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The Global Actor
27. Celebrating 2026 Audie Finalists: Audiobook Adventure Edition
This year, 10 Audiobook Adventurers received nominations for the 2026 Audie Awards, across multiple categories (yes, including Audiobook of the Year). đ§â¨
In this episode, host Elise Arsenault gathers finalists - graduates of The Great Audiobook Adventure, to celebrate, share honestly about what this milestone feels like, and share what theyâve learned along the way.
If youâre building your own audiobook narration career, curious about how nominations happen, or you just need a little encouragement on your creative path, this oneâs for you.
We talk about:
- How self-submitting to awards works (and why you might consider it)
- The emotional reality of being recognized (hello, imposter syndrome)
- Full-cast projects, credits, and what happens behind the scenes
- Navigating heavy material and historic stories with care
- Networking, self-promotion, and staying resilient in a noisy industry
Most importantly: your work is worthy, whether it comes with a nomination or not. đż
Featuring:
- AndrĂŠ Santana @andreonthemic
- Angel Pean @angelpean_
- Cerris Morgan-Moyer @cerrismm
- Emana Rachelle @emanarachelle
- Emma Faye @emmafayeactor
- James Aaron Oh @jamesaaronoh
- Mieko Gavia @sooo_grood
- Mirai @hi.mirai
- Nicole Cash @nicolecashchronicles
- Tyla Collier @tyla_collier
Please join us in celebrating them, and if youâre active on Instagram, their handles can be found above!
Links + Community- Join our next Celebrations & Intentions Room happening Friday, March 6th: https://www.patreon.com/posts/access-march-151487675
- In NYC? Youâre invited to The Global Actor Industry Brunch happening Tuesday, March 3rd: www.theglobalactor.com/brunch
Support the Podcast
The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon supporters. Thank you, thank you. đ
Special shoutout to our Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips. Weâre so grateful for you.
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26. 26. Audiobooks and Ease w/ AhDream Smith
53:23||Season 2, Ep. 26Is there really enough work out there for all of us as actors?Can you actually make the leap from side hustles and scarcity to creative abundanceâand what does it look like to manifest those opportunities?You've heard the whispers: "There's no work," "Don't get into audiobooks," "If you share, thereâs less for you..."But what if the truth is thereâs so much more available than you think?This week on The Global Actor Podcast, Iâm thrilled to introduce you to the bright light who is award-winning audiobook narrator and actor, AhDream Smith! A graduate of The Great Audiobook Adventure⢠with over 40 audiobook titles, an AudioFile Earphones Award, and a background in both regional and Off-Broadway theater, sheâs living proof that a creative life built on service, abundance, and integrity is possible.Letâs keep the convo going beyond todayâs episode!Links: ⨠Enrollment is now open for The Great Audiobook Adventure⢠at www.audiobookadventure.comJoin us for our Next Celebrations & Intentions Room happening Friday, Feb 6th - https://www.patreon.com/posts/celebration-149768530The Girls Who Grew Big ~ Leila MottleyStrange Fruit ~Ya Ya Schoefield @chasingAhDreamNarrate Your Way To Abundance Free Class https://audiobookadventure.com/class/The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon Supporters; Thank you, thank you! Special Shoutout to Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips who are supporting at our highest level. Thank you, we are so grateful for you! If youâre listening to this and would like to be a part of our patreon community we would love to have you and support you there! Head over to https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheGlobalActor
25. 25. Five Reasons To Add Audiobook Narration To Your Creative Career in 2026
22:21||Season 2, Ep. 25Audiobooks are still a phenomenal place to grow your creative career in 2026, and in this episode Iâm sharing one of the biggest reasons why: the odds and access can be wildly better than traditional submissions.When a publisher requests an audition, youâre often one of only a handful of narrators they reached out to, not one of 2,000 actors submitting for the same TV role. That shift changes everything: momentum, confidence, and consistency.We talk about what âpublisher-requestedâ really means, why it boosts booking odds, and how to start playing the long game so opportunities come to you.Key Topics include:đ¤ Why audiobook narration remains a reliable income stream in 2026âeven in the age of AIđ¤ Stats and stories about working actors earning at least $25k+ per year from narrationđ¤ The ongoing demand for human connection through storytellingđ¤ How audiobook work supports union actors in reaching SAG AFTRA health and pension minimumsđ¤ The power of building relationships with publishersâleading to more direct bookings and fewer auditionsđ¤ The creative satisfaction and confidence boost narrators experience from consistent, meaningful workLetâs keep the convo going beyond todayâs episode!⨠Youâre invited to my upcoming LIVE class Narrate Your Way to Abundance, happening later this month, where Iâll break down the audiobook path, teach you tools to get started and answer your questions in real time. www.audiobookadventure.com/classLinks: Narrate Your Way To Abundance Free Class https://audiobookadventure.com/class/The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon Supporters; Thank you, thank you! Special Shoutout to Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips who are supporting at our highest level. Thank you, we are so grateful for you! If youâre listening to this and would like to be a part of our patreon community we would love to have you and support you there! Head over to https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheGlobalActor
24. Be A Booking Magnet w/ Christine Horn
52:20||Season 2, Ep. 24Step into your âstar powerâ to become a BOOKING MAGNET!Whether you're an actor, multi-hyphenate creative, or anyone looking to bring more authenticity, focus, and abundance into your career, this episode is for you!In this inspiring conversation, award-winning actress, coach, and âbooking magnetâ Christine Horn breaks down what it really takes to attract opportunities, own your gifts, and stop playing small.We get into: ⨠Why itâs time to stop hiding your giftsâand how sharing your unique blend of talents is actually an act of service⨠How to move past the âold rulesâ of being just one thing and embrace all the creative hats you wear⨠What âplaying smallâ really means, and how to overcome the thought patterns that keep you stuck⨠How industry expectations around self-promotion and marketing yourself have changedâand why itâs essential⨠Behind-the-scenes stories from Christine Hornâs standout TV roles (including Timeless and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), and the power of representationGet Christineâs Booking Magnet Blueprint here: https://hollywood-bound-actors.kit.com/blueprint!Want more Christine inspo? Follow her on IG @hollywoodboundactors: â-If youâre enjoying the show, weâd be so grateful if youâd leave a positive rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Audible. Itâs a small, free moment of support that helps The Global Actor⢠Podcast reach more storytellers like you. đ§â¨The Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon Supporters; Thank you, thank you! Special Shoutout to Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips who are supporting at our highest level. We are so grateful for you! Come join the party over on The Global Actor Patreon, where the podcast continues with extra resources, bonus episodes, and community support. patreon.com/theglobalactor đ§â¨
23. Catching Up w/ Angel Pean At Dream Big Plan Smart LIVE in PVD, RI!
27:19||Season 2, Ep. 23In this special live episode of The Global Actor Podcast (recorded at the Dream Big, Plan Smart Retreat in Providence, RI) Elise sits down with returning guest Angel Peanâa three-time Audie Awardâwinning narrator, on-camera actor, and thriving multi-hyphenate. Together, they dig into the reality of building a sustainable, joyful, and authentic creative careerâeven when dreams shift.This episode is for you if you:⨠Crave insight on shifting your mindset from scarcity to abundance in the arts ⨠Need permission to let your career evolve and celebrate where you are now ⨠Want practical tips on negotiating rates and advocating for your worth (with real examples!) ⨠Are curious about stepping into mentorship, leadership, and the power of community ⨠Feel stuckâ or super busy, even â juggling âtoo much of a good thingâ and wondering how to build your own support teamInside, youâll hear open conversations about: đĽ Navigating unexpected wins, setbacks, and self-care as a working artist đĽ The value of mentorship and community in keeping your creative spark alive đĽ How to move from feeling like a freelancer to confidently running your own creative businessPlus: Angel Pean shares her favorite recent projects (including a Good Morning America Book Club pick and an award-winning audiobook), what itâs really like to negotiate renewals and rates, and why connecting in-person with creative peers can be fuel for your journey.Tune in for an honest look at defining success on your own termsâand how to keep moving forward, wherever you are in your career.Then, get your own plan in place for the New Year with the Dream Big, Plan Smart framework via our 5-day free training here: https://bit.ly/dreambigplansmartLinks: Hear Angelâs narration of JUNIE by Erin Crosby Eckstine here and connect with Angel further here: angelpean.comThe Global Actor Podcast is brought to you in large part by sustaining contributions from our amazing Patreon Supporters; Thank you, thank you! Special Shoutout to Creative Powerhouses: Darcey Rhoads, Drumsinger Michelle, Helene McCardle, Lori Holt, Maria Makis, Patrick Tokarz, Philip Estrin, Rachael Warren-Allen, Roodley Dorleans, and Shelley Philips who are supporting at our highest level. Thank you, we are so grateful for you! If youâre listening to this and would like to be a part of our patreon community we would love to have you and support you there! Head over to patreon.com/theglobalactor
22. Killing Your Darlings
01:09:11||Season 2, Ep. 22Seasonally, itâs a great time to prune back some of the old growth! Elise is joined by studio wrangler and creative co-conspirator: Justin Marra.They're doing some emotional fall cleaning, sharing bittersweet goodbyes, and garden metaphors galore. The dynamic duo reveal the signs you should look for to know when it's time to kill your darlings--welcome to a fresh-cut all new Global Actor Podcast episode!If you like what you hear please leave a positive rating and review, especially on Audible and Apple podcasts.Then join us over in our brand new Patreon Community for our companion âShaking the Treeâ Podcast and more insider content and support ⨠: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheGlobalActor/membershipConnect with us anytime on Instagram @theglobalactor The Global Actor is always free to listen to, but it isn't free to make. Please consider supporting the show by joining our Patreon. There you can engage with other listeners, enjoy behind the scenes content, and watch our companion video podcast "Shaking The Tree" where you can learn more about what's happening bts at TreeCave Creative and The Global Actor.
21. I Gave A TED Talk and Here's What I Learned
29:36||Season 2, Ep. 21Season 2 is here and during the hiatus⌠Elise gave a TED Talk!In this episode she shares her journey to manifesting a big thing and how she faced and moved through resistance along the way - from application process to writing to rehearsals.This oneâs for you if thereâs a thing you say you want to do in your career â it might even make it onto your vision board â but youâre holding yourself back in some way from crossing the finish line. Weâre celebrating Season 2 with a Podcast Launch Party on Thursday, November 20th and YOUâRE INVITED! Go to www.theglobalactor.com/podcast for all the details and to RSVP.Links:Eliseâs TED Talk on The Power of A Human Storyteller In The Age of AI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDlR76DPkSsShelley Phillips, Line Memorization Coach - https://memorizewithsap.as.me/complimentaryconsultJessica Sato Consulting, https://jessicasato.com/speakersConnect with us anytime on Instagram @theglobalactor -
Announcing Season 2 - Coming VERY Soon!
02:24|Season two is callingâpull on your bravest boots, itâs our guide through story, practice, and community: Elise Arsenault. TED Talk tales, rituals for resilience, a spark of human connection, and a dash of resistance melted by flow. The invite is open: join the journey, feel the impact, itâs an all-new season of The Global Actor Podcast.Links:www.theglobalactor.com/podcastWatch Elise's TED Talk on the Power of Human Storytelling In The Age of AI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDlR76DPkSs&t=23sđ Want to go deeper? Join me for my free intro class happening NOW. Itâs called Narrate Your Way to Abundance, and youâll learn 3 tools in my framework that helps actors book thriving work narrating often and making an ongoing, lucrative income stream working with publishers. Register TODAY https://audiobookadventure.com/class/Connect with us anytime on Instagram @theglobalactor - https://www.instagram.com/theglobalactor/
Dream Big Plan Smart In Person Retreat
03:30|We're gathering in Providence Rhode Island for a two day immersive retreat. Will you be joining in? https://www.theglobalactor.com/retreat