We had the good fortune of connecting with Sadie Such and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sadie, how do you think about risk?
Risk. With risk, you are exposing yourself to potential loss/failure/embarrassment. However, with risk, you are creating the opportunity for something great to happen, to learn something new, to go somewhere new. For me, counting the cost of taking the risk and being willing to continue to move forward, even when fear is present. It has played a large role in creating our Documentary, Where We Belong. The whole 5+ year journey was a risk, taking it step by step, not knowing fully what it would look like, but trusting the journey. For me, knowing the WHY and the purpose behind what I am doing, helps mitigate the risk and gives motivation, even if things don’t go the way I plan. I know the WHY is worth the risk. It is not always easy, but we had to risk failure in order to grow and go somewhere new.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I personally have run a Video and Photography business for the past 10 years. I was missing doing more creative storytelling, so in 2015 my friend, Teya and I started The Resolute Road, a place to create films and connect people, and we made our first film, “Where We Belong” – a feature documentary about relationships and marriage! It definitely had its ups and downs! When things got tough or we hit a roadblock, we kept coming back to the WHY. Why is this important? Why does this matter? We had a lot to learn along the way, in regards to filmmaking and communicating. We kept the why, but the how changed along the way. With seeing so much brokenness in relationships and loneliness at an all time high, we were curious what was going on and why some relationships worked and others didn’t. As we were interviewing couples and individuals about their life, we were forced to face our own stories and dive in. I saw through all the stories, that we all have our own experiences and hurts that shape the way we see life. The more we can understand our own stories and process through the pain, with each other, the more we can be free and be able to grow in healthier relationships and friendships. I had to be vulnerable with sharing what my fears of being hurt were and how that self protection was holding me back from letting good people in. It was scary to share what my struggle was, but I learned that most of us are all feeling the same way. We all have our own fears and insecurities…and if someone says they don’t, they might not be being honest 😉

Self awareness and self compassion are key. This leads to not just better understanding of ourselves and why we do what we do, but then better understanding of others, which leads to loving each other better. For example, when we understand each other’s fears and hurts, it gives us insight to others’ responses. Not excuses for wrong actions, but understanding how to proceed and not take things personally. These skills show up in relationships in all areas, including work and leadership. What I want the world to know through watching our film, “Where We Belong”, is that they are not alone. They are not too broken. They are definitely not the only one struggling. For each person to know that we were created for relationships, to be known and seen….but to be seen, that requires us to be vulnerable. To be willing to learn tools and ways to communicate. To be willing to face our own pain and stories, with safe people. That even if we love someone, we still need to learn to communicate with them. So many of us were not taught the tools to deal with conflict, pain, grief, etc. We are all learning. Lastly, to know that in those moments of struggle and wrestling within ourselves and with others, it can lead to the deepest intimacy and knowing of each other, which is what we are all craving, to be fully seen and yet loved. However, if we jump ship when things get tough, we will never know the depth on the other side.
The Resolute Road’s goal is to continue to share stories through filmmaking that connect people around the world, in our humanity, growing together and gaining perspective on what really matters. Watch our trailer for Where We Belong – https://vimeo.com/419330575
http://www.theresoluteroad.com/wherewebelong/  A Film by Sadie Such and Anateya Cranson

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to pick up dinner and eat at Tempe Town Lake and take a walk around at sunset (or sunrise!) We would stop by some of the great food options in Old Town Scottsdale or Gilbert. Maybe do a little country dancing, if we were not in COVID times! We would paddle-board at sunrise or sunset at the Salt River, with the Salt River Wild Horses. Then make a day trip or multi-day trip up to Flagstaff and Sedona, where I would take them on some hikes and eat at the local restaurants! You can see some of my favorite spots at All Around AZ – www.instagram.com/allaroundaz @AllAroundAZ

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout out to my mom for always listening to my crazy ideas 🙂 and for all my friends and family, who were there to support me along the way. Who listened to my brainstorming, sat with me as I cried and doubted myself, and those who watched many drafts of the film! As far as books, I would say, Dr. Henry Cloud for his book Boundaries and Dr. Brene Brown for her work and books on shame and vulnerability, which gave us courage and inspiration to move forward with the film. Bob Goff, for answering our phone call and encouraging us to go for it. For inspiring us with his own life in his book, Love Does. To my friend Teya Cranson, the co-producer and co-director of the film, for fighting through the film together! Last shout out to all the couples who shared their story vulnerably.

Website: www.sadiesuch.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theresouteroad www.instagram.com/wherewebelongdoc www.instagram.com/sadiesuch www.instagram.com/allaroundaz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theresoluteroad
Youtube: youtube.com/c/SadieSuch
Other: vimeo.com/sadiesuch

Image Credits
Sadie Such Photography and Films Danielle Brumm

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