Was It Chance‪?‬ Broadway Podcast Network

Get ready for a healthy dose of inspiration, because Alison Luff's story is about to take your breath away. This talented triple threat has dazzled audiences in everything from Waitress to Wicked to a swashbuckling turn as a singing pirate (because, why not?!). But Alison's journey to the top wasn't always a cakewalk. Tune in to hear how she navigated the ups and downs of the industry, learned to trust her gut, and proved that sometimes the biggest risks lead to the greatest rewards. With her infectious energy and a heart of gold, Alison is the ultimate reminder that with hard work and a little bit of faith, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
From her early days as a tiny tot performer to her current status as a Broadway powerhouse, Alison has always followed her passion for the stage. Even when it meant missing out on prom or juggling the demands of motherhood with the bright lights of Broadway, Alison never lost sight of her dreams. And it's paid off in a big way. With a string of memorable roles, a side hustle as a rockstar, and a healthy dose of humor, Alison is a true force to be reckoned with. So, buckle up and get ready to laugh, cry, and be totally inspired by this unstoppable woman's journey. Trust us, you won't want to miss Alison's take on failure, imperfection, and what's next for this rising star.
Grab Tickets to The Who’s Tommy before the show closes on July 21st. 
Connect with Alison on Instagram

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.

More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files


More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales



EPISODE TAKEAWAYS


The power of "no": The most pivotal moments in my career have been the result of my saying "no" – a testament to the importance of discernment and trusting my instincts.


A New York City dream, sans safety net: Alison arrived in NYC in 2008 armed with neither a college degree nor an illustrious alma mater. She relied on her raw talent and tenacity to carve her path.


Intuition as a guiding force: Alison possesses a keen sense of self-awareness, always listening to that inner voice that tells her what's right for her career and life.


Motherhood meets Broadway: Two weeks pregnant, Alison took on the role of Mrs. Walker in The Who's Tommy in Chicago. Her baby boy soon became a beloved fixture backstage when the show transferred to Broadway, a testament to the warmth of the theatre community.


Early beginnings, boundless support: Alison's journey in professional theatre began at age 9 with a starring role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. Her supportive family fostered her talent from the very start.


Prioritizing passion over tradition: Theatre was Alison's first love. She never regretted missing milestones like Prom; performances were where her heart was.


A risk that paid off in spades: During a Mamma Mia! tour hiatus, Alison auditioned for a regional show despite the security of her touring contract. The universe responded immediately: she was offered a lead role in the Broadway production of Mamma Mia! the moment she gave her tour notice.


Musical talents extend beyond the stage: Alison and her husband, Matt Magnusson, express their creativity as the band Big Sur Bound, with an album to their credit.


Embracing the imperfection of art: Alison believes that "you can't be a perfectionist with art because there is no such thing as perfection." This mindset frees her to take risks and fully express herself creatively.


Failure as a teacher, not a shackle: Alison's approach to failure is not to dwell on it, but to learn from it and move forward. This perspective allows her to continually grow as an artist.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meg Shaffer is a true artist with a heart full of words and a soul full of stories, and her passion is nothing short of infectious.
Get ready to be transported to a world of wonder and words! This week, USA Today bestselling author Meg Shaffer joins Heather Vickery and Alan Seales on Was It Chance to discuss her lifelong passion for reading and writing. Meg opens up about how she's always been inspired by the idea of crafting stories that transport us, much like her childhood hero Willy Wonka. She shares how the loss of her beloved cat catapulted her into darkness, but writing her breakout novel, The Wishing Game, was the light that guided her out. With her second novel, The Lost Story, set to be July 16, 2024, Meg discusses the bravery it takes to fully immerse yourself in a story and the magic that awaits us when we step into new worlds. 
Our co-host, Heather, declared that reading ‘The Lost Story’ was like entering a magical, queer adventure park she never wanted to leave - and we think you'll feel the same! Tune in for a heartwarming conversation about the power of words, the joy of getting lost in a good book, and why art will always be a little bit of magic.
Get your copy of Meg’s books ‘The Wishing Game’ and pre-order her second novel, ‘The Lost Story’ today. Then be sure to visit us on Instagram and share your favorite moments from the episode and the books! 
Connect with Meg via Instagram or her website. 

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.

More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files


More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales



EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Meg speaks to being brave enough to step into another world (which can literally be anything).

Being able to step into a story always feels magical.

As an author, Meg feels as if she “lives” in the story. It requires complete immersion and needs to be the first thing you think of in the morning and the last thing at night.

“I fell in love with Willy Wonka in the 3rd grade” - Meg says she was always inspired by the idea of writing something like this.

The loss of her 21-year-old cat is what catapulted Meg into the dark and writing The Wishing Game is what helped her come out of that weariness.

Under the name Tiffany Reisz, she wrote spicy, dark romance Harlequin Romance Novels!

Meg says she collects sentences like jewels - they are her deepest passion. She first noticed words and sentences at age 12 and never looked back

Reading transports you for a reason and you have complete control over it. There is always a mind beyond art and that’s magic.

At the age of 18, she started writing original fiction she was writing her own stories, quit her day job (as a bookseller) at 32, and went into writing full time.

There are two schools of thought for authors: 

1. Poverty is a great motivator to get your shit done even if you’re not a “self-starter.” 

2. Don’t make creativity the thing that pays your bills because then you’ll use the magic

Screenplays and TV scripts are fun because she can create them quickly

Meg is willing to completely throw out a story and start over in order to produce the best book possible. She isn’t attached to the work in a way that she fears being judged - she’s committed to the next final product possible.

Her next book, The Lost Story will be released on July 16, 2024


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when a passionate broadcaster with a dream to be the next Robin Roberts transforms the media landscape for BIPOC and QTPOC creatives? Join us on "Was it Chance" as we dive into the inspiring journey of Anna DeShawn, the trailblazing force behind E3 Radio and The Qube. Discover how Anna's visionary drive and relentless pursuit of inclusivity are reshaping digital media and giving voice to those who need it most.
Anna DeShawn is a celebrated multi-award and Ambie-winning podcast producer and host from Chicago, known for her pioneering work in media. She founded E3 Radio in 2009, an online station for queer music and news, and co-created The Qube, a platform for BIPOC and QTPOC creatives. Recognized by the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame and Equality Illinois, Anna is a trailblazer in digital media.
In our interview, Anna shares her journey from aspiring broadcaster to media innovator, discussing her passion project turned full-time gig, E3 Radio, the creation of The Qube, and her mission to amplify marginalized voices. She also reflects on the challenges of unlearning corporate behaviors, redefining success, and managing her creative flow.
Check out Anna’s website or Instagram. Be sure to catch Queer News on TikTok.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.

More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files


More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales



EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

In 2009 Anna started E3 Radio as a radio host who wanted nothing to do with podcasting. She was a “serious” broadcaster.

Anna wanted to be Robin Roberts (the only Black Woman she had ever seen doing this work) She went to school to learn how to do that and ended up working on online broadcasting in the corporate space. E3 Radio was a passion project on the side.

It’s important to ask yourself what is the worst-case scenario. Is that really that bad?

Get a copy of The Big Leap (get a copy here!) if you’re looking to step into your zone of genius.

It’s easier for Anna to give “of” herself than to give “to” herself and there is not enough content out there at the intersection of race and sexuality. She saw a gap and decided to fill it.

The QUBE is a podcast production company and a curated platform for Black and Brown podcasts. The QUBE is to podcasting what BET was to television.

Balance comes because things ebb and flow - they have to.  

There has been real work in unraveling what “corporate” says is successful vs. what we actually know to be successful for us.

Learn how to manage freedom. Anna works best when it’s dark outside so she arranges her schedule to accommodate that.

The biggest challenge for Anna has been “unlearning” bad corporate behavior.

“What does success mean to me today?” It may change and be redefined over and over again.

Anna had to learn to own failure because you can’t have success without failure. There is no failure, only feedback. Now she sits on new ideas to see how they develop and transform.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Larios is a nervous system coach who’s revolutionizing entrepreneurship for high-achieving women. Our conversation explores the profound impact of the nervous system on our thoughts, decision-making, and ability to avoid burnout, emphasizing the idea that our nervous system shapes our thinking patterns, rather than the other way around. Laura's approach is about fostering awareness of our often-overlooked nervous system, enabling individuals to transition from mere survival to growth and self-improvement.
Through her journey from a creative student immersed in theater to a hospitality professional and ultimately a trailblazing entrepreneur, Laura is as compelling as her coaching technique. She credits the Polyvagal Theory as the moment she started to think creatively and out of the box. This is what led to her transformative perspective that integrates the nervous system with entrepreneurial success. Laura's work is a testament to the power of simple, quick exercises that can induce noticeable shifts in our state of being within seconds, potentially leading to the formation of new neurological patterns over time. Alongside practical advice, Laura shares personal reflections on her relationship with failure, re-wiring perfectionist tendencies, and finding valuable learning experiences in moments of discomfort. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the intrinsic connection between our nervous system and overall well-being.

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.

More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files


More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales



EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

What is a nervous system coach? The thoughts we have, avoiding burnout, making decisions - our nervous system is core to everything we do in life. Get out of survival mode and into growth.

The state of your nervous system creates the thoughts, not the other way around. The body informs the brain.

We are not consciously aware of our nervous system all the time - Laura’s work is about creating that awareness.

Laura has always been a highly creative person. She did theater in middle school and high school. But it was her Psychology class in High School that really blew her mind.

As a Psychology student in college, she realized there was something missing. She felt like things were going in circles.

Being in the hospitality industry really prepared her for being an entrepreneur. 

When Laura discovered The Polyvagal Theory everything changed and she saw a way to connect the nervous system with entrepreneurship.

She started by doing the work on and for herself and then expanded it into a business.

You can tell the state of someone's nervous system by the tone of their voice. When we chance the tone of our voice, it effects the people around us.

This work is about being able to hold all of the things, the thoughts, emotions etc … and not allowing those things to shut you down.

Scientifically proven that improv helps you reduce inhibition.

Play is a “blended” state

When we’re in a survival state we can’t even find a way to create change because we’re frozen.

Eventually, Laura decided to go into this unknown space and build something completely new and it worked!

With nervous system work, less is more. The tools are simple and take 30-60 seconds and you can notice a shift within a few seconds. And once your body recognizes a shift you crave more of it.

It takes 62-68 days to build a new neuro pattern 


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to "Was it Chance" where we peel back the layers of serendipity to uncover the hard work and opportunities behind what looks like mere chance. In today's episode, we bring you a conversation with the extremely handsome and talented Andy Mientus, a true maverick of the stage and screen.
From accidentally becoming one of Broadway's first social media managers to his heartwarming experience with Dolly Parton on the set of Heartstrings, and one amazing Broadway production credit after another, Andy's journey is one you don’t want to miss.
Andy shares with us his belief in staying proximate to your aspirations, even if the connection seems tangential, and how this philosophy led him to astounding opportunities—like touring with Spring Awakening and soaking in the Wicked Tour which felt like a "warm bath.”
We're also have some juicy revelations—such as Alan Seales' surprising stance on Sondheim, the unexpected significance of The Met Gala for the theatre community, and the personal tales of failure that Andy calls his "close friends," teaching him resilience and the art of bouncing back.
Moreover, Andy gives us a glimpse into his life beyond the stage lights. As a best-selling author of YA books and an actor who's not shied away from portraying significant LGBTQ+ roles, like the openly Gay character Hartley Rathaway in The Flash, Andy is a testament to the diverse avenues of artistic expression.
And, if you stick around till the end, you'll be treated to a special rendition of "Shut the F**k Up Alan!" by Andy himself.
Prepare to be inspired, entertained, and perhaps a little starstruck—this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Connect with Andy on Instagram. Get his books The Backstagers series: Backstagers and The Ghost, Backstagers and The Theater of the Ancients, Backstagers and the Final Blackout as well as his latest book, Fraternity.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.

More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files


More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales



EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Live Theatre may be the last frontier when it comes to avoiding AI

Andy says he stumbled in the back door for every professional experience he’s ever had

Back in college, Andy stumbled upon Spring Awakening (by past WIC Guest, Stephen Sater) and he fell madly in love. He started a Facebook group for fans of the show and, thus, became one of the first-ever Broadway Theater social media managers.

Not long after that, he auditioned for a role in Spring Awakening and joined the tour.

Choose to be close to your goals, even if they are tangential.

NEWSFLASH - Alan Seales doesn’t resonate with Sondheim! 

Working with Dolly Parton was a highlight for Andy and he was thrilled to act with her in an episode of Heartstrings that featured a Gay storyline with a happy ending.

Tune in to hear why The Met Gala is a super important event for the theatre world (which most people don’t know!).

Being part of the Wicked Tour was like “a warm bath” for Andy because the show is always a wonderful, welcoming experience.

Mientus has a rare neurological disorder called HNPP (Hereditary Neuropathy with Pressure Palsies).

Andy is not just a live theater actor, he’s also a TV and Film actor including playing the supervillain, Hartley Rathaway, in The Flash who is an openly Gay character in the series!

Failure is one of Andy’s close personal friends. He says he fails several times a week and it never gets easier but it’s always a learning opportunity you can get better at dealing with, most of the time.

Stay until the end of a special Andy Mientus rendition of Shut the Fuck Up Alan!


tick, tick…Boom! runs June 5 to June 15 at the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA where Broadway goes to summer

Turn Self-Doubt into Self-Empowerment!
Katie Horwitch, the powerhouse behind WANT: Women Against Negative Talk joins Heather and Alan to explore a world where our inner critic often holds the mic, Katie shares her journey of flipping the script on negative self-talk, providing listeners with the tools to craft a more empowering internal narrative. Discover the subtle childhood origins of our adult self-talk and unravel Katie's personal transition from the stage to being the mastermind behind WANT. This episode is an amalgamation of personal anecdotes, deep-seated wisdom, and actionable advice on navigating (and embracing) the risks of pursuing your true calling. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that promises to challenge, motivate, and equip you with the language of self-love.  
Connect with Katie on her Website and Instagram. Tiktok, and YouTube. And grab a copy of her best-selling book, WANT YOURSELF. Tune into her podcast WANTcast as well.

Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.

More about Heather via @heather_vickeryandco on Instagram, @Braveheather on TikTok, and listen to The Brave Files


More about Alan via @theatre_podcast on Instagram and listen to The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales



EPISODE TAKEAWAYS

Limiting voices and negative self-talk are often rooted in the smallest moments from our childhood. We often don’t realize how these “small” experiences can have such a big impact.

Self-talk is the inner dialogue and story we tell ourselves all day long

Katie’s deep seeded negative self-talk was centered around creating and performing for others but never being able to enjoy and experience for herself.

Negative self-talk is not inherently good or bad - it’s information and how you process tat information.

Mental health was the catalyst for Katie to move away from theater and into the work of coaching.

A dangerous eating disorder began to physically affect her ability to sing and perform, which is what she was in school to study. This is when she started to do the internal work to shift her patterns and behaviors.

Changing negative self-talk can be very difficult for many people. You can’t just “change your mind” and things are better.

Everything requires a game - it’s about the game you’re willing to play.

There can be a lot of fear and risk associated with following a purpose or “calling.”

The biggest risks Katie felt she took were unknown financial possibilities getting into a newish field with blogging and online magazines and she felt the pressure of risk on being approved of and accepted in these new fields.

Everything has a shadow side and can be manipulated. Do all things with integrity.

Self-deprecation is dangerous but it helps people bring themselves together and find things in common.

The key is recognizing the language you are using on a regular basis.

Check yourself by asking this question “Do I want the reality of actually shifting? Or do I just like the drama of trying to figure it out?”

Her book, Want Yourself, is based on the curriculum Katie created over the last decade.

Discover your own personal “through line.”

Katie has embraced being flexible in order to achieve desired outcomes. It’s all give and take


WANTCast is in its 9th year.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices