The Writer's Lens

"Roofman" - Review

The story of the Roofman may sound like the makings of a B-level horror film. But it's more on the level of a tale about a polite criminal who, at the end of the day, is still just that - a criminal. My latest episode delves into what it often looks like to justify one's actions for the sake of one's own self preservation. And thereby, what consequences follow swiftly thereafter. 

Enjoy. 

Super Mario Galaxy - Review

In this 2026 inaugural episode of The Writer's Lens, we take a look at the latest Super Mario Bros. movie. I was always a big fan of Super Mario - and still am to this day - so I'll be diving into what worked, what maybe didn't, and what the future might hold for the Italian plumber. 

Shorts - "Those Who Would Take Advantage of Your Dreams"

In this reflective Short, I take a look back at when I was overeager and overly trusting of anyone I crossed paths with on my road to writing stories. 

Shorts - "Should We Care If Someone Reads or Doesn't Read Our Book?"

You publish something. Someone buys it. Maybe you know them. Maybe you don't. But does it matter if they read it so long as you sell it? Or at least know that they have a copy of it? Might seem pretty straightforward. This short little rant explores some of the psychology behind what happens when we know someone has bought, read, and then given feedback. 

News and Storytelling

The news is always updating, always changing, and seemingly always in our faces. And there's a reason for that - we love to hear stories. Good, bad, ugly - it doesn't matter. This newest short on The Writer's Lens is about the news and how storytelling is intertwined within. 

Shorts - "Should the Goal of All Creatives Be Mainstream Recognition?"

In this shorter episode of The Writer's Lens, I have some free form discussion on whether or not creatives should be working to attain mainstream recognition or not. 

As always, I trust this will garner some further thought (and perhaps action) on the topic. 

Enjoy! 

Reboots, Reboots and more Reboots....

Welcome back to The Writer's Lens! 

In this end-of-year episode, I decided to kick the podcast back into gear by discussing a few Hollywood and movie reboots. And what these reboots might be signaling about our culture - and how we view what it means to be a "man" in the 21st century. 

Enjoy and Happy New Year! 

"TMNT" and a Tale of Two Households

The Ninja Turtles are still - to some degree - a cultural phenomenon. A story about humanoid, mutant turtles who just so happen to know ninjitsu. But did you ever consider that it's a story about two fathers and how they run their households? I'm sure you didn't. So in this episode, I will attempt to lay out my argument as to why that is. And why the Turtles' story continues to be relative to each new generation that gets to know them.  

"Remember the Titans" and the Price of Leadership

The film "Remember the Titans" is mostly known for its brilliant way of portraying cultural race relations surrounding high school football in the 1970s. And though it's a very well-told and appropriate, the film is also a great example of what leadership can look like. What it takes to be a great leader and what sorts of intangibles are necessary. 

And for the sake of discussion, I do reference Michael Jordan's quote from "The Last Dance" also. 

”How To Train Your Dragon” and Dating, Courtship and ’Seeing Each Other’

What does a Dreamwork's movie have to do with dating and marriage? Or rather, what do dragons and vikings have to do with courtship? Well, here's my attempt to marry, uh, combine these two items into a singular episode. Enjoy.