Best Chris Gianino Podcasts (2025)

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IFH 831: Making Independent Films Without Hollywood or a Huge Budget with David Ash 52:24

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2d ago52:24

52:24

On today’s episode, we meet David Ash, a filmmaker who perfectly embodies the spirit of the weekend warrior — balancing a demanding corporate career, a family of four, and a thriving passion for filmmaking. Living in the Twin Cities, Ash proves that a creative life doesn’t have to mean abandoning stability. With a degree in business administration …

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IFH 830: How Two Filmmakers Captured the Ultimate Rocky Fan Story with Jim Toscano & Danny Gianino 38:15

9d ago38:15

38:15

Jim Toscano and Danny Gianino, two filmmakers from Detroit, found an unexpected calling in telling the story of Mike Kunda, the world’s number one Rocky fan. Their documentary, The Pretender, follows Kunda’s lifelong devotion to Sylvester Stallone’s iconic character — a passion that goes far beyond simple fandom. From dressing like Rocky to giving …

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BONUS EPISODE: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Money for Your Movie with Franco Sama 1:15:23

12d ago1:15:23

1:15:23

Franco Sama, a veteran executive producer, reveals the hard truths and practical steps behind raising real money for independent films. He explains that while many filmmakers obsess over finding investors, the real challenge is making their projects financially viable. To attract funding, he emphasizes the importance of having a solid business plan…

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IFH 829: The Secret to Marketing Your Movie Like a Pro with Brad Wilke 1:27:24

16d ago1:27:24

1:27:24

On today’s episode, we welcome Brad Wilke, a filmmaker, screenwriter, and marketing strategist whose career bridges the worlds of storytelling and audience building. A graduate of West Point turned filmmaker, Brad’s path to Hollywood wasn’t typical—he went from military service to film programming, then into writing creature features for Roger Corm…

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IFH 828: The Ultimate Life of Action: Martial Arts, Movies, and Wisdom with Leo Fong 1:15:14

23d ago1:15:14

1:15:14

Leo Fong was a true Renaissance man — a martial arts Grand Master, filmmaker, and Methodist minister who turned life’s challenges into fuel for creativity. Born in 1930s Arkansas, Leo faced racial discrimination early, leading him to boxing and later martial arts as a way to build confidence and strength. His journey took him from judo dojos and ku…

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IFH 827: Turning a Script into a Movie: The Indie Filmmaking Story of Jamie Buckner 1:11:36

1M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

Jamie Buckner’s filmmaking journey is one built on passion, persistence, and pure creative drive. After exploring careers in music, architecture, and art, he realized filmmaking combined everything he loved into one pursuit. Starting as a production assistant, Jamie worked his way through Hollywood’s ranks on major films like Seabiscuit, The Depart…

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IFH 826: How to Turn a Script Into a Movie Without Hollywood’s Help with Chris Jay 1:19:32

1M ago1:19:32

1:19:32

Chris Jay, once a touring musician with the rock band Army of Freshmen, found a new creative path when the music industry shifted and opportunities dried up. Instead of giving up, he and his bandmate Aaron Goldberg turned to filmmaking, writing and producing their first feature, The Bet. Without studio backing or formal film education, the duo lear…

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IFH 825: The Untold Stories of Women in Action Cinema with Melanie Wise 52:34

1M ago52:34

52:34

Melanie Wise, a former model and actress, discusses her transition to producing due to height-related challenges in acting. She produced the horror action film "Hannah's Gift," which she also starred in, and faced issues with lost masters and ineffective editors. Wise co-founded the Artemis Film Festival to showcase women in action roles, highlight…

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IFH 824: The Screenwriting Secrets Every Indie Writer Needs to Know with Dan Benamor 40:34

2M ago40:34

40:34

Dan Benamor began his film career as an intern, quickly working his way up to head of development at a small production company. That experience gave him a deep understanding of story and the industry, shaping his perspective on what makes a screenplay stand out: confidence, strong character work, and purposeful storytelling. While he has tried dir…

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IFH 823: The Secret to Getting Noticed as a Screenwriter with James Moorer 1:10:36

2M ago1:10:36

1:10:36

By Indie Film Hustle

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IFH 822: From Video Games to the Big Screen: The Filmmaking Journey of Nicole Jones-Dion 37:15

2M ago37:15

37:15

Nicole Jones-Dion, a screenwriter, director, and producer, shared her unconventional path into filmmaking, beginning in the world of video games and comics before moving into film. Known for her work on projects like Tekken 2, Dracula: The Dark Prince, and the SyFy thriller They Found Hell, she has built a career in genre storytelling that blends s…

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IFH 821: Filmmaking Without Permission: The Independent Journey of Clarke Scott 1:01:07

2M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Clarke Scott, an Australian writer, director, and commercial photographer, shared his unconventional path into filmmaking after leaving behind academia and corporate work. A chance encounter in the Himalayas reignited his creative spark, leading him to dive into the DSLR revolution and embrace filmmaking as both an artistic outlet and a practical c…

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IFH 820: Screenwriting, The BAM Method, And How To Write A Screenplay That Stands Out with Mike Bierman 1:59:41

3M ago1:59:41

1:59:41

Award-winning screenwriter Mike Bierman has carved an unconventional path into the world of storytelling, moving from reading his daughter’s audition scripts to building a reputation as both a prolific writer and founder of the Facebook group Screenwriters Who Can Actually Write. In this conversation, he shares his journey into screenwriting, his t…

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IFH 819: How Quentin Tarantino Changed Independent Film: A Conversation with Dale Sherman 30:32

3M ago30:32

30:32

In this episode, we welcome Dale Sherman, author of The Quentin Tarantino FAQ, who takes us deep into the life and career of one of cinema’s most unconventional directors. Known first for his books on rock legends like Kiss and Alice Cooper, Dale turned his focus to Tarantino, exploring how a high school dropout and video store clerk rose to redefi…

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IFH 818: From Setbacks to Festival Wins: The Filmmaking Path of Dawn Fields 1:30:06

3M ago1:30:06

1:30:06

Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a production assistant in Atlanta, she quickly discovered her true passion was behind the camera. After relocating to Los Angeles with nothing but determination, she worked in dist…

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IFH 817: Crafting Stories Frame by Frame with Jason Love 57:54

3M ago57:54

57:54

In this episode, we welcome Jason Love, a multi-talented creator whose filmmaking journey began with nothing more than flip books and a VHS camcorder. What started as playful experiments soon grew into a lifelong passion for animation, short films, and motion comics. Jason’s path is far from traditional—after leaving film school frustrated by outda…

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IFH 816: From Extras to Director’s Chair: The Filmmaking Journey of Rocky Costanzo 52:05

4M ago52:05

52:05

The journey of Rocky Costanzo is a testament to the raw, unpolished path of independent filmmaking. Beginning as an actor and extra on shows like The Wonder Years, he quickly discovered his true passion behind the camera. Without formal film school, Rocky turned to public access television as his training ground, learning through experimentation, t…

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IFH 815: Lessons in Filmmaking, Failure, and Persistence with Greg Travis 54:38

4M ago54:38

54:38

In this episode, veteran actor and director Greg Travis dives into his decades-long filmmaking journey, culminating in the release of his once-abandoned 1984 feature Dark Seduction. Shot on 16mm black-and-white film, the noir-vampire hybrid languished in post-production limbo for over 30 years before digital technology made its completion possible.…

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IFH 814: Why Your Script Still Isn’t Getting Read; And What to Do About It with Whitney Davis 49:45

4M ago49:45

49:45

In this episode, Whitney Davis, a seasoned literary manager and script consultant, breaks down the real-deal process of getting noticed in Hollywood—from landing a manager to crafting query letters that don’t suck. Sharing her own unconventional path into the industry, Whitney offers raw, practical advice for screenwriters and indie filmmakers on h…

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IFH 813: Building Films from Scratch: Mastering Microbudget Movie-Making with Evan Kidd 1:02:36

4M ago1:02:36

1:02:36

Evan Kidd is a passionate indie filmmaker who believes great stories don’t need big budgets—just big heart. In this episode, he shares how he created his feature film Son of Clowns using the resources he already had: friends, favors, and faith in the process. With a deep respect for collaboration, Evan emphasizes the importance of building a reliab…

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IFH 812: How Tremors turned into a Masterclass in Storytelling with S.S Wilson 38:07

5M ago38:07

38:07

In this episode, screenwriter and filmmaker S.S. Wilson shares the behind-the-scenes journey of creating the cult classic Tremors, revealing how creative limitations, meticulous story structure, and a deep respect for character and sound design brought the film to life. From his writing process with partner Brent Maddock to the evolution of the Tre…

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IFH 811: How Pixar’s Story Secrets Can Transform Your Filmmaking Process with Brit Cruise 52:47

5M ago52:47

52:47

Brit Cruise—educator, filmmaker, and producer of Pixar in a Box—takes us on a journey through the fusion of storytelling, science, and education. From his early days editing videos with dual VCRs to his innovative work at Khan Academy, Brit reveals how deep focus, analog creativity, and a love for explanation helped shape his approach to teaching c…

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IFH 810: The No-Excuses Filmmaking Philosophy of Len Kabasinski 53:24

5M ago53:24

53:24

Len Kabasinski shares his journey from childhood dreams of monsters and martial arts to becoming a prolific force in the world of independent B-movie filmmaking. He recounts the origins of his first feature Swamp Zombies, revealing how a passion for horror and action films, coupled with sheer determination and minimal resources, propelled him into …

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IFH 809: No Budget, All Hustle: The Filmmaking Grind of Staci Layne Wilson 43:58

5M ago43:58

43:58

In this colorful and deeply personal episode, Staci Layne Wilson shares her remarkable journey from a childhood surrounded by Hollywood legends and horseback riding to becoming an award-winning filmmaker and bestselling author. Born and raised in Los Angeles to a famed musician father (Don Wilson of The Ventures) and a glamorous pin-up model mother…

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IFH 808: Behind the Screams: How Shae Smolik Brought The Hatred to Life! 24:12

5M ago24:12

24:12

Shae Smolik, a talented young actress from Iowa, shared her journey from local modeling to leading a feature film in Los Angeles. Starting with commercials and gradually advancing to TV and web series, Shae embraced each step with enthusiasm and resilience. Her audition technique—spontaneous and emotionally driven—reflects an innate gift for perfor…

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IFH 807: Making Your Own Damn Movies: Inside Dave Campfield’s Troma-Fueled Filmmaking Path 57:52

6M ago57:52

57:52

When two Daves walk into a podcast, you don’t expect to stumble upon a meditation on art, failure, persistence, and horror-comedy. But that’s exactly what happened in this electric and delightfully unfiltered conversation with Dave Campfield, a filmmaker, actor, and host of the Troma Now Podcast, best known for his work in the cult Caesar and Otto …

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IFH 806: Shooting Sharks in Your Living Room: The Art of DIY Filmmaking with Ron Bonk 58:41

6M ago58:41

58:41

In this episode, we dive into the wild, wonderful world of Ron Bonk, an indie filmmaker and founder of SRS Cinema known for the cult horror-comedy House Shark. Ron shares his journey from studying accounting and criminal justice to becoming a self-taught director, driven by a passion for storytelling and a deep love for genre cinema. With no Hollyw…

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IFH 805: Why Your Film Isn’t Getting Made (And What to Do About It) with Ron Newcomb 1:15:39

6M ago1:15:39

1:15:39

When the moon is high and the muse is low, we often find ourselves in deep conversation with our own souls, asking, "Why do I do this?" And on today’s episode, we welcome the steadfast and visionary Ron Newcomb, a former Marine and police officer who has traded in his uniform for a camera, answering that very question not just with thought—but with…

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IFH 804: How I Made a Cult Zombie Movie for $75 and Took On Hollywood with Marc V. Price 1:32:52

6M ago1:32:52

1:32:52

When a zombie filmmaker makes you laugh so hard you forget you're talking about death and destruction, you know you're in for something special. On today’s episode, we welcome Marc V. Price, a fiercely independent British filmmaker whose claim to fame is making a cult zombie feature called Colin for just £45. That alone should make you lean in. But…

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IFH 803: From Wrestling Rings to Public Access Mayhem: The Wild Ride of Mad Man Pondo 56:35

7M ago56:35

56:35

The world is far more peculiar than most of us dare to admit. Somewhere between a demolition derby and a wrestling ring, between the crackle of VHS tapes and the shriek of late-night public access, lies a man who has turned mayhem into meaning. On today’s episode, we welcome the unparalleled and unfiltered Mad Man Pondo, a professional wrestler and…

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IFH 802: Studios, Scores & Secrets: The Untold Story of Rotten Tomatoes with Patrick Lee 44:27

7M ago44:27

44:27

When the lights of the cinema dim and the hum of anticipation fills the air, something magical happens—stories come alive. And sometimes, the stories behind the storytellers are the most fascinating of all. On today's episode, we welcome Patrick Lee, a man whose quiet curiosity and geeky love for film statistics helped shape the very lens through w…

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IFH 801: Breaking the Rules: Crafting Powerful Films Without Hollywood Money with Shawn Whitney 52:23

7M ago52:23

52:23

Sometimes, the fire of creativity is struck not by lightning but by the slow, smoldering ache of dissatisfaction. And in today's soul-stirring conversation, we welcome Shawn Whitney, a filmmaker who found cinema not in the corridors of academia, but in the quiet rebellion of self-taught screenwriting and micro-budget filmmaking. Shawn Whitney is a …

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IFH 800: Behind the Scenes of Sharknado: Turning Sci-Fi Madness into Storytelling Gold with Andrew Shaffer 27:37

7M ago27:37

27:37

The mind is a curious trickster, delighting in dreams where logic pirouettes in absurdity. In today's extraordinary episode, we welcome Andrew Shaffer, a humorist and New York Times bestselling author whose wit slices through the storms of reality with a twinkle in his eye and a chainsaw in hand. From the earliest pages of his life, Andrew Shaffer …

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IFH 799: What Every Indie Filmmaker Can Learn from a $5K Zombie Movie with Bojan Dulabic 1:27:25

8M ago1:27:25

1:27:25

A spark of madness is often the first step toward creation. On today’s episode, we welcome Bojan Dulabic, a passionate Vancouver-based filmmaker who pulled off a small miracle—he made a full-length zombie movie for just $5,000. But this isn't just a story of budgeting brilliance; it's a tale of relentless passion, artistic vision, and the kind of s…

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IFH 798: From Pills to Pictures: Cynthia Hill's Unlikely Path to Documentary Filmmaking 56:38

8M ago56:38

56:38

Cynthia Hill, a filmmaker from North Carolina, discussed her journey from pharmacy school to filmmaking, highlighting her documentaries "Tobacco Money," "Private Violence," and the upcoming eight-part series "Road to Race Day" on NASCAR. She emphasized the importance of storytelling and character development, sharing her experiences with funding th…

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IFH 797: From Instagram Mysteries to Indie Horror: The Bold Experiments of Joe Kowalski 1:10:28

8M ago1:10:28

1:10:28

When the winds of curiosity rustle the mind and stir the soul, they often bring with them storytellers—those rare beings who don’t just recount events but breathe life into them. On today's episode, we welcome Joe Kowalski, a young filmmaker from Cleveland whose creative spirit dances between shadows and light, weaving stories through film, mystery…

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IFH 796: No Film School, No Problem: Gary King's Journey of Grit and Creativity 1:13:03

8M ago1:13:03

1:13:03

Gary King is a filmmaker who transitioned from a career in psychology and human resources to independent cinema, building a body of work that balances heart, hustle, and deeply human storytelling.In the spirit of Taoist unpredictability, Gary’s story unfolds not as a straight line, but as a rich weave of intuition, risk, and creative alignment. He …

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IFH 795: Balancing Hollywood Productions and Indie Passion Projects with Jamie Buckner 1:11:42

8M ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Some stories unfold not with a bang, but with the echo of a bowling ball rolling down a waxed lane—steady, unpredictable, and brimming with hidden intention. On today’s episode, we welcome a filmmaker whose journey is stitched together with sweat-soaked call sheets, stubborn creative grit, and a romance with storytelling that stretches back to a Su…

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IFH 794: The Art of Film Marketing: How to Make Your Movie Impossible to Ignore with Danielle Raiz 33:29

9M ago33:29

33:29

A blank canvas. A single frame. The quiet hum before a film breathes life into a screen. But what happens after the final cut? How does a filmmaker's vision transcend the void and reach the hearts and minds of an audience? Today, we unravel this mystery with Danielle Raiz, a passionate advocate for creatives, whose work at Wix has been dedicated to…

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IFH 793: Comedy, Confidence, and the Art of Reinvention with Rhonda Shear 57:35

9M ago57:35

57:35

Some moments in life are stitched together like the seams of a well-loved garment, their fabric woven with laughter, reinvention, and a refusal to let the world dictate what is possible. On today's episode, we welcome Rhonda Shear, a woman who embodies this spirit of transformation with a playful wink and an unstoppable drive. Many remember her as …

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IFH 792: The Power of the Cut: Storytelling Secrets from Michael Trent 42:59

9M ago42:59

42:59

A film editor’s job is much like the work of a sculptor. You take a massive block of material—raw footage—and with a series of delicate, precise cuts, you shape it into something cohesive, something meaningful. In today’s episode, we welcome Michael Trent, a master of cinematic storytelling who has spent his career assembling some of Hollywood’s mo…

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IFH 791: Beyond the Script: Gordy Hoffman’s Guide to Emotional Storytelling 1:05:56

9M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Life, they say, is a story we tell ourselves—a script of experience, moments, and emotions woven into a narrative only we can claim as our own. On today’s episode, we welcome Gordy Hoffman, a screenwriter, director, and the mind behind the BlueCat Screenwriting Competition. His journey through the labyrinth of storytelling has been marked by profou…

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IFH 790: From Short to Feature: The Filmmaker’s Journey with Michael G. Kehoe 1:15:50

10M ago1:15:50

1:15:50

On today’s episode, we welcome Michael G. Kehoe, a filmmaker who turned a whisper of an idea into the resounding voice of a feature film. From Brooklyn to Hollywood, from an eight-year-old boy watching his mother direct community theater to a director commanding his own set, Michael’s journey is one of persistence, heartbreak, and sheer creative wi…

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IFH 789: The Indie Filmmaker’s Journey: Curt Wiser on Creativity, Persistence, and Making Cam Girl 1:34:37

10M ago1:34:37

1:34:37

On today's episode, we welcome Curt Wiser, a writer and director whose journey proves that the path to making movies doesn’t require a New York or Los Angeles zip code. From the sunny shores of Florida, Curt has forged his own cinematic destiny, creating the suspenseful and thought-provoking film Cam Girl—a story of isolation, control, and survival…

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IFH 788: The Unscripted Journey of Steven Bernstein: From Cinematographer to Storyteller 59:28

10M ago59:28

59:28

What if the greatest stories of our lives are the ones we never meant to write? On today’s episode, we welcome Steven Bernstein, a man whose journey through the world of cinema has been anything but predictable. A writer at heart, a cinematographer by accident, and a director by destiny, his career is a living testament to the art of surrendering t…

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IFH 787: From Ultraviolent Wrestling to Transformative Filmmaking: The Story of Matthew T. Burns 1:21:52

10M ago1:21:52

1:21:52

On today's episode, we welcome Matthew T. Burns, an individual who embodies resilience, creativity, and reinvention. Known to wrestling fans as "Sick Nick Mondo," Matthew has transitioned from his legendary career in ultraviolent wrestling to become a filmmaker, storyteller, and advocate for the art of storytelling. His journey is nothing short of …

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UNLOCKING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT with the Pinnacle DSCR LOAN 1:00

10M ago1:00

1:00

Send us a text Pinnacle Loans is not just a lender; they are a partner in your journey towards building wealth through real estate. By offering DSCR loans, they remove many of the traditional barriers to property investment, allowing for creative and scalable strategies that can lead to a thriving portfolio of rental properties. A DSCR loan is a ty…

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IFH 786: Crafting Authentic Stories from Lady Gaga to Sci-Fi Futures with Kim Ray 1:11:24

11M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

On today's episode, we welcome the multi-talented Kim Ray, a writer, producer, and director whose career spans reality TV, documentaries, and scripted projects. Best known for her work on the Netflix documentary Gaga: Five Foot Two, Kim’s journey through the industry is an inspiring tale of creativity, resilience, and innovation.Our conversation be…

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IFH 785: Unveiling the Art of Screenwriting: A Journey with Kristin Overn 56:00

11M ago56:00

56:00

There’s a certain magic in the way creativity stirs the soul, and on today’s episode, we welcome Kristin Overn, a seasoned producer and the visionary behind the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards. With a career steeped in the art of storytelling, Kristin has spent years cultivating opportunities for writers to transform their ideas into script…

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IFH 784: Mastering the Art of Connection: Kristen Maldonado's Journey Through Pop Culture and Social Media 49:18

11M ago49:18

49:18

On today’s episode, we are graced with Kristen Maldonado, a vibrant storyteller whose passion for pop culture and digital strategy has led her to roles like Social Media Manager at MTV's "Total Request Live." Kristen’s journey from theater major to social media powerhouse is nothing short of inspiring, filled with twists, determination, and a lot o…