Stranger Things and Why This Teen Actor Wants a Day Job

Join Kent and Coop as they sit down with 15-year-old actor, musician, and songwriter Graham Harvey in this inspiring conversation about navigating the entertainment industry while staying grounded.From his new role in STRANGER THINGS to appearances in NIGHT AGENT, RABBIT HOLE, and CHICAGO PD, Graham shares candid insights about the creative life, the importance of staying connected to reality, and his journey as both an actor and musician.This episode is a must-listen for young creatives, parents of aspiring artists, and anyone interested in the intersection of multiple creative pursuits.🔑 THREE KEY TAKEAWAYSStay Grounded in Reality - Even at the height of success, maintaining "normal life experiences" keeps your creative work authentic and prevents life from feeling fake.Embrace Multiple Creative Outlets - Pursuing both music and acting isn't a distraction—it's a way to feed different parts of your creative soul and bring fresh perspective to each discipline.Trust the Process - From auditioning for STRANGER THINGS to landing roles in major productions, persistence and consistency matter more than instant success.SOMETHING UNEXPECTEDDiscover how Graham's experience on the set of Night Agent, combined with advice from the lead actor Gabriel Basso about working a "normal job" (he's a welder!), completely changed his perspective on balancing the extraordinary life of an actor with the importance of everyday experiences.LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE FOR:Graham's incredible story of booking STRANGER THINGS and the nerve-wracking wait to see if he made the final cutBehind-the-scenes insights from working on major productions like NIGHT AGENT, RABBIT HOLE, and CHICAGO PDThe wild "HOME ALONE moment" of racing through O'Hare Airport to get home in time to watch his Chicago PD episode airHow Cooper's songwriting class helped Graham develop his musical voiceWhy 90s grunge (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam) resonates with a Gen Z artistHow Graham navigates rejection in the entertainment industry and keeps moving forwardRESOURCES & LINKSFollow Graham Harvey:Instagram: @instagrahamharveyGraham's Projects Mentioned:Stranger Things (Netflix) - Watch on NetflixThe Night Agent (Netflix) - Watch on NetflixRabbit Hole (Paramount+) - Watch on Paramount+Chicago PD (NBC) - Watch on PeacockCHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction & Congrats to Lauren on Storied Provisions launch01:32 - Introducing Graham Harvey02:00 - The 90s Music Question: Nirvana & Smashing Pumpkins03:20 - Cooper's Backstage Nirvana Discovery Story04:39 - Graham's Turning Point: Advice from Night Agent's Gabriel Basso06:24 - Staying Grounded While Famous: The Counting Crows Documentary Story08:06 - Starting with Movies: Graham's Recent Projects09:18 - Landing the Stranger Things Role & The Audition Process12:52 - The Nerve-Wracking Wait: Did He Make the Final Cut?15:45 - What It's Like to Be on the Stranger Things Set20:10 - Comparing Different Production Experiences23:30 - Balancing School and Acting Career26:45 - The Creative Connection Between Music and Acting30:15 - Cooper's Songwriting Class & Musical Development35:20 - Writing Original Music: Influences and Process38:50 - Handling Rejection in the Entertainment Industry42:15 - Working on Night Agent with Gabriel Basso46:31 - The Sharing Side: Release Day Nerves46:51 - The Chicago PD "Home Alone" Airport Race Story49:05 - The Baylor Connection: Derek Haas & Michael Brandt50:48 - Closing Thoughts & How to Follow Graham51:54 - Wrap-Up Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe