The Screenwriting Life Podcast
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tslpodcast.bsky.social
The Screenwriting Life Podcast
@tslpodcast.bsky.social
🎙️A podcast by Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve and Emmy-nominated writer Lorien McKenna

✍️ Join our monthly LIVE WORKSHOPS ⬇️
https://linktr.ee/thescreenwritinglife

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

From Pixar story artists to writer/directors of Netflix's new animated feature IN YOUR DREAMS -

Alex Woo & Erik Benson talk collaboration, animation craft, and building stories in fantastical worlds. ✨

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/DRPBL

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
January 22, 2026 at 4:47 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

WICKED: FOR GOOD writer Dana Fox returns to talk about high-concept movie ideas - what they are, why they matter more than ever, and how to know if an idea is worth the pain of writing.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/BLAzD

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
January 15, 2026 at 11:09 PM
🎉 ANOTHER NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Noah Baumbach & Emily Mortimer join Lorien to talk co-writing JAY KELLY, creative partnership, and giving yourself permission to be “whimsical, wrong, and brave."

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/jFSQA

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
January 9, 2026 at 5:22 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you write high-concept stories with real emotional stakes?

Writer/director Rian Johnson (KNIVES OUT, STAR WARS) joins Meg to break down how to balance high-concept ideas with intimate emotional storytelling.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/yvNYA

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
January 8, 2026 at 4:17 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

As we close out 2025, we’re sharing a special supercut of our guests answering the Big Questions about joy, frustration, advice, and pride.

A reflection on why we write - and why we keep going.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/PPd3r

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
January 1, 2026 at 3:49 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Spend Christmas with Meg, Lorien, and this week's guests - hosts of the legendary Scriptnotes podcast, JOHN AUGUST & CRAIG MAZIN.

Perfect listening for travel days or hiding from relatives. ✨

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/CVFd3

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
December 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you make fearless comedy at a studio scale?

THE NAKED GUN writers Doug Mand & Dan Gregor talk structure, emotional arcs, big swings, and why committing fully to the dumbest idea might be the smartest move.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡️ rb.gy/7ukq4p

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
December 18, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Holiday movie fans: this one’s for you. 🎄

Writer Maggie Lane (HOTEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS) and producer Eric Jarboe (FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS) break down how Christmas films are pitched, sold, budgeted, and shot - plus what networks REALLY want.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ tiny.cc/40bw001

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
December 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

How do you write action that actually means something?

JOHN WICK creator Derek Kolstad joins us to talk character, tone, world-building, and the emotional engine behind great action writing.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/GBeMs

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
December 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Last week, we explored the roots of imposter syndrome with counselor/healer Madaline Blau.

This week, a guided visualization from Madaline to help you reconnect to your creative center.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/AH144

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
November 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

This week, we begin a 2-part deep dive into the roots of imposter syndrome with counselor and healer Madaline Blau - where it starts, how it grows, and why our confidence can flip into collapse so fast.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/gTPii

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
November 20, 2025 at 2:44 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

JESSICA JONES creator/showrunner Melissa Rosenberg joins Lorien to talk about rediscovering your voice, finding your people, and staying grounded through decades of storytelling.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/VqwbY

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY creator Jenny Han joins us to talk about crafting emotion that lasts, balancing fandom expectations, and why writing about first love never gets old.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/P50kx

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
November 6, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Halloween's around the corner, so this week we’re revisiting our episode with the CARVED creative team to unpack how they balanced humor, heart, and horror in Hulu’s campy slasher hit. 🎃🔪

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/nkkHc

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
October 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
So you want to be a screenwriter… now what? ✍️

This week we’re revisiting one of our most popular episodes, breaking down the core questions every writer should ask before diving into a draft - no matter where you are in your journey.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/5WxCW

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
October 23, 2025 at 11:17 AM
🎬 Headed to the Austin Film Festival next week? Time to sharpen your elevator pitch!

This week we’re revisiting our classic episode on the 90-SECOND PITCH.

Perfect prep for anyone getting ready to sell their story. 💪✨

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/yoOhM

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
October 16, 2025 at 4:36 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Fresh off his Emmy win for SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE, Jeff Hiller joins us to talk about his hilarious and deeply moving memoir Actress of a Certain Age — and why it’s never too late to chase your dreams.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/Z1kif%E2%81%A0

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
October 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
🎶 NEW EPISODE! 🎶

How do you fit K-pop, demon hunting, comedy, AND heart into one movie? 👹

Maggie Kang & Chris Appelhans, the writer-directors of KPOP DEMON HUNTERS, tell us how they pulled it off.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/B6kDI

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
October 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

“Your first draft should feel like a seduction."

Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman (A BEAUTIFUL MIND, I AM LEGEND) shares his no-BS approach to writing — from scene litmus tests to why you need to treat writing like a job.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/pWZR9

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
September 25, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Your story engine = your movie’s survival 🚗💨

In this rebroadcast of one of our most popular episodes, we break down 8 elements every feature needs to go from fade in to fade out.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/6ibIz

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
September 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

No stars. No big budget. Just resourcefulness + a bold idea.

Filmmaker and @nofilmschool.bsky.social host GG Hawkins tells Jeff how she pulled off her breakout feature I REALLY LOVE MY HUSBAND.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/pnW08

#KeepWriting #IndieFilmCraft
September 13, 2025 at 2:27 AM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Meg talks with writer, actor, and filmmaker Eva Victor about their debut feature SORRY, BABY — a darkly funny, deeply personal story of friendship, trauma, and hope.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/gcI60

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
September 4, 2025 at 3:02 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Every writer dreams of getting their script into the right hands — but what actually makes a producer want to fight for your project?

Julie Waters, producer of Sundance darling OH, HI!, has some answers.

🎧 LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/xUcyk

#KeepWriting #IndieFilmCraft
August 28, 2025 at 1:15 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Kaz Firpo (Marvel’s ETERNALS, RUIN) shares the timeless craft lessons that make a great screenplay — from writing scenes that land without sound, to creating emotional clarity on the page.

LISTEN HERE ➡ shorturl.at/FJSSy

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
August 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
🎉 NEW EPISODE! 🎉

Meg and Lorien dive into a messy, magical stage of screenwriting: THE BARF DRAFT — your first unfiltered pass at a script.

LISTEN HERE ➡️ shorturl.at/Gf5gO

#KeepWriting #TSLPodcast
August 14, 2025 at 5:57 PM