5AM StoryTalk

• Mike Jackson (producer: Underground - Rhythm & Flow - Atlanta's Missing and Murdered))

  Today, I'm joined by MIKE JACKSON, co-founder of the Get Lifted Film Co. (with John Legend and Ty Stiklorious), the Emmy-winning producer of films and TV series like ‘Underground’, ‘Rhythm + Flow’, ‘Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’, ‘Southside with You’, 'Atlanta's Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children', 'Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School', the 2019 ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live and Concert’ event, and so many more, and the host of a great podcast of his own called Why Not Me? (which you can find a link to below). Mike's films, TV, and documentaries are almost all socially conscious, very often preoccupied by social justice, and, with just a few exceptions, explore the entirety of the Black American experience — good, bad, beautiful, painful, joyous.5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.A BONUS EPISODE, exclusive to 5AM StoryTalk’s bad-ass paid subscribers, is also available via Apple Podcasts and ⁠Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-mike-jackson-talks⁠In it, Mike discusses two seminal pieces of art from his life — Kwame Brathwaite’s photographs of the Jackson 5 and Muhammad Ali, both taken on the coast of Africa in 1974. Brathwaite popularized the term “Black is beautiful” during the Civil Rights Movement, and I assure you by the end of this bonus chat, you’ll understand what he meant by that — and why Mike has embraced that message his whole life.Subscribe to the ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk newsletter⁠⁠: ⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠Get access to this podcast episode, the bonus episode, and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources.Tip JarNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠here⁠: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonShow notes. Mike and I discuss the following and much more:The pivotal moments in his early life in Philadelphia that led him to “lean into” his Black identity as an adult and artistThe entrepreneurial experiences in Philly that prepared him for his life as a film/TV producerThe decisions that led to him forming Get Lifted Film Co. with John Legend and Ty StikloriousThe TV series 'Underground' and its culture-motivated cancelation, the release of the Obamas romantic drama 'Southside of You' just months before Trump was elected, and the role of documentaries at Get Lifted as a way to shine a light on issues and subjects that should be celebratedHow the Get Lifted brand continues to evolve to react to the demands of Mike’s personal life and the tumultuous landscape that is the entertainment industry in 2025His candid thoughts on the performative “diversity” that was embraced by Hollywood before and after George Floyd’s murder and the state of the film/TV business today for filmmakers who seek to tell more diverse storiesLinks:Learn more about Mike Jackson here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1685816/Listen to Mike’s podcast Why Not Me? here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-not-me-with-mike-jackson/id1751395437Learn more about Kwame Brathwaite here: https://kwamebrathwaite.com/Brathwaite's Ali photo here: https://kwamebrathwaite.com/artworks/5030-kwame-brathwaite-ali-gray-day-on-the-congo-1974-c.-printed-2017/Brathwaite's Jackson 5 photo here: https://kwamebrathwaite.com/artworks/5130-kwame-brathwaite-untitled-jacksons-on-boat-from-goree-island-1974-c.-printed-2018/My favorite Brathwaite photo here: https://kwamebrathwaite.com/artworks/7279-kwame-brathwaite-untitled-crowd-at-human-kindness-day-1975-c.-printed-2021/Social Media:Follow Cole at…⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠Email:[email protected]

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• Sophie Hyde (director: Good Luck to You, Leo Grande - 52 Tuesdays - Jimpa)

  Today I'm joined by SOPHIE HYDE, one of my favorite contemporary Australian filmmakers – director of numerous documentaries, short films, and TV series and feature films such as ‘52 Tuesdays’, ‘Animals’, ‘Good Luck to You, Leo Grande’, and the upcoming ‘Jimpa’ starring Olivia Coleman and John Lithgow and ‘The Ideal Wife’ starring Emilia Clarke. Her filmmaking is deeply collaborative, structurally challenging, and very often transgressive. We’re going to dig into how she developed her unique narrative instincts in this craft-intensive and yet incredibly intimate conversation.5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.A BONUS EPISODE, exclusive to 5AM StoryTalk’s bad-ass paid subscribers, is also available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at Substack⁠: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/new-podcast-episode-q-and-a-directorIn it, Sophie discusses a seminal piece of art from his life – the iconic 1975 film THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.Subscribe to the ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk newsletter⁠⁠: ⁠https://colehaddon.substack.com/⁠Get access to this podcast episode, the bonus episode, and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources.Tip JarNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠here⁠: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonShow notes. Sophie and I discuss the following and much more:Her formative years in Adelaide, Australia – especially a theatre group – and why she returned to her hometown to live and work despite how isolating it can beThe importance of collaborative creation to her over individual expressionWhy she didn’t call herself a director for so longThe role of structural inventiveness in her films and the importance of narrative limitations/challenges in her work, with a special focus on' 52 Tuesdays' (which was shot over 52 consecutive Tuesdays with an ever-evolving script) and 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' (which essentially takes place in one location with only two characters)How she uses her cast to further develop scripts – such as how actors Emma Thompson and Daryl McCormack helped shape their characters in 'Good Luck to You'How her work focuses on character exploration, bodies and intimacy, and the pursuit of self-defined freedom and identity – such as 'Animals'How she used her own family’s experience to craft her upcoming film 'Jimpa' – which stars Olivia Coleman, John Lithgow, and her child Aud Mason-HydeLinks:Learn more about Sophie and her work here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie_HydeWatch the trailer for '52 Tuesdays' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1flKS0ReLwEWatch the trailer for 'Animals' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhus0cJkuz0&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tDWatch the trailer for 'Good Luck to You, Leo Grande' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJcbZoJFLTU&pp=0gcJCfwAo7VqN5tDListen to Sophie Hyde, Olivia Coleman, John Lithgow, and Aud Mason-Hyde discuss 'Jimpa' here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PRlPNpeOWwSupport target LGBTQ+ people in this time of global crisis, wherever you live. If you live in the US, you can support the civil rights of these targeted groups – and the civil rights of of all U.S. residents by donating to the ACLU here: https://www.aclu.org/Social Media:Follow Cole at…⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠Email:[email protected]

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• MINISODE: When Did We Stop Dreaming of a Better Future?

  The Hunger Games, "The Handmaid’s Tale", Blade Runner, "Black Mirror", "The Walking Dead", Mad Max…. Today we’re going to be discussing the question: Did science-fiction help make our 21st century dystopia inevitable? But the question could just as easily be: When did we stop dreaming of a better future? The answers might be deeply connected, as I’ll posit. It’s going to be a provocative conversation, to say the least, one that will challenge our culture’s relationship to science-fiction storytelling over the past 50 years.5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.Become a subscriber to the ⁠⁠5AM StoryTalk newsletter⁠⁠⁠ You'll gain access to both the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter and all episodes of this podcast – including paywalled bonus episodes.Tip JarNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠here⁠: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonRead "When Did We Stop Dreaming About the Future?" (with images depicting 20th century visions of the future)Social Media:Follow Cole at…BlueskyInstagramThreadsFacebookEmail:[email protected]

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• Mike Richardson (Dark Horse Comics founder/CEO - film/TV producer - comic book writer)

  Today I'm joined by MIKE RICHARDSON, founder and CEO of Dark Horse Comics (Sin City, The Umbrella Academy, Hellboy), founder of the Things from Another World store chain, film/TV producer, and prolific comic book writer. He’s a legend in the comic book industry, not just for the iconic titles he’s published – but for how he revolutionized creators’ rights in a game previously rigged to only enrich publishers in success. Let’s find out how he did it!5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.A BONUS EPISODE, exclusive to 5AM StoryTalk’s kick-ass paid subscribers, is also available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠⁠at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-mike-richardson-talksIn it, Mike discusses seminal piece of art from his life…albeit with a twist. He’s going to dive into the oeuvre of FRANK FRAZETTA as well as his friendship with the artist — who is sometimes called “the godfather of fantasy art”.Subscribe to the ⁠5AM StoryTalk newsletter⁠: https://colehaddon.substack.com/Get access to this podcast episode, the bonus episode, and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources.Tip JarNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” here: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonShow notes. Mike and I discuss the following and much more:How Mike fell in love with comic books and fantasy, a nostalgic trip into the beginnings of – you might say – modern “geekdom”His unique work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, which first led to Dark Horse Graphics and then launching Pegasus Fantasy BooksThe secret origin of Dark Horse Comics, which launched in 1986 and went on to change the comic book industry foreverThe challenges faced by Dark Horse in a competitive market and how it overcame them by prioritizing creator rights and other partnerships with artistsDark Horse’s innovative strategy of creating sequels and expanding upon existing IPs from Hollywood, such as Alien and Star WarsHow Dark Horse effectively transitioned its properties into HollywoodImportant collaborations and friendships with renowned comic book creators such as Frank Miller, Harlan Ellison, Paul Chadwick, and moreLinks:Buy Dark Horse comic books here: https://www.darkhorse.com/Buy The Strange Case of Mr. Hyde, my first comic book series with Dark Horse, here: https://www.darkhorse.com/Books/18-076/The-Strange-Case-of-Mr-Hyde-TPB#:~:text=Sometimes%20good%20police%20work%20just,to%20commit%20his%20bloody%20murders.Listen to “What I Learned From My First Hollywood Script Sale” here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3BuJezPyRGXgc9FevvPY9z?si=d834afc898864207Read about my frustrations with Disney/Lucasfilm mining Star Wars comic books, novels, and more without appropriately crediting writers and creators – “Lucasfilm’s Disregard for the O.G. Heir to the 'Star Wars' Empire Is Part of a Larger Entertainment Industry Problem” here: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/the-og-heir-to-star-wars-empire-say?utm_source=publication-searchSocial Media:Follow Cole at…⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/colehaddonwashere⁠Email:[email protected]

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• Blak Douglas (artist: Indigenous Australian / free speech / political art)

  Today I'm joined by Australian First Nations artist BLAK DOUGLAS to discuss his highly political art, censorship in the Australian arts with regard to speaking out about Palestine, and the legacy of colonization in Australia, his identity, and his work. Blak has won numerous major prizes, including the Archibald Prize (2022), and his paintings hang on most major museum walls in the country where his ancestors have been custodians of the land for tens of thousands of years before and after Europeans arrived. Learn more about Blak and check out his artwork at his website: https://blakdouglas.com.au/about/5AM StoryTalk would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, the Djarra people of the Kulin Nation and pay respects to Elders past and present.A BONUS EPISODE, exclusive to 5AM StoryTalk’s bad-ass paid subscribers, is also available via Apple Podcasts or ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ at Substack: https://colehaddon.substack.com/p/bonus-episode-blak-douglas-talksIn it, Blak and I discussing a seminal piece of art from his life – the 1966 Australian $1 banknote, which featured a design that brazenly stole the bark paintings of Aboriginal artist David Malangi.Subscribe to the 5AM StoryTalk newsletter: https://colehaddon.substack.com/Get access to this podcast episode, the bonus episode, and hundreds of other arts and culture articles, essays, and educational resources.Tip JarNot up for a paid subscription but appreciate the work that’s gone into making this podcast happen? You can “buy me a coffee” ⁠here⁠: https://buymeacoffee.com/colehaddonShow notes. Blak and I discuss the following and much more:His brutally candid thoughts about Australia’s colonial history and its impact on his identity and artistic journeyHis art as protest and education His early life growing up, the son of an Aboriginal father and white mother, in a white monoculture still reckoning with its White Only PolicyThe impact of early Aboriginal artistic mentors and the pivotal role they played in his creative life, but also his desire to embrace his Aboriginal identityWhy he ultimately adopted the name "Blak Douglas"Australia’s art scene and the challenges that face artists – especially Aboriginal artists – who speak out on issues that a small group of gallery gatekeepers don’t agree with (meaning: the challenges to free speech in the Australian arts today)Links:Learn more about Blak and his work at his website: https://blakdouglas.com.au/about/Follow Blak at Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakdouglas/Read about the Welcome to Country acknowledgment of Australia, which is discussed in this episode: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation/acknowledgement-of-country-and-welcome-to-country/Social Media:Follow Cole at…⁠Bluesky⁠: https://bsky.app/profile/colehaddon.bsky.social⁠Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/colehaddonwashere⁠Threads⁠: https://www.threads.com/@colehaddonwashere⁠Facebook⁠: https://www.facebook.com/colehaddonwashereEmail:[email protected]

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