Becoming The Main Character
Jameson Olsen
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This podcast explores classic literature to extract life lessons for modern listeners. Each episode analyzes a famous story, such as Hamlet or Moby Dick, and applies its themes to personal growth, relationships, and decision-making. The host, Jameson Olsen, aims to transform how listeners view fiction by connecting it to real-world challenges. It's a show for those seeking wisdom from timeless narratives.
Episodes
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The Scarlet Pimpernel (pt 2) 03.06.2026 1h 48mIn Part 2 of our coverage of The Scarlet Pimpernel we are waiting to see what Chauvelin will discover in the dining room. Marguerite feels sick for being a spy for the villain, but it was the Pimpernel, or her brother Armand, and she has made her choice.How will this play out? Will the Pimpernel escape? Will Marguerite be able to live with her choice? Let's find out together.----------------------------------Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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://schoolofprotagonism.substack.com/FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT:Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain--------------------------Becoming The Main Character is a podcast that asks: what if fiction was so much more than just "fake" stories? What if every story was a simulation in the matrix? A chance to understand more of the world without having to live the experiences ourselves?Here at BTMC, we examine the greatest fiction ever written through a lens that pays attention to the character choices and how they ultimately lead to our heroes and villains getting what they want or being defeated.Subscribe and follow along!
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The Scarlet Pimpernel (pt 1) 26.05.2026 1h 48mBefore the acronyms MCU or DCEU ever existed, superheroes were illustrations on the page of comic books. But before comic books came to be, there was another story that first gave us a hero with a secret identity.The original superhero who risked it all to save others, while wearing a 'mask' in his day-to-day life to protect himself and those he loved.In this episode, we begin coverage of Baroness Orczy's adventurous historical drama, "The Scarlet Pimpernel". A novel that set the foundation for a genre.----------------------------------BTMC on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BecomingMain----------------------------------Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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://schoolofprotagonism.substack.com/----------------------------------FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT:Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain--------------------------Becoming The Main Character is a podcast that asks: what if fiction was so much more than just "fake" stories? What if every story was a simulation in the matrix? A chance to understand more of the world without having to live the experiences ourselves?Here at BTMC, we examine the greatest fiction ever written through a lens that pays attention to the character choices and how they ultimately lead to our heroes and villains getting what they want or being defeated.Subscribe and follow along!
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The Ancient Story Structure Hollywood Keeps Ignoring \\ Kishōtenketsu 04.05.2026 41mWhat if I told you that you have been deprived of one of the best forms of storytelling for most of your life?The "The Three-Act" story structure has dominated Western storytelling for centuries. Hero has desires, Hero encounters conflict, Hero overcomes conflict in order to achieve desires. Easy Peasy. But the Four-Act structure, aka Kishōtenketsu proposes an entirely different take on why we tell stories. Once in a while, a Four-Act breaks out into western culture like Bong Joon Ho's Parasite. But what felt like a complete curveball to our Western minds is simply a perfectly executed Four-Act story to those in the know. Let's learn how it works, see how it differs from Three-Act, we'll see it in action as I retell the ancient Japanese myth of Urashima Taro, and we'll discuss where it's valuable in your life.----------------------------------Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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://schoolofprotagonism.substack.com/FOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT:Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Project Hail Mary (part two) \\ Courage Is Not Optional 14.04.2026 1h 47mYou ready for part 2, question?Grace is now teamed up with his alien friend Rocky, and they have worked together to the point of creating a theory that might save both of their planets. But can they find out the answer in time? Grace also remembers a dark secret about himself...Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT:Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Project Hail Mary (part one) \\ The Science of Not Giving Up 06.04.2026 2h 36mI woke up in space without a clue of what's going on...how's your day been?Andy Weir has carved out a niche for himself that you could call "lone man lost in space". This time, the creator of The Martian dives into even deeper space as he explores interstellar travel, extinction-level events on earth, unexpected friendship, and self-discovery.I have never heard someone say they read this book and didn't love it. So settle in, because this story is literally out of this world.Part 2 is out next week. For full access now:Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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True Grit \\ A Quest To Fix What Is Broken (part 2) 18.03.2026 1h 13mHow Did I End Up Here?Mattie Ross finds herself out on the frozen hillsides of Oklahoma. Body aching from being on horseback all day, she just witnessed the gruesome killing of two bandits...It's enough to make her ask 'what am I doing out here?'Part 2 of True Grit will lead to what I believe is the very relatable answer to that question.Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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True Grit \\ Forge Your Own Path (part 1) 11.03.2026 1h 45m"I was born game, sis, and I hope to die in that condition."When the government-appointed lawmen aren't quick to hunt down the murderer of Frank Ross, his teenage daughter, Mattie, takes things into her own hands and hires a one-eyed US Marshall known for his rough treatment of outlaws.In Charles Portis's classic western novel, we find a beautiful example of how to push through even when everyone is telling you you're not up to the task. So saddle up, we're heading out to find ourselves a desperado.Part 2 releases next week.Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get the full story the day it releases, plus 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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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The Minority Report \\ Future vs. Fate 19.02.2026 1hFelonies are down by 99.8%. There hasn't been a murder in 5 years because the police know what will happen before it takes place. There couldn't possibly be any side effects to arresting people who haven't yet committed a crime...right?This sci-fi classic short story from the 1950's comes to us from the same author who wrote "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" (aka Blade Runner) and is a great dip into the world of "what if?"Sign up for 'BTMC: Protagonist Edition', where you get EXTENDED VERSIONS of the episodes to take you even deeper into the story, plus bonus character analysis episodes and early access to the next novel so you can read along. Sign up link below: ---------------------------Get BTMC: PROTAGONIST EDITION: https://becomingmain.supercast.com/--GET THE FREE NEWSLETTER: "THE SCHOOL OF PROTAGONISM"Substack: https://substack.com/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT:Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Crime and Punishment (Part 2) 29.01.2026 2h 57m"It’s as well that you only killed the old woman. If you’d invented another theory you might perhaps have done something a thousand times more hideous."Raskolnikov was a young man with a theory. A theory that led to a choice, and now he doesn't know how to deal with the consequences. Who will condemn him first, the police, or his own conscience?Tune in to see how Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov's bold and violent story will play out.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Crime and Punishment (Part 1) 16.01.2026 3h 10m"Would not one tiny crime be wiped out by thousands of good deeds?"The Russians are coming...Fyodor Dostoevsky's unique brand of psychological thriller has reached BTMC, and I was delighted to dive deep into the intellectual madness of the deeply flawed main character, Raskolnikov.We've never covered a book like this before.This story was too big for one episode. So, jump in the deep end with part one, and come back soon for part 2.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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8 Lessons For Protagonists in 2026 31.12.2025 46mLaunch into the new year with the best ideas learned from the stories of 2025. I've gone through 70+ lessons that I took from the stories of the last 12 months and picked the 8 that I think are the most powerful for you to apply in your life.Listen, and then go forth and conquer the year.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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How The Grinch Stole Christmas 18.12.2025 21mHo, Ho, Ho! here's a little holiday treat for you. In classic BTMC fashion, I took my lesson as serious as a car accident and found much more depth to the moral of this children's story than you may think was possible.Was the Grinch truly a meany, or just misinformed on what happiness looked like?Enjoy!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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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The Power of Story: Fiction vs Non-Fiction 15.12.2025 44mOn this show, I cover the greatest ficton ever written, but my larger goal is to get you to start looking at ALL stories as tools to understand how to live a better life.So I got two of the most prolific readers I know, "Alex & Books", and Dylan O'Sullivan) to sit down and discuss the unique strengths of both Fictional stories and Non-Fictional stories to help you on your way to becoming a Protagonist.Special Thanks to O'Shaughnessy Ventures (OSV) for hosting this panel discussion.Edited by: Dilan Garcia Lopez (@brutal_dilan)--GET THE FREE NEWSLETTER: "THE SCHOOL OF PROTAGONISM"Substack: https://substack.com/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT:Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Pride and Prejudice 24.11.2025 3h 18mPride and Prejudice is a masterclass in how confidently we can be wrong about people. The story of two people who mistake their first impressions for objective truth, until the story forces them to confront who the other person really is. This episode digs into Austen’s brilliance at showing how believing you have infallible judgment isn’t wisdom...it’s a trap.Most of the art used in this episode is from Hugh Thomson's 1894 illustrated edition of the book.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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The Sword In The Stone \\ King Arthur Origin Story 11.11.2025 47mDisney did you dirty.Because you probably think Arthur becoming king was as easy as pulling the sword from the stone. But the actual myth is way more complicated (and therefore, realistic?).Before Camelot, before the round table, there was just a boy who didn't know what he was destined to be, and with no idea the struggle he would have to survive in order to claim his crown.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde \\ Beware Your Shadow 28.10.2025 1h 54m"Man is not truly one, but truly two."It's one of the most famous gothic horror novellas, and it all started when Robert Louis Stevenson had a nightmare so vivid that his wife had to wake him because of his screams.The story that dares to ask the question: Is man good, evil, or both?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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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The Tell-Tale Heart \\ You Love To Lie To Yourself 15.10.2025 37mEdgar. Allen. Poe.The Master of Macabre. The tortured genius whose own life was almost as dark as the stories he wrote. Today, we dive into one of his most iconic tales, The Tell-Tale Heart.This story is disturbing. It is horrifying. And we're still going to find takeaways that we can apply in our own lives, so jump in and let's get started.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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The Hound of the Baskervilles \\ Life Is Probabilities 03.10.2025 2h 39mThe curse has plagued their family for hundreds of years. A spectral hound that preys only on those of the Baskerville name. Is Sherlock Holmes up against his most clever foe yet, or maybe...the devil himself?Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote 60 detective stories featuring Sherlock Holmes. The man who has turned into one of the most globally loved (and replicated) characters ever created. Dive into the world of Holmes with what is the most Halloween-season-worthy mystery he was asked to solve.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Arrival (Story Of Your Life) \\ Would You Change The Future? 15.09.2025 1h 13mTake in every detail, don't let a moment go unnoticed. One day it may all be a memory...From master short story sci-fi writer Ted Chiang, today we're exploring the inspiration behind the movie Arrival, 'Story of Your Life'.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
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Jurassic Park \\ Man vs. Nature 26.08.2025 4h 13mYou're humming the theme song in your head even as you read this, aren't you?Welcome to Jurassic Park! The wonderfully terrifying world created by the master of techno/science thrillers, Michael Crichton. The book goes deeper and darker than the popular movie into the side effects and unintended consequences of messing with nature. So, hop on in, we're going on a park tour.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/@schoolofprotagonismFOLLOW BTMC FOR MORE GREAT CONTENT: Instagram: https://instagram.com/becomingmainX: https://twitter.com/becomingmain
