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The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna
Screenwriting
Character Development
Creativity
Collaboration
Writing Process
Storytelling
Austin Film Festival
Creative Process
Hollywood
Conflict
Pixar
Film Industry
The Peanut Butter Falcon
Animation
Writing
Comedy Writing
Theme
Filmmaking
TSL Workshops
Imposter Syndrome

Welcome to The Screenwriting Life, a podcast where Oscar-nominated writer Meg LeFauve and Emmy-nominated writer Lorien McKenna discuss not only the craft and business of Screenwriting, but also the emotional life: the ups and downs of being a creative, to remind you that you are not alone and to keep writing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes328Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

Latest Episodes

In this special live episode of The Screenwriting Life from the Austin Film Festival, Meg LeFauve, Lorien McKenna, and Joe Forte invite brave writers from the audience to bring their stories to the stage for an honest, inspiring, and often hilarious ... more

This week on The Screenwriting Life, Meg LeFauve and Joe Forte sit down with Debora Cahn, creator and showrunner of Netflix's The Diplomat, for a fascinating, candid, and deeply insightful conversation about the craft of writing television.

With an ... more

YouTube

What does it take to bring one of television’s most beloved shows back to life while making it resonate with an entirely new generation?

This week on The Screenwriting Life, Lorien McKenna sits down with acclaimed writer, director, producer, and aut... more

YouTube

You know what your story is about. You know why it matters to you. You might even have a deeply personal, emotionally powerful idea at its center. But here's the question: Do you actually have a plot?

This week on The Screenwriting Life, Meg LeFauve... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Debora Cahn
Creator and showrunner of The Diplomat; television writer and producer
The Diplomat
Episode: Ep. 314 | From The West Wing to The Diplomat: Debora Cahn's Masterclass in Storytelling
Felicia Pride
Writer, director, producer, author, and creator and showrunner of Netflix's A Different World sequel
Honey Child
Episode: Ep. 313 | From Pitch to Netflix: How Felicia Pride Reimagined A Different World
Joe Forte
Writer and guest on the episode
Episode: Ep. 312 | Your LAVA Is Not Your PLOT
Jessica Sharzer
Pitching expert and writer-producer-director
Universal Television (development) and prior credits
Episode: Ep. 311 | The Quintessential PITCHING Crash Course w/ Jessica Sharzer
Khatchig Chouljian
Founder and head coach of MindBodyFit
MindBodyFit
Episode: Ep. 310 | Bringing Your Phyiscal Life To Your Writing w/ Coach Khatchig Chouljian
John Yorke
Narrative expert, author, former BBC drama controller
John Yorke's Story
Episode: EP. 309 | The Deepest Dive Into STRUCTURE w/ John Yorke
Alex Alcheh
Producer and editor of The Screenwriting Life
The Screenwriting Life
Episode: Ep. 308 | WRITING EXERCISE: Go DEEPER With Your Characters
Simran Baidwan
Writer-producer, Emmy Award winner
The Pitt (The Pitt)
Episode: Ep. 307 | Inside THE PITT'S Writers Room w/ Simran Baidwan
Betsy Beers
Powerhouse producer for film and television, Shondaland co-founder
Shondaland
Episode: Ep. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • previous 5 star rating

    disappointed to learn in the most recent episode (28 Aug 2026) that Meg uses ai. Don’t care if it’s ‘just’ for research or whatever. Yuck.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    broadcastappeal
    Australia3 months ago
  • Invaluable Encouragement and Information

    I found this podcast as a young screenwriting student and immediately connected with Meg and Lorien’s advice. Episodes continue to unfold as you re-listen with more experience and a different perspective. Grateful for this pod!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arabella_4155
    United States3 months ago
  • Changed How I Think About My Own Work

    I first came to TSL when Meg and Lorien pulled my name out of a hat for an AFF podcast episode to talk about my script Ghostboy. What I didn't expect was how much the conversations on this show would become part of the script's DNA.

    The way Meg and Lorien talk about emotional truth, character, and the stories we're afraid to tell is unlike anything else out there for writers. It's not about formula or structure for its own sake — it's about why you're telling the story you're telling. That's a d... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rkmcallister
    United States6 months ago
  • Lost its Spark

    I’ve been a longtime listener and participant on the Circle + FB communities. I know I share this sentiment with other listeners, as we’ve been talking offline about it. The show just isn’t what it used to be. If you’ve been listening for awhile you remember when it felt more authentic - like friends chatting and commiserating over the wins and trenches of this craft. Over the last few months, it’s felt like the guests, interviews and conversations are forced and the hosts have lost their authen... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RomComWriter65
    United States7 months ago
  • Craft + industry reality, in equal measure

    I’ve been on a five year journey developing my TV series pilot and this show has been my constant companion. Meg and Lorien don’t just talk craft, they give you real industry talk, the kind you’d only get if you had a seasoned mentor in your corner. I keep a running note on my iPhone of highlights from episodes and guests that I come back to regularly. Essential listening for anyone breaking into, or continuously navigating Hollywood.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aimee Christina
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience notes the show's authenticity and focus on process over hype.
Listeners praise the practical craft advice and industry insight.
The hosts are seen as supportive mentors who mix encouragement with actionable guidance.
Some critics want deeper guest vetting and more guest-driven conversations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#248
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#174
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#157
France/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#192
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#228
Germany/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#65
Norway/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 313 | From Pitch to Netflix: How Felicia Pride Reimagined A Different World
Q: What advice would you give producers and executives?
Pride encourages producers and executives to trust themselves, their taste, and the writers they work with, saying trust can lead to a deeper, more collaborative professional relationship.
Ep. 313 | From Pitch to Netflix: How Felicia Pride Reimagined A Different World
Q: What did you do in the process of creating a sequel to a beloved TV show?
Debbie Allen invited Pride to join the project while she was working on Bel-Air. Pride developed and pitched the show to Allen and executive producers before selling it to Netflix. She then wrote a pilot, participated in a pilot shoot, and reworked the pilot with a writers' room.
Ep. 314 | From The West Wing to The Diplomat: Debora Cahn's Masterclass in Storytelling
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
Cahn would tell her younger self to volunteer for challenging assignments before she feels fully qualified. She says people can learn on the job, make mistakes and fix them, and that practicing this approach in low-stakes situations can make it easier.
Ep. 314 | From The West Wing to The Diplomat: Debora Cahn's Masterclass in Storytelling
Q: What did you take from your work on West Wing and Homeland and all of your experience? How did that inform even the creation of the show?
Cahn wanted to make a show focused on foreign policy and how the United States interacts with other countries. Lessons from Grey's Anatomy, particularly Shonda Rhimes's use of twists and cliffhangers, helped her bring more dramatic momentum to The Diplomat.
Ep. 311 | The Quintessential PITCHING Crash Course w/ Jessica Sharzer
Q: How do you handle the post-pitch questions or curveballs?
Listen, acknowledge the question, and if needed propose a follow-up meeting to buy time and refine the answer rather than bluffing in the moment.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Screenwriting Life

What is The Screenwriting Life about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A craft-forward show grounded in practical screenwriting technique, industry realities, and the emotional life of writers. Episodes consistently explore character behavior under pressure, writing room dynamics, development processes, and how to balance artistry with the business side. Guests range from showrunners and producers to IP creators and up-and-coming writers, offering actionable advice on structure, pacing, world-building, and collaboration. Noteworthy is the hosts' emphasis on vulnerability, mentorship, and community, plus their recurring focus on workshop-based learning and long-form career navigation in Hollywood. For potential listeners, the podcast blends concrete craft tips with candid career insights, making it a valuable r... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Screenwriting Life?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Screenwriting Life:

1. Scriptnotes Podcast
2. Script Apart with Al Horner
3. The No Film School Podcast
4. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
5. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit

How many episodes of The Screenwriting Life are there?

The Screenwriting Life launched 7 years ago and published 328 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Screenwriting Life?

Recent guests on The Screenwriting Life include:

1. Debora Cahn
2. Felicia Pride
3. Joe Forte
4. Jessica Sharzer
5. Khatchig Chouljian
6. John Yorke
7. Alex Alcheh
8. Simran Baidwan

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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