The Art of Being Human: Coming Soon
What if, in the chaos of modern life, the most radical act is to return to what truly matters, to presence, connection, and home?
A powerful, timely documentary exploring a radical idea in an overwhelmed world: that less is more, and being is just as important as doing. One woman’s journey through burnout, success, midlife OEs (sabbaticals) and more in this real time experiment to gain some answers to the big questions.
In a world addicted to busyness, success, and screen time, The Art of Being Human invites us to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover what it means to be truly human. What if the real rebellion in today’s world isn’t hustle, but stillness? Jess Stuart walks away from burnout to reclaim her life and invites us all to do the same.
Amid rising burnout, loneliness, AI anxiety, and disconnection, we capture a global longing for peace, meaning, and authenticity. Drawing from ancient wisdom, modern science, and personal transformation stories, this documentary offers an antidote to chaos and a roadmap for thriving.
What if the secret to success wasn’t more… but less? In this global journey, Jess Stuart explores how different cultures define and live contentment, uncovering rituals, wisdom, and mindsets that help us reclaim calm in a chaotic world.
With so much division and polarisation how do we reunite around compassion for our fellow humans and return to being kind?
In a world obsessed with hustle, productivity, and performance, calm and contentment is the quiet revolution we didn’t know we needed. This documentary travels across the globe; from Japan’s Zen temples to Iceland’s wild landscapes to uncover the wisdom, rituals, and mindsets that help people slow down, reconnect, and live with intention.
Through conversations with neuroscientists, monks, athletes, and everyday humans, Jess explores how calm is not a luxury but a powerful tool for resilience, clarity, and joy. This is not just a film. It’s a movement. One that invites us to redefine success, reimagine fulfilment, and reclaim the lost art of simply being.
Using ancient wisdom to solve modern problems this documentary slows people down. Landscapes, nature, beauty and peace portrayed not just by expert advice and lived experience of alternate ways of life but beautiful imagery that inspires a feeling of calm, plenty of space and sensory immersion.
Come on this journey with us
“As a sought after work life balance expert who wrote a book about burnout - it would be a colossal failure if I was to admit to be falling back into old habits, teetering on the edge wouldn’t it?”
Follow the journey as Jess now battles to beat the very expertise she teaches others and run a successful business whilst not failing at life in the process. Balancing ambition with capacity, left over health issues from burn out and a desire to slow down whilst living in a world that’s always on.
Contemplating a midlife OE to retrace her steps and relearn the very things that helped her recover from burnout last time only this time she’s sharing it with the world. What are the strategies we can learn from ancient cultures that apply in our modern world to live well. To be our best but without burning out in the process and can we have it all without it coming at a cost of our wellbeing?
How can we define success to have more moments that matter in our life and as we live longer are midlife OEs the key to sustainability, perspective and break throughs rather than breakdowns?
Narrated by and featuring Jess Stuart
International speaker, coach and author of eight personal development books. Mindset, leadership and gender balance expert with 15 years in HR and a background in the corporate world working with leaders across many countries and industries. A brush with burnout in her corporate career led Jess across the world to train with Buddhist monks and nuns. Highly acclaimed event speaker and proud member of the rainbow community. Experienced on camera and in the media, regularly featured on national and international TV and in print. Sought after global speaker and podcast host.
Let’s Collaborate
Seeking partners, funders, and production allies to bring this global story to life.
