We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamlin Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamlin, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My wife & I are blessed to have identical twin boys. It was a miracle that these Hall boys arrived. I honor this unbelievable gift with gratitude and respect. Words will never describe the love I have for my boys. Our boys have shown me that I’m a much better father than a business person. Before Brock & Hendrix came into our lives – I never planned for any family time. I planned work around work, 24/7. I’m deeply proud of my wife – she runs a very successful company – so we’ve had to balance our work schedules around the boys. There are times of the day I have to block out for the boys. Someone told me that you become a master at time management once you have kids. That’s the truth. You must be efficient, nimble, and open to evolve. Especially with twins.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I would have never guessed ten years ago that I would have used my art to create a nonprofit. I think sometimes we are so focused on one path that we can’t see the one with the signs begging for us to go down it. Ten years ago, I was applying to grad schools for screenwriting and I remember distinctly writing a statement of purpose to UCLA, which I was accepted and attended their renowned MFA Screenwriting Program. On my statement of purpose letter, I boldly and naively stated that upon graduation I wanted to return to my home state of Georgia and start a production company so I could hire and employ individuals in my home state. That proclamation has totally happened, just not in the way I “envisioned” it happening. We’ve got a feature film under our belt that we shot and produced in Georgia. We have an upcoming documentary series that will release on Georgia Public Broadcasting and PBS LearningMedia that we’ve hired or will hire crew, educators, consultants. Our nonprofit HOPE GIVERS (pls give us a look at www.hopegiversga.org) is essentially a production company under the umbrella of a nonprofit. I would have never guessed we would’ve produced a live event – our first Hope Givers Music Festival. We are creating edutainment to help transform mental health, equity, and well-being for all. I am so incredibly proud of our new staff and our interns. Fifteen years ago when I first began in the arts, I thought it was a race to the finish line. It took years to realize there is never going to be a finish line. The work I’m doing isn’t nearly as sexy as what some of my friends from UCLA are doing, but I’m using my advocacy and my art to literally help change the world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would pass my sixteen-month old twins to them so I could go on a vacation. lol. I haven’t lived in Atlanta long enough to feel that I’m going to do justice to this question. Pre-kids and pre-Covid I would have said that we wouldn’t go north of Midtown. I like Little 5 Points, Oakhurst (hopefully the Porch Festival is going on that weekend), Decatur, East Atlanta, JazzFest at Piedmont Park, going to a play at the Alliance or an improv show at Dad’s Garage, or attending a screening at one of the many amazing film festivals in Atlanta. We’d definitely eat at Homegrown.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Esti.

Website: www.hopegiversga.org
Instagram: @hopegiversga
Linkedin: tamlinhall
Facebook: @hopegiversga
Other: www.azaleadrivefilms.com

Image Credits
Vichhika Tep Jeremy Ray Freestyle Digital Media

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