Ep.22 | Actor Martin Sensmeier

We have a VERY special guest for Episode 22 - actor Martin Sensmeier! You may know Martin from productions like The Magnificent Seven, West World, or 1883, and soon you can watch him on Season Two of The Terminal List.

Chris first met Martin in 2020 when he keynoted the Reservation Economic Summit, and he joined us as a guest at RES 2025. In the episode, Martin shares more about his career journey, from a welder and roustabout working for Doyon Drilling in interior Alaska to a sought-after actor collaborating with some of the most famous names in Hollywood.

We hope you enjoy learning more about Martin - and please share with your friends!

Martin Sensmeier |
https://www.instagram.com/martinsensmeier

NEI Cherokee, NC |
https://ncaied.org/events/event/2025/05/08/native-edge-institutes-cherokee-nc/518901

NEI Milwaukee, WI |
https://ncaied.org/events/event/2025/05/22/native-edge-institutes-milwaukee-wi/518902

Chapters

• 1:03 Intro and Updates from The National Center
• 5:51 Meeting Martin Sensmeier
• 7:15 Martin the Welder
• 10:08 Working for Doyon as a Roustabout
• 14:03 Discovering Your Career Path
• 16:07 Move to L.A. and (Re)Discovering Acting
• 19:17 First Acting Gig
• 23:30 Acting Career Takes Off
• 24:59 Sticking with Acting Classes as Gigs Come In
• 29:25 The Magnificent Seven
• 34:59 Learning to Ride a Horse
• 39:18 Cultural Representation
• 42:59 Working with and Learning from A-Listers
• 45:04 Involvement in Indian Country
• 46:35 Upcoming Projects
• 47:49 Kids and Work-Life Balance
• 50:51 Staying Grounded and Keeping Perspective
• 55:46 Wrap Up