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Breaking the Mold
Breaking the Mold
Author: Alysa Scanzano
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© 2026 Breaking the Mold
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Breaking the Mold is not just a podcast; it's a dialogue at the intersection of art, life, and possibility. Curated by Alysa Scanzano, consider each episode a limited edition—unrepeatable conversations with visionaries who've shattered conventional frameworks.
From the philosophical to the tactical, from art to inner wellness, we're deconstructing societal constructs and remixing them into something uniquely our own. This is a space where the listener becomes a collaborator, where you're invited to question, learn, and redefine your own boundaries.
27 Episodes
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What does it take to build a brand that’s global, rooted, and unmistakably you? In this episode of Breaking the Mold, I sit down with Raj Kotecha — global brand strategist and founder of Creative Content Agency — whose clients include Gary Vee, Tony Robbins, Steven Bartlett, and the Dubai Future Foundation. We talk about identity, influence, and building a brand that cuts through the noise in 2025. Highlights: • Why “being Indian is like winning the lottery” • The generational pla...
How do you break free from a toxic relationship? How do you recognize the warning signs before it’s too late? In this deeply insightful episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Blake to uncover the truth about narcissistic behaviors, emotional manipulation, and the journey to healing. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning someone’s intentions, feeling stuck in a cycle of confusion and self-doubt, or wondering why a relationship doesn’t feel right, this conversation is for ...
Imposter syndrome is a challenge nearly every creative faces at some point. In this candid and empowering episode, we dive deep into the heart of self-doubt, exploring the struggles of questioning your abilities while striving to find your true voice in a competitive industry. Join the conversation as we unpack: The truth about imposter syndrome in the creative worldPersonal stories of self-doubt and resilienceWhy feeling like an impostor might mean you’re growingPractical strategies for buil...
🎉 Excited to bring you an inspiring episode with the legendary Cory Shapiro, founder of Vintage Frames Company! 🚀 This conversation dives deep into why staying true to your values is essential, and how you can achieve success without compromising on authenticity. In this episode, Cory shares: Real insights on staying grounded and embracing success on your own terms 💪Why rejecting societal norms can fuel a fulfilling and unique journey 🌟Balancing artistic expression with business goals while s...
In this powerful episode of Breaking the Mold, we sit down with Adonis Harrison Jr.—a fitness trainer, U.S. Air Force veteran, and resilient leader—to uncover the transformative power of embracing change and redefining life’s expectations. Adonis opens up about key moments that shaped his journey, from balancing a demanding athletic career with personal growth to confronting mental health challenges and societal pressures. Together, we delve into the mental and emotional strength required in ...
Welcome back to the Breaking the Mold podcast! Today, I’m excited to be speaking with actress, writer, and producer Andria B. Langston. In this episode, we explore: The business of actingAn inside look at Andria's journeyThe essential mindsets neededPractical tips for newcomersWhen I moved to LA, I struggled to find honest information about what pursuing this dream truly entails—not just the highlight reels on Instagram or interviews with A-list celebrities, but the real, day-to-day grind and...
Welcome back to breaking the mold podcast, the show where I speak to artists and creative entrepreneurs that broke the mold and built a life on their own terms. Today im speaking to a podcast host i looked up to way before i started my own. Levi ozzy the host of Creative Ambiance. A show that highlights creatives in Los Angeles with the goal of sharing codes through conversation. In this episode, we talk about: Breaking the mold on traditional networking. And moving from a tra...
Today, I’m talking to my friend Bantu. He’s from Zimbabwe, based in LA. He’s a singer, producer, writer, and Grammy nominee. He’s written and produced for people like ASAP Rocky, Chris Brown, and French Montana. He has a Grammy nominated song with Nicki Manij, which also a part of the animated Spider-Man movie. He has placements in FiFA, fast and furious, and the list goes on with the things he’s been able to achieve. But the title of this episode is based on mindset because it’s ...
Allison Bagg is a sound healer, breathwork facilitator, intuitive guide, and artist based in Los Angeles. She utilizes many modalities to help clients penetrate their bodies, establish strong boundaries, and open portals to the magic and abundance within. That was a description I found of Allison in one of the many article write-ups about her, and I just loved the way they encapsulated what she does along with some of her magical essence. Allison is one of LA's leading sound bath fa...
North Carolina-born, LA-based Shep is an artist who “creates a compilation of stories. These are tales of cultural pain, paint strokes channeling beauty we see daily, with colors reflecting the human and spiritual experience.” Known for his murals of Salvador Dali, Rihanna, and the late Kobe Bryant, Shep defies the odds of what society told us was possible by creating his own life and lane through his art. In this episode, we touch on ideas like: Perfectionism Observin...
I am so excited to share this episode with the one and only Tess Trotter. As best friends and business partners, this one is special. We dive into the inner workings of goal setting, habits, and systems for life and business. This episode was inspired by the book Atomic Habits, our takeaways, and the motivation behind the daily planner we created, The Dream Maker Planner. Tess Trotter Alysa Scanzano Podcast: @breakingthemoldpod 🎧 Stay connected with Breaking the Mold Host: @alysa_scanz...
Hayley Gene Penner is a singer-songwriter and author of the book “People You Follow,” a memoir she wrote documenting the inner workings and experience pursuing music in LA. Along with putting out her albums, she’s also written and created songs with some of my absolute favorite artists like @SabrinaClaudio, @AlinaBaraz, and @SineadHarnett. And to give you further insight into her memoir “ “People You Follow”, people like @lenadunham described it as: “ A fucked up Alice...
Rubina Bernabe is a true example of what it means to live authentically and challenge the norm. In our conversation, Rubina opens up about her path to self-love and how she’s woven her passion for travel into her life and professional journey. Rubina reflects on her transition from traditional career expectations to carving out a path that's uniquely hers. We explore her film work, commitment to inspiring others through self-growth workshops, and her approach to living life outside of socie...
Will Nichols is an artist and creative entrepreneur. Having made his name in photography, fine art, Web3, furniture space, and much more. The best way to describe him, and the first hook that intrigued me, is he’s someone who “makes ideas come to fruition no matter the industry or medium.” A simple sentence. But a life and creative philosophy that holds so much weight. Will is an amazing example of someone who refuses to live within the boxes. And I'm excited to share this episode. Will...
In this episode, I talk to Ani B. She’s the co-host of the new but fast-growing podcast In Flow. Ani started her podcast this year in January 2023 and has almost 70k followers on TikTok. Some videos get more than a million views. But the most impressive thing about it is her commitment, consistency, and belief in her vision. I know firsthand how hard putting together a podcast can be when trying to do as much as possible on your own. But Ani made her decision and committed to ...
Iman Benet is a Culinary Artist, Writer, and Human Rights Activist. In this episode, we talk about: Healing and raising your vibration through food Tuning and listening to your intuition How changing your environment can change your life How rest and a calm nervous system is the revolution Iman curates and cooks for intimate dinners in LA that give back, give a farmer a seat at the table, and create a space for community and connection, all while ta...
@createdbyeyes is a director, photographer, musician, owner of the LA-based agency @hueperiod, @sacredsmokeincense, and overall creative. I was excited to speak to Carrington because he’s one of the few people I know who doesn’t hold back when executing on his dreams. I’ve seen him think of something one day and execute it the next. Being someone who can take years ( this podcast as example) to build up the courage and confidence to execute on a dream I have, I really wanted ...
In this episode, I’m talking to my best friend, Tess Trotter. Tess is the founder and CEO of CEP Communications. A creative marketing agency that focuses on social media marketing, branding, and all things that facilitate creative online marketing. She founded the company in 2016 after getting fired from her corporate job. While the business has grown exponentially over the years, her original motivation was just to create enough income to support her pursuit of an acting career. ...
Lilianna Wilde is a singer-songwriter. Based in LA and from Toronto, Lillanna has a really interesting and inspiring story. Originally going to business school and determined to do something entrepreneurial, making the switch to pursue something creative meant having a business plan and strategic approach to all facets, including branding, marketing, and outreach herself. Lilliana gets honest about the failures she experienced trying out different fields before she landed on m...
In this episode, I got to speak to entrepreneur and founder of Popular Demand, Blake Ricciardi. Some of the things we go over in this episode include: Not attaching your identity to your hustle when you’re buildingHow to make people care about your product/businessThe nature of entrepreneurship Follow Blake's journey @blakericciardi Breaking the Mold Podcast 🎧 Stay connected with Breaking the Mold Host: @alysa_scanzano Podcast: @breakingthemoldpod TikTok: @breakingthemoldpod...























