PODCAST · education
Mischief and Mastery
by Mishu Hilmy
Creativity isn’t tidy—it’s risky, chaotic, and full of surprises. It’s full of breakthroughs and breakdowns, moments of flow and moments of doubt. Join Mishu Hilmy for unfiltered conversations with artists, filmmakers, musicians, and fearless makers who thrive in the unknown, embrace imperfection, and create at the edge of possibility.This is your front row seat to the self-doubt, unexpected wins, and messy emotional work of making something real. But craft isn’t just about feeling—it’s about problem-solving, process, and the devotion behind mastery.Subscribe now for weekly episodes that celebrate the unpredictable, the playful, and the deeply human side of making things. Join the mailing list at mischiefpod.comEmail anytime at [email protected] and follow us @mischiefpod
Episodes
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Letting the Work Stay Playful | Victoria Salazar on Sound, Curiosity, and Crossing Mediums
In this episode, Mishu talks with Victoria Salazar, a sound designer and re-recording mixer at Noisefloor LTD, about developing taste over time and following curiosity across formats without locking yourself into a single lane too early. Victoria reflects on moving between film, commercials, and...
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Staying With the Work | Kyle Anne Grendys on Responsibility, Process, and Letting a Film Grow
In this episode, Mishu sits down with filmmaker and editor Kyle Anne Grendys to talk about making a documentary from the inside of an experience most people will never encounter. They get into what it means to work inside communities often flattened by the word “disability,” how responsibility…
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Color Is a Language | Xanthe Brown on Taste, Translation, and Creative Authority
In this episode, Mishu sits down with editor, colorist, writer, and producer Xanthe Brown to talk about what happens after a year of saying yes to everything — the growth, the at-times exhaustion, and the challenging balancing act of sustainability through practicing boundaries. They dig into the...
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A Practice Beyond Permission | Brynley Halverson on Writing, Identity, and Creating Without Being Chosen
In this episode, Mishu sits down with actor and writer Brynley Halverson to talk about the strange, liberating year where acting work slowed down and the writing door swung wide open. They get into what it means to build a creative life that isn’t dependent on being chosen, why co-writing has...
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Let the Music Lead | Yuxin Lu on Emotional Scores, Instinct, and Writing What Feels True
In this episode, Mishu sits down with Chicago-based composer and sound designer Yuxin Lu to talk about slowing down, trusting your musical instincts, and finding your voice between two sonic worlds. They get into what happens when the work goes quiet for a while, how spotting a feature film…
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Mischief and Mastery Minisode | When In Doubt, Read: 13 Books to Build Your Creative Compass
In this short post-holiday episode, Mishu quickly walks through thirteen books that have shaped their artistic life. These are the ones they reread, return to, steal from, and lean on when the world feels loud or the industry feels shaky. Creative Practice & Inner Life Nonviolent Communication —...
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Leave Before You Break | Dashawna Wright on Burnout, Reinvention, and Starting Over in LA
In this episode, Mishu sits down with filmmaker and producer Dashawna Wright, founder of Choppe Productions, to talk about the quiet heartbreaks and necessary resets that come with a creative life. From the burnout that pushed her to leave Chicago to the disorienting honesty of starting over in…
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When the Room Comes Alive | Jordan Gleaves on Craft, Courage, and the Charge of Live Performance
In this episode, Mishu sits down with actor and playwright Jordan Gleaves to talk about the jolt of performing in front of a live audience, the intimacy of forgetting a line onstage, and the focus behind keeping a theater career alive in a city that will happily eat your free time. They get into...
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Being Yourself Is a Muscle | Ilse Zacharias Rivera on Creative Permission and Doing It Anyway
In this episode, Mishu sits down with actor, writer, comedian, and filmmaker Ilse Zacharias Rivera to talk about what it means to create your own permission slip. They dig into how her new podcast Ilse Will Say became acts of self-definition—and how podcasting, performance, and filmmaking all…
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The Sight Unseen | Shawn Antoine II on Family, Faith, and Rebuilding Memory Through Film
In this episode, Mishu sits down with documentary and experimental filmmaker Shawn Antoine II to talk about honoring family memory through film, the ethics of reconstruction, and how to tell stories when the archive runs out. They unpack Shawn’s hybrid documentary The Sight Unseen—a film inspired...
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Curiosity Over Control | Jack C. Newell on Chicago Grit and Creative Reinvention
In this episode, Mishu sits down with filmmaker and public artist Jack C. Newell to talk about creative longevity, balancing fiction and documentary work, and the myth of having a master plan. Jack shares how “scarcity in Chicago” taught him to say yes to opportunities outside a niche, why rest…
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After the Burnout | Demma Strausbaugh on Creative Recovery and Learning to Trust Yourself Again
In this episode, Mishu sits down with Chicago-based writer/director and producer Demma Strausbaugh to talk about the tension between creative drive and creative fatigue. They unpack the push and pull of wearing too many hats, the hard truths about indie filmmaking as a “rich person’s game,” and…
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Joy Is the Point | Edwina Luokkala-Burckhardt on Performance, Patience, and Making Work That Loves You Back
In this episode, Mishu sits down with Chicago-based actor, singer, and dancer Edwina Luokkola Burckhardt to talk about finding creative freedom after the rigidity of musical theatre. From the pandemic pause to co-writing and starring in Roller Babiez, Edwina opens up about rediscovering her…
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The Story That Wouldn’t Let Her Go | Sanicole Young on Purpose, Pressure, and Creative Persistence
In this episode, Mishu sits down with writer and director Sanicole Young to talk about what it means when an idea won’t leave you alone. They chat the discomfort of filmmaking—the stress, the pivoting, the grind—and the joy that keeps you coming back anyway. From battling production hurdles to...
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Three Jobs in One Body | Lillian Frances on Pop Stardom, Production, and Teaching the Next Wave
In this episode, Mishu sits down with indie pop artist and producer Lillian Frances to talk about the pendulum swing between hyper-focus and creative burnout, what Burning Man taught her about play, and the practical ways she’s learning to sustain both her art and her business. From teaching…
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Finish the Film (Even With a Hamster in Your Head) | Jerry S. Gonzalez on Weird Shorts and Big Spooky Dreams
In this episode, Mishu sits down with Chicago filmmaker Jerry S. Gonzalez to talk about sticking with your strangest ideas, finding validation after quiet festival runs, and the discipline of just getting projects across the finish line. They unpack the lessons of shorts like Intergalactic…
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At Depth, the Good Stuff Happens | Tony Scott-Green on Focus, Flow, and Creative Time
In this episode, Mishu sits down with composer and educator Tony Scott-Green to talk about how music moves with people, the discipline of organizing your creative time, and what it means to truly listen in an era of constant background noise. From scoring films that have played Cannes to teaching...
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The Spite Project That Sparked a Feature | Daisy Allen on Roller Babiez, Writing, and Creative Fuel
In this episode, Mishu sits down with Daisy Allen—writer, performer, and co-screenwriter of the queer stoner comedy Roller Babiez—to talk about what happens when you let an idea spiral into a feature, why sometimes spite is the best creative fuel, and how collaboration inside a close-knit…
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Fail Fast, Dream Big | Erica Duffy on Reinvention, Mentorship, and Building Midwest Film
In this episode, Mishu sits down with Erica Duffy—founder of Camera Ambassador and longtime champion of Chicago’s film community—to talk about taking leaps before you’re ready, why “fail fast” has become her north star, and the power of designing spaces that spark collaboration. They get into...
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Finishing Strong | C. Ryan Stemple on Post, Pivots, and Producing Your Own Films
In this episode, Mishu sits down with colorist, editor, and producer C. Ryan Stemple, CSI to talk about why finishing is its own art form—and why post-production might be the most adaptable corner of the industry right now. They dig into pivoting through strikes and slowdowns, how machine…
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Let Go of the Frame | Isaac Izzy White on Cinematography, Control, and the Cost of Doing It All
Mishu sits down with award-winning Director of Photography Isaac Izzy White to talk about the momentum crash after a high-output year, learning to scale creative ambition, and the quiet clarity that comes from building things with friends. They unpack how Izzy pivoted from monthly to quarterly...
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The Project That Broke Her Heart | Emily Lape on Delayed Grief, Creative Survival, and Letting the Work Find You
Mishu sits down with writer, director, actor, and artist Emily Lape to talk about what happens when a project breaks your heart—and how to find your creative footing again. They unpack how Emily's songwriting, painting, and acting re-lit the pilot light after her feature Abiquiú stalled in...
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Get Good on Your Own Terms | Rob Spera on Reps, Subtext, and Making Your Own Path
In this episode, Mishu sits down with director, writer, and educator Rob Spera, whose decades-long career spans feature films, cult classics, network television, and theater. They talk about staying connected to your purpose, cultivating a habit of experimentation, and the self-directed…
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I Don’t Want to Be a Brand | Tuxford Turner on Ambition, Burnout, and Being Yourself
In this episode, Mishu talks with actor, writer, and comedy performer Tuxford Turner (they/them/tux) about starting over in L.A., learning to trust their brain again, and the deep relief of not grinding yourself to dust. They dig into internalized urgency, “insecure ambition,” and what happens…
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Sexy, Subversive, and Stuck | Jim Vendiola on Trust, Taste, and Creative Haunting
How do you make the work when the world feels like it’s on fire—and still believe it matters? In this episode, Mishu and filmmaker Jim Vendiola talk about ambivalence, integrity, and making art that haunts you. They dig into taste, tempo, and attention spans, the value of saying no, and what it...
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What If You’re the Right One for the Role? | Katie Bellantone on Panic Weeks, ASMR, and Embracing Your Weird
In this episode, Mishu and actor/ASMR creator Katie Bellantone get into the rollercoaster of working in indie film, the panic spiral between auditions, and how she stays grounded when her brain tries to sabotage her face. They talk about the difference between trying to look perfect and trying to...
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It Doesn’t Have to Be Good Yet | Mary Tilden on Drafts, Dialogue, and Making Room for Play
In this episode, comedian and filmmaker Mary Tilden joins Mishu to talk about the weird in-between of writing when you can’t tell if your ideas are good—or garbage. They get into how theater and improv keep her connected, how she navigates the chaos of multiple drafts, and why trusting actors…
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Creative Work Is People Work | Jamie Kreppein on Film as Care, Leadership Without Ego, and Saying Yes to the Hard Stuff
Filmmaker and producer Jamie Kreppein joins Mishu for a warm, honest conversation about the invisible labor that makes independent filmmaking possible—and meaningful. They talk about the structures behind the stories, the gentle power of showing up, and how leadership can look like care…
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What If Prestige TV and Instagram Had a Baby? | CJ Arellano on Going Viral, Making Art, and Knowing What’s Worth Keeping
Filmmaker and screenwriter CJ Arellano joins Mishu to talk shop on platforms, posting, prestige, and playing the long game in a fragmented media landscape. With humor and insight, CJ reflects on how content creation has become a testing ground for audience connection—what hits, what flops, and…
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Build the Whole Building | Troy Pryor on Ecosystems, Ownership, and Creating What’s Missing
What happens when you stop waiting for a seat at the table—and start building the whole building? In this episode, Troy Pryor and I talk about designing creative ecosystems, the long game of legacy, and what it actually takes to create sustainable platforms for underrepresented voices in media.…
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Make It Look Expensive | Shelby Gamble on Scrappy Sets, Queer Grit, and Getting the Shot Anyway
Filmmaker Shelby “SB” Gamble joins me for a conversation about scrappy sets, strange stories, and the tension between polish and personal vision. We talk about learning to trust your instincts on shoots, the differences between commercial and narrative work, and how to stay creatively motivated...
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You’re Not Too Late | Julia Relova on Scarcity, Saying No, and Starting Anyway
In this episode, Julia Relova and I talk about that tender mix of creative joy and quiet comparison—what happens when you see a story close to your own finally break through, and the voice in your head says, “Does that mean I’ve missed my chance?” We get into scarcity mindset, energy tracking…
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Nothing Big Has to Happen | Katherine Quinn on Small Stakes, Stillness, and Writing What’s True
In this episode, Katherine Quinn and I explore what it means to tell stories that resist spectacle. We talk about choosing stillness over fuss, pacing that invites pause, and the creative rebellion of writing conflict-averse characters—on purpose. Katherine is a New York-based writer and…
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Make It Yours or Don’t Bother | Ryan Satterfeal on Acting, Audacity, and Why Specificity Wins
Ryan Satterfeal is a multi-award-winning actor, writer, and musician whose curiosity led him from garage bands to community theater—and eventually, to screen roles in Chicago Med, commercials, and indie films like Life Unexpected, Poser, and Clown Shoes. In this conversation, we talk about why he...
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Staying Seen Without Selling Out | Ruth Kaufman on Saying No, Showing Up, and Still Loving the Work
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...
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Build What You’d Want to Come Back To | Colin Parker on Taste, Chemistry, and Leading with Intention
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…
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This Scene Could Go Sideways | Andrea Zile Bish on Tone, Trust, and the Unscripted Work of Directing
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…
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Stop Writing for the Audience—Start Telling the Truth | Jordan Tragash on Structure, Discomfort, and the Unraveling
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…
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Write the Cult, But Make It Believable | Jennie McMurtry on Story, Risk, and Rewriting the Villain
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...
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The Edit Is Where You Lose Your Mind (and Maybe Find the Movie) | Kyle Leland on Structure, Fear, and Finishing
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...
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Make the Set Safe First | George Ellzey Jr. on Creative Burnout, Boundaries, and Leading with Care
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...
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The Joke That Scares You | Rey Tang on Risk, Recognition, and Writing Toward Surprise
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…
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You Are the Infrastructure: Remsy Atassi on Indie Film, Audience Building, and Real-World DIY
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...
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What Does Your Voice Sound Like? Tim Corpus on Creating and Composing Music Without Losing Yourself
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...
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When Showing Up Feels Pointless, Do It Anyway | Jorge Salas on Auditions, Adaptability, and Building the Work Brick by Brick
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...
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Follow the Butterfly | Alex Rembold on Quitting the Job, Starting the Jam, and Finding Joy in the Weird
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,...
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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
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...
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What If Story Didn’t Require Conflict? Donald Conley on Empathy, Tension Without Trauma, and Stories Without Villains
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...
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The Film Stalled—Then We Started Over | Cassidy Tee & Kristina Mercado on First Chair
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…
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Let the First Pancake Burn | Emma Palizza on Starting Messy and Laughing Anyway
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...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Creativity isn’t tidy—it’s risky, chaotic, and full of surprises. It’s full of breakthroughs and breakdowns, moments of flow and moments of doubt. Join Mishu Hilmy for unfiltered conversations with artists, filmmakers, musicians, and fearless makers who thrive in the unknown, embrace imperfection, and create at the edge of possibility.This is your front row seat to the self-doubt, unexpected wins, and messy emotional work of making something real. But craft isn’t just about feeling—it’s about problem-solving, process, and the devotion behind mastery.Subscribe now for weekly episodes that celebrate the unpredictable, the playful, and the deeply human side of making things. Join the mailing list at mischiefpod.comEmail anytime at [email protected] and follow us @mischiefpod
HOSTED BY
Mishu Hilmy
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Mischief and Mastery have?
Mischief and Mastery currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Mischief and Mastery about?
Creativity isn’t tidy—it’s risky, chaotic, and full of surprises. It’s full of breakthroughs and breakdowns, moments of flow and moments of doubt. Join Mishu Hilmy for unfiltered conversations with artists, filmmakers, musicians, and fearless makers who thrive in the unknown, embrace imperfection,...
How often does Mischief and Mastery release new episodes?
Mischief and Mastery has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Mischief and Mastery?
You can listen to Mischief and Mastery on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Mischief and Mastery?
Mischief and Mastery is created and hosted by Mishu Hilmy.
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