Episode 64 - Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink

"Show, don't tell." It's a rule pounded into storytellers, and for good reason. Many great stories are marked by the raised eyebrow and the evocative phrase, the shimmer of recognition in the hero's eyes and the tantalizing hint of a dark past. In other words, what a character (or creator) implies can speak volumes. And that, not to put too fine a point on it, is Tim and Nick's topic this episode.

In the second half they review some of their recent reads, including books from well-known franchises/series.

So, if you happen to find yourself with a bit of extra time, perhaps you'd enjoy tuning your auditory organs to the sound of locomotive synaptic process violently running off its tracks. (Wink, wink, know what I mean?)

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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!)

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Episode 60 - The Story Goes Ever On And On

You may have noticed, if you're especially perceptive, that there are a lot of story franchises and long-running shows around. For instance, there's some sort of space opera coming out with its seventh episode this December. Seven episodes? Seriously? Isn't it time to end the thing already?

Thankfully, we have Nick and Tim here to give us the answers we need. When is it time to end a long series or franchise? They ponder this question in their fifth anniversary episode.

Then, because they know no bounds in their efforts to inform and entertain, they share yet another Bit of Story and resurrect Crackpot's Corner.

And the answer is--no. Keep making Star Wars. Forever.

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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

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Episode 45 - The One Certain Thing (Not Taxes)

Everyone knows if you're wearing a red shirt, you're going to die. And if you run out of flashbacks, you're going to die. And if you're someone's mentor, you're going to die. And if you're in a Shakespearean tragedy, you and everyone dear to you is going to die. And if you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die.

But why? What's the dramatic purpose in a character's death? In this episode of Derailed Trains of Thought, Nick and Timothy defy the Grim Reaper and scratch the surface of the ways and reasons fictional characters encounter death.

Then, for fun, we host an impromptu bracketed death match competition among a widely random selection of heroes and villains. I mean, Zantana vs. Yoshi--you've always wanted to know, right?

Someone famous once said: "Give me Derailed Trains of Thought or give me Death!" To that we say, "Listen in, and you can have both!" Enjoy!

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Episode 43 - The Child Within

Not everything's War and Peace. Thankfully. Some stories don't require a PhD. Sometimes we just want a good, simple story. So, Nick and Tim dive into the world of kidlit and kids' movies--bastion (we hope) of innocence and wonder. Why do stories aimed at kids appeal to adults? What limitations do such stories have and how can they go wrong? Tim and Nick may or may not tackle these questions in their wide-ranging discussion.

Then, in the second half, they re-imagine various classic stories (such as Citizen Kane) as cartoons and animated films. Why? Because they can. Also, there may be a mention of a certain movie involving Muppets.

So, whether you're 2 or 222, listen in to the 43rd episode of everyone's favorite podcast about storytelling!

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Episode 36 - Real "Steel"?

We're back! Again! After an extended hiatus to reflect and retool the podcast, Nick and Tim return with a new, live format for Derailed Trains of Thought! This episode was originally streamed live last week at mixlr.com, which allowed us to interact with our listener while recording as well as drastically reduce our editing time. We had a few technical snafus (early on, you'll hear music playing before we intended it to), but overall it was a fun and mostly successful first broadcast!

But what, pray tell, did we talk about? Realism in fantasy, a topic inspired by the end of the summer movie season and controversy over Man of Steel in particular. How do storytellers help audiences suspend disbelief? And how does one make a story believable while maintaining the essence of the fantastic? Tim and Nick wrestle with these questions, review some of this summer's movies, babble about their current projects, and more in the long-awaited return of Derailed Trains of Thought!

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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.

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