IJLMI: Into Acting with Atika Green

This episode of I’ll Just Let Myself In: Into Acting with host Lish Speaks and guest Atika Green dives deep into the real life of an actress—beyond the red carpets and highlight reels. What unfolds is a candid, emotional, and faith-filled conversation about grit, growth, and grace in the unpredictable world of entertainment.

Finding Purpose in the Pursuit

From the moment Lish welcomes Atika—her longtime friend and fellow Brooklyn native—the tone is warm and sisterly. They reminisce about growing up together and the determination that Brooklyn instilled in them. For Atika, that toughness became essential armor in an industry built on rejection. She recalls facing skepticism from family when she chose acting as a career, being one of the first in her family to pursue such a path. Despite the doubts, she pressed forward—driven by a love for storytelling and a belief that God placed this passion inside her for a reason.

“I was going to be the pioneer,” she shares. “Nobody had laid the brickwork for that, so I had to do it myself.”

That resilience—the ability to keep showing up after every “no”—is something Lish and Atika both connect deeply on. In their world, faith becomes the antidote to discouragement.

Working Between the Work

Atika opens up about the realities of acting: long stretches between gigs, one-cent SAG checks, and the mental grind of audition after audition. But rather than wait for opportunities, she learned to create them—producing skits, collaborating with brands, and using social media to showcase her range.

“It’s not always the highlight reel,” she says. “People see when I’m booked or in the trailer, but they don’t see the work in between the work.”

Lish agrees, drawing parallels to her own journey in media: “Even if you don’t want to do social media, do social media for what you do want to do.” It’s a reminder that in today’s landscape, visibility fuels opportunity—and consistency builds credibility.

Faith Over Fear

Throughout the conversation, faith remains the foundation. When acting roles feel scarce or rejection stings too sharply, Atika admits that she cries and prays. Recently, she’s also embraced sobriety—200 days and counting—learning to face her emotions without numbing them.

“I just talk to God,” she says. “Sometimes I don’t know what else to do. But I know I’m meant to do this.”

That honesty moves Lish, who shares her own lessons on trusting God’s timing: “The enemy will fight to keep you distracted when he knows you have something to give the world that will heal it.”

Together, they model vulnerability and perseverance—proof that spiritual strength and creative ambition can coexist.

No Small Roles, Only Big Impact

When asked about her breakout moment on Insecure, Atika beams with gratitude. Even though her part was brief, it affirmed her belief that every line matters. “There’s no small role,” she explains. “You never know who’s watching, and that one line could open the next door.”

Her dream? To one day star in a sci-fi or action project—a “Woman King” type of role that showcases Black women’s power, intelligence, and presence in the future. “I want to lead people in another galaxy,” she laughs.

The Power of Persistence

By the end of the episode, the conversation turns reflective. Lish challenges Atika to write, create, and keep pushing—reminding her (and the audience) that there’s no timeline for God’s purpose. “You could pop in ten years,” she says. “But what if that ten years is the Oscars and the Emmys and the house and the car? Then it’s worth it.”

For Atika, her legacy is simple yet profound: “Never give up. I want people to know she kept going—and because she kept going, I can too.”

Final Takeaway

I’ll Just Let Myself In: Into Acting is more than a conversation about Hollywood. It’s a masterclass in endurance, faith, and authenticity. Through laughter, tears, and Brooklyn boldness, Lish Speaks and Atika Green remind every dreamer listening: you don’t need permission to pursue purpose—just the courage to keep letting yourself in.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Intro: Lish welcomes Atika Green to the show
01:30 – Growing up in Brooklyn and developing grit
03:20 – Choosing acting and facing family opposition
05:45 – Working between the work: staying creative during dry seasons
08:30 – The reality of acting: rejection, small roles, and social media pressure
10:00 – Booking Insecure and learning “there are no small roles”
12:30 – Lish on comparison and trusting God’s timing
14:50 – Atika on faith, tears, and talking to God through disappointment
17:10 – 200 Days Sober: How sobriety changed her clarity and confidence
20:00 – Lessons from acting classes, improv, and staying sharp
22:10 – Dream roles, Black women in sci-fi, and future storytelling
25:00 – Overcoming imposter syndrome and rediscovering purpose
28:40 – Why reps aren’t saviors: doing the work for your own career
32:10 – The importance of perseverance and spiritual grounding
34:40 – What’s next for Atika Green
35:20 – Final words: “Never give up” and leaving a legacy of resilience
37:00 – Lish’s closing encouragement: stay the course and let yourself in