Story & Lesson Highlights with Lauri Levenfeld of Sherman Oaks

Lauri Levenfeld shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Lauri, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me is navigating a bunch of valleys, hills, and bumps in the road, trying to see the humor in what comes, while pausing for some deep meditation, breathing, and universal validation in the pursuit of my own desires and family goals.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I am Lauri Levenfeld. I am a writer, director, producer, and CEO of AgentC, LA’s boutique creative agency/ production. I am a mom of a loving, creative 16-year-old teen — Harley Grey — and the wife of the perfect partner-in-crime, with a dedication to our two pups (a Frenchie and a Brussels Griffon) that keeps my feet on the ground. My personal and work life thrive best when they are interwoven and on the same path—in pursuit of discovery, artistry, and truth—led by an open heart, curiosity, and collaboration. I have been doing Wiccan journeys for 20 years with an incredible spiritual teacher in SF/ Oregon, which allows me to tap into the expansiveness of nature, the divine, and my innermost self.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In my pursuit of art and storytelling, two events led me to where I am today. Being one of two women to graduate from USC Film & TV Production graduate—sharpened my necessity and purpose to develop and share women’s stories from a uniquely female gaze, while founding The Project for Women & Girls, Project Mentor, and Village Queens—global platforms that have supported and connected millions of women creatives worldwide. The other event that shaped the way and why behind the stories I develop was my formative encounter during the making of a Nelson Mandela documentary. This experience fundamentally changed me into the filmmaker I am today — using storytelling as a tool for advocacy and transformation.

Village Queens, my latest community endeavor, is a living community: women gathering to share work, care, and courage. Born from my commitment to female storytelling, Village Queens creates spaces—salons, screenings, workshops, and mentorship circles—where women in the creative arts can be seen, heard, and strengthened. But this is not just programming; it’s movement-building. We center collective care and practical exchange—peer feedback, resource-sharing, collaborative projects, and public conversations that turn private struggles into shared strategies. By amplifying voices, cultivating resilient networks, and forging real pathways from conversation to creative action, Village Queens empowers women to reclaim ownership of their stories and their lives, strengthening both personal well-being and the fabric of our community.

I am also co-hosting the Next Chapter Podcast with the incomparable Adrienne Arieff, where we spotlight extraordinary women who are boldly redefining purpose, power, and possibility in this pivotal chapter of their lives. Our conversations dig deep—celebrating the courage it takes to embrace change, share untold stories, and reshape what comes next. I am grateful for a partnership that fuels my curiosity and passion for connection, and for the women who show up with vulnerability, resilience, and the wisdom that comes from rewriting their own narratives.

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The Great Depression and Holocaust shaped the cornerstone of how my family communicates and deals with trauma. Luckily, I found Wiccan journeys, which opened me to nature and supernatural healing. Learning that darkness can be a strength, I developed my voice and camera to uplift women, recently using humor and eco-horror to reflect our stories of multi-generational trauma and universal injustices, while holding that the beauty of nature is ALL WE NEED (the title of my one-hour women-led, psychological eco-horror TV series).

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Having a teenage daughter, while navigating the world we live in today, makes me fiercely concerned about—and deeply committed to—uplifting and securing women’s voices. In a time when bodily autonomy and the fundamental right to make decisions about our own lives are once again under threat, I am driven to build platforms and communities that are not only safe but fiercely protective of women’s rights, mental health, and creative freedom. Our personal health—physical, emotional, and spiritual—is the foundation for everything we do. When women are denied agency over their bodies and well-being, it threatens not just individual futures but the health of entire communities. Now more than ever, it is vital to transform solidarity into action, ensuring that every woman and girl can stand in her power, claim her story, and shape her future by fiercely protecting her right to personal health and self-determination.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
I am having a blast right now — after pivoting — and getting back into the filmmaking I love! It has always been important to me to bring joy—and intentional self-care—to everything I do. I feel very fortunate to have been born a creative and to have a family that not only supports my needs but also collaborates and lives by these same values. Prioritizing my personal health allows me to show up fully for my work, my family, and my community. I take time out in my day to make sure I remain present and at peace—meditating, exercising, and sharing countless walks with my dogs—to tap into nature, harmony, and a world much bigger than myself. By nurturing my well-being, I am able to sustain my creativity and resilience, which are very needed in today’s climate, with no doubt, a good sense of humor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theagentcbyll.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurilevenfeld/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri-levenfeld/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauri.levenfeld
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theagentcbylaurilevenfeld

Image Credits
Photo of me and a flower
Photo of me on Couch – by Grace Wethor

Three film images at the end: Cinematographer Kayla Mason, Vepertine Film