Dava Whisenant, founder and president of Cactus Flower Films, is a master storyteller who has stories to tell, and she tells them with honesty and humor. For more than 20 years, she’s worked in narrative and nonfiction film as an editor — from The Late Show with David Letterman to the Emmy-winning and Oscar- short-listed documentary short The Flagmakers — and now as a director. The award-winning documentary Bathtubs Over Broadway, was her directorial debut, for which she won Best Director at the Tribeca Film Festival and a Writer’s Guild Award for Best Documentary Screenplay. We talk about her creative process, the necessity of a team, the financial challenges of a creative life, the value of being scared, and the importance of inspirational mugs!
Season 3
Becca Stevens: Sparking Revolutions with Creativity
Becca Stevens, the founder and president of Thistle Farms, shares her journey from starting a 5-bed home for women survivors of trafficking, addiction, and prostitution to creating a global movement for women’s freedom. Born at the crossroads of where arts and crafts meets justice, Becca talks about how creativity has transformed the lives of women in her programs, the importance of a walk in the woods, and how one Thistle Farms candle was the catalyst for a birthday party including A-list celebrities. The word timid is not in Becca’s vocabulary — anything is possible!
The War and Treaty: Electrifying Audiences with Courage and Creativity
We’re starting Season Three with the most incredible duo, The War and Treaty, also known as the husband and wife team of Michael and Tanya Trotter, who are making some of the most exciting music today. Michael and Tanya have overcome hardships that would have flattened most of us. But they persevered and this year, they were nominated for two Grammy Awards. They’re currently featured in exhibitions at The Country Music Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And they’ve travelled around the world headlining their own shows and opening for musical greats like Al Green, Brandi Carlile, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell, John Legend, Lauren Daigle, and Van Morrison. We talk about their origin stories, their call to minister with their music, and the power of aging. They give us a behind-the-scenes look at creating “Hey Driver” with Zach Bryan, discuss the fear and the thrill of starting their own management company, and share the story behind their newest single, Stealing a Kiss.
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