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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!
67 Episodes
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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 walking away from a stable teaching career to pursue full-time voice acting, June's story is anything but conventional. He opens up about the pursuit of happiness, navigating uncertainty, and the power of choosing authenticity over expectation. Listen...
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 and Mission Hill to directing episodes of Family Guy, Jerry takes us behind the scenes of the animation world—where timing, tone, and teamwork are everything. We explore the evolving landscape of animated storytelling, the power of persistence in a com...
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. Dre, and the Beach Boys to engineering Emmy-winning projects and independent films, Tom brings a deep well of experience and an unmatched ear for excellence. We explore Tom’s journey through the heart of the entertainment industry—how he’s blended artis...
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 as partywithray, Freddy brings a rare blend of audio mastery and experiential design to his role as Brand Design Lead at PhenomenArts, Inc., a boutique firm specializing in multisensory experiences. Freddy shares how his passion for storytelling fuels his work ...
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 Warner Bros.—working on global hits like Harry Potter, The Matrix, The Hobbit, and the DC Universe—to his current role mentoring neurodivergent talent at Autism in Entertainment, Paul brings a rare blend of high-level industry insight and heartfelt advocac...
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 Post Academy in Valencia, California, who’s been building a creative empire since he was eight years old. It all began with a simple idea during a long summer break—The A to Zs of Fighting Boredom, his first published book. That spark ignited an early passio...
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 business operations, Tyler brings a systems-first mindset to every challenge she tackles. As the founder of Syzygy, she leads a team dedicated to empowering creative entrepreneurs by transforming back-office functions—like accounting, HR, and operations—into ...
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 pop culture’s most iconic visual moments to life—whether it’s the Trix Cereal rabbit in action, Michael Jordan mingling with Looney Tunes in a groundbreaking MCI commercial, or the unforgettable opening sequences of Reading Rainbow and The Magic School Bus. His...
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 college, he experienced an epiphany: music was the most powerful artistic medium he could imagine. That revelation launched a lifetime of exploration across styles, genres, and continents. Bobby’s musical education was as diverse as it was immersive—from ...
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 disability inclusion, Alex brings a unique perspective as a low vision professional navigating Hollywood. A 2020 alum of RespectAbility’s Entertainment Lab for professionals with disabilities, Alex shares how their lived experience informs their advocacy for ...
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 theatre, Jason has spent the past 15+ years building creative pathways for neurodivergent and autistic artists. His work with The Miracle Project, Tree Academy, The Help Group, Autism On The Seas, and CSUN’s Teenage Drama Workshop helped spark a powerful mis...
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 artist whose career challenges the boundaries of traditional music and embraces a world where creativity is unlimited. With over two decades of experience, Mantione has composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, computer, and multimedia environments, ofte...
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 connection—and what it means to truly vibe. Known for his immersive style and genre-defying house tracks, Tim rejuvenates the fundamentals of House subculture by creating sonic experiences that bring people together—especially those who often feel lef...
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 began opening up and discovered a shared sense of invisibility among others with chronic illness. In this powerful episode of Breaking the Biz, we dive into Nitika’s extraordinary journey—from being a vibrant media personality and beauty brand ambassador...
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 Autism In Entertainment Workgroup. Drawing from a powerful mix of personal experience and professional insight, Judi shares how her advocacy work—spanning career training, policy reform, and industry partnerships—is opening doors for autistic individuals i...
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® Franchising International, Inc., and founder of Oksana® Management Group, Oksana® Enrichment Programs, and the Oksana® Foundation, she shares how she transformed her passion for music into a multi-branch enterprise that empowers both students and educators. We ...
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, and social media management, Mike has mastered the art of artist development, marketing strategy, and navigating the ever-evolving music industry. From consulting with major labels to mapping out viral marketing campaigns, Mike shares insider knowledg...
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 Dystrophy, Steve has never let his disability define him—whether he's performing in New York's comedy clubs, giving motivational speeches across the country, or starring in the web series Uplifting Dystrophy. In this episode, we dive into Steve's journey in co...
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 wheelchair for mobility throughout his life. His passion for the industry is matched by his commitment to disability advocacy, educating others on accessibility and inclusion wherever he can. In this episode, we explore Jeff’s journey into production, his role in support...
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 defense and tech consulting to developing the world’s first inclusive music instrument. With a rich background as a software developer, musician, and entrepreneur, Haim has consistently challenged the idea that innovation has limits. Discover how his latest...
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