The Next Chapter #3: Vera Santamaria

Hi everyone!

Welcome to the third episode of The Next Chapter. Today I’m talking to the incredible Vera Santamaria. Vera is an Emmy-nominated television and feature writer whose career spans multiple genres and two countries. Her courageous next steps will surely inspire you as they have me!I hope you enjoy our conversation!

Much love-

Ellen is back with her 3rd interview of The Next Chapter series. Today’s interview is with the amazing Vera Santamaria. Vera is an Emmy-nominated television and feature writer whose career spans multiple genres and two countries. She is Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner of How to Die Alone, a series for ABC Signature / Hulu / Onyx Collective starring Co-Showrunner and EP Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus, Insecure).

She was Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner on Hulu's much-lauded second season of PEN15, garnering a 2021 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy and WGA Award nomination for Best Comedy. Her other television credits include the critically acclaimed Ms. Marvel, Orange is the New Black, Schitts Creek, Bojack Horseman, Playing House and Community.

Born and raised in Toronto, Vera began her career writing for landmark Canadian shows such as Degrassi: The Next Generation, Little Mosque on the Prairie in addition to Co-Creating and Executive Producing the first North American television series to be centered on a South Asian family, How To Be Indie.

Vera signed an overall deal with ABC Signature in 2022. How To be Alone is her first project under her new banner, Welcome Stranger.

Our interview talks about the many next chapters she has courageously stepping into from changing countries to being in male-dominated writer’s rooms. I know you will be as inspired by her as I am.

You can learn more about Vera HERE.

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The Next Chapter

I have space for two more clients to sign up for The Next Chapter.

Maybe one of those spots is meant for you.

The Next Chapter is a program where you evolve from your current career and life … into your new era.

If you want to:

• Get a new job

• Pursue a creative project

• Start a side hustle or business

• Shift from your current profession into a new field

• Shake things up in your career and life and inject fresh energy

• Or make a change that appears small (to other people) but is a big deal to you

… this program shifts you from thinking about it to doing it.

Instead of dreaming about your Next Chapter, start living it.

“A year ago, I was neglecting my creativity and hiding my creative self from the world. Since I started working with Ellen, I’ve made changes large and small. I’m taking more risks, from changing the paint on my walls, to writing a book about my personal story (something I would have never done pre-Ellen!), to clearly articulating my value through my work (and even asking for more money to match the value I bring to the table). If you are on the fence about working with Ellen, take the leap. You deserve to fully show up in your life.” —Claire C.

Take a deep breath, feel those tingles of nervous excitement, and sign up.

Let’s figure out what your next chapter looks like, create a plan to build it, and get you there.

One year from now, you can be in the same place as you are now, or you can be living your next chapter.

Let’s make 2025 an invigorating, inspiring, and exciting year … and create the future you want!

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