
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


What happens when one viral TikTok completely changes the direction of your life?
Emma Arletta went from working as a pediatric speech therapist to building a career as a model, content creator and entrepreneur after a viral video brought her 30,000 new followers seemingly overnight.
On this episode of My Fame, Explained, Emma joins host Larry Gilbert to share her unexpected journey from growing up in Missouri and studying speech therapy to moving to Los Angeles and eventually taking the leap into content creation and modeling full time.
Emma opens up about body confidence, plus-size representation in fashion and the message behind her “Big Girls” community. She also shares why she walked away from a nearly $100,000 brand partnership that didn't align with her values.
Now represented by Wilhelmina Models in Los Angeles and Natural Models in New York, Emma has worked with brands including Abercrombie & Fitch, Savage X Fenty and Peloton. She has also helped push for greater size inclusivity through collaborations in bridal fashion and swimwear.
Emma also talks about becoming a certified Pilates instructor, running, getting married, co-hosting the Hefty Gehls podcast and what she hopes to accomplish next.
It’s a conversation about taking chances, building confidence, knowing your value and creating a career you never expected.
Follow Emma Arletta on Instagram and TikTok
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram and TikTok
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
Actress Julia Antonelli joins My Fame, Explained to talk about growing up in the entertainment industry, playing Wheezie Cameron on Netflix’s Outer Banks, her early days as a Nickelodeon star, and what she has learned while building a career across television, film, and theater.
Julia began acting at just 11 years old before landing her breakout role as Jessie Novoa on Nickelodeon’s Every Witch Way, later reprising the character in W.I.T.s Academy. She would go on to join the global phenomenon Outer Banks as Wheezie Cameron, the younger sister of Sarah Cameron, played by Madelyn Cline.
In this candid conversation, Julia takes us behind the scenes of her journey from child actor to where she is today. She opens up about growing up in Hollywood, navigating auditions and rejection, balancing her acting career with attending Fordham University, and the lessons she has learned along the way.
Julia also talks about her experiences working on major film projects, including Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day and Ari Aster’s Beau Is Afraid, making the transition from child actor to adult roles, and stepping onto the stage for her professional theater debut.
Plus, we talk Outer Banks, life away from the cameras, social media, Hollywood hot takes, advice for aspiring actors, dream roles, and what Julia hopes comes next in her career.
It’s a conversation about growing up, taking chances, dealing with rejection, finding your place in an unpredictable industry, and continuing to chase the next opportunity.
My Fame, Explained shares the untold stories of dreams, determination, and the rise to fame through candid conversations with actors, musicians, athletes, entrepreneurs, creators, and other notable personalities.
Follow Julia Antonelli on Instagram and TikTok
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
Canadian actress Karen Cliche has built a career spanning more than two decades, with memorable roles in Mutant X, Adventure Inc., Vampire High, Saw VI, and Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving.
On this episode of My Fame, Explained, Karen joins host Larry Gilbert for a candid conversation about the unconventional path that took her from studying psychology and modeling in Canada to building a successful career in television and film.
Karen looks back at breaking into the industry, becoming known for strong action and sci-fi characters, and the challenges that came with joining Mutant X. She also talks about her connection to the horror genre, including filming Saw VI while pregnant and working with Eli Roth on Thanksgiving.
But Karen’s story goes far beyond her roles on screen. She opens up about making the decision to step away from acting to focus on raising her daughter, what she discovered about herself during that time, and ultimately finding her way back to an industry she loves.
Karen and Larry also discuss rejection and longevity in Hollywood, motherhood, coaching other actors, how the entertainment industry has changed, and the life experiences that have shaped her perspective on success.
It’s an honest conversation about acting, resilience, reinvention, and why a successful career doesn’t always follow a straight line.
My Fame, Explained goes beyond the spotlight to uncover the stories, setbacks, and defining moments behind success.
Follow Karen Cliche on Instagram
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
What would it be like to share your everyday life with thousands of people online?
On this episode of My Fame, Explained, Larry Gilbert sit down with Twitch streamer and content creator Emilycc, whose career has been built around livestreaming her life and creating a genuine connection with her audience.
We discuss how she turned livestreaming into a full-time career, the realities of spending years sharing life online, and why authenticity has become one of the biggest keys to building a loyal community.
Emily also opens up about the challenges that come with being a creator—from burnout and mental health to balancing privacy while living so much of her life in front of a camera.
Whether you're interested in Twitch, content creation, or the creator economy, this conversation offers an honest look at what it really takes to build a career online.
Follow Emilycc on Instagram
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
Actress, filmmaker, singer-songwriter and activist Malynda Hale joins My Fame, Explained to discuss her incredible journey from growing up in Santa Barbara to starring alongside Loretta Devine and Oscar winner Amy Madigan in the new drama Bull Street.
Malynda shares what drew her to the film, what she learned working with such an accomplished cast, and why stories centered around justice, legacy and family continue to resonate with audiences.
The conversation also explores her transition from music into acting and directing, launching her production company JMV Entertainment, and creating projects like Curtain Call and Au Gratin. Beyond entertainment, Malynda opens up about motherhood, faith, social justice, the Black Voices Heard Project, hosting her podcast #WeNeedToTalk, and why she believes meaningful change always starts with honest conversations.
Whether you know Malynda from her music, films, activism or commentary, this is an inspiring conversation about purpose, creativity and using your voice to make a difference.
Follow Malunda Hale on Instagram
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
What happens when the sport you love nearly takes your life?
On this episode of My Fame, Explained, Larry Gilbert sits down with sisters Jamie and Jeanee MoCrazy to discuss one of the most inspiring stories in sports. Jamie was ranked the world's No. 1 freestyle slopestyle skier and became the first woman to land a double backflip at the X Games before a devastating crash at the World Tour Finals left her in a medically induced coma with multiple brain bleeds.
Jamie shares the remarkable journey of relearning basic skills, overcoming a traumatic brain injury, and defying medical expectations to return to skiing. Alongside her sister Jeanee—an Olympic skier now training to represent Vanuatu at the 2026 Winter Olympics—the pair discuss resilience, purpose, mental strength, and turning adversity into impact through their nonprofit, MoCrazy Strong.
We also discuss their upcoming Alive to Thrive event, their Kilimanjaro climb, climate advocacy, and the lessons they've learned from overcoming life's biggest challenges.
Topics Include:
• Jamie's near-fatal skiing accident
• Traumatic brain injury recovery
• Returning to skiing after a coma
• Building MoCrazy Strong
• Jeanee's Olympic journey
• The Alive to Thrive event
• Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
• Resilience, mindset and recovery
• Finding purpose after trauma
Follow Jamie & Jeanee:
MoCrazy Strong: mocrazystrong.org
Follow Jamie MoCrazy on Instagram
Follow Jeanee MoCrazy on Instagram
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
On this episode of My Fame, Explained, Larry Gilbert joined by multi-talented actor, musician, writer, and producer Hobart to talk about his breakout comedy film I Am Ryan and the unbelievable real-life story that inspired it.
Hobart opens up about constantly being mistaken for Ryan Reynolds, how that unexpectedly led to opportunities in Hollywood, and what it was like working as Reynolds’ body double on films like Free Guy and The Hitman’s Bodyguard. We also dive into the making of I Am Ryan, where Hobart stepped into multiple roles as the film’s star, writer, composer, and producer.
Beyond acting, Hobart shares stories from performing thousands of live music shows around the world, playing the legendary Warped Tour, composing music for major franchises and video games, and traveling to all seven continents. He also discusses the realities of chasing creative dreams in Los Angeles, balancing multiple artistic passions, and the strange line between identity, fame, and perception in Hollywood.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to reinvent yourself creatively, navigate the entertainment industry, or turn a bizarre real-life experience into a feature film, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Follow Hobart on Instagram
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
On this episode of My Fame, Explained, host Larry Gilbert sits down with viral internet sensation Kaeden Rowland to discuss the story behind her explosive rise on TikTok and how a job behind the Staples print counter unexpectedly turned her into one of the internet’s most talked-about creators.
Known online for her striking aesthetic, sharp humor, and instantly recognizable videos filmed while working at Staples, Kaeden opens up about life before fame, how she landed the job that changed everything, and the moment she realized she was becoming a viral phenomenon. She also shares the real-world impact of her videos, what it’s like balancing internet fame with everyday life, and why audiences connected so deeply with her content.
Beyond the “Staples Baddie” persona, Kaeden discusses her creative roots in cosmetology, graphic design, underground fashion, film, music, and visual storytelling — revealing the influences that shaped her unique online identity. From working with major brands like Staples, MAC, CeraVe, and Lyft to becoming a Gen Z marketing case study, Kaeden shares how authenticity became her greatest strength online.
This episode dives into internet fame, identity, creativity, Gen Z culture, and what happens when ordinary life suddenly becomes extraordinary.
Follow Kaedon Rowland on Instagram and TikTok
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
In this episode of My Fame, Explained, Larry Gilbert sits down with actress Cindy Busby to break down her journey from a young performer in Canada to becoming a familiar face in television and film.
Cindy is best known for her role as Ashley Stanton on the globally successful series Heartland, as well as her current role as Nora Anderson on When Hope Calls, which continues to build a passionate and loyal audience heading into its third season.
We dive into how she first got into acting, what it was like being part of a show that reached audiences in over 80 countries, and how that early success shaped her career. Cindy also shares what it takes to build longevity in Hollywood, from navigating auditions and setbacks to landing over 20 lead roles across film and television.
We also talk about her work on fan-favorite projects like Unleashing Mr. Darcy, working alongside major names in the industry, and why family-driven storytelling continues to resonate so strongly with audiences today.
Whether you’re an aspiring actor, a fan of Heartland or When Hope Calls, or just curious about what it really takes to build a career in entertainment, this episode offers an honest look at the realities behind the spotlight.
Follow Cindy Busby on Instagram
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
Nashville-based country singer-songwriter Rachel Schumacher joins the My Fame, Explained podcast to share the story behind her journey into music, the leap of faith that brought her to Music City, and what it’s really like building a career in one of the most competitive music scenes in the world.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Rachel discovered her love for music performing on hometown stages before deciding to pursue her dreams full time. Inspired by classic country storytelling and the authenticity of modern Nashville artists, she developed a sound that blends heartfelt lyrics with the grit and charm of today’s country music scene.
Now based in Nashville, Rachel has been steadily growing her fanbase through powerful live performances, intimate songwriter rounds, and regular appearances playing on Broadway, the city’s iconic strip of live music venues. Her rich vocals, honest songwriting, and dynamic stage presence have helped her connect deeply with audiences night after night.
In this episode of My Fame, Explained, Rachel talks about:
Growing up in St. Louis and the early influences that shaped her love of music
The moment she realized music could become a career
Taking the leap and moving to Nashville to chase her dreams
What life is really like playing live shows on Nashville’s Broadway
The realities of building a career in the country music industry
Her songwriting process and the stories behind her music
Using social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to reach new fans
The challenges, risks, and rewards of pursuing music full time
What’s next as she continues to release new music and grow as an artist
Rachel Schumacher represents the new wave of country artists who are balancing authenticity, hustle, and creativity as they build their careers in Nashville. Her story offers an honest look at the passion and perseverance required to turn a love of music into a life on stage.
Listen to this episode of My Fame, Explained to hear Rachel’s journey, her perspective on the Nashville music scene, and why she believes the best chapters of her career are still ahead.
Follow Rachel Schumacher on Instagram and TikTok
Follow Larry Gilbert on Instagram
Follow the My Fame, Explained podcast on:
From the publisher's feed