Nicholas Ma: Documenting Change with the Cameras Running

Dec 3

Kristine Michie - Playfull Podcast Interview - Nicholas Ma

Nicholas Ma: Documenting Change with the Cameras Running

In this episode of The PlayFull Podcast, Kristine Michie talks with filmmaker Nicholas Ma about growing up in a creative family (his dad is cellist Yo Yo Ma) and using storytelling to navigate difficult conversations and approach division with courage and curiosity. They explore how his documentary film featuring pastors in Grand Rapids sparked deeper dialogue around faith, identity, and belonging, and how extended in-person conversations can open space for empathy and understanding, even when people disagree. Through his film and American Revival festivals, Nicholas shares why storytelling, kindness, and local relationship-building remain essential tools for healing polarization and renewing the social fabric.

Key Takeaways:

Faith can unite, or it can divide. It’s up to us.
Communities grow stronger when they choose to face hard topics with honesty. Staying in the dialogue builds trust even when agreement is not guaranteed.
True vocation begins with listening to what feels aligned and real. Pursuing that path requires courage and a willingness to step into uncertainty.
Perspectives shift when people talk face-to-face over time. Honest conversations nurture connection and soften division.
Small acts of empathy can counter fear and polarization. Choosing to be a good neighbor creates space for hope and shared humanity.
Film and conversation can spark new reflections and actions. Shared stories invite people to imagine a healthier and more connected future together.

"Maybe people want to be asked to do something hard, and when we get asked to do something hard, we're really proud of ourselves when we meet that bar." — Nicholas Ma

“The beauty of film is that it is this sort of shared reality. It's like empathy steroids... there's something really beautiful about what it does, and I think that's true with scripted film as well with documentary film.” — Nicholas Ma

"It's not about not taking a tumble, it's actually about knowing that you're going to be secure after you take the tumble..." — Nicholas Ma

More about Nicholas Ma:

Nicholas Ma is the President of Ernest Lyford LLC and an award-winning director, writer, and producer based in Brooklyn. He produced the acclaimed documentary WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? (Sundance, 2018), about the life of Fred Rogers, and UNFINISHED BUSINESS on the WNBA (Tribeca, 2022). Most recently, he directed LEAP OF FAITH (Heartland, 2024) on the struggles of Christian pastors in Grand Rapids and MABEL (San Francisco, 2024), about a twelve-year-old girl whose best friend is a potted plant. He has created work for global brands, including Rolex and Apple.

Before his career in film, he spent a decade in business and politics. On the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he covered global economic policy for Chairman John Kerry, from the recapitalization of the IMF, World Bank, and regional development banks to the design of the economic engine of the cap-and-trade bill. He also worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company in New York and Shanghai, leading engagements with corporations, cities, and governments around the world, from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to the President of South Korea. He received his M.F.A. from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and is a graduate of Harvard College.

Connect with Nicholas Ma:

Website: https://ernestlyford.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leapoffaithmovie/

Connect with Kristine:

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/

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