Podcast
Survival Jobs: A Podcast
Hosted by Survival Jobs Podcast · EN
A podcast spotlighting artists, their side hustles, and passions hosted by Samantha Tuozzolo and Jason A. Coombs in collaboration with Broadway World and Broadway Podcast Network. New episode every Thursday!
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Episodes
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Episode 156 | Frankie Grande: "Basement of Gristedes"
6d ago01:05:34Tap to summarizeEpisode 156 of Survival Jobs hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, is bringing the camp, heart, and Pride Month energy thanks to the iconic Frankie Grande, filmed live at the WelcomeToTimesSquare.com studios in New York City. Frankie opened up about his experience starring as Victor Garber in the Tony nominated Broadway smash hit Titanique at the St. James Theatre. During the conversation, Frankie reflects on the wild journey of Titanique, from performing for crowds of just 30 people during its early days to now entertaining sold out audiences of more than 1,400 theatergoers eight years later! He also celebrates his longtime friendship and collaboration with Marla Mindelle, the co-creator, co-writer, and star of Titanique, who is currently nominated for three Tony Awards this season for her incredible work on the show. Tickets for the show are available at the St. James Theatre Box Office or here online. The episode dives into much more than Broadway as Frankie shares why releasing music, including his latest single I Drove All Night, has become such a fulfilling creative outlet outside of acting and performing on stage. He also speaks passionately about the importance of showing up for LGBTQ+ communities, specifically trans women, as Pride Month approaches. During the conversation, Jason highlights the work being done by the Bridgeport Pride Center in his hometown of Bridgeport, Connecticut, as an example of how local LGBTQ+ organizations thrive when communities rally together in support. Lastly, no Titanique themed episode would be complete without a little chaos, Frankie joins Jason and Samantha for a hilarious round of “Because You Quizzed Me,” a Celine Dion inspired trivia game that fully matches the over the top spirit of the show! The exclusive video of Episode 153 of Survival Jobs is available now on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Our Guests: Follow Frankie Grande on Instagram Follow Appa Grande on Instagram Checkout all things Frankie here Get tickets to Titanique here ! Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 155 | "Thornton Wilder's The Emporium" Press Day
3w ago00:31:33Tap to summarizeEpisode 155 of Survival Jobs, hosted by J hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, , takes listeners inside the April 10th press day for Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium, currently in previews at Classic Stage Company ahead of its opening night on Monday, May 18th. The episode features conversations with Joe Tapper, Candy Buckley, Patrick Kerr, Mahira Kakkar, Derek Smith, and Kirk Lynn, the production’s adapter and co-writer, about bringing this unreleased and unfinished Thornton Wilder play to life for the first time. Co-host Jason explores the creative process behind completing and staging Wilder’s final work, the collaboration between the cast and creative team, and the timely questions the play raises about power, commerce, identity, and the human cost of ambition. Thornton Wilder’s The Emporium is now playing through June 7th at Classic Stage Company. Get tickets here: https://www.classicstage.org Photo Credit: Marc J. Franklin Lastly, the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 154: Live from the Opening Night of "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" on Broadway
4w ago00:48:48Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs: A Podcast returns with Episode 154, recorded live from the opening night red carpet of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, directed by legendary multi-hyphenate Debbie Allen and starring Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer. Recorded at the historic Barrymore Theatre on Saturday, April 25, the episode features powerful conversations with the cast, creative team, and special guests about why this groundbreaking play, originally set in 1911 and first performed in 1988, remains deeply relevant for audiences in 2026 and why it is more important than ever to uplift Black stories, Black artists, and Black creatives. Co-host Jason A. Coombs spoke with an incredible lineup of artists and VIP attendees throughout the evening, including Debbie Allen, Cedric the Entertainer, Kandi Burruss, Joshua Boone, Shonda Rhimes, Lisa Leslie, Vanessa E. Williams, Jussie Smollett, Todrick Hall, Eva Marcille, Tripp Taylor, Maya Boyd, Abigail Onwunali, Bradley Stryker and 2026 Tony Award nominee Ruben Santiago-Hudson, among many others. The episode captures the energy, celebration, and cultural impact of one of Broadway’s most anticipated opening nights of the season. Get your tickets to Joe Turner’s Come and Gone online here or at the Barrymore Theatre box office! Lastly, the audio of Episode 154 of Survival Jobs is available now on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Our Guests: Get your tickets to Joe Turner’s Come and Gone online here Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 153 | Ali Louis Bourzgui: "Veggie Garden"
Apr 3000:54:23Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs, hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, recorded live in the WelcomeToTimesSquare.com studios in New York City, returns with an exciting and heartfelt new episode featuring Broadway’s rising star, Ali Louis Bourzgui, currently appearing in The Lost Boys on Broadway. In episode 153, Bourzgui invites listeners behind the curtain of The Lost Boys, sharing the magic that brings this highly anticipated production to life each night. From the energy of rehearsals to the collaborative spirit of the company, he offers a vivid look into the creative process and what it takes to build a world on stage that feels both thrilling and alive. Bourzgui also reflects on working with acclaimed director Michael Arden, diving into the rehearsal room experience and the artistic trust that fuels their work together. Tickets are now available at the Palace Theatre box office or here online. The conversation also explores the profound responsibility Bourzgui carried during his Broadway debut in the revival of The Who’s Tommy. He shares what that milestone meant to him, the lessons he learned stepping into such an iconic piece of theater, and how that experience continues to shape his approach to storytelling today. This episode opens with Jason and Samantha discussing the recent Hamlet film adaptation starring Riz Ahmed and directed by Aneil Karia, offering their insights on this bold reimagining of the classic work. Lastly, the exclusive video of Episode 151 of Survival Jobs is available now on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Our Guests: Follow Ali Louis Bourzgui on Instagram Checkout his website here Get tickets to The Lost Boys here ! Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 152 | "When Playwrights Kill" Press Day
Mar 2600:35:01Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs, a Podcast, hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, recorded live from the When Playwrights Kill press day, releases a special episode featuring a lively and engaging conversation with the cast and creative team of the new comedy When Playwrights Kill, written by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Noah Himmelstein, making its world premiere at The Huntington Theatre in Boston. This episode features Beth Leavel, Matt Doyle, Kevin Chamberlin, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Adam Heller, Tomás Matos, playwright Matthew Lombardo, director Noah Himmelstein, and co-lead producer Alan Seales as they discuss what drew them to the script, what they are most looking forward to for opening night, and the joy of bringing this fast-paced, behind-the-scenes comedy to life. The conversation also dives into fun moments from the press day, including who the funniest cast member is both on and off the stage! When Playwrights Kill is a sharp, high-energy comedy set in the chaotic world of theater, following an ambitious playwright whose production spirals as egos clash and tensions rise. With a powerhouse cast of Broadway favorites, the production promises a hilarious and insightful look at the madness of making theater, and this special Survival Jobs episode offers audiences an exciting first look at the personalities and creative forces behind one of Boston’s most anticipated new productions. Tickets are now available online here. Lastly, the exclusive video of Episode 152 of Survival Jobs is available now on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Our Guests: Get tickets to When Playwrights Kill online here Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 151 | Nik Walker & Kyle Scatliffe: "The Phantoms"
Mar 901:19:30Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs, hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, recorded live in the WelcomeToTimesSquare.com studios in New York City, releases Episode 151 featuring a joyful and engaging conversation with Nik Walker and Kyle Scatliffe, stars of the immersive Off-Broadway theatrical experience Masquerade, inspired by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. In the episode, Walker and Scatliffe discuss their friendship and why supporting one another is essential in an industry that can often be challenging to navigate. They also reflect on some of their favorite past roles including working together in Hamilton on Broadway and on tour and how they have embraced the opportunity to reimagine the legendary character of the Phantom for a new generation of theater audiences. The conversation also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsal process for Masquerade and the unique immersive experience that allows audiences to step inside the mysterious world inspired by The Phantom of the Opera. Due to popular demand, Masquerade has been extended through September 6, 2026, giving audiences additional opportunities to experience this one-of-a-kind production. Tickets for Masquerade are currently on sale at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Box Office, or online here. Lastly, the exclusive video of Episode 151 of Survival Jobs is available now on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Our Guests: Follow Kyle Scatliffe on Instagram Follow Nik Walker on Instagram Get tickets to Masquerade online here Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 149 | Bahiyah Hibah: "Bahiyah Bites"
Feb 1201:01:40Tap to summarizeCheck out the latest episode of Survival Jobs! Episode 149, hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, features Broadway standout Bahiyah Hibah, the longest running cast member of the hit Broadway musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical, a 10 time Tony Award winning production! In this powerful and celebratory conversation, Bahiyah reflects on the incredible milestone of the show surpassing 2,000 performances, what it means to be the only current original cast member still in the production, and the deep honor of continuing to tell this story night after night. She also shares insight into working with director Alex Timbers and reflects on her Broadway journey, including playing Velma Kelly in Chicago and other notable stage credits. Bahiyah also shines a spotlight on her entrepreneurial venture, Bahiyah’s Bites, her catering business that beautifully merges her love of food with her life as a performer. One of the standout moments of the episode is her story about catering the Moulin Rouge! 2,000 show celebration, a truly full circle experience that brought both of her creative worlds together in an unforgettable way. Throughout the episode, Bahiyah speaks candidly about hard work, longevity, perfecting your craft, and the importance of taking care of your body as a performer, making this episode both inspiring and deeply affirming! Tickets for Moulin Rouge! The Musical are currently on sale at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre box office and online here. In the episode’s Mic Check segment, Jason and Samantha dive into pop culture, including the hit HBO phenomenon Heated Rivalry, along with other lively hot topics, personal reflections, and an honest conversation about where our country currently is currently with the ICE Raids in Minneapolis and across the country. Lastly, the exclusive video interview can be found here on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Your Hosts: www.buymeacoffee.com/SurvivalJobsPod. Broadway World Article on our Season 3 Launch Party Follow Samantha: Instagram Follow Jason on Instagram | Twitter. Check out Jason's Official Website here Check out Samantha's official website here Check out and support The Bridgeport Film Fest Support Our Guest: Follow Bahiyah Hibah on Instagram Follow Bahiyah Bites on Instagram Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 150 | Liana Hunt: "Broadway Babies"
Feb 1200:53:19Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs, hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, is proud to celebrate its milestone 150th episode with a joyful and inspiring conversation featuring the super talented and charming Liana Hunt. Currently starring Off Broadway in The Play That Goes Wrong, Liana reflects on her path from touring productions to making her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia, and shares stories from her time in Wicked and Back to the Future. She speaks candidly about life on the road, the resilience it takes to build a sustainable career in theater, and the survival jobs that supported her along the way, including her continued work coaching and teaching young performers in theater. In a heartfelt and often hilarious conversation, Liana also offers a behind the scenes look at The Play That Goes Wrong and explains why audiences truly need this show right now, especially during a time when our world could use more joy, laughter, and light! She shares what makes the production such a uniquely uplifting and unforgettable experience and encourages audiences to grab their tickets and come be part of the fun. Tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong are available online here, and in person at the New World Stages box office. To open this special milestone episode, Jason and Samantha kick things off with a timely conversation about the current awards season and the 2026 Academy Awards nominations, sharing what they are most excited to see this year. Plus find out which host wants to marry Bad Bunny as they celebrate his Grammy win for Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards! Lastly, the exclusive video of Episode 150 of Survival Jobs is available now on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Our Guest: Follow Liana Hunt on Instagram Check out Liana Hunt's Official Website Get tickets to "The Play That Goes Wrong" on Broadway online here Important Links: Support the People of Minnesota Facing ICE Raids Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 148 | Wayne Brady: "Kid of the Kingdom"
Jan 1201:15:08Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, are thrilled to release a brand new episode today featuring five time Emmy Award winner and two time Grammy Award nominee Wayne Brady recorded live at WelcomeToTimeSquareStudios.com! The episode arrives as Wayne continues his Broadway run in All Out at the Nederlander Theatre, where he performs through Sunday, January 18 under the direction of Alex Timbers. All Out is a vibrant and joyful theatrical experience blending comedy, music, and personal storytelling, celebrating self expression, identity, and the power of showing up fully as yourself both onstage and off! In this upbeat, hilarious, and deeply introspective conversation, Wayne opens up about the foundation built through years of survival jobs, from working at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios to navigating the challenges of being a struggling working actor in Los Angeles. He reflects on how those early experiences shaped his work ethic, creativity, and resilience, while emphasizing the importance of young artists taking risks, making mistakes, and honing their craft while they can. During the episode, Jason also takes a moment to give Wayne his flowers, acknowledging the groundbreaking impact he has had as a Black man in television over the last three decades and the doors he has opened through his talent, generosity, and longevity. This is a must listen episode for fans of Wayne Brady and for anyone in need of inspiration, encouragement, or a reminder that success is rarely linear. With honesty, heart, and infectious joy, Wayne shares hard earned wisdom about perseverance, growth, and embracing every chapter of the journey! Tickets for All Out are available here or at the Nederlander box office. Lastly, the exclusive video interview can be found here on Broadway World, while the audio-only version of the episode is available on Broadway Podcast Network as well as popular platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible etc. Tune in now for insights, inspiration, and entertainment! Support Your Hosts: www.buymeacoffee.com/SurvivalJobsPod. Broadway World Article on our Season 3 Launch Party Follow Samantha: Instagram Follow Jason on Instagram | Twitter. Check out Jason's Official Website here Check out Samantha's official website here Check out and support The Bridgeport Film Fest Support Our Guest: Follow Wayne Brady on Instagram Get tickets to "All Out" on Broadway and see Wayne until 1/18 here Important Links: Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Episode 147 | Danny Strong: "Delivery Boy"
Jan 1201:09:56Tap to summarizeSurvival Jobs is back with Episode 147, hosted by Jason A. Coombs and Samantha Tuozzolo, featuring two time Emmy Award winner Danny Strong in an in depth conversation centered on his latest project, the incredible Broadway revival of Chess, for which Strong serves as the writer, reimagining the book for a contemporary audience. Strong joins the podcast to discuss stepping into the legacy of Chess, the iconic musical with music by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and lyrics by Tim Rice, and the responsibility of reshaping a beloved work for a new generation. In the episode, he shares insight into his approach to the material, the themes that continue to resonate today, and how this revival reflects his evolution as a storyteller across mediums. In addition to his work on Chess, Strong reflects on a career that spans acting, writing, and producing. As an actor, he is widely recognized for memorable roles on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, and Mad Men. Behind the scenes, his writing credits include the Emmy Award winning HBO films Recount and Game Change, the historical drama The Butler, and the final chapters of The Hunger Games franchise with Mockingjay Part One and Mockingjay Part Two. Strong also discusses co-creating the groundbreaking television series Empire and how his experiences across film, television, and now Broadway have shaped his voice as a writer. Throughout the conversation, Coombs and Tuozzolo guide a thoughtful discussion about creative reinvention, career pivots, and the survival jobs that sustained Strong early on, drawing a clear through line between his past work and his current screenwriting endeavors! Support Your Hosts: www.buymeacoffee.com/SurvivalJobsPod. Broadway World Article on our Season 3 Launch Party Follow Samantha: Instagram Follow Jason on Instagram | Twitter. Check out Jason's Official Website here Check out Samantha's official website here Check out and support The Bridgeport Film Fest Support Our Guest: Follow Danny Strong on Instagram Important Links: Help FEED the people of Gaza! PLEASE! Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE Supporting Transgender People in Your Life... Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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