Episode #46
Antonette Cohen on Self-Talk, Performance Psychology, and Sustainable Excellence for Artists
In this episode, Allison sits down with Antonette Cohen , a performance psychology consultant and former Broadway performer, to explore how self-talk shapes confidence, focus, and performance under pressure. Drawing from her lived experience as a longtime dance captain for Wicked and her training in sport and performance psychology, Antonette breaks down why anxiety, burnout, and self-doubt are not personal failures but gaps in psychological preparation. Together, they discuss practical tools for navigating audition nerves, reframing destructive inner narratives, and why self-compassion is not a weakness but a performance enhancer. This conversation offers artists a more humane, sustainable path to excellence without sacrificing ambition. ✨ What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Antonette’s journey from Broadway performer to performance psychology consultant Why burnout and anxiety are common in elite performance environments What performance psychology is and how it differs from therapy How self-talk functions as the “inner narrative” performers live inside A simple in-the-moment tool to create space from spiraling thoughts The difference between thoughts that are true and thoughts that are helpful Why deeply ingrained beliefs take time to shift and how to approach them safely What research shows about self-compassion and high performance Why kindness toward yourself does not lower the bar or reduce discipline Understanding the uncomfortable “in-between” or liminal space of growth 🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about Antonette’s work: AntonetteCohen.com Performance psychology practice: LiminalRise.com Follow Antonette on Instagram: @AntonetteCohen Research mentioned: Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff Learn more about the host, Allison Sheff: AllisonSheff.com Production & media projects: GrastaMedia.com 🎭 About the Guest: Antonette Cohen is a performance psychology consultant specializing in mental skills training for performing artists. A former Broadway performer and longtime dance captain for Wicked , she combines lived experience from elite performance environments with graduate training in sport and performance psychology. Through her practice, Liminal Rise, she supports artists in building sustainable excellence, deeper presence, and a healthier relationship with their inner experience. Keywords: performance psychology, self-talk for performers, performance anxiety, mental skills training, audition anxiety, self-compassion and performance, burnout prevention for artists, confidence under pressure, performing artists mental health, Antonette Cohen, Anxiety and the Artist
