The Liquid Courage Podcast

Amanda Pereira

Want to laugh and feel inspired? Dying for insider tips on how to thrive in the Canadian entertainment industry? This award-winning podcast brings you candid chats with the folks making Canada’s entertainment industry buzz—the wins, the struggles, and the lessons that can help you navigate and succeed. With the help of a little liquid courage, host Amanda Pereira asks the questions we’re all dying to know. Because thriving together feels better. New episodes every other Wednesday!

  1. Ep. 70 - Clara Altimas (writer, director, producer)

    3D AGO

    Ep. 70 - Clara Altimas (writer, director, producer)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some Zevia cream soda and root beer with writer, director, and producer Clara Altimas. Clara is a writer, director, and producer originally from Montreal, now based between Toronto and Los Angeles. She serves as showrunner, executive producer, and director on Crave’s The Office Movers, created by Jay and Trey Richards, and is now working on season 3 of the series. She was previously a writer, producer, and director on CBC’s Strays and Kim’s Convenience. In addition to her television work, Clara has written and directed numerous short films, and is currently in development on her first feature film. She has also taken part in several major industry development programs, including the Canadian Film Centre’s Writer’s Lab and the Reykjavik International Film Festival’s Talent Lab. Before all of that, Clara started out as an actor, training in Meisner with the late Jacqueline McClintock, studying scene study and script analysis with Larry Moss, and performing improv at UCB in Los Angeles and Toronto’s Second City. She credits her love of story and character to her extensive training as an actor, and brings those experiences into her writing and directing work. In this episode, Amanda and Clara discuss the shift from actor to writer/director, how she got started in writing for TV, and how she navigates the pressures of comparison and self-doubt in the entertainment industry. Mentions from this episode… ~ This is John (short film by Jay & Mark Duplass) ~ Sleep Away (short film by Clara Altimas)  ~ Christmas Green (short film by Clara Altimas)  ~ Allan (Al) Magee  ~ Heated Rivalry (series)   Terms we mentioned… ~ “Meisner” - an acting approach developed by Sanford Meisner that focuses on "living truthfully under imaginary circumstances" ~ “Save the Cat” - a popular script writing book by Blake Snyder ~ “Punch up” - a term used to describe the process of adding more/better jokes to a script, or sharpening/heightening the existing jokes in a script ~ “Canadian Film Centre (CFC)” - https://cfccreates.com/ ~ “TIFF” - stands for the Toronto International Film Festival, one of the world's largest and most prestigious public-facing film festivals   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!  Liquid Courage - click here!  Amanda Pereira (host) - click here!  Clara Altimas (guest) - click here!    ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 11m
  2. Ep. 69 - Liz Johnston (actor, producer)

    JAN 28

    Ep. 69 - Liz Johnston (actor, producer)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some gin and sonic with actor, producer Liz Johnston. Liz is an award-winning actor and improviser from Toronto, who has performed on the renowned Second City Mainstage and as a Repertory Player at Bad Dog Theatre Company. Alongside her creative partner Ruth Goodwin, She was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for her co-created show Entrances & Exits, and just finished performing in Second City Toronto’s Rudolph Runs Wild and Knife Fight Theatre's Invasion: Christmas Carol. Liz’s work spans stage, television, voice acting, and innovative live experiences, including the acclaimed telephonic improv show The Ministry of Mundane Mysteries featured in The New York Times. On screen, you can catch her on shows like Apple TV's Murderbot, Nickelodeon's Star Falls, and CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries. Most recently, you can hear Liz’s voice work in the best-selling game Lil' Guardsman. In this episode, Amanda and Liz discuss the auditioning process, how becoming a mother has changed (and hasn’t changed!) her career in the performing arts, and how to maintain a successful creative working partnership with friends. Mentions from this episode… ~ Shh I'm Watching a Movie (podcast) - Episode 39 – Armageddon w/ Liz Johnston -  ~ Martyr! (novel) ~ How to be both (novel) ~ Isola (novel) ~ Orlando (novel) ~ Liquid Courage - Ep 67. Nadine Djoury (actor, writer, director) - audio episode, video episode ~ Make ‘Em Laugh ~ The Court Jester (movie)  ~ Ruth Goodwin  ~ Murderbot (series) ~ Sarah Hillier (listen to her on Liquid Courage!) ~ Paloma Nuñez (listen to her on Liquid Courage!) ~ Christy Bruce  ~ Natalie Metcalfe (listen to her on Liquid Courage!) ~ Jess Bryson  ~ Aurora Browne (listen to her on Liquid Courage!) ~ Julie Nolke (listen to her on Liquid Courage!) ~ Hollywood Reporter roundtable Jessie Buckley clip  ~ Greta Lee ~ Heated Rivalry (series) ~ Liquid Courage - Ep 64. Nadine Bhabha (actor, writer, producer) - audio episode, video episode ~ Mabel’s Fables (bookstore)  ~ Hanna Puley    Terms we mentioned… ~ “‘Bad Dog Theatre” - a popular live comedy venue and comedy school in Toronto ~ House Co.” / “Tour Co.” - Various cast grouping at Second City Toronto, a live comedy venue and school in Toronto ~ “Comedy Bar East” - a popular live comedy venue (and comedy school!) in Toronto at Danforth/Main, with Comedy Bar West being at Ossington/Bloor.    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!  Liquid Courage - click here!  Amanda Pereira (host) - click here!  Liz Johnston (guest) - click here!    ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 16m
  3. Ep. 68 - Chloe Van Landschoot (actor, filmmaker)

    JAN 14

    Ep. 68 - Chloe Van Landschoot (actor, filmmaker)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks a negroni with actor and filmmaker Chloe Van Landschoot. Chloe is an actor, filmmaker and a registered nurse, currently based out of Toronto. She stars as Kristi on MGM+’s sci-fi horror From, recently led Houston Bone’s queer horror feature Son of Sara: Volume 1, and is the creator behind the award-winning short film Tidal, now streaming on CBC Gem. She also has two films of her own currently in development, so keep an eye out for news of those projects! Chloe’s experiences working in healthcare deeply inform her work as a storyteller, both on screen and behind the camera. She co-founded Collective h’ARTS, a Collective of Healthcare Artists dedicated to building community, fostering creative expression, and providing a platform for healthcare workers to share their artistry. In this episode, Amanda and Chloe discuss Chloe’s experience playing Kristi on From for 4 seasons now, how nursing shapes and feeds into her creative instincts, and her creative process from building a character to taking care of yourself when creating in the horror genre.   Mentions from this episode… ~ Collective h’ARTS  ~ From (tv series) ~ The Pitt (tv series) ~ Aviva Armour-Ostroff ~ Aviva Armour-Ostroff’s Lune ~ Son of Sara: Volume 1 (film) ~ Liquid Courage - Ep 46. Sam Coyle (writer, director) - audio episode, video episode ~ Azure Barton’s “A a | a B : B E N D” ~ “Public Consumption”, created by Lauren Gillis and Alaine Hutton   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!    Liquid Courage - click here!  Amanda Pereira (host) - click here!  Chloe Van Landschoot (guest) - click here!    ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 13m
  4. Ep. 67 - Nadine Djoury (actor, writer, director)

    2025-12-17

    Ep. 67 - Nadine Djoury (actor, writer, director)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks a smoothie with actor, writer, and director Nadine Djoury. Nadine is a Second City Mainstage alumna who wrote and performed in three critically acclaimed revues and recently directed Rizz the Season, playing at Second City Toronto until January 4, 2026. She currently writes for CBC’s The Great Canadian Baking Show, and co-created, wrote, and starred in ABC.com/CBC Comedy's web series Newborn Moms. You will definitely recognize her from basically every show ever, including DMV, What We Do in the Shadows, Ghosts, Children Ruin Everything, My Dead Mom, The Z-Suite, Workin’ Moms, Good Witch, Kim’s Convenience, Transplant, Baroness Von Sketch Show, The Beaverton …see what I mean? (I could keep going). You can catch Nadine performing in Holiday! An Improvised Musical, where the cast improves an entirely new holiday musical every single night, on at Factory Theatre in Toronto until December 21, 2025!  In this episode, Amanda and Nadine discuss the realities of working in television comedy, when to advocate for yourself on set, and navigating self-image under the spotlight. Mentions from this episode… ~ Newborn Moms ~ Transplant (Nadine’s episode: Season 2, Episode 7) ~ Rizz the Season at Second City Toronto (running until January 4, 2026) ~ The Great Canadian Baking Show ~ Mae Martin  ~ Robby Hoffman ~ Lisa Gilroy ~ Dropout.tv ~ Veronika Slowikowska ~ Steph Tolev    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!    Liquid Courage - click here! Amanda Pereira (host) - click here! Nadine Djoury (guest) - click here!    ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 15m
  5. Ep. 66 - Makayla Couture (drag queen, actress, model)

    2025-12-03

    Ep. 66 - Makayla Couture (drag queen, actress, model)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks a Cutwater Lime Margarita with drag queen, actress, and model Makayla Couture. Makayla is a Toronto-born performer whose artistry began in the halls of Earl Haig Secondary School, where she trained as a theatre major in the Claude Watson program. After discovering drag as a powerful form of self-expression, she skyrocketed onto the national stage, being featured on one of the most famous episodes of Canada’s Drag Race, in Season 2, becoming a runner-up contestant on OUTtv’s Call Me Mother, and most recently securing second place on Canada’s Drag Race Season 5. Makayla’s work extends outside of drag as well, including her appearance on Crave’s Battle of the Generations game show, and being featured in the Peabody award-winning documentary Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story. In this episode, Amanda and Makayla discuss Makayla’s experience on Canada’s Drag Race, what it’s like gaining fame at such a young age, and all the many facets of Makayla Walker — the artist behind Makayla Couture, drag icon.   Mentions from this episode…   ~ Crab Boil ~ Co-Star Astrology ~ Chani Astrology ~ Documentary about Michelle Ross: “Toronto's legendary drag queen: Michelle Ross, unknown icon” ~ “Guardians of the Aspis” by Sarah L. Rose (Canadian author! self published!) ~ @paintedbyesther   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!    Liquid Courage - click here! Amanda Pereira (host) - click here! Makayla Couture (guest) - @makayla.couture on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter!   ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 25m
  6. Ep. 65 - Laura Ramoso (comedian)

    2025-11-19

    Ep. 65 - Laura Ramoso (comedian)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some non-alcoholic beer with comedian Laura Ramoso. Laura is a German-Italian comedian best known for her viral online characters, including “German Mom”, “Italian Dad”, “Girl who just got back from…”, and "Chiara". She has amassed over 3 million followers, sold out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and London’s Soho Theatre, and completed a 60+ show, sold-out world tour with her third live special, Sit Up Straight. She was named a 2023 Just For Laughs New Face, and recently opened for Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on their Restless Leg tour at the Wang Theatre in Boston. She is now gearing up for her 2026 international tour with her fourth solo special The Calm Down Tour. In this episode, Amanda and Laura discuss Laura’s journey from classical theatre training to falling in love with sketch and improv, navigating the pressure of an audience’s expectations, and the difference in creating comedy for the stage versus online.   Mentions from this episode… ~ Heavy Weight (podcast) https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/heavyweight   Terms we mentioned… “Beat out / Beat it out” - refers to the process of breaking a comedy idea into key moment-by-moment story or joke beats before writing it out fully.   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!    Liquid Courage - click here!  Amanda Pereira (host) - click here!  Laura Ramoso (guest) - click here!    Laura’s Work in Progress shows (Dec 2025 in Toronto)  Laura’s The Calm Down Tour (2026)    ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 6m
  7. Ep. 64 - Nadine Bhabha (actor, writer, producer)

    2025-11-05

    Ep. 64 - Nadine Bhabha (actor, writer, producer)

    In today’s episode, Amanda drinks some sparkling water with actor, writer, and producer Nadine Bhabha. Nadine is an award-winning writer, actor, and producer from Toronto. She’s written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Children Ruin Everything, and Crave’s upcoming comedy Slo Pitch. She’s best known for her performances on Letterkenny (Hulu/Crave), The Holiday Shift (CBS), One More Time (CBC), and This Hour Has 22 Minutes (CBC). A three-time CSA nominee, Nadine continues to develop projects in Canada and the U.S., committed to writing and portraying hilarious, nuanced female narratives.   In this episode, Amanda and Nadine discuss building a career in Canadian comedy, the creative power that comes from saying no, and the importance of community and friendship in sustaining a life in the arts. Mentions from this episode…   ~ Letterkenny ~ The Town (podcast) ~ Script Notes (podcast) ~ Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent ~ Britt Lower's Severance audition ~ The Studio ~ High Potential ~ Settle Down ~ This Hour Has 22 Minutes ~ Children Ruin Everything ~ Slo Pitch ~ Sweat (by Nadine Bhabha) ~ Comedy Bar Bloor (west) & Comedy Bar Danforth (east) ~ Soulpepper Theatre ~ Canadian Stage ~ Coal Mine Theatre ~ Spare Parts (podcast) ~ The Office Movers   Terms we mentioned… “WGC” - stands for the Writers Guild of Canada, a professional association for screenwriters in Canada “Punch up” - a term used to describe the process of adding more/better jokes to a script, or sharpening/heightening the existing jokes in a script   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   Let’s Connect!    Liquid Courage - click here!  Amanda Pereira (host) - click here!  Nadine Bhabha (guest) - click here!    ⇒ To donate to the show, click here!    ~ ~ ~ ~ ~   The music in this episode is thanks to HookSounds. You can check out their tracks here: www.hooksounds.com. Use the discount code LIQUIDCOURAGE10 for 10% off a HookSounds subscription!* *If you use this code, I earn a small commission — so you’ll be supporting the podcast, too!

    1h 19m

Trailers

5
out of 5
31 Ratings

About

Want to laugh and feel inspired? Dying for insider tips on how to thrive in the Canadian entertainment industry? This award-winning podcast brings you candid chats with the folks making Canada’s entertainment industry buzz—the wins, the struggles, and the lessons that can help you navigate and succeed. With the help of a little liquid courage, host Amanda Pereira asks the questions we’re all dying to know. Because thriving together feels better. New episodes every other Wednesday!

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