Next Act with Jeff Ornstein

Jeff Ornstein

5.0 (6)
Arts

A designer exploring a new path in acting and Hollywood. Join Jeff Ornstein as he shares personal experiences, lessons learned, and conversations with others making big career shifts in the entertainment industry. Practical insights, honest stories, no fluff, just the journey of breaking into a new world.

4d ago

Darwin Shaw - Actor, Producer, Screenwriter & Director, Kindred Films

What happens when you walk away from a career you spent years building to pursue something you can’t ignore? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor, producer, screenwriter and director Darwin Shaw to explore his remarkable journey from medicine to the stage and screen. Darwin shares how discovering acting changed the direction of his life, landing his breakout role in Casino Royale, and building a career that has taken him from major productions to deeply personal independent films. They also discuss the story behind the Academy Award-nominated short film The Last Ranger, Darwin’s move into writing, producing and directing, and why he believes great storytelling starts with empathy. Darwin also offers a candid perspective for anyone considering their own next act: success isn’t enough to sustain a creative career. You have to genuinely love the work. It’s a conversation about taking risks, finding your voice, creating work that matters, and having the courage to follow the path that makes you feel most alive.
6d ago

Stephen Butchko – Co-Founder, Ferryman Collective

What happens when years of creating, experimenting, and hearing “no” suddenly lead to the opportunity you’ve been waiting for? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Stephen Butchko, award-winning producer, director, actor, and founding member of Ferryman Collective, to explore his unconventional path from traditional theater and filmmaking into the emerging world of immersive virtual reality storytelling. Stephen shares how he and his collaborators learned to create their own opportunities, why a lifetime of creative work prepared him for an unexpected breakthrough, and how Ferryman Collective is bringing live theater, film, and interactive gaming together in entirely new ways. They also discuss the uncertainty that comes with a creative career, the importance of continuing through rejection, and why sometimes an “overnight success” is really the result of years spent preparing for the moment when the right door finally opens. Stephen is also the co-creator of Uncanny Alley: A New Day, an immersive live VR theatrical production nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Emerging Media Program.
Aug 27

Sam Humphrey - Actor, Producer & Motivational Speaker, The Little Guy Collective

What happens when achieving one of your biggest dreams still leaves you searching for who you really are? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Sam Humphrey, the actor best known for playing Tom Thumb alongside Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman. Sam shares how seeing Hugh Jackman as Wolverine as a child helped inspire his own pursuit of acting and eventually led him to work alongside his childhood hero. But Sam’s story goes far beyond Hollywood. He opens up about growing up as a little person, struggling with identity and self-worth, and realizing that external success could not provide the validation he was searching for. After The Greatest Showman, Sam began redefining success through faith, purpose, and a deeper understanding of his own identity. Sam and Jeff also discuss mental health, representation, turning perceived weaknesses into strengths, gratitude, and Sam’s evolving next act as a motivational speaker, author, advocate, and performer. It’s a conversation about what happens after the achievement - and why discovering who you are may be more important than proving what you can accomplish.
Aug 25

Steve Lichtenstein – Actor, Producer & Writer, Baby Boo Boo Productions

What if the dream you’ve been putting off isn’t behind you - it’s your next act? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Steve Lichtenstein, actor, writer, producer, and founder of Baby Boo Boo Productions, to talk about reinventing yourself later in life and finding the courage to pursue the work you were always meant to do. Steve shares his unconventional journey from acting to a decades-long career in project management and programming, and eventually back to the creative world. At 64, he began writing and producing his own work, including Aaron With Two A’s, a deeply personal story about starting over at 65 that was accepted into 60 film festivals and won 10 awards. Jeff and Steve explore imposter syndrome, overcoming self-doubt, learning to embrace criticism, the importance of creative collaboration, and why failure can become one of our greatest teachers. They also discuss Steve’s latest film, Never Too Late, and his work developing Aaron With Two A’s into a feature film. At the heart of the conversation is a simple reminder for anyone wondering whether they’ve missed their chance: it is never too late to pursue something that matters to you. As Steve puts it, when the drive is strong enough, you find a way forward. Next Act with Jeff Ornstein is about the people willing to take the leap, embrace change, and discover what’s possible in the next chapter of their lives.
Aug 20

Mike Enright - SAG-AFTRA Actor, TV & Film Performer

What happens when you walk away from a successful 30-year corporate career and decide to chase a dream you never thought was possible? On this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Mike Enright, a SAG-AFTRA actor who proves that it is never too late to reinvent yourself. After decades working in IT sales, PR, communications, radio, and television, Mike discovered acting later in life and took a leap into film and television. Mike shares his incredible journey from retiring from the corporate world to landing roles in projects like The Walking Dead: Dead City, working on major productions, joining SAG-AFTRA, and building a new career in Hollywood. He opens up about overcoming fear, handling rejection, finding confidence, and embracing the challenges that come with starting over. Together, Jeff and Mike explore what it means to pursue a passion later in life, why background acting can be a valuable stepping stone, the importance of learning the craft, and how every experience from your past can prepare you for your next chapter. Mike’s message is simple: it’s never too late to take a chance on yourself. If you’ve ever wondered whether you can start something new, reinvent your identity, or chase a dream you put on hold, this episode is for you.
Aug 18

Ernest Chan - Animation Supervisor, DreamWorks Animation

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Emmy-nominated animation supervisor Ernest Chan to explore what more than two decades inside the animation industry have taught him about creativity, leadership, and staying relevant in a constantly changing business. Ernest shares how being the “last man standing” in a digital department at Nickelodeon unexpectedly pushed him from artist to supervisor, and why that transition completely changed his understanding of leadership. He discusses the importance of putting people in a position to succeed, taking accountability when projects go wrong, and learning how to lead individuals rather than expecting everyone to work the same way. The conversation also explores how streaming, YouTube, and changing viewing habits are reshaping animation, and why large studios face a very different creative landscape than they did earlier in Ernest's career. Ernest also reflects on a powerful encounter that reminded him why animation matters. After years in the business, hearing someone describe Nickelodeon as an “Island of Joy” for children affected by conflict brought the impact of his work back into focus and reminded him that even behind-the-scenes contributions can mean something profound to audiences around the world. From SpongeBob SquarePants and Kung Fu Panda to She-Ra and Voltron, this is a candid look behind the scenes of animation and the lessons that come from building a career in one of entertainment's most demanding creative industries.
Aug 13

Christopher Gaunt - Actor, Producer, Director & Writer, Chazy Lake Productions

After 32 years at Procter & Gamble, Christopher Gaunt walked away from a successful corporate career to pursue an entirely different path: film and television. In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Chris shares what gave him the confidence to make that leap and how the lessons he learned in business prepared him for the uncertainty, rejection, and persistence required in entertainment. Chris and Jeff discuss why actors can't take rejection personally, the importance of embracing your casting type, and why professionalism and preparation can matter just as much as talent. Chris also explains why he approaches acting, producing, directing, and writing not only as creative pursuits, but as businesses where an entire team depends on everyone doing their job well. They also explore Chris's growing ambitions as a filmmaker, his desire to work across acting, directing, producing, and writing through Chazy Lake Productions, and the persistence required to bring independent films to life. Chris leaves listeners with a message for anyone considering their own next act: challenge yourself, do what you think you can't do, and never give up.
Aug 11

Lauren Sowa - Actor, Filmmaker & Co-Founder, Form & Pressure Films

What happens when an actor decides that performing isn't enough and starts creating the stories she wants to see in the world? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor, filmmaker, and producer Lauren Sowa to explore her journey from performing professionally as a child to acting in theater, film, and television, and eventually stepping behind the camera to produce and direct her own work. Lauren shares why she began viewing filmmaking as a form of activism and how that philosophy helped inspire Marisol, her first film as a producer, which went on to win the HuffPost Impact Award and be licensed by HBO. She also discusses the realities of financing independent films, why representation behind the camera matters, and how producers can create safer, more supportive sets where everyone feels valued. The conversation also looks at the challenges facing independent filmmakers today, from shrinking funding opportunities to the economics of producing, and why Lauren remains optimistic that difficult times can lead to a new wave of creativity and innovation. For Lauren, the next act isn't simply about making more films. It's about creating meaningful stories, building stronger creative communities, and helping shape a more human future for filmmaking.

5

out of 5

6 Ratings

A designer exploring a new path in acting and Hollywood. Join Jeff Ornstein as he shares personal experiences, lessons learned, and conversations with others making big career shifts in the entertainment industry. Practical insights, honest stories, no fluff, just the journey of breaking into a new world.

Creator

Jeff Ornstein
Years Active

2026
Episodes

33
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2026 Next Act with Jeff Ornstein
Show Website

Next Act with Jeff Ornstein