At the Montclair Film Festival, Lost in Jersey sat down with Shine Global—the award-winning team behind War/Dance and Inocente—to explore how real stories drive change far beyond the screen. Co-founders Susan MacLaury and Albie Hecht trace their journey from a family trip to a war zone that inspired War/Dance to an Oscar win for Inocente and a mission to put children’s voices at the center of storytelling.

We unpack two decades of hard-earned lessons: how The Wrong Light unraveled a “rescue” narrative into a deeper truth, why The Harvest brought child labor realities to Congress, and how the team’s newest work investigates the troubled teen industry’s hidden abuses with The Business of Trouble. Along the way, we meet this year’s Resilience Award winners—young filmmakers whose short In Case You Forgot proves that creativity, even music created on a kid’s DJ toy, can carry real emotional power.

If you care about documentary ethics, storytelling as advocacy, and how art moves policy, this live conversation maps both the playbook and the pitfalls of making stories that matter.

Thank you to Montclair Film Festival for having us!

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Nine-time Grammy winner Christian McBride says life is jazz—part preparation, part improvisation, and pure rhythm. In this conversation, the bassist, composer, and longtime NJPAC Jazz Advisor shows how listening deeply, reacting honestly, and staying curious keep his music (and life) in time. We discuss the surprising bass that travels the world with him, the art of arranging compositions for singers, and the balance between leading big bands and blending in with small ensembles.

McBride shares the making of his new album, Without Further Ado, Vol. 1—a project that captures live energy across studios in New York, L.A., and London—and previews this year’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival. Get tickets to see Christian McBride's Big Band on November 21st, featuring Andra Day, José James, Ledisi, and more.

It’s a masterclass in rhythm, resilience, and what it really means to find your groove.

Book your jazz vacation cruise with Christian at McBridesWorldatSea.com

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What if the moment that nearly ended your life became the one that finally made sense of it? Veteran CBS reporter Jim Axelrod joins us for a raw, free-flowing conversation that moves from Iraq’s war zones to quiet moments with Bruce Springsteen. He reflects on how growing up in New Jersey—and summers working the Shore—taught him the art of connection. This one’s about resilience, reflection, and the question that keeps him grounded: Why are you doing what you’re doing?

In the Long Run, A Father, a Son, and Unintentional Lessons in Happiness by Jim Axelrod

Harvey Cedars Shellfish Company

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