Brain Matters-What We Tell Ourselves

Episode #360-B

Air Date:

Brain Matters-What We Tell Ourselves

Title: Brain Matters – Actor Psychology and What We Tell Ourselves

Hey there, actors and creatives! Welcome back to Casting Actors Cast, the podcast that supports, inspires, and helps you navigate this crazy, wonderful business of acting. I’m Jeffrey Dreisbach, your host, and today, we’re diving into something big—your brain!

I know, I know… we all have one, but do we really know how to use it to our advantage? Today’s topic is called “Brain Matters – Actor Psychology and What We Tell Ourselves.” If you’ve ever been in an audition, on set, or in rehearsal and caught yourself thinking, “I’m not good enough,” “I’m just not talented,” or “I’ll never make it,”—then guess what? You are NOT alone! But here’s the thing—those little voices in our heads? They’re not the best critics of our work. So today, we’re going to talk about how to turn down that mental noise and reframe our mindset for success. Sound good? Let’s do this!

First a note about my new book: A note before we start: Booked It! The Actors Playbook for Getting Cast is actually the second edition of my original book, Jeff’s Jots: The Actors Career Playbook. Now, let me tell you why you won’t find Jeff’s Jots anywhere (and why that’s probably a good thing).After pouring countless hours into writing and crafting what I thought was the perfect resource for actors, I made some, let’s say, “questionable” choices. First, I decided to edit the manuscript myself—at ask best left to professionals, as my eye for detail is, well, unreliable at best. Then, in a spectacular act of self-sabotage, I accidentally up loaded an early working draft instead of the polished, final version. The result? A book riddled with awkward sentences, spelling mishaps, and punctuation that seemed to follow its own set of rules. The worst part? I didn’t realize the mistake until after copies had already been sold. Mortified doesn’t even begin to cover it. So, what’s a writer todo? Well, I believe in making lemonade out of lemons (even if I initially spilled the sugar). So, I pulled the book from publication, took a deep

breath, and did what I should have done in the first place—gave it the care and attention it deserved. I rewrote, refined, added fresh in sights, and even rebranded the title. And that brings us to Booked It!—the book I meant to publish all along. My best effort, finally realized. I hope you love it, use it, and soon get to say, Booked it!

THE NEGATIVE VOICE IN OUR HEADS

First, let’s get real. Every actor—yes, even the A-listers—has those self-defeating thoughts. Maybe you’ve said some of these to yourself:

• “I’ll never be as good as [insert famous actor’s name here].”

• “I bombed that audition. I should just quit.”

• “I always get nervous, so I must not be cut out for this.”

• “Casting directors must hate me.”

• “I can’t cry on cue, so I’m a terrible actor.”

Sound familiar? Well, here’s the kicker: Your brain is wired to keep you safe. And sometimes, “safe” means convincing you not to take risks—like putting yourself out there in an audition or believing in your own talent. But playing it safe doesn’t get you the role. It doesn’t lead to growth. It just keeps you stuck.

TURNING DOWN THE VOLUME

So, how do we turn down this unhelpful mental chatter? Here are a few strategies:

1. Acknowledge It But Don’t Engage – When a negative thought pops up, treat it like spam email. Recognize it, but don’t open it. “Ah, there’s that ‘I’m not good enough’ thought again. Moving on!”

2. Replace It With a Better Script – If your inner monologue says, “I’m not talented enough,” counter it with, “I’m constantly improving and growing.” Make a habit of flipping the script.

3. Change Your Environment – If you’re spiraling in self-doubt, get up and physically move. Shake it off. Change locations. Sometimes a literal shift helps shift your mindset.

4. Practice Self-Compassion – You wouldn’t tell a friend, “You should quit acting because you’re bad.” So why would you say that to yourself? Treat yourself with the same kindness you’d give a fellow actor.

5. Focus on the Work, Not the Outcome – Instead of obsessing over booking a role, focus on what you can control: preparation, creativity, and presence.

THE BEST MINDSET FOR A CREATIVE PERSON

Acting is vulnerable. It requires putting yourself out there without any guarantees. So, the best mindset for an actor? Curiosity over judgment. Instead of asking, “Was I good?” ask, “What did I learn? What can I explore?”

Also, adopt a growth mindset—the belief that your abilities aren’t fixed but can be developed. Every audition, every class, every performance is an opportunity to learn, not a test to pass or fail.

OVERCOMING FEAR OF FAILURE

Ah, failure. That big scary word. But here’s a secret: Successful actors don’t avoid failure—they reframe it.

Meryl Streep once said, “Acting is about making mistakes in front of people.” Let that sink in. The best actors take risks, embrace failure, and keep going. The key is to see failure as feedback, not as a stop sign. Every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”

WHAT SUCCESSFUL ACTORS HAVE IN COMMON WITH THEIR SELF-TALK

Have you ever noticed that successful actors have a certain energy? They’re confident but not arrogant. They’re grounded but open. And most of all—they trust themselves. Their self-talk tends to be:

• “I am enough.”

• “I may not get every role, but I have something unique to offer.”

• “I am always learning and improving.”

• “This audition is an opportunity, not a verdict.”

If you start speaking to yourself like a successful actor, you’re already halfway there.

HOW TO REALISTICALLY EVALUATE YOUR TALENT

Now, this part is important—how do you assess your skills without falling into self-doubt? Here’s how:

1. Seek Constructive Feedback – Work with coaches, teachers, or peers who will be honest and supportive.

2. Watch Your Own Work Objectively – Instead of nitpicking, ask, “What’s working? What can I adjust?”

3. Track Your Growth – Keep a journal of lessons learned, roles you’ve played, and skills you’ve developed.

4. Remember That Talent is Only Part of It – Hard work, perseverance, and mindset are just as—if not more—important than raw talent.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

So, my friends, what’s the takeaway? Your brain does matter. What you tell yourself does matter. And the best thing you can do for your acting career is to train your mindset just as much as your craft.

Remember—thoughts are just thoughts. They aren’t facts. You have the power to rewrite your inner monologue, reframe failure, and build a mindset that supports your creative journey.

Thanks for hanging out with me today on Casting Actors Cast! If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow actor who might need to hear it. And as always, keep learning, keep growing, and keep shining. You’ve got this!

See you next time!