Story Matters

Joey Richter joins me for our annual Oscars roundtable as we talk about the films that marked the surreal, bizarre and crazy year that was 2020. 

Every few months I host an interactive art collaboration called Project Create where Patrons from my Patreon create artwork based on a prompt that I share. This most recent prompt was Back on Track. As we attempt to figure out a new normal in the uncertain world of 2020, I felt compelled and inspired by the idea of getting my life back on track despite the difficulties in the way. I invited my Patrons to create as they were inspired and these are some of the amazing written submissions I received.  "Back on Track" poem by Emily Lettau  "Back on Track" music and lyrics by Vica Radziwon "On Track" poem by Anna Riots (also featuring her original music) "In a Courtyard That's Not Mine" poem by MSN "June's Revenge" short story by Jessica McQuillan "Maggie the Brave" short story by Emaley Rose "The Race of the Century" short story by RCT "On the Right Track" from Pippin Trombone Aarrangement by Emily McCulloch "Journal Entries" from anonymous "The Train is Coming" by Curt Mega Featuring the voices of Kim Whalen and Curt Mega narrating Become a Patron at Patreon.com/curtmega   

In this special installment of the podcast, my Warbler bros, Riker Lynch, Dominic Tracy, Jon Hall, Telly Leung, Eddy Martin, Brock Baker and Tim Davis join me to reflect on our time working on Glee, how the experience has impacted out lives and what we've been up to since then!  Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

This week on the podcast, we discuss strategies to cope during this crazy and uncertain time. From baking, to watching dystopian films, to setting small, realistic and achievable goals, we have all been finding different ways to stay mentally sharp and emotionally stable. How do you battle the impulse to be constantly productive when you are stuck at home? Is there a healthy balance of goal setting without pushing yourself to an unrealistic and unhealthy level of expectation?  Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

In this Advice Corner episode, we tackle the obstacle of CREATIVE ROADBLOCKS! How do you navigate around them before they become insurmountable? Then, a bonus radio-play sketch from my January Writer's Room... MURDER PLANE!  Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

It's a strange, scary and chaotic time right now. This week, in the wake of the coronavirus that has engulfed every aspect of society and culture as we know it, we discuss strategies for coping as artists and storytellers to maximize creativity, stay motivated, and find the silver lining in the midst of chaos. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com

In this month's ADVICE CORNER, we tackle the question: "How are you able to keep yourself focused on current projects and see them all the way through?". How do we overcome creative roadblocks while maintaining healthy life habits at the same time?! Join us as we share our insight into this question and more! Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

Joey Richter (from Tin Can Brothers, Team Starkid, Jesse on Disney Channel and more) joins us for the 4th year in a row for our 2020 ACADEMY AWARDS OSCAR SPECTACULAR! We dive into each of the nominated films along with the main categories. So put on your best tux or gown, hop in a limo and join us on the RED CARPET for this year's STORY MATTERS OSCARS PODCAST! Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

Vijay Nazareth, creator of Pixel Playhouse and AVbyte , joins us on this week's episode to talk about the FUTURE OF THEATRE! How does theatre adapt for the digital age in a way that's both accessible and relevant? Vijay's mission is to bring theatre TO THE INTERNET, to make it more accessible and break down the barrier between creator and audience. LINK: Check out Pixel Playhouse on Twitch! Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

Where will the next decade of filmmaking take us? How will technology and A.I. affect the creative process and what will its impact be on storytellers and creators? In this episode, we take a look ahead at the next decade of filmmaking and storytelling and try to imagine what the future of storytelling will look like and how we can be prepared for it.  Article link: Warner Bros. Signs Deal for AI-Driven Film Management System Article link: How Will the Movies (As We Know Them) Survive the Next 10 Years? Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com  

In this month's ADVICE CORNER episode, we tackle the question;  How do you deal with feedback and criticism, both positive and negative, in a way that is useful to your own creative process? Then in part two of the episode, a special GROUP COLLAB radio-play titled The Wedding from Hell! 

We discuss the media, stories and events that defined the decade, both for us on a personal level and on a cultural and global level. From The Social Network, to Game of Thrones, to Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, to the the impact of Netflix changing the streaming game with House of Cards, to the rise of the Disney Empire, to the Me Too Movement, the past decade has had a profound impact on the stories we tell and how we tell them.  Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com      

Curt and Kim react to the most recent Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, and share their thoughts and perspective on whether or not the film is a worthy end to the Skywalker Saga. They also discuss the cultural discourse around the film and what it means for the future of Star Wars. NON-SPOILER section is 0:00-13:47! SPOILERS SECTION begins at 13:48! Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com  

We talk candidly about what lessons we've learned along the way as artists and storytellers over the past ten years in Los Angeles. For all three of us, the beginning of this decade marked a huge transition, leaving behind our lives in Texas for the glitz, the glamor and the rude awakening that is Hollywood. We've experienced a lot of ups and downs along the way and in this episode, we share our perspectives as we look back at this last chapter of our creative lives.  Link: Mike Tobias's poetry collection Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com  

In this episode, we explore the definition of poetry, duality in storytelling and examine four different approaches to revisionism in creating historical fiction. Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

Curt, Mike and Kim dive into the world of revisionist storytelling, starting with Quentin Tarantino's newest film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. What is the moral responsibility of the storyteller to get the facts right when dealing with an actual historical event in their story? Can they play fast and loose with history? What sort of impact can this have on not only the audience but also the memory of the historical figures in question? Join them for this new, in-depth exploration of this fascinating aspect of the creative process of storytelling.    Find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com Follow the show on Instagram Follow the show on Twitter Email your feedback for the podcast by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com

Ty Simpkins (Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man 3, Jurassic World, Insidious, The Nice Guys and more) joins us to talk about his experience as a young actor working in a slew of major franchises and creating characters that are part of a global phenomenon. We also talk spoiler culture, water-cooler conversations, and what it's like to know the end of a story years before the world gets a chance to see it. You can listen to all episodes of Story Matters at www.storymatterspodcast.com! 

How do you make a character death really count? In the wake of Avengers: Endgame and Game of Thrones: The Long Night, we break down the question of how to go about sticking the landing of a character's final chapter and fate with a NON-spoiler conversation reacting to Marvel's epic conclusion to their 22 film Infinity Saga and the much anticipated Fire vs. Ice battle for Winterfell! Then, at the 31:15 minute mark, we move into an IN-DEPTH SPOILER-FILLED discussion about both the film and the episode. Enjoy!   You can email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com and you can listen to all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! 

In the wake of spoiler leaks surrounding Avengers: End Game, Game of Thrones and even Star Wars, does science actually prove that spoilers are a good thing in helping the audience better appreciate the story?! In this episode of the podcast, Curt, Mike and Kim dive into the world of spoilers to examine their impact on the viewing experience and the weight of responsibility storytellers have in creating suspense while also sticking the landing of a dramatic and shocking ending. How do YOU feel about spoilers? Do you seek them out? Do you avoid them at all costs? We'd love to hear from you! You can email your thoughts and answers to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com and you can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com     

As the final season of Game of Thrones begins to roll, we ask the question; Does the show mark the end of the water cooler conversation as we know it? Has the binge-watching model changed the way we engage with stories? We'd love to hear from you! Email us your thoughts at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com.  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com!

Corey Lubowich (Tin Can Brothers, Starkid) joins us to talk about how internet criticism affects the creative process and shares some personal insights on how fandom and audience interaction has impacted the way he creates and collaborates with other artists and storytellers.  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and you can email us your questions, comments and feedback to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!

Are expectations ruining the way we watch movies? In this episode of the podcast, we explore what sort of films were impacted by negative reviews but have come to be fan favorites in hindsight, despite an initially poor critical reception. Then we take a deep dive into Jordan Peel's newest nightmare with a spoiler-filled roundtable discussion about the meaning, symbolism and interpretations of Us! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and you can email us your questions, comments and feedback to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!

We wade into the controversial waters of the recent J.K. Rowling backlash and examine what sort of authority creators have over their own work once it’s released out into the world. Should they be allowed to explain their intentions with a character or story when those elements are seemingly missing from the text? Does the demand for a creator to stay relevant put them in a position of baiting an audience without really paying it off in the material they create? What sort of authority or weight should we give to creators commenting on their own work? We then continue the conversation about how sites like Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic and Cinema Score impact the moviegoing experience and ask whether or not the need to rate movies in a black and white sort of way actually... ruins them? How does expectation affect our perception of the quality of the stories we listen to? You can find all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com!      

Each episode of Imagined Life takes you on an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person. It’ll be someone you may think you know, or even admire. You’ll get clues to your identity along the way. But only in the final moments will you find out who “you” really are. So sit back, let go, and -- imagine your life. Subscribe now at wondery.fm/storymatters.

Curt, Kim and Mike brave the sea of internet trolls to examine the function of movie review sites like Rotten Tomatoes and explore their impact on the filmgoing experience. We also explore the validity of "hot takes" for the sake of clickbait and the nature of toxic criticism. 

Story Matters alum Joey Richter returns for the 3rd year to take a deep dive into THE ACADEMY AWARDS! We break down the wins and losses, the snubs and successes, and we ask the question... what sort of impact will this year's awards have on future generation of filmmakers and artists? You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!  

We break down the ups and downs of the 2019 Academy Awards as we ask the question... In the age of the streaming video and niche fandom, do the Academy Awards still hold the power and relevance they once did? You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!

In this episode of the podcast, we react to the 2019 SAG Awards and explore what it could mean for the current Oscar race. Then we continue our exploration of awards season by asking the question... what is the IMPACT of winning The Oscar? We continue our film retrospectives on recent Best Picture winners Spotlight, Moonlight and The Shape of Water and examine what sort of impact the awards they received have had on the artists who created them, the creative process and culture at large.  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!

In this episode of the podcast, we react to the 2019 Oscar nominations and then take a deep dive into recent Best-Picture winners with film retrospectives on Spotlight, Moonlight, and The Shape of Water as we ask the question… what makes for a best-picture winning film? You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!

In this episode of the podcast, Curt, Kim and Mike tackle the age-old question of... DO AWARDS EVEN MATTER?! We break down the differences between some of the major awards shows and begin our exploration of how awards season impact storytelling, the creative process and culture as a whole.  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts! We'd love to hear from you! Email us at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com!

In this first episode of 2019, we talk resolutions, setting creative intentions for the new year, the films that most impacted us in 2018 and we finish off our exploration of the Disney Remake with a double feature retrospective on 1977 Pete’s Dragon and the 2016 remake directed by David Lowery! Curt’s favorite films of 2018: You Were Never Really Here Hereditary Eighth Grade Mission Impossible: Fallout Annihilation Bad Times at the El Royale Game Night Searching Private Life Can You Ever Forgive Me? Upgrade Mike’s favorite films of 2018: Roma Into the Spider-Verse Blindspotting Eighth Grade Mission Impossible: Fallout Crazy Rich Asians Ballad of Buster Scruggs Suspiria Kim's favorite films of 2018: Won’t You Be My Neighbor A Quiet Place Eighth Grade Isle of Dogs Bad Times at the El Royale Game Night You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and leave us a review and rating on Apple Podcasts!

In our third entry of our Disney December, we take a look at the 1964 classic Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and compare it to 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns starring Emily Blunt and Lin Manuel Miranda in a spoiler filled roundtable discussion on the film! Where does this film fall on the sequel/remake spectrum? Does the newest entry into this universe continue the legacy created by Disney and company in the 1960’s? What are the essential benchmarks that captures the spirit of what makes the original Mary Poppins perhaps the most iconic of all Disney films? Grab your umbrella and join us for part 3 of DISNEY DECEMBER! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! 

We continue Disney December on the podcast with a Disney double feature, exploring the 1950 animated classic Cinderella compared to the 2015 live action remake directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Lily James and the 1967 classic film The Jungle Book up against the 2016 live action remake directed by Jon Favreau. You can find all episodes of Story Matters at www.storymatterspodcast.com!   

We kick off DISNEY DECEMBER with an in depth exploration of the 1991 animated classic Beauty and the Beast and compare and contrast it to the 2017 live action remake starring Emma Watson. Along the way we ask the question of what defines a good remake? What does this trend of Disney remaking all of its animated classics add to the conversation? Does it tarnish the legacy of the originals or does it revamp and reinvent these classic stories for a new age? You can find all episodes of Story Matters at www.storymatterspodcast.com!   

Jon Cozart joins the show to take a deep dive with us into the world of Amadeus, the 1984 Academy Award winning musical biopic directed by Milos Forman about the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as we cap off our exploration of the musical biopic genre with what is considered by many as the greatest biopic of all time! We also examine how this film speaks directly to our culture today (specifically us as artists), our own personal struggle with jealousy, ego, the fear of not being good enough and the madness that is the creative process.  You can find all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com! 

We've all been there. The crowds. The grabbing hands. The pushing. The shoving. It's the most American of all the holidays... yep, it's BLACK FRIDAY! 

In episode 48 of the podcast, we have an honest and candid conversation about the struggle to prioritize creativity when life and work seem to constantly to get in the way. Then, we continue our exploration of the musical biopic with a retrospective on the 2004 film Ray starring Jamie Foxx in an Oscar winning performance. How does the film hold up 14 years later? What similarities and tropes does it use from the biopic genre and how do these compare to our two previous entries of Bohemian Rhapsody and Walk the Line? You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! ARTICLES: Jamie Foxx Was an ‘Embarrassment’ During ‘Ray’ Oscar Season, Until Oprah and Sidney Poitier Intervened

Curt, Kim, and Mike, along with special guest Eric Carroll, continue their exploration of the MUSICAL BIOPIC with an in-depth retrospective on the Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. We compare and contrast this 2005 biopic classic alongside last week’s film focus of Bohemian Rhapsody and examine the similarities and tropes that both films share. We also take a look at the 2007 comedy masterpiece Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and examine how it deconstructs the biopic genre with both reverence and scathing sarcasm. You can find all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com! WHAT WE'VE BEEN WATCHING:   Kim - Private Life (streaming Netflix) Mike - Mad Men (streaming Netflix) Eric - The Office (streaming Netflix) Curt - Young Adult (streaming on Amazon) Articles: -"DRUGS AND JUNE CARTER’ – JOHNNY CASH’S FIRST WIFE REVEALS WHAT RUINED THEIR MARRIAGE" -"Johnny Cash's first wife tells of romance, heartbreak" -"Johnny Cash's Daughter Storms Out of 'Walk the Line' Premiere Over Portrayal of Mother" -"THE UNPOPULAR OPINION: WALK THE LINE" -"Walk the Line Movie Review & Film Summary (2005) | Roger Ebert"

We launch our November exploration of the MUSICAL BIOPIC genre by taking a deep dive into Bohemian Rhapsody, the Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic from 20th Century Fox. We also ask the question of what makes a good biopic? What is the moral responsibility the storyteller has to tell the story exactly as it happened versus creating under the banner of “based on a true story”? When does artistic license cross the line into assassination of character? You can email us your feedback, questions and comments to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com! You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Overcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Please rate and review this podcast on iTunes and tell your friends, your family and your fellow storytellers! Article link: New Rules for "Based on a True Story" by Ann Hornaday | Washington Post

We are OVERHAULING THE SHOW in a major way and are very excited to share the details about this new format with you in this episode. We also discuss our ongoing creative projects, examine the the value of reprioritizing and simplifying your life to better achieve your creative goals and talk about the power and freedom that comes from learning to FINISH PROJECTS. In our WHAT WE'VE BEEN WATCHING SEGMENT, we talk about The Amazon original series Forever, the new Drew Goddard film Bad Times at the El Royale, the new Netflix horror series The Haunting of Hill House, the new horror film by Luca Guadagnino Suspiria, the 2018 Halloween lega-sequel starring  Jamie Lee Curtis. You can email us your feedback, questions and comments to storymatterspodcast@gmail.com! You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Overcast, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts! Please rate and review this podcast on iTunes and tell your friends, your family and your fellow storytellers!

In this episode of the podcast, we take a look back on the summer movies of 2018 and the films that most impacted us, disappointed us, excited us and made us fall in love with the cinema all over again. We also take a hard look at the trend of sequels and prequels and the fact that the top 10 grossing films of 2018 are ALL tied directly to a previously existing franchise. Then for our deep dive, we explore the rise and fall of MoviePass and its impact on the movie-going experience as a whole and ask the question of what exactly defines a "cinematic experience". You can listen to all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast@gmail.com and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts by visiting us on iTunes!

In this episode, Curt, Mike and Kim sit down with actor Wesam Keesh (MTV's Awkward, ABC's For the People and more) to tackle the recent headline news of The Cosby Show's Geoffrey Owens' candid discussions on the realities of the jobs we take to pay our bills while trying to pursue a career in the arts. In this roundtable episode, we talk openly about the craziest side-hustles we've all had to work to pay the bills, the societal stigma and shame that seems to be applied to people working regular day-jobs to support their art, the discipline of training like an athlete even when it comes to creativity, and the value of trying new things that scare the living daylights out of you.  You can find all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music or wherever you listen to podcasts and leave us a review and rating and let us know how the show has inspired you in your storytelling journey!  About Wesam Keesh: Wesam was raised most of his life in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Union High School and followed up the rest of acting, theater, and film study at the University of Tulsa. He spent a summer in London at Imperial College focusing on theatre and the arts. Wesam moved to Los Angeles immediately after college to begin his professional film and television career. For more info on Wesam or to see some of the amazing projects he's worked on, check out his IMDB at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3967234

It's the 10 year anniversary of Christopher Nolan's genre changing super hero crime drama The Dark Knight! In this episode, Curt, Kim, Mike and Eric take a deep dive into the 2nd installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy and examine the influence the film has had on the super hero genre as an art form, explore Heath Ledger's brilliant performance as The Joker and examine how the film holds up 10 years after its release. 

We take a look at the life and legacy of Fred Rogers and break down our reactions and thoughts to Morgan Neville's latest documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor, an in depth look at the the life, philosophy and heart of Fred Rogers. We also talk about Mister Roger's Neighborhood and the impact it had on our lives as both children and adults and its call to action for our modern age. In our What We've Been Watching segment, we dive into HBO's brilliant documentary Spielberg, Season 2 of the harrowing Hulu original series The Handmaid's Tale, and the poignant and essential manual for aspiring writers Letter's To a Young Novelist. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review! 

In this SUPER episode of the podcast, we take a look back at Pixar's groundbreaking 2004 film The Incredibles to discuss what influences it's had on the superhero genre as a whole and examine how it holds up 14 years later upon a rewatch. Then, we then delve into an in-depth, spoiler-filled roundtable conversation on Incredibles 2 to discuss our reactions, thoughts and takeaways on the super-sized super sequel 14 years in the making! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod 

In this SUPER-SIZED episode of the podcast, Eric Carroll joins Curt and Mike to remember the amazing storytelling that Anthony Bourdain brought to the world. We also talk about the incredible new horror/drama film Hereditary. Then we delve into the delicate and controversial waters of toxic tribalism, specifically in reference to the backlash of The Last Jedi and the fallout of bullying on social media. Is the pop culture we consume a substitute for virtue and what is the right way to approach criticism over a particular franchise, fandom or story? LINKS: WHY TOXIC TRIBALISM IS DESTROYING OUR SOCIETY AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT https://medium.com/@zaiderrr/why-toxic-tribalism-is-destroying-our-society-what-to-do-about-it-e05c3391d143 You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod 

In this episode of the podcast, Curt, Kim and Mike reflect on their vacation travels throughout the Caribbean and South America and see what stories inspired/impacted them during their adventures! They also discuss the positive impact that rest and reflection can have on the creative process. Take a listen as they share with each other how travel inspires story! You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! If you like what you hear, head on over to iTunes and leave us a review!  Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod   

In this episode, the conversation continues with our "Story Matters Film Retrospective"! We take a look at Mike's film choice with LA Confidential and its examination of police corruption and institutionalized coverup and look how it mirrors so much of the real world that we see today. Then we delve into Curt's pick of The Social Network and its insightful critique of social media and its sharp examination of a system that was specifically created to keep us distracted by and addicted to a never-ending validation feedback loop. We are so excited for this new roundtable format of the show and can't wait for you to hear what we've been working on! You can email your thoughts and feedback on this week's conversation and more by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Story Matters is made possible by Patreon.com/storymatters! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod 

Please welcome new co-hosts Kim Whalen (@itskimwhalen) and Mike Tobias (@miketobias) to the show! In this first episode of the new format of Story Matters, join Curt, Mike and Kim as they take a look at the world through the lens of story. In this episode, we talk about what we've been working on creatively and what obstacles we're facing in our own storytelling journey including the play Mike is writing, the stage musical Kim is directing and the feature film Curt is about to begin editing. We also take a look at the world around us and the stories we observe in our first "There's a Story Here" segment featuring an abandoned coffee shop, an open house and an Uber full of complete strangers! And then for our main course of the episode, the first edition of our "Story Matters Film Retrospective" where we take a deep dive into a trio of films that have all come to mean far more to us now years after their release on both a personal and cultural/societal level. First up is Kim's pick: the Pixar classic WALL-E! We take a deep dive into the futuristic world of Wall-E and examine what it means now for us in 2018. We are so excited for this new roundtable format of the show and can't wait for you to hear what we've been working on! You can email your thoughts and feedback on this week's conversation and more by emailing storymatterspodcast@gmail.com. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Story Matters is made possible by Patreon.com/storymatters! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod   

In this episode, I take you back to the first time I donned a costume and became The Texas Ranger, hero of the Wild West. Along my journey into my past, I rediscover the power of embodying a character, the wonder of imagining a world beyond your reality, and the magic of superhero cape made from the leftover scraps at the craft store. You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Story Matters is made possible by Patreon.com/storymatters! Join the Story Matters Community: Patreon.com/storymatters Facebook: www.facebook.com/storymatterspodcast Instagram: @storymatterspodcast Twitter: @storymatterspod    

In this special bonus radio play episode of the podcast, David is in WAY over his head on a first date with date Zoe, a comic-book super-fan and cosplay aficionado, at the midnight premiere of Avengers Infinity War. Unfortunately for David, his dad, Bruce, is making the date even more awkward then he could have possibly imagined...  This episode is brought to you by the amazing Patrons over at Patreon.com/storymatters and was written by Sebastian Gregory, Alex Barrett, Sammi-Jayne Blackman and Curt Mega. It features Rachid Fakhoury as David, Kim Whalen as Zoe and Curt Mega as Bruce!  You can find all episodes of the podcast at www.storymatterspodcast.com and become a Patron of Story Matters at www.Patreon.com/storymatters!