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Text saying "NOPES" in pink over a black + DREAMS" spelling Nopes + Dreams, or also Nopes and Dreams Podcast
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A textured gray piece of paper with text in blue and pink: "Because sometimes the role you didn't want... ends up being your whole damn life."
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Hi, I’m Jess

Actress, writer, and host of Nopes and Dreams™, the podcast where rejection gets a mic and we all laugh through our tears.

When I was thirteen, I auditioned for the musical Annie. And let me tell you - I nailed it. I was overly prepared.

I had been singing The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, at the top of my lungs, every single night in my bed.

I had zero doubts I was going to be Annie. The Star.
The Lead.

The cast list came out. I slowly scrolled down with my pointer finger… and there it was - my name.

Jess Kaplan… Star-to-Be.

In that moment, I thought - Was the universe trying to tell me something?

“You’re going to be a star… later; you’re just not ready now.”

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STAR

to be…

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If you don’t know the show, Star-To-Be is the girl who walks on stage, sings one verse about being a Broadway hopeful, and then - poof - disappears.

I didn’t even get my own song! I had two stanzas in someone else’s. And I swear, that moment became the blueprint for my entire life. Always, almost. Always “so much potential.” Always… to be.

I thought rejection meant I wasn’t enough. As if, every “no” was proof that I was somehow just not built for stardom.

But somewhere between the endless auditions that went nowhere, unpaid TV show pitches and feature film scripts, not smiling enough in sunny Los Angeles, I realized - wait, this is my story.

The rejections, the almosts, the “what the hell am I doing?” moments - that’s the material.

Now I tell those stories - the messy, funny, human ones - on my podcast, in my writing, on stage (and even when you corner me at a coffee shop).

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Because if we can’t laugh at the chaos, what’s the point of living through it?

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LISTEN TO NOPES AND DREAMS™

…because someone’s gotta make failure funny.

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Get Rejection Letters

…proof that “still trying” is basically a competitive sport.

THE PODCAST

A graffiti-style wall with the phrase 'NOPE + DREAMS'. The word 'NOPES' is written in pink with a scribbled font, overlaid on the words 'HOPES' and is positioned above words 'DREAMS' which are in black and outlined in black. Nopes and Dreams Podcast

For everyone whose dreams ghosted them - and who texted back anyway.

I started this podcast, Nopes and Dreams™ (not to be confused with HOPES and Dreams), because apparently, life wanted me to be a late bloomer.

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Every week, I talk about the sh*t nobody wants to share - the stalled projects, the almosts, the rejections that make you question every life choice you’ve ever made.

I happily drag other creatives, comedians, moms, and makers into the chaos with me to ask the real question: why do we keep going when we continue to fail?

Everyone else wants to talk about their wins. But I’m more interested in the humiliations, the “what was I thinking” disasters, and the weird little things we do to feel okay about being not okay.

We talk about dreams, depression, anxiety, motherhood, career pivots, ambition, identity - you know, the stuff we’re all pretending we’ve got handled.

It’s dark… It’s funny… It’s raw…
It’s painfully relatable!

It’s like group therapy… if everyone sitting in the chairs nodded and applauded after every share.

Why Listen?

  • Because it’s not about “making it.” It’s about not quitting when literally no one would blame you if you did.

  • It’s the devastating moments - with punchlines.

  • And yeah, we all share our weird hacks for pretending to have it together.

EPISODES

listen up…

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EPISODE 1

Balancing Act with Jen Jacob

Jen Jacob is an American actress known for her dynamic and versatile performances in film and television. Currently, she stars as Ashley Morgan in BEYOND THE GATES.

  • Jacob's additional television credits include a recurring role on Law and Order Organized Crime, FBI: MOST WANTED, GIRLS, Master of None and BLUE BLOODS. She can also be seen in movies like The Union, Begin Again and Top Five.

Promotional image for a podcast episode titled 'Look for the Open Door' featuring Ariana and The Rose. The image includes a woman with dark wavy hair wearing a strapless black dress with small sparkles, standing with her hand on her hip, surrounded by vibrant purple and pink graphics and text.

EPISODE 2

Look for the Open Door with Ariana and the Rose

Ariana and the Rose is a New York–based synth-pop artist creating a vibrant universe of cinematic pop, electronic energy, and intimate, emotional storytelling.

  • With roots in music and downtown theater, she transforms live performance into an immersive world where audiences can step inside her songs. Her digital presence has flourished through viral performance clips and piano-driven storytelling. She has 50M+ views across TikTok and Instagram. Ariana made her U.S. late-night television debut on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and most recently performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show, she has toured extensively, sharing stages with artists like Lizzo and Cyndi Lauper. She is currently touring her one woman show The Breakup Variety Hour, which premiered to a sold out, Joe’s Pub, and will make its Australian debut at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in 2026. 

Cover image for a podcast episode featuring Jeff Howard. It has a background of purple clouds, a photo of Jeff Howard smiling, and text that reads 'NOPE' crossed out and replaced with 'YES', 'DREAMS', 'EP 3', and 'The Art of Asking with Jeff Howard.'

EPISODE 3

The Art of Asking with Jeff Howard

Jeff Howard is an actor, writer, and producer. Jeff has worked professionally for over 25 years, appearing on hit shows including Workaholics, Sons of Anarchy, 2 Broke Girls, and Stalker, along with dozens of national commercials.

  • Most recently, through his production company Big Smits Entertainment, co-founded by Jeff, his writing partner BJ Bales, and Jeffrey M. Zucker, Jeff has teamed up with executive producers and Danny McBride’s Rough House Pictures on a dark comedy set for release next year titled Suburban Psycho. Jeff co-wrote the film with BJ and the two also star in the movie alongside Malin Akerman, Ron Perlman, Dennis Haysbert and Ryan Hansen. 

LISTEN TO NOPES AND DREAMS™

YOUR LEADING LADY

I’ve been a lot of things…actress, writer, mom, emotional support person for my friends. I’ve been told I have “so much potential” more times than I’ve been paid = which, if you do the math, is bleak.

Acceptance Rejection, but funny…

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so much

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“POTENTIAL”

I’ve been rejected by casting directors, editors, exes, a plant medicine journey, support groups (yes, rejected from a support group), and at least three different mom cliques.

Somewhere between all the crying-in-cars and the awkward moments of reckoning with myself, I built a life out of it; now I talk about the stuff we’re all supposed to hide (like how I was so riddled with fear that I almost didn’t start this podcast to begin with).

The dark, funny, messy stuff: the regrets, the shame, the rage, the sadness - all the things that make people say, “you’re so brave!” when really… it’s the commonality of rejection that connects us all.

Because shame shrinks when you talk about it.
Because “too much” is usually the best part.
Because potential doesn’t expire - it just changes shape.

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LISTEN TO NOPES AND DREAMS™

…because someone’s gotta make failure funny.

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Get Rejection Letters

…proof that “still trying” is basically a competitive sport.

SPEAKING + MEDIA

Let’s talk about it.

(On stage, on air, or honestly wherever you’ll hand me a mic.)

I talk about the creative grind, the myth of “making it,” and what it actually takes to stay sane while chasing impossible dreams.

Self-help meets stand-up.

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You’ll laugh, cry, and probably say something like, “I didn’t know I needed to hear that until just now.” And I’m like, same.

My talks aren’t about motivational fluff or affirmation cards.

They’re about the stuff that actually makes us - the rejections, the burnout, the breakdowns that turn into breakthroughs.

Because rejection isn’t the end of the story. It’s the part that makes it worth telling.

My talks land best for:

  • Creative organizations + colleges

  • Women’s networks and leadership groups

  • Mental health, wellness, and storytelling events

  • Podcasts and panels that blend humor and honesty

Popular Talks:

  • Star to Be™: Living With Potential That Doesn’t Expire – How the role you didn’t get becomes the life you live.

  • The Ever-Rejected Creative – Why “no” is the material and how to make it work for you.

  • Unlikeable, On Purpose – Redefining worth in work and life.

  • Normal Side Effects – Humor in the dark shit: depression, meds, motherhood, and joy.

  • Breaking Down the Realities and Rewrites of Motherhood.

Press Kit Includes:

  • Bio (short + long)

  • Headshots

  • Sample Topics + Introductions

  • Contact Info

Request Speaking Info
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Rejection Letters

Because even my emails get turned down sometimes.
A monthly love note to failure, potential, and everyone still trying.

So, I have this thing called Rejection Letters. Once a month, I send out one rejection, one hack, and one laugh — emotional CPR for 2025. Sometimes it’s a behind-the-scenes story from Nopes and Dreams™.

Sometimes it’s about motherhood or the meltdown I had. Sometimes it’s just me reminding you that you’re not the only one googling “am I too old to start over” at two in the morning.

* indicates required
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It’s funny. It’s honest. And occasionally, it’s a cry for help disguised as a newsletter.

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Because we don’t need more success stories - we need survival stories.
Told out loud. With swearing. And snacks.

…proof that “still trying” is basically a competitive sport.

(No spam. Just self-deprecation, emotional breakthroughs, and occasional hope.)

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CONNECT

Let’s Collab, Create… or just Commiserate.

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If you want to book me for your podcast, your stage, or your next existential crisis - I’m in.

Seriously, send a note.

I love meeting the people who somehow found me on the internet and thought, yeah, she seems stable enough to email.

Whether you’re an actor, director, producer, writer or fellow creative, or just someone with a truly spectacular rejection story, I’m all ears.

Email me: nopesanddreams@gmail.com

I actually read them. (Even the drunk ones.)