Episodes
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Since May of 2014 I’ve done my best to release a brand new long form conversation on a weekly basis, and between my original show Fitness In Post and now Optimize Yourself, I’ve now released just short of 400 episodes. But eventually this thing called life gets in the way. And I had to make the difficult choice to pause recording new interviews for the time being, hence the lack of new long form conversations. But rest assured we’ll be returning in early 2025 better than ever with new guests, new conversations, an updated format, and who knows….maybe even a brand new show altogether (wink, wink, nudge nudge). I won’t say anymore at this point, but needless to say we’re only hitting the pause button for now, certainly not the stop button.
Having said that we’ll continue to release a Hot Seat Friday episode every week for the remainder of the year to give you an insider’s glimpse into how we do things in the Optimizer community so we can continue to help you design the more rewarding, the more fulfilling, and the more sustainable creative career (and life) that you ultimately deserve.
In the meantime you’re welcome to enjoy the over 250 episodes in our archives. And we look forward to being back in your earbuds in early 2025. Thanks so much for being a devoted listener and longtime member of this global community of creative misfits. Take care, and be well.
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In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member David Spragg to tackle the challenge of reaching out cold to a gatekeeper. David wants to connect with a YouTuber known for creating high-quality documentary and travel content, who is now venturing into scripted filmmaking. Drawing on his experience in filmmaking, David hopes to offer his skills and insights to support this person’s project. Together, we craft a thoughtful and compelling strategy to ensure his message stands out and gets a response.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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Missing episodes?
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Today’s mini-episode is the latest edition of my Case of the Mondays newsletter, a free newsletter I send out exclusively to my subscribers every Monday morning with my latest thoughts, strategies, and tips for better managing the crazy balancing act between work & life. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather design a career where I’m excited about Mondays instead of dreading them. To be the first to receive next week’s newsletter, to read today’s episode in addition to listening, and for access to all of the past newsletters in the Case of the Mondays archives, simply visit optimizeyourself.me/newsletter.
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In this Hot Seat session, longtime community member Tonianne Fleig tackles the challenge of pivoting from film into the brand and agency world. Although her recent years have been in film, Tonianne is confident in her skills and expertise—and now it’s about framing her experience to resonate with potential employers in a new space. Together, we dig into the strategies that will help her highlight her unique strengths and communicate the true value she brings to the table that sets her apart from the others.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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In this Hot Seat session, community member Mark Carr is looking to re-engage a valuable contact he reached out to a few months ago. Knowing the person was previously too busy to respond, Mark wants to follow up in a way that’s both respectful of their time and likely to get a response. Together, we break down the art of a well-crafted follow-up, exploring subtle strategies that go beyond a simple nudge and aimed at making his outreach feel timely, genuine, and worth reading.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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In this Hot Seat session, community member Leonardo Oliveira seeks guidance on refining his weekly planning. He often ends up not being able to finish everything he planned for the week and finds himself "stealing" time from other tasks to keep up. Together, we explore the mindset shifts and practical strategies that can help him better manage his time and energy, while building more flexibility into his schedule.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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In this Hot Seat session, community member Michael Addis brings his series pitch deck to the table. He wants to refine it so he can capture the interest of the executives. Together, we crawl into the brains of the busy decision-makers to understand how they process ideas, ensuring that he can convey his vision clearly and effectively giving Michael the best chance of making his idea a reality.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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In this Hot Seat session, I sit down with community member Tristan Felberg for a mock interview to help him craft a compelling response to the classic "tell me about yourself" question. We explore what interviewers are really looking for and how Tristan can shape his answer to draw them in, keeping the conversation flowing. We also dive into a key strategy to stay confident and natural, even when the conversation takes unexpected turns. This hot seat is packed with practical tips to help you navigate interviews with ease and take control of the dialogue.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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In this hot seat session, I sit down with community member Kalika Sharma, whose work has kept her creatively fulfilled. But with so much happening at once, Kalika has lost sight of what her future looks like and how to prepare for it. Together, we take time to pause so she can paint a clearer picture of what it is that she really wants for her future, mapping out the steps to help her find clarity and direction towards where she's going.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
Moni Salazar is a Mexican assistant editor (and now editor) for feature films who has been KILLING IT since she moved to Los Angeles. In fact her first feature film as an editor, Honey Boy, is about to screen at Sundance! As an assistant editor she has also worked on such films as Netflix’s All Day and a Night, The Beach Bum, and Zoe. In addition to the many hours she spends in dark rooms, she is also the Vice President of Blue Collar Post Collective.
Moni approached me last year because she found it nearly impossible to focus on creative tasks. She was constantly distracted by little things that kept her from doing the creative work that she loved, so much so at one point she didn't get her Visa application done in time...and she was forced to move back to Mexico! We worked together one-on-one for the next 12 weeks to help her clarify her goals and find the most important ‘One Thing’ in her life that she had to accomplish every day in order to get focused, avoid constantly procrastinating, and get her life organized!
My purpose for sharing this case study is to help explain the process that Moni and I worked through and the steps she took to get her life more organized and establish daily habits to help her increase her focus and productivity while actually creating more time in her day to relax. That way you can use some of these same ideas and techniques to move yourself forwards this year, whether or not you’re interested in working with me one-on-one in my coaching program.
If after listening to this interview you do want to learn more and apply to work with me for the next several months and beyond, enrollment is currently open but time slots are extremely limited. To apply just visit optimizeyourself.me/elite-apply.
» Click here to work with me one-on-one
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Here's What You'll Learn:Practicing focus and awareness during work hoursLearning when it's okay to say 'no'Recognizing when you are creating your own obstaclesMoving forward with your necessary tasks even when they seem overwhelmingHow time blocking enhances your creativity even if it feels like having a schedule will restrain itWhat's the 'one thing' you need to focus on to complete your goals?The domino method of task managementDefining the qualities you want to see in yourself before anything elseUseful Resources Mentioned:www.monisalazar.com
Ep36: Finding Your "One Thing" with Jay Papasan
Our Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation. The Topo is super comfortable, an awesome conversation starter, and it’s also scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. Click here to learn more and get your Topo Mat.
This episode is made possible by SitTight, my new #1 recommendation if you’re searching for a healthier, more ergonomically-friendly office chair that turns sitting into an activity that actually improves your health rather than damaging it. Yes, you can actually get fit while you sit. If you’ve never seen one, just imagine the most comfortable bar stool on the planet on top of a Bosu Ball. Trust me...it’s awesome. SitTight can provide fitness for your body, focus for your mind, and fun for your spirit. BONUS: Use the coupon code OPTIMIZE for 10% off your order!
Guest Bio:Twitter| InstagramMónica Salazar is a Mexican editor and assistant editor for feature films. She enjoys crafting stories on a daily basis, and is usually found hidden in the darkness of an editing room with a cup of coffee serving as her safety blanket. Her editing credits include Honey Boy set to premiere at Sundance in 2019, and the Los Angeles Emmy award winning documentary Montage: Great Film Composers and the Piano. Mónica has also worked as an assistant editor for various films, including Netflix’s All Day and a Night, The Beach Bum, and Zoe.
Monica also serves as the Vice President of Los Angeles for Blue Collar Post Collective, an accessible and focused grassroots non-profit organization that supports emerging talent in post production.
Mónica takes pride in her taco-expertise and has found the best pastor tacos in LA.
Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Elyse Rintelman. The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).
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In this hot seat session, community member Brett Williams tells his story of how he lost his creative job and is now working a temporary role to support his family. Brett is eager to return to the work he loves but faces the challenge of balancing that dream with providing for his loved ones. Together, we explore strategies to help him transition back to his creative career, drawing from my own experiences of moving from a job that paid the bills to one that truly fulfilled me. Along the way, we uncover the key mindsets and practical steps Brett can take to get his career back on track while meeting his family’s financial needs.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
Having spoken to and worked with hundreds of people worldwide over the years, if there’s one constant to the ever-changing landscape of this age, it’s that the global pandemic has been a magnifying glass amplifying every tiny little detail about our lives (and society at large) that just wasn’t working. For many this intense awareness has been paralyzing while for others it’s been a motivating call to action.
So what’s the difference for those who feel stuck versus those who take action and see results?
Maybe you’re sick of being stuck on the wrong career path and feeling desperate to pursue your true passion, but you’re too afraid to take action because you’re waiting to “see how things work out?”
Maybe you’re anxious about work swallowing up what semblance of life you have outside your career…especially now that you’re stuck working from home?
Or maybe you are so overwhelmed about all the uncertainties and unknowns that you feel paralyzed and unable to focus on anything but just getting through another day. Yes, pandemic-induced procrastination is indeed a thing.
If any of these sound like you, I have three amazing guests on today’s show that know exactly how you feel. Ariel Fujita is an unscripted editor making the transition to colorist. Maxton Weller is a sound editor and composer for films and video games, and Kristi Shimek is an indie film editor transitioning to scripted television. This episode is a case study where I speak candidly with all three who are members of my 'Optimizer' coaching & mentorship community who have successfully navigated the challenges of being an introvert, who have battled the perfectionism that holds us back from accomplishing our goals, and who can relate to how imposter syndrome keeps us stuck in the wrong career path. And we discuss the strategies and methods they all implemented to work through these common pitfalls to feel confident and clear, not only about what they want in life but more importantly, how to actually live it. All three guests have recently completed my coaching & mentorship program, put in a lot of hard work, and have achieved amazing results…
...while, by the way, living through a global pandemic.
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Here's What You'll Learn:The serendipitous timing of how Maxton ended up starting coaching with Zack when he needed it most.The separate but eerily similar stories of how Ariel and Kristi both almost skipped Zack’s Networking for Introverts seminar because they were too shy and scared.Why Ariel struggled with burnout and the mind-set shift she had to make to overcome the endless cycle.KEY TAKEAWAY: Learning to ask the right questions will improve the quality of your life and the connections you make.Why building confidence requires a deep dive into your psychology and your motivations.The number one thing you need to get better at before you can even start networking.How to stop waiting for focus to magically appear and instead learn to train it.What you need to implement systems to improve time management and keep you accountable.What a brain dump is and why doing it regularly will alleviate stress and anxiety.Why doing a daily wrap up is essential for setting boundaries especially when working from home.How Kristi got back her nights and weekends by setting expectations at the start of a job.What Maxton’s IMDB spreadsheet revealed to him and how it led to a relationship with a composer he’s admired for years.Maxton’s revelation about outreach emails: "It’s not IF people want to help you, it’s CAN they help you”What transformed Kristi from being afraid to send outreach emails to doing it every single week and getting a 100% response rate.The magic formula to writing successful outreach emails.The Ben Franklin Effect: what it is and how it helps you build relationships.Maxton’s advice: Don’t wait to see what happens. Take action.Ariels’ advice: Why not do the scariest thing at the scariest time to get where you want to be.
Useful Resources Mentioned:Enroll in the ‘Optimizer’ Coaching & Mentorship program
'Insider's Guide to Writing Great Outreach Emails'
The Ben Franklin Effect
Continue To Listen & Learn:Want a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things
The 5 Most Common Mistakes You’re Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them)
Why Writing Cold Emails Is the Most Important ‘Soft Skill’ You Must Master (Especially If You’re An Introvert)
Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry
[CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic
Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone
Guest Bios:Ariel Fujita
Ariel Fujita is an editor with 15 years of experience in unscripted post production television. She got her start as a Post Production Assistant and has taken on many different roles throughout her career: Post Production Coordinator, Assistant Editor, Off-line editor, and On-line Editor. Ariel’s editing credits include Are You The One? (MTV), America’s Next Top Model (VH1), and Last Call With Carson Daly (NBC).
After working primarily in off-line post production, she has recently made the transition to on-line editing and she hopes to eventually pursue a career as a colorist for scripted television and independent films.
Ariel lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their five cats. When she’s not working, she enjoys watching horror films and she makes a killer mac and cheese.
Kristi Shimek
Kristi Shimek is a Los Angeles based Film and Television Editor. Within her first year of moving to Hollywood, she was cutting indie features in the LA circuit with stars such as Lou Diamond Phillips, Danny Trejo, Lea Thompson, and Nicolas Cage.
Recently, Kristi has edited on two breakout feature film successes. The Night Clerk , a character based thriller directed by Michael Christofer (Original Sin, T he Witches of Eastwick ) and starring Tye Sheridan, Ana de Armas, and Helen Hunt, which reached #5 on Netflix’s Top Ten List in June 2020. And Inheritance, a narrative commentary on patriarchy and privilege directed by Vaughn Stein (Terminal) and starring Simon Pegg and Lily Collins, which was featured at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival.
In addition to films, Kristi has just finished editing on her first network television show, NEXT, a near-future tech based drama created and executive produced by Manny Coto and starring John Slattery, which is set to debut on October 6th on Fox.
Maxton Waller
Maxton Waller is a composer and multi-instrumentalist living in Los Angeles, California with a formidable output and unparalleled work ethic. He has been writing and performing music professionally since the age of 10.
In 2007, he moved to Los Angeles and got his start in good old-fashioned rock and roll. After a few cross-country tours, he leapt to film/interactive and never looked back. You can hear his work across television and the internet; the Hulu Original Series “RocketJump: The Show”, Stan Lee’s animated series “Cosmic Crusaders”, Nickelodeon’s animated series “Rainbow Rangers”, and literally (not metaphorically) dozens of YouTube videos with views in the hundreds of millions.
In addition to this, Maxton has written songs placed in the Netflix Original Series “Marvel’s The Defenders”, CBS’ reboot of “MacGyver”, “Video Game High School”, “Sons of Anarchy”, The MLB network, and countless others.
He has studied at some of the greatest schools in the country; The Musician’s Institute and the Berklee College of Music. Maxton is highly-regarded for his deep understanding of audio, easy-going personality, and fast turnaround.
There’s a reason you’ll see the same studios hire him repeatedly - Maxton is a musical force of nature and he elevates every project he works on.
Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).
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In this hot seat session, community member Mitch Rosin shares how a single email landed him his next dream job. We dive into the strategy he honed during the industry's downtime, getting better at his outreach. We then analyze the email that got him an immediate response to uncover why it worked and how his consistent practice paid off. But with this new opportunity comes new problems (good ones) and we explore the steps Mitch can take to reach his short term goals, ensuring he's all set when his work starts in a few months.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
A few years back, writer/director Sam Lavin came to me because she had never felt more scattered. Amidst unemployment and managing the pandemic she said to me: “I’m typically a very ambitious person, but I’m finding it hard to stay on projects and get things done. I’m not motivated because I don’t know what I should be doing.”
As an award-winning DGA director, assistant director, and writer who has worked on film and television projects including Lucifer, The Mayor, and Criminal Minds, she came to me as a 2nd AD with hopes of transitioning to the directing chair. Like many hit with a generous dose of perspective when the pandemic hit, Sam realized she was stuck and didn’t want to be a 2nd AD anymore...but she had no idea what to do next - and that lack of certainty left her paralyzed. She was dreaming of making her next major career transition into becoming both a 1st AD on major tv shows as well as a writer & director (and she knew she was ready!), but she had no clear path or next steps to make her vision become her reality. This led to wasted days of scattered attention and feeling “busy” but not “productive.”
After joining the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program, Sam was able to design a plan that led her to firmly landing in the 1st AD position on a major streaming show for Apple, and she’s now poised to finally become a director. In today’s conversation we talk about the practical steps she took to work through the mental barriers that were stopping her from being productive and moving her career forwards, how she has become a focus machine getting more done in a few months than she had accomplished in years, and most importantly how you can apply the same principles to build momentum in your own career and life.
No matter the career transition you are hoping to make next, even if the rungs of the ladder you want to climb might be different than others, the path is almost universally the same for all of us. You first need clarity about your next steps so you don’t inadvertently waste years of effort climbing the wrong ladder. Then you need to develop and hone the skills necessary to do the job you want next. And thirdly you need to build the right network of people so you can leverage those skills and convince them you can do the job, even if you might not have the experience yet. Simple...but far from easy. Learn how Sam did it and how you can do it too.
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Here's What You'll Learn:
What brought Sam to the Optimizer community and her career leading up to now.Sam's daily routine before she became a student in the Focus Yourself program.How we helped settle Sam's scattered mind and anxiety about where her career was headed.The obstacles Sam encountered when trying to find focus and clarity in her life.The mindset change that helped Sam make the transition from 2nd AD to 1st AD.How the Focus Gym helped her finish her pilot that she hadn't been able to complete before.The piece of feedback she received that changed her mindset about becoming a director.How the cancellation of an AFI program she had applied for gave her confidence to network more.KEY TAKEAWAY: Your beliefs about yourself have the power to transform your life.Networking saved Sam from doing unnecessary steps to transition her career to the next level.Sam breaks down the skills necessary to become a director and what you can and can't learn by being a 1st AD.What positions most commonly get to the director's chair from film and television crews.The goal every 1st AD has to keep in mind when on set.How the politics of being a woman as an AD has made it tricky to navigate her career.Understanding the difference between confidence and arrogance and how to apply it to your career.How applying logic to networking was the key to helping Sam shift her mindset to make it work for her.What is the magic formula for networking and how it relieves the anxiety of reaching out.Sam's advice to anyone who feels like she did a year ago before she started the program.
Useful Resources Mentioned:Work With Me | Optimize Yourself
Continue to Listen & LearnI need help making a career transition | Optimize Yourself
Insider's Guide to Writing Cold Outreach
How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best)
How to Go From Cold Contact to Your Ideal Mentor In Seven Simple Steps
IMDbPro for Networking: The 10 Features That Will Take Your Outreach to a New Level
Ep80: How to Avoid Getting Pigeonholed, The ‘Concentric Circles of Networking’ & More | with Doc Crotzer, ACE
Ep104: How to Keep Working As An Editor (After You’ve Made the Transition From AE) | with Susan Vaill, ACE
Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian
Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach
Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE
Guest Bio:Sam Lavin is an award winning DGA director, assistant director and writer who has worked on film and television projects including “Lucifer”, “The Mayor” and “Criminal Minds”.
Samantha adapted and directed the British play “Key Change” in its West Coast premiere. It received an LA Times 99 Seat Beat Critic’s Pick for its innovation and raw staging of a story highlighting women in prison.
Samantha wrote and directed the film, "In Memory of Me" which screened at over 40 festivals worldwide, winning awards including Panavision’s New Filmmaker Grant. She also created a television show called "Out of the Frying Pan" which was optioned by NBC/Comcast.
Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).
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In this hot seat session, community member Ted Husband wants to workshop his website if the layout is attractive enough to his target audience. Rather than focusing on layout alone, we dive into a strategy that shifts the spotlight onto his audience and make the website more about them. Together, we explore how to guide his target audience through the site, addressing their needs and leading them toward that all-important call to action.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
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Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
Today's guest is Malinda Zehner Guerra who is an Emmy nominated film and TV editor. She is also a long time Optimizer OG since the pre-pandemic days. Malinda has over 15 years of experience cutting a variety of genres on such shows as Shark Week, Naked & Afraid, and A Black Lady Sketch Show for which she has earned her 4th Emmy nomination. But what led to her interview today is her unusual story of transitioning from working on unscripted shows to doing scripted and eventually landing her dream job in one of the top level scripted shows on TV. Malinda shares how she said 'no' to an opportunity to transition to scripted as an assistant editor, why she decided to turn down the offer, and what she did instead. She also shares how she made the most of her downtime during the pandemic by going through the Optimizer program to help in her transition to scripted.
In this student case study, not only will you learn about the steps you can take to help you make a career transition, you will also learn the important mindset and relevant skills you need that goes beyond the technical aspect of your resume. I highly recommend that you listen to this Optimizer student case study to give you a better understanding of what you need to do to make your own career shift.
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Here's What You'll Learn:Why Malinda turned down the offer to assist in her dream showThe reason why Malinda joined the Optimizer Coaching & Mentorship programHow Malinda made her first contact into scripted during the pandemicThe subject line she used to catch the attention of the editor she's reaching out toHow Malinda maximized her membership in the Optimizer community (she only did a few Hot Seats!)The exact exercise that Malinda did to identify her transferrable skills from different genresThe reason why people are pigeonholed and how to avoid itHow Malinda chose who to reach out toHow to have the courage to say 'no' to the wrong opportunitiesThe right way to ask for help from someoneHow Malinda convinced the gatekeepers to take a chance on her despite her lack of experience in scriptedContinue to Listen & LearnEp76: Transitioning to Scripted Television (Without Becoming an AE) | with Phil Habeger & Toni Ann Carabello
Ep232: How to Future-Proof Your Creative Career, Avoid Burnout, and Build a Life Bigger Than Your Résumé | with Christina Wallace
Ep204: [CASE STUDY] How to Make Your Dream Project a Reality | with Matt Allen and Matthew Gentile
Ep172: [CASE STUDY] Landing Your Dream Job Isn’t About “Luck,” It’s About Strategy | with Fabian Corrado & Nick Towle
Ep192: [CASE STUDY] How a Single Outreach Email Led to a Dream Job at Marvel | with Matthew Farrugia
Ep179: Navigating The ‘Messy Middle’ of Life & Career Transitions | with Melissa Costello
Ep145: [CASE STUDY] Navigating a Difficult Career Transition | with Sam Lavin
Ep62: [CASE STUDY] Transitioning to Scripted Television | with Len Ciccotello
Ep15: Transitioning From ‘Reality TV’ to Scripted Drama | with Monica Daniel
Ep160: Convincing People You Can Do The Job (When You Don’t Have the Credits) | with Chris Patterson
Ep159: Overcoming Limiting Beliefs (and Lack of Experience) to Break Into Scripted Television | with Marcella Garcia
Ep233: Redefining Your Career Path in a Post Generational Society | with Mauro Guillén
Guest Bio:Malinda Zehner Guerra
Malinda Zehner Guerra is a three-time Emmy nominated Film and TV editor. Her love for storytelling first brought her into the entertainment industry as a performer, but she soon found her true passion was in the edit bay helping to bring the story to life. Her body of work includes a wide variety of genres and formats in both the scripted and unscripted space. She earned Emmy nominations for her work on Naked & Afraid XL, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars and Born This Way. Her most recent work can be seen on Season 4 of the hit HBO Max show, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and the upcoming season of American Horror Stories.
Show Credits:This episode was edited by Chris Orsi, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).
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In this hot seat session, community member Debra Weinstein is looking for guidance on how to better define her unique value and stand out in her career search. While she’s been making progress with the Design Your Dream Career course, she's hit a roadblock in identifying what sets her apart—why people turn to her and what unique skills she offers. Listen in as I help Debra gain clarity on her strengths so she stands out to potential employers.
Want to provide your feedback on this new format? We'd love to hear from you!
→ Click here to let us know what you think of this format
Want to learn more about working with me and having your own Hot Seat session?
→ Click here to learn more about the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program
-
Want to continue learning from the world’s experts on time management, networking, career development, better sleep, overcoming burnout, and so much more?
→ Click here for your customized podcast playlist
Today's guest is Nick Milo, a long-time Optimizer OG who’s transitioned from the entertainment industry to the realm of Personal Knowledge Management (PKM). Nick worked as an assistant editor on popular shows like Better Call Saul, Coyote, and Blindspot. But he’s since left the industry to focus on helping others organize their ideas and knowledge more effectively.
Through his educational site and YouTube channel, Linking Your Thinking, Nick shares the strategies he once used to piece together complex narratives in television. Now, he’s teaching those same techniques to people from all walks of life, helping them boost their creativity and produce more meaningful work.
In our conversation, Nick and I discuss what PKM is and how it can transform the way you approach your work. We explore the challenges of information overload in today's generation and discuss practical ways to manage it. Nick also sheds light on how his approach to knowledge management stands apart from Tiago Forte’s concept of building a second brain.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information and ideas in your life, this episode is for you. Nick’s journey from Hollywood to helping others harness their creativity is also a testament to the power of diversification and the value of transferring skills across industries.
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Here's What You'll Learn:How Nick found Optimize Yourself and how he and Zack reconnected years afterWhy and how Nick transitioned from editing to becoming a personal knowledge management geekHow Nick bridged the gap between ‘this is interesting’ and getting paidKEY TAKEAWAY: People don’t pay for solutions, people pay for resultsHow Nick grew his email listWhat creativity is according to NickKEY TAKEAWAY: Organization leads to ideationBetter questions to ask if you have a collection of ideasHow to better manage your knowledge and ideasKEY TAKEAWAY: We don't need more new knowledge every second, instead we need to get better at developing the knowledge that we already have.How to avoid adding more information and becoming overwhelmedHow to overcome the limiting belief of ‘other people are already doing it’How to converge ideas to spark the ideation processThe difference between PKM and Tiago Forte’s second brainUseful Resources Mentioned:Linking Your Thinking
Obsidian App
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Guest Bio:Nick Milo
Nick Milo has spent the last 15 years using digital notes to create and grow a fitness boxing into an international company, produce two independent feature films, and become a TV and film editor. Most importantly, as he shares in his website, his use of digital notes helps him calm his thoughts and make better sense of the world.
He has tested and stretched the limits of linked notes in the real world from the fitness industry to the film industry, the football field to civil engineering,
strength training to the boxing ring, public speaking to content creation and learned that being effective at managing knowledge is a superpower—and linking your thinking supercharges it.
Today, he teaches through his educational site, Linking Your Thinking, the frameworks to unlock your ability to work with ideas in a way that is fast, flexible, and future-proof.
Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.
The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).
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We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping.
For the next five weeks, we are releasing our best conversations with experts on the topics of creativity, mindset, and career diversification. You will learn the laws of creativity, how to master change, how to design the life you want, avoid burnout, and how to manage the negative chatter in your mind that keeps you from thriving in your life and career. Stay tuned for this Top 5 Series called the Creative’s Guide to a Thriving Life & Career.
If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.
Without further adieu, here is the final part of this five-interview series with Ethan Kross. He’s the author of Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why it Matters and How to Harness It. This conversation is going to help you manage the negative voice inside that keeps you from doing your best creative work.
You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode161.
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We know that the life of a creative professional comes with passion and excitement and it also comes with challenges and uncertainties. When hard times hit, it’s important to have strategies, mindsets, and game plans in place to keep your creative juices flowing and your passion and excitement pumping.
For the next five weeks, we are releasing our best conversations with experts on the topics of creativity, mindset, and career diversification. You will learn the laws of creativity, how to master change, how to design the life you want, avoid burnout, and how to manage the negative chatter in your mind that keeps you from thriving in your life and career. Stay tuned for this Top 5 Series called the Creative’s Guide to a Thriving Life & Career.
If you haven’t already, make sure to visit optimizeyourself.me/podcast to download your very own customized podcast playlist based on your goals.
Without further adieu, here is the fourth part of this five-interview series with entrepreneur, author, and Senior Lecturer at Harvard Business School, Christina Wallace. Christina is the author of The Portfolio Life, which is an essential guide to finding the intersections in your life that will make you valuable in any industry you desire. This conversation will teach you how to become irreplaceable and highlight the next steps you need to take to keep up with an ever-changing world.
You can find the original show notes for this interview at optimizeyourself.me/episode232.
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