Playing Yourself: Fame, Film, and Finding Authenticity with Michelle Lang

In this episode of How to Be Famous, I’m joined by Coach Dar — mindset coach to professional athletes, celebrities, and high performers. We talk about what it really takes not just to achieve success, but to stay there. From handling pressure in the spotlight to recovering from failure, Dar shares the mindset tools she teaches elite performers around the world. We dive into faith, resilience, authenticity, and why your “why power” matters more than willpower when building a platform and sustaining success. If you’ve ever felt called to something bigger but struggled with the pressure or responsibility that comes with visibility, this conversation is for you. In this episode we cover: The mindset behind long-term success How celebrities and elite performers handle pressure What to do when you fail publicly The difference between willpower and why power Why forgiveness and authenticity matter for growth How to stay grounded while building a big platform Instagram: @thecoachdarWebsite: coachdar.com 📲 Find me on Instagram: @whitneyuland 🎤 TikTok: @whitneyuland ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a fellow future celeb! Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. For ad inquiries please email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on How to Be Famous, I’m joined by manifestation coach and transformational guide Margot Miller, and this conversation went to places I didn’t expect in the best way. Margot’s story is wild — she spent 10 years bedridden with a neurological illness, was told by doctors she might die, and eventually rebuilt her life from the ground up. What happened next? She followed a pull toward purpose, started sharing online, and in less than two years built a brand reaching hundreds of thousands of people. We talk about the reality behind “quantum leaps,” the hidden resistance that shows up when you’re called to something big, and why sometimes the scariest thing isn’t failure… it’s actually stepping into the life you want. We also get into manifestation, subconscious reprogramming, ancestral patterns, and the relationship between visibility, purpose, and identity. And yes… at one point Margot literally coaches me through my own dream of winning an Oscar on the podcast. If you’ve ever felt like you know you’re meant for something bigger but can’t quite close the gap between where you are and where you want to be, this episode is for you. • Margot’s “corpse to CEO” story and how illness changed her life path • Why many people find their purpose at rock bottom • The resistance that shows up when you’re meant for something bigger • How subconscious programming affects manifestation and visibility • The surprising relationship between spirituality and money • Ancestral patterns and how they influence success and ambition • Why visibility wounds often show up as insecurity about looks • The mindset shifts required to create “quantum leap” moments • Why purpose often lives in the thing that scares you the most TikTok & Instagram: @margotelisemiller TikTok & Instagram: @whitneyuland WhitneyUland.com ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a fellow future celeb! Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. For ad inquiries please email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode feels like a goodbye and a rebirth all at once. I’m sharing what it looks like to say farewell to an old identity — the version of me that got me here — and step into the next era of my life, my art, and my business. It’s my birthday week (Pisces queen energy ✨), and I’ve been reflecting on what it really means to grow, evolve, and let go… especially when life is good. When you’ve built something you love. When you finally feel safe — and you’re still being called to burn the ships and trust what’s next. In this episode, I talk about: 🔥 The process of releasing old versions of myself (without burning my whole life down) 💫 How I’m learning to tell the difference between intuition, fear, and frustration 🧠 Why resistance is actually proof that you’re expanding 🎬 Why I decided to pause my YouTube show — and the new creative project that downloaded the moment I did 💖 How to stop waiting for someone else to “pick” you and start becoming your own big break This conversation is for anyone who’s felt the pull to evolve — to take up more space, to be seen in new ways, to start again without starting over. Because the truth is, every time I’ve surrendered an old identity, something even more aligned has rushed in to take its place. So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to trust your next leap — this is it. 🎧 Listen when you’re ready to remember: you were right about yourself all along. 📲 Connect with me: Instagram: @whitneyuland TikTok: @whitneyuland Work with me: howtobefamous.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I sat down with one of my favorite humans and one of the smartest creators on the internet — my friend Cat Goetze (@askcatgpt). We talked about what it really takes to turn creativity into a scalable business, how to stop waiting for permission, and why “climbing Cringe Mountain” might just be your next rite of passage as a creator. Cat shared her journey from Stanford to Silicon Valley to full-time creator and founder — and the wild story behind launching Physical Phones, her viral hardware startup turned creator-powered case study. She opened up about the tension between being “the talent” and “the boss,” the masculine/feminine energy dance of running a company while staying in flow, and how she’s redefining entrepreneurship through CAT Labs, her newest venture building products and creative experiments at the intersection of art and tech. We also got real about leadership, letting go of control, and how good-hearted people claiming the resource of fame is one of the most radical things we can do right now. This one’s equal parts business masterclass, creator therapy session, and cosmic pep talk for anyone who’s ready to create their own lane instead of waiting to be picked. Connect with us! Host: Whitney Uland → @whitneyuland Guest: Cat Goetze → @askcatgpt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I got to sit down with my dear friend, author, artist, and coach Toranj Kayvon — and as usual, our conversation went deep. We talked about what it really means to become self-led instead of survival-led — and how so many of us chase “legitimacy” through external achievements instead of embodying the truth that we already are worthy. Toranj shares the story of how her U.S. visa denial became the divine detour that led her to create her most powerful work yet — Radiate, a program designed to help creatives regulate their nervous systems, reconnect to their power, and express legitimacy from within instead of trying to prove it. We also explore: The difference between inadequacy and illegitimacy — and how collapsing the two keeps artists stuck How to navigate rejection as divine protection (and why it’s proof you’re being redirected toward your purpose) The spiritual and scientific roots of authorship, expansion, and worthiness And the skill of holding both disappointment and faith when your dream doesn’t unfold the way you expected This one’s for anyone who’s ever thought, “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” Spoiler: you are. And as Toranj reminds us — your desire itself is evidence that the reality already exists. ✨ If you loved this episode, make sure to tag us and let us know your takeaways:@whitneyuland and @toranjkayvon on Instagram. You can learn more about Toranj’s work or reach out to join her upcoming intensive at thetoranshow.com or email [email protected]. And as always — if you’re ready to activate your own Celebrity Energy and become a Self-Made Celebrity, you can apply to work with me directly at howtobefamous.org. Until next time, xx Whitney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey future celeb — it’s Whitney! In this episode, I’m joined by my dear friend and creative powerhouse, Sebastian Cail — a singer, songwriter, and filmmaker fresh off of our Sundance run. We sat down to unpack all things art, evolution, and what it really means to stay grounded when you’re living a thousand lifetimes in Los Angeles. We talk about: ✨ Why the creative timeline feels like “LA years” (aka living ten lives in one) ✨ How Sundance cracked open new layers of identity and artistic purpose ✨ The spiritual weirdness of success — and learning to celebrate your own expansion ✨ Utah food hot takes (yes, we get into Swig, Café Rio, and sugar cookies) ✨ What it means to build a career that’s both sacred and self-directed This conversation is raw, real, and so full of creative wisdom. Whether you’re an artist navigating your next chapter or just craving permission to evolve, this one’s for you. 🎧 Tune in, tag us, and tell us your favorite takeaway — we love hearing from you! Follow us on Instagram + TikTok:@whitneyuland | @sebastiancail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I’m joined by our HTBF team favorite and returning guest Alex Stewart (@mmentality_) for a conversation that was supposed to be a Grammys recap... and kind of turned into a full behind-the-scenes of what it really means to be seen. The episode is equal parts chaotic and honest — my power went out, we ended up recording at the gym, and it somehow became the perfect metaphor for showbiz. Alex and I talk about: ✨ The real reason people struggle with visibility ✨ Why perfectionism blocks your natural magnetism ✨ How to hold your energy when things don’t go as planned ✨ And why sometimes the most “unpolished” moments end up being the most powerful It’s a fun, messy, and really human conversation about showing up anyway — even when the lights go out (literally). Follow along: 📸 @whitneyuland 📸 @mmentality_ Special thanks to Glamsquad (+ a link to their home page) for the hair and makeup for the Grammy’s.Use code WHITNEY for $25 off your first Glamsquad booking or WHITNEY15 for $15 off your next one https://glamsquad.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo8D4PwWciOwkdUYE1cJpG7HuClWgYM8RQpQ5-6hEF303lErD4W ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a fellow future celeb! Please note this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode. For ad inquiries please email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I sat down with the incredible Michelle Lang—a powerhouse producer, actor, and creator whose work has featured stars like Orlando Bloom and Octavia Spencer—to talk about what it really means to be seen in Hollywood and online. We dove deep into one of my favorite topics: identity as performance. Are we ever not playing a character? And how do we show up authentically while also being intentional about the story we’re telling through our art, content, and careers? Michelle and I geeked out on the intersection of film and content creation, how the industry is shifting faster than ever, and what it looks like to reclaim our worth as artists without waiting for permission. We also got raw about the fears that come up when you start to expand—the self-sabotage, the “who am I to do this?” moments, and how to navigate the tension between vulnerability and authority as your visibility grows. If you’ve ever wondered how to merge your artistry, your business, and your personal evolution into one magnetic, aligned identity—this episode will absolutely light you up. 💫 We talk about: Why authenticity is a strategy, not a liability How to build creative freedom outside of Hollywood’s rules Playing “characters” that are actually higher versions of yourself The mindset shifts that turn artists into self-made celebrities Connect with us: ✨ Whitney Uland – @whitneyuland 🎥 Michelle Lang – @themichellelang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on How to Be Famous, I’m getting real about one of the biggest misconceptions in the creator world — that fame, success, or “making it” will finally make you happy. Spoiler alert: it won’t. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned (the hard way) about redefining why we chase visibility in the first place — and how to rewire your nervous system to feel safe being seen. We talk about: The Double Slit Experiment and how it mirrors the way creators collapse their own potential when they feel watched. The “fight, flight, freeze, or fawn” responses that show up when you’re stepping into new levels of visibility. How to stay in your creative flow when your brain wants to shut down. Why your home, your art, and your identity are all reflections of one another. The truth about why happiness can’t be your goal — and what to focus on instead. This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever thought: “What if I’m not special?” or “What if I never make it?” I’ll help you reconnect to the part of you that’s already a creator — the version that makes art even when no one’s watching. Because fame isn’t the reward… becoming who you’re meant to be is. 💫 Takeaways: You don’t need external validation to legitimize your art. Visibility is just an invitation to regulate your nervous system at the next level. The real “celebrity energy” is creating because you love it — not because it’ll finally make you feel enough. 🩵 Connect with Me: Instagram: @whitneyuland TikTok: @whitneyuland Work with me: howtobefamous.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on How to Be Famous, I’m joined by my friend and classmate, Jacqui Grilli, for a raw, hilarious, and healing conversation about what it really means to feel safe being seen. Jacqui shares her “villain origin story” — from being the girl who sings to losing her literal and metaphorical voice — and how she’s learning to reclaim it through self-compassion, nervous system work, and Celebrity Energy. Together, we explore: ✨ What happens when your body “keeps score” of creative rejection ✨ How to reframe being too much as your magnetic advantage ✨ The difference between confidence and safety (and why one can’t exist without the other) ✨ How to turn on your Celebrity Energy intentionally — even when imposter syndrome hits hard If you’ve ever felt like you had to dim your light to be accepted, this episode will help you remember: your too-muchness is your superpower. Because when you feel safe in your own spotlight, that’s when everything starts to align. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts. 💙 Connect with me on Instagram @whitneyuland and TikTok @whitneyuland. ✨ Follow our guest Jacqui Grilli on Instagram @jgrillz. 💫 Ready to activate your own Celebrity Energy? Join The Self-Made Celebrity here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices