Just Get A Real Job

05/12/2025

This week’s episode is a big one 🎙️

I sat down with Ian Murray MP, the UK’s Minister for Creative Industries, to talk honestly about the barriers facing working class creatives, the challenges freelancers are dealing with, and what the future of the sector might look like.

We also spoke about the government’s Discover Creative Careers campaign an initiative from Department for Culture, Media and Sport aimed at making creative careers more accessible to young people from under-represented backgrounds, highlighting the huge range of opportunities across the creative industries and how today’s skills and hobbies can lead to meaningful careers.

Episode now out on Spotify, Apple, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3w8TnnxgPI

This week, Jamie welcomes Ian Murray, the UK’s Minister for Creative Industries, for an open and honest conversation about the state of the creative sector ...

23/10/2025

🎧 New Episode Out Now!

This week’s episode is a special one recorded live in Glasgow back in June in collaboration with .scot

I was joined by an amazing panel of filmmakers including BAFTA Award-winning , .andrewsb, Dylan Blore, and ’ Hayley Louise McGuire and Jayme Bartlett for a really honest chat about how filmmakers are adapting in an increasingly difficult climate.

We talked about funding, freelancing, the importance of collaboration and creative community, plus the biggest lessons they’ve learned in their careers.
Huge thanks to everyone who came along and to & And Friends for partnering on such a brilliant event.

🎧 Episodes is available now wherever you get your podcasts.

20/10/2025

15/10/2025

🎙️ Just Get A Real Job is back!

After two months off, the podcast returns with one of our most important episodes yet, a powerful conversation with writer Philip Ralph about class, creativity, and the state of the TV industry.

We dig into:
📺 How class continues to shape opportunity and access in television
🎭 The challenges facing freelancers and working-class creatives
💡 The complexity of working in an industry built around “success at all costs”
⚠️ How the ongoing crisis in TV is pushing talent out of the sector
🌍 What needs to change for a more sustainable and inclusive industry

It’s an honest & I hope at times hopeful chat about where we are and what could come next.

🎧 Episode out now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Really proud of this one. Always an absolute pleasure having Phil on the show 🔥

In this episode of Just Get A Real Job, host Jamie Mackinlay sits down with writer Philip Ralph for an honest and thought-provoking conversation about class,...

02/09/2025

🛸 Ever wondered what it’s like to work behind the scenes on a show like Doctor Who?

Really enjoyed chatting with BBC Drama Commissioning Editor Nick Lambon about his time script editing on Doctor Who.

In this short clip from our conversation, Nick reflects on the challenges of working on such an ambitious series including the modern classic Heaven Sent and what it’s really like behind the scenes.

🎙️ You can watch & listen to the full episode of Just Get A Real Job on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=O3XaRzL8rFHTDKFE&v=CIQ5vRPoL24&feature=youtu.be

🛸 Doctor Who fans ever wondered what it’s like to work behind the scenes on the show?In this clip from our recent episode of Just Get A Real Job, BBC Drama ...

11/08/2025

🎭 NEW PODCAST EPISODE OUT NOW 🎭

This week on Just Get A Real Job, I’m joined by actor, playwright, comedian and rising Fringe star

Sanjay is currently performing his solo show Love Me Like a Chai Tea Latte ☕️ at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 a heartfelt mix of storytelling, poetry and stand-up exploring love, identity and self-acceptance.

We discussed:
• What it’s really like taking a solo show to the Edinburgh Fringe
• Why POC and neurodiverse representation still needs work in Scottish theatre
• Sanjay’s journey with dyslexia and how it shapes his creative process
• Managing imposter syndrome as an emerging artist
• Making your mum proud

🎧 Watch and listen now on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAA4a3nGUWk&t=843s

Massive thanks to Assembly for hosting us 🙌

This week on Just Get A Real Job, Jamie sits down with actor, playwright, comedian and rising Fringe star Sanjay Lago 💫Sanjay is currently performing his so...

01/08/2025

🎙️ New Episode is out now!

With the UK’s creative industries valued at over £100 billion and growing faster than the wider economy, why are so many young people still shut out?
This week I spoke to Samantha Hornsby co-founder of the ERIC App a free platform helping young people find opportunities.

We discussed:
🚀 ERIC’s mission to open doors
📉 The barriers young creatives face breaking into the industry
🎓 The disconnect between education and real-world creative jobs
🤖 How AI is reshaping the landscape
🧠 The emotional journey of building something from the ground up

If you're passionate about creative access, education reform and building a more joined about industry this one is for you!

🎧 Now streaming on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RzNXY1Ir9k

With the UK’s creative industries valued at over £100 billion and growing faster than the national economy, why is it still so hard for young people to break...

23/07/2025

🎙️ New Episode Out Now

This week on Just Get A Real Job, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Coulson an actor and writer taking her debut solo show Lioness to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

We spoke about:
⚽ The surprising history behind women’s football and the inspiration for Lioness
🌀 Creating while living with dyspraxia
💪 The grit, pressure and community behind bringing a show to the Fringe
🔥 Why persistence really matters in the creative industries
Kate’s a real force this was a class conversation about creativity, courage and carving out your voice.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3owRnd2g4pc

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Football, Cr

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Kate Coulson an actor and writer taking her debut solo show Lioness to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.We spoke about...

17/07/2025

🎙️ New Episode of Just Get A Real Job is Out Now

This week, I’m joined by the wonderful Carlo Cavagna Vice President of U.S. Operations at Two Daughters Entertainment and co-lead of the global writing programme PageCraft.

Carlo’s career spans screenwriting, business strategy, global trade, and talent development. He’s worked across the creative industries at every level from helping launch Lionsgate’s VOD platform to leading media partnerships for the UK Government.

We had a brilliant conversation about:
🎬 Why production budgets have gotten out of control
🌍 The differences & similarities between the UK and U.S. screen industries
📉 The growing inequality and lack of access in the creative world
🧠 Helping writers get “unstuck” and develop their story skills
🎨 Balancing creativity and buisness in a changing landscape
🎞️ What live-action and TV can learn from the animation sector
💡 Carlo’s biggest lessons from 20+ years across media and leadership

This one’s for anyone trying to build a sustainable creative career and a reminder that no matter how much the industry changes, the world will always need good stories.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcFTS0NVqGQ

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Carlo Cavagna Vice President of U.S. Operations at Two Daughters Entertainment and a key force behind the global writi...

29/05/2025

🎙 New Podcast Episode — Out Now

This week on Just Get A Real Job, I’m joined by Lizzy Skrzypiec — improviser, director and artistic director of Degrees of Error, the long-running troupe behind the hit show Murder, She Didn’t Write 🕵️‍♀️

Lizzy’s also built a successful full-time career in television, working across game shows like Bridge of Lies and Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win while mentoring emerging comedy talent at the Bristol Improv Theatre.

We had a brilliant conversation about creativity, career resilience and the unpredictable nature of the arts. We covered

🎭 13 years of Murder, She Didn’t Write
💡 What improv really is
💸 The financial realities of freelance life
📺 Working in factual and entertainment TV
🎉 Finding joy in a constantly changing industry

Murder, She Didn’t Write is currently on tour and returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this summer following a sold-out West End debut
Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts

This week on Just Get A Real Job, I’m joined by Lizzy Skrzypiec. She’s an improviser, director, and the artistic director of Bristol’s long-running improv tr...

14/05/2025

🎙 New Podcast Episode — Ep. 168: Growing an Improv Scene (with Martin James)

This week on Just Get A Real Job, I sat down with Martin James, one of the founders of the Glasgow Improv Theatre, to chat about what it really takes to grow a creative community from the ground up.

We covered a lot in this one:
👉 Starting an improv scene from scratch in Glasgow
🎭 What improv actually is — and why more people are getting involved
🧠 The realities of running a creative business & looking after your mental health
🏀 Playing basketball for the Scottish national team
🎓 Studying in the USA and how that experience shaped him
📺 Thoughts on Saturday Night Live launching in the UK
🎤 His biggest comedy influences and lessons from the world of improv

It’s a loose, inspiring, and thoughtful chat about creativity, risk-taking, and saying “yes, and…” to building something meaningful.

📣 Whether you're in the arts, interested in community building, or just love good conversation — this one’s worth a listen.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube & everywhere else:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpqsktqoVzY

🎙️ This week on Just Get A Real Job, Jamie is joined by Martin James — co-founder of the Glasgow Improv Theatre (GIT) and a driving force behind Scotland’s ...