Lights, Camera, Take Action: Welcome to My Substack!
From the Mixed up Files of a Media Multi-Hyphenate.
Greetings and Welcome!
I’m Maximina Juson, a filmmaker, storyteller, and media multi-hyphenate who occasionally turns a random idea into a full-fledged film.
You might know me from my documentary, One Person, One Vote?, which recently premiered on PBS as part of their Independent Lens series, where I did something wild: I made the Electoral College entertaining. Yes, really. Through the stories of four presidential electors, I unpacked how this quirky piece of democracy works—and why it matters more than you might think.
But my love for storytelling goes beyond just films. If you’re wondering how a poet, world-touring bass player, mother of two, user experience architect, game inventor, and filmmaker all fit into one life, the answer is simple: a lot of curiosity and the fearlessness to pick up the phone when a calling calls.
I’ve worn many hats (and a bass guitar!), but the common thread through it all has been my love of connecting with people. Whether I was performing spoken word, rocking a stage, designing seamless user experiences, or capturing stories on film, it always came down to sharing something meaningful—or at least entertaining.
Now, I’m here to share even more stories, experiences, and probably a few moments of chaos from the rambunctious ride that’s been my life so far. I hope you stick around. I promise I’ll keep it interesting!
What’s All This About Now?
I created this space to share my world of storytelling, democracy, and the occasional filmmaking fiasco. Whether you love documentaries or the art of filmmaking, want a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, or enjoy a good chuckle while learning about complex topics, there’s something for you here.
Here’s what you can expect:
Storytelling for Social Change: I'll share pro tips, fun tricks and an abundance of lessons learned from what it takes to craft compelling narratives to using media to inspire action.
Deep Dives into Democracy: Think civics class, but fun. I’ll break down big ideas, unpack systems like the Electoral College, and ask the kinds of questions that make us think harder about our world—simplified into layman’s terms that are easy to understand and (dare I say) entertaining—got a burning question about democracy? Send it my way!
Adventures of a Media Multi-Hyphenate: What does following your passions mean? I’ll share what it’s like to shapeshift between multiple creative pursuits—from filmmaking to life on the road as a touring bass player to game inventing to parenting—and the unexpected adventures that come with turning wild ideas into reality. Spoiler: It’s equal parts exhilarating, chaotic, and deeply fulfilling.
Behind-the-Lens Insights: What’s it like making a film, including one’s about the Electoral College? Let’s just say it involves lots of late nights, unexpected challenges, and more than one existential crisis.
Personal Stories: The best lessons often come from moments when things don’t go as planned (like that time I tried to film at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021... but more on that later).
As an independent artist and filmmaker, I wanted a space to connect directly with you—no gatekeepers, no algorithms, no middlemen, just stories and ideas that make the world go round. If you’re curious about storytelling or democracy or just want an excuse to procrastinate with an interesting read, hit that subscribe button. Let’s get this party started.
Here’s to exploring big ideas, laughing through the chaos, and learning together—one post at a time.
Lights out,
Maximina Juson
P.S. If you haven’t seen One Person, One Vote?, check it out on PBS’ Independent Lens. It’s like democracy but with sexy animation and a kickass score (by the incredible Pierre Bennu and Mark Batson).