Announcing Our Kickstarter: Witnessed not Sold – A Podcast for Media Literacy and Public Health
We’re excited to announce the launch of our Kickstarter campaign for Witnessed not Sold, a new podcast produced by Living in Synergy and hosted by René Estes! At Living in Synergy, we believe that media literacy is essential for public health. Every day, headlines and stories shape the decisions we make about our health and […]
We are pleased to announce that René Estes will be featured in the Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs magazine.
René Estes has never approached media as mere content. For her, it is infrastructure; an invisible architecture shaping how people think, decide, and ultimately live. As a filmmaker, producer, educator, and cultural critic, she operates at the intersection of innovation and truth, guided by a philosophy she defines succinctly: “Born into Innovation, Committed to Truth.” […]
WWIII in the Digital Age: How Russia Is Mining Western Data to Undermine Democracy from Within
The Cold War may have ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union, but as Netflix’s Turning Point: The Bomb and The Cold War highlights, the shadow of that rivalry never quite lifted. Today, the battlefield has shifted from nuclear brinkmanship to the digital sphere. Russia is no longer amassing warheads on borders; instead, it’s […]
Enrollment is now open for The Video Mentor
Ready to level up your storytelling and video skills? Start your journey with us today. Head to The Video Mentor to learn more and claim your place!🎥✨
The New Kingdom: How Neopolitics, Innovation Power, and the Lost Children Are Shaping Tomorrow
What Is Neopolitics? There’s a new kind of politics taking over—and most of us are still scrambling to catch up. Call it “neopolitics.” Neopolitics is the messy, unpredictable world that’s emerged as technology and innovation have bulldozed the old rulebooks of traditional politics. At the center of neopolitics is a generation of kids and young […]
Actionable Consequences: Reclaiming Boundaries in the Age of Indifference
Why Media Literacy and Accountability Matter in Today’s Digital World In today’s fast-paced digital age, media literacy is not just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. The ease of filming in public and posting content without consent has led to a dangerous erosion of privacy, boundaries, and respect. At René Estes, LLC, a media literacy consulting enterprise […]
The Media Mirror: How TV, Social, and Streaming Shape Our Culture
Walk into any living room, coffee shop, or subway car, and you’ll see it—faces lit up by screens, fingers scrolling, voices bouncing from a new podcast or Netflix show. Media isn’t just in the background anymore; it’s the soundtrack, the scenery, and sometimes even the script of our daily lives. But what does this constant […]
The Leadership We Long For: Nikita Hattangady’s “The Other Side”
The Leadership We Long For: Nikita Hattangady’s “The Other Side” February 10, 2026 by René Estes for Winter Film Festival See the NYC Premiere of short film The Other Side on February 20 @5:45PM at REGAL Union Square (850 Broadway) as part of New York City’s 14th Annual Winter Film Festival. Tickets now on sale! At a time when the […]
Colorado Film Commissioner
We have a new Film Commissioner I couldn’t be more excited about Lauren Sloan’s appointment. With Lauren and Arielle at the helm, Colorado’s film industry is poised for an incredible new chapter. I was a candidate for this role and gave it my all. My vision and goals for leadership within Colorado’s creative sector haven’t […]
Shaping a Busier, Brighter Future for Colorado Film
For 2026 and beyond, Colorado’s film Colorado is providing a $34 million tax incentive package over 10 years (starting 2027) for the Sundance Film Festival to move to Boulder, averaging about $3.4 million annually, alongside local support and funds for smaller festivals, expecting significant economic boosts from the prestigious event. This incentive, through refundable tax credits, aims to […]
Championing Colorado’s Filmmakers: Leading the Next Era of Film
For years, Colorado’s film industry has been an underdog with potential—a state bursting with stories, stunning scenery, and untapped creative talent. Now, with the search for a new Film Commissioner underway and a wave of legislative support, it seems the moment for Colorado filmmaking has finally arrived. A New Era in Sight for Colorado Film […]
What It Feels Like to Be Shaped by the Algorithm Instead of By Choice
How much of your online identity is genuinely yours, and how much has been shaped by the algorithm within today’s digital environments? What happens to personal choice when digital environments quietly curate your emotions, preferences, and beliefs? Can we reclaim authenticity and agency while still participating in digital environments engineered for engagement? This blog post […]