Nopes and Dreams

In this episode, Jess talks to comedian, writer, and content creator Matt Hyams. Matt discusses pursuing standup and comedy writing in California, New York, and now Philly. We talk about his childhood influences, bombing on stage, using his marriage for inspiration for his comedy videos, facing rejection in writing classes, and the ups and downs of pursuing a career in comedy. He has recently gained a lot of popularity for his perimenopausal wife videos on social media. Go watch his videos on IG and Tik Tok. You won't regret it! Fact Check-- Men do, in fact, experience misophonia too!

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Matt Hyams - IG @ Matt Hyams

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 Edward Drake, who is an award-winning Irish-Australian filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Ed discusses his journey from getting rejected four times from film school to directing music videos, hitting rock bottom, and then moving on to directing feature films with huge stars like Bruce Willis, Kevin James, and Christina Ricci. His films have topped the charts on Netflix, Prime, Paramount+, and have grossed over $300 million on digital home video. And his latest documentary film, The Ascent, is premiering at SXSW this month!

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Katie Hyde @Indiecityfilms

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 old pal, Genevieve Angelson. They met when they were 17 years old at the Northwestern University summer theater program Cherubs where, of course, Genevieve played the lead and Jess played a 50 year old man (Type cast!). Genevieve is a New York City born actress. She is best known for playing Alanis Wheeler on The Handmaid's Tale, Indigo on The Afterparty, Patti Robinson on Good Girls Revolt, and Ruth on Flack. Other credits include House of Lies, This is Us, and New Amsterdam. Currently, she is on the TV series The Chicken Sisters with Lea Thompson and Margo Martindale.

Genevieve originated the role of Nina in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike which won the Tony for best new play in 2013. She is also a published writer.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Genevieve Angelson @genevieveangelson

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 Los Angeles based filmmaker, Blaise Miller. Jess and Blaise talk about when they first met in Chicago, taking improv at The Second City, Blaise's comedy group The Vacationeers, his first viral video on YouTube, starring in the ensemble movie "It's a Disaster", and his directorial debut "Hi, Blaise Miller". His most recent TV credits include HBO's Winning Time and a recurring role on FX's limited series, Clipped.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Blaise Miller @Bigpantsmiller

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to:

Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess chats with filmmaker, writer, and performer Katie Hyde. They talk about how they met on Zoom in a solo show class, the cringe of asking for money with a Kickstarter, motherhood, rejection hacks, their love of voice notes, and the creative process of writing and performing a one-woman show. Currently, she makes documentary content for big-name clients while also working on her latest show, My Mind is Made Up, which recently premiered at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Katie Hyde @Indiecityfilms

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to:

Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess chats with actress, director, and storyteller Noel Elie. Jess and Noel go on a journey through discussions about modeling, living in New York City, bad auditions, health issues, attachment styles, and being a meme queen. Alongside her work as an artist, Noel is also an embodiment guide and the creator of Alchemizing Anger, a visceral experience that moves women out of their heads and back into their delicious bodies—reclaiming sovereignty, pleasure, and emotional truth as a pathway to liberation through lived experience.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Noel Elie @noel_elie

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast, go to:

Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess chats with certified coach Erika Shannon. Erika started as a dancer and musical theater actress and took many pivots throughout her life. Erika discusses her dream of being on Broadway, the role of a swing, what it's like to tour with a show, her worst audition stories, and her experience at A Chorus Line boot camp. She currently coaches women helping them to get stronger, healthier and happier in perimenopause.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Erika Shannon: @Erikashannonmovement

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

Movie we talked about in the episode: Office Space

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

In this episode, Jess chats with actor, writer, and producer Bryan Fitzgerald. Bryan talks about what it's like to work with an intimacy coordinator, how one-line auditions are the most difficult, New York City rejection, and the highs and lows of being on set. Bryan has a production company, Sow the Seeds Productions, with his wife and fellow actor Valery Lessard. Bryan plays Terrance Joseph in Ed Burns latest movie, "The Family Mcmullen" now streaming on HBO.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Bryan Fitzgerald @Bryanpmfitz

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

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

In this episode, Jess chats with Jeff Howard. Jeff is an actor, writer, and producer. They talk about how they met in their early 20s in LA, cringe-worthy auditions, how Jeff booked a Super Bowl commercial, the fact that he missed his own bachelor party to be a guest star on Happy Endings, bad auditions, and how he started a production company called Big Smits Entertainment with his best friend B.J. Bales. Jeff made the big move from Los Angeles to Charleston this past year and teamed up with Danny McBride's Rough House Pictures on a new dark comedy titled Suburban Psycho. Jeff co-wrote the film with B.J. and the two also star in the movie alongside Malin Akerman, Ron Perlman, Dennis Haysbert and Ryan Hansen.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Follow Jeff @Justjeffhoward

The College Song Deadline announcement Original Music by @arianaandtherose

In this episode, I'm chatting with Ariana and the Rose. Ariana is a New York–based synth-pop artist creating a vibrant universe of cinematic pop, electronic energy, and intimate, emotional storytelling. With roots in music and downtown theater, she transforms live performance into an immersive world where audiences can step inside her songs. Her digital presence has flourished through viral performance clips and piano-driven storytelling. She has 50M+ views across TikTok and Instagram. Ariana made her U.S. late-night television debut on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and most recently performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she has toured extensively, sharing stages with artists like Lizzo and Cyndi Lauper. She is currently touring her one woman show The Breakup Variety Hour, which premiered to a sold out, Joe's Pub, and will make its Australian debut at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2026.

Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod

Guest: Ariana the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose

Edited by: Peter Ney

For more about the podcast go to:

Nopesanddreams.com