Before The Encore is an exciting new Entertainment Podcast where the real stories of showbiz come to life. This is the hustle before the ovation, the raw, unfiltered journey of artists, performers, and industry pros carving their path to success. From rejection to standing ovations, we uncover the lessons, struggles, and triumphs that shape careers in the creative and performing arts. Come for the insights, stay for the entertainment. The hosts, with occasional special guests from the all over the industry share a mix of heartfelt storytelling, motivational wisdom, and industry know-how keeps every episode engaging, fun, and unforgettable. It’s not easy, but it’s possible. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, a seasoned pro, or just a lover of showbiz, this is your exclusive backstage pass to the industry’s best-kept secrets, candid conversations, and the moments that happen before the encore.
Listen on:
Before The Encore (BTE) is bold, dynamic, and unapologetically authentic. We capture the essence of showbiz before the standing ovation—the raw passion, hustle, and resilience that define success in the entertainment industry. Our tone is energetic, entertaining, and insightful, balancing industry expertise with a relatable, conversational style. We are both the hype before the performance and the wisdom behind the journey.
Your Hosts:
Nicholas Barnard & Holly Harris
Season 1 (2025):
Episode 1 (17 March 2025) : The Curtain Rises (ft your hosts Nicholas & Holly)
Keywords: Showbiz, Podcast Launch, Performing Arts, Our Creative Journey, Why we do it, Behind the scenes, What's happening in Theatre & Film, BAFTAs & Grammys, Supporting the underdogs of the industry.
Episode 2 (24 March 2025) : The Pressure before the spotlight
(Toxicity, Auditions & the Reality of Showbiz) (ft your hosts Nicholas & Holly)
Keywords: What's Happening in the industry, Showbiz Pressures, Audition Season, Toxic Competition, Performing Arts Schools, Industry Realities, Supporting each other
Episode 3 (7 April 025) : "Tales from the Editing Room" (ft Col Goudie)
We dive into the art of film editing, crafting stories - big and small with our first ever guest on the show. Featuring Editor, Col Goudie well-known for his work in major productions (such as Star Wars: Rogue One, Argylle, Monsters and more) join us for an episode that is not only insightful and entertaining but heaps of fun!
Keywords: What's Hot, Film News, Theatre News, Industry Expert Interview, Editor Insight, Editor, Star Wars, Argylle, Masterclass
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
The stage is set, the mic is live—welcome to the premiere of Before The Encore! 🎙
✨ Hosts Nicholas Barnard & Holly Harris pull back the curtain on what this podcast is all about: real talk, industry insights, and unfiltered conversations about the performing arts world.
In this debut episode, they cover: 🎭 Why the Arts Matter – From mental health to education, how the arts shape society. 🎤 Industry Buzz – The BAFTAs, Grammys, What's On Stage Awards, and upcoming theatre hits like Richard the Second and The Great Gatsby musical. 🎬 Hollywood & TV Rundown – Bridgerton season four, The Last of Us season two, and upcoming blockbusters like Mickey 17 & How to Train Your Dragon. ⚡ Meet Your Hosts – Nicholas & Holly share their journeys in theatre, film, and VFX, plus some fun rapid-fire questions!
It’s the start of something big—and this is your backstage pass to the industry. Don’t miss it! 🎧🔥 #BeforeTheEncore
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
🎭 The industry isn’t all standing ovations—sometimes, the pressure starts long before the spotlight hits.
In this episode of Before The Encore, Nicholas Barnard & Holly Harris dive into the toxic culture of performing arts schools, the high-stakes world of audition season, and the mental toll of competition in the industry.
🔹 The Dark Side of Drama Schools – When does tough training become toxic?🔹 Audition Season Realities – Rejection, bias & how to stay resilient.🔹 Industry Pressures – The struggle between creative passion & commercial expectations.
🎧 Tune in for real talk, insider insights, and some hard-hitting debates! #BeforeTheEncore
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
Sunday Apr 06, 2025
🎬 Episode 3: Cutting Through the Frame – A Conversation with Col Goudie on the art of storytelling big and small. In this powerful episode of Before The Encore, the hosts - Nicholas & Holly is joined by legendary feature film editor Col Goudie — whose career spans over four decades and a stunning variety of cinematic landscapes, from indie gems to blockbuster giants.
Col takes us on a journey through the editing suite, sharing insights through the tales from the editing room, with work like Star Wars: Rogue One, Argylle, Monsters, To Olivia, Tetris and much more. We unpack the creative chaos of cutting under pressure, the evolution from 16mm film to digital 65mm, and what it truly means to "find the story" in the edit.
As one of the few openly non-binary editors working at the top of their game, Col also opens up about navigating identity in the film industry and the importance of authenticity in the creative process.
This episode is an unmissable deep-dive into the invisible art of editing, packed with humour, honesty, and career-defining insight.
🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & all the other major platforms.