Podcast
How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real Stories. Career Insights
Hosted by Mirav Ozeri - Career Insights Journalist · EN
How Much Can I Make? with Mirav Ozeri is the podcast that pulls back the curtain on real jobs, real people, and real earnings.
Each week, Mirav interviews professionals from every corner of the working world — HVAC pros, cybersecurity experts, boutique hotel owners, mediums, musicians, dietitians, filmmakers and more — to reveal what it’s really like to do their job.
You’ll hear how they got started, what training or degrees they needed, how they broke into the business, what challenges they face, and how much they make.
Whether you’re exploring a career change, starting a side hustle, or just curious what others earn, this show delivers practical advice, inspiring stories, and insider insights straight from the people doing the work.
Search. Listen. Learn how to get in — and how much you can earn.
Nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award.
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside the Music Sync Business with Elyse Schiller
4d ago00:24:03Summary readyHow do songs get placed in Netflix shows, commercials, films, and video games - and how much money can musicians actually make from music sync licensing? In this episode, Mirav talks with music sync licensing expert Elise Schiller about the business behind sync deals, music placements, and licensing songs for TV, film, streaming, advertising, and gaming.Elise explains how songs are pitched to music supervisors, what makes a track “syncable,” how sync licensing deals work, and why one placement can completely change an independent artist’s career. If you want to explore more creative careers, from musician and sculptor to Broadway wig makers, photographers, TV producer, and many more check out our Creative Jobs Category where you'll find interviews, salaries breakdown, and real stories from people making a living doing creative work. Connect with Elyse:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emschiller/Website: https://www.gsmfiera.com/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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Inside The Career Of a Death Investigator
2w ago00:41:02Summary readyWe talk with legendary NYC death investigator Barbara Butcher about what it really takes to walk into a death scene, read the evidence, and help the dead get justice. We also get honest about the human cost, the pay, and what she learned from 23 years and more than 5,500 investigations. Barbara shares the realities of forensic investigation, the emotional toll of the job, how people enter this career field, and how much death investigators can make in cities like New York and across the U.S.If you enjoyed this episode, head over to how much can I make that info and check out our unique and unusual careers category →Connect with Barbara Butcher:Instagram - @butcher.barbaraX - @OCMEForensics - https://x.com/OCMEForensicsFacebook Page - @barbarabutcherofficial - https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraButcherOfficialPage/Website: https://www.barbarabutcherofficial.com/Barbar's book: What The Dead Know →Netflix Series: Homicide New York →Watch Barbara on Oxygen’s new true-crime series: “The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher” →"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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From Czechoslovakia to MoMA: How Sculptor Alex Kveton Built a Real Art Business
3w ago00:28:55Summary readyHow to Build a Real Art Business: Selling Sculpture, Gallery Representation, and the Long Game - with Alex KvetonWhat does it actually take to make a living as a sculptor? In this episode, we sit down with sculptor Alex Kveton and Barbara to trace a career that began with escaping communist Czechoslovakia and grew into a thriving fine art business - with stainless steel sculptures placed in prestigious institutions including MoMA and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, and represented by galleries across the United States.We go beyond the highlight reel. Alex breaks down the unglamorous realities of building a sustainable creative career: navigating gallery commissions, pricing original sculpture, handling competition in the fine art market, and why there is no single "big break" - only consistent, strategic effort over time.If you're an artist wondering how to sell sculpture, get gallery representation, price your work, or turn a creative practice into a real livelihood, this episode is a grounded, experience-backed roadmap.Alex's Website: https://www.alexkveton.com/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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Landscape Designer Career & Pay: How to Start Garden Design with Dean Riddle
4w ago00:22:27Summary readyLandscape Designer CareerLandscape design is one of those careers that blends creativity with real earning potential - and you don’t need a degree to get started. In this episode, we talk with landscape designer and gardener Dean Riddle about what it actually takes to build a career in landscaping, what garden designers really do, and how much you can make.We also talk about the realities of gardening in the Northeast- especially in places like New York and New Jersey - including short growing seasons, winter downtime, deer pressure, and how climate change is already changing what grows and when.If you’re looking into landscaping careers, garden design jobs, or how to start a landscaping business without a degree, this episode gives you a clear, real-world look at what goes into the work and the potential earnings.To hear more about good paying careers. You can build without a degree, head to HowMuchCanIMake.info We have over 80 episodes with a growing library of articles with real data and insights on different jobs. You can listen to people in those roles talk about what the day to day is really like, how they got in, and how much they make. Dean's Gardens Pictures:https://www.shelterupstate.com/journal/makingasplashhttps://janeboothnewenglandgardens.com/2015/02/19/riddle-of-the-catskill-mountains-gardens-illustrated/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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Jewelry Designer Career: Startup Costs & How to Build a Profitable Jewelry Business
Apr 2700:20:24Summary readyJewelry DesignerA jewelry business can look effortless online, but behind it is real work—pricing, production, sourcing, and staying profitable as gold and silver prices rise. In this episode, jewelry designer Serena Van Rensselaer breaks down how to build a jewelry brand, from learning silversmithing to turning it into a sustainable business. We cover jewelry designer income, pricing strategies, startup costs, and how revenue comes from direct sales, wholesale, and collaborations with movies like Flow. If you’re searching for how to become a jewelry designer, jewelry business income, or creative careers in New York and beyond, this episode gives a clear, real-world look at what it takes.Curious about other creative jobs and what they actually pay? Visit HowMuchCaniMake.info and explore the Creative Careers category. You’ll find episodes featuring working professionals who explain how they got started, what the job is really like, and realistic salary ranges—so you can make informed career decisions.Connect with Serena:Website: https://www.serenavr.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenavanrensselaer/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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Career Reinvention: How One Producer Pivoted Across Industries
Apr 2000:19:26Summary readyCareer ReinventionThinking about changing careers? We talk with Cynthia Cohen about how she pivoted without starting over by building on existing skills instead of erasing the past. From New York to today’s remote work landscape, we break down what it really takes to switch careers, stay competitive in a shifting job market, manage fear, and turn your experience into new opportunities.Cynthia's Website: https://rightarmproductions.com/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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TV Producer Career Insights: Behind the Scenes After Filming Ends
Apr 1300:32:56Summary readyTV Producer Career InsightsExplore the career insights of a TV producer with Robin Feldman as she reveals what happens after filming wraps. This episode delves into the essential post-production phases, from managing tight deadlines and budgets to overcoming daily production challenges. Robin shares her journey breaking into the TV industry in Vancouver, highlighting key success factors like persistence, professionalism, and collaboration in a showrunner-driven environment.Gain valuable job advice about broadcast vs. streaming schedules, union dynamics, freelance work, negotiating rates, and how side hustles can boost earnings. Whether you're considering a career change or curious about career opportunities in television production, this episode offers practical tips and insider knowledge about the job market and making money in the entertainment industry.Additional related episodes include insights from a TV camera woman, a sitcom writer, and a network TV news editor, providing diverse perspectives on career paths in the TV world.* Listen to the camera woman episode: <https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/episodes/tv-camera-woman-invisible-yet-essential?rq=tv>* Listen to the Sitcom writer episode episode<https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/episodes/mcox9j001f097nm6l0gaanemfr0fns?rq=sitcom>* Listen to Network TV News editor <https://www.howmuchcanimake.info/episodes/the-job-of-tv-news-editor?rq=tv%20news%20editor>This episode was first published in February. 2025"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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Inside a NASA Contractor Job: Systems Engineer Salary & Artemis Missions
Apr 600:25:29Summary readySystems EngineerThis week—timely with Artemis II—we revisit a standout episode with NASA contractor systems engineer Johanna Siegel.Johanna reveals what it really takes to build mission-critical hardware for the Artemis program—and the career opportunities and earnings potential that come with it. In this deep dive, discover how engineers translate complex requirements like radiation protection and life support systems into hardware that protects astronaut lives, plus real salary insights and how to break into aerospace engineering careers. If you're exploring aerospace engineering, space careers, or high-paying STEM jobs, this episode gives a clear look at the real work behind keeping humans alive in space."How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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A Photographer's Job: Inside the Business of Photography
Mar 3000:29:10Summary readyPhotographer In this episode of How Much Can I Make?, we dive into the world of photography as a career, exploring job ideas, earnings, and success factors with professional photographer Phil Mansfield. From the early days of film to modern lifestyle assignments, Phil shares career insights and explains how a photography career evolves over time.We break down how photographers get paid, how creative professionals price their work, and why usage rights and licensing fees are critical to understanding the real value of an image. Along the way, we uncover career opportunities and essential skills that separate professionals from amateurs, even in the smartphone era. The real value lies in vision, storytelling, reliability, and problem-solving for clients.If you’ve ever wondered how to become a professional photographer, what photographers earn, and how the business functions, this episode offers clear career insights and practical job advice behind the lens.Connect with Phil MansfieldWebsite: https://www.philmansfield.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philmansfieldphotography/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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Fencing Coach Career: Salary, Training & How to Get Started
Mar 2300:26:40Summary readyFencing Coach What does it take to turn fencing into a rewarding career—and how much can a fencing coach earn?In this episode of How Much Can I Make?, fencing coach Pamela Dressel shares invaluable career insights about making money in this niche sport. She dives into lightning-fast strategy and the unglamorous grind of footwork and conditioning.We cover coaching income, private lessons, club models, and the real skills behind the sport—strategy, discipline, and teaching.If you’re curious about niche sports careers or looking for a unique path with earning potential, this episode gives you a clear, practical look inside the fencing world.Connect with Pamela:Pam's fencing club: https://www.ontargetfencingclub.com/USA fencing site: https://www.usafencing.org"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.info
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