The Documentary Life
Hosted by Chris G Parkhurst · The Documentary Life
4.8from 149 ratings
- 149
- Episodes
- 5
- Transcribed
- 149
- Ratings
- Bi-weekly
- Cadence
- 2016
- First episode
About The Documentary Life
The Documentary Life is a podcast about building a life in nonfiction storytelling. Hosted by documentary filmmaker Chris G. Parkhurst, the show explores what it really means to make documentaries—not just as a craft, but as a way of moving through the world with greater curiosity, observation, and empathy. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with filmmakers, editors, cinematographers, producers, journalists, festival programmers, and other storytellers who have dedicated themselves to telling true stories. Together, we explore the creative process, the realities of production, the ethical questions that arise when working with real people, and the personal challenges of sustaining a meaningful creative life. But The Documentary Life isn't only about cameras, funding, or film festivals. It's about learning to listen more carefully. To sit with complexity instead of rushing toward certainty. To embrace uncertainty, contradiction, and the deeply human stories that exist all around us. Whether you're directing your first short documentary, editing your tenth feature, producing independent nonfiction work, or simply someone drawn to authentic storytelling, this is a place for honest conversations about the rewards and realities of documentary filmmaking. Expect interviews with accomplished filmmakers from around the world, practical discussions about craft and career, behind-the-scenes insights from real productions, and reflections on the philosophy of living a documentary life. Because in the end, documentary filmmaking isn't simply about making films. It's about paying attention. Welcome to The Documentary Life.
- Publisher
- The Documentary Life
- Category
- arts · business · tv & film
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 22 May 2016
- Latest episode
- 14 Oct 2026
Latest episodes
5 of 149 episodes have a transcript.
14 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 148 | Managing the Chaos: Releases, Metadata, and Legal Must-Haves | With Lisa Califf
30 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 147 | The Sound of Story: What Documentary Filmmakers Need to Hear | With James LeBrecht
16 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Episode 146 | Wearing Every Hat: Surviving as a One-Person Crew | With Dandan Liu
Inside a recent episode
Episode 148 | Managing the Chaos: Releases, Metadata, and Legal Must-Haves | With Lisa Califf
Published 14 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] But behind all of that paperwork, there are people. Someone made that photograph. Someone recorded that music. Someone owns that footage. Someone trusted us with their story. And sometimes the question isn't simply, what am I legally allowed to do? Sometimes the better question is, what is the right thing to do? For Elvis of Cambodia, one of the most important scenes we filmed was a man putting his signature on a piece of paper, because that piece of paper represented something much larger. It said, this work belongs to someone. And when it came time to make our own film, we wanted to make sure we honored that. […]
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See plansWho has been a guest on The Documentary Life
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Lisa Califf
- James LeBrecht
- Dandan Liu
- Philip Shane
- Alan Berry
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.8 / 5
- 126 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 23 ratings
Contact The Documentary Life
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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Questions about The Documentary Life
Who hosts The Documentary Life?
Chris G Parkhurst host the show. Published by The Documentary Life.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does The Documentary Life take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Where can I read transcripts?
5 of 149 episodes have a transcript on Pod Engine. Full transcripts are available with a Pod Engine plan.
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