EP 017: From Hollywood to Home: Building a Life That’s Real (Even When You're Terrified) with Sarah Carter
Sep 23, 2025
Video of the interview available below
This is essential listening for creative professionals and entrepreneurs who have found external success but are discovering that showing up authentically in their work feels more terrifying than any career risk they've ever taken.
What if your most successful career moves were actually the easy part, and showing up as your authentic self was the real challenge?
In this deeply vulnerable conversation, actress, producer, and director Sarah Carter reveals why launching her new website - simply being honest about who she is and what she does - has left her more terrified than any of her Hollywood pivots. Despite leaving university after booking her first six auditions, starring in hit series like "Falling Skies," and successfully transitioning from actor to award-winning filmmaker, Sarah describes experiencing a "vulnerability hangover" from finally showing up authentically.
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Covered In This Episode
- Why being your true self can feel scarier than any external career change
- How to navigate the tension between "feminine flow" and "boss mode" in business
- The difference between magical thinking and practical strategy (and why you need both)
- Reframing money as a tool for creative freedom rather than a source of anxiety
- What it means to "tap into the collective field" and why authentic connection is everything
- The cost of conformity versus the courage to sparkle
- How childhood friendships built on creativity can become your foundation for fearlessness
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to the Courageous Pivot Podcast
02:32 Sarah's Journey: From Winnipeg to Hollywood
07:01 Challenges and Triumphs: Sarah's Honest Reflections
09:42 The Power of Authentic Connections
27:54 Navigating Hollywood: Staying True to Oneself
34:59 Support Systems: The Role of Family and Friends
40:56 Facing Industry Challenges
47:34 Transition to Directing
55:48 Financial Wisdom and Personal Growth
01:06:56 The Courageous Pivot
01:15:57 Final Thoughts and Resources
Special Offers
Click here to get 30% off Money Mastery A wildly practical approach to financial literacy, empowered money mindset, and wealth building for a life of joy and freedom. (Click here if you reside in Canada).
Links + Resources
Sarah’s Platforms
Sarah’s Work
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In Her Name (Film) – Award-winning feature premiered at Tribeca, distributed by Tribeca Films
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Every Act is a Creative Act – Sarah’s creative mentorship and workshop series
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Falling Skies - TV Series
Other References
More About Sarah Carter
Sarah Carter is a multi-hyphenate artist, filmmaker, and creative leader whose career spans over two decades in front of and behind the camera. Best known for her acting work, Sarah made her directorial debut with the feature film In Her Name, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2022. She is the founder and CEO of Cheshire Moon Productions, a creative house dedicated to developing original stories for film and television.
Canadian-born, Sarah trained classically in theater, dance, and fine arts at Ryerson University in Toronto before arriving in Los Angeles, where her acting career quickly took off. Her breakout role as "Madeleine Poe" opposite James Woods in CBS' Shark, directed by Spike Lee, led to a steady rise, including lead roles in Rogue and fan-favorite appearances in Smallville, Dirty Sexy Money, Entourage, Hawaii Five-0, The Flash, and Law & Order SVU.
Sarah’s creative instincts have always extended beyond acting. After being invited into the writing room by Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen on Undeclared, she began developing her own voice as a storyteller. She continued to shadow directors during her five-year run on Steven Spielberg’s Falling Skies, eventually stepping into directing herself.
As an executive producer and mentor, Sarah supports independent filmmakers and emerging talent. She is executive producing Scene House, directed by Annabella Fazio and starring Brendan Quinn, Selena Jones, and Nell Teare. She also executive-produced and stars in A Pity, which completed a successful festival run and is currently seeking distribution. The film was co-directed by her Emmy Award-winning husband Kevin Barth and brother-in-law Alec Barth, and was shot by cinematographer Chayse Irvin. Building a filmmaking family has been one of Sarah’s most meaningful achievements — a spirit that extends into Petits Salons, an intimate film and music salon series she co-founded at Petit Ermitage Hotel, creating a space for artists to gather and showcase curated works in a supportive, creatively-charged environment.
With the birth of her daughter, Alice, Sarah completed her first original screenplay, Girl Who Needed A Ride, and now has several screenplays in development. Her work as a filmmaker blends bold storytelling with a deep understanding of character and archetype.
In addition to filmmaking, Sarah mentors artists and leads creative workshops. She has worked with incarcerated youth at Camp Kilpatrick, helping them tell their stories, and facilitates women’s circles focused on healing and creative expression. Through Cheshire Moon Productions and Petits Salons, Sarah continues to create platforms for artists to connect, collaborate, and amplify their voices. She is also proud to partner with EmpowerHer, supporting girls who have lost their mothers.
Sarah also has a background in Core Energetics and holds teaching status for her work with Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estéson story analysis and archetypes. A longtime advocate for health and environmental causes, Sarah served as a spokesperson for The Breast Cancer Fund, and was featured in Elle Magazine for climbing Mt. Shasta in honor of women impacted by cancer.
Alongside her work in film and television, Sarah is a singer-songwriter in her band SanguinDrake, and continues to explore new ways to merge creative expression with community building and mentorship.