Welcome to a special Father’s Day edition of the NOT REAL ART Podcast! Today, you’ll hear from Sol Guy, an incredible film producer and writer who believes we change and shape our world through the stories we tell.
His passion for art and social change has led him on a unique creative journey. From his early days as a founding member of groundbreaking Canadian hip-hop group the Rascalz to creating and presenting TV shows, producing and directing films, writing books, and managing other artists, Sol has always been very intentional about implementing business practices that are both innovative and socially-minded.
His most recent film, The Death of My Two Fathers, is a courageous exploration of identity, fatherhood, life, and death. In this episode, Sol shares how the film unpacks the meaning of family, explores race, and why we must all face where we come from for the sake of those who come after us. By offering the film as a resource, Sol’s hope is to inspire people to live intentionally, face difficult challenges head on, and be inspired to use creativity, conversation, and storytelling as a means for healing and honoring our loved ones. Tune in today for a powerful (and emotional) conversation about grief, reconciliation, and fatherhood.
Key Points From This Episode:
A candid and emotional reflection on the unpredictable voyage of grief
The importance of recognizing your mortality in order to get the most out of life
Why Sol believes we can heal ourselves and one another through creative practice
Recognizing that we can inherit beauty, truth, and gifts in the same way we inherit intergenerational trauma
How Sol found the courage to explore difficult topics like fatherhood, reconciliation, and loss
Why he believes it’s important to raise sensitive sons and encourage vulnerability in boys
Hear about Sol’s experience of visiting his father’s first family in Kansas City
How his sister, Travistine, helped Sol rediscover his roots, reexamine what it means to be Black in America, and reconnect with the people his father left behind
How Sol came to understand the parallels in his own life as a better understanding of his father’s choices emerged
Understanding the value of showing up as a witness, not a savior
Sol shares what he believes is his love language: making art with someone.
A look behind the scenes as Sol shares the process of filming The Death of My Two Fathers
How his team helped him find the universal narrative in his personal story
What Sol learned about collaboration and the true nature of abundance during the process
The energetic resonance of the process that remains in the final creative product
How Sol hopes to offer this film as a resource and where you can watch it
For more info, please visit: https://notrealart.com/sol-guy