Podcasts about Screenplay

The lessons that shape us often come from the places we never planned to go and the challenges we never expected to face. In this conversation, I speak with Eric Fisher about the experiences that shaped his approach to mental wellness, resilience, grief, and personal growth. Eric shares how martial arts taught him balance, self-control, and perseverance, and how those lessons now help him guide people through addiction recovery, relationship challenges, and life's hardest moments. We explore the realities of grief, the power of trust, the difference between inpatient and outpatient counseling, and why healing often begins with self-acceptance. Eric also discusses his books, including The Martial Art of Recovery and Buried Alive, revealing how personal experiences and family stories continue to shape his work. If you've ever faced loss, adversity, addiction, or the challenge of rebuilding after setbacks, I believe you will find both practical insights and encouragement in Eric's story. Highlights: 08:10 - Eric shares lessons learned from his FBI internship experience. 18:43 - A friend's crisis leads Eric and his wife to move to New Zealand. 23:38 - Martial arts becomes a foundation for recovery and mental wellness. 37:05 - Eric reflects on grief, loss, and the importance of support. 43:12 - Self-acceptance plays a critical role in addiction recovery. 50:26 - Couples learn to face problems together instead of against each other. About the Guest: Eric Fisher, a Canadian transplant, is a counselling therapist who resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally from Tennessee, he has over 15 years of experience working outpatient and inpatient treatment settings in the US and Canada. He has two books published at this time: The Martial Art of Recovery: Self-Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness, and Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in EyeMovement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. Eric's private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families both locally and remotely. In the past, Eric has supervised masters-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. He has won multiple awards for his screenwriting: The Departure - official finalist in biographical/historical genre - 2014 Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest. Only 16 Miles - Finalist - 2014 Horror Screenplay Contest. Universal Escapade (Finalist - Top 25) - WeScreenplay International Screenplay Competition. Hipster Z (co-written) - best feature screenplay - 2017 Action On Film International Film Festival. Hipster Z - Best horror/comedy Screenplay - 2017 International Horror Hotel Film Fest. Additionally, Eric has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. One interesting thing about Eric is that he had the opportunity to be an intern with the FBI -- twice. Eric enjoys hiking and riding his bike outdoors, music concerts, tasting new food dishes to keep his taste buds guessing, travelling near and far, and meeting people. . Ways to connect with Eric: Website: https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/ericfisherauthor  Instagram - @recoveryartscounselling - https://www.instagram.com/recoveryartscounselling/ @ericfisherwriter - https://www.instagram.com/ericfisherwriter Linkedin - Eric Fisher - www.linkedin.com/in/eric-m-fisher-5b83724a Facebook - Recovery Arts Counselling - https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryArtsCounselling About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:03 One of the biggest things holding you back isn't what's in front of you, but rather what you believe. Welcome to Unstoppable Mindset, where inclusion, diversity, and the unexpected meet. I'm your host, Michael Hingson, speaker, author, and advocate for inclusion and possibilities. This podcast explores how the beliefs we carry shape the way we live, lead, and connect with others. Each week, I talk with people who challenge assumptions, face adversity head on, and show what's possible when we choose curiosity over fear. Together we focus on mindset, resilience, and the small shifts that lead to meaningful change. Let's get started. Well, hello there, everyone. I am your host Michael Hinkson, and you have found the Unstoppable Mindset Podcast. Today, we get to chat with Eric Fisher, who is a rather interesting person. I believe he's a counseling therapist, he's a transplant, he now lives in Calgary, but he used to live in Tennessee, very similar. I'm sure we'll have to find out more about that, but I'm really glad that that you're here with us. Eric, welcome to Unstoppable Mindset. Eric Fisher  01:29 Yes, thank you for having me on, Michael. I appreciate it. Glad to be here. Michael Hingson  01:32 Well, I'm going to have to ask, how did you get from Tennessee to Calgary, besides by Claire? But you know, but Speaker 1  01:41 it's a bit to make a long story short. The wife, you know, yeah, she's from Calgary originally, so I surrendered up here. Michael Hingson  01:52 Yeah, well, is there a backstory that you want to tell? Speaker 1  01:57 You know, the quick version would be from Mississippi to New Zealand to Calgary, and that was over a span of, you know, two and a half years, and then finally to Calgary. After those other two places, was she Michael Hingson  02:10 with you during all of those? Mississippi, New Zealand, and then Calgary. Speaker 1  02:14 She was for the long haul. Yeah, yeah, she's experienced humidity and the dryness, all the extremes. Michael Hingson  02:24 When we moved to New Jersey in 1996 my wife didn't really want to go. She was a California native, but it was where the job had to take me, and it was either that or go find a new job, and I really didn't want to undertake a job search, because that's pretty traumatic. So, especially if you happen to be blind, because people think blind people really can't do stuff, and that's why the unemployment rate among employable blind people is in the 70% range. So the bottom line is that we moved to New Jersey, we were there for six years, and then of course the World Trade Center happened, which is kind of a dramatic way to allow us to get back to California, but it worked, so here we are. Speaker 1  03:05 Yeah, that is a lot of different places, and it's unfortunate with that percentage, right? Michael Hingson  03:10 Yeah, well, and she passed. She was in a wheelchair her whole life, and she passed in November of 2022 We were married 40 years, and I'm sure she's monitoring me from somewhere, so I work on continuing to be a good kid, because if I'm not, I'm going to hear about it somehow, Speaker 1  03:27 one way or another. There's, there's still some surveillance happening. There Michael Hingson  03:31 is, I am absolutely sure of it. Well, tell us kind of about the early era growing up, and all that. Speaker 1  03:37 Grew up in Arkansas, yeah, Newport, Arkansas, you know, grew up behind a Walmart in a small subdivision, and moved to Tennessee at an early age. I was around five years old, going over, going on six at the time, I believe, and so I understand what it means to kind of get uprooted from somewhere and place somewhere else, and my dad was in the medical profession, so that's the reason that we moved, and so that's a little bit about that. My mom's family is from Kansas City, so I really did enjoy going up to the city there and being with my mom's family during holiday seasons. That was really my only exposure to, like, a city, like an urban population, more than what I experienced anywhere else. So, and yeah, got one brother, played with him a lot, and a lot of it was being creative outside, getting outside and doing stuff, and having fun outside, you know, little bit different from a lot of kids today, perhaps. Michael Hingson  04:44 Yeah, well, it's also a lot scarier, I think, today, even though there's a lot of value in being outside. There are just so many crazy things going on. It's got to be scarier for kids, and certainly even more scary for parents, and they tend. To want to really monitor their, their children a lot more, and that's got us pluses, minuses, but it still has got to be really scary to let them just go outside. Speaker 1  05:09 Yeah, just, you know, looking at what's on the news and the possibilities of what could happen. Michael Hingson  05:16 Yeah, so where did you, or did you go to college? I assume you went to college. Speaker 1  05:22 I did. Yeah, I went to a small private Christian university in Tennessee called Freed Hardiman, and you know it was interesting because there's this whole thing about townies versus us being called freedies because of Freed Hardman. The course, the joke is, you know, free hardly because of the expense of going to the institution. Yeah. Michael Hingson  05:48 Well, with your experience and your observation in life, what do you think about going to a small college as opposed to a larger college? Speaker 1  05:55 I really enjoyed it, being from a rural area. I mean, it was a good transition for me, and just getting to know people I feel like might have been easier in a more rural setting, as opposed to urban. Michael Hingson  06:10 I went to University of California, Irvine, way back, starting in 1968 and when we started at UCI, there were like 25 2600 students, and I think when I graduated with my bachelor's, it was like a little over 3000 students, but I loved the fact that it was a smaller college. I think it was for me a lot better, and I, I really like the smaller college environment, and I understand why colleges have advantages when they're bigger, but by the same token, for students, if you want to really stand out, it's kind of harder to do with a big college. Well, and now University of California, Irvine, where I went to school, has 32,000 undergrads in it, Speaker 1  06:52 32,000 as opposed to the around, that's a huge jump from like 25 2600 yeah, Michael Hingson  07:00 yeah, and so it's, it's a huge place. I was there last a year and a half ago. I was invited to join. I couldn't do it as an as a student because the chapter was formed just as I was leaving, but Phi Beta Kappa, and they heard about me along the way, and I was invited to join as an alumni member back in 2024 So that's the last time I've been to UC Irvine. What a huge place! Speaker 1  07:29 Wow, yeah. Of course, UC Michael Hingson  07:30 Irvine, UCI really stands for Under Construction Indefinitely, so you know Speaker 1  07:38 they make that, they made that kind of humorous remark up here, with like winter and construction, that's the two seasons of Calgary. Yes, I totally get that. Michael Hingson  07:47 My brother-in-law lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, in Ketchum, and has been a skier for most of his life, and in the summer he's a master cabinet maker. Now he's a general contractor, but he's thinking about retiring, but in the winter everything goes by the wayside for skiing, Speaker 1  08:10 everyone's out on the slopes, you know. Well, and what he did Michael Hingson  08:12 to even make it more fun is he got his professional ski guide status in Europe and became a professional ski guide, taking people to do off-piece skiing in the French Alps, which is, Speaker 1  08:25 that's really nice, awesome. Michael Hingson  08:28 I love to, I love to say that I'm not gonna go skiing, because I know those trees are out to try to get me. Speaker 1  08:35 They start to grow their branches, you know? They just spring Michael Hingson  08:38 out at you when you're not looking. Speaker 1  08:40 Yes, I just.. Michael Hingson  08:42 I've never skied. I don't have anything against it. It's just not one of those things that I've done, but he enjoys it, and I'm sure it's a lot of fun to do. Speaker 1  08:51 Yeah, I can appreciate people that do. Michael Hingson  08:53 Yeah. Well, what did you do after college? Well, you got your undergrad, then you went on. Speaker 1  08:58 Yeah, so after my undergrad, I stayed at the university, and you know, I had a bachelor's in psych, and I was like, well, what do I do with this degree? And so I decided to move forward, since I didn't see too much availability, and did a master's in clinical mental health counseling, and during that time of my master's, I was able to intern with the FBI, which was a great opportunity. Michael Hingson  09:25 What caused you to do that? Speaker 1  09:28 I found, I mean, part of it was just a lot of curiosity, and of course, watching a lot of media and the work that they do. Yet I also found the possibility of implementing the psychology from a law enforcement angle on a federal level with this, so I did interning in my bachelor's FBI, that was really nice at a local office, and then later on in my master's at the FBI headquarters in DC, and just really interested in just the field and this the different. Psychological opportunities, Michael Hingson  10:02 you didn't stick with it, though. Or Speaker 1  10:05 I did the internships, I did the agent exam, and failed. Oh boy, just kind of had my time with it, and then moved on. It was a great experience. Michael Hingson  10:16 What you learned from it, the Speaker 1  10:19 importance of teamwork, the importance of community, the importance of intention to detail, and I can't say how I came to those, because then I have to bring up certain things that I can't talk about, but yeah, just the importance of being able to work with other people from other walks of life, and just seeing everyone's different perspectives is something that I learned, coming from, you know, small town, quite homogeneous, small university, and then being able to meet people from different parts of the country, even different territories, like Wall, it was, it was amazing to branch out and just have that life experience, Michael Hingson  11:06 get a lot of different experiences, and you saw how people in other parts of the world live, which obviously has to be an interesting perspective. Speaker 1  11:18 Yes, yes, it was really interesting, and just seeing how they think and their outlook on the world, and I had to take a polygraph examination for both internships, so the importance of honesty, and not that I didn't think honesty was important before, but definitely when you're under the microscope of being asked yes or no questions, it's an interesting experience. Michael Hingson  11:40 Yeah, well, I guess you must have passed the lie detector test. They didn't throw you away or put you in jail. Speaker 1  11:48 That's right. Neither of those happened. I did have one question asked of me that was a little bit ambiguous. It was coming up that I deceived. It's something that happened earlier in the day, and then they asked me about it, and then I said something that was not the truth, and then I explained the reasoning as to why. And then the agent was like, okay, thanks for letting me know, it's all good. It's like, okay, that's good. Michael Hingson  12:21 Yeah, they have to be pretty skilled interrogators to really be able to do that, and, and ask questions, and I, and I know no matter what's going on with the lie detector technology, they're observing you as well, so they're looking for things, and I suppose it's possible to fool the lie detector technology, but I know that it continues to get better too. Speaker 1  12:45 Yeah, and wondering if that's because, like, people are sociopaths, or they don't have any - they actually believe what they're saying. Yeah, yeah, Michael Hingson  12:54 I've never taken lie detector tests, but I know that for me, I'm not a good fibber, so I've got to tell the truth, and like I said, my wife's watching anyway, so I gotta always be a good kid. Speaker 1  13:06 If you were taking a lie detector test knuckle and you said something, you might get an invisible slap, like, oh, Michael Hingson  13:12 exactly, Speaker 2  13:13 okay, I get it, or Michael Hingson  13:16 a poke or something. Yeah, yeah, no. So, better, better to just be honest about it, but yeah, I understand what you're saying, but it is, it is fascinating. I'd love to experience taking a test sometime, but because I only understand all about it intellectually, having never seen it on television or anything like that, but by the same token, I'm glad that the technology exists, and I'm glad that the people do what they do, and I, I too very much believe in law enforcement. I believe in the value of the FBI and police, and so on. I took a couple of police-oriented courses when I was at UC Irvine. We had an engineering professor who was a reserve deputy sheriff, so we, we got to do ride-alongs, and even went down and visited the Orange County Jail once, and you know, because he, he said it all, so it's kind of fun to be able to do it, and I learned a lot and value that. Speaker 1  14:19 That's awesome. I'm glad you had that experience. Michael Hingson  14:21 Yeah, I think it's kind of cool to be able to have had that. So, you got a master's degree? Did you get a PhD? Speaker 1  14:29 No, you know, I was encouraged to do so, to pilot higher and deeper, as the PhD acronym goes. Yeah, and I just, I decided to not go that route. Michael Hingson  14:40 So, what did you do after you got your master's? Speaker 1  14:43 After the master's, I started to do well. I was doing my practicum during the master's, yet after the master's, I started to work primarily where I did my practicum in Mississippi and started actually doing counseling work. So I was doing what's called a mobile therapist. For this organization, where I would go to people's houses and speak with people, do counseling work, which was pretty cool. I got to be out in the community, meet a lot of folks, made confidentiality sometimes a little bit of a challenge, small town. And then two days a week I was in the office, doing whoever came in through the clinic, so I was in the, I was in the work, I was in the grind, just doing what I had been trained to do. Definitely learning on the job, though, for sure. Michael Hingson  15:27 Where in Mississippi, Speaker 1  15:29 Corinth, Mississippi, which is like right at the state line. Yeah, they actually have a road called State Line Road, where houses on one side, North or Tennessee houses on the other side have Mississippi license plates. Michael Hingson  15:45 That's pretty funny. In New Jersey, when we lived there, there were a number of streets in towns that had a very interesting environment, and that is that every town had its own tax base. There wasn't a statewide thing for property taxes and everything else, or for a lot of taxes, so every town had its own, and you could be on a street where someone may pay 1213, $14,000 a year in taxes, and if you lived on the other side of the street, you were in a different town, and your taxes were like 4800 $5,000 Speaker 1  16:24 Whoa, no, Michael Hingson  16:26 it's crazy. Speaker 1  16:27 That is a sheer difference. Michael Hingson  16:30 It is a huge difference, and the other thing that that we experienced is that a lot of the the work is done by lawyers when you're closing a house, for example. Back there, they didn't really have escrow, was all done through attorneys, and so on. And some of those people were involved in the tax stuff as well. It's kind of a very fascinating and interesting place to be, certainly different than what we experienced in California. Speaker 1  16:57 Yes, that sounds like a very, very different type of experience, for sure. Wow, wow. Okay, Michael Hingson  17:04 but you know things happen. Well, so you, you started doing counseling and therapy, and as you said, and I can appreciate how it must have been difficult sometimes from a confidentiality standpoint, because it is a small town and people overhear or talk about, and that's not always a good thing. Speaker 1  17:24 Yeah, you know, things like that come up. You know, you hear the whispers, and one time I was actually trying to find a place in a lower-income part of town, and I was doing circles in the neighborhood, and a police cruiser started to follow me, and so I stopped my car, got out with my credentials, towed the towed the police officer who I worked for, and then he was just kind of like, oh, okay, carry on. So, did Michael Hingson  17:46 you ask him for directions? Speaker 1  17:49 You know what, I did not know, like that would have made sense. I'm trying to look at find this house, never. Oh, over there, sir? Okay, but no, I did not. Michael Hingson  18:05 So, how long were you in Mississippi? Then Speaker 1  18:09 I was in Mississippi from around 2009 to 2013 I want to say, we left. We left for New Zealand for the whole year 2013 so no, 2012 sorry, the end of 2012 so about three and a half, three or so years. Okay, yeah. How did you Michael Hingson  18:33 meet your wife in all this Speaker 1  18:34 online? Yeah, back when it was clandestine, like you met somebody online, are they an ax murderer? Can you trust them? Do you need to get references, which she did. Yeah, yeah. And we checked you out, huh? She checked me out for sure. She even called people that I gave references for. And then we courted for two and a half years. And then after that, tied the knot in Tennessee, moved to Mississippi. Well, she moved to Mississippi, where I was already living, and yeah, we were there until we went to New Zealand about 10 months later. Michael Hingson  19:06 So she was living in Tennessee at the time, Speaker 1  19:09 she was up here in Calgary, or she was in Calgary. Michael Hingson  19:12 Okay, Speaker 1  19:12 we, we got married in Tennessee, Michael Hingson  19:14 okay. Well, that's that's cool though. What, what prompted the trip and moving to New Zealand for a year, I've been there, and I actually spent three weeks there, and very much enjoy it. Speaker 1  19:28 Whereabouts? Well, I wanted to ask, all over New Michael Hingson  19:30 Zealand, I mean, I was there with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. They asked me to come and speak in 2003 talk about September 11, and so on, and they were trying to raise funds, so we helped them raise something like over $375,000 in a three week period, and literally I had 21 speaking events in 13 days all over both islands. Speaker 1  19:55 Wow, that's that's a, that's a lot of speaking events, and a certain amount of days. Days you've been, you probably been close more than I've been, more places than I've been. So, what, what prompted the move was a friend of mine I had made previously being there. He reached out to me through just electronic media. He was having a spiritual emergency, and he asked me, he asked me to come to come help him, and so I just said, "Sure, let's do it. My wife and I left the rental unit, the rental house where we were staying, and left furniture behind, two cars behind, appliances, and we just, just left him, or there for 13 months, didn't look, didn't look back. Michael Hingson  20:45 Did you spend any time in Dunedin while you were there? Speaker 1  20:49 We didn't spend any time in Dunedin. We weren't only there for like a week when we did some vacation time. Michael Hingson  20:57 Yeah, I, they gave me literally a half, three quarters of a day off from speaking. In fact, they said you can play in Dunedin, and so we were there, and it was one, I guess, was a one full day. They had some unique toys to play with in New Zealand. They had a thing called a bungee rocket. Have you ever heard of that? Speaker 1  21:22 A bungee rocket. No. So, Michael Hingson  21:24 you know what bungee cords are, and you stretch them out and all that. Well, the bungee rocket, you attach bungee cords to this platform, this cage, but the bungee cords are attached to a device way up high, and then they're also attached to this plat, this cage, then they pull the cage down, and they fasten it, so the bungee cords are very stretched, and then people get in, and they sit down, and they fasten seat belts, and then when everybody's all secure, they loose the platform, and the bungee cords pull this thing up like a rocket. Speaker 1  22:01 Whoa, yeah. I wasn't about to do that. I was with someone who Michael Hingson  22:05 did, and he came off apparently as white as a sheet. He said, "I'm never gonna do that. Speaker 1  22:10 It was a one and done experience for him. It was Michael Hingson  22:16 for me. It was, "I'm not gonna do that, brother. And I had my guide dog, and somebody would have held the dog, but I wouldn't do that. I have other memories, which are more fun, I think, and probably for me more pleasurable. Speaker 1  22:31 Yeah, one of the things we did down on the South Island was some knife making, and it was really.. it was something I surprised my family with. They didn't know we were doing that day, and this guy was hilarious. I mean, something straight out of a documentary about New Zealand, as far as, like, locals, you would see he had a witty sense of humor, and he would, he would like, finish off the knives for us after we did the preliminary steps, just to make them look nice. Yeah, that was one of my favorite memories down there. Michael Hingson  23:00 Wow, yeah, I've, I've got a lot of memories, even though it was back in 2003 so 22 years, 22 and a half years, but I love the memories, and love being down there was a wonderful place, Speaker 1  23:13 awesome, so that was pretty cool. Well, so you, you came back, and, and you eventually ended up in, in Calgary, which is, which is great. So, what do you do now? Got a few hands in a few honey jars. I have a private practice for the counseling. I work for a retreat center company out of a place called Brad Creek, called Vita Wellness. I work for a nonprofit up in a place called Erdrie as a consultant. I work for a clinic remotely that's in the city as an associate. Am I forgetting anything? I think that's the main ones right now. Also, work doing like couples therapy for a relationship-based app. Yeah, so that's a lot of people that are in the States, there. So, it's yeah, few things to keep me busy. Speaker 3  24:13 If you enjoy Unstoppable Mindset and would like to help us continue bringing these conversations to you each week, we've created a way for you to support the show. Your contribution helps us cover production costs and continue sharing stories, insights, and ideas that inspire people to live with purpose and possibility. If supporting the podcast feels right for you, you'll find the link in the show notes. Thank you for being part of the unstoppable mindset community, Michael Hingson  24:47 they do well. You also write Speaker 1  24:50 that as well. Yeah, Michael Hingson  24:52 you've written a couple of books, and I guess you've also done some screenwriting and all that, and love to hear more about all that. Tell. You bought your books. Speaker 1  25:01 Yeah, the first book that I published, self-published, and that was two years ago now. That was called, that is called The Martial Art of Recovery: Self Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness. Say three times real fast. So, yeah, that book is all about the intersection of martial arts concepts with addiction and mental health treatment, so that has personal experiences, and my times in the martial arts, and also I just bring in like holistic health techniques, and also I get some interviews, some of them are a little bit shorter than others, but at least some some chunks from people that I know in different disciplines, different fields, like an old martial arts teacher, a medicine family medicine doctor here in the Calgary area, people like that. So that was that was about a 14 month writing experience before it was published. Michael Hingson  25:57 When was it published? Speaker 1  26:00 Back in March of 2023 Michael Hingson  26:05 Okay, not your first book. Speaker 1  26:07 Not that's my first book. Yes, Michael Hingson  26:09 yeah, Speaker 2  26:10 yeah. Michael Hingson  26:12 What do you, what do you think of being an author and the whole experience of writing? Speaker 1  26:19 There was not. there was a lack of faith, for sure. I had a really difficult time, even acknowledging, "Hey, this is something I could do. Had a lot of self-doubt, and so even the process I found pretty daunting, pretty, like pretty challenging, for sure. And I do enjoy the process. It's like a double helix, though. I, I enjoy it, yet it kind of puts the screws to me, as far as enjoyment, but also challenge, yet I do enjoy the experience and being able to get my voice out there, yet I listen to someone else talk about publishing, and the person said, you know what, when you publish it, now it's that person's turn to take it on and they can make it their own, Michael Hingson  27:04 yeah. Speaker 1  27:04 So I found that to be a really cool way to look at it. So yeah, and I enjoy it. It's been, it's been good, it's been fun. Michael Hingson  27:13 And then you wrote a second book, Speaker 1  27:15 I did. Yeah, that one's called Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. It's a lot more personal, I think, because it is about a true story that happened to my dad, and something that was quite harrowing for him, which, yes, as the book title suggests, is what happened, and part of the book is about the interviews I did with the three men involved with this very scary incident back in February of 2000 so 25 years now, and talks about their different perspectives on what happened that day when they were digging for Native American artifacts, arrowheads, and I bring in some self-help concepts that apply to what happened that day, and also just for anyone that's looking to bring those into their own lives, Michael Hingson  28:03 what happened? Speaker 1  28:05 Yeah, so they were digging at what's called an overhang, which is like a cliff face that shuts out small little, I don't know if you would even call it a cave, but there was a place underneath the overhang that kind of came in anyway, when Native Americans would come to an area, they wouldn't ever bring dirt out, they would always bring dirt in, and so there was so much dirt that was piled up over the years that my dad and the people that were digging with him, I was there six months to the day before this incident happened, we would, we would have to dig, they would dig to get to their arrowheads that were quite far down underneath the dirt, Michael Hingson  28:46 yeah, Speaker 1  28:47 yeah, yeah, and so this unfortunate day, my dad was in a hole, probably I don't know, eight or nine feet, and a little dirt fell on him, and you know, he kind of joked with his friend Jason, who was further up this hall, and a few seconds later all that dirt just came in, just, just quickly, automatically. He was vanished without a trace, and then a big rock came down on that dirt. If it wasn't for that third person that decided to come that very morning, they did not come before. His name's Jerry. Then I'm sure that my dad would have died, Michael Hingson  29:25 because Speaker 1  29:25 there was no way that Jason, who also was stuck up to like his knee in dirt, could have got out in time to get the rock and then to unearth my dad. So, Michael Hingson  29:39 yeah, a fascinating book. Now, you, you self-published that one as well. Speaker 1  29:43 I did, didn't wait around, just went ahead, and yeah. Michael Hingson  29:49 Do you have other books in you? Speaker 1  29:51 I have one done. I needed to get it edited, and editorial reviews, and get my book cover designer over in Italy to do her magic. She did on the last two books, so yeah, I do have one in the, in the oven. Michael Hingson  30:05 Can you tell us a little about what it will be about, or what it's called, or anything? Speaker 1  30:08 Sure, the book right now is called I'm Listening, and it's all about my experiences, my pitfalls, my learnings as a therapist, and so it's a bit of a memoir of my professional work in the field, and some, some personal experiences. Michael Hingson  30:25 I think one of the most powerful things about books, especially when you're, when you're dealing with more nonfiction, because fiction books usually have stories with them, but a lot of nonfiction books don't really provide enough, I think, of a personal inroad to the individual who wrote the book. One of my big beliefs, one of my pet peeves, is I think textbooks are so boring, like physics. My master's degree is in physics, and I maintain that the big problem is that none of the physics professors who are writing all these books ever put anything in about their own personal experiences to really get people excited because of of their their stories and what they can teach through their stories. It's just all math and equations and and words, just about the physics, but never the other part. I think that textbooks would be better if they put some stories in them, Speaker 1  31:22 I think. So, too, I think people's eyes wouldn't come out of their sockets, and they wouldn't, you know, be comatose. You know, they can actually keep up, and they can be engaged and involved with the material. Yeah, Michael Hingson  31:35 I had a colleague when we were at UC Irvine. We were in the same physics class together, and he had this one book, and he noticed that there didn't seem to really be any typos or whatever in it, and he meticulously, through the whole quarter, went through that whole book, and I think he finally found one misspelled word, and he was so proud of both that there were there were no others other than the one, but that he found one misspelled word we do with our lives. Speaker 1  32:07 What people do sometimes for kicks. Well, I'm glad. I wonder where that word was. Like, did he go through the whole book, and it's like on the last page, or you know, where is that at? It was Michael Hingson  32:22 near the end, but it wasn't on the last page, but it was.. it was.. it took him a long time to find it. Speaker 1  32:29 I wanted to do that with my first book. I could have easily done a book about the intersection of martial arts themes with, you know, mental wellness, but I mean, why not? I mean, I had that experience for over four years in the martial arts. Why not do that? Michael Hingson  32:48 So, tell me about that. You've mentioned martial arts several times, so obviously you've had some involvement with martial arts. Speaker 1  32:54 I have. Yeah, so when I was a preteen, I got a black belt in what's called a Water Rule Karate, so it's like W A D O R Y U, and when I was a teenager, like 16 to 18, I was doing what's called American Campo, and that did have a little bit of Jiu Jitsu thrown into the mix, Michael Hingson  33:16 so what prompted the interest in doing that Speaker 1  33:20 first was my dad, you know, part of my family was interested, so the guy, why not? And I don't know at that time whether I was experiencing bullying. Unfortunately, I experienced bullying like going to church before church started, which was unfortunate, say. So I mean, I think it was just a really good experience for me, looking back for balance and discipline in that way, and getting to meet people in the community. I can't, I can't initially remember what prompted that. My dad was interested, my brother was too, so was I. And then when I was 16, I was like, let's pick it up, let's do something different, let's try something new, and so we were able to go to this really small outfit, which was called the Snake Pit at the time, very different from the more like larger dojo in the community from my early years. Michael Hingson  34:14 What has being involved with the martial arts done to help you or to you or for you in dealing with mental wellness and the whole issue of what you do today. How is martial arts affecting all of that? Speaker 1  34:35 Yeah, it's a really good question. Martial arts showed me the importance of balance when we're doing sparring, when we're doing more, so when we're doing training on techniques, I can't be too far away when I'm sparring someone, because then it's not natural, it's not organic, nor, but I can be so close that I might hit them, so there needs to be some type of balance and self control, and that's. Something else, as well as being out of some self control. Yeah, Michael Hingson  35:05 well, martial arts is, I understand, it seems to me, as much about your mental being as learning physical techniques, because there is a whole lot that really comes down to how you approach it mentally. Am I correct? Speaker 1  35:24 Yeah, there's a big piece when it comes to stamina. When I was doing sparring, I actually had to find a place between being so passive, but also not being super aggressive. Like, how do I get that mental, emotional stamina to do this powering, you know, in a way that was quite balanced. Yes, but there is a lot when it comes to being in touch with my body, being in touch with where my mind is, with focus, with being not beating myself up, not really being perfect, or trying to achieve perfection. Yet, there's a certain vulnerability that comes with that in the mind, and also when it comes to the body, Michael Hingson  36:06 how so Speaker 1  36:10 well, there's vulnerability just simply with doing different techniques, because if you don't, if you don't like being touched, then it's going to be really difficult, because there's often a lot of touch happening, and and when it comes to the mind, it's there's vulnerability with putting myself out there and being seen by others, because we're often watching one another with training, and so there is this piece around vulnerability around, hey, you know what, whatever they think, okay, they can think I'm still working on this technique, Michael Hingson  36:40 mm and it, and it does, as you grow mentally with, with martial arts, I'm sure that it also helps in terms of your resilience. Speaker 1  36:55 Resilience plays a key factor, indeed, because you know, when it comes to even with sparring, you know, getting hit, I can't just kind of, oh, I got hit and I want to go back and I want to go in the corner. Well, no, I've got to keep going. Yeah, gotta keep moving, gotta keep walking and deflecting, and you know, going with the punches. And I, there was one experience with a young man, at least two years younger than me, he was a silver glove boxer, like a champion silver glove, and there had to be some resilience for me there, because I was getting clobbered, I was getting, I was getting hit over and over, because he was using a boxing type of, you know, boxing moves I wasn't used to defending against, and he was quick, and there comes a certain level of humility when it comes to being in the martial arts as well, because there's going to be experiences like that. Michael Hingson  37:49 Well, did you eventually get to the point where you could defend yourself against him? Speaker 1  37:55 He wasn't there for too long. Yeah, the more yet, the more that I was able to work with him, the more I was able to, you know, understand a little bit more where he was coming from with the moves, Michael Hingson  38:05 right. Well, in your life and all the things that you've done, have you experienced grief in any way? And kind of, what was that? Speaker 1  38:14 Yeah, there was a moment, there wasn't an issue when it came to a disenfranchised loss. My wife had a silent miscarriage, and so that was pretty brutal. How that turned out for her, and vicariously for me, and seeing her go through that really difficult, emotionally painful situation was hard. And so I mean, I've sure I've lost all but one grandparent at this point, and I did lose some child, like one childhood friend, when I was 16 to a car accident that was pretty brutal. Yet this loss was, yeah, was really difficult, because it's something that a lot of people don't understand, they don't want to talk about, they don't know what to say, or it's really difficult just to listen, and that was hard. Michael Hingson  39:09 Yeah, but at the same time, as you well know, from all that you've experienced, God doesn't give us things that we can't handle, and we have to learn to move forward Speaker 1  39:22 with resilience, with God's help. Michael Hingson  39:24 Yeah, Speaker 1  39:24 yeah, with prayer, perseverance. Yeah, Michael Hingson  39:27 I lost my father, actually, on November 1 of 1984 and my mother in May of 1987 and then my brother actually developed breast cancer in 2011 and they, they dealt with it, and he went into remission, but it came back, and he didn't take care of himself very well, as I understand it, because he lived in Florida, and we were in California, but anyway, it came back, and it metastasized, and so we lost him in 2015 so at the same time. Yeah, there were relatives on my wife's side that we lost a couple very unexpectedly, and yeah, you do learn to deal with grief, but you learn that you got to go forward, and so when Karen passed in 2022 at least it wasn't totally all of a sudden, so I had some time to prepare, but you know, I still miss her, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Speaker 1  40:23 Yeah, for sure. I, and I mean, losing your parents around two and a half or so years apart, and with your brother, and then with your wife, that's a lot. That's a lot. Yet I hear that even though there was some preparation time for you, it can still be, it can still be difficult, it can still hit the nail, you know. I was doing some grief work, a grief course, and they showed us this poem called Whose Whose Grief Is Worse, basically. And there were these two experiences of someone that lost someone suddenly and someone that knew, and at the end of the poem. Basically, it's both are painful. There is no worse grief. Michael Hingson  41:05 There's no, there's no wrong or right answer to all of that. It's, it's different, but we all can learn to deal with it. I know when the events of September 11 happened, for me, ironically, the greatest blessing I had was that the media got my story and we started getting a lot of requests for interviews and my wife and I decided we would accept them and I got asked so many questions by so many different reporters, some dumb questions were absolutely stupid, idiotic questions, but some that were very insightful, and so I probably was able to move on from that day much more because of all of the questions and getting used to dealing with those questions than anything else that could have come along. It Speaker 1  41:58 was a choice, and you probably appreciated those reporters that took the time to ask those carefully planned questions. Michael Hingson  42:06 I've had some people, no matter how many times the story gets repeated, who still say, "What were you doing in the World Trade Center, anyway? And I'm sitting there going, "Have you read Thunderdog? Have you read any of the stories in the press? What do you mean, what was I doing in the World Trade Center? Speaker 1  42:23 It's not like, you know, it's out there, you know, it's been published, you can read it. Yeah, Michael Hingson  42:30 I wasn't a spy for the terrorists, I can tell you that. Speaker 1  42:36 I wouldn't, I wouldn't have thought that for a second, Michael Hingson  42:41 but but, but you know, things happen, and you never know where you're going to be, you never know what might come up, and it's just one of those things that we, we all really need to deal with in one way or another, and that's just what's so important. Speaker 1  42:56 Absolutely, you know, one of the quotes I heard from my training was, and I take it with me, and I, I definitely relate to it personally. Is joy shared is joy doubled, and grief shared is grief halved, and the stuff we're doing, even today, and even those listening that might have been through grief, is as long as we're able to talk about it, and just talk about something that does not make any sense whatsoever to us, that's part of the healing process. Michael Hingson  43:23 Yeah, it's important to talk about it. It's important to share, and I understand you want to be careful. You don't want to just talk necessarily about it with anyone, but you do need to find people that you can share with and that you can talk to about Speaker 1  43:39 it. Totally, yeah, the grocery store clerk, you know, that I'm getting my bread and butter from, maybe they're not ready for that, that particular topic, Michael Hingson  43:48 yeah, Speaker 1  43:48 yeah, Michael Hingson  43:50 and and the thing that we all need to do is to really, I think, do a lot more to listen to our inner voice, it'll tell us what we need to do if we listen, Speaker 1  43:58 yes, I believe that for sure, I've seen, I've seen that. Yeah, Michael Hingson  44:03 so you've dealt with all the, this, the psychological work that you do. You dealt with addiction, and so on. How does martial arts play into that? What have you learned from martial arts that helps you in dealing with recovery from addiction? Speaker 1  44:16 Oh, well, where to start. I think that one piece to really focus on is this concept of self love, and I don't mean self love like I'm better than other people out there, but just being okay with where I'm at for myself, but still pushing myself to learn new things, so some acceptance about where I'm at when it comes to martial arts, that has to be there. I might not be doing the technique perfectly, and I, there was times where I could really easily beat myself up mentally, like, "Oh, why can't I get this? Yet it's just trying to take a step back and see that I'm worthy enough to make the. Approach to make these changes when it comes to addiction. I'm worthy enough to seek out help. These feelings I have that they're okay to feel, and I don't have to beat myself up for this. Michael Hingson  45:11 Yeah, because addiction is is a disease, and I think anyone who condemns somebody just because, for example, they use drugs, and, well, they shouldn't do that. They're dumb for doing it. They really miss assess what's going on. Speaker 1  45:28 People that have that mindset that it's more of a mere choice, they don't understand that if you put, you know, a shot of alcohol in front of someone and you tell them not to drink it, and you put a gun on them, they're going to be wondering, maybe he'll slip his hand off the trigger, you know, that kind of thinking, that's that's the disease aspect. And I recommend anybody that wants to know more about addiction being a disease, check out Kevin McCauley's documentary, Pleasure Unwoven. It's a really good documentary that shows the different aspects of the disease. Yeah, Michael Hingson  46:08 I have never taken drugs in that way, and don't want to, but again, that's my choice, and I've learned enough from other people that I know that if, if I'm having a problem, taking drugs isn't going to help me solve the problem, and it isn't going to even really help me hide from it, but I guess that's just my makeup that I know that I have to face whatever comes along head on. Speaker 1  46:33 Yes, the resilience piece, Michael Hingson  46:36 the resilience piece, and I've wanted to do that. Speaker 1  46:39 Awesome, I can see with everything you've been through, Michael, you've definitely lent in, you've leaned in, you've pushed forward. Michael Hingson  46:47 Well, I think that part of the issue is as a, as a blind person who's faced a lot of challenges and seen things, what I choose to do whenever anything happens to me is I want to learn from it, so I don't want to ignore it, even if it's something that's totally not related to me in any way. I want to learn from it, if I'm involved, because I think that's the only way I'm going to be able to make sure that I deal with anything like that, any kind of surprise. The next time I talk about a lot when I am talking to people about blindness, about surprises, and I talk about the fact that I could be crossing a street, I could get to the corner and listen to the traffic, and when I hear the traffic going the way I want to go, then I'll cross the street. So I start crossing a street, and all of a sudden I hear a car from behind me, and it's not going the way I want to go, suddenly it's, it's turning, or there's somebody that is is across the street from me, not the way I'm going, and I start to cross the street when it's supposed to be my turn, and they decide they're going to go, and so I am, I've learned to constantly be alert, but at the same time, what I have to do is figure out very quickly, do I want to go forward or do I want to go backwards to have the best chance of getting away from this, Speaker 1  48:11 which way do I move in my direction with my spatial awareness with your spatial awareness, and that, and that brings me to another, I think, actually, another piece with martial arts and how it intersects is treating the addiction like an opponent that may be sauntering around that corner at any moment in time, and being able to see that I need to be on the alert, I need to know more than one direction, as you mentioned a moment ago, more than one direction that I could go, rather than just the free, the ability to have choice. Yeah, Michael Hingson  48:51 can addiction truly be cured? Not the reason I asked the question is I know so often I hear when I hear people talking about alcoholism, you can't really cure alcoholism, and maybe that's true. I don't know, Speaker 1  49:10 you know, it depends on how you ask, from a medical standpoint, from a disease standpoint, since we see it as a chronic progressive primary condition, which means nothing necessarily causes it every time. The answer would be no, because of its progression. However, can it can addiction, whether it's alcoholism, whatever, be stunted as far as its progression? Absolutely. Can be, can people live fulfilling lives? Absolutely. Can there be reversal of certain symptoms and signs. Yes, however, just I think that to say, you know, one day someone's gonna wake up and they no longer have cravings or the warning signs or the the neurobiology. Logical strings, it's tough to say that's a no. Michael Hingson  50:04 Yeah, thanks. That's the makeup of the individual that brings that about. I, I have.. I take an occasional drink. In fact, Karen and I used to have a drink on Friday night, one drink, and I kind of honor her by having a bourbon and seven every Friday night when I make, when I cook dinner, but one, because I've never been a great fan of the taste of alcohol, but I understand there are a lot of people who really like the taste of it, and that has led them into pretty dark places, which is unfortunate. Speaker 1  50:36 Yeah, still Michael Hingson  50:37 happens. Speaker 1  50:38 It does still happen, for sure. And I appreciate you liking bourbon. We make a bourbon walnut ice cream, and I don't ever drink the bourbon by itself. It's been in the cupboard for months now. And anyway, Michael Hingson  50:55 well, my bourbon and seven is a whole lot more seven up than bourbon. Speaker 1  50:59 Totally right, and good for you for having that ritual, you know, for you and for Michael Hingson  51:06 her. That's kind of neat to be able to do that, but I've just never felt that I need to, and I'm, and I'm glad. So it's continuing to share that. Well, you do a lot of couples therapy. How does all that go, and what kind of challenges does that make for you and for them? Speaker 1  51:29 Well, I'll give you this short story. We were eating at Denny's with this man, and just a friend of a friend, and he said to us, he asked me about my work, and I told him, yeah, I'm working with, you know, a lot of addiction, and with couples, he's like, I heard from another counselor, Eric, that if you really want to make it hard on yourself, you work in addiction, and you work with couples that always make it have a challenge, and, like, yeah, true. And so, when it comes to working with couples, it is challenging. There's something about having two people to work with, there's so many dynamics at play, different than perhaps being with just one person, you know, coming from two different histories, biographically different life upbringings, family upbringing, personalities. It can be really challenging. I do appreciate challenge. I've learned so much. I learned from each couple that I work with, and it's a whole different beast. Michael Hingson  52:29 Yeah, and, and it is. I like what you said, though. You learn from it, and that's probably the most important thing that any of us can do with anything in any endeavor that we undertake is that we learn from it. Speaker 1  52:44 If I can't learn from something, what am I, what am I doing there? And if I'm not learning from something, how can that benefit other people that I'm trying to help support? So, yeah, I tried to get the couple to start to be, you know, them versus the concern, rather than you versus me. That's a big goal of couples therapy. Michael Hingson  53:08 That's an interesting way to put it. That makes a lot of sense. I've never thought of it that way, but it's them. It does have to be them, but them versus the concern. That, that's interesting. Speaker 1  53:18 Yeah, yeah. Then they start, they start looking at how can we collaborate rather than trying to annihilate each other. Michael Hingson  53:26 Yeah, Speaker 1  53:27 metaphorically speaking, Michael Hingson  53:31 so you've talked about the work that you did when you were in Mississippi, when you worked in small towns, and so on, and you worked in probably some fairly substantive places as well. What do you find that's different about outpatient versus inpatient work, and in terms of what you do and how you approach it? Speaker 1  53:52 Well, I'll just say that doing inpatient work is kind of like raising kids, so not.. I mean, I don't have any experience, because I don't, I don't have kids, I got nieces and nephews yet. I know that feeling well. Yeah, there's just something about being around someone more than just like that hour, hour and a half, seeing them like eight or nine hours a day, you get to know them pretty well, as opposed to, you know, once an hour every one or two, three weeks, that in that comes some benefits with the inpatient work. Yet also it can be really difficult when it comes to boundaries. They feel like you can do things that maybe you're not able to do professionally with them, maybe like as far as like self-disclosure wise or things like that, and there's just there's just a thing around boundaries, and even with the inpatient work, you know, I'll have one client come and say, 'Hey, this other counselor said I could do this, and I would be like, 'Okay, and then I found out later the counselor didn't say that at all, so there's that type. The drama got to deal with, with it, with the inpatient work, Michael Hingson  55:04 but you don't find that as much without patient, because you tend to be able to get closer to the individual, and that probably also develops a higher trust level. Speaker 1  55:14 There is a higher trust level if you mean, like, doing outpatient work, or outpatient, but we have the outpatient, for sure, because I am solely with them, and they know that time is of the essence, whether it's weekly or bi-weekly, whatever, and I'm being able to focus on them, for sure, yeah, Michael Hingson  55:35 and it's a lot harder to do that when it's an impatient kind of situation Speaker 1  55:40 in my two experiences, both up in Calgary and also Mississippi, with inpatient, there's so many other things in the inner workings of doing inpatient going on that sure I can still add that time with somebody, yet I'm also thinking about, you know, the next class and next group offering other logistical duties, it's a little bit easier to do that one on one. Yeah, indeed, indeed. Michael Hingson  56:10 Do you think that you can develop? I assume the answer is yes, but I'll ask, do you think that it's possible to develop the same level of trust in doing inpatient work, or it may be harder, but can you do it? Speaker 1  56:28 That can happen on a case by case basis, depending on my relationship with someone. Yes, I can get there, and you know, just.. and sometimes, paradoxically, it can happen even quicker than outpatient, depending on the situation, because I am with them. There is a positive with that. Yes, Michael Hingson  56:48 it's.. it's a matter of working to build it, you know. And, unfortunately, human beings, especially nowadays, are so mistrustful of so many things, we've learned not to trust, and so in my latest book, Live Like a Guide Dog, I talk about that a lot, because while I think dogs love unconditionally, they don't trust unconditionally, but they're open to trust, they want to develop trusting relationships, and we just assume everyone has their own hidden agendas, and it's so hard to develop trusting relationships, Speaker 1  57:24 very hard, very difficult. It takes time and effort and patience, tolerance for myself, the other person, and that makes sense with dogs, because I mean, enough's, you know, when a dog's been abused, they don't want to trust right away, no, for sure. Michael Hingson  57:38 Well, but even even dogs that aren't abused, like I believe it takes for me, and I think if you really analyze it, for most people with a guide dog, I think it takes a good year to develop such a working relationship that you develop such a trust that essentially you each know what the other is thinking and you really know how to work it. It's not that they're not mistrustful, but they're open. They're open to trust, but you've got to, you've got to gain their trust, and that's my job as the team leader. And I'm supposed to be the team leader, but it also means that I have to agree, well, earn or gain their trust. The neat thing, and what makes it possible to do that, assuming that you approach it the right way and don't assume a dog is just a dumb animal, which they're not, is that in fact working with a dog, you know that they're more likely to be open to trust, and that makes it a little bit easier than our prejudice that says everybody's got a hidden agenda that we got to focus on, Speaker 1  58:47 yeah. And appreciate you sharing that, and it shows just the amount of work that comes into play with trust. Michael Hingson  58:54 Yeah, it's it's a challenge, but it is doable. Well, so what's next for you? Speaker 1  59:01 Yeah, just doing some work after this with the work that I do, and yeah, it's starting to get that book into the place of having editorial reviews and starting to get that edited professionally. Michael Hingson  59:14 Have either of your books been converted to audio? Speaker 1  59:17 The second one has. Yes. Michael Hingson  59:22 Is it? Where is it available? Audible, or how is it available? Speaker 1  59:25 It's my own special design. It's actually got a, it's got a Texan man, a doing it. He's got a nice voice, pretty soothing. Yet it's through what's called the Hero app, H I R O. And I can send you the link if you're interested. For that, Michael Hingson  59:40 love to, yeah, Speaker 1  59:42 yeah. Michael Hingson  59:44 Well, this has been enjoyable, certainly by any standard. If people want to reach out to you, maybe use your services or talk with you. How do they do that? Speaker 1  59:53 They can find me, Michael, through Recovery Arts counseling.com and that's Counseling with 2l's since I'm up here in Canada. You can find me through Instagram at Eric Fisher Writer or Recovery Arts Counseling. You can find me Facebook the same way on LinkedIn, just type in my name. You can look for, like, Calgary, like counselor recovery counseling. What do else? That's right, everybody learned something new today, if they did not, if they didn't already. So, those are a few Michael Hingson  1:00:25 ways. Well, that's great. Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to be here, and I value greatly your insights. I've learned things, and I always enjoy doing that. And I hope all of you out there listening have as well. Love to get your thoughts, so I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at Michael M I C H A E L H I at Accessi B A C C E S S I B e.com Wherever you're listening or watching, or both, this podcast, please give us a five star review. But even more important than a review, a rating, five star rating, give us a review. We really value reviews and people who might be interested in listening to our podcasts, are going to read those reviews. I can tell you for sure that people love to know what others think. So, we value your reviews a great deal. And if any of you, including you, Eric, know of anyone else who ought to be a guest on Unstoppable Mindset, we'd love an introduction, because we're always looking for people who want to come on and tell their stories, so I hope that that we'll find ways to do that, and definitely value you being here, Eric, and doing all this, and I want to thank you again for being here. This has been a lot of fun. Speaker 1  1:01:37 Thank you, Michael. Happy to be on you. thank Michael Hingson  1:01:43 you for being here with me on Unstoppable Mindset. I hope today's conversation left you with a fresh perspective, a new insight, or at least something worth thinking about. If you're ready to go deeper into the ideas that shape how we see ourselves and others. I have a free gift for you. Head over to Michael hingson.com and download my free ebook, Blinded by Fear. It explores the invisible beliefs that hold us back and shows you how to reframe them, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this show with someone who can use a reminder that growth starts with mindset. When people think differently, we all move forward together. Thanks again for listening. Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep choosing to live with an unstoppable min

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the many different ways screenwriters revise a script - from tackling major problems after a first draft to handling vague notes, character issues, comedy passes, production rewrites, and someone else's pages. They break down their personal revision processes, why certain notes require going back to the cards, and how knowing what kind of rewrite a script needs can keep you from getting overwhelmed.   Questions/Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com  Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

FANCY YOURSELF A CELEB EXPERT? Take The Spill's Pop Culture Quiz here.Get ready because this Brutally Honest Review is indeed Brutal. We watched Office Romance so you don't have to (or so you can debate us after you do).The premise: J Lo is a big shot at work, there are workplace rules, and absolutely nobody follows them. And let's just say we have some absolutely brutal thoughts on her leading man Brett Goldstein's presence, whether the chemistry actually lands, and why this feels less like a rom-com and more like a very expensive fan letter nobody asked for.We also get into what that shocking baby scene means for Australian birth rates, and the bigger question: does this actually move the needle for the rom-com crisis, or is it just another in-between filler?Remember The Spill drops the tea twice a day in this feed so follow us for all the latest entertainment news… OR you can WATCH our show in full length video on the Apple Podcast app - make sure your phone is up to date and enjoy the watch! Link here. THE END BITS Find and follow us on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespillpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thespillpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thespillpodcast/ Read all the latest entertainment news on Mamamia: https://mamamia.com.au/entertainment/ Support Independent Women’s Media. Your subscription helps us continue to tell the stories that matter to women. Want to join the conversation? Have feedback or a topic you want us to discuss? Send us a voice message or email us at thespill@mamamia.com.au and we’ll get back to you ASAP! Executive Producer: Monisha Iswaran Audio & Video Producer: Michael Kean Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two films about books about female empowerment. One of these films is more empowering than the other.   Sex & The Single Girl Year: 1964 Screenplay by: Joseph Heller and David R. Schwartz Story by: Joseph Hoffman Based on the book by: Helen Gurley Brown Uncredited writer: Leslie H. Martinson Directed by: Richard Quine Stars: Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, Henry Fonda, Lauren Bacall   Down With Love Year: 2003 Written by: Eve Ahlert and Dennis Drake Directed by: Peyton Reed Stars: Renée Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, Sarah Paulson, David Hyde Pierce   Show notes: This month compare and despair returns to the Rom Com Rewrite! The plot summaries for these films take up a good portion of the beginning of this episode. If you would like to skip them you can spool forward a little over 23 minutes into the episode.   In this episode we mention the films: The Pink Panther (1963) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057413/) What's Up Doc (1972) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0069495/) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0251127/) Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243155/) Chicago (2002) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0299658/) Moulin Rouge (2001) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/)   And the TV series: The Judy Garland Show (1963-1964) (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056767/)   And also the book Sexual Personae by Camille Paglia (1990) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_Personae).   *Films marked with an asterisk have previously been featured on the podcast.   If you would like to suggest films for future episodes, you can tweet Lisa: @LisaStowaway. We record these episodes over the internet. Sometimes the audio is not perfect. We apologise for that.   Music in this episode is by Martin Zaltz Austwick (martinzalzaustwick.com). Artwork is by Lisa Findley.   Thank you for listening! 

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to creator-screenwriter Mike Makowsky about his limited TV series, Death by Lightning. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Mission Stardust (1967)  aka 4…3…2…1…Morte!  aka Perry Rhodan - SOS aus dem Weltall Jeff and Cheryl bounce back and forth between the moon and the Earth with the crew of Mission Stardust. Screenplay by K.H. Vogelman, Segio Donati and Primo Zeglio Based on a story by K.H. Vogelman Directed by Primo Zeglio Starring: Lang Jeffries as Major Perry Rhodan Essy Persson as Commander Thora Luis Dávila as Mike Bull Pinkas Braun as Arkin Stefano Sibaldi as Dr Frank Haggard Daniel Martín as Captain Flipper Joachim Hansen as Dr. Manoli Janos Bartha as General Roon John Karlesen as Khrest Ann Smyrner as Dr. Joan Sheridan Lisa Halvorsen as Nurse Silva Produced by Proyziaione Europee Associates Released by Times Film Corporation Released to televison by AITV in the Fantastic Science Fiction Theater package Stream Mission Stardust on Tubi, Momentu, Fawsome, the Roku Channel or rent it on Prime Video. Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

Rewind. Sandy and Terry will discuss Billy Wilder's 10 tips for screenwriters. Few screenwriters are as pedigreed as Billy Wilder, who is renowned as one of the most creative filmmakers of American cinema's Golden Age. Wilder was nominated 21 times at the Academy Awards, 13 for screenwriting and 8 for direction. He won the Best Director award for his 1945 film "The Lost Weekend" and again 15 years later for "The Apartment." Thanks to the success of "The Apartment," Wilder became the first person to win an Academy Award as a producer, director, and screenwriter for the same movie. Cameron Crowe said, “There's no better film school than listening to what Billy Wilder says.”The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors the WRITERS' HANGOUT.Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

This week on ClassHorrorCast, I'm joined by screenwriter Jeff Barker for one of the most thoughtful and inspiring conversations we've had on the show.Jeff is not only a writer in his own right, but also the father of filmmaker Curry Barker, whose new film Obsession has been making a huge impact. We talk about the incredible success surrounding the film, Jeff's own contributions to the project, and what it's been like watching something that started so small become such a major moment.We dive deep into Jeff's lifelong love of cinema, how he developed his voice as a writer over the years, and the kinds of stories and emotions he's always been drawn to expressing creatively. We also discuss some of the filmmakers and movies that continue to inspire him.Beyond filmmaking, this episode becomes a conversation about family, passion, and perseverance. Jeff opens up about his relationship with Curry through the years and what it means to now witness everything they've achieved together.We also talk about Curry's next film, which has already wrapped, and Jeff shares his thoughts on the upcoming A24 Texas Chainsaw project.Along the way we explore imposter syndrome, navigating difficult periods in life, staying positive, and continuing to chase creative goals no matter where you are in the journey.We also spend time discussing Jeff's fantastic YouTube channel, The Screenplay Lab, where he creates brilliant screenplay breakdowns and insightful analysis of some truly great films.This is a unique, honest, and incredibly interesting conversation with someone whose own creative journey feels like it's only just beginning and someone who may have some very exciting years ahead.Enjoy the episode.More of my content and to purchase my book HEREJeff Barker'sYOUTUBEWEBSITEINSTAGRAMBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/class-horror-cast-horror-movie-podcast--4295531/support.

In the fifth 15-minute section of our screenplay, Napoleon's journey takes a sharp, downward turn. Success is replaced by mounting setbacks as our hero heads to Egypt - an ambiguous mission that isolates him from power and allies. The Directory's antagonism grows ever more apparent, Josephine's betrayals come to light, and disaster strikes in the form of Nelson's fleet. As loyalty in his own ranks falters, Napoleon faces not only external foes but the erosion of his own myth, setting the stage for the looming low point of his story.In episode six of our screenwriting escapade we continue to forge ahead in our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.This episode features a bonus contribution from our own Prof Alexander Mikaberidze from 35:40 - explaining the precise nature of the incontrovertible evidence of Josephine's infidelity which Junot is supposed to have presented to Bonaparte... As our resident bot NAIpoleon Bot-aparte puts it:A Playful Opening and Format Mash-UpThe episode begins with a tongue-in-cheek parody intro as “Cavalry Matters,” poking fun at historical drama tropes and AI-generated content, before moving into the “Napoleon movie” project focus 00:00:09.Introduction of the Team and Their RolesAlex Stevenson introduces the project collaborators: Benjamin Deery (acting expertise) and James Topham (screenwriting expertise). The trio set out to reimagine Napoleon's story for the screen 00:01:26.Recap and Structure So FarJames Topham recaps their progress, summarizing the story up to scene 20—the film's midpoint. He details five key scenes depicting Napoleon's transition from general to budding ruler and the dynamic with Josephine 00:03:14.Dramatic and Character DevelopmentsThe team walk through significant scenes involving military victories, shifting romantic dynamics (including Napoleon's changing feelings for Josephine), negotiations, and turning points, such as Josephine's infidelity and the metaphorical “unripe pear” scene 00:04:34.Debate over Historical Events and Narrative ChoicesThere's an in-depth discussion about the authenticity and dramatic effectiveness of sending Napoleon to England vs. Egypt, with concerns about narrative payoff and dramatic logic for audiences 00:12:22.Motivations Behind the Egyptian CampaignAlex Stevenson provides historical context for Napoleon's Egyptian adventure, discussing the Directory's motives, the project's ties to myth-making, prestige, and the origins of Egyptology (including the Rosetta Stone) 00:16:16.Identifying the "Bad Guys Close In" PhaseThe team frame the next segment of their narrative as the “bad guys close in” phase, per Blake Snyder's structure. This act will feature setbacks for Napoleon, the Directory as antagonists, and cracks forming within Napoleon's “gang” 00:22:02.Setbacks in Egypt and Antagonist DynamicsA list of major setbacks is outlined: confirmed betrayal by Josephine, isolation after Nelson destroys the French fleet, Ottoman intervention orchestrated by the Directory, and discussions on how to visually and narratively stack these blows for dramatic effect 00:27:32.Reintegrating and Redefining the "Gang"They debate how to portray dissension among Napoleon's loyalists. 00:43:22.Looking Ahead: Approaching the Low PointThe episode closes with a preview of the next section: Napoleon's imminent “all is lost” moment, a stretch defined as the dark night of the soul, where all seems lost before act three begins. 00:51:07.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to writer-producer Aline Brosh McKenna about her latest film, The Devil Wears Prada 2. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Download Porter Here: https://app.adjust.com/214gvru7Guest Suggestion Form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.(00:00) - Intro(03:02) - Who Is Imtiaz Ali?(04:17) - Do His Characters Lie Because He Did as a Kid?(12:47) - Why Do His Films Become Cult Classics Later?(18:17) - Why Do His Characters Run Away?(20:05) - Why Does He Write Sad Endings?(23:30) - Sehnsucht Through His Characters(32:19) - His Favorite Film(36:50) - How He Briefed Ranbir Kapoor Before Shooting "Sadda Haq"(43:40) - What He Thinks Is Wrong With Rockstar(50:51) - Which Film's Failure Made Him Sad?(1:01:47) - What Failing 9th Grade Taught Him(1:07:50) - Inferiority vs. Superiority Complex(1:11:03) - When He Felt Most Arrogant(1:16:15) - What Gen Z Gets Wrong About Love(1:25:40) - Why His Characters Meet at the Wrong Time(1:35:04) - Learning Before vs. After Falling in Love(1:37:54) - How He Writes Love for This Generation(1:41:07) - Why His Characters Don't Go Home(1:47:26) - Why Women in His Films Are More Sorted Than Men(1:50:05) - How He Writes a Screenplay(1:54:20) - How He Casts From a Screenplay(1:57:35) - The Burning Guitar Scene in Rockstar Explained(2:01:09) - BTS(2:02:01) - OutroIn today's episode, we sit down with Imtiaz Ali, Writer, Director & Filmmaker, to talk about storytelling, desire, failure, and the emotions that make us human.The conversation also goes behind the making of Rockstar, including the story behind Sadda Haq, the challenges of filming it, and why he believes Rockstar was never a perfect film. We talk about wealth, failure, Gen Z relationships, and the lessons that only come after things fall apart. This episode is about creativity, identity, and the search for meaning.Subscribe for more such conversations.Follow Imtiaz Ali Here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imtiazaliofficial/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠About Raj ShamaniRaj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.To Know More,Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎Instagram @RajShamani ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter @RajShamani ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/rajshamani⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook @ShamaniRaj ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn - Raj Shamani ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠About Figuring OutFiguring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.

Gillian Flynn's novel Gone Girl defined a literary niche when it first came out in 2012, and it still defines it to this day. David Fincher's great 2014 adaptation—written in collaboration with Flynn—is one of the greatest and most fun movie thrillers of the 21st century. Now I want to present you with a terrifying scenario: What if this book had come out three years later, and instead of this glorious 2.5-hour film, we got a boring 12-hour streaming series? Come on, you can see it right now in your mind: Episode 3 is a flashback to Amy's life as a child, with none of the regular actors in it. Episode 9 is the Desi episode, and Amy finally arrives at his door right before the closing credits. No thank you. And so 1-Week Rental is here to take you through the history of that movie. How Gillian Flynn wrote her novel and then worked closely with Fincher on the production, how perfect the casting of both Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike was, how Reese Witherspoon produced the movie with the intention of playing Amazing Amy herself only to be told by Fincher she was all wrong for the part, and how this movie is loosely based on the lives of Laci Roth and Matt Stokes. Did you know that? Watch the history segment in full on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i0WuyvYAyrg  We're off next week (June 5, 2026). The next episode will be out on Friday, June 12, 2026 when our summer miniseries begins. The Summer of Nolan opens with a podcast about Christopher Nolan's Memento (2000)!    Time stamps: 00:05:50 — History segment: Gillian Flynn writes the Gone Girl novel; movie optioned by Reese Witherspoon and David Fincher is hired to direct; career of Rosamund Pike; career of Ben Affleck  00:51:40 — Movie discussion 02:38:20 — Final thoughts & star ratings   Gone Girl (2014) was directed by David Fincher. Screenplay by Gillian Flynn, based on her novel. Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry, Patrick Fugit, Missi Pyle, Emily Ratajkowski, Casey Wilson, David Clennon, Lisa Banes, and Scoot McNairy.   Sources: "Kansas City native Gillian Flynn emerges as a literary force with her twisted mystery 'Gone Girl'" by Steve Paul | The Kansas City Star (2012) - https://bit.ly/4dE9MTf  "Gillian Flynn on Adapting 'Gone Girl,' Being Too 'Wimpy' for Crime Reporting and Her Best Advice to Writers" by Kimberly Nordyke | The Hollywood Reporter (2012) - https://bit.ly/4v9mh0i  "Gillian Flynn Peers Into the Dark Side of Femininity" by Lauren Oyler | The New York Times (2018) - https://bit.ly/3Q1DV7e  "Gillian Flynn on her bestseller Gone Girl and accusations of misogyny" by Oliver Burkeman | The Guardian (2013) - https://bit.ly/42X7s54 "A Surprise Hit Spawns a Movie Deal" by Stafanie Cohen | The Wall Street Journal (2012) - https://bit.ly/3RMwcud  "Author Gillian Flynn says filming 'Gone Girl' went much better than expected" by Robert Butler | The Kansas City Star (2014) - https://bit.ly/431uebV "David Fincher Talks 'Gone Girl,' Avoids Spoilers (Hooray!)" by Audie Cornish | NPR (2014) - https://n.pr/4vdg1ER  "Movie Sneaks: Thrills, chills for Gillian Flynn in adapting 'Gone Girl'" by Gina McIntyre | The Los Angeles Times (2014) - https://lat.ms/4vcYnB3  "Gone Girl film director David Fincher on his potential Oscar contender" by James Mottram | The Independent (2014) - https://bit.ly/4utRP0R  "Reese Witherspoon Says David Fincher Told Her 'I'm Not Putting You' in 'Gone Girl': 'He Was Totally Right' and 'Rosamund Pike Is So Diabolical'" by J. Kim Murphy | Variety (2015) - https://bit.ly/49W9BBH  "Ambition" (w/ Reese Witherspoon) | Las Culturistas podcast (2025) - https://apple.co/4nWEU5q  "Building a New Ben" | GQ (2004) - https://bit.ly/3S4aDFy  "An Actor-Director Above Suspicion" by Cara Buckley | The New York Times (2014) - https://bit.ly/4dytjpy  "Jon Hamm Confirms He Almost Starred in Ben Affleck's 'Gone Girl'" by Carly Thomas | The Hollywood Reporter (2023) - https://bit.ly/434AKyF    Transcript: https://1weekrentalpod.com/2026/05/gone-girl/#transcript  Artwork by Laci Roth.   Check out Laci's coloring videos on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-kKLhWb2g0bKA-RrvvLh0Q/  Matt has a monthly spin-off podcast covering the James Bond films! Check out PodJob: A James Bond Podcast on Apple Podcast (https://bit.ly/4jRL2K1), Spotify (https://bit.ly/4a8jM6E), and YouTube (https://youtube.com/@podjob007).   Music by Rural Route Nine. Listen to their album The Joy of Averages on Spotify (https://bit.ly/48WBtUa), Apple Music (https://bit.ly/3Q6kOVC), or YouTube (https://bit.ly/3MbU6tC).   Songs by Rural Route Nine in this episode: "Winston-Salem" - https://youtu.be/-acMutUf8IM "Snake Drama" - https://youtu.be/xrzz8_2Mqkg "The Bible Towers of Bluebonnet" - https://youtu.be/k7wlxTGGEIQ    Follow 1-Week Rental, a movie podcast: Twitter: @1weekrental | @MattStokes9 | @LRothConcepts Facebook: @1weekrental Instagram: @1weekrental TikTok: @1weekrental | @mattstokes9 Letterboxd: @loadbearinglaci | @mattstokes9 Bluesky: @1weekrental.bsky.social   1-Week Rental used to be Load Bearing Beams.

Journey to the Seventh Planet (1962)  AIP Production #608 / 6108  Jeff and Cheryl fight the urge to crack wise about Uranus in Journey to the Seventh Planet. Screenplay by Ib Melchior and Sid Pink From a Story by Sid Pink Produced and Directed by Sidney Pink Starring:  John Agar as Don  Carl Ottosen as Eric  Ove Sprogøe as Barry  Louis Miehe Renard as Svend  Peter Mönch as Karl  Greta Thyssen  Ann Smyrner as Ingrid  Mimi Henrich as Ursula  Annie Birgit Garde as Ellen  Ulla Moritz as Lise  Bente Juel as Colleen  Julian Burton as Alien Brain (voice / uncredited)  A Cinemagic Production  An American International Picture  View the Journey to the Seventh Planet trailer here. Stream Journey to the Seventh Planet on Philo, Fubo, MGM+ or Prime Video Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

Frankie Stockes sits in for Stew Peters and drills down on members of government and corporate media alike who've stepped up to remind us all of just how fake the world they present to the masses really is - apparently down to the faces and necks of the actors in their Truman Show reality.

In the fourth 15-minute section of our movie screenplay we move towards the midpoint, the critical moment where accumulating consequences for our hero Napoleon Bonaparte make him realise his military successes represent a false hope. He's going to have to rethink - and we need to set out in this section of the film why that's the case. In episode four of our screenwriting escapade we continue to forge ahead in our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.As our resident bot NAIpoleon Bot-aparte puts it:Introduction and Project Title DiscussionAlex Stevenson reflects on the complexities of both the project's title and their ongoing efforts to tackle the Napoleon movie's midpoint (00:00:09).Screenwriting Structure and the "Midpoint"James Topham explains the significance of the midpoint in screenwriting, emphasizing the protagonist's realization that their initial insight was a false hope, necessitating a new approach (00:02:16).Napoleon's Myth and PowerBen and Alex Stevenson discuss how Napoleon leaned into myth-making for power, and debate when in his real-life story this strategy likely fails or must be re-evaluated (00:03:47).Limits of Power and FrustrationAlex Stevenson suggests that Napoleon's frustration comes from being undermined by political rivals (the Directory, especially Barras), despite his military successes (00:04:37).Internal vs. External ConflictJames Topham highlights the internal conflict between Napoleon's public myth and his private insecurities, amplified by his relationship with Josephine (00:05:39).Humorous Interlude: The Pug IncidentThe hosts share an anecdote from a Napoleon biography about Josephine's pug being killed, debating its potential inclusion in the screenplay for dramatic or comedic effect (00:08:47).Montage of Military Success and Growing AmbitionA recap of part of the screenplay treatment: Napoleon's rapid victories in Italy, the spread of his legend, and his increasing enjoyment of administrative power (00:10:25).Love Triangle and Character ComplexityThe group discusses Josephine's ambiguous love life, including her affair with Lieutenant Charles. They recognize its importance for the evolving love triangle and consider how this complexity impacts Napoleon's character and the script (00:21:06).The Real Midpoint: Power Struggles and SetbacksAlex Stevenson proposes that the midpoint pivots on Napoleon's frustration with being constrained by the Directory, underscored by a potential “resignation scene” where he realizes his myth is not sufficient for true power (00:27:03).Foreshadowing Future Conflict and DirectionThe episode ends with the group teasing Napoleon's next move, possibly the Egyptian campaign, and reiterating the need to heighten personal and political conflict—while ending on a comedic note debating pears and apples (00:39:23).

Ahoy! Sorry for the re-release everyon! But Andy is on a cruise ship right now! We have to take a week break. But we decided to release one of Andy's favorite episodes! In this episode Andy write a script for a movie he has never seen and the cast of Notable Nostalgia acts it out!We also had very special guest Anthony O'neal on the episode too! So sit back with some hot cocoa! Grab a plate of corn dogs and enjoy this week's episode of Notable Nostalgia!Back next week with a brand new epiosde!(It's Munchie May, baby! What does that mean? Well, we saw the poster for the 1992 film Munchie. Without looking up any plot points or reviews, Andy wrote a script for the movie of what he thought it was about.)We borrowed from one of our favorite podcasts Never Seen It. A podcast by comedian Kyle Ayers where comedians write scripts for movies they've never seen.)

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with producer & development consultant, Emmeline Yang Hankins, to discuss what she's learned over the years about perfecting a pitch, and how she teaches pitching as a powerful tool at any stage of development. Her signature class for scripted TV, Kickstart My Pitch, has new dates coming up in June!  Act Two listeners can get an exclusive discount to Emmeline's pitching class at http://talktoemm.com/acttwo   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist 

Meteor (1979)  AIP Production #7809 Jeff and Cheryl prepare for a disaster of epic proportions in Meteor.  Screenplay by Stanley Mann and Edmund H. North  Story by Edmund H. North  Produced by Arnold Orgolini and Theodore Parvin  Directed by Ronald Neame Starring:  Sean Connery as Paul Bradley  Natalie Wood as Tatiana Donskaya  Karl Malden as Harry Sherwood  Brian Keith as Dr. Dubov  Martin Landau as General Adlon  Trevor Howard as Sir Michael Hughes  Richard Dysart as Secretary of Defense  Henry Fonda as The President A Sandy Howard / Gabriel Katzka / Sir Run Run Shaw PresentationReleased by American International / A Filmways Company View the Meteor trailer here.Stream Meteor on Tubi or Fawesome, or rent it on Prime Video or Apple TV+ Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

When Hollywood director Rian Johnson started making Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery (a movie you can watch on Netflix), he needed some help. His uncle and aunt in Denver connected him with their pastor in Denver, Father Scott Bailey, who became an advisor to the project. He talks about the process and the big questions of this movie with me. (And I admit: I hated the beginning and stopped watching a few minutes in. After reading about Fr Scott online and finding several Catholic sources who praised the movie, I gave it another look. I'm glad I did, because I think it's not only entertaining but also important … and beautiful.) Article in First Things by Father Scott about the movie and his role in it, “Wake Up Dead Man Captures the Beauty of Priestly Ministry,” January 5, 2026. Article in Denver Catholic about Fr Scott and the movie, “A Denver Priest, a Hollywood Director and a Bowl of Fettuccine: Father Scott Bailey Advises on Catholic Life for New ‘Knives Out' Film” by Jay Sorgi, November 22, 2025. Screenplay of Wake Up Dead Man by Rian Johnson, the director and writer, available on his website. Fr Scott Bailey at the Archdiocese of Denver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

When Hollywood director Rian Johnson started making Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery (a movie you can watch on Netflix), he needed some help. His uncle and aunt in Denver connected him with their pastor in Denver, Father Scott Bailey, who became an advisor to the project. He talks about the process and the big questions of this movie with me. (And I admit: I hated the beginning and stopped watching a few minutes in. After reading about Fr Scott online and finding several Catholic sources who praised the movie, I gave it another look. I'm glad I did, because I think it's not only entertaining but also important … and beautiful.) Article in First Things by Father Scott about the movie and his role in it, “Wake Up Dead Man Captures the Beauty of Priestly Ministry,” January 5, 2026. Article in Denver Catholic about Fr Scott and the movie, “A Denver Priest, a Hollywood Director and a Bowl of Fettuccine: Father Scott Bailey Advises on Catholic Life for New ‘Knives Out' Film” by Jay Sorgi, November 22, 2025. Screenplay of Wake Up Dead Man by Rian Johnson, the director and writer, available on his website. Fr Scott Bailey at the Archdiocese of Denver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/film

When Hollywood director Rian Johnson started making Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery (a movie you can watch on Netflix), he needed some help. His uncle and aunt in Denver connected him with their pastor in Denver, Father Scott Bailey, who became an advisor to the project. He talks about the process and the big questions of this movie with me. (And I admit: I hated the beginning and stopped watching a few minutes in. After reading about Fr Scott online and finding several Catholic sources who praised the movie, I gave it another look. I'm glad I did, because I think it's not only entertaining but also important … and beautiful.) Article in First Things by Father Scott about the movie and his role in it, “Wake Up Dead Man Captures the Beauty of Priestly Ministry,” January 5, 2026. Article in Denver Catholic about Fr Scott and the movie, “A Denver Priest, a Hollywood Director and a Bowl of Fettuccine: Father Scott Bailey Advises on Catholic Life for New ‘Knives Out' Film” by Jay Sorgi, November 22, 2025. Screenplay of Wake Up Dead Man by Rian Johnson, the director and writer, available on his website. Fr Scott Bailey at the Archdiocese of Denver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Hollywood director Rian Johnson started making Wake Up Dead Man, the new Knives Out mystery (a movie you can watch on Netflix), he needed some help. His uncle and aunt in Denver connected him with their pastor in Denver, Father Scott Bailey, who became an advisor to the project. He talks about the process and the big questions of this movie with me. (And I admit: I hated the beginning and stopped watching a few minutes in. After reading about Fr Scott online and finding several Catholic sources who praised the movie, I gave it another look. I'm glad I did, because I think it's not only entertaining but also important … and beautiful.) Article in First Things by Father Scott about the movie and his role in it, “Wake Up Dead Man Captures the Beauty of Priestly Ministry,” January 5, 2026. Article in Denver Catholic about Fr Scott and the movie, “A Denver Priest, a Hollywood Director and a Bowl of Fettuccine: Father Scott Bailey Advises on Catholic Life for New ‘Knives Out' Film” by Jay Sorgi, November 22, 2025. Screenplay of Wake Up Dead Man by Rian Johnson, the director and writer, available on his website. Fr Scott Bailey at the Archdiocese of Denver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Five Guns West (1955) Jeff and Cheryl head out west, or maybe north, with a quintet of pardoned criminals on a mission in Five Guns West.Screenplay by R. Wright Campbell Produced and Directed by Roger Corman Starring: John Lund as Govern Sturges Dorothy Malone as Shalee Touch Conners as Hale Clinton Bob Campbell as John Morgan Candy Jonothon Haze as Wiliam "Billy" Parcell Candy Paul Birch as J. C. Haggard James Stone as Uncle MimeJack Ingram as Stephen JethroLarry Thor as Confederate Captain James B. Sikking as Union Sergeant (uncredited) A Palo Alto Production Distributed by American Releasing Corp. View the Five Guns West trailer here.Stream Five Guns West on Tubi, Plex, Prime Video, or the Roku Channel.Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

In the first 15 minutes of Act 2 of our putative Napoleon movie, we get into "the promise of the premise"—delivering the kind of content audiences expect from a Napoleon film: military campaigns, political maneuveures, personal intrigue... as well as some further development of the love story with Josephine and Napoleon's antagonist Paul Barras; and, above all, the idea of mythmaking as a key theme. In episode four of our screenwriting escapade we continue to forge ahead in our mission of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:1. Three-Act Structure and Threshold CrossingThe end of Act 1 is discussed as a pivotal moment when the protagonist, Napoleon, consciously begins constructing his own myth (00:19:41), a literal and figurative threshold crossing (00:19:55).Detailed walk-through of Act 1 scenes, including:Substituting Josephine for Desiree in the narrative (00:02:39).Key action sequences at Vendemiare and the bridges of Lodi/Arcola (00:03:39, 00:15:14), with discussion on historical accuracy versus dramatic conflation (00:16:10, 00:17:43).Introduction of supporting characters and ensemble around Napoleon (00:06:01), focusing on ambitious opportunists rather than loyalists.Exploration of the dynamics between Napoleon, Josephine, and Barras, including scenes blending political manipulation and sexual intrigue (00:08:24, 00:09:31).The concept that "the story and reality are separate things" is thematically highlighted (00:05:05), with the motif of Napoleon recognizing and starting to orchestrate his public image (00:19:01, 00:19:51).Visual iconography is suggested (e.g., Napoleon with the bicorne hat, the famous bridge painting) to support the myth-making theme (00:19:50, 00:20:24).James Topham and Alex Stevenson discuss "the promise of the premise"—delivering the kind of content audiences expect from a Napoleon film: campaigns, political maneuvers, personal intrigue (00:22:44), reminiscent of "fun and games" sections seen in classic screenplay structures.Suggestions about Act 2 include focusing on:Napoleon's rapid military successes in Italy (00:25:30),His dual role as both general and proto-ruler, highlighting the confluence of military, political, and personal exploits (00:26:32),The beginnings of conflict between Napoleon and the Directory/Barras, including themes of looting, propaganda, and evolving power (00:28:11, 00:29:38).The love triangle between Napoleon, Josephine, and Barras is positioned as a B-story, serving both as counterpoint and commentary on Napoleon's personal limitations and vulnerabilities despite public success (00:34:12, 00:35:25).James Topham notes this B-story should provide the "kernel of a realization" that the main character's myth-making may not resolve deeper internal needs (00:35:00).Strong emphasis on the importance of an active antagonist. Barras is not simply reactive but is shown making tactical moves to rein in Napoleon through proxies and political maneuvers (00:42:09, 00:44:00).Barras's motivations are clarified: survival, controlling or harnessing Napoleon's force, and concern for the stability of the Directory (00:39:09, 00:45:08).Discussion of tonal variation, humor, and the inclusion of sex and farce elements (e.g., the pug scene) to balance dramatic and comedic moments (00:10:26, 00:12:17).Plan for the next episode focuses on Act 2's midpoint—the major reversal where Napoleon must confront the limitations of his current approach (00:49:14).

The She-Creature (1956)  Jeff and Cheryl experience a visitation from a being that emerges from the depths of the past - and the sea - in The She-Creature. Story and Screenplay by Lou Rusoff  Based on an original idea by Jerry Zigmond  Produced by Alex Gordon  Directed by Edward L. Cahn Starring:  Chester Morris as Dr. Carlo Lombardi  Tom Conway as Timothy Chappel  Cathy Downs as Dorothy Chappel  Lance Fuller as Dr. Ted Erickson  Ron Randell as Police Lt. Ed James  Frieda Inescourt as Mrs. Chappel  Marla English as Andrea  A Golden State Production  An American International Picture View The She-Creature trailer here.Stream The She-Creature on Tubi, Fawesome, FilmRise, AMC+, Philo, or rent it on Prime Video.Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

Our music this go round is provided by these wonderful artists: Thelonious Monk, Aimee Mann, Branford Marsalis and Terence Blanchard. Commercial Free, Small Batch Radio Crafted in the West Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania... Heard All Over The World. Tell Your Friends and Neighbors.

The team behind Lessons from the Screenplay breaks down the narrative of The Dark Knight Rises to extract storytelling lessons and explore the kinds of tools writers can use to address various problems in their stories. In particular, we look at the design of Bane's character, the complicated nature of Bane's plan, and the struggle of balancing so many supporting characters.NOTE: We recorded this with the intention it just be for our YouTube channel, but we ended up not referring to the visuals much in the conversation. Hopefully everything makes sense in a strictly audio form.

Matilda (1978) AIP Production #7814 Jeff and Cheryl go a couple rounds with the marsupial marauder from down under, Matilda.Screenplay by Albert S. Ruddy and Timothy Galfas Based on the Booky by Paul Gallico Produced by Albert S. Ruddy Directed by Daniel Mann Starring: Elliott Gould as Bernie Bonnelli  Clive Revill as Billy Baker  Harry Guardino as Uncke Nono  Roy Clark as Wild Bill Wildman  Karen Carlson as Kathleen Smith  Art Metrano as Gordon Baum  Lionel Syander as Pinky Schwab  Roberta Collins as Tanya Six  Larry Pennell as Lee Dockerty  Gary Morgan as Matilda  Robert Mitchum as Duke Parkhurst  View a TV Spot for Matilda here.Stream Matilda on Tubo, Pluto TV, the Roku Channel or Shout! TV. Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to writer-director Lee Cronin about his latest film, Lee Cronin's The Mummy. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

From of our patron-exclusive episode on The Princess Bride. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-princess-155569899

In minutes 15-30 of our screenplay treatment our protagonist Bonaparte has his refusal of the call moment, the love story gets going, the gang gets together, and then it all builds to the end of Act 1 when Napoleon crosses the threshold - and the bridge of Lodi - at the same time. This is really the episode when this project properly gets going - and our hero begins to narrow the gap between his star-following destiny-bound self-perception and his somewhat awkward reality.Here's those secret movie voice notes in full, as recorded between episodes 2 and 3: https://www.patreon.com/posts/those-secret-in-155837568Yes, it's episode three of this odd project. Taking up the challenge of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:The team reviews and refines the first 15 pages of the Napoleon screenplay, breaking down five key scenes that chart Napoleon's journey from imprisonment in 1794 to his emergence as a political and military player.There's an in-depth discussion on revising historical details and narrative structure, including the role of the antagonist (shifting focus from Talleyrand to Barras) and centering Josephine as the driving love interest—replacing Desiree in earlier scenes for thematic cohesion.The episode explores the depiction of Napoleon's character during this formative period, emphasizing his internal ambiguity, uncertainty, and the tension between his self-image versus his reality—touching on his social awkwardness, aspirations, and motivations.The hosts map out the next 15 minutes of the screenplay, focusing on classic screenwriting beats such as the refusal of the call, assembling Napoleon's ‘gang' of key figures, and leading up to a major “crossing the threshold” moment in Italy, with a proposed set piece at the Battle of Lodi bridge.There's a debate about how to balance historical accuracy with cinematic storytelling, such as condensing events for emotional impact, portraying Napoleon's myth-building, and weaving Josephine and Barras into the heart of the story's momentum.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriter Michael Lesslie about his latest film, Hamlet. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Truck Turner (1974) AIP Production #7410 / 7411 Jeff and Cheryl hit the seedy streets of Los Angeles to hunt for pimps and pushers with Truck Turner.Screenplay by Oscar Williams and Michael AllinStory by Jerry Wilkes Produced by Fred Weintraub & Paul Heller Directed by Jonathan Kaplan Starring:  Isaac Hayes as Mack "Truck" Turner  Yaphet Kotto as Blue  Alan Weeks as Jerry Annazette Chase as Annie Nichelle Nichols as Dorinda  Sam Laws as Nate  Paul Harris as Gator  A Weintraub-Heller Production  An American International Release View the Truck Turner trailer here. Stream Truck Turner on Prime Video, Philo, Pluto TV or ScreenPix. Visit our website - https://aippod.com/ and follow the American International Podcast on Letterboxd, Instagram and Threads @aip_pod and on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanInternationalPodcast  Get your American International Podcast merchandise at our store. Our open and close includes clips from the following films/trailers: How to Make a Monster (1958), The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962), I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), High School Hellcats (1958), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), The Wild Angels (1966), It Conquered the World (1956), The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), and Female Jungle (1955) 

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to writer-director BenDavid Grabinski about his latest film, Mike and Nick and Nick and Alice. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Taking up the challenge of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.This episode covers their consideration of the film's first 15 minutes: critical real estate in any screenwriting escapade. Whilst we might not be clear what Napoleon's 'save the cat' moment is - the event which gets the audience to like or engag with the protagonist - we do have a clear answer to what the 'inciting incident' should be that propels our lead character into the world. And, shock horror, it's not going to be Toulon...As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:The team reconvenes to craft a unique treatment for a Napoleon movie, blending heist-movie energy with historical dramaAlex Stevenson lays out the initial setting: a dissolute, awkward young Napoleon in 1795 Paris, skipping over the usual Toulon set-piece in favour of a fresh perspectiveJames Topham explains the crucial components of a film's first 15 pages: establishing character, creating a “save the cat” moment, and delivering a compelling inciting incidentThe hosts debate Napoleon's lack—whether it's ambition, savoir faire, or something deeper—and explore how his transformation sets up the arc of the filmThe episode climaxes with the inciting incident, launching Napoleon onto the stage of history, and setting up the next challenge: assembling his mustachioed crew for the film's heist vibe.Help us produce more episodes by supporting the Napoleonic Quarterly on Patreon: patreon.com/napoleonicquarterly

Taking up the challenge of crafting a top-notch screenplay treatment about the life of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alex Stevenson is joined by James Topham (who knows a thing or two about screenwriting) and Ben Deery (who knows a thing or two about acting) to put the movie world to rights. Having analysed the pitfalls and frustrations of Ridley Scott's Napoleon 2023 in the first season the Napoleon Movie Quarter-Hourly, this time round the team have to come up with the magic themselves.They do not succeed in this opening episode. But the creative process is a messy one, it turns out, and our trio very much hope listeners will struggle through these opening lurches towards excellence in order to access the cinematic gold which, ultimately, lies at the culmination of this project.As our resident AI bot N-AI-poleon Bot-aparte puts it:The team discusses what makes compelling screenwriting, focusing on the importance of theme, character, and narrative structure, and explores strategies for portraying Napoleon on screen Deliberation over Napoleon's core traits, debating insecurity, power, and the idea of him as an "addicted gambler" constantly pushing his luck, shapes the central approach to the scriptThe hosts entertain genre-bending ideas—from a heist film to comedic undertones—while considering historical accuracy, key relationships (like with Josephine), and the inclusion of iconic antagonists such as Talleyrand Plans are set to collaboratively develop the screenplay “Napoleon: One Last Job” live on the podcast, tackling 15 pages at a time, blending their theatrical, historical, and screenwriting perspectivesListeners are advised not to get too excited about the whole heist thing. That might not last too long.

This week, we discuss the atmospheric, dystopian sci-fi noir, Blade Runner, the film that ranks number 97 on the AFI list.SPOILER ALERT We will be talking about this movie in its entirety. If you haven't seen this classic, we strongly suggest you watch it before listening to our takes.A Warner Bros. and The Ladd Company production. Released on June 25, 1982. Directed by Ridley Scott. Screenplay by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick. Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, and Edward James Olmos. Cinematography by Jordan Cronenweth. Edited by Terry Rawlings. Music by Vangelis.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriter Drew Goddard about his latest film, Project Hail Mary. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriter Alex Litvak about his latest film, They Will Kill You. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman field a listener question about Rewrites. Do you really need to rewrite your drafts before sending them to managers and agents? Will that slow momentum? How many scripts should you revise before you can start querying reps? Do you need a portfolio of scripts, or just one solid script?   Questions / Comments: ActTwoWriters@gmail.com Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist

The BTS team discusses the film's tone, the effect of its parallel timelines, and why it feels like a throwback to some of Steven Spielberg's early sci-fi films.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Bw4eodxnAOw

S7 EP 204Special Guest - Stephanie NovelMeet Stephanie Novel!  She is a screenwriter, New York Tish University grad, donor conceived, listens to the Universe, a Mets fan, a Swifty, has two adorable cats, is currently perimenopausal who loves progesterone and says she's an acquired taste...Also she is an avid user of the word Fuck, as she gives none!  This is a convo you don't want to miss as we discuss why it is so important to normalize the conversation about perimenopause and all of its symptoms, all women experience, but no one talks about on the regular.  We get to hear about Stephanie's creative journey, that led her creating her screenwriting baby - Quiet Storm. There are lots of laughs, a few mind-blowing moments and of course...a few choice words shared!  Stephanie Novel Links -IG - https://www.instagram.com/sjnovel/This is a shareable podcast where a group of creatives join together to  document their creative voiceover & on-camera journeys in real time. We hope this podcast creates inspiration, stirs up a few ah-ha moments or maybe brings to the surface a feeling of "you're not alone" while navigating the creative process. Either way, we are glad you are here.  Oh, and we also pull into our conversations at the chaos table industry professionals along with other fellow actors, to share their stories, experiences and knowledge - so we can all connect, share, learn, grow and expand together.  This podcast is for entertainment and not educational purposes!  Enjoy and thank you for listening to our Creative Chaos! *Have a creative story or journey to share, we'd love to hear it - email us at chaoskeepers411@gmail.com or jozlynrocki@gmail.com Follow all the Chaos - YT - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChG0fKKBt2QNplJowSaKU6wFB - https://www.facebook.com/keepingupwithchaospodcastIG - https://www.instagram.com/keeping_up_with_chaos/

From of our patron-exclusive episode on The Martian. Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/patreon-martian-153766625

Once more unto the breach, dear friends. Before our post-oscars week break, we need to review Project Hail Mary. A.) because we both loved it. And B.) it's also probably gonna nab at least a few Oscar nominations next year, maybe more. NON-SPOILER REVIEW OF PROJECT HAIL MARY: Production Backstories, the Book's Profile & Early Reception / Box Office - 4:20 General Story Thoughts + Interstellar Takes, Crash Dieting & Seeing It in NYC - 12:46 Performance Reviews: Does Gosling get in? How about other favorites - 20:50 Legends Contend in Score Next Year + Bang The Table for Techs & Crafts - 23:51 A Big Oscar Lens Debate - 30:05 Spoiler Warning - 41:02 SPOILER REVIEW OF PROJECTION HAIL MARY: Strengths of the Screenplay - 42:03 Fun Science Lessons- 47:14 That Ending: Book vs Movie - 55:25 Warming to a Sign of the Times - 1:00:33 Recalibrating movie heroes - 1:05:42 Other Bests, Worsts & Final Grades - 1:10:21 Outro: We discuss why we do this show year round and dive into a bit of a study of last year's nominees to prove it. Did eventual nominees release each month last year? The answer will not shock you. Plus, we reiterate our thanks for listening to us during our year's worth of content, and knock on wood, we'll return in a week or so with a whole lot more of it. https://linktr.ee/mikemikeandoscar

In this preview of our patron-exclusive episode on Fight Club, the BTS team discusses their initial reactions to the film as well as its structural framework.Listen to the full episode over on the Beyond the Screenplay Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/posts/151754250

Full episodes and much more available on Patreon.com/slopquest Andrew claims to have “fighter’s arthritis” and O’Neill will not let this slide. There’s some classic dog piling from O’Neill that will delight old BCUSA fans. Andrew is sick of taking dumps and wants to invent a dump teleporter. Andy thinks we was “born” to be a sword fighter which elicits tears of laughter from O’Neill. Intense mockery abounds. YouTube screws over the stream again and Andy panics . Andy and Ryan are vindicated again with their predictions that the government would distract people from “the files” by talking about aliens. Then they argue about whether or not Elizabeth Holmes is hot and they create a “Rain Man” Barbie Doll. Then comic creator , Winston Gambro, posts the boy’s joke screenplay “Michael’s By The Sea” on Reddit asking for screenplay advice and the results are fantastic. The boys find a rapper who sounds just like O’Neill. Andy gets put in Instagram prison for a meme then forces O’Neill to freestyle rap. O’Neill then gives his best life advice “all businesses are scams and make sure to eat beans.”.

Breaking Shame: The Villain's Favorite, The Hero's Way OutShame can destroy stories—and characters—if writers let it dominate the narrative. In this episode of The Storyteller's Mission, Zena Dell Lowe dives into why shame is the villain's favorite weapon and how heroes must break its hold. Learn how shame impacts character arcs, storytelling structure, and audience engagement, and discover the difference between shame and conviction in redemptive storytelling.From coercion to clarity, we explore:-Why writers are tempted to use shame-How shame freezes character arcs and collapses moral nuance-The distinction between shame and conviction-How heroes preserve dignity, see complexity, & confront evil without becoming it-A deep dive into the climax of About Schmidt and how it demonstrates redemptive storytellingIf you want to write stories with moral clarity, avoid turning your narrative into propaganda, and create arcs where shame loses its power, this episode is a must-watch.Watch this episode on YouTubeWatch Ep06 first (optional for added context)Free Resources for Writers:Seven Deadly Plot Points FREE TRAINING VIDEO Free Video Tutorial for ScreenwritingSign up for The Storyteller's Digest, my exclusive bi-monthly newsletter for writers and storytellers. Each edition delivers an insightful article or practical writing tip straight from me, designed to help you master your craft and tell compelling stories.The Storyteller's Mission Podcast is now on YouTube.  Subscribe to our channel and never miss a new episode or announcement.

Host Jeff Goldsmith talks to screenwriter Colby Day about his latest film, In the Blink of an Eye. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

Host Jeff Goldsmith interviews writers Clint Bentley, Robert Kaplow and Will Tracy about their Oscar® nominated screenplays. Download my podcast here Copyright © Unlikely Films, Inc. 2026. All rights reserved. For more great content check out Backstory Magazine @ Backstory.net

MUSICGene Simmons and Paul Stanley, Taylor Swift, Alanis Morissette and Kenny Loggins have been elected in the Performing Songwriters category for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. At 36, Taylor is the youngest female to achieve this honor.In the Non-Performing Songwriters category, those elected are:Walter Afanasieff (for Mariah Carey) - "All I Want For Christmas Is You," "My All," "Hero," and "One Sweet Day"Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (for Tina Turner) - "What's Love Got To Do With It" and "We Don't Need Another Hero," and for Cliff Richard - "Devil Woman"Christopher “Tricky” Stewart - "Umbrella" (Rihanna), "Single Ladies" and "Break My Soul" (Beyonce), "Obsessed" (Mariah Carey), and "Just Fine" (Mary J. Blige)To be nominated, a songwriter with a catalog of notable songs qualifies for induction 20 years after their first commercial release of a song. The induction ceremony will be held on June 11th in New York City.Among those nominated but who fell short this year were:Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings - The Guess WhoDavid Byrne - Talking HeadsSarah McLachlanPink - real name Alecia B. MooreBoz ScaggsLL Cool J - real name James Todd Smith Maynard James Keenan's Puscifer will screen their concert film Normal Isn't: Puscifer Live at The Pacific Stock Exchange from February 6th through the 8th for free at 100 independent record stores. The film will then go on sale February 9th through the band's website. Phil Collins turns 75 on January 30th, and things aren't going great. https://consequence.net/2026/01/phil-collins-health-update-2026/ TVKaramo Brown reportedly fell out with his "Queer Eye" costars because they were talking behind his back . . . and his mother overheard it. https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/21/queer-eye-karamo-brown-hot-mic-rift-hosts/ William Shatner went viral the other day for eating cereal behind the wheel. But it turns out it was all for Kellogg's Super Bowl commercial. He took a few publicity photos at different locations, including the behind the wheel shot, which he says is one of the silliest photos he's ever taken. Shatner says the actual commercial will be him inside a spaceship. Here are a few other Super Bowl commercials we can expect to see: 1. Post Malone, Shane Gillis, and Peyton Manning are returning as the "Big Men on the Cul-de-Sac" for Bud Light. Instead of a neighborhood block party, they're on their way to a wedding with a keg of Bud Light.2. Liquid I.V. released a short clip of Rumi from "Kpop Demon Hunters" . . . singing a cover of Phil Collins' "Against All Odds". Netflix's revival of the talent show "Star Search" is live, and one of the singers, Bear Bailey, had signed up to sing Jelly Roll's song "Hard Fought Hallelujah" before Jelly was announced as a judge on the show. Bear's performance had Jelly in tears and speechless for a while. Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White married her longtime partner, John Donaldson, in a private ceremony, the 68-year-old announced on Instagram Wednesday.“Surprise! We got married!” White wrote, sharing a photo from the celebration with Donaldson carrying her in his arms. The couple, together since meeting at a 2012 barbecue, said they “wanted to make it official” after more than a decade of dating.White has been a fixture on the hit game show since 1982 and now co-hosts alongside Ryan Seacrest following Pat Sajak's retirement. She was previously married to restaurateur George Santo Pietro, with whom she shares two adult children. Kristen Bell will return to host the 32nd Annual Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA on March 1st. https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/kristen-bell-host-sag-aftra-actor-awards-1236636289/ If you've been planning to pick up a Nintendo Switch 2, you might want to act fast. Industry insiders are noticing that the cost of the high-tech parts inside the console, like memory and storage, has been quietly climbing, which means Nintendo might have to raise the price of the Switch 2. It wouldn't be such a radical move as the PlayStation and Xbox have already increased the prices of their consoles after releasing them to the public. Netflix has canceled both "The Vince Staples Show" and "The Abandons." https://deadline.com/2026/01/the-abandons-the-vince-staples-show-canceled-netflix-1236691960/ MOVING ON INTO MOVIE NEWS: The Mel Brooks documentary, "The 99 Year Old Man", includes posthumous interviews with David Lynch and Rob Reiner. It airs in two parts, tonight and tomorrow ON HBO. https://nypost.com/2026/01/21/entertainment/mel-brooks-doc-will-include-posthumous-interviews-with-david-lynch-rob-reiner-its-a-tribute/ The annual Goop Valentine's Day gift guide is here. And as usual, it includes a wide range of vibrators . . . including one you wear around your neck called the Vesper Mini. It's 2.75 inches long, has variable speeds and . . . it's waterproof! And if you feel like taking things to the next level, you can kick it into TURBO MODE. The price for pleasure, in this case, is $165.For his-n-hers action, there's also The Hug. It wraps around him, but it stimulates both of you at the same time. And for just $79. Ladies, if you really want him to have a VD he'll never forget, you can throw down $10,000 to design your own lingerie. That price gets you a session with an actual designer, and together you to come up with your own three-piece collection. AND FINALLY – it's time for the RIZZIE RAZZIES:The Golden Raspberry Awards, known as the Razzies, has announced the nominations for its 46th edition. Here are the nominees: WORST PICTURE “The Electric State” “Hurry Up Tomorrow” “Snow White” (2025) “Star Trek: Section 31” “War of the Worlds” (2025) WORST ACTOR Dave Bautista / “In the Lost Lands” Ice Cube / “War of the Worlds” Scott Eastwood / “Alarum” Jared Leto / “Tron: Ares” Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye / “Hurry Up Tomorrow” WORST ACTRESS Ariana DeBose / “Love Hurts” Milla Jovovich / “In the Lost Lands” Natalie Portman / “Fountain of Youth” Rebel Wilson / “Bride Hard” Michelle Yeoh / “Star Trek: Section 31” WORST REMAKE/RIP-OFF/SEQUEL “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (2025) “Five Nights at Freddy's 2” “Smurfs” (2025) “Snow White” (2025) “War of the Worlds” (2025) WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Anna Chlumsky / “Bride Hard” Ema Horvath / “The Strangers: Chapter 2” Scarlet Rose Stallone / “Gunslingers” Kacey Rohl / “Star Trek: Section 31” Isis Valverde / “Alarum” WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR All Seven Artificial Dwarfs / “Snow White” (2025) Nicolas Cage / “Gunslingers” Stephen Dorff / “Bride Hard” Greg Kinnear / “Off the Grid” Sylvester Stallone / “Alarum” WORST SCREEN COMBO All Seven Dwarfs / “Snow White” (2025) James Corden & Rihanna / “Smurfs” (2025) Ice Cube & His Zoom Camera / “War of the Worlds” (2025) Robert DeNiro & Robert DeNiro (as Frank & Vito) / “The Alto Knights” The Weeknd & His Colossal Ego / “Hurry Up Tomorrow” WORST DIRECTOR Rich Lee / “War of the Worlds” (2025) Olatunde Osunsanmi / “Star Trek: Section 31” The Russo Brothers / “The Electric State” Trey Edward Shults / “Hurry Up Tomorrow” Marc Webb / “Snow White” (2025) WORST SCREENPLAY “The Electric State” / Screenplay by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. Adapted from the illustrated novel by Simon Stalenhag. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” / Screenplay by Trey Edward Shults, Abel Tesfaye, Reza Fahim “Snow White” (2025) / Screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson and a bunch of others too numerous to mention. Drawing from the original fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. “Star Trek: Section 31” / Screenplay by Craig Sweeny with original story concept developed by Bo Yeon Kim & Erika Lippoldt “War of the Worlds” (2025) / Screen Story and Screenplay by Kenny Golde and screenplay by Marc Hyman, adapting (or destroying) the classic novel by H.G. Wells. AND THAT IS YOUR CRAP ON CELEBRITIES!Follow The Rizzuto Show → linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite Saint Louis comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → 1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.