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Artwork for A Good Story Well Told

A Good Story Well Told

Jonathan Auxier and Matt Bird
Kpop Demon Hunters
Storytelling Techniques
Beloved
The Giver
Vertigo
Kill Bill
Demons
Hook
Children's Literature
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Toni Morrison
K-Pop
Girls Just Want To Have Fun
Beau Is Afraid
Lois Lowry
Alfred Hitchcock
Treasure Planet
Slaughterhouse-Five
Quentin Tarantino
Anne Of Green Gables

A podcast about the craft of storytelling. Join authors Jonathan Auxier and Matt Bird as they dig up good stories to discover how their authors told them well … and how those same tricks and tools can help us all in our own writing

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes17Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHow To

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for A Good Story Well Told

Latest Episodes

Jonathan and Matt welcome Matt's legendary wife Betsy to discuss one of the weirdest movies ever made, Disney's direct-to-video epic The Brave Little Toaster. Is it oddly great, or just greatly odd?

It's Old Home Week! Special Guest James Kennedy makes an impassioned case for Ari Aster's epic nightmare-fuel Beau is Afraid. Will Matt and Jonathan be won over?

Can a quickie movie adaptation of a song, which didn't even have the rights to use Cyndi Lauper's version, actually be a good movie?? Superstar author Grace Lin makes the case, and Jonathan and Matt are here for it!

We welcome our first ever guest, Lindsay Eager, to make the case for Hook, Steven Spielberg's 1991 movie about a grown-up Peter Pan! Will she be able to convince us that it's unfairly maligned?

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

James Kennedy
Writer and podcaster, known for exploring unique stories and worlds in literature
Former co-host of Secrets of Story
Episode: Guilty Treasures: Beau is Afraid, with James Kennedy
Grace Lin
Renowned author and illustrator in Children's Literature
Independent Author
Episode: Guilty Treasures: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, with Grace Lin
Lindsay Eagar
Acclaimed author of middle-grade and YA literature
Candlewick Press
Episode: Guilty Treasures: Hook, with Lindsay Eagar

Hosts

Jonathan Auxier
Co-host and author discussing storytelling, with a focus on literary analysis and personal anecdotes related to narratives.
Matt Bird
Co-host and author with a strong background in storytelling analysis, focusing on narrative techniques and writing craft.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Great job guys!!!

    I learned about this podcast when Jonathan was on the kids podcast Withywindle, and I was curious about the nuts and bolts of writing. Thank y'all for doing this. I really appreciate it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bart the Fly Fishing Dude
    United States7 months ago
  • Learning about Stories

    Found this podcast after reading The Giver early in 2025. It’s really fascinating to hear discussion of what makes a good story and intricacies of how that story is told. Appreciate how Jonathan and Matt discuss stories they enjoy and how they bring different perspectives of how to look at those stories.

    One extremely minor quibble due to my bias, but I was bummed to hear them talk about the best versions of Treasure Island without mentioning the under appreciated Muppet Treasure Island.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JasonIrl
    United States8 months ago
  • Good insights into good storytelling

    While not as deep into the nuts and bolts as Matt Bird’s previous podcast, this is still a great dive into why a particular piece of media worked, and maybe what could have worked better. Some solid tips for writers in each episode, as well.

    But then, plot twist, Jonathan Auxier reveals that he is also a board gamer (talking input randomness vs output randomness) and has strong opinions on D&D?! Where can I go for more of that?!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Create Nickname. Okay.
    United States9 months ago
  • A good podcast well told!

    Entertaining and thought provoking! Looking forward to more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    stevenabird
    United States10 months ago
  • Love the analysis and insights

    Matt and Jonathan are fun and clearly know what they’re talking about. Even when they disagree, I want to believe both of them. 😆 I love that they both dissect a movie or book and then extrapolate techniques to make them concrete. There are some podcasts where I see a runtime of an hour and wonder how much real content there is, but not this one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nels Wadycki
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging dynamics between the hosts and their insightful analysis of storytelling techniques.
Many reviews highlight how the discussions provoke thoughts on classic and contemporary works, enhancing understanding of narrative craft.
The podcast is noted for its entertaining blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, making it both informative and relatable.
Listeners often find the content to be highly beneficial as it offers practical advice for writers, making it a go-to resource for those interested in storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#45
Finland/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#82
Singapore/Education/How To
Apple Podcasts
#108
Norway/Education/How To

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Shame Shelf: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Q: What do you think about Eastwood's goodness?
Eastwood's character shows small acts of kindness that offer a contrast to the other two characters, positioning him as slightly better in a morally ambiguous story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About A Good Story Well Told

What is A Good Story Well Told about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the craft of storytelling, this podcast features engaging discussions between two authors, who explore both classic and contemporary narratives. The hosts analyze literature and film, examining what makes stories resonate and the techniques writers employ to engage their audience. With personal anecdotes and literary analysis, they provide listeners with insights into character development, thematic elements, and narrative structures, offering valuable takeaways for aspiring and experienced writers alike. Their shared passion for storytelling fosters a dynamic dialogue that makes the complex art accessible and enjoyable for all.

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Which podcasts are similar to A Good Story Well Told?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Good Story Well Told:

1. Read-Aloud Revival ®
2. The Literary Life Podcast
3. The Russell Moore Show
4. Scriptnotes Podcast
5. On with Kara Swisher

How many episodes of A Good Story Well Told are there?

A Good Story Well Told launched a year ago and published 17 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Good Story Well Told?

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What guests have appeared on A Good Story Well Told?

Recent guests on A Good Story Well Told include:

1. James Kennedy
2. Grace Lin
3. Lindsay Eagar

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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