How We Role
An actor's journey from inspirational casting stories to practical craft advice
Overview
How We Role is produced by Casting Networks and hosted by Robert Peterpaul, released biweekly to break down an actor's journey from inspirational casting stories to practical craft advice. The podcast covers the full spectrum of an actor's career development, including audition preparation, building relationships with casting directors, understanding the business side of acting, and developing sustainable career practices. Each episode aims to provide both inspiration and actionable guidance, recognizing that actors need both emotional support and practical tools to navigate the challenges of the profession. The show's connection to Casting Networks, a major platform for audition postings and submissions, gives it direct access to casting directors and industry professionals who provide insider perspectives.
Episodes feature interviews with casting directors, working actors, agents, managers, and coaches who share their experiences and advice on various aspects of the acting profession. Peterpaul's interviewing style is conversational and actor-focused, asking questions that address the real concerns and challenges that actors face in their daily professional lives. The biweekly release schedule provides regular content without overwhelming listeners, allowing time to implement advice between episodes. The podcast's production values are professional, reflecting Casting Networks' resources and commitment to serving the acting community. The show balances inspiration with instruction, offering both success stories that motivate and practical tips that actors can apply immediately.
How It Works
Ideal for actors at all career stages who want guidance from industry professionals actively working in casting and talent representation. The show is particularly valuable for actors who use Casting Networks or similar platforms and want to understand how casting directors think about the submissions they receive and the actors they bring in for auditions. Working actors who want to improve their audition technique, strengthen their relationships with industry professionals, and make strategic career decisions will find the podcast's mix of insider perspective and practical advice directly applicable. The show also benefits actors who need encouragement and reassurance that the challenges they face are normal parts of the profession rather than signs of personal inadequacy.
Free on all podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Casting Networks also publishes show notes and related resources on their website, extending the value of each episode beyond the audio content.
Who Uses It
Highly recommended for actors who want insider perspective from casting directors and other industry professionals who directly influence hiring decisions. The podcast provides the kind of guidance and encouragement that is often available only through expensive coaching or established industry relationships, making it particularly valuable for actors without extensive networks or mentors. What sets How We Role apart from general acting advice podcasts is its direct connection to Casting Networks and the casting community, which gives it access to professionals who see thousands of actors and can speak authoritatively about what distinguishes those who book work from those who do not. For actors who feel frustrated by the audition process or confused about how to present themselves professionally, this podcast provides clarity from the people who are actually making casting decisions. The show serves as a bridge between actors and the industry gatekeepers they need to impress, demystifying the casting process and helping actors understand what casting directors are looking for beyond talent alone.
Pricing & Plans
How We Role is completely free on all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Despite being produced by Casting Networks, a company that generates revenue through actor subscriptions, the podcast is freely available to all listeners regardless of whether they are Casting Networks members. The biweekly release schedule provides regular professional development content at no cost, representing significant value for actors seeking to improve their audition skills and industry knowledge. For actors who cannot afford private coaching with casting directors or expensive workshops that promise insider access, this podcast provides genuine insider perspective and practical guidance without any financial barrier. The show's free accessibility ensures that actors at all income levels can benefit from the expertise and advice of industry professionals who directly influence casting decisions.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
The podcast's greatest strength is its access to casting directors and other industry insiders who provide firsthand perspective on what they are looking for when they review submissions, conduct auditions, and make casting decisions. Episodes featuring casting directors often include specific, actionable advice about audition technique, self-tape best practices, submission materials, and professional conduct that actors can implement immediately to improve their booking rates. The show's focus on the actor's journey creates a comprehensive approach that addresses not just craft and technique but also mindset, resilience, business strategy, and relationship-building. The biweekly release schedule is sustainable for regular listening without becoming overwhelming, and the episode lengths are typically manageable for busy actors to consume during commutes or between auditions. The podcast's connection to Casting Networks means it stays current with how the industry actually operates — including the increasing dominance of self-taping, the use of digital platforms for submissions, and the changing expectations for actor materials and professionalism. The show's balance of inspirational success stories and practical technique advice provides both motivation and tools, addressing both the emotional and practical dimensions of building an acting career.
What Could Be Better
The podcast's connection to Casting Networks may create occasional promotional content or perspectives that favor the platform's approach and services, which some listeners may perceive as biased or self-interested. The show's focus on film and television casting means it provides less coverage of theater, voiceover, or other performance disciplines that operate with different casting processes and professional norms. Some episodes may cover topics at a general level that will feel familiar to experienced actors, while early-career actors may find certain industry discussions lack sufficient context to be fully accessible. The podcast's guest-based interview format means the quality and relevance of content can vary depending on the specific guest's expertise and communication style. The show's emphasis on the American film and television industry means actors working in international markets or specialized niches may find the advice less directly applicable to their specific contexts. Additionally, because casting directors' preferences and pet peeves can vary significantly, advice from one guest may not represent universal casting community consensus.
Our Recommendation
Actors who want practical guidance from casting directors and other industry professionals who directly influence hiring decisions should subscribe to How We Role for its insider perspective and actionable advice. The podcast is particularly valuable for actors who are actively auditioning and want to improve their technique, submission materials, and professional relationships with the casting community. If you are primarily focused on craft development or advanced career strategy and already have strong relationships with casting directors, the podcast's content may feel foundational rather than advanced, though periodic listening to stay current with industry practices remains valuable. Actors who use Casting Networks or similar platforms will find the show particularly relevant, as it often addresses the specific mechanics of digital submissions and self-tape workflows. Pair How We Role with craft-focused and business-focused podcasts to ensure comprehensive professional development that balances audition technique with artistic growth and career strategy.
Pro Tips
When listening to casting director interviews, take notes on the specific preferences and pet peeves they describe — while not all casting directors will share identical views, understanding what annoys or impresses the people making hiring decisions can help you refine your professional presentation and audition approach. Implement at least one specific piece of advice from each episode, whether it is adjusting your self-tape setup, revising your submission materials, or changing how you prepare for auditions — the practical nature of the content rewards action over passive consumption. Use the podcast's coverage of the casting process to develop empathy for casting directors' perspectives and constraints, recognizing that they are often dealing with enormous volumes of submissions, tight deadlines, and multiple competing priorities that shape how they evaluate actors. Pay attention to recurring themes across multiple guests — advice or observations that appear consistently across different episodes likely represent genuine industry consensus worth prioritizing in your own practice. Share particularly relevant episodes with fellow actors and use them as starting points for practice sessions where you apply the techniques discussed, as collaborative implementation deepens learning and builds accountability.