Think Bigger Actors Podcast with DaJuan Johnson

Actor Ahmed Best opens up about the extraordinary road from Stomp to Star Wars, becoming Jar Jar Binks, and carrying the response to one of the biggest franchises in the world. In Part One of this two-part conversation, Ahmed takes us inside the craft, innovation and personal cost behind a role that changed his life.

This is a conversation about what happens when an actor does the work, becomes part of something enormous, and then has to live with everything that happens to the work after it leaves their hands.

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Are GLP-1s cheating? Five months into my own journey, I'm talking honestly about the weight I've lost, the judgment around getting help, and why this conversation is more complicated than people make it.

Plus, actor Tony Robinette joins me to share how GLP-1s changed his health, his body—and even how Hollywood sees him. (16:32)

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Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Working actor Stacie Greenwell (The Pitt, Cross) gets real about the start-and-stop reality of an acting career and the constant question: "What's next?"

What do you do when you're booking, your career is moving, and somehow it still doesn't feel like enough?

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Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Director Kristen Brancaccio breaks down how vertical dramas work, why each app calls for a different audition, and what makes an actor stand out on tape. We also talk about Issa Rae's Screen Time, Keke Palmer's Lady Miss Jacqueline, where this format may be headed, and what actors can make instead of waiting for permission.

Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them? Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Keep exploring verticals:

• Hear the actor's perspective: Ashley BeLoat on having her likeness recreated with AI

• Hear the producer's perspective: Guy Chachkes on whether actors are already behind on verticals

• Find vertical shows and reviews at Jen Cooper's Vertical Drama Love

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Opening audio excerpt: Mahershala Ali in GQ's One More Question, hosted by Zach Baron. Watch the full interview.

Should you work as a local hire if you have to pay your own travel and might actually lose money on the job? Same question for an unpaid acting project that promises footage or a credit.

And how do you know if you've outgrown an opportunity and just don't know it yet?

In this coaching episode, DaJuan helps an actor figure out when taking a short-term loss is a smart strategic move and when it's time to say no.

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Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them?

Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Today I am sitting down to talk with Guy Chachkes, Owner & Co-Founder at Reelarc. Are verticals here to stay, and if they are, are actors already behind? I hope this conversation brings you more clarity as we navigate what it means to be an actor in 2026.

Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them?

Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

10 Things Actors MUST Hear From TV Directors - Jody Margolin Hahn + Mary Lou Bell! This is one you do not want to miss!

Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them?

Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Someone called me a con artist for suggesting actors use a teleprompter. So… let's talk about it. I'm breaking down when I use one, why I use one, and why the rules of self-taping have changed.

Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them?

Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

Vertical dramas already stealing actors' likenesses? Bet you thought that was just an urban legend. Nope. It's here.

When I read Ashley BeLoat's story in Business Insider, I had to have her on the pod. She joins me to talk about what happened, the reality of working in verticals, and what actors need to understand now that AI isn't some future threat. It's already here.

Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them?

Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching

What happens to your acting career when the auditions slow down?

Is your whole vision for your acting career contingent on your reps?

Oof. Been there...think I might still be there if we're being honest.

In this Re-Think, I revisit my conversation with theatrical agent Anthony Boyer after I listened to a talk with a showrunner where they said they work harder than their reps, and gets most of their jobs themselves. And it made me think, am I working harder than my team. Do you think you are? You say you're the boss of your acting career. Well, let's go down this road together.

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Want more auditions—and a better shot at booking them?

Download my free Booked It Self-Tape System: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/self-tape-system/

Need self-tape equipment? I've tested the equipment in my Amazon storefront so you don't have to: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thinkbiggercoaching

Traveling but don't want to book out? Check out my Self-Tape Travel Program: https://thinkbiggercourses.com/selftapetravelstudioprogram/

Follow DaJuan on Instagram: @dajuanjohnson | @thinkbiggercoaching