Mentorship Mic

He Covered 9/11, Gaza & Disney Crises — Here's What Howard Price Would Tell His 20-Year-Old Self

Mentorship Mic — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:45:00 GMT

Mentorship Mic with Howard Price | From JFK to Crisis Management — 50 Years in Broadcast News, Spirituality in the Newsroom & Advice for the Next Generation | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Two-time Emmy winner and broadcast news veteran Howard Price joins host John Dye for a sweeping conversation about a career that spans five decades — from watching the JFK assassination unfold on television at age five to anchoring newscasts, producing live coverage of 9/11, and leading crisis management for ABC News and The Walt Disney Company. Howard traces the thread of Jewish faith and spirituality through every chapter, from childhood religious education in Poughkeepsie to Middle East reporting in Gaza and the West Bank to the ethical principles that guide fair journalism. Topics include the difference between religiosity and spirituality, why interfaith understanding is a reporting superpower, the democratization of news gathering, a hilarious story about a Jewish producer and a Catholic priest on live radio in Chicago, and what today's 20-somethings need to know before they walk into their first newsroom.

KEY QUOTES

"Whatever it is they're doing on that TV set, that's what I want to do."
"The ethics and morality of my faith govern everything that I do."
"The spirituality, the philosophy behind all of the religiosity is the stuff that governs how I do what I do as I walk through life."
"I wish we could go back to being the country we were on September 12th."
"Our job was to find the best obtainable version of the truth."

ABOUT HOWARD PRICE

Howard Price is a two-time Emmy winner with over 50 years in broadcast news. His career includes roles at WABC-TV, WNBC-TV, and ABC News as a news writer, producer, assignment editor, suburban bureau chief, and field producer. After 9/11 he transitioned into crisis management and business continuity, serving ABC News, the #Disney ABC Television Group, and The Walt Disney Company. He now teaches crisis communications as a guest lecturer at MIT and hosts the podcast Crisis in the First Person.

ABOUT JOHN DYE

John Dye is Executive Director of Emerging Leaders at the Faith & Media Initiative, leading programs that bridge faith and culture through media.

ABOUT FAITH & MEDIA INITIATIVE

The Faith & Media Initiative (FAMI) is a nonprofit program of the Radiant Foundation connecting media members, content creators, faith leaders, and communities to ensure accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in news and entertainment.

CONNECT & LEARN MORE
https://www.faithandmedia.com
https://famiemergingleaders.org/

CREDITS
Host: John Dye | Guest: Howard Price
Series: Mentorship Mic — Faith & Media Initiative Emerging Leaders
Production: Faith & Media Initiative—Emerging Leaders

#MentorshipMic #FaithAndMedia #EmergingLeaders #HowardPrice #BroadcastNews #CrisisManagement #Journalism #911Coverage #FaithInMedia #Spirituality #MediaMentorship #CareerAdvice

© 2026 Faith & Media Initiative. All rights reserved.

26 Years of Hip Hop Without Selling Out | Cellus Hamilton | Mentorship Mic

Mentorship Mic — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 01:00:52 GMT

Mentorship Mic with Cellus Hamilton | 26 Years of Faith-Driven Hip Hop — From Mom's Hype Man to Harlem Educator, Rapper & Youth Mentor | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Harlem-based rapper, educator, and youth mentor Cellus Hamilton joins host John Dye for an inspiring conversation about building a 26-year career in hip hop without compromising his faith. From getting his start as his mother's hype man at church concerts to teaching hip hop in New York City public schools, Cellus shares how music and faith have been inseparable since day one. Topics include growing up in a pioneering faith-rap family in which his mom transitioned from secular hip hop to gospel, being mentored by Atlanta artist Canton Jones, the power of hip hop as a vehicle for history and social impact, navigating industry pressure to leave faith at the door, and why the digital age means you no longer need a major city to break through. Cellus also offers candid cautions about pride, yes men, and the internal work required to sustain a career with integrity. He closes with a passionate call for artists everywhere to recognize the extraordinary value of their craft as a bridge between cultures, communities, and faiths.

KEY QUOTES

"You can actually merge faith in your music. You can stand on your convictions. You can live a life of integrity and you can still have a measure of success."
"No one is self-made. Everyone depends on something they learned from someone else."
"The worst thing someone could say is no. And you may get a yes."
"Artists are necessary to help people truly understand the things of this world."
"You are valuable, you are needed, you offer something that pushes culture forward."

ABOUT CELLUS HAMILTON

Cellus Hamilton is a rapper, educator, and youth mentor based in Harlem, New York City. With 26 years in hip hop, Cellus has built a career that extends well beyond performance and touring. He teaches hip hop in New York City public schools, leads artist mentorship programs, and offers songwriting and music-business classes to help emerging artists navigate the industry with confidence. Raised in a deeply musical family — his mother was a pioneering faith rapper in the 1980s and his father sang in the church choir — Cellus is passionate about using music as a tool for youth development, cultural understanding, and faith expression. He has been mentored by notable artists including Canton Jones and is committed to paying that investment forward to the next generation of creatives.

ABOUT JOHN DYE

John Dye is Executive Director of Emerging Leaders at the Faith & Media Initiative, leading programs that bridge faith and culture through media.

ABOUT FAITH & MEDIA INITIATIVE

The Faith & Media Initiative (FAMI) is a nonprofit program of the Radiant Foundation connecting media members, content creators, faith leaders, and communities to ensure accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in news and entertainment.

CONNECT & LEARN MORE
https://www.faithandmedia.com
https://famiemergingleaders.org/

CREDITS
Host: John Dye | Guest: Cellus Hamilton
Series: Mentorship Mic — Faith & Media Initiative Emerging Leaders
Production: Faith & Media Initiative—Emerging Leaders

#MentorshipMic #FaithAndMedia

© 2026 Faith & Media Initiative. All rights reserved.

I left Hollywood to Make Videos That Actually Save Lives | Bill Elliott | Mentorship Mic

Mentorship Mic — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:54:04 GMT

Mentorship Mic with Bill Elliott | 23 Years at NBC Universal to Faith-Based Filmmaking — Must-See TV, Storytelling Craft & Letting Your Values Lead | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Veteran producer, director, and media executive Bill Elliott joins host John Dye for a rich conversation spanning three decades in Hollywood and faith-driven media. From a BYU photography class where he learned to "fill the frame" to a CNN internship that landed him in the Oval Office with President Reagan, Bill's early career was a crash course in storytelling under pressure. He went on to spend 23 years at NBC Universal, working behind the scenes on iconic must-see TV shows — Seinfeld, Friends, The Office, ER, Frasier, The West Wing, and more — interviewing stars like Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Carell, George Clooney, and Ron Howard. When NBC's creative direction shifted toward edgier content, Bill made a bold pivot: he left Hollywood to become director of media for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he oversaw globally viewed projects including Mormon Messages, the Life of Jesus Christ Bible videos, and the viral anti-bullying hit "Stop It." Topics include the truth behind "reality" TV, why authentic faith-based storytelling resonates, the power of collaboration and gratitude, and why there has never been a better time for young filmmakers to create and distribute meaningful content.

ABOUT BILL ELLIOTT

Bill Elliott is a BYU-trained producer, director, and media executive who spent 23 years at NBC Universal, rising to senior director. At NBC he produced behind-the-scenes and promotional content for landmark series including Seinfeld, Friends, The Office, ER, The West Wing, and The Apprentice. He later served as director of media for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, overseeing the globally viewed Mormon Messages, Life of Jesus Christ Bible videos, and children's Bible stories series. Bill is passionate about mentoring the next generation of faith-driven filmmakers.

ABOUT FAITH & MEDIA INITIATIVE

The Faith & Media Initiative (FAMI) is a nonprofit program of the Radiant Foundation connecting media members, content creators, faith leaders, and communities to ensure accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in news and entertainment.

CONNECT & LEARN MORE
https://www.faithandmedia.com
https://famiemergingleaders.org/

© 2026 Faith & Media Initiative. All rights reserved.

From Hallmark Hits to Thrillers: Inside Maclain Nelson’s Playbook

Mentorship Mic — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 20:58:50 GMT

More at https://famiemergingleaders.org/industry-prep-masterclass

Mentorship Mic with Maclain Nelson | From Once I Was a Beehive to Hallmark's #1 Movie | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Canadian-American filmmaker Maclain Nelson joins host John Dye for an intimate conversation stretching from early roots in filmmaking to Hallmark hits. Maclain traces his genre-spanning career as a director, writer, and producer — from the cult favorite Dudes & Dragons and the heartfelt comedy Once I Was a Beehive to producing the 2023 Sundance selection Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out starring Jacob Tremblay and Will Forte, and writing and directing multiple hit holiday films for Netflix and Hallmark including Haul Out the Holly starring Lacey Chabert and its sequel Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up, Hallmark Media's top-rated movie of 2023. Along the way, Maclain shares the deeply personal experience of a recent trip to New York City to watch a theater production directed by his own father, reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his decision to step behind the camera rather than in front of it, and offers a candid look at keeping holiday movies fresh after multiple outings in the genre. The episode closes with grounded reflections on navigating career and family life in the arts and what the future holds for one of faith-friendly filmmaking's most versatile voices.

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — A Conversation with Filmmaker Maclain Nelson
0:48 — A Storied Career in Film and Television
2:51 — Early Roots and the Path to Filmmaking
6:23 — Choosing Between Acting and Directing
10:10 — The Inspiration Behind Once I Was a Beehive
14:56 — Keeping Hallmark Holiday Movies Fresh
33:55 — Reflecting on the Past and Looking to the Future

ABOUT MACLAIN NELSON

Maclain Nelson is a Canadian-American filmmaker known for his genre-spanning work as a director, writer, and producer. His directing credits include the upcoming thriller Don't Move, Once I Was a Beehive, Dudes & Dragons, and Vamp U starring Alexis Knapp and Gary Cole. He produced the 2023 Sundance debut Aliens Abducted My Parents and Now I Feel Kinda Left Out starring Jacob Tremblay and Will Forte, as well as the 2018 coming-of-age family drama Little Women with Lea Thompson. Multiple holiday films Nelson wrote and directed are featured on Netflix, including A Heidelberg Holiday, Haul Out the Holly starring Lacey Chabert, and its hit sequel Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up, which ranked as Hallmark Media's top-rated movie of 2023. He also created the improv-based TV series Show Offs on BYUtv: https://www.byutv.org/show-offs

ABOUT FAITH & MEDIA INITIATIVE

The Faith & Media Initiative (FAMI) is a nonprofit program of the Radiant Foundation connecting media members, content creators, faith leaders, and communities to ensure accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in news and entertainment.

CONNECT & LEARN MORE
https://www.faithandmedia.com
https://famiemergingleaders.org/

CREDITS
Host: John Dye | Guest: Maclain Nelson
Series: Mentorship Mic — Faith & Media Initiative Emerging Leaders
Production: Faith & Media Initiative—Emerging Leaders

#MentorshipMic #FaithAndMedia

© 2026 Faith & Media Initiative. All rights reserved.

Ryan Little: The Untold Strategy Behind Getting Films Into Hollywood

Mentorship Mic — Sun, 23 Aug 2026 21:16:10 GMT

Ryan Little grew up in Vancouver, Canada where he began working in the hashtag#ﬁlm industry as a Production Assistant.

In 2003 he produced and directed SAINTS AND SOLDIERS which won 16 “Best Picture” awards, including two nominations at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Since that time Ryan has directed multiple features, including AGE OF DRAGONS staring Danny Glover and Vinnie Jones, and FOREVER STRONG staring Sean Astin, Neal McDonough and Penn Badgley.

He directed the SyFy Channel pilot ZEROS and TV episodes of GRANITE FLATS and EXTINCT.

Ryan recently completed producing films for the Lifetime Network and the Discovery + streaming platform and is currently directing on Season II of the post apocalyptic series HOMESTEAD for the Angel Network.

#FaithAndMedia

DC Comics to HBO Max — Living Your Faith Out Loud in Hollywood | CJ Lindsey

Mentorship Mic — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:16:25 GMT

Mentorship Mic with CJ Lindsey | DC Comics to HBO Max — Content Strategy, Media Psychology & Living Your Faith Out Loud in Hollywood | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Content strategist and media psychology expert CJ Lindsey joins host John Dye for a candid conversation about building a career inside some of entertainment's biggest brands — DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Sesame Street, Harry Potter, and HBO Max — while openly living his faith. From hiding comic books under his bed to leading U.S. tent-pole content strategy at Warner Bros. Discovery, CJ's journey is a masterclass in authenticity, adaptability, and trusting God with the career plan. Topics include breaking in at DC's streaming service, the social responsibility of kids' content, why Gen Z is pushing entertainment back toward nuance, and three pieces of practical advice every emerging media professional needs to hear.

Making It in Hollywood with #Disney | Brigham Taylor

Mentorship Mic — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 22:06:23 GMT

Mentorship Mic with Brigham Taylor | From Pirates of the Caribbean to Indie Filmmaking — Three Decades of Producing, Faith-Driven Leadership & Advice for Emerging Creators | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Veteran Disney producer Brigham Taylor joins host John Dye for a candid conversation about building one of Hollywood's most impressive filmographies — Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Book, Christopher Robin, Remember the Titans, Tron Legacy, Tomorrowland, and 40+ films — while letting faith shape every creative and leadership decision. From catching the movie bug in the Jaws and Star Wars era to volunteering at Sundance, rising from assistant to VP of Production at Disney, and now running an independent production company in Provo, Utah, Brigham's journey is a masterclass in staying open, leading with compassion, and letting the career find you. Topics include mentors at BYU and in Hollywood, the honest middle ground faith needs on screen, the white-knuckle story behind Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow, and essential advice every twenty-something creator needs to hear.

Media, Faith-Driven Leadership, and the Lessons Failure Teach | Jim Prather

Mentorship Mic — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 21:07:36 GMT

Mentorship Mic with Jim Prather | 50+ Years of Broadcast Innovation, Faith-Driven Leadership & Digital Transformation | Faith & Media Emerging Leaders

EPISODE OVERVIEW

Award-winning digital media executive Jim Prather joins host John Dye and student representative Kalisi Loveridge for a career-spanning conversation covering 50+ years of broadcast journalism, newsroom leadership, digital strategy, and the role faith has played at every turning point. From a 500-watt AM radio station in small-town Illinois to VP of Digital Strategy at the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jim's journey is a masterclass in adaptability, mentorship, and trusting God with the outcome. Topics include covering Bill Clinton's rise in Arkansas, leading a newsroom during the Jeffrey Dahmer arrest, brokering an exclusive statewide broadcast with the Super Bowl-winning Packers, guiding Las Vegas through the 1 October mass shooting, and practical advice for every emerging journalist.

ABOUT FAITH & MEDIA INITIATIVE

The Faith & Media Initiative (FAMI) is a nonprofit program of the Radiant Foundation connecting media members, content creators, faith leaders, and communities to ensure accurate, balanced representation of all faiths in news and entertainment. 84% of humankind affiliates with a faith tradition — FAMI works to ensure that reality is reflected in the stories that shape public understanding.

CONNECT & LEARN MORE
https://www.faithandmedia.com
https://famiemergingleaders.org/

#MentorshipMic #FaithAndMedia #EmergingLeaders #JimPrather #BroadcastJournalism #MediaLeadership #JournalismCareer #LocalNews #FaithFilledMedia #MediaMentorship #CareerAdvice

© 2026 Faith & Media Initiative. All rights reserved.