5AM StoryTalk

By Cole Haddon

Why does art matter in our chaotic world? Join screenwriter Cole Haddon (creator, NBC/Sky's 'Dracula') for 5AM StoryTalk, a weekly deep dive into the 21st century through storytelling.

Each episode f... more

· Society & Culture

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about 5AM StoryTalk:

How many episodes does 5AM StoryTalk have?

The podcast currently has 60 episodes available.

5AM StoryTalk episodes:

December 22, 20255AM RealTalk: 12/22/25 (turned in my pilot script! - Bondi Beach attack and Rob Reiner - holiday message)
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/
...more
9min
December 18, 2025Why You'll Never Get Tired of 'It's a Wonderful Life'
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/
...more
20min
December 11, 2025Actress Erin Cahill Is Counting Down to Another Hallmark Christmas ('Christmas at the Catnip Café' - 'Call of Duty: Black Ops' - 'Power Rangers')
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/
...more
1h 2min
December 08, 20255AM RealTalk: 12/08/25 (big personal news - my favorite Christmas film - what punk really means)
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/⁠⁠
...more
14min
December 04, 2025Screenwriter Cinco Paul Keeps Gambling on Himself ('Schmigadoon!' - 'Despicable Me' - 'The Secret Life of Pets')
The 'Despicable Me' films — 'The Secret Life of Pets' — 'Schmigadoon!'. This week, I'm joined by screenwriter CINCO PAUL whose credits include these titles and many, many more. We’re about to discuss his life, craft, and becoming the writer he always wanted to be 25 years into his career.
This is is an incredibly illuminating deep dive into professional success and how that can sometimes become a cage. Cinco and I are also going to get very granular about screenwriting craft, more so than maybe any other episode in 5AM StoryTalk's history.
Pay attention, screenwriters: This is a masterclass in staying true to your artistic voice while navigating the highest levels of Hollywood.
A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. Screenwriters, do not pass this up! Cinco returns to discuss a foundational piece of art from his life Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Specifically, we dig into the 'telephone scene' where George Bailey professes his love to Mary Hatch. If you want to understand how to write subtext, longing, and life-changing character beats, this analysis is essential listening.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-cinco-paul-talks-its-a-wonderful-life/id1807437928?i=1000738755558
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its
LINKS
Learn more about Cinco: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_Paul_and_Ken_Daurio
Read the pilot script to 'Schmigadoon!': https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Schmigadoon-It-Starts-On-The-Page.pdf
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
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/⁠⁠
...more
58min
November 26, 2025Musician Ben Lee Is Watching the Fall of America ('Awake Is the New Sleep' - 'Ripe' - 'I'm Fun!')
This week, I'm joined by an Australian musician whose career I’ve been following since I first interviewed him in a Detroit club 20 years ago. I’m talking about BEN LEE here, and we’ll be discussing his music (from the 20th anniversary of his seminal album 'Awake Is the New Sleep' to his stunning new single 'The Fall of America'), the death of the American myth that once inspired us to chase our dreams, and our complicated relationships with the country we once called home.
This episode includes Ben performing 'The Fall of America', so no need to hunt that down elsewhere. You can follow along with the lyrics found here: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/benlee/thefallofamericaacoustic.html
A BONUS EPISODE with Ben is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a foundational piece of art from his life - the iconic short story 'THE BALLOON' by Donald Barthelme, first published in The New Yorker in 1966.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-ben-lee-talks-donald-barthelmes-the-balloon/id1807437928?i=1000738078697
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-ben-lee-talks-donald
LINKS
Learn more about Ben Lee: https://www.ben-lee.com/
If you live in Australia, Ben is on tour from January to May 2026. Find his show list here: https://www.ben-lee.com/tour-dates
Listen to 'The Fall of America': https://open.spotify.com/album/6t1Rkg2CTLX5aeL6b5NRoS?si=VeQojEbUTeaaVZwkKvUNdg
Read Donald Barthelme's 'The Balloon': https://engl211-ux1.community.uaf.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/432/2021/01/The-Balloon-Donald-Barthelme.pdf
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
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/⁠⁠
...more
1h 6min
November 24, 20255AM RealTalk: 11/24/25 (Thanksgiving trauma - del Toro's 'Frankenstein' - are we creators or monsters?)
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: Thanksgiving in the wrong part of the world – two Frankensteins: Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 film and the BBC mini-series 'Frankenstein: The True Story' from 1973 – why screenwriters should study del Toro’s version – your racist uncle now thinks pedophilia is okay, too – disrespecting Hammer horror while exploiting it – intergenerational trauma in art and life – Victor von Frankenstein as history’s first tech bro? – what billionaires and serial killers have in common – Madonna – the self as a work of art – a bad year, but good news at least.
LINKS
Read “Girl, You’ll Be a F*cking Woman Soon” at the 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/girl-youll-be-a-fucking-woman-soon
Watch ‘Frankenstein: The True Story’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzUI8ZcQTyk
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
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/⁠⁠
...more
12min
November 20, 2025Cyborg Anthropologist Amber Case Wants to Design a Better Future
Author - design advocate - cyborg anthropologist (yes, I said cyborg anthropologist!). This week, I'm joined by AMBER CASE and we’ll be talking about what’s gone wrong with how we interact with our technology, how craft, aesthetic, and consequently beauty have largely vanished from what we use in our everyday life, and how both issues affect our psychological and cultural health. Most importantly, we’ll be talking about how to fix this.
A BONUS EPISODE with Amber is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a foundational piece of art from her life — the film 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (1968). This part of our conversation is very much a continuation of what you listen to today; what I mean is, it’s less a cinematic breakdown and more of a breakdown of the culture that produced the film and then…changed (and, of course, Amber’s personal experience of all that).
Apple: https: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-amber-case-talks-2001-a-space-odyssey/id1807437928?i=1000736919146
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-amber-case-talks-2001
LINKS
Learn more about Amber Case and her work: https://www.caseorganic.com/
Learn more about The Calm Tech Institute, which Amber founded: https://www.calmtech.institute/
Watch Amber's 'We Are All Cyborgs Now' TEDTalk: https://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_now
Learn about the reMarkable Paper Pro, which is Calm Tech-certified. (And no, I’m not advertising for it; I’m just excitedby what I’ve learned about it). https://remarkable.com/products/remarkable-paper/pro
Watch the ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR_e9y-bka0
You might also enjoy this 5AM StoryTalk Podcast episode - 'When Did We Stop Dreaming of a Better Future?': https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MTMzZDQ3OTQtNmI4Ny00OGMzLTg1MDgtZTViODQ4Mzg0NTNi?view=apps&sort=popularity
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
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/⁠⁠
...more
1h 12min
November 13, 2025Don't Save the Cat...Put It in the Blender! (Or: Why 'Save the Cat' Ruined Screenwriting)
'Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need' has done catastrophic damage to Hollywood storytelling and the moviegoing experience in the 21st century - but I have a solution that might just help with your next script. I want you to 'PUT THE CAT IN THE BLENDER' instead. By the time we're finished, maybe you'll have a better understanding why some spec scripts - and some films, such as Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners', which I'll discuss in some detail - make a splash and others get nothing but bored shrugs.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'
https://colehaddon.substack.com/
A free subscription the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter gets you access to hundreds of arts, screenwriting, and writing articles. A paid subscription gets you access to 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
'How Do You Like Them Apples?! (or: Why Screenwriting Books Can Be Harmful)' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/how-do-you-like-them-apples-or-why?utm_source=publication-search
'The Problem with How We Write (and Think) About Location' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-problem-with-how-we-write-about?utm_source=publication-search
'How to Write Better Dialogue (While Becoming a Better Person)': https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MGIwN2FiMTMtNWExMC00OGM2LTlhMjMtY2FjZmQ0MGY1Yzk5?view=apps&sort=popularity
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/⁠⁠
...more
15min
November 10, 20255AM RealTalk: 11/10/25 (challenging screenplay form - 'Sinners', at last - artists as magicians)
On the itinerary today: 'Sinners', at last — Denis Villeneuve agrees with me — are scripts just blueprints, or can they be literature? — what artists and magicians have in common — the limits of the screenwriting form — what I’ve learned from Walter Hill, William Goldman, and Celine Song — but also, Terrence Malick, Christopher Nolan, J.C. Chandor, and Richard Linklater and Kim Krizan — writing pilot scripts — TV creator and showrunner Emma Frost gives me a panic attack — the role of Nick Cave’s lyrics and David Bowie’s ‘Diamond Dogs’ in my screenwriting evolution — everyone’s favorite poet-curmudgeon, Alan Moore — and cinema as visual poetry.
5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.
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
'Resource: Hundreds of Screenplays All in One Place' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/resource-hundreds-of-screenplays?utm_source=publication-search
'Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' Script Blows Up All the Rules' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/christopher-nolans-oppenheimer-script?utm_source=publication-search
'Denis Villeneuve, 'Dune', and the Problem with Dialogue Today' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/denis-villeneuve-dune-and-the-problem?utm_source=publication-search
Script: 'The Driver': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-driver-1978.pdf?v=1729115014
Script: 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1969.pdf?v=1729114880
Script: 'Past Lives': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/past-lives-2023.pdf?v=1729114969
Script: 'Taxi Driver': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/taxi-driver-1976.pdf?v=1729115004
Script: 'The Tree of Life': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/the-tree-of-life-2011.pdf?v=1729115042
Script: 'All Is Lost': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/all-is-lost-2013.pdf?v=1729114856
Script: 'Oppenheimer': https://assets.scriptslug.com/live/pdf/scripts/oppenheimer-2023.pdf
Script: 'Before Sunrise': https://indiegroundfilms.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/before-sunrise-numbered.pdf
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/⁠⁠
...more
10min

FAQs about 5AM StoryTalk:

How many episodes does 5AM StoryTalk have?

The podcast currently has 60 episodes available.