Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Griff Stark-Ennis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Griff, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is a totally normal thing to feel. Sometimes, you just aren’t in the place you should be and dissecting that feeling can be really helpful. But imposter syndrome can also be a huge waste of time. Steeping yourself in that feeling of being an imposter for too long isn’t productive. Internally and externally, what’s making you feel this way? Are those things unable to be solved? If they are, then get out of there! If they’re not, I try to remember this…
There are usually many checkpoints to break through on your way to achieving something. One thing that I really remind myself is that if I’ve made it into a certain work environment or to a certain place in my career, that means that I’ve crossed the checkpoint that came before that. Someone or something has seen my potential, has invested in that potential, and has helped me cross that checkpoint.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve faced many steep learning curves that have been very daunting. But I try to focus my energy on climbing that curve instead of staying frozen and unsure at the base of it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m an adopted, biracial, queer guy. I grew up on a small hobby farm in Northern New York in a very rural town. I attended Boston College (’14) and I started working as a professional model during my sophomore year of college.
I continued to model after graduation while working at Condé Nast and the Boston Consulting Group (2014-2018). In 2017, my modeling agent sent me on an audition for Amy Schumer’s <i>I Feel Pretty</i> which caught the eye of a casting director and which planted a seed in my mind. I had always been in love with movies and entertainment and that pursuit was becoming more and more realized.
So I quit my corporate job and moved to Los Angeles in 2018. I have been building-out my career in entertainment ever since. I work as an actor and I co-host and produce a podcast called <i>Petty Crimes</i>, which is “a true-crime comedy podcast that exclusively investigates…non-crimes.”
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1. My adoption, my parents, and where I grew up. 2. The skills I absorbed from Boston College and my time in Corporate America.
3. My innate sense of curiosity.
I think feedback, in general, is really helpful and isn’t always given to people, especially to talent in the Entertainment Industry. There’s a lot of ghosting that happens after you’ve put a lot of effort into something, all just to be seen. So, you can either ask for that feedback or you can source it yourself!
I am incredibly conversational and I learn a lot about other people and about myself by way of those conversations. I use those learnings to help me find my positioning in this world and in what I’m doing!
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
Such a good question! For me, I start by breathing. It seems so silly but we tend to hold things in and tense up when we’re stressed. Take a few deep breaths and try to recenter yourself.
I’m also quite physical, so I enjoy a good workout and that usually helps me expel some pent-up energy that needs to be.
I grew up on a farm, so I retreat into nature when I need to decompress. A hike, a walk in a garden, sitting on the beach… Feeling overwhelmed is a totally valid feeling, but nature reminds me that what I’m feeling overwhelmed by is oftentimes fleeting.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.griffstarkennis.com
- Instagram: @griffstarkennis
- Youtube: @pettycrimespodcast
