We're back to break down the current state of the acting industry after sitting in on a closed-door TM only “state of the union” style call with casting.

We share what we expected to hear going into the call, + what actually surprised us.

Then our real-life working actor moments, including callbacks, Zoom auditions, eating on camera, voiceover marathons, and the absolute chaos of trying to plan anything in this business and/or life.

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⁠⁠Sam on Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠Gab on Instagram⁠

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Intro and why we’re calling this a “state of the union”

00:02:10 What we expected to hear vs what casting actually said

00:04:45 The 400 scripted shows number and why that messed with our heads

00:08:30 Why optimism doesn’t automatically mean fast momentum

00:11:50 Feeling closer to the work even when you’re not booking

00:14:30 Callback stories and what “on first refusal” actually feels like

00:18:20 Eating on camera, SAG rules, and why some auditions have to be in person

00:22:10 Zoom auditions, casting notes, and how to keep it conversational

00:27:40 Why none of our calendars make sense and never will

00:33:15 Voiceover runs, commercial callbacks, and overlapping timelines

00:40:10 What this year requires emotionally from working actors

00:47:30 Final thoughts and what we’ll report back on next episode

starting the year in person and doing something radical: caring less. we talk about why giving fewer f*cks is not laziness but can help you get further (technically also faster).

we are building a working actor system that works with your brain, setting real time boundaries, choosing habits that support it, and letting the rest go. and cause WHY NOT: backyard digging, hobbies that stay hobbies, and a brief but passionate ode to Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.

Timestamps:

00:04:45 the pressure to monetize everything

00:08:20 creative focus vs checking boxes

00:13:45 trusting your process and redefining progress

00:18:30 time and energy management that actually works

00:23:00 setting boundaries around workdays and days off

00:27:00 hobbies that are not allowed to make money

00:30:45 digging in the yard as a metaphor (and a lifestyle)

00:34:45 reality tv, boundaries, and knowing when to log off

00:36:00 final thoughts on systems, creativity, and the year ahead

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⁠Sam on Instagram⁠

⁠Gab on Instagram⁠

Rest in an industry that rewards blurred boundaries and convinces actors they can control outcomes they absolutely cannot....is it possible? Let's discuss how to use end-of-year downtime without spiraling or trying to fix your entire career in two weeks.

We also break down why acting income alone is no longer reliable and what SAG national commercials actually pay in 2025.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 why taking time off feels so hard for actors

00:02:30 how to actually plan rest instead of accidentally working through it

00:07:15 setting boundaries without feeling like you owe everyone access to you

00:11:45 why “getting an agent” and “booking” are not real goals

00:16:00 redefining success in an industry you can’t control

00:18:10 money, stability, and why acting income alone isn’t realistic anymore

00:26:30 real SAG national commercial pay breakdown in 2025

00:34:00 why the old version of actor success is officially dead

00:36:45 final reminder before the new year

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Sam on Instagram

Gab on Instagram

We brought Vas back from The Online Actor, nobody breaks down auditions, industry waves, and self tape strategy like he does. And we hit on the standard of jealousy, comparison...with an email template for you. Most importantly: authenticity is actually booking more than “perfect” ever did.

what we cover:

● the truth about end of year auditions and why the landscape is shifting

● how to hear “there’s auditions” without immediately assuming you’re doing something wrong

● jealousy, comparison, and why literally all of us still go through it

● how Vas emailed his reps about roles he didn’t read for and what actors can learn from that

● the real way to do multiple takes (and why 10 percent different doesn’t cut it)

● authentic vs character-y acting in 2025 and what’s actually booking

● the Goldilocks method for self tapes

● why TM actors are suddenly taping wild, killer choices that stand out

● how to balance dynamic choices with your real essence

links:

vas's ig

the membership

sam’s ig

gab’s ig

actors panic over AI and cookies: post-holiday talk through the latest AI freakout and finally answer the question everyone DM’d us about (should you be buying your reps gifts this year or nah?)

we cover:

● the new AI update everyone spiraled about and why it’s not worth losing sleep

● real talk about rep relationships and how to know if you should even be gifting

● the gifts reps actually appreciate versus the ones they quietly donate

● why sometimes a handwritten note is more powerful than a pricey basket

● how to make your gift personal even if you barely know your rep

● the rep dinner email we drafted live and why it worked *(cause they already all responded)*

time codes:

00:00 catching up and the great nano banana AI panic

07:15 why actors reach for fear when auditions are slow

13:45 the CGI fire rant that accidentally proves our point

19:10 do reps really want holiday gifts or is this all a myth

23:30 real examples of gifts that actually landed

30:00 how to approach your reps with generosity without being weird

links:

The Membership

sam’s IG

gab’s IG

Holidays as a working actor hit different. No one is looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with a side of getting-grilled-about “what you’ve been in.” This episode is your play book to protect your peace and navigate them regardless of what your holidays look like.

Wanna skip the chat? Fast forward the first 8 minutes.

Sam and Gab break down what it actually looks like to go home for the holidays (or not), how to handle weird family questions, setting boundaries, teachable (and not teachable) moments, and redefining non-actor moments ftw.

what we cover:

● what it’s like juggling auditions, puppies, and podcasting in November

● the freedom to not go home and why it doesn’t make you a bad person

● how actors can answer family questions without spiraling

● the difference between teaching someone about the biz vs just surviving the convo

● using your actual life wins when people ask “so what are you doing with acting”

● making your own traditions when travel is expensive or your mental health says no

● Sam’s squirrel rescue era and Gab’s “why don’t people understand child-free life” commentary

● boundaries, expectations, and showing up as the adult you actually are

links:

Join The Membership

Sam’s IG

Gab’s IG

if you’ve ever wondered why certain shows hit your actor soul and others feel like emotional sandpaper, this one is for you.

what started as a polite conversation about twilight vs harry potter turned into a full deep dive on color grading, moodiness, emotional tolerance, childhood pets, and how all of that somehow ties back to being actors.

we cover:

● why some actors love moody, gray, rainy tv and others only want sunshine and color

● whether you actually need to watch everything to stay “in the know” as an actor

● how your first pet dying weirdly explains your adult emotional patterns

● sam holding a dying hamster like an oscar-bait monologue

● gab leaving a bunny half inside and half outside a sliding glass door

● tv vs movies, binging vs one-episode-a-night culture

● why grainy older films make sam feel nostalgic and gab feel personally attacked

● the way actors pick shows based on what might shoot next and where representation is happening

● voice notes, cleaning apps, and the real reason sam deletes her texts every 30 days

Links:

⁠Take the free Actor Type Quiz⁠

⁠Join the waitlist for The Membership⁠

Sam’s IG: ⁠@samvalentine⁠

Gab’s IG: ⁠@gabriellebyndloss

want to tell us how your first pet died and what it says about you? please put it in the spotify comments so sam doesn’t cry in her dms.

⁠Take the free Actor Type Quiz⁠ (like super 100% free)

We made our Actor Types: Dreamer, Drifter, Doubter, Developer, and Disruptor and today we're talking about how knowing where you are right now can actually move your career forward and save you time...unlike Sam who thought she was god's gift to LA or Gab who through sheer focus and will would get her a seris regular.

And Sam created a Canva Presentation to save Gab 45 min in a commercial self tape, why Gab is bummed at JenLaw, and why she wasn't on Degrassi (thank god).

We cover:

● The genius audition trick Sam made up using Canva slides

● How to figure out your Actor Type (and why it changes weekly)

● Why “waiting to be booked” isn’t a career strategy

● What each type needs to focus on next

● How Gab almost ended up on Degrassi with Drake

● Jennifer Lawrence, Charlie Sheen, and why fame before readiness can wreck you

● Why not being political is still political

Links:

Take the free Actor Type Quiz

Join the waitlist for The Membership

Clue card hack for self tapes

Sam’s IG: @samvalentine

Gab’s IG: @gabriellebyndloss

11. Human Design for Actors: why you’re not lazy, you’re just wired differently

Ever wonder why some actors thrive on chaos while others burn out after two self-tapes? Sam (a Manifestor) and Gab (a Generator) break down how Human Design types show up in your acting career, your self-tape workflow, and your everyday energy.

From audition strategy to social life burnout, we unpack how understanding your design can change the way you work, rest, and recover.

We cover:

● The 5 Human Design types and how each one shows up in your acting life

● Why Sam needs a “light at the end of the tunnel” and Gab can’t stop working

● How to stop calling yourself “lazy” when your energy doesn’t look like everyone else’s

● Acting-specific tips and mantras for each design type

● How to protect your energy on set and in self-tapes

● A fiery debate about audition “buttons” you don’t want to miss

Also the most relatable rant about read receipts ever recorded (sincerely, Sam).

Links:

Join The Membership

Side Hustle Academy

Generate your Human Design chart

Sam’s Instagram

Gab’s Instagram

What happens when you stop waiting for someone to “pick” you and start making your own opportunities.

Sam went from not booking anything since 2021 to writing, producing, and starring in her own short film...and it completely shifted her mindset as an actor.

And we get real about the difference between playing at being an actor and actually being one, the myth of “I just want to act,” and why the cavalry isn’t coming.

We cover:

• What Sam spent on her short film and what she's do differently

• How to use your footage for reels and festivals

• Why self-tape reels still work and when they stop

• The difference between creating your own work and “pretending” to be on a show

• How to find fulfillment when nothing’s booking

• Why the new actor era is all about DIY

Links:

• Sam's Patreon – bonus episodes and behind-the-scenes breakdowns of the short (plus 100+ more eps)

  patreon.com/onebrokeactress

  
  

• Headshot Class – get $50 off here only!

  
  

• Rock Your Reels / Melissa Blue – the team that helped shoot my micro short

  rockyourreel.com

  
  

• Cara Chute Rosenbaum – CD and coach who’s helping cut my new reel

  ccrcasting.com

  
  

• Muse Box (Atlanta) – DIY studio for headshots and content creation

  museboxstudios.com

  
  

• Eddie Liu on One Broke Actress Podcast – the episode we reference about rejection and resilience

  onebrokeactress.com-podcast-eddie