Stories That Change Us

About Stories That Change Us

Where great storytelling meets craft. Four writer-friends dive into the most iconic fiction of the last century—not just to admire it, but to dissect it. We uncover what makes these stories unforgettable: sharp characters, masterful plots, and the social undercurrents that give them staying power. The result? A lively, intergenerational conversation that sparks insights for writers at every stage. Whether you're dreaming of your debut or leveling up your next bestseller, this is your place to learn how great stories are made.

Publisher

Kat Lewis, Laurel Thomas, Micah Leydorf, Melissa Grace

Category

arts · education · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Oct 2023

Latest episode

4 May 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 May 2026

   Behind The Blockbuster: Writing Lessons from Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

   Lyrical, intimate, and quietly cinematic—Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell proves that spectacle isn’t the only path to screen-worthy storytelling. In this Behind the Blockbuster episode, we explore how O’Farrell transforms a deeply interior, grief-centered narrative into something with powerful visual and emotional translation. Through nonlinear structure, close perspective, and sensory-rich detail, she builds a story where absence becomes the driving force—and where meaning lives in what’s f...

2. 

   4 May 2026

   Behind The Blockbuster: Writing Lessons from The Odyssey by Homer

   Bold, immersive, and surprisingly modern—Homer’s The Odyssey is more than an ancient epic; it’s a masterclass in storytelling that still shapes today’s bestsellers. With a nonlinear opening, tightly structured episodes, and a protagonist driven by wit as much as will, Homer builds a narrative that balances high-stakes adventure with deeply human longing. His use of archetypes, recurring motifs, and vivid imagery creates momentum and meaning, while themes of identity, resilience, and homecomin...

3. 

   4 May 2026

   Behind The Blockbuster: Writing Lessons from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

   Expansive, strategic, and endlessly compelling—The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas is the kind of story that doesn’t just read like a thriller, it moves like one. In this Behind the Blockbuster episode, we examine how Dumas engineers a revenge narrative with cinematic precision—layered identities, delayed reveals, and interlocking plotlines that feel tailor-made for the screen. His use of foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and long-game payoff creates momentum that translates seamlessly ...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.