In this episode of The Unscene Work, Erik Lingvall sits down with writer, director, and actor Madison Hatfield to unpack the invisible layers of artistry: the pressure to please, the politics of creativity, and what it means to make something that heals you while entertaining others.

Madison shares the story behind her viral short film I Could Dom, a comedy rooted in people-pleasing, identity, and personal transformation, and how writing it became a turning point in both her creative life and her healing journey.

They explore:

• Why the word “creativity” is more recent (and politicized) than you might think

• How people-pleasing shows up in performance and art

• The emotional cost of treating empathy like a job

• What happens when the art world gets flattened by tech and capitalism

• A vision for building a more sustainable, soul-aligned film industry, especially in Georgia
  
  

This one’s for the artists navigating gray areas, writing from the gut, and trying to stay whole in an industry that doesn’t always prioritize wholeness.

🎬 Madison’s short film I Could Dom is currently sweeping the festival circuit, including Oscar-qualifying stops.

Follow the show:
📲 IG & TikTok: @theunsceneworkpodcast
📲 Follow Erik: @eriklingvall
📲 Follow Madison: @madhat31