Documentary First

In this episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor sits down with filmmaker Peter Kelly to explore his remarkable journey from his Mississippi roots to documenting the rich cultural and maritime history of Salt Cay in the Turks and Caicos. Peter reflects on how growing up in a small Mississippi community shaped his storytelling sensibilities, his love of history, and the creative instinc...

In this episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor interviews acclaimed documentary filmmaker, writer, photographer, and cultural documentarian Alan Govenar —a storyteller with a 44-year career devoted to preserving overlooked American lives and histories. The conversation centers on Govenar’s powerful film Quiet Voices in a Noisy World , which examines the struggle for change in Jasper,...

Susan Lacy —the iconic creator of PBS’s American Masters and one of the most influential voices in biographical documentary filmmaking joins us. From her early roots in journalism to building a landmark series that reshaped cultural storytelling on public television, Lacy shares the real behind-the-scenes truth of what it took to launch American Masters , fight for ambitious filmmaking, and evolve...

In this episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor welcomes back Emmy-nominated director and producer Nicholas (Nick) Bruckman for his third visit to the show. Together, they pull back the curtain on the real world of documentary filmmaking—from getting into top festivals like Sundance and Tribeca, to navigating labs and markets, to landing a doc on Netflix. Nick shares how his early nar...

In this episode of Documentary First, Christian sits down with filmmaker Jessica Levin, co-director and producer of the Critics Choice Documentary Awards in the Best Music Documentary-nominated HBO documentary Billy Joel: And So It Goes. Jessica shares what it was like to tell the story of Billy Joel—not just as a legendary musician, but as a human being full of depth, contradiction, humor, and he...

In this episode of Documentary First , return guest filmmaker Elise Jaffe , first-time director of documentary project: UnScarred , and special guest, Stacie Rae Weir , a tattoo artist and breast-cancer previvor featured in the film join us! UnScarred explores how survivors of trauma and illness—those living with scars from breast cancer, self-harm, and other life-altering experiences—reclaim thei...

In this episode of Documentary First, filmmaker Josh Roush opens up about his deeply personal journey creating the documentary Long Lonesome Highway, a heartfelt tribute to legendary actor Michael Parks. Josh reflects on his friendship with Parks, the creative decisions behind the film, and the challenges of navigating distribution, budgeting, and fair use of archival footage. The conversation div...

In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor opens up with heartfelt personal updates and reflections on the journey of documentary filmmaking. Fresh off a moving trip to Normandy, Christian is joined by team members Peyton Rabb and Todd Anderson to share stories, challenges, and unforgettable moments from the experience. Together, they explore how veterans continue to impact younge...

In Part 2 of our crossover with MovieRob Minute WWII veteran Ceo Bauer (95th Infantry Division, “Iron Men of Metz”) continues his powerful story. At 102 years old, Ceo reflects on forgiveness, receiving his Purple Heart, and returning decades later to the battlefields of Metz and Luxembourg. He explains the mystery of WWII “invasion money,” shares how he first met Christian Taylor—sparking the jou...

In this powerful crossover episode, Christian Taylor joins Rob of MovieRob Minute to introduce a very special guest: Ceo Bauer , a 102-year-old WWII veteran of the 95th Infantry Division, 377th Infantry Regiment, I Company—better known as the “Iron Men of Metz.” Rob begins by asking Ceo about Saving Private Ryan : what he thought of its accuracy, whether it stirred memories, and how Hollywood comp...

In Part 2 of this special Movie Rob Minute episode, Christian and Corey Johnson continue their conversation with Rob about Saving Private Ryan, diving into the intricacies of Corey's role on set, military bonds, and reflections on the powerful themes of Spielberg’s war epic. From detailed behind-the-scenes tales to touching insights on military brotherhood and trauma bonding, this episode brings i...

In Part 2 of this powerful interview, Emmy-winning producer Steve Cohen reflects on his 50-year journey with Billy Joel and the collaborative heart behind the HBO documentary And So It Goes. A masterclass in storytelling, legacy, and the quiet strength of those behind the scenes. DocuView Déjà Vu : The Kid Stays In The Picture, 2002, 93 mins, Watch on Amazon Prime, IMDB Link: The Kid Stays in the...

In this profoundly moving first installment of a two-part episode, Documentary First host Christian Taylor interviews Steve Cohen , Billy Joel’s longtime creative director and the executive producer of the new HBO docuseries Billy Joel: And So It Goes . Steve Cohen, the executive producer, shares his journey from lighting stages to producing emotional documentaries, emphasizing the collaborative e...

In this episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor sits down with Finnish film composer Panu Aaltio to dive into the fascinating world of film scoring. From his early days as a cello player to becoming a successful composer for films and documentaries, Panu shares his unique journey and the challenges and joys of crafting music for the screen. The conversation explores the intricate rela...

In this special Documentary First episode, Christian steps off the beaten path to share an exciting guest appearance on the Movie Rob Minute podcast. Christian is joined by her college friend and actor Corey Johnson to dive into a Saving Private Ryan minute, making it even more special since Corey played a role in the film! Christian thought it would be a lot of fun to bring Corey along, and she w...

In this episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor and co-host Hunter Taylor are joined by Josh Nowell and Jim Rasberry, the dynamic duo behind The Heirloom Hotel & Cooking School in Laurel, Mississippi. They discuss the transformative power of storytelling, being on HGTV's Hometown, and community revitalization. As serial entrepreneurs, Josh and Jim share their journey of creating T...

In this episode, Hollywood actor Corey Johnson takes us behind the scenes of his dynamic career, sharing powerful insights from working alongside acting legends like Anthony Hopkins. From his early days in theater to conquering the big screen, Corey reveals the evolution of his craft and the unique challenges of transitioning from stage to film. He opens up about the unsung elements of filmmaking—...

Ever wonder how a college theater kid makes it big as a Hollywood character actor and renowned documentary narrator ? This episode is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the art of acting and the magic of storytelling. We sit down with Corey Johnson , whose extensive career spans blockbuster films, acclaimed TV series, and compelling voiceover work, for a candid conversation about his creative...

What happens when a Hollywood star stands up to sexual harassment on set? In this episode, entertainment lawyer Anne Easton joins us to unravel the legal and ethical firestorm sparked by Blake Lively’s recent case. Blake Lively made headlines by accusing her It Ends With Us co-star and director, Justin Baldoni , of sexual harassment — and then faced an alleged smear campaign in retaliation . Anne...

Get ready to ride shotgun through Hollywood’s wild side! In this electrifying episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with Greg Fitzpatrick—a stuntman who’s doubled for Ben Stiller and even put his skills to the test for Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man. Greg's no-nonsense journey from ditching law school to becoming an award-winning daredevil in Tinseltown is full of raw, behin...

In this exciting episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor welcomes Anne Easton, a brilliant entertainment lawyer and creative, to the team! Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and a powerhouse combination of legal expertise, creative insight, and deep industry experience to the table. In this lively conversation, they dive into the often-overlooked but crucial role of legal advice in doc...

Are you fascinated by the power of storytelling and the secrets behind captivating documentaries? If you’re into deep dives into reality TV, the creative process, and the art of balancing hard-hitting truths with compelling narratives, this episode is for you. Join host Christian Taylor and visionary documentary filmmaker Eric Gardner as they unpack the making of Confessions of a CEO: My Life in a...

In this episode of Documentary First , host Christian Taylor sits down with filmmakers Abby Ginzberg and Christy Carpenter to discuss their latest documentary, Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter . The film explores the remarkable legacy of Liz Carpenter—a journalist, author, and women's rights advocate who broke barriers as the press secretary for First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Carp...

In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor engages with filmmakers Abby Ginzberg and Christy Carpenter about their documentary "Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter." The conversation explores Liz Carpenter's legacy as a trailblazer in journalism and politics, the personal journeys of getting into directing, and the collaborative process of producing the documentary....

In this episode of Documentary First, host Christian Taylor sits down with seasoned media professional Teddy Cannon, whose 25+ years in the industry span politics, entertainment, and documentary filmmaking. Teddy shares his journey growing up in a foreign service family, transitioning from in front of the camera to behind it, and his deep dive into the world of archival production. They explore th...