Breakthrough by Ali Yassine

In this episode of Breakthrough, actor, singer, and performer Kharytia Bilash shares her journey through musical theatre, film & TV, overcoming self-doubt, losing her voice from stress, and learning why some of life's biggest opportunities come when you stop trying to control the outcome.

A conversation about creativity, resilience, and refusing to put yourself in a box.

🎙️ New episodes every week.

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In this episode of Breakthrough, I sit down with actress and former TV host Kristina Matisic to talk about reinventing yourself later in life, overcoming fear, and returning to acting after years away from the craft.Christina opens up about:leaving her career in news televisionbuilding and hosting successful TV showsbeing typecast as a reporter for yearsthe fear of starting acting again in her 50sstruggling with confidence, auditions, memorization, and self-doubtwhy it’s never too late to chase something meaningfulThis is a raw conversation about identity, growth, fear, and the courage to begin again.

In this episode of Breakthrough, veteran casting director Andrea Kenyon shares rare insider truths about what gets actors booked, the mistakes most actors make in self tapes, how casting decisions really happen, and why bringing life beyond the lines matters.We talk auditions, risk-taking, demo reels, headshots, the evolution of casting, AI in the industry, and the mindset actors need to build lasting careers.If you’re an actor chasing your next breakthrough, this episode is for you.🎙 New episodes every week.#Acting #AuditionTips #CastingDirector #SelfTape #BreakthroughPodcast🎙 ABOUT THE PODCASTBreakthrough is the podcast that explores the dream and process of entrepreneurs, artists and creators that got them to where they are to inspire your the listener to chase yours.

This moment is funny… but the conversation behind it is real.From engineering to acting, rejection to breakthroughs—this episode breaks down what it actually takes to stay in the game.Most people won’t last. Here’s why.

What happens when your dream rejects you?In this episode of Breakthrough, actress, filmmaker, and storyteller Magalie Bazinet shares the painful moment she was kicked out of acting school because of her English — and how that rejection became the turning point that forced her to take control of her own career.Instead of quitting, Magalie moved forward by creating her own projects, directing films, and telling stories that mattered to her.We talk about the brutal reality of the acting industry, dealing with rejection, building confidence as a performer, and why sometimes the only way forward is to create your own opportunities.This is a raw conversation about failure, resilience, identity, and the moment you realize nobody is coming to save your career.If you're an actor, creator, or dream-chaser, this episode is for you.

Danica Frederick was on her way to a PhD in microbiology.Then she opened the wrong door at her first audition — and it changed everything.In this episode of Breakthrough, we talk about:• Leaving the “safe” path• Booking her first role with zero experience• Not working for two years after moving to Vancouver• Being asked to lose weight for a part• Almost quitting• And the moment she asked the universe for a sign — and got oneIf you’ve ever felt torn between security and your calling, this conversation is for you.Raw conversations about the moment everything changed.

Most actors are told to care more about auditions.But what if not caring is the real breakthrough?In this episode of Breakthrough, actor Anthony Demarre shares the brutal truth about auditioning that nobody talks about — and the mindset shift that finally helped him stop overthinking, let go of rejection, and start showing up freer in the room.We talk about rejection, confidence, bombing auditions, mindset, and what actually changes when you stop attaching your self-worth to the outcome.If you’re an actor, creator, or dream-chaser stuck in your head and tired of hearing “just keep going” — this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Breakthrough, Ali sits down with Erin Boyes — a working actor, coach, and industry veteran who has spent over two decades navigating the brutal realities of film and television in both Canada and the U.S.This is not a highlight-reel conversation.It’s a raw breakdown of:What casting actually looks forWhy “perfect auditions” don’t book jobsHow rejection shapes (or breaks) artistsThe myth of becoming “the lead”Why creating your own work changes everythingAnd what it really takes to survive in this industry long-termErin shares behind-the-scenes truths about:Auditioning alongside A-list actorsWorking for free just to get in the roomWhy mistakes are an actor’s greatest weaponThe emotional toll of chasing validationAnd why resilience matters more than talent

What if the “safe” choice is actually the most dangerous one?In this episode of Breakthrough, actor Praneet Akilla opens up about the moment he realized he was living the wrong life — despite doing everything “right.”From studying engineering and chasing stability, to self-eliminating before anyone else could reject him, Praneet shares the raw truth about fear, identity, privilege, money, and the uncomfortable reality of pursuing acting as an immigrant kid.This is not a story about overnight success.It’s a story about delusion, patience, and choosing uncertainty over comfort.We dive deep into:Why hard work alone isn’t enough in actingThe lie of “playing it safe”How money, timing, and privilege really affect successWhy most actors don’t fail — they quit too earlyThe mental game behind auditions, rejection, and self-worthWhat a real breakthrough actually looks like

What happens when you finally book one of the biggest roles of your career — and everything almost falls apart the night before?In this episode of Breakthrough, Ali sits down with actress Candyce Weir for a raw, honest conversation about resilience, rejection, confidence, and the moments actors never talk about.Candyce opens up about injuring herself the night before filming a major role, pushing through pain on set, and why sometimes the first take is the one that changes everything. From bombing her very first audition, to working alongside legendary talent, to navigating union realities in Vancouver — this episode pulls back the curtain on what the acting journey really looks like.