How can singers, performers, or professional voice users take charge of their vocal health, prevent injury, and build a strong support team? In this episode, Jennifer sits down with licensed speech pathologist and singing teacher, Sarah K Brown, to discuss the intersection of vocal health, rehabilitation, and performance. Sarah shares her unique career journey from opera training to speech pathology and, unexpectedly, into private singing coaching—highlighting how her clinical skillset allows her to approach vocal training with both rehabilitative and preventative expertise. They dive into the stigma surrounding vocal injuries, the emotional toll of vocal setbacks, and how common irregularities actually are among professional singers. Sarah breaks down common vocal injuries, the difference between an ENT, laryngologist, speech pathologist, and voice teacher, and how to find a team that supports your individual needs. They also dispel common vocal health myths and share practical vocal health tips, from muscle tension release exercises to must-have items in a vocal health kit. Whether you’re an early-career performer looking to build your voice care team or a seasoned singer navigating vocal demands, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways on maintaining vocal longevity and finding the right teachers and medical professionals for your needs. Tune in for an empowering conversation that will help you feel more informed, confident, and in control of your vocal well-being. About Sarah: Sarah K. Brown is a singing teacher and licensed speech pathologist based in NYC. Before launching her own voice studio and going into full-time private work, Sarah maintained a clinical caseload at the Voice Center of Mount Sinai for 5 years, as well as an adjunct faculty position at Pace University. Her research has covered a wide variety of topics in voice, and she has presented nationally at the Fall Voice Conference. Sarah also regularly teaches singing masterclasses, most recently with Yale University School of Drama. Her specialized combination of singing background, performance experience, and clinical expertise have enabled her to serve Broadway performers, Metropolitan Opera singers, and TV/film actors. She holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Chapman University and an MS in Speech-Language Pathology from Northwestern University. Sarah’s IG: @vocalhealthskb Sarah’s Website: www.sarahkbrownvoice.com Voice Team Locator: https://voice-academy.uiowa.edu/voice-team-locator Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does the creative process mirror the journey of motherhood? In this episode, Jennifer speaks with Daniella Rabbani – actress, singer, podcast host, activist, and mother – about the profound parallels between artistry and motherhood. Daniella shares how becoming a mother transformed her artistic identity, shifting her understanding of creativity, presence, and ambition. With prompts of “What moves me?” and “Who am I in this moment?” as a means for deepening one’s inner knowing, they explore the art of being present, the challenges of motherhood as an artist, and the importance of making small, intentional decisions to overcome life’s inevitable stuck moments. Plus, they discuss the intersections of artistry and motherhood that both require trusting one’s intuition, the challenges and rewards of balancing creativity with the financial realities of raising a child, and the profound importance of community and support. That creation—whether of a performance, a career, or a family—demands trust in the unknown and it is all with the desire to create a meaningful life, whether that includes motherhood or not. This conversation offers a raw and honest look at the often unspoken truths that shape the lives of artist-mothers, offering a candid and inspiring reflection on what it means to create life and art simultaneously. About Daniella: Daniella has been hailed as “sympathetic and utterly alive” (New York Observer), “hilarious” (Wall Street Journal) and “will leave you twirling in the streets” (New York Times). TV credits: Amazon’s The Better Sister, HBO’s Scenes from a Marriage, CBS’ God Friended Me, FX’s The Americans, Fox’s Laughs. Films: Oceans 8, Appropriate Behavior and her award winning directorial debut OMA (Available on Amazon Prime Video) and more. Select Concerts: Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall NYC, Summerstage in Central Park NYC, The State Jewish Theater in Warsaw Poland, The State Jewish Theater in Bucharest, Romania and more. Off Broadway: Drama Desk Winning Amid Falling Walls, Drama Desk Nominated The Golden Land, Hershele Ostropolye and Gimpel Tam (all with The National Yiddish Theater), Nina (Primary Stages). A award winning filmmaker, Daniella’s directorial debut OMA is available on Prime Video and her feature length documentary, Klezmerette, is underway. She is the host of The Mom Curious Podcast produced by Hoff Studios and advocates for a more inclusive world on instagram @daniellarabbani Daniella’s IG: @daniellarabbani Daniella’s Website: www.daniellarabbani.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to become a choreographer on Broadway? Jennifer talks to Director-Choreographer, Katie Spelman, who shares the complex and often nonlinear trajectory of the choreography world that led to her Broadway choreographic debut for The Notebook (which unfortunately closes December 15th). Katie breaks down the distinct roles and positions in the choreography world – from dance captain to assistant to associate  – offering clarity on how each supports a production. Katie divulges some of her favorite tools, expresses how creating imperfect work regularly can unlock creativity, and highlights the collaboration and trust required to build and sustain productions. Together, they also discuss the systemic challenges in the industry, including gender disparities in creative leadership, the need for diverse representation on and off stage, and Katie’s personal commitment to uplifting others in the industry. Listeners will gain tangible insights into the importance of finding collaborators, embracing imperfection, and choreographing for the bodies and performers you have in a room. Whether you’re a dancer, choreographer, or simply curious about the artistry of storytelling through movement, this episode offers a rich exploration of creativity, resilience, and the power of community. About Katie: Katie Spelman (she/her) is a Chicago-born, Brooklyn-based director and choreographer. She made her Broadway choreographic debut this past season with The Notebook.  Recent credits include Great Comet (Writers Theatre), The Music Man (Marriott Theatre,  8 Jeff Nominations), Cabaret (Barrington Stage Company, Berkie Award for Best Choreography); the world premiere of An American Tail (CTC); Hello Kitty Must Die (Edinburgh Fringe), Day 365 - Live from the Rainbow Room with Dylan Mulvaney, Once (Writers Theatre), Swearing in English (Ars Nova), aren’t you glad you stayed in (TEAM Petri Project),  AD 16 (Olney Theater, Helen Hayes Award for Best Choreography), The Beautiful Game (Tokyo, TOHO Productions), The Who’s Tommy (DCPA), and Oklahoma! (Goodspeed). She was the Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge for the Boston, Broadway, and Australian companies, as well as an associate on the Broadway productions of Amelie, American Psycho, and Once; she was the Associate Choreographer on RENT Live! on Fox, and the Associate Director for Close To You on the West End. Katie has also collaborated with Lookingglass, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Camerata Bern, Court Theatre, The Hypocrites, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Timeline Theatre, and Northwestern University.  Katie was the Associate Choreographer on Moulin Rouge for the Boston, Broadway, and Australian companies; an associate on the Broadway productions of Amelie, American Psycho, and Once; and was the recipient of the SDCF Agnes DeMille.  Katie’s IG: @k8spelman Katie’s Website: www.katiespelman.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Dr. Alisa Hurwitz in hopes of destigmatizing the conversation around mental health, specifically in relation to artists. They talk about an artist's identity, the therapeutic power of dogs, empathy, listening, and emotions as information. Dr. Alisa shares helpful tools and resources around finding a therapist and the questions to ask, specifically for those in the LGBTQIA+ community.  CW: This episode discusses mental health, capitalism, generational trauma, racism, transphobia, activism, therapy, and the meaning of carnival geek in relation to addiction and abuse. About Dr. Hurwitz: Dr. Alisa Hurwitz is a clinical psychologist in group private practice in New Hampshire, specializing in the Autism spectrum, trauma and gender identity. She also works on the Transgender Clinic Team at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. Dr. Hurwitz applies her professional knowledge to consult with theater companies, conduct post-show talkbacks and interview Broadway and off-Broadway actors. She has been a presenter at several BroadwayCons and has collaborated on productions with the Cultural Arts Playhouse, Cue Zero Theatre, and The Hidden Ones. Her work can be found on the National Alliance on Mental Illness website, Shrink Tank and at www.drdrama.com, and her Musicals & Mental Health series can be found on Instagram (@thedrdrama) with guests who have included Eva Noblezada, Jason Danieley, Hailey Kilgore, Lauren Patten, Ali Stroker, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Ethan Slater. Alisa IG: @thedrdrama Alisa Website: www.drdrama.com Psychology Today: www.psychologytoday.com/ Darkness Rising: www.darknessrisingproject.org/ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Jennifer talks to Erica Hart about all things casting. Erica shares insider tips around the dos, don'ts, & myths of self-tapes, auditions, and social media. They talk about the importance of listening and doing your research, celebrating your firsts & small victories, as well as the importance of collaboration, genuine human connection, and shooting your shot.   About Erica: ERICA A. HART, CSA (Casting Director/ Producer) was born and raised in Washington, DC (the actual 202...not 301 or 703.) She graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied film and television. She has been casting for over a decade and has loved every minute of it. She started off in network and studio casting moving her way up to Casting Coordinator in the New York Office of ABC Primetime Casting. Erica has appeared in The Hollywood Reporter as a featured rising artist and has cast films that have screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW, Outfest, Cinequest, and the Cannes Film Festival. THE SURROGATE (a film she cast as well as associate produced) was in INDIEWIRE's Best Movies Eligible for a 2021 Oscar, was a VARIETY CRITICS PICK, and earned Erica her first Artios nomination and win in 2021. She has cast commercials for high-end brands such as Maybelline, Gillette, Hasbro, and Delta, to name a few, and cast H.E.R's music video for FIGHT FOR YOU which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Currently, she is the Casting Director for Season 2 of THAT DAMN MICHAEL CHE (HBO MAX) and JODIE produced by Tracee Ellis Ross and Grace Edwards. She cast the pilot BLACK DON'T CRACK (ABC) and season 1 of BUST DOWN (PEACOCK) coming out soon. In 2021 she made her Broadway debut casting two Broadway plays: CHICKEN AND BISCUITS and PASS OVER. She has cast theatrical productions for THE NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE and THE DRAMA LEAGUE. Erica has been the Casting Associate for shows like RAY DONOVAN (SHOWTIME), THE BOLD TYPE (FREEFORM), DEFENDING JACOB (APPLE+), and GODFATHER OF HARLEM (EPIX). She is on the Board of Governors for The Casting Society of America (CSA) and a member of the Television Academy. She also teaches TV auditioning techniques at colleges and universities around the country including Harvard University and NYU's Grad Acting Program. Outside of casting, she has received grants and awards from the Puffin Foundation, New York Television Festival and The Digital Bolex, and has developed series for BET and WeTV. Erica IG: @elove67 Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Jennifer talks to Adrianna Mitchell about what it means to be an artist, what is inspiring her at the moment, & where to seek out inspiration. Adrianna shares some of her wild booking stories and the importance of planting seeds. They talk about expansion and perspective on a micro and macro level, tools to ground oneself when it comes to auditions and & finding creativity, and learning to embrace the journey over anything else.  CW: this episode briefly discusses the passing of Regina King's son. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or go to https://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ About Adrianna: Adrianna Mitchell is an NYC-based actor, director, writer, teacher & Black artist advocate from Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about finding joy, both in the process of creating art and in building your life! She’s an alumna of Spelman College and A.C.T’s MFA program. Off-broadway: "What to Send Up When It Goes Down" (Playwrights Horizon's Theater) and runboyrun (New York Theater Workshop). You can watch her most recent work as "Tanosse'' in a season-long arc on the hit show Snowfall (FX), on "Queens" (ABC), "Bull" (CBS), and more! Adrianna IG: @adriannamitchell_ Adrianna IMDB: imdb.me/adriannamitchell Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first episode, Jennifer talks to Alicia Albright about how we hope to be remembered, how we can fulfill our life’s purpose by finding moments to make life more full, and how to show up and bring one’s “heart light” to change the people & rooms around us. They share exercises in finding one’s life purpose phrase, sending love ahead, and tapping to feel how you feel and moving through. ‘Mostly, there is laughter, tears, hope & joy – all with the purpose of expanding what it means to grow as humans and artists through self-expression and embracing how we can not hold on too tightly in order to share the light within us that makes a difference. About Alicia: Alicia Albright is an NYC-based Broadway performing artist, choreographer, creator, avid traveler, dance/yoga/meditation/ mindfulness and empowerment teacher, and the founder of The Feed Your Soul Project. Alicia is the current Dance Captain/Swing of Wicked the Musical on Broadway and is an original cast member of Disney's Frozen the Musical on Broadway. She has also toured the US and globally performing, teaching, and being an associate choreographer of musicals and with dance companies. She is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher with specialties in children’s yoga, sound healing and is also a Reiki Practitioner. She infuses everything she does and everything she creates with mindfulness, great care, and deep love. Her goal is that all people she teaches, works with, loves, and befriends feel seen, heard, valued, loved, and appreciated, and know that they matter and make a difference in the world. Alicia IG: @AliciaAlbright Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the Empowered Artist Collective Podcast! This is a space in which we will have insightful conversations with fellow artists about all sorts of things that pertain to our personhood and our artistry.  I'm Jennifer Apple, Founder & Executive Director of the Empowered Artist Collective and a multi-hat-wearing artist, singer, actor, coach with an MFA in Acting who has been super privileged to perform regionally, on camera, and on a Broadway tour. I believe that we can do much better at empowering artists with life skills and business tools to actually set them up for long-term success, whatever that is for them and that is how EAC came to be!  Join our community of women and non-binary artists seeking a thriving and sustainable career in the arts as we ask hard questions, sit with open-ended answers or perhaps no answers at all, share resources and hopefully expand the dialogue around all the aspects of our industry that so many are not talking about in an open forum.  Whether you are an actor, singer, dancer, performer, writer, director, creator, theater and tv/film lover... If you are someone who is curious about others’ artistic experiences, believe that being an artist is about more than just the auditions you book, think this industry is in need of change, and want to get a personal glace at what's going on behind the curtain: this is the podcast for you! Episodes will be released weekly, so light a candle, grab a friend, and your notebook. Let’s be in community together. Let’s support one another. Let’s make this journey a little less isolating and more inclusive. Welcome to the Empowered Artist Collective Podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What steps can we take toward a more anti-ableist approach in theater, where disability inclusion is standard, not exceptional? Jennifer talks to Jenna Bainbridge – actor, disability rights activist, and co-founder of ConsultAbility, a consulting company focused on creating safe and inclusive environments for all disabled theater artists. Jenna shares her journey as an ambulatory wheelchair user, from her early years navigating ableist barriers to her current role on Broadway in Suffs - which shes incredible in and you only have until jan 5th to check out. She gives powerful insights on fostering environments where disability is embraced and access is seen as essential to creating truly inclusive experiences for everyone. Together they discuss the importance of proactive communication about access needs, what small but impactful changes organizations and individuals can make, ways to shift cultural attitudes to foster conversations about disability, and practical tools for implementing simple solutions. Learn how we can each play a role in building a more accessible, anti-ableist future in the arts. About Jenna: Jenna Bainbridge (she/her) is an actor, singer, and disability rights advocate based in New York. At 16 months old, Jenna broke her spine and became partially paralyzed from the waist down. She navigates the world now as an ambulatory wheelchair user. In 2024 she became the first wheelchair user to perform in a New Musical on Broadway when she made her debut in Suffs which won the 2024 Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Music. She can also be seen in NBC’s Found and you can hear her narrate the audio books for Marieke Nijkamp’s Unbroken and Alice Wong’s Disability Intimacy.In addition to performing, Jenna is also the Co-founder of ConsultAbility, a consulting firm whose mission is to work with theatrical institutions and educational programs to create more accessible spaces and inclusive programming for disabled artists, bridging the gap between what is desired and what is required when working with disabled artists in the theatrical world. Jenna’s IG: @bainbridgejenna Jenna’s Website: https://www.jennabainbridge.com/ Tickets for Suffs: https://suffsmusical.com/tickets ConsultAbility: https://www.consultability.org/ Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you find it overwhelming to navigate the complex world of health and life insurance? Jennifer sits down with Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf —a licensed insurance & benefits broker, theater producer, and HR consultant—to break down everything you need to know. From marketplace plans and life insurance types to understanding deductibles, premiums, and navigating options, Jamie shares invaluable insights tailored for creatives. They discuss the unique challenges artists face in securing coverage, clarify confusing terms so you can choose the best plans for your lifestyle, and unpack the essentials of choosing a plan. You’ll walk away knowing how to navigate the marketplace effectively, the ins and outs of employer versus individual plans, the benefits of considering alternative options, and how to make the most of open enrollment periods. Tune in for a packed episode that will help you navigate the insurance system with confidence and ease.    Jamie’s Bio: Care4Creatives is a licensed benefits broker passionate about serving both individuals and groups, with a special emphasis on gig workers in the creative industry. Our mission is to provide top-notch benefits tailored to the unique needs of freelancers, artists, and organizations within the creative sector. We offer an extensive range of insurance options, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, complemented by ancillary benefits such as short-term disability, long-term disability, accident, hospital indemnity, and critical illness insurance. Aside from her work at Care4Creatives, Jamie also runs an HR consulting business for arts organizations. She is a Tony-nominated Broadway producer, Vice President of the Board of Directors of Young Artists of America, and an escape room enthusiast.  Jamie’s IG: @jamiewaldorf Jamie’s Website:  care4creatives.com Guide for individuals in any state: http://care4creatives.com/individual Opolis: https://connect.opolis.co/partner?partnerid=Care4Creatives https://gethealthee.com/ (Use code JamieHBG24 at checkout) Additional new products: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WaCdDGVqiE2pRO0oGIdqpiGA6I-GgFTsNQbCFaQbBQ4/edit?usp=sharing Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to feel truly supported as an artist, not only in times of crisis but throughout one’s creative career? In our Season 3 premiere, Jennifer sits down with Elena Muslar — executive coach, educator, arts administrator, and Managing Director of The Career Center at the Entertainment Community Fund. Elena breaks down how the ECF can assist throughout one’s creative journey and shares resources that empower artists to embrace their worth, achieve growth, and pursue their dreams. Together, they encourage artists to view asking for help as a right, not a last resort, reframing support as a strength, and positioning stability and self-care as essential for lasting growth. They challenge us to redefine success and resilience through a holistic approach, reminding all of us that in choosing the creative life, we deserve a community that sees, values, and stands by us every step of the way.  Elena Muslar Bio: (She/Her), Managing Director of The Career Center, joined the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) in 2023. She oversees the national strategy and implementation of all Career Center services and programs including Career Counseling, Creative Workforce Development, the Career Transition for Dancers program, the Teaching Artist Program, and the Creative Entrepreneurship Project which all intentionally center the holistic enrichment of professionals navigating the performing arts and entertainment industries. Elena has spent the last 15 years of her career as a catalyzing advocate for creative workforce equity through various leadership roles in arts management, arts presenting, career coaching, nonprofit consulting, and higher education. Proudly dedicated to empowering creatives throughout their professional development journeys, from early career to executive moves or freelance projects into enterprising ventures, Elena, a native of South-Central Los Angeles was honored with a commendation from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 2019 for her leadership in the arts & creative economy, commitment to cultural equity & inclusion, and dedication to community affairs & civic pride. Elena is a graduate of the UC Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute, a UCLArts & Healing certified Social Emotional Arts Facilitator, holds an MFA in Theatre Management & Creative Producing from CalArts, and received her BA in Theatre Arts (with concentrations in Dance, African American Studies, and Education) from Loyola Marymount University. Entertainment Community Fund Website: https://entertainmentcommunity.org ECF Career Center: www.entertainmentcommunity.org/services-and-programs/enrich-your-career ECF IG: @ALifeInTheArts Elena’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/elenamuslar Elena’s IG: @lelemariecreates ECF Emails: CareerCenterWest@entertainmentcommunity.org CarrerCenterEast@entertainmentcommunity.org Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our last episode of Season 2, Jennifer talks to Helen Laser about audiobook narration who shares her journey that brought her to voiceover and audiobook work. They talk about the evolving landscape of the industry, the importance of home setups, and the supportive audiobook community. Helen provides valuable advice on creating a comfortable recording space and at-home studio, choosing affordable equipment, and what skills & software are needed. They share tips for getting started on various platforms, leveraging resources, and taking classes for aspiring narrators. Don't miss this inspiring episode packed with actionable advice for those aspiring to carve their paths in the world of audio narration. About Helen: Helen Laser is an audiobook narrator, voice artist, and actor of stage and screen. In the audiobook world, she is an Audie Award Finalist and multiple Audiofile Earphones Award winner, and records live sessions with clients all over the world, both remotely from home, and in-person. Her narration has won awards, was picked by Reese Witherspoon for her book club, and has made many lists including (but not limited to):Audible's "Editors Picks," Apple Audiobooks "Must Listens," Libro.fm's "Most Pre-Ordered Audiobooks," Amazons "Top 10 Audiobooks," The New York Times "7 Audiobooks to Listen to Now," The Wall Street Journal's "The 12 Best Audiobooks for Every Reader" and many more. She narrates for Audible Studios, Penguin Random House, Hachette, Tantor, Harper, Macmillan, Blackstone, Brilliance, Dreamscape and for a variety of clients in podcasts, e-learning, and more. Her voiceovers in commercials have aired on TV, radio, and online/social media. You may have heard her in commercials for Tide, Advil, Annie's Homegrown, Dunkin Donuts, IHOP, and many more. She has been seen in award-winning stage performances at Powerhouse, Playhouse On Park, Sharon Playhouse, Mt Gretna Theater, and in film and television (CBS, HBO, etc). Her film work has won awards in the festival circuit and beyond. Helen’s IG: @hlaserwolf Helen’s Website: www.Helenlaser.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to makeup artist and hairstylist, Brenna Drury. From her experiences working for many years in the industry, Brenna sheds light on the distinct intricacies of her craft from understanding the different expectations of makeup and hair on set to advice for those interested in working in the field and favorite tips for those looking to enhance their everyday beauty routines. They break down misconceptions & expectations of makeup artists and hair stylists, talk about advocating for fair compensation, and the significance of communication & collaboration with those around you.  About Brenna: Brenna, a seasoned Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist based in NYC, brings 14 years of freelancing expertise to her craft. With a commitment to enhancing natural beauty and infusing a creative edge, she prioritizes inclusivity in both her work and how she navigates the industry. Brenna’s IG: @Brennadmakeup Brenna’s Email: brennadmakeup@gmail.com Brenna’s Website: www.prim-poppin.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Aria Velz to talk about grant writing. With nearly a decade of grant writing experience, she sheds light on the nuances of grant writing, emphasizing the lack of formal training in this crucial non-profit sphere. They distinguish grants from individual donations and corporate sponsorships, highlighting the parameters involved in grant applications. They provide valuable insights into the intricacies of grant writing, stressing the importance of tailoring proposals to fit the guidelines and showcasing the project's alignment with the grantor's mission. They emphasize the importance of proving the necessity of your project, crafting compelling narratives, developing templates, organizing the backend of your materials, and being prepared for setbacks. They also share practical tips on finding grants, keeping in mind ethical considerations, and emphasizing the need for alignment with the values of funding organizations when applying. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or a newcomer, this episode offers invaluable advice and strategies for successfully navigating the grant writing landscape. About Aria: Aria Velz is a theater director and a freelance grant writer in the DC area. She specializes in grants for theatre and other performing arts institutions, having worked with over a dozen theatre organizations in the DC area alone, as well as writing grants with individual theater artists. When not working in theatre, she is a lesbian media enthusiast and critic, mainly on TikTok. Aria’s IG: @AriaVelz Aria's TikTok: @AriaVelz Aria’s Email: ariavelz@gmail.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Melissa Center all about crowdfunding. Melissa shares her journey navigating the highs and the lows that helped shape her into a crowdfunding queen. She breaks down insights and intricacies of different platforms (Kickstarter, Indigogo, Seed and Spark, GoFundMe), demystifies the complexities on the back end, and sheds light on the need for a strong team to help assist in the process. They talk about the importance of preemptive strategic planning, building genuine relationships, and doing inner work before choosing to go down this fundraising path so that one can lean into the transformative power of embracing discomfort. About Melissa: Melissa Center is an actress and award-winning filmmaker known for visceral women’s stories and crowdfunding Queen who has helped creatives raise over $1M for their passion projects. She is also an in-demand speaker who is known for bringing her intensely relatable & authentic stories to the world. Through her new initiative(s) she supports female storytellers - especially Jewish women and our allies - raise funds on our own terms in order to share our stories with the world because our voices matter & need to be heard. As an actor, her most notable credits include roles on FBI (CBS), This is Us (NBC), Grey's Anatomy (ABC), Masters of Sex (SHO), and more. Favorite roles onstage include “Maggie” in A Chorus Line (Dir. Mitzi Hamilton), “Olivia” in Sex with Strangers (Hollywood Fringe), and “Jan” in 50 Words (The Lab Creative, LA). She also originated the stage adaptation of Lois Lowry’s The Giver, directed by the late Wynn Handman of The American Place Theater. She is the producer, co-writer and star of feature film, All I Want (Prime, Vudu, TubiTV, itunes) and the co-director, writer and star of the award-winning viral short film R.V, a narrative that anticipated the overturn of Roe vs Wade. Her short film His Name is Niv, which she wrote and directed, is inspired by her own experience with sexual assault.  Her solo show Marrying Jake Gyllenhaal debuted during the Pandemic lockdown via livestream at The Pico, LA followed by Edinburgh Fringe Digital to rave reviews & coverage in Ms. Magazine & Psychology Today.  Melissa’s IG: @melissacenter Melissa LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/melissacenter Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Tiana Tukes, the co-founder and co-CEO of the groundbreaking non-profit organization, LGBT+VC. Tiana shares her journey and offers profound insights into the transformative power of venture capital. They talk about confronting the often-unspoken topics of privilege, politics, and identity in the realm of finance, as well as the significance of community and collective power. They explore ways to give back, not just financially but through our time, skills, and relationships by viewing ourselves as investors in all aspects of our lives while embracing the notion that we are also artists shaping the world around us. They unpack the idea that money is a tool that can be harnessed for positive change and it can empower us to take control of our destinies. They also speak about the intersection of art, money, and community, and how, together, can create a more equitable, economic, and prosperous world for all.  About Tiana: Philanthropist, business executive and advocate for LGBTQ+ progress and prosperity. Tiana is a co-founder, co-chief executive officer, and board chair of LGBT+ VC, a global nonprofit dedicated to advancing LGBTQ+ prosperity through business and tech investing. She previously served as a board director for Rainbow Railroad, an international charity that helps LGBTQ+ asylum seekers flee state-sponsored violence. Tiana earned her B.A. with high honors from Morehouse College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, awarded the Oprah Winfrey scholarship, and installed to The White House HBCU ambassadorship. Tiana’s IG: @tiananaomitukes LGBT+VC Website: https://www.lgbtvc.org/ Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer brings back tax professional, Hannah Cole, to further assist in navigating the complexities of taxes for creative and self-employed individuals. She sheds light on the complexities of self-employment tax, income tax, the privilege of deducting business expenses, and the importance of staying informed about quarterly tax payments. They talk about W2, W4, & W9s, LLCs, the dates for quarterly tax payments, self-employment tax rates, and tips for issuing and receiving 1099 forms. They also share practical insights on estimating taxes, staying organized with bookkeeping, and learning to track one’s income and expenses. Plus, they address the lack of tax education, offering a release from guilt or shame associated with a lack of knowledge.  About Hannah:  Have you ever been flooded with shame while sitting across from an accountant? Have you felt too embarrassed to ask or even formulate your questions? Maybe even doubted your own career as you watched someone who does not get your world or see the value and mission behind what you do look at you through the lens of your income? That is not going to happen today. Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and mission-driven solopreneurs. A long-time working artist with a high-level exhibition history, the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses are both relevant and personal to Hannah. Her specialty is communicating complex tax issues in a clear, creative-centered, empowering way.  She founded her company, Sunlight Tax, with a mission to serve visionary people, just like you, who are self-employed, with relevant tax and financial education, so you can bring your unique vision to the world. She’s helped tens of thousands of creative and mission-driven self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education through professional speaking engagements from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight podcast.  And she’s helped thousands of creative people organize for taxes, set up their businesses, and grow their “freedom funds” (or “F***-You Money”) through her program, Money Bootcamp. Hannah’s goal is to help you realize the full value of your vision in this world, and use your money as a tool (not an obstacle) to making that vision a reality. Hannah’s IG: @sunlighttax The Sunlight Podcast: www.sunlighttax.com/podcast  Visual Deduction Guide: www.sunlighttax.com/deductionsguide EAC listeners can get a $100 discount on Hannah's program by using your affiliate coupon: EMPOWERED New Rules for LLCs: https://pod.link/1640538610/episode/ab46fbe9b1f8abb353412e82bfdbf176 Do I Need an LLC? https://pod.link/1640538610/episode/76ab02293bafdff29cf2d87c13fb1a7b Video guide to making your estimated tax payment: https://youtu.be/_MdAGsW-QkY?si=Bc8Agdwt7os5S-my Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you best align your finances with the life you want? In this episode, Jennifer talks with certified financial planner, Sylvie Scowcroft, to tackle the often-overwhelming topic of money, especially for creatives. Sylvie shares her desire to demystify financial jargon and empower artists to feel confident with their money and overcome any shame surrounding it. She explains how financial planning is about creating tools to build the life you want as she breaks down the essentials of budgeting, cash flow, tax planning, and long-term goal setting. They discuss how to overcome money shame, approach financial planning with curiosity instead of judgment, and understand how your time, energy, and finances are interconnected. Plus, they share practical tips like setting up “money dates,” categorizing expenses, and reframing how we view spending through storytelling. Whether you’re overspending, over-saving, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you take the first steps toward financial clarity and freedom by discovering how you can shift your mindset, align your finances with your values, and use money as a tool to live your fullest artistic life.  About Sylvie: Sylvie Scowcroft loves talking about art and money. A New York native who studied Mathematical Economics and Dance, she has consistently straddled the performing arts and business worlds. She is the founder of The Financial Grove, a financial planning firm aimed to help creative-minded people gain clarity and confidence around their finances. Sylvie also works as a producer and especially loves championing new musical theater. She is a proud board member for Flight Path Dance Project, an organization that is revolutionizing accessibility to dance education. Sylvie’s IG:@sylvscow Financial Grove IG: @financialgrove Financial Grove Website: www.financialgrove.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Allison Pearce who shares her journey of becoming a costume designer for TV & film. She breaks down the various positions in the costume and wardrobe departments, how each impacts the process on set, and talks about the importance of collaboration in bringing a director's vision to life. They discuss her decision-making process when choosing projects, her efforts to minimize impact through sustainability, and what it means to maintain mindfulness for both design and the environment with this kind of work. They also provide insights and advice on navigating the industry, forging meaningful connections, learning to trust your intuition, and tips for newcomers hoping to break into the field.  About Allison: Allison graduated from Parsons the New School for Design with a BBA in Design + Management. Focusing on technical design & business, she has applied her studies to narrative costume design. Allison’s work as a costume designer for the film unit at Saturday Night Live gave her the tools to tackle any decade, genre, production timeline, & budget level. Her unique experience taught her to trust her intuition & to roll with the punches. Allison’s work at SNL gave her the knowledge & tranquility she continues to apply throughout her career. She has a passion for the uncanny & unique, as shown visually through color, fit & texture. Allison relishes in artistically creating costumes that support the character as well as the story. Her work embraces her love of surrealism, Italian neorealism, & New Hollywood. Allison’s most recent film, PAINT, had a theatrical release from IFC and is currently available on demand. Allison’s IG: @allie_pearce Allison’s Website: www.Allison-Pearce.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks with multi-hat-wearing actor, comedian, director, producer, and filmmaker, Emily Dayton Evans. They chat about navigating the improv and comedy spaces, finding joy in creativity, and the challenges of balancing various artistic pursuits. They unpack the importance of creating a supportive community and finding like-minded people with whom to work. Plus, they discuss Emily’s approach to setting deadlines, self-motivation, finding motivation through collaboration, and the delicate balance between friendship and business in the creative industry. They also talk about strategies for overcoming burnout, the significance of celebrating small wins, and practical advice for those aspiring to break into the comedy and live show scene. About Emily: Emily is a NYC-based SAG/AFTRA actor, comedian, director, writer, producer, and filmmaker. A proudly queer multihyphenate, Emily’s platform centers LGBTQ+ characters, and raises mental health awareness. Her work has been featured at HBO Women in Comedy Festival, SeriesFest, and she was recently named Content Creator to Watch by NY Comedy Festival. You can watch her in landmark comedy series: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (AMAZON), The Other Two (HBOMAX), and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (NETFLIX). Emily’s IG: @hotgaycelebrity Emily’s Website: www.emilyevansactor.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Allegra Edwards who shares insights into her life as an actress, mother, wife, and sister. They unpack Allegra’s journey with landing the series regular, Ingrid, in the Amazon Prime series "Upload" starting from her unique initial audition and highlighting the challenges and growth she experienced throughout the three seasons, especially while maintaining positivity amid the uncertainties of the entertainment industry. They get into having perspective, navigating imposter syndrome & insecurities, the importance of cultivating trust, advocating for oneself, and owning one’s process. About Allegra: Allegra Edwards is an actress and appears as Ingrid on the Prime Video sci-fi comedy "Upload." (All three 1 seasons now streaming!) Other credits include Briarpatch, Sandy Wexler, New Girl, Modern Family, Orange is the New Black, The Mindy Project, Friends From College, Alternatino, and others. Allegra has a background in theatre and received her MFA in acting from A.C.T in San Francisco, as well as her BA in Theatre and Television from Pepperdine University. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Clayton, and her son Howdy. Allegra's IG: @allegra_edwards Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Tania Bhattacharyya who delves into the transformative power & untapped potential of using LinkedIn for creative individuals and artists. She dispels the notion that LinkedIn is a corporate and sterile platform by sharing her journey of using the platform to build a human-driven space. They discuss the power of storytelling to build trust and foster relationships, provide practical insights on optimizing one’s profile, and emphasize the importance of showcasing authenticity and using the platform as a tool for community building. They also reflect on the vision of creating spaces where everyone belongs to explore the limitless possibilities of community building without rules or competition. About Tania: Tania is the founder of Lumos Marketing, a thought leadership consultancy for social impact entrepreneurs ready to stand out as they stand up for their mission. She offers personal brand messaging strategy for LinkedIn along with coaching to dismantle imposter thoughts. She also hosts the podcast The Campfire Circle which explores the idea of replacing the ‘boardroom table’ as the ultimate space of leadership with a campfire circle: a place to share our stories, build inclusive community, and spark visionary ideas. Tania’s IG: @taniabhat Tania’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tania-bhattacharyya Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Jennifer chats with Kel Haney all about fundraising. Kel shares what led her from being a theater director in NYC to becoming a fundraising coach, consultant, and trainer. She gives insights on transforming the often uncomfortable process of fundraising into an opportunity for building meaningful relationships, empasizing that anyone can fundraise successfully, even without a background in sales or fundraising, by passionately sharing what they love. Kel offers tools on navigating the complexities of fundraising, including handling rejection, building genuine connections, leading from abundance and finding a comfortable stretch, and embracing the power of storytelling. They discuss the importance of leading from vulnerability, curiosity, passion, and confidence.  About Kel: Kel Haney is a Maine & NYC-based fundraising coach, consultant, & trainer. Before turning to fundraising full-time, she spent 20 years as a theater director and her fundraising methodology is based on how she led a rehearsal room: focusing on what makes each of us unique and engaging. She’s personally made over 20,000 fundraising "asks" and trained non-profit orgs to raise over $15M (primarily in donations under $2K), which inspired her 5-Minute Fundraising Ask Training Program. Kel’s work boils down to “Taking the Ick out of the Ask”: she’s passionate about shifting fundraising conversations away from transactional encounters and toward relationship-building opportunities. Kel’s worked with such organizations as: Berkshire Theatre Group, The Glimmerglass Festival, MCC Theatre, Signature Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Theatre Workshop, Marin Theatre Company, BroadwayUnlocked, American Composers Forum, and RIP Medical Debt. Kel’s IG: @kelhaney Kel’s LInkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kel-haney Download “8 Phrases NOT to use in Fundraising" Guide: www.kelhaney.com/freebie-8-phrases Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to casting director Erica Jensen who shares her personal journey of getting her MFA in Acting to finding her true calling in casting. They discuss the evolving landscape of auditions in this “post-pandemic” world, the technical aspects of self-tapes, and navigating one’s social media presence. They also speak about the significance of cultivating relationships, the joy of discovering and launching careers, and also unpack deeper intricacies of casting.  About Erica: Erica Jensen is a casting director at and co-owner of Calleri Jensen Davis. Her 20-year-plus career with partners James Calleri and Paul Davis spans film, television, regional, off-Broadway and Broadway theater. Casting credits include shows for Actors Theater of Louisville, Classic Stage Company, Rattlestick Theater, City Theater, McCarter Theatre, People’s Light and Theatre, Hartford Stage, LaJolla Playhouse, Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and The Flea Theater. B’way credits include Thoughts of A Colored Man, For Colored Girls (2022), Topdog/Underdog and The Piano Lesson, Past B’way credits: Fool For Love, Hughie, A Raisin In The Sun, Of Mice and Men, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. TV credits include Queens, Love Life, Dickinson, Lipstick Jungle, and The Path. In addition to casting, Erica is the Program Director of and Professor of Practice at the Tepper Semester, a study abroad professional theater program in New York City. She’s the co-founder of She-Collective with partner and talent manager, Dani Super. And she’s a proud and anxious mom to an awesome 11-year-old. Erica’s IG: @ericamjensen Erica’s Email: erica@callerijensendavis.com Erica’s Websites: www.she-collective.com, www.callerijensendavis.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Christina Pumariega all about the tangible aspects of TV writing, pilots, and storytelling. Puma shares what inspired her to write her first pilot, how she ended up landing a writer’s room gig, and the importance of community. They delve into the intricacies of structure - from creating compelling loglines to storyengines to ABC breakdowns to character descriptions. They discuss the art of breaking story, carding, the challenges of both starting and ending a script, and the messy process of writing. Plus they share the value of persistence & discipline,   seeking feedback & mentorship, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. About Christina: Christina Pumariega acts and writes. Often simultaneously. She is the author of VOS! (Crossing Borders Festival at Two River Theater), Joan Dark (DCPA Colorado New Play Summit, Jane Chambers Prize runner-up, O’Neill NPC finalist), Lei Chiede/She Asks (O’Neill NPC finalist) and Her Math Play (EST/Sloan Foundation in collaboration with Hartford Stage Company, BAPF finalist). Her plays have been developed at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, the New Harmony Project, the Lark, New Georges, Hartford Stage Company and Ammunition Theatre Company. She is currently under commission by Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Two River Theater. TV writing credits include “Turner & Hooch” (Disney+) and “Bluff City Law” (NBC). Acting on and Off-Broadway and in television and film, Pumariega has cross examined Coach Taylor, made out with the Fly and set a Cuban pharmacy ablaze in a corset. She’s been an Expert Contributor to BackStage Magazine and has taught at Yale, NYU, Pace and other institutions. Pumariega created and leads the collective Más Páginas: both a writers’ group dedicated to nurturing diverse voices; and playwriting and screenwriting classes held entirely online. Born and raised all over the south, her father is Cuban, her mother is Italian-American. MFA Acting, NYU. Christina’s IG: @christinapumariega Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Jennifer chats with Emily Grace to talk about helping actors write their dream roles. Emily shares the highs and lows of her artistic endeavors, exploring the delicate balance between running a business and nurturing one's artistic soul, touching on themes of delegation, overcoming doubt, and the importance of embracing the messy creative process. They discuss the art of brevity, tools to distill narratives, and giving oneself permission to pause in the relentless pursuit of both business and artistic endeavors. Emily also opens up about an impactful health journey and the profound power of storytelling as a means for processing. About Emily: Emily Grace is a career coach and Sundance award-winning actress who helps actors write and produce the role only they can play, so they never have to wait for permission to do what they love. Emily’s IG: @theonlyemilygrace  Emily’s Website: www.writeyourdreamrole.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) consultant, Kira Troilo. Kira highlights the importance of an "equity-first" approach in the DEI framework, emphasizing the need to create systems that support and value diversity and inclusion in the arts. They unpack the various aspects of EDI, the challenges faced in theater companies, and the need to address implicit biases and make space for difficult conversations to begin building bridges and fostering forgiveness in a polarized culture. They offer practical insights and tools on how to implement EDI practices -- starting from show selection to casting to rehearsals, etc., share the necessity for listening, and using “and” to hold multiple truths simultaneously. Plus they discuss the necessity for open & constructive conversations in order to drive meaningful change in theater, the arts, and the world. About Kira: Kira Troilo is a Boston-based creative and the founder & CEO of Art & Soul Consulting -- a new company that offers Equity, Diversity & Inclusion consulting services uniquely tailored to work in theater and the arts. Kira has provided unique, specialized support for plays and musicals across the nation, including assisting in the creation of the recent world premiere of "Summer Stock: The Musical" at Goodspeed Opera House, starring Corbin Bleu. Kira's fully-tailored workshops and development sessions aim to help arts organizations and educators engage in actionable, relevant and sustainable EDI work. Her groundbreaking work in EDI consulting was recently featured in American Theater Magazine. Kira takes an empathetic approach to her work and believes that curiosity and compassion are the keys to growth, change and genuine connection. Kira’s IG: @kiratroilo Kira’s Website: www.artandsoulconsulting.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer brings back Joanna Carpenter to the podcast. She shares her journey of cultivating self-trust and how it has transformed her life, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging past mistakes as a path to growth and personal liberation. They unpack the lens of curiosity and self-acceptance as a way to navigate the complexities of life and find possibility in the gray areas. Plus, they explore the connection between self-trust and the body, learning how to prioritze oneself, and embracing stillness as a source of strength.  About Joanna: Joanna is the founder of 86 the Barrier, a language learning program for Spanish-speaking asylum seekers and hospitality workers, the market consultant for woman-owned Irish whiskey brand J.J. Corry, and a swing in Sweeney Todd on Broadway. Joanna’s IG: @thejoannac Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can your art be a catalyst for social impact? In this episode, Jennifer speaks with Ashley-Lauren Elrod, Emmy-nominated producer and founder of the mission-driven production company, Visionary Woman Productions. Ashley-Lauren shares her inspiring journey of marrying advocacy with art that focuses on impactful storytelling to combat and address sensitive issues like sexual assault, domestic violence, and the stigma around mental health. She provides tangible tools for artists and entrepreneurs looking to build mission-driven companies, including how to legally establish a business, the back-end necessities, onboarding clients, and various ways to secure funding. This conversation is a reminder of the vast ways art can be used to inspire, advocate, and drive tangible change, from influencing legislation to empowering communities.  About Ashley-Lauren: Ashley-Lauren Elrod is an award-winning triple-threat, versatile professional with proven acting, producing, casting, directing, and production design expertise. Her unique approach to media, film, and marketing through her company Visionary Woman Productions makes her a highly sought-after industry dynamo who is known for her exceptional thought leadership and nonprofit advisory work. As a board-certified, trauma-informed leader, CSA survivor, and suicide attempt survivor, Ashley-Lauren connects her story in all that she does, partnering with organizations to raise awareness, change legislation, and tell powerful stories that need to be told. Ashley-Lauren is a true champion of diversity, safety, and inclusivity in all aspects of entertainment, media, marketing, and advocacy. She brings fresh perspectives, energy, and spirit to every project she takes on. Her passion is to impart the tools and knowledge to help people lead a fruitful and audaciously authentic life and to assist clients in achieving their creative vision through bold, audacious moves. Ashley-Laurens’s IGs: @ashleylaurenofficial Ashley-Lauren’s Website: www.ashleylaurenonline.com Visionary Woman Productions IG: @visionarywomanproductions Visionary Woman Productions Website: www.visionarywomanproductions.com Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist, Orit Krug, about the transformative power of dance movement therapy. Orit shares how it’s possible to heal trauma by tuning into sensations and being curious about its origins in order to better move through emotions and connect more deeply with oneself and interpersonally. They discuss the power of integrating mind and body, how trauma is stored a  s fragments of sensation in the body, and the way this approach can unlock hidden memories.They talk about the profound impact of non-verbal communication, how this form of therapy is accessible even for those who may not consider themselves dancers, and the importance of understanding one's own window of tolerance. They offer practical tools to tune inward, emphasizing setting intentions and using movement as a form of self-expression and self-care.    About Orit: Orit Krug is an award-winning Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist. Orit specializes in helping individuals & couples heal from past trauma and enjoy healthy lasting relationships using her unique approach with dance therapy. For over 13 years, Orit has transformed the lives of more than 5,000 clients from 12 different countries. Her online programs & retreats have helped thousands break free from their unhealthy relationship cycles and experience positive transformations in their love lives. Orit is the founder of the “Mind Your Body” podcast and has been featured in DailyOM, ThriveGlobal, Authority Magazine, as well as quoted in SELF & INSIDER. She currently lives in the suburbs of NYC with her loving husband and their son. Orit’s IGs: @orit.krug Orit’s Website: www.oritkrug.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer chats with singer, actress, and activist, Malynda Hale. Her unwavering faith and spirituality guide her in speaking out for marginalized groups with earnestness, vulnerability, and kindness. As such, they talk about the challenges of engaging in difficult conversations in today's fast-paced and divided world, especially on social media. They share insights on giving oneself permission to start and speak out even in the face of adversity. They also explore the importance of learning directly from others lived experiences in order to foster understanding and create change. Plus they emphasize the value of kindness, empathy, and active listening in addressing social issues and breaking down barriers.   About Malynda: Malynda Hale was born and raised in sunny Santa Barbara, California where she began singing at the age of 5. She won “Best Female Vocalist” at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, “Best Pop Music Video” at the Indie Music Channel Awards, and “Pop Song of the Year” at The Josie Music Awards. She has been a headliner for the NAMM show, has opened for artists such as Tyrone Wells, Ernie Halter, Levi Kreis, OTOWN and Smokey Robinson and sung background for Melissa Manchester, Terron Brooks and Foreigner. Pre-covid she was touring the world as a guest entertainer on cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Regent, and Celebrity. As an actress she has appeared in stage productions of Once of This Island, Dreamgirls, and Bye Bye Birdie as well as numerous national commercials, independent films and the Lifetime TV Network movie ” A Hunt for Truth” alongside Willa Ford. Most recently she starred in a feature film alongside Loretta Divine and Amy Madigan and a short film with Danielle Beckman and Bobby Moynihan. She currently hosts her own podcast called #WeNeedToTalk that focuses on powerful one-on-one conversations. #WeNeedtoTalk drives home the message that “Everything begins with a conversation.” Because of her love for telling people’s stories, in January 2021 she created the Black Voices Heard Project, an ongoing video and photo series that seeks to amplify the experiences of Black Americans. Through this project, it is her hope that the negative perceptions of the Black community will be dismantled and the door will open for more understanding and empathy. Malynda uses her voice through her music and social media presence as an educating activist to effect change within social justice, female empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, veganism, the Black Lives Matter movement, Antisemitism and Progressive Christianity. Malynda has partnered with many organizations such as ACE For Change, Vocal Media, and Yahoo to spread messaging on voting rights, climate change and world hunger and has been a featured commentator on CNN, ABC News Live & Good Morning America. She currently serves as a curriculum and development consultant for ROC Era, a nonprofit committed to providing arts and mentorship programs to inner city youth,  she is on the board for the Religions Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and for The New Evangelicals Non Profit and is an assistant producer at the Garry Marshall Theatre. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and dog.  Malynda’s IGs: @malyndahale Malynda’s Website: www.malyndahale.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Jennifer sits down with Marissa Ghavami as they shares their personal healing journey, which led to the creation of Healing TREE, a 501c3 organization dedicated to healing trauma through resources, education, and entertainment. The discussion dives into the nature of trauma, distinguishing between "big T" and "small t" traumas, and the impact of cumulative life stressors. They also explore the significance of body-based work and the importance of different therapeutic modalities beyond talk therapy that are available for those seeking help. They share the significance of accessing care and resources - especially through the work of Healing TREE - and how artists can engage in this healing to deepen their own growth, personal wellness, and hopefully create meaningful change. About Marissa: Marissa Ghavami (they/she) is an Iranian-American, queer artist, advocate and creator based in NYC. Most recently, they played Khalilah, opposite Tony Winner KO (Karen Olivo), in a workshop of Siluetas, part of 4xLatiné Off-Broadway. Up next on stage, they can be seen as Irene in the NYC premiere reading of the international hit play The Little Pony on October 13th at the Prelude Festival and Jessie in Divine Riot’s Cry It Out this November. Film/TV highlights include starring in the feature film The Gift of Christmas, alongside Academy Award Nominee Bruce Davison, and roles in Paramount’s Not Fade Away, with James Gandolfini, and on CBS’s Without A Trace; as well as singing on NBC’s It’s Showtime at the Apollo. Marissa has also sung at Joe’s Pub (alongside Tony Nominee L Morgan Lee), Birdland (alongside Academy Award Winner and Tony Nominee Ariana DeBose) and 54 Below. Voiceover/Commercial/Print highlights include Audible, McDonald's, Ford, JCPenney, Belvedere, PepsiCo, Girl Scout Cookies and KFC. Marissa co-produced the feature film Mass, starring Ann Dowd, Martha Plimpton, Jason Isaacs and Reed Birney. Mass premiered at Sundance, was acquired by Bleecker Street, had a theatrical release, won the Robert Altman Award, was a Gotham, Critics Choice and BAFTA nominee and is now streaming. They produced and co-wrote the short film Silk, directed by John Magaro (Carol, The Big Short), an Official Selection at the Academy Award Qualifying Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival, among others. Marissa is the Founding Executive + Artistic Director of the nonprofit Healing TREE (Trauma Resources, Education & Entertainment). They are a national public speaker, a healing trauma-focused coach for artists and a trauma consultant for productions. They are a Queer Writer Fellow at Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing and an Artists Striving To End Poverty (now Arts Ignite) Fellow and participant in the Artist As Citizen Conference at Juilliard. They are a Founding Company Member of Divine Riot, a new theatre and film company that defies convention. They are also an avid meditator, vegan and cat parent. AEA, SAG-AFTRA.  Marissa's IG: @marissaghavami Healing Tree's IG: @healingtreeorg Divine Riot's IG: @adivineriot Marissa's Website: www.marissaghavami.com Healing Tree's Website: www.healingtreenonprofit.org Divine Riot's Website: www.divineriot.org Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Jennifer has a heart-conversation with Emily Martinez all about navigating the tumultuous journey of being an artist and creative. They talk about what it means to openly share the highs and lows of one’s artistic pursuits on social media, battling the comparison game, embracing one's uniqueness, and the transformative power of becoming our own biggest cheerleader in a world that often demands conformity. They discuss success as a personal journey and how crucial it is to root for yourself in a world that often feels competitive and uncertain. They also emphasize the importance of speaking up and the privilege of letting people into your life on your terms.  About Emily: Emily is a multi-hyphenate creative with achievements onstage and off as a musical theatre actor, content creator and podcast host. Most recently she made her Off-Broadway debut with the popular Internet trio Lewberger in their new musical Lewberger and the Wizard of Friendship. Emily also hosts a theatre/lifestyle channel on YouTube where she creates content for people with a passion for the arts. Her loyal band of followers, the Forever Theatre Kids, lovingly call her Mama Bear and look to her for empowerment and inspiration as they navigate the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. Her channel is a place where they know they can come for advice, audition tips, backstage vlogs or even just a few laughs. Inspired by her original series, “Bloody Broadway,” Emily cohosts Exit, Stage Death The Podcast, a True Crime podcast of the CHILLING stories behind your favorite Broadway shows, as well as her own solo podcast Ohh, I’m Lonely! Finding Purpose in Loneliness, Together. Emily’s IG: @emilymartinezofficial Emily's Website: www.emilymartinezentertainer.com Emily's Youtube: youtube.com/emilymartinezentertainer Emily's Podcast: Ohh I'm Lonely Podcast Finding Purpose in our Loneliness: www.buzzsprout.com/2037268 Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While we are on our mid-season 2 hiatus, we wanted to share an Episode Guide with you outlining what we have released thus far to help you navigate through your listening! This guide breaks down our episodes from Season 1 and thus far in Season 2 into categories so you can better decide what you might be most intrigued by or discover a guest you wanted to hear from more in depth. We hope it can be a resource to you as you listen for the first time or want to return again to a specific topic. Our second half of Season 2 will be released in a few weeks and we cannot wait to share what we have in store! Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Nominate a Podcast Guest! https://form.jotform.com/220608577638162 Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the podcast, Jennifer talks to attorney Lauren Bercuson about the ways to protect oneself with or without representation in this industry. They unpack the importance of hiring a lawyer to navigate contracts or other alternatives if hiring one is not possible. Lauren provides negotiating tips on ways to be assertive while maintaining respect, the value of trademarks and copyrights in safeguarding one’s work, protecting one’s intellectual property rights, and key clauses in contracts to look out for, such as payment terms, favored nations clauses, exclusivity agreements, and merchandising rights. They discuss the challenges of social media and content creation in todays climate. They encourage artists to be proactive in protecting themselves and their livelihood.  About Lauren: Lauren Bercuson is the founder of LB Legal Creative, a dynamic and forward-thinking service catering to the needs of creative professionals and small businesses. With a powerful fusion of legal expertise, writing prowess, and an unwavering passion for all things creative, Lauren offers a comprehensive range of solutions to amplify and safeguard your brand. From crafting compelling communications to skillfully negotiating contracts and protecting valuable intellectual property assets such as copyrights and trademarks, LB Legal Creative stands as the ultimate ally for overcoming your creative challenges. Let Lauren's innovative approach and deep understanding of the creative landscape empower you to reach new heights of success. Lauren’s IGs: @lblegalcreative and @happily.ever.elephants Lauren’a Website: www.lblegalcreative.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Adrienne Rose White about pitching and selling TV shows. Adrienne shares her journey, her creative process, and what has worked/not worked for her. She provides insights into crafting effective pitch materials, navigating the dynamics between production companies and networks, and building authentic connections. They talk about the importance of celebrating every step of the process, staying resilient through rejection, and paving one’s own path to success in this ever-evolving entertainment industry.  At the time of us releasing this episode, both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA are on strike together for the first time since 1960 and we here at EAC are in full solidarity with both of these unions and what they are fighting for. Changes must be made - there is power when we stand together. With that, this episode covers things that you cannot necessarily put into practice at this current time in the industry, but its content is still incredibly helpful and relevant as you are creating on your own during this time, so when things hopefully do come to a favorable conclusion, you have all these tools in your back pocket. About Adrienne: Adrienne Rose White makes good TV that makes the world a better place. She developed the online course How to *Actually* Sell a TV Show, Organically to empower and inform creatives on how to develop, package, and sell the authentic story that only they could tell. As a writer and producer she’s optioned or sold 5 TV shows, and helped other creatives get yeses from Netflix and Paramount, meetings with their dream show runners, and more. As an actress, her indie feature film “After We’re Over “was released on Amazon on May 16th, and she appears in Annapurna’s forthcoming feature “Nightbitch” starring Amy Adams. Adrienne’s IG: @somethingtrulybrilliant Adrienne’s Website: www.somethingtrulybrilliant.com Use the code EMPOWERED for 50% off of the “How to *Actually* Sell A TV Show, Organically” course. Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Kati Schwartz about channeling challenging personal experience into art and more specifically, playwriting. They delve into large themes of gaslighting, the importance of trusting one's gut, and the complexities of culpability and complicity. They explore what it means to rewire memories, experience betrayal, and to trust the wrong people. They address the bystander effect, one’s responsibility to respond to harm, and the gray areas of human judgment. Plus, they discuss finding joy amidst the overwhelming and relentless nature of these topics and the importance of authentic self-care. CW: #MeToo-related topics around sexual assault, grooming, parasocial relationships, & abuse. About Kati: Kati Schwartz is a New York City based playwright and actor. Kati’s audio play, Bad People, is currently available on Audible and in paperback and was an Amazon bestseller for four months straight. Her play, The Coward, won the 2017 New York New Works Festival and was a semi-finalist for the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference, in 2017. Her play She Got Off The Couch premiered at the Hollywood Fringe Festival in 2016 where it received the Producers Encore Award and was extended twice. Other plays, including The Whale Play and Caring for The Dead featuring original music by For You The Moon, have been produced Off-Broadway (The Duke Theater), as well as at theaters such as Dixon Place, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Arena Stage (DC), Ugly Rhino Theatre Company, Next Stage Arts Project and Alchemical Theatre Lab. Excerpts of The Coward have been published by Smith and Kraus in December 2017 as a part of their Best Stage Monologues collections. Favorite acting credits: The Wolves (Studio Theatre – Helen Hayes Award), August: Osage County (The Fulton Theatre), “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”; Season 5. Kati’s IG: @katischwartzie Kati’s Website: www.katischwartz.com www.badpeopleaudioplay.com    Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Emilie Leyes about brain training and hypnosis. They share what led them to this work and how rewiring our brains through self-hypnosis and visualization can bring about profound changes in our lives and health. They unpack misconceptions surrounding hypnosis and expand on how it can be used as a tool for transformation and rewiring the subconscious mind. Plus, Emilie offers practical techniques for stress regulation and highlights the significance of embracing joyful moments and finding balance in the face of challenges. About Emilie: Emilie is an actor, singer, brain training specialist, and hypnosis practitioner for performers. They help folks use mental practices to change their brain and body’s response to stress, build confidence, strengthen the parts of the brain responsible for creativity, navigate challenging roles, and boldly pursue their goals. Emilie is trained in clinical hypnosis, positive neuroplasticity, positive psychology and mind-body medicine. You can learn how to train your brain and support your creative career with Emilie through 1:1 hypnosis sessions, online courses, workshops, and through their popular TikTok account, where they offer free resources and practices. Emilie’s TikTok: @emilieleyes.hypnosis Emilie’s IG: @emilieleyes Use code EMPOWERED20 for 20% off programming: www.emilieleyes.com/hypnotic-empowerment-masterclass Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Melissa Moschitto and Dr. Haile Eshe Cole of The Anthropologists to discuss their unique approach to investigative theater and explore how anthropology & research intersect with storytelling & art. They share what it means to challenge assumptions, break predominant narratives, and unearth hidden histories. They also navigate leaning into gaps, asking critical questions, and embracing the transformative power of art in shaping our understanding of the world. Plus, they unpack what responsibility and accountability are when it comes to devising work and creating art in general. About Melissa: Melissa Moschitto (she/her) is a director, playwright and producer advancing the form of research-based investigative theatre. She is the Founding Artistic Director of The Anthropologists, a theatre company dedicated to the creation of devised theatre that inspires action. Her dynamic, kinetic work has been seen at HERE, The New Ohio, Dixon Place, and she has been an artist-in-residence at Abrons Arts Center. Most recently, she helmed The Anthropologists' world premiere of No Pants In Tucson, for which she received a 2020 NYC Women’s Fund Grant. Melissa holds a B.A. in Theater from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is married to an engineer-slash-secret-dramaturg and the mother of two dramatic children. She resides and works in Upper Manhattan on the ancestral land of the Lenape. About Dr. Cole: Originally hailing from a small Central Texas town, Dr. Haile Eshe Cole has spent most of her adult life working and playing in Austin, TX. She has a B.A. in Sociology and African-American Studies and received both her M.A. and PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin. Haile has conducted research on alternatives to incarceration for mothers and their children in both Texas and New York as well as maternal and infant mortality for Black women nationally and in Texas. She is also a trained birth educator and birth companion (doula). In her free time, Haile likes to read, write, watch movies, try new recipes from the food network, and spend time with family and friends. She currently resides in the New England area with her two wonderful children. About The Anthropologists: The Anthropologists is dedicated to the collaborative creation of investigative theatre that inspires action. Fusing research, expressive movement, and rigorous dramaturgy, we create dynamic plays rooted in social inquiry. We use theatre to engage with challenging questions, to re-contextualize the present and reimagine our collective future. Founded in 2008. The Anthropologist IG: @theanthropologists The Anthropologist’s Website: www.theanthropologists.org The Anthropologist’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheAnthropologists Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to be a theater historian? In our 100th episode, host Jennifer Apple speaks with Jennifer Ashley Tepper — producer, historian, author, and Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below — who shares how her passion for theater history began organically and evolved into a career spanning programming, teaching, consulting, and authorship. Together, they chat about the importance of cabaret spaces as creative hubs for fostering and preserving theater and offer practical tools for artists to pitch ideas with specificity and vision, embracing self-promotion through social media, and crafting creative marketing strategies to build one’s audience. About Jennifer Ashley: Jennifer Ashley Tepper is an acclaimed theatre historian, author, and producer. She is the conceiver of The Jonathan Larson Project, which will start previews this coming February at the Orpheum Theatre, off-Broadway, following an acclaimed 2018 concert premiere and cast recording. She has been the Creative and Programming Director at 54 Below for the past decade. She has curated or produced over 7000 shows in this position. Her leadership at the beloved venue has gained praise from publications including The Huffington Post, The New York Times, Buzzfeed, Playbill, Newsday, The New York Post, and more. Tepper's four volumes of The Untold Stories of Broadway book series have been called an "inspiring Must- Read" by NBC New York and occupied the #1 spot on Amazon.com's Best Sellers List in Broadway & Musicals. Her upcoming book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy that the History Books Left Out was published in November 2024. Women Writing Musicals is the first-ever book about female musical theatre writers. Tepper is the producer of the musicals Be More Chill, Broadway Bounty Hunter, and Love In Hate Nation, recent projects that are part of a decade-long collaboration with the group known as Joe Iconis & Family. On Broadway, Tepper has also worked on [title of show], The Performers, Godspell, Macbeth, and The Parisian Woman. She was historian consultant on the tick, tick... BOOM! movie (directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda for Netflix) and co-creator of the Bistro Award- winning concert series, If It Only Even Runs A Minute. Her work as a theatre historian also encompasses celebrated live talks and events, including at TEDxBroadway, BroadwayCon, The Museum of Broadway, Thespian Festivals, and more. Tepper received a 2020 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist Award. She was named one of the 10 professionals on Backstage Magazine's "1st Annual Broadway Future Power List", which stated: "Proving herself both a zeitgeist predictor and theatrical historian with her eclectic programming, Tepper is leading the conversation on contemporary musical theatre.” The Jonathan Larson Project, which she conceived starts previews at the Orpheum Theatre in NYC in February. Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s IG: @jenashtep Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s Website: www.jenniferashleytepper.com The Jonathan Larson Project: TheJonathanLarsonProject.com 54 Below: 54below.org & booking@54below.org Download the FREE Monologue Selection Toolkit: www.jenniferapple.net/freebie Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Learn more about Jennifer Apple: www.jenniferapple.net Jennifer Apple’s IG: @JenniferApple_  Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Jenny Piersol about navigating fear, the importance of courage, and the concept of doing something right vs. truthfully. They discuss how to demystify overwhelming emotions in the creative process, how to break down bigger tasks into smaller steps, and how to cultivate connections and build relationships. Plus, they remind us of the power of empathy, that everyone is making it up as they go, and importance of making beautiful choices with a caring heart on the unpredictable journey that is one’s life as an artist. About Jenny: Jenny Piersol is an NYC-based actor and writer whose work creates generous spaces for others to honor their wounds en route to healing. Her short film DEAR SIMONE, which she wrote, produced, and starred in, had its world premiere at the Big Apple Film Festival this past May and will be screening at Kaufman Astoria Studios in June (additional festival appearances TBA!). Her previous film Q_ARANT_NE screened at the Toronto Lift-Off Film Festival and Studio City Film Festival, among others. Hailed by BroadwayWorld as "remarkably talented," Jenny has appeared at regional theaters across the country, including Walnut Street Theater, Fulton Theater, and the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Her favorite stage credits include the Lincoln Center national tour of South Pacific, Talley's Folly, and the Off Bway play Dear Jane. Jenny’s IG: @jenny.piersol Dear Simone IG: @dearsimone.film Jenny’s Website: www.jennypiersol.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks with Sarah Wenig, a registered dietitian and nutritionist specializing in performance and sports nutrition for athletes and performing artists. Sarah clarifies the difference between a dietitian and a nutritionist, addresses misconceptions, and highlights the significance of listening to one's body. They discuss the athleticism of performers, the importance of recognizing food as fuel for sustaining the demands of this career, and the need for recovery. Sarah shares practical tips for preparing meals and snacks to support busy schedules, gives further insights on balanced nutrition, and ways to create small and sustainable changes in mindset and routine to continue trusting oneself & taking care of oneself holistically.    About Sarah: Sarah Wenig is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and the founder of New York Nutrition, LLC. She has over 10 years of experience in the wellness industry having worked as a certified Pilates instructor and health coach prior to becoming a dietitian. Sarah specializes in performance nutrition and helps her clients reach their goals through a non-diet method. As a sports dietitian, Sarah has worked with the New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, New Jersey Devils, as well as players in the NFL and performing artists. Prior to this, she worked with the football and basketball teams at Rutgers University. Sarah takes an intuitive approach to nutrition that combines functional wellness with meaningful lifestyle changes. She has extensive training in medical nutrition therapy and helps clients manage various health issues through dietary and lifestyle interventions. Sarah completed her Didactic Program in Dietetics at New York University and holds a dual master’s degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University. Sarah’s IG: @sarahameliawenig Sarah’s Tiktok: @sarahameliawenig Sarah’s Website: www.newyorknutrition.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks again to tax professional and artist, Hannah Cole, who returns after Ep. 48 Taxes 101 for Artists. This time, they chat all about the concept of “fuck you money” and its power in granting personal agency. Hannah emphasizes the need for a personal finance plan that goes beyond budgeting and focuses on building a surplus of money. She outlines an order of operations for financial success, including establishing an emergency fund, paying off high-interest debts, the significance of investing and utilizing tax-advantaged accounts to grow assets over time. They talk about shifting our mindset around money and viewing it as a neutral tool rather than something inherently negative so that we can empower ourselves to take charge of our financial well-being.  About Hannah:  Have you ever been flooded with shame while sitting across from an accountant? Have you felt too embarrassed to ask or even formulate your questions? Maybe even doubted your own career as you watched someone who does not get your world or see the value and mission behind what you do look at you through the lens of your income? That is not going to happen today. Hannah Cole is a tax expert who specializes in working with creative businesses and mission-driven solopreneurs. A long-time working artist with a high-level exhibition history, the financial challenges of freelancers and small creative businesses are both relevant and personal to Hannah. Her specialty is communicating complex tax issues in a clear, creative-centered, empowering way.  She founded her company, Sunlight Tax, with a mission to serve visionary people, just like you, who are self-employed, with relevant tax and financial education, so you can bring your unique vision to the world. She’s helped tens of thousands of creative and mission-driven self-employed people skill up with accessible tax and money education through professional speaking engagements from Florida to Alaska, and on the Sunlight podcast.  And she’s helped thousands of creative people organize for taxes, set up their businesses, and grow their “freedom funds” (or “F***-You Money”) through her program, Money Bootcamp. Hannah’s goal is to help you realize the full value of your vision in this world, and use your money as a tool (not an obstacle) to making that vision a reality. Hannah’s IG: @sunlighttax Hannah’s Podcast: www.sunlighttax.com/podcast  Hannah’s Deduction Guide: www.sunlighttax.com/deductionsguide EAC listeners can get a $100 discount on Hannah's program by using your affiliate coupon: EMPOWERED Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Alesha Cid-Vega, who shares her journey as an international student coming to the US to pursue theater which ultimately led her to explore the intersection of psychology and the arts. They explore her current research in mental health and wellness that focuses on building systems of care and promoting accessibility in the arts community. They emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach, training non-specialist providers, and creating a culture of care with the goal of strengthening support systems to make mental health accessibility a priority for artists through task-sharing models and developing strategies for daily life. About Alesha: Alesha is a current graduate Psychology student at The New School for Social Research in the Trauma & Global Mental Health Lab. Born and raised in Spain, she moved to the U.S. to pursue a career in musical theatre. After the twists and bends of navigating the performing arts conservatory system and its barriers for international and low/middle-income students, she enrolled in the Entertainment Management program at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in the University of Central Florida, aiming to make a change toward equity in the arts industry. As the Covid-19 pandemic hit, with the heart of an artist and a deep growing concern for global and mental health, she transferred to Sarah Lawrece College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts concentrating in Performing Arts and Public Health. Alesha is currently developing projects to design and implement accessible mental health programs tailored for performing artists, through community models. Before joining The New School, she worked in direct services with refugees and asylum seekers with HIAS New York and has served as a Spanish translator and interpreter for community-based immigration organizations. More recently, she completed a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support fellowship with the International Rescue Committee’s Technical Advising Health Unit. Beyond her current work, her evolving lists of interests include meaning-making and resilience, lessons from Eastern and indigenous healing, the singing voice, sensory sensitivity, poetry, storytelling, and the revolutionary practice of slowing down.  Alesha's IG: @aleshacidvega Alesha’s email: cidva377@newschool.edu Alesha’s Website: https://www.acidvega.com/connect Alesha's Resources List: Trauma and Global Mental Health Lab at The New School: https://nssrglobalmentalhealth.com/ Lifenet hotlines brochure (different languages): https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/dmh/dmh-lifenet-brochure.pdf NYC Well: https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/ Safran Center for Psychological Services: https://www.newschool.edu/nssr/centers-special-programs/safran-center-for-psychological-services/ National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network Psychological First Aid Training: training: https://www.nctsn.org/treatments-and-practices/psychological-first-aid-and-skills-for-psychological-recovery/nctsn-resources Community-based NYC Organizations: https://www.recoupny.com/about-recoup-ny   Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Jennifer talks to Sarah Harris who shares her journey of becoming a stage manager for theater and Broadway. They discuss the different roles and responsibilities within stage management, the dynamics of building a diverse and supportive stage management team, and the importance of adaptability and communication throughout the process. They highlight the evolving accessibility of stage management as a profession, emphasize the significance of treating people with care and respect, and encourage embracing one’s own unique strengths and interests. About Sarah: Sarah G. Harris (she/her) is a stage manager, producer, and educator dedicated to creating safe collaborative spaces built on care, trust, and generosity. She strives to bring love and joy into every room she’s a part of. Her credits include... Broadway: Parade, A Christmas Carol, POTUS, Come From Away, Once On This Island, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and The Crucible. National Tour: Hamilton (Philip & Angelica Companies). Off-Broadway: Second Stage, Audible Theatre, and others. Regional: Alliance Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Berkshire Theatre Group. Corporate Events: Paramount Upfront (Paramount Global), Big Holiday Show (Target), Goalkeepers (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), Skittles: The Broadway Musical, and more. Sarah also worked on the Live Captures of A Christmas Carol and Come From Away. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor for Columbia University’s M.F.A. Stage Management Program. Sarah’s IG: @sarah.g.harris Sarah’s Website: www.sarahgharris.me Sarah's SM Book Recommendations: https://kit.co/sarah.g.harris/sm-books Fun things for your SM Tool Kit: https://kit.co/sarah.g.harris/sm-tool-kit Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Jennifer talks to MiMi Scardulla about the importance of body diversity and fat representation in the arts. MiMi shares her journey as a performer and the gumption she has to continue showing up, the community that has supported her, and the outlook she keeps that drives her. They unpack the emotional and physical toll that comes with being a performer and how it's important to find ways to fill one’s life outside of the job, as well as emphasizing the importance of taking care of oneself and trusting one's own body since it is a gift that deserves to be treated with the utmost care. Plus they discuss the psychological and societal challenges faced by fat performers, the importance of body diversity, and the need to erase the stigmas & taboo to start talking about all of it openly. About MiMi: MiMi Scardulla is an actor, dancer, creative in New York City. She’s currently in A Beautiful Noise on Broadway. She has also been seen in We are the Tigers, Gigantic, and the world premieres of Once Upon a One More Time, and Heart of Rock and Roll.  Even better, she has had the chance to work with incredible students around the country teaching the next generation of Musical Theatre. She is a fierce Size Diversity advocate and believes BIG IS BEAUTIFUL! She is fueled by coffee, cookies, kisses from her pup Gypsy, and the insane all encompassing love from Skylar and her Family. MiMi’s IG: @mimiscardulla Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to Janel Koloski and Amanda DeBraux of Mindset Artistry Podcast about their journey of personal growth, self-discovery, and healing. They share how they became accountability partners and how it has helped them stay consistent and focused on their goals. They also talk about the importance of following your intuition and letting go of people and situations that no longer serve you. They touch on the struggles of identity and self-acceptance, the pressure of expectations from both internal and external factors, and the importance of setting boundaries and taking responsibility for your own life choices. About Janel & Amanda: Mindset Artistry Youtube Channel & Community is a life-transforming journey hosted by Amanda DeBraux, Actor, Self-Authenticity & Prosperity Coach, Dog Mom and Janel Koloski, Actor, Career & Mindset Coach & Human Rights Activist - Launching in 2023, we strive to bring the truth, healing, and authenticity into everyone's lives - including our own! We invite you to join us on this incredible adventure. Our mission is to bring tons of inspiring, creative content with educational life coaches giving advice on growth, wealth, success, encouragement and much more. We want to challenge ourselves as well as our audience through online workshops, client sessions, new courses and other fun activities that involve laughs, honest moments and quirky guest interviews. Maybe even a little crying here and there - all for the sake of releasing and healing emotions! So come along with us every week on this life coach-led mission of demonstrating love, light and kindness – while setting goals to reach success in life. Embrace our community by subscribing now; let's get your life going in the direction of your dreams! Janel & Amanda’s IGs: @amandadebraux @janelloves Mindset Artistry YouTube: youtube.com/@mindsetartistry Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to piano prodigy, Nomi Abadi, who shares her journey growing up, what brought her to invent a new instrument, the NORY® Double Keytar, and also found the Female Composer Safety League. They talk about Nomi’s beginnings with her ventriloquist dummy, Dennis, and how that ultimately led her to become a film composer. They unpack her creative process for composing which involves understanding the story and subtext of a film, finding visuals that inspire them, and using textures and instruments to deepen the impact of the story. They also discuss the power of music and its ability to create emotional experiences for audiences.  CW: mention of trauma, assault, grooming. About Nomi: A virtuoso pianist, singer, composer, activist, inventor of the NORY® double synth, and President of the Female Composer Safety League, Nomi Abadi started composing music when she was four years old, making her concert debut as a guest soloist with the Orange County Chamber Orchestra at age five. As a piano prodigy, she became one of Mannes School of Music in New York’s youngest students ever at age eight, and performed with numerous orchestras nationally and internationally, including a solo Eastern European tour at age 11. As an artist, she released a full length album, Chase, No Running, and three solo EPs. Nomi has collaborated with various artists, including as pianist of the Grammy- nominated album "Sekou Andrews and the String Theory", a co-writer and guest vocalist on Satanic Planet’s debut album on their single, “Devil In Me” alongside Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Misfits) and Justin Pearson (The Locust/Deadcross). Nomi sung the vocals on Jacquie Joy’s club hit, “You’ll Feel Nothing”. Nomi has earned over twenty film and video game composing credits, scoring for indie films and brands such as Apple®, BOSE®, Cartoon Network® and NASA®. In 2022, she was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award in the Independent Shorts Fest for her score of the film, “The Unnatural Order”, and accepted into the Women’s Weekend Film Challenge in New York. In 2020, Nomi founded the Female Composer Safety League, a 501(c)(3) whose mission focuses on the safety and empowerment of women composers. Her original instrument, NORY®, was a finalist in the Georgia Tech’s Guthman Musical Instrument Competition in 2020, making its TV debut on the Emmy-nominated show, “The Afterparty” (Ilana Glazer) in 2022. Nomi is one of the only women in the world today to hold a keyboard instrument patent, and features NORY® in her compositions and live performance. Nomi’s IG: @nomiabadi Nomi’s Website: www.NomiAbadi.com Nory Keytars: www.norykeytars.com Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer talks to costume designer and visual producer, Sarah Cogan, all about the importance of design for on-camera and how aligning design elements of production, costume, lighting, hair/makeup etc. can shape and enhance storytelling. She gives guidance to filmmakers on crafting cinematic cohesion through production design, getting clarity on their ideas, and counters the misconception that film design is a luxury. They unpack four key storytelling layers of film, what three key questions are crucial to ask when in the process of creation, and five tenants to use as storytelling tools.  About Sarah: Sarah Cogan crafts cinematic cohesion by aligning the script to the visuals, skillfully integrating the filmmakers’s creative vision across all areas of design. She crafts grounded, genuine characters by working closely with the director and actors. Sarah has been designing costumes for over 17 years. Her latest film, 18 1/2 (2021), was submitted to the Oscars for Best Costumes. She’s designed features, shorts and episodics. She’s Assistant Costume Designed shows such as Kevin Can Wait, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Helpsters (Nominated for an Emmy) and Last Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Sarah is known by her colleagues for championing the projects she takes on, serving the filmmakers’s vision with excellence, and making strong intuitive choices. Her strengths are genre blending, worldbuilding, and crafting grounded characters. Sarah’s IG: @sarahcogandesigns  Tiktok: @sarahcogandesigns Sarah’s Website: www.sarahcogan.com Watch Sarah's Free Workshop! https://workshops.sarahcogan.com/empowered Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jennifer has an open and vulnerable conversation with Lori Tishfield about navigating the world as an artist post-pandemic, starting a business, and the significance of making choices. Lori shares her journey as an actorpreneur of an experiential staffing agency, Natural Talent, discussing the role her business plays in her life and how it supports her as an artist. They emphasize the importance of recognizing one's values, skillset, and overcoming the fear that often impedes progress. Plus, they deconstruct the narrative surrounding the "starving artist" stigma and reflect on identifying one's priorities and connecting one’s "why" to all aspects of life. About Lori: Lori Tishfield is an actorpreneur based in NYC. Lori’s most recent performances have been as a featured vocalist in André De Shields’ concert series at 54 Below and The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Past credits include Orange is the New Black, FBI: Most Wanted, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Lyric Stage of Boston), Sweeney Todd (NJPAC), Neighbors (CompanyOne). Lori is the Founder of Natural Talent, an experiential staffing agency exclusively staffing actors in brand ambassador work. In the last 5 years, Natural Talent has partnered with over 100 brands and provided “survival jobs” for over 200 actors nationwide (naturaltalent.co). In the last year, she has been applying her experience as an entrepreneur towards some early career producing- Project Sing Out (co-producer) and Far From Canterbury (associate producer). Most recently, thanks to the Black Theatre Coalition, Lori just completed a one year fellowship in sales/marketing/publicity with Disney Theatrical Group. Lori’s IG: @loritishfield Natural Talent's IG: @naturaltalentagency Lori’s Email: Lori@naturaltalent.co Natural Talent’s Website: www.naturaltalent.co Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective  EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/ Sign up for our newsletter! https://mailchi.mp/8e72e8dcb662/stay-in-touch Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/ Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices