Shows
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-124: Making the despicable compellingHow does Film Noir show us terrible people doing terrible things without endorsing it? Mel and Chas continue to explore what Noir (the genre) can teach writers of all other genres. In particular: how to keep the audience on side of characters doing reprehensible things how to control your audience understanding of those reprehensible actions distinguishing between characters undergoing transformative arcs against discovering their true natures In finding the common craft tools of Noir over 100 years, this Part 2 looks at two modern noirs - DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS (1995) and WOMAN OF THE HOUR (2024...
2026-01-301h 10
SaltCubeAnalyticsWe’re Entering a New Dark Age: Censorship at Home, Lawlessness Abroad, US Ambassador Chas FreemanWe’re entering a new dark age — and the signs are everywhere.Not just in foreign policy, where international law is treated like a PR costume… but at home, where speech is increasingly policed, dissent is stigmatized, and criticism is quietly rebranded as “hate.”In this interview, former U.S. diplomat Chas Freeman argues we’re watching an epochal shift: the end of the post-war promise that conflict would be restrained by rules, institutions, and law. Instead, power is reverting to something older and uglier — coercion, intimidation, and what Freeman calls a kind of “gangster logic.”And here’s the...
2026-01-221h 10
SaltCubeAnalyticsIran, Gaza, and the West: Yassamine Mather on the Politics Nobody Dares to Discuss🔥 Oxford Academic and Iranian Scholar Yassamine Mather takes us deep into the political, historical, and personal terrain behind today’s Iran. And she does it with a clarity and honesty that’s almost disarming. T:his was one of the most surprising and revealing conversations I’ve recorded this year.At one point she casually mentions volunteering for a covert mission in Iran—setting up an underground, anti-government radio station for the fedayeen in the mountains between Tehran and Kurdistan. She tells it as if it were nothing. It’s not nothing. It’s the kind of story that stop...
2025-12-191h 50
SaltCubeAnalyticsThe Coming War With China; With Ambassador Sandor Kusai🎙️ Ambassador Sandor Kusai talks about how America is preparing for a hot war with China — and how Europe, willingly or not, is aligning for confrontation with Russia.The unipolar world is over, yet Western leaders keep defending an order that no longer exists — and values that no longer bind.🎧 In this interview, Hungary’s former Ambassador to China offers a sober reality check on what the West refuses to see:that the global balance has already shifted, and the road ahead is being paved not with diplomacy, but with denial.🧭 We talk about:• How U.S. strategy towar...
2025-11-061h 26
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcast1dZ-01: Arkyvrs - A Mansion Most Vile - Ep1 What happens when a group of filmmakers play a ragtag group of filmmakers in a gritty sci-fi horror? "Ignite the fire within and explore unknown territory" - Werner Herzog. This episode is unusual, even by Draft Zero standards. It's an "Actual Play Podcast" where Chas, Stu, & Mel are joined by Kim Ho and Luke Clark to play MOTHERSHIP, the sci-fi horror game we talked about in episodes DZ-121 and DZ-122. Stu is the GM while everyone else is a ragtag crew of freelance filmmakers. We debrief the experience (so...
2025-10-262h 08
First Thing Today with Joe Thomas"Radio's Constituency of One" (Monday October 6, 2025, Hour 2)(:00) Emails on Reach of "FTT by JT" / "First Things" (news)(:13) JCSGold Rept / A Constituency of One / Caller: Clarke in AL(:28) Caller: more with Clarke in AL on 'talk radio'(:44) Emails; Chas in VA on Paying for IllegalsPlease like and share your favorites to help us reach more people!
2025-10-0753 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsA Voice on China the BBC has Shut Down - with Anna Chen🔥 Once a BBC broadcaster, now shut out of mainstream media — Anna Chen says the silence isn’t accidental.But Anna doesn’t pull her punches. In this interview she takes on the myths of Western “enlightenment,” the U.S. pivot to Asia, Europe’s deindustrialization, and the weaponization of COVID. Her words cut through the noise — calling America a Viking raiding party, exposing Hong Kong’s dirty money networks, and warning that the jaws of surveillance are already closing.📌 Along the way, I weave in my own investigations — on NATO’s cognitive warfare program, the EU’s censorship law CFSP 2...
2025-10-031h 37
SaltCubeAnalyticsThe American Empire Is Losing Control - with Scott HortonThey say America’s greatest export is freedom—but Scott Horton would argue it’s war, wrapped in freedom's packaging and sold at gunpoint.In this rare and unfiltered conversation, Scott takes aim at the bipartisan machine of empire: how the U.S. is barreling toward war with China 🇨🇳, why “unintended consequences” are always the point, and what happens when a country built on liberty starts sacrificing it—one covert op at a time.💥 We talk about America's geostrategic nightmare—the kind where our bases surround the world, but our own interests vanish.🕵️♂️ We dig into the CIA’s dirty laundry—where...
2025-08-081h 34
SaltCubeAnalyticsHow America is Preparing for War with China - with fmr. Foreign Minister of Malta Evarist Bartolo⚠️ Evarist Bartolo — veteran Maltese diplomat, educator, and former Foreign Minister — joins us for a rare, wide-ranging conversation on global power, quiet diplomacy, and the unique position of small states in a world dominated by giants.From his front-row seat in Malta’s complex balancing act between NATO, the EU, and constitutional neutrality, Bartolo shares grounded insights on what it takes to practice diplomacy without coercion. He reflects on the changing face of global alliances, the risks of military bloc politics, and what Europe has forgotten about peace.💬 "You don’t need a big stick to speak with clar...
2025-08-011h 20
SaltCubeAnalyticsCensored Truth: An Investigative Journalist Is Under Fire for His War Reporting - with Patrik Baab📥 Investigative journalist Patrick Baab walks straight into the eye of the storm—reporting from war zones, challenging Western orthodoxy, and paying the price for it.In this explosive interview, we discuss:* His independent reporting from Russia and Ukraine* The political backlash he’s facing in Germany* NATO’s quiet march toward confrontation with Russia and China* How mainstream media buries dissent to manufacture consent* Why global war is no longer unthinkable—it's unfolding in slow motion🧨 As NATO doubles down in Europe and the U.S. pivots harder toward conflict with China, dissent...
2025-07-251h 23
SaltCubeAnalyticsHow Trump Prepares America For War With ChinaThe U.S. says it doesn’t want war with China. But the trillion-dollar budgets, the arms deals, the troop deployments, and the rising drumbeat of “deterrence” say otherwise.In this exposé, we cut through the Pentagon press releases and media talking points to ask the real questions:📌 Who's driving this new Cold War—and why?📌 Why are think tanks, defense contractors, and lobbyists cashing in while Taiwan becomes a flashpoint?📌 Is this about security… or is it about profit?We dig deep into how Washington is building the next conflict—economically, militarily, and psycho...
2025-07-2547 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsWe Provoked Putin: How the UK Sabotaged Peace with Russia - with Ex UK diplomat Ian ProudIn this frank interview, Ian Proud, former UK diplomat and author of A Misfit in Moscow, takes us deep inside the corridors of power—and dysfunction—during Britain’s tense standoff with Russia between 2014 and 2019. Proud reveals how misguided Western diplomacy, arrogant posturing, and a refusal to engage seriously with Moscow helped set the stage for the full-scale war in Ukraine.🇷🇺 How does the West misunderstand Putin?📉 Why are sanctions backfiring?🎯 Is “megaphone diplomacy” doing more harm than good?Proud dismantles the dominant narrative, portraying Vladimir Putin not as a madman, but as a rational actor respo...
2025-07-181h 00
SaltCubeAnalyticsHow Europe Is Preparing for War⚠️ What if Europe’s biggest threat isn’t Moscow or Beijing—but Brussels?In this explosive video, we unpack how unelected EU officials like Kaja Kallas and Ursula von der Leyen are dragging Europe into a two-front confrontation—with Russia in Ukraine and China in the Pacific—without any serious democratic debate, public mandate, or exit strategy.We connect the dots between:NATO’s dangerous new doctrine under Mark RutteThe EU’s massive €900B rearmament spreeChina’s July 2025 warning: “Russia must not lose Ukraine”The quiet consolidation of power inside the Brussels techno...
2025-07-1234 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsKeep Watching While The World Burns🔥 What if the war on Iran didn’t start in 2025—but years earlier, in boardrooms, think tanks, and Western silence?In this urgent, unfiltered interview, we sit down with Dr. Arthur Khachikian, a political scientist trained at Stanford and one of the most incisive voices on power, sovereignty, and the catastrophic failures of Western foreign policy. With Gaza still burning, Iran under fire, and ICC arrest warrants hanging over Israeli leaders—including Netanyahu himself—this conversation cuts through the propaganda and asks: How did we get here?🎯 Topics we cover:The West’s com...
2025-06-271h 16
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-119: Final Character Choices & Great EndingsHow does your protagonist's final choice resolve the plot, character arc and theme? In this episode, Stu and Chas focus solely on the final choices made by protagonists and how that reflects their character journey and successfully, or not, dramatises the internal. We compare and contrast different uses of narrative POV in respect to these final choices, in particular whether and when the audience is made aware of the options available to the character, the act of making the choice, and the consequences of the choice. We breakdown examples from DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, FINDING NEMO...
2025-06-181h 52
The Life Inspired PodcastMade by the Journey⸻Episode 1 – “Made by the Journey: Every Scar Has a Story”Welcome to Made by the Journey — a soul-rooted podcast about growth, grit, and grace. In this first episode, host Chas Thomas opens the door to real conversations about how life’s detours, delays, and disappointments are often where purpose is born.You’ll hear the origin of the podcast, the meaning behind the name, and how the hardest seasons can become the most transformative. This isn’t about having it all together — it’s...
2025-06-1710 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsIsrael’s Iran Strike Could Spark Global War – What They’re Not Telling You | Amb. Chas Freeman🎙️ Former U.S. Ambassador Chas Freeman Breaks Down the Israeli Strike on Iran | June 2025In this urgent and unfiltered interview, legendary U.S. diplomat Chas Freeman joins us to unpack the rapidly escalating crisis following Israel’s June 2025 attacks on Iran. With F‑35 strikes, drone swarms, and retaliatory Iranian missiles dominating headlines, Freeman cuts through the media fog to expose what’s really at stake—for the region, the U.S., and the world.From Washington’s silent nod to Netanyahu’s war gamble, to Iran’s breaking point and the specter of another drawn-out conflict, Freeman o...
2025-06-171h 09
SaltCubeAnalyticsBREAKING: Israel Attacks Iran's Nuclear Facilities and Top Military Commanders⚠️ WAR HAS BEGUN: On June 13th, Israel launched a massive preemptive strike on Iran — killing top commanders, bombing nuclear sites, and triggering a regional cascade that could spiral into full-scale war.In this explosive episode, we break down Operation Rising Lion — the most aggressive Israeli military campaign since the 1980s — and the immediate Iranian retaliation that followed. With over 200 fighter jets striking 100+ targets and Iran launching waves of drones in response, the Middle East is once again on a knife’s edge.But this isn't just a military story — it's a media and narrative war.🔍 Why is the Wester...
2025-06-1320 min
Best of the SpectatorSpectator Out Loud: Arabella Byrne, Sean Thomas, Mathew Lyons, Bryan Appleyard & Chas Newkey-BurdenOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Arabella Byrne on the social minefield of private swimming pools (1:13); Sean Thomas says that not knowing where you are is one of the joys of travel (5:34); reviewing Helen Carr’s Sceptred Isle: A New History of the 14th Century, Mathew Lyons looks at the reality of a vivid century (11:34); reviewing Tim Gregory’s Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World, Bryan Appleyard analyses the three parties debating global warming (16:07); and, Chas Newkey-Burden looks back to the 1980s nuclear drama that paralysed his childhood, Threads (20:42). Produced and presented by Patr...
2025-05-3028 min
Spectator Out LoudArabella Byrne, Sean Thomas, Mathew Lyons, Bryan Appleyard & Chas Newkey-BurdenOn this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Arabella Byrne on the social minefield of private swimming pools (1:13); Sean Thomas says that not knowing where you are is one of the joys of travel (5:34); reviewing Helen Carr’s Sceptred Isle: A New History of the 14th Century, Mathew Lyons looks at the reality of a vivid century (11:34); reviewing Tim Gregory’s Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World, Bryan Appleyard analyses the three parties debating global warming (16:07); and, Chas Newkey-Burden looks back to the 1980s nuclear drama that paralysed his childhood, Threads (20:42). Produced and presented by Patr...
2025-05-3028 min
Coffee Chats with Chas: A podcast for women over 40Speak Up to Stand Out with Jessica Thomas"It's not about speaking up to change minds, but to not feel alone.""Experiences shape our opinions and world views, and we all have very different ones.""Keeping your mouth shut is a disservice."Wise words that came to light in our conversation. This is part of the Calm your Tits podcast, because in our social media world it is easy to get fired up and reactive, and try to convince others they need to change their minds.But really in changing minds, it's about persuasion that comes from...
2025-04-0454 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-117: Tonal shiftsHow can we teach our audience new storytelling rules in the middle of our story? Following on from our episodes on establishing tone through action lines and through character, this is what we have been building up to: how to pull off a tonal switch… that does not throw the audience out of the film. And, in particular, how to pull that off on the page when writers don't have framing, lighting, music, editing, etc. at our disposal? With that goal in mind, Mel and Chas dissect specific moments on the pages of SHAUN OF TH...
2025-03-312h 08
SaltCubeAnalyticsUkraine vs. Gaza: Why People See the War in Ukraine One Way—and Gaza in Another🔥 Why Do You See Ukraine Clearly — But Gaza Through a Fog? In this expose we break down how propaganda, media bias, and geopolitical interests have shaped two radically different narratives around two devastating wars: Ukraine and Gaza.🧠 Are you sure your outrage is your own? 🔥 Why do millions see Russian occupation as a war crime but call Israeli occupation "self-defense"? 👁️ Are you clear on one conflict and blind to the other?This talk exposes the manufactured consent, split lucidity, and engineered outrage that keep people emotionally manipulated and intellectually inconsistent. From the Creel Commission to...
2025-03-2438 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsUkraine War and Media Manipulation, who controls what you see? With Professor Glenn Diesen🔥 The war in Ukraine isn’t just being fought on the battlefield—it’s an information war, too. In this eye-opening discussion, we sit down with Professor Glenn Diesen to uncover how media manipulation, propaganda, and strategic messaging shape public perception of the conflict. Who controls the narrative? Why are some voices amplified while others are censored, shadow-banned, or de-platformed? And how does the Western media construct reality to serve geopolitical interests? 🔹 Topics Covered:✔️ How media manufactures consent and controls war narratives ✔️ The role of **propaganda and perception management** in the Ukraine war ✔️ Western vs. Russian media: **Who’s...
2025-03-191h 05
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-116: Writing physical comedyHow do you make extended technical scenes funny on the page? Mel joins Chas to tackle physical comedy. We limited our homework selection to extended scenes (as opposed to moments and sight gags) in live action projects and - with the help of our Patreons - selected early sequences from BRINGING UP BABY, the pilot for HAPPY ENDINGS and that wonderful food poisoning scene in BRIDESMAIDS. We discover how these incredible writers take their time (on the page) to set up geography, framing and running gags. We also get tips on judicious use ALL CAPS...
2025-02-261h 35
SaltCubeAnalyticsAmbassador Freeman on NATO, Trump, Imperialism, and Global Power GamesIn this compelling interview, Ambassador Chas Freeman unpacks the seismic shifts in global politics, offering unfiltered insights into the forces reshaping the international order. From the resurgence of imperialism under Trump to the unraveling of international law, Freeman provides a masterclass in understanding the complexities of modern geopolitics. 🔍 **What You’ll Learn:** - How Trump’s policies revived a dangerous era of imperial ambitions. - The ongoing relevance of Brzezinski’s *Grand Chessboard* in today’s global strategies. - Why Europe’s pivot to a war economy is a warning signal for global stability. - The enduring...
2025-02-0531 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsAmbassador Freeman on the Gaza ceasefire, US Hypocrisy and shadow games of Global powerIn this explosive interview, Ambassador Chas Freeman delivers a no-holds-barred analysis of some of the most pressing crises in international diplomacy. From the fragile Gaza ceasefire to the devastating consequences of U.S. foreign policy, Freeman exposes the uncomfortable truths and hidden agendas shaping today’s global power dynamics. 🛑 **Key Topics Covered:** - The Gaza ceasefire: A step toward peace or a "pause on genocide"? - U.S. hypocrisy in supporting Israel despite ongoing violations of international law. - Chilling parallels between Gaza and Europe during WWII. - Shadow players be...
2025-01-291h 03
SaltCubeAnalyticsTrump and Kushner cleaning out Gaza; The Ceasefire BetrayalIn this video, we take a deep dive into Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan. Why is this idea sparking outrage? What are the political, legal, and humanitarian implications?We break down the core issues:Regional instability and the rejection by Egypt and JordanThe violation of Palestinian rights and international lawWhy this plan ignores the root causes of the Gaza crisisJoin us as we expose the flaws in Trump’s plan and discuss what a real solution for peace in t...
2025-01-2916 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-115: A Christmas Special - Rewatching & RitualsWhat magic do Christmas movies use to make them so rewatchable? In this "backmatter" episode of Draft Zero, Stu, Chas, and Mel Killingsworth embark on a festive exploration of what makes holiday films so engaging and so re-watchable that they can become part of our rituals. To that end, we breakdown the charm of of Christmas films like KISS KISS BANG BANG, RIDERS OF JUSTICE, and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. We discuss what defines a holiday movie, the power of nostalgia, the importance of ensembles to a sense of family, and how voiceover, snappy dialogue a...
2024-12-231h 56
2024-12-0802 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-114: Climaxes in ChallengersHow does ending your story on the climax affect audience experience? While Stu is on show, Mel and Chas sit down to analyse the meaning behind the ending of 2024's CHALLENGERS, especially when - upon reading the script - the most impactful moment of the ending on screen (for Chas in particular) is not written on the page. Following on from episodes on filmmakers talking directly to the audience as well as previous exploration into choices and decisions (and hopefully serving as a prelude to our episode on Hero's Choice), Mel and Chas explore the...
2024-11-291h 17
The Life Inspired PodcastDiscover purpose at all seasonsDiscover purpose in all seasons" means to find meaning and value in every stage of life, even during challenging or difficult times, recognizing that each phase, like the changing seasons, has its own unique purpose and opportunity for growth, just as winter allows for rest and renewal before spring's blossoming.
2024-11-1604 min
The Life Inspired PodcastFinding joy in small momentsThere are many ways to find some happiness in life. The first way is to find joy and appreciation in the little things
2024-11-1602 min
The Life Inspired PodcastThe Power Of A Fresh StartLife is rooted in new beginnings. Each stage you enter—whether it be launching your career, starting a family or preparing for retirement—will require reformation, and you’ll find yourself blossoming into fresh new versions of yourself along the way.
2024-11-1502 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsUS Ambassador Chas Freeman on the Cost of Power: Is Israel's Unchecked Aggression a Path to Disaster?In this compelling interview, US Ambassador Chas Freeman offers a bold analysis of Israel's escalating aggression in the Middle East, questioning whether Israel’s unchecked power strategy could lead to unforeseen disaster. Addressing topics from military dominance to political assassinations, Freeman explores the long-term costs and risks that could isolate Israel on the global stage. Is Israel’s path toward dominance also a path to its undoing? Tune in for a deep dive into the complex power dynamics shaping Israel’s future in an unstable region.Time Stamps:00:00 Intro 04:40 Who is Junior 05:55 Israels ban on U...
2024-11-081h 05
2024-10-2507 min
The Life Inspired PodcastSpiritual OnenessSpiritual oneness is a feeling of unity between the self and the universe, and is a central teaching in many religions and spiritual systems.
2024-10-0700 min
The Life Inspired PodcastWhen you take her for grantedThe things you take for granted, someone else is praying for
2024-10-0700 min
The Life Inspired PodcastNew Moon in LibraThe new moon in Libra will occur on October 2, 2024. “This new moon marks the beginning of a new lunar cycle—and with it being in the sign of Libra, it focuses heavily on themes related to balance, relationships, and harmony,” says Fire + Alchemy astrologist Erika O’Connor.
2024-10-0701 min
2024-10-0700 min2024-10-0701 min
Rosemont Roundtable: Exploring the Business of Investment ManagementThe Power of Strategic Partnerships with Clearstead and WSTIn the latest episode of the Rosemont Roundtable podcast, we sit down with two special guests for a conversation about a transaction between two Rosemont Investments – Wilbanks Smith and Thomas (WST) and Clearstead – in which WST was acquired by Clearstead and rebranded as Clearstead Advisory Solutions. Today, Clearstead has $44 billion assets under advisement*, including a significant chunk of assets under management.Co-Chairman of Clearstead, Carl Tippit, CFA, and Executive Managing Director of Clearstead (formerly of WST) Wayne Wilbanks CFA, explored the intricacies of WST’s acquisition into Clearstead. Host Chas Burkhart, CEO of Rosemont, set the stage by deta...
2024-09-2638 min
SaltCubeAnalyticsThe dirty secrets of the US-Israel relations: with US Ambassador Chas FreemanIn this episode, we sit down with Ambassador Chas W. Freeman Jr., a seasoned diplomat and sharp critic of America's foreign policy, to explore the often overlooked and uncomfortable truths behind the US-Israel relationship. From the heavy toll of America's unconditional support for Israel to the influence of AIPAC on US politics, Freeman offers a candid and unfiltered analysis of the Middle East conflict and its far-reaching consequences.Join us as we delve into Israel's controversial practices, including its longstanding tradition of targeted assassinations, and discuss how these actions have not only exacerbated regional tensions but also...
2024-09-1356 min
The Chase Thomas Podcast: A Tennessee Volunteers ShowHow Josh Heupel Normalized Winning Culture At Tennessee Quickly, Squirrel White vs. Chas Nimrod Fall Camp Battle & Arion Carter Hype With 99.1 The Sports Animal's Josh WardChase Thomas is the Sports Renaissance Man, Atlanta Sports Guy & VFL. On today's program, Chase is joined by 99.1 The Sports Animal's Josh Ward to talk about the Josh Heupel winning culture at Tennessee, the fall camp WR battle between Squirrel White and Chas Nimrod, the next James Pearce Jr., why Arion Carter is the next Vols star LB, and who wins the LG spot and much more. Host: Chase ThomasGuests: Josh WardTo learn more about CT and the pod please go visit: https://chasethomaspodcast.comBy...
2024-08-0237 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-112: Breaking the 4th wallDZ-112: Breaking the 4th wall How is the effect of breaking the 4th wall different to VoiceOver? As part of our series on how filmmakers can directly communicate to the audience, we finally examine the most blatant tool of them all: when character look directly down the barrel of the camera… and thus look directly at us, the viewer. Chas, Stu and Mel take the craft tools/levers they identified in previous episodes and use them to examine HIGH FIDELITY, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY and - of course - FLEABAG. By examining how "in-world" the ca...
2024-07-311h 522024-07-0700 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-111: Unreliable Narrators and Fight Club How does the unreliability of a narrator impact the way a story is told? In this episode, Stu and Mel (sans Chas!) take a deep dive into FIGHT CLUB and its use of the unreliable narrator. This is a bridging episode between our previous episode on VOICEOVER and our forthcoming episode on TALKING TO CAMERA as Fight Club does both. We dissect the film's disconnected sequence-driven structure and how the voiceover 'stitches' the film together. And then we look at what makes 'Jack' an unreliable narrator and how his control over the storytelling impa...
2024-07-0255 min
PEP with Chas and Dr DaveHUNTER SEASON: PEP with Chas and Dr Dave (Ep 163, June 14)Chas & Dr Dave discuss Matt Gaetz's Insatiable Work Ethic, The Alito's Miaow, and Jesse Watters' Parenting Advice 2:15 - Grateful For (Jiawei Shen/Supreme Court Clean Sweep)10:50 - Correspondence (Trump Verdict/Jury/Ninjas/Akron/"Doctor"/MTG/Ranked Choice)28:35 - Hunter Biden Verdict Reaction57:24 - Steve Bannon v Merrick Garland Contempt-Off1:09:46 - Congressional Expensing & Nancy Mace1:15:29 - The Alito Recordings1:30:14 - Clarence Thomas' Many Gifts1:36:10 - Stats Nugget (IVF) 1:39:24 - Aileen Cannon + Her Calibresi Hearing1:54:31 - Biden's Immigration Executive Order 2:22:19 - Caitlin Clark Olympics Snub 2:36:28 - Chas Unleashed (Elon vs Australia) HOMEWORK/SHOWNOTES * Sakura Killers!!! GET INTO IT! https://www.youtube...
2024-06-142h 58
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-110: VoiceoverHow can you use Voiceover without it feeling like a cheat? In this episode, we finally delve into the world of VOICEOVERS (as part of our larger series exploring craft tools that allow characters & storytellers to talk directly to the audience). Chas, Stu and Mel deep dive into the VERONICA MARS pilot, Disney's THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE, and the Michael Bay epic PAIN & GAIN. In exploring what makes these particular examples of Voiceover great (and not feel like a cheat or a well-worn trope), we apply the four levers identified in our Part 1 (in particular...
2024-05-311h 41
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-109: Talking DIRECTLY to your audienceWhat are the different ways a filmmaker can ask something of the audience? Chas and Stu are joined by recurring guest Mel in this prelude episode to upcoming episodes on Voice Over and Breaking the Fourth Wall. In this episode, we attempt to taxonomise the different ways filmmakers can ask something directly of their audience. To this end, we identify 4 levers that can be pulled: Diagetic to non-diagetic (in story world to outside story world) Who is talking? From story-teller to a character Whom are they talking to? Themselves or directly to the audience? From when...
2024-05-011h 20
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith WestonHow and why should every scene have an emotional event? For the first episode of our tenth anniversary year, we are joined by Judith Weston to talk about Emotional Events. What is an emotional event? Well, it's a way of thinking about scenes through relationships rather than plot. Instead of asking how a scene moves the plot forward, ask how the scene alters the relationship between characters. While emotional events are ostensibly a tool for directors to interpret scenes, we believe that the emotional event starts with the writer(s). But it is an...
2024-03-311h 37
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-107: Establishing Tone Through CharacterHow can we use dramatisation to create tone? In this episode, Chas and Stu continue their deep dive into how to write tone by examining films with "light" (we use the phrase loosely) tones: LADY BIRD, EMILY THE CRIMINAL, THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, and SPONTANEOUS. We also talk a surprising amount about DUNE and CRAZY STUPID LOVE. We focus on the relationship between character & tone and how the writers of these films use dramatisation to create their unique tones. We talk minimalism vs maximalism, dialogue, character actions & reactions, emotional dynamic range, and rules of...
2024-02-291h 54
The Pursuit of CallingPerfectly Imperfect (Finale) - Leading with Influence: Navigating Excellence and Hard ConversationsWe delve into the final part (Part 9) of the Perfectly Imperfect series on excellence. Reflecting on past episodes with guests Pat Williams and Chas Duboy, We emphasize the importance of having hard conversations, both in professional and personal relationships. We draw connections between different leadership styles, highlighting the need for leaders to know their team members personally. The discussion touches on living in excellence, continuous improvement, and the misconception that excellence equals perfection. We emphasize the value of positive and negative blind spots, acknowledging areas of improvement and strengths. Finally, we underscore the idea that you don't need a...
2024-01-2336 min
The Pursuit of CallingPerfectly Imperfect (Part 8): Chas Duboy on Navigating Excellence - Marriage, Leadership, and Personal GrowthIn this episode, we delve into the depths of marriage, leadership, and personal growth with our special guest, Chas Duboy. Sharing our experiences, we explore overcoming challenges, maintaining excellence, and fostering strong family bonds. From battling substance abuse to the transformative power of mentorship, we discuss practical tips for success. Learn how to bring excellence to your marriage and navigate a successful career transition. Tune in for insights on staying culturally aware, being flexible, and taking calculated risks. Join us on this journey of personal and professional growth!___________________________________________(Buy us a ☕ and support the podcast!)...
2024-01-1648 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-106: How do you know if you have enough story?How do you know if you have enough narrative fuel to write a script? In this episode, Chas, Stu and Mel attempt to answer a listener question: "In your own pre-writing process, how do you know you have enough for a feature? And do you have a specific pre-writing method you're going to?" Thus we launch into a discussion on our writing processes and the varying usefulness of tools such as log lines, turning points, beat sheets, synopsis, treatments, and scene breakdowns. We also tackle the challenges encountered while developing an idea to f...
2023-12-311h 36
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-105: Establishing Tone Through Big PrintHow can we teach the reader to find the humour in our darkness? Chas and Stu finally start their long-mooted exploration of tone with a series that examines films and shows with unusual tones and dives into how the writers establish those tones in the first 5 pages. How does your script want your reader to experience violence in your story? Humour? Sex? Prejudice? To answer these questions, this episode look at how films with "darker" or "sadder" tones teach the reader what they can laugh at, namely: THE NICE GUYS, THE BANSHEES OF...
2023-11-302h 06
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-104: Characters Alone - Dramatizing the InternalHow can scenes where characters are alone increase our connection with them? In this episode, we explore the audience's connection with characters through the lens of characters being alone. Chas and Stu breakdown scenes (and their scripts) from AFTERSUN, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY and THE EQUALIZER to discuss the significance of solitude in giving the audience insight into a character's interiority. We talk how big print can reflect character; how finding moments for vulnerability allows characters to drop their masks; and how staging can help these moments occur organically. Thanks to Chris Walker for...
2023-11-011h 29
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-103: Game of the Scene 2 - Triangle of Sadness, The FavouriteHow can games elevate dramatic scenes? In part two of this two parter, Stu and Chas go further into the game (of the scene) and look at how games force characters *other* than the protagonist to interact. We deep dive into the wonderful social satires of TRIANGLE OF SADNESS and THE FAVOURITE. We discuss how games reveal character through competency and decisions, how resources and skills impact the tactics that characters employ, and the difference between referees, rule lawyers, rule makers and rule breakers. Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this episode.
2023-10-011h 42
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-102: Game of the Scene - Bluey, John Wick 4How can 'games' help us write better scenes? Stu and Chas turn their attention to a topic that has long eluded them: the game of the scene. We look at how considering the game that characters are playing — its rules, arenas, players, referees, and win conditions — can help you write more dynamic scenes. This will be a two-parter, and for this half, we talk BLUEY, "The Quiet Game" (from Season 2) and "Phones" (from Season 3), and JOHN WICK 4. We also touch on GAME NIGHT and LIFE OF BRIAN. Thanks to Chris Walker for editing this...
2023-08-311h 23
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-99: Scene QuestionsHow do audience questions shape scenes? nspired by our earlier episodes on sequences, Chas and Stu narrow their focus to look at the atomic unit of screen storytelling: the scene. In particular, we breakdown how question and answers prompted in the audience structure individual scenes. We talk plot, character, and theme questions (and their hybrids) by analysing scenes from LOKI, THE LAST CRUSADE, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, QUEEN AND SLIM, and DO THE RIGHT THING. We also briefly discuss SUCCESSION, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES, and ANDOR. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND CHAPTERS
2023-05-011h 34
The Chase Thomas Podcast: A Tennessee Volunteers ShowTennessee BaseVols Vs Arkansas Rivalry Series, Vols Targeting Dalton Knecht In Portal & Orange & White Game Preview With Rocky Top Insider's Ryan SchumpertChase Thomas is the Sports Renaissance Man, Atlanta Sports Guy & VFL. On today's program, Chase is joined by Rocky Top Insider's Ryan Schumpert to talk about the pivotal series for Tennessee baseball vs. Arkansas, Andrew Lindsey getting the start on Friday, Chase Burns to the bullpen, Griffin Merritt figuring it out offensively, why Matt Cleveland would be a great get for Rick Barnes, Chas Nimrod's huge opportunity in the Orange & White game on Saturday and much more.Host: Chase ThomasGuest: Ryan Schumpert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...
2023-04-1434 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-98: Ensembles 3 - Character Function & ThemeWhat effect does adding a ton of characters have on your story? In Part 3 (the final part? Ha!) of our exploration into ensemble stories, Stu, Chas & Mel examine films whose genres do not conventionally require a ton of character or that use those ensembles in unconventional ways - in particular, adding whole storylines that are separate from the main character's story. To that end, we dive into three films that were horrifically snubbed by the Oscars: THE WOMAN KING, RIDERS OF JUSTICE and NOPE. We breakdown the effects of choosing to use an ensemble on...
2023-03-312h 02
The Life Inspired PodcastAn interview with soulful singer 19 yr old DeShawn LoveThis young man sounds just like Luther Vandross Awesome!
2022-08-2329 min
The Life Inspired PodcastMichael BeckwithExperience a practice for moving beyond the limits of visualization. Discover the 4 Frequencies of Consciousness to Radiate Your Soul’s Calling. Claim Your Spot Today.
2022-08-0925 min
The Life Inspired PodcastIn order to change your life you need to learn this first!Life-changing information from Dr. Joe Dispenza
2022-08-0213 min
The Life Inspired PodcastWhy should I meditate?Sam Harris
I could listen to Sam have these solo talks forever. There’s a level of clarity in his diction that is hard to find elsewhere. It’s not that he’s using big words. It’s that his choices of words are so sharp, that the meaning of what he is saying comes to in full clarity.
2022-07-3111 min
The Life Inspired PodcastCOVID changed my lifewhat happens when COVID makes you take a look at your life
2022-07-2808 min
The Life Inspired PodcastMind Body and Spirit with Lil and ChasSpiritual minded conversation about quotes
2022-07-1908 min
2022-07-1204 min
The Chas WeighTaylor Sherman - A Complete InvestmentI had the best conversation with Taylor! This woman is a rockstar and her smile says it all!
From her insurance business to her investments you can see her passion for business and I love it.
This interview was a really great reminder to love your self, be proud of who you are and to reach for the stars! IG:
https://www.instagram.com/therealchasfoster
https://www.instagram.com/tayloredeffect
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TaylorSparkingYourSuccess
Book Recommendations:
Ed Mylett 'The Power Of One More' https://tinyurl.com/power-of-one-more
Robert Kiyosaki- 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' https://tinyurl.com/rich-dad-poor-dad-book
D...
2022-07-081h 06
2022-07-0504 min
Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-89: Opening SequencesHow does your opening sequence set up your audience? Inspired by her tweet on how subversive an opening OCEAN'S ELEVEN has, Chas and Stu invited amazing writer/director Jessica Ellis onto the show to deep dive into opening sequences. How does a good opening setup character, genre, and theme? In exploring how best to open your story - instead of looking at the almost mandatory studio note of "dropping you in the action" - Stu, Chas and Jess look at the inventive openings of OCEAN'S ELEVEN, LONG SHOT, ARRIVAL and A SERIOUS MAN. Each of these films...
2022-05-311h 48Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-88: Drama in Genre clothingHow can dramas use genre elements to hook their audiences? Stu and Chas reunite with TV writer & director Kodie Bedford to look at how some films start out as genre but gradually become character dramas. Or, as Stu never said on the episode "Genre in the streets, Drama in the sheets". Together, they break down HUSTLERS, PIG and POWER OF THE DOG, to see how these films use their genre trappings to hook their audience while ultimately delivering something else entirely. We discuss chapter breaks, inciting incidents, character questions, theme and MORE. As...
2022-05-012h 06Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-86: Backmatter - Minimum Viable ProductHow do you determine what is your MVP? In their annual full backwater episode, Stu and Chas let out their pandemic hair, drop the ruse of objectivity, and allow themselves to have even more options about writing and the business of writing. In this Backmatter entry, they go deep on: future episode topics; their screenwriting lessons from 2021 (especially on control); pitching projects; the minimum viable product & minimum loveable thing; and share their exper iences with running a writers workshop/group. There are no Star Wars references in this episode, but there are plenty...
2022-02-011h 29
2022-01-281h 232022-01-1205 min
2022-01-0111 min
On In FiveEpisode 55: Jimi Hendrix Part Six - Marshall Marshall MarshallOn this episode of On In Five, we are looking at even more of Jimi as he navigated his way through 1968; losing his long time manager Chas Chandler, finally dealing with his first manager Ed Chalpin, and even hinting at a full breakup of the Jimi Hendrix Experience as the world knew it.
2021-11-041h 31Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-84: Choices & Decisions 1 - BooksmartWhat is the difference between choice and decision when it comes to characters? In order to better understand dramatising of character, Chas and Stu take a very draft zero look at very specific tool: choices and decisions. We analyse three films through the decisions made by their characters. In particular, how the audience understanding of: the choice available, the considered decision itself, and the consequence changes how we feel about these characters. And how separating those three things can create different emotional effects on your audience. We debate this in the episode, but this is...
2021-10-301h 12Draft Zero: a screenwriting podcastDZ-82: Dramatising Given Circumstances in WatchmenHow can writers dramatise Given Circumstances? In this final podcast release of last year's run of LiveSoLation episodes, Chas and Stu are joined by Uber-geek Mel Killingsworth (who else?) in an epic exploration of how Dave Gibbons' and Alan Moore's seminal graphic novel WATCHMEN is adapted differently in Zack Snyder's 2009 film and Damon Lindelof's 2019 HBO television show. For this podcast release, we focus on a single craft tool: GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES. Traditionally an acting tool, we look at how it is also a useful writing tool: how is your story world different to your audience's...
2021-08-182h 06The Life Inspired PodcastIn your life of solitude…One of the things you’ll discover is that the spiritual path is not for the meek or faint-hearted.
2021-06-0103 min2021-05-2005 min
The Life Inspired PodcastSelfLoveEat like you love yourself. Move like you love yourself. Speak like you love yourself. Act like you love yourself.
2021-02-2407 min
The Life Inspired PodcastDo what you love.You’ve heard the old saying, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” In many ways, this saying is true. If you’re passionate about what you do and you’re putting your focus and energy into it, you won’t feel like you’re working.
2021-02-1720 min
The Life Inspired Podcast"BE ABOUT IT!"Don’t Talk, Just Act. Don’t Say, Just Show. Don’t Promise, Just Prove...Be about It. Don’t be the genius who thought about an idea 10 years ago, wrote it in a journal, and did nothing with it. What are you waiting for? Start where you are, tomorrow waits for no one. I’m jus sayin...
2021-02-1111 min
The Life Inspired PodcastThe Bedrock Movement interview with John NetherlyJohn Netherly is the founder of The Bedrock Movement
"Our mission is to provide information and referrals to social service and outreach resources that assist with mental health, drug addiction, medical care to the homeless street residents of Chicago while creating support group spaces aimed to empower and heal."
2021-02-0748 minThe Life Inspired PodcastPay it forward.“As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.” Mary Anne Radmacher
2021-02-0503 minThe Life Inspired PodcastTake a moment to appreciate life.Sometimes we take the little things for granted. Let’s take a few moments out the day and be grateful.
2021-02-0504 min
2021-02-0514 min
The Life Inspired PodcastSteps to making a relationship last.No matter how long you’ve been together, there are some simple, fundamental rules of the road. Putting them into practice isn’t always easy, but it is critical. Make your relationship stronger, and the good stuff—fun, sex, trust, affection—will be better than ever.
2021-02-0303 min
The Life Inspired Podcast"One day at a time"“I found it wasn’t so hard to live only one day at a time. I learned to forget the yesterdays and to not think of the tomorrows. Each morning I said to myself, ‘Today is a new life.”
Dale Carnegie
2021-02-0202 min
The Life Inspired PodcastAll you need you have inside.We have all the tools we need to love ourselves and be our own best advocate, inside us already.
Many times, we think success stems from having an abundance of wealth, expensive items, and high social stature. In reality, none of that means anything if we are not in alignment with our own soul and ideas and if we aren’t truly happy.
2021-02-0206 min
The Life Inspired Podcast"Letting go."To “let go” does not mean to stop caring, it means that I can’t do it for someone else. To “let go” is not to cut myself off, it is the realization that I can’t control another. To “let go” is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences. To “let go” is to admit powerlessness, which means that the outcome is not in my hands. To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another, it is to make the most of myself.
2021-02-0201 min
The Life Inspired Podcast"When I say I love you."When I say ‘I love you’, it means that I treasure your heart. It means that I value you. And it means that I see a future with you.
When I say ‘I love you’, it means that I trust you with my whole soul. It means that you being happy, makes me happy. And it means that I would never ever want to do anything to hurt you.
2021-02-0202 min
The Life Inspired PodcastAct like you want it."If you want something out of life you gotta act like it."
2021-02-0203 min
The Life Inspired Podcast"REASON, SEASON, LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS."It has been said that people enter our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
Reason (a project or one-time activity, a “guardian angel” encounter when someone steps in and moves you out of a dangerous situation, a fleeting/swoop by lesson)
Season (a short term; perhaps a few months or years, an interaction that teaches you lessons that you may not have learned otherwise.)
Lifetime (long term connections that may begin at birth or anywhere along the timeline, that endures, perhaps despite challenges, or may even strengthen thus)
2021-02-0202 min
The Life Inspired Podcast"Let's talk about happiness"Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits. Thomas Jefferson
2021-02-0200 minThe Life Inspired Podcast“The Awakening”(((Audio)))
“THE AWAKENING”
A time comes in your life when you finally get it. When, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks, and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out… ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying and blaming and struggling to hold on. Then, like a child quieting down after a tantrum, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world through new eyes.
This is your Awakening!
2021-01-2509 min