Episode 300 – Mental Health and Film

Runtime 145 minutes Up for Discussion The IntroductionMatthew Brown and The Neverending Stofy(2:56)Rosa Parra and Inside Out (22:59)Jim Laczkowski and The Sunset Limited (44:27)Samantha Joyce and My Girl (1:09:36)Jonathan Barkan and Relic (1:35:47)Natalie Davey and In The Shadow of The Pines (2:05:21)The Wrap (2:22:28) Thoughts from your host… When you publish a podcast more than two hours long that also happens to be your 300th one (350 if we’re counting side-episodes!), it’s hard to know what’s left to say. But I couldn’t publish something like this without a few more thoughts Someone near and dear to the show suggested “Open your heart and let it rain”. The first heavy drop I feel from the sky is one of nerves – one that says that I have spent the better part of a month working on something that doesn’t land. It’s the strangest feeling since I have tossed so many of these podcasting paper airplanes over the balcony and never once thought much about where they will land (or if they land). Today though? I’m trying something different, something bigger, something that I want to land in the right places…and with that comes nerves that I have spent the better part of a month creating something that didn’t work. The second few drops landing on my shoulders are those of weariness. The actual time spent on this project is one thing, but there was also a great deal of emotional energy that went into it. Listening, and re-listening; planning and hoping. Putting myself in the shoes of so many people I know and also those I don’t. I think about how this show affected me emotionally to create, and it leaves me with a heavy heart knowing that at least I get to move forward and start doing easier things. Lots of people in the world aren’t that lucky – and it’s not a thought or feeling I take lightly. The next several drops hitting my head are those of hope – hope not only that this little totem does what I want it to do, but that we all are getting to a better place. That with every passing day, week, month, and year we are understanding more and more about mental health – whether it affects us personally or not. Hope that we can continue to redefine the language, the response, the latitude. I hope one day someone stumbles across this episode and finds it quaint that we had to dedicate so much time to something that has become common knowledge. And as the clouds open and start to drench me, the precipitation is that of gratitude. To everyone involved with this episode – both in the audio and behind the scenes. Some wanted to join, but couldn’t – their influence is still present. Others may have wanted to, but I didn’t realize – their impulse is appreciated. And everyone who listens to even one minute of this opus, everyone who clicks ‘forward’ or ‘share’…I am grateful for you and what you bring to this endeavour. So as I sit here getting wetter and wetter by the mental downpour – nervous, weary, hopeful, and grateful – let me just say that I appreciate every chance this little podcast has given me to share ideas, humour, empathy, passion, and perspective. It’s an opportunity I have never taken lightly, and one I hope has made good use of the privilege I am afforded. Welcome to Wherever You Are. Links from The Show: Movie poster from The Sunset Limited: Samantha Joyce’s books on Goodreads – Flirting With Fame and Dealing in Deception Mental Health and Horror trailer, directed by Jonathan Barkan: In The Shadow of The Pines short film by Anne Koizumi Matthew Salesses Time essay on grief. Natalie’s Reframeables TikTok account Reframeables Episode 62 where Caitlin Green discusses active listening (with so much more) Follow my guests on Twitter: Jonathan BarkanNatalie DaveySamantha JoyceJim LaczkowskiRosa Parra You can subscribe to the Matineecast via iTunes or RSS Comments and feedback are welcome, and thank-you so very much for listening. Take care of yourselves and Enjoy!