Episode notes
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…
Podcast
The 98%
Alexa Morden · Arts & Books · English
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
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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…
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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…
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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:…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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