From Small-Town Roots to Hollywood Reality: Staying Authentic in the Film Industry. A convo with Ryann Liebl

Episode notes

In this episode of the Breakfast Leadership Show , Michael sits down again with Ryann Liebl to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable career in the entertainment industry without losing yourself in the process. Ryann shares her journey from growing up in rural Wisconsin to working in film, reflecting on how early exposure to nature, independence, and storytelling shaped her creative instincts. What began as a freshman-year audition quickly turned into a lifelong pursuit of acting and filmmaking, grounded in curiosity, discipline, and respect for the craft. Michael and Ryann reflect on growing up in a pre-internet era, where freedom, accountability, and real-world consequences accelerated maturity. They discuss how trust from parents and mentors helped shape resilience, decision-making, and personal responsibility, traits that remain critical in high-pressure creative industries today. The conversation turns to the contrast between Midwestern values and Hollywood culture. Ryann explains how humility, work ethic, kindness, and team orientation can become strategic advantages in an industry often driven by ego and rejection.