The Nourish Podcast

Nourish

Formerly Variable, The Nourish Podcast sparks soulful conversations with filmmakers exploring the intertwining paths of creativity, wellness, and purpose. We also invite you to join The Nourish Community; a community of filmmakers building meaningful careers and meaningful lives.
https://www.thenourish.community
https://www.instagram.com/thenourish.community

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September 2 · 52 min
Episode #53: “The Evolution of Ambition” w/ Director & Art of Documentary Co-Founder Mark Bone
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. Learn more and apply at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠members.thenourish.community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community + Coaching Support @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheNourish.community⁠⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, Nourish founder Jon Bregel speaks with director and Art of Documentary co-founder Mark Bone about how our relationship with ambition can evolve throughout a creative career. Together, we explore: • When ambition serves us; and when it begins to cost us • Separating our identity and sense of worth from our work • The role validation and ego can play in a creative career• Knowing when an ambition is still worth pursuing • Learning to say no as our priorities evolve • Finding meaning and purpose beyond what we accomplish At one point, Mark shares a question that has become important in his own work and life: At what cost? It opens up a larger conversation about what we’re pursuing, why we’re pursuing it, and whether our ambitions still fit the people we’re becoming. If you’ve ever found yourself questioning what you’re working toward, or redefining what success means to you, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Nourish at thenourish.community or follow @thenourish.community
August 10 · 49 min
Episode #52: "Creating Big Work Beyond the Major Film Hubs" w/ President & EP Josh Carrasquillo of Taproot Pictures
As mentioned in the episode, director Michael Fagan is leading “How to Get Work: Without Losing Yourself in the Process,” a live, three-hour workshop about building a more sustainable freelance career. Two sessions are available: August 26 at 6:00 p.m. ET ⁠https://luma.com/howtogetwork⁠ August 28 at 3:00 p.m. ET: ⁠https://luma.com/howtogetworknourish -- Episode Description: Do you need to live in Los Angeles or New York to build a meaningful career in film? In this episode, Nourish founder Jon Bregel speaks with Josh Carrasquillo, President & Executive Producer of Taproot Pictures, about building a nationally respected production company from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Together, we explore: • Creating opportunities outside the major film hubs• Why relationships and trust are foundational to growth• Building reputation and momentum beyond your local market• The role culture has played in Taproot’s longevity• Making the most of wherever you are today If you’ve ever questioned whether you need to be somewhere else to build the career you want, this conversation is for you. Learn more about Nourish at www.thenourish.community or follow @thenourish.community
July 28 · 55 min
Episode #51: "The Work Behind Getting Work: Building a Sustainable Freelance Filmmaking Career" w/ Director Michael Fagan
As mentioned in the episode, director Michael Fagan is leading “How to Get Work: Without Losing Yourself in the Process,” a live, three-hour workshop about building a more sustainable freelance career. Two sessions are available: August 26 at 6:00 p.m. ET https://luma.com/howtogetwork August 28 at 3:00 p.m. ET: https://luma.com/howtogetworknourish This is the first paid Nourish event offered outside the gatherings included with a community membership. In this episode, Nourish founder Jon Bregel speaks with Michael about the work behind consistently finding work. Known for directing campaigns for brands including Best Buy, LG, and PayPal, Michael shares how creative focus, relationship-building, outreach, and visibility helped him move beyond the feast-or-famine cycle. We discuss: • Why trying to be everything to everyone can limit your opportunities• How choosing a clearer creative lane changed Michael’s career• Building relationships that lead to work• Staying visible without feeling inauthentic• Creating momentum during rejection and slow seasons• Balancing ambition, family, and financial responsibility This podcast explores Michael’s story and philosophy. The workshop provides a deeper look at the tools, systems, and habits he uses in practice. Learn more about The Nourish Community at www.thenourish.community or follow @thenourish.community.
July 13 · 51 min
Episode #50: "Quiet Authority: Navigating Pressure, People & Growth" w/ Paige DeMarco, Producer & Nourish Coach
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. Learn more and apply at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠members.thenourish.community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community + Coaching Support @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheNourish.community⁠⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, Nourish founder Jon Bregel sits down with producer, production executive, and Nourish coach Paige DeMarco for a conversation about leadership, emotional maturity, communication, and personal growth within the filmmaking industry. With nearly 20 years of experience producing commercials, branded content, television, music videos, and still photography, Paige has led countless productions while navigating the realities of clients, deadlines, uncertainty, conflict, and the human dynamics that exist behind every creative project. Rather than offering formulas or management tactics, this conversation explores a quieter, more grounded approach to leadership, one rooted in presence, self-awareness, curiosity, and trust. • How to remain grounded when everyone around you feels stressed or overwhelmed • Why emotional steadiness is one of the most underrated leadership skills • How to navigate conflict and difficult personalities without losing yourself • The importance of clear communication and healthy boundaries • Why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness • How to lead from your values instead of fear, ego, or people-pleasing • What “quiet authority” looks like in practice Whether you’re a producer, director, editor, cinematographer, freelancer, or simply someone growing into greater responsibility, this episode is an invitation to rethink what effective leadership really looks like. Join the Nourish Community for weekly conversations, live events, coaching, and meaningful relationships with filmmakers pursuing wellness, purpose, and sustainable creative careers. Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community
July 7 · 13 min
Episode #49: Introducing The Inner Frame | Creating a Meaningful Career & Life as a Filmmaker
The Inner Frame is now live in The Nourish Community. Join filmmakers from around the world for a year-long journey of twelve recurring monthly gatherings, weekly live events, meaningful conversations, and ongoing support as you build not only a meaningful career, but a meaningful life. Learn more at www.thenourish.community. Over the past four years, the Nourish Community has hosted hundreds of conversations with filmmakers around the world. While every story has been different, many of the same deeper questions have continued to emerge. In this solo episode, Jon Bregel introduces The Inner Frame, a new year-long rhythm of twelve recurring monthly gatherings that now serves as the foundation of the Nourish Community. Rather than simply announcing a new series, Jon reflects on why structure matters, how meaningful growth rarely happens by accident, and why the inner life we cultivate ultimately shapes the careers we build. In this episode you’ll discover: • Why The Inner Frame emerged from four years of community conversations • How structure creates space for intentional growth • The difference between building a successful career and a meaningful life • Why the questions beneath our work often matter most Join the Nourish Community for The Inner Frame, weekly gatherings, live conversations, workshops, coaching, and an aligned community of filmmakers building meaningful careers and meaningful lives. Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community.
June 29 · 38 min
Episode #48: "Finding Purpose Through Storytelling" w/ Jake Viramontez, Founder of SOWN, a Nonprofit Production Company
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. Learn more and apply at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠members.thenourish.community⁠⁠⁠⁠ Community + Coaching Support @ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TheNourish.community⁠⁠⁠ In this episode, Nourish founder Jon Bregel sits down with filmmaker Jake Viramontez, founder of SOWN, a nonprofit storytelling organization, for a conversation about purpose, storytelling, and building a career that serves something bigger than yourself. After years directing commercial and branded content for companies like Sony, Chevrolet, Pepsi, American Airlines, and the United Nations, Jake found himself wrestling with what he describes as a “gaping hole” within himself. Rather than ignoring that feeling, he followed it. That journey ultimately led him to create SOWN, a nonprofit dedicated to producing films for organizations creating meaningful change around the world. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • Why many filmmakers eventually begin searching for deeper purpose in their work • How storytelling can become an act of service rather than self-promotion • Why success and fulfillment aren’t always the same thing • The role curiosity plays in becoming a better storyteller • How purpose often emerges through paying attention to what won’t leave you alone • Why the stories we tell shape both our audiences and ourselves • What it looks like to build a career around contribution, generosity, and impact This episode is ultimately about more than filmmaking. It’s about paying attention to the quiet invitations that call us toward a life and career that feel more aligned with who we are and what we value. Join the Nourish Community for weekly conversations, live events, coaching opportunities, and support for filmmakers pursuing wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community
June 23 · 35 min
Episode #47: “Building a Career Around Your Voice” w/ Director & Nourish Coach, Danielle Goetz
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. Learn more and apply at: ⁠⁠⁠members.thenourish.community⁠⁠⁠ Community + Coaching Support @ ⁠⁠⁠www.TheNourish.community⁠⁠ In this episode, Nourish founder Jon Bregel sits down with director and Nourish coach Danielle Goetz for a conversation about finding your voice, developing your point of view, creative reinvention, and building a career that reflects who you actually are. After years navigating the creative industry as a director, filmmaker, and business owner, Danielle shares what she has learned about trusting your intuition, embracing your uniqueness, and creating opportunities that are more aligned with your taste, values, and creative identity. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • How to get hired for more of the work that reflects your taste, interests, and perspective. • Why finding your voice is less about creating a new identity and more about uncovering who you already are. • How narrowing your focus can create more clarity and opportunity in your career. • Why sharing your point of view can feel vulnerable, but may be the very thing that helps the right people find you. • How filmmakers can navigate creative pivots and seasons of reinvention. • Why your uniqueness is often the thing people are actually looking for. • How confidence is built through trusting your intuition and creative instincts. • Why building a sustainable creative career requires developing yourself, not just your portfolio. This episode is an exploration of what it really means to find your voice as a filmmaker. Not just your visual style, but the way you see the world, the stories you’re drawn toward, the way you collaborate, and how you show up in your work and life. It’s a conversation about creativity, vulnerability, confidence, and learning to trust that the things that make you different might also be the things that make your work most valuable. Danielle is now available for one-on-one coaching through Nourish, where she helps creatives-for-hire uncover their point of view and build careers rooted in their authentic voice. Learn more or book a discovery call at www.thenourish.community Join the Nourish Community for weekly conversations, live events, coaching opportunities, and support for filmmakers pursuing wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Visit ⁠⁠www.thenourish.community⁠⁠ or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community
June 16 · 54 min
Episode #46: "Career Reinvention Without Starting Over" w/ Jay Duplass
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. Learn more and apply at: ⁠⁠members.thenourish.community⁠⁠ Community + Coaching Support @ ⁠⁠www.TheNourish.community⁠ In this episode, Nourish founder, Jon Bregel, sits down with filmmaker Jay Duplass for a candid conversation about career reinvention, creative identity, success, and the challenge of evolving without abandoning everything you’ve built. Drawing from his own journey through independent film, television, parenthood, and decades of creative work, Jay reflects on the moments that forced him to reevaluate his relationship to ambition, achievement, and what it means to build a sustainable creative life. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • Why career reinvention often begins long before any external change is visible. • How filmmakers can evolve without feeling like they’re starting from scratch. • The hidden pressures that can accompany creative success. • Why fulfillment and achievement are not always the same thing. • How personal growth can reshape your relationship to work, ambition, and identity. • The importance of staying connected to creativity during uncertain seasons. • Why making small things can sometimes lead to the biggest breakthroughs. • How to navigate change while honoring the life and responsibilities you’ve built. This episode is an exploration of what happens when the path you’ve worked so hard to create no longer feels fully aligned. It’s a conversation about adaptation, resilience, and discovering that reinvention doesn’t always require becoming someone new- it may simply require becoming more fully yourself. Join the Nourish Community for weekly conversations, live events, coaching opportunities, and support for filmmakers pursuing wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Visit ⁠www.thenourish.community⁠ or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community
June 8 · 1 hr 21 min
Nourish Audio Course #1: Healthy Networking Practices for Filmmakers
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. Learn more and apply at: members.thenourish.community Community + Coaching Support @ www.TheNourish.community In our first free audio course, Nourish founder, filmmaker, and coach for filmmakers Jon Bregel is joined by filmmaker, creative director, and longtime Nourish collaborator Ien Chi to explore a healthier approach to networking. Together, they challenge many of the assumptions filmmakers carry about networking and offer a more meaningful framework rooted in values, generosity, authenticity, and genuine human connection. Drawing from their experiences building creative careers, growing communities, running production companies, and cultivating long-term professional relationships, Jon and Ien share practical tools and personal insights for filmmakers who want to build their network without feeling transactional, desperate, or inauthentic. What You'll Discover in This Episode: • Why networking is ultimately a form of relationship building, not self-promotion. • How doing the inner work can dramatically impact your professional relationships. • Why clarity around your values attracts the right collaborators and opportunities. • How to reach out to filmmakers you admire in a way that feels sincere and authentic. • The difference between approaching relationships from a mindset of giving versus getting. • How gratitude, curiosity, empathy, and active listening can deepen your connections. • Why building community is one of the most effective ways to grow your network. • Practical ideas for becoming a connector and creating value within your creative ecosystem. • How to identify your tribe and cultivate relationships that can last a lifetime. This episode is our first-ever free Nourish audio course and serves as an invitation to rethink networking entirely; not as a means to advance your career, but as a practice of cultivating meaningful relationships, supporting others, and building a creative life alongside people who share your values. Whether you're just starting your career or decades into it, this conversation offers a more sustainable and fulfilling approach to building relationships in the film industry. Join the Nourish Community for weekly conversations, live events, coaching opportunities, and support for filmmakers pursuing wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community
June 1 · 34 min
Episode 44: “The Burnout Beneath the Burnout” w/ Jon Bregel, Founder of Nourish
Applications are now open for The Filmmaker Reset Circle, a new weekly group coaching space for filmmakers navigating burnout, disconnection, uncertainty, and misalignment in their work and life. The Reset Circle begins in August 2026 and is limited to 10 participants. Learn more and apply at: members.thenourish.community Community + Coaching Support @ www.TheNourish.community In this solo episode, Nourish founder, filmmaker, and coach for filmmakers Jon Bregel explores burnout through the lens of his own life, career, and recent experience navigating exhaustion in real time. This episode comes from a season where Jon was beginning to feel burnout rise back to the surface. In the conversation, he reflects on the emotional weight of filmmaking, the hidden cost of success, the pressure to stay available, and the ways burnout can quietly shape a creative life long before we fully recognize it. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • Why burnout often looks like continuing, not stopping. • How success, momentum, and being in demand can make burnout harder to recognize. • The physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual signs of burnout. • Why the question “at what cost?” can become a powerful filter for creative decisions. • How fear can shape boundaries, productivity, and identity. • Why naming burnout out loud can be an important first step toward healing. • How filmmakers can begin building a more sustainable relationship to their work, energy, and lives. This episode is an honest reflection on what happens when the work we love begins to quietly disconnect us from ourselves. It is also a reminder that burnout does not have to be carried alone. Join the Nourish Community for weekly conversations, live events, coaching opportunities, and support for filmmakers pursuing wellness, meaningful relationships, and purpose. Visit www.thenourish.community or follow us on Instagram at @thenourish.community
February 24 · 40 min
Episode 43: "What Filmmakers Get Wrong About LinkedIn & Networking (and Why It’s Costing You Work)" w/ Director Michael Fagan
2 Week Free Trial: The Nourish Community: thenourish.community Book a 1-on-1 coaching call: jonathanbregel.com/coaching Most filmmakers avoid LinkedIn because it feels corporate, awkward, or “not for creatives.” Director Michael Ryan Fagan thinks that mindset is quietly costing people jobs. Michael is a comedy commercial director (Best Buy, LG, PayPal) who doubled down on LinkedIn over the last year and saw a real increase in meaningful conversations with decision-makers and booked work. In this episode, he breaks down what actually works, in a way that’s specific, practical, and doable. We explore: • Why LinkedIn’s algorithm helps you reach people you don’t know • How to network without feeling gross or spammy • What to post (including when the final work can’t be shared) • The balance between “perfect work” and staying present • How BTS and simple on-set moments can open doors • Why “put yourself in a box” can make you easier to hire -- Join the Nourish Community: thenourish.community Book a 1-on-1 coaching call: jonathanbregel.com/coaching
January 22 · 1 hr 3 min
Episode 42: “Working in Film Without Losing Yourself in the Process” w/ Director & DP, Luc Forsyth
⁠Book a Coaching Discovery Call w/ Jon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Course "The Filmmakers Wellness Roadmap": ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenourish.community⁠⁠ What does it take to grow in the film industry without slowly losing your sense of self along the way? Director and cinematographer Luc Forsyth joins us to talk about navigating intensity, ambition, and identity while working in some of the most demanding documentary and unscripted environments in the industry. We explore: • What “losing yourself” looks like before it becomes obvious • How to read your body’s signals when the work never slows down • Where ambition has served him and where it’s come at a cost • How to stay grounded in emotionally and physically intense projects • Boundaries that only became visible in hindsight • What it means to build a sustainable creative life over time This conversation is an honest listen for filmmakers questioning pace, cost, and how they want to keep going. Join the Nourish Community: thenourish.community Follow Luc: @lucforsyth Join the Nourish Community: ⁠www.thenourish.community⁠ Book a one on one coaching call: jonathanbregel.com/coaching
Dec 8, 2025 · 36 min
Episode 41: “Transforming Pain Into Art: A Journey of Healing” w/ Actor & Writer, Michael Strassner
⁠Book a Coaching Discovery Call w/ Jon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/Coaching⁠⁠⁠⁠ Free Course "The Filmmakers Wellness Roadmap": ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenourish.community⁠⁠ What does it look like to turn the most painful part of your life into a film screened around the world? Actor and writer Michael Strassner joins us to talk about the real events that inspired his breakout film, The Baltimorons, including his failed suicide attempt, the recovery that followed, and how he eventually found the clarity and distance to turn that experience into a film. We explore: • Why some stories cannot be told until they have been lived and processed • How safety, trust, and small collaborative teams shaped the film • The imposter syndrome Michael felt stepping into his first lead role • His daily practices that kept him steady during production • How audience reactions have become part of his healing • Why his creative philosophy centers on showing up one day at a time Michael’s honesty and humor make this a powerful listen for anyone holding a personal story they hope to share. Join the Nourish Community: www.thenourish.community Book a one on one coaching call: jonathanbregel.com/coaching
Nov 15, 2025 · 9 min
Episode 40: “Slowing Down to Move Forward: A Nourish Update” w/ Filmmaker & Coach for Filmmakers, Jon Bregel
⁠Book a Coaching Discovery Call w/ Jon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/Coaching⁠⁠⁠ Free Course "The Filmmakers Wellness Roadmap": ⁠⁠⁠www.thenourish.community⁠⁠ Is your ambition aligned with your wellbeing; or competing with it? In this intermission-style update, ⁠Jon Bregel⁠; filmmaker, coach for filmmakers, and founder of The Nourish Community, opens up about the internal shift that’s been unfolding behind the scenes. After months of reflection, restlessness, and reevaluating his relationship to work, Jon shares why he’s choosing to expand Nourish slowly, intentionally, and from a place of presence & love rather than fear. This episode explores: Why moving fast can feel productive, yet quietly pull you away from yourself What it looks like to rebuild your creative life around values instead of anxiety How reactivity in filmmaking shapes our nervous systems more than we realize The tension between opportunity, ambition, and inner alignment Why Jon is evolving Nourish into a coaching and consulting ecosystem over the next six months If you’re craving a slower, more grounded way of building your creative life, this episode might be the perspective you need. Book a Discovery Call with Jon: www.JonathanBregel.com/Coaching Join us in the community: www.thenourish.community
S1 · E39
Jul 29, 2025 · 27 min
Episode 39: “When it’s Time for a Life Reset: Season One Intermission” w/ Filmmaker & Coach for Filmmakers, Jon Bregel
⁠Book a Coaching Discovery Call w/ Jon: ⁠⁠⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/Coaching⁠⁠ Free Course "The Filmmakers Wellness Roadmap": ⁠⁠www.thenourish.community⁠⁠ Is the life you’ve built still the life you want? In this intermission episode, ⁠Jon Bregel⁠, filmmaker, coach for filmmakers, and founder of The Nourish Community, reflects on the personal and professional unraveling that led to a full reset. It’s a story of burnout, grief, therapy, and choosing to live from clarity instead of fear. This episode digs deep into: Why success on paper can still leave you hollow What it really means to pause and reevaluate; without blowing up your life How grief and filmmaking collided for Jon in a way he didn’t expect The cost of fear-based productivity, even in “meaningful” creative work A new approach to defining success, sustainability, and personal health If you’re currently standing at a crossroads, this episode might be the nudge you need. Book a Discovery Call with Jon: ⁠⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/Coaching⁠⁠ Join us in the community: www.thenourish.community⁠⁠
Jul 9, 2025 · 59 min
Episode 38: "Culture Over Ego" - How Caravan Built a People-First Production Company w/ Jon Muedder and Bernardo Marentes
Free Course + Free Community Trial @ ⁠www.TheNourish.community⁠ Book a Coaching Call w/ Jon Bregel @⁠ JonathanBregel.com/coaching What does it actually mean to build a production company where people want to stay? In this episode, we sit down with Jon Muedder and Bernardo Marentes, partners at Caravan, a full-service production and post company whose values show up not just in their client work but in how they lead, hire, and care for their team. We explore how Caravan’s core values; ambition, thoughtfulness, adaptability, dependability, honesty, clarity, and transparency, shape their culture from the inside out. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: • How to lead with humanity in high-stakes creative environments • What systems support a thriving culture, even as you scale • How to earn loyalty and trust without ego • Why production companies should put people first and what that really takes Whether you’re building a business, managing a team, or reimagining what leadership can look like in film, this episode will leave you inspired and equipped. Caravan has collaborated with global brands like Nike, Meta, Peloton, and ESPN, and they’ve done it while staying true to a process built on care, clarity, and trust. 📍 Learn more: www.wearecaravan.tv 📸 Follow Caravan: @madebycaravan 🌱 Join The Nourish Community at www.thenourish.community 💬 Book a coaching call: jonathanbregel.com/coaching
Jun 16, 2025 · 53 min
Episode 37: “Shifting from Me to We” with Akima Brown, Care Producer & Founder of Reel Families for Change
Free Course + Free Community Trial @ www.TheNourish.community Book a Coaching Call w/ Jon Bregel @ JonathanBregel.com/coaching In this episode, we sit down with care producer and systems strategist Akima A. Brown, founder of Reel Families for Change, to explore what it means to build creative work environments rooted in care, not just output. Drawing from her experience as a mother, filmmaker, and advocate for more humane industry standards, Akima shares powerful insights on shifting from individual hustle to collective responsibility. Through this grounded conversation, Akima talks candidly about her journey into the film industry, the burnout she witnessed firsthand, and how her role as a caregiver inspired her to reimagine production through a care-driven lens. She introduces the concept of a “Care Producer” and how that role is transforming what’s possible on set, from inclusive scheduling to real-time support for cast and crew. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: How the culture of hustle and overwork is silently pushing creatives out of the industry Why Akima created the role of “Care Producer” and how it’s being implemented on real productions What care-centered production actually looks like, from scheduling to compensation How filmmakers can shift toward collective responsibility without losing creative edge Why belonging, boundaries, and humane standards are essential to sustaining a creative life Akima’s story is a compelling invitation to rethink the way we make films, not just in terms of the product, but in how we treat people along the way. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just starting your journey, this episode will challenge, inspire, and remind you that it’s possible to create meaningful work without sacrificing your well-being. Join the Nourish Community Want to be part of conversations like this in real time? Join the Nourish Community, a space for filmmakers committed to meaningful, sustainable creative lives. 👉 Start your free trial at www.thenourish.community 📸 Follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community And if you’re looking for personalized support, explore one-on-one coaching for filmmakers at JonathanBregel.com/coaching and book a discovery call today!
May 14, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 36: “Taste as a Creative Compass” w/ Cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra
Free Course + Free Community Trial @ www.TheNourish.community Schedule a 1-on-1 coaching Discovery Call at www.JonathanBregel.com/coaching In this episode, we sit down with cinematographer Adam Newport-Berra to explore the often elusive idea of taste; where it comes from, how we sharpen it, and why it matters so deeply to creative work. Known for his emotionally resonant visuals in projects like The Studio, The Bear, Euphoria, and The Last Black Man in San Francisco, Adam brings a grounded and thoughtful perspective to the conversation. Over the course of this dialogue, Adam shares how his personal sensibilities have evolved through years of practice, collaboration, and staying true to his gut. We explore how taste influences the stories we tell, the people we work with, and the culture we contribute to as filmmakers. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: What “taste” actually means for Adam How to develop your own creative compass, instead of imitating what’s trending Why your collaborators influence your taste as much as your inspirations The high cost of perfectionism and rigidity on set Listening as a creative superpower How Adam learned to trust himself more and stress less Adam’s insight is both inspiring and practical, offering filmmakers a clear reminder to listen inward and let that inner compass lead the way. Follow Adam on Instagram: @adamnewportberra Explore his work: adamnewportberra.com Join The Nourish Community for more conversations like this and connect with filmmakers committed to personal and professional growth. Start your free trial at www.TheNourish.community or follow us on Instagram @thenourish.community. Need support on your filmmaking journey? Schedule a 1-on-1 coaching Discovery Call at www.JonathanBregel.com/coaching.
Apr 29, 2025 · 52 min
Episode 35: Pt 2 of 2 - “Embracing Uncertainty & Building Resilience” - Clip Show
Free Course + Free Community Trial @ ⁠www.thenourish.community⁠ Book a 1-on-1 coaching consult w/ Jon Bregel @ ⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/coaching⁠ In Part 2 of our clip show series “Embracing Uncertainty and Building Resilience,” we continue gathering insights from filmmakers who have faced seasons of uncertainty — and came out stronger, wiser, and more intentional. You’ll hear from: Rod Blackhurst, Director (Amanda Knox, Here Alone) on redefining success beyond outside validation: https://www.rodblackhurst.com/ Lindsey Hagen, Oscar qualified Director, Executive Producer and Development Executive with a focus on cause related storytelling, on how filmmaking became a healing process after personal loss: https://lindseyhagen.net/ Diego Contreras, Commercial Director, on pitching, rejection, resilience, and growing through creative reinvention: https://www.thisisdiego.net/ What You’ll Discover in This Episode: How to navigate creative and financial setbacks with grace Why true resilience requires rethinking old definitions of success The emotional side of storytelling — and why it matters more than ever Tools for protecting your well-being while building your career This episode is for anyone feeling the tension between passion and practicality — and for anyone wondering how to keep going when the path feels unclear. Join the Nourish Community: The Nourish Community is a space for filmmakers who want to nurture their creative lives from the inside out. Start your free trial at ⁠www.thenourish.community⁠ and connect with filmmakers who are building careers centered around creativity, wellness, and purpose. Coaching for Filmmakers: If you’re seeking more personal support in navigating your creative and professional path, book a free 30-minute coaching consult at ⁠www.JonathanBregel.com/coaching⁠.
Apr 15, 2025 · 51 min
Episode 34: Pt 1 of 2 - “Embracing Uncertainty & Building Resilience” - Clip Show
Free Course + Free Community Trial @ www.thenourish.community Book a 1-on-1 coaching consult w/ Jon Bregel @ www.JonathanBregel.com/coaching 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.

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