How to Make Indie Filmmaking Sustainable with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray

“If you get your timeline pushed back, think of it as another year to make the story better.” — Erika ArleeWhat does it really take to build a sustainable filmmaking career?In this episode, Rain sits down with Erika Arlee and Kristi Ray, the powerhouse duo behind Honey Head Films, to explore how they’ve grown a production company that balances passion, purpose, and profit.They share the story of their debut feature A Song for Imogene, and how they expanded it from a short film into a fully realized, distributed feature while staying true to their vision.Erika and Kristi break down how they built their brand around authentic Southern stories, women filmmakers, and a collaborative, values-driven approach. You’ll learn how they crowdfunded, built community buy-in, and turned obstacles into creative opportunities.If you’re dreaming of turning your passion for film into a business that lasts, this conversation is packed with hard-earned wisdom and inspiration.In this episode, you will learn to:Build an authentic film brand that aligns with your values and attracts the right collaborators.Create momentum around your project by involving your community early and often.Balance client work with creative projects so your passion stays alive while paying the bills.Approach collaboration strategically to find the partners who can help you grow.Treat your indie film like a startup by thinking about your audience and exit strategy from the start.Follow Honey Head Films on:InstagramFacebookOr visit their website HERE!*** A Song for Imogene is now on Amazon Prime!For more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“We make our media the same way we make our barbecue, and that’s low and slow.” — Shawn WalchefHow do you run a business and still find time to create content? In this episode, Rain sits down with Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ and founder of Cali BBQ Media, to explore how storytelling and content creation aren’t distractions—they’re growth engines. Shawn shares how he went from struggling restaurateur to building a thriving media company on top of his barbecue brand, and why every business today needs to think like a media company.They break down how to overcome the fear of looking foolish, why quantity and speed matter more than perfection, and how to turn your phone into your most valuable tool. Shawn also gives practical tips on stacking content, building a team, and staying consistent without burning out. If you’ve ever wondered how to juggle business and content—or whether it’s worth the effort—this episode will change your mindset.In this episode, you will learn to:See content as a growth tool, not a chore and shift your mindset around its value.Overcome the fear of looking foolish online so you can finally start creating.Focus on quantity and consistency first because that’s what leads to real quality.Use simple tools like your phone to build a media presence without expensive gear.Stack and schedule your content so that your “show” runs even when you’re busy.Follow Shawn on:LinkedInInstagramOr visit his website HERE!For more storytelling tips and tricks,Visit my website rainbennett.com, orFollow me on TikTok @rainbennett.storyellerFollow me on Twitter @rainbennettFollow me on Instagram @rainbennettFollow me on Facebook @thestorytellinglab Subscribe to my Youtube Channel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Your story comes from your heart, and then you structure it to deliver it in the best way.” — Rain BennettEver hear the term "story beat" and wonder what it really means? In this episode, Rain breaks down the mysterious middle ground between scenes and acts—the story beat. And he uses Blake Snyder’s popular (and sometimes polarizing) Save the Cat beat sheet to do it.You’ll get a clear explanation of what a beat is, how the 15-beat structure works, and why it's helped thousands of storytellers—from screenwriters to brand strategists—craft more compelling narratives. Rain walks you through the full beat sheet, explains how it maps to The Lion King, and shares tips on how to use this structure for your own business, brand, or film storytelling. If you’ve been overwhelmed by big frameworks, this episode will give you a clear, practical tool to work with.In this episode, you will learn to:Define what a story beat is and understand how it fits between scenes and acts.Use Blake Snyder’s 15-beat sheet to outline or revise your story with more clarity.Apply structural thinking without becoming rigid or formulaic.Break down familiar films like The Lion King to see how classic stories follow this shape.Build emotional momentum in your stories by anchoring each beat to character decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“People want to feel heard. If you don’t create a collaborative space, they won’t come back.” — Stewart CohenHow do you build a long, successful creative career when you are the brand? In this episode, Rain sits down with director and visual storyteller Stewart Cohen to explore the balance between artistry and entrepreneurship. With decades of experience in commercial production, photography, and branded storytelling, Stewart has mastered the dance of creating great work while sustaining strong client relationships—and still making time for passion projects.They discuss how personal work often leads to professional opportunities, the importance of trust and collaboration, and how to get authentic performances from real people. Stewart shares how his curiosity drives his creativity, why connection is the true metric for success, and why making stuff just for fun might be the smartest business decision you ever make. If you're a storyteller trying to make it in a noisy world, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom.In this episode, you will learn to:Balance creative work and client relationships by focusing on trust, collaboration, and communication.Use curiosity and personal projects to fuel professional growth and keep your creative spark alive.Make non-actors feel comfortable on camera by creating a safe, relaxed environment that encourages vulnerability.Understand how story-first branded content builds stronger emotional engagement than traditional marketing.Recognize the long game of creative careers and why real relationships outperform short-term wins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“The stories we take on as children are often the ones we spend the rest of our lives trying to rewrite.” — John BucherWhat if the story you’re living isn’t the one you were meant to live? In this episode, Rain sits down with John Bucher, President of the Joseph Campbell Foundation, to explore how the ancient patterns of mythology still shape our modern lives. Together, they dive deep into Joseph Campbell’s enduring influence on storytelling—from Star Wars to brand narratives—and how we can harness those same mythic structures to better understand our own identities and destinies.John shares his personal journey from a small Texas town to becoming a global thought leader in mythology, and how a series of “accidents” and calls to adventure helped him rewrite his life’s story. They also discuss how stories evolve, how to avoid getting stuck in the romanticized “Hollywood version” of your life, and why lived experience will always outshine AI-generated narratives. This is a powerful, heartfelt conversation about the stories we inherit, the ones we believe, and the ones we choose to write next.In this episode, you will learn to:Recognize the power of personal mythology and how your childhood beliefs shape the stories you tell—and live—today.Use the four story endings from Aristotle to understand your own journey and navigate expectations around success and fulfillment.Reframe your career path and goals by identifying moments that call you into a new chapter, even if they start as mistakes.Embrace storytelling as a tool for community and healing, especially in a world increasingly influenced by technology and isolation.Keep storytelling human in the age of AI by leading with lived experience, emotional connection, and authentic curiosity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You don’t just present a pitch—you present a world your audience wants to live in.” — Rain BennettWhat do the Gettysburg Address, I Have a Dream, and your next sales pitch have in common? They all follow a specific structure—one that Nancy Duarte calls the Sparkline. In this solo episode, Rain breaks down how this framework works, why it resonates so deeply, and how you can use it to capture attention, build trust, and persuade your audience—whether you're on a stage, pitching a product, or crafting a social post.Rain dives deep into the Sparkline’s rhythm of “what is” and “what could be,” how this pattern mirrors the Hero’s Journey, and why it triggers emotional investment and action. He also explores resistance in storytelling, the power of contrast, and the neuroscience behind narrative immersion. To drive it home, he analyzes Steve Jobs’s legendary 2007 iPhone keynote—step by step. If you want to spark belief in your message, this episode is your blueprint.In this episode, you will learn to:Leverage contrast between the status quo and the dream state to build urgency and desire in your storytelling.Use the Sparkline’s up-and-down rhythm to cut through resistance and guide your audience into emotional buy-in.Avoid the two biggest presentation mistakes—the “report” and the “pitch”—by balancing tension and transformation.Apply the Sparkline framework across formats including emails, speeches, pitches, social content, and videos.Spot and replicate masterful storytelling techniques using Steve Jobs’s iPhone launch as a real-world example. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“It’s okay to not be okay. It’s just not okay to stay that way.” — Nina Sossamon-PogueWhat do you do when life knocks you flat? Former U.S. gymnast turned Emmy-winning journalist, tech exec, and resilience coach Nina Sossamon-Pogue has fallen—and learned how to get back up more times than she can count. In this episode of The Storytelling Lab, Rain sits down with Nina to explore how we build personal resilience, reframe failure, and use storytelling to take control of our lives when everything feels out of control.They dig into Nina’s practical “T.H.I.S.” framework, which helps people process failure, navigate identity loss, and shift the narrative they’re stuck in. This conversation blends the science of mindset with the art of storytelling to help high achievers—and anyone in a “now what?” moment—redefine success and take back authorship of their lives. If you’ve ever felt lost in the messy middle of your story, this one’s for you.In this episode, you will learn to:Zoom out on your life story using Nina’s “lifetime timeline” exercise to shift from tunnel vision to long-term perspective.Assess and strengthen your support system by identifying who’s helping and who’s hurting in your current chapter.Isolate the moment to reduce anxiety and take meaningful action in the present, rather than spinning in regret or fear.Reframe the stories you tell yourself to stop self-sabotaging with catastrophizing and overgeneralizing thoughts.Move through “Now What?” moments with intention by defining your next chapter based on who you want to become—not just what’s happened to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Most nonfiction books could’ve been blog posts—but fiction sticks with you for life." — Nathan BaughIs fiction just entertainment—or is it the best self-help you’re not reading? In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with storyteller, writer, and World Builders creator Nathan Baugh to talk about the power of fiction in a world obsessed with productivity, optimization, and self-help checklists. Together they explore the overlooked lessons hiding in classic novels, the creative trap of only producing for money, and the rising role of AI in the writing world.Nathan opens up about how he left a traditional job to build a platform as a writer, how he balances client work with his fantasy novels, and why his mission is to simply write stories he’d want to read. They also break down what makes a twist land, how storytelling frameworks translate across mediums, and the unexpected ways fiction can deepen human connection. If you're trying to create meaningful work in a noisy digital world, this conversation is a breath of fresh air.In this episode, you will learn to:Reframe fiction as a powerful personal development tool, not just an escape or guilty pleasure.Balance monetized work with meaningful creative output, even if your art doesn’t pay off immediately.Strengthen your audience connection by telling stories about your own struggles, not just giving advice.Understand how fiction builds empathy, creativity, and resilience in ways nonfiction often can't.Navigate the impact of AI on creative work by doubling down on voice, experience, and storytelling fundamentals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The drugs we've accepted in society—alcohol, nicotine, caffeine—were chosen for productivity, not well-being." — Paul AustinWhat if the stories we’ve been told about psychedelics were wrong? In this episode, Rain Bennett sits down with Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave and Psychedelic Coaching Institute, to explore how microdosing and intentional psychedelic use are helping people heal, focus, connect, and live more purposeful lives. With a background in education and entrepreneurship, Paul has spent the last decade helping reframe the narrative around substances like psilocybin and LSD—not as dangerous drugs, but as ancient tools being rediscovered for modern growth.They discuss the data behind microdosing, the role of psychedelics in mental health and creativity, and how narrative shifts in culture require patience, education, and empathy. You’ll also learn how this resurgence intersects with storytelling, business innovation, community building, and AI—and why those looking to find their voice, their path, or their tribe might want to look a little deeper. Whether you’re skeptical or curious, this conversation will open your mind to the potential of storytelling on a molecular level.In this episode, you will learn to:Understand how to reshape public perception by aligning your message with your audience’s pain points and using stories that connect rather than confront.Recognize psychedelics not as escapes, but as tools for transformation—especially in emotional, mental, and professional transitions.Explore how microdosing supports clarity, creativity, and behavioral change without overwhelming your daily routine.Challenge cultural narratives through storytelling by reframing long-held beliefs with nuance, data, and empathy.Draw connections between community, consciousness, and creativity, and see how shared experiences (not solo journeys) are driving a new paradigm of wellness and leadership. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"It's not just what you say—it's how you say it. And who you're saying it to." — Esther OyetunjiWhat makes a story unforgettable? At this year’s Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina, Rain Bennett spoke with three sets of storytellers, each using a different medium, subject, and method—but all working toward the same goal: to move their audience. In this special episode, Rain shares his conversations with Jennifer Tiexiera and Guy Mossman, the co-directors of SPEAK, the film’s star Esther Oyetunji, and Ned Phillips, co-director of The Last Partera.From the deeply collaborative filmmaking process behind SPEAK, to the competitive, emotionally resonant stage presence of Esther, to Ned’s eight-year journey of capturing the fading legacy of Costa Rican midwifery—this episode is a masterclass in the versatility of documentary storytelling. You’ll learn how each of these artists found their story, built relationships with their subjects, overcame technical hurdles, and ultimately created something deeply meaningful. Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, speaker, or content creator, this episode will inspire you to embrace your own unique storytelling path.In this episode, you will:Discover the diversity of effective storytelling structures by seeing how different films—with wildly different pacing and tones—can still move audiences equally.Learn how collaboration strengthens creative vision, especially in co-directing, editing, and producing documentary projects.Explore the emotional precision of live storytelling through Esther’s championship-winning approach to connecting with and transforming her audience.Understand how curiosity can lead to powerful stories by following Ned’s journey from a single conversation in Costa Rica to an 8-year labor of love.Gain insight into staying the course creatively—how to finish the thing, even when funding dries up, motivation dips, or the world moves on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.