Actor Problems

We're bringing back working actor and certified life coach DaJuan Johnson DaJuan Johnson is a working actor, certified life coach, and founder of Think Bigger Coaching, where he helps actors book their first or next big TV and film role. Known for his seven-season run as Detective Rondell Pierce on Amazon's Bosch and Bosch: Legacy, DaJuan currently recurs on NCIS: Origins as Detective Noah Oakley...

Today's episode is with talent manager and career coach Anastasia Edwards.  Born in Georgia (the country) and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Ana moved to the United States at 18 after studying at the Theater Academy of Dramatic Arts. She built a solid on-camera resume, featuring roles in NCIS Hawaii (CBS), Chicago Fire (NBC), and Little America (Apple TV+), in addition to award-winning film cre...

Today's episode features Brian Patacca.  NOTE: If you're catching this in winter of 2025, Brian is once again hosting his popular masterclass  Make Agents Want You  LIVE!  Click here to snag a spot    Brian helps actors get what they want without all the struggle. He's helped 724 actors find representation and is even known as "The Representation Whisperer". Through his wildly popular online cours...

You know the feeling... "The world is falling apart."  Maybe it's because of the political climate. Or maybe there's a major headline dominating the news, making you stressed AF, burnt out, and feeling lost of all hope... The following is from a FB live I recorded discussing the following... how to protect your mental health when it feels like the world is falling apart  the difference between set...

In this episode, we discuss…   Why so much of the casting world "has nothing to do with the actors"  How she became a "jack of all trades" working on both sides of the camera (including production.)  What it's like owning her own production company  Why she says yes when it comes to producing & funding other films The lack of representation on screen for Asian actors How the lack of representation...

I don't actually care if you hit your goals or not last year for the following to be true... Check out this mini-sode of the Actor Problems for the what and why, plus how our habits can help or hurt our mental health.  PS - All my minisodes this season are also done on IG live :)  Let's stay connected!  WEBSITE:  www.tonyrossicoaching.com   INSTAGRAM:  www.instagram/com/tony.rossi   FREE SELF-CARE...

Did you just make a mistake??  In this short solo episode, I'll talk more about... why making mistakes can actually be a good thing  how indecision might be hurting you and your career  what to remember to help with your mental health if/when your next mistake happens  Let's stay connected!  WEBSITE:  www.tonyrossicoaching.com   INSTAGRAM:  www.instagram/com/tony.rossi   FREE SELF-CARE NEWSLETTER:...

Today's guest is Katy Chen Mazzara.  Katy Chen Mazzara is a certified trauma-informed financial wellness coach and graduate of UC Berkeley's Personal Financial Planning program. As a former TV producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Katy understands the balance between dreaming and doing. Through her six step Financial Freedom Formula, Katy helps creative freelancers and entrepreneurs ma...

Welcome to season six!  Is your career where you want it to be?  Do you ever struggle figuring out where to place your time and energy? And how do we differentiate between when to slow down and breathe, versus kicking things up a notch?  Today we'll discuss two easy questions to ask yourself whenver you're in that phase of trying to move your career forward.    Let's stay connected!  WEBSITE:  www...

So I'm 36.  Here's what I haven't done so far... Booked a co-star  Gotten my EMC card Been in a long term relationship  Moved out of my studio apartment that I've lived in for 9 years ...and I currently don't have theatrical reps.  AND - all of this lacks context... Today in our season finale, we're gonna discuss how to calm that negative chatter telling us we should be "further" by now, plus how...

Today's special guest is actor and coach Jodie Bentley    Jodie Bentley is an LA-based actor, audiobook narrator, and career coach for actors. A graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Acting, she's worked for Netflix, Hulu, ABC, CBS, Apple TV and many more. Since 2008, she's been educating and helping actors to get the careers they want without wasting any more time and money! Sh...

Today's guest is actor, TedX speaker, and multi-hyphenate Dana N. Anderson.  Dana is a sometimes Chicago-sometimes Phoenix-based, globally minded multi-hyphenate with boundless talent. A performer and creator whose work spans on-camera, stage, voiceover and music, she's appeared in major network shows and commercials. Add Emmy® Award winner to her titles: she co-directed "The Lost Story of Emmett...

....I lied about something last week. (Kind of.) I'll share why, plus one super important way we can all learn from those who are getting better results in their careers.  I'll tie in a strategy that I find super helpful towards getting those results too ;)    Let's stay connected!  MY WEBSITE:  www.tonyrossicoaching.com   INSTAGRAM:  www.instagram/com/tony.rossi   FREE SELF-CARE NEWSLETTER:  www....

Has you confidence taken a hit?  When we don't feel confident, we're going to do less.  When we do less, we  get  less.  (So like, less acting opportunities....less money....you get it)  This week we're talking all about confidence.... Why it matters  The number one thing we can do to start to feel more confident  An example of how to be confident in front of casting directors  The opportunities w...

Keeping it short and sweet today!  Here are 3 quick tips you can easily implement the next time you're feeling stressed AF.    Let's stay connected!  MY WEBSITE:  www.tonyrossicoaching.com   INSTAGRAM:  www.instagram/com/tony.rossi   FREE SELF-CARE NEWSLETTER:  www.tonyrossicoaching.com/stress   FREE SELF-CARE FB GROUP:  www.facebook.com/groups/actorproblems     Wanna work together?  Check out  ww...

Hear some actor industry info from former talent agent, actor, and found of Vagabond School of the Arts - Michael McCracken,  Michael has been in the professional entertainment industry for over 20 years. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Vagabond School of the Arts. Before founding Vagabond School he was a tv/film, commercial and theatrical talent agent (Grossman & Jack Talent, Shirley H...

Today we're joined by Antoine McKay.  Antoine McKay is an actor, educator, and father from Detroit, MI. After performing on both the Detroit and Second City Mainstages, he's gone on to have a career working on shows including Empire, Southside, Sense8, Patriot, Sports Action Team, and Prison Break. He is best known for his roles as 'Bunkie' in the hit TV primetime drama Empire and 'Uncle Spike' in...

Today we have a very special guest who has become wildly popular in the acting community.  Sam Valentine is the host of the  One Broke Actress  podcast: An honest account of actor life, plus a few lessons she's learned in the process.  In this episode, you'll hear... The story of her former (shitty) agent that led her to start One Broke Actress Why some of the best things come from moments of desp...

Feeling scared about stuff going on in your life??  Not sure which move to make next in your career?  ...and is all of this (and like, life) making you stressed AF?    Let's break down these three areas (with some examples from yours truly), plus my tips on what to do when we're feeling these emotions for a prolonged period of time.    Let's stay connected! MY WEBSITE:  www.tonyrossicoaching.com  ...

Quick episode on how to avoid burnout with a super easy tip to follow!  (but like - just because it's easy to understand doesn't always make it easy to digest...)  And if you want a practice example of today's episode? Stay tuned for the story of the fitness class I took in the Boston area. (After not taking a fitness class in over a decade....)  notperfect   Let's stay connected! MY WEBSITE:  www...

It's the HOLIDAYS....   ...has shit hit the fan yet??    If it hasn't? Cool. But if things are messy right now? It's time to acknowledge your feelings and normalize the messiness that comes with "the most wonderful time of the year."    Whether you're stressed AF about the holidays, your acting career or your personal life, here's a short episode on what the F to do the next time something you wer...

Today we bring on Chicago actress, Steppenwolf ensemble member, and someone who strives to  #BeThatLight for others - Celeste Cooper.    Celeste M. Cooper is an actor, producer, community builder, educator, and casting associate. Celeste has performed at Goodman Theatre, Eclipse Theatre, Court Theatre, Windy City Playhouse, Kansas City Repertory, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Indiana Reperto...

Ever end a year feeling like "I didn't do enough"??  As creatives, we're really good at beating ourselves up & telling ourselves stories about why "I suck".  As the year wraps up, let's discuss why this year might NOT have sucked....even if you feel like you "didn't do enough."  I'll share a super-quick exercise that doesn't involve going through your entire calendar, be realistic about how this y...

We're back for season 5! And we're bringing back special guest Katy Chen Mazzara.  Katy Chen Mazzara is a certified trauma-informed financial wellness coach and graduate of UC Berkeley's Personal Financial Planning program. As a former TV producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker, Katy understands the balance between dreaming and doing. Through her six step Financial Freedom Formula, Katy h...

I was stressed about the weather. I was stressed about the late start time.  I was stressed about the hills. So.....how did it go??  After spending much of season 4 talking about how challenging it was for me to get a spot in the Boston Marathon, we're wrapping things up with how the day itself went, what what well....and what was challenging ;)  Finally, we'll share some takeaways for actors thro...