DOCWALKS
Documentary filmmakers, Keith Maitland (TOWER, DEAR MR BRODY) and Ben Steinbauer (WINNEBAGO MAN, CHOP & STEELE), host this lively walk & talk podcast featuring conversations with today’s best non-fiction storytellers. DocWalks takes the conversation to the street (or nature trail), offering candid insight into the art & industry of documentary filmmaking for an audience of emerging filmmakers and doc-lovers alike.
EPISODE 51 - Terrified Of Cheese w/ Bryan Storkel
We walk South by Southwest with director Bryan Storkel—HOLY ROLLERS, THE LEGEND OF COCAINE ISLAND, THE PEZ OUTLAW, ALABAMA SNAKE—in town to premiere I GOT BOMBED AT HARVEY’S, his new feature about the man who built a thousand-pound bomb and walked it into a Lake Tahoe casino in 1980.
EPISODE 45 - Art Can Never Be Satisfied w/ Holly Herrick
Holly Herrick is all about the film-life—as the Head of Film for Austin Film Society and Doc Days festival founder / programmer, she’s at the center of Austin’s film community, but this SXSW finds Holly wearing a new hat: first-time documentary producer.
EPISODE 44 - SXSW Chaos Coordinator w/ Claudette Godfrey
If you ever wanted to get into the head of a premier festival programmer, this is your chance! Meet SXSW VP of Film & TV, Claudette Godfrey, a self-described Chaos Coordinator and all-around boss. Keith’s flyin’ solo while Ben's off shooting commercials (allegedly) and you won’t want to miss the chance to walk & doc with Claudette today, on the 40th anniversary SXSW kickoff.
EPISODE 43 - The Nonfiction Hotlist w/ Anna Rau
We’re takin’ it to the streets, sure—but this week we’re also takin’ it to the list: the Nonfiction Hotlist, with producer Anna Rau. Anna's got the scoop on this new endeavor to connect nonfic producers with money and distribution, and she’s here to share just what the Nonfiction Hotlist is and where it’s going.
EPISODE 42 - Meet The People w/Ben & Keith at Sundance
Park City, 2026 — we showed up without films, without press credentials, but still… ready to make our DocWalk dreams a reality. Welcome to the last of 4 episodes at Sundance: a walk down Main Street, where we hobnob with the best of the fest, greet the people, and do everything we can to stay warm in sub-freezing temps without a single movie ticket in sight.
EPISODE 41 - if you love it enough w/ rachel morrison
It’s time for some JOYBUBBLES! That’s what first-time doc director Rachael J. Morrison believes—and she’s brought her feature doc to Sundance to share the power of JOYBUBBLES with the world. Rachael’s film introduces the world to Joe Engressia, a blind kid who discovered he could whistle a magic tone and hack the analog telephone system—becoming a pioneer in the world of “phone phreaking.”
EPISODE 40 - Stories left behind w/ Julie goldman & chris clements
We’re away from the hubbub of Main Street and onto the nature trail spotting birds, murals, tunnels, and trees, all while digging into the Motto approach: how they financed their first feature on maxed-out credit cards at Brooklyn College, why they Zoom into shoots they can't attend, and how they handle story development and adaptation, including seeing a doc become a scripted comedy in partnership with Mike Schur and Ted Danson.
EPisode 39: the manhole covers of park city w/ sam green
We are excited to catch Sam Green—despite freezing our asses off on Main Street—hours after the world premiere of THE OLDEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. What starts as a conversation about chasing Guinness World Records quickly becomes something bigger: how curiosity transforms into meaning.
EPisode 38: Shelly Duval's Putter w/ Joe Pickett
Ben squeezes into the VHS vault that is the Found Footage Festival (FFF) headquarters in NY with Joe Pickett—half of the FFF comedy duo who quit his job to follow a dirty country singer for four years, turned stolen instructional videos into a 20-year comedy empire, and once declared a half-naked woman painting ceramic clowns "the greatest moment in VHS history.”
EPISODE 37: Theoretically Promiscuous w/ Courtney Cook
What does impact look like? That’s what we’re asking this week’s guest, Courtney Cook—a veteran impact producer who’s helped hundreds of doc-makers answer that question in her 7-years at POV. A high school teacher-turned-PhD-turned-doc-producer and soon-to-be professor of documentary film at Texas State, Courtney has strong opinions about perspective, ethics, and how having a “bad attitude” is the only way to make it in this field.
EPISODE 36: Think like a filmmaker w/ alan berliner
This week, Ben is on a solo mission to a freezing New York City, where legendary filmmaker Alan Berliner guides him through his studio that's equal parts fine art gallery and documentary laboratory. We're talking about a 108 drawer sound sculpture that Alan plays like an instrument, flood-destroyed film reels turned gorgeous works of art, and the kind of collections that make you wonder where archiving ends and genius begins.
EPISODE 35: dyin’ is easy, comedy is hard w/ andrew kolker & louis alvarez
Come along as Ben flies solo—no Keith, just the UT campus and two documentary titans who've been making films together longer than most marriages last: the indomitable Louis Alvarez and Andrew Kolker have a working partnership runnin’ north of fifty years.
EPISODE 34: HIGH, LOW, BUFFALO, MITZVAH W/ SALLY O’GRADY
As we close-out of our first year of doc’in & walkin’ it’s time to take stock in what this podcast is all about. We’re excited to welcome self-proclaimed number one fan and Australian-born doc-maker, Sally O'Grady for a year-end, Year in Review episode.
EPISODE 33: the stone peacock w/ david modigliani
What is it with all the doc-filmmakers turning to podcasting?!? No, not us… we’re talkin’ about David Modigliani—a playwright turned poet turned documentary filmmaker turned podcaster (and Stanley Tucci voice director). This is a fun walk with an old friend at a park rumored to be populated by peacocks!
EPISODE 32: podcasts are the new mayonnaise w/ scott ballew
Keith’s out this week, so Ben is strutting Travis Heights solo with his good pal Scott(y) Ballew. Scott’s a lesson in cutting-against the grain and getting more for it. You might know him from his work as the former Head of Content at Yeti, making 100+ branded docs with one rule: no product placement.
EPisode 31 – Opportunity Calls! w/ Patrick Heaphy
Join Ben as he walks solo with Patrick Heaphy—a New York producer/director and music doc extraordinaire. Together they saunter across South Congress, past the Continental Club to Arlyn Studios. Pat's the filmmaker behind CHARLEY CROCKETT: $10 COWBOY documentary—now screening at Austin Film Festival—but his career path runs through a Nancy Kerrigan vampire clip (the lav accessory, of course), the 1994 Olympics, and a 9/11 doc compiled from his day-of footage.
EPISODE 30 - I’m with the people (and the butterflies) w/ rena effendi
Holly Herrick is all about the film-life—as the Head of Film for Austin Film Society and Doc Days festival founder / programmer, she’s at the center of Austin’s film community, but this SXSW finds Holly wearing a new hat: first-time documentary producer.
EPISODE 29 - What Should We Call This Episode w/ Chelsea Hernandez
We’ve been trying to book this walk with director Chelsea Hernandez for weeks, but she’s just too-busy city-hopping for the PBS music doc-series to hit the trail with us—until now. Chelsea is an Emmy-nominated director, a part of the Brown Girls Doc Mafia, and a great friend!
EPISODE 28 - Go To Church: Watch Movies w/ Megan Gilbride
Keith wanders LA’s Atwater Village with acclaimed producer Megan Gilbride—a co-conspirator on TOWER, A SONG FOR YOU, and DEAR MR. BRODY. We stroll the neighborhood, two old friends and frequent collaborators, outlining just how Megan's the "producer kind of crazy" and not the "director kind of crazy."
EPISODE 27– living the dream w/ mike blizzard
Welcome to Austin Studios, the airport-turned-soundstages located at the intersection of Austin Film Society and Richard Linklater’s Detour Filmproductions… and who better to catch on the backlot than Mike Blizzard? A producer known for APOLLO 10½, HIT MAN, and this month’s BLUE MOON, all made with longtime collaborator Richard Linklater, Mike takes us through the old airport hangars where MISS CONGENIALITY stumbled and where WALKER spurred onto screens.
EPISODE 26 – Literally Don’t Do This, But Don’t Do This Literally w/ Alex Ross Perry
We're wandering through a mystery neighborhood (we don’t know the name) with Alex Ross Perry, who has TWO movies screening in Austin on the same day. Here to promote his 10-year passion project VIDEO HEAVEN—an essay film about video stores screening at Austin Film Society, and his part of the omnibus VHS series at Fantastic Fest, Alex has built up a fair amount of cred since 2014’s LISTEN UP, PHILIP. Of course, "you can't pay for Montessori preschool with cred." Ain’t that the truth.
EPISODE 25 – I’m Not Sure That’s A Sculpture with Hillary Pierce
This week we’re roaming from Go-Valley (the production compound) thru Govalle (the neighborhood) with Marfa, TX-based filmmaker Hillary Pierce, a producing force behind Ben Masters’ THE RIVER AND THE WALL, and Maisie Crow’s AT THE READY.
EPISODE 24.5- Matt and Bob Morning Show Meets Doc Walks
Ben crashes the Matt and Bob show to talk WINNEBAGO MAN, viral videos before viral was a thing, and tracking down an angry RV salesman living as a hermit in Northern California. The conversation rips through documentary evolution—from Ken Burns photo zooms to Tiger King (quick: who directed it? exactly)—and lands on why docs are the offensive linemen of film: you don't know their names, but you need them.
EPisode 24 - Golden Moments with Maureen Gosling
This one is pure gold! Join Ben on a solo walk with the legendary Maureen Gosling—a prolific documentary editor and director, and a longtime collaborator of Les Blank. Dig into the makings-of iconic films like SPROUT WINGS AND FLY, GAP-TOOTHED WOMEN and BURDEN OF DREAMS, and explore Maureen's latest work, THE NINE LIVES OF BARBARA DANE.
EPisode 23 - I’m Not A Pirate Anymore (But I Used To Be) w/ Bradley Beesley
A walk down docu-memory lane as we welcome Ben’s early filmmaking collaborator, roommate, and mentor Bradley Beesley…. A prolific and adventure-prone docmaker, Bradley’s created acclaimed docs OKIE NOODLING 1 & 2, FEARLESS FREAKS, and SWEETHEARTS OF THE PRISON RODEO—among others.
EPISODE 22 – Fall Is Falling
Summer’s done and Fall is Falling as we (Keith & Ben) check in with each other about the state of our respective projects and how we go from development to production (fingers crossed). We don’t have the answers, but we each have our approaches to deck-creation, sizzle reel sizzling, pitching & fundraising, all to get into the ‘making’ part of filmmaking.
EPISODE 21 – LIFE AFTER w/ Reid Davenport and Colleen Cassingham
Two-time Sundance winner Reid Davenport is in town with his new film LIFE AFTER. We were excited to book time with Reid and his producer Colleen Cassingham for a sit-down with Keith at the Austin Film Society Cinema.
EPISODE 20 - A Shared Reality w/ Richard Whittaker
It’s a sobering summer day in Austin as we invite the Austin Chronicle’s Richard Whittaker out for a walk. Fresh off the presses, Richard has researched and written a story that details the ramifications of the recent defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the impact that this move has on independent documentaries.
EPISODE 19 – DocTalks with Dr. Paul Stekler
We talk a lot about mentorship on this podcast—so it makes sense that we’d bring a pivotal mentor to both of us into the mix. Join us as we find a shady spot on the campus of the University of Texas as DocWalks becomes DocTalks with Dr. Paul Stekler.
EPISODE 18 – Greg Kwedar Meta On Meta On Meta
This week we’re breaking out of the non-fiction world to talk fictionalization with Oscar-nominated writer/director Greg Kwedar. Fresh off the awards trail with last year’s SING SING, Greg shares insights and ideas about turning documentary style research into based-on-a-true-story truth.
EPISODE 17 – Through the Portal w/ Reed Harkness
Take a stroll with Reed Harkness, Portland-based creator behind SAM NOW, a creative portrait that follows the journey of the Harkness brothers, Reed and Sam, as they search for Sam’s mother who mysteriously disappeared in the year 2000.
EPISODE 16 – Ben & Keith Look Back To Look Ahead
After 15 DocWalks Keith & Ben take a look back. Where did we start, where are we going? Walk with us as we discuss the evolution of the podcast, highlighting some highs and glossing-over some lows along the way.
EPISODE 15 – Do Your Thing w/ Kevin Willmott
We’re off to Kansas! Or… Ben is. He’s flying back to to Lawrence, Kansas, to interview one of his professors from his days at the University of Kansas — Academy Award-winning filmmaker and KU professor Kevin Willmott. Known for co-writing BLACKKKLANSMAN with Spike Lee, Wilmott shares personal stories of his journey from a young creative in Kansas to an Oscar award-winning filmmaker.
EPISODE 14 – Low Moments in Documentary w/ Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine
This one’s a little different… Keith gets off the trail for an old-fashioned sit-down conversation with Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, the acclaimed husband-wife filmmaker duo behind the BOYS STATE and this year’s MIDDLETOWN.
EPISODE 13 – Go To the Love w/ Sandi DuBowski
Acclaimed filmmaker Sandi Dubowski has come to our hometown to present SABBATH QUEEN at Austin Film Society’s Doc Days. Twenty-one years in the making, Sandi has grown up with this film… and they’re taking the show on the road with dozens of fests, scores of community screenings, and an art house tour to rival any indie film this year.
EPISODE 12 – Avril Speaks and We Listen
Known for her versatility as a director, producer, showrunner, and distribution advocate, Avril Speaks joins us this week to walk and doc. From her theological start to her producing days on the SXSW award-winning feature JINN, Avril delves into the importance of storytelling, her transition into nonfiction during the pandemic, and her advocacy for better distribution practices. And, she’s our first guest to act out a scene from the movie, ANNIE!
EPISODE 11 – No Wasted Steps w/ Kahane Corn Cooperman
It’s a picture perfect spring morning in East Austin, a beautiful walk made better by the presence of our guest, acclaimed filmmaker Kahane Corn Cooperman, in Austin to premier CREEDE, USA, her newest doc.
EPISODE 10 – Spring Is In The Air
The flowers are blooming, Ben’s chasing squirrels while Keith eyes the skies over Hyde Park for hawks… oh, and we’re talkin’ docs. Spring brings up new thoughts about New Media and the docmakers role vs the “influencer’s paradise” of Youtube and social media.
EPISODE 9 – The Watering Hole, Live from the Austin Film Society
Drink up the scene like a local as Keith & Ben chat up their fellow Austinites (and a few out of town visitors) at the annual Austin Film Society Parking Lot Party at SXSW. This episode is a veritable smorgasbord of festival conversation including appearances by local filmmakers Cassie Hay, Tracy Frazier & Karen Skloss; festival programmers like Bart Weiss and James Faust; SXSW-premiering CREEDE, USA editor Andrew Saunderson; producer Mike Blizzard; and an AFS-appreciation conversation with CEO Rebecca Campbell. All that and a literal Rolls Royce car crash makes this bonus episode a unique peek into Austin’s film community.
EPISODE 8 – Caught Between Torment and Anguish w/ John Sloss
Taking it back to the indie film boom of the 90s with super-sales-agent John Sloss of Cinetic Media. Walking through the tree-filled Zilker neighborhood in an escape from SXSW, John shares his career journey from a life-changing pickup basketball game with John Sayles to longtime associations with film legends like Richard Linklater, John Pierson and Errol Morris.
EPISODE 7 – A Story That Went Nowhere w/ Charlie Shackleton
Walk and talk with ZODIAC KILLER PROJECT director Charlie Shackleton as he recounts the challenges (& opportunities) of bringing a film to new life after losing access to the subject. Ben & Keith explore Charlie’s love-hate relationship with true crime and the way his film twists up familiar tropes.
EPISODE 6 – Matt Wolf As Himself
New York City — Ben takes on the Big Apple and a long walk with filmmaker Matt Wolf, all by himself. This episode features a deep dive into Matt Wolf’s career and approach — from his days as a gay teen activist to his new two part series, Pee-wee As Himself, premiering on HBO Max. Matt leads Ben through the streets of the Lower East Side while sharing insights into his unique approach to doc filmmaking, the power of archival footage, and the importance of finishing what you start.
EPISODE 5 – Rosy on Rosy w/ Adam Bhala Lough
With SXSW in full swing, Ben & Keith walk downtown Austin with director Adam Bhala Lough (Telemarketers) the day before the premiere of Deep Faking Sam Altman. A prolific filmmaker, Adam shares stories behind the scenes of his new doc, gives tips on pitching, and after spending a year chasing AI pioneer Sam Altman, offers a surprisingly rosy view of the AI landscape.
EPISODE 4 – Gardener (Not A Carpenter)
Back from Sundance and inspired by Diane Quon’s email to Morgan Neville, Ben & Keith discuss the impact of seeking career guidance in their early days as doc-makers. Join us for a walk around Austin’s Ladybird Lake and a lively conversation about outreach and insights for aspiring and established documentary filmmakers alike.
EPISODE 3 – Start With the Story w/ Diane Quon
In this episode of Doc Walks, Ben & Keith duck out of the freezing temperatures of Park City for a warm and cozy indoor sit-down with Academy Award-nominated producer Diane Quon. A personal story of determination, Diane shares her inspiring journey from marketing executive to Academy Award-nominated documentary producer.
EPISODE 2 – Look Out For the Ice! – Live From Sundance
It’s Ben’s first time in Park City, and despite the freezing temps, he and Keith take to Main Street to kickoff the indie film calendar-year, exploring the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Man-on-the-street interviews capture the vibrant atmosphere as Ben & Keith seek intel and advice from filmmakers, volunteers, and festival-goers alike.
EPISODE 1 – The Pilot OR Two Dipshits Talking About Birds
Step into 'Doc Walks' with indie filmmakers Keith Maitland and Ben Steinbauer as they kick off this walk & talk podcast with a pilot episode focused on their documentary origins, storytelling motivations, personal frailties, and a few bird sightings. Tune in for candid conversations, industry insights, and the ambient sounds of Austin's hike and bike trail.
