The Her Voice Podcast

We are wrapping up the season with our 35th episode and some of our biggest and most favorite takeaways of episodes past. We're also talking to the lovely writer and director, Tara Miele. We jump right in to learn about her process and how Miele has been navigating the industry since her early days in school and screening her first ever short film at Slamdance. We talk about the moment she started to feel seen as a female filmmaker, where she met her husband, and the balance she strikes between writing and directing her own feature films and directing episodic television. In her latest film Wander Darkly, starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna, she depicts a couple that "felt like the best of times and the worst of times" and explains how through the lens of grief and loss she hopes to open people up to a shared sense of humanity and understanding. Miele leaves us with several apropos pieces of wisdom, and one that feels particularly fitting to close: "Time is short, your voice is essential, and you have to use it now." Thank you to our listeners for your support and we hope you enjoyed these past 35 conversations as much as we did.Follow Tara Miele on Social Media: Instagram: @tara_mieleTwitter: @taramiele Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

The Co-Founders of our very own Mammoth Film Festival™ make a special visit to the studio for episode 34 to discuss how we all got here in the first place! Tanner Beard and Tomik Mansoori are a dynamic duo to say the least, and in this conversation we learn about how their pasts have brought them together to converge at a uniquely complementary center point. Mansoori's past in experiential marketing coupled with Beard's success as a filmmaker on the festival scene around the world has provided them both with valuable perspective from which to build the base of their shared vision in Mammoth. They love a healthy challenge and this is abundantly clear in all of their ventures together! We discuss what they look for in film submissions, why it felt important to create a female filmmaker initiative in Her Voice, and where they'd like to see the festival in years to come. We also reflect upon how working together as a team has opened our minds as creatives in our industry and as humans who share the passion to create and showcase content that serves to both move and unite its audience. Follow Tanner, Tomik, and Mammoth Film Festival™ on Social Media: Instagram: @tannerbeard @tomikm @mammothfilmfestival Twitter: @tannerbeard @tomikmansoori @MammothFFFacebook: @mammothfilmfestival Website: https://www.mammothfilmfestival.org/ Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Episode 33 brings us the very gifted writer, producer, and showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer (Queen America, Fear the Walking Dead). She's a true original when it comes to her voice and her work, and isn't afraid to explore and portray things exactly as they are behind the curtain of the status quo. From script to screen, she is clear in her purpose and powerful in her ability to manifest the right people and circumstances to be able to develop female driven stories about mental health, relationships, and generational trauma. We talk about what it's like to write sex scenes for your husband, the importance of having a disciplined approach to her craft, and how representation in the White House is related to representation in Hollywood. She is currently adapting the novel "Tell Me Lies" for Hulu, with Emma Roberts' Belletrist and Her Voice alumna Laura Lewis at Rebelle Media producing. Oppenheimer's intelligence is interwoven through just about everything she touches, as is evidenced by this interview, with equal parts sophistication and a wicked sense of humor layered throughout. Follow Meaghan on Social Media: Instagram: @moppyoppenheimer Twitter: @MoppyOpps Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

For episode 32, we sit down with the multitalented, Theo Dumont. Dumont is managing partner at Alta Global Media and the Co-Founder/Co-Director of the Oscar-Qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival and co-founder of the Mammoth Film Festival as well as the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival. He walks us through his transition to Los Angeles from his early years as a publicist in Miami Beach and explains what originally drew him into this profession. He also tells us about the impetus for starting Hollyshorts and how it's changed since the dawning of the fully virtual festival experience. We discuss the necessary changes and pivots that continue to take place in the current political climate and get curious about Dumont's plans to expand further into developing and producing future projects himself. From before and especially since the successful premiere of BlacKkKlansman at Cannes with his client and mentor, Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee, Dumont has been steadily walking on solid ground. Follow Theo on Social Media: Instagram: @iamtheodumontTwitter: @theodumont Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Actress, director, and producer Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, This is Us) joins us for episode 31 and takes us behind the scenes of her television directorial debut for HBO's Euphoria. Her work ethic, determination, and passion are just a few of the reasons she's had the career path she has, and these qualities have made it easy for the people around her to bet on who she is as a person and an artist in lieu of a long track record as a director. This has clearly paid off in spades as she continues to find ways to overcome intimidation and move forward with every new challenge. She talks about finding the balance with acting and directing, how she navigates different kinds of energy on set, and how important it is to have a DP in your corner. She also speaks about the responsibility we have as artists to dream up possible positive futures and to imagine solutions on the other side of conflict as a culture and a society. She stresses the importance of community and love as integral to what we do. "There's a different level of exceptional that you have to reach for if you're going to tell a story with a happy ending," says Morrison - and that's a pretty accurate description of where she is living at the present in this conversation. Follow Jennifer on Social Media: Instagram & Twitter: @jennifermorrison Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

We're ringing in episode 30 with the multi-talented Director/Producer (along with actor, violinist, dancer), Milena Govich. Since taking a one way ticket from Oklahoma to NYC, and landing on Broadway very shortly thereafter, she has taken a number of impressive pivots in her career. From getting her break in Broadway's Cabaret to starring as the only female detective on the original Law and Order series AKA "the only chick with a gun", Govich made her mark as an actor. She also knew she had a desire to direct, and has since pivoted full time after gaining acceptance into AFI's Directing Workshop for Women, where she continued on to build a body of work as a professional director on shows like Chicago Med and FBI (where she served as it's Producing Director). Govich expresses never falling out of love with anything and instead becoming more curious and clear about additional pursuits--the importance of surrounding herself with people who encourage this type of expansion and collaboration is crucial in her opinion. For the romantics out there, she originally met her composer husband while singing his music and she shares how they work together to bolster one other and push past their comfort zones. At the end of the day, Govich believes that limiting beliefs are just that, and she hopes her journey encourages other people to take big risks and lead with love. Follow Milena on Social Media: Instagram & Twitter: @milenagovich Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Veteran executive and producer, Erica Huggins, sits down with us for episode 29 to discuss her successive rise in the entertainment industry, what her time was like as President of Imagine Entertainment, and her current role as President of Seth MacFarlane's Fuzzy Door Productions. Starting with the dream of making documentaries that quickly led to her debut as a young film editor, Huggins soon expanded into producing. Growing up in LA and raised by two shrinks, the groundwork had already been laid for the development of her distinct voice and poignant point of view. She shares with us the types of changes she has implemented in the culture both at work and on screen, and reveals the key attributes she looks for when scouting emerging talent. Huggins believes in fostering an undercurrent of trust in the people she surrounds herself with more than anything else, which has proven to create an ever expanding bubble of possibility and open-mindedness. Make no doubt, she is at the forefront of making positive change in these unprecedented times. To top it off, she also happens to make a damn good cup of coffee. Follow Erica on Social Media: Instagram: @ericashuggins @fuzzydoor Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Carina Adly MacKenzie, former journalist turned scribe for the television screen, stands firm in her integrity as a female pushing boundaries in our industry and in her ability to defend anything that has her name on it. As the creator and previous showrunner of the reboot, Roswell, New Mexico, she sits down with us to have her first public conversation since exiting the CW series. She shares why learning to pick your battles is a crucial skill in this political climate, how to "kill your darlings", and the challenge in maintaining personal boundaries when you pour your heart and soul into writing a character. MacKenzie goes into further depth about how there were certain things she felt she just could not budge on, such as the importance of accurately portraying casual racism and always ensuring that her writers room was filled with as many diverse voices as possible to tell life as it is from the minds of those living it. She opens up about her own personal marginalization, acknowledges the inherent privilege in her ability to walk away, and why she doesn't feel guilty about any of her pleasures. The only regret she does have about leaving Roswell is that any part of her positive experience may have been twisted into something negative, which is something she would never sign off on. Follow Carina on Social Media:Instagram and Twitter: @cadlymack Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Sujata Day (The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, Insecure) is here with us for episode 27 and brings with her no shortage of knowledge and inspiration. Fresh from directing her first feature (Definition Please), Day explains to us the perks of writing for, directing, and finding a way to fund and raise money for her own projects. She's had several doors open from the film festival circuit, Sundance in particular, now serving as a Sundance Collab advisor. Showcasing more than a few perks that come along with having her own skin in the game as a filmmaker, she makes it a point to banish any belief in possible missteps. She's had several projects lead her in directions she never saw coming and is now an HBO visionary ambassador for Asian American filmmakers. You can even find her on the stage as part of the Asian AF improv group at UCB in her spare time. She may not look Indian enough to book Indian roles according to Hollywood's standard (a ridiculous notion), but she's certainly not letting that deter her in any way from utilizing her voice and effecting change in a lasting way. Follow Sujata on Social Media: Instagram: @sujatadayWebsite: https://www.SujataDay.com/ Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.org The Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Episode 26 drops in with very lauded former costume designer turned burgeoning director, Courtney Hoffman. We listen as she explains how she worked her way up from the bottom of the costume department to eventually lead the department on sets such as The Hateful Eight, Captain Fantastic, and Baby Driver. We discuss her directorial debut short, The Good Time Girls, the grueling process of actually getting a film made, and empathize around her process of realizing she wanted to be a director (especially after working on 40 films, 38 of which were directed by men). We ask about the new database for female filmmakers, Free The Bid, what it's been like for her to witness the legend that is Alma Har'el in action, and the disparity between talking about pushing gender parity forward and actually making it a reality. At last, Hoffman makes it clear she doesn't classify herself as someone who just makes art for art's sake. By "creating characters with a cultural pervasiveness that really penetrate society" there is a unique opportunity to further familiarize herself with this intersection of art and commerce - a place where female filmmakers will undoubtedly continue to make themselves quite at home. Follow Courtney on Social Media: Instagram: @courtneydirectsTwitter: @courtneydirects Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.org The Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Laura Lewis joins us in episode 25 for an eye opening and frank conversation about female representation and inclusivity across the board. Rebelle Media is a female forward multimedia company for bold storytellers whose mission is to put women and girls at the heart of their narratives. Lewis is the founder and CEO of Rebelle, along with being a founding member of Time's Up, an executive member and former board member of Women in Film, and a proud mentor to aspiring filmmakers and entertainment industry executives. We talk about the need for women to be able to harness economic power and ask for what they're worth. At the end of the day, the entertainment industry is a business and the bottom line matters. The fact that men have far more access to capital means they are largely in control of what gets made and how. How people are positioned on screen infiltrates brains on a global scale. This is one of the largest hurdles facing women in our collective journeys to date. Taking a bet on herself and having a strong voice within this industry, Lewis continues to push the needle forward for representation on screen and off. Follow Rebelle Media on Social Media: Instagram: @rebelle_media Website: https://www.rebelle-media.com/ Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.org The Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

In episode 24, we're doing something a little different as we talk to empowerment activist, Andrea Quinn. As a life and business coach, she is an expert in facilitating the conversation around women and our ability to be resilient and persevere. Since starting her business in 2006, Quinn has put together nine tools (The Quinn Essentials) to awaken greatness and allow women to sustainably live in their power. She explains that although these times may feel uncertain, the truth is that nothing has ever been certain and that our greatest tools for navigation have always been our intuition and gut instincts. The challenge, of course, is to learn how to listen to these internal cues independent of hesitation or doubt. In this episode you'll get insights from Quinn, as she is committed to stopping unhelpful narratives of the mind and instead refocusing attention to a healthy relationship to ourselves. We talk about fear, money and our relationship to it, a new way of self-acceptance and how to align ourselves with the abundance and happiness we crave - especially when we learn to trust ourselves and support one another as a unified front. Follow Andrea on Social Media: Instagram: @andreaquinncoaching Website: https://thequinnessentials.com/ Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Episode 23 graces us with the major talent and old soul that is Canadian born director and actor, Karena Evans. We begin by hearing about her hands on, practical and driven approach to directing music videos. Her innate understanding of story, combined with a desire to learn how to communicate that technically, propelled her to take a significant leap of faith by seeking out renowned Director X early on. She quickly gained an internship, and through understanding his process, was able to break into the scene and establish herself. Having directed videos for artists like Drake and Coldplay, and with her career expanding into film and TV, she explains - "I don't really consider myself an activist, however I do feel that art is a form of activism, and we need to continue telling the stories that we're interested in telling, and tell the stories that will move humanity forward." In this episode you'll learn how Evan's "inherently black, inherently female" perspective is expanding the female gaze, why representation is so important, and the strength in her commitment to authentic storytelling. Follow Karena on Social Media: Instagram: @karenaevans Website: https://karenaevans.com Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Episode 22 with return guest, Tara Wood, is a round two worth listening to for a myriad of reasons. Wood has carved out a very unique path for herself as a documentary filmmaker. She has a knack for picking out fascinating subjects and arriving at deeper truths. From Linklater, to Tarantino, to (shhh... it's a secret) next on the docket - Wood has found a multitude of compelling ways to humanize larger than life figures, who we usually only find behind the camera. An artist from a young age, she planted seeds that today have grown into her very own Wood Entertainment. We delve into what kind of criteria has driven her along this path, circle back to the Harvey in the equation, and explore what it means to acquire and distribute a film after it's been made. "I've overcome a lot because I've stared it in the face and kept going", she says. Wood's interview is a strong reminder of the power of persistence, how to be an effective advocate for women, and one's innately valuable ability to press on. Follow Tara on Social Media: Instagram: @woodentertainmentfilms Twitter: @TaraWood66Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Episode 21 cashes in with all around boss lady Shiri Appleby. We all know her from shows like Roswell and Unreal, but her formidable career as a director is the main focus here, along with the mindful co-creation of her gorgeous and loving family with partner and restauranteur, Jon Shook. Although she started working at the tender age of 3, it wasn't until her thirties that she saw a feasible first hand image of a female director. Up until that point, she had envisioned herself marrying a director, not becoming one herself - and this is the turning point where things get very interesting! We discuss how being an actor is an entrepreneurial pursuit, how her relationship to directing has evolved throughout the years, and the specific quirks that have helped her direct herself in the moments when these two paths have intersected. This conversation reveals most specifically the importance of being mindful and intentional with ones goals, and why the word "no" can be a valuable gift and even more fuel for the creative fire.Follow Shiri on Social Media:Instagram: @shiriapplebyTwitter: @ShiriAppleby Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.orgThe Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

One could definitely argue that our guest, Kandyse McClure, and our 20th episode is arriving with a little divine timing. We've seen our world go from lockdown to mobilization in a matter of days since the death of George Floyd. We've witnessed a worldwide expression of outrage at the senseless killing of yet another unarmed black human being. McClure, herself, is at her core a deeply soulful and talented artist. She exemplifies strength, grace, and dignity in a conversation with us that unknowingly precluded the recent explosion of the #blacklivesmatter movement. Like many others, we took a necessary break this past week to listen and reflect, while learning new ways to support and amplify melanated voices. It is our honor to continue to educate ourselves and to have had the pleasure of hearing about just what is driving South African born McClure these days. Aside from being on one of the most critically acclaimed television series of all time (Battlestar Galactica) and many others, she has an even broader and very clear vision for the kind of message she wants her voice to deliver. Ubuntu, listeners.... and... "brace for impact". Follow Kandyse on Social Media:Instagram: @kandysemcclureTwitter: @kandysemcclure Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando @blairbomar @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomarFacebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.org The Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by ActionPark Media.

Episode 19 gives us plenty of insight with actor and filmmaker, Mark Kassen, as he discusses his many endeavors - encompassing not only film and television, but also the tech world, healthcare, and even politics, as of late. He describes the through line of his career as the maximization of voice and intrinsically merges many tools of technological empowerment to carry out his and others' visions. Kassen's company, Like Minded Media Ventures, focuses on true stories, social causes, and science- bridging the gap between art and technology. This company remains in line with Kassen's crusade and allows him to continue to evolve as both a creative and a business mind. "What are the barriers for entry moving forward?", he asks. This is the question at the helm of his operation that he is continually and impressively tackling in a myriad of different of ways. @markkassenhttps://www.lmeproductions.comhttps://www.covidhelpnetwork.com Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando, @blairbomar, @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomar Facebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.org

In Episode 18 we're talking to Ashley Greene Khoury as she explains how her career has evolved since moving to Hollywood at the age of 17. Fresh from Jacksonville, FL, she dove into the acting scene and in only two short years landed a role in one of the biggest movie franchises in the world, Twilight. Past that life changing role, Ashley made it a priority to develop her voice and maintain creative control over her choices as an actress by staying in alignment with projects she believes in. We listen as she tells us why the set of Bombshell was unlike any other and she explains how the continuing shift in the industry, along with her own beliefs about self-love and self-image, have empowered her to honor her truest self. We learn about Ashley's healthy work/life balance with her husband, Paul, how she maintains a healthy outlook, and how she pays it forward by continuing to support and empower those around her. Most impressively, she's made it a point to be involved with different charities in order to be a voice for women who don't have the privilege of being able to use their own. Instagram: @ashleygreeneTwitter: @AshleyMGreenehttps://www.a21.org

Stef Fink is the founder of Music Box, a female forward music solutions company providing full music services including original music for film, tv, and brands including things like Major League Baseball and the recent documentary UNBANNED: The Legend of AJ1. Episode 17 takes a look behind the scenes of Fink's music production as she explains how she chooses her projects and walks us through the process of finding a vast array of musical solutions in the entertainment industry. She began singing opera at the age of 5 and has gone on to bridge her creative and business mind by leveraging her capital and voraciously creating opportunity for herself and those around her. Shockingly, or not shockingly, females in the music industry represent a very small fraction of the overall talent pool and Fink is on her way to making a significant dent in this statistic. For more on Stef Fink: www.musicbox.laInstagram: @stefdoesstuff, @musicboxlany Follow Alex & Blair & #TheHerVoicePodcast on Social Media: Instagram: @achando, @blairbomar, @hervoicemfsTwitter: @alexandrachando @blairbomar Facebook: @hervoicemfsEmail: hervoice@mammothfilmfestival.org The Her Voice Podcast is in association with Mammoth Media Institute and produced by Actionpark Media.

Episode 16 is a double banger walking us down the star-aligned path of friendship between artists Inbar Lavi (Imposters, Lucifer) and Kelly Walker (My Fiona, Swamp Thing). Respectively hailing from Israel and Australia, these two ladies grew up worlds apart, but upon meeting they realized they had far more in common than first meets the eye. Their friendship has continued to thrive in support of each other's artistic endeavors, serving as mirrors for one another - sometimes challenging, but always with the common goal of emboldening their highest selves and holding each other accountable to continue to reach for their dreams. In a city where these kinds of relationships aren't always easy to come by, listening to them speak about their experiences thus far, both unique and similar, reminds us that love is expansive and comes in many different forms.