What does it really take to make a meaningful film when the story is personal, the journey is long, and the stakes are real?

In this powerful episode of A Conversation with Host Floyd Marshall Jr., host Floyd Marshall Jr. and co-host Okema T. Moore sit down with Cori Robinson — singer, actress, and executive producer — for an unfiltered conversation every filmmaker needs to hear.

Cori Robinson shares her real journey through the creative industry, from early artistic breakthroughs to moments of survival, self-doubt, and resilience. She opens up about sleeping at the YMCA, navigating the realities of independent filmmaking, and what it means to carry the responsibility of telling a story rooted in legacy.

At the center of this episode is Cori’s work as Executive Producer of the documentary I Was Born This Way, which explores the life and legacy of Carl Bean — Motown recording artist, minister, activist, and the original voice behind the anthem that later inspired Lady Gaga. Cori discusses what it means to protect truth, integrity, and humanity when telling a story that belongs not just to history, but to family.

This conversation is especially valuable for:

• Independent filmmakers

• Documentary directors and producers

• Film festival creators

• Storytellers navigating long production timelines

• Creatives balancing purpose, survival, and sustainability

Topics covered include:

• The unseen emotional and financial costs of filmmaking

• Why some films take years — and why that matters

• How to keep going when the industry tests your resolve

• Story ownership, legacy, and ethical storytelling

• Advice Cori wishes she had earlier in her career

This episode isn’t about overnight success.
It’s about endurance, responsibility, and why some stories demand to be told — no matter how long it takes.

If you’re a filmmaker questioning whether the journey is worth it, this conversation will remind you why you started.

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