5AM STORYTALK

Exclusive bonus episodes with my guests!

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5AM StoryTalk

Cole Haddon

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.

  1. The Brew | How I Prep for My 2nd Draft

    Jun 23

    The Brew | How I Prep for My 2nd Draft

    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.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    14 min
  2. BONUS: The Screenwriter’s Brain on ChatGPT

    Jun 22 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    BONUS: The Screenwriter’s Brain on ChatGPT

    POP-CULTURE has been warning us for decades, but writers are still falling straight into the AI trap. Today, we break down the terrifying new research behind "cognitive deskilling" — the measurable process where relying on tech actively rots your hard-earned talent. If you’ve been letting ChatGPT and other generative AIs do the heavy lifting for your scripts, novels, or similar, this is your wake-up call to ditch the crutches before you forget how to do what only human storytellers can. This BONUS EPISODE IS EXCLUSIVE TO PAID SUPPORTERS of this podcast 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/

    11 min
  3. Bored of 'Star Wars'? As a Screenwriter, I Can Tell You Why

    Jun 16

    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 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-staRead "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-sayRead: "What Really Went Wrong With the 'Star Wars' Prequels...Maybe": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/what-really-went-wrong-with-the-starTIP 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.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cover art: 'The Mandalorian and Grogu'

    15 min
  4. BONUS: Screenwriters: How to Survive Hollywood’s 'No-Win Scenario'

    Jun 15 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    BONUS: Screenwriters: How to Survive Hollywood’s 'No-Win Scenario'

    HOLLYWOOD loves a success story, but the brutal reality of a SCREENWRITING CAREER is that you will eventually face your own KOBAYASHI MARU scenario — Star Trek's unwinnable test. In this bonus episode, I share how I failed mine during the rewrite of a major spec feature sale, getting crushed under the weight of four sets of conflicting producer notes. It’s a raw look at the political minefields and creative chaos of the studio system. Most importantly, I break down for you everything I should've done instead to help you when the Kobayashi Maru finally gets you. This BONUS EPISODE IS EXCLUSIVE TO PAID SUPPORTERS of this podcast 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/

    7 min
  5. The Brew | Why AI Destroys the Real Meaning of Filmmaking

    Jun 2

    The Brew | Why AI Destroys the Real Meaning of Filmmaking

    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: 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.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cover art: Borrowed from the making of 'Jaws', which we'll discuss at length in this episode.

    17 min
  6. The Cultural Necessity of Awe | Psychologist Dacher Keltner

    May 26

    The Cultural Necessity of Awe | Psychologist Dacher Keltner

    Our society has traded collective awe for isolating screens — and our art is paying the price. Psychologist DR. DACHER KELTNER knows a thing or two about awe as the director of the Berkeley Social Interaction Lab, author of the book ‘Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life’, and a key creative consultant on Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’. Awe is the psychological engine of human creativity, the very origin point of art, music, and the stories we use to make sense of our existence. Yet modern, hyper-individualistic society has systematically built a buffer between us and everyday wonder — making us lonelier, feeding our anxiety, and actively handicapping our imaginations. This conversation dives deep into the biological and cultural necessity of awe, the startling revelations recent studies show about how autistics experience awe, how a deficit of awe or even the manipulation of it can break down social cohesion and lead to the rise of dangerous leaders, and the terrifying ramifications for Hollywood and the arts as we navigate an era defined by the death of shared communal experiences. 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-futureHari 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)⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1 hr
  7. BONUS: Dacher Keltner Talks Jan Steen's ' Merry Company on a Terrace'

    May 25 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    BONUS: Dacher Keltner Talks Jan Steen's ' Merry Company on a Terrace'

    Professor, psychologist, and awe expert DR. DACHER KELTNER returns to discuss a seminal piece of art from his life — the 1670 Dutch Golden Age painting MERRY COMPANY ON A TERRACE by Jan Steen. It’s a madcap, hyperkinetic depiction of an unruly household that serves as a stunning visual celebration of human joy, drunkenness, and collective effervescence. Dacher, who grew up in the artistic chaos of late-1960s Laurel Canyon, recounts how encountering this piece as a young man slowed down time, reconnected him to a deep yearning for communal life, and ultimately propelled him on the scientific course that would make the study of human emotions his life’s work. This is a deep conversation about the vital necessity of everyday wonder, the radical history of the Dutch Masters painting “real humanity” instead of the wealthy, and why we must actively fight the modern Western bias that treats positive passions like joy and awe as less serious than the darker emotions. - This BONUS EPISODE IS EXCLUSIVE TO PAID SUPPORTERS of this podcast 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/

    29 min
  8. Notes Survival Guide for Screenwriters & Authors

    May 19

    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 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.htmlRead "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series": https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-the-horror-ofTIP 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.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠EMAIL: ⁠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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    17 min
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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
    103
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cole Haddon
  • Show Website
    5AM StoryTalk
  • Provider
    BROKEN COMPASS PRODUCTIONS PTY LTD

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