The Reality of Building a Creative Career with Alison Flierl

Ep. 16 - There’s no straight path into a creative career — even if it looks that way from the outside. In this episode of Live Like it Matters, Elissa Kalver sits down with writer, director, and performer Alison Flierl to talk about what it really takes to build a career in entertainment. From writing for shows like School of Rock, BoJack Horseman, and Conan, to creating original content and developing projects across major studios, Alison’s path is anything but linear. And that’s exactly the point. Together, they explore: What “breaking into” Hollywood actually looks like behind the scenes The reality of building a career without a clear roadmap How to stay creative while navigating rejection and uncertainty Why persistence matters more than perfect timing The unexpected opportunities that shape a career over time Alison also shares insights from her podcast 2 Degrees of Alie, where she’s interviewed creatives across the industry about how they got their start — and what it really took to get there. Because success in creative work isn’t about one big moment. It’s about staying in the game long enough to create your own path. About Alison Alison Flierl is a writer, director, and performer based in Los Angeles. She has written for School of Rock (Nickelodeon), BoJack Horseman (Netflix), Conan (TBS), and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (NBC), and has developed content for Warner Bros. Animation, Archie Comics, and more. Her work has been featured in festivals including Cannes, Austin Film Festival, and the LA Comedy Festival. She is also the creator and host of the podcast 2 Degrees of Alie, downloaded in over 80 countries. 🔗 Learn more: https://alisonflierl.com/bio/ 📲 Follow Alison: @2degreesofalie Subscribe to Live Like it Matters for conversations about building a life and career with intention — even when the path isn’t obvious. 💬 Comment the part that resonated most — we read every one.