One Broke Actress

Gabrielle and I are on a ROADTRIPPP!!!! We were speakers at the Southwestern Actors Conference, and along the 5 hour trip, we decided to talk about the industry and ask each other questions. We cover topics such as fear in the acting industry, actor mindset, money and financials, handling self-tapes, on-set etiquette, working relationships with agents, and navigating auditions. We both feel like one of the most important aspects of it is having a supportive actor community to share our individual experiences on managing the unpredictable nature of an acting career. Find your community, or join The Membership waitlist to become a part of ours!

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Road Trip Conversations Friends

01:53 — Navigating Acting and Side Hustles

04:39 — Dealing with Audition Anxiety

07:33 — Commercial Success and Financial Stability

12:41 — The Importance of Discussing Pay

17:13 — Practical Acting Tips and On-Set Advice

20:41 — The Membership Perks and Side Hustle Academy

21:01 — Essential On-Set Tips for New Actors

21:45 — Navigating Set Dynamics and Call Sheets

23:36 — Camera Awareness and Positioning

28:53 — Communicating with Agents and Declining Auditions

31:52 — Strength in Community

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ How I Do My Full Body Slates

★ The Actor Dictionary

★ Join The Membership Waitlist

★ Join the Side Hustle Academy Waitlist

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

I’m talking about Los Angeles Actor Life and what I’ve learned as an actor after 13 years in this industry. Life as a Los Angeles actor is tough, and it changes all of the time. Being an actor in 2024 is so much different than it was when I started out 13 years ago, and right now I’m sharing what I wish I knew when I first started out. So I’m diving into the changes and constants in the acting industry over the past 13 years since moving to Los Angeles. We’re going over the importance of being a skilled actor, industry networking, and the evolving nature of auditions, including the rise of self-tapes and the impact of social media. We'll also touch on the unchanged reality of high expenses for actors (seriously - it’s an investment) and the different approach to headshots today. What’s changed in your acting career since you first started your journey? I’d love to know!

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Reflecting on 13 Years in LA

00:56 — The Importance of Skill and Networking

02:52 — Navigating Social Media as an Actor

05:02 — The Costs of Being an Actor

07:49 — Free Back to School Challenge

08:58 — Self Tapes

12:28 — The Evolution of Headshots

14:02 — Personalized Acting Advice

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ The Headshot Class

★ Sign up for the FREE 5 Day Back to School Actor Challenge

★ Watch THE ACTOR WEBSITES | Let’s Talk Actors Access, Casting Networks, Breakdown Services, IMDb Pro

★ Watch Headshots According to Atlanta Photographer Chase Anderson | HOW TO BE YOU IN YOUR ACTOR HEADSHOTS

★ Watch Headshots According to LA Photographer Leah Huebner | HOW TO CAPTURE YOUR ESSENCE IN YOUR HEADSHOTS

★ Watch Headshots According to LA Photographer Joanna DeGeneres | HOW ACTORS CAN TAKE GREAT HEADSHOTS

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

I hate “survive ‘till 2025” with a burning passion and no, you can’t change my mind. Listen, we’ve still got 4 months left in this year and there is a LOT that we can do. So I’m talking about why the phrase 'survive till 2025' is detrimental to actors and offering actionable advice we can all do instead. Don’t wait for this unpredictable, unreliable industry and do what you can within your own power. Join my free five-day 'Back to School' challenge, designed to help actors focus on immediate, practical steps to advance their careers and enjoy their lives without waiting for external circumstances to improve. Trust me when I needed this, and I think you do too.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Introduction and Podcast Comeback

00:25 — The Phrase 'Survive Till 2025'

00:43 — Why 'Survive Till 2025' is Problematic

01:23 — Staying Informed and Active in the Industry

02:35 — Embracing Change in the Acting World

03:27 — Back to School Vibes

04:31 — Introducing the Back to School Challenge

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Sign up for the FREE 5 Day Back to School Actor Challenge

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Another strike? Whattt?? That’s right. Video game actors are standing up to big corporations and taking a stand for all of us. In an industry that makes more than sports and TV profits COMBINED, video game artists are continuously being neglected by one of the most lucrative industries in the country. As key figures in SAG-AFTRA negotiations, actors Zeke Alton and Sarah Elmaleh provide insights into the urgent need for AI protections including the unions main three concerns: consent, compensation, and transparency. They emphasize the risks of working on non-union projects during the strike and outline steps actors can take to protect their careers and their colleagues. I was blown away by the financial magnitude of the video game industry, and we get into why every actor needs to care about what is being fought for here. As a union, one genre’s win is a win for us all. The fight that we are having here will effect commercials, will effect theatrical, will effect film, and will effect us all. If you’ve been wanting to get involved and know more about why we’re striking, this is the episode for you.

Support the SAG-AFTRA Video Game Strike here.

00:00 — Understanding the Video Game Strike

01:16 — Why Non-Video Game Actors Should Care

03:22 — Navigating Auditions During the Strike

05:18 — The Importance of Union Solidarity

09:32 — Negotiation Challenges and Pressure Points

13:02 — Artificial Intelligence: The Core Issue

14:12 — Digital Replicas vs Generative AI

16:42 — Union's Approach to AI and Actor Rights

17:19 — Legislation and Actor Protections

18:21 — Importance of Union Communication

22:04 — Video Game Industry Financials

25:07 — The Future of Entertainment and Video Games

28:11 — A Call to Action for Us All

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Zeke Alton’s IMDb

★ Follow Zeke on IG @zekealton

★ Sarah Elmaleh’s IMDb

★ Follow Sarah on IG @selmaleh

★ Sarah’s Website

★ Game Performance Matters Links

★ SAG-AFTRA Video Game Search List

★ Crispin Freeman

★ No Fakes Act

★ No AI FRAUD Act

★ Unroll Me App

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

We’re shaking things up today with me being the guest on Brittany Rizzo’s “My Only Friends” podcast! This is a small segment of our full hour long conversation, but it was one that really resonated with me. I openly share my mental health journey, and the way that I’ve grown to approach finances as an actor. Success is what we make it and how we define it, and there is no one way to be an actor. I get into the challenges of actor life, the pressure of constant productivity, and the impact the pursuit of this career can have on our mental health. Brittany and I also talk about the benefits of taking breaks, managing burnout, and my personal experience with anxiety medication. If you want more, be sure to check out the full episode on 'My Only Friends,' where we dive even deeper on the insecurities and pressures actors face.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Being on “My Only Friends” & Upcoming Changes

02:22 — Redefining Success

03:01 — The Struggles and Realities of Being a Full Time Actor

08:59 — Managing Burnout and Mental Health

14:26 — The Impact of Anxiety Medication

21:53 — Ask for Help

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Brittany Rizzo’s “My Only Friends” Podcast

★ Watch the Full Episode “Your Job's A Joke, You're (One) Broke (Actress), with Sam Valentine”

★ Listen to the Full Episode “Your Job's A Joke, You're (One) Broke (Actress), with Sam Valentine”

★ Follow the “My Only Friends” Podcast on IG

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

I’m releasing one of my Patreon podcasts for free here to share the journey of my booking on Bosch Legacy! On the Patreon, I share my real, unfiltered, unedited thoughts on the most pivotal moments in my career and my life. My Bosch booking was everything to me, not only because they called me back for multiple episodes, but because it happened right around the time of my wedding. I’m taking you through the audition process, the challenges, valuable lessons learned, and the importance of self-care while on set. The immense satisfaction of seeing my hard work on screen is captured here, and I’m so excited to share it with you all. Want more? Join the Patreon, we’d love to have you!

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Let’s Talk about the Bonus Podcast

00:29 — Behind the Scenes of Bonus Podcasts

01:42 — The Bosch Legacy Booking

02:48 — Audition Process and Preparation

12:06 — First Day on Set

16:34 — Second Shoot Day and Reflections

22:20 — Balancing Work and Personal Life

33:09 — Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Want more raw, unfiltered, behind the scenes thoughts? Become an Apple Podcast subscriber or join the One Broke Actress Patreon!

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Back for Part 2 of our conversation with bestselling author Jamie Varon, we take a dive deep into the emotional rollercoaster of achieving creative milestones. Jamie shares her candid thoughts on comparison, jealousy, and the often unspoken realities of success in the creative world. From discussing the pressure of social media portrayals to the dichotomy between public celebration and personal letdowns, Jamie offers a raw, unfiltered view on the importance of authenticity and self-worth. If you’ve ever wanted to achieve a work-life-rest balance, or simply loving yourself as a creative person, this episode will leave you with ways to seek validation beyond just our notions of fame and success.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

— The Reality of Jealousy and Comparison

— The Pressure of Public Announcements

— Authenticity in Promotion

— The Disconnect Between Achievement and Emotion

— Fame, Success, and Why It’s Not the Answer to Loving Ourselves

— The Burden of Celebrity

— Navigating Creative Routines

— Embracing the Slow Periods

— Letting Go of Control

— Finding Joy in the Unexpected

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Read Jamie’s Book “Radically Content: The Journal: A Guide Back to You”

★ Jamie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamievaron/?hl=en

★ Jamie’s Links: https://linktr.ee/jamievaron

★ Jamie’s Website: https://www.jamievaron.com

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

What happens when all your dreams come true? You book the job. You publish the book. You become rich and successful. Do you start to treat yourself better because of those accomplishments? Often, the answer is no. Bestselling author of “Radically Content” and “Main Character Energy” Jamie Varon is here to share her journey with self-worth as a creative. Jamie highlights the hurdles creatives face in seeking validation and fulfillment. We touche on the intrinsic value of self-worth, the impact of societal expectations, and the personal growth needed to thrive in creative fields.

Perfect for actors, artists, and anyone struggling with the wait for validation, this episode is for all of us chasing our dreams and wondering what is waiting for us on the other side.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

— Discovering 'Radically Content'

— The Struggle with Contentment

— Our “Why” - Tackling Existential Questions Every Creative Faces

— The Ugly Side of Success

— Balancing Ambition and Happiness

— The Waiting Game for Creatives

— Art is Currency

— Dealing with the Moments Inbetween Gigs

— Navigating the Entertainment Industry

— Self-Worth vs. Self-Confidence

— Standing Up for Yourself with Your Reps

— The Reality of Comparison and Jealousy

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Watch the Financial Diet Podcast “Radical Contentment, Actual Self-Care, & Giving Up On Being Effortless”

★ Read Texas Monthly Article “Colleen Hoover Is a Wildly Successful Author. Why Did She Stop Writing?”

★ Read “Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life” by Jamie Kern Lima

★ Read Jamie’s Book “Radically Content: The Journal: A Guide Back to You”

★ Read Jamie’s Book “Main Character Energy”

★ Jamie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamievaron/?hl=en

★ Jamie’s Links: https://linktr.ee/jamievaron

★ Jamie’s Website: https://www.jamievaron.com

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

Gabrielle and I are BACK! We are discussing the current state of the acting industry, dealing with silence, managing expectations during uncertainty with the IATSE strike talks looming, and the evolving nature of actors and influencers. No matter how you feel about social media, we share our experiences on how it has helped us as SAG influencers, and why you may want to consider growing your own platform too. We get into the complexities of maintaining creativity, the impact of social media on our professional lives, and the significance of building a supportive community with those around you.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — Introduction and Welcome

01:11 — Catching Up: Industry Updates and Personal Reflections

02:17 — Navigating the Acting Industry: Trust and Teamwork

06:17 — The Importance of Community and Support

11:12 — Social Media and Personal Growth

17:06 — Influencer Contracts and New Opportunities

25:49 — Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Watch the One Broke Actress Episode “Let’s Talk the SAG Influencer + Podcast Contracts with Sue-Anne Morrow & Shaine Griffin | SAG-AFTRA”

★ The Membership

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!

I’ve done the impossible. I convinced my mom and dad to be on the podcast. I know, we thought it would never happen and yet here we are! I am so proud to bring on Rich and Debbie Valentine, and interview them on what it was like to raise an actor and support me in my dreams. You may not know this, but I didn’t come from a creative family. It’s really all on me, and my parents took a big leap of faith that I am forever grateful for. I share my experiences and challenges as an actor with my parents, and hear their side on how they feel about me moving from the Midwest to Los Angeles, constantly facing rejection, and coming out on top. Recorded at the family home, this is a must-listen for anyone needing a boost of familial support and insight into the actor’s life.

Watch the Full Video Podcast Here!

00:00 — The Importance of Family Support in an Acting Career

02:29 — A Heartfelt Conversation with Mom: Understanding and Support

06:05 — To Those Without Support

13:17 — Insights from Dad: The Journey of Supporting an Actor

15:49 — The Audition Realization: A Turning Point

17:53 — From Hot Air Balloons to Seeking Stability

19:00 — The Real Job Debate: Acting as a Career

22:03 — Family Support and Understanding the Actor's Journey

26:55 — Navigating the Challenges and Triumphs of Acting

31:02 — Reflections and Advice for Aspiring Actors

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

★ Listen to One Broke Actress “Being the Actor in the Family (with my Sister)”

★ Listen to One Broke Actress “The (Sam) Valentine's Day Podcast Special with OBA Husband Caleb Ellis | BEING MARRIED TO AN ACTOR”

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Want more? Join The Membership & Check out Patreon for bonus episodes!

And don’t miss all the content on IG and as always at, OneBrokeActress.com

And if you're needing some personalized help from Sam, you can schedule a chat with her right here.

Don't forget to join the mailing list here!