5AM StoryTalk

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.
On the itinerary today: I turned in my pilot script! - producer reaction/notes anxiety - final podcast episode of 2025 - the Bondi Beach terror attack hits close to home for me - the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner - Bret Easton Ellis on why he writes - by contrast, why Rob Reiner made films - trying to make the world a better place than it really is - all kinds of gratitude to you, you, and you in the back - when 5AM StoryTalk will be back.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'
⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠
You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE
⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠
A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LINKS
Read 'Rob Reiner's Murder and the Decline of Cultural Empathy in 2025' from 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/rob-reiner-murder-cultural-empathy-2025
Social Media:
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠
⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠
⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠
Email:
⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠
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5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is provided by my brilliant friend Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE is one of the most beloved Christmas films ever made. But the real reason behind the holiday classic’s enduring popularity isn’t what you might think it is - and it ensures you can never get bored of it
Spoiler: It’s not because life is all that wonderful.
This is an audio essay about growing up and older, grief, and why we’re all George Bailey.
If you’re a storyteller, you’re going to glean plenty from this episode, too.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'
⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠
You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928
A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LINKS
Early ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXsu5XArEUw
Listen to Cinco Paul’s 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, in which he breaks down his favorite scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-cinco-paul-talks-its-a-wonderful-life/id1807437928?i=1000738755558
Listen to Cinco Paul’s 5AM StoryTalk bonus episode, in which he breaks down his favorite scene from ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its
Read my essay ‘Where The Love Light Gleams (Or: Christmas as Ritualized Trauma)’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/where-the-love-light-gleams-or-christmas?utm_source=publication-search
Watch ‘30 Hard-to-Find Christmas TV Specials Free on YouTube’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to-find-christmas-tv-specials?utm_source=publication-search
 Read ‘'Die Hard' Is the Only Christmas Movie That Bridges America's Political Divide’ at 5AM StoryTalk: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/die-hard-is-the-only-christmas-movie?utm_source=publication-search
 Read ‘One Surreal Christmas Day: When Bing Crosby Met David Bowie’: One Surreal Christmas Day: When Bing Crosby Met David Bowie’: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/one-surreal-christmas-day-in-1977?utm_source=publication-search
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠
⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠
⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠
EMAIL
⁠[email protected]
-
5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

What do Hallmark Christmas films reveal about the state of our world? Why do millions of people turn to these stories every December for comfort and connection?
Power Ranger – ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops’ agent – one of the best parts about Christmas. Today, I’m joined by actress (and dear friend) ERIN CAHILL. In this deeply intimate episode of 5AM StoryTalk, we go far beyond the IMDB credits. We explore the "spirituality of acting," the concept of art as a life of service, and why her latest film, 'Christmas at the Catnip Café', holds a special place in her heart.
Expect non-stop laughs, profound insights into the creative life, and a look at what the holidays truly mean when the cameras stop rolling.
BONUS EPISODE
A bonus ep with Erin is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. In it, we discuss a seminal piece of art from her life: William Shakespeare’s “THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN” MONOLOGUE from ‘As You Like It’. You might know it as the ‘all the world’s a stage’ monologue. As a child, it changed how Erin looked at acting.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-erin-cahill-talks-shakespeares-the-seven-ages-of-man/id1807437928?i=1000740139937
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-erin-cahill-talks-shakespeares
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'
https://colehaddon.substack.com/
You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928
A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LINKS
Learn more about Erin Cahill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Cahill
Watch the trailer to ‘Christmas at the Catnip Café’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiEk71bRse4
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠
⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠
⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠
EMAIL
⁠[email protected]
-
5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. https://www.carybrothers.com/

5AM RealTalk is a 5AM StoryTalk plog where I discuss the highs and lows of my life as a screenwriter/novelist and human being.
On the itinerary today: I bought a house in Australia! – 35% off 5AM StoryTalk Newsletter & Podcast yearly subscriptions – my favorite Christmas movie – Joey Ramone on what punk really means – sayonara, Hollywood – ‘The Bishop’s Wife’ is a perfect film, fight me – how I ended up Down Under – caring really is punk, thank you very much, James Gunn – SE London the greatest place to live on Earth? – the real meaning of Christmas – it’s not socialism, you idiot – conservative misreadings of Christmas movies crack me up – don’t be a dick.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE
⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠
A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a foundational artwork from their lives.
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LINKS
Watch 'The Bishop's Wife': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o9SskdQWzw
Listen to 'Schmigadoon' creator Cinco Paul discuss 'It's a Wonderful Life' at the 5AM StoryTalk Podcast: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its?utm_source=publication-search
Read more about my thoughts regarding Cary Grant's two greatest performances (including 'The Bishop's Wife'): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/cary-grant-was-far-more-than-just?utm_source=publication-search
Watch 30 hard-to-find Christmas TV specials for free at 5AM StoryTalk (personally curated by me): https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/30-hard-to-find-christmas-tv-specials?utm_source=publication-search
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'
⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠
You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL
⁠[email protected]
-
5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠

The 'Despicable Me' films — 'The Secret Life of Pets' — 'Schmigadoon!'. This week, I'm joined by screenwriter CINCO PAUL whose credits include these titles and many, many more. We’re about to discuss his life, craft, and becoming the writer he always wanted to be 25 years into his career.
This is is an incredibly illuminating deep dive into professional success and how that can sometimes become a cage. Cinco and I are also going to get very granular about screenwriting craft, more so than maybe any other episode in 5AM StoryTalk's history.
Pay attention, screenwriters: This is a masterclass in staying true to your artistic voice while navigating the highest levels of Hollywood.
A BONUS EPISODE is available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at ⁠Substack⁠. Screenwriters, do not pass this up! Cinco returns to discuss a foundational piece of art from his life Frank Capra’s 1946 masterpiece, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Specifically, we dig into the 'telephone scene' where George Bailey professes his love to Mary Hatch. If you want to understand how to write subtext, longing, and life-changing character beats, this analysis is essential listening.
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-cinco-paul-talks-its-a-wonderful-life/id1807437928?i=1000738755558
Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-cinco-paul-talks-its
LINKS
Learn more about Cinco: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_Paul_and_Ken_Daurio
Read the pilot script to 'Schmigadoon!': https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Schmigadoon-It-Starts-On-The-Page.pdf
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK NEWSLETTER'
⁠⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠⁠
You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including exclusive bonus episodes in which my guests discuss seminal pieces of art from their lives. Ask questions in the comments section there, too!
SUBSCRIBE TO THE '5AM STORYTALK PODCAST' AT APPLE
⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/5am-storytalk/id1807437928⁠⁠
A paid subscription at Apple will get you access to all of my bonus episodes in which my guests return to break down a seminal artwork from their lives.
TIP JAR
Not up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow Cole/5AM StoryTalk at…
⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/5amstorytalkpodcast/⁠⁠⁠
Cole Haddon @ Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere/⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/Colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠
EMAIL
⁠[email protected]
-
5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.
This podcast's music is by ⁠⁠Cary Brothers⁠⁠. ⁠⁠https://www.carybrothers.com/⁠⁠