THIS IS A SEGMENT OF A PATREON EXCLUSIVE EPISODE

In this episode, Joshua and Mike unpack the ever-complicated mantra: "fake it till you make it." What begins as a discussion of creative confidence quickly spirals into deeper territory-where's the line between confidence and deception? When does “faking it” become fraud? And how much success actually comes down to acting like you belong before anyone says you do?

From working on set and early teaching gigs to producing your own work without a roadmap, Josh and Mike explore the thin (and sometimes dangerous) line between projection and delusion. This episode doesn’t offer easy answers-but it will challenge how you think about growth, risk, and the stories we tell others (and ourselves) to get where we’re going.

EP #71 OF CREATIVE RISK

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Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

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“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

In part two of our high school theater deep dive, Mike sits down with his most influential teachers from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts-Joni Weisfeld and Brian Jennings-for a conversation that’s part love letter, part reckoning. Together, they unpack the messy, magical alchemy of arts education: where rigor meets vulnerability, and where students are trusted to create real, meaningful work long before they’re “ready.”

This episode is about more than nostalgia. It’s about leadership, boundaries, ensemble-building, and the radical act of giving young artists agency. From candid reflections on power dynamics to honest conversations about the pressures facing arts institutions today, this is a must-listen for anyone who believes in the transformative power of making art before you’re fully formed.

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

In this episode of Raw + Rising, we go deep with Makayla McIntosh-actor, producer, and founder of not one, but two creative companies. From children's entertainment to indie film production, Makayla's journey is a masterclass in creative self-sufficiency. She shares how a birthday party side hustle turned into a 14-year business, how a serious accident forced a hard career pivot, and why producing your own work is often the fastest route to real opportunity.

This is a candid, no-BS conversation about entrepreneurship, self-starting, and the hidden emotional toll of "doing it all." Makayla doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges, but she also offers a blueprint for taking control of your career, one gut-check decision at a time. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn “I should do this” into “I built this,” this one’s for you.

Makayla Social Media:
https://www.instagram.com/iammakaylamcintosh/

Makayla Website:
https://linktr.ee/tinydanseuse?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.