You'll Never Make It

By: Joseph DeBenedictis and Ross Hayes Citrullo
  • Summary

  • "You'll Never Make It!" You'll hear these 4 words from people, or most often from yourself. Making it big in the music or video industry is tough. The odds are against you, and knowing that might make you give up or worse, never try. Hosts Ross Hayes Citrullo and Joseph DeBenedictis have faced these challenges throughout their career, and pretty much every day still. From self-doubt to doubters -- it's hard to keep moving forward. This podcast sheds some light on these struggles, from two people who are mid-career who have massive goals in mind. Join them as they share candid conversations, personal stories, and insightful interviews with Music, TV, and creative industry professionals who are all united by a common goal: the relentless pursuit of their dreams. In a world where the allure of a stable job beckons, our guests and hosts reveal the struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices they make to stay true to their passion and avoid the conventional path of giving up on their dreams to settle for a "real job." From late-night auditions to early morning shoots, from rejection to resilience, this podcast explores the unyielding spirit of those who are "just trying not to go home" until they've made it in their competitive industries. Whether you're an aspiring actor, comedian, musician, filmmaker, or any type of creative navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment world, the show offers inspiration, motivation, and hope in the pursuit of turning dreams into reality. Ross Hayes Citrullo is an award-winning music, record producer, and lead guitarist of The Commoners, touring across the UK and Canada. Joseph DeBenedictis is an Emmy-winning video creator, producer, and editor, and has now made his mark as a social media video creator and comedian. Both Joseph and Ross have found success working full time for themselves, actively pursuing their big dreams. Joseph's dream is to have his own TV show (either behind or in-front of camera). Ross’s dream is for his band to make it big. And also to produce for a big band/ have a song he produces make it big.
    Copyright 2025 Joseph DeBenedictis and Ross Hayes Citrullo
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Episodes
  • Wes Barker - Comedy-Magician
    Mar 24 2025

    What happens when comedy meets magic? On this episode of You'll Never Make It, we're joined by Wes Barker—comedian, magician, and massive content creator. From fooling Penn & Teller to starring in his own TV show, Wes has done it all. But what happens when you reach your biggest goal… and then it disappears?

    We dive into Wes’s journey—his early viral success, his experience on America’s Got Talent and Ellen, and what it really takes to make it in entertainment. Plus, we talk about the power of content creation, the struggle of balancing creative pursuits, and the weird little advantage of being Canadian in showbiz.

    If you're chasing a dream (or just love a good behind-the-scenes story), this one’s for you!

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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Nelson Ferreira - Oscar Nominated Sound Editor
    Jan 29 2025

    Oscar winning sound editor Nelson Ferreira talks to Ross and Joseph about losing the Oscar in sound editing for the film The Shape of Water but then the film winning best picture an hour later. He discusses working with director Guillermo del Toro, the highs and lows of his career, and the dedication it takes to rebuild success after setbacks. Nelson has been in the game for years with his first major project working with Darren Aronofsky on Requiem for a Dream. They dive into the importance of passion and persistence in a creative career.

    Joseph and Ross also share their personal experiences navigating the video and music industry. Ross recounts a chaotic but rewarding show his band played in Poland. Despite technical issues and a language barrier, their preparation and teamwork resulted in a memorable performance. Joseph talks about his attempts to get a TV show made.

    Follow Joseph:

    http://youtube.com/josephdebenedictis

    https://instagram.com/joseph_video

    http://www.tiktok.com/@josephdebenedictis

    Follow Ross:

    https://instagram.com/rhcitrullo

    https://instagram.com/RHCMusicTO

    https://instagram.com/thecommonersto

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    1 hr and 52 mins
  • Steve Dangle
    Oct 15 2024

    Steve Dangle has said "I've made it" to himself so many times. In this episode of You'll Never Make It, Joseph and Ross sit down with renowned Canadian sports podcaster, YouTuber, and their friend Steve Dangle. The 3 of them went to University together and have all made strides in the industry. Steve reflects on his journey to becoming one of the country's most prominent voices in hockey, discussing how he started in his bedroom and has continued to build his platform through persistence and adapting to changing definitions of success. He shares personal struggles about setbacks, including being laid off, and emphasizes the evolving nature of "making it" in the industry.

    The conversation explores broader themes of achieving success in creative fields. Ross, reflects on a recent tour in the UK where his band played for thousands but acknowledges that there are still larger goals to pursue. Both hosts talk about how their respective paths to success are filled with milestones that look impressive from the outside but still leave them striving for more. They agree that even when it seems like you've made it, the ultimate goal keeps shifting.

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    1 hr and 34 mins
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