Lemonade Stand Stories: Creative Journeys of Top Makers

Creators thrive when they embrace risks and pursue their passions, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and connection.

### The Journey of Passion: From Traditional Paths to Creative Pursuits
* 🎬 "YouTube's gonna be the **next big thing**," someone advised, highlighting the importance of **taking risks early in one's career**.
* 🍋 The podcast, hosted by Jennifer Barker, shares inspiring lemonade stand stories from top creators, emphasizing that many **billion-dollar brands** stemmed from individuals **solving personal problems**.
* 💻 The conversation transitions to Yala, a task management software that helps **keep teams organized**, showcasing its significance in **planning the podcast**.
* 🌟 Guest Yasmine El Bustami reflects on her journey into acting, sharing how her upbringing in a traditional household focused on education initially **stifled her artistic aspirations**.
* 🎭 Despite her passion for performing arts, Yasmine pursued a degree in finance, only to realize her **true calling lay in acting** after participating in casting calls during college.
* 🌈 Both Yasmine and co-host Sharon discuss the importance of **following one's passion over societal expectations**, recounting pivotal moments that led them to **embrace their creative paths**.
* 🚗 Yasmine moved to LA with the guidance of her manager, underscoring that sometimes, "**there's never a perfect time**," and it’s essential to **take the leap when opportunities arise**.
* ✨ The conversation concludes with reflections on the **miraculous nature of their journeys**, reinforcing the idea that pursuing what brings **joy and fulfillment** is paramount in life.

### The Journey of Finding Joy and Acceptance in Creative Work
* 🎭 The speaker reflects on the **joy and aliveness** they felt while creating and producing their own projects with friends, contrasting it with their experiences working with a particular crew.
* 🌟 They express a desire to continue their representation in LA but prefer to **create their own content that fosters a more joyful and collaborative atmosphere**.
* 🎥 The speaker shares their experience of producing a feature film in Utah, highlighting the **fun and camaraderie** that made the project memorable.
* 🌍 They discuss their journey with "The Chosen," describing how they **landed the role of Rhema** after initially auditioning for a different part and the significance of filming in Texas **close to family**.
* 🙏 The speaker appreciates the supportive environment on set, where cast and crew **understand each other's struggles** and foster a sense of **camaraderie**, especially during **challenging times**.
* ✨ They recount the miraculous circumstances surrounding the production of "The Chosen," including the **challenges faced during the pandemic** and the **successful filming despite unpredictable weather conditions**.
* 💔 The speaker opens up about their personal struggles with family acceptance regarding their acting career, particularly with their father's **traditional views**, and how they navigate their relationships while pursuing their **passion**.
* 💬 They emphasize the importance of having a **support group to share their experiences with**, acknowledging the complexity of seeking **acceptance and understanding from loved ones**.

### Embracing Authenticity: The Journey to Finding Joy and Purpose
* 🌟 The speaker reflects on their struggle to balance pursuing a passion in acting with the pressure to secure a "**real job**," often feeling **financially strained** in Los Angeles.
* 💔 Despite understanding their father's perspective on success, the speaker emphasizes the importance of feeling alive and fulfilled in their pursuits, stating, "**why would you want to live life feeling not alive?**"
* 🎭 As the speaker gained recognition in their acting career, they noticed a shift in their father's perception, realizing he ultimately wanted them to be **happy and successful**.
* 🏞 After moving back to Utah and experiencing a busy acting scene, the speaker found joy in **quiet, empty spaces**, highlighting the **importance of stillness for mental well-being**.
* 💬 They discuss how their upbringing shaped their worldview, acknowledging the influence of their **diverse family background** and the values instilled by their **parents**.
* 🤝 The conversation turns to the necessity of **personal growth** and the challenges of seeking **parental approval**, particularly for those pursuing **non-traditional paths**.
* 💡 "The greatest service you can do for humanity is to **come alive yourself**," serves as a reminder of the importance of **authenticity and joy in life**.
* 🍋 The speaker concludes by encouraging listeners to create their own "**lemonade**," emphasizing that everyone has the power to **shape their experiences in unique ways**.

Yasmine Al-Bustami | Ramah from "The Chosen"

Lemonade Stand Stories Podcast

The podcast features stories from top creators and makers, discussing their journeys and the challenges they faced.

It emphasizes the importance of taking risks and solving problems as a path to success.

The episode also includes a conversation with actress Yasmine El Bustami, who shares her journey into acting and the influence of her traditional upbringing.

The speaker grew up in Texas and pursued a degree in finance, but felt unfulfilled by the traditional path.

They were drawn to casting calls and acting auditions but struggled to find time due to their studies and job.

After graduating and disliking their degree, they explored band management and internships in Austin, eventually discovering their passion for acting through student films and casting calls.

Feeling exhausted and depressed after starting college, Sharon realized that business was not her true path.

A mentor's advice to explore other options lifted a weight off her shoulders, leading her to make business a minor and pursue acting for fun.

Sharon's passion for acting grew through high school plays and homemade movies, ultimately inspiring her to leave school early and follow her dreams.

The speaker's move to LA was influenced by a series of meaningful life events and signs, with their manager playing a significant role in the decision.

They believe in taking risks and not waiting for the perfect moment, which has guided their life choices.

The speaker's journey began in Utah, with a miraculous visa approval and a string of fortunate events leading to their acting career.

The speaker, initially based in Utah, received encouragement from LA-based friends, including Alexa Vega and Ben Stiller, to move to Los Angeles for acting opportunities.

They emphasized the importance of directing one's energy towards goals and taking initiative, even when faced with uncertainty.

The speaker's success in LA came from a combination of auditions, self-submissions, and building connections, while prioritizing the joy of working with creative and fun people.

The Journey to Creating Joyful Experiences

The speaker felt a lack of passion and aliveness with their current crew, leading them to produce their own projects with friends.

This approach brought them joy and a sense of fulfillment, as they shared memorable experiences while shooting in Utah.

The opportunity to work on "The Chosen" in Texas, while staying with family, further deepened their connection to the project and the people involved, creating a supportive and understanding environment.

The show "The Chosen" had a low-budget start but gained unexpected popularity, leading to the filming of its first four episodes.

The speaker, who is a part owner of a company doing visual effects for the show, was personally approached by the creator, Dallas, for an audition.

The filming of season two during the pandemic presented numerous challenges, including weather issues and disruptions from nearby planes, but the cast and crew managed to pull it off.

The filming crew faced challenges with bad weather and mud, but managed to pull off a successful shoot with over a hundred people.

A one-shot take was executed just as the sun was setting, creating a sense of urgency.

The steadicam operator, Chad, played a crucial role and received support from the speaker in filling crew positions during the production's struggles.

The show's portrayal of Jesus has resonated with many, helping to restore faith and connect with viewers on a personal level.

The speaker and a group went to Dallas to help out, unexpectedly facing freezing temperatures.

They bought and distributed hand warmers to over 2,000 people, bringing joy and relief to those in need.

The speaker also shared their experience of being welcomed warmly by the cast and crew of "The Chosen," feeling a sense of belonging and connection to the production.

Navigating Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles

The speaker shares their ongoing struggle with gaining acceptance from their Middle Eastern parents for their acting career.

Despite their father's disapproval, the speaker maintains a relationship with their parents while choosing to share only certain aspects of their life.

They emphasize the importance of having a supportive group of people to turn to for different needs, as finding one person to confide in about everything can be challenging.

Struggles with Parental Approval in Pursuing Acting

The speaker shares their experience of struggling for parental acceptance as an actor, with their dad initially disapproving and wanting them to have a "real" job.

The father's perspective changed over time as he saw the speaker's success and happiness in acting.

The speaker reflects on the challenges of seeking parental approval, especially as a firstborn daughter raised in a traditional manner.

The Influence of Parents on Personal Development

Parents play a crucial role in shaping their children's values, morals, and worldview.

The speaker reflects on the diverse backgrounds of their parents and how that influenced their own perspective on life.

The dynamics between the speaker's father and brother, who had opposite life paths, ultimately led to personal growth and a changed perspective for both of them.

The Importance of Being Malleable and Finding Joy in Stillness

The speaker emphasizes the significance of personal choice and growth, highlighting that understanding and change often come from within.

They express a desire to maintain a learning mindset and be open to change, even in older age.

The greatest joy for the speaker comes from being in an empty, peaceful space, where they can feel the gentle breeze and experience stillness, which they believe is powerful and healing.

The speaker finds joy in taking breaks outdoors to recalibrate and refocus, especially in empty spaces like parks and parking lots.

They recommend a quiet spot in Burbank and a hidden trail off the 101 for a refreshing escape.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of doing things that make them feel alive and energized, reflecting on the impact of past conversations and experiences.

The Importance of Embracing Life's Uncertainties

The speaker reflects on the dead and sad eyes of people, contrasting them with the vibrant energy of kids.

They emphasize the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone and saying yes to unexpected opportunities.

The speaker believes that making mistakes and experiencing failures are crucial for developing instincts and honing life experiences.

Embracing Uncertainty and Creating Memories

The speaker reflects on their unexpected life path, expressing excitement about the uncertainty of the future.

They emphasize the importance of giving experiences as gifts and share plans for a trip with friends to create lasting memories.

The conversation highlights the significance of coming alive and allowing others to do the same, while also encouraging a personal approach to life, much like making one's own lemonade.