Having It All vs. Doing It All: Sasha Alexander on Acting, Parenting, and Finding Balance

Actor Sasha Alexander joins host John Frank Levey for a candid conversation about balancing a successful acting career with family life and the pursuit of creative fulfillment.

Drawing from her extensive experience across shows like "Dawson’s Creek," "NCIS," and "Rizzoli & Isles," Alexander shares honest insights about the challenges of maintaining authenticity both on and off-screen. The discussion weaves through her European upbringing, approach to complex roles, and recent journey of prioritizing family while navigating industry changes.

In this episode:

• How Alexander’s Serbian-Italian heritage and European exposure shaped her artistic sensibilities and acting approach
• The contrasting experiences of working on procedural shows versus character-driven series, and the unique challenges each presents
• A fascinating discussion about intimacy coordinators in Hollywood and their impact on directing and acting
• The reality of “having it all” as a working parent in the entertainment industry, and why timing matters more than we think
• Personal reflections on choosing to step back from major roles to be present for her children’s formative years
• What it means to maintain creative fulfillment while navigating the ebbs and flows of an acting career
• A thoughtful exploration of artistic integrity, personal growth, and finding peace with life’s natural seasons.

TV shows discussed in this conversation:

• Dawson’s Creek
• NCIS
• Rizzoli & Isles
• Shameless
• Presidio Med

Connect:

• To connect with Sasha Alexander, find her on Instagram: @sashaalexander
• To connect with John Frank Levey, please visit his website: https://www.johnfranklevey.com/ or connect on IG: @john_frank_levey_
• To order a signed copy of John’s memoir, "Right for the Role": https://www.johnfranklevey.com/book

Acknowledgments

Photographer Eusebio Hernandez specializes in “hero shots” — his own artistic spin on headshots. He helped John Frank Levey, who typically hates having his picture taken, feel comfortable enough to get a great shot for his memoir "Right for the Role." Learn more at www.heroshots.la.

The Right for the Role podcast would not have been possible without the generous support of PBS Management, Karen Cease, and the estate of Peg Sweesy.

Many thanks to my producers, Jerod Morris and Trudi Roth of It’s the TruStory (https://www.itsthetrustory.com)