Episode 322: Interview with Diane Strand

Meet Diane Strand – Executive Producer, Creativepreneur & TEDx Speaker

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Diane Strand, a creative entrepreneur, executive producer, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and nonprofit founder. She believes in the power of creativity and the arts to transform both life and business.

Get ready for some golden nuggets, including:
✔️ Why believing in yourself—51% more than your doubts—changes everything
✔️ How the next step always reveals itself (if you trust the process)
✔️ The mindset shifts that help actors and creatives thrive

Let’s dive in!

🎭 The Power of Creativity in Business & Life

Diane shares how creativity shaped her journey, from overcoming dyslexia to landing her first school play role as Betsy Ross—even when everyone told her she couldn’t do it.

💡 Key Takeaway: The arts fuel focus, persistence, and personal growth.

She now works with mainstream and special-needs individuals, proving that creativity is a universal tool for success.

💡 Overcoming Adversity & Self-Doubt

How do you push past self-doubt and rejection?

Diane’s answer: It’s all about mindset.

✔️ Step 1: Start with gratitude—even for the smallest things.
✔️ Step 2: Step outside your comfort zone (that’s where growth happens).
✔️ Step 3: Follow through on commitments to yourself—it builds trust & confidence.

🚀 Golden Rule: "If I say I’m going to do something, I do it. Even if no one else knows, I follow through."

🚘 Fear & The Driving Analogy: How to Take Control

Diane shares her favorite analogy for dealing with fear:

🛑 Fear is like a passenger in your car—you control the wheel. You get to drive the direction of your career while fear sits in the back seat.

You don’t want to be fearless (fear keeps us safe), but you can learn to fear less each step of the way.

💡 Pro Tip: Believe in yourself just 51% more than your doubts—that’s all it takes to shift momentum.

🎬 Inspiration & Creativity for Actors

As actors, creativity isn’t just about performance—it’s about mindset.

✔️ Be inspired by your characters. Even if you don’t like them, learn from their choices.
✔️ Use acting skills in real life. Diane steps into a “character” when making tough business decisions.
✔️ Creativity fuels resilience. Acting lets us explore experiences without having to live them—embrace that power!

🎥 Creativity in Producing & Content Creation

Diane is an executive producer and content creator who believes:

📌 Storytelling is everything. Whether it’s a news segment, social media, or a documentary, the story is what connects people.
📌 Content creators are producers. If you’re building content, you’re already a producer—you’re pulling together ideas, visuals, and execution.
📌 Collaboration is key. Working in teams is an inspiration multiplier—surround yourself with creative people who push you forward.

✨ The Role of Fun in Creativity & Business

Why should fun be part of the creative process?

Diane shares how she went on a “workcation” (a marketing cruise!) where she networked, built business connections, and landed new clients—all while cruising the Caribbean.

🎯 Lesson: The best opportunities happen when you step outside what you think is the norm.

As an actor, fun is part of the audition process too:

✔️ Be confident and conversational in the room.
✔️ Connect with casting directors—be someone they want to work with.
✔️ Don’t just show up and deliver lines—show who you are as a person.

💡 Remember: People want to work with those they know, like, and trust!

🧠 The Importance of Authenticity

What if you struggle with “being yourself” in the industry?

✔️ Get out of your head and into your heart—don’t overthink.
✔️ Mistakes are learning opportunities—they show you what doesn’t work.
✔️ The right answer is always what’s true to you.

🚀 Golden Rule: "The only person I need to convince is myself. If I believe it, others will too."

📖 Favorite Quotes & Acronyms to Live By

Diane and I swapped some of our favorite motivational quotes and acronyms:

✔️ Steve Jobs: "You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you have to look back to see how they line up."
✔️ HOPE: Help One Person Every day.
✔️ FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real.
✔️ DREAMS: Direction, Realization, Evaluate, Action = Momentum & Success!

🔹 "Focus on the sail, not the wind." – Indigenous Proverb
🔹 "You can restart your day at any time."

Mindset and small shifts = big changes.

🔥 Actionable Takeaways from This Episode

🎯 1. Trust Yourself Just 51% More Than Your Doubts
Believe in yourself just a little bit more than you doubt yourself, and that’s enough to keep moving forward.

🎯 2. Let the Next Step Reveal Itself
You don’t need to know every step of the journey—just take the next one.

🎯 3. Show Up as Your Authentic Self
Whether you’re auditioning, networking, or creating content, people connect with authenticity.

🎯 4. Make Fear Your Passenger, Not Your Driver
Fear doesn’t disappear, but you’re the one in control of the journey.

🎯 5. Celebrate Small Wins
Momentum comes from riding the tiny wins to the big wins—recognize and celebrate progress.

💌 Let’s Connect!

Took on a challenge? Loved this episode? I want to hear about it!

📩 Email me: peter@actingbusinessbootcamp.com
🎤 Find me on Instagram @actinbusinessbootcamp
🔥 Join my Acting Business Boot Camp & Voiceover Discord

💡 Final Thought: You are never losing—you’re either winning or learning. Keep going. 🎭✨