Episode 102 - Character Developing, Please Wait...

Side Track 9 - The Last, Final Jedi Fantasy XV

Episode 73 - Not Another Political Post!

You may have noticed that political discussions are a thing on the Internet. This is not one of those.

However, politics show up in stories as well. Why? Do we really want to spend an hour watching people debate each other? Is this another tale of trade route taxation and blockades? Does walking through hallways while talking policy make everything more exciting? Tim and Nick look at what politics can add to a story that another round of fisticuffs can't.

Then in "What If?" we throw various fictional races into the same world and see how they manage to navigate their differences. So, whether you want to join the Wookie-Fraggle-Noldor Alliance or prefer the rule of the Nazi-Hutts, I'm sure you'll want to get off social media and enjoy the wit and wisdom that is Episode 73 of your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Side Track 8 - Star Wars and Other Stories

Sneaking in at the end of 2016, here's a two-part Side Track. The first half consists of a discussion on some of our favorite stories of the year, cut from Episode 72, after we discussed "Five Strangers in Search of an Exit" with the Children of the Wells crew.

The second half includes Tim and Nick's thoughts on Rogue One--because we like to talk Star Wars from time to time.

Enjoy and Happy New Year!

Download

Loading the player ...

Episode 69 - Do You Hear the Story Sing?

Books and movies are not merely entertainment. At their best (and too rarely), they draw us out of ourselves and touch us in deep places, sometimes in a way almost spiritual. Your faithful hosts, Tim and Nick, have decided to take some time to examine this special work that stories can do.

Then they have an end-of-big-projects Project Update and their annual summer movie recap in Our Take on Tales. Add a bit of Beethoven and their regular wit, and you have the makings of a truly extraordinary episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Side Track 7 - The Force Awakens

If you've ever listened to Derailed Trains of Thought, you know that Tim and Nick mention Star Wars almost every episode.  If you're not living in a cave, you know that a new Star Wars movie just came out.

I'll give you three guesses what this Side Track discussion is about. The first two guesses don't count.

Joining Nick and Tim is Weekly Hijack contributor and fellow Star Wars fan Zach Hayden.

SPOILER WARNING! Do NOT listen to this if you haven't seen the movie.

Download

Loading the player ...

Episode 62 - 'Tis the Setting

It's that time of year, the time we've been waiting for for months. Yep, that's right, it's finally Christmas! (Also: Star Wars opening!)

As you settle down to watch your favorite Christmas movie (also: space opera), one thing you'll notice right away--the setting. You know, the lights and carols and snow and roast beast. (Also: the cool spaceships and laser-swords and aliens and mysterious masked villains.) This episode Tim and Nick examine the various ways setting affects story, both consciously and unconsciously.

They follow up with a lightning round review of recent movies and TV shows, and finally end with some observations on how a certain science-fiction pop culture touchstone has infected everything in the entire world. Except our podcast, obviously.

Merry Christmas! (Also: May the Force be with you!)

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 59 - Creativity is Nine-Tenths of the Law

Once upon a time, a young man found a story in the woods. He fed it and raised it and, when it had grown, he let it out into the wild. Later, a band of merchants tamed the story and took it with them on their tour of the world. Boys and girls everywhere loved the story and dreamed of the story and began, in their own way, to look after the story, until it grew into a legend. Two intrepid podcasters then heard of the story and asked each other, "Okay, but who owns it?"

And that, dear listeners, is how Tim and Nick came upon this episode's Story School. Scout's honor.

Afterwards they tackle their annual "Take on Tales: Summer Movie Edition," so you can bathe in the last remembrances of summer days before fall. So whether your enjoying an early pumpkin spice latte or still desperately trying to sunbathe, this is our podcast, and you'd best listen to it.

© 2015 Loco-Notion Productions

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 53 - You Gotta Kiss the Girl

It doesn't matter if you're all bloody. It doesn't matter if a mad scientist is about to complete his nefarious plot. It doesn't matter if you don't know if you really love her or if you love that girl back home instead. Tensions are high. Lives are at stake. You know what you have to do--you gotta kiss the girl!

Romance is a great spice to all sorts of stories, and in this episode your hosts Nick and Tim talk romantic subplots, action hero damsels in distress, love triangles, and all manner of relational drama.

Then, in the resurrection of Crackpot's Corner, Tim shares some plot ideas he received from dreams, including an intriguing political thriller filled with presidential doubles and, somehow, Neil Patrick Harris.

Join us for Episode 53! Come on. You know you love us.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 52 - "...And I'll Tell You Exactly How He Did It!"

"Show, don't tell." It's a rule pounded into storytellers...but are there times when telling is better? After all, you can't show everything, can you? Exposition is an essential part of storytelling, and your hosts Tim and Nick examine the good, the bad, and the ugly of explanation, narration, and good old-fashioned info-dumps.

Afterward, they try their hand at flipping "showing" and "telling" in famous scenes from movies and books in their newest installment of "What If?" So, to get to the point: Hit play and listen to the newest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 51 - Wanted: Three Ghosts for One Night Job

"There goes Mr. Humbug. / There goes Mr. Grim. / If they gave a prize for bein' mean, / The winner would be him." Everyone knows it's not Christmas without Ebenezer Scrooge, so we're examining A Christmas Carol this December as we discuss the presentation of redemption in fiction.

Then, because nothing says "Christmas is coming!" like a run of big releases in the theater, (not Tiny) Tim and (not Saint) Nick discuss their favorite recent movies, including Interstellar, Mockingjay Part 1, Big Hero 6, and a lesser known Muppet Christmas special.

Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and in the oft-repeated but always wonderful words of Tiny Tim, "God bless you, every one!"

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 49 - Write It Again, Sam

Writing is revision and a movie is discovered in the editing room. Or so "they" tell us. Isn't vision enough? If not, how do we go about casting our re-vision anyway? Tim and Nick take up the topic with their usual flair in Episode 49 of Derailed Trains of Thought.

Then, just because, they try their hand at revising popular movies and books--because, that's what people do now, you know? Listen in! Enjoy! Take notes! And remember, next up is our 50th podcast extravaganza!

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 35 - Now The Page Was Formless and Void

A new year brings new beginnings...like a new podcast about beginnings!

That's right, after starting with endings way back in Episode 1, Nick and Tim come full circle to the beginning of things.

Whether it's how best to start a story or why audiences like origins so much, your premiere storytelling podcast has you covered. And don't miss as Tim and Nick give their obligatory two cents about who should direct Star Wars in What IF? and share a very important Project Update.

So, hang up your new cat calendar, sign up for that gym membership, and listen in to the latest episode of Derailed Trains of Thought. After two years, we're just getting started.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 33 - How to be Timeless

We're alive! Tim and Nick emerge from their summer hiatus with an instant classic! It's a modern masterpiece! A genre-setting podcast! The best audio entertainment since "War of the Worlds"!

...

Or, at least, we discuss what makes a work of fiction "classic," and that has to be worth something, right?

We follow up with A Bit of Story from the "so-unknown-it-must-be-classic" Story Project and finish with a mini Take on Tales. So, if you've been pining for some Derailed Trains of Thought, we've got you covered. It might not be Shakespeare, but who wants to read that ancient fuddy-duddy stuff anyway?

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...

Episode 30 - The Droids You're Looking For

C-3PO. Short Round. Dr. Watson. That funny guy from National Treasure. Just because a character isn't the focus of a story, it doesn't mean he can't make an impression. So, Timothy Deal, with sidekick Nick (or is it Nick Hayden, with sidekick Tim?) take a look at what makes good supporting characters and why they're so essential.

Also with us is our own supporting character, Brian Scherschel, who presents Frank Capra's Lost Horizon, a movie that takes the viewer to Shangri-La and back. What more can you ask from the 30th(!) episode of your premiere storytelling podcast? We've been gone awhile, but one listen, and it'll be like we've never left. Like riding a bike. Or something.

Download

Show Notes

Loading the player ...