Jon Hill on Grief Not Being Linear and Laughing Through Loss
Season 7/Episode 12
In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Dr. Stephanie J. Wong talks with filmmaker and sports producer Jon Hill to explore how identity, loss, and creativity have shaped his life and work. Jon opens up about his mixed-race heritage—growing up with a Thai mother and an American father whose love story began in Thailand during the Vietnam War—and how that unique background inspired his film Above the Clouds, now available on streaming platforms.
The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as Jon reflects on losing his father at 25 and the long, unexpected journey of grief that followed. He shares how a chance encounter and a miraculous experience during his father’s final moments sparked a short film that eventually became a feature-length comedy, created over 13 years. Through humor and honesty, Jon offers thoughtful insights into coping with loss, acknowledging emotions, and understanding that healing is never linear.
We also dive into Jon’s professional world—from covering major events like the Super Bowl and World Cup at Fox Sports to navigating independent filmmaking and advocating for Asian representation in media. The episode wraps with stories of resilience, work-life balance, a surreal Michael Jordan birthday party moment!
This episode blends laughter, reflection, and inspiration, offering listeners a powerful reminder of how personal stories can become meaningful art—and how connection can emerge from even the most difficult experiences.
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Jon Hill's Full Bio:
Jon Hill is the writer and director of the film Above the Clouds, currently streaming on Amazon Prime. He is also a 2x Emmy Award winning sports producer that travels the world covering the largest sporting event such as the World Cup and the Super Bowl. His film talks about the struggles of losing a parent, and dealing with loss through comedy. It's based on the true events after his father passed when he was 25.
Instagram: @jhill_aka_da_streaming_king
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