She Lights the Way is an empowering collection of stories about remarkable, unsung women who are impacting our world in meaningful ways as they navigate personal and career obstacles, and in turn, blaze a trail of inspiration for others.
Episodes
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Finnish-American production manager Sharissa Holopainen gives us an exclusive look into the dynamic, cross-cultural world of film production, describing it as a living puzzle. A short film assignment opened the door to her lifelong passion for storytelling behind the camera after she dropped out of a business program that didn’t feel right and realized acting wasn’t her true calling. Raised between Finland and California, Sharissa once resisted her cultural heritage until she realized it gave her an edge. Today, she thrives at the intersection of international co-productions, helping teams navigate the unspoken cultural nuances that can make or break a shoot. Her ability to foster communication and trust across borders has become her superpower.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more empowering stories from remarkable women.
Thank you for listening ❤ See below for transcript, timestamps, to get in touch, and more.
TRANSCRIPT:
https://www.shelightstheway.com/sharissa-holopainen-interview-transcript
EPISODE LINKS:
Sharissa’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharissa-holopainen-258401190/
Summer Book: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26940053/
KEY MOMENTS:
00:00 Welcome & introduction
01:00 The creative puzzle of film production
02:00 From business school dropout to storyteller and bridge builder
04:00 Discovering a passion for producing
05:00 Finding her fit at U.C. Irvine
06:00 Pandemic pivot to Finland
08:00 Embracing her identity and unique path
10:00 The power of co-productions
13:00 Communication styles across cultures
15:00 Film projects that changed Sharissa’s life
18:00 The wild beauty of island filmmaking
20:00 Lessons in the journey
21:00 What She Lights the Way means to Sharissa
FOLLOW:
Website: shelightstheway.com/
Newsletter: www.shelightstheway.com/newsletter
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/she-lights-the-way/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shelightstheway/
STORIES:
https://www.shelightstheway.com/stories
PODCAST:
Podbean: https://shelightstheway.podbean.com/
RSS: https://bit.ly/SheLightsTheWayRSS
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4091de0
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4h8Kq0N
Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/3YeCt1m
BLOG:
https://shelightstheway.substack.com/
CONNECT:
Contact us: www.shelightstheway.com/contact
Share a story: www.shelightstheway.com/story
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!