In an industry often glamorised by red carpets, premieres and overnight success stories, the everyday reality of acting can feel far less polished. Rejection, financial uncertainty, long periods without work and intense self-doubt are common experiences — yet they are rarely spoken about openly.
A new podcast, How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sh*t, aims to change that narrative.
Hosted by actor and writer Shvorne Marks, the podcast offers an unfiltered look at what it truly means to build and sustain a career in acting — not just during moments of success, but through the quiet, difficult stretches that define most creative lives.
Unlike traditional entertainment podcasts that focus on fame, credits or career highlights, How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sht* puts honesty centre stage.
Each episode is grounded in lived experience, with Shvorne drawing on her own journey through the highs and lows of the industry. Rather than presenting acting as a linear path to success, the podcast acknowledges its unpredictability — and the emotional toll that comes with it.
At its core, the series is about telling the truth:
The podcast traces the emotional arc many actors recognise all too well.
It begins with the early thrill of discovering the craft — the excitement of drama school, auditions, first jobs and creative possibility. But it doesn’t stop there.
As episodes unfold, conversations move into the tougher terrain:
These are the realities rarely discussed publicly, yet widely shared privately among performers.
Every week, Shvorne sits down with a fellow actor for a candid, unscripted conversation. These are not polished success narratives — they are reflections on survival, persistence and self-belief.
Topics explored across episodes include:
By centring these conversations on emotional truth rather than achievement, the podcast creates space for vulnerability — something many performers say they desperately need.
Each episode ends with the same closing question, asked directly to the guest:
“For any actors about to lose their sh*t… what’s your advice?”
This simple but powerful moment has become one of the podcast’s defining features.
Instead of abstract inspiration, listeners receive practical reassurance from people who have already faced similar struggles — advice rooted in experience, not theory.
For many listeners, it’s the moment that lingers long after the episode ends.
Shvorne Marks says the idea for the podcast grew from a need she encountered repeatedly throughout her own career.
“I started How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sht because I wanted to create the space I’ve needed so many times in my own career,”* she explains.
“A place where actors can hear the truth, the mess, the resilience, and the joy that sits behind this profession.”
She describes how some of the most significant shifts in her confidence came not from bookings or praise, but from honest conversations with peers.
“Throughout my years as an actor, the most transformative moments have always come from honest conversations with other creatives,” she says.
“The chats that remind you you’re not alone, you’re not failing, and you’re part of something much bigger than your last job or audition.”
One of the podcast’s central aims is to address the isolation many actors experience — particularly during quieter periods when work is scarce and self-doubt is loud.
Acting is often a freelance, solo profession. Without regular colleagues or workplace structure, performers can easily feel disconnected, even when surrounded by people.
The podcast challenges that isolation by:
For many actors, simply hearing others articulate feelings they’ve kept private can be profoundly grounding.
Shvorne describes the podcast as an attempt to “pull back the curtain” on the profession.
Rather than presenting acting as a dream job free of hardship, the series acknowledges its contradictions:
The goal, she says, is for listeners to finish each episode feeling seen, understood and motivated to keep going — even when the industry feels unforgiving.
The podcast features a broad lineup of guests, reflecting the varied paths that make up acting careers today.
Guests so far include:
Together, they represent experience across theatre, television, film and live performance — reinforcing the idea that there is no single “correct” way to succeed in the industry.
More guests are set to appear in the new year, expanding the conversation even further.
A recurring theme throughout the series is mental health.
Actors speak openly about:
By addressing these issues head-on, the podcast contributes to a wider industry conversation about wellbeing — one that many argue is long overdue.
How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sht* is designed for actors at every stage of their journey, including:
It also resonates with creatives beyond acting — writers, musicians and freelancers who recognise the emotional rhythms of unstable creative work.
In an era where social media often amplifies comparison and curated success, this podcast offers something refreshingly different: truth without polish.
It reminds listeners that:
By creating space for honesty, the series helps redefine what success looks like in the performing arts — not as constant achievement, but as sustained resilience.
How to Be an Actor and Not Lose Your Sht* is not about quick fixes or motivational slogans. It’s about connection, perspective and survival in a demanding industry.
For actors feeling lost, exhausted or on the verge of giving up, the podcast offers a simple but powerful message:
You are not alone — and you are still allowed to keep going.
