10,000 NOs

Hosted by Matthew Del Negro

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About the show

Actor Matthew Del Negro (The Sopranos, The West Wing, Scandal) describes his career as being told "No" for a living. Here, he gets up close and personal with top-shelf folks from all walks of life about the 10,000 "No" s they've had to endure and struggles they've had to overcome on their journey to where they are today. Inspiring, raw, honest and funny, this podcast will help you see that the people you think have "got it made" put their pants on one leg at a time, just like you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

1 hr 56 min

SEVERANCE ACTOR: Why YUL VAZQUEZ Believes All Art Stems From One Source

“It’s all the same source. And the source in everything that you do, whether you’re taking a photograph or you’re playing music or you’re acting... is you . It’s all you.” I sat down with friend and fellow actor, Yul Vazquez , this summer, and he blew me away on multiple levels... Not only does he have awesome stories from the seemingly endless amounts of elite films, TV shows and plays he's done over the past decades, but I got to ask him about the fact that he's also an accomplished musician, painter and photographer. With incredible charm and simplicity, he beautifully articulates some philosophies that I've been trying to grasp since this podcast began... So, yes, you'll hear personal stories about Philip Seymour Hoffman , Sam Rockwell , Ben Stiller , and many others, but what will really inspire you is this: if, like me, you are drawn to more than just one art form or possess both artistic and entrepreneurial interests, Yul empowers you to trust that your talent and perspective in multiple fields is not a conflict. It's something to embrace and celebrate. And he just lays it all out in such a plain-spoken, cool-as-shit way that you can't help but love him for his honesty, vulnerability and wisdom that he's picked up along his journey. He made me laugh a lot, but he also reminded me that I wasn't wrong when I titled this podcast 10,000 NOs. Here are his words about the crazy journey of a life in show business, "if not the most important of all is, how much can you withstand? What are you made of? What's your mettle? Because if you crumble, you're done." If you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you think you’d benefit from being part of conversations like this every week with a group of fellow artists, consider joining our Working Actors Community. Find out more by CLICKING HERE . And remember: “failure” is just opportunity in disguise. You can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL BECOME A MEMBER OF THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY

1 hr 3 min

How to Build a Voice Over Empire by Serving Your Community with David H. Lawrence XVII

Today's guest, David H. Lawrence XVII , is a prime example of someone who decided to control his own destiny while still pursuing his dream, by combining his experience in technology with his love of storytelling to serve others by giving them tools and a path to success. His combo of service and entrepreneurial prowess is the special sauce many performers seek: how to have staying power in show business without riding such a scary rollercoaster. His extremely successful VO Heroes , ACX Masterclass, and Narrate Your Own Book courses and communities have helped thousands of artists make a living from home. Lately, it seems like everyone, not just actors, is working harder and harder for less and less reward... Between AI and diminishing opportunities, not being resourceful enough to create additional revenue streams no longer seems like an option if you want to get ahead, or even just have some certainty. Watch or listen to this conversation if you want inspiration to make it happen for yourself.

55 min

WWE Champion and World's Strongest Man: Braun Strowman

Braun Strowman (Won the Arnold Amateur Strongman World Championships, WWE Champion, Entrepreneur and Now Host of EVERYTHING ON THE MENU) sat down on 10,000 NOs with Matthew Del Negro podcast… He doesn’t just flex his muscles… He drops some legit, hard-earned, plain-spoken KNOWLEDGE BOMBS full of wisdom on us!! #braunstrowman #matthewdelnegro #10000nospodcast #wwechampion #everythingonthemenu Welcome to 10,000 NOs with Matthew Del Negro — a channel for actors, filmmakers, writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs navigating the ups and downs of building a career. Through honest conversations with working artists, storytellers, and industry professionals, we explore the realities of rejection, persistence, and what it really takes to succeed in entertainment and creative business. If you’re chasing a creative career or building something of your own, remember: every “no” can bring you closer to your next “yes.” Sign up for our Newsletter by emailing: info@10000nos.com with "Newsletter" in the Subject Line SHOW LINKS: Working Actors Community 10,000 NOs Book Follow Matt on Instagram Follow 10,000 NOs on Instagram VIDEO CHAPTERS: 00:00 INTRO 01:55 WHO IS BRAUN STROWMAN 07:00 SECOND CHANCES 10:46 STRONG MAN 18:59 GET THESE HANDS WWE 26:00 CATCH THE AUDIENCE 29:00 LEARN A SKILL/TRADE 33:00 BEING A GOOD STUDENT DOESN’T PAY OFF 36:00 MANIFEST IT! 40:00 EVERYTHING ON THE MENU 46:57 WHY BRAUN STROWMAN?

1 hr 32 min

Bunny of Kingstown: Tobi Bamtefa

“I dropped my accent immediately. I said, ‘Bro, listen… I’m an actor. I’m just acting, alright? I’m not a gang member. I’m not even from this country!” In today’s episode, Matt sits down with actor Tobi Bamtefa, whom you may recognize as Bunny, the gangster kingpin at the heart of Paramount +’s Mayor of Kingstown. The conversation dives deep into Tobi’s intricate character development with Bunny as well as his departure from his path to becoming a lawyer to pursue stage and screen, eventually working across from stars like Jeremy Renner, Bryan Cranston and Tim Roth, among others. Actors will particularly enjoy this conversation as they spend some time demystifying audition preparation, creating a character and their specific self-tape practices. If you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you think you’d benefit from being part of conversations like this every week with a group of fellow artists, consider joining our Working Actors Community. Find out more by CLICKING HERE . And remember: “failure” is just opportunity in disguise. You can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL BECOME A MEMBER OF THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY

1 hr 1 min

Mayor of Kingstown's Tony Award-Winning Laura Benanti

"Self-reflection is often saying ‘I wish I had done something differently’, and that to me can sound like lack of gratitude, but also these things are true”. In today’s episode, Matt sits down with his Mayor of Kingstown colleague and celebrated American Actress and singer, Laura Benanti. Renowned for her extensive Broadway Career, Laura is a Tony Award Winner and five time nominee. She has also won a Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and been nominated for a Saturn Award, among others. The conversation covers her meteoric path to Broadway dominance, the side-effects of rising so quickly while still finding one's self, and a deep dive into her powerful role on Season 4 of Mayor Kingstown. 10,000 NOs is here to inspire you and help you realize you are not alone if you’re battling to overcome rejection in your career or life. So, if you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you like what you hear in the snippets from our Working Actors Community zooms enough to want to be a part of it, CLICK HERE . Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL BECOME A MEMBER OF THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY

19 min

Making A Movie Takes A Village - Thank You!

"It took me until 53 to learn this lesson…" In today’s episode, Matt sits down to talk about confronting the self-limiting beliefs that can make us feel embarrassed or ashamed—especially when it comes to asking for help . You hear the saying all the time: “Making a movie takes a village,” and it truly does. As we say goodbye to 2025 - with all the ups and downs it brought - we want to thank you for your continued support of 10000No’s and for helping turn MICKEY BRASCH into a reality. Stay tuned in the new year - there are a lot of amazing things coming your way! Happy Holidays and Thank you for your continued support 10,000 NOs is here to inspire you and help you realize you are not alone if you’re battling to overcome rejection in your career or life. So, if you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you like what you hear in the snippets from our Working Actors Community zooms enough to want to be a part of it, CLICK HERE . Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you.

39 min

Lose Your Mind with Josh Pais

“The root of all bad acting is the thought: I’m not enough.” In today’s episode, Matt sits down with veteran actor and recently published author, Josh Pais ( Lose Your Mind: The Path to Creative Invincibility ). You may know Josh from projects like Joker , Ray Donovan , Law & Order , A Man in Full or over 150 other credits. Today, he dishes advice on how to keep your composure and your creative juices flowing in a long career. Or just in life. As the founder of Committed Impulse , he has trained Navy SEALs, Oscar winners, and startup founders to turn rejection, fear, and failure into high-performance fuel. His new book, Lose Your Mind: The Path to Creative Invincibility (Hay House, Sept 2025), offers deeply personal lessons and practical tools for staying present through the unknown. Josh grew up in a household where his dad worked with Einstein and later became a counterculture icon - and his own life has been a study in navigating uncertainty and rejection in Hollywood and beyond! 10,000 NOs is here to inspire you and help you realize you are not alone if you’re battling to overcome rejection in your career or life. So, if you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you like what you hear in the snippets from our Working Actors Community zooms enough to want to be a part of it, CLICK HERE . Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL BECOME A MEMBER OF THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY

45 min

Casting Director Lisa London on Showing Up Prepared and Being Yourself

"Well, I always tell actors to always bring your A game to every audition. Because you never know. Like exactly what Matt just said. I have extensive notes on actor's that I've read. And I go, 'This guy is really good we can bring him in for another part.' Sometimes for the same project. Sometimes I go, 'Oh yeah we are going to bring him in for this project down the road.' So you know what I mean, you always bring your A game to every audition. And you don't get it, you don't get it. There's a million factors that go into the casting process." Today’s episode is a sit down with Casting Director Lisa London. Lisa has been a Casting Director for 30 plus years and has cast over a 100 successful film and television shows. Along with her business partner, Catherine Stroud, they have cast many notable actors and actresses at the beginning of their careers who have all gone on to become stars; such as Miley Cyrus in Hannah Montana , Jonah Hill in Grandma’s Boy , Emma Stone, Katharine McPhee and Kat Dennings in House Bunny , Selena Gomez in two Disney pilots - What’s Stevie Thinking and Arwin , Jennifer Aniston in her first feature, Leprechaun , Mark Ruffalo in the CBS series, Due South , Brad Pitt in an episode of the series, Freddy’s Nightmares , Megan Hilty, Adrian R. Mante, Cierra Ramirez and Joey King in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody , Yara Shahidi in her first television series, The First Family and Noah Centineo in a Disney pilot, Growing Up and Down . In today's conversation Matt and Lisa discuss what it takes to be a successful working actor and how to leave an impression while enjoying the process of being an actor. Lisa's Book, From Start to Stardom: The Casting Director's Guide For Actors , is available now on Amazon. Lisa's classes can be found on her website From Start to Stardom . 10,000 NOs is here to inspire you and help you realize you are not alone if you’re battling to overcome rejection in your career or life. So, if you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you like what you hear in the snippets from our Working Actors Community zooms enough to want to be a part of it, CLICK HERE . Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY

31 min

Winning with Passion: Danny Lehr’s Formula for Lasting Success

"Are you really passionate about the thing? Or are you just excited about the opportunity? Because those are different, right? It's easy to get excited about an opportunity, but when you are just excited about an opportunity when it doesn't work out, you're going to stop trying as hard. But if you are passionate about the thing, then you will stay with it even when it gets hard. Because inevitably it's going to get hard. And you're going to have speed bumps and struggles. And so what's going to keep you going at those times is that you actually have to care about what you're doing; not just chasing something for fun." Today’s episode is a sit down with Danny Lehr. A sought-after speaker, entrepreneur, author, and former competitive athlete who's obsessed with helping people accomplish their biggest dreams—one hour at a time. As the founder of the iconic fitness brand Caffeine and Kilos , Danny has spent over 15 years studying the habits of Olympians, professional athletes, and 9-figure entrepreneurs, distilling their insights into his powerful W.I.N. formula. He has helped thousands finally get unstuck and start achieving real, lasting results. In this conversation Matt and Danny dive into how to have long lasting success that is driven by passion. A great conversation for actors, creatives, and entrepreneurs who are looking to reach the next level. Danny's Book, Win Your Next Hour , is available now on Amazon. 10,000 NOs is here to inspire you and help you realize you are not alone if you’re battling to overcome rejection in your career or life. So, if you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you like what you hear in the snippets from our Working Actors Community zooms enough to want to be a part of it, CLICK HERE . Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY

48 min

Personal Development Coach Gavin McHale on Unlocking Our Subconscious Mind

"What I take from that if we go back to the day that Matt actually, the energy that Matt put into his audition and the way that he sent that in was, there was a level of not only confidence, but certainty that I'm right for this role. Like I'm right for this role. I know that I'm right for this role. And that beautiful little, "but", which often times we say "but" is a negation and it's not really a good thing. That, in my opinion and I'm literally kind of making this up not knowing what actually went down, it gave you just enough of a detachment to not put any pressure on yourself." Today’s episode is a sit down with personal development coach Gavin McHale. Matt and Gavin dive into the power of letting go, having an abundance mindset, and how life on the road to the NHL was cut short by his self-defeating decision to hop into a brawl one night on the ice. Gavin's thoughtful approach to life and how to get out of his own way has led him to a successful business where he helps others to do the same. Gavin's Book, Consciouspreneur: What To Do When The Hard Work Stops Working , is available now on Amazon. 10,000 NOs is here to inspire you and help you realize you are not alone if you’re battling to overcome rejection in your career or life. So, if you’re an actor, writer or filmmaker and you like what you hear in the snippets from our Working Actors Community zooms enough to want to be a part of it, CLICK HERE . Remember, “failure” is just opportunity in disguise, and you can flip the script to make your setbacks serve you. SHOW LINKS: 10,000 NOs: THE BOOK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTER FOLLOW MATT ON SOCIAL FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY