The Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast

The Heart Behind a Great Self-Tape

I’ll be honest—I couldn’t even remember how I start my podcast today. “Hello, I hope you had a great week?” That sounds right. Anyway, welcome back to Self-Tapes That Book, Part Two.

Last week we talked about tech and mindset, about creating a space that supports your confidence instead of draining it. The kind of space that makes you feel like you just slipped into your favorite outfit—the one that makes you feel unstoppable.

That’s exactly how I want your self-tape setup to feel: effortless, energizing, and completely you.

Four Keys to Powerful Self-Tape Performances

1. Make Clear, Bold, Story-Driven Choices

Don’t play it vague. Every beat should be grounded in intention. Commit fully.

Ask yourself: Am I willing to give my life for this moment?

If not, there’s probably an energy block—not in your acting ability, but in your connection to yourself. The work of an actor isn’t just skill; it’s presence, humanity, and openness. That’s where...

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 ...

This week’s episode is all about doing the damn thing. Inspired by Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass, we explore how to move from wishful thinking into real, consistent action.

Because let’s face it:

• Epiphanies are useless without execution.

• Self-help without follow-through is shelf-help.

• Trying to be an actor isn’t the same as being one.

From Passive Habits to Active Action

Many actors fall into the trap of passive self-help habits. That looks like reading books, journaling, or attending seminars but never actually taking the uncomfortable, messy steps that move your career forward.

Here’s the three-part shift:

1. Awareness – Notice your thoughts, excuses, and passive habits.

2. Acceptance – Own them without judgment.

3. Action – Act your way into right thinking and build your courage muscle.

Every day, ask yourself: Am I going to the gym… or am I really going to the gym?

Be in the 5%

Here’s a sobering stat: only 5% of SAG-AFTRA members qualify ...

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

  ...

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...

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:

...