The Wealthy Actor Podcast

The Wealthy Actor Podcast

Welcome to "The Wealthy Actor" podcast where we dive deep into the stories and insights of actors from all walks of life. This podcast unravels the thread of success, failures, and everything in between. Tune in to uncover the untold secrets of becoming a truly wealthy actor!

  1. 1h ago

    Ep#29 Mastering the VO Mindset and the Business of Art with Tish Hicks

    In this episode of *The Wealthy Actor*, Valorie Hubbard and James Hallett sit down with Tish Hicks —successful LA voiceover artist and the "Master Sensei" behind the VO Dojo. With over 25 years of experience voicing major campaigns for brands like Subaru and Citibank, Tish reveals how to bridge the gap between being a talented artist and a savvy entrepreneur. We explore the "holistic" approach to voiceover, the importance of "relationshiping" over traditional networking, and how to navigate the "messy middle" of a long-term career. Tish shares her wisdom on building a "solar-powered life" where your creative soul and your business thrive together. If you’ve ever been told "you have a great voice" or you’re an actor looking to diversify your income and power, this conversation is your roadmap from "I don't know" to working pro. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Ready to take your acting business to the next level? Join us live and be part of the conversation by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2beZZQQSF2JKjudxFmnYQ ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Want to speak with Valorie about accelerating your acting career? Schedule an appointment here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/strategy-with-valorie ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Tish Website: https://tishhicks.com/ Dojo Website: https://www.thevodojo.com/ **Key Topics:** Acting, Voice Over, Voiceover, Acting Business, Career Strategy, VO Training, Mindset, Entrepreneurship for Actors, Voice Acting, Professional Development, Industry Insights, Audition Technique, Financial Success for Artists.

    Ep#29 Mastering the VO Mindset and the Business of Art with Tish Hicks
  2. Jul 8

    Ep#28 Katherine O'Day Quit Playing Small: How to Audition for Netflix & Oscar Winners Without an Agent

    What if you skipped the slow climb and went straight for the biggest rooms in Hollywood — with no agent, no manager, and no permission? That's exactly what Katherine O'Day did. And she's been doing it for nine years. Katherine is an actor, vocalist, VO artist, and model based in Los Angeles — trained at one of the only schools backed by the Meisner estate, proficient in multiple musical styles and instruments, and someone who has auditioned for NBC Universal, Netflix, Disney, HBO, Paramount Plus, A24, and Oscar-winning directors — all without representation. She nearly landed a role in Wicked. She was pinned for an Oscar-winning director's project and didn't even know it until they released the cast list. She joins Valorie and James for one of the most electric, no-holds-barred conversations we've had on this show. In this episode, Katherine gets raw and real about: 🎭 How she's been pitching herself directly to the biggest casting offices in Hollywood — and getting called in 🧠 Why acting is like "Moldavite for your life" — and what that means for your personal growth 💥 Her PTSD diagnosis mid-career, how it was the industry that surfaced it, and why getting help made her a better actor 🎯 The audition she almost gave up on — and how top-of-mind marketing kept her on a casting director's radar for years 🎵 Being an ambulatory wheelchair user, auditioning for Nessa Rose in Wicked, and why your full identity is your competitive edge 🪢 Why hobbies like knitting and crocheting aren't distractions — they're career tools 🚀 The "throw a rock in a pond" mindset that keeps her going through the longest waiting games Katherine's story is proof that you don't need to wait for an agent to greenlight your career. You don't need permission. You just need the audacity to play the biggest game possible — and the resilience to keep showing up. This episode will light a fire under you. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Ready to take your acting business to the next level? Join us live and be part of the conversation by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2beZZQQSF2JKjudxFmnYQ ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Want to speak with Valorie about accelerating your acting career? Schedule an appointment here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/strategy-with-valorie ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Want to pitch to top agents and managers? Join us in the Summer Pitch Fest 2026: https://event.summerpitchfest.com/

    Ep#28 Katherine O'Day Quit Playing Small: How to Audition for Netflix & Oscar Winners Without an Agent
  3. Apr 29

    Ep#27 Find Your Voice, Find Your Power with Elite Dialect Coach Amy Chaffee

    What if the very thing you've been hiding — your stammer, your accent, your "weird" quirks — is actually your golden ticket? In this powerhouse episode, Valerie Hubbard and James Hallett sit down with the incomparable Amy Chaffee, elite dialect coach to Oscar winners like Colin Firth, Kathy Bates, and Melissa Leo, to unpack what it really takes to thrive as an actor in today's industry. Amy brings over three decades of stage, screen, and academic experience — from NYU Tisch to Tulane University — and she is holding NOTHING back. From the raw truth about AI and what it means for actors, to why your "flaws" are actually your most castable qualities, this episode is the gut-check and pep talk every actor needs to hear. We're talking about: 🎭 Why your acting training makes you valuable far beyond the set 🎤 How your voice is your most powerful (and underused) instrument 😂 Finding the funny — and why comedy chops are non-negotiable 📱 The real impact of phones and tech on actors' presence and authenticity 🌟 Why neuro-spicy artists always lead — and the next generation proves it Whether you're auditioning in Hollywood or teaching in a small town in Louisiana, Amy's story of reinvention, passion, and speaking truth will light a fire under you. This one's a masterclass in owning who you are — on and off the stage. 🎬 Don't wait for your big break. Build your voice. Build your wealth. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Ready to take your acting business to the next level? Join us live and be part of the conversation by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2beZZQQSF2JKjudxFmnYQ ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Want to speak with Valorie about accelerating your acting career? Schedule an appointment here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/strategy-with-valorie

    Ep#27 Find Your Voice, Find Your Power with Elite Dialect Coach Amy Chaffee
  4. Apr 1

    Ep#26 Giselle Samson Quit the Industry. Then Netflix Came Calling.

    What does it take to walk away from the spotlight — and then fight your way back? Giselle Samson knows. A Season 1 cast member of America's Next Top Model and one of the faces of the explosive Netflix documentary Reality Check: Inside America's Next Top Model. Giselle joins Valorie and James for one of the most honest, unfiltered conversations we've had on this show. And yes — we're talking about the documentary that broke the internet. But we're really talking about you — the actor grinding every day, questioning whether it's worth it, wondering if your moment has passed. Giselle spent 15 years away from the industry. She did corporate America, real estate, executive roles in tech. And she was miserable. So she made the terrifying decision to come back — and now she's auditioning for Broadway musicals, starring in Netflix documentaries, and living proof that your story isn't over. In this episode, she gets brutally honest about: - Signing away her rights at 18 with zero legal representation — and what every actor needs to know before signing anything - The moment she broke down on camera revisiting her younger self — and why that vulnerability is actually your superpower - The self-sabotage patterns that keep talented people playing small (and how to catch yourself doing it) - Why your online presence and website matter more than you think — the production company found her through a contact form - The "DeLulu" mindset that finally got her back on stage, auditioning for the things that scared her most. This is the episode for every actor who has ever thought about quitting. Or who already did — and wonders if they can come back. You can. And Giselle is the proof. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Ready to take your acting business to the next level? Join us live and be part of the conversation by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2beZZQQSF2JKjudxFmnYQ#/registration ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Want to speak with Valorie about accelerating your acting career? Schedule an appointment here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/strategy-with-valorie

    Ep#26 Giselle Samson Quit the Industry. Then Netflix Came Calling.
  5. Mar 2

    Ep#25: From American Ballet Theater to Law & Order with Guest Elina Golde

    In this episode of The Wealthy Actor Podcast, we sit down with the remarkably disciplined and determined Elina Golde. A New York City-based actress, dancer, and model, Elina made history as the first ballerina from Finland to join the world-renowned American Ballet Theater (ABT). After a decade of touring the world, she pivoted to acting in 2019 and has since built an impressive resume with credits including Law & Order, FBI, and a guest-starring role on Fox’s The Big Leap. Elina shares the "ballsy" story of how she bypassed traditional channels to land her first major TV credit by messaging a casting director directly on Facebook. We dive deep into the importance of: - Self-Advocacy: How Elina took charge of her business when her representation failed to download her audition tapes in time. - The "Wealthy" Mindset: How she launched a successful ballet coaching business to "sponsor" her own acting career and eliminate the stress of industry expenses. - Navigating Motherhood: The honest challenges of balancing auditions with a seven-month-old baby and a "foggy," sleep-deprived brain. - Owning Your Unique Value: Why you should never hide your special skills or accents, even when "old school" advice tells you otherwise. Whether she’s playing a supporting role in an Oscar-qualified short film like Hedgehog or manifesting her next series regular role, Elina's journey is a masterclass in discipline, authenticity, and professional grit. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Ready to take your acting business to the next level? Join us live and be part of the conversation by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2beZZQQSF2JKjudxFmnYQ#/registration ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Watch a FREE class and speak with Valorie: https://www.theaftgames.com/opportunity-1

    Ep#25: From American Ballet Theater to Law & Order with Guest Elina Golde
  6. 12/30/2025

    From Side Hustle to Six Figures Mike Provenzano's UGC Success Story

    Mike Provenzano is making $167,000 a year creating content from his home in Florida. He started during COVID as a side hustle and now considers traditional acting his "side gig." What you'll discover in this episode: - The accidental goldmine: How one casual "yes" turned into $15K in six months, then exploded to $20K per month - Equipment that pays for itself: Why Mike's investment in professional cameras, lighting, and teleprompters wasn't an expense—it was a profit multiplier (and how cheap gear was costing him thousands) - Business like a boss: Mike reveals his invoicing system, how he tracks $30K in receivables, and why he's forming an S-Corp to hit $250K next year - Your secret weapon: Actors already know framing, lighting, and performance—giving you an unfair advantage over everyday content creators - Perfectly imperfect wins: UGC clients don't want polished perfection. They want real, relatable humans. Your "ums" and stutters? They're actually selling points. - Living the dream: Mike ditched Jersey winters for Florida sunshine, works poolside, golfs weekly, and still chases his Hallmark Channel goals Mike doesn't hold back—he shares the truth about nightmare clients, payment chasing, and learning to fire the wrong people. But more importantly, he reveals how to build real wealth while maintaining creative freedom and choosing only the projects you actually want. This is THE episode to fuel your 2026 goals. Ready to transform your acting career into a thriving business? Join us for the 3Day GameChanger Event, January 23-25, 2026 —where you'll learn exactly how to build the systems, mindset, and pitch directly to your customers. Early bird pricing ends soon! Grab your spot now: https://event.aftgamechanger.com/2026 ----- Connect with our guest Mike here: https://www.mikeprov.com/ http://www.instagram.com/mikeaprovenzano

    From Side Hustle to Six Figures Mike Provenzano's UGC Success Story
  7. 12/03/2025

    Ep#22 From Indie Trauma to Triumphant Producer with Alexandra Faye Sadeghian

    Join us as we sit down with the incredibly driven actor and producer Alexandra Faye Sadeghian. From her early days leveraging unique pitching methods to landing lead roles, to the "monster" experience of independently producing her first feature film, "Bound," Alexandra shares candid insights into the realities of navigating the business of acting. Discover how Alexandra transformed early career setbacks and an unsupportive agent into a powerful journey of self-advocacy and creative control. She dives deep into the "trauma" and immense learning curve of producing "Bound," a film tackling mental health and trauma, and the profound satisfaction of creating work that truly connects with an audience. Learn about the crucial lessons she learned about team assembly, identifying "cankers" and "cancers" on set, and the importance of prioritizing good storytelling, practical effects, and character development over flashy commercialism. Alexandra's inspiring message emphasizes that artists can – and should – take control of their careers, demonstrating that while "they can't learn humanity, we can learn business." This episode is a powerful testament to persistence, the courage to take risks, and the vital role of artists in reconnecting people with their shared humanity. Get ready to be motivated to stack your own blocks and embrace the adventure of a truly wealthy artistic life! Don't miss this empowering conversation about finding your voice, embracing challenges, and proving that passion and strategic action can lead to extraordinary accomplishments in the film industry. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Ready to take your acting business to the next level? Join us live and be part of the conversation by registering here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__2beZZQQSF2JKjudxFmnYQ ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ Watch a FREE class and speak with Valorie: https://www.theaftgames.com/opportunity-1

    Ep#22 From Indie Trauma to Triumphant Producer with Alexandra Faye Sadeghian

About

Welcome to "The Wealthy Actor" podcast where we dive deep into the stories and insights of actors from all walks of life. This podcast unravels the thread of success, failures, and everything in between. Tune in to uncover the untold secrets of becoming a truly wealthy actor!