Doc Walks

We're off to Kansas! Or… Ben is. He's flying back to to Lawrence, Kansas, to interview one of his professors from his days at the University of Kansas — Academy Award-winning filmmaker and KU professor Kevin Willmott. Known for co-writing BLACKKKLANSMAN with Spike Lee, Wilmott shares personal stories of his journey from a young creative in Kansas to an Oscar award-winning filmmaker. This one is ja...

This one's a little different… Keith gets off the trail for an old-fashioned sit-down conversation with Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, the acclaimed husband-wife filmmaker duo behind the BOYS STATE and this year's MIDDLETOWN. Jesse and Amanda share insights and highlights from their films, their career, and the challenges and opportunities that come from working together as a married couple and fi...

Acclaimed filmmaker Sandi DuBowski has come to our hometown to present SABBATH QUEEN at Austin Film Society's Doc Days. Twenty-one years in the making, Sandi has grown up with this film… and they're taking the show on the road with dozens of fests, scores of community screenings, and an art house tour to rival any indie film this year. Sandi takes us on a heartfelt exploration of their work, from...

Known for her versatility as a director, producer, showrunner, and distribution advocate, Avril Speaks joins us this week to walk and doc. From her theological start to her producing days on the SXSW award-winning feature JINN, Avril delves into the importance of storytelling, her transition into nonfiction during the pandemic, and her advocacy for better distribution practices. And, she's our fir...

It's a picture perfect spring morning in East Austin, a beautiful walk made better by the presence of our guest, acclaimed filmmaker Kahane Corn Cooperman, in Austin to premier CREEDE, USA, her newest doc. Keith & Ben explore Kahane's illustrious career, from her 1991 Sundance debut with COOL WATER, to her days behind-the-scenes of DAZED AND CONFUSED, through nearly two decades as a producer and E...

The flowers are blooming, Ben's chasing squirrels while Keith eyes the skies over Hyde Park for hawks… oh, and we're talkin' docs. Spring brings up new thoughts about New Media and the docmakers role vs the "influencer's paradise" of Youtube and social media.  This episode steps into Ben & Keith's perspectives on storytelling approaches and the future of media consumption — and we even stop to sme...

Taking it back to the indie film boom of the 90s with super-sales-agent John Sloss of Cinetic Media. Walking through the tree-filled Zilker neighborhood in an escape from SXSW, John shares his career journey from a life-changing pickup basketball game with John Sayles to  longtime associations with film legends like Richard Linklater, John Pierson and Errol Morris. Ben & Keith eat up the stories o...

Drink up the scene like a local as Keith & Ben chat up their fellow Austinites (and a few out of town visitors) at the annual Austin Film Society Parking Lot Party at SXSW. This episode is a veritable smorgasbord of festival conversation including appearances by local filmmakers Cassie Hay, Tracy Frazier & Karen Skloss; festival programmers like Bart Weiss and James Faust; SXSW-premiering CREEDE,...

Walk and talk with ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT director Charlie Shackleton as he recounts the challenges (& opportunities) of bringing a film to new life after losing access to the subject. Ben & Keith explore Charlie's love-hate relationship with true crime and the way his film twists up familiar tropes. Never one to accept creative defeat, Charlie extolls the virtues of having a close collaboration wi...

New York City — Ben takes on the Big Apple and a long walk with filmmaker Matt Wolf, all by himself. This episode features a deep dive into Matt Wolf's career and approach — from his days as a gay teen activist to his new two part series, Pee-wee As Himself, premiering on HBO Max. Matt leads Ben through the streets of the Lower East Side while sharing insights into his unique approach to doc filmm...

With SXSW in full swing, Ben & Keith walk downtown Austin with director Adam Bhala Lough ( Telemarketers )  the day before the premiere of Deep Faking Sam Altman. A prolific filmmaker, Adam shares stories behind the scenes of his new doc, gives tips on pitching, and after spending a year chasing AI pioneer Sam Altman, offers a surprisingly rosy view of the AI landscape.   00:00 Welcome to South by...

Back from Sundance and inspired by Diane Quon's email to Morgan Neville, Ben & Keith discuss the impact of seeking career guidance in their early days as doc-makers. Join us for a walk around Austin's Ladybird Lake and a lively conversation about outreach and insights for aspiring and established documentary filmmakers alike.  00:00 Starting the Journey: Back to Where It All Began 00:14 Post-Sunda...

It's Ben's first time in Park City, and despite the freezing temps, he and Keith take to Main Street to kickoff the indie film calendar-year, exploring the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Man-on-the-street interviews capture the vibrant atmosphere as Ben & Keith seek intel and advice from filmmakers, volunteers, and festival-goers alike. Listen for candid encounters with Frank Mosley, Russell Wayne G...

In this episode of Doc Walks, Ben & Keith duck out of the freezing temperatures of Park City for a warm and cozy indoor sit-down with Academy Award-nominated producer Diane Quon. A personal story of determination, Diane shares her inspiring journey from marketing executive to Academy Award-nominated documentary producer. From acclaimed films like 'Minding the Gap,' and 'Breaking the News,' to her...

Step into 'Doc Walks' with indie filmmakers Keith Maitland and Ben Steinbauer as they kick off this walk & talk podcast with a pilot episode focused on their documentary origins, storytelling motivations, personal frailties, and a few bird sightings. Tune in for candid conversations, industry insights, and the ambient sounds of Austin's hike and bike trail. From The Bear and Go Valley comes the sh...