Chris' Favourite Episodes

After nearly a decade of The Documentary Life, I've had the privilege of speaking with Academy Award winners, renowned cinematographers, editors, producers, journalists, and documentary storytellers from around the world. Many of those conversations have been insightful, educational, and inspiring.

But every so often, an episode stays with me long after the recording ends.

The episodes below aren't necessarily the most downloaded, nor are they simply conversations with the biggest names. They are interviews that resonated with me on a deeper level—conversations that shaped the way I think about storytelling, creativity, curiosity, and what it means to live a documentary life.

Interestingly, most of these episodes came during the early years of the podcast, a period when I was driven by little more than enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine desire to learn from people whose work I admired. Looking back, these conversations remind me why I started the podcast in the first place.

Episode #68: Wild Wild Documentary Life with Maclain & Chapman Way

Long before Wild Wild Country became a global phenomenon, I was fascinated by the story behind the filmmakers who brought it to life. My conversation with brothers Maclain Way and Chapman Way remains one of my favourite discussions about creative risk-taking and trusting your instincts.

What struck me most was their willingness to invest in themselves and the stories they believed in. Rather than waiting for permission or outside validation, they committed their own resources to developing projects they felt passionate about. Their approach embodied something I deeply admire in documentary filmmakers: the courage to follow curiosity wherever it leads.

The brothers also spoke thoughtfully about complexity in storytelling. Rather than reducing people to heroes or villains, they embraced nuance and contradiction—qualities that often make documentary stories most compelling.

Whenever I revisit this episode, I'm reminded that some of the best documentary projects begin not with a business plan, but with genuine curiosity and a willingness to take creative risks.

Listen to Episode #68 →

Episode #62: Career Documentary Filmmaker and Academy Award Nominee Steve James

There are documentary filmmakers whose work you admire, and then there are filmmakers whose careers help define what is possible within the craft.

For me, Steve James is firmly in the latter category.

Known for films such as Hoop Dreams and Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, James has spent decades creating deeply human stories that reveal extraordinary truths about ordinary lives.

What I love most about this conversation is that it isn't really about awards or recognition. Instead, it's about longevity. It's about building a sustainable creative life and continuing to make meaningful work year after year.

James speaks candidly about the realities of documentary filmmaking: the long timelines, the financial uncertainty, the compromises, and the persistence required to continue pursuing stories that matter. Yet throughout the conversation, his love for people and his fascination with their lives shines through.

There is a humility to Steve James that I find incredibly inspiring. He reminds us that documentary filmmaking is ultimately about human connection, empathy, and curiosity.

This episode continues to influence the way I think about both filmmaking and creative success.

Listen to Episode #62 →

Episode #32: The Importance of the War Correspondent with Nate Thayer

Few guests have had a greater influence on my own worldview than journalist Nate Thayer.

Long before I ever began making documentaries in Cambodia, I was captivated by the work of war correspondents and journalists who risked their lives to bring important stories to the rest of the world. Their reporting shaped not only my understanding of history but also my understanding of the responsibility that comes with storytelling.

Nate embodied that spirit.

Our conversation explores his decades covering Cambodia, his pursuit of the Khmer Rouge, and his historic interview with Pol Pot—one of the most elusive and notorious figures of the twentieth century. But what makes the episode so meaningful to me isn't the historical significance of the stories. It's Nate's unwavering commitment to asking difficult questions and pursuing the truth wherever it led.

At one point, Nate describes journalism not simply as a profession but as something intrinsic to who he is. That idea resonated deeply with me. For many storytellers, documentary filmmaking feels much the same way. It's not merely something we do. It's a way of seeing and engaging with the world.

This episode remains one of the most personal conversations in the archive and one that continues to inspire me years later.

Listen to Episode #32 →

Why These Conversations Still Matter

Looking back, I realize these episodes share a common thread.

They aren't really about filmmaking techniques, camera equipment, distribution strategies, or industry trends.

They're about people who committed themselves fully to a life of storytelling.

Whether it's the creative courage of the Way brothers, the patience and humanity of Steve James, or the relentless curiosity of Nate Thayer, each conversation reveals something deeper about what it means to pursue meaningful work over the long term.

These are the episodes I find myself returning to. The ones I recommend most often. The ones that continue to shape the way I think about creativity, storytelling, and living a documentary life.

And if you're looking for a place to begin exploring The Documentary Life archive, I can't think of a better place to start.