Best Spec Network Podcasts (2025)

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Writing RED SONJA: From Script to Screen with Tasha Huo 49:20

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7h ago49:20

49:20

Host Tasha Huo talks candidly about her writing journey on her first produced film, RED SONJA, from her first pitch to getting rewritten to final credits determination. RED SONJA releases in theaters on August 13th, and streaming on August 29th. TWIW: Josh's old script idea is now a Brendan Fraser movie, but not how Josh expected / Tasha used a pla…

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DF Direct Weekly #226: Are PS6 Spec Leaks Accurate? Is Sony Going Multi-Plat? Apex Legends Switch 2! 1:53:56

1h ago1:53:56

1:53:56

Many, many thanks for an amazingly positive reaction to our news that we've parted ways with IGN in favour of full independence! Rich spends some time talking about the reaction and answering Supporter questions on the changes, with actual gaming and technology news discussing nascent PS6 spec leaks, Apex Legends tested on Switch 2 and misconceptio…

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Behavior Change 101: Trigger, Incentive, and Ability 20:16

3h ago20:16

20:16

This episode delves into a powerful model for encouraging behaviour change, applicable to both managing others and self-improvement, by focusing on three critical factors: Trigger, Incentive, and Ability. It challenges common, ineffective management approaches and provides insights into fostering new habits and desired actions by making the 'right'…

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DF Direct Special: Digital Foundry Leaves IGN, Now Fully Independent - So What Happens Next? 34:55

26m ago34:55

34:55

Amazing news! Digital Foundry has parted ways with IGN and we've bought their shareholding in the business. What this means is that from now on, all aspects of DF are decided upon by DF. We answer to nobody but you, the audience. We are fully independent, we’re proud of that, we think it’s the future of games media - but how far we push, how ambiti…

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DF Direct Weekly #225: Battlefield 6 Reveal, Next-Gen Xbox Silicon Leaked? Nintendo Direct Reaction! 2:07:45

4d ago2:07:45

2:07:45

A new, gigantic Direct sees John, Rich and Oliver mull over what might be next generation Xbox silicon, bringing together consumer CPU and GPU parts into custom APUs that could genuinely shake up the PC market. The team react to the excellent-looking Battlefield 6 reveal, while there's a mixed reception to the latest Nintendo Direct. Meanwhile, Joh…

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Is San Diego Comic-Con good for Screenwriters? + Are You Excited?: August Edition 49:13

3d ago49:13

49:13

Host Tasha Huo went to San Diego Comic-Con this year and has thoughts on why it's a great con for Screenwriters. Plus, Are You Excited about what's coming out in theaters in August? TWIW: How to get unstuck in your writing / Jurassic World: Rebirth / Happy Gilmore 2 made Tasha cry Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Pa…

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Goal of the Goal - Using Goals As A Prioritization Clarifying Tool 26:13

11d ago26:13

26:13

This episode delves into the crucial role of well-positioned goals in a developer's career. It asserts that goals provide clarity, perspective, and purpose, particularly focusing on clarity as a primary benefit. The discussion challenges common struggles with goal setting, including the often-overlooked importance of relevance (the 'R' in SMART goa…

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Are You Excited?: July 2025 Edition 45:59

10d ago45:59

45:59

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about which July Summer movies they're excited about, and give some interesting behind-the-scenes Screenwriting tidbits about how some of these movies got made. TWIW: Tasha is having an IP crisis / Do you need a feature sample to meet at feature companies? / Josh's run-in with a Hollywood icon Questions / Comme…

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DF Direct Weekly #224: PS5 Low Power Mode=PS6 Handheld? Fallout Bakersfield, Crytek 25th Anniversary 1:55:49

10d ago1:55:49

1:55:49

The previously leaked PlayStation 5 Power Saving mode enters beta firmware, stoking rumours that it lays the groundwork for Sony's next generation portable. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077's VRR "no show" on Xbox Series X gets official comment from CD Projekt RED and the team are enthused by an amazing "Fallout Bakersfield" teaser trailer. Oblivion Remas…

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Your Capacity for Growth Is Dependent on This Factor - Cognitive Load Theory 23:49

18d ago23:49

23:49

Today we explore Cognitive Load Theory. This concept can profoundly influence how you structure your workday, manage teams, and approach learning in your career. The episode highlights that much of professional work, particularly in knowledge-based roles like software engineering, is fundamentally about learning. You will discover that there is an …

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Social Media in your Screenwriting Career: Interview w/ Nic Curcio and Kristen Tepper 59:45

16d ago59:45

59:45

This week, we chat with screenwriters Nic Curcio and Kristin Tepper about branding, social media, and what it means to create content as a writer in today’s industry. We dive into how writers can approach their digital footprint, whether you need to be on social media, how to build an authentic brand, the blacklist, and a ton more... Nic Curcio: @N…

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DF Direct Weekly #223: Cyberpunk 2077 VRR Tested, Space Marine RT Upgraded, New SNES Doom Wows 1:52:13

17d ago1:52:13

1:52:13

The latest DF Direct Weekly sees Rich get to grips with Cyberpunk 2077's console VRR - putting our work-in-progress VRR capture tools to the test. Meanwhile, Alex checks out the ray traced ambient occlusion that's been added to Space Marine 2 and investigates odd reports of broken UE4 ray tracing on RDNA 4 graphics cards. John shares more on Donkey…

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Investigating Your Invisible Systems 16:20

26d ago16:20

16:20

This episode focuses again on the fundamental principle that your systems are perfectly designed for the outcomes you are experiencing, regardless of whether those systems were intentionally or accidentally created. Here are the key takeaways from the episode: Uncover how your systems, whether intentionally or accidentally designed, are perfectly c…

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Where to Spend Time: IP or Spec? 44:33

23d ago44:33

44:33

Inspired by a post from Screenwriter Zack Stentz, hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss whether it's a smarter career move to work on IP or to put your head down and write your own spec. They discuss the realities of what it means to work on IP vs. Specs, their own experiences working in both markets, and the consequences (both good & bad) of wo…

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DF Direct Weekly #222: Oblivion Remaster Fixed? Switch 2 Perf vs PS4/Series S! Nintendo "RT" Patents 1:44:12

24d ago1:44:12

1:44:12

This week, Oblivion Remastered's 1.2 patch "dropped" promising performance improvements - but are its systemic stuttering problems fixed? Alex takes a look at the PC version, both moving to an analysis of Nintendo's recently published "ray tracing" patents - which aren't quite what they seem. Meanwhile, Oliver gets to grips with the Wild Hearts dem…

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Perfection Is Fragile, and You Should Avoid It 20:03

1M ago20:03

20:03

This episode discusses why perfection is a dangerous and fragile goal, explaining how striving for 100% leads to unsustainable outlier states. It highlights how setting perfection as a bar can cause commitments to break and plans to fail due to a lack of slack, and offers strategies like building redundancy and planning with slack to achieve goals …

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MAILBAG: Ready to Send Your Script? Writer’s Groups, Pitching & More 34:50

1M ago34:50

34:50

It’s a mailbag episode! Tasha and Josh tackle listener questions - from writer’s groups to pitching and more. Plus, This Week in Writing… Tasha is not a boring writer. Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Paul LundquistBy The Act Two Network

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DF Direct Weekly #221: Disastrous Xbox Cuts, AMD/Sony PS6 Hints, Helldivers 2 Coming To Xbox 1:56:34

1M ago1:56:34

1:56:34

This week, the DF team is reeling after news of disastrous Xbox cuts resulting in untold job losses, the diminishment of celebrated studios and the cancellation of promising games - this follows on from controversy surrounding Xbox hardware strategy and speculation on future consoles. Meanwhile, AMD and Sony re-affirm the Project Amethyst initative…

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Your System is Perfectly Designed for Your Current Outcomes 18:14

1M ago18:14

18:14

This episode introduces the potentially controversial principle that your system is perfectly designed for its current outcomes, urging listeners to embrace greater responsibility for systemic issues. It explores how to redefine system boundaries to holistically integrate all influencing factors, like talent and organisational processes, ensuring t…

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Animated to Live Action Adaptation: LILO & STITCH and HTTYD (Part 2) 30:08

1M ago30:08

30:08

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the live action adaptation of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, breaking down, from a writer's perspective, what made it successful and, in these podcasters opinions, unsuccessful as an adaptation. TWIW: Voice in screenwriting is about pacing, and here's why. Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by t…

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DF Direct Weekly #220: Switch 2 Blurry Screen Controversy, HDMI 2.2 Specs, Hellblade 2 60FPS! 2:00:19

1M ago2:00:19

2:00:19

In the wake of criticism of DF's comments on Switch 2's motion blur display issues, independent benchmark data from multiple sources proves out our point, so what can be done? Meanwhile, John and Oliver share their impressions of Fast Fusion's "Pure" aka "DLSS Off" update, while Rich weighs in on the Nvidia RTX 5050 reveal specs. Hellblade 2's 60fp…

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Using LLMs To Expand Your Working Vocabulary 13:26

1M ago13:26

13:26

This episode explores the fundamental mindset of building your vocabulary, extending beyond literal words to conceptual understanding and mental models, and how Large Language Models (LLMs) can be a powerful tool for expanding and refining this crucial skill for career growth, clarity, and navigating disruptions. Uncover why building your vocabular…

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DF Direct Weekly #219: Xbox/AMD Next-Gen Partnership, Donkey Kong Bananza, Neural Texture Update 1:51:44

2M ago1:51:44

1:51:44

In a packed new Direct, the team convene to discuss the detail - and lack of it - in Xbox and AMD's next-gen partnership announcement. What is the future of the Xbox console? Are MS/AMD looking to compete in the PC prebuilt market? Is the Xbox Ally X part of this arrangement? Is Windows truly capable of working as a robust console-style OS? Meanwhi…

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Animated to Live Action Adaptation: LILO & STITCH and HTTYD (Part 1) 45:47

1M ago45:47

45:47

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discuss the live action adaptation of LILO & STITCH, breaking down writer and director choices that helped launch it into massive numbers at the box office and that, in these podcasters opinions, makes it the most successful live action Disney adaptation yet! TWIW: Josh thinks he can be a detective after writing one…

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Nintendo Switch 2 - DF Hardware Review - A Satisfying Upgrade... But Display Issues Are Problematic 2:04:44

2M ago2:04:44

2:04:44

It's here - the biggest and most comprehensive Digital Foundry hardware test we've ever done. Across two hours of #content, Oliver Mackenzie, John Linneman and Rich Leadbetter share their data, tests, opinions and impressions of the entire Switch 2 package ranging from hardware analysis, display options, power consumption and efficiency, loading ti…

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Great Reviews and Terrible Tacos - Sharpening Substitute Questions with Counterfactuals 23:28

2M ago23:28

23:28

This episode delves into the use of substitute questions—simpler queries we use to answer more complex ones—and the crucial concept of cohesion between these substitutes and our true objectives. You'll learn how to leverage counterfactual thinking to scrutinize your assumptions and enhance the effectiveness of your decisions. Discover two powerful …

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DF Direct Weekly #218: MindsEye Launch Disaster, Next-Gen PS Handheld Specs, Switch 2 Sells 3.5m! 1:46:56

2M ago1:46:56

1:46:56

The catastrophic launch of MindsEye dominates the Direct this week - but how does the game actually look and run on PS5 Pro and PC? We'll have a more detailed review soon, but there's good and bad with this one. Meanwhile, legit-looking specs emerge for the next-gen PlayStation handheld, Switch 2 sells through 3.5m units in four days and Rich spend…

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When Life Happens, How to Keep Writing 39:37

2M ago39:37

39:37

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman have just been side-lined by sicknesses and Tasha is recently back from a month on the road. It's time to talk about how to keep writing during unexpected obstacles. Inertia in the right direction is important, but Life can get in the way. Let's talk practical, real ways to keep going during tough times. Questions /…

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Why Maintenance Matters Now - Construal Level Theory, Marshmallows, and Hyperbolic Discounting 22:57

2M ago22:57

22:57

This episode explores why maintenance tasks, despite their fundamental importance, are often neglected or deprioritised in our daily lives and professional work. It delves into the psychological biases that make consistent maintenance challenging, such as hyperbolic discounting, where immediate gratification is valued over future gains, and the con…

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ElevateAEC 2025 Preview: Growth, Innovation, and Networking Opportunities in San Antonio 35:08

2M ago35:08

35:08

ElevateAEC 2025 Preview: Growth, Innovation, and Networking Opportunities in San Antonio “Proximity is a place of power. If you are a design firm leader or design firm owner and you’re trying to take your firm to the next level, sometimes it means you need to get around other people that have actually already done it.” Randy Wilburn Episode Summary…

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DF Direct Special: Xbox Showcase Reaction - Xbox Ally Handhelds, Final Fantasy 16 Tested + More! 1:19:54

2M ago1:19:54

1:19:54

The summer gaming events continue with the arrival of the Xbox Showcase. Microsoft has had a stellar 2025 and has delivered some exceptional events over the last few years - but this one doesn't quite make the grade. Rich, John and Oliver talk Ally handhelds, the pick of the games shown, the 2026 teases and we have capture and analysis of the "shad…

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RE-RELEASE: How to Stay in Screenwriting Shape 37:58

2M ago37:58

37:58

Hosts Tasha Huo & Josh Hallman discuss a blog post by Final Draft about 5 Ways to stretch your Screenwriting muscles every day so you never lose writing momentum, even on days you don't feel like writing. Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist Music by 414Beg…

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DF Direct Weekly #217: Summer Game Fest/State Of Play! Black Myth Wukong Xbox! PS5 VRR fixed! 2:09:29

2M ago2:09:29

2:09:29

Join Rich, Alex and John for their thoughts on two of the major summer events: Sony's State of Play and Geoff's Summer Game Fest. The team share their thoughts on the biggest games of the shows, before moving onto other matters: Rich is happy to see that Sony has fixed the VRR stuttering problem with PlayStation consoles, Alex discusses the team's …

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Follow This Principle - Establish Your Baselines 8:00

2M ago8:00

8:00

This episode introduces a profound yet simple principle: knowing your baselines. This concept is crucial for effectively detecting and measuring change in your life and career. Uncover the fundamental idea that to recognise when something has changed, you must first understand what things were like before the change occurred. Often, people haven't …

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Are You Excited? JUNE 2025 EDITION 22:08

2M ago22:08

22:08

Summer movies are out! And it's time to see if you're excited about what Hollywood has to offer in June! Some surprises, and some long-awaited blockbusters. What will you be seeing this June? Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Paul LundquistBy The Act Two Network

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DF Direct Weekly #216: Switch 2 Retail Units Leak, Xbox 'Sidelines' Handheld, F1 25 Path Tracing! 1:56:29

2M ago1:56:29

1:56:29

The pre-launch anticipation for Nintendo Switch 2 ratchets up a level as retail units leak ahead of time, revealing the system's boot procedure, a preview of the front end and... not much more. The DF team react to those leaks, reflect on the Switch 2 journey that brought us to this launch and share some initial plans for coverage. Meanwhile, accor…

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DF Direct Weekly #215: Switch 2 Cyberpunk 2077 Preview, RX AMD 9060 XT Reveal, FSR Redstone! 1:51:51

3M ago1:51:51

1:51:51

Another packed Direct sees Tom, Rich and Oliver pore over 37 minutes of Cyberpunk 2077 Switch 2 footage, stacking it up against Series S and PS4 with intriguing results. AMD's announcement for the RX 9060 XT promises to be everything RTX 5060 isn't, while the team mull over Mario Kart World developer disclosures! Oliver gets Doom: The Dark Ages' PC…

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Top Tips for Aspiring Screenwriters 41:00

2M ago41:00

41:00

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman discover a list of top tips for aspiring Screenwriters, according to the New York Film Academy. They disagree fundamentally with some tips, and expound on the practicality of others in the real world. There is advice for up & coming Screenwriters everywhere. Tasha and Josh help translate that advice into real-life s…

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Advice on Advice - Taking Everything with a Grain of Salt 13:54

3M ago13:54

13:54

This episode explores the complex landscape of receiving advice in your career, particularly during uncertain times. It offers insights on how to critically evaluate feedback and external information, prepare for potential negative outcomes outside of your control, and adapt your focus to thrive in a changing industry. Explore why the vast amount o…