Ego Was Here

What if the women erased from history were the very ones who could help you finally stop shrinking yourself? In this episode, award-winning historical fiction author Kerry Chaput ( Daughter of the King, Chasing Eleanor, The Secret Courtesan ) shares how discovering forgotten women in history helped her reclaim her voice, her creativity, and her life. She opens up about growing up in a patriarchal...

Actor, writer and acting coach Laura Cayouette joins the podcast to talk about what it really means to risk everything on a dream that almost no one achieves. Before appearing in films like Django Unchained , Kill Bill: Vol. 2 , Enemy of the State , Now You See Me and TV shows such as Friends , True Detective and Queen Sugar , Laura was on track to become a professor, building a safe and respectab...

Actor, filmmaker, and spiritual thinker Sean Stone joins the conversation for a deep exploration of consciousness, perception, and the subtle experiences that shape how we understand the world. As the son of director Oliver Stone, Sean grew up on the sets of his father’s films and appeared in several of them, including JFK , The Doors , and Nixon . Those early years offered a unique insight into h...

Actor John Scott Wells joins the show for a thoughtful conversation about fatherhood, empathy, and learning to understand the world through a different lens. Raising a neurodivergent child led him to rethink communication, connection, and the small moments that reveal who we are. It shaped his work as an actor and the way he moves through everyday life. John shares how autism is often perceived, h...

When Plan B is not an option, what keeps you going? Actor Danny Boushebel , known for his work in Stranger Things, Homeland, The Blacklist, and Elementary, shares a powerful journey shaped by resilience, discipline, and a deep commitment to his craft. Danny grew up between Lebanon and Kuwait during years marked by conflict, and those early experiences shaped his perspective as an artist. In this c...

When life hits hardest, some people fight back with laughter. Comedian Sean Porter shares how growing up in the shadow of war shaped his voice, his presence, and his purpose on stage. Through stand-up, therapy, and reflection, he discovered that comedy isn’t just entertainment, it’s healing in motion. In this deeply human conversation, Sean opens up about the discipline of being present, learning...

Actress and storyteller Stacy Thunes explores what it really means to be seen, in life, art, and the world of Hollywood. In this inspiring episode of Ego Was Here , Stacy opens up about acting, reinvention, and the courage to live authentically , revealing how self-discovery and creativity intertwine on and off the screen. Through her candid reflections on resilience, Buddhism, and filmmaking, Sta...

Every story that reaches the screen begins long before the cameras roll. Writer and producer Philip Levens ( Smallville ; creator and showrunner of Ascension ) has lived the highs and heartbreaks of turning ideas into stories that survive the system. In this episode, he opens up about what it really takes to bring a vision to life, from endless rewrites and studio notes to moments with icons like...

Behind every unforgettable performance lies more than talent, it’s shaped by story and the science of human connection. Actor, acting coach, writer, and producer Carolyn Stotesbery reveals how a story-driven, neuroscience-informed approach can shift the focus away from ego and bring truth back to acting. Drawing on her on-screen experience and a deep understanding of storytelling and neuroscience,...

In a world obsessed with perfection, actor and model Dan Cordle reveals why our imperfections might be the very thing that makes us unforgettable. In this raw and thought-provoking episode of Ego Was Here, Dan dives deep into self-acceptance, vulnerability, and the unexpected power of imperfection to create genuine human connection. Dan shares how his life in front of the camera and on stage taugh...

At 27, Heaven Stellar (born Kate Stellar, formerly known as Kate Romero) made her screen debut in Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise. But her life story goes far beyond that iconic moment. In this intimate conversation, Heaven shares how she broke free from toxic cycles, set new boundaries, and rebuilt her life in Los Angeles. From her career in Hollywood to the personal transformations that shaped her...

What does it take to be authentic in an industry built on roles and appearances? In this episode of Ego Was Here , actor and filmmaker Yasmine Alice shares her journey of finding identity through acting, facing auditions and rejection, and creating her short film Anxious . Yasmine opens up about the pressure of performance, the tension between social media and self-expression, and the courage it t...

What if one thought changed how you decide, create and relate? Havilah Malone joins Ego Was Here to trace the pivot that redirected her life. She explains how she stopped resisting a recurring pattern, shifted the lens she used to make decisions, and rebuilt daily practices to align with who she wanted to be. Havilah brings lived experience and training. She is an award winning actor, four-time be...

Actor Greg Kriek joins Ego Was Here to share a side of Hollywood rarely seen — one rooted in authenticity, gratitude, and identity. From his Camino de Santiago journey to working alongside Hollywood legends, Greg opens up about the lessons that shaped him beyond the spotlight. This conversation isn’t just about acting. It’s about slowing down, trusting your path, and choosing to live true to yours...

What if you lost everything, your health, your safety, even your sense of self — and still had to fight for your life? That is exactly what happened to Carlos Alejandro Lujan. In this episode of Ego Was Here , Carlos opens up about surviving the unthinkable: battling cancer, enduring abuse, and navigating the darkest chapters of his life. He shares the tools that helped him heal, the hope he disco...

Stand-up comedian and activist Belinda Carroll reveals how she turned struggle into comedy and trauma into laughter. From stage fright to activism, she shows how performance can heal and empower. Belinda’s journey takes us from growing up queer in a conservative Southern Baptist family to founding the Portland Queer Comedy Festival and leading Pride activism. She opens up about the burden of repre...

In the late 90s, Lolly lit up the charts with unforgettable hits like “Viva La Radio,” “Big Boys Don’t Cry,” and “Mickey.” Bursting with color, energy, and fun, she became one of the most recognizable voices of UK pop. In this episode of Ego Was Here , Anna Iris sits down with Anna Kumble ( known to millions as Lolly ) for an uplifting and candid conversation about her journey through music, creat...

When 90% of your career is rejection, how do you keep going? Actress, accent coach, and mental health advocate Aisling Goodwin shares the raw truths of show business, from resilience and mindset tools to mastering accents without losing your performance. Whether you’re an actor, creative, or facing setbacks in any field, this conversation will inspire you to protect your mental health and define s...

Award-winning actress Natalie Bark joins Ego Was Here to share her unexpected journey from a corporate career to starring roles in The Crown , Loki , and Invasion . But it was her silent performance in the short film Exchange — which won her the Cannes Debut Award — that transformed everything. We discuss: Transitioning into acting without formal training The challenge and power of performing with...

What happens when your world goes silent, just after becoming a mother? In this raw and transformative conversation, host Anna Iris speaks with actress, author, and hearing health advocate Tiffany Storrs , who lost her hearing after childbirth, and calls it the greatest gift of her life. Together, they explore invisible disabilities, identity, motherhood, and the mindset shift that turned fear int...

This time, I’m not just introducing the podcast — I’m sharing what it’s costing me to create it. Why it scares me. Why I hesitated. And what it really means to show up without the protection of a script, a role, or a mask. If you've ever felt the pull to speak your truth — but also the fear of what might follow — this episode might just be for you. 💛 Follow this journey from the very beginning....

Welcome to Ego Was Here , a podcast exploring the masks we wear and the search for authenticity. In this first episode, Anna Iris opens up about why she created this space to question identity, social validation, and what it means to be truly seen. Follow Ego Was Here for weekly episodes that dive deep into human stories, vulnerability, and connection.