Living the Dream with Sierra Teller Ornelas

Jackie chats with showrunner, screenwriter, filmmaker and sixth generation Navajo tapestry weaver, Sierra Teller Ornelas! Sierra is the co-creator and showrunner of Rutherford Falls starring Ed Helms, Jana Schmieding and Michael Greyeyes. She has written for hilarious shows like Loot, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, Happy Endings, the list goes on!

Sierra shares her journey of becoming a comedy writer, the ups and downs of showrunning during a pandemic and she gives great advice for folks looking to get into TV writing. We also talk about City Indians, a workplace comedy that we wrote together along with Bobby Wilson, a past guest of the pod. Sierra talks about how becoming a mom gave her the confidence to be a showrunner and the importance of creative discipline. It is such an inspiring conversation, enjoy!

Sierra Teller Ornelas on Twitter & Instagram

Jess Morse on Twitter | Donate to Jess’ Pizza Fund on Venmo

Donate to The Entertainment Community Fund

Jackie Keliiaa on Twitter & Instagram

Production by Jackie Keliiaa

Music by: Oriente Records

Jackie Keliiaa is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor based in Oakland, California. You can find her in the 2021 release, We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy. She has been featured on Comedy Central, Team Coco, Netflix and IllumiNative’s 25 Native American Comedians to Follow. She wrote for the web series You're Welcome America and was featured on the First Nations Comedy Experience on Amazon Prime Video.