Live A Meaningful Story

30: When Your Moral Code Fails (NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN)

Do you think it's getting harder to do good deeds in our modern society? Is the world getting worse, or has it always been this bad? In the last part to our 'Lost Justice' series, we analyze the Coen Brothers' thought-provoking film No Country For Old Men. We wrestle with this challenging commentary about the nature of arbitrary violence in our chaotic world, while contending with the struggle to be a Good Samaritan nowadays. Joining our conversation is acclaimed television screenwriter Kyle Arrington. 
Introduction (0:00)
Establishing Moral Codes through Characters (2:04)
How Greed Corrupts (17:40)
The Struggle to Do Good in America (23:13)
Breaking the Rules of Screenwriting (35:10)
Conclusion (39:49)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
Ready to take your storytelling to the next level? All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Get the exclusive episode "5 Tips to Improve Your Storytelling" when you sign-up for our email list at: allthingsnarrative.com
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Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

29: Would You Sell Your Soul To Save Your Family? (THE GODFATHER II)

"For what does it profit a man to gain the world and forfeit his soul?" (Mark 8:36). For Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER II, lost justice comes in the form of vengeance. His unwillingness to forgive hardens his heart and turns everyone against him. Based on his tragic downfall, we outline the path to ruin, and how to avoid falling into the same pitfalls. Joining our conversation is acclaimed television screenwriter Kyle Arrington. 
Introduction (0:00)
How Contexts Shape Us (3:48)
Analyzing Michael Corleone: Control At All Cost (15:31)
The Importance of Empathy (26:51)
The Path Towards Forfeiting Your Soul (38:10)
Conclusion (55:46)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
Ready to take your storytelling to the next level? All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Get the exclusive episode "5 Tips to Improve Your Storytelling" when you sign-up for our email list at: allthingsnarrative.com
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Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

28: The Tragedy of Maintaining Power at All Costs (THE GODFATHER)

Why does one pursue power, even if it keeps resulting in tragedy? In our new series on 'Lost Justice', we examine one of the greatest films of all time: THE GODFATHER. We compare and contrast Vito "Don" Corleone with his son Michael, and what their diverging paths say to us about different perceptions of justice. Joining our conversation is acclaimed television screenwriter Kyle Arrington. 
Introduction (0:00)
When the American Way Becomes Morally Gray (1:58)
Corrupt Order vs. Calculated Vengeance (11:08)
Humanizing the Godfather (21:50)
The Godfather Baptism (30:00)
Conclusion (42:00)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
Ready to take your storytelling to the next level? All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Get the exclusive episode "5 Tips to Improve Your Storytelling" when you sign-up for our email list at: allthingsnarrative.com
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

27: Healing Our Fractured Humanity (ROBOCOP)

How do we heal and maintain our identities when society tries to dehumanize and reprogram us? In this final episode of our 'Masculinity in the Modern Age' series, we broadcast from the '80's Movies Club in West Palm Beach after a screening of the '80's sci-fi satire ROBOCOP. This story depicts the challenges of a man reclaiming his heart of flesh after it's been replaced by a heart of metal, and what that means for us today. We also discuss the similarities between Robocop and Batman, the fickleness of memory, and the challenges of being a police officer. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose ROBOCOP (1:55)
ROBOCOP'S Backstory & Fun Facts (6:46)
Satire & Cultural Dehumanization (13:04)
The Heart of Man's Existential Crisis (27:54)
ROBOCOP and Living a Meaningful Story (51:10)
Conclusion (1:00:25)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes.
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Sign-up for our mailing list and receive our exclusive episode "5 Tips to Improve Your Storytelling" at: allthingsnarrative.com
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

26: Regaining Control of Your Narrative (THE HOLDOVERS)

How do we regain control over our lives? In this next installment of our 'Masculinity in the Modern Age' series, we propose a way forward for men through the recent film THE HOLDOVERS. As the book of Proverbs says, older men bring wisdom, and younger men bring strength, and film explores this dynamic through the relationship between a strict teacher and his wayward student. Through this, we share how this story relates to us as teachers, and how healthy masculinity involves stewarding what we've been given responsibly. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose THE HOLDOVERS (1:53)
Music as a Metaphor for Life (5:33)
Life as Perceptions: Analyzing 3 Lost Characters (10:16)
A Lesson for Teachers (18:17)
Healthy Masculinity (30:23)
Accepting What You Can Control (38:35)
Conclusion (46:39)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
Interesting in bringing this podcast experience to your group? Check out the various workshops we offer at: allthingsnarrative.com and fill out a workshop inquiry to learn more information. 
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Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC
Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com/)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

25: The Wayward Journey of Manhood (FIGHT CLUB)

How do we navigate manhood in the 21st Century? In our new series 'Masculinity in the Modern Age', we analyze one of the most talked-about films in the lat 25 years: FIGHT CLUB. This psychological thriller provides us with language to diagnosis the crisis men experience today in our society, while wrestling with ideas from Nietzsche, Jung, and Girard. We share insight from our lives, and how we are all, in a way, Tyler Durden. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose FIGHT CLUB (1:53)
A Diagnosis of Masculinity in the Modern World (6:00)
Philosophy, Psychology, and Theology in FIGHT CLUB (26:40)
Taking Control of the Masculine Narrative (45:30)
Conclusion (56:01)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
Interesting in bringing this podcast experience to your group? Check out the various workshops we offer at: allthingsnarrative.com and fill out a workshop inquiry to learn more information. 
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

24: Recovering Your Agency in a Broken System (ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST)

How do people stuck in a broken system find liberation? In this final installment of our 'Power of Myth' series, we analyze Jason's pick, one of the most acclaimed films of all time: ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. Throughout this conversation, we explain how this is a Narrative Therapy film that challenges the 'normalizing gaze', and reveals why we should take a de-centered, yet influential approach in helping others. Jason also gets personal in sharing how he overcame depression, and how his passion for birds unlocks this story's deeper meaning. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST [and our initial reactions] (1:28)
Mental Health & Narrative Therapy (6:00)
Dissecting Power: Nurse Ratched (12:44)
The Ruler vs. The Jester-Revolutionary (22:53)
Reclaiming Your Identity through Myth (37:06)
ONE FLEW'S Meaning (48:16)
Conclusion (57:53)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Learn more about our educational workshops and coaching programs, and sign-up for our mailing list to receive our exclusive episode "5 Tips to Improve Your Storytelling" at: allthingsnarrative.com
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

23: More Than Meets the Eye (TRANSFORMERS)

Why do we gravitate towards certain kinds of stories? In this next episode of our 'Power of Myth' series, we search for the deeper meaning of TRANSFORMERS. Joseph shares what these robots in disguise mean to him, with their themes of peacemaking, beating the odds, and transformative leadership. We also discuss at length the TRANSFORMERS mythos; along with why we as humans enjoy collecting physical objects, and the deeper meanings we derive from them. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose TRANSFORMERS (1:48)
The TRANSFORMERS Mythos (6:00)
Why We Collect Physical Objects [Totems] (17:39)
The Deeper Meaning of TRANSFORMERS (21:04)
Conclusion (30:11)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes.
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Sign-up for our mailing list and receive our exclusive episode "5 Tips to Improve Your Storytelling" at: allthingsnarrative.com
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

22: Saying 'Yes' to the Adventure of Life (THE GREEN KNIGHT)

How do myths of the past speak to our present situations? In this episode of our 'Power of Myth' series, we learn how to accept the adventures life grants us through the A24 film adaptation of the King Arthur tale THE GREEN KNIGHT. Nick shares how Sir Gawain's journey parallels his own, while providing insights from Joseph Campbell's book 'The Power of Myth'.
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose THE GREEN KNIGHT [and our initial reactions] (1:04)
The Power of Myth (7:28)
Symbolism in THE GREEN KNIGHT (22:59)
Getting Humbled through Fear and Desire (31:35)
When Myth Connects to Your Life (35:45)
Conclusion (45:24)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Learn more about our various workshops at: allthingsnarrative.com and book a storytelling analysis workshop for your group. 
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC

21: Coming-of-Age in an Ever-Changing World (PINOCCHIO)

How do we grow and mature in a world that is trying to mold us into its own image? In this first entry of our 'Power of Myth' series, we discuss at-length one of the most influential stories in the last 150 years: PINOCCHIO. We compare and contrast the book with the 1940’s Disney Classic, and the contemporary stop-motion film by Guillermo Del Toro. Throughout our conversation, we connect PINOCCHIO to the various biblical narratives it references, while gaining insights from Joseph Campbell and Jordan Peterson. Derrick also gets personal about fatherhood and welcoming his son into the world. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose PINOCCHIO [and our initial reactions] (4:00)
Adaptations: The Letter vs. The Spirit (9:13)
Guillermo Del Toro's Anti-Fascist Fairy Tale (21:52)
Biblical Allusions in PINOCCHIO (36:51)
Imperfect Fathers Embracing Imperfect Sons (51:52)
Becoming More Fully Human (1:04:21)
Conclusion (1:10:34)
See which films we'll cover in upcoming episodes
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Ready to make an impact through speaking and/or writing? Begin creating your signature story by booking a FREE Discovery Call or schedule at: allthingsnarrative.com
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films on YouTube @JoeLee Stark25
Produced by All Things Narrative LLC