Our guests today were Jilann Spitzmiller and Hank Rogerson.
Hank and Jilann are creators of Philomath Films and the makers of the award winning and globally celebrated documentary, Shakespeare Behind Bars. If you would like to see that film, you can stream it here!
Philomath was asked by The National Indian Council on Aging to work on a video that was filmed on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota that was being taken to congress to advocate for elders services. The Pine Ridge Reservation sits on the traditional territories of the Mnicoujou, Oohenumpa, Tséstho’e (Cheyenne) and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ peoples. (If you are curious whose land you are on, check out the Whose Land website and app for wonderful information and learning!)
CORRECTION: In our interview I said that Shakespeare Behind Bars has been seen in over seven countries. This is incorrect. As a result of its syndications on broadcasting networks, it has been shown in over fifty countries! However, it has screened as part of film festivals in over seven countries.
Shakespeare Behind Bars is a program that works with incarcerated people at Luther Luckett Correctional Complex and was founded by Curt Tofteland. It has been running for thirty years! Return citizens who participate in this program have a 6% recidivism rate. The national average is 68%. Learn more about the program here.
Hank most recently had a guest star appearance on Episode 4 of Pulse, which is available on Netflix!
Jilann had two films in SXSW this year (2025) . She was the DP for Creede USA and was also the DP for a segment of the Tallest Dwarf. The Early Show with Alax which she co-created, won a regional Emmy in 2025. Jilann is also one of the artists in the Santa Fe Studio Tour this coming June 2025.
The movie that Kieran used to describe her life was Wes Anderson's, Royal Tenenbaums
Hank likes to listen to the Talking Heads', Naive Melody when he is feeling overwhelmed.
Our theme song was created by Kieran and produced by Jesse Deluxe.
Our log was inspired by the Book of Finnish Fairytales and Folk Tales.
Thanks for listening!
