How Much Can I Make?

We talk with legendary NYC death investigator Barbara Butcher about what it really takes to walk into a death scene, read the evidence, and help the dead get justice. We also get honest about the human cost, the pay, and what she learned from 23 years and more than 5,500 investigations. Barbara shares the realities of forensic investigation, the emotional toll of the job, how people enter this career field, and how much death investigators can make in cities like New York and across the U.S.

If you enjoyed this episode, head over to how much can I make that info and check out our unique and unusual careers category →

Connect with Barbara Butcher:

Instagram - @butcher.barbara

X - @OCMEForensics - https://x.com/OCMEForensics

Facebook Page - @barbarabutcherofficial -  https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraButcherOfficialPage/

Website: https://www.barbarabutcherofficial.com/

Barbar's book: What The Dead Know →

Netflix Series: Homicide New York →

Watch Barbara on Oxygen’s new true-crime series: “The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher” →

"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Visit howmuchcanimake.info

How to Build a Real Art Business: Selling Sculpture, Gallery Representation, and the Long Game - with Alex Kveton

What does it actually take to make a living as a sculptor? In this episode, we sit down with sculptor Alex Kveton and Barbara to trace a career that began with escaping communist Czechoslovakia and grew into a thriving fine art business - with stainless steel sculptures placed in prestigious institutions including MoMA and the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library, and represented by galleries across the United States.

We go beyond the highlight reel. Alex breaks down the unglamorous realities of building a sustainable creative career: navigating gallery commissions, pricing original sculpture, handling competition in the fine art market, and why there is no single "big break" - only consistent, strategic effort over time.

If you're an artist wondering how to sell sculpture, get gallery representation, price your work, or turn a creative practice into a real livelihood, this episode is a grounded, experience-backed roadmap.

Alex's Website: https://www.alexkveton.com/

"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Landscape Designer Career

Landscape design is one of those careers that blends creativity with real earning potential - and you don’t need a degree to get started. In this episode, we talk with landscape designer and gardener Dean Riddle about what it actually takes to build a career in landscaping, what garden designers really do, and how much you can make.

We also talk about the realities of gardening in the Northeast- especially in places like New York and New Jersey - including short growing seasons, winter downtime, deer pressure, and how climate change is already changing what grows and when.

If you’re looking into landscaping careers, garden design jobs, or how to start a landscaping business without a degree, this episode gives you a clear, real-world look at what goes into the work and the potential earnings.

To hear more about good paying careers. You can build without a degree, head to HowMuchCanIMake.info  We have over 80 episodes with a growing library of articles with real data and insights on different jobs. You can listen to people in those roles talk about what the day to day is really like, how they got in, and how much they make. 

Dean's Gardens Pictures:

https://www.shelterupstate.com/journal/makingasplash

https://janeboothnewenglandgardens.com/2015/02/19/riddle-of-the-catskill-mountains-gardens-illustrated/

"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Jewelry Designer

A jewelry business can look effortless online, but behind it is real work—pricing, production, sourcing, and staying profitable as gold and silver prices rise. In this episode, jewelry designer Serena Van Rensselaer breaks down how to build a jewelry brand, from learning silversmithing to turning it into a sustainable business. We cover jewelry designer income, pricing strategies, startup costs, and how revenue comes from direct sales, wholesale, and collaborations with movies like Flow.  

If you’re searching for how to become a jewelry designer, jewelry business income, or creative careers in New York and beyond, this episode gives a clear, real-world look at what it takes.

Curious about other creative jobs and what they actually pay? Visit HowMuchCaniMake.info and explore the Creative Careers category. You’ll find episodes featuring working professionals who explain how they got started, what the job is really like, and realistic salary ranges—so you can make informed career decisions.

Connect with Serena:

Website: https://www.serenavr.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenavanrensselaer/

"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Visit howmuchcanimake.info

Career Reinvention

Thinking about changing careers? We talk with Cynthia Cohen about how she pivoted without starting over by building on existing skills instead of erasing the past. From New York to today’s remote work landscape, we break down what it really takes to switch careers, stay competitive in a shifting job market, manage fear, and turn your experience into new opportunities.

Cynthia's Website: https://rightarmproductions.com/

"How Much Can I Make?" Is nominated for 2026 Women in Podcasting Award!

Music credit: Kate Pierson & Monica Nation

Visit howmuchcanimake.info