Filmmaking is more than entertainment—it’s a powerful tool for change. In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, James sits down with filmmaker and producer Ethan Felizzari-Castillo to talk about the power of storytelling in shaping perspectives and sparking conversations. As the founder of CK Productions, Ethan is dedicated to cause-based storytelling, crafting films that highlight important social issues and inspire action.

Ethan shares the journey behind his latest project, Backyard Desert, a film tackling the realities of immigration and border patrol from a human-centered perspective. They dive into the creative process behind independent filmmaking, the challenges of working outside the Hollywood system, and why supporting independent artists is more crucial than ever.

If you’re passionate about film, activism, or simply the power of storytelling to shape the world, this episode is a must-listen.

"Filmmaking with a Purpose: Ethan Felizzari-Castillo on Cause-Based Storytelling"

1. [00:00] Introduction – Meet Ethan Felizzari-Castillo and his mission-driven approach to film.

2. [04:00] Filmmaking as a Tool for Change – Why stories have the power to shape perspectives.

3. [07:30] The Journey of Backyard Desert – How a play became a powerful film about immigration.

4. [12:00] Independent Filmmaking vs. Hollywood – The creative freedom and challenges of working outside the system.

5. [16:30] The Art of Storytelling in Film – Balancing emotion, perspective, and impact.

6. [22:00] Behind the Scenes of Indie Film Production – The reality of bringing a film to life.

7. [27:00] Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers – How to get started in the world of independent film.

8. [31:00] How to Support Backyard Desert – Where to follow the project and get involved.

• Follow Backyard Desert: @‌BackyardDesert on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok

• CK Productions Website: https://www.ckproductionsnewyork.com/film

• YouTube Channel for CK Films: CK Productions NY

• Ethan Felizzari-Castillo on Instagram: @‌EthanFelizzari

• Watch CK Productions’ Short Films: CK Films on Vimeo

What happens when the qualities you spent a lifetime apologizing for suddenly make you famous? That’s the story of Annie Korzen, an actor, writer, and now an accidental influencer who skyrocketed to social media fame in her 80s. You may recognize her from Seinfeld, but today, she’s captivating millions with her unfiltered wisdom, humor, and brutally honest takes on life, aging, and saying “Yeah, why not?” to unexpected opportunities.

In this episode, Annie shares how she went from bit-part actress to viral sensation, the lessons she’s learned about storytelling, rejection, and reinvention, and why she believes embracing your true self is the key to success. We also dig into her new book, The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer, and her thoughts on aging, money, and why everyone needs a little rebellion in their lives.

Whether you’re 25 or 85, this conversation will leave you laughing, inspired, and maybe even rethinking your own next big leap.

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• Annie Korzen’s Website: AnnieKorzen.com

• Buy The Book of Annie: Amazon

• YouTube Channel: Annie Korzen Videos

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1. [00:00] Introduction – Meet Annie Korzen and her unexpected journey to viral fame.

2. [03:00] Embracing Change in Your 80s – How TikTok transformed Annie’s career.

3. [07:00] The Power of Saying “Yeah, Why Not?” – Why taking risks leads to unexpected rewards.

4. [12:00] Life Lessons from Hollywood and Seinfeld – How Annie’s iconic TV role shaped her career.

5. [18:00] Storytelling, Rejection, and Resilience – The craft of storytelling and why persistence matters.

6. [24:00] Ageism, Social Media, and Finding Your Voice – Annie’s take on how older voices are gaining traction.

7. [31:00] The Book of Annie – What inspired Annie’s memoir and the stories inside.

8. [37:00] Breaking Free from Society’s Expectations – Owning who you are at any age.

9. [42:00] Final Thoughts & Where to Find Annie – Links, social media, and how to get the book.

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In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, host James sits down with R.L. Carpentier, a veteran law enforcement officer turned crime fiction writer. Rodney shares his journey from studying English literature to unexpectedly entering law enforcement and how he rekindled his love for storytelling after nearly two decades on the force. His debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, is the first in a gripping crime thriller series that merges real-world policing experience with compelling storytelling.

Rodney walks us through the moment of inspiration that led to his novel, how he overcame imposter syndrome, and the writing strategies that helped him bring his book to life. He shares insights on crafting realistic police procedurals, the importance of self-imposed deadlines, and how he balances his creative work with his career. He also discusses his approach to self-publishing, working with editors, and building a writing platform ahead of his upcoming retirement.

If you've ever wanted to write a book but struggled with getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice and motivation.

[00:00:00] Introduction

• Welcome to A Joyful Rebellion
• James introduces guest R.L. Carpentier

[00:01:00] The Inspiration for Our Lady of the Overlook

• Rodney’s background in law enforcement and literature
• How a late-night shift sparked the idea for his novel

[00:03:30] From College Writer to Police Officer

• Studying English and idolizing the Lost Generation authors
• How he drifted away from writing when he started his career

[00:06:00] The Turning Point: Why Writing Had to Happen

• Losing his father and reevaluating his life path
• The moment he decided: I have to do this for me

[00:09:00] Learning the Craft & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

• Discovering storytelling techniques like Save the Cat
• Finding editors and trusting the revision process

[00:12:00] Self-Publishing: The Reality of Making a Book Happen

• The step-by-step process of hiring editors, designers, and proofreaders
• Attending writing conferences to build confidence and connections

[00:18:00] Realistic Crime Writing: Blending Fact with Fiction

• How Rodney balances procedural accuracy with compelling storytelling
• Navigating what can and cannot be shared from law enforcement experience

[00:22:00] The Evolution of a Trilogy

• How Our Lady of the Overlook expanded into a three-book series
• What’s coming in books two and three

[00:26:00] Financing & Marketing a Self-Published Book

• How Rodney used overtime work to fund his debut novel
• Considering Kickstarter for future projects

[00:30:00] Building a Writing Career Before Retirement

• Planning ahead for his post-law enforcement creative career
• The importance of having a platform before transitioning careers

[00:34:00] Final Thoughts & Advice

• The philosophy that shaped his approach: Early is on time, on time is late, late is not acceptable
• Where to find Our Lady of the Overlook and connect with Rodney

Guest Website & Newsletter Signup: rlcarpentierwriter.com Buy Our Lady of the Overlook: Available on Amazon & Direct from Author Follow Rodney on Patreon: (Link to be provided by guest)