Session 121: Myha'la
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Myha'la Herrold, star of HBO's 'Industry', opens up about her transformative journey playing Harper Stern — a character who evolves from a ruthless financial prodigy into a lonely, emotionally shattered woman on the brink of self-destruction. In a raw, intimate conversation with Jake Shane, she reveals how the show’s final season forced her to confront the emotional cost of success, the weight of isolation, and the profound impact of real-life trauma on her performance. She shares the deeply personal moment when she re-wrote a scene about her mother’s death, transforming it from numbness into a vulnerable, stream-of-consciousness monologue that became one of the show’s most powerful moments. Her story is one of resilience: from nearly losing the role after a devastating audition rejection to finding her voice by refusing to change herself. She also opens up about her real-life love story — meeting her husband via a fan message during the pandemic — and how 'Industry' became a sanctuary during a dark time. The episode is a meditation on identity, love, and the messy beauty of being human, with Myha'la’s honesty and vulnerability shining through every word.
Rewrite emotional scenes from personal experience — Myha'la wrote a raw, stream-of-consciousness version of Harper’s mother’s death scene that became the final script.
Harper’s evolution from predator to vulnerable human is the show’s emotional core — her final season is about losing everything and asking, 'Have I had enough?'
The show’s chemistry is real — Myha'la and Marisa Abela are actual best friends, which makes their on-screen fights and love feel authentic.
You don’t have to change to be seen — Myha'la landed the role of Harper by staying true to herself, even when she was bald and androgynous.
Love can grow from trauma — Myha'la met her husband via a fan message during the pandemic, and their relationship began with a 40-minute Zoom call.
…and 5 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Industry Week: The Show That Changed Everything
Jake Shane kicks off the episode with a passionate defense of 'Industry' as the greatest show on television, praising its complex characters, emotional depth, and the way it makes finance feel like a car chase. He introduces Myha'la Herrold as a guest who embodies the show’s soul.
The Real Magic Behind Harper’s Transformation
“I said to the boys, I was like, hey, I understand this version. Is there a world in which... maybe we can let her be a little more childlike, a little more insecure and like really reveal something to him.”
The Audition That Almost Broke Her
“I literally was like, this is why you hold steadfast. Like, this is – this is why you feel so strongly about showing up as yourself because the right project, the right people will find you.”
The Real-Life Love Story Behind the Screen
“I hung up the thing and I was like, I'm in love with a stranger. That's weird. I just was like, whatever, right?”
The Final Season: A Story of Loss and Loneliness
Myha'la reflects on Harper’s final arc — losing her family, her lover, her friend, and her sense of self. She describes the emotional void after the show’s final episode and how she cried in the rain after wrapping.
“I said to the boys, I was like, hey, I understand this version. Is there a world in which... maybe we can let her be a little more childlike, a little more insecure and like really reveal something to him.”
“I literally was like, this is why you hold steadfast. Like, this is – this is why you feel so strongly about showing up as yourself because the right project, the right people will find you.”
“I hung up the thing and I was like, I'm in love with a stranger. That's weird. I just was like, whatever, right?”
Host
Guest
Industry
media
Harper Stern
other
Myha'la Herrold
person
Yasmin Kara
other
Jake Shane
person
Marisa Abela
person
Mickey and Conrad
person
Eric
other
Robert
other
Ken
person
Session 113: Crossfaded with Mau P
Therapuss with Jake Shane • 1h 25m • 4/2/2026
Session 114: Thomas Doherty
Therapuss with Jake Shane • 1h 14m • 4/4/2026
Session 115: Dan Levy
Therapuss with Jake Shane • 1h 30m • 4/9/2026
Session 116: Adéla
Therapuss with Jake Shane • 1h 41m • 4/16/2026
Session 117: Ben Marshall
Therapuss with Jake Shane • 1h 19m • 4/23/2026
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