The Acting Coach Network Podcast

In this episode of the Acting Coach Network podcast, I’m joined by business mentor and class based industry leader Krissy Monaghan for a conversation that is honest, practical and incredibly value packed.Krissy has spent over a decade in the children’s activity and performing arts business space and has experienced growth from every angle. From building and leading large networks to mentoring business owners through their next stage of expansion, she brings clarity, focus and real world strategy to everything she does.Krissy shares why messy action will always beat perfection, how consistency compounds over time, and why focus is the most underrated skill for business growth. We talk about stepping into CEO leadership, navigating growth without burnout, and why what got you here will not get you to the next level.Krissy also gives a glimpse into her next era, including the launch of the Class Business Awards, a new initiative designed to celebrate excellence, leadership and impact across the class based business industry. The Awards sit alongside her wider mission to raise standards, build strong communities and create a lasting legacy for business owners in this space.If you are feeling stuck, distracted, overwhelmed or unsure how to step into your next era, this episode will give you clarity, confidence and permission to do things your way.WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:• Why messy action and consistency always win• How structure and routine protect you from burnout• What it really means to step into CEO leadership• Why focus matters more than following trends• How to avoid comparison and distraction• The importance of mission, values and long term vision• Why money is not always the real motivator• How to decide what support you need at each stage of growth• A look into Krissy’s next era and the launch of the Class Business AwardsKrissy primarily builds her community on Facebook, where she runs regular live sessions, free events, challenges and masterclasses.You can find her by searching:Kristine Monaghan CoachShe is also on Instagram under Children’s Activity Business Club.Grab My Free Reclaim Your Voice 7 Day Audio Series Here Grab my LAMDA Teacher Training Course Here Follow me on Instagram here Book you Free 15minute call with me here Email - [email protected] Check out YouTube here

In this episode I chat with Jack Seager, founder of the Community Interest Company Jack Seager School of Dance. Jack is deeply committed to making dance accessible for every child and every family, and he shares the powerful story behind building a dance school rooted in community, inclusion and opportunity.Jack takes us through his journey from young performer to business owner, opening up about the realities of establishing a CIC, navigating funding, and creating a space where students feel valued, supported and inspired. We explore what it takes to lead with heart in the performing arts industry and the balance between resilience, emotional connection and the drive to make a genuine difference.We discuss• Dance as an art form that should be accessible to everyone regardless of background• How establishing a CIC creates opportunities for community focused work• The role of funding in keeping training affordable for families• Why building a strong and supportive community accelerates growth• The challenges of marketing to local schools and navigating gatekeepers• The importance of adapting teaching styles to meet diverse student needs• How emotional connection with students shapes the work in both beautiful and complex ways• The confidence and resilience needed to thrive in the arts• The power of collaboration over competition• The importance of returning to the deeper reason behind your passion and your purposeThis conversation is full of insight, encouragement and real behind the scenes wisdom for anyone who cares about inclusive arts education or is building a mission led business in the performing arts.You can connect with Jack here:InstagramFacebookhttps://jackseagerschoolofdance.co.uk/Grab My Free Reclaim Your Voice 7 Day Audio Series Here Grab my LAMDA Teacher Training Course Here Follow me on Instagram here Book you Free 15minute call with me here Email - [email protected] Check out YouTube here

In this incredibly heartfelt and inspiring episode, I sit down with Diane Neave, founder and franchisor of Rascals Theatre School. Diane opens up about her remarkable journey, from building a thriving franchise to receiving a life changing cancer diagnosis at the most pivotal moment of her business journey.Diane speaks with honesty and warmth about navigating chemotherapy, surgery and recovery while continuing to lead her business and support her franchisees. She shares the truth behind balancing treatment with teaching, the resilience she discovered within herself and the powerful perspective shift that came from surviving such a tough season.Inside this conversation you will hear:• How Diane built the Rascals franchise model and what inspired the rebrand• The moment she found her lump and the reality of hearing her treatment plan• How she kept her business moving forward during diagnosis, treatment and recovery• What her cancer journey taught her about leadership, letting go and trusting others• The very real challenges of stepping back from teaching when her body needed rest• Why creatives often have a powerful natural resilience• The role her horses played in keeping her grounded throughout treatment• How winning the Business Success Awards Against All Odds category became a defining moment• Her renewed energy for life, business and doing what she loves• The importance of external support, coaching and surrounding yourself with the right people• What she would say to anyone going through a difficult season right nowDiane also shares what is next for Rascals, including new franchise openings, continued growth and her desire to step into her role as full time franchisor when the time is right.This is an episode filled with courage, insight and honesty. You will walk away feeling inspired, grounded and reminded of your own strength.Connect with Diane and explore joining the Rascals franchise:Website: www.rascals-uk.com/franchiseInstagram: @rascals_theatre_schoolFacebook: Rascals Theatre SchoolGrab My Free Reclaim Your Voice 7 Day Audio Series Here Grab my LAMDA Teacher Training Course Here Follow me on Instagram here Book you Free 15minute call with me here Email - [email protected] Check out YouTube here

In this episode, I sit down with returning guest Matt Zina to dive deep into his brand new book The Trinity Acting Method, a method twenty years in the making and already an Amazon bestseller on pre sale alone.Matt opens up about the limiting beliefs that almost stopped him writing the book, the mindset work that helped him break through them and the yearly exercise he gives his actors to shed old stories that hold them back. He explains how the Trinity Acting Method was built: from emotional start points, intensity scales and sense memory inspired “wooden box” work, through to the physical application actors need in high stakes scenes.Together they explore why modern actors need techniques that are adaptable and why Matt built a method that meets people where they’re at, whether they’re total beginners or established professionals. He shares powerful stories from students like Zak Sutcliffe and Zanda Emlano, how top tier actors still learn new concepts from his work and why he believes no one should be excluded from training.This conversation is packed with mindset, method and heart. If you’re an actor, acting coach or drama teacher looking for accessible tools that actually work, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to try the Trinity for yourself.You can connect with Matt here:www.linktr.ee/mattzinaGrab your copy of the book hereGrab My Free Reclaim Your Voice 7 Day Audio Series Here Grab my LAMDA Teacher Training Course Here Follow me on Instagram here Book you Free 15minute call with me here Email - [email protected] Check out YouTube here

In this episode of The Acting Coach Network podcast, I sit down with accountant and business owner Sam Cantrell, the woman behind In for a Penny Accountancy Services and the hugely popular Accounting for the Arts community. Sam has become the go to financial guide for creative entrepreneurs, theatre school owners and performing arts organisations who want clarity and confidence around their accounts, tax responsibilities and systems.Together, we explore the realities of managing money in a creative industry. Why so many performing arts professionals avoid looking at their numbers, how to finally get organised without overwhelm and why knowing your figures is one of the most empowering things you can do as a business owner.Sam also breaks down the topics that so many creative business owners find confusing. From bookkeeping and accounting software to VAT, turnover thresholds and the upcoming Making Tax Digital changes. She shares what every theatre school, dance school and acting coach needs to know, plus practical steps to get ahead before new rules come into force.Expect clear explanations, supportive advice and a completely judgement free approach. Sam is known for her friendly expertise and her ability to make even the scariest financial tasks feel achievable.Inside this episode you will learn:• The real reason so many creatives avoid their finances• Why knowing your numbers is a genuine superpower for growth• How Accounting for the Arts began and why Sam is so passionate about supporting this niche• The biggest misconceptions about tax returns and bookkeeping• What Making Tax Digital will mean for your business and what to do now• When VAT applies to theatre schools and how the private tuition exemption works• Why putting VAT onto your fees is essential for business sustainability• The accounting software Sam recommends for creative business owners• How to build financial systems that support both your creativity and your business• What to do if your accountant does not understand the performing arts world• The one thing Sam wishes every theatre school owner knew about bookkeepingWhether you run a theatre school, coach privately or work across multiple creative income streams, this episode will help you feel more confident, more informed and far less alone when it comes to your finances.Grab My Free Reclaim Your Voice 7 Day Audio Series Here Grab my LAMDA Teacher Training Course Here Follow me on Instagram here Book you Free 15minute call with me here Email - [email protected] Check out YouTube here