This month on Overheard at Chica’s Café, we are delighted towelcome the insightful Albert Bramante, a seasoned talent agent, as well as the accomplished author of Rise Above the Script. In this engaging episode, we dive deep into the intricate world of the current entertainment industry. Albertshares his expert perspective on the evolving landscape, shedding light on the myriad challenges performers face today. We also explore the subtle ways in which artists often unwittingly undermine their own potential, unraveling thecomplex web of self-sabotage that can hinder their careers.

I assist performers, educators, and creators in unlockingtheir full potential by combining psychology, performance strategies, and AI to drive unstoppable progress. With over two decades of experience at the intersection of entertainment and education, I have coached actors to secure transformative roles, guided students to become top-tier professionals, and developed systems to help individuals overcome fear, imposter syndrome, and self-sabotage. As the CEO of Bramante Artists, I manage a diverse group oftalent in Broadway, film, television, commercials, and print. I focus on career development rather than simply booking roles, using psychological insights and industry strategies to foster long-term, purpose-driven success for talent. Inmy role as a college professor, I have taught psychology at Union County College and BMCC (CUNY), creating and delivering courses in Child Development, Personality, and Human Growth, with an emphasis on transformative learningexperiences rooted in practical application. As a practitioner of hypnosis and NLP, I provide powerful mental performance tools in my work, whether coaching actors, mentoring students, or speaking to creatives. My approach centers oneliminating internal barriers and enhancing clarity, confidence, and focus.

Rise Above the Script – Available on Amazon

I’m actively seeking partnerships in:

Acting schools—Courses on the business of acting &mindset (based on my book)

Colleges & universities—Guest lecturing, curriculumdevelopment, and student success initiatives

Performance & wellness programs – Hypnosis + NLPintegration for creative peak performance

AI in education & content—Training educators andcreators to work smarter with AI

AI & Entertainment: The Future of Creativity or the End of It?

In this episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café, Sonia delves into the growing influence of AI in the entertainment industry, including voice cloning, script writing, AI actors, and music creation. Is AI a tool that empowers artists, or is it taking their place? Engage in this intriguing discussion about the essence of creativity in an era where machines can replicate human imagination. Sonia shares her heartfelt, artistic insights as a voice actor and poet.

So what do we do now?

We listen

We create with awareness

We stay present

With our voices and our why

Because in the age of algorithms—

The human soul is still

The wildest art form

Welcome to another episode of Overheard at Chica’s Café. Itfeels like it’s been a lifetime, and to be completely honest, life has thrown quite a few curveballs my way lately. I know this is just a passing phase, but my aspirations of incorporating video into this season’s podcast? Well, they slipped through my fingers like grabbing for air. I’m healing from an injury,and my father’s health has taken a downturn, necessitating several trips to the bustling city of Chicago to be by his side. Although my heart was set on continuing the podcast, the clarity and drive to do so seemed to vanish like smoke in the wind.

On the audition front, there’s little to report. I've had ahandful of commercial auditions, including some for voiceover work. I had a funny audition – love those because I love comedy. However, the world of TV andfilm feels like a barren desert for me, with productions migrating from California in search of better incentives elsewhere.

In the legislative world, two bills have emerged inSacramento, known as AB 1138 and SB 630. According to the SAG-AFTRA website, this means the following:

What’s in the Bills?

These updates are designed to modernize California’s filmand TV tax incentive program and keep us competitive with other states and countries

Raises base credit allocations from 20-25% to 35-40%, with higher incentives for productions outside Los Angeles.

Expands eligibility to include more diverse genres and formats.

Doubles application windows and adds flexibility to better align funding with real-time demand.

Limits delays for recurring series to ensure timely production or funding reallocation.

Provides modest year-over-year increases to reflect rising production costs.

Increases the indie project cap and funding, supporting the vibrant, local storytelling that happens across the state.

I’ll keep you posted on if these bills pass as we reallyneed more productions in California.Also, please get your copy of my book Inspire Me: Awakening Dreams.