The Story Dads

By Micah Brenner, Eric Anderson

Eric Anderson and Micah Brenner are the Story Dads, subjected to never ending repetitions of children's movies, these conversations are how they cope. Eric is a licensed and practicing MFT and Micah ... more

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FAQs about The Story Dads:

How many episodes does The Story Dads have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.

The Story Dads episodes:

March 12, 2026 Ratatouille and the Soul of the Artist | The StoryDads Podcast EP44
In this episode of StoryDads, Eric and Micah take a deep dive into Pixar’s Ratatouille — a film that turns a bizarre premise (a rat controlling a chef by pulling his hair) into one of Pixar’s most thoughtful stories about art, talent, and creativity.
At its heart, Ratatouille isn’t really about cooking. It’s about the artistic impulse — the drive to create something beautiful, meaningful, and true. Through Remy’s journey, the film explores big questions about talent versus hard work, the tension between art and commercialization, and the famous idea that “anyone can cook.”
Along the way, the StoryDads explore the film’s deeper themes: the role of mentors and inspiration, the danger of institutions losing their original spirit, and why great art often comes from unlikely places.
It’s a conversation about creativity, calling, and why stories like Ratatouille still resonate with both kids and adults.
Can anyone cook? Or is true artistry reserved for the few?
Join the conversation and let us know what you think. Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
47min
March 05, 2026 The Super Mario Bros. Movie: They Did the Thing | The StoryDads Podcast EP43
🎙 Follow StoryDads
If you enjoy exploring the deeper symbolism and storytelling behind movies your kids love, make sure to follow the podcast so you don’t miss future episodes.
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💬 Join the Conversation
What did you think of The Super Mario Bros. Movie?
Did the story work for you — or did it feel more like fan service?
📚 Check out Micah’s Kickstarter: Goodfellow
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Puck from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this story explores what happens when the trickster prince returns centuries later to find his kingdom in ruins — and must confront the consequences of abandoning it.
If you enjoy mythic storytelling and archetypal fantasy, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
35min
February 26, 2026 Disney’s Robin Hood: The Trickster Hero (w/ Dan Friedman) | The StoryDads Podcast EP42
Go check out and support the GoodFellow KickStarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/danfriedman/goodfellow-1-what-does-it-take-for-an-immortal-to-grow-up
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
49min
February 19, 2026 The Princess & the Frog: Work, Worth, and the “Deal With the Devil” | The StoryDads Podcast EP41
In this episode of StoryDads, Eric and Micah head to 1920s New Orleans to unpack Disney’s The Princess and the Frog — a film that’s far richer than its fairy-tale reputation suggests.
What starts as a classic princess story becomes a powerful exploration of ambition, identity, and the danger of chasing success the wrong way. We dive into Tiana’s relentless work ethic, Naveen’s carefree charm, and why Dr. Facilier may be one of Disney’s most compelling villains: the embodiment of shortcuts, easy answers, and the hidden cost of getting what you want without becoming who you need to be.
Along the way, we explore fairy-tale archetypes, the meaning behind the film’s New Orleans setting, Disney’s final great hand-drawn animation era, and how the story ultimately reframes dreams—not as achievements to earn, but relationships to build.
If you’ve ever wrestled with work, purpose, or balancing ambition with joy, this conversation will give you a whole new way to see The Princess and the Frog.
Watch the movie, then join the conversation. Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
52min
February 12, 2026 Snow White Explained: The Feminine Hero’s Journey | The StoryDads Podcast EP40
We only scratched the surface — for a richer and more layered symbolic reading of Snow White, we highly recommend Jonathan Pageau’s analysis here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgaCikt1hSg
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
52min
January 29, 2026 Dino Duties: A Reading | The StoryDads Bonus Episode | Part 2 of 2
Buy Dino Duties on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Dino-Duties-Micah-Brenner/dp/B0FX8C5XJR/r=8-1
Buy Dino Duties on Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dino-duties-micah-brenner/1148574129?ean=9798218842901
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
7min
January 29, 2026 The Psychology and Philosophy of Dino Duties | The StoryDads Bonus Episode | Part 1 of 2
Buy Dino Duties on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Dino-Duties-Micah-Brenner/dp/B0FX8C5XJR/r=8-1
Buy Dino Duties on Barnes and Noble:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dino-duties-micah-brenner/1148574129?ean=9798218842901
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
12min
January 22, 2026 Inside Out Explained: Grief, Depression, and Emotional Maturity | The StoryDads Podcast EP38
Brett Boles Analysis of the Michael Giacchino's Score to Inside Out:
https://www.instagram.com/thebrettboles/reel/C46OrzdO_cd/
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
45min
January 15, 2026 Why Monsters Inc. Is Actually a Movie About Fatherhood | The StoryDads Podcast EP37
In this episode of StoryDads, we revisit Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. and explore why this animated classic is far deeper than it first appears. What looks like a buddy comedy is actually a powerful story about fatherhood, strength, fear, and moral formation.
We break down Sully and Boo’s relationship, the symbolism behind “monsters,” and why children need both tenderness and properly channeled strength in their parents. This conversation is for dads, parents, therapists, and anyone who loves Pixar but wants to engage these stories on a deeper level. Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
39min
December 18, 2025 The Christmas Movie Hierarchy: Sacred, Seasonal, and Heretical | The StoryDads Podcast EP36
What actually makes a Christmas movie a Christmas movie?
In this special holiday episode of StoryDads, we take on the ultimate Christmas movie debate by building a full Christmas Movie Hierarchy. Instead of ranking films by popularity or nostalgia, we ask a deeper question: How well does each movie embody the meaning, spirit, and transformation at the heart of Christmas?
We construct a six-level pyramid—from the Realm of the Sacred Narrative at the top to films excommunicated from the holiday canon at the bottom. Along the way, we debate beloved and controversial titles including The Grinch, Elf, The Polar Express, Batman Returns, Harry Potter, Gremlins, The Holiday, Krampus, Jingle All the Way, Reindeer Games, and the most divisive holiday film of all: Die Hard.
Using ideas drawn from psychology, theology, mythology, and classic storytelling, we explore why certain Christmas stories endure across generations while others fade. Is a Christmas setting enough? Does the story require a conversion or transformation? And what role do “peri-Christmas” movies play in shaping the season?
Expect thoughtful analysis, playful disagreement, and plenty of humor as Micah reacts in real time to the hierarchy and challenges some of the most controversial placements. This episode is both a celebration of the season and an invitation to rethink your holiday watchlist.
Where would you place your favorite Christmas movies? Which ones deserve elevation—and which should be banished?
If you enjoy in-depth conversations about movies, meaning, and the stories that shape families and culture, be sure to follow, rate, and review StoryDads. Your support helps us reach more listeners.
Merry Christmas, and welcome to the gauntlet.
Be sure to follow us on all the socials:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storydadspodcast/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.story.dads
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStoryDads
X: https://x.com/StoryDads

Micah's IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0182425/?ref_=fn_all_nme_1
Eric's Counseling Practice: https://www.ericandersoncounseling.com/

For Advertising Inquiries email us at: [email protected]

Edited by Isaac Liverance
...more
43min

FAQs about The Story Dads:

How many episodes does The Story Dads have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.