Mischief and Mastery

Emma Palizza has stopped waiting for permission—and she’s not dragging a boulder uphill just to be "seen." In this episode, she talks candidly about leaving the Chicago theater grind, recalibrating her definition of success, and rediscovering joy in creative work. Whether it's saying no to bad plays, launching a podcast with her best friend, or watching her first podcast episode explode in plays despite the chaos—Emma reminds us that joyful process can be better than exhausted polish.

An actor and sometimes writer, Emma trained at the School at Steppenwolf and Second City, performing with companies like The Gift and Steep Theatre before relocating to Connecticut. She now stars in The Ferryman at Hole in the Wall Theatre and co-hosts Go Get Your Girl, a rom-com podcast full of overshares, running bits, and the occasional sexy snowman. Her work is a mash-up of heart, humor, and blunt realism about what it means to make things—and to know when they’re “good enough.”

We dig into:
→ Saying no to hustle-driven theater culture
→ Rewriting your metrics of success
→ Podcasting as performance and permission
→ Going before you’re ready—and letting go lightly

Find Emma at emmapalizza.com or on Instagram @emilympizza. Check out Go Get Your Girl wherever you get your podcasts.

Sign up for the mailing list and listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com.
You can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.

Before you hit play, go watch Sleepwalking—a surreal, floating, time-bending music video Shane directed for Mario McClean: Watch here. Then come back and hear how it came together—one melted phone prop and 4-hour beach shoot at a time.

In this episode, Shane Dresch breaks down the emotional math and creative strategy behind directing, designing, and assembling deeply personal visual work. We talk about building a story around a feeling, knowing when to kill your darlings (goodbye, train scene), and the long-tail confidence you build by actually finishing things—especially when you’re doing it all yourself.

Shane Dresch is a Director of Photography and visual storyteller based in Chicago, IL, with a decade of professional video production experience. He holds a Bachelor’s in Video Production and a Master’s in Digital Storytelling, overcoming academic challenges by focusing on his passion for visual media. Since 2015, Shane has worked on a wide range of projects including commercials, music videos, and documentaries, contributing as a DP, Gaffer, Writer, Director, and more. His work has earned regional Emmy nominations and recognition at indie film contests. Crafting unique visuals and solving creative challenges alongside a collaborative crew is where Shane truly feels at home.

We also talk about scope creep, learning to trust collaborators, and how side quests like D&D and small insert shots can refuel a tired creative brain. If you’ve ever wrestled with choice paralysis, one-person production, or the urge to DIY everything, this one’s for you.

Learn more about Shane at shanedresch.com
Follow on Instagram: @anxiyeti
Follow on YouTube: @zeroshane50

Sign up for the mailing list and listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com.
You can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.

What if the most powerful creative move you made was choosing to pause? In this episode, Elissa Wolf unpacks the subtle and often overlooked moments that shape her approach to theater—whether she’s in rehearsal, navigating a career shift, or nerding out over Shakespeare’s linguistic breadcrumbs. We talk about slowing down as a strategy, making room for actors to explore without pressure, and how simple tools—like reading lines without emotion—can change the direction of a performance or a process.

Elissa is a multi-hyphenate creative who works across the Midwest and East Coast as a teaching artist, director, and researcher. She’s collaborated with organizations like the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Two River Theater and the former Chicago Youth Shakespeare. She holds an MA in Shakespeare and Creativity from the Shakespeare Institute and is currently pursuing a PhD at King’s College London, where she’s expanding her work on asides and the often-invisible mechanics of stage intimacy. Whether she’s facilitating a workshop, directing a scene, or cold-emailing theaters to observe rehearsals, Elissa brings warmth, rigor, and a deep belief in sharing what you know.

We also talk about the casting “puzzle,” rehearsal room power dynamics, how Shakespeare became a lifestyle (not just a focus), and why mentorship and accessibility matter more than polish. If you’re in a transition—or circling back to what drew you to the work in the first place—this one will resonate.

Learn more about Elissa at elissawolf.com and follow her on Instagram @eliwolf007.

Sign up for the mailing list and listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com.
You can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.

Why wait until everything’s perfect to start something new? In this episode, Armin Korsos shares how saying yes now—even before you’re “ready”—can spark organic growth, community, and career-shifting momentum. Born in the Cayman Islands and now based in Chicago, Armin is a filmmaker known for emotionally vivid imagery and a global lens—both in his documentaries and branded storytelling. He’s also the founder of Caymanite, a creative studio built to bring authentic brand stories to life with impact.

Armin is the co-creator of Filmmaker Friday, a monthly event series that brings together local creatives for screenings, panels, and connection. He’s currently in post-production on two documentary projects—a conservation-focused film and a story following a world-record cycling attempt around Lake Ontario.

We talk about building Filmmaker Friday from scratch without a budget, the myth of needing a perfect platform before launching, navigating collaboration and energy management, and the mindset shifts required for documentary work. Armin also reflects on how opportunity often arrives as a narrow window—and why you have to leap before you feel fully prepared. If you’ve been putting something off because it’s not perfect yet, this one’s for you.

Find more from Armin at www.caymanite.us, on Instagram @armincreates, or connect via LinkedIn. Keep an eye out for his short film Brothers of the Sea, and two in-progress docs: one focused on conservation, and the other following a Lake Ontario world-record cycling attempt.

Sign up for the mailing list and listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com.
You can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.

What happens when you get everything you asked for—and it still doesn’t feel great? In this episode, Jon Silver talks candidly about navigating the tail end of a feature film rollout, the unexpected burnout of the festival circuit, and what it really means to build an audience when your control over exhibition is limited. We talk about the tension between gratitude and disillusionment, the DIY hustle of indie comedy, and how distribution can be just as humbling as it is thrilling.

Jon comes to indie filmmaking from a comedy background. He’s the co-founder of ShowPup Productions and has produced sketch comedy, shorts, web series, and features with troupes like Second City and iO. His first feature, The Civil Hoax, was dubbed “Can’t Miss Indie Cinema” by the Chicago Tribune, and his newest film The Premiere—a satirical love letter to the absurdities of filmmaking and live screenings—is currently screening around the world.

If you’ve ever wondered what comes after the good news, or why building a sustainable creative life means thinking beyond just the film itself—this one’s for you.

Learn more about Jon and his work at showpup.com, follow him on Instagram @jonsilverpoop, and check out upcoming festival dates for The Premiere at showpup.com/blog-post/the-premiere-events.

Sign up for the mailing list and listen to more episodes at mischiefpod.com.
You can follow us on Instagram and TikTok @mischiefpod. Produced by @ohhmaybemedia.