Meet Kimberly Danek Pinkson of High High Productions

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Danek Pinkson.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My story must go back, as all of them do, to my childhood. My sister and I were blessed to grow up out in the countryside of Northern California, with tree forts to climb in and swing from; meadow grasses to hide among; and beaches to play upon. It was idyllic. And yet, our parents had experienced trauma that pierced through the layers of sweetness we played in and so, we learned early on from our mom, a refugee of the Hungarian Revolution, that love and family are what you can take with you wherever you go, across borders and oceans because the rest, well, sometimes you have to leave it behind. And from our Dad, whose own father passed away when he was just three years old, we learned impermanence and that the dominant culture’s answers to what makes life worth living, when it can all be taken away in an instant, just didn’t really make sense — but the ancient wisdom ways of Nature, and our Indigenous relatives, did.

So we learned not just from our parents, but also from the creation stories and traditions of the Elders — Miwok, Lakota, Tinneh, Huichol — who would come to stay with us, who we were privileged to do ceremony with, and listen to, after our dad had become an early ally, and then himself, an initiated shaman. We went on our first Vision Quests before we were even 10, and learned from the mountains, meadows, forests, and sea; and from the deer, eagles, black bears, snakes, dolphins, and salmon. We came to understand that we are all interconnected, all part of one web of life; one family. These values inspired me to a mission-driven career — in dance, entrepreneurism, filmmaking, and regenerative business consulting — always finding ways to help us humans re-member our interconnection and build a more thriving world for all beings.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Wow, I love your questions and willingness to go deep right away! No, it has not been a smooth road, but I have yet to meet anyone who says their road has been smooth so in that regard, mine is no different. But I have learned that it is not what happens to us, but how we respond to life’s challenges that gives us meaning, purpose, and joy. One of the ongoing threads of pain for me has been sadness at how we treat one another, our planet, and all of the relatives we share this Earth with. That, and perhaps a chemical composition, has led to some hard chapters of depression exacerbated by life events such as injuries and illness, miscarriages, a divorce, and loss of loved ones. Through it all, it has been my connection with Nature, and my love for my family, that has kept me going and what inspires me every day, because when we look to the 3.8-billion-year-old wisdom of Nature, there are all the solutions we need to address the greatest challenges of our time! And with that, so many stories to be told and movies to be made that can bring hope and inspiration to others.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about High High Productions?
My sister and producing partner, Nicole MacNaughton, and I founded High High Productions from a shared belief that films can not only entertain but also, move hearts, open minds, and shift culture. The roots for this was our parents teaching us that you can’t often control what happens to you ,but you can always control how you respond. So challenge is an opportunity to grow, learn, and keep blossoming anew. Over the last few years, we both had some pretty big life changes and out of that pressure, High High was born, so named after our favorite swing made when our parents hung a climbing rope over the limb of the tallest oak, at the base of the hill, on the far side of our yard. “Higher, higher!” we would yell, as we took turns pushing and being pushed. We believed anything was possible and we made dreams come true as we swung toward the clouds. Today, we operate with the same mindset: aim high because together, anything is possible and we can make dreams come true. From producing together, to Nicole managing actors, and my Regenerative Filmmaking Consulting, we are committed to filmmaking and viewing experiences that help artists, crews, and audiences imagine a more connected, hope-filled, and thriving future.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
According to our parents, my sister and I were both precocious, adventurous, and curious. What I remember most was a deep feeling of both recognizing the preciousness of life and believing in the impossible. We lived out in the country in Northern California, where yards rambled straight into open land, so Nature was our playroom and creative partner. Tree forts became ships that took us to faraway places and grand adventures. Gardens grew plants that became meals. Beauty and hope were everywhere and then, as a young ballet dancer and backpacker, I learned that with the right people, you could literally create something out of nothing. That has been a common theme throughout my personal life and career: the gift of sharing the journey with incredible people who are collectively committed to a shared vision and literally change lives and change the world together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.highhighproductions.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturewise_co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyDanekPinkson/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlypinkson/
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/KimberlyDanekPinkson/
• Other: www.mytype.movie and www.listen.movie

Image Credits
All photos are my own.