College is often framed as the finish line before a creative career begins, but for most artists, it’s actually the starting point. In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire sit down with current BFA student Ruby Wolter to talk about what school doesn’t teach artists about money, business, and long-term sustainability.

• Why college is the beginning of your career, not a waiting room
• How Ruby turned her own college audition experience into a coaching business
• When a “fun Instagram account” becomes a real income stream
• The reality that auditioning is unpaid labor and how to financially plan for it
• Why being a multi-hyphenate is a strategic choice, not a fallback
• Letting go of the starving artist mentality early and building sustainability from the start

• Follow Ruby Wolter and RubyInRehearsal
• Ruby’s book: The Audition Chronicles
• Sign up for The Direct Deposit, our free weekly recap newsletter
• Download the 5 Things Financial Checklist and other free tools
• Explore more episodes at www.showbizpod.com

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

Do you actually need extreme budgets and perfectly curated New Year’s resolutions to “be good with money”? Or is there another way to reset your finances that actually works for creatives?

In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire break down how to approach money in the New Year without shame, pressure, or unrealistic expectations. For a mindset reset + tangible steps you can actually stick to, give it a listen.

• How to reflect on last year’s spending without guilt or shame
• What a “financial reset” really means (and what it doesn’t)
• Realistic budgeting strategies for freelancers and artists
• How to save money with inconsistent or seasonal income
• Setting financial goals that fit your lifestyle - not TikTok’s
• Why progress over perfection is the key to better money habits

• Sign up for The Direct Deposit - our free weekly recap newsletter!
• 5 Things Financial Checklist + other free tools to organize your money
• Free Budget Tracker Spreadsheet
• Be sure to check out our budgeting & savings episodes!
• Submit a topic idea or guest pitch at www.showbizpod.com

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo

Most creatives don’t have just one job, and while this may feel chaotic, multiple income streams is the most strategic way to set yourself up for success in 2026 & beyond in most creative industries. In this episode, Carissa and Emma Claire break down the concept of portfolio careers and why most artists are already living them (whether they realize it or not).

• What a portfolio career actually is (and how it’s different from just side hustling)
• The Gen Z shift toward income stacking and contract-based work
• How artists have a competitive advantage in today’s freelance economy
• The three layers of a portfolio career: anchor income, creative gigs, and scalable income
• The reality of health insurance, seasonal income, and long-term planning as a creative
• Why the language you use to describe your work matters more than you think

• Sign up for The Direct Deposit - our free weekly recap newsletter!
• The Multi-Hyphen Life by Emma Gannon
• Follow Anna McKenzie for portfolio career inspo
• Tools for building your portfolio: Canva & Wix
• Platforms mentioned: Fiverr, Cohley, Billo, Vidovo, Backstage Creator Profiles
• 5 Things Financial Checklist + other free tools to organize your money
• Submit a topic idea or guest pitch at www.showbizpod.com

CONNECT WITH US:

• Instagram: @showbiz.pod
• TikTok: @showbiz.pod
• Website: www.showbizpod.com

That’s all for now. See you next week! Xoxo