Braaains Podcast

We're doing something a little different for this episode. When we were at TIFF, we had the opportunity to go to the perspectives panel -- Building Inclusive Futures: The Means of Accessibility. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eaY3XukC The panel discussed accessibility and redefining perceptions of disability within the industry and beyond. We have included several clips from the panel that open up a broader discussion. The panel included Kyla Harris (chair of We Crip Film for the BFI and producer of Patrice: The Film), Viktor Korotovskyi (freelance photojournalist and the subject of Olivier Sarbil's documentary Viktor), Sean Towgood (Toronto-based writer, actor, and creator of You’re My Hero), Aria Mia Loberti (an American actress, writer, human rights advocate, Fulbright Scholar, and star of All the Light We Cannot See), and Olivier Sarbil (French documentary filmmaker and cinematographer of Viktor). It was moderated by Rayhan Azmat, a senior finance executive in Media and Entertainment, a disability advocate, and an accomplished keynote speaker. The conversation explores challenges, awareness, and opportunities for people living with disabilities, aiming to further inclusivity and broaden the narrative of accessibility.

We discuss Men's Mental Health within the Black Community with filmmaker Bernard Gray & actor Dwain Murphy. https://lnkd.in/eiNdYFvw They explored this topic in the film, The Other Stuff, which recently premiered at the Reelworld Festival in Toronto. The film offers an honest exploration of how Black men, especially those from environments of crime, straddle the paths of good and evil as they attempt to transition into healthier, more fulfilling lives. The film follows Winston played by Dwain Murphy (CROSS, DIGGSTOWN), and Shannon played by Golden Madison (CROSS, LAW & ORDER TORONTO: CRIMINAL INTENT) who embark on a journey of self-discovery through couples therapy before preparing to start a family. However, their journey takes an unexpected and intense turn when Winston’s suppressed childhood trauma surfaces. Under immense emotional strain, Winston confronts his uncle—the source of his abuse—in an effort to find healing and closure. The film highlights the critical role of therapy in helping men face their pain and work through the deep emotional scars that often remain buried. Content warning: we talk about homophobia and physical and sexual abuse in this episode. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters #black #blacklove #blackmen #shortfilm #shortfilms

It's Halloween and we're talking about horror, disability, and access with filmmaker and navigator of the creative multiverse, Ariel Baska. https://lnkd.in/efbrQ9sx We deep dive into A Nightmare on Elm Street, Ginger Snaps, and Wait Until Dark, and discuss how each film made Ariel feel seen in some way. We also discuss their horror documentary Monsterous Me and their work as a horror filmmaker telling stories around disability through a lens of genre. Lastly, we touch upon Ariel's TIFF panel about festivals and accessibility (MICROSESSIONS All Access Pass: Opening Doors for Every Audience) and their work as the founder of Access: Horror, a film festival and industry summit celebrating the history, future, and impact of disability in the genre space. #horror #disability #halloween #halloween2024 #nightmareonelmstreet #GingerSnaps #WaitUntilDark #TIFF #TIFF2024 #accesshorror #filmfestivals

Writer, director, and star, Fabian Stumm, tells us about the making of SAD JOKES and how his personal life colored this film. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eydMe7ST Growing up with a dad with depression, Fabian understood at a young age that sometimes the people who are meant to take care of you can break down. He took that perspective into Joseph's character as he tried to keep everything together when his partner was in a state of crisis. The film also shows a family dynamic we rarely see on screen: two friends co-parenting a child. Fabian believes that if you want to change something, you can talk about it or you can show how it can be. If you create something an audience can aspire to, then it shows new possibilities and a path you can head toward (we believe the same, too!). SAD JOKES is the story of Joseph, a gay filmmaker, who co-parents with Sonya who is struggling with depression. The film captures a moment in time when Joseph has to juggle his family life, love life, and artistic ambition while Sonya's away at a clinic during a mental health crisis.

Today's guest Claire Ayoub is a writer, a director, an advocate, an educator, a leader, and an amazing human – she also has the debut of her feature film, EMPIRE WAIST, coming out THIS FRIDAY, September 27th at a theater near you!?https://lnkd.in/e8jRtxp8 Empire Waist follows a group of teens learning to love their bodies through inclusive fashion design and friendship. Not only do we talk about this amazing film, but we also discuss body image, body representation, and how learning to love yourself exactly as you are can sometimes feel like a radical act.?

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day and we have a wonderful interview with writer, director, and actress, Nadine Crocker. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/ehQg3Gvb We talk about her film, Continue, and the importance of representing depression and suicidal ideation on film and TV. We also talk about shows like The Bear and Modern Love (amongst many). CONT;NUE is based on true events from Nadine’s life dealing with suicide and depression. After surviving a suicide attempt when she was 23 years old, Nadine is now a wife, mother, and friend to so many. A content warning to all our listeners that we will be talking about suicide throughout this episode and will also be talking about the toolkit that Nadine dips into when she is dealing with depression and thoughts of suicide. #worldsuicidepreventionday #nationalsuicidepreventionmonth

Exciting news!!! Braaains Podcast is coming to Toronto International Film Festival as OFFICIAL PRESS!!! We're so excited to talk to filmmakers premiering at TIFF about their films and their own lived experiences with disabilities and/or life moments that impact mental health! If you have a film at TIFF or want to hang with our co-hosts, the Taylor sisters, we'll be in Toronto covering the festival -- and beyond!! Can't wait to meet you all! #tiff #filmfestival #disability #mentalhealth

We had the absolute pleasure of talking to DR. KATHLEEN SMITH, a licensed therapist and writer who lives in Washington, DC: https://lnkd.in/emheVEVt Her books include Everything Isn't Terrible: Conquer Your Insecurities, Interrupt Your Anxiety, and Finally Calm Down, as well as her latest book, True to You: A Therapist's Guide to Stop Pleasing Others and Start Being Yourself. Today we’re talking about anxiety through the lens of how it functions in relation to others and how you can manage different forms of anxious behavior within relationships. We cover the three As that manifest because of anxiety -- avoiding, accommodating, and acting out -- and imagine what it would be like to let that go and be yourself and let other people be the same. We discuss how we can get stuck in patterns and what it takes to break out of them while dealing with the accompanying uncomfortableness. We also talk about the impact of over-functioning and under-functioning roles in relationships and how we are responsible TO someone and not FOR them. Such an important distinction! #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #selfcare #love #mentalhealthmatters #stress #selflove #therapy #healing #mindfulness #anxietyrelief #trauma #psychology #anxietyawareness #loveyourself #wellbeing #anxietysupport #stressrelief #support #healthylifestyle #mentalhealthsupport #bowen #bowentherapy #family #familytherapy #overfunctioning #underfunctioning #truetoyou

We deep-dive into the films and TV that best represent the different experiences of having breast cancer. https://lnkd.in/gURvA6wt With our guest filmmaker and indie journalist, Traven Rice, we look at how things can change for people experiencing recurrence, why you need a support network, and Traven’s wish for a trigger warning for films and TV with cancer stories. CW: Conversations about terminal cancer and death. Support Traven's latest short film about breast cancer at LayLeftyDown.com #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #pinkarmy #busylivingwithmets #bccww #BCSM #previvor #YoungAdultCancer #cancersurvivor #thinkpink #layleftydown #masectomy #thefamilystone #90210 #amillionlittlethings

We have the pleasure of talking with filmmaker and journalist, Traven Rice about her experiences with Breast Cancer. https://lnkd.in/eHdqK7gU We talk about how she discovered she had cancer, her treatment, the effects breast cancer can have on your mind and body, and the importance of community. We also discuss how breast cancer can impact your view of your identity and how a mastectomy is not just a “boob job.” Lastly, we talk about seeing the experience of Breast Cancer on screen and why Traven wanted to create a comedic film about having a memorial for her left breast called Lay Lefty Down, which she is currently raising funds for at LayLeftyDown.com. #breastcancer #breastcancerawareness #pinkarmy #busylivingwithmets #bccww #BCSM #previvor #YoungAdultCancer #cancersurvivor #thinkpink #layleftydown