Ego Was Here

Anna Iris

Ego Was Here is a raw podcast about identity, ego, and the messy beauty of being human. Host Anna Iris explores self-awareness, vulnerability, and mental health through unfiltered conversations with artists, thinkers, and creators. These honest stories go beyond achievements, revealing the parts of ourselves we hide and the longings we carry. If you’re craving authenticity, human connection, and deeper truth, this space is for you. Follow to start unmasking your story.

  1. May 28

    What’s Really Keeping You From Achieving Your Dreams? | Joan Baker #42

    What if rejection is not the end of the dream, but the test that proves you want it? In this episode of *Ego Was Here*, voice artist, performer, educator, and SOVAS co-founder Joan Baker shares a deeply personal conversation about rejection, healing, performance, and the strength it takes to keep going. Joan reflects on growing up as the only biracial child in her environment, the loneliness and shame she carried, and how performing became the first place where she felt free. Acting gave her a space to escape pain, express herself, and reconnect with who she truly was. She also talks about her years in New York, the emotional work that helped her heal, and what rejection taught her about creative careers and self-worth. For Joan, voice acting is not just about having a good voice. It is about turning a script into a real moment, with no set, no costume, and often no one else in the booth. Together with her husband Rudy Gaskins, Joan created SOVAS, the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, a platform dedicated to recognizing voice actors and the wider voiceover industry. SOVAS is also behind the Voice Arts Awards, which celebrate the people behind some of the voices we hear in animation, commercials, narration, audiobooks, and more. At the center of this conversation is Joan’s belief in dreams fulfilled. For her, that means not only pursuing her own dreams, but helping other artists believe that their work, their voice, and their story matter.

    1h 22m

  2. May 14

    The Side of Acting People Never See | Charlotte Stoiber #41

    What happens after your first acting role is in an Oscar-nominated film? In this episode of Ego Was Here, actress Charlotte Stoiber opens up about acting, rejection, identity, mental health, and the reality of building an acting career. Charlotte reflects on growing up between Boston, Munich, and Vienna, discovering acting as a child, and being cast in Downfall, one of Germany’s most acclaimed films, at the very beginning of her journey. The conversation explores auditions, self-doubt, being ignored, comparison, and why getting the role is only the beginning of an actor’s career. Charlotte also shares what acting gives her that nothing else does, how creativity helped her heal, and why leaving the industry has never felt like an option. A thoughtful and honest conversation about purpose, resilience, and the emotional reality behind an acting career.

    43 min

  3. May 7

    The Pop Star Life Everyone Dreams Of and the Reality Nobody Sees | Anthony Kavana #40

    What happens when a 90s pop star looks back at the story the spotlight never showed? In this episode of Ego Was Here, British pop star and author Anthony Kavanagh, known to many as Kavana, joins the podcast for an honest conversation about fame, identity, creativity, recovery, and the story behind his memoir Pop Scars. Anthony reflects on growing up in Manchester, his love of music, and the chance meeting that changed his life. He shares how a demo tape, a record deal, and a new name introduced the world to Kavana, and what life was really like behind the pop star image. The conversation also explores moving to Los Angeles, starting again, family, self-worth, connection, and the experiences that changed how Anthony sees success today. Anthony also shares memories of Amy Winehouse, a funny airport encounter involving Victoria Beckham, and why writing Pop Scars became such a meaningful chapter in his life. A warm and honest conversation about life after fame, the person behind the name, and the power of telling your story with truth and humor.

    1h 12m

  4. Apr 30

    Untold Stories From the Cult Classic Film Blood In Blood Out | Victor Rivas Rivers #39

    Why does Blood In Blood Out still mean so much to audiences more than 30 years later? In this episode of Ego Was Here, actor Victor Rivas Rivers returns for a deeper conversation about the making and lasting legacy of the cult classic film Blood In Blood Out. Best known to many fans as Magic Mike, Victor shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming inside San Quentin, reflects on creating one of the film’s most memorable characters, and explains why the movie continues to connect with audiences across generations. The conversation explores the film’s themes of family, identity, culture, loyalty, and choices, while also touching on Chicano culture, fan devotion, and the responsibility of bringing a real community and its stories to the screen with respect. For fans of Blood In Blood Out, film history, acting, Chicano culture, and behind-the-scenes movie interviews, this episode offers a thoughtful and personal look at a film that continues to live on.

    1h 31m

  5. Apr 23

    Why the "Oscars" of Voice Acting Almost Never Happened | Rudy Gaskins #38

    Why are the most recognizable voices in the world almost invisible? In this episode of Ego Was Here, Emmy-winning television producer and director Rudy Gaskins reflects on the idea behind SOVAS (the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences), the organization he co-founded with his wife and business partner Joan Baker. Starting behind the scenes in television, Rudy worked on major projects including Emmy-winning promotions for the 2000 Summer Olympics for NBC. Through hiring voice actors, he saw how essential their work was, and how little recognition they received. That gap became the foundation for SOVAS, a platform built to bring visibility to the entire field. He speaks about the resistance they faced, the criticism from within the community, and the moments where the project felt uncertain. Building something new required persistence and a clear sense of purpose. For Rudy, success is less about recognition and more about creating something people can actually use. Something that connects people, creates opportunity, and brings a community together.

    50 min

  6. Apr 16

    Not Everyone Wants You to Speak Up | Tara Beier #37

    What happens when you try to protect your mother and she turns against you? In this episode of Ego Was Here, singer-songwriter Tara Beier shares the moments that shaped her relationship with her family. As a teenager, she stepped in during a confrontation at home to protect her mother. Years later, she stood in front of a room full of strangers and spoke about what happened, and it changed how her family saw her. She talks about what it’s like to go against your own family, how those dynamics shift over time, and what it takes to find your footing again when that foundation changes. With a background in criminology, she also offers a broader perspective on why people stay silent, why certain patterns repeat, and how difficult it can be to be heard when the truth challenges everything around you. This is a conversation about speaking up, dealing with the consequences, and learning how to move forward without easy answers.

    48 min

  7. Apr 9

    The Reality of Making Movies No One Prepares You For | Brandon Slagle #36

    What does working in film actually look like, and how far is it from the dream people imagine? In this episode of Ego Was Here, filmmaker Brandon Slagle shares a grounded perspective on building a career across independent productions and larger studio-backed films, including The Black Dahlia Haunting, The Flood, and Battle for Saipan. His path into filmmaking was not linear. He started in music, moved into acting, and eventually stepped behind the camera. That progression shapes how he approaches both the creative and practical sides of the industry. The conversation focuses on the reality of filmmaking as a demanding and often unglamorous process. Brandon talks about working under tight timelines, adapting quickly on set, and collaborating with teams where every role matters. He explains how filmmaking is not only about creative vision, but also about execution, logistics, and consistency over time. A key part of the discussion centers on decision-making. Brandon reflects on the kinds of opportunities that can define a career, including moments where turning down a project can be just as important as accepting one. These choices highlight the balance between professional growth and personal values. The episode also explores the relationship between creativity and business. From understanding films as both artistic work and commercial products, to learning how to navigate the industry long term, Brandon offers insight into what allows some people to continue while others step away. For anyone interested in filmmaking, storytelling, or creative careers, this episode provides a clear and honest look at how films are actually made and what it takes to sustain a career in the industry.

    42 min

  8. Apr 2

    The Side of His Life No One Knew | Victor Rivas Rivers #35

    What happens when a child grows up in a home where survival becomes part of everyday life? Actor Victor Rivas Rivers, known for his iconic role as Magic Mike in Blood In Blood Out and for The Mask of Zorro, shares how he broke a cycle that could have defined his life. In this episode of Ego Was Here, Victor, actor, author, and advocate, opens up about a story that goes far beyond Hollywood. Many recognize him from working with directors like Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, and David Lynch, and from roles in series such as Miami Vice, 24, CSI Miami, Modern Family, and Better Call Saul. Here, he reflects on what shaped the man behind it all. After immigrating from Cuba as a child, Victor grew up in an environment that affected every member of his family. As a young boy, he did not just witness it, he challenged it. One moment, walking into a police station alone to ask for help, would shape how he saw the world and his place in it. What followed was a path that could have gone in a very different direction. Instead, through mentorship, discipline, and personal choice, Victor redirected his life into sport, education, and storytelling. This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and the choices that shape who we become.

    1h 6m
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Ratings & Reviews

About

Ego Was Here is a raw podcast about identity, ego, and the messy beauty of being human. Host Anna Iris explores self-awareness, vulnerability, and mental health through unfiltered conversations with artists, thinkers, and creators. These honest stories go beyond achievements, revealing the parts of ourselves we hide and the longings we carry. If you’re craving authenticity, human connection, and deeper truth, this space is for you. Follow to start unmasking your story.

Information

  • Creator
    Anna Iris
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ego Was Here
  • Show Website
    Ego Was Here

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