Voices of Survival: A Conversation with Filmmaker James Coney

Ep #92: Voices of Survival — A Conversation with Filmmaker James ConeyThank you for listening to noseyAF! So happy to have your ears!Good Stuff Only 💅🏾Fresh art, messy ideas, tiny victories, wild inspirations, candid stories, fun secrets, and the occasional surprise—straight from my studio to your inbox.Join artists, curators, gallerists, and art lovers getting first looks at new work 1-2x a month.→ Subscribe to Good Stuff OnlyThis episode of noseyAF was recorded live on Lumpen Radio on October 25, 2025, and features filmmaker James Coney, founder of Joyful Rebellion Films and creator of the short film “There Are No Words”.The film takes inspiration from Chanel Miller’s powerful victim impact statement, and James joins me to talk about what it means to tell survivor-centered stories with care, empathy, and intention. We get into how he brought together 35 actresses to collectively voice Chanel’s words, how filmmaking can serve as healing, and why representation behind the camera matters just as much as what we see on screen.It’s a tender, thoughtful conversation about the ways art can open hearts, challenge silence, and spark community healing.What We Talk AboutHow “There Are No Words” came to lifeJames’s creative process and why he chose 35 actresses to share Chanel Miller’s wordsWhat it means to create a safe and supportive setThe connection between filmmaking, empathy, and activismHow storytelling can inspire understanding and changeThings We Mentioned“Know My Name” by Chanel MillerAll About James ConeyJames Coney has been a movie lover since childhood — Amadeus was his first big-screen obsession. After earning a film degree from Columbia College Chicago, he worked in TV production on shows like Judge Mathis, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Steve Harvey, and America’s Got Talent.In 2015, he founded Joyful Rebellion Films — a company committed to fearless storytelling that challenges silence and celebrates authenticity. There Are No Words continues that mission by amplifying the voices of survivors and using film as a tool for empathy and awareness.🎬 Instagram: @joyfulrebellionfilms🌐 Website: joyfulrebellionfilms.comTakeaways 💭Art can be a form of healing. James shows how filmmaking can hold space for pain, reflection, and transformation — both for artists and audiences.Representation behind the camera matters. Centering women’s voices in every part of the process changed the way this story was told and received.Listening is powerful. When we take the time to truly hear survivor stories, we open the door to empathy, connection, and lasting change.Chapters• 00:04 - Live from Lumpen Radio: Meet James Coney• 03:29 - How “There Are No Words” Came to Be• 19:33 - Filmmaking Through a Pandemic• 28:26 - Building a Safe Set for Survivors• 42:06 - Why Representation and Empathy MatterMore ways to connect:Email: [email protected] out my workFollow me on Instagram @stephaniegrahamListen to more episodesSupport & FeedbackShare noseyAF with friendsRate & Review the ShowBuy Pins & Prints | Shop ArtEpisode CreditsProduced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)Lyrics: Queen LexInstrumental: Freddie Bam Fam