The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

actorsguidepodcast
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

Two actors, E-Kan Soong and Rían Sheehy Kelly talk acting and Hollywood in a way people understand. Dive into the most interesting headlines you need to know from the ever changing Hollywood industry as they share hilarious stories and insights from on set and off, and find joy along the ride. Frank, informative, and entertaining conversations for those in and out of the industry. All the world’s a stage, and this stage is on fire... but you know E-Kan and Rian are going to have a laugh either way. Watch and listen to new episodes every Monday wherever you find your podcasts! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack for all the best moments from the show. Follow E-Kan @ekansoong and Rían @riansheehykelly on Instagram

  1. 4d ago

    "Feelings Are Stupid" — Thoughts vs. Feelings

    Welcome to the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 93! Warning - we talk about our feelings this episode. Or in E-Kan’s case, lack of… We’re going deep on this one. We start with a famous study on kids who loved drawing. One group was given a reward for their efforts, the other didn't. Guess which group eventually stopped drawing? This episode starts there — and turns it into a hard question for anyone chasing a creative career: are you doing this because you love it, or because you're chasing the reward? What happens when external validation makes you forget why you wanted to do it in the first place?  Then E-Kan and Rían dig into what "effortless" acting actually looks like on-camera, and why the second something feels performed, audiences can tell — even if they don't know why. Also a genius note from terrific photographer Matt Kallish that helped Rían during his headshot session. The guys talk about meditation after Rían shares his experience at a Transcendental Meditation workshop, which leads to E-Kan's confession- he thinks “feelings are stupid” and even drops a Marcus Aurelius quote : “The happiness of life depends on the quality of your thoughts.”  The guys then go into a deep discussion, do people and creatives get wrapped up in our feelings too much and as E-Kan puts it, "do more harm than good"?  Stick to the end and you’ll hear why visualization doesn’t actually work…unless you do one key thing. You're not ready for this one, ya'll. Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Kid’s Drawing Study (Over-justification Effect) https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-overjustification-effect-2795386   https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/overjustification-effect   HIDDEN GEMS: Mark Manson’s Solved Podcast (Confidence) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-build-confidence-solved/id1247526593?i=1000774972880 Oettingen study on Visualizations - https://www.simplypsychology.com/articles/visualization-techniques-psychology Smell Scents - https://ausflowers.com.au/en-us?srsltid=AfmBOoqOdQFd_zx3UNCFeACVu0SPkK6eVmFllhyw_QKXypbcjlzlWs51 Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:08) Over-justification Effect (05:07) Acting Industry is not a meritocracy (06:11) Insights from a Great Headshot Photographer (09:53) If it feels like acting, it’s off (10:36) It’s never been about the money (13:00) Actors don’t get paid to act, they get paid to wait (13:47) Rían tries a transcendental meditation workshop (18:15) Feelings are stupid (22:07) You’ll never be able to control your emotions (23:20) The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts (25:20) E-Kan does have feelings (27:50) Some actors are debilitated by their feelings (29:40) Feelings are a byproduct of our thoughts (31:30) Learning to not be pulled around by our feelings (37:26) Aphantasia - When you can’t remember images, only feelings (40:00) Hidden Gems

  2. Aug 6

    Odyssey Translator Trashes Nolan's Film — Was She Right? Plus: A Casting Director Roundtable You Need to Hear

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 92! E-Kan and Rían have finally managed to get tickets to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, which just broke box office records — but the translator whose work reportedly inspired the film says she'd be "ashamed" to have written any part of the script. The big question is- was she right? And how can we debate films without getting mean?  We break down what worked (the practical effects are unreal — a 60-foot Cyclops puppet without CGI, a camera so massive it took two people to carry) and what didn't. Was it all spectacle and no soul? Then: we listened a casting director panel featuring the top CDs in the industry and got real talk on the state of the industry and era of self tapes - where we are, and where we hope to be. Keep listening - you'll a bomb drop how actors are reportedly using AI to manipulate their audition slates. We don't know what they're hiding, but we have theories. Movie stars, myth, and a little bit of Hollywood chaos. Press play. Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Show Links: The Odyssey behind the scenes - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cTZ-Pa9vho Emily Wilson trashes the odyssey https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v48/n14/emily-wilson/an-uncomplicated-man Vulture- it feels so good to fight about the classics - https://www.vulture.com/article/the-critics-it-feels-good-to-fight-about-the-odyssey.html The Actor Podcast w/ Risa Bramon Garcia's - Casting Roundtable- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-62-casting-virtual-roundtable-cds-tell-it-like-it-is/id1203009952?i=1000777254691 Hidden Gems:  Turtle Nest Preservation site - https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?layerId=0&layers=9ba9a722b6a644d99016d0b23cbbda3f Save the Cat screenwriting book- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49464.Save_the_Cat Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:20) The Odyssey First Reactions (07:00) Did it meet the hype? (13:30) Odyssey Translator's critical review of the film (19:08) 8 actors passed on Matt Damon's role (23:30) The Odyssey cinematic achievements were incredible (25:30) Top Casting Director Roundtable  (30:00) CD's we want to get back to the room as well (35:00) Sometimes you can't get actionable direction from casting directors (35:55) Casting Directors talk with each other (41:00) Actors are using AI to manipulate their slates (46:00) Actors and Casting Directors are just looking for filmmakers (46:40) "I can make anyone beautiful. I can't make you talented." (48:25) The power of being in the room (51:40) Hidden Gems

  3. Jul 30

    50,000 AI Shows Were Produced in One Month — and the Industry Is Collapsing

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 91!  This is a must listen if you're an actor - the Vertical Micro-drama boom has taken a turn... China just produced 50,000 completely AI-generated shows in a single month — more than all of 2025 combined — and it's already gutting an industry that is supposed to be Hollywood's next big thing. We break down the current status of an industry that's estimated to be 4 billion in the US by 2030, and whether the same demise is coming for American sets next. Also, the World Cup last month left us with a lot of feelings, mostly E-Kan, the ignorant and new football fan. Rían, football player and fan, gives his perspective on what E-Kan calls a "classless" final, and how he didn't sleep the night of the World Cup final.  And of course, we tease The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's monstrous hit that we can't wait to talk about, until Rían can finally get an IMAX ticket in Los Angeles. Stick around and you'll here which is the very best theater in Los Angeles to see it.  Keeping culture alive in a ever changing entertainment landscape, welcome to the party.  Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Show Links: Previous episodes on Vertical Micro-dramas -  Episode 66 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaQ5fYktOK8 audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/%2426-billion-taye-diggs-and-the-vertical-drama-takeover/id1776516950?i=1000747822418 Dante Rusciolelli Vertical Drama video -https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ_AFBOyS3W/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==   The Wrap makes a spoof vertical drama for $150- https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/tech/off-campus-ai-microdrama-see-the-results-storeel/ Vertical Dramas used AI to put actors in sexual situations - https://www.businessinsider.com/actors-sexualized-fake-ads-promote-micro-dramas-tiktok-meta-2026-5   Hidden Gems:  Matt Kallish photographer - @mattkallish Emily Wilson's The Odyssey translation- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393089053?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:24) The World Cup Drama (07:41) The Odyssey  (08:49) The best theater to watch The Odyssey in LA (10:17) Launching The Odyssey Book Club (11:50) The Vertical Drama might... bust? (13:12) SAG Contracts for the Verticals are a problem (19:05) Shows are putting their actors in sex scenes using AI (19:40) China produced 50,000 shows using AI in one month (20:49) Famous Chinese actor leaves industry to sell vegetables  (23:31) The industry is becoming unsustainable (24:48) Reporter makes a micro-drama for $150 using AI (27:00) Hidden Gems

  4. Jul 23

    What'd He Do If Money Was No Object? Not What I Expected.

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, episode 90!  We're back after a small hiatus, and this one goes deeper than we expected. Rían just did his first stage show in years — and we get into what actually changes when you go from screen to stage: no cuts, no second takes, and what it feels like when your scene partner drops their line. That story turns into something bigger — an honest conversation about the illusion of "planning" a career, why we changed our mind about a piece of advice we used to swear by, and what it means to actually be in service of the work instead of the other way around. Then comes the big question: E-Kan and Rían answer what if money and time weren't an issue, what would you actually be doing with your life? The answer wasn't what either of us expected..  Funny, honest, and always full of surprises. Welcome back. Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Show Links: Ethan Hawke interview- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B34ncZbahw Shaan Sharma episode- ep 45 - youtube.com/watch?v=tVcU1eMet00&feature=youtu.be Distress Signals Project - https://www.instagram.com/distresssignalsproject/ Hidden Gems: Young Playwrights Festival - https://www.theblank.com/ypf LA Compost at Sherman Oaks Farmers Market- https://www.lacompost.org/events-1/y88ptsz8dhxmsty-4nfpe-y3dbe-jdbwr-6px5h-tzwjy-bxrk4-jzjz6-4wh2z   Time stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:13) Getting back on stage after 20 years (05:00) Dealing with a short rehearsal process (06:00) Working with the best young playwrights in the country (09:22) Constructing your career is an illusion (10:25) This is the best environment we love to work in (16:09) Ethan Hawke and being in service to the art (18:43) Does focusing an acting career need a balance? (21:15) We never know how good we have it (23:18) What adjustments did you need to make on stage? (25:25) Handling dropping your lines on stage (27:05) What would you do with your life if money was no object? (37:31) Hidden Gems

  5. Jul 16

    Don't Quit Before the Miracle Happens - The Actor's Mindset Reset

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the Podcast, Episode 89! We will be getting back to brand new episode THIS WEEK - but until then, another throwback to our favorites. Someone posted on Reddit: "13 years and it might be time to face reality." No breakout role. No big moment. Just years of almost. And the big question looms- am I wasting my time? What starts as one actor's crisis turned into a real, unfiltered conversation about doubt, delusional belief, and things get real.  Along the way: incredible Jim Carrey story that'll change how you think about writing your own future, an honest admission of "am I even good at this," and another great reminder how any small job or audition can turn into something much larger. Then E-Kan's recent conversation with a Lyft driver inspires him and sparks an incredible lesson learned in one of our favorite bits from Episode 10 where we talk about the "super power" to balancing the side hustle with our creative passion that  Silicon Valley figured out that most actors never do. But of course it's not as easy as it sounds. Also you'll hear why Rían used to hate the phrase "I'm living the life beyond my wildest dreams.." but not anymore. If you've ever needed a reminder that the no's don't get the last word — this one's for you. All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Show Links: Reddit Post episode- #61 - youtube.com/watch?v=dxUrrb1BRS4&feature=youtu.be Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/an-actors-crisis-when-is-it-actually-time-to-give-up/id1776516950?i=1000743246046 Silicon Valley episode - Episode #10 -Video -youtube.com/watch?v=GYmTk39YFUU&feature=youtu.be https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affleck-ai-and-the-secret-to-juggling-your-side-hustle/id1776516950?i=1000682170883 Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:24) Reddit Post that started it all - Should I give up? (05:12) Don't Quit Before The Miracle Happens (11:46) What is out of our control as an actor? (15:10) Waiting is the worst (19:00) The Best Jim Carrey Story (23:52) The Question is the Problem (26:29) The small audition that led to working opposite Brad Pitt (27:44) The Uber Driver's daughter inspired E-Kan (30:03) Not expecting your art to pay for your life (30:47) This Silicon Valley hack would make actors unstoppable (36:50) E-Kan's father was embarrassed he was an actor (39:01) Desi Lydic didn't put her life on hold for Daily Show (41:43) Rían used to hate the phrase "Living Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

  6. Jul 8

    What It Actually Takes for Actors to Not Give Up

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 88! This is another thematic episode- we all been there, it's just easier to quit than to keep pushing on. But this one is our favorite, most inspirational bits from actors and former guests from the other side - and why it's worth it.  We start with the five words Denzel Washington told a struggling Delroy Lindo — advice that stuck for 48 years and this year he was nominated for an Oscar. Then former guest Mel Rodriguez takes us through the power of "delusional belief" (his words), the wild, almost-too-crazy-to-be-true life changing story where everything changed for him, and the personal fitness transformation that came after.  We also get into what it really means to "own the room" in the digital age of acting— including some wisdom passed down through Jacob Elordi (yes our favorite Jacob), Robert Redford's blunt advice on the secret to having a long acting career, and why you don't want to emulate Michael Phelps if you want to learn to swim. And we close on the power of damaging limiting beliefs, a gem from Colman Domingo - how Rían and E-Kan battled doubt, and how "5,000 Yellowstones and not enough of Asians on TV" turned into E-Kan "making my own." If you need a reminder that the no's don't get the last word — this one's for you. All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly Denzel's advice to Delroy Lindo - Episode #67)- Video - https://studio.youtube.com/video/qjqA9_jIYnw/edit Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/denzel-told-him-dont-quit-48-years-ago-now-hes-oscar/id1776516950?i=1000749164995 Mel Rodriguez's Episode #78 - Video- https://youtu.be/4zxSzGYkjfI Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/will-forte-bob-odenkirk-and-why-he-almost-left/id1776516950?i=1000764213545   Audition Mindset - Episode #77 - Video- https://youtu.be/UUVrDszSXPw Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/how-to-own-your-audition-when-the-room-gives-you-nothing/id1776516950?i=1000763018694 Limiting Beliefs - Episode #73 -Video - https://youtu.be/UfozV6YTktI https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/these-beliefs-held-my-acting-career-back-for-years/id1776516950?i=1000757217259   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:18) Denzel Washington's Advice to Delroy Lindo (03:46) Mel Rodriguez on the moment that his career changed (05:05) Take the bitter with the sweet (06:40) You need to have Delusional Belief (08:35) How Mel Rodriguez lost 175 pounds (13:45) Be the Air Conditioner, Not the Thermostat (16:25) Assume everyone's on your side (18:05) Don't emulate Michael Phelps if you want to learn to swim (21:03) Irreverent Reverence and Jacob Elordi (22:50) Robert Redford's secret to an acting career (23:30) Be one of the crazy ones (25:12) These beliefs held me back for years (26:12) Try to enjoy every bit of it (27:40) What's the story you're telling yourself?

  7. Jul 1

    Ben Affleck Said AI Is Just a Tool. Then He Sold His AI Company to Netflix.

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 87! This is another change of pace - Rían is busy in rehearsals for getting on stage, and    E-Kan is producing a series but have no fear, new recordings will be coming soon. Until then, this is a super mashup - unreleased segments and previous bits we feel are relevant to this week's topic - AI in Hollywood, but specifically with the many voices from celebrities and AI experts - who can we trust?  Guillermo del Toro and Tilda Swinton loudly proclaimed at Cannes, AI has no place in cinema, while Ethan Hawke says it's devoid of the very soul that is in art and creativity.  Our recent guest Heather-Ashley Boyer, LA Sag-Aftra board member and AI Safety expert tells us about dangers Hollywood isn't even aware of yet. Then of course, we have the many celebrity voices, also with financial stake in the technology, the loudest of which is Ben Affleck, who just sold his AI company to Netflix for $600 million.  So where will you stand?  All full episode links below.  Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly LINKS: Ethan Hawke on AI- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DT8tKRNFEBx/ Heather-Ashley Boyer full conversation (Episode 83)- YouTube -https://youtu.be/hgbDY6cuG-o?si=1QVA-kivkrpyR6E6 Audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-picket-lines-to-the-united-nations-actor/id1776516950?i=1000771101672 AI Simulation Disaster Forbes article- https://fortune.com/2026/05/28/ai-model-simulation-claude-chatgpt-grok-gemini/ Claude's latest model pulled- https://www.wired.com/story/anthropic-says-us-government-ordered-it-to-shut-down-mythos-models/    Ben Affleck AI thoughts (2024)- https://www.cnbc.com/video/2024/11/13/ai-doesnat-stand-a-chance-against-actors-or-shakespeare-ben-affleck-says.html Full Ben Affleck AI, Episode 10- youtube.com/watch?v=GYmTk39YFUU&feature=youtu.be Audio-https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/affleck-ai-and-the-secret-to-juggling-your-side-hustle/id1776516950?i=1000682170883 Affleck sells AI company - https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/ben-affleck-ai-netflix-1236521806/ Full conversation - Episode 77 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUVrDszSXPw&feature=youtu.be audio - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-own-your-audition-when-the-room-gives-you-nothing/id1776516950?i=1000763018694 Time Stamps: (00:00) Intro (01:44) Is AI just a novelty? (04:08) Ethan Hawke on AI (04:50) "The Oppenheimer of AI" (09:17) Government pulls latest AI model for security risk (09:34) Reese Witherspoon's take on AI is trash (12:46) Ben Affleck says AI is a tool (17:25) Ben Affleck sells his AI company to Netflix for $600M (20:10) His AI company might gut the Hollywood workforce (23:40) Who's going to protect Hollywood workers?

  8. Jun 23

    Hollywood's Obsession Pay Problem? This Indie Film Already Solved It

    Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 86! This is not a typical episode, but incredibly timely. Last week, E-Kan and Rían dove into the viral story of the art director of "Obsession", a massive success that has taken over Hollywood. Sally Choi blows the whistle on low film crew rates and opens a very important conversation on the financial stability of the indie film industry. She made $300 a day, "Obsession" makes over $250 million. Is this fair? (Links to all the episodes below.) So we wanted to bring back some previous segments that are more relevant to this conversation than ever.  First, the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo led "Sing Sing" that paid everyone, cast and crew the same and gave them shares of equity. And "Obsession" is also about how YouTube filmmakers can gain acceptance and credibility outside the studio system. We discuss YouTube giant Markiplier who self-distributed his own feature "Iron Lung" in theaters to massive success. On the studio scale, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck struck a Netflix deal for their feature "The Rip" and offered performance bonuses to the crew if they had success on the streamer. Will this be a sign of the times? E-Kan was skeptical, but you're going to have to hear it for yourself. Did you know we're in Season 2 of the show? And we have new ways to support the podcast! Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ActorsGuidePod New episodes every week! Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts. Please like, follow, review, and rate if you can. @ekansoong @ríansheehykelly LINKS: Obsession’s Hollywood Pay Problem (Episode 85) - Sing Sing’s new pay model (Episode 21) - Markiplier’s Self Distributes - (Episode 70)-youtube.com/watch?v=ssD0nQCEb_c&feature=youtu.be Affleck Damon Netflix Deal (Episode 64) -   Time Stamps:  (00:00) Intro (01:18) "Sing Sing" reinvents the indie film model (06:09) YouTuber Markiplier self-distributes massive film release (17:09) Affleck and Damon get performance bonus for crew (21:28) Update on Affleck Damon deal

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Two actors, E-Kan Soong and Rían Sheehy Kelly talk acting and Hollywood in a way people understand. Dive into the most interesting headlines you need to know from the ever changing Hollywood industry as they share hilarious stories and insights from on set and off, and find joy along the ride. Frank, informative, and entertaining conversations for those in and out of the industry. All the world’s a stage, and this stage is on fire... but you know E-Kan and Rian are going to have a laugh either way. Watch and listen to new episodes every Monday wherever you find your podcasts! Follow @actorsguidepodcast on all social media, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Substack for all the best moments from the show. Follow E-Kan @ekansoong and Rían @riansheehykelly on Instagram

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