Ready to stop waiting for your acting career to magically take off—and finally take the wheel?
Hollywood rewards the bold, and if you're reading this, that means you're ready to step into that version of yourself.

I’m Lydia Nicole, your no-nonsense guide to building the confidence, clarity, and career momentum most actors wish they had. Thousands of actors already use my free on-demand acting library on YouTube—over 900 videos and 50+ curated playlists—to level up their craft, mindset, business, and booking strategy. If you're not one of them yet…you’re already behind.

This is your chance to tap into the exact tools that help actors:
• sharpen their craft and make unforgettable choices
• master auditions and self-tapes
• build a powerful, authentic actor brand
• create their own opportunities (instead of waiting to be chosen)
• strengthen their mindset so they can survive—and thrive—in Hollywood
• get real-world business strategies most acting classes never teach

Whether you're starting fresh, reinventing yourself, or climbing to your next level, you’ll find playlists on everything from goal setting, dynamic demo reels, financial literacy, and Hollywood hyphen life, to interviews with industry pros and the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned along my journey.

And here's what most actors don’t know: the ones who rise?
They don’t wait for permission.
They build their own table, their own lane, their own magic.

If you're serious about transforming your career, hit that Subscribe button on Lydia Nicole Live—because each day you don’t is a day someone else outworks you.

And if you’re craving accountability, community, and top-tier coaching, join me inside the Acting Smarter Circle, running September 8th–December 15th. Actors who join don’t just improve—they elevate.

You're a diamond.
It's time the world sees you shine. ✨

#actingcareer #CommonSenseMamita #actingtips #Hollywoodinsights #actingclasses #careeradvice #LosAngeles #actingresources #actingmindset #auditiontips #financialliteracyforactors #businessadviceforactors

CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Welcome
00:38 - Lydia Nicole Live
02:11 - New Acting Starter Kit
02:33 - Audition Tips for Actors
02:59 - Business Advice for Actors
03:56 - Actor Mindset
04:39 - Money Advice for Actors
05:25 - Hollywood Hyphens
06:03 - One Person Show Tips
07:01 - Filmmaking in Hollywood
07:32 - Tools for Actors and Success Tips
08:27 - Self-Care for Actors
10:06 - Goal Setting for Actors
13:01 - Set Etiquette in Film
13:15 - Representation Matters in Acting
13:49 - Acting Smarter Digital Planner
16:40 - Acting Smarter Circle Community
22:00 - Where to Find Resources for Actors
24:10 - Closing Remarks
25:09 - The Importance of Being Coached in Acting

Get the Acting Smarter Digital Planner and Course bundle for free until Oct 15, 2025

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Ever feel like you’re hustling in circles? In this eye-opening and unapologetically honest episode of Acting Smarter, we reveal why side hustles aren’t just a necessity—they’re a power move for actors determined to thrive in Hollywood and beyond.

Join me for a dynamic, truth-packed conversation with filmmaker and actor Bobby Mardis, as he breaks down how building your creative empire while auditioning can completely reshape your career. Bobby shares real stories from the trenches, what he learned working with legends like Robert Townsend, and the survival skills that helped him stay sharp, stay paid, and stay creative in Los Angeles.

If you’re part of the 97% of actors balancing a job while chasing the dream, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone—and you’re not behind. You’ll discover:
How side hustles can fuel your artistry
Smart strategies for saving and staying steady
How to build relationships that actually matter
Mindset shifts every actor needs in today’s industry

This is your invitation to step into the driver’s seat of your acting life. Whether you're brand-new or a seasoned pro, you’ll walk away with tools, motivation, and a renewed fire to build a sustainable, empowered career.

Ready to hustle smarter—not harder?
Hit LIKE, SHARE this with your fellow creatives, and SUBSCRIBE for more real-world Hollywood wisdom, acting class gems, and no-nonsense career guidance from Lydia Nicole… your Common Sense Mamita!

#actingcareer #sidehustles #HollywoodInsights #CommonSenseMamita #actingclasses #LosAngeles
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:27 - The Power of Relationships
05:54 - Knowing Your Craft
09:21 - You Are the Solution to Their Problem
13:11 - Taking Direction in the Audition Room
14:39 - Side Hustles for Creatives
25:21 - Surviving vs Thriving
27:27 - Using Your Skills as a Side Hustle
34:03 - Robert Townsend's Journey from Indiana to LA
36:54 - Robert Townsend's UCLA Experience
39:52 - Robert Townsend at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
40:04 - Robert Townsend's Time at USC
42:50 - Your Record Deal & The Me Too Movement
48:00 - How Did You Get Into Stand Up
51:20 - Hollywood Shuffle: The Film That Changed Everything
54:31 - Hollywood Shuffle's Influence
59:51 - Starting Your Directing Journey
1:04:51 - Beginning Documentaries
1:06:38 - Scandals in the Bay Area
1:10:05 - Keeping the Faith: Stories After Hurricane Katrina
1:15:44 - Being Robbed in West LA During Obama Inauguration
1:19:44 - Relationship vs Networking
1:23:45 - Importance of a Physical Business Card
1:28:58 - Rich vs Poor: Who Takes Who Out
1:38:35 - Influential People in Your Life
1:44:36 - Spirituality's Influence on Your Art
1:49:20 - Faith in Your Creative Journey
1:55:02 - The Role of Mentorship
2:01:19 - Benefits of the Directors Guild
2:04:24 - Tributes at the Directors Guild
2:09:43 - Legacy Aspirations
2:10:45 - Mentorship: Who Are You Guiding?
2:14:25 - Funding Your Film Projects
2:17:56 - Importance of Script Rewrites
2:21:35 - Understanding Script Coverage
2:25:24 - Sending Scripts to Tom Hanks
2:32:43 - Protecting Your Creative Work
2:36:10 - Collaborating with Other Writers
2:39:33 - Crowdfunding for Your Projects
2:42:55 - Seeking Grants
2:43:43 - Creating a Business Plan
2:47:50 - Pitch Deck Essentials
2:53:20 - Start Small and Grow Your Vision
2:55:00 - Importance of Insurance
2:56:40 - Leaving Things as You Found Them
2:58:20 - Understanding Deliverables
3:00:00 - What Are Deliverables in Film?
3:01:40 - Technology's Evolution Over Time

Get the Acting Smarter Digital Planner and Course bundle for free until Oct 15, 2025

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Ready to future-proof your kid’s acting career?

In this episode of Acting Smarter Now, I’m sitting down with Annie Semenova, powerhouse creator of Unity, an online acting school that’s shaking up how kids and teens train for Hollywood and the age of AI.
Unity isn’t just “another acting class.”
It’s a global training ground for young performers who want to become:
Confident storytellers
Compassionate leaders
Smart, tech-savvy creators
With working-actor teachers from shows like Shameless, Abbott Elementary, and Jane the Virgin, Unity gives kids insider-level training and real-world skills—empathy, creativity, leadership, and the ability to think for themselves in a fast-changing, AI-driven world.
They’re not just running scenes…
They’re writing, acting in, and creating their own short films.
Annie opens up about:
Her journey as a mom helping her daughter navigate the industry
The emotional and practical challenges parents face
How Unity helps young actors stand in their power, own their uniqueness, and use technology as a tool—not a threat
If you’re a parent who wants your child to:
Express themselves boldly
Build real confidence (on and off camera)
Be ready for an entertainment industry transformed by AI
…then this conversation is absolutely for you.

Like this video
Drop a comment with your child’s biggest acting dream
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00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Empowering Young Actors: Creativity, Confidence, Individuality
03:42 - Impact of AI on the Acting Industry
12:39 - Inspiration Behind Starting the Acting School
16:05 - Overview of the Acting Curriculum
24:13 - Age Groups for Acting Classes
26:42 - Incorporating Leadership in Acting Training
29:28 - OUTRO

Get the Acting Smarter Digital Planner and Course bundle for free until Oct 15, 2025

Support the show