Ep #96: Bring the Avalanche: How to Turn Rejection Into Motivation — with Maurice Proffitt“Trust yourself. This world will try to tell you otherwise every single day.”- Maurice ProffittThis conversation was recorded live at Lumpen Radio on Saturday November 22, 2025Summary of the episodeIn this episode, we sit down with Chicago creative and producer Maurice Proffitt to talk about creative rejection, the fear of success, and what it really takes to build a career without waiting for permission. Maurice shares the moments that shaped him: the childhood spark that made him a storyteller, the brutal rejection that changed his entire trajectory, and how he learned to turn setbacks into motivation.If you’ve ever felt overlooked, underestimated, or right on the edge of something big—but scared to leap—this conversation will give you fuel.What we talk about<ul><li>A friendly deep-dive into what it really means to grow as an artist.</li><li>Turning rejection into motivation</li><li>Overcoming the fear of success and leveling up</li><li>Growing up Black in Schaumburg and finding your “B-side” identity</li><li>Why you should stop asking for permission and create anyway</li><li>Building B-Side Productions and Dreamscape</li><li>Friendship, community, and the people who hold you up</li><li>Maurices first web series “Broke AF,” filmmaking, and learning to edit</li><li>The moment he said: “Enough is enough — I’m building my own lane.”</li></ul> Things We Mentioned<a href="https://bookshop.org/a/102335/9780804141383" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rejection Proof: How I Beat Fear and Became Invincible Through 100 Days of Rejection by Jia Jiang </a>(affiliate link)<a href="https://youtu.be/6tdqhimMx_M?si=u7iC95BuxdEe6o6A" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Broke AF” web series</a> <a href="mailto:https://www.youtube.com/@bside.studios" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">B-Side Studios</a><a href="https://www.dreamscapetheatre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dreamscape Theatre</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP5TPbtbzRo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Batman Begins — “Why do we fall?</a>” referenceChapters:00:23 - Introduction to Self-Expression01:51 - The Fear of Success12:24 - Navigating the Creative Landscape19:33 - The Heartbreak of Rejection24:33 - The Concept of B-Side Productions31:51 - Identity and Growing Up in Schaumburg36:15 - The Journey of Friendship and Creativity44:11 - Transition to Filmmaking and Editing51:01 - Resilience in the Face of Adversity54:43 - The Journey of a Show: From Preparation to PerformanceAll about... Maurice ProffittYou're gonna love Maurice Proffitt—he’s a filmmaker, theatre producer, community-builder, and creative force whose work centers the stories and voices usually overlooked. From theater to film to building his own production companies, Maurice is all about creating space for the hidden gems, the B-sides, and the people who don’t fit the mold.Sponsor Shoutout 💖This episode is brought to you by Artist Admin Hour.Admin is the flex—and your practice deserves it. Join us Wednesdays, 7–9pm CT for structured co-working that helps you get things off your list and out of your head.Learn more: <a href="http://artistadminhour.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">artistadminhour.com</a>Connect with Maurice ProffitInstagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mrproffit/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@mrproffit</a>Website: <a href="https://www.dreamscapetheatre.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.dreamscapetheatre.com/</a>More ways to connect:Email: <a href="mailto:stephanie@missgraham.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stephanie@missgraham.com</a><a href="https://missgraham.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check out my work</a><a href="https://instagram.com/stephaniegraham" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Follow on Instagram</a> @stephaniegraham<a href="https://missgraham.com/podcast" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Listen to more episodes</a>Support & Feedback<a href="https://www.noseyaf.com/follow/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Share noseyAF with a friend</a><a href="https://www.noseyaf.com/rate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rate & Review on your podcast platform</a><a href="https://missgraham.com/shop" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Buy Pins & Prints | Shop Art</a>Episode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)Lyrics: Queen LexInstrumental: Freddie Bam FamArtist Admin Hour instrumental by Soundroll

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