842. Fearlessly Failing: actor, writer, producer, and singer-songwriter - Jillian Shea Spaeder

In this episode of Fearlessly Failing, host Lola Berry sits down with 23-year-old multi-talented artist Jillian Shea Spaeder, who wears many hats as an actor, writer, producer, singer-songwriter, and filmmaker. The conversation centers on Jillian’s journey creating her first feature film, *Saving Buddy Charles*, a heartfelt comedy-drama about grief and connection, featuring a real-life blue-tongued lizard named Buddy. She shares the behind-the-scenes chaos of juggling multiple roles—writing, producing, acting—while managing bank calls, script revisions, and emotional intensity on set. Jillian also opens up about her personal history with eating disorders and how it inspired her powerful short film *The Noise*, which she’s now expanding into a feature. Her advice to young creatives? Ignore the naysayers and do what you love, no matter how small or unconventional it seems. The episode is filled with raw honesty, humor, and deep vulnerability, showcasing how failure and imperfection fuel authentic art. Jillian reflects on early career moments like her role in Disney’s *Walk the Prank* and *Godmothered*, where she brought her own guitar to auditions and sang live on set. She speaks passionately about representation in media, especially around mental health and eating disorders, and the importance of creating art that feels true to lived experience. With a growing passion for fiction writing and a dream team of literary agents, Jillian is poised for a major creative leap. The episode closes with a warm, affirming exchange between two kindred spirits who celebrate the messy, beautiful process of making art and living boldly.