The Writers Hangout
THE WRITERS HANGOUT, a podcast that celebrates the many stages of writing from inspiration to the first draft, revising, getting a project made and everything in-between. We’ll talk to the best and brightest in the entertainment industry and create a space where you can hang out, learn from the pros and have fun.
Episodes
182 episodes
Catching Gen Z With Rachel Sennott's I Love LA
Sandy explores a recent Ankler.com article titled: 'Gen Z Is Huge. Their TV Shows Are Tiny. And Hollywood Is Panicking,' written by Whitney Friedlander. Showrunners Nahnatchka Khan, Ben Kronengold, and Rebecca Shaw, along with top executives, d...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 183
•
29:51
Vertical Storytelling And Its Significance For Writers
Vertical storytelling is gaining popularity, with more producers—mostly overseas—hiring screenwriters for vertical series. While these projects originated in Asia and the initial pay was low, they now offer fair compensation for au...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 182
•
15:33
Understanding Schizophrenia: How Rob And Michele Reiner's Tragic Deaths Highlight The Escalating Mental Health Crisis W/Neal Nordlinger, Interventionist And Former Film Producer
Tragically, on December 14, 2025, Rob and Michele Reiner were fatally stabbed by their son, Nick Reiner. How could something like this happen? To assist in understanding these devastating deaths, our guest is Neal Nordlinger, an author, interve...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 181
•
33:48
The Hostile Takeover of Warner Bros. and Its Implications for Writers
Hang out with Sandy as she discusses the joint statement from WGA East and West about the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix and the hostile takeover by Paramount. Plus, an update on Carl Rinch, the writer/director who embezzled $...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 180
•
15:28
Murder of Mafia Princess and Screenwriter Susan Berman
Rewind. On Christmas Eve 2000, Susan Berman, a talented journalist, screenwriter, and author, sadly lost her life at her home on 1527 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. Susan, the cherished daughter of a mobster and a former dancer, was ra...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 179
•
24:44
Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein And 8 Writing Tips
Sandy shares writing advice from Guillermo del Toro, a talented director, screenwriter, producer, and artist whose incredible work spans horror, fiction, and fairy tales. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, in 1964, del Toro’s passion for film and hor...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 178
•
15:24
The Tragic Murder of Screenwriter Adrienne Shelly
In remembrance of the wonderful writer, director, and actor Adrienne Shelly, we're excited to share again The Writers' Hangout Episode dedicated to her story, which we originally posted in the month she passed. It's a heartfelt chance to ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 177
•
20:44
Our Guest Is Comedy Legend Jerry Zucker!
Sometimes, dreams really do come true! We're thrilled to have with us the amazing Jerry Zucker, who, alongside his brother David and their friend Jim Abrahams, played a huge part in transforming comedy in the 1980s. Together, they brought a fre...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 176
•
31:57
Happy Halloween With A Recap of The Ghost And Mr. Chicken!
Happy Halloween!!Hang out with Sandy, Terry, and special guest screenwriter Mark Steen as they recap "Ghost and Mr. Chicken," starring Don Knotts from "The Andy Griffith Show" fame. Directed by Alan Rafkin and written by Jam...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 175
•
55:01
The Strange Disappearance of Screenwriter Ian Mackintosh
Rewind Episode -- British screenwriter Ian Mackintosh’s plane went missing on July 7, 1979, nineteen days before his thirty-ninth birthday, over the Gulf of Alaska. What happened remains a mystery. Join us as we tell the story of Lieutenant Com...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 174
•
21:10
Rewind: Drinking With Hitchcock and Writing 'Rear Window'
Rewind Episode: Join Sandy and Terry for a fun chat about how a short story from a dime store magazine turned into one of Hollywood's most talked-about films and the fifth-highest-grossing movie of 1954. The film REAR WINDOW, featuring stars li...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 173
•
34:34
Patricia Resnick On Writing “9 to 5,” Working With Cher, And Writing For Mad Men
We have a fantastic episode for you. My guest is screenwriter, producer, and standup comedian Patricia Resnick, best known as the writer of the iconic film “9 to 5” and the author of the book for “9 to 5: the Musical.” Patricia Resnick was also...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 172
•
1:14:49
Carolyn And Kai Omine Talk Writing The Simpsons + Spill Exclusives
Carolyn Omine and Kai Omine hang out with Sandy to discuss their Disney+ episode of The Simpsons called "Yellow Mirror." This mother and son writing team (Carolyn Omine is an Emmy-winning producer who joined the Simpsons’ writing staff in Seaso...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 171
•
59:58
Spec Scripts Are Selling Again -- What You Need To Know
Eight spec scripts have sold so far in August 2025. That's a fantastic achievement that should energize every writer out there. It looks like audiences are eager for movies that keep them guessing, which means fresh, original stories that can s...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 170
•
19:16
It's Never Too Late with Comedian Aaron Foster
Today’s guest is Aaron Foster, a standup comic who brings humor to topics like mental health in his stand-up shows. Aaron is touring now with his show “Mostly Jokes,” where he shares honest stories about being clinically depressed, ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 169
•
42:23
Faceoff: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni – Three Things You Need To Know
In today’s episode, Sandy shares the latest updates on the ongoing legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, highlighting three recent actions taken by each side.The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards sponsors...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 168
•
21:22
How Mike White Came Up With The Idea For Jack Black’s School Of Rock
Let's rewind and join Sandy and Terry as they chat about how writer, actor, and director Mike White (The White Lotus) came up with the hit movie, “The School of Rock,” which has been loved by audiences and critics alike. "School of Rock" played...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 167
•
16:03
'And Just Like That' Kills A Character Twice – Seriously
Sandy offers a behind-the-scenes look at a major TV show that recently made a surprising mistake—killing off a character twice. How did this happen, and who was responsible? We’ll explore these questions with a focus on "And Just Like That." Ev...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 166
•
22:52
Hollywood vs History with 1979’s The Amityville Horror
Let's revisit Episode 15, where Sandy and Terry delve into the fascinating differences between the movie and the true story of the 1979 film "The Amityville Horror,” featuring Josh Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger. This haunting tale foll...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 165
•
30:09
First Draft Practical Steps With Screenwriter Leo Andronov
We're thrilled to introduce our special guest, Leo Andronov! He's a talented screenwriter, director, novelist, dramatist, and the author of FIRST DRAFT PRACTICAL STEPS. Originally from Russia, Leo now makes his home in LA. He's celebrated in hi...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 164
•
42:36
Thomas Dekker Delves Deep Into Screenwriting
Our guest is Thomas Dekker, an actor, musician, director, and screenwriter. Known for portraying John Connor in "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," Thomas can next be seen in the upcoming camp horror comedy "HALLOWEEN STORE." Thomas wrot...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 163
•
53:29
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Camilla Luddington Speaks on Elisabeth Finch
The Writers Hangout Podcast is all ears! In today’s episode, we delve into the latest updates on Elisabeth Finch through the insights of Camilla Luddington and Jessica Capshaw, beloved actors from the iconic medical drama "Grey's Anatomy." Caps...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 164
•
19:09
The Screenwriter And Malibu Squatter - Ellie Mae McNulty
Sandy takes you with her as we discover a private beach in Malibu's beautiful Point Dume area to discuss Elli Mae McNulty, an actor turned screenwriter who allegedly exploits California’s tenancy laws to turn casual stays into protracted evicti...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 163
•
26:24
The Missing Screenwriter Found With No Hands
In honor of my friend Linda Mazur, we are replaying one of my favorite episodes: the little-known mystery of the 1997 disappearance of screenwriter Gary Devore. Gary was returning home after working out the ending of his latest script, wh...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 162
•
18:41