Groundhog Day Week returns!

Dan is joined by Matt Hourigan (Swing) & Connor Sweeney (Ralph) as Groundhog Day Week continues onto Day 13 after an extended hiatus!

We chat about missing the show and the people, appreciating the casting process, the fast paced audition turnaround, an acting job for management training in the construction industry, looking at the rehearsal process from a swing's perspective, meeting Tim Minchin, learning new lessons about life through the show, saying goodbye, celebrating the show, listening to the soundtrack, feeling fulfilled by the show, watching Matthew Hamilton as Phil Connors, stage mishaps, visual art & architecture, set design, gymnastics, clowning, affirming moments, changes in environment, seeing that there's more work to be done, objectivity, having warped views of yourself, communication, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by comedian, writer, satirist, and former radio presenter, Sammy J!

We chat about getting back into stand up comedy, the first time I saw Sammy perform in Canberra, talking to your younger self, ambition outweighing talent, not being afraid to be on your own, the complex relationship with nerves, the underrated skill of communication, not straying far from the dream, musical comedy, Tom Lehrer, his album, the fear of looking unoriginal, putting yourself out there, weird gigs, self awareness, rediscovering the world again after working in radio, being in control of your day, letting things rest, muscle memory, being compassionate to your younger self, providing company, the pros and cons of radio, feedback, working with Randy, collaboration, The Kangaroo Effect, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by musical theatre superstar Josh Gates, who is currently in the ensemble for the new Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar!

We chat about the intensity of working on Jesus Christ Superstar, feeling more connected as a member of the ensemble, not feeling static, knowing there's always more in the tank, the rehearsal period, the importance of previews, starting out in the industry at nine years old, the emotion behind having to leave a safe creative space, a Hugh Jackman story, expanding your brain, being an all or nothing type of person, changing as a performer, collaboration as an artist, knowing what jobs you want, anxiety, journaling, writing, being all about the feeling, the risk of loosing nuance in the moment, having a 'you made it' moment, saving your money, burnout, introspection, knowing you get better with time, shrinking yourself, working with incredible narrator's in Rocky Horror, and a whole lot more!

I had the best time with Josh! This was a very open and candid chat!

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Dan is joined by musical theatre superstar from London's West End, Iroy Abesamis, recorded during the thick of the most recent production of Guys and Dolls.

We chat about swinging on Guys and Dolls, the immersive show experience, starting out with the Miss Saigon tour, life in London, working for Disneyland in Hong Kong, being in a supportive environment, wanting to be a priest, studying, finding inspiration from friends and family, having to go on stage at a moments notice, still getting use to swing life, maintaining the discipline, realising there's always another show, auditioning, good preparation, luck, moving away from the Philippines, the massive pool of talent in London, knowing what you can and can't do, exploring other things, work and play, not having the education to back you up, pursuing research in Indigenous culture, enjoying the moment, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by actor Lucas Neff, who you have seen in television shows including Raising Hope, Downward Dog, The Handmaid's Tale, and Carol's Second Act, to name a few.

We chat about the initial ignorance of the business while working on Raising Hope, being the number one on the call sheet, taking a minute with things, learning on the job, working with the more experienced cast members, approaching constructive criticism with the right mindset, being overweight and insufferable as a kid, the benefit of time, developing an internal process, not identifying with any one thing, moving on, life being a big adventure, getting recognised, the joys of establishing a unique relationship with the people you meet, the circus and clown school, loving when people laugh, absurdity in comedy, holding paper while nervous, irrational confidence, the chaotic side of the industry, being surrounded by strange people, bringing more of yourself to the work, sharing our insecurities out loud, just saying yes, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by actor Silas Weir Mitchell, who you may have seen in many television shows and movies over the years, including Rat Race, Prison Break, Grimm, Dexter, 24, Monk, and My Name Is Earl, to name a few.

We chat about his time working on Grimm and Prison Break, the pressure of being a guest star and shooting a pilot, being witness to the evolution of a series, figuring out what you're doing, the machine of making television, moving on from Grimm, taking to acting young, wanting to be good, going through a major reassessment of the 'why', getting a manager, being offered a role while in a funk, not working for two years, the current state of the industry, coaching, humanity, how we relate to the world, circumstances beyond our control, loss of connection, meditation, disidentifying with the thoughts, the power to choose, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by comedian, Steve Hughes!

We chat about coming back to Australia after living and working in the UK, being in a thrash heavy metal band, not being a fan of the comedy scene, hate speech, thought crime, destroying sovereignty, borders, consumerism, city rangers, being and outlier, sport, good timing, just making the thing, nature needing action, taking away gratitude, the internet, conspiracy theories being mainstream, watering down comedy, having a nervous breakdown, working out, starting comedy, learning to be deadpan, being dumped by agents after doing a sold out tour, why we work, health and safety, and a whole lot more!

This was quite the episode! A little different...

If you have frustrations about the world we live in, then have a listen to Steve's thoughts! 

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Dan is joined by comedian, Kelsey De Almeida!

We chat about Kelsey's own podcast he had during lockdown, showing you're interested, always anticipating the awkward silence, how he ended up Australia, the gentle rivalry between Australia and the Brits, finding success in Australia, The Comic's Lounge, discovering stand up, entering into a comedy competition, retaining new material, the law of averages, doing support for Stephen K. Amos, noy bring a naturally outgoing person, death or glory, the pay off of doing comedy, a horrible corporate gig, remembering the good gigs, working at a theatre, the importance of having an understanding boss, trying, finding a creative outlet, the immediateness of comedy, not changing for other people, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by actor, writer, producer, director, and brilliant comic mind, Phil Lloyd!

We chat about the making of Review with Myles Barlow, the US version of Review, dealing with the pressure of being a lead in a show, putting things in a box, initially wanting to be a pilot, making short films, the intensity of working in the writer's room of Home and Away, the collaboration and partnership with Trent O'Donnell, shared responsibilities, the thought of doing stand up comedy, being a writer at heart, gaining experience, having a trust in your own voice, self reflection, turning off the harsh critic, playing the put upon guy, Population 11, making things just for yourself, and a whole lot more!

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Dan is joined by actor, Don McManus! Don has appeared in a multitude of movies and television shows over the years, including Vice, The Shawshank Redemption, National Treasure, Hannibal, Ocean's Thirteen, Air Force One, NCIS, Justified, Seinfeld, and Star Trek: Voyager, to name a few.

We chat about his turn on Star Trek: Voyager, working with William Shatner, allowing yourself to relax in front of a camera, relinquishing control, surprising yourself, servicing the script, the joys of physics, knowing what you want to do, the New York Shakespeare festival, working steadily, scheduling your day around an acting task, knowing you can make people laugh, a racing injury, missing a spotlight cue, objectivity, not catching yourself acting, being part of the fabric of the culture, failed pilots, not keeping a list of things to accomplish, attempting stand up comedy, and a whole lot more!

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