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Women Unscripted

Women Unscripted

Written by: Chris Stafford
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About this listen

 A podcast network for women in sport and the arts.

Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.Chris Stafford Art
Episodes
  • From South Africa to the Screen: Sabrina Linder on Story, Identity, and a Career in Film

    From South Africa to the Screen: Sabrina Linder on Story, Identity, and a Career in Film
    Jan 6 2026
    In this deeply personal and wide-ranging episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed South African production designer Sabrina Linder for an intimate biographical conversation about life, creativity, and the winding path that leads to a career in film. Rather than focusing on technical process, this episode explores the human story behind the work. Sabrina Linder reflects on growing up in South Africa, the formative experiences that shaped her artistic sensibility, and how curiosity, resilience, and observation guided her toward a life in visual storytelling. From early influences and cultural identity to the emotional intelligence required to collaborate at the highest levels of film and television, Sabrina shares the moments that quietly — and sometimes unexpectedly — defined her career. Throughout the conversation, Sabrina opens up about navigating creative industries, finding confidence as an artist, and learning how to trust instinct over expectation. She discusses what it means to build worlds for the screen while simultaneously building a life, and how storytelling — whether through design or lived experience — remains at the center of her work. Chris guides the discussion with warmth and curiosity, allowing space for reflection on ambition, self-doubt, mentorship, and the invisible labor behind creative success. The result is a thoughtful portrait of an artist whose career is rooted not only in visual craft, but in empathy, memory, and lived experience. This episode will resonate with artists, filmmakers, designers, and anyone interested in the personal journeys behind creative careers, offering insight, honesty, and inspiration well beyond the screen. Sabrina’s links:https://www.sabrinalindercreative.com/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9513117/ https://www.instagram.com/sabrina_linder_creative/ Fertile by Design on Substack - https://substack.com/@fertilebydesign Keywords / SEO Tags Sabrina Linder, South African production designer, AART podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, production designer interview, film industry careers, women in film, creative biography, artist life story, behind the scenes film, visual storytelling, art and cinema, creative journeys, film design careers, African artists in film, personal stories in art, creative identity, storytelling podcast, film and art podcast BIO South African born Production Designer Sabrina Linder is well known for her trademark work in I Swear 2025, Salvable 2025, The Last Victims (2019). Her portfolio includes commercials, films, TV and music videos. Sabrina was born in Pretoria, South Africa in 1992. to parents Helene Linder, an Artist and interior design enthusiast and father Desmond Lawrence Linder, a quantity surveyor and business owner. She has one brother Brendan. Sabrina grew up in post Apartheid South Africa where artistic expression among women was not encouraged but subtle influences from her artistic mother subconsciously steered Sabrina towards fashion design. She attended Cornwall Hill College for Grades 0-12 after which she moved to Cape Town to study for her BA Degree in Fashion Design at FEDISA Cape Town. Upon graduating she deferred a BA Honours at the London College of Fashion instead breaking into her first job in film which opened the door to opportunities she had not imagined. Her path was now set in production design and she worked in Props, Costume and Design before focusing in the Production Design where she has found her creative home. She is a multi award winning designer with BFDG Design Award Nominations, the Berlin Music Video Award both in 2023 as well as Lourie Awards and Ciclope Awards in 2022. Sabrina moved to London in 2021 and is currently working on commercials before preparing for her next film production this spring. Sabrina lives in Beaconsfield, England with her partner, and the couple are expecting their first child in March. Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: theaartpodcast@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Nature, Color, and Creativity with Painter & Author Kami Mendlik

    Nature, Color, and Creativity with Painter & Author Kami Mendlik
    Dec 23 2025
    On this inspiring episode of the AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed painter and author Kami Mendlik, whose work is celebrated for its vivid portrayal of nature, her masterful study of color, and her ability to capture the ever-shifting qualities of light and movement. Known for her immersive landscapes and her deeply intuitive approach to plein air painting, Kami shares how a lifelong connection to the outdoors has shaped her artistic vision and creative process. She dives into how color theory, environmental observation, and emotional resonance come together in her paintings—and how her recent writing further expands the conversation around art, seeing, and the creative life. This episode offers an intimate look at an artist dedicated to exploring the natural world and translating it into powerful visual storytelling. Whether you’re an art enthusiast, painter, creative professional, or simply curious about the intersection of nature and artistic expression, this conversation will leave you inspired to see the world with new attention and appreciation. Tune in for an enriching, thoughtful exploration of color, creativity, and the practice of truly noticing.

    BIO
    The painter and author Kami Mendlik. Kami’s art portrays her lifelong passion for exploring nature, the study of color and her observations of light and movement. Kami was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 1973, the oldest of four children. Her mother Heidi Shervheim, was a homemaker who waited tables part time and became a talented quilter. And her father Robert Mendlik is an Army Veteran and former electrician who now spends his time in land conservation. A a small child the family moved to Minnesota adjacent to her grandparents 450 acre farm where Kami grew up surrounded by nature and agriculture. She says: “The respect that I have for nature and her awesomeness is beyond words. My desire to study and attempt to translate this, is why I paint.” Kami knew from an early age that she wanted to be a full time artist and her first mentor Mary Pettis guided her towards a career that would ultimately lead her to establishing the St Croix River School of Painting in Stillwater MN in 2008. Kami is internationally recognized as an artist and teacher winning numerous awards with gallery showings around the country. She is the author of “Color Relativity”, and creator of Planal Fruit. Kami lives with her husband Pete Hayes on 16 acre farm just North of Stillwater, where she converted a 100 year old hip roof barn into her studio. She has a son, Nick and daughter Paige.

    Kami’s links:
    Website: https://www.kamimendlik.com
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamimendlik/

    Kami’s favorite female artists: Kathie Wheeler Julie Davis Kathy Anderson Chula Beauregard Anne Larson Ann Watcher Carole Gray-Weilman Jane Hunt Kim Casebeer Carol Peebles Camille Przewodek (d)

    Host: Chris Stafford
    Produced by Hollowell Studios
    Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
    AART on Facebook
    Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com

    keywords:
    Kami Mendlik, painter, author, landscape artist, plein air painting, color theory, nature art, light and movement in art, creative process, contemporary artists, AART podcast, Chris Stafford, artist interview, art inspiration, art and nature, visual storytelling, artistic observation, fine art podcast.


    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.
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    58 mins
  • Behind the Lens: Mia Cioffi Henry on Storytelling Through Cinematography

    Behind the Lens: Mia Cioffi Henry on Storytelling Through Cinematography
    Dec 9 2025
    Step behind the camera with Mia Cioffi Henry, a visionary cinematographer and filmmaker whose work explores the art of visual storytelling with depth, emotion, and purpose. In this episode, Mia shares her journey through the world of independent cinema, her creative process on set, and how she uses light, movement, and perspective to bring powerful stories to life. Discover insights on cinematography, directing, collaboration, visual language, and the future of filmmaking — straight from one of today’s most thoughtful visual artists. Whether you’re a filmmaker, creative professional, film student, or movie lover, this conversation will inspire you to see storytelling in a new light.

    👉 Keywords
    cinematography, filmmaker, Mia Cioffi Henry, visual storytelling, film industry, behind the scenes, creative process, directing, cinematographer interview, filmmaking tips, women in film, artistic vision, camera work, movie production.

    American cinematographer Mia Cioffi Henry whose most recent narrative feature film, Sorry Baby, won the 2025 Waldo Salt Award for Screenwriting and Documentary Feature Film, and Cover-up, also a documentary feature, which premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. She is also known for lensing Endless Sleepover (2021), Superior (2021) and The Surrogate (2020). Mia was born in Washington, DC in 1986. She has an older brother and step-brother. Her mother Gay Cioffi is an early childhood educator and fine artist, and her father Mel Henry, a documentary cinematographer, and step-father, Mark Obenhaus, a documentary filmmaker. So Mia grew up in an artistic family, following her parents love of musical theater, while learning dance, a variety of musical instruments and acting. She attended Pitzer College, Clairemont, CA where she attained a BA double major in Production Design and Media Studies (film production. ) Mia subsequently graduated with an MFA in Cinematography at NYU Tisch as a Dean’s Fellow and Graduate Assistant. In 2025 she was named one of American Cinematographer Magazine's Rising Stars of Cinematography, while her work has won Jury Awards at Sundance, SXSW and Locarno film festivals. Mia is an Associate Arts Professor and Head of Cinematography at NYU Tisch's Graduate Film program. She balances her teaching career with filmmaking and being a wife and mother. Mia is a member and mentor of 600 Black Women, a group of Black female identifying members of the Local 600 Camera Guild. She divides her time between New York City and Pescara, Italy with her husband, musician Julian Fernandez, their nine-year old daughter, and her step-son.

    Mia’s links:
    https://www.miacioffihenry.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/miacioffihenry
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3994018/
    https://tisch.nyu.edu/about/directory/grad-film/885588223.html

    Some favorite female artists in visual arts:
    Carrie Mae Weems
    Alma Thomas
    Amy Sherald

    Host: Chris Stafford
    Produced by Hollowell Studios
    Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
    AART on Facebook
    Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 8 mins
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