Mission Matters Entertainment with Adam Torres

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Blair Avery, writer and director at BlairAvery.com, about his mission to make films that truly matter. Blair shares how a childhood experience with a Chronicles of Narnia adaptation sparked his calling to direct, why he believes modern entertainment has lost much of its emotional and spiritual substance, and how he’s approaching the Americ...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Timothy Chizmar⁠, President of SpookyNinjaKitty Media, about his journey from feeling like an outsider at the American Film Market to screening his feature film, “Naked As Created: The Pastor Jim Moore Story.” Tim shares how a real-life story of a nudist pastor inspired a bold, faith-centered film, what it took to complete production du...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres sits down with Tim Levy, Founder & CEO of TWYN, and Philip Alberstat, Emmy-winning producer, entertainment lawyer, and author. Together, they explore how AI is transforming film development, talent economics, digital avatars, and the creator economy. The conversation highlights how creators can adapt, harness AI tools, and protect their long-term val...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Abraam Mikhael⁠, Co-Founder, Artistic Director & Filmmaker at the Hollywood Arab Film Festival. Abraam talks about his journey from pharmacy and clinical work to film school and festival leadership, and how his Arab, Christian, immigrant background shapes his storytelling. He also shares the mission behind the festival—to bring authenti...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Hungyu Kuo⁠, Founder, Producer, Writer & Director of Angels Near Death. Hungyu shares the story behind his debut feature, which follows six strangers in Los Angeles as they each face a near-death experience that transforms their lives. He explains how the film reflects his own fears and hopes as a newcomer to Hollywood, how he financed...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Cynthia Hudson⁠, Founder & President of HI Media Partners (Hudson International Media, LLC.). Cynthia shares her journey from reporter and producer at WLTV to senior leadership roles at Telemundo, Hearst, and CNN en Español, where she helped launch channels, rebrand networks, and champion documentaries. Now building her own company—and...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Isha Chhabra⁠, CEO of GlobalGlowFilms, as part of the AFM 2025 series. Isha shares how she began her career as an actress in India, then moved to Los Angeles to build her own production company when traditional paths didn’t fit her vision. She talks about launching GlobalGlowFilms, collaborating with Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman o...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres  interviews Briana Evigan, CEO & Co-founder of Abundant Village. Briana shares her journey from a successful Hollywood career to living in Zimbabwe and building community-driven projects that address clean water, food, education, healthcare, and energy in villages connected to vital ecosystems. Through Abundant Village, she focuses on “the human face...

On Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Schuyler Moore, Partner at Greenberg Glusker and author of ⁠The Biz, 6th Edition: The Basic Business, Legal and Financial Aspects of the Film Industry in a Digital World⁠. Schuyler explains how film financing really works, the impact of changing tax laws and tariffs, and why AI and digital disruption are reshaping Hollywood’s business model. He also share...

In this episode of Mission Matters, ⁠⁠Adam Torres⁠⁠ welcomes ⁠⁠Kasey Ma⁠⁠, Founder and CEO of Untamed Agency. They discuss Kasey's unique journey from studying economics at NYU to becoming a fashion influencer and ultimately founding her own influencer marketing agency. Kasey shares insights about the mission of her agency, her experiences as an Asian-American influencer, and the significance of t...

On Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews ⁠Daniel⁠ & ⁠Laz Núñez⁠, Filmmakers at The Brothers Núñez, about their feature The Magnificent Méndez—from classical inspirations (Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, Greek tragedy) to hands-on indie production, casting, and distribution plans—all in service of telling human, Miami-rooted stories. Follow Adam on Instagram at ⁠https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/⁠...

On this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Paul Barry, Ikigai Whisperer at Dreaming for a Living. Paul shares the inspiration behind his new comedy-magic show Continuum, weaving together storytelling, illusion, and the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai to help audiences rediscover purpose and joy. Get tickets to the show at The Illusion Magic Lounge in Santa Monica on October 1st and 2...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews RJ Williams, Founder & CEO of Young Hollywood. RJ shares how he built Young Hollywood as a digital-first media brand, why creators now rival studios in influence, and how AI is transforming content discovery and production. He explains why he sees today as the most exciting time in media since the creation of television. This interview is par...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Sherri Miles, President & CEO of Miles Roofing, Inc., and upcoming speaker at the State of the Woman 2025 Conference. Sherri shares insights from her career as a fourth-generation roofing contractor, the importance of reframing language around leadership, and how mentorship and culture drive lasting impact in business. This interview is part...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Elisabeth Ness, Co-Founder of Good Porpoise Productions and Co-Creator of Lady Kings of Texas. Elisabeth discusses her work with Take the Lead Women, her fellowship experience, and her belief that our unique attributes are our true superpowers. She also shares how her production company and feature film aim to tell socially conscious stories...

In this Mission Matters episode, Adam Torres interviews Samantha Harte, author, podcast host, coach, and sober mom of two. Samantha opens up about her path from addiction and perfectionism to spiritual healing, sharing the tools she uses to help clients break negative thought patterns and embrace recovery as a lifelong journey. Her book, Breaking the Circuit, offers a reimagined roadmap for anyone...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Kit Gray⁠, President & Co-Founder of PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC). Kit discusses the company’s growth from its early days to becoming a major player in the podcasting space. He shares insights on monetization trends, the rise of video podcasts, the importance of creator communities, and how PodcastOne is innovating with live events, scripted...

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews Marina Arsenijevic, an internationally celebrated pianist and composer. She recounts her powerful journey from war-torn Yugoslavia to the global stage, culminating in the debut of her new composition, Tesla Rhapsody, at the PowerUp Conference. Marina discusses how music helped her preserve identity, foster peace, and bridge cultures in way...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Aly Palmer⁠ and ⁠Elizabeth Ziff⁠ of the indie-pop trio ⁠BETTY⁠. The conversation dives into the band’s creative evolution, their ⁠11th album “EAT”⁠, and their unique role in the PowerUp Conference, where they'll lead a collaborative songwriting session focused on empowerment and commitment. From their decades-long sisterhood to their ongoi...

In this episode of Mission Matters,⁠ Adam Torres⁠ welcomes ⁠Michele Weldon⁠, an editor, director, author, journalist, and part of the Take the Lead initiative. The discussion covers Weldon's extensive background in media, her ongoing commitment to gender equity, and her role in promoting the upcoming Power Up Conference in Washington, D.C. on August 25th and 26th. Weldon shares insights on discern...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews AJ Catoline, Emmy-winning editor for AppleTV+’s Ted Lasso, contributor to Cinemontage Magazine, and member of IATSE 700. AJ shares how he’s navigating the slowdown in Hollywood, why federal tax incentives are crucial for American storytelling, and how resilience and advocacy are shaping the future of entertainment. This interview is part of...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Alicia Ontiveros⁠, Owner of Veros Inc. and host of the Unsolicited podcast. Alicia shares how her experience with Take the Lead’s leadership program helped her leave her corporate career to pursue filmmaking—and how courage, community, and creative action continue to drive her mission. This episode is sponsored by ⁠Take The Lead Women. ⁠ F...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Nati Katz⁠, Show Host of TLV:NYC on Channel 10. Nati shares his journey from PR to prime-time news and the creation of Israel’s first all-business network—broadcasting from both Wall Street and Tel Aviv. The conversation dives into narrative-building, international collaboration, and the power of purpose-driven media. This interview is par...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Alexis Hatchett⁠, Creative Executive at Queens Collective Media (in association with Blue Shore Films). From the ripple effects of Hollywood's production stall to the rise of female-led documentaries, Alexis sheds light on the industry's transformation and her mission to spotlight voices that matter. This interview is part of the Milken Gl...

In this Mission Matters episode, ⁠Adam Torres⁠ interviews ⁠Valeria Sweet⁠, actress and filmmaker, about her lead role in 51/50, a psychological feature film in production. Recorded at Cinequest in San Jose, the conversation explores Valeria’s approach to portraying mental illness with authenticity, her collaborative work on the script, and the personal mission behind her storytelling. Follow Adam...