The Actor’s Guide to the End of the World

They gave the award on the red carpet? Award shows are getting out of hand

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World, Episode 64! E-Kan and Rían dive into some more awards shows stories (the bad ones). There is an unfortunate trend, award shows are disrespecting filmmakers like giving Best Foreign Language Film - on the red carpet...? And then the Golden Globes cuts Original Score winner, Ludwig Göransson for Sinners, from the telecast to the dismay of many, including all time great, Hans Zimmer. 
Also, this week, the iconic Radford Studio, where Seinfeld and Will & Grace were filmed, foreclosed, which is a shocking development that might just be the beginning. This gets the guys on the topic- would you go all in on Hollywood right now? Or should you be hedging your bets? 
On the brighter side, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's production company Artists Equity strikes a landmark deal with Netflix for their new movie "The Rip" that will award its entire crew and production if it performs well. E-Kan, however, is not convinced. 
Follow @actorsguidepodcast for new episodes every Monday. Please leave a review and share with a friend if you enjoy it! 
Red Carpet Award Disaster- https://www.reddit.com/r/Oscars/comments/1q4mxum/the_secret_agents_team_getting_handed_their_cca/
Radford Studios foreclosure-https://variety.com/2026/film/news/radford-lot-goldman-hackman-capital-partners-1236631832/
Stagerunner Video-
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTimiuzgaL7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
CAA agent leaves Hollywood to become a therapist-
https://deadline.com/2025/12/jacquie-katz-leaving-caa-therapist-career-change-reasons-1236652945/
Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Netflix deal -https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/the-rip-review-matt-damon-ben-affleck-netflix-teyana-taylor-1236474437/
Hidden Gems:
Bun Mi (@bunandmi) (Santa Monica, CA)
Power of Cloves-
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17jkigBzzo/?mibextid=UalRPS
 
Time Stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:16) Hamnet is incredible
(03:03) Golden Globes cuts Original Score from the telecast
(06:49) They gave the Critics Choice award on the red carpet
(11:11) Radford Studios is going under foreclosure
(14:12) Should anyone go all in on Hollywood right now?
(18:53) Thinking of the people who affected your life
(21:59) Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Netflix deal for “The Rip”
(28:55) Hidden Gems

Timothée Chalamet's says his acting is "Top Level Sh*t" - Confidence or Cockiness?

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 63! The 2026 Golden Globes happened, and we break down the best moments and some misses, but the real story this award season is Timothée Chalamet's unapologetic pursuit of greatness—and whether Hollywood thinks he's brave or cringe. 
In a recent interview, he has said he’s doing "top level sh*t" and very open about his ambition, then he won the Critics Choice and Golden Globes over Leo DiCaprio, George Clooney, and Ethan Hawke. 
E-Kan and Rían break down what might be the new playbook for Hollywood stars in the new era, has fame and the demands of being a star changed today, and E-Kan’s hot take- Is Timmy Chalamet the “millennial Daniel Day Lewis”? Also Joel Edgerton's admiration and respect for such honesty ("I wish I had the guts to say that"). You’ll also hear Carrie Coon's truth bomb that "acting isn't a meritocracy”.
They also break down a muted Golden Globes and some big misses, like why were betting odds displayed during the telecast?
E-Kan also shares a little life update, being back in LA and why left for the last year. 
This is a good one, folks! 
Share the episode with a friend if you enjoy it! And don’t forget to follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcasts, video on YouTube and Substack, and on all social media platforms. 
Chalamet Sag Awards Speech: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/timothee-chalamet-sag-speech-defending-great-actor-1236319180/
Top Level Sh*t: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKcGj67tv9I
Carrie Coon - Economics of Theater https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTRJRIDDTul/?igsh=bWR6bm1lNTNxaWIx
 
Hidden Gems: 
Julia Cameron’s The Artists Way
LA Metro to the LAX airport
Time Stamps: 
(00:00) Intro
(01:36) Why E-Kan left LA for a year
(06:48) Could you live on the East Coast?
(09:45) Golden Globes rundown
(13:02) What was with the betting odds during the show?
(13:59) The big winners
(17:18) Marty Supreme
(19:13) Timothée Chalamet’s PR run
(20:52) Is Timothée Chalamet the millennial Daniel Day Lewis
(25:20) Looking at Hollywood stars like professional athletes
(28:41) Open confidence is not as common in Hollywood
(30:37) What Joel Edgerton said about Chalamet
(32:07) What actors can learn about competition
(34:49) Carrie Coon - acting is not a meritocracy
(37:02) Hidden Gems
 

Stranger Things Finale Brought in $30 million in Two Days - And Actors Got None of It

Welcome to the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 62! Hope you had a great holiday, E-Kan and Rían are ready to kick off the year with a bang…
This week, Stranger Things Finale was a massive success making $30 million dollars in two days, yet gave it all to AMC. The craziest part is how the actors saw NONE of it…
Then the guys dive into Disney's $1 billion dollar OpenAI partnership and how they’re planning on rolling out generative AI content on their platform. Are you ready for your kids to grow up with AI starting in infancy? E-Kan and Rían talk about its implications and what actors can do about it right now and what this means for upcoming contract negotiations. They also go into SAG-Aftra’s current AI protections. Are they strong enough? And is this as doomsday as it seems?
Some creatives have not responded well to the news, including a Disney creator who called Bob Iger and Disney “fu**** ghouls” and told their fans “to unsubscribe” and “pirate my show”.
E-Kan and Rían also do an honest check in- how their year REALLY was. Welcome to 2026 everyone, thanks for making us a part of your day and listening this year.
New episodes every Monday, wherever you find your podcasts, and follow on all social media @actorsguidepodcast
@ekansoong
@riansheehykelly
 
LINKS:
https://deadline.com/2026/01/box-office-stranger-things-finale-1236660176/
https://deadline.com/2025/12/stranger-things-finale-amc-adam-aron-1236659298/
https://deadline.com/2025/11/the-owl-house-creator-unsubscribe-disney-ai-content-1236619602/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/disney-openai-sora-investment-deal-1236448850/
https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/11/tech/disney-universal-midjourney-ai-copyright-lawsuit
@sun.yi on New Years - https://www.instagram.com/p/DS7tysTDuOe/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
@chadsand - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSIuUa-Em1T/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
 
Hidden Gems: 
Amazon's "Fall Out" Tv show
Museums for All, free museum tickets program, Surrealism 100 at Philadelphia Museum of Art
Time Stamps: 
(00:00) Intro
(01:10) New Years' Update
(02:40) SAG-Aftra's W&W Meetings starting back up
(03:11) Stranger Things Finale makes $30 Million in theaters
(06:35) Disney creator slams Disney for making $1 Billion deal with Open AI
(09:40) What are SAG-Aftra regulations on AI? 
(11:40) Kids will grow up with AI
(21:50) How was your year really?
(26:10) Hidden Gems
 
 
 

An Actor's Crisis - When Is It Actually Time to Give Up?

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, episode 61! Hope you're all ready to ring in the new year. We sure are and have a real banger of a Reddit Rundown, where we take our favorite bits from the acting subreddit, and this one was a doozy. An actor who's worked steadily for 13 years with only co-star credits to show for it asks, "Is it time to face reality and throw in the towel?" This is a deep one and might change how you look at success, the industry, and finding deeper purpose in our crazy industry.
E-Kan has some strong feelings (that's an understatement) about whether the size of your roles are an accurate indication of your talent - ever hear the phrase, "There are no small parts, only small actors"?  while Rían gives some perspective and why "You can have results or excuses, but not both." We get to the root of the deeper questions of what makes our industry so difficult, why this is so relatable (and triggering) and what are some practical ways to stay in the game. Whether you're in year one or year twenty, this conversation will help you get some clarity on how you look at your career and how you measure success. 
They also follow up with some holiday party survival stories and some great networking tips they gained. This is holiday pep talk you'll to want to end the year. 
Links: 
Jim Carrey Story -
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DFbsqoDvoAo/
Lucy Bevans Casting Director Story- https://www.instagram.com/reels/DSJGqSzkuIn/
Hidden Gems: 
Whereever You Go, There You Are- Practical Meditation Book - https://www.amazon.com/Wherever-You-There-Are-Mindfulness/dp/1401307787
The Dublin Gothic Show (Dublin)-
https://www.abbeytheatre.ie/
 
Time Stamps: 
(00:00) Intro
(01:58) Holiday Party Survival Stories
(05:07) Best Party Networking Trick
(09:43) Rían played an Irish Psychic
(11:00) Reddit Rundown- Is it time to give up?
(15:50) E-Kan's response
(21:30) The titles of co-star vs guest star
(30:27) Inspirational Jim Carrey story
(34:25) The final word
(38:05) Casting Director Lucy Bevans story why you should do everything
(39:21) Hidden Gems
 

McDonald's AI Ad Disaster and Inside the $83B Netflix-Warner Bros Deal

Welcome to Episode 60 of the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World!
McDonald's pulls their AI-generated holiday ad after massive backlash—and the studio’s response might have been even worse…  If AI is supposed to revolutionize everything, why did it take so much work for something that didn’t work?
Then we dive into the biggest Hollywood deal in years: Netflix's $83 billion bid for Warner Bros and “Succession-like” love triangle with Paramount, hostile takeover bid and all. Paramount tried to pony up with $108 billion and we haven’t heard the end of it yet. E-Kan and Rían dig into what they think this means for the future of Hollywood, and whether it’s a good thing… including Netflix taking over 540,000 sq feet of studio lot in the UK and why Christopher Nolan said he’ll never work with Netflix.
The guys also talk about the ongoing SAG-Aftra Wages and Working Conditions meetings and upcoming contract negotiations with the studios this 2026. In case you forgot, the last contract went to a historic double strike with the actors and writers.
No doom and gloom (completely)—just the facts, some laughs, and what it all means for working actors.
 
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/warner-bros-to-oracles-larry-ellison-on-paramount-offer-your-trust-isnt-enough-we-want-/articleshow/126056779.cms
https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/12/09/mcdonalds-ai-generated-ad-controversy-explained/
https://www.businessinsider.com/warner-bros-david-zaslav-ignored-ellison-text-paramount-skydance-netflix-2025-12
https://www.businessinsider.com/warner-bros-david-zaslav-ignored-ellison-text-paramount-skydance-netflix-2025-12
https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/warner-bros-discovery-board-rejects-rival-bid-paramount-2025-12-17/
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/warner-bros-discovery-golden-parachutes-david-zaslav-1236452973/
 https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/christopher-nolan-interview-dunkirk-netflix-1201857101/
Hidden Gems:
Polo & Pan (French electronic duo) - Spotify playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3TQFivLJEbn2JgUmRe7TyV?si=cD_4ZWL2RGSHix9rua7jdg&pi=6RD0khvqTm2OF
Patrick Massett’s new song “Christmas Every Day” - https://open.spotify.com/track/6IWH8iXvU6UHb6Pnppkf0W?si=-UPihDZMS76BC5Kgkv7RFA
 
Time Stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:14) McDonald’s AI Ad disaster
(05:35) Sag-Aftra contract up for renegotiation
(08:05) Attending the W&W contract meetings
(16:22) Netflix-WB Deal
(25:40) Christopher Nolan will never work with Netflix(30:13) Hidden Gems

Mickey O'Sullivan on Craft, Strategy, and Not Asking for Hollywood's Permission

Welcome to the Actor's Guide to the End of the World Podcast, Episode 59! Actor, teacher, producer, and friend of the podcast Mickey O'Sullivan (Mayor of Kingstown, Chicago PD) joins us today with a wide ranging conversation. From booking diaper commercials at age 2 to working for Green Peace to recurring on shows like Chicago PD and Mayor of Kingstown, Mickey's path has been anything but conventional. 
Mickey and the guys have a raw and thought provoking conversation about his childhood growing up playing hockey, how treating Hollywood like a team sport has helped him, and what he's learned from shooting a sketch every week for the past year. You'll get an insight into how Mickey treats the business like a sport - studying data and mastering the fundamentals, and what he thinks the Hollywood industry is missing and can learn from pro sports. They also talk about craft and you'll hear his self-tape secrets that got him from hating them to loving them.  And the time he forgot the lines and still booked a hit show.  Mickey also shares his experience working for a think tank, why the job isn't coming up with good ideas, but having the freedom to come up with the bad ones and how he used those skills to create his own writers room. 
This is an inspiring episode and the perfect jump start to 2026. 
Information on Mickey O'Sullivan's classes are HERE - https://mickeyosullivan.com/
Mickey's IG: @themickeyosullivan
Mickey's IMDB: http://imdb.me/mickeyosullivan
Mickey's Sketch Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO9GPVqLtOh8Q_uAXliMhWg
Follow @actorsguidepodcast, new episodes every Monday! If you want to support the channel, send to a friend and leave a rating!
Hidden Gems: 
Pappy's and Harriet's in Joshua Tree @pappysandharriets
VO Demo Reels- https://www.voicedemodude.com/
Social Sauna in Chicago -  Lost Languages Sauna @lostlanguagesauna 
Time Stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(03:40) Mickey O'Sullivan doing diaper commercials when he was 2
(08:30) Going all in on acting
(11:30) Janitor by day, auditions at night
(17:50) You can't build a fire without wood 
(20:40) Athletics is performance and what athletes and actors have in common
(24:10) It takes the right time and the right people
(26:20) Starting his own writer's room
(30:00) What happens when you look like an ICE Officer
(26:25) Practical tips on how to handle small talk
(31:14) "Can you be more honest?"
(34:20) Most important thing to do if you're moving to NYC
(37:50) Most marathon runners don't sleep before the race
(40:25) Bigger sets are easier than smaller ones
(41:50) Forgetting the lines and still booked the job
(47:25) Always try to find the ledge and push the limits
(50:18) How Hollywood can learn from the sports world
(53:50) Mickey's holistic approach that he teaches
(01:03:40) Hidden Gems

"So You're Still Doing the Acting Thing?" - How to Handle the Holidays like a Pro

Welcome to Episode 58 of The Actor's Guide the End of the World Podcast! Apologies this episode got up late, but it's worth it. The holidays are here and can be magical—unless you're facing the dreaded "So what have you been in?" question. In this episode, E-Kan and Rían tackle the unique challenges actors face during family gatherings, from navigating loaded conversations to finding that perfect pivot away while you're cornered at the cranberry sauce.
E-Kan shares his own journey dealing with his strict math-professor father's expectations to finally finding peace with his career choice while Rían shares that early in his career, his resentment towards the question were more of an indication of how he felt himself.   They discuss practical strategies for holiday survival (spoiler: lying about being a heart surgeon is an option), why actors deserve more credit for the tenacity it takes to stay in this industry, and why being present in uncomfortable moments might actually be our superpower. Also how handling these questions might be a useful skill that can be trained, and if you stick to the end, E-Kan and Rían get into a debate about the Cabdriver vs Corporate Worker - who's in a safer position? 
Whether you're dreading Thanksgiving dinner or genuinely love the holidays, this episode offers both comic relief and real talk about self-worth, family dynamics, and why your day job doesn't define you—even if Aunt Karen thinks it should.
Whether you're celebrating or not, happy holidays everyone and be safe. 
Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcast, and on all social media.
@ekansoong @riansheehykelly
Hidden Gems: 
Mickey O'Sullivan classes (Chicago and remote) - mickeyosullivan.com
@themickeyosullivan
Gianino's Pastries (Italian pastries, South Jersey)- 508 Hurffville - Cross Keys Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080
(856) 582-1888
Time Stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(02:21) Does it slow down for actors during the holidays?
(04:24) E-Kan’s father wasn’t always supportive
(08:15) Rían’s parents were open to the arts
(10:25) What to do when you’re waiting
(12:20) Leaning into what you’re excited about
(16:30) What is small talk?
(21:50) Can an actor separate themselves from their career and the craft?
(26:25) Practical tips on how to handle small talk
(34:14) The cabdriver vs corporate worker
(41:40) Hidden Gems
 
 

The Advice that Actually Worked - Highlights from our Best Guest Moments

Welcome to Episode 57, the Actor’s Guide to the End of the World Podcast!
In the spirit of the holidays, we thought we’d thank all of our incredible guests from this past year with this holiday sampler of the best moments from their interviews.
If you want to review or go do a deep dive into the full interview - links are below.
E-Kan and Rían will discuss with Oscar-nominated writer Kirsten Sheridan about how she developed her directing process and why her maternal instincts kicks in on a set, as well as what It was like working with a 24-year old Cillian Murphy.
Patrick Massett (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Friday Night Lights, and the Blacklist) will talk about taking risks and how it has played such a key role in his career. You’ll see why there’s a photo of Mick Jagger hanging in his living room.
Kevin Walsh (Criminal Minds) is a former pro football player and takes the guys into the mind of a pro athlete and why they say athletes make great actors.
Timothy Davis (Billions, The Girlfriend Experience) with an in-depth look at how the Actor’s Studio, along with its shortcomings, have shaped him into the actor he is today.
Shaan Sharma will break down his game-changing practical approach to building a career and building relationships through being of service.
Brandon Finn takes us behind the scenes getting his first series regular opposite Jason Momoa on Apple TV’s Chief of War and what helped him step up to the challenge.
Brian Stepanek will share how he became a beloved cult character to 20 and 30-somethings everywhere, despite his agent telling him not to take it. You’ll also hear the most incredible Gene Wilder story..
This is a special one, thanks again for coming along for the ride with us.
Follow @actorsguidepodcast wherever you find your podcast, and on all social media.
@ekansoong @riansheehykelly
Full interview links: 
Kirsten Sheridan: https://youtu.be/0Ltd3qxgsQI?si=s2tp8y7x-F3PhdaO
Patrick Massett: https://youtu.be/ZxkStpVz8Rk?si=hxmmmRQre6USkkXH
Kevin Walsh: https://youtu.be/Qdwqk4WdZGw?si=4zIbXgok3CJQMGj-
Timothy Davis: https://youtu.be/RoXxiv0B66o?si=N0kPNchSWr-rr2CE
Shaan Sharma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVcU1eMet00
Brandon Finn:  https://youtu.be/ne32qRxy-ks?si=UhNlPQuK3-PH4-Yz
Brian Stepanek: https://youtu.be/lUdymwTQMnQ?si=eA5VRlSfNMWc4Di5
Hidden Gems:
Mickey O’Sullivan’s in person Acting Classes in Chicago and remote
mickeyosullivan.com
Gianino’s Pastries (South Jersey) 508 Hurffville CrossKeys Rd, Sewell, NJ
 
Time Stamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:30) Kirsten Sheridan on what makes a great director
(06:40) What working with Cillian Murphy was really like
(08:34) Patrick Massett why he gravitated towards writing
(11:40) Studios aren’t taking risks like they used to
(12:50) How they got Angelina Jolie to be in Lara Croft Tomb Raider
(16:26) Kevin Walsh how storytelling and acting followed him through the years
(19:00) Why pro athletes make great actors
(22:18) Timothy Davis on the shortcomings of acting programs
(26:07) Shaan Sharma how there’s room for success for everyone
(28:12) The old school mentality of the union is a problem
(29:00) The power of focusing your goals as an actor
(33:15) Brandon Finn landing his series regular role opposite Jason Momoa
(38:03) Brian Stepanek on the role he is most known for
(39:59) The best Gene Wilder story