In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with Paul Hemstreet, an award-winning producer and multidisciplinary creative with over 25 years of experience shaping some of the most beloved franchises in entertainment. From his tenure at Warner Bros.—working on global hits like Harry Potter, The Matrix, The Hobbit, and the DC Universe—to his current role mentoring neurodivergent talent at Autism in Entertainment, Paul brings a rare blend of high-level industry insight and heartfelt advocacy.

Paul shares how producing live events and content across departments, continents, and technologies has shaped his approach to storytelling—and why creating space for voices on the Spectrum has become his most meaningful work yet. With deep reflections on parenting, career pivots, and creative leadership, Paul offers a candid look into what it truly takes to produce content that inspires hope, fosters inclusivity, and engages audiences around the world.

Join our conversation on social media:

facebook.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/yic_unity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18149713

Interested in being a guest speaker? blieberman@yicunity.org

What starts as childhood curiosity can grow into something truly impactful—and Alessandro Concas is living proof.

In this episode of Breaking the Biz, we sit down with teen author and entrepreneur Alessandro Concas, a student at Learning Post Academy in Valencia, California, who’s been building a creative empire since he was eight years old. It all began with a simple idea during a long summer break—The A to Zs of Fighting Boredom, his first published book. That spark ignited an early passion for writing, which evolved into his ongoing science fiction series, Life of the Time Cat.

But Alessandro’s vision doesn’t stop at storytelling. A skilled pianist, fluent language learner, and stock market enthusiast, he’s also designed a financial literacy program for kids and teens through his family’s education company. With ambitions to study at Harvard and one day meet his entrepreneurial role model, Elon Musk, Alessandro’s journey blends big-picture thinking with grounded action—and a strong sense of purpose.

His book sales help fund charitable causes, school initiatives, and his own college tuition. Through it all, Alessandro’s message is clear: kids can be creators, leaders, and changemakers—starting now.

Tune in for a fresh perspective on what it means to break into the business world when your age doesn’t define your ability to make an impact.

Join our conversation on social media:

facebook.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/yic_unity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18149713

Interested in being a guest speaker? blieberman@yicunity.org

Bret sits down with operations expert and Syzygy founder Tyler Burr to explore the critical—but often invisible—role of infrastructure in the creative industries. With a career spanning film and TV production, the arts, hospitality, and business operations, Tyler brings a systems-first mindset to every challenge she tackles.

As the founder of Syzygy, she leads a team dedicated to empowering creative entrepreneurs by transforming back-office functions—like accounting, HR, and operations—into strategic assets. Her approach helps small businesses grow with clarity, confidence, and control. Known for her pragmatic leadership and sharp operational instincts, Tyler is a firm believer that strong systems create space for bold ideas.

In this episode, she and Bret dive into what it takes to build sustainable businesses behind the scenes, why operations is often the secret to success, and how professionals with disabilities can lead and thrive in every part of the business world.

Join our conversation on social media:

facebook.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/breakingthebiz
instagram.com/yic_unity
https://www.linkedin.com/company/18149713

Interested in being a guest speaker? blieberman@yicunity.org