From MTV to Entrepreneurship: Raquel Bruno's Journey to Success and Joy | Ep #159

Ready to turn your passion into a thriving business? On this episode of the Second Act Success Career Podcast, host Shannon Russell interviews Raquel Bruno, a former MTV Networks executive who took the leap to start her own entertainment company, Drive Entertainment Group. Raquel shares her inspiring journey from the fast-paced world of Viacom to becoming a successful entrepreneur, executive producer, and DJ on Twitch. Learn how she balanced motherhood, built a thriving career in talent production, and found true joy in her second act. Tune in to Episode #159 for actionable insights on quitting your 9-to-5 and starting a business that lights you up!

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Transcript

Second Act Success Career Podcast
Season 1 - From MTV to Entrepreneurship: Raquel Bruno's Journey to Success and Joy | Ep #159
Episode - #159
Host: Shannon Russell
Guest: Raquel Bruno
Transcription (*created by Descript and may not be perfectly accurate)


[00:00:00] Speaker: Are you ready to quit your nine to five job and start a business of your own? Well, you're in the right place, my friend. Welcome to the second act success career podcast. I am your host, Shannon Russell. I am a former television producer turned business owner, career transition coach, and boy mom. My mission is to help you produce your best life.

This podcast will teach you how to get from where you are now to where you want to be and how to build a business that fits your life and lights you up. Let's get started.

Welcome back to the podcast. Today on second act success. I am excited to introduce you to someone I've known for decades. 

Raquel Bruno is a talent producer. She's also an executive producer and she runs her own company called drive entertainment group. She's here to talk about pivoting from working as an employee at MTV networks to creating her own entertainment business, 

she's expanded. She's gone out on [00:01:00] her own. She is now a mom. And guess what? She is also a DJ. Yup. She DJs on Twitch. And that is what truly brings her joy. Raquel is such a ball of energy. I cannot wait for her to share her second act success story with you right now. 

Okay.



[00:01:17] Shannon Russell: Raquel Bruno. It's so great to have you here. Thank you for being on the show.

[00:01:22] Raquel Bruno: I'm so honored to be here. It's like I've shown up with family being on your podcast. Truly. , we're so used to being on the chaos of a red carpet and it's just so nice to actually have a conversation outside of noise around us and oh my God, let's grab so and so for the carpet. 

[00:01:37] Shannon Russell: Hustle, hustle. I know.

And, and we have known each other for so, so long. Actually, we began at MTV in New York. Um, I grew up in New York City, but I think you were there a little before me, and then I was there, but we only really met, like, on the red carpet many, many years later. I think we knew of each other, but it's just so nice to see how our careers have evolved, and now we're both mothers, and [00:02:00] I just, I love it.

And I want to be able tell your story, because you have so many things cooking. but let's start back from the beginning. Where did your career begin? 

[00:02:09] Raquel Bruno: So I was very lucky.I, kicked on the door, but I was very lucky that I was able to work at Nickelodeon as an intern. And through there, I knew I wanted to go into the Viacom family because , I was a huge MTV kid, grew up with it, and I knew I wanted to work around music.

So I worked at Nickelodeon, Nick at Night, launched TV Land and VH1. I was able to work at VH1 for a little bit. And then I landed at MTV Radio and I was thrilled. That's really where The beginning of what I do as a talent booker and producer really began a little bit at Nick at Night and TV Land when I got to work with some casts.

But then really moving over into music, that's where it all really truly began. 

[00:02:48] Shannon Russell: if I'm not mistaken, you did radio in college, is that right? 

[00:02:51] Raquel Bruno: I did. My music director at WGLS, which is now Rowan radio. And in fact, I donated not that long ago because I spent so much of my [00:03:00] time when I was at Rowan or Glassboro state at the time, just spending hours programming the radio station.

So I donated money and I said, I have two caveats for it. One, it has to stay a music channel. And two, I want to have my name across that music library with all that beautiful vinyl, cause I'm such a vinyl head. And sure enough. I was able to do that. So the library is named after my name. and I'm very proud of that because I spent so much time actually programming a lot of the music putting together the music for WGLS Rowan radio.

[00:03:30] Shannon Russell: I love it. And then it just kind of has trickled through your career. Even up until the present and we'll get to that. But yeah, so I knew music was always in your blood and being, getting into the Viacom world, like you said, starting at Nickelodeon, and I've been in that building at 1515 Broadway in New York and just feeling the excitement because when you start there.

What were we, 21, 22, or even as interns, younger than that. And you're just like, [00:04:00] this is what everyone is into. Like all of our friends back in college, and all of our friends in the real world at that time. And so you're in this kind of dream job. So what was it like for you to start out be there? 

[00:04:13] Raquel Bruno: So it's funny, when I was starting out, one of the channels that was coming together that I helped, put together with the acquisitions team that I was working for, 

it was when Comedy Channel and Ha! formed together and then became Comedy Central. So it was exciting to be a part of that. 

I'm sitting there going, wow, this is the life.

I get to come here every day with, the Nickelodeon brand being what it was at the time, and I know that it's now problematic with the things that are going on, but in New York City, it was a very magical place to be at Nickelodeon. To be around all the creatives, people walking in and out of that building at 1515, 

And then eventually of course, TRL was out of there and just the amount of creativity that you could feel that frenetic energy of excitement and creativity. [00:05:00] You just would see so many great people and we'd still to this day when I get excited to see folks there because I mean they have a couple different offices but 1515 was just a very magical place 

[00:05:09] Raquel Bruno: and then of course, 

.When MTV2 launched, it was totally my music. So it was very exciting and being able to be at, you know, even our legendary holiday parties. we had a great time. I. Cannot speak more highly about being a Viacom kid and being in that amazing, creative headspace.

That I think is what I miss most about being a solopreneur is being around people like yourself and the folks that launched TV land and the folks that ran MTV radio, just working together. being next to MTV news, we were on the same floor as the MTV news folks. So I got to see Kurt Loder and Sway and all the folks that would come into our studio and record their lines because we had them doing the, we had did TRL and news briefs and what have you.

We did all of that with MTV radio, anything you saw on channel, we mirrored for MTV radio. So it was a great, exciting time. [00:06:00] Really and truly.

[00:06:01] Shannon Russell: So you were there for many, many years and still work there here and there with your own business, but let's talk about when you launched your own business, Drive Entertainment.

It was around 07. Is that right? Yes. 

[00:06:13] Raquel Bruno: 2006 is when I was incorporated. At the very end of 2006, and then 2007 is really when it came together. And oddly enough, it was some of my amazing folks at MTV that said, oh my goodness, Raquel's on her own.

I had my friend Jennifer Beck put my name in for logo when it was launching. I had Steven, KIPP, who was a good friend of mine, who also put my name into the mix. And then my very first boss as an intern, Diane Rubina. Not only became what was my first boss as an intern and then as a system, but then she was my first client when she was in the middle of launching fear net.

So I had the opportunity of working on lots of great shows and projects because of my affiliation with MTV networks. And so I was back and forth to LA quite often from the very beginning of drive [00:07:00] and it was fantastic. I always wanted to be an East Coast talent producer, you know, LA, I love, and I love being there and my away game is sometimes even better than sometimes my home game.

My husband likes to joke about, but I like also being someone from New York city. Cause I tell it to you straight. Not that my friends in LA don't, but, what you see is what you get with me. And I'm always trying to be solution based, but there's so many of us out on the West coast that I felt like, you know what?

My family is here. I love being a New Yorker and being able to travel wherever I need to do from the East Coast. And especially after pandemic, I mean, everything is done through this anyway, a lot of the time. So if I have to get on a plane, I'll get on a plane. 

[00:07:40] Shannon Russell: when you opened the business, what was your goal with it?

So you had been working in talent in your different departments at Viacom, and you wanted to really produce talent and create your own events. What was your vision? 

[00:07:53] Raquel Bruno: I wanted to be, and I still do. I love being able to produce TV and film, especially [00:08:00] documentaries. I get to work with an incredible director named John Sheinfeld.

I've also since done from, Kings from Queens, which is the run DMC doc working with Believe. So I knew I wanted to, it was twofold. One, I wanted to help elevate and amplify talent in a producer's role. in the beginning of Drive, I actually was managing people. 'cause I felt like, okay, how do I work my way over to being more in the producing space?

'cause as a talent booker and I love talent booking, but we tend to get. pigeonhole, we just do, we tend to be put in a corner and it's really unfortunate and shout out to all my talent producers out there because it is a very thankless job and I talk about this often and I almost wish like, yes, there's the casting society and what have you, but they're really for talent producers.

That's a very specific skill. We're not always put into certain, And there should be. So I joined the producer's guild because I had had it at that point, enough credits as a producer, but there's a very specific skillset that comes with, and you've seen [00:09:00] it on the carpet , with the relationships, with understanding the innuendo of, the undercurrent of what's happening is talent available to do it.

Are they in the right head space to do in this project, like working closely with their, Reps and really understanding where they are at that moment in time when you go to turn the mic on the camera on what have you and working within that to even get them jokingly like get them to the Greek.

so I started doing management. I was managing, a guitar player. I was managing a director. I started working with Glenn Matlock who's from the Sex Pistols who I adore. I still work with him to this day and I was doing management and I that's not really, it's similar to what I want to do, but I really want to help.

Produce and give a platform to talent. So talent producing is still very much a part of what I do, but then I'm also on the other side as a co EP and an EP creating and developing projects to bring them from the ether and build them up. 

\ I create moments on red carpets. on documentaries, in [00:10:00] digital, in TV. It really just depends. But I also like being behind the scenes and creating those, opportunities for talent as well. So it's definitely where the two dovetail together. 

[00:10:12] Shannon Russell: Yeah. And I think that's what a lot of people don't understand what a talent Producer does like you're not just working with the talent.

You're taking the project. You're seeing who makes a good fit And then i've got to speak to not only the talent but their reps and make and it's really a lot of coordinating, right? Just getting a lot of coordinating 

[00:10:28] Raquel Bruno: Yes, and when someone says well, what exactly do you do? I say, okay If you watch the oscars the grammys the emmys there's someone behind the scenes that is actually Making all of that happen, whether they're a solo presenter, are they co presenting?

Who's our host? Who's the band? are we doing walk on music? If there's a performance, is it a 10 minute performance with a medley? I've worked on Miss Universe where we've had to put together two to three songs within one performance. and also what's going to work with dancers with, do they need hair and [00:11:00] makeup?

what's their wardrobe looking like? You know, when I've done the Disney holiday specials, that coordinating that within the parks is just impossible and yet we've somehow done it. So that's the thing without talent, there is no show. So that's why I say talent bookers really need to get the love they deserve because without us, there really is not a show, especially when it comes to bringing talent to whatever stage it is.

I hate to say it, but it's true. AndI have to voice this. We are the first to get blamed and the last to get thanked. And I say that because I've been there. I know my fellow colleagues have been there.

And I just always also want to raise the awareness of what it takes to actually do talent booking and producing. It is a Herculean task. 

[00:11:47] Shannon Russell: Yeah, I absolutely agree with you. and it's also being that right kind of person because sometimes, actual show producers and directors don't have necessarily the personality to get so [00:12:00] and so celebrity on that red carpet to say what you need them to say.

And it takes someone who has that rapport, that personality, that charisma, like you do to really bring it all together and make it happen. And, even the couple of times that we've been on the red carpet together, it's yeah, so and so is walking down, but we have to talk to their, people. Get them to come over and want to answer our question or talk to our VJ.

And, you know, it takes a lot of like talking sweet and getting it to work to get your end project. It's 

[00:12:31] Raquel Bruno: creating a safe space because at the end of the day, it's talent. 

You're in the midst of thousands of people on a carpet. How is your one stop going to feel safe for them to speak, you know, openly about it and making sure you're also not doing any gotcha moments. That's something that I am very careful about.

So it really is a delicate balance. It's a delicate dance. , I, as a talent producer, am only as good as my word.

And that is a very sacred thing for me. 

[00:12:59] Shannon Russell: What are [00:13:00] some of your favorite projects you've worked on? 

[00:13:02] Raquel Bruno: I'm very proud of the work I have done with Logo, creating Logo New Now Next Awards with Chris Wiley and Dave Mace and Logo itself, you know, amplifying LGBTQ voices.

was very important, giving Lady Gaga her TV debut, working closely with folks like Perry Turka. And we did that. Jeremiah Silva, who's gone on to do amazing work. So working with just great teams like that, where we were able to, for a few years, just create these very funny moments, working with the best of the best with RuPaul and Drag Race and all those brilliant minds.

And then also working like bringing back Soul Train Awards. And working, with the team at Centric when, when Centric was around and we did such great work with creating Stevie Wonder, A Message of Peace. I mean, we had everyone from Janelle Monae to Sting on that stage on the UN floor.

Those are some of my favorite moments where I've got to say, wow, I did this. We're working with Alicia Keys when we did an entire concert in Times [00:14:00] Square in the rain with some of the best of the best and recording that. And then working on my documentaries, working with John Sheinfeld on Herb Albert is, or, Sergio Mendez's doc, like Gary Marshall.

I got to work with Gary when I worked at TV land and then being able to tell a story that ran on ABC was just amazing. Working on the Run DMC doc called Kings from Queens. I am a huge Run DMC fan, so being able to be in that room and make those choices and help pick the talent to tell their love of Run DMC was iconic for me.

And working on the Disney shows, , being a part of that for four years was a huge, huge, like, badge of honor for me. I had a handicapped uncle. He had cerebral palsy and his favorite place. on earth was Disney and my first earliest memories are going with him, him in his wheelchair and him being so happy to be around Mickey Mouse and all the incredible characters and just being, he was so happy.

he was the happiest when we were there in Florida. in his honor, be able to work on a show that I know he'd be proud of if he was still [00:15:00] here today, it was just like, okay, I've arrived and I've done what I was meant to do. 

[00:15:04] Shannon Russell: Chills. Yeah. How amazing. 

And now all of these years later, Now you're a mom with two kids, you still have your business, but you have a lot of other fun things in the works. I mean, actually for quite some time, you have been a DJ as well. And I really want to dive into everything you're doing on Twitch and with your DJ life.

[00:15:28] Raquel Bruno: That is probably my next to being with my kids and working and what we do. I think that's probably where I really truly find my muse, where I, I always joke around and say, I meet my muse at the decks. Cause you never know what I'm gonna be playing that day. I don't really pre program what I'm playing.

And I spin vinyl. So I was a DJ when he, even when I was at MTV, , on Wednesday nights, I would be at Idlewild and I would be up till, you know, bars are in clubs are open till four of that later. So we were open till four in the morning. I'm, closing it down, DJing, and then I'd go home.

, [00:16:00] sometimes we'd even go to a diner. Early morning diner to run, go to bed for a few hours. And then I would show up at nine 30 or sometimes 10 at MTV. Cause we were allowed to start late cause we work such late hours and, even go into shows when I do meet and greets, that was still working as much as I loved it.

So I was DJing in the, mid to late nineties in the early aughts in real life, I was at black and white and Niagara and Idlewild, which I loved. there weren't a lot of us female DJs. There was a handful of us. , Jo Murray, was at, Motor City, amazing DJ.

I had another girl, Julie, who I love that was in the mix, but I started DJing at Dollhouse, which was a clothing store. Who's one of my best friends down Nicole. So I was lugging my, box of records anywhere they wanted the DJ, I would go.

But then the pandemic hit and I remember the feeling I had during 9 11, which was so incredibly helpless living in the West village. I saw the second plane hit and I can't. Not provide for people a connective t shirt something. I know i'm good at is [00:17:00] bringing people together So I started djing on instagram live.

I kept getting booted. It was so frustrating There's a few folks that were there from the very beginning four years ago and then a friend of mine said, you know go on twitch I said well isn't twitch for gamers and she said absolutely not there's djs on there Go ahead and you'll enjoy it and thank god I did.

It's now four years later We actually this week we just had our fourth twitchiversary You We may have another party for it three times a week. two to three times a week. I'm on Wednesday nights and Saturdays with a couple of great trains and pop ups in between. And this was when everyone was telling me, get rid of your vinyl.

You need to go digital. I'm like, I will never get rid of my vinyl in the last five years. It is. Boomed again, with people are now, can't move fast enough to figure out how to get these factories to make vinyl again. And I'm glad I have original pressings of things, cause I love the tactile of a record, hearing the warm sounds, seeing the artwork. So we've created a safe space. We're [00:18:00] up to 3, 200. followers and we usually have between 30 and 100 people at any given moment, tuning in. Sometimes I'm on four hours at a clip and we play everything from funk to punk to house to new wave.

That's what I spend and 45s LPs. And so I really truly love it. I'd be love being able to do house sets where I'm able to just do a beat match and, do what I love And The best compliments I get on there when people come on and say, you know, I just needed to hear this music today.

As Shannon says, let the music play. So another Shannon. So, you know, so the thing is, it's been my mental, therapy and it's helped a lot of people. And that to me shows that I'm a light worker on this planet. I'm able to help through community people feel good with music and just being together, that has helped a lot of people.

[00:18:51] Raquel Bruno: And that is when I feel probably My best when I'm with my kids and when I'm able to create music in a safe environment. 

[00:18:59] Shannon Russell: how can [00:19:00] we find you on Twitch? So on 

[00:19:01] Raquel Bruno: Twitch, it's twitch. tv forward slash DJ Aviva. Aviva is my middle name and it's all one word and you can find us there. So please come and dance with us.

Cause there's always, you never know what you're going to get from day to day on that channel. 

[00:19:16] Shannon Russell: Would you have known that you'd be on this platform called Twitch when you were back in college working at the radio station, right? How funny is that? No, 

[00:19:24] Raquel Bruno: I never would have thought that. and I have to tell you, for now, cause I know Twitch will be going through some changes.

I'm thrilled that I was able to, through the pandemic, I needed a lifeline myself. We're humans, we're meant to be together, especially in production, not being able to be live and in production and being on a set. And you know, my son didn't get to see his grandparents for a couple months, not having a Christmas with them.

It was devastating. And that's why I think it's okay for people to just be, you're having a moment. 

Just being able to take a day off and allow yourself to have grace is something that we don't [00:20:00] always talk about. And I think we need to normalize those conversations. So being able to dance and to say, you know what, I'm taking the afternoon off. I just want to listen to some eighties music and say, F it.

[00:20:10] Shannon Russell: Yeah, 

[00:20:11] Raquel Bruno: no one says you can't 

[00:20:12] Shannon Russell: And you provide that and you have that community and and it just brings you so much joy Like 

[00:20:19] Raquel Bruno: so much joy the folks that have come through some of them have been on there from day one You know mods we have what's called the mods I have to give a huge shout out to them jamie roberts who's a friend of mine also helped me Within the mix which we've also created She's there all the time.

you know, we have a man named Doug and Michael and Kelly fatty was a fatty. This is a friend of mine who I met through the industry. They've been there to support me to let me do what I need to do, but without them, I couldn't really focus on just the music aspect of it. So I owe them a lot. Cause they do it just because the love of supporting.

And for me, I love supporting the audience. They support me and it's just. That kind of energy is the energy I want to be around because you [00:21:00] just want people to be at their best and feel their best, 

You are bringing the light. I just want to bring up, I find it so funny when we talk about our second acts or later in life, how our careers evolve that you are doing something that not a lot of moms are doing with your music. And What kind of an example are you setting to your kids that you can still be this creative and find a passion and follow it and help others at the same time?

[00:21:24] Shannon Russell: How does that make you feel? How cool is that? 

[00:21:28] Raquel Bruno: you know, there's moments where I've felt guilty. I went to Japan for 10 days and I loved it. And I just had to be in the mindset of like, okay, I'm here. I have to enjoy it. But I had guilt. I wanted them to be with me, but they're too young to appreciate right now.

They're two and six to be in Japan. The time will come. I want them to look at their mom and say, I put my mind to my parents gave me that and I'm very, very lucky to have had parents has supported me and said, look, you want to be crib because they're singers, songwriters are both singers and songwriters and there were teachers.

They said you can [00:22:00] do anything you want, but do it to the best of your ability. and it will support you a hundred percent. I want my kids to follow their heart, follow their North star and say, you know what? As creative as something is. And I think my son might want to be an engineer. I think my daughter may want to go into dance or even be a stylist.

She picks out her own clothes at two and a half. So it's crazy. I said, you know what? Do it. , but creativity needs to be at the bottom line of that, because I want you to be happy. And I know we can be creative in any way. Anything that we do and I think a lot of people real like don't realize that you can be creative in accounting You can be creative in production anywhere.

You are you can be creative because you're creating something out of nothing That takes creativity and being in that mindset of going. Okay. Let me not just be I keep saying every day like being on A hamster wheel there's days where I feel like i'm on a hamster wheel and it's exhausting But then you have to allow yourself time throughout that day To be creative and for me, that's djing.

That's one of my best things to do Thoughts and memories and, creativity comes from. [00:23:00] So I want my kids to look up at me and say, wow, you know, I was able to do something with Blippi 

I brought Blippi to the Seattle space needle. My kid was like, wait, you, he couldn't understand how I did that. He's like, do you know Blippi? I said, well, I kind of know Blippi. And that was recently where I can say I'm proud of because I had a hand in that or worked on Paley weekend and we had the Paw Patrol characters were there and my kids were so ecstatic to see that.

You know, I think that's why I do what I do. I want to have a sustainable job, but also be able to do the fun stuff.

but work hard at it. So being able to show that for my kids is something that's super important. 

[00:23:38] Shannon Russell: I love that. and let's talk about the changes that the entertainment industry Has been having, between COVID, the pandemic, the strikes, let's say there's been a lot of instability.

It just has been very unpredictable. How is that affecting your business? And let's talk about kind of where you are now and what you're thinking. Thinking about pivoting [00:24:00] into a little bit more. 

[00:24:01] Raquel Bruno: Absolutely. And I have to say, I'm so proud that you've done what you're doing because first of all, I love the name second act success.

I love the fact that you took the reins and said, you know what, right now where I am in my life and where I'm at with my kids, I need something a little more sustainable. That's kind of where I'm at right now, because I could easily move myself to 24 seven, but then it takes me away from my kids. And right now I feel.

They are in their years that I want to enjoy the time with them. So what does that present? What does that look like for me? So while we've had an incredible run at 18 years and we're still working, we're still doing great projects, but I've definitely noticed a bit of a downturn it taps into your scarcity thought process.

You know, I'm trying to work through that myself, where you have the ability to go. Well, there it is. I've gone vine to vine to vine jumping from project to project and it's worked itself out. I've somehow landed on my feet. Well, right now it's been quiet for a lot of folks and I thought to [00:25:00] myself, I have to take control of how it affects me.

So how do I do that? And how do I also help people that might've been in the same situation that I've been in? And so I'm working into moving into coaching and mentoring. We're calling it Thrive with Drive, which is another aspect of what Drive Entertainment does. And it's working with those, whether they're in entertainment or media or a creative space.

I'm the creative that's helping other creatives and being behind the scenes and helping them understand the skill sets that they may have they may not even realize. So I'm really Thinking of them as talent, thinking of them as you're being behind the scenes. How do we put you in front of the camera?

How do we put you on that stage? How do we put you in front of folks that, you know, when people say, well, I don't know if I could do that job because don't have this skillset in it. Well, let's create the skillset so that you're able to be in a situation where they can look at you and be hireable. , I think also for me helping women find their voice, there's still a huge disparity in what we do with how we get paid with the amount [00:26:00] of tech for women.

There's not enough women directors that there's just a, not enough of us or of women or women that present as a woman. And I think that I need to help continue to create that space for folks when they feel maybe stuck. Where they are in their career and thinking, okay, what is my second act? To the point that you've done with all the folks you're working with and have a podcast about it.

Where am I going? There's a lot of folks that have been executives for so long. They don't even know how to think differently than what they've been in and on the road that they've been on. Let's take you off that road. or let's take you off the highway for a minute and see what the side roads look like so that we can help build.

Upon the skill set that you've had for so long that you don't may not even realize that you have So we're creating that and also helping folks find their work life balance. So it's a combination of many things Helping women have the strength to be on a stage or how to pitch or how to be in the room and be [00:27:00] strong to be in the room and not feel that they you know, the imposter syndrome takes over So it's multi faceted But it's helping be a coach to a lot of folks that may not realize that they have more years in front of them And how do we get there?

[00:27:14] Shannon Russell: And I love that it's an extension of your business, right? You're still running Drive Entertainment. You're still doing all of your talent producing and running these larger shows, but you're able to help other creatives at the same time. , and you are the person. Who books the talent in a lot of these situations.

So, you know how to get that person To be that visible presence and get their voice heard and step out of their comfort zone So you're the perfect person to be helping these others. Thank 

[00:27:44] Raquel Bruno: you it's a work in progress and it's every 

day, you know, I have one of the Sayings I love is carpe diem.

I've said it ever since I saw dead poet society I fell in love with that movie and carpe diem was such a big part of that film I'm, like, you know what that is a mantra that I can [00:28:00] get behind because you have to seize the day every day Make the best of your life as it is I can't sugarcoat it.

, we were talking about earlier. I've had down days. I've had days where I go, what am I doing? Why am I doing this? Why is this so difficult? And then you allow yourself the space to do that and to feel those feelings. Cause if you don't emote, then it just gets worse. And I'm the type of person that I have to talk it out.

I have to be in the lab to work through how it's going to look. And every day I'm molding and fixing and creating. so that's where I'm at. And so I thank you for allowing me to tell my story on your podcast, because I think it's important also, again, it's working together and having shorthand with folks that you've worked with before and being able to.

Kind of give like a wink, wink, like, okay, I got you. I understand you. And how do I help you as well? Cause that's what really, especially in production, we have a tendency to work together because there is that trust [00:29:00] factor. And that's something that, is a skillset that I also, when you find your people that you can work with and trust, you already have one half of that.

[00:29:07] Shannon Russell: And we're so fortunate because I think our industry. The entertainment industry is so niche and it just, no one understands it unless you're in it. And for us too, and I've had other MTV people like Vinny Patasibo here on the show and just talking about how that is, A family bond of where we started our career, and we learned so many, fundamental foundations that have led us to this point.

And it's a testament that so many of us are still friendly and in touch and can call on each other even after not seeing each other for so long. and to know that we're, In it to help each other and whatever is happening 

but you have your DJing, you've got your business. Now you have your mentoring and coaching and it's all still evolving. Right? You're still figuring it is. 

[00:29:53] Raquel Bruno: And speaking of Vinny, I have to give a big shout out to him because we have been in touch through the years since we both have left MTV. We've worked [00:30:00] together on projects.

He's hired me a couple of times. I've worked with him on this part of what we're doing andit is working with familiar faces. You feel comfortable and you feel like you have your squad to kind of like get it to the next level. 

It really was one big brainstorming session a lot of the times and folks from whether you were an assistant all the way up to the EP on a show, we were in the room together and we were able to have a voice and that I think is lost these days, especially when we've had being through the pandemic, , it takes away from the human connection.

So when you're able to actually work with people that you do love and know well and can be in the trenches together, it really makes a difference because you kind of let the walls go down a little bit and that's where the real magic happens. 

[00:30:44] Shannon Russell: I feel your energy and your light, just knowing that there's good to come and a second act can evolve into a third and a fourth and a fifth and that you take everything that you've learned up until now and you just keep Adding on and you just keep seeing and it's exciting [00:31:00] even for you to sit here and be like I'm figuring it out as I go and I'm trying these new things and all I know is that I want the space to be creative and to be yourself.

Well, let me ask you then. So what is one thing that you would advise somebody who is thinking about taking a leap, starting that second act, whether it's entertainment or other, what advice would you give them?

Be a sponge. If it's an area of a space that you want to get involved with, like, I can't tell you the amount of books that I've read in the last two weeks alone, getting involved with groups that are Kind of your backstop, you know, giving you the tools in which you need to do it.

[00:31:40] Raquel Bruno: and also just not being afraid to be vulnerable and reach out to people that are in the space and say, look, look, we are, we are humans. We tend to be competitive, but at the same time, people are more willing to help than you realize. And I think as long as you come in with an open mind and also the ability to quid pro quo, I mean, let's help each other out in the [00:32:00] process.

That's the issue that we're having right now, which is why industry is having a problem is that, a lot of folks that do control the money right now are being so holding in as opposed to okay, let's collaborate and figure out how to make this work. And it's a sad state because You know, the rich get richer, the poor get poor.

And a lot of people are stuck in between like us that are sitting there going, we're just want to work. We just want to have the ability to work and create good stuff. so I think anyone who's looking to make a pivot, I think you have to really sit. And do the shadow work and sit with yourself.

What makes you tick? What are your pros and your cons? Like really put the mirror up and go, okay, what can I do? And where do I need to work on myself? Do I need to work on my emotional stuff, physically, mentally, spiritually, really lay it out as a person and go, what is my bandwidth right now?

And what do I think I can give to invest in myself? Cause investing in yourself is a hard thing. We're so good at. Yeah. Helping others. [00:33:00] I said it to you earlier, put on your own oxygen mask and take care of you. And then the rest will resound out, you know, you'll have the circles that go out after that.

But if you don't invest in your own inner temple, then you can't really provide for people. And that is the hard work that I've been doing myself going, okay, how can I. Take care of my family. How can I thrive in doing that? And also what can I provide to other people? What what does it look like and really write it all down and take the time to do that?

That is hard sitting in your own stuff is probably one of the hardest things I have ever done Not easy work 

[00:33:43] Shannon Russell: You need to look inside look for your why and we can be that way when we're in You Midlife and we're thinking about that second act like this is the time to be choosy and to really do that research like you said and That shadow work is important because you don't want to just leap for the sake of leaping and [00:34:00] try something new and end up In the same place 



[00:34:02] Raquel Bruno: And we get stuck in that often. and I, Guilty as charged. and I think that we really need to realize the value of what we bring no matter what age and I think that you just again have to jump in.

., I'm doing my own fear tactic. I'm jumping in going, okay. Yep. I'm not someone that likes to talk about it for too long. I always need to show what it is.

Anything can happen. 

Turn off the outside noise, don't look at the IG because if you start looking, that's shiny, happy people as REM said back, it's not the reality. was, camera angles and lots of lights and editing and that's not the reality of it. Listen to yourself, go deep enough to meditate and think about what it is that truly makes you happy.

DJing truly makes me happy. And who knows, maybe one day I'll start DJing IRL when my kids are older again. I'll be grandma at the decks. I don't even care because I love it so much. You know what I mean? So it's like, okay, this is what makes me happy. If it makes you happy, then do [00:35:00] it. 

[00:35:00] Shannon Russell: So inspirational, Raquel, really. Thank you for this conversation. I want to make sure that we let our listeners know everywhere that they connect can connect with you. So where are all the places? 

[00:35:11] Raquel Bruno: You can find me Raquel at drive entertainment group. com, or I am on LinkedIn on Instagram. If you want to see the fun stuff, that's Raquel loves drive. and I'm, definitely around and available and hopefully by then drive entertainment group website will be up.

[00:35:24] Shannon Russell: Yes. Yes. I'm going to link to everything too. So it's easy for everyone to find and. It's been so much fun to chat with you and reminisce. 

[00:35:33] Raquel Bruno: So much fun. And I want to thank you, Shannon, for being an absolute Inspiration as someone who was at MTV Networks and found your voice and helping others, myself included with Second Act success.

Because with second Act success, you're showing people you can actually have a life outside of whatever industry or corporation you might've been a part of, [00:36:00] that there is a world out there. As much as we might've loved those worlds, you can still reinvent yourself and. Find a roadmap to that. 

[00:36:07] Shannon Russell: Thank you.

That means so much coming from you. 

[00:36:11] Raquel Bruno: Absolutely. Keep doing what you're doing. It means a lot to all of us that listen. Thank you. 

[00:36:16] Shannon Russell: Thank you for joining us. I hope you found some gems of inspiration and some takeaways to help you on your path to Second Act Success. To view show notes from this episode, visit secondactsuccess.co. Before you go, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss a single episode. Reviews only take a few moments and they really do mean so much.

Thank you again for listening. I'm Shannon Russell and this is Second Act Success.