We talk with Billy, a Broadway stage manager with 30 years of experience, about what it really takes to run a live theater production. He shares how he built his career, what stage managers do during rehearsals and performances, and how they handle missed cues, technical problems, injuries, and emergencies—all while keeping the show moving.

Billy also explains how to become a stage manager, the skills you need, the demanding Broadway schedule, job security, union benefits, and how much stage managers can earn—from low-paying early jobs to around $200,000 a year at the Broadway level. Plus, hear what it was like working with stars including Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, and Scarlett Johansson.

If you’re considering a career in theater or curious about what happens behind the curtain, this episode offers an honest look at the pressure, rewards, and earning potential of Broadway stage management.

Explore more creative jobs →

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Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

A plumber shows up when your home is one bad valve away from a flood, and that pressure is exactly why the career can pay so well. I’m Mirav Ozeri, and I sit down with Mark Anderson, the plumber I’ve worked with for years, to get the unfiltered truth about plumbing as a job: the crawl spaces, the soot, the late-night calls, and the very real satisfaction of fixing a problem nobody else can solve. 

If you’ve been hearing that Gen Z is turning to the trades, we unpack what’s driving that shift and why plumbing remains one of the most AI-proof jobs out there.  But know what you're getting into.

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Subscribe (it's free) for more real numbers and real career stories.

Mark's Company - A Team's Website: https://www.ateamcomfort.com/

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

We sit down with architect Rob DuPont for an honest look at what an architect career is really like—from architecture school, licensing, and finding your first job to building codes, client demands, long hours, and running your own firm. Rob also breaks down architect salary and earning potential, including why starting pay can be surprisingly low and how experience, networking, specialization, and business ownership can change what an architect can make.

We also explore AI in architecture, sustainability and energy-efficiency requirements, working with builders and contractors, and the skills it takes to build a successful architecture career over the long term.

If you’re wondering how to become an architect, how much architects make, or whether architecture is still a good career in the age of AI, this episode gives you a firsthand look at the profession.

Explore more creative careers →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

Your voice can earn real money, but what does a voice-over career actually look like, and how much can a professional voice actor make?

We sit down with Heike Bachmann, a German voice-over artist based in New York, to go inside the business of professional voice-over work. Heike explains what the job really involves, from reading scripts with precise time codes to dubbing, lip-syncing, commercials, cartoons, museum audio tours, corporate narration, and medical voice-over work.

Heike also shares the unlikely story of how she landed her first voice-over job and turned it into a successful 30-year voice-over career.

We break down voice-over pay and earnings, including what beginners can charge, how commercial usage fees can reach thousands of dollars, and how auditions, agents, online casting platforms, and remote home studios have changed the business.

And then there’s AI. Heike explains how AI voice cloning and synthetic voices are already affecting professional voice actors, why contracts and voice rights matter, and where she believes the industry is headed.

If you’re wondering how to become a voice actor, how much voice-over artists make, what equipment you need to start, or whether voice-over is still a viable career in the age of AI, this conversation gives you a firsthand look at the money, skills, opportunities, and realities behind the microphone.

Heike Bachmann website: https://www.heikebachmann.com/

Explore More Performance & Creative Careers →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

What does a life coach really do? Diane Martinez joins us to explain how life coaching helps people move forward, why so many successful people still feel stuck, and how coaching differs from therapy. We also talk about building a coaching business, what life coaches charge, creating recurring income with Patreon, and the daily habits that can help people change their lives. If you've ever wondered whether life coaching is the right career—or the right investment—this episode is for you.

Connect with Diane:

Website: https://www.consciouscreatinglifecoaching.com/book-presale

Patreon Program: https://www.patreon.com/c/dianemartinez

Diane's book: Open Up and Get Unstuck →

Interested in starting your own business? Explore more interviews in our Business & Entrepreneurship category →

Check out top 100 career podcasts →

The  top 100 is the work of MillionPodcasts -first media database that replaces generic PR databases with podcast-specific contact and audience data.
https://millionpodcasts.com/

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

How do you become a successful personal trainer, and how much can you really make? In this episode, I sit down with personal trainer, licensed massage therapist, and martial arts expert Geoff Staz to explore the realities of building a career in fitness. We discuss personal trainer salary, certifications, getting clients, opening a fitness business, and why long-term success depends more on habits, nutrition, and self-trust than quick fixes. Whether you're considering a career in personal training or simply want practical fitness advice, this conversation offers an honest look at the profession and the business behind it.

Geoff's website: https://www.stazfit.com/

For more Unique and Unusual Careers →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

We talk with John Michelotti, of Catskill Fungi about turning mushroom obsession into a real career through education, value-added products, and deep respect for the forest. We break down what mycologists actually do, what’s safe for beginners, and where the money is in mushrooms versus where it simply isn’t. 

Connect with John and his farm:

Event schedule: https://catskillfungi.com/collections/events

Products: https://catskillfungi.com/collections/frontpage

Substack: https://substack.com/@catskillfungi

Yael's Substack: https://dyaelbernhard.substack.com/

Listen to more Unique and Unusual Careers →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

Thinking about a career in e-commerce photography? In this episode, we talk with product photographer Julie Benedetto about what it really takes to build a successful business photographing products for online stores and developing retail brands. Julie explains what makes product images sell, why styling and lighting matter as much as the camera, and how much of the work happens before and after the shutter click. We also discuss pricing, licensing, AI's impact on commercial photography, finding clients, and the growing opportunity to earn royalties instead of charging a flat fee. If you're interested in photography jobs, commercial photography, or becoming an e-commerce photographer, this episode offers an inside look at the career, the business, and the earning potential.

Julie's Website: https://www.juliebenedetto.com/

Listen to other creative jobs →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

We talk with Feldenkrais practitioner Leigh Scott, author of Secrets Babies Hold, a multi-media book about how babies develop through movement, touch, and sensory experiences during their first year of life. Leigh explains the science behind the Feldenkrais Method, shares practical ways parents can support healthy infant development, and discusses common concerns about milestones, muscle tension, and learning to crawl and walk. Whether you're a new parent, grandparent, caregiver, or healthcare professional, you'll come away with a better understanding of how babies learn and what they truly need to thrive.

Connect with Leigh:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_science_of_babies/

Leigh's Book: 

If you're interested to hear about careers in healthcare and wellness, visit our Healthcare Jobs category →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

We talk with NYC urban planner Eddie Joe about what city planners actually do and how cities are designed in the real world. From post-pandemic retail strategy and neighborhood revitalization to affordable housing, zoning, and economic development, Eddie explains how urban planners help shape the communities where we live, work, and travel.

We also discuss urban planner salaries, career opportunities, transitioning from architecture into city planning, and the skills needed to succeed in the field. Along the way, we explore GIS mapping, AI, smart cities, public engagement, and the complex balancing act between developers, government agencies, and local residents. If you're interested in urban planning careers, public policy, real estate development, or designing better cities, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most influential professions shaping modern life.

Listen to episodes about career change →

Find more creative jobs →

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.

Pam Meredith has a remarkable job: she’s a professional medium who helps people connect with loved ones who have passed away.

In this episode, she shares her career journey, offering unique insights into what it’s really like to work between the worlds of the living and the spirit.

What makes her perspective so compelling is her belief that mediumship isn’t rare, it’s a natural human ability that can be developed by anyone. She even shares practical techniques, for anyone who wants to try reaching out to their own loved ones and provides valuable guidance for anyone intrigued by the spiritual realm. 

Whether you seek career change ideas or simply curios about the unseen dimensions around us, Pam’s grounded insights will transform your thinking about life, death, and the possibilities within your own career path.

For more unique & unusually career → 

Connect with Pam 

Pam's website: https://www.pamelameredith.com/

Trying to figure out what career might actually fit you? Take my QUICK CAREER QUIZ  and see your matches, NO EMAIL, NO HUSTLE,  just 5 questions:
Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

About the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.

In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.

During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.