Best Willpower Films Podcasts (2025)

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Guest Episode: Actor Ser'Darius Blain 19:52

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4d ago19:52

19:52

One from the vaults! This week, Misha and Brett Epstein interview movie star Ser'Darius Blain (JUMANJI, STAR TREK: INTO DARKNESS) in a fascinating and, at times, shocking conversation about the reality of being a professional actor. Ser'Darius reveals some of his secrets to preparing for a role and staying sane in Hollywood, and was incredibly hone…

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Success & Willpower 19:12

11d ago19:12

19:12

In the age of "nepo babies," entering the film and TV industry with no connections and no money can actually be one of your greatest assets. Why? Because privilege destroys willpower, and willpower is one of the single most important factors in longterm success. Did you know that scientists have isolated the part of the brain responsible for will p…

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Actors Access Vs. Backstage Vs. Casting Networks 20:45

20d ago20:45

20:45

In this unprecedented moment for Hollywood, self-submitting is an essential form of marketing. Just five minutes a day, five days a week can change the entire game for you. Misha explains how to strategically use key platforms—Actors Access, Backstage, and Casting Networks—in order to get more auditions. Booking work is still entirely possible, but…

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THE TECH EXEC REDESIGNING THE SYSTEM–Inside the War for Your Attention at YouTube, Snapchat & TikTok, the Science of Visualization, Hacking Anxiety, What's Coming with AI 1:07:01

22d ago1:07:01

1:07:01

What if anxiety isn’t the enemy – we’ve just been using it wrong? Sometimes the tools we build for others are the ones we needed to invent for ourselves. — I’ve always struggled with anxiety. My brain can turn an unresolved text message into a full-blown crisis. But what I never realized is that if our minds can rehearse disaster, we can also train…

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How to Get What You Want 14:50

26d ago14:50

14:50

Don't miss this standout episode where Misha offers a compassionate and inspiring guide to get what you truly want in life. She reminds us that while the journey may not always be easy, the path to a better life begins by taking responsibility and changing your behavior. Through a series of powerful, self-reflective questions, she encourages you to…

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Booking Blockbusters 13:54

1M ago13:54

13:54

Ever wondered what it takes to get called in for big-budget film and television projects? This episode is a masterclass in confidence, offering a detailed breakdown of how to ascend to the level of “blockbuster” acting. Misha explains "star" mentality, which is wholly different from being “just an actor.” A massive reach starts with taking massive …

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HACKING HUMAN NATURE [June/July Recap]—How Hope Rewires Your Brain, the Myth of Rationality, the Secret to Motivation (It's Not Willpower), the Joke That Disarmed a Nation 54:15

1M ago54:15

54:15

I’ve spent the last two months talking with innovators who’ve done wild things—from surviving homelessness to becoming a world-renowned hope researcher, to convincing a sitting President to get roasted on a comedy show to save a landmark policy. This week, I’ve pulled the most powerful strategies from our recent episodes into one mixtape. The commo…

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Guest Episode: "Director on Director" with Misha Calvert 26:51

1M ago26:51

26:51

This special interview episode, “Director on Director” features host Misha Calvert in an interview with theater director AMT Tobin. You’ll discover how Misha's childhood passion for creating plays and movies evolved into a professional career, driven by a desire to craft her own opportunities. She shares how Steven Spielberg's epic storytelling inf…

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The between series: The rescue operation I didn’t know was mine—a story about cosmic humiliation, climbing, tinder ghosts, and the surprising way humor saves us 14:25

1M ago14:25

14:25

In this episode, I answer the question: What’s the most dramatic way to ruin your own life for 24 hours? This is the story about becoming the world's most expensive inconvenience. Welcome to The Between Series—a series where I take you into moments from my life that shaped the themes we explore in the main episodes. For anyone who’s ever: Hit "repl…

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Building Confidence 16:57

2M ago16:57

16:57

Confidence is one of the single biggest predictors in your career as an artist. In this episode, Misha shares her fifteen-year journey from chronically shy to achieving major visibility in her market. You’ll work through four of the essential stages for building confidence, including your health, optimizing your environment, living in your truth, a…

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BRAD JENKINS—The Man Who Convinced Obama Into Getting Roasted: Inside the Viral Stunt That Saved Healthcare in America, Why Comedy is the Ultimate Weapon 1:31:19

2M ago1:31:19

1:31:19

I remember the day at the Obama White House when healthcare.gov crashed—and millions of Americans were locked out of coverage that could literally save their lives. This is the inside story of how, in a moment of sheer desperation, the Obama White House turned to a viral comedy sketch to save the Affordable Care Act—and how Brad Jenkins made it hap…

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Do's and Don'ts of Auditions 20:33

2M ago20:33

20:33

Do you know what’s actually expected of you in an audition? This week, Misha pulls from her decades as a director and casting many of her own projects to share the secrets of auditioning from a director’s perspective. Whether you’re brand new or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with real talk on everything from communication and memorization …

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The between series: when I couldn't find the black between stars—a story about Yosemite, awe, and what happens when you hand someone a feeling they might not catch 12:14

2M ago12:14

12:14

"Awe doesn’t always translate. But what do we lose when we stop trying to share it?" Welcome to The Between Series —a series where I take you into moments from my life that shaped the themes we explore in the main episodes. These are the in-between chapters that echo through everything you hear on the show. The landscape of the High Sierra has rear…

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Guest Episode: Casting Director Coco Kleppinger 43:54

2M ago43:54

43:54

In this “best of” interview episode, Misha and her old co-host Brett sit down with casting director Coco Kleppinger for a deep conversation about acting and the power of art. Coco’s incredible filmography includes IT and IT: CHAPTER TWO, TAG, ISN’T IT ROMANTIC, and dozens of other great films. From audition room etiquette to the vital role of imagi…

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DR. KIM NOLAN—“The Moment I Chose to Stay” (A Buddhist Chaplain’s Journey Through the Veil), the Biological Power of Awe, How to Hack “Timelessness” 1:25:22

2M ago1:25:22

1:25:22

We think of awe as rare. A sunset. A mountain peak. A fleeting high. But what if we’ve got it backwards? Awe isn’t just something that happens to you—it’s a biological lever hiding in plain sight. One that can decrease stress hormones, stretch time, and rewire attention. In this conversation, Dr. Kim Nolan—Buddhist chaplain, psychologist, and one o…

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Mid-year Review 17:42

2M ago17:42

17:42

We're halfway through the year! Are you closer to your dreams than when the year started? If not, time to take action! In this episode, Misha takes you through a quick and powerful check-in on your goals, dreams, and career progress. Inspired by one of the podcast's most downloaded episodes, "Life Inventory," you'll conduct a soulful and strategic …

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The between series: the 3am White House epiphany - a story about climate, burnout, and the uncomfortable truth that fear might not be what moves us after all 12:41

2M ago12:41

12:41

"Because really—why would anyone fight for a future they believe is already lost?” Welcome to The Between Series—a series where I take you into moments from my life that shaped the themes we explore in the main episodes, and share the meaning I’m still trying to make from them. These are the in-between chapters that echo through everything you hear…

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THE SILENT CLIMATE MAJORITY—How Behavioral Science Is Activating Millions, The NBA Pattern No One Can Explain, How to Hack Human Nature for Good 1:12:03

2M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

There’s a version of the story we’ve been told about climate: that it’s too late, that people don’t care, that politics will never catch up. But there’s another version. One where the real problem isn’t apathy—it’s activation. In this episode, I talk with Nathaniel Stinnett, the founder of the Environmental Voter Project—a behavioral science powerh…

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How To Increase Creative Output 26:21

3M ago26:21

26:21

Have you ever wondered why you’re so disciplined about some projects, but so wild and chaotic about others? This week we talk about the balance between inspiration and execution by using the concepts of “math and poetry.” Whether you’re acting, writing, or brainstorming your next big idea, Misha shares mindset shifts and creative rituals to help yo…

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The between series: laughing on the way to the ER–a story about denial, Bipolar highs, and the cost of feeling invincible 14:04

3M ago14:04

14:04

A story about that moment of reckoning: when you finally ask yourself if the thing keeping you afloat is also the thing pulling you under. Welcome to The Between Series—a series where I take you into moments from my life that shaped the themes we explore in the main episodes, and share the meaning I’m still trying to make from them. These are the i…

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HOPE SCIENCE Pt 2—WHEN IT ALL FEELS HOPELESS: How to Flip Fear-Based Goals, the Obama Effect, How Hope Saved $61M—and Could Save Us All 43:34

3M ago43:34

43:34

I used to hate uncertainty. Whenever things felt hard, I’d assume they’d always be this hard. Like something in my brain just decided: this is how it is now. Forever. But one therapist, one sentence, one metaphor about tenuousness changed how I see it. This episode is about that shift—and how we can train ourselves to make it. Because hope isn’t ab…

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THE HOPE SCIENTIST Pt 1—Surviving Homelessness to Becoming the World’s Leading Hope Researcher: Dr. Chan Hellman on the Flaw in Optimism, Destroying Toxic Positivity, & the 3-Part Formula to Predict Success ... 1:01:06

3M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

I used to think the idea of hope was kind of cringe. Like, “Don’t worry, it’ll all work out”? Please. I couldn’t see past next week, let alone some imaginary better future. But through a series of events, I realized that hope had been the theme of my life all along. And the science of hope, which is backed by decades of research, changed everything…

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Overcoming Procrastination 23:24

3M ago23:24

23:24

Most of us already know what we need to do—we're just not doing it. So why not? In this episode, Misha dives into the emotional root of procrastination and shares her go-to strategies for finally getting unstuck. From prioritizing sleep and using naps to reset your energy, to limiting phone use and tapping into flow states that boost productivity b…

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How To Push Through 19:04

3M ago19:04

19:04

Most big, huge goals require a big huge effort. But how do you actually push through? What if you don’t actually know how to push through, or where to begin? In this episode, Misha shares her 7-step process for pushing through any obstacle with clarity and confidence. Whether you're trying to grow your career, increase your income, or moving into a…

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Guest Episode: Tribeca Film Festival Head Shorts Programmer Ben Thompson 39:53

3M ago39:53

39:53

What does it take for your short film to truly stand out among thousands of global submissions? In this episode, Misha sits down with Ben Thompson, the head short film programmer at the Tribeca Film Festival, for a rare behind-the-scenes look at the rigorous process of selecting films for one of the world’s most prestigious festivals. From the uniq…

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Devotion vs. Chasing Validation 16:13

3M ago16:13

16:13

Seeking validation is a very natural human tendency. But have you ever tried replacing validation with devotion? Cultivating a practice of devotion to your art can lead to not only a happier, more satisfying career, but it often makes for better results. In this episode, Misha discusses a few ways to go from chasing validation to cultivating devoti…

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How To Make More Money 24:17

4M ago24:17

24:17

In this episode, we explore how fear of money can hold you back from earning more and how shifting your mindset can help create more flow. Money is an energetic frequency (they call it currency, after all), and to make more of it, you need to increase the quality and/or quantity of people you engage with. Many creatives struggle with visibility, bu…

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The Pep Talk You Need 8:58

4M ago8:58

8:58

Hey. Can we give you a compliment? You’re absolutely incredible. Yes, YOU. Do you realize how few people have the courage to go after a dream? You’re one of the very, very rare individuals with the vision and tenacity to pursue art. Sit back and take some praise. Chances are you haven’t gotten enough of it lately. This is a YOU appreciation episode…

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Audition Visualization Exercise 10:36

4M ago10:36

10:36

It’s natural to feel nervous before an audition. However, just like professional athletes who visualize winning a game and then achieve better overall performance, actors will get better results if they visualize their success before an audition. This short meditation is designed to help you center yourself, sharpen your focus, and boost your confi…

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How To Turn Negativity Into A Gift 27:28

4M ago27:28

27:28

Negativity and rejection are often viewed as setbacks, but what if they’re actually advantages in disguise? In this episode, we explore how tough experiences like rejection and failure can become the perfect catalysts for personal and professional growth. Misha talks you through specific ways to reframe these challenges, taking the pain of negativi…

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Building a Brand Part 2 23:44

5M ago23:44

23:44

Part two of our series on brand-building takes you through the crucial action steps of how to create your brand. You'll learn how to become the expert on your audience, and how to use emotional connection to turn them from strangers into lifelong fans. Misha also covers monetization, including how to figure out what your product or service is worth…

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Building a Brand Part 1 18:30

5M ago18:30

18:30

If you’re an artist or entrepreneur, you already have a brand…whether you know it or not! This week, Misha breaks down the basics of branding in this two-part series, including what branding is and the easiest, simplest way to create one that feels authentic to you. You should walk away feeling empowered and excited about branding. What if building…

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Guest Episode: Casting Director Allison Kirschner 28:03

5M ago28:03

28:03

This week is a replay of Misha's interview with Allison Kirschner, a veteran casting director whose credits include some truly iconic comedy shows and films including WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS, THE AMY SCHUMER SHOW, CRASHING, BROS, and many more. Allison takes us on her journey from her early days at HBO to landing her current role as an associate …

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Full Spectrum Trailer 1:59

5M ago1:59

1:59

Full Spectrum is the podcast focused on giving you actionable strategies for navigating uncertain times. Molly Kawahata has navigated the halls of the Obama White House, a Patagonia film, and bipolar II—and wondered one thing: what do you do when the stakes are high and nothing’s clear? Part memoir, part strategy session, part existential crisis wi…

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Agents and Managers 101 22:33

5M ago22:33

22:33

“Agents and managers” is one of the #1 topics we get asked about. It’s also one of the most misunderstood aspects of working as an artist, and you might be shocked to learn the real role that representatives will play in your career. Misha breaks down how to get an agent or manager, how to keep one, and whether or not you actually need one. Get rea…

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Getting To Know Your Subconscious 15:09

6M ago15:09

15:09

Did you know the subconscious part of your brain can process up to 11 million MB of data per second? With all that power, it stands to reason that a lot of what you see in your life is created by your subconscious. And if that’s true…then don’t you want to know what’s down there? It might surprise you, or even shock you! This week we do a thought e…

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How to Avoid Bad Acting 9:16

6M ago9:16

9:16

This week we talk about bad acting! We’ve all seen bad acting in some of the biggest-budget movies and television shows. Why does that happen? How can you avoid it yourself? Misha gives you three quick and easy ways to bypass bad acting in your on-camera work. Craft isn't everything, but it counts for a hell of a lot! Hosted by Misha Calvert Edited…

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Guest Episode: 'Succession' with Misha Calvert and Jackie Hanzl 29:54

6M ago29:54

29:54

On this guest episode broadcast, Misha talks about one of her favorite TV shows of all time: SUCCESSION. Misha goes in depth on the show with guest host Jackie Hanzl via Jackie’s podcast MADE, including breakdowns of which cast member delivered the best performance and why, as well as the all-time best pieces of dialogue written on the show. There’…

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How To Actually Change Your Life 22:25

6M ago22:25

22:25

Have you ever tried to change your life and thought, “wow this feels damn near impossible”? In part this uphill battle is due to the fact that your brain isn’t optimizing for happiness, but for keeping you alive…i.e. maintaining the status quo and not changing. This week Misha outlines some of the surprising ways to actually achieve major life chan…

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Top 3 Ways To Book Acting Jobs (No Agent Required) 14:52

6M ago14:52

14:52

This week Misha lays out the top three ways you can book work for yourself as an actor…no agent or manager required! The booking “triangle” covered in this episode works for any actor at any level of training, and provides you with power and control over your own career. Our clients who really commit to this have gone from zero auditions a week to …

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Secrets of Networking 14:23

7M ago14:23

14:23

If you struggle to network, you need to listen to this one. “Networking” can feel like such a heavy chore, but Misha breaks down four ways to make networking fun, exciting, and enjoyable! These won’t be the networking tips you’ve heard before, and they might even shock you. The bottom line is they get results. Just remember that networking isn’t ab…

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How To Make Casting Directors Love You Part 2 26:15

7M ago26:15

26:15

We go even more in-depth this week on how how to make Casting Directors love you with two very honest top ten "do" and "don't" lists for actors! Host Misha Calvert is known for telling it like it is, and this unfiltered episode will give you insight that you will not get in any other class or from any other industry speaker. Which of these "do" and…

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How To Make Casting Directors Love You Part 1 22:20

7M ago22:20

22:20

Actors who want to build better relationships with casting directors...this episode is for you! So many actors are incredibly eager to get in front of CDs, but WHAT do you do when you finally get their attention and HOW can you make sure to make a good impression? This week we give insight into the things that casting offices see and have to do on …

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First Kiss Theatre Interviews Misha Calvert 18:04

7M ago18:04

18:04

This week we're introducing our first video episode! Misha sits down with Max Berry of First Kiss Theater for a funny and insightful conversation about her artistic process, how she came to filmmaking, and the origins of Film on Tape. This was such a fun, joyful conversation to have, and a nice reminder that no matter the circumstances...creativity…

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A Meditation to Ground into Your Body 10:50

8M ago10:50

10:50

We're trying something new! With everything going on in the world, here’s a guided meditation (Body Scan) designed to ground you and re-associate you into your body. This Body Scan exercise is pulled from the movement programs at the top acting MFA programs in the country. We also paired it with our own original binaural beats, which are scientific…

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Are You An Artist? 26:20

8M ago26:20

26:20

How do you know if you’re an artist? Misha cites a powerful study by NASA that single-handedly changes the conversation. You’ll also hear strategies on protecting and cultivating your artistic impulse as well as a few threats to creativity you’re going to want to avoid. This episode is valuable for anyone looking to dust off their imagination or in…

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Life Inventory: Make Space for Success 19:07

8M ago19:07

19:07

Have you ever wanted to make changes in your life and start living a new and improved version of yourself, but felt a frustrating lack of energy or time to put things in motion? This week Misha takes you through a powerful exercise to help you understand your unique energetic signature. This is comprised of four aspects specific to only you which c…

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Behind the Scenes with Actor Raye Spielberg 49:19

8M ago49:19

49:19

Join Misha and Raye Spielberg for an in-depth discussion about acting, filmmaking, and what it was like to work together on Misha’s film PINK FLAGS. This episode was originally recorded for the podcast “Show Don’t Tell,” hosted by Noam Kroll. Edited by Meher Mirpuri Music by Manor of Animals Follow Raye Spielberg: www.instagram.com/rayespielberg If…

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Acting School: Is It Worth It? 14:50

9M ago14:50

14:50

If you’ve been considering acting school, you don’t want to miss this episode. Misha lays out arguments for and against BFA and MFA acting programs and gives specific anecdotes about programs that might surprise you. She also discusses alternative, affordable training opportunities for actors leaning toward film and television. In the episode, we a…

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Selling a TV Series 26:50

9M ago26:50

26:50

If you’ve ever wanted to break into television as a creator, this episode is for you! Misha details her years trying (and succeeding) at selling an episodic series to a network. Her experience both developing a show with a network, as well as selling a finished show to a network, will help you to understand what streamers and studios are looking fo…