All Episodes
The Real Life Actor — 100 episodes
Episode 176: I'm directing a feature, cast entirely from actors I've trained. Here's why I chose them.
Episode 175: Chapters 3&4
Episode 174: The ABSOLUTE BEST WAY to improve your acting
Episode 173: The things that compromise your confidence when you act
Episode 172: It's time for a shift in the paradigm
Episode 171: The Real Life Actor teaching tour spring 2025
Episode 170: The Real Life Actor Scene Study Workbook
Episode 169: A tale of 2 books
Episode 168: Part 6: Forget the audience
Episode 167: Part 5: Trying to feel things
Episode 166: Part 4: In Rehearsal
Episode 165: Part 3: The best way to memorize
Episode 164: Part 2: Character approach
Episode 163: 12 part series. Part I: Reading the script.
Episode 162: Telling stories of woe
Episode 161: Working live is the best confidence builder
Episode 160: Doubt is the wrecking ball of creativity
Episode 159: Theatre staging and storytelling
Episode 158: A new training program that culminates with four live performances
Episode 157: Thoughts on theatre acting and directing
Episode 156: Why properly taking direction is a superpower
Episode 155: Why being "real" isn't enough
Episode 154: Many reasons why you should be word perfect
Episode 153: Dealing with agents, do's and don'ts
Episode 152: In person auditions are a thing of the past. Here are tips for great self tapes.
Episode 151: Stronger justification leads to stronger storytelling
Episode 150: The importance of self conflict
Episode 149: Memorize the facts and concept first, then the lines.
Episode 148: Caring way more by caring way less
Episode 147: Is your acting feeling fake? Here is the cure.
Episode 146: Lessons learned in the field
Episode 145: How to keep it fresh, night after night and other stuff
Episode 144: I’m back, after a “big break"
Episode 143: The rules for choosing a choice
Episode 142: The best way to become a more confident actor
Episode 141: The best way to stay focused and on point
Episode 140: A smattering of observations
Episode 139: Bits and bobs from last week
Episode 138: A new series: Last week in review
What’s killing your acting spontaneity?
You’ll be a better actor if you focus more on why and less on how
A great exercise to improve your authenticity and spontaneity
Giving yourself permission to lie the truth
Monologues, observations and advice after a week of Zoom classes
Questions answered. Zoom acting classes.
The new Q&A series, online training, and more...
How to use the great instincts you use in life, when you act.
The trick to staying out of your head
There is such a thing as caring too much and trying too hard.
Stop worrying about getting into the zone and feeling stuff. It’s a fool’s errand.
Stop staring when you act. The best way to stand out in an audition.
Lose the obligation of result. It’s the best way to go.
Getting rid of the self doubt that denies your instincts
The perspective you need to make it personal
Approaching a scene. A practical demonstration.
Stop being stingy with support and compliments, you’ll be a better artist for it.
Why bending like a reed in the wind is an actor’s most powerful stance.
Remember this: Story is King
The best way to keep from “falling out” while you’re acting
When in doubt, choose humility.
In pursuit of character
Self tape tips
All the things you never want to do in the audition. Ever.
Stop dropping bread crumbs for your audience. They can figure it out without your help.
Without question, the most important tool in the actor’s toolbox
The type of information you need to be able to own your scene
The importance of trusting your instincts and using good common sense
The best way to handle direction you were not prepped for
On directing and the best way to deal with actors
New Years resolutions and some thoughts for 2019
How to keep it fresh, take after take, performance after performance.
Making the scene more important than your acting.
What to do when casting directors say, "make interesting choices."
The Aussie files: The difference between a useful backstory and a useless one.
How to keep on, keeping on. Some useful life hack advise.
What it means when you hear, "Just make it more conversational."
I'm telling you for the 100th time..
The art of unquestioned commitment.
The Toronto Files. Observations about a culture of acting.
Our interview with Aisling Franciosi
How you can use, "as if" to get a much deeper understanding of your scene
The on set etiquette that always leads to the best possible work
Would a capable, working actor benefit from a proper acting class?
Here is an acting experiment you really should try.
The Real Life approach applied to a scene with no talk of acting. Priceless.
Stop trying to get your scene "right," it's messing with your reality and authenticity.
Stop complaining about the business and if you do make it, shut up a little.
Do you really want to improve your acting skills? Seriously. Be honest.
Jeff breaks down a one page scene to show how Real Life works.
When acting classes become cults.
Most actors don't work on their acting skills enough.
Substitution debunked. Forget about it.
How to authentically deliver your lines, every single time.
If you're going to miss one podcast this year, don't let it be this one. Word.
The best way to conjure those needed feelings at a moment's notice
The bullshit myth of getting into character
Advice and insights on the best way to approach and own your scene
If you want to be a better actor, stop worrying about this and start thinking about that.
Those classes that encourage you to make out and tell sad ass stories
The actor's true obligation when telling a story of woe