Consider the Conversation

When Hollywood director Frank Capra saw poverty and war causing despair among millions of Americans in the 1930s and 40s, he attempted to restore hope by making films that celebrated the common man triumphing over seemingly insurmountable odds. Three pictures in particular - Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946) - all told stories about simple men whose patriotism, idealism and small town values made a big difference in the lives of others. Today, we call these kinds of individuals "social entrepreneurs" - people who notice a problem in their community and create a way to remedy that issue with the simple goal of producing positive change. Terry Kaldhusdal and Michael Bernhagen are two such men.

Motivated by personal experiences with the loss of loved ones, Bernhagen - a curative healthcare business development professional turned hospice advocate - and Kaldhusdal - a documentary filmmaker and former State Teacher of the Year - decided to join forces in 2009 to begin production of Consider the Conversation, a project that intimately explores the American struggle with communication and preparation at life's end. At the time, all of the producers' grant applications were rejected because they were complete unknowns and the nation was in the midst of a fierce debate over healthcare reform. Sadly, it was an environment in which a conversation between a doctor and patient about end-of-life wishes became toxic. This natural, human issue suddenly became a political, taboo issue.

Recognizing the immense social value of Kaldhusdal and Bernhagen's work, the Board of Directors at Rainbow Hospice Care - one of Wisconsin's few independent and non-profit hospices - voted to establish a restricted fund that enabled individuals and organizations from 15 states to contribute $43,000 to the cause. That, combined with the donation of more than 3,500 hours of personal time from the producers, meant that a beautiful film capturing the perspective of patients, families, doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy and national experts could be completed.

Since its premiere in early 2011, Consider the Conversation has aired over 300 times on 140 PBS stations; won nine awards including four for social change and viewer impact; and been purchased on DVD by individuals and organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Tasmania. Most impressive, however, is the fact that Bernhagen and Kaldhusdal's work has inspired the Wisconsin Medical Society to launch Honoring Choices Wisconsin - a statewide, collaborative advance care planning initiative which is based on the premise that talking with patients about end-of-life wishes at a time when they're not dying is good preventive medicine.

In addition, the producers have been the featured guests on numerous NPR affiliate programs including Wisconsin Public Radio's At Issue with Ben Merens; WOSU's All Sides with Ann Fisher; Capital Public Radio's Insight with Jeffrey Callison; and Milwaukee Public Radio's Lake Effect with Bonnie North.

Nine Awards And Counting

Best Shorts Competition
Award of Excellence: Use of Film/Video for Social Change
Award of Merit: Short Documentary
Award of Merit: Direction
Award of Merit: Viewer Impact: Content/Message

Indie Fest
Award of Merit: Use of Film/Video for Social Change

The Accolade
Award of Excellence: Short Documentary
Award of Merit: Concept
Award of Merit: Viewer Impact: Content/Message Delivery

82nd Annual Milwaukee Press Club Awards for Excellence in Wisconsin Journalism
Silver Award of Excellence for Best Documentary or News Special

In their moving presentations, Kaldhusdal and Bernhagen inspire medical, faith, business and lay audiences alike to think, talk and act upon a subject that has been historically taboo in our culture.

For more information on Mike Bernhagen, click here.
For more information on Terry Kaldhusdal, click here.
For more information on Consider the Conversation, click here.

Consider the Conversation: A Theatrical Film Presentation and Community Conversation
Inspired by the powerful premiere of Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject, this program is designed to create a major media event. It includes a musical prelude featuring the music of Steve Price, RN; an introduction of the film by the co-producers; a big screen presentation of the documentary; and either an audience talk back session involving the producers or a live panel discussion moderated by Michael Bernhagen and featuring Terry Kaldhusdal and local experts.

This program is required to be held in a theatrical setting and the event underwriter is entitled to proceeds from ticket sales. As part of the program offering, Mike and Terry welcome local newspaper, radio and television interviews.

Consider the Conversation: Unplugged
Rare is the documentary filmmaker who has both personal and professional experience with end-of-life issues, let alone the privilege of being granted perspective by patients, family members, doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy and national experts. In this program, co-producers Michael Bernhagen and Terry Kaldhusdal provide "behind the scenes" perspective into the making of Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject. In particular, they screen and analyze several clips from the film; share their incredibly moving personal stories of loss; and relate a Frank Capra-like story about overcoming long odds to produce a film that is not only considered the long-awaited answer to the political rhetoric in Washington, but is also changing the culture of medicine.

The length of this presentation = 90 minutes. Optional audience Q&A session = 30 minutes.