Weighing In on the Way In with Maureen Aladin

Maureen Aladin
  • 5.0 (1)
  • TV & Film

🎙 Welcome to Weighing In on the Way In—the podcast where we go behind the scenes with the women shaping the entertainment industry. Hosted by Maureen Aladin, a producer, storyteller and creative entrepreneur, this show dives deep into the careers, pivots, and purpose-driven paths of producers, directors, editors, and other powerhouse creatives. What You’ll Find Here: ✅ Candid conversations with women making moves in production & post-production ✅ Career insights, industry lessons & the reality of working behind the scenes ✅ Practical tips for breaking into and thriving in the entertainment

  1. 5d ago

    How to Get Your Kid Into Acting, From a Mom Turned Acting Coach | Sharra Dade

    Today we're Weighing In on Sharra Dade's Way In w/ Maureen Aladin.Most parents guess their way into the kids' acting business. Sharra Dade figured it out in real time with her own daughter, then built a business teaching everyone else.Sharra is an acting coach and the founder of I Coach Stars, with 20+ years in entertainment. She started as a singer, ran her own boutique PR firm, and got her daughter Alyssa Cheatham signed at age 3. Alyssa went on to work with Will Smith in Collateral Beauty and Ludacris in Netflix's Karma's World. Now mother and daughter run Emerald Summer Productions. Their vertical series "Say Something," made in partnership with TWELVE18 Media, won the Innovative Vertical Award at the Detroit Black Film Festival.In this episode, we explore:- Finding a Legit Agent: Why the SAG-AFTRA franchised agent list is the first place to look, and what it takes for Sharra to refer a kid to her own agent.- Headshots by Age: When a phone snapshot is enough, when to pay for real headshots, and what you should spend.- Self-Tapes and Hair: One-day turnarounds, cold reads, and what to do when your headshot shows natural hair but you just got braids.- Pushing vs. Protecting: The "am I harming you?" rule and how Sharra teaches kids that rejection isn't personal.If you're a parent thinking about this business, or already in it and figuring it out as you go, start here. ABOUT WEIGHING IN ON THE WAY INWeighing In on the Way In is hosted by Maureen Aladin, 5x Telly Award-winning producer and Founder of TWELVE18 Media. Every episode, Maureen sits down with women who found their way into entertainment through their passions, and get honest about what it really takes to build creative careers that last, money included.

  2. Sep 2

    How to Get on a Top Casting Director’s Radar ft. Artios Winner Erica A. Hart

    Today we're Weighing In on Erica A. Hart's Way In w/ Maureen Aladin. Casting directors decide who gets in the room. Erica A. Hart has spent her career being that person.Erica is an Artios Award-winning casting director with credits on Black Mirror and A Black Lady Sketch Show. She started at NYU and built her way into one of the most quietly powerful jobs in the industry - the one that shapes who you actually see on screen.In this episode, we explore:• Getting Noticed: How to truly get on a top casting director’s radar (hint: it’s not what you think).• The Casting Room: What happens behind closed doors and how Erica helps actors feel comfortable enough to do their best work.• Industry Evolution: How technology and self-tapes have changed the game, and why "inclusion is a choice."• Career Resilience: Erica’s journey through development deals, winning awards, and the importance of "harmony" over balance.Whether you're an actor looking for your big break or a creator interested in the chemistry of casting - this episode is for you!

  3. 05/01/2025

    How Sandra Lena Built a Career in Hollywood Editing Hit Shows

    In this episode we're weighing in on Sandra Lena's way in! Sandra Lena has worked on some of the most talked-about shows in television, including The White Lotus, Daisy Jones & The Six, and Dopesick. But her journey didn’t start in Hollywood—it began in Spain, where she first fell in love with storytelling through editing.In this episode of Weighing In on the Way In, Sandra opens up about:*Moving across countries to pursue a career in entertainment*Breaking into the post-production world and working on high-profile projects*Balancing a fast-paced career with motherhood*How staying curious and saying “yes” to opportunities shaped her pathSandra’s story is proof that passion, resilience, and adaptability can take you far.

  4. 04/30/2025

    From Star Intern to Emmy Nominee: Meet Yazmin Ramos Former Wendy Williams Producer

    In this episode we're weighing in on Yazmin Ramos' way in! Being bold and brave has taken Yazmin Ramos to places she never imagined. From working with BET, The Wendy Williams Show, and Essence Communications to producing iconic cultural events like AfroPunk and The Essence Festival, she has built an inspiring career in media and production. Yazmin shares how she carved her own path, why networking is key, and the lessons she learned as a producer. Whether you're an aspiring creative, producer, or entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with gems.

  5. 04/30/2025

    The Truth About Making It in TV Production (Toni P. Tells All)

    In this episode we're weighing in on Toni P.'s way in! We're diving deep with powerhouse Post Production Story/Archival Producer Toni P, founder of Queens of Production. From her early days as an executive assistant at Pilgrim Studios to producing standout content for MAX, BET, and Macro/Roku, Toni shares the raw truths behind navigating Hollywood, finding her lane in post, and creating a production hub for women and creatives of color. If you've ever wondered how to carve your space in this ever-evolving industry, this one’s for you.

  6. 05/26/2024

    How a Failed Dance Audition for Beyoncé Unlocked Chazeen Pemberton's Passion for Producing

    In this episode we're weighing in on Chazeen Pemberton's way in! CHAZEEN is a New York-based creative best known for her contributions to broadcast television and digital media. Collaborating with Music Choice, Complex, BET, and Samsung as a producer, speaker and host has positioned her to work on projects featuring the likes of Cardi B., DJ Khaled, Selena Gomez, Lecrae, Carrie Underwood, J Balvin and much more. Often known in social circles for her rich resourcefulness and easygoing insights, Chazeen recently developed CHAZ CHATS - a quarterly event series where she and guest panelists discuss fun facts on professionalism, fitness and faith from the POV of a Millennial mindset.

  7. 04/25/2024

    Meet the Producer Behind Angie Martinez's IRL Podcast | Brittany Ortiz

    In this episode we're weighing in on Brittany Ortiz's way in! From starting out as Angie Martinez's personal assistant to rising up as her producer on one of the hottest podcasts - In Real Life, Brittany Oritz is stepping into herself as a powerhouse producer and it's glaringly apparent that she is on her way to claiming the same title as a Director in the very near future.

  8. 02/18/2024

    Prioritizing Self-Care: Keys to Sustainable Success | Director Diamonde Williamson Ways In

    On this episode of the podcast, we're weighing in on Diamonde Williamson's way in. Diamonde Williamson is Founder and CEO of third and wonder production house, the go-to media and production company for black women and black culture – specializing in branded, documentary, and unscripted formats. She's created hundreds of videos for notable clientele like: The Oprah Winfrey Network, Google, Warner Bros., Essence, and more. The multi-hyphenate thrives in her ability to tell authentic, innovative, and quality visual stories. Diamonde’s mastery and passion is evident through her diverse professional experiences and the content she creates, like Webby Honoree competition series, Biz Bestie Showdown, original documentary, Best Friends Not Forever, and the highly praised podcast Creative Women Wanted. Her continued goal is to build community and produce entertaining, empowering and relatable art for Black women. Listen to this podcast here or anywhere you stream audio. Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Amazon Music If you enjoyed this episode, throw some love our way – hit that like button, subscribe, drop a comment, and share the goodness. Yeah, it's a bunch of clicks, but trust me, it's the secret to helping me cook this sauce. Thank you! Find me and Diamonde on the gram by following: https://www.instagram.com/twelve18media https://www.instagram.com/therealdiamonde

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About

🎙 Welcome to Weighing In on the Way In—the podcast where we go behind the scenes with the women shaping the entertainment industry. Hosted by Maureen Aladin, a producer, storyteller and creative entrepreneur, this show dives deep into the careers, pivots, and purpose-driven paths of producers, directors, editors, and other powerhouse creatives. What You’ll Find Here: ✅ Candid conversations with women making moves in production & post-production ✅ Career insights, industry lessons & the reality of working behind the scenes ✅ Practical tips for breaking into and thriving in the entertainment

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