The Story Series Podcast with Brandon Violette (For Writers Who Break The Rules)
Episodes
#53 - What Being a Cop Taught Me About Writing Real Characters | John Dove
30 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A retired New York City Police Department Detective Lieutenant with over 21 years of service, he held leadership roles in units including Internal Af...
#52 - Stress is Not a Badge of Honor (For Creatives) | Lee Papa
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Papa is an author and performance and wellbeing coach who helps individual creatives, professionals, and teams strengthen their internal guardrail...
#51 - Building an Animated Series in Public | We Ghosted Media
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
NYC to LA, We Ghosted Media LLC is a production studio focused on compelling storytelling and content creation. With an ever-changing industry, we fin...
#50 - How a Viral Children's Book Was Self-Published From Scratch | Agnes Lee
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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-publis...
#49 - From Blue's Clues to Video Games: Writing for TV, Podcasts & Games | Alyson Eisenband
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Alyson (Piekarsky) Eisenband is an Emmy-nominated writer and creator, most recently serving as Story Editor on Nickelodeon's hit series Blue's Clues &...
#48 - What AI Means For Writers | Qiushi Zhang
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Qiushi Zhang is a writer-turned-founder and CEO of Leyline, an AI filmmaking platform built specifically for screenwriters and storytellers. After yea...
#47 - Write Fast, Write Funny: Late Night TV to Kids Animation | John Huss
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 S...
#46 - One Step Forward: Vulnerability as a Creative Act | Will Craig
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#45 - What Building a Creative Career Actually Feels Like | Story Series Selects
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Story Series Selects is a curated episode from the archive of screenwriters and filmmakers speaking honestly about uncertainty, false starts, and what...
#44 - Why Preschool Writing is Harder Than You Think | Craig Carlisle
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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" ...
#43 - From Script to Screen: Making CLIKA | Michael Greene
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
#42 - How "Tough Rides: China" Launched a TV Franchise: Part 2 | Ryan Pyle
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Born in Toronto, Canada, Ryan Pyle spent his early years close to home. After obtaining a degree in International Politics from the University of Toro...
#41 - Making an Adventure TV Series in China: Part 1 | Ryan Pyle
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Born in Toronto, Canada, Ryan Pyle spent his early years close to home. After obtaining a degree in International Politics from the University of Toro...
#40 - The Pitching Mistake Most Writers Don't Realize They're Making (TV & Film)
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
After interviewing dozens of professional screenwriters, show creators, and executives, the same mistakes, and insights, about pitching kept coming up...
#39 - Personal Branding for Writers: How It Supports Your Career | Goldie Chan
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Goldie Chan, dubbed the "Oprah of LinkedIn," is an innovative LinkedIn Top Voice, author of Personal Branding for Introverts and the founder of Warm R...
#38 - How to Break Into Animation Writing When Jobs Are Hard to Find | Beth Mosch
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beth Mosch is an emerging writer and producer focused on showcasing female-centered, LGBTQ, and athlete-driven narratives. She graduated from USC's Sc...
#37 - Disability in Hollywood: Representation, Writer's Rooms & What Star Trek Got Right | Hilary Van Hoose
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A screenwriter for animated children's series, most notably Blue's Clues & You Nursery Rhymes and Barnyard Daycare at Nickelodeon, Hilary Van Hoose is...
Show Update + Your Free Guide
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A short update about how the podcast is evolving and why the next chapter is all about storytelling, writing, and breaking the right rules. ✏️💥...
#36 - A Vietnam Veteran's Redemption Through Acting & Writing | Brian Delate
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Delate is a Vietnam Veteran, actor, writer, and director whose life and work bridge trauma, creativity, and transformation. After serving in Vie...
#35 - Rugrats to Real Monsters: The Zen of Writing Without Validation | Peter Gaffney
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#34 - Creating Stories That Empower: Princess Power, Barbie & Beyond | Elise Allen
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emmy nominee and NYT Bestselling author Elise Allen has written for all ages, preschool to adult. She developed/showran Princess Power; other TV c...
#33 - How a 1980s Short Story Became a Finished Book: Writing, Rejection & Perseverance | Eric Miller
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eric Miller's first brush with literary "fame" occurred when his grade school writing assignment about a bloodthirsty executioner's block earned him a...
#32 - Write What You Love: A Career in Animation & Comics | Adam Beechen
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Beechen is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer with over 200 produced episodes across live-action and animation, including MacGyver, Transforme...
#31 - From Landscape Architect to Global Storyteller | Ambika Mathur
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
#30.5 - "The Rule I Break" - Vol. 3 - 10 Guests, 10 Answers
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ans...
#30 - Art Is Life-Saving: Acting, Rejection & Resilience | Kate Amundsen
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 sh...
#29 - Worldbuilding for Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering & More | Ari Levitch
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Pitch Docs Presents: Nick Filippi - Storyboards, Directing & Development
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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" Creat...
#28 - The Five-Year Rule: Technology, Change, and Looking Ahead | Chester Stockton
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chester "Chet" Stockton is an experienced technology professional and author with over three decades of experience in the enterprise software space, h...
#27 - Never Hesitate: Acting the Long Game in Hollywood | Andrew Key
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew is a husband of 15 years, a father to three boys, and has been in entertainment for 15 years. With numerous credits on network television as we...
#26 - $100K a Week: Inside the Creator Economy | Jane Zhao
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Zhao is a media and marketing strategist with 10+ years of experience driving growth in live streaming and influencer marketing. She has led cont...
The Pitch Docs Presents: Freddy Tutiven - Why Play Patterns Matter
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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" Creat...
#25 - Land On Both Feet | Brett Sorem
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brett Sorem is the author of Land On Both Feet: Grind Through Life with a Skateboarder’s Mindset. His journey has taken him from carving the streets...
The Pitch Docs Presents: Mary Bredin - The Power of Connection
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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" Creat...
#24 - Adventures in Screenwriting | Guy Toubes
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Guy Toubes is an Emmy-nominated writer, executive producer, and showrunner who burst onto the children’s television scene with Mowgli: The New Adve...
#23 - Stop Waiting, Start Creating | Emily Brundige
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emily Brundige is the creator of GOLDIE on Apple TV+, based on her award-winning short film of the same name, and the mind behind the cult-favorite Yo...
The Pitch Docs Presents: Dimitris Dodoras - The Art of Scoring for the Screen
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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" Creat...
#22 - A Life in Sitcoms | Andy Guerdat
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andy Guerdat is a TV writer/producer whose credits range from “Mork & Mindy” to “Sister, Sister” to “Herman’s Head,” which he created. I...
The Pitch Docs Presents: Scott Gray - Writing for Nickelodeon, Disney, and Netflix
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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" Creat...
#21 - Creative Rebellion | John S. Couch
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
John S. Couch is a visionary writer, designer, and technologist dedicated to unlocking creative potential. He leads Galvanize Studios, which has partn...
#20.5 - "The Rule I Break" - 10 Guests, 10 Answers
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
#20 - Make It Personal | David Levy
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
David Levy is the Head of Studio at Pinkfong USA, where he oversees original IP and creative direction on co-productions for the company behind Baby S...
#19 - Take the Meeting | Jeff Aghassi
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff Aghassi is a 30-year film and television industry veteran, literary manager, and producer. He began as a location manager on Tank Girl and The Cr...
#18 - The Authentic Host | Tanya Memme
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tanya Memme is an Emmy-nominated TV host, award-winning producer, and internationally recognized speaker, best known as the host of A&E’s hit series...
#17 - Write Like a Pro | Daniel Calvisi
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Calvisi is a Script Doctor, Writing Coach and the author of Story Maps: How to Write a GREAT Screenplay and Story Maps: TV DRAMA: The Struct...
#16 - From Intern to Icon | Farnaz Esnaashari
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Farnaz Esnaashari rose from Nickelodeon intern to creator and executive producer during her 17-year run at the studio. While running post on Dora the ...
#15 - Love, Camera, Action | Noël Stark
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Noël Stark is the author of Love, Camera, Action, a smart, steamy debut novel that pulls back the curtain on life behind the scenes of a TV set. A tr...
#14 - A Composer's Puzzle | Mike Reagan
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Reagan is an award-winning composer, songwriter, and producer for film, TV, and games, known for his work on God of War, Wow Wow Wubbzy, Chico Bo...
#13 - The Founder's Fight | Mengting Hou
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mengting Hou is an entrepreneur and the founder of Mimir, an AI-enhaned language learning platform that transforms language learning by focusing on re...
#12 - The Making of a Showrunner | Rick Suvalle
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rick Suvalle is a writer, producer and showrunner known for creating and producing DreamWorks’ "Dew Drop Diaries" and Mattel’s "Thomas & Friends: ...
#11 - Muscle & Mindset | Marlyn Benitez
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marlyn Benitez is a women’s fitness and nutrition coach helping busy moms reset their mindset, fuel their bodies, and train with purpose—without r...
#10.5 - "The Rule I Break" - 10 Guests, 10 Answers
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, I’ve gathe...
#10 - Two Lives of a Storyteller | Jeffrey Fleishman
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeffrey Fleishman is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, novelist, and former senior writer for the Los Angeles Times. He previously served as the paper’s f...
#9 - Culture Misfit | Marisa Balkus
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Marisa Balkus is a seasoned producer and executive specializing in anime, adult animation, and IP adaptations. She began her career at New Regency Pro...
#8 - The Gift of Intentionality | Viri Maldonado
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Viri Maldonado is a multi-hyphenate creative, luxury gifting expert, and former TV producer based in Los Angeles. Raised in the San Fernando Valley, V...
#7 - A Screenwriter's Journey | Ron Mita
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ron Mita is a veteran screenwriter whose films have earned over $530 million worldwide. His credits include the animated feature Robots (20th Centu...
#6 - Leading With Humanity | Paul Falcone
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Falcone is a bestselling author and workplace leadership expert with decades of HR executive experience at top organizations like Nickelodeon, Pa...
#5 - 14 Million Views Later | Agnes Lee
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Agnes Lee is a self-published children’s book author from Riverside County, California who turned a dream into a viral reality. While preparing for ...
#4 - A Filmmaker Plays Himself | Mike Ott
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Ott studied at the California Institute of the Arts where he received his MFA in Film/Video. Mike's films (Littlerock, Kid Icarus, Pearlblossom H...
#3 - Engineering Is Universal | Caroline Trujillo
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline Trujillo is a senior electronics technician driven by a passion for innovation and problem-solving. Based in Los Angeles, she has gained hand...
#2 - Comedy With Meaning | Joey Clift
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joey Clift is a Los Angeles-based comedian, TV writer, director, Emmy-nominated producer, and enrolled member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Joey attend...
#1 - Don't Ask For Permission | Ryan Pyle
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Born in Toronto, Canada, Ryan Pyle spent his early years close to home. After obtaining a degree in International Politics from the University of Toro...
Welcome to The Story Series Podcast
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Join screenwriter and storyteller Brandon Violette as he sits down with artists, outsiders, and originals to share the unfiltered stories behind how t...