Derailed Trains of Thought

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! Show Notes

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 ... jwplayer('mediaspace75').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_073_Not_Another_Political_Post.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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 ... jwplayer('mediaspace75').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_073_Not_Another_Political_Post.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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. Show Notes

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 ... jwplayer('mediaspace74').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Side_Tracks_008_Star_Wars_and_Other_Stories.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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 ... jwplayer('mediaspace74').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Side_Tracks_008_Star_Wars_and_Other_Stories.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

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!

It's Christmastime, the time when families gather to celebrate the holidays, watch their favorite Christmas movies together, and read the Nativity story out loud to the kids. What better time to examine how we experience stories together! So that's just what Tim and Nick do. Then, to put theory into action, we invite our Children of the Wells co-authors to watch and respond to a Christmas episode of The Twilight Zone. Strange? Yes, but completely in line with this podcast. So, round up your loved ones, cue up your premiere podcast on storytelling, and enjoy a festive listen to episode 72 of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace73').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_072_Come_Together_Right_Now_With Story.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

It's Christmastime, the time when families gather to celebrate the holidays, watch their favorite Christmas movies together, and read the Nativity story out loud to the kids. What better time to examine how we experience stories together! So that's just what Tim and Nick do. Then, to put theory into action, we invite our Children of the Wells co-authors to watch and respond to a Christmas episode of The Twilight Zone. Strange? Yes, but completely in line with this podcast. So, round up your loved ones, cue up your premiere podcast on storytelling, and enjoy a festive listen to episode 72 of Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace73').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_072_Come_Together_Right_Now_With Story.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

It's Christmastime, the time when families gather to celebrate the holidays, watch their favorite Christmas movies together, and read the Nativity story out loud to the kids. What better time to examine how we experience stories together! So that's just what Tim and Nick do. Then, to put theory into action, we invite our Children of the Wells co-authors to watch and respond to a Christmas episode of The Twilight Zone. Strange? Yes, but completely in line with this podcast. So, round up your loved ones, cue up your premiere podcast on storytelling, and enjoy a festive listen to episode 72 of Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

We read all sorts of things everyday--tweets, emails, menus, Cracked articles, etc. But not all reading is equal. This episode Nick and Tim discuss "deep reading," the act of engaging in a text (or, similarly, in a visual story) in a real and immersive way. They ponder the why's and how's of such in-depth interaction. And, despite this episode's title, they do not once mention LOST. Then, in the second half, they "read" the experimental interactive fiction "Aisle" and its far less serious cousin, "Pick Up the Phone Booth and Aisle." So, unplug from distraction, put on your headphones, and zone in to your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace72').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_071_Get_Lost_Already.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

We read all sorts of things everyday--tweets, emails, menus, Cracked articles, etc. But not all reading is equal. This episode Nick and Tim discuss "deep reading," the act of engaging in a text (or, similarly, in a visual story) in a real and immersive way. They ponder the why's and how's of such in-depth interaction. And, despite this episode's title, they do not once mention LOST. Then, in the second half, they "read" the experimental interactive fiction "Aisle" and its far less serious cousin, "Pick Up the Phone Booth and Aisle." So, unplug from distraction, put on your headphones, and zone in to your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace72').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_071_Get_Lost_Already.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

We read all sorts of things everyday--tweets, emails, menus, Cracked articles, etc. But not all reading is equal. This episode Nick and Tim discuss "deep reading," the act of engaging in a text (or, similarly, in a visual story) in a real and immersive way. They ponder the why's and how's of such in-depth interaction. And, despite this episode's title, they do not once mention LOST. Then, in the second half, they "read" the experimental interactive fiction "Aisle" and its far less serious cousin, "Pick Up the Phone Booth and Aisle." So, unplug from distraction, put on your headphones, and zone in to your premier podcast on storytelling, Derailed Trains of Thought. Show Notes

"You probably thought you saw something up in the sky other than Venus, but I assure you, it was Venus." -"Jose Chung's From Outer Space," The X-Files Perhaps you aren't a true believer like Mulder, but even you must admit that aliens of all shapes and sizes have invaded our books, living rooms, and movie screens for decades. This episode, Tim and Nick examine how the idea of the alien works itself out in the stories around us. Then, because it's EPISODE 70, and the SIXTH ANNIVERSARY of your premier podcast on storytelling, we have a special segment--Our Take on a Bit of Live Crackpot Pun Project Brainstorming from the Intrawebs If It Was Selected For Cinema! It's just as awesome as it sounds. And it involves werewolves. So, seriously, it's Halloween, it's a new episode, we discuss aliens and werewolves...why haven't you listened yet? Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace71').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_070_Invaders_Neighbors_and_Gods.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });

"You probably thought you saw something up in the sky other than Venus, but I assure you, it was Venus." -"Jose Chung's From Outer Space," The X-Files Perhaps you aren't a true believer like Mulder, but even you must admit that aliens of all shapes and sizes have invaded our books, living rooms, and movie screens for decades. This episode, Tim and Nick examine how the idea of the alien works itself out in the stories around us. Then, because it's EPISODE 70, and the SIXTH ANNIVERSARY of your premier podcast on storytelling, we have a special segment--Our Take on a Bit of Live Crackpot Pun Project Brainstorming from the Intrawebs If It Was Selected For Cinema! It's just as awesome as it sounds. And it involves werewolves. So, seriously, it's Halloween, it's a new episode, we discuss aliens and werewolves...why haven't you listened yet? Download Show Notes Loading the player ... jwplayer('mediaspace71').setup({ 'flashplayer': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/player.swf', 'file': 'http://www.worksofnick.com/wp-content/uploads/podcasts/Derailed_Trains_070_Invaders_Neighbors_and_Gods.m4a', 'controlbar': 'bottom', 'width': '470', 'height': '24' });