Derailed Trains of Thought

As spring comes, people everyone develop wanderlust. They want to get out, to travel and see the world. Well, guess what? Plenty of fictional characters travel, too. In this episode, Timothy and Nick examine the role of the journey in stories. Then, in the second half, they send various fictional characters on vacation in What If? So whether you're off exploring some distance realm or stuck at home doing dishes, why don't you let us take you on a little journey? Join us for episode 86 of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

If there's anything we repeatedly reference on Derailed Trains of Thought (and there's plenty), Star Wars and Final Fantasy are certainly in the Top 10. So, in today's Side Track we bring you lost recordings on both unearthed for the public--first, Tim and Nick's annual discussion of a new Star Wars movie (The Last Jedi, now available on Blu Ray...so, better late than never?), and then Tim's thoughts on Final Fantasy XV's DLC content. Whether you are as into droids and Chocobos as much as we are or just miss hearing our lovely voices, join us for some indepth geeky discussions about two of pop culture's long-lived franchises!

If the movie Inside Out taught us anything, it's that Sadness has a place, and so your intrepid hosts, Timothy and Nick, enter the Swamp of Sadness for this episode's Story School to discuss the place of sorrow in stories. Then, on a lighter note, they respond to some Listener Feedback, tell A Bit of Story, and revist a not-that-old topic in Previously On. So be sad no longer, dear audience, and dry your tears, for we have returned for yet another episode of your premeire podcast on story telling, the one and only Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

It's 2018, and we're back with Episode 84 of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling! The facts: Story School, simple vs. complex plots; Our Take on Tales, our 2017 reads In other words: Your hosts, Timothy Deal and Nicholas Hayden, tackle the plot continuum, meaning those plots ranging from shoot-'em-up action-movie simple to multi-volume worldbuilding metaphysical complex, examining the strengths and weakness of each, while all-the-while bantering and throwing out their trademark examples. Then, after a rousing Soundtrack, they present an overview of the various literary pleasures consumed during the past year in the hope of encouraging listeners to pick up a novel they may not have read before. Finish the delightful experience with another rousing soundtrack. The long and short of it? Listen in and enjoy! Show Notes

It's Christmas! And among the many things people think about during the holidays, family is a big one. But did you know families also show up in stories? They do! So this holiday season Timothy and Nick examine the role of families in the stories we consume. Did we mention it was Christmas? Well, no Christmas is complete without a Christmas Special, and the second half of this podcast isn't complete without a Special Christmas Contest about Christmas Specials! So here's our gift to you this season, the 83rd episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Merry Christmas! Show Notes

You may not want to judge a book by its cover, but why not judge a character by his clothes? We can talk all day about motivation and emotional turmoil, but, seriously, can you believe what Effie Trinket is wearing? So, Timothy and Nick discuss what a character's appearance tells us about who the character really is. Then we tackle another What If? and pit our creative powers against an abstract noun generator to create a number of, er, "interesting" character sketches. Listen in to Episode 82 of your premiere podcast on storytelling. You may not know what we look like, but from the sounds of our voices we must devilishly handsome. Show Notes

If you're reading this, chances are you have eyes. And if you have eyes, I'll wager you tend to see things, you know, things like images. And while words are fascinating and important (see episode 79), we would be remiss if we didn't discuss the power of images in storytelling. And so was birthed this episode! Then, in the second half, we unleash a smorgasbord of segments--A Bit of Story, It Came From the Intrawebs, and even, yes, Pun Times! So listen in to episode 81 of Derailed Trains of Thought and let's SEE whether we can't have a good time. Show Notes

It's our 7th anniversary! In celebration, we opened up the mailbag, signed-in to the gmail, scoured Messenger, and kept our ears open. You had questions for us, your intrepid hosts, and we dedicate the first half of our 80th episode to answering your most burning questions! Then, back to tradition--our annual summer movie review! Listen in as we listen to you! Show Notes

Words. Since you were knee-high to a grasshopper, you've been bombarded by them. Flash cards, spelling bees, Facebook comments from people who haven't learned how to use gifs yet...they're everywhere. Sometimes we take them for granted, and sometimes we think words are a dying breed, to be replaced by their new overlords, the image. What have Timothy and Nick to SAY about that? (With words, I might add.) Guess you'll have to find out. Then in the second half, we discuss a strange book called the Book of Strange New Things, and Timothy comments on some rumblings in Muppetdom. It's episode 79! Listen in! Show Notes via GIPHY

Here at Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling, we like to discuss, well, telling stories. So this episode we unpack the assertion that EVERYTHING is story...or, at least, it can be if looked at right. Then, in our second half, Tim unearths some strange videos from the Intrawebs to see Nick react. Hilarity ensues. Part philosophical, part ridiculous, and entirely awesome, episode 78 is here! Listen in! Show Notes

There are many different types of logic in the world. Logic states that 1+1=2. It also states that your ability to survive a cataclysmic disaster exponentially increases if you are a well-loved furry animal. In other words, some logic is, well, logical, while other logic is more, shall we say, emotional. Or so Timothy and Nick discuss in this month's Story School. Encouraged by these findings, they decide to test just how much a world run by story logic would affect their lives in "What If?" Throw in a Project Update and you have episode 77 of Derailed Trains of Thought, your premiere podcast on storytelling--whether you like it or not. Show Notes

Worldview. It's one of those terms thrown around by people who like to talk about big ideas. So, of course, Tim and Nick have decided to talk about it. Every story presents a way of looking at the world. How can a reader/viewer navigate these different points of view? How can a writer use an awareness of worldview to sharpen his own work? Listen in and see if Tim and Nick can help you out. Then, in a new What If? section, our fearless hosts imagine what kind of stories famous philosophers, politicians, and scientists would write as an expression of their worldview. (It's a lot more fun than it sounds.) So, come listen in on this 65th episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling. Assuming you find podcasts morally acceptable, of course. Show Notes

Before people got all smartypants and started talking about atoms and neurons and Newtonian physics, the great storytellers understood how the world worked--because gods, yo. And though mythology is still used as source material, there's something unique about how it approaches the world in its basic form. Or so Tim and Nick surmise as they examine the subject and insert gratuitous references to "Till We Have Faces." Then, after another Bit of Story, they introduce yet another new segment, "Previously On...", where they revisit topics covered in podcasts of ages past. In this case, they add new understanding to their original coversation about reboots and sequels. So listen in to Derailed Trains of Thought, the podcast that is a legend in its own time. Maybe. Or not. Show Notes

For most of us, Friday comes after Thursday, college comes sometime after preschool, and death follows taxes. For those living in a story world, however, life is not necessarily so simple. Dinner might be interrupted by a memory of childhood before you reach dessert, and you may very well may be cold in a tomb before you make a name for yourself on the battlefield. Stories, unlike life, are not always linear, as Timothy and Nick discuss in this epsiode’s Story School. Then we head off to Our Take on Tales, where Nick reviews one of the most popular books of all time and Timothy discusses the latest in one of the most popular RPG video game series of all time. Jump right in! We started at the end, and we’ve been jumping around ever since. No need to go in order, as long as you enjoy!

Remember back in January when you made that resolution? Yeah, that one. How's that going for you? If you're like most people, you've either given up on it or decided not to make one at all. Still, most of us would like to make goals that we follow through on, so Tim and Nick talk with Zach Hayden, our local productivity guru, on ways to help us follow through on the changes we want to make. Afterward we indulge in a long overdo Bit of Story, some Project Update, and perhaps another short yet ridiculous segment. So, put us on your To Do list and resolve to improve your day with another episode of your premiere podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought! Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace75').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_074_Goal_Make_Better_Goals.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });