How being willing to say "no" to an audition opened up the "respect" door

Hello, lovely listeners, and welcome to another episode of "Confessions of an Aging Ingénue." I'm your Aging Ingénue, Jenni Tooley, thrilled to have you with me today. Before we dive into the juicy bits, let me extend a personal invitation to you. Join us in the confessional every first Wednesday of the month at jennitooley.com. Who knows, you might just find yourself in the confessor seat!

Now, let's jump into the excitement. If you're catching this in time, the last weekend of October is approaching. You can head over to jennitooley.com/Stuck to watch my first feature film, "STUCK," in my private screening room, part of the Jenni Tooley experience. It's a new venture where I'm sharing my podcast journals, wisdom wanderings, and more. Plus, there are different tiers for you to explore, including coaching, consulting, and even micro-budget indie film advice.

Your support helps me stay independent and continue creating content, so do check it out.

Great! Let's delve into today's topic – "State your fees." It might sound like a peculiar mantra, but trust me, it's something we all need a reminder of from time to time.

Today, I want to take you back about five years, a period of financial struggle and self-discovery. I found myself focusing on underearning. The realization hit me – I had spent my entire life undervaluing my skills, staying small, and, in a way, invisible.

As an actor, the dichotomy of being visible on the outside while feeling small and invisible internally was a delicate dance. I mastered the art of being a chameleon, adapting to social situations and performances, all while battling a deep-seated mindset of deprivation.

Fast forward to a pivotal moment – an audition dilemma. The industry landscape was shifting, and I was grappling with the challenges of being a union member in a right-to-work state like Texas. The struggle with non-union gigs, modified contracts, and the financial toll of auditions became overwhelming.

Then came the audacious move – the "offer-only" decision. Discovering that I had the power to say no to auditions and declare myself "offer-only” was a paradigm shift, challenging the traditional actor's mindset and underearner's beliefs.

I want to share a personal story that unfolded during this period. Despite the financial risks, I took a leap of faith. The outcome was unexpected – I secured the role, negotiated terms, and discovered the genuine appreciation of the filmmakers.

This experience taught me a profound lesson – recognizing and asserting my value as an actor. It shattered the illusion of being small and invisible, paving the way for a mindset shift towards abundance.

So, today's episode is about acknowledging your worth, setting boundaries, and standing up for what aligns with your values. I encourage you to reflect on your own journey and the times you've hesitated to declare your worth.

Before we wrap up, a quick reminder to visit jennitooley.com for the Jenni Tooley experience and explore the exciting content waiting for you. Your support makes a world of difference, allowing me to continue this creative journey.

Thank you for being part of this episode. I can't wait to hear your thoughts, so don't forget to comment, review, follow, and subscribe. Your engagement keeps our podcast thriving.

Until next time, this is Jenni Tooley, your host, signing off.