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PODCAST

Was It Chance?

Alan Seales, Heather Vickery & Broadway Podcast Network

People talk about manifestation as a thing that you can just think into existence. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. When it comes to making your creative dreams come true, what really matters is putting yourself in a position to thoughtfully and intelligently take advantage of the opportunities presented to you. And sometimes these opportunities show up in very unexpected ways. We’re Heather Vickery and Alan Seales, two perfect strangers who met by chance and embraced opportunity! Listen in as we

education self-improvement

All Episodes

66:03

#101 - Kara Cutruzzula: The Sliding Doors of Creativity

Was It Chance? ·

2025/11/18

Heather and Alan sit down with writer, lyricist, editor, and creative force Kara Cutruzzula—whose winding, multidimensional career is a masterclass in following curiosity, embracing uncertainty, and letting creative energy lead the way.Kara shares how a series of “sliding doors” moments shaped her path from journalism to essays, from writing short plays to crafting musicals, and how she learned to stop treating choices as “right or wrong” and instead as opportunities to experiment, evolve, and

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64:26

#100 - Bianca D’Alessio: Selling the Hamptons and...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/10/31

What a milestone! For our 100th episode, we’re joined by the powerhouse that is Bianca D’Alessio—real estate broker, reality TV star of Selling the Hamptons, and now author of Mastering Intentions: 10 Practices to Amplify Power and Lead with Lasting Impact. In this inspiring, high-energy conversation, Bianca opens up about her journey from earning just $11,000 her first year in real estate to managing billions in property sales. She shares how writing became her therapy, how travel shaped her

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79:32

#99 - David Armstrong: Broadway’s Untold Story- Who...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/10/14

We sit down with David Armstrong — lifelong theater-maker, educator, and author of Broadway Nation: How Immigrant, Jewish, Queer, and Black Artists Invented the Broadway Musical. David’s 40-year career as a director, producer, choreographer, and writer has been steeped in creative risk, from his 18 years leading Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre (where Hairspray began!) to hosting the Broadway Nation podcast and now teaching Broadway history at the University of Washington. His passion for illuminating

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67:28

#98 - Audrey Goldberg Ruoff: How Failure Fueled a...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/09/30

Audrey Goldberg Ruoff knows a thing or two about living a double life—in the best way possible. By day, she’s a middle school teacher, bringing “Ms. Frizzle-level” energy to the classroom. By night (and early mornings, and stolen weekends), she’s a novelist who just released her debut adult novel, Hopelessly Devoted. This cozy, witchy rom-com blends love, humor, ghosts, and tea in a way that feels perfect for fall—and forever.In this conversation, Audrey shares the winding journey that led her

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62:08

#97 - Megan Michelle: When the Universe Hands You a Saga

Was It Chance? ·

2025/09/16

Sometimes creativity shows up in the most unexpected places. For author Megan Michelle, it was during recovery from open heart surgery and battling severe light sensitivity that her debut novel Skylark came to life. What started as a vivid story playing in her mind became the foundation for The Seales Saga—a seven-book series blending military action, slow-burn romance, and fierce patriarchy-smashing energy.In this conversation, Megan opens up about the divine-download nature of her writing

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63:56

#96 - Evelyn Skye: The Write Amount of Delusion

Was It Chance? ·

2025/08/26

Bestselling author Evelyn Skye joined us for this episode, and wow—what a ride. Evelyn is the author of ten novels, including The Hundred Loves of Juliet and her brand-new release The Incredible Kindness of Paper. Her books have been published in 16 languages, and she’s written for Netflix and Disney, but what we loved most about this conversation is how open she was about the rejection, risk, and a healthy dose of “delusion” it took to get here. From her early manuscripts that never sold, to

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81:31

#95 - Tad Stoermer: The Founding Fathers Were Not...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/08/05

In this deeply compelling and eye-opening episode, we sat down with historian and viral TikTok creator Tad Stoermer, whose work dismantles the "Patriot Myth" and reimagines the American narrative. With a resume that includes Colonial Williamsburg, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, and a PhD in history, Tad is anything but your typical academic. We unpack how his journey from Capitol Hill to the classroom — and eventually to social media — led him to challenge everything he’d been taught about the founding of

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56:18

#94 - Victoria Christopher Murray: An Overnight...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/07/22

Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she was born to be a writer—she was literally introduced as one at the age of seven when her second-grade class performed her first play. That moment sparked a lifelong passion, even if it took decades to pursue professionally. Now a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 books under her belt, Victoria’s work blends powerful storytelling with faith, moral conflict, and deeply rooted historical truths. Her historical fiction—including the

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84:16

#93 - Laura Wood: Therapy, Romance, and Embracing the...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/07/08

This week’s guest is the brilliantly charming and very British Laura Wood — author of 17 (yes, seventeen!) books including her newest adult rom-com, Let’s Make a Scene. Laura is a screenwriter, novelist, unapologetic romantic, and former PhD student whose creative journey started as the ultimate procrastination project. In this episode, we dig into how a last-minute writing contest entry changed her entire life, the difference between writing for adults and young readers, and why procrastination

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68:14

#92 - Serena Burdick: When Your Grandmother’s Nude...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/06/17

USA Today bestselling author Serena Burdick is living proof that creative success doesn’t follow a straight line. In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Serena shares how her journey from aspiring actor to celebrated novelist came with plenty of unexpected twists—including returning to waiting tables in her 40s while raising kids and chasing her dream. With honesty and humor, she opens up about the realities of artistic life, the power of resilience, and the value of believing in your own

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60:06

#91 - Nick Rashad Burroughs: Living the Life You Were...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/06/10

This episode is a masterclass in following your gut, showing up fully, and creating your own path—even when it’s not the one you planned. Nick Rashad Burroughs joins us to share the wild and wonderful story of how a missed ride after school led to an accidental audition… and an entirely new life trajectory. From growing up in a deeply religious, sports-focused family in Alabama to starring on Broadway in Kinky Boots, Something Rotten, and Tina, Nick has lived a life powered by guts, grit, and

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79:56

#90 - Lena Hall: Finding Your True Voice by Saying...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/05/27

Tony Award-winning performer Lena Hall joins Heather and Alan for a wide-ranging and often hilarious conversation about discovering her true creative voice—literally and metaphorically. From her roots as a ballerina bred by artistic parents, to reinventing herself after vocal surgery, Lena shares how a mix of chance, grit, and gutsy choices helped her chart a bold path in musical theater, TV, and rock music. Whether she’s fronting a band, redefining her Broadway persona, or belting out Radiohead in

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72:17

#89 - Becky Mollenkamp: Redefining Success on Your...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/05/06

What does it mean to live gutsy? In this episode, we sit down with mindset coach Becky Mollenkamp, the powerhouse behind the Gutsy Boss brand. Becky’s journey from journalist to entrepreneur to feminist coach is full of brave pivots, hard-earned wisdom, and a whole lot of intentional unlearning. After the sudden loss of her brother, she started asking the big questions—and her life hasn’t been the same since.We talk about what it takes to break free from patriarchal conditioning, how

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56:04

#88 - Mei Lee: Blending Ancient Practice with Modern...

Was It Chance? ·

2025/04/22

What happens when you blend ancient wisdom with modern science? Meet Mei Lee, a powerhouse entrepreneur who retired from a 30-year career in finance to follow her passion for natural healing and skincare. Growing up in Hong Kong, Mei watched her father practice traditional Chinese medicine, instilling in her a deep respect for holistic wellness. After years as an avid tennis player, the sun took a toll on her skin, leading her back to her roots. She founded Ageless Zen, merging herbal healing with

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72:44

Ep87 - Don Mamone: Different Doesn't Mean Broken

Was It Chance? ·

2025/04/09

Ever feel like you’re living a life that doesn’t quite fit? Don Mammone knows that feeling all too well. After years of thriving in the hospitality industry, Don took a leap of faith, leaving behind the “shoulds” and societal expectations to pursue photography, coaching, and a life lived authentically. Heather and Alan go deep in this heart-felt conversation with Don about their journey of self-discovery, navigating identity, and challenging the binary mindset. As a proud non-binary advocate,

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95:58

#86 - Venessa Vida Kelley (from the vault)

Was It Chance? ·

2025/03/26

Originally aired Jan 30th, 2024, we are bringing this back because When the Tides Held the Moon is now available for (pre) order!Venessa Vida Kelley is a Washington, DC-based author, illustrator, and sequential artist. Her work focuses on magical realism, fantasy, and culturally diverse romance. Venessa has been featured alongside the works of such authors as Casey McQuiston, TJ Klune, Everina Maxwell, Sophie Gonzales, Becky Albertalli, Sarah Rees Brennan, Alexis Hall, Jennifer Weiner, and others,

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64:52

#85 - Jaclyn Goldis: The World Traveling Novelist

Was It Chance? ·

2025/03/05

Jaclyn Goldis is a former estate planning attorney turned author and adventurer. After seven years practicing law in Chicago, Jaclyn left her career to travel the world with just a backpack, eventually settling in Israel to write full-time. Her fourth novel, The Safari, will be released in May '25, and her story is one of bold risks, creativity, and chasing dreams.Jaclyn always knew writing was her true passion. She describes leaving her legal career as both brave and inevitable, freeing herself

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70:38

#84 - Jennifer Apple: There Is Enough Space To Go Around

Was It Chance? ·

2025/02/18

"There is enough space to go around - we can ALL show up and do the thing and be successful" - Jennifer Apple.Ever wonder what it's like to throw out the rulebook and chase your dreams full throttle? That's exactly what we're diving into on today's episode of Was It Chance with our amazing guest Jennifer Apple. From award-winning performances in "The Band's Visit" to launching the game-changing Empowered Artist Collective, Jennifer's all about keeping it real in the wild world of performing arts

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87:03

#83 - Jen Ponton & Deborah Unger: Maiden Mother Crone

Was It Chance? ·

2025/02/06

You’re in for a treat today as we chat with not one but two fantastic guests: Jen Ponton and Deborah Unger are incredibly talented performers who’ve built remarkable careers in theatre, film, and television. Their paths intertwined fifteen years ago during an old-school teleconference with a performance coach. The episode explores their individual journeys and the enduring power of their collaborative relationship. Their upcoming show Maiden Mother Crone features their two solo shows: Jen's

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68:34

#82 - Pepe Muñoz: It’s Not Talent, It’s Tylenol

Was It Chance? ·

2025/01/22

Meet Pepe Muñoz, the artist whose path from professional dancer to renowned fashion illustrator and now Broadway performer will leave you inspired. With a career marked by intuition and bold risks, Pepe has seamlessly merged his passions for movement and visual art. From collaborating with Céline Dion to gracing the stages of Paris Couture Fashion Week and Broadway's Moulin Rouge, Pepe's story is a testament to the power of embracing one's versatility and trusting the universe's plan.Connect with

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101 results

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