Breaking the Biz Podcast
Join us on Breaking the Biz, a captivating podcast where we dive into the world of entertainment by interviewing seasoned professionals who have made their mark in the industry. Gain invaluable insights as they share their personal journeys, offering advice on navigating the dynamic landscape of the entertainment industry. Whether you're an aspiring actor, musician, filmmaker, author, animator, or any creative soul, tune in for expert career guidance, insider tips, and firsthand accounts on breaking into the biz. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind successful careers and fuel your own passion for the limelight!
Episodes
71 episodes
Breaking Into Global Film Festivals: Building Platforms That Empower Storytellers
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we explore the intersection of independent film, global storytelling, and purposeful leadership with Ron Truppa, Founder and Executive Director of the Catalina Film Institute and Festival. Wi...
Breaking Into Kids Entertainment Writing: Building Worlds That Shape Young Minds // Scott Gray #7253
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Emmy and WGA award-winning writer Scott Gray, whose career spans over two decades in television, comics, games, and digital media. From serving as a head writer to contributing as a freelanc...
Breaking Into Sound Design: Crafting Worlds You Can Hear // Walt Newman #12251
While audiences may never see his name on screen, Walt Newman’s work is felt in every moment of the shows he helps bring to life. As a five-time Emmy Award–winning Supervising Sound Editor, Walt has mastered the art of shaping how stories are e...
Raising the Standard: Why Every Detail Matters in Event Experiences // Kevin Meraz #3253
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we dive into an often-overlooked element of the entertainment and event industry—the restroom experience—and why it can make or break an event. Kevin Meraz, business owner of Deluxe Porta Potty and ...
Breaking Into Voiceover: From Stability to Soulwork // June Yoon #7252
In this heartwarming and deeply reflective episode, we sit down with voice actor, educator, and self-proclaimed “VO Dad” June Yoon. From immigrating to the U.S. at 14 and discovering his passion for performance in a high school improv class, to...
Breaking Into Animation: Crafting Comedy, Characters, and Career Longevity // Jerry Langford #6251
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with seasoned animation director Jerry Langford, whose multi-decade career spans some of the most iconic animated series on television. From his early days as a layout artist on King of the Hill ...
Breaking Into Sound: Behind the Board in Music, Film, and Legacy // Tom Gordon #10251
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we go behind the scenes with legendary producer and audio engineer Tom Gordon, whose 30+ year career has shaped the sound of icons across music, film, and television. From recording with Ozzy Osbourne, Dr. D...
Breaking Into Experience: Designing Sound, Space, and Story
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we dive into the innovative world of immersive design and creative storytelling with Freddy Janney — a Billboard-charting music producer, DJ, and interactive UX/UI designer. Known in the music world...
Breaking into Storytelling: Building Inclusive Worlds On and Off Screen
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Paul Hemstreet, an award-winning producer and multidisciplinary creative with over 25 years of experience shaping some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment. From his tenure at War...
Breaking Into Imagination: From Boredom to Business // Alessandro Concas #3252
What starts as childhood curiosity can grow into something truly impactful—and Alessandro Concas is living proof.In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with teen author and entrepreneur Alessandro Concas, a student at Learning...
Breaking Into Backbone: Building Creative Businesses from the Inside Out // Tyler Burr #5251
Bret sits down with operations expert and Syzygy founder Tyler Burr to explore the critical—but often invisible—role of infrastructure in the creative industries. With a career spanning film and TV production, the arts, hospitality, and busines...
Breaking into Animation: Leading with Imagination and Inclusion // Howie Hoffman #4252
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with animation veteran Howie Hoffman, a visionary Creative Art Director whose work has helped define multiple eras of animated entertainment and advertising.Hoffman has brought some of po...
Breaking into Cultural Crossroads: The Art and Impact of Music // Bobby Easton #4251
Born in Long Beach, California, to a U.S. Army colonel and a Korean army nurse, Bobby’s path seemed destined for discipline and structure. Yet from an early age, he was irresistibly drawn to art in all forms. After initially pursuing art in col...
Breaking Into Audio Description: Advocacy, Access & Authentic Storytelling // Alex Howard #2251
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Alex Howard — a young entertainment professional with over five years of administrative experience across film and TV development. An advocate for audio description and a champion for disabi...
Breaking Into Neurodiverse Storytelling: Empowering Artists Through Media - Jason Weissbrod #1252
In this inspiring episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Jason Weissbrod—a dynamic director, actor, producer, writer, and the co-founder of Spectrum Laboratory.With a career spanning film, television, web series, commercials, and...
Breaking Into Sound: Composing a Future Beyond Limits // Philip Mantione #5251
What does it take to turn sound into a language of possibility? In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we journey into the expansive world of experimental sound art, composition, and multimedia with Philip Mantione — a Los Angeles-based sound art...
Breaking Into Soundscapes: Crafting Connection Through House // Tim Palm #1251
Swedish electronic artist Tim Palm joins Breaking the Biz to discuss creativity, community, and breaking into the music industry on his own terms. From custom looping tech to AI's role in music, this episode explores the space between sound and...
Breaking Into Visibility: Building Community Through Chronic Illness // Nikita Chopra #12242
After living with severely debilitating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for over 30 years, Nitika Chopra spent much of her life feeling isolated by her health struggles. For years, she believed this loneliness was a personal flaw—until she be...
Breaking Into Inclusion: Reimagining Autism in Entertainment // Judi Uttal # 12241
How do we bridge the gap between neurodivergent talent and meaningful employment in Hollywood? In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we speak with Judi Uttal, president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG) and founder of the Aut...
Breaking Into Entrepreneurship: Franchising the Arts with Purpose
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we speak with Oksana® Kolesnikova, a classically trained pianist turned entrepreneur and educator, who has built a thriving business at the intersection of the arts and education. As CEO of Oksana® Franchisi...
Breaking Into Music Management: Strategy, Success & The Spotlight // Mike Holland #3251
What does it take to guide an artist from underground buzz to mainstream success? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Holland, the powerhouse manager behind Grammy-nominated artists like Logic and 6ix. With years of experience in music, film...
Breaking into Stand-Up: Comedy Without Limits // Steve Way #11242
Laughter has no barriers, and neither does Steve! By day, he's shaping young minds as a substitute teacher, but by night, he takes the stage as a stand-up comedian, proving that humor and perseverance go hand in hand. Born with Muscular Dystrop...
Breaking into Production: Crafting Accessibility in Entertainment // Jeff Prushko # 11241
For the past decade, Jeff has been making his mark in the entertainment industry as a key player at Videndum Production Solutions. Born and raised in Connecticut, Jeff was diagnosed at birth with arthrogryposis and has used a whee...
Breaking into Innovation: Designing Tech for Everyone // Haim Kairy #10243
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we explore how creativity, technology, and determination converge to redefine accessibility. Our guest, Haim Kairy, co-founder of Arcana Instruments, shares his remarkable journey from a career in cyber defe...
Breaking into Festivals: Crafting Unforgettable Experiences // Laurie B. Kirby Esq.
In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we’re joined by Laurie B. Kirby, Esq., a trailblazing producer, attorney, and thought leader in the entertainment and events industry. As the powerhouse behind FestForums and Best of the Fests, Laur...
