Reel Families for Change is a data-driven nonprofit committed to creating equitable, inclusive solutions for screen industry professionals. On this show, we highlight the risk-takers and changemakers who are doing the work to make filmmaking fair for all.
E406 - Tom Abernathy on Walking the Talk in Game Culture
In this episode of Reel Talk, our host Akima A. Brown sits down with Tom Abernathy, a powerhouse storyteller whose career spans videogames, films, and theater. Known for his leadership as Narrative Lead at Crystal Dynamics and for shaping iconic titles like Halo: Reach, League of Legends, The Division, Guild Wars 2, and Destroy All Humans, Tom has spent more than two decades championing care, inclusivity, equity, and fairness in the creative process.
Tune in to this episode to learn more about Tom’s vision for storytelling that sustains creators as much as it captivates audiences and how this artist-turned-industry leader is reshaping the gaming industry for the better.
Follow Tom Abernathy on his channels:
LinkedIn: Tom-Abernathy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-abernathy-2728a71/)
Twitter: @TomAbernathy (https://x.com/tomabernathy)
BlueSky: @TomAbernathy (https://bsky.app/profile/tomabernathy.bsky.social)
Follow Reel Talk on our channels:
IG: @reelfamilies (https://www.instagram.com/reelfamilies)
FB: @reelfamilies (https://facebook.com/reelfamilies)
YT: (https://www.youtube.com/@reelfamiliesytv6351)@reelfamilies (https://www.youtube.com/@reelfamilies)
LinkedIn: Reel Families for Change (https://linkedin.com/company/reelfamilies)
21 Aug 2025
E405 - Tome Levi Goes Behind the Scenes with Safety on Set
In this episode of Reel Talk, our host Akima A. Brown sits down with Tome Levi, founder of the Injury Prevention Consultancy, and the pioneering role of Injury Prevention Consultant (IPC). With nearly a decade of experience across stage and screen, Tome created the IPC role after years of watching friends and colleagues sustain avoidable injuries in the name of performance.
Her work is a call to shift from reactive problem-solving to proactive care — reframing injury prevention not as an obstacle to creativity, but as a necessary piece to realizing it. Tome dives into the philosophy behind what it means to slow down, design safety into the process, and challenge the cultural norms that normalize risk. Tune in to this episode to hear how one artist-turned-advocate is rewriting the rules of production culture and building a future where care is part of the creative process.
Follow Tome Levi on her channels:
Company Website: thisisipc.com (http://thisisipc.com)
Company LinkedIn: IPC (https://www.linkedin.com/company/injury-prevention-consultancy-ltd/)
Tome’s LinkedIn: Tome Levi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tome-levi/)
Follow Reel Talk on our channels:
IG: @reelfamilies (https://www.instagram.com/reelfamilies)
FB: @reelfamilies (https://facebook.com/reelfamilies)
YT: (https://www.youtube.com/@reelfamiliesytv6351)@reelfamilies (https://www.youtube.com/@reelfamilies)
LinkedIn: Reel Families for Change (https://linkedin.com/company/reelfamilies)
17 Aug 2025
E404 - Talking with "Horror Activist" Ariel Baska
On this episode of Reel Talk, we welcome Ariel Baska (they/them), filmmaker, advocate, and founder of ACCESS:HORROR and Ride the Omnibus.
Ariel shares their journey toward creating more equitable, accessible storytelling in the entertainment industry, including their 4-2-4 production model and the making of their short film, Our First Priority, where a doctor is sent to hell for telling a patient their pain is all in their head. We dive into the challenges and opportunities in amplifying marginalized voices and explore how inclusive practices can transform both media and society.
Tune in for insights, inspiration, and actionable ideas for a more just and creative screen industry.
Follow Ariel's works across all channels:
IG: @justaskabaska (https://www.instagram.com/justaskabaska)
LinkedIn: Ariel Baska (https://www.linkedin.com/in/arielbaska/)
Website - arielbaska.com (arielbaska.com)
Follow Reel Talk on our channels:
IG: @reelfamilies (https://www.instagram.com/reelfamilies)
FB: @reelfamilies (https://facebook.com/reelfamilies)
YT: (https://www.youtube.com/@reelfamiliesytv6351)@reelfamilies (https://www.youtube.com/@reelfamilies)
LinkedIn: Reel Families for Change (https://linkedin.com/company/reelfamilies)
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