We produce stories that resonate.
Ethical, relevant and contemporary content. Documentary storytelling about real social issues that impact real people.
Featured film
Out of ReachThe Struggle for the American Dream
A film by Adam Najberg. Directed by Faith Kohler and John Miller.
Is life for workers in America better or worse vs. 30 or 40 years ago? In the post-World War II “Golden Age,” middle-class entry meant just showing up and working 40 hours a week and riding your job - and its free or cheap health care - out to retirement and a guaranteed pension for life.
And then came deindustrialization and privatization. The focus shifted to efficiency, productivity, cost. And to rewarding executives who had a laser-like focus on that. The results weren’t immediate, but the money that had lifted up an entire generation to middle-class status was gone. And while promised it would keep trickling down, it never has. Today, the world’s richest 1% hold more wealth than the bottom 95% - and we see $1 trillion pay packages granted to executives like Elon Musk.
We spent nearly five years in Milwaukee to understand how failed trickle-down economics, the offshoring of jobs and a growing sense of falling behind have given four generations of workers in a city that once provided the industrial heartbeat of America a growing sense that they’re falling behind. Despite getting educated, trained and doing everything right, the barrier to middle-class entry has been raised, and even those who have achieved that status find it increasingly hard to hold onto. And as Gen Z moves into a tattered economy and rapidly fraying job sector, the storied American Dream - as we knew it - is dead. Our film looks at how individuals - and America - are now being forced to redefine that dream in their own, highly individual way as they fly without a safety net.
FeaturingRandy Bryce, Diandre Jackson, Decorah Gordon, Justin Koss, Mike Bink, Nancy Bryce, AJ Mondry and Annette Rice.
The company
About Socially Distant Productions
Socially Distant Productions is creating ethical, relevant and contemporary content. We are a team of diverse, award-winning journalists, storytellers and artists from around the globe.
Giving a voice to diverse communities and perspectives, our documentary storytelling focuses on real social issues that impact real people - to inspire constructive solutions. We produce stories that resonate.
Founder
Adam Najberg
Adam “Naj” Najberg (聽雁堂) is a lifelong storyteller and communications leader with over 25 years in journalism and PR.
He spent over two decades at Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal shaping news content, owning and driving digital strategy in Asia. In 2015, he transitioned into corporate communications and public affairs and content, first with global drone giant Shenzhen DJI and Alibaba Group, the world’s largest e-commerce company, then moving to Tencent Games, where he built and led an international communications team and content team on three continents for its new global publishing brand. In his decade at China’s top technology companies, he operated at executive levels, providing guidance and counsel to executives.
After exiting China big tech, he founded Pingshu Pte Ltd., his Singapore-based, narrative-focused communications, media & content advisory agency. He is also the founder of Hakawati Productions, which is co-producing a business reality TV series based on IP it created and owns. Naj’s entire approach centers around crafting a strong foundational narrative to shape perception and power your career, product, company or brand.
Naj has authored three books, including 2022’s Jumpstarting Your Career: Tips & Hacks to Crack the Job-Search Code. He directed or produced four documentaries, is a certified executive, career & life coach, podcaster and angel investor in companies he also advises. He mentors C-suite executives, founders, journalists looking to leave the profession through forums like Orbit Startups, The Founders Institute, Startup Bootcamp, the Asian American Journalists Association and via Halogen, which pairs executives with underprivileged youth in Singapore.
Naj champions emerging storytellers, fosters media-PR collaboration and inspires young people seeking to be entrepreneurs. Whether in the newsrooms or the boardroom, Naj merges narrative craft with strategic insight and a grounding in business and finance, making him a respected voice with C-suite executives, senior business and policy leaders and across the media and communications landscape.