How Broadway, Clint Eastwood, and a Missed Audition Taught Renée Marino to Own Her Voice

From Broadway to the big screen, Renée Marino’s story is anything but ordinary. In this episode of Respectfu11y, host Jamie Tompkins sits down with her longtime friend and powerhouse performer to talk about the journey from chasing roles to finding her true voice—and helping others do the same.You might recognize Renée Marino as Mary Delgado from Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys film. But before the Hollywood debut and standing ovations, there were years of hustle: swinging six roles in Cats, turning down dream shows to get her Equity card, touring the country, and surviving the emotional rollercoaster of callbacks and casting rooms. At every step, Renee kept betting on herself—even when the industry told her she was too much, too polished, or not enough of what they thought they wanted.In this conversation, Renee opens up about:The moment she found out Clint Eastwood cast her—after almost being denied an auditionThe mental and physical grit it takes to be a Broadway swing covering multiple rolesHow asking one bold question in an audition room changed her lifeWhy communication with yourself is the foundation of showing up confidently in the worldThe pressures of being told to change your look, sound, or presence—and how she stayed groundedNow a keynote speaker and communication coach, Renee brings the same fire from her performances into boardrooms, stages, and leadership events across the world. She shares how she’s blending her background in performance with a deep purpose—helping others connect more authentically in a digital-first world. From journaling practices to vocal confidence techniques, her tools are as real as her story.This episode dives into themes like:Owning your voice in spaces that want to silence or reshape itThe power of imperfect action, even when you’re afraidNavigating transitions from creative work to entrepreneurshipBuilding connection in a world of constant digital distractionRedefining what it means to be “too much” as a woman in the spotlightRespectfu11y isn’t just about the highlight reel. It’s about the real stories behind the women who’ve had to push against the grain, rewrite the rules, and find power in their own narrative. This episode is one of those stories—told with humor, heart, and total honesty.Whether you're a performer, entrepreneur, recovering perfectionist, or just someone figuring it out one brave step at a time, this conversation offers a mix of inspiration and grounded takeaways you’ll want to come back to.Want to connect deeper?Find Renee Marino online at reneemarino.comFollow her journey on social media or check out her courses on camera confidence and communicationRead her book Becoming a Master Communicator to dive into her full CONNECT methodNew to Respectfu11y?Subscribe to hear real conversations with the people Jamie Tompkins trusts most—the ones who’ve walked through the fire and came out with stories that matter. If this episode moved you, leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag us in your favorite quote. We love hearing how these moments land in your world.Thanks for listening. Stay grounded. Stay bold. And as always, do it respectfully.