Singer-actor Sean Patrick Murtagh‘s podcast, TUFF SHIFT, debuts today Tuesday, October 1. In this new venture, host Murtagh talks with artists about surviving hospitality jobs while pursuing creative careers. Murtagh will be spotlight a new artist from a variety of disciplines each week to talk about their achievements creatively, as well as their time spent in hospitality.
Guests scheduled to appear include award-winning singers and actors, comedians and artists with credits spanning from Broadway, the Metropolitan Opera, National Tours, TV, Film and Cabaret stages all over the world. Scheduled are: Zak Edwards, Mardie Millit, Rachel Green, Derick Faria, Jayson Kerr, Rebecca Paganini, Trey Gerrald, Matt and Adrienne Tellier, David F.M. Vaughn, Tim Connell and Michael McGurk, with more to come.
In creating TUFF SHIFT, Murtagh asked: are you familiar with the old stereotype of the actor/waiters—auditioning during the day, waiting tables at night, and praying for that big break that frees them from slinging hash? It’s a common stereotype that has persisted for generations because, well—it’s a pretty accurate one!
The award-winning singer and actor has himself performed on some of the best stages and sets in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles… and also waited tables and slung drinks in each of those cities for nearly 20 years. With a lifetime’s worth of stories and experiences as an actor, singer, waiter, bartender he’s juggled, Murtagh decided to get behind mic to breakdown all that goes into surviving the job and “living the dream.” TUFF SHIFT! is a podcast designed to celebrate the incredibly talented individuals who make up a large majority of the hospitality workforce, commiserate over behind-the-scenes antics, and bring not just a name to a face, but humanity to the stereotype.
The paradigm of the actor/waiter exists for the most part because it is a mutually beneficial arrangement. For the performer, it provides flexibility and a decent source of income between gigs. For the restaurant, it offers a talented work force familiar with charming audiences, capable of memorizing menus quickly and thoroughly, and adapting in the moment to the job at hand. This marriage of convenience is not just limited to actors, though. Dancers, singers, painters, designers — artists all across the board not only thrive in this industry but also are a large part of what makes this industry thrive.
TUFF SHIFT streams on all major podcast platforms. Follow @TuffShiftPodcast on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube (@TuffShiftPod and X (formerly Twitter)), and also check out www.TuffShiftPodcast.com for more information.
