Nopes and Dreams

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 founded Vincero Pictures, a production company based in Miami and Palm Springs. He recently wrote and directed the short film called Disco Beats opposite Pepe Serna, which won best narrative short at the Arizona International Film Fest. As an actor, he played a supporting role in Casa Grande, starring Lou Diamond Phillips, and played the lead in a feature film called Clownspiracy.    IG: Kenarquelio   Websites: https://www.kenarquelio.com https://vinceropictures.com Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 extraordinary individuals regain clarity, direction, and internal coherence—so they can lead, create, and perform at the level their true potential demands. His work and wisdom have been featured in The Sunday Times, Men's Health, and GQ.   Guest: Paul Lubicz IG: @Thewellbeingmanager  Website: https://www.thewellbeingmanager.com Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 challenging getting new guests on the show, and her experience with repeated rejections when she wrote her first spec script and pitched a TV show in LA.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 book columnist for AQUA Magazine and a frequent speaker and workshop instructor. LIttle Fishy has recently optioned her book "What You Do To Me" for feature adaptation, and her ninth novel, The Outbox, releases April 2027. Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Rochelle Weinstein IG: Rochellebweinstein   Website: https://www.rochelleweinstein.com Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com  

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 sixty-city stand-up tour around the United States and Canada. He is also on his first headlining tour titled "The L.A. Sober Tour" and the host and producer of BackDoor Comedy, a monthly comedy party combining music, a dance party, and a great comedy show. You can catch his updates and tour schedule on his website, MaxMeisel.com Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Max Meisel Website: MaxMeisel.com Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to New York actor, comedian, and writer Ashley Austin Morris. Ashley currently plays Roxanne Hertz opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Claire Danes in FX's Fleishman Is In Trouble, Nicole in Shonda Rhimes series Inventing Anna and as Debbie in Peacock's Poker Face opposite Natasha Lyonne. Go watch Ashley perform at the infamous Comedy Cellar in NYC and check out her comedy album "Slightly Off," which debuted at number one on the iTunes Charts.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Ashley Austin Morris Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 Studio in a master class. David's first acting job was in There's Something About Mary. Other TV credits include: Grey's Anatomy, NYPD Blue, and The Neighborhood. He's also been in commercials for McDonald's, DirecTV, and Chevy. And ladies, you're in luck, he's single!   Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: David Goryl @Davidgoryl Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com  

In this episode, Jess talks to Los Angeles actor, voiceover artist, and teacher Rachel Rosenbloom. She currently plays "Jenna"  on AppleTV's Platonic, opposite Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne. Other credits include Silicon Valley and Freeform's Good Trouble. She both trains and teaches at John Rosenfeld Studios in West Hollywood.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Rachel Rosenbloom IG: @Rachelrosenbloom website: www.katiehorwitch.com Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com  

In this episode, Jess talks to Katie Horwitch. Katie is a nationally recognized author, speaker, mindset coach, and self-talk activist. During their conversation, Katie talks about growing up in Los Angeles, acting at a young age, cringe auditions, pausing her acting career and restarting again. She is the founder of WANT: Women Against Negative Talk, a global platform helping people shift negative self-talk into powerful forward momentum. Her debut book, Want Your Self: Shift Your Self-Talk and Unearth the Strength in Who You Were All Along, is available wherever books are sold. Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Katie Horwitch IG: @Katiehorwitch website: www.katiehorwitch.com Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com  

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 that has helped millions transform their lives through EFT tapping. She is also the founder of The Tapping Solution App. They discuss how tapping helps with anxiety, rejection, parenting, relationships, and emotional change.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Jessica Ortner IG: @jessicaortner @Thetappingsolution Website: https://www.thetappingsolution.com Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 movie. Nicola co-authored The Nanny Diaries, which is an international #1 bestseller and movie starring Scarlett Johansson. Nicola has contributed to The London Times, The New York Times, and every woman's magazine you can think of. Her first solo novel, The Best We Could Hope, is out now!  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Nicola Kraus @nicolakrausauthor Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 her hit play With Love and a Major Organ and adapted it into a feature film that premiered at SXSW and won "Best screenplay" at the Berlin Female Filmmaker's Festival. Her films have screened at over 40 festivals worldwide including TIFF, Palm Springs, and Fantasia. Jess and Julia met while taking acting classes at HB Studios in the West Village.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Julia Lederer Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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. Matt talks about his experience at NYU, auditioning for Hammerkatz, interning at SNL, getting rejected from Just For Laughs, the power of saying yes, getting his MFA, and becoming a theater director. This is an amazing insider baseball episode all about NYU, the theater world, and auditioning.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Matt Gehring -  IG @ Mattgehrbear Website: https://www.matthewrobertgehring.com Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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, her journey as a standup, bombing on stage, rejection hacks, and what it's like to perform in different cities. After catching Jimmy Kimmel's attention with a viral stand-up clip (You know, the one where she drinks the heckler's beer), he invited Ariel to make her late-night debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which received over one million views on YouTube.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Ariel Elias - IG @Ariel_comedy A Jewish Star special: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f26mysL_kg Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

In this episode, Jess talks to comedian, writer, and content creator Matt Hyams. Matt discusses pursuing standup and comedy writing in California, New York, and now Philly. We talk about his childhood influences, bombing on stage, using his marriage for inspiration for his comedy videos, facing rejection in writing classes, and the ups and downs of pursuing a career in comedy. He has recently gained a lot of popularity for his perimenopausal wife videos on social media. Go watch his videos on IG and Tik Tok. You won't regret it!    Fact Check-- Men do, in fact, experience misophonia too! Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Matt Hyams - IG @ Matt Hyams  Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 rejected four times from film school to directing music videos, hitting rock bottom, and then moving on to directing feature films with huge stars like Bruce Willis, Kevin James, and Christina Ricci. His films have topped the charts on Netflix, Prime, Paramount+, and have grossed over $300 million on digital home video. And his latest documentary film, The Ascent, is premiering at SXSW this month!  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Katie Hyde @Indiecityfilms  Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 Cherubs where, of course, Genevieve played the lead and Jess played a 50 year old man (Type cast!). Genevieve is a New York City born actress. She is best known for playing Alanis Wheeler on The Handmaid's Tale, Indigo on The Afterparty, Patti Robinson on Good Girls Revolt, and Ruth on Flack. Other credits include House of Lies, This is Us, and New Amsterdam. Currently, she is on the TV series The Chicken Sisters with Lea Thompson and Margo Martindale.  Genevieve originated the role of Nina in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike which won the Tony for best new play in 2013. She is also a published writer.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod  Guest: Genevieve Angelson @genevieveangelson Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 Second City, Blaise's comedy group The Vacationeers, his first viral video on YouTube, starring in the ensemble movie "It's a Disaster", and his directorial debut "Hi, Blaise Miller". His most recent TV credits include HBO's Winning Time and a recurring role on FX's limited series, Clipped.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Blaise Miller @Bigpantsmiller Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com  

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 for money with a Kickstarter, motherhood, rejection hacks, their love of voice notes, and the creative process of writing and performing a one-woman show. Currently, she makes documentary content for big-name clients while also working on her latest show, My Mind is Made Up, which recently premiered at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Katie Hyde @Indiecityfilms  Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 York City, bad auditions, health issues, attachment styles, and being a meme queen. Alongside her work as an artist, Noel is also an embodiment guide and the creator of Alchemizing Anger, a visceral experience that moves women out of their heads and back into their delicious bodies—reclaiming sovereignty, pleasure, and emotional truth as a pathway to liberation through lived experience.    Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod  Guest: Noel Elie @noel_elie Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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. Erika discusses her dream of being on Broadway, the role of a swing, what it's like to tour with a show,  her worst audition stories, and her experience at A Chorus Line boot camp. She currently coaches women helping them to get stronger, healthier and happier in perimenopause.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Erika Shannon: @Erikashannonmovement Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney Movie we talked about in the episode: Office Space For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com  

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 one-line auditions are the most difficult, New York City rejection, and the highs and lows of being on set. Bryan has a production company, Sow the Seeds Productions, with his wife and fellow actor Valery Lessard. Bryan plays Terrance Joseph in Ed Burns latest movie, "The Family Mcmullen" now streaming on HBO. Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Bryan Fitzgerald @Bryanpmfitz Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 auditions, how Jeff booked a Super Bowl commercial, the fact that he missed his own bachelor party to be a guest star on Happy Endings, bad auditions, and how he started a production company called Big Smits Entertainment with his best friend B.J. Bales. Jeff made the big move from Los Angeles to Charleston this past year and teamed up with Danny McBride's Rough House Pictures on a new dark comedy titled Suburban Psycho. Jeff co-wrote the film with B.J. and the two also star in the movie alongside Malin Akerman, Ron Perlman, Dennis Haysbert and Ryan Hansen. Host: Jess Kaplan @nopesanddreamspod   Follow Jeff @Justjeffhoward The College Song Deadline announcement   Original Music by @arianaandtherose

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 energy, and intimate, emotional storytelling. With roots in music and downtown theater, she transforms live performance into an immersive world where audiences can step inside her songs. Her digital presence has flourished through viral performance clips and piano-driven storytelling. She has 50M+ views across TikTok and Instagram. Ariana made her U.S. late-night television debut on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and most recently performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she has toured extensively, sharing stages with artists like Lizzo and Cyndi Lauper. She is currently touring her one woman show The Breakup Variety Hour, which premiered to a sold out, Joe's Pub, and will make its Australian debut at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2026.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Ariana the Rose @Arianaandtherose Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose  Edited by: Peter Ney  For more about the podcast go to: Nopesanddreams.com

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 TV show in 30+ years. They talk about finding humor in rejection, bad auditions, tools to combat critical self-talk, and online trolls.  Host: Jess Kaplan  @nopesanddreamspod Guest: Jen Jacob @Jen.Jacob Original Music: Ariana and the Rose @Arianaandtherose Edited by: Peter Ney For more about the podcast, go to: Nopesanddreams.com