Épisodes

  • Why Actors Must Think Like CEOs of Their Career | Annie Chadwick

    Why Actors Must Think Like CEOs of Their Career | Annie Chadwick
    Jan 13 2026
    In this episode of The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad sits down with career consultant Annie Chadwick, founder and co-owner of Up To Date Theatricals, for a practical conversation about treating your acting career like a real business. Annie challenges the outdated idea of “waiting to be chosen”, and explains why every actor must see themselves as the CEO of their own company. Together, Hassiem and Annie break down why quarterly goals beat year-long resolutions for actors, what “doing the work” actually means when your career feels stalled, and plenty more. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start running your acting career with intention, this conversation is for you. Follow Annie Chadwick on Instagram: @chadwick.annie Follow The Actor’s Instrument: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem Muhammad: @HassiemMuhammad 🎧 Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit: https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument 📩 Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com
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    38 min
  • Stop Setting Acting Goals You Can’t Control with Stuart Hyslop

    Stop Setting Acting Goals You Can’t Control with Stuart Hyslop
    Jan 6 2026
    Career coach Stuart Hyslop joins host Hassiem Muhammad for a candid conversation about goal setting for actors and creatives navigating nonlinear careers. After four months of coaching, Hassiem shares how shifting away from outcome-based goals helped him gain clarity, improve productivity, and feel more empowered in his acting career. Stuart—an experienced productivity coach and certified One Thing coach—offers a practical framework focused on systems, priorities, and actions actors can actually control. This episode is a must-listen for artists looking to set smarter goals, avoid burnout, and build sustainable momentum—especially at the start of a new year. 🎧 Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow Stuart on Instagram @theonethingguy Follow The Actor’s Instrument: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit: ⁠https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument⁠ 📩 Inquiries: ⁠actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com⁠
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    37 min
  • An Actor’s Honest 2025 Year in Review: Income, Auditions & 2026 Strategy

    An Actor’s Honest 2025 Year in Review: Income, Auditions & 2026 Strategy
    Dec 30 2025
    In this solo episode of The Actor’s Instrument, host Hassiem Muhammad pulls back the curtain on his acting career with a transparent 2025 year-in-review, sharing real numbers, income percentages, wins, disappointments, and hard-earned perspective. Hassiem breaks down his audition count, callback rate, booking rate, and exactly how his income was divided between various jobs. He also details what he invested financially in his career—and what those investments looked like in real, practical terms. Hassiem also outlines how he’s using this data to inform a clearer, more intentional 2026 career strategy. This episode is for actors who want real data—not hype. 🎧 Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow The Actor’s Instrument: @actorsinstrumentpodcastFollow Hassiem: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit:https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument 📩 Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com #TheActorsInstrument #HassiemMuhammad #ActorPodcast #ActingCareer #ActorLife #CreativeCareers #ActorGoals #YearInReview #ActingBusiness #ActorsInstrument #careerstrategy #newyearsresolution #goals
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    20 min
  • How To Endure Dry Spells with Dexter McKinney

    How To Endure Dry Spells with Dexter McKinney
    Dec 29 2025
    This week on The Actor's Instrument, Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor, creator, and viral sensation Dexter McKinney — a performer whose journey is anything but ordinary. From growing up in Syracuse, to earning dual master’s degrees, to working in Congress, to making his Broadway debut in Skeleton Crew, to appearing in hit series like When They See Us, Mrs. America, Dr. Death, City on a Hill, and most recently Law & Order, Dexter opens up about the winding path that brought him to where he is today. In this conversation, Dexter shares how he pushed through a three-year TV dry spell, how he built an audience of nearly 400,000 followers across TikTok/Instagram/Facebook, and how his viral Judge Judy mob-boss series transformed his career. Follow Dexter on Instagram: @dmtv_19 Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow The Actor's Instrument on Instagram: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem on Instagram: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com #TheActorsInstrument #HassiemMuhammad #DerrekMcKinney #DexterMcKinney #ActorInterview #ActingPodcast #ActingCareer #JudgeJudyParody #LawAndOrder #ContentCreatorLife
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    32 min
  • Part 2 - Financial Planning For Creatives with Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull

    Part 2 - Financial Planning For Creatives with Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull
    Dec 23 2025
    In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Hassiem Muhammad continues his in-depth discussion with Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull, founder of Minerva Financial Arts, as they break down the real financial decisions artists and freelancers face every day. Using a Red Light / Green Light framework, Elaine tackles common money myths and gray areas — from disability insurance and high-yield savings to investing, retirement accounts, and tax planning. This episode goes deep into IRAs, SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, and how taxes truly work for self-employed creatives. They also unpack new tax laws impacting tipped income, the importance of reporting income accurately, and how artists can legally reduce tax stress while planning for long-term stability. Link to "tipped occupations" from the Treasury Department: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/Tipped-Occupations-Detailed-8-27-2025.pdf IRS guidance on retirement plans for self-employed folks: https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-for-small-entities-and-self-employed 🎧 Be sure to check out Part 1 of this conversation for foundational financial guidance before diving into this episode. 🔗 Connect with Minerva Financial Arts: Visit MinervaFinancialArts.com to book a session or explore Elaine’s courses for creatives. Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow The Actor's Instrument on Instagram: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem on Instagram: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com
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    46 min
  • Financial Planning For Creatives with Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull

    Financial Planning For Creatives with Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull
    Dec 16 2025
    Today on The Actors Instrument, Hassiem Muhammad sits down with Dr. Elaine Grogan Luttrull — CPA, accredited financial counselor, founder of Minerva Financial Arts, and nationally recognized educator helping creatives take control of their financial lives. From inflation to budgeting, 1099s to Netflix write-offs, Elaine breaks down the REAL financial challenges facing artists today — and how you can navigate them with clarity, confidence, and strategy. 🔗 Connect with Minerva Financial Arts: Visit MinervaFinancialArts.com to book a session or explore Elaine’s courses for creatives. Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow The Actor's Instrument on Instagram: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem on Instagram: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com #TheActorsInstrument #HassiemMuhammad #ActorLife #ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #FreelancerTips #FinancialAdviceForActors
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    44 min
  • Tyler Perry’s Head Writer, Steve Coulter

    Tyler Perry’s Head Writer, Steve Coulter
    Dec 9 2025
    On this week’s episode of The Actors Instrument, Hassiem Muhammad sits down with actor and writer Steve Coulter, whose career spans more than three decades across film, television, and theatre. With over 130 IMDb credits—including She-Hulk, Yellowstone, The Conjuring films, The Walking Dead, House of Cards, Paterno, and First Man—Steve shares the hard-won lessons that shaped his long-term success. Follow Steve on Instagram: @coulter28 Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow The Actor's Instrument on Instagram: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem on Instagram: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com #TheActorsInstrument #HassiemMuhammad #ActorLife #ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #SteveCoulter #MeetTheBrowns #TylerPerry
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    36 min
  • Affording International Travel featuring Co-Host Andrea Laing

    Affording International Travel featuring Co-Host Andrea Laing
    Dec 2 2025
    In this installment of Finance 4 Freelance, Hassiem Muhammad and co-host Andrea Laing dive into the real financial habits, strategies, and splurges of working creatives. From shocking gig-economy stats to choosing between career-boosting jobs vs. higher-paying ones, this conversation is packed with practical gems for freelance actors, artists, and gig workers. Andrea also breaks down exactly how she’s able to travel to places like Amsterdam, London, and beyond without breaking the bank — with tips on point cards, timing international flights, and budgeting long stays. Hassiem shares his own system for funding vacations, smart credit, and maintaining retirement goals. Follow Andrea on Instagram: @yourfavoriteandrea Produced in partnership with Next Chapter Podcasts Follow The Actor's Instrument on Instagram: @actorsinstrumentpodcast Follow Hassiem on Instagram: @HassiemMuhammad Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://www.nextchapterpodcasts.com/the-actors-instrument Inquiries: actorsinstrumentpodcast@gmail.com #TheActorsInstrument #HassiemMuhammad #ActorLife #ActingPodcast #WorkingActor #Finance4Freelance #FreelancerTips #GigEconomy
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    42 min