In this inspiring episode of Creative Risk, Mike Labbadia sits down with the founders of New American Ensemble - a bold, new player-focused theater company in NYC - to explore what it really takes to build something that matters. Michael DeFilippis, Gianna Kiehl, and Scott Gordon aren’t just creating theater; they're reimagining the role of ensemble artistry at a time when the industry desperately needs it.

Through vulnerable storytelling and sharp insight, they dive into why friendship, intentional communication, and a return to mission-driven theater are essential to the future of live performance. If you've ever dreamed of building your own thing - or felt the friction of trying to protect what's sacred in a rapidly evolving industry - this conversation is pure fuel for your soul. This is about art that endures, friendships that evolve, and visions that refuse to die quietly.

Brothers Karamazov Tickets
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-brothers-karamazov-tickets-1258452127189?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp

New American Ensemble Website
https://www.newamericanensemble.com/

New American Ensemble Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/newamericanensemble/

EPISODE #68 of CREATIVE RISK

—

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 high-energy episode of Raw + Rising, Joshua sits down with Method Fitness founders Danny Keenan and Christian Hopper-two performers-turned-trainers reshaping what fitness means for artists. Forget six-pack abs and protein powder: this is about reclaiming strength, rebuilding confidence, and building sustainable careers in chaotic, body-demanding industries. From Broadway gigs to last-minute auditions and mental health spirals, this convo hits on what it actually takes to stay in the game-without losing yourself in the process.

We go deep on burnout, identity, the trap of aesthetic obsession, and how training can (and should) be tailored to an actor’s life-not the other way around. Whether you’re working eight shows a week or just trying to survive your side job, this episode is a love letter to your future self-the one that isn’t exhausted, overextended, or disconnected from their body. Method isn’t just a name-it’s a mindset.

Method Fitness Website
https://methodfitnessnyc.com/

Method Fitness Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/methodfitnessnyc/

Danny Keenan Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/danny.keenan/

Christian Hopper Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/christian_hopper/

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 FROM AN EXCLUSIVE PATREON EPISODE

In this solo episode of Creative Risk, Joshua Morgan cracks open one of the most tender and universal tensions in any creative’s life: the balance between control and surrender. With sharp introspection and his signature candor, Joshua explores how control offers structure, discipline, and the ability to advocate for ourselves-while letting go opens the door to spontaneity, intuition, and unexpected opportunity.

From career detours and perfectionism to artistic standards and self-trust, this isn’t a self-help checklist-it’s a heartfelt meditation on how artists can both steer the ship and surrender to the tide. If you’ve ever found yourself gripping too tightly or floating without direction, this episode offers a powerful reminder that both control and surrender are essential tools-not opposing forces. This is for the over-planners, the floaters, and everyone trying to build a creative life with purpose and peace.

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 happens when your career takes a turn you never planned for - and it ends up being exactly where you're supposed to be? In this episode of Creative Risk, Joshua sits down with Alan Bennett, a performer-turned-Broadway wardrobe supervisor, for a deeply candid and often hilarious conversation about longevity in the arts, reinvention, and the unexpected ways creative careers evolve.

Alan opens up about his early passion for dance and performance, the realities of touring, and how a financial crisis (and a medical scare) rerouted him into a new chapter backstage. They explore everything from backstage politics and the overlooked artistry of wardrobe, to the invisible labor that keeps Broadway running. This isn’t just a conversation about costumes - it’s about ego, pride, adaptation, and finding fulfillment in unexpected places. Whether you're an artist navigating change or simply love good backstage stories, this episode reminds us that creative success doesn’t always look the way we thought it would.

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 soul-nourishing episode of Raw + Rising, Joshua sits down with the unstoppable Deah Love Harriot - an artist whose spirit is as bold as her résumé. From musical directing on Broadway to serving as a minister of worship, Deah’s journey is as expansive as it is rooted. But this isn’t just a career highlight reel - it’s a conversation about presence, purpose, and the audacity to lead with love in every room you enter.

Deah opens up about her early start in music, her Jamaican and New Orleans lineage, and the importance of creating space for others while holding space for yourself. Whether she’s behind a piano or in front of a choir, her essence is unmistakable: daring, evolving, admirable, honest - Deah Love. This episode is a reminder that artistry isn’t just about skill - it’s about vibration, clarity, and living your truth unapologetically.

Deah Love Harriot Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/deahlove/

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 wide-ranging episode, Joshua and Mike explore what it really means to show up as your boldest self - not just as a creative, but as a human being navigating a world that often punishes risk and rewards conformity. Through personal stories, cultural critique, and behind-the-scenes examples from the entertainment industry, they unpack the complicated relationship between boldness, confidence, and risk - and why boldness is less about loudness and more about the willingness to be seen for who you truly are.

From the politics of what you wear in an audition room to the private thoughts in your head, they explore how small choices communicate big ideas. In a culture obsessed with curation, it’s easy to forget that the things that truly make us stand out are also the things that make us vulnerable. Whether you’ve felt pressure to tone yourself down or are questioning your artistic identity, this episode is a call to reclaim your weird, your edge, your “too much.” Because the only way to cut through the noise is to stop trying to fit in.

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 deeply reflective episode of Creative Risk, Joshua and Mike tackle the complex and emotionally charged topic of unmet potential. Through candid, individual reflections and joint discussion, they dive into the pressures of maximizing life's potential in a society obsessed with hyper-optimization. From personal regrets to the tension between ambition and presence, they explore how chasing potential can both motivate and drain creatives.

This conversation will challenge you to reconsider your relationship with success, ambition, and fulfillment. Whether you're struggling with burnout, questioning your career path, or simply feeling stuck in a relentless pursuit of "more," this episode offers insightful perspectives on redefining success in a way that prioritizes genuine human connection and personal contentment.

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 Raw + Rising, Joshua sits down with theater-maker and artistic multi-hyphenate Coleman Ray Clark for an insightful discussion on embracing creative fluidity and breaking traditional artistic molds. Coleman shares how his non-linear career path—from directing and sound design to general management on Broadway—allowed him to thrive creatively by staying open, adaptable, and responsive to life's unexpected shifts.

They explore how leaving New York City for San Diego broadened Coleman's artistic perspective, emphasizing community and collaboration as keys to sustainability in the arts. Coleman challenges the conventional notion of success, highlighting that true growth comes from being present and open, rather than chasing rigid career milestones. If you've ever questioned your artistic journey or felt stuck within industry expectations, this episode will inspire you to redefine success on your own terms.

Coleman Social Media
www.instagram.com/colemanrayclark/

Coleman Website
www.colemanrayclark.com

The What Co. Social Media
www.instagram.com/thewhatco/

The What Co. Website
www.thewhatco.org

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.