How do you go from having a really good story to tell, to actually getting it out into the world?
This week’s guest is Emily Best, the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark. Seed&Spark is the number one crowdfunding platform in the world for storytellers, having raised more than $95 million and funded thousands of projects to make entertainment more diverse, inclusive, connected, and essential.
We dive deep into why stories are fundamental to who we are as human beings, and how the art of deep listening creates radical belonging. Emily shares how independent creators can bypass traditional gatekeepers, what it takes to design a life aligned with your highest purpose, and how to cultivate hope as an active daily discipline when facing massive industry shifts.
Whether you are an artist, entrepreneur, or leader looking to share your mission with clarity and conviction, this conversation will challenge you to reflect on the stories you tell and the life you choose to live.
“Stories are what make us human. This is how we build belonging, and it is also how we collaborate“ — Emily Best
In This Episode, You Will Learn
- Why empathy and profound care are the core ingredients of unforgettable storytelling.
- How crowdfunding serves as an act of community care rather than just a transaction for capital.
- Why stories are meant to be experienced collectively rather than consumed in isolated digital silos.
- The critical questions every entrepreneur and creator must ask to design a life aligned with their values.
- Why convenience culture is driving social isolation and how to build authentic local community networks.
- How to cultivate hope as a daily discipline during uncertain and challenging times.
- Plus much more…
What We Discuss:
- 0:00:00 – Episode Opener and Introduction to the Podcast – Emily Best
- 0:01:03 – Why Stories Matter
- 0:02:47 – Seed&Spark Origin Story
- 0:05:38 – Funding Wins and Trends
- 0:09:38 – What Makes Great Stories
- 0:12:16 – Getting Your Work Out There
- 0:13:57 – Designing Your Life
- 0:19:10 – Meaning Making and Grief
- 0:26:12 – Community vs Convenience
- 0:29:38 – AI Costs and Community
- 0:32:56 – Processing Stories Together
- 0:35:27 – Stories Need Shared Moments
- 0:36:21 – Streaming Silos And Lost Conversation
- 0:37:06 – Raised By Writers So What Matters
- 0:39:01 – Sailboat Workshops Listening Power
- 0:40:59 – Community Funded First Film
- 0:44:12 – Lean Startup To Seed And Spark
- 0:48:23 – Mutual Aid Versus Convenience
- 0:51:11 – Tools And How They Are Used
- 0:58:39 – Interdependence And Solidarity House
- 1:00:31 – Seed And Spark Stories Of Joy
- 1:01:46 – Rapid Fire – Your Edge
- 1:06:48 – Where To Connect And Sign Off
About Emily
Emily Best is the founder and CEO of Seed&Spark, the #1 crowdfunding platform in the world for storytellers on a mission to make entertainment more diverse, inclusive, connected and essential. Seed&Spark’s platform and national education program have helped thousands of bold storytellers raise over $86M and counting. Emily is dedicated to making the resources for creators to build independent, sustainable careers free and accessible: Seed&Spark launched The Crowdfunding Playbook and alongside Kinema also launched The Distribution Playbook, free and open- sourced field guide for independent filmmakers to succeed from funding to distribution. She has produced films, VR, shorts and series that have premiered at Sundance, SXSW, Slamdance, Tribeca and more. She produced RATIFIED, a feature documentary about the 100+ year struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment, which premiered on Independent Lens October 20, 2025 and her new film MR JESUS is about to hit festivals. Both were crowdfunded. Emily is also a co-founder of (m)otherboard, a tech justice non-profit that cultivates the social practices that bend the arc of technology from individual convenience to collective good.
Show Notes
Connect with Emily Best:
- Seed & Spark – Website
- Emily’s LinkedIn
- Seed & Spark – Instagram
- (m)otherboard – Instagram
- mrjesusai – Instagram
Resources Mentioned:
