This episode is a rebroadcast of my conversation with Aleasha Bahr on her Sales is Not a Dirty Word podcast about all the many ways to Stand Out in a Saturated World. It’s extremely rare to be first or even early so a saturated marketplace is something we all have to live and work with. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and some days, defeated, but please know, from the core of my being, there is room for you. Key takeaways Let go of trying to fit into the mainstream. There is no mainstream anymore....
Oct 29, 2024•38 min•Ep. 165
This episode is a rebroadcast of my appearance on Dr. Janet McMordie's Second Act Actors, the podcast for people who have made a major life or career change into acting. I discovered this information is meaningful across many fields and disciplines. Janet and I discussed: The hows and whys of preparation and practice The importance of giving yourself permission to pursue your dream The myth of natural talent Why everyone needs to nurture and develop their skills The beauty and power of being a L...
Oct 15, 2024•52 min•Ep. 164
This episode is brought to you by the phrase, I have skills, now what do I do with them? Follow up question number one is: Who needs what I've got? Here to discuss is the multi-talented Jolene Latimer, whose superpower is her ability to get to the heart of a story. Jolene asked herself: How do I leverage my skills? How do I get better? How do I become the person I know I can be? and shares the strategies and steps she took to pursue her dream and break into major media. Key takeaways Identify yo...
Oct 01, 2024•34 min•Ep. 163
Everyone from Socrates to Euripedes to Virgil Abloh has commanded us to Question Everything. My guest for this episode, television host and professional interviewer Danielle Robay, figured out early on that questions are a superpower - and all of us can develop and tap into it. At a critical time in Danielle's career, when she was rebounding from the dream job that turned out to be a soul crushing mistake, she turned her superpower inward, asking herself five thoughtful questions per day, and em...
Sep 17, 2024•42 min•Ep. 162
I am thrilled to be joined by Laura Geller on this episode Camera Ready & Abel discussing the wise words of her father: Nothing Appears As It Seems. Translation: There's always more to the story than meets the eye. Don't compare and despair. Laura is the legendary founder of Laura Geller Beauty. Laura began her career as a makeup artist, often working on TV and with Broadway actors before launching her hugely successful makeup line on QVC in 1997. Key takeaways: Do your homework! Know and ob...
Sep 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 161
Feeling a little stuck? Need to change your energy? My guest for this episode, actor-writer-sought after public speaker-instagram slayer, Franchesca Ramsey, delivers a Master Class in how to reenergize, refocus, get back in alignment to bring back the joy and make your goals happen. In short, how to be CEO of your own life. Franchesca is a highly successful creator. But she didn't start there and she generously shares the steps she took to evolve from her career as a graphic designer working for...
Aug 20, 2024•41 min•Ep. 160
This episode of Camera Ready & Abel is brought to you by the phrase How to Find Your Drive because there is great power in finding what ignites you as you develop a life and career you can sustain with joy and excitement. Here to discuss is Raquel Bruno, founder, president, and CEO of Drive Entertainment Group whose tagline Thrive With Drive gives you a glimpse into her intentional and proactive approach to helping others take their career to new heights. Raquel is a TV, film, and digital pr...
Aug 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 159
In my years as a casting director and talent development executive, I've observed that the secret to many of the most successful hosts and performers is that they understand how television production works and how their part of the show (or segment) fits into something larger than themselves. I saw this first hand when I booked my guest for this episode, Brian Balthazar, on Page Six TV back in the day, and he was always so great because he knew how to make good TV. It's a treat to have him discu...
Jul 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 158
It's a truism in coaching that we learn something from everyone we meet. I learned a ton from my conversation with award-winning producer, manager, and Hollywood Navigator, Brian Medavoy and I learn something new every time I listen to this episode: Life is about moments. Because it's the little wins, the moments, that add up to something bigger. There's no Olympics, World Cup, World Series, Super Bowl or Oscars without the moments that add up to get there. Key Takeaways: Moments gets you out of...
Jul 09, 2024•32 min•Ep. 157
This is another one of my "asking for a friend" episodes. I thought you'd be as interested in me in learning how performance golf coach, Eric Cogorno, built a 7-figure business with his popular YouTube channel and online training platform, cogornogolf.com . I got that and so much more: A masterclass in working through fear, setting goals, writing a detailed 10-year plan that includes income projections, the power of meditation and daily visualizations and showing up consistently even when you fe...
Jun 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 155
This episode with life, business and career coach, Brian Patacca, has been one of my go-to's ever since he shared this nugget with me: Marketing is going public with your gifts and being seen for your gifts. If you build it and you tell people about it, they will come. Grab your journal. Brian and I begin with marketing and end with dignity and respect. Along the way, Brian reframes the entire concept of marketing around generosity and purpose: Be determined each day, not to leave your function ...
May 28, 2024•36 min•Ep. 154
I used to think sales was a dirty word, especially when it came to selling myself and my services. I know I'm not alone in this, which is why I am excited about this episode with Aleasha Bahr who shares everything you need to know about sales. We're all in sales - whether you're selling yourself to an employer in an audition or job interview or pitching your idea to a network or for financing or trying to get your boss or team to buy into your idea. Aleasha is a woman in a male-dominated industr...
May 14, 2024•35 min•Ep. 153
Creativity is the ability to create, produce, or develop original work theories, techniques, thoughts and ways of seeing. You are creative, whether you tap into it or not, and you take your creativity wherever you go, and I think it's often overlooked how valuable creativity is as a transferable skill: the abilities you take from job to job. Here to discuss is BAFTA-nominated television director, Ed Bazalgette, who exemplifies creativity as a transferable skill, having first found success as a m...
Apr 30, 2024•41 min•Ep. 152
If you want to know how to build a sustainable and successful career, then look no further because this episode of Camera Ready & Abel delivers a masterclass from 2 titans of the unscripted television world, Roni Selig and Marcie Mulé. Roni is a multi-Emmy-winning producer whose credits span from GMA to CNN most recently launched a new digital platform for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and executive produced The Call to Unite, a 24-hour global livestream event, hosted by Tim Shrive...
Apr 16, 2024•37 min•Ep. 151
This is one of my favorite evergreen episodes. Chris Witherspoon is an entertainment journalist, producer, entrepreneur and CEO of PopViewers who taught me how his career soared to the next level when he unlearned the importance of seeking approval. Instead of looking outward he focused inward on his approval matrix: Feeling happy, great in his own skin, confident and loving his work. As a recovering people pleaser I know firsthand how much time and energy is wasted seeking approval. Chris has o...
Apr 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 150
My guest for this episode, Shannon O'Dowd, has one of the most unique perspectives of the camera-ready universe of anyone I've ever interviewed because her experience covers every aspect of the industry both in-front of and behind the camera. Shannon is an on-camera host, commercial spokesperson, actor, media trainer, certified life coach, author, CEO of Shannon O'Dowd Presents and agent with Taylor Talent Services. When Shannon says determination is essential for success, she knows what she's t...
Mar 19, 2024•35 min•Ep. 149
Seizing opportunity is essential to getting ahead in media and entertainment. It is not a passive, I-think-I'll-wait-until-it-comes-to-me kind of a business. You not only have to seize the day - carpe your diem - you have to do something with the opportunity if you want to move forward in your life and career. My guest for this episode, Hena Doba, generously walks me through how she did just that, going from a local news producer, behind the camera in Watertown, NY, to anchor and contributor on ...
Mar 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 148
It's one thing to get in the room. It's a whole other strategy to stay there. Here to discuss and go deep is multi-Emmy award winning television host, producer and journalist, Buki Elegbede. Buki shares that when you get in the room it feels good and it's a cause for celebration but it's only base camp. You've still got a whole mountain to climb. Be prepared to play the long game When the industry shuts down, you don't shut down - you hone your craft and strategize Embrace delayed gratification ...
Feb 20, 2024•32 min•Ep. 147
This episode of Camera, Ready & Abel is brought to you by the phrase, How to Know When You Are Ready for Your Big Break. It's an important question to ponder because, let's face it, the world is full of people you don't remember who flamed out because they weren't ready. And it's very hard to get a second chance, especially in the entertainment arena. But it's not impossible. My guest for this episode is Kamie Crawford - television and podcast host, content creator, genuine influencer, body ...
Feb 06, 2024•39 min•Ep. 146
This episode of Camera Ready & Abel is brought to you by the phrase Redefining Success, a personal, perennial favorite of mine. The Berkeley Wellbeing Institute defines success as: reaching your goals, learning something new or overcoming fear. If that's what success is, why don't we all feel massively successful? My guest for this episode, Leila Sbitani, is a beloved TV host, media coach and teacher with one of the best workshops in New York City (I highly recommend). Her list of credits is...
Jan 23, 2024•47 min•Ep. 145
I've wanted to explore the word permission ever since Marki Costello asked this most relevant question on her episode of Camera Ready and Abel: Are you prepared to walk in the room and kick ass? Why permission? Because after you explore all the ways to prepare to kick ass like getting your talking points and marketing assets together, plus a cute outfit and flattering makeup, the salient question is: Do you give yourself permission to walk in the room and kick ass? Permission means to grant auth...
Jan 09, 2024•4 min•Ep. 144
This episode is brought to you by the phrase, How to Land Your Dream Job. It's a rebroadcast of my episode with Elizabeth Wagmeister and was originally titled, Resilient, because Elizabeth rightly believes being resilient is a key to success. It's been a joy to know and work with Elizabeth since we met when I was casting Page Six TV and she became one of the hosts. Elizabeth is a consummate professional and genuine pleasure - and makes the work look easy. But as Elizabeth points out, hard-work c...
Dec 19, 2023•34 min•Ep. 143
Winners don’t wing it, they prepare for it! I believe this so much it's tip #12 in my 12 Tips for Success On-Camera (and off) Here to join me for a rollicking conversation about how preparation makes and breaks careers is the legendary talent manager, casting director, media trainer and CEO of Become A Host, the premier TV hosting Academy, Marki Costello. Marki pulls back the curtain on how TV really gets made, what executives are really looking for, how and why one of the secrets to billionaire...
Dec 12, 2023•30 min•Ep. 142
This episode is a rebroadcast of my appearance on Kim Rittberg’s The Exit Interview podcast, where we discussed how to craft an amazing speech or presentation. In our conversation I offer practical tips for delivering a powerful and clear message while mining the G.A.P. (Goal Audience Platform), which is a shorthand reminder to adapt your delivery based on the audience and the platform. Kim is a digital marketing strategist, social media and video expert, an on-camera media coach and public spea...
Dec 05, 2023•33 min•Ep. 141
Knowing your worth and believing you are worthy is essential for happiness and wellbeing according to Psychology Today. When your self-worth depends on external situations it can get unstable, especially in the Camera Ready & Abel space. Knowing your value in the marketplace and having the confidence to ask for what you're worth are also key. Joining me to dive deep and discuss is Health & Wellness Expert and TV/Digital Host, Bianca Jade, who advocates for female empowerment and transfor...
Nov 28, 2023•39 min•Ep. 140
This episode is brought to you by the phrase, How to Manage Your Stress and Anxiety- a Camera Ready evergreen topic featuring actionable advice from Podcast guests Marta Ravin, Dr. Heather Hans, and Patricia Stark. The World Health Organization defines stress as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Anxiety is defined by Oxford Languages as a feeling of worry, nervousness or unease typically about an imminent event with an uncertain outcome and can produce physical ...
Nov 21, 2023•10 min•Ep. 139
This encore episode of Camera Ready and Abel is brought to you by the phrase It Gets Greater Later, which is the signature mantra of the divine Bevy Smith who first came on the podcast in late 2021. Quintessential Harlem girl, Gracie Award winner, and life-long New Yorker, Bevy is the host of Sirius XM’s “Bevelations” on Radio Andy and the author of “Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie,” where she generously lays out, step-by-step, how she successfully transitioned from a highly lu...
Nov 14, 2023•50 min•Ep. 138
This episode is a rebroadcast of my appearance on Life Coach Nicole Baker's Imperfect Success podcast, discussing one of my favorite topics, stop shoulding yourself. We all have an inner critic that likes to should on us. Your shoulds are a list of false rules you tell yourself that feed your narrative but ultimately hold you back, such as, I should be more productive, thinner, disciplined, etc. My shoulds are often a loud discussion inside my head and I’ve finally learned to turn down the volum...
Nov 07, 2023•56 min•Ep. 137
This episode is brought to you by the phrase, how to read the room, an essential skill for everyone whether you're giving a presentation or a speech, going to a meeting or job interview or audition, leading your team or asking your boss for a raise... Here to discuss is returning champion Marta Ravin. Marta is an Emmy nominated executive producer and showrunner and sought after keynote speaker who started her career in standup comedy, which is where we first met, and where Marta honed her except...
Oct 31, 2023•30 min•Ep. 136
The directive to just be yourself can be easier said than done when it comes to lights, camera, actions but in some arena’s it’s critical to your success and as Brooke and Mary have said in the past, “honesty is the most attractive thing people want to see on camera.” This episode is brought to you by the phrase, Why everyone should take a commercial acting class. Here to discuss are legendary commercial casting directors and teachers, Brooke Thomas and Mary Egan Callahan. Brooke Thomas and Mary...
Oct 24, 2023•33 min•Ep. 135
