Shows / Nopes and Dreams
Nopes and Dreams
Actor and writer Jess Kaplan talks to creatives about rejection - the auditions they didn't book, the projects that fell apart, and the dreams that had to change shape. We're having real conversations - uncomfortable, hilarious, and deeply human - about what happens when our dreams don't go as planned.
Episodes
Nopes and DreamsRejection is Temporary with Harrison Bryan
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…
Nopes and DreamsPersistence Pays Off with Kate DeL
Kate DeL is a jazz vocalist and live performer known for bringing vintage glamour, theatricality, and powerhouse vocals to the modern jazz scene. An…
Nopes and DreamsLook for the Silver Lining with Kelly Lyon
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…
Nopes and DreamsShow Up Everyday with Noel Wells
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…
Nopes and DreamsFrom the Bakery with Aran Goyoaga
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…
Nopes and DreamsIt's Not That Serious with Alyssa Payne
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…
Nopes and DreamsFollow the Fun with Leah Knauer
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…
Nopes and DreamsFind Your Audience with Casey Balsham
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 =…
Nopes and DreamsThe Canvas is a Mirror with Deni Rayneau
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…
Nopes and DreamsFind the Win with Matthew Magnusson
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…
Nopes and DreamsThe Joy is in the Writing with Nayantara Roy
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…
Nopes and DreamsPursue Your Dreams with Juliana Folk
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…
Nopes and DreamsA learning Experience with Kevin M. Brennan
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…
Nopes and DreamsRejection is the Goal with Aransas Savas
In this crossover episode, Jess talks to fellow podcaster Aransas Savas of The Uplifters Podcast. Aransas Savas is a certified Leadership and Wellbeing Coach…
Nopes and DreamsFind The Magic with Jess Kaplan
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…
Nopes and DreamsReclaiming your Voice with Kristi Salerno
In this conversation, Jess talks to performing artist, singer/songwriter & embodiment guide, Kristi Salerno. In 2012, she launched Dance For Artists (DFA,) --…
Nopes and DreamsProtect Your Inner Artist with Matt Hoverman
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…
Nopes and DreamsFull of Possibility with Sean Conroy
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…
Nopes and DreamsTake Risks with Clayton Farris
In this episode, Jess talks to hilarious Los Angeles-based actor, writer, and content creator Clayton Farris. His recent acting credits include Weapons…
Nopes and DreamsKeep Going with Ken Arquelio
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…
Nopes and DreamsAct in Alignment with Paul Lubicz
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…
Nopes and DreamsMy Side of the Story with Jess Kaplan
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…
Nopes and DreamsPromote Yourself with Rochelle Weinstein
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…
Nopes and DreamsCreate it Yourself with Max Meisel
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…
Nopes and DreamsThe Grace of God with Ashley Austin Morris
In this episode, Jess talks to New York actor, comedian, and writer Ashley Austin Morris. Ashley currently plays Roxanne Hertz opposite Jesse Eisenberg and…
Nopes and DreamsControl Enthusiast with David Goryl
In this episode, Jess talks to Los Angeles actor, writer, producer, and director David Goryl. Jess and David met almost twenty years ago at the Howard Fine…
Nopes and DreamsThe Good Student with Rachel Rosenbloom
In this episode, Jess talks to Los Angeles actor, voiceover artist, and teacher Rachel Rosenbloom. She currently plays "Jenna" on AppleTV's Platonic, opposite…
Nopes and DreamsPragmatically Positive with Katie Horwitch
In this episode, Jess talks to Katie Horwitch. Katie is a nationally recognized author, speaker, mindset coach, and self-talk activist. During their…
Nopes and DreamsYour Body Remembers with Jessica Ortner
In this episode, Jess talks to Jessica Ortner. She is a New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of The Tapping Solution, which is a global movement…
Nopes and DreamsSnack Sized Goals with Nicola Kraus
In this episode, Jess talks to New York City author Nicola Kraus. They discuss all types of creative rejection: acting, writing, motherhood, and making a…
Nopes and DreamsMake it all Work with Julia Lederer
In this episode, Jess talks to her Canadian friend, Julia Lederer. Julia is an internationally acclaimed writer living in LA. Julia talks about how she took…
Nopes and DreamsClarity is Kindness with Matt Gehring
In this episode, Jess talks to her old pal Matt Gehring. He is an actor, writer, director, and currently the Comedy Division Director at Stella Adler Studio…
Nopes and DreamsEnjoy the Torture with Ariel Elias
In this episode, Jess talks to New York Comedian Ariel Elias. Her debut special, "A Jewish Star," is now streaming. Ariel talks about growing up in Kentucky…
Nopes and DreamsTry Everything with Matt Hyams
In this episode, Jess talks to comedian, writer, and content creator Matt Hyams. Matt discusses pursuing standup and comedy writing in California, New York…
Nopes and DreamsFind Friends You Can Fail With with Edward Drake
In this episode, Jess talks to Edward Drake, who is an award-winning Irish-Australian filmmaker based in Los Angeles. Ed discusses his journey from getting…
Nopes and DreamsRejection is God's Protection with Geneiveve Angelson
In this episode, Jess talks to her old pal, Genevieve Angelson. They met when they were 17 years old at the Northwestern University summer theater program…
Nopes and DreamsOnto the Next with Blaise Miller
In this episode, Jess talks to Los Angeles based filmmaker, Blaise Miller. Jess and Blaise talk about when they first met in Chicago, taking improv at The…
Nopes and DreamsObstacles Lead The Way with Katie Hyde
In this episode, Jess chats with filmmaker, writer, and performer Katie Hyde. They talk about how they met on Zoom in a solo show class, the cringe of asking…
Nopes and DreamsFind Your Kink with Noel Elie
In this episode, Jess chats with actress, director, and storyteller Noel Elie. Jess and Noel go on a journey through discussions about modeling, living in New…
Nopes and DreamsLoving Letdown with Erika Shannon
In this episode, Jess chats with certified coach Erika Shannon. Erika started as a dancer and musical theater actress and took many pivots throughout her life…
Nopes and DreamsIt's Not Personal with Bryan Fitzgerald
In this episode, Jess chats with actor, writer, and producer Bryan Fitzgerald. Bryan talks about what it's like to work with an intimacy coordinator, how…
Nopes and DreamsThe Art of Asking with Jeff Howard
In this episode, Jess chats with Jeff Howard. Jeff is an actor, writer, and producer. They talk about how they met in their early 20s in LA, cringe-worthy…
Nopes and DreamsLook for the open door with Ariana and the Rose
In this episode, I'm chatting with Ariana and the Rose. Ariana is a New York–based synth-pop artist creating a vibrant universe of cinematic pop, electronic…
Nopes and DreamsBalancing Act with Jen Jacob
Jess interviews actress and fellow NYU grad, Jen Jacob, about landing her newest role-playing Ashley Morgan on Beyond the Gates-- the first daytime soap opera…