Reel Talk: An RFC Spotlight Speaker Series

In this episode of Reel Talk, our host Akima A. Brown sits down with Tom Abernathy, a powerhouse storyteller whose career spans videogames, films, and theater. Known for his leadership as Narrative Lead at Crystal Dynamics and for shaping iconic titles like Halo: Reach, League of Legends, The Division, Guild Wars 2, and Destroy All Humans, Tom has spent more than two decades championing care, inclusivity, equity, and fairness in the creative process. Tune in to this episode to learn more about Tom’s vision for storytelling that sustains creators as much as it captivates audiences and how this artist-turned-industry leader is reshaping the gaming industry for the better.Follow Tom Abernathy on his channels:LinkedIn: Tom-Abernathy Twitter: @TomAbernathy BlueSky: @TomAbernathyFollow Reel Talk on our channels:IG: ⁠@reelfamiliesFB: ⁠@reelfamilies⁠YT: ⁠@reelfamiliesLinkedIn: ⁠Reel Families for Change⁠

In this episode of Reel Talk, our host Akima A. Brown sits down with Tome Levi, founder of the Injury Prevention Consultancy, and the pioneering role of Injury Prevention Consultant (IPC). With nearly a decade of experience across stage and screen, Tome created the IPC role after years of watching friends and colleagues sustain avoidable injuries in the name of performance. Her work is a call to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive care — reframing injury prevention not as an obstacle to creativity, but as a necessary piece to realizing it. Tome dives into the philosophy behind what it means to slow down, design safety into the process, and challenge the cultural norms that normalize risk. Tune in to this episode to hear how one artist-turned-advocate is rewriting the rules of production culture and building a future where care is part of the creative process.Follow Tome Levi on her channels:Company Website: thisisipc.com  Company LinkedIn: IPCTome’s LinkedIn: Tome Levi Follow Reel Talk on our channels:IG: ⁠@reelfamiliesFB: ⁠@reelfamilies⁠YT: ⁠@reelfamiliesLinkedIn: ⁠Reel Families for Change⁠

On this episode of Reel Talk, we welcome Ariel Baska (they/them), filmmaker, advocate, and founder of ACCESS:HORROR and Ride the Omnibus. Ariel shares their journey toward creating more equitable, accessible storytelling in the entertainment industry, including their 4-2-4 production model and the making of their short film, Our First Priority, where a doctor is sent to hell for telling a patient their pain is all in their head. We dive into the challenges and opportunities in amplifying marginalized voices and explore how inclusive practices can transform both media and society. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and actionable ideas for a more just and creative screen industry.Follow Ariel's works across all channels:IG: ⁠@justaskabaskaLinkedIn: ⁠Ariel BaskaWebsite - ⁠arielbaska.comFollow Reel Talk on our channels:IG: ⁠⁠@reelfamilies⁠FB: ⁠⁠@reelfamilies⁠⁠YT: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@reelfamilies⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Reel Families for Change⁠

In this episode of Reel Talk, we have a conversation with Dr. Paul Heinzelmann, founder of SetMD — a company he launched in 2007 as Massachusetts' film tax credit brought more film and TV productions to the state. Dr. Paul tells our host, Akima A. Brown, how a chance connection to the film industry led to his mission to improve on-set health and safety for the crews that keep productions running.Drawing from his public health background, Dr. Paul identified troubling patterns among film industry workers — from long hours and untreated injuries to unsafe working conditions, especially among below-the-line crew members. Recognizing it as a system-wide issue, he opted for a solution that would have mass appeal and deep impact. The result: SAFE SETS: DYING TO WORK IN THE FILM INDUSTRY — a groundbreaking documentary, co-directed by Dr. Paul, that exposes the safety and health risks faced by workers on set and advocates for better practices and protections across the industry. Tune in to this episode to hear the untold story of the risks film crews face, why they persist, and the changes needed to safeguard the people who bring stories to life. Follow Dr. Paul Heinzelmann on his channels:IG: @safesetsmovieFB: @SETMD Website - safesetsmovie.org Follow Reel Talk on our channels:IG: ⁠@reelfamiliesFB: ⁠@reelfamilies⁠YT: ⁠@reelfamiliesLinkedIn: ⁠Reel Families for Change⁠

In this episode, we sit down with Ranell Shubert, advocate and founder of the Disability Media Alliance (DMA), to discuss her journey in advancing disability inclusion within the media industry. From her work at IDA to her leadership at DMA, Ranell shares insights on amplifying the voices of people with disabilities in storytelling, overcoming systemic barriers, and creating a more inclusive and accessible media landscape. Tune in to this thought-provoking conversation about the power of narrative and the critical changes needed to reshape the industry for disabled creators.Follow Ranell on her channels:Website: disabilitymedia.orgIG: @disabilitymediaLinkedIn: Disability Media AllianceFollow Reel Families on our channels:IG: @reelfamiliesLinkedIn: Reel Families for ChangeFB: @reelfamiliesYT: @reelfamilies

In this episode of Reel Talk, we sit down with Elaine Lin Hering, author of the book Unlearning Silence.  Together, we’ll explore how silence is learned, enforced, and internalized. Using her “Vocal Culture” framework, Elaine will shed light on how we can break these cycles to begin speaking truth to power in spaces that often demand our quiet — no matter who you are. Drawing from her experience as a Harvard-trained litigator, leadership facilitator, and daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Elaine shares how using one’s voice becomes a radical act in systems designed to exclude. Tune in as Akima and Elaine unpack what it means to unlearn silence in industries like film, where power and privilege shape who gets heard and who stays invisible. A call to reimagine how we show up, this episode invites you to challenge the culture of quiet and reclaim the power of being fully seen and heard.Follow Elaine Lin Hering on her channels:Website: elainelinhering.comIG: @elainelinheringLinkedIn: Elaine Lin HeringFollow Reel Families on our channels:IFollow Reel Talk on our channels:IG: ⁠@reelfamilies⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Reel Families for Change⁠FB: ⁠@reelfamilies⁠YT: ⁠@reelfamilies⁠

Eve Rodsky is the powerhouse responsible for transforming what is now lovingly known as the “blueberry breakdown” into a catalyst for social change. After reaching “the last straw” in the distribution of her own household labor, she applied her Harvard-trained background in organizational management and asked the simple yet profound question: What would happen if we treated our homes as our most important organizations? Her first book "Fair Play," explores just that. The NYTimes best-seller and Reese’s Book Club Pick, has helped partners reimagine their shared load in relationships, as well as changed the way we have conversations about unpaid labor and care. Her sophomore debut, "Find Your Unicorn Space," delves into creativity, productivity, and resilience, offering an antidote to burnout. Rodsky advocates for time equality and personal choice, aiming to influence policy change for sustainable impact. 

Andrea Emmes is an accomplished producer, voiceover actor, and audiobook narrator with more than 25 years of experience in the industry.  Her most notable achievements include winning several  Society of Voice Arts and Sciences awards, being recognized as Best Female Narrator at the Independent Audiobook Awards in 2019, producing the award-winning animated short film, "Mila", and being an Associate Game Designer for Disney Interactive. Andrea surpasses limitations daily having been diagnosed with Type 1 Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in 2006.  She avidly supports disability awareness and accommodations in the industry and centering care in the production process. ABOUT OUR GUEST Website | IG | Facebook | X (formerly Twitter)

In this episode, Leslie Forde -- founder and CEO of Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® -- talks us through the four pillars of equitable, inclusive workplaces. She'll share how hirers, large and small, can center care for all their workers -- including contingent workers like those in the screen industry. About Leslie Forde LinkedIn | Notable Media Mention About Mom’s Hierarchy of Needs® Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | X9 (formerly Twitter)

Join us on this episode as we hear from Vicki Shabo, founding director of the "Re-Scripting Gender, Work, Family, and Care" program at the New America Foundation's Better Life Lab. Vicki is a lawyer, advocate, and policy expert who aims to affect shift paradigms by changing narratives... literally. In her role as director of the "Re-scripting" program, Vicki collaborates with studios, showrunners, and writers to integrate more authentic storytelling on topics of care, family, gender, and overall work-life success into scripted and unscripted TV and film.  Recognizing that accountability structures and support vehicles must exist to see these efforts succeed, she also champions policy that expands workers' access to paid family and medical leave and paid sick time, promotes fair pay and aids all workers with caregiving responsibilities – including those in the screen industry. About Our Guest LinkedIn | X (formerly Twitter) About Her Work New America | Better Life Lab | Re-Scripting...