If you’re a creative spirit who’s ever struggled to bring your vision to life—or wondered how true collaboration can elevate every single project you touch, this episode is for you.Welcome to Circle of Hope, where I, Valerie Hope, invite you inside deeply personal conversations designed to illuminate the power of human connection. In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant (and family!) filmmaker and animator Nuria Dixon. Together, we peel back the curtain on creativity, collaboration, and what it really takes to build a dream team around your ideas.From childhood radio shows on karaoke machines, to directing short films and animating kids’ stories, Nuria’s journey is a living lesson in resourcefulness and vision. We discuss our own family collaborations, the magic (and heartache) of finding the right creative partners, and the importance of alignment versus vibes. If you’ve ever wondered how to source passionate collaborators, when to share your vision, or why some referrals just don’t work out, you’ll feel right at home in this honest, laughter-filled circle.Watch This If:You’re a creative professional, filmmaker, artist, or anyone building something from scratchYou want to learn actionable strategies for vetting referrals, hiring freelancers, and structuring creative teamsYou’re searching for inspiration, validation, and practical wisdom about sustaining passion WITHOUT burning out Episode Highlights (with Timestamps):08:29 – Why Alignment Beats Referrals in Collaboration15:32 – Lessons from Collaborations That Didn’t Work Out25:45 – Managing Creative Projects when People Drop Out33:30 – Vetting Feedback: How to Get the Insights You Actually Need46:02 – Funding & Crowdfunding: The Stakes of Investing in Your Vision54:01 – There Is No Deadline on Your Dreams: It’s Never Too LateWhat You’ll Learn:The concrete steps for vetting creative partners and why “vibe” doesn’t always trump proven skillHow to navigate setbacks, failed collaborations, and recover stronger (including hiring, firing, and realignment)How personal relationships, family collaborations, and intentional networking build a lasting creative support systemResources:Redeploy (short film by Nuria Dixon): https://redeployfilm.info/Ethan’s Art Venture (animated series): https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0D4Z6HLZJ/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rNot Quite Strangers Episode #24 - https://youtu.be/QMVRb6OjKSkYearCompass: https://yearcompass.com/ Contact Information:Guest: Nuria DixonWebsite: http://www.ethanartventure.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-laufersky-0411b041/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ethan.art.venture/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@1SoulProductionBonus Links: https://linktr.ee/NDixon? Host: Valerie HopeWebsite: https://www.valeriehope.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriehope/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehope/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieVHopeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ConnecttoJoyProduction Support: Lucy Hope - Podcast Editing, Copy, and Publishing. #ConnectToJoyPodcasts #CircleOfHopePodcast #CreativeCollaboration #FilmmakingJourney #ShortFilm #Production

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