The 98%

Welcome to The 98% - the home of brutally honest chat about the realities of being an actor and working in entertainment and the performing arts. [Surprise! You can WATCH this episode on youtube with video content! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2db-9zUkCiQ ] I'm Alexa Morden - an actor who, since starting a podcast in 2018, has also become a writer, acting coach, author, activist, and founding director of The 98% Community Interest Company. This episode marks the beginning of a new chapter as The 98% joins YouTube! Creating a new space for discussions, advocacy, information, and storytelling. Whether you've been listening since 2018 or you've just discovered the show, thank you for being here! The 98% exists to educate, advocate and empower those working in the creative industries. Across the podcast you'll hear conversations with actors, casting directors, agents, psychologists, safeguarding experts and other industry professionals, alongside investigations into issues affecting performers and practical advice to help creatives build sustainable careers. If you'd like to support the work of The 98%, or explore more resources, you'll find everything linked below. The 98%: https://www.the-98-percent.com Instagram & Youtube: @the98percentpod Acting With Alexa: https://www.actingwithalexa.com Instagram: @acting.with.alexa Beyond the Spotlight Order on amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/0ggzpgLx  (Also available at other stores!)

In July 2026 the AI production company Particle6 announced that their AI creation "Tilly Norwood" will lead new feature film 'Misaligned.'  Read the full press release here: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/ai-actor-tilly-norwood-movie-debut-misaligned-1236802325/ Listen now to the audio of an IG live that Alexa hosted with guest Rebecca Osias where they share their thoughts and concerns. You can watch the live here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DagFBAliRuh/ Listen to the previous Tilly Norwood deep dive on The 98% with episode "AI Actress Tilly Norwood - Hazard or hype?" Get your 'Actors Against AI' t-shirt here: All proceeds go towards the work of The 98% CIC and advocacy of actors. Follow online... IG: @the98percentpod @alexa_morden @rebeccaosias_ TikTok: @alexamorden @rebeccaosias_

Happy Holidays everyone! To keep you company between Christmas and New Year, Alexa is joined by an audience favourite (who also happens to be her Dad) performance psychologist Dr Steve Bull, to answer listener questions about confidence, pressure, and navigate the realities of the acting industry. In this episode Alexa and Steve explore self-tape pressure and perfectionism, managing nerves, developing sustainable processes, confidence in a highly subjective industry, how to work hard without burning out, and more. Blending psychological insight with lived experience, this discussion offers practical tools and grounded reassurance for actors navigating challenges, self-doubt, and high expectations. This conversation is reminiscent of the book Alexa and Steve have written together, Beyond The Spotlight: How to Survive and Thrive in the Real World of Acting and Performing Arts, which is now available to pre-order! Listen to more from Steve on The 98% podcast: S1E5 'We are made of frigging titanium.' S3E14 - 'You can make yourself a better CEO.' S5E29 - 'Your world is subjectivem you can't change it.' Links & resources: Be the first to hear when/where you can order Beyond The Spotlight: https://www.crowood.com/book/beyond-the-spotlight/ Explore Acting With Alexa (support, coaching & events): https://www.actingwithalexa.com Visit The 98% website: https://www.the-98-percent.com Follow: @thepercentpod | @acting.with.alexa | @alexa_morden

In this open and restorative episode, Alexa is joined by award-winning screen director Matt and acclaimed acting teacher and coach Steph Upsall for a conversation designed to support, re-ground and re-energise actors navigating an increasingly challenging industry. Together, they explore what actors should be focussing on beyond industry noise, career pressure and unhelpful expectations. Matt offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on performance through a director's lens, while Steph reflects on why her approach has a profound impact on both actors and the work itself. Tune in to hear three people who deeply care about actors share what they discovered while leading a collaborative training retreat and why the essence of that experience, rooted in play, safety and process, is something actors everywhere can benefit from and take into their own careers. Click here to read more about the upcoming retreat March 6-9 'A New Lens; Freedom, Play and Process." Click here to register your interest! Follow online: @the98percentpod @acting.with.alexa @mattholtdirector @supsallmorgan @bothfeetacting Pre order BEYOND THE SPOTLIGHT by Alexa Morden and Dr Steve Bull here!

The 98% is back for another new episode already! Sometimes you are contacted about a prospective guest where the subject matter is too perfect for the platform to not jump on the mic. This is one of those guests. Today Alexa is joined by acclaimed Irish actor Patrick O'Kane, who you may recognise from iconic stage roles or appearances in TV series such as Doctor Who and Game of Thrones. From tearing up his university application for a Law degree, to treading the boards in the UK's most prestigious theatres - Patrick delves into parts of his actor journey and insight from 35 years in the biz. Patrick also shares, for the first time, the personal circumstances of illness that led him to getting support from and eventually becoming a member and trustee of Actors' Trust - a charity that has been supporting actors and stage management since 1882 (formerly known as The Actors' Benevolent Fund). We all know that the entertainment industry can be a collaborative, creative and exciting one, but it can, at times, be isolating and uncertain. Check out the new website for The 98%! www.the-98-percent.com Follow @the98percentpod Make sure you know about the important work of Actors' Trust and don't miss their upcoming FREE mental wellbeing webinars starting Oct 28th! The Actors Trust https://www.actorstrust.org.uk 0303 223 1110 [email protected] Text SHOUT for free, confidential mental health support: 85258 Look out for Patrick's book "Actors Voice" in store or online!