How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood
Our podcast is pausing new episodes starting March, 2025, due to our new feature film in post-production: CourtshipFilm.com. Select archive episodes will still be available on your favorite platforms. Enjoy entertaining, enlightening and funny stories behind the scenes in the film, television and arts industries. Need a shot of schadenfreude or a little inspiration to embrace the blunders that are sure to happen in the creative process? Failure has a social stigma... but we look it dead in the eye and laugh. Minority voices encouraged.
Hosted by C.M. Conway, the female filmmaker of "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" now available on Prime Video and FunnyFailureFilm.com. The witty and poignant indie features friends, fantasies and fabulous fails. A grassroots film dedicated to bold artists and dreamers trying to make it against all odds. Our podcast became monthly after April, 2024; and our show's beginning and ending song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is by David Mumford (Bandcamp.com). Join our fun community @ShowstoppersNow on Facebook.
Episodes
60 episodes
Special Valentine's Day Episode and Local Theater Update
In this special episode, listen to host C.M. Conway share a surprising update regarding a beloved local theater that was slated to turn into a gym (featured in prior episodes). Additionally, hear a unique story of love for Valentine's Day, from...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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10:08
Jane Austen's First Fails
Hear a tale of the first fails of writer Jane Austen to publish her most well-known and beloved novels. Many of Austen's books have been made into movies or television series such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Sense and Sensibility." Story musi...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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11:41
Have Your First On-Camera Role Off-Camera
Hear host C.M. Conway share a tale about a special debut on television, with quite a surprise. Story music by Victory Day. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available on
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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9:07
Quit While You're Behind
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story about attending a comedy school in Los Angeles, and the mayhem that ensues. Story music by Denis Pavlov. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now avai...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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9:43
A Life-Changing Moment
Hear actor, teacher and guest Kasie Cavanagh share a surprising story about a life-changing moment that occurred when she was a young performer. Story music by Denis-Pavlov. Next episode...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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8:29
A Colossal Crush
Hear guest Adaeze C. Anane share her story about a colossal crush she had on an important figure in the industry. Music by Andreas-Woll-Music. This is a bonus episode, as we skipped an ep...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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6:09
Casting Catastrophes
Hear host C.M. Conway share about recently completing production of her new feature film Court(ship), and the challenges that occurred during casting. More film information at CourtshipFilm.com. ...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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8:20
Replay: Overcoming Fear with Help From the Whales
REPLAY: Listen again to artist, writer and storyteller Adair Heitmann tell an entertaining and inspiring tale of how a whale helped her overcome fear; and how that transferred to storytelling on the stag...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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13:23
Local Theater Turns into a Gym? (Part 2)
Hear host C.M. Conway share an update about a lovely local theater, and the public meeting about its potential closure and being converted into a gym. Story music by Denis Pavlov.This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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10:50
Local Theater Turns into a Gym?
Hear host C.M. Conway share an interesting story about a lovely local theater, potentially turning into a gym. Story music by Daddy_s Music.This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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7:03
The Unbelievable Umbrella
Hear host C.M. Conway share an exciting announcement and a story about an unusual umbrella when recently visiting Hollywood. Story music by Piotr Witowski.It's our 50th episode! Starting April 10, 2024, our podcast will be airi...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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9:23
Finding a Voice
Hear the uplifting story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller of her ups and downs to the path of finding her voice. Movies have been made about Helen Keller, an accomplished blind and deaf woman. This includes "The Miracle...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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13:49
A Famous Flub
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story of running into a famous icon in Los Angeles... and the flubs that ensue. Story music by Nesrality.This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available on
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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6:48
Nobody Came
Hear Stuart Brent's subtly humorous story of accomplishing his dream in Chicago... and nobody came. Performed from his autobiography, The Seven Stairs. Story music by Piotr Witowski.This podcast is inspired by the "How...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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12:18
Facing a Decisive No
Hear host C.M. Conway share a tale of an unexpected event that occurred in an important proposal meeting... when meeting a decisive, "No." Story music MichaeL-X_Studio.This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in H...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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10:52
Fears in the Forest
Listen to the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words about a powerful experience of transcending fears in the forest. Plays and movies have been made about Helen Keller, a remarkable blind and deaf woman. Thi...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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10:10
The Light of Language
Hear the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words, about the trials, fails and ultimately... the profound discovery of language. Movies have been made about Helen Keller, a revolutionary blind and deaf woman. This in...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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10:49
Just One More Thing
Listen to guest and actress Rebecca Rose McIlroy, share an interesting story about a surprise she encountered at the end of a casting agency meeting. Story music by Donovan. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successful...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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8:17
What Did You Do?
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story of an enlightening experience when asked a question inquired of actors everywhere. Story music Nesrality.This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available on <...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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7:18
Fails of a Famous Writer (Part 4)
Mark Twain's story from his autobiography of a most memorable mishap that occurred when he was rehearsing to perform in a play. Some of Twain's classics and debated novels were made into films. Story music by Nesrality.
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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9:41
Discovering a Phobia at the Worst Time
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story of discovering an unusual acting phobia... at a most inopportune time. Story music Oleksii Kaplunskyi. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available on
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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6:27
Illuminating Communication
Hear the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words, about the ups and downs of her journey to find a way to communicate. Including, an illumination that arrives in the form of a famous figure. Movies have been made ab...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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10:13
When a Pitch Meeting Goes Sideways
Hear host C.M. Conway share a tale of how an important pitch meeting at a successful production company, goes sideways. Story music by Donovan. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now avail...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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7:29
Meeting a Force of Nature
Hear the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words, of meeting a force of nature for the very first time, with unexpected surprises. Movies have been made about Helen Keller, a remarkable blind and deaf woman. This in...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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8:59
Meeting a Big Wig at an Industry Conference
Listen to host C.M. Conway share a revelatory story about the unexpected events that occurred after meeting face to face with a top industry professional, at a popular conference for actors with thousands of attendees. Story music by Zen_...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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7:12