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The Romantic Near Death Experience Movie That Will Blow Your Mind EP 411
Description
In this episode of Grief 2 Growth, host Brian Smith is joined by filmmaker Max Rissman, whose debut feature film, Upon Waking, takes viewers on an emotional journey through near-death and shared-death experiences. The film explores themes of forgiveness, family dynamics, and the transformative power of love and healing. Max opens up about his creative process, the challenges of making an independent film, and how spirituality plays a pivotal role in his storytelling.
If you’ve ever wondered about the spiritual side of filmmaking, the role of intuition in creativity, or how art can be a path to healing, this conversation is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Max’s childhood passion for storytelling inspired his career as a filmmaker 🎭
- The significance of near-death and shared-death experiences in the film Upon Waking 🕊️
- The challenges Max faced while creating a low-budget feature film during COVID-19 🎥
- Why forgiveness—both of others and oneself—is central to healing 💖
- How spirituality and intuition guide the creative process ✨
About Max Rissman:
Max Rissman is an NYU-trained filmmaker dedicated to creating emotionally resonant stories about the human condition. His debut feature film, Upon Waking, is a powerful exploration of loss, transformation, and self-acceptance. Releasing on Valentine’s Day, the film will be available on Amazon Prime, Fandango, and Hoopla.
Links & Resources:
- 🎬 Watch Upon Waking: uponwakingfilm.com
- 🌟 Connect with Brian and join the Grief 2 Growth community: grief2growth.com/community
Feedback & Get Involved:
🎧 We’d love to hear from you!
- What resonated with you in this episode?
- Have you ever found healing through creativity?
You've been listening. You're doing the work. But there's still this feeling that you're circling the same place.
Maybe you've thought about working with me one-on-one. Maybe something's held you back.
I get that. And I want you to know there's still a place for you.
All of it, pay what you want. You decide what it's worth. Nobody gets turned away because of money.
The International Association for Near-Death Studies or IANDS will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. The event features an all-star lineup of keynotes like Proof of Heaven Author Eben Alexander, MD, and Dying to Be Me Author Anita Moorjani. I Early bird registration rates are available through July 15.
Visit IANDS.org to register
The International Association for Near-Death Studies or IANDS will host its annual conference at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue. The event features an all-star lineup of keynotes like Proof of Heaven Author Eben Alexander, MD, and Dying to Be Me Author Anita Moorjani. I Early bird registration rates are available through July 15.
Visit IANDS.org to register
Want to go deeper? My Substack is where I share solo essays on grief, consciousness, and continuing bonds — thoughts that don't always make it into the podcast. It's also home to a community of listeners who get it, because they're living it too. Free to subscribe. Find it at substack.com/grief2growth.
🧑🏿🤝🧑🏻 Join me on Substack- connect with others and me<