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.
53episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Franchising Explained: Costs, Earnings & Growth
Jun 100:28:30Summary readyWe sit down with franchise consultant Dr. Tom DuFore to get honest about what franchising really is and why it is not a set-it-and-forget-it income stream. We break down how to tell if a business can franchise, what fees and royalties actually look like, and what makes franchise systems succeed or fall apart over time.• franchising as a growth and distribution method rather than a business type• why “passive income” still requires training, support, and real operational work• three franchisability checkpoints: profitable prototype, teachable operations, national demand• how master franchising can make international expansion easier to manage• typical royalty rates, franchise fees, and how sales get tracked with modern tech• protecting the brand through manuals, standards, and ongoing coaching• common franchisor and franchisee mistakes including unrealistic expectations• exit paths for franchisees including selling the unit, renewals, and early termination risks• why the best franchisors stay franchisee-first and what changes under investor ownership• where franchise leads come from: internet marketing, referrals, and franchise brokersIf you want to hear more shows about entrepreneurs, business owners, and people building careers in all kinds of industries, check out our business and entrepreneurship category →Connect with Dr. Tom Dufour:Website: https://bigskyfranchiseteam.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomdufore/"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica NationVisit howmuchcanimake.infoAbout the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.
Summary
Inside the Music Sync Business with Elyse Schiller
May 2500:24:03Summary 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.infoAbout the host: Mirav Ozeri has always been drawn to storytelling and journalism, especially the stories of everyday people.In the 90’s She founded her own video production company, producing, directing, and editing documentaries and videos for political organizations which led to a 17-year career at CBS News, where she served as a producer/editor, helped launch CBS MarketWatch, and later worked as a senior editor and segment producer until the program was acquired by Dow Jones.During her years at CBS, Mirav developed and produced a television pilot built around a simple idea: giving people an honest look at what different careers are really like. Although the pilot was never picked up, the concept stayed with her. Years later, she brought it back as How Much Can I Make?, a podcast that explores real jobs, real stories, and the many paths people take to build a career.
Summary
Inside The Career Of a Death Investigator
May 1800:41:06Summary 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
Summary
From Czechoslovakia to MoMA: How Sculptor Alex Kveton Built a Real Art Business
May 1100:28:55Summary 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
Summary
Landscape Designer Career & Pay: How to Start Garden Design with Dean Riddle
May 400:22:27Summary 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
Summary
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
Summary
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
Summary
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
Summary
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
Summary
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
Summary