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
74 episodes
Finding Balance: Growing Creative Careers Without Burning Out
THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODEWhat does balance really look like for an artist? In this episode of Creative Risk, Joshua and Mike tackle one of the most elusive yet essential aspects of a c...
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34:41
The Artist's Sales Funnel: Why Talent Isn't Enough
Marketing isn’t just for corporations - it’s essential for artists, too. In this episode, we break down the concept of the artist’s marketing funnel and why understanding it can be the difference between staying unseen and building a s...
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1:41:36
Raw + Rising: Courtney Romano and Queens Bird Films
In this episode of Raw + Rising, Joshua sits down with writer, director, and creative powerhouse Courtney Romano for an unfiltered conversation about forging an independent artistic career. As the founder of Queens Bird Films ...
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57:40
Five Years Later: Covid’s Lasting Impact on the Arts
Five years after the world shut down, we take a hard look at how COVID changed the entertainment industry—and the lives of the artists within it. From the collapse of institutional power structures to the rise of digital-first artistry, we unpa...
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2:33:27
Jelani Remy on Longevity, Joy, and Thriving on Broadway
In this episode of Creative Risk, Broadway star Jelani Remy joins us for an open and inspiring conversation about longevity, adaptability, and joy in the industry. From his early days at Paper Mill Playhouse to leading The Lion King as Simba fo...
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Episode 60
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1:07:27
Am I Giving Up on My Dreams?
THIS IS A SEGMENT FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODEIn this deeply personal solo episode, Mike grapples with a question every artist faces at some point—am I quitting, or am I just redefining success? He reflects on his journey, f...
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Episode 59
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32:04
Raw + Rising: Hannah Pauley
In this episode of Raw + Rising, we sit down with actress and creator Hannah Pauley. Hannah shares her candid insights on creative survival as a dual UK and American citizen and the unexpected journey that took her from Pittsburgh to G...
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32:49
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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1:08:06
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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1:48:04
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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46:35
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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1:16:07
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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41:31
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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1:28:47
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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1:34:47
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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55:59
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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1:27:26
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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39:29
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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1:31:37
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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1:26:42
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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1:54:47
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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39:06
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
