On today's episode Kyler welcomes filmmaker Matthew Avant to discuss his compelling new documentary pilot, Roots and Relics. Inspired by his father’s passion for history and a lifetime spent visiting historic sites, Matthew has created a show that focuses on the deep-seated stories behind family heirlooms. The conversation explores the project's origins, starting with Matthew’s early days filming family interviews in 2001 and evolving into a series that uses unique artifacts as windows into the past.

A central highlight of the discussion is the fascinating history of Blacktail Ranch, where Matthew filmed his pilot. He recounts the harrowing story of a 19th-century miner named Joe Baker, whose final words were discovered etched into a limestone rock after a grizzly bear attack—a "final text" from 1881 that now sits in a family museum alongside a 5-mile-deep cavern filled with 13,000-year-old artifacts. Beyond the history, Matthew shares insights into his creative process, working with host J.D. Hart, and his diverse background in sci-fi and horror filmmaking. Be sure to catch the screening of Roots and Relics at Dances with Films in New York City on Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 PM.

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Episode Links:

• IG: @rootsandrelicstv
• Media Savant
• Dances with Films
• Blacktail Ranch