In this episode of Unfiltered, John sits down with filmmaker and executive producer Joseph Ruzer — an artist whose story is as powerful as the work he’s created.
Born in Moscow and raised in the Bay Area after immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Joseph grew up between worlds — carrying the weight of displacement, trauma, and resilience that would later shape his voice as a storyteller. From acting and directing as a teenager to building a career behind the camera, his path has been anything but ordinary.
Today, Joseph is known for producing some of the biggest unscripted TV hits, including Love After Lockup (2018), Inmate to Roommate (2022), and Flavor Flav in Flavor of Love (2006). He’s also written, directed, and produced independent projects like The Squatter, Bodega, and the acclaimed documentary Scarf Face, which dives into the rivalry between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.
John and Joseph talk about his latest film, How Did We Get Here — a raw, on-the-ground documentary filmed in Israel that captures both Israeli and Palestinian perspectives in the aftermath of war. They explore the challenge of telling the truth in a polarized world, the danger of propaganda, and the courage it takes to create art that doesn’t pick sides.
The conversation moves from childhood trauma and creative drive to mental health, AI, and the future of media. They talk about how decentralization could free artists from corporate systems, and what it means to stay human in a world increasingly run by algorithms.
This episode is deep, emotional, and brutally honest — a conversation about art, responsibility, and what it really means to search for truth.
