Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Frizzelle.
Isaiah, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was encouraged on numerous occasions by my friends and peers to start a podcast. “You give good advice”, “you’re an inspiration” was usually what I’d hear. My thought process was always “who’d listen to anything I’d have to say?” or “I don’t have much to talk about”. It’ll be two years soon since I’ve started this podcast, and my initial process and focus were just to talk about my experiences and do my best to connect with others in a positive, enlightening and constructive way.
I’m an Actor originally from New Jersey seeking more from life… and maybe sunlight. I received dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Communications with a concentration in filmmaking. My career choice in itself brought about a lot of challenges financially, mentally, and emotionally but so much introspection came with it. Time after time I was reminded of how important it was that my inner world be as functional and “clean” as possible so I can take on everything the external world had to dish out.
There were instances where I’d not hear back from certain auditions that I thought would change my life and it crushed me. Then there were times I’d see myself on television and just really be reminded I’m doing this because I’m supposed to and to enjoy the process. This industry is a bit of a pendulum and can heavily affect your sense of self due to things that may be out of your control completely.
As an actor or creative of any kind or just a human, mental health is paramount. When I set out on this podcast I constantly reminded myself, “be authentic” and be more eager to connect than seek praise or popularity… but most of all be consistent. My episodes focus on my experiences…
I’ll be attending a premiere screening in two weeks of a film I had a supporting role in last year called “Voodoo Macbeth”. I remember so much happening in my personal life during the filming of that project. I was celebrating a birthday on set, and at the same time just really trying to figure out life when the cameras called “cut”. Between 12 hour days on set, I still made a point to record my podcast episodes because I realized it wasn’t just about me anymore. Other people looked forward to what I’d be discussing because there was something that resonated.
Fast forward to now… The birdbrain Podcast represents for me an opportunity to provide a sort of Community service, but also build a community. Storytelling was one of the first methods of communication, and while society may not always encourage sharing your story, I realize now how important it is and how helpful it can be for someone else.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road has been so bumpy, HAHA! Looking back over the last couple of years alone, it’s been an arduous process but so rewarding. I’ve spent a lot of days and nights wondering if what I’m doing is what I’m supposed to be doing. This career can be thankless for a long time and a major component of it is rejection and you show up with nothing to show for in return. Your relationship with rejection has to be a committed one.
I made a point to pack up and move to LA to pursue my goals. I didn’t know anyone, but I told myself “ Things will work out, they always do”. It’s reckless for sure but having some faith goes a long way… But also being willing to work your butt off to achieve what you set out to do is paramount.
I will say a huge driving force for me has been my Mom… As a single parent, I’ve watched her sacrifice so much for my siblings and I, and with a career in a male-dominated field like law enforcement, she represented for me the importance of not giving up and pushing forward like your life depends on it. She’s a tough cookie and I’ve watched and experienced some tough moments with her. Her fight is unreal and sometimes I’m not sure how she’s done it all this time.
What I think of myself is my biggest competition. Literally how I view and feel about myself on a day to day basis sets the precedence for how life plays out for me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
The Bird Brain Podcast is a hybrid, the way someone described it was; health & horror. Two of my favorite things are personal development and horror movies… so why not create a space for both. Monday episodes focus on life experiences and making it a point to be real, but also see things from a healthier perspective, “Staying elevated”.
Fridays are an opportunity for me to be creative and have some fun. The stories I write can literally be from a sound I heard or a mini interaction and I create from there. Both components encourage me to be confident in myself and think beyond the current situation I may be in. You can listen on some of the largest media platforms, iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube to list a few.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I believe true success is how you view yourself in your toughest moments. When it feels like the wind was taken out of your sails instead of being beneath your wings or when it feels like there’s no real light for you to look to… How you do in those moments. How you treat yourself and others in those moments to me defines success. I count my blessings in the relationships I’ve cultivated and sustained. I have some amazing people in my life.
My mom and sister are two of my biggest champions, my friends remind me of the person I am because our relationship mirrors the effort. My relationship with myself now in comparison to what it was prior is an indication of success. I feel like it’s measured in growth of the things beyond materialistic gain. While success is ascension I feel like the journey itself is far from linear and recognizing “success” as it comes your way is vital. Sometimes our expectation of what success should look like can distort our view of a situation or person that may actually be an indication that we are in fact growing successfully.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @thebirdbrainpodcast
- Twitter: @thebirdbrainpo1
- Other: @isaiahfrizzelle
Image Credit:
Black T shirt photo credit: Ariel Mancanares
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