More Than You See Deborah Lee Smith
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- Health & Fitness
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More Than You See is a weekly conversation with actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate Deborah Lee Smith that explores non traditional resources to help you build your own mental health toolkit. Come learn about books, personal practices, podcasts and other resources that will help you feel less alone and pull you out of those sh*tty times. Because we are all More Than You See.
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5.04 Self-Love, Overcoming Struggles & Finding Inspiration in Media with Brittany Rizzo
In Season 5 Episode 4 of the More Than You See podcast, Deborah Lee Smith dives into a rich conversation with actor and podcaster Brittany Rizzo.
Brittany, known for her TV & mental health-focused podcast 'My Only Friends', shares her journey of self-discovery, the therapeutic value of Pop Culture, and her struggles with mental health.
They cover managing mental wellness in the acting industry, the importance of building a mental health toolbox, and the impact of social media. Through Brittany's story of joining an outpatient program, listeners are encouraged to find gratitude in their support systems and to practice asking for help.
The episode emphasizes taking inspiration from fictional characters and the significance of staying present in challenging moments. Brittany's openness provides insights into facing mental health challenges and the journey towards finding one's worth and purpose.
00:42 Guest Introduction: Brittany Rizzo
01:34 Discussion on Mental Health and Personal Experiences
02:42 Interview with Brittany Rizzo Begins
03:37 Personal Stories and Experiences
03:46 Discussion on Women's Reproductive Rights
05:49 The Importance of Support and Gratitude
08:26 The Role of TV Shows in Mental Health
12:38 The Impact of Personal Struggles on Mental Health
22:41 The Importance of Self-Worth and Recognizing Triggers
25:56 Rapid Fire Questions
27:59 Acts of Kindness and Gratitude
28:57 Acting, Emotions, and Mental Health
30:21 Coping with Bad Mental Health Days
32:34 Balancing Acting and Salon Work
35:04 Self-Love and Personal Growth
35:58 Overcoming Struggles and Seeking Help
45:21 The Need for Validation and Self-Worth
47:23 The Impact of Acting Industry on Mental Health
51:02 Conclusion: Embracing the Journey and Living in the Moment
About Brittany:
Brittany Rizzo is an actress, singer, and podcast host. Her show My Only Friends is a mental health podcast that highlights what TV shows, movies, and other forms of entertainment help people get through their mental health struggles and hard times.
Brittany's Links:
Personal Instagram
Website
Podcast Instagram
IMDB
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends, subscribe, write a review, etc! It really does help spread the word of mouth!
Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!
Join us on social media: Instagram| Facebook | Website | Tik Tok | YouTube
_______________________
Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:
Instagram | Facebook | Website
~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~
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New here? Every Wednesday join me, Deborah Lee Smith (actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate) for a conversation with creatives about their mental health journeys. We discuss the highs, lows, and in-betweens of a creative career and the tools they use to get through it all. Our hope is that you will resonate with their journey, pick up some tips and tricks for your own mental health, and most importantly, feel a little less alone. Because we’re all More Than You See.
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/more-than-you-see/message -
5.03 The Struggles and Triumphs of A Creative Life with Sam Valentine
Episode 3 this season features Sam Valentine, the host of the One Broke Actress podcast!
Sam shares her unique insights into the struggles and triumphs she's faced within the acting industry, the mental health journey she has undergone, and how she remains resilient and creative.
She discusses her own past struggles with body acceptance, reflects on feelings of jealousy and the fear of not being 'good enough,' and offers perspectives on embracing the challenges and viewing them as learning experiences. Sam also opens up about how she handles expectations vs reality and maintaining a healthy mindset despite setbacks.
00:40 Introducing the Guest: Sam Valentine
01:40 Deep Dive into Sam's Journey and Mental Health
03:13 Sam's Day-to-Day Life and Challenges
05:55 Sam's Journey and Struggles in the Acting Industry
06:19 Dealing with Expectations and Reality
06:58 Sam's Personal Growth and Reflections
08:21 The Impact of Social Media and Setting Boundaries
09:54 Sam's Perspective on Success and Progress
12:20 The Importance of Living in the Present
16:51 Sam's Approach to Mental Health and Coping Mechanisms
17:31 Navigating Jealousy and Comparison in the Industry
25:17 The Role of Fitness and Nutrition in Sam's Life
28:16 Therapy and Acting
28:44 Turning to Anti-Anxiety Medication
30:39 Living Life on Camera
32:18 The Role of Psychiatry in Mental Health
34:17 The Importance of Communication in Relationships
35:24 Self-Awareness and Empathy
40:06 Balancing Acting and Other Work
40:43 Dealing with Self-Doubt
51:45 Finding Creativity in Different Areas
About Sam:
I am Sam Valentine, a 12 year veteran of the Actor-Life in LA (with credits from Amazon's Bosch: Legacy to some pilots you never saw). I moved to LA with a Theatre degree and more conviction than I had dollars and proceeded to spend the better part of a decade trying to be literally anything a breakdown wanted me to be.I created One Broke Actress because I saw a need for stories and advice of real working actors. Am I the all-knowing being in Hollywood who has booked a billion jobs and made big bucks with acting so therefore I know how to advise people and lead like the Gandhi of Southern California? Negative. But I feel there is a lack of honest sharing from actors who are in the thick of it. This career path is crazy AF but that doesn't mean you have to be. So let's get real and maybe learn a life lesson or two in the process.
Sam's Links:
Instagram
One Broke Actress Links
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends, subscribe, write a review, etc! It really does help spread the word of mouth!
Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!
Join us on social media: Instagram| Facebook | Website | Tik Tok | YouTube
_______________________
Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:
Instagram | Facebook | Website
~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~
~
New here? Every Wednesday join me, Deborah Lee Smith (actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate) for a conversation with creatives about their mental health journeys. We discuss the highs, lows, and in-betweens of a creative career and the tools they use to get through it all. Our hope is that you will resonate with their journey, pick up some tips and tricks for your own mental health, and most importantly, feel a little less alone. Because we’re all More Than You See.
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/more-than-you-see/message -
5.2 Rethinking Goal Setting in 2024 with Deborah Lee Smith (Minisode)
In the first "minisode" of Season 5 of the More Than You See podcast, Deborah talks about her personal mental health journey, reflects on the past year, and shares her approach to goal setting.
She refutes the concept of 'New Year, New Me', advising goal setting based on reflections of past achievements and failures rather than starting from scratch, and shares insights from a list of reflective questions that encouraged her to evaluate what served her well and what didn't.
Deborah also discusses the importance of setting firm boundaries, prioritizing, and giving oneself grace when necessary.
00:00 Introduction to the Mini Episode
00:52 The Importance of Reflective Goal Setting
01:51 The Problem with 'New Year, New Me'
02:30 Learning from the Past Year
03:30 Personal Experiences and Changes in 2023
04:33 The Power of Boundaries and Time Management
05:58 Focusing on her Documentary Project
07:23 Advice for Goal Setting in 2024
09:03 The Importance of Grace and Kindness
09:42 Conclusion
LIST OF REFLECTION QUESTIONS
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends, subscribe, write a review, etc! It really does help spread the word of mouth!
Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!
Join us on social media: Instagram| Facebook | Website | Tik Tok | YouTube
_______________________
Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:
Instagram | Facebook | Website
~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~
~
New here? Every Wednesday join me, Deborah Lee Smith (actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate) for a conversation with creatives about their mental health journeys. We discuss the highs, lows and in betweens of a creative career and the tools they use to get through it all. Our hope is that you will resonate with their journey, pick up some tip and tricks for your own mental health, and most importantly, feel a little less alone. Because we’re all More Than You See.
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/more-than-you-see/message -
5.01 Embracing Failure & Social Justice Work as a Creative with Jesse Lipscombe
Welcome to Season 5 of the More Than You See Podcast!
In this episode, host Deborah Lee Smith talks to creative artist Jesse Lipscomb about their mental health journeys. Jesse Lipscomb, a versatile artist who is an actor, author, visual artist, motivational speaker, and athlete shares his life experiences. He goes into detail about how his past experiences of growing up as a person of color have influenced his current work, including his social justice movement, Make It Awkward.
He also discusses his career balance, dealing with failure, finding joy, and the importance of self-awareness in maintaining mental health. The emphasis of their conversation highlights being courageously yourself and pushing outside societal expectations, moving beyond labels and embracing identity.
00:49 Changes and Updates for the New Season
03:32 Introducing Guest: Jesse Lipscomb
05:45 Starting the Interview with Jesse
06:16 Discussing Mental Health and Personal Experiences
11:37 Exploring Jesse's Childhood and Upbringing
16:30 Jesse's Approach to Parenting and Mental Health
20:15 The 'Make it Awkward' Movement
28:11 Balancing Acting and Social Justice Work
33:29 Embracing Passion and Creativity
34:15 The Power of Giving and Connecting
34:32 Finding Fuel in Passion
35:36 Impact of the SAG AFTRA Strike
37:24 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
39:07 Embracing Failure and Challenges
43:00 Rapid Fire Questions
44:37 The Art of Asking for Help
45:56 The Make It Awkward Movement
49:22 Unveiling Masks and Being Courageously Yourself
About Jesse:
Jesse Lipscombe is an actor, producer, entrepreneur and activist.Jesse started his acting career at age 14 alongside Sidney Poitier in the Calgary-shot film Children of the Dust. He has gone on to act and produce in over 40 films and television shows.
Currently, he can be seen on Netflix’s hit series My Life With The Walter Boys and Black Summer. With multiple national nominations from the Canadian Screen Awards and the Rockies for Best Comedy Series. In addition to Best Actor (It’s Not My Fault and I Don't Care Anyway) and Best Comedy Series (Tiny Plastic Men) from the AMPIA’s in 2017/18.
At 18, he received a full track-and-field scholarship to Martin Luther King Jr.’s alma mater, Morehouse College, in Atlanta, Georgia. Recently, Jesse was the recipient of the Obsidian Award for Top Business Leader in Western Canada, he was named Community Man of the Year by Diversity Magazine and was selected as one of Edmonton’s Top 30 under 40 by Avenue Magazine.
Through it all, Jesse’s top priority has been giving back to his community, which he’s done through multiple annual fundraisers and partnerships with Edmonton charities such as WIN House and iHuman. In September, Jesse and his wife Julia launched the #MakeItAwkward campaign to combat racism, misogyny, homophobia and hatred of all kinds.
Jesse's Links:
Instagram
Other Links
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends, subscribe, write a review, etc! It really does help spread the word of mouth!
Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!
Join us on social media: Instagram| Facebook | Website | Tik Tok | YouTube
_______________________
Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:
Instagram | Facebook | Website
~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~
~
New here? Every Wednesday join me, Deborah Lee Smith (actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate) for a conversation with creatives about their mental health journeys. We discuss the highs, lows and in betweens of a creative career and the tools they use to get through it all. Our hope is that you will resonate with their journey, pick up some tip and tricks for your own mental health, and most importantly, feel a little less alone. Because we’re all More Than You See.
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/more-than-you-see/message -
4.12 Processing Trauma Through Creativity with Musician Nadia Vaeh
Our final episode of Season 4 of the More Than You See features singer-songwriter Nadia Vaeh!
This episode talks about exploring mental health and processing trauma through our creativity, the importance of self-reflection, the impacts of generational trauma, and how it all connects to Nadia’s musical journey.
We'll be back in January with Season 5, so stay tuned!
Mentioned in the Episode:
End-Of-The-Year Reflection Questions/Prompts
About Nadia:
IMA “Vox Pop” winner and Atlanta native Nadia Vaeh is turning heads worldwide for trailblazing what is now coined “poptimistic-rock.”
With her conscious, narrative-flipping songs, Nadia embraces your inner villain, addressing the lows of mental health, the highs of toxic relationships, and the roller-coaster that we call life.
Her lifelong love of poetry and music was inherited from her mother, who, in a tragic turn of events, she lost to suicide at the age of 17. This devastating loss is what fuels Nadia’s endless drive to create awareness of the importance of mental health.
Early year side hustles in modeling, and an unexpected stint with an Atlanta circus, Nadia learned how to captivate an audience through performance and honing her skills as the bombastic, forthright show-woman she is today.
Fast -forward and we have the electrifying, and explosive feel-good fun in one magenta-colored package, Nadia Vaeh, who is known for deeply connecting with her audience, advocating for and offering inclusive, safe spaces for those who may feel excluded, anxious, or out of place in their own lives.
“I hope my songs can provide some refuge for my listeners and help keep them inspired to go for their dreams.”Nadia's Links:
Website
Instagram
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends, subscribe, write a review, etc! It really does help spread the word of mouth!
Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!
Join us on social media: Instagram| Facebook | Website | Tik Tok | YouTube
_______________________
Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:
Instagram| Facebook | Website
~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~
~
New here? Every Wednesday join me, Deborah Lee Smith (actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate) for a conversation on mental health like you’ve never heard before. My platform, More Than You See is dedicated to exploring nontraditional mental health resources to help you build your own emotional wellness toolkit. I absolutely discuss therapy, the importance of medication, and highlight organizations around the world devoted to destigmatizing mental health, but I also focus on books, personal practices, podcasts, TED Talks, etc., because here’s the thing… I’m not a licensed practitioner or therapist. I’m just a woman exploring my own journey with mental health and sharing my experiences and the experiences of the community with you, the listener. Join me for a weekly conversation every Wednesday that will be sure to bring a smile to your face and help you feel a little less alone. Because we’re all More Than You See.
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/more-than-you-see/message -
4.11 Cultivating Boundaries, Prioritizing Joy & Using Life's Setbacks To Your Advantage with Kaytra Parkman
Episode 11 of More Than You See introduces SAG-AFTRA actor Kaytra Parkman, who is a long-time listener (and editor) of the podcast!
This episode explores the impacts of collective trauma and how it affects our emotional reactivity, why feeling our feelings is so important, how to check in with ourselves as artists, why prioritizing joy and being a human being first is vital to our well-being, identifying what we can control, and much more.
We also discuss a fascinating business article about Taylor Swift and how we can use her as inspiration to use life’s setbacks to our advantage.
Read the full article here.
About Kaytra:
Kaytra Parkman is an LA-based SAG-AFTRA actress who can be seen in a variety of award-winning indie films and digital series across multiple platforms. She was most recently cast as Taylor on Season 2 of the fan-favorite LGBTQ+ web show BIFL: The Series (coming soon).
Born and raised in Southern California, Kaytra developed an interest in the arts at a very young age. By 12, she was taking professional acting and music classes in Los Angeles and creating and editing her own short films and online videos. Kaytra attended the competitive Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) for four years and was hired at the age of 15 as Host and Interview Correspondent for SweetyHigh.com's online platform for several years, working with a wide variety of name-talent. She moved straight to LA after high school to pursue an acting career full-time and currently studies at Stuart Rogers Studio in North Hollywood.
A self-proclaimed nerd and “Plant Daddy”, Kaytra is enthusiastic about all things Sci-Fi, fantasy, and Taylor Swift and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Kaytra’s Links:
Website
Instagram
IMdB
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with your friends, subscribe, write a review, etc! It really does help spread the word of mouth!
Thank you for being part of this MTYS community!
Join us on social media: Instagram| Facebook | Website | Tik Tok | YouTube
_______________________
Learn more about Deborah Lee Smith:
Instagram| Facebook | Website
~NEWSLETTER SIGN UP~
~
New here? Every Wednesday join me, Deborah Lee Smith (actor, filmmaker, and mental health advocate) for a conversation on mental health like you’ve never heard before. My platform, More Than You See is dedicated to exploring nontraditional mental health resources to help you build your own emotional wellness toolkit. I absolutely discuss therapy, the importance of medication, and highlight organizations around the world devoted to destigmatizing mental health, but I also focus on books, personal practices, podcasts, TED Talks, etc., because here’s the thing… I’m not a licensed practitioner or therapist. I’m just a woman exploring my own journey with mental health and sharing my experiences and the experiences of the community with you, the listener. Join me for a weekly conversation every Wednesday that will be sure to bring a smile to your face and help you feel a little less alone. Because we’re all More Than You See.
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/more-than-you-see/message
Customer Reviews
Shared Humanity
We are more than we see, which is easier said than embodied. I so love this show and Deborah for bringing light to all of our humanity, all the valid brights and darks.
Honest, touching, thoughtful
Love this podcast and how it gives me new ideas and ways to think about mental health. It opens the conversation for self-care as a real, actionable way to live, and it’s unique because Deborah is both deep and funny and you can tell she cares so much about these topics. Makes a listener feel not alone 🙏🏼
Great podcast
I’m loving this podcast. I’m currently listening to episode 6 of season one. I love finding mental health podcasts. Keep up the great work!!