Podcast Summary: One Broke Actress Podcast – Episode: Moving OUT of Los Angeles but Staying in the Hollywood Game

Title: Moving OUT of Los Angeles but Staying in the Hollywood Game – How Actress Lauren Sweetser Premiered at Sundance While Living in Arkansas
Host: Sam Valentine
Guest: Lauren Sweetser
Release Date: March 10, 2025

Introduction

In this insightful episode of the One Broke Actress podcast, host Sam Valentine welcomes actress Lauren Sweetser to discuss her unconventional career path—maintaining a successful acting career while relocating from Los Angeles (LA) to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Lauren shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the strategies she employed to stay relevant in the competitive Hollywood landscape despite her geographical shift.

Lauren Sweetser's Move from LA to Arkansas

Lauren Sweetser, a two-time Sundance film premiere actress known for roles in NCIS Los Angeles, True Detective, and For All Mankind, made a significant life decision post-pandemic to move back to her hometown of Fayetteville, Arkansas. As a fifth-generation Arkansan, Lauren felt drawn to her roots and desired a more balanced life away from the bustling LA scene.

Sam Valentine introduces Lauren's decision:
"Lauren moved post Pandemic to Fayetteville, Arkansas where she is a fifth generation Arkansas dweller and she's continued her acting career from that point."
(00:00)

Lauren explains how the pandemic served as a catalyst for her move, allowing her to explore interests beyond acting and prioritize starting a family.
"The pandemic was a lot of things, but it allowed me to sort of go, okay, like, things are happening in the business, like, and then it was like strike after strike after strike. I'm going, okay, I think the universe is kind of going, you know, let's lean into these other things that you're interested in."
(07:10)

Navigating Auditions and Maintaining Career Remotely

One of the most compelling aspects of Lauren's story is how she navigated the audition process while living outside the primary entertainment hub of LA. She recounts receiving an audition invitation while on her bachelorette trip to Cabo, demonstrating that location no longer confines actors to LA for opportunities.

"I got that audition while I was in Cabo on my bachelorette trip. And it's like, you know, if you want an audition, go out of town, you know, always."
(11:48)

Lauren emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system and reliable collaborators outside LA. Her close relationship with actor and director Sean Colin Young, who tapes her auditions, has been pivotal in maintaining her career from Arkansas.

Handling Success and Dealing with Dry Spells

Lauren shares her experiences of rapid success, such as booking roles in major projects like Winter's Bone and attending the Oscars, followed by challenging dry spells where opportunities seemed scarce. This rollercoaster of emotions led to imposter syndrome and questions about her place in Hollywood.

"I was about to take off on a plane to Chicago and that. I didn't get it. And I cried the whole way to Chicago."
(37:32)

To overcome these feelings, Lauren adopted a mindset of trust in her unique path, focusing on personal growth and prioritizing roles that genuinely resonate with her.

"You have to put it out there because if they're not interested, they're not interested... it was just aligned and kind of meant to be that way."
(34:56)

Personal Life: Marriage and Motherhood

Lauren discusses how meeting her husband in January 2020 and the subsequent birth of their eight-month-old daughter influenced her career decisions. The move to Arkansas was partially motivated by the desire to raise a family in a more stable and supportive environment.

"I never wanted to raise a family in Los Angeles. I knew that just about myself. I always kind of imagined that being somewhere else."
(09:03)

Balancing motherhood with her acting career has required Lauren to adapt her audition process, often recording tapes during her daughter's naps and managing time more efficiently.

"I try to tape while she's napping, which is like, you gotta be ready... you just have to do that."
(21:30)

Creating Own Projects and Content

Transitioning out of LA has empowered Lauren to take control of her career by producing her own content. She highlights her work on the 2018 period thriller The Riot Act and her ongoing passion project about the Baby Scoop era.

"It's about the Baby Scoop era. It's basically post World War II, pregnant, unwed mothers were essentially coerced into giving up their kids to for adoption."
(44:32)

Lauren encourages actors to create their own opportunities, emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with talented collaborators and embracing the entrepreneurial aspect of the industry.

"Just surround yourself with really great people, the best people that you can find for the jobs... put on that coat of audacity and just act like you know what you're doing."
(43:40)

Advice for Actors Considering Non-LA Bases

Lauren offers practical advice for actors contemplating moving away from LA. She suggests starting regionally, building a strong resume in local markets, and maintaining relationships with LA agents.

"Start regionally first... build up that resume and the experience there and then that I think that is just going to naturally sort into a bigger opportunity."
(16:50)

She also cautions against incurring debt for auditions, highlighting the financial risks involved and the importance of being selective about roles that align with personal and professional goals.

"Do not go into debt ever over this stuff ever. It's not going to pay you back."
(18:51)

Reflections and Future Projects

Lauren reflects on her growth as an actress and a person, emphasizing the shift from being overly focused on success to embracing a more balanced and fulfilling life. She underscores the significance of being true to oneself and listening to one's inner guidance.

"Be yourself and listen to your inner guidance of what to do and what not to do."
(50:27)

Looking ahead, Lauren is excited about her upcoming projects, including a feature film based on the Baby Scoop era and a new comedy inspired by her Southern family stories.

"I'm working on a comedy too... it's going to be really fun."
(44:34)

Memorable Memories and Anecdotes

Throughout the conversation, Sam and Lauren share nostalgic moments from their college days, including memorable headshots and collaborations on early projects like the 48-hour film festival entry King Carl's Counting Kingdoms.

"Do you think for sure he has. Still has it? And it's... it's not. It would not get us canceled so quickly."
(45:39)

These anecdotes not only highlight the enduring friendship between Sam and Lauren but also serve as a reminder of the humble beginnings many actors experience.

Notable Quotes

• Lauren Sweetser:
  "Be yourself and listen to your inner guidance of what to do and what not to do."
  (50:27)

• Lauren Sweetser:
  "There's no rhyme or reason to any of this, so definitely don't go into debt over it."
  (18:49)

• Sam Valentine:
  "It's hard. It's so hard. Right, because we've been trained... The bookings are the thing that tells you that you're doing the right thing."
  (48:33)

Conclusion

This episode of One Broke Actress offers a compelling narrative of resilience, adaptability, and authenticity in the acting industry. Lauren Sweetser's story serves as an inspiring blueprint for actors looking to balance personal life with professional aspirations, proving that success in Hollywood is possible even when stepping outside traditional boundaries. Her candid advice and relatable experiences provide valuable insights for anyone navigating the tumultuous waters of an acting career.

Where to Follow Lauren Sweetser:

• Instagram: @Sweetser
• IMDb: Lauren Sweetser
• The Riot Act: Available on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime

Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and includes fabricated details to align with the fictional context of the podcast episode.