Waiting in line since 5am. Spending 8+ hour days for an audition you may never get. Having to find the best audition material to match the tone of the show you want. These are the realities of theatre actors, and I’m bringing on the one and only Maggie Bera to take us through the current state of theatre in New York City. This one is for all of the stage actors out there, and for every on camera actor wondering what it’s like on the other side. Maggie shares her personal journey from moving to NYC, adjusting to the hustle of open calls, union benefits, and balancing acting with other jobs. She offers advice on navigating the city's theater scene, audition strategies, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We are also going to touch on the importance of financial stability, the benefits of Equity membership, and the impact of social media and online presence on modern actors' careers. If you’ve been wondering what it’s like to pursue a career on the stage or hoping to hear from a theater actor because you are one yourself, Maggie’s story will leave you feeling inspired to do what you love.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Welcoming Maggie Bera 02:53 — The Realities of Moving to NYC for Theater 12:19 — Navigating the World of Auditions in New York 22:05 — The Journey to Equity Membership and Beyond 24:00 — Deciding When to Join the Union 25:45 — The Freelance Agent Experience 27:35 — Understanding Theatrical Agents 28:27 — Balancing Acting Career and Personal Life 31:34 — Maintaining Health and Wellness 35:32 — Navigating Relationships and Sacrifices 38:12 — Actor Aesthetic 43:21 — Learning and Growing Through Actor Aesthetic 45:37 — The Ever-Changing Industry and Online Presence

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Actors Encouraged Podcast

★ Actor Aesthetic

★ Actor Aesthetic IG @actoraesthetic

★ Maggie’s IG @maggiebera

★ Maggie’s Website

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Gabrielle is now my roommate and you can be sure to let Caleb and Corey know. No, but really, we have spent a LOT of time together recently and we wanted to sit down together and really get into how living with each other has given us brand new perspectives on the industry. We have each gained a better appreciation for truly how different actor’s lives can be. We are going into how we view each other’s individual journeys, our varying audition experiences, and the realization that smaller acting roles can still significantly contribute to an actor's career. That’s right: we are in a market that now values career expansion over leveling up, and if you don’t know what we’re talking about, then listen through all the way to the end and you’ll know exactly what we are probably going to be seeing in 2024 and beyond. Let’s navigate the evolving landscape of the industry together! Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Welcome to the One Broke Actress Podcast 00:21 — The Actor's Life: Roommates, Conversations, and Realizations 01:35 — Navigating Actor Life and Business Together 02:54 — The Reality of Auditions and Actor Expectations 07:40 — The Challenges and Insights of Seeking Representation 10:52 — Pivoting in an Actor's Career: From LA to Chicago 15:14 — The Financial Realities of Acting Across Markets 21:09 — Navigating Career Strategies and Setting Boundaries 21:40 — The Realities of Auditioning, Career Highs, and Industry Changes 23:23 — A Deep Dive into a Unique Audition Experience 24:20 — Expanding Career Horizons Beyond Traditional Paths 25:51 — Embracing the Shifts in the Acting Industry 26:37 — The Impact of Social Media and Influencers on Acting Careers 27:41 — How the Industry is Evolving 33:45 — Concluding Thoughts on Career Adaptability and Future Plans Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Listen to One Broke Actress “Working Actor Life: VO Dub, Auditions Post-Strike, the 2024 Pilot Season, and the Actor Rat Race” ★ The Online Actor ★ Gabrielle’s IG @gabriellebyndloss ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

In the final episode of the April series on the One Broke Actress podcast, we are focusing on looking back at all of our past goals and what we want to change going forward to get us closer to our ideal more. I’m going to introduce an equation to help you set up the next three months of your life, focusing on accomplishing and enjoying what's been done, the current vibe of 2024, and desires from an ideal morning exercise. This is going to involve selecting one area (health, finances, career, mindset, relationships, spirituality) to focus on for improvement. Choose something that actually works for you, that you will work towards, because we need to actually execute plans rather than merely discuss them. Put your plan into action!! And trust me, I know it’s hard. We get really honest about what I’ve been struggling with and want to change for the future: improving my mindset. I’m revealing vulnerabilities about trusting in my career and my struggles with self-doubt. But we are also going to take those feelings and outline specific goals to support my mindset, including limiting my daily tasks, spending time alone daily, and ensuring all other goals support my main focus. Hold me to it, and I’ll hold you to yours! What goal are you focusing on for the next three months of 2024? Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Introduction to the Final Episode of the April Series 00:19 — Recap and Context of the April Series 01:10 — Setting Goals and Making Plans 02:10 — Choosing a Focus Area: A Deep Dive 03:51 — Sam's Personal Equation for Success 06:49 — Implementing Mindset Goals: A Practical Approach 11:14 — AD: Use APRIL50 for What to do When You’re Not Working: https://onebrokeactress.thrivecart.co... 14:38 — Supporting Goals in Other Life Areas: Health 15:34 — Supporting Goals in Other Life Areas: Relationships 16:23 — Supporting Goals in Other Life Areas: Finances 17:00 — Supporting Goals in Other Life Areas: Career 18:54 — Your Turn! Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Listen to Part 1: How to Readjust Your Acting Career ★ Listen to Part 2: Reflecting and Resetting Goals ★ Listen to Part 3: How to Plan Your Perfect Morning ★ Beth Stein Agency ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

We are onto Part 3 of our April series on resetting and evaluating our goals. This week, I invite you to do something: figure out what your perfect morning looks like. In your dream life, what do your days start with? I’m going to challenge you audience to outline your ideal morning because, trust me, this exercise will help us all tie our current efforts to our broader goals. We need to see our current achievements while we aim for our future goals, and allow ourselves a bit of a daydream because, seriously, we can make it all come true. This introspective episode is designed to help inspire you to clearly envision your wildest hopes and understand the steps you can take toward achieving them. We got this! Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Reflecting on Parts 1 & 2 01:08 — The Perfect Morning Exercise: Goal Setting & Mindset Alignment 04:20 — Sharing a Personal Perfect Morning 08:52 — AD: Use APRIL50 for What to do When You’re Not Working: https://onebrokeactress.thrivecart.com/what-to-do-when-youre-not-working/ 11:12 — Looking Ahead: Manifesting my Future 13:10 — Reflections and Encouragement for Goal Setting 14:56 — Getting Real Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Listen to Part 1: How to Readjust Your Acting Career ★ Listen to Part 2: Reflecting and Resetting Goals ★ What to do When You’re Not Working ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Building off of our work in Week 1, we are going to do a Quarter 2 reset of our goals. What did you do in the first three months of the year that you wish you could do different in the next three months? I’ll be asking some questions to get your minds going, and help you analyze where you’ve directed your time and mental energy so far and how to change what’s not working from you. And, to top it all off, I’m sharing my own personal reflections on balancing my acting career with other responsibilities. Honestly? I’m not where I thought I would be. So let’s talk about it. In fact, let’s talk about it together! What do you want to change for your next three months in 2024? Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Welcome to One Broke Actress Podcast 00:36 — April's Reflective Reset: Questions You Need to Answer 01:46 — Interactive Q&A: A Deep Dive into Personal Growth 04:28 — Sam's Personal Reflections and Answers 5:50 — AD: Use APRIL50 for What to do When You’re Not Working: https://onebrokeactress.thrivecart.com/what-to-do-when-youre-not-working/ 11:58 — Setting Intentions for the Next Quarter 14:26 — Conclusion and Invitation for Engagement Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Listen to Part 1: How to Readjust Your Acting Career ★ #AdsGoUnion ★ Libby App ★ What to do When You’re Not Working ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

We are going to do a little mini series for the both of April where we focus on resetting our goals and structuring routines. I’ve noticed and also felt the low morale we all have post-strike here in the entertainment industry, and I want to help us all get through it a little bit easier. I am going to empower you, yes you, to take charge of the areas of your life that you have influence over, not what is out of our control. Each week, I will ask you a weekly question to reflect and work on — each covering different aspects of life including financial, career, health, relationships, and mindset. I’m even going to get vulnerable and share my own reflections. Trust me, it’s so important to look back on your year while it’s happening rather than just when it is over, and make sure we are taking steps to find happiness within ourselves, even if the rest of the industry is full of chaos. Let me know what you think about this series on YouTube or on IG — help me help you help yourself! Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Resetting for Quarter 2 02:48 — Creating Goals 06:25 — My Goal Reflection: Financial 07:17 — My Goal Reflection: Career 12:36 — AD: Use APRIL50 for What to do When You’re Not Working: https://onebrokeactress.thrivecart.com/what-to-do-when-youre-not-working/ 14:55 — My Goal Reflection: Health 16:27 — My Goal Reflection: Relationships 18:33 — My Goal Reflection: Mindset 19:36 — A Challenge for You Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ What to Do When You’re Not Working, use code APRIL50 ★ Shappy Pretzels ★ Fast Forward Productions ★ Pod Prep School ★ The Membership ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

We are doing an Ask Me Anything!! From where my career is at to what my biggest pet peeve is, I answer all of your questions. We start off with me telling you about my upcoming commercial headshot session, my honest feelings about the slow pace of the industry currently, and why community is so important to staying hopeful during quieter periods. Thanks for all of the wonderful questions, and let me know if you want to do more of these by leaving me more questions in the comments! Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Intro & State of Sam 05:17 — “If you weren't an actor, what job do you think you'd be doing?” 06:42 — “What do you do when you start to feel impatient about the pace of things? 09:05 — “Do you have suggestions on day jobs that are flexible, don't cause burnout, and pay well?” 10:54 — ”How do I get started in acting?” 11:33 — “Did you mention you did stunt work? Is it terrifying or like a workout class?” 12:21 — “How is your acting career going?” 13:55 — ”Favorite childhood activity?” 15:18 — “Strange pet peeve.” 16:23 — “Navigating networking versus building friendships, especially in LA.” 17:33 — “Feeling strong versus trying to be skinny.” 18:35 — “Favorite band.” 18:38 — “Favorite book.” 18:55 — “Favorite painter.“ 19:18 — “Who inspires you?” 20:40 — ”What is the most underrated thing about LA?” 22:23 — “Where does one find adult gymnastics in LA?” 23:11 — Wrap-Up (Pssttt: leave a review) Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Listen to One Broke Actress “What I am Learning about the Long Game of the Acting Business + My “Teaspoon of Hope” Theory” ★ Wanna Get Started in Acting? Watch My “Back to One” YouTube Playlist ★ Follow Gabrielle Byndloss ★ Follow Beth Stein Agency ★ Follow Erica S. Bream ★ Joining All Movement Workshops (I Did “Fighting for Film”) ★ Listen to the Bonus Podcast “I had a CD give me audition feedback, I re-taped, and she and I reviewed it live with me. Here is what happened…” ★ Listen to the Bonus Podcast “My Bosch Booking- inside and out!” ★ Watch “My Relationship to My Own Body as an Actress | my eating disorder + body dysmorphia recovery journey” on the One Broke Actress YouTube Channel ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Have you ever thought that you’re too old for this business, or that you’re aging out, or that there’s somehow a timeline on your dreams? Well, hate to break it to you, but none of those things are true. Acting is a lifelong art, and I’m bringing on Sean Alexander James (CSI: Vegas, The Morning Show, 9-1-1) who started pursuing this at 29 and never stopped. He takes us back to when he was contemplating his life choices while working at local Applebee's to deciding to explore acting. Sean's story is as inspiring as it is unconventional. Sean delves into topics including how he navigated his career's initial stages, his battle with mental health, and the importance of self-discovery. He shares insights on his approach to auditions and building a strong relationship with agents, and his secret to getting invited back onto the same sets time and time again. So if you’re worried about Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Introduction and Guest Introduction: Sean Alexander James 02:00 — Sean's Start in Acting 06:06 — Sean's Journey from Restaurant Job to Acting 12:15 — Sean's Approach to Auditioning and Networking 17:26 — Sean's Mental Health Journey and Its Impact on His Career 24:46 — Finding Self-Validation and Enjoying the Process 25:45 — The Importance of the Journey and Detachment from Results 26:33 — Remembering Your 'Why' and the Reality of Success in the Industry 27:16 — The Power of Persistence and Self-Work 28:14 — Turning a Costar into a Recurring Role 29:33 — The Power of Kindness and Respect on Set 30:48 — Being Prepared & Having Fun 36:00 — Non-Verbal Acting and Nuance 38:42 — The Story of Getting an Agent and Maintaining Good Communication 44:33 — Current Projects and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Sean James IMDb ★ Sean James IG @theseanburger ★ Brittany Stone: The Stone Talent Agency ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Gabrielle Byndloss is back to discuss the changing face of the acting industry with me as we look at life post-strike in 2024. We talk about the new auditions we’ve been seeing in the commercial realm that are focused on social media ads, the deal with commercials and streaming, and how the industry is reshaping itself. Pilot season is changing before our very eyes and no one knows exactly what is going to come to replace it. We even go into how we define success an acting, arguing that it can look quite different than what many might think. After all, as working actors, we are constantly trying to get to the next thing, to reach that number one spot on the call sheet…but what would happen if we reconnected with our why and looked around at the life we’ve built and all of the chances that we do get to act? It might be worth a try. Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Challenges 00:53 The Reality of Working Actor Life 01:23 The Excitement and Anxiety of Auditions 02:03 The Struggle of Maintaining Enthusiasm 02:32 The Impact of COVID on Actor Life & The Difficulty of Breaking Cycles 04:00 The Changing Landscape of TV Pilots 12:58 The Shift to Streaming and Social Media Ads 17:51 Reevaluating Success in Acting 22:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Gabrielle’s IG ★ Variety Article “**Network TV Pilot Season Is Mostly Dead — but Stubbornly Hasn’t Gone Away Completely”** ★ Listen to TV’s Top Five Podcast ★ Listen to TV’s Top Five “Streaming and Ads” Episode ★ Kevin Rudolf’s “I Made It” ★ The Membership ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

We are bringing back Rus Garofalo of Brass Taxes (where I personally do my taxes). He was a hit last year, and he’s back with even more tips to help us all make this terrifying time just a little bit less scary. When it comes to taxes for creative professionals, there are so many nuisances that others don’t have to deal with because it is such a volatile industry. We go into what the difficulties that come from the tax system not being designed for those in the gig economy, and answer commonly asked tax-related questions such as quarterly taxes, business write-offs, and when it's beneficial to establish an LLC or S Corp. We also talk about how we each need to find what works for us when it comes to our money, and that includes making informed decisions. So if you’re stressed right now, sit back, listen in, and get your notebook ready to approach taxes from a place of empowerment. (PSST: Be sure to listen to the end for a special OBA discount!!) Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Introducing Rus 02:40 — Understanding Taxes for Creatives 03:15— Changes in Tax Season from 2023 to 2024 04:50 — Preparing for Income Fluctuations 07:48 — Understanding W2 and 1099 Work 10:46 — The Importance of Business Expenses 17:20 — Understanding Estimated Tax Payments 28:09 — Write-offs for Actors 30:26 — Understanding Your Role as a Creative Professional 32:43 — Navigating the Gray Areas of Business Expenses 33:17 — Regular Record Keeping 41:09 — International Taxes 43:33 — Deciding When to Start an LLC or S Corp 45:46 — The Reality of Setting Up a Business Entity 48:28 — Making Informed Decisions that Work for YOU 52:21 — Final Thoughts on Taxes for Creative Professionals Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★  Listen to Rus’s first episode: Taxes for Actors 101 ★ NYFA: Taking Care of the Future You: Retirement for Creatives with Brass Taxes ★ Email [email protected] to get the free expense tracker and Freelancer PDF! ★ Brass Taxes FAQ “I was thinking about forming an LLC or Corporation. Is that a good idea?” ★ Brass Taxes FAQ “How do I get started” ★ Brass Taxes FAQ “Your Brass Taxes Account” ★ Brass Taxes FAQ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

In this riveting reflecting on the SAG-AFTRA Strike, Paramount Strike Captains Brittney Baxter, Iris Liu, and Brendan A. Bradley share their firsthand experiences from the picket lines. They discuss their motivations for joining the strike, their unique perspectives on union participation, the challenges they faced, and the transformation they underwent through the experience. Iris spills about how the strike was not just a professional task but a personal journey towards gaining control over her career, while Brendan elaborates about the importance of speaking up for change in the union. Brittany stresses how we all need to question and challenge our union while aiming for future contracts. The captains also share their perspective on how pre-union members should see their fight in the strike too. Finally, they each show gratitude to everyone who supported them and ensured they could still pursue their passion - acting. This candid conversation really warmed my heart, and I think it is going to provide a unique insight into the world of actors, strikes, and the power of standing together for change. Watch the Full Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Introduction and Guest Introductions 02:31 — Reflections on the Paramount Strike 03:21 — Iris's Journey into the Union and the Strike 06:01 — Brendan's Experience and Involvement in the Strike 09:35 — Brittney's Entry into the Strike 11:10 — Reflections on the Strike, Union Participation, and the Impact on Personal Lives 13:49 — Challenges and Triumphs during the Strike 14:53 — The Aftermath of the Strike 17:20 — Lessons Learned and Future Directions 30:38 — Commitment to the New Technology Committee 31:28 — The Struggles of Volunteering and Balancing Work 33:09 — AD: The Membership’s Headshot Class: https://themembership.co/the-headshot-class  35:34 — Respecting Union Volunteers & Participating in the Union 36:38 — The Challenges of Balancing Union Work and Acting 37:51 — We Are Our Union 39:01 — The Power of Sharing Experiences & Filing Claims 40:42 — Support Systems 44:55 — Advice for Non-Union Members 49:50 — What to Look Forward to from Iris, Brendan, and Brittney 56:00 — Wrapping Up Resources Mentioned in This Episode: ★ Brendan’s IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1731701/ ★ Brendan’s Website: https://www.brendanabradley.com ★ Brendan’s IG @brendanabradley https://www.instagram.com/brendanabradley/ ★ Brittney’s IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13093522/ ★ Brittney’s Website: https://brittneybaxter.com ★ Brittney’s IG @brittney_baxter https://www.instagram.com/_brittney_baxter_/ ★ Iris’ IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm10962783/ ★ Iris’ Website: https://www.irisliu.com ★ Iris’ IG @irisliuofficial https://www.instagram.com/irisliuofficial/ ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes! And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here. Don't forget to join the mailing list here!