SAG-AFTRA ✦ AEA
Sep 9, 2020
In this heartfelt conversation on The Fabulous Life podcast, Tish Tindal sits down with actor, creator, and multi-disciplinary storyteller Ashley Ford for an open, deeply human conversation about creativity, resilience, and the courage it takes to build an artistic life.
Ashley Ford joins host Tish Tindal to explore the creative leaps, personal growth, and resilience that have shaped her artistic life. Speaking from Bridgehampton, Ashley reflects on her journey from Prince George in Northern British Columbia to Vancouver, New York City, and Los Angeles – each move prompting a new evolution in her craft and sense of self.
“Each time I’ve moved, it has released a sort of growth spurt.”
Listeners are invited into an intimate, honest look at what it really means to pursue a life in the arts, beyond the resumes, reviews, or credits.
Ashley discusses her multidisciplinary career – acting, singing, producing, writing, building theatre companies – and how none of it was ever about chasing labels. Creativity, she explains, has always been her driving force. As a child she remembers being fascinated to learn that “artist” was in fact a 'real job'! She has been following her passion ever since. “I don’t know what makes me do what I do—and I don’t care”, she says, acknowledging that creativity often comes from a place beyond logic or reason. It simply asks to be followed.
Rejection, Resilience, and Growth as a Human Being
The episode dives into the inner life of an artist: the joy of creating something from nothing, the vulnerability of starting new projects, and the challenge of trusting the process even when doubt creeps in. Ashley opens up about early rejections from drama school, the terror of improv, and the unexpected moments of encouragement that shaped her path. Over time, she learned that rejection is simply part of the actor’s daily reality, and not a measure of worth.
“As a working actor, you get rejected every day. Bring on the next rejection!”
A pivotal influence for her was the philosophy at Stella Adler Studio, where she later trained. Their belief that growth as an actor is synonymous with growth as a human being became a guiding idea in her life. Ashley speaks about stamina, kindness, collaboration, and the importance of feeding your soul – not just your bank account. She shares how returning to writing, reading, and nurturing her inner world was just as important as technical training.
“You have to feed your spirit as much as you feed your pocketbook.”
Whether she’s performing, producing, or supporting other artists, she emphasizes presence, self-kindness, and the courage to leap – even when you don’t know what comes next.
“Starting is the hardest part. But once you take that first step, the wave starts to carry you.”
Host Tish Tindal ends by saying, "This has been a masterclass.", describing Ashley as “truly fabulous” – not just for her talent, but for her humility, insight, and warmth.
Listen to the Full Episode
This episode offers an honest, uplifting look at what it really means to create a “fabulous life” – not as something flashy or distant, but as a series of brave, imperfect steps toward the work and the life you love
You can hear the full conversation on The Fabulous Life with Tish Tindal: