Camera Ready & Abel

I get stuck in The Shoulds all the time – should be thinner, richer, more successful, blah, blah, blah – and write about it from time to time in my newsletter, blog and Facebook  community…so that’s what this episode is all about. Because Shoulding Yourself is universal. My dear pal, Vivian Manning-Schaffel, has taken this universal feeling to a whole new level with a brilliant piece she wrote for Shondaland, How to Stop 'Shoulding' Yourself. Vivian explores the neuroscience of what this obligatory self-talk does to your psyche and gives pointers from experts on how to cultivate more grace and self-compassion so you can truly thrive in life. Vivian Manning-Schaffel is a seasoned storyteller who conjures compelling narratives about people, places, and things with a focus on the intersection of pop culture and human behavior. She is a regular contributor to Shondaland.com and has written for the TODAY Show website, NBC News BETTER, The Cut, the New York Daily News, The Week, Medium, DAME, Prevention, The New York Times, Time Out New York, The New York Post, CBS Watch!, Jezebel, Gothamist, and a host of other publications. She's also been a contributing writer/editor at NBC News, Working Mother magazine, and Time Out New York Kids. So yeah, it was quite flattering when she asked to interview me for her recent piece! Learn more about Vivan’s work at vivianmanningschaffel.com. You can follow her on twitter @soapboxdirty and instagram @veemanning. Listen in and add onto our conversation by connecting with me at bba@abelintermedia.com. I’d love to hear from you! Do it because you WANT to, not because you SHOULD ;)

Big leaps, small steps, and navigating the messy middle are all part of the process when it comes to any life transition. How do you know when you are succeeding at what you set out to do, especially when it takes a heck of a long time to get there? On this episode of Camera Ready & Abel, modern classical and film composer, Kerry Muzzey - who has one of the most inspiring career pivot stories ever - helps me look at the measuring stick that is DEFINING SUCCESS. Kerry’s recent works include the original orchestral score for the ballet "Casanova" by Kenneth Tindall and Northern Ballet; the score for the documentary film "Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry" by director Laura Dunn and executive producers Robert Redford and Terrence Malick, and whose piece "Looking Back" was used as a recurring love theme on the TV show "GLEE."  Kerry Muzzey and I met at VH1 back in the glory days of the 1990s. I was running the Talent Development Department and Kerry worked in Rights & Clearances, so that VH1 could legally obtain the rights to the content -- music, video footage, and celebrity images - that graced our screens. In his mid-thirties Kerry was met with the growing awareness that he was putting off what he had really wanted to do: Compose music full-time. The silent handcuffs of career promotions and the ticking time clock of aging, pushed Kerry to finally ask, if not today, when? And so the journey to becoming a full-time professional composer began, but not without a few bumps and bruises along the way! Visit kerrymuzzey.com to learn more about Kerry’s work.

But what do I do with my hands? maybe the question I get asked most when media training clients. What you're really asking is what do I do with my body? Your non-verbual cues account for more than 50% of how someone perceives what you are trying to communicate to them. It’s what isn’t said but seen that’s most impactful. Which is why I invited internationally recognized body language expert and TV personality, Blanca Cobb, to go deep on this essential element of Camera Readiness. She busts some common misconceptions and offers ways to connect with others through body language that is sure to get you results. Blanca speaks to various audiences on reading body language, detecting deception, building rapport and trust, negotiating, being influential, resolving interpersonal conflict, and much more. She focuses on personal and professional relationship dynamics. Blanca also helps business professionals who want media exposure, whether on TV or video, and are afraid to be seen and turns them into media rock stars. She teaches them to be calm, confident, and charismatic on camera to expand their brand, book more clients and make more money.  Fun fact- Blanca founded a national holiday, National Body Language Day, that is celebrated the first Friday of every October.  Check out Blanca’s How Not To Suck on Video to learn the top 5 mistakes to avoid in front of a camera.

If you're looking for celebrity dish from America's #1 Gossip Columnist, Rob Shuter in this episode of Camera Ready & Abel, move along. But if you're looking for deep, actionable insights on how to transform your life/career and succeed in the media landscape, you've come to the right place.  Rob shares one generous Shuter-ism after another from Don’t take a risk unless you are ready to win to always, ALWAYS be kind. So what is Rob’s key to success? He overcame personal challenges, tapped into his super powers (curiosity + a sense of humor), got clear on his goals and comfortable with rejection (after experiencing a lot), and is willing to stand in the rain longer than anyone else (a life lesson he learned from Joan Rivers.) Having worked intimately with celebrities and some of the most successful people in the world, it became clear to Rob that those who were successful had one thing in common, and it wasn’t talent. It was that they tried! And not just once, but over and over again. While Rob doesn’t advise us to water a dead plant, he shares how we can encourage new growth by being nimble, kind, and opportunistic. Rob does not lose sight that in all of the exterior transformations that he has undergone who he is at his core has not changed. He is kind, funny, naughty, and nice. Knowing who you are is critical to success and this insight led to Rob’s debut self-help book, The 4 Word Answer: Who Are You In 4 Words, available now for pre-order on Amazon. 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, that is always a pinch and never a punch! And in the spirit of good gossip, leave Camera Ready & Abel a review and let us know what you thought of the episode.

Appearing on-camera is vulnerable. So is living in the digital age if you've got an email address, website and social presence. I turned to Dr. J Michael Skiba – host of Dr. Fraud TV and one of the world’s leading experts in International Financial Crime and Cyber Security – to understand the practical, tactical and emotional components of security in the media space. I tell students and clients all the time: be mindful of what’s in the background of your shot. Michael taught me it’s not only aesthetic, it’s also a safety precaution. What scammers can learn about you from your video background is alarming. You’ve dodged an imposter scam or two, whether you knew it had a name or not. If you are a solopreneur, an individual content creator, or someone working in the gig economy, consider yourself a small business – and know that small businesses are highly vulnerable to a variety of scams. Doing so is both a mindset and a practical consideration that will keep you on your toes as you keep your identity, workspace, and finances secure. You can also explore history's most notorious scams with Michael on Dr. Fraud TV and check out his safety courses at DrFraud.org. So...tidy up your background of personal information and scoot over to Abel Intermedia to download your free copy of 12 Tips for Success on Camera to get you communicating with confidence, impact, and charisma on-camera.

Mercury is the planet of communication - and completely misunderstood! Unlocking the power of Mercury and mastering your communication style could be the keys to your success. Chances are you are well aware of Mercury Retrograde - when the planet appears to orbit backwards and all sorts of miscommunication and tech chaos looms (honestly, sometimes I feel like I live in my own private Mercury Retrograde) but my guest Leslie McGuirk is here to clear the air and provide a more complete and compassionate depiction of Mercury’s powerful and positive role in your daily life.  Perfect is so not interesting and Mercury - the planet of communication - is widely misunderstood! These are just two of the takeaways from this episode of Camera Ready & Abel. Leslie McGuirk is an internationally acclaimed astrologer, writer and creativity expert. She has studied the system of astrological imprinting for almost 40 years. In her book, The Power of Mercury, she explains how humans have an owner’s manual or pattern, and how we are like everything else in nature, whether a tree trunk or a snowflake – we have a design that can be seen. With this knowledge comes great power. Leslie is breaking new ground in the world of mental health as she collaborates with western-trained doctors to put forth a new vision for holistic healing. It’s time to get curious about your birth chart! Want to know more? Follow Leslie and her liquid trouble ways at @lesliemcguirk and visit abelintermedia.com/podcast for show resources.

Talent might get you in the door but it’s MASTERY that will keep you in the game - and this takes discipline and dedication. Command authority in your field and step into your zone of genius with Brand Strategist, Phil Pallen.  Phil joins me, Barbara Barna Abel, on this episode of Camera Ready & Abel to discuss the secret sauce to success, MASTERY. Mastery is about focused work and commitment to strengthening your skillset, so you can move away from being a generalist (stuck in the messy middle) and own that you are the expert in the room and make an impact. Phil is a motivational burst of energy who deconstructs digital marketing and social media to empower leaders, corporations, employees, and entrepreneurs. He's also a popular keynote speaker who challenges his audiences to be better than ever before. Phil’s insights have been featured in media outlets around the world, including CNN, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, and The Daily Mail, to name a few. Phil has worked with hundreds of brands across all industries, including a Shark on Shark Tank, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, politicians, and some of the most important names in entertainment.  Phil shares his expertise in a lineup of courses that will help you master email, instagram, or content.  Check out Phil’s courses at philpallen.co/email-mastery-course and use promo code BBA50 to get 50% off the regular price.  Thank you Phil for this audience exclusive deal and thank you listeners for tuning in to another episode of Camera Ready & Abel.

Access to ideas and information is one of the core reasons I launched Camera Ready & Abel and why I was incredibly excited to jump into the topic of Access with Nora Ali - CEO and Co-Founder of a new media venture that is driven in part by the mission to provide access to spaces, people and information to help break barriers to personal and professional opportunities. Nora is a gifted violinist and most recently covered the latest innovations and technologies across entertainment and business as a news anchor on Cheddar, where she was the daily co-host of "Between Bells" and "Closing Bell." She previously led teams of engineers and designers as a Product Manager at Jet.com, which she joined prior to launch, and she started her career advising institutional investors as an Asian Equities Analyst at Goldman Sachs.  Nora opens up about the critical role access has played in her life, sharing some aspects she has taken control of, such as access to information, and some barriers she has had to navigate, such as social access barriers faced as a Bangledshi woman in the U.S. Warm and whip smart, Nora loves a little friendly competition and is committed to her growth and that of those around her, leveraging her own expertise, network and platform to support women and people of color in the media space and extend access to those without traditional means. Can’t get enough of Nora Ali? Check out here mini concerts and so much more on Instagram @noraali or visit her website at noraali.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to Camera Ready & Abel on your favorite podcast platforms so you always know when new episodes become available.

“No one ever failed in Hollywood, they just quit too soon.” -Anonymous Strengthen your RESILIENCE muscle, with Changeologist & Executive Coach, Alan Ibbotson, on this episode of Camera Ready and Abel. Alan is the Founder of The Trampoline Group, and the host of the Wisdom You Didn't Ask For series. Aside from 80’s Brit pop, his passion has always been the development of people and the ignition of vibrant, engaged work cultures. Alan is a popular keynote speaker on change leadership, emotional intelligence, and yes, resilience! Alan knows first hand what it takes to bounce back from difficult life events. He brings his warmth and wit to this conversation with Barbara Barna Abel exploring the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of resilience. They discuss emotional intelligence, empathy, compassion, and of course, Brené Brown.  To learn more about Alan visit The Trampoline Group, and be sure to check out Wisdom You Didn’t Ask For #WYDAF. And scoot over to abelintermedia.com for resources from the podcast.

In the world of buzz words, AUTHENTICITY reigns supreme. Like most things in life, showing up authentically is about the journey and not a destination you arrive at overnight. The world of acting can be a great teacher of what it takes to be emotionally honest and true to yourself. On this episode of Camera, Ready & Abel, Barbara is joined by long time friend and colleague Sean De Simone, founder of Sean De Simone Casting and together they deconstruct the pursuit of authenticity.  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. After years of being behind the scenes, Sean has begun to study acting and step into a part of the entertainment business that has always fascinated him. What he has found in his studies is that acting has enhanced all aspects of his life as it has strengthened his ability to listen, create, and live in the moment. Sean shares how he has applied everything that he learns in his acting class to what he does as a casting director, specifically when he coaches TV hosts. He is often telling his clients that TV hosting is not about hosting. It requires a delicate mix of 70% YOU and 30% delivering lines and hitting marks. The ability to bring YOU is critical in a TV host's success, so let's talk more about how to get there! Step into character with Sean and learn more about his work at @Sean_Desimone_Casting. Looking for more tips on and off camera? Download Barbara’s, 12 TIPS FOR SUCCESS ON-CAMERA (AND OFF). In this fabulous, free ebook you’ll learn 12 actionable strategies to make you more confident, charismatic and impactful communicating on-camera. Winning the lottery is a long shot. Your success on camera is not.