Suffering for Art explores the highs and lows of a creative life, focusing on the mental, emotional, financial, and relational challenges unique to the industry. Through insightful conversations, we reveal the realities of pursuing art—the sacrifices, the resilience, and actionable ways to thrive without compromising passion. This podcast is dedicated to helping artists live fully, not just survive, while remaining true to their craft.
I moved to New York for Broadway and I haven't booked an acting job in three years. So I looked up the actual odds, in every creative field, and then I looked up what waiting does to your brain. This one is about the question underneath the question. Not will you still create if your dream never happens. But will you still live?
2 Aug 2026
23. 5 Ways to Fund your Creative Project
Looking for ways to fund your creative project? Whether you're an artist, musician, filmmaker, writer, designer, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is your guide to finding the money to bring your ideas to life.
In this episode of Suffering for Art, we explore 5 proven ways to fund your creative project, including:
Artist grants
Crowdfunding
Sponsorships
Investors
Self-funding through side income
We also discuss how to choose the right funding option for your goals, common mistakes creatives make when they receive funding, and why building strong financial habits is just as important as securing the money itself.
If you've ever wondered:
How do artists get funding?
Where can creatives find grants?
Is crowdfunding worth it?
How do I pay for my first creative project?
This episode is for you.
🎙️ Suffering for Art is the podcast helping creatives build sustainable careers without sacrificing the life they want. Every episode covers the business, money, mindset, and real-life challenges of pursuing a creative career.
If this episode helped you, follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share it with another creative. You can also find us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube @sufferingforart for more resources, conversations, and behind-the-scenes content.
Interested in attending the Artist Recharge Retreat? Click the link here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScKFz3O83qoi8RAVDJn2d1L2zreaYjmr42qHHMBnhAQLf8EEQ/viewform) to complete your application.
1 Jun 2026
22. Wicked by Night, Corporate by Day (Balancing Broadway and a Corporate Job with Hunter Milkes)
What happens when you refuse to choose between your art and your career — and somehow thrive at both?
This week on Suffering for Art, host Brianna Kaleen sits down with Hunter Milkes: a vacation swing for the hit musical Wicked, a published children's book author (alongside his mom), and a full-time corporate professional. Yes, all at once.
Hunter pulls back the curtain on what it really means to live a double creative-and-corporate life — the hustle, the schedule, the mental load, and the moments that made it all feel worth it. We get into what a Broadway swing actually does (hint: it's one of the most demanding jobs in theater), how his corporate brain both helps and challenges his artistry, and what financial stability has actually looked like.
We also go deep on the real stuff: burnout, the relationships that take the hit when your calendar is overflowing, and what rest even looks like when both sides of your life demand everything from you.
Whether you're a creative scared to pursue your art without a safety net, someone secretly juggling two identities, or just obsessed with musical theater — this episode is for you.
In this episode:
What it means to be a Broadway swing (and a vacation swing on Wicked)
How Hunter built a corporate career alongside his theater life
The financial reality of Broadway + a 9-to-5
Burnout, mental health, and protecting your peace
Relationships, and making time for the people you love
What success actually looks like when you're doing it all
🎙️ Guest: Hunter Milkes🎧 Host: Brianna Kaleen📍 Podcast: Suffering for Art
Follow Hunter on TikTok and Instagram for more @hunter_milkes
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
27
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Suffering For Art
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Suffering For Art?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
