Best Mary Jo Dionne Writer Slash Speaker Slash Performer Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 071: Dr. Russ Kennedy -- The Anxiety MD 1:07:47

6y ago1:07:47

1:07:47

What we cover: In this moment, we are safe. Today's guest is Dr Russ Kennedy – someone I have known since 2004, when I launched my brief stint into the stand up comedy world. Russ was a fellow comic, and I got to know him then, and I always really liked him. I eventually set that aside as I evolved as a writer and instead focused more on my foray i…

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Episode 070: Stacey Shand -- Ultra-distance athlete and adventurer 1:11:26

6y ago1:11:26

1:11:26

What we cover: "I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference." -- Robert Frost Today’s guest is Stacey Shand. If there is a woman more easy to have a Girl Crush on that Stacey Shand, I have yet to meet her. Stacey is an ultra-extreme endurance athlete and adventurer. She is affectionately known as ‘Racey Stacey’, and she …

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Episode 069: Kevin Reynolds -- Olympic Figure Skater 52:57

6y ago52:57

52:57

What we cover: "Take the past for what it is. And then, focus on moving forward." -- Kevin Reynolds Today's guest is Kevin Reynolds. He is, of course, the Canadian figure skating super star who won silver at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, as part of the mixed team event. According to the official Olympics athlete site, he is the first skat…

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Episode 068: Sherry Strong -- Chef, Nutritionist, Food Philosopher 52:28

6y ago52:28

52:28

What we cover: “Addiction is the body’s way of telling you that you’re not listening to your soul.” – Sherry Strong Today's guest is Sherry Strong – and strong she is. She is a woman who, after 35-years of playing the “victim”, which so many of us are guilty of from time to time – and who also struggled with an addiction to sugar to numb the sadnes…

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Episode 067: Mary-Jo Dionne -- writer/speaker/performer/podcaster 7:24

6+ y ago7:24

7:24

What we cover: In the interest of full disclosure, I have been ridiculously spread thin – as we all can get from time to time – and completely run down, wrapping up deadlines before I shut the office down until the new year. I have been up late into the night with a sick 2-year-old. And I have been going through this incredibly heavy sadness on acc…

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Episode 066: Anna Rice -- Two-time Olympic badminton player 1:14:25

6+ y ago1:14:25

1:14:25

What we cover: “The most important things I’ve learned in life, I’ve learned on the badminton court.” – Anna Rice Today’s Guest Titan is two-time Olympian, Anna Rice – a woman who admits that, as far as life goes, everything she’s learned so far, she’s learned on the badminton court. This is a woman who is ripe with insights, and who possesses a ca…

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Episode 065: Mary-Jo Dionne -- host, Tea with a Titan 22:02

6+ y ago22:02

22:02

What we cover: "You have to lose sight of the shore, to discover new lands." -- Andre Gide, paraphrased For those of you who listen to the show on a regular basis, it’s not news that I am a huge proponent of perspective shifting. And of gear shifting. Of being adaptable and of having the ability to readjust as needed. As we were planning our recent…

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Episode 064: Karin Fortin Jackson -- Part Two ("After") Triathlete / Weight loss success story 58:58

6+ y ago58:58

58:58

What we cover: "For temporary results, commit to temporary changes. For permanent results, commit to permanent ones." -- Karin Fortin Jackson, 3-time Ironman finisher, who lost 120 pounds In 18 months of conversations with people I admire, this might rank as my most favourite chat yet. And I say that with the full admission that I have loved every …

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Episode 063: Karin Fortin Jackson -- Triathlete / Weight loss success story (Part One: Before) 1:05:33

6+ y ago1:05:33

1:05:33

What we cover: "For temporary results, commit to temporary changes. For permanent results, commit to permanent ones." -- Karin Fortin Jackson, 3-time Ironman finisher, who lost 120 pounds In 18 months of conversations with people I admire, this might rank as my most favourite chat yet. And I say that with the full admission that I have loved every …

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Episode 062: Rhian Wilkinson -- Three-time Olympic Soccer Player 1:32:59

6+ y ago1:32:59

1:32:59

What we cover: “If you want something badly enough, you don’t make sacrifices. You make choices.” – Rhian Wilkinson Today’s Guest Titan chat is a wee bit of a deviation from the norm – and I am so glad about it. Today, I have a guest co-host in the form of 12-year-old Alex Vietch, herself a serious athlete – she’s a track star and a soccer freak, i…

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Episode 061: Mike Shaw -- Freestyle Skier, Coach, Entrepreneur, Speaker 1:21:38

6+ y ago1:21:38

1:21:38

What we cover: “Boom! Gratitude.” —Mike Shaw This week’s Guest Titan – Mike Shaw — is beyond inspiring. I have thought about our chat daily since it happened. He is just that impressive. I don’t want to give too much away, his story is incredible, and it’s best if I get out of the way – and let you hear it from his vantage point. Hear what it was l…

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Episode 060: Terri Tatchell -- Oscar-nominated screenwriter 1:09:41

6+ y ago1:09:41

1:09:41

What we cover: Reinvention. I have been calling myself a writer since I was 5 years old. I’ve had a fun and memorable career as an ad copywriter in agencies in Vancouver, as an editor, as a features writer for various magazines. I’ve written my one-woman show and am currently working on the sequel. I wrote my own comedy material in the days I did s…

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Episode 059: Jeff Symonds -- Professional Triathlete (mini-episode) 32:53

6+ y ago32:53

32:53

This is a mini-episode. Just a wee one. It’s sort of Part Two in my chat with the unbelievably well-respected professional Ironman triathlete, Jeff Symonds Asia Pacific Ironman Champion, the year before last. But it’s also a stand-alone. So I’m not really thinking of it as a continuation of last week’s episode. By all means, go back and check that …

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Episode 058: Jeff Symonds -- Professional triathlete 1:39:27

6+ y ago1:39:27

1:39:27

What we cover: “A diamond is a lump of coal that did well under pressure." – Henry Kissinger This week’s Guest Titan is flipping amazing. I have loved him from afar for many years now – not like as a stalker, dressed as a plant, hiding in a corner. But just that feeling of tremendous respect you get when you know you are around someone who is truly…

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Episode 057: Teryl Rothery -- Actor, Stargate SG-1, Cedar Cove, Best in Show, The Good Doctor 1:02:38

6+ y ago1:02:38

1:02:38

What we cover: “A fall doesn't have to be perceived as a fall. It can be a trip. Or a stumble." – Teryl Rothery This week’s Guest Titan is flipping amazing. I first met Teryl Rothery, about 18 years ago – I’ll tell you how I know it was a long time ago – I was an ad copywriter at an agency here in Vancouver, and I’d written some radio scripts for a…

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Episode 056: Mary-Jo Dionne -- host, Tea with a Titan 20:02

6+ y ago20:02

20:02

What we cover: “Where will we be 5 years from today?” Welcome to Season #2 of Tea with a Titan: Conversations Steeped in Greatness. This is the series where I get to sit down and have tea with entrepreneurs, athletes, entertainers, artists, philanthropists, thought-leaders, difference makers, -- those people who have one of five, or sometimes five …

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Episode 055: Pamela Martin -- Broadcasting icon and philanthropist 1:23:29

7y ago1:23:29

1:23:29

What we cover: "Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson A few weeks ago, I was speaking on a panel for the organization called Dress for Success. Dress for Success is a fantastic enterprise designed to empower women to get back into the workforce by providing professional clot…

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Episode 054: Wendy Williams-Watt -- Activist / Artist / Designer 1:18:39

7y ago1:18:39

1:18:39

What we cover: "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." -- Burt Bacharach About three weeks ago, my four-year-old, JouJou had her first ballet recital with North Vancouver’s stellar organization Pink Petal Ballet, designed less to teach young girls the perfect arabesque, and more to teach young girls concepts like self-love and kindness. The…

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Episode 053: Mary-Jo Dionne -- host, Tea with a Titan 9:04

7y ago9:04

9:04

What we cover: "We can't go over it, we can't go under it. Oh no, we have to go through it." -- Michael Rosen JouJou very recently has taken to riding her bike up and down the carpeted hallways of our condo building in BC's wine country, and since this is the first year that Birdie can actually walk, she sort of giddily squeals and chases behind he…

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Episode 52: George Shapiro -- Legendary Hollywood Manager and Executive Producer of Seinfeld 1:08:09

7y ago1:08:09

1:08:09

I’m a big believer that every once in a while, if you stay the path, dreams really can come true. And today’s episode, in my life, is evidence of that theory. Ten years ago this summer, on my 35th birthday, a group of my closest friends and I went to a party at the Playboy Mansion of all places. I’ve said it a number of times on this series: if you…

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Episode 51: Ashley Wiles -- Brooks Running 2016 Inspiring Coach of the Year 1:15:14

7y ago1:15:14

1:15:14

What we cover: “What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” -- Napolean Hill This is a conversation about running. But not in the way we typically equate talks about running. It’s not about encouraging you to get your fastest time. It’s not about encouraging you to increase your distances. It’s not about heart rate monitors and …

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Episode 050: Elle Wild -- Award-winning novelist 1:09:19

7y ago1:09:19

1:09:19

What we cover: "Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." -- Samuel Beckett I have known Elle Wild for the better part of the last two decades. She and I were ad copy writers together in Vancouver. And what I most admired about Elle, was that she always had a side project on the go. She always had a screenplay underwa…

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Episode 049: Matt Hill -- Run for One Planet, runner and environmentalist 1:26:38

7y ago1:26:38

1:26:38

What we cover: "Just take one small step --- every day." -- Matt Hill There are some people on this amazing planet who you just know when you meet them are the ones who are on a mission to make it an even more spectacular place than it already is. Undeniably, one of those people is Matt Hill. A much sought after voice actor, he’s well known as havi…

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Episode 048: Gary Robbins -- Ultra-runner, The Barkley Marathons 1:33:14

7y ago1:33:14

1:33:14

What we cover: "You can do this. You will do this." -- Gary Robbins Every once in a while you have a conversation with a person – a person so exceptional, that’s the only word for it – that the stories they tell are universal in that they tap into the humanity of it all. Gary Robbins is one such person and the conversation we had is one such chat. …

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Episode 047: Jennifer Heil -- Three-time Olympic skier 1:16:10

7y ago1:16:10

1:16:10

What we cover: "Everything is perspective." -- Jennifer Heil A few months ago, my friend Susanne Biro, Guest Titan Episode #6, put together a dinner party of six people who didn’t necessarily know one another, but who she all thought would hit it off. And guess what? It worked! Jennifer Heil was one of the people seated at the table, and I instantl…

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Episode 046: Mary-Jo Dionne -- host, Tea with a Titan 14:28

7y ago14:28

14:28

What we cover: A few years ago, a friend of mine made me a mixed CD. One of the songs was Snow Patrol’s “Just Say Yes”, and it resonated the most for me on that playlist. “Just say yes. Just say there’s nothing holding you back.” We are so conditioned, as planners, and as a Type A list-makers, and as do-ers with goals and full daytimers, to say “no…

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Episode 045: Mary-Jo Dionne -- host, Tea with a Titan 27:08

7y ago27:08

27:08

What we cover: "The cave you fear to enter, is the one that holds the treasure." -- Joseph Campbell A few years ago, Chad and I were with another couple at the Vancouver attraction called Playland. We were in our ‘20s and we thought that going on the famously rickety old roller coaster would be a good idea. And it was,… until, about 90% of the way …

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Episode 044: Nancy Johnston -- Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO of Tengri 1:12:47

7y ago1:12:47

1:12:47

What we cover: “Surf the cosmic wave.” – Nancy Johnston Not long ago, I had an email from a good friend in London, Jennifer Cameron, letting me know that her good friend, Nancy Johnston, would be coming to Vancouver for Vancouver Fashion Week. And that not only did she have an incredible story – one that would shape her as someone who can rise time…

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Episode 043: Melissa Haynes -- Author / Adventurer 1:15:09

7y ago1:15:09

1:15:09

What we cover: "Have the courage to have the courage." -- Melissa Haynes Melissa Haynes knew from the age of six exactly who she was. She was a writer and an adventurer. She cut out the pages of the National Geographic and carried them around with her in a little basket. She wrote stories about elephants and lions. However, at a very young age, aft…

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Episode 042: Shaun Frankson -- Social Entrepreneur, Co-Founder The Plastic Bank 1:11:25

7y ago1:11:25

1:11:25

What we cover: To say that guest titan Shaun Frankson and his business partner David Katz are thought-leaders would likely be one of the bigger understatements of our time. With the launch of their company The Plastic Bank in 2013, they have essentially turned plastic into funds and in doing so – by monetizing a resource that was once only consider…

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Episode 041: Jacqueline Way -- Philanthropist, Founder of 365give 1:06:22

7y ago1:06:22

1:06:22

What we cover: “If we all create a daily habit of giving? Holy Hell, we’ll change the world.” – Jacqueline Way On her son, Nick’s 3rd birthday, Jacqueline Way decided to consciously turn her back on the idea of wrapping up a bunch of “stuff” and adding to piles of toys, and instead came up with an idea for she and he to embark on a one-year challen…

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Episode 40: Jody Vance -- TV and Radio broadcaster 1:26:28

7y ago1:26:28

1:26:28

What we cover: “No matter what happens, I have me.” – Jody Vance I have loved Jody Vance for the better part of a decade. She was instrumental in introducing me to my first regular role in an on-air segment with a Vancouver radio station, the ShoreFM where she was host of The Jody Vance Show. From there, she would go on to become the 5-year co-host…

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Episode 039 Part Three: Brent Johnson -- football star (and still all-round great guy) 1:05:08

7y ago1:05:08

1:05:08

What we cover: “You cannot synthetically produce passion.” – Brent Johnson Part Two in a Three-Part Series Every once in a while, you have a conversation with someone who is legitimately hilarious. Legitimately insightful. And legitimately fascinating. And you want to bottle it and crack the formula and then multiply it and sell the patent. But sin…

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Episode 038 Part Two: Brent Johnson -- football star (and still all-round great guy) 1:23:52

7y ago1:23:52

1:23:52

What we cover: “You cannot synthetically produce passion.” – Brent Johnson Part Two in a Three-Part Series Every once in a while, you have a conversation with someone who is legitimately hilarious. Legitimately insightful. And legitimately fascinating. And you want to bottle it and crack the formula and then multiply it and sell the patent. But sin…

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Episode 037 Part One: Brent Johnson -- football legend (and all-round great guy) 54:38

7y ago54:38

54:38

What we cover: “You cannot synthetically produce passion.” – Brent Johnson Every once in a while, you have a conversation with someone who is legitimately hilarious. Legitimately insightful. And legitimately fascinating. And you want to bottle it and crack the formula and then multiply it and sell the patent. But since you can’t, instead you pop it…

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Episode 036: Betty Jean McHugh -- 89-year-old world record marathoner 1:08:19

7y ago1:08:19

1:08:19

What we cover: “Don’t let age get in your way.” – Betty Jean McHugh Betty Jean McHugh was born in 1927 in small-town Canada, never knowing that after a childhood that took place in the depression, teen years that took place during World War II, a career that began in Toronto as a nurse, and then after raising four children on the west coast, that –…

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Episode 035: Krista Guloien -- Olympic rower, speaker, and author 1:11:04

7y ago1:11:04

1:11:04

What we cover: In the seven months that this series has been my Labour of Love – my Love Child – we’ve been fortunate to chat with a number of those fine human specimens who fall under the “Olympian” banner. What I love about these conversations, is that these people undeniably rank as the best of the best. There is no question; it’s not up for deb…

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Episode 034: Michelle Tremblay -- black belt and empowerment advocate 1:24:18

7y ago1:24:18

1:24:18

What we cover: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?” – Marianne Williamson Michelle Tremblay is poised and zen and ca…

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Episode 033: Natasha Wodak -- Olympic runner 1:24:31

7+ y ago1:24:31

1:24:31

What we cover: For those of us who watched the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and sat glued to our television sets for the Opening Ceremonies of the 31st Olympiad, there was a feeling -- just like there is at every Games -- that what we are seeing is a collection of the world’s beautiful people. The fittest, shiniest, most glowing versions of human potenti…

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Episode 032: Roy McBeth -- elite cyclist and triathlete and organ donor advocate 1:53:36

7+ y ago1:53:36

1:53:36

What we cover: The one thing we all have in common is that no one is immune. We will all go through periods of adversity. That fact is the great equalizer. What sets us apart however, is how we choose to handle the adversity. Today’s episode might just be one of the most important conversations I’ve had. Not just in terms of this podcast, but in th…

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Episode 031: Liz Rose -- 2nd youngest Canadian to summit Mt Everest 1:38:53

7+ y ago1:38:53

1:38:53

What we cover: On May 23rd 2016, Liz Rose became the 17th Canadian woman to climb Mount Everest, the 2nd youngest Canadian overall to summit, and she’s on track to becoming the youngest Canadian to climb all Seven Summits – which is to say she’ll aim to tackle the highest peak on each of the seven continents. She’s surprisingly humble, not at all a…

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Episode 030: Jenn Dawkins -- Firefighter, philanthropist, mentor, ultra-athlete, dog-mom 1:16:39

7+ y ago1:16:39

1:16:39

What we cover: What's it like to transform from a non-athletic background as a serious punk rocker with multi-coloured hair in the 1980s to a trailblazing visionary in her adult years? What does that look like, what does that feel like, where does the motivation come from, what drives her? Jenn Dawkins is a fire fighter – one of about 80 women fire…

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Episode 029 Part Two: Chad Bentley -- Ultraman World Championships finisher and coach 1:26:08

7+ y ago1:26:08

1:26:08

Part Two of Two: The quest for authentic greatness may mean a complete reinvention. A close examination of your perception of self, of your belief in what you’re capable of, in who you fundamentally are. It may mean asking the tough questions: Who do you spend your time with, how do you invest the hours of your days, what do you decide to focus on?…

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Episode 028 Part One: Chad Bentley -- Ultraman World Championships finisher and coach 55:55

7+ y ago55:55

55:55

Part One of Two: The quest for authentic greatness may mean a complete reinvention. A close examination of your perception of self, of your belief in what you’re capable of, in who you fundamentally are. It may mean asking the tough questions: Who do you spend your time with, how do you invest the hours of your days, what do you decide to focus on?…

1
Episode 027: Annie Wood -- Actor, writer, mindfulness enthusiast 1:21:22

7+ y ago1:21:22

1:21:22

I have admired Annie Wood for the better part of a decade. She exemplifies the commitment to rising after a setback, and to continually moving forward. She’s as dedicated to the process of living an authentic life as anyone I’ve ever met -- and then some. You may know her from memorable appearances in movies like Good Luck Chuck with Dane Cook, and…

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Episode 026: Jillian Murray, Actor on CBS's Code Black (with Dean Geyer of Australian Idol and Glee) 1:05:19

7+ y ago1:05:19

1:05:19

What we cover: “If you don’t take a chance, you haven’t got a chance.” – Jillian Murray Actor Jillian Murray is an awesome example of someone on her authentic path. She knows where she wants to be, and she’s not deviating from it. One of the stars of the People’s Choice nominated CBS medical drama Code Black, Jillian’s star is shooting skyward and …

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Episode 025: Jen Grisanti -- Story Consultant / Writing Instructor for NBC / Author / International Speaker 1:24:00

7+ y ago1:24:00

1:24:00

What we cover: “Failure doesn’t move us back. It moves us forward. Failure tells us what is no longer working.” – Jen Grisanti As a VP of CBS Paramount, overseeing Current Programming, Jen Grisanti was exactly where she wanted to be, or so she thought. Then, one day, the unthinkable happened, and without warning, she suffered a big crash when her p…

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Episode 024: Autumn Reeser -- Actor (The OC, Entourage, Sully, The Arrangement) 1:03:20

7+ y ago1:03:20

1:03:20

What we cover: Autumn Reeser knew at a very young age exactly who she was meant to be – an actor. But despite this clarity, she has learned to face a sometimes cruel industry -- the rejection, the heartbreak, the dashed hopes – with grace and perseverance. In the process of her journey, she has realized that the key to it all is learning, quite sim…

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Episode 023: Peter Arpesella -- Actor/Writer (And former Investment Banker -- yes, really) 1:25:57

7+ y ago1:25:57

1:25:57

What we cover: Despite being groomed to take over the family business, Italy’s famed Grand Hotel of Rimini, Peter Arpesella knew life had other things in store for him. But what kind of courage does that take? To face not only your family, but more importantly, yourself – and say some version of: “Thank you for loving me. But thank you, more than a…

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Episode 022: Morgan Brayton -- Actor/Comedian/Writer/TV Personality 1:36:03

7+ y ago1:36:03

1:36:03

What we cover: “The people who get on in this world are the ones who get up and look for the circumstances they want. And if they can’t find them, they make them.” – George Bernard Shaw After 27 years of being subjected to sometimes soul-destroying auditions, the often-ridiculous expectations of wardrobe fittings, and the continual yearning for tha…

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