Untitled Dad Project

Spoke Media

4.7 (387)
PERFORMING ARTS
SERIES

A writer’s meta-narrative quest to reckon with her Dad Character after his untimely death, find a meaningful resolution, and finally tell her own story. Co-hosted by creator Janielle Kastner and director Carson McCain. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

EPISODE 1

CHAPTER 1(A): Inciting Incident

“What is the event that radically threw life out of balance?” Jan and Cat review an interview with story teacher Robert McKee, and learn where to begin her story. Oh and also, that Jan’s whole life is a lie? More of Robert McKee’s work, including his books and popular “Story Seminars”, can be found at https://mckeestory.com/ Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Let us know about your Inciting Incident(s) at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Original music composed in response to each episode is by the incredible Rat Rios Our artwork is by Kevin Craft Co. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

43 min
EPISODE 2

CHAPTER 1(B): Inciting Incident

Jan activates her learnings from Robert McKee by talking to her Mom Character. A surprise, a big failure, a small miracle, and grapes. Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your Inciting Incident(s) at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Original music composed in response to each episode is by the incredible Rat Rios Our artwork is by Kevin Craft Co. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

54 min
EPISODE 3

CHAPTER 2: Genre

“And now I’m the... surprise bastard daughter in a soap opera?” Jan and Cat figure out how to embrace Jan’s new genre with actress and former soap opera star Taylor Anne Ramsey. Can Jan re-cast herself from scandalous side character to powerful protagonist? Is this how she confronts her Dad Character? Will she ever properly throw a drink in a man’s face? Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your Genre at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Original music composed in response to each episode is by the incredible Rat Rios Our artwork is by Kevin Craft Co. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

53 min
EPISODE 4

CHAPTER 3: Script

What happens when the script fails you? Jan goes off-script with the Reverend who officiated and wrote the “script” for her Dad Character’s funeral. Carson and Jan discover what it means to bear witness to another’s story, even (especially) when words don’t work. Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your experience with Scripts at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Original music composed in response to each episode is by the incredible Rat Rios Our artwork is by Kevin Craft Co. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original. Check out Care/Of vitamins, and use the code DADPROJECT at checkout

55 min
EPISODE 5

CHAPTER 4: Plot

What do you do when your plot... twists? Janielle wrestles with her broken, no-good, dead-Dad plot, with help from plot expert Professor Peter Brooks. Carson and Jan confront the aftermath of a plot twist: Do you ever really “move on”? What do you do with all the “could have beens”? And how do you say goodbye to the plot you wanted? Learn more about Peter Brooks and check out his book “Reading for the Plot”. Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your experience with Plot at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original. Note: Cat and Jan in no way believe they got string theory right. If you’d like to know what string theory *actually* is, check out String Theory. Thanks, string theory, for helping us figure out our story, even though we got you wrong!

56 min
EPISODE 6

CHAPTER 5: Foreshadowing

Can you escape your own foreshadowing? Janielle confronts the theme that’s been chasing her from the beginning: “Daddy Issues”. With help from therapist Shea Theillman, father-loss expert Dr. Don Hebbard, and a slew of pop-culture references, Carson and Janielle figure out how to stop running and reckon with Oedipus (...not in the way that you think). More of Shea Thielemann here. More of Dr. Don Hebbard here. Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your experience with Foreshadowing at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

59 min
EPISODE 7

CHAPTER 6: Character Development

How do we consider a character’s nuances, contradictions and dimensions? Janielle and Carson set out to reckon with her Dad/Rick Character, but a disorienting interruption changes everything. With help from her Mom, her Dad’s sailing friend Charley, and the box of things he left behind, Janielle begins to piece together a vision of the “Rick” as well as the “Dad” - and maybe even discover a little love for a complicated character. Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your experience with Character Development at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io! Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

1h 5m
EPISODE 8

CHAPTER 7: Third Act Breakthrough

There comes a moment when you realize you’ll never be the same. Carson and Janielle take inventory of all the potential third act breakthroughs for this story: casserole drop-offs, smoking ceremonies, full-circles, and beauty anyway. Follow along at @untitleddadproject! Tell us about your experience with Third Act Breakthroughs at untitleddadproject@spokemedia.io. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

1h 2m

See All Season 1 (21)

TRAILER

TRAILER: Untitled Dad Project

You can't figure out your title till you know your story. From Spoke Media, Untitled Dad Project premieres July 1. Chapters drop weekly. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.

S1

•

3 min

4.7

out of 5

387 Ratings

I’m a better human for having listened

12/18/2022

jrosesh22

One of the most profound, vulnerable, honest accounts of the human experience that I’ve ever encountered. So artfully crafted and delivered to tell the full story of grief, trauma, and connection, with all their complexities and nonlinearities that most of us leave out when telling our own stories. Janielle and Carson are such a beautiful example of true meaningful friendship, heathy empathy, healthy vulnerability, and sharing a path through life with someone who knows your heart through and through. I’m a better human for having listened to this podcast.
My Dad Project

04/01/2022

ReadingHarley1975Rainbow

I’ve recently reconnected with my Dad after 3 decades. This SPEAKS volumes to me. I have a Story to tell as well.
Beautiful and insightful

01/03/2022

Sabelrose

I’m enjoying listening to this very much. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle of emotions, more pieces put in place each episode.
Amazing!

05/15/2020

VinaNM

This is the most beautiful story I have ever heard. It was honest and vulnerable. Highly recommended!

A writer’s meta-narrative quest to reckon with her Dad Character after his untimely death, find a meaningful resolution, and finally tell her own story. Co-hosted by creator Janielle Kastner and director Carson McCain. Untitled Dad Project is a Spoke Media original.