S1E24 Charlie Smith: Unmasking Identity Through Story, Buddhism, and Film

Charlie Smith is a producer, writer, director, editor, and founder of Feenom Films;  a full-range media company on a mission to create content inspired by exploring consciousness. His documentary, "The Art of Healing"  (featuring New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk) premiered to a sold-out audience at Psychedelic Science 2023.  As an unscripted Development Executive, Charlie created true crime series, Cold Valley (Investigation Discovery, 2017), the weather disaster format, Rogue Earth (Discovery Channel, 2016), the true crime podcast, Taken Abroad (iHeartRadio, 2021), and co-developed popular science formats: Invent This (Discovery Science, 2021) and The Mightiest (Discovery+, 2021).

Episode Description:

Join us for a captivating episode where we delve into the life and philosophy of Charlie Smith, a storyteller, and filmmaker, as he unravels his experiences growing up as a gay man, navigating complex identities, and embracing the responsibilities of a filmmaker. Charlie's unique perspective is deeply influenced by Buddhism, which emphasizes the importance of multiple voices and the masks we wear in life.

Show Notes:

• Charlie's Philosophy: Charlie Smith discusses the responsibilities and challenges of being a storyteller. He emphasizes the importance of embracing multiple perspectives and wearing various masks in life, drawing inspiration from Buddhism's idea that "Sangha is the next Buddha."
• Navigating Complex Identities: From a young age, Charlie had a deep sense of curiosity and self-awareness. He shares his early experiences of self-discovery as a gay man and how these experiences shaped his identity.
• The Power of Masks: Charlie's journey in the entertainment industry led him to realize the multitude of masks he wears. He talks about the evolution from being defined by these masks to defining them, leading to a newfound sense of autonomy.
• Becoming Authentic: As Charlie entered his 40s, he reached a point where he could experiment with different aspects of his identity. He discusses the profound experience of being unapologetically authentic and the freedom it brings.
• Audience Capture and Autonomy: The conversation touches upon the idea of audience capture and the loss of autonomy, drawing parallels between public personas and real-life masks.
• Responsibilities of Filmmakers: Charlie highlights the real responsibilities that filmmakers have in today's world, where storytelling influences perceptions and shapes culture.
• Balancing Bliss and Reality: Drawing from Buddhism, Charlie discusses the danger of becoming a "bliss junkie" and emphasizes the importance of facing life's challenges head-on, both in psychedelic experiences and daily life.
• Journey Towards Enlightenment: The episode explores how Charlie's philosophy aligns with the journey of the Buddha towards enlightenment, emphasizing the importance of facing one's inner demons and achieving balance.

You can find more about Charlie at:
https://www.instagram.com/armchaircharlie

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