What does it truly mean to be a theater critic in the digital age? In this compelling episode of Creative Risk, Joshua sits down with Mickey-Jo Boucher, the brilliant force behind MickeyJoTheatre, the world's largest YouTube channel dedicated to theater criticism. From his early days as a math student who stumbled into musical theater society, Mickey-Jo has carved a unique path, building an owned audience of nearly 85,000 subscribers and transforming how we engage with and discuss the theatre.

Joshua and Mickey-Jo dive deep into the seismic shifts impacting traditional criticism, the power of authentic individual perspectives over institutional gatekeepers, and the fascinating nuances of building a full-time, self-sustaining career as a digital content creator. They explore why "being online" is no longer just marketing, but essential for the future of theater, dissect the differences between Broadway and the West End, and reveal the surprising realities - both good and bad - of sharing your passion loudly and proudly in a constantly evolving digital landscape. This conversation offers an exhilarating glimpse into the future of arts, critique, and how personal passion can build powerful platforms.

Mickey's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCDQi6IkbVa2SJok8fUZOpKw

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

What does it really mean to “show up” online as an artist in 2025? In this episode, Mike and Joshua get ruthlessly honest about the highs, lows, and existential weirdness of building creative community in the digital era. From the myth that social platforms are just “marketing tools,” to the radical truth that emotional investment - not just content - is king, the duo pull back the curtain on what’s working, what’s BS, and what’s just plain overwhelming for modern creatives.

Whether you secretly loathe posting in your stories, feel lost in an algorithmic sea, or crave new ways to share your art (while staying sane), this conversation dives deep into workflow, boundaries, authenticity, and how to grow meaningful community online without losing your soul (and still maybe wearing a regrettable thrifted shirt).

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

In this electrifying episode of Raw and Rising, Joshua dives deep with the powerhouse vocalist Ryan James Monroe, an artist who's redefining soulful performance. Ryan shares how his roots in gospel choir ignited a lifelong pursuit of raw, visceral connection with his audience, a stark contrast to the often-sterile world of musical theater. This is where hustle meets heart, and where Ryan reveals the messy, unglamorous side of indie music – the financial risks, the DIY production, and the audacity it takes to build a brand from the ground up.

But it's not all grind. Ryan gets real about the "confidence cocktail" that fuels his unapologetic authenticity, and the vulnerability he embraces to shatter the loneliness that pervades the world. He shares a powerful vision of success rooted in collaboration and empowerment, not cutthroat competition.

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

THIS IS A SEGMENT OF A PATREON EXCLUSIVE EPISODE

What if your career isn't actually broken-what if your expectations are? Joshua and Mike dive deep into one of the most uncomfortable truths facing artists today: that most creative careers stall not because of lack of talent or even circumstances, but because of unrealistic expectations that were never aligned with reality. From the myth of "making it" to the shifting landscape of an industry in collapse, this episode challenges everything you think you know about building a sustainable creative life.

This isn't your typical motivational podcast episode. Joshua and Mike get brutally honest about the gap between what artists expect and what it actually takes to succeed in today's market. They explore why managing expectations might be the most important skill you never learned, how to break down overwhelming goals into actionable steps, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is assume no one is coming to save you. If you're feeling stuck, unmotivated, or questioning whether you're "good enough," this conversation will give you the framework to get unstuck and start building the career you actually want.

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

In this episode of Creative Risk, Joshua sits down with writer, producer, historian, and all-around powerhouse Jennifer Ashley Tepper for an expansive conversation about creative sustainability, self-made opportunity, and the legacy of women in musical theater. From her start as a theater-obsessed kid in Boca Raton to becoming the programming director of 54 Below and conceiving major off and on Broadway productions, Jen has carved a career with no blueprint - just grit, vision, and relentless initiative.

This is more than a highlight reel. It’s a deep dive into how archival work is creative work, how producing your own shows can change your life, and why being indispensable often means doing what no one else is doing. Jen opens up about her decade-long journey with the Jonathan Larson Project, the power of audience-led virality with Be More Chill, and why writing Women Writing Musicals was both a celebration and a reckoning. If you’ve ever felt like there’s no lane for what you want to do, this conversation is proof that you can build one.

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

This episode dives deep with Matt Koplik, host of the Broadway Breakdown Podcast, as we unpack 2025’s state of Broadway.

Matt shares candid thoughts about how social media, rising costs, and risk-averse creative institutions are challenging artistry in the theater - from standing ovations that mean nothing, to the pressure on performers and critics to play it safe and please the crowd. Discover why making unique art in the digital age matters more than ever, and how cultivating bold, messy, and individual work is the only way for artists to survive the era of algorithms.

If you’re striving for artistic integrity, wanting honest talk about the future of theater, or just like T and hot takes on the theater - this episode is for you.

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

Are you a struggling artist juggling creative passion with the need to pay the bills? 😔 Many actors & filmmakers face the same challenge: How do you make a sound design career sustainable in a tough industry? Can you balance creative risk-taking with the practical realities of making a living? 🤔

In this Raw & Rising episode, Tony-nominated sound designer Taylor Williams shares his journey from actor to storytelling through sound design, offering insights on building a successful freelance artist income streams and collaborating with directors on creative vision. Learn to overcome creative blocks and find the human element in your art, no matter the obstacle. 🚀

Join us as we explore the gritty challenges and bold moves of artists building their careers, taking ownership of their creative journey, and staying raw, unvarnished, and determined to share their art with the world. 💪

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.

In this special episode of Creative Risk, Joshua \ explores what it means to age as an artist-through candid, intimate conversations with three remarkable performers at different stages of their creative lives. From Broadway veterans to multi-career pivots to young actors wrestling with pressure and purpose, this episode is about time, identity, and staying in the game when the rules keep changing.

Featuring novelist and actor Harriet McFaul Pilger, musical theater performer Kyle Nicholas Anderson, and ten-time Broadway star Paula Leggett Chase, this episode doesn't just talk about age-it talks about resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of choosing to keep creating. Whether you’re 25 or 75, this conversation will leave you reflecting on what it means to stay curious, stay open, and stay in it.

EP 72

Join our Patreon for ad-free early access to episodes, exclusive discounts, weekly Q&As, and so much more. Visit https://www.patreon.com/CreativeRiskPodcast today!

Submit your story to Raw & Rising, the mini-series spotlighting hustling creatives—those self-producing, diversifying their income, and tackling challenges head-on. Visit www.artists-strategy.com/creative-risk to pitch your story today.

—

Thanks for listening!

Join our email list for our weekly newsletter with deep insight on our personal artistic journeys:
www.artists-strategy.com/signup

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/creative-risk/id1706381310

Subscribe on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/5hzvD8HgCjOo1NcA5zBDN4?si=404a2369523a45cb

Follow Us on IG:
www.instagram.com/creativeriskpod/

Follow Us on TikTok:
www.tiktok.com/@creativeriskpod
—
“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.