Success in filmmaking isn’t just about the next big gig—it’s about finding fulfillment beyond the hustle. In this episode of Shotlist, I sit down with Jon Bregel, a filmmaker and creative coach who went from directing a Nike commercial with Spike Lee to walking away from his production company in search of something deeper.
Jon’s story is a powerful reminder that chasing external success without internal alignment leads to burnout. We dive into what it really means to build a sustainable creative career, how to recognize when it's time to step back, and why reconnecting with your core values is the key to long-term fulfillment.
Key Topics Discussed:
The moment everything changed—how a self-funded project led to a career-defining call from Nike.
The rise and fall of success—why scaling his production company at full speed led to burnout.
Finding balance in the chaos—how prioritizing personal well-being led Jon to redefine his creative path.
The power of passion projects—why personal work is essential for longevity in the industry.
Breaking the cycle—how Jon now helps filmmakers create careers rooted in purpose, not just hustle.
If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing the next gig without a clear sense of purpose, this episode will give you the tools and mindset shifts to rethink your approach
Episode Highlights
00:00 Guiding Filmmakers Towards Purpose
05:38 The Nike Call That Changed Everything
09:13 Scaling Up & the Challenges of Running a Production Company
13:42 The Wake-Up Call: Realizing Burnout
22:53 Finding a New Path: Self-Discovery & Coaching
35:28 Battling Self-Doubt & Finding Clarity
48:38 The Illusion of Certainty in Freelancing
57:11 The Nourish Community: A New Kind of Support System
🔗 CONNECT WITH Jon Bregel
📸 Instagram | @jbregel
💻 Website | jonathanbregel.com
👥 Nourish Community Website | www.thenourish.community
📸 Nourish Community Instagram | @thenourish.community
🔗 CONNECT WITH MARSHAL
📸 Instagram | www.instagram.com/marshalchupa
💻 Website | www.marshalchupa.com
👥 Linkedin | www.linkedin.com/in/marshal-chupa-99a7921a8
📄 SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - www.shotlistpodcast.com
🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
This podcast is all about helping emerging cinematographers, photographers, and directors navigate the challenges of making a life and a living behind the lens. From workflow to personal growth, creative vision to marketing, finances to production—every episode is packed with a wide range of topics to support visual storytellers in their pursuit of building a business and growing a career they are proud of.
🎧 LISTEN FOR FREEApple Podcasts | https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/shotlist/id1645435800
Spotify | https://open.spotify.com/show/3m5203Y5yQ7wNXQhZBOmNV?si=f46bc0e937bf40c1
RSS | https://anchor.fm/s/5cb2e948/podcast/rss
🙏 LEAVE A REVIEW
If you enjoyed listening to the podcast, I’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on the bottom of Apple Podcasts to help others discover the show 👊 https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/shotlist/id1645435800
📱 GET IN TOUCH
You can also drop me a DM instagram @marshalchupa or email marshal@marshalchupa.com
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