We were lucky to catch up with Joshua Lozoff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Joshua, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I had just quit my career as a professional actor, and moved from Hollywood back to North Carolina, where I was raised. My plan was to quit the performing arts and lead a simpler life. So I began traveling and doing volunteer work around the world. Then one day in La Paz, Bolivia, I watched a street magician perform for a crowd. The joy he brought to people really moved me, and my new career was born.

Joshua, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

After about 10 years working as a professional magician, I started realizing that I had more to share than just the tricks and the entertainment of magic. And that’s enough, don’t get me wrong. But for me I was drawn to start sharing some of the skills I have developed that allow me to connect more quickly and more deeply with the people I interact with. Communication skills are extremely important for both my career as an actor and my career as a magician. So I began developing a keynote presentation which took off right away. As soon as I began offering it, I started getting requests to speak.

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

Quitting my professional acting career, and leaving Los Angeles was a massive step for me. My identity was as an actor. From as long as I can remember. I began acting at about 6 years old, and not just casually. A real serious focus. Then at 18, the month I graduated high school, I moved to Hollywood and continued my career, acting in television and films. When I slowly started to realize that it wasn’t my passion anymore. A professional acting career requires such dedication and such focus. While it was the only thing I wanted to do, the sacrifices and the struggle were absolutely worth it. But once that passion started to diminish, it was time for me to recognize that and move on. That recognition was extremely difficult again because it was really my identity for so long. It took a lot of honesty and a lot of courage to admit to myself that it was time to pivot. And especially because I didn’t know what I was pivoting to. All I knew what was what I was leaving, not what I was going toward. But I’m so glad I did because I would not have found my current profession had I not been willing to be honest with myself.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal now is just to bring some joy and inspiration to the people I meet, perform for, and speak to. At this point. The bulk of what I do is share my communications presentation, called The Magic of Communication. In our modern culture, we need strong communication skills more than ever. And even more fundamental than that, is to be reminded that communicating and connecting is one of the most important things we can do. We are also isolated, not only losing our communication skills, but even our belief that connecting with people is vital in the first place. And it truly is. So that’s my goal is to re-inspire people to care about and connect with the people we encounter everyday.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.joshualozoff.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshualozoff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshua.lozoff
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualozoff/
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@JoshuaLozoff

Image Credits
Chris Charles