The Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast

Okay actors, here it is—your end-of-summer pep talk. I don’t know how we got here so fast, but summer’s basically over and it’s time to stop stalling. Time to get your act together.

In this episode, I’m giving it to you straight. Yes, I even drop a few swear words, because honestly, sometimes that’s what it takes to shake things up. I’ll share the story of Bowie the cat (our very cautious little housemate) and how it perfectly connects to where so many of you are stuck in your careers. The question is: are you going to stay scared Bowie… or step up and be brave Bowie?

And I’m not just talking theory here. I’m breaking down the exact things that matter most right now: your resume, your headshots, your reels, your website, and the way you correspond with agents and casting directors. These are the details that decide whether we keep looking at you—or hit delete in under three seconds.

What You’ll Take Away

• Why being “brave Bowie” matters more than you think

• The three pill

  ...

When I Froze on “Three Takes”

I’ll be honest, the first time a casting director asked me for three takes in the same vibe, my brain short-circuited. The first one felt okay. The second? I made it louder. The third? I whispered and hoped for divine intervention.

Sound familiar? If you’ve been there, you’re not alone. No one really teaches us how to do this. We just… guess.

But over the years, I’ve learned that “three takes” doesn’t have to be torture. It’s actually an opportunity to show range, subtlety, and intention — if you know where to focus.

My Five Go-To Tools for Variety

Here’s what I rely on:

1. Change the environment. Close your eyes and imagine where you are. A noisy coffee shop shifts your energy in a completely different way than a quiet office.

2. Add human sounds. We don’t speak like robots. A breath, a chuckle, a little “mm-hmm” makes your read feel alive.

3. Play with pauses. I love a pause. It can create tension, warmth, or surprise. Same words, totally d

   ...

Most actors treat their careers like a guessing game.
Send a few emails. Hope someone notices. Post on Instagram. Cross your fingers.

But what if you could know what’s working?
What if you had the exact information to make better choices, save time, and book more work?

That is what tracking data does for you, and yes, it is way less boring than it sounds.

Why Most Actors Avoid Tracking (and Why That Hurts Them)

A lot of actors shy away from anything that feels “too business.”
They think tracking numbers will suck the artistry out of what they do.

But here is the thing: you are your own product.
If you are selling anything, you need to know what is resonating and what is falling flat.

Data is not about turning you into a robot.
It is more like a script you did not know you needed. It tells you what is landing, what is missing the mark, and where to put your energy next.

How to Start Small Without Overcomplicating It

You do not need fancy software to start. A simple spreadshee...

If you’ve ever gotten an email offering $850 for 45 minutes of voice work and thought, huh, that sounds… generous—you’re not alone.

Today I’m walking you through one of the most common and dangerous traps voice actors fall into: the voiceover scam.

Let’s talk about how to recognize one, why we fall for them, and how to protect yourself.

These Scams Are Getting Smarter

I’ve seen so many of these land in my inbox or get forwarded from friends and students. And honestly, they’re getting better. Better design. Better phrasing. More personal.

But when you know what to look for, the patterns start to repeat.

Here’s the kind of language I often see:

• “We came across your demo…”

• “We’re excited to offer $850 for a quick project…”

• “A studio will be rented near your location…”

They sound legit. But when you look closer, there’s no company name, no usage terms, no specifics—and that’s your first red flag.

Why It’s Easy to Fall For

Let me be clear: falling for one of t...

In this solo episode, Peter gets deeply personal about a challenging week—and the powerful mindset shift that came from it.

After getting emotionally “twisted,” Peter turned to her most trusted tools: journaling, meditation, and coaching. What started as a spiral led to a breakthrough realization:

Your mind is your world. And your world is your mind.

When you’re in your fear-based thought system, everything feels like a problem. But when you shift into a more loving, conscious mindset, you begin to see challenges as opportunities.

Peter shares how unconscious thinking patterns can create unnecessary suffering, and how awareness, honesty, and a willingness to feel your feelings can shift your entire experience.

Whether you’ve had a tough week yourself or you’re just ready for a new perspective, this episode offers a grounded, compassionate reminder of how much power lives in your mindset.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between fear thoughts and love-ba

  ...

If you're a creative who rolls their eyes every time someone says, “You should be on TikTok,” I get it.

I did too.

But I’ve also seen firsthand how a free platform with a low barrier to entry can quietly change your entire business.

Not overnight. But steadily. Strategically. Without becoming someone you’re not.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I use TikTok to stay visible, book clients, and build trust—without filters, dances, or pretending to be an influencer.

So, why TikTok?

I never expected to like it. I don’t love being on camera. I don’t enjoy over-polishing or oversharing.

But I do love showing up for my community. I love talking shop. And I really love when a new client says,
“I found you on TikTok… I just felt like you got it.”

They didn’t care about my résumé. They didn’t go through my website.
They watched a few videos, got curious, and reached out.

That’s the power of visibility.

Why Visibility Matters More Than Ever

I set a personal go...

How to Change Your Momentum When You’re Stuck as a Creative

If you’re an artist or creative who feels stalled—like you’ve hit a wall in your motivation, progress, or passion—you’re not alone.

Whether it’s burnout, fear, comparison, or just plain fatigue, creative momentum can vanish without warning. And getting it back? That can feel impossible.

But here’s the good news: momentum is a choice. Not something that magically returns when the conditions are perfect—but something you can actively create, even in the mess of real life.

In this week’s Acting Business Boot Camp podcast episode, I spoke with Stephen Ridley, musician, speaker, and founder of Ridley Academy, about exactly that.

What unfolded was a deeply personal and practical roadmap for any artist who wants to stop stalling and start moving forward again.

What Does It Mean to “Change Your Momentum”?

Momentum isn’t about working harder. It’s about shifting the energy underneath your decisions. According to Stephen, th...

Let’s talk about something most coaches won’t say out loud:
Just because you love something doesn’t mean you’re great at it.

I know. It stings. But it’s important.

In this episode, I’m digging into the uncomfortable (but necessary) gap between interest and aptitude—especially in voiceover. Because if you're frustrated that you're not booking in your dream genre, you might be ignoring the thing you're actually great at.

What I Talk About in This Episode:

• Why passion doesn’t always equal potential

• How to spot the areas where you naturally shine

• Why ignoring your strengths can slow your career

• What to do when your “boring” voice actually books

• How to balance income work with creative fulfillment

• The difference between fantasy reels and real-world needs

The Harsh Truth I’ve Learned (and Lived)

Interest is loud. It’s shiny. It gets excited.
But aptitude? Aptitude is quiet. It’s efficient. It gets the job done with less effort.

That’s your edge.

If...

In this episode, I dive deep into one of the most important and misunderstood parts of an actor's journey: confidence.

Without confidence, you're benched. Without humility, you're a liability. Confidence is essential in the entertainment industry, but it has to be real—not performative, not overblown, and definitely not hubris.

I break down how to build real, grounded confidence that will keep you moving forward in your voiceover or acting career, using neuroscience-backed tools and personal experience from over two decades in the industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why confidence is essential, and why too much of it (aka hubris) can end your career

• The underrated power of self-awareness and how to cultivate it

• "Talent blindness" and why some actors can’t see where they’re falling short

• Real talk on imposter syndrome and how it rewires your brain

• The difference between self-trust and self-delusion

Three Neuroscience-Backed Tips to Build Confidence:

...

Today I want to talk about something that comes up in almost every coaching session I have with actors.

Fear.

Not just nerves before a big audition. Not just that pit in your stomach when you hit “submit” on a self-tape.

I mean the kind of fear that quietly shapes your entire career. The fear that keeps you playing small, second-guessing yourself, or holding back in moments when you need to be bold. The fear that convinces you maybe this dream isn’t really for you.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “What if I’m not good enough?” or “What if I can’t handle it?”—you’re not alone. And that’s exactly what this episode of the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast is all about.

The Root of Fear in an Actor’s Life

Fear is instinctual. It’s wired into us. Back when humans were being chased by saber-toothed tigers, fear served a purpose—it kept us alive. But today? That same adrenaline spike shows up when you’re waiting outside a casting office or uploading a tape for your reps.

A...