Best Melanie Hill Podcasts (2024)

1
The Wife: best movie ever 25:24

3h ago25:24

25:24

Holy moly, this is a good movie! It's an especially good movie to study for anyone writing a quiet, character-driven story. THE WIFE originally aired as Episode 4 of Season 6 when Melanie was studying stakes and I was studying empathy. But honestly, this is one of those rare films that novelists (and memoirists!) can study to learn just about any s…

1
August Osage County: simply masterful 31:03

3h ago31:03

31:03

This movie is a masterclass on characters, character development, cast design and the relationships between characters. It honestly doesn't get any better than this. So no matter what kind of story you're writing, grab your notepad and dive in! -V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), su…

1
The Senior Living Experience 18:13

3h ago18:13

18:13

In this episode, I talk about the senior living transitions. In the fall of 2023, my mother, in her late 80s, lost her ability to walk, and we had a lot to figure out for her in a short amount of time. A lot of emotions were felt, and I wanted to share our experiences in the hopes of potentially helping someone else who may be going through a simil…

1
Lego Batman: ROTFL 39:35

7d ago39:35

39:35

Melanie chose Lego Batman from the vault because, in addition to being a really well-written story, it made her laugh. And that, imo, is the mark of superior writing. This episode originally aired in Season 5 when Melanie was studying resonance. If you're curious about what that is, and how it can truly enhance your storytelling, be sure to give th…

1
From Dallas to Atlanta / Auburn with Donna Brewer: the Agent-to-Agent Series 31:00

1d ago31:00

31:00

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Donna Brewer, an expert in real estate based in with a fascinating journey. After spending over 20 years in the insurance industry and taking an eight-year break as a devoted Mimi, Donna made a career shift into real estate at the age of 58. Having lived in Forsyth County since …

1
The Godfather: Valerie gets excited 50:47

14d ago50:47

50:47

Melanie and I are taking a short mid-winter/mid-summer break, so while we recharge our batteries we're reposting some of our favourite episodes starting this week with THE GODFATHER. Wow, there just aren't too many movies with this level of storytelling craft in them. I had a whole lot to say about this classic film and I know that no matter which …

1
Lionel Foster 1:11:49

15d ago1:11:49

1:11:49

Send us a Text Message. Conversation with "Lionel Foster" about his life. Thank you for listening. Host: Erick Nganyange For any questions or suggestion, please contact: ericknga7@gmail.comBy Erick Nganyange

1
Nocturnal Animals: pretty, but no story 24:26

21d ago24:26

24:26

We visit the joys of multiplot stories this week. Valerie discovers (again) the issues with multiplot stories in movies, and I investigate how the different timelines impact the narrative drive. We both learnt what happens to a story when conflict triangles and curiosity and concern are absent - a cautionary tale for writers. -M “A character can’t …

1
This Dress Is Dry Clean Only, Melanie! | 2024 British GP | Review 1:00:25

15d ago1:00:25

1:00:25

Episode Summary: Welcome to another episode of Let's Torque! Host Shaun "Sporty Spice" Polidano and co-host Aaron "Ginger Spice" Best kick off the show with lively banter, welcoming back guest Jodie (AKA Scary Spice), a favourite British expat and Lewis Hamilton fan. There is nothing more British than the Spice Girls, our theme for this week's epis…

1
The Help: put this on your list 29:01

21d ago29:01

29:01

If you're writing a story with multiple protagonists/POVs, or if you're tackling a big social issue in your story, then you'll want to study The Help. As it happens, it's also a cracking example of Conflict Triangles and Narrative Drive - and that's what Melanie and I talk about in this week's episode. - V. "The bigger the scope of the issue, the s…

1
From Dallas to Bayside with Erica Rose Siegel: the Agent-to-Agent Series 48:49

22d ago48:49

48:49

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Erica Rose Siegel, who is based in Bayside, New York. Erica is a passionate real estate professional with over 16 years under her belt; she is dedicated to transforming her clients into the most educated buyers, sellers, and investors. Erica is renowned for her genuine understan…

1
The Hills Are Alive With The Sound of A V6 Hybrid Engine | 2024 Austrian GP | Review 55:57

24d ago55:57

55:57

Episode Summary: Welcome to another episode of Let's Torque! This week, Shaun "Maria" Polidano and Aaron von Trapp guide you through the high-altitude thrills of the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. Joined by a new guest, Joe, a seasoned F1 traveller and digital guru, this episode dives deep into a weekend filled with speed, strategy,…

1
Every F1 Race Here Is a Paella of Fun | 2024 Spanish GP | Review 35:52

27d ago35:52

35:52

Episode Summary: Welcome back to Let's Torque! This week, Shaun "Slomo" Polidano and Aaron "Zorra" Best take you through the whirlwind of the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. In true Let's Torque fashion, expect Eurovision flair mixed with intense F1 action as the hosts dissect a thrilling race. Episode Timeline: Opening Shaun and Aaron introd…

1
A Simple Favor: seriously, an evil twin? 36:53

1M ago36:53

36:53

This week one of mystery writing’s deadly sins makes a guest appearance. Valerie and I discuss if the appearance is welcome or not. A Simple Favour has good examples of how Narrative Drive works - great for my topic. However, it wasn’t so good for Valerie’s study of Conflict Triangles, so we see how superficial a story can be when the conflict isn’…

1
Belfast: active v passive protagonist 33:47

1M ago33:47

33:47

In BELFAST, Kenneth Branagh does something that most, if not all, new writers do. In a movie, it's kind of hard to spot because filmmakers have access to tools (like costume design, cinematography, and a musical score) that obscure it. In a novel, it's obvious —stark even — because all we have is black text on a white page. It's laid bare for all r…

1
From Dallas to Lakeland with Kelly Fain: the Agent-to-Agent Series 27:08

1M ago27:08

27:08

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Kelly Fain, who is based in Lakeland, Florida. She is a dedicated real estate professional with 10 years of experience. A proud resident of Lakeland, FL, Kelly's journey began at Southeastern University, where she met her husband. Drawn by Lakeland's welcoming community, they ch…

1
What Lies Beneath: play the "let me guess" game 31:10

2M ago31:10

31:10

Sometimes we learn more from our mistakes than our successes - that’s my story and I’m sticking to it this week! Narrative drive is an important storytelling principle to learn and this week’s movie is an example of poor story structure resulting in terrible narrative drive. A mystery writer should have control of the information. Valerie’s study o…

1
PrimeLife Clinic - (Melanie Spencer) 54:34

1M ago54:34

54:34

Send us a Text Message. How it all started with "Primelife Clinic" with the founder Melanie L. Spencer Thank you for listening. Host: Erick Nganyange For any questions or suggestion, please contact: ericknga7@gmail.comBy Erick Nganyange

1
LGBTIQA+ History in Motorsport | Small Torque 7:32

2M ago7:32

7:32

Episode Summary: In this special bonus episode of "Let's Torque," hosts Shaun and Aaron celebrate Pride Month by diving into the vibrant history of LGBTIQA+ representation in motorsport. They spotlight trailblazing figures who have driven change and visibility in the racing world, highlighting their contributions on and off the track. Opening: Shau…

1
Doubt: a "quiet story" masterpiece 26:59

2M ago26:59

26:59

It's a brand new season and that means Melanie and I are studying two new topics: narrative drive and conflict triangles. Conflict and page-turners are usually associated with action stories, thrillers and the like. But DOUBT is a quiet, character-driven film that is so expertly crafted it grabs the viewer's attention immediately and holds it right…

1
From Dallas to Durham/Chapel Hill with Masha Halpern: the Agent-to-Agent Series 25:29

2M ago25:29

25:29

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Masha Halpern, who is based in Chapel Hill/Durham, NC. Masha is a dedicated real estate broker with over 30 years of experience in the Durham/Chapel Hill area. Masha, a proud Carolina Friends School and UNC-Chapel Hill alum, has deep roots in her community, which she lovingly ca…

1
Our Best Advice: female characters + setups and payoffs 30:23

2M ago30:23

30:23

We've reached the end of another season and so we're wrapping up our best advice and a-ha moments just for you. Tune in to hear what we have to say about writing female characters and using female archetypes. We also share why it's crucial for you to use the first half of your story to set up everything that happens in the second half. (Hint: it al…

1
Montre-Already Done Had Herses | 2024 Canadian GP | Review 50:33

2M ago50:33

50:33

Episode Summary: Join Shaun and Aaron as they dive into the thrilling and oh-so-wet Canadian Grand Prix. This week's episode is sprinkled with Celine Dion references to honour the icon and covers the weekend's strategic battles, challenging weather conditions, and standout performances. No guest this week, just the duo navigating the complexities o…

1
Hanna - women aren't small men 41:04

3M ago41:04

41:04

I have been looking forward to this episode since the start of the season. I specifically selected Hanna so we could study fight scenes and weapons handling with female characters - Hanna doesn’t disappoint. I consider aspects of female fight scenes and firing pistols. Valerie wasn’t so lucky this week. Hanna is light on story because the action sc…

1
Where'd You Go, Bernadette: deus ex machina 33:30

3M ago33:30

33:30

Quite often, stories that don't work have more to teach us than the stories that do. Maybe Maria Semple's novel (upon which this film is based), is simply one that's challenging to adapt to the screen. Whatever the case, this move has missed the mark on some basic storytelling principles (it has too many backstory info dumps, a Deus Ex Machina, and…

1
The Genius of Novellas 11:36

3M ago11:36

11:36

Novellas are the ace up your writerly sleeve! They enable you to practice all of the principles of storytelling in a shorter, more manageable form. That's going to make you a much better novelist because your story will be focused and you won't get lost in your manuscript. And oh, the best part? Novellas are on the rise. - V. *Script note: In the e…

1
You’ve Yacht To Be Kidding Me | 2024 Monaco Grand Prix | Review 59:20

3M ago59:20

59:20

Episode Summary: In this episode of Let's Torque, Shaun returns from his European escapade to join Aaron and special guest Trav in dissecting the glamorous and action-packed Monaco Grand Prix. From celebrity sightings, big yachts and slow Monaco circuit corners, the trio delve into everything that makes this Grand Prix one of the most iconic races …

1
Crazy Rich Asians: when the antagonist is more compelling than the protagonist 44:13

3M ago44:13

44:13

Crazy Rich Asians pitches two female leads against each other - sounds excellent right? Not so fast… This should set up an epic battle of wills as one fights against traditions she doesn’t understand while the other fights to retain order and tradition. This week, I find out what happens when the protagonist doesn’t plausibly match, then surpass, t…

1
Is He Gay Or European? | 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix | Review 50:05

3M ago50:05

50:05

Episode Summary: Join Shaun and Aaron, along with their extra special guest Bryce, live from Bologna, Italy, as they unpack the thrilling events of the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at the historic Imola circuit. From strategic maneuvers to breathtaking moments near the end of the race, the trio delves deep into the weekend, discussing everything …

1
Yentil: the heroine's journey 36:39

3M ago36:39

36:39

This movie was way ahead of its time. It's a brilliant example of the heroine's journey and Melanie walks us through all 10 phases as outlined in Maureen Murdock's THE HEROINE'S JOURNEY: A WOMAN'S QUEST FOR WHOLENESS. Thanks to its excellent use of setups and payoffs, it also has an ending that is both surprising and inevitable. "One of our most ha…

1
Miami, Miami, You've Got Style | 2024 Miami Grand Prix | Review 43:32

3M ago43:32

43:32

Episode Summary: In this episode of Let's Torque, Shaun and Aaron dive into the exhilarating Miami Grand Prix weekend, choc-full of motor sporting action from the F1 Sprint Race to the exciting Academy F1 races. Aaron and Shaun discuss the unique liveries and updates to some of the cars, the challenges at the tricky turn 16, and standout performanc…

1
Red Joan: meeting reader expectations 35:38

3M ago35:38

35:38

The marketing for this film highlights Judi Dench, but she's barely in it at all. As fans of hers, Melanie and I were disappointed. The movie is ok but it wasn't what we expected and that soured our experience of the story. Melanie still did a study of female archetypes and I still studied setups and payoffs, but the real lesson this week is what h…

1
"God & Architecture: How the Built Environment Influences Our Formation" with Jon Jon Wesolowski 1:21:25

4M ago1:21:25

1:21:25

"God and Architecture: How the Built Environment Influences Our Formation" Similar to how a fish is unaware of the influence of water, architecture shapes our lives. Through the grandeur of cathedrals and the brutality of concentration camps remind us of the profound power of the built world, most of our lives unfold in less dramatic settings, wher…

1
Dirty Dancing: the heroine's journey 38:20

4M ago38:20

38:20

Does the nickname "baby" bother us? Why yes, yes it does. But we've got to admit, Dirty Dancing is an excellent example of the heroine's journey, as well as female archetypes and how women are presented in stories. It also happens to be, structurally, an excellent film. It's not a complex story, but it's well-told. -V. "In the first half of your st…

1
From Dallas to Northeast Florida with Trudy Padilla: the Agent-to-Agent Series 40:52

4M ago40:52

40:52

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Trudy Padilla, who is based in St Augustine, Florida. Trudy is a seasoned real estate professional with over 30 years of experience, specializing in representing both buyers and sellers in the Northeast Florida market. With a background in mortgage lending and extensive knowledg…

1
Zero Dark Thirty: women in war zones 35:36

4M ago35:36

35:36

War stories are often the domain of ‘dick lit’ male protagonists, but is this a true representation of history and does the experience of women in war differ? In this episode, I reference historical female warriors and examines how the experiences of Maya, the protagonist in Zero Dark Thirty, compares with her wartime service. Valerie explores what…

1
From Dallas to Rhode Island with Melanie Ruiz: the Agent-to-Agent Series 27:33

4M ago27:33

27:33

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Melanie Ruiz, who is based in Rhode Island. Melanie is a future coffeeshop owner building a real estate business to help fund a life creating connections and community. Being a single mom of twins with a remote corporate job offered a lot of opportunity to find fun ways to work …

1
Living Free - (Jani Dahlin & Molly Gummert) 56:07

4M ago56:07

56:07

Send us a Text Message. How it all started with "Living Free Ministry" with the founder Jani Dahlin and one of the residence Molly Gummert Thank you for listening. Host: Erick Nganyange For any questions or suggestion, please contact: ericknga7@gmail.comBy Erick Nganyange

1
Ep #75: Embodying Trust: A Deep Dive with Jessica Smarro on Living More Fully in the Body 54:59

4M ago54:59

54:59

Today we explore the journey of embodying trust with our returning guest, Jessica Samaro. In today’s discussion, Jessica shares her experiences and the profound shifts towards a more embodied way of living. Tune in to discover: Celebrating Small Wins: Jessica kicks off with her personal reflections on the first quarter of the year, celebrating her …

1
Shang-haiiiii | 2024 Chinese Grand Prix | Review 47:38

4M ago47:38

47:38

Episode Summary: In this electrifying episode of "Let's Torque," we dove deep into the whirlwind that was the Chinese 2024 Grand Prix weekend. From Verstappen's dominating victory to the high drama of collisions and strategic gambles on the track, we covered all the angles. Special emphasis was placed on the gripping narratives behind the scenes, s…

1
Moonstruck: writing female characters 44:17

4M ago44:17

44:17

We're kicking off a brand new season with two new story concepts. Melanie will be studying female characters and how women are presented in modern stories (her work in this episode is reeeeally interesting!), and I'll be investigating something I learned from Steven Pressfield, which is that we shouldn't introduce anything new after Act 2. "Setups …

1
What do agents do? 48:04

4M ago48:04

48:04

This bonus episode was prompted by a chat I saw on Threads. It started with the question, what excites you most about having an agent? Offline, Melanie and I began to literary agents and what they do. We decided to hit record and share what we know with you. Enjoy! - V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of train…

1
Our Best Advice: left-brained stories 23:37

4M ago23:37

23:37

Left-brained stories (mysteries, crime thrillers, spy stories) are among the highest selling books on the market today. Readers can't get enough of them, and that means the bar for authors is really high because we have to create a puzzle that our readers haven't seen before. Add to this the fact that the fundamentals of storytelling work in a slig…

1
From Dallas to Austin with Allison Pflaum: the Agent-to-Agent Series 22:53

4M ago22:53

22:53

In this episode of the Agent-to-Agent series of the show, I speak with Allison Pflaum, who is based in the Austin area. Originally from Florida, Allison now lives in Kyle, just south of Austin, TX. She's a proud mother of two sons and a former teacher turned real estate entrepreneur. With over a decade of experience, she's bought and sold over 10 h…

1
"The Psychology of Reconstructing Faith After Spiritual Trauma" with Dr. Preston Hill 1:35:33

5M ago1:35:33

1:35:33

Our annual partnership with Richmont Graduate University & the Spiritual First Responders Project on the intersection of theology & psychology. The event was titled "An Evening on Trauma, Faith, & Reconstruction" and featured lectures by Dr. Hillary McBride & Dr. Preston Hill. "The Psychology of Faith Reconstruction After Spiritual Trauma" by Dr. P…

1
"Growing Ourselves Up" with Dr. Hillary McBride 54:21

5M ago54:21

54:21

Our annual partnership with Richmont Graduate University & the Spiritual First Responders Project on the intersection of theology & psychology. The event was titled "An Evening on Trauma, Faith, & Reconstruction" and featured lectures by Dr. Hillary McBride & Dr. Preston Hill. "Growing Ourselves Up: Understanding the Long Term Impact of Spiritualit…

1
Japa-no She Better Don’t | 2024 Japanese Grand Prix | Review 1:01:38

5M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Episode Summary: In this episode of Let's Torque, Shaun and Aaron are joined by Samuel, a self-diagnosed car nerd and engineer, to dissect the chess-like battles of the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. They delve into the importance of tyre strategies, the dominance of Red Bull, the top team battles and the impact of the undercut in the race. Episode…

1
The Sixth Sense: the art of the gotcha ending 36:43

5M ago36:43

36:43

Are you planning to use a twist at the end of your story? Have you ever wondered how M. Night Shyamalan pulled off this famous gotcha ending? If so, this episode is for you! Melanie does a deep dive into story twists and surprises so that you can craft an ending that delights your reader. I focused on the Central Dramatic Question which is a key pa…

1
Breakout Books v. Words on a Page 6:39

4M ago6:39

6:39

To be a career author, you must have a breakout book. And, a breakout book is one that contains a story that works. In this episode, I tell you the story of an author who didn't know the difference between a breakout book and words on a page. What happened to him will make your jaw drop. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than…

1
How to Write a Breakout Book 2:27

4M ago2:27

2:27

I just attended a training session with a literary agent who said that failure to write a breakout book is one of the most common mistakes writers make. Well sure, that's fine to say, but (1) what is a breakout book and (2) how do you write one? Well, believe it or not, that's exactly what I'm covering in the How Stories Work webinar on April 9. Ma…

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Melanie Hill Podcasts

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