Actors With Issues, with Juan Ayala

NOTE: This interview was recorded prior to the announcement of "S.W.A.T.: Exiles"Actor David Lim joins Actors With Issues to reflect on his eight-season run on CBS's S.W.A.T. and the importance of positive AAPI representation on TV. From starting in finance to booking a role on ABC's "Quantico", Lim talks about becoming a series regular for the first time, how S.W.A.T. broke stereotypes in male AAPI roles, and the power of telling authentic stories.

Actor and stunt performer Alex Grech joins Actors With Issues to talk about his experience in the musical film Juliet and Romeo, where he performed double duty as both a cast member and the stunt double for Romeo. Alex opens up about growing up in Australia, training at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, advice from Jason Isaacs, and his passion for physical performance. Hear his candid thoughts on pursuing longevity in a challenging industry, embracing rejection, and why you should never have a Plan B.

Step into an honest, fast-paced chat with Broadway and screen star Brandi Burkhardt. She opens up about:-Growing from a shy Maryland teen to leading a Broadway musical-Working opposite Paul Rudd in A24's unpredictable dark comedy, Friendship-The realities of self-taping and today's audition grind-Dreams of returning to Mamma Mia!—this time as Donnaand more!

Actor Matthew Letscher joins us to discuss his decades-long career, from early theater roots and breakout film roles to his recent work in “Suits LA” and “Georgie and Mandy's First Marriage.” He reflects on mentorship, typecasting, dream projects, and advice for up-and-coming actors in this candid and inspiring interview.Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Ryan Rosery joins us on the pod to talk all about his early life growing up in Scarborough and opens up about childhood, creative calling, heartbreak, grief, building his production company, and advice for aspiring actors. His latest role is in the newest installment of the Fear Street franchise, "Fear Street: Prom Queen" which premieres TODAY on Netflix!

Amber Afzali, star of the inspiring new film “Rulebreakers,” joins Actors With Issues to discuss her journey from Ivy League student to actress, overcoming doubt, rejection, and how landing her first-ever audition changed her life. Amber opens up about lessons from set, staying true to yourself, and why every “no” is just a redirection.Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

In this exclusive interview, Bobo Le joins us to talk about their breakout role in The Wedding Banquet, navigating audition anxiety, and why queer joy on screen is so important. They share how bringing their full self to an audition changed their career, their support from Kelly Marie Tran, and working with industry icons like Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang. Don't miss this heartwarming and inspiring conversation!Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Actor Taylor Napier joins us to talk about his role in The Wheel of Time, the evolving nature of success in the acting industry, and why fantasy storytelling continues to resonate with the queer community. He also opens up about navigating creative blocks, staying grounded through industry slowdowns, and the importance of self-made art. Don't miss this candid conversation about identity, craft, and resilience.

Jeremy Hoffman, a true multi-hyphenate actor, composer and musician, joins Actors With Issues for a deeply insightful and inspiring conversation ahead of the release of the highly anticipated and star-studded reimagining of The Wedding Banquet. From the pressures of self-taping to working alongside award-winning actors, Hoffman opens up about the realities of building a career in today's entertainment landscape—and why passion must always come first.Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Rising star Andrew Liner joins us on Actors With Issues to discuss his latest role in Netflix's Ransom Canyon, overcoming early career doubts, and why he's now writing and producing his own projects. He opens up about imposter syndrome, booking his first major roles, and the importance of life experience in acting. Plus, Andrew shares his go-to karaoke song, favorite movie moments, and his best advice for young actors. Subscribe now and don't miss this inspiring episode!Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Aja Naomi King joins us to talk all things Grosse Pointe Garden Society, NBC's soapy murder mystery drama. Aja shares what drew her to the role of Catherine, the joy of working with an incredible cast and crew, and reflects on what she's learned from industry icons like Viola Davis, Kerry Washington, and Wendell Pierce. Plus, she offers powerful advice for young actors stepping onto a new set.Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Josh Lawson is a seasoned actor known for his genre-spanning performances across television and film, dramas and comedies. With a career spanning over twenty-five years, dozens of films and over one hundred episodes of television, he is no stranger to the ever-changing entertainment industry. He currently stars in NBC's latest comedy series, St. Denis Medical, bringing his signature charm and talent to the medical sitcom genre. In this exclusive Actors With Issues interview, Josh sits down to discuss the new comedy, recently renewed for a second season, along with the challenges of navigating an unpredictable industry.

Broadway TV actress Sarita Colon as she shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a vibrant Puerto Rican family to making her Broadway debut in the smash hit Death Becomes Her. Sarita reflects on her love for performing, the challenges of touring, her collaborations with choreographer Sarah O'Gleby, and the powerful moment of manifestation that confirmed her Broadway dreams.

CONCLAVE breakout star Carlos Diehz joins us for a bite-sized interview to talk about his role in the award-winning and Oscar-nominated thriller. Carlos looks back at his preparation for the role during the two-month shoot in Rome, the generosity of his co-stars during the process, and how he has overcome self-doubt in his second-act career as an actor (with a previously successful career as an architect!). Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review!

Actress Molly Gazay and playwright/director Dan Brown discuss their collaboration on The Gritarer Verde, a one-woman, one-act play. They share insights into the creative process, the challenges of solo performance, and the rewarding experience of crafting a vivid world on stage through minimalism. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review!

Harrison Xu and Ivan Leung join us on the podcast for an in-studio interview in New York City to discuss their hilarious and heartfelt film 'Extremely Unique Dynamic' and what they learned in the process as actors, filmmakers and friends. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review!

From celebrated comedies to scene-stealing roles on Broadway, Michael Urie has delighted audiences in every character he's taken on. His latest role in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking sees him as part of a chosen family supporting each other through the highs and lows of life. His standout performance, among a standout cast, earned him his first Critics Choice' nomination for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Noen Perez may be young but he's no stranger to the entertainment business, with multiple network television series and feature films under his belt, including Disney Channel's Raven's Home, Nickelodeon's Henry Danger, Netflix's Grace and Frankie, and the critically acclaimed Unstoppable, in theatres now, and the upcoming highly anticipated sequel Freakier Friday. In episode 220 of Actors With Issues, Noen spoke about his role in Unstoppable, his hopes to return to the horror genre after his film debut last year in Natty Knocks, and how he's navigated social media and content creation as a young actor. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

We're adding a new face to Actors With Issues' Ghosts Hall of Fame as we sit down with the lovely Rebecca Wisocky for a bite-sized interview to discuss her four-season journey on the hit CBS series, its lighthearted yet impactful storylines, and her the cast has become a unit during the many industry setbacks since it first entered production. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Shanghai-born and Vancouver-raised actress Jaylee Hamidi is a vibrant and thoughtful talent making waves in the entertainment industry. Best known for her role in Hulu's *How To Die Alone*, where she stars alongside series creator Natasha Rothwell, Hamidi has built an impressive résumé that includes appearances on “Supernatural”, “Supergirl”, “Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist”, and beloved romance films like “Christmas of Yes” and “Scented with Love”. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Actress Angela Moore shares her journey, from her global upbringing to navigating Hollywood's changes, and shares her thoughts on self-taping, streaming's impact, and staying creative in an endlessly evolving industry. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

We sit down with rising actor Patrick Luwis, whose credits include billion-dollar blockbuster Barbie, Zack Snyder's sci-fi duology Rebel Moon: Parts One and Two and his upcoming role in part 2 of season 6 of Netflix's Cobra Kai. In this exclusive interview, Luwis shares his journey from an unexpected start in theater to landing major roles in Hollywood, his path to overcoming challenges, and valuable insights on perseverance and embracing failure.

Welcome back to our regularly scheduled programming! We are back with our weekly episodes of Actors With Issues and who better to kick things off than the delightful Yvonne Chapman! We talked about her turn from finance to acting, walked down memory lane and reminisced on some of her earliest roles, from her first guest starring role on The 100, to CBC's Street Legal, The CW's Kung Fu and global hit Avatar: The Last Airbender.

This week we are joined by Conor Sherry, star of the new coming-of-age comedy ‘Snack Shack' where he plays AJ, a middle America teenager trying to make some fast money with his best friend during their summer break, leading them to winning an auction for the snack shack at their local pool. Their success is soon upended when they both fall in love when a new girl moves to town and starts working as a lifeguard at the pool. “The role of AJ was really special because not only was it my first lead in a movie, but he goes through such a great arc. The ups, the downs, every first of a 15-year-old. I got to experience every kind of emotion and show that.” A key takeaway for Conor was, as the lead, seeing the countless hours of work put in by the entire production crew, from production designers and set decorators to the hair and makeup artists. “I got to see a movie get made. I was the first actor called and the last to leave every single day and I knew [making a show/film] was a lot of work because you see everyone running around, but seeing it every day, the consistency that a crew needs to have, really changed my perspective. There are a lot of people who can go unappreciated [by viewers].” Conor shared some poignant advice for young actors, particularly those who may be treating their career pursuit passively. “I have friends who have said ‘I don't know if this is what I wanna do' as they're pursuing it. I'd say to give yourself a time period and 100% go for it. You can't just try. The line of people who are really going for it is so long. Use that fearlessness and don't wait. Even if you're in college, just start auditioning. Use that energy. People love it and it's really refreshing. I hope I don't lose that and get jaded,” he laughed. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

From his groundbreaking role of Ricky Vasquez in the 90s series “My So Called Life” to his commanding performances on Broadway and in television series like “13 Reasons Why”, “Red Band Society” and the critically-acclaimed “Star Trek: Discovery”, which premieres its fifth and final season today on Paramount+, Wilson Cruz has continually pushed boundaries and shattered stereotypes, cementing his status as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry. Beyond his undeniable talent, Cruz's journey is a testament to resilience and advocacy, as he fearlessly uses his platform to champion Afro-Latino and LGBTQ+ representation and social justice causes. In this conversation on Actors With Issues, we delve into the early days of his career, insights into how he's overcome adversity and remained resilient, and guidance for young actors looking to break into the business.

We are delighted to be joined by actress, filmmaker, and author of 'The Brink: A Memoir" Jaime Andrews who delves into her book which explores her childhood and teen-year struggles with depression, mental health, and substance use issues. It's a darkly funny, emotional, and incredibly vulnerable look into the many trials and tribulations she overcame. "My mom would rather I didn't do that, she won't even read it. She said 'I lived through it the first time'", Jaime laughed. "I knew it was a crazy story so it had entertainment value but I really wanted to put it out there because I know people who struggle could find value in it, it could give them hope to go on and overcome the things that I overcame and that so many of us go through."It was at 27 years old that Jaime first wrote The Brink and while she hoped to publish the book, she was also hesitant as she didn't want it to tarnish her chances at an acting career, so she decided to put it on hold. It was during the pandemic while her first feature film 'Division' was in post-production that she decided to self-publish the book after realizing how little authors have to gain from working with a publisher. In 'Division', which she wrote, produced, and starred in, Jaime plays an out-of-work actress who befriends a fan with opposing political views as a global pandemic and 2020 election loom. Speaking on the creation of the film, Jaime shared "I was so disturbed by the political climate at the time that I was inspired to write 'Division'. The pandemic was still raging when we made it. We were going to wait until the COVID strictures eased a bit but it's such a timely film and political that we didn't want to wait."

From collegiate athlete to sitcom star, Nyambi Nyambi's career has ebbed and flowed through a variety of genres, mediums and roles, whether it was starring alongside Melissa McCarthy and Billy Gardell in Mike & Molly or joining the ensemble cast of acclaimed drama The Good Fight to returning to his sitcom roots in season two of NBC's reboot of Night Court, streaming now on Peacock.

Warrior quietly took the world by storm in 2019 after the premiere of its first season, so much so that it was renewed almost immediately for a second season which premiered in 2020. A few episodes in, the series introduced us to soon-to-be fan-favorite character Hong, played by Chen Tang, a smiley-but-deadly newcomer to San Francisco who joins the Hop Wei. Chen joins us on Actors With Issues to look back at his time on the show, the hopes for a future home as the show dropped on Netflix last month, and discuss the many lessons learned throughout his career working on iconic shows like 30 Rock, Agents of Shield and one of his proudest projects besides Warrior, the live-action adaptation of Disney's Mulan.  Chen's first TV role was on an episode of 30 Rock in 2011 where he played Jake Hu, a character in a show within the show who is an investigative reporter without a sense of smell and “has to get the story using his eyes, ears, and other senses”. The role didn't call for him to perform with any of the series core cast, but he recalled how he still felt a tad nervous coming on to an established show as a guest star. But an encounter with series star and creator of the show Tina Fey made him feel welcome and put his nerves at ease. “I remember Tina was walking by and she had a bunch of people following her, since she was also the producer and writer of the show, so she was busy. She actually stopped by and took the time to talk to a little guest star and that always stuck out to me. I always try to emulate that. I believe it's our sacred duty to send the elevator down and to be kind and respect other artists and people. I remember being blessed that being my first gig in New York.” (34:20) Speaking about his casting in Warrior, Chen shared that because the series had been renewed so quickly after its premiere, he didn't have a chance to watch the show before booking the role and dove right into his preparation to play Hong and join the world of 1870s San Francisco and Chinatown. Playing the role of Hong in Warrior, Chen said his approach to the character had constant duality, as he was a sensitive, caring person with a positive attitude but also a ferocious warrior, “you can always play off your internal life and it was fascinating to look at it through that lens. It was fun to zig when everyone else was zagging. You always have a cool choice to make.”  During the ‘Dear Chen' Q&A segment of the episode, we turn to fan questions who asked Chen to delve more into his character-building process for Warrior, pivotal moments from throughout the series, and the impact of portraying a gay character that was completely devoid of harmful stereotypes.  “We never wanted to put a microscope on his sexuality. He just so happens to like men, but that's not all he is. It was such a pillar of the creation process because that was the first thing that opened up this sense of duality and gave me so much as Hong,” he explained. “You look at the world he came from, Ching Dynasty China, which was already a very stereotypically masculine-dominated sphere, and then you're also in a gang. You're a soldier for the mafia. You're already inhabiting this world that's very masculine but deep down there's other things around that life, how could those two things play off of each other? And that's where I found humor, that's where I found everything based on Hong's sexual identity.” Watch the full episode or tune in on your favorite podcast platform, and be sure to watch all three seasons of Warrior on Netflix to help secure a new season!

Few actors can say they've worked with some of the most notable names in entertainment like Morgan Freeman, Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Mel Gibson, Emile Hersch and Tye Sheridan. Meet Dylan Flashner, a charismatic and talented star on the rise who has appeared in over a dozen feature films in the last five years, with another seven projects soon-to-be released. Not only is he a talented actor, he's also a gifted singer-songwriter and musician, and through his production company, has produced nearly 40 films with the goal of highlighting stories from those who are underrepresented. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Darius Rose, also known by his drag persona Jackie Cox, made his off-Broadway debut earlier this month in  Triangle Productions' ‘Make Me Gorgeous: The True Story of Kenneth “Mr. Madam” Marlowe' and we are delighted to be joined by Darius to delve into his journey with the show, his television and drag career, and get into some Star Trek and Drag Race-related fan-submitted questions. Dubbed “one of the season's sleeper hits”, ‘Make Me Gorgeous' follows the life of LGBTQ+ trailblazer Kenneth Marlowe, who underwent countless trials and tribulations throughout their life until they spent the final decade as their true self, Kate Marlowe. From dealing with their mother's excessive alcohol use and working as a Christian missionary to surviving assault while in the military and performing drag and burlesque across the country, Marlowe's story is a fascinating, emotional and captivating tale, one that Darius Rose performed brilliantly in the 90-minute one-man show. “Wade [McCollum, who originated the role] was off to do Water for Elephants on Broadway, so he could no longer continue in the role. He's good friend with Willam, who was also on Drag Race and was in Titanique off-Broadway, and I think Wade had reached out to Willam to see the play and maybe if they were interested in doing the play, but he wasn't available to do it,” Darius shared. “Willam and I work with the same manager and asked if the producers would be willing to see me for the role, so I went to go see the play for the first time in December and I wasn't sure if I could do it myself. I had a lovely lunch for a couple of hours with our playwright/director Donnie and he said ‘I think you could do this, also my husband loves watching you on Days of Our Lives', so come do it!” Born in Canada and having grown up all around the US due to their mother's work as a  Medical Researcher, Darius went on to attend the University of California in Los Angeles where they earned their Bachelor of Arts degree. Soon moving to New York City, their sights were set on a career as an actor, it wasn't until they performed the titular role in the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch that they would perform in drag for the first time. “My first time feeling the power of being in drag on a stage with a microphone and in heels was through that musical. Hedwig is a character that is so strong and powerful in her ability to use song and drag to convey her message, that was the first time that I felt the power of drag.” During our listener-submitting Q&A portion of the show ‘Dear Darius', fans asked which Star Trek character (as Darius is a huge Trekkie) they'd want to partner with for a drag makeover challenge, what the “wildest part” of working on Days of Our Lives is, and if they'd return to the Drag Race franchise for an All-Stars season. Watch our full interview above, and be sure to see Darius Rose starring in Make Me Gorgeous, in performances in New York City until February 25th! 

This week we are joined by television actress and voiceover artist Jacqueline Piñol for a wonderful reflection on her career and the many lessons learned over the years. Jacqueline knew as early as 12 years old and after her parents moved their family from the Bronx in New York City to Los Angeles, her chosen career path was made even easier. From industry shifts and social media, and the importance of taking risks and making decisions for your own well-being, Jacqueline shares so many insights from her 20+ years in the business from 70+ episodes of television, a dozen feature films and voicing characters in some of the biggest video game franchises of all time, including Marvel's Spider-Man, Uncharted and Quantum Break. “My life has taken me in so many different directions that I wouldn't have expected because I made choices that were risky,” she shared. “I said ‘you know what? I'm gonna just go away for 3 months and travel to China and learn Mandarin.' It was so random and my mom was like ‘are you insane?' and I just thought, ‘why not?'. It was one of the best things I could've ever done. So you miss 3 months of auditions. But I don't subscribe to the idea of ‘what if I miss my big chance?' My big chance is everywhere I go, so who cares?” she laughed. Jacqueline also talks about her voiceover career and how much that side of the industry has changed because of easier access and the fact that there is more content today than ever before, sharing that finding one's own voice is the key to success. “Because [voiceover] is so competitive today, you have to find what is authentically with your voice, what characters you find you can bring to life that are not just unique but really truthful or have a certain sound. Enroll in some really great classes where you actually feel the growth where you are building upon characters and that your voice is stretching to offer a different type of sound because then you have something to offer, or you're looking to do voiceover jobs. Saying ‘I wanna be a voiceover actor, I can do that' is enough anymore. 20 years ago, maybe.” Looking back at her early years, Jacqueline shared that she wishes she could have told her younger self to trust her instincts more and to make choices based on what she felt was best for her, and not what others thought. “I was robbing myself from giving ME to audiences, to casting directors, to a performance or audition. I would tell her to just be herself and trust that what you're giving out and doing is enough. I wish I'd know that earlier because when we trust ourselves. There's only one of each of us and if we try to be like someone else, now the world doesn't get to have that piece of us, we're the only ones who can give it to them.” Watch our full conversation above, or listen on-the-go on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week we chatted with rising star Ava Cantrell, who has gone from recurring roles in television and supporting roles in films to her first leading role in the new horror-thriller ABIGAIL where she stars as the titular character who has “an axe to grind” with some neighborhood bullies. Ava talks about the challenges of taking on a manipulative character and the physical challenges of nearly a month of night shoots working sundown to sun up, and also shares some advice for parents of child actors. “Your parent's support is so important as a child actor, it's a very hard thing to do by yourself, so I would say [to parents] to be emotionally supportive of your kids,” she advises. “There's a lot of rejection. You get so many no's before you get a yes, [it's important] to give your child the confidence to keep going and having that kind of grit you need to handle those no's.” You can see Ava Cantrell starring in ABIGAIL, now available to rent or stream on VOD.

This week we are joined by a delightful trio from the hilarious new queer-led comedy series OPEN TO IT: Frank Arthur Smith ('Greg' and series creator), Tim Wardell ('Cam') and Jason Caceres ('Princeton'), to talk all about the series' first season, upcoming Pride special, what they've learned about themselves throughout production, and what they hope changes in the industry, from better representation to more open-mindedness in the casting process. The series follows loving gay couple Greg and Cam as they open up their relationship to explore a potential throuple with a Princeton. You can see the entire first season on OutTV, and stay tuned for a Pride special in June and the second half of season later this year.

New Year, New Season of Actors With Issues! For our first episode of the year we are joined by former casting director and current acting and audition coach Sam Stiglitz. Sam got her start as a theatre performer with aspirations of becoming a Broadway performer. When she realized she wasn't the biggest fan of New York City (no offense taken!), she made the move to Los Angeles, and after interning at a casting office, began her career in casting. Since then, she's worked with some of the biggest offices in LA, started her own office and made the transition to coaching clients.  “I found with having my own office the same thing that I found with acting: I don't like promoting myself. I didn't like having to call executives and say ‘hey I'm here, gimme a show!'” she shared. So, Sam instead turned to coaching actors for their auditions on a referral-only basis, reaching out to agents and managers to connect her to their clients, eventually becoming one of the go-to audition coaches for actors.

For the final Actors With Issues of 2023, we are joined by the delightful star on the rise Diego Tinoco for a special ONE HOUR episode!. At just 26 years old, Diego has four seasons of On My Block under his belt as lead character Caesar and multiple feature film credits including the action-packed Knights of the Zodiac and the upcoming Bad Hombres where he stars as Felix, a young immigrant on the run, working opposite Luke Hemsworth, Thomas Jane, and Hemky Madera. Diego gives such an insightful look into his life, career and hopes for the future, reflecting on hit time on On My Block and how, during its four year run, he learned to put more trust in himself and his abilities, and the importance of finding the techniques and methods of acting that work best for him, not only leading to a great performance, but also allowing him to enjoy his work in the process.Diego speaks with such honesty and openness, this will be an incredibly insightful and helpful conversation for any young actor to hear, whether they're just starting out or are years into their journey and hope to achieve the successes Diego has. We could not have asked for a better way to cap off another great year of our podcast.  Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Cobra Kai alum and rising star Gianni DeCenzo joins us this week to talk all things acting! It's Actors With Issues, what else would we do? Gianni began his career at just eight years old, booking roles in commercials and co-starring roles in television series like The Middle, The League, and Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie. Since 2018, Gianni has starred in the hit action dramedy series Cobra Kai as Demetri where he was able to use his own martial arts skills in Krav Maga.  This episode focuses a lot on transitioning, growing and learning as Gianni chats with us about his work as a child actor and shifting his career as a young adult, what his experience was like working on Cobra Kai when it was a YouTube Red series which was then bought by Netflix during the pandemic, and how the industry has changed in recent years, from streaming and content creating to self-tapes and Zoom auditions.  “We didn't really get to see the audience and fans' reactions to things in public, we were kind of sheltered from that. It wasn't until COVID died down and we were able to do premieres for the show that we really saw that not only did we have our extremely loyal fanbase from YouTube, but it had spread everywhere. I wasn't expecting the show to blow up as much as it did when I first auditioned for it, I was 15. It just took off and it's been awesome.”

In this interview, Zamani shares her experience working on the new comedy film Bottoms where she delved into stunts, physical comedy and improv, as well as her roles in Blumhouse projects American Refugee and Sacred Lives, two roles she credits as having learned the most from. "There were things with those characters that we talked about at table read and with the director that I realized about myself. I thought 'oh, this was self-evaluation for me!'" she laughed. " I was a lot younger when we filmed Sacred Lives and I was at that age where you're just trying to figure myself out in my career and in real life and was the same for [my character] Rashida."

Born and raised in New York City, actor Bibin Shrestha moved to Los Angeles within the last few years and soon found success working in commercials, booking campaigns for brands like Starbucks, Blue Diamond Almonds, Muscle Milk and Maruchan, to name a few. Bibin delves into some of the discoveries he made during the pandemic about pursuing an acting career, the many lessons learned along the way, and (the different approaches to commercial auditions vs auditions for film and television.) “You have to know who you are. You use yourself all the time as an actor when you're working on a project, creating something but outside of acting, who are you? That was a major question that I'm always asking myself outside of the industry. That took living my life a bit more, not just staying in classes, and that made me understand my own needs and what I want to do, and what's important to me. I realized how important family is and finding something outside of acting that is important to you.”

This week we are joined by director Sebastián Rea and actor Diego Mejia from the short film Heritage which had its east coast premiere at the NY Latino Film Festival. The short centers is based on Sebastián's own life and is a coming-of-age story that “follows Rumiñahui, “Rumi”, as he navigates his future with the guidance of his Indigenous Andean ancestors, ultimately finding the strength to succeed in a world seemingly working against him.” The two talk about their experience seeing the most recent version on the big screen at NYLFF in September, the plans for the short in the future to either be expanded into a feature film or possibly a series, and share advice for actors and emerging filmmakers who may leave school feeling unprepared, as well as what they wish they knew earlier on in their careers.

This week we are joined by actor, director and acting coach James Ciccone, who has appeared in over 50 episodes of television including The Deuce, Manifest, FBI and The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, as well as worked with Academy Award-winning directors like Martin Scorcese and Todd Phillips. James is also the founder and teacher at The Actors Axiom, an ongoing virtual and in-person class focused on mastering the self-tape for television.James provides a wealth of knowledge from his years as an actor and coach, sharing his insights and breaking down untouched topics like residuals for theatrical vs streaming films, the art of the self-tape and bringing yourself to each role rather than fitting into what you think a casting director is looking for. "I work all the time because I'm a New York guy, that's who I am. There are a lot of people who tell me I should pay lots of money to lose my accent, but then casting directors say 'no, that's why you work!' We're in a visual medium, you have to be interesting on the screen. The greatest tool an actor needs to have is luck. There's ifs, ands or buts. Some people just get lucky. But you have to still be prepared and present. You're not going to get on a TV show without putting your name in the hat."

This week we are joined by veteran of stage and screen Adam Heller, current and original cast member of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Some Like It Hot, now in performances at the Shubert Theatre in New York City. Heller reflects on his journey with the show, from early readings to its soon-to-be year-long run on Broadway, delves into his theater-going parents that introduced him to theater as a born and raised New Yorker, and how the industry has changed, for worse or for better, since he started his career.  “Teachers always told us, ‘if there's anything else you can do, please do it.' YOu're gong to experience so many peaks and valleys and always be looking for work, but this is something that's chronic in our business and it never ends. But those hills and valleys are something you become accustomed to and you have to surround yourself with a support team of friends and family,” he shared. “The pandemic was interesting because we all had to unplug. Civilization was forced to sit back and it was peculiar to know that the acting profession was what was the most aggressive way of transmitting this virus. What an irony!” Some Like It Hot is in performances at the Shubert Theatre now through December 30th.

The Way We Were celebrates 50 years since its release in 1973, which went on to gross 10x its budget and earn 6 Academy Award nominations and now recognized as one of the greatest romances of all time. Joining us for a retrospective review of the iconic film is dear friend and fellow cinephile Anthony Sanchez Solis. We discuss the history of the film, some of our favorite moments, and how The Way We Were has stood the test of time being referenced in everything from "Sex and The City" and "Friends" to "The Simpsons" and "Gilmore Girls".

This week we are joined by the hilarious and delightful Nehal Joshi who is currently starring in the new farcical comedy The Comedy, at the Helen Hayes Theatre on Broadway. Nehal is a veteran of the Broadway stage, having performed in both plays and musicals, dramas and comedies, from classics like The Phantom of the Opera and Arthur Miller's All My Sons to new musicals Flying Over Sunset and School of Rock. Nehal talks with us about his experience so far in The Cottage and how every night feels like a fresh performance, especially when the incredibly prop-heavy show has things go wrong. He also talks about how the once standard type-casting becomes less and less common, and the importance of collaboration and creating your own work when others don't give you the chance to do so.

Kicking off spooky season and our brand new podcast series "Once Upon A Time At The Movies", we are taking a look back at the film that began the modern slasher movie craze, and one of the greatest independent films ever made, John Carpenter's Halloween. And joining us for our first episode is stand-up comedian and Michael Myers superfan Gerardo Pelati to reflect on when we first saw the iconic horror film, tons of behind-the-scenes facts you may not have known, and how the film still holds up today.

Actors With Issues has been on hiatus since our last episode on July 31st 2023, largely in part due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes. We have, however, recently received permission from the union to continue interviewing actors about their overall careers, lessons learned and advice they'd give to young actors, with no mention of specific projects. We will be back on October 2nd with new episodes, in a new 30-minute format. Shorter interviews from press junkets will no longer be published as a podcast, but will instead be exclusive to our YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe to our channel for all of our content! On October 5th we'll be launching a new spin-off podcast called "Once Upon a Time At The Movies" where each Thursday, we'll be joined by a guest to discuss a classic film that is celebrating a milestone anniversary that month. To kick things off, we'll be talking about the 1978 horror classic Halloween for its 45th anniversary. This show will be available on this podcast feed and on our YouTube channel. So buckle up, kiddos because we've got TWO podcast series coming your way this October. Thank you as always for all of your support, listenership and viewership these last three years. We're so close to 200 episodes and can't wait to share what's next!

Rising star Lane Factor joins us to talk all about the third and final season of FX on Hulu's Reservation Dogs. Lane talks about how he's grown and changed since booking his role on the show, which was from his first ever audition, his experience working on his first feature film in Steven Spielberg's The Fablemans, and advises actors “don't stake your life on this”, wise words for someone so young! Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Adam McArthur, the voice behind dozens of beloved characters in animation, video games, and beyond, joins us this week and shares advice for young actors to look into the world of voice acting, how uncertainty and self-doubt is prevalent no matter what point you are in your career, and reveals some myths about the entertainment industry he's debunked. Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe to the channel, give us a thumbs up and leave a comment!

This interview was recorded June 21st, prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Actor, writer and director Michael D. Cohen joins us to talk all about his many years working across the Henry Danger franchise as fan-favorite Schwoz in over 150 episodes in nearly 10 years, going on to write and direct several episodes as well. Michael shares some of the wisdom he instills in his students at the Michael D. Cohen Studio, including living life to use those experiences to draw upon while acting, and the importance of finding something you're good at, besides acting, to turn into a revenue stream to support yourself while pursuing acting.

This interview was recorded June 22nd, prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Actor Graham Parkhurst talks about landing his first major role on the Netflix series GLAMOROUS and shares the challenges that he's faced with being a gay actor but also a Canadian-born actor trying to break into American film and television. Graham also shares advice for young actors on the search for their first agent or manager.  You can see Graham on GLAMOROUS, streaming now on Netflix. Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!

After being scouted for a television show in the 90s, Frankie Loyal went from a recurring role to a series regular on the hit FX series Mayans, now in its final season. Frankie reflects on the show's five-season run and how much the group has overcome between reshooting the pilot, changing showrunners, and the pandemic, and how the cast and crew have remained a family through all of it.  Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review!