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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
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes318Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
TV & Film

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Artwork for The Screenwriting Life

Latest Episodes

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

Jennifer L. Armentrout, the phenomenal New York Times Bestselling author of the Flesh and Fire Series, The Blood and Ash Series and so much more, dives deep with Lorien McKenna.

They discuss Jennifer's process and how she keeps such high concept sci... more

Meg, Joe and Lorien have another round of The ULTIMATE Adventures In Screenwriting. Diving into their weeks which always leads to deep thoughts and important realizations.

The thesis for today's episode how to live in the mess. Not fear it, not try ... more

Meg LeFauve is joined by co-showrunner of the hit Apple series, Margo's Got Money Troubles, Eva Anderson, to talk all things crafting one of the best series of the year.

She gives keen insight into her time on Your The Worst, where she really learne... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Kelly Younger
Screenwriter, playwright, Emmy-nominated producer
Kelly Younger
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
Melissa Rosenberg
Head writer of Dexter
Dexter (TV)
Episode: 295 | What Are The Elements Of A Good Scene? SUPERCUT
Derek Kolstad
Writer and Creator of John Wick
John Wick
Episode: 295 | What Are The Elements Of A Good Scene? SUPERCUT

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.9k ratings
  • 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 States2 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 States3 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 States3 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
    Canada5 months ago
  • I need your books!

    Hi Meg and Lorien,

    I heard Meg mention in an episode a few weeks ago that she was writing a novel, and Lorien said in the latest episode with Chandler Baker that she is writing a book. Please let this be true! I really need to read books written by both of you. I would love to hear about your experiences writing in a different medium. I really hope I get to see your novels on bookshelves in Spain very soon.

    Thanks again for the podcast and for everything you do for the writing community.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pori00
    Spain5 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
#59
Belgium/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#75
South Africa/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#84
Netherlands/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#111
Brazil/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#116
Spain/TV & Film
Apple Podcasts
#146
Russia/TV & Film

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Ep. 302 | Finding The Authenticity & Tone Of Margo's Got Money Troubles w/ Eva Anderson
Q: What's your proudest career moment to date?
The courtroom baby moment—watching Graham say da-da on camera during a high-stakes scene, a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of talent, timing, and a living, breathing baby on set.
Ep. 302 | Finding The Authenticity & Tone Of Margo's Got Money Troubles w/ Eva Anderson
Q: If you could have coffee with your younger self, what advice would you give?
Don't be too afraid or harsh on yourself; every step, even the slow ones, counts toward your growth and eventual career breakthroughs.
Ep. 302 | Finding The Authenticity & Tone Of Margo's Got Money Troubles w/ Eva Anderson
Q: What pisses you off about writing and show running?
The illusion of a perfect first draft; the painful process of drafting garbage before landing on something workable, which is an inevitable humiliating but necessary step.
Ep. 302 | Finding The Authenticity & Tone Of Margo's Got Money Troubles w/ Eva Anderson
Q: What brings you the most joy?
The problem-solving on the fly when a big issue comes up and is resolved in a way that makes the show better, turning tight moments into living, breathing TV magic.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

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?

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How many listeners does The Screenwriting Life get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Screenwriting Life?

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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. The Director’s Cut - A DGA Podcast
4. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
5. Team Deakins

How many episodes of The Screenwriting Life are there?

The Screenwriting Life launched 6 years ago and published 318 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?

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

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What guests have appeared on The Screenwriting Life?

Recent guests on The Screenwriting Life include:

1. Jennifer L. Armentrout
2. Eva Anderson
3. Courtney A. Kemp
4. Andrew Jay Cohen
5. Albertina Rizzo
6. Kelly Younger
7. Jeremy Slater
8. Melissa Rosenberg

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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