What if rejection wasn’t the end — but the lesson you needed?
In this episode of Rejection Rehab, EMMY-winning producer Dr. Tom Flaherty sits down with his longtime friend Julian Cihi — a true triple threat (actor, singer, dancer) who’s been seen on Hulu (Only Murders in the Building), Netflix (Gypsy & Scott Pilgrim Takes Off), Amazon (The Tick), HBO (Crashing), The CW (The Outpost), and Broadway (Take Me Out).
Julian shares why actors might be the most rejected professionals on the planet — and how he’s learned to turn constant “no’s” into confidence, growth, and even flow.
You’ll hear about:
Why 90–99% rejection is normal in acting (and how to survive it)
How rejection becomes easier with experience — if you let it
The mindset shift from “I’m not good at this” → “I’m not good at this…yet”
Why “not the right fit” isn’t about your worth
Lessons from mentors like Kenny Leon and David Costabile on handling auditions
Why rejection in love and life feels lighter once you’ve faced it professionally
How positive self-talk keeps your confidence steady through the highs and lows
How to stop forcing things and instead “follow what flows”
The stoic wisdom of Marcus Aurelius: “Love only what falls your way and is fated for you.”
Julian leaves us with his guiding mantra: “I walk with trust. I live in surrender. I follow what flows. And I let life surprise me.”
