Just Get A Real Job

In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by Scottish author Margaret McDonald, who in 2025 became the youngest ever winner of the Carnegie Medal for Writing for her debut novel Glasgow Boys , which has been widely praised for its honest, hopeful portrayal of friendship, identity and growing up in Scotland. Margaret shares the journey behind Glasgow Boys , from writing fanfiction as a teenager i...

In this week's episode, Jamie is joined once again by writer and filmmaker Gabriella Leonardi. After moving to London for what was meant to be a two-month acting job, Gabriella is now pursuing a career as a writer and director, developing her own projects and navigating an industry that feels more risk-averse than ever. Gabriella speaks about: 🎬 Why breaking into film feels harder than ever 💰 Ma...

In this week's episode, Jamie is joined by Chloe Maylaw for an honest conversation about leaving the TV industry, creative burnout and building a life that's more aligned with the work you actually want to make. After a few years of working in television, Chloe made the difficult decision to step away from what many would consider a dream career. She opens up about the realities of working...

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by Glasgow-based performer and artist Craig Manson for an honest conversation about creativity, performance and the realities of working in the arts today. Known for his satirical and hilarious videos about the arts world, Craig chats about why his content has resonated so strongly with creatives online, and how humour can sometimes become a coping mechanism...

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by abstract artist David Kirkman for an honest conversation about creativity, neurodivergence and what it’s really like to build a career in the arts today. David shares his journey into abstract painting, how ADHD and autism have shaped both his work and the way he sees the world, and the realities of trying to sustain a creative career. David opens up abou...

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by poet Robbie Hood to talk about what it actually looks like to build a creative career right now. From starting out at open mics to finding an audience online, Robbie shares his journey into poetry and how social media has helped him get his work seen by a wider audience. Robbie opens up about: 🎤 Finding your voice as a poet 📱 Social media and going vira...

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by acting agent Ruth Hollyman , founder of Strange Town Agency , to talk about what it actually means to represent actors and build a career on the other side of the industry. Based in Edinburgh, Strange Town Agency represents some of the most exciting acting talent emerging from Scotland, with clients working across film, TV and theatre in the UK and intern...

In this week’s episode, Jamie is joined by poet Luke Wright to talk about what it actually means to build a career as a full-time poet. Luke has been writing and performing poetry for over 25 years, taking his work to theatres, festivals and pubs across the world. He’s created fifteen solo shows, three plays, and published various collections. Luke opens up about: 🎤 Building a long-term career as...

Jamie is joined by Claire Duffy and Maureen Hascoet live from the HB Film Festival for an honest conversation about the state of Scotland’s screen industry and what it really takes to build work from the ground up right now. Claire and Maureen open up about: 🎬 Building creative careers outside traditional media pathways🌱 Why grassroots movements and community-led initiatives matter more than eve...

In the first episode of 2026, Jamie is joined by writer, executive producer and founder of MsMono, Karla Williams Posiuniene , for an honest conversation about taking control of your creative career and what it’s really like being a writer in a changing media landscape. Karla opened up about: 🎬 Breaking into the industry as a writer 🎭 Why she chose to part ways with her agent and how that decisi...

In this year’s Christmas and New Year episode, Jamie is joined by returning guest Ashley Dick for a reflective look back on the past year. Ash opened up about: 🎬 How she has grown her production company and channel, Cinora 💸 The realities of crowdfunding a film 📈 Building an online audience without burning out 🎥 Reflections on some of the best Scottish films of 2025 🌱 The lessons learened thi...

This week, Jamie sits down with Hutch.on. Film for a really interesting conversation. Hutch is leading the charge in helping a new generation of indie filmmakers find and build an audience. Having worked across a number of projects in Hollywood including as an Executive Producer on the Emmy-nominated RZR . Hutch has now built an online community of filmmakers and grown a huge audience through his...

This week, Jamie welcomes Ian Murray, the UK’s Minister for Creative Industries, for an open and honest conversation about the state of the creative sector and what the Department for Culture, Media and Sport is doing to help more young people get into creative careers. Ian shares how his own upbringing shaped his understanding of accessibility in the arts, and why it still feels so difficult for...

This week, Jamie sits down once again with comedian and writer Kate Hammer for a funny, honest and wide-ranging chat about navigating life as a freelancer in 2025. Since she was last on the podcast, Kate has gone full-time as a stand-up comic and writer and is now literally a government-approved comedian on a global talent visa. Kate spoke about: 🎤 Making the jump into stand-up and building a car...

This week, Jamie sits down with Martyn and Christine Armstrong , two of the three founders (alongside Scott Simpson) behind the record label Blackhall Records . Together they explore the ins and outs of running an indie label in today’s ever-changing music landscape, from supporting artists like Dictator , Midnight Ambulance and Waverley , to navigating the challenges of a constantly shifting indu...

This week, Jamie reconnects with artist and creator Graham Cullis , who returns to the podcast after four years for an open and inspiring chat about art, meditation, and the life-changing path he’s been on since they last spoke. They chat about:   ✨ Graham’s Splat & Splash Tour , travelling around the UK’s beaches and bringing people together through art and community for mental health. 🎨 Sp...

This week’s episode is a special one, recorded live in Glasgow back in June in collaboration with _a nd friends . Jamie was joined by a brilliant panel of filmmakers, including BAFTA Award-winning Michael Lee Richardson , Valerie Andrews , Dylan Blore , and Blade & Bow Films’ Hayley Louise McGuire and Jayme Bartlett . Together they explore how filmmakers are adapting in an increasingly difficult c...

This week, Jamie welcomes back screenwriter Philip Ralph for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about class, creativity, and the ongoing crisis facing the TV industry. 💬 We chatted about everything from: 📺 How class continues to shape opportunity and representation 🎭 What the future of screen might hold for freelancers and working-class creatives 🎬 How shows like adolescence highligh...

Hello, how are you? It’s been a wee while since I last put something out, so here’s a short check-in. A quick chat about what’s been happening behind the scenes, the ups and downs of creative work, and some news. New full episodes are back on 15th October! Thanks for sticking with the podcast. Keep your eyes peeled. Links: 🌍  Visit our website : ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/Justgetarealjobpodca...

Ever wondered what it’s like to work at the heart of British television? BBC Commissioner Nick Lambon lifts the curtain on the realities of commissioning, producing and making some of the UK’s biggest shows. This week, Jamie sits down with Nick Lambon , Commissioning Editor at the BBC, for an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the television industry. From Doctor Who to soap operas, script editing...

This week on Just Get A Real Job, Jamie sits down with actor, playwright, comedian and rising Fringe star Sanjay Lago 💫Sanjay is currently performing his solo show Love Me Like a Chai Tea Latte ☕️ at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025, a heartfelt mix of storytelling, poetry and stand-up exploring love, identity and self-acceptance. 💬 We chatted about: 🎟️ What it’s really like taking a solo show to the...

With the UK’s creative industries valued at over £100 billion and growing faster than the national economy, why is it still so hard for young people to break in & have sustainable careers? In this episode, Jamie chats with Sam Hornsby, co-founder of ERIC, the free career exploration app helping young people discover exciting opportunities in the creative industries. With both Sam and her co-fo...

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Coulson an actor and writer taking her debut solo show Lioness to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. We spoke about: 🧠 Growing up creative and finding confidence in your voice 🌀 Living and creating with dyspraxia ⚽ Women’s football and the inspiration behind Lioness 👥 The importance of support from your community 🏟️ Making theatre accessible to wider...

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Carlo Cavagna Vice President of U.S. Operations at Two Daughters Entertainment and a key force behind the global writing programme PageCraft 🎬🌍 Carlo has worked across the creative industries for over two decades from helping launch Lionsgate’s early VOD platform to leading global trade initiatives for the UK Government. These days, he’s focused on helping...

This week, I’m joined once again by the brilliant Cat MacLeod a returning guest and friend of the podcast  for a raw and honest chat about what it takes to be a creative in 2025 ✨ Since we last spoke, Cat’s been selected for the inaugural Sean Connery Talent Lab with NFTS Scotland, where she’s directing a short film (with a real budget this time), and she’s launched _and friends  a brilliant new...