Girls Next Poor
Girls Next Poor is the podcast for every creative trying to make magic on a budget. Hosted by influencer Vanessa Symoné and comedian Mimi Hayes, we’re two 30-something women navigating the chaos of chasing dreams while also trying to pay bills, stay sane, and avoid comparing ourselves to everyone on Instagram.
Each week, we get real about the highs, lows, and hilarious in-betweens of being a creative in your 30s—money struggles, identity crises, burnout, big wins, plot twists, and all the messy art that happens along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a creative life without losing your mind (or your wallet), you’re in the right place.
Episodes
20 episodes
EP20: AI & Art
One of our most controversial episodes yet! How do you feel about robots taking over society? Do you have reservations about using ChatGPT to help you plan recipes or troubleshoot a problem? In today’s episode we dive into the pros and notoriou...
EP19: Defining Success
Back in the day, “success” was defined as going to college, buying a house, getting married, and popping out a few kids…but what does success look like for artists in late-stage capitalism? Are you still successful even if you don’t make any mo...
EP18: Creative Failure
Look at any artist that you know and love. They’ve failed. Probably pretty big time, too. This week we crash out over failed brand deals, agent rejections, and times when there was just nobody in the audience and we had to cancel the show. But ...
EP17: The Artist’s Way - If You Lose, You Win
It’s no surprise that perfectionism takes many artists and creatives out of the game. On today’s episode, the girls walk through a chapter of their book club pick The Artist’s Way, unpacking the art of failure. And guess what? You neve...
EP16: Traveling as a Creative
We’re back from some travels this week with STORIES to share! Whether you’re taking a staycation or leaving the country, it’s important to get out of your normal routine and travel as a creative. We hear about getting scammed in Tanzania, meeti...
EP15: Greenlight Yourself
We all know Hollywood is known for nepo babies and gatekeepers. But what if we all just said “yes!” to ourselves and bypassed the systems entirely? What if it actually worked? On today’s episode, we walk through taking a chance on yourself thro...
EP14: Building a Resume
Do we know how to hold a gun? No. Do we look like we have a teenage son? Also no. On today’s episode Vanessa builds her resume on a film set with DMX. Mimi tries her hand at acting in a student film. With every new gig, we have new skills to le...
EP13: Inspiration & Vulnerability
This week we get deep. Fresh off seeing a new piece of theater, Mimi feels inspired for her own work and also gets into some insecurities. Impacted by this, Vanessa sheds a tear (or twelve) as we go deeper into how vulnerability can be incorpor...
EP12: When Non-Artists Don't Get It
Let’s face it, sometimes people just don’t “get” it. Whether it’s well-meaning parents, friends, or coworkers whose biggest aspirations are a corner office on the 4th floor. This week Mimi and Vanessa discuss the frustrations of living a creati...
EP11: Your Price Is Your Price
Have you ever wondered, how do I price myself as a creative? In this episode Mimi and Vanessa discuss what it looks like to create a pricing strategy that pays you what you really deserve. It’s hard to ask for what you’re worth, but with a litt...
EP10: Tenacity & Grit When Your Soul is Being Sucked
We’ve all been there. We’ve all been sold the lie: go to school, get a job, buy the house, blah blah blahhhh! Are you a “weekend warrior” hoping to escape the grind that is sucking your creativity? This week Vanessa dishes about people who want...
EP9: Done is Better Than Perfect
Take it from two perfectionists, it’s time to stop doing what’s expected and start listening to our gut! And did you know this podcast is 7 years in the making??? This week Mimi and Vanessa explain why it took so long to start a podcast, lament...
EP8: Networking For People Who Hate Networking
Socially awkward? Tired of people-ing? We all know it’s not about what you know, it’s who you know. But what if networking is not your strong suit? Today Mimi & Vanessa break down easy ways to chat with people and connect with fellow artist...
EP7: Art vs. Algorithm
This week we reminisce on going viral for eating avocado toast, fainting in front of brain surgeons, and dissing fuckbois. What does it mean to be an artist on the internet and how do we keep up when the algorithm is constantly changing? It’s t...
EP6: Dating Woes & Wins
Love is a battlefield, amiright? From the worst Tinder dates to the one that got away, this week is all about the trials and tribulations of dating while being a creative. Whether you’re single, dating, or on the mend from a brutal break-up, we...
EP5: Your 20s vs. Your 30s
How does your creativity change as you age? Mimi (33) & Vanessa (34) explore the differences in the decades and how they’ve owned their creativity and artist identity. We’re no spring chickens anymore! We’ve gotten older, narrowed focus, an...
EP4: Defining Authenticity
We throw around the world "authentic" so much these days, but what does it really mean??? Join Mimi & Vanessa on another deep dive with big feels and even bigger life lessons.
EP3: Creative Jealousy
Do you ever have that little feeling of envy when you see a creative crushing it when you feel like you’re in your flop era? Join Mimi and Vanessa on a vulnerable ode to creative FOMO, and how to get out of a spiral when you feel like everyone ...
EP2: How to Introduce Yourself as a Creative
Ever get that age-old question: “What do you do?” Do you answer what you do for money? Or what lights your fire? On today’s episode, Mimi and Vanessa deep dive into how to come out of the closet as a creative, and the benefits of being true to ...