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The 98% — Performing Arts
The 98%

Whether you’re in the entertainment industry or not, this is a podcast that will humour, shock, validate and inform. You think you knew what it’s like to be an actor? Think again…

The 98% explores what life is really like for the majority of actors and performers who, rather than trying to find an outfit for the Oscar’s, are trying to find a reader for a self tape after working a bar shift. It comes as a surprise to most that only 2% of actors earn their main source of income from acting work. This podcast represents, and gives a voice to, the other 98%.

What started as a comedy podcast in 2018, with co-hosts Alexa and Katie laughing and lamenting about the REAL #actorslife, has morphed into a relatable and supportive space through the lens of honesty and realism. And now, a platform and CIC run by Alexa. By lifting the curtain on things that need changing in the industry, exposing hidden truths, and chatting to brilliant industry professional guests from all corners of the biz, The 98% is a podcast, and platform, that works to humanise those in the industry and redefine what success means in a business that, before now, only shined a spotlight on the small minority.

@the98percentpod

Latest Episodes:

S530 - "If you know my bra size, you can text me back" Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Series 5 keeps on rolling along and for episode 30 it's the two OG's, Alexa and Katie, sitting down and chatting about the current #actorslife goings on with the usual brtual honesty, evaluating the relationship actors have with the industry, co-dependency, the future of the podcast, some exciting new offerings, and some actor woes and wins! . Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . Help support The 98%, every penny goes into the finances of podcasting and helps us stay on the air for free for all to enjoy! Ko-Fi https://ko-fi.com/the98percent Patreon https://www.patreon.com/the98percentpod . Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825! . The 98% represents the 98% of actors who don't earn their main source of income from acting work (yes, a real stat!!) We have 100+ episodes for you to enjoy, including incredible guests from all corners of the industry. Find out more about The 98% with more content + our blog at www.the98percentpod.com . Episode 30 of Series 5!! This milestone episode (the longest a series of The 98% has gone without a break!) is dedicated to our amazing listeners. You're why we're here and we so appreciate your listenership, love, support and enjoyment of what we do!

S5E29 - "Your world is subjective. And you can't change it." Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

"This year I will book my first TV credit" "I will sign with an agent" "I will star in a film" Sound familiar? These are all outcome goals, and very common amongst actors who are so determined to achieve that certain thing they think will make them more valid, especially in an industry that tends to only focus on the outcomes. But outcome foccussed goals can be detrimental, especially as actors when the outcome doesn't necessarily correlate to the process. What are process goals and why are they more important to focus on than outcome goals? This episode will explain all, and leave you feeling positive and inspired to make realistic and attainable goals and New Year's Resolutions for 2024 and beyond.

Today The 98% welcomes back one of the most listened to guests of the podcast, Dr Steve Bull! Steve is a keynote speaker, author and 'high performance' consultant. During his 40 year career he has coached CEOs, Olympic athletes, NATO officers, actors and university professors. He has attended 3 Olympic Games as the Great Britain Team Headquarters Psychologist and has worked with hundreds of athletes in professional sports helping individuals and teams optimize their performance potential. Steve is also...Alexa's Dad! While the bias may be considered strong here, this really is a not-to-be-missed episode and can change your mindset in ways that will forever improve your career.

In this episode Alexa and Steve discuss the importance of reframing goals as an actor to ensure they're within the realms of "controlling the controllables", how to stay confident and resilient as an actor, redifing success, and more! The perfect episode to shake off those January blues and get back on the actor horse.

For Steve's previous apperances on The 98% listen to Series 1 Episode 5 and Series 3 Episode 14.

For coaching/mentorship for The 98% visit https://www.the98percentpod.com/help

Read Steve's latest book The Game Plan for more (albeit, sports laden) insightful tips on enhancing performance under pressure. https://www.amazon.com/Game-Plan-Guide-Mental-Toughness-ebook/dp/B07M5N1TSD

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Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . If you've benefitted from, and enjoyed, the podcast and want to give a little back; we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent . Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

Happy Christmas from The 98%! Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

The Spotify wrapped for The 98% showed that 70% of listeners discovered the podcast in 2023! So, incase you missed these festive parodies in previous seasons, here are a couple of the favourite #actorslife covers from Christmases gone by. Jingle Bells parody + An Actors Night Before Christmas.

Happy Holidays everyone!

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Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series.

If you've benefitted from and enjoyed the podcast and want to give a little back, we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent

Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

S5E28 - "You are not a cog. You are not just an actor. You are a human being." Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

Happy Christmas 98 percenters! You made it through another year. This time with continued pandemic fallout, and industry strikes. If your 2023 was a brilliant one, Alexa and Katie are cheering you on from the bleachers! But if you had troubles this year, whether professional or personal, The 98% is here to hold you in comfort, support and solidarity. In this episode Alexa and Katie speak about those sometimes highs and often lows that came in 2023, with the support of Hester Evans; a wellbeing facilitator for film, tv & theatre and person-centred counsellor.

Follow Hester at @hesterevansf Follow us @the98percentpod, @alexa_morden and @katieelinsalt

If you'd like to partake in the gift of giving this Christmas, please see the below charities that Katie mentions in this epiosde: https://www.arc-uk.org/ https://www.relaxwithlucy.co.uk/ellies-gift-app https://www.sands.org.uk/winter

For quick links to our previous Christmas episodes, full of festive cheer, incredibly hilarious stories, and so much more - see the below!

2018: Christmas Special with the Show People Podcast! https://open.spotify.com/episode/37GYOJk2KO4bSwgM2X4FU3?si=3d9685acaa8a4c7c 2021: The 98% Christmas Panto Episode https://open.spotify.com/episode/7j2FEMLVws2vyqpxs9kSSL?si=fd1701b458874478 2022: The 98% Christmas Episode (with listener stories!) https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MFlKNjTCCrAjCWVcPrsAL?si=c166ebda70bc4b39

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Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

Bonus Episode - Alexa and Katie on In The Room podcast Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

The 98% inturrupts its regular scheduling to bring you a bonus episode as an early Christmas treat!

Listen to Alexa and Katie as guests on In The Room, a podcast inspired by The 98%! Hosts Matthew and Christian invited Alexa and Katie on to give a behind the scenes look at their journys in the industry, the background to how and why The 98% was born, what they've learned from doing The 98% and the guests the podcast hosts, advice for actors, thoughts on the abuse and mistreatment actors recieve, and much more!

You can listen to In The Room on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon music where guests help break down how actors can "get in the room." Follow them online @ITRInTheRoom

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Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series.

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If you've benefitted from and enjoyed the podcast and want to give a little back, we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent

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Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

S5E27 - "Happy actors do better work" Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

It's the 100th episode of The 98%! And what could be more on brand than a deep dive on the one thing that actors in the 98% have in common...having to have a non-acting job. Guest Robyn Holdaway returns to the podcast after publishing a brilliant article on The 98%'s blog entitled "How To Pick The Right Non Acting Job For You". They break down every part of the process of having to find a paythebills job with the main idea being finding a job that doesn't rot your soul...because, as Robyn so brilliantly puts it, "you will be a better actor if you don't hate yourself and your work, because the more desperate you become for an acting job...the worse you're going to become."

It's very normal to believe that the "right" job to have alongside your acting career is one that makes you as flexible and available for acting as possible, but that shouldn't be the only criteria. Considering 98% of actors don't earn their main source of income from acting, the reality is you are more than likely going to be paying your tax bill each year from work outside of the industry. So finding a job that is right for YOU, which can differ person to person, is of paramount importance. As is keeping a healthy state of mind and finding joy in your day to day life. How you pay your bills is a huge part of that, and in turn makes you a healthier and better person to enjoy the acting work when it does come. So how do you find a job like this? And what are the options? Listen now to find out!

Read the original blog post here: https://www.the98percentpod.com/blog/2023/10/2/1oqonj6t4ijsfut6289rpo2rxxheld

Follow Robyn online @robynholdaway

An enjoyable side hustle of reading in for self tapes for others is a click of a button away at https://www.weaudition.com Enjoy 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825! . Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . If you've benefitted from and enjoyed the podcast and want to give a little back, we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent

S5E26 - Strike Update, A No Vote? Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

While people are saying the SAG-AFTRA vote is over, technically it's just suspended. The deal offered by the AMPTP and agreed upon by the actors union still needs to be voted on by members of SAG-AFTRA...and some are voting no, including previous podcast guest and strike captain Kylie Sparks, who featured in our special strike episode in July.

Hear Kylie break down some of the deal points that bring concern for the "journeyman actor" (like those in the 98%!), and why they believe the union has been strong-armed into accepting a deal instead of pushing for rights that, if ignored, could cause irreprobable damage to our industry.

This episode is an audio recording of an instagram live, so if you'd prefer to watch this discussion head over to @the98percentpod to view.

(Halfway through the episode you may hear running water coming from Kylie's audio - someone was taking a shower and we weren't aware sound was being picked up, apologies!)

Follow Kylie online @kyliesparks

Read the MOA:

https://www.sagaftra.org/files/2023%20SAG-AFTRA%20TV-Theatrical%20MOA_F.pdf

Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series.

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If you've benefitted from and enjoyed the podcast and want to give a little back, we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent

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Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

S5E25 - "It's not about the millionaires. It's about the 98%" Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

It's the 98th episode of The 98%! And rules are being broken!! For the first time, The 98% is hosting someone from the other side...a 2 percenter!! Forget the usual format of interviewing familiar faces though, this is a relatable, validating discussion that might be exactly what you need in 98% life right now in the difficult landscape we find ourselves in.

Many will remember today's guest Tony Gardner as the whacky and wonderful Brian from My Parents Are Aliens and despite going on to have a brilliant long standing career in the arts, Tony is a listener of The 98% and big supporter of what the platform is all about. So, after he tweeted about the podcast last year, Alexa and Katie could not pass up the oppurtunity to have him on (and rejoice in their millenial glee)!

Tony shares his journey from medical school to stage and screen, his passion for the arts, his frustrations at difficulties actors face, and so much more!

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Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . If you've benefitted from and enjoyed the podcast and want to give a little back, we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent We are currently fundraising to keep our website/actor blog going - help us reach our goal so as much 98% content is available online for free as possible! . Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

S5E24 - Halloween Special Part II Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

In this two-part Halloween Special, Alexa and Katie enter the world of true crime, sharing cases with each other that also relate to being an actor, and life in the entertainment industry. Where better to uncover these sordid tales than Tinseltown itself: Hollywood..Where, behind the glitz and glam, lies a dark underworld of crime, prejudice and exploitation.

In this episode, Alexa tells Katie about the investigation of the murder of Bonny Lee Bakley. Bonny, desperate to find self worth, moved to Hollywood to chase the one thing she thought would give her life meaning - a famous husband. She finds this in Robert Blake, a man who was once hailed as among the finest actors of his generation but became better known as being in the center of a real-life murder trial and the most expensive investigation in LAPD history.

Content note: murder, coercive and abusive relationships.

The true crime starts at 10 minutes in, with the first part of the episode being general chat between Alexa and Katie about their current #actorslife.

If you are experiencing violence or abuse at home, please reach out for help. In the UK visit refuge.org.uk or Canada www.domesticshelters.org

Happy Halloween everyone! Stay spooky and stay safe!

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Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . If you've benefitted from, and enjoyed, the podcast and want to give a little back; we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent . Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

S5E23 - Halloween Special Part I Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Doing something a little different today, for the first ever Halloween special of The 98%!

In this two-parter, Alexa and Katie enter the world of true crime, sharing cases that also relate to being an actor. Where better to uncover these sordid tales than Tinseltown itself: Hollywood..Where, behind the glitz and glam, lies a dark underworld of crime, prejudice and exploitation.

In this episode, Katie tells Alexa about serial killer Harvey Glatman who was responsible for the senseless murders of Judy Dull, Shirley Ann Bridgeford, and Ruth Macardo.

Content note: murder, sexual assualt, rape, physical assualt, violence, kidnapping, minimising of crimes. Please take care while listening. If this isn't your cup of tea - please feel free to skip this episode. The story itself starts at 18 minutes with the first part of the episode being general chat between Alexa and Katie.

* Part II coming tomorrow *

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Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . If you've benefitted from, and enjoyed, the podcast and want to give a little back; we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our hat goes straight into contributing towards the costs of running the podcast and creating helpful content online for actors. Every little helps and is so appreciated! https://ko-fi.com/the98percent . Want to connect with other actors around the world, be coached, see castings, read in for self tapes or earn money reading for others? You can do all this and more at https://www.weaudition.com with 25% off your monthly subscription with the discount code 9825!

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