I hear actors say this phrase all the time: “There’s nothing going on in my career.” And I want to be very clear, that idea is almost never true.

In this episode of the Acting Business Bootcamp Podcast, I talk about why that belief shows up, how it distorts your perception, and what you should be measuring instead when things feel quiet. I also share why I reshaped my Weekly Accountability Group to focus just as much on time management as accountability.

This episode is about structure, consistency, and staying engaged in your acting career even when results aren’t obvious yet.

Accountability Requires Time Management

I realized that in order to be accountable, actors actually need to manage their time. That’s why I turned my Weekly Accountability Group into a time management group as well.

At the start of every class, I have actors pull out their planners. Phones, digital calendars, or a physical calendar. We plan the week from Friday to Friday. Doctor appointments. Acting clas...

The Part of the Business We Avoid

I don’t know many actors who got into this work because they love paperwork.

Money. Invoices. Contracts. Admin.

I avoid this side of the business not because I think it’s beneath me, but because it makes me uncomfortable. It forces me to look closely. At numbers. At patterns. At choices I’ve postponed.

And lately, I’ve been reminded how common that is.

Why Admin Creates So Much Anxiety

I’ve had several conversations recently with actors who are genuinely scared of the financial side of their career.

Taxes coming up. Receipts scattered. Invoices unpaid. Contracts sitting unread in inboxes.

Avoiding it feels easier than facing it. It feels responsible. I’ll deal with it later. When I have more energy. When I feel more prepared.

But avoidance doesn’t stay neutral.

It compounds.

What Avoidance Actually Costs

The longer we don’t look, the bigger it feels.

Money becomes emotional. Following up feels confrontational. Rates feel uncertain. Admi...

The Irony of Paid Transparency

I saw a post the other day that made me stop mid-scroll.

An actor—let’s call him Workshop Guy—was going viral for saying he was “tired of gatekeeping in the industry.” He wanted to break down the walls, create transparency, build community… all that good stuff.

And then, at the end of his video, came the link.
A $200 workshop.

I laughed out loud. Because, honestly, that’s not transparency. That’s marketing.

Let’s talk about why.

The Anti-Gatekeeping Paywall

Here’s the thing: if your solution to exclusivity is to sell tickets to your version of inclusion, you’ve missed the point.

This particular actor is an NYU grad—one of the most expensive, most exclusive programs in the country. That’s not shade, it’s context. The gate was already built long before graduation.

So now, instead of widening that gate, he’s charging admission.

That’s not transparency. That’s a rebrand.

And look, I have zero issue with people charging for their time. I do it ...

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the most important topics for any working actor today: self-tapes.

They’re no longer an occasional request or a pandemic workaround. Self-tapes are the audition room now. That means your setup, your mindset, and your energy have to communicate professionalism and confidence before you ever say a line.

After losing my voice for a few weeks (and getting some incredible help from Mandy Fisher, Rose Marie, and Taylor), I wanted to come back with something that felt useful and practical. Because here’s the truth: the actors who treat self-taping like an art form are the ones who keep booking.

Why Self-Tapes Matter More Than Ever

Casting directors aren’t inviting actors into offices the way they used to. Your self-tape is your first impression. It tells us who you are before we even watch the performance.

I’ve been watching this up close at home. My husband Jason decided to return to on-camera acting after years of working exclusively in voic...

Voiceover is a beautiful and rewarding field. But if you’re not protecting your energy, creativity, and finances, it will eat you alive before you ever find your footing.

I’ve seen too many talented actors get burned out because they thought VO was just about having a “great voice.” It isn’t. It’s a craft and a business rolled into one. And if any of those three pillars is running on empty, your career won’t last.

Energy: Your True Currency

Behind every polished 30-second spot is hours of research, auditions, editing, outreach, marketing, and more. Without systems to replenish your energy, you’ll be running on fumes—and microphones always reveal fatigue. Protecting your bandwidth isn’t optional, it’s part of the job.

Creativity: More Than Output

Turning your art into your business can drain your creativity if you’re not careful. Output without input leads to burnout. I share ways to keep your “creative bank” full so your performances stay fresh, inspired, and bookable.

F...

In this episode, I talk about mottos. Those little slogans or mantras that can actually keep you going in a business that is often messy, unpredictable, and overwhelming.

A motto is not just decoration. It’s a tool. It helps you:

• Stay grounded when the industry feels chaotic.

• Filter choices and make better decisions.

• Communicate your identity and values quickly.

• Build momentum through small daily actions.

I’ll share a quick history of mottos, what makes a good one, and a few of my favorites like:

• Grow through every no

• Truth over performance

• Consistent action, creative life

• Bring light to every role

But here’s the most important part. A motto has to fuel action. It should connect to something small you can do each day. Even five minutes counts. That could be:

• Sending one outreach email

• Researching a casting director

• Tracking your auditions

• Posting or reposting content

• Reviewing your goals

When you tie yo...

Why Learning the “Language” Matters

Actors spend years honing their craft, but many miss one critical piece: learning how to communicate in the Language of the Agents and the Casting Directors. This isn’t just about vocabulary. It’s about aligning your training, business practices, and mindset so the industry sees you as the solution—not the problem.

As a casting director, I see it firsthand. Actors who know how to speak this language get representation, book roles, and build sustainable careers. Those who don’t? They’re quickly overlooked.

The Three Pillars of a Successful Acting Career

A thriving career rests on three equally important pillars:

1. Training – Building your instrument as an actor so you know you’re good at your craft.

2. Business – Getting your materials, schedule, and communication in order.

3. Core Energy Work – Tackling mindset blocks like procrastination, perfectionism, and fear so you actually do what you know you need to do.

Neglect any one of t...

This week’s episode is all about documentary narration. Voiceover actor Paula Tiso joins me to share her journey from sketch comedy in Los Angeles to working steadily in promos, radio imaging, true crime, and documentary series.

We talk about training, the shift from “perky” reads to grounded storytelling, and what it really takes to support a story with your voice.

About Paula:

Paula Tiso is a veteran voiceover actor whose work spans documentary narration, true crime, television affiliates, video games, and more. She’s voiced Smithsonian Channel documentaries, Oxygen and ID series like Living with a Serial Killer and The Devil Speaks, and brought characters to life in games including Final Fantasy X, No More Heroes, and Fallout 76.

Whether narrating history, guiding audiences through true crime, or connecting viewers to their local TV stations, Paula’s voice combines warmth, authority, and authenticity.

From Comedy to Narration

Paula started out in sketch comedy and found ...

Today’s episode is called “Your Audition Superpower.” We’re talking about what really makes an audition competitive, not just good. Because in a crowded industry, good auditions disappear. Competitive ones get remembered.

Whether you’re stepping into the booth, walking into the room, or recording a self-tape at home, these five elements can transform how casting directors see you.

Why “Audition Superpowers” Matter

Every actor has talent. What separates the hobbyists from the professionals is how you show up under pressure. Casting directors don’t just want a great read. They want someone they can rely on, someone who takes risks, and someone who knows how to communicate humanity through their choices.

That’s why these five aspects aren’t just skills. They’re your audition superpowers.

The 5 Audition Superpowers

1. Confidence

Not the fake-it-till-you-make-it kind. Real confidence is clarity and control, the ability to deliver without obsessing about what the casting director w...

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...