Meaningful Movie Recap

by Bryn Bachman, project lead

We had a small, intimate crowd for our March Meaningful Movies screening of The Prison Within. The film shared powerful stories of both victims and prisoners navigating healing from past and present trauma so they can move forward.

We were reminded how broken our current incarceration system is, particularly the lack of access to therapy and counseling. It’s estimated that 80–90% of incarcerated individuals experienced trauma prior to committing their crimes—traumas such as child abuse, violence, neglect, and unstable housing. Of the 1.9 million Americans currently incarcerated, about 95% will eventually be released, many without receiving the support they need to heal—often leading them back into the same system. Viewers left with a hopeful message: people can change and heal when given the opportunity and the right resources to create meaningful change in their lives.

Our post-film discussion was especially profound. Nate Stone, founder of Spír Candle Co. and Cathedral, along with his operations manager Shane, walked us through their business model and future vision. Spír exclusively employs young men with histories of incarceration to make candles—providing jobs, mentorship, and a space to breathe so they have the best opportunity to become who they aspire to be.

Every candle sold equals one hour of employment. To date, they’ve surpassed 14,000 hours of employment and have supported 69 young men through the program. While jobs provide stability, safety, income, and skills training, the deeper goal is healing. Many of these young men come from backgrounds shaped by pain and trauma, and each has faced uniquely difficult circumstances.

Spír Candle Co.’s vision is to become the largest candle company in America—not because of the candles themselves, but because of the impact on the young men they employ. Their mission is to build connection, create safe spaces for storytelling, and support healing. In this model, profit becomes a tool for reinvesting in people.

Cathedral & Spír Candle Co. is located at 5449 Ballard Ave NW. You can purchase candles or support their mission at https://www.spircandleco.com. They also offer their space for private events, and you can book an in-shop experience to make your own candles.

Join us next month for two screenings!

On Thursday, April 16, dive into Mission Blue, a documentary following oceanographer Sylvia Earle on a global journey to protect the world’s oceans, featuring special guest Casey McLean from SR3.

Then, on Thursday, April 23, in celebration of National Library Week, we’ll virtually screen The Librarians, a film that takes us across the U.S. as local libraries become unexpected battlegrounds in a national struggle over parental control, intellectual freedom, and democracy.

To view our full schedule and RSVP, visit https://meaningfulmovies.org/