how it all began

Inspire Wise Women is a feminist documentary YouTube channel founded by Emily Sheff (yours truly). The channel features my journey as a travelling filmmaker seeking wisdom from women and feminine aligned in their 50s and beyond. Why feminist documentaries, you might ask? Well, let’s rewind a bit.

Today’s world often feels overwhelming, and if I don’t work at it, I can spiral in fear. A few years ago when I was struggling with depression and feelings of hopelessness, it was inspiring women sharing their story online that truly saved me. It’s easy to become siloed and disconnected from our inner wisdom (especially as women), but with channels to share our stories, it can bring healing.

There’s something magical about a woman in mid-life or later, who's been through the trenches and comes out the other side more empowered and resilient. While my mental health is doing much better, I still have a lot to learn, so I’ve set out to uncover the stories of some of our wisest matriarchs. I guess you could call me a wise-woman in training!

At 41, I’ve left my corporate 9-5 and moved into my converted camper van to travel across North America filming Inspire Wise Women documentaries. I hope the passing down of these stories will open hearts, and help uplift and empower our global community of women and feminine aligned.

E.S.

film experience

I've had a camera in my hand most of my life. Whatever form it comes in, I feel like storytelling is my life's purpose. Over the years I've enjoyed dipping my toes into lifestyle, commercial and documentary photography, and more recently, I left a corporate career in marketing and communications to chase my passion for filmmaking.

Before launching Inspire Wise Women, I had the chance to work two seasons on the Discovery Channel reality series Gold Rush, and I was the cinematographer on the award-winning documentary Fire Tower (2024 Hot Docs medium length Audience Choice winner).

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