Meet Amy Goldberg | Producer / Writer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Goldberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Great question. There have been so many varying thoughts around work life balance and what exactly it is, that ironically it can cause more stress just trying to define whether we are balanced or not! In fact, guilt plays a factor in this whole thing. I’ve learned over time that if we reframe the thinking and ask ourselves, what it is that we want, and want to make time for?, then it’s more about priorities rather than balance. And for that reason I see my priorities change over time. It’s changed from probably shifting my work where I’m not taking on so much. Creating better boundaries for things I need to accomplish and areas of my life that require time to maintain healthy habits. Typically if you’re the keen ‘yes’ person, then others are going to ask you to do more things.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I grew up in a family of creatives. Whether it was art, film, entertainment, business, or other entrepreneurial endeavors. I was one of those curious kids that observed what others were doing with the hope that something I saw would resonate with me. I realized that if I was going to leap into something that it needed to be multifaceted. This I knew about myself. It needed to combine my interests of creative content, producing work that was inspiring, and where I could realize results that had clear outcomes.

My career so far has been made up of trial, error and ‘yay’ it worked! I’ve had the good fortune of working and collaborating with wonderfully talented people.

When you’re creating something, there are challenges to overcome and decisions to make that have you sometimes pivoting in mid-work. Being nimble, flexible, with a steady demeanour absolutely helps. I’m most proud of the work that I do when others give up way too soon. They throw in the towel because they haven’t seen financial rewards as fast as they had hoped – when really, financial gain is a by-product of what it is that you’re passionate about creating. If you can stay afloat and it’s worthwhile doing, keep going. Time is actually on your side despite everyone saying it’s the product or service quick to market. There’s an awful lot to be said for the quintessential quality of work. Hey, that’s why you pay so much for designer Brunello Cucinello clothing. They pride themselves on using only the finest materials.

As the founder and CEO of Push Back Productions, a company created to create, our philosophy is that sometimes you need to push back to push forward. I’ve been able to combine my skills and experiences as an accomplished producer, writer, entrepreneur, business strategist, and yes, even my influence as a health, fitness, and wellness warrior, to enrich and enhance all aspects of the creative work that we, the team, create and produce. We help those that we work with either as clients or collaborators think differently so that we create and produce really cool things.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man, there are so many cool things to do. Ok, so, in no particular order, even though you asked for an itinerary …. here are things that I would take my friend to …

Malibu Creek State Park where the TV series M.A.S.H was filmed. If you walk deep into the area you’ll see the iconic signpost, panels with photographs from the show, mesh settings where the camp was set up, hospital jeep, and the mountains where they shot the helicopters coming in to land at the M.A.S.H unit.

Shop at ROW DTLA where talented designers have set up shop. Explore art, fashion, culture, food, and events.

Topanga Canyon Cafe 27 – head on out to the Topanga Canyon area and grab some lunch

Saturday Farmers Market in Topanga Canyon

Dukes Roadhouse in Malibu is a fun place to hang out after going to the Malibu Country Market

The Glen Centre – where we’d have breakfast at the Beverly Glen Deli where you’ll bump into Gene Simmons, Jon Voight, sometimes Warren Beatty, and many famous writers – if you knew who they were..

Canyon Country Store in Laurel Canyon and have coffee at Lily and Spikes Cafe – this is where Jim Morrison lived for awhile, across from Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, and other famous musicians.

Geoffrey’s in Malibu – a restaurant with a sensational view of and on the Ocean – and of course Nobu in Malibu to celebrity watch.

Pine Tree Circle in Topanga Canyon – shops, yoga, artisans, and Inn at the Seventh Ray – a magical restaurant in the forested area.

Getty Museum – because, hey, it’s The Getty.

Val Kilmer’s Gallery – HelMel Studio on Melrose Avenue

Universal Studios VIP (who has time to waste in lines) get a backstage pass and guided tour.

Tree People – Goldwater Canyon. Hike, walk, run, enjoy.

Malibu Farm Pier Cafe.

Malibu Country Market on a Sunday where celebrities and car enthusiasts come out with their gorgeous sports cars and proudly show them off. Fun conversations with the owners and photographers that love taking photos.

We’d go to a concert at The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills – since 1999 this place has been rocking. The Bacon Brothers, Gipsy Kings, Good Rundgren, Chris Isaak, The Temptations,

We’d Visit Ojai, Santa Barbara, and then on another day we’d head to La Jolla. I’d take a trip to Carmel if we weren’t exhausted by all the other things we were doing. You can’t beat driving on the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). We’d get a convertible.

Old Place Restaurant in Agoura Hills – a gem of a place.

We’d head to West Hollywood and hang out on Melrose Place. Catch some of the great art and fashion scene.

Catch a few Comedy clubs, and then at night head to Whiskey A Go-Go and The Viper Room.

Of course it’s fun to have breakfast, lunch or drinks at the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard

Sure , driving out to check out the Hollywood Sign would probably be something my friend would get a kick out of. I’d go to Casa Vega and hang out at the bar. Great celebrity spotting if my friend was into that.

Silver lake is fun place to check out and hang.

Definitely Venice Beach. Take a bike ride along the Ocean. Watch the skateboarders, and people working out at the outdoor Gym. Even catch a pickleball game or two. Then head to Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice Beach to shop, people watch, and enjoy lunch or a drink. Great little secret spots to have lunch. Gjusta on Sunset Avenue, Belles Beach House on Windward Avenue, So many places. The Rose Venice on Rose Avenue.

So many other places I’d recommend – and yet these are the ones that come to mind.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The first person that inspired me was my 7th grade english teacher, Mrs. Hunter. I loved creative writing. I didn’t know if I was any good at it until she encouraged me to continue. “You have a real talent for writing” she would say. It was those words that gave me the motivation and confidence to keep on going. From there I was inspired by creatives and entrepreneurs. I remember reading Tom Peters book The Pursuit of Wow! And thinking, wow, I love how this guy thinks. From there I was inspired by the great philosophers; Alan Watts, Friedrich Nietzsche, Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, Descartes, and others. Those that have inspired and helped support my efforts have been many, and counting.

Website: https://www.pushbackproductions.com

Instagram: @amygoldberg3

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysgoldberg/

Twitter: @amygrocks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@believeinpeople

Other: https://rumble.com/c/BelieveInPeople

Image Credits
Amy Goldberg