If you want to know how to build a sustainable and successful career, then look no further because this episode of Camera Ready & Abel delivers a masterclass from 2 titans of the unscripted television world, Roni Selig and Marcie Mulé.

Roni is a multi-Emmy-winning producer whose credits span from GMA to CNN most recently launched a new digital platform for The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and executive produced The Call to Unite, a 24-hour global livestream event, hosted by Tim Shriver in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Marcie is a two-time Emmy-winning producer for the Bravo series Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List and the former co-founder of Picture This Television, a full -service production company that created programming for Bravo, Lifetime, TLC, Food Network, MTV and PBS.

Now Roni and Marcie have joined forces to create RonMar Studios Inc, producing innovative unscripted content from long form documentaries and reality programs to digital fundraisers, live streams including and musical performances. These legends dive into the role their rugged, resourceful, and resilient work ethic played in growing and sustaining a successful career.

Learn more about RonMar Studios Inc. by visiting their website at www.ronmarstudios.com and check out their impressive body of work.

This is one of my favorite evergreen episodes.

Chris Witherspoon is an entertainment journalist, producer, entrepreneur and CEO of PopViewers who taught me how his career soared to the next level when he unlearned the importance of seeking approval. Instead of looking outward he focused inward on his approval matrix: Feeling happy, great in his own skin, confident and loving his work.

As a recovering people pleaser I know firsthand how much time and energy is wasted seeking approval.

Chris has overcome enormous challenges to create his life and career. Therapy, digging dip and doing the hard work helped Chris learn to let go of needing approval. So did listening to the sage advice of two very wise women:

Sister Harden (14:17) - one of the church muthas at his congregation growing up in Ohio - told Chris before he left for college, “If you don’t see the example, be the example."

Oprah has a soft spot for Chris as an interviewer and shared with him how, when the chips are down and you feel you're at rock bottom, go sit under a tree, get settled and at peace with the moment so you can receive the answers you seek (21:13) and how early in her career she sacrificed her authenticity and integrity in exchange for approval and never made that mistake again (25:54).

Bonus tip: Oprah always repeats your name when you interview her. So does Barack Obama.

More key takeaways:

Ask what makes you happy?

Ask what makes you feel alive?

Ask what makes you jump out of bed in the morning?

Ask for help - it's an act of bravery.

Chris is the founder and CEO of PopViewers, the platform that helps you find what to watch next, invites you to react to the TV and movies you’ve watched, and encourages you to share the experience with fellow content-lovers.

Follow Chris on instagram @witherspoonc and connect on LinkedIn.

My guest for this episode, Shannon O'Dowd, has one of the most unique perspectives of the camera-ready universe of anyone I've ever interviewed because her experience covers every aspect of the industry both in-front of and behind the camera. Shannon is an on-camera host, commercial spokesperson, actor, media trainer, certified life coach, author, CEO of Shannon O'Dowd Presents and agent with Taylor Talent Services.

When Shannon says determination is essential for success, she knows what she's talking about. She also revealed:

• Being a performing and earning a living at it is one of the most challenging things you can do
• If you wake up in the morning and there is anything else that you wanna do for a living, you should go do that
• Be coachable and open to feedback - it's as important as your determination
• Learn to adjust your vision and pivot with purpose (you'll reap the rewards)
• Ask yourself: Who do I need to know? and Who needs to know me?

Follow Shannon on Instagram @theshannonodowd.

Explore Shannon’s brand positioning course

Visit Taylor Talent Services

Listen to Shannon's partner, Blair Taylor discuss How To Create Opportunity and Make Money