Episode 9: Lil' Detectives & the Father-Son Film Journey | w/ Chad & Tristan Repko

Episode Description:

This week, we welcome an extraordinary father-son duo, Chad and Tristan Repko, for a powerful conversation on filmmaking, family, and the evolution of their long-running short film series, Lil' Detectives.

We kick things off with their shared journey through scouting, including Tristan’s path to becoming an Eagle Scout, and how those formative years shaped their bond and values. Then we dive into their passion for wrestling and how it helped build emotional resilience and trust between them.

The heart of this episode is all about the making of Lil' Detectives — a film project that’s spanned over 10 years. Tristan opens up about his directorial debut, the shift in tone for the new installment, and what it’s like revisiting characters from childhood with adult eyes. Chad shares behind-the-scenes insights into creative collaboration, the challenges of indie production, and how filmmaking has become their shared language.

We also explore:

• The screenwriting process and three-act structure

• COVID’s impact on production timelines

• Finding the right tone, locations, and creative rhythm

• Lessons from short films and working with family

• Their plans for future projects and digital storytelling

In our Pop Shots segment, we shift gears to talk about consent, relationships, and podcast controversies — including the Shannon Sharpe incident and how conversations around sexual assault are shaped by power, fame, and money.

This episode blends personal stories with industry insight, offering inspiration and honest dialogue about the challenges (and rewards) of building something meaningful — together.

Hit play to hear:
👨‍👦 A first-ever father-son guest duo
🎬 A decade-long creative journey
🧠 Real talk on accountability, creativity & collaboration

🔑 Keywords: father-son podcast, filmmaking stories, Chad Repko, Tristan Repko, Lil' Detectives film, Eagle Scout, short film production, creative process, screenwriting, wrestling, family dynamics, COVID and creativity, directorial debut, indie film, filmmaking struggles, Shannon Sharpe controversy, consent and culture, legacy sequels, behind the scenes

🔖 Hashtags: #LilDetectives #FatherSonFilmmaking #FilmmakingPodcast #CreativeJourney #PopShotsSegment

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