Making it After 40

In this episode, Lisa chats with writer, improviser and podcaster, Carla Cackowski. Lisa and Carla met in 2017 when Carla was her improv teacher at Second City Hollywood. Carla shares her journey as an actor, starting out in Kentucky and finally landing in Los Angeles, which has now evolved to improvisation and writing. Carla shares her experience of living as an artist in Los Angeles and her own personal evolution with her art and her career. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Carla Cackowski on Instagram at @carlacackowski Check out Carla's Vintage shop @jacaranda.eve.vintage Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this week's episode, Lisa chats with actor and Self-Tape guru, Jeff Pride. Jeff started his acting journey in his 20's, but didn't find success until he properly trained and made a few tweaks to his image that allowed him to stand out to casting offices. After working behind the camera in casting offices, Jeff was primed to start his own business helping actors tape their auditions out his home. Jeff's journey offers inspiration and few lessons that we can all relate to with his grounded perspective and positive outlook. Jeff is funny and charismatic, which makes this episode such a delight. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Jeff Pride on Instagram at @takepride_jeffpride Tape with Jeff @selftapeshere Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this first new episode back for the new season, Lisa chats with Mary Payne Moran, a chef by trade who was inspired to write a children's book about nutrition. Mary's story is full of ups and down and over coming challenges. Her culinary career did not end up as she first thought it would, but has been so rewarding in so many unexpected ways, including with the launch of her book. Lisa and Mary discuss rejection, perseverance and the notion that sometimes, success comes in it's own timeline, not in the timeline you had planned for. Be sure to purchase Mary's book, The Vita Gang Mysteries: Who Stole Vita D? on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Mary Payne Moran: Instagram at @hailmaryfoodofgrace Sign up for Mary's cooking class on her website: https://hailmaryfoodofgrace.com/ Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, we revisit episode 39 with Emily Ziff Griffin, a writer of fiction books, essays and screenplays. Emily started her career in her early 20's assisting and then producing films with Philip Seymour Hoffman. In her mid-30's Emily came out of the creative closet and accepted that what she truly wanted to be doing was writing and creating the stories. Her first foray into writing was her novel Light Years, which was influenced by her experience of losing her Dad to AIDS when she was 13 years old. Emily has continued her writing journey with screenplays, personal essays and in writers rooms. Emily discusses her approach to mining your core memories to produce works of fiction and the importance of knowing the "why" for each story you produce. Emily is full of insight and wisdom and this episode promises both. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Emily on Instagram at @emilyziffgriffin Read Emily's most recent personal essay, here. Check out Emily's website for information on her book, workshops and one on one coaching. https://emilyziffgriffin.com/ Photo by: Lauren Pisano Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Looking to start a podcast? Use Buzzsprout for all your podcast hosting needs. Use this link and get a $20 amazon gift card when you sign up for a paid plan and support the show. Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with, author and journalist Emily Barth Isler. Emily shares how she started her creative journey as an actor, but eventually found her true passion in writing. Emily writes regularly about sustainability, organic/eco-friendly skincare, and healthy beauty products for Oprah Daily, Allure, Organic Spa, etc. Emily's first book, AfterMath is an award-winning middle grade novel about grief, resilience, friendship, math, and mime. Her second book, The Color of Sound, is available for preorder now and will be released March, 2024. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Emily Barth Isler: Instagram at @emilybarthisler Website https://emilybarthisler.com/about Pre-Order The Color of Sound Amazon Bookshop Barnes and Noble Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with former casting director turned Mindfulness & Leadership coach, Elizabeth Boykewich. Elizabeth had an incredible career in casting discovering the hottest and most talented stars, which culminated in her becoming the Head of Casting & Talent for Freeform. However, Elizabeth found herself pursuing a new calling by earning an MA in Spiritual Psychology, leaving the corporate casting world and began offering her services as a mindfulness and leadership coach. Elizabeth offers so much wisdom and shifts in perspective for those who might be struggling with their art. Check out Elizabeth's works at the links below. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Elizabeth Boykewich: Instagram at @the.eb.co Website https://theeb.co/ Edited by Hannah Parson @hkpar Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chat with stand-up comic, Adam Martinez. Adam started performing stand-up in Chicago in his mid-thirties, and even started taking improve at Second City Chicago, but before he could finish the program, he soon found himself relocating, thanks to his wife's career, to Orange County, California. There he was able to continue his improv training at Second City Hollywood, while continuing perform stand-up in room throughout Southern California. Now, 8 years in, Adam is making a name for himself, perfecting his craft and teaching others to do the same. Adam shares with us some inspiration, words or wisdom and tips to help you become your best self onstage and off. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Adam Martinez on Instagram at @adammartinezcomedy Edited by Hannah Parson @hkpar Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with successful screenwriter and aspiring author Michal Lali Kagan. Lali shares with us her creative journey which has blossomed along side a day career at Universal, as a Vice President in the credits department. Lali started working with directors and producers on incredible films, but soon found that the mental toll of working in development was taking away from her ability to be creative in her free-time. Thanks to her husband's advice and encouragement, Lali took a job in the credits department, which ended up becoming a full career. The structure of her day career has given Lali the freedom and energy to write in her off hours. Lali's most recent film, The Etruscan Smile has a successful run on the film festival circuit and helped lift up indie cinema during the pandemic. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Check out Lali Kagan on Instagram at @lalikagan Find her work on IMDb Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with former opera singer turned actor Stephen Cannon. Stephen is one of those braves soles who decided to change careers in middle age. He has jumped in with both feet and got right into training all over Los Angeles, including at the famous and competitive comedy school, The Groundlings. Stephen is fully committed to his craft and he shares the importance of that commitment with us. Stephen is sweet, humble and kind. Be on the look for this rising star. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Check out Stephen Cannon on Instagram @actualstevec Edited by Hannah Parsons @hkpar Music by Jeff Roi @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode Lisa chats with journalist and author, Vanessa McGrady. Vanessa has written for Forbes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, KPCC/LAist and so many more publications. She is also the author of her 2019 memoir Rock Needs River about her journey to adopt her daughter. Lisa and Vanessa chat about how working in the structure of corporate environments can help strengthen the work of the artist and how corporations in turn can benefit from hiring artists. In addition, they talk motherhood and art, how art can benefit society and how to tell your individual and unique stories for the general public. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Check out Vanessa McGrady on Instagram @vanessamcgrady Check out Vanessa's website http://vanessamcgrady.com/ Order Rock Needs River Here. Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with director & writer, Mo Perkins. Mo shares with us her journey to becoming a film director including her early experiences of discovering her passion for storytelling via cinema, her experience with motherhood and filmmaking and the challenges for female filmmakers. Mo is a delight and creates art that is unapologetically feminine and we are so honored to have had her on our show. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Check out Mo's work on IMDb Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this one year anniversary show, Lisa makes herself the guest and invites her dear friend and host of the Mothering Heights Podcast, Leonora Pitts, to be her guest host. Lisa and Leonora chat about the catalyst for starting the podcast, commonalities between Lisa's guest, mothering and creativity and Lisa's biggest take away from a year of interviewing middle aged artists. As only two friends can do, Leonora and Lisa get vulnerable and honest about some of life's challenges and their own personal growth points. This episode is a wonderful way to commemorate one year of Making it After 40. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Leonora Pitts on Instagram at @leeleepitts Listen and subscribe to Mothering Heights podcast Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode Lisa chats with actor, improviser and writer Rich Baker. Lisa and Rich chat about his acting journey and transition to focus on mainly teaching, coaching, writing and working with corporations as keynote speaker and workshop facilitator. Rich and Lisa also dive into the ways in which the arts and business can benefit from adopting each other's practices, whether that's through learning to truly listen, learning to set boundaries or simply treating your associates and the unique individual that they are. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Rich Baker Keynote Speaking & Workshops for Corporations http://www.playlikeateam.com/ For Rich's improv classes or private coaching http://www.richbakercoaching.com/ Find Rich on LinkedIn Follow Rich Instagram @richbakercoaching Sign up for Rich's email blast here. Sign up for a free online drop in class with Rich here. Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with actor and comedian Clayton Farris, who is best known on Instagram for his many viral videos, including Every Los Angeles Hike, Erewhon Shopper Goes to a Regular Grocery Story, Gen Z Breakup and the whole breakup series. Clayton shares with us his start stop story of moving out to Los Angeles from Dallas, Texas, finding his community and getting his start in viral videos with the now dead app Vine. Clayton is down to earth, hilarious and so charming. Don't miss this episode. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Clayton on Instagram @claytonfarris Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with actor and solo show coach, Heather Dowling. Heather started her acting career at age 39 when she and her husband picked up and moved to Los Angeles for his career. At this point in her life, Heather had been employed since the age of 14. Now, at 39 with no job and in a new city, she found the inspiration to pursue her first love, performing. It started with a solo show and that show led to her helping other creatives find their voice and their own solo shows. Heather shares so many insights and has had an incredible life with so many unique experiences. She shares so much of herself and she shares the importance of supporting unions in this wonderful episode. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Heather on Instagram at @saysheather Check out Heather's Work on her website https://www.heatherdowling.com/ Watch her series Down the Middle Get Coached by Heather https://www.soaringsolostudios.com/instructors/ Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with fictional author Deborah Willis whose first novel is set to release on June 13th. Deborah and Lisa talk parenting, juggling responsibilities when both parents are freelance artists, Deborah's journey to writing her first novel and how aging has changed Deborah's writing voice. Deborah is sweet and kind and it was delight to have her on the podcast. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Deborah Willis on Instagram at @deborah.m.willis Deborah's website http://www.deborahwillis.ca/ Pre-Order Girlfriend on Mars via Amazon or via your favorite independent bookstore Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with actor, writer, director, Frank Caeti. Frank is best known for his work on MadTV in the early 2000's, but among actor and improv circles is also known for his director and mentorship abilities. Frank has a knack for helping actors find their own voice through one person shows and has gone on to teach at Cal Arts in Valencia, CA. Lisa and Frank discuss art, kids, the highs and lows of life , and the entertainment industry. Frank is intelligent, insightful, compassionate and humble. There is so much to gain from this episode. This is episode is why we make this show. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Frank Caeit on Instagram at @frankcaeti Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Looking to start a podcast? Use Buzzsprout for all your podcast hosting needs. Use this link and get a $20 amazon gift card when you sign up for a paid plan and support the show. Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with actress and audio book narrator, Deepti Gupta. Deepti talks about her choosing to pursue acting against her father's wishes, immigrating to the US to earn her MFA, AI and the future of the entertainment industry and how to keep our kids off screens. Deepti also teaches by virtue of sharing her story, that sometimes all you have to do is ask for what you need. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Deepti Gupta on Instagram at @thedeeptigupta Deepti Gupta's Website https://deeptigupta.com/ Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Looking to start a podcast? Use Buzzsprout for all your podcast hosting needs. Use this link and get a $20 amazon gift card when you sign up for a paid plan and support the show. Support the Show. Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with actress, writer, director, producer and mindset coach, Lynn Downey Braswell. Lynn shares with us the journey to booking some really great roles after being in Los Angeles for 9 years, which were then followed by a let down of a lull for two years. This lull led to Lynn digging deep and shifting her mindset around so many things in life including her approach to her acting and finding a career that allows her to make money when acting hits those lulls, hence her company Work of Art Coaching. Lynn brings so much energy, warmth and honesty in this conversation. This is an episode, not to me missed. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Lynn Downey Braswell Instagram @lynndowneybraswell Follow Work of Art Coaching Instagram @work.of.art.coaching Work of Art Coaching Website: https://www.workofartcoaching.com/ Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Looking to start a podcast? Use Buzzsprout for all your podcast hosting needs. Use this link and get a $20 amazon gift card when you sign up for a paid plan and support the show. Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.

In this episode, Lisa chats with writer Amanda Deibert. Amanda shares with us how story of how she transitioned from acting to writing for TV, which then led to writing comic books for DC, Marvel and Disney. Her writing career has extended to writing for animated shows and she was even invited to write for former Vice President Al Gore's 24 Hours of Reality. Most recently, Amanda released a gratitude journal filled with a question a day for the reader to reflect on their experiences throughout lives. This journal was the result of a series of twitter threads started from Amanda posing these questions to the general Twitter-sphere and which ended up resulting in a moving and intimate community of strangers sharing stories. Amanda is smart, funny and incredibly talented and it was a pleasure to share her journey on the podcast. Links: Follow the show on Instagram at @makingitafter40 Follow Lisa Rodriguez on Instagram at @lisaroiriguez Follow Amanda Deibert on Twitter @amandadeibert Follow Amanda Deibert on Instagram @amandadeibertofficial Follow Amanda Deibert on TikTok @amandadeibert Check out Amanda's Website https://amandadeibert.com/ Purchase You Already Have the Answers Music by @jeff.roi Support the Show: Help fund the show by following the link when you click on the heart below to "Buy me a Coffee". Thank you to Riverside.fm for making these remote interviews so easy to record. Check them out at this link. Looking to start a podcast? Use Buzzsprout for all your podcast hosting needs. Use this link and get a $20 amazon gift card when you sign up for a paid plan and support the show. Support the show Show transcript available on the show website.