What happens when a two-time Emmy Award-winning television executive decides to flip the script on her career? In this episode of the NOT REAL ART podcast, host Scott "Sourdough" Power uncovers the remarkable story of Shannon Malone-deBenedictis, a creative entrepreneur transforming the media landscape. From sharing the screen with Hollywood legends to forging her own path with the artist mentorship organization Padlin Creative, Shannon’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and authenticity.
Throughout our conversation, we explore Shannon’s history in documentary filmmaking, where she’s had the privilege of working alongside legendary figures like James Cameron and Sigourney Weaver. It’s fascinating to hear her reflect on her transition from the bustling world of television to launching her own venture, Padlin Creative. This new endeavor is more than just a career shift for her; it’s a heartfelt mission. With the media landscape in constant flux, she’s deeply committed to mentoring creatives and providing them with the essential tools they need to thrive.
Shannon also opens up about her experiences as a plus-size woman navigating an often critical industry. She bravely shares the societal pressures she's faced and advocates for a culture that promotes acceptance and self-empowerment. Her workshop, Fully Unapologetic, is a powerful call to action for women everywhere to embrace their true selves without fear or hesitation. It's a refreshing perspective that encourages confidence and self-worth, and it highlights how essential authenticity is to the creative process. Whether you’re an established artist or just starting out, Shannon’s insights will inspire you to embrace your identity and cultivate your creative journey unapologetically. Join us as we explore her mission and discover how embracing your true self can redefine success.
Quotes From This Episode
“I'm going to help creative professionals, help creative companies overcome hurdles, overcome snags because one thing that I have expertise in is coming in [at] 10,000 feet and saying, ‘OK, this is how we want to rearrange things. This is how we want to do things.’ And then working one-on-one with producers, artists, writers, editors, et cetera, and helping them find a path.” — Shannon Malone-deBenedictis [08:33]
“We apologize for our size. We apologize for not fitting a perfect ideal. We apologize for maybe not responding to an email as fast as we think we should.” — Shannon Malone-deBenedictis [09:41]
“When you look at a painting, or you listen to a symphony or Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, when you see that, you get goosebumps, and you get emotional, and you feel something. I've never felt that way looking at a spreadsheet. — Shannon Malone-deBenedictis [23:23]
“One of the things I talk to clients about is moving away from roles and focusing on what your skill sets [are], focusing on what your strengths are, and then building from that. — Shannon Malone-deBenedictis [40:48]
“You can be the train wreck entrepreneur, you know, the people who post train wreck stuff, or you can be the one that genuinely connects with people, that builds a much longer type of building relationship. — Shannon Malone-deBenedictis [44:58]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode
About Shannon Malone-deBenedictis
PADLIN CREATIVE principal Shannon Malone-deBenedictis is a two-time Emmy Award-winning storyteller and leading television development and production figure. She has collaborated with the BBC, James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, Sela Ward, James Spader, Dennis Quaid, and the Jackson Fork Ranch. She won two Emmy Awards at Red Rock Films: Outstanding Documentary Series for Disney+’s Secrets of the Whales and Outstanding Nature & Adventure Series for Netflix’s Penguin Town. She has developed and produced programs in several genres, from science and natural history to embedded reality and children’s programming.
With an extensive career as an editor, producer, and in-house development executive, she excels in taking a “10,000-foot” approach to a project—with a passion for problem-solving and an ease in grasping both creative and business interests. This same passion applies to ecosystems, native cultures, and our planet. Shannon’s expertise in being behind the camera, storytelling, and producing nature or location filming will educate, amuse, and inspire passengers on special interest and destination cruises. An experienced cruise passenger, Shannon understands the importance of engaging audiences by merging animal science with human behaviors. It’s not all about facts; it’s humor, fear, and understanding. Shannon built her career in non-fiction film production at companies such as Red Rock Films, Wag TV, National Geographic, and Warner Bros-Discovery. Shannon is a native Washingtonian, avid news reader, and proud Nationals baseball fan.