The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, which runs September 5 – 15, 2024, promises, once again, to be one of the world’s premier showcases for documentaries. TIFF’s renowned Documentary Programmer and DOC NYC co-founder Thom Powers (Pure Nonfiction, WNYC’s Documentary of the Week) joins Ken to break down the TIFF DOCS lineup and discuss what…

At one time, being “Slimed” on Nickelodeon was seen as the ultimate television rite of passage and a harmless bit of fun. But as “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV” — Mary Robertson (“Framing Britney Spears”) and Emma Schwartz’ (“Elon Musk’s Crash Course”) devastating investigation of the warped culture at Nickelodeon in the 90s and 2000s — re…

Director Bao Nguyen returns to “Top Docs” to illuminate the creative process behind his captivating, and now multi-Emmy nominated, Netflix doc “The Greatest Night in Pop” about the behind-the-scenes studio recording of the iconic 1980s famine relief song “We Are the World”. Bao takes us deep inside his approach to characterization and tension-build…

Fisher Stevens returns to the pod bearing 5 Emmy Nominations for his 4-part Netflix Series about the British football legend. He digs in deep with us on the opening sequence of Episode 3 of the series: "Golden Balls". And his delight is evident in meeting his old friends once again--Victoria and David, certainly, but Luís Figo, Gary Neville, and ev…

We continue our Emmy coverage with a conversation with the filmmakers behind the Netflix series, “Escaping Twin Flames”: director Cecilia Peck as well as executive producer and editor Inbal Lessner (both of “Brave Miss World,” and “Seduced: Inside the Nexium Cult.”) Here is how Cecilia describes the series: “Escaping Twin Flames is a three part Net…

It’s been 34 years since the stunning, untimely death of Jim Henson at the age of just 53. But, in the years since, Henson’s creations (aka The Muppets) have continued their reign on “Sesame Street”, at theme parks and in the movies. Jim Henson’s coterie of lovable characters is as present as ever. Academy Award-winning director Ron Howard (“A Beau…

9 years after the debut of his remarkable docuseries “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst”, which included a stunning confession by Durst on a hot mic, acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Jarecki (“Capturing the Friedmans”) is still at it. In April 2024, HBO released the first of his new six-episode series, “The Jinx - Part Two”, an investigation …

Send us a Text Message. The state of esports is currently struggling, with many companies facing financial difficulties. The traditional model of building a league around a single game and relying on sponsorships and ticket sales is no longer sustainable. Ultimate Endgamerz League (UEL) has taken a different approach by creating a league around gam…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode of Decentralized Opportunity, Wyatt and Tanner sit down with Gaby Cardenas, founder and CEO of The Colibri Collective, a dynamic marketing agency that specializes in empowering underrepresented communities. Gaby shares her journey from being a radio sales manager to founding The Colibri Collective, and how sh…

Continuing our Emmy coverage, today we speak with the creators of the Emmy-nominated HBO documentary series, “Telemarketers”. Co-director Adam Bhala Lough describes the 3-part series this way: “Two scumbag telemarketers discover that there are cogs in the wheel of a multimillion dollar scam. And so they band together to try to take down the scam an…

“Climbing the mountain” is a fitting description of the uphill struggle that all documentary filmmakers face when taking on any new project. Acclaimed filmmaker Lucy Walker (“Bring Your Own Brigade”, “The Crash Reel”) takes that metaphor to new heights with “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa,” her ambitious, multilayered new documentary …

Send us a Text Message. In this enlightening episode of the Decentralized Opportunity Podcast, Wyatt and Tanner sit down with Dahlia Attia-King, the founder of Panacea Genetics. Panacea offers a revolutionary at-home genetic exome test that identifies markers for various diseases. Dahlia shares her journey from aspiring doctor to becoming a trailbl…

When the U.S. military pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, effectively ending America’s longest war, that seemed like the end of the story for most journalists. But for director Ibrahim Nash’at, the story that he wanted to tell was just beginning. In his haunting new documentary “Hollywoodgate”, Nash’at does what virtually no other journalist or fil…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, we explore the profound study of wisdom with Dr. Laura Gabayan, a physician researcher who has identified eight common elements of wisdom: resilience, kindness, positivity, spirituality, humility, tolerance, creativity, and curiosity. Dr. Gabayan discusses her book, Common Wisdom, which aims to help individu…

Send us a Text Message. The conversation with Shonna Dorsey focuses on the technology scene in Nebraska and the initiatives being undertaken to support the growth of startups and the tech workforce in the state. One of the main misconceptions about Nebraska is that it only has large companies, but there are actually many great startups in the area.…

Send us a Text Message. Annie Thomas-Landrum discusses the differences between living in Alaska and the continental United States, as well as her journey from Kansas to Alaska. She shares her experiences of living in a place that is about 10 years behind in terms of development and the unique challenges of transportation in Alaska. Annie also talks…

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Memphis sound was everywhere: Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Carla Thomas, Isaac Hayes — the list goes on. Not only did the Memphis sound (a.k.a. Memphis soul) bring an amazing range of musical talent to the world, it also shined a light on the unsung city of Memphis, Tennessee and on a remarkable record company called Stax…

In the early 1990s, a serial killer stalked his victims not by slipping into houses under cover of darkness or by abducting victims from isolated highway rest stops, but rather by haunting crowded, lively gay bars in Manhattan–he even interacted with others in these bars, sometimes the very friends of his victims. What makes “Last Call: When a Seri…

Sir David Attenborough’s still got it. As he proves in Netflix’s extraordinary nature series “Our Planet II”, the 98-year-old legendary British biologist, natural historian, narrator, and writer remains one of the documentary world’s great talents. Joining Mike and Ken on the pod, “Our Planet II" Series Producer Huw Cordey discusses the ins-and-out…

In 2015, a young California couple, Aaron Quinn and Denise Huskins, was awakened by a home invasion, drugged, and blindfolded; Denise was kidnapped. But that isn’t the only disturbing horror at the heart of the harrowing Netflix docuseries “American Nightmare”. Sensitively and imaginatively directed by Felicity Morris and Bernadette Higgins (“The T…

Send us a Text Message. In this special episode of the Decentralized Opportunity podcast, we welcome two distinguished guests from different sides of the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Chris Callen, founder and CEO of Plot, and Liam Reilly, Principal at KC Rise Fund. Join hosts Wyatt and Tanner as they discuss the unique journeys of both guests, explor…

Yance Ford’s voice is key to his new documentary on Netflix, so here’s how he describes “Power”: “Driven to contain threats to social order, American policing has exploded in scope and scale over hundreds of years. Now it can be described by one word: ‘Power’”. Yance’s narrative is deeply rooted in a historical analysis of the roots of American pol…

Already famous as an actor, Rob Reiner made his directorial debut in 1984 with the landmark mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap”, which kicked off a new subgenre and inspired countless references to turning the knob “up to 11.” But, it has taken 40 years for the legendary creative hyphenate (director of “Stand by Me”, “When Harry Met Sally”, “A Few Go…

Send us a Text Message. Guest: Alexander Blum, Founder of Applied Bioplastics In this episode of Decentralized Opportunity, Wyatt and Tanner sit down with Alexander Blum, the innovative mind behind Applied Bioplastics. Alexander's journey from adversity to making a significant environmental impact is truly inspiring. What's in This Episode? The Mag…

Send us a Text Message. Summary Maria Flynn, author of 'Make Opportunity Happen,' shares her insights on starting a business and the importance of finding examples and mentors. She discusses her background as an entrepreneur and the motivation behind writing her book. Maria also talks about the challenges she faced in writing the book and how they …

While we gear up for Season 4 of "Top Doc", we're sharing some of our favorite episodes of the past few years. Today, we re-present a pod from October of 2021. Ken and Mike welcome Kirsten (KJ) Johnson, who recently won Best Director for her groundbreaking film, "Dick Johnson is Dead." This film is like no other film you’ll find in your Netflix que…

Send us a Text Message. Today we learn about the unique world of veteran career transitions with Tim den Hoed, the visionary behind Major Talent. Tim's journey is not just about building a company; it's a testament to his unwavering commitment to empowering fellow veterans to excel in their post-military lives. Unveiling Veteran Career Challenges: …

While we gear up for Season 4, we are sharing some of our favorite shows from the past few years. Next up is "Summer of Soul", and our interview with director Amir "Questlove" Thompson. Since we first aired this show in January of 2022, the film went on to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson joins us to ta…

Send us a Text Message. Join us in Episode 72 for a compelling conversation with Dr. Deepak Khazanchi, an esteemed professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha and an authority on ethics and human rights in the realm of AI. Explore the ethical considerations, the impact of AI on human rights, and the necessary guardrails for the responsible use of…

While we gear up for Season 4, we thought we'd replay some of our favorite shows from the past few years. Today, we’re presenting again our interview from September of 2022 with Daniel Roher regarding his film, Navalny, which depicts the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Since then, the film won the Academy Award for best Documentary. Despi…

Follow the soccer career and life of Ali, from her early days playing youth soccer in Los Angeles to eventually captaining the New Zealand national team. Ali discusses growing up with a coach for a dad, getting the opportunity to play for New Zealand's U20 team, becoming a starter at Stanford University, and her long professional career in the US a…

Send us a Text Message. Join us in Episode 71 as we delve into the intricate world of artificial intelligence with Hunter Dorhout, a seasoned software developer and tech entrepreneur. Explore the practical applications and common misconceptions of AI in the tech industry, the balance between enhancing productivity and preserving creativity, and the…

To finish out Season 3, we're revisiting some telling moments from three of our most popular shows of the season: Laura McGann, "The Deepest Breath" Anna Hints, "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood" Fisher Stevens, "Beckham" The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.By michaellouismerrill

Send us a Text Message. Starting a podcast can seem daunting, but it's actually easy and simple to get started. In this conversation, Wyatt and Tanner discuss the process of creating and publishing a podcast. They cover topics such as recording equipment, editing software, and publishing platforms. They emphasize the importance of learning and iter…

“Check Your Ego at the Door”. Those words were scrawled on a piece of paper and taped to the door of A&M Studios on the night of January 28, 1985. The story behind that command is the subject of director Bao Nguyen’s (“Be Water”) thoroughly captivating new Netflix documentary “The Greatest Night in Pop” about the once-in-a-lifetime event that drew …

So much for campfire singalongs and Capture the Flag. Directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss once again plunge into the world of summer camp for young politicians-in-training with “Girls State”, a riveting and exhilarating follow up to their Emmy Award-winning 2020 documentary “Boys State.” The comparisons may be inevitable, but “Girls State” forg…

Send us a Text Message. In this enlightening episode of "Decentralized Opportunity," host Tanner dives deep into the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship with Cody Jung, an insightful voice in the startup community. They explore the nuanced world of building a business in the age of AI and how technology reshapes the entrepreneurial journey. Key …

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, hosts Wyatt and Tanner sit down with the insightful Craig Oliver to tackle the concept of maintenance during rocky periods in business and life. Craig breaks down the idea of transformational fatigue and why it's crucial to shift focus to maintenance during uncertain times. He shares valuable insights on how…

Many of the issues that plagued the young people of America decades ago–binge drinking, drunken driving, teenage pregnancy, smoking, to name a few–have greatly declined in significance. But in their place we have witnessed a seemingly ever-deepening mental health crisis amongst our youth, one partly rooted, as our guests tell us, in a rise of anxie…

In this episode, we discuss the journey of transitioning from different career paths to establishing a successful business. The conversation highlights the significance of making bold decisions, balancing the responsibilities of being a parent while managing a business, and the positive impact of therapy in personal development. Insights are shared…

Send us a Text Message. In this insightful episode of the Decentralized Opportunity podcast, we're thrilled to have Travis Schwartz, a seasoned consultant with over 20 years of experience, share his invaluable perspectives on how small and medium-sized businesses can harness the power of technology to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and …

How much do you really know about Reality Winner, the veteran and NSA contractor who shared a document regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election with “The Intercept”, and then subsequently served several years in Federal prison as a consequence? Sonia Kennebeck’s (Enemies of the State, National Bird) “Reality Winner” melds a host of timel…

In this episode of the Primal Kitchen Podcast, host Morgan, co-founder of Primal Kitchen, engages in a fascinating dialogue with Maria Emmerich, a renowned nutritionist and international bestselling author. They explore Maria's journey with the keto lifestyle, starting from her struggle with PCOS and depression, to discovering the transformative im…

Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Kathy Andersen, the Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED), discusses the grant process and the importance of taking advantage of available resources. She highlights the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in rural communities and the efforts to build…

Join us for an episode where we dive deep into the world of skincare with the brilliant minds behind ClearSTEM Skincare, Danielle Gronich & Kayleigh Christina. Danielle, an acclaimed acne guru and clinical esthetician, alongside Kayleigh a certified holistic nutritionist, share their wealth of knowledge on combating acne while embracing anti-aging,…

Joining us for the third year in a row, Variety’s Senior Awards Editor Clayton Davis breaks down this year’s Oscar races for Best Documentary Feature and Best Documentary Short and offers his predictions for who will be victorious at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10th. With the feature doc category taking on a very international flavor this year…

Dive into our conversation with Ana Lorena Febrega, known for her work in changing how we think about teaching and learning. Ana, who worked closely with Synthesis, shares her journey from being a student across the globe to pushing the boundaries of education beyond traditional methods. She talks about the need for creativity, curiosity, and the a…

We’ve saved the last of our live, in-person interviews at Sundance 2024 for the winners of the Sundance U.S. Documentary Competition Audience Award and overall Festival Favorite, the incredibly moving, tear-jerking, and, hopefully, policy-shifting documentary “Daughters”. Directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae join Ken to discuss their world premi…

In this episode, we chat with Mary, a nutrition expert who helps athletes and famous people eat better to perform at their best. Mary shares her story of how changing her diet improved her health and led her to help others do the same. She talks about working with big names in sports and movies, making sure they eat right to stay on top of their ga…

When Ranjit and his family turn to the Indian legal system to seek justice for his daughter who had been raped by three local young men, they face not only daunting odds from the system but deep resistance from their village. Nisha Pahuja’s Academy Award-nominated film “To Kill a Tiger” traces the profound tension Ranjit experiences: on the one sid…