The Chronicle of Philanthropy Features BEL
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently published an in-depth feature on the strategic bet behind our work: catalyzing the entertainment industry to create better Stories of Us.
“This Nonprofit Whispers in Hollywood’s Ear About Polarization. They Hope You Tune In.”
In the article, Eden Stiffman explores how Bridge Entertainment Labs (BEL) turns research into practical insights that storytellers can apply to move beyond “us versus them” narratives.
“Stories don’t merely inform people. They shape what feels normal, what feels possible, and who feels recognizable.” — Steven Olikara, CEO, BEL
Storytelling That Invites, Rather Than Instructs
The feature highlights that our goal isn’t to make storytellers “eat their vegetables” or to introduce explicit bridging themes into every script. Instead, we focus on small changes that encourage audiences to think more deeply.
As Erica Lynn Rosenthal, director of research at the Norman Lear Center at USC, notes in the piece: “When people feel like they’re being preached to or manipulated … they tend to shut down and reject the message.” At BEL, we believe the best stories feel authentic, not didactic. As Steven says, “If it feels like a lesson, it doesn’t work.”
Influencing the Influencers
The article notes that BEL’s approach is “working upstream, with storytellers who shape what audiences see, rather than trying to reach those audiences directly.”
“[T]he openness of some funders to back this approach reflects a broader shift in how they are thinking about social change: not as something driven only by policy or programs but by culture itself. If culture shapes how people think, then subtly changing culture may be one of the most powerful ways to address the challenges of our time.”
A Trusted Space for Storytellers
The Chronicle also points out BEL’s role in fostering viewpoint diversity. We provide a trusted space for creators who are often more heterodox in their views than the public realizes — a place where they can be their full selves without fear of being canceled.
While this work is subtle, it is incredibly powerful. From drunk driving to marriage equality, Hollywood has a history of moving the needle on critical issues. Today, that energy is shifting toward rehumanization. As Steven puts it: “We just see more and more of an effort among storytellers to connect our mission to the work that they’re doing. It’s now really part of the zeitgeist in the industry.”
