93 episodes

The road to success is littered with speed bumps. Every celebrated actor, writer, musician, artist, inventor and entrepreneur has faced debilitating career rejection on their journey to the top. We tell their fascinating stories and break down exactly how they achieved their remarkable goals. Because hidden inside each rejection is a unique insight. And we’re here to find it.
At its heart, this podcast is about persistence and inspiration.
From the creators of Under The Influence, this show is brought to you by the Apostrophe Podcast Company and powered by Acast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We Regret To Inform You: The Rejection Podcast Apostrophe Podcast Network

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.3 • 128 Ratings

The road to success is littered with speed bumps. Every celebrated actor, writer, musician, artist, inventor and entrepreneur has faced debilitating career rejection on their journey to the top. We tell their fascinating stories and break down exactly how they achieved their remarkable goals. Because hidden inside each rejection is a unique insight. And we’re here to find it.
At its heart, this podcast is about persistence and inspiration.
From the creators of Under The Influence, this show is brought to you by the Apostrophe Podcast Company and powered by Acast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rejecting Pedro Pascal (Encore)

    Rejecting Pedro Pascal (Encore)

    This week it's our mid-season break, and that means an encore presentation of one of our most-loved episodes: Rejecting Pedro Pascal.
    Pedro Pascal is the man of the moment. In 2020 he was named one of Entertainment Weekly’s Entertainers of the Year, and in 2023 he became one of the highest-paid actors on television. But only 10 years ago, Pascal was struggling to make rent, rejected for parts and told he was aging out of Hollywood – quick. Until one afternoon, when he picked up a script for a 30-something bisexual Lothario from the 15th century...
    Tell us YOUR rejection story, and you may be featured in an upcoming episode:
    Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
    Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 35 min
    Rejecting Canva

    Rejecting Canva

    Online graphic design platform Canva is worth $26 billion. 85% of Fortune 500 companies utilize Canva, and its users span 190 countries. But when Australian entrepreneur Melanie Perkins pitched Canva to investors, she got the following feedback:
    “Your headquarters are too far from Silicon Valley.”
    “You didn’t go to Harvard, Stanford or MIT.”
    “Your idea is too ambitious.”
    “Your idea isn’t ambitious enough.”
    And, “The market is too small.”
    185 million monthly users later, Canva holds the title of world’s most valuable startup founded and led by a woman.
    Hope you'll join us.
    Tell us YOUR rejection story:
    Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
    Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 36 min
    Short Stories: Rejecting Melissa McCarthy & Jennifer Aniston

    Short Stories: Rejecting Melissa McCarthy & Jennifer Aniston

    Over the past five years – and 85 episodes – we’ve come across so many rejection stories that aren’t long enough to fill an entire episode. But that doesn’t mean they're any less filled with insight. Join us this week for a special “Short Stories” podcast – the inspiring pint-sized rejection stories of Melissa McCarthy and Jennifer Aniston.
    Before getting their big breaks on Gilmore Girls and Friends, both Melissa McCarthy and Jennifer Aniston were struggling actors in New York City. McCarthy landed auditions, but not parts. And eventually, she stopped landing auditions altogether. Meanwhile Aniston was landing parts – in low-budget sci-fi and horror comedies. Their careers were going nowhere and the rejection was crushing.
    Aniston’s father, Days of Our Lives actor John Aniston, begged her to quit the business. McCarthy set a do-or-die date for her 30th birthday.
    Tell us YOUR rejection story:
    Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
    Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 42 min
    Rejecting Bessie Coleman (The First Black Woman Pilot)

    Rejecting Bessie Coleman (The First Black Woman Pilot)

    Hi – Sidney here. You may not recognize the name Bessie Coleman, so you may be wondering whether or not to tune into this episode. But, I highly encourage you to give it a listen. It’s a story our team – from our director Callie to our engineer Geoff – all declared one of their favourites of the entire series. Because it’s a story about the ripple effects of bravery. Coleman battled racism, sexism, poverty and rejection to – just 20 years after the Wright Brothers successfully flew the first controlled airplane – become the first Black woman pilot. What Coleman didn’t know, was that her resilience would inspire another incredible woman – whose story we’ve already told on this show. Turns out, the sky is not the limit.
    Hope you’ll join us.
    Tell us YOUR rejection story:
    Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
    Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 38 min
    Rejecting The Sopranos

    Rejecting The Sopranos

    The Sopranos is widely considered the greatest television show of all time. Just ask TV Guide, The Writer’s Guild of America and Rolling Stone. But before revolutionizing the one-hour drama and ushering in what’s become known as the second Golden Age of Television, the idea for The Sopranos was rejected. By every major network. At nearly 50 years old, the show’s creator David Chase nearly shelved his script – then his manager got an idea.
    Tell us YOUR rejection story:
    Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
    Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 45 min
    Rejecting Dr. Seuss

    Rejecting Dr. Seuss

    Since the year 1937, over 60 Dr. Seuss books have been published. Over 650 million copies have been sold. Leading to film adaptations grossing over $1.7 billion at the box office. But before the late author was Dr. Seuss, he was Theodor Geisel. And his first children’s book “A Story That No One Could Beat” was a story that no one would want. After being rejected by every publisher in Manhattan, Geisel decided to burn his drawings. Then, a chance encounter changed everything.
    Tell us YOUR rejection story:
    Record your voice: https://speak-to.us/rejection
    Write to us: hello@apostrophepodcasts.ca

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    • 33 min

Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5
128 Ratings

128 Ratings

staceywrites ,

Well researched, well presented, inspiring

Just discovered this series and binge listened to catch up on every episode. I find rejection stories like this to be just the inspiration I need to keep pushing forward in my own pursuits. Would love to hear stories about Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, and HBO’s The Wire.

Kul4Life360 ,

LOVE this podcast, EXCEPT FOR

This is a very well produced, interesting podcast. What else would it be with Terry O’Reilly at the helm? I’ve been following him since Under the Influence—brilliant. Every show has been great except for Rejecting Gal Gadot. Why tell her story when there’s no story to tell? There was no suffering, no inspiration, no real rejection. I don’t count flying back and forth to Israel as a challenge or a hardship. The flights are pretty nice and they are expensive. Gadot waited out the audition algorithm—small parts, bigger parts, plum part—until she got Wonder Woman. Boring. You have done way better than this show. Otherwise, awesome podcast. I’m a super fan.

Jersey Girl 23 ,

inspiring

Whenever I need inspiration to keep pursuing my dreams, I listen to this podcast. I wish there were more episodes- it’s that good!

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Hysterical
Wondery | Pineapple Street Studios
Politickin' with Gavin Newsom, Marshawn Lynch, and Doug Hendrickson
iHeartPodcasts
The Ezra Klein Show
New York Times Opinion
The Viall Files
Nick Viall
Stuff You Should Know
iHeartPodcasts
Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (sometimes)
Team Coco & Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson

You Might Also Like

Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
Apostrophe Podcast Network
Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe
Apostrophe Podcast Network
The Debaters
CBC
Because News
CBC
Laugh Out Loud
CBC
White Coat, Black Art
CBC

More by Apostrophe Podcast Network