Why are we so drawn to things that scare us? What are the ethical ramifications of creating and consuming horrific stories? In this Halloween special, we continue our genre series by diving into the evils and hells of Horror. We discuss stories about the monsters we face in life, and the dangers of the monsters we might become. Along the way, we wrestle with whether we should even give these stories the time of day, and what the implications of these stories are for Narrative Therapy.

How do we find our values in a lawless society? What is the narrative of what we call 'The West'? In this installment of our genre series, we explore the rugged terrains of the Western genre. For our discussion, each of us picks a Western film that helps us understand why this genre resonates with so many people, and what it has to say about how we grapple with what it means to be human.

How do we select and interpret the narratives we call History? What is our relationship with that History via storytelling? Derrick's wife Tori joins us for an informative discussion on the nature of history, and how that's reflected through various film genres including political epics, war, biopics, and even historical fiction.

How do we find our place in an ever-changing world? In this entry of our genre series, the guys return to discuss Science Fiction. While these stories may warn us about the threats of technology and aliens, Sci-Fi at its heart is about exploring what it means to be human. Join us for a lively conversation as we prob our favorite Science Fiction narratives and how they inform our existence.

Why are we so drawn to Fantasy lands and larger-than-life characters? How can Fantasy stories help us better engage with our world? Derrick is joined by the return of Joseph, Jason, and Nick to take a deep dive into the Fantasy genre using JRR Tolkien as our guide. We also discuss our recent experiences at Mega Con Orlando.

Why are we drawn to heart-bounding adventurous and perilous journeys? Proverb Newsome joins us to explore Action stories, and how they challenge us to face our conflicts courageously. We discuss some of our favorite Action films, including 2022's hit Top Gun Maverick, and how going to college relates to the Hero’s Journey.

You ever had an experience with a story that stirred something profound within you? Though most stories explore one's inner-life, there is an often neglected category of stories that specialize in the metaphysical. These journeys examine the philosophical, religious, and spiritual components that reshape our identity and make life meaningful. Jason and Nick return to the podcast to explore why these stories resonate with us so much, and what it's like for us to embark on our own metaphysical journeys.

It's a Valentine's Day Special! One of the most popular genres in novels and film is the Romance. But is the Romance more than just a simple love story? In the first entry of our new series on genres, Derrick and his wife define what constitutes a Romance story. Along the way, they discuss examples in fiction (including Romeo & Juliet & 500 Days of Summer), stories from their dating years, and how Romances speak to the love and acceptance we most long for in life.