Meg and Lorien — thank you so much for making this show. It keeps me company on those long LA drives… 😎

Great podcast all around, a must-listen if you're serious about writing a screenplay or learning more about how the tv/film industry works. The hosts each offer a difference perspective and you can bet one of them will resonate with you. My favorite episodes are the ones where Meg, Lorien, Jeff, and the interns talk among themselves about the business and their own experiences, or answer questions from the mailbag. I've learned so much to upgrade my own scripts--thank you Meg, Lorien, and Jeff!

A friend recommended a specific episode of TSL after I went to her - weeping writer tears of extreme frustration - and I haven’t stopped listening since. My only complaint: I can’t consume the episodes quickly enough. Since I’m late to the party, I find myself mining the archives for those specific topics that are currently sucking my soul (and making me question my entire existence) and let me tell you - picking ONE at a time is HARD. They really do cover it all. And they repeat the things we need to have drilled in over and over - which might be what I appreciate most of all. Their positivity and excitement is intoxicating in the most helpful way (not just like your family saying “you can do it!” because they have too 🫠) They’re doing the work just like the rest of us. I was hoping the merchandise page would sell pocket sized Meg’s so I could just take her with me everywhere. They don’t yet so I’ll just keep listening till they do.

Every time I tune in I learn something that helps me where I’m at, or with a barrier I couldn’t identify because it was out of my field of vision. Danke.

This podcast has such a uniquely real approach to writing that really speaks to the heart of the writing process. Thank you for bringing your whole selves to make this such a meaningful and supportive podcast!

This show has so much great information. So many great guests but there’s one host who dominates every conversation. She interrupts the other host and she even interrupts guests. It’s so off putting.

Surprised at the lack of production quality (esp editing) in the early episodes. Hosts tend to ramble about personal lives etc and not stay on topic. I come for the topic, not the personal banter.

In the over saturated and often confusing world of screenwriting it’s hard to find mentors you can trust, who can explain complexities simply AND make studying the craft fun the way these ladies do.

Eeww. Why is this episode all about how you have limited time and limited creativity and so negative? Who taught you to be so existential and then try and convince all your listeners to be the same. Those kind of thoughts seed in others and grow. I would rather listen to the news right now.

I have listened to a bunch of screenwriting podcasts and this one feels very relaxing. It goes into depth while also being casual in tone.

I am a career writer, but screenwriting is a very specific art that 30 years of learning other mediums couldn’t teach me. So when I embarked on learning to write for film, I was blown away to discover this podcast. Meg and Lorien (and Jeff!) are so incredibly generous with their hard-earned knowledge of the industry. Their deep experience as writers of some of the most soul-stirring films out there is a goldmine for those who are ready to do the hard work of becoming great screenwriters. And they teach with humor, humility, and honesty. I can’t recommend this podcast highly enough. On a scale of one to five, I give it an eleven.

I’ve listened to every episode and have re-listened and taken notes to many, as this is the best podcast on story out there. I recommend TSL to friends, family, and my critique partners, and it’s amazing to hear lightbulbs going off. Thank you so much, Meg, Lorien, Jeff, and team for such an amazingly accessible, fun, informative, and inspiring community and space to learn and dig deep into our lava on our journeys in writing and storytelling. As a children’s book author/illustrator, your podcast has helped me learn to let go of preciousness and keep writing and drafting to find the story. Thank you is not enough! 👏👏👏

Brilliant screenwriting tips, tools, insights and analysis from two kickass women screenwriters. Love it!!

No notes.

Can’t afford to go to film school? Doesn’t matter. Just listen to this podcast. I’ve been binging it for the past few months and have been SO inspired by the wealth of knowledge & encouragement found in every episode. It’s incredibly refreshing to have a screenwriting podcast that tackles both the practical nitty gritty details of writing AND the emotional ups and downs of the process/life of an artist. Thank you Meg & Lorien for your continued mentorship & community building. The film world is better because of you!

I can’t get enough of this podcast. I enjoy each conversation so much that I don’t allow myself to take notes until the second listen 👌

Don’t listen to this show. My want is to stay better than you.

Since I can remember, I have had stories forming in my mind that play out from beginning to end, 24/7, that I either keep to myself or share aloud. Unless I am distracted by company/family conversations, television and the like, it just doesn’t stop. I love that I share this trait (perhaps some people have a better “stopper” than I do) with so many people. And they make a living doing it. Since finding this podcast, I have learned more about myself as a human being. I love that you, and your guests, all talk about the business. But it is the personal challenges and successes, the self care and the slip ups everyone shares, that help me see the value in my own stories. My voice. I have worked on screenplays, stage plays, poems, lyrics, etc… forever. But recently, I have worked on them with others, and solo, with the idea of selling or producing them. Now I feel I belong to a tribe. Our tribe of creatives. I have a better sense of direction. A better life. Thank you.

I wish you can hear the sound effects I’m making. Ironically, it’s hard to put into words what this podcast means to me and how to describe these sounds - sentimental? Relief? I’m new to screenwriting so I am very glad I found this podcast. I work in healthcare and for more than a decade of helping others, I took my own wants and needs off the stove, not even on the back burner! After a personal crisis (talk about lava), I finally decided to do something for myself again and that was opening my laptop to write something other than medical notes. This podcast is my companion in my screenwriting journey and a validating friend when I go into my doom spirals of imposter syndrome, analysis paralysis, anxiety, and other fun brain drama. Thank you so much Meg, Lorien, and Jeff. I’m happy to have found you to keep me company as I drive from patient to patient or when I curl into fetal position when I have a “I’m not going to write but still want to be writer productive” day.

I used to think writing was a lonely artform. Isolating, private, secret. I hated it, despite feeling compelled to do it. I made it my goal last year to change that narrative and find my community. And there's been no community more welcoming, more inspirational, and more empowering than The Screenwriting Life. The way Meg, Lorien, and Jeff bare their souls on the podcast as they explore their craft, careers, and personal growth has been invaluable. The way their leadership has brought together this many writers to share their triumphs, mourn their losses, and ask questions together has made me not only a better writer, but a less lonely one as well. Thank you. I am not alone. I will keep writing.

I am writing after the episode with Jeff Melvoin. Thank you for the wonderful guest but I just could not help but notice how many times the hosts interrupted him without letting finish. It felt very weird and self-righteous. I get it, you have all the experience ,in the world but let the guest answer. Big contrast from Scriptnotes! Also the hosts were too loud and every time Jeff was interrupted, I had to adjust the volume. And what is it about lava? That was the first episode and was puzzled when one of the hosts kept mentioning lava like 10 times without explanation.

Thank you Meg, Lorien and Jeff for your wisdom, generosity and devotion to the craft. I discovered the podcast about 6 weeks ago and I have listened to it constantly since. I am 30 years old and an attorney by trade. My only education in filmmaking comes by way of my lifelong obsession with movies and cinematic television. I learned how to write in the context of academia where I developed a voice and a perspective, but learned very little about the the elements of storytelling with respect to plot structure and character development (and learned even less about the more basic components of screenwriting like how much detail to include in a scene description or character introduction). As a result, I kept getting stuck in the middle of various screenplays I started. Listening to this podcast has helped me get unstuck, so to speak, in that it has provided me with, among other things, a general blueprint for proper story structure and character development and a different perspective as to the emotional components of story telling. This podcast has been my film school and it has empowered me to get into the lava and get past my mental blocks to continue writing a story which is quite personal to me. This is a must listen for all aspiring/emerging writers and filmmakers generally.

As a director that often dabbles in writing, listening to the established and talented writers on this show help keep my ship on course. There’s always new tools and new ways to look at classic techniques, all while making it fun, engaging, and very importantly, encouraging. We all need that “go and get after it” speech. This team does it so well. Nearly every episode I learn something that changes my game. Integral to anyone who needs help with their storytelling.

Meg and Lorien are so helpful. I feel like I am taking a screenwriting course listening to their podcast. I just joined their Patreon Workshop level because it is a steal for how much content and value I am getting from this show. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Because these folks are supporting us as creators and writers with all their great tips and insights. Thank you!

What a wonderful show and free screenwriting class absolutely filled with wisdom. This podcast is essential if you’re writing a screenplay or feel too lost to start making your dream film.

Finally writing a review for this incredible podcast. This show has been the best thing I’ve ever stumbled upon. Listening to Meg, Lorien, Jeff and all the amazing guests they’ve had I feel has unlocked something inside of me. I tell everyone I know to listen to them, writer or not, because they just have so much to offer. The show is so human and really helps make being a writer feel achievable. The fact that a community has blossomed from this is incredible and the support that everyone shared with each other is unmatched. In a world where ego drives so many people to feel “superior” - this is a place of comfort and peace. I have a million other things to say about how awesome and helpful this podcast has been for me, but I’ll let other reviews do the talking. Sincerely, thank you for doing this podcast and everything else that you folks do. ❤️

As an emerging writer I was looking for real substantive information about the industry and how to break through my mental barriers. Found what I needed here with a scoop of humility on the side. Your work here is much appreciated!

Literally can’t live without it. I keep writing everyday because of this podcast. It gives me the hope and insights I really truly deeply need. Please keep talking to us!

As an emerging writer, I’ve listened to a lot of screenwriting podcasts and, hands down, this is my absolute favorite. There is so much important information that I literally have to take notes and many times listen two or more times only to find out that I still missed a nugget of information. Meg and Lorien are amazing teachers and they’re also in the trenches with us—they break that old adage “Those that can’t do, teach.” Love, love, love this show! Thank you so much for sharing so much of yourselves and your knowledge and experiences and for helping so many writers through the highs and lows of The Screenwriting Life!

I’m in the throes of writing my first feature and it’s WAY harder than I thought! Meg and Lorien have been my constant guides. They accompany me on my afternoon walks and assure me I’m not alone in my up and down feelings of worthlessness! My most listened to podcast, I’ve recommended this to several friends who are writing their first features too!

This podcast has been so formative in my screenwriting journey. I listened to a lot of podcasts but a lot of them were very blunt and brutal with the truth. "This is the business." Okay, sure but how do I develop my craft? TSL podcast hosts Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna truly care about getting your story on the page. I'm telling you, this is home base for me. They have a Facebook group and a Slack. Definitely consider joining both because it's just a wealth of knowledge and advice. Their advice will almost always default to JUST WRITE IT. It blows my mind. At work, on a car ride, with morning tea, just listen to one episode and you’ll be hooked. I’ve recommended this podcast to screenwriters, playwrights, novelists, etc. Regardless of medium, TSL is talking story and you’re going to want to be part of that.

I have looked forward to these conversations with Meg, Lorien, Jeff and guests every week since the show started in 2020. While the hosts and guests are highly accomplished professional writers and filmmakers, the conversations are deeply human and accessible to early career and emerging writers, and never look down on their audience ‘outside’ the mainstream industry. They give insight and access by sharing their knowledge with unique generosity, and the podcast has only gotten better with time. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who has a story to tell!

This is my absolute favorite podcast, my MFA in screenwriting. I get so much out of each and every episode and find it invaluable. When I work on a new project I re-listen to my favorite episodes to make sure that I am asking and answering the right questions, the ones that will guide me down the path of creating rich characters, a solid structure etc. I recommend joining the Patreon in order to get access to the live Q&A’s, open pitch sessions etc. I really appreciate Meg and Lorien (and Jeff’s!) honesty, kindheartedness and generosity of spirit. They are lovely voices to have in your head when embarking on this oftentimes frustrating path!

This isn’t your typical podcast! While it’s always great to hear from someone at the top of their game, Meg and Lorien use their own well-earned expertise to ask insightful questions and draw critical lessons out of each guest. They also draw back the curtain a little so we can see that everyone experiences challenges and maybe worries a little about their work. Their transparency inspires me to keep on writing. And the TSL community, which takes its cues from Lorien and Meg, is also welcoming and supportive. If I could only have one screenwriting podcast, this would be it.

Pursuing a career in screenwriting can feel like you’re fighting a lonely war. That’s why it’s comforting to listen to the TSL podcast. Not only do I get invaluable insights on the craft, I also hear the thoughts of veteran screenwriters who have the same struggles as me. It’s like climbing into the minds and hearts of professionals which is comforting and enabling. There’s no other foxhole I’d rather be in as I fight battles that seem insurmountable.

This podcast changed my life. I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to tune in and continue to be enriched by the wise, yet down to earth insight that this show brings. Whether it’s demystifying the industry or just speaking on how to deal with the emotional battle that is the writing process — The Screenwriting Life has it all.

Meg , Lorien and Jeff have created a podcast that nurtures us screenwriters by sharing their experiences and insights with vulnerability and honesty. It is a treasure trove of wisdom a screenwriter does not want to miss.

This is the best podcast for screenwriters whether emerging or experienced. Lots of invaluable information, guest interviews and encouragement. Thankful for this wonderful podcast. You guys Rock!!!!

Meg and Lorien have created an amazing community with this podcast at the center of it. They bring the best of the best writers and writing-related professionals and get all of the important questions answered. Like being a fly on the wall on intimate insider conversations.

I can think of any other source for screenwriting guidance than these two wonderful hosts. The content is consistently stellar, the guests terrific and topically relevant, and most especially, the overall vibe is nurturing, inspiring and enlightening, whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been at this game a long time. Huge kudos to Meg and Lorien! Long may they reign!

…or at the very least, it helped me save my own life. While I may be using a little hyperbole here, I am utterly serious that this podcast and the surrounding community (Facebook group and Patreon) is like being in a free graduate level screenwriting program. It is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to be a screenwriter. And although I really do mean ANYONE, I must say, as a 47 year old woman who is new to screenwriting, TSW is an absolute breath of fresh air amongst the testosterone-laden fumes of some other bro-culture screenwriting communities. I was looking for women screenwriting mentors and I found some that are better than I even imagined! And Jeff is awesome too! :) Thank you so much for everything you are doing for emerging screenwriters!!

We screenwriters look to so many sources to hone or crafts - between books, classes, webinars and more. Yet despite the crowded field, this podcast stands out. In interviews the hosts make every incredible guest feel welcome enough to answer questions honestly. And they create an atmosphere where everyone’s goal is to help each other. But it’s not just the kindness - which is amazing in a business that can be cruel - it’s also a treasure trove of knowledge and experience that this show will bring you. I listed for the first time while on a plane to a writing retreat and it was the perfect way to kickstart my love for this show. Writer friends - you will loooooove this more than I can express!

I always look forward to the next episode of this podcast. Aside from the many wonderfully talented guests I especially love the bookends “Adventures in Screenwriting” and the “Three Questions” and the way that Meg, Lorien and Geoff work so well together. If you feel lost, discouraged or needing help on a particular element of your dream screenplay listen to The Screenwriting Life.

This podcast has become a mainstay for me. As a writer of different genres I learn something in each episode that is applicable to whatever story I am writing at the time. It’s about storytelling. And inspiration and ha-ha moment after ah-ha moment. I look forward to the show every week and the FB group is absolutely phenomenal! I recommend this podcast all the time.

Learn about the lava, how to write emotionally, hear from A list Academy Award winning writers, tune into the life of real writers, join a vibrant community, and more. Excellent!!!

I am so grateful for this podcast. It is filled with information and knowledge. One of those where you can listen to the same episode numerous times and keep learning something new. Thank you all for how much heart and honesty you give during each show and for the amazing guests you have come on.

Though late to this podcast since its start I’ve had the pleasure of binging! I’m an — ahem — older emerging writer. Meg, Lorien, and Jeff provide a nurturing, intelligent, and super informative podcast. Their generosity and vulnerability nurture this new writer’s soul. Their guests and their own experience challenge and inspire. It is a treat to grow with you. Thank you for sharing your screenwriting life with us… it makes our screenwriting life better with each episode!

Meg, Lorien, and Jeff have created not just an informative, fun, supportive podcast, but they have also created a community. I always learn something new when I listen to an episode. Thank you all for your vulnerability and honesty.

And they’re tied! I love this unbelievable resource for screenwriters!! Thank you, Meg, Lorien, and Jeff for the inspo & wisdom & brilliant guests.