The Acting Coach Network Podcast

• Leadership, Resilience and Growing a Franchise. A Powerful Conversation with Rascals Founder Diane Neave

  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 Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download 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

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• The Trinity Acting Method: Flexibility, Truth and Twenty Years of Craft with Matt Zina

  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 Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download 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

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• How to Become Confident with Tax and VAT as a Creative with Sam Cantrell

  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 Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download 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

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• Visibility, Balance, and Meta Ads: How to Grow a Business That Works for Your Life With Gwen Baird

  In this episode of the Acting Coach Network podcast, I'm joined by certified business coach and Advanced Meta Ads Strategist Gwen Baird for an honest conversation about visibility, alignment and what it really takes to grow a creative business without burning out.Gwen shares her journey into the online world more than twenty years ago, how living with an invisible illness has shaped the way she runs her business, and why building a business that works for your life matters more than ever. Together, Savanna and Gwen explore the biggest visibility challenges creative entrepreneurs face and the core foundations you need before you ever start running Meta ads.This episode dives into practical and realistic strategies for business owners who want to attract more leads, improve their marketing, and build confidence in their message. Gwen talks about how to know when you’re truly ready for Meta ads, why ads amplify what already exists in your business, and how to align your offer, your audience and your content so your ads can actually convert.You’ll also hear helpful insights about• finding balance as a business owner with an invisible illness• the difference between being busy and actually growing your business• why creatives often undercharge for their work• shifting from passion project to CEO mindset• building a long term business strategy that supports your lifestyle and energy• creating simple forward planning systems that make ads work harder for youIf you’re a creative, acting coach, theatre school owner or service based business owner who feels stuck, stretched or unsure of your next steps, this episode will help you understand what to focus on first so you can grow your business with clarity and confidence.Gwen also shares details about her brand new Meta Ads Mastery programme, designed to help business owners understand and run their own Meta ads with confidence.You can connect with Gwen here:Advanced Meta Ads MasteryInstagram: @GwenBairdOnlineFacebook: @GIBairdLinkedIn: Gwen BairdGrab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download 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

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• Self Belief, Acting Ambition and Drama Coaching with Heather Nye

  In this episode I am joined by actor and drama coach Heather Nye, whose journey into the performing arts and coaching world is rooted in courage, self belief and a deep commitment to helping young people grow in confidence.Heather started out volunteering in drama classes simply because she loved working with children and wanted to be part of something creative. That choice led her to discover a passion for teaching, pursue professional acting, and eventually become a franchise owner with The Drama Centre. Today she teaches across schools, runs her own drama club, and continues to build her acting career with curiosity and determination.We explore what it means to build a business while pursuing performance opportunities, how mindset and emotional tools support the creative journey, and the role confidence plays both in the classroom and on stage. Heather speaks honestly about choosing the harder but more fulfilling path, navigating vulnerability, and trusting yourself even when the future feels uncertain.In this episode we discuss:• How acting training can strengthen your teaching practice• The mindset tools that support confidence and resilience in business• Why choosing the harder path can lead to greater fulfilment• How to navigate vulnerability, rejection and self doubt in the artsThis is a warm and open conversation about creativity, resilience and backing yourself through the ups and downs of building a life in the arts.You can connect with Heather here:Instagram: @heather_thedramacentre and @heatherlynyeGrab My Free Step Into Your CEO Mindset Download 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

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