If you want to know how to build a sustainable and successful career, then look no further because this episode of Camera Ready & Abel delivers a masterclass from 2 titans of the unscripted television world, Roni Selig and Marcie Mulé. Roni is a multi-Emmy-winning producer whose credits span from GMA to CNN most recently launched a new digital platform for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and executive produced The Call to Unite, a 24-hour global livestream event, hosted by Tim Shriver in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.   Marcie is a two-time Emmy-winning prod ..read more

This is one of my favorite evergreen episodes. Chris Witherspoon is an entertainment journalist, producer, entrepreneur and CEO of PopViewers who taught me how his career soared to the next level when he unlearned the importance of seeking approval. Instead of looking outward he focused inward on his approval matrix: Feeling happy, great in his own skin, confident and loving his work. As a recovering people pleaser I know firsthand how much time and energy is wasted seeking approval. Chris has overcome enormous challenges to create his life and career. Therapy, digging dip and doing the hard w ..read more

My guest for this episode, Shannon O'Dowd, has one of the most unique perspectives of the camera-ready universe of anyone I've ever interviewed because her experience covers every aspect of the industry both in-front of and behind the camera. Shannon is an on-camera host, commercial spokesperson, actor, media trainer, certified life coach, author, CEO of Shannon O'Dowd Presents and agent with Taylor Talent Services. When Shannon says determination is essential for success, she knows what she's talking about. She also revealed: Being a performing and earning a living at it is one of the most c ..read more

To make something one's own is to take something and adapt it to oneself and is absolutely essential in the camera ready universe. Whether you are auditioning for a project and reading the same script as everyone else or interviewing for a job and meeting all of the same qualifications as every other applicant, how you make it your own determines if you make it to the next round and ultimately get hired. Here to discuss is my dear friend, casting director, coach, actor, documentary filmmaker, and four-peat champion on Camera Ready & Abel, Sean De Simone, who has strong opinions on the subj ..read more

In my years as a casting director and talent development executive, I've observed that many of the most successful hosts and performers understand how television production works and how their part of the show (or segment) fits into something larger than themselves. I saw this first hand when I booked my guest for this episode, Brian Balthazar, on Page Six TV back in the day, and he was always so great because he knew how to make good TV.  It's a treat to have him discuss and share actionable insights on how to think like a producer because Brian has built an impressive career simultaneou ..read more

If you're thinking I'm not in sales or I'm not a creative, I'm never going to pitch anything, think again! As my guest for this episode, Dave Noll, says, life's a pitch, life's a series of pitches...whether it's love or work or anything important. Selling anything, creating anything, anything important in life comes with a pitch. Dave knows what he's talking about. He and his partner, Cleve Keller, are the mega-successful creators and producers of Chopped (the most successful show in the history of the Food Network) and America Says (the most successful show in the history of the Game Show Net ..read more

The title of this episode of Camera Ready & Abel - Dealing with Bozos and Bullies - tells you a lot about my guest for this episode. Iggy Perillo, founder of WSL Leadership, helps leaders and educators do right by their people with warmth, humor and compassion, training them to do the hardest part of great work more easily, through group and one-on-one coaching masterminds and experiential workshops designed to make it simple for them to connect with their people, create meaningful change and amplify positive culture. Because research shows positive work cultures lead to more innovation, g ..read more

On this episode of Camera Ready & Abel my conversion with Aliza Licht continues but this time I am in the guest seat as I re-air my interview on her podcast, Leave Your Mark. This episode is brought to you by the phrase, it's always an audition, because no matter the career field you are in, a job interview is an audition.  What makes a great audition? First off, to recognize that it starts the minute you walk into the building, so be memorable and be delightful. Leave the room better than you found it. Even if you don't land the gig, you'll make an impression that may pay dividends i ..read more

Time flies when you're learning and growing! I cannot believe this episode celebrates my two-year podaversary. It's been - and continues to be - a creative joy and an education which is why this episode of Camera Ready & Abel is brought to you by the word, GRATITUDE. From the Latin word gratis meaning thankful or pleasing. I struggled for a bit before hitting the record button, wondering what I had to add to the Gratitude conversation, and then the Universe provided me with two quotes that helped reframe my internal dialogue on the subject: The difference between thankfulness and gratitude ..read more

Rock N Roll Spirit is difficult to define but you know it when you feel it.  I sure felt it when I met my guest for this episode, Allison Hagendorf, the first time she walked into my TV Hosting class at TVI 20 years ago. Allison brings her Rock N Roll Spirit to everything she does. That includes:  a trailblazing attitude and mindset a singular vision free of distraction relentless perseverance the will to go above and beyond (again and again) being comfortable outside your comfort zone because blazing trails is often scary Allison's career is long and impressive. She is an accompli ..read more