LiL: 27 | The Creative Journey w/ Scott Barnhardt

This episode features Scott Barnhardt, an actor-writer and independent education consultant (college coach) who guides creative students through goal-setting, applications, and college decisions.

Scott shares his path from a theater-loving childhood and professional acting career to earning an MFA in playwriting at UCLA, discovering a passion for teaching, leading as director of the Musical Theater Conservatory at the Orange County School of the Arts, and launching his own consulting business. Scott reflects on performing in the original Broadway cast of The Book of Mormon, using that period to transition careers, and explains he is finishing a book, The Creative College Journey. He also speaks about caregiving, grief after losing his mother and best friend, choosing love over fear through acts of service, and how self-compassion and service define a life leaning into love.

00:00 Meet Scott

00:15 What Scott Does

01:21 From Theater to Consulting

04:19 Building a Values Business

06:48 Entrepreneur Advice

09:51 Artists and Money

12:38 College Costs and ROI

15:06 Early Theater Roots

17:33 Finding Safety in Art

20:07 Supportive Stage Parents