Live A Meaningful Story

How do we break free from autopilot? We wrestle with this question by exploring the temptation to outsource to technology, as seen in both  'Wall-E' and '2001 Space Odyssey'. And Jason shares his journey of breaking free through cultivating curiosity and wonder in his life.  Introduction (0:00) Defining a “Jason Movie”: Becoming an Active Protagonist (1:20) Autopilot in 'Wall-E' and '2001 Space Od...

How is connection the key to human flourishing? The film Wall-E explores the relationships between humanity, technology, the earth, and what happens when things go awry. Jason leads us in a conversation about Wall-E that traverses dystopias, identity, and the Narrative Practice of Re-Membering, so we can find ways to connect that help us flourish.  Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose 'Wall-E' (1:30)...

How do the fears and traumas we've experienced affect the way we live? Joseph shares his story, and how it mirrors many of the fears and traumas portrayed in the Avengers films. We also share some insights from neuroscience about traumatic narratives in the brain, and working with kids who have experienced trauma.   Introduction (0:00) Defining a "Joseph Movie": Confronting Trauma (1:31) Avengers...

How does the struggle to control manifest in your life? In 'Avengers Age of Ultron', this desire to control is evident in Tony Stark, as the layers of his psyche unravel through the personas of Iron Man, Ultron, and Vision. Through this film, Joseph shows how Stark's journey can help us avoid falling into the trap of the God-complex.  Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose 'Avengers Age of Ultron' (1:41...

What do we do when we feel disconnected with our identity and relationships? In this episode, we share insights about how to reconnect with ourselves, nature, other people, and God. Along the way, Nick gets personal with his story, and how he sees it in relation to the film Stranger Than Paradise. We also explore the power of connection through Richard Rohr's contemplative insights and David Denbo...

Have you ever felt stuck in life? In this conversation, Nick leads us through the Criterion classic Stranger Than Paradise, and its realistic portrayal of loneliness and longing. Throughout the discussion, we'll share ways to break out of the monotony of life through re-authoring, and embarking on new calls to adventure.  Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose 'Stranger Than Paradise' (1:37) Slice of Li...

The search for meaning is an inevitable part of what it means to be human. It is through this search that we learn how to better navigate life day by day. And that's what we explore through the work of Viktor Frankl and the Narrative Therapy Practice of externalizing problems. We show how these and other elements help unravel the Star Wars narrative as it's revealed in The Empire Strikes Back and...

Everyone has an origin story that illustrates who they are, where they come from, and why they're here. In our debut episode, we explore the origin story as a concept through Star Wars: A New Hope. Derrick then shares how this film (and George Lucas' journey of making it) inspired his passion for storytelling. Along the way, we discuss how to craft your own origin story using the Hero's Journey fr...

Welcome to the Live A Meaningful Story Podcast, where we learn how to navigate life, one film at a time.  We are four friends with different backgrounds who love watching movies and discussing what they mean to us. Each week, we analyze a film, wrestling with how its story, characters, settings, genres, and themes connect to the stories we find ourselves living. We then relate those films to princ...

How does each genre of story speak to our lives? In our season finale, we review all the genres we've covered this year and how they can help us see our stories in meaningful ways. Plus, Derrick gives some important announcements regarding the future of the podcast in 2024, including changes to the format and name! Introduction + New Changes Coming in 2024 (0:00) Romance (9:42) Action & Advent...

Companionship, grief, work, parenting, coming of age. Sometimes, we just need stories that remind us of what it means to be human. And for our final entry in our genre series, we focus on those kinds of Slice of Life stories. These films and shows fluctuate between the comedies and dramas of life, causing us to wrestle with what it all means. And for the first time, the guys are joined by Derrick'...

When two Jewish immigrants published a story in 1938 about a Superman, they birthed something that would take the 21st Century by storm: the superhero genre. And now 85 years later, many argue that the genre is running out of steam. We investigate how superheroes stay alive by blending with other genres, while wrestling with what this genre means for our lives, and whether or not it's time to move...

When things aren't black or white, we live life in the gray. On this special episode, Derrick reunites with Luther Menard, his former co-host from the 'Life in the Gray' podcast. While listening to old clips from the show, they reflect on their journeys of deconstructing ideas about God, church, and culture in a public manner. This conversation also explores Luther's path towards Eastern Orthodoxy...

Why are we so drawn to things that scare us? What are the ethical ramifications of creating and consuming horrific stories? In this Halloween special, we continue our genre series by diving into the evils and hells of Horror. We discuss stories about the monsters we face in life, and the dangers of the monsters we might become. Along the way, we wrestle with whether we should even give these stori...

How do works of philosophy, personal development, psychology, history, theology, and biographies improve our life stories? In this sequel to our Why We Love Fiction episode , we discuss the ways non-fiction both affirms and challenges our beliefs, with examples from works in the Great Books Cannon of Western Civilization. Derrick also shares recommended books about storytelling and Narrative Thera...

How do we find our values in a lawless society? What is the narrative of what we call 'The West'? In this installment of our genre series, we explore the rugged terrains of the Western genre. For our discussion, each of us picks a Western film that helps us understand why this genre resonates with so many people, and what it has to say about how we grapple with what it means to be human.  Introduc...

Have you ever told yourself a story, or held a belief, that limited what you could do? In this episode, transformational coach Caroline Rena helps us explore the relationships between narratives and our own beings. Our conversation takes us on a journey through Jungian archetypes, generational differences, and the super power of being an empath. Introductions (0:00) Defining 'Empath' and 'Highly-S...

Why should you bother giving your precious time to reading long-form novels about things that never really happened? In this episode, we discuss how fiction contains Truth that can help you become a more empathetic person, better understand your cultural context, and ultimately wrestle with what it means to be human.  Introduction (0:00) The Art of Reading (5:06) The Case for Fiction (with The Bro...

Have you ever thought less of yourself when comparing yourself with others? How do we find significance outside of what we do? Joining us today is dear friend, author, and founder of The Hood Library, Thomas Wilson III. Thomas discusses the release of his first book Who Wants To Be Famous? as a modern day parable written for today's youth. We examine the narratives and discourses around success, a...

How do we select and interpret the narratives we call History? What is our relationship with that History via storytelling? Derrick's wife Tori joins us for an informative discussion on the nature of history, and how that's reflected through various film genres including political epics, war, biopics, and even historical fiction.  Introduction (0:00) Defining the Historical Genre & Political E...

How do we find our place in an ever-changing world? In this entry of our genre series, the guys return to discuss Science Fiction. While these stories may warn us about the threats of technology and aliens, Sci-Fi at its heart is about exploring what it means to be human. Join us for a lively conversation as we prob our favorite Science Fiction narratives and how they inform our existence.  Introd...

We love taking control of our lives! But what happens when life throws us curveballs? How do we continue to pursue what we love even when things happen outside of our control? Joining us is below fellow podcaster and entrepreneur Jeremy Norfus. As we discuss his story, we navigate the tension between pursuing what we want and doing what needs to be done.  Introductions (0:00) Humble Beginnings (3:...

Why are we so drawn to Fantasy lands and larger-than-life characters? How can Fantasy stories help us better engage with our world? Derrick is joined by the return of Joseph, Jason, and Nick to take a deep dive into the Fantasy genre using JRR Tolkien as our guide. We also discuss our recent experiences at Mega Con Orlando.  Introduction (0:00) Defining the Fantasy Genre [LOTR, Star Wars, Harry Po...

How will your story be remembered? What will you leave behind for the next generation? Today, we discuss legacy, and how it allows us to take an active role in shaping our future. We explore legacy from all different angles, including letters from deceased loved ones, the book of Ecclesiastes, Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and the contrast between the young genius and the old sage.  Supp...

Why are we drawn to heart-bounding adventurous and perilous journeys? Proverb Newsome joins us to explore Action stories, and how they challenge us to face our conflicts courageously. We discuss some of our favorite Action films, including 2022's hit Top Gun Maverick, and how going to college relates to the Hero’s Journey.  Introduction (0:00) Defining the Action Genre (6:53) Discussing Examples o...