Story Stack

A Midsummer Night's Dream might be the best book for beginner Shakespeare readers. Half-comedy, half-drama, all fantastical, this play is just as enjoyable as any edition of Real Housewives. The best part: you don't have to be an expert to enjoy the play, but if you happen to be intrigued, there's more layers hidden behind the curtain. Perfect for Story Stack's Season 1 Finale! “Cocktails and Clas...

Red Rising by Piece Brown has done so much in the realm of Sci-Fi and Fantasy spaces, being a major player for male readership while also being a masterclass on writer growth. Red Rising is a debut novel, and it's amazing to pull apart Brown's inspiration and grown as an author. This episode tackles all things Howlers, so set down your razors and fall back between the pages of the book you...

Romantasy has blown up as a book genre on BookTok since the early 2020s, but even now there is massive debate surrounding the quality of these books. With the combination of two genres, disappointment is inevitable. But does it deserve hate? Should we be cancelling romantasy for what some consider "low quality" writing? The episode seeks to explore the relevancy, and quality, of romantic...

The Pitt on HBO Max has captivated audiences since season one, with a twist on modern storytelling and character development. The show is a testament to what can be created when writing techniques are used intentionally. Writers for The Pitt also know how to face a challenge, making the show even more satisfying for the modern watcher. This episode of Story Stack pulls apart the best moments of Th...

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White is an impactful piece of literature for readers of all ages. With complex themes of friendship, life purpose, and death, White brings these ideas to the page with masterful technique. Wilbur and Charlotte's story should not be ignored or reduced because it is designed for children. Any storyteller can appreciate the clarity in White's writing. So, settle d...

Avatar the Last Airbender (ATLA) notoriously had their full movie, set to come out on streaming by Paramount+ in October, leaked to the public the other week. While for some this means getting hot edits of the Gaang on TikTok, it also calls into question the ethics of watching a leaked production. ATLA is a masterful show which released its final episode in 2008, but almost two decades later, fans...

In the dark romance book genre, it's common to see a lengthy list of trigger warnings before starting the first chapter, but are these warnings helpful? Are some things too dark to write about? The Mindf*ck series by S.T. Abby is a popular self-published, dark romantic thriller, with the first three books in the offering the unusual warning, “I know this shit is fucked up, so don’t bother writ...

Concept albums are not a new storytelling technique, but Twenty One Pilots making a series of albums with rich backstory and characters is the sort of ingenuity found once in a lifetime. This episode focuses on the power of intention in musical narrative and how it pushes audiences into deeper devotion, fan culture in all its messy glory, and the magic of good songs in an even better world. Story...

Mortality, mystery, and murder. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde pulls no punches despite its famous revision in 1891, enveloping readers in a gothic setting far from perfect. It specifically tackles the cult of image with a homoerotic subplot, and the drama lives off the page in Wilde's own life. “Cocktails and Classics” seeks to inspire readers to open or rediscover the classics, br...

Those seeking their next Netflix binge watch need not look any further with completed show, Dark . With a complex time travel plot, overlapping timelimes, and compelling characters, Dark proves just how revolutionary a show can be when made with intention. From the first season to the finale, this is a Netflix show that somehow only manages to get better. Story Stack is a storytelling-centered pod...

Sabriel by Garth Nix sets the standard for fantasy novels, and creates an even higher bar in the Young Adult genre. This forgotten 90s favorite is too masterful to let fall into obscurity. With excellent writing, compelling characters, and a unique magic system, Sabriel is a must-read for lovers of fantasy. Story Stack is a storytelling-centered podcast hosted by writers Ansley Standridge, Gabriel...

The ongoing decrease in readers has been an issue for many years now, and while many speak up about the topic, there are a few celebrities who actually use their platforms to improve the literacy space. From trailblazers like Orpah's Book Club to surprising celebrity/author interviews with Dua Lipa, this episode tackles decades of literacy moments and shines a light on the celebrities making a...

Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is drama-filled enough without questionable movie adaptations. There’s more to love than just a toxic relationship. “Cocktails and Classics” seeks to inspire readers to open or rediscover the classics, breaking down the stories that have shaped modern literature (with a tipsy twist). Story Stack is a storytelling-centered podcast hosted by writers Ansley Standridge...

Boys are reading less than ever with overall reading rates in the United States going down, and less men are finding interest as they grow into adults. LitRPGs (literary role-playing games) could be the genre-bending stories that brings more men back into reading. Story Stack is a storytelling-centered podcast hosted by writers Ansley Standridge, Gabriel Rein, and Lily Johnson, who understand and...

This episode of Story Stack focuses on Disney's Percy Jackson and the Olympians adaptation based on the books by Rick Riordan. While comparing it to the book, it's obvious that changes were made...and the series might be better because of it. Story Stack is a storytelling-centered podcast hosted by writers Ansley Standridge, Gabriel Rein, and Lily Johnson, who understand and care deeply about stru...

Story Stack hosts, Ansley, Gabriel, and Lily pull apart the writing of Stranger Things 5 while comparing it to previous seasons. From fan theories to continuity issues, the writing somehow gets even stranger.

Story Stack hosts, Ansley, Gabriel, and Lily sip cocktails while explaining the impotance of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley for the modern reader.

With Dramione fanfics being traditionally published, Story Stack hosts have a lot to say about the state of the publishing industry and the ethics of publishing fanfiction.

Gabriel leads his romance reading cohosts in a discussion about romance literature, including the inspiration of some of the biggest novels in present day.

Story Stack hosts, Ansley, Gabriel, and Lily discuss what it means for something to be a faithful adaptation, focusing on Del Toro's Frankenstein .