The Nourish Podcast

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In this clip show episode, we bring together a handful ofl excerpts from past conversations across The Nourish Podcast archive; voices of filmmakers navigating slow seasons, rebuilding from burnout, and redefining success on their own terms. 

You’ll hear from:

• David Kruta (Cinematography Salon) on surviving slow seasons and learning how to build during the “bear market.”

• Fabian Dattner & Erin Wahed (Smuggler) on the emotional weight of internal dialogue, self-worth, and the power of community in hard times.

• Patrick O’Sullivan (The Wandering DP) on developing creative resilience, financial stability, and crafting a sustainable filmmaking life through side-hustles.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• How to navigate the emotional and financial realities of slow work seasons.

• The impact of internal self-talk on confidence and creativity.

• Strategies for building financial buffers and side-hustles to sustain your passion.

• Why identity in filmmaking can’t be rooted only in opportunity or output.

• The value of community, clarity, and small acts of courage during uncertain times.

Whether you’re emerging, established, or simply in a season of reimagining your path, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and build from within. It’s the first in a two-part series spotlighting what it means to stay grounded, and even grow, when the world feels unsure.

Join the Nourish Community: The Nourish Community is a space for filmmakers who care about more than just the next gig. It’s for those who want to nurture their inner world while growing their creative voice. Through courses, coaching, and events, we’re building a more human filmmaking culture; one that honors wellness, purpose, and connection.

Sign up for our free course and community trial at www.thenourish.community, or follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community for updates and events.

Coaching for Filmmakers: If you’re ready for personalized support in navigating your creative and professional path, book a free one-on-one coaching consultation at www.JonathanBregel.com/coaching.

*Free Course + Free Community Trial @ www.TheNourish.community*

In this episode, we sit down with director Goh Iromoto to explore how identifying and living by your core values can transform both your creative career and your inner life. Goh shares the turning point in his filmmaking journey when he realized that connection and optimism were more than themes in his work, they were guiding principles for how he wanted to live and create.

Recently signed to the acclaimed production company Prettybird (US/UK), Goh opens up about the path that brought him here, from instinct-driven early projects to a more intentional, values-aligned career. Together, we dive into the real challenges of navigating the industry without losing yourself, and how slowing down to ask “Why am I doing this?” can lead to far more meaningful momentum.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• How clarifying your values can provide clarity during creative uncertainty

• Why Goh uses human connection as a north star in both his commercial and personal work

• The impact of creating safe, emotionally grounded environments on set

• How to use values as a decision-making compass in a noisy, comparison-driven industry

• Personal stories from Goh’s creative evolution—and how reflection led to greater fulfillment

This conversation is a grounding reminder that your best work comes from alignment, not pressure, and that honoring your values is one of the most practical ways to create longevity in your career.

To explore your own values and how they can guide your creative path, consider booking a free one-on-one coaching consultation call at jonathanbregel.com/coaching

Join the Nourish Community for more conversations like this and connect with a network of filmmakers dedicated to personal and professional growth. Visit us at www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community for updates and events.

Free Course + Free Community Trial @ www.thenourish.community

In this episode, we sit down with Leah Winkler, a seasoned Film & TV Production Manager whose credits include A Complete Unknown, Maestro, Happy Gilmore 2, West Side Story, and The Post. Beyond her resume, Leah is a mother of two, navigating the demanding world of film production while prioritizing family life.

Leah shares her personal experience balancing parenthood and career ambitions, offering real-world insights for filmmakers who are parents, or who simply want to better understand the challenges their colleagues face.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• How to build a strong support network to handle the pressures of production.

• Strategies for choosing projects that align with parenting priorities.

• Setting boundaries to protect your personal time in a high-demand industry.

• Managing the pressure to “do it all,” especially as a woman in filmmaking.

• Practical tips for challenges like pumping on set and finding last-minute childcare.

• Why understanding these challenges can help everyone in the industry foster better working relationships.

Leah’s journey is a reminder that success in filmmaking doesn’t have to come at the expense of family life; it’s about setting clear priorities, finding the right systems, and embracing support where needed.

This conversation was originally recorded live in The Nourish Community, a space where filmmakers connect over topics like creative fulfillment, wellness, and sustainability in their careers. Learn more at thenourish.community

For personalized coaching tailored to your filmmaking journey, schedule a free consultation at JonathanBregel.com/coaching.

Enjoy the episode!

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In this solo episode, host Jon Bregel, filmmaker, coach for filmmakers, and founder of the Nourish Community, reflects on a question that has been surfacing in his conversations with filmmakers from all experience levels: Is my career in film sustainable?

With industry uncertainty for many, financial pressures, and evolving personal priorities, many filmmakers are questioning their long-term path. Jon shares his own journey, how his career in filmmaking didn’t unfold the way he initially expected, and how he had to redefine success, sustainability, and his relationship with the industry.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all advice, this episode presents a series of self-reflective questions to help filmmakers evaluate their own careers and identify what sustainability looks like for them.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why its common for filmmakers to question their career paths and what’s driving this shift

• Eight questions to ask yourself when assessing the sustainability of your career

• How personal values, work-life balance, and financial realities play a role in long-term fulfillment

• The difference between pushing through burnout and redesigning your career for sustainability

• How to recognize when you’re forcing your career to fit a mold that no longer serves you

Jon’s personal reflections, combined with insights from his coaching work with filmmakers, offer a grounded and honest perspective on navigating a career that supports both creativity and well-being.

For personalized coaching tailored to your filmmaking journey, schedule a free consultation at JonathanBregel.com/coaching.

www.thenourish.community

Enjoy the episode.

In this episode, we sit down with Erin Wahed, Director of Sales & Management at SMUGGLER and a multidisciplinary artist, to explore how filmmakers can embrace selling as a tool for authentic connection rather than a transactional process. Erin shares her unique perspective, blending artistry with strategy, and offers practical insights for navigating the advertising industry while staying true to your creative voice.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why so many filmmakers struggle with selling themselves and how to reframe the process.

• How to tap into your unique voice and build meaningful industry relationships.

• Practical advice for navigating pitch calls, building trust, and collaborating with brands authentically.

• The balance between creating art for its own sake and working with clients.

Erin’s journey demonstrates that selling doesn’t have to feel like a compromise- it can be an extension of who you are and what you offer.

This conversation was originally recorded live in The Nourish Community, a space for filmmakers dedicated to wellness, meaningful connections, and purpose-driven careers. Learn more at thenourish.community.

For personalized coaching tailored to your filmmaking journey, schedule a free consultation at JonathanBregel.com/coaching.

Enjoy the episode!

join The Nourish Community via 2 week free trial today: www.thenourish.community

In this weeks episode, filmmaker Eliot Rausch joins us to unpack the idea of emotional resonance in our creative and personal lives. Why do so many of us feel cold, cynical, and numb? How can we reconnect with our emotions and find deeper meaning in our work and relationships?

Eliot shares candidly about his journey from emotional disconnection to rediscovery through creative practice, emotional sobriety, and presence.

What You’ll Discover:

• How creativity can reconnect us with our emotions.

• The role of vulnerability in storytelling.

• Tools for cultivating emotional sobriety and authentic connection.

• Eliot’s reflections on finding balance amidst chaos.

Join The Nourish Community via 2 week free trial for more conversations like this and connect with a network of filmmakers dedicated to personal and professional growth. Visit us at www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community for updates and events.

The Nourish Community via 2 week free trial: www.thenourish.community

In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker and storyteller Dan Chen to explore the role of vulnerability, anger, and frustration in the creative process. Dan shares the deeply personal journey behind his latest short film, You’re Too Sensitive, where he turns the camera on his own family to unpack complex emotions with humor and raw honesty.

Through candid conversation, Dan offers a unique perspective on how embracing sensitivity and exploring challenging emotions can lead to more authentic storytelling. He reflects on his path as a filmmaker, navigating the instability of the creative industry, and how personal projects have become a vital means of processing life’s hardships and building community.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• How anger and frustration can fuel meaningful art.

• The lessons Dan learned about empathy and self-awareness while documenting his family.

• Why personal storytelling can deepen creative practice and connection.

• Insights on navigating the highs and lows of a filmmaking career.

• The transformative power of creating art that embraces vulnerability and imperfection.

Dan’s story is a testament to the power of storytelling—not just as a career, but as a way of connecting with ourselves and others. Whether you’re an artist, filmmaker, or simply curious about the intersection of emotions and creativity, this episode offers inspiration and practical insights for anyone on a creative journey.

Join The Nourish Community via 2 week free trial for more conversations like this and connect with a network of filmmakers dedicated to personal and professional growth. Visit us at www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community for updates and events.

Episode 27: “Being Present in Your Own Creativity” with Director Jovan Todorović

Explore the profound impact of presence on creativity with Jovan Todorović, an award-winning director and multi-disciplinary artist. Educated with an MFA from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, Jovan shares his journey of weaving presence into his artistic and personal life, offering insights that invite listeners to deepen their own creative practices.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How presence shapes Jovan’s approach to filmmaking and storytelling, with examples from his acclaimed works like The Belgrade Phantom and You’re Dead, America.

• The balance Jovan maintains between intuitive creativity and the rigorous demands of the film industry.

• Personal reflections on how life experiences, such as fatherhood, have transformed his artistic perspective.

• Practical strategies for embracing the moment, overcoming creative blocks, and leveraging challenges as growth opportunities.

Join our conversation to gain a deeper understanding of how artistic presence can lead to transformative outcomes in both work and personal realms. This episode is more than just advice—it’s an invitation to engage with your creativity on a profound level.

Connect with us:

For more enriching discussions and to join a community of filmmakers committed to growth, visit www.thenourish.community and follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community for the latest updates and events.

Episode 26 of the Nourish Podcast features celebrated production designer Caitlin Byrnes in a candid conversation about Balancing Personal Struggles and Professional Demands.

Caitlin has created immersive worlds for directors like Miles Jay and Andreas Nilsson, with her work earning recognition at the D&AD Awards, Ciclope Festival, Prism Prize, and more. While her career is filled with artistic achievements, Caitlin opens up about the behind-the-scenes challenges she faces in navigating the demands of a fast-paced industry.

In this episode, Caitlin and I explore topics like burnout, grief, and the importance of setting boundaries in a field that often rewards people-pleasing. She shares her journey of processing the loss of her best friend and collaborator, rediscovering joy through hobbies like horseback riding, and creating small, grounding rituals that help her stay connected to herself. We also dive into how slowing down has helped Caitlin become not only a better designer but also a more present and balanced creative.

Throughout the conversation, Caitlin reflects on the realities of freelance life, the pressures of perfectionism, and how she’s learning to advocate for her creative instincts without compromising her well-being. Her insights on collaboration, authenticity, and finding purpose in her work will resonate with anyone trying to balance personal growth with professional ambition.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, designer, or creative professional looking for strategies to stay grounded in a demanding career, this episode offers heartfelt stories and practical wisdom for finding balance in your own life.

Links:

• Caitlin’s Work: caitlinbyrnes.com

• Caitlin’s Instagram: @cait_byrnes

Join the Nourish Community:

The Nourish Community is a supportive network of filmmakers committed to wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Join us for weekly events, insights from industry guests, and an inspiring space for like-minded creators.

Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community.

Episode 25 of the Nourish Podcast features Emmy-nominated director and writer Daniele Anastasion in a conversation on Embracing the In-Between: Finding Purpose Beyond Paid Jobs.

In this episode, Daniele and I explore a topic familiar to all creatives: the uncertain, in-between moments between paid projects. While her films have premiered at Sundance, Tribeca, and BAM Cinemas, and she’s earned nominations for both Emmys and Independent Spirit Awards, Daniele shares the reality of what it’s like to find meaning and balance when the spotlight fades. She opens up about how volunteering and embracing these quiet, undefined times have enriched her life, allowing her to bring a more grounded, purpose-driven approach to her work.

Throughout the conversation, we dive into themes of finding fulfillment beyond the achievements, creating a practice of purpose, and the emotional challenges that come with navigating the freelance lifestyle. Daniele’s insights on redefining success, releasing the pressure to seek validation solely through work, and learning to trust in the process of self-discovery will resonate with any creative on a similar journey.

Later, I’m also joined by David Helman, a director whose work I greatly respect and who offers a powerful perspective on balancing career and purpose. Together, we discuss how the “in-betweens” offer unique opportunities for personal growth, creativity, and realigning with our values.

Whether you’re a filmmaker or a creative professional seeking a sense of purpose, this episode offers a candid look at how to make the most of every chapter in your journey.

Links:

• Daniele’s Work: anastasionfilm.com

• Daniele’s Instagram: @danastasion

• David’s Work: davidmhelman.com

Join the Nourish Community:

The Nourish Community is a supportive network of filmmakers committed to wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Join us for weekly events, insights from industry guests, and an inspiring space for like-minded filmmakers. 
Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community.