Making Your Own Breaks: Ryan Powers on Carving a Career in Hollywood

Making Your Own Breaks: Ryan Powers on Carving a Career in Hollywood

Author: Dr. Bill Dorfman® May 20, 2025 Duration: 21:59
In this episode of the Meet the Mentor Series®, Dr. Bill Dorfman sits down with actor, writer, and producer Ryan Powers, whose journey from small-town Massachusetts to the film sets of Los Angeles is filled with grit, creativity, and resourcefulness. Ryan shares how a love for theater led him from the University of Miami to singing and dancing aboard cruise ships—and ultimately to the film industry. Along the way, he met his husband, Jason, and saved enough to take a chance on moving to LA. Ryan opens up about the challenges of breaking into Hollywood and why waiting for opportunities wasn't an option. Instead, he chose to create his own—writing and producing short films like Broken Heart, which gained traction at festivals. His work on titles like Sidney vs. Shawn and Disney’s She-Hulk reflect a career shaped by collaboration and self-driven momentum. He also shares a glimpse into his next project, a psychological horror film rooted in his hometown. Dr. Bill also gives an exciting update on the LEAP program at Pepperdine University in 2025 from July 13th to 19th. Ryan, a passionate mentor, talks about the importance of programs like LEAP and his continued involvement beyond the summer through their “Meet the Mentor” series. To learn more or get involved, visit leapfoundation.com, and follow Ryan at @ryanpowerz on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each week on the Dr. Bill Dorfman® Podcast presents Meet the Mentor® Series, you’ll find a conversation that feels more like a personal introduction than a formal interview. Hosted by Dr. Bill Dorfman himself-known widely as a celebrity dentist and New York Times best-selling author, but also as the founder of The LEAP Foundation-this podcast creates a space where accomplished mentors from diverse fields pull up a chair. They share not just their polished success stories, but the real, often messy, experiences that shaped their paths. The discussions naturally delve into the lessons learned through failure, the pivotal moments of guidance they received, and the practical wisdom they now pass on. While the podcast sits within the Education, Family, and Kids categories, its appeal is broad, offering insights valuable to anyone curious about personal growth and leadership. Listeners will hear genuine, unrehearsed dialogue that highlights how mentorship can transform a career and a life, all through Dr. Dorfman’s engaging and curious perspective. It’s a consistent weekly resource for those looking to learn from the best, in a format that emphasizes connection over lecture.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Dr. Bill Dorfman® Podcast presents Meet the Mentor® Series
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