We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shanna Forrestall. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shanna below.

Alright, Shanna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

You know it’s interesting as we age to look back at what’s become or is becoming important. In analyzing my life as I was about to turn 50, I realized that one of the things that I thought was “one of the things” was actually one of the most important things to me when considering the legacy I will leave in the world after I’m gone. My bedtime stories for children and adults are what stand out to me as something I’m very proud of. I think because of the way that specific form of creativity works for me. Most of them are directly connected to my personal healing and growth and I love that I am able to turn that into creative pieces that may inspire, encourage or help to heal others. I hope that after I’m gone my stories (in all of their forms) – bedtime stories, creative short stories, music, films and fashion pieces, will be a monument to the joy, freedom and forgiveness I’ve found in my life journey and will always encourage others in theirs (journey).

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve been involved in the film industry for decades, but around the Covid shutdown found myself working more in music and in enhanced storytelling. For the past few years, after losing my precious husband in 2020, I’ve thrown myself into my creative work to heal, research and renovate my life and my life’s work. I love the woman and creative producer I’ve become and I’m very excited about all of the new projects we have releasing this year and into next year. I work closely with Jeff Gold of My Calm World and also have launched my own production company called 4FC Productions that is based in Georgia but working in the southeast region (Chattanooga, Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, etc.) I am very proud of my growth as a storyteller and will continue to pursue excellence in everything I do. I’ve also started a fashion event in Chattanooga that is in it’s third year and I’m very proud of the models, designers and hair/makeup professionals we’ve been able to launch from this important platform.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

After losing my husband in 2020, I’ve set a personal goal of touching 100 million men with my creative work. I want them to be encouraged to be more authentic, resilient and to be OK to communicate and to receive support with their emotional journeys, past trauma and life challenges. I think men in our country are still learning that it’s OK to feel and they need more tools, stories and music to process, grow and heal. I also have a heart to support women and children who have suffered loss and trauma. I believe in the power of the creative arts to heal and am seeking new ways and more enhanced tools to help myself and others.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think that just like there are various personality types, love languages, communication styles and more… we’re all very unique. I enjoy learning about various kinds of people and learning how to connect, respect and collaborate with people who are very different than me. It’s always challenging to merge differing personalities, styles and gifts, but taking the time to understand each other and accommodate each other when possible, is what builds the most creative, effective and cohesive teams. I think that creatives and more linear-thinkers need each other, and that should lead us to more curious and introspective connections to see how we can best work TOGETHER.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.4fcProductions.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/4fcproductions
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/4fcproductions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsJqxk47rJTKN2xnIbrflfw
• Other: www.MyCalmWorld.com www.ChattanoogaFashionExpo.com

Image Credits
Crown image – Lee Webb