Live A Meaningful Story

3: When Everything Looks the Same in Your Life (STRANGER THAN PARADISE)

Have you ever felt stuck in life? In this conversation, Nick leads us through the Criterion classic Stranger Than Paradise, and its realistic portrayal of loneliness and longing. Throughout the discussion, we'll share ways to break out of the monotony of life through re-authoring, and embarking on new calls to adventure. 
Introduction (0:00)
Why We Chose 'Stranger Than Paradise' (1:37)
Slice of Life in 'Stranger Than Paradise' (7:23)
When Everything Looks the Same (10:54)
Nick's Origin Story and Re-Authoring Our Lives (18:52)
Conclusion (27:45)
Stay up to date with our movie club, and see which films we'll cover in the future.
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Learn more about our Live A Meaningful Story program at: allthingsnarrative.com and get a FREE consultation. 
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

2: Stories and Our Search for Meaning (Derrick & the STAR WARS Trilogy)

The search for meaning is an inevitable part of what it means to be human. It is through this search that we learn how to better navigate life day by day. And that's what we explore through the work of Viktor Frankl and the Narrative Therapy Practice of externalizing problems. We show how these and other elements help unravel the Star Wars narrative as it's revealed in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Throughout this discussion, Derrick also shares parts of his story, and why we all gravitate towards certain kinds of films.
Introduction (0:00)
Defining a “Derrick Movie”: Meaning and the Human Experience (1:30)
Revealing the Meaning of ‘Star Wars’ (5:46)
Externalizing Problems and Elemental Evil (18:33)
Derrick’s Search for Meaning (28:45)
Viktor Frankl and Finding Meaning in the Present (30:36)
Conclusion (38:38)
Stay up to date with our movie club, and see which films we'll cover in the future.
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Learn more about our Live A Meaningful Story coaching program at: allthingsnarrative.com and get a FREE consultation. 
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

1: What’s Your Origin Story? (STAR WARS)

Everyone has an origin story that illustrates who they are, where they come from, and why they're here. In our debut episode, we explore the origin story as a concept through Star Wars: A New Hope. Derrick then shares how this film (and George Lucas' journey of making it) inspired his passion for storytelling. Along the way, we discuss how to craft your own origin story using the Hero's Journey from Joseph Campbell, with additional insights about the Narrative Metaphor, and the origin story of how the four of us met. 
Introduction (0:00)
The Narrative Metaphor (1:30)
Why We Chose 'Star Wars' (3:29)
Mythic Storytelling and the Making of 'Star Wars' (6:45)
Crafting Your Origin Story through the Hero's Journey and 'Star Wars' (13:27)
Derrick's Origin Story (23:53)
A New Hope in Derrick's Life (29:14)
Conclusion (32:05)
Stay up to date with our movie club, and see which films we'll cover in the future.
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Learn more about our Storytelling for Speakers program at: allthingsnarrative.com and get a FREE consultation. 
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

Welcome to the Live A Meaningful Story Podcast (Trailer)

Welcome to the Live A Meaningful Story Podcast, where we learn how to navigate life, one film at a time. 
We are four friends with different backgrounds who love watching movies and discussing what they mean to us. Each week, we analyze a film, wrestling with how its story, characters, settings, genres, and themes connect to the stories we find ourselves living. We then relate those films to principles found in Narrative Therapy, a field of study that explores how stories help us make sense of life. 
Through this podcast, you will gain insight and appreciation for all kinds of stories, including your own. You will then be encouraged to reflect on your own life, and how to live with a greater sense of purpose. 
Join us as we explore the relationship between the stories we love, and the stories we live.
Hosted by Derrick Hatch, a Storytelling Coach, Narrative Practitioner, and speaker. Co-hosted by award-winning filmmaker and movie buff Nick Natale, teacher and stop-motion filmmaker Joseph Wilson, and life-skills educator Jason Lynn.
All Things Narrative exists to guide you towards telling and living your story more meaningfully. Learn more about our ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ coaching program and our variety of workshops at: allthingsnarrative.com
If you're in the South Florida area, join us for our quarterly storytelling events
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

Genres and Your Life Story + We Are Changing Our Name

How does each genre of story speak to our lives? In our season finale, we review all the genres we've covered this year and how they can help us see our stories in meaningful ways. Plus, Derrick gives some important announcements regarding the future of the podcast in 2024, including changes to the format and name!
Introduction + New Changes Coming in 2024 (0:00)
Romance (9:42)
Action & Adventurous Journeys (11:15)
Fantasy (12:46)
Science Fiction (15:00)
Crime & Mysterious Thrillers (16:45)
Western (18:03)
Horror (20:07)
Slice of Life [Comedies & Dramas] (21:58)
Intermission (23:48)
Historical Narratives [Biopics, War] (25:55)
Superhero (26:58)
Metaphysical Journeys (28:16)
Final Thoughts (29:48)
All Things Narrative cultivates personal development through storytelling. Become more purpose-driven by learning how to better understand and communicate your life story. Offerings include: The ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ Coaching Program, workshops for organizations, storytelling classes, the All Things Narrative Podcast, 1-on-1 Narrative Coaching, speaking engagements, and facilitating storytelling events. Led by award-winning Narrative Practitioner Derrick Hatch, we will be your guide towards telling and living a meaningful story. Learn more at allthingsnarrative.com and schedule a FREE consultation to see how we can support you!
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Get more Film Recommendations for each genre @thenarrativeguy on Letterboxd

Why We Love Slice of Life (Comedies & Dramas)

Companionship, grief, work, parenting, coming of age. Sometimes, we just need stories that remind us of what it means to be human. And for our final entry in our genre series, we focus on those kinds of Slice of Life stories. These films and shows fluctuate between the comedies and dramas of life, causing us to wrestle with what it all means. And for the first time, the guys are joined by Derrick's wife, Tori, making for a fitting finale of this series. 
Introduction (0:00)
Defining the Slice of Life Genre (2:07)
Tori's Pick: Secondhand Lions (8:36)
Nick's Pick: Inside Llewyn Davis (23:22)
Joseph's Pick: Good Burger (46:12)
Jason's Pick: King of the Hill (54:33)
Derrick's Pick: The Wonder Years (1:06:21)
Final Thoughts + Important Updates (1:28:05)
Check out Derrick's list of Slice of Life films
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films
All Things Narrative cultivates personal development through storytelling. Become more purpose-driven by learning how to better understand and communicate your life story. Offerings include: The ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ Coaching Program, workshops for organizations, storytelling classes, the All Things Narrative Podcast, 1-on-1 Narrative Coaching, speaking engagements, and facilitating storytelling events. Led by award-winning Narrative Practitioner Derrick Hatch, we will be your guide towards telling and living a meaningful story. Learn more at allthingsnarrative.com and schedule a FREE consultation to see how we can support you!
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Read my Film Diary (including reviews and rankings) on Letterboxd @thenarrativeguy

Why We Love Superheroes

When two Jewish immigrants published a story in 1938 about a Superman, they birthed something that would take the 21st Century by storm: the superhero genre. And now 85 years later, many argue that the genre is running out of steam. We investigate how superheroes stay alive by blending with other genres, while wrestling with what this genre means for our lives, and whether or not it's time to move on to other kinds of stories. Join us for a celebration (and potential funeral) of a genre that's helped us all live a meaningful story. 
Introduction (0:00)
Defining the Superhero Genre (4:26)
Romances & Superheroes [Spider-Man 2, The Amazing Spider-Man 2] (6:38)
Metaphysical Journeys & Superheroes [Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Across the Spider-Verse] (14:57)
Action & Superheroes [Captain America: Civil War, Kick Ass] (26:42)
Fantasy & Superheroes [Batman Returns, Zack Snyder's Justice League] (31:31)
Sci-Fi & Superheroes [Hancock, X-Men: Days of Future Past, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Superman] (43:13)
War & Superheroes [X-Men: First Class, The Suicide Squad] (51:49)
Crime & Superheroes [The Dark Knight, The Batman] (59:54)
Westerns & Superheroes [Logan] (1:05:41)
Horror & Superheroes [Chronicle] (1:12:23)
Criticizing the Superhero Genre (1:16:38)
Check out Derrick's list of Superhero films
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films
All Things Narrative cultivates personal development through storytelling. Become more purpose-driven by learning how to better understand and communicate your life story. Offerings include: The ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ Coaching Program, workshops for organizations, storytelling classes, the All Things Narrative Podcast, 1-on-1 Narrative Coaching, speaking engagements, and facilitating storytelling events. Led by award-winning Narrative Practitioner Derrick Hatch, we will be your guide towards telling and living a meaningful story. Learn more at allthingsnarrative.com and schedule a FREE consultation to see how we can support you!
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Read my Film Diary (including reviews and rankings) on Letterboxd @derrickhATN

Life in the Gray - Our Journeys with God, Church, and Culture [feat. Luther Menard]

When things aren't black or white, we live life in the gray. On this special episode, Derrick reunites with Luther Menard, his former co-host from the 'Life in the Gray' podcast. While listening to old clips from the show, they reflect on their journeys of deconstructing ideas about God, church, and culture in a public manner. This conversation also explores Luther's path towards Eastern Orthodoxy, Derrick's growing struggle with the 'Christian' label, and how to embrace the messiness of the stories we find ourselves in. 
Introductions (0:00)
Why We Started 'Life in the Gray' (5:01)
Our Journeys with the Church (16:54)
Addressing Topics in Culture (52:12)
Our Panel on Race Relations (58:47)
Revisiting our 2020 Predictions (1:13:32)
Confronting the Messiness of Christianity (1:20:09)
Reflecting on our "Am I Still a Christian?" Episode (1:29:27)
Where We Are Today (1:49:09)
Check out Luther's Youtube channel: @TheTransfiguredLife
All Things Narrative cultivates personal development through storytelling. Become more purpose-driven by learning how to better understand and communicate your life story. Offerings include: The ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ Coaching Program, workshops for organizations, storytelling classes, the All Things Narrative Podcast, 1-on-1 Narrative Coaching, speaking engagements, and facilitating storytelling events. Led by award-winning Narrative Practitioner Derrick Hatch, we will be your guide towards telling and living a meaningful story. Learn more at allthingsnarrative.com and schedule a FREE consultation to see how we can support you!
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Read my Film Diary (including reviews and rankings) on Letterboxd @derrickhATN

Why We Love Horror

Why are we so drawn to things that scare us? What are the ethical ramifications of creating and consuming horrific stories? In this Halloween special, we continue our genre series by diving into the evils and hells of Horror. We discuss stories about the monsters we face in life, and the dangers of the monsters we might become. Along the way, we wrestle with whether we should even give these stories the time of day, and what the implications of these stories are for Narrative Therapy.
Introduction (0:00)
Defining the Horror Genre [Classic Monster films, The Twilight Zone] (2:36)
Jason's Pick: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (15:14)
Nick's Pick: Texas Chain Saw Massacre (34:17)
Joseph's Pick: The Fly (1:00:10)
Derrick's Pick: Sweeney Todd (1:19:40)
Final Thoughts (1:36:47)
Check out Derrick's list of Horror films
Check out Joseph's stop-motion films @djtmaw
All Things Narrative cultivates personal development through storytelling. Become more purpose-driven by learning how to better understand and communicate your life story. Offerings include: The ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ Coaching Program, workshops for organizations, storytelling classes, the All Things Narrative Podcast, 1-on-1 Narrative Coaching, speaking engagements, and facilitating storytelling events. Led by award-winning Narrative Practitioner Derrick Hatch, we will be your guide towards telling and living a meaningful story. Learn more at allthingsnarrative.com and schedule a FREE consultation to see how we can support you!
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Read my Film Diary (including reviews and rankings) on Letterboxd @derrickhATN

Why You Should Read More Non-Fiction

How do works of philosophy, personal development, psychology, history, theology, and biographies improve our life stories? In this sequel to our Why We Love Fiction episode, we discuss the ways non-fiction both affirms and challenges our beliefs, with examples from works in the Great Books Cannon of Western Civilization. Derrick also shares recommended books about storytelling and Narrative Therapy. 
All Things Narrative cultivates personal development through storytelling. Become more purpose-driven by learning how to better understand and communicate your life story. Offerings include: The ‘Live A Meaningful Story’ Coaching Program, workshops for organizations, storytelling classes, the All Things Narrative Podcast, 1-on-1 Narrative Coaching, speaking engagements, and facilitating storytelling events. Led by award-winning Narrative Practitioner Derrick Hatch, we will be your guide towards telling and living a meaningful story. Learn more at allthingsnarrative.com and schedule a FREE consultation to see how we can support you!
Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative
Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative
Read my Film Diary (including reviews and rankings) on Letterboxd @derrickhATN