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Many modern stories hit the ground running, throwing the reader or viewer into a whirlwind of names, places, situations, and conflicts. This can be exciting. No trudging through useless exposition, no waiting for the action to pick up. However, not all set-up is bad. As hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden discuss, good, strategic story set-up can heighten a story's drama and impact, while modern stories' obsession with don't-worry-I'll-explain-(maybe)-later plotting can cause confusion and lack of character connection. In the second half, Tim and Nick share their annual Take on Tales, recounting this past year's book club books, detailing the good, the bad, and the weird. We won't throw you in headfirst. We'll lead you into the heart of our conversations gently, so listen in to this, the 148th episode of your premiere podcasts on storytelling for the creator and the consumer, Derailed Trains of thought. Show Notes

It's nearly Christmas. Among other things, this means it's time to rest from the chaos of Christmas preparations; it's time to spend some with the people you love most; it's time to ponder peace on earth and goodwill toward man. It's time to reevaluate the year that's past and look forward to the year to come. It's a time of restoration. Stories, too, can have a real restorative power in a world full of brokenness, busyness, and sin. In this episode, hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden examine the many ways that good stories can help restore us, refresh us, and make us more fully human. Then, after this year's final Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick finish up 2023 with What If? If stories really can heal, then why not prescribe them for whatever ails you? Though they do not have medical degrees, Dr. Tim and Dr. Nick do their best to cure everything from hair loss to amputation with just the right story. May this 147th episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere storytelling podcast for the creator and the consumer, be the perfect addition to a season of joy, peace, and thoughtful introspective this season. Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Show Notes

There's a dead body in the isolated small-town bed and breakfast. All the weekend guests have been kept indoors because of the storm. Luckily, a famed detective is also a guest this weekend. It's time to figure out whodunit! Everyone is familiar with some version of this setup. Mysteries are a well-loved and entertaining genre--but somehow hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden haven't discussed it yet! This episode, they examine what's so appealing about mystery stories and explore some of their essential elements. Then, after another round of Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick tackle a mystery of their own in It Came From the Intrawebs. Finally, they share an important, not-to-be-missed Project Update concerning this very podcast. Maybe you know who the killer is. Maybe you've been fooled by the red herrings. Either way, at least there's no mystery about what you're getting with this 146th episode of your premiere podcast for the creators and consumer--another hour of entertainment and enlightenment! Show Notes

Nearly everyone has a story about that one cartoon or movie they watched as a child that gave them nightmares, whether it was an "Elephants on Parade" acid trip or a "Why'd I'd watch this when I was seven?" childhood trauma. But even as adults, there are stories that lodge deep in the psyche, that get under your skin and just bother us. What should we do with such stories? Do they have a useful purpose? Hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden tackle just that question as they examine the different types of stories that unsettle us. Then, after Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick launch into a two-part second half. First, A Bit of Story, where the narrator is uneasy with a strange development in his life. Then, after a long hiatus, the return of Pun Times! Halloween is around the corner (and seemingly everywhere already), but don't be disturbed--the 145th episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and the consumer, is ready to challenge and thought-provoke in the safety of your own home. Show Notes

Nearly every long-running series has at least a few episodes that seem to be "killing time." Sometimes they are unique one-off stories. Sometimes they are humorous character studies. And sometimes they are just plain weird. How are we to react to these filler episodes? To dig into this question, hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden meet up with Bex, from the Redeemed Otaku podcast, to discuss filler episodes, especially in the context of anime. Afterward, Nick and Bex face off in a Two Truths and a Lie-style Challenge Accepted! Then, after our regular Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick engage in their annual summer movie review in Our Take on Tales. This 144th episode may be about filler, but don't let the title fool you--every episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast for the creator and the consumer, is essential! Show Notes

All stories teach a lesson of some sort. Some lessons are very obvious and simple: Tell the truth. Kindness is best. True beauty comes from within. But what makes these morals resonate in a story? Why do they come off as maudlin and sappy in some stories and profound and deep in others? Hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden examine the difference between simple and simplistic morals. How does a story help its moral sink deep into the reader or viewer? They attempt to find out. Then, after another Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick play a game of What If?, where they try to infuse flawed stories with new, overused morals. So, listen it to this 143rd episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and the consumer, Derailed Trains of Thought. Remember--A podcast heard is a podcast learned. Show Notes

Every creative work is the product of someone's hard work and imagination. That's why there's copyright laws. Storytellers of all kinds should be paid for their work and own their ideas. However, at some point, all stories enter the public domain. What is public domain? What's the role of public domain in creativity? How does public domain change storytelling? How long should a copyright last? Hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden tackle these and related questions in this episode's Story School. Then, after our monthly Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick dig into public domain for a special A Bit of Story involving rockets and old ladies. So, listen in to this, the 142nd episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and the consumer. Share it! Discuss it! Enjoy it! ©2023 Derailed Trains of Thought Show Notes

It is true that the stories we consume can affect the sort of people we are. In this episode, however, hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden examine the truth of the reverse. Do a culture's stories reflect the sort of people we already are--both our virtues and our vices? In a wide-ranging discussion, they attempt to put a finger to the pulse of our culture's current story values and what it might say about who we are. Then, after another Once Upon a Scene, Timothy and Nick discuss The Mandalorian, Andor, Muppets Mayhem, Peer Gynt, and other stories old and new in Our Take on Tales. So, listen in to this 141st episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and the consumer. It certainly says something profound about your refined tastes in podcasts, if nothing else. Show Notes

During Episode 140, guests Eric Anderson and Dallas Mora, joined by host Nick Hayden, competed in an epic showdown of geek-themed Jeopardy! However, that episode ran long, so only the first round made the final cut. The second round is now here for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Table top games. Cosplay. Anime. Superheros. Star Wars. Conventions. These are a few of a geek's favorite things. Those who love these things love to share them with others. Together, they make up geek culture. But behind these shared interests and hobbies are individuals who need the love and hope of Jesus Christ. In this episode, Eric Anderson of Nerd Chapel and Dallas Mora of Geek Devotions share stories of their ministry to those who love all things geeky. They share their missions, their challenges and successes, and their hopes for the future in sharing God's love with those who love the same stories and entertainment that they do. Then, in the second half, host Nick Hayden joins Eric and Dallas in a Jeopardy-style Challenge Accepted! featuring appropriately nerdy categories. So listen in to this, the 140th episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and the consumer, because all stories can point to the True Story. Show Notes

It's easy to complain about derivative plots and copycat characters, to want something fresh and new that doesn't recycle the same old tropes. But this can obscure that fact that sometimes we like repetition--if it's done well. I mean, who doesn't want to see Lucy pull the football away from Charlie Brown one more time? This episode, hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden discuss the joy of selective repetition. When does it work? Why does it work? How can creators utilize it more effectively? Then, after another Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick dive into It Came From the Intrawebs, experiencing our Daily Dose of Internet and testing our meme-ology. It's the same format, with the same hosts, but hopefully that familiarity will lure you in to listen to episode 139 of your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and consumer, Derailed Trains of Thought! Show Notes

The Rom-Com. It's boy meets girl. Or girl meets boy. Or hard-working single woman meets arrogant British chap. Or womanizing marine veterinarian falls for an art teacher with amnesia. Or...you get the idea. The romantic comedy is a genre with its own beats and its own fans. What makes rom-coms appealing? How have they changed over the years? Are they just fluff, or do they point to deeper yearnings and truth? In this episode's Story School, hosts Timothy Deal and Nick Hayden are joined by Danielle Deal, Timothy's sister, to discuss the joys and strengths of what some might relegate to chick flicks. Then, after another edition of Once Upon a Scene, Tim and Nick try their hand at constructing their own romantic comedy movie and TV show in What If? Come, listen. Even if you think you hate us, by the time we're done, we know you'll fall in love with this newest episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling for the creator and consumer, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes