You Are a Storyteller

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” author and screenwriter Brian McDonald is joined by television producer and writer Al Higgins, known for hit shows like “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Mike & Molly,” and “The Kominsky Method.” Al shares what it takes to tell truthful stories in surprising ways and the five elements every successful scene must include.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss why stories that work follow a circular rhythm. Just like the seasons or circle of life, the best stories follow a natural loop, fulfilling humans’ inherent desire for closure.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse talk about how they’re taking a short break from “You Are a Storyteller.” Stay tuned for when the new season premiere will drop!

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” Brian is joined by Emmy-winning screenwriter Treva Silverman, known for her writing on classic television shows like “That Girl,” “The Monkees,” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Treva shares what it was like working on these groundbreaking productions, how she wrote such relatable characters on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and the euphoria that comes from writing in a flow state.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” author and screenwriter Brian McDonald is joined by writer, producer, actor, and comedian Steve Higgins, announcer on “The Tonight Show” and a writer and producer for “Saturday Night Live.” Steve shares his journey to becoming one of the most recognized voices in comedy—and unpacks how being true to yourself is the key to real success.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss why efficient storytelling—and believing that complicated isn’t better simply because it’s complicated—is the most effective way to communicate. Oftentimes as storytellers, we can go looking for simple solutions we’ve already found—and get in our own way in the process.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” Brian is joined by award-winning comics writer and novelist G. Willow Wilson, author of “Cairo,” “Alif the Unseen,” and “Ms. Marvel.” G. Willow shares the path that led her to her fruitful career—starting with teaching English in Egypt and, most recently, writing a novel about watchmaking—and why she delights in the notion that writing stories is similar to solving a mathematical equation.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” author and screenwriter Brian McDonald is joined by animator and director Glen Keane, best known for his work on Disney classics like “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “Pocahontas.” Glen shares how he “taps into childhood discovery” to properly create his characters—and why he believes mentorship is foundational to animation.

In this episode, Brian and Jesse discuss what sets a professional apart from an amateur. While amateurs create trendy work to boost their own ego, professionals make objectively good work that serves something bigger than themselves—and can stand the test of time.

In this episode of “Masters of the Craft,” Brian is joined by Kira Lehtomaki, animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios and the animation supervisor behind Judy Hopps, the beloved protagonist in the 2016 film “Zootopia.” In this episode, Kira shares why fear and constraints drive her to do her best work—and why sometimes less is more in telling great stories.