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Devin: What is your superpower?
Dan: Ability to unite people around a meaningful mission.
America’s deepening polarization is creating profound challenges. Democracy depends on finding common ground, yet politics have entered an era of what Director and Producer Dan Partland calls “extreme negative hyper-partisanship.” In a recent conversation, Dan discussed his upcoming documentary, UNFIT TOO, a sequel to his widely acclaimed film #UNFIT, which dissected the psychology of Donald Trump. This time, he seeks to look beyond Trump and Trumpism to examine how America can navigate out of this political and cultural divide.
Dan explained the gravity of the situation, emphasizing how populism on both the right and left distorts democracy. “Populism is really about power...a ruthless majority,” Dan said. “Democracies can easily slip into that...what the study of psychology tells us is that these people are frequently...compelling...but it isn’t necessarily good for the world.” Building on this analysis, the new documentary explores how polarization, populism, and societal divisions threaten democracy’s core values of negotiation and representation.
The concept behind UNFIT TOO takes the mission one step further: finding actionable strategies for individuals and communities to bridge the gaps between ideological divides. Dan sees this challenge reflected everywhere—from political discourse to fractured family dinners. He explained, “Every single family has been affected by this negative hyper-partisanship...What’s the appropriate disposition towards that problem? How do you engage with people who you feel so different from?”
As compelling as #UNFIT was in analyzing Donald Trump’s leadership style, this sequel focuses on solutions. Dan noted that UNFIT TOO isn’t just about diagnosing the current crisis but finding pathways to a more collaborative and functional democracy. The documentary aims to give audiences practical tools to discuss and address difficult, deep-rooted divides.
Dan and his team are raising capital for UNFIT TOO through a regulated crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. This approach reflects Dan’s belief that business interests and philanthropy can align to create both cultural and social impact. Those interested in supporting the project can visit the campaign at s4g.biz/UNFIT.
The success of #UNFIT, which became the top-selling documentary on Apple and a cultural phenomenon, is a testament to Dan’s ability to tackle controversial and challenging topics in a meaningful way. UNFIT TOO promises to be equally impactful—a documentary that not only informs but also empowers Americans to reclaim the true spirit of democracy.
tl;dr:
Dan Partland’s new documentary UNFIT TOO explores solutions to America’s extreme polarization and populism.
The film builds on the success of #UNFIT, examining Trump’s psychology and its impact on politics.
Dan describes populism as a key threat to democracy’s representation, collaboration, and common-ground solutions.
The sequel aims to provide tools for healing divides within families, communities, and broader political contexts.
UNFIT TOO is raising funds via Wefunder, where business and philanthropy align for cultural impact.
How to Develop Mission-Driven Leadership As a Superpower
Dan’s superpower is his ability to unite people around a meaningful mission. Describing his work on documentaries like #UNFIT and now UNFIT TOO, Dan shared how engaging in mission-driven projects has fueled his work ethic and collaborations. “I really believe in... unifying people around a sense of mission,” Dan explained. For him, creating films that address real-world problems and inspire compassion in culture brings purpose to his work: “By aiming the lens at the real problems of real people, you engender more compassion.” Dan believes that great storytelling isn’t just entertainment but a vehicle for social good, fostering collaboration and actionable impact.
One project that exemplifies Dan’s mission-driven approach was a documentary show embedded in a suburban high school, documenting students’ trials and experiences. To align the production with the school’s educational mission, Dan and his team created a filmmaking curriculum. This approach added value not only for the documentary but also for the students and community, demonstrating how mission-based work can serve diverse goals. Dan shared, “Creating this educational component...helped align with the project’s objectives, amplifying the subjects’ voices while advancing media literacy.”
Tips for Developing This Superpower:
Align Your Work with a Greater Purpose: Look for ways to connect your goals to real-world impact.
Unify Teams Around Shared Missions: Create a sense of collective purpose for a project’s success.
Seek Collaborative Win-Wins: Ensure your work benefits stakeholders and participants in meaningful ways.
Focus on Amplifying Social Good: Go beyond storytelling to highlight actionable change in your work.
Cultivate Empathy Through Action: Use every opportunity to foster understanding, compassion, and collaboration.
By following Dan’s example and advice, you can make mission-driven leadership a skill. With practice and effort, you could develop this superpower to create impact and drive meaningful change in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Dan Partland (he/him):
Director and Producer, UNFIT TOO
About UNFIT TOO: UNFIT TOO is a feature-length documentary film being made to meet America’s timely, urgent, and challenging moment.
Website: wefunder.com/unfittoo
Company Facebook Page: facebook.com/UnfitMovie
Company Twitter Handle: @duty2warn
Biographical Information: Dan Partland is a veteran documentary producer and director whose work has defined nonfiction film and television over the past two decades. A two-time Emmy winner for Best Nonfiction Series and a two-time nominee for PGA’s Nonfiction Producer of the Year, he began his career apprenticing with cinema verité pioneer Albert Maysles before founding the New York-based indie collective OTHER PICTURES (OPIX). There, he produced acclaimed projects including Welcome to the Dollhouse, which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and The Ballad of Ramblin’ Jack, a genre-defining documentary that also earned a Special Jury Prize at Sundance. He later co-created the groundbreaking series American High with RJ Cutler, winning an Emmy, and went on to executive produce and showrun A&E’s Intervention for 14 seasons, producing over 150 episodes and helping reshape the national conversation on addiction.
Partland has continued to push boundaries in documentary storytelling, serving as showrunner and director for CNN’s The Sixties and later founding DOC SHOP, producing projects like Netflix’s Afflicted, CNN’s American Style, and TNT’s American Race. In 2020, he directed #Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump, which became iTunes’ best-selling documentary of all time. In 2022, he was tapped by Rob Reiner to direct God & Country, a powerful exploration of the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States. Across his career, Partland has consistently combined cinematic storytelling with cultural insight, using film as a tool to explore complex social, political, and human issues.
LinkedIn Profile: linkedin.com/in/dan-partland-34a0575
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Upcoming SuperCrowd Event Calendar
If a location is not noted, the events below are virtual.
SuperCrowd Impact Member Networking Session: Impact (and, of course, Max-Impact) Members of the SuperCrowd are invited to a private networking session on April 14th at 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PT. Mark your calendar. We’ll send private emails to Impact Members with registration details. Upgrade to Impact Membership today!
SuperCrowdHour, April 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Devin Thorpe, CEO and Founder of The Super Crowd, Inc., will lead a session on “Compliance Made Easy: Navigating Form C.” Drawing on his extensive experience as an investment banker, impact investor, and crowdfunding expert, Devin will simplify the complexities of Form C filing for regulated investment crowdfunding campaigns. In this session, he’ll walk through the key components of Form C, highlight common compliance pitfalls, and share practical strategies to ensure your offering meets regulatory requirements with confidence. Whether you’re launching your first campaign or refining your compliance process, this SuperCrowdHour will equip you with the knowledge to navigate Form C efficiently—so you can focus on building trust and raising capital successfully.
SuperCrowd26 featuring PurposeBuilt100™: This August 25–27, founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders will gather for a three-day, broadcast-quality global experience focused on disciplined capital formation, regulated investment crowdfunding, and purpose-driven growth. We’re bringing together leading voices in impact investing, compliance, digital marketing, and circular economy innovation to deliver practical frameworks, real-world case studies, and actionable strategies. The event culminates in the PurposeBuilt100™ Showcase, recognizing 100 of the fastest-growing purpose-driven companies in the U.S. Register now to secure your seat and get all the details. August 25–27, streaming worldwide.
Share the application for the PurposeBuilt100™: Purpose-driven founders deserve recognition. The PurposeBuilt100™ application window is now open—celebrating the fastest-growing companies building profit with purpose. If you know a founder creating real impact and real growth, please share this opportunity. Applications are free and confidential. Explore the program and apply today: PurposeBuilt100.com.
Community Event Calendar
Successful Funding with Karl Dakin, Tuesdays at 10:00 AM ET - Click on Events.
Platform Leaders Workshops Program – 5th ICAFR (Málaga, April 8–10, 2026): Join GECA and EDFA for hands-on, interactive workshops for crowdfunding platforms and ecosystem builders—covering investor UX & engagement, secondary markets/technology/tokenization, and platform data & research—plus dedicated peer exchange with global platform leaders. Register: https://www.crowdfunding-research.org/pago
ICW 2026 Keynote Kickoff - Apr 13 | 10:30–11:00 AM PT - Tim Draper kicks off ICW 2026 with insights on backing transformative startups. Set the stage for three days of pitches, panels, and competition.
Creators as an Asset Class - Apr 13 | 11:00–11:55 AM PT - Scott Kitun and Brian Belley explore creator investing as a new asset class. Learn the opportunities, risks, and emerging playbook.
Group A Pitch Session - Apr 13 | 12:00–12:55 PM PT - Devin Thorpe, Hugh McDermott, and Wendel Afonso present live pitches. Vote for the top startup advancing to the Championship.
Group B Pitch Session - Apr 13 | 2:00–2:55 PM PT - Paul Lovejoy, Sona Shah, Joe Schaeppi, and Hiten Sonpal pitch live. Cast your vote and back the strongest founder.
Capital Dept: Diversifying the Capital Stack - Apr 14 | 11:00–11:55 AM PT - Kelley Frank, Brian Belley, Olowo-n’djo Tchala, Yael Weiss, and Wendel Afonso share proven fundraising strategies. Learn how to plan, launch, and close a successful raise.
Group C Pitch Session - Apr 14 | 12:00–12:55 PM PT - Justin Renfro, Franck Lahaye, and Trevor Legwinski feature in this live pitch round. Watch, evaluate, and vote for the standout startup.
The Listing Playbook - Apr 14 | 1:00–1:55 PM PT - Ajay Tandon, Chris Lustrino, and Gregg Jaclin discuss post-raise pathways. Learn how startups prepare for listings and liquidity.
Group D Pitch Session - Apr 14 | 2:00–2:55 PM PT - Chase Collins, Amanda Benaim, Arthur Erickson, Chad McClennan, and Cole Shepherd pitch live. Vote for who advances to the final round.
Beyond Stocks: Alternative Investing - Apr 15 | 11:00–11:55 AM PT - Scott Kitun and Darren Rovell explore collectibles and alternative assets. Discover trends shaping modern portfolios.
Group E Pitch Session - Apr 15 | 12:00–12:55 PM PT - Eitan Charnoff, Teddy Lyons, Annette Azan, Jaeson Bang, and Jeremy McCool present the final pitches. Last chance to vote before finalists are selected.
Compliance & Regulatory Landscape - Apr 15 | 1:00–1:55 PM PT - Brian Belley, Andrew Stephenson, and Jason Fishman cover key regulations. Understand disclosures, protections, and what’s changing.
Championship Pitch & Closing - Apr 15 | 2:00–3:15 PM PT - Chris Lustrino, Léa Bouhelier-Gautreau, and Teddy Lyons host the final round. Watch the winner crowned and ICW 2026 conclude.
Want to Work to Clean Up Fashion? Career Choices in a Challenging Environment (Washington, DC | Tue, April 21, 2026 | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM EDT): Join Women for Women’s Wear during DC Climate Week for an interactive roundtable + networking on building a career in sustainable fashion—whether you’re exploring a new path, considering a pivot, or looking to drive impact from within your current role. Hear practical insights from professionals across apparel/footwear, government, technology, and finance, and leave with clearer next steps (bring your lunch; refreshments served). Limited space—registration subject to approval (Chatham House Rules apply). Register: https://luma.com/yyz01e4i
Fashion and the Climate Crisis: Policy and Innovation for a Cleaner Industry (Washington, DC | Tue, April 21, 2026 | 3:00–4:30 PM EDT): Join Loop Labs and Women for Women’s Wear during DC Climate Week 2026 for a high-energy session on how policy, innovation, and entrepreneurship are reshaping fashion—featuring a policy panel on sustainability standards and supply-chain transparency, curated networking across government/industry/creatives, and a sustainable fashion showcase spotlighting circular designs from DC-area makers. Limited space—registration subject to approval. Register: https://luma.com/1ns7cqsj
Save the Date! October 20th and 21st will be the Crowdfunding Professional Association Regulated Investment Crowdfunding Summit for 2026. This is the event of the year for everyone in the crowdfunding ecosystem.
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