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 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

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. Jul 21

    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 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)⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Director Greg McLean | Finding Fresh Terror in Familiar Horror

  6. Jul 20 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Greg McLean Breaks Down 'Alien' (Subscriber Exclusive)

    Australian director, screenwriter, and producer GREG McLEAN returns to discuss a seminal piece of art from his life — the 1979 film ALIEN, a film that first terrified him before he’d ever had a chance to see it, as you’ll hear. Today, the writer-director of Wolf Creek, Rogue, and more considers it the greatest film ever made. Like the first part of my conversation with Greg, this is another must-read/listen, I think, for anyone who wants to better understand storytelling and directing for screen. It’s an opportunity to hear a great director deconstruct, in considerable detail, the work of one of the greatest directors to ever live – including how that work influenced his own films. - 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/

    Greg McLean Breaks Down 'Alien' (Subscriber Exclusive)

  7. Jul 14

    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 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.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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Why Time Off From Writing Can Be Hell | The Brew

  8. Jun 23

    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 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/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    How I Prep for My 2nd Draft | 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
    110
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cole Haddon
  • Show Website
    5AM StoryTalk
  • Provider
    BROKEN COMPASS PRODUCTIONS PTY LTD

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