Talking Our Story: The Story Behind a Family of Storytellers

How do you go from being raised on stories to making them side by side?   In the season one finale of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy sit down with their son Jakob to tell the behind-the-scenes story of how the Minton family finally became true creative partners. They trace the road from Jakob’s high school comedy skits to college desk comedy and independent filmmaking to writing a science ficti...

Closing night isn’t the end—it’s the pivot.   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy talk about what happens after a lifetime in theatre—when the curtain finally comes down and it’s time to become beginners again. They share how “retirement” from the stage didn’t mean stepping away from art but stepping toward a different creative community with new rhythms, new friends, and new ways...

Tiny humans. Scary ghosts. Zero chill.   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy reflect on the intense year they spent working inside a children’s theatre in San Antonio. It was a season of extremes: exhilarating creative highs, exhausting emotional lows, moments of deep joy with fellow artists, and moments that pushed them right to the edge of burnout. They talk candidly about what...

Sleep is optional. Art is not.   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy trade war stories from the theatre seasons when the casts and budgets are getting larger and the time together was getting shorter. They laugh about creative endeavors achieved on zero sleep. Somewhere between tech week and diaper changes, they stumbled into some of their most honest, focused, and surprisingly po...

When did you realize your family was different?   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy sit down with their adult son Jakob to unpack what it was really like growing up in a family that didn’t do “normal.”  Jakob shares when he first realized that his upbringing was unconventional, how storytelling was taught as a way of life, and how his parents’ intense work ethic became his artis...

Planning a pregnancy while running a professional theatre company is next-level madness.   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy reflect on when their theatre company hit its stride in its third season, and they made the life‑changing decision to grow their family. They share why adoption was their first choice (and why they ultimately chose a biological path), what it was like perf...

There was nothing normal about this courtship.   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy talk about the craziness and commitment of building their professional theatre company, Firelight Players. They revisit the shows they chose, the constant challenges of a first season, and the most memorable production of all: their wedding. As artists and partners, they grew under pressure, and b...

Creativity is their love language.   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy share how one theatre production was the beginning of their real-life love story. They reflect on the moments that sparked their connection, the challenges and excitement of working together creatively, and how that shared experience laid the foundation for the storytelling life they now build together. What...

Where does a creative life begin?   In this episode of  Talking Our Story , John and Amy look back at their families and the experiences that shaped them long before they ever started writing books or recording a YouTube channel. From childhood influences to the pivotal choices that pushed them toward storytelling, they reflect on the risks, doubts, and turning points that led them to pursue creat...

A behind-the-scenes look at a creative family writing and publishing their sci-fi horror series together. Join the Story YouTube: “Talking Story: A Fantastical Fiction Channel”:  https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok: @jajminton Website:  https://www.jajminton.com Discord:  discord.gg/talkingstory Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory Music Credit: “New...