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

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All links 🔗https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

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

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

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

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by poet Robbie Hood to talk about what it actually looks like to build a creative career right now.

From starting out at open mics to finding an audience online, Robbie shares his journey into poetry and how social media has helped him get his work seen by a wider audience.

Robbie opens up about:

🎤 Finding your voice as a poet

📱 Social media and going viral

💸 The realities of trying to make a living creatively

🧠 Staying authentic in a crowded space

🏠 How class still shapes access to the arts and creative opportunities

📲 Being labelled an ‘Instagram poet’ and the complexity that comes with it.

The conversation also explores the pressures of the industry today, navigating political themes in your work, and much more. 

An honest chat about creativity, visibility and what it takes to keep going.

🎙️ EP.190 of Just Get A Real Job 🎧

Out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube 

🔗 Check out Robbie’s work

Instagram 📸 https://www.instagram.com/robbie.hood.poetry/

YouTube 🎬 https://www.youtube.com/@Robbie-Hood-Poetry

💙 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

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by acting agent Ruth Hollyman, founder of Strange Town Agency, to talk about what it actually means to represent actors and build a career on the other side of the industry.

Based in Edinburgh, Strange Town Agency represents some of the most exciting acting talent emerging from Scotland, with clients working across film, TV and theatre in the UK and internationally. The agency has strong links with casting directors and companies across the UK and the US, and works with standout talent including Lewis Gribben.

Ruth launched the agency in 2011 alongside Strange Town Theatre Company, which she co-founded in 2008 to create opportunities for young people to develop their creative skills.

Ruth opens up about:

🎭 What an acting agent actually does day-to-day

🎬 How she built Strange Town Agency from the ground up

🌍 Her early career as a theatre maker, including living and working in Japan

🤝 The reality of the actor-agent relationship

🎯 What she looks for in new talent

📉 The current state of the industry and how it’s changing

🧠 The challenges (and rewards) of working in talent representation

A really insightful chat for actors, creatives, and anyone curious about how careers in the industry actually come together.

🎙️ EP.189 of Just Get A Real Job 🎧

Out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube

🔗 Check out Ruth’s work

Strange Town Agency
https://www.strangetownagency.org.uk/

All links
https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

Support the podcast on Patreon 💙
https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob

Instagram 📸
https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob

TikTok 🎬
https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob

X (Twitter) 🐦
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🌍 Stay Connected With Just Get A Real Job

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by poet Luke Wright to talk about what it actually means to build a career as a full-time poet.

Luke has been writing and performing poetry for over 25 years, taking his work to theatres, festivals and pubs across the world. He’s created fifteen solo shows, three plays, and published various collections.

Luke opens up about:

🎤 Building a long-term career as a working poet

✍️ His approach to writing

🌍 Finding your voice as a poet

🎭 How he manages his own tours

📱 How poetry is evolving in the digital age

🧠 Learning to embrace both the good and the difficult parts of the job

📚 Touring with the likes of John Cooper Clarke and Martin Nuwell

Luke also shares two poems in this episode, including Later Life Lesson and Gene Pool, and reflects on his latest poetry collection Later Life Letter and his upcoming tour. It was great to have Luke on the show.

🎙️ EP.188 of Just Get A Real Job 🎧

Out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube

🔗 Luke Wright

Later Life Letterhttps://www.lukewright.co.uk/later-life-letter-1

Luke’s website, tour dates & other workhttps://www.lukewright.co.uk/

🌍 Stay Connected With Just Get A Real Job

Website / all linkshttps://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

Support the podcast on Patreon 💙https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob

Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob

TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob

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Spotify 🎧Just Get A Real Job on Spotify

Apple Podcasts 🍏Just Get A Real Job on Apple Podcasts

YouTube ▶️Just Get A Real Job on YouTube

Jamie is joined by Claire Duffy and Maureen Hascoet live from the HB Film Festival for an honest conversation about the state of Scotland’s screen industry and what it really takes to build work from the ground up right now.

Claire and Maureen open up about:

🎬 Building creative careers outside traditional media pathways🌱 Why grassroots movements and community-led initiatives matter more than ever🧠 The mindset shifts that can hold creatives back from putting work out🤝 Creating opportunities through collaboration rather than permission🏗️ The realities of funding, access and sustainability in the current industry📣 Why Maureen founded the Scottish Screenwriters Festival and why Claire started the Glasgow Telly Festival🔍 Where the gaps still exist and what needs to change

A really open conversation about what the industry can learn from those building things at a grassroots level.

It was a genuine pleasure to welcome both Claire and Maureen on the show.

A massive thank you to the team at IRIS for filming this episode, with a special shoutout to Abbie and Conor, and to Conor Mecham for his editing support on this week’s episode.

Recorded live on Sunday 5th October.

🔗 Episode & Partner Links

HB Film Festivalhttps://www.hbfilmfestival.com/

IRIS Ayrhttps://www.theirisayr.com/

👥 GuestsClaire Duffyhttps://www.instagram.com/duffysclaire/

Maureen Hascoethttps://www.instagram.com/maureencuestas/?hl=en

🌍 Stay Connected With Just Get A Real JobWebsite / all linkshttps://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

Support the podcast on Patreon 💙https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob

Instagram 📸https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob

TikTok 🎬https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob

X (Twitter) 🐦https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob

Spotify 🎧

Apple Podcasts 🍏Just Get A Real Job on Youtube.

In the first episode of 2026, Jamie is joined by writer, executive producer and founder of MsMono, Karla Williams Posiuniene, for an honest conversation about taking control of your creative career and what it’s really like being a writer in a changing media landscape.

Karla opened up about:

🎬 Breaking into the industry as a writer

🎭 Why she chose to part ways with her agent and how that decision served her better

🏗️ Building her own production company, MsMono

📚 The biggest lessons she’s learned in her career so far

📺 Writing for Grantchester

🔄 What she wishes she’d known when she first started out

📉 How the industry is changing fast

📺 The types of shows she’d love to see more of on screen

A really honest conversation about resilience, ownership, and building a creative career on your own terms.

Well worth a listen, particularly if you’re working in TV or film right now.

🔍 Follow Karla & explore her work

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cue.karla

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karla-williams-piuniene-3a057238/

MsMono: www.msmono.com

Karla’s website: www.karlawilliams.co.uk

🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job

🔗 Website: https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodcast

💙 Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justgetarealjob

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justgetarealjob

🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob

🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob

🎧 Spotify: Just Get A Real Job on Spotify

🍏 Apple Podcasts: Just Get A Real Job on Apple Podcasts

In this year’s Christmas and New Year episode, Jamie is joined by returning guest Ashley Dick for a reflective look back on the past year.

Ash opened up about:

🎬 How she has grown her production company and channel, Cinora
💸 The realities of crowdfunding a film
📈 Building an online audience without burning out
🎥 Reflections on some of the best Scottish films of 2025
🌱 The lessons learened this year
🔄 The changing media landscape for creators
🔮 Looking ahead to 2026 and more

A lovely end-of-year conversation about persistence, community, and making things happen at your own pace.

Happy New Year to all our listeners and thank you for all the support you have given us in 2025 🎧

🎬 Cinora
https://www.cinorafilms.com/team

🌍 Stay connected with Just Get A Real Job

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🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@justgetarealjob
🐦 X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/justgetarealjob
🎧 Spotify: Just Get A Real Job on Spotify
🍏 Apple Podcasts: Just Get A Real Job on Apple Podcas