At the Montclair Film Festival, Lost in Jersey sat down with Shine Global—the award-winning team behind War/Dance and Inocente—to explore how real stories drive change far beyond the screen. Co-founders Susan MacLaury and Albie Hecht trace their journey from a family trip to a war zone that inspired War/Dance to an Oscar win for Inocente and a mission to put children’s voices at the center of storytelling.

We unpack two decades of hard-earned lessons: how The Wrong Light unraveled a “rescue” narrative into a deeper truth, why The Harvest brought child labor realities to Congress, and how the team’s newest work investigates the troubled teen industry’s hidden abuses with The Business of Trouble. Along the way, we meet this year’s Resilience Award winners—young filmmakers whose short In Case You Forgot proves that creativity, even music created on a kid’s DJ toy, can carry real emotional power.

If you care about documentary ethics, storytelling as advocacy, and how art moves policy, this live conversation maps both the playbook and the pitfalls of making stories that matter.

Thank you to Montclair Film Festival for having us!

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Nine-time Grammy winner Christian McBride says life is jazz—part preparation, part improvisation, and pure rhythm. In this conversation, the bassist, composer, and longtime NJPAC Jazz Advisor shows how listening deeply, reacting honestly, and staying curious keep his music (and life) in time. We discuss the surprising bass that travels the world with him, the art of arranging compositions for singers, and the balance between leading big bands and blending in with small ensembles.

McBride shares the making of his new album, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1—a project that captures live energy across studios in New York, L.A., and London—and previews this year’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival. Get tickets to see Christian McBride's Big Band on November 21st, featuring Andra Day, José James, Ledisi, and more.

It’s a masterclass in rhythm, resilience, and what it really means to find your groove.

Book your jazz vacation cruise with Christian at McBridesWorldatSea.com

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Shawn Simons’ harrowing journey—from surviving the devastating Seton Hall dormitory fire to becoming a fierce advocate for fire safety—embodies resilience, accountability, and the power of community. His story sparks urgent conversations about safety and the life-altering impact of young adults’ choices.

• Shawn recounts the tragic events of the Seton Hall fire 
• The emotional and physical challenges faced during recovery 
• Shawn's transition to becoming a fire safety advocate 
• The importance of education about responsible decision-making 
• The changes in fire safety legislation in New Jersey 
• Reflections on forgiveness and understanding trauma 
• The ripple effect of sharing personal stories with younger audiences

Alvaro and Shawn's Website

Alvaro and Shawn's Instagram

After the Fire: A True Story of Friendship and Survival by Robin Gaby Fisher

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What if the moment that nearly ended your life became the one that finally made sense of it? Veteran CBS reporter Jim Axelrod joins us for a raw, free-flowing conversation that moves from Iraq’s war zones to quiet moments with Bruce Springsteen. He reflects on how growing up in New Jersey—and summers working the Shore—taught him the art of connection. This one’s about resilience, reflection, and the question that keeps him grounded: Why are you doing what you’re doing?

In the Long Run, A Father, a Son, and Unintentional Lessons in Happiness by Jim Axelrod

Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company

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What happens when your reputation is on the line? Karen Kessler has been in the room for some of the toughest calls in crisis PR—guiding clients through scandals, lawsuits, and the headlines they never wanted.

In this episode, she shares why she walked away from Roger Ailes, how her firm later supported the women who spoke out, and what drives her firm's every decision. We discuss the anatomy of a genuine apology, the distinction between accountability and performance, and how to prepare for conversations that no one plans to have—such as telling a spouse about an affair, a board about a breach of trust, or a team about layoffs. Karen explains why most “crises” burn out in 48 hours, the cases that don’t, and the quiet work of rebuilding reputation when headlines fade. We dive into outrage ecosystems around Middle East commentary, doxxing,

Karen also traces her path into high-stakes crisis communications with no business plan, just curiosity and persistence—and explains how she’s now helping turn New Jersey into a booming film and TV hub.

If you care about leadership, resilience, and handling tough moments with integrity, this conversation is packed with lessons you can use right now.

Subscribe, share with a friend who needs media-savvy guidance, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway!

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The Bellevue Theater is back and so is the Montclair Film Festival. We sit down with Montclair Film’s Artistic Director, Tom Hall, to break down the 14th edition: what’s bold, what’s risky, and what’s bound for awards season.

Highlights include opening night's Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach’s meta comedy starring George Clooney and Adam Sandler. Nicholas Britell who scored the film will be there for a Q&A. Get tickets for headline events with Spike Lee and Stephen Colbert, and Pam Abdy on Hollywood’s future. Cinephiles can dive into Rebecca Miller’s Scorsese portrait, Richard Linklater’s black-and-white Godard homage, Jesse Plemons in Bugonia, and Palme d'Or winner It Was Just An Accident by Jafar Panahi.

Docs bring the emotional punch with Come See Me In the Good Light (Tig Notaro + Ryan White), while Saturday pairs the deeply moving (Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value) with the urgent (Laura Poitras’s Cover Up). Brendan Fraser shines in Rental Family, and the festival closes on Christy, a fierce Sydney Sweeney performance that refuses the easy sports-biopic arc.

Grab your tickets, join the Q&As, and meet us in the dark—this year’s festival promises films to argue over, cheer for, and remember long after.

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Neal Lipschutz, former deputy editor-in-chief of the Wall Street Journal and standards editor, discusses his transition to fiction writing with his debut novel, "No Write Way to Die," exploring characters from Brooklyn who take different life paths before their worlds collide.

• Neal shares his journey from Brooklyn to New Jersey and his 40-year career in journalism
• As WSJ's standards and ethics editor, he ensured content was fact-based and properly contextualized
• His debut novel is a suspenseful, rollicking ride
• We learn how his character development explores how people's backgrounds and early life decisions continue to influence them
• The book examines provocative questions about parental sacrifice and ethical boundaries
• Neal's favorite thing about moving to New Jersey is the ease of getting any book he'd like to read through the Bergen County Cooperative Library System 

No Write Way to Die by Neal Lipschutz is coming out in July 2025!

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What does it really take to turn dreams into reality? In this inspiring episode of Lost in Jersey, we talk to Steve Edwards, President of the New Jersey Hall of Fame, to uncover the success secrets he’s gleaned from interviewing over 100 of the state’s most extraordinary achievers.

Born and raised in Jersey (on the very same date as Bruce Springsteen and Jason Alexander!), Edwards has dedicated his life to celebrating the Garden State’s legacy of grit, creativity, and resilience. From the Hall of Fame’s cutting-edge exhibits at American Dream Mall—including interactive holograms with Frankie Valli and Judy Blume—to its mission of inspiring children with real-life role models, Edwards shows how honoring the past can spark the future.

Along the way, he shares personal reflections from his new documentary Lucky Jack, which tells the incredible story of his father’s journey from high school dropout to neurosurgeon. His insights reveal a simple but powerful truth: perseverance, imagination, and consistency are the keys to achievement.

Whether you’re a lifelong Jersey fan, a seeker of inspiration, or someone who loves a great underdog story, this episode will leave you believing in the power of dreams—and the Garden State spirit.

Want to experience New Jersey's extraordinary legacy for yourself? Visit the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream Mall or attend their 17th induction ceremony on November 21st, hosted by Danny DeVito and featuring the Jonas Brothers among this year's honorees.

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What if the arts could transform not just audiences, but entire cities? In this episode of Lost in Jersey, we sit down with John Schreiber, President and CEO of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), to explore how a lifelong passion for music and culture became the engine behind Newark’s cultural and economic revival.

From his early days as an 11-year-old Broadway superfan to producing jazz festivals with legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan, Schreiber has spent five decades reimagining how arts institutions can thrive. His groundbreaking approach married corporate sponsorship with authentic cultural programming, reshaping how the arts are funded and experienced across America.

At NJPAC, John has built more than a venue—it’s a movement. The center anchors Newark’s downtown, sparks residential and business growth, and provides life-changing opportunities for 100,000 students each year. Through the celebrated TD James Moody Jazz Festival, the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, and bold new partnerships like film studios and arts-focused schools, NJPAC proves that culture is both community and catalyst.

This is a conversation about vision, impact, and the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table. As Schreiber puts it: “Come on down. You all are welcome.”

NJPAC

Christopher Taylor's Road to Alvin Ailey

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What does it take to dedicate sixty years to a life in art? Artist Tom Nussbaum has been answering that question since childhood—first by tinkering in his dad’s Minnesota workshop, later by filling New York lofts with his whimsical, deeply human creations, and now through monumental public works that thousands encounter every day.

With his first major retrospective opening at the Montclair Art Museum this fall, Tom sits down with us to reflect on the arc of his career—from playful childhood inventions to intricate welded steel works crafted in his East Orange studio at Manufacturer’s Village. Along the way, we talk about the duality in his art: the bold, planned installations that brighten public spaces and the improvisational studio explorations that dig into memory, psychology, and narrative.

We also explore how New Jersey became Tom’s creative home, why community matters as much as craft, and how his lifelong curiosity continues to fuel new work. Whether you’re an artist, an art lover, or just curious about the creative journey, this episode offers a rare look inside a six-decade practice still evolving with joy and purpose.

Montclair Art Museum Tom Nussbaum: But Wait, There's More!

Tom Nussbaum's website

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