Some stories take years to tell. Others demand decades. On this episode of Highlander Studios’ latest smart talk show and audio podcast, The UPside: Conversations That Light Up the World, we sit down with producer, author, and cultural influencer Mark Joseph—the man who spent 19 years bringing Reagan to the big screen. What began as a chance encounter in Ronald Reagan’s hometown turned into a relentless pursuit marked by setbacks, closed doors, and moments when walking away would have been far easier than pressing on.
Mark doesn’t just talk about filmmaking—he pulls back the curtain on what it costs to protect a vision when compromise is constantly offered as the price of progress. From creative battles and financing pressures to personal loss, global shutdowns, and industry upheaval, this journey unfolded against a backdrop of pandemics, strikes, and world events that threatened to derail everything. And yet, something deeper kept the project alive.
At the heart of this conversation is a tension many creatives, leaders, and dreamers will recognize: When do you let go—and when are you called to hold on? Mark reflects on perseverance, purpose, and the unseen hand that often only becomes clear in hindsight. Along the way, he shares surprising insights into Ronald Reagan’s humanity, legacy, and the discipline behind the man often misunderstood by history.
This episode is one of several conversations produced by Highlander Studios for The UPside, Conversations that Light UP the World, a smart, faith-forward weekly talk show and podcast featuring hope-infused stories with thought leaders, faith-heroes and game changers navigating faith, healing, purpose, and life’s defining challenges. If you’ve ever wondered whether to quit or keep going—this conversation is for you!
👉 Watch the full episode on Highlander Studios: https://www.highlanderstudios.org/the-upside
👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube: [https://youtu.be/dNsRjGxMC1U?si=19Ch0pwazMaWsRP7]
👉 Watch the full episode on Rumble: [https://rumble.com/v74fi76-upside-with-reagan-producer-mark-joseph.html]
