Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben McDonnell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been a storyteller—I just didn’t know at first what form that would take. I started out pursuing acting, which taught me a lot about vulnerability, rejection, and how to show up authentically even when things feel uncertain. Along the way, I built a career as a photographer, working closely with actors, creatives, and entrepreneurs, helping them see themselves the way the industry—and the world—could see them.
As my life got bigger and messier—living in Texas on a ranch, juggling creative businesses, navigating identity, ambition, failure, and growth—I realized I had a lot of conversations that didn’t fit neatly into one box. That’s really where the podcast came from. It’s Ben a Week started as a place to be honest, funny, and occasionally unhinged about real life—whether that’s talking to celebrities, my mom, or someone who’s never been in the spotlight but has an incredible story.
Today, everything I do—acting, photography, podcasting—connects back to the same goal: creating space for real conversations, humor, and connection. I didn’t follow a straight line to get here, but I think that’s kind of the point. I built this by saying yes, staying curious, and letting myself evolve publicly—even when it was uncomfortable.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not a smooth road—and I think that’s actually been the most important part of it.
The biggest struggle has been rejection. Acting is built on it, but rejection shows up everywhere—projects falling through, opportunities that feel close and then disappear, people doubting what you’re building, or even doubting yourself. There were plenty of moments where it would’ve been easier to quit or pivot to something “safer.”
Another challenge was figuring out how to trust my own voice. Early on, I spent a lot of time wondering what people wanted from me instead of leaning into who I actually am. The more I tried to fit into a box, the less fulfilled I felt. The turning point was realizing that the things that make me different—my humor, my honesty, my perspective, even the chaos—were the whole point, not a liability.
There were also very real growing pains: building multiple businesses at once, funding things myself, burning out, and learning boundaries the hard way. Not every collaboration worked. Not every risk paid off. And doing it publicly means you don’t get to hide the failures.
But every struggle forced clarity. It helped me understand what I don’t want, who I don’t want to be, and what actually matters to me. Looking back, the rough parts weren’t detours—they were the road. And they’re the reason the work now feels grounded, honest, and worth doing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At the core, I’m a storyteller—but the way that shows up is a little unconventional.
I work across a few different lanes: I’m an actor, a photographer, and the host of It’s Ben a Week. My photography focuses on actors and creatives, helping them show up confidently and authentically—especially in an industry that’s constantly asking people to fit into someone else’s idea of who they should be. With the podcast, I specialize in real, unfiltered conversations that blend humor with honesty. One episode might be chaotic and hilarious, the next deeply emotional—but it’s always grounded in authenticity.
What I’m probably most known for is my ability to make people feel comfortable very quickly. Whether someone is in front of my camera or behind a microphone, my goal is to create a space where they feel seen and safe enough to be real. That’s when the best work happens. I’m not interested in polish for the sake of polish—I’m interested in connection.
What I’m most proud of is building something that feels genuinely mine. The podcast, my photography business, even the life I talk about on the show—I didn’t copy a blueprint. I built it by trusting my voice, taking risks, and letting my audience grow with me. I’ve had people tell me that an episode made them feel less alone, or that a photo session changed how they saw themselves, and that means more to me than numbers or titles.
What sets me apart is that I don’t separate humor from depth. I think you can be funny and still say something meaningful. You can be successful and still be figuring it out. I show the behind-the-scenes, not just the highlight reel—and I think people connect to that honesty in a big way.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is connection—real, honest connection.
For a long time, I thought success was about momentum, numbers, or getting to the next milestone. But the moments that have actually stayed with me are the ones where someone felt seen—whether that’s a guest opening up on the podcast, a client leaving a shoot more confident than when they walked in, or a listener telling me an episode made them feel less alone.
That matters to me because I know how isolating it can feel to chase something creative, to question your identity, or to feel like you don’t quite fit where you’re supposed to. I’ve lived that. Creating spaces—on a microphone, behind a camera, or in conversation—where people can show up as they are feels meaningful in a way that goes beyond career goals.
I also care deeply about integrity and growth. I want my work to evolve as I evolve, and I want to be honest about that process, even when it’s uncomfortable. If I’m putting something into the world, I want it to reflect who I actually am, not just what performs well.
At the end of the day, if what I’m building helps people feel a little more understood—or a little braver about being themselves—then I’m doing something that matters.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.itsbenaweek.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbenaweek
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsbenaweek
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itsbenaweek
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-ben-a-week/id1783890912
Image Credits
Stephanie Girard Photography
