Just Get A Real Job

Jamie Mackinlay
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A podcast that demystifies the creative industries, hosted by Scottish Script Editor Jamie Mackinlay. Each week, Jamie chats with creatives at different stages of their careers about the highs, lows and everything in between. Perfect for anyone interested in working in the arts, Just Get A Real Job celebrates creativity in all its forms and offers insight, humour, and advice for anyone starting out or trying to navigate a career in the arts.

  1. 1d ago

    EP. 198 - 'Making a Living as an Actor in Scotland' with Darren Brownlie

    In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by acclaimed Scottish actor Darren Brownlie. Best known for playing Mikey in River City, Darren has built a career across television and theatre. With River City coming to an end, Darren reflects on what the show has meant to him, his journey as an actor, and why he's excited to be taking his critically acclaimed one-man musical *Crocodile Rock* to this year's Edinburgh Fringe. We chatted about: 🎭 Darren's journey into acting and training in musical theatre📺 Landing the role of Mikey in River City and saying goodbye to the show 🎟️ Bringing Crocodile Rock to the Edinburgh Fringe and the challenge of performing a one-man show 🎬 Theatre vs television and the realities of working in both 🎭 Why arts education matters and supporting young creatives📱 Going viral on social media and joining Cameo💭 His advice for aspiring actors and building a career in the industry…and much more. Find out more about Darren: 🎟️ Crocodile Rock at the Edinburgh Fringe:https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/crocodile-rock📸 Follow Darren on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/darrenbrownlie/ Podcast Links 💙 Support Just Get A Real Job on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: 📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob🎬 TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob🐦 X (Twitter):https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob🔗 All our links:https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 198 - 'Making a Living as an Actor in Scotland' with Darren Brownlie

  2. Jul 22

    EP. 197 - Reece Donnelly on 'Acting, The Apprentice & Creating Opportunities for Young Performers'

    In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by actor, entrepreneur and former Apprentice star Reece Donnelly From starting his career as a child actor in shows including Waterloo Road to founding the Theatre School of Scotland, Reece has built a career around creating opportunities for himself and the next generation of performers. In this conversation, Reece spoke about: 🎭 His journey into acting and how he got his start in the industry 🎓 Building the Theatre School of Scotland and creating opportunities for young performers across Scotland📺 What it was really like appearing on The Apprentice 📍 Why you don't necessarily need to move to London anymore to build a creative career, and why he's so passionate about championing local talent🚀 What it's really like running four businesses while balancing multiple creative careers🤝 The importance of putting yourself out there, taking chances and building meaningful relationships💭 His advice for anyone hoping to build a career in the creative industries, and much more. A great and insightful conversation. Find out more about Reece's work: 🎭 Theatre School of Scotlandhttps://theatreschoolofscotland.co.uk/🎓 Theatre College of Scotlandhttps://www.theatrecollegeofscotland.co.uk/☕ Skinny Coffee Househttps://www.skinnycoffeehouse.co.uk/🎬 Patter Productionshttps://www.patter-productions/com Podcast Links: 💙 Support Just Get A Real Job on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job 📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob 🎬 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob 🐦 X (Twitter)https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob 🔗 All linkshttps://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 197 - Reece Donnelly on 'Acting, The Apprentice & Creating Opportunities for Young Performers'

  3. Jul 16

    EP. 196 - Milo Edwards: 'Stand-Up, the Edinburgh Fringe & Building Your Own Audience'

    In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by critically acclaimed comedian Milo Edwards. From performing stand-up on Russian television in his early 20s to touring internationally, hosting multiple successful podcasts and returning to the Edinburgh Fringe with his brand new show, Catamaran, Milo has become a well-known name on the UK comedy circuit. Milo chats about: 🎭 Building a career in stand-up comedy 🌍 How a gap year in Russia led to him becoming a TV comedian there in his early 20s ⛵ His new show, Catamaran, and the story behind it 🎟️ Why the Edinburgh Fringe sometimes gets an unfair rap and why it can still be accessible for comics 📈 Building an audience on your own terms instead of waiting to be discovered 💼 Why creators and comedians need to think like entrepreneurs 💭 His advice for anyone wanting to build a career in comedy and much more. A funny, insightful conversation about comedy, creative careers and why success doesn't always look the way you expect. 🎙️ Find out more about Milo: 🌐 Website: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/ 🎟️ Edinburgh Fringe – Catamaran: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/milo-edwards-catamaran Just Get A Real Job links: 💙 Support the podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/ justgetarealjob TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob X (Twitter) 🐦https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob All links 🔗https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 196 - Milo Edwards: 'Stand-Up, the Edinburgh Fringe & Building Your Own Audience'

  4. Jun 24

    EP. 195 - 'My Award-Winning Book Was Rejected Over 60 Times’ | Margaret McDonald

    In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by Scottish author Margaret McDonald, who in 2025 became the youngest ever winner of the Carnegie Medal for Writing for her debut novel Glasgow Boys, which has been widely praised for its honest, hopeful portrayal of friendship, identity and growing up in Scotland. Margaret shares the journey behind Glasgow Boys, from writing fanfiction as a teenager in East Kilbride to becoming one of Scotland's most exciting literary voices. Margaret chats about: 📚 The inspiration behind Glasgow Boys and why she wanted to tell a story centred on platonic love ✍️ Writing fanfiction, finding her voice and taking the leap into original fiction ❌ Facing more than 60 rejections before finding an agent 📖 What the publishing process actually looks like, from securing representation to working with editors 🏆 Winning the prestigious Carnegie Medal and how she handled the sudden success 💭 Learning to trust her own creative instincts 📝 Her advice for emerging writers and much more A brilliant conversation about creativity, perseverance and what it really takes to get your first book published. Find out more 📚 📚 Glasgow Boys by Margaret McDonald:Waterstones - Glasgow Boys 👤 Find out more about Margaret McDonald:Scottish Book Trust Author Profile - Margaret McDonald 💙 Support the podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob X (Twitter) 🐦https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob All links 🔗https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 195 - 'My Award-Winning Book Was Rejected Over 60 Times’ | Margaret McDonald

  5. Jun 11

    EP. 194 - 'How Do Debut Filmmakers Get Their Chance?' | Gabriella Leonardi

    In this week's episode, Jamie is joined once again by writer and filmmaker Gabriella Leonardi. After moving to London for what was meant to be a two-month acting job, Gabriella is now pursuing a career as a writer and director, developing her own projects and navigating an industry that feels more risk-averse than ever. Gabriella speaks about: 🎬 Why breaking into film feels harder than ever 💰 Making your own work without money or industry connections ⭐ How Sheridan Smith came to appear in one of her short films ✉️ Why she decided to handwrite a letter to Steven Spielberg ❤️ How losing her grandad has made her even more determined to tell the stories that matter to her 🎥 Why she's determined to keep telling the stories she believes in, rather than changing her voice to become more "marketable" 💬 Rejection, resilience and what it really takes to build a creative career on your own terms. A brilliant conversation about what it's really like for many creatives currently. Find out more about Gabriella and her work: 🌐 https://fillinghamweston.com/clients/name/gabriella-leonardi/ 📸 https://www.instagram.com/gabriellaleonardi/ 💙 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob X (Twitter) 🐦https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob All links 🔗https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 194 - 'How Do Debut Filmmakers Get Their Chance?' | Gabriella Leonardi

  6. Jun 4

    EP. 193 - 'Why I Had To Leave TV' | Chloe Maylaw

    In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by Chloe Maylaw for an honest conversation about leaving the TV industry, creative burnout and building a life that's more aligned with the work you actually want to make. After a few years of working in television, Chloe made the difficult decision to step away from what many would consider a dream career. She opens up about the realities of working in TV, the impact it had on her mental health, and why leaving ultimately allowed her to focus on her real passion: writing and directing. Chloe spoke about: 🎬 Why she decided to leave the TV industry💼 How a more traditional 9-5 has given her more time and energy to create 🧠 Mental health and trying to find balance as a creative 📱 Building an online audience through honest and relatable videos about her experiences 🎥 Making your own work and creating opportunities 💬 What the TV and film industries need to do better, informed by her current work in HR A thoughtful and honest conversation about having the courage to change direction when something no longer feels right. Links 📸 Chloe Maylaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloemaylaw_/ 🔗 Chloe's Links & Projects: https://linktr.ee/chloemaylaw_ 💙 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob X (Twitter) 🐦https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob All links 🔗https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 193 - 'Why I Had To Leave TV' | Chloe Maylaw

  7. May 26

    EP. 192 - 'Finding Humour in a Broken Industry' | Craig Manson

    In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by Glasgow-based performer and artist Craig Manson for an honest conversation about creativity, performance and the realities of working in the arts today. Known for his satirical and hilarious videos about the arts world, Craig chats about why his content has resonated so strongly with creatives online, and how humour can sometimes become a coping mechanism for industry frustrations. Craig spoke about: 🎭 Building a career across theatre, live art, cabaret and performance 📱 Creating viral content and finding an audience online 😂 Why so many creatives “feel seen” by his videos 🎟️ The realities and frustrations of working in the arts 🎨 Coming from a remote part of Scotland and finding his way creatively 🏴 His upcoming Fringe show Bunny 💬 His advice for aspiring creatives and performers and more A funny, thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about creativity, identity and trying to survive the arts world with your sense of humour intact. Recorded at The Podcast Studio Glasgow on the 11th of May 🎙️ Out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube. This week’s episode is sponsored by rad Scotland. rad Scotland is a paid TV traineeship helping people from underrepresented backgrounds break into the Scottish TV industry through placements, training and mentoring. Applications close Wednesday 3rd June at 5pm:⁠https://trcmedia.org/training/rad-scotland/⁠ 🔗 Check out Craig’s work: Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/_craigmanson_/?hl=en Fringe show 🎟️https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/bunny Website 🌍https://craigmanson.info/ 💙 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob X (Twitter) 🐦https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob All links 🔗https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 192 - 'Finding Humour in a Broken Industry' | Craig Manson

  8. May 20

    EP. 191 - 'The Reality of Being an Artist' | David Kirkman

    In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by abstract artist David Kirkman for an honest conversation about creativity, neurodivergence and what it’s really like to build a career in the arts today. David shares his journey into abstract painting, how ADHD and autism have shaped both his work and the way he sees the world, and the realities of trying to sustain a creative career. David opens up about: 🎨 Finding his artistic style and creative voice 🧠 The impact of ADHD and autism on creativity 📱 Using social media to build an audience 💸 The realities of making a living through art 🖼️ Galleries, commissions and building relationships 🎭 Mental health, creative pressure and self-expression 💬 His advice for aspiring artists A thoughtful and honest chat about creativity, identity and learning to trust your own process. Links: This week’s episode is sponsored by rad Scotland. rad Scotland is a paid TV traineeship helping people from underrepresented backgrounds break into the Scottish TV industry through placements, training and mentoring. Applications close Wednesday 3rd June at 5pm: https://trcmedia.org/training/rad-scotland/ 🎙️ EP.191 of Just Get A Real Job 🎧 Out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube. 🔗 Check out David’s work: Instagram 📸 https://www.instagram.com/dkirkmanart/ Website 🎨 https://dkirkmanart.com/ 💙 Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob 🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job: Instagram 📸 https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob TikTok 🎬 https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob X (Twitter) 🐦 https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob All links 🔗 https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

    EP. 191 - 'The Reality of Being an Artist' | David Kirkman
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About

A podcast that demystifies the creative industries, hosted by Scottish Script Editor Jamie Mackinlay. Each week, Jamie chats with creatives at different stages of their careers about the highs, lows and everything in between. Perfect for anyone interested in working in the arts, Just Get A Real Job celebrates creativity in all its forms and offers insight, humour, and advice for anyone starting out or trying to navigate a career in the arts.

Information

  • Creator
    Jamie Mackinlay
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    199
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jamie Mackinlay
  • Show Website
    Just Get A Real Job

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