Slate It Till You Make It

Catherine Donnelly
  • 4.9 (47)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

The only commercial acting podcast dedicated to sharing industry insight, captivating stories and audition tips.

  1. 2d ago

    Stop Guessing, Start Strategizing: Jen DiBella on the Business of Acting

    VOTE FOR THE PODCAST Are you putting in the work but still wondering why your acting career isn't moving forward? Are your materials actually helping you get hired? And how do you know whether you need a new strategy, better materials, or a mindset shift? In this episode of Slate It Till You Make It, host, Catherine Donnelly, interviews actor and acting career consultant Jen DiBella to break down the business side of building a sustainable acting career. After moving to Los Angeles from New York without representation, Jen landed her first five television network credits—including a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy and appearances on 9-1-1 and Station 19—through her own networking. Now in her sixth year as a career consultant, she's helped hundreds of actors sign with representation. We get into what actually moves the needle, how to make your materials work for you, what reps are looking for, and how to stop spending time and money on things that aren't moving your career forward. Jen shares her perspective on networking, branding, strategic outreach, and the difference between being busy and being intentional about your next steps. We also dig into the mindset challenges that come with this industry: navigating rejection, staying motivated when you're not booking, avoiding comparison, and learning to pursue your goals without tying your self-worth to the outcome. Whether you're trying to sign with your first agent, level up your existing career, or figure out why you've hit a plateau, this episode will help you think more strategically about your next move. If you're ready to stop guessing and start making more intentional moves, this episode is for you. Connect with Jen: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdactingconsultant/ Website & Consulting: https://www.jenniferlaurendibella.com/consulting

    Stop Guessing, Start Strategizing: Jen DiBella on the Business of Acting

  2. Oct 13

    Stop Trying to Be Chosen: Ranela Kaligithi on Self-Worth, Letting Go and Nervous System Regulation

    VOTE FOR THE PODCAST What happens when you decide to pursue a dream that requires you to start over? And how do you keep your self-worth intact when you're constantly putting yourself out there, facing rejection, and waiting to be chosen? In this episode of Slate It Till You Make It, I'm joined by Ranela Kaligithi, a South Asian and Filipina actor, coach, therapist, and content creator, for an honest conversation about navigating the emotional side of an acting career. We dive into the challenges of pivoting into a new career after establishing yourself in another field, embracing the discomfort of being a beginner, and learning to separate your identity from your achievements. Whether you're starting over, feeling behind, questioning your path, or struggling to stay grounded in the uncertainty of this industry, this episode is a reminder that you can want something deeply without allowing it to define you. In this episode, we discuss: Navigating identity shifts and having the courage to start over Embracing the discomfort of being a beginner again Balancing ambition with mental health and self-worth Separating external validation from your identity as an artist Applying the principles of detachment in dating and auditions Handling rejection without letting it define your potential Building a fulfilling life while pursuing a big career Learning to trust yourself before the industry gives you a reason to Because you can be ambitious, want the job, and work relentlessly toward your dreams without abandoning yourself in the process. Connect with Ranela:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithranela/

    Stop Trying to Be Chosen: Ranela Kaligithi on Self-Worth, Letting Go and Nervous System Regulation

  3. Oct 6

    Inside the Commercial Audition Room: A Technical Refresher with Joy Lofton

    VOTE FOR TOP HOST HERE Joy Lofton is back on Slate It Till You Make It! You may remember Joy from Season 1, where we talked about her journey and career in the commercial world. If you haven’t heard that episode yet, go give it a listen — but this time, we’re skipping the origin story and getting straight into the WORK. Joy brings a uniquely valuable perspective to commercial actors: she’s not only a successful commercial actor herself, she’s also a session director who has been on the other side of the camera watching auditions move from first calls to callbacks to selects. In this episode, we’re getting technical. We break down what casting is actually watching in the first few seconds of an audition, how to make “sell lines” feel natural, the importance of pace, timing, eyelines and reactions, how to create meaningful variation between takes, and what actors can do to make their self-tapes stronger. Plus, Joy shares what she wishes every commercial actor knew from the other side of the camera and how actors can identify the specific skills they actually need to train. If you want to stop guessing and start getting more intentional about your commercial auditions, this episode is for you. Connect with Joy + Audition Lab LA: 🎬 Audition Lab LA: auditionlabla.com📸 Audition Lab LA on Instagram: @auditionlabla🌬️ Joy Lofton on Instagram: @takeabreathjoy

    Inside the Commercial Audition Room: A Technical Refresher with Joy Lofton

  4. 11/25/2025 ·  Bonus

    25 Reasons Why You Didn't Get a Callback...Even Though Your Tape was FIRE

    As someone who’s booked over 50 national commercials and has spent the last decade deep in the trenches of commercial casting, it’s taken me a long time to learn one thing:you are almost never the reason you don’t get a callback. Most of the time it has nothing to do with you, your talent, or your tape.It’s the chaos behind the curtain — the brand, the agency, the director, the client’s cousin, the storyboard artist, the budget, the weather, Mercury retrograde… all of it. So today, I’m breaking down the 25 reasons you didn’t get a callback — even though your tape was absolute fire.

  5. 10/28/2025

    Stop Playing It Safe: Booking Powerhouse Beth Fraser Spills Her Secrets

    In this episode, host Catherine Donnelly sits down with Beth Fraser (Elizabeth Nicole Fraser), an actor and former broadcast journalist whose career spans commercials, television, and film. Originally from Douglas, Georgia, Beth grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and earned her degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Florida before beginning her on-camera career as a model for the Home Shopping Network in Tampa. After moving to Los Angeles, Beth met her husband, filmmaker Johnny Fraser, in 2008, and together they have a daughter, Ondine. Her sister, Brinson, is a storyboard artist on the hit animated series Family Guy. Beth has appeared in numerous national commercials—including a four-year run as the spokesperson for Nasacort—and in award-winning long-form projects for Apple. Her television and film credits include 9-1-1, Loot, and Baby Daddy. She also stars in the short film Code Red, currently making its way through the 2025–26 festival circuit, including a recent selection at the San Diego International Film Festival. In this conversation, Catherine and Beth dive into the art of being a great co-star, the importance of having an opinion in the room, being strategic about casting workshops, and how to bring authenticity and confidence to every audition—from commercials to spokesperson roles. @iambethfraser@slateitpod

    Stop Playing It Safe: Booking Powerhouse Beth Fraser Spills Her Secrets

  6. 10/21/2025 ·  Bonus

    Casting Networks, Casting.com, and What Actors Need to Know Right Now

    In this episode, Catherine Donnelly unpacks the major shift at Casting Networks — namely, the new paid subscription model for all U.S.-based agents and managers, beginning January 1, 2026. We walk through exactly what the new tiered fees are, why Casting Networks says it’s doing this, and how actors who depend on CN for commercial auditions should plug the gaps. (Source: Casting Networks Support, “Talent Representatives: What Should I Know About the New Subscription Model”) Then we zoom out and take a look at the big picture: how private equity ownership is impacting casting tech. In July 2022, RedBird Capital Partners, along with StepStone Group, acquired a majority stake in Talent Systems — the parent company behind Casting Networks, Casting Frontier, Spotlight, and more. (Source: Business Wire / RedBird press release, 2022) Throughout the episode, we stay grounded in what you can do now: talking to your reps, updating your profiles, saving your media, and keeping your eyes open for alternate platforms like Casting.com. This is a moment of disruption — but also of opportunity for actors who stay informed.

  7. 10/07/2025

    The Man, The Myth, The Legend: John Fulton UNCENSORED

    In this episode of Slate It Till You Make It, host Catherine Donnelly sits down with recurring guest John Fulton, a multi-talented comedian, musician, and actor, to discuss his top ten commercial booking tips. From his early days as a basketball team captain in Topsfield, MA, to DJing a jazz show at the University of Rhode Island, and eventually hosting Must Love Cats on Animal Planet, John’s career has seen plenty of twists and turns. Now, he's thriving in the world of commercials and TV, and is a member of the comedy band Camp Friends, who just released their new album “Seriously?” John Fulton Follow Slate It Pod on IG

    The Man, The Myth, The Legend: John Fulton UNCENSORED

  8. 09/30/2025

    The Missing Piece In Your Auditions with Award-Winning Actress, Director & Author Murisa Harba

    What does it really take to stand out, book more work, and build a sustainable acting career in today’s rapidly shifting industry? In this episode of Slate It Pod, host, Catherine Donnelly, sits down with Murisa Harba — award-winning actress, director, and founder of About The Work, a Hollywood-based acting studio she launched in 2013. Murisa has coached thousands of actors across five continents using her signature body-based methods, helping them break out of their heads, connect more deeply to their emotions, and bring undeniable authenticity into the audition room. Her students don’t just feel more confident — they also book more consistently. Murisa opens up about her own journey from performer to teacher, the challenges and triumphs of creating her own studio, and why she believes actors must lean into their humanity to remain indispensable — especially as AI continues to reshape the industry. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your auditions, craving more authentic performances, or wondering how to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond, this episode is packed with tools, insights, and encouragement. What you’ll learn in this episode: How Murisa’s body-based approach helps actors break out of their heads and into authentic performance Why connecting to your physical instrument changes everything in auditions and on set The biggest misunderstandings actors have about what casting and directors really want How to know when it’s time to upgrade your training or pivot to the right class Practical tools to prepare before every audition Strategies for resilience, longevity, and staying grounded in a volatile industry 📌 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about Murisa Harba → www.murisaharba.com About The Work Studio → www.about-the-work.com Free Guide: The Six Keys Instagram → @aboutthework Facebook → AboutTheWork

    The Missing Piece In Your Auditions with Award-Winning Actress, Director & Author Murisa Harba
See All (71)

4.9
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

The only commercial acting podcast dedicated to sharing industry insight, captivating stories and audition tips.

Information

  • Creator
    Catherine Donnelly
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Catherine Donnelly
  • Show Website
    Slate It Till You Make It

You Might Also Like