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there’s a lot of noise right now about things “picking back up.” more auditions. more shows. more chatter. and yet a lot of actors are looking at their bank accounts like… cool cool cool, where is the money...am i not doing this right? lets talk about what that “400 scripted shows” number actually means. inside this episode: why “more shows” doesn’t equal more jobs you can actually audition for what’s really counted in current scripted show numbers how 6–8 episode seasons impact pay, relationships, and residuals current sag co-star and guest star rate realities why take-home pay is way less than people think how competition has expanded with self-tapes and multi-market submissions why diversified income is not failure, it’s survival a reminder that you are not the problem

this episode is about: - why new headshots alone usually are not a reason to email casting or reps - what updates are actually worth sending - the difference between outcomes and systems - the seven working actor systems and how they overlap - choosing one system to focus on for the year - how small bookings still matter - staying grounded instead of waiting for the next thing to save you today’s q’s: are new headshots are enough reason to email casting or agents, what updates actually matter? when outreach is helpful versus just busywork that makes us feel productive? and then getting into our main topic: building a working actor system instead of chasing outcomes….hello 2026. -the seven core systems that actually support a long acting career and why focusing on just one of them for a full year can change everything. i also share what it was like booking and shooting my first on camera role since 2021, including the very unglamorous reality of waiting six months between audition and shoot and then immediately having to return to normal life. submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

i’m walking you through how i actually make a vision board that works. i’m using the approach from sarah centrella’s “future boards” and breaking it into really doable steps. i am making this as an audio guide + the PDF to follow below! https://tinyurl.com/patreonpodvisionboard2026 ★ *This is fully inspired by Sarah Centrella and her book Future Boards and her podcast on One Broke Actress, check it out for even more depth! ★ More of an audio person? Follow along with the patreon podcast on patreon, apple, or spotify!

let's talk black friday for actors and how to not get swindled by the internet. i’ve wasted money in the past, i’ve made some great buys, and i’ve definitely been sucked in by “actor bundles” that were basically someone’s google drive folder. so i put together all my personal rules and red flags to help you make smarter choices this week. ps: you can now gift my Patreon membership to friends, family, and anyone else you want to invite into our space! or add it to your own list 😉: https://www.patreon.com/onebrokeactress/gift i cover what’s actually worth buying, what to skip, how to spot a scam, and my own rules for not buying hope disguised as a product. this is especially for anyone who’s feeling the pressure of “so many deals” and wants to save money instead of stress about it in january.tldr: • why q4 feels extra chaotic for actors • the only categories of black friday deals i actually think are worth it • what i look for in a “good deal” vs a panic purchase • red flags in actor bundles, classes, and coaching packages • the mindset traps marketing preys on this week • how to spot urgency tactics so you don’t buy out of desperation • my personal rules for what i will and won’t buy this year • why “hope disguised as a product” is the biggest trap for creatives links • sag insurance journey series on my instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17888201982449868/ • patreon question box for future episodes: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

full Q&A from YOU! let’s gooooo! we talk about everything from union job updates to non-smoking props on set to finding a mentor without spending money. i also get into how to stay “ready” without burning out, how i plan my mornings around auditions, and what my actual nighttime routine looks like when i need to rest. this one’s a mix of acting advice, mindset shifts, and some very specific details about how i prep, plan, and sleep like my job depends on it. you’ll hear about: my personal update on union vs non-union commercial auditions how to handle smoking scenes when you’re a non-smoker realistic ways to find mentorship in the acting world where to find theatre auditions in LA how i think about “balance” and rest as an actor what my morning routine looks like during busy audition weeks how i deal with post-audition blues my full nighttime sleep routine (yes, it’s intense and worth it) links mentioned: take the free actor type quiz: https://form.typeform.com/to/pRQHYQ5W join the membership: https://themembership.co/ submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp ozlo sleepbuds: https://ozlosleep.com/pages/ozlo-sleepbuds

im gonna dive into the seven key elements that make these lil auditions actually interesting to watch. and make it more fun for me as a creative. plus a q&a from lindsey about reconnecting with old industry coworkers and how to do it without it feeling forced or opportunistic. **you’ll hear about:** - how i prepped and coached for my live zoom audition - why relationship, setting, and wardrobe all matter - how i decide when to send multiple takes - how to use props the right way - the one question i always answer before taping any co-star - advice on reaching out to past collaborators **links mentioned:** prop tips video on instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DQFBXCej_2f/ submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

i made a short film in six weeks. i know. wild. in this episode i’m breaking down every single step from idea to shoot day: what i did right, what i’d change, how much it cost me, and how many literal favors i called in to make this happen. i talk casting, writing, location scouting, budgeting, amazon orders, feeding extras, the sag micro-budget contract, and the emotional rollercoaster of asking people to work with you for free. UGH and why i bought a $120 bottle of whiskey for one shot. i wish i was kidding. i’m linking the finished short below just for you, plus a pdf checklist of every single step i took. - future episodes will cover editing, festival submissions, and using it for my reel! so ask me your Qs! ✨ [your full breakdown PDF - https://sam-valentine.notion.site/short-film-process-checklist 📺 [the final edit! (shhhh)] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPmvRq9nLyc&feature=youtu.be 🙋🏻‍♀️ submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

In this episode, I’m sharing everything from the one-on-one career coaching session that helped me map out what came after the play and ultimately led to me writing and shooting my short film. I talk about how I structured a solo retreat, building a watchlist, what I learned about my materials, and how I got clear on the kind of work I want to be doing next. This is the first part of a multi-episode series walking you through the steps I actually took. Q&A: I answer Paloma's question about managing priorities and multiple steams of income! Melissa Blue: https://bluelit.rockyourreel.com/ SKS Coaching: https://stankirschstudios.com/ Submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

a check in and explanation about our current transition period! in the meantime find me: Working Actor Life Instagram Patreon (or your Apple/Spotify Bonus section) Or for the most in-depth work, get in TM!

this episode is packed with takeaways from my advanced commercial at ross lacy + alyson horn casting. im gonna give you actionable commercial audition tips you can use right now. plusa listener q about whether taking a break from acting will set you back. what’s inside: commercial class breakdown: 4 weeks of dialogue, car spots, misdirect comedy, and callback notes how to “pace it up” and “warm it up” without losing the scene partner auditions and how not to ruin them before you even walk in the room self-tape props + car acting tips (ditch the door pantomimes) the honest truth about taking a break from acting and coming back stronger the class i took: https://thecommercialclass.com/ send me your questions! ⁠https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

this is one to watch via video! so listen to the first 3 min and use THE PASSWORD (shhhh) at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ytm69vya This is so vulnerable! I snagged two auditions from 2021 (one for a lead in a film and one for a series regular) and today we are rewatching them together and analyzing them with this criteria:📝 the 6-question self-tape check 1. do i believe myself?→ am i actually listening and responding, or just hitting marks and acting at someone? 2. is there a clear point of view?→ do i know what this character wants and how they feel about it, or am i just saying lines? 3. would i cast me based on this?→ not because i look cute or “tried hard” but does it actually sell my type and vibe? 4. is the technical quality distracting?→ lighting, sound, framing, wardrobe, anything pulling attention away from the performance? 5. does this match where i’m at now?→ if you’ve grown past it, great! if it still feels aligned, you’ve got a winner. 6. how’s the energy?→ alive or flat? connected or performative? present or polite?

part two of our actor chaos chat! today i’m digging into what actually works for me. from juggling auditions and a short film shoot to managing my day-to-day, i break down flexible systems, time blindness, and why prepping “containers not clocks” matters. for our Q&A we cover how to use a not-so-great show review (with personal shout outs) to your advantage when looking for new reps. submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

i used to think i was just bad at time management. like, if i could just stick to my google calendar, everything would fall into place. it turns out…i wasn’t the problem. in this episode, we’re breaking down why most productivity systems don’t actually work for actors and what we can do instead including the chaotic nature of actor time, why audition prep is never just 10 minutes, and how to work with your unpredictable days without guilt or panic. and in part two i will dive deeper into what has actually taken this stress off and helped me this year. in our Q&A section, Lindsey asks about the importance of social media for actors and if its worth compromising your mental fortitude... submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp

i’m breaking down the real story of how and why i joined the actor’s union and the ways i really messed up. we’ll talk about what it actually means to be a union actor, how i missed out on big opportunities by not doing my homework, and the pros + cons no one tells you about. what we cover: - how i joined sag without a plan - underrated benefits of the union - the reality of union vs. non-union work - how the level of competition shifts - what i missed by not going to orientation - why joining isn’t a magic career button - when not to join the union bonus q&a: submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp lindsay asks about how my voice changed over the years and what i did (or didn’t do) to make it sound deeper, clearer, and stronger on mic. links mentioned: sag-aftra membership details: https://www.sagaftra.org/membership-benefits sag-aftra short project agreement: https://www.sagaftra.org/contracts-industry-resources/short-project-agreement sag foundation: https://sagfoundation.org/ first entertainment credit union: https://www.firstent.org/

in this special episode, gabrielle interviews me about her first time on stage since college: a 7-show run at the hollywood fringe fest: from almost quitting, to undressing on stage, to using the play as fuel for new reps and reshaping my business — this is a no-filter look behind the curtain. you’ll hear: - how the role came to me (after they passed on me in 2023) - what it *actually* takes to do indie theater in LA - handling kissing scenes and getting half-naked on stage - how i advocated for myself (and what i did wrong) - what changed in her career after the run - the exact email i sent to invite reps and CDs - why i shut down part of my business right after closing night Submit your questions here: https://shorturl.at/dHVZp