Joe Kowalski - Documentary Filmmaker and Editor, Substance

Steve Maiselson – Founder, YADDA Productions

What does it mean to keep creating when success doesn't arrive on someone else's timeline? In this episode of Next Act, Jeff Ornstein sits down with Steve Maiselson, founder of YADDA Productions, whose career has spanned acting, writing, producing, documentary filmmaking, and storytelling for more than four decades. From appearing in projects like Die Hard 2, The Sopranos, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman to producing a Rosa Parks documentary whose interviews and archival materials now reside in the Smithsonian Institution, Steve has spent a lifetime pursuing meaningful stories and creative ideas. The conversation explores the realities of the entertainment industry, the persistence required to survive rejection, and why some projects take decades to find their moment. Steve shares the story behind The Coffee Shop, a screenplay he is now reimagining as a stage musical, discusses his upcoming documentary Sleepwalker Tunnels, and reflects on White Dwarf, his award-winning screenplay inspired by his real-life experiences with Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf. This is a thoughtful conversation about resilience, reinvention, creativity, and the belief that your most important work may still be ahead of you. In this episode: • Building a career across acting, writing, producing, and documentary filmmaking • Lessons from decades in Hollywood and independent film • The story behind The Coffee Shop and its potential future as a stage musical • Preserving history through a Rosa Parks documentary now housed in the Smithsonian • The inspiration behind Sleepwalker Tunnels and its connection to mental health and 9/11 • White Dwarf and turning unusual life experiences into award-winning stories • Why rejection is part of every creative journey • What falling short can teach us that success never will Learn more: White Dwarf: https://pageantiff.com/white-dwarf-script-review/ [https://pageantiff.com/white-dwarf-script-review/] Sleepwalker Tunnels: http://sleepwalkerforhopeproductions.com [http://sleepwalkerforhopeproductions.com/] The best is yet to come.

Aaron Marcus - Full-time actor, model, mentor, author, lecturer and webinar host

What does it really take to build a successful acting career? In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Aaron Marcus, a full-time actor, author, mentor, and commercial model who has booked nearly 1,300 acting and modeling jobs over a 40+ year career. Aaron shares his unconventional path into acting, the mindset that helped him overcome rejection, and the lessons he learned from auditioning 15 times before landing a recurring role on House of Cards. He also explains why actors must treat their careers like a business, how casting decisions are really made, and why focusing on the process is often more important than focusing on the outcome. Whether you're an actor, entrepreneur, or anyone pursuing a competitive career, this conversation offers practical lessons on resilience, persistence, and long-term success. The best may be yet to come.

Tom McElroy - Actor, Chicago Freelance

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Tom McElroy to talk about a life shaped by faith, storytelling, theater, film, and unexpected turns. Tom shares how he moved from ministry into acting, what drew him to the stage, and why performance became more than a career path. He reflects on working in Chicago theater, appearing in productions like Prison Break, Chicago Fire, and The Dark Knight, and the lessons he has learned from decades in a difficult but deeply meaningful business. This conversation is about faith, resilience, creative calling, and the strange, funny, and powerful moments that come from chasing the work you feel called to do.

Luis Berrio – Actor, SAG-AFTRA

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Luis Berrio to talk about his unexpected transition from a 24-year career as an NYC detective to building a second act in film and television. Luis shares how a small role in a music video sparked a new passion, why he started acting at 50, and how he learned to handle auditions, rejection, imposter syndrome, and the uncertainty of the industry. From Law & Order to FBI: Most Wanted, Luis opens up about finding confidence on set, embracing his type, developing his own acting style, and why community and support matter so much in the indie film world.

Michelle Falanga – Emmy-Winning Voice Actor, Writer & Storyteller

In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with Emmy-winning voice actor, actor, and writer Michelle Falanga for an honest conversation about creativity, reinvention, and building a career from unexpected opportunities.  Michelle shares how a chance improv performance at an insurance company launched a decades-long journey into acting and voiceover work, eventually leading to national campaigns, live stadium performances, and an Emmy-winning commercial. Along the way, she opens up about the emotional power of storytelling, the reality of building a freelance creative business, and the growing impact of AI on the voice acting industry.  The conversation also explores Michelle’s children’s book The Amazing Monster, her passion for helping people feel seen through storytelling, and why authentic human connection still matters more than ever in creative work.  If you’ve ever wondered how creative careers really happen, or how to turn unexpected moments into your next act, this episode is for you.