storybabble Podcast
Story Babble is about the stories we tell – on the big screen, the small screen, the page, or face to face; why story matters, what makes a good story great, and how to become a better storyteller.
About the Podcast
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.Since high school, we’ve been talking about what makes a great story great. We were in a few plays together and we even wrote one. It really sucked. Nevertheless, we both pursued some form of professional storytelling. Forty years later, here we are, still having the same kinds of conversations. And sucking less, we hope.
Then someone told us about this thing called “podcasts” where, evidently, people sit around talking about the stuff they love and record it. Who knew? We immediately set aside our abacuses and eight-track tapes and got to work. Storybabble is the result.
Meet the Hosts
Brian Nissen
Brian received a bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Fine Arts from California Institute of the Arts. While at CalArts he wrote a one-act play called Oscar (1989) that won the National Short Play Award for the American College Theatre Festival. He wrote the screenplay for the animated musical The Swan Princess (1994) and its nine sequels (and counting!) He’s also written almost a hundred screenplays for an animated series about the Bible and heroes of world history. In 2004 he created a live stage show called Citrus Valley Playhouse. Performed in the style of old-time radio, it highlighted Arizona history, politics and culture. It appeared as an occasional special on KJZZ (NPR) and in 2007 its production of The Napolinator won Best Play of 2007 from the East Valley Tribune. Today, Brian creates political ads, web videos and spoof songs performed by his mulleted alter ego, Dwain. Make America Great Again aggregated several million views.
Mark Arnett
Mark earned his way through college performing magic for corporate parties as Arnett the “Not Too Bad.” It was mostly an excuse for comedy, but it did include an escape from a large trunk. However, after graduating from law school at Arizona State University, Mark stopped doing magic outside the bedroom. Instead, Mark practices law with his brother Wayne at Arnett & Arnett, P.C. in Chandler, Arizona helping people who have been ripped off by their insurance company. But Mark has always kept his hand in entertainment. Whether that’s performing in a rock band, making a feature-length award-winning documentary (Baby Boomerang), or producing stage and screen projects with Brian. Mark is currently working on a novel, a screenplay, a TV pilot, and a music video, but his latest “completed” project is an album of original songs entitled “Sugar Cubes.” As Mark puts it, “I have an addiction to creativity. I can’t seem to stop myself. I even dream of pulling the old trunk out of the garage and seeing if I can still escape.”