All Things Narrative Presents:
The LIVE A MEANINGFUL STORY Podcast
Connecting the movies we love with the stories we live
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.
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.
Ep. 62: 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!
Ep. 61: Why We Love Slice of Life
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.
Ep. 60: 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 stays 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.
Ep. 59: 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.
Ep. 58: 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.
Ep. 57: 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 of Western Civilization Cannon. Derrick also shares recommended books about storytelling and Narrative Therapy.
Ep. 56: Why We Love Westerns
How do we find our values in a lawless society? What is the narrative of what we call 'The West'? In this installment of our genre series, we explore the rugged terrains of the Western genre. For our discussion, each of us picks a Western film that helps us understand why this genre resonates with so many people, and what it has to say about how we grapple with what it means to be human.
Ep. 55: How Narratives Affect Our Minds and Bodies [feat. Caroline Rena]
Have you ever told yourself a story, or held a belief, that limited what you could do? In this episode, transformational coach Caroline Rena helps us explore the relationships between narratives and our own beings. Our conversation takes us on a journey through Jungian archetypes, generational differences, and the super power of being an empath.
Ep. 54: Analyzing 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 this second part to our previous episode, we continue our discussion on the Crime genre with an analysis of 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.
Ep. 53: Analyzing The Godfather
How far would you go to protect your family? What happens when life gives a man an offer he can't refuse? Would he sell his on soul to attain it? Derrick is joined by Nick, Joseph, Jason, and professional screenwriter Kyle Arrington, to analyze one of cinema's finest achievements: The Godfather. We explore this family drama set within the Crime genre, and what it has to say about the nature of the American Way, and humanity itself.
Ep. 52: Why You Should Read More Fiction
Why should you bother giving your precious time to reading long-form novels about things that never really happened? In this episode, we discuss how fiction contains Truth that can help you become a more empathetic person, better understand your cultural context, and ultimately wrestle with what it means to be human.
Ep. 51: Who Wants To Be Famous? (Deconstructing Our Narratives of Success) [feat. Thomas Wilson III]
Have you ever thought less of yourself when comparing yourself with others? How do we find significance outside of what we do? Joining us today is dear friend, author, and founder of The Hood Library, Thomas Wilson III. Thomas discusses the release of his first book Who Wants To Be Famous? as a modern day parable written for today's youth. We examine the narratives and discourses around success, and how they affect the ways we see ourselves.
Ep. 50: Why We Love Historical Narratives (Political Epics, War, Biopics)
How do we select and interpret the narratives we call History? What is our relationship with that History via storytelling? Derrick's wife Tori joins us for an informative discussion on the nature of history, and how that's reflected through various film genres including political epics, war, biopics, and even historical fiction.
Ep. 49: Why We Love Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
How do we find our place in an ever-changing world? In this entry of our genre series, the guys return to discuss Science Fiction. While these stories may warn us about the threats of technology and aliens, Sci-Fi at its heart is about exploring what it means to be human. Join us for a lively conversation as we prob our favorite Science Fiction narratives and how they inform our existence.
Ep. 48: Entrepreneurship and Controlling Your Destiny
We love taking control of our lives! But what happens when life throws us curveballs? How do we continue to pursue what we love even when things happen outside of our control? Joining us is below fellow podcaster and entrepreneur Jeremy Norfus. As we discuss his story, we navigate the tension between pursuing what we want and doing what needs to be done.
Ep. 47: Why We Love Fantasy
Why are we so drawn to Fantasy lands and larger-than-life characters? How can Fantasy stories help us better engage with our world? Derrick is joined by the return of Joseph, Jason, and Nick to take a deep dive into the Fantasy genre using JRR Tolkien as our guide. We also discuss our recent experiences at Mega Con Orlando.
Ep. 46: Legacy and Our Hopes for the Future
How will your story be remembered? What will you leave behind for the next generation? Today, we discuss legacy, and how it allows us to take an active role in shaping our future. We explore legacy from all different angles, including letters from deceased loved ones, the book of Ecclesiastes, Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and the contrast between the young genius and the old sage.
Ep. 45: Why We Love Action and Adventurous Journeys
Why are we drawn to heart-bounding adventurous and perilous journeys? Proverb Newsome joins us to explore Action stories, and how they challenge us to face our conflicts courageously. We discuss some of our favorite Action films, including 2022's hit Top Gun Maverick, and how going to college relates to the Hero’s Journey.
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