We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dana Lyn Baron. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Dana Lyn, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I’d say I’m doing a mix of both. I try to listen to my gut—my inner voice, my instinct. When I’m quiet and grounded, feet planted firmly on the earth, I get the clarity I need to continue on my path. But the path isn’t straight; it curves, dips, and loops. In that sense, I’m a wanderer too.
For me, it’s that joyful space between deliberate creation—knowing what I want and moving toward it—and surrendering to the unknown. I love the surprises, the unexpected turns. So yes, I wander. But my inner being knows I’m exactly where I need to be, fulfilling all that I’m meant to in this life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dana Lyn Baron — an actor, writer, and producer who’s always been fascinated by the space between comedy and tragedy, the absurd and the deeply human. My work often lives in that in-between place, asking audiences to laugh until they cry, or cry until they laugh.
Through my company, A Long Story Short Productions, I’m creating a short film trilogy called Betty & Mary. Each film is a parallel-universe story about two fierce, flawed women confronting shifting systems of power. The first film, Betty & Mary: The Actors Prepare, just premiered at LA Shorts, and the second, Betty & Mary: Neighbors, is currently in development.
What makes this work special to me is that it’s not just storytelling for entertainment’s sake — it’s a way of claiming space for women’s voices, especially those often dismissed or sidelined. My goal is to create work that resonates emotionally, sparks conversation, and, hopefully, lingers long after the credits roll.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
In my creative life, it’s often been teachers and mentors who’ve seen me before I fully saw myself — the ones who not only recognized talent, but also reflected back the kind of stories I might be able to tell, the depth I could bring, and the risks I was capable of taking. Their vision gave me the courage to step into roles and opportunities I might have second-guessed without their belief.
As but one example, my first significant acting teacher was Paul E. Richards — one of the most brilliant actors I’ve ever known, and a founding member of the famed Actors Studio. He saw in me something I wasn’t in a position to see yet. He recognized my raw talent, and he taught me with patience, gentleness, and yes, a bit of tough love. He believed in me before I knew how to believe in myself.
On the writing side, it has been my mentor Joe Bratcher. I met him in 2017 through my husband’s former literary client, who recommended me. When Joe invited me to lunch, I thought, “There’s no way. I haven’t done anything. Why would he want me in his esteemed workshop?” When he asked if I’d like to join, I remember saying, “But I don’t know what I’m doing.” Without missing a beat, he replied, “Yeah, you do. And I’m going to teach you more. I’m going to show you that you’re a writer.” It was a wild moment, but it changed everything. To be able to say today that I trust my voice as a writer is huge, and I’m profoundly grateful to him for that.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that held me back the most was the fear of not being enough — not talented enough, not ready enough, not deserving enough. It’s that inner voice that says, “Who do you think you are?” I think so many of us have wrestled with it, especially as artists.
For years, that fear would make me hesitate or second-guess myself, even when opportunities were right in front of me. What’s changed is learning to move forward with the fear, instead of waiting for it to disappear. These days I say, “Hello” to it, and welcome it in. I don’t pretend it’s not there. I dance with it. And people who know me know I love to dance!
The truth is, fear rarely disappears — but it doesn’t have to run the show. When I am aligned with my Inner Being and listen to my inner voice, when I ground myself in the work and the Joy of creating, the fear quiets down. And I am secure in the knowing that I can trust myself.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people get it wrong when they think intellect alone is enough — that if they can analyze, strategize, and outthink a problem, that’s the whole picture. What’s often missing is heart, intuition, and the willingness to sit in ambiguity.
In my world as an creative artist, I’ve learned that some of the best choices come from instinct, from allowing space for the unknown. But our culture tends to glorify certainty, quick answers, and being “right.” To me, real wisdom comes from the blend of intellect and intuition — from being brave enough to admit you don’t know, to stay curious, and to listen deeply.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Worrying. Full stop. Life’s too short.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danalynbaron.com | www.bettyandmary.com
- Instagram: @danalynbaron | @bettyandmaryfilm
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danalynbaron
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DanaLynBaron | https://www.youtube.com/@BettyandMaryFilm
Image Credits
James DePietro
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