Why the "Oscars" of Voice Acting Almost Never Happened | Rudy Gaskins #38

What’s Really Keeping You From Achieving Your Dreams? | Joan Baker #42

What if rejection is not the end of the dream, but the test that proves you want it? In this episode of *Ego Was Here*, voice artist, performer, educator, and SOVAS co-founder Joan Baker shares a deeply personal conversation about rejection, healing, performance, and the strength it takes to keep going. Joan reflects on growing up as the only biracial child in her environment, the loneliness and shame she carried, and how performing became the first place where she felt free. Acting gave her a space to escape pain, express herself, and reconnect with who she truly was. She also talks about her years in New York, the emotional work that helped her heal, and what rejection taught her about creative careers and self-worth. For Joan, voice acting is not just about having a good voice. It is about turning a script into a real moment, with no set, no costume, and often no one else in the booth. Together with her husband Rudy Gaskins, Joan created SOVAS, the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences, a platform dedicated to recognizing voice actors and the wider voiceover industry. SOVAS is also behind the Voice Arts Awards, which celebrate the people behind some of the voices we hear in animation, commercials, narration, audiobooks, and more. At the center of this conversation is Joan’s belief in dreams fulfilled. For her, that means not only pursuing her own dreams, but helping other artists believe that their work, their voice, and their story matter.

The Side of Acting People Never See | Charlotte Stoiber #41

What happens after your first acting role is in an Oscar-nominated film? In this episode of Ego Was Here, actress Charlotte Stoiber opens up about acting, rejection, identity, mental health, and the reality of building an acting career. Charlotte reflects on growing up between Boston, Munich, and Vienna, discovering acting as a child, and being cast in Downfall, one of Germany’s most acclaimed films, at the very beginning of her journey. The conversation explores auditions, self-doubt, being ignored, comparison, and why getting the role is only the beginning of an actor’s career. Charlotte also shares what acting gives her that nothing else does, how creativity helped her heal, and why leaving the industry has never felt like an option. A thoughtful and honest conversation about purpose, resilience, and the emotional reality behind an acting career.

The Pop Star Life Everyone Dreams Of and the Reality Nobody Sees | Anthony Kavana #40

What happens when a 90s pop star looks back at the story the spotlight never showed? In this episode of Ego Was Here, British pop star and author Anthony Kavanagh, known to many as Kavana, joins the podcast for an honest conversation about fame, identity, creativity, recovery, and the story behind his memoir Pop Scars. Anthony reflects on growing up in Manchester, his love of music, and the chance meeting that changed his life. He shares how a demo tape, a record deal, and a new name introduced the world to Kavana, and what life was really like behind the pop star image. The conversation also explores moving to Los Angeles, starting again, family, self-worth, connection, and the experiences that changed how Anthony sees success today. Anthony also shares memories of Amy Winehouse, a funny airport encounter involving Victoria Beckham, and why writing Pop Scars became such a meaningful chapter in his life. A warm and honest conversation about life after fame, the person behind the name, and the power of telling your story with truth and humor.

Untold Stories From the Cult Classic Film Blood In Blood Out | Victor Rivas Rivers #39

Why does Blood In Blood Out still mean so much to audiences more than 30 years later? In this episode of Ego Was Here, actor Victor Rivas Rivers returns for a deeper conversation about the making and lasting legacy of the cult classic film Blood In Blood Out. Best known to many fans as Magic Mike, Victor shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming inside San Quentin, reflects on creating one of the film’s most memorable characters, and explains why the movie continues to connect with audiences across generations. The conversation explores the film’s themes of family, identity, culture, loyalty, and choices, while also touching on Chicano culture, fan devotion, and the responsibility of bringing a real community and its stories to the screen with respect. For fans of Blood In Blood Out, film history, acting, Chicano culture, and behind-the-scenes movie interviews, this episode offers a thoughtful and personal look at a film that continues to live on.

Why the "Oscars" of Voice Acting Almost Never Happened | Rudy Gaskins #38

Why are the most recognizable voices in the world almost invisible? In this episode of Ego Was Here, Emmy-winning television producer and director Rudy Gaskins reflects on the idea behind SOVAS (the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences), the organization he co-founded with his wife and business partner Joan Baker. Starting behind the scenes in television, Rudy worked on major projects including Emmy-winning promotions for the 2000 Summer Olympics for NBC. Through hiring voice actors, he saw how essential their work was, and how little recognition they received. That gap became the foundation for SOVAS, a platform built to bring visibility to the entire field. He speaks about the resistance they faced, the criticism from within the community, and the moments where the project felt uncertain. Building something new required persistence and a clear sense of purpose. For Rudy, success is less about recognition and more about creating something people can actually use. Something that connects people, creates opportunity, and brings a community together.