Ep #96: Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt

“Trust yourself. This world will try to tell you otherwise every single day.”- Maurice Proffitt

This conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday November 22, 2025

Summary of the episode

In this episode, we sit down with Chicago creative and producer Maurice Proffitt to talk about creative rejection, the fear of success, and what it really takes to build a career without waiting for permission. Maurice shares the moments that shaped him: the childhood spark that made him a storyteller, the brutal rejection that changed his entire trajectory, and how he learned to turn setbacks into motivation.

If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or right on the edge of something big—but scared to leap—this conversation will give you fuel.

What we talk about

• A friendly deep-dive into what it really means to grow as an artist.
• Turning rejection into motivation
• Overcoming the fear of success and leveling up
• Growing up Black in Schaumburg and finding your “B-side” identity
• Why you should stop asking for permission and create anyway
• Building B-Side Productions and Dreamscape
• Friendship, community, and the people who hold you up
• Maurices first web series “Broke AF,” filmmaking, and learning to edit
• The moment he said: “Enough is enough — I’m building my own lane.”

Things We Mentioned

Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection by Jia Jiang (affiliate link)

“Broke AF” web series

B-Side Studios

Dreamscape Theatre

Batman Begins — “Why do we fall?” reference

Chapters:

00:23 - Introduction to Self-Expression

01:51 - The Fear of Success

12:24 - Navigating the Creative Landscape

19:33 - The Heartbreak of Rejection

24:33 - The Concept of B-Side Productions

31:51 - Identity and Growing Up in Schaumburg

36:15 - The Journey of Friendship and Creativity

44:11 - Transition to Filmmaking and Editing

51:01 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity

54:43 - The Journey of a Show: From Preparation to Performance

All about... Maurice Proffitt

You're gonna love Maurice Proffitt—he’s a filmmaker, theatre producer, community-builder, and creative force whose work centers the stories and voices usually overlooked. From theater to film to building his own production companies, Maurice is all about creating space for the hidden gems, the B-sides, and the people who don’t fit the mold.

Sponsor Shoutout 💖

This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour.

Admin is the flex—and your practice deserves it. Join us Wednesdays, 7–9pm CT for structured co-working that helps you get things off your list and out of your head.

Learn more: artistadminhour.com

Connect with Maurice Proffit

Instagram: @mrproffit

Website: https://www.dreamscapetheatre.com/

More ways to connect:

Email: [email protected]

Check out my work

Follow on Instagram @stephaniegraham

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Episode Credits

Produced, Hosted, and Edited by me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)

Lyrics: Queen Lex

Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam

Artist Admin Hour instrumental by Soundroll