Acting like a Mom

From Pussycat doll to Parenthood: Anastacia McPherson

This week on Acting Like a Mom, we sit down with the inspiring Anastacia McPherson a dancer, actor, and proud mama whose artistry and authenticity shine on and off the screen.Anastacia’s journey began in San Francisco, where she performed in musical theatre, voiceovers, and national commercials as a young actor. She first captured national attention as a Top 5 finalist on The CW’s Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll a moment that brought both visibility and vulnerability. At the time, Anastacia hadn’t yet come out publicly (or to her mom) as part of the LGBTQ+ community, and she shares how hiding that part of herself affected her experience on the show and her sense of identity as a young performer in the public eye.In this episode, Anastacia opens up about:💃 Her evolution from musical theatre performer to multifaceted screen artist🏳️‍🌈 Coming to terms with her LGBTQ+ identity and the courage it took to live authentically🎭 How dance and storytelling remain her creative foundation🤱 Balancing motherhood, artistry, and self-expression while raising her six-year-old🌟 Her mission to live and create at her highest capacityWe also get a glimpse into how she continues to define success on her own terms as a performer, a mother, and a woman living in her truth.Listen now for a heartfelt, empowering conversation with Anastacia McPherson proof that embracing who you are can become your greatest source of strength, both on stage and at home.To keep up with Anastacia follow her @anastacia.mcpherson🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.If you love this episode, be sure to follow, rate, and review Acting Like a Mom on Spotify, Apple podcast and YouTube it helps us reach more listeners and celebrate even more incredible moms in entertainment.📲 Follow us on Instagram @actinglikeamompod for behind-the-scenes clips, episode updates, and stories from inspiring creative mothers everywhere.

Writing your way in: Darryl Wesley on Creating, Parenting, and Owning Your Story

I sit down with my good friend Darryl Wesley a writer, producer, director, and actor who’s basically a one-man creative studio (and somehow still manages to be humble about it).Born and raised on the east side of Detroit, Darryl started out as a basketball champ before trading in the court for Hollywood. After realizing he didn’t want to wait around for opportunity to knock, he decided to build his own door. Writing and producing five sold-out stage plays and landing roles in projects like Clipped on FX and the award winning 'This is us' (which is a story in itself). He wrote on shows 'The Upshaws' starring Mike Epps and 'The Game'. Today, he’s got a full slate of TV, film, and animated projects in the works — all fueled by his drive to tell stories that feel real, human, and universal.But this episode isn’t just about Hollywood hustle it’s about heart.Darryl opens up about what it’s really like in the writers’ room, how he brings his authentic self into creative spaces, and how he’s learned to be a “color in the bigger painting.” We also get real about parenting his passion for supporting his wife through postpartum, the lessons our kids quietly teach us, and the gratitude that keeps it all in perspective.We talk about:- Balancing creative ambition- The moment he decided to stop waiting for permission and create- Supporting your partner through postpartum — and showing up with love- How kids are low-key the best teachers (and sometimes the toughest bosses)- What really happens inside a writers’ room - And why gratitude might just be the real secret to success — on and off screenInstagram:@kingdarrylwesley@actinglikeamompod 🎧 Tune in for an inspiring, down-to-earth chat about love, growth, and the beauty of learning from the people who know us best — our kids.

Mom Off Duty: Lessons from Time Away ( and my first brand trip!)

In this episode, I open up about my first-ever brand trip the excitement, the nerves, the imposter syndrome, and the unexpected reset it gave me as a mom, wife, and creator. From rediscovering who I am outside of motherhood to reconnecting with my husband without the chaos of daily life, this trip reminded me that breaks aren’t luxuries they’re lifelines.Join me as I share personal stories, honest reflections, and research-backed reasons why moms (and couples) need real rest and how to create your own “mini-reset,” even when travel isn’t an option.I talk about:- Facing imposter syndrome and finding community in the creator space- How time away helped me reconnect with my partner and with myself- Why research says breaks and couple time matter for moms- Simple ways to plan your own “mini-reset”If you’re a mom who’s been running on empty, this one’s your reminder: taking a break isn’t selfish ...it’s essential.Follow me on IG at @actinglikeamompod

Mommywood Meets Acting Like a Mom with Emily Bolt

In this fun and candid episode of Acting Like a Mom, I had the absolute pleasure of collaborating with fellow mom and podcaster Emily Bolt, host of the amazing podcast Mommywood. Emily started her show three years ago when her daughter was just two months old (yes, really!) and has been sharing her journey of motherhood in the entertainment industry ever since.When I came across Mommywood, I knew I had to reach out. And I’m so glad I did! Emily and I clicked instantly, bonding over the shared chaos of podcasting while parenting, and all the wild moments that come with being moms in the biz. In this episode, we talk about: The pressure (and joy) of podcasting as moms 🍼🎤Navigating careers in the entertainment industry while raising kids Working with our husbands (who are also in the industry!) Making the big move out of the city And just... so much more This one felt like chatting with an old friend, and we know you'll feel the same listening in.📺 Watch or 🎧 listen on both of our podcast pages, and don’t forget to leave a review to support mama-run shows like ours! Connect with Emily:IG:  ⁨@Mommywoodpodcast⁩  [https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCjvglGqu0jc9-sNA27-YX_g]

From Broadway to Beauty Boss: Trina Haire’s Story

This episode almost didn’t happen... TWICE. 😩 I lost the footage the first time we recorded and it almost broke me. I was so mad, so frustrated, I had to take a break from doing the podcast altogether. But this story? It needed to be told. And I’m so glad we came back to do it again. In this powerful and raw conversation, I sit down with the inspiring Trina Haire:  dancer, esthetician, entrepreneur, cancer survivor, wife, and mom of 3 to talk about her extraordinary journey of resilience, reinvention, and acting like a mom in every sense of the word. From dancing in The Lion King on Broadway to opening her own beauty business during the middle of a pandemic AND while undergoing chemo for Stage 3 breast cancer, Trina's story is a testament to faith, grit, and God’s timing. 🎧 In This Episode We Talk About: * Trina’s journey from Broadway to beauty * Balancing motherhood, marriage, business, and cancer * What it really takes to build a business from the ground up * How God shows up even in the hardest moments * The power of perseverance and doing things scared 🛍️ Connect with Trina: Instagram: @faceappealbeauty [https://instagram.com/faceappealbeauty] Website: https://www.faceappealbeauty.com Leave us a review! If this episode moved you, inspired you, or just made you feel seen, please leave a review and share it with a friend who needs to hear this story.