Your career. Your identity. Your sense of direction.

And if you’re not careful, you’ll convince yourself that staying busy means you’re moving forward.

On Episode 12, we’re joined by Arron Muller, a NYC-based licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and co-founder of Life Matters Psychological Services. He’s currently pursuing doctoral studies focused on men’s mental health, specifically how identity, pressure, and unaddressed emotional challenges impact performance, relationships, and overall well-being.

Arron’s work spans private practice, community spaces, and education, and what stood out to us is how direct he is about something most men don’t say out loud: Sometimes we stay busy so we don’t have to feel.

This conversation isn’t about “fixing” anything. It’s about recognizing what’s actually happening underneath the surface.

We talk about:

The illusion of progress.

What it feels like when your identity starts to shift.

What uncertainty actually does to your mental state.

Not in theory. In real life.

For Black men and men of color, there’s an added layer. You’re taught to produce, provide, to push through no matter what, to hold it together, don’t cry or show weakness, causing so many men to suffer in silence, which can have deadly consequences if not addressed.

And when something shifts—when you lose your job, the ability to provide for yourself and your family, when the version of you that people recognized starts to fade, there isn’t always language for what comes next, so you keep moving.

Because stopping feels like falling behind.Because feeling feels like weakness. Because no one really taught you how to regulate your nervous system.

Arron breaks that down in a way that’s grounded and honest.

He discusses what happens when identity and performance intertwine. What it looks like when men don’t have space to express anything outside of anger. And how uncertainty can quietly put your body in a constant state of stress without you even realizing it.

Because this isn’t just emotional. It’s physical. It’s how you move. How you respond and how you see yourself.

And if you’re a woman listening to this, this isn’t separate from you.

There’s a version of this showing up in the men in your life:

-the silence

-the pressure

-the emotional shutdown

-the need to always “be good” even when they’re not

This episode isn’t about excusing that. It’s about understanding it.

We didn’t come into this conversation with answers. We came into it midway through our own life transitions.

Trying to figure out what it means to keep going when things don’t feel clear.

Trying to understand the difference between progress and avoidance.

Trying to sit with the reality that you can’t outwork what you won’t face.

With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, this conversation felt necessary.

Not as a statement. Not as a campaign.

But as a reminder: Mental health isn’t just about feeling good. It’s about learning how to deal with life on life’s terms—the good, the bad, the pain, and the uncertainty.

Learn more about Arron Muller: https://www.modifywellness.org

In the film Sinners, where Michael B. Jordan plays twin brothers Smoke and Stack, Percy served as Jordan’s body double, helping bring both characters to life on screen in ways audiences might not even realize while watching the film.

In a culture that often celebrates main character energy, this conversation explores the invisible labor that makes those moments possible, the preparation, precision, and teamwork required to make the illusion of filmmaking possible.

On this episode of Unscripted Untold, Evan Majors & Mike Sick sit down with Percy to talk about the craft behind those moments.

Percy shares what it takes to execute scenes with precision when one actor is playing multiple characters, the preparation required to match another actor’s physicality and movement, and why he compares the role to being the sixth man in basketball, essential to the team even when the spotlight isn’t on you.

After the Academy Awards and Sinners winning four Oscars, it felt like the perfect time to pull back the curtain on the craft behind the performance.

If you enjoyed this conversation, want to support what we’re building, join our community by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing with someone.

For nearly 100 years, the Academy Awards did not recognize casting with its own Oscar category.

Let that sit.

Nearly a century of honoring directors, actors, editors, cinematographers, and production designers, without formally acknowledging the people responsible for assembling the very faces, the chemistry, and the performances that define those films.

That changes at this year’s 98th Academy Awards with the introduction of Achievement in Casting.

Not just ceremonially. But culturally. Institutionally. Professionally.

This conversation unpacks:

* What had to shift inside the Academy.

* How has casting been perceived and misunderstood?

* Why has invisibility often been defined in the works of casting directors?

* What does being recognized mean, and what it doesn’t.

You don’t have to work in the entertainment industry to understand why this conversation matters.

Every great film or TV show begins with people, the actors who bring characters to life, and the chemistry that makes audiences believe in the story. Casting directors help shape those moments long before cameras roll.

This episode offers a rare look at that process and why this new recognition from the Academy represents a meaningful shift.

Casting isn’t an afterthought; it’s foundational.

If you enjoyed this conversation, want to support what we’re building, join our community by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing it with someone.

Not the curated version. Not the highlight reel. The real one.

When the wins go quiet. When the phone stops ringing.When you start questioning yourself.

This is a conversation about what happens when a challenging season forces you back to basics. About separating identity from industry. About refusing to perform strength when you’re actually being refined by the fight.

Evan speaks candidly about questioning whether he still has a career in casting during a slow season, and what it takes to rebuild belief without applause. Mike reflects on faith, reinvention, and why the fog is not a detour — it’s part of the journey.

Together, they unpack:

* Why is uncertainty part of the assignment

* How discipline creates stability when emotions fluctuate

* The danger of comparing your real life to someone else’s highlight reel

* Reinvention as a requirement for longevity

* Why action creates clarity, not the other way around

* And why waiting for perfect conditions is how you lose the fight

This episode is for anyone in a quiet season. Anyone who feels behind. Anyone rebuilding in real time.

The fog doesn’t mean you’re finished. It means your journey just got real.

🎧 Listen now

If this conversation resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating their own fog.

We unpack the differences between charisma and character, confidence and overcompensation, and being seen and being prepared. We talk about why casting is fundamentally about risk, not certainty, and why some people rise to the occasion while others fold, even when the talent is there.

This episode is about awareness, preparation, and the uncomfortable truth that visibility can be loud while readiness stays quiet. If you’ve ever wondered why some people keep getting opportunities, and others don’t, this conversation sits right in that tension.

What You’ll Take Away from This Episode:

* How the “It” factor gets recognized, not defined. It’s intangible. You recognize it instantly. You can’t fake it.

* Why visibility is not the same as being ready. How followers, buzz, and attention can mask a lack of preparation and experience.

* What casting is actually assessing in real time: Awareness, professionalism, adaptability, and whether someone is a risk worth standing behind.

* Why being ready determines longevity. How growth, humility, and the ability to take feedback matter more than polish or hype.

We’ve made this episode free for everyone, but if this resonated, subscribing unlocks the deeper layer: full access to our behind-the-scenes episodes, our private backstage member chat, and exclusive content where we go even further off-mic.

Joined by casting director Rebecca Reczek, who led casting for the reboot, this conversation breaks down:

* Why visibility isn’t the same as readiness

* How casting instincts still matter in an algorithm-driven era

* What performers misunderstand about “betting on themselves”

* And why most talent wants opportunity, but isn’t prepared for the moment

This conversation is about being stage-ready when the lights turn on.A must-listen for artists, creatives, and anyone chasing their shot.

We've made this edition of Behind the Curtain free for everyone, but if this episode resonated, subscribing unlocks the deeper layer: full access to our behind-the-scenes episodes, our private backstage member chat, and exclusive content where we go even further off-mic.And this conversation doesn't stop here. Episode 8, "Do You Have the It Factor?", is a Substack-exclusive follow-up that takes this discussion even deeper, into instinct, presence, and the uncomfortable truths artists and talent rarely hear. Paid subscribers get first access.

MTV just shut down the last of its music channels globally. That’s not just the end of an era. It’s the end of a shared cultural moment.So we asked a bigger question: what did MTV actually leave behind?Episode 6 of Unscripted Untold goes deeper than nostalgia. This is a conversation about infrastructure, power, and how culture was once shaped with intention.We’re joined by Rahman Dukes, a media architect who spent nearly 20 years inside MTV’s ecosystem, including MTV.com and MTV News, helping define how hip-hop and culture were covered, contextualized, and amplified. His work helped shape artist narratives and career-defining moments that moved the culture in real time.In this episode, we break down:• How MTV turned music into culture, shaping taste, identity, and shared moments• How platforms like You Hear It First and Hottest MCs influenced careers and artists like Kanye West• What we lost when music stopped having a trusted center, and everything became clips, hot takes, and uninformed opinionsTap in to understand the infrastructure that shaped culture, and what happens when it disappears.Full conversation lives here on Substack.Subscribe and listen wherever you get podcasts.

For the full conversation, you can subscribe to Unscripted Untold on Substack and also join the chat. That’s where we’re building our community, connecting with each other, and keeping the conversation going with our guests and other musings.

You can also find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Come be our +1 and upgrade to a paid subscription to support our work on Substack.

Chapters

00:00 Betting on Yourself: Embracing Uncertainty

02:40 The Weight of Attachments: Letting Go

05:32 Self-Care vs. Others’ Expectations

08:15 Navigating One-Sided Relationships

11:05 The Importance of Communication

14:05 Building Relationships in the Industry

28:25 Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries

29:04 The Art of Professionalism

33:30 Understanding Authenticity in Casting

37:24 Reality vs. Performance in Unscripted TV

40:12 Bouncing Back from Disappointment

46:54 Betting on Yourself for Success

Takeaways

Betting on yourself is essential for personal growth.

Nothing truly belongs to us; we are here to experience life.

Self-care often meets resistance from others.

Friendships require a balance of give and take.

Professionalism seems to be declining in the industry.

Building relationships is crucial for success.

Authenticity is key in casting and performance.

Navigating personal and professional boundaries is important.

Resilience is necessary in the face of rejection.

Self-awareness helps in understanding one’s value.

self-care, authenticity, relationships, professionalism, mental health, entertainment industry, personal growth, community, resilience, self-awareness

Takeaways

Jazzy Collins is a trailblazer in casting and diversity.

Mental health check-ins are essential for personal well-being.

AI is changing the job interview landscape.

Feeling overwhelmed is common in career pursuits.

Self-care is crucial, especially during challenging times.

The importance of celebrating small victories in life.

Diversity in entertainment is a pressing issue.

Navigating grief can impact daily life.

Taking time for oneself can lead to better mental health.

The summer can feel fleeting, prompting a need for action.

Takeaways

The podcast aims to bring truth and transparency to the creative industry.

Hosts have extensive experience in television and music, offering valuable insights.

Conversations will be unscripted and real, reflecting genuine experiences.

Mental health discussions will be a key theme throughout the podcast.

The hosts are committed to giving back and educating others in the industry.

Listeners are encouraged to share their own stories and experiences.

The podcast serves as a platform for vulnerability and community support.

Expect a mix of interviews and thematic discussions in future episodes.

The hosts are navigating their own discomfort in starting this podcast.

The hustle in the creative industry is constantly evolving, and so must the artists.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Unscripted Untold

02:15 The Purpose Behind the Podcast

05:14 Expectations and Themes of the Show

08:09 Mental Health and Vulnerability

11:09 Giving Back and Sharing Knowledge

13:44 Engaging with the Audience

15:59 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes