5AM StoryTalk

Cole Haddon
  • 5.0 (32)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Weekly

Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter and novelist Cole Haddon for 5AM StoryTalk, a weekly 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.

5AM STORYTALK

Exclusive bonus episodes with my guests!

$4.99/mo or $39.99/yr after trial

  1. Sep 22

    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 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: 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: ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com 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.

    Director Paul Weitz | The 'Kamikaze' Approach to Hollywood

  2. Sep 21 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Paul Weitz Breaks Down ‘The Hefty Neil Story’ from ‘SCTV’ (Subscriber Exclusive)

    PAUL WEITZ returns to to break down a seminal piece of art from his life — a brilliant episode-long 'Rocky' parody from 'SCTV' called 'The Hefty Neil Story', starring John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, and many others. This sketch helped define his sense of comedy and his analysis of it should help anyone looking to explore comedy on the big and small screens. Check out 'The Hefty Neil Story' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1srbVwH2q4g EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE This episode is exclusive to my paid subscribers at Apple and Substack. Help me keep the lights on here – in addition to getting access to a ton of exclusive content – by becoming one. If you become a paid subscriber of the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter/podcast at Substack instead of going the Apple route, you'll get access to this podcast episode and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources. https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ DID YOU MISS THE FEATURE EPISODE? Don't forget to check out my feature episode with Paul Weitz here: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/paul-weitz-murderbot-hollywood-career 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 ⁠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 by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

    Paul Weitz Breaks Down ‘The Hefty Neil Story’ from ‘SCTV’ (Subscriber Exclusive)

  3. Sep 17

    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 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: ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com⁠ 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/⁠

    When the World Is Ending, What Is Art For?

  4. Sep 9 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Concerto of Emotions: A New Way to Break Your Next Story (Subscriber Exclusive)

    Toss out your traditional ideas of outlining and discover a game-changing way to build your stories. Today, we break down how writing and outlining through feeling can completely transform your fiction or screenplay. I'll be joined by acclaimed filmmaker Kelly Fremon Craig (writer-director, 'The Edge of Seventeen' and 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret'), who will talk about how she builds a 'concerto of feelings'". 🔒 EXCLUSIVE BONUS EPISODE This episode is exclusive to my paid subscribers at Apple and Substack. Help me keep the lights on here – in addition to getting access to a ton of exclusive content – by becoming one. If you become a paid subscriber of the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter/podcast at Substack instead of going the Apple route, you'll get access to this podcast episode and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources. 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 ▪︎ Watch the 'Psycho' shower sequence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtDmbr9xyY ▪︎ Read "Kelly Fremon Craig, Writer-Director of 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret', Discusses the Secret Lives of Screenwriters" from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/q-and-a-kelly-fremon-craig-writer ▪︎ Read/Listen to "Writer-Director Kelly Fremon Craig Is Searching For Something True" from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-q-and-a-writer?utm_source=publication-search ▪︎ Read Harley Peyton's 5AM StoryTalk account of what the 'Twin Peaks' writers' room taught him: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/in-the-writers-room-where-it-happened 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 ⁠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 by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

    Concerto of Emotions: A New Way to Break Your Next Story (Subscriber Exclusive)

  5. Sep 1

    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 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): ⁠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: ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com⁠ 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

  6. Aug 18

    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 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 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: ⁠5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com 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.

    20 Years of 'Superman Returns': Brandon Routh on His Fall and Rise as the Man of Steel

  7. Aug 17 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Brandon Routh Breaks Down 'The Dark Crystal' (Subscriber Exclusive)

    Actor BRANDON ROUTH, star of 'Superman Returns', returns to break down a seminal piece of art from his life — 1982’s THE DARK CRYSTAL! It’s a film that reprogrammed his creative imagination and understanding of good and evil, ignited a lifelong passion for fantasy, and even helps explain the importance of Superman to him — and the world — today. 🔒 This BONUS EPISODE is exclusive to my paid subscribers at Apple and Substack. Help me keep the lights on here – in addition to getting access to a ton of exclusive content – by becoming one. If you become a paid subscriber of the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter/podcast at Substack instead of going the Apple route, you'll get access to this podcast episode and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources. 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: 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 ⁠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 by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

    Brandon Routh Breaks Down 'The Dark Crystal' (Subscriber Exclusive)

  8. Aug 11

    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 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-pieceRead "'The Odyssey': How Christopher Nolan Adapted a 2,700-Year-Old Epic": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-odyssey-christopher-nolan-screenplay-breakdownTIP 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: 5AMStoryTalk@gmail.com 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/

    Show Me on the Doll Where Christopher Nolan Hurt You | The Brew
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Trailer

5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter and novelist Cole Haddon for 5AM StoryTalk, a weekly 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.

Information

  • Creator
    Cole Haddon
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    114
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cole Haddon
  • Show Website
    5AM StoryTalk
  • Provider
    BROKEN COMPASS PRODUCTIONS PTY LTD

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