Nopes and Dreams

In this episode, Jess talks with Los Angeles-based actor, writer, director, filmmaker, musician, artist, and voice-over talent Noel Wells. Noel joined the cast of Saturday Night Live for the 2013-2014 season. In 2015, she was cast on Netflix's hit comedy "Master of None." We wrote and directed her indie feature film, Mr. Roosevelt, which won numerous awards, including the Audience Award at SXSW and was bought by Netflix. She self-released her debut album "It's So Nice" in 2019. She also appears on many popular animated series, including "Star Trek: Lower Decks," "Craig of the Creek," and "American Dad," among others.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

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

Look for our new YouTube Channel

In this episode, Jess talks to Basque-born Aran Goyoaga. Aran is an award-winning author, photographer, and professionally trained pastry chef. She is a three-time James Beard finalist and an Editor-In-Residence at America's Test Kitchen. Aran is the author of four cookbooks: The Art of Gluten-Free Bread, Cannelle et Vanille BakesSimple, Cannelle et Vanille, and Small Plates & Sweet Treats. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Good Morning America, Vanity Fair, Bon Appétit, Martha Stewart, Epicurious, and more. IG: @cannellevanille Website: arangoyoaga.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

Look for our new YouTube Channel

In this episode, Jess talks to Alyssa Payne, a New York–based composer, lyricist, and performer. Her one-woman musical Extra Crispy was commissioned by Forestburgh Playhouse and debuted at Joe's Pub last April. Her writing credits include F Word, Broadway's Never Been More Alive (Tony Award video produced by Theatrely), Virgin Mary! and commercial jingles for brands such as Mattel, Hungryroot and Swiffer. Alyssa earned her BFA in Musical Theatre from The Boston Conservatory at Berklee, where she received the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Scholarship, leading to mentorship with Shaina Taub, whom she later assisted on Suffs on Broadway. Payne has built a devoted following of over 300,000 across social platforms by doing what she does best—finding humor in heartbreak and music in the mess of being human. IG @alyssathepayne

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

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

Look for our new YouTube Channel

In this episode, Jess talks to multi-hyphenate Leah Knauer, who is a hilarious stand-up, improviser, actress, and singer. Leah has collaborated with Wayne Brady, Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Mary J. Blige, Jimmy Kimmel, Meghan Trainor, Travis Kelce, and Jack Black. She is in the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot film. You've also seen her on Comedy Central's Corporate and Not Safe with Nikki Glaser and as a guest on Adam Carolla's Show. Leah is a writer/performer in Ron Funches' sketch group, the Funch Bunch. Leah's personal mission in life is to add sparkle, sass, and laughs whenever she can.

IG: @Leahknauer

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

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

Look for our new YouTube Channel

In this episode, Jess talks with NYC-based comedian and writer Casey Balsham. You might know her from her breakout bits "A Message to Gen Z" and "Childbirth = Women's Super Bowl," which have racked up over 20 million views. AMNY just featured Casey as a performer to watch in 2026. She's been a go-to warm-up comic for Comedy Central and The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+, and has hosted the brutally honest parenting podcast Never Not Tired and the true crime deep dive Shady Sh*t. Her debut comedy album Son of a Barb shot to #1 on iTunes, and her solo show Inconceivable, an unflinching, deeply personal look at IVF and the road to parenthood, earned rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Her live comedy special will be available in 2027.

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 Deni Rayneau, a Sydney-based Abstract Expressionist artist, mentor, and creative facilitator.

Self-taught as a painter, with a background in graphic design, branding, and visual communication, Deni came to art through instinct, curiosity, and a deep need to express what words could not quite hold. Deni mentors women artists through Art&Soul, in-person workshops, and international retreats, helping them move past self-doubt, strengthen their visual language, and create from a more honest place.

Her work has been recognised nationally and internationally, including being featured in Alice in Wonderland, an art novel published by Bond&Grace, and as a finalist in both the Australian National Emerging Art Prize and the Leda Gallery Art Prize.

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 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