We recently connected with Katie Mancuso and have shared our conversation below.
Katie , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from two things: an unwavering support system and my connection to my higher self. From a young age, I learned the core of resilience through adversity. My mother broke cycles of generational trauma, and witnessing her strength shaped my own ability to persevere. From age 7 to 9, I lived with an alcoholic who was verbally and physically abusive to her. Even at that young age, I relied on my natural optimism and survival instincts. When my mother found the courage to leave and embrace true independence, I saw firsthand what resilience looks like—strength without losing compassion.
At 28, I experienced a sexual trauma that deeply affected my sense of self and safety. In the aftermath, I had to learn how to reconnect with and reclaim my body, my autonomy, and my joy. I leaned on an incredible support system of friends, family, and survivor organizations that helped me navigate the healing process. Through yoga, meditation, deep connection, and creativity, I found ways to not just process the pain, but to transform it. That journey led me to create “Shadow Work”, a short film where I explore trauma, resilience, and healing through my own comedic voice. It was both therapeutic and empowering, and I love being able to offer that voice to others who may be searching for their own resilience.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My work as a filmmaker and artist is all about finding light in the darkness. I use comedy as a tool to explore heavy, complex subjects—blending humor with deep emotional truths to create stories that feel raw, relatable, and ultimately uplifting. Resilience, community, and connection are at the heart of everything I do, and I love crafting narratives that remind people they’re not alone in their struggles.
My most recent project, “Shadow Work”, embodies this philosophy. It’s a short film that delves into trauma, healing, and hope—all through a comedic lens. I wanted to create something that acknowledges the weight of difficult experiences while also embracing the joy, absurdity, and humanity that coexist within them. Being able to tell these stories in a way that feels both honest and lighthearted is what excites me most about my work.
Beyond “Shadow Work”, I’m focused on writing more stories that show how you can move through darkness with lightness. Upcoming projects include generational trauma, cycle breaking, and something as simple as a dive bar community. Whether I’m working on a film, collaborating with other artists, or sharing my experiences with audiences, my goal is always the same: to spark connection, offer a new perspective, and remind people that resilience doesn’t have to be heavy—it can be full of humor, warmth, and community.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) The ability to pull back the lens and see the big picture 2) acceptance of the present moment and 3) not taking anything personally which goes hand in hand with empathy and compassion for others. My advice is THERAPY, first and foremost lol. Everyone is a creative – we all create and produce energy in some way. When you sort through what exactly it is you’re feeling and how to handle those feelings, you can take a step back and go okay, maybe I can have some fun. Even dark times can have light if you can tune into that perspective.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. A classic for self-proclaimed artists, but a must for anyone. It’s essentially a 12 week program that investigates your past, breaks down your barriers, encourages your inner child, ignites your true passions. One of the biggest nuggets is self-nurturing in order to see past your resistances. Tell yourself you’re safe to create, despite what anyone’s told you in the past. If your story doesn’t resonate with someone, it doesn’t mean it’s not worth telling.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: themancuso.themyth.thelegend
- Other: You can follow my short film Shadow Work at instagram.com/shadowworkfilm
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