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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes323Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

Latest Episodes

Today Joe Forte is join by fitness coach, Khatchig Chouljia for a very different way of attacking the writing process.

Coach Khatcho is s the founder and head coach of MindBodyFit, a private fitness and health coaching studio based in Glendale, Cali... more

Meg LeFauve is joined by fellow story junkie and world-leading expert in narrative and a winner of multiple awards, including BAFTAs and a Golden Globe, John Yorke. John's first book, Into the Woods: How Stories Work and Why We Tell Them

His newest ... more

Lorien McKenna is joined by TSL producer Alex Alcheh for a really exciting exercise.

Get out your pen and paper, make 4 quadrants and follow along.

Lorien asks specific questions about YOUR LIFE to unlock the depth a character should have. They di... more

Meg LeFauve is joined by Simran Baidwan, former power house lawyer turned brilliant writer and executive producer of HBO's hit show, THE PITT.

Simran's thorough and eloquent advice for emerging writers mixed with her raw and real honesty about why ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Jennifer L. Armentrout
Romance/fantasy author; host of Polycon and The Origin Event
Author
Episode: Ep. 304 | A Tapesetry of World Building and Characters w/ Jennifer L. Armentrout
Eva Anderson
Writer and producer; executive producer and co-show runner on Margo's Got Money Troubles
Episode: Ep. 302 | Finding The Authenticity & Tone Of Margo's Got Money Troubles w/ Eva Anderson
Courtney A. Kemp
Showrunner and writer, co-creator of NEMESIS
Netflix (NEMESIS)
Episode: Ep. 301 | The Shakespearean Level Stakes of NEMESIS w/ Courtney A. Kemp
Andrew Jay Cohen
Writer, director, and producer known for Neighbors and The House
Episode: Ep. 299 | Lessons From Judd Apatow & Being In The Cut! w/ Andrew Jay Cohen

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
    Australia15 days 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 Statesa month 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 States4 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 States5 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 States5 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
#164
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#181
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#232
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#31
India/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#90
Mexico/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#92
Saudi Arabia/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP. 309 | The Deepest Dive Into STRUCTURE w/ John Yorke
Q: What makes a great climactic action, especially in the context of TV versus film?
The essence is a biggest possible confrontation on the antagonist's turf, with a reversal that feels both inevitable and surprising, designed to trigger a strong emotional and dopamine response in the audience.
EP. 309 | The Deepest Dive Into STRUCTURE w/ John Yorke
Q: What is the significance of the midpoint in Moonlight and Inside Out, and how does it relate to the protagonist's journey toward consciousness?
The midpoint is where the lesson becomes fully confronted by the character, creating a crisis that tests the newly formed understanding; it marks a moment of heightened awareness that the rest of the story must grapple with, leading to the end of Act 2.
EP. 309 | The Deepest Dive Into STRUCTURE w/ John Yorke
Q: Can you talk to me a little bit about three acts and five acts, and how each takes chaos and creates order?
Yorke explains that five acts extend and refine the three-act structure, offering more turning points that help illuminate how the second act unfolds, while still preserving the core arc of setup, escalation, midpoint, crisis, and resolution.
Ep. 307 | Inside THE PITT'S Writers Room w/ Simran Baidwan
Q: What craft choices help keep humor and levity amidst intense medical drama?
We integrate gallows humor and small, human moments to provide relief, while ensuring tone stays authentic and actors' performances carry the emotional weight without undercutting the drama.
Ep. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers
Q: What advice does Betsy give about development for writers?
Be precise about what isn't working, maintain the writers' voice, and avoid giving options that confuse the writer; provide clear, constructive feedback that helps the writer stay true to their vision.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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. The No Film School Podcast
3. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
4. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
5. The Business

How many episodes of The Screenwriting Life are there?

The Screenwriting Life launched 7 years ago and published 323 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. Khatchig Chouljian
2. John Yorke
3. Alex Alcheh
4. Simran Baidwan
5. Betsy Beers
6. Jennifer L. Armentrout
7. Eva Anderson
8. Courtney A. Kemp

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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