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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—
“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:
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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 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:
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Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
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Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

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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 this personal, winding, and emotionally resonant episode of Creative Risk, the boys crack open a sacred, formative chapter: high school theater. But this isn’t just a nostalgia trip. It’s an excavation-of early validation, teenage fragility, creative discovery, social hierarchy, and the kinds of teachers who see something in you before you know how to see it yourself.

Told through laughter, real talk, and deeply moving reflection, this episode features intimate interviews with Joshua's former classmates and educators from Montclair’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. It’s a tribute to the weird, beautiful ecosystem where future artists are born, dreams are crushed or ignited, and identities take shape-often for life.

EPISODE #69 of CREATIVE RISK

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 inspiring episode of Creative Risk, Mike Labbadia sits down with the founders of New American Ensemble - a bold, new player-focused theater company in NYC - to explore what it really takes to build something that matters. Michael DeFilippis, Gianna Kiehl, and Scott Gordon aren’t just creating theater; they're reimagining the role of ensemble artistry at a time when the industry desperately needs it.

Through vulnerable storytelling and sharp insight, they dive into why friendship, intentional communication, and a return to mission-driven theater are essential to the future of live performance. If you've ever dreamed of building your own thing - or felt the friction of trying to protect what's sacred in a rapidly evolving industry - this conversation is pure fuel for your soul. This is about art that endures, friendships that evolve, and visions that refuse to die quietly.

Brothers Karamazov Tickets
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-brothers-karamazov-tickets-1258452127189?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp

New American Ensemble Website
https://www.newamericanensemble.com/

New American Ensemble Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/newamericanensemble/

EPISODE #68 of CREATIVE RISK

—

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:
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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 high-energy episode of Raw + Rising, Joshua sits down with Method Fitness founders Danny Keenan and Christian Hopper-two performers-turned-trainers reshaping what fitness means for artists. Forget six-pack abs and protein powder: this is about reclaiming strength, rebuilding confidence, and building sustainable careers in chaotic, body-demanding industries. From Broadway gigs to last-minute auditions and mental health spirals, this convo hits on what it actually takes to stay in the game-without losing yourself in the process.

We go deep on burnout, identity, the trap of aesthetic obsession, and how training can (and should) be tailored to an actor’s life-not the other way around. Whether you’re working eight shows a week or just trying to survive your side job, this episode is a love letter to your future self-the one that isn’t exhausted, overextended, or disconnected from their body. Method isn’t just a name-it’s a mindset.

Method Fitness Website
https://methodfitnessnyc.com/

Method Fitness Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/methodfitnessnyc/

Danny Keenan Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/danny.keenan/

Christian Hopper Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/christian_hopper/

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:
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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.

THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE

In this solo episode of Creative Risk, Joshua Morgan cracks open one of the most tender and universal tensions in any creative’s life: the balance between control and surrender. With sharp introspection and his signature candor, Joshua explores how control offers structure, discipline, and the ability to advocate for ourselves-while letting go opens the door to spontaneity, intuition, and unexpected opportunity.

From career detours and perfectionism to artistic standards and self-trust, this isn’t a self-help checklist-it’s a heartfelt meditation on how artists can both steer the ship and surrender to the tide. If you’ve ever found yourself gripping too tightly or floating without direction, this episode offers a powerful reminder that both control and surrender are essential tools-not opposing forces. This is for the over-planners, the floaters, and everyone trying to build a creative life with purpose and peace.

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.

What happens when your career takes a turn you never planned for - and it ends up being exactly where you're supposed to be? In this episode of Creative Risk, Joshua sits down with Alan Bennett, a performer-turned-Broadway wardrobe supervisor, for a deeply candid and often hilarious conversation about longevity in the arts, reinvention, and the unexpected ways creative careers evolve.

Alan opens up about his early passion for dance and performance, the realities of touring, and how a financial crisis (and a medical scare) rerouted him into a new chapter backstage. They explore everything from backstage politics and the overlooked artistry of wardrobe, to the invisible labor that keeps Broadway running. This isn’t just a conversation about costumes - it’s about ego, pride, adaptation, and finding fulfillment in unexpected places. Whether you're an artist navigating change or simply love good backstage stories, this episode reminds us that creative success doesn’t always look the way we thought it would.

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.