Podcast
Casting Confidential
Hosted by Rose Rosen, CSA · EN
Casting Confidential is a podcast hosted by casting director Rose Rosen, CSA, offering a direct, unfiltered look at how casting actually works.
Each episode features Rosen alongside a rotating co-host casting director and notable actors, pulling back the curtain on the professional relationship between actors and casting—and how decisions are really made. These are not surface-level conversations. The show focuses on process, context, and the often-misunderstood mechanics of auditions, callbacks, chemistry reads, and career-building choices.
Casting Confidential is designed for actors who want clarity, not clichés. Listeners gain practical insight into what casting directors respond to, what they overlook, and how strong auditions are shaped long before a tape is submitted. The goal is simple: better information leads to better work in the room.
Membership: Deeper Access, Real Feedback
For actors who want to go beyond listening, the Casting Confidential Membership offers live, interactive opportunities:
- Monthly Performance Feedback Sessions
- Members submit a recent self-tape or scene and receive direct, professional feedback from casting directors. These sessions focus on specific, actionable adjustments—what’s working, what isn’t, and how to sharpen future auditions. A reader is provided.
- Live Episodes with Industry Guests
- Members are invited to exclusive live recordings featuring candid conversations with working actors and casting professionals.
Casting Confidential is where casting directors speak plainly about the work—how we find actors, how we build ensembles, and what actually helps an actor stand out over time.
Follow @castingconfidential on Instagram.
Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your support helps us continue bringing you substantive, high-level conversations from inside the casting room.
Pull up a chair. This is how casting really works.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
66. Linda Lowy & Morgan Smith on Casting Imperfect Women, Hacks, and What Actors Need to Know
4d ago01:15:38Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with Emmy Award-winning casting director Linda Lowy and Emmy-nominated casting director Morgan Smith of Backyard Casting for one of the most candid, insider conversations the show has ever had.Together, they pull back the curtain on how casting decisions really get made — from building ensemble casts for major television series, to navigating the executive world of HBO Max, to surviving a merger, a strike, and finding their way back to the work they love.Linda and Morgan share the story behind casting Apple TV+’s Imperfect Women alongside already-attached stars Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss — including the months-long search to find their third lead, Kate Mara. They also talk about returning to Hacks, after Linda helped shape the show from the inside during her time at HBO Max.They go deep on the professional relationship that defines Backyard Casting: how they divide the work, how they handle disagreement, and why casting is ultimately a math problem wrapped in taste.Then, in a special Casting Confidential Feedback Session, Patreon member and actor Kimberly McCoin performs an original scene written specifically for this episode, and Linda and Morgan deliver real, in-the-moment direction — the kind actors rarely get access to.This episode is honest, warm, and loaded with insight for actors at every level.About the GuestsLinda Lowy is a three-time Emmy Award-winning casting director and four-time Artios Award winner whose work has helped define modern television. Her credits include Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19, Friday Night Lights, Inventing Anna, Hacks, and Apple TV+'s Imperfect Women. She is a recipient of the Casting Society's prestigious Hoyt Bowers Award and is co-founder of Backyard Casting.Morgan Smith is an Emmy-nominated casting director and co-founder of Backyard Casting. She has worked alongside Linda Lowy across many of television's most acclaimed series, including Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, How to Get Away with Murder, Station 19, Inventing Anna, Hacks, and Imperfect Women.SponsorRAFY APPRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry — including member opportunities like the Feedback Session featured in this episode.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CreditsHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGuestsLinda Lowy@lindalowycastingMorgan Smith@morgansmithcastingFeedback Actor:Kimberly McCoin@presently_poisedEditor MZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFollow the Show@castingconfidentialPatreonpatreon.com/castingconfidentialcastingconfidential.com**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →BONUS: LIVE in London at WeAudition Actor's Pro Expo — With Nancy Bishop & Mark Summers
2w ago00:08:38Tap to summarizeThis episode was recorded LIVE in London at the WeAudition Actor's Pro Expo In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down LIVE with two of the most respected international casting directors working today — Nancy Bishop, CSA, and Mark Summers , CSA— for an unfiltered, live conversation about what actually happens on the other side of the audition room.From the real reasons actors don't get cast, to how to connect with casting directors like a human being, to what the industry looks like in 2026 and beyond, this episode is packed with honest, practical insight that actors at every level need to hear.Nancy and Mark pull no punches on the name game in film, the evolving role of self-tapes, what your headshot and showreel are actually for, and why staying in the conversation — and creating your own work — may be the most important thing you can do right now.Follow Actor's Pro Expo on Instagram @actorsproexpo for up to date info on both their in person Expo in London every year and the upcoming virtual expo Verticast Actor's Pro Expo!We'll be there!SPONSORRAFY APP — Use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGuestsNancy Bishop, CSA@nancybishopcastingMark Summers@marksummerscastingOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFollow the Show@castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →RERELEASE: Actor Feedback- Whose Job Is It?
3w ago00:57:12Tap to summarizeToday we have a rerelese of a still very relevant topic: FEEDBACK. On today's episode of Casting Confidential our panel of esteemed casting directors will discuss the pursuit of feedback! Audition feedback is a hot commodity in the entertainment industry. Actors yearn for it, talent agencies compete for it, and casting directors bestow it like gold. Tune in now as we delve into the invaluable treasure trove of feedback and explore who bears the responsibility of delivering it.Join veteran casting director ROSE ROSEN and her dynamic panel of industry experts in a candid, no-holds-barred virtual round table discussion. Delve into the casting business in each weekly episode of the podcast, where we reveal insights and stories from the fiercely guarded world of casting. Get ready to laugh, learn, and uncover the secrets behind the scenes that shape the creative content consumed worldwide. What do casting directors truly wish producers understood? What brings them the greatest joy? And how can actors elevate their craft to stand out? Casting Confidential pulls back the mysterious curtain on the reality of survival in show business. Do you have what it takes? Join the conversation and find out for yourself.Today's episode is sponsored by :Casting Confidential on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/castingconfidentialJoin the CCP Community on Patreon and follow our panel on Instagram!Casting Confidential Podcast @castingconfidential Rose Rosen, CSA @roserosencastingKimberly Skyrme, CSA @kimberlyskyrmeCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA @loudenkubinKimberly Ehrlich, CSA @kimberlyehrlich4Robin Carus, CSA @robincarusPaisley Baker, CSA @coatcheck3Music by Orville Wright @ohyeahbeatsCCP DisclosureThe opinions expressed in the Casting Confidential podcast are solely the opinions of each individual casting director and do not represent the opinions of any other official group or entity. Furthermore, nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →65. AI, Casting, and the Future of the Actor's Career
4w ago01:10:09Tap to summarizeRose Rosen sits down with casting director, entertainment strategist and creative producer Robert Martin Jr. and international casting director Luci Lenox for one of the most grounded, honest conversations about AI that actors actually need to hear. Not the fear version, not the hype version — the real one.Together, they break down what AI is actually doing inside casting offices right now, why your online presence matters more than ever, how to protect yourself and your work in the age of large language models, and why the self-tape era is demanding a whole new set of skills from performers. The conversation also includes a live coaching segment featuring actor Claire Schoonover, with real-time feedback on eye line, connection, and performance — the kind of insight you rarely get from the outside looking in.If you've been wondering how to stay relevant, stay protected, and stay human in an industry moving faster than anyone predicted, this episode is your starting point.Sponsor: Rafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.Go Deeper on PatreonJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.SPONSORS:Rafy App@rafy.appVeriCast Actor'sPro Expo@actorsproexpoCREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen@roserosencastingGUESTS:Robert Martin Jr.@therobbyjrLuci Lenox@luci_lenox@theactorshomeFeedback Actor:Claire Schoonover@brownschoonEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonpatreon.com/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →RERELEASE: Imposter Syndrome
May 401:06:22Tap to summarizeToday on Casting Confidential the roundtable shares their struggles with Imposter Syndrome and how they've overcome self-doubt to find success.That's a wrap on Season 1 of Casting Confidential, thanks for joining us! Season 2 premiers this Fall with even more casting secrets and roundtable conversations!CASTING CONFIDENTIAL:Join veteran casting director Rose Rosen and her dynamic panel of industry experts in a candid, no-holds-barred virtual round table discussion. Delve into the casting business in each weekly episode of the podcast, where we reveal insights and stories from the fiercely guarded world of casting.Get ready to laugh, learn, and uncover the secrets behind the scenes that shape the creative content consumed worldwide. What do casting directors truly wish producers understood? What brings them the greatest joy? And how can actors elevate their craft to stand out? "Casting Confidential" pulls back the curtain on the reality of survival in show business. Today's Episode is sponsored by FILM TAMPA BAYDo you have what it takes? Join the conversation and find out for yourself.Join us on Instagram:Casting Confidential PodcastRose Rosen, CSA @roserosencastingKimberly Skyrme, CSA @kimberlyskyrmeCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA @loudenkubinKimberly Ehrlich, CSA @kimberlyehrlich4Robin Carus, CSA @robincarusPaisley Baker, CSA @coatcheck3Artwork by:Ace Anderson @thestripedheartMusic by:Orville Wright @ohyeahbeats**The opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast reflect only the opinions of each individual casting director. They do not reflect the opinions of any other official group or entity. Additionally, nothing in this show should be construed as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →BONUS: Why You're Not Booking — And What Casting Actually Sees
Apr 2700:19:14Tap to summarizeYou're doing more than ever — and still not booking. So what's actually going on?In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen sits down with Atlanta-based casting director Cheryl Louden-Kubin for a candid, no-mythology conversation about what casting directors are actually watching for — and what's quietly working against you. They dig into the difference between being seen and being hired, why getting called back repeatedly is a compliment (not a consolation), what happens when actors ghost auditions, and why your attitude in the room — or on tape — tells casting everything.Cheryl also pulls back the curtain on submission numbers (yes, up to 6,000 per role), how relationships with agents and actors actually influence decisions, and what it means to be the kind of actor casting genuinely wants to fight for.This is the conversation actors need to hear, especially if you've been wondering why consistent effort isn't translating into consistent bookings.SPONSOR:RAFY APPRAFY APPRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJOIN HEREJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.For more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Cheryl Louden-Kubin@loudenkubinEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonPatreon.com/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →64. What Casting Actually Responds To — with Sharon Bialy and Karolina Wydra
Apr 2000:59:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by two guests who understand the casting process from very different angles — and what unfolds is one of the most honest, layered conversations the show has had about what it actually takes to get hired, stay remembered, and build a career that lasts.Sharon Bialy is an award-winning casting director whose work has shaped some of the most acclaimed television and film projects of the past three decades. Her credits include Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Barry, The Handmaid’s Tale, Julia, El Camino, and Broadway productions including Jersey Boys and The Farnsworth Invention. She has received nine Emmy nominations and over 30 Artios Award nominations, and has spent over 25 years in partnership with Sherry Thomas at Bialy/Thomas & Associates. She has also served on the board of the Casting Society and has been a long-time advocate for inclusive casting.Karolina Wydra is currently starring as Zosia opposite Rhea Seehorn in Vince Gilligan’s Pluribus — Apple TV+’s biggest series to date — a world shaped by a global hive mind where tone, control, and presence are everything. Her work spans House, True Blood, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Twin Peaks, Sneaky Pete, and Justified. Originally from Poland and now based in Los Angeles, Karolina brings a grounded, controlled presence to every character she inhabits.Together, they get into what casting is actually watching for — in the room and on the self-tape. Sharon breaks down why she has never believed in the perfect audition, what it means to truly understand the soul of a character, and why Vince Gilligan always wants to see an actor’s first instinct before anything else.Karolina shares the remarkable story of how she landed Pluribus without an agent or manager — found by Sharon’s office in their own files after years away from the industry — and what it took to prepare for one of the most complex roles of her career.They also dig into what actors don’t always see: how casting offices keep notes for years and bring actors back when the role is finally right, why coming into the room still matters even in a self-tape world, how Vince Gilligan really works on set, how Pluribus received over 5,200 submissions for a Karolina's role, and why showing up as if you already have the job may be the most important mindset any actor can carry.The episode closes with a live feedback session featuring actor Shaun McDonald, who performs a cold read opposite Karolina — twice — with real-time notes from Rose and Karolina on presence, stakes, and what changes between takes.SPONSOR:RAFY APP | Discount code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Sharon Bialy@sharonbialyKarolina Wydra@karolina_wydraFeedback ActorShaun McDonald@shaun.mcdonald.actorEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS:@castingconfidentialPatreonOpinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →RERELEASE: Actors! Get On Casting’s Radar
Apr 1300:52:22Tap to summarizeOn today's episode of Casting Confidential we are buzzing on how to get on casting director's radar! From appropriate points of contact to Rose's secret on how to get her personal response, we’re dishing on how to be a hit with correspondence!Join seasoned casting director ROSE ROSEN along with her roundtable of casting directors in Casting Confidential where we bring you unfiltered, behind-the-scenes stories without the fluff! Each week we unveil the insider secrets that everyone's been dying to hear.Today's episode is sponsored by CCP MEMBERSHIPJoin the CCP Community and follow our panel on Instagram!Casting Confidential Podcast @castingconfidentialRose Rosen, CSA @roserosencastingKimberly Skyrme, CSA @kimberlyskyrmeCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA @loudenkubinKimberly Ehrlich, CSA @kimberlyehrlich4Robin Carus, CSA @robincarusPaisley Baker, CSA @coatcheck3Music by Orville Wright @ohyeahbeatsCCP DisclosureThe opinions expressed in the Casting Confidential podcast are solely the opinions of each individual casting director and do not represent the opinions of any other official group or entity. Furthermore, nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →BONUS: The No-Callback Truth: What Casting Directors Wish Actors Understood
Apr 600:15:49Tap to summarizeHere's one of the hardest things to sit with as an actor: you gave a great audition — and you still didn't get the callback. So what actually happened?In this Roundtable episode of Casting Confidential, host Rose Rosen , CSA is joined by casting directors Robin Carus, CSA, Cheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA, and Kimberly Skyrme, CSA for an honest, insider conversation about why callbacks don't always follow excellent work — and why that's not the same thing as failing.The panel pulls back the curtain on all the variables actors never see: physical matching, chemistry reads, creative politics, last-minute budget shifts, a director's personal history, and sometimes just the plain, unfair randomness of timing.They also get into why "booking the room" is a real career strategy, how casting directors remember and return to actors they love, what a post-audition thank-you note should (and shouldn't) include, and why the number of times a casting director calls you in is the real measure of your progress — not whether you booked the job.This one is practical, honest, and genuinely supportive. If you've ever been frustrated by silence after what felt like your best work, this episode is for you.SPONSORRafy AppRehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREONJoin the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry. JOIN HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITSHost, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Robin Carus, CSA@robincarusCheryl Louden-Kubin, CSA@loudenkubinKimberly Skyrme, CSA@kimberlyskyrmeEditorMZ StudiosOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialPatreon**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →63. What Directors Actually Want: Sheldon Epps on Casting, Comedy, and Running a Room
Mar 3000:53:02Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually look like from the director's chair? In this episode of Casting Confidential, Rose Rosen is joined by casting director Robin Carus and legendary director Sheldon Epps — whose credits span Frasier, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond, Girlfriends, and two decades as Artistic Director of the Pasadena Playhouse — for a candid, insider conversation about how television and theater really function.Sheldon breaks down the difference between stepping onto a long-running hit versus shaping a show from the ground up, how much say directors actually have in casting, and what separates an actor who books from one who doesn't. The panel also tackles the pressure of hit-making in not-for-profit theater, the chemistry factor in casting, and why the best auditions feel like collaboration rather than combat.The episode closes with a live cold read and real-time feedback session with actor Jill Adler — a rare, practical look at how direction can transform a performance in real time.Whether you're an actor, a director, or someone trying to understand how decisions are made on both sides of the table, this one is full of honest insight from people who have sat in every room.SPONSOR:RAFY APP: https://rafy.app/ | Code: CONFIDENTIAL15Rehearse, memorize, and self-tape anytime with Rafy, the app that scans your sides and lets you practice with realistic reader voices. With over 60 voices, a built-in teleprompter, multilingual support, and a script library called Playhouse, Rafy gives actors full control over their process. Visit rafy.app and use code CONFIDENTIAL15 for 15% off.GO DEEPER ON PATREON Join the Casting Confidential community on Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and live Q&As designed specifically for actors navigating the industry.JOIN PATREON HEREFor more episodes and resources, visit castingconfidential.com.CREDITS:Host, Creator & ProducerRose Rosen, CSA@roserosencastingGUESTS:Sheldon EppsRobin CarusEditorMZ Studios:https://mzstudiosdallas.comOriginal MusicOrville Wright@ohyeahbeats:https://instagram.com/ohyeahbeatsArtworkAce Anderson@aceshotthat:https://instagram.com/aceshotthatFOLLOW THE SHOW AND JOIN OUR COMMUNITY ON SOCIALS: @castingconfidentialJoin Our Community on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cw/castingconfidential**Opinions expressed in Casting Confidential podcast are the opinions of each individual and do not represent the opinions of any other group or entity. Nothing in this show should be interpreted as an offer of employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →