The DNA Podcast with Douglas Nyback

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Hosted by acting coach/writer/producer Douglas Nyback, The DNA Podcast gives audiences access to the intimate and intense conversations he has with actors as they strive to grow as artists and individuals through various stages of their careers. Artists are always ”in process” and this show puts you in the middle of it.

  1. 5D AGO

    #35 Daniel Maslany – Longevity and Creative Consistency Through Years of Success

    I’ve been a fan of Daniel Maslany’s work since first seeing him on the YouTube Red series, Impulse. Since then he and I have crossed paths many times but we finally got a chance to work together on the pilot for Fox’s Doc. Getting to see his work up close was a delight. He’s empathetic, present, focused, giving, and professional. He saturates everything he does with thought and personality, bringing a full three dimensionality to every character he builds. He’s also an actor who takes his relationship with audience very seriously. He never forgets who these stories are for, and getting to chat with him about his long running roles was eye opening and insightful. In short, there’s a lot here to both be entertained by and learn from. I’m a big fan of Daniel, and I know you will be too (if you aren’t already). So check out the full episode (links in bio to wherever podcasts are found). Don’t forget to like and subscribe (and rate 5 stars) wherever you find us. Find Daniel:   
Instagram: @daniel.maslany 🤝 Podcast Partners & Listener Perks We’ve teamed up with brands we genuinely use and trust. 🔥 Othership
 Sauna • Cold Plunge • Breathwork • 11% OFF classes & packs — code DOUGLASNYBACK
 • 2-for-1 first-timer offer
 • 1 month FREE on the breathwork app 
👉 Links in bio ✨ Fancy Face
 On-camera beauty & skincare • 20% OFF products + services — code DNAPOD
 • fancyface.ca Using these codes helps support the podcast 🙏 Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @cbcmurdoch @cbc @cbcgem @impulseseries @YouTube @dramaclubfox Sponsored By: @othership @fancyfaceinc

    1h 12m

  2. JAN 29

    #34 Kristian Bruun – To Thine Own Self Be True

    Early on, Kristian Bruun was taught the lesson “to thine own self be true”. Now. What does that mean to an 18 year old theatre kid? Not much. But it’s since become a theme that’s led him through a profoundly successful career. Kristian’s an actor who’s a student of theatre and film, technique, and has also woven that theme through himself at a core level. He is, unapologetically, himself (as you’ll see in this podcast). He’s a delight, a comedic powerhouse, a dramatic presence, and just an overall great and interesting guy. Makes sense that he’s a veteran of elite series + films like Orphan Black, Carter, Ready or Not, Snowpiercer, The Recruit, and many, many more. Dive on in, lots to learn, and lots to be entertained by in this one. Appreciate you being here! Find Kristian:  
Instagram: @mrkristianbruun TikTok: @mrkristianbruun 🤝 Podcast Partners & Listener Perks We’ve teamed up with brands we genuinely use and trust. 🔥 Othership
Sauna • Cold Plunge • Breathwork • 11% OFF classes & packs — code DOUGLASNYBACK
 • 2-for-1 first-timer offer 
• 1 month FREE on the breathwork app 
👉 Links in bio ✨ Fancy Face
 On-camera beauty & skincare • 20% OFF products + services — code DNAPOD
 • fancyface.ca Using these codes helps support the podcast 🙏 Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @buchwaldtalent @playmgmt @netflix @orphanblack Sponsored By: @othership @fancyfaceinc

    1h 19m

  3. JAN 15

    #33 Steffi Didomenicantonio – Personality, Ambition, and Undeniable Uniqueness

    There is nobody on the planet quite like Steffi D. In so many ways she is like the second coming of Liza Minnelli in that she is a powerhouse of musical and acting talent that is rarely seen on stage or screen. She has IMDB list as long as my arm (including major series + films like Chucky, Umbrella Academy, and Stage Fright) and a musical theatre resume that is both prolific and growing. She was a top 5 finalist on Canadian Idol which lead her to tour with the first national Broadway tour of Spring Awakening, and originated the role of Janice in the Broadway smash hit “Come From Away”. She also (takes a second to dab on my haters) is an old student of mine, a profoundly kind person, and an absolute delight to talk to. This episode is full of gigantic opinions (from both of us), major life questions, and lots of laughs. Can’t wait for you to dive in. Find Steffi:  
Instagram: @steffid5 Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @comefromaway @comefromawayto @mcnallykennedyacting @mirvishproductions
 Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys)

    1h 14m

  4. JAN 1

    #32 Sara Garcia – Embracing Her Uniqueness and Starring in The Hunting Party

    Sara Garcia has been gracing your screens—and ears (she’s also a very successful voiceover artist)—for years, with prominent and leading roles on Ride, The Flash, X Company, and Reign, among countless others. She’s currently reaching new heights in the leading role of Jennifer Morales on NBC’s The Hunting Party. Sara’s journey through life and into professional acting is truly unique, taking her all around the world only to arrive back at her love of performing—a much richer and wiser human because of it. This was a phenomenal conversation about where she began, her exploration of both the world and herself, and how she ultimately found her way to this moment in her career. Sara is a grounded, internally evolved, and deeply wise artist in the most holistic sense, and I know you’re going to get a lot out of this one. So dive on in. Thanks for being here. Find Sara:  
Instagram: @Sara.alicia.garcia TikTok: @sara.alicia.g Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @nbcuniversal @nbc 
Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys)

    1h 8m

  5. 12/18/2025

    #31 Evan Stern – The Success of Letterkenny and Getting Back to the Grind

    Evan Stern is basically the human embodiment of talent, opinion, and relentless charisma. The dude is one of the funniest actors out there, with a mastery of physical comedy that few can match. This episode is a deep dive into his iconic performance as Stuart on the hit show, Letterkenny, as well as all the successes and failures that came before and after. This conversation is wild, folks. We pulled any thread that came to us, leading from spicy takes to insights on life and acting, to jokes, to more spice. I’ve always been a fan of Evan, so getting to sit down with him like this was a genuine delight. I know you’re going to love this one as much as I loved filming it, so dive on in. Oh! He’s also one half of a new podcast he co-hosts with @michellemylett called @SparePartsPodcast, so check that out after ours! It’s hilarious and insightful. Big fan. Find Evan:  
Instagram: @evanjstern TikTok: @evanjstern Spare Parts Podcast: @SparePartsPodcast Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @akisharei @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @michellemylett @avatarfrontiers @ubisoftcanada @letterkennyproblems
Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys)

    1h 18m

  6. 12/04/2025

    #30 Lara Jean Chorostecki – Truth and Vulnerability from a Lifelong Performer

    Lara Jean is what I’d call a “capital A Actor.” She’s been profoundly successful across both stage and screen, and whether you know her from her unforgettable turn as Freddie Lounds on NBC’s Hannibal, or from any of the other roles she’s carved out across an illustrious career (Chucky, The King Tide, Nightmare Alley, Designated Survivor, X Company, Antiviral, to name just a few), it’s clear she’s something special. I first met LJ when she starred in a feature I produced (Nose to Tail), and I remember being struck immediately by her professionalism, focus, and sheer depth of talent. She’s one of those actors who's somehow both meticulously prepared and utterly willing to lean into whatever the moment presents to her in a take. In this pod I found in her someone deeply collaborative and refreshingly open—willing to speak about process, training, personal challenges, and the flaws that can make us who we are. LJ is profoundly in touch with herself, and after we wrapped I genuinely could have talked with her for hours. To me, this conversation is a holistic exploration of what it really means to live as an actor. I’m proud of this one. Dive in. Find Lara Jean:  
Instagram: @larajeanc_ Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @akisharei @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @mraaronabrams @nosetotailfilm @stratfest @therealedavid 
Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys)

    1h 24m

  7. 11/20/2025

    #29 Dalmar Abuzeid – Thoughtful Wisdom From the Star of Degrassi: The Next Generation & Anne with an E

    Dalmar Abuzeid is one of the stars of the iconic series Degrassi: The Next Generation and the deeply moving Anne with an E—among many, many other credits. What I’ve admired most about Dalmar, long before this episode, is how profoundly thoughtful he is. He takes both life and craft seriously, but never pretentiously—he’s measured, grounded, and endlessly curious about the work. Talking with him always pushes me to reexamine what I believe about acting and to approach things from new and unexpected angles. Dalmar brings a rare combination of ambition, humility, and wisdom to everything he does, and that devotion to growth shows up in every word of this conversation. I learned a lot from our talk, and I know you will too. So dive on in—Dalmar’s the real deal, and a legend in the making. Find Dalmar:  
Instagram: @dalmarabuzeid Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas
 Associate Producer: @akisharei @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @raymondablack @degrassi @annewithane @annetheseries @cbcgem @cbc 
 Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys)

    1h 13m

  8. 11/06/2025

    #28 Sara Mitich – The Journey of Star Trek, Mining Deep Emotions, & Cultivating Gratitude & Growth

    Sara Mitich is one of the stars of the hit series Star Trek Discovery (where she played two different characters over the show’s run). She also happens to be one of the best actors and people I know. I’ve been working with Sara for years, as a client, colleague, and collaborator.  Her talent and ability to mine complex, dark emotions is formidable. She’s always game to go deeper—to dive into the intensity of a moment or the challenge of a scene—and she brings that same mindset to her personal life. That commitment to inner work led her to create Gratitude and Growth, a coaching practice that helps people all over the world cultivate gratitude, awareness, and emotional resilience. She is courageous in all manners of her life and it was a real delight to go deep with her in this conversation. Sara’s a special actor and person, so dive on in and experience her wisdom, intelligence, and depth first hand. Instagram: @saramitich 
Website: gratitudegrowth.com  YouTube: www.youtube.com/@GratitudeGrowthPodcast  The G&G Podcast: Gratitude & Growth Podcast Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas 
Associate Producer: @akisharei @jonelle.gunderson 
 Special Thanks: @gratitudeandgrowth__ @startrek @saban_films 
 Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys) #SaraMitich #StarTrekDiscovery #GratitudeAndGrowth #Netflix #Acting #ActingTips #Podcast #theDNApodcast #dnybackact

    1h 19m
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Hosted by acting coach/writer/producer Douglas Nyback, The DNA Podcast gives audiences access to the intimate and intense conversations he has with actors as they strive to grow as artists and individuals through various stages of their careers. Artists are always ”in process” and this show puts you in the middle of it.

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