In this episode of the Meet the Mentor Series®, Dr. Bill Dorfman sits down with actor, writer, and producer Ryan Powers, whose journey from small-town Massachusetts to the film sets of Los Angeles is filled with grit, creativity, and resourcefulness.

Ryan shares how a love for theater led him from the University of Miami to singing and dancing aboard cruise ships—and ultimately to the film industry. Along the way, he met his husband, Jason, and saved enough to take a chance on moving to LA.

Ryan opens up about the challenges of breaking into Hollywood and why waiting for opportunities wasn't an option. Instead, he chose to create his own—writing and producing short films like Broken Heart, which gained traction at festivals. His work on titles like Sidney vs. Shawn and Disney’s She-Hulk reflect a career shaped by collaboration and self-driven momentum. He also shares a glimpse into his next project, a psychological horror film rooted in his hometown.

Dr. Bill also gives an exciting update on the LEAP program at Pepperdine University in 2025 from July 13th to 19th. Ryan, a passionate mentor, talks about the importance of programs like LEAP and his continued involvement beyond the summer through their “Meet the Mentor” series. To learn more or get involved, visit leapfoundation.com, and follow Ryan at @ryanpowerz on Instagram.

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