Ghostlight

Stageable
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Performing Arts
  • Updated Weekly

What does it actually take to build a sustainable life in the arts? Ghostlight is a podcast about the intersection of creativity, business, identity, and survival. Hosted by entrepreneur and theater artist Benjamin Reed, each episode features candid conversations with performers, playwrights, directors, producers, and builders navigating the realities of creative work. Together, they explore the mechanics behind artistic careers: money, leverage, burnout, storytelling, ambition, audience building, self-worth, and the challenge of creating meaningful work without destroying yourself in the process. Because making art is one thing. Building a life around it is another.

  1. Jul 7

    Brooke Benson: Money Coach for Creatives

    Money doesn’t have to be the enemy of creativity. This week on Ghostlight, Benjamin Reed sits down with actor, entrepreneur, and Not Starving Artists founder Brooke Benson for a conversation about the relationship between art, money, and the stories we tell ourselves about both. Brooke shares how financial anxiety led her to rethink traditional budgeting, why so many artists struggle with money mindset, and how creating financial stability can actually unlock greater creative freedom. Together, Benjamin and Brooke explore entrepreneurship, multiple streams of income, the realities facing today’s artists, and what it might take to build a healthier, more sustainable arts ecosystem. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, freelancer, or simply someone who has ever felt overwhelmed by money, this episode offers practical insights alongside a hopeful vision for the future. In this episode: • The origin of Not Starving Artists • Why budgeting often fails creative minds • The connection between financial stability and artistic risk-taking • Entrepreneurship as a creative practice • Multiple streams of income without losing your artistic identity • Why mindset matters as much as math • The future of nonprofit theatre and sustainable artistic careers • Practical financial habits every creative should know Chapters 00:00 – Meet Brooke Benson 00:30 – The Birth of Not Starving Artists 03:40 – When Saving Money Isn’t Enough 06:25 – The Mindset Behind Financial Freedom 12:35 – Building a Business While Building an Acting Career 20:20 – Why Creativity Makes Better Entrepreneurs 25:10 – Changing the Stories We Tell About Money 31:10 – Does Financial Stability Make Better Artists? 34:00 – The Money Flow Method 41:30 – Simple Financial Habits That Compound 45:15 – The Future of the Starving Artist 57:15 – Brooke’s Advice to Every Young Artist 58:50 – Where to Find Brooke About Brooke Benson Brooke Benson is an Equity actor, money coach, and founder of Not Starving Artists. Through one-on-one coaching, online courses, and her podcast, she helps artists and creative professionals build financial confidence without sacrificing the lives they’re trying to create. Connect with Brooke: Website: https://notstarvingartists.com Instagram: @notstarvingartists Podcast: The Not Starving Artist Podcast Ghostlight is a podcast about how art helps us relate to ourselves, each other, and the world. Hosted by Benjamin Reed.

  2. Jun 30

    225. Ben Grimes: Serving is a Core Value

    Episode 225: Ben Grimes: Serving Is a Core Value Actor. Army veteran. Founder. Artistic Director. Ben Grimes has spent much of his life moving between worlds: from a performing arts high school in Arkansas, to the hustle and bustle of New York City, to military service in Iraq, and now to leading one of Kentucky’s most impactful theater organizations. In this conversation, Benjamin and Ben explore how theater became a tool for self-discovery, why service remains one of Ben’s core values, and what the military taught him about leadership, purpose, and community. They discuss the surprising connection between Shakespeare and trauma recovery, the scars we carry through life, and the role storytelling can play in healing. The conversation also examines the future of American theater: resident companies, community engagement, artist compensation, nonprofit sustainability, and Ben’s vision for Market House Theatre as a cultural anchor for western Kentucky. At its heart, this episode asks a simple question: What happens when we gather in a room together and truly pay attention? Topics DiscussedGrowing up as a military brat and finding identity through theaterWhy acting became a path to self-discoveryThe challenges of pursuing a career in New York CityMilitary service, leadership, and life after the ArmyShakespeare, PTSD, and the healing power of storytellingTrauma, empathy, and the scars we carryThe rise and fall of resident acting companiesCommunity theater vs. professional theaterHow nonprofit theaters actually workEndowments, sustainability, and arts fundingBuilding Market House Theatre’s futureWhy theater remains a powerful tool for community buildingAbout Ben GrimesBen Grimes is the Artistic Director of Market House Theatre in Paducah, Kentucky. An actor, Army veteran, arts administrator, and founder of Riverside Actors Theatre, his work centers on storytelling, service, and the transformative power of the arts. Chapters00:00 Finding Identity Through Theater Ben’s childhood, ADHD, and discovering drama. 06:32 When Acting Wasn’t Enough New York City, artistic ambition, and joining the Army. 15:45 Service as a Core Value How military service reshaped Ben’s perspective. 19:05 Can Shakespeare Heal Trauma? PTSD, storytelling, and the science behind theater’s impact. 29:01 Building a Theater for Healing The Breach, Riverside Actors Theatre, and therapeutic arts. 37:28 What Is Professional Theater Anymore? Resident companies, community theater, and artist compensation. 46:46 The Future of Market House Theatre Ben’s vision for western Kentucky. 56:31 Theater as a Gym for Empathy Why communities still need shared artistic experiences.

  3. Jun 22

    224. Jenny Bennett: Hope is a Discipline

    What does it mean to spend a lifetime making theatre? Actor, director, educator, and fourth-generation theatre artist Jenny Bennett joins Ghostlight host Benjamin Reed to explore the power of presence, communication, and community. From growing up backstage in Michigan to building a theatre company in Taiwan, Jenny reflects on the experiences that shaped her artistic vision and her belief that meaningful communication begins with listening. Together, Bennett and Reed discuss actor training, directing, language acquisition through theatre, the economics of the arts, why live performance still matters, and the unique ability of storytelling to bring people together across cultures and differences. Along the way, Jenny shares lessons from a life in the theatre, why the best collaborators aren’t always the most talented people in the room, and why she believes that hope is not a feeling, but a discipline. Topics: Theatre, directing, acting, Taiwan, communication, community, arts funding, Shakespeare, collaboration, storytelling, attention, hope.

  4. Jun 12

    223. Ron Román-Meléndez: Why Stories Matter

    In this episode, Benjamin sits down with actor and storyteller Ron Román-Meléndez to explore why stories matter, who they are for, and what happens if institutions lose sight of their purpose. Drawing from more than a decade working at some of the country's leading classical theaters, Ron reflects on storytelling, artistic excellence, community, accessibility, and the tension between art and economics. Together, they examine the role of theater in a world filled with distractions, the difference between spectacle and substance, and why audiences continue to seek meaningful shared experiences. The conversation also explores the future of the arts, the value of live performance, the challenges facing cultural institutions, and the responsibility artists have to the communities they serve. At its heart, this episode asks a simple question: What are stories for? And what do we lose when we stop paying attention to one another? Chapters00:00 Introduction & Why Stories Matter 04:00 Attention, Advertising, and Modern Storytelling 07:20 Why We Tell Stories in the First Place 10:30 Community, Universality, and Shakespeare 16:30 What Makes Great Storytelling? 22:00 Trusting the Text and Trusting the Audience 27:00 Vulnerability, Performance, and Presence 37:00 AI, Imagination, and the Future of Art 43:00 The $250 Question: Why Leave the House for Theater? 51:00 Excellence, Craft, and the Pursuit of Better Work 58:00 Transparency, Institutions, and Funding the Arts 01:07:00 Technology, Access, and Expanding Audiences 01:13:00 Community, Civilization, and Why Stories Endure

  5. Jun 7

    222. Sam Moss

    In this episode, singer-songwriter Sam Moss reflects on creativity, community, and the slow work of making meaningful art. Together, Sam and Benjamin explore the difference between performing and connecting, why some songs take years to finish, the challenge of balancing artistry with a livelihood, and what happens when we give our attention fully to a craft. The conversation also dives into touring, house concerts, audience building, the changing nature of live performance, and why smaller, more intimate spaces may hold the key to deeper artistic experiences. At its heart, this episode is about patience, presence, and the value of creating things that cannot be rushed. Chapters 00:00 The Origin Story of Sam Moss16:04 The Joy of Music and Performance33:12 Expectations and Performance46:43 Balancing Art and Entrepreneurship01:03:59 The Art of Slowing Down

  6. May 27

    221. Caleb Clark

    In this episode, Caleb Clark shares his journey through professional acting, creative burnout, fatherhood, and building a coaching business for actors in Atlanta. Together, Caleb and Benjamin explore the realities of sustaining a creative life, the emotional toll of rejection, the illusion of “making it,” and why theater continues to matter in an increasingly disconnected world. Caleb reflects on: moving to Atlanta right before the pandemicperforming at the Tony Award-winning Alliance Theatrebalancing artistry, business, and familythe relationship between discipline and creativityand why theater feels less like entertainment… and more like communion.The conversation also dives into: money mindset for artistsacting technique and orchestrationmental health in creative careersstorytelling and empathyand the importance of community in artistic work. Chapters 00:00 Introduction & Creative Hustle 01:12 Moving to Atlanta Before the Pandemic 03:35 The Reality of Being a Professional Actor 08:12 Success, Discipline & the Myth of “Making It” 17:24 Family, Fatherhood & Creative Balance 20:45 “Theater Is Church” 30:48 Communication, Empathy & Storytelling 35:04 Building a Coaching Business for Actors 47:02 Money, Value & the Artist Mindset 49:15 Consistency & Orchestration in Acting 54:45 The Importance of Play Analysis 01:01:05 Rapid Fire Questions 01:03:07 Final Thoughts & Creative Encouragement Coach Clark's Website - https://thecalebclark.com Coach Clark Presents Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coach-clark-presents-artists-i-admire/id1541234567 David Ball's Backwards and Forwards - https://www.amazon.com/Backwards-Forwards-Understanding-Acting-Process/dp/1234567890 Guest Links Instagram - https://instagram.com/coachcalebclark Website - https://thecalebclark.com

  7. May 21

    220. ICYMI, David Deaton

    The conversation explored the challenges and opportunities in the performing arts industry, focusing on the impact of technology, authenticity, and the future of live performances. David Deaton shared insights on his music and film scoring career, the challenges of connecting with audiences, and the sustainability of live performances. The discussion also explores the role of self-promotion, the influence of creativity on health, and the potential for technology and AI to shape the future of live performances.

  8. May 14

    219. Good Birth Upcoming World Premier

    In this special episode of Ghostlight, Benjamin Reed sits down with playwright and Endstation Theatre Company Executive Director Patrick Earl to discuss Good Birth, Endstation’s upcoming world premiere production exploring the origins of Virginia’s eugenics movement and the infamous Supreme Court case Buck v. Bell. What begins as a planning conversation around livestreaming the production quickly evolves into a broader discussion about the future of theatre, digital access, and how performing arts organizations can continue engaging audiences beyond the walls of a physical venue. Together, Benjamin and Patrick explore: the historical inspiration behind Good Birththe challenge of expanding access to live performancelivestreaming and digital experimentation in theatrerecurring audience support and sustainabilitywhy “the performing arts have an access problem, not a value problem”and what becomes possible when small theatre companies stop assuming small outcomesThis episode is less a formal interview and more a real-time conversation between artists and operators trying to imagine what the next era of live performance could look like.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

What does it actually take to build a sustainable life in the arts? Ghostlight is a podcast about the intersection of creativity, business, identity, and survival. Hosted by entrepreneur and theater artist Benjamin Reed, each episode features candid conversations with performers, playwrights, directors, producers, and builders navigating the realities of creative work. Together, they explore the mechanics behind artistic careers: money, leverage, burnout, storytelling, ambition, audience building, self-worth, and the challenge of creating meaningful work without destroying yourself in the process. Because making art is one thing. Building a life around it is another.

Information

  • Creator
    Stageable
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Stageable
  • Show Website
    Ghostlight