Finding the Story You’d Bleed For | Sara Zandieh | Filmmaker, Writer & Director

Sara Zandieh is an Iranian-American filmmaker, writer, and director whose work blends humor, humanity, and cultural depth. She recently directed an episode of NBC’s Good Girls and her latest feature, A Simple Wedding (a multi-cultural romantic comedy starring Tara Grammy and Christopher O’Shea) is streaming now on Amazon and iTunes. Sara shares her path from journalism to filmmaking, why being Iranian-American shapes her storytelling, and what it takes to commit to a project that spans years. She talks about filming in Iran, building a network of creative collaborators, and embracing the entrepreneurial mindset every director needs. Her journey is a reminder that great storytelling requires full commitment, deep humanity, and the courage to tell the stories that matter most. Chapters 00:00 Meet Sara Zandieh 03:40 From Tehran to Maryland: An Iranian-American Childhood 07:30 Transition from Journalism to Filmmaking 12:15 Covering the Iraq War and the Draw to Narrative Storytelling 16:50 Earning an MFA at Columbia University 20:25 Filming Pool Party in Iran 24:00 Why It Took Six Years to Make A Simple Wedding 28:40 The Power of Collaboration and Creative Circles 33:15 Lessons from NBC’s Female Forward Program 37:50 Building a Career Across Film and Television 42:15 Finding the Story You’re Willing to Bleed For 46:00 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices