SEARCHING FOR GOODNESS | Season 3, Episode 19 | Mariia Nova What if fear isn't something we have to defeat, but something we can learn to dance with? In Season 3, Episode 19 of Searching for Goodness, Bessy Adut and Armin Nasseri welcome Mariia Nova, an author, filmmaker and creator of the INFINIT science fiction universe. Recorded at Basshole Podcast Studio in West Hollywood, Mariia shares the fascinating story behind her creative journey, from growing up surrounded by forests and fields in a small Russian village to creating imaginary worlds that eventually became the foundation for her writing and filmmaking. Her journey has included working multiple jobs while continuing to develop her stories and pursuing her creative vision. Those experiences became part of the resilience and humanity reflected in her work. We talk about the unusual origin of one of her most memorable ideas, Fear as a character. Inspired by a friend's anxiety about joining a street dance community, Mariia imagined Fear dancing alongside her, transforming fear into something that could be explored rather than simply avoided. That idea eventually became part of the larger INFINIT universe, including INFINIT: The Last Bridge of Sam, INFINIT: The Love of Mother, and INFINIT: The Way of Heart. Our conversation explores imagination, storytelling, nature, psychology, spirituality, science, and human connection. Mariia also discusses the relationship between science and spirituality and how her creative worlds incorporate ideas inspired by biology, chemistry, physics, and the natural world. At the heart of the conversation is goodness. For Mariia, goodness isn't necessarily one enormous heroic gesture. It can be the quiet, steady work of caring, connecting, repairing and protecting. Her relationship with nature has also inspired real world action, including park cleanups, caring for injured animals, and supporting conservation efforts. We also talk about the values that run through her stories, including nature, family, freedom, truth, friendship, honesty and love. And stay until the end of the episode for a special cameo appearance by Bessy Adut. Hosted by Armin Nasseri Recorded at Basshole Podcast Studio, West Hollywood Searching for Goodness asks people from different backgrounds and walks of life one simple question: What does goodness mean to you? Listen to Season 3, Episode 19 with Mariia Nova and join us as we continue searching for goodness, one story at a time. #SearchingForGoodness #MariiaNova #BessyAdut #ArminNasseri #Podcast #Goodness #Imagination #DancingWithFear #Storytelling #ScienceFiction #Nature #Creativity
