Academic Career 

9/9/2025

Dive into the world of academia with valuable career insights and job tips from English Professor Tom Kitts.  Tom has spent 45 years teaching English at St. John’s University - when he wasn’t in the classroom, he was busy with his cool side gig - writing books about Rock 'n Roll legends like Ray Davies, John Fogerty, and Richie Furay.

In our chat, we don’t just talk music - we dig into what an English degree can actually do for you in today’s job market. As Tom puts it, “it’s applicable to many different careers."  FYI, many English grads thrive in jobs ranging from business to law and beyond.

Join us to uncover the potential of your passions and possibly discover a new career paths. 

Follow us for essential advice on making money, navigating your career journey, and real stories from people in all kinds of jobs.

Got job ideas or questions? Reach out at https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/

Physical Therapist

9/2/25

Seven years of school to become a physical therapist? Yep—you heard that right! Trisha Groff, Director at AccessPT in Woodstock, NY, spills the beans with her career insight on what it really takes to break into (and thrive in) the demanding yet rewarding PT job.

From helping weekend warriors bounce back, to witnessing jaw-dropping recoveries—like the 70+ man who learned to walk on two prosthetic legs. Trish’s stories will have you rethinking what’s possible.

Warning: this episode might just make you want to book a PT appointment… or start a whole new career.

AccessPT website - https://accessphysicaltherapywellness.com/

To start your career at AccessPT - https://accessphysicaltherapywellness.com/careers/

Zoe Lewis

8/26/25

Zoe Lewis—aka “a band in a body”—takes us on a whirlwind tour of her music career,  from her childhood in England to jamming her way through 70+ countries. Along the way, she’s collected grooves, stories, and a knack for turning tiny everyday moments into songs that caught the ear of big brands—and even Netflix.

If music’s in your veins and you can’t imagine doing anything else, or just wishing for a career change, this episode is a must‑listen.

website https://zoelewis.com/

Visit our website at howmuchcanImakeinfo to share your comments or suggest jobs for future episodes. Don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with anyone curious about their next job.

Be a Consultant

8/19/25

Ever thought about ditching your 9-to-5 job and calling your own shots? Amy Rasdal did just that—and she’s here to tell us how. Amy went from a corporate job to living that sweet consultant life and building a great career. Now she helps other professionals do the same.

In this episode, she breaks down how to turn what you already know into a flexible, high-paying consulting jobs. We’re talking setting your rates, finding clients, and actually enjoying your work again.

Curious if the consulting life could be your next big career move? Head to BillableAtTheBeach.com or find Amy on LinkedIn to see if you’ve got what it takes to go solo—and get paid.

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyrasdal/
Book - https://www.amazon.com/Land-Consulting-Project-NOW-flexibility/dp/B0B1B4Y7D8

Visit our website at https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/ to submit jobs suggestions for future episodes. Please FOLLOW us and/or WRITE a REVIEW and SHARE with anyone who's curious about their next career move - Thanks!

Custom Shirt Maker

8/12/25

Ever wonder how a guy chasing love in NYC ends up dressing Broadway stars and Hollywood legends? Meet Carl Goldberg—a shirtmaker, entrepreneur, and all-around fabric whisperer. 

He didn’t plan on a career in fashion, but 40+ years later he still runs his a thriving custom shirt business in the heart of Manhattan

In this episode, Carl shares his career journey—from retail gigs to launching his own shop—and offers insights for anyone thinking about a career change, or dreaming of turning a love of fashion into a full-time job.

You’ll get a peek behind the curtain of the entertainment world, where Carl’s shirts have been featured in The Producers, The Music Man, Law & Order, and many more.

Tune in and hear how Carl keeps the love in every stitch.
Follow him on Instagram @cegonyc and see the magic for yourself.

Carl’s website - https://www.cego.com

OR Nurse

8/5/25

Ever wonder what really goes down behind those mysterious operating room doors? In this episode, longtime OR nurse Patty Columbia Walsh spills the tea on her 40-year career in one of the most high-stress, high-stakes jobs in healthcare. Spoiler alert: it’s not like Grey’s Anatomy.

From anticipating a surgeon’s every move to staying cool during full-blown medical emergencies, Patty takes us inside the fast-paced, no-room-for-error world of the OR and the emotional weight of the job.

If you're curious about a job in nursing, this episode is packed with career insights, real talk and heart.  Listen now!

Keynote Speaker 

7/29/25

What do you do when you literally lose your voice—and your career along with it? For Jennifer Brown, it was the surprising beginning of a brand new job as a keynote speaker and one of today’s leading voices in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In this episode, Jennifer shares powerful career insights about reinvention,  and what it really takes to thrive as a Keynote speaker. From building your personal brand to crafting the story only you can tell, she’s got practical tips and real talk about stepping into your purpose—and getting paid for it.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your lived experience into something meaningful and profitable, this conversation is your sign to go for it.

A Goat Farmer

7/22/25

Ever wonder what it’s really like to run a goat farm? In this episode, Victoria Balentine—owner of Shady Farms in upstate New York—gives us a behind-the-barn look at her job and her career switch, from city acupuncturist to hands-in-the-dirt farmer, and the sweet (and sometimes stinky) reality of small-scale farming.

She spills career insights on making money through agrotourism—think goat yoga and farm tours—and talks about what it really takes to keep a modern farm thriving.

If you're flirting with a career change, dreaming of a simpler life, or just curious about farming-life beyond Instagram, this episode is for you. Packed with practical tips, honest moments, and a lot of goat energy—this one's a treat.

Acupuncturist  Career Insight - Exploring Alternative Healthcare Job.

7/15/25

What do you do when your job turns into a calling? Victoria Balentine built a thriving career as a Manhattan acupuncturist, specializing in women’s reproductive health. With a mix of East-meets-West smarts and sharp networking with top fertility docs, she turned her passion into a bustling practice.

In this episode, Victoria drops career insight gold—from building a small business to knowing when (and how!) to walk away. Whether you're curious about alternative healthcare or just craving some honest talk about what it takes to run your own show, her story has something for everyone.

Thinking about a career pivot? Hit play—you just might find your next chapter.

Kate Pierson - Cosmic Solo Flight

7/8/25

From “Love Shack” to solo tracks, Kate Pierson takes us on a wild, inspiring journey through her music career — from global fame with the B-52s to the creative freedom of her solo albums. She spills on working with Sia and other pop powerhouses, finding her authentic voice, and those “aha!” songwriting moments when lyrics seem to fall from the sky.

Tune in for a fun, fearless, and deeply personal look at what it really takes to build a music career that’s true to you.

Sitcom Writer

7/1/25

What does it really take to make people laugh for a living? That’s the job of Dawn DeKeyser, a veteran comedy writer for hit shows like Ugly Betty and News Radio. She pulls back the curtain on the world of television writing career.

Dawn describes the collaborative chaos of a writer's room - a place she calls "a full contact sport" where writers physically act out jokes and jump on tables to sell their ideas. She reveals the structured approach to crafting an episodes, while sharing her personal battle with writer's block and her solution via "the swill draft."

Whether you're curious about television-writing, fascinated by the creative process, or simply want to understand how your favorite shows come together, Dawn's story offers both entertainment and inspiration.

Travel Designer

6/24/25

Ever wonder if your love of travel could actually be your job? In this episode, we’re jet-setting with Kelli Carpenter, co-founder of KelliGregg Travel, who turned her travel obsession into a full-blown career—and found her sweet spot designing unforgettable trips for LGBTQ families.

Kelli spills all the career insights: how she carved out a unique niche, built a thriving business from scratch, and navigated major curveballs (hello, global pandemic). Whether you’re dreaming of a career change or just curious about what it takes to work in travel, she’s got tips on networking, money-making, and the magic of creating real human connections.

So pack your earbuds and tune in—this episode might just be your ticket to a new adventure. ✈️

Cybersecurity

6/17/25

What does it take to keep hackers out of your inbox—and your life? In this episode, I chat with Rivka Tadjer—cybersecurity pro, journalist, and all-around digital bodyguard for everyone from top executives to (yep) the White House.

Rivka’s career journey is a wild one—going from reporting stories to protecting high-profile clients—and she’s here to spill insider tips that you can actually use. We’re talking career insights, job wisdom, and the kind of practical advice that’ll make even your mom safer online.

You’ll hear why your Gmail is basically a goldmine for criminals, how SIM-swapping works (spoiler: it’s scarily easy), and why your Wi-Fi router might secretly be working against you.

If you’ve ever thought, “Eh, I should probably be safer online,” this is your wake-up call—delivered with laughs, eye-opening tips, and maybe a little career inspiration too.

Rivka' website - zerohacksecure.com

Nordvpn.com

Proton mail - https://proton.me/mail

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Yoga Teacher

6/10/25

Thinking about making a career change into the wellness world? Meet Linda Winnick—she went from a fast-paced fashion industry job to owning not one, but two successful yoga studios. In this episode, she gives us the inside scoop on what it’s really like to turn your wellness passion into a full-time career.

Linda shares honest career insights, including the nuts and bolts of running a yoga studio—think class pricing, teacher pay, and the not-so-Zen side of managing overhead costs. But what shines through most? Her love for the job and the way it’s grown with her. “I can grow old with this,” she says. “I’ll be considered wise by that point.”

Whether you’re dreaming of becoming your own boss, curious about the business side of wellness, or just exploring career options with more heart and flexibility, this episode delivers practical tips and real-deal inspiration. Namaste to that.

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.