Ilse Will Say

Alexander Gonzalez: Improv brain meets editor instinct

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

You know when a scene just hits and you can’t explain why? That’s editing.

Ilse sits down with editor and assistant editor Alexander Gonzalez to talk about the invisible craft that shapes everything we feel on screen.

From working on Sender with Jamie Lee Curtis and Britt Lower to navigating SXSW like a pro, Alex breaks down how pacing, instinct, and collaboration turn raw footage into something unforgettable.

They get into improv as accidental life training, networking without the weird pressure, and why being honest about where you’re at is actually the best strategy.

Also discussed: coffee as a personality trait, animation dreams, and a sleep paralysis story that might make you rethink staying over at anyone’s house.

Follow Alex @alexgedit (and his projects @toincossfilm & @stophittingyoursister_film) and keep up with his upcoming projects if you like your storytelling sharp, thoughtful, and just a little unhinged.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Teresa Martinez Moore & Adam Rebora: They said “let’s make something” and didn’t flake

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

When your friends don’t just talk about making something… they actually do it—and then keep going? Yeah, that’s the vibe.

This week, Ilse sits down with Teresa Martinez Moore and Adam Rebora, the duo behind Film in a Bag and the kind of creative partnership that makes you rethink your group chat. From improv team beginnings (bug bites and backyard shows included) to building a full-on film collective, these two get into what it really looks like to grow something over time. We’re talking ten years of collaboration, learning the Chicago indie scene, and figuring it out as they go.

They break down their “12 films in 12 months” experiment (yes, truly), why the 48 Hour Film Project rewires your brain, and how just starting—before you feel ready—is kind of the whole point.

Also: mythical creatures, whale blessings, and putting salad dressing on pizza. Obviously.

Follow Film in a Bag on IG and catch their work on YouTube—then go make something with your friends.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Paige Galdieri: I came out the womb with jazz hands

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

When someone can make you laugh, hit a note, and quietly diagnose why your last post flopped… you listen.

This week, Ilse sits down with multi-hyphenate menace (compliment) Paige Galdieri — a performer who moves between comedy, music, and acting like it’s nothing, while also helping other artists figure out their digital voice behind the scenes. We get into her musical theater origin story (yes, it involves jazz hands at birth), the very real fear that keeps creatives stuck, and what it actually means to find your way back to joy when performing starts to feel like pressure instead of play.

There’s also a haunted dorm situation, a possibly vengeful ghost cat, and a family movie test that determines whether you’re allowed to stay. Naturally.

Plus, Paige teases her new single Trigger Happy and the very specific kind of crush that inspired it.

Follow Paige on IG @paigegaldieri and keep an eye out for Trigger Happy dropping April 15.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Jerry S. Gonzalez: Ideas aren’t made. You catch them.

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0500

You know when a film title sounds absolutely ridiculous… and then somehow ends up hitting you right in the chest? Yeah. That’s this episode.

Ilse sits down with director Jerry S. Gonzalez, the brain behind The Spaghetti Man, Intergalactic Pizza Boy, and Hamster in My Head—aka films that sound like a joke and then sneak in real human emotion when you’re not looking. They get into where ideas actually come from (hint: not your laptop), why some of the best concepts start off sounding a little dumb, and how to make genre-bending work without losing the heart.

There’s also talk of Robocop as a perfect film, the struggle of waiting for inspiration vs. chasing it, and why being a genuinely kind director might be the real secret weapon on set. Plus: a brief but important detour into astral projection, Sasquatch sightings, and pitching what might be the first-ever girlypop Bigfoot movie.

It’s weird, it’s thoughtful, it’s very “wait… why do I feel seen right now?”

Follow Jerry on IG @jerrysgonz and keep an eye out for Big Spooky House—we’ll be seated.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Juan Francisco Villa: Tacos, Tom Hanks, and the Power of Presence

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Juan Francisco Villa is one of those artists who makes you want to raise your standards a little. In this episode, Ilse and Juan get into what real leadership looks like on set and in life, from Tom Hanks introducing himself to crew members to Mariska Hargitay knowing exactly how to make guest stars feel seen.

They talk about vulnerability, protecting your energy without closing your heart, and the difference between confidence and just finally deciding to stop shrinking yourself.

There’s also a perfect little detour into aliens, zombie dreams, sleep paralysis, Hot Cakes, and whether Bigfoot could take the Loch Ness Monster in a fight.

Basically, this one is about what it means to move through the world with warmth, presence, and self-respect, while still keeping your sense of humor intact. A grounded, funny, unexpectedly emotional conversation with an actor whose work and spirit really stick with you.

Follow Juan Francisco Villa @juanempanadavilla and keep up with his work on stage and screen.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Raven Whisnant: Indie Empire & the porcelain doll situation

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This episode starts with princess birthday parties and immediately swerves into a staircase ghost and an army of redheaded porcelain dolls living in Raven Whisnant’s basement. So yes, we are thriving.

Raven is an actor-writer-director-editor-producer (casual) and the co-founder of New 32 Productions, a woman and queer-owned indie film company that actually cares about set culture and treats people like humans. We talk Sundance buzz, vintage sci-fi, why bad sci-fi can be perfect, and how she accidentally became a horror girl after getting emotionally scarred by The Ring on a middle-school double date.

Then we get into Indie Empire, Raven’s new film education app built to give filmmakers what she didn’t have in 2016: mentorship, community, and a “big sister in film” you can actually call.

Follow Raven at @new32indiefilms and @indieempireofficial, and check out the Indie Empire app.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Eddie Mujica: Strapped in the rocket, ready to go

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Eddie Mujica is the kind of person who makes you want to take a deep breath and also… open fifteen tabs. He’s a Cuban-American actor, writer, director, and Emmy-winning producer who somehow lives in three lanes at once: stepping into the newest Second City Mainstage show with basically one rehearsal (I’m tired for him), premiering his short film LOCO at the San Diego Latino Film Festival, and still finding time to talk mental health, masculinity, identity, and what it means to keep showing up when the countdown gets delayed.

We get into the “best timeline” theory, co-regulating disguised as pickup basketball, audition culture and “neutral Spanish,” and why Latino language is absolutely a superpower (also: chapopote supremacy). Plus, a very serious debate about Taco Bell.

Follow Eddie on IG @mooheekah and follow the film @locoshortfilm for LOCO updates.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Chloe Mikala: Risk-averse but on stage anyway

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Chloe Mikala is the kind of person who can destroy a stand-up set, headline a comedy variety show, play an EMT on Chicago P.D., co-captain a travel flag football team, and still insist she’s “just sending emails.”

We talk about what it actually means to be Type A without being unbearable, why doing your “basic” well already puts you ahead of most people, and how to hustle without losing your mind.

Naturally, we also cover astrology charts, Gemini slander, why she refuses to swim in shark territory, how to calmly coexist with black bears, and the historical connection between cats and the bubonic plague. Yes. That sentence is real.

It’s thoughtful, unhinged in the best way, and deeply funny. Basically, peak Chloe.

Follow Chloe on Instagram @chloe_mikala and catch My Best Friend Is Black. And if you’re Shondaland-coded, this one’s for you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

George Ellzey Jr: What comes from the heart reaches the heart

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

A Walgreens parking lot. A father and son. A whole lot of stuff they never say out loud. That’s the kind of quiet, devastating power George Ellzey Jr. brings to filmmaking, and this conversation made my cheeks hurt from laughing and my brain do the full “wait… that’s real” pause.

George is a South Side Chicago native and DePaul-trained director whose short film Cottage Grove started as a thesis project and turned into a full-on moment, with a festival run, awards, AMC+’s Future of Film Series, and an Emmy nomination that still feels surreal.

We talk about making work from the heart, what self-care looks like when you’re promoting nonstop, why he protects his peace like it’s a full-time job, and the spiritual side of storytelling, including the very casual existence of “peepers.”

Also: Virgo shade, Italian Fiesta loyalty, Pizza Hut nostalgia, and the Grinch as sacred cinema.

Follow George at Cottage Grove Productions.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Erick Juarez: Stop waiting for permission

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This episode starts messy, stays honest, and lands somewhere unexpectedly grounding.

Ilse sits down with Erick Juarez, a Guatemala-born, Chicago-raised filmmaker who studied at NIU, trained at the Moscow Art Theatre, spent years in LA, and came back with one clear realization: stop asking for permission and start making the work.

They talk about acting vulnerability, learning how to warm down after heavy roles, reggaeton as a nervous system reset, and why everyday life does not need to live at performance-level stakes. Erick breaks down building Deep Focus Entertainment, his rule of always keeping something in pre, something filming, and something in post, and how momentum beats waiting every time.

Also covered: the Do Not Disturb moon, Richie Rich, lucid dreaming, astral projection, and why making the thing now matters more than doing it perfectly later.

Follow Erick @erickjuarez7 and his projects through Deep Focus Entertainment.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Elizabeth Austin: Operas and features and distribution, oh my!

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

If you’ve ever finished a film and immediately whispered “cool… but what now?” this one is for you.

Ilse sits down with Elizabeth Butler Austin, VP of Sales and Licensing at Echelon Studios, for a real-world look at how movies actually find an audience once the creative part is over.

Elizabeth breaks down what distributors are thinking the second they watch a screener, why metadata and deliverables can make or break a deal, and the biggest misconceptions filmmakers have about streaming, FAST channels, and whether advances are even a thing anymore.

She also gets into the stuff nobody wants to learn the hard way: music clearances, runtime realities (yes, length matters), and why key art that feels like “trash can Santa” can absolutely tank a release. Smart, practical, and weirdly comforting.

Follow Elizabeth and check out what Echelon Studios is releasing next.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Mishu Hilmy: This episode will make you smarter

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with comedian, writer, filmmaker, and professional vocabulary flexer Mishu Hilmy for a conversation that starts in comedy craft and somehow ends in ghosts, dreams, and the psychology of “enough.”

They talk about why timing and silence are the secret sauce of a joke, why making art in 2026 can feel like chasing relevance across seventeen streaming platforms, and how strategy can turn into a very convincing form of procrastination.

Mishu breaks down the economics of film success in a way that’s both mildly terrifying and weirdly freeing, then gets into the themes that keep showing up in his work (being stuck, breaking through, and trying not to spiral).

There’s also a perfectly dumb ghost-photo story involving a burnt log, plus a dream that still feels like astral projection, and a surprisingly tender take on what “home” actually is. Follow Mishu and check out Mischief and Mastery for more brain-expanding artist talk.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Brittani Ward: Real Ones Only

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with filmmaker (and beloved casting powerhouse) Brittani Ward for a conversation that feels like a warm pep talk… with teeth.

They get into the weird in-between space between “I’m still learning” and “I’m ready,” how casting can sweep you up even when writing and directing was always the dream, and the mind game of feeling like you’re emailing into the void while someone on the other side knows your work by heart.

Brittani talks about making Single Car Crashes out of real grief, pandemic languishing, and the kind of timing you can’t force, plus the truth about building a career without waiting for a magical industry rescue.

Also: motherhood logistics, extrovert survival, and why restaurants might actually be her only hobby.

Follow Brittani @brittaniwardcasting and keep up with her work, and if you’ve been waiting for permission… this is your sign.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Jacob Cagle: A Christmas episode for soft boys

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

This one feels like a late-December exhale. Cozy, funny, a little tender, and unexpectedly grounding.

Ilse sits down with filmmaker, editor, and all-around creative Swiss Army knife Jacob Cagle for a holiday episode that drifts from Santa Claus lore to sibling dynamics to the quiet weight of showing up for your life and your work. Jacob opens up about belief, doubt, gratitude, and what it means to keep creating even when you’re tired, unsure, or very aware of time passing. They talk Christmas memories, favorite gifts, soft boy energy, therapy, community, and the strange beauty of getting into things even when you didn’t choose them.

If you’re wrapping up the year feeling reflective, grateful, slightly emotional, or just in need of a warm creative hang, this episode feels like sitting on the couch with someone who gets it.

Follow Jacob on Instagram @jcsquaredproductions or at jacobcaglefilm.com and check out The True History of Chicago wherever very funny Chicago internet lives.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Jessie Komitor: If Ben Affleck can do it, so can you

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with actor, writer, and director Jessie Komitor, whose debut film Chasing the Party premiered at Tribeca and somehow manages to be nostalgic, stylish, and devastating all at once. They dig into the strange magic of saying your dreams out loud, the moment Jessie finally allowed herself to claim the title of “director,” and the way girlhood imagination still sneaks into her work. Jessie talks about building her own DIY film school, choreographing ambitious dance sequences, and making art that captures the ache of growing up before you know you’re doing it. They also get into best friends, manifestation, French-singing dancers, stale beer, aliens, and why the proof-of-concept short became a bigger conversation than she ever expected.

Follow Jessie on IG @jesskom and watch Chasing the Party — the Oscar-qualified short everyone keeps talking about.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Marissa Lichwick: The woman who turned her life into a movie

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

When an artist has lived ten creative lives and still shows up curious, brilliant, and fully human — you listen. Marissa Lichwick joins Ilse for a conversation that feels like a masterclass, a pep talk, and a cosmic hug all at once. They dive into the summer she spent training at UCLA, what making a film really demands, why stories are crafted three different times, and how being adopted shaped her writing, her acting, and her relentless pull toward truth.

Marissa talks about the courage to start before you feel ready, the art of making work instead of waiting for permission, and the wild discipline behind a multihyphenate career. There’s talk of aliens, AI dread, Korean skincare, roommates half your age, and the magic that happens when you decide your creativity deserves to take up space.

Follow Marissa on Instagram @marissa_lch and submit to the Women Make Movies Film Festival via FilmFreeway — DM her for the friends-and-family waiver code.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Gloria Chavez: Leaving the 9-5 and betting on yourself

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with actor Gloria Chavez (Chicago P.D., national commercials, and your favorite person to whisper-set-gossip with) for a conversation that feels like catching up with your comadre between takes. Gloria shares how she left a draining 9–5 in the dental world, trusted her instincts, and rebuilt her life around acting, joy, and community.

They talk about the real work behind commercial acting, why advocating for yourself matters, immigrant-kid pressure, burnout, staying curious, haunted workplaces, gut health, and the complicated art of learning to take up space. And yes — Ilse tells the infamous story of the commercial makeup artist who shaved her eyebrows clean off.

It’s warm, funny, and full of the kind of honesty actors crave: the permission to leap before you feel ready.

Follow Gloria on Instagram @official_gloriachavez — she’s grounded, generous, and an absolute bright spot in the Chicago scene.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Joel Maisonet: Stop playing small in your headshots (and your career)

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with Chicago photographer Joel Maisonet, whose headshots have quietly become the city’s best-kept secret... BUT IT'S TIME EVERYONE KNEW! They talk about intention, identity, and why a good photo is less about posing and more about letting yourself be seen. Joel shares how dance taught him to read bodies, how ADHD turned him into a Renaissance man, and why actors should stop thinking of headshots as “smiling vs. serious” and start thinking about them as storytelling tools.

They get into marketing, career mindset, creative fears, evolving your brand, and the weird dreams and rabbit holes that give artists half their ideas. It’s heartfelt, funny, and full of the kind of clarity creatives pretend they already know but really need to hear.

Follow Joel on IG @joel_maisonet and see his work at maisonetphotography.com. He’s truly one of Chicago’s best- and the reason so many actors finally look like themselves in their photos.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Ben Bishop: The accidental cowboy filmmaker

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with filmmaker and multi-hyphenate Ben Bishop (Dogwood, Hold Your Horses, Hamster in My Head) for a conversation that’s equal parts filmmaking pep talk and comedy hour. They talk about growing up in Arkansas, writing without film school, and why creative people need to stop waiting for permission and just make the weird thing.

Between talk of cowboy hats, HGTV obsessions, and the occasional haunted hamster, Ben shares how curiosity—not credentials—built his career. From building sets with his dad to writing features with friends, his story is proof that the best projects start when you stop asking “how” and just start.

Follow Ben on IG @_benbishop, check out Hamster in My Head premiering Dec 3 at The Davis Theater, and keep an eye out for Dogwood—where cowboys, kindness, and grit still ride tall.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Abby Gilster: Stop shrinking—the world needs your weird

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with Chicago actor Abby Gilster (Chicago Fire, Single Car Crash, Theatre Above the Law*) for a conversation that swings from haunted babies and bad anesthesia stories to imposter syndrome and the art of taking up space. They talk about perfectionism, football rage, Twilight monologues, and why actors need the discipline of athletes but the wonder of kids.

Abby opens up about learning to believe in herself, finding community through collaboration, and remembering that joy—not perfection—is the point. It’s funny, heartfelt, and a little unhinged in the best way: a love letter to artists learning to be loud, weird, and fully themselves again.

Follow Abby on Instagram @abbygilster and catch her work in Single Car Crash (dir. Brittani Ward) or on Chicago Fire.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Sadieh Rifai: You’re not 'too much,’ you’re finally enough

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with Chicago legend Sadieh Rifai (Patriot, Shining Girls, The Humans, Grey House) for a raw and joyful conversation about success, identity, and the quiet power of gratitude. They talk immigrant parents, audition anxiety, the lie of constant productivity, and why sometimes doing nothing is the most creative thing you can do.

From family names that carry generations of strength to the art of being “too much,” Sadieh opens up about redefining success beyond fame and finding peace in steady work, community, and joy. It’s a love letter to artists learning to un-shrink themselves — and to anyone remembering the kid they used to be.

Follow Sadieh Rifai on IG @srifai10 and catch her work at A Red Orchid Theatre or wherever great acting finds a stage.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Mezcla Media Collective. Please follow them on Instagram @mezclamediacollective and join the community at mezclamediacollective.org

Patrick Burke: How editing teaches you patience, precision, and maybe Lizard People

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with editor and former musician Patrick Burke of Method & Madness for a conversation that somehow covers 48-hour film projects, oyster shucking, and the terrifying beauty of a well-timed dissolve. Patrick shares what he’s learned about rhythm—both in editing and in life—and how collaboration, caffeine, and chaos (the good kind) fuel creative work.

They talk about the power of pacing, why film sets feel like beehives, and yes… the Mandela Effect, lizard leaders, and other very serious investigative journalism. This episode is half creative therapy, half fever dream, and somehow all heart.

Follow Patrick on IG @patrickeburke and check out his work at Method and Madness. Weirdos and editors welcome.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Tony Bondoc: You don’t need permission to create - Just corn, grit and heart

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with arts programmer, community builder, and fellow South Texan Tony Bondoc, whose resume runs from the Neo-Futurists to the League of Chicago Theaters. They talk about growing up on the Texas border, why “football for theater” (the UIL one-act competitions) shapes unstoppable creatives, and how gratitude and intention fuel his work behind the scenes.

Between debates over corn vs potato, barbecue road-trip spreadsheets, and Big Red nostalgia, Tony opens up about building access and equity into Chicago’s theater ecosystem—and what it means to make something out of nothing. It’s a love letter to arts admin folks everywhere: the quiet heroes keeping the lights on and the curtains rising.

Follow Tony on IG @tonyb890 and support the League of Chicago Theaters to see where he’s bringing the next show to life.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Steve Berg: Paranormal but make it midwest

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with actor, comedian, and podcaster Steve Berg, whose resume spans The Good Place, Bob’s Burgers, Tag, and his own podcast Hi, Strangeness. They dive into the joy of folklore, the spirituality of UFOs, and why curiosity might be the most creative muscle an artist can have.

Between burrata rants, Midwest nostalgia, and Bigfoot theories, Steve shares how chasing the “weird” keeps him grounded as an actor—and how moving from LA to Omaha gave him back his sense of wonder. They talk improv burnout, filmmaking friends, and why it’s okay to believe in something unbelievable.

Follow Steve on IG @bergmaster5000 and listen to Hi, Strangeness and We’re Here to Help wherever you get your podcasts. Weirdos (and working artists) welcome.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Janice V. Rodriguez: The woman who accidentally built comedy movement

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with comedian, producer, and festival founder Janice V. Rodriguez, the woman who turned a New Year’s resolution into one of Chicago’s most vital comedy movements. Janice shares the origin of Las Locas Comedy, how the Latina Comedy Festival grew from a “one-show festival” into a multi-day powerhouse, and why comedy is equal parts spreadsheets and late-night punchlines.

They dive into the business side of being an artist, what it’s like balancing loyalty with saying no, and why stand-up can feel like free therapy (with better punchlines). Janice also opens up about growing up bilingual-ish, her business background, and how she’s mentoring the next wave of comics while still writing her own bits about grudges, Capri Suns, and growing up Latina in Indiana.

Follow Janice on IG @JVRSPEAKS and catch her at the upcoming Latina Comedy Festival at latinacomedyfestival.com

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Raul Benitez: The programmer who rewrites a city’s film culture

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with film programmer and Chicago Screen Gem Raul Benitez, a man who’s been shaping the city’s film culture for over a decade without ever setting foot in film school. From curating cult Czech fantasy films at midnight to launching a Chicago–Mexico City filmmaker exchange, Raul has proven that programming is equal parts taste, hustle, and knowing which audience actually wants the weird stuff.

They talk about the realities of landing a programmer gig, why gatekeeping is still rampant in festival culture, and the one email strategy that might actually get your movie seen.

Raul also shares his take on why theaters aren’t going anywhere (sorry, Variety execs), why Chicago excels at shorts and docs, and how networking is less about schmoozing and more about not being a weirdo.

Plus: seances gone wrong, Daddy’s Head, and the city’s best screening parties.

Follow Raul on IG @raulito_b or catch him at a midnight screening near you.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Keiph Oliver: You can lead the work...or keep waiting to be picked. Your choice.

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with writer–producer–multi-hyphenate Keiph Oliver for a conversation that’s equal parts business school, therapy, and creative pep talk.

They get into what it means to lead instead of chase, why filmmakers should stop gatekeeping their own work, and how YouTube might be a smarter move than Sundance.

Also in the mix: self-worth, faith, cold showers, equity over exposure, and why the Chicago film scene might be on the verge of something big.

If you’re a filmmaker, a creative, or just tired of asking permission to do what you love—this one’s for you.

Follow Keiph on IG @justkeiph

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Ana J. Christian & C. Ryan Stemple: Bath meetings, broken timelines, and film magic

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse kicks it with Ana J. Christian (editor/paladin) and C. Ryan Stemple (colorist/wizard)—aka the post team behind Journey Work Entertainment, the Chicago studio making indie films look like a million bucks (without ever leaving the Midwest).

They talk about what post actually is, why metadata’s your ride-or-die, the emotional damage of 2AM color sessions, and business meetings in the bathtub. Yes, a real bathtub. Yes, that’s where they do their best work. Honestly? Goals.

If you’ve ever yelled at your footage, wanted to make a movie, or just like smart people who are good at what they do—this one’s for you.

Learn more about them here: https://www.journeyworkent.com/

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Christina Gutierrez: "I don’t trust none of you hoes"

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with comic and cultural icon Christina Gutierrez—yes, the one who won at a Canadian casino and used the money to move to London. A literal main character.

They talk standup as healing, immigrant kid ambition, and how comedy becomes armor. Plus: British accents gone wrong, Catholic grandmas, hot horoscopes, and how a purse on stage became a feminist survival tactic.

This one is cozy, cathartic, and extremely funny. Like slipping into PJs while your hot chocolate has chili in it but it kinda works.

Follow Christina @primaprimaveravera

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Lorena Gonzalez: Follow your dreams, NOT the ghost

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with actor and storycreator Lorena Gonzalez to talk about growing up in a legitimately haunted house, quitting a job to chase a dream, and getting told by an all-white conservatory that she didn’t “have it.” (Spoiler: she definitely has it.)

They get into gratitude on set, the struggle of starting late in the game, and the spirit who maybe doesn’t like men. Plus: haunted toilets, shadow figures, and a coconut exorcism that didn’t go as planned.

You can follow Lorena on Instagram @loreyogilife

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Laura Weiner-Kiser: You're Not Intimidating. They're Intimidated.

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with certified life coach and mindset expert Laura Weiner-Kiser to talk self-discovery, burnout culture, and why rest isn’t a luxury—it’s survival. They unpack what it really means to show up as yourself, why mindset beats motivation, and how to escape the trap of constant self-promotion. Also: Florida Man makes an appearance. Obviously.

For more info on Laura, go to www.changebychallenge.com or follow her on Instagram @changebychallenge

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Jon Silver: Tell the joke, make the film... and maybe google JFK

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse sits down with Jon Silver to talk comedy roots, producing madness, and why childlike wonder is the secret sauce. They cover the Chicago scene, theater headaches, and Jon’s latest film The Premiere—plus a few conspiracy theories for good measure. Follow Jon on Instagram @jonsilverpoop <- yeah, you read that right.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Missy Hernandez: Make the thing, don't wait

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Missy Hernandez joins Ilse to talk about making your own lane—from acting to screenwriting to producing. They dive into representation, identity, and the power of language, plus why safe sets and community matter more than ever. Find out more about Missy and her workshops at www.missyhernandez.com

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Jayson "Avocado" Acevedo: You’re not a bonfire. Stop setting yourself on fire for people.

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse and Jayson "Avocado" Acevedo go all in on comedy, self-discovery, and the weird stuff that makes us human—think: alien surveillance, zodiac beef, and birthmark theories. They unpack what it means to be real onstage and off, how fear messes with your glow, and why living out loud matters. Wanna know more about Jayson? Go to www.jaysonavocado.com/

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Andrea Zile Bish: A ghost named Patrick... and the Chicago indie film scene

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Writer/director/producer Andrea Zile Bish joins Ilse to talk birds, ghosts, and the Chicago indie scene. They cover creative burnout, ghost roommates, and why making art with your people is the real flex. Find out more about Bish at www.zilebish.com

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Yessenia Carreon: Somebody wants to see your "boring" life - just post it!

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

If you’ve ever thought, “My life is too normal to post online,” this episode will gently grab you by the shoulders and say, girl, no. Ilse sits down with actor, creator, and certified Chicago icon Yessenia Carreon, whose TikTok journey started with a layoff, a pandemic, and a video about sugar that accidentally outraged the internet.

They talk about everything from building a media company from scratch, to becoming a one–woman creative machine, to the weird psychology of virality and imposter syndrome. Yessenia breaks down how she edits, when she posts, why consistency matters more than perfection, and why the videos you spend two minutes on always outperform the videos you spend two hours on.

If you’ve been meaning to start posting — or if you just want someone to tell you you’re not “too late” or “too boring” — this conversation feels like a permission slip and a pep talk rolled into one.

Follow Yessenia on TikTok and IG @yesseniacarreon_ and get your daily dose of Latina mom realness, book reviews, and good energy.

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to our sponsor, Joel Maisonet Photography: maisonetphotography.com

Preston O'ffill: Hispanic Wookiee is not a thing

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

Ilse and Preston O’ffill talk improv, musical theater, hecklers, and what it’s like performing for kids vs adults. They get into short films, reality TV, and bring back the ‘Gringo Meter’ for a comedy vibe check. Plus: Preston shares what’s next on stage. To see Preston live visit https://www.prestonoffill.com/

Hosted by Ilse Zacharias Rivera. Say hi / follow along here: @ilsezacharias

Trailer

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 06:00:00 -0500

What do tacos, Bigfoot, and a bird-obsessed ghost named Patrick have in common? Ilse. Obviously.

Ilse Will Say is an everything podcast with a soft spot for the entertainment world. Expect pop culture takes, nostalgia spirals, weird guests, fake facts, and the occasional Chicago-specific rant.

New episodes every week.

🎧 Follow now so you don’t miss:

– TV talk and telenovela trauma

– Guests who say “Wookiees are Hispanic” with confidence

– Deep dives into the emotional betrayal that is Taco Bell

It’s unserious. It’s unfiltered. It’s Ilse.

📍 Follow the pod, tell a friend, and meet us back here every week.

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💻 Website: ilsewillsay.com

📱 Follow Ilse @ilsewillsay for updates, memes, and bonus weirdness