Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This episode is presented by Mercury, the banking platform that makes this show possible. I can’t imagine trying to run my business without them. Learn more at mercury.com
Steven Pressfield is a master in the art of storytelling. He spent decades studying what great stories have in common. So that's what we're going to talk about: the principles of storytelling and character building.
I want to know the things that transcend genre and culture, and speak to the heart of the human condition. I want X-ray vision into what makes stories great. I want to know what makes you get to the end of the story and just say "wow". That's what this conversation is all about.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:50 #1 The 3-Act Structure
00:03:06 #2 The Inciting Incident
00:05:03 #3 The Recurring Mystery
00:06:38 #4 Innocence Carries the Divine
00:10:57 #5 The Act 2 Midpoint
00:15:35 #6 The All-Is-Lost Moment
00:18:39 #7 The Epiphany Moment
00:23:28 #8 Act 2 Belongs to the Villain
00:24:31 #9 Hero vs Villain Worldview
00:27:41 #10 Spinning genre stereotypes
00:30:26 #11 The Female Carries the Mystery
00:33:51 #12 The Male Solves the Mystery
00:37:38 #13 Gifts and Curses
00:43:07 #14 The Generational Curse
00:48:58 #15 Ordinary vs Extraordinary Worlds
00:51:58 #16 The True Identity
00:55:30 #17 The Quiet Solo Moment
00:58:24 #18 The Hero at the Mercy of the Villain Scene
01:00:40 #19 Start at the End
01:03:12 #20 Small but Meaningful Stakes
01:05:07 #21 Make It Beautiful
*About the host*
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.
*Follow me*
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
YouTube: youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
X: https://x.com/david_perell
This episode is presented by Mercury, the banking platform that makes this show possible. I can’t imagine trying to run my business without them. Learn more at mercury.com
Steven Pressfield is a master in the art of storytelling. He spent decades studying what great stories have in common. So that's what we're going to talk about: the principles of storytelling and character building.
I want to know the things that transcend genre and culture, and speak to the heart of the human condition. I want X-ray vision into what makes stories great. I want to know what makes you get to the end of the story and just say "wow". That's what this conversation is all about.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:50 #1 The 3-Act Structure
00:03:06 #2 The Inciting Incident
00:05:03 #3 The Recurring Mystery
00:06:38 #4 Innocence Carries the Divine
00:10:57 #5 The Act 2 Midpoint
00:15:35 #6 The All-Is-Lost Moment
00:18:39 #7 The Epiphany Moment
00:23:28 #8 Act 2 Belongs to the Villain
00:24:31 #9 Hero vs Villain Worldview
00:27:41 #10 Spinning genre stereotypes
00:30:26 #11 The Female Carries the Mystery
00:33:51 #12 The Male Solves the Mystery
00:37:38 #13 Gifts and Curses
00:43:07 #14 The Generational Curse
00:48:58 #15 Ordinary vs Extraordinary Worlds
00:51:58 #16 The True Identity
00:55:30 #17 The Quiet Solo Moment
00:58:24 #18 The Hero at the Mercy of the Villain Scene
01:00:40 #19 Start at the End
01:03:12 #20 Small but Meaningful Stakes
01:05:07 #21 Make It Beautiful
*About the host*
Hey! I’m David Perell and I’m a writer, teacher, and podcaster. I believe writing online is one of the biggest opportunities in the world today. For the first time in human history, everybody can freely share their ideas with a global audience. I seek to help as many people publish their writing online as possible.
*Follow me*
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-write/id1700171470
YouTube: youtube.com/@DavidPerellChannel
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2DjMSboniFAeGA8v9NpoPv
X: https://x.com/david_perell
