Health Food Store Buyer

6/3/25

Ever wondered who decides what goes on the shelves at your favorite health food store? Meet Matthew, a Health Food Store Buyer who's turned this behind-the-scenes job into a flexible, practical career that even helped him pay his way through school.

In this episode, Matthew gives us a peek into the day-to-day of being a buyer in the natural products world—working with manufacturers and distributors, tracking customer trends, and making sure the shelves stay stocked with everything from vitamins to vegan snacks. It’s a career with variety, responsibility, and a surprising amount of strategy.

Thinking about a side hustle while you study? Or curious about retail roles beyond the register? This episode is full of career insights and real-life tips that might just spark your next move. Tune in!

Indie Filmmaker

6/3/25

Filmmaker Ben Sottak tells us about his journey to making his first horror film "Hallowarrior" amidst challenges while sharing the financial and creative realities of independent film making.

Seven years after writing the first draft of his script, Ben finally brought his vision to life through private equity funding and state tax incentives.  If  you ever dreamed of making a feature film but wondered what it really takes? This is the episode for you!

Teaching In A Blue State

5/27/25

What does teaching look like on the progressive West Coast? After exploring education in a red state last week, we turn our microphone toward the challenges and rewards of teaching in San Francisco—one of America's most expensive blue cities.

Amy Brownstein Lum shares 25 years of wisdom as a literacy specialist who helps struggling readers navigate the complexities of language, and talks about the financial realities of teaching in an astronomical housing market as she breaks down the salary structure.

NYC Real Estate Agent

5/27/25

Maggie Kent of Core Real Estate, shares her journey from growing up in a real estate family in Canada to becoming a successful agent in New York City's competitive luxury market. A business where the barrier to entry is low but earning potential is high. Listen to the conversation about this commission-based job.

Theatre Director

05/20/25

What’s it really like to build a career as a theater director? In this episode, Mirav sits down with two-time Obie Award winner Oliver Butler to pull back the curtain on the job of directing for the stage—from Off-Broadway hustle to national acclaim with What the Constitution Means to Me.

Oliver shares the career highs (creative freedom, incredible collaborators) and the lows (spoiler alert: directing theater doesn’t always pay the rent). If you’ve ever dreamed of a career in the arts or are navigating a career change into something more creative, this episode is packed with refreshingly honest career insight.

From his early days as a backstage kid to directing on Broadway, Oliver proves that carving your own path is messy, magical, and totally worth it. Tune in for an inside look at the job of a director and the balancing act between passion and paycheck.

Florida Teacher

05/20/25

In this episode, Danielle Goodman from Florida joins Mirav to talk about the state of teaching. Florida is a difficult place to be a teacher: factors like low earnings and the cultural climate make a challenging job even harder. In spite of the challenges, countless educators choose to stay and make a difference in the lives of our nation's next generation. Tune in to learn more about teaching as a career and the nuanced story of America's teachers today. 

Radio jobs,  on-air & traffic controller 

5/13/25

Adam Schartoff shares his journey from traffic director to on-air personality at independent radio station WKZE, talking about the creative aspects of connecting with listeners through music and conversation. With good advice about breaking into the industry. Give it a listenEver wonder what it’s like to turn a love of music into an actual job? In this episode, Adam Schartoff shares his unexpected career as a traffic director AND on-air personality, at independent radio station WKZE.

Adam talks about the magic of radio, the creative thrill of curating music, and the real connection that happens when you speak into a mic and someone out there hears exactly what they needed. Whether you're thinking about a shift into broadcasting or just curious about the behind-the-scenes world of independent radio, Adam offers great career insight and advice for breaking into the industry.

Tune in and hear how this radio guy found his voice—and maybe get inspired to find yours too.

Imaging Technologist

4/22/25

When the doctor says, “Let’s take a look”—that’s where Tom O’Neill steps in. As a seasoned imaging technologist, Tom’s job is to operate the high-tech machines behind X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. It’s a career that blends science, patient care, and just the right dose of calm-under-pressure.

In this episode, Tom shares career insights about what it really takes to work in medical imaging—from knowing your anatomy and physics to being on your feet (literally) all day. But the biggest reward? Helping patients get the answers they need on the road to recovery.

If you're curious about a job in healthcare that mixes tech, science, and compassion, this one’s got your name on it. Tune in!

Lighting Designer

4/29/25

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes to create the magical atmosphere of a Broadway show? Four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams pulls back the curtain on the fascinating world of theatrical lighting design in this illuminating conversation about his unexpected career journey. The most eye-opening revelation comes when Adams explains how Broadway designers actually make their (big) money.

Entrepreneur Corner - Web Designer

4/15/25

Ever wonder what it’s like to turn creativity into a full-blown career? Meet Lindsey Morano—web designer, branding pro, and all-around entrepreneur—who helps other business owners bring their vision to life online.

In this episode, Lindsey shares career insights on what it’s really like to run your own creative business, from juggling client needs to curating eye-catching websites that actually work. If you’ve ever thought about a job in design or dreamed of a career change that gives you flexibility and freedom, Lindsey’s story is packed with inspiration (and real talk) about working for yourself, building your brand, and finding the sweet spot between passion and profit.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes tips, website wisdom, and why being your own boss might just be the career move you’ve been waiting for!

Systems Engineer's Job

4/15/2025

This week, Johanna Siegel joins us to talk about her work as a systems engineer. Systems engineer is a broad title for Joanna's work: she works as a part of a team contracted by NASA to design and assess components of the International Space Station and the Artemis missions. As a systems engineer, Joanna has to design, evaluate, and assess the functionality of any number of pieces of hardware on these missions to ensure proper functionality and efficiency of the system as a whole. Don't miss this exciting episode about space, the moon, astronauts, and more!

News Editor

4/8/2025

Mirav talks to Johnny, a veteran network TV news editor who talks about  the pressure-cooker world of broadcast news editing, from tight deadlines and ethical decisions to the industry's shift toward user-generated content and the looming impact of AI.