The D'Ascenzo Zone
The D'Ascenzo Zone

The D'Ascenzo Zone

Mike D'Ascenzo

Overview
Episodes

Details

What does it take to leave your comfort zone behind and become great? Welcome to The D'Ascenzo Zone. I explore creativity, the path to mastery and building a better life. I speak to creatives like actors, writers, directors, even a hypnotist about their craft and journey. I also sit down with entrepreneurs, doctors and other experts who express creativity in their own way. At its core, this show reverse-engineers greatness, so YOU can build it. Subscribe, and let's get into The Zone.

Recent Episodes

Inside Directing: Lessons From 50+ Years Behind the Camera | Craft, Stories & Famous Actors
MAY 13, 2026
Inside Directing: Lessons From 50+ Years Behind the Camera | Craft, Stories & Famous Actors
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
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80 MIN
 You’ve Been Using Stoicism Wrong
APR 29, 2026
You’ve Been Using Stoicism Wrong
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
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12 MIN
He Wrote 250+ Yu-Gi-Oh Episodes (Censored & Rewritten!)
APR 22, 2026
He Wrote 250+ Yu-Gi-Oh Episodes (Censored & Rewritten!)
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
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77 MIN
 Why You Feel Stuck — And How to Become the Hero of Your Life
APR 15, 2026
Why You Feel Stuck — And How to Become the Hero of Your Life
Feeling stuck in life? This conversation explores how to find purpose, break destructive patterns, and reinvent your identity using the Hero’s Journey framework.In this episode of the TDZ Podcast, I speak with Adam Jablin -- an author, keynote speaker, life coach and creator of "The Hero Project" which is a framework to help people break destructive patterns, rebuild identity and rediscover purpose. We talk about: • His path from addiction to becoming a coach• His three core frameworks: The Hero's Journey, the Mentor's Journey & The Surrender Journey• Plus the role of creativity and practical tools for change. _______________________________________________________If you're enjoying the podcast, consider supporting:• https://buymeacoffee.com/tdzpodcast• Buy My Children's Book: https://www.amazon.ca/Tiffy-Spiffy-Mr... _______________________________________________________Follow YT: ‪@Adam_Jablin‬ IG: @adamjablinWebsite: www.adamjablin.com_______________________________________________________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 026 - Adam Jablin0:00 – Intro0:36 – Identity Struggles & Substance use2:19 – Childhood Pressures & People-Pleasing 3:05 – Body Transformation & Confidence Boost 5:25 – Early Alcohol Use & Addiction Patterns 7:17 – Ego, Alcohol & Feeling Free 9:04 – Recognizing Addiction & Rock Bottom 12:15 – Recovery Advice & Early Intervention 14:00 – Spiritual Approach to Addiction & Healing 19:07 – Coaching Focus: Addictions & Life Patterns 21:03 – Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story 22:20 – Mapping Life Patterns & Arcs 23:32 – Hero’s Journey: Call to Adventure & Allies 25:01 – Overcoming Obstacles & Slaying Your Dragon 26:29 – Mentor’s Journey: Passing Knowledge & Power 28:50 – Tools, Creativity & Practical Transformation 32:20 – Overcoming Fear, Purpose & Mentorship 38:00 – Real-Life Transformation Examples & Advice 42:30 – Closing Thoughts: Recovery, Growth & Next Steps #podcast #tdz #growth #coaching #fyp #fy #mentorship #life #podcast
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48 MIN