Raising Cinephiles – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Julie Cavaliere takes us on a journey through her first movie memory and her deep affection for classic cinema. As the conversation unfolds, Julie and Jessica tackle the complexities of managing screen time for children, emphasizing the need to curate quality content for young minds.

Julie opens up about her career path in the film industry, from studying film and TV production to her roles in development, acting, and writing. She also bravely shares her battle with postpartum anxiety, highlighting the crucial importance of mental health for parents. The discussion delves into the pressures of overstimulation and the importance of finding support as a mother.

Jessica and Julie bond over their children's quirky interests—whether it's trains or a particular love for the color yellow—and reflect on the significance of nurturing these unique traits. They explore how motherhood reshapes one's taste and perspective, sharing personal experiences from the postpartum period and the hurdles they overcame.

Before wrapping up, Julie recommends the timeless film 'Harvey,' while Jessica teases her upcoming presentation of 'Modern Times.' Despite a few technical hiccups at the end, this episode is a heartfelt exploration of cinema, motherhood, and mental health.

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Tosca Musk, CEO of Passion Flix, discusses her love for romance novels and her passion for creating positive stories about love and relationships.

In this conversation, Tosca Musk and Jessica Kantor discuss their favorite movies and the influence of cinema on their lives. They talk about the films that have inspired them, such as To Kill a Mockingbird and Strictly Ballroom. They also share their love for filmmakers like Baz Luhrmann, Nora Ephron, and Nancy Meyers. The conversation touches on the importance of storytelling and the emotional impact of movies. They discuss the joy of introducing their children to cinema and their different tastes and preferences.

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Tosca also talks about the process of adapting books into movies and the importance of choosing diverse stories to appeal to a wide audience. She explains that Passion Flix focuses on romance book adaptations as feature films and episodic series. The platform aims to remove shame from sexuality and explore intimate scenes in a way that drives the story and promotes open communication. Tosca also talks about the growth of Passion Flix's library and the importance of niche streaming platforms.

Passionflix's next big film release will be “The Air He Breathes” on August 22. Based on the book by Amazon #1 bestselling author Brittainy Cherry. It's about a woman who - still mourning her husband's death - moves home with her daughter and meets a neighbor rumored to have a dark past who is also drowning in grief.

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In this episode, actress Esther Moon joins Jessica Kantor to talk about Esther's journey as an actress and the importance of pursuing a passion. They share their experiences of introducing their children to movies and the impact of cinema on their lives.

In this conversation, Esther Moon and Jessica Kantor discuss their experiences with introducing movies and traditions to their children. They talk about the challenges of finding kid-friendly movies in different cultures and the importance of exposing children to different languages and traditions. They also discuss the film JESA, in which Esther Moon stars, and the themes of holding onto traditions while also evolving.

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They explore the balance between preserving cultural rituals and challenging oppressive gender roles. The conversation concludes with a discussion on fostering a love of cinema and storytelling in children.

It was such an honor to talk to Denise Di Novi. She’s a prolific producer, director, and fine artist who has made films such as HEATHERS, EDWARD SCISSOR HANDS, and CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE - all three movies had a profound effect on me both in life and as a filmmaker.

Denise shares her first movie memory and the joy of watching films with her mother. She dis…

In this episode, Jessica Kantor interviews Camille Guaty about their first movie memories and the impact of movies on their lives. They discuss the power of music in movies and the importance of introducing children to the story world before watching a movie. They also talk about the role of movies in teaching children about real-life topics like mortal…

Despite doing this interview with Larengytus, it remains one of my favorite conversations. We discuss some incredible filmmaking and parenting topics, from films that play with their genre to guns on-screen and our mutual adoration of watching movies on 35 mm.

I hope you enjoy this new 22-minute edit of this inspiring conversation! The entire hour-long conversation is available to paid subscribers if you want to hear more.

Raising Cinephiles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I’m excited to share this recent re-edit and rerelease of one of our MOST popular episodes. We discuss how cinema influences our lives and kids and discuss one of my top movies, CLUELESS. Please enjoy the episode, available here and on your favorite podcasting platform. (And if you want the full-hour-long discussion, paid subscribers can access it in the archive!)

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This episode is edited by the incredible Mia Stewart, whom I met through my industry mom subgroup that encourages us to hire one another, especially in today’s environment with the industry tightening its belt.

That said, if you enjoy this podcast and the substack, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. It helps me attract partners and parents and allows me to create fun activities to inspire a future generation of Cinephiles.

Raising Cinephiles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This week, I had such an exciting and, dare I say, profound conversation with Joshua Triplett. We found common ground in the movies we love, how we approach our respective craft, and how we both take great pride in parenting.

It’s always interesting to speak with the parents of child actors, and hearing how the Triplett Family bonds through sharing their work with one another is a refreshing take on something that can often feel misguided. I especially loved how Joshua discussed not letting his daughters take work that isn’t artful or beyond their developmental stage simply cause they aren’t in it for the paycheck but rather for the love of it.

I hope you enjoy listening to the conversation!

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PODCAST SUMMARY:

Joshua Triplett shares his first movie memories and how they influenced his passion for acting and the film industry. He recalls his first theater experience, watching a horror film at a young age and being terrified and fascinated by it. He also discusses the impact of watching a movie about Michael Jackson's life and how it inspired him to pursue acting and performing. Joshua talks about growing up in a large family and the influence of his religious upbringing on his exposure to different types of media.

Joshua Triplett discusses the films he enjoys watching with his children and their impact on them. He mentions movies like Problem Child, Homeward Bound, Air Buds, and Three Ninjas, which he loved as a child and now shares with his kids. He also talks about introducing his family to the Indiana Jones series and how it made him appreciate the filmmaking process.

Joshua shares his passion for storytelling and mentions a project he wants to produce about HIV awareness. He also expresses his desire to portray good black fathers in the industry and the importance of family. In this conversation, Joshua Triplett and Jessica Kantor discuss their experiences in the film industry and the importance of loving what you do. J

Joshua recommends the film 'Origin' by Ava DuVernay as a movie that can help someone fall in love with cinema. They also mention their upcoming projects, including Joshua's debut album.

Joshua’s Music Project

Releasing on July 11th, you can pre-save Pursuit of Happiness - here, preview it, or watch the visual album.

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It’s been a crazy start to the year, with Raising Cinephiles on an extended hiatus after the Palisades Fire; I want to share one of my favorite episodes from last year in honor of The White Lotus finale airing this week. This episode features the iconic Carrie Coon, whose portrayal of Laurie is lighting up mom group chats across the country.

Carrie Coon originally joined me, host Jessica Kantor, on Raising Cinephiles to discuss her introduction to cinema at her grandparent's house and a discovery of how her introduction to cinema may have influenced bringing Bertha Russell to life in The Gilded Age. Season two is now streaming on Max. 

I’m unsure when or if I’ll bring this podcast back once I’m fully settled in NYC, but I’d love to know what you think in the poll on substack.

Originally from Copley, OH, Carrie Coon is a Chicago-based theatre, television and film actress. She received a BA in English and Spanish from the University of Mount Union and her MFA in Acting at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Coon was nominated for a Tony Award in the Best Featured Actress category for her Broadway debut as Honey in the transfer of Steppenwolf Theatre's production of "Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", directed by Pam MacKinnon. Although Coon did not win in 2013, the production was awarded Best Revival, Best Director (MacKinnon) and Best Actor (Tracy Letts).

EPISODE CREDITS:Host, Producer, Editor: Jessica KantorBooker: Noelia Murphy

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It’s the holiday season on Raising Cinephiles! Jessica sits down with returning guest and holiday enthusiast Lily Vonnegut for a relaxed, festive chat about family movie traditions, favorite holiday flicks, and finding the right balance between cultural identity and seasonal fun.

This episode is all about cozy vibes, laughter, and the magic of movies—whether it’s Christmas lights or Hanukkah donuts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What’s Inside the Episode?

🎥 Kicking It Off

Jessica and Lily dive right into their favorite topic—movies! Jessica shares how her toddler, Miles, is more into roaring dinosaurs than reindeer this year, and Lily has some advice on introducing holiday movies to little ones.

🕎 Balancing Hanukkah and Holiday Cheer

Jessica opens up about raising her son in a Jewish household while still embracing the sparkle of Christmas. Lily offers tips for keeping the holidays inclusive and stress-free.

🎄 Holiday Movies for Every Mood

Whether it’s animated favorites like Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas or classics like Home Alone and Elf, Lily and Jessica break down the best films for kids and adults alike.

🥡 Jewish Christmas Traditions

Jessica shares her family’s “Jewish Christmas” tradition—Chinese food and a movie—and how it’s become a core memory for her. (Bonus: Holiday lights tours with a sprinkle of Hanukkah flair!)

🍩 Sweet Family Traditions

From creating hot chocolate bars to baking jelly donuts, Jessica and Lily explore fun ways to make holiday movie nights even more special. And yes, mini gingerbread houses might appear.

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Movies Mentioned in This Episode

* For the Kids: Polar Express, Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas, Sing.

* For the Whole Family: Home Alone, Elf, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street.

* For the Grown-Ups: The Holiday, Love Actually, Gremlins, Die Hard.

Holiday Traditions to Try

* Host a December movie marathon with hot cocoa and cozy blankets.

* Explore movies that feel festive without being tied to one holiday.

* Create your own traditions with family movie nights, themed snacks, or lights tours.

Let’s Connect!

What movies make your holiday season magical? Share your picks on social media and tell Jessica how you celebrate through cinema.

Follow Jessica on Instagram: @jesskantor @raisingcinephiles Stay Tuned: Raising Cinephiles will take a break at the top of 2025, but we’ll be back soon with more fun and inspiration.

🎄 Happy Holidays and Happy Watching! 🎬