Brad Alexander shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brad, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I’ve been training for a 50k trail Ultramarathon lately and falling in love with endurance running again after years away from it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Brad Alexander, and I am a filmmaker based in Carlsbad, California, specializing in documentary storytelling. I tend to do a lot of my work in the trenches of addiction and the fentanyl crisis. I just had a film called “The Threshing Floor” hit major platforms back early in September, and I have a film called “Tell Me About Tomorrow” for which film festival applications just went out; we plan to start screening shortly.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I grew up between two households as long as I can remember. There were also a lot of people in and out of my life from different marriages. So I think I’ve battled with finding my place and depression for about as long as I can remember, too.
For a long time, I saw myself as a sort of fractured or broken individual just wandering through life. As I’ve become increasingly clear about walking out my purpose, things that once made me feel broken now help me relate to people and give them a safe place to be vulnerable on camera. I think the things that fracture us also, oddly enough, help us to relate to each other and find connection.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
In my line of work, rejection is just part of the game. One film festival gives you an award, others send you a rejection letter. The same with distributors, platforms, and even getting press on a project. For every door that opens, there are probably a few others that just shut, but that’s why having a voice matters. When you suffer for something, and it doesn’t come easy, you start to really sharpen what that voice is, and you’re willing to go all in on it. I don’t make films for validation, I make films that I feel have something to say and to elevate voices I believe in. Then I trust God for the outcome.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My friend Joe Furey is the greatest person I know. Hands down. He overcame childhood abuse and an addiction, and went on to serve in recovery ministry for over three decades. In that time, his son tragically passed away, and his daughter’s life was taken by her own husband, but despite the hardship, Joe and his wife Therese still believe people are worth it and do so much to serve their community. I’m actually filming a docuseries on them right now because I’m so inspired by their faith. Character like that isn’t built in comfort; it’s built in having to know the foundation you stand on when things fall apart.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
That I didn’t get into making films as a financial plan to try to make a ton of money. I got into making films because I felt like I had things to say.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wiseoldcrowmedia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wiseoldcrowmedia/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-alexander-41865146/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wiseoldcrowmedia
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wiseoldcrowTV
Image Credits
Curtis Leitch, Mark Anderson
