Story Matters With Curt Mega

It's the ONE year anniversary of Story Matters! I am so grateful for your incredible support over the past year. On this special New Year's Eve anniversary episode, Kim Whalen joins me to talk about the importance of accomplishing one goal at a time and not letting New Year's Resolutions crush your soul. We also discuss our favorite films of 2017 and we take your questions for our December MAILBAG! You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast

In this special CHRISTMAS EPISODE, get into the spirit with "Miracle on the 34th Aisle" - an original audio play followed by a special Christmas poem! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  All episodes can be listened to at www.storymatterspodcast.com You can support the show directly at Patreon.com/storymatters    

Due to the craziness of December, I've had to step away from the podcast for a few week's due to filming new projects, auditions and writing deadlines! But I will be back in 2018 with a whole new slate of stories and content! Until then, you can find ALL the episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Don't forget the December Patreon Hangout happening December 24th! For info, visit www.patreon.com/storymatters! 

Black Friday. A time of joy... love... and fist-fights over Tickle-Me-Elmos. Enjoy this original poem written by Curt Mega and performed by Curt and podcast favorite Kim Whalen about the holiday we all treasure so dearly... BLACK FRIDAY! 'TWAS THE DAY OF BLACK FRIDAY! By Curt Mega 'Twas the day of Black Friday, and all through the stores The isles were ransacked by barbarian hordes! There was rioting and raging and jealously fueled fights, As the TV’s were sold at a discounted price. The children were nestled at home in their beds, As their parents marched like an army of undead! The store employees stood there bracing for war, As the hordes descended upon the store! When out of isle 15 arose such a clatter, The manager of the store went to handle the matter. Two grown adults, in a fist fight, did clash! To finish their shopping whilst saving some cash. One pair of hands held a handful of hair, While the other swung wildly at the air! The manager tried to break up the quarrel. To fight over cameras was simply

In this special Thanksgiving-themed episode/ original radio play, join Grandpa Henry as he regales you with tales of family, food and... THE RUSSIAN MOB?! This story was written alongside my amazing Patron backers and features the voice talents of Kim Whalen and yours truly!  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters!Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspodInstagram:@storymatterspodFacebook: Story Matters PodcastYou can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com MUSIC: Fesliyan Studios: https://www.youtube.com/user/fesliyanstudios?sub_confirmation=1   Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Circus Waltz - Silent Film Light by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100291 Artist: http://incompetech.com/ Continue Life by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommon

Fame! Failure! Zac Efron's abs?! In this episode of Story Matters, I sit down with my imaginary therapist to share my neuroses, my fears and my failures and ask what it means to be a successful storyteller in the first place. How do we define success? Is it fame? Is it relevance? Is it personal growth? Is it rock hard abs and piercing blue eyes? Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com

In this special bonus episode, I bring on special guest Kim Whalen to bring an improvised story to life written by some of my amazing Patreon backers! This month, we tackle the most horrifying thing of all... THE WIFI GOING DOWN! What happens when a stressed college student can't study for her midterm after the wifi crashes? Will her study partner be able to calm her nerves? Will the snooty barista be able to fix the internet connection with Wizarding magic?! Find out in... THE WIFI IS DOWN! Every month, we do a group chat and write a story one line at a time! This month's wacky, silly and tense tale: THE CASE OF  THE KGB MAMMOTH! Enjoy! You can join in our monthly Group Chat's on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters!

In this SPOOKY episode of Story Matters Podcast, I sit down with Kim Whalen and Eric Carroll to talk about the art of horror films! We talk about what defines a horror film and what kind of stories we can tell and learn through the genre as an art form. We also go down our top 10 lists of our favorite horror films of all time! So grab some popcorn, unwrap some candy, plug in your headphones, and join us on this terrifying journey as we explore THE ART OF HORROR! Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com   Music: Ectoplasm by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: http://audionautix.com/  

Part 2 of my conversation with animator/creator Leigh Lahav. We talk about how she developed her specific style as an artist, her taste in parody and comedy and the changing tide of creating for the internet. Also in this episode, another installment of Story Matters Story Collab Sessions featuring Kim Whalen!  You can find all of Leigh's work on her channel at https://www.youtube.com/onlyleigh.  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com Spooky Ride by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/250/spooky-ride Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, I sit down with artist/animator Leigh Lahav to talk about her journey as an animator/artist coming from Israel to Los Angeles, the challenges that go into creating original animation for YouTube/internet culture, her passion for parody and fandom and the isolation that comes from living life as an artist. You can find all of Leigh's work on her channel at https://www.youtube.com/onlyleigh.  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com

A special episode of Story Matters! In the first part of this week's episode, I present to you a tale of comedy and horror in BusOcalypse! Written and created in part with my amazing Patron backers during our September Story Collab session! Just in time for October 1st/AKA the beginning of Halloween season! In the second part of this week's episode, I talk with Molly Kate Tracy, a television critic, blogger and writer. We discuss about the role of the critic in the artistic process, the critic's responsibility to both the audience and creator and the need for more diversity in Television, specifically that of disabled characters where they are more than just the punch line to a joke or a burden to the main characters... but rather, the star of their OWN shows and the hero of their OWN stories with their own agency and full of life, joy and hope. You know... human.    Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@stor

In this 2nd and final part of my conversation with actor Lauren Lopez (Starkid, Poe Party, Spies are Forever and more!) we talk about her experience being apart of a internet phenomenon and finding her own unique creative voice in the process, the importance of not comparing yourself or your creative journey with others, and the joy of finding a creative community and making your own work! We also talk about recent projects (The Solve it Squad Returns) and her upcoming series (Stellar People) and answer some questions from my Patrons at Patreon.com/storymatters! We also talk about adopting a rescue animal, the joy of being a pet caretaker and her daughter Diane the dog! Enjoy!  Lauren's body of work includes Starkid's A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, Starship, Trail to Oregon, Holy Musical Batman, and Firebringer, Tin Can Brother's Spies Are Forever and The Solve-It Squad Returns, and Shipwrecked Comedy's Edgar Allan Poe's Murder Mystery Dinner Party! You can also find her in Muzzled the Musical

In this part 1 of 2 episodes, I sit down with Lauren Lopez to talk about her journey from dancer to musical theatre, to college, to Starkid to LA and all the ups and downs in-between. We also talk about the importance on having a life and focus outside of show business and what it means to keep a balanced perspective between career, creativity and living your life in the real world. Some of Lauren's work includes Starkid's A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, Starship, Trail to Oregon, Holy Musical Batman, and Firebringer, Tin Can Brother's Spies Are Forever and The Solve-It Squad Returns, and Shipwrecked Comedy's Edgar Allan Poe's Murder Mystery Dinner Party! You can also find her in Muzzled the Musical and the upcoming series Stellar People! For more info on Lauren, visit http://www.lauren-lopez.com!  Support Story Matters on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters! Email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com Twitter:@storymatterspod Instagram:@storymatterspod Facebook: Story Matters Podcast You can list

Welcome back to Story Matters! In this first episode of Season 2, Kim Whalen joins me to recap our summer holiday through Italy, France and Spain and the stories and culture we experienced while traveling through those beautiful countries. We also talk about what we watched and read during our adventure through Europe! Enjoy! Help make Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye happen at www.wayward.guide! You can email me at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com, you can listen to all episodes at www.storymatterspodcast.com, and you can support the podcast at www.Patreon.com/storymatters! 

In this special bonus episode, I bring on special guest Kim Whalen to bring an improvised story to life written by some of my amazing Patreon backers! Every month, we do a group chat and write a story one line at a time! This month's wacky, silly and tense tale: THE CASE OF  THE KGB MAMMOTH! Enjoy! You can join in our monthly Group Chat's on Patreon at Patreon.com/storymatters!

In this special part 2 of 2 season finale of Story Matters Podcast, I take you back through my journey auditioning for Newsies on Broadway, the relationships I made along the way and why I am feel led to keep telling the stories I tell. In the past 6 months, Story Matters has been received with such support and encouragement and it really just blows my mind. Thank you all for listening and enjoy this very special Season 1 finale as I tie up a multi-episode arc of answering the Who, What, Where and Why of the journey that led me to this place in my life, telling stories to you. You can listen to all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com!

In this week's episode, I sit down with William J. Stribling (director of Shipwrecked Comedy's Poe Party and so much more) to talk about his creative process from writing to directing to editing and his perspective on storytelling through filmmaking. We also go behind the scenes of Poe Party and find out what it took to shoot such an ambitious project in only 10 days! This is an AMAZING episode filled with so much knowledge and insight into the filmmaking process and I can’t wait you all to hear it and learn from Joe! You can listen to all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com!  

In this special part 1 of 2 episodes, I take you back through my journey of traveling to New York City for my very first Broadway audition - my childhood dream role of Jack Kelly in the original Broadway cast of of Newsies. Travel with me to The Big Apple as I take you through the cab rides, the coffee shops and the catastrophic auditions that formed so much of what I know and love (and hate) about New York City. Enjoy! You can support the show on PATREON at Patreon.com/storymatters and if you like the show, click the rating button on iTunes and leave us a rating and review! You can also email Curt directly at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com with your feedback, thoughts, stories and ideas! You can listen to all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Enjoy!  

In this week's episode, I sit down with Shashona Brooks & Tommy Statler to talk about their upcoming ALL FEMALE production of Shakepeare's The Tempest at the Hollywood Fringe Festival! We talk about the inspiration behind the concept, female empowerment in the theatre and arts, the audition process and the craziness of putting this show up during the Hollywood Fringe Festival with only 9 rehearsals! Told through the eyes of eleven women, this magical story of the struggle for power and love features a script by William Shakespeare and is directed by Shashona Brooks and produced by Tommy Statler. Set in a women's prison, this all-female reimagining of The Tempest begins with the story of Prospero: part mother, sorceress, and rightful Duchess of Milan. Prospero and her daughter Miranda are sentenced away from their home, setting in motion a supernatural storm of intrigue, passion, and power. In a world where fate, dreams, and magic are intertwined, The Tempest tests the limits of our deepest dreams, our dar

In this episode, I go back in time to figure out how I became WHAT I am. On this journey, I revisit the theatre where I grew up (Creative Arts Theatre & School in Arlington Texas), the very first show I was ever cast in, and the moment when I discovered the impossible dream of attempting to pursue of life in the arts.  You can support the show on PATREON at Patreon.com/storymatters and if you like the show, click the rating button on iTunes and leave us a rating and review! You can also email Curt directly at storymatterspodcast@gmail.com with your feedback, thoughts, stories and ideas! You can listen to all episodes of the show at www.storymatterspodcast.com! Enjoy!