Think Bigger Actors Podcast

I'm back. In this State of the Industry episode, I open up about the cancellation of Electric Bloom, what I learned from losing another series, and why nobody talks enough about what happens after the job ends. I get into why your community is your ceiling and why who you surround yourself with matter more than people think. I also talk about reimagining what it means to be an actor in 2026, why I've leaned into directing this past year, and why self-tapes and verticals are both worth your attention right now, whether you like it or not. If you're feeling stuck or unsure where you fit in this version of the industry, this one's for you. CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching WHO IS THIS GUY? Check me out at: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com

So you want to be an actor and also something else? Good, let's talk about it! CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching WHO IS THIS GUY? Check me out at: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com

Before booking recurring roles on Criminal Minds and The Rookie, Jon Snow spent hours in the audition room as a reader for a casting director. In this episode, Jon shares what that experience taught him—why the actor who's most present often stands out, how over-rehearsing can kill a moment, and the small shifts that can make a performance land. He also pulls back the curtain on what casting is actually paying attention to, the choices that quietly take you out of the running, and how shifting his perspective changed everything about the way he auditions. Casting Network: For a limited time, Casting Networks is offering our listeners $65 off a Premium Annual membership when you use the code "THINKBIGGER" at checkout, and start submitting to casting calls right away. Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://www.castingnetworks.com/promo-codes/ to learn more. CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching WHO IS THIS GUY? Check me out at: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com CONNECT WITH JON Instagram: @the_jon_snow

You write it. You star in it. It wins awards… and still, they only see you as "the writer." In this episode, actor and creator Luke Barnett gets brutally honest about what it's like to break through—and still be overlooked. We talk about identity, resilience, and what it really takes to carve out a place in Hollywood when the industry has other plans. This one's for the actors building something real—even when it feels invisible. Casting Network: For a limited time, Casting Networks is offering our listeners $65 off a Premium Annual membership when you use the code "THINKBIGGER" at checkout, and start submitting to casting calls right away. Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://www.castingnetworks.com/promo-codes/ to learn more. CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching WHO IS THIS GUY? Check me out at: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com CONNECT WITH LUKE: Twitter (X): @LukeBarnett

Success doesn't silence self-doubt. In this powerful episode, Hacks and Pose star Johnny Sibilly gets honest about what happens after the big break. From the pressure to represent entire communities to the toll of always having to "be on," Johnny shares the side of success most actors never hear about. If you've ever felt like rest isn't an option, or visibility comes at a cost—you need this conversation. Plus, I kick things off with some real talk about showing up in uncertain times, a wild email I got about L.A., and why our work as artists has never been separate from the world around us. Casting Network: For a limited time, Casting Networks is offering our listeners $65 off a Premium Annual membership when you use the code "THINKBIGGER" at checkout, and start submitting to casting calls right away. Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://www.castingnetworks.com/promo-codes/ to learn more. CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching WHO IS THIS GUY? Check me out at: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com CONNECT WITH Johnny: Instagram: @johnnysibilly

In this episode, I sat down with Ronnie Steadman, a tax professional specializing in the entertainment industry, to discuss the financial challenges actors face. Every creative needs to listen to this episode! CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching SELF TAPE PLAYBOOK: HERE! TAKE THE QUIZ: www.theselftapequiz.com WHO IS THIS GUY? www.thinkbiggercoaching.com CONNECT WITH RONNIE: https://rsteadman.com/ steadmantaxservices@gmail.com

Special Edition Episodes of DEI Training I wanted to tackle DEI -- Diversity Equity and Inclusion -- training from its roots. I decided to start with me and like any other normal person share it on a podcast. I can't show up effectively, the way I want to as a leader, mentor, coach, friend, Think Bigger Tribe member without also doing my work. So here we are. In these 5 episodes, you will see ME, DaJuan Johnson, become the STUDENT as I learn about my roots and how they affect my experience as a person of color. I sat down with Dr. Maisha Beasley, a DEI expert, and dove in head first. What you're about to hear is me at my core...vulnerable, raw, and here for it all. Through the podcast I want you to imagine a TREE. Roots, Trunk and the Leaves...this is how we will tell the beginning of my DEI story. I say beginning, because I am clear that there is more work to be done. Episode 1 - We talk about my ROOTS. How growing up in a home where all I wanted to do was get away from the violence, but always had to be home before the streetlights came on, subconsciously shaped my earlier DEI experience. A time where I didn't fully see color and thought of my friends -- white, latinn, mixed -- as my siblings. A time that changed quickly... Episode 2A + 2B: We get into the "TRUNK" of my experience of DEI and talk about how I learned to "CODE SWITCH" to survive. To get ahead. To be successful. How being bused into a new high school that needed to fill a "black quota" changed my life. How my family made it clear, there were certain people -- in my family -- I was not supposed to be like. Episode 3A + 3B: We finish it off with the "LEAVES" of the tree and how I gave myself the "golden ticket" when I stopped trying to be someone else and stepped into DaJuan. Here is where we tie in all of the traditional DEI terms and apply them to my story as a whole. My highest intention here was to learn. And through sharing MY STORY, I hope you see YOUR STORY in it too. I hope that you see that DEI is truly about relationships at its core. I'm sure I stepped in poop on this podcast a couple of times, but what I know for sure is sometimes you have to step in poop to become the leader you are meant to be. My hope is it becomes less and less poop because...I'm here to lead. Connect with DaJuan Johnson: Official Website: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com & www.dajuanjohnson.com Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching & @dajuanjohnson Youtube Channel Facebook: Twitter Join the Think Bigger Tribe Facebook Group: where a Tribe of like minded actors come to take their career to the next level. #SeeYouOnSet

Special Edition Episodes of DEI Training I wanted to tackle DEI -- Diversity Equity and Inclusion -- training from its roots. I decided to start with me and like any other normal person share it on a podcast. I can't show up effectively, the way I want to as a leader, mentor, coach, friend, Think Bigger Tribe member without also doing my work. So here we are. In these 5 episodes, you will see ME, DaJuan Johnson, become the STUDENT as I learn about my roots and how they affect my experience as a person of color. I sat down with Dr. Maisha Beasley, a DEI expert, and dove in head first. What you're about to hear is me at my core...vulnerable, raw, and here for it all. Through the podcast I want you to imagine a TREE. Roots, Trunk and the Leaves...this is how we will tell the beginning of my DEI story. I say beginning, because I am clear that there is more work to be done. Episode 1 - We talk about my ROOTS. How growing up in a home where all I wanted to do was get away from the violence, but always had to be home before the streetlights came on, subconsciously shaped my earlier DEI experience. A time where I didn't fully see color and thought of my friends -- white, latinn, mixed -- as my siblings. A time that changed quickly... Episode 2A + 2B: We get into the "TRUNK" of my experience of DEI and talk about how I learned to "CODE SWITCH" to survive. To get ahead. To be successful. How being bused into a new high school that needed to fill a "black quota" changed my life. How my family made it clear, there were certain people -- in my family -- I was not supposed to be like. Episode 3A + 3B: We finish it off with the "LEAVES" of the tree and how I gave myself the "golden ticket" when I stopped trying to be someone else and stepped into DaJuan. Here is where we tie in all of the traditional DEI terms and apply them to my story as a whole. My highest intention here was to learn. And through sharing MY STORY, I hope you see YOUR STORY in it too. I hope that you see that DEI is truly about relationships at its core. I'm sure I stepped in poop on this podcast a couple of times, but what I know for sure is sometimes you have to step in poop to become the leader you are meant to be. My hope is it becomes less and less poop because...I'm here to lead. Connect with DaJuan Johnson: Official Website: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com & www.dajuanjohnson.com Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching & @dajuanjohnson Youtube Channel Facebook: Twitter Join the Think Bigger Tribe Facebook Group: where a Tribe of like minded actors come to take their career to the next level. #SeeYouOnSet

Special Edition Episodes of DEI Training I wanted to tackle DEI -- Diversity Equity and Inclusion -- training from its roots. I decided to start with me and like any other normal person share it on a podcast. I can't show up effectively, the way I want to as a leader, mentor, coach, friend, Think Bigger Tribe member without also doing my work. So here we are. In these 5 episodes, you will see ME, DaJuan Johnson, become the STUDENT as I learn about my roots and how they affect my experience as a person of color. I sat down with Dr. Maisha Beasley, a DEI expert, and dove in head first. What you're about to hear is me at my core...vulnerable, raw, and here for it all. I give you permission to bounce around and trust that you will get exactly what you need where ever you start. Want to skip right to the end and just get the DEI traditional definitions, cool. Want to hear a story about code switching, cool too. Do you through this process and constantly check in with yourself. Through the podcast I want you to imagine a TREE. Roots, Trunk and the Leaves...this is how we will tell the beginning of my DEI story. I say beginning, because I am clear that there is more work to be done. Episode 1 - We talk about my ROOTS. How growing up in a home where all I wanted to do was get away from the violence, but always had to be home before the streetlights came on, subconsciously shaped my earlier DEI experience. A time where I didn't fully see color and thought of my friends -- white, latinn, mixed -- as my siblings. A time that changed quickly... Episode 2A + 2B: We get into the "TRUNK" of my experience of DEI and talk about how I learned to "CODE SWITCH" to survive. To get ahead. To be successful. How being bused into a new high school that needed to fill a "black quota" changed my life. How my family made it clear, there were certain people -- in my family -- I was not supposed to be like. Episode 3A + 3B: We finish it off with the "LEAVES" of the tree and how I gave myself the "golden ticket" when I stopped trying to be someone else and stepped into DaJuan. Here is where we tie in all of the traditional DEI terms and apply them to my story as a whole. My highest intention here was to learn. And through sharing MY STORY, I hope you see YOUR STORY in it too. I hope that you see that DEI is truly about relationships at its core. I'm sure I stepped in poop on this podcast a couple of times, but what I know for sure is sometimes you have to step in poop to become the leader you are meant to be. My hope is it becomes less and less poop because...I'm here to lead. Connect with DaJuan Johnson: Official Website: www.thinkbiggercoaching.com & www.dajuanjohnson.com Instagram: @thinkbiggercoaching & @dajuanjohnson Youtube Channel Facebook: Twitter Join the Think Bigger Tribe Facebook Group: where a Tribe of like minded actors come to take their career to the next level. #SeeYouOnSet

In this Episode, I share my "I don't know, felt cute, might delete later" moment, plus I sit down with Dylan Mooney. Actor and Co-Founder of the Actor app Actor Trade. We discuss: Getting his Series Regular show and it not being renewed Why he doesn't feel there's a "making it" in the industry Your main job on a set -- that will get you another job The messages he got from Hollywood being a person of color, Building an App that actors can use across the world -- funded from a craigslist post! Link to Actor Trade App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/actor-trade/id1260291254 Follow me on the 'gram! @thinkbiggercoaching Join the Think Bigger Tribe Facebook group – where a Tribe of like minded actors come to take their career to the next level. #Skiptheline All dajuan social media handles.

In this episode, I chat with Jeffrey Todd in Casting about the entire casting process for actors. Jeffrey has been a casting assistant in major offices that have cast shonda rhimes shows like Grey's Anatomy, Station 19, Scandal to offices like Fox's 911, The Walking Dead, The Society and Schooled. Some of the highlights: What blew his mind when he first went into casting His mission for every actor that he brings into the audition room What being an actor before getting into casting has taught him Why he retired from acting The entire casting process Why the actor has more Power than he thinks What an actor should NEVER bring into a room What booking actors are doing that you might not be doing This episode is FIRE! Don't forget to Follow me on the 'gram! @thinkbiggercoaching Join the FREE Think Bigger Tribe Facebook group – where a Tribe of like minded actors come for support, community and to uplevel their careers! #Skiptheline #TribeTalk #GetitGetit

In this TWO PART special bonus episode, I speak with actor Keston John. His long list of credits include James Cameron's "Avatar" 2, 3, 4, & 5, a Series Regular Role on the CW's "In the Dark"…and too-many-to-name high profile VO jobs, like She-Ra on Netflix & Avengers. We cover it all and the mindset behind booking career changing roles. But, first...we dive into how one of his instagram posts stopped me in my tracks and shined a light on something I've been feeling for a while, but never had the words to articulate...until this moment and I do it on this show. We go head first into the protest and black lives matter as a person of color in this industry. Stick around for a very special and vulnerable D-12 shot at the end. Follow me on the 'gram! @thinkbiggercoaching Join the Think Bigger Tribe Facebook group – where a Tribe of like-minded actors come for support, community and to up-level their careers! #Skiptheline #TribeTalk #GetitGetit

In this episode, I chat with Adam Tsekhman about his journey of doing 30+ episodes of DC Legends of Tomorrow. We talk about so many things including: Booking Legends off of self-tape How he doesn't feel secure or successful – even after 30 episodes of television How he handles rejection Why he's never thought of quitting What shocks him the most about directors on set The most important thing in our industry Follow me on the 'gram! @thinkbiggercoaching Join the Think Bigger Tribe Facebook group – where a Tribe of likeminded actors come for support, community and to uplevel their careers! #Skiptheline #TribeTalk #GetitGetit