Bios
JOE BRANDMEIER
Director / Executive Producer
Joe has been a Director / Producer for over 20 years. He has had the privilege of working with a long list of diverse clients and very cool artists; Prince, U2, RunDMC, Wyclef Jean, MTV, ESPN, The Beijing Opera Company, NBC. . . and many more.
He’s directed two national Emmy-winning PBS specials for financial guru Suze Orman and worked with legendary music producers Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, documenting their work with artists Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, and others.
JOAN STEFFEND
Story Structure / Content Co-Producer
Joan has spent almost thirty years in the media, first as a national Emmy-winning news writer, reporter and anchor at the NBC affiliate in Minneapolis-St Paul. While there, she also won the coveted Grand Award from the New York International Film Festival and many more national and regional awards.
She spent ten years as a top-rated host on HGTV’s “Decorating Cents” – appearing on Oprah, Live with Regis and Kelly, the Today show and Entertainment Tonight. Joan also hosted many of HGTV’s highest profile specials, including six tours and live giveaways of HGTV Dream Homes.
CAROL BRUESS
Content / Co-Producing Consultant
Carol Bruess, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus in Communication and Journalism at the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota, and formerly director of the Family Studies program there. She currently serves as Resident Scholar in the Cassandra Voss Center at St. Norbert College, WI.
Carol is a highly-sought-after professor, researcher, author and speaker on topics of family, relationships, couples and communication. The author or editor of five books, her most recent is Family Communication in the Age of Digital and Social Media (2015, editor, Peter Lang International).
SHAZ KHAN
Content / Co-Producing Consultant
Born in Minnesota, with a background in engineering, Shaz Khan began exploring his potential in an array of industries ranging from computer programming to nightclubs; from the music business to being a restaurateur. It was through these experiences that Shaz experimented with his own interests, to determine where he added the most value. He began journaling in 2009, and has ever since fallen in love with the written form of expression.
After plugging into the digital realm, he became the top contributor at Goalcast, a motivational and inspirational blog boasting over 10 million followers. While celebrating over 10 million views of his narrated videos, Shaz is currently writing a book on how self-awareness impacts our thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and ultimately, the quality of our lives.
From the producers of the documentaries;
"I Do?" and "small town ROBOT"
A light-hearted look at the "crazy" concept of marriage.
"Best Documentary" award - TCFF
small town ROBOT -- BIG WORLD ideas
We follow the Greenbush, MN Gators into the world arena and see what it takes to be a robotic David in a Goliath world.
"Audience Award" - TCFF