Who and What is 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!

So, an AI actress is here to take all of our jobs and change the face of the acting industry forever… Or is it? In this deep-dive episode Alexa is joined by actor and screenwriter Rebecca Osias - who also isn't one to shy away from difficult industry conversations. Together they discuss the concerns and questions around "Tilly Norwood", why there is no space for generative AI in creative spaces, the responses from industry organisations - and so much more. Including a look at the website of the "100% AI generated production company" behind this code, why the original article about agent interest may not be exactly what it seems, and how public funding comes into all of it... There's a lot to cover - all of it important. See timestamps below for specific topic points. Follow online @the98percentpod, @alexa_morden and @rebeccaosias_ Donate to support the work of The 98% CIC https://ko-fi.com/the98percent TIME STAMPS Episode intro and context - 0 mins Intro to Rebecca - 4 mins Initial response to the article - 7 mins Why AI code should not be referred to as an "actress" - 18 mins Is it ok to use AI in other/'smaller' aspects of the creative industries? - 32 mins Industry Union responses to the reveal of "Tilly Norwood" - 40 mins Why this affects The 98% of actors - 49 mins Response from agency WME - 53 mins Real actors' likeness being used in AI - 55 mins "Tilly Norwood's" Instagram page - 1 hour Statement from the creator of "Tilly Norwood"  - 1 hour 3 mins Is "Tilly" *actually* being scouted by agents? - 1 hour 14 mins Is the technology good enough to replace actors? - 1 hour 23 mins Particle6's funding from The BFI - 1 hour 28 mins Advice for actors - 1 hour 41 mins The importance of pushing back - 1 hour 48 mins Wrapping up - 1 hour 53 mins Link to watch Instagram Live: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPRyrl0lAEd/ Original Deadline article: https://deadline.com/2025/09/talent-agent-ai-actress-tilly-norwood-studios-1236557889/  

Essential listening for any actor, parent of child actor, or anyone else working with a talent agent... This episode is a recording of a recent live webinar where Alexa was joined by experienced agent Liz Pratt of Nelson Management. Liz has been teaching herself legislation and brushing up on her knowledge regarding actors rights, and she's here to share that knowledge with you. This informative discussion looks into the often-overlooked small print of the actor/agent relationship: contracts, terms & conditions, unlawful behaviour, red flags, and more. This episode offers clear, empowering advice from both sides of the table - an agent who understands actors' rights, and an actor working to empower others through transparency and  experience. Listen more agent advice from Liz in Series 5 Episode 38 of The 98%. If you suspect your agent may not be acting in your best interest, I encourage you to listen to the episode released previously to this one, and follow the steps and guidance shared there. You'll also find practical resources and links in the episode description to help you take informed action. . The 98% is a solo run venture, you can support the platform and the work being done on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/the98percent Interested in supporting the newly registered CIC so that more actors can be helped? Please get in touch. Follow: @ the98percentpod @ alexa_morden  E: [email protected]

The most complex episode of The 98% yet…an armchair investigation into 'Lucy Harrison Casting' - a talent agency accused of withheld pay, suspicious business practices, and questionable identities. With an informed eye, sharpened by her involvement in exposing the Bodhi Talent scandal in 2024, Alexa presents a deep-dive into concerns regarding this agency, based on first-hand accounts and publicly available records. This episode explores how an unregulated industry leaves actors vulnerable, and why more accountability, protection, and proactive safeguarding is urgently needed. This is not an attack on anyone - it's a resource that all can actors can learn from. Owed money from LHC? Click Here for next steps. This is a long episode, for good reason. Everything shared is necessary, for many reasons. However, you can Click Here for a summary of the most important findings. Thank you to Karis Pentecost for her time and openness, and to the voice actors in this episode including Francesca Hayman, Rosie Dunjay, Brooke Camilleri Agius, Bianca Sowerby, Nicky Campbell, Heather Jones, and Nichola Bush. . The 98% is a solo run venture, you can support the platform and the work being done on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/the98percent Interested in supporting the newly registered CIC so that more actors can be helped? Please get in touch. Follow: @ the98percentpod @ alexa_morden  E: [email protected] Time stamps: Intro to the 98%: 00:00 Disclaimer of intent: 05:19 Intro to the Lucy Harrison Casting case: 06:10 LHC Red Flags: 15:05 History of TSG Casting: 36:24 Happy House Public Info: 43:20 LHC Client interview 55:40 Legal Threats: 2 hours 11 min Statements from industry bodies: 2 hours 23 min Advice and next steps for LHC clients: 2 hours 28 min New update, 'liquidation': 2 hours 37 mins Conclusion: 2 hours 41 mins

A special moment that feels full circle, where everything is the same but different at the same time. For the first time in 6 years (!!) Alexa and Katie are in the same room recording an episode of The 98%. After years of remote recording and living in different countries, they're back in Katie's living room, trying to wrangle a cat, and talking honestly about #actorslife that is now more like #creativelife. Only this time, gone is the desperation and frustration, and in its place is acceptance of the reality of the game, and efforts to make their part in it as happy and fulfilled as possible. Redefining what success is, unlearning unhelpful industry bullsh*t, seeing the business for what it is, and finding joy in the process rather than the outcome. In this episode, Alexa and Katie reflect on how their perspectives have shifted over the years - from chasing external validation to embracing creative autonomy, from feeling stuck in an unfair system to actively working to change it. They discuss the evolution of The 98% into a platform not just for support and solidarity, but for advocacy and action, tackling industry malpractice and amplifying voices that need to be heard. Tune in for laughter, honesty, and a much-needed reminder that success isn't a finish line - it's what you make of the journey. For ongoing 98% content follow @the98percentpod on instagram Links mentioned in the episode: Accessible, supportive free resources for actors: https://www.actingwithalexa.com/freeresources ActingWithAlexa's services: https://www.actingwithalexa.com/services1 Oshi's World: https://www.oshisworld.org Support The 98% on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/the98percent Contact The 98% at [email protected] Follow on instagram: @alexa_morden @acting.with.alexa @katieelinsalt @oshis_world

It's here! After 40 episodes of Series 5, the season draws to a close. Join the OG's, Alexa and Katie, as they check in on recent goings on, chat about when actual life leaves no room for #actorslife, look back at change of attitudes since the podcast began, discuss the lack of working class creatives in the industry, share a whole lot of love for this community, and more!  "We've got to look after ourselves first otherwise we have nothing to give." This episode is dedicated to you, wonderful listeners. Things mentioned in the episode: 'The Good Ally', By Nova Reid Acting With Alexa: https://www.actingwithalexa.com AWA resources: https://www.actingwithalexa.com/freeresources Watch Alexa and Katie in short film Hers! https://vimeo.com/337750125 Follow The 98% online at @the98percentpod Follow Alexa @alexa_morden (IG) / @alexamorden (twitter) and Katie @KatieElintSalt If you appreciate the work being done by, and for, The 98%, please consider donating to our Ko-Fi https://ko-fi.com/the98percent While you're here, please consider donating to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund: https://www.pcrf.net Don't forget you can get 25% off your subsciption to WeAudition with discount code 9825!