Lydia Nicole's Acting Smarter Now Podcast

Lydia Nicole
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Performing Arts
  • Weekly

Immerse yourself in the rich, dynamic world of 'Acting Smarter Now" with Lydia Nicole,your vibrant guide to mastering the business and craft of acting. With Lydia, aseasoned industry veteran of 40 years, you'll experience a journey of practicalwisdom, brimming with empowerment, and street-wise common sense. Join Lydia Nicole as she transforms the mindset of actors and creatives, infusing confidence and cultivating fun while executing their craft. As a multifaceted creative—actor, stand-up comedian, radio programmer, music marketer, and more—Lydia offers a treasure trove of wisdom from both her victories and her blunders, allowing listeners to navigate their paths with more ease and insight. Lydia brings the Hollywood scene right into your ears, conducting vibrant interviews with industry creatives, from budding actors to veteran producers. She effortlessly peels back the curtain on the glamorous yet challenging Hollywood landscape, providing a pragmatic roadmap for your creative journey while staying authentic to your artistic vision. 'Acting Smarter Now"  goes beyond art; it is about life, resilience, and spirituality in an industry that never stops spinning.  So, whether you're an aspiring comedian, an emerging filmmaker, or an established actor seeking refreshing perspectives, this podcast is your friendly companion, mid-week energizer, and dose of industry smarts. Hop on board for the ride of a lifetime with Lydia. Engage withher on social media, stay updated with her latest episodes, and make yourartistic and business journey smarter, confident, and joyful!

  1. 3d ago

    The American Dream Under Threat? Immigration Lawyer Speaks Out

    Send us Fan Mail Could the content you’re posting to get discovered raise questions about your permission to work in America? If you’re an international actor, student, or creator, “I didn’t know” is not a career strategy. Immigration attorney Kathia Quiros returns to Acting Smarter Now for a candid, emotional conversation about immigration, work authorization, and the uncertainty facing people building their dreams in the United States. You’re auditioning. Building your brand. Creating content. Looking for your next opportunity. But do you understand what your visa allows—and which questions you need to ask before accepting paid work, monetizing your social media, or making travel plans? We discuss F-1 student visas, O-1 visas, H-1B visas, DACA, and the concerns international creatives should bring to a qualified immigration attorney. And yes, this conversation gets heated. We also confront some uncomfortable questions: What does “love your neighbor” mean when your neighbor is an immigrant? How do our actions measure up to the values we claim to believe? And what happens to real people when their futures become political talking points? 🎬 IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS: • F-1, O-1, and H-1B visas—and why understanding your particular situation matters. • Social media monetization and the work-authorization questions it raises for actors and creators. • DACA, work-permit renewals, and the uncertainty facing Dreamers. • Kathia’s concerns about immigration enforcement, travel, and court notices. • Why legal guidance and emergency preparation belong in the conversation. • Faith, racism, accountability, and the human cost of immigration politics. I’m Lydia Nicole, and I believe acting smarter means asking the uncomfortable questions that affect your career, your family, and your future. You can be ambitious, talented, and willing to work—and still need guidance on the rules surrounding your next move. Watch this conversation, write down your questions, and get advice specific to your circumstances. Your future deserves informed decisions. 💬 What question would you like us to bring to Kathia in a future interview? Tell us in the comments. 📲 Share this episode with an actor, international student, or creative who needs to hear this conversation. 🔔 Subscribe to Acting Smarter Now for industry interviews, career strategy, and honest conversations that help actors become prepared, professional, booked, and unstoppable. 🎭 READY TO BUILD YOUR ACTING CAREER WITH SUPPORT? Join Acting Smarter Circle for strategy, accountability, branding guidance, and community: https://actingsmartercircle.com ⚖️ CONNECT WITH KATHIA QUIROS: https://kathiaquiros.com This interview includes general information and personal opinions expressed at the time of recording. It is not individualized legal advice. Confirm current requirements and decisions about work, travel, or immigration status with a qualified immigration attorney. #ActingSmarterNow #Immigration #Actors Chapters 0:00 Introduction to Katia Quiros Medina 2:15 Major changes to F-1 and H-1B visas 5:40 Understanding the O-1 visa for extraordinary talent 8:25 Social media risks for international students 12:10 What to do if you are detained by authorities 15:30 Why you must ask for a judge and not sign documents 17:45 The Ilhan Omar citizenship investigation explained 21:15 Acting Smarter Circle and career coaching 24:05 Current status of DACA and work permit delays 28:30 The political climate and the power of the vote 33:15 Language diversity and the history of immigration 38:40 Faith and moral values in the immigration debate 43:20 The public charge rule and new policy threats 46:50 Three essential tips for staying safe on a visa 49:30 Final thoughts on activism and the midterm elections If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    The American Dream Under Threat? Immigration Lawyer Speaks Out

  2. 6d ago

    Actors: Your Materials Could Be Costing You Auditions—Fix These 5 Things

    Send us Fan Mail Your acting materials could be costing you auditions before you ever say a word. A pretty headshot, a reel featuring everyone BUT you, and an outdated résumé can make it harder for casting to see where you fit. Let’s fix that. 🎭 In this episode of Acting Smarter Now, Lydia Nicole breaks down the five essential acting materials that help you present yourself professionally and compete for roles you’re right for. Learn how to make your headshots, demo reel, résumé, self-tapes, and casting profiles tell one clear story about what you bring to the screen. Because “I just want to book something” is not a career strategy. You want work that helps you build toward your next opportunity. 🎬 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: ✅ Professional headshots: Why looking good isn’t enough—and how to choose a photographer who captures your personality, brand, and casting potential. ✅ Your acting demo reel: What to include in a focused 60–90-second reel, what to do when you don’t have professional footage, and why the spotlight needs to stay on YOU. ✅ Your acting résumé: How to create a clean, one-page résumé that highlights your credits, training, special skills, and professional contact information. ✅ Your self-tape setup: How lighting, sound, background, and eyeline support your audition—and why listening matters just as much as delivering your lines. ✅ Your online casting profiles: How to keep your materials current and consistent so casting can understand what you offer. 🔥 PLUS: Why an actor website is worth considering, a simple way to capture slate shots during your headshot session, what to think through before submitting as a local hire, and how being a team player can help you get invited back. Lydia also shares lessons from her own career—including playing a high school student in Stand and Deliver at 28—and the mistakes that taught her to choose materials with intention. Your headshot, reel, and résumé should work together. Are yours telling the same story? 👇 Tell me in the comments: Which of these five needs your attention first: headshots, reels, résumés, self-tape setups, or casting profiles? 🌟 NEED HELP GETTING YOUR MATERIALS AND BRAND TOGETHER? Join the Acting Smarter Circle for support, strategy, accountability, and guidance to help you become prepared, professional, booked, and unstoppable. 👉 Explore Acting Smarter Circle Chapters 0:00 Introduction to the Five Essentials 2:25 Professional Headshots vs Selfies 5:10 Branding and Your Casting Range 8:05 Creating an Authentic Demo Reel 11:15 Choosing Scenes You Can Nail 14:20 Building a One-Page Professional Resume 17:10 Training and Special Skills 20:00 The Perfect Self Tape Setup 23:15 Managing Online Casting Profiles 26:00 The Power of Slate Shots 28:45 Why Actors Need a Personal Website 31:30 Professionalism and Being a Team Player 34:10 Investing in Your Acting Career 36:50 Final Advice and Resources 📺 SUBSCRIBE TO ACTING SMARTER NOW Find more acting career advice, industry interviews, and practical tools to help you take your next step with confidence. 👉 Subscribe on YouTube. Share this episode with an actor who’s ready to stop guessing and start presenting themselves like a professional. #ActingSmarterNow #ActingTips #ActingCareer If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    Actors: Your Materials Could Be Costing You Auditions—Fix These 5 Things

  3. Oct 22

    Your TIme Is Now

    Send us Fan Mail **Still waiting for the phone to ring so you can feel like a “real” actor? That’s a lot of power to hand people who haven’t called you back.** It’s time to take some of that power back. 🎭 In this episode of **Acting Smarter Now**, Lydia Nicole sits down with **actor, musician, and life coach Ben Michael Brown** for a candid conversation about addiction, sobriety, starting later, and taking ownership of your creative life. **What happens when the life you’re living gets in the way of the actor you want to become?** Ben opens up about recognizing his addiction, the moments of clarity that pushed him toward recovery, and the spiritual growth that changed his relationship with himself. He shares the vulnerability of beginning his artistic path in his late 20s and 30s—a story for anyone who keeps wondering whether they’ve missed their moment. We also explore lessons from acting teachers **Larry Moss and Tony Greco**, including the connection between your life and your acting. The fears, habits, and struggles you bring into the room deserve your attention. So does your ability to be present, listen, and bring yourself honestly to the work. And for every actor waiting for someone to hand them an opportunity: **Ben shares his experience raising more than $100,000 to produce his own short film, *Holla James*.** 🎬 That project opens up a question worth asking yourself: **What could you start creating before anyone gives you permission?** 🔥 **IN THIS CONVERSATION:** • **Think you’re starting too late?** Hear how Ben began pursuing music and acting in his late 20s and 30s.   • **What are you bringing into the scene?** Explore how your personal life connects to your acting.   • **Who are you without your old patterns?** Ben reflects on meeting himself through sobriety.   • **Is every thought telling you the truth?** We discuss the shift from compulsive reaction to conscious choice.   • **How do you stay grounded?** Hear how Ben approaches journaling, morning routines, meditation, breathwork, and prayer.   • **Tired of waiting for doors to open?** Get into the conversation about producing your own work. If your phone has been quiet and your doubts have been loud, press play. **There is still work you can do, a voice you can develop, and something you can create.** ⏱️ **CHAPTERS** 0:00 Intro and Welcome   3:15 Starting Music and Acting Later in Life   7:45 Walking Into That First Acting Class   11:30 Lessons from Maria Dizzia and Terry Knickerbocker   16:20 Larry Moss: The Connection Between Life and Acting   20:45 Tony Greco and the Importance of Being Present   26:15 Acting Smarter Circle: Find Your Community   29:30 Recognizing Addiction and Reaching a Turning Point   34:00 An Uber Ride and Three Moments of Clarity   39:15 Entering Recovery and Beginning the 12-Step Process   43:45 Getting to Know Yourself Through Sobriety   48:30 Replacing Bottom-Line Behaviors with Top Lines   53:15 What Modern Convenience Can Cost Us   58:00 From Compulsive Reaction to Conscious Choice   1:03:15 Breathwork, Meditation, and Prayer   1:08:30 Sobriety and Authenticity in Ben’s Acting   1:13:00 Morning Routines and the Benefits of Journaling   1:18:45 Understanding That You Are Not Your Thoughts   1:23:30 Childhood Trauma and Finding a Higher Power   1:28:15 The Shift Podcast and Supporting Others in Sobriety   1:31:00 Stop Waiting for Doors to Open: Create Your Own Work   1:35:18 Final Encouragement and Closing Thoughts   🎭 **READY TO STOP TRYING TO FIGURE OUT YOUR ACTING CAREER ALONE?** Join the **Acting Smarter Circle** for career strategy, accountability, mindset support, and a community of actors committed to taking action. Bring your questions, your goals, and your willingness to do the work. Let’s build a plan that helps you move forward. 👉 Explore the Circle: [actingsmartercircle.com](https://actingsmartercircle.com) 🔔 **Subscribe to Acting Smarter Now** for honest industry conversations and practical tools to help you get prepared, build your career, and become unstoppable. 💬 **Tell us in the comments: What have you been waiting for permission to do—and what’s one step you can take this week?** #ActingSmarterNow #BenMichaelBrown #ActingCareer #ActorsLife #Sobriety #PersonalGrowth If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    Your TIme Is Now

  4. Oct 19

    Actors: Stop Chasing Bookings and Start Building Your Legacy

    Send us Fan Mail Your bills cannot be the biggest vision you have for your life. Actors and creatives: if you’re always chasing the next booking, paycheck, or opportunity, when do you start building the life you actually want? On Acting Smarter Now, we’re talking about living by design with Garrick Francis and creating a legacy that goes beyond money, children, or credits on your résumé. Your legacy is already taking shape in how you give, how you live, and what you do with your gifts. And if you think you’ve missed your moment? Wait until you hear about the woman who built her dream home at 93. Somebody tell your excuses to have a seat. 👏 In this conversation, we unpack: 🎯 Give, Live, Steward: A framework for bringing intention to your money, gifts, and purpose. 💰 Scarcity vs. abundance: How fear can shape your choices—and why collaboration matters. 🌱 Breaking generational cycles: What you want to pass down and what needs to stop with you. 🤝 Family conversations: Navigating difficult discussions about connection, healing, and legacy. 🎬 Owning your creative business: Why it’s time to think like the CEO of your art. 🦅 The eagle mindset: Learning to rise above life’s storms without letting them dictate your direction. You don’t need children to leave a legacy. You don’t need a fortune to make an impact. And you don’t need permission to dream bigger. You do need to get intentional about what you’re building. 💬 Tell us in the comments: What do you want your legacy to be beyond your acting credits? CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro to Legacy Mindset with Garrick Francis 4:15 Designing Your Future Not Your Past 8:30 Leaving a Legacy Without Having Children 12:50 The Give Live Steward Framework 17:10 Financial Assets and Seasonal Income 21:40 Breaking Free from a Scarcity Mindset 26:20 The Power of Abundance and Collaboration 31:05 Redefining Family Connections 36:45 Having Difficult Family Conversations 42:10 Confronting Negative Legacies 47:50 Building Dreams at Age 93 53:15 Why Retirement is a Myth 58:40 Storytelling and Social Movements 1:04:25 Finding Your Creative Soundtrack 1:09:30 You are the CEO of Your Art 1:15:10 The Eagle Mindset vs. The Pigeon Mindset 1:21:05 Watering the Seeds of Success 1:26:53 Closing Thoughts 🎭 Ready to put a game plan behind your gifts? Join the Acting Smarter Circle for community, accountability, and practical strategies to strengthen your craft, handle your business, and take intentional action. Your career deserves more than wishful thinking. 👉 Join the Acting Smarter Circle Subscribe to Acting Smarter Now and share this episode with a creative who needs to remember: there is still time to build something meaningful. #ActingSmarterNow #Legacy #WealthMindset #ActorsLife #GenerationalWealth If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    Actors: Stop Chasing Bookings and Start Building Your Legacy

  5. Oct 13

    TV Writing Masterclass: How to Structure a Successful Sitcom

    Send us Fan Mail Waiting for someone to write your dream role? You could be waiting a long time. 🎬 It’s time to start creating the opportunities you keep hoping someone else will hand you—and that starts with understanding what makes a script WORK. In this Acting Smarter Now masterclass, Lydia Nicole sits down with veteran showrunner, writer, and producer Danny Kalis to break down the craft and business of television writing—with the Ted Lasso pilot as your classroom. With experience on shows like Who’s the Boss? and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Danny takes us inside the decisions behind the page: how writers introduce unforgettable characters, hook an audience, and build a story that can sustain a series. And actors, this conversation isn’t just for those of you who want to write. Understanding how a script is built can help you recognize story clues, understand your character’s purpose, and make more informed acting choices. 📝 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN: • How to start approaching your own script—and why the title page matters. • The difference between “story by” and “teleplay by” credits. • How single-camera and multi-camera sitcom scripts differ. • What the opening of Ted Lasso reveals about character, conflict, and audience curiosity. • How to use slug lines, action lines, and character descriptions with intention. • How to deliver exposition without making your dialogue sound like a history lecture. • What inciting incidents, cold opens, teasers, and tags do for your story. • Why table reads and rewrites are essential to discovering what actually works. • How production expectations and the business of writing shape the script. 🔥 Your first page has a job to do: give us a reason to keep reading. Whether you’re writing your first television pilot, creating a role for yourself, or learning to analyze audition material more deeply, this conversation will help you see the page with fresh eyes. You don’t need to have every answer before you begin. But you do need to move that idea out of your head and onto the page. Let’s get to work. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Introduction to Danny Kalis 3:30 Actors writing their own scripts 7:15 The importance of the title page 12:00 Understanding story by vs. teleplay by credits 18:45 Pilot scripts and production formats 23:00 Residuals and the business of writing 27:30 Scriptwriting software and formatting 32:15 Single-camera vs. multi-camera sitcoms 37:00 Breaking down the first page of Ted Lasso 42:30 The power of slug lines and time of day 47:15 Writing effective action lines 52:00 Character descriptions and actor direction 58:30 Introducing Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso 1:03:00 Managing studio executive expectations 1:08:45 How to write natural exposition 1:14:15 Analyzing the first dialogue exchange 1:20:00 The inciting incident and story hooks 1:25:30 Teasers, cold opens, and tags explained 1:31:45 Punctuation and the use of the ellipsis 1:36:15 The importance of table reads and rewrites 1:41:00 Danny’s top book recommendations 1:45:49 Video wrap-up and final thoughts 💬 LET’S TALK: If you could write your dream role, who would you play—and what’s stopping you from starting? Tell us in the comments. 📲 SHARE this episode with the actor who keeps saying, “I should write something.” This is their cue. 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Acting Smarter Now for conversations that help actors get prepared, become professional, book more, and become unstoppable: https://www.youtube.com/lydianicolelive 🌟 READY TO PUT YOUR CAREER PLANS INTO ACTION? Explore the Acting Smarter Circle for support, accountability, and practical strategies to strengthen your craft, business skills, productivity, and mindset—with a spiritual foundation. https://www.actingsmartercircle.com #ActingSmarterNow #Screenwriting #TedLasso #Scriptwriting #ActingTips If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    TV Writing Masterclass: How to Structure a Successful Sitcom

  6. Oct 6

    A-Z on How to Create a One-Person Show

    Send us Fan Mail Your one-person show will never reach the stage if it stays stuck in your head. 🎭 Have a story to tell—but no idea how to turn it into a show people actually want to see? Let’s change that! In this Acting Smarter Now mini masterclass, we explore HOW TO WRITE A ONE-PERSON SHOW with a guest who has written and performed NINE solo shows. From your first index card to opening night, discover practical ways to shape your experiences into compelling live theater—and give audiences a reason to buy a ticket. Because yes, your life has stories. The work is finding the story, shaping it, and having the courage to let people see you. Whether you’re an actor ready to create your own opportunities, an aspiring playwright exploring autobiographical storytelling, or a solo performer struggling with structure, this conversation will help you move from “Someday I’ll do a show” to “Here’s my next step.” 🎭 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER: ✨ Why vulnerability can make your solo performance more powerful—and more relatable. ✨ How to choose your subject without cramming your entire life into one show. ✨ How to structure your story like a movie to keep audiences invested. ✨ A hands-on index card method to organize ideas and build your script. ✨ The traffic light rehearsal system to focus your preparation. ✨ How to approach sensitive stories involving family and people you love. ✨ Why your show’s title and poster deserve serious attention when marketing your production. ✨ How physical blocking helps bring your words to life. ✨ How open mics and readings can help you test material before opening night. You don’t have to wait for someone else to write you a great role. You can start creating it. 🔥 ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro and the Power of Vulnerability 2:45 Choosing Your Subject Matter and Avoiding Cannibalization 5:15 Structuring Your Show Like a Movie 8:00 The Index Card Method for Scripting 10:45 Rehearsal Strategy and the Traffic Light System 13:30 Navigating Family Dynamics and Sensitive Stories 16:15 Why Titles and Posters Matter for Marketing 19:00 Putting the Show on Its Feet and Physical Blocking 22:15 Testing Material at Open Mics and Readings 24:53 Closing Thoughts and Final Advice 💬 LET’S TALK: If you created a one-person show about your life, what would you call it? Drop your title in the comments—even if it’s your working title. Let’s hear what you’ve been keeping to yourself! 🚀 READY TO PUT ACTION BEHIND YOUR TALENT? Join the ACTING SMARTER CIRCLE for community, accountability, and practical strategies to strengthen your craft, clarify your brand, and take ownership of your acting career. 👉 Explore the Circle: https://actingsmartercircle.com 🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Acting Smarter Now for honest conversations and actionable tools to help you get prepared, become professional, get booked, and become unstoppable. 👍 Like this video and SHARE it with an actor who keeps saying, “I have an idea for a show.” This is their nudge! #OnePersonShow #SoloPerformance #ActingSmarterNow #Storytelling #ActingCareer If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    A-Z on How to Create a One-Person Show

  7. Sep 30

    A Great Voice Isn’t Enough: What Gets Voice Actors Booked?

    Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ A great voice might get you a compliment. But can it get you BOOKED? If your voiceover auditions aren’t connecting, your sound may not be the problem. Your choices, preparation, and microphone technique could be getting in the way. Want to break into voice acting, create memorable animation characters, and walk into a recording session like a professional? This episode of Acting Smarter Now goes beyond “doing funny voices” to explore the acting skills and business habits behind a professional voiceover career. Because, actors, buying a microphone is easy. Knowing what to do when that mic is ON? That takes craft. From voiceover audition tips and character development to studio etiquette and agent relationships, we’re digging into what helps you deliver a performance people want to keep listening to. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER: • Why the first 15 seconds of your voiceover audition deserve serious attention. • Four essential questions to answer BEFORE you read the script. • How physicality, breathing, and standing up can shift your character’s energy. • Microphone techniques and studio habits that help you avoid distracting noise. • How to self-direct your reads without draining the life out of your performance. • Ways to build a character voice arsenal grounded in acting choices. • Behind-the-scenes casting stories involving iconic characters like Batman and Bart Simpson. • How to keep your voiceover agent informed as your skills grow. • What to consider when choosing voiceover workshops. • Professional conversations around negotiation and the ethics of voice replacement. From reel-to-reel recordings to today’s home recording studios, the technology has changed—but preparation, professionalism, and compelling acting choices still matter. Whether you’re exploring voice acting for beginners, moving from on-camera acting into animation voiceover, or sharpening your audition technique, this conversation will help you approach the booth with more intention. 💬 ACTORS, LET’S TALK: What’s your biggest voiceover challenge—finding your characters, directing yourself, or getting your foot in the door? Drop it in the comments. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Learning from Voiceover Legends 3:15 Pro Microphone Techniques 6:45 Studio Etiquette: Avoiding Unwanted Noise 9:30 Why Respect for Actors Matters 12:15 Voice Acting Physicality and Breathing 15:45 Animation Casting Stories and Voice Changes 19:15 How to Strengthen Your Voiceover Audition 22:30 Four Questions to Ask Before You Read 26:00 Finding Your Character Connection 29:45 How to Self-Direct Your Best Takes 33:15 Building Your Character Voice Arsenal 36:45 The Art of Negotiation 40:00 Ethics in Voice Replacement 43:30 Building a Strong Agent Relationship 46:45 Keeping Your Agent Updated 50:15 Choosing Voiceover Workshops 53:33 Final Takeaways 🚀 STOP GUESSING YOUR WAY THROUGH YOUR ACTING CAREER. You can have talent and still need a strategy. Inside Acting Smarter Circle, we help actors identify their strengths, clarify their brand, and learn how to market themselves—with accountability, practical tools, and a community that supports their growth. Ready to put action behind your ambition? 👉 Explore Acting Smarter Circle: https://actingsmartercircle.com Subscribe to Acting Smarter Now for conversations about the craft, business, and mindset of building an acting career. Share this episode with an actor who’s ready to step up to the mic. Acting Smarter Now: Helping actors get prepared, become professional, booked and unstoppable. #VoiceActing #Voiceover #AnimationVoiceover #VoiceoverAuditions #ActingSmarterNow If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    A Great Voice Isn’t Enough: What Gets Voice Actors Booked?

  8. Sep 26

    Is Fear Holding Back Your Acting? Catie LeOrisa on Lessons from Larry Moss

    Send us Fan Mail Are you bringing your talent into the audition—or every rejection, fear, and disappointment you’ve been carrying? You know your lines. You’ve done the work. But when it’s time to deliver, something tightens up. What if the next breakthrough in your acting starts with becoming more available? You do not have to become fearless to be a great actor. You have to become available—to the moment, to your scene partner, and to yourself. In this episode of Acting Smarter Now, Lydia Nicole sits down with Rev. Catherine (Catie) LeOrisa, M.Msc., who has worked alongside legendary acting teacher, coach, director, and author Larry Moss for more than twenty-five years. If you hear us say “Larry,” we’re referring to acting guru Larry Moss! As the founder of Resonance Restructure, Catie brings a unique perspective to the connection between an actor’s inner life and creative expression. She is a Certified Hypnotherapist, Neuro-Dynamic Breathwork Facilitator, Reiki Master in Usui and Holy Fire traditions, and practitioner of Source Point High Priestess Healing (SPHPH) Energetic Quantum Acupuncture. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Metaphysics and is currently pursuing a PhD in Metaphysical Science. Her work explores emotional freedom, creativity, intuition, and personal transformation through breathwork, meditation, energy work, and subconscious exploration. Together, we get into the moments actors don’t always talk about: the rejection that follows you home, the pressure to prove yourself in the audition room, and the character whose emotions linger long after someone calls “cut.” Catie shares her perspective on breathwork, somatic awareness, hypnotherapy, Reiki, and astrology—and how she approaches helping artists explore the protective patterns that may limit their creative freedom. One question could change how you look at your entire process: Instead of asking, “Where am I blocked?” what happens when you ask, “What am I protecting?” ✨ IN THIS CONVERSATION, WE EXPLORE: • How to process audition disappointment without turning it into a verdict on your talent. • Grounding practices to help you return your attention to the present. • Why your actor’s instrument includes your entire human being. • The difference between forcing an emotion and becoming available to it. • Breathwork, nervous-system awareness, and creating a sense of safety. • Journaling as a way to explore emotions and discover what’s underneath them. • “De-roling”—stepping out of a character and returning to yourself. • Trust, surrender, and lessons from Catie’s years alongside acting teacher Larry Moss. Whether you’re preparing for a big audition, recovering from a disappointing experience, or craving more freedom in your work, this conversation invites you to rethink what it means to care for your instrument. Your talent deserves preparation. The person carrying that talent deserves care, too. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro and the power of breathwork 5:10 Processing audition rejection and disappointment 10:25 Believing in your unique instrument 15:40 Creating safety in the acting room 21:15 Integrating astrology and energy work 26:30 Breaking through internal chains and blocks 31:45 The role of trust and surrender 37:10 Learning from legendary acting teacher Larry Moss 42:45 Resetting the nervous system 48:15 Catie’s PhD and integrative healing approach 53:30 The subconscious mind and hypnotherapy 59:10 Catie’s origin story: Moving to LA and meeting Larry Moss 1:04:30 Finding the keys to unlock your potential 1:10:15 Discussing therapy and hypnosis 1:16:00 Exploring the mind-body connection 1:21:20 How to de-role from a character 1:26:45 Practical breathing exercises for daily use 1:32:15 Distance Reiki and energetic connections 1:37:40 Legacy and where to find Catie 1:42:43 Video end 💬 What’s harder for you: letting go of an audition, getting out of your head, or leaving a character behind? Tell us in the comments. Share this episode with an actor who carries every audition home. Subscribe to Acting Smarter Now and turn on notifications for honest conversations and practical tools to help you act smarter and live better. #ActingSmarterNow #LarryMoss #CatieLeOrisa #ActingTips #Breathwork If you are looking for an acting community to support you, help you with career strategies and accountability, come join us at www.actingsmartercircle.com, where we meet weekly on Zoom. Support the show

    Is Fear Holding Back Your Acting? Catie LeOrisa on Lessons from Larry Moss
See All (188)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Immerse yourself in the rich, dynamic world of 'Acting Smarter Now" with Lydia Nicole,your vibrant guide to mastering the business and craft of acting. With Lydia, aseasoned industry veteran of 40 years, you'll experience a journey of practicalwisdom, brimming with empowerment, and street-wise common sense. Join Lydia Nicole as she transforms the mindset of actors and creatives, infusing confidence and cultivating fun while executing their craft. As a multifaceted creative—actor, stand-up comedian, radio programmer, music marketer, and more—Lydia offers a treasure trove of wisdom from both her victories and her blunders, allowing listeners to navigate their paths with more ease and insight. Lydia brings the Hollywood scene right into your ears, conducting vibrant interviews with industry creatives, from budding actors to veteran producers. She effortlessly peels back the curtain on the glamorous yet challenging Hollywood landscape, providing a pragmatic roadmap for your creative journey while staying authentic to your artistic vision. 'Acting Smarter Now"  goes beyond art; it is about life, resilience, and spirituality in an industry that never stops spinning.  So, whether you're an aspiring comedian, an emerging filmmaker, or an established actor seeking refreshing perspectives, this podcast is your friendly companion, mid-week energizer, and dose of industry smarts. Hop on board for the ride of a lifetime with Lydia. Engage withher on social media, stay updated with her latest episodes, and make yourartistic and business journey smarter, confident, and joyful!

Information