50% Business, 50% Creative. Hosted by 50/50 founder Luke Steinfeld, and 50/50 Head of Talent Wyatt Sarkisian, the podcast builds on the mission of the platform: to nurture and empower the next generation of industry talent. Join us every tuesday as we sit down with voices from all corners of the entertainment industry, offering educational insight into process, production, and execution.
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Sep 29, 2026 · 1:09:25
This week, we’re joined by producer Aisling Lynch of Fourth Wall, who moved to Los Angeles in a yellow Smart Car named Leonardo with just a couple bucks to her name — and quickly…
Sep 22, 2026 · 1:03:47
Wylie Anderson RETURNS to the Pod fresh off directing Grace Guy’s DECKHAND at the Edinburgh Fringe — and fully recovered from much chaos involving international travel and…
Sep 15, 2026 · 58:03
(RE-RELEASE) This week, we resurface a CLASSIC episode. We sit down with David Jacobson, marketing director at Cherry Lane Theatre — freshly reopened under A24 — to talk…
Sep 8, 2026 · 1:05:56
Director Britt Berke is back on the pod! Since we spoke with her last year, Britt has been BUSY— she most recently directed Ruby Karp’s solo special I DON’T TRUST ADULTS ,…
Sep 1, 2026 · 1:24:51
This week, we sit down with filmmaker/visual artist Gabriella Mykal to talk about her journey from making experimental films in Texas to CalArts, where she made her first doc…
Aug 25, 2026 · 1:09:20
This week, we sit down with comedian Ruby Karp! We briefly recap Ruby's unconventional childhood (for more on that, listen to our first episode with her! ); how growing up with a…
Aug 18, 2026 · 1:16:21
This week, actor/comedian/musician Kenzie Gross joins us to talk about growing up in a sports family, where constant competition and a full plate of extracurriculars instilled a…
Aug 11, 2026 · 1:18:03
This week, we talk with Josh Carone of 2bd2bth! We discuss how a conversation with fellow creator and friend Milky Tran was the catalyst for Josh and his comedy partner Jenny to…
Aug 4, 2026 · 1:20:48
Some movies become cult classics. THE ROOM became a phenomenon. This week, we're joined by Josh Folan, Jonathan Mann, and Ted Garvey, the filmmaking team behind the animated…
Jul 28, 2026 · 1:05:20
This week, we're joined by writer/director Parker Fenady (2x 50/50 Alum). Parker reflects on growing up around the film industry while still forging her own creative identity,…
Jul 21, 2026 · 1:16:20
Fear has always fascinated Nolan Lampson. This week on the 50/50 Podcast, Nolan joins us to unpack his lifelong love of horror—from sneaking scary movies while his parents were…
Jul 14, 2026 · 1:01:42
This week, actor/comedian Johnny Marx returns to the pod one year after his first appearance, and a lot has changed. We catch up on the first anniversary of LINDA, the monthly…
Jul 7, 2026 · 1:08:43
This week, we're joined by filmmaker, actor, and singer/songwriter Nathan Xia, who we got to know through his short FLAVOR OF THE MONTH, which was an Official Selection of our…
Jun 30, 2026 · 1:21:12
This week, it's a 50/50 re-release! We harken back to Episode 18 of the pod, where we welcomed our bud Alaman Diadhiou (actor/singer/dancer) on the pod. Just a couple days ago,…
Jun 23, 2026 · 1:09:14
This week, we're joined by composer Nicolas Snyder, whose work can be heard in acclaimed animated series like SCAVENGERS REIGN and COMMON SIDE EFFECTS , both on HBO Max. Nicolas…
Jun 16, 2026 · 56:07
This week, we're joined by writer/director, and 50/50 selectee Kate Saltel. From the formative experience of screening a student film at the Austin Film Festival while growing up…
Jun 9, 2026 · 1:10:17
This week, we're joined by Variety TV reporter Ethan Shanfeld. From his early days studying journalism at Northwestern and freelancing for outlets like Nylon and Pitchfork to…
Jun 2, 2026 · 59:40
Andrew Gerstenblatt and Arthur Goldbart of Silver & Gold Pictures are back on the Pod! The longtime roommates and creative collaborators join us to discuss their latest short…
May 26, 2026 · 1:12:37
This week, we speak with Mahalia Latortue-Pridgett, director's assistant on ABBOTT ELEMENTARY. She breaks down her journey from interning at Viola Davis’s production company in…
May 19, 2026 · 1:08:16
This week , we sit down with Janie Kahan to trace her path through the animation industry — from learning the studio pipeline at DreamWorks on TROLLS WORLD TOUR and CROODS 2, to…
May 12, 2026 · 1:07:56
This week, we sit down with 50/50 FESTIVAL WINNER Myles Hodder! We dive into his upbringing in Newfoundland — “straight off the rock” — to becoming an award-winning comedy…
May 5, 2026 · 1:10:58
This week, we sit down with writer and animator Anca Vlasan -- we start by discussing how her Romanian heritage shaped her love of storytelling, particularly her pull toward…
Apr 28, 2026 · 1:10:54
This week, we sit down with writer and comedian Grace Guy to unpack the complicated, often unspoken dynamics of assistant culture in the entertainment industry. Drawing from her…
Apr 21, 2026 · 1:03:54
This week, Chloë Kerwin reflects on church basements, circuses, ghost-hunting, and oh yeah... acting! Chloë grew up dreaming of Broadway, later finding herself drawn to films…
Apr 14, 2026 · 1:09:25
This week, we sit down with director/producer Talia Light Rake to talk about what it really means to self-empower as an artist. Talia dives into redefining her creative identity,…
Apr 7, 2026 · 1:10:35
This week, we’re joined by Allie Kahan, producer at Headgum, who carved out her own lane into entertainment by doing something deceptively simple—paying close attention. After…
Mar 31, 2026 · 1:19:12
This week, we sit down with Jared Corwin, Co-Executive Director of Silverlake Shorts. After feeling stuck following his first feature, Jared found renewed purpose by helping…
Mar 24, 2026 · 1:06:27
This week, we’re joined by John Li (Development at Amazon TV) where we dive deep into how careers in entertainment really take shape. From being the guy who’s always grabbing…
Mar 17, 2026 · 1:12:18
This week, we sit down with actor/comedian Natalie Ortega to talk about carving out your own lane in an industry that rarely hands you one. Natalie shares how she found her niche…
Mar 10, 2026 · 1:13:12
This week, 50/50 Festival WINNER Ali Rosenthal traces her path towards comedic purpose; after cutting her teeth in New York City, she forged her voice as a comedy filmmaker at…
Mar 3, 2026 · 1:04:37
This week, filmmaker Elijah Davis breaks down how he swung big on his debut feature, Three Colors: Pan African — and what it actually took to get it made. We talk about the…
Feb 24, 2026 · 1:11:43
This week, we sit down with Chris Rutledge , whose knowledge of animation extends far beyond his own work and into the underground, deeply influential network of visual artists…
Feb 17, 2026 · 1:03:10
This week, we sit down with director Posy Dixon — currently deep in production on a documentary about cult musician Planningtorock — a project that’s evolved into something far…
Feb 10, 2026 · 59:09
This week, we sit down with David Jacobson, marketing director at Cherry Lane Theatre — freshly reopened under A24 — to talk shepherding one of downtown New York’s most historic…
Feb 3, 2026 · 1:02:46
This week, we sit down with 50/50 writer-director duo Aimee Hoffman and Elinor Howells about building a creative partnership that’s as honest as it is motivating. From their…
Jan 27, 2026 · 1:06:57
This week, we’re joined by Arman Yaghmai, a coordinator at Verve, for a candid, nuts-and-bolts look at how the literary side of the industry actually works. We begin with…
Jan 20, 2026 · 1:11:01
Before Rotten Tomatoes became a cultural barometer for movies and TV, it was just a silly side project built by someone obsessed with community. In this episode, Patrick Lee…
Jan 15, 2026 · 1:15:09
This week, we’re joined by singer/songwriter Annika Rose and her manager Alice Dabell for a rare conversation about what it looks like to grow alongside your management as an…
Jan 6, 2026 · 1:02:07
This week, we sit down with Tessa Germaine (21 Laps) to trace her path through the beginning steps of Hollywood — from an early break as a coordinator on The Real Housewives of…
Dec 23, 2025 · 59:17
This week, we’re joined by the 2025 50/50 Horror Festival WINNER, Nishanth Ramasubramanian ! Nishanth breaks down how to balance ambitious visuals with economic constraints, how…
Dec 16, 2025 · 1:02:19
This week, UK-based Senior Creative Director Luke Keeling makes the ad world POP right before our eyes, as he breaks down what it really means to solve business problems through…
Dec 9, 2025 · 1:01:24
This week, we hit the ground running with documentarian/filmmaker Jacob Hurwitz-Goodman. Jacob gives us an exclusive look into his current documentary project, rooted in his…
Dec 6, 2025 · 34:43
Ladies and Gentlemen, it's a 50/50 BONUS EPISODE! This episode features this week's guest on the pod, Karen Zipor, along with 50/50 Co-Host Wyatt Sarkisian, in conversation with…
Dec 2, 2025 · 1:05:14
This week, we chat with perhaps the truest definition of a multi-hyphenate, Karen Zipor. We begin by unpacking the uniquely ego-free culture of animation and why its constant…
Nov 25, 2025 · 1:06:03
This week, writer/director (and 50/50 Fest alum!) Eli Staub joins us to break down the instincts, influences, and intensely personal experiences behind his award-winning short,…
Nov 18, 2025 · 1:00:47
This week, we sit down with actor/ singer Lesley Chiang for a fascinating conversation that begins in the heart of the Hong Kong entertainment scene. Lesley breaks down the…
Nov 12, 2025 · 1:03:36
This week, we sit down with editor and creator Jack Lawrence Mayer to talk about the delicate art of receiving notes and navigating conversations with producers and executives.…
Nov 5, 2025 · 1:07:32
This week on 50/50, we’re joined by producer Josh Folan, whose sharp wit and knack for organization and budgeting have made him a sought-after producer in the indie film world.…
Oct 29, 2025 · 1:09:55
This week on the pod, we chat with writer–director Luke Matthews , the mind behind TRICKS CAN GO WRONG — a film about an aspiring magician that doubles as a sharp metaphor for…
Oct 22, 2025 · 1:05:59
This week, Luke and Wyatt sit down with writer/comedian Vanessa Jackson —whose path to standup comedy began, believe it or not, in a “red carpet interview” class that was...…
Oct 15, 2025 · 1:17:51
Our guest this week, Wylie Anderson, has a background in theater education, which she carries deeply into her craft as a filmmaker. So, it's no coincidence that Wylie brings a…
Oct 8, 2025 · 1:04:19
It's a high school reunion this week! The guys chat with singer-songwriter Ava Maybee, who gives us an inside look at what it takes to flourish as an independant musician. On…
Oct 1, 2025 · 1:26:18
This week on the Pod, the guys chop it up with writer/comedian Brandon Scott Wolf, who proves that putting in the work—whether it’s daily pages or building friendships—pays off…
Sep 24, 2025 · 1:08:25
This week, Luke and Wyatt banter with the brilliant Britt Berke! Britt's knowledge accrued as a theatre director applies not only to the stage, but universally. We discuss topics…
Sep 10, 2025 · 1:08:22
Prep your kits! Because this week, we chat with Nadia Reese Stone, who provides us with a unique glimpse into on-set life through the boldy-winged eye of a makeup artist. Through…
Sep 3, 2025 · 1:11:37
This week, the guys sit down with writer-director-professor Aviv Rubinstien to talk about turning constraints into creative opportunities. Aviv shares how starting in horror…
Aug 27, 2025 · 1:02:29
This week, acclaimed artist/designer/director Jonathan Zawada reports to us live from the Australian countryside, where he details his long list of collaborations with artists…
Aug 20, 2025 · 1:19:53
This week, Alaman Diadhiou joins the pod. The guys discuss with Alaman what it really takes to carve out your own lane in the industry—and why you shouldn’t listen to people…
Aug 13, 2025 · 1:13:42
This week, 50/50 Class President (UTA Coordinator) Noah Wolfson joins us on the show. He breaks down why the balance of power has shifted into the hands of creators—and what that…
Aug 6, 2025 · 1:07:11
This week on the 50/50 Podcast, Bebe Katsenes joins us (LINDA wig sadly not included) to talk about the art of building a live comedy show from the ground up. She shares how her…
Jul 30, 2025 · 1:05:14
Take notes, people, because this is the ultimate how to episode! This week, we’re joined by Gabby Fiszman, co-founder of Odd One Out Films (with previous pod guest Maria…
Jul 23, 2025 · 1:10:20
Ever wonder what it's like smoking cigarettes with Natasha Lyonne outside of UCB at the age of 15? Well, you're in the right place. This week, we chat with…
Jul 16, 2025 · 1:10:18
We have a new Dude of the Day, and it’s Jacob Staudenmaier! His 50/50 Nominated Film, BOYS, answers the very simple question: What do Boys do tho?... But when Jacob isn’t calling…
Jul 9, 2025 · 1:01:33
This week, we’re joined by Rachel Brodsky, accomplished music/pop culture journalist. We spoke for just over an hour about what it's like to chart your own path in media and…
Jul 1, 2025 · 1:11:49
In film, a "calling card" refers to a project, often a short film, designed to showcase a filmmaker's talent, style, and vision to potential collaborators and industry…
Jun 25, 2025 · 1:08:15
This week, we're diving headfirst into the wild world of animation with creators Torey Strahl and Elena Ridker. From knowing when it’s time to stop waiting for permission and…
Jun 18, 2025 · 1:05:41
This week, we sit down with writer/actor/musician Michael Doshier, who gives us a glimpse into the glamour of his thorough artistic process. We touch on topics such as finding…
Jun 11, 2025 · 1:24:40
All the World’s a Stage on this week’s episode of the 50/50 Podcast. Joaquin Madrid Larranaga not only introduces us to the complex world of finding work in the Theatre, but also…
Jun 3, 2025 · 1:12:14
This week, we share a laugh with stand up comic Johnny Marx. We dive into the science behind crafting jokes, the differences in processing conceptual and personal material, and…
May 21, 2025 · 1:03:21
This week, we talk with the incredibly grounded and talented Cady Mariano. Cady provides invaluable insight into what it truly takes to stay resilient, hopeful, and energized as…
May 13, 2025 · 1:13:33
LIGHTS, CAMERA, TRAILERS. This week, Andrew Gerstenblatt invites us into the captivating world of the movie trailer. Andrew’s passion radiates with depth and nuance as he makes a…
May 7, 2025 · 1:10:24
This week, we break down the representation space with manager Max Gonzalez. We discuss weathering the trecherous waters of the talent agency; Max stresses the importance of…
Apr 29, 2025 · 1:11:08
This week, we dive headfirst into the world of sketch comedy, as Arthur Goldbart helps us find our funny. From casting your friends to shaping your comedic voice, we break down…
Apr 22, 2025 · 1:05:01
This week, we chat with Danielle Gould — currently working inside the legendary halls of 30 Rock on the 50th season of Saturday Night Live. Danielle takes us behind the scenes of…
Apr 15, 2025 · 58:53
This week, we chat with Freddy Macdonald (director) about leading with passion, fostering a collaborative on set environment, and nurturing longterm relationships. Freddy's first…
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