Ep. 14 - Ego Can Drown Out Your Inner Voice: Secrets of a Hollywood Casting Director with Jamie Castro

Ep. 23 - The Steady Art of Running a Hollywood Production with Sara E. White

From sneaking onto the Disney lot to steering massive cultural touchstones like Iron Man, Sweet Home Alabama, Euphoria, Cruel Intentions, and Grey's Anatomy, the phenomenal producer of film and television Sara E. White joins the podcast. Rooted in her Midwestern upbringing, Sara brings a powerful but quiet strength to a round-the-clock, high-stakes industry. In this grounded and honest conversation, we dive into her early days of risking it all to move to California, the sharp attention to detail required to excel, and her beautiful perspective on what it truly means to own your work. We explore the reality of balancing family life, a deep-rooted sense of self, and the heavy lifting behind the camera, all while navigating the Hollywood machine with immense grace and an unwavering belief that "we can figure this out." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 22 - Turning Passion into Your Profession with Celebrity Nail Artist Lisa Wong

From school-day rebel to dressing the fingertips of Hollywood royalty, premier celebrity and editorial nail artist Lisa Wong joins the podcast for a brilliant, lively, and inspiring conversation. With over thirty years of experience, Lisa treats a tiny nail bed like a canvas for a masterpiece—creating the gorgeous period looks for Palm Royale, character styling for Abbott Elementary, and collaborating with icons like Taylor Swift, Quinta Brunson, Alison Janney, and Sally Fields. In this episode, Lisa shares her journey to dominating the "Met Gala of nail competitions," winning Best in Show two years in a row, and surviving a nail boot camp. We dive deep into her incredible transition from traditional salon work to major film and television sets, the importance of visualizing your goals, and her beautiful philosophy on what happens when you truly turn your passion into your profession. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 21 - “I’m Good. No. I'm Great": Claiming Power on Television's Biggest Sets with Nicole Rubio (Part 2)

The masterclass continues in part two as Danielle and hit TV director Nicole Rubio dive into the high-stakes, fast-paced world of calling the shots on major network television. Nicole details her transition into the director's chair, navigating the intense pressure of tracking nine cameras at once and earning a "get out of jail free card" from Patrick Dempsey. She shares what it was really like working in Shondaland as a woman of color, the beautiful weight of stepping into her own greatness, and the whirlwind of being so highly in demand that you have to start making the tough calls for your priorities. Finally, Nicole gets incredibly candid about the physical and mental toll of a demanding industry, the reality of burnout, and why protecting and nourishing your soul must always come first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 20 - Before Hollywood: How 7 Different Careers Built a Born Director with Nicole Rubio (Part 1)

Hit TV director Nicole Rubio is a powerhouse who has spent her entire life creating her own path and making sure not a single opportunity passed her by. This episode explores the fascinating, diverse chapters she conquered through sheer determination, including working for a space shuttle defense contractor, performing as an NFL cheerleader for the Rams, and traveling the world as a flight attendant. Once she turned her sight toward Hollywood, she seamlessly transitioned into acting (most notably as Paramedic Nicole on Grey's Anatomy) before mastering the intricate world of script supervising on iconic film sets like Blade and Training Day, proving the incredible things that happen when you believe in yourself and go after it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ep. 19 - Healing From Loss, An Immigrant Story & Building a Business with Erika Bañuelos

Danielle sits down with the incredible Erika Bañuelos for a deeply moving conversation about family, resilience, and the pursuit of independence. Accompanied by translator Valentina, Erika shares stories of her vibrant childhood in Mexico and the profound impact of a father who taught her what a good man looks like. She opens up about the devastating loss of her first child, which became the catalyst for her to immigrate to the US at eighteen in search of better healthcare. After years of dedicating herself to raising her two sons, Erika discusses her inspiring transition into entrepreneurship, turning a housekeeping job into a thriving business with a mission to lift up and empower other women to find their own financial and personal independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]