80 episodes

Author Jeff Garvin and book blogger Dan Zarzana examine books & films through the lens of The Hero’s Journey℠. Created by world-renowned teacher and mythologist Joseph Campbell, and refined by Disney story veteran Christopher Vogler, The Hero’s Journey℠ is a series of motifs and archetypes that pervade myths, folklore, and stories across all cultures and eras. Each month, Jeff and Dan will discuss a different book or film. And probably, there will be some whiskey involved. (The trademark HERO'S JOURNEY℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org))

The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 109 Ratings

Author Jeff Garvin and book blogger Dan Zarzana examine books & films through the lens of The Hero’s Journey℠. Created by world-renowned teacher and mythologist Joseph Campbell, and refined by Disney story veteran Christopher Vogler, The Hero’s Journey℠ is a series of motifs and archetypes that pervade myths, folklore, and stories across all cultures and eras. Each month, Jeff and Dan will discuss a different book or film. And probably, there will be some whiskey involved. (The trademark HERO'S JOURNEY℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org))

    The Silence of the Lambs (w/Special Guest Dan Butler)

    The Silence of the Lambs (w/Special Guest Dan Butler)

    Study your case file, steam up a pot of fava beans, and put the lotion in the basket. This is the Hero’s Journey℠ of The Silence of the Lambs.
    About Special Guest Dan Butler: Dan Butler is an award-winning writer, producer, director, and actor with a career spanning four decades. He’s probably best known for his portrayal of Bulldog Briscoe on one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Frasier. But he’s also played all over the country in dozens of professional theater productions from Neil Simon to Shakespeare to Stephen King. He’s played roles in such TV shows as House, Star Trek Voyager, The X-Files and in films including (but not limited to): Enemy of the State, Blonde, and Karl Rove, I Love You (which he also co-wrote, co-directed, and produced). And, most significantly for us, he played Roden, the Entomologyst who identifies the enigmatic Death’s Head Moth in Jonathan Demme’s 1991 opus, and the subject of this episode, The Silence of the Lambs.
    The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
    Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
    The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).

    • 1 hr 43 min
    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

    Grab your sketch pad, change your hair color yet again, and remember me. This is the Hero’s Journey℠ of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
    The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
    Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
    The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).

    • 1 hr 43 min
    DragonHeart

    DragonHeart

    Sharpen your shword, prepare your aloe burn treatment, and commit the Code to heart. Thish ish the hero’sh journey of Dragonheart.

    The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
    Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
    The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).

    • 1 hr 34 min
    The Fellowship of the Ring

    The Fellowship of the Ring

    Pay your tab at the Green Dragon and pack your second breakfast. We’re going on an adventure! This is the hero’s journey of Peter Jackson’s 2001 adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
    The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by creators/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana. Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
    The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).

    • 2 hr 5 min
    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

    Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

    Flee your abusive aunt and uncle, take a running start at the barrier between platforms nine and ten, and change into your school robes. This is the Hero’s Journey of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. 
    The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
    Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
    The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).

    • 1 hr 15 min
    An American Werewolf in London

    An American Werewolf in London

    Light a candle, beware the moon, and keep clear of the moors. This is the hero’s journey of An American Werewolf in London.
    The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
    Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
    The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).

    • 1 hr 10 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
109 Ratings

109 Ratings

Danny Macias ,

7 ⭐️s. (Which is the exact number…)

So glad BlueBook recommended this gem of a show. This podcast is all about appreciating stories and how they work. Hosts Jeff and Dan created a winning episode structure, based on Campbell and Vogler. I’m even seeing chunks of my life in terms of the story framework: call to adventure, refusal, crossing the first threshold, etc. And their book, movie, and beverage recommendations are a bonus. Cheers! (“The bar’s in the globe.”)

acentoni ,

Always fun!

A bit 90s heavy, as the hosts would definitely agree with, but always fun and informative. I learn so much with each episode. Thanks to my boy Baxter for this wonderful rec.

bean.view ,

Not one? heroine’s journey?

This is very interesting & thoughtful podcast but it is missing half of the population, and most diversity. Doesn’t it help our hero’s journey for us to see ourselves represented in book film? How about Dorothy’s yellow brick road? Star Wars’ Rey? Thelma?

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