What happens when your artistic journey takes an unexpected path—and you discover that success means more than the next role?

In this episode, Adam and Emily welcome actor, director, coach, producer, choreographer, and father Stephen Schellhardt for a nerd cluster-fueled heart-to-heart.

Stephen shares his journey from performer to multi-hyphenate artist, including his decision to step away from acting for eight years and returning with renewed joy and perspective. He reflects on balancing career ambitions with parenthood, the adoption process, navigating financial uncertainty, advocating for fair compensation, and redefining success around family, meaningful work, and creative collaboration.

Together, they explore the pressures of rejection and self-doubt, the importance of chosen family, and why kindness and empathy are strengths rather than weaknesses.

Join us for an affirming conversation about career pivots, personal growth, and rediscovering the magic in the work you love.

This podcast contains occasional strong language

and candid conversations. While one of our co-hosts is a licensed psychotherapist, this is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Follow Stephen: @sschellhardt

For coachings and more: https://www.stephenschellhardt.com/

“Witch” at American Players Theatre: https://www.americanplayers.org/plays/witch

What happens when you step away from the thing you love—and discover you can return to it with even more joy?

In part two of this episode, Adam and Emily continue their sincere dialogue with actor, singer, director, casting director, and writer, Brittney Brown.

Brittney shares her experiences navigating racial stereotypes and representation in audition rooms, advocating for herself and other performers, and creating more inclusive, supportive theater environments. She also opens up about comparison, rejection, and learning to celebrate other artists’ successes without diminishing her own.

Brittney reflects on taking a break from performing in 2024 after experiencing burnout. And together, they discuss the importance of rest, self-advocacy, and building a sustainable artistic life that leaves room for relationships, personal growth, and joy.

Join us for an honest conversation about burnout, representation, comparison, and finding your way back to the work you love—on your own terms.

Listener discretion is advised: This episode discusses racial stereotypes, microaggressions, and mental and emotional well-being.

This podcast contains occasional strong language and candid conversations. While one of our co-hosts is a licensed psychotherapist, this is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Follow Brittney: Instagram at @honeybbrown and Letterboxd at https://boxd.it/5Mr2Z

Catch Brittney 10/31, 11/6, & 11/7 performing as Dot/Marie in “Sunday In The Park With George” with Kokandy Productions! Tickets at https://www.kokandyproductions.com

Note: This episode includes conversations about potentially triggering or sensitive topics that may be difficult for some listeners. Please listen at your own discretion and prioritize your emotional well-being.

What does it mean to find your authentic self in an industry built around auditions, rejection, and outside expectations?

In part one of this episode, Adam and Emily plop on the couch for a sincere dialogue with actor, singer, director, casting director, and writer, Brittney Brown.

Brittney shares her journey from childhood talent shows to professional theater, reflecting on the challenges of navigating a competitive college training program, managing body image struggles, and processing experiences of feeling unsupported as a performer of color. Together, they explore the pressures of external validation, the freedom of showing up authentically in audition rooms, and the importance of learning to trust your own assessment of your work. They also examine the value of creating welcoming audition spaces and the need for ongoing conversations about diversity, inclusion, and emotional support in performing arts.

This podcast contains occasional strong language and candid conversations. While one of our co-hosts is a licensed psychotherapist, this is not a substitute for professional mental health care.

Follow Brittney: Instagram at @honeybbrown and Letterboxd at https://boxd.it/5Mr2Z