Charlotte reflects on growing up between Boston, Munich, and Vienna, discovering acting as a child, and being cast in Downfall, one of Germany’s most acclaimed films, at the very beginning of her journey.

The conversation explores auditions, self-doubt, being ignored, comparison, and why getting the role is only the beginning of an actor’s career.

Charlotte also shares what acting gives her that nothing else does, how creativity helped her heal, and why leaving the industry has never felt like an option.

A thoughtful and honest conversation about purpose, resilience, and the emotional reality behind an acting career.

Anthony reflects on growing up in Manchester, his love of music, and the chance meeting that changed his life. He shares how a demo tape, a record deal, and a new name introduced the world to Kavana, and what life was really like behind the pop star image.

The conversation also explores moving to Los Angeles, starting again, family, self-worth, connection, and the experiences that changed how Anthony sees success today.

Anthony also shares memories of Amy Winehouse, a funny airport encounter involving Victoria Beckham, and why writing Pop Scars became such a meaningful chapter in his life.

A warm and honest conversation about life after fame, the person behind the name, and the power of telling your story with truth and humor.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, actor Victor Rivas Rivers returns for a deeper conversation about the making and lasting legacy of the cult classic film Blood In Blood Out. Best known to many fans as Magic Mike, Victor shares behind-the-scenes stories from filming inside San Quentin, reflects on creating one of the film’s most memorable characters, and explains why the movie continues to connect with audiences across generations.

The conversation explores the film’s themes of family, identity, culture, loyalty, and choices, while also touching on Chicano culture, fan devotion, and the responsibility of bringing a real community and its stories to the screen with respect.

For fans of Blood In Blood Out, film history, acting, Chicano culture, and behind-the-scenes movie interviews, this episode offers a thoughtful and personal look at a film that continues to live on.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Emmy-winning television producer and director Rudy Gaskins reflects on the idea behind SOVAS (the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences), the organization he co-founded with his wife and business partner Joan Baker.

Starting behind the scenes in television, Rudy worked on major projects including Emmy-winning promotions for the 2000 Summer Olympics for NBC. Through hiring voice actors, he saw how essential their work was, and how little recognition they received. That gap became the foundation for SOVAS, a platform built to bring visibility to the entire field.

He speaks about the resistance they faced, the criticism from within the community, and the moments where the project felt uncertain. Building something new required persistence and a clear sense of purpose.

For Rudy, success is less about recognition and more about creating something people can actually use. Something that connects people, creates opportunity, and brings a community together.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, singer-songwriter Tara Beier shares the moments that shaped her relationship with her family. As a teenager, she stepped in during a confrontation at home to protect her mother. Years later, she stood in front of a room full of strangers and spoke about what happened, and it changed how her family saw her.

She talks about what it’s like to go against your own family, how those dynamics shift over time, and what it takes to find your footing again when that foundation changes. With a background in criminology, she also offers a broader perspective on why people stay silent, why certain patterns repeat, and how difficult it can be to be heard when the truth challenges everything around you.

This is a conversation about speaking up, dealing with the consequences, and learning how to move forward without easy answers.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, filmmaker Brandon Slagle shares a grounded perspective on building a career across independent productions and larger studio-backed films, including The Black Dahlia Haunting, The Flood, and Battle for Saipan. His path into filmmaking was not linear. He started in music, moved into acting, and eventually stepped behind the camera. That progression shapes how he approaches both the creative and practical sides of the industry.

The conversation focuses on the reality of filmmaking as a demanding and often unglamorous process. Brandon talks about working under tight timelines, adapting quickly on set, and collaborating with teams where every role matters. He explains how filmmaking is not only about creative vision, but also about execution, logistics, and consistency over time.

A key part of the discussion centers on decision-making. Brandon reflects on the kinds of opportunities that can define a career, including moments where turning down a project can be just as important as accepting one. These choices highlight the balance between professional growth and personal values.

The episode also explores the relationship between creativity and business. From understanding films as both artistic work and commercial products, to learning how to navigate the industry long term, Brandon offers insight into what allows some people to continue while others step away.

For anyone interested in filmmaking, storytelling, or creative careers, this episode provides a clear and honest look at how films are actually made and what it takes to sustain a career in the industry.

Actor Victor Rivas Rivers, known for his iconic role as Magic Mike in Blood In Blood Out and for The Mask of Zorro, shares how he broke a cycle that could have defined his life.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Victor, actor, author, and advocate, opens up about a story that goes far beyond Hollywood. Many recognize him from working with directors like Steven Spielberg, Ang Lee, and David Lynch, and from roles in series such as Miami Vice, 24, CSI Miami, Modern Family, and Better Call Saul. Here, he reflects on what shaped the man behind it all.

After immigrating from Cuba as a child, Victor grew up in an environment that affected every member of his family. As a young boy, he did not just witness it, he challenged it. One moment, walking into a police station alone to ask for help, would shape how he saw the world and his place in it.

What followed was a path that could have gone in a very different direction. Instead, through mentorship, discipline, and personal choice, Victor redirected his life into sport, education, and storytelling.

This is a conversation about resilience, identity, and the choices that shape who we become.

In this part of the discussion, she reflects on what it has been like to revisit that period over time, the challenges she describes in being understood, and how those moments have continued to affect both her personal life and her creative work.

She also discusses the importance she places on telling her story in her own words, and why she feels that conversation is still ongoing.

For months, Ngozi sought medical help while doctors struggled to identify the cause of her symptoms. The turning point came during what was expected to be a routine procedure, when the underlying problem was finally discovered. Her diagnosis came during the early days of the COVID pandemic, adding another layer of challenge during an already difficult time.

The experience reshaped her outlook on resilience, purpose, and life after remission.

After recovering, Ngozi rebuilt her life with remarkable determination. Within a short period she completed an MBA, ran several marathons for charity, and was crowned Mrs. Exceptional Lady Universe 2023 at the Mrs Universe pageant in Miami.

Today she uses her platform to raise awareness, encourage self-advocacy during illness, and support others facing serious health challenges.

Ngozi is also the founder of ADM LTD, a marketing consultancy, and a motivational speaker dedicated to helping others navigate adversity and recovery.

Sophie first gained international attention in 1996 as the face of the iconic “Girl in the Grass” campaign for the lingerie brand Gossard. The billboard made her one of the most talked-about figures of the decade and brought widespread media attention during the height of the British tabloid era.

She went on to work with legendary photographers including Herb Ritts and David Bailey, appeared in campaigns for brands such as Sony, Topshop, Marks and Spencer, Knickerbox, and La Senza, and graced the cover of British GQ. Sophie later became a familiar face on television, appearing on shows including I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Love Island, and Celebrity Big Brother.

In this conversation, she speaks about life in the spotlight, the pressures that came with sudden fame, and the journey that followed. Today Sophie lives in Ireland, where she founded Anam Kara Wellness, a sanctuary dedicated to wellbeing, nature, and reflection within the historic Glendalough House estate in County Wicklow.

Paz talks about her current situation, the strain that followed after she began speaking publicly, and how her life and career shifted once she stopped staying quiet. She also discusses high-profile names connected to the Epstein materials and why continuing to speak in her own words matters to her.

This episode continues Paz de la Huerta’s story. To hear how it begins, listen to Episode 30 of Ego Was Here.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Paz says she was sexually abused by members of her family and grew up under extreme control. She talks about her father’s background in Spanish aristocracy and her mother’s public role connected to the United Nations, and the contrast she describes between her family’s public image and what she says was happening privately.

Paz claims she was trafficked by her mother and sold to Harvey Weinstein. She also says she has lived under threat for years, including what she describes as multiple attempts on her life, and that she has been in hiding for safety. She links parts of her story to names she says appear in the Epstein materials, including references to the Brunel family.

She explains that she’s speaking publicly now to raise awareness about trafficking and exploitation and to support others who have been harmed.

Born in Jordan, Dima Ghawi grew up in a culture where women were discouraged from pursuing education or independence. After escaping an arranged marriage, her father believed she brought shame on the family and has sought revenge ever since. For nearly twenty five years, the consequences of that choice have followed her.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Dima shares what it was like to grow up feeling unseen, how isolation can slowly become familiar, and what it takes to rebuild your life when you leave everything familiar behind. This is a conversation about courage, consequence, and the long road to choosing yourself.

Today, Dima is a globally recognized keynote speaker, leadership coach, and the award winning author of Breaking Vases. Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and learning to live with visibility after years of being told to stay small.

This episode explores what women often face in midlife: shifting roles, changing bodies, and the pressure to keep going even when everything inside says to slow down. Heike Yates shares insights from over 40 years of experience in fitness and coaching, reflecting on how this stage affects identity, confidence, and the relationship women have with their bodies.

We talk about the guilt that comes with rest, the constant pressure to improve, and what it means to care for yourself in a way that feels supportive rather than punishing.

This is not a conversation about doing more. It is about letting go of what no longer fits and finding strength that feels true to where you are now.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Janice Kovach, Mayor of Clinton, New Jersey, reflects on leadership as lived experience rather than theory. Drawing from years in public service, she talks about what it means to serve an entire community while navigating disagreement, pressure, and accountability.

Janice shares how she learned to separate personal feelings from public responsibility, why listening became central to her approach, and how her understanding of empowerment evolved over time. The conversation also explores the role of dialogue, art, and community in bringing people together, even when opinions differ.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at leadership shaped by experience, perspective, and care, rather than performance or certainty.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Laura Behnke shares her experience of building a successful career while quietly questioning her timing in life. Laura spent 16 years as a TV sports anchor and reporter, reaching professional milestones many people aspire to. And yet, at 35, she had never been in a relationship and often felt out of sync with where she thought she should be.

This conversation explores what it’s like to be doing well on the outside while feeling behind on the inside. We talk about societal expectations around relationships and success, the pressure of timelines, and how comparison can shape the way we see ourselves. Laura reflects on letting go of the idea that life has a correct order, and what changed when she allowed herself to imagine a future that looked different from the one she had planned.

This episode isn’t about advice or fixing yourself. It’s about recognizing the quiet tension many people carry when their life doesn’t match the milestones they were taught to expect, and finding space to live more honestly within that reality.

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Karen Leigh, NLP Master Practitioner and hypnotherapist, explores how limiting beliefs take shape early in life and continue to influence how we grow, decide, and move forward as adults. These beliefs rarely affect everything. More often, they block specific areas such as confidence, relationships, ambition, or self-worth, even when there is insight and a genuine desire to change.

Karen explains how early experiences shape what feels possible, safe, or realistic later on. We talk about why people can feel capable in some areas of life but stuck in others, why understanding something intellectually does not always lead to real change, and how familiar patterns can repeat quietly over time.

This conversation is not about fixing yourself or pushing harder. It is about understanding why growth can stall in certain areas of life, and what changes once those patterns are clearly recognised.

If parts of your life feel like they are not evolving despite effort and reflection, this episode offers a grounded and compassionate way to understand why.

Psychotherapist Mary Starks joins to explore why authenticity can feel dangerous, how old patterns and survival strategies keep us locked in our own minds, and what it actually takes to feel like yourself again. From the pull of validation and performance to the quiet cost of comparison, this conversation looks at ego, identity, and the need to be seen without abandoning who we are.

If you’ve been longing for clarity, self-trust, and a way back to a life that feels present instead of overthought, this episode offers insight and practical guidance to start reconnecting, gently, honestly, and at your own pace.

In this episode, filmmaker, actor, and producer Elinor Keyes shares what it was really like to start college at 13 through an exceptionally gifted program, and why being academically ahead didn’t make growing up any simpler. She reflects on skipping high school, entering adult environments as a child, and how early achievement quietly shaped her relationship with pressure, confidence, and other people.

Elinor talks about the parts no one prepares you for: learning social and emotional skills later than expected, realizing that intelligence doesn’t translate to ease in everyday life, and unlearning the belief that productivity equals worth. She also opens up about anxiety, creativity, and how finding the right role behind the scenes, producing rather than performing, helped her build a life that actually fits.

This conversation is about the gap between achievement and real life. Elinor explains how being ahead can shape your relationship with people, pressure, and self-trust, and how you rebuild those skills when the world assumes you already have them.

In this episode, award-winning historical fiction author Kerry Chaput (Daughter of the King, Chasing Eleanor, The Secret Courtesan) shares how discovering forgotten women in history helped her reclaim her voice, her creativity, and her life. She opens up about growing up in a patriarchal environment, learning that women were meant to support men, not be the heroes, and how that belief fed years of anxiety and self-silencing.

At 40, Kerry reached a breaking point and decided: “This is my time.” From secretly writing in the margins of her life to publishing award-winning historical fiction, she shows how truth, “useful rage,” and storytelling can become tools for women who are tired of being invisible.

If you’ve ever felt “too quiet,” “too sensitive,” or “not enough,” this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Growing up being taught that women are not remembered and not meant to be heroes
• How silencing your voice feeds anxiety, and what changes when you finally start using it
• Turning anger into “useful rage” that fuels courage instead of shame
• The impact of Eleanor Roosevelt and the quote that changed everything for Kerry
• Letting go of external approval and redefining success from the inside out
• The story behind The Secret Courtesan, a novel about a hidden woman sculptor whose genius was buried under a man’s name

In this conversation, she shares how an inner voice pushed her to walk away from that plan, commit to a “1% chance” career in acting, and build a decades-long body of work in a brutal industry. We explore the realities behind the credits: navigating ego and comparison, facing depression and burnout, aging on camera, leaving Los Angeles, and ultimately redefining success around happiness rather than fame.

This episode is for actors, creatives and anyone standing at the edge of a big, risky decision, wondering if the life they’ve built is really the one they want.

Travel, cultural encounters, and personal introspection later pushed him to look beyond the familiar and explore the deeper layers of human experience. Sean reflects on how early environments shape our sense of self, why perception is rarely as straightforward as it seems, and how noticing the unseen dimensions of life can shift the way we move through the world.

His work in film has evolved alongside a growing interest in spirituality, global traditions, and the fundamental questions behind consciousness. His perspective blends cinematic storytelling with an ongoing search for meaning.

This episode explores:

• How early environments shape our perception of reality
• The connection between storytelling, culture, and consciousness
• Why intuition and awareness matter in daily life
• What we overlook when we only focus on the surface
• How the “edges” of experience expand our understanding of the world

John shares how autism is often perceived, how sensory overwhelm affects communication, and why slowing down long enough to truly notice others can transform the way we relate to one another. This episode explores the quiet strength of presence, the emotional truth of parenting, and the deeper human insights that come from seeing beyond assumptions.

His latest feature film, Learning You, a father–son story centered around autism and human connection, will premiere in theaters across the United States and Mexico on January 16th, 2026.

Danny grew up between Lebanon and Kuwait during years marked by conflict, and those early experiences shaped his perspective as an artist. In this conversation, he reflects on family, identity, the loss of his brother, and how storytelling became both a calling and a way to heal. His path through the industry reveals what it takes to stay committed when the road is long and the roles are limited.

This episode explores the realities of the actor’s life, the courage to reinvent yourself, and the inner drive needed to stay the course. It is a conversation about belief, persistence, and the creative fire that refuses to die out.

In this episode, we explore:

• Danny’s journey from Lebanon to Hollywood
• How a war-torn childhood shaped his artistic perspective
• The “no Plan B” mindset and what it really means
• Defying stereotypes and finding authentic roles
• Creating your own opportunities in the film industry
• Staying grounded through rejection, success, and reinvention
• The healing power of storytelling
• Advice for actors navigating the long game

Comedian Sean Porter shares how growing up in the shadow of war shaped his voice, his presence, and his purpose on stage. Through stand-up, therapy, and reflection, he discovered that comedy isn’t just entertainment, it’s healing in motion.

In this deeply human conversation, Sean opens up about the discipline of being present, learning from failure, and finding meaning in connection. His story is a reminder that sometimes the strongest punchlines come from the hardest truths.

🎧 In this episode:

• Turning pain into comedy and connection
• How therapy reshaped his creative process
• The balance between honesty and performance
• Presence, mindfulness, and emotional growth
• Redefining success through authenticity

Listen to more stories of transformation and creative truth every week on Ego Was Here, where artists, thinkers, and dreamers strip away the illusion to find what’s real.

Through her candid reflections on resilience, Buddhism, and filmmaking, Stacy shares how embracing vulnerability leads to freedom, transformation, and purpose. Her journey reminds us that being seen for who we truly are isn’t just brave, it’s liberating.

In this episode, he opens up about what it really takes to bring a vision to life, from endless rewrites and studio notes to moments with icons like Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jackson, and creative leaders George Lucas and Mark Frost. Through decades in writers’ rooms and showrunning experiences, Philip reveals what he’s learned about creativity, persistence, and the balance between art and industry.

It’s an intimate look behind Hollywood’s curtain, where stories are built through vision, resilience, and the courage to keep creating when everything’s on the line.

Drawing on her on-screen experience and a deep understanding of storytelling and neuroscience, Carolyn explores how shifting focus from self to story unlocks emotional honesty, presence, and performances that leave a lasting impression.

In this conversation, we dive into:

• How story and neuroscience reshape the craft from the inside out
• Why ego often limits authentic expression—and how to move beyond it
• Techniques for unlocking emotional truth in performance
• What happens when actors stop “performing” and start listening
• How this shift transforms both the work and the artist behind it

Dan shares how his life in front of the camera and on stage taught him that embracing what we usually hide can unlock authentic connection, creative freedom, and a deeper sense of self.

🔥 In this episode, we explore:

📌 How imperfection can draw people closer rather than push them away

📌 The role of vulnerability in creativity, acting, and personal growth

📌 Why self-acceptance is essential for meaningful relationships and artistry

📌 Behind-the-scenes moments from Dan’s stage and modeling career that reveal the power of being real

📌 How visualization and inner work shaped his identity over time

In this intimate conversation, Heaven shares how she broke free from toxic cycles, set new boundaries, and rebuilt her life in Los Angeles. From her career in Hollywood to the personal transformations that shaped her path, she opens up about resilience, identity, and the courage it takes to start over.

This episode of Ego Was Here is about more than acting, it’s about what it really means to reinvent yourself in the city of dreams.

🔑 What you’ll hear:

• The turning points that gave Heaven the courage to step away from toxic patterns
• Mindset shifts she uses every day to choose freedom over fear
• The surprising story behind her Top Gun debut with Tom Cruise
• Why she chose the name “Heaven”, and the powerful meaning behind it
• Lasting lessons on boundaries, healing, and self-worth

✨ A story of resilience, courage, and second chances.

Yasmine opens up about the pressure of performance, the tension between social media and self-expression, and the courage it takes to stay real when the world rewards masks.

🎧 Listen to more episodes of Ego Was Here and join conversations about creativity, identity, and the human stories behind the spotlight.

Havilah brings lived experience and training. She is an award winning actor, four-time bestselling author, spoken word artist and former tech leader. In this episode she blends candid story with short, testable practices: vision work, simple body-based cues, and the One Thought Reset, a focused 24-hour test to try on a new belief.

What you will get

• The moment that started the change and why it mattered
• Short, practical practices you can use right away
• How to run the One Thought Reset and what clear evidence to track

Try it this week and note one observable result: a different choice, a calmer reaction, or a new opening.

This conversation isn’t just about acting. It’s about slowing down, trusting your path, and choosing to live true to yourself in a world built on performance.

That is exactly what happened to Carlos Alejandro Lujan. In this episode of Ego Was Here, Carlos opens up about surviving the unthinkable: battling cancer, enduring abuse, and navigating the darkest chapters of his life.

He shares the tools that helped him heal, the hope he discovered in moments of despair, and how he turned pain into purpose through his children’s book Cancer Can’t Stop Me, Roar.

This is not just a survival story. It is proof of the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable struggles, strength and hope can prevail.

Belinda’s journey takes us from growing up queer in a conservative Southern Baptist family to founding the Portland Queer Comedy Festival and leading Pride activism. She opens up about the burden of representation, the power of coming out, and why safe spaces are still vital for LGBTQ+ communities.

🌈 In this episode, Belinda shares:

• How laughter can turn trauma into strength
• The responsibility of representation — and how she coped with burnout
• Building LGBTQ+ community through Pride, comedy, and activism
• Why coming out is always an act of bravery (and how to do it safely)

✨ Follow Belinda Carroll ✨

🌐 Website: https://www.belinda-carroll.com

https://www.instagram.com/belindacomedy

🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/17pqus9ZH9FmEUZ2kI79fm?si=212650c4088a480e

In this episode of Ego Was Here, Anna Iris sits down with Anna Kumble (known to millions as Lolly) for an uplifting and candid conversation about her journey through music, creativity, and identity.

Anna shares:

• The highs of 90s pop stardom and connecting with fans
• How she balances artistry with motherhood and personal growth
• The freedom of making music on her own terms today
• Why success is as much about joy and authenticity as it is about charts

✨ A celebration of music, resilience, and staying true to yourself — Anna’s story proves that passion and creativity never lose their power.

Topics include:

• Talent vs. connections in the acting world
• How social media can influence casting
• Mental health and facing rejection
• Mastering accents without losing performance
• Grounding techniques for stress and anxiety
• Redefining success and embracing authenticity

📲 Follow Aisling: https://www.instagram.com/aislinggoodwin

🔔 Follow for more inspiring conversations with Anna Iris

📲 Follow Anna: https://linktr.ee/annairisofficial

We discuss:

• Transitioning into acting without formal training
• The challenge and power of performing with no dialogue
• What “Barbara” in Exchange truly represents
• Rejection, typecasting, and staying grounded in a chaotic industry
• Meditation, emotional honesty, and trusting your creative process

This is a candid conversation about growth, identity, and letting go of who you thought you had to be. If you're standing on the edge of transformation, this episode is for you.

Follow Natalie Bark

Instagram: nataliebark.actor

Follow Anna Iris

Linktree: annairisofficial

New episodes every week exploring ego, identity, and transformation in the creative world.

In this raw and transformative conversation, host Anna Iris speaks with actress, author, and hearing health advocate Tiffany Storrs, who lost her hearing after childbirth, and calls it the greatest gift of her life.

Together, they explore invisible disabilities, identity, motherhood, and the mindset shift that turned fear into fierce purpose. Tiffany shares how she became a bold voice for change, how cochlear implants changed her life, and what it means to truly adapt.

 📘 Get Tiffany’s book Adaptability: https://a.co/d/9MC8vdj

 📲 Follow Tiffany: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanystasnystorrs/

Why it scares me.

Why I hesitated.

And what it really means to show up without the protection of a script, a role, or a mask.

If you've ever felt the pull to speak your truth — but also the fear of what might follow — this episode might just be for you.

💛 Follow this journey from the very beginning.

🎥 New episodes (with real, unscripted conversations) coming soon.

—

Ego Was Here is a bold podcast about identity, emotional survival, and the deeply human need to be seen.

Follow Ego Was Here for weekly episodes that dive deep into human stories, vulnerability, and connection.