In this episode, Jess talks to actor, singer, and songwriter Matthew Magnusson. Matthew is currently the standby in the brilliant Broadway show Just in Time. Other Broadway credits include: A Wonderful World (Studio 54). Off-Broadway: Hound Dog (Ars Nova). Regional: Jersey Boys, Mr. Holland's Opus, Grease, Floyd Collins, Spring Awakening, American Idiot. TV: "Law & Order: SVU," "FBI," "The Rookie: Feds." Film: Hall Pass Nightmare (Lifetime), Secret Lives of College Escorts (Lifetime), Nightingale (Amazon Prime), Dirty Sexy Saint (Passionflix). He also started a band with his wife called Big Sur Bound. IG: @Matthewmagnusson Band IG: @BigSurBoundOfficial

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to her friend, Nayantara Roy, whom she met in New York City while acting in her short film at Columbia University. Nayantara Roy's debut novel, The Magnificent Ruins, was a New York Times Editor's Choice novel of 2024, an LA Times Editor's Pick, a Washington Post Best Book, a People Magazine Best Book, and an Apple Best Debut, among others. Sisters Of A Halved Heart is her second novel. Both books are currently being adapted for television. In 2018, Roy won the Rick DeMarinis Short Story Prize for her short story, "8C." By day, she is the Senior Vice President of Television at Sandbox Entertainment, where she acquires and develops original scripted series. She was born in Kolkata and now lives in Los Angeles.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to Juliana Folk. She is an actor, writer, and producer based in Santa Monica, California. She's spent the past decade building a career as an actor across TV, film, commercial, and spokesperson work, alongside a growing slate of original screenplay work spanning comedy, drama, and genre. In 2024, she co-founded Napa Valley StreamFest and the nonprofit StreamFest Society, celebrating independent film, streaming series, and digital storytelling while supporting mid-career creatives reinventing their path in entertainment. IG: julianafolk https://napavalleystreamfest.com

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to her long-lost Chicago buddy Kevin M. Brennan. Kevin is an actor, writer, and producer. He attended the film and acting program at The University of Texas at Austin and trained at The Second City Chicago. Kevin has appeared in numerous feature films including THE TO-DO LIST, IT'S A DISASTER, FOLK HERO & FUNNY GUY, THE TURKEY BOWL, and THE LAKE HOUSE. Kevin played series regular Val on STILL THE KING and was the host of TLC's traveling version of JUNKYARD WARS. He also produces indie films! Including IT'S A DISASTER, THE SCENESTERS, MODERN IMBECILE'S PLANET WORLD, HOLIDAY ROAD, THE COVER VERSIONS, and GREEDY PEOPLE.

You can also find him on stage playing guitar, keyboard, and singing with his bands, THE IRISH GOODBYE and THE SCAR PAGEANT.

IG: Kevinmbrennan

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this crossover episode, Jess talks to fellow podcaster Aransas Savas of The Uplifters Podcast. Aransas Savas is a certified Leadership and Wellbeing Coach, behavioral researcher, and host of the award-winning Uplifters Podcast, with over 100,000 downloads. She is the author of the forthcoming Courage Capital: How 100 Inspiring Women Do Big, Brave Things and How You Can Too. Coming October 2027. Through her podcast, 1:1 and group coaching, masterclasses, and retreats, she gives women proven frameworks to stop hiding parts of themselves, find their true voice, own their story, and create success on their own terms. The Uplifters Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-uplifters/id1677423044 IG: @ Aransas_Savas Substack: https://www.theuplifterspodcast.com

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to the listeners for the second time. She shares her first monumental experience with rejection and heartbreak when she was in eighth grade. She talks about how acting was always the love of her life and how painful it is when your dreams don't come true. She talks about her current goal of looking for magic everywhere amidst the disappointment.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this conversation, Jess talks to performing artist, singer/songwriter & embodiment guide, Kristi Salerno. In 2012, she launched Dance For Artists (DFA,) -- teaching expression & somatic movement to over a thousand Hollywood actors over the course of a decade. She was named one of "LA's Best Dance Instructors" in BACKSTAGE WEST (2016.) In 2017 Kristi launched KRIA Method-- a wellness modality combining dance & somatic movement for healing. Kristi recently returned to music full-time and released her first EP, Asherah in 2025-- Now streaming everywhere. Kristi can be seen performing and producing creative projects in & around the LA & San Diego areas-- where she is currently producing an indie music video & short film for her original song, WOLF, coming out later this year! IG: Kristisalerno Website: https://beacons.ai/kristisalerno?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21dcXuUZP1YBQ7M0QSYG5P?si=21-WuWsQSw2HMze-RDJTfA

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to her Go-Solo teacher, mentor, and friend, Matt Hoverman. Matt is a TV writer/producer and playwright whose groundbreaking work in kids' animation (Arthur, Curious George, Fancy Nancy, Sofia the First, Firebuds, Batwheels, RoboGobo) has been recognized with an Emmy. Matt co-wrote the book for The Audience (Drama Desk Award nom. for Outstanding New Musical) – and he wrote the book for Disney Junior Dream Factory (which ran for 5 years at Disneyland Paris) and TheaterWorks USA's upcoming national tour of Clifford: The Big Red Dog, the Musical!

As a teacher, Matt has midwived hundreds of solo shows in his popular GO-SOLO workshops including winners of five FringeNYC Best Solo Show Awards, to name just a few. Go take Matt's incredible class!

IG: MattHoverman1

Website: Go-Solo.org

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to Sean Conroy. He is a writer, stand-up, improviser, actor, and podcaster. Sean has written for Adult Swim, Comedy Central, Seeso, NBC, and ABC, and served as Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer on the cult favorite Mr. Pickles. He's performed stand-up on Conan, improvises weekly with UCB's ASSSSCAT, and is a founding member of The Swarm, UCB's original house team. He hosts Punching Up, a podcast about writing and comedy, and teaches writing and improv to the next generation of comedy creators.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to hilarious Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and content creator Clayton Farris. His recent acting credits include Weapons, MaXXXine, Tulsa King, The Pitt, and Cape Fear. Alongside his on-screen work, Clayton has built a highly engaged digital audience of over 900,000 followers across platforms through original comedic characters and sharply observed sketches about modern life. Most notably, "That One Rich Couple" is a huge viral hit on social media. What began as a fun creative outlet on Vine has grown into a natural extension of his acting career and the perfect place to develop new characters, refine his voice, and consistently showcase his range. IG: ClaytonFarris TikTok: ClaytonFarris4ever

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com