Colleen Foy sits down with actor, model, producer, and advocate Amanda Booth to reflect on the unexpected path that took her from being a small-town athlete on a college scholarship to modeling in New York and Europe, and eventually to building a career in commercials and acting in Los Angeles.

Amanda opens up about navigating the entertainment industry, becoming a mother to her son, Micah, in 2014, and how his Down syndrome and autism diagnosis caused her to reevaluate her priorities and redefine her sense of self. She shares what it took to rediscover her boundaries, identity, and balance, and how the loss of her brother, Julian, profoundly shaped her perspective.

Colleen and Amanda also dive into Amanda's evolution from actor to producer, how her personal experiences influence the work she creates, and what it means to take control of your creative career and finally make the kinds of stories she's always wanted to see.

00:00 Meet Amanda Booth

01:23 Small Town to New York

02:14 Modeling Breakthrough

03:27 LA Move and Commercial Niche

05:47 Advice on Balance

07:11 Finding Ease on Set

10:23 Motherhood Changes Everything

12:50 Boundaries and Hustle

15:44 Loss and Perspective

17:47 Auditions as Play

19:45 Producing for Inclusion

23:17 Next Projects and Vic

27:38 Private Road Deep Dive

33:18 Dream Disability Stories

37:53 Life in Austin

39:31 Micah and Representation

42:37 Stan Kirsch Studio Journey

44:20 Closing Thanks

EPISODE LINKS:

· Amanda Booth IMDb

· Follow Amanda on IG @amanda_booth

· Supporting “Casting Christmas”

Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

Greg Benson has been a working LA actor, comedian, and director since 1991 — with credits on Beef, Matlock, NCIS, and Bel-Air, plus 150+ national commercials. He's also an early online-comedy pioneer, growing his YouTube channel MediocreFilms to over a million subscribers.

Greg gets into moving from Texas to LA, walking headshots door to door, and booking his first audition (Ghost Ship) after months of silence. He breaks down the mindset shift that came from treating acting like a full-time job, how that led him into sketch comedy and content creation, and how his and his wife's show Gorgeous Tiny Chicken Machine Show landed a Sony/Crackle deal. He also opens up about taking a decade off auditioning, coming back post-COVID, and finding new reps through cold outreach — all while learning to actually enjoy the ride.

00:00 Meet Greg Benson
01:52 Texas Roots and Theater Camp
03:13 Breaking Into LA Pre Internet
04:50 Chutzpah and Agent Calls
07:02 First LA Booking and New Energy
09:19 Treating Acting Like a Job
11:44 From Acting to Digital Creator
12:47 Public Access and Early Filmmaking
16:21 MySpace to YouTube Breakthrough
18:09 Deals and Casting Lessons
22:08 Audition Mistakes to Avoid
24:54 Asking for Help and Referrals
26:05 Content Creation Takes Over
27:02 Choosing YouTube Focus
27:44 Self Tape Skills Boost
28:52 Try Hard Audition Story
30:03 Redefining Career Success
32:37 Life Over Acting
34:36 Returning After Hiatus
37:22 COVID Pause and Priorities
38:32 ADHD and Variety Channel
42:17 Memorization Systems
46:12 New Reps and Outreach
48:50 Rapunzl Email Strategy
51:08 Dry Spells and Joy
52:56 Closing Thanks

EPISODE LINKS:

· Greg’s Website

· Greg’s IMDb

· Greg on Actors Access

· Subscribe to Greg’s YouTube Channel MediocreFilms

· Follow Greg on IG @gregbenson

Host: Colleen Foy

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

Colleen Foy sits down with actor and image consultant Buckley Sampson to talk actor headshots, audition wardrobe, self-tape outfits, personal branding, and how actors can use style to communicate their casting type.

Buckley shares how she went from working as an actress to helping actors align their headshots, wardrobe, and on-camera presence with the roles they want to book. From what to wear for actor headshots and auditions to lifestyle photos, film festivals, and red-carpet looks, she breaks down how fit, tailoring, jewelry, fabrics, patterns, and even small wardrobe details can communicate character, status, and story.

Colleen and Buckley also dig into casting type and “essence,” headshot styling, self-tape wardrobe, when actors should update their headshots, and why having a handful of reliable audition outfits ready to go can make self-taping easier.

Buckley walks through her image consulting process, including closet reviews, shopping, Pinterest boards, and collaborating with agents, managers, photographers, and hair and makeup artists. Plus, they talk about navigating changing industry trends, aging as an actor, and choosing headshots that actually represent how casting sees you.

If you’ve ever wondered what to wear for headshots, how to dress for an audition or self-tape, or how to build a stronger personal brand as an actor, this episode is for you.

Actor, activist, and certified intimacy coordinator Julia Belanova joins SKS master teacher Colleen Foy for a candid conversation about building a sustainable acting career, taking creative risks, navigating representation, and creating safer, more empowered film and television sets.

A magna cum laude Harvard graduate and longtime member of the Stan Kirsch Studios community, Julia shares her journey from theater to film and TV and how her pursuit of joy and freedom in her work has pushed her to make bold choices, both in the audition room and in her career. From an iconic punk-rock buzz cut that made it clear she shouldn’t be underestimated to a fearless Mayans M.C. audition choice that resulted in a same-day booking, Julia has learned the value of trusting her instincts and embracing what sets her apart.

She also reflects on working alongside Colin Farrell and how the experience deepened her commitment to presence, freedom, and authenticity as an actor, as well as the challenges of finding representation and why Stan Kirsch Studios became an artistic anchor throughout her career.

Julia and Colleen also dive into her work as an intimacy coordinator and advocate for safer sets, including her advocacy with The Hollywood Commission and training with IDC and IPA. Julia breaks down what intimacy coordination actually looks like behind the scenes, from casting breakdowns and pre-production through filming and post-production, and discusses consent, trauma-informed practices, working with minors, and why intimacy support can be just as important in emotionally intense scenes as it is in scenes involving physical intimacy.

This episode is a conversation about taking risks, trusting your instincts, finding your artistic community, and building an acting career that leaves room for both creative freedom and advocacy.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:48 Moving to LA After Harvard

01:20 Finding Community at Stan Kirsch

02:55 Stage to Screen Transition

03:37 Representation and Daily Progress

05:01 Buzz Cut as Branding

06:43 Reinvention and Creative Risk

09:01 Mayans MC Set Experience

11:14 Essence Versus Casting Type

13:49 Learning Through Ongoing Class

15:02 Breakthrough Booking With Colin Farrell

16:56 Reinventing Acting Path

17:29 Becoming Intimacy Coordinator

18:12 Why Advocacy Matters

20:38 Training Programs Explained

22:00 Joining a Production Team

23:23 Actor Support Surprises

24:44 Trauma Informed Boundaries

27:47 Safety Versus Set Speed

29:18 When the Work Hits Home

30:30 Protecting Child Performers

31:40 How the Role Changed Her

32:51 Closing Gratitude and Community

EPISODE LINKS:

· Julia’s Website

· Julia’s IMDb

· Follow Julia on IG @_juliabelanova

Host: Colleen Foy

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

Colleen sits down with Heather Hemmens (Roswell New Mexico, Hellcats, Yellowstone)  to talk about sustaining a decades-long career through resilience, craft, and self-care. Heather looks back on moving from Maine to LA at 18 with little money, the disheartening early years, and how depression in her early 20s led her to coping tools like hiking, yoga, meditation, and better health habits. Stan Kirsch Studios was one of the places that gave her a sense of community and built her groundwork for on-camera training, and she also got support from a manager who stuck with her before she booked for years. Heather breaks down what she learned watching herself on camera, her seven-audition journey to booking Hellcats despite getting harsh feedback from a casting director, and how that propelled her in the future when she was up for Roswell, New Mexico. From working with Tyler Perry to Taylor Sheridan, Heather has absorbed the artistry of those around her and used it to further her acting career and work. No matter what happened, she refused to give up, and that’s how she was able to keep going. See her in “Texas Two Step” now playing on Hallmark.

00:00 Meet Heather Hemmens

01:01 Moving to LA at 18

02:45 Full Circle Milestone

04:07 Self Care Survival

06:16 Depression and Coping Tools

08:07 Finding Stan Kirsch Studios

10:56 On Camera Breakthroughs

15:03 Booking Hellcats

18:26 Notes and Callbacks

20:10 Resilience Before the Break

24:39 Health Crisis to Business

26:53 Roswell Audition Shift

27:10 Booking Roswell Fast

29:20 Juggling Three Shows

31:14 Champagne Problems Reality

35:21 Tyler vs Taylor Workflows

38:41 Tyler Perry Boot Camp

41:45 Directing Actors Gently

46:02 Staying Flexible On Set

47:35 Dancing Again Texas Two Step

50:14 Choosing Directing Home Turf

52:40 Trusting Intuition Self Care

EPISODE LINKS:

· Heather’s IMDb

· Follow Heather on IG @heatherhemmens

· Get some Galifornia Undies 

Host: Colleen Foy

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

Brock and Natalie Lander (The Middle, 9-1-1: Lone Star, 13 Reasons Why, Hannah Montana, Grey’s Anatomy, Goldie and Bear, Legally Brunette, and MTV’s Search for the Next Elle Woods) get into the nitty gritty about being a modern day actor. Natalie shares how Stan Kirsch Studios helped her transition from theater to TV with script breakdown skills, multicam vs. single-cam knowledge, and the value of watching other actors work. She discusses booking her first recurring guest star at 28 on The Middle, how preparedness and a welcoming set helped her feel she belonged, and what recurring work teaches about community. They also dive deep into Natalie’s content creation process and how she came up with the Craigslist Monologues and Shortcomings podcast with Brittany Ross and eventually Legally Brunette. This episode is for everyone looking for advice and practical lessons on how to navigate being a multihyphenate actor. 

00:00 Cold Open and Setup

00:09 Guest Intro Natalie Lander

01:32 Podcast Mission and POV

02:03 SKS Lessons and Foundations

04:18 The Middle Audition Breakthrough

07:42 Recurring Role Long Game

09:19 Creating with Brittany Ross

13:27 Community and Making Your Own Yes

16:36 Legally Brunette Origin Story

18:36 Journals to One Woman Show

21:49 Pandemic Resurgence and Timing

23:16 Creative Meets Business

23:56 Healing Legally Blonde

24:35 Solo Creator Struggles

27:07 Squiggy Musical Origins

29:46 Mars Story And Grief

31:50 Writing Process Breakdown

35:29 Venue And Funding Reality

39:04 Indie Pilot To Life

43:02 Acting In A New Era

45:05 Fringe And Farewell

EPISODE LINKS:

· Natalie’s Website

· Natalie’s Links

· Natalie’s IMDb

· Follow Natalie on IG @natalie_lander

Host: Brock Ciarlelli

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

Angela Fornero sits down with Melissa Blue, owner of Rock Your Reel and Bluelit Studios, to talk through actor branding. From demo reels to headshots, they dive into the pros and cons of using self-tapes versus creating footage and how actors can “level up” their packages depending on where they are in their careers. Melissa shares her path from musical theater to on-camera acting, headshot photography, writing, and building a reel business in LA. They also talk about how your acting materials should teach Hollywood how to cast you, align with what you truly play, and match shows that are currently airing right now. Melissa shares her process and how she likes to identify  archetypes, analyze favorite shows for patterns, research into current cinematography techniques and sets, and why class is so important. With Rock Your Reel, she talks about taking actors through the entire process of brainstorming, pitching, scripting, rehearsing, shooting, and editing, and how it is all a part of reclaiming our careers. 

00:00 Career Corner Setup

00:34 Footage Confusion Today

01:19 Meet Melissa Blue

03:03 From Headshots to Reels

07:10 Listening to the Signs

08:46 Branding Without Fear

12:10 Specific Materials That Cast

14:39 Find Your Shows and Tone

16:15 Archetypes and Cheat Sheets

18:09 Target Shows With Patterns

23:49 Community and Class Benefits

28:32 New vs Seasoned Actors

33:55 Self Tape Quality Bar

35:32 Branding Through Demo Reels

36:21 Footage Paths Explained

38:23 DIY Footage Pitfalls

41:25 Cheap/Fast/Good Rule

42:50 Waiting Pays Off

46:08 Rock Your Reel Process

55:00 Shoot Day and Timeline

56:30 IMDb and Signature Scenes

59:29 Seasoned Actor Tips

01:02:20 Creative Fulfillment 

01:07:16 Lessons From Producing

01:10:51 Final Advice & Next Steps

EPISODE LINKS:

· Rock Your Reel 

· Blue Lit Studios

· Melissa’s IMDb

· Follow Melissa on IG @melissablueward

Host: Angela Fornero

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

We are thrilled to welcome long time SKS'er Laura Niemi. With over 60 IMDB credits, and an extensive background in theatre (The Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Rep, The Taper just to name a few) - she knows what it takes to put in the work and navigate this wild industry. From Laura’s theater roots where she created her own theater company to her recurring role on NBC’s This is Us, they dive into every aspect of Laura’s journey.  Laura talks about how theater strengthened her craft, her reps and rehearsal process, the value of community, rehearsal partners, and the belief that there’s no single “right” way to play a role. Laura also reflects on how pivotal Stan and SKS was in her life, and how at every turn she was able to pivot and pave her own way forward through the connections she established throughout her lifelong career.

00:00 Old Friends Reconnect

00:21 Glass Menagerie Breakthrough

01:02 Theater Pay Reality Check

01:47 Cracking Big Stages

03:00 Why Plays Level You Up

05:03 Rehearsal Builds Chemistry

06:43 Rehearsal Friendships

09:06 No One Right Take

11:12 Finding Stan’s Studio

14:17 Safe Space Culture

15:36 Audition Prep That Books

20:59 Staying Inspired Today

22:43 Hobbies Fuel The Work

25:02 Branding and Typecasting

27:40 Reinventing Through Creating

30:20 Writing Your Own Series

31:08 Stop Overbranding Yourself

32:00 Utility Actor Mindset

33:25 Stars vs Theater Casting

35:10 Frustration Into Action

38:28 This Is Us Audition Journey

42:42 Chemistry and Method Choices

45:33 Betting on Yourself

47:24 Red Carpet Reps Practice

52:20 Finding the Right Reps

55:33 Choosing Reps Authentically

59:39 Stan Legacy Farewell

EPISODE LINKS:

· Laura Niemi’s IMDb

· Follow Laura on IG @lauraniemi 

· Keep up with Laura here

Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

In this episode, award-winning Afro-Latina actress and filmmaker Loren Escandón shares her inspiring journey from Cali, Colombia, to Hollywood. Growing up surrounded by cartel violence, Loren’s mother enrolled her in ballet to keep her safe, which sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling. She shares how her early training in ballet, tango, and jazz eventually led her to theater and television, as well as the challenges of navigating cultural shifts and learning to embrace her accent. Loren has appeared in hit series including Gentefied, 9-1-1, S.W.A.T., Selena: The Series, Truth Be Told, and Freevee’s Casa Grande. She is best known for her breakout role as Marisol in Netflix’s Purple Hearts. Beyond acting, Loren is an accomplished director and writer. Her debut, Phone Tales, premiered at multiple festivals, and her latest short, Los Patines, has won numerous awards including Best Short at the San Pedro International Film Festival and Best Latino Short and Director at the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival. Throughout the conversation, Loren emphasizes resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of representation in storytelling. She offers insights into her creative process, her experiences navigating multiple cities and cultures, and her vision for what’s coming next.

00:00 Introduction and Early Life 

00:25 Discovering Ballet and Storytelling 

01:32 Transition to Acting and Moving to the US 

02:27 Navigating the Acting Industry 

03:48 First TV Role and Learning the Ropes 

05:49 Settling in LA and Finding Representation 

11:24 Audition Challenges and Self-Acceptance 

16:59 The Importance of Training and Comedy 

25:17 Wardrobe and Character Embodiment 

26:50 Collaborative Costume Design 

27:22 Realism in Acting 

28:57 Transition to Directing 

31:57 Creating Los Patina 

34:50 Challenges and Triumphs 

39:34 Future Projects and Aspirations 

46:44 Reflections and Inspirations 

49:46 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions

EPISODE LINKS:

· Loren’s IMDb

· Follow Loren on IG @lorenescandon

Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

A.J. Castro was born in Costa Rica and raised in Miami, where he quickly found his love of acting. He sits down with host Colleen Foy to talk about his journey in the industry and finding his place as a Latino in Hollywood. From studying at CSULA to booking Will & Grace and 9-1-1, A.J.’s journey has now led him to becoming a coach at SKS. He shares his early career struggles, his entry into Hollywood through perseverance and community support, living a lifelong career with shifting goals over time, finding writing, and how being a father has shaped his stories. A.J. also shares insights about adapting to the industry’s demands, and how he found Stan Kirsch Studios right when he needed it. You’ll learn the importance of having a process, finding joy in the creative journey, and giving yourself grace in your creative process. 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:09 AJ's Journey to the Studio 

01:22 Moving to LA: The Early Years 

02:34 Finding Footing in LA 

02:49 Acting Beginnings in Miami

 06:25 Challenges and Growth in Acting 

07:50 The Importance of Goals and Consistency 

14:48 Navigating the Acting Industry 

30:00 Booking 911 & The Payoff of Consistency

 30:56 Overcoming Intimidation and Self-Doubt 

33:19 The Importance of Casting and Perseverance 

35:06 Branding and Marketing as an Actor 

36:54 Discovering and Embracing Your Type 

43:15 Writing as a Creative Outlet

46:54 Balancing Acting and Writing

52:51 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions 

57:12 Final Thoughts and Aspirations

EPISODE LINKS:

· AJ Castro’s IMDb

· Follow AJ on IG @realajcastro 

· AJ’s Links

· Learn More about AJ’s Classes at SKS

Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠

Allen Rowe (FBI Most Wanted, The Last Ship, Hawaii Five-0, ) has been a long time student of Stan Kirsch Studios. In this episode, he joins his mentor Colleen Foy to look back on his unique journey as an actor. Allen shares his early struggles, including flying between San Francisco and Los Angeles for auditions and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. Born in Taipei, Taiwan and being of Chinese descent meant that Allen had to deal with a lack of roles that he saw himself in early on. It was because of his community and classes at studios like SKS that kept him going and allowed him to craft his iconic, memorable auditions that led to roles on shows like 'Monk' and 'CSI Cyber.' Allen also discusses his experience working in Asia as a series regular on Tou Du (Wei Xian lu Cheng) and what he’s hoping for in the future. If you’ve been looking for motivation to keep going and remain resilient, this is the episode for you.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming Allen

00:24 Early Acting Struggles and Auditions 

01:15 Breakthrough and Career Milestones 

02:04 Challenges and Learning in Acting Classes 

06:04 Memorable Audition Stories 

07:29 Dealing with Rejection and Staying Active 

10:58 Script Analysis and Preparation Techniques 

20:17 On-Set Experiences and Networking

24:09 Reflecting on Early Career Experiences 

24:25 Navigating the One-Hour Drama Auditions 

25:43 Transitioning to Acting in Asia 

27:36 Challenges and Successes in China

28:37 Returning to the US and Building Connections 

31:06 Aspirations for a Series Regular Role 

33:41 Exploring Different Genres and Roles 

34:25 Portraying My Grandfather 

36:40 Representation and Diversity in Acting 

41:30 The Art of Self-Taping

 43:44 Inside the Actor's Studio Questions

EPISODE LINKS:

· Allen’s IMDb

· Follow Allen on IG @theosky8

Host: ⁠Colleen Foy⁠

Producer: ⁠Kristyn Daniel⁠

Music by: Lindsay Boreing and Will Boreing

________________

Want to learn more about Stan Kirsch Studios? ⁠Visit Our Website Here.⁠

⁠Catch up on the podcast here.⁠

Follow SKS on IG ⁠@stankirschstudios ⁠