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Shannon Malone-deBenedictis

How I Stopped Saying “I’m Sorry” and Started Living Out Loud

Ep: 18

July 11, 2025

Duration: 59 min

Shannon Malone-deBenedictis is a two-time Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, creative consultant, speaker, and founder of Padlin Creative. With decades of experience working with Disney+, Netflix, and National Geographic, Shannon has told powerful stories that bring nature’s wonders and human truths to life. Beyond the camera, she empowers individuals—especially women—to step into their fullest, boldest selves through speaking engagements and programs like “Fully Unapologetic” and “Life After TV.”

“Reinvention isn’t about starting over—it’s about evolving into the fullest version of ourselves.”

In this illuminating episode of Life. Reimagined with Stacey Ray, Stacey sits down with two-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and creative powerhouse Shannon Malone-deBenedictis. Known for her heart-stirring documentaries like Penguin Town, Secrets of the Whales, and Inside the Mind of a Cat, Shannon opens up about her personal and professional journey—one marked by reinvention, resilience, and radical authenticity.

Together, they explore the emotional depths of wildlife storytelling, Shannon’s transition from high-powered network executive to founder of Padlin Creative, and what it truly means to live—and lead—fully unapologetically. From the sidelines of Little League to the frontlines of wildlife documentary filmmaking, Shannon brings humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom to this honest and empowering conversation.

Whether you’re navigating a midlife pivot, yearning to tell your own story, or simply need a reminder that you’re allowed to take up space, this episode is a masterclass in courage, creativity, and finding purpose through passion.

What You’ll Learn:

How storytelling can reshape our understanding of nature—and ourselves.
Why failure is a crucial ingredient in success.
The importance of embracing authenticity in male-dominated and appearance-driven industries.
How Shannon’s life-altering decision to care for her mother led her into the world of documentary filmmaking.
What it means to be “fully unapologetic” and how it’s reshaping women’s voices in media.
The role of sports in building confidence, cooperation, and emotional resilience.
Insights into working with wild animals, from orcas to hyenas, and the humanity within their behaviors.

Connect with Shannon:

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