The D'Ascenzo Zone

In this TDZ Podcast, Mike speaks with veteran screenwriter Sean Jara about his journey through television writing, animation, and building original worlds for screen.Sean shares how he got his first break writing for Gene Roddenberry’s Earth: Final Conflict, and later wrote for shows like Degrassi: The Next Generation. He also dives into his experience creating Mysticons for Nickelodeon, a series inspired by his childhood Dungeons & Dragons campaigns.With a career that includes a Daytime Emmy nomination for The Great Polar Bear Adventure and awards from both the Canadian Screen Awards and the Writers Guild of Canada, Sean breaks down what it takes to build stories that last.We also talk about his creative process, gaming influences, and how he balances writing with gardening, Fortnite, and running his own D&D campaigns.If you’re interested in screenwriting, animation, TV writing careers, or storytelling in general, this episode goes deep into the real path behind the credits._____________________________________________________________If you're enjoying the podcast, please subscribe and consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast• Buy My Children's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 _____________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: [email protected]_____________________________________________________________TDZ Episode 31 - Sean Jara00:00#podcast #tdz

In this TDZ Podcast, I speak with Katie Lai -- an actor and former Degrassi star Kendra Mason, about growing up as child actors, the hidden realities of working in television at a young age, and the shocking reason she ultimately walked away from Degrassi.Katie opens up about starting her career at just 3 years old after performing in Miss Saigon, landing roles on shows like Super Rupert and Degrassi: The Next Generation, and navigating auditions, rejection, bullying, and the pressures of growing up in the entertainment industry. We reflect on our shared experiences as young performers, the importance of parents advocating for child actors on set, and the emotional impact fame and exclusion can have at a young age.The conversation also explores Katie’s surprising career pivot away from acting: traveling the world, earning an MBA in the UK, and building a successful consulting career across industries before eventually finding her way back to performance.Topics include:• Why Katie quit Degrassi• The reality of being a child actor• Bullying and exclusion in entertainment• Audition culture and rejection• Child safety on film sets• Balancing acting and school• Transitioning from acting into consulting• Returning to acting • “Say yes now, figure it out later” philosophyIf you're enjoying the podcast, consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast• Buy My Children's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 Follow Katie Lai IG: @whatisthestarsThe D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: [email protected]

Steve Scaini is an Emmy Award winning director who has directed hundreds of hours of television, including The Beachcombers, Anne of Green Gables, Degrassi, Super Rupert, Odd Squad, and many more. He has worked with notable talent such as Jennifer Lopez, Drake, Ryan Reynolds, and Ryan Gosling, to name a few. He also worked with me on Super Rupert and Naturally Sadie.With over 50 years in the industry, Steve is a master of visual storytelling and one of Canada’s most respected creative voices. He is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in filmmaking and I was thrilled to catch up with him. In this episode, we talk about: • His journey, the craft of directing & advice to young filmmakers• The future of filmmaking & ai• Working with famous actors and much more..If you're enjoying the podcast, consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast• Buy My Children's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 _____________________________________________________________Steve's IMBD: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0768737/_____________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: [email protected]____________________________________________________________TDZ Episode 029 - Steve Scaini#podcast #tdz #directing #degrassi #tv #film #director

Stoicism. It’s not about being emotionless, detached, or suppressing how you feel. That version, sometimes called, “Broicism”, is everywhere online, but real Stoicism is about understanding your emotions, not letting them overtake you, and focusing on what you can control. In this episode, I break down:• The Stoic dichotomy of control (what you can vs can’t control)• Why your thoughts—not events—create most of your stress• How Stoicism connects to modern psychology (CBT, locus of control, reframing)• Powerful ideas from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus• Practical Stoic habits you can use dailyIf you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, overthinking, anger, comparison, or regret, this is could help. Stoicism won’t fix everything. But used correctly, it can offer useful perspective. _____________________________________________________________If you're enjoying the podcast, consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast• Buy My Children's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr... __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe:    / @thedascenzozone  ◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4z...◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz...◼︎TDZ Instagram:   / thedascenzozone  ◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: [email protected]_____________________________________________________________TDZ Episode 028 - Stoicism [Solocast]00:00#podcast #tdz

Did you watch Yu-Gi-Oh! when you were younger?! My guest today is an Emmy Award-Winning Head Writer, Producer & Showrunner with 25 years experience in the kids and family space. He's worked on hit series like Super Why's Comic Book Adventures, Get Rolling with Otis, Welcome to the Wayne and most notably, multiple seasons, spinoffs and movies of Yu-Gi-Oh! In this episode, we talk about: • We talk about his path to becoming a writer and producer• Insider stories from Yu-Gi-Oh!• The impact of AI and much more... If you're enjoying the podcast, consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast• Buy My Children's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr-Michael-DAscenzo/dp/B0CKGVFP72 _____________________________________________________________The D'Ascenzo Zone: ◼︎Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCphk_rom3ggaW9qhFlIDrag?sub_confirmation=1◼︎ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7FMIr4zzMZMgQhd3SBUYqz?si=vg_AaJS5QdO6cCQffTIFYw◼︎Mike's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikedascenz/?hl=en◼︎TDZ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedascenzozone/◼︎Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@thedascenzozone◼︎For Business Inquiries: [email protected]________________________________________________________________TDZ Episode 027 - Mike Pecoriello 00:00 Guest intro00:38 How We Met on Super Why01:24 Childhood Storytelling → TV Career Path04:44 First Job at WWE (And Why He Quit)05:31 Breaking Into Nickelodeon08:25 From PA to Writer & Producer11:36 How to Create Great Show Ideas14:00 Good Idea vs Marketable Idea18:37 Would Yu-Gi-Oh Work Today?19:33 Rise & Fall of Kids TV (Nickelodeon Era)23:57 Why Hollywood Only Wants IP Now25:01 YouTube vs Netflix (Who’s Winning?)28:30 Why Audiences Crave Connection30:53 AI in Film & Animation (Honest Take)34:32 Using AI for Writing & Pitching38:07 Will AI Replace Entry-Level Jobs?40:25 Why Script Coordinating Matters42:09 Inside Yu-Gi-Oh (Behind the Scenes)46:14 Writing 250+ Episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh49:06 Adapting Anime for Western Audiences50:50 Censorship & The Shadow Realm Explained53:08 Writing Process & Insane Deadlines56:59 Why Yu-Gi-Oh Became a Global Hit1:03:28 Favorite Cards & Personal Picks1:09:37 Career Advice: Bet on Yourself1:16:21 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Him#podcast #yugioh #yugiohcommunity #yugiohcards