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30:29
Bonus Episode: Zoe Gardner Talks 'Joan Baez vs. Bob Dylan'
The immigration researcher breaks down a seminal moment in art from her life - a very public musical argument about the 'voice of a generation's…
Apr 16
•
Cole Haddon
9
3
57:08
Immigration Researcher Zoe Gardner | The Migration 'Crisis' Is a Myth
Listen | On how onscreen stories impact policy, fighting the powerful against the odds, and where to find radical hope in an era of reactionary…
Apr 15
•
Cole Haddon
15
8
5
9:13
A Screenwriter's Real-Life Ghost Story (Or: How I Wasted 6 Months of My Life)
🎧 Sometimes it doesn't make a difference how good your script is...if you're writing the wrong script
Apr 7
•
Cole Haddon
31
11
10
40 Scripts That Break All the "Rules" to Download and Study
I've curated an in-depth tour through rule-defying feature screenplays that helped me - and could help you - become a well-rounded professional…
Apr 8
•
Cole Haddon
30
4
7
💬 Weekly Question: Why do you think physical media is making a comeback?
Good news, People Who Hate How the Digital Media has ruined everything.
Apr 18
24
22
7
Most Popular
View all
How to Survive the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Life of an Artist
Jan 16, 2024
•
Cole Haddon
69
19
How to Become a Better Filmmaker by Studying Fine Art
Apr 16, 2025
•
Cole Haddon
64
5
16
A Eulogy for Everything We Never Were (and Never Will Be Again)
Oct 12, 2024
•
Cole Haddon
232
84
83
60 A24 Screenplays to Download and Study
Jan 28
•
Cole Haddon
54
4
15
Join the 5AM StoryTalk communiy!
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Screen/Writing
View all
40 Scripts That Break All the "Rules" to Download and Study
I've curated an in-depth tour through rule-defying feature screenplays that helped me - and could help you - become a well-rounded professional…
Apr 8
•
Cole Haddon
30
4
7
9:13
A Screenwriter's Real-Life Ghost Story (Or: How I Wasted 6 Months of My Life)
🎧 Sometimes it doesn't make a difference how good your script is...if you're writing the wrong script
Apr 7
•
Cole Haddon
31
11
10
12:31
☕ The Brew | Why Screenplay Templates Are Making You a Hack (and What to Do About it)
🎧 On the itinerary for Mar. 31, 2026: Why there is no such thing as a screenwriting cheat code • a better way to learn and internalize script structure…
Mar 31
•
Cole Haddon
18
5
5
30:05
Bonus Episode: Meg LeFauve and Joe Forte Talk 'Singin' in the Rain'
The screenwriters behind films like 'Inside Out', 'Captain Marvel', and 'Firewall' break down a seminal piece of art from their lives, the greatest…
Mar 26
•
Cole Haddon
11
5
Pop/Culture
View all
57:08
Immigration Researcher Zoe Gardner | The Migration 'Crisis' Is a Myth
Listen | On how onscreen stories impact policy, fighting the powerful against the odds, and where to find radical hope in an era of reactionary…
Apr 15
•
Cole Haddon
15
8
5
30:01
Bonus Episode: Sen. Fatima Payman Talks Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing in the Name'
The Australian politician reveals the song that helped her tell her own party, 'F*ck you, I won't do what you tell me!' over its position on Gaza
Feb 19
•
Cole Haddon
11
5
47:54
Sen. Fatima Payman on the Price of Defiance in Australian Politics
On deteriorating freedom of speech in Australia, multiculturalism in the country's national identity, and whether the Labor Party still labors for the…
Feb 17
•
Cole Haddon
11
4
9
Australia Has No Culture? Yeah, F*ck Off, Mate
Here are 15 contemporary Australian artists and artworks I love (that also prove Australia's cultural scene is thriving)
Feb 2
•
Cole Haddon
43
34
8
Film & TV
View all
30:05
Bonus Episode: Meg LeFauve and Joe Forte Talk 'Singin' in the Rain'
The screenwriters behind films like 'Inside Out', 'Captain Marvel', and 'Firewall' break down a seminal piece of art from their lives, the greatest…
Mar 26
•
Cole Haddon
11
5
23:39
Bonus Episode: Riki Lindhome Talks 'A Chorus Line'
The actress, musician, comedian, screenwriter - seriously, WTF can't she do?! - reveals the musical that set her entire artistic journey in motion
Mar 5
•
Cole Haddon
10
2
8
56:54
Comedian Riki Lindhome on the Freedom of No Opportunities
From Garfunkel and Oates to her new one-person musical 'Dead Inside', the prolific multi-hyphenate discusses turning desperation into innovation and…
Mar 3
•
Cole Haddon
9
2
8
30:20
Bonus Episode: Justin Simien Talks '2001: A Space Odyssey'
The 'Dear White People' writer-director offers up a bold new take on a seminal piece of art from his life - the Stanley Kubrick sci-fi classic
Feb 12
•
Cole Haddon
16
8
Music & Fine Art
View all
30:29
Bonus Episode: Zoe Gardner Talks 'Joan Baez vs. Bob Dylan'
The immigration researcher breaks down a seminal moment in art from her life - a very public musical argument about the 'voice of a generation's…
Apr 16
•
Cole Haddon
9
3
56:54
Comedian Riki Lindhome on the Freedom of No Opportunities
From Garfunkel and Oates to her new one-person musical 'Dead Inside', the prolific multi-hyphenate discusses turning desperation into innovation and…
Mar 3
•
Cole Haddon
9
2
8
30:01
Bonus Episode: Sen. Fatima Payman Talks Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing in the Name'
The Australian politician reveals the song that helped her tell her own party, 'F*ck you, I won't do what you tell me!' over its position on Gaza
Feb 19
•
Cole Haddon
11
5
Australia Has No Culture? Yeah, F*ck Off, Mate
Here are 15 contemporary Australian artists and artworks I love (that also prove Australia's cultural scene is thriving)
Feb 2
•
Cole Haddon
43
34
8
Books & Comic Books
View all
24:47
Bonus Episode: Erin Cahill Talks Shakespeare's 'The Seven Ages of Man'
Listen | The Hallmark Christmas film star breaks down a seminal piece of art from her life - Shakespeare's 'All the World's a Stage' monologue from the…
Dec 10, 2025
12
6
21:53
Bonus Episode: Ben Lee Talks Donald Barthelme's 'The Balloon'
The Australian musician breaks down a foundational piece of art from his life - the iconic 1966 short story 'The Balloon' from Donald Barthelme
Nov 26, 2025
•
Ben Lee
15
7
Comic Book Writer Kelly Sue DeConnick Is Still Working on Her Big Third Act
A sprawling conversation about the joys of art, the perils of middle age as an artist, and the need to question everything, including your own creative…
Nov 12, 2025
•
Cole Haddon
and
Kelly Sue DeConnick
30
9
Read the First Chapter of My Debut Novel on the 3rd Anniversary of Its Publication
'Psalms for the End of the World', the most 'me' thing I've ever written, was released three years ago this week
Aug 30, 2025
•
Cole Haddon
40
11
10
In Search of Beautiful Things (and Creative Inspiration)
View all
In Search of Beautiful Things (and Creative Inspiration): January - March 2026
A photo essay of everyday beauty - by 5AM StoryTalk's readers and curated by me - to help inspire you on your personal and creative journeys
Apr 2
•
Cole Haddon
40
21
19
In Search of Beautiful Things (and Creative Inspiration): October - December 2025
A photo essay of everyday beauty - by 5AM StoryTalk's readers and curated by me - to help inspire you on your personal and creative journeys
Jan 5
38
9
28
In Search of Beautiful Things (and Creative Inspiration): July - September 2025
A photo essay of everyday beauty - by 5AM StoryTalk's readers and curated by me - to help inspire you on your personal and creative journeys
Sep 20, 2025
•
Cole Haddon
58
25
32
In Search of Beautiful Things (and Creative Inspiration): June 2025
30 moments of everyday beauty - photographed by 5AM StoryTalk's readers and curated by me - to help inspire you on your personal and creative journeys
Jun 7, 2025
•
Cole Haddon
61
26
34
Monthly Arts Seminar
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✒️ Monthly Arts Seminar – April 2026
An ongoing group for paid supporters of this newsletter to discuss (with me and each other) the arts, craft and business, and the challenges they’re…
Apr 4
18
1
3
✒️ Monthly Arts Seminar | Mar. 2026
An ongoing group for paid supporters of this newsletter to discuss (with me and each other) the arts, craft and business, and the challenges they’re…
Mar 8
14
10
4
✒️ Monthly Arts Seminar | Feb. 2026
An ongoing group for paid supporters of this newsletter to discuss (with me and each other) the arts, craft and business, and the challenges they’re…
Feb 7
14
16
4
✒️ Monthly Arts Seminar | Jan. 2026
An ongoing group for paid supporters of this newsletter to discuss (with me and each other) the arts, craft and business, and the challenges they’re…
Jan 3
•
Cole Haddon
12
11
5
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