Podcast · Arts & Books

The 98%

by Alexa Morden · English · Arts & Books

Whether you're in the entertainment industry or not, this is a podcast that will humour, shock, validate and inform. You think you knew what it's like to be an actor? Think again… The 98% explores what life is really like for the majority of actors and performers who, rather than trying to find a

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 20 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 23 minNew

Who and What is The 98%?

Welcome to The 98% - the home of brutally honest chat about the realities of being an actor and working in entertainment and the performing arts. [Surprise! You can WATCH this episode on youtube with video content! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2db-9zUkCiQ ] I'm Alexa Morden - an actor who, since starting a podcast in 2018, has also become a writer, acting coach, author, activist, and founding director of The 98% Community Interest Company. This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter as The 98% joins YouTube! Creating a new space for discussions, advocacy, information, and…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

7 Jul 2026 · 55 min
"AI Actress to Star in AI Film" - The 98% Responds
In July 2026 the AI production company Particle6 announced that their AI creation "Tilly Norwood" will lead new feature film 'Misaligned.' Read the full press release here: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/ai-actor-tilly-norwood-movie-debut-misaligned-1236802325/ Listen now to the audio of an IG live that Alexa hosted with guest Rebecca Osias where they share their thoughts and concerns. You can watch the live here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DagFBAliRuh/ Listen to the previous Tilly Norwood deep dive on The 98% with episode "AI Actress Tilly Norwood - Hazard or hype?" Get your 'Actors…
S6 · E6 · 29 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
Performing Under Pressure - With Dr Steve Bull
Happy Holidays everyone! To keep you company between Christmas and New Year, Alexa is joined by an audience favourite (who also happens to be her Dad) performance psychologist Dr Steve Bull, to answer listener questions about confidence, pressure, and navigate the realities of the acting industry. In this episode Alexa and Steve explore self-tape pressure and perfectionism, managing nerves, developing sustainable processes, confidence in a highly subjective industry, how to work hard without burning out, and more. Blending psychological insight with lived experience, this discussion offers…
S6 · E5 · 21 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 31 min
Rekindle Your Spark - With Matt Holt and Stephanie Morgan
In this open and restorative episode, Alexa is joined by award-winning screen director Matt and acclaimed acting teacher and coach Steph Upsall for a conversation designed to support, re-ground and re-energise actors navigating an increasingly challenging industry. Together, they explore what actors should be focussing on beyond industry noise, career pressure and unhelpful expectations. Matt offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on performance through a director's lens, while Steph reflects on why her approach has a profound impact on both actors and the work itself. Tune in to hear three…
S6 · E5 · 24 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 35 min
Patrick O'Kane - The Power Of Support
The 98% is back for another new episode already! Sometimes you are contacted about a prospective guest where the subject matter is too perfect for the platform to not jump on the mic. This is one of those guests. Today Alexa is joined by acclaimed Irish actor Patrick O'Kane, who you may recognise from iconic stage roles or appearances in TV series such as Doctor Who and Game of Thrones. From tearing up his university application for a Law degree, to treading the boards in the UK's most prestigious theatres - Patrick delves into parts of his actor journey and insight from 35 years in the biz.…
S6 · E3 · 17 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 57 min
"AI Actress Tilly Norwood" - Hazard Or Hype?
So, an AI actress is here to take all of our jobs and change the face of the acting industry forever… Or is it? In this deep-dive episode Alexa is joined by actor and screenwriter Rebecca Osias - who also isn't one to shy away from difficult industry conversations. Together they discuss the concerns and questions around "Tilly Norwood", why there is no space for generative AI in creative spaces, the responses from industry organisations - and so much more. Including a look at the website of the "100% AI generated production company" behind this code, why the original article about agent…
S6 · E2 · 7 Jul 2025 · 1 hr 25 min
Contracts, Clauses & Caution - Agent Webinar
Essential listening for any actor, parent of child actor, or anyone else working with a talent agent... This episode is a recording of a recent live webinar where Alexa was joined by experienced agent Liz Pratt of Nelson Management. Liz has been teaching herself legislation and brushing up on her knowledge regarding actors rights, and she's here to share that knowledge with you. This informative discussion looks into the often-overlooked small print of the actor/agent relationship: contracts, terms & conditions, unlawful behaviour, red flags, and more. This episode offers clear, empowering…
S6 · E1 · 7 Jul 2025 · 2 hr 46 min
'Lucy Harrison Casting': A Cautionary Tale
The most complex episode of The 98% yet…an armchair investigation into 'Lucy Harrison Casting' - a talent agency accused of withheld pay, suspicious business practices, and questionable identities. With an informed eye, sharpened by her involvement in exposing the Bodhi Talent scandal in 2024, Alexa presents a deep-dive into concerns regarding this agency, based on first-hand accounts and publicly available records. This episode explores how an unregulated industry leaves actors vulnerable, and why more accountability, protection, and proactive safeguarding is urgently needed. This is not an…
S5 · E41 · 10 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 33 min
"We aren't chasing the thing anymore. We ARE the thing."
A special moment that feels full circle, where everything is the same but different at the same time. For the first time in 6 years (!!) Alexa and Katie are in the same room recording an episode of The 98%. After years of remote recording and living in different countries, they're back in Katie's living room, trying to wrangle a cat, and talking honestly about #actorslife that is now more like #creativelife. Only this time, gone is the desperation and frustration, and in its place is acceptance of the reality of the game, and efforts to make their part in it as happy and fulfilled as…
S5 · E40 · 10 Jun 2024 · 1 hr 17 min
S5E40 - Finale Pt 2 - Reflection
It's here! After 40 episodes of Series 5, the season draws to a close. Join the OG's, Alexa and Katie, as they check in on recent goings on, chat about when actual life leaves no room for #actorslife, look back at change of attitudes since the podcast began, discuss the lack of working class creatives in the industry, share a whole lot of love for this community, and more! "We've got to look after ourselves first otherwise we have nothing to give." This episode is dedicated to you, wonderful listeners. Things mentioned in the episode: 'The Good Ally', By Nova Reid Acting With Alexa:…
S5 · E39 · 3 Jun 2024 · 49 min
S5E39 - Finale Part 1 - Finding Joy In Your Journey
Every guest on The 98% who has chosen to move on from the performing industry didn't do it because they fell out of love with the art of acting, it was because they didn't want to continue with the industry itself. So for those of us who choose to stay in it, how can we make it an enjoyable place to be? In this episode Alexa shares her thoughts and musings over recent months having a "front row seat to the sh*tshow" and why it is so important to redefine what success means to you in this business. Strap in for some classic 98% brutal honesty. The rose tinted glasses are off, because you…
S5 · E38 · 20 May 2024 · 1 hr 27 min
S5E38 - Representation Special Part 2: Agent Roundtable
Grab your headphones and settle in for one of the best episodes of The 98% of ALL TIME! There's been a lot of coverage of dodgy agents recently, so let's hear from some wonderful, trustworthy, supportive ones. In this episode Alexa is joined by Mildred Yuan PMA, Liz Pratt PMA and JBR PMA for an incredibly honest, transparent and wisdom filled chat. You'll hear about how to find the right representation for you, what to look out for when looking for representation, the current state of the industry, a real look into the life of agenting, and so. much. more. Whether you are represented by an…
S5 · E37 · 11 May 2024 · 1 hr 7 min
S5E37 - Representation Special Part 1: Self Representation
There's been a lot of worrying discussion around agents recently, so before this series ends The 98% wanted to finish on an uplifting note - platforming conversations around representation that instill confidence and trust in actors. This is part one of a two-part representation special! Due to recent exposé's unconvering malpractice from agents, many have found themselves now without one. While this can feel very daunting, it's a disservice of our industry to make actors feel like they are doomed without an agent. Self representation can be an empowering journey and give actors some control…
S5 · E36 · 22 Apr 2024 · 36 min
S5E36 - The Deceit and Corruption of Fake Self Tapes
Just when you thought this business couldn't get any tougher, Deadline exposes another scandal that has rocked the industry and sent shockwaves through the creatvies involved in the audition process. Agents sending fake self tape requests to actors?! If this is something you'd never even contemplated before, you wouldn't be the only one. But sadly these are not just isolated incidents... Including comments from The CDA and Equity's General Secretary, testimonies from actors who have been affected, and more, join me on a deep dive into the recently exposed scandal of agents sending fake self…
20 Apr 2024 · 14 min
PSA: Jamie Fisher / "Archie Purnell" Statement
"Archie Purnell" JAMIE FISHER (also using the name 'Richard'), rogue talent agent, is back with a new name, new studio name ('Wigan TV & Film Acting School'), but the same old tricks. To get ahead of accusations he is spreading rumours and false claims. Knowing all I know, I cannot sit back and let more people be scammed. "Drawing from documented sources and firsthand accounts of those impacted, I am making this public statement, as a vital disclosure for anyone who may come into contact with, now or in the future, Jamie Fisher aka Jamie Thomas Fisher aka AP James aka Archie Purnell." This…
S5 · E35 · 8 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 4 min
S5E35 - "The Best Journalists Are Trustworthy"
This episode is 1 hour 4 mins long. If your podcast app is only playing the first 45 mins, there is a technical issue that is currently being looked at! Please check back here for the full episode coming asap! Last year The 98% was contacted by Jake Kanter, a journalist for Deadline, after the podcast featured stories of those who experienced abuse and misconduct at UK drama schools. Thus began a relationship that has resulted in multiple exsposé articles unearthing misconduct in the industry after people who had reports to make had nowhere left to go, apart from The 98%, to share what had…
S5 · E34 · 25 Mar 2024 · 1 hr
S5E34 - "My greatest performance was pretending everything was ok"
Mental health has always been a throughline for episodes of The 98% and so the podcast is proud to host Adam Bambrough in this episode, founder and CEO of Wellbeing in the Arts. After leaving the acting profession due to struggles with his own mental wellbeing, Adam planned to write a book revealing the scope of actors and creatives with mental health struggles. He soon realized that there was no stand alone mental health support in the entertainment industry, so no wonder mental health struggles were affecting so many creatives. And so..he made one himself. Wellbeing in the Arts works…
S5 · E33 · 11 Mar 2024 · 1 hr 10 min
S5E33 - "'All I can do is act' is absolute bull"
After a lifetime dedicated to the "I can do nothing but act" frame of mind, everything changed aged 39 for guest Lee Mengo. Thinking about his future and his prospects, Lee realized that acting wasn't giving him what he needed in life. Financially, mentally, spiritually, egotistically...but coming to terms with that was a long hard road. When he finally made the decision to step away, start his journey of sobriety, and found a job that he loved teaching young actors…his 20 years of hard work came back around and he ended up booking bucket list acting jobs! As a teacher, Lee practices the…
S5 · E32 · 26 Feb 2024 · 54 min
S5E32 - Bodhi Scandal, unveiled by The 98%
After a group of actors reported their concerns about their former agent regarding fake self tapes, withheld pay, skimming money, lying about cancer, and more, to no avail...they came to Alexa at The 98% for advice on next steps. With seemingly nowhere else to turn, Alexa passed the information on to Deadline journalist Jake Kanter, encouraging him to help expose these dodgy dealings...For the sake of these actors, the others on the agencies book, and the inudstry as a whole. Thankfully, he did. And thus began #BodhiGate. Hundreds of emails, texts, screenshots, messages, sent and…
S5 · E31 · 5 Feb 2024 · 1 hr 37 min
S5E31 - "Hold On Tightly, Let Go Lightly"
Today's guest, Sally Abbott, has worked in the arts for 35 years. Starting in community arts and working her way up to writing for some of British televisions biggest shows, Sally has so much wisdom and insight to share. In this episode you'll hear why Sally finally feels like she's who she's meant to be at aged 55, how she has found confidence and navigated a diagnosis for ADHD, and what her journey in the industry has looked like. Actors listening will hear why writers can't get you a job (even if a character is literally based on you!), what makes a good self tape for writers watching…
S5 · E30 · 22 Jan 2024 · 1 hr 21 min
S530 - "If you know my bra size, you can text me back"
Series 5 keeps on rolling along and for episode 30 it's the two OG's, Alexa and Katie, sitting down and chatting about the current #actorslife goings on with the usual brtual honesty, evaluating the relationship actors have with the industry, co-dependency, the future of the podcast, some exciting new offerings, and some actor woes and wins! . Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. . Help support The 98%, every penny goes into the finances of podcasting and helps us stay on the air for…
S5 · E29 · 8 Jan 2024 · 54 min
S5E29 - "Your world is subjective. And you can't change it."
"This year I will book my first TV credit" "I will sign with an agent" "I will star in a film" Sound familiar? These are all outcome goals, and very common amongst actors who are so determined to achieve that certain thing they think will make them more valid, especially in an industry that tends to only focus on the outcomes. But outcome foccussed goals can be detrimental, especially as actors when the outcome doesn't necessarily correlate to the process. What are process goals and why are they more important to focus on than outcome goals? This episode will explain all, and leave you…
25 Dec 2023 · 4 min
Happy Christmas from The 98%!
The Spotify wrapped for The 98% showed that 70% of listeners discovered the podcast in 2023! So, incase you missed these festive parodies in previous seasons, here are a couple of the favourite #actorslife covers from Christmases gone by. Jingle Bells parody + An Actors Night Before Christmas. Happy Holidays everyone! . Follow us on twitter/instagram at @the98percentpod for relatable #actorslife content, tips and advice for actors, and news about our new series. If you've benefitted from and enjoyed the podcast and want to give a little back, we have a ko-fi where every penny thrown in our…
S5 · E28 · 23 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 20 min
S5E28 - "You are not a cog. You are not just an actor. You are a human being."
Happy Christmas 98 percenters! You made it through another year. This time with continued pandemic fallout, and industry strikes. If your 2023 was a brilliant one, Alexa and Katie are cheering you on from the bleachers! But if you had troubles this year, whether professional or personal, The 98% is here to hold you in comfort, support and solidarity. In this episode Alexa and Katie speak about those sometimes highs and often lows that came in 2023, with the support of Hester Evans; a wellbeing facilitator for film, tv & theatre and person-centred counsellor. Follow Hester at @hesterevansf…
14 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 18 min
Bonus Episode - Alexa and Katie on In The Room podcast
The 98% inturrupts its regular scheduling to bring you a bonus episode as an early Christmas treat! Listen to Alexa and Katie as guests on In The Room, a podcast inspired by The 98%! Hosts Matthew and Christian invited Alexa and Katie on to give a behind the scenes look at their journys in the industry, the background to how and why The 98% was born, what they've learned from doing The 98% and the guests the podcast hosts, advice for actors, thoughts on the abuse and mistreatment actors recieve, and much more! You can listen to In The Room on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon music where…
S5 · E27 · 11 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 30 min
S5E27 - "Happy actors do better work"
It's the 100th episode of The 98%! And what could be more on brand than a deep dive on the one thing that actors in the 98% have in common...having to have a non-acting job. Guest Robyn Holdaway returns to the podcast after publishing a brilliant article on The 98%'s blog entitled "How To Pick The Right Non Acting Job For You". They break down every part of the process of having to find a paythebills job with the main idea being finding a job that doesn't rot your soul...because, as Robyn so brilliantly puts it, "you will be a better actor if you don't hate yourself and your work, because…
S5 · E26 · 27 Nov 2023 · 1 hr 40 min
S5E26 - Strike Update, A No Vote?
While people are saying the SAG-AFTRA vote is over, technically it's just suspended. The deal offered by the AMPTP and agreed upon by the actors union still needs to be voted on by members of SAG-AFTRA...and some are voting no, including previous podcast guest and strike captain Kylie Sparks, who featured in our special strike episode in July. Hear Kylie break down some of the deal points that bring concern for the "journeyman actor" (like those in the 98%!), and why they believe the union has been strong-armed into accepting a deal instead of pushing for rights that, if ignored, could cause…
S5 · E25 · 13 Nov 2023 · 1 hr 16 min
S5E25 - "It's not about the millionaires. It's about the 98%"
It's the 98th episode of The 98%! And rules are being broken!! For the first time, The 98% is hosting someone from the other side...a 2 percenter!! Forget the usual format of interviewing familiar faces though, this is a relatable, validating discussion that might be exactly what you need in 98% life right now in the difficult landscape we find ourselves in. Many will remember today's guest Tony Gardner as the whacky and wonderful Brian from My Parents Are Aliens and despite going on to have a brilliant long standing career in the arts, Tony is a listener of The 98% and big supporter of what…
S5 · E24 · 31 Oct 2023 · 1 hr 35 min
S5E24 - Halloween Special Part II
In this two-part Halloween Special, Alexa and Katie enter the world of true crime, sharing cases with each other that also relate to being an actor, and life in the entertainment industry. Where better to uncover these sordid tales than Tinseltown itself: Hollywood..Where, behind the glitz and glam, lies a dark underworld of crime, prejudice and exploitation. In this episode, Alexa tells Katie about the investigation of the murder of Bonny Lee Bakley. Bonny, desperate to find self worth, moved to Hollywood to chase the one thing she thought would give her life meaning - a famous husband. She…
S5 · E23 · 30 Oct 2023 · 1 hr 11 min
S5E23 - Halloween Special Part I
Doing something a little different today, for the first ever Halloween special of The 98%! In this two-parter, Alexa and Katie enter the world of true crime, sharing cases that also relate to being an actor. Where better to uncover these sordid tales than Tinseltown itself: Hollywood..Where, behind the glitz and glam, lies a dark underworld of crime, prejudice and exploitation. In this episode, Katie tells Alexa about serial killer Harvey Glatman who was responsible for the senseless murders of Judy Dull, Shirley Ann Bridgeford, and Ruth Macardo. Content note: murder, sexual assualt, rape,…

About The 98%

The 98% is a English arts & books podcast from Alexa Morden. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Alexa Morden
Language: English
Category: Arts & Books
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 20 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1354570696

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