René Estes
Founder of René Estes & The Video Mentor | Filmmaker, Producer, Educator & Cultural Critic
René Estes
Areas of Expertise

Media & Cultural Analysis

Women’s Autonomy & Empowerment

Strategic Thought Leadership
Meet René
René Estes is a media expert, innovation strategist, filmmaker and producer. As the founder of René Estes, LLC, she examines how media, technology, and social structures influence decision-making, relationships, and financial independence, particularly for women navigating modern marriage and economic systems. She also founded The Video Mentor — a SaaS-based learning platform empowering digital creators to master professional video production. With a background that bridges science, film, and cultural analysis, René uses the lens of innovation to explore how media and technology shape society, disrupt behavior, and influence personal agency.
A third-generation entrepreneur and former research contributor at the Naval Research Laboratory, René brings a rare perspective, having lived both before and after the digital revolution. René’s expertise spans film, digital media, and STEM research, holding degrees in Critical Studies of Film as an Art Form and Film Production (BA/BFA) and Geology (BS), alongside executive education from Wharton, Leeds School of Business, and the Fearless Living Institute. A former senior executive contributor to Brainz Magazine and a Marquis Who’s Who honoree, she is recognized for her thought leadership in media influence, strategic communication, and digital ethics. She critically examines how media narratives, tech innovation, and digital systems influence collective behavior, privacy, and economic opportunity, especially for women. Through films, podcasts, and speaking engagements, she invites audiences to rethink our technological future’s ethics, consequences, and creative potential.
Latest articles from my blog
Company Description Living in Synergy®: Advancing Media Literacy and Scholarship for Public Health strengthens public health through media literacy and
We’re thrilled to share some big news: Living in Synergy has officially received 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS. This
Witnessed Not Sold is a show about the stories that shape our health—the headlines we see, the facts we miss,