The Purpose Made Podcast

BioShock Creator Ken Levine And The Story Behind Judas

A Conversation With Stefan Lampinen

A conversation with Dmitri M. Johnson & Mike Goldberg

Deadpool’s co-creator Fabian Nicieza on storytelling's future, AI’s threat to creativity, and why characters still save lives.In this powerful and wide-ranging episode, Deadpool co-creator Fabian Nicieza joins Peter Bell on the Purpose Made podcast to talk about what it really means to build enduring characters and what’s being lost in today’s race toward AI-driven content.Fabian reflects on four decades in storytelling, from Marvel's golden era to transmedia’s unrealised promise, and shares the emotional weight of creating characters that help people navigate trauma, cancer, and loss.He also dives deep into the creative and moral challenge AI poses to future generations of artists. This isn’t just an industry conversation, it’s a human one.Whether you’re a writer, founder, or fan of good stories, this is the episode that challenges you to ask: What kind of world are we building?Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: From Marvel to Deadpool04:32 – Deadpool’s origin and emotional impact12:15 – The evolution of storytelling (simplicity to complex simplicity)18:40 – The Deadpool effect: humour + trauma = healing28:55 – AI and the end of creativity43:00 – Transmedia: Dream vs. Reality55:15 – How creatives should handle fandom backlash01:02:30 – Can stories still survive without storytellers?Guest Bio:Fabian Nicieza is a legendary writer and editor known for his iconic work at Marvel Comics, including X-Men, X-Force, and co-creating Deadpool. With a career spanning 40+ years, he’s also worked with DC Comics, Mattel, Acclaim, and Starlight Runner. His novels Suburban Dick's and The Self-Made Widow received critical acclaim, including an Edgar Award nomination.Resource Links:Fabian’s book: Suburban Dick's (https://amzn.to/4kF17BD)Purpose Made website: www.purposemade.ukListen on Spotify: Purpose Made Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/66hrGrtDSwBJUzIGF6f5eg?si=4d7031600d3c433e)🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on purpose, creativity & the future: https://www.youtube.com/@UCftFt-Pd7xe1f0XY0K-dX4w Connect with Fabian Nicieza:• Twitter/X: @FabianNicieza• Website: fabiannicieza.com#Deadpool #FabianNicieza #Storytelling #AIandCreativity #PurposeMadePodcast #Transmedia #Marvel #CreativeProcess #FutureOfArt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Gomez, CEO of Starlight Runner & architect behind Marvel, Spider-Man, & Pirates of the Caribbean transmedia universes and more, reveals how storytelling is evolving in the digital age & why narrative shapes reality. In this profound conversation, Jeff shares his journey from a traumatic childhood in 1960s NYC to becoming the pioneer behind transmedia storytelling for the world's biggest franchises. Discover how Jeff's early escape into Japanese media like Godzilla laid the foundation for his revolutionary approach to creating interconnected story worlds across multiple platforms. Jeff reveals the shift from the traditional hero's journey to what he calls "collective journey narratives" - a storytelling model designed for our interconnected world. He explains how this approach has not only transformed entertainment but has been applied to address real-world crises in Colombia, Mexico, and Afghanistan. Learn why Jeff believes AI will dramatically change how stories are created while potentially threatening authentic human connection. The conversation explores why world-building comes before character development in transmedia, why Hollywood often treats IP as a funnel rather than a framework, and how ethical considerations must guide immersive environments. TIMESTAMPS:00:00 The Power and Wisdom of Storytelling00:21 Jeff Gomez: From Chaos to Creativity01:49 The Birth of a Storyteller04:40 Early Influences: Godzilla and Japanese Media08:06 Dungeons and Dragons: A Gateway to Story Worlds09:07 From Fanzines to Professional Storytelling11:22 World Building in Magic: The Gathering13:09 Transmedia Storytelling in Hollywood23:32 The Collective Journey: A New Narrative Model28:27 Transmedia for Social Change32:49 The Evolution of Social Media Personas34:15 Impact of Social Media on Emotional Well-being34:33 Narrative in the Digital Age36:07 Story World Architecture and World Building37:58 Audience Interaction and Fan Engagement39:07 Geosynchronous Storytelling and Content Discoverability40:24 Video Games and Narrative Adaptations42:11 Current Trends in Storytelling45:40 The Role of AI in Human Relationships50:29 Hope for the Future of Storytelling52:41 Transmedia Storytelling: Origins and Evolution57:09 Emotional Resonance in Story Worlds59:03 Ethical Considerations in Immersive Content01:00:33 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysABOUT JEFF GOMEZ:Jeff Gomez is the CEO of Starlight Runner Entertainment and a leading expert in story world development and narrative design. His pioneering work in transmedia storytelling has shaped how major franchises expand across multiple platforms. Jeff has contributed to blockbuster properties including Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean, Avatar, Halo, and Men in Black. His innovative approach to narrative has been applied not only in entertainment but also in addressing sociopolitical challenges worldwide.EPISODE SUMMARY:This conversation explores how storytelling is evolving in our digital age, the shift from hero's journey to collective narratives, and why Jeff believes that "if we have the power of Gods, we require the wisdom of Gods to use that power - and wisdom comes out of narrative." Learn how proper story architecture creates emotional resonance, why Hollywood often mismanages IP development, and how AI is transforming both storytelling and human relationships.📱 CONNECT WITH JEFF:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgomez/🎙️ SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with industry innovators and creative pioneers.🔔 Hit the notification bell to never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.