HeyJaredNopes and Dreams
Actor and writer Jess Kaplan talks to creatives about rejection - the auditions they didn't book, the projects that fell apart, and the dreams that had to change shape.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 9
- Latest publication
- Sep 4, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 9, 2026
Latest episodes
The Canvas is a Mirror with Deni Rayneau (opens the original)
Read excerpt
In this episode, Jess talks to Deni Rayneau, a Sydney-based Abstract Expressionist artist, mentor, and creative facilitator. Self-taught as a painter, with a background in graphic design, branding, and visual communication, Deni came to art through instinct, curiosity, and a deep need to express what words could not quite hold. Deni mentors women artists through Art&Soul, in-person workshops, and international retreats, helping them move past self-doubt, strengthen their visual language, and cre
Find the Win with Matthew Magnusson (opens the original)
Read excerpt
In this episode, Jess talks to actor, singer, and songwriter Matthew Magnusson. Matthew is currently the standby in the brilliant Broadway show Just in Time. Other Broadway credits include: A Wonderful World (Studio 54). Off-Broadway: Hound Dog (Ars Nova). Regional: Jersey Boys, Mr. Holland's Opus, Grease, Floyd Collins, Spring Awakening, American Idiot. TV: "Law & Order: SVU," "FBI," "The Rookie: Feds." Film: Hall Pass Nightmare (Lifetime), Secret Lives of College Escorts (Lifetime), Nightingal
The Joy is in the Writing with Nayantara Roy (opens the original)
Read excerpt
In this episode, Jess talks to her friend, Nayantara Roy, whom she met in New York City while acting in her short film at Columbia University. Nayantara Roy's debut novel, The Magnificent Ruins, was a New York Times Editor's Choice novel of 2024, an LA Times Editor's Pick, a Washington Post Best Book, a People Magazine Best Book, and an Apple Best Debut, among others. Sisters Of A Halved Heart is her second novel. Both books are currently being adapted for television. In 2018, Roy won the Rick D
Pursue Your Dreams with Juliana Folk (opens the original)
Read excerpt
In this episode, Jess talks to Juliana Folk. She is an actor, writer, and producer based in Santa Monica, California. She's spent the past decade building a career as an actor across TV, film, commercial, and spokesperson work, alongside a growing slate of original screenplay work spanning comedy, drama, and genre. In 2024, she co-founded Napa Valley StreamFest and the nonprofit StreamFest Society, celebrating independent film, streaming series, and digital storytelling while supporting mid-care
A learning Experience with Kevin M. Brennan (opens the original)
Read excerpt
In this episode, Jess talks to her long-lost Chicago buddy Kevin M. Brennan. Kevin is an actor, writer, and producer. He attended the film and acting program at The University of Texas at Austin and trained at The Second City Chicago. Kevin has appeared in numerous feature films including THE TO-DO LIST, IT'S A DISASTER, FOLK HERO & FUNNY GUY, THE TURKEY BOWL, and THE LAKE HOUSE. Kevin played series regular Val on STILL THE KING and was the host of TLC's traveling version of JUNKYARD WARS. He al
Publishing over time
Last 90 days. Choose a month to open its work.
Recurring subjects
Named in the text we hold. One piece can cover several.
Audience
No verified audience measurement yet.
About this data
Counts cover the work we have indexed. Tone needs enough text and a confident classification. Excerpts and episode notes are not full articles or transcripts.
Identity or attribution wrong? Suggest a correction.