda Zehner Guerra

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Malinda turned down the offer to assist in her dream show
The reason why Malinda joined the Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship program
How Malinda made her first contact into scripted during the pandemic
The subject line she used to catch the attention of the editor she's reaching out to
How Malinda maximized her membership in the Optimizer community (she only did a few Hot Seats!)
The exact exercise that Malinda did to identify her transferrable skills from different genres
The reason why people are pigeonholed and how to avoid it
How Malinda chose who to reach out to
How to have the courage to say 'no' to the wrong opportunities
The right way to ask for help from someone
How Malinda convinced the gatekeepers to take a chance on her despite her lack of experience in scripted

Continue to Listen & Learn

Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

[CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

[CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia

Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello

[CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin

[CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello

Transitioning From ‘Reality TV’ to Scripted Drama | with Monica Daniel

Convincing People You Can Do The Job (When You Don’t Have the Credits) | with Chris Patterson

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

Guest Bio:

Malinda Zehner Guerra

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Mauro Guillén is a Professor of Management and Vice Dean for the MBA for Executives Program at Wharton School, an expert in global market trends and a sought-after speaker and consultant. And what caught my attention is this quote from his website which pretty much describes not only the current situation of the entertainment industry but the world at large:

"The World you know is about to end — will you be prepared for what comes next?"

This is not fear mongering but an invitation to reinvent how you plan your life and your career. Our conversation took us deep into the reasons why the world is changing so fast and why the sequential model of life we've been trained to live (for over 120 years now) is not only obsolete but a danger to society as well. Mauro and I talk about the important shifts that we need to take which he lays out in his book, THE PERENNIALS: The Megatrends Creating a Post Generational Society.

My previous conversation with Christina Wallace talks about future proofing on an individual level, and this conversation with Mauro broadens out to the societal level. I cannot emphasize enough how timely these conversations are in helping you diversify your life and identify who you are beyond your resume.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Discover what should be the only possible response to change
Who are the perennials and what does it mean for you
What is the old sequential model and what are the many ways that this model is risky to society
Why the current school system is no longer working for us
What are the skills of the future and why we need to teach these in school now
Why learning is the superpower of the future
Why we should encourage students to think about multiple educations and careers
How to diversify if you are already specialized
The one important skill to relate with technology
The two ways to address a problem and which one is better
Why we need to rethink our idea of retirement

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society

Becoming a Master of Change in All Aspects of Your Life | with Brad Stulberg

Why You Feel Stuck and the Key to Unlocking Your Full Potential | with Eduardo Briceño

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success

A Lifetime of Systems Thinking by Russell Ackoff

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

How to Master the Metaskill of ‘Ultralearning’ | with Scott Young

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

IDENTITY (Weathering the storm…without losing yourself)

This isn’t just an economic crisis…it’s an identity crisis.

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Surviving AI requires changing our relationship with the “F-word”

Terrified to Make a Big Change In Your Life? Start By “Showing Up Small” | with Eddy Roche

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Guest Bio:

Mauro Guillén

Mauro F. Guillén is one of the most original thinkers at the Wharton School, where he is Professor of Management and Vice Dean for the MBA for Executives Program. An expert on global market trends, he is a sought-after speaker and consultant. He combines his training as a sociologist at Yale and as a business economist in his native Spain to methodically identify and quantify the most promising opportunities at the intersection of demographic, economic, and technological developments. His online classes on Coursera and other platforms have attracted over 100,000 participants from around the world. He has won multiple teaching awards at Wharton, where his presentation on global market trends has become a permanent feature of over fifty executive education programs annually. He is the WSJ bestselling author of 2030: How Today's Biggest Trends Will Collide and Reshape the Future of Everything.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Today's guest is Christina Wallace who is an entrepreneur, author, and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business school. Christina is a self-described "human Venn diagram" who has built a career at the intersection of business, technology and the arts. If you've been a listener of my podcast for sometime or have attended my latest workshops, you will most likely recognize that term as something I highly support.

In our conversation, Christina and I talk about the history of how industrialization shaped the needs of the human species to specialize, but how that shift has now turned against the working class. We also talk about how the pandemic became the catalyst to trigger the rapid shift that made specialization become not only outdated, but the biggest risk in our time. We delved deeper into why the specialization model simply doesn't work anymore given the rapid changing circumstances we're going into right now, and what exactly we need to be focusing on as we move forward.

Christina and I also talk about building The Portfolio Life, which is the title of her book as well as a key strategy to become irreplaceable (even in these rapid changing times when many roles are being rendered obsolete). She takes us through the steps she describes in her book to find the intersection of everything in your life so you can identify what makes you who you really are as well as discover the value you can offer in any industry. Whatever industry you're currently in, this conversation will help shed light on your next steps if you feel you're behind and need to catch up with our constantly evolving world.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

We thought the pandemic changed everything…but why is everything changing even faster now?
How humankind shifted from generalists to specialists during the industrial revolution (and this matters so much now)
Why having one clear speciality might be the biggest risk of our time
If the business model in our grandparents’ time made them so successful, why can't it work for us now?
What happened to the career ladder we were all supposed to be climbing…
The meaning and difference between a deliberate strategy and an emergent strategy (and which one you should be using now)
The danger of defining yourself by your career or skill set
The benefits of transitioning to another career (and no, you’re not “starting all over again”)
How you can use a Venn diagram to build your own Portfolio Life
Why there is absolutely nothing wrong with failure (unless one of these two things happen…)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger than Your Business Card

The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity

The Performance Paradox – How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño

Becoming a Master of Change in All Aspects of Your Life | with Brad Stulberg

Continue to Listen & Learn

IDENTITY (Weathering the storm…without losing yourself)

This isn’t just an economic crisis…it’s an identity crisis.

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Surviving AI requires changing our relationship with the “F-word”

Why Providing Value & Supporting Your Community is Essential | with Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE

Staying True to Your Core Values (When Hollywood Tries to Steal Your Soul) | with Sean Corvelle

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Terrified to Make a Big Change In Your Life? Start By “Showing Up Small” | with Eddy Roche

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Guest Bio:

Christina Wallace

A self-described “human Venn diagram”, Christina Wallace has crafted a career at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, where she teaches entrepreneurship and leads HBS Startup Bootcamp. Her latest book is The Portfolio Life: How to Future-Proof Your Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build A Life Bigger Than Your Business Card (Hachette, 2023).

A serial entrepreneur, Christina has built businesses in ecommerce, edtech, and media. She also co-authored New To Big: How Companies Can Create Like Entrepreneurs, Invest Like VCs, and Install a Permanent Operating System for Growth (Penguin Random House, 2019) and was the co-host of The Limit Does Not Exist, an iHeart podcast with millions of downloads over 3 seasons and 125 episodes.

In her free time, she sings with various chamber choirs, embarks on adventure travel, and is a mediocre endurance athlete. She lives in Cambridge with her husband and their two children.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Becoming a Master of Change in All Aspects of Your Life | with Brad Stulberg

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Brad Stulberg is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness as well as the upcoming book, Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything is Changing, which we will be discussing in our conversation today.

Brad and I nerd out on the science behind how we react to changes and why change can cause stress, anxiety and even depression. Brad reveals a simple and effective formula for relating to change and how to apply it in every day life. We cover the reasons why contentment can be such a sticky and loaded topic. Plus, you’ll learn some therapeutic theories and tools such as the arrival fallacy and behavioral activation, to help you understand and work with anxiety and depression..

Our conversation then pivoted to the latest change that the creatives in the entertainment industry are encountering now. Brad provides concrete steps and questions we can ask ourselves to help us deal with the strike and the developing world of Artificial Intelligence. If you’ve been feeling a shift in your identity, or some form of an identity crisis, there are some helpful ideas for managing this change.

This is a timely conversation that will be relevant for years to come due to the everlasting nature of change and our evolving relationship to it.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What is groundedness and how does it apply to us?
Homeostasis vs Allostasis (and why the difference is important to know)
How our brain reacts to changes and the reason we are so resistant to them
The two neural pathways our brains can take when experiencing change
How to accept where you are especially when there is resistance
What is behavioral activation and how we can use it in the face of change
Why behavioral activation works even if we don't get the result we expect
The concrete steps to follow when a big change occurs
Understanding the hype cycle and why the hype about AI might be outweighing the gravity of what it really is
The more important thing we should focus on that's more robust and less fragile to change
How to manage an identity crisis
The real life story of an athlete who shifted from being a "specialist" to "generalist"
Why your core values matter particularly in shifting identities
Why "positive thinking" doesn't always work (and what evidence based tool does)
The two types of fatigue and how to identify each of them

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything Is Changing - Including You

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | Federal Communications Commission

Crisis hotlines and resources

Brad Stulberg | Author, Executive Coach, and Speaker | Official Site

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World

You are a “Jack of All Trades” AND a master of one (you just don’t know it yet)

Continue to Listen & Learn

IDENTITY (Weathering the storm…without losing yourself)

This isn’t just an economic crisis…it’s an identity crisis.

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Surviving AI requires changing our relationship with the “F-word”

The Performance Paradox – How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño

Why Providing Value & Supporting Your Community is Essential | with Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE

Staying True to Your Core Values (When Hollywood Tries to Steal Your Soul) | with Sean Corvelle

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Terrified to Make a Big Change In Your Life? Start By “Showing Up Small” | with Eddy Roche

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Guest Bio:

Brad Stulberg

Brad Stulberg researches, writes, and coaches on health, well-being, and sustainable excellence. He is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness and co-author of Peak Performance. Stulberg regularly contributes to the New York Times, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, Sports Illustrated, Outside Magazine, Forbes, and other outlets. He also serves as the co-host of The Growth Equation podcast and is on faculty at the University of Michigan’s Graduate School of Public Health. In his coaching practice, he works with executives, entrepreneurs, physicians, and athletes on their mental skills and overall well-being. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Weathering the storms...without losing yourself

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The Performance Paradox - How Only Focusing On Performance Leads to Performing Worse | with Eduardo Briceño

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Eduardo Briceño is a global keynote speaker that has been guiding many of the world’s leading companies in developing cultures of high performance and effective learning. He is the author of the book, THE PERFORMANCE PARADOX: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action (to be released on September 5th) and is an absolute powerhouse of information on what the growth mindset actually is and how you can achieve it.

In our conversation, Eduardo and I dive deep into the science of how the human mind learns at different ages, and why understanding this is the key to unlocking your ability to learn more deeply in ways that are far more fulfilling (as opposed to our previous conditioning at a young age that learning sucks). Eduardo explains how you can avoid what he calls the Performance Paradox, where high performing individuals become in danger of being stuck due to the fact that they are no longer learning, they are just doing what they know best over a long period of time.

If you’re looking to not only advance your current level of success, but maintain that success long term (or get un-stuck if you feel as if you’re running in place), this conversation is for you. Eduardo completely reframes the process of learning and reaching your own peak level of high performance in ways that are both simple to understand and fulfilling to practice. The insights you'll learn from our discussion are invaluable in order to help you grow not only in your career, but your life in general.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What a growth mindset really is (it's not what many people think) and why knowing this is so crucial to your growth
The danger of the belief that we belong in specific groups (e.g. being 'gifted' in an area)
How the brain learns in different age groups and how understanding this can boost your learning ability
How you can make learning fulfilling (and not something you dread)
What the performance paradox is and why understanding it is so crucial to your growth
The difference between the Learning Zone and Performance Zone and the right time to be in each
The 4 types of mistakes and how you can learn from each of them
Why having experience in an area doesn’t guarantee your success (and what does)
How to diversify your skills the right way
How to create time for growth when your calendar is already full of to do lists
Eduardo’s simple 4-step framework to achieve high performance and effective learning

Useful Resources Mentioned:

TED Talk: How to Get Better at the Things You Care About

TEDx Talk: The Power of Belief

The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action - Eduardo Briceño

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.

RANGE: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World – David Epstein

Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise - Anders Ericsson, Robert Pool

Dunning–Kruger effect

Continue to Listen & Learn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

How to Accomplish Your ‘One Thing’ Every Day | with Jay Papasan

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch

Using the Athlete’s Mindset to Hone Your Creativity & Productivity | with Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

Guest Bio:

Eduardo Briceño

Eduardo Briceño is a global keynote speaker and facilitator who guides many of the world’s leading companies in developing cultures of learning and high performance. Earlier in his career, he was the co-founder and CEO of Mindset Works, the first company to offer growth mindset development services. Previously, he was a venture capital investor with the Sprout Group. His TED Talk, How to Get Better at the Things You Care About, and his prior TEDx Talk, The Power of Belief, have been viewed more than nine million times. He is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow, a member of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network, and an inductee in the Happiness Hall of Fame. He is the author of THE PERFORMANCE PARADOX: Turning the Power of Mindset into Action.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The Note Underneath the Note: What Separates Editors From the Machines

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited to share the conversation I had with Emmy-nominated editors in Optimize Yourself and Impact24's #NoteUnderneathTheNotePanel! Listen in to the conversation to learn more about what makes creatives so valuable in a world with rapidly changing technology…

You are a "Jack of All Trades" AND a master of one (you just don't know it yet)

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Why Providing Value & Supporting Your Community is Essential | with Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE is a film and television editor, who is also actively involved in the Motion Picture Editors Guild. She's worked on projects such as 9-1-1, Z-Nation, Chucky, Fear The Walking Dead, The OA, and Love Victor. What’s unique to Shiran’s success story is the method she has used in order to reroute her career and pursue her dream work. Counterintuitively, it involves not working at all. In our conversation today, Shiran shares with us the strategy she uses to step away from work so that she can dive all into pursuing what is most fulfilling to her (which is helping others).

Beyond her unique strategies for developing a fulfilling life and career, Shiran is also here to share with us how providing genuine value is the key to strengthening your community and creating a strong, supportive network. In a world where there is no shortage of highly skilled workers, providing value is how Shiran went from zero connections in the industry to working as an editor with an Eddie nomination. While Shiran’s career path might look like a string of “luck”, as you’ll learn today, it came after she focused on providing value, not as a strategy, but as a heartfelt human desire.

If you’re interested in expanding your network, looking to extend your reach in the world, or, want more fulfillment in your life, this conversation is for you. Shiran’s strategies are simple enough that anyone can apply them (and clearly effective enough that you should). Beyond learning some great new strategies, you’ll hear all about Shiran’s unique life story that is sure to leave you feeling inspired.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Shiran landed her first gig in Hollywood with zero connections (and no, it wasn’t an impressive resume)
The strategy Shiran used (more than once) that allowed her to quit her job while she took time to pursue her dream job
Why Shiran decided to turn down Assistant Editor work and what she did instead
The indie film that was Shiran’s breakthrough into editing work
How Shiran managed to make the jump to editor at a company she previously worked for doing something else
The most annoying advice from Zack that Shiran followed when she felt stuck (and why it worked)
The project Shiran started for the benefit of the union that earned her the nickname “healthcare gal”
Why just doing great work isn’t enough (and what else Shiran did that led to her being nominated for an Eddie)
Why Shiran believes you don’t have to be at the “top” to make changes
How genuinely helping the community benefits you and everyone around you

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Become a volunteer (MPEG)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Improve Your Networking Skills By Serving First (Instead of Selling) | with Liston Witherill

On the Vital Importance of “Being Nice” | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia

How to Provide Value & Get Paid What You’re Worth | Mastermind Q&A with Monica Daniel

How to Become Oscar-level Successful (Without Being a Dick) | with Peter Ramsey

Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

How to Build Your Community, Intuition & Resilience in Order to Succeed as an Artist | with Kristina Snyder

Guest Bio:

Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE

Born in NY and raised in Israel, Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE served as an Avid Editor during her mandatory 2 year military service in the Israeli Air Force Filming Unit. After moving to LA she transitioned between genres and worked her way up over 13 years. Prior projects include Fear The Walking Dead, The OA, Love Victor, and Chucky. In 2022 she was nominated for an ACE Eddie award for her editing on the indie narrative film, Lupe. Currently she's an editor on season 6 of the show 9-1-1 for Fox. Shiran volunteers her time helping the post production industry within the Motion Picture Editors Guild, serving on its Board of Directors as an Editor representative, is the Co-Chair of its Young Workers Group, and participates on various committees.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

This isn't just an economic crisis...it's an identity crisis.

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The Link Between Telling Your Story & Identifying Your Purpose (And How to Do Both) | with Dan Davis

Tue, 08 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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Dan Davis is the founder and CEO of Stiry, as well as an award winning documentary filmmaker of over 250 films (yes, you read that correctly). If you’re wondering how Dan has the time and energy to make all of these films, we'll definitely be answering that for you in our conversation! For the majority of our conversation today, however, Dan and I will be discussing his inspiring life story of overcoming multiple health conditions (including undergoing a last minute life saving surgery) that in turn fueled his calling to help others uncover their own unique purpose.

Through Dan’s incredible experience, he learned the power that telling your story has when it comes to self-discovery and identifying your deeper calling. By creating Stiry or “stories that stir”, as well as writing his book This Is My Story, Dan provides as many people as he can with the tools it takes to not only better identify their deeper calling, but learn how to share that with others through the power of story.

If you’ve been feeling as if you’re unsure of your real purpose, or perhaps you know what that is but are unclear on the steps necessary to transition to that role, this conversation is for you. Dan and I dive deep into the steps he outlines in his book (which is also a workbook) so that you can get started uncovering your own answers. As I mentioned in my interviews and articles, we're in COVID 2.0 right now (minus the COVID) and there’s no better time than now for you to listen to Dan’s advice and get started clarifying your next steps towards where you really want to be in life.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Dan’s story of the life saving surgery that inspired him to create his company
How Dan used his time of unemployment (after quitting several jobs) to discover his purpose
The reason it’s so important to undergo your own self-discovery and uncover your own story
How telling your story benefits both yourself and the people around you
3 simple steps that will help you uncover your own story
What simple actions you can be doing while you uncover your story (and purpose)
The real questions you should be asking yourself…
The end result of uncovering your story (and what this process will do for you)
What the company Stiry both is and what it can do for you

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Stiry

This is My Story: See Your Story Differently and Let It Move You

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

Feeling Lost? It’s Time to ‘Find Your Why’ | with David Mead

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

How to Know What You Actually Want (and Find Support to Make It Happen) | with Philippe Danielides

How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

Writing Your Own (Unique) Path to the Top | with Wendy Calhoun

Guest Bio:

Dan Davis

Dan Davis is an award winning film producer, director, and the founder of the documentary film company Stiry (‘stories that stir’). Dan has successfully run multiple multi-million dollar film production companies and produced and directed over 250 films across the globe.

His inspired efforts through film have proved to be instrumental in raising millions of dollars for charities worldwide and helping thousands find their own story, a testament to Dan's focus on storytelling as a tool for change.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The Hollywood suits may hate us. But they will always need us.

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:00:00 +0000

A Psychologist’s Guide to Building Relationships and Managing Conflict (Both Personally and Professionally) | With Dr. Jessica Higgins

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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Today's guest is Dr. Jessica Higgins, a licensed psychologist and relationship coach. Now you might be wondering why we’re going to talk to a psychologist about relationships today, but while Dr. Higgins specializes in treating couples, our conversation covers the entire spectrum of building and maintaining relationships - even professional ones. Relationship building is a key strategy I teach in my Advance Yourself course, and beyond that a key component of joy and fulfillment (or not) in our lives.

In our conversation, we discuss what really goes on behind the scenes when it comes to the start of any personal or professional relationship, and how that attraction can so easily shift to conflict. Dr. Higgins shares the deeper roots of how we form conflict with others and in turn, how we can better manage these situations and come to a resolution rather than burn a bridge. By more deeply understanding how relationships work, we can change the game when it comes to our personal connections and professional network.

I cannot stress enough the valuable insights I have learned from Dr. Higgins and know you will have your own eye-opening experiences by listening to what she has to share. Her strategies in dealing with conflict, understanding who to connect with (and how) are in perfect alignment with what I teach my students in the Optimizer Coaching and Mentorship program. Beyond all of the helpful information Dr. Higgins provides in our conversation, she also shares a free guide which can be downloaded here to help you communicate better in your relationships.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The difficult relationship Dr. Higgins’ experienced that she thought she could avoid as a psychologist
The real difference between a therapist and a coach (and which one you need)
The different forms of “attachment styles” and how knowing them can transform how we relate to others
Why opposites really do attract, and why it’s important to know this
How our nervous system is involved with non verbal communication (and why this matters)
The most common misconceptions of conflict and why it’s important to understand where they are coming from
How to identify patterns of relationship conflicts (and why you should)
The single most important question to ask when you are in any conflict - even professionally
How you can help someone who doesn’t want to be helped
How to structure a conversation during conflict so that you can actually find a resolution

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Shifting Criticism for Connected Communication (free guide)

Empowered Relationship podcast

Dr. Jessica Higgins' website

Continue to Listen & Learn

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How to Build Meaningful Relationships in the ‘Real World’ | with Camille Virginia

Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE

Fostering Better Relationships and Improving Team Culture | with Jason Barger

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

Dear Hollywood: The suits may hate us. But they will always need us.

When Being a “People Pleaser” Goes Too Far (and How to Set Boundaries) | with Lisa Robison, CCE

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

How to Master “Offline” Networking at Live Events | with Camille Virginia

Is now the worst time to network? Or the best time?

Guest Bio:

Dr. Jessica Higgins

Dr. Jessica Higgins holds two graduate degrees in psychology, two coaching certifications, and over 20 years of experience helping clients achieve successful results.

As the host of the Empowered Relationship Podcast, she helps people navigate the terrain of long-lasting intimacy more skillfully and mindfully. Through her coaching and online course, clients transform pain into love and connection.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Should we prepare for The Rise of the Machines? Or The Rise of the...

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The Benefits of Mindfulness & Therapy (and How to Know Which One You Need) | with Seth Gillihan

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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My guest today is licensed psychologist Seth Gilihan, who is the host of the Think Act Be podcast as well as the author of Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In our conversation, Seth and I dive deep into exploring what talk therapy is all about (specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and how the addition of mindfulness techniques can be beneficial in treating anxiety and depression.

Whether you’re interested in therapy and currently receiving it, classify yourself as “yeah been there done that”, or are against therapy altogether, I highly recommend listening to this podcast. Seth not only shares how to specifically know if therapy would be beneficial to you (you might be surprised at the factors that determine this), he shares his key strategies that actually help you get to the root cause of your anxiety and depression so you can alleviate it. He also shares what he views as “false” when it comes to the traditional ways people are being treated.

In addition to our discussion of therapy, Seth takes us on a deep dive into the topic of mindfulness sharing the specific techniques mentioned in his book. You’ll learn all about what mindfulness really is (and how simple it can actually be) and all the ways in which it can help you. So whether or not you’re interested in therapy, Seth’s insights on the topic of CBT and mindfulness are nothing short of profound and in my opinion, too valuable to miss.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Seth’s own experience with burnout triggered his interest in the mindfulness and cognitive behavioral techniques he helps others with today
Why therapy might be beneficial to you (even if you don't think you need it)
What exactly is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Why the traditional views of treating anxiety, depression and chronic pain might be false
The specific key indicators to look out for that suggest you need therapy (or outside help in general)
The single book passage that changed everything about the way Seth treats suffering
How mindfulness has become just another McMindfulness and Tootsie Roll (and what that means exactly…)
What Seth says “real mindfulness” actually is, and why his description is so liberating
A breakdown of the mindfulness techniques Seth uses personally and with his patients

Useful Resources Mentioned:

10 Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety Everyday - Seth Gillihan, PhD

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Think Act Be podcast

Seth Gillihan’s books

Bloom Self-Therapy App

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

The Power of a ‘Mindfulness’ Practice | with Dr. Swati Desai

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Outsmarting Your Chronic Pain with Mindfulness | with Christiane Wolf

FEAR: How to Protect Your Mental Health From the Infection Far Worse Than COVID-19

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

“I Was Fired For Requesting a Single Mental Health Day” | with Jim Page

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

How a Tentpole Hollywood Feature Editor Stays Healthy, Fit, and Sane | with Alan Bell, ACE

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Guest Bio:

Seth Gillihan

Seth Gillihan is a licensed psychologist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He was a full-time faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania from 2008 to 2012, and taught in the Psychology Department at Haverford College from 2012-2015. He has been in private practice since 2012.

Seth completed a doctorate in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of multiple books on mindfulness and CBT, Therapy Advisor with the self-therapy app Bloom, a medical reviewer for Everyday Health, and host of the Think Act Be podcast.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Outsmarting Your Chronic Pain with Mindfulness | with Christiane Wolf

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD is a former physician who is now an internationally known mindfulness and insight meditation teacher. While practicing medicine, Christiane began noticing the mediation practices she was sharing were making a profound difference in the lives of her patients, and she is here to explain those changes with us today.

In our conversation together, Christiane dives deep into explaining the science behind how pain and our brain work (we have quite the geek out session). You’ll learn the 3 components of pain, how the words you use regularly can affect that pain, and which mindfulness techniques are helpful in both managing and lessening your experience with pain.

If you are experiencing chronic pain (or are even a physician who treats chronic pain) this episode is for you. Christiane wonderfully blends Eastern techniques with Western medicine and provides mindfulness practices that are simple, effective, and a true gift to anyone who is struggling with pain.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How mindfulness is a benefit to the patient and physician in Western medicine
Understanding the science of pain (it’s all in your head…literally)
What the 3 specific components of pain are, and why it’s important to know them
How to train your mind to stay in the present (and stop stressing about the past and future)
The difference between being in pain and suffering - and how to work with both
Understanding suffering vs resistance in Christiane’s ‘equation of pain’ so you can better manage your experience
What it means to stop taking your pain personally (and how that helps to lessen it)
How you can manage ‘permanent’ chronic pain conditions by building systems around your shifts in attitude
Why placing our focus on “being” allows us to “do” more
The benefit of remaining fully in point A before moving on to point B

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Christiane Wolf’s website

Working with Pain: Mindfulness practices and insights for physical pain relief (on-demand class)

Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Outsmart Your Pain, Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Help You Leave Chronic Pain Behind

Christiane’s classes

Ten Percent Happier #366 How To Outsmart Your Pain with Christiane

Continue to Listen & Learn

Stop “Managing” Your Chronic Pain and Start Fixing It | with Julie Fahrbach

Managing & Alleviating Chronic Pain with…Creativity? | with Anna Holtzman

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

The Power of a ‘Mindfulness’ Practice | with Dr. Swati Desai

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Simple Solutions to Your Chronic Aches & Pains (and Where They Came From) | with Dr. Sadie Sanders

The Beginner’s Guide to Alleviating Chronic Pain In 5 Min a Day…Right at Your Desk [VIDEOS]

The Magic of Postural Modification (And How It Can Cure Your Back Pain Better Than a Doctor)

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Using HRV to Reduce Stress (and Master Your Nervous System) | with Ronda Collier

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

Guest Bio:

Christiane Wolf

Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD is a former physician, internationally known mindfulness and Insight (Vipassana) meditation teacher. She is board certified as an OB/GYN and holds a PhD in psychosomatic medicine from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. Dr. Wolf is the lead-consultant and teacher trainer for the National Mindfulness Facilitator Training at the US Department of Veteran Affairs. She is the author of “Outsmart Your Pain - Mindfulness and Self-Compassion to Help You Leave Chronic Pain Behind” and the co-author of the classic training manual for mindfulness teachers “A Clinician’s Guide to Teaching Mindfulness.”

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[BONUS] Mind-Body Burnout and Career Rebirth with Zack Arnold (From Chronic Pain to Passion podcast)

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:05:00 +0000

This conversation is a bonus episode we are adding to our Chronic Pain Series where we are talking with three different experts about how chronic pain affects creative professionals and what you can do about it. Please be sure to check out those conversations with Somatic Movement Teacher, Julie Fahrbach, TV Editor turned Chronic Pain Therapist, Anna Holtzman, and Medical Doctor, Author and meditation teacher, Christiane Wolf.

This conversation is one where I’m the guest and the host is Anna Holtzman on her podcast titled From Chronic Pain to Passion. I go deep into my history with burnout in ways I haven’t talked about on this show before. And I discuss my most recent and ongoing recovery from COVID. Anna helps me unpack the timing of my bouts of burnout and coaches me through new ways of dealing with it. I hope you learn as much as I did from this conversation.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at From Chronic Pain to Passion

→ Click here to go to From Chronic Pain to Passion home page

Managing & Alleviating Chronic Pain with…Creativity? | with Anna Holtzman

Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Anna Holtzman is a former television editor who, after healing from chronic migraines, shifted gears to become a licensed therapist and coach specializing in chronic pain recovery. Anna both helps people better manage their chronic pain, as well as understand the emotional cause behind it in an effort to release the pain from its source.

In our conversation, Anna shares that chronic pain is linked with our stress response and is nothing more than a protective reflex trying to alert us that something deeper is going on. We discuss the power of communicating with the body in order to better receive that message, as well as understand how we can go about addressing it. Anna shares many unlikely, yet powerful tools - including journaling - that you can start using to feel better today.

As you’ll learn from this conversation, there are many ways to work with chronic pain that don’t involve more prescriptions, more doctor visits, and more ‘coping’. Whether chronic pain is new for you, or you’ve been dealing with it for a long time, this conversation is a must listen.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Anna’s migraines she suffered while editing led to her career in chronic pain
The true source of (most) chronic pain
How you can learn to view pain as an alarm that something deeper might be going on…
Clues your body might give you if your nervous system is too high
The 3 specific questions you can ask your body to decode what you need to relax
The surprising benefit journaling has on your chronic pain
Why “giving up” from time to time might be the best thing for you
Why stepping into a career you’re passionate about can trigger the most chronic pain
Are you experiencing the same problems over and over? That’s ok and here’s why…
The importance of building an inner dialogue when it comes to managing emotional turbulence
The four key phases of working with chronic pain
The steps you can take to start working with your chronic pain TODAY

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Curable app

How Your Gut Health is the Key to Unlocking a Healthier & Happier You | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Dunning Kruger effect newsletter

The Passionate Creative’s Guide to Chronic Pain Recovery

Anna Holtzman’s website

Mind-Body Burnout and Career Rebirth with Zack Arnold (From Chronic Pain to Passion podcast)

From Chronic Pain to Passion podcast

Continue to Listen & Learn

Stop “Managing” Your Chronic Pain and Start Fixing It | with Julie Fahrbach

Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Simple Solutions to Your Chronic Aches & Pains (and Where They Came From) | with Dr. Sadie Sanders

The Beginner’s Guide to Alleviating Chronic Pain In 5 Min a Day…Right at Your Desk [VIDEOS]

The Magic of Postural Modification (And How It Can Cure Your Back Pain Better Than a Doctor)

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Using HRV to Reduce Stress (and Master Your Nervous System) | with Ronda Collier

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

Guest Bio:

Anna Holtzman

Anna Holtzman is a former TV editor and lifelong writer who, after healing from chronic migraines, became a licensed therapist and coach who specializes in chronic pain recovery. While working in TV for over a decade, she edited shows like MTV’s MADE, Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant and many more. As the Co-Director of Education and Advocacy for the New York Editors Collective, a group of more than 1000 professional TV editors, she ran education and advocacy seminars on labor rights and social justice issues in the industry.

Now a licensed therapist and chronic pain recovery coach, Anna offers an online course called Writing to Release Chronic Pain and is launching a new group coaching program, From Chronic Pain to Passion, for passionate creatives who want to heal from chronic symptoms and reclaim their energy. She also facilitates groups for Curable, a world leader in chronic pain education and recovery. Anna’s weekly blog is syndicated by The Good Men Project and Medika Life, and she’s been interviewed on some of the top podcasts on the chronic pain recovery.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Stop “Managing” Your Chronic Pain and Start Fixing It | with Julie Fahrbach

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today is Julie Fahrbach, a familiar name in the Optimizer community and a long time fellow team member in the Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship program. Julie is a Somatic Movement Instructor and Bodywork Specialist on a mission to educate anyone with chronic aches, pains, and injuries that they hold the ability to not just lessen their pain, but cure it.

As we discuss today, Julie previously (and openly unhappily) worked in the entertainment industry for 10 years before experiencing a life changing moment just after leaving that lead to her doing the work she does today. Beyond discussing lessons of boundaries while working in the industry (or any career), Julie and I dive deep into the intricacies of chronic pain, unraveling the real cause to ultimately develop more effective strategies to work with it.

Julie's profound knowledge on this subject is nothing short of astounding. In fact, I got to be one of her clients to experience firsthand how effective her methods really are, which I also share in our conversation. This episode holds as many lessons in placing boundaries as it does valuable insights on chronic pain - including how to prevent it, manage it and cure it.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The harsh truth Julie had to learn about working in abusive work environments…”It happened because I allowed it to.”
How to take responsibility over your boundaries and stop getting taken advantage of at work (and in life)
How Julie found clarity on who she is and what she wants to do after a decade of feeling lost
The life changing moment that made Julie stop and rethink how she’s living her life
The real cause of chronic aches and pains (it’s probably not your office chair…)
What the phrase "The best position to work is your next position" means
The key role our minds play when struggling with chronic pain
How most chronic pain treatment manages the symptoms and doesn’t actually address the root cause
Why we shouldn’t dismiss the placebo effect and in fact, why we should seek it
What the process of “Unwinding” is and how it is a crucial piece to curing chronic pain
Why we need to stop visiting “experts” to heal our chronic pain and start listening to our own bodies that are designed to heal

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Jonathan Tripodi

Somatic Focus

Continue to Listen & Learn

Managing & Alleviating Chronic Pain with…Creativity? | with Anna Holtzman

Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

The Power of a ‘Mindfulness’ Practice | with Dr. Swati Desai

Simple Solutions to Your Chronic Aches & Pains (and Where They Came From) | with Dr. Sadie Sanders

The Beginner’s Guide to Alleviating Chronic Pain In 5 Min a Day…Right at Your Desk [VIDEOS]

The Magic of Postural Modification (And How It Can Cure Your Back Pain Better Than a Doctor)

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Using HRV to Reduce Stress (and Master Your Nervous System) | with Ronda Collier

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Guest Bio:

Julie Fahrbach

Julie Fahrbach is a Somatic Movement Instructor and Bodywork Specialist for chronic stress, tension and pain. Her unique methods of addressing the central nervous system alongside restricted fascia is how, as she explains, you can actually fix your chronic pain rather than live a life “managing” it. Julie has traveled across the United States helping people learn these methods and is dedicated to empowering others to step out of pain and into their truest, fullest potential.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Is Artificial Intelligence Coming for Your Job? Maybe…and Here’s How to Prepare | with Michael Kammes

Tue, 27 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

(Note: In keeping with our theme of artificial intelligence, this episode is published with the help of AI in several areas. Even though it's super helpful, it still has a long way to go before it's capable of replacing a human for our workflow.)

In our previous episode, I spoke with Srinivs Rao about all things AI, specifically why we shouldn’t be afraid of AI taking over our careers (and the world). But let's face it, as time goes on technical jobs are bound to be replaced at some point by our ever-advancing technologies. And that’s the threat that my guest, Michael Kammes, and I are here to talk about today. Michael is the Senior Director of Innovation at Shift Media with over 20 years of post-production experience and extensive knowledge on trends, products, production workflows and post technology.

In our conversation, Michael and I talk about the speed at which our current AI has been changing the world - and why that really means. We talk about the actual existential threats AI brings to us and what kinds of jobs AI could potentially replace in the foreseeable future. But don’t worry, it’s not all doom and gloom! As we dig deeper into the topic, we also shed light on what it takes to not only be irreplaceable in this age of AI, but how to thrive in it.

As Michael put it, AI is not going away and we cannot fight this fact (or it). Whether you’re feeling as if your career is threatened by AI, or you are excited about the potential career advancement it can assist you with, you’re going to love this conversation as much as I did. Michael’s advice is not only helpful to people in the entertainment world, but to anyone across any industry.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

AI has been around for quite some time, so why has it just now become such a huge topic?
What LLM is…and how it works
The ONE thing that changed to make today’s AI the fastest consumer-adopted technology ever
Understanding the limits of what AI can do (and why that’s important to know)
The jobs that AI can’t replace…and the jobs it can
In terms of the specialist and generalist, which one is becoming extinct?
Why the idea that AI can buy us more time is false
The real danger of AI (and it’s not taking over your job)
Why AI can’t actually replace you…even if you make an AI version of yourself
The essential human skill that AI can't replace (and why AI actually relies on us)
Specific advice on what to do if you have a technical job you don’t want to see replaced by AI

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Large language model

Applied AI - Tools you can use today (Michael Kammes' presentation in LACPUG)

AltaVista

Embeddings

The Hollywood Reporter: If Writers Lose the Standoff With Studios, It Hurts All Filmmakers

Five Things - Simplifying Film, TV, and Media Technology

MediaSilo

Shift Media

Continue to Listen & Learn

Optimizing Your Remote Post-Production Workflow (and Maintaining Your Sanity) | with Michael Kammes

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

[CASE STUDY] From “Out of Ideas” to Becoming an Idea Machine | with Paul Del Vecchio

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Pt1)

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Guest Bio:

Michael Kammes

Michael Kammes, Senior Director of Innovation at Shift Media, helps shape their suite of solutions in the marketplace, speaking at industry events across the country. Michael has over 20 years of post-production experience, with extensive knowledge of trends, products, production workflows and post technology through roles at BeBop Technology and Key Code Media. His podcast, "5 THINGS," answers his audience's most important questions in media creation, drawing an audience of industry insiders worldwide.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Be an Irreplaceable Creative in the Emerging World of Artificial Intelligence | with Srinivas Rao

Tue, 20 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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While I fully understand the reasoning behind feeling threatened by the rapid rise of AI in our society, I also believe that we can use this tool to our advantage and advance our careers by embracing it. And that’s exactly what my guest, Srinivas Rao, and I geek out on today. Srinivas is the host and founder of The Unmistakable Creative podcast where he has interviewed more than 1,300 people, from bank robbers to billionaires, including myself (I definitely fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum).

In our conversation, Srinivas and I go deep into the rabbit hole of all things AI, discussing and demonstrating all of the work it is capable of. We examine the specific reasons AI couldn’t actually replace humans and more importantly, how we can use AI as leverage to further advance our careers. Srinivas believes that AI is the greatest equalizer since the industrial revolution and shares many of his own personal experiences utilizing it.

Whether you’re fully onboard with AI and excited to use this tool to further develop your career, or you’re fully against AI and afraid of the careers it could replace, I highly recommend listening to our conversation. Beyond learning more about AI in general, you’ll gain a clearer understanding of how you can make your craft irreplaceable - whether you use AI or not.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The important difference between being creative and being “a creative”
Why Srinivas couldn’t get a job with an MBA and what he did about it
What Srinivas means when he uses the term “unmistakable creative”
The difference between using authenticity as strategy, versus just being authentic
What the “creativity technology gap” is and why it’s important
Why Srinivas considers AI to be the great equalizer of our time since the industrial revolution
Why AI is largely dependent on human skills (and why that’s good news)
How to actually use AI in your career in order to advance yourself
Why you should never be afraid of AI replacing you (no matter what the internet says)
How AI is the solution to many of our problems and why we need to stop viewing it as a threat

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Mosaic (web browser)

Netscape Navigator

Dial-up Internet

Middle Men movie

Scott Young's principles of accelerated learning

Nothing, Forever (AI generated Seinfeld parody)

Moore's Law

Mem

Unmistakable Insights

The Artificially Intelligent Creative

Build a Second Brain

Maximize Your Output

Continue to Listen & Learn

Optimizing Your Remote Post-Production Workflow (and Maintaining Your Sanity) | with Michael Kammes

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

How to Master the Metaskill of ‘Ultralearning’ | with Scott Young

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

What I’ve Learned About Life From 200 Interviews with Amazing Human Beings | with Zack Arnold

Guest Bio:

Srinivas Rao

Srinivas Rao is the host and founder of the Unmistakable Creative podcast, where he has interviewed more than 1000 people ranging from bank robbers to billionaires. Guests have included Danielle Laporte, Glenn Beck, Tim Ferriss, Elle Luna, Seth Godin, and many insanely interesting people. His self-published book The Art of Being Unmistakable was a Wall Street Journal bestseller and he was featured on the Netflix documentary, Indian Matchmaking.

He has a business degree from UC -Berkeley and an MBA from Pepperdine University. Before becoming an author and podcast host, Srini held sales and marketing positions at several software and market research companies, including Intuit and Nielsen. He is a keynote speaker on the topics of innovation, creativity, and productivity, delivering keynotes at events such as the International Live Events Association, the ASAE Great Ideas Conference, Podcast Movement, and the Experiential Marketing Summit. He's also the creator of Maximize Your Output with Mem, a course that teaches you how to use Mem to organize, store, and access information quickly and easily. Media outlets such as the New York Times, Forbes, and Inc. have featured his work, and organizations such as UPS, Citibank, and Lockheed have invited him to speak.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

William Zabka on Managing Overnight Success, Choosing the Right Opportunities (to Avoid Being Pigeonholed), Staying Creative, and Balancing Fatherhood with Hollywood

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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My guest today is William Zabka who is best known for his portrayal of Johnny Lawrence both in Cobra Kai and the Karate Kid movies. While Johnny is the quintessential 80's bully, William is the complete polar opposite of that character. The bully you love to hate is actually a passionate filmmaker and dedicated family man who has overcome the challenges and obstacles of the wildly fickle entertainment industry.

We discuss his commitment to sticking to his values and what he did during the seemingly big gap in his career from Karate Kid to more than 30 years later resurfacing in Cobra Kai. He talks openly about the tough decisions to turn down jobs that weren’t a good fit while struggling with feelings of doubt.

Throughout our conversation, William shares his first hand experiences on some of the principles I teach in the Optimizer Coaching and Mentorship program like shifting your mindset to work in your favor, staying authentic to your values, facing your fears head on. And having said that, I hope this conversation will leave you inspired to pursue your biggest dreams.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How William manages to make Johnny Lawrence’s character feel so authentic and his ‘purging’ process to disconnect from the character after each shooting season.
How William deals with the ‘droughts’ in his career.
The award-winning short film that William co-wrote and co-produced that was met with seemingly impossible odds.
Why William decided to say ‘no’ to acting roles when he was at the height of his success.
The work culture in Cobra Kai: The best idea wins no matter who it belongs to.
How William ascertains whether an opportunity is good or bad.
How William balances being a dad with his busy career in the entertainment industry.
What made William decide to go back to acting and play the role of Johnny Lawrence again.
William’s mic-drop advice to his fellow creatives to find fulfilling work.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Most (2013) - Short film co-written and co-produced by William Zabka

A Tiger's Tale

Sweep the Leg by No More Kings music video

The Equalizer TV Series

Edward Woodward

Continue to Listen & Learn

How I Landed My Dream Job Editing ‘Cobra Kai’ | with Jon Hurwitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg

Ralph Macchio ‘Waxing On’ About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Tired of Life Kicking Your Ass? Learn to Fight Back Like a True ‘Cobra Kai’

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

On the Vital Importance of “Being Nice” | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Create Your Own Opportunities to Pursue Dream Projects | with Richard Sanchez

Building a Fulfilling Career Across Multiple Mediums (Without Getting Pigeonholed) | with Stephanie Filo, ACE

Guest Bio:

William Zabka

William Zabka is an Academy Award nominated producer, screenwriter, director, actor, cultural icon, and one of entertainment's most beloved artists. Born in New York City to a father who was assistant director on Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show, Zabka developed an early love and appreciation for all aspects of entertainment, both in front of and behind the camera. At 18, Zabka landed the infamous role of Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid, which would cement him in cinema history as one of the most iconic villains of all time. After The Karate Kid, Zabka went on to star in the comedy Just One of the Guys (1985), the sequel National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), and the Rodney Dangerfield classic Back to School (1986). He also reprised his role as Johnny Lawrence in 1986’s The Karate Kid, Part II. Zabka also co-starred on the hit CBS crime drama TV series The Equalizer (1986-1989) as the son of the title character, Edward Woodard. He’s currently starring in the hit Netflix TV show Cobra Kai.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

TOP 5: Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Given the vast amounts of fear & uncertainty surrounding not only the job market in general but specifically in the entertainment industry with the writer’s strike, we figured now is the perfect time to evaluate where you are in your career path, identify your unique strengths, and make the changes necessary to take you one step closer, if not all the way, to your dream job.

That’s why for the month of May we’ll be releasing one of our most popular top 5 podcast playlists where I’ve narrowed down over 200 of my podcast conversations down to the 5 best authors and experts who can help you design the more balanced, more sustainable, and more fulfilling creative career that you deserve. In this top 5 series you will hear a range of topics covered such as how to navigate difficult career transitions, finding your why, how to be happy and successful at the same, how to overcome creative burnout, and how to effectively tell your own story.

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five interview series with Chris Vogler, a Hollywood story consultant and author of the wildly popular guidebook to mythic structure for storytellers, The Writer’s Journey. Whether you’re interested in learning how to apply the Hero’s Journey to your own work, or if you’re looking for ways to better understand (and rewrite) your own personal story, this conversation is for you.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode205.

TOP 5: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Tue, 30 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with Eric Barker, author of Barking Up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything You Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the epidemic of creative burnout, what the signs are, and what you can do to get yourself out of it.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode03.

TOP 5: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Tue, 23 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with bestselling author, lecturer and founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar where we have a candid discussion about whether happiness and success are mutually exclusive and the differences between a job vs a career vs a calling.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode132.

TOP 5: Feeling Lost? It’s Time to ‘Find Your Why’ | with David Mead

Tue, 16 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five interview series with David Mead, co-author of Find Your Why written alongside legendary bestselling author and expert on leadership Simon Sinek, where we discuss the importance of just that - finding your why - and how it will help you clarify your career path so you can find more purpose and fulfillment in your work.

You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode48.

TOP 5: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Tue, 09 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.

Without further adieu, here is episode one of my five-part interview series with the bestselling author and founder of I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Ramit Sethi, who is also my business mentor and the reason I have been able to transition from “editor” to “entrepreneur”. Ramit is an expert on helping people design their own rich life, and if you haven’t caught it already, I highly recommend checking out his brand new Netflix show which was a top 10 show how t Get Rich. The original show notes for this conversation can be found at optimizeyourself.me/episode105.

How to Know What You Actually Want (and Find Support to Make It Happen) | with Philippe Danielides

Tue, 02 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Philippe Danielides is a former Wall Street lawyer and corporate communications consultant turned professional life and career coach. He is the author of The Lawyer’s Guide to Freedom: A Six-Step Plan to Discover What You Actually Want and co-creator of The Garden - a group learning retreat in Greece inspired by the teachings of ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus on the art and practice of living well. Needless to say, Philippe and I have a fascinating conversation spanning a wide range of topics (burnout, sailing, the meaning of life…).

Today Philippe shares with us the story of his own drastic and unexpected career shift, which came as a result of reaching burnout, unfulfillment, and illness despite having "reached the pinnacle of success." Through his journey towards building a life of fulfillment and health, he has acquired a wealth of knowledge and tools that he generously shares with us. Philippe provides not only practical steps to identify what you really want to do with your life but also inspiration and encouragement to start walking the path towards fulfillment and embrace the support of others along the way.

Whether you are considering your own drastic career shift and need support managing self-doubt and criticism (coming from yourself or those around you), are wondering how to find the right community to help you advance your existing career, or are even looking for guidance in determining what it is you actually want to do with your life, this conversation is a must-listen.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The shocking similarities between lawyers and creatives…
How to navigate a massive career transition when faced with doubt (from yourself and others)
The importance of seeking community and asking for help
How to break away from our cultural definition of success (and why that’s crucial)
The first essential step to take if you’re struggling to decide what to do with you life
Why the western struggle for individualism is working against you
The two biggest fears that keep us stuck in careers that don’t serve us
The first two steps you can take if you’re ready to change your reality
The 3 ingredients to happiness (that you might not expect)
The changes you can make to if you don’t want to leave your job, but want to enjoy it more

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Blue Pen Project

The Garden

The Lawyer’s Guide to Freedom: A Six-Step Plan to Discover What You Actually Want

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Build Your Community, Intuition & Resilience in Order to Succeed as an Artist | with Kristina Snyder

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

How to Know (Without a Doubt) If It’s Time to Quit | with Annie Duke

I need help making a career transition

Guest Bio:

Philippe Danielides

Philippe Danielides is a former Wall Street lawyer and corporate communications consultant turned professional coach, and the author of The Lawyer’s Guide to Freedom: A Six-Step Plan to Discover What You Actually Want.

His coaching is focused on helping lawyers and other habitual high-achievers to live more engaged and energized lives by answering one critically important question, and then providing them with the strategic and practical support to translate that answer into a reality. That question is, “What do I actually want?”

And for reasons explained by what he calls The Red Pen Problem, it is a particularly daunting and challenging question for many lawyers to answer, and why it’s so often set aside (albeit unintentionally) in favor of answering more achievable yet ultimately unsatisfying questions like “What should I want?” or “What do I realistically think I can get?”

Philippe holds a Bachelor of Arts from Middlebury College and received his JD from Georgetown University Law Center. He’s a native New Yorker and somehow, also, a slow walker, which continues to annoy his fast-paced New York friends and family.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[CASE STUDY] “What should I do when I’ve been fired from a gig?” with Chris Salters

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Chris Salters is a freelance editor working on brand films, commercials and documentaries, as well as a long time member of the Optimize Yourself Coaching and Membership program. While we could spend multiple episodes talking about Chris’ success in both his career and the coaching program, instead, today we’re talking about how Chris reached out to me after “dropping the ball” and being fired from work.

Being a veteran in the industry, Chris is no stranger to difficult tasks, challenges, shifting timetables, and high levels of stress. However while in this particular situation, despite the confidence Chris had that he could manage it, he ultimately failed. Today we dive deep into the situation and discuss how failure is a positive aspect in all of our lives despite what it may seem, and that even having a ton of “experience” in a particular field does not exempt you from encountering a moment of failure.

Chris shares the difficulties of dealing with failure (despite the encouraging words surrounding him) and we break down ways in which you can use these heavy emotions to in turn feel more motivated. We are ALL going to experience failure (and quite frankly, already have) and my conversation with Chris will not only help you better embrace the experience when it happens, it will help you understand there is no faster catapult towards success.

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Here’s What You’ll Learn:

Why being fired affected Chris so deeply, despite being a veteran to the stress and challenges of his profession
The real reason you should be upfront about the skills you lack (that benefits you)
The key difference between inspiration and motivation and why you should know the difference
The words of encouragement Chris received from his spouse that helped him through
How failure changed Chris’ workflow for the better
The benefit of negative emotions and how you can use them for motivation
Why Chris’ instinct to charge less after being fired was a harmful and bad idea
The specific “human skills” you can bring to the workplace that make you more valuable than technical skills
What Chris did that made the producer of the job that fired him reach out to work together again
The ONE thing Chris would have done knowing what he knows now (and it’s not doing the job better)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep218: How to Know (Without a Doubt) If It’s Time to Quit | with Annie Duke

Ep194: How ‘The Great Resignation’ Caused Us to Question Everything About the Way We Work (and How to Quit if It’s Time to Move On) | with Anthony Klotz

Ep216: Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

Ep148: “I Was Fired For Requesting a Single Mental Health Day” | with Jim Page

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

7 Red Flags You Might Be Burned Out (Or You’re Headed There)

Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Guest Bio:

CHRIS SALTERS

Chris Salters is a freelance editor, working on brand films, commercials, and documentaries. He’s based in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, father of 2, likes woodworking, triathlons, and copious amounts of coffee.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

It's not just you...the job market SUCKS right now.

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

How to Know (Without a Doubt) If It’s Time to Quit | with Annie Duke

Tue, 25 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

"Expected value is not just about money. It can be measured in health, well being, happiness, time, self-fulfillment, satisfaction in relationships or anything else that affects you."

- Annie Duke

Annie Duke is an author, speaker and a consultant in the decision-making space. And as a former professional poker player who has won $4 million in tournament poker, I’d say she has figured out a thing or two in regard to making decisions (especially under pressure). Her book, Thinking in Bets, is a national bestseller and today, we’re going to talk about her latest book, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away.

In our conversation, Annie and I talk about her unique approach to the concept of quitting, drawing from her study of cognitive psychology and experience in playing tournament poker. We talk about why people tend to default in making bad decisions, and how learning to quit can actually be one of the best avenues you can take on the road to success. Annie walks us through the specific techniques she teaches for the art of decision making, and how you can apply these to your life (and choices) moving forward.

If you feel uncertain on whether or not you should quit (whether that be a job, a relationship, a goal, or even a system of habits) Annie’s simple and direct techniques will no doubt have you on the path towards making a clear decision. Her unique take on decision making backed by her study of cognitive psychology are the perfect combination for an eye opening conversation that I can’t wait for you to hear.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Annie’s unique journey of going from a student of cognitive psychology to an award winning professional poker player to what she does today
How the concept of a 2-way door is important in helping us decide whether to pursue something or not
Why Annie doesn’t like the phrase “make your own luck” and what we should be doing instead (from a logical poker perspective)
Why quitting can be one of the greatest strategies available for reaching success
The real danger in staying where you shouldn’t…
The concept of “kill criteria” and how you can use it to know for certain whether or not it’s time to quit
What loss aversion means and how it’s stopping us from making progress
How we can use “expected value” to guide our decision making
Annie puts me in the hot seat to workshop my American Ninja Warrior goal
So…how do you REALLY know if you should grit it or quit it?

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away

Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts

Jeff Bezos' Two-Way Door Decision

RANGE: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World - David Epstein

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success - Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything - Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

Thinking in Bets Substack

Alliance for Decision Education

Continue to Listen & Learn

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

How ‘The Great Resignation’ Caused Us to Question Everything About the Way We Work (and How to Quit if It’s Time to Move On) | with Anthony Klotz

How to Build Your Community, Intuition & Resilience in Order to Succeed as an Artist | with Kristina Snyder

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

7 Red Flags You Might Be Burned Out (Or You’re Headed There)

Severance Is Not Only the Dystopian Future of Workplace Burnout…In Many Ways We’re Already There

Mental Health is Not a Luxury…Even For “Top Guns” | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 2]

Mob Scene CEO Tom Grane on What It Takes to Succeed in Trailers & Marketing (Without Sacrificing Work-Life Balance)

“I Was Fired For Requesting a Single Mental Health Day” | with Jim Page

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Guest Bio:

Annie Duke

Annie Duke is an author, speaker, and consultant in the decision-making space, as well as Special Partner focused on Decision Science at First Round Capital Partners, a seed stage venture fund. Annie’s latest book, Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away, was released in 2022 from Portfolio, a Penguin Random House imprint. Her previous book, Thinking in Bets, is a national bestseller. As a former professional poker player, she has won more than $4 million in tournament poker. During her career, Annie won a World Series of Poker bracelet and is the only woman to have won the World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions and the NBC National Poker Heads-Up Championship. She retired from the game in 2012. Prior to becoming a professional poker player, Annie was awarded a National Science Foundation Fellowship to study Cognitive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to surround yourself with “A-gamers”

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

How to Live a Better Life Simply by Asking Better Questions | with Marc Champagne

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

It doesn't matter who we are, where we are. We're all one question away from a completely different life.

- Marc Champagne

Marc Champagne is a speaker, mental fitness strategist and author of the book Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life. Marc studies the questions and practices shaping the lives of legends and world-class performers and is joining us today to share those findings along with simple ways you can apply them to make changes to your professional and personal life.

In our conversation, Marc breaks down what makes a “high value question” (it’s far more simple than you think). We discuss simple questions you can start with to begin changing your life, as well as how a simple practice of journaling can support this process. You’ll learn all about the value of asking better questions, as well as how you can build your “creativity muscle” in order to create drastic change through seeking deeper answers.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your personal life or are seeking ways to take your career to the next level, learning the art of asking better questions to both yourself and others is a crucial piece of the process. Not only will Marc be sharing those skills with you here today, you’ll hear personal examples as we take turns in the hot seat discussing the game changing questions that completely changed our entire lives.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Marc chose journaling to stay on top when he was in the corporate world
What journaling actually does to your mind (and why you need it)
The simple ways you can start to integrate journaling into your daily life
How Marc and his brother-in-law created a successful journaling app, and the ONE question that made them decide to shut it down
What a “high value question” is, and how to form your own
What Marc means when he says, "We're all one question away from a completely different life”
The single question that changed Zack’s life
Are you asking this horrible question we’ve all been conditioned to answer since childhood? Here’s what to ask instead…
The real issue with living on autopilot
Marc shares the specific steps necessary to training your “curiosity muscles”

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Personal Socrates: Questions That Will Upgrade Your Life from Legends & World-Class Performers

Behind the Human

The Messy Middle: Finding Your Way Through the Hardest and Most Crucial Part of Any Bold Venture

The Laws of Creativity: Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius

Continue to Listen & Learn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

Using Time Tracking and Habit Formation to Create Moments That Matter | with Laura Vanderkam

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Guest Bio:

Marc Champagne

Marc Champagne unpacks the mental fitness practices and reflective questions shaping the lives of some of the most successful and brilliant thinkers in the world. He is the author of Personal Socrates, a best-selling book exploring the pointed questions that stimulate our mental fitness and teach us how to direct our internal narrative to work for us instead of against us. Marc studies the prompts and practices of legends such as Kobe Bryant, Maya Angelou, Robin Williams, James Clear, Coco Chanel, Stephen Hawking, and many others to bring clarity, intentionality, and possibility to every aspect of your life.

He is the host of the top 50 ranked podcast Behind The Human and co-founded the journaling app (KYO) which reached 86.9 million people without any paid advertising. He has studied mental fitness practices for over a decade and consults with Fortune 500 companies as a mental fitness strategist and practitioner.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The #1 obstacle stopping you from networking is...

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Chase Jarvis On Building Your Network of ‘A-Gamers,’ Designing the Life You Want, and Fulfilling Your ‘Creative Calling’

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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“Creativity is a life amplifier. It’s as fundamental to our well-being as physical fitness, proper nutrition, and mindfulness.”

-Chase Jarvis

Chase Jarvis is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, a best-selling author, a podcast host of The Chase Jarvis live show, and one of the most influential photographers of the past 20 years, shooting ads for companies like Apple, Nike, and Red Bull to name a small few. But what brought Chase to my attention was his national best selling book, Creative Calling (an absolute must-read), which is as inspiring as it is informative on how you can both identify your own creative calling and take action on it.

In our conversation, Chase and I take a deep dive into the fundamentals of creativity and how it is innate to us as human beings, despite the fact that it isn’t well nurtured and supported in our education system. Chase shares the ways in which you can learn to push beyond the noise of society (and yourself) saying what you “should” do, and learn to hear your very own deeper creative calling. We discuss key strategies you can use to intentionally use your creative calling, as well as how to surround yourself with the right people that will support your creativity and goals along with it.

Whether you define yourself as a creative and are seeking to expand your career, are curious about how you can get in touch with your creative side in order to expand yourself personally, or even if you don’t think of yourself as having an ounce of creativity (we all do, as you’ll learn), I cannot recommend listening to my conversation with Chase enough. He is an absolute gold mine of information and I know you will love his inspiring, intelligent and creative insights as much as I did.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Chase Jarvis’ take on what creativity really is (it’s refreshingly different than the standard definition)
How you can use your own “creative calling” to design your ideal life
Creativity as a muscle (and how you can exercise it)
How to take all of your seemingly unrelated skills and build a career
Why Chase says no choice or experience was ever a waste (even if you think they were wrong)
How our education system is built to prepare us for factories, not creativity
How you can take control of your own education and build the skills you need
What you can do specifically to find your own “creative calling”
Why surrounding yourself with the right people is crucial to your creativity (and success)
The networking strategy that Chase recommends to get you in the community of ‘A-players’

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Creative Calling: Establish a daily practice, infuse your world with meaning, and succeed in work + life - Chase Jarvis

The Laws of Creativity - Joey Cofone

RANGE: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World - David Epstein

Creative Live

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Build Your Community, Intuition & Resilience in Order to Succeed as an Artist | with Kristina Snyder

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

How to Break Into Any Industry (Without Having Experience) | with Niceole Levy

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Severance Creator Dan Erickson On Staying True to Your Creative Vision, Becoming An “Overnight Success,” and the Blurred Lines Between Work & Life

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Pt1)

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Guest Bio:

Chase Jarvis is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, best-selling author, and one of the most influential photographers of the past 20 years. His expansive work ranges from shooting advertising campaigns for companies like Apple, Nike, and Red Bull; to working with athletes like Serena Williams and Tony Hawk, to collaborating with renowned icons like Lady Gaga and Richard Branson. As a fine artist, he’s had solo and group gallery shows in the USA, Europe, and the Middle East. In 2013 Chase contributed to the Pulitzer-Prize winning New York Times story Snowfall, and in 2014 earned an Emmy nomination for his documentary Portrait of a City. He also created Best Camera – the first photo app to share images to social networks, and is the Founder of CreativeLive, where more than 10 million students learn photography, video, design, music and business from the world’s top creators and entrepreneurs which was acquired by Fiverr - a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange - in 2021. His recent book Creative Calling debuted as an instant National Best Seller.

He’s long been an advisor to Fortune 100 brands, and a guest at the White House, the United Nations, the Library of Congress, 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, and the DIFC in Dubai. Chase lives with his wife, Kate, in Seattle, and serves as a volunteer board director for several non-profits.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Not sure who to network with? This should help...

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

How to Build Your Community, Intuition & Resilience in Order to Succeed as an Artist | with Kristina Snyder

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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Kristina Snyder is a former photography agent, photo editor, photographer and travel writer. She's worked in the photo industry as an editor and researcher at magazines like Newsweek, Time and People. Today, Kristina is the founder and CEO of SNYDER, one of the best known and most well-respected artist representation agencies in the world with offices in the US and the UK.

Although Kristina’s story clearly ended with success, it began with imposter syndrome, uncertainty, and a long string of failures (just as any other true success story usually does). Kristina shares all the many ways she was able to not only manage the difficult times, but use them for extreme growth. In our conversation today we cover many topics, including surrounding yourself with the right people and trusting your deeper intuition, even if you feel uncertain about where you’re ultimately headed.

Whether you’re an artist (in whatever form that may be) that is looking to transition your work into a different genre entirely, struggling to “make it” in your current form, or looking to further expand on the success you have already built, this episode is for you. Kristina's insights come from both an artist's perspective and that of a business owner who connects artists with clients, making our conversation a wealth of knowledge.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people in order to succeed
The power of listening to your intuition (and how to do it)
How Kristina overcame her impostor syndrome when she was struggling as a freelancer
Kristina’s view of failure and how she deals with it (and fast!)
What SNYDER does and how it helps artists of all kinds
Looking to transition your career as an artist? Kristina has some very important advice for you as an agent
How to transition your career but pay your bills in the meantime
How to stay focused on the “long game” when you’re making a difficult career transition
Kristina’s advice for artists when they fail (because failure is inevitable)
How you can expand a single opportunity into many

Useful Resources Mentioned:

SNYDER

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.

Continue to Listen & Learn

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Pt1)

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello

Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

[CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

A Former Monk on Managing Overwhelm (and Following Your Intuition) | with Cory Muscara

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Guest Bio:

Kristina Snyder

As a successful entrepreneur grounded in creativity from an early age, what sets Kristina Snyder apart is her belief in taking risks, parlaying one opportunity into the next and using her innate creative sense in everything she does. Kristina is a former photography agent, photo editor, photographer and travel writer, and has meandered through the creative communities in New York City since she arrived from her native Sweden in the late 80’s. During the day, she worked in the photo industry as an editor and researcher at magazines like Newsweek, Time and People, and in the evenings she was “the girl who schlepped music equipment from CBGB’s at three in the morning” after her husband's gigs.

Today, Kristina is the founder and CEO of SNYDER, one of the best known and most well-respected artist representation agencies in the world with offices in the US and the UK. Kristina has used her experience and insight in the field to build a reputation for developing excellence in the illustrators, animators and visual artists that the agency represents. Many of the SNYDER artists are award winners and have been featured as speakers at industry events and festivals. Kristina has won multiple awards for Creative Direction for promotional pieces from Communication Arts.

Kristina is in the very beginning stages of writing a book on creativity, incorporating her strong conviction that taking risks is a major part of success, and that you should incorporate creativity into your mindset to get the best outcomes. Her own creativity is derived from her deep connection to nature, and art, books, photography, film and creative writing.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Is Now the Worst Time to Network? Or the Best Time?

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 10:00:00 +0000

What Creativity Is, How It Works, and the Laws to Learning It | with Joey Cofone

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

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Joey Cofone is an author as well as the Founder & CEO of Baronfig, a company that makes tools for thinkers. And speaking of thinkers, Joey has brought over 100 different products from zero to launch thanks to his award-winning (literally) design skills. His work as an entrepreneur has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, and Newsweek just to name a select few. But in today’s conversation we’re diving into Joey’s achievement that caught my eye the most: his #1 bestselling book, The Laws of Creativity.

In our conversation, we discuss what creativity really is, how it works, and the ways in which anyone can learn these essential concepts and unleash their own creativity (yes, you can LEARN how to be creative). We also talk about all the ways you can maintain your creativity despite living in a society that tends to suppress it, judge it, and overall diminish its importance. Joey also shares with us the backstory on how his obsession with creativity started in 1st grade, and why he’s spent his entire adult life writing his book.

Whether you work in a creative industry, are looking to explore creativity outside of work, are already in touch with your creative side, or are looking to explore creativity for the first time, you definitely don’t want to miss this conversation. The concepts Joey shares are practical, actionable, and simple enough you can get started right away.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The classroom experience in 1st grade that triggered Joey’s obsession with creativity
NASA's research: 98% of 5 year olds are at the creative genius level…but by adulthood, that number dwindles to 2%. Why is this and what can we do?!
Joey didn't create the laws of creativity, he just put a name to it
How anyone can build their ability to be more creative, just like they could with athleticism
What being “weird” really means (and why it’s a good thing)
What creativity really means. HINT: It’s not creating new things…
What makes your ideas unique, even if it’s just a bunch of other ideas put together
How to maintain your creativity in a world where there will always be someone who thinks your ideas are wrong
What Joey means when he says he wants to be “Nike for thinkers”
What makes Baronfig notebooks so different (and in my opinion incredibly special)
Joey puts me in the hot seat to find out what keeps me going and why I HATE the word expert

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Laws of Creativity

Baronfig

NASA conducted a famous study on the creative genius of humans

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Break Into Any Industry (Without Having Experience) | with Niceole Levy

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Severance Creator Dan Erickson On Staying True to Your Creative Vision, Becoming An “Overnight Success,” and the Blurred Lines Between Work & Life

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Using the Athlete’s Mindset to Hone Your Creativity & Productivity | with Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Guest Bio:

Joey Cofone

Joey Cofone is the Founder & CEO of Baronfig, an award-winning designer and entrepreneur, and author of the bestselling book, The Laws of Creativity.

Joey has designed and art directed over 100 products from zero to launch. His work has been featured in Fast Company, Bloomberg, New York Magazine, Newsweek, Bon Appétit, Quartz, Mashable, Print, and more. Joey was named a New Visual Artist and, separately, Wunderkind designer, by Print magazine. He is also a 1st place winner of the American Institute of Graphic Arts design competition, Command X.

Joey strives to make work that appeals to curious minds—work that’s beautiful, smart, and communicative. He believes that design is the least of a designer’s worries, that story is at the heart of all tasks, and jumping off cliffs is the only way to grow.

He lives in New York City with his wife, Ariana, and his dog (and writing buddy), Luigi.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Can You Recession-Proof Your Career?

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

How to Break Into Any Industry (Without Having Experience) | with Niceole Levy

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

Niceole Levy is a television producer, television and feature writer, and author of The Writers' Room Survival Guide. Niceole has written for shows such as Ironside, Shades of Blue, Cloak and Dagger, S.W.A.T. and The Recruit, just to name a small few. Though we mostly talked about her book today, our conversation unveils ideas and strategies that go beyond the world of writing.

Niceole starts by sharing the amazing story of how she forged her non-traditional path to being a writer in Hollywood after beginning as a police dispatcher and baker among many other seemingly unrelated jobs to the industry. But despite her lack of industry experience, Niceole shares with us today the exact ways she was able to reframe her life experiences as relatable skills to the job she was seeking (and even shares her checklist you can use if you’re looking for your own opportunity to break in).

Our conversation is as non-traditional as Niceole’s pathway to Hollywood, but I have no doubt you’ll receive even more advice on breaking into the industry (or further climbing your current ladder) because of it. You’ll learn about how and when to place boundaries, how to use Act Structures to succeed in interviews, the unspoken rules of the writing room, and even what to ask yourself if you’re on the verge of giving up. If you find yourself struggling to achieve your break into whatever industry you’re seeking, this episode is for you.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Niceole broke into the industry (after being a police dispatcher and a baker?!)
Want to break into the industry as a writer? You’ll hear Niceole's recommendation on what to write (and how much)
Niceole's checklist that will help you be ready for your own opportunity to be in the writer's room
The unspoken rules of the writer’s room you need to know (like why you shouldn’t bring new ideas to the table for an established show)
Why having a representation is important, but what you can do via networking if you don’t have one
Lacking specific job skills for your resume? Here’s how you can reframe your own life experiences as transferable skills
How to understand the structure of acts and use that to your advantage in your interview (especially for the dreaded prompt, “Tell me about yourself”)
How to better determine your own “line in the sand” and understand the proper balance between your boundaries and how much you’re willing to give up
Why it’s equally important to develop the “soft skills” of being a human as it is the hard skills of your job
How Niceole wrote a book she didn’t even want to write (and why she even did that in the first place)
Niceole's one question to her younger self that can also be a game changer for you when you feel like giving up

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Writers’ Room Survival Guide by Niceole Levy

Hollywood Game Plan: How to Land a Job in Film, TV and Digital Entertainment by Carole M. Kirschner

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Severance Creator Dan Erickson On Staying True to Your Creative Vision, Becoming An “Overnight Success,” and the Blurred Lines Between Work & Life

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

From Scraping Up Cigarette Butts to Editing, Directing, and Producing Emmy-Winning TV Shows | with David Rogers

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Writing Your Own (Unique) Path to the Top | with Wendy Calhoun

Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Guest Bio:

Niceole Levy

After growing up near China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Niceole Levy escaped to the bright lights of Los Angeles. While studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she realized her true love was writing stories, not playing them out. She worked as a police dispatcher to pay her way through USC undergrad and then completed the Master of Professional Writing program, also at USC. An alum of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, NBC's Writers on the Verge, and the WGAW Showrunner Training Program, Niceole has written on Ironside, Allegiance, The Mysteries of Laura, Shades of Blue, Cloak & Dagger, Fate: the Winx Saga, S.W.A.T, and The Recruit. She also co-wrote a feature, The Banker, with former Allegiance showrunner and director George Nolfi. She is now writing Spark, a film inspired by the life of Claudette Colvin. Niceole is currently a co-executive producer on Empire of Mali, which will air on Netflix, and has several TV and feature projects in development. Her first book, The Writers’ Room Survival Guide, was released in October of 2022.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The Perfect Storm is Coming (For Our Jobs)

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The Science of Storytelling, Why We Need Stories, and How to Rewrite Our Own | with Will Storr

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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My guest today is Will Storr, an award-winning writer and author of the book The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better. In our conversation together, Will and I dive deep down the rabbit hole to understand the inner workings of storytelling and discuss why the attraction to stories is a key part in not only our own personal human evolution, but the evolution of our society as a whole.

Will shares many of his unconventional approaches to storytelling (including why he doesn’t believe we need to follow a strict formula). He also shares why he believes character development should come before the plot and how that approach can even be used to help you achieve your own goals. Will and I also talk about why ‘gossip’ is fundamental to us as humans and why it can make even the smartest people believe the craziest things.

As you’ll hear in our conversation, Will and I fully nerd out on the science and psychology of storytelling. Not only will you understand as a creative how to better write your own stories, but you’ll learn how to apply Will’s unconventional approaches to rewrite the story of your own life. Whether or not you’re working in a creative industry, I know you’ll find this conversation as helpful and entertaining as I did.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Will says there's 'science' in storytelling (and doesn’t believe we need to follow a formula)
The real reason stories are so important to us as human beings
Why 'gossip' is fundamental to the human condition
Why the way we see reality affects the way we tell stories (and how you can use your brain to shift that perspective)
How our brains are programmed to be interested in pursuit of goals and overcoming the obstacles along the way
How can people be so smart, yet still believe the craziest things (some people believe the holocaust didn't happen?!)
Why we tend to believe what makes us feel good and heroic
What makes the aspect of ‘change’ so crucial to the art of storytelling
What the Kuleshov Effect is and how we can apply it to both our storytelling and lives
What Will means when he says we are our own personal projects

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better by Will Storr

The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Chris Vogler

The Hero’s Journey (Joseph Campbell)

Downfall movie

Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth (with Bill Moyers)

The Kuleshov Effect

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Continue to Listen & Learn

Severance Creator Dan Erickson On Staying True to Your Creative Vision, Becoming An “Overnight Success,” and the Blurred Lines Between Work & Life

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

Overcoming a Dark Past (and Managing the Voices In Your Head) to Become Successful In Hollywood | with Christopher Titus

Leveling Up Your Ability to Tell More Engaging Stories using EditMentor | with Misha Tenenbaum

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Writing Your Own (Unique) Path to the Top | with Wendy Calhoun

Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Guest Bio:

Will Storr

Will Storr is an award-winning writer. He’s the author of six critically acclaimed books, including the novel The Hunger and The Howling of Killian Lone and the Sunday Times bestseller The Science of Storytelling. His journalism has appeared in titles such as The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The New Yorker and The New York Times. His prizes include a National Press Club award for excellence and the AFM award for Best Investigative Journalism. His work on sexual violence against men earned the Amnesty International Award and a One World Press Award. He’s also been presented with the AIB Award for Best Investigative Documentary for his BBC radio series.

He teaches popular storytelling classes in London and has been invited to present his Science of Storytelling workshop all over the world. He’s an in-demand ghostwriter whose books have spent months at the top of the Sunday Times bestseller chart and have sold more than two million copies.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Severance Creator Dan Erickson On Staying True to Your Creative Vision, Becoming An "Overnight Success," and the Blurred Lines Between Work & Life

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

My guest today, Dan Erickson, is a writer, producer and creator of the hit Apple TV series, Severance. In this tell all conversation, Dan shares how his inspiration for creating Severance occurred while working a corporate job that included an unfortunate amount of experiences far too many of us can relate to (do windowless offices, featureless ceilings, and a strong desire to be able to forget about work as soon as you leave sound familiar?).

Dan’s amazing story of creating Severance has many twists and turns, and in this conversation we dive into them all. We talk about how he created the first draft of Severance in a matter of weeks, the seemingly endless obstacles and rejections Dan faced afterwards, and the ironic challenges with work-life balance that he experienced along the way to his success. We also dive into the underlying themes behind Severance, and how they could be far closer to our reality than we might expect.

This episode offers valuable insights into the making of Severance, as well as practical tips for anyone striving to find balance in their own life (I even put Dan on the Hot Seat to help him tackle his current work-life balance challenges). Whether you’ve seen the show yet or not (don’t worry, no spoilers!), I guarantee you’ll find Dan’s story as captivating as I did.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What specific job experience inspired Dan to create the show Severance
How Dan was able to create the first draft of Severance in a matter of weeks
Despite all of the rejections and failures Dan endured, he stuck with his plan for one specific reason…
Why the story of Severance changed so much from its original draft (but how it still feels like the exact same story)
Why the story of Severance a lot closer to our reality than we think
How to break down the most important question from Severance: Who are you and can you become whole?
How to answer the question more and more people are asking…is it even possible to achieve 'work-life balance'?
How Dan was able to pull off becoming the showrunner of Severance despite the fact that he had zero experience
What Dan’s own personal work-life balance challenges were while ironically creating a show on the subject
What challenge Dan is now currently dealing with (that I put him on the Hot Seat to work through)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Dan Erickson Is on the TIME100 Next 2022 List | TIME

Severance

Continue to Listen & Learn

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

[CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

How to Become Oscar-level Successful (Without Being a Dick) | with Peter Ramsey

Overcoming a Dark Past (and Managing the Voices In Your Head) to Become Successful In Hollywood | with Christopher Titus

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How to Get a Script Made In Hollywood | with Kyle Long

Writing Your Own (Unique) Path to the Top | with Wendy Calhoun

Guest Bio:

Dan Erickson

Dan Erickson grew up in Olympia, Washington with his parents Mark and Lynn, brother Matt and sister Hayley. He began writing plays and making movies with his siblings and friends at a young age, and went on to get his BA in English and Creative Writing from Western Washington University. He later attended NYU's Tisch School, where he received a Masters in Dramatic Writing. Upon moving to Los Angeles, he delivered food and worked in a string of office jobs, all while conceiving and writing the original pilot for Severance. The script became the first TV pilot ever selected for the annual Bloodlist, which ultimately led to a creative partnership with Red Hour Productions, Endeavor Content, and Apple. Dan now splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, while sneaking back to his beloved Washington state every chance he gets.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

All Quiet On the Western Front Writer/Producer Lesley Paterson On Unleashing Your True Creative (and Athletic) Potential

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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“I truly am the athlete I am because I’m an artist and the artist I am because I’m an athlete.”

– Lesley Paterson

Lesley Paterson is professional triathlete, triathlon coach, as well as a screenwriter and film producer. What’s even more impressive than her unique set of skills, is the fact that she does them all on a highly successful level. While the combination might sound odd to everyone else, Lesley states that the skills necessary to excel as both an athlete and creative are far more similar than people might expect.

In our conversation together, Lesley shares both how and why she competed in triathlons as a professional athlete to raise funds for optioning the rights to All Quiet on the Western Front, adapting the material then getting it off the ground. She dives deep into the mindsets she used to not only win races, but do so despite sometimes extreme setbacks (like the time she won a race with a broken shoulder). She shares the deeper lessons these situations taught her about how to always find a way to move forward instead of giving up, and how you can apply that mindset to any situation in life.

No matter what career field you are in (and no matter where you are on that ladder), if you ever find yourself struggling to reach your next goal, my conversation with Lesley is a must. The advice she has to share with you about how to push through any obstacle between you and your own finish line is as inspiring as her own incredible story, and I can’t wait for you to listen.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Lesley succeeded as both an athlete and a creative despite the fact everyone told her she had to choose one
How Lesley’s athletic mindset fueled her creativity (and visa versa)
How a broken shoulder didn't stop Lesley from winning a triathlon
Why you should stop focusing on excellence (and what you should be focused on instead)
The science behind breaking down big goals into small chunks - and how to use that technique in both sports and beyond
The importance of having confidence in who you really are and creating a process that works for you
The importance of setting up rewards for yourself on your path to reach your goals
Why working through your weaknesses by focusing on your strengths is a combination for success
How to navigate through failure and find your reason to keep going - no matter how many setbacks you’ve encountered
The right way to “fake it til you make it” - and the science that backs it up

Useful Resources Mentioned:

All Quiet on the Western Front

How a world champion triathlete earned an Oscar nomination

The Brave Athlete: Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion

Atomic Habits by James Clear

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph. D.

Braveheart Coaching

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Develop ‘Obstacle Immunity’ | with Spartan Race founder Joe de Sena

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

How to Accomplish Your ‘One Thing’ Every Day | with Jay Papasan

Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

The Difference Between ‘Amateurs’ and ‘Professionals’ | with Allon Khakshouri

[CASE STUDY] How to Identify Your “One Thing” and Accomplish It Every Day | Mastermind Q&A

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Using the Athlete’s Mindset to Hone Your Creativity & Productivity | with Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

Guest Bio:

Lesley Paterson

Lesley Paterson is a world champion professional triathlete and endurance coach. Growing up in Scotland, Lesley was the only girl who played rugby on an all-boys, national champion team. At age 14, Lesley started competing in running and triathlon events and went on to become a national champion in cross country, and an international triathlete. Lesley is now a 5-time world champion in off-road triathlon (XTERRA and ITU), an Ironman triathlon champion, and professional mountain biker. She is co-founder of Braveheart Coaching, a triathlon coaching company based in San Diego, CA.

At the same time as being a sports billy, Lesley also studied her undergraduate in Drama at Loughborough University and then her Masters degree in Theater and Film at SDSU in California. After acting in 15 independent film and realizing that this was not her forte, she then went on to produce her first feature film - a low $10,000 mockumentary shot in 27 locations across 7 days with over 100 extras. Having always loved storytelling, she turned to writing when meeting her then creative partner Ian Stokell. Together they embarked on the journey of optioning the rights to All Quiet on the Western Front, adapting the material and getting it off the ground. 16 years and $200,000 of her own money later, the film premiered at TIFF in 2022. Lesley now writes and produces exclusively with her husband Simon Marshall who she realized was her partner in crime when he helped with the script on All Quiet. Now they have 8 different projects in various forms of development and are excited to take the biz by storm.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Life After 3 Heart Attacks in 24 Hours | with Marc Wielage

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Colorist Marc Wielage exercised 3-4 days a week, had a 32″ waist, and was told by all his colleagues and friends that he was “the healthiest person I know” for being age 60. Yet despite seemingly doing everything right, in the span of 24 hours Marc endured 3 heart attacks. Marc was as puzzled as everyone else, until he dug deeper and uncovered the painfully clear cause.

When Marc wasn’t living an active and healthy lifestyle, he was living a sedentary and brutally stressful lifestyle in his office chair. As Marc learned the hard way, there is no amount of exercise that can counteract the stress of long hours and harsh deadlines. After making several immediate changes to his lifestyle, Marc is here to share those with you so that you can set yourself for a healthy future.

In our conversation together, Marc talks in detail about the lifestyle choices that caused his heart attacks, as well as the specific changes he has made now in order to prevent future health problems. His advice is simple, clear, and practical enough that you can get started today. If you sit for at least 6 hours a day, you’re going to want to listen to this episode.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Marc’s background as a colorist and the ways he’s seen the industry change
How Marc could workout 60-90 minutes, 3 days per week and STILL be unhealthy
How Marc’s sedentary, workaholic lifestyle contributed to his silent health problems
Why exercise isn’t enough to combat a mostly sedentary lifestyle in your office chair
How Marc used to consider a 10-12 hour marathon color session (with no breaks) a badge of honor
A poor man’s “speedball” — Marc’s crazy caffeine and sugar intake before his heart attack
The changes Marc would have made 20 years ago that would have prevented his heart attacks
Work smarter, not harder–it’s not about how many hours you sit in the chair, it’s about the quality of your work
Why taking breaks and walking more could literally be the difference between life or death
How to get started finding balance between your work life, personal life and your health

Continue to Listen & Learn

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

The Top 10 (Healthy) Must-haves For Any Editing Gig

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

Guest Bio:

Marc Wielage

Marc Wielage has been a digital colorist in Hollywood for more than 30 years, working for Complete Post, Technicolor, Modern Videofilm, and numerous other post-production houses. His hobbies include film & TV history, music, and fiction. Wielage has a been a Macintosh user since 1985 and has fought valiantly with a variety of computers and operating systems since 1980. In addition to working as a colorist, he also has written for several dozen magazines as West coast editor and contributing editor, including Video Review, Consumers Digest, High Fidelity, and many others.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Why the “All or Nothing” Approach Will End Up Getting You Nowhere | with Nick Harauz

Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Nick Harauz is a certified Adobe, Avid, and FCP trainer as well as author of the book, “Finding Creativity in Uncertain Times.” Nick’s vast knowledge of the post-production process started when he was an editor and motion graphics artist for domestic and international clients. Needless to say, Nick wears a lot of hats. And he wears them all really well.

Beyond his vast career, Nick places equal curiosity and ambition towards his health. In today’s episode, Nick and I are going to discuss his personal and somewhat experimental health journey which includes everything from small goals over a long period of time, to “all or nothing” mindsets. You’ll learn not only what has worked best for Nick, but how you can apply his favorite key concepts to your own lifestyle.

If you’ve hit a point in your life (or can feel that moment rapidly approaching) where you’re aware you need to change your lifestyle but just aren’t sure how to get there, this episode is for you. Nick’s story is incredibly inspirational and packed with simple advice you can start using today.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why “all or nothing” thinking is the fastest way to burnout, not success
What it means to use “safe holes” in order to maintain your health in post production
How Nick maintained a healthy lifestyle after undertaking an unsustainable diet and workout schedule
How to develop a permanent healthy lifestyle instead of constantly chasing the next diet phase
The detailed ways in which different foods affect your physiology
Simple morning habits you can implement that will drastically improve your day
Techniques you can use to be more positive (while not denying reality)
Nick’s simple and clear tips he uses for staying healthy while working a sedentary job
Why organizing buys you time (and brain power)
How you can build routines that maximize your efficiency and overall happiness

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Everything You Need to Know About Food Shopping, Nutrition, and More | with Mira and Jayson Calton

Guest Bio:

Nick Harauz is the Director of Product Marketing, Continuum at Boris FX. He has over seventeen years of experience as an Adobe, Avid, and FCP certified trainer.

Harauz is regarded within the post-production community for his deep knowledge of host applications mixed with a relatability that keeps students engaged. He is a regular guest speaker at Adobe MAX, has written a book on Apple Motion 5, and is currently writing his second book entitled Finding Creativity in Uncertain Times.

In addition to his training expertise, Harauz has worked as an editor and motion graphics artist for domestic and international clients, including Proctor and Gamble, Virgin Mobile, and Blackberry. He has also directed and filmed noted celebrities including Lady Gaga and Richard Branson and co-edited the feature documentary My Father and the Man in Black the untold story of Johnny Cash.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Maintain Health No Matter How “Busy” You Are | with Jeff Greenberg

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Jeff Greenberg is an Educator, Editor, Colorist, Author, and Post Consultant who helps smart people become smarter. He's worked with Avid, Adobe, Apple, and Blackmagic, as well as teaching other editors, sports teams, government agencies, and both small & large corporations. But in Jeff’s words, his biggest joy is “teaching something so cool it makes you cry.”

While we could easily discuss how Jeff manages his undoubtedly busy work schedule (and a family), today’s conversation goes one step deeper. We’re talking about how Jeff was able to balance a busy personal and professional life while adding in a health and fitness journey that led to him losing - and keeping off - over 70 pounds. As you’ll hear in this conversation, both Jeff’s methods and mindset have one very refreshing thing in common: simplicity

Whether you find yourself reaching fitness goals only to fall back into old patterns when your schedule becomes overwhelming, you find yourself pushing through the “busy-ness” only to reach fitness burnout, or you can’t even seem to find the spare time to get started focusing on your health, this conversation is for you. Jeff breaks down simple, specific, and sustainable methods you can use to make lasting changes to your health and overall life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The one simple focus that led to Jeff’s significant weight loss.
Why small goals leads to massive (and more importantly, sustainable) results
How you can build a workout routine that you remain interested in (and why mine involves nunchucks)
The unexpected way that sleep affects your dietary choices
The secret behind Jeff’s consistency (HINT: it’s not accountability)
The dark side of healthy habits and over-training prevention
How to maintain a positive relationship with the scale (and all other methods of tracking your numbers)
The difference between positively and negatively using data to track your fitness
Why rest periods (even for weeks at a time) are the secret to making you stronger
What boredom does to your brain - and why you need it

Useful Resources Mentioned:

LMNT electrolyte drink mix

Nuun electrolyte tablets

Happy Scale app

Continue to Listen & Learn

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Everything You Need to Know About Food Shopping, Nutrition, and More | with Mira and Jayson Calton

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

Guest Bio:

Jeff Greenberg

Jeff Greenberg loves the tools of film making craft, whether it's Avid, Adobe, Apple, or BlackMagic.

He teaches them to other editors, to sports teams, three-letter government agencies, large/small corporations, and sometimes those people with the gold statues. His biggest joy is teaching something so cool it makes you cry.

As a consultant, he helps smart people become smarter.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Career & Life Advice from The Office Director & Producer | with Jen Celotta

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Jen Celotta is a writer, director, and producer for both television and most recently an animated feature. Her three most notable credits include The Office, Cobra Kai, and Abbot Elementary, but ask Jen and she will tell you the highlight of her career was when she got to fulfill her lifetime dream of playing a Schrute in The Office.

While Jen’s highly successful career is clearly impressive, what I find even more admirable is the fact that she has achieved it all while remaining kind, open-minded, team-oriented, and passionate. Being that both Jen and myself are creatives with ADD, it's fair to say this conversation will cover a massive range of topics including: following your passion (or not), how to fail forwards, why you should never “fake it til you make it”, and what specific quality will set you (and your career) up for success.

Jen is one of those people that has seemingly endless entertaining stories, and today you will hear several. But as a brilliant writer - and therefore storyteller - each story has a deeper lesson, meaning, and message that will add knowledge and inspiration to your life as you aspire to reach your own creative success. I absolutely loved the overall enthusiasm and inspiration of this interview, and know you will too.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Should you really follow your passion in life? Or is doing what you love better reserved for the weekends…
The difference between offensive and defensive decision making (and which one accelerates your success)
What specific crew dynamics make an award-winning television series
Why the saying “how you do anything is how you do everything” matters so much to understanding your path towards success
Why you should shoot for the stars…but also keep your goals as small as possible
The thing that matters more than your job (especially in the beginning of your career)
Don’t “fake it ‘til you make it”. Do this instead…
The real secret to enjoying your career
Why admitting you’re wrong will put you on the fast track towards success
The one tool Jen uses that allows her ADD to be her absolute superpower

Continue to Listen & Learn

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace | with Simon Smith, ACE

Guest Bio:

Jen Celotta

Jen Celotta is a writer/director whose TV writing credits include The Office, The Newsroom and Andy Richter Controls the Universe. She recently directed episodes of Abbott Elementary and Cobra Kai as well as episodes of The Office, People of Earth and Trial and Error. She has done joke passes for movies including Bridesmaids and Spy. She is currently working on her first animated movie. The highlight of her career, however, was playing a Schrute in the series finale of The Office.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Using the Hero’s Journey to Write Better Stories (and Live a Better Life) | with Chris Vogler

Tue, 24 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Chris Vogler is the author of "The Writer's Journey”, a wildly popular (and flat out must-read) guidebook to mythic structure for storytellers. Beyond being a successful author, Chris is also a Hollywood story consultant who has worked with multiple studios, including a long stint with Disney, where he heavily influenced the projects The Lion King, Hercules, and Aladdin to name a small few. Throughout his career Chris has reviewed and provided coverage for over 20,000 scripts (you read that correctly).

In our conversation, Chris effortlessly breaks down the stages of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey into simple, accessible principles that you can use to write your own story (both literally and figuratively). Beyond Chris’ detailed explanation of how you can write more captivating stories - and select the perfect characters your audience will adore - we dive deep into how you can use the principles of the Hero’s Journey to both understand and change the story of your own life.

Whether you’re interested in learning how to apply the Hero’s Journey to your own work, or if you’re looking for ways to better understand (and rewrite) your own personal story, this conversation is for you. I absolutely loved this interview and have no doubt you will find Chris’ breakdown of the Hero’s Journey as mesmerizing and entertaining as I did.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

A SIMPLE break down of each principle in the Hero’s Journey
How you can identify the exact stage of the Hero’s Journey you are at in your own life
The importance of trusting the path of our own life story, especially when you feel overwhelmed by the unknown
Why understanding the Hero’s Journey can help you better understand your own story (and even allow you to rewrite it)
How plagiarism led to Chris working on the Lion King…
How to simplify the writing process by leaning into the formula rather than relying on creative “magic”
The specific ways you can captivate your audience as a storyteller using the Hero’s Journey
Understanding the deeper aspects of the mentor and mentee relationship (and why Chris says the mentor needs the relationship just as much as the mentee)
How our own desire for transformation fuels our passion for stories (and how your writing can benefit from this fact)
How to select the perfect characters for your story as a storyteller
The special way Chris views the Hero’s Journey (that absolutely blew my mind)
How to move forward in your story even when you are afraid

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Writer’s Journey by Chris Vogler

Joseph Campbell

Memo from the Story Department: Secrets of Structure and Character

Chris Vogler's Writer's Journey Blog

Christopher Vogler Hero's Journey: What is a Scene?

Continue to Listen & Learn

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Overcoming a Dark Past (and Managing the Voices In Your Head) to Become Successful In Hollywood | with Christopher Titus

Leveling Up Your Ability to Tell More Engaging Stories using EditMentor | with Misha Tenenbaum

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

Episode Transcript

[fusebox_transcript]

Guest Bio:

Chris Vogler

Chris Vogler has had a long career as a Hollywood story consultant and executive, but is probably best known as the author of "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers", a popular guide to the Hero's Journey concept that has deeply influenced storytelling in Hollywood and publishing. Now in print for over 25 years, the book is a standard text in screenwriting programs and has been translated into fifteen languages. His model of the Hero's Journey, inspired by the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell, was developed during his years as a story analyst at Disney, Fox and Paramount, where he reviewed thousands of screenplays, novels and comic books and built up an encyclopedic knowledge of story in all its forms. His myth-inspired ideas found their way into Disney's THE LION KING, HERCULES, ALADDIN and other animated features. His book, The Writer's Journey, began as a seven-page memo that he circulated among Disney executives and that soon became part of Hollywood's collective story knowledge. He now travels the world speaking about the Hero's Journey and conducting workshops for writers and people from many walks of life who are finding his ideas useful.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Today I have not one, but two guests - Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile. Matt, a former student of the Optimizer program, is a Los Angeles based editor, filmmaker and recipient of the American Cinema Editor's prestigious Eric Zumbrunnen Fellowship. Matt recently edited his first feature film AMERICAN MURDERER, which was written and directed by my second guest, Matthew. Matthew is an award-winning filmmaker who holds a passion for true-crime, action, and thriller genres.

In today’s conversation, Matt, Matthew and I dive deep into the key mindsets necessary to create your own independent film successfully. Whether you are a starter or a finisher (as Matt and Matthew call their roles), this conversation is packed with practical tools you can adopt and apply to your journey of making your film idea (or any other creative idea or project you might have) a reality. As both Matt and Matthew share here, so much of your potential success comes down to your mindset as well as your ability to do proper cold outreach.

Matt shares the exact processes he continues to use from the Optimizer program that have led to so much of his success (and Matthew shares why he originally made fun of the Optimizer cold outreach formula…and also why he now is a big fan of using it). As we discuss in our conversation, there is a huge rise in the number of people making films for the first time right now. If you’re the kind of person who wants to join in on the fun, this conversation is the perfect place to start.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The two specific factors that mark the difference between making a multi-million dollar box office hit and an independent film (that have nothing to do with funding)
Why more people are making films now for the first time and why that’s beneficial to everyone
Putting together a film crew for the first time? Look for this one specific trait in people (it has nothing to do with experience)
The one thing you can do to maintain a positive mindset and reach your goals amidst ANY obstacle that appears
The number one quality you need to have if you want to become successful in any leadership position
The key elements of the Optimize Yourself program that Matt used in the real world that directly led him to success
How cold outreach (when done in the proper ways we discuss) is the key to connecting and building relationships with experts in your industry
The one thing you can do in your cold outreach emails that will drastically increase your response rate
Why Matthew originally made fun of the Optimize Yourself cold outreach formula…and why he now uses it so often
What it means to “tell your story” and how that is the secret to working with experts

Useful Resources Mentioned:

AMERICAN MURDERER on Amazon

AMERICAN MURDERER on iTunes

Post Perspective

Los Angeles Post Production Group - Previs on an Indie Budget

Avid Rough Cut Podcast

No Film School Podcast

CinemaMontage Magazine

Continue to Listen & Learn

[CASE STUDY] Why People Don't Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

Why Writing Cold Emails Is the Most Important ‘Soft Skill’ You Must Master (Especially If You’re An Introvert) (zackarnold.com)

The 5 Most Common Mistakes You're Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them) (zackarnold.com)

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

Guest Bio:

Matt Allen

Matt Allen is a Los Angeles based filmmaker and recipient of the American Cinema Editor's prestigious Eric Zumbrunnen Fellowship. Matt recently edited his first feature film AMERICAN MURDERER (starring Tom Pelphrey, Ryan Phillippe and Jacki Weaver). He also served as the film's pre-vis editor, music editor and score producer. Matt began his movie journey in the studio offices of CBS Films and Voltage Pictures. After falling in love with the process of film editing, Matt began working as an assistant editor. Some of his credits include Hollywood Feature films Disney's Christopher Robin, A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, Bloodshot starring Vin Diesel, and Sweet Girl starring Jason Momoa. Matt holds an MFA in film editing from the American Film Institute and is an Associate Member of American Cinema Editors.

Guest Bio:

Matthew Gentile

Matthew Gentile is an award-winning filmmaker. His narrative feature debut, AMERICAN MURDERER, stars Emmy-nominee Tom Pelphrey, Ryan Phillippe, Idina Menzel, Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver, Shantel VanSanten, Moises Arias, Paul Schneider, and Kevin Corrigan. A graduate of the prestigious directing program at the AFI Conservatory, Matthew’s thesis film FRONTMAN won the Student Emmy for Best Directing and his second thesis LAWMAN played over 100 festivals worldwide and won the Dolby + Vizio Vision Award at AFI Fest. Currently, Matthew is prepping his second feature, a thriller/noir titled THE SOCIALITE (based on the nonfiction book A SOCIALITE SCORNED) and is developing multiple projects in the true-crime, action, and thriller genres.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Using Time Tracking and Habit Formation to Create Moments That Matter | with Laura Vanderkam

Tue, 17 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including the new Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters, along with Juliet’s School of Possibilities, Off the Clock, I Know How She Does It, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast, and 168 Hours. Her work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, and Fortune. Beyond being a successful author, Laura is also the host of the podcast Before Breakfast, as well as the co-host of Best of Both Worlds with Sarah Hart-Unger.

Whether you’re following an overly strict schedule or absolutely no schedule at all, there is one common experience: YEARS go by and you are left with very few (if any) memorable, meaningful moments. In order to “survive” our busy schedules, it seems that we get stuck in a time loop of tasks, interspersed with eating (poorly) and sleeping (not enough). Then we repeat - for decades. But as you’ll learn in my conversation with Laura, there are simple ways we can structure our lives so that we don’t have to choose between reaching our goals and living a present, purposeful life.

If you’re ready to stop letting life pass you by with your head down assessing to-do lists, this conversation is a must-listen. Laura shares simple ways in which we can use time tracking and habit formation not only to “get more done” but to make sure we aren’t missing our lives as we strive to reach our goals. I personally found Laura’s advice game changing and can’t wait for you to hear our conversation.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Laura shares her 9 ways to calm the chaos and make time for what matters (that are absolutely game changing)
Why avoiding using a “strict” schedule actually sets you up for more success (and how to find that balance)
The problem with striving for “work-life balance” and what you should actually be striving for instead
What “batching” means and how it is an absolute game changer to your schedule (and sanity)
How to build a schedule in such a way that your projects and goals stay on track even when obstacles get in the way
The difference between daily habits and regular habits (does 3 days a week even count in the eyes of an expert)
How to maintain habits without feeding your perfectionism and adding more stress to your life
How you can both build and follow daily routines without feeling bored and eventually quitting
Why making more memorable moments can completely change your perception of time (and how you can get started today)
The two specific things that keep us addicted to busy-ness and doing too many things, and how we can break that pattern

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Four Tendencies Quiz

Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Guest Bio:

Laura Vanderkam

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Let’s Stop Talking About “Productivity” and Start Talking About Balance | with Mike Vardy

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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Mike Vardy- also known as "The Productivityist” - is a highly-acclaimed productivity strategist and the creator of the productivity philosophy and framework known as TimeCrafting. He is considered to be one of the top thought leaders in the personal productivity and time management space and his work has been featured in Lifehacker, Fast Company, HuffPost, Inc., and Forbes.

Now you might be thinking that Mike and I are going to nerd out over productivity hacks, strategies, and apps in an effort to help you fill every second of your day with activities so you can get more sh*t done (and trust me, we could). But this conversation has a refreshingly different agenda: re-defining what it means to be “productive” and exploring the ways in which we can maintain momentum towards - and reach - our personal and professional goals while remaining balanced.

If you’re tired of feeling like the only way you can reach success is through packing on even more work to your agenda, this conversation is for you. Not only will Mike help you shift your mindset on what it really means to be productive, he’ll share simple and practical ways in which you can achieve your most important goals while remaining present, balanced, and SANE (all without using a single time management app).

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why the era of using systems and apps in order to maintain high levels of productivity is ending
The mental shifts necessary to break away from the “productivity cult” that helps you create more space in your day…only so you can fill it with more productivity
Why using productivity tools can actually make you less productive
Why you need to understand the difference between work-life balance and work-life presence
How you can prioritize the tasks of your day in a way that involves balance (without losing momentum towards your goals)
The two factors you need to know about that will determine the level of your success
Why taking short breaks to move can one of the most impactful productivity hacks imaginable
What it means to create “themes” during your week…and why this will save your sanity
Why we need to stop putting all of our focus on “time” when we build our schedule, and start factoring in our levels of energy throughout the day
Why Mike calls journaling the most undervalued productivity and time management tool we have (and how you can get started building that habit today)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Four Tendencies Quiz

Time Crafting Starter Kit

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Guest Bio:

Mike Vardy

Mike Vardy – also known as "The Productivityist" – is a highly-acclaimed productivity strategist and the creator of the productivity philosophy and framework known as TimeCrafting. He's considered to be one of the top thought leaders in the personal productivity and time management space, with over 15 years of expertise under his belt and having coaching hundreds of clients over that timespan.

His work has been featured in Lifehacker, Fast Company, HuffPost, Inc., and Forbes. Vardy is a renowned international speaker and has taught productivity practices on popular online education platforms CreativeLive, Skillshare, and LinkedIn Learning where his courses are among the most popular in the business category. He also hosts A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy, a conversational podcast that has featured guests such as Seth Godin, Brian Tracy, Keith Ferrazzi, and Gretchen Rubin – and has been downloaded over 5 million times since its inception.

Mike lives in Victoria, Canada with his wife, daughter, and son.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What I've Learned About Life From 200 Interviews with Amazing Human Beings | with Zack Arnold

Tue, 03 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

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→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist

For the last 200 episodes of the Optimize Yourself podcast, I’ve been speaking with world class authors, artists, athletes, and just plain inspiring humans. It has been an incredible honor to not only have these conversations, but share them with you as you design the more balanced, more productive, more fulfilling (and creative) life that you deserve. For today’s episode, however, I’m flipping the script and sharing an interview with none other than…well, myself.

In this episode, Optimize Yourself Podcast Producer, Debby Germino, puts me on the hot seat by digging deep into my story of creating the podcast, the coaching & mentorship program, and all of the personal and professional struggles I’ve experienced along the way. You’ll hear the deeper influences my first 200 podcast interviews have had on my life personally, as well as how those mindset shifts are built into the Optimize Yourself coaching & mentorship program so that we all have a chance to embody the wisdom of these amazing guests. You’ll also learn my own personal ‘Why’ that keeps me going no matter what obstacles present themselves on my journey to inspire others to not only comprehend, but reach their fullest potential.

If you’re interested in getting a sneak peak behind the curtain, you’re in for a treat. Beyond learning where I’ve been on my journey to create this business, you’ll also learn where Optimize Yourself is headed in the future. And be prepared to hear some embarrassing stories along the way, like the time my Imposter Syndrome was so severe I had to do a webinar on my knees to prevent myself from passing out. Yeah. That happened.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The specific moment (and reason) I decided to start my original podcast, Fitness in Post, and what happened that influenced me to later change it to the Optimize Yourself podcast
The two words someone said to me that ignited a paralyzing case of Imposter Syndrome (no really, I almost quit everything)
The ONE thing that keeps me going, no matter how difficult building the Optimize Yourself podcast and coaching & mentorship program gets
The real struggles of having a podcast that no one talks about (and the reason most people quit after 5 episodes)
How to use “exposure therapy” to prevent your biggest fears from getting in the way of your grandest dreams
What it means to make your fear “manageable” (and the massive benefits of doing so)
Why failing as quickly and as often as possible truly is the fastest way to reaching success
The one common factor that ties all of my podcast guest together, despite the fact that they are so drastically different (yes…sleep experts, Directors, and Ninjas do have something in common)
The specific mindset tools I personally use to consistently push myself outside of my comfort zone in my effort to inspire others to do the same
Why I don’t believe in just selling courses online and making “passive income” (even though it’s an incredibly popular way to make ‘easy’ money these days)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Find Your Why by Simon Sinek

The Laws of Creativity by Joey Cofone

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How to Sleep Smarter | with Shawn Stevenson

Continue to Listen & Learn

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - Pt1

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being - Pt2

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

As the new year approaches, you may be thinking about how the past year went and what the new year will bring. Maybe you’re happy with the direction your life and career are headed…or maybe you’re ready to make some changes? As 2022 winds down, I understand how easy it is to get caught up in the chaos of the holidays and fall into the trap of thinking “I’ll just write December off as a loss and start fresh in the new year.”

Rather than simply take a hiatus during the month of December, my team and I want to set you up for success when 2023 rolls around so you can consistently and sustainably take action towards your most important goals all year long. That’s why we’ve carefully reviewed our entire podcast library of over 200 interviews to bring you what we believe are the top 5 best conversations to help you design the more balanced, more productive, and more fulfilling (and creative) life that you deserve.

Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five interview series with Dr. Tal Ben Shahar, bestselling author, lecturer and founder of the Happiness Studies Academy, where we discuss what it takes to really design a more fulfilling career and whether or not success and happiness have to be mutually exclusive.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Dr. Tal Ben Shahar

→ Click here to learn more about working together to transform your dreams into your new reality

Feeling Lost? It’s Time to ‘Find Your Why’ | with David Mead

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with David Mead, co-author of the book Find Your Why written alongside legendary bestselling author and expert on leadership Simon Sinek where we discuss how you can discover your true purpose and find more meaning and fulfillment in your work.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with David Mead

→ Click here to learn more about working together to transform your dreams into your new reality

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with bestselling author and professor of psychology and management Ethan Kross where we have a candid discussion about imposter syndrome and how to manage all of the inner voices and chatter that stop us from taking action towards our most important goals.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Ethan Kross

→ Click here to learn more about working together to transform your dreams into your new reality

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Tue, 13 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the second part of this five interview series with Tamara Torres, the founder of Optima Results Coaching, where we discuss how to redefine what it really means to be productive and how to better align your time with your values.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Tamara Torres

→ Click here to learn more about working together to transform your dreams into your new reality

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Without further adieu, here is the first part of this five-interview series with the legendary Tony Horton, creator of the best selling home fitness program in history P90X, who has also been my ninja mentor for the last four years as well as a friend. This interview is from way back in the Optimize archives at the very beginning of our relationship where Tony went in depth about how to define your purpose and start living large.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Tony Horton

→ Click here to learn more about working together to transform your dreams into your new reality

Ralph Macchio ‘Waxing On’ About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?

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Ralph Macchio is an actor, producer, and director obviously most well known for his portrayal of Daniel LaRusso in the Karate Kid films and now the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai. He has also appeared on both stage and screen in notable credits including The Outsiders, Crossroads, and My Cousin Vinny. Most recently, he has also added ‘NYT bestselling author’ to his credits after releasing Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me which I can not recommend enough (it probably comes as no surprise I read the entire book in one sitting).

In one of the few rare occurrences where Ralph has made himself available for a long form conversation (as opposed to doing the rounds on the talk shows for a few minutes at a time), Ralph and I dive deep into his life, his successes, and his failures along the way far beyond just his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai (but for all you diehard fans don’t worry…we definitely discuss that too). Ralph shares his challenges with maintaining authenticity in both his performances but also who he is as a person, father, and husband. Given his personal relationship with Pat Morita offscreen that translated to his relationship with Mr. Miyagi onscreen, we discuss mentorship and how it has shaped him. We honestly discuss how Ralph has managed the challenge of being pigeonholed as a single character his entire acting career. And most importantly, this wouldn’t be a proper conversation without discussing how to live a life defined by balance.

Whether The Karate Kid was your Star Wars or you’re literally hearing of Ralph Macchio for the first time, there’s no better way to say it: Today’s conversation will inspire the shit out of you.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How we can define work-life balance in a day & age where the lines are so blurred between the two, they feel like the same thing
How we can manage and face our deepest fears when we know they’re standing between us and the best version of ourselves
The real reason Ralph says Cobra Kai has been such a success (and it’s not just The Karate Kid)
How remaining authentic paves the way for success both in your career and personal life
How Ralph Macchio defines what a “Miyagi mentor” is in real life
Understanding the difference between when you can avoid being pigeonholed, and when it’s time to embrace the mark you’ve made
The importance of knowing when to strive for balance, and when to fully commit
How fully committing to the present moment allows for a more successful and fulfilling personal life and career
How to maintain healthy relationships when you are forced to go through periods of work that require your absence
What Ralph is planning next after Cobra Kai…

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me

Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The power of finding the right mentor (and how to make it happen)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

Guest Bio:

Ralph Macchio

An actor, producer, director with an extensive list of credits, Ralph Macchio is best known for his celebrated performance as Johnny in Frances Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders; the hit film My Cousin Vinny; and most notably for the title role in the popular classic The Karate Kid and its successors. Expanding further on the Karate Kid Universe, Ralph continues to reprise his iconic role of Daniel LaRusso in the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai. He lives on Long Island with his family.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The Business & Craft of Trailer Editing, Making Your Side Hustle Your Career, and Staying Motivated Along the Way | with Chris MacDonald

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Chris MacDonald is an experienced veteran trailer editor who has worked at Universal Pictures and other major studios such as Sony, Disney, Paramount, and trailer houses such as MOcean and Aspect (to name a small few). Chris is also the co-founder of the wildly popular online editing school, Film Editing Pro, and today’s discussion balances a combination of understanding how to build a career as a trailer editor as well as making the transition to building your own business if that is the right path for you.

Whether you work in a creative industry as a craftsperson, or if you’re an entrepreneur running your own company (no matter how big or small), you are the CEO of your business. In today’s gig economy where the next job is never promised, you must learn the necessary skills and mindsets to run your business and present your services effectively in order to survive. And in today’s conversation with Chris he and I discuss perhaps the most important key mindset to learning, growing, and succeeding whether you are a craftsperson or entrepreneur - “The Beginner’s Mind.”

Given that Chris and I both agree the fastest path to success is failure and having a willingness to accept there is always more to learn, we dive deep into navigating the politics of the trailer world, managing studio & network notes, better understanding how to approach the creative process, and the best (and WORST) parts of working in advertising. Then we discuss his path from trailer editing to teacher, mentor, and entrepreneur - specifically how he became the creator of one of the leading schools in the world teaching the creative side of editing both short form and long form. But of course none of this came without its share of doubts, obstacles, and a raging case of imposter syndrome, all of which you’ll hear about today.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The key differences between long form editing, short form editing and cutting trailers (that aren’t so obvious)
The one thing that marks the difference between a good trailer editor and GREAT trailer editor
The percentage Chris says you should be working hard (it’s not 100%)
How you can tell a lesser experienced trailer editor from a more experienced one (and it has nothing to do with skill)
The one thing you can do that will make your work, no matter what it is, better
How to deal with imposter syndrome while working to advance your career or side hustle
What it takes to keep working towards your side hustle when you’re out of motivation
Why maintaining a ‘beginner’s mindset’ leads to success more than being an expert
The importance of maintaining relationships through all networks, even if you expand out into a separate side business
The importance of being a ‘do it all’ when you begin entrepreneurship before hiring staff
Why you should never let steep competition deter you from starting your own business

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Tim Ferriss and The 4-Hour Workweek

Ramit Sethi Podcast Interview on Forging Your Own Rich Life

filmeditingpro.com/zack - Free Giveaway of an hour’s worth of courses on the website

Film Editing Pro YouTube Channel

Continue to Listen & Learn

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

How to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

Guest Bio:

Chris MacDonald

Chris MacDonald started his career in entertainment fresh from college and held various jobs in the industry before working his way up to staff editor at Universal Pictures.

He then held positions throughout Hollywood, focusing primarily on trailer editing for studios like Sony, Disney, Paramount and many more. With 15+ years editing experience, he’ll be the main voice and guide throughout the training courses at Film Editing Pro.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Terrified to Make a Big Change In Your Life? Start By “Showing Up Small” | with Eddy Roche

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

Eddy Roche is a serial entrepreneur and fitness instructor on a mission to make the world a fitter, healthier, and happier place. He has created not just one but two highly successful businesses - one being the largest outdoor fitness community in Los Angeles, and the other being the largest organic whole food delivery service in Los Angeles. But plot twist…despite his outward confidence, Eddie almost didn’t pursue either of these opportunities because he was overwhelmed by both judgment from his peers and also a debilitating case of imposter syndrome. (Yes, even people with 8-packs have imposter syndrome.)

As Eddy previously felt - and many of us currently feel - it can be downright terrifying when making a major change in your life because we can be seen by our peers as a “beginner.” But as Eddie will discuss today, no matter how big we want to succeed, we all have to start small - which also means being willing to be perceived as small. Whether you're looking to make a major lifestyle change by getting in shape, you want to start a business, or you’re pursuing a more authentic and fulfilling career path, Eddy will inspire you to take the most important step: Just getting started.

I have no doubt that Eddy’s immense amount of positivity and as he calls it, “irrational optimism” will motivate you to take the first small steps towards something much bigger in your life. By letting go of your fear and embracing your “Beginner’s Mind”, there is an entirely new world waiting for you where you can move beyond worrying about how others judge you and experience the joy of living more authentically.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The importance of shelving overplanning (another form of procrastinating) and just getting started
One simple mindset you can embrace that will make fitness a regular component of your life (even if you hate it)
Why you should create an enjoyable fitness lifestyle rather than rely on short term programs just to ‘get fit’
Eddy’s top 3 recommendations if you are ready to start your fitness journey (whether it’s for the first or 12th time)
What Eddy changed that made his current businesses so successful when his previous 10+ had failed
The one piece of advice Eddy has for his younger self that applies to anyone starting a business
Why you should focus more on passion than ‘reinventing the wheel’
How to move beyond caring what others think and start creating success in ways that are meaningful to you
KEY TAKEAWAY: It’s not about how you compare (people care far less than we think), it’s about how much effort you put in towards your authentic self, passions and personal goals
KEY TAKEAWAY: It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in, it is always possible to start over and create a new life

Useful Resources Mentioned:

How to Reverse Depression, Anxiety, and ADD at the Genetic Level | with Dr. Ben Lynch

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

DMN8

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

Guest Bio:

Eddy Roche

Eddy Roche is an entrepreneur on a mission to make the world a fitter, healthier and happier place.

He created two businesses - one being the largest outdoor fitness community in Los Angeles and the other being the largest organic whole food delivery service in Los Angeles.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

On Authenticity, Luck, and Designing Life (and Footwear) On Your Own Terms | with Xero Shoes CEO Steven Sashen

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Steven Sashen is the co-founder and CEO of Xero Shoes. He is a serial entrepreneur who has never had a job he didn't create, a former professional stand up comic, an award-winning screenwriter, and to top it all off…a masters All-American sprinter (in fact he is one of the fastest men over 60 in the country). If Steven’s bio hasn’t done it already, listening to our conversation for all of 5 seconds will quickly convince you as it did me that Steven is quite possibly the most interesting man in the world (not to be confused with the Dos Equis man, of course).

You’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a more unique list of professional achievements than Steven, but what is even more interesting is the fact that if you were to ask him about the most important mindset required to be successful, his response would be, “There is none” because he attributes 90% of his success to luck, and the remaining 10% to luck as well (yeah, we talk a lot about “The L word”). If you’re interested in stepping beyond your fears and insecurities in an effort to better embrace the inevitable roadblocks and failures that you’ll encounter along your journey, you’ll find Stephen’s approaches to life, health, success, and business absolutely fascinating.

Despite today’s conversation having a good deal to do with Steven’s current mission of upending the footwear industry and exposing “Big Shoe” for the perpetuated lie that more is always better (spoiler alrt: Minimalist footwear is the way to go), one wonderful side effect of our chat is that Steven is showing us all how we can redefine success, failure, love, and life. I can’t wait for you to listen to this interview, as I have no doubt it will provide you with the tools to move more assuredly towards your own, more authentic version of success, no matter what that looks like to you.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why the minimalistic nature of Xero shoes both prevents and heals injury better than the most popular (and expensive) athletic shoes
Why we desperately need to redefine success and stop expecting more money to equal both more happiness and less problems
Why Steven says it’s not necessary (or even a good idea) to follow your passion
How to stop letting the fear of the unknown, failure, and losing your identity get in the way of reaching your goals
The steps you can take to advocate for yourself and gain the respect you deserve in a calm way
What makes Steven so fearless in the face of both success or failure

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Xeroshoes.com

Steven Sashen IMDb

The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Guest Bio:

Steven Sashen

Steven Sashen is a serial entrepreneur who has never had a job, a former professional stand up comic and award-winning screenwriter, and a competitive sprinter -- one of the fastest men over 55 in the country (maybe the fastest 60+ Jew in the world!). He and his wife, Lena Phoenix, co-founded the footwear company Xero Shoes, creating "a MOVEMENT movement" which has helped hundreds of thousands of people Live Life Feet First with happy, healthy, strong feet in addictively comfortable footwear. Steven and Lena also appeared on Shark Tank, where they turned down a $400,000 offer from Kevin O'Leary.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Become Oscar-level Successful (Without Being a Dick) | with Peter Ramsey

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Peter Ramsey is a Director, Producer, and Storyboard Artist known as the first black director to direct a big budget animated film with Dreamworks’ Rise of the Guardians and the first black director to win the Academy Award in animation for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. But what is even more inspiring than Peter’s career achievements, however, is that he’s simultaneously working at the top levels of the industry while also maintaining the reputation of being “a nice guy,” proving that you can become successful BECAUSE you treat people with respect, not despite doing so.

In this conversation Peter and I discuss his circuitous route from being a storyboard artist to becoming an Oscar-winning director. Despite growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Peter felt like he was a million miles from Hollywood and never even considered it a realistic career path. Yet with the proper beginner’s mindset (which he maintains to this day), a blue collar work ethic, and the uncanny ability to surround himself with mentors such as Steven Spielberg, John Singleton, Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis, and Francis Ford Coppola, (just to name a small few), Peter was able to carve his own unique path while providing value to others along the way.

No matter your creative career ambitions and the obstacles standing between you and your goals, Peter’s inspiring story and infectious optimism will motivate you to push past your own limits and design your dream career. Beyond game-changing (yet practical) advice on how to get out of your own way on your path towards success, Peter also shares outstanding advice about how we can further diversify Hollywood and allow anyone regardless of race, gender, or disability to have their voices and life experiences heard.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How you can stand out in the industry and get great jobs without having to know it all - or even pretend like you do
How you can build authentic relationships with top tier mentors (Steven Spielberg was just one mentor Peter worked with because of this)
The number one killer of creativity…is this the source of your creative blocks?
How to keep moving forward towards your dream job with optimism even if you feel like your career has been filled with more setbacks than success
How to stop letting imposter syndrome keep you from enjoying your job and advancing your career with confidence (and it’s not ‘getting rid’ of imposter syndrome…)
The one step we can ALL take to better diversify the voices and creatives in Hollywood…have you done it yet?

Continue to Listen & Learn

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Guest Bio:

Peter Ramsey

Peter Ramsey began his career as a storyboard artist on a number of feature films such as Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Boyz n the Hood, Minority Report, and Fight Club. He entered the world of feature animation, directing Dreamworks Animation’s Rise of the Guardians in 2012 and as a co-director on Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse in 2018, which won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Currently Peter is developing both live action and animated projects. His latest as director is the Netflix miniseries Lost Ollie.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

When Being a “People Pleaser” Goes Too Far (and How to Set Boundaries) | with Lisa Robison, CCE

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“You have to learn to take pride in being the first one to say no.”

- Lisa

Lisa Robison CCE, is a camera assistant turned award-winning editor best known for her work on "Loudermilk," "My Life Without Me," "The L Word" and "Firefly Lane,” and most recently she edited the Tribeca feature, "American Dreamer.” Even more impressive than her credits, however, is Lisa’s story of growth and perseverance in the face of massive adversity.

While we will each have our own unique paths to success, you'd be hard-pressed to find a story more unique or inspiring than Lisa’s. While it’s certainly rare to make the transition from the camera department into post-production, what is even more amazing is that this transition was because of a near-death experience that Lisa shares candidly in today’s conversation. Not only has Lisa persevered through extremely difficult times, she has come out of each experience with a greater understanding of who she is. What really inspired me from this conversation above all else was Lisa really recognizing the true cost of being a ‘people pleaser’ and over committing to too many projects her entire career and how she can set better boundaries in her career going forwards.

If you find yourself making the same mistakes over and over (particularly when it comes to burnout and overcommitting to too many projects), or if you feel as if you’ve been ‘paying your dues’ far longer than you anticipated, this conversation is for you. You’ll not only learn how to better determine your non-negotiables in order to set yourself up for more sustainable success (and less burnout), but you’ll also learn that success is never lost at the placement of your boundaries. In fact, setting boundaries is in fact where your success will most likely begin.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The story of Lisa’s near death experience and how that was the transitional point between her career as an aspiring Camera Operator to an Editor
The mindset it takes to push past the limiting beliefs of others and not adopt them as your own
How to handle the identity shift that occurs after a sudden career change (whether it was planned or not)
The mindset and steps it took for Lisa to make her shift into the Editor’s chair, and STAY there
A simple way you not only stand out, but advance your career on any show you are working on
KEY TAKEAWAY: We all have times in our career when we are overworking simply for the sake of not letting ourselves and other people down. This is normal, but it doesn’t mean it’s the it needs to be
The deeper reason to why you might be people pleasing, even to your own detriment
What signals you can look out for within yourself (and others) that mean you’re headed towards burnout
What actually leads to burnout and outbursts, and what you can do about it
KEY TAKEAWAY: If you want to prevent burnout, you have to develop the skill of saying ‘NO’ to protect your boundaries around proper workload expectations
The importance of determining (and sticking to) your non-negotiables when it comes to your job so that you can maximize creativity and lessen the amount of time you’re ‘surviving’
KEY TAKEAWAY: Harsh deadlines and extreme working hours keep happening because people keep saying, “Yes.” We have to learn the only way the industry changes, is with us sticking to our non-negotiables
The ONE thing to ask yourself when you’re deciding whether or not you should work for free (and yes, sometimes it’s okay to work for free)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Lisarobisoneditor.com

Lisa Robison: IMDb

@lisarobison100 • Instagram photos and videos

Continue to Listen & Learn

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

Guest Bio:

Lisa Robison

Lisa Robison has been in the film industry since 1987. At the start of her career, Lisa worked as a camera assistant for 7 years. “Little Women” (Winona Ryder, Christian Bale & Susan Sarandon), “Short Time” (Dabney Coleman) & “Gold Diggers” (Christina Ricci and Anna Chlumsky) are a few of the many productions she assisted on. In 1995, she changed careers and started working in Post Production. She was very fortunate to get her first editing job in 1998 and has been editing since. Fierce determination & strong work ethic as an editor has bestowed Lisa with 17 nominations and 11 awards. She is particularly proud of her work on "Firefly Lane” Seasons 1 & 2 (Netflix), “My Life Without Me”(Sony Classics), “The L Word” Seasons 1-5(Showtime), Loudermilk Season 2 & 3 (Amazon Prime),“Unspeakable” (CBC Limited Series, R.L. Stine’s "The Haunting Hour” Seasons 1-3(Discovery Family), and “Continuum" Seasons 2&3 (Syfy). Lisa is a member of IATSE 891, A.C.F.C., Canadian Cinema Editors, Vancouver Post Alliance, Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television and the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How ‘The Great Resignation’ Caused Us to Question Everything About the Way We Work (and How to Quit if It’s Time to Move On) | with Anthony Klotz

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“Sometimes the only way you’re going to cure your burnout is to get away from what is burning you out.”

- Anthony Klotz

Anthony Klotz is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at UCL School of Management in London who has made a career of studying resignations. Anthony’s research has been published on a multitude of high-profile platforms such as The Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review and The Wall Street Journal (just to name a few). He instantly rose to stardom early in the pandemic for having coined the now ubiquitous term “The Great Resignation” to describe the mass exodus of workers across industries from jobs & careers that no longer suit them.

When it all comes down to it, the pandemic has given all of us a giant dose of perspective, and in my conversation with Anthony we dig much deeper into how this perspective shift has caused so many to reevaluate the work they do and how they spend the majority of their waking hours. If your work no longer fulfills you - or even worse if your workplace is toxic - it often feels like quitting is the only way out. But quitting is not always necessarily the best option. As Anthony states, “There’s more to quitting than just the decision to leave.”

If we decide to stay despite our shift in perspective, what changes can we make to improve our current job situation? If we decide to leave, how can we do so without burning bridges along the way? Especially in the freelance “gig economy” relationships are everything. In this candid and deep conversation, Anthony provides not only answers but also specific action steps you can take to help you decide if a job is worth sticking with or not, and if it is genuinely time to move on how you can do so without destroying valuable relationships along the way.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What the term “The Great Resignation” really means as defined Anthony, the expert that coined it
How both employees and management can embrace post pandemic changes in the workforce and move forward differently, rather than go back to what wasn’t working
What specific steps Entertainment Industry leaders can take to create a work environment that balances the previous ‘normal’ with the changes required by employees today
KEY TAKEAWAY: Organizations aren’t going to offer you exactly what you need. It’s up to you to first identify how you work best, and then be upfront with the organization about the changes you require to get there
How to know when it’s time to leave your job and you’re not just having ‘a problem’ you need to get over
The first step to take if you think it’s time to leave your job (it’s not what you think)
How you can make the job you have the job you want if you suffer from ‘the grass is greener’ syndrome
How to determine if a job opportunity is right for you by doing a ‘Cost/Benefit Analysis’
KEY TAKEAWAY: If you want to avoid burnout, step one is setting proper expectations for yourself and your company during the interview
The definition of ‘Quiet Quitting’ and when that is okay to do so...from an expert
KEY TAKEAWAY: Quiet Quitting is a symptom of a much larger problem that an immense amount of people are unhappy with the levels to which they are working
How to find a healthy balance between meeting your standard job requirements and going above and beyond
KEY TAKEAWAY: Certain individuals want to go above and beyond in their careers, while others simply want a ‘transactional relationship.’ There needs to be an understanding that both are ok, but they should not be compensated equally
The specific steps to take (and not take) in order to quit your job without burning a bridge
How much notice you should actually be giving when you resign (you might need to forget the 2 week standard)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Original Quiet Quitting Post

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

How to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

[Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller

Guest Bio:

Anthony Klotz

Dr. Anthony C. Klotz is an organizational psychologist who, stemming from his research on resignations, predicted a major pandemic-related labor shift and coined it the "Great Resignation" in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek in May of 2021. He explained the reasons behind his prediction in an op-ed for NBC News later that month. Since then, his theory has been supported by months of record numbers of resignations in the United States and evidence that this shift is happening globally as well. Anthony has discussed The Great Resignation with multiple media outlets including CNN, CNBC, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Today Show, and NPR. In addition, Anthony has discussed his insights about navigating The Great Resignation and what it means for the future of work with executive teams at numerous Fortune 100 organizations.

Anthony’s primary research involves investigating the different ways that employees resign and the causes and effects of different resignation styles, studying how and why employees balance their good deeds and bad deeds at work, and exploring how contact with the natural world affects employees. Anthony’s research has been published in Academy of Management Review, Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, and Personnel Psychology. His has also written for the Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review and The Wall Street Journal.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

A Former Monk on Managing Overwhelm (and Following Your Intuition) | with Cory Muscara

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:47:00 +0000

“If you don’t have 1 minute to meditate, it’s time to evaluate what’s really going on.”

- Cory Muscara

Cory Muscara is a former monk, host of the Practicing Human podcast, and bestselling author of the book, Stop Missing Your Life. He has taught mindful leadership at Columbia University and is an instructor of Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Oz named Cory as one of the nation’s leading experts in mindfulness (and rightfully so) as Cory’s meditations have been heard more than 25 million times in over 150 countries.

If you’re stuck on the hamster wheel of dedicating your entire life to creative projects that inevitably lead to burnout while trying to chase a dream you are no longer even sure you want anymore, you might be surprised to learn how much cultivating mindfulness will help you build the intuition necessary to create (then follow) a path that makes more sense for you. As Cory will explain, mindfulness and meditation with the specific purpose of building your intuition (aka your “gut feelings”) is a crucial piece in the puzzle of designing your unique path, as well as more clearly understanding which opportunities to say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to along the way.

Whether you have never meditated before, you dabble here and there, or you are on your way to being an ordained monk yourself, Cory’s simple methods of connecting to your own intuition and developing the inner strength it takes to follow that intuition will undoubtedly have a positive impact on both your career, the quality of your working relationships, and your life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The story of how Cory became an ordained monk…in his early 20’s
How meditation can help you handle overwhelming stress and emotions
The difference between luck, coincidence, and the woo-woo factor
KEY TAKEAWAY: Use your current inspirations to follow the work you should be doing, rather than sticking to a plan you made previously that isn’t working anymore
Simple exercises you can use to connect with your own intuition in order to better understand when to say ‘yes’ and when to say ‘no’
How to tell the difference between fear that should stop you, and fear you should surrender to
How to create your own ‘guide’ that will help you connect with your intuition and find answers during difficile times
KEY TAKEAWAY: Don’t abandon logic and rational thinking (or your pros and cons list), but instead learn to use your intuition to gain further guidance after those steps
How to build the courage to take action on your intuition (often the hardest part)
How to handle negative emotions and your inner-critic
The beginning steps to take in order to gain the ability to maintain a calm presence during times of overwhelming thoughts, emotions and situations
How to know when meditation is enough or if you also need to include the support of a therapist
The simple way to start meditating (and build the habit)
How to stop thinking of meditation as just another “thing to do” if you’re a high achiever
The difference between happiness and fulfillment

Useful Resources Mentioned:

corymuscara.com

Facebook: Cory Muscara

Instagram: @corymuscara

Tik Tok: @corymuscara

Practicing Human Podcast

Stop Missing Your Life: How to be Deeply Present in an Un-Present World - by Muscara, Cory

How to Rewrite Your Own Story | with Dr. Steven Isaacman

Continue to Listen & Learn

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Guest Bio:

Cory Muscara

Cory Muscara is a former monk, host of the Practicing Human podcast, and bestselling author of the book, Stop Missing Your Life. With over 500K followers across his social media channels, Cory has gained popularity for his down-to-earth, engaging, and accessible teachings on mindfulness, wellbeing, and mental health. He has taught Mindful leadership at Columbia University, is an instructor of Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, and for the last ten years has offered mindfulness keynotes, workshops, and retreats around the world to companies like Bank of America, Prudential, Johnson & Johnson, Principal, Travelers, BlackRock, and more. Named by Dr. Oz as one of the nation’s leading experts in mindfulness, Cory’s meditations have been heard more than 25 million times in over 150 countries, and his goal is to share wisdom teachings in a practical and accessible way.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

So You’re Burned Out…Now What? [7 Ways to Climb Out of the Hole]

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

If you're coming to this article unsure of whether or not you're experiencing actual burnout, I suggest starting with The 7 Red Flags That You Might Be Burned Out. If you've already read that article, then you are now familiar with The First Law of Holes:

“When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.”

Whether or not you're stuck at the bottom of a hole you dug for yourself or if someone helped you get there is now irrelevant. The reality is you can't get out by yourself. And furthermore if you simply accept that where you are stuck is just your new "normal," we're all inevitably headed towards believing that Severance is our only option to escape our jobs because what we're all experiencing right now is as far from normal as you can get.

Below I have provided seven simple and practical steps to help you overcome burnout and slowly climb out of the hole, but before diving right into the steps I think it's important to understand what I believe to be the root cause of burnout. Without awareness of why we're all burned out in the first place, we are doomed to repeat the cycle.

The Most Dangerous Word That Leads to Burnout

7 Red Flags You Might Be Burned Out (Or You're Headed There)

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Burnout is at epidemic proportions regardless of what you do for a living. And yes, I dare to use the word “epidemic” given we live in a frightening (almost) post-COVID reality because quite frankly, COVID has a lot to do with the fact that as many as 52% of people across a variety of different industries consider themselves burned out, and over 67% of those same people believe burnout is worse than before the pandemic.

I argue, however, that the number of people currently burned out is far beyond 52% for one simple reason. As bestselling author and productivity expert Greg McKeown states:

“There are two kinds of people in the world: Those who are burned out, and those who know they are burned out.”

I venture to say the number of people actually experiencing burnout is much closer to 100% right now because we’re all just fucking over it.

Nothing is what it used to be.

All of our routines have changed.

If you’re working from home, back to the office, or working ‘hybrid’, expectations are higher than ever, deadlines have somehow become even more intense, everything is more expensive (but we’re not getting paid more), and most importantly, we now possess something incredibly dangerous that will no longer allow us go back to our pre-pandemic reality: PERSPECTIVE.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on where you stand in the “ignorance is bliss” debate), the pandemic allowed us to hit the reset button and experience - even for a brief moment - what is truly important to us (and how much of those things were missing from our lives before).

Regardless of how much we’ve been enjoying our time at the dinner table, or putting our kids to bed, or being able to sleep, or not having to commute anymore (!!!), we’re all just expected to go back to “normal” (which wasn’t working at all, btw), because the megaglobocorporations around the world have decided enough is enough - it’s back to work in the office for you!*

If We Don't Do Something About Workplace Burnout, "Severance" Will Be the New "Quiet Quitting"

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“Work is just work…right?”

For those uninitiated, here’s the simplest way to describe the nuanced brilliance that is the Emmy-nominated Apple+ Series Severance:

Severance is Office Space meets 2001: A Space Odyssey meets…The Shining.

It’s clearly a risky concept, hence why it probably took creator Dan Erickson and executive producer/director Ben Stiller years to receive a green light, but in hindsight it’s obviously a gamble that is paying off judging by the 14 Emmy nominations for its first season. If Severance continues to consistently be this engaging, riveting, and mind-bending with its original story & crisp writing, its on-point performances - and most importantly its crawl-into-your-brain-and-live-there-while-you-sleep tone - upon the series’ completion Severance will be in the same conversation as Breaking Bad. Yeah, I said it. (Bookmark it.)

This, however, is where my Severance review both begins and ends. Because anyone who’s already seen the show knows how mind-blowing it is.

I’m not here to write about how brilliant Severance is.

I’m here to write about how terrifying Severance is.

And I’m not talking about terrifying like jump scares, hallucinations, and bizarro dance sequences set to “defiant jazz.“ I’m talking terrifying like Severance belongs in the documentary category instead of psychological thriller.

Many have already written about how Severance is one possible version of a dystopian workplace future.

I’m here to argue that Severance is not only a dystopian portrait of our future…in many ways we’re already there.

Because if we don't do something about the rampant epidemic of workplace burnout in our post-pandemic, severance is going to become our new version of "quiet quitting."

First Things First…What Is ‘Severance?’

→ Click here to Learn the Way of the Networking Ninja

[CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Matthew Farrugia is an assistant editor in Hollywood who’s recent two projects are both so high profile and high security, I can’t name them yet (Hint: They’re for Apple+ and Marvel). What’s crazy is that despite his young age (and more impressively his extremely short amount of time in the industry) Matthew went from working in a paint store to landing his dream job working for Marvel in just short of 2 years.TWO. YEARS. After becoming a student of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program, Matthew quickly learned the fundamental mistakes he was making with his cold outreach that were leading to zero success. Let’s just say once he learned how to become a networking ninja the game totally changed for him.

Whether you’ve been in the industry for 2 years or 20, you’ve most likely experienced the frustrating bridge between where you are now and where you want to be next. And inevitably you won’t bridge that gap alone - you’ll either need a mentor, an advocate, or ideally both. If you’re tired of writing cold outreach emails that don’t get responses - or at least useful ones - this conversation will illuminate what it is specifically that you might be getting wrong, and more importantly how to do outreach the right way.

My interview with Matthew will cover the exact cold outreach email networking steps he learned in the Optimizer program that took him from working in a paint store to, as he calls it, “working jobs he thought would be his endgame.” (pun intended Marvel fans) You’ll learn what a great outreach message should consist of, how to write a great follow up message, and you’ll also learn the key mindset shifts it takes to turn your ‘failures’ into wins and make the most out of every moment in your career.

Want to Build The Dream Network That Leads to Your Dream Job?

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Matthew went from working in a paint store to working for Marvel…in 2 years
The number one tool Matthew used to rapidly advance his career
KEY TAKEAWAY: Having a strong skill set is not enough to land you your dream job. You have to learn to properly network so that people know you (and your skill set) even exist.
The number one mistake people make when they network
KEY TAKEAWAY: You want to network with people who are working the job you want to be doing next
The Philosophy Matthew lives by that directly led to his success despite any setbacks along the way
How ‘career anxiety’ doesn’t ever leave, but how and why it can lessen over time
What Matthew found out he was doing wrong when it came to networking, and what changes he made led to him landing him his dream job
Exactly what you should be including in your outreach emails in order to get a response (and therefore useful guidance, mentor, or job)
KEY TAKEAWAY: People WANT to help you, so the more clear, detailed, and authentic you are in your outreach emails, the more likely you are to get a response
What quality you should have that makes you more hireable than others (even if they have a higher skill set)
What you can do at work that makes you stand out above the rest
KEY TAKEAWAY: If you’re not where you want to be in your career (yet), don’t be hard on yourself. Building a career takes time and patience, but with the right networking skill set IT. WILL. HAPPEN. Just don’t give up before you see the results :)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Matthew’s Facebook page

Marvel

Continue to Listen & Learn

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

Guest Bio:

Matthew Farrugia

Matthew Farrugia is the son of a single mother, he has never been afraid of trying, falling down, and getting back up. To quote his grandfather; "where there is a will, there is a way." He grew to love editing from mentorship of his high school video communications teacher, Mrs. Spatt who pushed him to pursue a career in editing. After high school, Matthew went to a small film school in San Diego, where he learned the value of networking and how it can lead him to his goals. He used to go to LA to start attending meetups while living in San Diego, all of this without having a car.

Once he moved to LA, it took a year of working at a paint store and constantly networking to get his foot in the door, often times the door slammed on his foot. But each one drove him to learn more, network more, and understand what it takes not just to survive but to thrive. In his first ever Post PA position on an indie feature, the assistant editor told him "If I have a choice between someone who knows Avid but is a complete d*ck and someone who doesn't know jack but is fun to be around, I am going with the second guy every time. I can teach you how to be an assistant editor. I can't teach you how not to be a d*ck" and this saying was the golden rule Matthew has lived by. He still hasn't accomplished all of his goals but for only working in the industry for 3 years, he has made incredible progress.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[BONUS] Mastermind Q&A: How to Successfully Be a “Specialized Generalist” | with Michael Addis

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“Do whatever you can to have the power to take a break or say no.”

- Michael Addis

Michael Addis is a man who wears many successful hats as an editor, writer, director, and showrunner. If you’ve ever enjoyed shows such as Impractical Jokers or projects with actors such as Jamie Kennedy or Tom Green, there is a chance you’ve come into contact with Michael’s work. Some of his recent credits include Assembly Required, You Kiddin’ Me, Famous Food Truck, and Chopped U.

In this Mastermind Q&A with my Optimizer coaching students Michael shared how he’s built a wide & varied career having so many different creatives roles that he calls himself (thanks to Tim Ferriss) a “specialized generalist,” which essentially means developing a massive toolbox of skills to be as involved as possible in every aspect of the creative process…but ultimately being great at one specific craft above all others.

In our conversation together, Michael and I dive into the specifics of the differences between working in scripted and unscripted television, how saying NO leads you to your dream career faster than saying YES can, and how focus is the number one skill that will lead you to success in the 21st century.

If you are someone who is looking to amplify your skill set in an effort to either change or dramatically advance your career, you’re going to love the sneak preview of our Mastermind Q&A.

Want to attend future Mastermind Q&A calls like this live with our guests?

→ Click here to learn more about joining the Optimizer coaching program

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Michael has been so successful across a large number of roles in the entertainment industry
How much “luck” has to do with your success
Who works harder? Scripted or unscripted editors
KEY TAKEAWAY: The more skill sets you have, the more valuable you become
One hack to having consistent employment in the entertainment industry
How to balance going back and forth between various job roles
How to decide whether you should say yes or no to a project
The curse of first season shows
The link between managing finances and the ability to say no
KEY TAKEAWAY: You must get comfortable saying no if you want a fulfilling career
What it really means to be a Specialized Generalist
The number one ‘super power’ that will make you successful in the 21st century
How to stay positive (and realize it’s a good thing) when you get fired
The downside of making your career your identity
How being a generalist helps you collaborate successfully
Why industries don’t want to hire people with a single specialty
How to market yourself across various genres of television when you only have experience in one

Useful Resources Mentioned:

LinkedIn Learning

Michael Addis' Website

Cal Newport

Jim Kwik

Tim Ferriss

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself

Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Ep117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

Ep131: How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

Guest Bio:

Michael Addis

Michael Addis is an accomplished and in-demand comedy + reality showrunner/director/editor working in TV, film and the various platforms. He was the original showrunner and director for IMPRACTICAL JOKERS. He directed and/or produced on two Comedy Central shows: LEWIS BLACK’S ROOT OF ALL EVIL, THE SHOWBIZ SHOW w/DAVID SPADE, as well as HELL DATE, EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, THE NEW TOM GREEN SHOW and REALITY HELL. He also wrote for THE MAN SHOW.

Most recently, Michael has directed/edited a series of digital content spots for DISCOVER CARD/SOUL PANCAKE and SOYLENT. He also showran/directed two series’ for Food Network (CHOPPED U and FAMOUS FOOD TRUCK w/HARLEY MORENSTEIN) as well as pilots for Nickelodeon, TBS, Bravo, Travel Channel and Fandango. And he Co-EP’d the series, YOU KIDDIN’ ME for Facebook Watch with Kim Kardashian West.

His debut feature comedy, POOR WHITE TRASH (starring Jaime Pressly and Sean Young) was an underground hit that ended up making three times its budget. His follow up feature, HECKLER, is a documentary featuring 140 big comedians, sports legends, actors and filmmakers being interviewed about critics.

With his own company, he produced/directed the one-hour stand-up special, JAMIE KENNEDY: UNWASHED, which he sold to Comedy Central to excellent ratings.

He has also directed several national commercials, including work for Toshiba, Doritos, Mozilla and Audi.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace | with Simon Smith, ACE

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“I hope that we can all become more compassionate and empathetic towards other ways of thinking.”

Simon Smith, ACE

Simon Smith, ACE is an award-winning editor whose most recent credits are the HBO series Chernobyl and the Disney+ series Star Wars: Andor. While Simon has been on many podcasts talking about his successful work as an editor, our conversation instead centers around neurodiversity in the workplace. Why? Because it was only recently that Simon was diagnosed as an adult with autism.

Not only does Simon embrace his autism, he considers it to be one of his greatest assets when it comes to his successful career as an editor, and this is a mindset he inspires us all to adopt. Whether it’s mental, physical, circumstantial, noticeable to others or just to you, each and every one of us has some form of disability. No matter the disability that may be holding you back in your life, this conversation will give you the tools and inspiration you need to reframe your obstacles and transform them into your superpowers. It’s all about perspective.

In this conversation, Simon shares with us that autism is nothing more than a difference in the way the mind works, and we discuss the importance of embracing all forms of neurodiversity in the workplace such that we can utilize everyone’s value. He provides a refreshing take on how we can open our minds to the fact that we don’t all think the same, nor should we! And as an added bonus, Simon and I geek out on the fallacy of striving for work-life “balance” and what we should be focusing on instead to live more fulfilling lives.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

KEY TAKEAWAY: Neurodivergent minds are highly effective and terms like ‘Autism’ mean nothing other than the fact that their brains work differently, not poorly
Understanding the main differences behind a neurodivergent mind and what tasks they are wired to thrive in
How to recognize and allow your neurodivergent mind to be your superpower
The signals to look for in children and adults that might suggest they could be neurodivergent
KEY TAKEAWAY: Everyone’s brain works differently, even for people with Autism. No two people with Autism have the same experience
How the Autism spectrum really works (from the mind of an Autisic person)
What companies are beginning to recognize people with neurodivergent minds are more successful at particular jobs than those who are not
How we can make the shift from seeing any disability as a negative and understand it’s true value and superpower
KEY TAKEAWAY: If we hired strictly by qualification, there would be far more people with Autism employed across many industries based off of the super abilities of their mind
What you can do to work better with a neurodivergent person in the workplace
What you can do if you’re prone to feeling overwhelmed by too many (or too little) tasks
How work-life balance is a term of the past, and what we should be striving for instead

Useful Resources Mentioned:

GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story

Exceptional Minds VFX

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Guest Bio:

Simon Smith

Simon Smith, ACE is an Editor, whose credits include the award winning HBO series CHERNOBYL, and the Disney+ series STAR WARS : ANDOR. He has three small children and lives by the coast in Brighton, England.

As an adult, Simon was diagnosed as autistic, which he considers one of his greatest assets working as an editor.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Transforming Your Disabilities Into Superpowers | with Erik Stolhanske

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“I never wanted anything to stop me. Not even having a wooden leg.”

- Erik Stolhanske

Erik Stolhanske is an actor, writer and producer probably best known for his role as ‘Rabbit’ in Super Troopers 1 and 2. And if you’re one of the many P90X junkies like me, you might also remember Erik as the guy with the prosthesis in the plyometrics video (yes…the guy with a wooden leg in the jumping workout!). No matter his role (and he has a lot), Erik always brings his unstoppable mindset and a tenacity to pursue the most challenging goals, no matter the obstacles. And given Erik was born with only one leg, he’s had to overcome a lot.

Whether you are battling a physical, mental, emotional, or circumstantial disadvantage in your life, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to go after your own S.T.U.P.I.D. goals (and you’ll learn all about what that means). If you’ve ever felt as if a specific disability in your life has been sabotaging you from achieving the life you dream of, you’re going to love Erik’s advice on how to not only to accept your disability (and yes, we ALL have one) but how to turn it into your superpower.

Erik will teach you how to better respond to every ‘no’ you encounter in your life (whether it’s coming from yourself or others) and frame it positively. We’ll discuss Erik’s ‘red light, green light’ game (and you’ll get to witness me in the hot seat) that is an exercise geared towards not only building resilience against the word ‘no’, but learning how to use it to activate new ideas, and you’ll also hear the inspiring story of how Super Troopers took a decade to become a reality. This is a light-hearted and humorous conversation that will no doubt leave you feeling inspired to make whatever the ‘wooden leg’ is in your life your superpower.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Erik’s story of what it was like growing up as a child with a wooden leg
The mindset it takes to aim for toughest goals in life when you have a disability
KEY TAKEAWAY: Everyone has a disability or something holding us back, but instead of letting that stop us we can find acceptance and even learn to use it as our superpower
Why you shouldn’t believe you can actually do anything you set your mind to
KEY TAKEAWAY: You are going to fail in life, and that’s ok
The rise in “Toxic Positivity” and how it’s affecting us all negatively
What it means to set S.T.U.P.I.D. goals (and why we should all be doing it)
How the movie Super Troopers went from an Independent Film to a Blockbuster hit
The two things it actually takes to reach your loftiest goals (neither of which is luck)
The difference between a challenge and a disability
The one thing it takes to embrace your disability and make it your superpower
Why Erik originally wanted to hide his wooden leg, and what happened to change that
The story of how Erik got on p90x and how it helped him embrace his disability
KEY TAKEAWAY: The only way to get big results is to go for big goals (and embrace big failures)
How to make hearing ‘No’ a positive moment that only leads to more growth
What the game “red light, green light” is, and how you can play

Useful Resources Mentioned:

P90X

Eric Stolhanske

Red Light Green Light Game

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Pushing Yourself to Your Limits (When Quitting isn’t an Option) | with Evan Perperis

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

Guest Bio:

Erik Stolhanske

Erik Stolhanske is a Hollywood comedian, actor, writer, producer, and member of the Broken Lizard Comedy Group. He is best known as "Officer Rabbit" from the 2001 cult-classic comedy Super Troopers and the 2018 sequel Super Troopers 2. As one of the five principal members of the famed sketch comedy troupe, he has starred in all of the Broken Lizard films including Beerfest (2006), The Slammin' Salmon (2009), Club Dread (2004), and Puddle Cruiser, as well as performed in The Sweetest Thing (2002) and The Onion Movie (2008). On television, he can be seen on the HBO critically acclaimed series Curb Your Enthusiasm and Six Feet Under, as well as the Comedy Central special Broken Lizard Stands Up.

Erik has written, produced and starred in all the Broken Lizard comedies, including all the Super Troopers films. Together, they collaborate on the screen-writing, acting and productions of all their films.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Optimizing Sleep, Productivity, & Creativity Using Ultradian Rhythms and Self-Tracking | with Azure Grant

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“The idea that resting is productive sounds silly, but I think a lot of people in our hard working culture need to hear it.”

- Dr. Azure Grant

Dr. Azure Grant is a researcher in metabolic and hormonal health, a post-doctoral researcher at Helen Wills Neuro Institute, UC Berkeley, a scientist-in-residence at Crescent Health where she is advising on measurements of energy levels and subjective sleep drive, an avid runner, and what might not come as a big surprise to you at this point…an avid self-tracker. And in today’s conversation we demystify sleep, circadian rhythms, ultradian rhythms, and how all three affect your ability to be more productive & creative.

If endless sleepless nights and long hours have led to burnout, chronic brain fog, or you feel like you can just never catch up and feel rested again, Dr. Azure Grant is an amazing resource to help you better understand how to both collect the proper data about your health but also interpret it and make better lifestyle decisions. We talk about the specific rhythms and processes each of our bodies are going through in a 24-hour cycle (i.e. Ultradian rhythms), and how you can better organize your day to get more done when you have the energy but then use other portions of the day for busy work when you’re just not feeling it. We also dive deep into how you can use self-tracking to optimize your own unique daily rhythms by creating YOUR ideal schedule of productivity, movement, creativity, and ultimately rest.

Whether you’ve been feeling the effects of too many tasks with too little sleep for weeks or decades, or you just want to nerd out on self-quantification, Dr. Grant will give you simple, practical steps to bring you back to balance by resetting your sleep and energy cycles. Her seemingly endless supply of information that comes from extensive, science backed research will give you all the tools and motivation you need to become a sleep ninja.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The hypocrisy that a vast majority of health professionals don’t have the time to manage their own self-care
Is it really true that some people only need 6 hours of sleep per night?
The surprising truth of what happens in our brains while the body sleeps
The damaging effects poor sleep has on your body both short term and long term
How to make sure you’re sleeping enough (and at the right time) for your body
The detrimental effects that occur when changing time zones or rapidly shifting schedules
The science behind what makes someone a night owl vs a morning person (and to what extent you can shift it)
How to balance your natural rhythms with the fixed 9-5 rhythm of society
KEY TAKEAWAY: The key to getting more done is energy management, NOT time management
How to hack your body’s internal clock to make it work better for you
The downsides of self-tracking and why you shouldn’t rely strictly on wearables
KEY TAKEAWAY: Looking at long-term data and patterns, rather than daily numbers, is the key to self-tracking properly
Which specific daytime behaviors can be affecting your sleep (or lack thereof) the most
What you should (and shouldn’t) be doing if you want to track your sleep schedules
The very first step to take if you are burned out and sleep deprived

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Azure Grant's website

Oura Ring

Fitbit

Quantified Self - Self Knowledge Through Numbers

One Sleep Tracker to Rule Them All…the Oura Ring | with Chuck Hazzard

Levels - Metabolic Fitness Program

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Boost Your Cognitive Performance with Sleep (according to a Navy Seal) | with Dr. Kirk Parsley

Advanced Sleep Technology and Biohacking | with Ben Greenfield

How to Sleep Smarter | with Shawn Stevenson

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Guest Bio:

Dr. Azure Grant

Dr. Azure Grant is a researcher in metabolic and hormonal health, a runner, and a big fan of self-tracking. She studies connections among metabolism, reproduction, and the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to better understand these connections and, in the process, empower individuals to make more informed decisions about reproductive health, family life, and aging. She also helps individuals learn to ask and answer rational questions about their own bodies by developing methods of participatory research. She is currently a Research Design Lead at Levels Health and Scientist-in-Residence at Crescent Health.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How Your Gut Health is the Key to Unlocking a Healthier & Happier You | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Tue, 09 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“The brain and the gut work like a key and a lock. One cannot function without the other.”

Dr. Edison de Mello

Dr. Edison de Mello is a Board-Certified Integrative Physician and a licensed psychotherapist.

He’s also the founder and chief medical officer of The Akasha Center in Santa Monica, CA where he treats patients using his signature East-meets-West approach. As he’s mentioned in previous interviews together, unlike many doctors in the traditional medical system, he doesn’t treat diseases or symptoms first, he treats the patient first. Today’s conversation centers around his new book Bloated? How to Reclaim Your Gut Health and Eat Without Pain.

If you commonly experience bouts of brain fog, the inability to focus, lethargy and chronic fatigue, or even a lack of creativity and motivation, you might be surprised to learn how much your gut health (or lack thereof) could be responsible. Dr. De Mello’s expertise on how our gut impacts our physical, mental, and even emotional health will leave you with a better understanding of what’s really going on under the hood and provide you with practical, simple steps to start healing from the inside out.

You’ll learn how the body has its own language and in Dr. de Mello’s words, that “language is symptoms.” Beyond discussing common digestion problems like bloating, stomach pain, and gas, we also dig a lot deeper into the emotional issues that often stem from the gut like depression. And even cooler we discuss how you can strengthen your intuition and ability to “follow your gut” simply by improving your digestion. Pretty cool eh? Oh yeah…we talk about farts too. I have no doubt you’ll love this light-hearted conversation that will not only provide you with a wealth of information regarding how to start assessing and addressing your gut health today, but will also have you laughing along the way.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How our process of elimination provides direct insight to our energy levels, creativity, and moods throughout the day
KEY TAKEAWAY: You are not alone if you experience gut problems and de-stigmatizing the shame around it is the first step to healing
How much gas you pass is directly related to how healthy your gut is
Common habits that lead to excessive amounts of gas (and which ones you do and don’t need to worry about)
The consequences industrialization has had on our diets, eating habits and food quality
The top mindset shifts to make that directly and positively impact your digestion
How to maintain positive eating habits without feeling like you’re torturing yourself
How to start listening to your body in order to find the root cause of your symptoms
Why science refers to the gut as our ‘second brain’
The link between gut health and mental health (and how your gut can heal your mind)
Why the level of your happiness is reliant on the state of your gut
The downsides of antibiotics when it comes to the health of our bodies
What your gut needs in order for your body to function properly
A simple trick you can use to follow your ‘gut’ and make better decisions
How your mindset and emotional state impacts disease (dis-ease)
The one quality to look for when you’re searching for the right doctor
The very first step to take if you’re suffering from digestive distress

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ep152: Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep95: On the Frontlines with COVID-19, How to Boost Your Immunity, & Testing Safely | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine

Bloated - How To Reclaim Your Gut Health And Eat Without Pain (Book)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Why Supplements Are Worth the Investment (And The Ones You Can Trust)

Ep28: The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome

Ep09: Everything You Need to Know About Food Shopping, Nutrition, and More | with Mira and Jayson Calton

Rich Food, Poor Food: The Ultimate Grocery Purchasing System (GPS)

The Top 10 (Healthy) Must-haves For Any Editing Gig

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Guest Bio:

Dr. Edison de Mello

Dr. Edison de Mello, MD, PhD, is a board certified Integrative Physician by the American Board of Integrative Medicine and a licensed psychotherapist by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. He practiced psychotherapy for 13 years before entering medical training and now practices and teaches evidenced- based integrative medicine.

Dr. de Mello’s PhD dissertation, entitled “Gut Feelings – A Psychosocial Approach to Gastrointestinal Illness,” inspired his conception of a center where psychology would be combined and fully integrated with Western and Eastern medicines. The de Mello Institute was formed in 1996 with the goal of employing safe and complementary approaches to healthcare while also addressing a person’s emotional and spiritual health and safe ed treatment. Fully committed to these goals, Dr. de Mello entered residency in 1999 at the prestigious Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center Urban Family Residency program in New York City, including training at the Manhattan-based Center for Health and Healing. His training utilized a biopsychosocial model and offered innovative experiences in the integration of complementary medicine into the practice of Family Medicine. Upon completing his medical training, Dr. de Mello expanded the de Mello Institute and founded the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[Hollywood On the Record] How to Create Your Dream Job by Setting Healthy Boundaries | with Jerilynn Stephens & Kimi Messina

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“If you get to a point where you’re not happy doing what you’re doing, you need to find something different. We all should be doing what we love to do.”

- Jerilynn Stephens

Jerilynn Stephens and Kimi Messina are both award-winning Hollywood hair stylists with over 60 years experience between the two of them. Jerilynn’s recent credits include Legendary, The Voice, and Shark Tank. And Kimi has worked on films such as Almost Famous, Pirates of the Caribbean, Master and Commander, and The Last Samurai. She’s also been the key hairstylist on Dancing with the Stars for 27 seasons and Legendary Seasons 2 and 3.

Building a fulfilling career path in the entertainment industry is no easy feat (and often requires constant sacrifices). If you truly want to excel in a career you ENJOY (while also‌ having quality time & energy to enjoy your life outside of work), these two women demystify how to make this your reality. In this candid conversation Jerilynn and Kimi share their personal experiences of climbing the ladder in Hollywood and talk openly about how they have learned to place healthy boundaries around their work so that they can continue to love their jobs without sacrificing their lives in the process. We also discuss the importance of saying yes vs saying no to the right opportunities, and most importantly how the quality of your life is dictated by the quality of the problems you get to solve every single day.

This conversation continues our Hollywood On the Record series where I speak to other guild members to learn what they do in various departments & crafts, understand the challenges they face, and how they’ve achieved high levels of success despite the exploitative nature of the entertainment industry. If you love what you do but you don’t want your career to destroy you, Jerilynn and Kimi can definitely guide you in the right direction!

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Jerilyn and Kimi’s two different pathways into becoming award winning Hollywood hairstylists
KEY TAKEAWAY: Loving your job comes down to knowing when to say yes and when to say no
KEY TAKEAWAY: You know you’ve found the right job when you enjoy the problems you are required to solve every day
The hidden job requirements of a hair stylist HINT: people skills are not optional
Who really sets the mood for the day on film and tv sets
How to do the job while still having energy for life outside of work
A day in the life of a hair and make up stylist
The vast differences in hours and expectations between working in hair and makeup for Scripted and Unscripted shows
How IATSE’s latest contract has not improved the hours on set and the workarounds studios have
Why staying physically fit will make you better at your job
KEY TAKEAWAY: Hard work is always behind every success story
Advice from Kimi and Jerilynn to up-and-coming hair stylists that is good advice for anyone in trying to find a fulfilling career
The one thing you can’t ever stop doing no matter how long you’ve been at your job
The key element people miss when hearing about manifesting your dreams

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Album - Wikipedia

www.JerilynnStephens.com

The Five "F" Words To Manifesting Your Life: Stephens, Jerilynn

Hollywood Hairstylist ✂️ (@jerilynnstephens) • Instagram photos and videos

Kimi Messina (@cutdrytease) • Instagram photos and videos

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Guest Bio:

Jerilynn Stephens

Jerilynn Stephens is a two-time Guild Award-Winning and ten-time Emmy nominated hairstylist. She is the head hairstylist on Legendary, The Voice, Shark Tank & other top rated shows.

She has worked as a hairstylist and or makeup artist for the past 27 years. She has attracted a personal client list that includes both celebrities and non-celebrities alike.

Jerilynn's motto is “Dream Big or Don’t Bother." She loves sharing her experience of how five simple "F" Words transformed her world and helped her manifest the life of her dreams. She is the author of The Five "F" Words To Manifesting Your Life. Her mission is helping others to dream bigger than they ever thought possible and manifest the life of their dreams through The Five “F” Words.

Kimi Messina

Kimi Messina is a two-time Emmy and eight-time Makeup and Hair Guild Award winning hairstylist. She has worked as a hairstylist for 40 years and in the industry for 35 years.

She has worked on films such as Almost Famous, Pirates of the Caribbean, Master and Commander, The Last Samurai, He’s All That and Anglyne in Peacock Streaming Service.

She has been the key on Dancing with the Stars for 27 seasons, Legendary Seasons 2 and 3, and numerous TV sitcoms, single camera, and Nickelodeon shows throughout her career.

Kimi’s motto is “Quality through continuous improvement”.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Building a Fulfilling Career Across Multiple Mediums (Without Getting Pigeonholed) | with Stephanie Filo, ACE

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Stephanie Filo, ACE is a two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV/Film Editor based in Los Angeles, CA and Sierra Leone, West Africa. She earned an Emmy win for her unscripted editing on the Mental State episode Separated (making herself and Nzinga Blake the first Sierra Leonean women to ever win an Emmy award). Most recently, she won a Primetime Emmy award for her work on HBO's A Black Lady Sketch Show, making her team the first all-women of color editing team to take home the award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming. This is just a tiny, tiny smattering of the credits and accolades which Stephanie has earned in her very young career (which doesn’t even begin to cover her social activism work in the documentary space).

In short, if you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to successfully build a fulfilling creative career jumping between multiple mediums and genres - from scripted, to unscripted, to docs, and beyond - then Stephanie Filo’s story is for you.

In this conversation Stephanie shares how she has climbed to award-winning levels of both scripted and unscripted television…despite a lot of the barriers that unfortunately come with being a black woman in a white-male-dominated industry. She candidly opens up about how she has had to work harder to prove herself but also her own challenges around work-life balance and the sacrifices she’s made getting to this level in her career. This is a wide ranging conversation appealing to anyone looking to make a career transition, find purpose and fulfillment in life, and wanting better strategies for choosing the right projects to match both your lifestyle needs and your creative needs.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How the movie Seven influenced her decision to get into editing
The struggles she encountered growing up as a first generation Sierra Leone African in Colorado
Why Stephanie as a black woman is a better fit for certain types of stories than I am as a white male
Stephanie shares the struggles she's endured as a black female editor
How to avoid getting pigeonholed
How to transition from one genre or format to another
How to sell your skills as an unscripted editor so that they are valuable in the scripted world
Is scripted editing equivalent to paint by numbers?
What Lee Daniels taught me about how my life experience informs my choices as an editor
What the cost was to Stephanie in order to diversify her resume
The toxic work-life balance culture that is pervasive in the industry and how to fight against it
Consequences of putting up boundaries against unreasonable deadlines
Are scripted or unscripted editors respected more by producers?
How scripted projects compare to unscripted projects in terms of pay and lifestyle
KEY TAKEAWAY: You are interviewing the show as much as the show is interviewing you
Why Stephanie recently turned down a job that was offered to her
Stephanie’s go to interview questions to determine if a project is the right fit for her

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Cutting Comedy with "A Black Lady Sketch Show" - Frame.io Insider

Emmy & Peabody Award Winning Editor, Stephanie Filo: Episode 2 of Post in Black Season 2 - YouTube

Boris FX | Ask the Artist with Stephanie Filo, TV/Film Editor

Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ep114: Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary

Guest Bio:

Stephanie Filo

Stephanie Filo, ACE is a two-time Emmy and Peabody Award-winning TV/Film Editor and activist based in Los Angeles, CA and Sierra Leone, West Africa. She serves on the board for Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone, a social impact and feminist-based organization for Sierra Leonean girls aged 11-16. She is one of the co-founders of End Ebola Now, an organization created in 2014 to spread accurate information and awareness about the Ebola Virus and its impact through artistic community activism.

Aside from editing television and film, with a passion for bringing a voice to social issues and telling stories of the under-represented, Stephanie spends much of her spare time producing and editing social action campaigns and documentaries, primarily focused on the rights of women and girls worldwide. Some of her notable campaigns include her work with the United Nations, International Labour Organization, and the Obama White House Task Force's It's On Us campaign to combat campus sexual assault. Her charitable work has been featured in Forbes Magazine, Entertainment Tonight, Telegraph UK, Yahoo, Al Jazeera, XWhy Magazine, and various others. Her work on the news documentary series "Mental State" earned her an Emmy nomination for the episode "Aging Out" about youth aging out of the American foster care system. She earned an Emmy win for her editing on the Mental State episode "Separated" which covered ICE deportations, making herself and Nzinga Blake the first Sierra Leonean women to ever win an Emmy award. Most recently, she won a Primetime Emmy award for her work on HBO's "A Black Lady Sketch Show", making her team the first all-Women of Color editing team to take home the award for Outstanding Picture Editing for Variety Programming.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“You are not networking to get jobs. You are networking to meet people. By knowing people you get jobs.” - Troy Takaki

Troy Takaki, ACE is a Hollywood film & TV editor as well as the founder of the ACE Diversity Mentorship Program. His varied credits include feature films like Sweet Home Alabama, Hitch, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul and more recently the television series You on Netflix and Mr. Mercedes for Direct TV. He is also the author of the book Don't Miss Out On Any Avocado Milkshakes: The Art and Joy of being a Film Editor.

As an editor, Troy has worked hard throughout his career to avoid becoming pigeonholed (Quick tip: You don’t actually get pigeonholed, you allow yourself to be pigeonholed…more on that in our conversation) such that he can go back and forth between cutting features, television, and even documentaries because as he says, "The more different kinds of stuff you edit, the better editor you will be."

As a mentor (and one of the best in the business, I might add), Troy believes that mentoring is not only valuable for those who are being mentored, but arguably even more valuable to the mentor. We also dig even deeper into his meta concept of mentorship in which the mentees in his program are asked to become mentors from day one, no matter how little experience they might have. Because as I often like to say, “You are the world’s foremost ‘expert’ to whomever wants to do next what you are doing now.”

If you struggle with building your network, finding a mentor, and reaching out to strangers you admire, this conversation will help you take your networking game to the next level so you can connect with any industry ‘expert’ in the biz.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Troy’s roundabout way into becoming an editor
How much of a role did luck play in Troy’s career path?
The best parts of the editing process for Troy
How to assess what is fulfilling work
Becoming an extrovert and the skills Troy learned to save his marriage
KEY TAKEAWAY: Learning small talk can be a lot of fun once you break through the nervousness.
How Troy is able to switch from editing features to television consistently
KEY TAKEAWAY: Always be thinking two jobs ahead before accepting a job
KEY TAKEAWAY: You have to let people know what you want to work on.
How Troy was able to write a book while continuing his editing career
The number one reason Troy continues to mentor people. HINT: It’s not about the mentee
PRO TIP: If you want to connect with someone who has a resource (i,e., book, podcast, etc.), do your homework first.
Mentoring: It's not about finding an expert, it's about finding YOUR expert.
The ACE Diversity Mentoriship program and the three different types of mentors
KEY TAKEAWAY: Try to find someone at your level and one level above you to be your mentor
KEY TAKEAWAY: Make sure you ask a question that gets you results.
The most important thing you should NOT to do when looking for a mentor.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Troy Takaki - IMDb

Don't Miss Out On Any Avocado Milkshakes : Troy Takaki Ace

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

Ben Franklin effect - Wikipedia

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)

Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Akhtarr, ACE

Guest Bio:

Troy Takaki

Troy Takaki, ACE is a top film editor who has cut such box office hits as Sweet Home Alabama starring Reese Witherspoon and Hitch starring Will Smith. He is one of the few picture editors that splits his time between features and television. He recently edited shows such as You for Netflix and Mr. Mercedes for Direct TV. He recently edited Cheaper By The Dozen for Disney Plus and the Dead Boy Detective pilot for HBO MAX.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Pushing Yourself to Your Limits (When Quitting isn’t an Option) | with Evan Perperis

Tue, 05 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Evan "Ultra-OCR Man" Perperis is an active duty Army Special Forces Soldier with 44 months of combat deployments who is now a professional Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete. He is best known for running insane multi-day, self-created (!!!) OCR endurance challenges to raise money for charity (and push him to his physical & mental limits). If you want to know what it really takes to overcome obstacles (or hundreds of them in a row), whether it’s out on a legit race course or just the everyday obstacles you encounter in life, Evan has the answers.

What’s interesting is that Evan hasn’t always been the overachiever and ultra-extreme athlete that he is now. In fact, he describes himself as a clone of the main character in the Goldbergs, the stereotypical nerdy teen who was in high school musicals and not at all athletic. But when he joined the military, he knew he had to get himself in shape, and that became the first of many more obstacles to conquer and defeat. So it just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover…especially someone who could rip that book in half with his bare hands.

Evan’s simple, no-nonsense approach to extreme OCR racing very simply translates to practical mindsets you too can apply to any obstacle you encounter in life (and if there’s one thing life is throwing at all of us right now, it’s a lot of obstacles). Whether it’s simply getting into better physical shape so you have more mental & creative energy to kick ass at your job or training for your very first Spartan Race or Tough Mudder, the advice Evan shares in our conversation today is invaluable to anyone trying to level up their fitness goals, their career, or their entire life.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What drives Evan to do the crazy endurance events that he does
The power he found in being outside of his comfort zone
When personal development becomes an addiction as dangerous as any other
How to balance family life with career and work obligations, including training for races
Why racing for charity is so important to Evan
Hear how Evan transformed from nerdy musical kid to Ultra OCR guy
The mindsets that Evan finds essential for reaching his goals
The eerily similar American Ninja Warrior failures that I share with Evan
Managing the disappointment of unmet expectations
How to reframe failure to continue persevering
The incredible impact the OCR community has had on his life
The double edged sword of the “never say quit” mentality
Finding meaning in the combat losses he’s endured
Advice Evan offers anyone looking to do their first obstacle course race HINT: Don’t wait until you ‘get into shape’

Useful Resources Mentioned:

David Goggin

Ep74: How to Master the Metaskill of 'Ultralearning' | with Scott Young

Ep182: Staying True to Your Core Values (When Hollywood Tries to Steal Your Soul) | with Sean Corvelle

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome

Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Ep120: It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Ep121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Ep67: Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

Guest Bio:

Evan Perperis

Evan "Ultra-OCR Man" Perperis is an active duty Special Forces soldier and professional Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) athlete. He's come a long way since his days in high school which were primarily spent acting in drama club/musicals and participating in Boy Scouts.

He draws lessons on perseverance and overcoming obstacles from experience from 44 months of combat deployments, 17 years of service and appearances televised obstacle course events (including CBS's coverage of the 8 hour Toughest Mudder, Lebanon's Hannibal Race and American Ninja Warrior). These have helped him achieve success with more than 70 race podium finishes including a world championship title in the team division of the 24 hour long World’s Toughest Mudder, 3x individual top ten finishes at World's Toughest Mudder and 2nd place Pro Coed Team at North American OCR Championship.

He’s best known in the obstacle course racing (OCR) world as “Ultra-OCR Man” where his self created endurance stunts like 24 hours of treadmill OCR, ultra-OCR at simulated 21,000 feet of altitude, 48 hour OCR and 8 days in a row of OCR marathons in winter have raised more than $26,000+ for the charity Folds of Honor (scholarship money for children whose parents were killed or wounded in military service). In 2021 he also started organizing the Tough Mudder 10 hour team building charity event Infinite Hero Honor Challenge which has raised more than $20,000 for Infinite Hero Honor Foundation.

As an athlete and author, he has written 350+ articles, produced 180+ podcasts, written 7 books and owns the small business Strength & Speed.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Staying True to Your Core Values (When Hollywood Tries to Steal Your Soul) | with Sean Corvelle

Tue, 28 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000

It was one of those things in my life that just clicked...boom. This is where I'm supposed to be, and I've been doing it ever since.

- Sean Corvelle

Sean Corvelle has played a variety of different roles in his career as an actor, a comedian, and a television host. But for the last eleven years he has been inspiring and motivating athletes and weekend warriors across the world at the Tough Mudder starting line. He is also the host of Tough Mudder’s No Excuses podcast of which I was recently a guest on (you can hear my interview with Sean here.)

Like most of us, Sean came to Hollywood with stars in his eyes hoping to build a career that would bring out the best in him - a career that fulfilled him while also allowing him to be creative, to perform, and to ultimately be successful. Similar to my own path, Sean discovered that the more success he attained in Hollywood, the further away he got from himself and his core values. The higher he climbed the ladder, the more it burned him out, and the less he wanted to be on the ladder at all. Tough Mudder became the unexpected calling that Sean never imagined.

In today’s conversation Sean shares his advice, experience, and stories about what it took to listen to his soul in order to leave behind a career in Hollywood. If you have ever felt stuck or you’re unsure of the right path for you, get ready to be inspired and motivated to take just one small step towards forward progress today. Whether you have run an obstacle course race or not (or if you could honestly care less about mud runs), the lessons Sean shares in this conversation apply to every aspect of life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How does Sean answer the question, "what do you do for a living?"
How he got the job as Tough Mudder's starting line inspirational speaker.
What Sean's first ever Tough Mudder starting line speech was like and how it evolved.
Sean discusses the audition process in Hollywood from his perspective.
Why it's important to not let success define you.
How he became known as "The Mirror Man".
Instrumental quotes from Tough Mudder and what Sean learned from the requests for them.
Lessons learned from Hollywood.
Why Sean believes our souls don't change, instead they just expand.
How Tough Mudder is designed to be done together and what people learn from that experience.
The two common excuses people use to avoid signing up for a race.
How to overcome your hesitations to race.
The lessons learned in Tough Mudder apply to every aspect of life even if you just show up to volunteer and not race.
Inspiring stories of Tough Mudder runners never quitting.
Sean’s advice to his younger self in his darkest moment.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

No Excuses Episode 61: Zack Arnold on How to Optimize Yourself - Tough Mudder

Carlos Alazraqui - Comedian/Actor/Producer

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome

Ep120: It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Ep121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Ep67: Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

Guest Bio:

Sean Corvelle

Born in Annapolis MD, Sean Corvelle grew up partly in Baltimore and the other half of his childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was soon after high school when he began his professional journey in the field of entertainment as a stand-up comedian. With his instant likability and fresh enthusiasm on stage he quickly became a favorite act in clubs across the country and eventually moved to Los Angeles where he also enjoyed success acting in commercials, hosting and guest starring in TV shows. The three highlights in his professional career that stood out for him are: hosting a travel show, guest starring in an episode of “Friends,” and now working with Tough Mudder.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Overcoming a Dark Past (and Managing the Voices In Your Head) to Become Successful In Hollywood | with Christopher Titus

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“With my life story, I could ask for any antidepressant I want and they would prescribe it to me. Instead, I chose to be an antidepressant.”

- Christopher Titus

Christopher Titus is quite simply one of the best and funniest comics working today. In addition to having ten stand-up comedy specials to his name he’s also an actor, a writer, a director, and producer of TV series, feature films, and he also produces his own daily podcast featuring his infamous “Armageddon Updates.”

Though his list of credits and accomplishments may not show it, Christopher Titus has every reason to be a failure. He was raised in what he calls "total chaos" by "a mentally ill genius" who was his bi-polar and schizophrenic mom and an "alcoholic, hardworking badass" who was his dad. He was a D/F student, ran away from home at age 12, and was on a first name basis with the sheriff. Despite the numerous hardships in his earlier years, Titus has taken what most would use as excuses and flipped them around to become his superpowers.

In short, Titus has built an incredibly successful career…on his failures.

This conversation is a deep dive into what it took for Titus to get to where he is today and succeed in Hollywood. And after throwing him on the ‘hot seat’, he makes it public what the next step in his career will be (and when it will happen). If you’re familiar with Titus, it’s probably no surprise that he holds NOTHING back in this conversation. If you struggle to succeed due to the voices in your head or a dark past that overshadows your present, this episode will flip your mindset and give you a whole new perspective on how to approach your life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Zack & Titus met in Tony Horton's backyard (and the life-changing benefits of challenging each other every Sunday)
What is The List?
Why I immediately didn't like Titus upon watching his comedy, and the 5 min YouTube video that totally changed my mind
How Lily Tomlin almost made Titus give up comedy completely
What he means by "growing a tumor on my soul".
The huge risk he took in his comedy act that changed his career
KEY TAKEAWAY: Authenticity is the key to success.
How Titus transformed the voices in his head to achieve his goals.
How a personal development course led him to create his own tv series
The value of naming the critic in your head
KEY TAKEAWAY: Positive people in your life help you see what you can’t.
What Titus views as the worst drugs in the world
LESSON LEARNED: Sometimes the bad answer is the answer you need.
The epic story of how Titus’ sitcom got canceled.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Find out what you're good at and apply it to every aspect of your life.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Pick the impossible thing.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Christopher Titus - The Word Retard - Voice in My Head

Christopher Titus • Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding • Full Special - YouTube

Watch Special Unit | Prime Video

Nukka chiropractic

Landmark Forum - Landmark Course Syllabus and Landmark Forum details.

Christopher Titus | Comedian

Christopher Titus | Titus Podcast

Christopher Titus | Tour Dates

christophertitustv - YouTube

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Ep162: Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

Guest Bio:

Christopher Titus

Employing what he’s labeled “hard funny,” Christopher Titus is a comedian who has released seven ninety-minute albums in as many years. He has six one-hour comedy specials currently running on Comedy Central, and his seventh special, Born With a Defect, spent four weeks on the Billboard Top Ten Comedy Chart.

Inspired by such greats as Woody Allen, Steve Martin, and Cosby, who wrote, directed, produced and performed, Titus has sold ideas to NBC, ABC, FOX and Comedy Central.

Aside from being a comic he is also an actor, writer, director, producer and a podcaster.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What Is a “Men’s Group?” & Why “Men’s Work” is Beneficial for Both Men & Women | with Traver Boehm

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“If the pressure is building so much and you're just trying to 'keep it all together', at some point it's going to crack.”

- Traver Boehm

Traver Boehm is the founder of the UNcivilized Men’s Movement, the fastest growing men’s movement in the world. He is the author of Today I Rise, and Man UNcivilized as well as a two-time TEDx speaker, men’s coach, and podcaster. Traver’s approach challenges the stereotyped “Marlboro Man” we have been conditioned to believe is “masculine” and instead has men unpack the suppressed emotions that are dictating their unhealthy behaviors and destructive actions (that negatively affect all of us).

I get it: If you’re thinking that a men’s movement is the LAST thing the world needs right now, I would have agreed with you 100%. I too was skeptical about two white guys talking about “men’s work,” but I’m always willing to entertain different viewpoints if there is a clear benefit to society at large (standing desks and shorter work hours come to mind). And it doesn’t take long for Traver to convince me that the men’s work he is doing is vital to moving towards a more equitable and empathetic society for all genders, races, and other. During the course of this conversation, I even realized my Sunday ninja training group is actually my unofficial men’s group (for which my wife will attest to the benefits!).

Whether you self-identify as a man, or if you simply have men in your life, this episode will help you better understand what it means to be a “man” in today’s society (and spoiler alert: It includes having real emotions and being able to express them honestly).

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What is men's work?
Where personal development falls short and what the missing piece is.
The elephant in the room: why should we listen to two white guys talk about men’s problems?
Why it’s important to look at trauma instead of suppressing it.
How Traver got involved in men’s work.
Traver’s story of hitting rock bottom.
Two important questions he asked himself to change his situation.
Why does it have to be a men’s only group?
Why my wife insists I train with my Ninja group every Sunday.
The history of why men are culturally encouraged to suppress their emotions.
Why men need a healthy release for the pressure they are under.
The gender difference between acceptable emotions to express.
Knowing when to be vulnerable and when to be strong.
Is it true that a ‘happy wife equals a happy life’?
Why all healthy relationships need conflict.
The value in doing hard things.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Man UNcivilized

The Man UNcivilized Book

The UNcivilized Podcast with Traver Boehm

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep28: The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Guest Bio:

Traver Boehm

Drawing upon an eclectic background ranging from professional bodyguarding and Mixed Martial Arts to a Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and meditation, Traver counsels men, women, and couples on how to better understand men’s mental health and relationship difficulties.

Although he’s not quite sure how to feel about the title, he has been dubbed, “The Man Whisperer” as he has the unique ability to speak to men in a way they can hear and understand.

With a passion for people and a unique lens through which to view the human experience, Traver is a highly sought after teacher in the fields of consciousness, intimacy, and personal development.

When not teaching workshops or radically shifting the way men experience their masculinity, Traver can be found obsessing over a single word in front of his laptop, chasing surf around the globe, and being awful at yoga.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello

Tue, 07 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000

"I've been tuning into what feels right for me versus what I think I should be doing."

Melissa Costello is a transformational eating coach who has spent the last 15 years helping people who struggle with emotional eating (including me, which you can hear all about in my first interview with Melissa), but is now in the middle of what she calls “the messy middle” of a major career transition struggling to define the next stages in her career while managing an identity crisis along the way.

The conversation today is centered around the feelings of doubt, confusion, and uncertainty that come with major transitions (imposter syndrome, anyone?). Once you get past the excitement of pursuing a new path, you get thrust into the messy middle of trying to navigate the challenges that come with building a new identity and letting go of the safety & security of the old one. Melissa speaks openly and honestly about refocusing her coaching from emotional eating towards empowering women through Equine partnered therapy. Being a life coach does not make her exempt from the common feelings of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, doubt, and anxiety over whether she's following the right path.

In this conversation we discuss the tools, habits, strategies, and most importantly the mindsets we can use on ourselves to make sure we're staying aligned to our values and true to our deeper why's. If you find yourself struggling with a major life or career transition and thinking you’re not good enough, or you’re going to fail, or [insert 1000 other excuses for not taking a chance], this interview will inspire you to continue forging ahead with the confidence you can succeed…even in the middle of an identity crisis.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How she manages and honors her personal needs and challenges while being a coach
The lessons Melissa has learned from being a coach who is struggling with anxiety
Why it's so important for coaches to show up as relatable.
The importance of building and creating communities so that the support system is strong.
The challenges in transitioning from one career path to another and how it's tied with your identity.
Saying no to job opportunities based on lifestyle needs.
Learning how to move towards new opportunities that feel scary but also feel right.
How to navigate changing identities within yourself and with others who see you in a different identity.
How to tap into your intuition when making decisions.
The difference between feeling nervous and feeling anxious.
The story of how I got invited to Tony Horton's workout for the first time.
The 'woo-woo' factor: What is it? How do we explain it?
Melissa's deeper why and how it is the thread that ties together all her different passions.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Your deeper why is your compass to guide you on the right path.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Internal Family Systems

Gestalt therapy

Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Ep101: How to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum

Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

Guest Bio:

Melissa Costello

Melissa Costello has spent the last 15 years For the last 15 years empowering and coaching humans across the globe to end the on-going battle with yo-yo dieting and body shame, so they can reclaim their power and come back home to themselves.

Melissa's own personal struggles with her body image along with her in-depth training in Spiritual Psychology, Clinical Nutrition and holistic coaching provides the foundation for her clients to experience powerful breakthroughs and sustainable, profound transformation.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:00:00 +0000

"In this industry we are conditioned to believe that our voice is not important."

Erica Wernick, former graphic designer and founder of Hollywood Success Coach, has always been goal-oriented, systems-based, and a Type-A personality (at this point I’m convinced we’re separated at birth). But when she found herself during the pandemic wandering aimlessly without a clear goal and unable to “fix it” with her usual strategies and frameworks, she quickly spiraled down into the dark holes of doubt, insecurity, and ultimately a deep depression.

Identity can be a double-edged sword, especially when your livelihood is creative work. No doubt like me at one point or another you’ve said “What I do isn’t just a job, it’s who I am.” Yes your identity can help guide and motivate you to achieve the success you’ve always dreamed of, but it can also be incredibly dangerous when you completely define yourself by what you do, especially during unemployment..and especially during pandemics.

It wasn't until Erica learned to let go of her long held identities and listen to something deeper that she could lift herself out of the darkness, accept help, and become herself again. This conversation dares you (and me!) to test your beliefs about who you are and what you do beyond your job. Erica challenges me on my own beliefs about what the success path for creative professionals really looks like and questions whether it can truly be distilled into simple action steps. And most importantly, Erica and I hope to normalize the discussion of mental health and depression and remind anyone who’s struggling with their own issues to know you are absolutely not alone - there are resources to support you.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Erica no longer identifies herself as a graphic designer.
Erica’s thoughts on how dangerous it can be to assign your identity to your career.
How Erica got her start in Hollywood and fell in love with Los Angeles.
The book that was pivotal in influencing her career path to coaching.
What Erica’s purpose is and how she identified it.
What the #wins channel in my Slack community means to me.
The Ripple Effect: what it means and how it helps others.
My 3 step process for climbing the success ladder in Hollywood.
Erica calls me out for “mansplaining” and challenges my “simplified process.”
KEY TAKEAWAY: A coach’s number one priority should be to help people believe in themselves.
How Erica fell into a depression prior to writing her latest book, You are the Magic.
The decision to take medication for her depression.
The challenges she faced with her physical health during her depression.
How she recorded and produced her own audio books.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Hollywood Success Podcast: How To Change The Culture In Hollywood With Zack Arnold on Apple Podcasts

Meant For This by Erica Wernick

You Are The Magic by Erica Wernick — Hollywood's Success Coach | Official Website of Author + Coach Erica Wernick

Gabby Bernstein - #1 NYT Best Selling Author, Speaker & Spirit Junkie Gabby Bernstein - #1 NYT Best Selling Author, Speaker & Spirit Junkie

The Official Website of Rachel Platten

Brené Brown

Ramit Sethi Podcast Interview on Forging Your Own Rich Life: Episode 105

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep28: The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Guest Bio:

Erica Wernick

Hollywood’s Success Coach, Erica Wernick helps artists create success in one of the most “impossible” industries so they can live the life they’ve always dreamed of.

After breaking into Hollywood with no connections, and booking her first TV show just two weeks after moving to LA, Erica has spent over a decade living her dream designing graphics for television. You can see her work on hit shows like Glee, Superstore, and most recently, This Is Us.

Author of Meant For This: The Mindset And Strategy To Achieve Your Most “Impossible” Dreams, Erica now helps Hollywood artists get to the next level of their career, no matter how “unrealistic” it seems. From actors to writers to directors and every craft in between, Erica has developed a reputation for helping artists access their inner greatness and achieve the goals that used to feel out of reach.

Erica is a member of the Television Academy, and between herself and her clients, they’ve booked work on over 60 television shows and films on Netflix, Hulu, HBO, FOX, ABC, and CBS just to name a few.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Mental Health is Not a Luxury…Even For “Top Guns” | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 2]

Mon, 30 May 2022 13:00:00 +0000

“It’s your duty as a professional working with a director & producer that you tell them when it becomes impossible to do the job on your own.”

Eddie Hamilton, ACE is the editor of Top Gun: Maverick, the last 3 Mission: Impossible films, Kick-Ass 1 & 2, and X-Men: First Class, just to name a few. And in my second interview with Eddie (here’s part 1 if you haven’t listened yet), he and I candidly discuss his experience editing Top Gun: Maverick and what drove him to asking for help before it was too late.

The grueling work hours required to produce blockbuster content can literally be deadly if you don’t care for yourself properly. When your livelihood depends on your creativity, your mental health is no longer a luxury, it’s a job requirement. But many of us have spent so many years (maybe our entire lives), ignoring our self-care needs at the expense of our jobs - no matter the cost - we don’t actually know how to care for ourselves when the time comes we have no other choice. Eddie recognized early in his career that he would have to take control of his mental health and set boundaries if he was going to survive working in Hollywood at the highest level, but not even that was enough on this job.

In this conversation (which as a crazy aside was actually recorded before the pandemic, and I had to wait to release this interview until the film released!), Eddie honestly shares the immense challenges and responsibilities he bared working on Maverick and he gives an inside look into challenges like managing burnout, summoning the courage to ask for help, and whether or not working at the highest level in the business is worth the sacrifices.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Eddie got started in editing.
Eddie went from being his own assistant for his first ten movies to having 7 AE’s for Top Gun: Maverick.
What a typical day looks like while Eddie is cutting dailies on Mission Impossible and Top Gun: Maverick.
Why Eddie had to ask for help on Top Gun: Maverick
The challenge and responsibility of being an editor on high budget films and how listening to Optimize Yourself reminded him to stay healthy.
My story of the pressure I felt on Burn Notice when I had to cut a season opening montage with found footage from past dailies.
Eddie’s healthy habits of running and watching movies keep him fit and creatively informed to do his job well.
Fever dreams of close ups of actors in his head wake him up at 3am.
The hours Eddie worked when he went on location with the film.
When burnout kicked in and he found himself frozen in front of his laptop unable to cut dailies.
The foresight Eddie had to mention he was going to need help to the producers early on.
Not only could Eddie not keep up to camera in cutting dailies, he couldn’t keep up to watching all the dailies.
Eddie values having another editor to bounce ideas off of and get immediate feedback.
Does Eddie think the work is worth all the sacrifices he make?
Eddie insists his team attends all important events in their lives.
Why Eddie took a week off to do a personal development course and what changes it brought about in his life.
The importance of asking lifestyle questions in job interviews.
Eddie sees an appreciation for mental health growing in the past few years.
Finding employers that respect your mental wellbeing is essential and should be prioritized whenever possible.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Eddie Hamilton previous episode

Hoffman Process

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Guest Bio:

Eddie Hamilton

Eddie Hamilton, ACE is currently editing the next chapters in the Mission: Impossible movie series. Before that, Eddie cut Paramount Pictures' Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Joe Kosinski, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, and Mission: Impossible - Fallout and Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation for director Christopher McQuarrie. Other credits include Kingsman: The Secret Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, X-Men: First Class and Kick-Ass for director Matthew Vaughn. After 23 years in the industry Eddie has cut over 20 feature films (both indies and studio movies) in a wide variety of genres as well as TV dramas, documentaries and award-winning short films. His enthusiasm for big screen storytelling is matched only by his total dedication to the craft of film editing, his nerdy technical expertise and his undisputed love of chocolate. He has given presentations on Avid Media Composer editing at NAB and IBC. Eddie is a member of the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, American Cinema Editors and BAFTA, and was on the feature film panel at EditFest London in 2013 and 2018.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Why You Don’t Need to Go to Film School to Be Successful | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 1]

Mon, 23 May 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Eddie Hamilton, ACE is the editor of Top Gun: Maverick, the last 3 Mission: Impossible films, Kick-Ass 1 & 2, and X-Men: First Class, just to name a few. And in my first interview with Eddie (here’s part 2 where he talks about editing Maverick specifically), he and I talk about his early career choices and how he was able to become one of the top feature editors in the world…without ever going to film school.

With all the unique stories that come with ‘making it’ in Hollywood (or any creative career), it’s easy to assume the way someone else became successful could never happen for you. Which is why I’m always trying to boil the process down to simple, actionable steps that anyone can follow to get real results. And those steps include:

Choosing the ladder you want to climb (with laser-sharp specificity)
Learning, honing, and becoming awesome at your craft
Making sure the right people know you're awesome at your craft

In today’s conversation Eddie and I talk about his rise from runner to editor in only six months (working in sports journalism of all places), his journey from editing indie films to becoming an “overnight success,” and the various choices that Eddie made - and more importantly didn’t make (i.e. what he strategically said ‘no’ to), that helped forge his path to the top. Just a quick note this interview is pulled from deep in the archives way back in the Fitness In Post days, but I promise every single one of Eddie’s knowledge bombs are just as relevant today as they were when we originally spoke.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Eddie’s background and how his love of film began at seven-years-old
How to recover from rejection
His first job in post and how he moved up from a runner to editor in only six months!
His big break: working with Matthew Vaughn
Editing with VHS recorders
Is grad school worth the time and money?
A day in the life of Eddie Hamilton
His focus on diet and exercise while working
The sacrifices necessary to succeed in this industry
His process for cutting scenes
The meals and snacks he chooses throughout the day...chocolate included
How easy it can be to get some exercise into your day -- you don’t need to do it all!
Good eating habits at work
Standing vs. sitting
How what you eat can affect your work for the day
The differences between working in the US versus other countries
If you want to succeed more than everyone else, you will succeed!

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Eddie Hamilton Maverick episode

Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a “Creative” (What They Don’t Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

How 'Mission Impossible' Editor Eddie Hamilton Skipped Film School & Worked His Way to Cutting Blockbusters

How To Get Ahead In Editing

Cutting Mission: Impossible

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep175: Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Bauman

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Guest Bio:

Eddie Hamilton

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

From outreach emails that get responses to having a mentor | with Jonathan Hodges [HSF]

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 14:00:00 +0000

What I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, I talk to community member Jonathan Hodges who is a promo editor in Baltimore looking to make the transition to Assistant Editor in scripted television. He has gone through my Insider’s guide to writing cold outreach and has received a lot of great responses from the people he's contacted. But he's feeling stuck on how to continue the conversation, build a long term relationship, and possibly even secure a mentor. Listen in on how I coach Jonathan to effectively build a relationship and continue to add value to the people he is connecting with.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

The Key to Writing Outreach Emails That Get a Response | with James Crouch [HSF]

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member James Crouch is looking for help writing a cold outreach email. We discuss the importance of carefully selecting who you want to build relationships with and how you can provide value to that person. And we discuss the magic formula for all outreach emails that you can apply to just about any outreach situation. This session is loaded with top level overview tips for crafting successful outreach emails as well as the nitty gritty details such as writing effective subject lines. Listen in to discover how you can improve your outreach email skills. [As a bonus for listening to this episode, you can get my Insider's Guide to Writing Cold Outreach by going to www.optimizeyourself.me/emailguide]

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Negotiating your true value (not just the hours you work) | with Denise Chan [HSF]

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, Denise Chan is preparing to negotiate her contract as an Assistant Editor for an upcoming Netflix series. Negotiating salary, work hours, and additional benefits is something we all have to do regardless of what position we hold. The paradigm shift that I am advocating for (and have been for years) is that we as creative professionals should not get paid for the hours we work but instead for the value we provide. Listen in on how I coach Denise to approach her meeting from this perspective and how you too can use this approach for your own negotiations.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Should I Risk Saying No to a Comfortable Job in Pursuit of My Dream Job? | with Marcella Garcia [HSF]

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Marcella Garcia is debating a job offer. She’s not sure if it is the right fit based on her career goals, but it pays well and she has a good relationship with the people she would be working with. This is a familiar situation for many creative professionals working in the gig economy. How do we know when to say no and when to say yes? What are we willing to risk losing in order to progress towards our goals? Listen in on how I coach Marcella through this common challenge and learn how you can apply the same questions to your own situation.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Defining Your Own Version of Success & Overcoming the Loneliness of Being a Freelancer | with Michael Baumann

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

"You have to think how can I create those moments, those celebrations, the appreciation, the presence in this moment so that I can actually enjoy the accumulation of my life of days rather than trying to hang it all on one momentous achievement."

- Michael Bauman

As a freelancer or entrepreneur, it’s easy to get caught up in “the grind,” endlessly pursuing what others define as “success,” but one of the overlooked effects of doing so is often loneliness (whether you are at the bottom or the ladder or the very top).

When I first started my career in Hollywood, I was so focused on perfecting my craft and building a resume of credits that I literally had no social life outside of work. Having friends, hobbies, and doing things outside the job simply wasn’t a priority for me...until I realized how detrimental it was for my work to become my identity, not only to my physical and mental health but also to my creativity and overall well-being.

My guest today, Michael Bauman, knows all too well the pain of loneliness as a creative professional and entrepreneur. Michael is the CEO of Success Engineering and a Tony Robbins certified coach who after failing at starting his own personal training business and having no money to support his wife (and soon-to-be child) uncovered and untangled his own feelings of loneliness and not "enough-ness" so that he could pursue a more fulfilling version of his goals. He now uses his own experiences of failure, loneliness, and hitting rock bottom to help others redefine their own meaning of success in their lives.

If you struggle with defining what success means to you, and you are often so consumed by your work and running on the empty hamster wheel chasing success that you find yourself burned out, this candid conversation is a must-listen.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Michael's origin story of how he started his own podcast called Success Engineering.
How the book, Start with Why, helped him climb his way out of rock bottom in his life.
What led Michael to realize that success and happiness wasn’t about money or financial gains.
The many moves and transitions Michael has navigated in his life.
Why Michael was interested in helping entrepreneurs feel like they're enough and not alone.
What the different layers of success are and how you can equate it with being enough.
What Michael believes to be the greatest gift he can give to the people in his life.
The link between identity and behavior change.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Emotions are a warning system or a fundamental need that is going unmet.
A valuable tool to deal with emotions in order to enable behavior change.
The unexpected link between my lifelong snacking addiction and my job satisfaction.
Questions to ask yourself when you are caught in a bad habit or behavior you don't like.
The difference between subjective and objective loneliness.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The quality of your relationships is a better predictor of health than your cholesterol levels.
Tools for dealing with loneliness.
The paradox of vulnerability in others vs. ourselves.
Why you should be “upgrading your interactions” and how to do it.
What James Clear’s Goldilocks rule has to do with habit change.
Dan Sullivan's approach called the Gap and the Gain.
Using a "Done" list to celebrate what you've done at the end of every day.
What Michael does to celebrate his own accomplishments each day.
Michael's advice to his younger self.
BONUS: The secret to upgrading your networking game.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Start With Why | Simon Sinek

The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success: Sullivan, Dan, Hardy, Dr. Benjamin

Podcast - Success Engineering - Michael Bauman

Max Headroom

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ep75: The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Guest Bio:

Michael Bauman is the CEO of Success Engineering and Tony Robbins certified coach. He help entrepreneurs feel that they are enough and not alone, along with optimizing every other area of their lives including their habits, productivity, health and relationships.

He is also the host of the podcast, Success Engineering, where he interviews experts and industry leaders, from Broadway Directors and actors, to multi-millionaire CEO’s, to neuroscientists and more to uncover how they define success, how they create it on a daily basis, and explore the challenges they have overcome both internally and externally to achieve their personal definition of success.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How Can I Waste Less Time and Overcome Perfectionism When I Edit? | with Denise Chan [HSF]

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Denise Chan is struggling with perfectionism while she’s editing. She finds herself consumed with the minutiae of the cuts and bogged down in doubt that her choices are the right ones. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I am all too familiar with this problem. Listen in to hear what systems and processes I use to work with perfectionism, doubt, and procrastination that Denise can implement right away in her daily editorial workflow.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Is Working with an Agent Going to Benefit My Career? | with Melanie Annan [HSF]

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Melanie Annan wants help preparing for a meeting with a potential agent. Melanie is an independent film editor and wants to know if an agent would be valuable at this point in her career to help her get to the next level. In this hot seat we cover the types of questions Melanie should ask when meeting with an agent as well as some common misconceptions about what working with an agent is like. Listen in to hear my thoughts on how to make the most of a meeting with an agent.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Hollywood on the Record: The Real Story Behind @IA_Stories | with Marisa Shipley & Amy Thurlow

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 14:00:00 +0000

At the epicenter of the conversation last August during the most contentious portion of the IATSE contract negotiation was perhaps the IA stories Instagram account where literally hundreds of thousands of IATSE members discovered they weren't alone in enduring the horrors of working in Hollywood: Burnout, abusive working conditions, and sacrificing everything - including even their lives - to simply keep their jobs in the entertainment industry was apparently everyone’s story. Pandora’s Box opened, and it was clear people demanded change. Among those people are my guests today from Local 871 - Script Coordinator Amy Thurlow, and Art Department Coordinator Marisa Shipley.

Marisa Shipley is the President of Local 871, as well as one of the founders of the IA Stories page. She has been on the front lines of the living wage and pay equity fight since 2018 and is committed to finding a collaborative approach to tackling these issues.

Amy Thurlow was elected to represent Script Coordinators on the Board of Directors of Local 871 in December of 2021, and has been outspoken about the pay equity issues that have plagued her classification for decades.

This conversation has been a long time in the making, and we go deep into the stories of abusive practices in their local, the criminally low wages they have endured, and the systemic nature of these problems across many other IATSE locals. You'll also hear Marisa describe the severe toll that running the IA stories page took on her health and well-being (which is ironic given how hard she works to protect the well-being of others), as well as her deep struggle with the negative blowback she received during the IATSE contract negotiations. Trust me when I say that standing up for what you believe is never easy. But our industry and the world needs more Marisa’s and Amy’s advocating for all of us.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Local 871 has the moniker of The Island of Misfit Toys.
What a script coordinator does and what their day to day looks like.
The duties of the art department coordinator.
The importance of these two roles to making sure things run smoothly between departments.
What the hours and schedules are like for both of these jobs.
The difference between being flexible and putting up boundaries.
Why Marisa hates the words "can't you just..."
The challenges that come with running a huge Instagram page like IA Stories.
How Marisa got involved in pay equity issues in Local 871 and beyond.
What motivated her to start the Instagram page IA stories and the intentions behind it.
The incredible responsibility Marisa felt in taking on IA Stories.
Dealing with the blowback of contract negotiations and how that affected Marisa.
Why they made the intentional choice to not post about the specific contract negotiations and only focus on the stories.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Setting boundaries is a personal responsibility that can also be supported collectively.
Why it's important to get more involved in your guild's local.
The unintended expectation that came from the IA Stories page and why it caused such anger in people after the contract vote.
How different perspectives determine whether the contract was a win or a loss.
KEY TAKEAWAY: We need systemic culture change AND we need personal responsibility.
Optimize Yourself aims to show people HOW to set boundaries and take responsibility to create better working lives.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos

How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back)

Continue to Listen & Learn

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

Guest Bio:

Marisa Shipley is the President of Local 871 and a freelance Art Department Coordinator, Set Dec Coordinator and Construction Estimator for tv/film in Los Angeles. She initially got involved with the Local as a member of the ad-hoc Art Department Coordinators Public Relations Committee, working to get signatures on a petition showing support for better wages for her craft prior to 2018 negotiations. As the chair of the Local 871 #ReelEquity pay equity committee Marisa has focused on a collaborative approach to tackling pay equity issues affecting women in entertainment, particularly those working behind the camera.

Amy Thurlow is a writer and filmmaker currently living in Los Angeles, California. Amy has worked in television for many years. She started her career as a Writers' PA on the groundbreaking show GOSSIP GIRL and most recently Script Coordinated for Fox’s OUR KIND OF PEOPLE. Her other credits include TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES, SLEEPY HOLLOW, WITCHES OF EAST END, KRYPTON and NO TOMORROW. In December 2021, Amy was elected to represent Script Coordinators on the Board of Directors of Local 871. Amy graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Film and Television Production. Her work has been recognized by the WB Writers’ Workshop, Sundance Institute, Austin Film Festival and Final Draft Big Break Contest. Outside of writing and activism, Amy has a myriad of interests including performing the occasional stand up routine, teaching friends how to cook the perfect roast chicken, and deciding to run marathons even though she hates running.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

I Have Multiple Career Goals. Do I Have to Choose Just One? | with Lara Britton [HSF]

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Lara Britton is grappling with a number of different goals she wants to pursue and needs help narrowing it down in order to focus her career in a new direction. Goal setting is a big part of the Focus Yourself program and we spend a lot of time making sure people set proper goals that align with their true desires and passions. Lara feels stuck because she doesn’t want to feel limited by choosing just one thing. In her own words, she says, “I’d rather do than think.” Listen in to my advice for Lara to help her make the most of her time and better prioritize her multiple goals.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

I Need a Networking Plan to Make a Career Transition | with Fabian Corrado [HSF]

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Fabian Corrado wants to create a solid networking and outreach plan to make the transition into scripted television as an assistant editor. Fabian has been an assistant editor working in trailer houses for many years and he has decided that scripted television is what he really wants to do. This episode is filled with tips, advice, and strategies for making the leap into scripted television. Listen in for the inside scoop so you can apply it to your own career. And as an added bonus (and spoiler alert), after listening if you want to see how all this worked out for Fabian, listen to episode 172 at optimizeyourself.me/episode172.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000

As creative professionals, we constantly have to reinvent ourselves to stay relevant (and frankly just to survive the insanity of our industry). The pressure to come up with new ideas and be daring is stressful at best, and debilitating at worst. Many of us are under the illusion that this pressure we place on ourselves gives us our edge - that it helps us continue to perform our best. But instead this pressure leads to limiting beliefs, imposter syndrome, and procrastination. And if it persists over long periods of time…even total burnout.

What if there was a better approach to reinventing yourself, your work, and even your health & body image so you could fully tap into your limitless creativity?

How different would it feel to be able to say 'yes' to the things that scared you and 'no' to the things that were comfortable and easy, rather than feeling stuck in a job you no longer enjoy? Or sliding into bad habits that are sapping your energy (like that sleeve of oreos that tasted soooooo good) and killing your motivation (just one more episode, then I'll be productive!!!!), you could actually rise to the challenge with a 'can-do' attitude and a believe that your dreams are possible?

My guest today, Scott Morgan, is a PGA Golf Professional turned Online Fitness Trainer, husband, father of 2, a plant based athlete and creator of The Sweatville Club. He also happens to be 58 years old. And only in the last few years has he made this transition to online fitness trainer, plant based athlete, and entrepreneur during the period of life when most people would have considered it “too late” to learn something new and follow a passion that seemed risky or even foolish. Scott's story will inspire you to take a risk, jump out of your comfort zone and discover what it's like to live life with a "can-do" attitude.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The role Scott played in my Ninja training in Tony Horton's backyard.
KEY TAKEAWAY: It’s never too late to learn something new.
Scott's story of P90X and the changes it brought to his life.
The many positive side effects that come from taking control of your health and fitness.
How Scott made the jump from doing P90X to training with Tony Horton in person each week.
How Scott dealt with limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The people you look up to are humans just like you.
The challenges Scott faced when starting his own business.
What you should say yes to and what you should say no and how to tell the difference.
How switching to a plant based diet affected Scott's fitness ability.
The changes Scott noticed in his mental acuity after going plant based.
Scott's advice to his younger self who quit on week one of P90X.
Why you should always take the scary path.
How to join the Sweatville Club and contact Scott.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Big Picture: 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life: Horton, Tony

Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Ep120: It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Ep121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Guest Bio:

Scott Morgan is a PGA Golf Professional turned Online Fitness Trainer, husband, father of 2, a plant based athlete and creator of The Sweatville Club. He made the transition to online fitness trainer, plant based athlete, and entrepreneur only in the last few years. He enjoys writing about his passions, what interests him, sharing videos, what interests other people, what drives their souls and connecting on a deeper level.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

[CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 14:00:00 +0000

From the outside it often looks as if the dominant factor that determines whether someone achieves their careers goals or not is luck (And you all know how I feel about “luck.”) From an insider’s perspective, having helped hundreds of people successfully make career transitions, I believe luck is simply when their hard work intersects with the right opportunity. And this intersection is no accident when you have the right strategy.

One of my favorite aspects of the Optimizer coaching & mentorship community is the relationships that are built when students support each other to pursue work they feel most passionate about. When Optimizer students Nick Towle and Fabian Corrado originally came to me, neither one of them knew each other. But they both knew they were tired of the jobs they had, they felt stuck after trying for years to make a seemingly impossible career change, and they were ready to do anything to get on the right path.

Nick Towle had been an editor in reality tv and transitioned to the scripted world as an assistant editor (AE). He was finding plenty of regular work, and he even had the opportunity to cut in addition to his AE duties, but he couldn't seem to land his first full-fledged scripted editing gig. Nobody was willing to give him the experience…without already having the experience.

Fabian Corrado was working successfully as an Assistant Editor in the trailer industry but felt unsatisfied and unfulfilled, and he knew he wanted to make the jump to scripted. He worked hard and spent many years climbing his way up the wrong ladder and felt stuck and trapped doing a job he no longer loved.

If you too are struggling to make a career transition, you feel stuck in a dead end career path, or you cringe when you think of networking, this episode will help you get unstuck and think of networking in a whole new light as you learn the strategies that both Nick & Fabian used to land huge career-changing opportunities (and ultimately work together on the same show!).

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Fabian started his career in EPK trailer houses but after 5 years wanted to make the transition to scripted.
How Fabian got connected with me and the Optimize Yourself program.
Fabian describes what it was like for him to 'hit the wall' in trailer editing.
Nick was an editor in reality tv and transitioned to scripted television as an assistant editor.
Nick talks about what motivated him to look for the Focus Yourself program.
Fabian explains the importance of uncovering your purpose and determining what career path is going to be most fulfilling.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Networking strategy is all about planting the right seeds.
Fabian was juggling two jobs while trying to do Focus Yourself.
Nick balanced raising a 3 year old while working through the program.
The story of how Fabian connected with an editor on his dream show.
Nick describes how he had to make the psychological switch in his own mind to see himself as an editor.
Why Fabian made the decision to walk away from a full-time job to do a 3 week freelance job.
The financial component to having the freedom to turn down work that isn't the right fit.
What made Fabian stand out amongst other qualified assistant editors to get his dream job.
How important it is to set yourself up for success in a job even if there are knowledge gaps that need to be filled.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Don’t pursue perfect at the expense of good enough.
Nick and Fabian's advice to their younger selves.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ep62: [CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello

Ep146: [CASE STUDY] From “Out of Ideas” to Becoming an Idea Machine | with Paul Del Vecchio

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia

Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1)

Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself

Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

As 2021 winds down and we approach the New Year, it’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and write off the end of the year as a loss, putting our goals and intentions aside and telling ourselves “We’’ll start fresh again in January.” But then inevitably when the new year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way which leads to over 92% of New Year’s resolutions failing. (Don’t worry...I’m just as guilty as anyone else.)

If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don’t need resolutions → you need a plan.

That’s why for the last 5 weeks of this year I’m going to share with you my top 5 interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits, and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you’ll stick to, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you? How much further ahead of the game would you be?

I’m not saying you have to start exercising 5 days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year...but wouldn’t it be awesome starting 2022 with a clear plan and the motivation to get started?

If this sounds like a better alternative, then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world’s foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally came together for you.

So without further adieu, here is the fifth and final part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author Cal Newport to discuss his seminal book Deep Work.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Cal Newport

→ Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don’t need resolutions → you need a plan.

So without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author James Clear, author of Atomic Habits.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with James Clear

→ Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don’t need resolutions → you need a plan.

So without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Gretchen Rubin.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Gretchen Rubin

→ Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | with Greg McKeown

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

As 2021 winds down and we approach the New Year, it’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and write off the end of the year as a loss, putting our goals and intentions aside and telling ourselves “We’’ll start fresh again in January.” But then inevitably when the new year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way which leads to over 92% of New Year’s resolutions failing. (Don’t worry...I’m just as guilty as anyone else.)

If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don’t need resolutions → you need a plan.

So without further adieu, here is the second part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Greg McKeown.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Greg McKeown

→ Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 14:00:00 +0000

As 2021 winds down and we approach the new year it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and right off the end of the year is a loss, putting our goals and our intentions aside and telling ourselves, "We're going to start fresh again in January." But then inevitably, when the New Year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way, which leads to over 92% of New Year's resolutions failing. Don't worry, I'm just as guilty as anybody else.

If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don't need resolutions. You need a plan. That's why for the next five weeks, I'm going to share with you my top five interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line for the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence, you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you'll stick with, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you. How much further ahead of the game would you be? Now I'm not saying you have to start exercising five days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year. But wouldn't it be awesome to start 2022 with at least clear plan and the motivation to get started? Well, if this sounds like a better alternative then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world's foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally comes together for you.

→ Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

→ Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

How to Determine If a Job Is Worth The Costs | Mastermind Q&A

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0000

One of the most challenging things we deal with as freelance creative professionals is the constant feast & famine cycle of either always working or always looking for the next gig. I’m sure at some point you’ve had the experience of agonizing for hours, days, or weeks debating a job opportunity (or multiple opportunities). You may have also agonized about whether or not to take low pay (or unpaid work) that might seem like a great opportunity that could launch your career...but on the other hand could end up becoming a total nightmare. Or maybe you're just starting your career and you are eager to take anything just to get your foot in the door, but you've heard stories of others who chose the wrong path and are now trapped at the top of a ladder they no longer want to be on at all. (reality TV anyone???)

These are just a few of the topics and challenges I address in the latest community Q&A call with my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program students. I and the community share our past experiences when considering job opportunities and the criteria we use to determine both the benefits but also the true costs of taking any opportunity, good or bad. Most importantly, we discuss how to ensure that a potential opportunity can meet both our creative as well as our lifestyle needs so the job doesn’t become “just another paycheck” at the expense of our health, our relationships, and our sanity.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Paul Del Vecchio talks about what he’s learned from saying yes to too many jobs that have not aligned with his goals.
Criteria that we use to evaluate opportunities as beneficial or not.
Questions to ask yourself if you don’t already have criteria defined.
Building your network of people is an important criteria for determining if the job is worth your time.
I review the benefit/risk assessment document.
What is missing from the assessment that we need to add?
What makes unpaid work worthwhile?
Sometimes ‘easy jobs’ can be soul-sucking and energy-zapping despite being fewer hours.
Limiting beliefs can be a big obstacle when decision-making about jobs.
How to turn down work graciously without burning a bridge.
Never say you are available for work until you have all the details and know if you are interested or not.
How to determine what work you should take when you're early in your career and you're hungry to work.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Be clear on what you want in your career and your lifestyle goals.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

'Should I Take This Job?' Assessment Tool

Continue to Listen & Learn

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Our Generous Sponsor:

This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Avoid Burnout and Live a More ‘Effortless’ Life | with Greg McKeown

Tue, 16 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0000

"There are two kinds of people in the world - people who are burned out, and people who know they are burned out."

- Greg McKeown

There is an epidemic of exhaustion and burnout in not only Hollywood but globally across countless industries. The culture of overwork and exploitation specifically in the entertainment industry is beyond toxic at this point, and something needs to change. My theory is that many of the people at the top in Hollywood did not get there because they are always the best at what they do or because they are great leaders. I believe a lot of those who dictate how the industry works got where they are today because they have simply been willing to endure the most abuse, and they are the ones willing to maintain the status quo - i.e., saving money at the expense of saving lives.

“The Great Resignation” is evidence that people are fed up with the status quo. The old model of “work longer and harder” is not a tenable model anymore. There are no more hours left in the day to work harder, therefore finding a way to work smarter is the only solution left. Luckily, there is a new model already out there, and my guest today, best selling author Greg McKeown, is here to tell us all about how to live not only an essential but also an effortless life.

Greg is a return guest who made his first appearance on the show to talk about his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (which I thought so highly of I included it as core curriculum in my Focus Yourself program). His latest book, Effortless: Make it Easier to do What Matters Most, picks up where Essentialism left off. After making his own life "essential" and achieving great success from his book, Greg found that ironically he could no longer even fit just the essential things in his life anymore. He was doing all the right things, but he was doing them the wrong way. And in today’s conversation Greg and I discuss how we all can apply his Effortless model to both make our lives easier while also having a positive effect on our work culture as a whole.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Recap of Essentialism for the uninitiated.
How the success of Essentialism led him to a new problem and his new book.
How to apply the concept of the three rocks to you life.
Why the old way of thinking that working harder is what will get you success is not sustainable anymore.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Ask yourself "how am I making this harder than I need to?"
Greg reveals his true feelings and best insights of the culture of Hollywood based on his experience working in a wide variety of industries.
Why Greg believes competition against Hollywood is a good thing.
How the pandemic has led to more burnout than ever before.
Greg’s mindset for adapting to the pandemic and how it led to greater success in his career.
The pandemic created an experience of involuntary essentialism for many people.
An illustration of how the effortless way led to greater success in a race to the South Pole.
The importance of knowing your lower bounds and upper bounds of any particular task or endeavor.
How I changed my ANW workout routine to make it more effortless and the results I achieved from it.
Greg explains the difference between running hard and running fast.
Why we should reject the motto: No pain. No gain.
How gratitude helped Greg make dealing with his daughter's illness easier.
One simple rule for practicing gratitude.
The advice he received that inspired the idea of effortless.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Greg McKeown - Essentialism Advocate | Inspirational Speaker | Bestselling Author

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | with Greg McKeown

Effortless - Greg McKeown

Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Amundsen vs Scott: The Deadly Race to the South Pole - Life in Norway

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at the Success Engineering podcast

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Greg McKeown is a speaker, a bestselling author, and the host of the popular podcast What’s Essential. He has been covered by The New York Times, Fast Company, Fortune, Politico, and Inc., has been interviewed on NPR, NBC, Fox, and The Steve Harvey Show, and is among the most popular bloggers for LinkedIn. He is also a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum. McKeown’s New York Times bestselling book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less has sold more than a million copies worldwide. Originally from London, England, he now lives in California with his wife, Anna, and their four children.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Zack Arnold On the Devastating Words “Why Doesn’t Daddy Love Us?” (from the Success Engineering Podcast)

Tue, 09 Nov 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Hello to all of my Optimizer readers & listeners. Today’s episode is gonna be a little different in that I’m not the host, I’m the guest. This is a recent interview I did with Michael Bauman on the Success Engineering podcast. You will hear me talk very candidly about the identity crisis I suffered several years ago while seemingly at the height of my career editing Empire when I was spending months on end putting my kids to bed via Facetime and realized I didn’t want to live that way anymore. You’ll learn how I slowly chipped away at the incredible case of Imposter syndrome that I had around building the Optimize Yourself program as well as some deeply emotional stories about why I do what I do. I highly recommend you check out Michael’s work on the Success Engineering website where you will find blog posts, book summaries from the 4 books that Michael used to help him optimize his own life, and of course his podcast episodes at successengineering.org. So now without further adieu my interview with Michael Bauman over at Success Engineering.

→ Click here to go to Success Engineering home page

Why Becoming a Failure is Essential to Success | with Alex Weber, ANW

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 13:00:00 +0000

There are turning points throughout our lives where we have a choice to either accept the status quo and continue being “comfortable” or take a stand to affect real change. Whether it’s change on an individual level or even on a larger scale, to take a stand requires courage and “brave honesty” (to borrow a term from today's guest), and most importantly real change requires stepping into the discomfort zone and attempting things you never previously believed you were capable of. Sounds simple enough...but how can you actually take that terrifying step? And what if you fail?

My guest today is Alex Weber, an international speaker, American Ninja Warrior, award-winning entertainer, and author of the upcoming book Fail Proof: Become the Unstoppable You. Alex travels the country teaching top professionals and leaders how to bring their very best everyday to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break their success.

In this conversation, Alex and I go deep into the honest history of our many collective failures, analyzing and extracting the important lessons that have come from them and highlighting how important they've been to our successes. We discuss the importance of community and how essential it is to find people who support your highest goals and most basic needs. Because when you have a strong support structure around you, your chances of success increase exponentially. I hope this conversation inspires you to step outside your own discomfort zone and pursue goals you thought previously unachievable now that you will be “Fail Proof.”

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why we should redefine failure so it's not so binary and black and white.
What the deep end effect is.
The story of how Alex moved to Los Angeles and became the host of American Ninja Warrior.
How Alex struggled with confidence issues during the first season of ANW.
The story of the ANW towel and what it represents.
Breaking down the ANW course run and what led to his failure.
The motivation that ANW gives Alex to continue training despite the unknown of being on the show.
My bully story and how it led me to the success I've had in life.
Alex shares his bully story and what it taught him.
How to effectively become your own coach to turn your negative self talk into an asset.
Why Alex has a nickname for himself and his negative voice inside his head.
What the ABC is and how to make it work in your favor.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Enjoy the journey.
Why it's essential to embrace each moment.
How Alex sets goals.
What it means to be bravely honest.
What Alex learned from a spilled cup of coffee.
What advice Alex would give his younger self who was bullied.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Continue to Listen & Learn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Alex Weber is an international speaker, American Ninja Warrior, award-winning entertainer and author of the upcoming book Fail Proof. He has been awarded US Lacrosse Coach of the Year honors, holds a World Record, and competed in the World Championships of lacrosse finishing as a Top Scorer in the world. Alex shows Top Professionals and Leaders how to bring their very best everyday, and to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break their success.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Hollywood On the Record: What’s REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay’La Banks and Nickolaus Brown

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In an ideal world, being a creative professional means you love what you do and your passion for your work fuels a meaningful and fulfilling life that also has a positive impact on the world. Whether you write, direct, produce, edit, or work on set - that's the dream we all set out to achieve when we join the industry. In the real world, however, you quickly discover that passion can also lead to exploitation. Toxic work environments, unreasonable deadlines and schedules, and unrelenting work hours extinguish even the deepest, hottest burning passions inside of us. Respect, dignity, and a basic appreciation for the work we do are essential ingredients in keeping that passion alive and sustaining us through long careers. Unfortunately, these concepts have been pushed aside in favor of faster, cheaper, better.

Today I’m excited to discuss the realities of working on the production side of the industry with Shay'La Banks and Nickolaus Brown, both of whom work in the costume department and were recently featured with me in the recent Variety article IATSE Crew Members Share First-Hand Accounts of Set Life. Shay'La is a Costume Supervisor who has worked on shows such as The Voice, Insecure, Grown-ish & The Oscars. Nickolaus has been working in costumes for almost 25 years for films such as Free Guy, The Lake House, and Dukes of Hazzard, and TV shows like How to Get Away w/ Murder, Scandal, and Glee.

This honest conversation gets to the very core of the many issues that production crews face while on set. You'll hear candid stories about the horrible conditions and disrespectful behavior they both endure on a routine basis and how it affects their health and relationships. You'll also hear that despite the enthusiasm they both have for their craft they both desperately crave the change that is so necessary in our industry.

The energy from this conversation is palpable, and it’s one of the most unique and interesting conversations I’ve had on the record in a long time. If you enjoy this format please let me know by leaving a review or emailing me directly. I'm considering doing more interviews like this so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Shay’La and Nickolaus describe their jobs and responsibilities on set.
The biggest misconception of costume designer's jobs.
The challenges that arise on set and how producers never understand what they are asking for.
Nickolaus wants to know why is our time not respected?
The unfair and unreasonable hours production crews are expected to work.
Nickolaus worked 28 days straight on a pilot in Hawaii.
The call sheet hours vs. the hours the costume department actually works.
What is ‘Fraturday’ and what is meant by ‘turnaround”?
How the pandemic changed the perspective on work-life balance.
The toll their jobs take on their physical bodies.
The sad reality of the shows needs superseding the needs of the workers.
KEY TAKEAWAY: You never stop ‘paying your dues’ if you don’t start to value yourself.
The producers aren't trying to figure out a better way to do things because it's working for them.
Why we need to get better at saying the word ‘no’ to unreasonable expectations.
The disconnect between how the budgets are made and how the work actually gets done.
How you, as an individual, can start to affect change in the industry.
Why Nickolaus believes the costume department is the lowest paid in the industry.
How Shay'La talks to producers to negotiate more money or better schedules for herself and her department.
KEY TAKEAWAY: We have to stand together, share information, and educate each other so we can advocate for ourselves.
The demoralizing effect the new contract had on crews that thought there would be real change if a strike happened.
What advice they would give to themselves just starting out in the business.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

IATSE Crew Members Share First-Hand Accounts of Set Life - Variety

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

Continue to Listen & Learn

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Shay’La Banks

Shay’La Banks is a Costume Supervisor & Creative Director that hails from Los Angeles by way of Riverside, California. Shay’La, a Cal State San Bernardino alum, began her career in the entertainment industry right after college in the casting department. With God's favor she met the right people and found fulfillment and success in the Costume Department, quickly working her way up the ranks to Costume Supervisor. Some of Shay’La’s credits include Costume Supervising on shows such as The Voice, Insecure, Grown-ish & The Oscars amongst others. She knows it took a strong village to get her where she is so she is very passionate about giving back and mentoring youth. She leads by example & believes in operating with confidence, dignity and having a strong work ethic.This is why being on the board of FABRIC is a must. It means so much to her because everything FABRIC stands for and will do for the community speaks to her Life’s mission statement. She attributes ALL her success to her strong faith & living a God-led life in which she strongly believes God led her to this Organization to help shine a light and create change for the people that need it the most.

Nickolaus Brown

Nickolaus Brown has been working in costumes for almost 25 years scouring Los Angeles and beyond for character driven fashion for film and television. He has a degree in fashion from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a degree in costume design from CalArts. He lives in Los Angeles with his dogs Scotch and Ripley.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

A Contract Isn’t Going to Change Our Lives...It’s Up to Us to Create Change | Mastermind Q&A

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000

How many times have you worked on a project that set an impossible schedule and you felt responsible for meeting ridiculous demands? How many times have you met those demands hoping you would be rewarded for the amazing feat you accomplished...only to be asked to do it again tomorrow except faster, better, and cheaper? These situations have unfortunately become the rule instead of the exception which is why I often say that Hollywood is where yesterday’s miracle becomes today’s expectation.

Today's episode is a very candid community Q & A on the topic of setting boundaries and expectations. I gathered my Optimizer coaching & mentorship students to have a frank and honest discussion about the realities we're facing on the job and how we can take action to ensure that our time & expertise are not being exploited. As daunting as it may seem, change will only happen from the bottom up - we cannot rely on union contracts to set the boundaries for us from the top down (because frankly a lot of the boundaries we need are already in writing, they are just exploited, ignored, and outright abused).

Change happens one person at a time, but if we’re all going to collectively change the toxic work culture in the entertainment industry, we’ll have to lock arms and do it together - across guilds, crafts, union and non-union alike. This conversation is all about the practical steps we can take to create a better future for ourselves and the next generation of artists, filmmakers, and storytellers who will come after us.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Jeff Castellucio shares a recent story of an unreasonable schedule for a movie he worked on.
Our thoughts on why unreasonable schedules and deadlines keep happening.
The inherent problem with working freelance jobs and how our anger is often misplaced.
Phil Habeger shares how he struggles between wanting to set boundaries and wanting to deliver and be a team player.
Understanding the psychology behind our guilt despite knowing that it's not our fault.
How the content machine is killing us all.
Anything less than 'eager optimism' makes us the problem.
The unrealistic expectations become a challenge and we get stuck in a cycle of trying to be the hero.
How do we balance the idea that when we start our careers we have to do extra work to prove ourselves but once we "make it" we are expected to know how to set boundaries?
KEY TAKEAWAY: Remember the triangle of good, fast, cheap: pick 2.
Red flags to look for before taking a job.
Questions to ask in the interview for a job to help determine what the environment will be like.
The difference between being taken advantage of and “paying your dues”.
The problem of being exploited and taken advantage of in the workplace.
We need to set up systems for ourselves so that we have the stability and security to say no to the people who take advantage of us.
Paul Del Vecchio tells a story of how he set a boundary and it worked out in his favor.
How I handle unrealistic schedules and talk to producers about making a workable solution.
The three takeaways and solutions discussed to setting boundaries and making real change.
Matt Nix chimes in with a show runner's perspective to underscore how important it is to work with the right people.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos

(7) IATSE Contract Forum | Repeat after me: “Your inability to properly budget and schedule this project is not my problem.” | Facebook

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Continue to Listen & Learn

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Our Generous Sponsor:

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How a Near-Death Experience Turned Massive Failure Into Growth | with Chinna Balachandran, ANW

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000

“Your obstacles don’t care about what you’ve been through.”

- Chinna Balachandran

Fail is a four letter word that most of us avoid like the plague. We live in a society that is obsessed with achievement, yet has no tolerance for failure. But any successful person will tell you that regular and consistent failure is not only part of the path to success...failure IS the path. Without embracing failure, you'll never learn how to overcome obstacles or become resilient in the face of adversity thus never achieving your goals.

You don’t get to choose your obstacles, so when obstacles choose you, you have to be ready. That was certainly the case with today's guest, Chinna Balachandran. In 2019 Chinna was suddenly and unexpectedly afflicted with an acute subdural hematoma, or in layman's terms, a slow brain bleed with a mortality rate of 50%-90%. The brain bleed was so severe that his brainstem compressed into his spinal cord. When he awoke from emergency brain surgery, he found himself paralyzed on the left side of his body, unsure of his cognitive abilities, and incapable of taking care of himself.

Now just two years later Chinna is back to work as a school psychologist, an advocate for neuro-trauma survivors, newly married, and has competed on American Ninja Warrior two times. His recovery, on paper, is nothing short of miraculous. But when you hear him talk, he tells it as a simple practice of accepting where he was day after day, taking tiny steps forward, and celebrating the small wins. Failure was simply a stepping stone on the road to success.

Though I sincerely hope you never have to endure a traumatic brain injury, the lessons learned from this conversation apply to any obstacles you might encounter. Prepare to be inspired and armed with practical strategies to take on your own road to success.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Chinna’s life before his traumatic brain injury.
The events that led up to his brain injury.
What led Chinna to become a school psychologist working with deaf and blind children.
The details of his brain injury and the awful prognosis he received.
The list of side effects and symptoms that he was plagued with after leaving the hospital.
The thoughts that Chinna had when he was in the hospital and recovering.
How he decided to train for American Ninja Warrior.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The first step to any challenge is accepting where you are now.
Gratitude and celebrating small wins was essential in his recovery.
The secret formula for success in three steps.
Chinna’s strategy for being prepared for setbacks.
The shift in mindset he made between year one and two of ANW to improve his performance.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Do not ignore the psychological aspect of any performance or skill you are trying to perform or learn.
How the lessons learned in ANW can be applied to your own life.
Chinna’s advice to his younger self. (I’m stealing this and putting it on a t-shirt!)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Dr. David Fajgenbaum: What 5 Near-Death Experiences Can Teach Us About Living

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Chinna Balachandran works to support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach as a school psychologist in Southern California. He currently works in a Level 14 locked psychiatric residential treatment facility for adolescents. He has worked in residential settings that specialize in low-incidence disabilities and typical public schools throughout the last decade.

In addition to practicing school psychology, Chinna was also once a hobby boxer. After driving home from a spar in early 2019, he began noticing signs of neurological dysfunction. He had unknowingly sustained an acute subdural hematoma, a slow brain bleed. He was incredibly fortunate to awake from surgery at all, but he suddenly found himself paralyzed on the left side of his body, unsure of his cognitive abilities, and entirely incapable of taking care of himself. He has since recovered and resumed his school psychologist responsibilities in full while also learning a new sport to compete on NBC's American Ninja Warrior, in the hopes that his journey can help others suffering like he was.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000

"I've literally failed in front of a million people, and something magical happens when you're willing to do that."

- Sandy Zimmerman

Have you ever had a nagging feeling that you were meant to be doing something different with your life? Maybe you feel as though you're capable of doing more and you're not living up to your full potential, or maybe even if you’re successful, the thought of being “comfortable“ is beginning to feel like you're locked in a prison of your own creation? But as much as you want to break out, do you find yourself trapped by the limiting beliefs and voices in your head telling you that you’re just not good enough, you don’t deserve it, or simply that you just can’t?

In today’s conversation I have the pleasure and privilege of introducing you to an amazing and unique individual - Sandy Zimmerman - who is a Physical Education teacher, speaker, mother of three, a five-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, and the 1st mom in 11 seasons to hit an ANW buzzer. Given her chaotic upbringing going from one foster home to the next (often on welfare), on paper Sandy is one of the least likely to succeed at the level she has, but when you hear about the struggles she’s endured and the limiting beliefs she’s overcome, you’ll realize every challenge she's faced has perfectly led her to where she is today.

As Ryan Holiday would say...the obstacles for Sandy are the way.

Sandy is no stranger to trauma, adversity, and loss, and in our very deep and honest conversation you will hear that even today Sandy still battles the voices (which she gave a name, btw), and I even put her on the ‘Hot Seat’ to help her not only identify what’s holding her back right now but also what comes next for her (and potentially even how to accomplish it).

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

The trauma and difficulties Sandy endured in her childhood was immense.
The saving grace that benefited Sandy throughout her life.
American Ninja Warrior became therapy for Sandy to work through her traumatic past.
Why she continued to do something that she kept failing at and getting hurt doing.
KEY TAKEAWAY: There is always a purpose to the voices in our head...even the negative ones.
How she came to have the courage to share her story and listen to her inner voice.
How gratitude has helped her stay positive through incredible adversity.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Failing is a necessary step in any story of success and growth.
Why so many athletes cry when they finally hit the buzzer in American Ninja Warrior.
What Sandy did after her first failure on the ANW course to get herself back on track.
Why Sandy doesn't set timelines for accomplishing her goals.
The story of my friend who became the first quadriplegic scuba diver.
What motivated Sandy to keep trying when life seemed to be against her.
What Sandy was like as a child and how she struggled in school.
The impact of the teacher Sandy had who didn't feel sorry for her.
Why Sandy believes the bar should be kept high regardless of how hard you have it in life.
How Sandy knows that she is being called to leave the comfort of the teaching job she loves and share her story.
What Sandy does to calm her nerves before speeches.
Sandy gains clarity about what she is meant to do beyond teaching.
Sandy’s advice to her younger self and where she sees herself 10 years from now.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

American Ninja Warrior Obstacles | Sandy Zimmerman | United States

Film - The Happy Movie | The Happy Movie

Continue to Listen & Learn

It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary

Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Sandy Zimmerman is a Physical Education teacher, speaker, mother of 3, five-time American Ninja Warrior competitor and 1st mom in 11 seasons to complete the ANW course. She is a former national judo champion and played basketball at Gonzaga University. When she's not teaching, she runs ninja classes in her own backyard where they have over 40 obstacles. She was also involved in several different speaking events, local fundraisers, charities and events offering private ninja lessons.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 13:00:00 +0000

"Do your work every day, and stay focused on what you care about. Work-life balance doesn't just happen, you have to schedule it."

- Matt Nix

There's no question that the start of any successful career requires a certain amount of hard work, grit, and even a bit of hustle. If you want to excel further than those around you, there will be times when you have to make sacrifices or trade-offs to reach your goals. But your career shouldn’t come at the expense of your relationships, your health, or your sanity. That’s why it is so important to be clear on what you want and what your values are so you can build relationships with the right people who will respect you.

My guest today is writer/director/executive producer Matt Nix who has created and/or run shows like Burn Notice, The Gifted, The Good Guys (an underrated favorite of mine!), and Turner & Hooch. Matt is not only an expert in networking and negotiating, but he has also learned to manage his time effectively so that he and his crews can work reasonable hours while also having a life outside of work. In short, he never asks anything of his crew he wouldn’t be willing to do himself.

Regardless of what your career goals are or what industry you work in, building relationships and adding value to the lives of others is an ongoing skill that you must develop and hone if you want to climb to the top. Matt gives us a rare perspective on how to both network and succeed while also setting healthy(ish) boundaries around his time and his creativity. He also shares the secret to “getting in the room” with people at his level. And equally as illuminating is his perspective on how he creates a fair and balanced work environment where people are respected and allowed to have lives outside of the work. See...it can be done!!!!!

Trust me, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Matt's side of my “Burn Notice origin story.”
KEY TAKEAWAY: Be relentless and an opportunity will surface.
Matt coaches young writers about their outreach emails to him.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Being familiar with the work of a potential mentor or job interviewer is essential to making a good impression.
The advice Matt gives to film students and the $20 challenge he gives them.
The best and worst times to reach out to a show runner to make a connection.
KEY MINDSET: Play chess not checkers.
What not to say when a producer gives you notes and what is the better attitude to take.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Be the person the show runner can count on.
Matt’s philosophy on work and being a boss.
KEY TAKEAWAY: A good boss will never ask you to something they aren’t willing to do themselves.
The difference between a patriot and a mercenary and which Matt prefers to work with.
Lessons he’s learned from his early days of show running and how his process has evolved.
How to get through the pressures of Hollywood.
Matt recommends reading the War of Art to all aspiring creators.
The origin story of Matt's career.
How five ‘sure things’ turn out to be only one actual job.
Matt's first pitch on Burn Notice got passed up.
The art of negotiation.
Why you should only have 2 rates: Full rate and free.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Don't allow anyone else to set your value.
The story of Matt's failed script.
His advice to his younger self and the story behind it.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos

The War of Art | Steven Pressfield

William Faulkner Quote

Craig Siebels - Contact Info, Agent, Manager | IMDbPro

Watch Burn Notice Season 5 | Prime Video

Continue to Listen & Learn

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Matt Nix graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political Science. He started off writing and directing several award-winning short films, which led to a career writing feature film scripts. As a screenwriter, he worked at most of the major studios writing movies before turning his attention to television. He is best known as the creator, writer, and executive producer of the USA Network hit series Burn Notice which ran from 2007 to 2014, spending several of those years as the highest rated show on basic cable. He created and ran The Good Guys for Fox and Complications for USA, co-created and co-ran The Comedians for FX, and developed and co-ran APB for Fox. Most recently he completed two seasons of the Marvel/X-men show The Gifted which he created and ran for Fox, and is currently creating and running the Turner & Hooch series for Disney+ and is about to produce the pilot for TRUE LIES.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How To Change The Culture In Hollywood With Zack Arnold (from The Hollywood Success Podcast)

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Hello to all of my Optimizer readers & listeners. Today’s episode is gonna be a little different in that I’m not the host, I’m the guest. This is a special interview I did on super short notice with Erica Wernick over at the Hollywood Success Podcast where we discuss what’s at stake with the pending IATSE strike authorization vote. Like me, Erica is also both an entrepreneur and creative professional in Hollywood working as both a coach and a graphic designer as part of the Art Director’s Guild. And in this discussion we dive deep into the many stories being shared at the IA_Stories Instagram account as well as our own personal anecdotes about our careers in Hollywood. And most importantly we also break down the strike vote, why it’s important to all creative professionals (whether you are a union member or not), and what’s at stake if we lose.

After listening I highly encourage you to check out the amazing work Erica is doing over at hollywoodsuccesscoach.com.

And now without further adieu, my interview on the Hollywood Success Podcast with Erica Wernick.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at The Hollywood Success podcast

→ Click here to go to The Hollywood Success home page

Understanding What’s At Stake With the IATSE Strike Authorization Vote | Mastermind Q&A

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 13:00:00 +0000

I created Optimize Yourself so that I could provide the resources to help creative professionals find fulfillment in their work and love what they do...but not at the expense of their health, their relationships, or their sanity. A natural extension of this is that we must be valued & respected for the work that we do. Without respect, no matter how much we love our jobs, our careers won't be sustainable and our passion will eventually become indifference (and sometimes even hatred). We become overworked, disrespected, and burned out.

This is unfortunately what’s happening right now to tens-of-thousands of below the line workers in the entertainment industry as clearly portrayed by the meteoric rise of the @IA_Stories Instagram account. In part because of the horror stories this account has amplified, The IATSE union and the AMPTP have come to a standstill in contract negotiations and the union is asking its members to vote and authorize a strike. This is a historic moment in the union's history, and it's important that all of us understand what is truly at stake beyond the deal points and the percentages. That's why I decided to have an “All-hands-on-deck” call with my Optimizer coaching & mentorship community to provide an open forum where union and non-union members alike could ask their questions, voice their opinions, and gain a better understanding of the true impact this pending vote (and strike) can have on our industry for decades to come.

Whether you are in the union or you work freelance outside the union, this conversation will (hopefully) answer your questions and paint a clear picture of why you need to be paying attention to this issue.

If you haven’t yet read my latest article, Dear Hollywood: If We Don’t Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It’s Gut Check Time), I encourage you to check it out as it provides even more context to this timely and important conversation.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How does the current IATSE contract dispute impact non-union workers?
This negotiation outcome will be a sea change in the way we advocate for ourselves.
Why we need to band together and present a united front.
What does is mean if we vote yes to authorize a strike?
What exactly is IATSE and who are the members involved?
The red ant- black ant analogy and what we should really be focused on.
KEY TAKEAWAY: We need our message to reach the other IATSE locals so they understand what is at stake and can make an informed vote.
When we talk about producers in this context, we are talking about the studios and the producers at AMPTP.
To support our cause, union and non-union members can sign this petition on Action Network.
How do we address the issue that working less hours = less pay?
What ‘lifestyle creep’ is and how it cripples us.
One way to help alleviate fears is to create a fund to help people pay their bills. If such a fund is created, I pledge to personally put $1000 into it.
Why it's important to understand the problems of the people above you and the people we are negotiating with.
The only thing that will make it change is if we no longer meet those unreasonable expectations.
How voting works within the guilds to vote for a strike authorization.
Director Sam Lavin weighs in about the situation and gives a director's perspective.
Canceling our streaming services is not the way to fight back.
It comes down to how willing we are to set boundaries to protect ourselves.
Ricardo is seeing younger generation of workers stepping up and setting boundaries for themselves so there is hope for the future.
Please vote with your heart and do what you feel is right as long as you have all the information you need.
If you can't vote, please spread the word to the right people so they understand what the conversation is about.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Dear Hollywood: If We Don’t Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It’s Gut Check Time)

Tell AMPTP to Give Film and Television Workers a Fair Deal

IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos

Continue to Listen & Learn

Dear Hollywood: If We Don’t Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It’s Gut Check Time)

Dear Hollywood: We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer

Dear Hollywood: We’re Not “Lucky to Be Here,” You’re Lucky to Have Us

Dear Hollywood: Loving What We Do Makes Us Easy to Exploit. Here’s Why.

Dear Hollywood: It’s Time For An Intervention About the Hours We Work

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

Our Generous Sponsor:

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Dear Hollywood: If We Don’t Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It’s Gut Check Time)

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 17:33:47 +0000

» Read & Share the full article HERE

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received from a friend & mentor is the following:

“Don’t let others determine your value. Only you can determine your value.”

Unfortunately the idea that we as creative professionals are undervalued for the unique contributions we bring to the entertainment industry is not a new one. For decades we have been considered replaceable widgets that are expendable.

As legendary editor Walter Murch explained in our podcast together, several decades ago when approaching a studio executive to address the extreme working conditions, relentless stress, and impossible deadlines on a big budget tentpole film he was editing, he described the situation as:

“People are dropping like flies.”

The studio executive simply replied with: “Then get more flies.”

We’ve now reached an impasse where decades worth of delivering miracles has become today’s expectation, and how we function as a collective industry is no longer sustainable.

Finally….FINALLY we have the opportunity to change how we live and work in the entertainment industry. But the only way things will change is if there are simply “no more flies” because we’ve all collectively decided to advocate for our needs and say ‘NO’ to the impossible expectations asked of us every single day.

Unfortunately as much as I want to believe we finally have the power to affect positive change, my greatest fear is those of us who value our work-life balance and our lives beyond our paychecks are still the vocal minority fighting against a much larger majority clutching their “golden time” in their cold, (nearly) dead hands.

The only way for us to become the majority is to share with everyone who will listen – union, non-union, above the line, below the line, or otherwise – why we are fighting, how we ended up here, and why we deserve respect.

But first…

It’s Gut Check Time

I don’t care what anyone has told you in the past about the brutal realities of what it really takes to “make it” in Hollywood or the necessity to “pay your dues” at the expense of your own life (figuratively or literally), the truth is:

We deserve to love what we do for a living…but not at the expense of our health, our relationships, or our sanity.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a PA getting coffee or if you’re a department head with decades of experience, you as a human being deserve to be respected for your contribution to a project and valued accordingly.

You are not obligated to show gratitude for the meal penalties and the endless 6th & 7th days in your paycheck earned at the expense of skipping lunches, sleeping on a couch or on apple boxes at hour 18 of the day/night, having to pee in bottles because you can’t leave your post, or the countless missed medical appointments because there simply “isn’t time in the schedule.”

You don’t have to consider yourself “lucky” for the opportunity to work in Tinsel Town at the expense of not being able to start a family or missing countless once-in-a-lifetime memories like weddings, funerals, birthday parties, and kids’ recitals simply because whoever manages the budgets is completely incapable of building a schedule designed to set everyone up for success instead of failure.

You don’t need to sacrifice sleep, recovery time, and throw away entire relationships just so you can “suck it up” and wear your burnout badge of honor proudly alongside your colleagues who are literally shaving years off their lives simply to maintain a lifestyle they couldn’t afford if they worked more humane hours.

I’ve been saying for years that I don’t believe work-life balance is a union issue, it’s a human issue. But guess what – right now it’s a union issue. And for those of you in the union like me, here comes the gut check:

Are you willing to speak up for the respect you deserve?

Because if you’re not willing to speak up right now and advocate for more reasonable working conditions and compensation commensurate with your contributions, the way things are at this moment is the best it’s ever going to be again. The current version of Hollywood and the entertainment industry as we know it will be dead.

Here’s Why We Are Fighting

» Continue Reading & Share the full article HERE

Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 13:00:00 +0000

“I want to make sh*t happen, but it can't happen at the cost of the people around me.”

- Mark Gantt

Working in Hollywood as a creative professional can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand the freedom to express yourself and tell stories that motivate, inspire, and entertain others can be a dream come true. But on the other hand the pressure of having to create on a grueling daily schedule can lead to doubts, insecurities, imposter syndrome and perfectionism (especially the days when you’re just not feeling it), all of which lead to feeling out of balance and out of control. (Been there. Done that. Still living it.)

There is no one who knows this dichotomy better than my guest today, Mark Gantt. Mark is a multi-medium visual and performance artist who has worked in the industry as a graphic artist, a painter, a prop master, a photographer, an actor, a producer, and a director. He is best known for co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in Crackle’s groundbreaking, Streamy award-winning series The Bannen Way. (And if you are a long time listener, you may recognize that title because it is where I got my start in editing scripted television.)

But it wasn't an easy ride to success by any means (and if you ask Mark, he still struggles to call himself “successful”). There were many moments he wanted to give up on his passions and quit. And there were more moments when he wasn't even sure what his passion was after veering so far off the path (a path which includes countless drinking benders and cocaine). This episode is a conversation about persevering in times of doubt and failure. We candidly discuss how it really feels to fail and what it takes to dig deep, forge ahead, and make sh#t happen in your career - no matter the obstacles - and most importantly without sacrificing the most important people in your life along the way.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Mark answers the question, "What do you do for a living?"
How he came to have a multi-hyphenate career.
The reason behind Mark's drive to do all the different jobs he does.
Mark has been sober for 33 years.
The story of how Mark and I met.
What the "woo woo" factor is and the significance of The Secret.
How Mark wrestled with limiting beliefs in his acting career.
What fears come from imposter syndrome and how to confront them.
My story of why I failed in my first season of American Ninja Warrior.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Failure is just a bump on the road to success.
How saying yes to an uncomfortable opportunity saved Mark’s career and led to new doors opening.
Mark's battle of negative thinking goes back to his childhood.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Letting go of fear allows space for better decision making to happen.
The dark story behind Mark's drinking and deceptions.
Mark learned that drinking was only a symptom of his real problems.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Sometimes getting out of balance is necessary to appreciate being in balance.
The phone call that changed my life and how I'm still trying to make it happen again.
Mark's pivotal moment when he knew he had what it took to be successful in Hollywood.
Why perfectionism leads to unhappiness and burnout.
The importance of learning to enjoy the process so you can bring your full talents to the project you're working on.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Mark Gantt - Writer | Director | Producer

The Bannen Way (2010) - IMDb

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Whether he’s working on commercial or feature films, award-winning director Mark Gantt is in the business of authentic, creative visual experiences. With a diverse, 25-year career in the industry, he has learned the business from the ground up and had the good fortune of collaborating with top directors, including Steven Soderbergh, David O. Russell, Sam Raimi, and Robert Rodriguez.

A multi-medium visual and performance artist, Mark integrates his talents as a painter, photographer, actor, and graphic artist into each production’s look and style. He utilizes technical expertise, a keen eye for detail, and a genuine love of storytelling to transform words from concepts into visual realities.

As one of the early pioneers of the digital era, Mark is best known for co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in Crackle’s groundbreaking, Streamy award-winning series, The Bannen Way. Mark’s feature directorial debut, Murder In Mexico, was based on the actual events of Bruce Beresford-Redman, premiered on Lifetime. Last year, he directed Model Citizen and The Surrogate, both premiered on Lifetime in 2020.

For two years running, Mark has created successful spots for ESPN and Nissan’s Heisman House campaign and popular and effective branded campaigns for GMC, AOL, Capital One, Kohl's, Fox and Lifetime.

As a writer, Mark’s upcoming Audible Original True Crime books, Injustice Collector and A Devil in the Valley, will be released in the fall of 2021. He is currently pitching two tv-series with his wife, actress, writer, and director, Brianne Davis. The two produce the popular personal journals podcast, Secret Life. They live in Los Angeles with their son Davis.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 13:00:00 +0000

“People are embarrassed to even articulate out loud what they say to themselves silently.”

- Ethan Kross

Do you ever wonder why some people excel under intense pressure while other people fold? How is that an Olympic athlete can train for four years honing their skills with exact precision and in the final moment make a crucial mistake to blow their shot at gold?

Maybe you've had the experience of preparing for hours for your dream job interview and when you finally sat down to talk, you froze up and forgot everything you prepared. Or maybe you had an argument with a friend, co-worker, or partner and said something you instantly regretted, then spending the rest of the night ruminating over what you did wrong and wondering why no one likes you? Or how about that noise you hear late at night as you lie in bed, convincing yourself that it's a serial killer coming to murder you?

If you've experienced any of these situations or anything similar, then you've experienced “chatter.” Chatter is the dark side of our inner voice (and trust me, we all have it). My guest today is bestselling author Ethan Kross, a Professor of Psychology and Management, father of 2, and the bestselling author of Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It. He defines chatter as "getting stuck in a negative thought loop" and it is often the reason behind our successes or failures in high pressure situations.

Chatter is what feeds into imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs, and the worries that we consciously and unconsciously obsess over. The good news is there are tools for harnessing your chatter (and even making it your ally). In this conversation, Ethan will share the research he's uncovered and the numerous strategies he's discovered to befriend your chatter in any situation you encounter. I only wish I had discovered his book 3 weeks before I ran the American Ninja Warrior course instead of the month after. If you want to hear how my own chatter disrupted my performance on the course and how you can apply my failures to your future successes, you won’t want to skip today’s conversation.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Ethan began his journey to investigating the chatter in our minds.
What exactly is chatter and what does it mean?
Not all forms of the voice in your head are chatter.
Some forms of our inner voice are helpful and beneficial.
The dark side of the inner voice is chatter.
How much time we spend each day using our inner voice.
How the message of mindfulness has been distorted and how it should be revised.
Why awareness of our thoughts is so key to making change in our lives
The origins of our self talk.
The physical effects chatter has on our bodies and overall health.
Using a piano metaphor to understand how our genes are expressed and how chatter influences gene expression.
How chatter effects our telomeres and the way we age.
The two pieces of self control and how you need both of them to achieve your goals.
How to target imposter syndrome so it doesn't hold you back.
The story of the limiting belief script that defeated me on the Ninja Warrior course.
The mechanism behind chatter breaking down performance and how it affects executive function.
Why athletes engage in rituals before games and performances.
The physical symptoms of a threat response vs. the symptoms of a challenge response and how they help or hurt our response to experiences.
Tools for how to illicit the challenge response rather than the threat response.
What distanced self talk is and how to use to coach yourself through stressful situations.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It

Ethan Kross - Author of Chatter and Acclaimed Psychologist

Continue to Listen & Learn

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Ethan Kross is one of the world’s leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. An award-winning professor in the University of Michigan’s top ranked Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he is the director of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory.

Ethan has participated in policy discussion at the White House and has been interviewed about his research on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper Full Circle, and NPR’s Morning Edition. His research has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Science.

His book, CHATTER: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It, is a National Bestseller and was chosen as one of the best new books of the year by the Washington Post, CNN and USA Today and the Winning Winter 2021 selection for Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain and Dan Pink’s Next Big Idea Book Club.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Convincing People You Can Do The Job (When You Don’t Have the Credits) | with Chris Patterson

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:00:00 +0000

When editor and 1st AE Chris Patterson reached out to me earlier this year, he was stuck trying to figure out how to convince his colleagues he was ready to edit. He knew he had the skills, but he didn’t have the experience (or the credits) such that people were willing to take the chance on him. Not even six months later after working with me in the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program he posted this in the #wins channel in our Slack community:

Editor Chris Patterson has spent much of his career as the lead 1st AE working with some of the biggest names in editing & directing. A short list of the features he's worked on includes Ready Player One, The Post, Royal Tenenbaums, Zero Dark Thirty, The Town, and Analyze That. And Chris has worked with editors such as Michael Kahn, Dylan Tichenor, Billy Goldenberg, and many more.

But when Chris decided it was time to make the transition into the editor’s chair, he hit more than a few roadblocks:

One of his biggest fears was “bothering people” in his outreach.

Another fear was “selling himself” without sounding egotistical about his level of skill and experience in the industry (I mean c’mon...he’s worked with Spielberg!).

And ultimately he didn’t know how to address the “elephant in the room” that he didn’t have enough editing credits for someone to take a chance on him.

When the pandemic hit and Hollywood shut down, Chris recognized that he was ready to make the transition to editor. Yet his fears of bothering people and asking for help left him feeling stuck and unsure of how to make the change. That's when he joined the Optimizer community and learned some valuable lessons and tools which led him to getting a job editing his first feature.

In today's conversation, Chris talks about the challenges he faced with networking, the mindset shifts he made, and the a-ha moments he had to get him unstuck and moving to the next level of his career. And in the later half of the interview you'll hear me put Chris on the Hot Seat as we prepare him for how to confidently sell himself as a capable editor that any producer would hire for his next project.

→ Click here to learn more about working with me in the Optimizer program

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Chris got his first job working with Michael Kahn
Explanation of the two traps that keep you stuck in a career you have outgrown.
What practical questions you need to ask yourself when making a career transition.
The final straw that got Chris to say no to the assistant jobs and risk going for an editing gig.
The most valuable lesson that you don't learn in film school.
Chris's strategy for convincing people that he can be an editor.
The lessons he learned by working with the best editors in the business.
The key takeaway Chris got from my Advanced Networking class.
An exercise anyone can do to sell yourself with confidence.
How to structure your story so that your skills sell your ability when your experience doesn’t yet.
Set realistic expectations to set yourself up for success and not failure.
Chris’s advice to anyone trying to succeed in their career.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Optimizer Coaching Program

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Chris Patterson began his editing career in New York City, coming up as an assistant & associate editor under Andrew Mondshein on such films as Analyze That and Casanova. After moving to Los Angeles,he worked under such luminaries as Michael Kahn and Dylan Tichenor on such movies as Ready Player One and Zero Dark Thirty. He is currently editing Sean Patrick Flanery’s feature film directorial debut Frank and Penelope.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 13:00:00 +0000

When editor Marcella Garcia originally reached out to me in January because she was stuck in the wrong place in her career and wanted to make a seemingly impossible transition into scripted entertainment, she did not expect to be sending me this message just six months later (in the Optimizer Slack community):

Like Marcella, when people come to me for help, they commonly describe themselves as feeling stuck, overwhelmed, burned out, and ready to change. They are burdened with limiting beliefs that convince them they “can’t change,” and they have no idea what the path looks like to get where they want to go next. Whether that sounds like personal growth jargon to you or not is irrelevant - what really matters are the results.

Marcella is a shining example of the results that are possible when you put in the work. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Marcella didn't see a lot of other Mexican-American women becoming Hollywood film and television editors. Unconsciously this lack of representation held her back and even limited her dreams of what might be possible for her own career. She worked as a short form editor on digital lifestyle content for Fortune 500 magazine brands, but it wasn't until she mentored young women in high school that she realized she wanted more from her career.

This led her to join the Optimizer coaching and mentorship program, and six months later the rest is history. In our conversation you'll hear how Marcella overcame her anxious thoughts, faced her fears, and discovered how much more she's capable of achieving. You’ll also learn how she created a very clear (and very doable) path that has not only led Marcella to her first job as an assistant editor in scripted television, she's now mentoring other young women to pursue their passions in film and television becoming the representation she never had.

→ Click here to learn more about working with me in the Optimizer program

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Marcella's history in editing and what brought her to the Optimizer community in January.
The fears that held her back and made her doubt what she was capable of becoming.
The challenges of being a Mexican American woman in editing.
What led to Marcella ‘finding her why’ that has kept her motivated to keep pursuing her dreams.
The story behind Marcella's limiting beliefs and how she discovered her true passion in scripted film and television.
How she dealt with the obstacle and fear of saying no to opportunities that weren't right.
The importance of always providing value to others even when it means not getting what you think you want right away.
KEY TAKEAWAY: We’re playing a game of chess not checkers.
The factors that changed for Marcella to get her unlocked from her limiting beliefs.
Marcella's ‘Tendency’ and how she learned to deal with analysis paralysis.
Learning your secondary tendency and how to manage it.
Discovering how to pay attention to what you want and building awareness to patterns and habits that have been programmed since childhood.
How being vulnerable in the Optimizer Community helped her get a job as a scripted AE.
The incredible story of how Marcella nailed her interview to get the job she wanted.
Marcella's advice for anyone wanting to start out on this journey who feels stuck and unsure of where to start.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Optimizer Coaching Program

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level (optimizeyourself.me)

[Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller

Our Generous Sponsor:

Guest Bio:

Marcella is currently an assistant editor within the world of scripted television. Her desire to create, connect and collaborate with others to tell unique, impactful stories is what drives her to continuously grow within the film and television industry. Prior to becoming a scripted television assistant editor Marcella has worked as an editor for digital lifestyle content for Fortune 500 magazine brands and assisted on United Skates, an Emmy nominated documentary film.

If you ask her what her greatest achievements have been over the past few years, she will say overcoming her own fears and limiting beliefs. This has allowed her to continuously reach her goals which has only fueled her to begin mentoring young, creative Mexican-American women from her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. By sharing her experience she hopes to inspire others.

When she's not doing what she loves, she is drinking far too many Matcha lattes and biking around town.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to ask Better Questions and Make Genuine Connections at Networking Events like EditFest | with Denise Chan [HSF]

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

Sorry if this is coming a little late for you last-minute if you’re attending EditFest Global this weekend, but this Hot Seat happened just a few days ago. In the following hot seat session, community member and scripted Assistant Editor, Denise Chan asks me about my best tips for networking at EditFest. You’ll hear me give her a not so helpful response to her vague question and then you’ll hear me help her ask a better question as we dive into the weeds about how to make genuine connections with people and start meaningful relationships that expand your network. This short session can help you transform your next networking event into a valuable, successful, and even enjoyable experience.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Art of the Cut, Ep. 101: "Cobra Kai" Editor Zack Arnold, ACE

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn’t mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We’ll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime…

...this week I’d like to share a fairly recent interview I did with Steve Hulfish on his Art of the Cut podcast which is now a part of the Frame.io world. In this interview Steve and I do a deep dive into my work as an editor on Cobra Kai, both creatively and how I strategically landed my dream job, we talk about my larger career, what really drives me, and of course we talk at least a little bit about staying active at the office with a bit of bonus talk about my training for American Ninja Warrior. I can’t recommend Art of the Cut highly enough if you want to listen to the top editors in the world talk about their craft. You can find it via your podcast app of choice or by visiting Frame.io Insider at blog.frame.io. And now without further adieu my interview with Art of the Cut and Steve Hullfish.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at Art of the Cut podcast

→ Click here to go to Frame.io Insider home page

Get To the Core of Your Why and Optimize Yourself (from Passion in Progress Podcast)

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 13:00:00 +0000

...this week I’d like to share an interview I did with Javier Mercedes for his show Passion In Progress where Javier inspires his listeners to get out and pursue their passions by interviewing creators about their successes, failures, and wisdom gained from putting in the work, as he puts it. I’m really excited about sharing this conversation specifically because Javier and I go deep specifically about the concept of finding and defining your deeper why so that you can really have a sense of purpose and direction with your work and your life. If you want to follow Javier and all the work he’s doing in addition to this podcast interview just go to javiermercedes.com….And now without further adieu my Passion In Progress interview with Javier Mercedes.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at Passion In Progress podcast

→ Click here to go to Passion In Progress home page

Work-Life Balance in the Industry (from The Practical Filmmaker Podcast)

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +0000

...this week I’d like to share with you another interview I did last summer with Tanya Musgrave of The Practical Filmmaker, where we also discussed my viral article: Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal. Normal Wasn’t Working. In this interview we specifically talk about how to set boundaries for yourself and how reducing set hours can not only save our health and our sanity but even save productions money. I highly recommend Tanya’s Practical Filmmaker podcast which can be found at thepracticalfilmmaker.com. And now without further adieu my The Practical Filmmaker interview with Tanya Musgrave.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at The Practical Filmmaker podcast

→ Click here to go to The Practical Filmmaker home page

What's Not Working In Hollywood With Zack Arnold (from The Hollywood Success Podcast)

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +0000

...this week I’d like to share with you an interview I did last year with Erica Wernick, the host of Hollywood Success Coach, who reached out to me to discuss my article that went viral: Dear Hollywood - We Don’t Want to Go Back to Normal. Normal Wasn’t Working. We talk about what isn’t working about how Hollywood does business and treats its creative professionals and below-the-line workers. I have no doubt this will be a very interesting listen one year out with a lot more perspective about how things have changed (or haven’t) since the pandemic began. I highly recommend Erica’s show and her work as a coach. She and her podcast can be found at hollywoodsuccesscoach.com. And now without further adieu my Hollywood Success Podcast interview with Erica Wernick.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at The Hollywood Success podcast

→ Click here to go to The Hollywood Success home page

Inside Cobra Kai & Its Domination of Netflix with Zack Arnold (from Indie Film Hustle podcast)

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 13:00:00 +0000

...this week I’d like to share with you a recent interview I did with Alex Ferrari for his Indie Film Hustle podcast. We talk about a variety of topics including my work on Cobra Kai, how to maintain optimal health despite the challenges that come with being a very sedentary creative professional, and how I balance being a semi-retired editor with being an online entrepreneur, podcaster, and online coach. I highly recommend Alex’s podcast Indie Film Hustle as well as his other shows Bulletproof Screenwriting, and Filmtrepreneur, all of which can be found at indiefilmhustle.com. And now without further adieu my Indie Film Hustle interview with Alex Ferrari.

→ Click here to go to the full interview page at Indie Film Hustle

→ Click here to go to Indie Film Hustle home page

Optimize Yourself Is Going On Summer Hiatus!

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 13:45:30 +0000

Hello out there to all of my Optimize listeners & readers, I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your summer so far. This brief announcement letting you know that I and my team will be going on a summer hiatus for the next several weeks. Since the pandemic began in early March of 2020 we’ve all been going non-stop without a break doing our best to provide you with the best education, motivation, and inspiration we can to both help you weather the dumpster fire that has been the last year and a half but also continue to pursue the most fulfilling, the most enjoyable, and the most balanced lives you can. And to be honest, after releasing over 70 new episodes, writing many new articles, enrolling over 100 new students into the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program, training for my rookie season of American Ninja Warrior, editing 4 new episodes of Cobra Kai season 4, and being a parent during a pandemic...it’s time for a break. If I’m going to continue teaching you how to stay energized and avoid creative burnout, it’s time for me to practice what I preach and step away for a bit to recharge. Don’t worry, there will still be open enrollment for the coaching program in early September, and we’ll be coming back stronger than ever with new changes and upgrades to our weekly content. But in the meantime I thought I’d share with you over the course of the summer several of the interviews I’ve done with other podcasts about topics that vary from what we usually talk about on this show, such as my editorial workflow on Cobra Kai, my creative process when cutting, the behind-the-scenes of becoming an online entrepreneur, and so much more. I highly encourage you to subscribe to these other podcasts as they do a wonderful job of sharing valuable education with our global community and with the world. So keep an eye out each week for a new interview from a different show to keep you educated, motivated, and inspired during our summer hiatus. I look forward to reconnecting with you in the fall. Take care and be well.

Leveling Up Your Ability to Tell More Engaging Stories using EditMentor | with Misha Tenenbaum

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

"One video made by anyone can change the world."

- Misha Tenenbaum

Whether you are a seasoned editor, an aspiring editor, or if you're simply a creative professional who tells stories, you can always benefit from improving your visual storytelling skills. The craft of storytelling gives you the power of persuasion, the ability to affect change, and the opportunity to express yourself in a unique way. By far the most persuasive and engaging way to tell your story online (and sell a product - or yourself) is with video.

Until now, learning the language of visual storytelling has largely been limited to online tutorials that focus on the technology and how to push the right buttons. Even film school editing classes often focus more on the technical aspects of the process and less on the principles of storytelling. But the brand new browser-based NLE EditMentor revolutionizes the way we are going to learn how to edit and be better visual storytellers by not only focusing on teaching you how to edit but more importantly on why you should make the choices you do as an editor.

In today's conversation, founder and CEO of both EditStock and EditMentor Misha Tenenbaum and I take a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of EditorMentor as well as the habits and practices that enable editors and content creators to create more compelling visual stories. We discuss the value of having a great teacher and the psychology behind the teaching methods he chose when making EditMentor. Beyond the tech we also discuss the deeper theory and practices of editing, how to approach dailies & script analysis, and so much more.

No matter if you’re brand new to the craft of editing or you have years of experience but you’re looking to improve your skills even further, EditMentor is a groundbreaking new tool I highly recommend everyone try out by signing up for this free tutorial lesson.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Misha started Edit Stock and what he learned from starting his own business.
The entrepreneur mindset and what type of personality it's best suited for.
Edit Mentor is the education system for content creators.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The value out of learning to visually tell a story is self expression.
Editors are painters who use emotion as their paint.
What Edit Mentor is and what makes it different from other editing tutorials.
The difference between being an efficient editor and an effective editor.
Why dailies analysis is a critical skill that is not taught in most programs.
Edit Mentor will teach you the language of film.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Media literacy is for everybody.
The nuts and bolts of what you get from Edit Mentor.
Defining what a story is.
How seasoned editors can learn from Edit Mentor and what value they get from the lessons.
The difference between being a sculptor and a builder in regards to editing.
Habits and processes for making decisions in the editing process.
The psychology behind the education method of Edit Mentor.
Edit Mentor always gives reasons behind the answers in their challenges so you understand the logic behind the theory.
What's coming in the future for Edit Mentor and the integration with Edit Stock.
How to get started on Edit Mentor.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

VHS - Wikipedia

Continue to Listen & Learn

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

How to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Before founding EditStock and EditMentor, Misha Tenenbaum was a film and television editor. He edited shows for the Speed Channel, Food Network, and indie films. He joined the Editor's Guild in 2011 and worked as an Assistant Editor on shows like American Horror Story, JOBS, the biopic about Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, the Fox show Wayward Pines, and Quarry for Cinemax.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“I’ve fallen off the wagon with my healthy habits. Help!” | with Stanley Collado [HSF]

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Stanley Collado has “fallen off the wagon” so to speak, with his healthy habits. He’s feeling stuck in negative self criticism and is dealing with an incessant comparing mind that won’t quit. We talk about several strategies for combating limiting beliefs and getting himself back on track. This is a session we can all learn from.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What Every Recent Graduate Needs to Know About the Realities of Working In Hollywood Pt2 | with Zack Arnold (interviewed by Austin Coburn)

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In Part 1 of my conversation with college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn we discussed the many pitfalls that so many young, ambitious creatives fall into when they enter the working world hoping to “make it.”

Today's conversation is part 2 of our conversation, and in today's episode we flip the script and Austin interviews me from the perspective of a college student who is interested in creating better habits for both a successful career and a healthy lifestyle at the same time (Spoiler alert: The two do not have to be mutually exclusive). We talk about habits and strategies for working better and living healthier both in college and after graduation. And we discuss the important life skills that aren't taught in film school but are necessary to survive & thrive in the entertainment industry.

This conversation will not only benefit recent graduates but anyone looking to improve their decision making skills and enhance their well being and creativity through the development of proper habits and systems.

One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How to manage the transition from being a student to taking your first career opportunity job.
How to redefine and create balance between career, family/social life, and rest.
The habits I learned in college that were no longer serving me and how I corrected them.
Why you need to learn to turn the creativity switch off once in a while.
Tricks I use to focus, increase creativity and reduce procrastination.
How I use mindsets and environments to get the most out my productivity and creativity.
What is the triangle of quality and why you can only have two of the three.
The three pieces of equipment that I take with me to any office to facilitate movement throughout the day.
How to manage the workaholic culture and the stigma around taking movement breaks.
Finding strength in community.to create healthier work environments and cultures.
Red flags to look for in job postings that indicate a poor work environment.
Two core questions to ask yourself when considering a job.
What positive qualities to look for in potential employers and what negative qualities to avoid.
Learning the skills of what to say no to and what to say yes to.
How students can start investing in their health for a long and successful future.
The one skill that students can implement to set themselves up for good working habits in the future.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Spark Foldable Standing Desk

Topo Mat

CAP Barbell 15 Pounds Kettlebell

Tribe Resistance Band Set

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me)

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me)

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“How can I optimize my sleep habits?” | with Joshua Brecht [HSF]

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Joshua Brecht is trying to improve his sleep habits & routines. He understands the importance of getting good quality sleep and how mastering this one healthy habit will improve every other aspect of his life. You’ll hear us talk about practical ways he can improve his sleep and also a few tech gadgets that can help along the way.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What Every Recent Graduate Needs to Know About the Realities of Working In Hollywood Pt1 | with Austin Coburn

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Every year at this time there is an influx of energetic and passionate young filmmakers as they graduate from college ready to take on the world and become the next great filmmaker. Most graduates (including myself) enter their career ready to take on the world and do whatever it takes to "make it" in the industry, including:

Working ridiculously long hours,

Consistently staying up all night,

Taking on multiple jobs...

Saying ‘Yes’ to everything (because you never know if another opportunity will ever come along).

This was my mentality as well, until it inevitably led to my first massive bout of BURNOUT.

Today’s guest, college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn, began to notice that his all nighters and fast food eating habits were not the proper fuel for long-term success. His curiosity about finding work-life balance led him to talking to other students and professionals in filmmaking about their experiences, and he was so inspired by this topic he turned it into a documentary.

Because he was an avid listener of my ‘Fitness In Post’ podcast at the time, he reached out to me to be an interview subject for the film, and I found his questions and his perspective so engaging I wanted to invite him to be a guest on this show to share the student’s point of view, one I don’t get to share too often on this show.

This episode is part one of a two-part conversation. In part 1 I interview Austin about his experiences and the challenges he will face upon graduation. And in part two, we flip the script and I become the interviewee. Both parts of the conversation offer a fresh perspective on an important topic that most of us grapple with regardless of what stage we are in our career.

One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Austin decided to make a documentary on work life balance.
Austin spent his high school years on the computer editing his projects and wore his all nighters as a badge of honor.
He ate a lot of fast food and decided to go vegetarian to force himself to eat healthier.
What he learned from students he interviewed about their view on the demands of the industry.
The perception of what it takes to "make it in the industry".
Why students develop bad working habits while they're in school and how they carry over into their careers.
Why it's dangerous to think of the human body as a machine.
The dangers of developing bad eating habits while working.
How Austin learned to say no.
The different ideas of work life balance between students and Hollywood veterans.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | with Greg McKeown

Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me)

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me)

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Our Generous Sponsors:

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→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“How do I become the editor that directors keep calling for more work?” | with Chris Salters [HSF]

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, Community member Chris Salters has some questions on building his network and selling himself better on his portfolio website’s “About” page. He is currently editing commercials and is looking to get into higher end commercials and film projects. He wants to understand what it takes to be the editor that director's keep calling back for more work.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

How a Tentpole Hollywood Feature Editor Stays Healthy, Fit, and Sane | with Alan Bell, ACE

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Have you been grinding it out, "paying your dues" on the job, sacrificing social and family life, hoping that one day it will pay off and you'll finally land the top level, “tentpole” gigs you've been dreaming about your whole career?

Or maybe you're just starting your career and you're wondering how much you need to sacrifice in order to achieve your lifelong dream of winning major awards and if it’s even worth it?

Most importantly, perhaps you’re constantly asking yourself:

“Is it even possible to work as a successful creative professional and still enjoy spending time with family and friends, taking time off to enjoy vacations, and having time to pursue other interests and goals in life?”

I can't think of anyone more qualified to answer these questions than my good friend, mentor, and Hollywood tentpole editor Alan Bell, ACE who has edited such films as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay (parts 1 &2), The Amazing Spider-Man, and 500 Days of Summer, to name a very select few.

In this conversation Alan freely shares his habits and routines and the changes he's made to keep himself healthy and sane during his insanely demanding work schedules. He reveals his honest thoughts on how many hours need to be worked and whether anything can be done to change the demands placed upon editors & creative professionals in the entertainment industry. He also shares some of the perks that come with being at the top and working on big budget films while offering tips that anyone can implement for healthier snacking and higher energy levels throughout your workday.

One quick caveat: This interview was originally recorded several years ago back in the “Fitness In Post” days, so you'll hear some references to that program along with some talk about working in offices, (remember that??) clearly pre-pandemic. But the topics of discussion are still relevant issues that we're all confronting today, so for those that missed this interview the first time, I hope it provides as much value now as it did when it was first released.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How post production affected his competitive rock climbing career.
The routine Alan developed to help himself lose 23 pounds in 4 and a half months.
Why counting calories is not an effective long-term weight loss strategy.
How counting calories can be useful as an initial barometer for what you’re eating and building awareness around that.
The mindset shift that Alan used to create healthier eating habits.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Food is nourishment for the mind and body.
How Alan recalibrated his fullness level and began to understand how the types of calories he eats affects his hunger levels and how he feels.
The difference between emotional eating and eating to fuel your body.
A day in the life of Alan Bell on a tent pole film.
Alan's honest assessment of the hours he works and what it takes to work at the level he works at on a consistent basis.
How Alan has improved his memory over the last 4 months.
The role that finances play in your ability to choose the right projects and take the downtime you need.
Healthy replacements for snacking habits.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

MyFitnessPal

How ‘Midnight Rider’ Victim Sarah Jones Lost Her Life: A Train, a Narrow Trestle and 60 Seconds to Escape – The Hollywood Reporter

Continue to Listen & Learn

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Film editor Alan Edward Bell A.C.E., is best known for his work on (500) Days of Summer, ‘Water For Elephants’, ‘The Amazing Spiderman’, and the last three installments of the “Hunger Games” series. His resume spans 30 years in post-production, and includes a long list of credits in editorial as well as visual effects. Over the last 15 years he has been pushing the limits of what is possible in the cutting room by blending visual effects and editing techniques. Alan currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 13:00:00 +0000

For my regular readers & listeners I know I may sound like a broken record at this point, but when it comes to forging your career path in any field it comes down to the same basic components:

You need to clearly identify the right ladder to climb.
You need to focus on becoming awesome at your craft.
You need to make sure the right people know you are awesome at your craft.

Having natural talent definitely doesn’t hurt, but talent alone doesn’t automatically entitle you to success. And working on projects you love never happens because of my least favorite word - “luck.” The difference between success and failure almost always comes down to perseverance, consistency, and building solid relationships. Today I’d like to add one additional ingredient that is often overlooked (but is the hidden superpower for longevity as a creative professional).

That ingredient is humility.

My guest today is a multiple award winning, seasoned film and television editor, Scott Powell, ACE, who is best known for his work on 9 seasons of the Fox series 24 where he was awarded 5 Emmy nominations, 3 American Cinema Editors (Eddie) nominations, and 2 wins. He has since worked on Prison Break, Person of Interest, The Chi, The Orville, and most recently, Queen of the South. But to hear him talk about his career path he's about as humble as they come.

Despite believing that “you need to be an a**hole to make it to the top in Hollywood because nice guys finish last,” humility is a valuable asset in any career path you will pursue. In our conversation you'll hear why it's so important to cultivate humility in your own life and the relationships you build throughout your career and how to better do so. Like me, Scott is a natural mentor who has helped many land their dream gigs and offers words to anyone hoping to climb the ladder and become a successful editor in network & streaming television.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Scott's origin story of becoming an editor.
The unusual way Scott got hired on the Fox series 24
KEY TAKEAWAY: Persistence pays off in the editing bay.
Why Scott doesn’t have a lot of assistant editor credits on his IMDB profile.
How he made an impression on the producer for 24 to get hired.
Advice from his dad that has served him well (along with some great stories).
Why Scott enjoys mentoring and the mutual benefits it provides to himself and his mentees.
What Scott looks for when he's hiring an assistant editor.
How his relationships are the foundation of his career.
Why Scott has an agent despite his ability to get his own jobs.
The value of having an agent and how to build trust and loyalty with an agent.
What it would take for Scott to recommend someone for the editor's chair on a show he's on.
Scott's advice to someone trying to make it in the industry and what he would change from his own life.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Television Documentary

Reality TV

24 TV Series

How to Negotiate Your Real Value (and Advocate For Yourself) As an Assistant Editor | with Scott Jacobs

Motion Picture Film

Mentorship, Networking, and Surviving Hollywood Blockbusters | with Dody Dorn, ACE

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

[CASE STUDY] Why People Don’t Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Scott Powell was born in 1958 in Los Angeles. He’s the son of Producer Norman S. Powell and the grand son of entertainers Joan Blondell and Dick Powell. He started his career in 1984 as an apprentice editor and received his first editing credit in 1988. Since then he’s enjoyed a diverse career editing long-form and series TV, feature films, award winning documentaries, commercials, and music videos.

He is best known for his work on 9 seasons of the Fox series 24 where he was awarded 5 Emmy nominations, 3 American Cinema Editors (Eddie) nominations and 2 wins.

Scott Powell is a current member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, American Cinema Editors, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is also a photographer and owner of North Pond Images, Inc. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Laurie.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“How do I write an effective About Page?” | with Jonathan Hodges [HSF]

Fri, 28 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Jonathan Hodges wants to workshop his About Page for his portfolio website as an assistant editor. Most people make the mistake of thinking that your about page is about you. I and my Optimizer students take a different approach that you’ll learn more about in today’s session which can help you gain more attention and attract the right types of employers for exactly the jobs you’re most excited about. Listen in as we discuss these strategies that you can apply to your own About Page, IMBd biography, cover letter, and more...no matter what your profession is.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Mob Scene CEO Tom Grane on What It Takes to Succeed in Trailers & Marketing (Without Sacrificing Work-Life Balance)

Wed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

"We work to live. We don't live to work."

- Tom Grane

When I first began my career in Hollywood the concept of life outside of work was completely foreign to me. I assumed the only way to reach my goals was to sacrifice my health and sanity for the sake of a great résumé, only to discover those early habits become lifelong habits if you’re not careful. Once this mentality sets in and you set this expectation with others it can be practically impossible to reverse. That is why I am actively trying to change the conversation around our “get it done at all costs” work culture and collaborate with employers and business owners who understand the importance of work-life balance.

Early in my career I was fortunate enough to experience a work culture where well-being was a priority at what was then a small fledgling trailer & marketing agency. Fast-forward fifteen years and today Mob Scene is one of the top movie marketing companies in the business - largely because of the culture that co-founder and CEO Tom Grane created from the very start. This innovative company has been an integral part of the marketing campaigns for projects like Avatar, Stranger Things, Fast 9, Wonder Woman, Joker, Knives Out, and The Trial of the Chicago 7...and that’s just recently. Historically they have provided marketing and original content for more marketing campaigns than I could list if I had the entire episode to do so.

Having a background as a studio executive for 20th Century Fox, Tom admits to having a strong work ethic, and he’s spent his fair share of hours working late and being away from his family. But his motivation when he founded Mob Scene was to create more flexibility with his time and be more available to his family, and he believed in fostering an environment that provides the same flexibility for his team. In our conversation we discuss a variety of topics that can help creatives better understand what it takes to get an opportunity at a company like Mob Scene, that can help producers and business owners better understand the importance of fostering work-life balance with your teams, and that can help all of us better understand how to navigate our constantly changing landscape of content whether we’re working from home, at the office, or adopting a hybrid work environment.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Tom got his start in the entertainment industry.
What led Tom to working for Fox for 16 years and then taking the leap to opening his own marketing company.
Tom’s advice to young people just starting out in the business.
How Tom created the culture of Mob Scene.
Why they chose the name Mob Scene for the company and meaning behind the logo.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Family and teamwork are the foundation of what makes Mob Scene successful.
How Tom encourages trailer editors to do their best work and survive the competitive nature of the business.
Why Tom knew from day one he wanted to create a division-less company and how it has helped them survive over the years.
The changes that streaming platforms have made to the marketing industry and how Mob Scene has adapted.
What's missing from the work from home experience.
Alternate working options coming out of the COVID pandemic.
Why it's important to have in-person interactions and what we miss when it's taken away.
Understanding the criteria that sets people apart when it comes to getting hired.
How the promotion system works at Mob Scene and why they primarily promote from within.
The lack of diversity in the trailer world and how he's trying to change it at Mob Scene.
The most important soft skills necessary for getting hired.
The importance of identifying the ‘note beneath the note.’
Why young people just starting out should look for companies that promote work/life balance.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Your connections can also be your friends.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

DVD - Wikipedia

Mob Scene

Tom Grane's Facebook Page

Continue to Listen & Learn

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Thomas C. Grane is a graduate of the USC School for Cinematic Arts with over 25 years of experience in motion picture and entertainment marketing. Grane previously spent 16 years as a Sr. Vice President of Creative Content and Creative Advertising at 20th Century Fox, where he originated the creative content department and worked on over 200 film campaigns for a wide variety of films, including; MOULIN ROUGE, CAST AWAY, ICE AGE, and HOME ALONE.

In 2006, Grane co-founded Mob Scene Creative + Productions. In ten years, the innovative company has grown to become a “go to” agency for all of Hollywood’s top studios and networks and has been an integral part of the marketing campaigns for projects, like; AVATAR, ARGO, THE DEPARTED, THE HURT LOCKER, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, BIRDMAN, THE GREEN BOOK, THE X-MEN Franchise, The PLANET OF THE APES Franchise, The FAST AND FURIOUS Franchise, and FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Franchise. The company also produces original programing; such as, The FX MOVIE DOWNLOAD and the talk show for SONS OF ANARCHY called ANARCHY AFTERWORD. Grane recently produced and directed the original National Geographic Channel program, TITANIC: 20 Years Later with James Cameron.

Grane is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Producers Guild of America. In addition to having won numerous Clio awards for his marketing work, Grane was also nominated for a primetime Emmy in 2010.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“I’m stuck and don’t know how to get over my fear of failure” | with Jeffrey Lerner [HSF]

Fri, 21 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Jeffrey Lerner is dealing with career anxiety which is manifesting itself largely as procrastination. As many of my students (myself included) have discovered in the past, the root cause of procrastination is often a bigger psychological issue rooted in perfectionism. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a job you didn’t want but were paralyzed to make a change, listen in to see how Jeffrey’s situation might apply to your own.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Understanding the Difference Between Integrative & Traditional Medicine | with Dr. Edison de Mello

Wed, 19 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

When it comes to health and wellness there is no shortage of information on the interwebs. I would argue that there is way too much information, and trying to sift through what's true and what's garbage is enough to make anyone throw up their hands in despair. (And don’t even get me started on the number of “thought leaders” and “influencers” complicating things even further). Because it’s so difficult to discern what works and what’s a gimmick, most people only approach their health on an as-needed basis (who’s got time for anything else?). When something goes wrong, you go to the doctor. In fact, that’s what our traditional medical system is designed to do - treat sickness.

But what if you strive to be more than just “not sick” and instead you want to optimize your health?

I spent most of my life simply thinking the doctor was there to help me when I was sick, which led me to literally hitting rock bottom both mentally and physically before I decided to take an active role in my health and well-being. When I finally looked for help I was disillusioned by what conventional western medicine doctors had to offer me. Then I found Dr. Edison de Mello and The Akasha Center.

Dr. Edison de Mello, is the founder, CEO, and medical director of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in Santa Monica, CA and has been my doctor for over fifteen years now. He’s also now become a very close friend who has literally saved not just my life but the lives of several of my closest family members and friends. In today’s conversation we help you better understand what “Integrative Medicine” really means (and trust me, it has nothing to do with magic crystals or incense). We also discuss the benefits of having regular doctor's visits (even if you feel fine) and how the work he does in integrative medicine treats the patient as a whole person and not just simply the disease.

If you're discouraged with traditional western medicine and looking for a more comprehensive and preventative approach to your health, this episode is a great primer on getting started down the road towards integrative medicine and a better approach to your well-being.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Dr. de Mello started out and what sparked his interest in becoming a doctor.
Why he started the Akasha Center in Santa Monica and what the guiding premise is of the center.
What the benefits and drawbacks of western medicine are and how integrative medicine can compliment it.
The mood enhancing and immunity boosting benefits of acupuncture.
Integrative medicine is for patients that want to be truly "seen" by their doctors.
Why he asks his medical students to tell him what the color of the patient's eyes are.
Is integrative medicine for you? What questions you need to ask yourself.
Which vitamin is the miracle vitamin that most people are deficient in.
What small steps you can take toward better health and wellbeing.
The differences in calories: quality vs. quantity.
The easy trick to reduce the number of calories you eat during meal time.
Are there good fats or bad fats? Which should you be eating?
How to properly fuel your body and why timing matters.
The importance of listening to your body when you are exercising.
The difference between high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and steady state low intensity cardio training.
What supplements to take to fuel your workouts.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Consistency leads to habit change.
How to get better quality sleep.
What effect computer screens have on the brain and how it influences your ability to sleep.
The best supplements to take to improve your quality of sleep.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

The Akasha Center

Akasha Naturals

Vital Fuel

About Dr. de Mello

Is Sugar Toxic? - The New York Times

f.lux: software to make your life better

Continue to Listen & Learn

Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello

The Science Behind Depression and Anxiety | with Dr. D and Dr. Michael Mark

Why Supplements Are Worth the Investment (And The Ones You Can Trust)

Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes

On the Frontlines with COVID-19, How to Boost Your Immunity, & Testing Safely | with Dr. Edison de Mello

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“What questions do I ask to determine if a company is the right fit for me?” | with Ariel Fujita [HSF]

Fri, 14 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Ariel Fujita wants help preparing for a meet & greet phone call (that she landed via awesome outreach, by the way) with a color assistant at a big color facility to determine if it would be a company she would like to work for. It is always critical to ask the right questions and understand what your key takeaways would be to make the conversation worthwhile. Listen in as we discuss a game plan and strategy so she can get her most important questions answered and possibly build a new long-term relationship in the process.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

20 Questions to Ask Your Mom on Mother’s Day Pt2 | with Jane Arnold

Thu, 13 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

For a long time now I’ve wanted to sit down and do an interview with my mother to ask her the big questions about life that we seldom (if ever) really discuss. So for this Mother’s Day, I decided it was time to prioritize this conversation, even if it meant having to suffer through the perils of recording on Zoom as opposed to chatting face-to-face.

This episode is a very special and personal one that I recorded for me, not for social media shares, not for search engine optimization, and not to grow an email list. This one is for me. But my hope is that listening to today’s conversation inspires you to reach out to your parents (if you’re fortunate enough they are still alive), or your siblings, or those who helped shape the person you are today so you can have an honest conversation just like this one.

This is the second of a 2 part interview where I’ve created a series of 20 specific questions I’m calling “20 Questions to Ask Your Mom On Mother’s Day” (which can of course be repurposed to suit your needs). These questions were inspired by a similar exercise from high performance coach Brendon Burchard in this Facebook post. Here is Part 1 of the interview if you haven't listened to it yet.

If you’d like to use the same 10 questions I asked in the first part of this interview, here they are:

YOUR FAMILY

How did you meet your spouse, when, and how did you know they were the one?
Were you scared to become a parent?
What is your proudest memory of being a parent?
What three words would best describe your approach to being a parent?
In regards to both their careers and life choices, what is the most important thing my children should focus on?

YOUR LIFE

What three words would you say best describe who you tried to be in life and how you want to be remembered?
What were the three best decisions you’ve ever made?
What are you most proud of in life?
What message do you have for your spouse that you want her/him to always keep in mind about you and your relationship together?
What are you most thankful for?

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep150: 20 Questions to Ask Your Mom on Mother’s Day Pt1 | with Jane Arnold

Ep108: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt1 | with Al Arnold

Ep109: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt2 | with Al Arnold

Parenting Resources for Creative Professionals

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

From 1995 to 2015, Jane Arnold was a part-time instructor at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota, Viterbo University, Wisconsin Bankers Association, Northcentral Technical College and Connected University Harper Collins Publishing. She was also a Macintosh expert at Wisconsin Public Radio.

She graduated from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in 1971 and finished her masters in 1976. She was the founder and president of Wisconsin Council for Gifted and Talented from 1975-1978 and was also involved in various gifted programs until 1982. She was also a part of the Project HAPPE from 1974-1978.

Aside from her career in education, Jane was also the Vice President of Bank One Wisconsin Trust Company. She was also active in the community, being involved in organizations such as the YWCA GREATER Milwaukee, Girl Scouts of Greater Milwaukee, University Lake School and Waukesha County Technical College.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

20 Questions to Ask Your Mom on Mother’s Day Pt1 | with Jane Arnold

Tue, 11 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

This is the first of a 2 part interview where I’ve created a series of 20 specific questions I’m calling “20 Questions to Ask Your Mom On Mother’s Day” (which can of course be repurposed to suit your needs). These questions were inspired by a similar exercise from high performance coach Brendon Burchard in this Facebook post.

If you’d like to use the same 10 questions I asked in the first part of this interview, here they are:

YOUR BACKGROUND

When were you born, where, and what memories come to mind when you think about growing up as a young child?
What are the most formative memories or experiences you had as a child or teenager that led you to the person you have become today?
What is the most important lesson you learned from your mom?
What is the most important lesson you learned from your dad?
If your parents were still alive today and could talk to my kids (their great-grandchildren), what would they want to share with them?

YOUR CAREER

What path did you begin on in life when you first became an adult and why?
What career path (or paths) have you followed since then and why?
What do (did) you love the most about your career?
What makes you successful at what you do?
What do you believe about yourself that has helped you endure difficult times, and what is the most difficult experience you remember teaching you this lesson?

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Continue to Listen & Learn

Ep108: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt1 | with Al Arnold

Ep109: 20 Questions to Ask Your Father on Father’s Day Pt2 | with Al Arnold

Parenting Resources for Creative Professionals

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Guest Bio:

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins

Tue, 04 May 2021 13:00:00 +0000

If I were to ask you what your greatest asset is in producing quality creative work on a consistent daily basis, you would most likely say your computer, right? Despite technology being incredibly important for your work, ultimately it’s your brain that is responsible for every function you perform and how well you perform creatively depends on the overall health of your brain.

Yet as a creative professional you most likely fuel yourself on a daily basis with caffeine and afternoon sugar rushes, you fend off brain fog and the inevitable afternoon nap, and you’ll deprive yourself of sleep for however long it takes to make your latest project perfect.

But how is your modern lifestyle not only affecting your general health but also your brain health? And how much do you know about what your brain needs to function optimally? What if there were simple steps you could take to improve your brain function so that you have more consistent energy and more creativity throughout the day? What if there were easy ways to improve your mood, reduce stress, anxiety, burnout and even stave off degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's in the process?

My guest today is Dr. Dave Jenkins, co-founder of The More Model. With experience in both the traditional medical fields as well as functional and integrative medicine, Dr. Jenkins specializes specifically in brain health and how we can optimize our brain function and fight back against the “diseases of modern civilization.” He shares with us some encouraging research being done in the field of brain health and cognitive performance and how you can take a proactive role in optimizing your brain power. This conversation will make it clear why paying attention to your brain health is vitally important to your career while giving you simple and practical ways to increase your creativity, productivity, and give you consistent energy to fuel your long days at your workstation (all while extending your life as well).

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Here's What You'll Learn:

What sparked Dr. Jenkins interest in studying the brain and getting into functional and integrative medicine.
The difference between integrative medicine and functional medicine.
Alopathic medicine does not adequately train doctor's in diet and nutrition
The reputation of the Cleveland Clinic and how it's at the forefront of functional medicine.
What is the MORE Model
Alzheimer's is the result of modern life.
The research from UCLA doctor Dr. Dale Bredeson that explains why brain cells die and documents the reversal of Alzheimer's in it's early stages.
Managing inflammation, coupled with mindfulness meditation and focus is a good recipe for improving brain health.
Changing the priority of health is the first step to be take before a doctor can
The discovery of the glymphatic system and how it relates to your sleep
How bad sleep leads to brain fog and why.
Melatonin is a hormone and what you need to understand before taking it.
Bumping up nutrient density in your diet is excellent for brain health
The special way to eat your broccoli sprouts to extract the most beneficial detox and brain boosting effects.
The contributing factors that lead to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's that starts early in life and can be reversed if caught early.
White bread is worse than sugar for the brain.
The evidence that shows why movement is so crucial for brain health and longevity.
The hippocampus is the first pat of the brain that is affected by Alzheimer's. You can grow this part of the brain with exercise.
How you can get started creating habits that will improve your brain health.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Dave Jenkin's Website

Dr. Dale Bredesen says we CAN end Alzheimer's | The Dr. Gundry Podcast

The Food Pyramid: Its History, Purpose, and Effectiveness

Sitting is the New Smoking | Mayo Clinic Connect

How Regular Movement Makes You Smarter | with Dr. John Ratey

How Being Sedentary Is Damaging You (According to NASA) | with Dr. Joan Vernikos

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Our Generous Sponsors:

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Guest Bio:

Dr. Dave Jenkins qualified from Otago University Medical School in New Zealand in 1982. His career included general practice when he had one of the largest rural practices in New Zealand. He is the founder of “The More Model” that helps clients reverse disease and achieve ultimate health and longevity. This includes a special interest in brain fog, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

He has already retired as a doctor (which means he is not currently practicing as nor registered as a doctor) to pursue education through senior lectureships at Auckland medical school, executive director for education for an Asian corporate health project and founding NGO SurfAid International where he currently works part time.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Establish a Consistent Fitness Habit | with Joshua Brecht [HSF]

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Joshua Brecht is trying to improve his health and fitness and establish the habit of working out consistently so he can be a more present and energetic father as well as have the energy necessary to keep building his business. Despite his good intentions, he’s having trouble finding motivation on a daily basis. Listen in as I help guide Joshua to some simple yet effective solutions to this very common problem we can all relate to.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

“I Was Fired For Requesting a Single Mental Health Day” | with Jim Page

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

When editor Jim Page recently tweeted about getting fired for requesting a single mental health day, it caught a lot of people's attention. Depression, long work hours, and burnout are all too common in the entertainment industry. The gig economy and being a freelancer instills fear and insecurity in creative professionals leaving us feeling undervalued and pressured to outperform and outlast.

Thread. Please RT.

I'm scared to say this publically, but I feel I need to. Recently I was fired from a show on a major TV channel because I needed a day off for mental health reasons. I made the mistake of being honest, instead of pretending to have a physical sickness.

— Jimstagram (@iamjimpage) March 17, 2021

My own experience with burnout is what led me to start the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program so I could start to teach people to take positive steps towards healthier lifestyles and improved working conditions. After seeing Jim's tweet, I knew I had to have him on the show to talk about this important topic.

Jim Page has been editing for 15 years in the UK cutting features, shorts, documentaries, and many other types of media. His work includes the feature "The Pugilist" which was nominated for the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, while short film "No More Wings" won best film at Tribeca, and "Hair Cut" was long listed for a BAFTA. Like many creatives, Jim is passionate about his work and takes pride in what he does. But the burden of the "The Passion Tax" often becomes too much to bear without sacrificing physical and mental well-being. Jim and I discuss ways in which creatives can take action on their own behalf and embrace the power of saying no.

If you have ever felt like the long hours aren't worth the toll on your happiness and health, then this episode will inspire you to take control of your career and bring your life back into balance, not to mention helping you learn how to set boundaries or yourself, even if those boundaries might cost you a gig.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Jim calls himself an Award Losing Editor
The Twitter post that went viral and got my attention.
Jim's history of mental health problems since he was 14 years old.
The division between above the line and below the line workers makes change for mental health issues impossible.
Jim’s struggle with depression and how he got started in editing.
The fear that comes from being a freelancer knowing you can easily be replaced.
How to take responsibility of your own mental health.
What happened when Jim learned to say no to jobs he didn’t feel passionate about.
KEY TAKEAWAY: There’s no shame in saying no to a paycheck job but saying yes out of fear often leads to burnout and unhappiness.
The lifestyle changes that Jim has made to improve his mental health.
Ways that you can set yourself up for success in your career while balancing your mental health and lifestyle.
How to clearly communicate your needs to potential employers so that expectations are set properly from the beginning.
What's next for Jim.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Jim's Twitter Post About Getting Fired

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

Jim's Facebook Page

Jim's Instagram Page

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working.

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

Our Generous Sponsors:

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Guest Bio:

Named a Berlinale Talent in 2021, and a BAFTA Crew Talent for 7 years running, Jim Page has 15 years of experience cutting features, shorts, documentaries. His work includes feature "The Pugilist" which was nominated for the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival, whilst short "No More Wings" won best film at Tribeca, and"Hair Cut" was longlisted for a BAFTA. His work has drawn praise from David Fincher, Mark Romanek and David Yates amongst others. In addition to his cinematic work, he is also a respected editor of documentaries.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

I’ve achieved my goals, Now What?| with David Feinberg [HSF]

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member David Feinberg has had some huge wins and achieved some long-standing goals that he set when he began the Optimizer program over a year ago. Now he’s come up against the obvious question: What’s next? Does he use his momentum to keep striving towards even bigger and better goals, or does he take some time to adapt and enjoy the accomplishments he’s achieved? There’s no right answer to this question as it’s unique to each individual’s journey, but listen in to learn the questions that David must ask himself to determine the right next steps for him.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

[CASE STUDY] From Total Burnout to Shooting for the Moon (Literally) | with David J. Turner

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

You would think that being nominated for an Eddie Award for your first feature documentary credit would be a dream right? For David J. Turner, the editor of Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound it absolutely was...but making it the finish line of a grueling project that took years to complete came at a pretty steep price, not the least of which was ending up in the emergency room just weeks before picture lock.

Which begs the question...what price are you ultimately willing to pay to hold whatever your version of a gold statue is?

And more importantly, do you have to make that choice at all, or is there a better way to pursue your professional goals while maintaining some semblance of work-life balance?

As a filmmaker and storyteller who wears multiple hats beyond editing such as composing, cinematic sound editing, sound design, and documentary filmmaking and shooting, David found himself under an immense amount of self-induced pressure to deliver on his very first big project. When he found my article, Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working he felt relieved that many others out there were feeling like he was - burned out, exhausted, and fed up with having to make the choice between health and success. At this point he was questioning whether he still wanted to be in the business at all anymore. Desperate to find a better way David decided to join my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program.

In today’s candid discussion David I talk about the steps he took to slowly rebuild his health one “easy win” at a time, and then we dive into the deeper limiting beliefs that were holding David back from pursuing his next big project (not the least of which were perfectionism and imposter syndrome). And then we talk about the seismic mindset shift that David made that allowed him to go from thinking he wasn’t in a place to pursue difficult projects to literally applying for the opportunity to travel to the moon (no really...literally applying to fly to the moon). Learn how you too can apply the simple steps that David did to start building habits & routines that will set you up for success in both work and life.

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» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How David landed his dream gig on Making Waves.
David's self-induced pressure on the job led to unhealthy work habits.
Suffering from burnout, he came to me asking the question, "Do I really want to do this job anymore?"
The story of how he ended up in the hospital at the end of the project with typhus.
The paradox of unshakable focus: Is it a superpower or kryptonite?
Managing the costs of trying to sprint a marathon.
The first easy win that David tackled to recover from months of burnout.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Small steps lead to big changes.
How David has dealt with losing momentum on healthy habits and getting back on track.
The lifestyle habits that boosted David's career and creativity.
How a paint can project became a metaphor for David's perfectionism and limiting beliefs.
Discovering the deeper psychological reasons that were getting David stuck.
KNOWING YOURSELF BETTER QUESTION → What would you pursue if you could get rid of all expectations?
David's skepticism about creating an ideal calendar turned into finding his own way to make time blocking work for him.
How Trello became the one stop organizer for all David's to-do lists and tasks.
Why it's necessary to go through Focus Yourself before pursuing networking.
The confidence that David gained during the Optimizer program led to him reaching for the moon, LITERALLY.
How shooting for the moon has shifted his perspective and made him excited to live his life again.
David's advice to others who might be where he was before he started the program.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working

FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport

The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen

Japanese billionaire seeks eight people to fly to Moon - BBC News

Continue to Listen & Learn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

David J. Turner is an ACE Eddie-nominated film editor, a Cinema Audio Society-winning sound mixer, and a 23 Telly Award-winning documentary director. From 2004 to 2008, he traveled around the world as a videographer based out of Minneapolis, MN - helping raise over $3 million for crisis response domestically and internationally, and garnering 23 Telly Awards for his documentaries. He went on to earn an MFA in Film & Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts in 2011, and discovered a passion for film editing and sound design that led him to teach sound re-recording mixing at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and picture editing at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. In 2013, he worked as a sound editor and Foley mixer on Fruitvale Station - the directorial debut of Black Panther director Ryan Coogler. He then embarked on a years-long journey as a film editor and production sound mixer on the documentary Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound. The film premiered in 2019 at the Cannes Film Festival, and David was nominated for an ACE Eddie award and won a Cinema Audio Society award for his sound mixing work. Currently, David is pursuing his lifelong passion for music composition, which he is building into a second career alongside his filmmaking.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Leverage Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Marcella Garcia [HSF]

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Marcella Garcia is hoping to make some action plans for the obstacles she’s encountering with her goal of becoming a scripted television editor. Many of her obstacles are limiting beliefs that many of us encounter when making a career transition such as believing no one will hire us without experience even though we already have the necessary skills. Listen in as we uncover how Marcella can reframe her doubts and insecurities and leverage the skills she already has to build her confidence so she can convince the right people she’s the best fit for the job.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

[CASE STUDY] From “Out of Ideas” to Becoming an Idea Machine | with Paul Del Vecchio

Tue, 13 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

When filmmaker Paul Del Vecchio reached out to me six months ago, he had a successful career as a high-end commercial editor, director of photography, and colorist. He had climbed to the top of the ladder in his corner of the world - the trouble was that he was at the top of the wrong ladder and didn’t want to be there anymore. How did he end up there like so many others do? Simple - Paul said yes to practically every opportunity that came his way his entire career, an answer driven largely out of fear. He found that every time he tried to pursue his true calling of writing and directing, he had nothing left to give his own projects because he gave all his mental, physical, and creative energy to other people’s projects. In fact, Paul struggled so much to get into the rhythm of writing again that he convinced himself he had run out of ideas.

Here’s a Slack message that Paul sent me recently after working through his many fears and obstacles in my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program:

Not bad for a guy who was burned out and “out of ideas.”

So how did Paul become an absolute productivity ninja? We talk all about the strategies he implemented in todays episode including:

Alleviating his financial fears of not being able to afford saying no to the wrong jobs (which was total BS he was making up in his head)
Implementing a system of external accountability and financial management to have confidence he could turn down the wrong projects and focus on the right ones
Building in new daily habits to help reignite his creativity that would inspire him to go back to writing again (a habit he had all but given up on).

Paul’s ideas are now abundant and he's no longer "busy" doing everyone else's work, but rather he's productive and focused on his own work. Paul is here today to candidly and honestly share his story and tell you in his own words the steps he took to turn his career around and rediscover his own creative flow so if you’re stuck in a similar place you too can get back on track.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How Paul's obliger tendency led to him climbing to the top of the wrong ladder.
The key mindsets Paul implemented to begin making changes in his life.
The film contest that Paul won but didn't bring the opportunities he hoped for.
How Paul began to create his own opportunities.
Paul’s reaction to his own words played back to him about how stuck he was 6 months ago.
Paul admits to skepticism in the beginning of the program but decided to trust the process and see what happens.
KEY TAKEAWAY: The smallest of steps lead to big changes.
How Paul uses accountability to keep himself writing and working towards his goals.
The finance system that allowed him to let go of his fear and feel confident about saying no to jobs he didn't want to do.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Saying yes to something means saying no to many other things such as time, freedom and creativity.
Paul was terrified of beginning the outreach process in the Advanced Networking program.
Paul shares the secret to not feeling like you are bothering people when you reach out to them.
Paul describes his experience of writing, sending, and getting a response to his first outreach email.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Make your outreach emails easy to respond to by asking if you can ask a question.
What Paul learned from a connecting with a director via cold outreach.
Why asking for advice is not the best way to get the most valuable information from people.
Paul reflects on the changes and progress he's made over the last 6 months of being in the Optimizer community.
Paul's advice for anyone wanting to make a change in their life.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Myspace - Wikipedia

Trello

The Four Tendencies' (aka 'The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

Continue to Listen & Learn

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

[Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller

Want a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things (optimizeyourself.me)

The 5 Most Common Mistakes You're Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them) (optimizeyourself.me)

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Paul Del Vecchio is a Promo & Commercial Editor, Colorist, and DP in NYC who has done work for companies like NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, USA Networks, TNT, Conde Nast, and Viacom on brands such as Furious 7, The Hunger Games, Mr. Robot, Crimson Peak, Hennessy, Michael Kors, Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Bon Appetit, and more.

As a Director, his film, "The Final Day," was hand picked by legendary filmmaker George Romero and The Weinstein Company as the Grand Prize Winner in the "Diary of the Dead" contest. The film is in the special features of the "Diary of the Dead" Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Release.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Preparing for a “Meet & Greet” conversation with a potential mentor | with Paul Del Vecchio [HSF]

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Paul Del Vecchio is looking for help in preparing for a zoom meeting with a new connection he established through cold outreach. He wants to make sure he provides value to this person while also making it clear how this person can help him in his own journey. Listen in to hear the advice I give and how Paul can ensure this is a fruitful conversation for everyone involved that could potentially lead to longer term mentorship...and if he plays his card right, maybe even his dream job someday!

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

[CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin

Tue, 06 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

Last year writer/director Sam Lavin came to me because she had never felt more scattered. Amidst unemployment and managing the pandemic she said to me: “I’m typically a very ambitious person, but I’m finding it hard to stay on projects and get things done. I’m not motivated because I don’t know what I should be doing.”

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

What brought Sam to the Optimizer community and her career leading up to now.
Sam's daily routine before she became a student in the Focus Yourself program.
How we helped settle Sam's scattered mind and anxiety about where her career was headed.
The obstacles Sam encountered when trying to find focus and clarity in her life.
The mindset change that helped Sam make the transition from 2nd AD to 1st AD.
How the Focus Gym helped her finish her pilot that she hadn't been able to complete before.
The piece of feedback she received that changed her mindset about becoming a director.
How the cancellation of an AFI program she had applied for gave her confidence to network more.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Your beliefs about yourself have the power to transform your life.
Networking saved Sam from doing unnecessary steps to transition her career to the next level.
Sam breaks down the skills necessary to become a director and what you can and can't learn by being a 1st AD.
What positions most commonly get to the director's chair from film and television crews.
The goal every 1st AD has to keep in mind when on set.
How the politics of being a woman as an AD has made it tricky to navigate her career.
Understanding the difference between confidence and arrogance and how to apply it to your career.
How applying logic to networking was the key to helping Sam shift her mindset to make it work for her.
What is the magic formula for networking and how it relieves the anxiety of reaching out.
Sam's advice to anyone who feels like she did a year ago before she started the program.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Work With Me | Optimize Yourself

Continue to Listen & Learn

I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

Our Generous Sponsors:

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Guest Bio:

Sam Lavin is an award winning DGA director, assistant director and writer who has worked on film and television projects including “Lucifer”, “The Mayor” and “Criminal Minds”.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Which Job Should I Take? | with Sam Lavin [HSF]

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Sam Lavin faces the inevitable decision that is so common in the entertainment industry, especially for freelancers: which job do I say yes to, and which is a no? At some point, we all have to decide between multiple job offers. It’s easy to see this as an enviable problem, but nonetheless it’s a problem that should be handled with careful consideration. Sometimes advancing your career forwards requires the courage to say no to the obvious opportunity and yes to the better fit that might not be as easy to commit to in the short term. Listen in as Sam and I discuss the many factors that go into helping her debate between upcoming opportunities and where to place her focus and energy.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres

Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program I teach my students that in order to enjoy their work (and not end up burning out) it’s imperative that they learn how to work smarter and not harder. Most people who teach “productivity” are simply sharing strategies that allow people to run on the hamster wheel faster and more efficiently. I prefer to teach people how to be more effective with their time and energy so what they have on their to-do list actually matters.

Today's guest, Tamara Torres, is the founder of Optima Results Coaching (I swear the name similarity is all coincidence!) where she teaches practical solutions to improve habits, increase productivity, and create time and energy for what matters most. Her background in psychology, integrative medicine, and meditation give her a holistic approach to not only coaching clients to successful careers but teaching them to also build more fulfilling, well-balanced lives beyond their jobs.

In our conversation Tamara shares her insights and strategies for aligning your values with your time and explains how they are ultimately much more connected to your productivity than your apps, to-do lists, or your calendar. As an added bonus you'll hear her turn the tables when she puts ME on the hot seat! I share how my habit of always searching for a better way has led to great success but also great detriment. She offers her analysis and some important questions for me to consider to more accurately align my (exceedingly high) expectations with reality.

If you’re looking for a better way to manage your day, your energy, and your life to find a version of “productivity” that works for you, this is the place to begin.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How the death of Tamara's father led to her becoming a productivity coach.
Why Tamara’s diverse background in health and her naturopath degree helped shape her coaching style.
What Tamara means when she talks about Productivity with Heart.
Why your values are connected to productivity.
Using your calendar to check that your values are aligned with your time.
Why scheduling intentional time with family is critical for building strong relationships.
Defining the difference between quantity of time and quality of time.
What a time audit is and why you should try it for two weeks.
What is a season of sacrifice and how can you apply it to your life?
How setting proper expectations can help alleviate stress in the family and at work.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Create a ritual at the end of your workday to smooth the transition to family.
Understanding your chrono type and how to make it work for you.
How I learned to manage my energy and time to get my work done on Cobra Kai.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Be willing to say no to things that aren't in alignment with your values.
What is Parkinson’s law and how can you use it to your advantage?
The power of the Pomodoro Method and time blocking your day.
How I overcame perfectionism and reset my circadian rhythms
I put myself on the hot seat and Tamara coaches me on my workaholic tendencies.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Perfectionists should work on progress over perfection and practicing gratitude can help alleviate the perfectionist tendency.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Happier in Hollywood - A podcast with Liz Craft and Sarah Fain • Happier in Hollywood

Gretchen Rubin

The Four Tendencies Quiz - The Four Tendencies Quiz

Ep75: The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin

What is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI)?

Toggl Track: Time Tracking Software for Any Workflow

Laura Vanderkam | Writer, Author & Speaker | Time Management

The Pomodoro Technique Explained

I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It.

How to Conduct an Annual Review (2020 Edition!) 🗓 : The Art of Non-Conformity

Continue to Listen & Learn

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello

How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino

Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Tamara Torres founded Optima Results Coaching to help busy professionals take their lives to the next level without sacrificing balance. She draws on a background in psychology and integrative medicine, along with 10,000+ coaching interactions and 20 years of meditation practice. Tamara teaches practical solutions to improve habits, increase productivity, and create time and energy for what matters most.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Coping with Career Anxiety | with Matthew Farrugia [HSF]

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Matthew Farrugia finds himself struggling with anxiety about his career. He is constantly worrying he’s not doing enough to further himself and catastrophizing when he doesn’t get immediate responses from people he reaches out to. Whether you are at the start of your career or firmly established already, this is a topic we can all empathize with deeply. Listen in to hear how we help Matthew find some relief to this very relatable problem.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

“Chess teaches you that losing is learning.”

- Misha Tenenbaum

To master anything, whether it's actually playing chess, training for (and becoming) an American Ninja Warrior, or climbing to the top of your chosen career, you have to know that failure is a HUGE part of the equation. And in fact failure should be embraced as part of the fun of achieving any difficult goal in life. Chess is not just a game, it’s also a mindset I believe you must adopt if you want to achieve anything difficult, because nothing worthwhile is easy. And doing hard things requires the right strategy (which is why one of the “Key Mindsets” I share with all the students in my coaching & mentorship program is to “Play Chess With Your Goals Instead of Checkers.”)

Today I’m sharing with you a very fun, in-depth, and candid conversation with my friend and fellow entrepreneur Misha Tenenbaum. Before founding EditStock and EditMentor, Misha was a film and television editor and AE who edited shows for the Speed Channel, Food Network, as well as indie films. He also worked as an assistant editor on shows like American Horror Story, JOBS (the biopic about Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher), the Fox show Wayward Pines, and Quarry for Cinemax.

But instead of talking about Hollywood in this conversation, instead Misha and I dive deep into the meta skills necessary to achieve near-impossible (read: Ridiculous) goals. Misha grew up learning chess and spent several years in early adulthood climbing the ranks in the chess world. We discuss how the skills he's learned from spending years earning an 1800+ “Class A” ranking have transferred into many other aspects of his life. We also discuss the strange transformation that takes place along the path towards any goal where achieving that goal becomes irrelevant when you realize the journey is so much more valuable and rewarding.

Whether or not you have any interest in the game of chess whatsoever (Spoiler alert: I myself barely know how to play), there is a wealth of valuable information in this conversation that can help you apply a smarter strategy to achieving your own goals and mastering the art of failure along the way.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The story of how Misha learned chess and his obsession with the game grew.
Not only is chess a game of strategy it is also a game of recognizing patterns.
If you don't understand the strategy or tactics you won't know how to play the game.
The differences between someone who memorized the patterns and someone who learns the strategies.
The rankings of chess players explained.
How to relate the levels of chess to editing or any other skill you want to master.
Becoming the best takes strategy and mindset shifts as well as dedicating your time and attention to that skill.
The story of Bobby Fischer and how the trends of chess change and recycle.
To break through a new level of your skill or craft, you have to innovate.
My story of deciding to train for American Ninja Warrior and the probability of it actually happening.
The side effects (read: benefits) of me FAILING at my goal to get on American Ninja Warrior.
The perseverance and dedication it takes to incrementally improve at any craft or skill you desire.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2)

The Queen's Gambit (TV Mini-Series 2020) - IMDb

EditStock | Practice Editing and Build A Demo Reel

The United States Chess Federation - Players & Ratings

Chess rating system - Wikipedia

Bobby Fischer - Chess, IQ & Death - Biography

American Ninja Warrior - NBC.com

Josh Waitzkin -- The Official Site of Josh Waitzkin & The Art of Learning

The Karate Kid (1984) - IMDb

Continue to Listen & Learn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW

Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW

Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW

Using Fitness to Overcome Parkinson’s and Become a Ninja | With Jimmy Choi, ANW

Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Marketing Yourself Properly With Your “About” Page | with Melanie Annan [HSF]

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Melanie Annan wants to market herself so that she attracts the types of directors and projects she’s most interested in working on, specifically editing dramatic independent films. She has a very clear idea of how she likes to work and what genres she’s passionate about, but her About page on her portfolio website is telling a very different story than what it needs to. Listen in on how we reword her story so she will win over the people she most wants to work with next.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being - pt2

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:00:00 +0000

How many times have you finished a job and felt like you had nothing left in the tank? You gave it everything you had 24/7 thinking to yourself, “I’ll start taking care of myself when the next hiatus comes” only to be cursed by the fact that you’re good at what you do...and that hiatus never appears. You repeat the cycle for months, years, or even decades wondering where all the time went.

When you imagine a high-profile award-winning editor like Michelle Tesoro you imagine burnout wouldn't be a problem - that’s just for people struggling to “make it,” right? Given her track record having worked on shows such as House of Cards, Godless, On the Basis of Sex, When They See Us, and most recently The Queen's Gambit, Michelle must have it all figured out. Right???

As you'll hear in part two of my conversation with Michelle, just like us she too often finds her tank completely empty at the end of a project. In part 2 of our conversation (here’s part 1 if you missed it), we specifically examine the question of what is leaving her so drained. Michelle is incredibly open, honest, and brave to share her challenges maintaining such a demanding career while balancing it with friends and family, and she even allows me to put her on the ‘Hot Seat’ to really dig into what is driving her to still work so hard at this level of her career (Spoiler Alert: Even she fears missing out on the next gig). One key takeaway from this interview that I hope everyone understands is that greater success does not make career and lifestyle decisions any easier. In fact, if anything, it's the opposite. It becomes harder to say no and the fear of missing out never goes away.

P.S. If you missed part 1, you don't need to listen to it first to understand this conversation. But I do recommend you listen to part one if you’d like to hear Michelle talk about her career path and what has driven her success.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Michelle has come to realize that there is a balance between high profile projects and having a happy home life.
Three important priorities Michelle tries to balance.
The defining moment that gave Michelle a reality check about her priorities and where she spends her time.
How Michelle came to be on my email list and what attracted her to my work.
The piece of software that changed the way Michelle worked and gave her more balance in her life.
I put Michelle on the hot seat to uncover what is the source of her draining her tank on every project she takes
KEY TAKEAWAY: The fear of missing out is high even for someone like Michelle.
The process of restoring herself is always something that she struggles with.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Compressing creative time allows for better pacing of energy levels to work smarter not harder.
Michelle's process of working through a day of dailies.
The realization Michelle came to about her next gig.
Michelle's wish list of how she would love to spend her time.
Why she hasn't been able to commit to a long-term gig since the Queen's Gambit.
Michelle tries to answer which fear is greater: experiencing burnout from filling the gap or taking a break.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Twitter: @mtesorito

Instagram: @michtesoro

Michelle Tesoro's Website

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Cutting-edge film and television picture editor Michelle Tesoro is an industry rising star, known for seamlessly weaving narrative through the artful and elegant editing of a visual story.

Her most recent works include Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “When They See Us” directed and produced by Ava Duvernay, and Netflix’s hit limited series “The Queen’s Gambit” directed by Oscar-nominated Scott Frank.

Tesoro’s versatile slate also includes Focus Features’ biography of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “On the Basis of Sex” starring Felicity Jones, Bold Films and Participant Media’s “Shot Caller” starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “Godless,” directed by Scott Frank, and starring Emmy-winner Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, and Merritt Weaver, Golden Globe-nominated show “House of Cards,” and the HBO’s series “The Newsroom”.

The Cinema Guild’s SXSW Grand Jury Prize-winning feature film “Natural Selection,” earned Tesoro the 2011 SXSW Award for Best Editing.

Tesoro’s unique perspective and refined expertise in composing striking narratives began early, growing up in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Whitney M. Young High School, studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Tesoro currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Reducing Neck & Back Pain at Your Computer | with Lando Cortes [HSF]

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Lando Cortes wants to know how to overcome feeling so crappy from being sedentary all day long. He is juggling three part time jobs that leave him chained to his computer for long hours, and it is taking a toll on his body. He consistently experiences neck and back pain and he wants to improve his energy levels while reducing the stress on his body. Listen in as I walk him through some simple steps he can take to build the habit of more consistent movement while living behind his computer that you too can incorporate into your busy and sedentary workday.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 14:00:00 +0000

I’ve spent my entire career wondering what the difference is between those who simply string along one job after another to pay the bills and those who have extraordinary resumes, amazing credits, and award-winning careers. You might assume it's some combination of God-given talent, luck and hard work. If you've listened to me for any amount of time, you know I consider "luck" to be a four letter word (so that’s out), but I do believe talent and hard work absolutely play a role when it comes to success. However, I think the difference for those who reach the highest levels is that they are simply playing a totally different game than everyone else. Most people are playing a game of checkers...the best of the best are playing chess.

Today's guest, ACE editor, Michelle Tesoro has worked on critically acclaimed shows such as House of Cards, Godless, On the Basis of Sex, When They See Us, and most recently The Queen's Gambit. Rather than talk about her creative process editing The Queen's Gambit, Michelle and I take a different approach in this conversation and discuss the metaphor of chess as life and how you can apply a long-term, more strategic chess-like approach to your career.

Michelle and I had such an in-depth conversation that I've made it a two-part series. In this first part we discuss how Michelle chooses the projects & people she works with, and we discover how there is a common theme running through much of her work that keeps her engaged and passionate (despite the arduous nature of the projects she takes on). Michelle also shares what she believes to be her greatest assets and soft skills (outside the editing timeline) that have led to her tremendous success in Hollywood.

Finally, I am keenly aware that Michelle has been making the rounds on the podcast circuit, but rest assured no matter what you’ve listened to already this very candid conversation covers fresh ground with stories you definitely haven’t heard on other shows. And you don't want to miss part 2 next week where I put Michelle on the hot seat to discuss the challenge of balancing her career with the rest of her life.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

The first small moments Michelle realized that editing was for her.
How a street artist in New York helped her understand the power of editing and storytelling.
The similarities between Michelle and the lead character, Beth in The Queen's Gambit.
How Michelle has become comfortable being the only woman in the room.
The parallels Michelle can draw from the themes of On the Basis of Sex and her own mom and childhood.
Michelle shares one of the most valuable soft skills she possesses that helps her gain the trust of her collaborators.
How being clear about her goals early on in her career helped guide the decisions she made.
The word that Michelle has been practicing to use more often in her career. HINT: it’s not “Yes!”
KEY TAKEAWAY: The only way to confidently say no is if you know what the end goal is.
What Michelle learned from NOT getting the ACE Internship when she applied for it at the start of her career.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Art Of The Cut Podcast Eps. 87 (“The Queens Gambit” Editor Michelle Tesoro, ACE) by Filmtools - ProVideo Coalition

Defining Goals, Working With Good People, and Editing “The Queen’s Gambit” with editor Michelle Tesoro, ACE | Film & TV Editing Mentorship Program

Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years

Twitter: @mtesorito

Instagram: @michtesoro

MICHELLE TESORO

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Guest Bio:

Cutting-edge film and television picture editor Michelle Tesoro is an industry rising star, known for seamlessly weaving narrative through the artful and elegant editing of a visual story.

The Cinema Guild’s SXSW Grand Jury Prize-winning feature film “Natural Selection,” earned Tesoro the 2011 SXSW Award for Best Editing.

Tesoro currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Overcoming Procrastination & Creative Blocks to Meet Tight Deadlines | with Sara Shaw [HSF]

Fri, 05 Mar 2021 14:00:00 +0000

In the following hot seat session, community member Sara Shaw is struggling with getting writing notes done for a looming deadline. This brief discussion is loaded with actionable tips to build better habits specifically related to your creativity and the process of deep work that will help you manage your time more effectively so you can work efficiently while still balancing the rest of your life. We also tackle the often overlooked psychological barriers that cause her to procrastinate and feel insecure about her creative work. If you’ve ever struggled to get important creative work done, then you will find this an eye-opening conversation.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Using the Athlete’s Mindset to Hone Your Creativity & Productivity | with Vashi Nedomansky, ACE

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Many people assume that career goals and health goals have to be mutually exclusive (waiting for the next hiatus to start a diet or exercise program? That’s what I thought). What I have found through years of coaching students in the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program is that once a general baseline of health and good habits are set, lifestyle and career goals can absolutely work hand in hand.

Today's guest, editor Vashi Nedomansky, ACE lends a unique perspective on this topic. Before he was editing and consulting on projects such as Sharknado 2, Deadpool, House of Cards, and Gone Girl, he was playing professional hockey in the NHL for the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Kings. This unusual career path has taught him the skills and mindsets to keep his body and mind in top condition while also honing his creative and mental faculties to meet the demands of working in Hollywood editing bays.

This conversation reveals the similarities in maintaining a balanced life in two seemingly disparate professional careers while highlighting the common habits and routines necessary for that balance. If you are tired of sacrificing your health every time you are on a job, this episode is going to give you some easy tools and tips for building fitness into your workday. And if you are hoping to increase your value as an editor, gain speed to get the job done faster, and improve your mental energy so you have more time outside of work, Vashi is a wealth of information. That’s why despite this being an older interview pulled from the Fitness In Post archives I chose to share it with you because it provides just as much (if not even more) value today.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why he likes editing all different types of projects, formats, and genres.
Vashi's background of how he defected from Czech Republic with his parents as a kid and grew up watching movies with his mom.
How he simultaneously played hockey in high school and college while making short films with a VHS camera that weighed 40 pounds.
The uncanny similarities in Vashi's introduction to editing to my own personal story.
He always had the mindset that he had to train physically and mentally to expand his horizons and give himself options.
Vashi's process of consciously living with his footage before he even starts editing.
How the demands of professional hockey compare to film editing.
The one word that makes the difference in being successful in your career (HINT: it's not talent).
Ways to systematize your editing workflow to gain efficiency and speed.
Exercise is a way of life for Vashi and he prioritizes it every day.
The different ways he exercises his brain and keeps his mental skills up to task.
His role on Deadpool and Gone Girl helping to set up the Adobe Premiere Pro work flow.
He values sharing and showing things with no agenda.
KEY TAKEAWAY: You only need to focus on the NEXT most important thing to do.
How inner confidence plays a role in your career and your well being.
Fitness tools he keeps in his office to keep in shape during the day.
PRO TIP: 'Greasing the groove' by doing small bouts of exercise during the day will eliminate the guilt of not having time to do a "workout" after a long day of editing.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Vashivisuals.com

VHS player

FiP Podcast Ep60: Legendary Film Editor Walter Murch on Surviving 50+ Years In Post

How to Establish a Morning Routine

TED Talk: Amy Cuddy – Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are

‘Captain of Crush’ grip strengthener set

IRON GYM

Healthy You® Spiky Massage Ball 3.15" / 8cm - Orange

The Solution to Your Sedentary Lifestyle | with Ben Greenfield

Pavel Tsatsouline - Wikipedia

TopoMat

The Naked Warrior

Amazon.com : power tower pull up bar

What Happened When I Replaced Coffee With 30 Seconds of Exercise

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood

It’s Never Too Late to Get Stronger (and Become a Ninja) | with Ginny MacColl, ANW

Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Vashi Nedomansky is the first professional hockey player to become a Hollywood film editor with 9 feature films to date. Owner of VashiVisuals.com he shares his filmmaking experiences from the trenches and his love of cinema. Editor of Sharknado 2 and worked on Gone Girl, Deadpool and lover of exercise and potato vodka.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Evercast vs. Zoom - Why the New Evercast Proves the Choice is Clear For Remote Collaboration [Evercast Review]

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 04:00:00 +0000

I was an early adopter using Evercast to collaborate remotely as early as September 2019 while cutting Cobra Kai season 3, well before any of us could have predicted the impending doom of the pandemic and the demise of in-person collaboration. At the time Evercast was in its infancy (an early build of version 2). The idea was there, and it was more than usable as a streaming collaboration platform in a pinch while I worked remotely with producers & directors on set in Atlanta. But admittedly there were latency issues, lagging, and the interface was a struggle for non-tech savvy producers to adopt pre-pandemic before we were all used to living on video chats all day long. To be perfectly honest it had tremendous promise, but it wasn’t quite ready for primetime.

This extensive Evercast review is frankly a long-time coming for that specific reason - I wanted to wait until Evercast had not only been through the ringer and was ready for game time but also had addressed many of the issues it experienced as an early startup. Let’s just say my hesitations experienced with the version 2 build have been addressed (and then some). Since the pandemic Evercast has experienced over 1400% growth, and that growth is not just evident on their balance sheets - it’s clear they’ve invested a tremendous amount of time, energy, and attention to their product with their focus not only on the present of remote collaboration but more importantly on the future.

» Continue Reading & Listening

Communication Strategies While Working From Home | with Jesus Silva [HSF]

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Where I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member Jesus Silva and I discuss different strategies for communicating with his director while working from home. Jesus has found that he’s feeling burned out after a long day of editing and feeling obligated to write a lengthy email to his director relaying the work he did for the day. We discuss setting expectations and finding out what the director really wants rather than working off assumptions. For anyone who is dealing with work from home communication issues, this conversation will shed new light on how to handle it effectively. One quick caveat: The sound quality for this session is less than optimal because of a microphone malfunction on my end. My apologies for that, but I thought this session was so good and could be helpful to you that I decided to listen to the same advice I often give to my students: Don’t pursue perfect at the expense of good enough.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Fostering Better Relationships and Improving Team Culture | with Jason Barger

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

The quality of your life often comes down to the quality of your relationships. Whether it's at work or at home, how you interact with those around you plays a huge role in how you rate your well being.

Are you running around putting out fires, reacting to whatever pops up in the moment, while never finding time for the important things?

Or are you calmly observing the situation and circumstances around you and responding in a thoughtful, constructive way and prioritizing your top values?

If you find yourself in the former camp - reacting rather than responding - then today's guest is going to help you flip that script and improve the way you work and live.

Jason Barger is a globally celebrated Author/Speaker/Consultant and thought leader. He was a tremendous asset to me while I was directing and producing my documentary GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story, and he is committed to strengthening leadership, culture, vision, and values using his 6 step framework he calls “The 6 A's.” In our conversation we talk all about how to develop collaborative teams and positive work cultures, as well as fostering deeper professional and personal relationships using his “Thermostat Culture” approach.

If you’re tired of working for a company or a team that values “busy work” above being productive and actually getting things done, this episode is a must-listen.

If you’re exhausted by constant disagreements either with your co-workers (or your spouse or partner) and you want a simple framework to find common ground and move forwards with purpose, this episode is a must-listen.

Though this conversation is taken from the Fitness in Post archives, the information is still valuable and relevant to the challenges we face today in our post-pandemic working reality.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How airports are a metaphor for how we move in the world and respond to adversity.
The difference between thermometers and thermostats and how it applies to our lives.
Whether we react or respond often has to do with the clarity (or lack of) around what we are trying to achieve.
KEY TAKEAWAY: "Busy-ness" does not equal effectiveness.
BETTER QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF: Am I doing the right things? (instead of: Am I doing enough?)
Teams that take the time to clarify and align their goals are more effective at accomplishing their highest priorities.
COMMON MISTAKE: Not getting a baseline assessment of where you or your team is starting from.
How to set expectations by debriefing the schedule at the start of projects.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Knowing the mission and understanding the deeper whys are the most important questions to answer. This applies to work and life.
My personal story of how my family had to create our deeper whys.
How the word attention can change the quality of your work, your relationships and your life.
The difference between rules and standards and why standards are more important.
The importance of finding language around your aspirations.
What the checklist manifesto is and how it can automate your to do list to free up your mind for creative thinking.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Motivational Keynote Speaker: Jason Barger

Jason Barger (@JasonvBarger) / Twitter

Jason Barger (@jasonvbarger) • Instagram photos and videos

Jason Barger | Facebook

Jason Barger | LinkedIn

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

→ Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action!

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Jason Barger is committed to engaging the minds and hearts of people in order to strengthen leadership, culture, and clarity of mission, vision and values.

He is a globally celebrated Author/Speaker/Consultant and creator of the “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” Movement – featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Kiplinger, Book TV, and many other spots worldwide. His most recent books “Remember” and “Thermostat Cultures” have been widely-celebrated around the globe and he’s the host of “The Thermostat” podcast.

Prior to sleeping in airports and observing human behavior, Barger led over 1700 people to construct 125 houses internationally for families living in poverty as well as implemented the Streets Mission Project to serve the homeless on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. As the former Director of First Community Church’s Camp Akita, he designed programming focused on living with joy, love, compassion, faith, and service for over 1900 campers a summer.

Jason is a graduate of Denison University, where he served as Captain of the men’s basketball team, and also received certification from Georgetown University in Nonprofit Executive Management. In 2004, he was one of five people in Columbus, Ohio to receive a Jefferson Award, a national award given to “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”. In 2014, he was selected as a 40 Under 40 award winner by Business First.

Jason is a sought-after Keynote Speaker, visionary, and consultant. As founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting LLC, he works with organizations that are passionate about Culture Change, Leadership Development, Innovation, Service, and bringing their Mission to life everyday.

Jason is passionate about his family and travels from Columbus, Ohio all around the world to engage the minds and hearts of people. Follow on social media @JasonVBarger and dive into his podcast “The Thermostat” where podcasts are found.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

On Hiring Editors & AE’s, Fostering Creative Collaboration, and Managing Happy Post Teams | with Paul Leonard

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

I've often said that being a Post Producer is one of the most thankless jobs in Hollywood. They are tasked with pleasing seemingly opposing forces, i.e. studios, networks, and show runners, while also managing a team of editors and assistants and making sure the show gets finished on budget (and on time). Having a good post producer that not only knows how to keep the trains running on time but also foster a creative, collaborative environment where everyone performs their best and enjoys life outside of work is a winning combination that is far too rare.

Today's guest, Paul Leonard is one of those rare species of producers that has both editors and show runners alike wanting to work with him again and again. Paul has worked in television post production for 23 years and is best known for Co-producing Battlestar Galactica which earned 15 Emmy nominations (with three collective wins). He recently wrapped up a job at Marvel where he was one of the vice presidents of TV Post Production before deciding to go back to freelance producing.

Paul is a fountain of knowledge and wisdom with countless ideas about how to lead successful post teams. He also has a wealth of war stories about managing demanding executive producers. In today’s conversation Paul candidly shares his thoughts on what gets editors and AE’s hired, and what qualities he likes his editors to possess in the bay. He combines a winning charm with a no BS approach that has earned him the well-deserved reputation for making great shows while also keeping his team happy and sane (it is possible!!!! But it takes effort).

This is a rare “Insider Baseball” conversation that will be valuable to anyone wanting to get the unique perspective of a post producer who is both in charge of hiring, delivering a high quality creative product, and also getting maximum creativity out of his team while promoting a well balanced, collaborative team environment.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Paul's early years starting out as an editor and getting into producing after earning his MFA at USC.
Lessons Paul learned in wrangling difficult Executive Producers to try to keep his department from burning out and keep the show on schedule.
How Paul became known as the 'Hour Long VFX SyFy Guy' and found himself pigeon holed.
The surprising place Paul learned to become a great team manager and keep people happy, united, and doing great work.
What made Paul gravitate towards producing rather than directing.
How Paul learned to bring out the best in his editing teams and facilitated new creative ideas that he would bring to the Executive Producers on his shows.
The fascinating story of how he and his post team saved the studio a million dollars while earning the show 3 Emmy nominations.
What it was like working for Marvel Studios and how it affected his career.
Why Paul got the moniker 'Mother Hen' from an Executive Producer he worked with.
The questions he learned to ask to ensure that the show runs smoothly and his team is taken care of BEFORE starting the job.
Paul's thoughts on what it takes to lead a creative team in a collaborative environment and why it's so difficult to cultivate that in Hollywood.
How Paul learned to set boundaries with executive producers and earned respect of demanding, bully EPs.
What Paul looks for when hiring editors.
The sign that he wanted to hold up to editors in interviews to keep them from ruining their chances of getting hired.
Advice for editors when interviewing and soft skills that they should possess once they are hired.
KEY TAKE AWAY: Address 'the note behind the note' when making creative changes.
Paul's advice for getting on the 'inside' at places like Marvel.
The important quality that editors should always possess when trying to have a fulfilling career. (HINT: it has nothing to do with talent)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Paul’s LinkedIn Profile

Paul’s Email Address (Please go through the Insider’s Guide to Writing Cold Outreach first.)

Continue to Listen & Learn

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast

P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Paul M. Leonard has worked in television post-production for 23 years. He is best known for Co-Producing "Battlestar Galactica", a show TV Guide and Time Magazine called "the best show on television." "Battlestar" earned 15 Emmy nominations in the following categories Leonard supervised: editing, sound editing, visual effects, sound mixing with three collective wins. Paul won a Streamy Award as Producer for "Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy" in 2009 for Best Dramatic Web Series. In 2012 Paul produced "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome," a two hour pilot shot entirely on green screen that featured over 1800 visual fx shots, which received three Emmy nominations for best visual fx, sound editing and sound mixing. In an entirely different arena, Paul developed a script and set up the feature film "Assassination Games," which was released on DVD in 2010 starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Paul also taught a class in editing and post-production for the University of Texas' LA satellite program for ten years. Paul earned his MFA from USC's Peter Stark Producer Program. He wrapped up a VP - TV Post-Production at Marvel job earlier this year.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Telling the Right Story With Your Résumé| with Karen Goffred [HSF]

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 14:00:00 +0000

Today, what I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member Karen Goffred comes to me wanting to workshop her resume. But before we can assess her resume and dive into the details (which is where essentially everyone thinks they should focus first), we instead first have to determine her career goals and who her audience is that she is speaking to. These questions are crucial first steps that anyone must take first before truly being able to workshop a resume so that it is targeted and aimed for the jobs that will move her career in the direction she wants to go.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Negotiating Working From Home with Clients | with Paul Del Vecchio [HSF]

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

As a longtime listener you already know how much I love doing in-depth interviews on a variety of topics, whether that’s allowing everyday people to share their personal and inspirational journeys, or industry experts and world-renowned authors who share their expertise to help you optimize a specific area of your life. But today...what I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In the following hot seat session, community member Paul Del Vecchio and I discuss the new world of negotiating working from home, whether with existing or potentially new clients. Paul is a freelance promo editor and colorist making the transition to writer/director/producer and is trying to maximize his down time when waiting on clients while giving them the confidence that they are still a top priority. The conversation is centered around the new standard we are trying to set for the 21st century which is that we do not get paid for the hours we work, we get paid for the value we bring to the project. One quick caveat: The sound quality for this session is less than optimal because of a microphone malfunction on my end. My apologies for that, but I thought this session was so good and could be helpful to you that I decided to listen to the same advice I often give to my students: Don’t pursue perfect at the expense of good enough.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

How to Negotiate Your Real Value (and Advocate For Yourself) As an Assistant Editor | with Scott Jacobs

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

"You can't just stand up for yourself. We have to stand up together."

Scott Jacobs

When it comes to working the brutal hours that have become the norm in entertainment, negotiating for better pay, and fighting to make changes in industry standards, most of us feel helpless (and hopeless) about where to even begin. When I wrote Dear Hollywood: It’s Time For An Intervention About The Hours We Work this past summer, I was surprised to learn the majority of people in Hollywood have no interest in losing their golden time and overtime hours in exchange for shorter, more manageable workdays. While I have no interest in taking money out of anyone’s pocket, I do believe there has to be a better way than working 60+ hours a week and burning ourselves out just to make ends meet.

Here’s a crazy thought: What if we were paid for the value we bring to a project rather than the number of hours we clock in each day?

Today's guest Scott Jacobs, a longtime editor, AE, and MPEG board member, tackles this question with me. Scott has worked as an editor and assistant editor in both television and feature films on studio features such as The Bourne Legacy, Despicable Me 3, and Men in Black: International, and his TV credits include CBS' Person of Interest, NBC's Parks and Recreation, Fox’s The Orville, and he's currently working on Marvel's WandaVision for Disney+.

As a father of two, Scott has had to wrestle with difficult choices between the faster track of being a television editor and the higher negotiating power of feature film assistant editing. His role as a Board Member of the Motion Picture Editor's Guild has made him very aware of the salary discrepancies between features and television along with the major challenge of work-life balance. He feels strongly about advocating for better wages and more sane working hours while also giving people the tools to advocate for themselves.

If you’re interested in having a little bit more ammunition to advocate for a job that is more focused on value than hours, and most importantly working smarter (and not harder), my conversation with Scott is a must-listen.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Scott went from video game junkie to finding a passion for film editing.
Why he wanted to get a Masters from AFI and why he insisted on starting at the bottom of the career ladder when he graduated.
His surprising strategy for networking and making connections right out of school in 2006.
How he got his first job as a Post Production Assistant four months out of college.
What connections and skills enabled Scott to jump back and forth between television and film.
Why assistant editors in television are paid unfairly and should be paid commensurate with experience.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Assistants in features have negotiating power (those in TV do not).
Scott's candid thoughts on why the union can't negotiate making shorter working hours part of the contract.
His plea for greater member involvement in order to negotiate change in the union.
The many factors that led to Scott’s decision to go back to assisting in features rather than look for his second editing job in television.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Learning the difference between external success and fulfillment is the key to good decision making.
Why going after happiness before success is the better route.
What Scott loves about the Peloton and how it's improved his life.
Scott's Advice for making it in Hollywood...(I did not pay him to say this!)

Useful Resources Mentioned:

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Peloton bikes

Editors Guild - IATSE Local 700 > Local 700 - Home Page

Continue to Listen & Learn

On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director

The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian

How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level (optimizeyourself.me)

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Dear Hollywood: It’s Time For An Intervention About The Hours We Work

Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal.” Normal Wasn’t Working.

Dear Hollywood…We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer.

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast

P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Originally from the North suburbs of Chicago, Scott Jacobs attended Western Michigan University where he was studying theater and vocal performance. While he was losing the love for performing, he wasn’t losing the love of wanting to be in the entertainment industry. Upon taking an introductory film course, Scott watched Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge!. What captivated him the most were the visual effects and the editing. After reading more about film editing and discovering that the job combined his love of technology and theater, he knew that editing is what he wanted to do with his life. After his discovery, he taught himself iMovie, then Final Cut Pro, and finally Avid. This eventually led to Scott attending the AFI Masters in Film Editing program from 2005-2007. Since graduating, he has been fortunate enough to work on studio features such as The Bourne Legacy, Despicable Me 3, and Men in Black: International. Some of his TV credits include CBS' Person of Interest, NBC's Parks and Recreation, and Fox’s The Orville. Currently, Scott is thrilled to be working on Marvel's WandaVision coming to Disney+ in January 2021. Scott has also been serving on the Motion Picture Editors Guild's Board of Directors since 2017. He hopes to one day sit alongside the great film editors that have come before him and inspire others as they have inspired him.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Managing Burnout In the Entertainment Industry | with Eva Yuma [HSF]

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

But today what I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success.

In today’s Hot Seat session I have a candid conversation with community member Eva Yuma about the realities of working in the entertainment industry while also trying to maintain her health & sanity. As Eva asks to frame our conversation, "Am I even built to do this for a living?" The short answer, Eva, is none of us are built for this. Listen in to learn more about the various strategies I shared with Eva to help her build healthier habits that will allow her to build a more sustainable and enjoyable career in the entertainment industry.

Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!

→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format

Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?

→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

"We want to promote health and wellbeing to editors because they work so hard."

- Kevin Tent

As the recently elected President of American Cinema Editors (ACE), Kevin Tent is leading the charge to make working smarter instead of harder in the edit bay one of his top priorities. He's dedicated to making changes like taking regular walk breaks, adding in meditation, and even taking an occasional nap (the horror!!!!) to enhance your creativity and get you through the day with more energy left over for your family and yourself when work is done.

Kevin describes himself as a "somewhat professional film editor who has worked in Hollywood for nearly 30 years,” who is best known for his collaboration with director Alexander Payne having edited films like Citizen Ruth, Election, About Schmidt, Sideways, Nebraska, Blow, and Girl Interrupted. He has learned the value of taking care of his body and mind while trying to balance the demanding schedules of Hollywood feature films.

In our conversation, Kevin and I talk candidly about the habits he's implemented for better health and creativity while editing (many of which came about from learning the hard way from years of neglect). He also clears up the confusion about the American Cinema Editors organization and details how someone can qualify and become a member. And most importantly he speaks honestly about the value of becoming an ACE member and the benefits that doing so can have on your well-being and career (Hint: It's not to boost your career or find more jobs).

If you want to know how one of the top names in the feature editing game stays sharp and continues to work at such a high level, today’s conversation is for you.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Kevin's origin story of how he got started editing.
How ten years of editing for Roger Corman made him an "overnight success" after the success of Election.
The steps he took to avoid getting pigeonholed.
Kevin wants to use ACE to promote healthy lifestyles in post production.
KEY TAKEAWAY: Exercise and meditation habits stick when it is something you want to do rather than something you have to do.
His morning bike ride often gets him out of creative blocks in scenes.
Afternoon walks with Alexander Payne are creatively beneficial for both of them while working on a movie.
Kevin uses naps to give him a renewed sense of energy.
KEY TAKEAWAY: All the best ideas happen when you're away from the computer.
He wants to influence people to understand it is healthy to take walks and breaks during your day.
The political instigator that got Kevin to start a meditation practice.
The types of meditation he's tried and the benefits he's gained from a regular practice.
The myriad of soft skills necessary for an editor to have and how meditation compliments these skills.
Why editors are so undervalued and not treated as the integral creatives that they are.
Director Alexander Payne has a deep respect for editors on his films.
Being invisible artists makes it hard to get the credit we deserve.
Kevin describes what ACE is, the history of how it began, and how you can join.
Best advice for anyone who wants to edit big feature films like Kevin.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

American Cinema Editors

ACE Member Directory

Requirements for Joining ACE

Continue to Listen & Learn

How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast

P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Kevin Tent (ACE) has been a somewhat professional film editor in Hollywood for nearly 30 years. He is best known for his long time collaboration with director Alexander Payne. Their first collaboration was on Payne’s Sundance hit “Citizen Ruth,” starring Laura Dern. Followed by the critical hit “Election” staring Reese Witherspoon (for which Tent earned his first American Cinema Editor’s nomination). Tent received his second ACE nomination for “About Schmidt” starring Jack Nicholson and his third for “Sideways” starring Thomas Haden Church & Paul Giamati. In 2011 Tent was nominated for both an ACE and an Academy Award® for his editing on “The Descendants”, starring George Clooney. He won the Eddie for best dramatic film of 2011. He was also nominated for an ACE award for his work on “Nebraska” in 2014 and worked with Payne on his most recent film “Downsizing” staring Matt Damon. After attending Los Angeles City College’s film school, Tent got his first break working for legendary B-movie producer Roger Corman cutting classic films like “Emmanuelle 5” and “Not of This Earth”. While continuing to hone his skills in the throws of B-movies, Tent also tapped into the emerging Independent film movement in the US. Cutting the underground hit “Guncrazy” directed by Tamra Davis and the above mentioned “Citizen Ruth” by Payne. Some of Tent’s other credits include “Blow” the late Ted Demme’s drug epic staring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. James Mangold’s “Girl Interrupted” staring Winona Ryder and Angelina Jolie, (Jolie winning an academy award for her performance). “Disconnect” directed by Henry Alex Rubin, “Welcome To Me” starring Kristin Wigg and “Parched” a foreign language film by Indian director Leena Yadav. More recently Tent’s credits include “Otherhood” from director Cindy Chupack & producer Cathy Schulman and “The Peanut Butter Falcon” staring Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen. Tent has worked with director Barry Sonnenfeld numerous times, Nancy Meyers on the “The Intern” and Martin Scorsese on his short film “The Audition”.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

ACE Editor Steve Lang truly means it when he says,

“If I can help somebody get a job, it's almost just as satisfying as if I got the job myself.”

As we discussed in part 1 of our marathon interview together, not only did Steve play a huge role in getting me my first television editing job on Burn Notice (despite the fact I didn’t have enough experience), but he has helped countless numbers of his assistants get into the editing chair and move on to successful careers. If you missed part one, you might want to go back and listen to that one first, where we discuss in detail, how Steve has navigated a varied career in post-production while avoiding getting pigeonholed, and how it's possible to use skills over experience to get the jobs you want (if you know how to tell the right story).

What you'll hear in part two is Steve's philosophy on mentoring his assistants, how he approaches his editor's cuts, and his best advice for making the transition from assistant to editor. We also dive into Steve's work habits, his lifestyle choices, and how he has learned to balance his intense focus abilities to avoid wreaking havoc on his health and relationships. Steve has generously shared his knowledge and experience through mentorship over the years and I'm immensely grateful that he has given his time to talk with me and share his wisdom with you.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

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Here's What You'll Learn:

Why Steve likes hiring assistants that want to be editors.
Steve's playbook that he gives to every assistant he hires to help them get into the editor's chair.
Steve's philosophy on putting his editor cut together.
How Steve helps his assistants learn and grow as editors.
Advice for seasoned assistants having trouble getting into the editor's chair.
The one thing Steve finds more valuable than experience or skills when hiring an editor.
Why you have to love the process of editing to keep your sanity and passion alive.
Steve talks about his battle with Crohn's disease and how it affected his career and his life.
How the pandemic has affected his work hours.
How he manages his habit of working late and trying to balance his health and creativity.
What is next on the horizon for Steve.
Final advice from Steve for new editors and assistants.
How to connect with Steve.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Steve Lang’s Instagram Page

Steve Lang’s Facebook Page

Steve’s email

Continue to Listen & Learn

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Our Generous Sponsors:

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P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Steven Lang was born and raised in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1992, but his real education began the six years he spent working at a video store from the age of sixteen to twenty-one. It was there where his love of movies began and planted the seed that the entertainment business was where his passion lies. He moved out to California two weeks after graduating college without a single contact or connection to pursue his dream and never looked back. One of his first industry job was at a TV movie production company that owned their own Avid editing systems and gave him the opportunity to learn his craft. Self-taught, he literately opened up the Avid manual and started from page one. He spent many late nights and weekends learning the system and editing anything he could get his hands on. Eventually, he was given the opportunity to assist on a TV movie, and his editing career was born. Twenty-four years later, Steven has edited over 120 hours of television while working with many of the top Writers/Producers/Directors/Creators in the industry including David E. Kelley, Billy Crystal, David Milch, Steven Bochco, Ridley & Tony Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ray McKinnon, Larry Charles, Ben Watkins, and Matt Nix. He most recently edited the pilot and season 1 for the "Turner & Hooch" reboot for Disney + directed by McG.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don’t Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:00:00 +0000

If there's one story regular listeners of this show have heard a lot, it's the story of how I got my first television editing the #1 show on cable at the time - Burn Notice (having ZERO television experience at the green age of twenty-nine). I tell this story often because it's a great example of how experience doesn't have to be king when it comes to getting jobs. Many of the students in my coaching & mentorship program come to me hoping to make a transition in their career where they have the skills already but they don't have the specific experience. I was in that very same position when I landed my dream job editing Burn Notice.

Here to lend a unique perspective to my “Burn Notice story” is ACE Editor Steve Lang, the catalyst for getting that job. Steve has cut over 120 hours of television in the past 24 years and worked on such shows as The Practice, The Gifted, Preacher, Rectify, and Manifest, to name just a select few. He took an unusual path to becoming an editor having held every role in the post-production department at one point or another. This experience gives him a well-rounded point of view of hiring editors and assistants and best practices for advancing your career...without getting pigeonholed.

This interview has been a long time coming, as I've been trying to get Steve on the show for years!!! Our conversation ended up going so deep that we made it a two-part interview. In this first part, you'll hear how I got the job on Burn Notice from Steve's perspective while also hearing the skills vs experience argument from someone on the hiring side. You'll learn how Steve has managed to jump genres and show formats throughout his career, and why he's always trying to help advance other editors and assistants that prove their worth. And make sure you come back next week for round 2 when we take a deep dive into his philosophy on editor's cuts and the playbook he gives to all his assistants to ensure they get a seat in the editor's chair.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Here's What You'll Learn:

Why using the “sniper method” vs. “the shotgun method” helped me get the job on Burn Notice.
Steve's unusual path to becoming an editor (that included working EVERY role in television post-production).
How he realized editing was a better fit for him rather than writing, which was his original goal.
How his path crossed with Russell Crowe and what he learned from him.
His experience working on The Practice and the opportunities that brought to his career through editing and producing.
What editors don't understand about the job of being a producer in a post-production department.
Steve explains his vast and varied resume of seemingly unrelated shows and genres that keep him from getting pigeonholed.
What he has learned when hiring editors as supervising editor and how he gets people to listen to him.
The difference between skills and experience and how it's not always the experience that gets you hired.
How he helped James Wilcox get the job on Genius when he wasn't available for it.
Why he always wants to share jobs and give recommendations when he's not available for work.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Steve Lang’s Instagram Page

Steve Lang’s Facebook Page

Continue to Listen & Learn

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast

P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:30:00 +0000

As a self-diagnosed “extreme introvert,” I’ve done my best to avoid as many mixers, social events, awards parties, and otherwise for the duration of my twenty-year career in Hollywood. Yet despite my intense distaste for chit-chat and random conversations, I’ve not only built a global network of hundreds of professional contacts, colleagues, and genuine friends but also several mentors who have helped me learn, grow, solve difficult problems, avoid horrible & embarrassing poor decisions, and ultimately make not one but four major (seemingly impossible) career transitions.

Whether you are an extreme introvert like me, or you’re the polar opposite and you love in-person networking and mixers (I’ll never understand you, btw), the playing field has been leveled globally where in-person networking is not an option, and reaching out and connecting with people virtually is the only game in town...

...In this article I’d like to take a much deeper dive down the rabbit hole to help you better understand the seven simple (not to be confused with easy) steps that can help you turn a cold contact into a connection, then a relationship, and potentially even your ideal mentor.

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

Improve Your Networking Skills By Serving First (Instead of Selling) | with Liston Witherill

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0000

If you work in the entertainment industry you might be living under the assumption if you get really good at what you do, jobs will just miraculously find you, and you can avoid the painful process of putting yourself out there and selling yourself. After all, selling is for businesses and salesmen.

Well, guess what? If you are a freelancer in today’s gig economy, you are a business.

Referrals may work for awhile, but what if you decide you want to do something different and transition to a new genre of work? Suddenly your current network you’ve spent years building is of no use to you whatsoever. Having a solid networking strategy is essential for connecting with the right people so you can promote your businesses’ services (i.e. YOU) and build a career that provides you with the flexibility to expand your portfolio as desired and ultimately fulfill your passions.

My guest today, Liston Witherill, has made his career helping experts sell their services. He is the founder and creator of Serve Don't Sell, and he's on a mission to help 100 million people become world-class, ethical communicators. He understands that networking can be intimidating, especially for busy creatives who identify as introverts and just want to focus on their craft. He also understands that many people view networking as making awkward small talk at boring mixers and events (pre-pandemic anyway) and bothering busy, more important people with cold outreach that never yields responses. But networking doesn't have to be this painful.

Liston and I discuss the mindset shifts you need to make in order to network successfully and why doing so can improve your career exponentially. This episode will teach you the psychology behind effective networking and how to apply it to your unique situation so you can not only expand your network but also build better and stronger relationships to advance your career and improve your well being.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

Here's What You'll Learn:

How Liston learned to form the habit of making connections and how you can form it as well.
Why many people have an aversion to networking and how changing your mindset is the way to overcome it...even if you’re an introvert.
Why the same network strategies work for some people but not for others.
The number one thing you need to do for successful outreach (and to not be a bother to people)
What bad outreach is and how to avoid it.
Liston’s formula for getting people to open and respond to outreach emails.
Liston gives an example of an outreach email based on his SPCA method.
How reciprocation works and the psychology behind it.
Why you need an angle to reach out to high profile people.
Why sending 1 thoughtful email is better than sending 50 template emails.
The difference between the shotgun approach and the sniper approach to networking.
A great example of how an internet entrepreneur provided value to an author he admires.
The various definitions of experts and mentors and how to extract value from each.
Tactical tips and general rules for subject lines in outreach emails.
How long the email should be and how you should formulate your ask.
Why you should never ask "Can I pick your brain?" in an outreach email.
How to effectively follow up on your outreach if you don't get a response without bothering people.
When you should follow up if you don't get a response right away.
Networking is about building relationships and providing value.
How to get in touch with Liston.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Liston's Facebook Page

Liston's Linked In Page

Continue To Listen & Learn

How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE

The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts”

On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level (optimizeyourself.me)

Want a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things (optimizeyourself.me)

The 5 Most Common Mistakes You're Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them) (optimizeyourself.me)

Why Writing Cold Emails Is the Most Important ‘Soft Skill’ You Must Master (Especially If You’re An Introvert) (optimizeyourself.me)

[CASE STUDY] Why People Don't Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis (optimizeyourself.me)

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast

P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Liston Witherill is the founder and creator of Serve Don't Sell, and he's on a mission to help 100 million people become world-class, ethical communicators.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Author’s Note: The following is the second in a 3 part series about building a relationship with your ideal mentor. In Part 1 I demonstrated The 10 IMDbPro Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level, and in Part 3 (coming soon) I will demonstrate how to reach out to your ideal mentor once you’ve identified who they are and how they can help you. Stay tuned...

Mentorship is an elusive concept. There are so many different ways to define what a mentor could be that it’s nearly impossible to describe in simple terms how to find one. Especially in the “Digital Age” of the 21st century, mentorship can take on many different forms that stretch far beyond the traditional definition of an “expert” working with you one-on-one.

» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode

How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 14:30:00 +0000

Working long & stressful hours is hard enough when you absolutely love the content you’re creating and live for what you do. But how can you survive when you don’t even enjoy the work you do and have no emotional connection to the stories you tell? In my opinion, any emotional disconnection from your work coupled with unbearable hours is a recipe for surefire burnout (I’ve been there and done that more times than I can count).

Do you find yourself taking a string of “paycheck” jobs hoping you can put off your happiness until you reach the next “success milestone” in your career based on other people’s definition of success rather than your own?

Or are you perhaps stuck busting your butt building your “career” but at the expense of your well-being, your family, your happiness, and your sanity?

Or are you one of the lucky few who’s found their “calling” in life and can’t imagine doing anything else, yet you still struggle to balance your work with the rest of your life?

Today's guest, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar lends some hope to all these situations and helps guide you on a path to a more fulfilling career that includes being happy. Dr. Shahar is a bestselling author and lecturer who has taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history, Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. He is the founder of the Happiness Studies Academy whose mission is to help educate people about a more holistic approach to happiness. He uses practical strategies from the field of positive psychology to help people align their careers with their values and ideals so they can stop competing in the neverending rat race and escape the endless cycle of burnout.

Tal and I go deep down the rabbit hole of what it means to have success and happiness in your career and whether or not the two are mutually exclusive. Spoiler alert: Being happy and having success are not mutually exclusive, it all depends on how you define each for yourself. We discuss the difference between having a job vs. a career vs. a calling and the practical ways you can shift your mindset to find fulfillment on any path.

Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?

Here's What You'll Learn:

What does Tal mean by: "Life is too short to do what I'm supposed to do but it's just long enough to do what I want to do".
How Tal’s past history of being a squash player led him to becoming a happiness expert.
What the Hamburger Model is and how he transformed it into the Happiness Model.
The 4 Archetypes of Happiness and how they relate to your career.
Tal uses the science of happiness to diagnose the entertainment industry.
How we misunderstand the nature of happiness.
Having success too quickly is actually a curse in disguise.
My story of waking up to what success vs happiness means.
What The Paradox of Happiness is and why you shouldn't "pursue happiness".
The essential elements of happiness
How the “age of distraction” is contributing to women not enjoying time with their children.
What are the “islands of sanity” and how does it help us find more flow or peak performances in life.
The different ways we can reorient our thinking to see the importance of the work we do.
How to use self concordant goals to direct your career path and find fulfilling work.
The ultimate cause of burnout and the three elements to use to avoid it.
The mantra Tal uses with his kids, his students and himself to stay on the path of happiness and fulfillment.
Why Tal created the Happiness Studies Certificate program and how you can join.
Three practical ideas for becoming happier today.

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Happiness Studies Program: Get 10% off with code HAPPY

Tal's Instagram Page

Tal's Facebook Page

Tal's Twitter Page

Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’

P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More

Continue to Listen & Learn

Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton

[CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry

The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone

The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker

How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari

How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach

Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE

[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic

[Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller

Our Generous Sponsors:

Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast

» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast

P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!

[optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"]

Guest Bio:

Tal Ben-Shahar is a bestselling author and lecturer. He taught two of the largest classes in Harvard University’s history, Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. Today, Tal consults and lectures around the world to executives in multi-national corporations, the general public, and at-risk populations. The topics he lectures on include leadership, happiness, education, innovation, ethics, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting, and mindfulness. His books have been translated into more than twenty-five languages and have appeared on best-sellers lists around the world. Tal is a serial entrepreneur and is most recently the co-founder and chief learning officer of Happiness Studies Academy. An avid sportsman, Tal won the U.S. Intercollegiate and Israeli National squash championships. Today, for exercise, he swims, dances, and practices Yoga. He obtained his PhD in Organizational Behavior and BA in Philosophy and Psychology from Harvard.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home)

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but my brain is like an endless news ticker reminding me of the growing tasks, activities, ambitions, and must-do's that I need to accomplish to prove my worth as a human. No sooner do I start one checklist item and I'm already thinking of the next. It's been ingrained in me that striving, achieving, and accomplishing must be happening at all times!

No longer are we human beings. We have become a society of human doers. We glorify those who do it all. Our hailed celebrities aren't famous for doing one thing. They are famous for doing a bunch of things.