How Much Can I Make? — Real Jobs. Real Stories. Career Insights

Episodes

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  Mycologist Career: The Business of Mushrooms 27.07.2026 37m

  We talk with John Michelotti, of Catskill Fungi about turning mushroom obsession into a real career through education, value-added products, and deep respect for the forest. We break down what mycologists actually do, what’s safe for beginners, and where the money is in mushrooms versus where it simply isn’t. Connect with John and his farm: Event schedule: https://catskillfungi.com/collections/events Products: https://catskillfungi.com/collections/frontpage Substack: https://substack....
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  eCommerce Photography Career: Salary, Skills & How Products Sell Online 20.07.2026 27m

  Thinking about a career in e-commerce photography? In this episode, we talk with product photographer Julie Benedetto about what it really takes to build a successful business photographing products for online stores and developing retail brands. Julie explains what makes product images sell, why styling and lighting matter as much as the camera, and how much of the work happens before and after the shutter click. We also discuss pricing, licensing, AI's impact on commercial photography, find...
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  Science of Babies: Feldenkrais Method & Infant Development 13.07.2026 26m

  We talk with Feldenkrais practitioner Leigh Scott, author of Secrets Babies Hold, a multi-media book about how babies develop through movement, touch, and sensory experiences during their first year of life. Leigh explains the science behind the Feldenkrais Method, shares practical ways parents can support healthy infant development, and discusses common concerns about milestones, muscle tension, and learning to crawl and walk. Whether you're a new parent, grandparent, caregiver, or healthcar...
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  City Planner Career: Salary, Urban Planning Jobs & How Cities Are Designed 06.07.2026 25m

  We talk with NYC urban planner Eddie Joe about what city planners actually do and how cities are designed in the real world. From post-pandemic retail strategy and neighborhood revitalization to affordable housing, zoning, and economic development, Eddie explains how urban planners help shape the communities where we live, work, and travel. We also discuss urban planner salaries, career opportunities, transitioning from architecture into city planning, and the skills needed to succeed in the ...
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  The Business of Being a Medium: Career Truths & Income 29.06.2026 33m

  Pam Meredith has a remarkable job: she’s a professional medium who helps people connect with loved ones who have passed away. In this episode, she shares her career journey, offering unique insights into what it’s really like to work between the worlds of the living and the spirit. What makes her perspective so compelling is her belief that mediumship isn’t rare, it’s a natural human ability that can be developed by anyone. She even shares practical techniques, for anyone who wants to try rea...
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  Build A Career In Immersive Visuals - Travel. Tech. Creativity 22.06.2026 42m

  We talk with Joe Ness about building a career that combines filmmaking, travel, technology, and entrepreneurship. What started as a simple experiment with a vertical TV evolved into immersive video walls seen in casinos, hotels, healthcare facilities, and public spaces around the world. Joe shares how he traveled to nearly 100 countries capturing extraordinary footage, the costs and risks behind creating world-class visual content, and why he believes authentic, real-world moments matter more...
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  Underwater Photographer Career: Salary, Skills, and How to Get Started 15.06.2026 23m

  How do you build a successful photography career in the age of smartphones and AI? In this episode of How Much Can I Make?, photographer Caroline White shares how she turned photography into a thriving business, from personal branding and online dating photos to her signature underwater maternity photography. We discuss what professional photographers really earn, how photography pricing works, how to attract clients, and what it takes to stand out in a competitive creative industry. Caroline...
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  The $1,000 Startup That Became a Million-Dollar Spa Franchise 08.06.2026 21m

  Nuttha Goutier came to Canada from a small village in Thailand with little money, limited English, and one clear vision: help people feel healthier and more connected. Today, her Sabai Thai Spa brand spans multiple locations and 13 franchise territories across Canada. In this episode, Nuttha breaks down how she launched her first spa with less than $1,000 and no business background — and grew it into a brand where a single location can hit $1.7M a year. If you're thinking about opening ...
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  Franchising Explained: Costs, Earnings & Growth 01.06.2026 28m

  We 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 franchi...
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  Inside the Music Sync Business with Elyse Schiller 25.05.2026 24m

  How 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 placeme...
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  Inside The Career Of a Death Investigator 18.05.2026 41m

  We 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. ...
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  From Czechoslovakia to MoMA: How Sculptor Alex Kveton Built a Real Art Business 11.05.2026 28m

  How to Build a Real Art Business: Selling Sculpture, Gallery Representation, and the Long Game - with Alex Kveton What 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 ...
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  Landscape Designer Career & Pay: How to Start Garden Design with Dean Riddle 04.05.2026 22m

  Landscape Designer Career Landscape 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 grow...
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  Jewelry Designer Career: Startup Costs & How to Build a Profitable Jewelry Business 27.04.2026 20m

  Jewelry Designer A 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 movie...
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  Career Reinvention: How One Producer Pivoted Across Industries 20.04.2026 19m

  Career Reinvention Thinking 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...
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  TV Producer Career Insights: Behind the Scenes After Filming Ends 13.04.2026 32m

  TV Producer Career Insights Explore 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 jo...
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  Inside a NASA Contractor Job: Systems Engineer Salary & Artemis Missions 06.04.2026 25m

  Systems Engineer This 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 a...
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  A Photographer's Job: Inside the Business of Photography 30.03.2026 29m

  Photographer 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...
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  Fencing Coach Career: Salary, Training & How to Get Started 23.03.2026 26m

  Fencing 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 yo...
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  Hypnosis as a Career: Inside the Job of a Professional Hypnotherapist 16.03.2026 38m

  Hypnotists Explore the intriguing career opportunities in hypnosis with a professional hypnotist Tommy Giorlando. In this episode we dive deep into the job market for hypnotists, uncovering what the work entails, the training required, and the factors that contribute to success in this unique field. Tommy shares valuable career insights about how hypnosis works, its practical benefits, and why this profession is more than just stage shows. Discover earnings breakdowns between stage perf...