Chinna Balachandran was all but declared dead after a massive subdural hematoma (a brain bleed). Learn the mindsets he used to not only recover from severe trauma but also overcome nearly impossible obstacles to become an American Ninja Warrior.
Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You’re Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW
Despite her unstable and chaotic family life growing up in foster homes and living on welfare, Sandy Zimmerman chose to pave a different path for herself, ultimately becoming the first mom to hit a buzzer on American Ninja Warrior. Here’s how (and why) she did it.
Ep164: How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix
Learn what it really takes to get the attention of the biggest writers & producers in Hollywood so you can work on projects you love while also being treated with respect.
Ep163: Understanding What’s At Stake With the IATSE Strike Authorization Vote | Community Q&A
I and the Optimizer coaching & mentorship community discuss the upcoming strike vote and what we can do to support better working conditions in our industry for years (and decades) to come.
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)
Never let others determine your value. Only you can determine your value. Are you willing to speak up for the respect you deserve?
Ep162: Stop Waiting For Permission to Make Sh*t Happen | with Mark Gantt
Learn from award-winning producer/writer/director Mark Gantt how to overcome a troubled past, limiting beliefs, and imposter syndrome to make sh*t happen (without waiting for someone else’s permission).
Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross
Learn from bestselling author and founder of the University of Michigan “Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory” Ethan Kross how we can harness the voices in our heads to overcome limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome.
Ep160: Convincing People You Can Do The Job (When You Don’t Have the Credits) | with Chris Patterson
Learn how Chris Patterson, an incredibly successful 1st AE on top-tier features, overcame his networking struggles to land a gig on a feature as the lead editor.
Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia
Learn how Mexican-American editor Marcella Garcia overcame her limiting beliefs (and lack of experience in long form) to break into the world of scripted television.
Ep158: Leveling Up Your Ability to Tell More Engaging Stories using EditMentor | with Misha Tenenbaum
EditMentor founder and CEO Misha Tenenbaum shares how his new browser-based NLE will revolutionize how we learn to edit and tell better stories.
Ep157: What Every Recent Graduate Needs to Know About the Realities of Working In Hollywood Pt2 | with Zack Arnold (interviewed by Austin Coburn)
In part 2 of this conversation recent college graduate Austin Coburn interviews me about how he can develop the proper habits early in his career to maintain work-life balance and avoid burnout.
Ep156: What Every Recent Graduate Needs to Know About the Realities of Working In Hollywood Pt1 | with Austin Coburn
In part 1 of this conversation I interview graduate-to-be Austin Coburn about what it really takes to break into and make it in the entertainment industry (and then in part 2 he interviews me!).
Ep155: How a Tentpole Hollywood Feature Editor Stays Healthy, Fit, and Sane | with Alan Bell, ACE
Learn from tentpole Hollywood feature film editor Alan Bell, ACE how he maintain healthy habits & routines to maintain optimal levels of creativity while working on the biggest projects in Hollywood.
Ep154: Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE
Learn from award winning TV editor Scott Powell, ACE (24, The Chi, The Orville) the importance of using humility to build relationships and climb the career ladder to the top.
Ep153: Mob Scene CEO Tom Grane on What It Takes to Succeed in Trailers & Marketing (Without Sacrificing Work-Life Balance)
Mob Scene co-founder and CEO Tom Grane discusses the importance of building team cultures that foster work-life balance and creativity, and he also shares what it takes to work for a company at the level of Mob Scene.