The DNA Podcast with Douglas Nyback

Ryan George is a YouTube comedian with over 1.8 million subscribers on his personal channel alone. You probably know him for Pitch Meeting and his viral split-screen sketches where he plays all the characters. I’ve been a fan for years—I don’t think there’s a comedian who lampoons the film and TV industry more effectively while never doing it in a mean-spirited way. He’s razor sharp, highly intelligent, and brings a workmanlike consistency to his sketch production that I hugely admire. His writing is sharp, his delivery is masterful, and he’s grown his sketches into a comedy brand emulated all over the internet. In this episode we talk about how he got where he is, his creative process, the origin of his famous catchphrases, and where he wants to go next. If you’re a fan of Ryan, an actor who wants to create your own work, or a creator who wants to sharpen your comedy skills, this episode is for you. I gotta say, chatting with him was… super easy, barely an inconvenience. Find Ryan: YouTube: @RyanGeorge Instagram: @theryangeorge TikTok: @theryangeorge   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Special Thanks: @julienolke (for connecting us) @screenrant Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #RyanGeorge #PitchMeeting #YouTubeComedy #SketchComedy #Acting #Writing #ActingTips #CreateYourOwnWork #Podcast #theDNApodcast #dnybackact #DNAPodcast

Sarah Fisher is maybe the nicest person I know. And I’m not kidding here. Sarah brings light and joy into every part of her life and career, from her early work as Becky Baker on Degrassi: The Next Generation to feature films like Kiss and Cry (BIG shout out to the fine folks at Carley’s Angels and the good work they’re doing in creating access to integrative cancer care), Someone Like You, and now her work on the hit series When Hope Calls. Sarah takes an approach of radical responsibility, of choosing to look within when life hands her hardship, choosing hope and growing through all things. She’s a personal friend and creative collaborator, someone I’ve worked with on set, as a client, and now as a co-creator of a couple series we’re developing. We dive into all of that, so expect all sorts of acting tips, life advice, creative inspiration, and lots of laughter. This is a fun one and I’m excited for you to join us. Find Sarah: Instagram: @sarahfisher Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Special Thanks: @degrassi @schearthome @kissandcrymovie @someonelikeyoumovie Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys) Thing I Love This Week: @carleysangels is a charity that creates access to integrative cancer care of all patients. Just a fine bunch of folks over there doing great work! Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #SarahFisher #Degrassi #WhenHopeCalls #KissAndCry #CarleysAngels #SomeoneLikeYou #Acting #ActingTips #ActingPodcast #Podcast #theDNApodcast #dnybackact #DNAPodcast

Being a number one (lead character) on a series is both a blessing and a challenge. I have a lot of friends and clients on the hit CW series “Sullivan’s Crossing” and ALL of them speak so highly of Morgan. Join us as I sit down with her to chat all things Sullivan’s, as well as her journey from the start of her career to where she is now. Morgan is so many things, cool under pressure, dedicated, supportive, creative and kind, and her generosity is apparent throughout this conversation as she provides deep insight into the challenges of a life spent acting, the joys and fears she experiences daily on set, and how she navigates being the leader of a major TV series. There are so many lessons to learn from Morgan, and I’m excited for you to dive in. Find Morgan: Instagram: @morgankohan   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Special Thanks: @sullivanscrossing_cw @sullivanscrossingctv @thecw @amaliaawilliamson @lifeoflindura Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys) Thing I Love This Week: @tentree ( not a sponsor but I love the tee shirt I’m wearing in this ep and they plant a tree for every purchase) Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #MorganKohan #SullivansCrossing #Acting #ActingTips #ActingPodcast #Podcast #theDNApodcast #dnybackact #CW

Zoé De Grand’Maison exudes art in everything she does. Whether it’s in her role as Agnes on Amazon Prime’s hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty, her work as the villainous Evelyn Evernever on Riverdale, Gracie Johanssen on Ophan Black, or any of her other innumerable acting credits she is always searching for more connection, more embodiment, deeper connection to character and self. Watching her is watching an actor who is never quite giving you the performance you think she will. She’s an actor who keeps you on your toes and comes at her choices from surprising angles of approach. The result is someone who keeps you on the edge of your seat in moments that would otherwise be mundane. It’s no wonder she’s on some of the decade’s most popular series and it’s only up from here. Getting to chat with Zoe was an absolute pleasure, there’s lots to learn, lots to be inspired by, and I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did. Find Zoé: Instagram: @zomato_soup Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Special Thanks: @ambitiontalent @thesummeriturnedpretty @primevideo @primevideoca @thecwriverdale Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys) Things I Love This Week: @drinklmnt (also not a sponsor, just drinking the heck outta these lately and love em) Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #ZoeDeGrandMaison #TheSummerITurnedPretty #Riverdale #OrphanBlack #Acting #ActingTips #ActingPodcast #Podcast #theDNApodcast #dnybackact

Is there anything David Reale hasn’t done? He’s a veteran of a gajillion shows (The Boys, Suits, Poly is the New Monogamy to name a few), he’s a world class Meisner instructor, he’s a veteran of both stage and screen AND he just happens to be the guy I most admired and was secretly jealous of for literal decades of my early career. See, David and I started at the exact same time in the exact same place and he booked a lot of the things that I didn’t. I’ve always wanted to have an open chat with him, to talk about where we started, how we got where we are, and where he’s going next. Because we’re both teachers (he’s one of the best out there) this one gets into a lot of audition hacks, general acting advice, and lots of chatting about craft. So if that’s your vibe—and I assume it is because you’re here—check this episode out. Appreciate you. Find David: Instagram: @therealedavid Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Special Thanks: @theboystv @suitspeacock @pisthenewm @amazonprime @theperformersmindset @josepharieltowne Coffee and Snacks: @impactkitchen (not a sponsor, we just pop in every podcast and love these guys) Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms #DavidReale #TheBoys #Suits #PolyIsTheNewMonogamy #MurdocMysteries #Meisner #ActingTips #AuditionTips #Podcast #theDNApodcast #dnybackact #amazonprime

Varun Saranga is a funny guy. He became a student of comedy as he learned to act, becoming a (my words here, not his) master at the rhythms of winning and losing in a way that makes people laugh. He has had tremendous success (Wynonna Earp, Carter, How to be Indie, Workin’ Moms to name just a few). The thing about Varun, though, is that in addition to his comedic super powers he possesses an undercurrent of deep vulnerability that comes out in his work in the subtlest of ways, bringing humanity to every laugh he gets from us. Varun works very hard to make it look easy, and getting to do a deep dive into his process on this pod was a huge blessing. So dive on in, folks. Get ready to laugh and grow. Find Varun:    Instagram: @varunsaranga   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Special Thanks: @Wynonnaearp @SyFy @Tubi Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms #VarunSaranga #WynonnaEarp #Carter #HowToBeIndie #PrimeVideo #Netflix #CBC #Acting #theDNApodcast #dnybackact #SyFy #Tubi #Comedy #WorkinMoms

Kimberly-Sue Murray was one of my first ever clients and has been a friend for years. I’ve long admired her as she’s built a profoundly successful career (The Boys, V-Wars, The Wedding Planner, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Madness just to name a few). This conversation in particular was profound, not only because it was our 20th episode, but because we picked up at a very interesting turning point in Kim’s life. She’s recently gotten VERY clear on her vision for the rest of her life and career, and most importantly she’s let go of shame and doubt around it all. Leading with courage, she’s diving headlong into the new goals and aspirations she has as an actor, mother, and human in general. So come along for the ride on this ep. I was deeply inspired and I’m sure you will be too. Find Kimberly-Sue: Instagram: @ksuemurray   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms #KimberlySueMurray #VWars #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy #TheBoys #PrimeVideo #Netflix #TheMadness #Acting #theDNApodcast #dnybackact 

Ryan is a whirlwind of charisma and nowhere is it more prevalent than his unforgettable turn as Suki on the hit Netflix Series “BET”. One of my pet peeves in Film & TV these days is that I’ll get through an entire movie or series and not even know the main character’s names. Not so for Suki. From the second he’s on screen to the final frames Ryan saturates frame with character and bold choices. He’s lived his life online, making sketch comedy on YouTube—where he has already gained major success—and chatting with him was like taking a trip into wonderland. Wild, wonderful, and insightful. So dive on in, I’m excited for you to meet Ryan. Find Ryan: Instagram: @theryansutherland TikTok: @ryancomedyofficial   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #RyanSutherland #BET #TheDNAPodcast #dnybackact #Netflix #podcast #ActingPodcast #acting

Lindura is a force. As one of the stars of the hit series, Sullivan’s Crossing, she has a presence to her that’s hard to quantify. She’s a rare cocktail of a scientific mind, ethereal beauty, and deep emotional intelligence all wrapped into one. What I find the most fascinating about her is how she recognizes these different facets of herself and is so driven to do the internal work that allows them all to work in tandem with each other as opposed to in contrast. She’s borderline addicted to growth, she’s in love with new experiences and challenges. Her passion is contagious and I found myself, in this conversation, called to expansion myself through her openness, strength, honesty, and vulnerability. I loved every minute of this chat and I’m sure you will too. Find Lindura: Instagram: @lifeoflindura TikTok: @lifeoflindura   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #Lindura #SullivansCrossing #TheDNAPodcast #dnybackact #CW #CTV #podcast #ActingPodcast #acting #growth

Sara Waisglass blew me away with her presence, compassion, and thoughtful approach to both her work and her life. This is—believe it or not—the first episode we’ve done where I haven’t known the guest in advance. So, to not only meet Sara, but to have such an honest conversation with her was a blessing that’s hard to measure. From Degrassi through a lifetime in the industry that has led her to the hit Netflix series, Ginny & Georgia, she has gone through a LOT. The thing that stuck with me the most is how courageously she navigates her life in a fully felt way. She works with her full self, and she lives with her full self…more than that she has the courage to sit with herself in the downtime, to quietly get to know herself better amidst all the existential complication that brings. I know you’ll have as magical a time as I did meeting her, so dive on in. Find Sara: Instagram: @sarawais TikTok: @Sara.wais   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #SaraWaisglass #GinnyAndGeorgia #TheDNAPodcast #dnybackact #Netflix #Degrassi #podcast #ActingPodcast #acting #tudum!

Carson MacCormac is no stranger to success in the world of feature film. Since his early days in the wildly popular DC “SHAZAAM!” franchise, he’s been working at an extremely high level. He’s now entering the horror genre in a big way with the release of the highly successful “Clown in a Cornfield”. Carson has always been a fascinating guy to me. He’s as likely to quote Friedrich Nietzsche to you as recommend a killer show he just found on Netflix, or an awesome fantasy novel he’s sinking his time into. He’s poetic, thoughtful, and does everything he can to better himself daily. Oh, and he also happens to be a profoundly talented actor. Talking with Carson is an exercise in growth because HE is always growing.    Find Carson: Instagram: @carson_maccormac   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Associate Producer: @akisharei Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #TheDNAPodcast #ClownInACornfield #MyLifeWithTheWalterBoys #Netflix #NetflixSeries #ActingPodcast #Acting #Actor #Podcast #dnybackact 

In this episode of The DNA Podcast I have the pleasure of chatting with Laura Afelskie. Laura is a journeyman actor with a long list of credits to her name despite her young age. She’s had her fair share of hardships and in spite of that has already accomplished a LOT. Now she’s on the cusp of the release of her first major Netflix Series: BET—A live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga Kakegurui by Homura Kawamoto and Toru Naomura—and I couldn’t be more excited for her. Laura auditioned for MULTIPLE roles on this series before finally finding the perfect fit. It’s an awesome, inspiring, and informative convo for all you actors and BTS buffs out there.   Find Laura: Instagram: @laura_afelskie   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas A warm welcome to our new DNA Intern: @akisharei Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms

Eliana Jones is a force. You may have seen her on any of her high profile shows—Hemlock Grove, Trick VR Treat, Northern Rescue—and if you haven’t you’ll be seeing her soon, bet on it. A frequent collaborator with Eli Roth, Eliana is as at home in the horror genre as she is in Jered Keeso’s hit comedy “Shoresy”. She’s whip smart, cutting, abrasive, and unapologetically “Eliana”. This episode is a deep dive on the life of an actor in LA who is on the verge of tremendous success, with offers starting to come in, and a roadmap of struggles behind. Eliana is a BLAST to work with, talk to, and watch on screen. Dive on in. This one’s fun.   Find Eliana: Instagram: @elianajones   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Special Thanks to: @ambitiontalent @amaliawilliamson Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms

Shaun Benson is a very special guy to a lot of people. To me, he’s someone who—even if he didn’t know it at the time—was a lighthouse for me during a very challenging time in my life. He’s an incredible actor who has been working in the industry for decades—on projects like The Boys, Billy The Kid, Mayans M.C., Gangland Undercover—a brilliant Meisner teacher, a talented photographer, and all around creative soul. Shaun and I get into it about addiction, recovery, rising, falling, and rising again in this industry. This was a profound, vulnerable, uplifting, and challenging conversation for me. I was looking forward to it immensely and it did not disappoint. So dive on it. Shaun has wisdom to share, and you’re going to want to receive it.   Find Shaun: Instagram: @shaunmbenson TikTok: @shaunybenso

In episode 12 of the DNA Podcast we have the profoundly talented actress, Camille Stopps, in the studio. You’ll see it immediately, but Camille is a bastion for human connection in a disconnected world. She is thoughtful, emotional, passionate, and dedicated in equal measure. This conversation was such a delight for me because to pull the thread of what lights Camille up as an actor is to dive headlong into a profound devotion to training, insights into emotional and intellectual connection, audition technique, the trials and tribulations of success and failure, and her unrelenting fire for this art form and her role within it. Camille is a light on this planet, and being a part of this conversation will make you a better actor, as well as challenge you to grow as a human (in the best of ways).   Camille’s Info: Instagram: @camillestopps   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Special thanks to: @arisathan @johnboylancentreforthearts @soulsroadmovie Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #DNAPodcast #actingtips #auditiontips #camillestopps #acting #podcast #dnybackact #douglasnyback #soulsroadmovie

In this Episode of the DNA Podcast I’m—for the first time ever on the pod—chatting with an agent! Ambition Talent’s own Julia Schneider has been at this for nearly two decades. She’s fiercely intelligent, kind, concise, and ruthless when needed. She also cares very deeply about every creative on her roster and as such has a deep understanding of the acting and casting processes and uses that expertise to absolutely flood this episode with insider information. You’ll find useful tips for actors, practical answers for anyone out there looking to get an agent, and helpful advice for the industry veterans out there. Give this one a listen, you won’t regret it. To me, there’s nothing more interesting than learning about the behind the scenes workings of the casting/agenting process, so dive on in!   Ambition Talent: Instagram: @ambitiontalent www.ambitiontalent.com   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms   #DNAPodcast #actingtips #auditiontips #agent #actingagent #ambitiontalent #acting #podcast #dnybackact #douglasnyback

In our 10th episode of The DNA Podcast I sit down with Leading Lady, Carolina Bartczak. Carolina has been a client, collaborator, and friend for over a decade and through that time I’ve watched her become one of the world’s leading talents. Now, she likely wouldn’t say that, she’s too humble. But if you take a look at her resume you will see her working alongside a laundry list of A-Listers from Michael Fassbender, to Lena Headey, to Taylor Kitsch and more. And now, finally, she’s the lead of her own series with the upcoming season of Plan B. Carolina’s success is built on a mountain of hard earned victories, challenges, wisdom, talent, hard work, and a surgical understanding of her audition process. Oh! And she’s also the creator and host of the industry podcast “10-1” which I highly recommend you check out. This episode is full of useful insights, practical advice, and touching stories of resilience and triumph. I’m grateful to call Carolina a friend and it means the world to me that she’s here for this milestone episode.   Carolina’s Info:   Instagram: @carolinabartczak 10-1 Podcast: @10_1thepodcast 10-1 Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3Qzkak3 10-1 ApplePods: https://apple.co/4gTDrHT   Produced by: @daliayegavian @breewas Additional Gear Provided By: @mountainmanfilms

In this episode of The DNA Podcast I step into the orbit of the truly charismatic, intelligent, talented, and kind Trevor Tordjman. When I first met Trevor I thought “this has to be a bit, nobody can be this genuinely engaging and charismatic”…well, turns out he is. Trevor is one of the most passionate gents I know, he loves performance, he’s already had tremendous success and is booking up a storm as he transitions his career to new heights, and he’s creating his own work on top of it all. In this episode we talk about his journey from "The Next Step", to working on multiple projects for Disney, becoming Sylvester Stallone in a short he made about Sly’s life, the current and future states of the industry, and why you cannot let fear guide your choices as an actor or a person. This one hits fast and furious, folks. Dive on in. Find Trevor: Instagram: @trevorflanny TikTok: @trevorflannyt YouTube: @trevorftordjman

In this episode of The DNA Podcast I sit down with Aris Athanasopoulos, who is an acting teacher and performer I greatly admire. I seldom find a coach I feel 100% comfortable sending my clients and peers to and Aris is one of them. In this episode we dive deep into the Character Creation technique he teaches, rooted in the Laban-Malmgren System of Movement Psychology. It sounds complicated but it’s an incredibly intuitive way for actors to develop their whole instrument (mind, body, heart) and I cannot wait for you to learn from this wonderful man.   Instagram: @arisathan Website: www.arisactingstudio.com

In this episode of The DNA Podcast I have the pleasure of talking with my dear friend and client, Anna Hopkins. Anna has been a prolific actor for years, working non-stop in projects like Shadowhunters, The Expanse, Letterkenny, Barney’s Version, Arrow, and Bad Blood (to just name a few). We talk about her journey as an actor, getting rejected from theatre school, growing up studying Meisner, the loss of her first acting coach, and the beautiful life lessons she’s cultivated as she’s grown through the industry. Anna will always hold a special place in my heart as a friend, client, and colleague. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.