In this episode of In the Waiting Room, Rashad Edwards sits down with Carolyn Michelle for a grounded, honest conversation about one of the most difficult—and liberating—realities of an acting career: accepting who you are in the marketplace.

Rather than chasing endless versatility or resisting being “typed,” Carolyn shares how clarity around her strengths, presence, and natural casting lane allowed her to work with greater intention and confidence. The conversation explores how many actors unknowingly extend their path by fighting the very qualities that make them most employable—and how alignment, not reinvention, often leads to sustainable momentum.

Together, Rashad and Carolyn unpack the difference between limitation and leverage, the importance of understanding how the industry actually responds to clarity, and why crafting your lane early can create more opportunity, not less. This episode is a timely reminder that longevity in this business often comes from refinement, not resistance.

If you’re an actor questioning your place in the industry—or feeling pressure to be everything at once—Crafting Your Lane offers a practical, adult reframing of what it really means to build a career that works.

In this candid and deeply insightful episode, Rashad sits down with acclaimed actor Deirdre Lovejoy (The Wire, Bones, The Blacklist) for a conversation that pulls back the curtain on the realities of a life in the arts.

Lovejoy reflects on her journey from Evansville, Indiana, to the stages of Broadway and the sets of prestige television, offering a rare look at the intentionality, resilience, and self-awareness required to build a sustainable acting career. She discusses how early environments shape ambition, how societal expectations influence personal and professional choices, and why authenticity remains the true currency of artistry.

Together, they explore the often-hidden financial truths of the industry, the evolving landscape of acting training, the role of mentorship, and the mindset that separates working actors from those who burn out. Lovejoy also speaks openly about navigating balance—between craft and survival, personal life and professional drive—and why access and diversity in the arts must move beyond slogans and into real structural change.

Whether you're an actor, a creative, or simply someone curious about what’s behind the performances you see on screen, this episode offers an honest, grounded, and empowering portrait of what it means to build a life in this profession.

🎙️ Episode 7 — “That Joy!”

In this episode, Rashad reconnects with actor and artist Paul Deo, Jr., his NYU Grad Acting classmate whose creative journey has been anything but linear.

From performing in Shakespeare in the Park to building storyboards in the Vegas desert during the pandemic, Paul shares how life’s detours shaped his art — and how losing an agent in the middle of nowhere became an unlikely turning point.

This conversation digs into the reality of the “working actor”: regional theater runs, creative side hustles, content creation, and learning to keep joy alive through it all.

Rashad and Paul talk about what it means to stay curious, to reinvent yourself when the industry slows down, and to find the beauty in waiting seasons that don’t look the way you planned.

🎧 Episode 7: “That Joy!”

Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this episode of In the Waiting Room w/ Rashad Edwards, Broadway actor Andrew Hovelson (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) sits down to talk about the realities of building a life in the arts — on stage and off.

Andrew shares candid stories about juggling family responsibilities, making ends meet through odd jobs when acting work is scarce, and the small joys that come with realizing you’re not as crazy as you sometimes think.

This conversation is a reminder that the actor’s path isn’t just about opening nights and red carpets — it’s about resilience, balance, and learning to embrace the messy, beautiful waiting periods along the way.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this episode of In the Waiting Room w/ Rashad Edwards, actor Michael Gaston (Jack Ryan, The Leftovers, Prison Break, The Man in the High Castle) joins Rashad for a conversation that goes beyond career credits and into the heart of why we tell stories.

Michael reflects on his journey from grad school to stage and screen, and opens up about the deeper purpose behind the work: acting as a reflection of humanity. Along the way, he shares how he approaches complex characters — including the surprising backstory behind his HBO role and his character’s obsession with “shooting all the damn dogs.”

This wide-ranging conversation touches on:

• 🎭 Acting as more than performance — a service to humanity
• 📚 Lessons from grad school and sustaining a long career
• ⚖️ Balancing career choices with deeper calling
• 💡 Why art must connect to something bigger than ego or accolades

Michael’s honesty, humor, and wisdom make this a standout episode for actors and non-actors alike — a reminder that the craft is about more than success; it’s about connection, truth, and love for humanity.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this solo episode of In the Waiting Room w/ Rashad Edwards, Rashad dives into an old interview with Viola Davis where she spoke out about the pay gap between herself and actresses like Meryl Streep.

Why does a performer as gifted and accomplished as Viola continue to face such disparities? Rashad unpacks the issue using insights from economist Thomas Sowell, breaking down the basic market forces that shape Hollywood pay: scarcity and demand, substitutes, and incentives.

This week’s episode is a little different — no guest, just fun commentary and straight talk about the business side of acting. Because to survive in this industry, artists need more than talent; they need to understand the economics that drive it.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Episode 3 — Marchant Davis: Choosing Roles & Facing the Industry’s Strange Truths

In this episode of In the Waiting Room w/ Rashad Edwards, actor Marchant Davis (The Day Shall Come, A Journal for Jordan) joins me for a raw and unfiltered conversation about how actors navigate the business behind the art.

We dive into:

• The metrics Marchant uses to decide which roles to take
• The strange reality of workshops — actors building shows without the promise of being cast when productions move forward
• The heartbreak and resilience it takes to keep going in this industry
• Why making choices aligned with your values matters more than ever

This is a must-listen for actors, artists, and anyone who’s ever wondered what it really takes to sustain a career in entertainment.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

In this episode of In the Waiting Room w/ Rashad Edwards, Rashad sits down with the multi-talented Zoey Martinson — actor, director, writer, and co-founder of Smoke & Mirrors Collaborative.

Zoey shares wisdom every actor needs to hear: the importance of staying in your lane, letting go of the pressure to do everyone else’s job on set, and finding joy in the craft. With her unique journey across stage, screen, and behind the camera, Zoey reminds us that sometimes the most powerful choice an actor can make is to simply have more fun.

✨ Episode 2: That’s Not Your Job 🎭

Now streaming on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.