“To me, cinema is best not only when it entertains but provides that open door to look inside ourselves and come to some hard and difficult conclusions,” Michael Uslan asserts. In Episode 40, Aalia Lanius has the pleasure of welcoming Michael Uslan to the podcast, Unsugarcoated with Aalia. Uslan is the executive producer and originator of the multi-billion dollar Batman film franchise, based on the American comic book series. Passionate about the history behind comic books, he is also the first instructor to teach an accredited course on comic book folklore at any university. ... - READ MORE

“I come from a place where statistically I should not be talking to you right now. I should be dead or in jail,” Anthony shares in all honesty. Michael Anthony, featured guest in episode 39 of Unsugarcoated with Aalia, is the author of the best-selling book Think Unbroken, as well as a coach, mentor, and educator for adult survivors of child abuse. On a mission to create change in the world, Anthony teaches at Think Unbroken Academy and hosts the “Michael Unbroken” podcast. He spends his time helping other survivors get out of “The Vortex” to become the hero of their own story and take back their lives. With his mother cutting off his finger at the age of four, Michael Anthony has experienced tremendous amounts of trauma. As a child, Anthony grew up in an abusive household which led to drug and alcohol use by 12 years old, homelessness, and an overall lack of stability. Throughout his teen years, Anthony ran with gangs, used drugs, stole cars, and broke into houses all in order to survive. ... - READ MORE

“It’s not about your technical skills, it’s not about how much money you can throw into a film, it’s not about any of that,” Joud AlAmri declares. “It’s about what are you saying and is it resonating with anybody else?”In Episode 38 of Unsugarcoated with Aalia, Aalia is joined by Joud AlAmri, a Saudi Arbian film director, screenwriter, and producer with a background in photography and design. Born with a passion for writing and storytelling, AlAmri found filmmaking to be the ideal way to merge these interests. Growing up in Saudi Arabia, however, there was an expectation to pursue a traditional career, such a doctor, engineer or architect. “Filmmaking is just unheard of, especially for a female,” AlAmri expresses. Luckily, her father was supportive of her desire to break down this barrier, telling her, “If you found what you’re passionate about, go for it.”... - READ MORE