The Brutal Truth Behind AI Killing ACTING | Actor's Honest Answer

In this episode, Actor and Content Creator Ryan Pugh reveals why he did not take over his family's chocolate factory, how Shooter's Chocolates scaled to Costco and Whole Foods, and what it really takes to build an acting career in 2026.You will learn how chocolate shot glasses are actually manufactured, why most aspiring actors never book paid roles, and how AI is reshaping creative careers and the future of entertainment.What we have covered:✅ Inside the family chocolate factory supplying Costco and Whole Foods✅ How chocolate shot glasses, cups and mints are actually manufactured✅ Private label vs retail strategy for chocolate brands✅ Why he chose acting and content creation over the family business✅ How to break into acting: background work, agents, self-tapes and auditions✅ From horror feature films to a Super Bowl commercial: Real acting economics✅ Vertical dramas and phone soap operas: The next entertainment format✅ How AI is threatening acting and creative careers✅ Mindset, willpower and advice for building a career in creative fields✅ UGC creation, going viral and the Pedro Pascal story on The Last of Us setTIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction0:41 - Meet Ryan Pugh: Actor & Content Creator0:53 - Shooters Chocolates: Origin Story19:00 - Nepotism, Industry Connections & The Audition Process27:23 - Inside an Audition: Memorizing Lines & Landing His First Lead Role41:23 - Super Bowl Commercial, Pay Rates & Buyouts44:33 - The Actor Strike, AI, and the Rise of Vertical Dramas49:07 - Will AI Replace Actors?54:49 - Who Controls AI, and Who Profits From It?57:11 - AI, Monopolies, and the Next 50 Years1:14:25 - UGC, Nook, and Content Creation as a Side Hustle1:16:50 - The Pedro Pascal Story on Set1:17:21 - Final Three: Ego, Business Advice, and the Meaning of LifeKey Themes:Family chocolate factory business model | Chocolate manufacturing process explained | How to become an actor in Hollywood | Acting auditions and commercial buyouts explained | Vertical dramas and phone soap opera trend | AI impact on creative careers🔔 Follow & listen to Think Forward Podcast for weekly conversations with founders, creators, and industry experts.Follow us: ✅ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hwOppw3mfk8UvqGP57rLs?si=3e87ffd6722f4edd ✅ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadra.manouchehri/ ✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadra-khorvash-ab9bb4210/?originalSubdomain=ca ✅ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.manouch ✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkforwardpodcast/© Think Forward Podcast. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced without prior written permission.