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When filmmaker Paul Del Vecchio reached out to me six months ago, he had a successful career as a high-end commercial editor, director of photography, and colorist. He had climbed to the top of the ladder in his corner of the world - the trouble was that he was at the top of the wrong ladder and didn’t want to be there anymore. How did he end up there like so many others do? Simple - Paul said yes to practically every opportunity that came his way his entire career, an answer driven largely out of fear. He found that every time he tried to pursue his true calling of writing and directing, he had nothing left to give his own projects because he gave all his mental, physical, and creative energy to other people’s projects. In fact, Paul struggled so much to get into the rhythm of writing again that he convinced himself he had run out of ideas. Here’s a Slack message that Paul sent me recently after working through his many fears and obstacles in my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program: Not bad for a guy who was burned out and “out of ideas.” So how did Paul become an absolute productivity ninja? We talk all about the strategies he implemented in todays episode including: Alleviating his financial fears of not being able to afford saying no to the wrong jobs (which was total BS he was making up in his head) Implementing a system of external accountability and financial management to have confidence he could turn down the wrong projects and focus on the right ones Building in new daily habits to help reignite his creativity that would inspire him to go back to writing again (a habit he had all but given up on). Paul’s ideas are now abundant and he's no longer "busy" doing everyone else's work, but rather he's productive and focused on his own work. Paul is here today to candidly and honestly share his story and tell you in his own words the steps he took to turn his career around and rediscover his own creative flow so if you’re stuck in a similar place you too can get back on track. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How Paul's obliger tendency led to him climbing to the top of the wrong ladder. The key mindsets Paul implemented to begin making changes in his life. The film contest that Paul won but didn't bring the opportunities he hoped for. How Paul began to create his own opportunities. Paul’s reaction to his own words played back to him about how stuck he was 6 months ago. Paul admits to skepticism in the beginning of the program but decided to trust the process and see what happens. KEY TAKEAWAY:  The smallest of steps lead to big changes. How Paul uses accountability to keep himself writing and working towards his goals. The finance system that allowed him to let go of his fear and feel confident about saying no to jobs he didn't want to do. KEY TAKEAWAY: Saying yes to something means saying no to many other things such as time, freedom and creativity. Paul was terrified of beginning the outreach process in the Advanced Networking program. Paul shares the secret to not feeling like you are bothering people when you reach out to them. Paul describes his experience of writing, sending, and getting a response to his first outreach email. KEY TAKEAWAY:  Make your outreach emails easy to respond to by asking if you can ask a question. What Paul learned from a connecting with a director via cold outreach. Why asking for advice is not the best way to get the most valuable information from people. Paul reflects on the changes and progress he's made over the last 6 months of being in the Optimizer community. Paul's advice for anyone wanting to make a change in their life. Useful Resources Mentioned: Myspace - Wikipedia Trello Ep75: The Four Tendencies' (aka 'The Matrix' For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin Continue to Listen & Learn Ep144: Redefining What It Means to Be “Productive” (and Aligning Your Values With Your Time) | with Tamara Torres Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’ Ep86: How to Become ‘Indistractable’ | with Nir Eyal [CASE STUDY] Why I Said No to a Job (A Great One)…During a Pandemic Ep119: [Case Study] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Better Managing Your Time, And Making the Most of This Pandemic | with Ariel Fujita, Kristi Shimek, and Maxton Waller Want a Response to Your Cold Emails? Then Every Message MUST Do These 5 Things (optimizeyourself.me) The 5 Most Common Mistakes You're Making With Your Cold Emails (and How to Fix Them) (optimizeyourself.me) How to Find the Right Type of Mentor For You (and When You Should Seek the Best) Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Paul Del Vecchio is a Promo & Commercial Editor, Colorist, and DP in NYC who has done work for companies like NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, USA Networks, TNT, Conde Nast, and Viacom on brands such as Furious 7, The Hunger Games, Mr. Robot, Crimson Peak, Hennessy, Michael Kors, Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, Bon Appetit, and more. As a Director, his film, "The Final Day," was hand picked by legendary filmmaker George Romero and The Weinstein Company as the Grand Prize Winner in the "Diary of the Dead" contest. The film is in the special features of the "Diary of the Dead" Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Release. 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).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Paul Del Vecchio is looking for help in preparing for a zoom meeting with a new connection he established through cold outreach. He wants to make sure he provides value to this person while also making it clear how this person can help him in his own journey. Listen in to hear the advice I give and how Paul can ensure this is a fruitful conversation for everyone involved that could potentially lead to longer term mentorship...and if he plays his card right, maybe even his dream job someday! 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

Last year 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. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode 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 & Learn I 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 Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. 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).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Sam Lavin faces the inevitable decision that is so common in the entertainment industry, especially for freelancers: which job do I say yes to, and which is a no? At some point, we all have to decide between multiple job offers. It’s easy to see this as an enviable problem, but nonetheless it’s a problem that should be handled with careful consideration. Sometimes advancing your career forwards requires the courage to say no to the obvious opportunity and yes to the better fit that might not be as easy to commit to in the short term. Listen in as Sam and I discuss the many factors that go into helping her debate between upcoming opportunities and where to place her focus and energy. 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

In my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program I teach my students that in order to enjoy their work (and not end up burning out) it’s imperative that they learn how to work smarter and not harder. Most people who teach “productivity” are simply sharing strategies that allow people to run on the hamster wheel faster and more efficiently. I prefer to teach people how to be more effective with their time and energy so what they have on their to-do list actually matters. Today's guest, Tamara Torres, is the founder of Optima Results Coaching (I swear the name similarity is all coincidence!) where she teaches practical solutions to improve habits, increase productivity, and create time and energy for what matters most. Her background in psychology, integrative medicine, and meditation give her a holistic approach to not only coaching clients to successful careers but teaching them to also build more fulfilling, well-balanced lives beyond their jobs. In our conversation Tamara shares her insights and strategies for aligning your values with your time and explains how they are ultimately much more connected to your productivity than your apps, to-do lists, or your calendar. As an added bonus you'll hear her turn the tables when she puts ME on the hot seat! I share how my habit of always searching for a better way has led to great success but also great detriment. She offers her analysis and some important questions for me to consider to more accurately align my (exceedingly high) expectations with reality. If you’re looking for a better way to manage your day, your energy, and your life to find a version of “productivity” that works for you, this is the place to begin. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How the death of Tamara's father led to her becoming a productivity coach. Why Tamara’s diverse background in health and her naturopath degree helped shape her coaching style. What Tamara means when she talks about Productivity with Heart. Why your values are connected to productivity. Using your calendar to check that your values are aligned with your time. Why scheduling intentional time with family is critical for building strong relationships. Defining the difference between quantity of time and quality of time. What a time audit is and why you should try it for two weeks. What is a season of sacrifice and how can you apply it to your life? How setting proper expectations can help alleviate stress in the family and at work. KEY TAKEAWAY: Create a ritual at the end of your workday to smooth the transition to family. Understanding your chrono type and how to make it work for you. How I learned to manage my energy and time to get my work done on Cobra Kai. KEY TAKEAWAY: Be willing to say no to things that aren't in alignment with your values. What is Parkinson’s law and how can you use it to your advantage? The power of the Pomodoro Method and time blocking your day. How I overcame perfectionism and reset my circadian rhythms I put myself on the hot seat and Tamara coaches me on my workaholic tendencies. KEY TAKEAWAY: Perfectionists should work on progress over perfection and practicing gratitude can help alleviate the perfectionist tendency. Useful Resources Mentioned: Happier in Hollywood - A podcast with Liz Craft and Sarah Fain • Happier in Hollywood Gretchen Rubin The Four Tendencies Quiz - The Four Tendencies Quiz Ep75: The Four Tendencies’ (aka ‘The Matrix’ For Understanding Yourself & Others) | with Gretchen Rubin What is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI)? Toggl Track: Time Tracking Software for Any Workflow Laura Vanderkam | Writer, Author & Speaker | Time Management The Pomodoro Technique Explained I Was Tired of Putting My Kids to Bed via FaceTime Every Night. Here’s What I Did About It. How to Conduct an Annual Review (2020 Edition!) 🗓 : The Art of Non-Conformity Continue to Listen & Learn Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep105: Ramit Sethi on Forging The Path Towards Your Own ‘Rich Life’ Ep84: How to Use 'Intuitive Eating' To Change Your Relationship With Food | with Melissa Costello How to Stay Productive (and Stop Procrastinating) During Your Next Hiatus | with Debby Germino Tired of Holding it Together All the Time? Here are Five Basic Needs to Get You Back On Track Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Tamara Torres founded Optima Results Coaching to help busy professionals take their lives to the next level without sacrificing balance. She draws on a background in psychology and integrative medicine, along with 10,000+ coaching interactions and 20 years of meditation practice. Tamara teaches practical solutions to improve habits, increase productivity, and create time and energy for what matters most. 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).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Matthew Farrugia finds himself struggling with anxiety about his career. He is constantly worrying he’s not doing enough to further himself and catastrophizing when he doesn’t get immediate responses from people he reaches out to. Whether you are at the start of your career or firmly established already, this is a topic we can all empathize with deeply. Listen in to hear how we help Matthew find some relief to this very relatable problem. 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

“Chess teaches you that losing is learning.” - Misha Tenenbaum To master anything, whether it's actually playing chess, training for (and becoming) an American Ninja Warrior, or climbing to the top of your chosen career, you have to know that failure is a HUGE part of the equation. And in fact failure should be embraced as part of the fun of achieving any difficult goal in life. Chess is not just a game, it’s also a mindset I believe you must adopt if you want to achieve anything difficult, because nothing worthwhile is easy. And doing hard things requires the right strategy (which is why one of the “Key Mindsets” I share with all the students in my coaching & mentorship program is to “Play Chess With Your Goals Instead of Checkers.”) Today I’m sharing with you a very fun, in-depth, and candid conversation with my friend and fellow entrepreneur Misha Tenenbaum. Before founding EditStock and EditMentor, Misha was a film and television editor and AE who edited shows for the Speed Channel, Food Network, as well as indie films. He also worked as an assistant editor on shows like American Horror Story, JOBS (the biopic about Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher), the Fox show Wayward Pines, and Quarry for Cinemax. But instead of talking about Hollywood in this conversation, instead Misha and I dive deep into the meta skills necessary to achieve near-impossible (read: Ridiculous) goals. Misha grew up learning chess and spent several years in early adulthood climbing the ranks in the chess world. We discuss how the skills he's learned from spending years earning an 1800+ “Class A” ranking have transferred into many other aspects of his life. We also discuss the strange transformation that takes place along the path towards any goal where achieving that goal becomes irrelevant when you realize the journey is so much more valuable and rewarding. Whether or not you have any interest in the game of chess whatsoever (Spoiler alert: I myself barely know how to play), there is a wealth of valuable information in this conversation that can help you apply a smarter strategy to achieving your own goals and mastering the art of failure along the way. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: The story of how Misha learned chess and his obsession with the game grew. Not only is chess a game of strategy it is also a game of recognizing patterns. If you don't understand the strategy or tactics you won't know how to play the game. The differences between someone who memorized the patterns and someone who learns the strategies. The rankings of chess players explained. How to relate the levels of chess to editing or any other skill you want to master. Becoming the best takes strategy and mindset shifts as well as dedicating your time and attention to that skill. The story of Bobby Fischer and how the trends of chess change and recycle. To break through a new level of your skill or craft, you have to innovate. My story of deciding to train for American Ninja Warrior and the probability of it actually happening. The side effects (read: benefits) of me FAILING at my goal to get on American Ninja Warrior. The perseverance and dedication it takes to incrementally improve at any craft or skill you desire. Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep141: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Career (Instead of Checkers) - pt1 Ep142: Michelle Tesoro (ACE) On Playing Chess With Your Health & Well-Being (Pt2) The Queen's Gambit (TV Mini-Series 2020) - IMDb EditStock | Practice Editing and Build A Demo Reel The United States Chess Federation - Players & Ratings Chess rating system - Wikipedia Bobby Fischer - Chess, IQ & Death - Biography American Ninja Warrior - NBC.com Josh Waitzkin -- The Official Site of Josh Waitzkin & The Art of Learning The Karate Kid (1984) - IMDb Continue to Listen & Learn Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Ep06: Defining Your Purpose and Living Large | with Tony Horton Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker Ep68: How to Go From Couch to the (Spartan) Course | with Rose Wetzel, ANW Ep60: Getting 1% Better Every Single Day | with Westley Silvestri, ANW Ep49: Mastering The Mental Game of Focus | with Kevin Bull, ANW Ep67: How to Be 'Better Than Yesterday' | With Jimmy Choi, ANW Ep33: Winning at The Ultimate Game of Life | with Jim Bunch Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Before founding EditStock and EditMentor, Misha Tenenbaum was a film and television editor. He edited shows for the Speed Channel, Food Network, and indie films. He joined the Editor's Guild in 2011 and worked as an Assistant Editor on shows like American Horror Story, JOBS, the biopic about Steve Jobs starring Ashton Kutcher, the Fox show Wayward Pines, and Quarry for Cinemax. 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).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Melanie Annan wants to market herself so that she attracts the types of directors and projects she’s most interested in working on, specifically editing dramatic independent films. She has a very clear idea of how she likes to work and what genres she’s passionate about, but her About page on her portfolio website is telling a very different story than what it needs to. Listen in on how we reword her story so she will win over the people she most wants to work with next. 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

How many times have you finished a job and felt like you had nothing left in the tank? You gave it everything you had 24/7 thinking to yourself, “I’ll start taking care of myself when the next hiatus comes” only to be cursed by the fact that you’re good at what you do...and that hiatus never appears. You repeat the cycle for months, years, or even decades wondering where all the time went. When you imagine a high-profile award-winning editor like Michelle Tesoro you imagine burnout wouldn't be a problem - that’s just for people struggling to “make it,” right? Given her track record having worked on shows such as House of Cards, Godless, On the Basis of Sex, When They See Us, and most recently The Queen's Gambit, Michelle must have it all figured out. Right??? As you'll hear in part two of my conversation with Michelle, just like us she too often finds her tank completely empty at the end of a project. In part 2 of our conversation (here’s part 1 if you missed it), we specifically examine the question of what is leaving her so drained. Michelle is incredibly open, honest, and brave to share her challenges maintaining such a demanding career while balancing it with friends and family, and she even allows me to put her on the ‘Hot Seat’ to really dig into what is driving her to still work so hard at this level of her career (Spoiler Alert: Even she fears missing out on the next gig). One key takeaway from this interview that I hope everyone understands is that greater success does not make career and lifestyle decisions any easier. In fact, if anything, it's the opposite. It becomes harder to say no and the fear of missing out never goes away. P.S. If you missed part 1, you don't need to listen to it first to understand this conversation. But I do recommend you listen to part one if you’d like to hear Michelle talk about her career path and what has driven her success. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Michelle has come to realize that there is a balance between high profile projects and having a happy home life. Three important priorities Michelle tries to balance. The defining moment that gave Michelle a reality check about her priorities and where she spends her time. How Michelle came to be on my email list and what attracted her to my work. The piece of software that changed the way Michelle worked and gave her more balance in her life. I put Michelle on the hot seat to uncover what is the source of her draining her tank on every project she takes KEY TAKEAWAY: The fear of missing out is high even for someone like Michelle. The process of restoring herself is always something that she struggles with. KEY TAKEAWAY: Compressing creative time allows for better pacing of energy levels to work smarter not harder. Michelle's process of working through a day of dailies. The realization Michelle came to about her next gig. Michelle's wish list of how she would love to spend her time. Why she hasn't been able to commit to a long-term gig since the Queen's Gambit. Michelle tries to answer which fear is greater: experiencing burnout from filling the gap or taking a break. Useful Resources Mentioned: Twitter: @mtesorito Instagram: @michtesoro Michelle Tesoro's Website Continue to Listen & Learn Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep64: [CASE STUDY] Overcoming Burnout and Imposter Syndrome | with Chryss Terry Ep47: The Ugly Side of Depression, Burnout, and Imposter Syndrome | with Gen Malone How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life How to Overcome Post-Production Burnout Struggling to “Do” It All? Try “Being” First. (Three Strategies to Reclaim Your Time and Sanity When Working From Home) Ep136: Promoting Mindfulness, Well-Being, and Sanity In the Edit Bay | with Kevin Tent, ACE Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Cutting-edge film and television picture editor Michelle Tesoro is an industry rising star, known for seamlessly weaving narrative through the artful and elegant editing of a visual story. Her most recent works include Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “When They See Us” directed and produced by Ava Duvernay, and Netflix’s hit limited series “The Queen’s Gambit” directed by Oscar-nominated Scott Frank. Tesoro’s versatile slate also includes Focus Features’ biography of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “On the Basis of Sex” starring Felicity Jones, Bold Films and Participant Media’s “Shot Caller” starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “Godless,” directed by Scott Frank, and starring Emmy-winner Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, and Merritt Weaver, Golden Globe-nominated show “House of Cards,” and the HBO’s series “The Newsroom”. The Cinema Guild’s SXSW Grand Jury Prize-winning feature film “Natural Selection,” earned Tesoro the 2011 SXSW Award for Best Editing. Tesoro’s unique perspective and refined expertise in composing striking narratives began early, growing up in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Whitney M. Young High School, studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Tesoro currently resides in Los Angeles, California. 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).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Lando Cortes wants to know how to overcome feeling so crappy from being sedentary all day long. He is juggling three part time jobs that leave him chained to his computer for long hours, and it is taking a toll on his body. He consistently experiences neck and back pain and he wants to improve his energy levels while reducing the stress on his body. Listen in as I walk him through some simple steps he can take to build the habit of more consistent movement while living behind his computer that you too can incorporate into your busy and sedentary workday. 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

I’ve spent my entire career wondering what the difference is between those who simply string along one job after another to pay the bills and those who have extraordinary resumes, amazing credits, and award-winning careers. You might assume it's some combination of God-given talent, luck and hard work. If you've listened to me for any amount of time, you know I consider "luck" to be a four letter word (so that’s out), but I do believe talent and hard work absolutely play a role when it comes to success. However, I think the difference for those who reach the highest levels is that they are simply playing a totally different game than everyone else. Most people are playing a game of checkers...the best of the best are playing chess. Today's guest, ACE editor, Michelle Tesoro has worked on critically acclaimed shows such as House of Cards, Godless, On the Basis of Sex, When They See Us, and most recently The Queen's Gambit. Rather than talk about her creative process editing The Queen's Gambit, Michelle and I take a different approach in this conversation and discuss the metaphor of chess as life and how you can apply a long-term, more strategic chess-like approach to your career. Michelle and I had such an in-depth conversation that I've made it a two-part series. In this first part we discuss how Michelle chooses the projects & people she works with, and we discover how there is a common theme running through much of her work that keeps her engaged and passionate (despite the arduous nature of the projects she takes on). Michelle also shares what she believes to be her greatest assets and soft skills (outside the editing timeline) that have led to her tremendous success in Hollywood. Finally, I am keenly aware that Michelle has been making the rounds on the podcast circuit, but rest assured no matter what you’ve listened to already this very candid conversation covers fresh ground with stories you definitely haven’t heard on other shows. And you don't want to miss part 2 next week where I put Michelle on the hot seat to discuss the challenge of balancing her career with the rest of her life. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: The first small moments Michelle realized that editing was for her. How a street artist in New York helped her understand the power of editing and storytelling. The similarities between Michelle and the lead character, Beth in The Queen's Gambit. How Michelle has become comfortable being the only woman in the room. The parallels Michelle can draw from the themes of On the Basis of Sex and her own mom and childhood. Michelle shares one of the most valuable soft skills she possesses that helps her gain the trust of her collaborators. How being clear about her goals early on in her career helped guide the decisions she made. The word that Michelle has been practicing to use more often in her career.  HINT: it’s not “Yes!” KEY TAKEAWAY: The only way to confidently say no is if you know what the end goal is. What Michelle learned from NOT getting the ACE Internship when she applied for it at the start of her career. Useful Resources Mentioned: Art Of The Cut Podcast Eps. 87 (“The Queens Gambit” Editor Michelle Tesoro, ACE) by Filmtools - ProVideo Coalition Ep. 15 – Defining Goals, Working With Good People, and Editing “The Queen’s Gambit” with editor Michelle Tesoro, ACE | Film & TV Editing Mentorship Program Ep118: Legendary Editor Walter Murch On Optimizing Creativity, Productivity, and Well-Being In Hollywood For 50+ Years Twitter: @mtesorito Instagram: @michtesoro MICHELLE TESORO Continue to Listen & Learn Ep115: How to Be So Thorough You Can’t Be Denied | with James Wilcox, ACE Ep127: Chasing After the Next Gig vs. Building Your Career | with Kabir Ahktar, ACE Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep126: On the Importance of Building Relationships, Asking Questions, and Never Giving Up | with Andi Armaganian Ep131: How Having a ‘Side Hustle’ Buys You the Freedom to Say ‘No’ | with Alex Ferrari Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Ep117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. Guest Bio: Cutting-edge film and television picture editor Michelle Tesoro is an industry rising star, known for seamlessly weaving narrative through the artful and elegant editing of a visual story. Her most recent works include Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “When They See Us” directed and produced by Ava Duvernay, and Netflix’s hit limited series “The Queen’s Gambit” directed by Oscar-nominated Scott Frank. Tesoro’s versatile slate also includes Focus Features’ biography of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg “On the Basis of Sex” starring Felicity Jones, Bold Films and Participant Media’s “Shot Caller” starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Netflix’s Emmy-nominated series “Godless,” directed by Scott Frank, and starring Emmy-winner Jeff Daniels, Michelle Dockery, and Merritt Weaver, Golden Globe-nominated show “House of Cards,” and the HBO’s series “The Newsroom”. The Cinema Guild’s SXSW Grand Jury Prize-winning feature film “Natural Selection,” earned Tesoro the 2011 SXSW Award for Best Editing. Tesoro’s unique perspective and refined expertise in composing striking narratives began early, growing up in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Whitney M. Young High School, studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Tesoro currently resides in Los Angeles, California. 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).

In this episode, I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Sara Shaw is struggling with getting writing notes done for a looming deadline. This brief discussion is loaded with actionable tips to build better habits specifically related to your creativity and the process of deep work that will help you manage your time more effectively so you can work efficiently while still balancing the rest of your life. We also tackle the often overlooked psychological barriers that cause her to procrastinate and feel insecure about her creative work. If you’ve ever struggled to get important creative work done, then you will find this an eye-opening conversation. 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

Many people assume that career goals and health goals have to be mutually exclusive (waiting for the next hiatus to start a diet or exercise program? That’s what I thought). What I have found through years of coaching students in the Optimizer coaching & mentorship program is that once a general baseline of health and good habits are set, lifestyle and career goals can absolutely work hand in hand. Today's guest, editor Vashi Nedomansky, ACE lends a unique perspective on this topic. Before he was editing and consulting on projects such as Sharknado 2, Deadpool, House of Cards, and Gone Girl, he was playing professional hockey in the NHL for the New York Islanders and the Los Angeles Kings. This unusual career path has taught him the skills and mindsets to keep his body and mind in top condition while also honing his creative and mental faculties to meet the demands of working in Hollywood editing bays. This conversation reveals the similarities in maintaining a balanced life in two seemingly disparate professional careers while highlighting the common habits and routines necessary for that balance. If you are tired of sacrificing your health every time you are on a job, this episode is going to give you some easy tools and tips for building fitness into your workday. And if you are hoping to increase your value as an editor, gain speed to get the job done faster, and improve your mental energy so you have more time outside of work, Vashi is a wealth of information. That’s why despite this being an older interview pulled from the Fitness In Post archives I chose to share it with you because it provides just as much (if not even more) value today. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Why he likes editing all different types of projects, formats, and genres. Vashi's background of how he defected from Czech Republic with his parents as a kid and grew up watching movies with his mom. How he simultaneously played hockey in high school and college while making short films with a VHS camera that weighed 40 pounds. The uncanny similarities in Vashi's introduction to editing to my own personal story. He always had the mindset that he had to train physically and mentally to expand his horizons and give himself options. Vashi's process of consciously living with his footage before he even starts editing. How the demands of professional hockey compare to film editing. The one word that makes the difference in being successful in your career (HINT: it's not talent). Ways to systematize your editing workflow to gain efficiency and speed. Exercise is a way of life for Vashi and he prioritizes it every day. The different ways he exercises his brain and keeps his mental skills up to task. His role on Deadpool and Gone Girl helping to set up the Adobe Premiere Pro work flow. He values sharing and showing things with no agenda. KEY TAKEAWAY: You only need to focus on the NEXT most important thing to do. How inner confidence plays a role in your career and your well being. Fitness tools he keeps in his office to keep in shape during the day. PRO TIP: 'Greasing the groove' by doing small bouts of exercise during the day will eliminate the guilt of not having time to do a "workout" after a long day of editing. Useful Resources Mentioned: Vashivisuals.com VHS player FiP Podcast Ep60: Legendary Film Editor Walter Murch on Surviving 50+ Years In Post How to Establish a Morning Routine TED Talk: Amy Cuddy – Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are ‘Captain of Crush’ grip strengthener set IRON GYM Healthy You® Spiky Massage Ball 3.15" / 8cm - Orange Ep123: The Solution to Your Sedentary Lifestyle | with Ben Greenfield Pavel Tsatsouline - Wikipedia TopoMat The Naked Warrior Amazon.com : power tower pull up bar What Happened When I Replaced Coffee With 30 Seconds of Exercise Continue to Listen & Learn Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep98: P90X Creator Tony Horton on Covid-19, Staying Healthy During Quarantine, Boosting Immunity, & More Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker Ep117: Carol Littleton, ACE on The Secret to Surviving 40+ Years Working In Hollywood Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW Ep121: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 2 | with Jessie Graff, ANW Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. [optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"] Guest Bio: Vashi Nedomansky is the first professional hockey player to become a Hollywood film editor with 9 feature films to date. Owner of VashiVisuals.com he shares his filmmaking experiences from the trenches and his love of cinema. Editor of Sharknado 2 and worked on Gone Girl, Deadpool and lover of exercise and potato vodka. 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).

I was an early adopter using Evercast to collaborate remotely as early as September 2019 while cutting Cobra Kai season 3, well before any of us could have predicted the impending doom of the pandemic and the demise of in-person collaboration. At the time Evercast was in its infancy (an early build of version 2). The idea was there, and it was more than usable as a streaming collaboration platform in a pinch while I worked remotely with producers & directors on set in Atlanta. But admittedly there were latency issues, lagging, and the interface was a struggle for non-tech savvy producers to adopt pre-pandemic before we were all used to living on video chats all day long. To be perfectly honest it had tremendous promise, but it wasn’t quite ready for primetime. This extensive Evercast review is frankly a long-time coming for that specific reason - I wanted to wait until Evercast had not only been through the ringer and was ready for game time but also had addressed many of the issues it experienced as an early startup. Let’s just say my hesitations experienced with the version 2 build have been addressed (and then some). Since the pandemic Evercast has experienced over 1400% growth, and that growth is not just evident on their balance sheets - it’s clear they’ve invested a tremendous amount of time, energy, and attention to their product with their focus not only on the present of remote collaboration but more importantly on the future. » Continue Reading & Listening

Where I give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Jesus Silva and I discuss different strategies for communicating with his director while working from home. Jesus has found that he’s feeling burned out after a long day of editing and feeling obligated to write a lengthy email to his director relaying the work he did for the day. We discuss setting expectations and finding out what the director really wants rather than working off assumptions. For anyone who is dealing with work from home communication issues, this conversation will shed new light on how to handle it effectively. One quick caveat: The sound quality for this session is less than optimal because of a microphone malfunction on my end. My apologies for that, but I thought this session was so good and could be helpful to you that I decided to listen to the same advice I often give to my students: Don’t pursue perfect at the expense of good enough. 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

The quality of your life often comes down to the quality of your relationships. Whether it's at work or at home, how you interact with those around you plays a huge role in how you rate your well being. Are you running around putting out fires, reacting to whatever pops up in the moment, while never finding time for the important things? Or are you calmly observing the situation and circumstances around you and responding in a thoughtful, constructive way and prioritizing your top values? If you find yourself in the former camp - reacting rather than responding - then today's guest is going to help you flip that script and improve the way you work and live. Jason Barger is a globally celebrated Author/Speaker/Consultant and thought leader. He was a tremendous asset to me while I was directing and producing my documentary GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story, and he is committed to strengthening leadership, culture, vision, and values using his 6 step framework he calls “The 6 A's.” In our conversation we talk all about how to develop collaborative teams and positive work cultures, as well as fostering deeper professional and personal relationships using his “Thermostat Culture” approach. If you’re tired of working for a company or a team that values “busy work” above being productive and actually getting things done, this episode is a must-listen. If you’re exhausted by constant disagreements either with your co-workers (or your spouse or partner) and you want a simple framework to find common ground and move forwards with purpose, this episode is a must-listen. Though this conversation is taken from the Fitness in Post archives, the information is still valuable and relevant to the challenges we face today in our post-pandemic working reality. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How airports are a metaphor for how we move in the world and respond to adversity. The difference between thermometers and thermostats and how it applies to our lives. Whether we react or respond often has to do with the clarity (or lack of) around what we are trying to achieve. KEY TAKEAWAY: "Busy-ness" does not equal effectiveness. BETTER QUESTION TO ASK YOURSELF: Am I doing the right things? (instead of: Am I doing enough?) Teams that take the time to clarify and align their goals are more effective at accomplishing their highest priorities. COMMON MISTAKE: Not getting a baseline assessment of where you or your team is starting from. How to set expectations by debriefing the schedule at the start of projects. KEY TAKEAWAY: Knowing the mission and understanding the deeper whys are the most important questions to answer. This applies to work and life. My personal story of how my family had to create our deeper whys. How the word attention can change the quality of your work, your relationships and your life. The difference between rules and standards and why standards are more important. The importance of finding language around your aspirations. What the checklist manifesto is and how it can automate your to do list to free up your mind for creative thinking. Useful Resources Mentioned: Motivational Keynote Speaker: Jason Barger Jason Barger (@JasonvBarger) / Twitter Jason Barger (@jasonvbarger) • Instagram photos and videos Jason Barger | Facebook Jason Barger | LinkedIn Continue to Listen & Learn Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy Ep55: How Tiny Changes Can Create Remarkable Results | with James Clear Ep03: The Science Behind Success and Creative Burnout (And Why You’re Approaching Both Mostly Wrong) | with Eric Barker How Total Burnout Led to the Most Productive Year of My Life How to Overcome Post-Production Burnout A Classic Case of Post-Production Burnout Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. → Click here to see a free demo of Evercast in action! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. [optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"] Guest Bio: Jason Barger is committed to engaging the minds and hearts of people in order to strengthen leadership, culture, and clarity of mission, vision and values. He is a globally celebrated Author/Speaker/Consultant and creator of the “Step Back from the Baggage Claim” Movement – featured in the New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Kiplinger, Book TV, and many other spots worldwide. His most recent books “Remember” and “Thermostat Cultures” have been widely-celebrated around the globe and he’s the host of “The Thermostat” podcast. Prior to sleeping in airports and observing human behavior, Barger led over 1700 people to construct 125 houses internationally for families living in poverty as well as implemented the Streets Mission Project to serve the homeless on the streets of Columbus, Ohio. As the former Director of First Community Church’s Camp Akita, he designed programming focused on living with joy, love, compassion, faith, and service for over 1900 campers a summer. Jason is a graduate of Denison University, where he served as Captain of the men’s basketball team, and also received certification from Georgetown University in Nonprofit Executive Management. In 2004, he was one of five people in Columbus, Ohio to receive a Jefferson Award, a national award given to “Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things”. In 2014, he was selected as a 40 Under 40 award winner by Business First. Jason is a sought-after Keynote Speaker, visionary, and consultant. As founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting LLC, he works with organizations that are passionate about Culture Change, Leadership Development, Innovation, Service, and bringing their Mission to life everyday. Jason is passionate about his family and travels from Columbus, Ohio all around the world to engage the minds and hearts of people. Follow on social media @JasonVBarger and dive into his podcast “The Thermostat” where podcasts are found. 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).

I've often said that being a Post Producer is one of the most thankless jobs in Hollywood. They are tasked with pleasing seemingly opposing forces, i.e. studios, networks, and show runners, while also managing a team of editors and assistants and making sure the show gets finished on budget (and on time). Having a good post producer that not only knows how to keep the trains running on time but also foster a creative, collaborative environment where everyone performs their best and enjoys life outside of work is a winning combination that is far too rare. Today's guest, Paul Leonard is one of those rare species of producers that has both editors and show runners alike wanting to work with him again and again. Paul has worked in television post production for 23 years and is best known for Co-producing Battlestar Galactica which earned 15 Emmy nominations (with three collective wins). He recently wrapped up a job at Marvel where he was one of the vice presidents of TV Post Production before deciding to go back to freelance producing. Paul is a fountain of knowledge and wisdom with countless ideas about how to lead successful post teams. He also has a wealth of war stories about managing demanding executive producers. In today’s conversation Paul candidly shares his thoughts on what gets editors and AE’s hired, and what qualities he likes his editors to possess in the bay. He combines a winning charm with a no BS approach that has earned him the well-deserved reputation for making great shows while also keeping his team happy and sane (it is possible!!!! But it takes effort). This is a rare “Insider Baseball” conversation that will be valuable to anyone wanting to get the unique perspective of a post producer who is both in charge of hiring, delivering a high quality creative product, and also getting maximum creativity out of his team while promoting a well balanced, collaborative team environment. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: Paul's early years starting out as an editor and getting into producing after earning his MFA at USC. Lessons Paul learned in wrangling difficult Executive Producers to try to keep his department from burning out and keep the show on schedule. How Paul became known as the 'Hour Long VFX SyFy Guy' and found himself pigeon holed. The surprising place Paul learned to become a great team manager and keep people happy, united, and doing great work. What made Paul gravitate towards producing rather than directing. How Paul learned to bring out the best in his editing teams and facilitated new creative ideas that he would bring to the Executive Producers on his shows. The fascinating story of how he and his post team saved the studio a million dollars while earning the show 3 Emmy nominations. What it was like working for Marvel Studios and how it affected his career. Why Paul got the moniker 'Mother Hen' from an Executive Producer he worked with. The questions he learned to ask to ensure that the show runs smoothly and his team is taken care of BEFORE starting the job. Paul's thoughts on what it takes to lead a creative team in a collaborative environment and why it's so difficult to cultivate that in Hollywood. How Paul learned to set boundaries with executive producers and earned respect of demanding, bully EPs. What Paul looks for when hiring editors. The sign that he wanted to hold up to editors in interviews to keep them from ruining their chances of getting hired. Advice for editors when interviewing and soft skills that they should possess once they are hired. KEY TAKE AWAY: Address 'the note behind the note' when making creative changes. Paul's advice for getting on the 'inside' at places like Marvel. The important quality that editors should always possess when trying to have a fulfilling career. (HINT: it has nothing to do with talent) Useful Resources Mentioned: Paul’s LinkedIn Profile Paul’s Email Address (Please go through the Insider’s Guide to Writing Cold Outreach first.) Continue to Listen & Learn Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy 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 Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. » Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. [optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"] Guest Bio: Paul M. Leonard has worked in television post-production for 23 years. He is best known for Co-Producing "Battlestar Galactica", a show TV Guide and Time Magazine called "the best show on television." "Battlestar" earned 15 Emmy nominations in the following categories Leonard supervised: editing, sound editing, visual effects, sound mixing with three collective wins. Paul won a Streamy Award as Producer for "Battlestar Galactica: The Face of the Enemy" in 2009 for Best Dramatic Web Series. In 2012 Paul produced "Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome," a two hour pilot shot entirely on green screen that featured over 1800 visual fx shots, which received three Emmy nominations for best visual fx, sound editing and sound mixing. In an entirely different arena, Paul developed a script and set up the feature film "Assassination Games," which was released on DVD in 2010 starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Paul also taught a class in editing and post-production for the University of Texas' LA satellite program for ten years. Paul earned his MFA from USC's Peter Stark Producer Program. He wrapped up a VP - TV Post-Production at Marvel job earlier this year. 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).

Today, what I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Karen Goffred comes to me wanting to workshop her resume. But before we can assess her resume and dive into the details (which is where essentially everyone thinks they should focus first), we instead first have to determine her career goals and who her audience is that she is speaking to. These questions are crucial first steps that anyone must take first before truly being able to workshop a resume so that it is targeted and aimed for the jobs that will move her career in the direction she wants to go. 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

As a longtime listener you already know how much I love doing in-depth interviews on a variety of topics, whether that’s allowing everyday people to share their personal and inspirational journeys, or industry experts and world-renowned authors who share their expertise to help you optimize a specific area of your life. But today...what I’d love to do is give you an insider’s glimpse into the world of my Optimizer coaching & mentorship program and what we call the ‘Hot Seat.’ What you’ll hear today is a recording of an actual live session with an Optimizer student where on the Hot Seat we tackle various questions about career transitions, productivity, workflows, networking, burnout, habit formation, resumes and websites, and any number of other work or life challenges that students bring to the table as they navigate their own path towards success. In the following hot seat session, community member Paul Del Vecchio and I discuss the new world of negotiating working from home, whether with existing or potentially new clients. Paul is a freelance promo editor and colorist making the transition to writer/director/producer and is trying to maximize his down time when waiting on clients while giving them the confidence that they are still a top priority. The conversation is centered around the new standard we are trying to set for the 21st century which is that we do not get paid for the hours we work, we get paid for the value we bring to the project. One quick caveat: The sound quality for this session is less than optimal because of a microphone malfunction on my end. My apologies for that, but I thought this session was so good and could be helpful to you that I decided to listen to the same advice I often give to my students: Don’t pursue perfect at the expense of good enough. 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

"You can't just stand up for yourself. We have to stand up together." Scott Jacobs When it comes to working the brutal hours that have become the norm in entertainment, negotiating for better pay, and fighting to make changes in industry standards, most of us feel helpless (and hopeless) about where to even begin. When I wrote Dear Hollywood: It’s Time For An Intervention About The Hours We Work this past summer, I was surprised to learn the majority of people in Hollywood have no interest in losing their golden time and overtime hours in exchange for shorter, more manageable workdays. While I have no interest in taking money out of anyone’s pocket, I do believe there has to be a better way than working 60+ hours a week and burning ourselves out just to make ends meet. Here’s a crazy thought: What if we were paid for the value we bring to a project rather than the number of hours we clock in each day? Today's guest Scott Jacobs, a longtime editor, AE, and MPEG board member, tackles this question with me. Scott has worked as an editor and assistant editor in both television and feature films on studio features such as The Bourne Legacy, Despicable Me 3, and Men in Black: International, and his TV credits include CBS' Person of Interest, NBC's Parks and Recreation, Fox’s The Orville, and he's currently working on Marvel's WandaVision for Disney+. As a father of two, Scott has had to wrestle with difficult choices between the faster track of being a television editor and the higher negotiating power of feature film assistant editing. His role as a Board Member of the Motion Picture Editor's Guild has made him very aware of the salary discrepancies between features and television along with the major challenge of work-life balance. He feels strongly about advocating for better wages and more sane working hours while also giving people the tools to advocate for themselves. If you’re interested in having a little bit more ammunition to advocate for a job that is more focused on value than hours, and most importantly working smarter (and not harder), my conversation with Scott is a must-listen. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode Here's What You'll Learn: How Scott went from video game junkie to finding a passion for film editing. Why he wanted to get a Masters from AFI and why he insisted on starting at the bottom of the career ladder when he graduated. His surprising strategy for networking and making connections right out of school in 2006. How he got his first job as a Post Production Assistant four months out of college. What connections and skills enabled Scott to jump back and forth between television and film. Why assistant editors in television are paid unfairly and should be paid commensurate with experience. KEY TAKEAWAY: Assistants in features have negotiating power (those in TV do not). Scott's candid thoughts on why the union can't negotiate making shorter working hours part of the contract. His plea for greater member involvement in order to negotiate change in the union. The many factors that led to Scott’s decision to go back to assisting in features rather than look for his second editing job in television. KEY TAKEAWAY: Learning the difference between external success and fulfillment is the key to good decision making. Why going after happiness before success is the better route. What Scott loves about the Peloton and how it's improved his life. Scott's Advice for making it in Hollywood...(I did not pay him to say this!) Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep132: How to Pursue Fulfilling Work and Find Your ‘Calling’ | with Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar Peloton bikes Editors Guild - IATSE Local 700 > Local 700 - Home Page Continue to Listen & Learn Ep112: On Signing COVID Waivers, Kit Rental Fees, and Working Humane Hours | with Cathy Repola, MPEG National Executive Director Ep113: The Importance of Setting Boundaries, Advocating For Yourself, and Asking For Help | with Janace Tashjian Ep128: How to Have a Successful Career Without Sacrificing Family | with Farrel Levy 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 (optimizeyourself.me) Ep129: How to Cultivate a “Service-Centric” Mindset (and Why It Will Make You More Successful) | with Agustin Rexach Dear Hollywood: It’s Time For An Intervention About The Hours We Work Dear Hollywood: We Don’t Want to “Go Back to Normal.” Normal Wasn’t Working. Dear Hollywood…We Create Entertainment For a Living. We’re Not Curing Cancer. Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME. » Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us! This episode was brought to you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat (my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at their workstation) and now their latest product. New Standard Whole Protein is a blend of both whey and collagen, sourced from the highest quality ingredients without any of the unnecessary filler or garbage. Not only will you get more energy and focus from this protein powder, you will notice improvements in your skin, hair, nails, joints and muscles. And because they don’t spend a lot on excessive marketing and advertising expenses, the savings gets passed on to you. [optin-monster slug="u1u6n4yv97rxxz4icynf"] Guest Bio: Originally from the North suburbs of Chicago, Scott Jacobs attended Western Michigan University where he was studying theater and vocal performance. While he was losing the love for performing, he wasn’t losing the love of wanting to be in the entertainment industry. Upon taking an introductory film course, Scott watched Baz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge!. What captivated him the most were the visual effects and the editing. After reading more about film editing and discovering that the job combined his love of technology and theater, he knew that editing is what he wanted to do with his life. After his discovery, he taught himself iMovie, then Final Cut Pro, and finally Avid. This eventually led to Scott attending the AFI Masters in Film Editing program from 2005-2007. Since graduating, he has been fortunate enough to work on studio features such as The Bourne Legacy, Despicable Me 3, and Men in Black: International. Some of his TV credits include CBS' Person of Interest, NBC's Parks and Recreation, and Fox’s The Orville. Currently, Scott is thrilled to be working on Marvel's WandaVision coming to Disney+ in January 2021. Scott has also been serving on the Motion Picture Editors Guild's Board of Directors since 2017. He hopes to one day sit alongside the great film editors that have come before him and inspire others as they have inspired him. 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).