The Hero's Journey: Recent Episodes
Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana
Author Jeff Garvin and book blogger Dan Zarzana examine books & films through the lens of The Hero’s Journey. Pioneered by world-renowned teacher and mythologist Joseph Campbell, and refined by Disney story veteran Christopher Vogler, The Hero’s Journey is a series of motifs and archetypes that pervade myths, folklore, and stories across all cultures and eras. Each month, Jeff and Dan will discuss a different book or film. And probably, there will be some whiskey involved.
Get your cover story straight, tighten up your tango, and charge those camcorder batteries. This is the hero’s journey of True Lies. Listen now: https://herosjourneypodcast.com/true-lies The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Grab a bag of caramels, brush up on your sines and cosines, and let’s go beat up some smaht kids. This is the hero’s journey of Good Will Hunting.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Unexplained deaths. Strange marks on the skin. Unidentifiable metal implants. Do you want to believe? This is the Hero’s Journey℠ of The X-Files Pilot.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Study your case file, steam up a pot of fava beans, and put the lotion in the basket. This is the Hero’s Journey℠ of The Silence of the Lambs.
About Special Guest Dan Butler: Dan Butler is an award-winning writer, producer, director, and actor with a career spanning four decades. He’s probably best known for his portrayal of Bulldog Briscoe on one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Frasier. But he’s also played all over the country in dozens of professional theater productions from Neil Simon to Shakespeare to Stephen King. He’s played roles in such TV shows as House, Star Trek Voyager, The X-Files and in films including (but not limited to): Enemy of the State, Blonde, and Karl Rove, I Love You (which he also co-wrote, co-directed, and produced). And, most significantly for us, he played Roden, the Entomologyst who identifies the enigmatic Death’s Head Moth in Jonathan Demme’s 1991 opus, and the subject of this episode, The Silence of the Lambs.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Grab your sketch pad, change your hair color yet again, and remember me. This is the Hero’s Journey℠ of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Sharpen your shword, prepare your aloe burn treatment, and commit the Code to heart. Thish ish the hero’sh journey of Dragonheart. The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana. Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page. The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Pay your tab at the Green Dragon and pack your second breakfast. We’re going on an adventure! This is the hero’s journey of Peter Jackson’s 2001 adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by creators/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana. Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Flee your abusive aunt and uncle, take a running start at the barrier between platforms nine and ten, and change into your school robes. This is the Hero’s Journey of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Light a candle, beware the moon, and keep clear of the moors. This is the hero’s journey of An American Werewolf in London.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Squeeze into those leather pants, locate the stage, and crank up your amp to 11. This is the hero’s journey of This is Spinal Tap.
The Hero's Journey ℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at stories through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writers/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on X and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit our Patreon page.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Cover your tracks, prepare your alibi, and get ready to stare into the donut hole. This is the hero’s journey of Knives Out.
The Hero's Journey ℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at movies through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writer/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit https://www.patreon.com/herosjourney.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Identify your mark, stack the deck, and know your escape route. This is the hero’s journey of The Sting.
The Hero's Journey ℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at movies through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writer/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit https://www.patreon.com/herosjourney.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the game, we present to you the Hero's Journey of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
The Hero's Journey ℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at movies through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writer/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit https://www.patreon.com/herosjourney.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Dust off your fedora, pack your Grail Diary, and don’t call me Junior! This is the hero’s journey of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
The Hero's Journey ℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at movies through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writer/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram. To see exclusive bonus content and gain the right to vote on the subject of our next episode, visit https://www.patreon.com/herosjourney.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Load your typewriter with white long-grained mimeo paper and take your Novril. This is the hero’s journey of Misery.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at movies through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writer/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Grab your gear, prep your mud bath, and get to the choppa! This is the Hero’s Journey℠ of Predator.
The Hero's Journey℠ Podcast is a fun, insightful look at movies through the lens of Joseph Campbell’s world-renowned mythological framework, hosted by writer/BFFs Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
The trademark Hero’s Journey℠ is used under license from the Joseph Campbell Foundation (www.jcf.org).
Gas up the Saab, load the trunk with Pinot Noir, and prepare your mental thesaurus of olfactory terminology. This is the hero’s journey of Sideways.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through the lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Pin on your marshal’s badge, load your six-gun, and saddle up. This is the hero’s journey of Tombstone.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Kill the power, deactivate the cameras, and prepare to see how you behave when you’re unobserved. This is the hero’s journey of Ex Machina.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Pack your New York City snowglobe, pull on your gold elf spandex, and wave goodbye to your friends from the Poor Man’s Island of Misfit Toys. This is the hero’s journey of Elf.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Vogler's The Writer's Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Don your lensless glasses, crawl inside your red tent fort, and get ready to see dead people. This is the hero’s journey of The Sixth Sense.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Don your lensless glasses, crawl inside your red tent fort, and get ready to see dead people. This is the hero’s journey of The Sixth Sense.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Put on your uniform, lace your cleats, and hit the field! This is the hero’s journey of Remember the Titans.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana
Prepare your copy of Final Exit, clean your skis, and withdraw two dollars from the ATM because you’re gonna need that later. This is the hero’s journey of Better Off Dead.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Prepare your copy of Final Exit, clean your skis, and withdraw two dollars from the ATM because you’re gonna need that later. This is the hero’s journey of Better Off Dead.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Queue up your Sonny Chiba triple feature, put on your peach chapstick, and gas up your purple Cadillac convertible. This is the hero’s journey of True Romance.
Quarter your Xanax, activate social media push notifications, and point your telescope toward the stars. This is the hero’s journey of Don’t Look Up.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Grab your gear, soldier, ditch the typewriter, and stick close to your band of brothers this is the hero’s journey of Saving Private Ryan. The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Break in your mitt, warm up your arm, and tear open your pouch of Big League Chew. This is the hero’s journey of Major League. The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Have a box of tissues at the ready, clear your spit valve, and remember that when a flat precedes a note, it indicates the note is to be played a half step lower. This is the hero’s journey of Mr. Holland’s Opus. The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through then lens of Joseph Campbell's mythological framework, using Chrisopher Voglers The Writers Journey as a guide. Hosted by writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana.
Pack your gigantic suitcase, grab your .38, and hop into your BFF’s car. This is the hero’s journey of Thelma & Louise.
The Hero's Journey is a podcast about books and films through the lens of Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces mythological framework and its modern counterpart, The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler.
Scrape the ice off your windshield, reserve your room at the Blue Ox, and fire up the ol’ woodchipper. This is the hero’s journey of Fargo.
Merry Christmas, you wonderful old listeners! Make a wish, chuck a rock through the window of that dilapidated old house across the street, and hold tight to your dreams. Writers Dan Zarzana and Jeff Garvin are about to take you through the hero’s journey of It’s A Wonderful Life.
This month, writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana dissect Scorsese’s 1990 real-live ganster tale using Joseph Campbell’s mystical framework. (Like ya do.) So, borrow a kitchen knife from your sweet ol’ ma, stuff a .38 snubnose down your pants, and take your first pinch like a champ. This is the hero’s journey of Goodfellas.
Lock your doors, bolt your windows, turn off the lights — and join writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana as they use Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey as a knife to dissect John Carpenter’s 1978 horror classic, Halloween.
Writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana take apart the story of TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY using the elements of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey (and Dan’s Arnold impression, and perhaps an adult beverage.)
String your bow, fletch an arrow, and join writers Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana as they use Joseph Campbell’s Hero's Journey framework to deconstruct Kevin Reynolds’s 1991 blockbuster ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES.
Book blogger Dan Zarzana and author Jeff Garvin examine Steven Spielberg’s 1975 blockbuster Jaws (starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw) using the framework of Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. Pack your Dramamine and fill your chum bucket. We’re going fishing.
Gas up your hot rod, tune your radio to the Wolfman Jack show, and prepare your traffic light pick-up lines. We’re cruising the strip with American Graffiti.
Don your pressure suit, clear your relief tube, and calculate your gimbal angles. We’re lifting off on APOLLO 13.
Secure the hatches, flood the ballast tanks, and man your stations. We are on The Hunt for Red October!
Lives are at stake and we have an oath to our listeners to uphold. Put on your hazmat suit and try to remain calm. We have been ordered to investigate Outbreak.
Bid your dinner party of skeptics farewell, make no effort to pack supplies, and climb on! We’re heading back to 1895 for H.G. Wells’s timeless sci-fi classic, The Time Machine.
Don your Scuba tuxedo, strap on your Walther PPK, and slide into your tricked-out Aston Martin. Your mission: defend Fort Knox from the greedy phalanges of Goldfinger!
Thanks to the generosity of our patrons, we produced a special musical bonus episode: HAMILTON! Celebrate democracy with us by listening, subscribing, and supporting at herosjourneypodcast.com.
Hang the lights on the house, trim the tree, and whip up some eggnog. We’re going on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
It’s time for an episode about recording a podcast about a movie about writing a movie: Adaptation. You should listen. Maybe if you listen, you’ll be happier.
Grab your cricket bat and collect a bouquet of flowers for Mum. It is time to get some red on us and take a bite of Shaun of the Dead.
Grab your bowling bag, make yourself a White Russian, and get ready to rescue your rug, man. It’s time to meet The Big Lebowski.
Grow three days of stubble, dust off your iconic fedora, and ready your bullwhip. It's time for RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK.
Polish your badge, strap on your piece, and get in the car—it’s unlocked. Today we follow the Hero’s Journey of Officer Jake Hoyt in the Oscar-winning 2001 film by Antoine Fuqua, Training Day.
You’re on the clock and the timer is ticking. Payment is wired to your offshore account and the target is acquired. We’re dropping into Extraction.
Prep your typewriter, swipe the key to room 237, and give me bat, Wendy. Jeff and Dan are tapping into the King/Kubrick masterpiece, The Shining.
Don a Presidential mask, wax your board, and practice your pop-up because Dan & Jeff are taking on Point Break.
Wrap a wet towel around your head, take one last gasp of AIYAH, and get ready to go to MAHS, because you’re about to achieve Total Recall.
Climb into your Jacket exo-suit, unsafety your weapon, and prepare to fight, die, and fight again as Dan and Jeff take you to the Edge of Tomorrow.
Throw your ghost dog a bone and climb aboard your coffin sleigh, because it’s time to take a hero's journey look at The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Raise your X-wing out of the swamp, activate your lightsaber, and prepare to atone with the father. It’s time for a Hero’s Journey into THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK.
Operation Kino is a go! Study your French phrasebook, polish your boots, and attendez la crème. It's time to drop behind enemy lines with Dan & Jeff for a Hero's Journey look at Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.
Load your rifle, mount your horse, and join the posse as Jeff and Dan take aim at 2007’s Russell Crowe/Christian Bale western 3:10 to Yuma.
It’s time to kill some bugs with Dan & Jeff as they drop nukes on Paul Verhoeven’s satirical sci-fi classic Starship Troopers. Come on you apes—you want to live forever?
Hoist your boom box, take this pen, and join Jeff and Dan as they hit Play on Cameron Crowe's 1989 film Say Anything.
Lose your heads with Dan and Jeff as they open the box on David Fincher’s serial killer masterpiece, Se7en.
Choke down those frozen waffles, pound your mimosa, and pile in the minivan because we're going to party with BAD MOMS.
Draw your sword, hop on your white horse, and storm the castle with Jeff and Dan as they take on the fairy tale comedy The Princess Bride.
Join forces with Jeff the Butcher and Amster-Dan for a discussion of legendary director Martin Scorsese's bleak revenge flick, Gangs of New York. If you've got the sand for it.
Insert your babel fish, stick out your thumb, and catch a ride with Jeff and Dan as they explore Douglas Adams's classic farce, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Don't forget your towel!
We triple dog dare you to listen to this episode, in which Dan & Jeff argue from beginning to end over the 1983 classic A Christmas Story. You'll shoot your ears out!
Join Jeff of Clan Garvin and Danny the Shortshanks as they chase Mel Gibson across the bloodied fields of Stirling in Braveheart.
Board the Nostromo with Dan and Jeff as they latch onto the face of Ridley Scott’s 1979 Sci-Fi Horror film, Alien.
Approach the innermost Batcave with Dan & Jeff as they take on Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-Winning Batman epic The Dark Knight. (Send throat lozenges.)
Brace yourselves for intrigue, analysis, and Dan’s terrible, terrible Jimmy Stewart impression as the boys peer into Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window.
We made you an episode you can't refuse. There's no peace as Dan & Jeff disagree on nearly everything about 1972 Best Picture winner The Godfather.
Step into the dugout with Dan & Jeff as they take on the 1989 classic Field of Dreams. In this ep, the boys take another swing at their ongoing disagreement about what exactly the Ordeal is.
Level up with Dan and Jeff as they tackle Ernest Cline’s blockbuster debut Ready Player One. This episode is rife with conflict as the boys joust over the ever-troublesome second act.
The stakes are high in this episode as Jeff and Dan once again butt heads about who’s the protagonist. But the real action comes in the middle of Act II when one of our beloved hosts turns out to be completely wrong—about everything. Jeff gushes about Joshua Malina and The West Wing Weekly, and Dan whips out his own Gene Hackman impression. With heated conflict, themed libations, upgraded sound effects, and an entirely new segment, Episode 4 is not to be missed!
Join Dan and Jeff as they tackle Margaret Atwood's time-bending, highly relevant dystopian masterpiece, The Handmaid's Tale. There's so little overlap in their analyses, it's hard to believe they read the same book.
Celebrate the Holidays with Jeff and Dan as they break down the greatest Christmas movie ever made: Die Hard. Jeff mostly yells and drops names from his 90s acting career while Dan crushes “Approach to the Inmost Cave” and raises the bar on episode-themed libations.
There's disagreement from page one as Dan & Jeff discuss the classic film The Shawshank Redemption (based on the Stephen King novella Rita Haworth and Shawshank Redemption) through the lens of Joseph Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces.
In Episode 0, hosts Jeff Garvin and Dan Zarzana introduce the concept of The Hero's Journey using examples from Star Wars and Harry Potter.