Ego Was Here

Anna Iris
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 6D AGO

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

    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

  2. APR 2

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

    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

  3. MAR 26

    #35 Why Creative People Often Suffer | Klara Landrat

    What drives creativity and why do so many creative people struggle on a deeper level? In this episode of Ego Was Here, we explore the connection between life experience, emotional depth, and artistic expression in a conversation with actress, writer, and producer Klara Landrat. Klara, a New York based creative who grew up across multiple countries as the daughter of a diplomat, brings a unique perspective on identity, storytelling, and what shapes us as people. Through her work in film and her own life experiences, she reflects on how creativity is often connected to how deeply we process the world around us. She also reflects on years of living with endometriosis, and how it shaped her perspective, identity, and creative work.

    50 min

  4. MAR 19

    #34 Why She Refused to Stay Silent About Hollywood | Paz de la Huerta – Part 3

    Actress, model, and painter Paz de la Huerta continues her conversation about her time in Hollywood, sharing why she has chosen to keep speaking about the experiences she says shaped her life and career. In this part of the discussion, she reflects on what it has been like to revisit that period over time, the challenges she describes in being understood, and how those moments have continued to affect both her personal life and her creative work. She also discusses the importance she places on telling her story in her own words, and why she feels that conversation is still ongoing.

    1h 2m

  5. MAR 12

    #33 Her Body Was Shutting Down and No One Knew Why | Ngozi Onwuchekwa

    Ngozi Onwuchekwa joins Ego Was Here to share the story of a health crisis that changed the direction of her life. What began as the feeling that something was seriously wrong soon became a long and difficult journey through uncertainty, treatment, and recovery. For months, Ngozi sought medical help while doctors struggled to identify the cause of her symptoms. The turning point came during what was expected to be a routine procedure, when the underlying problem was finally discovered. Her diagnosis came during the early days of the COVID pandemic, adding another layer of challenge during an already difficult time. The experience reshaped her outlook on resilience, purpose, and life after remission. After recovering, Ngozi rebuilt her life with remarkable determination. Within a short period she completed an MBA, ran several marathons for charity, and was crowned Mrs. Exceptional Lady Universe 2023 at the Mrs Universe pageant in Miami. Today she uses her platform to raise awareness, encourage self-advocacy during illness, and support others facing serious health challenges. Ngozi is also the founder of ADM LTD, a marketing consultancy, and a motivational speaker dedicated to helping others navigate adversity and recovery.

    1h 2m

  6. MAR 5

    #32 The Rise of Britain’s “It Girl” and What the Headlines Didn’t Tell You | Sophie Anderton

    British supermodel Sophie Anderton rose to fame in the 1990s almost overnight, becoming one of the most recognizable faces of the era. In this episode of Ego Was Here, she speaks about the reality behind fame, the modeling industry, and the life that unfolded beyond the headlines. Sophie first gained international attention in 1996 as the face of the iconic “Girl in the Grass” campaign for the lingerie brand Gossard. The billboard made her one of the most talked-about figures of the decade and brought widespread media attention during the height of the British tabloid era. She went on to work with legendary photographers including Herb Ritts and David Bailey, appeared in campaigns for brands such as Sony, Topshop, Marks and Spencer, Knickerbox, and La Senza, and graced the cover of British GQ. Sophie later became a familiar face on television, appearing on shows including I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Love Island, and Celebrity Big Brother. In this conversation, she speaks about life in the spotlight, the pressures that came with sudden fame, and the journey that followed. Today Sophie lives in Ireland, where she founded Anam Kara Wellness, a sanctuary dedicated to wellbeing, nature, and reflection within the historic Glendalough House estate in County Wicklow.

    41 min

  7. FEB 26

    #31 The Whistleblower Who Shattered Hollywood’s Silence | Paz de la Huerta - Part 2

    Actress, model, and painter Paz de la Huerta speaks about Epstein, Weinstein, and the celebrities she says shaped what happened to her behind closed doors in Hollywood. In this episode of Ego Was Here, she names people, reflects on how certain figures are rarely questioned publicly, and shares how speaking out changed her life. Paz talks about her current situation, the strain that followed after she began speaking publicly, and how her life and career shifted once she stopped staying quiet. She also discusses high-profile names connected to the Epstein materials and why continuing to speak in her own words matters to her. This episode continues Paz de la Huerta’s story. To hear how it begins, listen to Episode 30 of Ego Was Here.

    59 min

  8. FEB 19

    #30 Paz de la Huerta Speaks on Epstein, Weinstein, and Hollywood’s Power Circles - Part 1

    Actress, model, and painter Paz de la Huerta speaks about Epstein, Weinstein, and why she decided to come forward publicly. She describes abuse she says she experienced in her family and how exploitation by powerful figures shaped her life. In this episode of Ego Was Here, Paz says she was sexually abused by members of her family and grew up under extreme control. She talks about her father’s background in Spanish aristocracy and her mother’s public role connected to the United Nations, and the contrast she describes between her family’s public image and what she says was happening privately. Paz claims she was trafficked by her mother and sold to Harvey Weinstein. She also says she has lived under threat for years, including what she describes as multiple attempts on her life, and that she has been in hiding for safety. She links parts of her story to names she says appear in the Epstein materials, including references to the Brunel family. She explains that she’s speaking publicly now to raise awareness about trafficking and exploitation and to support others who have been harmed.

    1h 2m
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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
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ego Was Here
  • Show Website
    Ego Was Here

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