The Nourish Podcast

Episode 24 of the Nourish Podcast features award-winning director and writer Rod Blackhurst on the topic of "Behind the Glamour: Navigating the Highs, Lows, and Realities of a Filmmaker’s Journey." In this episode, we sit down with Rod to explore the often-hidden challenges of building a career in the film industry. Despite his critically acclaimed work on films like *Here Alone*, which won the Au...

Episode 23 of the Nourish podcast features renowned wildlife director/cinematographer Andy Casagrande on the topic of "Navigating Family Life and Career Fulfillment in Film.” In this episode, we sit down with Andy to explore the unique challenges and rewards of balancing a demanding career in filmmaking with family life. Whether you are a wildlife filmmaker or not, there is much inspiration to be...

Formerly the Variable podcast, The Nourish Podcast sparks soulful conversations with filmmakers exploring the intertwining paths of creativity, wellness, and purpose. In Episode 22, co-hosts Ien Chi and Jon Bregel delve into the journey of rebranding from Variable to Nourish. This episode highlights their personal experiences with career burnout and the motivations behind the rebrand, offering ins...

Episode 21 of the Variable Podcast features director Miles Jay on the topic of “Thriving after early-career Burnout” Podcast Description: Join us for an in-depth conversation with acclaimed director Miles Jay as we explore the topic of "Thriving After Early-Career Burnout." In this discussion, community co-host Jon Bregel engages Miles in a candid conversation about his journey through t...

Join us as we explore the world of side-hustles, freelancing, and career choices with cinematographer Patrick O'Sullivan, creator of WanderingDP. In this discussion, community co-host Jon Bregel delves into Patrick's strategies for integrating side projects into a freelance career, highlighting how they can enhance skills, expand networks, and provide stability during slow periods. Discove...

Join Variable founder & filmmaker Jon Bregel and cinematographer Jared Levy as they casually discuss the topic "navigating towards more fulfilling work." Delve into their personal journeys, insights, and observations in this candid exploration of the challenges and revelations faced in the world of filmmaking. Jared Levy is a cinematographer based in NYC. Jared is also the host of th...

Episode 17 of the Variable Podcast features filmmaker Lindsey Hagen on the topic of "Creative Recovery: Filmmaking as a Therapeutic Process" Podcast Description: Join filmmaker and Gnarly Bay 's Head of Development Lindsey Hagen in conversation as we explore her journey and how filmmaking became a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery. Listeners will gain insight into Hagen&#3...

Join Variable founder & filmmaker Jon Bregel and episode co-host cinematographer Jared Levy as they discuss "becoming jaded as a filmmaker." Delve into their personal journeys, insights, and observations in this candid exploration of the challenges and revelations faced in the world of filmmaking. About Our Guest: Jared Levy is a cinematographer based in NYC. Jared is also the host o...

In this discussion with Kim Rapach, Mental Wellness Coach, we will unapologetically challenge the conventional belief that fame and success are the ultimate keys to happiness and emotional fulfillment. This discussion will explore the often-overlooked aspects of true wealth – emotional wellness, meaningful connections, and personal development. Through insightful anecdotes and evidence-based insig...

Episode 14 of the Variable Podcast features cinematographer Benjamin Loeb FNF, on the topic of “Losing Ourselves to Our Work” Podcast Description: Benjamin and I met over a decade ago in the New York City filmmaking scene. While our career paths look quite different, we have both experienced the realities of losing different parts of ourselves to film work. In this conversation, Benjamin and I div...

Episode 12 features director Diego Contreras on the topic of “When to Push, and When to Let Go.”  Episode Description: As we set out to achieve our vision as filmmakers, on any given project there are hundreds (if not thousands) of creative decisions; all of which call for varying degrees of 'pushing' and/or 'letting go'. It's how we navigate this dance that not only reveals it...

Episode 11 features Executive Producer @ Nourish Creative, Ien Chi.  Episode Overview: Sometimes we can get a little too caught up in doing work for others. Whether it’s doing work in order to sustain ourselves financially, or trying to satisfy everyone’s needs on a large scale project - we all know that tiring feeling of doing work that isn’t quite our own. Join Ien in a discussion about how to d...

Episode 10 features SMUGGLER director of sales and management, Erin Wahed, and Dattner Group CEO Fabian Dattner, in a conversation about how internal self-talk impacts our courage and confidence. If any of the topics we discuss in this episode resonate with you, we’d love to invite you into our wellness community for filmmakers at wearevariable.com . We have weekly live events and conversations on...

This week we have the opportunity to hear from therapist and post-producer, Saritha Rothermel, on a handful of topics related to therapy, anxiety, filmmaking, and more. For the first half of the podcast, we learn a bit about Saritha and her background and her thoughts on therapy. We then dive into the topic of Anxiety and why so many filmmakers are familiar with it. The last 20 minutes or so of th...

Whether you are currently in the midst of a slow season, have survived them in the past, or are experiencing one for the first time, one thing is for certain; slow seasons are very real for the mass majority of us filmmakers. In episode #8, we take a deep and personal dive into this topic with cinematographer and Cinematography Salon founder, David Kruta . We are sending a big shout out to David f...

In episode seven, we have the pleasure of hearing from Brooklyn based director Haya Waseem surrounding the topic of “creating from the heart”. Nothing lights me up more than when I see someones work and can get a clear 'felt' sense of their spirit, or who they are as a person. That was the case when I was first introduced to Haya’s work back in 2017. I just see so many good-looking ads and shorts...

In episode six, Stockholm-based director Per-Hampus Stålhandske shares his story along with insights into how he manages to seek and find rhythm in his personal life amidst demanding travel jobs. Most people in our industry know the challenges of intensive travel jobs and travel schedules, but as a culture of filmmakers, we rarely talk about the real-life impacts that it can have on our personal w...

In episode five, writer/director Samm Hodges gives us a deep dive into his journey of pursuing vulnerability as a filmmaker. Much of this podcast is told through the context of Samm’s first narrative short film as a writer/director, “Tender”, being accepted into the Sundance Film Festival. Samm's Bio:   After turning a web series into a network tv show, Samm sold a drama series to producers P...

In Episode Four, Cinematographer, Jared Levy chats with Variable founder & filmmaker, Jon Bregel, about his experiences and mindset surrounding the topic of "pivoting towards more fulfilling work."  In recent years, Jared has made the pivot from documentary branded content, to long-form narrative features. As we explore in this podcast, Jareds pivot required a lot of consideration so we a...

In episode three, Variable founder & filmmaker, Jon Bregel, interviews producer & Poolhouse founder, Veronica Beach about her experiences managing mental health while working at the top of the advertising industry. With over 100 Cannes Lions to her name, Veronica Beach was recently referred to as the most awarded female producer in the industry. Veronica is the first to admit that she has...

Join filmmaker & Variable founder, Jon Bregel, and SMUGGLER & division7 Director of Sales and Management, Erin Wahed, in a conversation about letting go of control. Jon and Erin are also joined by members of the Variable community who chime in with their thoughts and feelings throughout the conversation.  Erin Wahed's bio: At the age of 14, Adobe Photoshop came into my life and blew m...

Variable founder & filmmaker Jon Bregel shares his personal story surrounding the downfall of Variable as a production company, and rebirth of Variable as a community where filmmakers prioritize wellness & growth. Join today and engage in the conversation at wearevariable.com Variable Podcast shares stories and insights from the intersection of filmmaking and wellness. Follow us on Instagr...