Shows / The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)
You don't build a writing career without breaking a few rules. The Story Series Podcast is a screenwriting and creativity show hosted by screenwriter Brandon Violette (Disney, Netflix, Pixar). Each week, Brandon sits down with writers, showrunners, filmmakers, authors, and creators for candid conversations about story structure, character development, pitching, and the creative mindset. Designed for writers and storytellers at any level, every episode delivers actionable techniques, clear…
Episodes
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#85 - What Is China Watching? (Recorded in Beijing) | Diane Yang
I recently returned to China 🇨🇳 - where I originally studied filmmaking at the Beijing Film Academy over a decade ago. In this most recent trip, I recorded two…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#84 - NYT Bestselling Author on Creating Characters Kids Love | Jonathan Stutzman
Jonathan Stutzman is a New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of books (Tiny T. Rex, Llama Destroys The World) for kids. His books have been…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#83 - How to Get Better Feedback, Have Tough Conversations and Grow Your Creative Career | Paul Falcone
Paul Falcone is a bestselling HarperCollins Leadership, SHRM, and American Management Association author and long-term contributor to HR Magazine. He spent the…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#82 - Finding a Mentor in Hollywood: Who to Approach, What to Ask, and When | Sal Calleros
Sal Calleros is a Los Angeles native who started out as a graffiti writer painting the streets through high school and college. His first true writing job was…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#81 - From Disney Executive to Showrunner: An Unlikely Path to TV Writing | Michael Olson
Michael Olson is a writer, producer, and showrunner whose credits include Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Doc McStuffins, Puppy Dog Pals, Mickey Mouse…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#80 - How to Write Meaningful Comedy: "We've Been Here the Whole Time!" | Joey Clift
Joey Clift is a Los Angeles-based, Peabody and 2x Emmy Award-nominated comedian, writer, director, producer and enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. He…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#79 - A Jim Henson Executive on How To Pitch Your TV Series | Bryan O'Connell
Bryan O'Connell is an experienced Creative Executive who has worked in animation production, development, and programming for television, streaming, theme…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#78 - Beyond the Hero: Relationship-Driven Screenwriting | Michael Weiss
Michael Weiss is a WGA screenwriter with an extensive career writing for Hollywood studios. He has over a dozen produced films to his credit, including Journey…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#77 - Breaking Down the Writer-Executive Relationship | Julian Malagon
Julian Malagon is an Emmy-winning entertainment executive and producer whose career spans television, animation, and digital media. He has held creative…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#76 - Building a Writing Career Outside Hollywood | Stephie Theodora
Stephie Theodora is an award-winning Greek-Canadian screenwriter and creator whose work has shaped more than 150 episodes of television for some of the world's…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#75 - One Night Only: Inside the Screenplay | Travis Braun
Travis Braun is the writer of One Night Only. He became the first screenwriter in the history of The Black List to top the annual survey of most-liked…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#74 - The $100 Million Film That Disappeared | Matt William Knowles
Matt William Knowles is a dramatic actor whose career spans American and Chinese cinema. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and Beijing…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#73 - The Writing Trick That Helps You See Your Story Differently | Alex Zamm
Alex Zamm is a writer, director, producer and songwriter who has spent his career telling stories across film and television. His credits include Woody…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#72 - Why Your Creative Career Shouldn't Be A Straight Line | Chris Gilligan
Chris Gilligan is the creator and executive producer of Disney Jr.'s RoboGobo. A 35-year veteran of film, television and animation, Gilligan served as…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#71 - Inside TV Development: Pitches, Play Patterns and Finding Your Twist | Lorna Withrington
Lorna Withrington is a highly established and approachable Executive Producer and Development Executive specializing in acquisitions and creative development…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#70 - Lucy Lost: How To Adapt A Novel For Animation | Helen Blakeman
Helen Blakeman is a BAFTA and International Emmy Award-winning British writer, both of which she received for her TV screenplay adaptation of 'Dustbin Baby'…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#69 - Before You Get A Literary Manager, Ask These Questions | Peter Katz
Peter is the founder and CEO of Story Driven. As a manager, he supports the visions of trailblazing storytellers across the genre space and across mediums. He…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#68 - Your TV Pitch Might Work Better As An Audio Drama | Steve Krueger
Steve Krueger is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and storyteller whose career has taken him from the writers' rooms of Hollywood comedies to the world of…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#67 - The Musical Rhythm Inside Every Script | Dave Ingham
Dave Ingham is one of the most prolific TV writers working today. A background in animation and as a musician has led him to an innate understanding of story…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#66 - What It Takes To Make Your Own Indie Pilot: "Mermaid Mafia" | Christie Cate
Christie Cate (she/her) is the creator and showrunner of Mermaid Mafia, an upcoming independent adult animated pilot produced through her company, Lumen Airy…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#65 - Reader Red Flags: The Biggest Screenplay Mistakes Hiding In Plain Sight | Naomi Beaty
Naomi Beaty is one of the industry's top screenwriting consultants. As a former development executive at Madonna and Guy Oseary's Maverick Films, she worked on…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#64 - Don't Wait To Be Big: Why World Building Starts With One Person | Simon Waters
After relocating countries to lead two of the world's largest media franchises for Disney, and establishing and leading a new Disney division, Simon Waters…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#63 - Take The Detour: Finding Your Creative Voice As A Writer | Shane Portman
Raised in Virginia and Ohio (with a dash of Connecticut), Shane Portman is an LA-based award- winning writer/developmental producer who cut his teeth on the…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#62 - The Art of Writing Less & Creating Imperfect Characters | Adam Redfern
Adam Redfern is the Showrunner of "Peppa Pig", and an award-winning creative, writer and executive producer with over 20 years experience working in kids' TV…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#61 - How TV Writers Get Hired: Networking, Samples & What Head Writers Look For | Jordan Gershowitz
Jordan Gershowitz is a 2x Emmy-nominated screenwriter, playwright, and author. Most recently, Jordan co-developed and head wrote Hot Wheels Let's Race for…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#60 - Creative Rules Worth Breaking: Advice from Writers, Showrunners & Filmmakers | Vol. 4
"What's a rule in our industry that you believe is worth breaking?" If you follow the podcast, you know that's the question I ask every guest at the end of…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#59 - What Ballet Can Teach Writers About Artistic Mastery | Lincoln Jones
Lincoln Jones is the founder and artistic director of the American Contemporary Ballet of Los Angeles. He has presented dance in increasingly compelling and…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#58 - Is It Fun? The Secret to Developing TV Shows | Scott Sonneborn
Scott Sonneborn co-developed, executive produced and show ran Angry Birds Summer Madness for Netflix, while also working as the story editor on the animated…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#57 - Take the Big Swing: Why Great Scripts Still Win | Karim Zreik
Karim Zreik is a producer and entertainment executive who has delivered hundreds of hours of television across platforms including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, ABC…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#56 - Fear is the Engine of Every Great Story | Curtis Jobling
Curtis Jobling is the designer of worldwide hit children's television show 'Bob the Builder', and the author/illustrator of numerous children's books. He lives…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#55 - Your Writing Superpower Is Curiosity | Marcie Colleen
Marcie Colleen has worn many hats - teacher, actress, nanny - but now she spends her days writing children's books. She is the acclaimed author of The Super…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#54 - Write the Movie You Can Actually Make | Thom Harp
Thom Harp is a screenwriter and director of comedy films including "The Donor Party" and "Home Delivery", now in theaters, about a plus-sized model who invites…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#53 - What Being a Cop Taught Me About Writing Real Characters | John Dove
A retired New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant with over 21 years of service, he held leadership roles in units including Internal Affairs…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#52 - Stress is Not a Badge of Honor (For Creatives) | Lee Papa
Lee Papa is an author and performance and wellbeing coach who helps individual creatives, professionals, and teams strengthen their internal guardrails so…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#51 - Building an Animated Series in Public | We Ghosted Media
NYC to LA, We Ghosted Media LLC is a production studio focused on compelling storytelling and content creation. With an ever-changing industry, we find…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#50 - How a Viral Children's Book Was Self-Published From Scratch | Agnes Lee
Agnes is a self-published children's book author who debuted in 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelling, she overcame the challenges of self-publishing and…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#49 - From Blue's Clues to Video Games: Writing for TV, Podcasts & Games | Alyson Eisenband
Alyson (Piekarsky) Eisenband is an Emmy-nominated writer and creator, most recently serving as Story Editor on Nickelodeon's hit series Blue's Clues & You!…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#48 - What AI Means For Writers | Qiushi Zhang
Qiushi Zhang is a writer-turned-founder and CEO of Leyline, an AI filmmaking platform built specifically for screenwriters and storytellers. After years of…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#47 - Write Fast, Write Funny: Late Night TV to Kids Animation | John Huss
John Huss is a comedy writer with extensive experience in animation, late night and sitcoms. John was a staff writer on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" and "The Showbiz…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#46 - One Step Forward: Vulnerability as a Creative Act | Will Craig
After experiencing a tragic loss of a partner and battling some of his own personal demons, Will has grown to care deeply about having open and frank…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#45 - What Building a Creative Career Actually Feels Like | Story Series Selects
Story Series Selects is a curated episode from the archive of screenwriters and filmmakers speaking honestly about uncertainty, false starts, and what it takes…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#44 - Why Preschool Writing is Harder Than You Think | Craig Carlisle
Craig Carlisle is writer, director and actor. He won an Emmy for his work on "Arthur" for PBS and was nominated for second for "Welcome to the Wayne" at…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#43 - From Script to Screen: Making CLIKA | Michael Greene
Michael v. Greene is an award winning writer-director and co-founder of Everyone Can Eat. His feature film, "CLIKA" (2026), follows the journey of a young…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#42 - How "Tough Rides: China" Launched a TV Franchise: Part 2 | Ryan Pyle
Born in Toronto, Canada, Ryan Pyle spent his early years close to home. After obtaining a degree in International Politics from the University of Toronto in…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#41 - Making an Adventure TV Series in China: Part 1 | Ryan Pyle
Born in Toronto, Canada, Ryan Pyle spent his early years close to home. After obtaining a degree in International Politics from the University of Toronto in…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#40 - The Pitching Mistake Most Writers Don't Realize They're Making (TV & Film)
After interviewing dozens of professional screenwriters, show creators, and executives, the same mistakes, and insights, about pitching kept coming up again…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#39 - Personal Branding for Writers: How It Supports Your Career | Goldie Chan
Goldie Chan, dubbed the "Oprah of LinkedIn," is an innovative LinkedIn Top Voice, author of Personal Branding for Introverts and the founder of Warm Robots, an…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#38 - How to Break Into Animation Writing When Jobs Are Hard to Find | Beth Mosch
Beth Mosch is an emerging writer and producer focused on showcasing female-centered, LGBTQ, and athlete-driven narratives. She graduated from USC's School of…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#37 - Disability in Hollywood: Representation, Writer's Rooms & What Star Trek Got Right | Hilary Van Hoose
A screenwriter for animated children's series, most notably Blue's Clues & You Nursery Rhymes and Barnyard Daycare at Nickelodeon, Hilary Van Hoose is also a…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)Show Update + Your Free Guide
A short update about how the podcast is evolving and why the next chapter is all about storytelling, writing, and breaking the right rules. ✏️💥 Plus, a free…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#36 - A Vietnam Veteran's Redemption Through Acting & Writing | Brian Delate
Brian Delate is a Vietnam Veteran, actor, writer, and director whose life and work bridge trauma, creativity, and transformation. After serving in Vietnam…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#35 - Rugrats to Real Monsters: The Zen of Writing Without Validation | Peter Gaffney
Peter Gaffney is an Emmy-winning writer, producer and story editor of animated television, ranging from Rugrats to The Simpsons. He is the co-creator of…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#34 - Creating Stories That Empower: Princess Power, Barbie & Beyond | Elise Allen
Emmy nominee and NYT Bestselling author Elise Allen has written for all ages, preschool to adult. She developed/showran Princess Power; other TV credits…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#33 - How a 1980s Short Story Became a Finished Book: Writing, Rejection & Perseverance | Eric Miller
Eric Miller's first brush with literary "fame" occurred when his grade school writing assignment about a bloodthirsty executioner's block earned him a trip to…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#32 - Write What You Love: A Career in Animation & Comics | Adam Beechen
Adam Beechen is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer with over 200 produced episodes across live-action and animation, including MacGyver, Transformers…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#31 - From Landscape Architect to Global Storyteller | Ambika Mathur
Ambika Mathur aka "Amby" is an experienced model, actress, and host who began her career in Los Angeles, CA. Ambika is represented by top agencies in America…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#30.5 - "The Rule I Break" - Vol. 3 - 10 Guests, 10 Answers
10 guests. 10 answers. 1 powerful question: "What's a rule in your industry you don't follow or believe in?" In this bonus episode, we revisit the answers from…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#30 - Art Is Life-Saving: Acting, Rejection & Resilience | Kate Amundsen
Kate Amundsen is an accomplished American actress. Born and partly raised in Los Angeles, she spent much of her youth in Utah and New Mexico, where she…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)#29 - Worldbuilding for Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering & More | Ari Levitch
Ari Levitch is a world builder and storyteller for games. He is also half of Mysterious Alchemy, the company that he and his writing partner, Adam Lee, created…
The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)The Pitch Docs Presents: Nick Filippi - Storyboards, Directing & Development
This bonus episode of The Story Series is brought to you in collaboration with The Pitch Docs, an online platform founded by "Shimmer and Shine" Creator Farnaz…