In my years as a casting director and talent development executive, I've observed that the secret to many of the most successful hosts and performers is that they understand how television production works and how their part of the show (or segment) fits into something larger than themselves.

I saw this first hand when I booked my guest for this episode, Brian Balthazar, on Page Six TV back in the day, and he was always so great because he knew how to make good TV.

It's a treat to have him discuss and share actionable insights on how to think like a producer because Brian has built an impressive career simultaneously in front and behind the camera as a television host, producer and network executive.

Brian is the executive producer and founder of Balthazar Entertainment, specializing in compelling lifestyle programming including Christina on the Coast and Tough Love with Hilary Farr for HGTV and My Dream Kitchen with Carla Hall on Food Network. Brian oversaw the launch of the fourth of Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda where he later became a beloved guest dishing pop culture and trends, was a co-executive producer of The View and was a vice president at Discovery Networks (now Warner Brothers Discovery) where he oversaw mega hits like Flip or Flop and my favorite, Love It or List It.

Key takeaways

• Production is not personal (even though it often feels that way)
• Never go to a pitch meeting with only one idea (your idea isn't that unique)
• If you are pitching yourself as talent, start self-producing examples on social media
• There is not one right way to succeed. Find the way that is right for you.
• Be grateful for the opportunities

Follow Brian on Instagram at @brianbalthazar…trust me, he’s a fun poster!

It's a truism in coaching that we learn something from everyone we meet. I learned a ton from my conversation with award-winning producer, manager, and Hollywood Navigator, Brian Medavoy and I learn something new every time I listen to this episode: Life is about moments.

Because it's the little wins, the moments, that add up to something bigger. There's no Olympics, World Cup, World Series, Super Bowl or Oscars without the moments that add up to get there.

Key Takeaways:

• Moments gets you out of your head and into the present
• Moments gets you away from being results-focused
• Success is measured by what we do for others.
• The best way to get a person's attention is to help them.
• You can learn a lot from an Oscar winning actress or an actor, but you can learn a lot more from what he or she did before they became really successful

As a personal manager, Brian Medavoy has had a hand in the careers of Ryan Reynolds, Toby McGuire, Josh Brolin, David Schwimmer, Jason Bateman and Maria Bello, among others + developed and produced TV classics like Dharma and Greg, The Single Guy, and Just Shoot Me. Brian is also the writer of an insightful and generous blog, Welcome to Hollywood.

Resources mentioned by Brian in this episode:

The Five Minute Journal

Building a Second Brain - Tiago Forte

Late night legend Dick Cavette interviews jazz legend Oscar Peterson

Brian Medavoy's Business Plan for Actors

This is another one of my "asking for a friend" episodes. I thought you'd be as interested in me in learning how performance golf coach, Eric Cogorno, built a 7-figure business with his popular YouTube channel and online training platform, cogornogolf.com.

I got that and so much more: A masterclass in working through fear, setting goals, writing a detailed 10-year plan that includes income projections, the power of meditation and daily visualizations and showing up consistently even when you feel like quitting.

Eric credits having a great creative partner, Mary Lengle, reading Feel the Fear...and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers and following Jim Rohn's Goal Setting Method.

The result is deeply inspiring and totally actionable.

Also visit Eric's second channel Lessons I've Learned with Eric Cogorno including this keeper: The Secret to Stopping Fear & Anxiety.