Battlefield Promotion: How One Unexpected Moment on a Hit Show Kickstarted Michael Broderick's Career

On episode 182, I’m joined by actor and Marine Corps veteran Michael Broderick. Michael has built the kind of career a lot of actors dream about but not overnight, not through some clean, easy path. He built it by staying in the work. He’s been on shows like 24, NCIS, True Detective, The Terminal List, American Horror Story, and a whole lot more. In this conversation, we talk about what it actually looks like to become a working actor: the classes, the auditions, the co-stars, the guest stars, the momentum, the mistakes, the luck, and the preparation required to be ready when the opportunity finally shows up. We also talk about Michael’s journey from theater kid in Spring Lake, New Jersey, to the Marine Corps, to New York, Los Angeles, and now Nashville — and how his military background helped him first break into the industry through military advising and special-ability work on set. But the heart of this episode is storytelling. Michael talks about the joy of being on set, the discipline of staying in class, the humility of serving the story, and what it means to come full circle by bringing Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret back to the Spring Lake Theatre, the same place where he first fell in love with performing more than forty years ago. Topics Include: Building a working acting career after the Marine Corps Breaking into Hollywood through military advising and special-ability work Landing a role on 24 through preparedness meeting opportunity The grind of co-stars, guest stars, auditions, classes, and momentum Why actors have to “stay in class” and keep training Working on True Detective, The Terminal List, Jarhead, and more The difference between serving the story and trying to steal the scene Finding joy in the privilege of being on set Michael’s experience in New York City on 9/11 Returning home to Spring Lake Theatre with Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret How storytelling opens conversations between veterans, families, and civilians Episode Sponsors: VM Merch Go Pills -- use "VM15" at checkout for 15% off your order. BUBS Naturals -- use "veteranmade" at checkout for 20% off your order. True Made Foods -- use "VET" at checkout for 15% off your order. Ruck Sox -- use "VETERANMADE15" at checkout for 15% off your order. Bravo Actual -- use "Veteran Made" at checkout for 15% off your order. Intro Song composed and produced by Cleod9. SOCIALS: https://www.instagram.com/veteranmade.ck/ https://www.instagram.com/thatbroderick/