As both Matt and Matthew share here, so much of your potential success comes down to your mindset as well as your ability to do proper cold outreach.
Ep201: What I’ve Learned About Life From 200 Interviews with Amazing Human Beings | with Zack Arnold
In this episode, Optimize Yourself Podcast Producer, Debby Germino, puts me on the hot seat by digging deep into my story of creating the podcast, the coaching & mentorship program, and all of the personal and professional struggles I’ve experienced along the way.
Ep200: Ralph Macchio ‘Waxing On’ About Authentically Living a More Balanced and Fulfilling Life
Ralph and I dive deep into his life, his successes, and his failures along the way far beyond just his role as Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid and Cobra Kai.
Ep192: [CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia
My interview with Matthew will cover the exact cold outreach email networking steps he learned in the Optimizer program that took him from working in a paint store to, as he calls it, “working jobs he thought would be his endgame.” (pun intended Marvel fans)
Ep184: Networking (the Right Way), Mentorship, and Connecting with ‘Experts’ | with Troy Takaki, ACE
If you struggle with building your network, finding a mentor, and reaching out to strangers you admire, this conversation will help you take your networking game to the next level so you can connect with any industry ‘expert’ in the biz.
Ep178: How to Manage An Identity Crisis (Especially When You Know You’re Meant For Something More) | with Erica Wernick
This conversation dares you (and me!) to test your beliefs about who you are and what you do beyond your job. Erica challenges me on my own beliefs about what the success path for creative professionals really looks like and questions whether it can truly be distilled into simple action steps.
Ep173: How to Reinvent Yourself at Any Age (And Become Badass) | with Scott Morgan
As creative professionals, the pressure to come up with new ideas and be daring is stressful at best, and debilitating at worst. This pressure leads to limiting beliefs, imposter syndrome, and procrastination. And if it persists over long periods of time…even total burnout. What if there was a better approach to reinventing yourself, your work, and even your health & body image so you could fully tap into your limitless creativity?
Ep172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle
When Optimizer students Nick Towle and Fabian Corrado originally came to me, neither one of them knew each other. But they both knew they were tired of the jobs they had, they felt stuck after trying for years to make a seemingly impossible career change, and they were ready to do anything to get on the right path.
Ep164: How to ‘Get In the Room’ and Work with Producers Who Will Value & Respect You | with Matt Nix
Learn what it really takes to get the attention of the biggest writers & producers in Hollywood so you can work on projects you love while also being treated with respect.
Ep160: Convincing People You Can Do The Job (When You Don’t Have the Credits) | with Chris Patterson
Learn how Chris Patterson, an incredibly successful 1st AE on top-tier features, overcame his networking struggles to land a gig on a feature as the lead editor.
Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia
Learn how Mexican-American editor Marcella Garcia overcame her limiting beliefs (and lack of experience in long form) to break into the world of scripted television.
Ep154: Using Humility to Cultivate Relationships and Land Your Dream Gig In Network TV | with Scott Powell, ACE
Learn from award winning TV editor Scott Powell, ACE (24, The Chi, The Orville) the importance of using humility to build relationships and climb the career ladder to the top.
Ep147: [CASE STUDY] From Total Burnout to Shooting for the Moon (Literally) | with David J. Turner
Learn how Eddie nominated editor David J. Turner evaluated the way he works and lives to go from being totally burned out and afraid of taking on new work to literally having the confidence and energy to apply for a trip to the moon.
Ep138: On Hiring Editors & AE’s, Fostering Creative Collaboration, and Managing Happy Post Teams | with Paul Leonard
Paul Leonard is one of those rare species of producers that has both editors and show runners alike wanting to work with him again and again. In today’s conversation Paul candidly shares his thoughts on what gets editors and AE’s hired, and what qualities he likes his editors to possess in the bay. He combines a winning charm with a no BS approach that has earned him the well-deserved reputation for making great shows while also keeping his team happy and sane. Paul has worked in television post production for 23 years and is best known for Co-producing Battlestar Galactica which earned 15 Emmy nominations (with three collective wins). He recently wrapped up a job at Marvel where he was one of the vice presidents of TV Post Production before deciding to go back to freelance producing.
Ep135: The “Playbook” For Building a Successful Career in Scripted TV | with Steve Lang, ACE (pt2)
ACE Editor Steven Lang has helped countless numbers of his assistants get into the editing chair and move on to successful careers. In this part two is Steve’s philosophy on mentoring his assistants, how he approaches his editor’s cuts, and his best advice for making the transition from assistant to editor. We also dive into Steve’s work habits, his lifestyle choices, and how he has learned to balance his intense focus abilities to avoid wreaking havoc on his health and relationships.