From Cancer to Creative Courage | Actor Paul Shearman on Dementia, Fear & a One-Man Fringe Show
In this episode of The Alex Lo Show, actor and playwright Paul Shearman shares the life-altering journey that compelled him to stop waiting, embrace fear, and step fully into creative purpose—at 65 years old.
After receiving a cancer diagnosis, Paul was forced to confront his mortality and the quiet ways he had been postponing his deepest desires. What followed was a radical shift: instead of waiting for permission or security, he chose courageous action. That choice led him to write and perform his first-ever one-man stage play, The Last Audition, now touring major Fringe Festivals including Adelaide, New York, and Edinburgh.
The play follows an aging Shakespearean actor navigating early dementia, memory loss, identity, and the threat of assisted living—mirroring real emotional experiences faced by millions of families worldwide. Drawing from personal encounters with Alzheimer’s and caregiving, Paul brings uncommon depth, compassion, and authenticity to a subject most people are afraid to face.
Together, Alex and Paul explore what it truly means to create when there’s nowhere left to hide—emotionally, artistically, or spiritually.
✨ In this episode, you’ll discover:
• How a cancer diagnosis can awaken creative urgency and purpose
• Why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself artistically or personally
• What performing a one-man show reveals about fear, presence, and identity
• How dementia and Alzheimer’s affect not only individuals, but caregivers and families
• The emotional and physical demands of solo performance at Fringe Festivals
• Why embracing failure is essential to meaningful creative work
• How lifelong learning and storytelling help preserve vitality and meaning as we age
🎭 This conversation offers rare insight for artists, creatives, caregivers, and anyone navigating aging, illness, reinvention, or the quiet fear of running out of time. It is a testament to courage, vulnerability, and the power of choosing purpose—even when the outcome is uncertain.
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👉 Visit www.thealexloshow.com for articles, transcripts, and additional resources.
🔗 Connect with Paul Shearman & Learn More About The Last Audition
Website: www.PaulShearman.com
Show Page: www.PaulShearman.com/TLA
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