Empowered Artist Collective Podcast - for actors, singers, dancers, writers, creators and performers
Are you a performing artist looking for more stability? Have you struggled to feel seen and valued? Are you frustrated by the gatekeeping and industry’s emphasis on scarcity to keep you small? Join our community of women and non-binary artists seeking a thriving and sustainable career in the arts. Every week, host Jennifer Apple asks hard questions, sits with open-ended answers (or perhaps no answers at all!), shares resources, and expands the dialogue around the aspects of our industry that no one is talking about. Whether you are an actor, singer, dancer, performer, writer, director, creator, theater and tv/film lover... Curiosity is the only requirement! If you believe that being an artist is about more than just the jobs you book, think this industry needs change, and want to get a look behind the curtain: The Empowered Artist Collective Podcast is for you! Jennifer Apple is an Actor, Acting Coach, Writer, and Dog Lover who is in pursuit of honesty, vulnerability, and empathy so that we can truly see ourselves and each other to break down barriers and reveal the raw, real humanity that connects us all. She empowers performing artists to embody themselves fully and truthfully so that they can elevate their craft, pursue their careers with integrity, and discover their inner confidence and self-worth. Let’s be in community together. Let’s support one another. Let’s make this journey a little less isolating and a whole lot more inclusive. IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective // TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective // www.EmpoweredArtistCollective.com Host: Jennifer Apple // @JenniferApple_ // JenniferApple.net Head of Production & Editor: Nayara Alexis // @NayaraAlexis Podcast Music Composer: Aimee Lefkowicz // @Aimee.Isabella
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Episodes
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to talent manager, ChiChi Anyanwu, about her journey to becoming a talent manager, what it is like working with her in this capacity, and the makings of a successful client-manager relationship. ChiChi gives tools for submissions, social media, and branding. She also shares the importance of taking one’s power back, collaborating, and focusing on doing the work.
About ChiChi: ChiChi Anyanwu founded CHI Talent Management in 2020, after 10 + years of working in talent representation and casting in New York. Her experiences in casting made her discover that her true
passion was nurturing and developing aspiring talent. The clients she has represented have been seen
on Broadway in MJ, Clyde's, Ain't Too Proud, Chicago, and in national tours of Tina, Wicked, Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Films: Otherhood, Standing Up, Falling Down,
Boogie, Vampires vs. the Bronx. Television: The Deuce, Fosse/Verdon, Power, Gotham, Snowfall, Bull,
Madam Secretary, The Code, Alternatino, Godfather of Harlem, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, FBI, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Blacklist. She is a producer for the NOW AFRICA: Playwrights Festival. NOW AFRICA is in partnership with the Center for Art and Public Policy and the Institute of Performing Arts at NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Anna Deavere Smith’s Institute on the Arts and Civic Dialogue. NOW AFRICA’s mission is to bridge the continental divide and to expose the community to playwrights from the African Diaspora. Other past producing projects include workshop productions of the 1st Gen Nigerian Project at the Bank Street Theatre and the Humanitas Award-winning play Good Grief written by her sister, award-winning playwright/actress, Ngozi Anyanwu, at the INTAR Theatre. ChiChi also teaches at Stonestreet Studios, The New School of Drama and serves as a diversity audience consultant for Broadway and Off-Broadway theatres. ChiChi Anyanwu is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a B.A. in Communication, Theater Studies minor & Certificate in African Studies. Awards/Honors: 2020 grant recipient of the American Express 100 for 100 program. Diverse Representation "The Ten to Watch in 2021" list.
ChiChi’s IG: @chitalentmgmt
ChiChi’s Website: www.chitalentmanagement.com
Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Sarah Lampert, the writer, creator, and executive producer of the Netflix TV show, Ginny & Georgia. Sarah shares her personal story as a writer, the journey of Ginny & Georgia, some behind-the-scenes, and the process in the writer's room. She shares incredible tips and tools for pitching, the importance of patience & confidence, and recognizing that there is no one way for an opportunity to come your way.
About Sarah: Sarah Lampert is a TV and film writer from Los Angeles who recently wrapped up season two of Ginny and Georgia on Netflix where she is the creator and executive producer. She is a BAFTA Breakthrough artist for 2021/2022. She received her degree in Creative Writing and Theatre from Muhlenberg College in 2010.
Sarah’s IG: @Sllampy
Sarah’s TikTok: @Sllampy
Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Noor Pinna (LMHC) about mental health topics such as shame, guilt, vulnerability & validation. They unpack definitions, impact, and the way these can affect the body, mind, and spirit. Noor lays out helpful questions and reminders for addressing the ways in which we all can navigate these loaded areas in our lives and provides tools for recognizing our emotions, acknowledging what we need, and surrounding ourselves with support systems to uplift us.
About Noor: Noor Pinna is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) & transformative mindset coach within her private practice for the past six years. She believes in providing a trauma-informed, holistic, spiritual, creative, and science-based approach. She helps women break free from the barriers of shame, become empowered to advocate and gain self-confidence, create resiliency, establish self-care rituals, implement healthy boundaries, and become a leader in their universe. Noor also works with Muslim men. Noor has done international mental health work, specifically helping Afghan women. In 2019 Noor delivered her first TEDx Talk on Shame Resilience. She is in the process of publishing her first book, The Sun Still Rises which discusses themes of spirituality, faith, inner child wounds, compassion, self-love, and resilience.
Noor’s IG: @noor_pinna
Noor’s Website: www.noorpinnacoaching.comWant to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Dani Barlow about what it means to be a theater manager. Dani shares helpful tips for creating change, fostering a network of your peers, and having a vision. They break down the various types of positions on the arts administrative side of things, responsibilities and skillsets that are useful in these roles, and the necessity of these individuals for the creative process.
About Dani:
Dani Barlow (she/her) is a theater manager who currently serves as the Director of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation in New York City. Prior to SDCF she serves as Interim Associate Producer at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in DC. She received her Master of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama in 2020 and during her time there she held the positions of Associate Director of Development and Alumni Affairs for Yale Repertory Theatre and Yale School of Drama, Company Manager of Yale Repertory Theatre, and Yale Management Fellow at Steppenwolf Theatre Company. She has also worked in different administrative capacities prior to graduate school at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Round House Theatre, and Studio Theatre.
SDC IG: @sdcfoundation
Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Lauren Noll about her transition from theater into film work, acting/writing/producing/directing her own work, defining your goals, and how to surround oneself with other artists who can lift you up and teach you on the job. Lauren shares her experience with her first short, Honor, and the projects that have come after. She is candid about her learnings, tools she has found helpful on the way, as well as helpful mindset practices to keep you honest with yourself throughout your journey creating.
About Lauren: Lauren Noll is a Los Angeles based actor/director/writer/producer with a Master’s Degree in Acting from the American Repertory Theatre/Moscow Art Theatre Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University. While at A.R.T., Lauren was a cast member of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, directed by Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, which went on to a Broadway run and garnered several Tony nominations. Since arriving in LA post-grad school, in addition to acting in various films, commercials, and music videos, Lauren’s curiosity around other roles in filmmaking led her to write, direct, and star in her award-winning short film, Honor (2020). She is thrilled to have followed that filmmaking debut with two collaborations with producing partner, Dalia Rooni: Gen V (2021) for which they were granted a development deal with Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe, and Clean Slate (2022), for which they were awarded a grand jury prize at the Collaboration Filmmakers Challenge. In addition to being in development on her first feature film with Dalia, Lauren is also in pre-production for a short film with co-writer and producer Gregory Kasunich after their script won a production grant in the screenwriting competition at Deep in the Heart Film Festival this summer. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Lauren seeks to tell all stories through her inherent queer lens and particularly gifts her projects to her own community.Lauren's IG: @lauren_noll
Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
Tuesday Aug 23, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Shani Hadijan about all things headshots – from wardrobe to hair and makeup to accessories and how to show up to your shoot emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Shani shares tips for finding a photographer that speaks to you, price points, how often to update your shots, what to prep in advance, and the way to be yourself in front of the camera on the day of. Tons of resources are scattered throughout, as well. If you are in need of new shots, or are thinking about booking a session, don’t hesitate to empower yourself through this episode!
About Shani:
Shani Hadjian is an actor, photographer, and filmmaker currently living in Brooklyn with her wife, Emily, and their dog, Beans. Favorite theatre credits: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Wizard of Oz, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Spamalot, Fun Home, Once, Les Miserables, Caroline, or Change, and As You Like it. Shani created the film Up or Out, a proof-of-concept short for the feature of the same title she wrote. Favorite on-screen credits: Up or Out, Poncho, Stricken, Sometimes at Night. As a photographer, Shani has owned her business for 12 years, focusing on actor headshots that focus on showcasing authenticity.
Shani’s Personal IG: @shani_hadjian
Shani’s Photography IG: @shanihadjianphotography
Shani’s Personal Website: www.shanihadjian.com
Shani’s Photography Website: www.photography.shanihadjian.comEAC Discount Code for Shani: Code EAC10 for a 10% discount on any package!Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
Tuesday Aug 16, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer has a heart conversation with Liz Kimball. They talk about following one’s curiosity, embracing questions, purposeful rest, and trusting one’s inner knowing. Liz breaks down the four stages of one’s creative cycle and what it means to let your soul expand. This discussion will truly touch, challenge, and uplift one’s creative spirit.
About Liz:
Liz Kimball (MFA, CPC) is a creativity coach, writer, and speaker, dedicated to helping the next generation of women creators produce the major creative works of their lifetime. Creator of The Creative15, and The Original Source Creativity Incubator, Liz's work focuses on catalyzing individual and collective change through the magic of creative process. Liz's work has been featured at Tedx, Oprah.com, The Guggenheim, The Female Quotient, and at universities and institutions throughout the country.
Liz’s IG: : @lizkimball
Liz’s Website: www.lizkimball.com
The Creative15 (free 15-day practice to unblock your creativity): https://lizkimball.ck.page/ca1b97c3f3
Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
Tuesday Aug 09, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Lily Narbonne about what drove her to to co-found a theater company, Lanes Coven Theater Co. They talk about the actual logistics in doing so, as well as what it means to have a vision, create a mission statement, write grants, accept assistance from others, curate work, & embrace one’s artistic ideals. If you have been thinking about starting your own theater company, this episode is for you!
About Lily: Lily Narbonne is an actor, Producing Artistic Director, and Dialect Coach. She splits time between Gloucester, MA and NYC. She firmly believes in Abundance and cultivates a practice of this mindset. Lily appears in the new HBOMax series, “Julia” about the life of Julia Child. Recently, she dialect coached Translations by Brian Friel. She formed Lanes Coven Theater Co with her fiance Justin Genna in Fall 2020, to create beauty out of painful isolation. She produced a sold-out “Taming of the Shrew” (and played Kate) in addition to 3 other works of theater for the Gloucester, MA area and virtual communities. Lily is gearing up for Lanes Coven’s current season: Macbeth, at Windhover Center for the Performing Arts, and a contemporary comedy TBA, at Gloucester Stage.
Lily's IG: @lilynarbonne
Lane’s Coven IG: @lanescoventheaterco
Lily’s Website: www.lilynarbonne.com
Lane’s Coven Website: www.lanescoven.com
Want to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple
Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Nicole Ferguson about life as a performer on tour. They discuss the various experiences of touring Non-Union or Production to SETA, contracts, housing, transportation, negotiating, auditioning on the road… If you are someone who is curious about what it means to be an actor on tour, this episode is for you!
About Nicole: Nicole is an actor currently on the My Fair Lady 1st National Tour. She spent the pandemic working for an accounting firm, while also honing her skills as a vocal coach and novice milk bread baker. She is a proud Asian American, with cultural roots in the ways of the Boston Red Sox and Japanese-Hawaiian o'hana. She got the theater bug while growing up in Hong Kong, and spent her college years at OCU. Always down for an adventure and to learn something new, Nicole looks forward to new opportunities to spread her wings and carve out new dreams to add to the pile.
Nicole’s IG: @nikki_fergie
Nicole’s Website: www.nicoleferguson.netWant to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferappleMonologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
Tuesday Jul 26, 2022
In this episode, Jennifer talks to Heidi Dean about all things social media, from content creation to using it as a “networking” resource to discovering the various types of material you may want to share with your community. They reframe social media as a way to really connect with others authentically and comfortably. Heidi shares an unbelievable amount of helpful tools for embracing the various platforms, using them in ways that feel in alignment for you, and encouraging the desire to embrace it all with gratitude. If you are someone who has a complicated relationship with social media or someone who simply wants to learn more ways to use it, this episode is for you!
About Heidi:
Heidi Dean is known as the industry’s top social media expert for actors. She's a social media writer for Backstage Magazine and a frequent speaker at film festivals, conferences, SAG-AFTRA, AEA, podcasts, and universities across the country. Her clients include Emmy Award-winners, Broadway stars, series regulars, directors, producers, filmmakers AND actors just like you. Heidi turns social media rookies into ROCKSTARS!
Heidi’s IG: @marketing4actors
Heidi’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeidiDean
Heidi’s website:www.Marketing4actors.com
Tech Savy Actors: www.techsavvyactors.com
Post Like A Boss: www.PostLikeABoss.comWant to coach with Jennifer? Schedule a session here! https://appt.link/jenniferapple
Monologue Sourcing Promo Link! https://empoweredartistcollective.com/podcastpromo
Learn more: https://www.empoweredartistcollective.com/podcast
EAC IG: @EmpoweredArtistCollective
EAC TikTok: @EmpowerArtistCollective
EAC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empoweredartistcollective/
Check Out Our Merch! https://www.empoweredartistcollective.threadless.com/
Any thoughts you'd like to share? Email us at EmpoweredArtistCollective@gmail.com
Jennifer Apple
Jennifer is a multi-hyphenated artist who hails from NYC! She originated the role of Anna in the Tony Award-Winning The Band’s Visit first national tour and has performed at regional theaters like Chautauqua Theater Company, ACT, Goodspeed Musicals, and Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. She has developed and workshopped a ton of new plays & musicals and lent her voice to multiple cast recordings. Jennifer has appeared on TV in New Amsterdam and holds an MFA in Acting from The American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, CA.
As a Teaching Artist, she specializes in: finding new material specifically for you; acting the song/monologue; audition coaching; BFA/MFA prep; and breaking down the text. She believes in honest & truthful storytelling, the power of simply being, and bringing out what makes you, YOU!
Nayara Alexis
Nayara Alexis is an artist based in Los Angeles. As an actor, she can be seen in the short film Girls & The Party, which was a part of the official selection of several festivals like the BFI Future Film Fest, NewFest, Brussels Short Film Festival, and won Best U.S. Narrative Short Grand Jury Prize at Outfest LA 2021. She has also appeared in campaigns for the Mark Taper Forum, Badoo, WSS and was featured in Peter Hurley’s book The Headshot. Nayara is currently dubbing a 30-episode live-action drama for a major Streaming Service. She creates, produces and edits content for EAC, and is the Head of Production of the Empowered Artist Collective Podcast. Nayara is also a musician who loves learning to play new instruments and enjoys creating music with the help of her cat, Blake.
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Aimee Lefkowicz
Aimee Lefkowicz is a singer/songwriter from Seattle, WA currently pursuing her passion for songwriting and performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she dual majors in Songwriting and Music Business. Aimee combines her love for PNW inspired indie/folk music with her love of pop and country music to create her own unique sound to share her stories. Her biggest songwriting inspirations are Joni Mitchell, long drives, Taylor Swift, the sounds of nature, falling in love, Alanis Morisette, utter heartbreak, Sara Bareilles, childhood nostalgia, and many more!