Creators, Makers & Shapers Podcast

In this episode of the Creators, Makers, and Shapers podcast, prolific showrunner and screenwriter Jeffrey Lieber (Lost, NCIS, Charmed) shares a wealth of professional and personal wisdom gathered throughout a career he describes as being built on failure. Speaking at the Bravemaker Film Festival, Lieber explains that the heart of a successful pitch is its "emotional core", the steering wheel for the narrative, and the ability to tell a compelling "dinner party story" that takes listeners on a fifteen-minute ride. He offers profound advice for navigating the industry's inherent setbacks. Lieber also breaks down the mechanics of television as a medium and discusses his leadership philosophy of building diverse writers' rooms where different talents can thrive.

This Podcast explores the professional philosophy and industry insights of Anthony Marks, an actor, entrepreneur, and lead in the series Douchaholics. Marks details the psychological shifts required to navigate the entertainment business, emphasizing that a performer's primary job is the consistent process of auditioning rather than the final act of booking a role. He breaks down the technical nuances between the snapshot stereotypes of commercial advertising and the deep character development required for narrative film, identifying casting directors as the essential gatekeepers for career longevity. Marks offers strategic advice on maintaining a "short-term memory" to move past rejection and encourages artists to build a "vault" of diverse human experiences to enhance their relatability and craft. Ultimately, he encourages creators to prioritize authenticity and service by focusing on their connection to the story being told.

This podcast explores the creative process and professional philosophies of director David Wain and producers Peter Principato and John Stern regarding their Netflix film, A Futile and Stupid Gesture. They discuss the decade-long journey of optioning Josh Karp’s book and the importance of honoring the legacy of Doug Kenney, the "godfather" of modern comedy. Wain details his non-traditional approach to the biopic genre, using a modern lens and collaborative tools like Google spreadsheets to manage the film's complex, multi-period narrative. The group offers strategic insights into the producer-director relationship, emphasizing a culture of trust and shared impressions over rigid creative control. Ultimately, they highlight the shift in the distribution landscape, championing the immediate reach and longevity provided by streaming platforms like Netflix for independent storytelling.

This podcast explores the collaborative experiences and creative processes of actors Austin Butler and Tyler Posey during their work on a Kevin Smith film set. They detail the unique, ego-free environment Smith fosters, emphasizing the importance of artistic safety and the freedom to "play" through ad-libs and multiple takes. Butler shares insights into Smith’s approach as an "editor-director" who utilizes playback to build organic characters, while Posey contrasts this collaborative freedom with the more rigid hierarchies of television, noting how the experience reignited his passion for filmmaking. The discussion highlights the significance of director-led morale and the benefits of reframing failure as "success training" to combat the fear of making mistakes. Ultimately, they encourage creators to prioritize fearless expression and treat the craft as a continuous journey of learning through experimentation.

What does it actually mean to read someone before you say a word?

In this episode of Creators, Makers, and Shapers, magician and human behavior expert Rich Fergusen pulls back the curtain, not on card tricks, but on the childhood that shaped him. Raised without parents in a world of violence and survival, Fergusen developed an almost superhuman ability to observe people before he ever picked up a deck of cards. He opens up about his documentary, Becoming Rich, and what it was like watching his own raw, unfiltered story played back to him on screen.

From there, the conversation shifts into the philosophy that's made him one of the most sought-after voices in applied psychology: magic isn't about secrets; it's about skill, observation, and understanding what people reveal without realizing it. Fergusen breaks down the difference between conscious and subconscious behavioral tells, explains why most advice about body language misses the point, and shares practical techniques for reading a room, building trust, and closing the gap between what people say and what they actually mean.

Whether you're a salesperson, a creator, or just someone trying to connect better with people, this episode offers a blueprint: stop focusing on what you want, and start paying attention to the message you're sending.

Welcome to the Creators, Makers, and Shapers podcast, where imagination ignites, creativity flourishes, and stories come alive. Each episode takes you deep into the creative process, sitting down with brilliant artists, visionary filmmakers, and groundbreaking entrepreneurs, including notable guests like Jason Reitman, Martin Scorsese, David Wain, and Austin Butler. These diverse voices share one common thread: an unwavering commitment to creativity.

We believe creativity is the essence of the human experience, a force that shapes our lives and empowers our souls. Every conversation is a chance to explore how brilliant minds think, create, and push past expectations. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a seasoned innovator, or simply curious about unlocking your own creative potential, tune in as we go behind the scenes with the people shaping culture and discover what it really takes to turn imagination into something real.

Creators, Makers, & Shapers is a podcast series exploring, educating, and empowering the creative mind. Hosted by an award-winning Writer/Director Sean McCarthy and featuring a diverse array of guests including Rich Ferguson, Jason Reitman, Martin Scorsese, David Wain, Austin Butler, and many other leaders and collaborators in creative fields.