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Behind the Mask
From the Australian star of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.
My book includes many of the lessons, learnings and wisdoms I found while trying to work out who I really am. Some I formulated, others I stumbled across while reading numerous philosophical, spiritual and self-help books over the years. Others are from the various coaches, teachers, gurus, guides, mentors, therapists and philosophers who have helped me grow through the ups and downs of life and self-discovery. Some have come through my podcast, Behind the Mask. My intention is not only to give you a backstage VIP tour of my musical theatre world, but also to provide you with some useful tools to help navigate life, find deeper meaning, explore a growth mindset, and ensure it's all done with a touch of humour.
Ultimately, I would like to help you step out from behind the masks you wear, the persona you have created. I want to give you the strategies and the confidence to understand and accept who you really are - because until you ditch the distractions and learn to love yourself as 'nobody', you will never truly love yourself as 'somebody'. You need to understand who you always were before you can realise who you might become.
My book includes many of the lessons, learnings and wisdoms I found while trying to work out who I really am. Some I formulated, others I stumbled across while reading numerous philosophical, spiritual and self-help books over the years. Others are from the various coaches, teachers, gurus, guides, mentors, therapists and philosophers who have helped me grow through the ups and downs of life and self-discovery. Some have come through my podcast, Behind the Mask. My intention is not only to give you a backstage VIP tour of my musical theatre world, but also to provide you with some useful tools to help navigate life, find deeper meaning, explore a growth mindset, and ensure it's all done with a touch of humour.
Ultimately, I would like to help you step out from behind the masks you wear, the persona you have created. I want to give you the strategies and the confidence to understand and accept who you really are - because until you ditch the distractions and learn to love yourself as 'nobody', you will never truly love yourself as 'somebody'. You need to understand who you always were before you can realise who you might become.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 12, 2025
Big thanks to Echo Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
It’s funny that outwardly on social media and on the stage I see a good looking and fit young man.
Reading this book the complexity, anxieties and the emotional layers come to light and reinforce the message it delivers.
Although aligned with a self help style it was backed up by personal experiences and anecdotes.
It offered many tips and a chance for self reflection with exercises to complete throughout.
Exploring personal growth and challenging mindsets was a stand out for me.
The mask metaphor worked well as feelings, insecurities and stumbling blocks are not visible.
The influence of self absorbed and curated lifestyles on Instagram erode self esteem for most, when really even these often mask emptiness and shallow values.
The tour backstage to some of theatres most iconic shows was fabulous and so interesting.
Unveiling masks these actors endure.
I saw and loved Josh in The Phantom and this interesting and topical read has given so much more depth and realism to the man behind that mask.
Humour, sound advice and personal triumphant moments coupled with low blows life throws makes this a book that could be picked up multiple times when needed.
It’s funny that outwardly on social media and on the stage I see a good looking and fit young man.
Reading this book the complexity, anxieties and the emotional layers come to light and reinforce the message it delivers.
Although aligned with a self help style it was backed up by personal experiences and anecdotes.
It offered many tips and a chance for self reflection with exercises to complete throughout.
Exploring personal growth and challenging mindsets was a stand out for me.
The mask metaphor worked well as feelings, insecurities and stumbling blocks are not visible.
The influence of self absorbed and curated lifestyles on Instagram erode self esteem for most, when really even these often mask emptiness and shallow values.
The tour backstage to some of theatres most iconic shows was fabulous and so interesting.
Unveiling masks these actors endure.
I saw and loved Josh in The Phantom and this interesting and topical read has given so much more depth and realism to the man behind that mask.
Humour, sound advice and personal triumphant moments coupled with low blows life throws makes this a book that could be picked up multiple times when needed.
May 15, 2025
🎭Behind The Mask 🎭
Thank you Ch’Aska and @echopublishing for my copy to read and review. I love my nonfiction and I was right on to this one. I approached this one more from the mental health aspect as I wasn’t aware of Josh’s extensive musical background! The perfect title for this book given his lead roles in Phantom Of The Operand and Les Miserables. Covering the good basic areas of masks, fear, awareness and flow etc, this was an easy to approach and digest guide to help yourself flourish and get through barriers that are so indelible on our inner selves today. As I was reading I was reflecting on a current situation and some feedback I’d just been given, making myself draw back from the criticism I automatically applied to myself. Is this what I want to really do? Is it going to help me as I break down the issue? I love that I was steered away from the fear, to pull back from the initial negativity. I was particularly interested in the area of medical lead psychedelics, as I’ve come across an author who has gone down this path. This small book is an easy read, it was fun getting to know Josh through this book, his debut. Well written and engaging, I recommend this to his fans, and I”m interested in checking out his podcast now. Josh also spoke a lot about manifestation, which is popping up everywhere lately. I want to check this out!
Thank you Ch’Aska and @echopublishing for my copy to read and review. I love my nonfiction and I was right on to this one. I approached this one more from the mental health aspect as I wasn’t aware of Josh’s extensive musical background! The perfect title for this book given his lead roles in Phantom Of The Operand and Les Miserables. Covering the good basic areas of masks, fear, awareness and flow etc, this was an easy to approach and digest guide to help yourself flourish and get through barriers that are so indelible on our inner selves today. As I was reading I was reflecting on a current situation and some feedback I’d just been given, making myself draw back from the criticism I automatically applied to myself. Is this what I want to really do? Is it going to help me as I break down the issue? I love that I was steered away from the fear, to pull back from the initial negativity. I was particularly interested in the area of medical lead psychedelics, as I’ve come across an author who has gone down this path. This small book is an easy read, it was fun getting to know Josh through this book, his debut. Well written and engaging, I recommend this to his fans, and I”m interested in checking out his podcast now. Josh also spoke a lot about manifestation, which is popping up everywhere lately. I want to check this out!
August 25, 2025
I really could have used a book like this to refer to throughout many moments in my life. The self-reflection journal prompts throughout especially.
It reminds you that behind outward confidence and appearances of being ‘someone’ there is a host of anxiety, fear and ego happening…the invisible challenges hidden behind a mask.
This is the sort book that could remain on your shelf forever, ready to pass on gentle reminders and guidance as you re-read, to challenge and acknowledge your mindset.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for the gifted copy to read and honestly review.
It reminds you that behind outward confidence and appearances of being ‘someone’ there is a host of anxiety, fear and ego happening…the invisible challenges hidden behind a mask.
This is the sort book that could remain on your shelf forever, ready to pass on gentle reminders and guidance as you re-read, to challenge and acknowledge your mindset.
Thank you to Echo Publishing for the gifted copy to read and honestly review.
June 29, 2025
OH MY GOD!!! For a first book, Josh Piterman absolutely understands what it means to be human, to introspect, to be critical, but also to love yourself. This book took me on a journey through his career as an actor, a yogi, a human - we aren't perfect, but that's okay. It's okay to make mistakes, it's okay to be wrong, it's what makes you human. 10/10 across the board. Please Josh, write another book, I'll be first in line to read it, because this book is 5/5. If you need a self-help book through the lens of a musical theatre legend, this is the book for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews