Mick Unplugged: Salisha Thomas—Broadway's New Queen on Dreams, Determination, and Stage Success
Episode Title: Salisha Thomas: Broadway's New Queen on Dreams, Determination, and Stage Success
Release Date: March 31, 2025
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Salisha Thomas
Introduction: A Moment of Triumph
The episode begins with Salisha Thomas sharing a pivotal moment in her career. While performing as Diana Ross in the national tour of Trevor in Chicago, she receives life-changing news.
Salisha Thomas [00:00]: "But while I was playing Diana Ross in Trevor in Chicago, I get a text from my agent saying, the role that you did on tour has opened up on Broadway. Do you want it? I'm like, are you kidding me? I've been waiting for this moment my whole life."
Mick Hunt warmly welcomes listeners to another inspiring episode of "Mick Unplugged," setting the stage for an engaging conversation about Salisha's journey to Broadway.
From California Dreaming to New York Magic
Salisha recounts her bold decision to leave California under challenging circumstances. Facing reduced work hours at Disneyland and the end of a tumultuous relationship, she impulsively moves to New York City with only a month's visit in mind.
Salisha Thomas [02:37]: "I never wanted to think, what if. Like, what if I listened to my heart? What if I took the chance. I just. It's okay if you fail. Just try."
A serendipitous encounter with a homeless man in New York provides the catalyst for her transformative move. His seemingly prophetic advice urges her to seize the moment.
Salisha Thomas [02:22]: "But when I got here, Mick, I just fell in love. I fell in love with it."
Within two weeks, Salisha leaves California for good, embracing the unknown and landing the first national tour of the Beautiful—the Carole King musical.
Navigating the Broadway Landscape
Mick dives into the intricacies of Salisha's Broadway experience, contrasting the stability of long-running shows with the dynamic, high-stakes environment of touring productions.
Salisha Thomas [14:01]: "There are so many different ways to approach the Broadway world... Some of them are broke, but they've got credits and a reputation, and they're shooting for that Tony."
Salisha describes her initial Broadway debut with Beautiful as a dream realized, working alongside inspiring colleagues and adapting to larger, more complex productions.
Salisha Thomas [09:42]: "Audra McDonald... She's the queen. So, you know, again, all the humbleness in my good friend Salisha, you highlighted."
Embracing Failure and Personal Growth
A central theme of the conversation is the importance of embracing failure and personal flaws as stepping stones to success. Salisha emphasizes that resilience and authenticity are crucial in both personal and professional realms.
Salisha Thomas [27:38]: "... your why is about to be your child. Should be your why. But why? What's the because? And so if I said, Salisha, what's your because right now? Like, what's that thing that's like, this is my purpose."
Drawing from her upcoming book, "Why Be a 9 When You Can Be a 10," Salisha discusses embracing imperfections and showing up authentically.
Salisha Thomas [27:38]: "It's about embracing all of your flaws and showing up in this world exactly as you are."
Balancing Career and Personal Life
Salisha opens up about her personal life, including her marriage to Andrew and her pregnancy, highlighting the delicate balance between a demanding career and personal happiness.
Salisha Thomas [22:03]: "I'm currently singing backup for Hugh Jackman in his residency there. It's one weekend a month. It's like, ah, let's go. Such a great gig."
Mick offers heartfelt congratulations as Salisha navigates the challenges of impending motherhood alongside her Broadway commitments.
Mick Hunt [23:12]: "Congratulations."
Writing from the Heart: Salisha's Book
The conversation shifts to Salisha's book, delving into her motivations and the messages she aims to convey. Her book serves as a vessel for her experiences and lessons learned, encouraging readers to embrace their true selves.
Salisha Thomas [37:27]: "Why Be a 9 When You Can Be a 10? It just brought me a lot of joy. It actually kind of wrote itself."
She shares anecdotes that tie into her book's themes, such as running a marathon without training and overcoming personal setbacks.
The Power of Community and Vulnerability
Salisha addresses the importance of sharing personal struggles to foster a sense of community and support. She challenges societal norms that discourage openness about hardships.
Salisha Thomas [40:43]: "We are literally all in this together."
Her candid discussion about a miscarriage and the subsequent support she received underscores the healing power of vulnerability.
Salisha Thomas [41:07]: "We are literally all in this together."
Final Thoughts: Unleashing Your 'Because'
As the episode wraps up, Mick and Salisha reinforce the podcast's core message: discovering and leveraging one's 'Because'—the deeper motivation that drives action beyond mere 'Why.'
Mick Hunt [43:26]: "All the viewers and listeners, remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it. You the best."
Salisha provides her listeners with ways to stay connected, promoting her own platforms and encouraging ongoing engagement.
Salisha Thomas [42:17]: "They can follow me on the Salisha Show on Instagram... thesalishashow.com."
Key Takeaways
- Embrace Risk: Salisha's leap from California to New York exemplifies the power of taking bold steps towards one's dreams.
- Authenticity Over Perfection: Embracing flaws and being true to oneself fosters genuine connections and personal fulfillment.
- Resilience Through Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity is essential for growth and eventual success.
- Balancing Life and Career: Striking a balance between professional ambitions and personal life leads to a more holistic sense of well-being.
- Community and Support: Sharing personal struggles can build a supportive community and alleviate feelings of isolation.
Notable Quotes
- Salisha Thomas [02:37]: "I just fell in love with it. I'm like, this doesn't make sense. I can't just, like, upend my life."
- Salisha Thomas [27:38]: "It's about embracing all of your flaws and showing up in this world exactly as you are."
- Mick Hunt [43:26]: "Remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it."
Connect with Salisha Thomas
- Podcast: The Salisha Show
- Instagram: @thesalishashow
- YouTube: The Salisha Show
"Mick Unplugged" continues to inspire leaders, doers, and aspiring individuals to harness their inner motivations and create meaningful impact. Salisha Thomas's journey is a testament to the transformative power of dreams, determination, and embracing one's true self.