How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood
Our podcast is pausing new episodes starting March, 2025, due to our new feature film in post-production: CourtshipFilm.com. Select archive episodes will still be available on your favorite platforms. Enjoy entertaining, enlightening and funny stories behind the scenes in the film, television and arts industries. Need a shot of schadenfreude or a little inspiration to embrace the blunders that are sure to happen in the creative process? Failure has a social stigma... but we look it dead in the eye and laugh. Minority voices encouraged.
Hosted by C.M. Conway, the female filmmaker of "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" now available on Prime Video and FunnyFailureFilm.com. The witty and poignant indie features friends, fantasies and fabulous fails. A grassroots film dedicated to bold artists and dreamers trying to make it against all odds. Our podcast became monthly after April, 2024; and our show's beginning and ending song "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is by David Mumford (Bandcamp.com). Join our fun community @ShowstoppersNow on Facebook.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 9 minutes
- Episodes
- 60
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Discovering a Phobia at the Worst Time
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story of discovering an unusual acting phobia... at a most inopportune time. Story music Oleksii Kaplunskyi.
This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in…
Illuminating Communication
Hear the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words, about the ups and downs of her journey to find a way to communicate. Including, an illumination that arrives in the form…
When a Pitch Meeting Goes Sideways
Hear host C.M. Conway share a tale of how an important pitch meeting at a successful production company, goes sideways. Story music by Donovan.
This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully F…
Meeting a Force of Nature
Hear the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words, of meeting a force of nature for the very first time, with unexpected surprises. Movies have been made about Helen Kelle…
Meeting a Big Wig at an Industry Conference
Listen to host C.M. Conway share a revelatory story about the unexpected events that occurred after meeting face to face with a top industry professional, at a popular conference for actors with thou…
What is Love?
Hear the story of author, activist and advocate Helen Keller in her own words, of fumbling to understand one of the most vital emotions that infuse both life and art. Several movies have been made a…
Acting Like an Idiot When Meeting a Celebrity
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story of unexpectedly meeting a celebrity... and acting like an idiot. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available on Prim…
Fails of a Famous Writer (Part 3)
Mark Twain's story from his autobiography of the ups and downs to get one of his books published; including being at odds with the publishers. Some of Twain's classics and debated novels were made i…
Fails of a Famous Writer (Part 2)
Listen to Mark Twain's own story of the publishing agent who made a big blunder. A number of Twain's classics and controversial novels were made into films. Story music by Nesrality.
This podcast …
Meeting with a Big Commercial Agent
Hear host C.M. Conway share a story of an odd (yet common) occurrence that happened during an important meeting with a big commercial agent. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail …
When an Agent Tells You You're Nothing
Listen to nonfiction narrative author Maria C. Palmer's stunning story about the experience of pitching a literary agent. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film …
An Unexpected Surprise During a Keynote
Author, consultant and presenter Julienne B. Ryan shares a lively tale about a memorable keynote presentation where an unexpected surprise and quick thinking take center stage. This podcast is inspir…
A Pitiful Play (Part 2)
The conclusion (part 2) of Stuart Brent's surprising story of how his life as a bookstore owner in Chicago suddenly changed when he was wrangled into performing in a play filled with mayhem. Perform…
A Pitiful Play (Part 1)
Listen to Stuart Brent's surprising story (part 1 of 2) of how his life as a bookstore owner in Chicago suddenly changed when he was wrangled into performing in a play filled with mayhem. Performed …
An Awful Audition
Listen to guest and actress Lizzie Peet share a remarkable story about a most unique audition for a manager. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now availabl…
When a Celebrity Crashes an Audition
Listen to host C.M. Conway share a story about what happens when a celebrity crashes a feature film audition. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now availabl…
Adventures in Public Speaking
Listen to the story of writer and journalist Ida Tarbell in her own words, and the bumpy beginnings of her career as a public speaker. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Ho…
Fails of a Famous Writer
A huge mishap or caught in the act? You decide when listening to Mark Twain's own story of an unbelievable mistake that occurred within the pages one of his books after it was published. Many of Twai…
The Hands of Fickle Fate
Listen to host C.M. Conway share a tale about the hands of fated failure in modeling. This podcast is inspired by the "How to Successfully Fail in Hollywood" film now available on Prime Video. The d…
Behind the Scenes of a Seamstress
Listen to a story of close-calls and mishaps from the 1868 memoir Behind the Scenes by Elizabeth Keckley, a remarkable seamstress of first lady, Mrs. Lincoln. Keckley was also depicted in Steven Sp…