why ‘all the wiser’?
After two decades of working in production and being behind the camera, I felt it was time to share what I had learned.
First and foremost, I wanted people to know that they are not alone in the world because that is how I feel at times. As a producer, I would travel around the country talking to complete strangers and they would tell me their hard truths, often for the first time. From penthouses in New York to trailer parks in the middle of the country, I realized that there is something deep within us that connects us all.
When I sat down with real people, asking them to share real truths, what started off as conversations with perfect strangers ended with real connection between human beings. And what I came to realize is that I was asking people to do something that I was, in fact, not willing to do myself.
My Truth
At 19, I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I was told that I was mentally ill and would be on medication for the rest of my life. I had this beautiful life on the outside – friends, family, great college town, etc. But on the inside, my brain was on fire. I was convinced that by the end of the summer I would lose my mind and life as I knew it would be over. I decided it was best to keep it a secret, and for the past 24 years I have told only a handful of people, until now.
Why? I was ashamed and embarrassed of being mentally ill. Still am.
Although bipolar is a piece of me, a part of me I have learned to live with, to wrestle with, to dance with, it is also the thing that has inspired me to create All the Wiser.
This is a place where you will hear stories of people just like you, confronted with extreme adversity and the wisdom they gained on the other side. From tragedy to triumph, love, loss, addiction, heroic feats, and everything in between.
I wanted to offer a place for great people to find great stories. On darker days, these stories have helped me rewire my thoughts towards hope and possibility. It is my greatest hope that you will be inspired by these conversations too; that you will hear how others faced struggle, survived, thrived... and that you will grow all the wiser for listening.
With Gratitude,
the team
Kimi culp, host
Kimi Culp is a multi-media producer devoted to bringing original ideas and concepts to life online and onscreen. Kimi's unique specialty is identifying and developing stories with soul. Her experience includes work as a producer for NBC, ABC, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She has conceived and produced hundreds of stories around the world and negotiated exclusive interviews for some of the most prominent names in journalism including Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters.
Most recently, she produced GLEASON, a feature-length documentary film that follows the journey of her friends, Steve Gleason and his wife, Michel. GLEASON premiered at Sundance in 2016 and was purchased by Amazon Studios and Open Road Films. The New York Times critic pick was shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Awards.
Kimi was a partner at Long Story Media, a short form content and creative consulting company focused on cause related content. Their clients include The Bill & Melinda Gates, Kaiser Family and Alicia Keys Foundations.
Until 2011 she served as Executive Director of Talent and Development at OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. She oversaw series and specials including “Visionaries: Inside the Creative Mind,” an original series profiling Tom Ford, will.iam, James Cameron, Tyler Perry, and Annie Leibovitz.
In addition to her work onscreen, Kimi is the co-author of the best-selling book, A Letter to My Dog. She has been a featured speaker at festivals and conferences including Cannes Lions, Best Global Brands, Microsoft and Aspen Ideas Festival.
Kimi’s intention is to continue to tell stories with soul while supporting causes to make the world a better place. Kimi lives in Los Angeles and loves spending time with her husband and three children, drinking spicy margaritas with her girlfriends and devouring dark chocolate.
Erica Gerard,
Producer
Erica Gerard is the owner of Podkit Productions, a Los Angeles-based podcast launch and production consultancy that helps clients navigate the ins and outs of creating and releasing a successful podcast.
Erica is also a writer/performer and The Moth StorySlam champion.
Tara Daigle, ASSOCIATE
Producer
Tara oversees operations for All The Wiser and, put simply, gets things done. While Kimi and Erica drive creative concepts, Tara is working tirelessly behind the scenes to coordinate and manage the process. Her responsibilities include scheduling guests, organizing the calendar, and implementing social content strategies. Her background and appreciation for interior design are reflected in the content she creates for All the Wiser. Tara takes great pride in completing her responsibilities with a joyful attitude and respect for others.
She is the first one on the dance floor and last to leave unless of course, she needs to get home to her fur baby, Layla.