Tell The Damn Story

How do you deal with your greatest challenge? Do you have a mentor? What writer or their works inspires you? In celebration of our 350th episode, hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan are joined by an inspiring panel of guests, including Jeannine Acheson, Tom Sniegoski, and Rebecca Cuthbert. Together, they reflect on the essence of storytelling, the mentors who guided them, and the power of sharing kn...

Today, we dive deep into the trials, triumphs, and unique nuances of writing iconic characters. Co-hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they share their incredible experiences and insights from penning legendary figures like Batman, Scooby Doo, Tarzan, and even contemporary historical characters such as Barack Obama. From the essential do's and don'ts of maintaining the essence of these be...

Today’s episode is brimming with essential advice to boost your writing journey.  Cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan tackle pressing questions from our listeners, covering topics such as meeting deadlines, staying inspired, understanding plot structures, and managing different genres.  We also touch on deeper questions about your identity as a writer and dealing with rejections. Stick around for...

How Many Creative Ways Do You Know to Promote Your Writing? How can we be our own promotion and sales department?  In this episode, Alex Simmons and co-host Chris Ryan ask that question of Rebecca Cuthbert (author, editor, professor). The three creatives get into an informative conversation that will help you jump-start your promotional strategies and get you on the path to author success.  In thi...

How To Hook Into Your Audiences' Emotions. In this compelling and illuminating episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons delve into the intricate world of flawed heroes and captivating villains by deeply analyzing classic and modern narratives.  They look at how a character’s actions, flaws, and backstory trigger emotions in your audience. Buckle up as they unveil the storytelling secrets behind such i...

In this episode of 'Tell the Damn Story,' hosts Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss the evolving landscape for writers in 2025, focusing on how to approach global and domestic changes creatively. They explore how writers can address deep-seated emotions such as 'heart hurt,' fear, frustration, and rebellion through their work while avoiding legal issues when critiquing public figures. The di...

What Inspired Might Inspire You. In this episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons discuss what, how, and why certain stories inspired them this year. They dive into the creative moments and inspirations that shaped our year. Listen as they discuss the invaluable role of feedback in writing, the importance of respecting source material, and memorable stories that have captured our imaginations....

Have you ever wondered: What are effective ways to incorporate hope and positivity into stories influenced by dark or unsettling real-world events? How can I stay true to my creative voice when dealing with emotionally charged or divisive topics? Well, in today's episode, cohosts Alex and Chris Ryan try to answer those questions and a few more. They dive into the multifaceted journey of being a wr...

In this episode, we're diving deep into the craft of comedy writing. Today's episode, " Hope I'm Funny: The Hidden Secrets of Comedy Writing," explores the intricate art of making people laugh through storytelling. We'll break down the holiday film "Red One," starring Chris Evans and The Rock, which cleverly blends Santa myths with humor and action. We’ll discuss the iterative process of writing c...

This week, we're exploring the art and power of words and how they shape our stories and bring our characters to life. Cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons have been writing for over 30 years, and today, they're sharing insights on everything from detective tales to sci-fi adventures. We’ll discuss the meticulous process of crafting dialogue and ensuring each character has a unique voice, inspired...

Yes, Creative Are Allowed To Nerd Out And Still be Professionals! Here's a special holiday episode from us to you. In this gathering of creatives, cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the holiday classic "March of the Wooden Soldier," which has remained a Thanksgiving tradition for many. It's a 90-year-old film that found its intergenerational following, especially around the New York tri-s...

In today’s installment, we explore how to reimagine a classic character and combine the compelling world of horror and mystery. Our special guest writer is Teel James Glenn . Join hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they explore Glenn's new book "Not Born of Woman" and his daring reinvention of the classic Frankenstein narrative. This time, the creature's tale is set against the rich historical b...

Welcome to another compelling episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where we explore the remarkable journeys and challenges faced by writers and creatives. In today's episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan sit down with multifaceted British writer/creator Steve Garratt to delve into his inspiring career path.  From his early days working on the crew of Miss Saigon at the Bristol Hippodrome in England to...

" We share our creative journies to make yours a little easier. " In this episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons tackle a profound subject: expressing and reflecting on challenging times through storytelling. Some stories can predict or record troubling times, past or present.  By reading from their works, Chris and Alex share emotionally charged excerpts that capture the essence of racial t...

Hey folks: This episode is more of  A Peek Behind the Halloween Scene . Co-hosts Alex and Chris pull back the curtain on last week’s fascinating Halloween episode, which has been years in the making. Joining our remarkable guests: Rebecca Cuthbert, Teel James Glenn, Tom Sniegoski, Jeannine Acheson, and Steven Van Patten. We'll explore how a playful nickname turned into a captivating story and how...

It's one of our stranges tales ... In this Halloween special episode of 'Tell the Damn Story,' Chris loses Alex, and Alex searches for his co-host Chris in the caves, ultimately leading to captivating readings by notable horror authors Teal James Glenn, Rebecca Cuthbert, Tom Snagowski, Jeannine Acheson, and Steven Van Patten.  The stories range from thrilling encounters and daring challenges in ha...

Can't make it to the latest comic con? We've got you covered! In this jam-packed episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan sit down with the extraordinarily talented Renaissance man John Jennings, a creative powerhouse with a diverse career spanning graphic design, illustration, art curation, and academia.  Join us as we delve into John's fascinating journey from a rural upbringing in Mississippi to be...

Welcome to another episode of "Tell The Damn Story!" Today, we have a packed show for you as we dive into the goldmine of storytelling, which consists of our personal struggles and experiences. Hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan dig deep into their lives, sharing intimate and sometimes humorous anecdotes—from Chris’ medical exams and double dances with Covid to Alex's near drawing in a storm and re...

🎙️ Hey, fellow creatives, Welcome back to "Tell The Damn Story"! This time it's Alex Simmons, holding down the fort solo while Chris is under the weather. In this episode, we'll explore the craft of crafting riveting tales that keep readers coming back for more. We'll chat about what makes a story truly compelling—think characters with wild backstories like Jesus of Nazareth or fictional legends l...

As a writer, editor, and publisher, she's building a house of horror, and several writers are eager to join her. Why and How? That's what cohosts Alex and Chris seek out when they interview literary triple threat REBECCA CUTHBERT ! With the children of the night howling in the distance, Alex and Chris dive into an engaging conversation about Rebecca's journey as an author, her dynamic approach to...

If you think creating plots, scenes, and dialogue while sitting at a computer keyboard is a challenge, how do you do it based on someone else’s idea and instantly in front of a live audience?  Sit back and find out. Hey there, and welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story!"  Today, we're diving into improvisation through a great insider discussion with cast members...

He overcame addiction, prison, and Covid to write four novels and raise the funds to publish them.  How he did it is a damn story worth telling. Join Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons as they delve deep into the world of writing, creativity, and the extraordinary journeys of remarkable authors, the indomitable Daemon Manx .  This fall, Daemon is releasing his chilling four-book horror series, The Ojanox...

It’s part two of my adventures in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fring Festival. In this episode, Chris and I share an incredible interview I did with the artistic team behind "I Sell Windows."   The writer, actress Kaci Rogers, director Jaquita Ta’le, and producer Chelsea Boyd delve into the power of storytelling, exploring universal themes and the importance of honest, unapologetic narratives....

This time around, join creatively driven cohost Chris Ryan and the insightful Alex Simmons as they explore creativity and the impact of surrounding oneself with artists and performers. It starts with Alex's vivid recollections of his journey to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival .  He takes us up and down its ancient winding streets, lively taverns, and diverse performances—from stand-up comedy to...

Hey there, folks!   This time, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are here to share some serious thoughts, tips, and tricks about making your storytelling sizzle with great exposition. Chris and Alex do swan dives into how to serve up those essential details in your stories without making it feel forced or boring. They’ll share their own tricks of the trade, compare notes on classic authors like Ch...