What does life as a professional opera singer really look like?

In this episode, I sit down with soprano Nicole Wacker to talk about the realities of building a career in opera—from years of training and intense rehearsals to performing on stage and navigating the unique challenges of the classical music world.

https://www.nicolewacker.com
https://www.instagram.com/nicolewackerr/

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Annabel Personeni was a rising track star on the verge of an Ivy League scholarship at Princeton. But at just 21 years old, a diagnosis of severe hip dysplasia brought her athletic world to a crashing halt. Faced with an identity crisis and a doctor's order to "stay calm," Annabel chose the opposite: she chose adventure.

In this episode, we explore her transition from obsessive training to the freedom of the arts. We talk about:

- The Loss of Identity: Letting go of the "athlete" label after years of sacrifice.
- The Bold Pivot: Quitting a formal US music program after just one day to follow her gut to Mexico.
- The Traveling Artist: Teaching herself the ukulele and finding community in the cafes of Buenos Aires.
- Breaking the "Cage": Why your current limitations are often just an "imaginary cage".

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What happens when a scientist picks up a camera to tell the story of wolves?

In this episode, I sit down with Samer Angelone, a scientist-turned-filmmaker, to explore his powerful documentary Lupi Nostri. This documentary offers a rare, intimate look at wolves — and the deep human conflict surrounding their return.

Samer shares what it was like to spend months in the mountains, getting closer to wolves than most people ever will, and how he translated that experience into a film that captures both beauty and tension.

But Lupi Nostri goes beyond wildlife storytelling. It brings together two opposing perspectives:
🐺 those who fear and oppose wolves
🌿 and those working to protect them

🎙️ In this conversation, we dive into:

- The journey from science to filmmaking
- Behind-the-scenes challenges of filming wolves in the wild
- How storytelling can bridge divided perspectives

Further information about the film: https://www.lupinostri.com

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