226. Brooke Benson: Money Coach for Creatives

Money doesn’t have to be the enemy of creativity.This week on Ghostlight, Benjamin Reed sits down with actor, entrepreneur, and Not Starving Artists founder Brooke Benson for a conversation about the relationship between art, money, and the stories we tell ourselves about both.Brooke shares how financial anxiety led her to rethink traditional budgeting, why so many artists struggle with money mindset, and how creating financial stability can actually unlock greater creative freedom. Together, Benjamin and Brooke explore entrepreneurship, multiple streams of income, the realities facing today’s artists, and what it might take to build a healthier, more sustainable arts ecosystem.Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, freelancer, or simply someone who has ever felt overwhelmed by money, this episode offers practical insights alongside a hopeful vision for the future.In this episode:• The origin of Not Starving Artists• Why budgeting often fails creative minds• The connection between financial stability and artistic risk-taking• Entrepreneurship as a creative practice• Multiple streams of income without losing your artistic identity• Why mindset matters as much as math• The future of nonprofit theatre and sustainable artistic careers• Practical financial habits every creative should knowChapters00:00 – Meet Brooke Benson00:30 – The Birth of Not Starving Artists03:40 – When Saving Money Isn’t Enough06:25 – The Mindset Behind Financial Freedom12:35 – Building a Business While Building an Acting Career20:20 – Why Creativity Makes Better Entrepreneurs25:10 – Changing the Stories We Tell About Money31:10 – Does Financial Stability Make Better Artists?34:00 – The Money Flow Method41:30 – Simple Financial Habits That Compound45:15 – The Future of the Starving Artist57:15 – Brooke’s Advice to Every Young Artist58:50 – Where to Find BrookeAbout Brooke BensonBrooke Benson is an Equity actor, money coach, and founder of Not Starving Artists. Through one-on-one coaching, online courses, and her podcast, she helps artists and creative professionals build financial confidence without sacrificing the lives they’re trying to create.Connect with Brooke:Website: https://notstarvingartists.comInstagram: @notstarvingartistsPodcast: The Not Starving Artist PodcastGhostlight is a podcast about how art helps us relate to ourselves, each other, and the world.Hosted by Benjamin Reed.