Camera Ready & Abel

No media contacts? No problem. Christina Daves has got you! Christina Daves, PR Strategist, is the best-selling author of, PR for Anyone™ - 100+ Affordable Ways to Easily Create Buzz for Your Business, and the #1 best-selling book, The DIY Guide to FREE Publicity that shares her journey of landing exposure for a product she invented, medical boot fashions. Having no resources for advertising or hiring a PR firm, Christina taught herself everything she could about generating her own publicity. She has appeared in over 1,000 local and national media outlets and is a regular contributor on Good Morning Washington.  In this episode learn about Christina’s three part system for gaining publicity, including:  be newsworthy have a great hook find the right journalist Follow Christina on LinkedIn where she shares incredible PR daily nuggets and to get more head on over to  christinadaves.com.

Things take a long time to begin is but one of the brilliant takeaways from this episode of Camera Ready & Abel with Beth Lapides exploring everything that goes into making a decision (even when we think we're avoiding them) from her new audio book, So You Need to Decide…a series of intimate conversations with a diverse group of comedians, writers, and cultural icons revolving around five universal experiences: family, work, love, moving, and spirituality.  Featuring original interviews with Margaret Cho, Isaac Mizrahi, Bob Odenkirk, Phoebe Bridgers, Baron Vaughn, Aparna Nancherla, Merrill Markoe, and Josh Gondelman, and with research assistance by Mathew Klickstein, So You Need to Decide ultimately challenges the listener to choose how they want to live - bigger or smaller, with artifice or authenticity.   Beth is the godmother of alternative comedy and the creator, host and producer of LA's Uncabaret - the first alternative comedy show (ever!) - which Beth launched nearly 30 years ago to provide a space that was unhomophobic, unxenophobic, unmisogynistic...UNCABARET. The list of comedians Beth has worked with and supported is staggering. You can learn everything and more at Uncabaret.com. Beth is also a writer whose work has appeared in Time, the Los Angeles Times, Premiere, O-The Oprah Winfrey Magazine, Elle Decor and All Things Considered on NPR and a teacher.  Learn more about Beth at bethlapides.com and check out her Winter Workshop offerings at https://bethlapidesworkshopwinter2022.eventbrite.com. And get So You Need to Decide today!  

Including only one Rob Shuter quote in the 2021 Best of episode did not do him justice for all the real talk and advice he imparted on the Camera Ready & Abel audience while a guest on episode 11, TRANSFORMATION with Rob Shuter. That is why I decided to compile a medley of  Rob Shuter-isms in this special episode. To listen to Rob's full episode please go to the podcast page on my website abelintermediate.com. Rob Shuter is the host of the Naughty But Nice podcast and the author of  The 4 Word Answer: Who Are You In 4 Words, which is now one of my favorite go-to resources for mindset reframe. Called “America’s Number ONE Gossip Columnist” by The National Enquirer. Rob ‘Naughty But Nice’ Shuter breaks celebrity news every day on his website NaughtyGossip.com where he delivers all the dish about the stars we love in his naughty but nice signature style.  Before Rob was one of the world’s most successful entertainment reporters, he was a publicist working for Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, P. Diddy, Jessica Simpson and Jon Bon Jovi. Now he is bringing all this experience to his new show on I HEART MEDIA in his unique cheeky way. Come stand in the rain with Rob Shuter as he pours down on us lessons learned from a life well lived with curiosity, passion, and commitment. If you’re looking for support and accountability on how to play the long game, know when you're ready to win, or how to own your priorities, please shoot me a note via my website.

It’s not uncommon for me to be stopped in my tracks by the brilliance spoken by the generous guests that have joined the Camera Ready and Abel podcast this past year.  Of the wise words shared, certain consistent themes have emerged. In this episode I highlight two of them: No very often leads to a big YES. Everything takes a lot longer than you think it will. Gain insight from America’s #1 gossip columnist, Rob Shuter, who shares what being fired has given him. Filmmaker, Sean Pierre Regis, flips the script when he ignites a movement that was born out of personal hardship when his mother Rebecca was faced with the reality of age-ism and financial insecurity among the elderly. Television producer Dave Noll, and filmmaker and musician, Matt Wells, respect the NO’s they have received and believe they are just as important as the YES’.  The thought leaders and industry pioneers I have gotten to interview may be reaping the rewards of their persistent effort today but have not forgotten how long it has taken them to get there. On-air host and author, Nancy Redd, speaks to the importance of having “emotional runway” to simultaneously let go of what no longer serves you while holding onto the projects that your heart and soul truly believe in. TV and radio host, Bevy Smith, lives by her mantra, “it gets greater later,” and later does not scare her because she knows with time comes great payout.  I hope you enjoy the nuggets of wisdom that have been repacked for your listening pleasure. And as always, thank you for tuning in!

Imagine, if instead of striving to be perfect, you strived to be entertaining? My pal Sean De Simone returns to Camera Ready and Abel to tell us why perfect is boring and how ENTERTAINING will get you noticed! Sean is an expert in TV Host and Brand Spokesperson casting, having worked extensively with QVC and the Home Shopping Network as well as numerous beauty, fashion, home, cook, and fitness brands. He first joined the Camera Ready & Abel community as a guest on the April 2020 episode, “Authenticity is a process not Just a buzzword.” In today’s episode Sean addresses the underlying  fear that often accompanies the request to be entertaining and the art of grabbing someone’s attention and keeping it. With a keen eye for what pops, Sean translates what he has learned from thousands of hours of being in the audition room as a casting director to what you need to know to stand out. Get more Sean De Simone and me in our online class, HOSTING FOR HOME SHOPPING & BRANDS! In this 2-session class we teach you how to really succeed in this competitive space and how to prepare for the real-life audition process – casting submission, self-tape and Skype audition – by doing it and receiving real-time feedback. Keep an eye out for our 2022 class offerings.

When I sat down to speak with Rakia Reynolds - thought leader, tastemaker and gamechanger - about AUGMENTED REALITY for this episode, I had no idea how many ways I'd been using AR for years plus its infinite potential to enhance my business. I'm still processing all the ways Rakia opened my eyes and blew my mind during our conversation. If you've ever used a filter on social media or zoom to change your appearance, viewed real estate virtually using a 360° tool, or uploaded an image of yourself to an eyeglass company’s website to see what shape frames work best on your face, you've been using AR too. Rakia has the extraordinary gift of simplifying, demystifying, defining value and meeting the listener where they are. It's no surprise that as the Founder, Executive Officer and Strategist par excellence of Skai Blue Media, the multimedia communications agency she founded 15 years ago, she has been ahead of trends, building impactful brands for creative businesses and individuals including Airbnb, Comcast, Dell, Serena Williams, Morgan Stanley, Jill Scott, and more. Rakia’s portfolio includes #FanofYourBrand(tactical business tools), clothing brand EVRYDAY Jane, and an ethical intelligence platform set to launch in 2021. She has been named by Inc. Magazine as one of the 27 Business Leaders Aiming to Change the World, was listed as one of the 25 Most Socially Influential Tastemakers on Dell’s “Inspire 100” list, and recently was also profiled by Forbes on their “Next 1000” list.  Follow Rakia on IG at @rakiyareynolds and learn more about her company at www.skaibluemedia.com.

Why fit in when you can stand out?! is one of my mantras so I was over the moon when Alan Ibbotson (episode 6 "Resilience) introduced me to my guest for this episode, Austin McGhie, the visionary author of "Find Your Difference: Challenging Conformity in Business and in Life.” Just like we value IQ (intelligence quotient) and EQ (emotional intelligence) we should value our DQ (difference quotient) because embracing difference over status quo leads to growth, innovation and making the world a better place. Austin is the co-founder (with Alpa Pandya) of Find Difference, a marketing strategy consultancy specializing in positioning. He's a self-described "over marketer" with a staggering list of credits including telling a nascent MSNBC to seize the opportunity and be the liberal news network (which they built one anchor at a time) and changed the culture by encouraging Dove to celebrate real women with what become the iconic Dove Real Beauty campaign. Trust him when he says niche is not a four letter word, that better is not different and that focus narrow, catch wide is the winning strategy. Vive la différence!

A barrier is an obstacle that prevents movement or access and we all encounter them from time to time on our career paths. My guest for this episode, Erin Ashley Simon, is a true trailblazer who has been making a significant impact in e-sports and media for years with a singular, hopeful vision. She joins me on this episode of Camera Ready & Abel to generously discuss BREAKING BARRIERS. Erin Ashley Simon is a multi-media personality, host, producer, and consultant within esports, gaming and entertainment. Her love and passion for these areas has helped to shape who she is today, pushing the culture forward, breaking barriers as a female in the industry. In doing so, Erin was the first individual female public figure to be the face of PUMA’s new esports line. Her generosity, tenacity, and confidence can move mountains! Erin has worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the industry to provide more opportunities for those in underserved, underrepresented and marginalized communities, working with companies like Evil Geniuses, XSET and one of the largest video game publishers, Riot Games. Erin is also co-owner of one of the fastest growing esports organizations XSET. Within her role at the organization, Erin is helping to shape the culture of the organization to ensure the org has content and deep-rooted connections in music, entertainment and the gaming industry.  Erin is building an empire and as her career moves forward, she looks to continue to grow the intersection between gaming and culture, paving a path forward for future generations. Read up on Erin in this recent article and Keep up with Erin at www.erinasimon.com.

“Do The Work, Identify Your Intentions, Know Your Worth, Don’t Be Tempted By Shiny & know that things are subject to change so REMAIN OPEN” – Bevy Smith What do you get when you mix essential words of wisdom with unapologetic boldness and heart? You get a BEVELATION! Joining me on this episode of Camera Ready & Abel is the divine Bevy Smith. Quintessential Harlem girl, Gracie Award winner, and life-long New Yorker, Bevy is the host of Sirius XM’s “Bevelations” on Radio Andy and the author of “Bevelations: Lessons from a Mutha, Auntie, Bestie,” where she generously lays out, step-by-step, how she successfully transitioned from a highly lucrative career as a fashion advertising executive to on-camera personality and media mogul, proving you can manifest your most bodacious dreams. Bevy is also a beloved motivational speaker, brand ambassador, businesswoman and generous mentor. I was plenty blessed to work with Bevy on the nationally syndicated show, "Page Six TV" where I enjoyed the privilege of experiencing daily Bevelations, and one late autuman day we sat down for a tête-a-tête over coffee at the Royalton in New York City which I captured in a blog post: Seven Bevelations That Will Change Your Life. I keep this signature Bevy quote above my desk: “It gets greater later!” Get more Bevy at www.bevysmith.com.

Confidence is the fuel that drives us toward our ambitions, and calm eases the way. And when the two states combine, they form a magical and powerful combination. It is also nearly universal that everyone - even the most seasoned speakers - at some point feels pangs of anxiety before presenting. That is why I am over the moon to have Patricia Stark joining me on this episode of Camera Ready & Abel to discuss Calmfidence® - the extraordinary and effective elixir of calm and confidence she created. Patricia Stark works on both sides of the camera & stage as a Media Trainer, Public Speaking Trainer, Certified Body Language Specialist and Calmfidence® Coach. She appears regularly as a Guest TV Communication Expert & Lifestyle Expert and sought after keynote speaker. After helping thousands of students and clients find their own voices and abilities, she made her methods available in CALMFIDENCE: How to Trust Yourself, Tame Your Inner Critic, and Shine in Any Spotlight—a comprehensive guide to improving self-talk and outward communication skills in any social interaction with calm and confidence. Her book is a must read! In this episode you will collect tips, tools, and natural remedies to combat your inner critic and find ease and guidance from your inner coach. For more about Patricia hop on over to PatriciaStark.com.