No Map Included

Yessi Sanchez

No Map Included follows the creative journey from proof of concept to premiere, documenting what it actually looks like to develop stories from the earliest draft to the screen. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, this podcast marks the beginning of a new chapter after more than ten years in the film industry. At its center is Stay/Away, a deeply personal story that begins as a short proof of concept and grows into a feature film, developed in real time, from early drafts to financing conversations and beyond. Alongside that journey, Yessi is simultaneously creating and launching a vertical series (LOVE/HATE), a lighter, faster, entirely different storytelling format, testing what it means to build across mediums at the same time. This isn’t a roadmap to success.It’s not a step-by-step guide. There’s no blueprint here. Instead, this is an honest look at what it means to make things from creative doubt and production chaos to momentum, pivots, and reinvention. Alongside solo film diaries, Yessi sits down with filmmakers, actors, and creatives who are building careers beyond what fits in their bio, exploring the work behind the work, and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb. If you’re curious about how projects actually evolve – from idea to premiere – this is the process, as it happens. No map included.

Episodes

  1. 22H AGO

    Nina Seul | Different Callings Within One Lifetime

    In this episode of No Map Included, I sit down with actress and producer Nina Seul for a conversation about identity, intuition, reinvention, and what happens when a lifelong calling begins to shift. After spending more than twenty years building her life around acting, Nina opens up about the gradual realization that the career path she had centered her identity around no longer felt aligned in the same way. We talk about moving to Los Angeles, navigating the industry as a European actress, the emotional impact of rejection, and the pressure of constantly trying to prove yourself in a career that often feels deeply personal. Nina shares how the pandemic, burnout, aging in the industry, and years of instability slowly changed her relationship to acting, and how she eventually found herself asking the universe for a new path entirely. We also talk about intuition, immigrant experiences in the entertainment industry, finding joy outside of acting, and the difference between giving up on a dream versus allowing yourself to evolve beyond it. More than anything, this episode is about realizing that identity doesn’t have to stay fixed forever, and that sometimes moving in a new direction isn’t failure, but growth. And if you’ve ever questioned the path you built your life around, struggled to separate yourself from your career, or felt afraid to outgrow an old version of yourself, I hope this conversation makes you feel a little less alone. Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    21 min

  2. MAY 19

    Creating Without Chasing the Outcome

    In this episode of No Map Included, I talk about what it means to stop living entirely for the outcome. After spending years attaching my identity to achievement, momentum, and long-term goals, I’ve been trying to rebuild my relationship to creativity, ambition, and uncertainty in a way that feels healthier and more sustainable. I talk about stepping away from acting professionally, navigating rejection with Stay/Away, returning to writing, and realizing how much of my life had become focused on chasing outcomes instead of actually experiencing the present. I also get into identity shifts, background acting, books that found me at the right time, building new habits, and the difference between creating from pressure versus creating from genuine curiosity. More than anything, this episode is about making room: for new dreams, new versions of yourself, and a life that feels aligned even without a perfectly clear roadmap. And if you’re currently in your own messy middle, trying to let go of an old identity, rethink success, or figure out what comes next, I hope this episode reminds you that you’re not the only one navigating that transition. Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    21 min

  3. MAY 7

    Letting Go of the Dream I Built My Life Around

    In this episode of No Map Included, I talk about what it feels like to let go of a dream you built your entire life around. After more than a decade of pursuing acting professionally, I finally made the decision to step away from it as a career. Not because I stopped loving storytelling, but because my relationship to the industry, the instability, the constant hustle, and the version of life I had built around it no longer felt sustainable. At the same time, the restaurant I had been working at suddenly closed, forcing me into an even bigger period of uncertainty and transition. This episode is about identity shifts, burnout, social media pressure, survival jobs, and the emotional reality of realizing that something you once wanted deeply may no longer fit the person you’ve become. I also talk about the complicated relationship between creativity and visibility, the pressure to constantly market yourself as an artist, and what it means to make room for a completely new chapter even when you don’t fully know what comes next. This episode doesn’t really end with answers. It’s more of a snapshot of being in the middle of a major pivot while trying to trust that something new is waiting on the other side of it. And if you’ve ever outgrown a version of your dream, or found yourself questioning the life you built around it, I’d genuinely love to hear from you. Connect Instagram LinkedIn Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    14 min

  4. MAY 1

    Jacqueline Rosenthal | Finding a Path That Feels Aligned

    In this episode of No Map Included, I sit down with student Emmy award winner Jacqueline Rosenthal for a conversation about what happens when the path you’ve been on no longer feels right. Jacqueline started out as an actor, then decided to pivot, because acting never seemed to be fully aligned with her. We talk about building your identity around acting from a young age, and how validation can shape the choices you make without you even realizing it. Jacqueline shares what it looked like to step into directing, how she reframed success and recognition, and why staying grounded became essential in a career built on highs and lows. We also get into the parts that are rarely talked about: Working other jobs while building a career, navigating how others perceive that, and the reality of sustaining creative work over time.  This conversation is about choosing the work that feels right even if it means letting go of something you’ve held onto for a long time. Connect Jacqueline Rosenthal Yessi Sanchez Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    41 min

  5. APR 16

    New Strategy for my Zero Budget Vertical Series

    In this episode of No Map Included, I talk through the next phase of building LOVE/HATE, and everything I’m learning as I move into Season 2. Season 1 was an exploration. Testing format, structure, and how a vertical series can live on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Now, I’m looking at what’s working, what’s not, and what I want to adjust. I talk about the challenge of building something for a platform that isn’t designed for the way the story is meant to be watched, and the tension between believing in the project and not seeing the level of engagement I expected.  This episode also gets into the practical side of making the series:  scheduling without a budget, writing within real constraints, simplifying locations, and finding ways to keep the process sustainable. At the same time, Season 2 is already in production with new approaches to structure, distribution, and filming. If you check out LOVE/HATE, I’d love to know what you think. You can find it on Instagram @thisislovehate (start at “Start Here” and scroll up). And if you found the show through this podcast, comment “podcast”. I’m really curious how this process translates. If you’re building something in real time too, feel free to share what you’re figuring out. Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    11 min

  6. APR 3

    I asked for this, so why does it feel so hard?

    A few months ago, things were slow. Now, there’s momentum. Work, projects, responsibilities. It’s what I’ve been asking for. And still, I feel burnt out. Not overwhelmed in the way I used to be, where everything felt like too much, but a quieter version of it. The kind where you keep going, but you know something needs to shift.  This episode is a real-time reflection on time management, boundaries, and trying to balance multiple paths at once without dropping the things that actually matter. I also talk about the tension between that and the good things happening at the same time: new opportunities, creative work, and moments that remind me why I’m doing this in the first place. If you’re going through something right now, feel free to share in the comments, on Instagram, or on LinkedIn. Sometimes just hearing what others are navigating can make it feel a little lighter. And if you know someone who might need this, send this episode their way. Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    17 min

  7. MAR 26

    Zari Rose | Creativity Through Grief & Falling Back in Love with Acting

    In this episode of No Map Included, I sit down with actress Zari Rose for a raw and honest conversation about grief, and what it means to find your way back to acting through it. We met in 2018, at a time when acting felt more straightforward. Since then, the industry has changed, and so have we. What started as a clear goal slowly turned into something more complicated: pressure, expectations, and trying to follow a timeline that didn’t hold up. We talk about falling out of love with acting while still pursuing it, and what it takes to come back to it from a different place. Zari shares how grief reshaped her connection to the work, and how acting became less about proving something and more about understanding people.  If you’re in a phase where things feel unclear, or like you’re holding too tightly to something, maybe this is your reminder to step back, let it breathe, and trust what’s unfolding. And if you know someone going through a difficult moment while still trying to hold onto what they love, send this episode their way. Connect Zari Rose Yessi Sanchez Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    29 min

  8. MAR 18

    Stay/Away | Logline, Pitch Deck, Grant Applications

    In this episode of No Map Included, I share what the early development stage of Stay/Away actually looks like, after the proof of concept is written, but before anything is financed or produced. I talk about moving into pitch decks and grant applications, and how those materials don’t just present the story; they reshape it. Writing loglines, synopses, and a writer’s statement forced me to get clearer on what the film is really about. I also get into the practical side of development: researching grants, deciding where to apply, translating materials between English and German, and building a full package before funding is in place. This episode is about a stage that’s mostly invisible: rewriting, refining, second-guessing, and making decisions without knowing where they’ll lead. If something in this episode sparked an idea, shifted your perspective, or made you rethink your own project, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach out on Instagram or share your thoughts directly. And if you know someone who’s in the middle of building something, send this episode their way. Connect On Instagram On LinkedIn About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    13 min

  9. MAR 10

    Making a Vertical Series with Zero Budget

    What does it take to make a series with no budget, no crew, and no roadmap? In this episode of No Map Included, Yessi Sanchez breaks down the creation of LOVE/HATE, a vertical fiction series filmed entirely for Instagram. Shot in POV style and produced with a small group of collaborators across Los Angeles, the series became an experiment in building narrative storytelling outside traditional production systems. Yessi shares how the idea evolved, how the cast came together, and what it looked like to direct, act, produce, and edit the project at the same time. From filming on buses and city streets to shaping episodes for social media attention spans, this episode explores the creative and logistical challenges of producing something ambitious with almost no resources. Watch the SeriesLOVE/HATE is a vertical fiction series set in Los Angeles, following a group of friends after one of them suddenly disappears. Watch on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thisislovehate Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    22 min

  10. MAR 3

    The Story I Couldn't Let Go Of

    In this first episode of No Map Included, I share how the journey started, from touring European film festivals as an actor to discovering filmmaking and writing as the form I was meant to pursue. I talk about the story behind Stay/Away, a deeply personal feature film now in development, and LOVE/HATE, a zero-budget vertical series built entirely outside traditional systems. This episode is about beginnings that don’t look like beginnings: imposter syndrome, scrapped drafts, creative pivots, and learning to create without waiting for permission. Projects mentioned Stay/Away — feature film in development LOVE/HATE — vertical series now releasing on Instagram Watch LOVE/HATE: https://www.instagram.com/thisislovehate Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    12 min

  11. SEASON 1, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    No Map Included - Official Trailer

    This trailer introduces the development of Stay/Away alongside the launch of LOVE/HATE, documenting what it actually looks like to build projects in real time; from early drafts to financing conversations and beyond. Along the way, the podcast features conversations with filmmakers and creatives about the work behind the work. Send us Fan Mail About the PodcastNo Map Included documents the process of building stories in real time: from proof of concept to premiere. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, the podcast explores the work behind the work and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb.

    2 min

Trailer

About

No Map Included follows the creative journey from proof of concept to premiere, documenting what it actually looks like to develop stories from the earliest draft to the screen. Hosted by filmmaker and producer Yessi Sanchez, this podcast marks the beginning of a new chapter after more than ten years in the film industry. At its center is Stay/Away, a deeply personal story that begins as a short proof of concept and grows into a feature film, developed in real time, from early drafts to financing conversations and beyond. Alongside that journey, Yessi is simultaneously creating and launching a vertical series (LOVE/HATE), a lighter, faster, entirely different storytelling format, testing what it means to build across mediums at the same time. This isn’t a roadmap to success.It’s not a step-by-step guide. There’s no blueprint here. Instead, this is an honest look at what it means to make things from creative doubt and production chaos to momentum, pivots, and reinvention. Alongside solo film diaries, Yessi sits down with filmmakers, actors, and creatives who are building careers beyond what fits in their bio, exploring the work behind the work, and the paths that don’t show up on IMDb. If you’re curious about how projects actually evolve – from idea to premiere – this is the process, as it happens. No map included.

Information

  • Creator
    Yessi Sanchez
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 No Map Included
  • Show Website
    No Map Included