Show Biz Pod

Carissa Ferguson & Emma Claire Dykes
  • 5.0 (29)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

For too long, creatives have been sold the lie that pursuing their passion means accepting financial struggle...not anymore. Show Biz Pod is a podcast that tackles creative careers, side hustles, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and how artists can and should strategically combine all four. Hosted by Carissa and Emma Claire - two NYC based actors with a passion for making sure our day jobs fund our dream jobs.  Join us every Wednesday for a new episode of Show Biz. So you can focus on breaking a leg—not breaking your budget. 

  1. S2 E15: From Princess Parties to Producing: How Makayla McIntosh Scaled a Family Entertainment Company Remotely

    1H AGO

    S2 E15: From Princess Parties to Producing: How Makayla McIntosh Scaled a Family Entertainment Company Remotely

    In this episode, we sit down with actor, producer, and entrepreneur Makayla McIntosh to talk about building an entertainment company that started as a high school accident and now runs remotely across state lines as she pursues her art. From princess parties to producing films, Makayla shares how business ownership has funded her art, reduced industry pressure, and expanded her creative freedom. What We Talked About How Makayla accidentally started her company in high school and turned it into a long-term, scalable businessWhy you can’t rely on the entertainment industry to be your “everything” Running a business remotely while living between Las Vegas, Vancouver, and beyondHiring a team and learning to relinquish control as a creative founderThe surprising overlap between producing films and running live eventsWhy building a business can actually take pressure off your artistic careerTools and systems that make creative businesses sustainableWhy AI will never replace live human connection (and why that matters for artists)Links & Resources: HoneyBook (CRM platform Makayla uses to manage bookings and contracts)Castle on a Cloud Entertainment WebsiteCastle on a Cloud Entertainment InstagramShow Biz Pod newsletter: The Direct DepositBe a guest on our show! Connect With Us: Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/showbiz.podTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@showbiz.podWebsite – https://www.showbizpod.com

    21 min

  2. FEB 11

    S2 E14: Ask Us Anything: Money for Artists, Our Side Hustles & NYC Actor Life

    In this Ask Us Anything episode, Carissa and Emma Claire answer real listener questions about money, side hustles, entrepreneurship, burnout, and balancing creative careers in NYC. From budgeting and taxes to UGC, voiceover, and hustle culture, this is an honest conversation about building sustainable creative lives. If you’ve ever thought “am I doing this right?” this episode is for you. What We Talked About • Why we started Show Biz Pod and how our branding came together so intentionally • Where to actually start with personal finance as a creative • Saving money in NYC (buy nothing groups, Facebook Marketplace, and sneaky discounts) • Doing your own taxes vs. outsourcing as a freelancer • Balancing a day job, dream job, social life, and mental health • When hustle culture goes too far • How to get started as an entrepreneur when you don’t know what you’re doing • Getting into voiceover and UGC in today’s market • Why UGC is becoming the new commercial lane for actors Links & Resources: Rocket Money – https://www.rocketmoney.com • Acorns – https://www.acorns.com • Buy Nothing – https://buynothingproject.org • FreeTaxUSA – https://www.freetaxusa.com • Backstage – https://www.backstage.com • Fiverr – https://www.fiverr.com • Too Good To Go – https://www.toogoodtogo.com • Canva – https://www.canva.com Connect With Us: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showbiz.pod • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@showbiz.pod • Website: https://www.showbizpod.com

    30 min
  3. S2 E13: Investing 101 For Creatives - How To Watch Your Money Grow

    FEB 4

    S2 E13: Investing 101 For Creatives - How To Watch Your Money Grow

    Investing can feel intimidating - especially as a creative when your income is irregular and your job doesn’t come with a 401k. But don’t fear! In this episode, we sit down with Chief Investment Officer of Due West Wealth, Troy Harmon, to break down investing fundamentals in a way that actually makes sense for creatives. We talk simply about long-term strategy, beginner mistakes, and how building wealth can increase your creative freedom! WHAT WE TALKED ABOUTWhat investing should actually look like for beginners Why diversification matters more than picking hot stocksETFs vs mutual funds Why starting small now beats waiting until you make more moneyHow inflation quietly erodes your savings (and how investing fights back)Emergency funds, high-yield savings, and when to keep money liquidRetirement options for freelancers and creatives without a 401kHow financial stability can give you more freedom to pursue creative workRESOURCES & LINKSLearn more about Troy’s investing services hereMention ShowBizPod when you contact Troy & receive 10% off his beginner investing programShow Biz Pod newsletter: The Direct DepositBe a guest on our show! CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @showbiz.podTikTok: @showbiz.podWebsite: www.showbizpod.com

    23 min
  4. S2 E12: The Actor’s Guide to Digital Presence: Branding Tips from Jenna Leigh Miller

    JAN 28

    S2 E12: The Actor’s Guide to Digital Presence: Branding Tips from Jenna Leigh Miller

    This week, we’re talking personal branding, social media, and digital presence for artists with actor and brand coach, Jenna Leigh Miller. Jenna shares how her online presence helped her book auditions, sign with a manager, and build multiple businesses while still pursuing her dreams of #JennaForBroadway! WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT How Jenna built a social media management agency and brand coaching business while pursuing theatreWhy casting teams are Googling artists and how your Instagram can work as a digital portfolioWhether actors really need to post on social media (and what to do if you hate posting)The mindset shifts that make social media less intimidating and more strategicTools that helped Jenna scale her businessPractical first steps for artists building a digital presence without getting overwhelmedWork-life balance as a multi-hyphenate  RESOURCES & LINKS Follow Jenna here: @JennaLeighMillerCheck out Problem Solved by Jenna here!Social media scheduling tool: Later.com (affiliate link available)Show Biz Pod newsletter: The Direct DepositBe a guest on our show!  CONNECT WITH US: Instagram: @showbiz.podTikTok: @showbiz.podWebsite: www.showbizpod.com

    30 min
  5. S2 E11: Retirement 101 - How & Why To Start Saving Now

    JAN 21

    S2 E11: Retirement 101 - How & Why To Start Saving Now

    Retirement might feel like a problem for later in life...especially if you’re freelancing, auditioning, or stacking side hustles just to make rent right now. But planning for retirement is one of the most powerful things a creative person can do to protect themselves. In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire break down retirement in a clear, approachable way and explain how artists can start building security even without a 401k or consistent income. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:What a retirement account actually isWhy creatives need to care about retirementThe difference between Roth IRAs, 401ks, and brokerage accountsWhy Roth IRAs are especially powerful for freelancers, performers, and self-employed creativesHow compound interest works and why starting early mattersThe order of operations for saving if you have access to multiple accountsHow to automate retirement contributions so saving happens without extra effortLINKS AND RESOURCES:Helpful Nerd Wallet Articles!The best index funds and how to start investingInvesting 101Retirement 101Brokerages mentioned: Fidelity, Schwab, and VanguardBreak Your Budget with Michela AlloccaCONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @showbiz.podTikTok: @showbiz.podWebsite: www.showbizpod.com That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo

    17 min
  6. S2 E10: Money Mindset for Creatives: Healing Financial Anxiety & Self-Worth with Therapist Amy Dykes

    JAN 14

    S2 E10: Money Mindset for Creatives: Healing Financial Anxiety & Self-Worth with Therapist Amy Dykes

    Why does money feel so emotional for creatives? In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire sit down with licensed therapist and lifelong creative Amy Dykes (MS, APC, NCC, E-YRT) to unpack financial anxiety, avoidance, and the deeply ingrained starving artist narrative. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:Why so many creatives struggle with fear, shame, and avoidance around moneyHow family upbringing and cultural narratives shape our relationship with financesThe emotional toll of rejection and inconsistent income on self-worthWhy avoidance is often a nervous system response, not laziness or failureThe damaging impact of the “starving artist” mythHow perfectionism shows up in financial habitsPractical ways to identify limiting money beliefsJournaling prompts and mindfulness tools to build financial self-awareness LINKS & RESOURCES:Find more about Amy’s counseling here. Download Amy’s Money Mindset Mini Journal here! Sign up for The Direct Deposit, our free weekly recap newsletterDownload the 5 Things Financial Checklist and other free toolsExplore more about us at www.showbizpod.comCONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @showbiz.podTikTok: @showbiz.podWebsite: www.showbizpod.com That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo

    21 min
  7. S2 E9: What College Won’t Teach You: Money, Business Building, & Side Hustles with BFA Student Ruby Wolter

    JAN 7

    S2 E9: What College Won’t Teach You: Money, Business Building, & Side Hustles with BFA Student Ruby Wolter

    College is often framed as the finish line before a creative career begins, but for most artists, it’s actually the starting point. In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire sit down with current BFA student Ruby Wolter to talk about what school doesn’t teach artists about money, business, and long-term sustainability. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:Why college is the beginning of your career, not a waiting roomHow Ruby turned her own college audition experience into a coaching businessWhen a “fun Instagram account” becomes a real income streamThe reality that auditioning is unpaid labor and how to financially plan for itWhy being a multi-hyphenate is a strategic choice, not a fallbackLetting go of the starving artist mentality early and building sustainability from the startLINKS & RESOURCES:Follow Ruby Wolter and RubyInRehearsalRuby’s book: The Audition ChroniclesSign up for The Direct Deposit, our free weekly recap newsletterDownload the 5 Things Financial Checklist and other free toolsExplore more episodes at www.showbizpod.comCONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @showbiz.podTikTok: @showbiz.podWebsite: www.showbizpod.com

    23 min
  8. S2 E8: A Financial Reset for Creatives - Budgeting, Saving, & Realistic Money Goals

    12/31/2025

    S2 E8: A Financial Reset for Creatives - Budgeting, Saving, & Realistic Money Goals

    Do you actually need extreme budgets and perfectly curated New Year’s resolutions to “be good with money”? Or is there another way to reset your finances that actually works for creatives? In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire break down how to approach money in the New Year without shame, pressure, or unrealistic expectations. For a mindset reset + tangible steps you can actually stick to, give it a listen. WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:How to reflect on last year’s spending without guilt or shameWhat a “financial reset” really means (and what it doesn’t)Realistic budgeting strategies for freelancers and artistsHow to save money with inconsistent or seasonal incomeSetting financial goals that fit your lifestyle - not TikTok’sWhy progress over perfection is the key to better money habitsLINKS AND RESOURCES:Sign up for The Direct Deposit - our free weekly recap newsletter!5 Things Financial Checklist + other free tools to organize your moneyFree Budget Tracker SpreadsheetBe sure to check out our budgeting & savings episodes! Submit a topic idea or guest pitch at www.showbizpod.com CONNECT WITH US:Instagram: @showbiz.podTikTok: @showbiz.podWebsite: www.showbizpod.com That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo

    19 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

For too long, creatives have been sold the lie that pursuing their passion means accepting financial struggle...not anymore. Show Biz Pod is a podcast that tackles creative careers, side hustles, entrepreneurship, personal finance, and how artists can and should strategically combine all four. Hosted by Carissa and Emma Claire - two NYC based actors with a passion for making sure our day jobs fund our dream jobs.  Join us every Wednesday for a new episode of Show Biz. So you can focus on breaking a leg—not breaking your budget. 

Information

  • Creator
    Carissa Ferguson & Emma Claire Dykes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Show Biz Pod

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