Adult performer and podcaster Siri Dahl joins us to talk about the emotional and economic realities of sex work in an era that calls itself creator-friendly, but still censors, exploits, and erases. We talk about the myth that OnlyFans is easy money, the rising pressure to be everywhere at once, and what it means to be both the product and the platform.

Bonus episode on Patreon: patreon.com/pastdue

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Musician and writer Rhett Miller joins us to talk about staying creative in an industry that keeps changing. From fronting the Old 97’s to writing children’s books, Rhett opens up about the financial rollercoaster of life on the road, the loneliness of independence, and the challenge of keeping faith in your work when the world stops clapping.

There's even more waiting for you on our Patreon. In this week’s bonus segment, Rhett tells us the behind-the-scenes story of filming the music video for “The End.” Including what it was like sitting in a bathtub full of (non-alcoholic) beer bottles after more than a decades of sobriety. Hear it only when you subscribe, plus ad-free episodes and more bonus content, at patreon.com/pastdue.

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Ana and Mike get real about what creative work actually looks like behind the scenes, breaking down the economics of touring, Substack’s Nazi problem, how platforms trap creators, audiences, and the psychology of performing.

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Podcast host and producer Jody Avirgan joins us to talk about walking away from big platforms like ESPN and NPR, and what it takes to build something sustainable on your own terms. We get into the pressure to grow, the trap of prestige, and the trade-offs between stability, scale, and creative freedom. In the end, rethinking success might be the real win.

Hear the full episode and more at https://patreon.com/pastdue

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Video essayist Ian Danskin joins us to talk about the exhausting economics of doing thoughtful work online—and what it means when your most meaningful content can’t pay the bills. From burnout to bad faith backlash, Ian opens up about what it takes to keep going when attention is currency... and you're broke.

Bonus episodes + extras: https://patreon.com/pastdue

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Screenwriter Bob DeRosa joins us to talk about what it really takes to build a long-haul creative career—one that doesn’t go viral, but keeps going. We break down 20+ years in Hollywood by the numbers, and what it reveals about persistence, rejection, reinvention, and the myth of overnight success.

If Bob’s Bluesky post made you feel seen, wait until you hear what didn’t make it into the main episode. In the bonus edition, Bob shares how a beloved project came close but never sold. Also we might have accidentally developed a Ted Cruz bio pic. Subscribe at patreon.com/pastdue to hear it.

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Journalist and podcast host Sam Sanders joins us to talk about what happens when the thing you thought you wanted turns out to be too small. We get into the emotional and financial cost of walking away, what it means to do it yourself in a collapsing industry, and how to balance ambition with reality.

Want to know what the scariest career pivot Sam Sanders had to make? You can find out at ⁠patreon.com/pastdue⁠. Each week the episode continues with bonus questions, extended interviews… And if you subscribe, you get access to our discord, special episodes, early access, and more. Subscribe at patreon.com/pastdue and tell a friend!

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Comedian Josh Gondelman and writer Maris Kreizman join us to talk about surviving the creative economy as individuals and as a couple. We dig into the emotional labor of staying hopeful, the financial logistics of making art with no guarantees, and what happens when even the “success stories” feel precarious.

If you want more from Josh and Maris, there’s bonus conversations waiting for you at patreon.com/pastdue.

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Despite writing bestsellers and landing a Reese’s Book Club pick, Xochitl Gonzalez opens up about the lingering shame of precarity, the invisibility of working-class success, and why we need to drag money talk out into the light.

Love this? Hear more from the conversation with Xochitl Gonzalez at patreon.com/pastdue

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Ana and Mike talk about what it means to sell out... financially, creatively, and emotionally. From brand deals to burnout, they ask whether survival in the creative economy means compromising your values, or just being honest about what pays the bills.

For bonus content and more, visit patreon.com/pastdue

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