5AM StoryTalk

FATIMA PAYMAN is a former refugee who became one of the youngest senators ever elected to the Parliament of Australia—where she has courted controversy on more than a few occasions. Today, the Senator joins me for some 5AM StoryTalk, and it’s one hell of a conversation.We tackle the decline of freedom of speech in Australia, the role of multiculturalism in the country’s art and identity, and whether the current Labor government is actually up to the challenges posed by the 21st century. A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠.Sen. Fatima Payman returns to break down a seminal artwork from her life – the Rage Against the Machine song ‘Killing in the Name’ from the rock band’s 1992 self-titled debut album.The Senator reveals for the first time the role this radical political song played in her decision to leave Australia’s Labor Party and become an Independent senator instead.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-sen-fatima-payman-talks-rage-against-the/id1807437928?i=1000749709502Substack: ⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/fatima-payman-rage-against-the-machine-killing-in-the-nameListen to the song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/59WN2psjkt1tyaxjspN8fp?si=549a5e1f2d5e4fdcThis is an extraordinary chat about the impact of art on the individual and, in this case, a political party.LINKSLearn more about Sen. Fatima Payman: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=300707Learn more about Sen. Payman’s decision to leave the Labor Party: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-04/fatima-payman-quits-labor-after-palestinian-vote-furore/104056278Learn about the rise of the Far Right in Australia: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-rise-of-far-right-extremism-australia-2025/8skg4ekweLearn more about ‘Killing in the Name’ here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_in_the_NameSUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER’⁠⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠You’ll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK PODCAST’ AT APPLEA paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.comCREDITS5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast’s music is provided by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Screenwriter-director JUSTIN SIMIEN (Dear White People, Haunted Mansion, Hollywood Black) discusses his life and craft, truth-telling in your art, finding your voice as an artist in an industry that increasingly doesn’t want you to have one, and Hollywood’s problematic relationship with Black artists.Pay attention, screenwriters: This episode is an intimate look at breaking into and sustaining your career in Hollywood in-between deep dives into how personal perspective and identity shaped Justin’s work – which will hopefully encourage you to pour as much of yourself into your own art as he does.A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠.Justin returns to break down a seminal film from his life – Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 science-fiction classic 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.Justin offers a radical new take on the film that will blow your mind. I know it did mine. This is a masterclass in deconstructing films – especially sacred cows.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/justin-simien-talks-2001-a-space-odyssey/id1807437928?i=1000748605227⁠Substack: ⁠ https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/justin-simien-2001-space-odysseyLINKSLearn more about Justin Simien: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_SimienWatch ‘Hollywood Black’ on MGM+: https://www.mgmplus.com/series/hollywood-blackRead Justin’s brilliant screenplay for ‘Dear White People’: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/dear-white-people-2014.pdf?v=1729114894SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER’⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠You’ll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK PODCAST’ AT APPLEA paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.comCREDITS5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where Cole Haddon - veteran screenwriter (creator, 'Dracula') and novelist ('Psalms for the End of the World') - discusses the highs and lows of his life as an artist and human being living and creating in Australia.On the itinerary today (Feb. 10, 2026):America in the shitter, the death of neoliberalism, and racism on the march in AustraliaArtists answer the call...or would if not for billionairesStill waiting for notes on my pilotWhat happened to all the personal projects I hoped to tackle during my break from this podcast?Awards season screeners - wah wahThe problem with ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, if there is oneThe death of nuance and subtlety in cinema according to NetflixFilm students who can’t watch films anymoreWhy you should resist the instinct toward ‘content’-style storytellingWes Craven’s philosophy about horrorHorror’s triumphant year in 2025 (i.e., ‘Sinners’, ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Weapons’, and more)The impact of real-life horror on my work (and yours?)SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKSRead 'The Film Students Who Can No Longer Sit Through Films' at The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/college-students-movies-attention-span/685812/SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠⁠⁠⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/

I’m Cole Haddon - screenwriter, novelist, and comic book writer - and this is a trailer for Season 3 of 5AM StoryTalk! If you're as confused by the 21st century as I am, then you've come to the right place. Every week at this podcast, I'm going to be joined by some of the world's biggest artists and intellectuals so that we can try to make sense of what's going on in our culture. I’m talking where we've been, where we've ended up, and where we're going – all through the lens of art and storytelling.This season’s guestlist is still shaping up, but right now I can safely say I’ll be joined by:Meg LeFauve (screenwriter, both ‘Inside Out’ films)Justin Simien (writer-director, ‘Dear White People’, ‘Bad Hair’, and ‘Hollywood Black’)Riki Lindhome (actress, musician, comedian, and TV creator)Senator Fatima Payman (Australian politician)Dr. Dacher Keltner (psychologist specializing in the benefits of awe on our mental health)Zoe Gardner (UK immigration and asylum researcher and campaigner)Tim Rogers (Aussie rock legend; front man of You Am I)BONUS EPISODESThe conversations don’t just end when these episodes do, though. Every 5AM StoryTalk interview is accompanied by a bonus ep in which my guests return to discuss at length a seminal piece of art from their lives. I like to think of each of these as mini-master classes, though what they teach you isn’t always as obvious as what the subject matter might suggest.CREDITSThe 5AM StoryTalk Podcast is hosted, written, and produced by Cole Haddon.It’s recorded on Djarra Country. I’d like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of that land and pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.Cary Brothers provides soundtrack: https://www.carybrothers.com/TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonSOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠EMAIL⁠⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.On the itinerary today: I turned in my pilot script! - producer reaction/notes anxiety - final podcast episode of 2025 - the Bondi Beach terror attack hits close to home for me - the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner - Bret Easton Ellis on why he writes - by contrast, why Rob Reiner made films - trying to make the world a better place than it really is - all kinds of gratitude to you, you, and you in the back - when 5AM StoryTalk will be back.SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKSRead 'Rob Reiner's Murder and the Decline of Cultural Empathy in 2025' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/rob-reiner-murder-cultural-empathy-2025Social Media:Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠Email:⁠⁠⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most beloved Christmas films ever made. But the real reason behind the holiday classic’s enduring popularity isn’t what you might think it is - and it ensures you can never get bored of it Spoiler: It’s not because life is all that wonderful.This is an audio essay about growing up and older, grief, and why we’re all George Bailey.If you’re a storyteller, you’re going to glean plenty from this episode, too.SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKSEarly ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXsu5XArEUwListen to Cinco Paul’s 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, in which he breaks down his favorite scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-cinco-paul-talks-its-a-wonderful-life/id1807437928?i=1000738755558Listen to Cinco Paul’s 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, in which he breaks down his favorite scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-itsRead my essay ‘Where The Love Light Gleams (Or: Christmas as Ritualized Trauma)’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/where-the-love-light-gleams-or-christmas?utm_source=publication-searchWatch ‘30 Hard-to-Find Christmas TV Specials Free on YouTube’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to-find-christmas-tv-specials?utm_source=publication-search Read ‘'Die Hard' Is the Only Christmas Movie That Bridges America's Political Divide’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/die-hard-is-the-only-christmas-movie?utm_source=publication-search Read ‘One Surreal Christmas Day: When Bing Crosby Met David Bowie’: One Surreal Christmas Day: When Bing Crosby Met David Bowie’: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surreal-christmas-day-in-1977?utm_source=publication-searchSOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

What do Hallmark Christmas films reveal about the state of our world? Why do millions of people turn to these stories every December for comfort and connection?Power Ranger – ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ agent – one of the best parts about Christmas. Today, I’m joined by actress (and dear friend) ERIN CAHILL. In this deeply intimate episode of 5AM StoryTalk, we go far beyond the IMDB credits. We explore the "spirituality of acting," the concept of art as a life of service, and why her latest film, 'Christmas at the Catnip Café', holds a special place in her heart.Expect non-stop laughs, profound insights into the creative life, and a look at what the holidays truly mean when the cameras stop rolling.BONUS EPISODEA bonus ep with Erin is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a seminal piece of art from her life: William Shakespeare’s “THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN” MONOLOGUE from ‘As You Like It’. You might know it as the ‘all the world’s a stage’ monologue. As a child, it changed how Erin looked at acting.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-erin-cahill-talks-shakespeares-the-seven-ages-of-man/id1807437928?i=1000740139937Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-erin-cahill-talks-shakespearesSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'https://colehaddon.substack.com/You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKSLearn more about Erin Cahill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_CahillWatch the trailer to ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiEk71bRse4SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.On the itinerary today: I bought a house in Australia! – 35% off 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter & Podcast yearly subscriptions – my favorite Christmas movie – Joey Ramone on what punk really means – sayonara, Hollywood – ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ is a perfect film, fight me – how I ended up Down Under – caring really is punk, thank you very much, James Gunn – SE London the greatest place to live on Earth? – the real meaning of Christmas – it’s not socialism, you idiot – conservative misreadings of Christmas movies crack me up – don’t be a dick.SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKSWatch 'The Bishop's Wife': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o9SskdQWzwListen to 'Schmigadoon' creator Cinco Paul discuss 'It's a Wonderful Life' at the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its?utm_source=publication-searchRead more about my thoughts regarding Cary Grant's two greatest performances (including 'The Bishop's Wife'): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/cary-grant-was-far-more-than-just?utm_source=publication-searchWatch 30 hard-to-find Christmas TV specials for free at 5AM StoryTalk (personally curated by me): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to-find-christmas-tv-specials?utm_source=publication-searchSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

The 'Despicable Me' films — 'The Secret Life of Pets' — 'Schmigadoon!'. This week, I'm joined by screenwriter CINCO PAUL whose credits include these titles and many, many more. We’re about to discuss his life, craft, and becoming the writer he always wanted to be 25 years into his career.This is is an incredibly illuminating deep dive into professional success and how that can sometimes become a cage. Cinco and I are also going to get very granular about screenwriting craft, more so than maybe any other episode in 5AM StoryTalk's history.Pay attention, screenwriters: This is a masterclass in staying true to your artistic voice while navigating the highest levels of Hollywood.A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. Screenwriters, do not pass this up! Cinco returns to discuss a foundational piece of art from his life Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.Specifically, we dig into the 'telephone scene' where George Bailey professes his love to Mary Hatch. If you want to understand how to write subtext, longing, and life-changing character beats, this analysis is essential listening.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-cinco-paul-talks-its-a-wonderful-life/id1807437928?i=1000738755558Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-itsLINKSLearn more about Cinco: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_Paul_and_Ken_DaurioRead the pilot script to 'Schmigadoon!': https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Schmigadoon-It-Starts-On-The-Page.pdfSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

This week, I'm joined by an Australian musician whose career I’ve been following since I first interviewed him in a Detroit club 20 years ago. I’m talking about BEN LEE here, and  we’ll be discussing his music (from the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep' to his stunning new single 'The Fall of America'), the death of the American myth that once inspired us to chase our dreams, and our complicated relationships with the country we once called home.This episode includes Ben performing 'The Fall of America', so no need to hunt that down elsewhere. You can follow along with the lyrics found here: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/benlee/thefallofamericaacoustic.htmlA BONUS EPISODE with Ben is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a foundational piece of art from his life - the iconic short story 'THE BALLOON' by Donald Barthelme, first published in The New Yorker in 1966.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-ben-lee-talks-donald-barthelmes-the-balloon/id1807437928?i=1000738078697Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-ben-lee-talks-donaldLINKSLearn more about Ben Lee: https://www.ben-lee.com/If you live in Australia, Ben is on tour from January to May 2026. Find his show list here: https://www.ben-lee.com/tour-datesListen to 'The Fall of America': https://open.spotify.com/album/6t1Rkg2CTLX5aeL6b5NRoS?si=VeQojEbUTeaaVZwkKvUNdgRead Donald Barthelme's 'The Balloon': https://engl211-ux1.community.uaf.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/432/2021/01/The-Balloon-Donald-Barthelme.pdfSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.On the itinerary today: Thanksgiving in the wrong part of the world – two Frankensteins: Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 film and the BBC mini-series 'Frankenstein: The True Story' from 1973 – why screenwriters should study del Toro’s version – your racist uncle now thinks pedophilia is okay, too – disrespecting Hammer horror while exploiting it – intergenerational trauma in art and life – Victor von Frankenstein as history’s first tech bro? – what billionaires and serial killers have in common – Madonna – the self as a work of art – a bad year, but good news at least.LINKSRead “Girl, You’ll Be a F*cking Woman Soon” at the 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/girl-youll-be-a-fucking-woman-soonWatch ‘Frankenstein: The True Story’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzUI8ZcQTykSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

Author - design advocate - cyborg anthropologist (yes, I said cyborg anthropologist!). This week, I'm joined by AMBER CASE and we’ll be talking about what’s gone wrong with how we interact with our technology, how craft, aesthetic, and consequently beauty have largely vanished from what we use in our everyday life, and how both issues affect our psychological and cultural health. Most importantly, we’ll be talking about how to fix this.A BONUS EPISODE with Amber is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a foundational piece of art from her life — the film 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968). This part of our conversation is very much a continuation of what you listen to today; what I mean is, it’s less a cinematic breakdown and more of a breakdown of the culture that produced the film and then…changed (and, of course, Amber’s personal experience of all that).Apple: https: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-amber-case-talks-2001-a-space-odyssey/id1807437928?i=1000736919146Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-amber-case-talks-2001LINKSLearn more about Amber Case and her work: https://www.caseorganic.com/Learn more about The Calm Tech Institute, which Amber founded: https://www.calmtech.institute/Watch Amber's 'We Are All Cyborgs Now' TEDTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_nowLearn about the reMarkable Paper Pro, which is Calm Tech-certified. (And no, I’m not advertising for it; I’m just excitedby what I’ve learned about it). https://remarkable.com/products/remarkable-paper/proWatch the ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR_e9y-bka0You might also enjoy this 5AM StoryTalk Podcast episode - 'When Did We Stop Dreaming of a Better Future?': https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MTMzZDQ3OTQtNmI4Ny00OGMzLTg1MDgtZTViODQ4Mzg0NTNi?view=apps&sort=popularitySUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

“Screenwriters: I want you to PUT THE CAT IN THE BLENDER instead.” 🐱🌪️'Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need' has done catastrophic damage to Hollywood storytelling and the moviegoing experience in the 21st century—but after 20 years as a professional screenwriter, I have a solution that might just help with your next script.In this episode of 5AM STORYTALK, I break down why the industry’s obsession with formulas has led to "bored shrugs" from audiences and how Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS offers a better path for spec scripts. ✍️🎬ON THE ITINERARY:THE FORMULA TRAP: Why the "Save the Cat" beats have created a sea of predictable, lifeless cinema 📉.THE SPEC SCRIPT SOLUTION: How to make a massive splash by ignoring the "rules" and finding your own voice ❤️‍🔥.PUT THE CAT IN THE BLENDER: My specific strategy for taking traditional structure and turning it into something authentic and surprising 🔄.SINNERS VS. THE SYSTEM: How Ryan Coogler broke the rules to create one of the most talked-about specs in years 🧛‍♂️.LINKS'How Do You Like Them Apples?! (or: Why Screenwriting Books Can Be Harmful)' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/how-do-you-like-them-apples-or-why?utm_source=publication-search'The Problem with How We Write (and Think) About Location' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-problem-with-how-we-write-about?utm_source=publication-search'How to Write Better Dialogue (While Becoming a Better Person)': https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MGIwN2FiMTMtNWExMC00OGM2LTlhMjMtY2FjZmQ0MGY1Yzk5?view=apps&sort=popularitySUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠A free subscription the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter gets you access to hundreds of arts, screenwriting, and writing articles. A paid subscription gets you access to all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

On the itinerary today: 'Sinners', at last — Denis Villeneuve agrees with me — are scripts just blueprints, or can they be literature? — what artists and magicians have in common — the limits of the screenwriting form — what I’ve learned from Walter Hill, William Goldman, and Celine Song — but also, Terrence Malick, Christopher Nolan, J.C. Chandor, and Richard Linklater and Kim Krizan — writing pilot scripts — TV creator and showrunner Emma Frost gives me a panic attack — the role of Nick Cave’s lyrics and David Bowie’s ‘Diamond Dogs’ in my screenwriting evolution — everyone’s favorite poet-curmudgeon, Alan Moore — and cinema as visual poetry.5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LINKS'Resource: Hundreds of Screenplays All in One Place' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/resource-hundreds-of-screenplays?utm_source=publication-search'Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' Script Blows Up All the Rules' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/christopher-nolans-oppenheimer-script?utm_source=publication-search'Denis Villeneuve, 'Dune', and the Problem with Dialogue Today' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/denis-villeneuve-dune-and-the-problem?utm_source=publication-searchScript: 'The Driver': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-driver-1978.pdf?v=1729115014Script: 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1969.pdf?v=1729114880Script: 'Past Lives': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/past-lives-2023.pdf?v=1729114969Script: 'Taxi Driver': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/taxi-driver-1976.pdf?v=1729115004Script: 'The Tree of Life': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-tree-of-life-2011.pdf?v=1729115042Script: 'All Is Lost': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/all-is-lost-2013.pdf?v=1729114856Script: 'Oppenheimer': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/oppenheimer-2023.pdfScript: 'Before Sunrise': https://indiegroundfilms.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/before-sunrise-numbered.pdfSOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

Author - screenwriter - podcaster - and trailblazing journalist. Today on the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast, I’m joined by EMILY ST. JAMES and we’ll be talking about her transition from beloved TV critic to the 'Yellowjackets' writers’ room, the fluidity of memory when it comes to our childhoods and relationships, and her beautiful new novel 'Woodworking' (which left me bawling and cautiously hopeful). This conversation moved me in unexpected ways I wasn’t quite prepared for, and I hope it does the same to you.A BONUS EPISODE with Emily is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, she and I discuss a foundational piece of art from her life — the “X-Files” Season 3 episode, 'Jose Chung's From Outer Space'. Many people - including us - believe it's one of the best eps of TV ever produced. In it, we'll continue to dig into the role of memory in narrative and her novel, 'Woodworking'.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-emily-st-james-talksLINKSLearn more about Emily St. James: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_St._JamesRead more about and order 'Woodworking': https://www.amazon.com/Woodworking-Emily-St-James/dp/163893147XSubscribe to Emily's newsletter 'Episodes': https://episodes.ghost.io/Read Emily's article 'How a New Hit Action Movie Explains Our Politics of Indifference', which discusses the John Wick franchise: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/03/31/john-wick-gun-violence-00089665Read about the 'X-Files' episode 'Jose Chung's From Outer Space': https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Chung%27s_From_Outer_SpaceSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

A lawyer who has helped transfer $5.5 billion from corporations to their victims - an author - the co-founder and chair of Digital Rights Watch. Today, I'm joined by LIZZIE O'SHEA and we'll be discussing her digital rights activism, (which impacts the rights of artists), the value of art in changing political conversations, and how to fight back against everything in the 21st century. I dare you not to be inspired to action by this episode.A BONUS EPISODE with Lizzie is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, she discusses a foundational piece of art from her life - Gustave Courbet’s perpetually controversial 1866 painting, L'ORIGINE DU MONDE (THE ORIGIN OF THE WORLD, in English). This is a brilliant conversation about the freedom of expression and censorship over the past 160 years.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-lizzie-oshea-talks-gustave-courbets-lorigine/id1807437928?i=1000733645524Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-lizzie-oshea-talksLINKSLearn more about Lizzie O'Shea: https://lizzieoshea.com/Learn more about Digital Rights Watch: https://digitalrightswatch.org.au/Check out Gustave Courbet's 'L'Origine du monde': https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Origine_du_mondeSUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.On the itinerary today: finding my characters’ voices fast with a writing trick you might want to try – breakfast with musician Tim Rogers (front man of Australian rock band YouAmI) – why artists need artists in their lives – how I answered when my therapist asked me what gives my life meaning – what art and church have in common – writing is rewriting – Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘One Battle After Another’ – Charles Lane’s ‘Sidewalk Stories’ – Studio Ghibli’s ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ – and Rick Rubin and the practice of being an artist.SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'https://colehaddon.substack.com/You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLEhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠LINKSCheck out what musician Tim Rogers is up to at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timrogersofficial/?hl=enCheck out Charles Lane's 'Sidewalk Stories' for free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fePUqYN3nFgHelp children in crisis around the globe by donating to Save the Children. You don't have to watch 'Grave of the Fireflies' to be motivated to do so, though the film deserves your attention anyway. https://www.savethechildren.net/Social Media:Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashereEmail:⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com⁠-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠.

'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' - 'Sinister' - 'Doctor Strange' - 'The Gorge' - 'The Black Phone' and 'Black Phone 2'. Today, I'm joined by SCOTT DERRICKSON, the director of these horror and action blockbusters and more. He co-wrote many of them, too. I think it’s safe to say this is his most candid and revealing interviews ever; it’ll change how you understand so much of his work.A BONUS EPISODE with Scott is also available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, he breaks down the first 20 minutes of a seminal piece of art from his life - Dario Argento's classic 1977 horror film SUSPIRIA, which provides a kind of secret origin to Scott's filmmaking identity. It's also an opportunity to hear a horror master interrogate another horror master's work.Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scott-derrickson-talks-suspiria-1977/id1807437928?i=1000732588425Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-scott-derrickson-talks-Aside from the personal, you should expect a lot of amazing craft insights in this episode, -about Scott’s creative process, themes that show up in his work, and his third acts. You’re also going to learn a ton about how he’s maintained his independence in Hollywood since he directed 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' in 2008 – which informs how he ended up directing the psychologically personal film Sinister and ultimately walked away from directing 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'.I’ve described some of my conversations as master classes in storytelling – but none of them compares to this one with Scott Derrickson.LINKS:Learn more about Scott Derrickson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_DerricksonWatch the trailer for 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VukhuFy4qtcWatch the trailer for 'Sinister': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apghx7q9oeYWatch the trailer for 'Doctor Strange': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7gvFravm4AWatch the trailer for 'Black Phone 2': https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=DdR-gzFZoDkRead "125 Horror Scripts for You to Download and Study" from the 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/125-horror-scripts-to-download-andListen to "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series" here: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?view=apps&sort=popularitySUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

Since I was little, all I wanted was to do was grow up to write stories for the screen. But when my first TV series was green lit to series, it was a gut punch almost as bad as finding out someone I love had died. Find out why in the exciting, soul-crushing conclusion of the four-part podcast story "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series".What you're about to listen to is a cautionary tale for screenwriters – and artists, in general – about what can happen when all your dreams come true. There's a reason why 'DRACULA' (2013), which starred Jonathan Rhy Meyers and a boatload of other brilliant actors, became infamous in two different countries' TV industries.If you haven't listened to Parts 1, 2, and 3, start there: Part 1: ⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠⁠Part 2: ⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/ZGVkNTYwZWEtYmM3OC00ZjBhLThlYzctZjNmZjQ1MDQ3MGJi?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠Part 3: ⁠⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MDg1N2MzMTEtY2Q3Yi00ZmM0LTliZGItNDBiZTQ0MWMxMDk1?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠⁠LINKS:Watch the trailer for 'Dracula' (2013): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9o4oFXNI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F⁠⁠⁠Learn more about the series at Wikipedia: ⁠⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(2013_TV_series)⁠⁠⁠Read more about my experiences on 'Dracula' at Substack: ⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-storytalk-reflections-will-the⁠⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What could lead me to try to REPEATEDLY try to quit the first TV series I ever created - 'DRACULA' (2013)? If you thought things went to a dark place in Part 2, you ain't seen nothing yet!Today brings you Part 3 of a four-part real-life horror story I often describe as a cautionary tale for screenwriters – and artists, in general – about what can happen when all your dreams come true.I'm talking about the unbelievable true story of the development and pitch, sale, pilot script, and greenlight for NBC and Sky's 2013 series 'Dracula' starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and a bunch of brilliant actors. A story so terrifying it became infamous in two different countries’ TV industries.If you haven't listened to Parts 1 and 2, start there: Part 1: ⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠Part 2: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/ZGVkNTYwZWEtYmM3OC00ZjBhLThlYzctZjNmZjQ1MDQ3MGJi?view=apps&sort=popularityListen to Part 3 here: ⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MDg1N2MzMTEtY2Q3Yi00ZmM0LTliZGItNDBiZTQ0MWMxMDk1?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠Listen to Part 4 here: ⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/OTEwMDNmZTYtYTUzZS00YTk4LWJjM2ItMzljYTczNzdlODlm?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠LINKS:Watch the trailer for 'Dracula' (2013): ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9o4oFXNI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F⁠⁠Learn more about the series at Wikipedia: ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(2013_TV_series)⁠⁠Read more about my experiences on 'Dracula' at Substack: ⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-storytalk-reflections-will-the⁠⁠SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'⁠⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠⁠⁠A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.TIP JARNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SOCIAL MEDIAFollow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com-5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠