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PODCAST

Why I‘ll Never Make It

Patrick Oliver Jones

The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and challenges. On this award-winning podcast, New York actor Patrick Oliver Jones invites fellow creatives to share three stories that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative life rarely seen in the

arts performing arts

All Episodes

51:02

Kate Baldwin Looks For Creative Purpose Beyond Just...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2026/01/10

This past fall 2025 I got to see two of my favorite leading ladies on stage. The first was Christine Sherrill, who was making her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia. She and I had first worked together in the out-of-town tryout for First Wives Club back in 2015 that ran for about a month and a half in Chicago. But due to various factors that show never ended up coming to New York. Nonetheless, Christine was so great in that show. And she brought that same energy and vocal power to the role of Donna in

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57:19

Justin Collette Brings Beetlejuice to Life at the...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/12/31

Step inside the dressing room with Beetlejuice's Justin Collette for a behind-the-scenes conversation that’s equal parts bone broth and backstage banter. From the rock riffs of School of Rock to the undead hilarity of Beetlejuice, Justin shares his wild ride from Canadian improv star and punk band frontman to taking center stage on Broadway. We discuss his his technique of “farting with vocal cords” as well as punk bands and improv nights. It's a season finale with backstage stories, audition

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77:04

Jen Rudolph Helps Actors Focus on the Business of Acting

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/12/17

Being an actor requires a constant balancing act between showing up creatively and understanding how the industry actually functions. And Jen Rudolph has spent years operating at the intersection of casting, coaching, and strategy. She shows actors how to become clearer, more intentional collaborators in the room and more viable professionals outside of it.Together we talk about her years as a casting director and the creation of The Actor’s Green Room, where she worked closely with actors in

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89:41

David Bushman Proves There’s No Expiration Date on a...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/12/08

Chicago is now celebrating 29 years on Broadway, with multiple national and international companies as well. And for more than two decades David Bushman has been a part of various Chicago productions around the world. But what makes David’s story remarkable isn’t just his longevity with the show—it’s the path that got him there. We talk about his early days in community theater, his unexpected move from a 17-year ballet career into musical theater, and the fact that he booked his first Broadway

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15:38

FINAL FIVE: Trisha Paytas, YouTuber and Broadway...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/11/29

The previous episode with Trisha Paytas covered so much ground, from her recent Broadway debut in Beetlejuice to her rise as a YouTube star. But one of the best parts of every conversation is when we get to discuss the Final Five Questions. It’s where we hear about personal lessons, hopes for the industry, and those moments that truly define an artist’s career.--- Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent production of WINMI Media and Patrick Oliver Jones. To support the ongoing efforts of this

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40:08

Trisha Paytas on Media, Missteps, and Making Her...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/11/22

Trisha Paytas joins the podcast to talk about her unexpected and much-talked-about Broadway debut in Beetlejuice. She shares what drew her to the show, how the opportunity came about, and what it’s been like stepping into a completely new kind of spotlight.We also get into her family background and the early days of her online career, how she first gained attention, and the twists and turns of twenty years on YouTube. Trisha speaks openly about the fandom she’s built, the tougher moments she’s

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4:38

Apologizing for My Own "Why I’ll Never Make It"...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/11/14

In this brief update, I open up about the last several weeks—Broadway opening week, getting sick, and a recent injury—and how all of it pulled me away from releasing new episodes. I share what’s been going on, why the silence stretched longer than I wanted, and how grateful I am for the patience and support of this community as I get things back on track.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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17:58

FINAL FIVE: Abbie Goldberg & Mason McDowell, Musical...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/11/14

In the previous episode, Abbie Goldberg and Mason McDowell dove into their new musical 504 as well as the obstacles they’ve faced trying to produce their own works, and it was such an insightful conversation. But there’s still so much more to explore! That’s why I’m thrilled to have Abbie and Mason back here with me for the Final Five Questions—where we get a little more personal by uncovering lessons learned, hopes for the industry, and a deeper look at what drives them as artists. --- Why I’ll

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52:05

Abbie Goldberg and Mason McDowell Turn a Movement...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/10/31

Writers Abbie Goldberg and Mason McDowell are the creative team behind 504: The Musical — a new show inspired by the real-life 1977 sit-in that ignited the disability rights movement. What started as a 25-day protest in San Francisco became a landmark moment in history, paving the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act. Abbie and Mason share what drew them to musicalize this event and how they balance storytelling and activism in telling such an important story.We also talk about the ongoing

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39:20

Historias Hispanas en Español - Bianca Marroquín,...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/10/15

Bienvenidos y gracias por acompañarnos en esta edición especial de Why I’ll Never Make It! En esta segunda parte de mi serie sobre historias hispanas, escucharán a mis invitados anteriores compartir sus propias historias y experiencias en español.Roberto Araujo y Final Five Bianca Marroquín y Final Five Luis Salgado Jaime Lozano y Final Five Alina Alcántara y Final Five Tadeo Martinez y Final Five Cecy Trevino (part 1 and part 2) En este episodio no habrán

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37:29

Hispanic Stories in English - Matt Zambrano and Dan...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/10/14

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, I wanted to share a episode from 2020. This is part one in a series of former Hispanic guests of the podcast coming back to share their stories in their own words. The second part - la segunda parte - will be en español. Matt Zambrano was the very first guest on the podcast. He and I did Man of La Mancha together in Orlando. Dan Domingues is a NY actor who took part in my Spotlight episode on Only Make Believe, a nonprofit that brings interactive

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84:38

Audition Stories 2025 with Lynn Nottage, Aubie...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/09/26

It’s been several seasons since the last time Audition Stories took center stage, but they’re finally back — and this time with a brand-new collection of unforgettable moments from the audition room. These are the kinds of stories that stick with you long after the casting table has cleared: the ones that make you laugh, cringe, and nod in recognition at just how unpredictable this business can be.From quick recoveries and bold risks to the kind of mishaps you can’t help but retell, these guests

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24:08

FINAL FIVE: Jennifer Apple, Actress and Founder of...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/09/19

Jennifer Apple returns for this bonus episode to tackle the Final Five Questions. From her very first professional show of Spring Awakening to the lessons she’s still learning today, Jennifer opens up about how she defines success, the advice she’d give her younger self, and the changes she hopes to see in the industry’s future. A future she’s shaping through here Empowered Artists Collective. It’s a candid and thoughtful conversation that goes beyond the stage and into the heart of her

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60:32

Jennifer Apple Turns Setbacks Into Artistic Growth...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/09/12

A serious back injury could have ended her career before it really began. Instead, it became the turning point that led to new opportunities—earning an MFA at ACT in San Francisco, training in Italy, and finding fresh ways to grow as a performer.In this episode, we talk about resilience, artistic reinvention, and how those setbacks eventually inspired the creation of the Empowered Artist Collective, a community and podcast supporting women and non-binary artists. Her story is a reminder that

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18:24

FINAL FIVE: Patricia McGregor, Artistic Director of...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/09/05

Patricia McGregor’s first steps into the world of professional theater were marked by a sense of awe and a drive to make every moment matter. From performing under Orlando’s bright lights as a child to taking on demanding roles and responsibilities backstage in New York, Patricia learned early how powerful a single theatrical moment could be—sometimes just a gasp in the audience, or a split-second splash of stage blood. These formative experiences, guided by inspiring collaborators, forged her

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52:19

Patricia McGregor on Making Bold, Tough Choices and...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/08/29

Patricia McGregor’s journey to becoming artistic director of New York Theatre Workshop has been anything but linear. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, she and her sister created performances wherever they could, laying the foundation for a lifelong devotion to storytelling. Later, in New York, Patricia faced tough choices, financial struggles, and unexpected opportunities that tested her resolve but also expanded her vision as an artist.Now leading one of the city’s most influential theaters,

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15:55

FINAL FIVE: Sònia Victoria Werner, Co-Founder and CEO...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/08/22

In the previous episode, Sònia Victoria Werner and I dove into her background as an artist and the creation of Lighthouse Ladies, and while that was such an insightful conversation, there’s still so much more to explore! That’s why I’m thrilled to have Sonia back here with me for the Final Five Questions. These are where we get a little more personal—uncovering lessons learned, hopes for the industry, and a deeper look at what drives her as an artist.— Why I’ll Never Make It is an independent

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59:49

Sònia Victoria Werner Is Reshaping the Arts By Making...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/08/22

From childhood improv classes to building a women-led production company, Sònia Victoria Werner has carved out an artistic path that’s as bold as it is inspiring. An actor, writer, producer, director, makeup artist, content creator, and entrepreneur, she thrives on telling authentic stories that cross cultures and push boundaries. You’ll soon hear her voice in a highly anticipated Netflix animated reboot and an upcoming AAA video game, but that’s just one part of her ever-expanding career. In our

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17:28

FINAL FIVE: Joseph Zellnik, Musical Theater Composer...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/08/05

Joseph Zellnik is back for a candid and insightful bonus conversation about his journey as a writer and composer in the world of musical theater. Through these five final questions, Joseph shares personal stories from his early career including the lessons learned from his first professional show and the challenges of trying to resonate with an audience. He opens up about the evolution of his writing style how he now defines success and the importance of finding stories that you are uniquely

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58:49

Joseph Zellnik Combines Murder, Mystery, and Musical...

Why I‘ll Never Make It ·

2025/08/01

Joseph Zellnik is a musical theater composer, and along with his playwright brother David they are best known for their 2010 musical, Yank! This Off-Broadway production picked up Best Musical nominations from the Drama Desk Awards, the Outer Critics’ Circle, and the Lucille Lortel Foundation. Beyond that, Joseph has also written mystery novels, including The Sound of Murder, the first in his "Musicals Are Murder" series, which cleverly combines fictional crimes with real theater history. He even has

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