Theater Life Uncensored Jim Cooney

Let's talk about building wealth. What do I mean by that?
I mean no longer living paycheck to paycheck.
I mean choosing what jobs you say yes/no to.
I mean building your dream lifestyle—where you eat, how you dress, where you go on vacation.
And if you're sitting there thinking like, “Oh, yeah right. Not in the theater industry.”
Think again!
Because what I'm going to show you today works regardless of what industry you're in and regardless of how much money you make or don't make.
I'm sharing three strategies that don't rely on your income at all.
And no, it’s not too good to be true—I use these same tactics myself!
Episode Highlights:
[01:23] Our Final Episode This Season
[06:01] Thoughts on Next Season
[09:45] Staying Connected
[14:13] Getting My One-on-One Help
[19:49] "More Money" Doesn't Build Wealth
[25:06] Leverage Existing Money
[32:32] Free Money From What You're Already Doing
[38:26] Keep More of Your Money
[47:41] Season Conclusion
Mentioned in This Episode:
Join My Free Email List
Read My Blog
Join Amplified Artists
Stop Saying You’re a Starving Artists (Podcast Episode)
Recommended High-Yield Savings Account
Recommended Credit Card
For detailed show notes, please visit: JimCooney.me/build-wealth
To help support the show, leave a tip at: JimCooney.me/podcast-tip
Download Your FREE Dream Career Blueprint: JimCooney.me/blueprint
Connect with Me:
Web - JimCooney.me
Instagram - @JimCooneyNYC
Like this podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review! It helps other people find out about the show. (Apple Podcast Users: Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”)

I’m joined by Broadway performer Jeff Gorti in this episode. You might’ve seen him featured in a recent Playbill article about how he’s using an issue with his health that occurred when he was a child to assist a young boy who’s now dealing with the same disease.
He’s giving hope and inspiration to this boy of what will still be possible in his life, and he’s using his success on Broadway as an example.
Jeff is currently in Chicago, and understudying the role of Billy Flynn and Fred Casely. Before that, he won the 2020 Helen Hayes Award for his performance in A Chorus Line at the Signature Theater.
He's also performed in The Life at City Center, directed by Billy Porter, and at some of the top regional theaters in the country such as The Muny and Sacramento Playhouse.
This is an incredibly inspirational story, and it’ll make you think differently about your own life, too.
Episode Highlights:
[06:09] Jeff's Path From University to Broadway
[10:29] Jeff's View on Networking
[17:53] Surrounding Yourself with Seasoned Pros
[22:03] Jeff's Story of Art Changing Lives
[30:07] Jeff's Reservation of Being Too Public About His Story
[33:41] Wearing Differences as a Badge of Honor
[38:43] Be Nice to Everyone
[43:38] We're All the Same
Mentioned in This Episode:
Unapologetically Being Yourself with Rachelle Rak
Imperfect Actions Are Shortcuts to Success
Read the Playbill Article about Jeff’s Story
Donate to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund for Childhood Cancer
Connect with Guest:
Web - JeffGorti.com
Instagram - @JeffGorti
For detailed show notes, please visit: JimCooney.me/art-to-change-lives
To help support the show, leave a tip at: JimCooney.me/podcast-tip
Ready for a career and life you love? Check out Amplified Artists!
Download Your FREE Dream Career Blueprint: JimCooney.me/blueprint
Want free tips and strategies each week? Join my mailing list!
Connect with Me:
Web - JimCooney.me
Instagram - @JimCooneyNYC
Like this podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review! It helps other people find...

Congratulations! You've landed your dream job!
But what's the offer? It's now time to negotiate the contract.
Most people make the mistake of only focusing on the money, so they're missing out on a ton of other things they could be negotiating.
Likewise, if the pay is non-negotiable, you may think you just have to accept the contract as is.
But that is so not the case!
In this episode, I’m sharing 30 other things you can negotiate besides the money.
Even if you have an agent negotiating for you, it's still helpful for you to know everything you have at your disposal that you can leverage.
That way you can better inform your agent where to push and pull as you're doing the negotiations.
So let's get you the best contract possible!
Episode Highlights:
[01:21] No One Teaches Us How To Negotiate a Contract
[03:05] Contract Negotiation Basics
[06:13] Determining if You Even Want the Job
[09:58] Don't Sign Until You're 100% Happy
[14:40] Perks That Add Income (Above Your Salary)
[25:36] Perks That Save You Money
[28:05] Perks To Increase the Pay per Day
[32:26] Perks That Are Career Benefits
[35:29] Perks That Improve Your Quality of Life
Mentioned in This Episode:
Negotiable Items in Your Contracts Cheatsheet
For detailed show notes, please visit: JimCooney.me/contract-perks
To help support the show, leave a tip at: JimCooney.me/podcast-tip
Ready for a career and life you love? Check out Amplified Artists!
Want free tips and strategies each week? Join my mailing list!
Connect with Me:
Web - JimCooney.me
Instagram - @JimCooneyNYC
Like this podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review! It helps other people find out about the show. (Apple Podcast Users: Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”)

Friends, today we are so lucky to have none other than the Rachelle Rak on the show.
For those who might not know, Rachelle launched her Broadway journey at age 17 in the musical Cats. She then continued on with Fosse, Thou Shalt Not, Catch Me If You Can, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Oklahoma, and more!
She was also featured in Every Little Step, a documentary giving insights into the casting process of the A Chorus Line 2006 Broadway revival.
Rachelle's TV presence includes being a celebrity judge on Abby's Ultimate Dance Challenge and a choreographer for Dance Moms.
Currently, she's an associate choreographer on Boop, a Broadway-bound musical under Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, following a successful out-of-town tryout in Chicago.
But we didn't ask Rachelle on the show just because of her amazing resume…
She embodies resilience, confidence, motivation, and inspiration, and she’s full of joy and optimism.
I know you'll leave today's show feeling empowered to be unapologetically yourself, embracing exactly who you are, and proudly showcasing your uniqueness.
Episode Highlights:
[01:23] Meet Rachelle Rak
[06:01] Rachelle's Journey
[08:40] Building Confidence and Resilience
[11:59] Rachelle's Advice for Artists
[16:27] Being Exactly Who You Are
[21:53] The Evolution of Sas
[26:26] Don't Make Up Your Brand, Just Be You
[29:11] Rachelle's Transition From Stage to Screen
[32:18] Listening to Your Gut and Taking Risks
[33:55] The Importance of Performance Over Technique
[38:48] Improving Your Weakest Link
[45:29] Don't Be What You're Not
[47:00] The Journey to Broadway with Boop
[52:36] Does Rachelle Miss Performing?
[56:03] Balancing Show Biz and Personal Life
Mentioned in This Episode:
Join Amplified Artists!
Your FREE Dream Career Blueprint
Connect with Guest:
Web - www.RachelleRak.com
Instagram - @RachelleRak
For detailed show notes, please visit: JimCooney.me/being-yourself
To help support the show, leave a tip at: JimCooney.me/podcast-tip
Ready for a career and life you love? Check out Amplified Artists!
Download Your FREE Dream Career Blueprint: JimCooney.me/blueprint
Want free tips and strategies each week? Join my mailing list!
Connect with Me:
Web - JimCooney.me...

In today's episode, we brace ourselves with a powerful quote: "Imperfect action is better than taking perfect inaction." This episode is centered on taking action—acting before we feel completely prepared or when fear threatens to paralyze our progress.
Growth demands that we step outside our comfort zone, requiring action even when fear tries to resist it. This action is usually a path we've not tread before, and therefore, the initial outcome is definitely not going to be perfect.
That imperfection is precisely why we hesitate or avoid taking action, which unfortunately leaves us stuck.
So let’s get you unstuck! By the end of this episode, you’ll LOVE taking imperfect action so you can grow faster than you ever have before.
Episode Highlights:
[02:16] Why We're Talking About This Now
[06:13] The Idea Behind "Imperfect Action”
[09:55] Why We Don't Take Action
[16:39] Strategies for Taking Action
[20:36] How Roadblocks (or "Failure") Propels Us
[22:11] Making Imperfect Action Even More Practical
[27:38] Recap and Putting It All Together
Mentioned in This Episode:
Slaying Your Goals Course in Amplified Artists
Irresistible Websites Made Easy Course in Amplified Artists
For detailed show notes, please visit: JimCooney.me/imperfect-action
To help support the show, leave a tip at: JimCooney.me/podcast-tip
Ready for a career and life you love? Check out Amplified Artists!
Download Your FREE Dream Career Blueprint: JimCooney.me/blueprint
Want free tips and strategies each week? Join my mailing list!
Connect with Me:
Web - JimCooney.me
Instagram - @JimCooneyNYC
Like this podcast? Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review! It helps other people find out about the show. (Apple Podcast Users: Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.”)

In this episode, I’m talking with my dear friend and colleague, Tony-winning producer Rashad V. Chambers.
His long list of credits include the Tony-winning revival of Topdog/Underdog, lead producing Fat Ham, and being on the producing teams of many other shows like The Music Man, Ain’t Too Proud, American Son…the list goes on!
He’s also the Founder and President of Esquire Entertainment, which is a talent management and production company, and he’s a Founding Member of The Industry Standard Group which promotes diversity by increasing the presence of BIPOC investors and producers. 
Now here’s the thing about producers…
They're often misunderstood, sometimes even negatively viewed as being all about the money instead of the art. And sure, there are a handful that are like that.
But many producers, like Rashad, care deeply about the art they help create and the artists they collaborate with.
And the fact is, art doesn't get made without producers. So we need them!
That’s why I wanted to give you this inside look that’ll expand your understanding of their invaluable contributions to the world of theater and beyond.
Also, if you ever need to raise money for your own projects, or you’re interested in being part of an arts organization or board, this episode will help ya out! We’re covering all of that as well.
Episode Highlights:
[05:55] From Lawyer to Talent Manager to Broadway Producer
[10:17] Don't Make Things Harder Than They Are
[12:52] Everyone Gets Rejected (We Just Don't See It)
[14:47] Tips for Reaching Out to People
[17:30] The 5 Different Types of Theater Producers
[24:20] How To Raise Money? By People Investing in YOU
[26:40] Why You Need To Treat People Well
[28:42] How To Hire a Producer
[30:31] Recurring Advice: Just Ask and Be Specific
[31:39] Resources for Becoming a Producer
[36:21] Increasing the Amount of BIPOC Investors and Producers
[42:13] How Boards Help Theaters and Arts Organizations
[51:20] Enjoy the Journey & Find the Joy
Connect with Rashad V. Chambers:
Instagram - @RashadVChambers
Esquire Entertainment Website – www.EsquireEntertainment.com
The Industry Standard Group Website – www.TheIndustryStandardGroup.com
For detailed show notes, please visit: JimCooney.me/what-producers-do
To help support the show, leave a tip at: JimCooney.me/podcast-tip
Ready for a career and life you love? Check out Amplified Artists!
Download Your FREE Dream Career Blueprint: JimCooney.me/blueprint
Want free tips and strategies each week? Join my mailing list!
Connect with Me:
Web - a...