Best Mishu Hilmy Podcasts (2025)

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Staying Seen Without Selling Out | Ruth Kaufman on Saying No, Showing Up, and Still Loving the Work 1:01:08

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2d ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Actor, author, voiceover artist, improv performer—Ruth Kaufman has worn a lot of hats. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to stay present and committed in a saturated industry, even when the wins are hard to see. From casting breakdowns and shifting expectations to how self-tapes changed the emotional math of auditioning, Ruth shares…

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Build What You’d Want to Come Back To | Colin Parker on Taste, Chemistry, and Leading with Intention 55:32

7d ago55:32

55:32

Some projects come together in a rush. Others take years of quiet build-up, trust, and timing. In this episode, Mishu and Colin unpack what it takes to move a project from an idea to the finish line—without burning out your team or yourself. They talk about clear communication on set, why structure matters even in creative chaos, and how to stay fl…

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This Scene Could Go Sideways | Andrea Zile Bish on Tone, Trust, and the Unscripted Work of Directing 53:13

9d ago53:13

53:13

Filmmaking doesn't always go according to plan—but for Andrea Zile Bish, that’s part of the fun. In this episode, Bish and Mishu talk about the ups and downs of directing both comedy and horror, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the vulnerable realities of post-production burnout. They also unpack the myth of the auteur, share thou…

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Stop Writing for the Audience—Start Telling the Truth | Jordan Tragash on Structure, Discomfort, and the Unraveling 1:03:12

14d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

What happens when a filmmaker stops writing from the outside in—and starts building stories from the subconscious out? In this episode, Jordan Tragash joins Mishu for a conversation that gets into experimental structure, emotional disorientation, and the creative tension between clarity and chaos. They explore the value of discomfort, the illusions…

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Write the Cult, But Make It Believable | Jennie McMurtry on Story, Risk, and Rewriting the Villain 54:24

16d ago54:24

54:24

What makes a story resonate—and what’s the cost of writing one that doesn’t play it safe? In this episode, Jennie McMurtry joins Mishu to talk about screenwriting in the indie world, from crafting high-stakes pilots to rewriting cult thrillers that feel unnervingly plausible. They chat about the pressure of self-producing, learning when to ask for …

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The Edit Is Where You Lose Your Mind (and Maybe Find the Movie) | Kyle Leland on Structure, Fear, and Finishing 1:00:42

21d ago1:00:42

1:00:42

What happens when you stop trying to be Wes Anderson and start figuring out what’s actually yours to say? In this episode, filmmaker, writer and editor Kyle Leland Cullerton joins Mishu for a refreshingly candid conversation about fear, delusion, and creative self-awareness. They talk about the high-stakes neurosis of editing, the discipline of out…

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Make the Set Safe First | George Ellzey Jr. on Creative Burnout, Boundaries, and Leading with Care 1:03:07

23d ago1:03:07

1:03:07

What does it mean to direct with care in an industry that often forgets its people? In this episode, George Ellzey Jr. joins Mishu for an unflinching and heartfelt conversation about navigating burnout, building emotionally safe sets, and resisting the achievement spiral. They explore the quiet rewards of creative leadership, how to protect your jo…

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The Joke That Scares You | Rey Tang on Risk, Recognition, and Writing Toward Surprise 58:15

28d ago58:15

58:15

What does it mean to chase a joke without losing yourself? In this episode, Rey Tang—a Chicago-based writer, photographer, filmmaker, and performer—joins Mishu for a conversation about finding her comedic voice while navigating feedback, audience expectations, and the realities of making a creative career sustainable. They talk about letting go of …

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You Are the Infrastructure: Remsy Atassi on Indie Film, Audience Building, and Real-World DIY 1:00:08

1M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

What if you stopped waiting for permission and started thinking like a studio? In this episode, Remsy Atassi—a Chicago-based Syrian-American filmmaker—joins Mishu for a grounded, no-nonsense talk about the changing landscape of indie film distribution. They unpack why relying on festivals and acquisitions may be a trap, how to budget with an eye to…

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What Does Your Voice Sound Like? Tim Corpus on Creating and Composing Music Without Losing Yourself 58:44

1M ago58:44

58:44

What happens when you stop writing what’s expected—and start composing like yourself? In this episode, Tim Corpus shares what it means to develop a creative voice you can actually recognize in your own work. We talk about what makes a temp track helpful (and when it’s not), taking creative swings in client work, and how years of writing for others …

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When Showing Up Feels Pointless, Do It Anyway | Jorge Salas on Auditions, Adaptability, and Building the Work Brick by Brick 51:10

1M ago51:10

51:10

What happens when you chase the adrenaline of live performance—and find yourself building a whole second life? In this episode, Jorge Salas joins Mishu to talk about getting into acting later than most, navigating the sometimes brutal psychology of auditions, and staying flexible in both life and craft. We dig into how Jorge’s background in tech ga…

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Follow the Butterfly | Alex Rembold on Quitting the Job, Starting the Jam, and Finding Joy in the Weird 48:31

1M ago48:31

48:31

What if the most meaningful thing you ever made wasn’t your biggest show—but the space you created for someone else to play? In this episode, Alex Rembold talks about leaving a soul-crushing job to start Catjam, the community-driven open mic series he founded to give others permission to show up, sound weird, and feel welcome. We talk about shiftin…

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You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Professional | Madelynn Wierda on Trusting Yourself Before They Tell You You’re Ready 52:30

1M ago52:30

52:30

What does it mean to call yourself an actor before the industry gives you permission? In this episode, Madelynn Wierda talks about navigating the awkward in-between of student and professional, how she chooses roles based on instinct, and why setting your own tone on set can make all the difference. We explore the mental side of auditioning, asking…

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What If Story Didn’t Require Conflict? Donald Conley on Empathy, Tension Without Trauma, and Stories Without Villains 56:54

2M ago56:54

56:54

What if the point of a story wasn’t conflict—but something more subtle, more layered, and more human? In this episode, award-winning director and producer Donald Conley joins Mishu to talk about the evolving shape of story, the language of tension, and how Nonviolent Communication changed the way he writes characters, builds scenes, and approaches …

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The Film Stalled—Then We Started Over | Cassidy Tee & Kristina Mercado on First Chair 47:12

2M ago47:12

47:12

What does it look like to grow into a role you didn’t expect to take on—and do it with someone who trusts you, even before you trust yourself? In this episode, Cassidy Tee and Kristina Mercado talk about their collaboration on the short film First Chair, navigating setbacks, building momentum from scratch, and making decisions in real time with cre…

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Let the First Pancake Burn | Emma Palizza on Starting Messy and Laughing Anyway 50:36

2M ago50:36

50:36

Emma Palizza has stopped waiting for permission—and she’s not dragging a boulder uphill just to be "seen." In this episode, she talks candidly about leaving the Chicago theater grind, recalibrating her definition of success, and rediscovering joy in creative work. Whether it's saying no to bad plays, launching a podcast with her best friend, or wat…

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You Don’t Need Permission | Shane Dresch on Making It Work Without a Big Budget, a Full Crew, or a Perfect Plan 57:02

2M ago57:02

57:02

Before you hit play, go watch Sleepwalking—a surreal, floating, time-bending music video Shane directed for Mario McClean: Watch here. Then come back and hear how it came together—one melted phone prop and 4-hour beach shoot at a time. In this episode, Shane Dresch breaks down the emotional math and creative strategy behind directing, designing, an…

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What If You Didn’t Push So Hard? Elissa Wolf on Curiosity, Casting, and Letting the Work Breathe 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

What if the most powerful creative move you made was choosing to pause? In this episode, Elissa Wolf unpacks the subtle and often overlooked moments that shape her approach to theater—whether she’s in rehearsal, navigating a career shift, or nerding out over Shakespeare’s linguistic breadcrumbs. We talk about slowing down as a strategy, making room…

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Armin Korsos on Momentum, Documentaries, and Saying Yes Too Soon (On Purpose) 40:54

2M ago40:54

40:54

Why wait until everything’s perfect to start something new? In this episode, Armin Korsos shares how saying yes now—even before you’re “ready”—can spark organic growth, community, and career-shifting momentum. Born in the Cayman Islands and now based in Chicago, Armin is a filmmaker known for emotionally vivid imagery and a global lens—both in his …

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The Premiere’s Over | Jon Silver on Burnout, Festivals, and Letting Go 57:13

2M ago57:13

57:13

What happens when you get everything you asked for—and it still doesn’t feel great? In this episode, Jon Silver talks candidly about navigating the tail end of a feature film rollout, the unexpected burnout of the festival circuit, and what it really means to build an audience when your control over exhibition is limited. We talk about the tension …

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Nobody Prepares You for This Part: Imani Davis on Finishing a Film, Podcasting and Figuring Out the Rest 50:52

2M ago50:52

50:52

So much of the film industry is shrouded in secrecy—and Imani Davis is here to crack it open. In this episode, we talk about her podcast Players as well as what happens after you make the movie: the emotional labor, the financial blind spots, and the strategic chaos of trying to get your work seen. A producer, writer, and curator, Imani is a film p…

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Welcome to Mischief & Mastery with Mishu Hilmy 2:41

3M ago2:41

2:41

Creativity is messy, unpredictable, and full of sharp turns. Mischief & Mastery with Mishu Hilmy brings you real conversations with artists, filmmakers, and fearless makers who wrestle with doubt, chase inspiration, and shape chaos into something real. Episodes drop weekly. Sign up for the mailing list at mischiefpod.com Email us anytime at podcast…