Podcast
Tell The Damn Story
Hosted by Alex Simmons & Chris Ryan · EN
This is where we interview and discuss the challenges and successes of writing books, comics, films, and other creative arts and pop culture topics.
32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Tell The Damn Story, ep 416: AI for Artists: Tool, Threat, or the way of the Future?
3d ago01:01:14Tap to summarizeChris and Alex joined with the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention to ask and answer that question.The boys gathered artists/panelists Micheline Hess, Shawn Alleyne, and audience members for an open conversation about one of the biggest questions facing creative people today:Is AI helping artists… or replacing them?What followed wasn’t a debate with winners and losers.It became a discussion about ethics, authenticity, accessibility, business realities, ownership, fear, possibility, and what happens when technology arrives faster than our rules.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story, ep 415: Write with Impact: Mastering Short Story Essentials.
1w ago00:37:03Tap to summarizeWhat makes a short story truly work? In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan break down the value of writing short fiction, how short stories sharpen your storytelling skills, and the different ways to create powerful story hooks that grab readers fast.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryIf you find these episodes helpful, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to ... Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story, ep 414: How To Do It All. Pitching, Promotion, and the Reality of Being a Writer.
2w ago00:34:13Tap to summarizeWouldn't it be great if all you had to do was write your book, put it up for sale, and then watch the customer lineup?Well, that's not how it works.In this episode, cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan dive into the critical but often overlooked realities of pitching your ideas, planning promotional campaigns, and building your platform—regardless of whether you’re seeking a traditional publishing deal or going the indie route. They discuss why even award-winning authors and successful filmmakers can’t escape the demands of self-promotion, and share practical advice for perfecting your pitch, engaging your audience, and authentically connecting with your community. Packed with real-world examples, useful strategies, and a dash of humor, this episode is your essential guide to navigating the business side of your creative journey.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story, #413: "The Monster in the Mirror: Stealing From the Classics to Build Characters Who Last"
3w ago01:03:26Tap to summarizeWhat do you do with a monster who's been alive for 160 years? And what if that monster speaks a dozen languages, and sees the moral essence of every human being in colors and shapes — but just wants to understand what it means to be human?You make him a private detective in 1939 New York. And then you let him loose on the Nazis.This week Alex and Chris sit down with author and storyteller Teel James Glenn, whose Paradise Investigation Series takes one of literature's most iconic monsters — Mary Shelley's creature — and reimagines him as the ultimate outsider: a philosopher, a protector, and a man who chose decency despite everything he suffered.But this episode isn't just about Adam Paradise. It's about what every writer can learn from Teel's process — how he took a public domain character, asked the questions the original story left unanswered, and built a rich, historically grounded world that tackles Roma persecution, Tong conspiracies, the KKK, and Japanese fifth columnists — one book at a time.We dig into the craft behind the creation — how a short story became a trilogy, how a pantsing writer built a six-book arc, how to write outside your own culture with respect and courage, and why making your hero genuinely interesting is harder — and more satisfying — than making your villain compelling.In this episode:How to take a classic character and make them entirely your ownWriting the ultimate outsider as a vehicle for social storytellingResearch, historical grounding, and why getting it right mattersThe difference between the white savior trope and genuine empathyWhy villains aren't more interesting than heroes — you're just a lazy writerThe Paradise Investigation Series by Teel James Glenn is available now on Amazon. Books one and two are out now. Book three — The Undiscovered Country — is available for pre-order.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story TTDSOnAir@gmail.comwww.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story, ep 412: From Draft to Mastery: How To Build Confidence Through the Writer’s Process
Apr 2600:52:37Tap to summarizeHey, storytellers! This week, Alex Simmonss and Chris Ryan are getting real about something every creative struggles with at some point—confidence. They’re sharing stories about their own writing journeys (the wins and the wipeouts), dropping wisdom from Caroline Bick’s new book about digging into Stephen King’s archives, and giving honest answers to the most common confidence-killers that hold writers back. Expect tips on handling lame plots, cringey dialogue, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to finish what you start—with plenty of laughs and no sugarcoating. Whether you’re working on your first story or your fiftieth, this episode is all about helping you build yourself up and keep going. So grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s get inspired together!Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story TTDSOnAir@gmail.comwww.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story, ep 411: How to Write With Hope: Creating Light in Dark Times
Apr 1900:23:03Tap to summarizeDoes writing hopeful stories mean you're clueless?In this episode, with Chris away, Alex dives solo into the power and purpose of writing with hope—even when the world feels heavy with negativity. Too often, we're surrounded by doom and gloom, but as Alex reminds us, uplifting stories matter just as much as the darker ones. This episode explores why optimism is not naivete, the unique responsibilities of writers, and the essential role of creating "safe spaces" for creative expression. Through personal anecdotes, reflections on history, and insights from years spent teaching and storytelling, Alex shows how stories of hope help us thrive, push us to imagine new possibilities, and connect us across cultures, backgrounds, and generations. Join us for an inspiring look at how—and why—to tell hopeful stories, and why that's something every writer should keep in their creative toolkit.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story TTDSOnAir@gmail.comwww.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story ep 410: How to Write Believable, Relatable Characters: The Power of Nuance._
Apr 1200:45:23Tap to summarizeWelcome to "Tell The Damn Story." In today's episode, Alex and Chris explore the art of crafting believable, relatable characters and explain the power of nuance in storytelling. Drawing from the film and book "Project Hail Mary," they break down how small details and subtle moments can forge real empathy and connection between an audience and even the most unlikely protagonists, including aliens without faces!Whether you're writing science fiction, superhero tales, or gritty dramas, this episode arms you with practical exercises and real-world examples. You'll know how to make your characters leap off the page. Join us as we uncover how nuanced details, thoughtful structure, and revision turn good stories into great ones. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story TTDSOnAir@gmail.comwww.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story ep. 409: How To Walk The Creative Journey, From Comics to Screenwriting with Brandon Easton
Apr 501:03:43Tap to summarizeWhat does it really take to break into comics, animation, and film—and stay there?In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, Alex and sit down with screenwriter Brandon Easton to talk about the grind behind his career—and the truth most people don’t hear.From hustling at conventions in the ’90s…to navigating industry politics…to becoming the head writer on Iyanu…Brandon shares the real path: the setbacks, the breakthroughs, and the decisions that change everything.This isn’t theory. This is lived experience.You’ll hear:What the “grind” actually looks like (then vs now)The role of networking, reputation, and showing upThe hidden politics of comics, TV, and filmWhy finishing your work matters more than anything elseThe mindset shift that separates dreamers from working writersAnd one of the most important truths you’ll hear all year:👉 “Finish what you start.”Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story TTDSOnAir@gmail.comwww.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryHelp us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story, ep 408: Overcoming Doubt and Obstacles: Writer Discipline Tips for Aspiring and Emerging Writers
Mar 2900:42:21Tap to summarizeWelcome to Tell The Damn Story! In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons take a candid, often humorous look at the journey of building a writing discipline, especially for emerging authors. Drawing from personal stories of creative struggles, early rejection, and family skepticism, they reveal the difficult but deeply rewarding pursuit of storytelling. Along the way, Chris and Alex share insights into finding the right people to trust with your work, balancing day jobs with artistic passions, and the importance of embracing both discipline and vulnerability. Whether you’re wondering if you should pursue writing or searching for ways to keep your creative flame alive amidst life’s challenges, this episode is filled with honest advice, encouragement, and the reminder that, above all, you need to "tell your own damn story."Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryAt *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
Transcribe →Tell The Damn Story ep 407: Crafting Characters Like Michael B. Jordan, The Art of Backstory Exploration
Mar 2200:28:47Tap to summarizeToday, Alex Simmonss and Chris Ryan enthusiastically discuss the craft of building unforgettable characters, taking inspiration from none other than Michael B. Jordan. Right after his Oscar win, Jordan shared the journaling process he uses to create fully formed backstories for his roles—an approach our hosts believe every writer should consider.Throughout this episode, Alex Simmonss and Chris Ryan explore how journaling from a character's earliest memory to the first page of your script can add authentic layers and nuance that pull audiences in. They discuss the impact of detailed backstory on everything from character dialogue to world-building, with examples ranging from the rich and poor origins of characters to the expansive histories of Tolkien's Middle-earth.Tune in for inspiration, actionable tips, and a fun, insightful look at how the best storytellers—including Michael B. Jordan—build characters that live, breathe, and stick with us long after the story ends.And as promised, here are 20 Character Bio Questions out of over 170. Use them for writing good and evil characters.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story TTDSOnAir@gmail.comwww.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story
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