5AM StoryTalk
- Episódios
- 89
- Publicação
- quinzenal
- Último episódio
- 27 out 2026
Sobre o podcast
Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter and novelist Cole Haddon for 5AM StoryTalk, a deep dive into 21st century culture and global issues through the lens of storytelling. Main episodes feature screenwriting deep dives, cultural analysis, and intimate conversations with artists and thought leaders like John August (Scriptnotes), Scott Derrickson (Doctor Strange), Dr. Kevin Hand (NASA), and Sen. Fatima Payman (Australian politician). Bonus eps offer craft and arts industry insights and "mini masterclasses'"breaking down seminal pieces of art from guests’ lives.
Episódios 89
Musician Tim Rogers | Redefining the Measure of Success
How do you survive 35 years in rock 'n' roll when the music industry's definition of success is a trap that can destroy you?Musician TIM ROGERS—front man of iconic Aussie band You Am I—looks back with an …
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How do you survive 35 years in rock 'n' roll when the music industry's definition of success is a trap that can destroy you?
Musician TIM ROGERS—front man of iconic Aussie band You Am I—looks back with an unvarnished eye at a career that includes hit albums, acting for stage and screen, a memoir, and, most recently, getting inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame. He breaks down his early days in the trenches of the 90s music scene, the heavy toll of chasing other people's measure of success, and discovering that the greatest, most enduring joy for an artist is still writing a song just for yourself.
Learn more about Tim here: https://tim-rogers.com.au/
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: BULL DURHAM (1988)
Tim returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his own life. What would make an Aussie fall so in love with a film about America’s Favorite Past Time?
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/tim-rogers-breaks-down-bull-durham
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Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
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CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Tin Rogers cover photo by Jason Rosewarne.
Finally Getting It Right as a Storyteller | The Brew
What happens when a screenwriter finally catches a break? In this personal check-in, I discuss the sudden return of creative momentum after some major life changes, the hidden costs of building a life around …
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What happens when a screenwriter finally catches a break? In this personal check-in, I discuss the sudden return of creative momentum after some major life changes, the hidden costs of building a life around storytelling, career volatility in film/TV today, what I’ve been watching that’s blown me away (like ‘Digger’), and much more.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS:
▪︎ Learn more about Cole Haddon's 1-on-1 Mentorship Opportunities for Screenwriters, Authors, and Substack Creators (and book your own!): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/1-on-1-story-mentorship-5am-storytalk
▪︎ Read "'Digger': How to Make a Film About How Terrible Your Audience Is": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/digger-how-to-make-a-film-about-how-terrible-your-audience-is
▪︎ Read "How ‘Digger’ Controls the Narrative (And What Screenwriters Can Learn From It)": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/how-digger-controls-the-narrative
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing): https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
'Digger': How to Make a Film About How Terrible Your Audience Is
Hollywood and critics alike want you to believe Alejandro González Iñárritu’s DIGGER, starring Tom Cruise, is a failure in every respect—a satire with nothing to say that audiences were right to ignore.They’re …
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Hollywood and critics alike want you to believe Alejandro González Iñárritu’s DIGGER, starring Tom Cruise, is a failure in every respect—a satire with nothing to say that audiences were right to ignore.
They’re completely missing the point.
Beneath its glossy Hollywood exterior lies a relentless Russian nesting doll of a film designed to challenge the very role of cinema in our corporate-fascist state. It isn't just taking aim at billionaires; it’s setting a deliberate trap for the exact culture-goers sitting in the theater seats.
In today's episode, we unpack why 'Digger' may be one of the most important and dangerous films of the 21st century, why film critics were so quick to bury it, and what its structure reveals about our relationship to modern art.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: "How ‘Digger’ Controls the Narrative (And What Screenwriters Can Learn From It)"
I break down 'Digger’s' unique, six-layer Russian nesting doll structure to show how Digger weaponizes narrative control and stages a dangerous conversation between artists, corporate gatekeepers, and the audience about "who controls the narrative".
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/how-digger-controls-the-narrative
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-digger-controls-the-narrative-and-what/id1807437928?i=1000796609345
LINKS:
▪︎ Read "Cinema of Denial: Arrested Development in 21st-Century Film": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-tension-of-becoming-at-the-end
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing): https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Director Paul Weitz | The 'Kamikaze' Approach to Hollywood
How do you forge a successful Hollywood career when every project you write or direct takes chances that could blow it up?Filmmaker PAUL WEITZ looks back across a 30-year 'distressingly diverse' career that has …
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How do you forge a successful Hollywood career when every project you write or direct takes chances that could blow it up?
Filmmaker PAUL WEITZ looks back across a 30-year 'distressingly diverse' career that has gone from generation-defining sex comedy ('American Pie'), to Oscar-nominated drama ('About a Boy'), to creating genre-defying sci-fi TV ('Murderbot'). He’ll break down his secret origin, kamikaze approach to storytelling, and the creative machinery behind the upcoming 'Murderbot' Season 2 – all while pulling back the curtain on the actual mechanics of the screenwriting and directing crafts, navigating the unpredictable business of the studio system, and sustaining a fearless, long-haul career that actually pays off.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: "THE HEFTY NEIL STORY" from 'SCTV" (1977)
Paul returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his life — an iconic episode-long sketch from “SCTV” called “The Hefty Neil Story”, starring John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and many others. Hefty Neil helped define his sense of comedy!
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/paul-weitz-john-candy-sctv-hefty-neil-story
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-weitz-breaks-down-the-hefty-neil-story-from-sctv/id1807437928?i=1000791050799
TIP JAR:
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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.
When the World Is Ending, What Is Art For?
AI, climate change, fascism, and forever wars are changing how we think, decimating our mental health, and warping our imaginations and art. The day-to-day struggle to create meaningful work during what feels …
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AI, climate change, fascism, and forever wars are changing how we think, decimating our mental health, and warping our imaginations and art. The day-to-day struggle to create meaningful work during what feels like—and very likely could be—the end of the world is relentless. But it's also more necessary than ever.
Today's episode marks the start of 5AM StoryTalk's ongoing attempt to help us reckon with this existential nightmare as artists and human beings.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Talkin’ Bout a (Cinema) Revolution | The Brew
Hollywood spent two decades turning the movie theater into a safe, predictable experience, and it's finally backfiring.Young adults are actively ditching algorithmic feeds and the inauthenticity of AI for …
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Hollywood spent two decades turning the movie theater into a safe, predictable experience, and it's finally backfiring.
Young adults are actively ditching algorithmic feeds and the inauthenticity of AI for weird, deeply personal, non-IP films, turning a simple night out into a frontline skirmish against digital conformity.
From David Lynch retrospectives to indie cinema that prioritizes reality over comforting corporate fantasy, a genuine counter-culture is brewing in the dark and, thankfully, Hollywood is unequipped to stop it.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS:
▪︎ Learn more about my novel 'Psalms for the End of the World': https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/read-the-first-chapter-of-my-debut
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
20 Years of 'Superman Returns': Brandon Routh on His Fall and Rise as the Man of Steel
What happens when you're told to believe you can fly, only to be brought crashing back to Earth by the box office?On the 20th anniversary of SUPERMAN RETURNS, BRANDON ROUTH takes a nostalgic and honest look …
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What happens when you're told to believe you can fly, only to be brought crashing back to Earth by the box office?
On the 20th anniversary of SUPERMAN RETURNS, BRANDON ROUTH takes a nostalgic and honest look back at the Man of Steel. He opens up about the surreal reality of landing his dream role, the struggle and depression that followed being recast, and the closure he found through fans and getting to play Superman one last time during the CW's Arrowverse crossover 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: THE DARK CRYSTAL (1982)
Brandon returns to break down Jim Henson and Frank Oz's 'The Dark Crystal'...a seminal film from his life that reprogrammed his creative imagination, ignited a lifelong passion for fantasy, and even helps explain the importance of Superman to him — and the world — today.
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/brandon-routh-dark-crystal-jim-henson
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brandon-routh-breaks-down-the-dark-crystal/id1807437928?i=1000784006899
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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.
Show Me on the Doll Where Christopher Nolan Hurt You | The Brew
When did going to the movies become a digital holy war?A look at the tribalistic fallout over Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey', Emily Wilson's review and my viral response to it, and why staking our identities …
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When did going to the movies become a digital holy war?
A look at the tribalistic fallout over Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey', Emily Wilson's review and my viral response to it, and why staking our identities on artists and artworks like 'Star Wars' and Nolan is ruining the way we talk about culture.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,600+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS:
- Read "Emily Wilson's Christopher Nolan Hit Piece Is Painfully Transparent": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/emily-wilson-christopher-nolan-odyssey-hit-piece
- Read "'The Odyssey': How Christopher Nolan Adapted a 2,700-Year-Old Epic": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-odyssey-christopher-nolan-screenplay-breakdown
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Director Greg McLean | Finding Fresh Terror in Familiar Horror
Genre filmmaking is all about taking simple premises and turning them into high-impact scares.GREG MCLEAN (writer-director of 'Wolf Creek' and 'Rogue') breaks down how to build relentless tension, develop …
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Genre filmmaking is all about taking simple premises and turning them into high-impact scares.
GREG MCLEAN (writer-director of 'Wolf Creek' and 'Rogue') breaks down how to build relentless tension, develop iconic horror characters, and turn tight premises into unforgettable feature scripts.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: ALIEN (1979)
Greg returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his own life that still informs every cinematic decision he makes today. A masterclass in horror.
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/director-greg-mclean-alien-horror-masterclass
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/director-greg-mclean-on-alien-subscriber-exclusive/id1807437928?i=1000777663617
IN THIS EPISODE:
Greg McLean ('The Belko Experiment', 'Territory') breaks down genre filmmaking, building relentless tension, crafting iconic horror characters, discussing the film he wishes he could erase from his filmography, and turning tight premises into unforgettable scripts by manipulating audience psychology.
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
- 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
- Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Why Time Off From Writing Can Be Hell | The Brew
Taking a vacation from the desk can be a recipe for disaster for a workaholic writer like me. Here’s why taking two weeks off triggered a massive 5:30 AM anxiety attack!Fresh off a family holiday that forced me …
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Taking a vacation from the desk can be a recipe for disaster for a workaholic writer like me. Here’s why taking two weeks off triggered a massive 5:30 AM anxiety attack!
Fresh off a family holiday that forced me to confront my need for daily writing to stay sane, I'm breaking down my panic spiral over my career backlog, an update on my new feature spec notes and TV pilot commission, plus my thoughts on finally watching the first season of "Shrinking".
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
- MY VACATION PANIC SPIRAL: Why stepping away from the desk for two weeks triggered a 5:30 AM anxiety attack about my career.
- WRITING AS MY MEDICINE: Daily pages aren't a choice for me — they're a requirement to keep me sane.
- SPEC & COMMISSION UPDATES: Where things stand with my new feature spec and the status of my TV pilot rewrite.
- DIVING INTO 'SHRINKING': My reaction to finally catching up on Apple TV's comedy-drama.
- BUKOWSKI’S BRUTAL TRUTH: A quote from the great poet to help you on your creative journey.
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
How I Prep for My 2nd Draft | The Brew
Starting a 2nd draft is one of the ultimate tests for screenwriters. Here’s why diving in too fast is a creative disaster!Fresh off wrapping the first drafts of two scripts (a TV pilot commission and a feature …
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Starting a 2nd draft is one of the ultimate tests for screenwriters. Here’s why diving in too fast is a creative disaster!
Fresh off wrapping the first drafts of two scripts (a TV pilot commission and a feature spec), I'm breaking down how I find perspective on my work, as well as my specific strategies to prepare for my next draft that will hopefully help you elevate your story from a messy 1st draft to the best 2nd draft possible.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE ART OF THE PAUSE: Why finding perspective before you start a 2nd draft is the single most important step in the entire screenwriting workflow.
- THE REWRITING CIRCLE: How to curate a small, trusted circle of diverse readers – with diverse viewpoints – to stress-test your pages.
- FEATURE VS. TV PILOT REWRITES: The differences between rewriting specs and scripts you’ve been commissioned to write.
- ‘OBSESSION’ AND ‘BACKROOMS’ MELT MY BRAIN: Thoughts on these films, but especially the Rorschach Test that ‘Obsession’ has turned out to be for audiences.
- MIRAGE IN THE DESERT: A core memory of 'Lawrence of Arabia' with my son.
- THE JODI PICOULT APPROACH: The brutal truth about the first draft that completely reframes how you look at a blank page.
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Bored of 'Star Wars'? As a Screenwriter, I Can Tell You Why
Why does Disney’s modern era of ‘Star Wars’ leave so many fans indifferent at best and running away at worst? It isn’t just you – and it isn't a lack of explosions and lightsaber duels. In this episode, I take …
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Why does Disney’s modern era of ‘Star Wars’ leave so many fans indifferent at best and running away at worst? It isn’t just you – and it isn't a lack of explosions and lightsaber duels. In this episode, I take a close look at the new film ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ to diagnose a massive narrative crisis in not just it, but most ‘Star Wars’ projects post-George Lucas. By breaking this golden rule of commercial storytelling, Disney has ensured that audiences will continue to tune out and films like ‘Mandalorian and Grogu’ will continue to bomb.
Today’s conversation is as much for storytellers looking to improve their craft as ‘Star Wars’ fanatics who are having trouble putting a finger on why so many of these stories aren’t moving them or the broader culture anymore.
ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE CONSEQUENCE CRISIS: Breaking down why modern ‘Star Wars’ stories feel like they’re spinning their wheels, and how avoiding real narrative stakes kills audience investment.
- THE FORGOTTEN GOLDEN RULE: Unpacking the essential rule of commercial storytelling that Disney keeps breaking – and how violating it directly triggers profound audience fatigue.
- THE SCREENWRITER'S DIAGNOSIS: A clinical look at the script-level choices that drain characters of true agency and leave zero room for permanent, impactful change.
- LESSONS FOR CREATORS: How screenwriters, novelists, and storytellers of any kind can look at the erosion of a multi-billion-dollar franchise to protect and sharpen their own stakes.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: "SCREENWRITERS: HOW TO SURVIVE HOLLYWOOD'S NO-WIN SCENARIO"I crashed and burned when I faced my first Kobayashi Maru test during the rewrite of a major spec feature sale... but you can learn from my mistakes.
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/hollywood-screenwriting-development-hellUNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-screenwriters-how-to-survive-hollywoods-no-win/id1807437928?i=1000772928000
LINKS:
- Listen/Read "How 'Andor' Blows Up Star Wars' Obsession With Moral Absolutism": https://open.substack.com/pub/colehaddon/p/new-podcast-how-andor-blows-up-sta
- Read "Luke Skywalker Isn't the Hero You Want Him to Be": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/luke-skywalker-isnt-the-hero-you
- Read "Lucasfilm’s Disregard for the O.G. Heir to the 'Star Wars' Empire Is Part of a Larger Entertainment Industry Problem": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-og-heir-to-star-wars-empire-say
- Read: "What Really Went Wrong With the 'Star Wars' Prequels...Maybe": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/what-really-went-wrong-with-the-star
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
- Cover art: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'
Why AI Destroys the Real Meaning of Filmmaking | The Brew
Remember when we wanted to make films, not just generate them? Let’s dive into why AI filmmaking strips away the friction, chaos, and collaboration that also produces the greatest films. It also robs the …
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Remember when we wanted to make films, not just generate them? Let’s dive into why AI filmmaking strips away the friction, chaos, and collaboration that also produces the greatest films. It also robs the process of its most important element — fun!
We’re going to explore the corporate push to turn a bespoke, human art form into disposable, mass-produced, flat-pack junk — call it the IKEA-fication of cinema (and art)!
I’ll be using plenty of examples from cinematic history — especially Steven Spielberg’s filmography — to support my case.
Stick around for the last third, in which I dive into ‘The Pitt’, the ‘Scrubs’ sequel series, and a Booker Prize winner that made me scream.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE PROCESS IS THE POINT: Why AI threatens to destroy the process that made me want to become a filmmaker in the first place and turn something bespoke and beautiful into disposable, mass-produced junk.
- CHAOS, DESPERATION, AND DYSENTERY ARE YOUR FRIEND: A broken shark, Harrison Ford getting, disagreeable dinosaurs - how Steven Spielberg turns obstacles into great art.
- ART WITHOUT COMFORT: Why easy art makes stories suck hard.
- DOUG LIMAN’S 'BITCOIN': The sobering reality of a 20-day shoot inside a plain gray box.
- IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL: Why cutting out hundreds of people along the way makes our creative worlds — and our adventures — smaller.
- WHAT WAS I THINKING WHEN I CALLED 'THE PITT' MEDITATIVE?: The thrilling, heart-racing late-Season 1 turn that completely changed my perspective on “The Pitt”.
- 'SCRUBS': A CURE FOR MIDLIFE CRISES: Finding something beautiful to cling to in the nostalgia and trauma-laden world of the sequel series.
- THE IMPENETRABLE PRIZE WINNER: What happened when I put a paragraph from a Booker Prize-winning into AI three times to try to make sense of what it was trying to say?
- THE REITMAN PRINCIPLE: What makes great films — and great directors according to 'Juno' director Jason Reitman.
TIP JAR:
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
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- 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
- Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
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- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
- Cover art: Borrowed from the making of 'Jaws', which we'll discuss at length in this episode.
The Cultural Necessity of Awe | Psychologist Dacher Keltner
Our society has traded collective awe for isolating screens — and our art is paying the price.DR. DACHER KELTNER (UC Berkeley psychology professor and author of the game-changing book ‘Awe: The New Science of …
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Our society has traded collective awe for isolating screens — and our art is paying the price.
DR. DACHER KELTNER (UC Berkeley psychology professor and author of the game-changing book ‘Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life’) breaks down how our isolation kills creativity, why awe fuels art, and how modern screen culture threatens storytelling and our culture.
SCREENPLAY PERFORMANCE STUDIO: Today's episode is brought to you by Screenplay Performance Studio. Check them out and use the code 5AMStoryTalk to get $25 off. screenplayperformancestudio.com/5AM
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: JAN STEEN'S PAINTING 'MERRY COMPANY ON A TERRACE'
Dacher returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his own life that helped set him on a quest to better understand human emotions.
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/dacher-keltner-jan-steen-merry-company-on-a-terrace
UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-dacher-keltner-talks-jan-steens-merry-company/id1807437928?i=1000769462790
ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE BIAS OF SCIENCE: Why psychology ignored transcendent emotions for a century to focus on fear, impacting Western storytelling.
- THE CREATIVES' LAB: How artists, writers, and filmmakers can actively trigger states of awe to break through creative blocks and write deeper, more resonant stories.
- THE NEURODIVERGENT MIND: Breaking down groundbreaking new data from autistic scholar Hari Srinivasan that shatters harmful myths about neurodiversity and awe.
- THE CRISIS IN HOLLYWOOD: Why modern cinema is struggling to connect, and how a cultural deficit of wonder has sterile algorithms replacing creative risk-taking.
- THE DEATH OF THE LIVE AUDIENCE: From movie theaters to church pews, why we are collectively suffering from the loss of shared communal experiences.
LINKS:
- Check out Dr. Dacher Keltner's book ‘Awe': https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622175/awe-by-dacher-keltner/
- 🎧📺✍️ 5AM StoryTalk's discussion 'Project Hail Mary' Is the Blueprint to Save Hollywood (and Our Future)': https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/project-hail-mary-blueprint-save-hollywood-our-future
- Hari Srinivasan's autism research blog: https://uniquelyhari.blogspot.com/
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription? You can also “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
- 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
- Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Notes Survival Guide for Screenwriters & Authors
Getting feedback on a script or novel shouldn't be so anxiety inducing. This episode of 5AM StoryTalk is the ultimate notes survival guide for screenwriters and authors receiving feedback – and a masterclass …
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Getting feedback on a script or novel shouldn't be so anxiety inducing. This episode of 5AM StoryTalk is the ultimate notes survival guide for screenwriters and authors receiving feedback – and a masterclass for producers, agents, and book editors looking to deliver critiques that actually inspire great revisions!
👉 SCREENPLAY PERFORMANCE STUDIO: Today's episode is brought to you by Screenplay Performance Studio. Check them out and use the code 5AMStoryTalk to get $25 off. screenplayperformancestudio.com/5AM
ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE FIGHT-OR-FLIGHT RESPONSE: Breaking down the actual evolutionary psychology of why creative feedback triggers the exact same brain response as a physical attack.
- THE "MURDER" IMPULSE: Why many standard industry notes often derail a writer's momentum instead of helping the story.
- FILTERING THE GOLD: A step-by-step strategy for screenwriters and novelists to separate valuable insights from otherwise questionable note sessions.
- HOW TO GIVE NOTES (WITHOUT THE DRAMA): The exact blueprint for producers, agents, book editors, and peers to deliver devastating critiques in a way that actually inspires the creator.
- HOLLYWOOD VS. THE REST OF THE WORLD: The gap between how Hollywood notes are given and how they’re given elsewhere around the globe.
- THE SCREENWRITER VS. NOVELIST DIVIDE: How the feedback landscape can differ between the screenwriting and publishing worlds.
- THE EMOTIONAL CURE: My personal toolkit for cooling down, processing the anxiety, and turning a brutal notes session into a great script revision.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS:
- Read why this episode's sponsor, Screenplay Performance Studio, meets this podcast's human-made art standards for a digital tool: https://screenplayperformancestudio.com/privacy-policy.html
- Read "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-the-horror-of
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
- 5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/
- Cole Haddon @ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/
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- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Overcomplicating your world-building? | The Brew
Are you overcomplicating your world-building? I’m breaking down why the most effective story worlds are built on simplicity — and why I opted (counterintuitively) to instead take a “maximalist” approach to my …
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Are you overcomplicating your world-building? I’m breaking down why the most effective story worlds are built on simplicity — and why I opted (counterintuitively) to instead take a “maximalist” approach to my storytelling with my latest TV pilot script commission.
The good news is, I finally heard from my producers what they think about the work I did, which I’m going to be filling you in about, along with an update on my new feature spec screenplay, and what I’ve been watching lately…like 'The Pitt’. Is it just me, or is it one of the most meditative shows on TV today? I’ll tell you what I mean by that and more in this latest edition of The Brew — an intimate 5AM StoryTalk series on the struggles and successes of life in the arts.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE PILOT UPDATE: What's going on with my latest script commission? After almost five months, I finally got notes from my producers.
- DELICATE MAXIMALISM: Swinging for the fences with an oversized draft to find the project’s perfect shape.
- THE RARE NOTE: I got a note I've never received before. Find out what it was.
- THE WORLD-BUILDING SPECTRUM: From 'Star Wars 'to the grounded social dynamics of Amity Island in 'Jaws' - what do people not understand about the term 'world-building'?
- THE KILLER 50-PAGE PILOT: Tightening a 63-page script into a "tear-through" read.
- CELLULOID AT RADIO SPRINGS: 'Citizen Kane' and the "fucking brilliant" French epic 'Camille Claudel' on film.
- WHAT I THINK OF 'THE PITT': The unique conflict of a series that feels like "what television used to be".
- THE MINGUS PRINCIPLE: Making the complicated simple so the audience can internalize the world instead of analyze it.
LINKS:
- Read "14 Perfect Minutes: Breaking Down the Opening of 'Jaws'": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/14-perfect-minutes-breaking-down
- Read "How to World-Build Like a Wachowski": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/on-screenwriting-how-to-world-build
- Read "30 World-Building-Heavy Scripts to Download and Study": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-world-building-heavy-scripts-to
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
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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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
- Cover art: Stanford torus, painted by Donald E. Davis. Source: NASA.
Actor David Dastmalchian | Letting the Darkness Speak
Writers, stop trying to control the darkness and start letting it speak.Actor, filmmaker, and comic book creator DAVID DASTMALCHIAN (‘Dune’, ‘Late Night with the Devil’, ‘Murderbot’) joins me to discuss why the …
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Writers, stop trying to control the darkness and start letting it speak.
Actor, filmmaker, and comic book creator DAVID DASTMALCHIAN (‘Dune’, ‘Late Night with the Devil’, ‘Murderbot’) joins me to discuss why the most dangerous thing an artist can do is try to "button up" the darkness. Through the lens of his life, career, and bold new graphic novel ‘Through’, we explore the thin line between creating a "fortress" of control and finding the courage to let your stories – and your life – remain beautifully unresolved.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY:
- AVOIDING ARCHETYPAL ANTAGONISTS: Why fully fleshed-out villains, like those in Frank Herbert’s Dune, are essential for a story to feel truly justified and human.
- THE MONSTER WITHIN: How the horror genre provides a safe place to confront not just the "dark outside the window," but the terrifying parts of ourselves we aren't comfortable talking about.
- THE CREATIVE VACUUM: Why the artist’s best work is done when seeking to overcome fear rather than being driven by it, moving from a state of hyper-vigilance to conscious presence.
- THE TRUTH ABOUT VULNERABILITY: A raw discussion on addiction, suicide attempts, and the "implosion" of self-control – and how these experiences become the clay for David’s meaningful art.
- BREAKING ‘THROUGH’: The creative and emotional origins of David’s new graphic novel from Z2 Comics and why it’s one of the most personal things he’s ever worked on.
- THE SABOTAGED ENDING: The last-minute phone call that dismantled a "perfect" conclusion to ‘Through’ because life – and art – is far more honest when it refuses to be buttoned up.
- RADICAL HOPE: How normalizing conversations about the morbid can help us face the "monstrous" within a capitalist culture that often buries the value of human wellbeing.
🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: HAROLD AND MAUDE (1971)
David Dastmalchianb returns to discuss a seminal piece of art from his life – HAROLD AND MAUDE, the 1971 cult classic from legendary director Hal Ashby. This conversation is going to explain how David became the person – and artist – he is today.
🔑 UNLOCK AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/david-dastmalchian-harold-and-maude-mental-health
🔑 UNLOCK AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-david-dastmalchian-talks-harold-and-maude/id1807437928?i=1000766143248
LINKS
- Learn more about and purchase David Dastmalchian's graphic novel THROUGH: https://z2comics.com/products/david-dastmalchian-through-graphic-novel-collectors-cards-deluxe-edition
- Watch/Listen to David's podcast GRAVE CONVERSATIONS: https://www.youtube.com/@graveconversations
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing): https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
◼5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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 my dear friend Cary Brothers. https://www.carybrothers.com/
How I Picked My Next Spec Screenplay | The Brew
Are you thinking about writing a feature spec script? I’m breaking down the 4-part stress test I used to pick my first big-screen project in five years.Today on The Brew — an intimate 5AM StoryTalk series on …
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Are you thinking about writing a feature spec script? I’m breaking down the 4-part stress test I used to pick my first big-screen project in five years.
Today on The Brew — an intimate 5AM StoryTalk series on the struggles and successes of life in the arts — I’m sharing the exact process I used to identify and fall in love with an idea that would also have commercial appeal. Whether you are a screenwriter, author, or graphic novelist, the logic remains the same — what is relevant to one medium has applications across all others.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
Join the 10,000+ members of the 5AM StoryTalk community at Substack mastering the craft of storytelling (and the art of life) together: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
ON THE ITINERARY THIS WEEK
- THE ARTIST’S INTERROGATION: Why you must constantly challenge your creative process and the way you pursue your art.
- THE PILOT POISON: How a decade of writing TV pilots "ruined" the feature-writing process by favoring aborted character journeys over definitive endings.
- THE BULLSEYE STRATEGY: A breakdown of the four-part stress test used to find the precise intersection of passion, commercial logic, theme, and sequel potential.
- THE "COMMERCIAL" MYTH: Why writing for a large audience is a moral case for cinema rather than "selling out".
- THE LAVA CAKE STRATEGY: Learning to hide your most serious, "grim" themes inside a high-octane "sugar cake" of entertainment.
- THE JAMES CAMERON SCHOOL OF GOAL-SETTING: Why setting ridiculously high goals ensures that even your failures land above everyone else's success.
🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: "WEAPONIZING CURIOSITY IN SCREENWRITING: BUILDING THE NARRATIVE HOOK"
🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/weaponizing-curiosity-screenwriting
🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-weaponizing-curiosity-in-screenwriting-building/id1807437928?i=1000763998965
LINKS:
- Watch/Listen/Read "'Project Hail Mary' Is the Blueprint to Save Hollywood (and Our Future)": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/project-hail-mary-blueprint-save-hollywood-our-future
- Watch/Listen/Read "The Brew | 'Hustle Culture Is Killing Me'": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-realtalk-feb-23-i-cant-do-this?utm_source=publication-search
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
'Project Hail Mary' Is the Blueprint to Save Hollywood (and Our Future)
We’ve all said it: "They don’t make movies like they used to.” It's true, too...but Andy Weir's PROJECT HAIL MARY is the blueprint for how to fix the problem!This is the story of how my 11-year-old son — a kid …
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We’ve all said it: "They don’t make movies like they used to.” It's true, too...but Andy Weir's PROJECT HAIL MARY is the blueprint for how to fix the problem!
This is the story of how my 11-year-old son — a kid raised on a steady diet of Marvel and Star Wars — ended up sobbing through a 28-year-old disaster flick and declaring it the best thing he’s ever seen. It’s also about why Hollywood is currently failing its audience, and how a science teacher lightyears from home in PROJECT HAIL MARY holds the key to saving the movie business and maybe even our future.
If you’ve ever felt fatigued by superheroes and god-like beings, if you’re a screenwriter trying to work out what’s next, or if you’re wondering how a culture could so dramatically lose its way, this episode of 5AM StoryTalk is for you!
ON THE ITINERARY:
- DECONSTRUCTIVE VS. CONSTRUCTIVE ART: The difference between art as a "mirror" and art as a "hammer."
- THE 11-YEAR-OLD LITMUS TEST: Lessons from ‘Deep Impact’ on why grounded human drama triggers "awe."
- THE SCIENCE OF MORAL BEAUTY: Exploring Dr. Dacher Keltner’s research on why acts of courage are emotional triggers.
- SUPERHERO FATIGUE: Why we must trade powerful beings for ordinary people facing certain death.
- ANDY WEIR'S ‘PROJECT HAIL MARY’: Why this story is the answer to: "Why don’t they make movies like they used to?"
- THE MIDDLE ROAD: Using the "grinder" of deconstruction to earn a transcendent ending.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS
- Listen/Watch/Read "Screenwriters Meg LeFauve & Joe Forte | Breaking Your Story (and Life)": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-screenwriting-life-meg-lefauve-joe-forte?utm_source=publication-search
- Listen/Read "When Did We Stop Dreaming of a Better Future?": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-did-science-fiction-help?utm_source=publication-search
- Learn more about Dacher Keltner's study of awe: https://www.dacherkeltner.com/
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing): https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
- 5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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 my dear friend Cary Brothers. https://www.carybrothers.com/
Immigration Researcher Zoe Gardner | The Migration 'Crisis' Is a Myth
What happens when our cultural stories fail to tell the truth about where we’ve been and where we’re going? Independent immigration researcher and campaigner ZOE GARDNER joins me to challenge the dehumanizing …
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What happens when our cultural stories fail to tell the truth about where we’ve been and where we’re going?
Independent immigration researcher and campaigner ZOE GARDNER joins me to challenge the dehumanizing narratives surrounding immigration, refugees, and borders. We dive deep into the intersection of policy, power, and the arts to uncover the systemic forces reshaping our global social landscape.
ON THE ITINERARY:
- COLONIAL AMNESIA ON SCREENS: An exploration of why British TV and film’s reluctance to depict colonial history has fueled the ascent of Far-Right influence.
- THE CASTING DILEMMA IN BRITISH TV: A look at “color-blind” casting in period dramas and whether it risks erasing the very history we need to confront.
- THE FAR-RIGHT THREAT: How Nigel Farage and his Reform Party are weaponizing fear for power and profit.
- THE LABOR VACUUM: Why Keir Starmer’s Labor Party is failing by trying to appeal to the Right instead of the Left.
- THE TRUTH ABOUT IMMIGRATION: Understanding the reality of UK immigration today and why it is necessary for the country’s future.
- THE REVOLUTIONARY ACT: Why the struggle for justice is vital even when victory feels impossible – and the role of the artist in that fight.
- RADICAL HOPE: How a plumber-turned-MP is shattering the narrative that we have to choose between “sensible” and “hopeful” politics.
🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: JOAN BAEZ VS. BOB DYLAN
Zoe Gardner returns to discuss a seminal moment in art that helped shape her worldview: the very public disagreement of musicians JOAN BAEZ AND BOB DYLAN over his responsibility (or lack thereof) to help change the world. Does an artist have a moral obligation to take a position when their voice matters so much? 🎸
🔑 UNLOCK AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/zoe-gardner-baez-vs-dylan
🔑 UNLOCK AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/zoe-gardner-talks-joan-baez-vs-bob-dylan/id1807437928?i=1000761453682
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS
- Donate to Praxis, which supports migrants and refugees, particularly those experiencing destitution. Recommended by Zoe. https://www.praxis.org.uk/?form=FUNULBFMMCZ
- Read Zoe's latest immigration report, which I highly recommend if you want to better understand UK immigration: https://zoegardner.net/assets/time-for-change.pdf
- Read "Independent Thematic Review of portrayal and representation of the UK in BBC content", referenced in this conversation: https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/documents/thematic-review-of-portrayal-and-representation.pdf
- Listen to "Sen. Fatima Payman on the Price of Defiance in Australian Politics" from 5AM StoryTalk (Sen. Payman is a former refugee turned politician): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/podcast-fatima-payman-labor-party-australian-politics?utm_source=publication-search
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing): https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
◼5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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 my dear friend Cary Brothers. https://www.carybrothers.com/
A Screenwriter's Real-Life Ghost Story (Or: How I Wasted 6 Months of My Life)
This is a Hollywood horror story about the dumbest thing to ever happen to me as a screenwriter - including the exact moment a room full of industry pros realized the embarrassing six-figure mistake that had …
Notas do episódio
This is a Hollywood horror story about the dumbest thing to ever happen to me as a screenwriter - including the exact moment a room full of industry pros realized the embarrassing six-figure mistake that had been made.
ON THE ITINERARY
- THE “DRACULA” HANGOVER: Recovering from creating a TV series that turned into a "shit-show" while your career is technically booming.
- THE GOLDEN GOD TRAP: When “we love this script, you’re brilliant!” turns into a repetitive, unsolvable note.
- THE UNPAID EXTRA MILE: Navigating the "two-Step" pilot deal and why agents push you to work for free.
- THE LITMUS TEST: Getting trusted feedback from showrunners to confirm you aren't the crazy one.
- THE WINDOWLESS ROOM: The exact moment a "bad idea" revealed a six-figure misunderstanding.
- THE SIX-MONTH COST: The reality of wasting half a year on a project that never had a chance.
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack:https://colehaddon.substack.com/
LINKS
- Listen to "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1" at Substack: "https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-the-horror-of
- Listen to "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1" at your favorite podcast player: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing): https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
◼5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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 my dear friend Cary Brothers. https://www.carybrothers.com/
-
00:00 Welcome and Tease
01:14 Spooky Premise Setup
01:57 Post Dracula Career
02:53 New Adaptation Gig
03:34 The One Note Scarier
04:30 Free Drafts Pressure
05:59 Meeting Goes Sideways
06:49 Wait There Is a Ghost
07:44 The Real Mix Up0
8:41 Wrap Up and Subscribe
Why Screenplay Templates Are Making You a Hack (and What to Do About it) | The Brew
If you’re struggling to master screenplay structure and finding that screenwriting guides aren’t making it easier like they promised, this episode of THE BREW (formerly 5AM RealTalk) is for you.The bad news …
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If you’re struggling to master screenplay structure and finding that screenwriting guides aren’t making it easier like they promised, this episode of THE BREW (formerly 5AM RealTalk) is for you.
The bad news: those mass-marketed screenplay templates you’ve been told to follow are originality killers – and their “hacks” tend to turn you into a hack.
The good news: While there is no cheat code to becoming a great screenwriter, there is a way to learn structure on your own terms. The strategy I’m going to discuss today – in response to a listener’s question – can help you internalize it, more quickly identify your original voice, and cut out a lot of the creative angst that comes with the process.
The even better news? What I’m proposing is a lot more fun.
- ON THE ITINERARY:
- THE TEMPLATE TRAP: Why mass-marketed guides are producing a sea of “hacks” and knock-offs. 📉
- NARRATIVE AUTONOMY: How to develop your own screenplay template rather than filling in someone else’s blanks. 🧠
- THE MARKET REALITY: Why “hacks” get work, but original voices are the ones that develop real careers. 💰
- THE PICASSO PROTOCOL: Why you have to learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist. 🎨
- RIP REALTALK: Why I’m pivoting to THE BREW and how I’m cleaning up the 5AM StoryTalk architecture. 💀
JOIN THE COMMUNITY!
5AM StoryTalk is reader-supported. Help me keep the coffee brewing by becoming a free or paid subscriber at Substack:
https://colehaddon.substack.com/
🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: HOW TO FIX YOUR SH*TTY EXPOSITION
I break down why vomitous info dumps kill scripts, how to turn every scene into a power struggle (with detailed examples from one of the greatest filmmakers to ever live), and why you should never, ever put a “pope in a pool.”
🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/screenwriting-exposition-fail-pope-in-a-pool
🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-how-to-fix-your-sh-tty-dialogue/id1807437928?i=1000756101768
LINKS:
- Read “What That Last Brownie Really Means in ‘Notting Hill’ from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/what-that-last-brownie-really-means
- Read “Don’t Save the Cat...Put It in the Blender!” from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/dont-save-the-catput-it-in-the-blender
- Read “50 Essential Scripts to Download and Study If You Want to Be a Screenwriter” from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/50-essential-scripts-to-download
TIP JAR:
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here to help keep me caffeinated (translation: writing):
https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup
00:34 Rebranding The Brew
02:20 Why Templates Fail
04:32 Study Films Beat by Beat
05:50 Movies to Break Down
08:05 Build Your Own Intuition
10:30 Picasso Quote and Rules
11:46 Wrap Up and Next Episode
Screenwriters Meg LeFauve & Joe Forte | Breaking Your Story (and Life)
"Every billion-dollar movie has tapped into something personal."Screenwriting isn't just a craft – it’s a psychological excavation. In this episode of 5AM StoryTalk, I sit down with Oscar-nominated screenwriter …
Notas do episódio
"Every billion-dollar movie has tapped into something personal."
Screenwriting isn't just a craft – it’s a psychological excavation. In this episode of 5AM StoryTalk, I sit down with Oscar-nominated screenwriter and co-host of ‘The Screenwriting Life’ MEG LeFAUVE (‘Inside Out’, ‘Captain Marvel’) and filmmaker JOE FORTE (‘The Man Who Saved Ben-Hur’) to pull back the curtain on the "sacred act" of storytelling.
We move past the surface-level mechanics of scriptwriting to explore the high-stakes emotional work required to actually break and outline story. From the "clinical" necessity of a structural blueprint to the "molten lava" of personal truth that brings your structure to life, Meg and Joe share how to transform your deepest blind spots into universal narrative.
This is a must-listen for screenwriters at all levels, artists who believe we find ourselves through what we create, and anyone dreaming of a future in Hollywood. Is the “screenwriting life” still worth it in 2026? You’re going to want to hear their answer!
🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (1952)
Meg and Joe return to break down a seminal piece of art from their lives – one of the greatest films ever made, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN. This is an opportunity to hear two master screenwriters – one of them being the co-host of one of your favorite screenwriting podcasts – deconstruct this masterpiece for screenwriters and all filmmakers to learn from.
🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-screenwriting-life-meg-lefauve-joe-forte
🔑 UNLOCK THE BONUS AT APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-meg-lefauve-and-joe-forte-talk-singin-in-the-rain/id1807437928?i=1000756963956
ON THE ITINERARY:
- SCRIPTS AS LITERATURE OR BLUEPRINT: The "clinical" necessity of structure versus visceral art. 📄
- THE STRUCTURE STRUGGLE: Moving past the "vomit draft" into a layered, iterative approach. 🏗️
- STEPPING OVER THE THRESHOLD: How a simple story note can trigger a psychological breakthrough. 🔥
- BEHAVIOR VS. WORDS: Why actions are the ultimate "breadcrumbs" for a writer. 🥤
- A PARADE FOR THE PROCESS: Why starting with a "parade" of appreciation is the secret to keeping the creative spark alive. 🎺
LINKS:
- Listen to ‘The Screenwriting Life’: https://www.thescreenwritinglife.com/
- Listen to ‘The Screenwriting Life’ with yours truly as a guest: https://podcasts.apple.com/uy/podcast/185-why-tone-and-genre-plot-ft-cole-haddon/id1501641442?i=1000650005185
- Read a previous interview with Meg LeFauve published at the 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter:
- Learn about Joe Forte’s art: https://joeforte.com/
TIP JAR:
Not 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/colehaddon
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.social
- Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL:
CREDITS:
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Why ‘Sinners’ Really Lost Best Picture | The Brew
If you’ve ever felt the crushing weight of a culture that demands “content” but punishes audacity and ambition from its artists, this ep is for you. 💪Are you confused why 'Sinners' didn’t walk away with the …
Notas do episódio
If you’ve ever felt the crushing weight of a culture that demands “content” but punishes audacity and ambition from its artists, this ep is for you. 💪
Are you confused why 'Sinners' didn’t walk away with the Oscars’ biggest prizes? Unsure why the theatrical box office is in free fall? Or are you taking as few risks in your own work as the people you complain have ruined the artforms you love most?
In this episode of The Brew – a 5AM StoryTalk "plog" about the artist's life – I’m getting into all of this, plus how I’ve begun to rebuild my creative and personal life after the breakdown I shared last time.
ON THE ITINERARY:
- HUSTLE CULTURE FALLOUT: Last time, I talked about how hustle culture had led to a personal and professional breakdown...so, has anything changed for me? (Spoiler: Yes.) 🧠
- CREATIVE RISK: Am I about to fall on my face with these new projects? 🎢
- AUDACIOUS NEW FILMS: My reactions to the new films 'The Testament of Ann Lee' from Mona Fastvold and 'The Bride!; from Maggie Gyllenhaal. 🎬
- BOX OFFICE DECLINE: WTF, only 53% of Americans went to the theater last year?! 🍿
- 2026 OSCARS: My reaction to the Academy Awards’ Best Director and Best Picture picks. 🏆
- OSCARS STILL SO WHITE: Why Ryan Coogler and 'Sinners' were never going to win Oscars (it's about race, but maybe not how you think) 🎰
- UNPROTECTED CREATIVITY: Lady Gaga and what creating art and reckless, condomless sex have in common. 🫦
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 APPLE
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928
A 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 JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
LINKS
- Read this episode as text at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/why-sinners-lost-best-picture
- Read Brooke Obie's essay "One Fetish After Another: PTA Exploits Black Women and Averts Revolution" here: https://blackgirlwatching.substack.com/p/one-battle-after-another-review
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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
-
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/
00:00 Welcome and Topics00:46 Burnout and Reckoning02:16 Creativity Returns03:19 Back to the Cinema03:34 Testament of Ann Lee04:00 Maggie Gyllenhaal The Bride05:40 Why Theaters Matter08:51 Oscars Recap10:45 Why Sinners Lost13:29 Lady Gaga Quote15:03 Final Thoughts and Outro
The F*cked Up Amount of Work It Takes to (Not) Sell Something in Hollywood Today
“20 years ago, it was possible to sell a film/TV pitch based on a badass title alone. Today? I have an A-list actor attached and still can't get paid.” 🎬✍️In this episode of 5AM STORYTALK, I pull back the …
Notas do episódio
“20 years ago, it was possible to sell a film/TV pitch based on a badass title alone. Today? I have an A-list actor attached and still can't get paid.” 🎬✍️
In this episode of 5AM STORYTALK, I pull back the curtain on the back-breaking, soul-crushing work that is development in modern Hollywood 🎬.
By way of a personal anecdote from my 20 years as a professional screenwriter and TV creator – involving a prestige limited series and one of my favorite actors – I break down what it’s like to be a screenwriter in 2026 ✍️.
It’s a world where screenwriters are expected to break entire seasons, create visual decks, and attach A-list talent—all for free—only to be told by studios that the work has barely begun.
ON THE ITINERARY:
THE DEATH OF DEVELOPMENT: How studios offloaded financial risk onto the shoulders of writers 📉.
THE ATTACHMENT TRAP: What happens when an A-list star joins your project and the studio still refuses to trigger a paycheck 🪤.
THE SPEC TRAP: Why writing for free is an "exploitative and abusive" cycle that even established writers struggle to break 🔄.
SURVIVAL TACTICS: How to protect your creative heart (and your bank account) when the industry demands your soul on spec ❤️🩹.
BONUS EPISODE: "Why You Shouldn't Trust Hollywood Agents"
I explore the institutional inability of agents to be honest with their clients, featuring a hell of an example from my own career. This is an essential listen to help navigate your relationship with your agents – especially as your career in Hollywood takes off 🚀. Exclusive to Apple and Substack listeners.
🎧 APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-why-you-shouldnt-trust-hollywood-agents/id1807437928?i=1000753843560
✍️ SUBSTACK: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/fucked-up-amount-of-work-hollywood-screenwriting
LINKS:
- Read the essay “The F*cked Up Amount of Work It Takes to (Not) Sell Something in Hollywood” at Substack 🔗
- Another useful essay/podcast episode you should catch – “How to Survive the Sad, Uncertain Life of an Artist”: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-how-to-survive?utm_source=publication-search 🎭
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 APPLE
A 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/id1807437928
TIP JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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/
Comedian Riki Lindhome | The Freedom of No Opportunities
Emmy-nominated musician and comedian, actress, and TV creator RIKI LINDHOME (Garfunkel and Oates, 'Wednesday', 'Knives Out') discusses the "freedom of no opportunities", how failing at the traditional Hollywood …
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Emmy-nominated musician and comedian, actress, and TV creator RIKI LINDHOME (Garfunkel and Oates, 'Wednesday', 'Knives Out') discusses the "freedom of no opportunities", how failing at the traditional Hollywood audition circuit forced her to invent a singular, transgressive career on her own terms, and her new comedy album 'No Worries If Not' and one-person musical 'Dead Inside' that fearlessly, darkly, hilariously explore her fertility journey.
Pay attention, artists and dreamers: This episode is a masterclass in turning desperation into innovation and the deeply personal into creative triumph. It suggests a roadmap for building a career in a "new artist economy" where corporate gatekeepers are no longer the only way in.
A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or at Substack.
Riki returns to break down a seminal piece of art from her life—the legendary 1975 musical A CHORUS LINE.
In an essential listen for the dreamers out there, Riki explains how this musical - and film - provided the blueprint for her own artistic trajectory. It’s a deep dive into the brutal reality of putting it all on the line and how this specific story continues to influence every fearless piece of art she creates today.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-riki-lindhome-talks-a-chorus-line/id1807437928?i=1000752367424
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/riki-lindhome-a-chorus-line-bonus
ON THE ITINERARY
- THE CATEGORIZATION TRAP: Not fitting into a specific box sounds like a good thing, but it handicapped Riki’s early career as an actress and forced her to innovate in exciting ways. 🧬
- THE FREEDOM OF NO OPPORTUNITIES: Why a "vacuum" of interest became the essential catalyst for Garfunkel and Oates, which set Riki’s career in a radical new direction. 📢
- FIRING THE "COOL POLICE": The psychological shift required to stop seeking permission and start making "embarrassing," honest, and transgressive art. 👮♂️
- THE NEW ARTIST’S ECONOMY: Knowing when to stop chasing the industry's version of your career and start creating on your own terms. 🏛️
- TRANSFORMING TRAUMA: The origins of her new album ‘No Worries If Not’ and one-person musical ‘Dead Inside’, and how she processed a traumatizing fertility journey through comedy. 🕯️
- ANATOMY OF A SONG: We dig deep into the stories behind and execution of several songs from ‘No Worries If Not’
LINKS
Learn more about Riki Lindhome: https://www.rikilindhome.com/
Listen to 'No Worries If Not': https://open.spotify.com/album/5RmyBjMFTOJnn5OflPKfL5?si=5KaWLsu7SDaTkKauVd9XOA
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 APPLE
A 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/id1807437928
TIP JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
5AM StoryTalk acknowledges 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 Brew | Hustle culture 'religion' • 'I can't do this anymore' • 'Marty Supreme'
Are you spending more time chasing the work than actually creating it? In this Feb. 24, 2026 episode of The Brew, things get uncomfortable. I’m pulling back the curtain on the artist's gig economy and admitting …
Notas do episódio
Are you spending more time chasing the work than actually creating it? In this Feb. 24, 2026 episode of The Brew, things get uncomfortable. I’m pulling back the curtain on the artist's gig economy and admitting things I’ve hidden from my closest friends for years. If you’ve ever screamed "I can’t do this anymore" into the void of an 80-hour work week, this one is for you. I hope it helps.
On the itinerary this week:
- How did I end up working 80 hours a week as an artist (screenwriter, novelist, essayist, and podcaster)?!
- The 21st century hustle culture/gig economy is killing creative lives
- My father’s greatest gift to me…or was it a curse?
- The imbalance of time spent chasing screenwriting work and actually screenwriting
- A podcast too far
- Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes because I can’t fake being happy anymore
- I finally got out to the movies – and ‘Marty Supreme’ was just what I needed
- Except that line ‘You’ll never be happy’ hits me hard
- Henry Miller and what artists get about the life more abundant
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 APPLE
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928
A 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 JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
LINKS
- Read 'Portrait of an Artist as a Young Liar' about my first year in LA, when I reinvented myself as an arts journalist: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-young?utm_source=publication-search
- Read/listen: 'The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1' about the nightmare that was my first produced TV series: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-the-horror-of?utm_source=publication-search
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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
-
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/
Sen. Fatima Payman | Defiance, Gaza & Free Speech in Australia
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 …
Notas do episódio
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=1000749709502
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/fatima-payman-rage-against-the-machine-killing-in-the-name
Listen to the song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/59WN2psjkt1tyaxjspN8fp?si=549a5e1f2d5e4fdc
This is an extraordinary chat about the impact of art on the individual and, in this case, a political party.
LINKS
- Learn more about Sen. Fatima Payman: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=300707
- Learn 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/104056278
- Learn about the rise of the Far Right in Australia: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-rise-of-far-right-extremism-australia-2025/8skg4ekwe
- Learn more about ‘Killing in the Name’ here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_in_the_Name
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 APPLE
A 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 JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
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 Cary Brothers. https://www.carybrothers.com/
Director Justin Simien | Predicting the Future by Telling the Truth in Your Art Today
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 …
Notas do episódio
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=1000748605227
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/justin-simien-2001-space-odyssey
LINKS
Learn more about Justin Simien: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Simien
Watch ‘Hollywood Black’ on MGM+: https://www.mgmplus.com/series/hollywood-black
Read Justin’s brilliant screenplay for ‘Dear White People’: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/dear-white-people-2014.pdf?v=1729114894
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 APPLE
A 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/id1807437928
TIP JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
CREDITS
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 Brew | Death of cinema? • Horror's killer year • Screenwriter's waiting game
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 …
Notas do episódio
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 Australia
Artists answer the call...or would if not for billionaires
Still waiting for notes on my pilot
What happened to all the personal projects I hoped to tackle during my break from this podcast?
Awards season screeners - wah wah
The problem with ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, if there is one
The death of nuance and subtlety in cinema according to Netflix
Film students who can’t watch films anymore
Why you should resist the instinct toward ‘content’-style storytelling
Wes Craven’s philosophy about horror
Horror’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 APPLE
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928
A 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 JAR
Not 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/colehaddon
LINKS
- Read '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 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.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere
EMAIL
-
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/
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