Was It Chance?
People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways.
All Episodes
#63 - Mark Daley: Wrong Door, Right Time
Mark Daley describes his life as a series of wrong doors at the right time. Tune in as Mark shares his remarkable journey from growing up closeted and steeped in shame to political campaigns to pioneering LGBTQ+ rights, becoming a foster parent, and then reshaping foster care for at-risk youth.
#62 - Alison Cochrun: Authors... They're Just Like Us!
Welcome to the beautiful world of queer romance with author Alison Cochrun. Hear about the stories behind her heartwarming novels that celebrate love's many hues and the courageous journey of self-discovery that echoes through her pages.
#61 - James Jin: Pushing Through The Visually Uncomfortable
Step into a world where dance meets stillness, and artistry transcends boundaries. Join us as we uncover the magic behind James Jin's lens, where each click captures not just a moment, but a story.
#60 - Lara Love Hardin: Climbing Back From a Heroin Addiction
From New York Times bestselling author comes a tale of personal redemption. Uncover the incredible journey of Lara Love Hardin in this intimate episode, Lara reveals her struggles, the power of self-forgiveness, and the profound impact of storytelling.
#59 - Anoushka Lucas: Redefining Intentionality
Anoushka Lucas is a singer, songwriter, actor and theatre composer. Raised in London, Anoushka spoke French before she spoke English, and has a degree in Russian and Italian from Oxford University.
#58 - Venessa Kelley: Bless Your Mistakes
Venessa Vida Kelley is a Washington, DC-based author, illustrator, and sequential artist. Her work focuses on magical realism, fantasy, and culturally diverse romance.
#57 - Steve Kamb: Not All Heroes Wear Capes (but this one might)
Imagine leveling your life up video game style. Well, good news - you don’t have to imagine it because Steve Kamb has created it. Steve is the nerd who founded NerdFitness.com to help average folks, nerds, and misfits level up their lives.
#56 - 2023 End of Year Reflection
What's your word for 2024? Happy holidays and have a wonderful new year, everyone! Make sure to follow this podcast everywhere you find podcasts, leave a rating and a review, and slip into our Instagram DMs at @wasitchance.
#55 - Paula Lafferty: The TikTok Whisperer
Paula Lafferty is a writer whose story is as inspiring as it is extraordinary. From the early days of jotting down snippets of imagination in journals that littered her parent's house, Paula's journey led her to a pivotal moment during the pandemic when she discovered the vibrant communities of BookTok and WriterTok on TikTok.
#54 - Chris Sabol & Billy Aberle: They Are Anything but "Straight Forward"
Meet Chris Sabol and Billy Aberle the creative team behind the new musical, Straight Forward a musical built on a true story. Billy is the Founder and CEO of a theatrical tech startup, Prodooser and the co-founder and a board member of StraightForward’s producing partner, Pivotal Productions, a non-profit educational-based theatre company.
#53 - Brenden Kumarasamy: The Master Manifestor
It’s time to meet Alan’s twin. Ok. Brendon Kumarasamy is not actually Alan’s twin but they are two peas in a pod for sure and it’s so much fun to hear them ignite ideas and inspiration off of one another.
#52 - Rashan Brown: Allowing Us to Feel All the Feels
We talk with Spoken-Word Poet, Rashan Brown, or you may know him by his stage name, Rush (The Mic). Rashan is the brilliant mind behind "Poetry Me, Please" – a vibrant community platform and event series that serves as a global stage for poets to let their creativity flow through the power of words.
#51 - Jai Rodriguez: An Original 'Queer Eye' Guy Who Won't Punch Down
You might recognize him as the original 'Culture Vulture' from the groundbreaking show “Queer Eye For The Straight Guy,” but there's so much more to this incredible soul. Meet Jai Rodriguez, a force of creativity and passion who has been shaping American culture for nearly two decades.
#50 - Drew Stern: Creating Theater's First Digital Collectible Marketplace
Like all good 80’s kids, Drew Stern loves a good Choose Your Own Adventure story. In fact, it’s this approach that has led this former musical theater actor turned award-winning technology CEO to such great success.
#49 - Asi Wind: The Magician's Magician
A globally renowned magician and performer, Asi Wind shares his journey in the world of magic and the art of performance, including his childhood encounter with a magician that shaped the rest of his life.
#48 - Analena Fuchs: Human Designing Her Way to Success
Sometimes those with the quietest voice make the biggest impact. Analena is an experienced Human Design & Energetic Alignment Coach, Life, Health, and Mastery Level Coach. She is also certified in Energy Healing modalities like Emotional Acceptance, Infinity Healing, and the Rapid Relief Technique.
#47 - Jasmine Rafael & Cassidy Hamilton: Three Lesbians and an Alan
Whoa buddy are y’all in for a treat! For this episode Alan and Heather were live and in person in the middle of Time Square with Jasmine Rafel and Cassidy Hamilton - two brilliant Queer artists who are truly shaking things up!
#46 - Javier Muñoz: Just Call Him "Sexy Javi"
Performance is as much science as it is art says this week’s guest, Javier Muñoz. But Javier also knows that the Universe is vast and always looking out for him. Javier is one of the kindest, most sincere people on Broadway and this conversation is filled with beautiful moments so don’t miss a second.
#45 - Erica Lynn Cunanan: Learning How to Spray Tan from Ryan Murphy
Erica Lynn is an American actress and dancer born in Bakersfield, California where she began her dance training at the tender age of 3. By 6 years old, she had caught the performing bug in her first theatrical performance as Molly in Annie the Musical.
#44 - Maria Shehata: Making London Funnier
From Alan’s dad jokes to real comedy! Afraid but failing forward anyway - This week we bring you Maria Shehata, a multi-award-winning Egyptian-American comedian based in London who has been featured on Showtime's Bridging the Gap, Comedy Central's The Watch List, Dave Channel’s Comedy Guide to Life, Comic Relief’s viral Modern Dating Horror Stories, and BBC’s Period Dramas and Breaking the News.
#43 - Lauren Lee Crane: The 8th Grade Health Class You Should Have Had
Orgasms, vulvas, cramps, Oh My … Tune into this wildly fascinating conversation with Lauren Lee-Crane, founder of Semaine Health. Semaine Health provides plant-based, science-backed supplements that help people experience a better quality of life at every stage.
#42 - Jeff Madoff: Creating more PERSONALITY!
It turns out this guest is the older version of our very own Alan Seales. Get ready for excellent Dad jokes and a lot of laughs. Seriously though - Jeffery Madoff has a wildly inventive and creative brain and a masterful entrepreneurial spirit.
#41 - Amber Trueblood: The Headmaster at the School of Rock!
Amber Trueblood traveled across the country supporting her two oldest sons as they starred in the hit musical The School of Rock and along the way she picked up some lessons, while traveling and homeschooling, that eventually made their way into her new book The Unflustered Mom.
#40 - Julie Civiello Polier: The Aesthetician to the Stars
Creative success comes in many many different formats and we’re sharing something totally new to Was It Chance today! Meet Julie Civiello Polier - she is, literally, the aesthetician to the stars.
#39 - Joe Rosko: Training Better Than Thor Hemsworth Does
Tune in to hear how The Avengers lead to this week's guest accepting his claim to fame as “The Broadway Trainer.” We even get a few off-the-cuff renditions of Shut the Eff Up Alan!
#38 - Joanne Lipman: NEXT! That's What She Said
Joanne Lipman knew she wanted to be a journalist at the age of 7. What happened next was a combination of hard work and embracing chance and opportunity and perhaps a little luck in working with folks who truly wanted to see her succeed and believed in her.
#37 - Alex Donnelly: From Finance to the Stage
Alex Donnelly grew up a theater lover but believed had to pursue a “real career” and decided to get a finance degree. Although the voice inside his head told him to fully walk away from theater, he simply couldn’t do it.
#36 - Anthony Norman: Accidentally Becoming Successful
Anthony Norman takes the stage by storm in the lead role of Evan Hansen for the touring cast of Dear Evan Hansen. But he’s also an incredibly nice guy with a great sense of humor. In fact, Anthony and our co-host, Alan, are two peas in a pod.
#35 - Donnie Brown: THE Reality TV Wedding Planner
Grab your popcorn and get ready to hear some amazing stories from Reality TV wedding planner, Donnie Brown. Donnie starred in the very first wedding planning reality TV show, “Who’s wedding is it anyway” on The Style Network and then went on to start in 10 of the show's 11 seasons and its spin-off!
#34 - Lili Thomas: Connor's Mom Has Got It Going On
Do you remember when our collective hearts broke watching “Connors's mom” breakdown in Dear Evan Hansen? Yeah, that was traumatic! And Lili Thomas does it every single night on stage as she performs the beautiful and devastating role of Cynthia Murphy for the North American touring company of DEH.
#33 - Sami Moog: Alchemy of Imagination
MANIFESTATION, BABY! This week Heather and Alan talk with Manifestation expert, Sami Moog, about how we can all create the future we desire. We are, in fact, constantly creating our futures whether we’re aware of it or not.
#32 - Lee Zlotoff: MacGyver the Musical
Most of you have heard of MacGyver … Not only was it an internationally successful television show, but it’s also become a full-on verb for many (especially us Gen Xers) “Hold on, let me go MacGyver that!” In this episode, Alan and Heather got to chat with Lee Zlotoff brainchild behind the world-renowned MacGyver franchise.
#31 - Mikayla Petrilla: Just a Damn Good Person
Mikayla Petrilla realized early on in her career that there was a “side door” to nearly everything. Although she hadn’t been a serious actor in school, Mikayla knew acting was her desired career.
#30 - 2022 End of Year Reflection
Like it or hate it, 2022 is over! Alan and Heather chat about all of the incredible guests from the past year while sharing some of their favorite moments. Good times were had by all.
#29 - Mauricio Martínez: Leading Man Energy!
Follow that leading man energy and never lose sight of the goal! Mauricio Martínez is a major international star of both stage and screen most recently seen in Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Unmasked: The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
#28 - Nicole Carosella: Energy, Manifestation, Witches, and Jewelry OH MY!
Nicole is one half of a sister/sister duo that co-founded a high-end jewelry brand called Sorllina. Nicole and her sister Nicole grew up on the north shore of Long Island, NY, where they were raised with a deep appreciation for the arts and shared a love of design.
#27 - Steve Silverman: "Go Home and Write, Steve"
Critically acclaimed, award-winning writer/director/producer Steve Silverman’s work has been called ‘Sly’ by the Los Angeles Times, which is his all-time favorite single-word review.
#26 - Justin Guarini: Creating Unbreakable Confidence with our Favorite American Idol
You probably know Justin from the very first season of American Idol in 2002 - or you may know him from his appearances on the Broadway stage, including Wicked, American Idiot, Romeo & Juliet, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, and In Transit.
#25 - Jesse McAnally: This Mega-Nerd's Gone Feature-Length!
Jesse McAnally is a mega nerd – and therefore one of our absolute favorite people. He’s a film director, actor, YouTuber, songwriter, podcaster, and a Dungeons and Dragons enthusiast. He has been making movies since he was 5, acting out elaborate plots with dolls, and forcing his family to watch.
#24 - Benjamin S. Ptashinsky-Skinner: aka "Equity Ben"
A comedian, a theater nerd, and a coach walk into a room … Ok, this sounds like a bad dad joke set up but it’s actually what happened when Heather and Alan welcomed Ben Ptashinsky-Skinner to the podcast. Listen close because in between jokes and hilarity is some serious content.
#23 - Jay Clouse: Enabling Creators to Be More Creative (and Earn More Money)
Jay Clouse helps people become professional creators. He is the writer of Creator Science and the host of Creative Elements, a narrative-interview podcast exploring how today’s top creators make a living with their art and creativity.
#22 - Lindsay McMahon: The Master of Edu-tainment - All Ears English
“You only have to make a few of the right decisions to line up your career and your life for fulfillment. And then it’s just work. You’re going in the right direction. Keep going.” This week’s guest, Lindsay McMahon, joined hosts, Aland and Heather LIVE from Podcast Movement ‘22 in Dallas.
#21 - Ian Eisendrath: Being An Artist is Like Coming Home
For Ian Eisendrath, being an artist is like coming home. So many kids, Ian shares, don’t feel like they fit or belong until they find their creative outlet. By embracing chance, trusting his gut and putting himself out there in big ways, Ian has done just that.
#20 - Nicholas Hussong: Projecting His Creative Destiny
Digital projection has changed the face of theater and other immersive, creative experiences. No one does this work better than Nicholas Hussong.
#19 - Mary Rutt: Meet this Latter-Day Lesbian
Mary Rutt is a podcaster who has spent the majority of her career in radio and television production. She’s the co-host of two LGBTQ-focused podcasts: Latter-Day Lesbian and Queer Life Crisis Which, of course, you can access anywhere you find podcasts.
#18 - Sammi Cannold & Dori Berinstein: The Show Must Go On (with Andrew Lloyd Webber)
For the first time ever, we have two amazing guests on the show. Dori Berinstein and Sammi Cannold directed and produced the Apple TV Documentary, The Show Must Go On which chronicles the race against time to save live theater in the wake of a global pandemic.
#17 - Morgan James: From Broadway to Indie Artist Superstar
This week we welcome the brilliant Morgan James to the show. Morgan is a singer/songwriter with a set of pipes that can blow the roof off of any house she’s performing in.
#16 - Mike Abrams: “Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. Welcome to my Ted Talk.”
“Grizabella was the wrong cat to die. Welcome to my Ted Talk.” Mike Abrams, a fellow Broadway Podcast Network member, never imagined his life would revolve around the musical … CATS! Born and raised in Indianapolis, Mike is an avid sports fan who spends the majority of his free time watching early 2000’s sitcoms.
#15 - José Rolón: Turning Tragedy into Triumph
José Rolón calls himself a “nuptial maestro” which, as a recovering wedding planner, our host Heather thinks is hilarious!! For almost a decade, José has made a name for himself with his chill vibe and generous command in wedding planning and design.
#14 - Denise Duffield-Thomas: The money mentor helping to change the world
Denise Duffield-Thomas is THE money mentor for the new wave of online entrepreneurs who want to make money and change the world. She helps women charge premium prices, release the fear of money and create First Class lives.
#13 - Christina Ray-Lynn Connelly: Artist, Actor, Dangerbot, & creator of Vagina Plushies!
This week you get to enjoy the soothing sounds of a tropical rainstorm whenever Alan speaks and … yes … we really DO talk about anatomically correct Vagina plushies and so much else. WOW! We had way, way too much fun in this interview.
#12 - Jenny Steingart: Tony Award-Winning Producer and Professional Chance Taker
Unexpected tragedy may have led Jenny to her amazing successful theatrical producing career. After losing her brother in her late 20s, she founded Ars Nova to honor him and continue his legacy in the arts.
#11 - Lulu Picart & Alison Burns: The Masterminds Behind the 10KDollarDay Podcast
How do you take a $10,000 fantasy and make it feel like reality? Well, we have no idea but Alison Burns and Lulu Picart, hosts of 10KDollarDay do! This hilarious and creative podcast came to life because Alison and Lulu embraced chance over and over again.
#10 - Lauren Jelencovich: Just Traveling The World As Yanni's Lead Singer. No Biggie.
Who’s excited to hear our theme song, “STFU Alan" sung as an Aria!? Well, tune in because this week's guest, Lauren “Nightingale” Jelencovich does it and it’s ah-maz-ing. She gives previous “STFU Alan” composers, James Harkness, Drew Gasparini, and Josh Breckenridge a run for their money, that’s for sure!
#9 - Xochitl Gonzalez: Olga Dies Dreaming
Sometimes our dreams take decades to manifest. And while this is completely true, we can also have several different successes on the way to what is most meant for us. This week's guest, Xochitl Gonzalez, has worn many hats in her professional life but none so rewarding as finally becoming a published author.
#8 - Jim Jimirro: The Inventor of The Disney Channel and co-founder of J2 Spotlight Musical Theater Company
There are no words to describe how honored and excited Alan and Heather were to sit down with the incredibly brilliant, Jim Jimirro (except these words we just used). But when the opportunity to interview the founder of The Disney Channel presents itself, you ask no questions and just get it on the schedule.
#7 - Rain Ross: A Series of Dance Encounters
Art brings us hope. This week’s guest, Rain Ross, has embraced an artistic approach to life in every possible way. She uses dance as a way to create community connections. Rain helps people find themselves through movement as a dance professor at Stockton University.
#6 - Josh Breckenridge: He Is Anything But Monotonous
When chance met the thirst trap that is Josh Breckenridge the angels began to sing... Ok. Maybe not, but our hosts Heather and Alan fell in love with Josh and we’re pretty sure you will also! Josh Breckenridge is a Broadway superhero - otherwise known as a swing and standby.
#5 - Drew Gasparini: From College Dropout to Broadway Composer
Meet Drew “Fuckin’” Gasparini. Get ready to be greatly entertained in this hilarious episode with composer and lyricist Drew Gasparini. Honestly, these show notes are hard to write because we had so much fun and talked about such a vast array of topics.
#4 - Steven Sater: Tony/Grammy/Olivier/Lortel/Drama Desk Award-Winning Awesome Guy
A chance encounter with Burt Bacharach led Steven Sater to collaborate on a decade-long project to produce a full-length musical concept album featuring some of the industry's biggest artists. Now 93, Burt hasn't written anything for the stage since Promises, Promises in 1968.
#3 - Erica Swindell: Lead Violinist / Concertmaster for The Eagles
The broadway actress and lead violinist for The Eagles, Erica Swindell, gets straight to the heart of the matter of how taking a massive chance opened doors she actively tried to previously keep closed.
#2 - James Harkness: Navy Vet turned Broadway Actor
Actor James Harkness made his Broadway debut in Aida back in 2001 before moving on to productions such as Chicago, The Color Purple, Guys and Dolls, the Dreamgirls tour, and Beautiful. Now that Broadway has returned he resumed his role as Paul Williams in Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway.
#1 - What is this about? Introducing "Was It Chance?"
People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you.
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