In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with Michael J Puddy to tackle industry myths and uncover the realities shaping the entertainment business in 2025. From actors making political statements to the impact of streaming, they pull no punches in exploring where the industry is headed.

They cover:

• Should actors speak out at award shows?

• How streaming transformed careers in film & television

• Why relationships are just as important as talent in Hollywood

• The ripple effects of media mergers and show cancellations

• Concerns about the cancellation of late-night comedy shows

• The influence of right-wing media companies on Hollywood

• The potential impact of Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on foreign films

• Why Los Angeles still remains the industry’s central hub

This episode blends insider experience with outsider curiosity to separate myths from reality and reveal what’s really happening in Hollywood today.

What happens when you leave a career in aviation to chase your dream in Hollywood?

In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with actress, producer, and businesswoman Marcia Lopez to explore her incredible journey from Uruguay to the U.S., where she transitioned from pilot and flight attendant to performer and storyteller.

Marcia opens up about:

• Her path from aviation to acting and producing

• The role of AI in storytelling and why it will never replace the human soul

• The challenges of building authentic connections in a transactional industry

• Her passion for horror films and psychology as tools for understanding humanity

• The evolving film industry landscape, from tax credits abroad to the impact of self-tapes and social media

• Why authenticity, collaboration, and the right advocates can make or break a career

This is a conversation about creativity, resilience, and staying true to yourself in an ever-changing industry.

What if the best acting doesn’t look like acting at all?

In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with veteran actor, coach, and author Jeff Seymour to explore his groundbreaking “Real Life Actor Approach.” With over 40 years of experience, Jeff challenges traditional acting methods, focusing instead on authentic human behavior, presence, and communication.

Together, Marc and Jeff dig into:

• Why practical experience beats theory in acting

• How Jeff developed his “Real Life” method

• The state of today’s acting industry and its biggest flaws

• What actors really need to succeed on stage and screen

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, Jeff’s insights will change the way you think about the craft.

What do Navy training, Hollywood politics, and union elections have in common? In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen sits down with actor and SAG-AFTRA leader Christina Bobrowsky to break down the realities of union life most actors never hear about.

From running for office and navigating committees, to the impact of AI in the industry and why SAG-AFTRA elections feel like U.S. politics, Christina brings a candid look at what it really takes to fight for the future of performers.

If you’ve ever wondered why turnout is low, how celebrity candidates change the game, or what the union could do better, this conversation is for you.

Tune in for an honest, eye-opening discussion that connects the dots between art, politics, and survival in today’s entertainment industry.

In this episode of Beyond The Take, actor, writer, and director Sunita Deshpande (@luckysunita) joins Marc for a powerful conversation on the beauty, vulnerability, and authenticity of live performance. From directing her first play Justice for Geeta to teaching improvisation across professional spaces, and explore what it means to stay creatively alive when the industry feels like it’s burning down.

🔹 Highlights include:

• The inspiration and real-life tragedy behind Justice for Geeta

• Navigating the industry during the Paramount/Skydance merger and rise of AI-generated content

• The growing importance of improv and live storytelling in a world leaning on automation

• The emotional toll of auditioning and how to redefine “success” as an actor today

• Memories of bottomless Bloody Marys and the bond that started it all

🎭 Learn more about Sunita and her work at www.successfulspontaneity.com

🎧 Stream Beyond The Take now and follow for honest conversations about art, industry, and staying human through it all.

Award-winning filmmaker, poet, and author Jamal Hodge joins Beyond the Take for one of our most powerful conversations yet.

From a turbulent childhood filled with trauma and homelessness to becoming a celebrated voice in film and literature, Jamal opens up about how art became his path to healing. We dive into his journey, the film premiering at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, and why storytelling isn’t just a craft, it’s a survival tool.

We talk:

• Why the best art comes from pain

• How AI is shaping the future of filmmaking

• The brutal realities of set professionalism

• What it really takes to be a resilient artist in today’s industry

• The indie film boom outside of LA and NYC

• How he channels truth as a director and writer

• The moment Jurassic Park changed his life forever

📚 Grab Jamal’s Books:

• The Dark Between the Twilight

• Bestiary of Blood

• Everything Endless

🎧 Stream now for raw truths, creative insight, and a masterclass in resilience.

Jamal Hodge is a Bram Stoker & Elgin Award-nominated writer of The Dark Between The Twilight, award-winning film director, producer, anthology editor of Bestiary of Blood, and co-writer of Everything Endless.

In this episode of Beyond The Take, Marc Chouen and co-host Michael J. Puddy sit down with actor, producer, and entrepreneur Sara Quiriconi to explore how vertical short-form content is reshaping the film industry—and what it means for working actors today.

Sara shares her journey of building a personal brand that spans acting, writing, and entrepreneurship, while staying true to her creative vision. She breaks down the opportunities and risks of vertical shorts, including what actors should know before signing contracts, how revenue models work, and why platforms are betting on this format despite Quibi’s spectacular failure.

Marc and Sara also dive into audition strategies, the art of self-taping, and the mindset shifts required to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.

Whether you’re an actor looking to future-proof your career or a creator curious about the business behind short-form content, this conversation will leave you inspired—and better prepared.

Actor and wrestler in-training B Todd Johnston (Mayor of Kingstown, Ballard) joins us to talk about the rise of pro wrestlers breaking into serious Hollywood roles.

We dive into:

• The Rock’s Oscar potential and his upcoming A24 projects

• Liv Morgan’s acting debut with NEON Films

• Why Dave Bautista has outpaced other wrestlers in film

• The real difference between wrestlers, influencers, and athletes in acting

• Writing your own roles and why B Todd still wants to wrestle despite his success on screen

🎬 Hosted by Marc Chouen & Michael J Puddy

🎧 New episodes bi-weekly

Follow us @BeyondTheTakePod on Instagram & Threads.