Two worlds collide as Jon—marketer, longtime curator of Snapchat Stories shares how mobile-first storytelling, research-driven writing, and emerging tech all coexist in one creative life. We talk about the behind-the-scenes discipline of shaping vertical stories that trained millions to think in transitions, and how that same editorial rigor carries into screenwriting, brand work, and a fast, focused daily writing routine.

Olivia Dennis nearly quit acting once but now she’s all in. In this episode we break down the realities of acting for camera: unlearning stage habits, scaling performances, and her technique of the “moment before” to bring auditions to life. Olivia also shares the mental side of auditions—doing the work, letting go, and handling callbacks that never come—plus a directors note that changed how she approaches heavier material.

Forget the tortured artist myth. In this episode, we sit down with Quinn Dorian for a conversation about what actually fuels good creative work—sleep, boredom, better habits, and surrounding yourself with people who make you want to show up. Quinn opens up about moving from panic attacks and a packed science track into a life centered on design, songwriting, and foregoing going it alone and starting a band

This episode is about collaboration, trust, and choosing the right team. We also get practical—first-year band plans, releasing music without burning out, and using social media without letting it eat your brain. We close with the story behind her newest music video Blind Spots, a song about caretaking, lost time, and finally choosing yourself. If you’re building something creative and want to do it without destroying yourself, this one’s for you.

What makes someone take on the slow, exhausting work of building a film festival—and keep going long after the novelty wears off? In this episode, we sit down with the Cindependent Film Festival founder Allyson West to talk about the emotional drive behind turning a scrappy idea into a year-round indie film community in Cincinnati.
We explore the less visible side of festival building: choosing care over clout, the weight of responsibility to artists, the burnout that comes with volunteer leadership, and the quiet wins that make it worth it—watching filmmakers feel seen, audiences grow, and connections turn into real momentum. It’s an honest look at the passion, patience, and conviction it takes to build something that lasts, without losing the soul that started it.

Actress Sophia Castelanos joins us to break down the shift from stage to screen. She shares how she prepares emotionally demanding roles using Meisner-based techniques, how she releases heavy scenes without carrying them home, and what green screen work really requires when you’re reacting to threats that don’t exist yet.

We also dig into the side of acting most people never see: researching casting calls, vetting projects, shaping a reel with intention, and knowing when to say no. Sophia reflects on early-career survival mode versus long-term strategy, navigating typecasting, expanding range, and why sustainable acting takes both discipline and courage.

 What if the stick-figure family on the back of a minivan is actually a body count? In this episode, we sit down with Jamison Braly, a filmmaker whose path from wedding videography to viral horror shorts proves that smart constraints beat big budgets. Jameson breaks down how one-room setups, small casts, and borrowed locations can elevate story and performance, why his 23-minute short struggled while tighter work thrived, and how weddings quietly trained him to move fast, adapt, and treat every moment like a one-take scene. We dive into writing for clarity, thinking like a producer, building strong crew culture, and why horror is the perfect low-budget training ground—even if it’s not your end goal. If you’re trying to start, scale smarter, and make story louder than gear, this one’s for you. 

How do you build a creative career that actually pays? Actor-model Maureo Ruffin breaks down the real money behind acting and modeling—SAG pay, residuals, clean bookings vs. scams, and the mistakes that cost new actors time and cash.

We cover practical acting tools that work on camera, self-tape errors that kill auditions, industry red flags to avoid, and how to stay mentally steady through near-miss roles. We also talk AI in entertainment, SAG-AFTRA protections, and navigating union vs. non-union work.

If you’re auditioning, seeking representation, or chasing your first commercial or film role, this episode gives you clear guardrails and real-world insight.

Director Max Kaplan joins us to reflect on how a childhood spent devouring DVD special features shaped his unique filmmaking voice. Growing up in Ohio’s festival scene taught him the value of community, long-term collaborators, and building stories with visual precision rather than easy explanations. As he developed Looker and Death of a Bible Salesman, Max learned to trust pre-production, lean into bold stylistic choices, and let the audience complete the puzzle.

Max also opens up about the moment that tested him the most: directing a grueling shoot while navigating a personal emotional crisis. From freezing temperatures to no power on location, he discovered that honesty with his team and reliance on trusted department heads didn’t weaken him—it made the work stronger.

What if the best film school is a 15×22 basement? Former NationWriter-director Chris Maes breaks down how he turned a tiny room into a soundstage, shot two features with lean crews, and resourceful filmmaking. We dig into Hemisphere and AirShift, the genre twist that saved a stalled script, and the Nat Geo lessons that taught him to prep hard and stay lean.

Chris shares candid night-shoot challenges, smart pre-lighting tactics, and why actor chemistry and small details make low-budget films feel big.

Grammy-nominated songwriter Sandy Knox, known for her work with artists such as Reba McEntire, Dionne Warwick, Neil Diamond, Patti LaBelle, Liza Minnelli, and Donna Summer opens up about how heartbreak, reinvention, and an unshakable love of words shaped her life’s work. From being fired as a receptionist to writing timeless hits like “Does He Love You,” she shares what it means to stay true to your craft when the world changes around you.
We talk about grief, empathy, and the magic of melody meeting truth, and her newest creation—a five-hour musical audiobook “Weighting: My Life If It Were A Musical” is about body, identity, and healing, told through twenty-one original songs. Her honesty and humor throughout the book leaves something for everyone.