Emmy-nominated musician and comedian, actress and TV creator RIKI LINDHOME (Garfunkel and Oates, 'Wednesday', 'Knives Out') discusses the "freedom of no opportunities", how failing at the traditional Hollywood audition circuit forced her to invent a singular, transgressive career on her own terms, and her new comedy album 'No Worries If Not' and one-person musical 'Dead Inside' that fearlessly, darkly, hilariously explores her fertility journey.

Pay attention, artists and dreamers: This episode is a masterclass in turning desperation into innovation and the deeply personal into creative triumph. It suggrests a roadmap for building a career in a "new artist economy" where corporate gatekeepers are no longer the only way in.

A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or at Substack.

Riki returns to break down a seminal piece of art from her life—the legendary 1975 musical A CHORUS LINE.

In an essential listen for the dreamers out there, Riki explains how this musical - and film - provided the blueprint for her own artistic trajectory. It’s a deep dive into the brutal reality of putting it all on the line and how this specific story continues to influence every fearless piece of art she creates today.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-riki-lindhome-talks-a-chorus-line/id1807437928?i=1000752367424

Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/

ON THE ITINERARY

• THE CATEGORIZATION TRAP: Not fitting into a specific box sounds like a good thing, but it handicapped Riki’s early career as an actress and forced her to innovate in exciting ways. 🧬
• THE FREEDOM OF NO OPPORTUNITIES: Why a "vacuum" of interest became the essential catalyst for Garfunkel and Oates, which set Riki’s career in a radical new direction. 📢
• FIRING THE "COOL POLICE": The psychological shift required to stop seeking permission and start making "embarrassing," honest, and transgressive art. 👮‍♂️
• THE NEW ARTIST’S ECONOMY: Knowing when to stop chasing the industry's version of your career and start creating on your own terms. 🏛️
• TRANSFORMING TRAUMA: The origins of her new album ‘No Worries If Not’ and one-person musical ‘Dead Inside’, and how she processed a traumatizing fertility journey through comedy. 🕯️
• ANATOMY OF A SONG: We dig deep into the stories behind and execution of several songs from ‘No Worries If Not’

LINKS

• Learn more about Riki Lindhome: https://www.rikilindhome.com/

• Listen to 'No Worries If Not': https://open.spotify.com/album/5RmyBjMFTOJnn5OflPKfL5?si=5KaWLsu7SDaTkKauVd9XOA

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER’

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

You’ll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK PODCAST’ AT APPLE

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠[email protected]

CREDITS

5AM StoryTalk acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Are you spending more time chasing the work than actually creating it? In this Feb. 24, 2026 episode of 5AM RealTalk, things get uncomfortable. I’m pulling back the curtain on the artist's gig economy and admitting things I’ve hidden from my closest friends for years. If you’ve ever screamed "I can’t do this anymore" into the void of an 80-hour work week, this one is for you. I hope it helps.

On the itinerary this week:

• How did I end up working 80 hours a week as an artist (screenwriter, novelist, essayist, and podcaster)?!
• The 21st century hustle culture/gig economy is killing creative lives
• My father’s greatest gift to me…or was it a curse?
• The imbalance of time spent chasing screenwriting work and actually screenwriting
• A podcast too far
• Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes because I can’t fake being happy anymore
• I finally got out to the movies – and ‘Marty Supreme’ was just what I needed
• Except that line ‘You’ll never be happy’ hits me hard
• Henry Miller and what artists get about the life more abundant

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠⁠⁠

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LINKS

• Read 'Portrait of an Artist as a Young Liar' about my first year in LA, when I reinvented myself as an arts journalist: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-young?utm_source=publication-search
• Read/listen: 'The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1' about the nightmare that was my first produced TV series: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-the-horror-of?utm_source=publication-search

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/

FATIMA PAYMAN is a former refugee who became one of the youngest senators ever elected to the Parliament of Australia—where she has courted controversy on more than a few occasions. Today, the Senator joins me for some 5AM StoryTalk, and it’s one hell of a conversation.

We tackle the decline of freedom of speech in Australia, the role of multiculturalism in the country’s art and identity, and whether the current Labor government is actually up to the challenges posed by the 21st century.

A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠.

Sen. Fatima Payman returns to break down a seminal artwork from her life – the Rage Against the Machine song ‘Killing in the Name’ from the rock band’s 1992 self-titled debut album.

The Senator reveals for the first time the role this radical political song played in her decision to leave Australia’s Labor Party and become an Independent senator instead.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-sen-fatima-payman-talks-rage-against-the/id1807437928?i=1000749709502

Substack: ⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/fatima-payman-rage-against-the-machine-killing-in-the-name

Listen to the song here: https://open.spotify.com/track/59WN2psjkt1tyaxjspN8fp?si=549a5e1f2d5e4fdc

This is an extraordinary chat about the impact of art on the individual and, in this case, a political party.

LINKS

• Learn more about Sen. Fatima Payman: https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=300707
• Learn more about Sen. Payman’s decision to leave the Labor Party: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-04/fatima-payman-quits-labor-after-palestinian-vote-furore/104056278
• Learn about the rise of the Far Right in Australia: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-rise-of-far-right-extremism-australia-2025/8skg4ekwe
• Learn more about ‘Killing in the Name’ here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_in_the_Name

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER’

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

You’ll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK PODCAST’ AT APPLE

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠[email protected]

CREDITS

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast’s music is provided by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Screenwriter-director JUSTIN SIMIEN (Dear White People, Haunted Mansion, Hollywood Black) discusses his life and craft, truth-telling in your art, finding your voice as an artist in an industry that increasingly doesn’t want you to have one, and Hollywood’s problematic relationship with Black artists.

Pay attention, screenwriters: This episode is an intimate look at breaking into and sustaining your career in Hollywood in-between deep dives into how personal perspective and identity shaped Justin’s work – which will hopefully encourage you to pour as much of yourself into your own art as he does.

A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠.

Justin returns to break down a seminal film from his life – Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 science-fiction classic 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.

Justin offers a radical new take on the film that will blow your mind. I know it did mine. This is a masterclass in deconstructing films – especially sacred cows.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/justin-simien-talks-2001-a-space-odyssey/id1807437928?i=1000748605227⁠

Substack: ⁠ https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/justin-simien-2001-space-odyssey

LINKS

• Learn more about Justin Simien: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Simien

• Watch ‘Hollywood Black’ on MGM+: https://www.mgmplus.com/series/hollywood-black

• Read Justin’s brilliant screenplay for ‘Dear White People’: https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/dear-white-people-2014.pdf?v=1729114894

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER’

⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠

You’ll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ‘5AM STORYTALK PODCAST’ AT APPLE

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠[email protected]

CREDITS

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast’s music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠⁠

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where Cole Haddon - veteran screenwriter (creator, 'Dracula') and novelist ('Psalms for the End of the World') - discusses the highs and lows of his life as an artist and human being living and creating in Australia.

On the itinerary today (Feb. 10, 2026):

• America in the shitter, the death of neoliberalism, and racism on the march in Australia

• Artists answer the call...or would if not for billionaires

• Still waiting for notes on my pilot

• What happened to all the personal projects I hoped to tackle during my break from this podcast?

• Awards season screeners - wah wah

• The problem with ‘28 Years Later: The Bone Temple’, if there is one

• The death of nuance and subtlety in cinema according to Netflix

• Film students who can’t watch films anymore

• Why you should resist the instinct toward ‘content’-style storytelling

• Wes Craven’s philosophy about horror

• Horror’s triumphant year in 2025 (i.e., ‘Sinners’, ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Weapons’, and more)

• The impact of real-life horror on my work (and yours?)

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'

⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠

You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE

⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠⁠

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LINKS

• Read 'The Film Students Who Can No Longer Sit Through Films' at The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/college-students-movies-attention-span/685812/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠

-

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/

I’m Cole Haddon - screenwriter, novelist, and comic book writer - and this is a trailer for Season 3 of 5AM StoryTalk! If you're as confused by the 21st century as I am, then you've come to the right place. Every week at this podcast, I'm going to be joined by some of the world's biggest artists and intellectuals so that we can try to make sense of what's going on in our culture. I’m talking where we've been, where we've ended up, and where we're going – all through the lens of art and storytelling.

This season’s guestlist is still shaping up, but right now I can safely say I’ll be joined by:

• Meg LeFauve (screenwriter, both ‘Inside Out’ films)
• Justin Simien (writer-director, ‘Dear White People’, ‘Bad Hair’, and ‘Hollywood Black’)
• Riki Lindhome (actress, musician, comedian, and TV creator)
• Senator Fatima Payman (Australian politician)
• Dr. Dacher Keltner (psychologist specializing in the benefits of awe on our mental health)
• Zoe Gardner (UK immigration and asylum researcher and campaigner)
• Tim Rogers (Aussie rock legend; front man of You Am I)

BONUS EPISODES

The conversations don’t just end when these episodes do, though. Every 5AM StoryTalk interview is accompanied by a bonus ep in which my guests return to discuss at length a seminal piece of art from their lives. I like to think of each of these as mini-master classes, though what they teach you isn’t always as obvious as what the subject matter might suggest.

CREDITS

The 5AM StoryTalk Podcast is hosted, written, and produced by Cole Haddon.

It’s recorded on Djarra Country. I’d like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of that land and pay respects to Elders past and present. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Cary Brothers provides soundtrack: https://www.carybrothers.com/

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠⁠[email protected]

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.

On the itinerary today: I turned in my pilot script! - producer reaction/notes anxiety - final podcast episode of 2025 - the Bondi Beach terror attack hits close to home for me - the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner - Bret Easton Ellis on why he writes - by contrast, why Rob Reiner made films - trying to make the world a better place than it really is - all kinds of gratitude to you, you, and you in the back - when 5AM StoryTalk will be back.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'

⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠

You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE

⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LINKS

• Read 'Rob Reiner's Murder and the Decline of Cultural Empathy in 2025' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/rob-reiner-murder-cultural-empathy-2025

Social Media:

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠

Email:

⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠

-

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most beloved Christmas films ever made. But the real reason behind the holiday classic’s enduring popularity isn’t what you might think it is - and it ensures you can never get bored of it

Spoiler: It’s not because life is all that wonderful.

This is an audio essay about growing up and older, grief, and why we’re all George Bailey.

If you’re a storyteller, you’re going to glean plenty from this episode, too.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'

⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠

You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LINKS

• Early ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXsu5XArEUw
• Listen to Cinco Paul’s 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, in which he breaks down his favorite scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-cinco-paul-talks-its-a-wonderful-life/id1807437928?i=1000738755558
• Listen to Cinco Paul’s 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, in which he breaks down his favorite scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its
• Read my essay ‘Where The Love Light Gleams (Or: Christmas as Ritualized Trauma)’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/where-the-love-light-gleams-or-christmas?utm_source=publication-search
• Watch ‘30 Hard-to-Find Christmas TV Specials Free on YouTube’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to-find-christmas-tv-specials?utm_source=publication-search
•  Read ‘'Die Hard' Is the Only Christmas Movie That Bridges America's Political Divide’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/die-hard-is-the-only-christmas-movie?utm_source=publication-search
•  Read ‘One Surreal Christmas Day: When Bing Crosby Met David Bowie’: One Surreal Christmas Day: When Bing Crosby Met David Bowie’: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surreal-christmas-day-in-1977?utm_source=publication-search

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠

EMAIL

⁠[email protected]

-

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

What do Hallmark Christmas films reveal about the state of our world? Why do millions of people turn to these stories every December for comfort and connection?

Power Ranger – ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ agent – one of the best parts about Christmas. Today, I’m joined by actress (and dear friend) ERIN CAHILL. In this deeply intimate episode of 5AM StoryTalk, we go far beyond the IMDB credits. We explore the "spirituality of acting," the concept of art as a life of service, and why her latest film, 'Christmas at the Catnip Café', holds a special place in her heart.

Expect non-stop laughs, profound insights into the creative life, and a look at what the holidays truly mean when the cameras stop rolling.

BONUS EPISODE

A bonus ep with Erin is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a seminal piece of art from her life: William Shakespeare’s “THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN” MONOLOGUE from ‘As You Like It’. You might know it as the ‘all the world’s a stage’ monologue. As a child, it changed how Erin looked at acting.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-erin-cahill-talks-shakespeares-the-seven-ages-of-man/id1807437928?i=1000740139937

Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-erin-cahill-talks-shakespeares

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'

https://colehaddon.substack.com/

You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LINKS

• Learn more about Erin Cahill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Cahill
• Watch the trailer to ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiEk71bRse4

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠

EMAIL

⁠[email protected]

-

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.

On the itinerary today: I bought a house in Australia! – 35% off 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter & Podcast yearly subscriptions – my favorite Christmas movie – Joey Ramone on what punk really means – sayonara, Hollywood – ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ is a perfect film, fight me – how I ended up Down Under – caring really is punk, thank you very much, James Gunn – SE London the greatest place to live on Earth? – the real meaning of Christmas – it’s not socialism, you idiot – conservative misreadings of Christmas movies crack me up – don’t be a dick.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE

⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠

A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.

TIP JAR

Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LINKS

• Watch 'The Bishop's Wife': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o9SskdQWzw
• Listen to 'Schmigadoon' creator Cinco Paul discuss 'It's a Wonderful Life' at the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its?utm_source=publication-search
• Read more about my thoughts regarding Cary Grant's two greatest performances (including 'The Bishop's Wife'): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/cary-grant-was-far-more-than-just?utm_source=publication-search
• Watch 30 hard-to-find Christmas TV specials for free at 5AM StoryTalk (personally curated by me): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to-find-christmas-tv-specials?utm_source=publication-search

SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'

⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠

You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…

⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠

Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠

EMAIL

⁠[email protected]

-

5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.

This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠