Read the full article on Half-Hour: https://itshalfhour.blog/the-mask-of-busyness/
We live in a world that rewards the full calendar, the quick response, and the doing. Especially in leadership roles, being busy is almost synonymous with being important. You’re in demand. You’re essential. You’re in control.
Read the full article on Half-Hour: https://itshalfhour.blog/leadership-in-the-heat-of-the-moment/
Clarity sounds simple, but it always comes at a cost. Words, attention, and energy aren’t free. Every time you explain something to your team, you’re making an investment...and sometimes you overspend.
In this episode of Half-Hour, Bryan unpacks the real cost of clarity in leadership: when to spend it, when to hold back, and how to practice it without burning yourself out.
You’ll hear about:
Why clarity is a choice, not an accident
The hidden costs of over- and under-explaining
Practical ways to build clarity as a leadership practice
Clarity isn’t free, but silence and ambiguity cost even more.
Read more: https://itshalfhour.blog/what-we-practice-we-become/
There are those moments—rare, quiet ones—where something breaks through. When someone taps into something so real it cuts through the noise. They’re not “acting.” They’re just… being. And the room changes.
Read more: https://itshalfhour.blog/redefine-professionalism-in-entertainment/
“Stay in your lane.” You’ve probably heard it. Maybe not said outright, but in tone, in posture, in the way feedback lands like a warning instead of support. What happens when professionalism is defined less by doing the job well, and more by keeping people comfortable?
Professional too often becomes a code word for palatable. Calm, agreeable, easy to manage. But when everyone is busy shrinking themselves, creativity stalls and real leadership gets lost.
How many times this week have you answered the question “How are you?” with the word busy? It rolls off the tongue so easily — a quick way to sound important, to keep people from looking too closely, or to convince ourselves the chaos must be serving a purpose.
But busy doesn’t tell the truth. It doesn’t say I’m tired. It doesn’t say I’m stretched too thin. It doesn’t admit I’m anxious or I need help. It just says, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this handled.” And that mask comes at a cost.
In this episode, I’m talking about why busyness has become the armor so many of us hide behind, what it costs us as leaders, and how to begin setting it down. You’ll hear practical ways to reclaim presence, build healthier rhythms, and open space for connection — without wearing busy as a badge of honor.
I'm digging into what happens when your body reacts before your brain can catch up — in a show call, a difficult conversation, or any high-pressure moment. I'll talk about why composure is a practiced skill, how to prepare yourself before the stakes are high, and ways to use your body’s signals as tools instead of obstacles.
Leadership isn’t about pretending you’re fine. It’s about staying connected enough to lead through the storm.
Read the full article I mentioned in this episode for free on Half-Hour.
What does it really mean to show up? In this episode of Half-Hour, we explore the quiet, powerful practice of presence — the kind that transforms a room, deepens trust, and reshapes how we lead. Drawing from a personal code of ethics and inspired by Amy Cuddy’s Presence, Bryan shares how body language, vulnerability, and rehearsal culture all intersect to create ethical, human-first leadership in the entertainment world and beyond.
Whether you’re calling cues or navigating a high-stakes conversation, this episode is a reminder: we become what we practice — and presence is a practice worth choosing.
I take a step back to revisit something I wrote years ago that continues to shape how I lead, collaborate, and grow: my personal code of ethics. Originally written as a professional exercise, it’s become a compass for how I show up in complex spaces, especially when things don’t go as planned.
You’ll hear the honest truth behind what I wrote in 2019, what’s changed since then, and how these four pillars—growth, relationships, adaptability, and courage—continue to challenge and ground me. This episode is for anyone leading a team, navigating high-stakes work, or simply trying to align their values with their actions.
Bryan sets the mission for the show: to bring real value to your leadership journey in live entertainment. He dives deep into what truly separates a good stage manager from a great one, beyond technical skills, and shares practical ways you can grow your leadership, build trust, and create stronger backstage environments. Whether you’re early in your career or refining your craft, this episode offers actionable insights you can take back to your team today.
Making a Freelance Life Work for You by Laura Zingle is an honest and empowering look at navigating a freelance career in theatre, live events, and production. Laura shares her journey from stage management student to multi-hyphenate creative professional, offering insights into embracing flexibility, redefining success, and building a career outside the traditional 9-to-5. Whether you’re a stage manager, event coordinator, or creative freelancer, this reflection is packed with wisdom on mindset shifts, networking, and finding balance between work and life.
Read the article at: https://itshalfhour.blog/how-to-build-a-career-as-a-freelancer/
📌 Navigating a freelance career in the arts? Subscribe to Half-Hour for weekly insights on backstage leadership, sustainable freelancing, and building a career beyond the traditional path. Join at https://itshalfhour.blog/subscribe
Talking about money is uncomfortable. We get into the industry because we love the work, not because we want to haggle over pay. But just like in any profession, negotiating your salary—whether for a new job or a raise in your current role—is essential for long-term career sustainability.
Read the article at: https://itshalfhour.blog/the-four-rules-for-negotiating/
We don’t need a corporate mandate to do the right thing. As leaders, we set the tone for how our teams operate. If we care about the future of this industry, we must ensure that talent isn’t just welcomed but truly supported.
Read the full article on Half-Hour: https://itshalfhour.blog/equality-vs-equity-why-the-difference-matters-more-than-ever/
Are you just showing up, or are you making a difference? The distinction between participation and contribution can make or break a production.
Read the full article on Half-Hour: https://itshalfhour.blog/participation-vs-contribution/
What’s the key to success? It’s not only about managing complex schedules or having the technical prowess to give you an edge; it’s mostly about the people we manage. How can you effectively lead such a diverse team? Want to know how emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and adaptability can transform your leadership style? Check out these 5 skills you can foster and build to help you manage the diverse personalities in our industry.
Read the full article on Half-Hour: https://itshalfhour.blog/managing-personalities/
Ethical leadership isn’t just about making the “right” choices—it’s about building trust, fostering respect, and creating an environment where people feel valued. In the entertainment industry, where pressure and stakes are high, the way you navigate gray areas has a ripple effect.
Read the full article on Half-Hour:
https://itshalfhour.blog/why-ethical-leadership-matters/
We explore the profound impact of culture on our professional lives. We dissect how workplace environments shape creativity and collaboration, from job satisfaction to innovation. Reflecting on the importance of nurturing supportive cultures, we discuss fostering risk-taking and transparent communication. We navigate the intricacies of organizational culture and its role in employee experiences. Tune in for practical tips on promoting growth and positive workplace dynamics.
Bryan chats with Laura Zingle, a seasoned freelance stage manager based in San Diego, as she shares her journey through the unpredictable world of theater and live events. With a diverse background spanning theater, dance, music, and concerts, Laura offers valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of freelancing in the entertainment industry. From her MFA in Stage Management to her role as a Resident Stage Manager for the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, her career embodies versatility and resilience.
Tune in to discover her strategies for navigating the freelance landscape, balancing parenthood with professional pursuits, and making impactful choices in a field where every opportunity counts. Whether you're an aspiring stage manager or a seasoned industry professional, this conversation promises valuable takeaways for anyone seeking to thrive in the spotlight.
Conflict can easily become an issue while working closely on live productions and often arise due to differences in opinion, misunderstandings, or even personality clashes. When conflicts are not resolved effectively, they can lead to decreased productivity, low morale, and even employee turnover. However, conflicts can be resolved with the right approach. Here are some tips for how to approach conflict resolution from a productive point-of-view to move through difficult conversations and hard feedback.
Bryan and Sharon discuss her career starting as a stage manager and moving throughout her career, how she adjusted to changes in different environments, and what we should consider about the skills we possess as stage managers when we apply for jobs.