Sam shares his journey from undergrad to his first national tour to his Broadway debut. Some of my favorite moments include:

* hearing about the fails and wins in the audition room and how that propelled him forward

* how embracing one’s own versatility makes for an ideal swing

* what he’d teach if there was a class for learning how to swing

* what being able to “make strong choices” really means in terms of skills

Be sure to follow Sam’s journey on Instagram: @samuelgerber_

The book Sam mentions: Broadway Swings by J. Austin Eyer + Lyndy Franklin Smith

I think “talent” is one of the most stifling narratives artists believe.

We look at successful actors, writers, musicians, and creators and assume they possess something we don’t: “natural” talent. But what we don’t see are the years of invisible work through rejections, experimentation, failure, feedback, persistence, and practice…everything that shaped their skills.

In this solo talk episode of It’s All About the Process, I unpack why talent is a seductive myth that keeps performers small. But this isn’t just my opinion. I explore the research behind neuroplasticity, the difference between a fixed and growth mindset in terms of your artistic practice, and why learning to see failure as information (not identity) could be the most important skill for artists to develop.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I’ll never be as talented as they are,” and that belief has held you back, then this episode is for you.

Keep going,

PK

In this episode, your host, Melissa "PK" Tonning-Kollwitz, interviews long-time collaborator and mentor, Jason Sirois, to hear about his journey as a multi-hyphenate.

They cover everything from what it was like to to be embraced into the Theatre department in college as a non-major, to booking a national tour, and navigating the life of a swing and dance captain. The episode finishes off with a round of rapid-fire questions. Don't miss it.

LEARN MORE:

The PK Method website (Book a free 1:1 consult)

Subscribe to PK’s Substack

Follow on Instagram

In this series premiere episode, your host, Melissa "PK" Tonning-Kollwitz, explores a common obstacle artists face after training: isolation. They share actionable strategies to reconnect to your creative practice through community and shared accountability.

If you're feeling stuck or disconnected, this episode offers practical steps to reignite your artistic journey.

KEY TOPICS:

Misconceptions about discipline and willpower as solutions to creative stagnation

Why shared practice and community are essential for creative momentum

The impact of training programs and educational settings on intrinsic motivation for performing artists

Influence and dependency on extrinsic motivation and external validation

3 concrete action items to build sustainable artistic habits

LEARN MORE:

The PK Method website (Book a free 1:1 consult)

Subscribe to PK’s Substack

Follow on Instagram