We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Betsy Spina. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Betsy below.

Betsy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

From a young age, I knew that I loved the performing arts. I grew up studying dance, music, and acting, and I always felt that these art forms had a sort of magic to them. They made me feel connected to something greater, and they transported me to a different place that felt light, joyful, meaningful, and like what I imagined flying would feel like if I could do it without an airplane. When I was 16 my mom took me to see RENT in New York City (thank you, Mom!), and when the actors stepped on stage at the beginning of Act II to sing Seasons of Love, I felt all of those feelings that I experienced while I was dancing, singing, or acting, reflected back at me. It was this sort of “ah-ha” moment for me where I thought, I want to be able to do this for other people too. I want to be able to bring people joy, connection, magic, and love! This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi! I’m Betsy! I am an actor (SAG-AFTRA, AEA), voiceover actor, radio personality, and host. I love to encourage others! I’ve been seen on the Disney Channel, and television shows like Greek, and One Life To Live, and I’ve been heard on SiriusXM and Radio Disney.

I was raised in Upstate New York, an hour outside of New York City, where I grew up studying dance, music, and acting. After High School, I made my way to Pepperdine University, where I graduated with a BA in Theatre and Music Performance. I was then fortunate enough to start working on the TV show Greek (thanks to an audition I saw in Backstage Magazine). This was my first time on a TV set, and I was completely blown away by the magic of it all. It was incredible and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be a small part of it. Whether filming on a sound stage, at the beach, or on a college campus, each day was exciting!

About seven months after I started working on Greek, the 2007-2008 WGA Strike took place, and our show was put on hold. This timing led me to my start in radio, as I began working for Radio Disney. I immediately loved the upbeat, energetic environment, the great music, and the chance to connect with listeners and to spread joy to people all over the country. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to pursue opportunities for both acting and radio work.

I went on to host for SiriusXM (The Highway, Today Show Radio, Prime Country, and The Message), and to help launch Radio Disney Country. I have anchored live events like the ACM Awards, the American Music Awards, the CMA Awards, Stranger Things Day, and the Radio Disney Music Awards. Later, I created and hosted the Podcast Celebrate People (Theme Song by Walker Hayes, and available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and TuneIn). I have interviewed outstanding celebrities like Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Walker Hayes, Garth Brooks, Gwen Stefani, Idina Menzel, Josh Duhamel, Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Carson Daly to name a few.

Outside of work, I am a Mom, and an active volunteer with Musicians On Call, a special organization that delivers the healing power of music to hospital patients at their bedside (now virtually too).

Throughout all that I do, I hope to encourage others and spread joy. I believe in you, and I know that you are here to do something so special! Keep dreaming big!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A few years back I encountered a work situation that forced me to stand up for what I believed in or lose my job. It was an incredibly upsetting experience, but I knew my morals were more important than any job. When I lost that job, I felt completely defeated. I had no idea what I would do next. I gave myself time to grieve, and then I picked myself up and began to look for work. I tried to remain positive, and optimistic. After about six months of searching and applying, a mentor and close friend of mine connected me with someone at SiriusXM, a place I had always dreamed of working. After a few rounds of interviews and demos, I was hired to work on-air at SiriusXM! This was another magical, career-launching opportunity for me, that wouldn’t have happened, had I not lost that other job. Now whenever I am faced with a challenge, I remember the gift that came out of that experience. Even as I struggle, I remain hopeful, knowing something great will be born out of every difficult situation. Beauty for ashes! I hope this encourages others to know that no matter what challenges they face today, their best days are still out in front of them! The best is yet to come!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When the 2007-2008 Writers Stike happened, Greek (the TV show I was working on) was put on hold. I had only been out of college for about six months and I hadn’t saved very much money yet, so I knew I needed to find a new job quickly. Luckily, I had friends at Radio Disney who said, “Hey, come work on the road crew with us!” Stepping into that new opportunity, allowed me to make a career pivot that changed my life. Acting was my first love, and I wouldn’t have chosen to move away from it, but the pivot to radio opened up a whole new world to me. Working on the road crew, moved me toward on-air work, and that launched my radio career! It allowed me to create in a new way, to bring joy to others, and to connect with so many unique, and beautiful people that I never would have met otherwise!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.betsyspina.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betsyspina/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyspina/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BetsySpina
• Other: Celebrate People Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6legBeqv1TKgtkxeWqVF2Y?si=b1RE1tAnQIO44_5jlUYC7Q&nd=1 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/celebrate-people/id1554019975 https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9kYTRkMTQ3OC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw https://tunein.com/podcasts/Media–Entertainment-Podcasts/Celebrate-People-p1409493/?topicId=160912721

Image Credits
David Muller Carissa Riccardi