WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Feedback — with Alyshia Ochse
When do you ask for feedback on your audition? What does the feedback mean? What is your intention for getting feedback?

When do you ask for feedback on your audition? What does the feedback mean? What is your intention for getting feedback?
Today’s guest’s journey is a roller coaster ride full of defining moments, times when everything seemed to be working against him, but ultimately lead him to where he is today. From multiple heart attacks by the time he was 21 years old to getting cut from some of recent year’s most recognizable films, Eme Ikwuakor has continued to press on and shares how he took the deep dive into an artistic career. Eme Ikwuakor is a triplet, born In Wheatridge, Colorado and the son of Nigerian parents (his fa...
Do you sometimes struggle with deciding whether you should accept an audition or a job? Here are 5 questions to ask yourself that will help you make the decision! You must answer a resounding YES to at least 3 to take the job/audition, if it's a job/audition you're unsure about.
Sarah Baker is an actress and comedian born in the Washington, D.C. area. After graduating from James Madison University with a double major in Theater and English, she moved to Atlanta , Georgia where she joined the Whole World Improv Theatre as a performer, and later as a teacher. She also later became a member of the Sunday Company with the acclaimed Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles. She is best known for her roles in The Kominsky Method on Netflix, The Campaign with Will Ferrell and Zach G...
Getting to the truth of your WHY. Do you know why you are called to be an artist? Know why you’re going into this, know why you’re doing it, because the industry doesn’t need you.
Today we have a fascinating conversation with actor Russell Hornsby —from Grimm, Seven Seconds, and The Hate You Give—as well as FENCES, both on Broadway and in the film, his career is full of valuable lessons he’s learned. After twenty years in the industry, he shares how a long-term career was not a given reality for him, but rather something he’s had to fight for every step of the way. His advice is equal parts inspiration and tough love, so whether you’re just starting out or are a few years...
How to be a great "guest" on a TV show!
For today’s bonus episode, we’re talking with writer/director Eric Amadio —if you’ve not heard of him, you’ve likely seen his show SNOWFALL on FX, or at least spotted the billboards around the town. His fascinating story takes all kinds of unexpected turns---from writing haikus as a child to getting published at 10 years old, from electronic music producer to rapper to director, and now show creator---Eric has worn many hats and has accumulated some fascinating perspective along the way. We take...
How long can you wait for your creativity to show up? How long can you wait to be picked? Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.
Brit host and actor, Oliver Trevena , has interviewed hundreds of celebrities and musicians at the likes of The Hollywood Reporter, YoungHollywood, GQ.com, Sirius XM's “Dirty Pop” alongside N-Syncs Lance Bass , as well as Esquire Network’s "Joyride" alongside T- Pain & Mischa Barton. As an actor, he’s just wrapped “The Rising Hawk,” “Embattled,”and “Grand Isle” (with Nicolas Cage and Kelsey Grammer) feature films. Oliver Trevena began his performing career as a child across the pond in the U...
Taking time to recharge, go on vacation and spend time with friends and family always seems to be invaded or changed when you are an actor. Why do you always book when you have a vacation planned? How do you create boundaries to say no to the opportunity and say yes to the recharge moment. Happy Holidays!
RERUN on one of our favorite episodes with Katheryn Winnick. Update on Katheryn Winnick's amazing career. She recently wrapped her 5th season of VIKINGS where she stepped into the director's chair. Currently, she is filming Sean Penn's new film FLAG DAY with Josh Brolin, Miles Teller and Sean Penn.
Set your intention before your audition or stepping onto set. May your intention be something that allows you to give measure to your own success as you leave an audition.
That One Audition Live from Los Angeles with Erin Cummings. We dive into the deep and gritty aspects of sex in auditions and on set, being a local hire, getting screwed on contracts, and not wanting to be just good enough. You want honest and real, this one pulls back the curtain on all the things this industry does to make your head spin and gives you tangible ways to not only survive in it but also thrive in it! Erin Cummings is a graduate of the University of North Texas, with a degree in Jou...
The word NO is exercised daily towards an actor/artist/creative but how many times does the artist say NO. Can we talk about boundaries? I’m learning how to say NO. It is not my first response. Mind is always YES (of course) and then I feel disgruntled and stuck because I’ve crossed my own boundary to make another person feel more comfortable. Am I not enough to take into consideration? Saying NO has given me the FREEDOM to enjoy what I’m doing at that moment and leaves me open for the YES that ...
If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you’ve probably started to realize just how many different paths a Hollywood career can take---that the meeting of preparation and opportunity can take a thousand different forms, regardless of where you come from or how you first discovered your impulse to be creative and tell stories. Today we’re sitting down with Wyatt Russell , from Black Mirror, Overlord, Ingrid Goes West, and Lodge 49, as he shares how he came to acting, after a career play...
Believing there is ENOUGH for you, for me and for everyone to succeed. Leaning into love and letting fear take a back seat, we will rise to our greatness and be able to celebrate each other. "I cheer for people. I was raised to believe there is enough sun for everybody."
Today we’re sitting down with an imaginative and perceptive artist, writer and director, Sheldon Candis . He is a force for passionate storytelling, and is unbelievably candid and generous as he shares his personal pursuit to see his stories live on the big screen. He graduated from USC film school where he raised all his own money to produce his thesis project, he shares how he’s continued to fund the production of his art, and how he managed to stay focused and inspired, even when the people w...
An honest conversation about riding the wave of the highs and lows. Understanding how to recharge creativity after a moment of HIGH in your artistry.
Today we are chatting with Ian Verdun , an actor and playwright, seen most recently on Freeform’s hit show SIREN. Ian was born and raised right here in Los Angeles, and graduated from Cal Arts where he studied acting, and also used much his time away from the stage writing his own plays. Today, he candidly shares his journey, from struggling to pay for school, to grinding in New York with multiple side jobs, all the way to booking his big break on SIREN. He generously shares his insight on the e...
"Would you rather be typecast than not cast"? A real discussion on how to look at typecasting, is it really a bad thing or a good thing? You get to be the judge.
Today we’re sitting down with television, film, and theatre actress Necar Zadegan. From her break-out performance on the hit TV series 24, to her starring turn on Broadway with Robin Williams in the Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, and her roles in Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce and currently in NCIS: New Orleans, Necar has built her career playing fierce, powerful, and passionate women who always leave us wanting more. She shares how her upbringing afforded her exposure to the arts from an early...
Embracing the mistake that allows humanity to seep into your performance. Commanding the performance to not fall apart when you are messy and making mistakes. Something that happens that was not planned is a GIFT and usually the most captivating moment!
This week’s guest caught the improv bug in college and hasn’t looked back since. Rebekka Johnson began her on-screen career putting her comedy skills to good use in an MTV prank show called Boiling Point. Since then she’s been a writer, producer, director, and actress---all in the name of making an audience laugh. She shares with us how creating the work she loves with her best friends and collaborators has lead her to countless opportunities to shine. From an audition opposite Kristen Wiig, to ...
This week, the "P" word really peaked my interest. How do we give ourselves the permission to be a vessel for the storytelling business and how we give permission to live our lives to the fullest as artist. Permission has been a challenge to fully embrace. This week I had several challenges around giving permission to just be where I am.
In today’s episode, I got to sit down with an extraordinary actress who has crafted a diligently curated body of work defined by her remarkable range. Carmen Ejogo has played major roles in Sam Mendes’ Away We Go, Sparkle with Whitney Houston, It Comes at Night, Roman J. Israel, Esq., Alien: Covenant, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, and most recently opposite Mahershala Ali in the new season of True Detective. Characteristically tight-lipped about her personal life, Carmen generously pu...
Remembering where and how we got the job or the opportunity is just as important as the JOB. This is a simple suggestion of how to cultivate the relationships that will help you sustain your career.
For today’s episode, we’re chatting with Casting Director, Kendra Castleberry . She walks us through a full-circle tour of a casting director’s journey — from Intern to assistant, and associate to top Casting Director, her career is not unlike that of an actor. Negotiating ambition with reality, and dreams with security, she’s managed to find her niche in an industry that captured her attention from the very beginning. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Kendra always loved TV and dreamed of a da...
Full disclosure of when/how to have loyalty to YOUR business versus your team (agents/managers). The real discussion around the formation of your team, treating it like dating and being loyal to YOUR business plan.
Amanda Schull is an American actress and former ballet dancer, born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. She’s known for her roles in Pretty Little Liars, Suits, 12 Monkeys, and in Nicholas Hyter’s 2000 drama, Center Stage. She began her performing career as a dancer, studying at Indiana University and apprenticing with the San Francisco Ballet, where she ulitmately joined the company after the completion of Center Stage. She retired from dancing in 2006 and has since built a career as an actress. Sh...