Podcast
10,000 NOs
Hosted by Matthew Del Negro · EN
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.
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22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Bunny of Kingstown: Tobi Bamtefa
Apr 601:32:24Tap to summarize“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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALBECOME A MEMBER OF THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →Mayor of Kingstown's Tony Award-Winning Laura Benanti
Mar 201:01:06Tap to summarize"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
Transcribe →Making A Movie Takes A Village - Thank You!
Dec 2200:19:10Tap to summarize"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 support10,000 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.
Transcribe →Lose Your Mind with Josh Pais
Dec 800:39:53Tap to summarize“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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALBECOME A MEMBER OF THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →Casting Director Lisa London on Showing Up Prepared and Being Yourself
Nov 2400:45:00Tap to summarize"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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALFIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →Winning with Passion: Danny Lehr’s Formula for Lasting Success
Nov 1700:31:12Tap to summarize"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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALFIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →Personal Development Coach Gavin McHale on Unlocking Our Subconscious Mind
Nov 1000:48:23Tap to summarize"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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALFIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →How To Power Through
Oct 2700:09:16Tap to summarize"You don't feel like YES beating my chest everyday. But you kind of got to stick with it through all those slow days to get to the thing where there's a tipping point and it becomes this thing that is way bigger than you."Today’s episode was ripped directly from one of our 10,000 NOs Working Actors Community weekly zooms where Matt addresses the challenges that face our members. Today, we discuss how to power through when things don't feel like they rapidly taking off. Everything in life is a process. It's important to enjoy the little moments throughout the entire journey. Sometimes it can feel like things are rapidly moving and other times it feels like nothing is happening. If you stay the course and take everything one step at a time, you will be amazed how much you can achieve.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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALFIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →Your Life Is A Movie
Oct 2000:04:07Tap to summarize"It's not what you are doing, it's how you are approaching it. So if you approach that job like an actor or writer, it's what I told Erin Galvin years ago when she was coming to my classes in LA and she was doing a temp job. And she would come in and start telling me about the thing and she was making us laugh. And I'm like that's the show, or movie, you should be writing!"Today’s episode was ripped directly from one of our 10,000 NOs Working Actors Community weekly zooms where Matt addresses the challenges that face our members. Today, we discuss how even when you are doing your side gig or side hustle, there's opportunity to be creative. Your personal life experiences outside of acting will feed you so much material if you choose to look for it. So even when you're at your job and wishing you were on set, remember that it is still serving you. Compile those funny stories, the crazy thing that happened during your shift, or how you boss treated you and use it to tell your next story. It can be funny, relatable, and most importantly uniquely yours to tell.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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALFIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →Give Them A Show
Oct 1300:06:53Tap to summarize"The other thing he said that I thought was interesting, because I don't do this, and I have prided myself on not doing this. They said he see's salesmanship as showmanship. And Steve Jobs was the same way. Whenever they put on a presentation, it is a show. You get publicity and it's a big splash. And I've always been like I don't want to do that I'll let my work speak for itself and they will eventually find me. And it's like, maybe, but you might be dead by then."Today’s episode was ripped directly from one of our 10,000 NOs Working Actors Community weekly zooms where Matt addresses the challenges that face our members. Today, we discuss how it's important to market and brand ourselves in order to get our work seen. You can be the best actor in the world, but if you don't know how to properly market yourself no one will ever know. The commercialization of an actor's talent is a vital part of the process if your goal is to make money/a living as a working actor. We can often feel like it's our ego wanting attention if we are to self market ourselves, and it's important to keep that at bay, but it's also important to self advocate for yourself. It's OK, and necessary in this career, to let people know how great you are and what you have to offer.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 BOOKSUBSCRIBE TO OUR (WEEKLY) NEWSLETTERFOLLOW MATT ON SOCIALFIND OUT HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE WORKING ACTORS COMMUNITY
Transcribe →