Meet Blanche Baker

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Blanche Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Blanche, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I got resilience from watching my parents and from growing up overseas. My father was a holocaust survivor. I was never allowed to feel sorry for myself and deeply understood how important it is to appreciate life. We travelled wherever my mother got work as an actress after she was blacklisted in Hollywood. I had to start over numerous times in new schools and new cities so resilience was essential.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

The films I have written and directed have been about social issues, including freedom of speech, sexism and gun control. I like having something interwoven into a story that is relevant to what is going on in the world today and makes people think about social issues. I’m excited about the current film I’m writing/directing, “Girl in a Glass Box” based on a book by Raf Lindia. I was drawn to the story because of the way it explores psychological manipulation. The fact is, someone loved and trusted can gas light you. The term was made famous by the 1940’s film “Gas Light”. An abuser instills self-doubt in the victim, making them feel confused, unstable and irrational. In the story, friends and professionals alike are blind to the control the manipulator exerts. I want to shine a light on the trauma inflicted by those seeking to control others so we can better understand the warning signs of abuse.

On a personal note, I like to play tennis whenever possible. I really enjoy the community of friends united by a shared interest. A family pastime is beekeeping in our backyard. Capturing swarms, caring for the bees and harvesting honey is one of our favorite activities. This hobby helps you feel connected to nature plus you are doing something good for the planet. We need our pollinators! My youngest son, James, is an Environmental Studies major at Pace and this summer he has an internship at the NY Botanical Gardens which will include helping take care of their bees.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Appreciate the good in others, pause before you react and do something to make a path so you can follow your passion. If you look for flaws in others you’ll be sure to find them so try to appreciate people instead. If we fly off the handle or speak without thinking we often regret it so if we can pause before reacting it serves us well. You have to try and effect change in the world and pursue what you are passionate about and it won’t be handed to you on a silver platter, be proactive. Try things and don’t get too bummed if you fail—if you don’t do anything nothing will happen! It’s just part of the journey.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The Dalai Lama’s “The Art of Happiness”. If you can do something about an issue you should do it, if it’s out of your control, let it go. Everyone is suffering so put yourself in the shoes of others and try not to be judgmental. Put others first and you’ll be happier!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blanchebaker.com
• Instagram: blanche_baker
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Blanche-Baker/pfbid0kb1KjvuQprjpBaXK5GR4fY9qNBJnooCAp9CdFhmNFnirGaLMJUZBxatFqCk4J99kl/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blanche-baker-5aa024304/

Image Credits

Headshot by Cityheadshots
Selfie with my husband
Creative Team for “Girl in A Glass Box”
Beekeeping
People Magazine photo from 5/4/2024