Rephonic
Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes321Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

Latest Episodes

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

Betsy Beers is a stallwart producer of film and television having been the creative partner of Shonda Rhimes at Shondaland since its inception, shepherding every project the company has ever produced from Grey's Anatomy to Bridgerton.

Lorien, Meg an... more

Act two is every emerging AND professional writers white whale. It is consistently the most challenging part of writing a screenplay and yet the most critical.

Lorien and Meg dive deep into how to approach Act Two, offering a piece by piece breakdow... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Scriptnotes Podcast
Scriptnotes PodcastJohn August and Craig Mazin
The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
The Director’s Cut - A DGA PodcastDirectors Guild of America

Recent Guests

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
Albertina Rizzo
Emmy-nominated writer-producer from New York City
Alber­tina Rizzo (writer/producer)
Episode: Ep. 298 | The Layers That Build The Muppets Special w/ Albertina Rizzo & Kelly Younger
Jeremy Slater
Writer/Producer known for Umbrella Academy, Mortal Kombat II, etc.
Writer/Producer
Episode: Ep. 297 | The Craft Of Creating An IP Based Action Film w/ Jeremy Slater

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • 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 States15 days 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 States3 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 States4 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
  • Portable Writer's Group

    I love this show, been a listener for years.

    However, I have a hard time staying focused on the show, because as soon as Meg and Lorien start talking my writer brain goes wild!

    The simple act of listening to this show has helped me fix story problems I was having.

    Thanks for such a great problem!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aiden H R
    Canada6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience often mentions the show as a crucial resource during writing projects and career pivots.
Listeners praise practical craft guidance paired with honest, mentor-like conversations.
Some critique guests or formats as repetitive; many still value the depth and authenticity.
Fans appreciate the balance of business realities and emotional aspects of writing.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#112
Australia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#121
Italy/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#25
Saudi Arabia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#68
India/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#117
Indonesia/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#138
Sweden/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Ep. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers
Q: What makes a great climactic moment in a pilot or season?
It hinges on an engine that creates unresolvable tension and evolving stakes, not just a neat ending; the climactic moment should reveal who the characters are becoming and how the story will continue.
Ep. 306 | The Importance Of Being A Writer Advocate w/ Betsy Beers
Q: Why did Betsy find producing a better fit for her than acting?
She felt acting required more patience and was less compatible with how she wanted to work, so producing allowed her to shape projects and advocate for writers.
Ep. 304 | A Tapesetry of World Building and Characters w/ Jennifer L. Armentrout
Q: What are you listening to lately?
Jennifer talks about listening to political podcasts for information and humor, and using that mix to stay informed without losing her sense of humor.

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 The Screenwriting Life

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

The show centers on craft, business, and the emotional life of screenwriting. Hosts Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna interview a rotating roster of successful writers, showrunners, and filmmakers to unpack scene structure, collaboration, genre trends, and the realities of navigating Hollywood. Episodes frequently blend practical craft tips with reflections on career journeys, mentorship, and the emotional challenges of writing, making it a go-to resource for writers seeking actionable guidance and authentic industry context. A standout trait is the duo's emphasis on emotional truth and vulnerability, offering a mentorship-like vibe that appealingly mixes deep craft with real-world hustle and personal growth.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Screenwriting Life?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Screenwriting Life. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Screenwriting Life and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Screenwriting Life get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Screenwriting Life, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Screenwriting Life?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Screenwriting Life, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Screenwriting Life have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Screenwriting Life has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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 6 years ago and published 321 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 The Screenwriting Life?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Screenwriting Life?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Screenwriting Life from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Screenwriting Life?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Screenwriting Life. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Screenwriting Life?

Recent guests on The Screenwriting Life include:

1. Alex Alcheh
2. Simran Baidwan
3. Betsy Beers
4. Jennifer L. Armentrout
5. Eva Anderson
6. Courtney A. Kemp
7. Andrew Jay Cohen
8. Albertina Rizzo

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days