Nopes and Dreams

In this episode, Jess talks to actor and puppeteer Harrison Bryan. After another sold-out appearance at NY Comic-Con, "BALLS: The Monster-Catching Musical Comedy" is launching worldwide for FREE on YOUTUBE! Starring Broadway's Stuart Zagnit, the original voice of Professor Oak in "Pokémon", this award-winning, immersive, action-packed adventure comedy features hundreds of special features, never-b...

Kate DeL is a jazz vocalist and live performer known for bringing vintage glamour, theatricality, and powerhouse vocals to the modern jazz scene. An established live performer in New York City and across the Northeast, Kate has performed at venues including Green Room 42, Miss Nellie's, Winnie's Jazz Club, Ginger Rabbit, and Blu Jazz+, with sold-out performances and a growing reputation for her si...

Kelly Lyon is a two-time Emmy Award-winning editor. Her editing credits include: The Muppets (Emmy winner), Adults, John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA (Emmy winner), SNL, and Portlandia. Other stand-up special editing includes: Chris Fleming, Alex Edelman, Bill Burr, Robbie Hoffman, Tig Notaro, and the upcoming Oh, Mary! Live.    @kellylyonedit Website: Kellylyonedit.com  Host: Jess Kaplan  ...

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 an...

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. He...

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, Hungryroo...

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...

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...

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, an...

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...

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...

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...

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 seri...

In this crossover episode, Jess talks to fellow podcaster Aransas Savas of The Uplifters Podcast.  Aransas Savas is a certified Leadership and Wellbeing Coach, behavioral researcher, and host of the award-winning Uplifters Podcast, with over 100,000 downloads. She is the author of the forthcoming  Courage Capital: How 100 Inspiring Women Do Big, Brave Things and How You Can Too. Coming  October 20...

In this episode, Jess talks to the listeners for the second time. She shares her first monumental experience with rejection and heartbreak when she was in eighth grade. She talks about how acting was always the love of her life and how painful it is when your dreams don't come true. She talks about her current goal of looking for magic everywhere amidst the disappointment.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nop...

In this conversation, Jess talks to performing artist, singer/songwriter & embodiment guide, Kristi Salerno. In 2012, she launched  Dance For Artists (DFA,) --  teaching expression & somatic movement to over a thousand Hollywood actors over the course of a decade. She was named one of "LA's Best Dance Instructors" in BACKSTAGE WEST (2016.) In 2017 Kristi launched KRIA Method-- a wellness modality...

In this episode, Jess talks to her Go-Solo teacher, mentor, and friend, Matt Hoverman. Matt is a TV writer/producer and playwright whose groundbreaking work in kids' animation ( Arthur, Curious George, Fancy Nancy, Sofia the First, Firebuds, Batwheels, RoboGobo ) has been recognized with an Emmy. Matt co-wrote the book for  The Audience  (Drama Desk Award nom. for Outstanding New Musical) – and he...

In this episode, Jess talks to Sean Conroy. He is a writer, stand-up, improviser, actor, and podcaster. Sean has written for  Adult Swim ,  Comedy Central ,  Seeso ,  NBC , and  ABC , and served as Head Writer and Co-Executive Producer on the cult favorite  Mr. Pickles . He's performed stand-up on  Conan , improvises weekly with UCB's  ASSSSCAT , and is a founding member of  The Swarm , UCB's orig...

In this episode, Jess talks to hilarious Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and content creator Clayton Farris. His recent acting credits include Weapons, MaXXXine, Tul sa King, The Pitt, and Cape Fear. Alongside his on-screen work, Clayton has built a highly engaged digital audience of over 900,000 followers across platforms through original comedic characters and sharply observed sketches about mo...

In this episode, Jess talks to director, actor, screenwriter, and producer Ken Arquelio. Jess and Ken met in the Howard Fine Masterclass in Los Angeles. Ken founded Vincero Pictures, a production company based in Miami and Palm Springs. He recently wrote and directed the short film called Disco Beats opposite Pepe Serna, which won best narrative short at the Arizona International Film Fest. As an...

In this episode, Jess talks to Paul Lubicz. Paul is a coach for high-performing leaders, artists, and athletes. For more than 25 years, he has helped extraordinary individuals regain clarity, direction, and internal coherence—so they can lead, create, and perform at the level their true potential demands. His work and wisdom have been featured in The Sunday Times, Men's Health, and GQ.   Guest: Pa...

In this episode, Jess talks to YOU… the listeners. She breaks down her motivation for starting this podcast, her personal journey with rejection, how it's been challenging getting new guests on the show, and her experience with repeated rejections when she wrote her first spec script and pitched a TV show in LA.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandt...

In this episode, Jess talks to Miami native Rochelle Weinstein. Rochelle is the USA Today bestselling author of eight contemporary fiction novels. She is the book columnist for AQUA Magazine and a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. LIttle Fishy has recently optioned her book "What You Do To Me" for feature adaptation, and her ninth novel, The Outbox, releases April 2027. Host: Jess Kaplan  ...

In this episode, Jess talks to LA-based and New York-born comedian, Max Meisel.  Over the last twelve months, Max has been featuring for Tom Arnold on his sixty-city stand-up tour around the United States and Canada. He is also on his first headlining tour titled "The L.A. Sober Tour" and the host and producer of BackDoor Comedy, a monthly comedy party combining music, a dance party, and a great c...

In this episode, Jess talks to New York actor, comedian, and writer Ashley Austin Morris. Ashley currently plays Roxanne Hertz opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Claire Danes in FX's Fleishman Is In Trouble, Nicole in Shonda Rhimes series Inventing Anna and as Debbie in Peacock's Poker Face opposite Natasha Lyonne. Go watch Ashley perform at the infamous Comedy Cellar in NYC and check out her comedy alb...