Creative Risk
“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.
Episodes
67 episodes
Adapt or Fade: How Multi-Hyphenate Artists Stay Ahead with Ruggero Vittorini
In this episode of Creative Risk, Mike sits down with multidisciplinary artist and entrepreneur Ruggero Vittorini, founder of Inward Studio. From his early days as a musician and visual artist to working in high-end kitchens, to ultima...
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Episode 58
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1:09:51
Opposites Attract: Navigating Relationships Between Artists and Non-Artists
In this Valentine’s themed episode, Joshua sits down with performing artists and their "civilian" significant others to explore the challenges and rewards of relationships that bridge two different professional worlds. From balancing unpredicta...
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1:49:49
Raw + Rising: Tom Pecinka
In this Raw + Rising episode, Mike sits down with 2024 Tony nominee Tom Pecinka as he adjusts to life after the hit show Stereophonic. Tom offers some fantastic advice and perspective, including the dismissal of the "big break myth" and why vie...
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48:20
A Transparent Take from A Casting Director w/ Lisa Zambetti
This one hits hard. The boys sit down with prolific casting director Lisa Zambetti (Criminal Minds) for a brutally honest conversation about the state of the industry. Is AI taking actors' jobs? (Short answer: yes.) Is the casting industry itse...
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1:17:52
The Death of Specialization: Why Artists' Skills Alone Won’t Cut It
THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODEJust the boys for this episode discussing a topic that's long been on their minds. As technology and AI continue to replace skill-based work, the traditional notion of the artist...
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17:24
Raw + Rising: Raphael Papo
In this Raw + Rising episode, Joshua sits down with Raphael Papo, a classically trained violinist and entrepreneur straddling Berlin and London. Raphael’s work is as interdisciplinary as it is intriguing, spanning his performance in Fiddler...
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43:15
Theater Critic, Peter Marks: From Legacy Media to Independent Storyteller
In this episode, we talk with Peter Marks, former chief theater critic for The Washington Post, about his transition from legacy media to independent content creation on Substack. Reflecting on decades in journalism, Peter examines how...
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Episode 54
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1:30:32
Harmony in Collaboration: Composer Michael Kooman on 20 Years of Creative Partnership
In this episode of Creative Risk, Emmy-nominated composer Michael Kooman shares insights from his 20-year collaboration with lyricist Christopher Dimond. Together, they’ve crafted music for acclaimed stage productions and hit TV shows ...
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Episode 53
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1:36:32
Raw + Rising: Hassiem Muhammad
In this episode of Raw + Rising, Helen Hayes Award-winning artist Hassiem Muhammad and frequent collaborator of Joushua's and Mike's dives deep into the lessons learned so far in his artistic journey. For instance, the creation of his ...
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57:43
Manifesting a $72 Million Artistic Vision with Kristen Coury of Gulfshore Playhouse
In this inspiring episode, Mike sits down with Kristen Coury, CEO and Producing Artistic Director of Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples, Florida, inside its stunning new $72 million theater. Kristen shares her eclectic journey, from working at Disne...
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Episode 51
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1:29:11
A Review of Declan Donnellan's "The Actor and the Space"
THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODEIn this episode of Creative Risk, Mike and Joshua tackle Declan Donnellan’s latest book, The Actor and the Space, while reflecting on their own artistic journey...
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18:22
Raw + Rising: Dominique Salerno
This episode Joshua sits down with Dominique Salerno, one of the most prolific creators we know. Currently coming of a substantial fundraising campaign and production of a pilot she has written and starred in, Dominique shares her thoughts on w...
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41:14
The Future of Off-Broadway with Tony-Winner Luke Katler
In this episode of CREATIVE RISK, Tony-winning producer Luke Katler (Merrily We Roll Along, Slave Play, Here Lies Love) shares his bold vision for the future of commercial Off-Broadway and explains why Off-Broadway is becoming a vital cultural ...
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1:33:22
The Creative Risk Christmas Special 2024
This isn’t your typical holiday episode—Merry Chaosmas! After a literal scream of a start, we dive into Joshua’s enviable ornament collection and some post-Broadway World Award reflections (are those even legit?). Recorded the day after that CE...
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Episode 49
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1:28:27
What Artists MUST Learn from Trump's Win
In this bold and possibly cancel-provoking episode of CREATIVE RISK, Joshua and Mike unpack the shockwaves of Trump’s 2024 re-election—12 days after the fact. As two self-proclaimed liberals who didn’t (and wouldn’t) vote for Trump, they take a...
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Episode 48
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1:56:32
Raw + Rising: Samantha Joy Pearlman and Joy and the Wildfire
In this episode of Raw + Rising, Samantha Joy Pearlman—NYC-based multi-hyphenate artist and frontwoman of Joy and the Wildfire—shares how heartbreak and loss inspired her journey into songwriting. She opens up about balancing ...
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40:51
How Much Do Looks Matter in Acting? Casting, Diversity, and the Modern Actor
THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODEWe start in an existential rabbit hole talking about dead stars and The Great Year (watch Joshua’s visible frustration on YouTube) but quickly course correct in this un-PC episod...
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21:31
Raw + Rising: Michelle Simone Miller of Mentors on the Mic
In this episode of Raw + Rising, we’re keeping it real with the multi-talented Michelle Simone Miller—actress, podcaster, and the powerhouse behind Mentors on the Mic. Known for pulling back the curtain on the entertainment in...
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37:23
Behind the Scenes with Oscar Winner Julia Kennelly – The Real Work of an Indie Film Producer
Joshua sits down with Oscar-winning producer Julia Kennelly to uncover the gritty, unglamorous, and deeply rewarding work of being an independent film producer in today’s volatile market. Julia shares her journey from theater student to multi-h...
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Episode 46
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1:26:13
The Necessary Art of Practicing Gratitude
This episode starts with a cosmic twist—aliens, ghosts, and Joshua’s unforgettable medium training (yes, a ghost may have crossed a boundary). But things quickly get grounded as the boys dive into the complexities of practicing gratitude as art...
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Episode 45
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1:52:54
Raw + Rising: Sarah Bowden
Sarah Bowden Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sarahbowden.de/Sarah Bowden Websirehttps://www.sarahbowden.de/Sarah Stages Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sarahstagesrealestate/Sara...
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46:11
Starting a Family as an Actor – Can You Really Do Both?
In this solo episode of CREATIVE RISK, Joshua tackles one of the most personal and complex challenges an artist can face: starting a family. From navigating the decision to have kids to balancing survival jobs with creative opportunities, he ta...
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2:22:20
Big Fish, Little Pond: The Pros and Cons of Choosing Your Market
THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODEIn this episode, Joshua and Mike dive into one of the biggest questions actors face: Should you start your career in the traditional powerhouses of New York or LA, or opt for sma...
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Episode 43
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18:05
Horror, A Go-To Genre for Creators and Why it Works
In this spooky episode, the boys dive into the wildly popular genre of horror, unpacking why it remains a favorite among filmmakers, self-producers, and audiences alike. Horror has always been about high-impact storytelling on a shoestring budg...
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Episode 42
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1:43:11
