Real Perspective

Interviews with professional storytellers about their craft and how they make it work.
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A podcast made to nourish the independent documentary community hosted by Elijah Yetter-Bowman, an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in the South. This show dives into the craft of storytelling, shares real insights on the work, how we make a living and builds dialogues to make a more sustainable and equitable ecosystem for professional storytelling and the documentary industry as a whole. etherealfilms.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 05/02/2025

    producing for John Oliver because of an email listserv

    Eli talks to Megan Shub, a Emmy-winning producer who transitioned from the corporate world to the entertainment industry. After nearly a decade in the business, Meagan shares her experience working on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and the personal lessons she’s learned while navigating the unpredictable world of television production—especially as a remote producer in Korea. Links: https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/megan-peck-shub https://www.parents.com/megan-peck-shub-6891274 Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 21m
  2. adapting your production company to keep relevant over 10 years

    04/21/2025

    adapting your production company to keep relevant over 10 years

    Eli talks to Tony Morin, CEO and owner of Hendy Street Produxions a video production company in Wilmington, NC. Tony gives advice on how to maintain a career, company, and client base, in the ever-changing media landscape. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-morin-70961416/ https://www.hendystreet.com/ Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    44 min
  3. the people behind paperhand puppet intervention and their legacy of performance activism

    04/14/2025

    the people behind paperhand puppet intervention and their legacy of performance activism

    Eli catches up with Jan and Donvon, the creative minds behind Paperhand Puppet Intervention in Chapel Hill. They talk about how their puppetry brings activism, love for nature, and hope to the community and share insights into their role in the upcoming Gen X documentary. Links: https://www.paperhandpuppet.org/ Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 8m

  4. 04/07/2025

    bringing life to the stories within medical publications

    Eli speaks with Simar, a premedical student turned journalist, about his years of experience covering health and policy stories. They discuss the importance of effective communication in medicine—not just in the office but in broader society—and what needs to change in the conversation around healthcare.Links: https://www.simarbajaj.com/ Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    59 min

  5. 04/03/2025

    the lawyer who took on DuPont and sparked a movement

    Eli sits down with Rob Bilott, the lawyer immortalized in the NYT article “The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare” and the film Dark Waters, where Mark Ruffalo portrays him. Together, they dive into the power of storytelling in the courtroom and discuss their work on the upcoming documentary GenX: the Saga of Forever Chemicals. Links: https://www.taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott/ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/10/magazine/the-lawyer-who-became-duponts-worst-nightmare.html Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    38 min

  6. 03/27/2025

    traveling the globe full-time as a journalist

    Eli talks with Sofia, a globe-trotting freelance journalist, about what it’s really like to live and work on the road. From navigating the changing landscape of journalism to practical advice on staying afloat, Sofia reveals the secrets of balancing adventure with career. Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-quaglia-42a216142/?originalSubdomain=it Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    1h 14m

  7. 03/20/2025

    local community & how relationships sustain artists

    Join Eli and Heather as they explore the intersection of visual art and community in Asheville. Heather talks about how she’s built a life as an artist, reflects on the lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, and shares why community is the heart of her creative process. Links: https://www.heatherdivoky.com/ Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    43 min

  8. 03/13/2025

    why a Stanford neuroscientist left to make TikToks full-time

    Eli chats with Ben about how his viral TikTok video during the pandemic changed the trajectory of his career, blending neuroscience with the power of public science communication. He shares the highs and lows of transitioning from academia to becoming a mass media sensation, revealing the behind-the-scenes struggles and triumphs. Links: https://www.benrein.com/ Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    54 min

  9. 02/26/2025

    a failed film led to sold-out screenings for his first documentary

    Eli talks with Chris about his experience as an independent documentary filmmaker and supporting the community within the south as Artistic Director of the Southern Documentary Fund. They dive into getting started with your first film, fundraising and ways to earn real money from screenings. —Links about Chris:SDF Announcement for Chris www.instagram.com/spellerstreetchris/ Get full access to ethereal films at etherealfilms.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A podcast made to nourish the independent documentary community hosted by Elijah Yetter-Bowman, an award-winning documentary filmmaker based in the South. This show dives into the craft of storytelling, shares real insights on the work, how we make a living and builds dialogues to make a more sustainable and equitable ecosystem for professional storytelling and the documentary industry as a whole. etherealfilms.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Interviews with professional storytellers about their craft and how they make it work.
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ethereal Films
  • Show Website
    Real Perspective