Turning Fear Into Creative Fuel: Actor Josh Pais’ Secrets to Presence & Creativity

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What if fear wasn’t an enemy to conquer, but a source of fuel for creativity? 

In this powerful episode of The Big Silence, Karena sits down with actor, teacher, and Committed Impulse founder, Josh Pais. From growing up in New York’s gritty Alphabet City to starring in over 150 films and shows alongside legends like Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, and Joaquin Phoenix, Josh’s story is one of resilience, presence, and creative freedom. He opens up about his new book, Lose Your Mind, how anxiety can become fuel instead of a roadblock, and why the unknown is the most powerful space for growth. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or simply trying to quiet the self-judgment in your head, Josh’s wisdom will shift the way you experience fear and creativity.

How can we reframe fear as a source of creative energy?

Josh reveals how fear, anxiety, and even sadness aren’t enemies to suppress but sensations to ride — opening the door to authentic expression, connection, and freedom.

(00:01:00) From Ninja Turtles to Neuroscience

• How Josh’s father, a physicist who worked with Einstein, influenced his view of emotions as atomic vibrations.
• Early struggles with anxiety and why suppressing fear disconnects us from authenticity.

(00:11:30) The Four Access Points to Presence

• Josh’s simple framework: “I’m back,” body awareness, breath, and environment.
• Why tuning into sensation creates connection, from courtroom lawyers to surgeons in the OR.
• How these tools help shift from self-judgment into creativity.

(00:20:00) Feeling Without Fixing

• Why any sensation, even anxiety, shifts in 7–12 seconds when fully felt.
• Josh guides Karena through noticing “atomic” sensations in her body.
• Why honoring sadness, joy, and fear unlocks energy instead of draining it.

(00:27:30) Growing Up in Alphabet City

• Josh’s childhood surrounded by artists, danger, and addiction in Lower Manhattan.
• How play and imagination became his lifeline.
• The decision to step away from drugs and lean into creativity as a survival tool.

(00:34:50) Lessons from Legends

• Stories from working with De Niro, Streep, Joaquin Phoenix, and more.
• Why the most powerful acting lesson he ever learned was simply: “Just talk to the person.”
• Josh’s mantra before every scene: “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Guest Resources

• Follow Josh Pais on Instagram
• Get his new book Lose Your Mind
• Learn more about Committed Impulse training

JOIN US: "Fall Into Motion" with Tone It Up! The Program begins October 20th, sign up now: https://my.toneitup.com/pages/fall-into-motion

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