Summary In this conversation, Briana Packen shares her journey as a multi-hyphenate artist and the challenges she faced along the way. She talks about her experience of rejection from acting school and how it affected her. Briana also discusses her training at the Maggie Flanagan Studio and the Meisner technique, emphasizing the importance of living truthfully in the moment. She highlights the significance of letting go and releasing tension in order to connect with others and be present. Briana's story serves as a reminder that success and validation come from being true to oneself. Briana Packen discusses the importance of being present and authentic in order to establish truthful connections. She emphasizes the value of releasing control and being willing to be seen. Briana shares her journey of becoming a teacher at Maggie Flanagan Studio and her work with Julia Crockett. She also talks about her successful career as a voiceover actor and the importance of stillness in her work. Briana prioritizes her children while also pursuing her creative endeavors and facilitating workshops on presence and connection. Keywords multi-hyphenate artist, rejection, acting school, journey, training, Maggie Flanagan Studio, Meisner technique, living truthfully, letting go, presence, presence, connection, authenticity, releasing control, being seen, teaching, Maggie Flanagan Studio, Julia Crockett, voiceover actor, stillness, prioritizing children, creative endeavors, workshops Takeaways Rejection can be a powerful motivator and a catalyst for growth. The Meisner technique emphasizes living truthfully in the moment and being fully present. Letting go of tension and releasing control allows for genuine connection and authenticity. Success and validation come from being true to oneself and embracing all aspects of one's identity. Being present and authentic is essential for establishing truthful connections. Releasing control and being willing to be seen are important for personal growth and connection. Stillness is a movement technique that can enhance voiceover work. Prioritizing children doesn't mean sacrificing personal fulfillment and creative pursuits. Facilitating workshops on presence and connection can help others be more present and connected. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Brianna's Background 03:08 The Importance of Being Well-Rounded 06:00 Overcoming Rejection and Embracing Growth 11:03 Discovering a Passion for Acting 15:02 The Meisner Technique and the Body-Emotion Connection 19:35 Presence and Authentic Communication 28:18 The Power of Presence and Authenticity 36:01 Briana's Journey in the Voiceover Industry 41:28 Having a Point of View 46:05 Prioritizing Children and Pursuing Creative Endeavors 52:59 Inside the Actors Studio Questionnaire