The Story Steward Show

I don’t care about New Year’s resolutions. They sound nice and die fast. What actually matters is how you structure the first stretch of the year. In this episode, I break down how I’m thinking about the gap between where you are and where you want to be, and how short-term structure creates real momentum. If you want 2026 to be different, it doesn’t start in December… it starts with how you move...

My dear friends, we have officially changed the name of the "Rewind Storytelling Show"... and I am so excited to share the reason why with you all!

The new David movie promised epic storytelling, but did it deliver? I dive into what went right, what went horribly wrong, and why, despite its flaws, it still matters. 

In this episode I talk about George Bailey and the trap he fell into, spending his whole life living in the gap between where he was and where he thought he should’ve been . He had blessings, purpose, and people who loved him, but he couldn’t see any of it because he was always staring at the life he never got to live. And it nearly destroyed him. We dig into how easy it is to slip into that same...

This episode might sting a little, but in the best way. God doesn’t need you. He doesn’t need your talent, your plans, your writing, your “I’ll try harder next time.” He is God with or without us. But here’s the beautiful part… He chooses you. He invites you into His work anyway. Today I talk about the freedom that comes from realizing you don’t have to carry the weight of saving the world, fixing...

There’s nothing like that awful storytelling moment when a character finally starts to change… and then the truth comes out. The lie. The mistake. The thing they didn’t mean that way. Suddenly everything they’ve built shatters. And they’re left saying, “Wait—no… that’s not who I am anymore. You don’t understand.” In this episode I break down how Klaus nails the accidental betrayal beat and why it...

Scrooge’s story hits different when you realize he wasn’t always a cold, bitter old man. He was a boy once. A dreamer. Someone who loved and lost and slowly shut himself off from the world. And that’s why his redemption matters so much... because underneath it all, he’s human. Just like us. In this episode I break down why his transformation is so powerful, what it shows us about grace, and why se...

In this episode, I break down how Elphaba and Glinda’s opposing desires and fears drive their choices, create conflict, and lead to real consequences. If you want to learn how to write characters who challenge each other, push the story forward, and reveal deeper truths through their clashes, this episode will show you how to do it.

Spiritual battles are real and they are fierce. You were never meant to fight alone. In this episode we explore the power of standing with other believers, surrendering yourself alongside them, and how unity becomes your strongest defense against the enemy. Alone we are vulnerable, but together we are unshakable. If you want to resist temptation, overcome attacks on your faith, and stand firm in G...

Today we’re talking about what it actually looks like to hand your writing over to Jesus. Not just saying we trust Him but actually letting go of the reins and giving Him the entire work in progress. The dreams. The drafts. The pressure we put on ourselves. When we stop gripping our stories so tightly, we finally make space for Him to move. 

Peter only started sinking when he looked away. That’s the whole point of this story. When our focus is on Jesus, the waves don’t always disappear, but they stop ruling our lives. In this episode, I talk about what happens when you take your eyes off Christ, why the storm suddenly feels so loud, and how keeping your focus on Him changes everything.

I’ll be honest — I’m a loner. I’m basically a 21-year-old hermit who loves writing, keeping my thoughts to myself, and pretending I don’t need anyone. But lately, God’s been convicting me: we weren’t made to worship alone. In this episode, I talk about how easy it is — especially for writers — to go through faith and creativity in isolation. I’ll share how avoiding community can rob you of account...

Walt Disney didn’t wait for permission, for a perfect plan, or for fear to pass. He knew what he wanted and pursued it relentlessly, building worlds that inspired millions. In this episode, I break down three traits we can borrow from Walt to pursue our own creative dreams with faith, focus, and boldness.

I know what it’s like to wake up early and give in to laziness, doom scrolling instead of starting my day. In this episode, I share what I’ve learned about calling on God the moment temptation whispers, because trying to do it alone never works. 1 Corinthians 10:13 — “He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Charlie Kirk’s assassination ignited in me a desire to truly honor the Sabbath. For so long, like many Christians, I had reduced it to a routine, just the day we go to church. But the Sabbath was never meant to be a checkbox or a schedule. It is a gift, a pause in the rhythm of life, a sacred space to rest, reflect, and reconnect with God. In this episode, I explore what it really means to honor t...

In light of the recent assassination on Charlie Kirk, many are feeling shaken, fearful, and uncertain about the future. But as believers, we are reminded that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). In this episode, I reflect on what it means to walk in courage when the world feels unstable. Fear is real, but it does not have to define us. The e...

It’s one thing when a character first believes a lie — it’s another when they start living like it’s true. This is the scene where your character makes their first conscious choice rooted in that false belief, and the world rewards them for it. In this episode, I break down how to write this pivotal moment so it doesn’t just show what they think, but proves how the lie begins shaping their actions...

The best characters don’t need long monologues to reveal their past, their quirks, traits, and little habits do it for them. In this episode, I break down how to create characters whose behavior hints at deeper layers, making them feel real and unforgettable. We’ll look at how to design traits that point to a hidden history, while still driving the present story forward.

This is a controversial episode. I rip the band-aid off and say what no one else wants to: the bar in Christian entertainment isn’t simply low...it was never there to begin with. From cringe movies to shallow storytelling, we’ve settled for less when we should be leading the way. In this episode, I call out the problems and share how I believe we can finally raise the standard and create stories w...

In this episode, I’m breaking down how to write Chapter 2 of your story — the moment where everything changes. We’re going to talk about crafting the impossible choice , the kind of decision that forces your character into motion and locks your readers into the story. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep the tension high and make sure your audience can’t put the book down, this episode is for you.

Most people set New Year’s resolutions with big dreams… and most people fall off by February. Then the months fly by, and when September hits, the excuse creeps in: ‘Well, it’s only a few more months until January. I’ll just restart then.’ No. Forget that. In this episode, we’re hitting pause, reassessing where we are, and making the most of the time left. Four months is plenty to write a draft, s...

In this episode, I dive deep into one of Marvel’s most emotionally rich characters — Shalla-Bal, the herald of Galactus. She saved her planet by striking a bargain, only to spend the rest of her existence enabling the destruction of countless worlds. Was she wrong to make that choice? Or was she trapped in an unwinnable game? Today, I’ll walk you through her backstory, her belief system, and the i...

In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 sneaky traps that lead writers straight into burnout, plus the simple shifts that will help you dodge them. You’ll learn how to set deadlines that actually work, take real breaks without guilt, and track your progress so you can see just how far you’ve truly come. If you’ve been feeling drained, stuck, or ready to give up on your story, this episode will he...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of Disney’s most complex and underrated heroines: Meg from Hercules . We’ll unpack how her tragic redemptive arc is shaped by one central truth: every character has a lesson to learn. And how side characters, often carry the heart of your story’s message. If your protagonist has flaws to face, debts to pay, or a transformation that needs to hit hard, this epi...

In this episode, we're heading to the theme parks to break down how Disney rides can teach us everything we need to know about storytelling. From the spooky spectacle of Haunted Mansion...  To the adventure and chaos of Pirates of the Caribbean...  To the over-the-top puns of Jungle Cruise... We’re unpacking how Disney uses setup, worldbuilding, and emotional payoff to craft unforgettable exp...