What if the most important tools for a creative career weren’t luck or followers, but systems that anyone can learn? We sit down with television producer-director-writer Jeannie O’Neill to explore how she turned hustle, relationships, and smart money habits into a sustainable, joyful life in and beyond Hollywood. From early days on Unsolved Mysteries to helming multi-camera shows and ultimately writing Produce Your Life, Jeannie shares candid stories that make the path feel clear, doable, and exciting.
We dive into the myths that stall creative people—like needing a perfect plan at 22 or choosing between art and income—and replace them with practical moves. Jeannie breaks down her “Big Board,” a visual tool adapted from production offices that turns big dreams into daily actions you can actually ship. We talk about treating off-days like workdays, building momentum with micro-wins, and keeping your energy high so you naturally attract the right people and projects. The networking advice is refreshingly human: talk to people without agenda, stay curious, and nurture relationships long before you need a favor. That’s how the best jobs show up.
Money matters too, and Jeannie doesn’t dodge it. She explains the financial systems that flatten the freelance rollercoaster: automate savings, avoid lifestyle creep, and buy freedom with buffers so you can say no to toxic gigs and yes to life experiences, from a month in Africa to taking the time to write a book. Along the way we cover mindset, serendipity, finding your tribe, and the quality-of-life choices that make a creative path sustainable. If you’re pivoting, starting out, or restarting after a pause, this conversation offers a playbook you can use today.
If the episode resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a push, and leave a quick review—it helps more creatives find the tools to build a life they love.
https://jeannie-oneill.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Produce-Your-Life-Creative-Financial/dp/B0FYD2937V/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vsJad8lHkXCcOkPqMUIlCmEM_DxHE7Ei2DAxQwTU8QZrGgW-aZuP9advFxtAeB1Y3Wg7_j93JyrNNZYX3W0zeZ7_a3Fb5KNV4ZXC_nL6-3PYkc-0cmUDKnNFVZxLu-Jj-C0wXmRQTxV0jkgG_RtlXhcc_nKN-T0nLh62rUNUuyrD2ZjK0ZbvM3BsBFOcQYWrTU9rMFSPC9jL9FkWoeBwC8WkcS2UpL2Q6yR-6urhgoI.YcABt4W52xeUqyY6qWtLLIYifjlFR4Y8T8s6daq3Qjk&qid=1764880583&sr=8-1
If you want to be considered as a guest, please contact us: michael@silverheartproductions.com
www.silverheartproductions.com
If you want to be considered as a guest, please contact us: michael@silverheartproductions.com