Tell The Damn Story, ep 401: Exploring Subtext Secrets from Wonder Man, Lord of the Rings, & 12 Angry Men episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 8, 2026 · 47 MIN

Tell The Damn Story, ep 401: Exploring Subtext Secrets from Wonder Man, Lord of the Rings, & 12 Angry Men

from Tell The Damn Story · host Alex Simmons & Chris Ryan

Despite the cold and snow, Alex and Chris Ryan dive deep into the art of subtext—those rich, unspoken layers that give stories their real meaning. Happily drawing from decades of teaching, writing, and storytelling, they share practical tips to help writers move beyond plot and action and into the heart of what a story is truly about.You’ll hear examples from contemporary pop culture, like Marvel's Wonder Man, as well as timeless classics like 12 Angry Men, The Lord of the Rings, and the revered Japanese film Rashomon. Whether you’re an aspiring writer struggling to bring depth to your characters or a seasoned storyteller searching for the “why” behind your plot, this episode is packed with insights and exercises to strengthen your craft. Special Note:  Sir Ian McKellen speaks of "The Strangers..." on Colberthttps://youtube.com/shorts/Nwd6vcfR3HI?si=WDtAYB7cwFHwtUu0Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: [email protected] follow us on ...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 8, 2026

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Tell The Damn Story, ep 401: Exploring Subtext Secrets from Wonder Man, Lord of the Rings, & 12 Angry Men

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