Writer Lyz Lenz joins us for a brutally honest conversation about what it really takes to survive the creative economy. From maxed-out credit cards to a New York Times bestseller, we talk about money shame, dental debt, raising kids without a safety net, and why community, not success, is the real measure of a good life.

If you want to hear more from our conversation with Lyz Lenz, including the very chaotic, very real story of what it actually felt like to hit the New York Times Bestseller list, head over to ⁠patreon.com/pastdue⁠.

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Comedian and actor Paul F. Tompkins opens up about career insecurity, creative joy, and why the secret to survival in a crumbling industry might just be doing it yourself.

If you want to hear more from today’s conversation with Paul F. Tompkins, including his dumbest money decision ever and the surprisingly smart investment he made that paid off big, join us at patreon.com/pastdue. You’ll get exclusive extras, extended interviews, and first dibs on upcoming surprises.

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Overworked, underpaid, & somehow still optimistic? Join us on "Past Due" as we navigate surviving an economy that doesn’t play fair. Starting May 7th, 2025.

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The creative economy is broken, and yet, we’re still here. Past Due is a new podcast from Ana Marie Cox and Open Mike Eagle about what it really takes to survive as a creator today. One job isn’t enough, three still won’t cover your bills, and success doesn’t guarantee stability. With honesty, humor, and guests like Paul F. Tompkins, Liz Linz, Taylor Lorenz, Adam Conover, and more, we talk wins, losses, and the myths of "making it." 

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In the final episode of Another Day, Ana Marie Cox and Open Mike Eagle unpack the quiet panic of not-quite-enough, from spreadsheets and therapy bills to racism, war, and creative burnout. Along the way, they talk literal and figurative agendas, how America speed-runs authoritarianism, and what makes people finally take to the streets.

Also: they reveal what’s next. (Spoiler: it’s their new show.) Welcome to the soft launch of Past Due: a podcast about surviving as a creative in a world that doesn’t want you to.

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Ana Marie Cox and Open Mike Eagle are working up something new—Past Due, a podcast about surviving the creative hustle. From side gigs to burnout, we’re digging into the real, messy, and sometimes ridiculous stories behind making a living today. Stay tuned for more

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What happens when living your dream doesn’t pay the bills? Ana and Open Mike Eagle talk about how unexpected gigs can save the day, but needing work still feels uncool. They reflect on shame, resilience, and the reality of making it as a creator in a world that doesn’t always reward your art.

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Ana left Substack. Mike loves Twitch. Both feel weird about it. Can you make stuff, get paid, and still sleep at night? This episode is about the messy ethics of making a living online.

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For all episodes, exclusive content, and to join the conversation, support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/AnaMarieCox

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Ana and Open Mike Eagle have been digging into what it actually takes to survive as a creative right now. We’re working on something special about all of this. And for those on the Patreon, we’ve got an exclusive look at our conversation with Adam Conover.

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For all episodes, exclusive content, and to join the conversation, support us on Patreon at http://www.patreon.com/AnaMarieCox

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Ana and Open Mike Eagle break down the absurdity of tiny residual checks, the real value of labor, the power of unions, and how industries isolate workers to weaken organizing. And they reflect on the surreal Trump-Zelensky meeting—why it felt more like a disastrous family dinner than international diplomacy and what it says about the crumbling norms of political discourse.

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