In this episode of Access Denied, Jessica Ping and Alison Van Dam dive into Alison's journey through the acting and podcasting world, discussing the challenges of auditioning, the pressures of living in LA, and the importance of self-worth versus self-esteem. They explore Alison's decision to move back to Minnesota, reflecting on personal growth and the significance of mental health. The conversation is filled with insights on resilience, the creative industry, and the value of being true to ones Follow Alison! https://www.instagram.com/alison.vandam/ https://www.alison-vandam.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYp2pCTl_Mer6N_gfGfRqUycqdgUlvIUtrJk4qRxjNLBFcz0AYf4WsDbxk_aem_LxXUbZxSjskHM6pmQIFZtA Follow Access Denied on socials! Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/accessdeniedpod/⁠⁠⁠ TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@accessdeniedpod⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AccessDeniedPod Follow host Jessica Jordan on socials! Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://therollingexplorer.com/⁠⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therollingexplorer/⁠⁠⁠ TikTok - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@therollingexplorer⁠⁠⁠ YouTube - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@therollingexplorer Intro and Outro Music Production by JP Warner Sound: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jpwarnersound.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/jpwarnersound/ Takeaways: - Alison's journey in acting began at a young age, driven by her passion for performance. - The auditioning process is a significant part of an actor's career, often filled with rejection. - Building resilience is crucial in the acting industry, where rejection is common. - Moving to LA was a dream for Alison, but it came with unexpected challenges. - Self-worth and self-esteem are vital for personal growth and happiness. - Alison's decision to move back to Minnesota was a pivotal moment in her life. - It's important to prioritize mental health and emotional well-being. - Writing things down can help clarify thoughts and feelings during transitions. - Surrounding oneself with supportive family and friends is essential during tough times. - Embracing the day-to-day moments can lead to a more fulfilling life. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Swiftie Connection 05:43 - Navigating Life Changes and Career Decisions 11:46 - Building Resilience in Auditioning 17:49 - The Evolution of Podcasting and Social Media 32:45 - The Hustle Culture in Entertainment 39:11 - The Emotional Toll of Career Choices 45:51 - Self-Worth vs. Self-Esteem 51:49 - Finding Joy in Everyday Life