In Proximity

Proximity Media

A podcast about craft, career, and creativity from Proximity Media, the production company that helped bring you Creed III, Judas and the Black Messiah, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever podcast and soundtrack, and more. New episodes every Sunday.

  • 51 minutes 27 seconds
    Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ryan Coogler: Writing, Directing, and IMAX

    Here comes the THE BRIDE writer/director/producer Maggie Gyllenhaal, who joins SINNERS writer/director/producer and Proximity founder Ryan Coogler, for an exclusive conversation with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about her new film THE BRIDE, a wildly original and imaginative take on the Frankenstein story, inspired by the 1935 film THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and Mary Shelley’s original novel. Maggie and Ryan share their processes for writing and directing, working with actors, shooting on IMAX cameras, and working with family. And, yes, Ryan makes some coffee. Cheers!

    SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

    LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

    WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
    YOUTUBE
    APPLE PODCASTS
    SPOTIFY

    FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM
    TIKTOK

    (00:00) Christian Bale wants to be yelled at too!
    (00:32) Here comes the director of THE BRIDE!
    (02:37) Ryan makes pour-over coffee
    (05:40) Nighttime inside
    (08:08) Cheers!
    (08:57) Exploring the monsters within
    (09:53) The original films: THE BRIDE OF FRANKESTEIN and FRANKENSTEIN
    (12:47) Creating Jessie Buckley’s character, the Bride
    (14:30) Screenwriting is like an hourglass
    (15:47) Monstrosity vs. Cinematic fantasy
    (17:14) Jake Gyllenhaal as Ronnie Reed
    (17:52) How Maggie and Ryan work with actors
    (22:45) Trippy directorial advice
    (26:10) Octavia Spencer in FRUITVALE STATION
    (28:15) Christian Bale wants to be yelled at too! (full story)
    (31:44) Directing her brother Jake
    (35:47) IMAX filmmaking
    (38:18) Sony cameras
    (40:56) "Wait, you were in THE DARK KNIGHT, though!"
    (48:00) Prox Recs


    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editor: Patrick Epino
    Production Sound Mixer: Mark Patino
    Camera Operator: Josh Ortiz
    Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
    Production Coordinator: Joy Woo
    Production Assistant: Ben Caloza
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Barista: George Stevenson

    23 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 33 minutes 14 seconds
    Writing and Directing KPOP DEMON HUNTERS

    We are sealing the Honmoon with KPOP DEMON HUNTERS directors and co-writers, Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans! The veteran animation filmmakers break down how Maggie developed the story based on Korean culture and music, how she collaborated with Chris as a directing team, and how they pitched the idea to Netflix and K-pop music producers. They also share stories from behind the scenes of their seven-year production process including the creation of the film’s iconic “popcorn eyes” and how they worked with songwriter and producer EJAE to write the music… with a special surprise voice memo from the woman behind Rumi’s singing voice herself! 

    SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

    LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

    WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
    YOUTUBE
    APPLE PODCASTS
    SPOTIFY

    FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM
    TIKTOK

    (00:00) K-pop meets demon hunters
    (00:47) Let’s talk K-pop… and demon hunters!
    (02:04) Fun fan reactions
    (03:02) Honmoon in the club, the origin of honmoon
    (06:12) How Maggie’s Korean upbringing in Toronto shaped her storytelling
    (07:51) K-pop meets demon hunters (the full story)
    (09:59) How they became a directing team, WISH DRAGON
    (11:19) How they pitched KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
    (12:45) The music was the hardest part, how EJAE’s demos made it seem possible
    (13:20)EJAE, Teddy Park, THEBLACKLABEL, the demo for HOW IT’S DONE
    (15:23) Comps: “old people” anime, Cowboy Bebop, Sailor Moon, K-dramas, and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
    (17:10) Comedy, female empowerment, being your “stupidest self” with your friends
    (18:04) Collaborating on directing and screenwriting
    (19:53) Writing the script for KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
    (20:39) Sony Pictures Animation, shout out to the crew
    (25:00) The joke that became the iconic “popcorn eyes” scene
    (27:12) Voice Memo from EJAE (Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Singing Voice of Rumi)
    (29:45) Prox Recs

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza
    Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
    Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
    Production Assistant: Ben Caloza
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz

    16 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 58 minutes 25 seconds
    FROM THE ARCHIVES: Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates on BLACK PANTHER, Chadwick Boseman, and Writing

    This February, we’re celebrating the 8th anniversary of the release of BLACK PANTHER! We dug deep into the In Proximity archives to re-release this iconic conversation with BLACK PANTHER director Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Ta-Nehisi is a journalist and the bestselling author of books like BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME and THE MESSAGE. He has also written successful comic book runs for CAPTAIN AMERICA and BLACK PANTHER, and hosted the WAKANDA FOREVER podcast back in 2023. On this special re-release episode, we combine the two parts of Ryan and Ta-Nehisi’s original conversation, where they dive deep into their experiences telling T’Challa’s story for BLACK PANTHER, the impact of hip-hop music and art, Ta-Nehisi’s decades-long writing career, and their mutual friendship with the late Chadwick Boseman.

    CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL EPISODES
    Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates Episode 1
    Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates Episode 2
    WAKANDA FOREVER: THE OFFICIAL BLACK PANTHER PODCAST

    SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

    LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

    WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
    YOUTUBE
    APPLE PODCASTS
    SPOTIFY

    FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM
    TIKTOK

    (00:00) Celebrating the anniversary of BLACK PANTHER the film
    (01:51) PART 1: Meet Ryan Coogler and Ta-Nehisi Coates 
    (02:21) Ta-Nehisi’s production company, Maceo-Lyn
    (06:40) Howard University, meeting Chadwick Boseman
    (11:18) Hip-hop, poetry, and genres 
    (15:04) Tupac Shakur
    (18:27) How Ta-Nehisi’s hip-hop aspirations pushed him to writing poetry
    (21:54) “Art that feels like it’s always been made”, A PROPHET, GET OUT, MOONLIGHT
    (29:20) PART 2: The beginning of Ta-Nehisi’s writing career
    (33:24) The 20-year-old journalist
    (36:45) The Case for Reparations
    (39:55) Writing the BLACK PANTHER comics
    (41:58) Toni Morrisson, James Baldwin, BETWEEN THE WORLD AND ME
    (45:31) Takes on T’Challa’s character
    (49:59) CREED
    (53:33) Prox Recs

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, Cedric Wilson
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistant: Polina Cherezova
    Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza

    9 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 26 seconds
    From FRIENDS Intern to CRIMINAL MINDS TV Writer to Showrunner: How to Build a TV Writing Career

    What does it take to build a successful TV writing career in comedy, procedurals, and drama? Executive producer, showrunner, and author Kimberly Ann Harrison reveals how she landed an internship on FRIENDS, wrote 78 episodes of CRIMINAL MINDS over 12 years, and made the leap to showrunner (DEPUTY, THE CROSSOVER, WASHINGTON BLACK). On this episode of IN PROXIMITY, Kim talks to host Paola Mardo about her transition from comedy to drama, the importance of finding a character's “why”, tips on pitching episodes and applying for writing jobs, lessons on loneliness and leadership, writing her debut novel BEYOND THE PADDOCK, and why her advice for new writers is to keep blinders on and just write.

    (00:00) Just write!

    (01:50) Born and raised in LA by teachers - shout out Diamond Bar!

    (03:30) College, Intro to Broadcasting, Tammy Trujillo, learning about TV

    (05:28) Interning on FRIENDS

    (07:15) How to get a job on the “FRIENDS of today”

    (08:45) Writer tips for the best cover letter ever

    (09:18) Lessons from the FRIENDS writers room

    (10:43) CRIMINAL MINDS, transitioning from comedy to drama, mentorship

    (14:30) Jumping from writers assistant to writer, pitching tips

    (16:30) It’s all about the “why” of the killer

    (17:20) Industry advice for writers today: “keep blinders on”, “it just takes one yes”

    (18:15) Becoming a showrunner

    (19:48) How lonely showrunning can be, how to lead and manage a team

    (22:26) Writing a novel: BEYOND THE PADDOCK

    (28:17) Prox Recs

    SHOP OUR PROX BOOK RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

    LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

    WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
    YOUTUBE
    APPLE PODCASTS
    SPOTIFY

    FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM
    TIKTOK

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana
    Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza

    2 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler on SINNERS, Lore, and Filmmaking

    SINNERS lead actor Michael B. Jordan and writer/director/producer Ryan Coogler break down the Academy Award®-nominated film and their 10+ year collaboration in this exclusive conversation with IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo.

    Michael dives deep into his acting process for playing dual roles as Smoke and Stack, sharing how he uses character journals, key phrases from archival recordings, and physical details to build his characters. Ryan reveals his screenwriting approach and his never-before-heard timeline mapping the Smokestack Twins’ backstory, including romances with Mary (Hailee Steinfeld) and Annie (Wunmi Mosaku), and their time in Chicago with Al Capone. Ryan also kicks off this very special episode by making lattes, sharing how his love for coffee connects to filmmaking and acts of service for the cast and crew. It's gonna be a real ring-a-ding-ding… so grab a cup of coffee (or Irish beer or Italian wine) and enjoy!

    WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

    (00:00) Smokestack Twins Lore
    (00:30) Host Paola Mardo intro
    (04:30) The boss today and Michael’s espresso life
    (06:00) Ryan makes us coffee: Cannes, George Clooney, set coffee culture, abstract latte art
    (09:30) Acts of service
    (12:20) From FRUITVALE STATION to SINNERS
    (14:35) 1A and 1B on the call sheet, why number 1 on the call sheet means leadership
    (19:00) Questions Michael asked Ryan after reading the SINNERS script, the surreal juke joint montage, Stack and Mary
    (23:16) Smokestack Twins Lore
    (27:12) Stack does Smoke’s hair
    (28:38) Smoke’s tremors
    (30:55) Journals as part of Michael’s acting process
    (32:55) When Smoke and Stack broke up, Ryan’s timeline spreadsheet, Mary, Annie, LORE (!), Chicago, Al Capone
    (36:30) How much older Smoke feels from Stack
    (38:00) Are you Smoke or Stack? Delta Slim, Mary, mystery, Ryan’s script to Michael’s acting performance
    (40:00) “When the actor becomes the expert on the character… the twins are his now… then twins belong to the movie”
    (40:25) Stack being a liar, Smoke telling the truth
    (42:00) Mike’s improvised moments, Smoke versus Hogwood
    (45:23) Preparing for the roles of Smoke and Stack, dialect coach, physicality, different sized shoes, chakra work, childhood trauma
    (49:30) Key phrases
    (50:35) “Made in Mississippi" documentary archival recordings (directors: William Ferris, Judy Peiser)
    (51:51) Drawing from history and real people to bring characters and script to life, Michael’s and Ryan’s family history, sharecroppers, ancestry, Uncle James
    (53:22) Scene Breakdown: Smoke teaching a young girl to negotiate, “numbers in conversation”
    (56:11) Smoke as “a fun character to write but it was a really fun character to see Mike play”
    (58:05) “These are very BAD men”
    (58:59) Mike is “like a Tom Hanks!”
    (1:00:30) “He never knifed nobody… that I know of!”
    (1:04:00) Prox Recs

    SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

    LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

    WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
    YOUTUBE
    APPLE PODCASTS
    SPOTIFY

    FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM
    TIKTOK

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editor: Patrick Epino
    Production Sound Mixer: Mark Patino
    Camera Operator: Josh Ortiz
    Associate Producer: Celine Mendiola
    Production Coordinator: Joy Woo
    Production Assistant: Devin Saddler
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Barista: George Stevenson

    26 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 13 minutes 59 seconds
    PROX GEMS: Filmmaking 101

    Essential filmmaking advice from industry pros: writer/director Justin Tipping breaks down the Tagalog needle drop in the Jordan Peele-produced sports horror film HIM and how Busta Rhymes' "Gimmie Some More" and Alfred Hitchcock's PSYCHO inspired the score (featuring "AIGHT?" by Carl Angelo and music by composer Bobby Krlic); EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris explains why directors should touch multiple departments; and SUPERGIRL actor, writer, and producer Azie Tesfai reveals how a bad audition made her better.

    Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
    Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
    Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
    Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
    Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

    19 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 39 minutes 49 seconds
    Creative Direction, Music Videos, and Live Events with Mike Carson

    Mike Carson is a multidisciplinary creative director and designer. Last year, he co-creative directed and production designed Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which drew over 133 million live viewers, making it the most-watched halftime performance ever and one of 2025’s biggest cultural moments.

    On this episode, Mike talks to IN PROXIMITY host Paola Mardo about his journey from filming music videos at 19 with Big Sean (including the iconic millennial bop “Dance (A$$)” Remix featuring Nicki Minaj) and working alongside mentor Virgil Abloh, to becoming one of the most sought-after creative directors today. He also shares his creative process behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show, filming a documentary on Kanye West and Jay-Z on their 2011 Watch the Throne tour, his approach to production design for live experiences, why his laptop is essential to every project, and the art and business of the music video.

    WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE

    (00:00) The 12-minute music video
    (02:00) Director first, designer second
    (03:00) Creative directing and production designing Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
    (08:30) The process of creative directing
    (10:13) How the LA fires impacted rehearsal; shout out choreographer Charm La'Donna
    (13:05) How being multidisciplinary helps his work
    (13:37) Working with Virgil Abloh
    (17:30) What he learned from Virgil
    (18:30) Filming Kanye West and Jay-Z on the Watch the Throne
    (19:54) Voice Memo from the “muse” Big Sean
    (25:19) Directing music videos
    (27:12) First big budget video, Big Sean’s “Dance (A$$)” Remix ft. Nicki Minaj
    (29:40) Bringing back the delusion, childlike curiosity – just create!
    (31:15) Mike’s design process
    (36:28) Prox Recs

    SHOP OUR PROX BOOKS RECS ON BOOKSHOP.ORG

    LEARN MORE AND READ THE TRANSCRIPT AT PROXIMITYMEDIA.COM

    WATCH/LISTEN TO IN PROXIMITY
    YOUTUBE
    APPLE PODCASTS
    SPOTIFY

    FOLLOW PROXIMITY MEDIA
    INSTAGRAM
    TIKTOK

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza
    Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza

    12 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 17 minutes 40 seconds
    PROX GEMS: Industry Tips and Advice

    Kick off the new year with advice from industry pros: manager James Swoope on why you need “something to manage” before getting representation, actor/writer/producer Azie Tesfai on asking for what you want and crowning yourself, and designer Jeff Staple on balancing art with business. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

    Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
    Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
    Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
    Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
    Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

    5 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 33 seconds
    PROX GEMS: SINNERS!

    Highlights from this season’s SINNERS episodes including: cultural consultant Dolly Li on Remmick’s infamous “licking” line, script supervisor Steve Gehrke on tracking continuity with Michael B. Jordan’s Smokestack Twins, and storyboard artist and EYES OF WAKANDA creator/director Todd Harris on storyboarding the surreal juke joint musical montage scene. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

    Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
    Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
    Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
    Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, A.J. Calomay, Ben Caloza
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistants: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler
    Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

    29 December 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 4 seconds
    PROX GEMS: A Day with Spike Lee and Other Stories with Ammar Mohamed

    Ammar Mohamed, filmmaker and assistant to Ryan Coogler, on how he broke into the industry, his infamous ID story, and a never-before-released story about a special day with Spike Lee. Part of our special "Prox Gems" holiday mini episodes.

    Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
    Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
    Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
    Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Sound Production Assistant: Isabella Miller
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Interns: Jun Sawada, Ben Caloza

    22 December 2025, 3:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 9 seconds
    PROX RECS 2025: Best Books, Films & Career Advice from Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson & More

    Celebrate the holidays with IN PROXIMITY! Kicking off our series of holiday mini episodes, host Paola Mardo shares the best Prox Recs of 2025. Whether you’re looking for new books to read, films to watch, or advice to fuel your creative journey, this episode gathers this year’s pro recommendations on our podcast from Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sev Ohanian, Steve Gehrke, Dolly Li, Ammar Mohamed, and more.

    Learn more and read the transcript at ProximityMedia.com
    Shop our Prox Recs at Bookshop.org
    Watch/Listen to IN PROXIMITY on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
    Follow Proximity Media on Instagram, TikTok, ProximityMedia.com

    We earn a small commission when you shop through our links at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

    (00:00) Happy holidays!
    (03:04) Autumn Durald Arkapaw: Photographs by Eudora Welty
    (04:28) Ryan Coogler: Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez
    (05:35) Sev Ohanian: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder and other screenwriting books
    (06:28) Chinaka Hodge: The Elements of Style by E.B. White and William Strunk Jr.
    (07:42) Justin Tipping: La Haine by Mathieu Kassovitz
    (09:21) James Swoope: “Always remember what got us to these places.”
    (12:02) Dolly Li: The Wager by David Grann
    (14:07) Warner Bailey: “Don’t wait for permission.”
    (15:42) Ammar Mohamed: Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore
    (16:52) Steve Gehrke: “Learn your craft before getting too deep into it.”
    (17:35) Angelica Nwandu: Leadership Pain by Samuel Chand
    (19:01) Azie Tesfai: UCLA Extension classes
    (20:33) Jeff Staple: Obsessing over something outside your field (sourdough bread!)
    (22:56) Todd Harris: Constructive Anatomy by George Bridgman, Tuesday Tips by GRIZandNORM, Kill the Dog by Paul Guyot
    (23:59) Courtney Storer: Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking by Marcella Hazan
    (25:41) Mary Karaoghlanian: The Mel Robbins Podcast
    (26:15) Armen Karaoghlanian: The Color of Pomegranates by Sergei Parajanov
    (27:52) Ludwig Göransson: Working with incredible musicians, getting new instruments
    (28:55) Ryan Coogler: Deep Blues by Robert Palmer

    IN PROXIMITY IS A PRODUCTION OF PROXIMITY MEDIA
    Host, Director, Producer: Paola Mardo
    Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
    Theme Song and Additional Music: Ludwig Göransson
    Co-Director and Director of Photography: Patrick Epino
    Sound Designer and Mix Engineer: Ken Nana
    Editors: Patrick Epino, Brittani Brown, Ken Nana, Ben Caloza, A.J. Calomay, Andrea Walter
    Production Sound Mixer: Mark Patino
    Motion Graphics Designer: Apollo Baldoz
    Sound Recordist: Isabella Miller
    Production Assistant: Isabella Miller, Devin Saddler, Joshua Flores, Collin Gaja
    Post-Production Coordinator: Celine Mendiola
    Social Media Coordinator: Alexandria Santana
    Production Intern: Ben Caloza, Jun Sawada

    15 December 2025, 2:00 pm
  • More Episodes? Get the App