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

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 come...

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://right...

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 collab...

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 hardwar...

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, ...

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 th...

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...

Bankruptcy Lawyer 

Struggling with overwhelming debt, IRS notices, or nonstop creditor calls? In this episode, Massachusetts bankruptcy attorney Barry Levine dives deep into how bankruptcy laws offer legal debt relief and a fresh start, empowering listeners to regain control of their finances and careers. 

With 45 years of experience helping individuals and small business owners, Barry breaks down the bankruptcy process step-by-step,...

Operating-Room Nurse

Ever wonder what really happens behind those operating room doors? In this episode, longtime OR nurse Patti Columbia Walsh shares valuable career insights from her 40-year experience in one of healthcare's most high-stakes jobs. From anticipating every surgeon’s move to handling medical emergencies, she reveals the fast-paced reality and success factors of working in the OR.

If you’re exploring a c...

Reinvention  

AI is reshaping the job market. Layoffs are rising. Being “qualified” isn’t enough anymore.

In this episode, Ilana Golan, founder of Leap Academy, explains how to pivot strategically in today’s AI-driven economy. We break down career reinvention, the hidden job market, building a portfolio career, and how to position yourself before opportunities go public.

If you’re considering a career change, worried about AI replacin...

Mediator

In this episode, discover what a family mediator really does and how much you can earn in this career. New York family mediator Alison Block Gerson shares how divorce mediation offers a faster, less expensive alternative to traditional court litigation, reducing conflict and helping couples reach workable agreements. 

We dive into detailed comparisons between mediation and court processes, including training requirements, pr...

Entrepreneurship 

In this episode, we break down an entrepreneurship playbook for starting and growing a business - without relying on big ideas, passion, or excessive risk. 

Jim Beach, host of School for Startups, joins us to challenge the most common startup myths that stop founders before they ever make money, and shatters the belief that success requires a brilliant, original idea.

Jim shares how he built a 100-station radio footp...

Interview With AI

What happens when five leading AI systems are asked the same questions?

In this special episode, we bring Gemini, Claude, Grok ChatGPT and Copilot to the same table to confront the issues shaping our future—jobs and automation, AI safety, AGI risk, intimacy, loneliness, and climate impact.

We start with introductions and move to jobs - which ones are changing first, which skills matter next, and why creativity alone ...

Keynote Speaker 

What happens when you lose your voice—and the career you built around it?

For Jennifer Brown, that moment became the catalyst for a powerful career reinvention. Today, she’s a globally recognized keynote speaker and one of the leading voices in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In this episode of How Much Can I Make?, Jennifer shares real-world career insights into what it takes to build a successful keynote speaking ...

Economics Journalist

Understanding basic economics can significantly impact your job and earnings. 

We sit down with Peter Coy, a veteran economics journalist who has written for Bloomberg Businessweek, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Peter shares career insights into the economics of journalism, explaining how stories are pitched and shaped, and how innovative platforms like Substack and AI are transforming media car...

Digital Entrepreneur

Discover practical job ideas and career insights in digital entrepreneurship.

What if you could learn a practical web skill over a single weekend, build a simple website for a local business, and turn it into steady monthly income?

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Raad to break down a realistic path from beginner to profitable digital entrepreneurship. We talk about building websites for local businesses, cr...

Digital Real Estate

What if your next big investment isn’t a building—it’s a blog? In this episode, digital real estate expert Matt Raad breaks down how he buys simple content websites, renovates them with SEO optimization, and turns them into reliable passive income. He explains why passion niches—like gardening, wellness, crafts, and hobbies—are some of the most profitable online business opportunities.

We cover exactly how to buy ...

Fragrance Evaluator 

Jillian Friedman shares career insights from the fragrance industry, including global differences in taste, why synthetic ingredients can actually lead to safer, more sustainable formulas. We explore how a fragrance evaluator influences what you smell—from the first spark of a creative brief to the final bottle on the shelf.

If you’re curious about a career in the fragrance industry, this episode is for you. And ...

Cyber Security Expert

Cybersecurity is one of today's fastest-growing career opportunities, offering high earnings and strong job security as cybercrime continues to evolve.

Most cyberattacks don’t start with elite hackers—they start with your email address and phone number. We sit down with Rivka Tadjer, CEO and co-founder of Zero Hack, to break down how modern cybercrime really works—and how protecting people and companies has...