Optimize Yourself

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, I talk to community member Jonathan Hodges who is a promo editor in Baltimore looking to make the transition to Assistant Editor in scripted television. He has gone through my Insider's guide to writing cold outreach and has received a lot of great responses from the people he's contacted. But he's feeling stuck on how to continue the conversation, build a long term relationship, and possibly even secure a mentor. Listen in on how I coach Jonathan to effectively build a relationship and continue to add value to the people he is connecting with. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member James Crouch is looking for help writing a cold outreach email. We discuss the importance of carefully selecting who you want to build relationships with and how you can provide value to that person. And we discuss the magic formula for all outreach emails that you can apply to just about any outreach situation. This session is loaded with top level overview tips for crafting successful outreach emails as well as the nitty gritty details such as writing effective subject lines. Listen in to discover how you can improve your outreach email skills. [As a bonus for listening to this episode, you can get my Insider's Guide to Writing Cold Outreach by going to www.optimizeyourself.me/emailguide] Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, Denise Chan is preparing to negotiate her contract as an Assistant Editor for an upcoming Netflix series. Negotiating salary, work hours, and additional benefits is something we all have to do regardless of what position we hold. The paradigm shift that I am advocating for (and have been for years) is that we as creative professionals should not get paid for the hours we work but instead for the value we provide. Listen in on how I coach Denise to approach her meeting from this perspective and how you too can use this approach for your own negotiations. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Marcella Garcia is debating a job offer. She's not sure if it is the right fit based on her career goals, but it pays well and she has a good relationship with the people she would be working with. This is a familiar situation for many creative professionals working in the gig economy. How do we know when to say no and when to say yes? What are we willing to risk losing in order to progress towards our goals? Listen in on how I coach Marcella through this common challenge and learn how you can apply the same questions to your own situation. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

"You have to think how can I create those moments, those celebrations, the appreciation, the presence in this moment so that I can actually enjoy the accumulation of my life of days rather than trying to hang it all on one momentous achievement." - Michael Bauman As a freelancer or entrepreneur, it's easy to get caught up in “the grind,” endlessly pursuing what others define as “success,” but one of the overlooked effects of doing so is often loneliness (whether you are at the bottom or the ladder or the very top). When I first started my career in Hollywood, I was so focused on perfecting my craft and building a resume of credits that I literally had no social life outside of work. Having friends, hobbies, and doing things outside the job simply wasn't a priority for me...until I realized how detrimental it was for my work to become my identity, not only to my physical and mental health but also to my creativity and overall well-being. My guest today, Michael Bauman, knows all too well the pain of loneliness as a creative professional and entrepreneur. Michael is the CEO of Success Engineering and a Tony Robbins certified coach who after failing at starting his own personal training business and having no money to support his wife (and soon-to-be child) uncovered and untangled his own feelings of loneliness and not "enough-ness" so that he could pursue a more fulfilling version of his goals. He now uses his own experiences of failure, loneliness, and hitting rock bottom to help others redefine their own meaning of success in their lives. If you struggle with defining what success means to you, and you are often so consumed by your work and running on the empty hamster wheel chasing success that you find yourself burned out, this candid conversation is a must-listen. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Michael's origin story of how he started his own podcast called Success Engineering. How the book, Start with Why, helped him climb his way out of rock bottom in his life. What led Michael to realize that success and happiness wasn't about money or financial gains. The many moves and transitions Michael has navigated in his life. Why Michael was interested in helping entrepreneurs feel like they're enough and not alone. What the different layers of success are and how you can equate it with being enough. What Michael believes to be the greatest gift he can give to the people in his life. The link between identity and behavior change. KEY TAKEAWAY: Emotions are a warning system or a fundamental need that is going unmet. A valuable tool to deal with emotions in order to enable behavior change. The unexpected link between my lifelong snacking addiction and my job satisfaction. Questions to ask yourself when you are caught in a bad habit or behavior you don't like. The difference between subjective and objective loneliness. KEY TAKEAWAY: The quality of your relationships is a better predictor of health than your cholesterol levels. Tools for dealing with loneliness. The paradox of vulnerability in others vs. ourselves. Why you should be “upgrading your interactions” and how to do it. What James Clear's Goldilocks rule has to do with habit change. Dan Sullivan's approach called the Gap and the Gain. Using a "Done" list to celebrate what you've done at the end of every day. What Michael does to celebrate his own accomplishments each day. Michael's advice to his younger self. BONUS: The secret to upgrading your networking game. Useful Resources Mentioned: Start With Why | Simon Sinek  The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success: Sullivan, Dan, Hardy, Dr. Benjamin Podcast - Success Engineering - Michael Bauman Max Headroom Continue to Listen & Learn Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You're Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Guest Bio: Michael Bauman is the CEO of Success Engineering and Tony Robbins certified coach. He help entrepreneurs feel that they are enough and not alone, along with optimizing every other area of their lives including their habits, productivity, health and relationships. He is also the host of the podcast, Success Engineering, where he interviews experts and industry leaders, from Broadway Directors and actors, to multi-millionaire CEO's, to neuroscientists and more to uncover how they define success, how they create it on a daily basis, and explore the challenges they have overcome both internally and externally to achieve their personal definition of success. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Denise Chan is struggling with perfectionism while she's editing. She finds herself consumed with the minutiae of the cuts and bogged down in doubt that her choices are the right ones. As a recovering perfectionist myself, I am all too familiar with this problem. Listen in to hear what systems and processes I use to work with perfectionism, doubt, and procrastination that Denise can implement right away in her daily editorial workflow. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Melanie Annan wants help preparing for a meeting with a potential agent. Melanie is an independent film editor and wants to know if an agent would be valuable at this point in her career to help her get to the next level. In this hot seat we cover the types of questions Melanie should ask when meeting with an agent as well as some common misconceptions about what working with an agent is like. Listen in to hear my thoughts on how to make the most of a meeting with an agent. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

At the epicenter of the conversation last August during the most contentious portion of the IATSE contract negotiation was perhaps the IA stories Instagram account where literally hundreds of thousands of IATSE members discovered they weren't alone in enduring the horrors of working in Hollywood: Burnout, abusive working conditions, and sacrificing everything - including even their lives - to simply keep their jobs in the entertainment industry was apparently everyone's story. Pandora's Box opened, and it was clear people demanded change. Among those people are my guests today from Local 871 - Script Coordinator Amy Thurlow, and Art Department Coordinator Marisa Shipley. Marisa Shipley is the President of Local 871, as well as one of the founders of the IA Stories page. She has been on the front lines of the living wage and pay equity fight since 2018 and is committed to finding a collaborative approach to tackling these issues. Amy Thurlow was elected to represent Script Coordinators on the Board of Directors of Local 871 in December of 2021, and has been outspoken about the pay equity issues that have plagued her classification for decades. This conversation has been a long time in the making, and we go deep into the stories of abusive practices in their local, the criminally low wages they have endured, and the systemic nature of these problems across many other IATSE locals. You'll also hear Marisa describe the severe toll that running the IA stories page took on her health and well-being (which is ironic given how hard she works to protect the well-being of others), as well as her deep struggle with the negative blowback she received during the IATSE contract negotiations. Trust me when I say that standing up for what you believe is never easy. But our industry and the world needs more Marisa's and Amy's advocating for all of us. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Why Local 871 has the moniker of The Island of Misfit Toys. What a script coordinator does and what their day to day looks like. The duties of the art department coordinator. The importance of these two roles to making sure things run smoothly between departments. What the hours and schedules are like for both of these jobs. The difference between being flexible and putting up boundaries. Why Marisa hates the words "can't you just..." The challenges that come with running a huge Instagram page like IA Stories. How Marisa got involved in pay equity issues in Local 871 and beyond. What motivated her to start the Instagram page IA stories and the intentions behind it. The incredible responsibility Marisa felt in taking on IA Stories. Dealing with the blowback of contract negotiations and how that affected Marisa. Why they made the intentional choice to not post about the specific contract negotiations and only focus on the stories. KEY TAKEAWAY: Setting boundaries is a personal responsibility that can also be supported collectively. Why it's important to get more involved in your guild's local. The unintended expectation that came from the IA Stories page and why it caused such anger in people after the contract vote. How different perspectives determine whether the contract was a win or a loss. KEY TAKEAWAY: We need systemic culture change AND we need personal responsibility. Optimize Yourself aims to show people HOW to set boundaries and take responsibility to create better working lives. Useful Resources Mentioned: Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos  How I burned out as a burnout coach (and then bounced back) Continue to Listen & Learn I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here's What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE Ep168: Hollywood On the Record: What's REALLY Happening On Set? | with Shay'La Banks and Nickolaus Brown  Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Guest Bio: Marisa Shipley is the President of Local 871 and a freelance Art Department Coordinator, Set Dec Coordinator and Construction Estimator for tv/film in Los Angeles. She initially got involved with the Local as a member of the ad-hoc Art Department Coordinators Public Relations Committee, working to get signatures on a petition showing support for better wages for her craft prior to 2018 negotiations. As the chair of the Local 871 #ReelEquity pay equity committee Marisa has focused on a collaborative approach to tackling pay equity issues affecting women in entertainment, particularly those working behind the camera.   Amy Thurlow is a writer and filmmaker currently living in Los Angeles, California. Amy has worked in television for many years. She started her career as a Writers' PA on the groundbreaking show GOSSIP GIRL and most recently Script Coordinated for Fox's OUR KIND OF PEOPLE. Her other credits include TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES, SLEEPY HOLLOW, WITCHES OF EAST END, KRYPTON and NO TOMORROW. In December 2021, Amy was elected to represent Script Coordinators on the Board of Directors of Local 871. Amy graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a degree in Film and Television Production. Her work has been recognized by the WB Writers' Workshop, Sundance Institute, Austin Film Festival and Final Draft Big Break Contest. Outside of writing and activism, Amy has a myriad of interests including performing the occasional stand up routine, teaching friends how to cook the perfect roast chicken, and deciding to run marathons even though she hates running.   Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Lara Britton is grappling with a number of different goals she wants to pursue and needs help narrowing it down in order to focus her career in a new direction. Goal setting is a big part of the Focus Yourself program and we spend a lot of time making sure people set proper goals that align with their true desires and passions. Lara feels stuck because she doesn't want to feel limited by choosing just one thing. In her own words, she says, “I'd rather do than think.” Listen in to my advice for Lara to help her make the most of her time and better prioritize her multiple goals. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

What I'd love to do is give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Fabian Corrado wants to create a solid networking and outreach plan to make the transition into scripted television as an assistant editor. Fabian has been an assistant editor working in trailer houses for many years and he has decided that scripted television is what he really wants to do. This episode is filled with tips, advice, and strategies for making the leap into scripted television. Listen in for the inside scoop so you can apply it to your own career. And as an added bonus (and spoiler alert), after listening if you want to see how all this worked out for Fabian, listen to episode 172 at optimizeyourself.me/episode172. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

As creative professionals, we constantly have to reinvent ourselves to stay relevant (and frankly just to survive the insanity of our industry). The pressure to come up with new ideas and be daring is stressful at best, and debilitating at worst. Many of us are under the illusion that this pressure we place on ourselves gives us our edge - that it helps us continue to perform our best. But instead this pressure leads to limiting beliefs, imposter syndrome, and procrastination. And if it persists over long periods of time…even total burnout. What if there was a better approach to reinventing yourself, your work, and even your health & body image so you could fully tap into your limitless creativity? How different would it feel to be able to say 'yes' to the things that scared you and 'no' to the things that were comfortable and easy, rather than feeling stuck in a job you no longer enjoy? Or sliding into bad habits that are sapping your energy (like that sleeve of oreos that tasted soooooo good) and killing your motivation (just one more episode, then I'll be productive!!!!), you could actually rise to the challenge with a 'can-do' attitude and a believe that your dreams are possible? My guest today, Scott Morgan, is a PGA Golf Professional turned Online Fitness Trainer, husband, father of 2, a plant based athlete and creator of The Sweatville Club. He also happens to be 58 years old. And only in the last few years has he made this transition to online fitness trainer, plant based athlete, and entrepreneur during the period of life when most people would have considered it “too late” to learn something new and follow a passion that seemed risky or even foolish. Scott's story will inspire you to take a risk, jump out of your comfort zone and discover what it's like to live life with a "can-do" attitude. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: The role Scott played in my Ninja training in Tony Horton's backyard. KEY TAKEAWAY: It's never too late to learn something new. Scott's story of P90X and the changes it brought to his life. The many positive side effects that come from taking control of your health and fitness. How Scott made the jump from doing P90X to training with Tony Horton in person each week. How Scott dealt with limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome. KEY TAKEAWAY: The people you look up to are humans just like you. The challenges Scott faced when starting his own business. What you should say yes to and what you should say no and how to tell the difference. How switching to a plant based diet affected Scott's fitness ability. The changes Scott noticed in his mental acuity after going plant based. Scott's advice to his younger self who quit on week one of P90X. Why you should always take the scary path. How to join the Sweatville Club and contact Scott. Useful Resources Mentioned: The Big Picture: 11 Laws That Will Change Your Life: Horton, Tony Ep122: 'Superfood Hunter' Darin Olien On How To Be Healthy, Fit, and Eternally Awesome Continue to Listen & Learn Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You're Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Guest Bio: Scott Morgan is a PGA Golf Professional turned Online Fitness Trainer, husband, father of 2, a plant based athlete and creator of The Sweatville Club. He made the transition to online fitness trainer, plant based athlete, and entrepreneur only in the last few years. He enjoys writing about his passions, what interests him, sharing videos, what interests other people, what drives their souls and connecting on a deeper level. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

From the outside it often looks as if the dominant factor that determines whether someone achieves their careers goals or not is luck (And you all know how I feel about “luck.”) From an insider's perspective, having helped hundreds of people successfully make career transitions, I believe luck is simply when their hard work intersects with the right opportunity. And this intersection is no accident when you have the right strategy. One of my favorite aspects of the Optimizer coaching & mentorship community is the relationships that are built when students support each other to pursue work they feel most passionate about. When Optimizer students Nick Towle and Fabian Corrado originally came to me, neither one of them knew each other. But they both knew they were tired of the jobs they had, they felt stuck after trying for years to make a seemingly impossible career change, and they were ready to do anything to get on the right path. Nick Towle had been an editor in reality tv and transitioned to the scripted world as an assistant editor (AE). He was finding plenty of regular work, and he even had the opportunity to cut in addition to his AE duties, but he couldn't seem to land his first full-fledged scripted editing gig. Nobody was willing to give him the experience…without already having the experience. Fabian Corrado was working successfully as an Assistant Editor in the trailer industry but felt unsatisfied and unfulfilled, and he knew he wanted to make the jump to scripted. He worked hard and spent many years climbing his way up the wrong ladder and felt stuck and trapped doing a job he no longer loved. If you too are struggling to make a career transition, you feel stuck in a dead end career path, or you cringe when you think of networking, this episode will help you get unstuck and think of networking in a whole new light as you learn the strategies that both Nick & Fabian used to land huge career-changing opportunities (and ultimately work together on the same show!). Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Fabian started his career in EPK trailer houses but after 5 years wanted to make the transition to scripted. How Fabian got connected with me and the Optimize Yourself program. Fabian describes what it was like for him to 'hit the wall' in trailer editing. Nick was an editor in reality tv and transitioned to scripted television as an assistant editor. Nick talks about what motivated him to look for the Focus Yourself program. Fabian explains the importance of uncovering your purpose and determining what career path is going to be most fulfilling. KEY TAKEAWAY: Networking strategy is all about planting the right seeds. Fabian was juggling two jobs while trying to do Focus Yourself. Nick balanced raising a 3 year old while working through the program. The story of how Fabian connected with an editor on his dream show. Nick describes how he had to make the psychological switch in his own mind to see himself as an editor. Why Fabian made the decision to walk away from a full-time job to do a 3 week freelance job. The financial component to having the freedom to turn down work that isn't the right fit. What made Fabian stand out amongst other qualified assistant editors to get his dream job. How important it is to set yourself up for success in a job even if there are knowledge gaps that need to be filled. KEY TAKEAWAY: Don't pursue perfect at the expense of good enough. Nick and Fabian's advice to their younger selves. Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep62: [CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello Ep146: [CASE STUDY] From “Out of Ideas” to Becoming an Idea Machine | with Paul Del Vecchio Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia Ep134: Leveraging Your Skills to Get Hired (When You Don't Have the Experience) | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt1) Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2) Continue to Listen & Learn Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You've Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking' & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE The Socially Awkward Introvert's Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts” Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

As 2021 winds down and we approach the New Year, it's so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and write off the end of the year as a loss, putting our goals and intentions aside and telling ourselves “We''ll start fresh again in January.” But then inevitably when the new year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way which leads to over 92% of New Year's resolutions failing. (Don't worry...I'm just as guilty as anyone else.) If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don't need resolutions → you need a plan. That's why for the last 5 weeks of this year I'm going to share with you my top 5 interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits, and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you'll stick to, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you? How much further ahead of the game would you be? I'm not saying you have to start exercising 5 days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year...but wouldn't it be awesome starting 2022 with a clear plan and the motivation to get started? If this sounds like a better alternative, then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world's foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally came together for you. So without further adieu, here is the fifth and final part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author Cal Newport to discuss his seminal book Deep Work. → Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Cal Newport → Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

As 2021 winds down and we approach the New Year, it's so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and write off the end of the year as a loss, putting our goals and intentions aside and telling ourselves “We''ll start fresh again in January.” But then inevitably when the new year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way which leads to over 92% of New Year's resolutions failing. (Don't worry...I'm just as guilty as anyone else.) If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don't need resolutions → you need a plan. That's why for the last 5 weeks of this year I'm going to share with you my top 5 interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits, and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you'll stick to, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you? How much further ahead of the game would you be? I'm not saying you have to start exercising 5 days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year...but wouldn't it be awesome starting 2022 with a clear plan and the motivation to get started? If this sounds like a better alternative, then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world's foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally came together for you. So without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author James Clear, author of Atomic Habits. → Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with James Clear → Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

As 2021 winds down and we approach the New Year, it's so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and write off the end of the year as a loss, putting our goals and intentions aside and telling ourselves “We''ll start fresh again in January.” But then inevitably when the new year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way which leads to over 92% of New Year's resolutions failing. (Don't worry...I'm just as guilty as anyone else.) If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don't need resolutions → you need a plan. That's why for the last 5 weeks of this year I'm going to share with you my top 5 interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits, and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you'll stick to, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you? How much further ahead of the game would you be? I'm not saying you have to start exercising 5 days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year...but wouldn't it be awesome starting 2022 with a clear plan and the motivation to get started? If this sounds like a better alternative, then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world's foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally came together for you. So without further adieu, here is the third part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Gretchen Rubin. → Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Gretchen Rubin → Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

As 2021 winds down and we approach the New Year, it's so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and write off the end of the year as a loss, putting our goals and intentions aside and telling ourselves “We''ll start fresh again in January.” But then inevitably when the new year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way which leads to over 92% of New Year's resolutions failing. (Don't worry...I'm just as guilty as anyone else.) If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don't need resolutions → you need a plan.  That's why for the last 5 weeks of this year I'm going to share with you my top 5 interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits, and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you'll stick to, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you? How much further ahead of the game would you be? I'm not saying you have to start exercising 5 days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year...but wouldn't it be awesome starting 2022 with a clear plan and the motivation to get started? If this sounds like a better alternative, then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world's foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally came together for you. So without further adieu, here is the second part of this five interview series with New York Times bestselling author and podcaster Greg McKeown. → Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Greg McKeown → Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

As 2021 winds down and we approach the new year it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos of the holiday season and right off the end of the year is a loss, putting our goals and our intentions aside and telling ourselves, "We're going to start fresh again in January." But then inevitably, when the New Year hits and we create resolutions, life still gets in the way, which leads to over 92% of New Year's resolutions failing. Don't worry, I'm just as guilty as anybody else. If you intend to make things happen in 2022, you don't need resolutions. You need a plan. That's why for the next five weeks, I'm going to share with you my top five interviews on designing a more fulfilling life, setting goals, building habits and taking actions that get you long term results. Imagine if instead of crawling to the finish line for the next five weeks in a haze of holiday indulgence, you instead took the time to identify your true values, prioritize your life down to only the essential, learn to set habits that you'll stick with, and ultimately focus on doing important work that matters to you. How much further ahead of the game would you be? Now I'm not saying you have to start exercising five days a week, stop eating sugar and carbs, wake up and meditate at 5am every morning, or add 20 new activities to your daily routine during the most stressful month of the year. But wouldn't it be awesome to start 2022 with at least clear plan and the motivation to get started? Well, if this sounds like a better alternative then stick with me for the next five weeks as I and five of the world's foremost experts on setting goals and getting things done help you design a plan so 2022 can be the year that everything finally comes together for you. → Click here to go to the original episode show notes of the interview with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar → Click here to get my free 5-part email course that will help you get started on your hero's journey

One of the most challenging things we deal with as freelance creative professionals is the constant feast & famine cycle of either always working or always looking for the next gig. I'm sure at some point you've had the experience of agonizing for hours, days, or weeks debating a job opportunity (or multiple opportunities). You may have also agonized about whether or not to take low pay (or unpaid work) that might seem like a great opportunity that could launch your career...but on the other hand could end up becoming a total nightmare. Or maybe you're just starting your career and you are eager to take anything just to get your foot in the door, but you've heard stories of others who chose the wrong path and are now trapped at the top of a ladder they no longer want to be on at all. (reality TV anyone???) These are just a few of the topics and challenges I address in the latest community Q&A call with my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program students. I and the community share our past experiences when considering job opportunities and the criteria we use to determine both the benefits but also the true costs of taking any opportunity, good or bad. Most importantly, we discuss how to ensure that a potential opportunity can meet both our creative as well as our lifestyle needs so the job doesn't become “just another paycheck” at the expense of our health, our relationships, and our sanity. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Paul Del Vecchio talks about what he's learned from saying yes to too many jobs that have not aligned with his goals. Criteria that we use to evaluate opportunities as beneficial or not. Questions to ask yourself if you don't already have criteria defined. Building your network of people is an important criteria for determining if the job is worth your time. I review the benefit/risk assessment document. What is missing from the assessment that we need to add? What makes unpaid work worthwhile? Sometimes ‘easy jobs' can be soul-sucking and energy-zapping despite being fewer hours. Limiting beliefs can be a big obstacle when decision-making about jobs. How to turn down work graciously without burning a bridge. Never say you are available for work until you have all the details and know if you are interested or not. How to determine what work you should take when you're early in your career and you're hungry to work. KEY TAKEAWAY: Be clear on what you want in your career and your lifestyle goals. Useful Resources Mentioned: 'Should I Take This Job?' Assessment Tool Continue to Listen & Learn Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking' & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE The Socially Awkward Introvert's Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts” Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Ep86: How to Become ‘Indistractable' | with Nir Eyal Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep114: Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You're Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home) Ep131: How Having a ‘Side Hustle' Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No' | with Alex Ferrari Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

"There are two kinds of people in the world - people who are burned out, and people who know they are burned out." - Greg McKeown There is an epidemic of exhaustion and burnout in not only Hollywood but globally across countless industries. The culture of overwork and exploitation specifically in the entertainment industry is beyond toxic at this point, and something needs to change. My theory is that many of the people at the top in Hollywood did not get there because they are always the best at what they do or because they are great leaders. I believe a lot of those who dictate how the industry works got where they are today because they have simply been willing to endure the most abuse, and they are the ones willing to maintain the status quo - i.e., saving money at the expense of saving lives. “The Great Resignation” is evidence that people are fed up with the status quo. The old model of “work longer and harder” is not a tenable model anymore. There are no more hours left in the day to work harder, therefore finding a way to work smarter is the only solution left. Luckily, there is a new model already out there, and my guest today, best selling author Greg McKeown, is here to tell us all about how to live not only an essential but also an effortless life. Greg is a return guest who made his first appearance on the show to talk about his book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less (which I thought so highly of I included it as core curriculum in my Focus Yourself program). His latest book, Effortless: Make it Easier to do What Matters Most, picks up where Essentialism left off. After making his own life "essential" and achieving great success from his book, Greg found that ironically he could no longer even fit just the essential things in his life anymore. He was doing all the right things, but he was doing them the wrong way. And in today's conversation Greg and I discuss how we all can apply his Effortless model to both make our lives easier while also having a positive effect on our work culture as a whole. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Recap of Essentialism for the uninitiated. How the success of Essentialism led him to a new problem and his new book. How to apply the concept of the three rocks to you life. Why the old way of thinking that working harder is what will get you success is not sustainable anymore. KEY TAKEAWAY:  Ask yourself "how am I making this harder than I need to?" Greg reveals his true feelings and best insights of the culture of Hollywood based on his experience working in a wide variety of industries. Why Greg believes competition against Hollywood is a good thing. How the pandemic has led to more burnout than ever before. Greg's mindset for adapting to the pandemic and how it led to greater success in his career. The pandemic created an experience of involuntary essentialism for many people. An illustration of how the effortless way led to greater success in a race to the South Pole. The importance of knowing your lower bounds and upper bounds of any particular task or endeavor. How I changed my ANW workout routine to make it more effortless and the results I achieved from it. Greg explains the difference between running hard and running fast. Why we should reject the motto: No pain. No gain. How gratitude helped Greg make dealing with his daughter's illness easier. One simple rule for practicing gratitude. The advice he received that inspired the idea of effortless. Useful Resources Mentioned: Greg McKeown - Essentialism Advocate | Inspirational Speaker | Bestselling Author Ep34: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | with Greg McKeown Effortless - Greg McKeown Essentialism - The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown Amundsen vs Scott: The Deadly Race to the South Pole - Life in Norway Continue to Listen & Learn Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Ep86: How to Become ‘Indistractable' | with Nir Eyal Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Greg McKeown is a speaker, a bestselling author, and the host of the popular podcast What's Essential. He has been covered by The New York Times, Fast Company, Fortune, Politico, and Inc., has been interviewed on NPR, NBC, Fox, and The Steve Harvey Show, and is among the most popular bloggers for LinkedIn. He is also a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum. McKeown's New York Times bestselling book Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less has sold more than a million copies worldwide. Originally from London, England, he now lives in California with his wife, Anna, and their four children. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Hello to all of my Optimizer readers & listeners. Today's episode is gonna be a little different in that I'm not the host, I'm the guest. This is a recent interview I did with Michael Bauman on the Success Engineering podcast. You will hear me talk very candidly about the identity crisis I suffered several years ago while seemingly at the height of my career editing Empire when I was spending months on end putting my kids to bed via Facetime and realized I didn't want to live that way anymore. You'll learn how I slowly chipped away at the incredible case of Imposter syndrome that I had around building the Optimize Yourself program as well as some deeply emotional stories about why I do what I do. I highly recommend you check out Michael's work on the Success Engineering website where you will find blog posts, book summaries from the 4 books that Michael used to help him optimize his own life, and of course his podcast episodes at successengineering.org. So now without further adieu my interview with Michael Bauman over at Success Engineering. → Click here to go to the full interview page at the Success Engineering podcast → Click here to go to Success Engineering home page

There are turning points throughout our lives where we have a choice to either accept the status quo and continue being “comfortable” or take a stand to affect real change. Whether it's change on an individual level or even on a larger scale, to take a stand requires courage and “brave honesty” (to borrow a term from today's guest), and most importantly real change requires stepping into the discomfort zone and attempting things you never previously believed you were capable of. Sounds simple enough...but how can you actually take that terrifying step? And what if you fail? My guest today is Alex Weber, an international speaker, American Ninja Warrior, award-winning entertainer, and author of the upcoming book Fail Proof: Become the Unstoppable You. Alex travels the country teaching top professionals and leaders how to bring their very best everyday to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break their success. In this conversation, Alex and I go deep into the honest history of our many collective failures, analyzing and extracting the important lessons that have come from them and highlighting how important they've been to our successes. We discuss the importance of community and how essential it is to find people who support your highest goals and most basic needs. Because when you have a strong support structure around you, your chances of success increase exponentially. I hope this conversation inspires you to step outside your own discomfort zone and pursue goals you thought previously unachievable now that you will be “Fail Proof.” Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Why we should redefine failure so it's not so binary and black and white. What the deep end effect is. The story of how Alex moved to Los Angeles and became the host of American Ninja Warrior. How Alex struggled with confidence issues during the first season of ANW. The story of the ANW towel and what it represents. Breaking down the ANW course run and what led to his failure. The motivation that ANW gives Alex to continue training despite the unknown of being on the show. My bully story and how it led me to the success I've had in life. Alex shares his bully story and what it taught him. How to effectively become your own coach to turn your negative self talk into an asset. Why Alex has a nickname for himself and his negative voice inside his head. What the ABC is and how to make it work in your favor. KEY TAKEAWAY: Enjoy the journey. Why it's essential to embrace each moment. How Alex sets goals. What it means to be bravely honest. What Alex learned from a spilled cup of coffee. What advice Alex would give his younger self who was bullied. Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Continue to Listen & Learn Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANW Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You're Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Alex Weber is an international speaker, American Ninja Warrior, award-winning entertainer and author of the upcoming book Fail Proof. He has been awarded US Lacrosse Coach of the Year honors, holds a World Record, and competed in the World Championships of lacrosse finishing as a Top Scorer in the world. Alex shows Top Professionals and Leaders how to bring their very best everyday, and to the most high-stakes situations that can make or break their success. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In an ideal world, being a creative professional means you love what you do and your passion for your work fuels a meaningful and fulfilling life that also has a positive impact on the world. Whether you write, direct, produce, edit, or work on set - that's the dream we all set out to achieve when we join the industry. In the real world, however, you quickly discover that passion can also lead to exploitation. Toxic work environments, unreasonable deadlines and schedules, and unrelenting work hours extinguish even the deepest, hottest burning passions inside of us. Respect, dignity, and a basic appreciation for the work we do are essential ingredients in keeping that passion alive and sustaining us through long careers. Unfortunately, these concepts have been pushed aside in favor of faster, cheaper, better. Today I'm excited to discuss the realities of working on the production side of the industry with Shay'La Banks and Nickolaus Brown, both of whom work in the costume department and were recently featured with me in the recent Variety article IATSE Crew Members Share First-Hand Accounts of Set Life. Shay'La is a Costume Supervisor who has worked on shows such as The Voice, Insecure, Grown-ish & The Oscars. Nickolaus has been working in costumes for almost 25 years for films such as Free Guy, The Lake House, and Dukes of Hazzard, and TV shows like How to Get Away w/ Murder, Scandal, and Glee. This honest conversation gets to the very core of the many issues that production crews face while on set. You'll hear candid stories about the horrible conditions and disrespectful behavior they both endure on a routine basis and how it affects their health and relationships. You'll also hear that despite the enthusiasm they both have for their craft they both desperately crave the change that is so necessary in our industry. The energy from this conversation is palpable, and it's one of the most unique and interesting conversations I've had on the record in a long time. If you enjoy this format please let me know by leaving a review or emailing me directly. I'm considering doing more interviews like this so I'd love to hear your thoughts. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Shay'La and Nickolaus describe their jobs and responsibilities on set. The biggest misconception of costume designer's jobs. The challenges that arise on set and how producers never understand what they are asking for. Nickolaus wants to know why is our time not respected? The unfair and unreasonable hours production crews are expected to work. Nickolaus worked 28 days straight on a pilot in Hawaii. The call sheet hours vs. the hours the costume department actually works. What is ‘Fraturday' and what is meant by ‘turnaround”? How the pandemic changed the perspective on work-life balance. The toll their jobs take on their physical bodies. The sad reality of the shows needs superseding the needs of the workers. KEY TAKEAWAY: You never stop ‘paying your dues' if you don't start to value yourself. The producers aren't trying to figure out a better way to do things because it's working for them. Why we need to get better at saying the word ‘no' to unreasonable expectations. The disconnect between how the budgets are made and how the work actually gets done. How you, as an individual, can start to affect change in the industry. Why Nickolaus believes the costume department is the lowest paid in the industry. How Shay'La talks to producers to negotiate more money or better schedules for herself and her department. KEY TAKEAWAY: We have to stand together, share information, and educate each other so we can advocate for ourselves. The demoralizing effect the new contract had on crews that thought there would be real change if a strike happened. What advice they would give to themselves just starting out in the business. Useful Resources Mentioned: IATSE Crew Members Share First-Hand Accounts of Set Life - Variety Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Continue to Listen & Learn I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here's What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You're Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Shay'La Banks   Shay'La Banks is a Costume Supervisor & Creative Director that hails from Los Angeles by way of Riverside, California. Shay'La, a Cal State San Bernardino alum, began her career in the entertainment industry right after college in the casting department. With God's favor she met the right people and found fulfillment and success in the Costume Department, quickly working her way up the ranks to Costume Supervisor. Some of Shay'La's credits include Costume Supervising on shows such as The Voice, Insecure, Grown-ish & The Oscars amongst others. She knows it took a strong village to get her where she is so she is very passionate about giving back and mentoring youth. She leads by example & believes in operating with confidence, dignity and having a strong work ethic.This is why being on the board of FABRIC is a must. It means so much to her because everything FABRIC stands for and will do for the community speaks to her Life's mission statement. She attributes ALL her success to her strong faith & living a God-led life in which she strongly believes God led her to this Organization to help shine a light and create change for the people that need it the most.   Nickolaus Brown   Nickolaus Brown has been working in costumes for almost 25 years scouring Los Angeles and beyond for character driven fashion for film and television. He has a degree in fashion from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a degree in costume design from CalArts. He lives in Los Angeles with his dogs Scotch and Ripley.   Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

How many times have you worked on a project that set an impossible schedule and you felt responsible for meeting ridiculous demands? How many times have you met those demands hoping you would be rewarded for the amazing feat you accomplished...only to be asked to do it again tomorrow except faster, better, and cheaper? These situations have unfortunately become the rule instead of the exception which is why I often say that Hollywood is where yesterday's miracle becomes today's expectation. Today's episode is a very candid community Q & A on the topic of setting boundaries and expectations. I gathered my Optimizer coaching & mentorship students to have a frank and honest discussion about the realities we're facing on the job and how we can take action to ensure that our time & expertise are not being exploited. As daunting as it may seem, change will only happen from the bottom up - we cannot rely on union contracts to set the boundaries for us from the top down (because frankly a lot of the boundaries we need are already in writing, they are just exploited, ignored, and outright abused). Change happens one person at a time, but if we're all going to collectively change the toxic work culture in the entertainment industry, we'll have to lock arms and do it together - across guilds, crafts, union and non-union alike. This conversation is all about the practical steps we can take to create a better future for ourselves and the next generation of artists, filmmakers, and storytellers who will come after us. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Jeff Castellucio shares a recent story of an unreasonable schedule for a movie he worked on. Our thoughts on why unreasonable schedules and deadlines keep happening. The inherent problem with working freelance jobs and how our anger is often misplaced. Phil Habeger shares how he struggles between wanting to set boundaries and wanting to deliver and be a team player. Understanding the psychology behind our guilt despite knowing that it's not our fault. How the content machine is killing us all. Anything less than 'eager optimism' makes us the problem. The unrealistic expectations become a challenge and we get stuck in a cycle of trying to be the hero. How do we balance the idea that when we start our careers we have to do extra work to prove ourselves but once we "make it" we are expected to know how to set boundaries? KEY TAKEAWAY: Remember the triangle of good, fast, cheap: pick 2. Red flags to look for before taking a job. Questions to ask in the interview for a job to help determine what the environment will be like. The difference between being taken advantage of and “paying your dues”. The problem of being exploited and taken advantage of in the workplace. We need to set up systems for ourselves so that we have the stability and security to say no to the people who take advantage of us. Paul Del Vecchio tells a story of how he set a boundary and it worked out in his favor. How I handle unrealistic schedules and talk to producers about making a workable solution. The three takeaways and solutions discussed to setting boundaries and making real change. Matt Nix chimes in with a show runner's perspective to underscore how important it is to work with the right people. Useful Resources Mentioned: IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos (7) IATSE Contract Forum | Repeat after me: “Your inability to properly budget and schedule this project is not my problem.” | Facebook Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Continue to Listen & Learn I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here's What I Did About It. Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“Your obstacles don't care about what you've been through.” - Chinna Balachandran Fail is a four letter word that most of us avoid like the plague. We live in a society that is obsessed with achievement, yet has no tolerance for failure. But any successful person will tell you that regular and consistent failure is not only part of the path to success...failure IS the path. Without embracing failure, you'll never learn how to overcome obstacles or become resilient in the face of adversity thus never achieving your goals. You don't get to choose your obstacles, so when obstacles choose you, you have to be ready. That was certainly the case with today's guest, Chinna Balachandran. In 2019 Chinna was suddenly and unexpectedly afflicted with an acute subdural hematoma, or in layman's terms, a slow brain bleed with a mortality rate of 50%-90%. The brain bleed was so severe that his brainstem compressed into his spinal cord. When he awoke from emergency brain surgery, he found himself paralyzed on the left side of his body, unsure of his cognitive abilities, and incapable of taking care of himself. Now just two years later Chinna is back to work as a school psychologist, an advocate for neuro-trauma survivors, newly married, and has competed on American Ninja Warrior two times. His recovery, on paper, is nothing short of miraculous. But when you hear him talk, he tells it as a simple practice of accepting where he was day after day, taking tiny steps forward, and celebrating the small wins. Failure was simply a stepping stone on the road to success. Though I sincerely hope you never have to endure a traumatic brain injury, the lessons learned from this conversation apply to any obstacles you might encounter. Prepare to be inspired and armed with practical strategies to take on your own road to success. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode   Here's What You'll Learn: Chinna's life before his traumatic brain injury. The events that led up to his brain injury. What led Chinna to become a school psychologist working with deaf and blind children. The details of his brain injury and the awful prognosis he received. The list of side effects and symptoms that he was plagued with after leaving the hospital. The thoughts that Chinna had when he was in the hospital and recovering. How he decided to train for American Ninja Warrior. KEY TAKEAWAY: The first step to any challenge is accepting where you are now. Gratitude and celebrating small wins was essential in his recovery. The secret formula for success in three steps. Chinna's strategy for being prepared for setbacks. The shift in mindset he made between year one and two of ANW to improve his performance. KEY TAKEAWAY: Do not ignore the psychological aspect of any performance or skill you are trying to perform or learn. How the lessons learned in ANW can be applied to your own life. Chinna's advice to his younger self. (I'm stealing this and putting it on a t-shirt!) Useful Resources Mentioned: Dr. David Fajgenbaum: What 5 Near-Death Experiences Can Teach Us About Living Continue to Listen & Learn Ep165: How to Overcome Doubting Yourself When You Know You're Meant For More | with Sandy Zimmerman, ANW Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Ep86: How to Become ‘Indistractable' | with Nir Eyal Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANW Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Chinna Balachandran works to support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach as a school psychologist in Southern California. He currently works in a Level 14 locked psychiatric residential treatment facility for adolescents. He has worked in residential settings that specialize in low-incidence disabilities and typical public schools throughout the last decade. In addition to practicing school psychology, Chinna was also once a hobby boxer. After driving home from a spar in early 2019, he began noticing signs of neurological dysfunction. He had unknowingly sustained an acute subdural hematoma, a slow brain bleed. He was incredibly fortunate to awake from surgery at all, but he suddenly found himself paralyzed on the left side of his body, unsure of his cognitive abilities, and entirely incapable of taking care of himself. He has since recovered and resumed his school psychologist responsibilities in full while also learning a new sport to compete on NBC's American Ninja Warrior, in the hopes that his journey can help others suffering like he was. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

 "I've literally failed in front of a million people, and something magical happens when you're willing to do that." - Sandy Zimmerman Have you ever had a nagging feeling that you were meant to be doing something different with your life? Maybe you feel as though you're capable of doing more and you're not living up to your full potential, or maybe even if you're successful, the thought of being “comfortable“ is beginning to feel like you're locked in a prison of your own creation? But as much as you want to break out, do you find yourself trapped by the limiting beliefs and voices in your head telling you that you're just not good enough, you don't deserve it, or simply that you just can't? In today's conversation I have the pleasure and privilege of introducing you to an amazing and unique individual - Sandy Zimmerman - who is a Physical Education teacher, speaker, mother of three, a five-time American Ninja Warrior competitor, and the 1st mom in 11 seasons to hit an ANW buzzer. Given her chaotic upbringing going from one foster home to the next (often on welfare), on paper Sandy is one of the least likely to succeed at the level she has, but when you hear about the struggles she's endured and the limiting beliefs she's overcome, you'll realize every challenge she's faced has perfectly led her to where she is today. As Ryan Holiday would say...the obstacles for Sandy are the way. Sandy is no stranger to trauma, adversity, and loss, and in our very deep and honest conversation you will hear that even today Sandy still battles the voices (which she gave a name, btw), and I even put her on the ‘Hot Seat' to help her not only identify what's holding her back right now but also what comes next for her (and potentially even how to accomplish it). Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: The trauma and difficulties Sandy endured in her childhood was immense. The saving grace that benefited Sandy throughout her life. American Ninja Warrior became therapy for Sandy to work through her traumatic past. Why she continued to do something that she kept failing at and getting hurt doing. KEY TAKEAWAY: There is always a purpose to the voices in our head...even the negative ones. How she came to have the courage to share her story and listen to her inner voice. How gratitude has helped her stay positive through incredible adversity. KEY TAKEAWAY:  Failing is a necessary step in any story of success and growth. Why so many athletes cry when they finally hit the buzzer in American Ninja Warrior. What Sandy did after her first failure on the ANW course to get herself back on track. Why Sandy doesn't set timelines for accomplishing her goals. The story of my friend who became the first quadriplegic scuba diver. What motivated Sandy to keep trying when life seemed to be against her. What Sandy was like as a child and how she struggled in school. The impact of the teacher Sandy had who didn't feel sorry for her. Why Sandy believes the bar should be kept high regardless of how hard you have it in life. How Sandy knows that she is being called to leave the comfort of the teaching job she loves and share her story. What Sandy does to calm her nerves before speeches. Sandy gains clarity about what she is meant to do beyond teaching. Sandy's advice to her younger self and where she sees herself 10 years from now. Useful Resources Mentioned: American Ninja Warrior Obstacles | Sandy Zimmerman | United States Film - The Happy Movie | The Happy Movie Continue to Listen & Learn Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep114: Breaking Into (and Making It) In the Industry as People of Color | with Mirra Watkins, Ariel Brown, and Isaiah Cary Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANW Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Sandy Zimmerman is a Physical Education teacher, speaker, mother of 3, five-time American Ninja Warrior competitor and 1st mom in 11 seasons to complete the ANW course. She is a former national judo champion and played basketball at Gonzaga University. When she's not teaching, she runs ninja classes in her own backyard where they have over 40 obstacles. She was also involved in several different speaking events, local fundraisers, charities and events offering private ninja lessons. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

"Do your work every day, and stay focused on what you care about. Work-life balance doesn't just happen, you have to schedule it." - Matt Nix There's no question that the start of any successful career requires a certain amount of hard work, grit, and even a bit of hustle. If you want to excel further than those around you, there will be times when you have to make sacrifices or trade-offs to reach your goals. But your career shouldn't come at the expense of your relationships, your health, or your sanity. That's why it is so important to be clear on what you want and what your values are so you can build relationships with the right people who will respect you. My guest today is writer/director/executive producer Matt Nix who has created and/or run shows like Burn Notice, The Gifted, The Good Guys (an underrated favorite of mine!), and Turner & Hooch. Matt is not only an expert in networking and negotiating, but he has also learned to manage his time effectively so that he and his crews can work reasonable hours while also having a life outside of work. In short, he never asks anything of his crew he wouldn't be willing to do himself. Regardless of what your career goals are or what industry you work in, building relationships and adding value to the lives of others is an ongoing skill that you must develop and hone if you want to climb to the top. Matt gives us a rare perspective on how to both network and succeed while also setting healthy(ish) boundaries around his time and his creativity. He also shares the secret to “getting in the room” with people at his level. And equally as illuminating is his perspective on how he creates a fair and balanced work environment where people are respected and allowed to have lives outside of the work. See...it can be done!!!!! Trust me, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Matt's side of my “Burn Notice origin story.” KEY TAKEAWAY: Be relentless and an opportunity will surface. Matt coaches young writers about their outreach emails to him. KEY TAKEAWAY: Being familiar with the work of a potential mentor or job interviewer is essential to making a good impression. The advice Matt gives to film students and the $20 challenge he gives them. The best and worst times to reach out to a show runner to make a connection. KEY MINDSET: Play chess not checkers. What not to say when a producer gives you notes and what is the better attitude to take. KEY TAKEAWAY: Be the person the show runner can count on. Matt's philosophy on work and being a boss. KEY TAKEAWAY: A good boss will never ask you to something they aren't willing to do themselves. The difference between a patriot and a mercenary and which Matt prefers to work with. Lessons he's learned from his early days of show running and how his process has evolved. How to get through the pressures of Hollywood. Matt recommends reading the War of Art to all aspiring creators. The origin story of Matt's career. How five ‘sure things' turn out to be only one actual job. Matt's first pitch on Burn Notice got passed up. The art of negotiation. Why you should only have 2 rates: Full rate and free. KEY TAKEAWAY: Don't allow anyone else to set your value. The story of Matt's failed script. His advice to his younger self and the story behind it. Useful Resources Mentioned: IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos The War of Art | Steven Pressfield William Faulkner Quote Craig Siebels - Contact Info, Agent, Manager | IMDbPro Watch Burn Notice Season 5 | Prime Video Continue to Listen & Learn Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking' & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE The Socially Awkward Introvert's Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts” Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here's What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Matt Nix graduated from UCLA with a degree in Political Science. He started off writing and directing several award-winning short films, which led to a career writing feature film scripts. As a screenwriter, he worked at most of the major studios writing movies before turning his attention to television. He is best known as the creator, writer, and executive producer of the USA Network hit series Burn Notice which ran from 2007 to 2014, spending several of those years as the highest rated show on basic cable. He created and ran The Good Guys for Fox and Complications for USA, co-created and co-ran The Comedians for FX, and developed and co-ran APB for Fox. Most recently he completed two seasons of the Marvel/X-men show The Gifted which he created and ran for Fox, and is currently creating and running the Turner & Hooch series for Disney+ and is about to produce the pilot for TRUE LIES. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Hello to all of my Optimizer readers & listeners. Today's episode is gonna be a little different in that I'm not the host, I'm the guest. This is a special interview I did on super short notice with Erica Wernick over at the Hollywood Success Podcast where we discuss what's at stake with the pending IATSE strike authorization vote. Like me, Erica is also both an entrepreneur and creative professional in Hollywood working as both a coach and a graphic designer as part of the Art Director's Guild. And in this discussion we dive deep into the many stories being shared at the IA_Stories Instagram account as well as our own personal anecdotes about our careers in Hollywood. And most importantly we also break down the strike vote, why it's important to all creative professionals (whether you are a union member or not), and what's at stake if we lose. After listening I highly encourage you to check out the amazing work Erica is doing over at hollywoodsuccesscoach.com. And now without further adieu, my interview on the Hollywood Success Podcast with Erica Wernick. → Click here to go to the full interview page at The Hollywood Success podcast → Click here to go to The Hollywood Success home page

I created Optimize Yourself so that I could provide the resources to help creative professionals find fulfillment in their work and love what they do...but not at the expense of their health, their relationships, or their sanity. A natural extension of this is that we must be valued & respected for the work that we do. Without respect, no matter how much we love our jobs, our careers won't be sustainable and our passion will eventually become indifference (and sometimes even hatred). We become overworked, disrespected, and burned out. This is unfortunately what's happening right now to tens-of-thousands of below the line workers in the entertainment industry as clearly portrayed by the meteoric rise of the @IA_Stories Instagram account. In part because of the horror stories this account has amplified, The IATSE union and the AMPTP have come to a standstill in contract negotiations and the union is asking its members to vote and authorize a strike. This is a historic moment in the union's history, and it's important that all of us understand what is truly at stake beyond the deal points and the percentages. That's why I decided to have an “All-hands-on-deck” call with my Optimizer coaching & mentorship community to provide an open forum where union and non-union members alike could ask their questions, voice their opinions, and gain a better understanding of the true impact this pending vote (and strike) can have on our industry for decades to come. Whether you are in the union or you work freelance outside the union, this conversation will (hopefully) answer your questions and paint a clear picture of why you need to be paying attention to this issue. If you haven't yet read my latest article, Dear Hollywood: If We Don't Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It's Gut Check Time), I encourage you to check it out as it provides even more context to this timely and important conversation. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How does the current IATSE contract dispute impact non-union workers? This negotiation outcome will be a sea change in the way we advocate for ourselves. Why we need to band together and present a united front. What does is mean if we vote yes to authorize a strike? What exactly is IATSE and who are the members involved? The red ant- black ant analogy and what we should really be focused on. KEY TAKEAWAY: We need our message to reach the other IATSE locals so they understand what is at stake and can make an informed vote. When we talk about producers in this context, we are talking about the studios and the producers at AMPTP. To support our cause, union and non-union members can sign this petition on Action Network. How do we address the issue that working less hours = less pay? What ‘lifestyle creep' is and how it cripples us. One way to help alleviate fears is to create a fund to help people pay their bills. If such a fund is created, I pledge to personally put $1000 into it. Why it's important to understand the problems of the people above you and the people we are negotiating with. The only thing that will make it change is if we no longer meet those unreasonable expectations. How voting works within the guilds to vote for a strike authorization. Director Sam Lavin weighs in about the situation and gives a director's perspective. Canceling our streaming services is not the way to fight back. It comes down to how willing we are to set boundaries to protect ourselves. Ricardo is seeing younger generation of workers stepping up and setting boundaries for themselves so there is hope for the future. Please vote with your heart and do what you feel is right as long as you have all the information you need. If you can't vote, please spread the word to the right people so they understand what the conversation is about. Useful Resources Mentioned: Dear Hollywood: If We Don't Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It's Gut Check Time) Tell AMPTP to Give Film and Television Workers a Fair Deal IATSE Stories (@ia_stories) • Instagram photos and videos Continue to Listen & Learn Dear Hollywood: If We Don't Speak Up Now, The Industry As We Know It Will Never Be The Same (It's Gut Check Time) Dear Hollywood: We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer Dear Hollywood: We're Not “Lucky to Be Here,” You're Lucky to Have Us Dear Hollywood: Loving What We Do Makes Us Easy to Exploit. Here's Why. Dear Hollywood: It's Time For An Intervention About the Hours We Work I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here's What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep01: Understanding the Link Between Creativity and Depression with Dr. Edison de Mello Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

» Read & Share the full article HERE One of the best pieces of advice I've ever received from a friend & mentor is the following: “Don't let others determine your value. Only you can determine your value.” Unfortunately the idea that we as creative professionals are undervalued for the unique contributions we bring to the entertainment industry is not a new one. For decades we have been considered replaceable widgets that are expendable. As legendary editor Walter Murch explained in our podcast together, several decades ago when approaching a studio executive to address the extreme working conditions, relentless stress, and impossible deadlines on a big budget tentpole film he was editing, he described the situation as: “People are dropping like flies.” The studio executive simply replied with: “Then get more flies.” We've now reached an impasse where decades worth of delivering miracles has become today's expectation, and how we function as a collective industry is no longer sustainable. Finally….FINALLY we have the opportunity to change how we live and work in the entertainment industry. But the only way things will change is if there are simply “no more flies” because we've all collectively decided to advocate for our needs and say ‘NO' to the impossible expectations asked of us every single day. Unfortunately as much as I want to believe we finally have the power to affect positive change, my greatest fear is those of us who value our work-life balance and our lives beyond our paychecks are still the vocal minority fighting against a much larger majority clutching their “golden time” in their cold, (nearly) dead hands. The only way for us to become the majority is to share with everyone who will listen – union, non-union, above the line, below the line, or otherwise – why we are fighting, how we ended up here, and why we deserve respect. But first… It's Gut Check Time I don't care what anyone has told you in the past about the brutal realities of what it really takes to “make it” in Hollywood or the necessity to “pay your dues” at the expense of your own life (figuratively or literally), the truth is: We deserve to love what we do for a living…but not at the expense of our health, our relationships, or our sanity. It doesn't matter if you're a PA getting coffee or if you're a department head with decades of experience, you as a human being deserve to be respected for your contribution to a project and valued accordingly. You are not obligated to show gratitude for the meal penalties and the endless 6th & 7th days in your paycheck earned at the expense of skipping lunches, sleeping on a couch or on apple boxes at hour 18 of the day/night, having to pee in bottles because you can't leave your post, or the countless missed medical appointments because there simply “isn't time in the schedule.” You don't have to consider yourself “lucky” for the opportunity to work in Tinsel Town at the expense of not being able to start a family or missing countless once-in-a-lifetime memories like weddings, funerals, birthday parties, and kids' recitals simply because whoever manages the budgets is completely incapable of building a schedule designed to set everyone up for success instead of failure. You don't need to sacrifice sleep, recovery time, and throw away entire relationships just so you can “suck it up” and wear your burnout badge of honor proudly alongside your colleagues who are literally shaving years off their lives simply to maintain a lifestyle they couldn't afford if they worked more humane hours. I've been saying for years that I don't believe work-life balance is a union issue, it's a human issue. But guess what – right now it's a union issue. And for those of you in the union like me, here comes the gut check: Are you willing to speak up for the respect you deserve? Because if you're not willing to speak up right now and advocate for more reasonable working conditions and compensation commensurate with your contributions, the way things are at this moment is the best it's ever going to be again. The current version of Hollywood and the entertainment industry as we know it will be dead. Here's Why We Are Fighting » Continue Reading & Share the full article HERE

 “I want to make sh*t happen, but it can't happen at the cost of the people around me.” - Mark Gantt Working in Hollywood as a creative professional can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand the freedom to express yourself and tell stories that motivate, inspire, and entertain others can be a dream come true. But on the other hand the pressure of having to create on a grueling daily schedule can lead to doubts, insecurities, imposter syndrome and perfectionism (especially the days when you're just not feeling it), all of which lead to feeling out of balance and out of control. (Been there. Done that. Still living it.) There is no one who knows this dichotomy better than my guest today, Mark Gantt. Mark is a multi-medium visual and performance artist who has worked in the industry as a graphic artist, a painter, a prop master, a photographer, an actor, a producer, and a director. He is best known for co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in Crackle's groundbreaking, Streamy award-winning series The Bannen Way. (And if you are a long time listener, you may recognize that title because it is where I got my start in editing scripted television.) But it wasn't an easy ride to success by any means (and if you ask Mark, he still struggles to call himself “successful”). There were many moments he wanted to give up on his passions and quit. And there were more moments when he wasn't even sure what his passion was after veering so far off the path (a path which includes countless drinking benders and cocaine). This episode is a conversation about persevering in times of doubt and failure. We candidly discuss how it really feels to fail and what it takes to dig deep, forge ahead, and make sh#t happen in your career - no matter the obstacles - and most importantly without sacrificing the most important people in your life along the way. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How Mark answers the question, "What do you do for a living?" How he came to have a multi-hyphenate career. The reason behind Mark's drive to do all the different jobs he does. Mark has been sober for 33 years. The story of how Mark and I met. What the "woo woo" factor is and the significance of The Secret. How Mark wrestled with limiting beliefs in his acting career. What fears come from imposter syndrome and how to confront them. My story of why I failed in my first season of American Ninja Warrior. KEY TAKEAWAY: Failure is just a bump on the road to success. How saying yes to an uncomfortable opportunity saved Mark's career and led to new doors opening. Mark's battle of negative thinking goes back to his childhood. KEY TAKEAWAY: Letting go of fear allows space for better decision making to happen. The dark story behind Mark's drinking and deceptions. Mark learned that drinking was only a symptom of his real problems. KEY TAKEAWAY: Sometimes getting out of balance is necessary to appreciate being in balance. The phone call that changed my life and how I'm still trying to make it happen again. Mark's pivotal moment when he knew he had what it took to be successful in Hollywood. Why perfectionism leads to unhappiness and burnout. The importance of learning to enjoy the process so you can bring your full talents to the project you're working on. Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep161: Managing Limiting Beliefs, Imposter Syndrome, and all the “Chatter” In Our Heads | with Ethan Kross Mark Gantt - Writer | Director | Producer The Bannen Way (2010) - IMDb Continue to Listen & Learn Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Whether he's working on commercial or feature films, award-winning director Mark Gantt is in the business of authentic, creative visual experiences. With a diverse, 25-year career in the industry, he has learned the business from the ground up and had the good fortune of collaborating with top directors, including Steven Soderbergh, David O. Russell, Sam Raimi, and Robert Rodriguez. A multi-medium visual and performance artist, Mark integrates his talents as a painter, photographer, actor, and graphic artist into each production's look and style. He utilizes technical expertise, a keen eye for detail, and a genuine love of storytelling to transform words from concepts into visual realities. As one of the early pioneers of the digital era, Mark is best known for co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in Crackle's groundbreaking, Streamy award-winning series, The Bannen Way. Mark's feature directorial debut, Murder In Mexico, was based on the actual events of Bruce Beresford-Redman, premiered on Lifetime. Last year, he directed Model Citizen and The Surrogate, both premiered on Lifetime in 2020. For two years running, Mark has created successful spots for ESPN and Nissan's Heisman House campaign and popular and effective branded campaigns for GMC, AOL, Capital One, Kohl's, Fox and Lifetime. As a writer, Mark's upcoming Audible Original True Crime books, Injustice Collector and A Devil in the Valley, will be released in the fall of 2021. He is currently pitching two tv-series with his wife, actress, writer, and director, Brianne Davis. The two produce the popular personal journals podcast, Secret Life. They live in Los Angeles with their son Davis. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

“People are embarrassed to even articulate out loud what they say to themselves silently.” - Ethan Kross Do you ever wonder why some people excel under intense pressure while other people fold? How is that an Olympic athlete can train for four years honing their skills with exact precision and in the final moment make a crucial mistake to blow their shot at gold? Maybe you've had the experience of preparing for hours for your dream job interview and when you finally sat down to talk, you froze up and forgot everything you prepared. Or maybe you had an argument with a friend, co-worker, or partner and said something you instantly regretted, then spending the rest of the night ruminating over what you did wrong and wondering why no one likes you? Or how about that noise you hear late at night as you lie in bed, convincing yourself that it's a serial killer coming to murder you? If you've experienced any of these situations or anything similar, then you've experienced “chatter.” Chatter is the dark side of our inner voice (and trust me, we all have it). My guest today is bestselling author Ethan Kross, a Professor of Psychology and Management, father of 2, and the bestselling author of Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It. He defines chatter as "getting stuck in a negative thought loop" and it is often the reason behind our successes or failures in high pressure situations. Chatter is what feeds into imposter syndrome, limiting beliefs, and the worries that we consciously and unconsciously obsess over. The good news is there are tools for harnessing your chatter (and even making it your ally). In this conversation, Ethan will share the research he's uncovered and the numerous strategies he's discovered to befriend your chatter in any situation you encounter. I only wish I had discovered his book 3 weeks before I ran the American Ninja Warrior course instead of the month after. If you want to hear how my own chatter disrupted my performance on the course and how you can apply my failures to your future successes, you won't want to skip today's conversation. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How Ethan began his journey to investigating the chatter in our minds. What exactly is chatter and what does it mean? Not all forms of the voice in your head are chatter. Some forms of our inner voice are helpful and beneficial. The dark side of the inner voice is chatter. How much time we spend each day using our inner voice. How the message of mindfulness has been distorted and how it should be revised. Why awareness of our thoughts is so key to making change in our lives The origins of our self talk. The physical effects chatter has on our bodies and overall health. Using a piano metaphor to understand how our genes are expressed and how chatter influences gene expression. How chatter effects our telomeres and the way we age. The two pieces of self control and how you need both of them to achieve your goals. How to target imposter syndrome so it doesn't hold you back. The story of the limiting belief script that defeated me on the Ninja Warrior course. The mechanism behind chatter breaking down performance and how it affects executive function. Why athletes engage in rituals before games and performances. The physical symptoms of a threat response vs. the symptoms of a challenge response and how they help or hurt our response to experiences. Tools for how to illicit the challenge response rather than the threat response. What distanced self talk is and how to use to coach yourself through stressful situations. Useful Resources Mentioned: Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It Ethan Kross - Author of Chatter and Acclaimed Psychologist Continue to Listen & Learn Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANW Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You're Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Ethan Kross is one of the world's leading experts on controlling the conscious mind. An award-winning professor in the University of Michigan's top ranked Psychology Department and its Ross School of Business, he is the director of the Emotion & Self Control Laboratory. Ethan has participated in policy discussion at the White House and has been interviewed about his research on CBS Evening News, Good Morning America, Anderson Cooper Full Circle, and NPR's Morning Edition. His research has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The New England Journal of Medicine, and Science. His book, CHATTER: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It, is a National Bestseller and was chosen as one of the best new books of the year by the Washington Post, CNN and USA Today and the Winning Winter 2021 selection for Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain and Dan Pink's Next Big Idea Book Club. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

When editor and 1st AE Chris Patterson reached out to me earlier this year, he was stuck trying to figure out how to convince his colleagues he was ready to edit. He knew he had the skills, but he didn't have the experience (or the credits) such that people were willing to take the chance on him. Not even six months later after working with me in the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program he posted this in the #wins channel in our Slack community: Editor Chris Patterson has spent much of his career as the lead 1st AE working with some of the biggest names in editing & directing. A short list of the features he's worked on includes Ready Player One, The Post, Royal Tenenbaums, Zero Dark Thirty, The Town, and Analyze That. And Chris has worked with editors such as Michael Kahn, Dylan Tichenor, Billy Goldenberg, and many more. But when Chris decided it was time to make the transition into the editor's chair, he hit more than a few roadblocks: One of his biggest fears was “bothering people” in his outreach. Another fear was “selling himself” without sounding egotistical about his level of skill and experience in the industry (I mean c'mon...he's worked with Spielberg!). And ultimately he didn't know how to address the “elephant in the room” that he didn't have enough editing credits for someone to take a chance on him. When the pandemic hit and Hollywood shut down, Chris recognized that he was ready to make the transition to editor. Yet his fears of bothering people and asking for help left him feeling stuck and unsure of how to make the change. That's when he joined the Optimizer community and learned some valuable lessons and tools which led him to getting a job editing his first feature. In today's conversation, Chris talks about the challenges he faced with networking, the mindset shifts he made, and the a-ha moments he had to get him unstuck and moving to the next level of his career. And in the later half of the interview you'll hear me put Chris on the Hot Seat as we prepare him for how to confidently sell himself as a capable editor that any producer would hire for his next project. → Click here to learn more about working with me in the Optimizer program Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How Chris got his first job working with Michael Kahn Explanation of the two traps that keep you stuck in a career you have outgrown. What practical questions you need to ask yourself when making a career transition. The final straw that got Chris to say no to the assistant jobs and risk going for an editing gig. The most valuable lesson that you don't learn in film school. Chris's strategy for convincing people that he can be an editor. The lessons he learned by working with the best editors in the business. The key takeaway Chris got from my Advanced Networking class. An exercise anyone can do to sell yourself with confidence. How to structure your story so that your skills sell your ability when your experience doesn't yet. Set realistic expectations to set yourself up for success and not failure. Chris's advice to anyone trying to succeed in their career. Useful Resources Mentioned: Optimizer Coaching Program Continue to Listen & Learn Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian I need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself Insider's Guide to Writing Cold Outreach Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You've Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking' & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE Our Generous Sponsor: This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Chris Patterson began his editing career in New York City, coming up as an assistant & associate editor under Andrew Mondshein on such films as Analyze That and Casanova. After moving to Los Angeles,he worked under such luminaries as Michael Kahn and Dylan Tichenor on such movies as Ready Player One and Zero Dark Thirty. He is currently editing Sean Patrick Flanery's feature film directorial debut Frank and Penelope. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

When editor Marcella Garcia originally reached out to me in January because she was stuck in the wrong place in her career and wanted to make a seemingly impossible transition into scripted entertainment, she did not expect to be sending me this message just six months later (in the Optimizer Slack community): Like Marcella, when people come to me for help, they commonly describe themselves as feeling stuck, overwhelmed, burned out, and ready to change. They are burdened with limiting beliefs that convince them they “can't change,” and they have no idea what the path looks like to get where they want to go next. Whether that sounds like personal growth jargon to you or not is irrelevant - what really matters are the results. Marcella is a shining example of the results that are possible when you put in the work. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, Marcella didn't see a lot of other Mexican-American women becoming Hollywood film and television editors. Unconsciously this lack of representation held her back and even limited her dreams of what might be possible for her own career. She worked as a short form editor on digital lifestyle content for Fortune 500 magazine brands, but it wasn't until she mentored young women in high school that she realized she wanted more from her career. This led her to join the Optimizer coaching and mentorship program, and six months later the rest is history. In our conversation you'll hear how Marcella overcame her anxious thoughts, faced her fears, and discovered how much more she's capable of achieving. You'll also learn how she created a very clear (and very doable) path that has not only led Marcella to her first job as an assistant editor in scripted television, she's now mentoring other young women to pursue their passions in film and television becoming the representation she never had. → Click here to learn more about working with me in the Optimizer program Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Marcella's history in editing and what brought her to the Optimizer community in January. The fears that held her back and made her doubt what she was capable of becoming. The challenges of being a Mexican American woman in editing. What led to Marcella ‘finding her why' that has kept her motivated to keep pursuing her dreams. The story behind Marcella's limiting beliefs and how she discovered her true passion in scripted film and television. How she dealt with the obstacle and fear of saying no to opportunities that weren't right. The importance of always providing value to others even when it means not getting what you think you want right away. KEY TAKEAWAY:  We're playing a game of chess not checkers. The factors that changed for Marcella to get her unlocked from her limiting beliefs. Marcella's ‘Tendency' and how she learned to deal with analysis paralysis. Learning your secondary tendency and how to manage it. Discovering how to pay attention to what you want and building awareness to patterns and habits that have been programmed since childhood. How being vulnerable in the Optimizer Community helped her get a job as a scripted AE. The incredible story of how Marcella nailed her interview to get the job she wanted. Marcella's advice for anyone wanting to start out on this journey who feels stuck and unsure of where to start. Useful Resources Mentioned: Optimizer Coaching Program Continue to Listen & Learn How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking' & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE The Socially Awkward Introvert's Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts” Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka ‘The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE [CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level (optimizeyourself.me) Ep119: [Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Marcella is currently an assistant editor within the world of scripted television. Her desire to create, connect and collaborate with others to tell unique, impactful stories is what drives her to continuously grow within the film and television industry. Prior to becoming a scripted television assistant editor Marcella has worked as an editor for digital lifestyle content for Fortune 500 magazine brands and assisted on United Skates, an Emmy nominated documentary film. If you ask her what her greatest achievements have been over the past few years, she will say overcoming her own fears and limiting beliefs. This has allowed her to continuously reach her goals which has only fueled her to begin mentoring young, creative Mexican-American women from her hometown of San Antonio, Texas. By sharing her experience she hopes to inspire others. When she's not doing what she loves, she is drinking far too many Matcha lattes and biking around town. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. Sorry if this is coming a little late for you last-minute if you're attending EditFest Global this weekend, but this Hot Seat happened just a few days ago. In the following hot seat session, community member and scripted Assistant Editor, Denise Chan asks me about my best tips for networking at EditFest. You'll hear me give her a not so helpful response to her vague question and then you'll hear me help her ask a better question as we dive into the weeds about how to make genuine connections with people and start meaningful relationships that expand your network. This short session can help you transform your next networking event into a valuable, successful, and even enjoyable experience. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn't mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We'll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime… ...this week I'd like to share a fairly recent interview I did with Steve Hulfish on his Art of the Cut podcast which is now a part of the Frame.io world. In this interview Steve and I do a deep dive into my work as an editor on Cobra Kai, both creatively and how I strategically landed my dream job, we talk about my larger career, what really drives me, and of course we talk at least a little bit about staying active at the office with a bit of bonus talk about my training for American Ninja Warrior. I can't recommend Art of the Cut highly enough if you want to listen to the top editors in the world talk about their craft. You can find it via your podcast app of choice or by visiting Frame.io Insider at blog.frame.io. And now without further adieu my interview with Art of the Cut and Steve Hullfish. → Click here to go to the full interview page at Art of the Cut podcast → Click here to go to Frame.io Insider home page

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn't mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We'll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime… ...this week I'd like to share an interview I did with Javier Mercedes for his show Passion In Progress where Javier inspires his listeners to get out and pursue their passions by interviewing creators about their successes, failures, and wisdom gained from putting in the work, as he puts it. I'm really excited about sharing this conversation specifically because Javier and I go deep specifically about the concept of finding and defining your deeper why so that you can really have a sense of purpose and direction with your work and your life. If you want to follow Javier and all the work he's doing in addition to this podcast interview just go to javiermercedes.com….And now without further adieu my Passion In Progress interview with Javier Mercedes. → Click here to go to the full interview page at Passion In Progress podcast → Click here to go to Passion In Progress home page

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn't mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We'll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime… ...this week I'd like to share with you another interview I did last summer with Tanya Musgrave of The Practical Filmmaker, where we also discussed my viral article: Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to Go Back to Normal. Normal Wasn't Working. In this interview we specifically talk about how to set boundaries for yourself and how reducing set hours can not only save our health and our sanity but even save productions money. I highly recommend Tanya's Practical Filmmaker podcast which can be found at thepracticalfilmmaker.com. And now without further adieu my The Practical Filmmaker interview with Tanya Musgrave. → Click here to go to the full interview page at The Practical Filmmaker podcast → Click here to go to The Practical Filmmaker home page

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn't mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We'll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime… ...this week I'd like to share with you an interview I did last year with Erica Wernick, the host of Hollywood Success Coach, who reached out to me to discuss my article that went viral: Dear Hollywood - We Don't Want to Go Back to Normal. Normal Wasn't Working. We talk about what isn't working about how Hollywood does business and treats its creative professionals and below-the-line workers. I have no doubt this will be a very interesting listen one year out with a lot more perspective about how things have changed (or haven't) since the pandemic began. I highly recommend Erica's show and her work as a coach. She and her podcast can be found at hollywoodsuccesscoach.com. And now without further adieu my Hollywood Success Podcast interview with Erica Wernick. → Click here to go to the full interview page at The Hollywood Success podcast → Click here to go to The Hollywood Success home page

In case you missed the announcement, the Optimize Yourself podcast is currently on summer hiatus, but that doesn't mean we plan to leave you high and dry without engaging conversations that educate, motivate, and inspire you. We'll be back this fall with some significant changes and improvements to the show, but in the meantime… ...this week I'd like to share with you a recent interview I did with Alex Ferrari for his Indie Film Hustle podcast. We talk about a variety of topics including my work on Cobra Kai, how to maintain optimal health despite the challenges that come with being a very sedentary creative professional, and how I balance being a semi-retired editor with being an online entrepreneur, podcaster, and online coach. I highly recommend Alex's podcast Indie Film Hustle as well as his other shows Bulletproof Screenwriting, and Filmtrepreneur, all of which can be found at indiefilmhustle.com. And now without further adieu my Indie Film Hustle interview with Alex Ferrari. → Click here to go to the full interview page at Indie Film Hustle → Click here to go to Indie Film Hustle home page

Hello out there to all of my Optimize listeners & readers, I hope you're doing well and enjoying your summer so far. This brief announcement letting you know that I and my team will be going on a summer hiatus for the next several weeks. Since the pandemic began in early March of 2020 we've all been going non-stop without a break doing our best to provide you with the best education, motivation, and inspiration we can to both help you weather the dumpster fire that has been the last year and a half but also continue to pursue the most fulfilling, the most enjoyable, and the most balanced lives you can. And to be honest, after releasing over 70 new episodes, writing many new articles, enrolling over 100 new students into the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program, training for my rookie season of American Ninja Warrior, editing 4 new episodes of Cobra Kai season 4, and being a parent during a pandemic...it's time for a break. If I'm going to continue teaching you how to stay energized and avoid creative burnout, it's time for me to practice what I preach and step away for a bit to recharge. Don't worry, there will still be open enrollment for the coaching program in early September, and we'll be coming back stronger than ever with new changes and upgrades to our weekly content. But in the meantime I thought I'd share with you over the course of the summer several of the interviews I've done with other podcasts about topics that vary from what we usually talk about on this show, such as my editorial workflow on Cobra Kai, my creative process when cutting, the behind-the-scenes of becoming an online entrepreneur, and so much more. I highly encourage you to subscribe to these other podcasts as they do a wonderful job of sharing valuable education with our global community and with the world. So keep an eye out each week for a new interview from a different show to keep you educated, motivated, and inspired during our summer hiatus. I look forward to reconnecting with you in the fall. Take care and be well.

"One video made by anyone can change the world." - Misha Tenenbaum Whether you are a seasoned editor, an aspiring editor, or if you're simply a creative professional who tells stories, you can always benefit from improving your visual storytelling skills. The craft of storytelling gives you the power of persuasion, the ability to affect change, and the opportunity to express yourself in a unique way. By far the most persuasive and engaging way to tell your story online (and sell a product - or yourself) is with video. Until now, learning the language of visual storytelling has largely been limited to online tutorials that focus on the technology and how to push the right buttons. Even film school editing classes often focus more on the technical aspects of the process and less on the principles of storytelling. But the brand new browser-based NLE EditMentor revolutionizes the way we are going to learn how to edit and be better visual storytellers by not only focusing on teaching you how to edit but more importantly on why you should make the choices you do as an editor. In today's conversation, founder and CEO of both EditStock and EditMentor Misha Tenenbaum and I take a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of EditorMentor as well as the habits and practices that enable editors and content creators to create more compelling visual stories. We discuss the value of having a great teacher and the psychology behind the teaching methods he chose when making EditMentor. Beyond the tech we also discuss the deeper theory and practices of editing, how to approach dailies & script analysis, and so much more. No matter if you're brand new to the craft of editing or you have years of experience but you're looking to improve your skills even further, EditMentor is a groundbreaking new tool I highly recommend everyone try out by signing up for this free tutorial lesson. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Why Misha started Edit Stock and what he learned from starting his own business. The entrepreneur mindset and what type of personality it's best suited for. Edit Mentor is the education system for content creators. KEY TAKEAWAY: The value out of learning to visually tell a story is self expression. Editors are painters who use emotion as their paint. What Edit Mentor is and what makes it different from other editing tutorials. The difference between being an efficient editor and an effective editor. Why dailies analysis is a critical skill that is not taught in most programs. Edit Mentor will teach you the language of film. KEY TAKEAWAY: Media literacy is for everybody. The nuts and bolts of what you get from Edit Mentor. Defining what a story is. How seasoned editors can learn from Edit Mentor and what value they get from the lessons. The difference between being a sculptor and a builder in regards to editing. Habits and processes for making decisions in the editing process. The psychology behind the education method of Edit Mentor. Edit Mentor always gives reasons behind the answers in their challenges so you understand the logic behind the theory. What's coming in the future for Edit Mentor and the integration with Edit Stock. How to get started on Edit Mentor. Useful Resources Mentioned: VHS - Wikipedia Continue to Listen & Learn Ep143: Mastering the “Chess Mindset” to Achieve Any Difficult Goal (and Get Really Good at Failing Along the Way) | with Misha Tenenbaum Ep101: How to Transition From 'Technician' to 'Entrepreneur' | Community Q&A with Misha Tenenbaum Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life' Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You've Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking' & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Before founding EditStock and EditMentor, Misha Tenenbaum was a film and television editor. He edited shows for the Speed Channel, Food Network, and indie films. He joined the Editor's Guild in 2011 and worked as an Assistant Editor on shows like American Horror Story, JOBS, the biopic about Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, the Fox show Wayward Pines, and Quarry for Cinemax. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Stanley Collado has “fallen off the wagon” so to speak, with his healthy habits. He's feeling stuck in negative self criticism and is dealing with an incessant comparing mind that won't quit. We talk about several strategies for combating limiting beliefs and getting himself back on track. This is a session we can all learn from. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

In Part 1 of my conversation with college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn we discussed the many pitfalls that so many young, ambitious creatives fall into when they enter the working world hoping to “make it.” Today's conversation is part 2 of our conversation, and in today's episode we flip the script and Austin interviews me from the perspective of a college student who is interested in creating better habits for both a successful career and a healthy lifestyle at the same time (Spoiler alert: The two do not have to be mutually exclusive). We talk about habits and strategies for working better and living healthier both in college and after graduation. And we discuss the important life skills that aren't taught in film school but are necessary to survive & thrive in the entertainment industry. This conversation will not only benefit recent graduates but anyone looking to improve their decision making skills and enhance their well being and creativity through the development of proper habits and systems. One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How to manage the transition from being a student to taking your first career opportunity job. How to redefine and create balance between career, family/social life, and rest. The habits I learned in college that were no longer serving me and how I corrected them. Why you need to learn to turn the creativity switch off once in a while. Tricks I use to focus, increase creativity and reduce procrastination. How I use mindsets and environments to get the most out my productivity and creativity. What is the triangle of quality and why you can only have two of the three. The three pieces of equipment that I take with me to any office to facilitate movement throughout the day. How to manage the workaholic culture and the stigma around taking movement breaks. Finding strength in community.to create healthier work environments and cultures. Red flags to look for in job postings that indicate a poor work environment. Two core questions to ask yourself when considering a job. What positive qualities to look for in potential employers and what negative qualities to avoid. Learning the skills of what to say no to and what to say yes to. How students can start investing in their health for a long and successful future. The one skill that students can implement to set themselves up for good working habits in the future. Useful Resources Mentioned: Spark Foldable Standing Desk Topo Mat CAP Barbell 15 Pounds Kettlebell Tribe Resistance Band Set Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn Continue to Listen & Learn How to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me) Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can't Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE Ep76: Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me) Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life How to Overcome Post-Production Burnout Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Joshua Brecht is trying to improve his sleep habits & routines. He understands the importance of getting good quality sleep and how mastering this one healthy habit will improve every other aspect of his life. You'll hear us talk about practical ways he can improve his sleep and also a few tech gadgets that can help along the way. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Every year at this time there is an influx of energetic and passionate young filmmakers as they graduate from college ready to take on the world and become the next great filmmaker. Most graduates (including myself) enter their career ready to take on the world and do whatever it takes to "make it" in the industry, including: Working ridiculously long hours, Consistently staying up all night, Taking on multiple jobs... Saying ‘Yes' to everything (because you never know if another opportunity will ever come along). This was my mentality as well, until it inevitably led to my first massive bout of BURNOUT. Today's guest, college student (and now graduate) Austin Coburn, began to notice that his all nighters and fast food eating habits were not the proper fuel for long-term success. His curiosity about finding work-life balance led him to talking to other students and professionals in filmmaking about their experiences, and he was so inspired by this topic he turned it into a documentary. Because he was an avid listener of my ‘Fitness In Post' podcast at the time, he reached out to me to be an interview subject for the film, and I found his questions and his perspective so engaging I wanted to invite him to be a guest on this show to share the student's point of view, one I don't get to share too often on this show. This episode is part one of a two-part conversation. In part 1 I interview Austin about his experiences and the challenges he will face upon graduation. And in part two, we flip the script and I become the interviewee. Both parts of the conversation offer a fresh perspective on an important topic that most of us grapple with regardless of what stage we are in our career. One quick caveat: This interview was recorded a few years ago back in the Fitness in Post days. Austin has since graduated and you can find links to his most recent work on Instagram. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Why Austin decided to make a documentary on work life balance. Austin spent his high school years on the computer editing his projects and wore his all nighters as a badge of honor. He ate a lot of fast food and decided to go vegetarian to force himself to eat healthier. What he learned from students he interviewed about their view on the demands of the industry. The perception of what it takes to "make it in the industry". Why students develop bad working habits while they're in school and how they carry over into their careers. Why it's dangerous to think of the human body as a machine. The dangers of developing bad eating habits while working. How Austin learned to say no. The different ideas of work life balance between students and Hollywood veterans. Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep34: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | with Greg McKeown Ep11: Making It In Hollywood as a "Creative" (What They Don't Teach You In Film School) | with Norman Hollyn Continue to Listen & Learn How to Become a Production Assistant (and Keep Getting Hired) | with Aaron Schmidt (optimizeyourself.me) Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can't Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE Ep76: Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino (optimizeyourself.me) Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life How to Overcome Post-Production Burnout Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling' | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Austin Coburn is a filmmaker and animator who graduated from George Fox University near Portland, Oregon. His latest works can be found in his Instagram & Vimeo accounts. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, Community member Chris Salters has some questions on building his network and selling himself better on his portfolio website's “About” page. He is currently editing commercials and is looking to get into higher end commercials and film projects. He wants to understand what it takes to be the editor that director's keep calling back for more work. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

Have you been grinding it out, "paying your dues" on the job, sacrificing social and family life, hoping that one day it will pay off and you'll finally land the top level, “tentpole” gigs you've been dreaming about your whole career? Or maybe you're just starting your career and you're wondering how much you need to sacrifice in order to achieve your lifelong dream of winning major awards and if it's even worth it? Most importantly, perhaps you're constantly asking yourself: “Is it even possible to work as a successful creative professional and still enjoy spending time with family and friends, taking time off to enjoy vacations, and having time to pursue other interests and goals in life?” I can't think of anyone more qualified to answer these questions than my good friend, mentor, and Hollywood tentpole editor Alan Bell, ACE who has edited such films as The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Mockingjay (parts 1 &2), The Amazing Spider-Man, and 500 Days of Summer, to name a very select few. In this conversation Alan freely shares his habits and routines and the changes he's made to keep himself healthy and sane during his insanely demanding work schedules. He reveals his honest thoughts on how many hours need to be worked and whether anything can be done to change the demands placed upon editors & creative professionals in the entertainment industry. He also shares some of the perks that come with being at the top and working on big budget films while offering tips that anyone can implement for healthier snacking and higher energy levels throughout your workday. One quick caveat: This interview was originally recorded several years ago back in the “Fitness In Post” days, so you'll hear some references to that program along with some talk about working in offices, (remember that??) clearly pre-pandemic. But the topics of discussion are still relevant issues that we're all confronting today, so for those that missed this interview the first time, I hope it provides as much value now as it did when it was first released. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How post production affected his competitive rock climbing career. The routine Alan developed to help himself lose 23 pounds in 4 and a half months. Why counting calories is not an effective long-term weight loss strategy. How counting calories can be useful as an initial barometer for what you're eating and building awareness around that. The mindset shift that Alan used to create healthier eating habits. KEY TAKEAWAY: Food is nourishment for the mind and body. How Alan recalibrated his fullness level and began to understand how the types of calories he eats affects his hunger levels and how he feels. The difference between emotional eating and eating to fuel your body. A day in the life of Alan Bell on a tent pole film. Alan's honest assessment of the hours he works and what it takes to work at the level he works at on a consistent basis. How Alan has improved his memory over the last 4 months. The role that finances play in your ability to choose the right projects and take the downtime you need. Healthy replacements for snacking habits. Useful Resources Mentioned: MyFitnessPal How ‘Midnight Rider' Victim Sarah Jones Lost Her Life: A Train, a Narrow Trestle and 60 Seconds to Escape – The Hollywood Reporter Continue to Listen & Learn I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here's What I Did About It. Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Dear Hollywood...We Create Entertainment For a Living. We're Not Curing Cancer. Dear Hollywood: We Don't Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn't Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) Ep35: FOCUS: The Superpower of the 21st Century | with Cal Newport Ep04: The Zen-like Art of 'Getting Things Done' | with David Allen Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don't spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Film editor Alan Edward Bell A.C.E., is best known for his work on (500) Days of Summer, ‘Water For Elephants', ‘The Amazing Spiderman', and the last three installments of the “Hunger Games” series. His resume spans 30 years in post-production, and includes a long list of credits in editorial as well as visual effects. Over the last 15 years he has been pushing the limits of what is possible in the cutting room by blending visual effects and editing techniques. Alan currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

For my regular readers & listeners I know I may sound like a broken record at this point, but when it comes to forging your career path in any field it comes down to the same basic components: You need to clearly identify the right ladder to climb. You need to focus on becoming awesome at your craft. You need to make sure the right people know you are awesome at your craft. Having natural talent definitely doesn’t hurt, but talent alone doesn’t automatically entitle you to success. And working on projects you love never happens because of my least favorite word - “luck.” The difference between success and failure almost always comes down to perseverance, consistency, and building solid relationships. Today I’d like to add one additional ingredient that is often overlooked (but is the hidden superpower for longevity as a creative professional). That ingredient is humility. My guest today is a multiple award winning, seasoned film and television editor, Scott Powell, ACE, who is best known for his work on 9 seasons of the Fox series 24 where he was awarded 5 Emmy nominations, 3 American Cinema Editors (Eddie) nominations, and 2 wins. He has since worked on Prison Break, Person of Interest, The Chi, The Orville, and most recently, Queen of the South. But to hear him talk about his career path he's about as humble as they come. Despite believing that “you need to be an a**hole to make it to the top in Hollywood because nice guys finish last,” humility is a valuable asset in any career path you will pursue. In our conversation you'll hear why it's so important to cultivate humility in your own life and the relationships you build throughout your career and how to better do so. Like me, Scott is a natural mentor who has helped many land their dream gigs and offers words to anyone hoping to climb the ladder and become a successful editor in network & streaming television. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Scott's origin story of becoming an editor. The unusual way Scott got hired on the Fox series 24 KEY TAKEAWAY: Persistence pays off in the editing bay. Why Scott doesn’t have a lot of assistant editor credits on his IMDB profile. How he made an impression on the producer for 24 to get hired. Advice from his dad that has served him well (along with some great stories). Why Scott enjoys mentoring and the mutual benefits it provides to himself and his mentees. What Scott looks for when he's hiring an assistant editor. How his relationships are the foundation of his career. Why Scott has an agent despite his ability to get his own jobs. The value of having an agent and how to build trust and loyalty with an agent. What it would take for Scott to recommend someone for the editor's chair on a show he's on. Scott's advice to someone trying to make it in the industry and what he would change from his own life. Useful Resources Mentioned: Television Documentary Reality TV 24 TV Series Ep137: How to Negotiate Your Real Value (and Advocate For Yourself) As an Assistant Editor | with Scott Jacobs Motion Picture Film Ep85: Mentorship, Networking, and Surviving Hollywood Blockbusters | with Dody Dorn, ACE Continue to Listen & Learn Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Ep106: On the Vital Importance of "Being Nice" | with Jesse Averna, ACE How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE Ep87: [CASE STUDY] Why People Don’t Respond to Your Cold Outreach (and How to Get a Response) | with Scott Davis Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Scott Powell was born in 1958 in Los Angeles. He’s the son of Producer Norman S. Powell and the grand son of entertainers Joan Blondell and Dick Powell. He started his career in 1984 as an apprentice editor and received his first editing credit in 1988. Since then he’s enjoyed a diverse career editing long-form and series TV, feature films, award winning documentaries, commercials, and music videos. He is best known for his work on 9 seasons of the Fox series 24 where he was awarded 5 Emmy nominations, 3 American Cinema Editors (Eddie) nominations and 2 wins. Scott Powell is a current member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild, American Cinema Editors, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is also a photographer and owner of North Pond Images, Inc. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Laurie. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Jonathan Hodges wants to workshop his About Page for his portfolio website as an assistant editor. Most people make the mistake of thinking that your about page is about you. I and my Optimizer students take a different approach that you’ll learn more about in today’s session which can help you gain more attention and attract the right types of employers for exactly the jobs you’re most excited about. Listen in as we discuss these strategies that you can apply to your own About Page, IMBd biography, cover letter, and more...no matter what your profession is. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program

"We work to live. We don't live to work." - Tom Grane When I first began my career in Hollywood the concept of life outside of work was completely foreign to me. I assumed the only way to reach my goals was to sacrifice my health and sanity for the sake of a great résumé, only to discover those early habits become lifelong habits if you’re not careful. Once this mentality sets in and you set this expectation with others it can be practically impossible to reverse. That is why I am actively trying to change the conversation around our “get it done at all costs” work culture and collaborate with employers and business owners who understand the importance of work-life balance. Early in my career I was fortunate enough to experience a work culture where well-being was a priority at what was then a small fledgling trailer & marketing agency. Fast-forward fifteen years and today Mob Scene is one of the top movie marketing companies in the business - largely because of the culture that co-founder and CEO Tom Grane created from the very start. This innovative company has been an integral part of the marketing campaigns for projects like Avatar, Stranger Things, Fast 9, Wonder Woman, Joker, Knives Out, and The Trial of the Chicago 7...and that’s just recently. Historically they have provided marketing and original content for more marketing campaigns than I could list if I had the entire episode to do so. Having a background as a studio executive for 20th Century Fox, Tom admits to having a strong work ethic, and he’s spent his fair share of hours working late and being away from his family. But his motivation when he founded Mob Scene was to create more flexibility with his time and be more available to his family, and he believed in fostering an environment that provides the same flexibility for his team. In our conversation we discuss a variety of topics that can help creatives better understand what it takes to get an opportunity at a company like Mob Scene, that can help producers and business owners better understand the importance of fostering work-life balance with your teams, and that can help all of us better understand how to navigate our constantly changing landscape of content whether we’re working from home, at the office, or adopting a hybrid work environment. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How Tom got his start in the entertainment industry. What led Tom to working for Fox for 16 years and then taking the leap to opening his own marketing company. Tom’s advice to young people just starting out in the business. How Tom created the culture of Mob Scene. Why they chose the name Mob Scene for the company and meaning behind the logo. KEY TAKEAWAY: Family and teamwork are the foundation of what makes Mob Scene successful. How Tom encourages trailer editors to do their best work and survive the competitive nature of the business. Why Tom knew from day one he wanted to create a division-less company and how it has helped them survive over the years. The changes that streaming platforms have made to the marketing industry and how Mob Scene has adapted. What's missing from the work from home experience. Alternate working options coming out of the COVID pandemic. Why it's important to have in-person interactions and what we miss when it's taken away. Understanding the criteria that sets people apart when it comes to getting hired. How the promotion system works at Mob Scene and why they primarily promote from within. The lack of diversity in the trailer world and how he's trying to change it at Mob Scene. The most important soft skills necessary for getting hired. The importance of identifying the ‘note beneath the note.’ Why young people just starting out should look for companies that promote work/life balance. KEY TAKEAWAY:  Your connections can also be your friends. Useful Resources Mentioned: DVD - Wikipedia Mob Scene Tom Grane's Facebook Page Continue to Listen & Learn Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal." Normal Wasn’t Working. Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep149: How Modern Society Is Damaging Your Brain (and the Simple Steps to Reverse It) | with Dr. Dave Jenkins Ep82: Real Talk About Mental Health and Depression | with Michael Kammes Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE The Socially Awkward Introvert’s Guide to Networking with Industry “Experts” Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Thomas C. Grane is a graduate of the USC School for Cinematic Arts with over 25 years of experience in motion picture and entertainment marketing. Grane previously spent 16 years as a Sr. Vice President of Creative Content and Creative Advertising at 20th Century Fox, where he originated the creative content department and worked on over 200 film campaigns for a wide variety of films, including; MOULIN ROUGE, CAST AWAY, ICE AGE, and HOME ALONE. In 2006, Grane co-founded Mob Scene Creative + Productions. In ten years, the innovative company has grown to become a “go to” agency for all of Hollywood’s top studios and networks and has been an integral part of the marketing campaigns for projects, like; AVATAR, ARGO, THE DEPARTED, THE HURT LOCKER, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, BIRDMAN, THE GREEN BOOK, THE X-MEN Franchise, The PLANET OF THE APES Franchise, The FAST AND FURIOUS Franchise, and FIFTY SHADES OF GREY Franchise. The company also produces original programing; such as, The FX MOVIE DOWNLOAD and the talk show for SONS OF ANARCHY called ANARCHY AFTERWORD. Grane recently produced and directed the original National Geographic Channel program, TITANIC: 20 Years Later with James Cameron. Grane is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Producers Guild of America. In addition to having won numerous Clio awards for his marketing work, Grane was also nominated for a primetime Emmy in 2010. Show Credits: This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

In this episode, I give you an insider's glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.' What you'll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Jeffrey Lerner is dealing with career anxiety which is manifesting itself largely as procrastination. As many of my students (myself included) have discovered in the past, the root cause of procrastination is often a bigger psychological issue rooted in perfectionism. If you've ever felt stuck in a job you didn't want but were paralyzed to make a change, listen in to see how Jeffrey's situation might apply to your own. Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you! → Click here to let us know what you think of this format Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session? → Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program