Explore every episode of the podcast Becoming The Main Character
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Island | 05 Mar 2025 | 02:54:44 | |
This book didn't just influence the perception of pirates in pop culture. It created the perception. A must-listen if you are in a swashbuckling mood. Let's hit the high seas together. -- Check out COST OF GLORY on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you podcast. FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Aesop's Fables: An Introduction \\ Power In Brevity | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:23:49 | |
How can a few sentences create such a powerful moral that lasts for thousands of years? Aesop is accredited as being the greatest fable writer of all time. Who was he? Why do fables work? And how can we make use of them in the 21st century? -- Check out COST OF GLORY on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you podcast. FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain X: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| Thoughts on Wicked, Pt. 1 \\ The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Companion Episode | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:30:29 | |
We've got endnotes for the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but most of this episode is made up of my takeaways from watching Wicked, Pt. 1. And boy have I got some takeaways... -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Wonderful Wizard of Oz \\ Action Precedes The Label | 26 Nov 2024 | 01:39:59 | |
"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore..." We're diving into the wild and untamed Land of Oz for the original story that has sparked many imaginations. Join in as we see what lessons we can take from the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Don't Become Winston Smith \\ 1984 Companion Episode | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:30:50 | |
We have endnotes! on top of more lessons from Orwell's classic, You're getting more insights and interesting facts about this story that I didn't fit into the main episode. Take your understanding of 1984 to the next level and come away with even more ways to sound smart in front of your friends. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| 1984 | 12 Nov 2024 | 02:49:36 | |
Big Brother Is Watching You. The fact that you have heard that line even if you've never read this book shows how impactful of a story it is. Can you keep your mind in the face of crushing insanity? -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Become Van Helsing \\ Dracula Companion Episode | 05 Nov 2024 | 00:20:38 | |
The rest of my applicable lessons for your modern life from Bram Stoker's Dracula. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Vlad The Impaler IS Dracula (w/ Ben Wilson from How To Take Over The World) | 31 Oct 2024 | 00:44:30 | |
Learn how art imitates life when it comes to Dracula and one of the fiercest warlords in all of history. Van Helsing told his vampire hunters that they were dealing with THAT warlord Dracula, which could only mean one person: the son of the dragon, Vlad Tepes. Ben's Show: How To Take Over The World -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Dracula \\ The Things You Know Are Not Enough | 29 Oct 2024 | 03:24:43 | |
"I need you to believe in what you cannot" Is he undead, or is he the devil? Either way, the Count is coming for you...you better hope Van Helsing is on his way. Finish October strong with Bram Stoker's monster classic. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow \\ You See What You Believe | 16 Oct 2024 | 00:58:12 | |
What happens when a goofy schoolteacher gets between a muscle-headed ruffian and his rich girlfriend? Don't lose your head, because spooky season continues with one of the most iconic scary short stories ever written. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| (Don't) Become Victor Frankenstein \\ Frankenstein Companion Episode | 08 Oct 2024 | 00:22:29 | |
More of the good and the bad we should take away from Mary Shelley's iconic horror story. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Frankenstein \\ Ambition Is A Double-Edged Sword | 01 Oct 2024 | 02:21:01 | |
We're kicking off the Halloween season in the best way possible. Find out why Frankenstein is considered one of the best multi-category books ever written. It's Sci-Fi, it's Horror, it's Gothic...and it's got a very important lesson for us to learn. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: | |||
| Become Atticus Finch \\ To Kill A Mockingbird Companion Episode | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:27:07 | |
More stories and lessons from the world of Maycomb Alabama. Get multiple takes on the importance and value of meeting people where they are at. Plus, the magic phrase Atticus said multiple times that could change your life. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram:https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Emperor's New Clothes \\ Critical Failure By Groupthink | 17 Sep 2024 | 00:28:27 | |
We're shifting gears into one of the best-known fairytales from Hans Christian Andersen. In one story he expresses his disdain for the bourgeoisie while also teaching a very important lesson about the dangers of groupthink. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Become Robert Jordan \\ For Whom The Bell Tolls Companion Episode | 10 Sep 2024 | 00:25:52 | |
As far as companion episodes go, this juice was worth the squeeze. Let's talk about what other takeaways I have from this Hemingway classic. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| For Whom The Bell Tolls \\ A Calling Higher Than Yourself | 03 Sep 2024 | 02:12:51 | |
Never ask for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. Let's get a taste of Ernest Hemingway's unique way of storytelling. Focusing on writing "truly". -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: | |||
| Odin, The Allfather \\ What Price Will You Pay? | 21 Aug 2024 | 00:35:16 | |
We're taking our mythology up north to the land of ice and snow. Odin will make you question how you can do more in service of your goals. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Become The Time Traveler \\ The Time Machine Companion Episode | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:22:21 | |
More lessons from H.G. Wells' first heroic character, PLUS we dive into a theory about how reading fiction is useful for us to understand the real world. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Time Machine \\ Dreams Bigger Than Reality | 07 Aug 2024 | 01:43:02 | |
How do you envision the future? What would you think if you traveled there and it was nothing like you imagined? If you liked Journey to the Center of the Earth, you're going to enjoy this one. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Tragedy Of Orpheus \\ The Perils Of Lesser Goals | 23 Jul 2024 | 00:30:22 | |
Are you familiar with the feeling of saying you want something, but your actions don't line up with that desire? It doesn't take much to derail us from our goals, and sometimes the consequences of those distractions are terribly unfair. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Become Jo March \\ Little Women Companion Episode | 16 Jul 2024 | 00:30:29 | |
Jo March cannot, and will not, be stopped. We're not done learning from her. I've got 3 more lessons to share that demonstrate how to combine the hard skills of building your dream life with the soft skills of maintaining relationships. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: | |||
| Little Women \\ Adapting Your Way To A Good Life | 09 Jul 2024 | 02:22:51 | |
Little Women is both a quaint period piece of Americana and a story that accurately gets to the heart of why life is so complicated, regardless of what century you live in. All I know is, I felt the highs and lows as the reader, and that's what great stories do. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Golden Goose \\ What Is Kindness Worth? | 25 Jun 2024 | 00:25:03 | |
The protagonist in this story is named "Dummy". Need I say more? Our first venture into the world of fairytales on the podcast, and of course we had to go with one from "The Brothers Grimm". -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| To Kill A Mockingbird \\ What Is A "Great Soul"? | 05 Feb 2025 | 02:42:18 | |
Harper Lee's classic southern coming-of-age is here to teach you about seeing outside of your little world. There are some characters whose names are synonymous with a character archetype. Atticus Finch is one of those names. -- Check out COST OF GLORY on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you podcast. FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| (Don't) Become Paul Atreides \\ Dune Companion Episode | 21 Jun 2024 | 00:25:11 | |
Let's talk about Paul Muad'Dib. He's a complicated guy, isn't he? Equal parts visionary and tortured soul. Join me for a deeper dive into what it was about Paul that led him to the holy war and how his struggles are not unfamiliar to us in the 21st century. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Dune (Part 2) \\ The Slow Death Of Virtue | 13 Jun 2024 | 01:56:38 | |
The Sleeper has awakened. Paul's visions are full of death and war. Can he protect the ones he loves without triggering inter-galactic genocide? Plus, we learn how we are just as guilty of making the same compromises as Paul...if we're not careful. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Dune (Part 1) \\ Pain Is A Beginning | 11 Jun 2024 | 01:46:15 | |
Get in, loser. We're going to Arrakis... Whether you loved the movies and want to dive deeper, or have never ventured into the world of Dune...I've got what you're looking for. There's so much to take away from this book. Part 2 will be out soon. There was no way I was going to fit this incredible world into a single episode. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Hercules At The Crossroads \\ The Meaningful Choice | 28 May 2024 | 00:21:11 | |
The origin of a good life can sometimes be traced back to a single decision. This parable is a creation of the great philosopher Socrates and in it we get a beautiful perspective on a life worth living. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Grapes of Wrath \\ Dealing In Hope | 14 May 2024 | 02:12:49 | |
Spoiler Alert: Grapes do not actually play a major part of this story. It's still worth learning about though. The Grapes of Wrath is an honest look at a raw time in American History that illustrates how to stand firm in the face of overwhelming adversity. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain -- Pick up your copy: https://amzn.to/3WGopPe The film version: https://amzn.to/3ygJDJf | |||
| Icarus \\ The "Healthy Ego" Zone | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:11:20 | |
You had one job, Icarus...(Too soon?) Real talk, there is a LOT MORE to this story than "Don't fly too close to the sun". This is the first "mini" episode of the podcast. These will focus on M.F.F.s: Myths, Fairytales, and Folklore. The stories that have been used to teach lessons throughout history. Hope you're as excited as I am. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| Journey To The Center Of The Earth \\ Giving Up Is For Losers | 30 Apr 2024 | 01:29:20 | |
Imagine your life if Indiana Jones was your uncle. But not young Indy, we're talking Crystal Skull era. Journey to the Center of the Earth is considered the first true science fiction novel. And it's an inspiring lesson on perseverance and the value of having good people in your life. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain -- Tim Curry's Audiobook Narration: https://amzn.to/4aSr10w | |||
| Moby Dick \\ Don't Fight Against Fate | 30 Apr 2024 | 01:34:15 | |
That feeling when you sign up for a 4-year voyage only to discover your boss has unresolved anger issues... In Moby Dick you will ask "Why is Ahab so hung up on this whale?", only to realize you have your own issues from the past that are still messing with your mind. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain -- Moby Dick Paperback: https://amzn.to/3JEhFcL Patrick Stewart Film Version: https://amzn.to/3Wg9J9h | |||
| Hamlet \\ Your Indecision Is Killing You | 30 Apr 2024 | 01:09:24 | |
The ghost of your dad tells you if you ever loved him you have to avenge him by killing your uncle. wyd? Shakespeare's most famous work shows us what happens when you aren't clear on what matters to you (hint, it's not great). Plus, finally learn the context behind "To be, or not to be." -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain Twitter: https://twitter.com/becomingmain -- Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet : https://amzn.to/3UD0eQ2 No Fear Shakespeare, Hamlet: https://amzn.to/3wcUOlE | |||
| BTMC: Show Trailer | 28 Apr 2024 | 00:02:48 | |
In less than 3 minutes I'll dish on why this podcast is the perfect form of "edu-tainment". Learn life-changing lessons by analyzing the characters of the world's most powerful narratives. | |||
| Echo and Narcissus \\ The Worth Of Self-Worth | 22 Jan 2025 | 00:36:42 | |
What happens when the world's most beautiful man can't find anyone he loves as much as himself? Throw in a cursed nymph and the goddess of vengeance and we've got ourselves a STORY! We're heading back to ancient Greece, my friends. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Don't Become MACBETH \\ Macbeth Companion Episode | 14 Jan 2025 | 00:28:16 | |
This is a juicy one. We've got Ideas from Tolkien and Nietszche about how you should interpret Macbeth as well as lessons that touch on free will, action bias, and more! -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Tragedy of MACBETH \\ Beware Your Fatal Flaw | 07 Jan 2025 | 01:59:16 | |
Is fate calling you to a higher purpose? Or are you being tricked by deceitful prophets? A battle of ambition and morality plays out in beautiful detail in Shakespeare's classic play. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Be More Heroic In 2025 \\ 11 Lessons For Main Characters | 30 Dec 2024 | 00:52:47 | |
It's a BTMC year in review! I've gone through all of the lessons we covered in 2024 (I counted 92 in total) and I've picked the top 11 that I think will most empower you to improve your life in the upcoming year. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Become Ebenezer Scrooge \\ A Christmas Carol Companion Episode | 18 Dec 2024 | 00:23:17 | |
Let's talk about the unsung heroes of this story that we should emulate, why you can't help but feel strong emotions about Tiny Tim, and how to deal with the laughter that comes from NPC's when they notice you improving yourself. All this and more! -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| A Christmas Carol \\ Remembrance, Awareness, Projection | 11 Dec 2024 | 02:01:15 | |
How do you keep the spirit of Christmas alive in your heart all year long? Come with and see for yourself how Ebenezer Scrooge learned from the past, the present, and the future so he could stop being such a miserable punk. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Two Towers \\ The Lord of the Rings | 25 May 2025 | 05:16:34 | |
Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/ We're in the thick of it now. The Fellowship has dissolved, Gandalf is gone, and the shadow of Mordor grows slowly over Middle Earth...
BTMC: Protagonist Edition, where you can get EXTENDED VERSIONS of the episodes to take you even deeper into the story with more scenes, more lessons, and more of everything that makes the show what it is, as well as access to all of the Character Analysis episodes. Sign up link below: Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/ FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain X: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Fellowship Of The Ring \\ The Lord of the Rings | 30 Apr 2025 | 04:15:47 | |
We're setting out from the Shire, but this train won't stop until Mordor! Join me as we dive into all the moments of Frodo being brave in the face of his fears, Sam being loyal to a fault, and Aragorn, well...being Aragorn! This episode marks the one-year mark of BTMC and I'm celebrating by dropping the longest and most epic episode I've ever made so far. 🎉 I've also launched BTMC: Protagonist Edition, where you can get EXTENDED VERSIONS of the episodes to take you even deeper into the story with more scenes, more lessons, and more of everything that makes the show what it is. Sign up link below. Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/ FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Day Thor Fell Short \\ When Your Best Isn't Enough | 15 Apr 2025 | 00:38:42 | |
Thor is one of the more overpowered characters in all of mythology...so how does he take it when he isn't actually up to the task? More importantly, how do YOU respond when your efforts just don't seem to be enough? -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Becoming Jay Gatsby \\ The Great Gatsby Companion Episode | 08 Apr 2025 | 00:39:48 | |
Let's talk about aspects of Jay Gatsby that you'll never hear brought up in an English class. Hero, or delusional dreamer? Plus, one trick that will improve your odds of having life-changing opportunities. This and more in Becoming Jay Gatsby. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram:https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| The Great Gatsby | 01 Apr 2025 | 02:28:05 | |
Exactly 100 years since its release, we're talking about F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterclass in exploring the psyche of a tragic hero. Join me, old sport, as we go back to the roaring 20's for the lavish party lifestyle of prohibition-era New York. -- FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Snow White \\ Some People Will Hate You | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:37:55 | |
The queen may be the villain, but I argue that the magic mirror is the most evil character in this story... Learn how much Disney changed from the original fairytale and get some insights about how to deal with people who hate you for seemingly no good reason. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Becoming Long John Silver \\ Treasure Island Companion Episode | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:49:16 | |
I have retooled and now we're ACTUALLY doing character analyses with these companion episodes, and Long John Silver is a great place for us to start. We get into his motives, his backstory, why we care more about him than a traditional hero like Captain Smollett, and what are the attributes to try to implement and which ones to avoid. Becoming Long John Silver is worth the listen. -- FOLLOW THE PODCAST FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram:https://instagram.com/becomingmain | |||
| Becoming Frodo \\ The Lord Of The Rings Companion Episode | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:45:06 | |
"I was not made for perilous quests" -Frodo Baggins How far Frodo came from that moment of doubt in his cozy hobbit home. Let's explore the path that Frodo took from adventure-averse to savior of Middle Earth. As well as a dive into a crazy idea: did Frodo kill Gollum? All this and more inside this character dive episode. BECOMING SAMWISE available now on BTMC Protagonist Edition. Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get EXTENDED VERSIONS of the episodes to take you even deeper into the story with more scenes, more lessons, and more of everything that makes the show what it is, as well as access to all of the Character Analysis episodes. Sign up link below: Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/ -- GET THE FREE NEWSLETTER: "THE SCHOOL OF PROTAGONISM"Substack: https://substack.com/@schoolofprotagonism FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmain X: https://twitter.com/becomingmain | |||
| Becoming Aragorn \\ The Lord Of The Rings Companion Episode | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:32:17 | |
A king and a ranger. A fighter and a poet. Aragorn is a perfect example of how being a dichotomy of stereotypes can make you one of the most valuable people to ever live. Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get EXTENDED VERSIONS of the episodes to take you even deeper into the story with more scenes, more lessons, and more of everything that makes the show what it is, as well as access to all of the Character Analysis episodes. Sign up link below: Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/ -- GET THE FREE NEWSLETTER: "THE SCHOOL OF PROTAGONISM" | |||
| The Return Of The King \\ The Lord Of The Rings | 26 Jun 2025 | 05:33:33 | |
'I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam.’ Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get EXTENDED VERSIONS of the episodes to take you even deeper into the story with more scenes, more lessons, and more of everything that makes the show what it is, as well as access to all of the Character Analysis episodes. Sign up link below: Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/
| |||