What does a Broadway stage manager, a dog trainer, a midwife, a cybersecurity expert, a bridge designer and a rock star have in common? They’re all among the diverse careers explored by Mirav Ozeri on her podcast How Much Can I Make? Career Insights and Jobs Tips for Your Career Change.
Ozeri speaks with Hudson Valley locals ranging from residents with modest side hustles to massively successful celebrities like Kate Pierson of the B52s. Her keen interviewing skills tease out the most interesting aspects of each career path, from how to break into the industry to the challenges facing the future of employment (AI comes up from time to time).
Besides serving as a great onramp to curious job-hunters looking to switch gigs (a large and growing contingent), the podcast offers the general audience a unique window into the fascinating work lives of our Hudson Valley neighbors.
What inspired you to start the podcast? Is there a mission behind it?
Mirav Ozeri: About 25 years ago, when I was working at CBS News, I created a TV pilot with the same concept — my guests were a makeup artist and a rock ’n’ roll photographer. But I couldn’t sell the show, so I put it aside and honestly forgot about it. Then, last November, I woke up one morning with the thought: why not do it as a podcast? I hadn’t thought about that pilot in years, I must’ve dreamt about it that night, ha ha.
The mission was clear: give young adults real inside information about different careers – including what people actually earn. When you meet someone new, you usually ask, “What do you do?” — but you never ask, “And how much do you make?” I wanted to create a space where those questions get answered. I started by interviewing local friends, and the show has grown from there.
What have you learned in the course of doing the podcast?
So far, I’ve published 50 episodes, and here’s what I’ve learned: No one thinks (or wants to believe) that AI could replace them.
Almost everyone said that luck — and knowing how to spot opportunities — was the biggest factor in breaking into their field.
Over 60% thought they’d end up in a different job but fell in love with their profession by chance.
Every single guest said they’re good at what they do because they love it. Some don’t even feel like they’re “working.”
People love talking about their jobs — after all, they spend a third of their lives doing it — and are eager to tell their stories.
How has the podcast been received, and what do you feel people are getting out of it?
The response has been amazing. People reach out to me every week asking to be on the show. Since the end of February, the podcast has had over 120,000 downloads and growing daily – about 90% from the U.S., with the rest from Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. I never expected it to reach so many people so quickly. In April I was nominated for a 2025 Woman In Podcasting Award — I didn’t win, oh well.
My audience ranges from 23–59 years old. Listeners tell me they love the mix of human stories and career advice. Some are exploring a career change and find it helpful, while others contact guests directly for professional advice — from financial advisor and cyber security to dog trainer. One episode with a birth doula — Mary Riley — was even forwarded to a Vermont senator who is working to include doula services in state health insurance. Many listeners share the show with their kids or grandkids, so it’s growing organically somehow.
What is it about the local area that lends itself to finding interesting people to talk to?
Our area is full of diverse, fascinating people. Many are transplants from the city, some still commuting to work on Broadway, Wall Street, or other city jobs. That creates a unique mix of country and city careers. What stands out to me is how generous everyone is with their knowledge — they truly want to share their story, what they’ve learned, all about the in-and-out of their jobs, giving great insider tips, really generous!
What keeps you going and motivated to do this consistently?
I’m a journalist at heart. I started out as a photojournalist, then became a documentary filmmaker for political and nonprofit organizations, and later spent 15 years at CBS News as an editor and segment producer. Journalism is in my blood, and I’ve always believed that everyone has a story worth telling. People are naturally curious about each other’s lives, and I think they love hearing success stories of everyday people — each one of my guests is a success story, they do what they love and they’re good at it. For me the podcast taps directly into my passionate curiosity. I love interviewing people. It feels like the perfect fit and I hope to keep doing it for many years to come.
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