Today I want to talk about something that comes up in almost every coaching session I have with actors.

Fear.

Not just nerves before a big audition. Not just that pit in your stomach when you hit “submit” on a self-tape.

I mean the kind of fear that quietly shapes your entire career. The fear that keeps you playing small, second-guessing yourself, or holding back in moments when you need to be bold. The fear that convinces you maybe this dream isn’t really for you.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “What if I’m not good enough?” or “What if I can’t handle it?”—you’re not alone. And that’s exactly what this episode of the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast is all about.

Fear is instinctual. It’s wired into us. Back when humans were being chased by saber-toothed tigers, fear served a purpose—it kept us alive. But today? That same adrenaline spike shows up when you’re waiting outside a casting office or uploading a tape for your reps.

And here’s the thing: fear doesn’t know the difference between real danger and perceived danger. That’s why something as simple as a callback can feel like life or death.

But what I’ve learned—both as a working actress and a coach—is that fear isn’t the enemy. The real challenge is how we respond to it.

There’s one core truth I want you to consider:

At the bottom of every fear is the belief that you can’t handle what life throws at you.

That’s it. That’s the root.

Not the audition. Not the agent meeting. Not even the rejection. It’s the belief that if those things happen—or don’t—you won’t be able to cope.

So what do we do? We avoid. We procrastinate. We shrink ourselves.

But I’m here to tell you, you can handle it.

You just haven’t built that muscle yet.

In my weekly mindset class for actors, The Weekly Adjustment, we work on exactly this. We shift from what I call catabolic energy (draining, fear-based, victim-thinking) to anabolic energy (creative, empowered, growth-oriented).

It’s not magic. It’s mindset work. It’s learning how to interrupt those thought loops and say, “Hey, I see you, fear. But you’re not driving the car today.”

Once you do that—once you raise your energy—you start to attract the opportunities, collaborators, and outcomes that match your new level. Not because the world changes. But because you’ve changed.

That’s the question I leave you with. What would you do differently in your acting career if you had full trust in your ability to handle whatever came your way?

Would you submit more? Would you stop apologizing in the room? Would you finally reach out to that rep?

You don’t need to “get rid” of fear. You need to learn how to work with it. To build your handling muscle. That’s how we grow as actors and as humans.

If this resonates, I’d love to invite you to try two free classes of The Weekly Adjustment. No catch, no obligation—just real tools to help you feel more confident, more connected, and more in control of your career.

This work has changed lives, including my own. It might just change yours too.

👉 Click here to claim your two free classes

And remember—you’ll never be given more than you can handle. But you will be given more than you can control. Let’s build that muscle together.

With love and belief in you,
Peter Pamela Rose
Certified Life & Career Coach for Actors
Host of the Acting Business Boot Camp Podcast

Episode Summary:

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on something I think we all struggle with at some point—especially if you’re a voice actor, on-camera actor, or creative trying to “make it”: shiny object syndrome. You know the feeling. You see someone post about a fancy new mic, a game-changing workshop, a big booking, and suddenly you're wondering… should I be doing that too?

I’ve been there. I’ve spent the money. I’ve chased the dopamine hits. And I want to talk honestly about how jealousy, comparison, and impulse spending can quietly erode your confidence, your clarity, and your career.

This one’s for the overthinkers, the late-night scrollers, the folks who are constantly trying to prove they belong. You don’t need to spend your way into success. You need a strategy. And maybe a little tough love. That’s what this episode is all about.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why shiny object syndrome shows up so often in creative careers

• How to tell the difference between real growth and reactive spending

• The not-so-cute side of jealousy (and what it’s actually trying to tell you)

• Why a new mic or class might not be the thing that moves the needle

• What to track so you can make strategic, data-backed decisions

• A practical, free action you can take this week to reconnect with your voice and value

What I Hope You Take Away:

Just because someone else is booking doesn’t mean they’re better.
Just because you feel stuck doesn’t mean you need to spend.
You already have more than you think. The key is learning how to use it intentionally.

Mentioned in this episode:

🎤 Join my Voiceover Gym – Monthly improv-based VO workout sessions with direct feedback
📬 Subscribe to my Substack – Real talk on creative mindset, VO coaching, and the business of being an artist
📱 Follow me on TikTok – For behind-the-scenes, soapbox rants, and the occasional mic drop

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Share this episode with a fellow actor who needs to hear it.
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How to Land Acting Work in Smaller Markets (And Why It’s More Accessible Than You Might Think)

Have you ever thought that real acting work is only found in big cities? Like you have to be in New York or LA to make it? I used to think that too. But my conversation with actor Aaron Marcus on the Acting Business Boot Camp podcast really shifted that perspective.

About Aaron Marcus
Aaron Marcus has been a full-time actor for over 40 years, with nearly 1,300 bookings across film, TV, commercials, and more. You might have seen his scene with Tom Hanks in the film A Man Called Otto. Aaron started his acting journey in a small market, with no connections and no clue how to break in. After figuring it out through trial and error, he dedicated himself to helping others avoid those same pitfalls. He’s led over 800 workshops on three continents and offers private virtual coaching sessions to share his hard-earned wisdom.

You can learn more about Aaron’s work, watch his free quick-tip videos, or sign up for his mailing list at howtoactandmodel.com.

The Reality of Smaller Markets
It’s easy to forget that acting isn’t only about movies and television. There’s a whole world of paid acting work in smaller markets that most people overlook: training videos, corporate films, industrials, standardized patient work at hospitals, even local commercials and role-playing jobs for law schools and agencies.

Aaron shared how he built up a steady income and impressive résumé by seizing these opportunities. And he’s proof that you don’t have to be in a major city to find consistent, paid work as an actor.

Finding These Hidden Opportunities
Aaron offered some practical insights that really stuck with me:

• Reach out to local businesses and small chains. These places need content to promote themselves—commercials, training videos, even social media content.

• Connect with teaching hospitals and medical schools in your area. Standardized patient work is fascinating and pays you to improvise as a patient to help train medical professionals.

• Contact advertising agencies nearby, not just the national ones. Local agencies need real people with authentic voices for regional commercials and corporate videos.

And maybe my favorite point: Aaron still believes in mailing hard copies of your materials. Yes, it’s old-fashioned. But it’s memorable. Most emails get deleted. A real letter can make an impression.

The Importance of Staying Connected
Aaron also talked about the value of looping in your agent, even when you book work yourself. It’s not about giving away part of your earnings. It’s about showing your agent that you’re proactive and working. It’s about nurturing relationships and building a sense of partnership.

A Reminder: There’s Work for Everyone
What struck me most in talking with Aaron was this simple truth: there’s work out there for everyone. You just have to know where to look and be willing to take action.

If you’re feeling stuck or discouraged by the idea that you have to be in a big city to book work, I hope this encourages you. You don’t. The opportunities are out there. They’re in your community. And often, the first step is just reaching out and asking who’s doing the hiring.

Until next time, remember: there’s work out there for everyone. Stay safe and treat yourself real well.