The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

actorsguidepodcast
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Two actors, E-Kan Soong and Rían Sheehy Kelly talk acting and Hollywood in a way people understand. Dive into the most interesting headlines you need to know from the ever changing Hollywood industry as they share hilarious stories and insights from on set and off, and find joy along the ride. Frank, informative, and entertaining conversations for those in and out of the industry. All the world’s a stage, and this stage is on fire... but you know E-Kan and Rian are going to have a laugh either way. Watch and listen to new episodes every Monday wherever you find your podcasts! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack for all the best moments from the show. Follow E-Kan @ekansoong and Rían @riansheehykelly on Instagram

  1. 1d ago

    What It Actually Takes for Actors to Not Give Up

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 88! This is another thematic episode- we all been there, it's just easier to quit than to keep pushing on. But this one is our favorite, most inspirational bits from actors and former guests from the other side - and why it's worth it.  We start with the five words Denzel Washington told a struggling Delroy Lindo — advice that stuck for 48 years and this year he was nominated for an Oscar. Then former guest Mel Rodriguez takes us through the power of "delusional belief" (his words), the wild, almost-too-crazy-to-be-true life changing story where everything changed for him, and the personal fitness transformation that came after.  We also get into what it really means to "own the room" in the digital age of acting— including some wisdom passed down through Jacob Elordi (yes our favorite Jacob), Robert Redford's blunt advice on the secret to having a long acting career, and why you don't want to emulate Michael Phelps if you want to learn to swim. And we close on the power of damaging limiting beliefs, a gem from Colman Domingo - how Rían and E-Kan battled doubt, and how "5,000 Yellowstones and not enough of Asians on TV" turned into E-Kan "making my own." If you need a reminder that the no's don't get the last word — this one's for you. All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Denzel's advice to Delroy Lindo - Episode #67)- Video - https://studio.youtube.com/video/qjqA9_jIYnw/edit Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/denzel-told-him-dont-quit-48-years-ago-now-hes-oscar/id1776516950?i=1000749164995 Mel Rodriguez's Episode #78 - Video- https://youtu.be/4zxSzGYkjfI Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/will-forte-bob-odenkirk-and-why-he-almost-left/id1776516950?i=1000764213545   Audition Mindset - Episode #77 - Video- https://youtu.be/UUVrDszSXPw Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/how-to-own-your-audition-when-the-room-gives-you-nothing/id1776516950?i=1000763018694 Limiting Beliefs - Episode #73 -Video - https://youtu.be/UfozV6YTktI https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/these-beliefs-held-my-acting-career-back-for-years/id1776516950?i=1000757217259   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:18) Denzel Washington's Advice to Delroy Lindo (03:46) Mel Rodriguez on the moment that his career changed (05:05) Take the bitter with the sweet (06:40) You need to have Delusional Belief (08:35) How Mel Rodriguez lost 175 pounds (13:45) Be the Air Conditioner, Not the Thermostat (16:25) Assume everyone's on your side (18:05) Don't emulate Michael Phelps if you want to learn to swim (21:03) Irreverent Reverence and Jacob Elordi (22:50) Robert Redford's secret to an acting career (23:30) Be one of the crazy ones (25:12) These beliefs held me back for years (26:12) Try to enjoy every bit of it (27:40) What's the story you're telling yourself?

    29 min

  2. Jul 1

    Ben Affleck Said AI Is Just a Tool. Then He Sold His AI Company to Netflix.

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 87! This is another change of pace - Rían is busy in rehearsals for getting on stage, and    E-Kan is producing a series but have no fear, new recordings will be coming soon. Until then, this is a super mashup - unreleased segments and previous bits we feel are relevant to this week's topic - AI in Hollywood, but specifically with the many voices from celebrities and AI experts - who can we trust?  Guillermo del Toro and Tilda Swinton loudly proclaimed at Cannes, AI has no place in cinema, while Ethan Hawke says it's devoid of the very soul that is in art and creativity.  Our recent guest Heather-Ashley Boyer, LA Sag-Aftra board member and AI Safety expert tells us about dangers Hollywood isn't even aware of yet. Then of course, we have the many celebrity voices, also with financial stake in the technology, the loudest of which is Ben Affleck, who just sold his AI company to Netflix for $600 million.  So where will you stand?  All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly LINKS: Ethan Hawke on AI- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DT8tKRNFEBx/ Heather-Ashley Boyer full conversation (Episode 83)- YouTube -https://youtu.be/hgbDY6cuG-o?si=1QVA-kivkrpyR6E6 Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-picket-lines-to-the-united-nations-actor/id1776516950?i=1000771101672 AI Simulation Disaster Forbes article- https://fortune.com/2026/05/28/ai-model-simulation-claude-chatgpt-grok-gemini/ Claude's latest model pulled- https://www.wired.com/story/anthropic-says-us-government-ordered-it-to-shut-down-mythos-models/    Ben Affleck AI thoughts (2024)- https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/11/13/ai-doesnat-stand-a-chance-against-actors-or-shakespeare-ben-affleck-says.html Full Ben Affleck AI, Episode 10- youtube.com/watch?v=GYmTk39YFUU&feature=youtu.be Audio-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affleck-ai-and-the-secret-to-juggling-your-side-hustle/id1776516950?i=1000682170883 Affleck sells AI company - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ben-affleck-ai-netflix-1236521806/ Full conversation - Episode 77 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUVrDszSXPw&feature=youtu.be audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-own-your-audition-when-the-room-gives-you-nothing/id1776516950?i=1000763018694 Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:44) Is AI just a novelty? (04:08) Ethan Hawke on AI (04:50) "The Oppenheimer of AI" (09:17) Government pulls latest AI model for security risk (09:34) Reese Witherspoon's take on AI is trash (12:46) Ben Affleck says AI is a tool (17:25) Ben Affleck sells his AI company to Netflix for $600M (20:10) His AI company might gut the Hollywood workforce (23:40) Who's going to protect Hollywood workers?

    28 min

  3. Jun 23

    Hollywood's Obsession Pay Problem? This Indie Film Already Solved It

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 86! This is not a typical episode, but incredibly timely. Last week, E-Kan and Rían dove into the viral story of the art director of "Obsession", a massive success that has taken over Hollywood. Sally Choi blows the whistle on low film crew rates and opens a very important conversation on the financial stability of the indie film industry. She made $300 a day, "Obsession" makes over $250 million. Is this fair? (Links to all the episodes below.) So we wanted to bring back some previous segments that are more relevant to this conversation than ever.  First, the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo led "Sing Sing" that paid everyone, cast and crew the same and gave them shares of equity. And "Obsession" is also about how YouTube filmmakers can gain acceptance and credibility outside the studio system. We discuss YouTube giant Markiplier who self-distributed his own feature "Iron Lung" in theaters to massive success. On the studio scale, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck struck a Netflix deal for their feature "The Rip" and offered performance bonuses to the crew if they had success on the streamer. Will this be a sign of the times? E-Kan was skeptical, but you're going to have to hear it for yourself. Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly LINKS: Obsession’s Hollywood Pay Problem (Episode 85) - Sing Sing’s new pay model (Episode 21) - Markiplier’s Self Distributes - (Episode 70)-youtube.com/watch?v=ssD0nQCEb_c&feature=youtu.be Affleck Damon Netflix Deal (Episode 64) -   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:18) "Sing Sing" reinvents the indie film model (06:09) YouTuber Markiplier self-distributes massive film release (17:09) Affleck and Damon get performance bonus for crew (21:28) Update on Affleck Damon deal

    22 min

  4. Jun 17

    What Everyone's Missing About the Obsession Viral Post

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 85! E-Kan and Rían dive into the viral story of the art director of "Obsession", a massive success that has taken over Hollywood. Sally Choi blows the whistle on low film crew rates and it cut right to the heart of the dangers of independent film. Was her post misguided?  They break down the post, what it means to "flip" the production, the tricky line of speaking your truth while being an independent artist, and what this might mean for independent film models. And why "Sing Sing" is becoming more and more relevant.  E-Kan is a year older and wiser and found himself getting into fights online. Not sure if that's how it works but he's going to try. He shares feedback and comments about the recent SAG-AFTRA deal that only had 19 percent of members turnout to vote. E-Kan also got into a heated debate about a casting director's post on Fi-Core and the guys have an honest conversation about the dirty word and get into the nuances of why it's becoming more and more popular among our union members and what we should do about it.  Is the industry cracking? Everyone has an opinion. But who's showing up? And they also discuss how a community college in Arizona had AI to read graduation names that failed miserably. Good times.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Hidden Gems:  Great Headshots in Los Angeles - @keoniphotoco E-Kan's BDay freebies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGa8sf2E2-A&t=176s Panera Bakery treat - Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Cookies LINKS: AI Graduation disaster- https://www.govtech.com/education/higher-ed/ai-name-reader-skips-hundreds-at-graduation-ceremony Art Director Obsession viral post - https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLeFTmSEh2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:24) Community College used AI at graduation (04:17) Actor responses to poor SAG voting turnout (06:40) Should actors go Fi-core? (20:51) The “Obsession” Art Director controversy (34:41) Is this a response to the Millenial Career Crisis? (44:41) Hidden Gems

    47 min

  5. Jun 12

    YouTube Filmmakers Take Over Hollywood While Actors Stay Home

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 84!  SAG-AFTRA just approved a new contract with a 91 percent approval rate — but only 19 percent of members voted. What does that level of disengagement actually say about where actors are right now? E-Kan and Rían fresh off an inspiring conversation with SAG-AFTRA board member and AI safety advocate Heather-Ashley Boyer, discuss - What can actors learn from her story of taking her frustration and taking action?  Then the conversation shifts to what might be Hollywood's biggest wake-up call in years. YouTube filmmakers Kane Parsons and Curry Barker just delivered two of the biggest theatrical hits of the year — and Hollywood is now actively hunting for the next one. We break down what that actually means for working actors and filmmakers, and what these directors understood about craft and persistence that traditional Hollywood keeps forgetting.  The thread connecting all of it: the actors and filmmakers winning right now all figured out what they stood for and went for it. Is this the wake-up Hollywood needs? More importantly — is it yours? And why on Earth does Rían continue to watch horror films yet is horrified by them?  Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Hidden Gems:  E-Kan's BDay freebies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGa8sf2E2-A&t=176s Aloha snack bars - https://aloha.com/collections/protein-bars?srsltid=AfmBOoo9V8EbV69spqkDCGOoFiqe0pZe1tu4rMEFoTuqMmqOg-jXJHS- LINKS: Backrooms No. 1, A24 film- https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/backrooms-a24-highest-grossing-movie-overtaking-marty-supreme-1236768950/ Obsession- https://www.aol.com/articles/obsession-aims-break-even-more-181946000.html Curry Barker interview- https://www.instagram.com/p/DZLM7bNlTRC/ Markiplier interview - https://www.instagram.com/p/DVhF7fjFSvT/ Dylan Clark - https://deadline.com/2025/12/portrait-of-god-movie-jordan-peele-sam-raimi-in-works-1236631767/ Dylan Clark "Portrait of God" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI9fKfX5V68 Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (02:03) SAG-Aftra Voting turnout was disaster (08:25) What we can learn from Heather-Ashley Boyer SAG Board Member (10:17) YouTube takes over Hollywood with "Obsession" and "Backrooms" (19:40) Is there a distinction of YouTube filmmakers vs filmmakers? (22:01) What actors can learn from Curry Barker (27:00) Find what you enjoy and do it (31:25) Theater is a place where actors can get reps (32:35) Rían is a glutton for punishment (36:12) Hidden Gems

    40 min

  6. Jun 4

    From the Picket Lines to the United Nations - Actor, SAG-AFTRA LA Board Member Heather-Ashley Boyer

    Welcome to Episode 83 of The Actor's Guide to the End of the World! Actor, producer, and  SAG-AFTRA LA Local Board Member and AI regulations and Technology guru Heather-Ashley Boyer joins E-Kan and Rían this week on the show. Heather shares the pivotal moment during the Actor strike in 2023 and how that had led her to run for the Local Board of SAG-AFTRA and fight for AI Safety on the state and federal level in Sacramento and Washington DC at the United Nations. They also dig into the fine print of the current SAG-AFTRA AI regulations in the new deal, including a loophole He ather caught that union leadership couldn't dismiss. Actors - the SAG-AFTRA deal is up for vote- you’re going to want to listen to this.  We talk about what no one’s saying about AI right now, honest take on celebrities speaking out like Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon and Matthew McConaughey, and the time that Heather was Deepfaked by Will Smith without her consent... Seriously. Also, why Claude might be the safest AI model - or is it? This is an inspiring and eye opening conversation for any actor or anyone that wants to make a difference. Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @heatherashleyboyer @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Hidden Gems:  The AI Doc: How I Became an Apocaloptomist - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39150120/ Distress Signals Project @distresssignalsproject  Theater raising funds for distressed communities - June 12-14, 19-21. (Rían will be on June 12th and 14th) LA County Fair Crazy Foods - https://youtube.com/shorts/K6WWs2qft9M?si=6wNT9mbPGvu2ijxm   LINKS: Heather at the United Nations! - https://www.instagram.com/p/DYs4-msjtMI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Bette Midler- https://www.facebook.com/DivineBette1945/posts/in-1989-bette-midler-made-legal-history-when-she-won-a-400000-lawsuit-against-th/1259951306175934/ Scarlett Johansson voice stolen - https://www.npr.org/2024/05/20/1252495087/openai-pulls-ai-voice-that-was-compared-to-scarlett-johansson-in-the-movie-her Reese Witherspoon AI video -  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXKphAtkbgW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== AI Simulation models - https://fortune.com/2026/05/28/ai-model-simulation-claude-chatgpt-grok-gemini/   Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:10) What drove Heather-Ashley from the beginning (03:40) E-Kan doesn’t know what United Nations is (06:16) E-Kan and Rían start to feel bad for themselves (09:40) We were all looking for something worthy to fight for (12:05) Heather saw the power of AI early on (17:28) How did you feel about AI in Hollywood during the strike (20:00) She used her frustration to run for SAG-AFTRA Board (22:50) Where do you start with State and Federal legislation (27:45) Heather went to the United Nations (36:00) Heather finds a loophole in current SAG-AFTRA deal (44:20) Reese Witherspoon and others speaking out on AI in Hollywood (48:20) How can we trust AI? (50:15) The AI models are scheming (53:15) How does acting fuel your political aspirations? (54:25) Getting deepfaked by Will Smith (1:02:10) Hidden Gems

    1h 5m

  7. May 26

    Drama at Colbert’s Final Show, and The 48-Hour Audition Rule - What They're Not Telling Actors

    E-Kan and Rían are just two working actors cutting through the noise of Hollywood — the real stories, the practical wisdom, and the occasional chaos of life on set. This week we're talking about the Grey's Anatomy Texas spin-off landing in LA — good news for production in a city that needs it. Also some drama during the final show of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a gut punch for the crew and their families. Family members of crew that were working for the network for 17 years were turned away at the taping... The guys get into what happened and the tension between studios, execs, and the entertainment workers.  That segues into the power of collective bargaining and the benefits of having a union like SAG-AFTRA, specifically the 48-hour audition rule that was stipulated in the 2023 SAG-AFTRA TV agreement. There was a video with a casting director spreading dangerous misinformation about this rule, so the guys had to get into it and set the record straight when actors' fear and resentment are peaking. And listen to the end to hear why E-Kan considers himself “a high functioning recycling bin”.  Empowering actors one week at a time, thanks for listening! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @riansheehykelly LINKS: Grey's Anatomy Texas Spinoff- https://tasteofcountry.com/greys-anatomy-texas-spinoff/ Stephen Colbert's final show- https://www.instagram.com/p/DYqhckmxNga/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== 48 hr audition rule - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYigd0uITg3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Hidden Gems:  Baking Soda for fruits and veggies "Block Crush" Game Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (02:10) Grey’s Anatomy's Texas spinoff...shot in LA? (03:55) Drama at Stephen Colbert’s final show (07:50) The tension between the studios and entertainment workers (09:45) 48-Hour Audition Rule (11:45) Casting Director’s dubious story (16:30) How often do you see violations? (17:35) What actors need to remember about these rules (21:40) E-Kan is a recycling garbage bin (26:35) Hdden Gems

    30 min

  8. May 22

    The SAG Deal: What Every Actor Needs to Know Before The Vote

    Apologies for the delay this week, but this was a monstrous episode and worth the wait.  The SAG-AFTRA deal is officially approved by the board and the 18 page summary got dropped. The vote is up in a few weeks - Actors, this is what you need to know before you vote. This deal touches on many topics that affect union members and the acting community, including AI protections, and the pension and the health plan (which have made many members furious). What points do the guys like about the contract? Is E-Kan going to go scorched Earth? SAG-AFTRA AI info-https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/sa_documents/DigitalReplicas.pdf And you’ll also hear how one of our hosts found out he qualified for the pension and didn’t even know it. Can you guess which one? Information for the SAG Deal info meetings are below- make sure you RSVP beforehand.    Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @riansheehykelly SAG Info meetings- https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/contracts/2026-tvtheatrical-contracts#infomeetings E-Kan IG video - https://www.instagram.com/ekansoong/reel/DYX4QDcSfY2/ 2026 SAG-Aftra Contract Summary - https://www.sagaftra.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/2026%20TV-Theatrical%20Contracts%20Summary%20of%20Tentative%20Agreement.pdf https://variety.com/2026/film/news/sag-aftra-artificial-intelligence-pensions-concerns-1236746577/   (00:00) Intro (01:35) SAG Deal gets dropped (03:10) AI changes in the deal (05:00) How much can they change your performance? (09:25) No longer a synthetic “performer” (11:15) Why E-Kan isn’t worried about synthetics (16:00) Is AI a distraction from other issues? (18:00) Streaming residuals is a footnote (20:20) Pension plans are merging (23:25) Board member says “no” to the deal (24:23) E-Kan makes a huge discovery about the pension (31:30) What did we join the union for? (34:30) Is making Health Insurance unattainable? (39:13) Hidden Gems

    43 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Two actors, E-Kan Soong and Rían Sheehy Kelly talk acting and Hollywood in a way people understand. Dive into the most interesting headlines you need to know from the ever changing Hollywood industry as they share hilarious stories and insights from on set and off, and find joy along the ride. Frank, informative, and entertaining conversations for those in and out of the industry. All the world’s a stage, and this stage is on fire... but you know E-Kan and Rian are going to have a laugh either way. Watch and listen to new episodes every Monday wherever you find your podcasts! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack for all the best moments from the show. Follow E-Kan @ekansoong and Rían @riansheehykelly on Instagram

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