Rephonic
Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

The Screenwriting Life with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna

Meg LeFauve & Lorien McKenna
Screenwriting
Grief
Always, Lola
Story Engine
Creative Process
Character Development
Micro Budget Filmmaking
Christmas Movies
Character Arc
Theme
Conflict
Film Production
The Holdovers
Tone
Main Relationships
Plot Goals
Wingspan
Diversity In Film
Past Lives
Nimona

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes291Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

Latest Episodes

As we close out 2025, we’re sharing a special supercut of our 2025 guests answering the Big Questions we ask every writer: What brings you the most joy when it comes to writing? What frustrates you about your writing? What advice would you give your ... more

John August and Craig Mazin - hosts of the legendary Scriptnotes podcast - join us for a wide-ranging conversation inspired by their new book, Scriptnotes: A Book About Screenwriting and Things That Are Interesting to Screenwriters.

We talk about wh... more

In this episode, THE NAKED GUN writers Doug Mand and Dan Gregor take us inside the making of one of the boldest studio comedies in years. They break down how they approached structure in a spoof film, why emotional arcs matter just as much as jokes, ... more

This week we’re celebrating one of our favorite genres: holiday movies!

Screenwriter Maggie Lane (HOTEL FOR THE HOLIDAYS) and producer Eric Jarboe (FALLING FOR CHRISTMAS, THE PRINCESS SWITCH) join us to pull back the curtain on how Christmas films a... 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.

Recent Guests

John August
Screenwriter and author, known for Aladdin and Big Fish
Quote Unquote Apps
Episode: 277 | Scriptnotes Hosts John August & Craig Mazin: The Craft Lessons That Matter Most
Craig Mazin
Multiple Emmy Award-winning writer and director of The Last of Us
HBO
Episode: 277 | Scriptnotes Hosts John August & Craig Mazin: The Craft Lessons That Matter Most
Doug Mand
Writer and producer known for The Naked Gun reboot and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Episode: 276 | The Naked Gun Writers Doug Mand & Dan Gregor on Fearless Comedy and Trusting the Process
Dan Gregor
Writer and producer recognized for multiple projects including The Naked Gun reboot and How I Met Your Mother.
Episode: 276 | The Naked Gun Writers Doug Mand & Dan Gregor on Fearless Comedy and Trusting the Process
Maggie Lane
Screenwriter and producer who began her career in development at the Jim Henson Company.
Independent Screenwriter
Episode: 275 | How Holiday Movies Get Made (ft. Screenwriter Maggie Lane & Producer Eric Jarboe)
Eric Jarboe
Co-CEO of Happy Accidents and producer with extensive experience in holiday film production.
Happy Accidents
Episode: 275 | How Holiday Movies Get Made (ft. Screenwriter Maggie Lane & Producer Eric Jarboe)
Derek Kolstad
Creator of the John Wick franchise and writer of several acclaimed films.
Episode: 274 | Derek Kolstad (John Wick, Nobody): How to Craft Character and Action on the Page
Madaline Blau
Counselor and healer, specializing in issues related to imposter syndrome
Episode: 273 | The Roots of Imposter Syndrome - Part 2
Melissa Rosenberg
Emmy-nominated TV writer and producer known for 'Jessica Jones' and 'Dexter'
Episode: 271 | Melissa Rosenberg (Jessica Jones, Dexter): Finding Your Creative Center

Hosts

Lorien McKenna
Co-host, focuses on the emotional and practical aspects of writing and being a creative.
Meg LeFauve
Co-host, known for her contributions to screenwriting and her emphasis on character development and emotional storytelling.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • GREAT listen

    Love this podcast! It’s so helpful, and they cover the exact topics I’m interested in. When I listen to it I feel like I’m getting insight into the industry but the vibe is also just right for a podcast - where you feel like you’re just sitting around with your industry friends talking shop with a glass of wine. We’re all drinking wine while we listen right? *pours glass, plays next episode*

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KristenNBallard
    United States23 days ago
  • Overall great advice, bad imposter syndrome episodes

    I want to start by saying that this is overall a great podcast. However, if we could review specific episodes I will say the two-part episode on imposter syndrome got much more “woo-woo” than practical. I honestly think these episodes neither explained what imposter syndrome is or how to combat it very practically. If you started with these episodes and didn’t like the format or info, go to the others.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Ken Carson
    United Statesa month ago
  • Favorite Podcast of All Time!!!

    Insightful questions, exciting guests, candid conversations, and heartfelt advice. I listen to this podcast whenever I need inspiration, and it always provides the comfort I want and/or the wake-up calls I need.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    fridgemangos
    United Statesa month ago
  • If you are reading this you have 20 minutes to live unless you repost this message on another podcas

    If you are reading this you have 20 minutes to live unless you repost this message on another podcast then you will be fine

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Neb8047
    United States2 months ago
  • Pure Gold!!

    Just finishing off my MA in screenwriting, and this podcast significantly reshaped my Final Major Project. So very very grateful to you all!!! 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saddhasura
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the podcast's blend of practical guidance and emotional support, often describing it as a valuable resource for aspiring screenwriters.
The candid conversations about the challenges of the writing process resonate deeply with many, providing a sense of community.
Some suggest improvements in guest focus, as they feel certain hosts dominate discussions, reducing the opportunity for diverse voices to be heard.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#197
United States/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#113
United Kingdom/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#212
Canada/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#183
France/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#206
Germany/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#233
Australia/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

276 | The Naked Gun Writers Doug Mand & Dan Gregor on Fearless Comedy and Trusting the Process
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
Be kinder to yourself, let go of perfection, and enjoy the ride while recognizing that you are doing this for a reason.
276 | The Naked Gun Writers Doug Mand & Dan Gregor on Fearless Comedy and Trusting the Process
Q: What brings you the most joy when it comes to your writing?
The joy comes from the early stages of ideas, which is filled with potential, and from seeing those ideas come to life on camera, which feels magical.
277 | Scriptnotes Hosts John August & Craig Mazin: The Craft Lessons That Matter Most
Q: What's your proudest career moment to date?
Probably somewhere around the second or third week of Chernobyl airing where it became clear that people were watching it.
277 | Scriptnotes Hosts John August & Craig Mazin: The Craft Lessons That Matter Most
Q: What pisses you off about writing?
How disconnected effort is to result. It's remarkable.
277 | Scriptnotes Hosts John August & Craig Mazin: The Craft Lessons That Matter Most
Q: What brings you the most joy when it comes to your writing?
When something just sings, I don't know how else to describe it.

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?

This podcast focuses on the intricacies of screenwriting, merging discussions on both the technical aspects of writing and the emotional challenges of the creative process. The hosts, seasoned writers, often feature guest interviews with industry professionals who share their experiences, insights, and personal anecdotes related to screenwriting, production, and navigating the film industry. Noteworthy elements include candid conversations about imposter syndrome, character development, and practical advice for aspiring screenwriters, fostering a supportive community for listeners. With a blend of practical tips and heartfelt discussions, the content appeals to both novice and experienced writers seeking guidance and inspiration.

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

How many episodes of The Screenwriting Life are there?

The Screenwriting Life launched 6 years ago and published 291 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. John August
2. Craig Mazin
3. Doug Mand
4. Dan Gregor
5. Maggie Lane
6. Eric Jarboe
7. Derek Kolstad
8. Madaline Blau

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