Storytelling makes you a better human; being a better human makes you a better storyteller.
I experienced the truth of interconnectedness of storytelling and personal growth after I swung a sledgehammer into the mental wall that divided my professional and personal life. The same elements that enriched conversations with friends, my wife, and my daughter - empathy, curiosity, and active listening - also enriched the stories of those who bravely shared them with me in front of a camera.
My grandmother, the most superb storyteller I know, gave me the best intangible gift. Through her patience and attentiveness, she taught me the power of listening. Unlike my single Black mother, who worked multiple jobs to provide for me and my younger sister, my grandmother had time to sit, hear, and hold space for my thoughts and feelings. That experience instilled a deep appreciation for human connection. This value has shaped my filmmaking approach. Through documentary filmmaking, I strive to capture the human experience within environmental justice and land and water conservation. When people say, "Thank you for listening," I know I've honored that gift.
Yet, there is no honor amongst thieves, who take people's stories solely for their gain. This extractive storytelling practice is the opposite of ethical storytelling. The way I see it, ethical storytelling is simply "loving your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-40). Thus, storytelling is an action of love. It's hard to be extractive when you’re loving that person or community.
Undoubtedly, our blind spots will cause unintentional harm. Yet, if our hearts are willingly bent toward self-sacrificial love, how can we not admit our wrongs and do our part to heal the relationship? Loving others as myself is the lens through which I work, and it starts with listening.
All of my projects begin and end with discovery. For me, discovery is paying attention to what's said, not said, and pondering those things. I recall receiving a text message from my client during the post-production of our film "Where Paths Meet." She asked for the film's title so she could share it with an education conference. There was no title to give her. I wasn't done listening to the film and allowing it to reveal it’s true essence, including the most fitting title. The more I listen, the greater my understanding is of people, their stories, and the most honoring way to present them.
Documentary films and docu-style organizational stories are the tools I use, but the heart of my work is empathy. It's about building a brand around listening, human connection, and sacrificially loving others. My ultimate goal in storytelling is to foster empathy, provoke thought, and inspire action. Every story I tell is an invitation—to step into the shoes of others and see the world through their eyes and hearts.