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Why I‘ll Never Make It

Why I‘ll Never Make It

By: Patrick Oliver Jones
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About this listen

 The actor’s journey is one of occasional highs and frequent lows. It is a path riddled with self-doubt and frustration as we question our career choices, wondering if we’ll ever really ”make it.” But it is those few moments of glory on stage or screen that can sustain us through all the setbacks and challenges. On this award-winning podcast, New York actor Patrick Oliver Jones invites fellow creatives to share three stories that offer a behind-the-scenes look at the creative life rarely seen in the glitz and glam of this industry. These conversations remind us we’re not alone in this often bumpy and winding journey of the performing arts.©2026, WINMI Media Art Entertainment & Performing Arts Music
Episodes
  • A Look Back at Misha Osherovich and Breaking Free from Body Image Pressures in Theater

    A Look Back at Misha Osherovich and Breaking Free from Body Image Pressures in Theater
    Mar 26 2026
    After seeing Misha Osherovich in an Off-Broadway production of A Clockwork Orange, I began following Misha’s work and perspective online. A couple of years later, a deeply personal post about body image and eating disorder struggles stopped me in my tracks—speaking to something many of us face in this industry but don’t always say out loud. That moment led me to reach out, and eventually to this conversation. Recorded in 2019, this episode explores the pressures performers face when it comes to appearance, self-worth, and the constant scrutiny of both the industry and ourselves. What follows is one of the most candid and compassionate conversations I’ve had on the podcast. Misha Osherovich opens up about mental health, personal fears, and the work of separating identity from external validation, all with a level of honesty that is both unflinching and deeply empathetic. It’s a reminder that the most meaningful work often begins with telling the truth about lived experiences—and having the courage to share that truth. (Note: at the time of this interview in 2019, Misha Osherovich was using he/him pronouns but now identifies as non-binary, using they/she.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • A Look Back at Sharon Catherine Brown and a Legacy of Passion and Joy for Theater

    A Look Back at Sharon Catherine Brown and a Legacy of Passion and Joy for Theater
    Mar 13 2026
    Growing up, it was my mother who sang in the church choir about the time I was joining the children’s choir, and my aunt spent her young adult years performing as a jazz singer. But I’m actually the first in my family to pursue a full-time career in theater. That gave me a certain freedom to find my own way through the industry, but it also meant navigating a path no one in my family had taken before. For artists like Sharon Catherine Brown, though, there’s a different experience entirely—one shaped by a legacy of performers who came before. While she has worked in television and film, theater has always been her first love, with numerous Broadway and national tour credits, including her current run on the road with The Notebook national tour. Sharon joined the podcast back in 2023 to talk about following in the footsteps of her talented family and honoring the profound influence they’ve had on her life and career. I also had the joy of working with her in the summer of 2022 at Goodspeed Musicals in Connecticut on a new musical adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. As Anne herself might say, Sharon quickly became a kindred spirit in my life—and as you’ll hear, we truly enjoy each other’s company. In fact, our conversation lasted more than three and a half hours. When it was first released, I split it into two episodes, with the Final Five Questions available only to subscribers. For this Look Back episode, I’m bringing the entire conversation together in one place—lightly edited, but still full of the heart, wisdom, and passion Sharone shares so generously. Learn more about Sharon's connection to her father, Johnny Brown⁠, and his career. Follow Sharon: Instagram / IMDb / IBDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 33 mins
  • A Look Back at Anthony Rapp, From The Little Prince to Seasons of Love

    A Look Back at Anthony Rapp, From The Little Prince to Seasons of Love
    Mar 6 2026
    Since making my Broadway debut in Beetlejuice last year, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what it actually means to “make it” in this business. It took me twenty years from my first Broadway audition to finally getting that credit, with plenty of near misses along the way. But imagine being just ten years old and moving to New York City with your family for your Broadway debut…only to have the show close during previews. That’s exactly what happened to Anthony Rapp. Recorded in 2022 as the theater industry was finding its footing again after the COVID shutdown, our conversation goes far beyond the role many people know him for—Mark in Rent. Anthony reflects on that almost Broadway debut, the reality of film producers who didn’t want to cast him, and how he navigated the loss of two people closest to him. You’ll also hear a bonus segment about his time playing the title role in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Correction: In the episode introduction, I mistakenly referred to Anthony Rapp as playing Roger in Rent. Anthony actually originated the role of Mark Cohen on Broadway. Also, with it being mentioned during the episode, Anthony’s answers to the Final Five Questions can also be found here. Follow Anthony: IMDb / IBDB / Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 22 mins
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