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PODCAST

Live A Meaningful Story

All Things Narrative

Welcome to the Live A Meaningful Story Podcast, where we connect the movies we love with the stories we live. We are four friends with different backgrounds who love watching movies and conversing about their deeper meanings. Each week, we discuss a film, wrestling with how its story, characters, settings, genres, and themes connect to the stories we find ourselves living. We often relate these films to principles found in Narrative Therapy and our Christian faith. Through this podcast, you will

tv & film self-improvement

All Episodes

01:42:07

56: A Time for Everything (THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2)...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/06/25

Have you ever felt like time wasn't on your side? In Derrick's final pick for the podcast (and our final episode), we analyze the divisive superhero spectacle/drama THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2. Derrick shares what he loves about this misunderstood film, and what his re-editing of it says about him. We discuss the Narrative Therapy Landscapes of Action & Identity, Peter Parker's struggle to balance his relationships with his entrepreneurial endeavor as Spider-Man, and how to hold onto hope when we

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01:19:59

55: Moving into Action (MAD MAX 2 THE ROAD WARRIOR) +...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/06/18

How do we learn to live again? In Nick's final pick for the podcast, we explore the wasteland of existence in MAD MAX 2 THE ROAD WARRIOR. We discuss what it means to move from talk to action, and how to truly let go of what's holding us back from progress. We also reflect on Nick's journey throughout the podcast, including insights about his relationships with his films, while discovering the common thread that ties them all together. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose MAD MAX 2 (1:03) Context for

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01:15:19

54: Word and Testimony (THE BOOK OF ELI) + Joseph's...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/06/11

What does it mean to walk by faith? In Joseph's final pick for the podcast, we analyze the post-apocalyptic action film THE BOOK OF ELI. We discuss the biblical themes in THE BOOK OF ELI, and the power of our testimonies. We also reflect on Joseph's journey throughout the podcast, including insights about his relationships with his films, while discovering the common thread that ties them all together. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose THE BOOK OF ELI (1:24) Testimony Time (9:29) Biblical Themes in

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01:26:25

53: What Do You Aspire Towards? (THE IRON GIANT) +...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/06/04

Who are the aspirational figures in your life? In Jason's final pick for the podcast, we analyze the beloved tale of THE IRON GIANT. We discuss the ways current films struggle to depict aspirational characters, and what it means to be an incarnation of hope. We also reflect on Jason's journey throughout the podcast, including insights about his relationships with his films, while discovering the common thread that ties them all together. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose THE IRON GIANT (:56) A

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30:36

52: When Desires Turn Devilish (WISHMASTER)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/05/28

What do you wish for? Welcome to 'Schlock Fest' where we choose bottom of the barrel movies that can help us live a meaningful story. Last up is Nick's pick, a Blockbuster bottom-shelf horror flick called WISHMASTER. We explore how this demon Djinn thrives on making one's desires come true to their own demise. Nick also shares about mimetic theory, along with this schlock's surprising amount of theological substance. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose WISHMASTER (0:56) The Myth of Wish Fulfillment

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34:43

51: The Struggle to Belong (EMO THE MUSICAL)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/05/21

What is the difference between fitting in and truly belonging? Welcome to 'Schlock Fest' where we choose bottom of the barrel movies that can help us live a meaningful story. Next up is Derrick's pick, a direct-to-streaming satirical-romance called EMO THE MUSICAL. We explore the similarities between Emos and Christians in their quests to find belonging and authenticity. Derrick's wife Tori joins the conversation to share the many ways this film mirrors their romantic relationship. Introduction

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27:51

50: Fear of the Unknown in Nature (LAKE PLACID)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/05/14

How do we face our fears of what we don't understand? Welcome to 'Schlock Fest' where we choose bottom of the barrel movies that can help us live a meaningful story. Next up is Jason's pick, a Sci-Fi Channel original-type called LAKE PLACID. We explore how a band of misfits find solidarity in their efforts to contain a giant mammal-eating crocodile. Jason also shares about his experiences with different animals in nature. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose LAKE PLACID (0:54) Low Stakes Schlock

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23:57

49: Unity Beyond Biology (FOUR BROTHERS)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/05/07

What is the definition of family? Welcome to 'Schlock Fest' where we choose bottom of the barrel movies that can help us live a meaningful story. First up is Joseph's pick, a Walmart Bargain Bin find called FOUR BROTHERS. We explore how these four wayward men reunite when their source of unity is violently taken from them. Joe also shares stories about his band of brothers. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose FOUR BROTHERS (1:08) Tone-Deaf Schlock (9:17) Family Unity & Community

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01:17:41

48: Reordering and the Poetry of Everyday Life...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/04/23

How do you find beauty in the ordinary? In our final installment on 'Authenticity', Nick gets personal in a conversation about Jim Jarmusch's poetic film PATERSON. We discuss the order-disorder-reorder process through the biblical prophets, along with an uncomfortable reality about loving films. We share insights from Richard Rohr and Eugene Peterson about what it means to live content in the moment. And Nick also reflects on some of the other films we've discussed previously, and the story they

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01:08:30

47: Authenticity - In Search for Something Real...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/04/09

How do you hold onto what's real when everything around you feels artificial? In our next episode on 'Authenticity', we deep dive into one of the most critically-acclaimed satires of all time: NETWORK. Through its novel-esque writing and theatre-like directing, NETWORK is a masterclass at showing how societal decay corrupts our true self, and the wayward journey back towards authenticity. We discuss how this film is godless, but true in its chilling relevancy for us today. Derrick also shares about

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50:50

46: A Battle Worth Fighting (300)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/03/26

How do you contend for what you believe in, even when the odds are stacked against you? Joseph leads us through the film 300, the next entry in our 'Authenticity' series. We discuss how a film like 300 can be so beloved across diverse contexts such as schools, churches, addiction recovery, and Narrative Therapy. We also weed out fact versus fiction in its depiction of Spartan history, and debate whether Zack Snyder is actually a good director. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose 300 (0:45) Is Zack

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50:49

45: Nature vs. Nurture with Archetypes (MEGAMIND)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/03/12

How much of our identity is dictated by your biology versus your environment? In our new series on 'Authenticity', we wrestle with the nature vs. nurture debate through the lens of the archetypes, using the film MEGAMIND. We also discuss the difference between Internal and Intentional States, the intersection between God's will and our desires, and Jason's own experiences of navigating his archetypes. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose MEGAMIND (0:55) Nature vs. Nurture in MEGAMIND (7:17) Subverting

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54:17

44: The Journey Towards Great Art (RATATOUILLE)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/02/26

How does one become a great artist? Finishing out our "I Am The Protagonist" series is Jason's pick, the beloved Pixar film RATATOUILLE. We discuss the role of criticism in art, while settling the debate once and for all whether anyone can cook. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose RATATOUILLE (:54) Jason & Remy (10:10) Survival vs. Artistry (16:28) Criticism & Great Art (28:18) Who You Are vs. Who You Can Become (36:24) Our Takeaways from RATATOUILLE (42:24) Conclusion (50:54) Stay up to

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39:37

43: Embracing Your Uniqueness (CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/02/12

Have you ever struggled to be accepted by your family or community? In this next installment in our "I Am the Protagonist" series, Joseph takes us through the quirky animated film CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS. We discuss the feelings of rejection that come when we embrace our uniqueness. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS (:37) Yearning for Parental Acceptance (7:55) Joseph & Flint (15:11) Finding Acceptance from the Community (23:15) Conclusion

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01:00:37

42: When the Power of Cinema Takes Over (CINEMA...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/01/29

What is the relationship between the movies we love and the stories we live? This is a question we explore with on this podcast. But in this episode, we examine the pitfalls of our own premise through one of the most acclaimed films of all time: CINEMA PARADISO. Nick leads us through this intimate installment of our "I Am the Protagonist" series. Nestled within this so-called love letter to the movies is a cautionary tale about the dangers of projecting our worldviews onto others. We also wrestle

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01:07:16

41: To See With Eyes Unclouded By Hate (PRINCESS...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/01/15

Have you ever felt trapped in a conflict that’s beyond your control? We kick off our brand new series “I Am the Protagonist” with a very personal film for Derrick: Hayao Miyazaki’s PRINCESS MONONOKE. This Studio Ghibli fantasy epic wrestles with how we can reconcile differing points of view. We also discuss the way it layers both Western and Eastern forms of storytelling, while analyzing it from different perspectives such as Christianity and Narrative Therapy. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose

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05:01

Bonus: 2025 All Things Narrative Update

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2025/01/01

Happy New Year! Derrick shares updates for 2025, including a sneak peek at this upcoming season, along with an exciting tease of an upcoming book feature!Join us as we continuing exploring the connections between the movies we love, and the stories we live. All Things Narrative educates and empowers you to master the art of storytelling. Learn more at: allthingsnarrative.com Follow us on Instagram @allthingsnarrative Like us on Facebook @allthingsnarrative Connect with Derrick on Letterboxd

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01:14:14

40: Finding God Through Nature and Grace (THE TREE OF...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2024/12/18

What does it mean to wrestle with the Divine? In our season finale, we analyze the richly complex theological masterpiece THE TREE OF LIFE. In this arthouse film, director Terrence Malick takes us on a tour through everything from the vastness of the cosmos, to the fragility of our own memories. Using a Sparklines storytelling structure, he allows us to grapple with the tension between creation and Creator. Our analysis incorporates the biblical narrative, the writings of Augustine and Dostoevsky,

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42:53

39: How Religion Emerges and Evolves (KINGDOM OF THE...

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2024/12/11

What do we make of religion? That's our topic for this month, and we're kicking things off with one of this summer's blockbuster hits: KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. These films have always incorporated religious themes and undertones. But in this episode, we analyze this installment's parallels with Christianity, church history, and whether there is anything out there better than mankind. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (:52) Different Relationships with

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50:33

38: Wake Up! (THEY LIVE)

Live A Meaningful Story ·

2024/12/04

The truth is out there; are you willing to see it? We end 'Politics' month with a discussion on John Carpenter's cult-classic THEY LIVE. This film raises questions about the power of advertising as propaganda, how to separate fact from fiction, and whether we are heading towards a dystopia. Regardless of our beliefs, we're all just trying to get everyone to wear the glasses and see our point of view. Joining us is film enthusiast Talya Lerman. Introduction (0:00) Why We Chose THEY LIVE

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121 results

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