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.

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· Society & Culture

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How many episodes does 5AM StoryTalk have?

The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.

5AM StoryTalk episodes:

October 16, 2025The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 4
Since I was little, all I wanted was to do was grow up to write stories for the screen. But when my first TV series was green lit to series, it was a gut punch almost as bad as finding out someone I love had died. Find out why in the exciting, soul-crushing conclusion of the four-part podcast story "The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series".
What you're about to listen to is a cautionary tale for screenwriters – and artists, in general – about what can happen when all your dreams come true. There's a reason why 'DRACULA' (2013), which starred Jonathan Rhy Meyers and a boatload of other brilliant actors, became infamous in two different countries' TV industries.
If you haven't listened to Parts 1, 2, and 3, start there:
Part 1: ⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠⁠
Part 2: ⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/ZGVkNTYwZWEtYmM3OC00ZjBhLThlYzctZjNmZjQ1MDQ3MGJi?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠
Part 3: ⁠⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MDg1N2MzMTEtY2Q3Yi00ZmM0LTliZGItNDBiZTQ0MWMxMDk1?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠⁠
LINKS:
Watch the trailer for 'Dracula' (2013): ⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9o4oFXNI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F⁠⁠⁠
Learn more about the series at Wikipedia: ⁠⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(2013_TV_series)⁠⁠⁠
Read more about my experiences on 'Dracula' at Substack: ⁠⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-storytalk-reflections-will-the⁠⁠⁠
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
21min
October 14, 2025The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 3
What could lead me to try to REPEATEDLY try to quit the first TV series I ever created - 'DRACULA' (2013)? If you thought things went to a dark place in Part 2, you ain't seen nothing yet!
Today brings you Part 3 of a four-part real-life horror story I often describe as a cautionary tale for screenwriters – and artists, in general – about what can happen when all your dreams come true.
I'm talking about the unbelievable true story of the development and pitch, sale, pilot script, and greenlight for NBC and Sky's 2013 series 'Dracula' starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and a bunch of brilliant actors. A story so terrifying it became infamous in two different countries’ TV industries.
If you haven't listened to Parts 1 and 2, start there:
Part 1: ⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠
Part 2: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/ZGVkNTYwZWEtYmM3OC00ZjBhLThlYzctZjNmZjQ1MDQ3MGJi?view=apps&sort=popularity
Listen to Part 3 here: ⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MDg1N2MzMTEtY2Q3Yi00ZmM0LTliZGItNDBiZTQ0MWMxMDk1?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠
Listen to Part 4 here: ⁠⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/OTEwMDNmZTYtYTUzZS00YTk4LWJjM2ItMzljYTczNzdlODlm?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠⁠
LINKS:
Watch the trailer for 'Dracula' (2013): ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9o4oFXNI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F⁠⁠
Learn more about the series at Wikipedia: ⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(2013_TV_series)⁠⁠
Read more about my experiences on 'Dracula' at Substack: ⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-storytalk-reflections-will-the⁠⁠
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
15min
October 13, 2025REALTALK 10/13/25 (am I a workaholic? - trading headphones for thinking time - Soviet cinema and Sergei Bondarchuk )
On the itinerary today: how the writing muscle changes (negatively?) with age - my failed first novel - the importance of carving out thinking time amongst everything we juggle as artists and human beings - am I a workaholic? (thanks, Dad!) - springtime in Australia - Samantha Harvey's novel Orbital - Soviet director Sergei Bondarchuk and his four-part War and Peace films - Mosfilm on YouTube - and David Milch and fighting for our mass culture.
5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being - what I'm struggling with in my work, what's inspiring me, what's causing me to lose sleep.
Links:
Check out Mosfilm at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Mosfilm_eng
Check out Cary Brothers' music here: https://www.carybrothers.com/
Listen to 'The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series' here: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?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
10min
October 09, 2025The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 2
What could lead me to try to quit the first TV series I ever created - 'DRACULA' (2013) starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Oliver Jackson Cohen, and Jessica De Gouw?!
Today brings you Part 2 of a four-part real-life horror story I often describe as a cautionary tale for screenwriters – and artists, in general – about what can happen when all your dreams come true.
A story so terrifying it became infamous in two different countries’ TV industries.
I'm talking about the unbelievable true story of the development and pitch, sale, pilot script, and greenlight for NBC and Sky's 2013 series 'Dracula'. If you've ever aspired to work in Hollywood, this is a must listen. Maybe it'll help you avoid the fate that befell me when I finally "made it".
If you haven't listened to Part 1, start there: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/NWNkNTk0N2MtNDE5MC00YWZhLWE4NjktZDk3Zjc2MDM3MjVl?view=apps&sort=popularity
Listen to Part 3 here: ⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MDg1N2MzMTEtY2Q3Yi00ZmM0LTliZGItNDBiZTQ0MWMxMDk1?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠
Listen to Part 4 here: ⁠https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/OTEwMDNmZTYtYTUzZS00YTk4LWJjM2ItMzljYTczNzdlODlm?view=apps&sort=popularity⁠
LINKS:
Watch the trailer for 'Dracula' (2013): ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9o4oFXNI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F⁠
Learn more about the series at Wikipedia: ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(2013_TV_series)⁠
Read more about my experiences on 'Dracula' at Substack: ⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-storytalk-reflections-will-the⁠
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
18min
October 07, 2025The Horror of 'Dracula': The Unbelievable True Story of the 2013 TV Series - Part 1
How could a straight-to-series greenlight go so wrong for the first TV series I ever created?!
Today brings you the first part of a four-part real-life horror story I often describe as a cautionary tale for screenwriters – and artists, in general – about what can happen when all your dreams come true.
A story so terrifying it became infamous in two different countries’ TV industries.
I'm talking about the unbelievable true story of the development and pitch, sale, pilot script, and greenlight for NBC and Sky's 2013 series 'DRACULA' starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and a boatload of other brilliant actors. If you've ever aspired to work in Hollywood, this is a must listen. Maybe it'll help you avoid the fate that befell me when I finally "made it".
Listen to Part 2 here: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/ZGVkNTYwZWEtYmM3OC00ZjBhLThlYzctZjNmZjQ1MDQ3MGJi?view=apps&sort=popularity
Listen to Part 3 here: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/MDg1N2MzMTEtY2Q3Yi00ZmM0LTliZGItNDBiZTQ0MWMxMDk1?view=apps&sort=popularity
Listen to Part 4 here: https://pod.link/1807437928/episode/OTEwMDNmZTYtYTUzZS00YTk4LWJjM2ItMzljYTczNzdlODlm?view=apps&sort=popularity
Links:
Watch the trailer for 'Dracula' (2013): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCT9o4oFXNI&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F
Learn more about the series at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula_(2013_TV_series)
Read more about my experiences on 'Dracula' at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/5am-storytalk-reflections-will-the
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
16min
October 02, 2025The Cairnes Brothers Know What Makes a Great Horror Film (writer-directors: 'Late Night with the Devil' - 'Scare Campaign' - '100 Bloody Acres')
'100 Bloody Acres' - 'Scare Campaign' - 'Late Night with the Devil'. Today, I'm joined by Australian writer-directors of these fantastic horror films - THE CAIRNES BROTHERS. We're going to discuss their unique blend of horror, comedy, and drama, growing up in the 80s on a mix of Hollywood and Ozploitation films, the breadth of what a horror film can be today in part because of Aussie filmmakers, and what the brothers describe as the genre renaissance taking place in Australian cinema today.
A BONUS EPISODE with the Cairnes Brothers is also available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, Colin and Cameron discuss a seminal piece of art from her life — the film THE STUNT MAN (1980).
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-the-cairnes-brothers-talk-the-stunt-man/id1807437928?i=1000728350318
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-the-cairnes-brothers
Links:
Learn more about the Cairnes Brothers and their films here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_and_Cameron_Cairnes
Trailer for ‘100 Bloody Acres’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJyVEQBCIf0
Trailer for ‘Scare Campaign’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbu_HmAPoC0
Trailer for ‘Late Night with the Devil’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvt-mauboTc
Trailer for ‘The Stunt Man’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xov9tGwLgJM
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
47min
September 25, 2025DEI Pioneer Karen Horne Wants You to Do It For the Money
This week on the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast, we’re joined by KAREN HORNE — DEI pioneer and former Senior VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion North America for Warner Bros. Discovery. Karen and I are going to dig into her life, how she became such a voice for representation and DEI in Hollywood, and the economics of diversity behind and in front of the camera. Let’s throw out the political hyperboles and outright lies and try to understand this issue — and what’s at stake — better together.
A BONUS EPISODE with Karen is also available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-karen-horne-talks-the-cultural-economic-impact/id1807437928?i=1000724941764
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-karen-horne-talks-the
In it, we skip discussing a seminal piece of art not from Karen’s life (which is what I usually do with such bonus content), and instead take a look at the cultural and economic impact of three seminal pieces of diverse art in Hollywood’s history that she selected — ‘A Different World’, Barbie, and Sinners. Of course, we’ll touch on many more, from ‘The Cosby Show’ to ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ and Black Panther. How did/does centering non-cishet white characters and themes impact the success of these films and TV series?
Subscribe to the ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk newsletter⁠⁠: ⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠
Get access to this podcast episode, the bonus episode, and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources.
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:
You might find 5AM StoryTalk’s episode with producer Mike Jackson interesting; in it, he bluntly discusses his feelings about Hollywood’s attitudes toward diversity and representation following George Floyd’s murder and then again after Donald Trump’s reelection: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0X6bgskARdOvYaD3p3XYV4?si=f0a84c7b000c4f51
Read the Writers Guild of America’s Inclusion & Equity Report 2025 here: https://origin.www.wga.org/uploadedfiles/the-guild/inclusion-and-equity/2025_wga_inclusion_report.pdf
Read USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative’s study “Progress? What progress? Inclusion in Hollywood is limited and lacking” here: https://annenberg.usc.edu/news/research-and-impact/progress-what-progress-inclusion-hollywood-limited-and-lacking
Read USC Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative’s study “Gender, Race/Ethnicity & Box Office Performance: Do Films with Female and/or Underrepresented Protagonists Make as Much Money as Films with White Male Leads?” here: https://mcusercontent.com/62568938b3a09a6ef20bd8b14/files/77137e04-bc80-acc6-3460-6e323c3572aa/Film_Financial_Performance_Final.pdf
Social Media:
Follow Cole at…
⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.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.
...more
58min
September 22, 2025REALTALK 09/22/25 (Jimmy Kimmel - AI despair - KPop Demon Hunters)
In today's plog, we discuss: white supremacist marches around the world - Charlie Kirk's assassination - Karen Attiah getting fired for directly quoting Kirk - Jimmy Kimmel canceled by the U.S. government and a cowardly corporation - the risk to artists for speaking up IRL and in their work - what's the point anyway? - Amazon 'reconstructing' Orson Welles' 'The Magnificent Ambersons' using AI - Paolo Sorrentino's 'Parthenope' - French expressionism at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne - and how much my kids (and I) love 'KPop Demon Hunters'.
5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being - what I'm struggling with in my work, what's inspiring me, what's causing me to lose sleep.
Links:
Read "The Magic and Mystery of Ephemeral Things" at the 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-magic-and-mystery-of-ephemeral
In this plog, I mention it was the 20th anniversary of me arriving in Hollywood. You can read about my hilarious first year in L.A. as an aspiring screenwriter here: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-young?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!
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]
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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
September 18, 2025How to Survive the Sad, Uncertain Life of an Artist
HOW DO WE SURVIVE AS ARTISTS TODAY? Not just in 2025, but going forward, too, as the world’s creative industries become ever more perilous places to forge careers thanks to fun things like AI, corporate greed, and fascism. How do you keep on keeping on despite all the uncertainty that comes with an artist's life? How do you become the artist you want to be given such terrible odds?
To help, I'm going to give you FIVE ESSENTIAL FINANCIAL AND LIFESTYLE TIPS that I wish someone had provided me with when I decided I would become a professional artist. These tips will take you from your first job to financially, emotionally, and creating enduring the increasingly difficult life of an artist in the 21st century.
Links:
Read ‘Q&A: Screenwriter Scott Rosenberg Has Some Thoughts About 'Beautiful Girls'’ from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/q-and-a-screenwriter-scott-rosenberg?utm_source=publication-search
Read ‘This Is How You Introduce Characters: Breaking Down the Opening of 'Beautiful Girls'’ from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/this-is-how-you-introduce-characters
Read the 5AM StoryTalk artist-on-artist conversation with screenwriter and The Screenwriting Life co-host Meg LeFauve: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/q-and-a-inside-outs-meg-lefauve-on?utm_source=publication-search
Read the 5AM StoryTalk artist-on-artist conversation with screenwriter, novelist, and comic book writer Marc Guggenheim: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/q-and-a-showrunner-marc-guggenheim?utm_source=publication-search
Read an editorial screenwriter Harley Peyton wrote for 5AM StoryTalk about what he learned from his time in the ‘Twin Peaks’ writers’ room: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/in-the-writers-room-where-it-happened?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!
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
21min
September 12, 2025 BONUS: Thomas Jane Talks 'Seconds'
Actor, filmmaker, and comic book creator THOMAS JANE (THE EXPANSE, THE MIST, BOOGIE NIGHTS) returns to discuss a seminal piece of art from his life: John Frankenheimer's SECONDS (1966).Subscribe to the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter here: https://colehaddon.substack.com/Tom and I will cover:-His personal history with Seconds and how his relationship to it has changed with age
-Frankenheimer's innovative use of camera work and how these techniques enhance the narrative and evoke extreme anxiety/tension
-The use of mystery – a series of non-stop questions – that forces the audience to “lean in” rather than tune out of the story
-Seconds' existential themes and critique of the American dream, and why this resonated with the counterculture movement of the era
-The transitional period of Hollywood in the 1960s, highlighting the cultural and generational shifts influencing films of that time – like Seconds
-Why the choice of Rock Hudson is so daring and necessary’s to the film’s successLinks:-Trailer for Seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2jfYYdvRDM-Watch the opening scene from Seconds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sl9Dzr_La5k&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fcolehaddon.substack.com%2F-Read Tom's new comic book, THE LYCAN, here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Lycan-Comixology-Originals-1-ebook/dp/B0DB1DVQM4

Social Media:
Follow Coleat…
⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠
Email:
[email protected]
...more
34min

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How many episodes does 5AM StoryTalk have?

The podcast currently has 66 episodes available.