PODCAST · arts
The 98%
by Alexa Morden
Whether you're in the entertainment industry or not, this is a podcast that will humour, shock, validate and inform. You think you knew what it's like to be an actor? Think again…The 98% explores what life is really like for the majority of actors and performers who, rather than trying to find an outfit for the Oscar's, are trying to find a reader for a self tape after working a bar shift. It comes as a surprise to most that only 2% of actors earn their main source of income from acting work. This podcast represents, and gives a voice to, the other 98%. What started as a comedy podcast in 2018, with co-hosts Alexa and Katie laughing and lamenting about the REAL #actorslife, has morphed into a relatable and supportive space through the lens of honesty and realism. And now, a platform and CIC run by Alexa. By lifting the curtain on things that need changing in the industry, exposing hidden truths, and chatting to brilliant industry professional guests from all corners of the biz, The
Episodes
-
Who and What is The 98%?
Welcome to The 98% - the home of brutally honest chat about the realities of being an actor and working in entertainment and the performing arts. [Surprise! You can WATCH this episode on youtube with video content! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2db-9zUkCiQ ] I'm Alexa Morden - an actor who…
more -
"AI Actress to Star in AI Film" - The 98% Responds
In July 2026 the AI production company Particle6 announced that their AI creation "Tilly Norwood" will lead new feature film 'Misaligned.' Read the full press release here: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/ai-actor-tilly-norwood-movie-debut-misaligned-1236802325/ Listen now to the audio of an...
-
Performing Under Pressure - With Dr Steve Bull
Happy Holidays everyone! To keep you company between Christmas and New Year, Alexa is joined by an audience favourite (who also happens to be her Dad) performance psychologist Dr Steve Bull, to answer listener questions about confidence, pressure, and navigate the realities of the acting…
more -
Rekindle Your Spark - With Matt Holt and Stephanie Morgan
In this open and restorative episode, Alexa is joined by award-winning screen director Matt and acclaimed acting teacher and coach Steph Upsall for a conversation designed to support, re-ground and re-energise actors navigating an increasingly challenging industry. Together, they explore what...
-
Patrick O'Kane - The Power Of Support
The 98% is back for another new episode already! Sometimes you are contacted about a prospective guest where the subject matter is too perfect for the platform to not jump on the mic. This is one of those guests. Today Alexa is joined by acclaimed Irish actor Patrick O'Kane, who you may recognise...
-
"AI Actress Tilly Norwood" - Hazard Or Hype?
So, an AI actress is here to take all of our jobs and change the face of the acting industry forever… Or is it? In this deep-dive episode Alexa is joined by actor and screenwriter Rebecca Osias - who also isn't one to shy away from difficult industry conversations. Together they discuss the...
-
Contracts, Clauses & Caution - Agent Webinar
Essential listening for any actor, parent of child actor, or anyone else working with a talent agent... This episode is a recording of a recent live webinar where Alexa was joined by experienced agent Liz Pratt of Nelson Management. Liz has been teaching herself legislation and brushing up on her...
-
'Lucy Harrison Casting': A Cautionary Tale
The most complex episode of The 98% yet…an armchair investigation into 'Lucy Harrison Casting' - a talent agency accused of withheld pay, suspicious business practices, and questionable identities. With an informed eye, sharpened by her involvement in exposing the Bodhi Talent scandal in 2024,...
-
"We aren't chasing the thing anymore. We ARE the thing."
A special moment that feels full circle, where everything is the same but different at the same time. For the first time in 6 years (!!) Alexa and Katie are in the same room recording an episode of The 98%. After years of remote recording and living in different countries, they're back in Katie's...
-
S5E40 - Finale Pt 2 - Reflection
It's here! After 40 episodes of Series 5, the season draws to a close. Join the OG's, Alexa and Katie, as they check in on recent goings on, chat about when actual life leaves no room for #actorslife, look back at change of attitudes since the podcast began, discuss the lack of working class...
-
S5E39 - Finale Part 1 - Finding Joy In Your Journey
Every guest on The 98% who has chosen to move on from the performing industry didn't do it because they fell out of love with the art of acting, it was because they didn't want to continue with the industry itself. So for those of us who choose to stay in it, how can we make it an enjoyable place...
-
S5E38 - Representation Special Part 2: Agent Roundtable
Grab your headphones and settle in for one of the best episodes of The 98% of ALL TIME! There's been a lot of coverage of dodgy agents recently, so let's hear from some wonderful, trustworthy, supportive ones. In this episode Alexa is joined by Mildred Yuan PMA, Liz Pratt PMA and JBR PMA for an...
-
S5E37 - Representation Special Part 1: Self Representation
There's been a lot of worrying discussion around agents recently, so before this series ends The 98% wanted to finish on an uplifting note - platforming conversations around representation that instill confidence and trust in actors. This is part one of a two-part representation special! Due to...
-
S5E36 - The Deceit and Corruption of Fake Self Tapes
Just when you thought this business couldn't get any tougher, Deadline exposes another scandal that has rocked the industry and sent shockwaves through the creatvies involved in the audition process. Agents sending fake self tape requests to actors?! If this is something you'd never even...
-
PSA: Jamie Fisher / "Archie Purnell" Statement
"Archie Purnell" JAMIE FISHER (also using the name 'Richard'), rogue talent agent, is back with a new name, new studio name ('Wigan TV & Film Acting School'), but the same old tricks. To get ahead of accusations he is spreading rumours and false claims. Knowing all I know, I cannot sit back and…
more -
S5E35 - "The Best Journalists Are Trustworthy"
This episode is 1 hour 4 mins long. If your podcast app is only playing the first 45 mins, there is a technical issue that is currently being looked at! Please check back here for the full episode coming asap! Last year The 98% was contacted by Jake Kanter, a journalist for Deadline, after the...
-
S5E34 - "My greatest performance was pretending everything was ok"
Mental health has always been a throughline for episodes of The 98% and so the podcast is proud to host Adam Bambrough in this episode, founder and CEO of Wellbeing in the Arts. After leaving the acting profession due to struggles with his own mental wellbeing, Adam planned to write a book...
-
S5E33 - "'All I can do is act' is absolute bull"
After a lifetime dedicated to the "I can do nothing but act" frame of mind, everything changed aged 39 for guest Lee Mengo. Thinking about his future and his prospects, Lee realized that acting wasn't giving him what he needed in life. Financially, mentally, spiritually, egotistically...but…
more -
S5E32 - Bodhi Scandal, unveiled by The 98%
After a group of actors reported their concerns about their former agent regarding fake self tapes, withheld pay, skimming money, lying about cancer, and more, to no avail...they came to Alexa at The 98% for advice on next steps. With seemingly nowhere else to turn, Alexa passed the information…
more -
S5E31 - "Hold On Tightly, Let Go Lightly"
Today's guest, Sally Abbott, has worked in the arts for 35 years. Starting in community arts and working her way up to writing for some of British televisions biggest shows, Sally has so much wisdom and insight to share. In this episode you'll hear why Sally finally feels like she's who she's…
more -
S530 - "If you know my bra size, you can text me back"
Series 5 keeps on rolling along and for episode 30 it's the two OG's, Alexa and Katie, sitting down and chatting about the current #actorslife goings on with the usual brtual honesty, evaluating the relationship actors have with the industry, co-dependency, the future of the podcast, some…
more -
S5E29 - "Your world is subjective. And you can't change it."
"This year I will book my first TV credit" "I will sign with an agent" "I will star in a film" Sound familiar? These are all outcome goals, and very common amongst actors who are so determined to achieve that certain thing they think will make them more valid, especially in an industry that tends...
-
Happy Christmas from The 98%!
The Spotify wrapped for The 98% showed that 70% of listeners discovered the podcast in 2023! So, incase you missed these festive parodies in previous seasons, here are a couple of the favourite #actorslife covers from Christmases gone by. Jingle Bells parody + An Actors Night Before Christmas....
-
S5E28 - "You are not a cog. You are not just an actor. You are a human being."
Happy Christmas 98 percenters! You made it through another year. This time with continued pandemic fallout, and industry strikes. If your 2023 was a brilliant one, Alexa and Katie are cheering you on from the bleachers! But if you had troubles this year, whether professional or personal, The 98%…
more -
Bonus Episode - Alexa and Katie on In The Room podcast
The 98% inturrupts its regular scheduling to bring you a bonus episode as an early Christmas treat! Listen to Alexa and Katie as guests on In The Room, a podcast inspired by The 98%! Hosts Matthew and Christian invited Alexa and Katie on to give a behind the scenes look at their journys in the...
-
S5E27 - "Happy actors do better work"
It's the 100th episode of The 98%! And what could be more on brand than a deep dive on the one thing that actors in the 98% have in common...having to have a non-acting job. Guest Robyn Holdaway returns to the podcast after publishing a brilliant article on The 98%'s blog entitled "How To Pick…
more -
S5E26 - Strike Update, A No Vote?
While people are saying the SAG-AFTRA vote is over, technically it's just suspended. The deal offered by the AMPTP and agreed upon by the actors union still needs to be voted on by members of SAG-AFTRA...and some are voting no, including previous podcast guest and strike captain Kylie Sparks, who...
-
S5E25 - "It's not about the millionaires. It's about the 98%"
It's the 98th episode of The 98%! And rules are being broken!! For the first time, The 98% is hosting someone from the other side...a 2 percenter!! Forget the usual format of interviewing familiar faces though, this is a relatable, validating discussion that might be exactly what you need in 98%...
-
S5E24 - Halloween Special Part II
In this two-part Halloween Special, Alexa and Katie enter the world of true crime, sharing cases with each other that also relate to being an actor, and life in the entertainment industry. Where better to uncover these sordid tales than Tinseltown itself: Hollywood..Where, behind the glitz and...
-
S5E23 - Halloween Special Part I
Doing something a little different today, for the first ever Halloween special of The 98%! In this two-parter, Alexa and Katie enter the world of true crime, sharing cases that also relate to being an actor. Where better to uncover these sordid tales than Tinseltown itself: Hollywood..Where…
more -
S5E22 - "You are not in this to make other people happy, it has to be for you"
Joining The 98% today is Erica Bream CSA; Casting Director, audition coach, career consultant, self-tape guru and champion of actors. As well as casting across TV and film, Erica provides accessible, helpful information online and has been working hard for many years to de-mystify the casting...
-
S5E21 - "Our beliefs affect our world"
Something a bit different for The 98% on this episode - with a practical aspect! Guest Dana Middleton is an Alignment and Tapping Coach who helps creative peiple raise their vibrations and unlock their most actualized lives. She teaches her Affirmation Tapping Formula to create laser focus while...
-
S5E20 - "Let's talk about tax, baby!"
Three jobbing actors turn on the mic. One of them loves dealing with tax..the other two looooathe it. What happens next? Tune into find out! Alexa, Katie and guest Pete Mooney talk all things "tax for beginners" and really break it down to empower actors and other creatives to feel in control and...
-
S5E19 - "People wanted to believe that West End Producer was somebody really important"
In 2010 a new theatre producer hit the twitter scene. But this wasn't like any other producer, this was a persona and he was talking the talk. After swiftly gaining popularity for his tongue-in-cheek relatable showbiz musings, it was time for 'West End Producer' to walk the walk. Which he...
-
S5E18 - "I want to quiet the shame and raise the inner artist's self"
A few months ago The Cut published an article 3 years in the making. Journalist Sara Jin Li spoke to 26 ex-students of acting studio Lonsdale Smith & Company, ran by "dogmatic leader slash guru" Michèle Lonsdale-Smith; who has been running acting classes in studios acros North America, and now...
-
S5E17 - "Some of the most 'successful' actors I know are 'unknown'"
For so long conservatoire drama schools have been the only way to get invaluable training to set you up for the industry...but not anymore. IAmPro is just one of the alternative training offerings out there for actors and creatives who want to work in the entertainment industry. IAmPro trains...
-
S5E16 - SAG-AFTRA On Strike
"It's all corporate greed" July 2023 marks an historic time for the entertainment industry. For the first time in decades the actor union in the United States (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild Of America (WGA) have joined forces to strike after the expiration of their contracts with the Alliance…
more -
S5E15 - "It starts and ends with craft"
While The 98% mostly discusses everything about the real #actorslife aside from the actual art of acting…this episode is a slight gear change as Alexa talks to renowned acting teacher Terry Knickerbocker. In this down to earth, honest chat you can hear discussion on the importance of laying the...
-
S5E14 - "Have you read the call sheet?!"
An episode years in the making and one The 98% is SO excited to share. A first-of-its-kind chat where an Assistant Director for TV and film shares all the insight an actor could possibly need for working on set. This is like a crash course in everything they don't teach you at drama school..but...
-
S5E13 - "I love acting. But I hated being an actor."
*Content Note/Trigger Warning: This episode contains conversation around mental illness and eating disorders. Please take care while listening.* Grab a cuppa and settle in for a feature film length episode! We feel so privileged to platform stories on The 98% that are not usually heard in...
-
S5E12 - "The success is in clicking send, not if they get back to you"
Get ready for an energised, uplifting and empowering episode with today's guest Brian Patacca! Brian helps actors get what they want without all the struggle. Known as "The Representation Whisperer" for helping over 500 actors find representation through his popular online courses and…
more -
S5E11 - "Actors need to be with teachers who can hold a safe space"
From wanting to be an actor but being told she was "ruining it for everyone else" with her struggle to learn lines to building a retreat for actors to make a safe learning space, today's guest Steph Upsall has one mission: to revolutionize how we train ourselves as actors and making sure we are...
-
S5E10 - "Where the hell ya been, girl??!"
As tradition, the 10th episode of the season sees just Alexa and Katie chinwagging about the real #actorslife. In this 90 min episode you'll hear discussions around reevaluating what "success" looks like as an actor, where Katie has been, the importance of boundries and self validation,...
-
S5E9 - "Act to live, don't live to act"
If you've ever felt exhausted by how much acting means to you, or overwhelmed by the desperation of wanting to be a working actor when it seems so far out of reach, then this is an episode you're sure to relate to. Today's guest is actor, empowerment coach and breathwork facilitator Jeannie Scott...
-
S5E8 - "It's not just babysitting, it's a large job"
We've all seen child actors in tv, film and theatre...but there are whole processes, jobs and a lot of work that goes into making sure kids working professionally in the entertainment industry are kept safe and are handled accordingly. Our guest for this episode is Arlene De Cruz who works to...
-
S5E7 - "We're not here to make money, we're here to get our members acting"
Unless you have experience of one yourself, many people don't know much about co-operative agencies, we sure didn't! The first co-op agency started in the UK in 1974 and since then many thrive in the industry. An actors' co-operative agency operates similarly to a conventional agency but is…
more -
S5E6 - "You don't really want to stand out, you want to blend in"
The first casting director episode of Series 5! Amy Jackson is a freelance casting director with vast prior experience as a casting assistant and associate. In this episode you'll hear Amy's journey from actor to award-nominated casting director, as well as advice for actors in auditions/self...
-
S5E5 - Abuse In The Arts: Across The Pond In Canada
"If an acting coach has to touch you to make you a better actor, then they're a bad f*cking coach." When today's guest, Nikki, was a young new actor in Toronto she went for a private coaching session with an actor, coach and union member who, in the course of the session, assualted her under the...
-
S5E4 - Listener Stories of Abuse During Training, and Beyond
Since the release of the new mini-series From Learning To Earning A Story Of Mistreatment In The Acting Industry, The 98% has recieved more emails and messages detailing people's damaging experiences during actor training and in the industry. In this episode Alexa and Katie be giving them a…
more -
S5E3 - From Learning To Earning, A Story Of Mistreatment In The Acting Industry
In this part of The 98%'s mini-series about mistreatment of actors, Katie and Alexa speak to powerhouse, advocate and trailblazer Helen Raw who has made it her mission, despite devastating pushback, to make changes in our industry to protect actors and be a support system for those who have…
more
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Whether you're in the entertainment industry or not, this is a podcast that will humour, shock, validate and inform. You think you knew what it's like to be an actor? Think again…The 98% explores what life is really like for the majority of actors and performers who, rather than trying to find an outfit for the Oscar's, are trying to find a reader for a self tape after working a bar shift. It comes as a surprise to most that only 2% of actors earn their main source of income from acting work. This podcast represents, and gives a voice to, the other 98%. What started as a comedy podcast in 2018, with co-hosts Alexa and Katie laughing and lamenting about the REAL #actorslife, has morphed into a relatable and supportive space through the lens of honesty and realism. And now, a platform and CIC run by Alexa. By lifting the curtain on things that need changing in the industry, exposing hidden truths, and chatting to brilliant industry professional guests from all corners of the biz, The
HOSTED BY
Alexa Morden
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The 98% have?
The 98% currently has 123 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The 98% about?
Whether you're in the entertainment industry or not, this is a podcast that will humour, shock, validate and inform. You think you knew what it's like to be an actor? Think again…The 98% explores what life is really like for the majority of actors and performers who, rather than trying to find an...
How often does The 98% release new episodes?
The 98% publishes regularly with 123 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The 98%?
You can listen to The 98% on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The 98%?
The 98% is created and hosted by Alexa Morden.
URL copied to clipboard!