Talking Our Story: The Story Behind a Family of Storytellers

9: Empire Stories (Sn 1 Finale)

How do you go from being raised on stories to making them side by side?   In the season one finale of Talking Our Story, John and Amy sit down with their son Jakob to tell the behind-the-scenes story of how the Minton family finally became true creative partners. They trace the road from Jakob’s high school comedy skits to college desk comedy and independent filmmaking to writing a science fiction series—all without losing the warmth (or honesty) that comes from being family. This conversation is about timing, trust, and the moment a family stops telling stories to each other—and starts creating them together. Join the Story YouTube: “Talking Story: A Fantastical Fiction Channel”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story] Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok: @jajminton Website: ⁠https://www.jajminton.com⁠ [https://www.jajminton.com/] Discord: ⁠discord.gg/talkingstory⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmFRT3pKUXRkdnZUTVNLU1gwNDZnUDVnZXl2QXxBQ3Jtc0tuaUFTSFNzbXh2MVItRDRBcklrQmR0ajFHdTJXZURTbXB2RHR4dDdBUWF0aFVKMDRjSTdzWk9pMHpZcGZ3SXZyVnp3TzRQQWYzN2lVRkN5TGV6eGtjNEQ0dTJXUHpNVGx2RlV4bjIxeUFDM1M2MTBRRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2Ftalkingstory] Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory] Strange Eons, Book One: Discovery, in paperback, ebook, and audio: ⁠https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2⁠ [https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2] Music Credit: “New Echota” by Galapaghost via Uppbeat.io

8: Reinvention Stories

Closing night isn’t the end—it’s the pivot.   In this episode of Talking Our Story, John and Amy talk about what happens after a lifetime in theatre—when the curtain finally comes down and it’s time to become beginners again. They share how “retirement” from the stage didn’t mean stepping away from art but stepping toward a different creative community with new rhythms, new friends, and new ways to push themselves. From releasing an identity built in rehearsal halls to finding joy in news stores and dorms, their conversation explores reinvention as both loss and liberation—and why the storyteller’s work doesn’t end when one chapter closes. Join the Story YouTube: “Talking Story: A Fantastical Fiction Channel”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story] Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok: @jajminton Website: ⁠https://www.jajminton.com⁠ [https://www.jajminton.com/] Discord: ⁠discord.gg/talkingstory⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmFRT3pKUXRkdnZUTVNLU1gwNDZnUDVnZXl2QXxBQ3Jtc0tuaUFTSFNzbXh2MVItRDRBcklrQmR0ajFHdTJXZURTbXB2RHR4dDdBUWF0aFVKMDRjSTdzWk9pMHpZcGZ3SXZyVnp3TzRQQWYzN2lVRkN5TGV6eGtjNEQ0dTJXUHpNVGx2RlV4bjIxeUFDM1M2MTBRRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2Ftalkingstory] Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory] Strange Eons, Book One: Discovery, in paperback, ebook, and audio: ⁠https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2⁠ [https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2] Music Credit: “New Echota” by Galapaghost via Uppbeat.io

7: Magikal Stories

Tiny humans. Scary ghosts. Zero chill.   In this episode of Talking Our Story, John and Amy reflect on the intense year they spent working inside a children’s theatre in San Antonio. It was a season of extremes: exhilarating creative highs, exhausting emotional lows, moments of deep joy with fellow artists, and moments that pushed them right to the edge of burnout. They talk candidly about what it’s like to pour everything into a mission-driven artistic space, the beauty of theatre made for and with children, and the quiet warning signs that something sustainable was slipping away. Ultimately, this conversation explores why loving the work isn’t always enough—and how knowing when to walk away can be an act of survival, clarity, and growth. Join the Story YouTube: “Talking Story: A Fantastical Fiction Channel”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story] Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok: @jajminton Website: ⁠https://www.jajminton.com⁠ [https://www.jajminton.com/] Discord: ⁠discord.gg/talkingstory⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmFRT3pKUXRkdnZUTVNLU1gwNDZnUDVnZXl2QXxBQ3Jtc0tuaUFTSFNzbXh2MVItRDRBcklrQmR0ajFHdTJXZURTbXB2RHR4dDdBUWF0aFVKMDRjSTdzWk9pMHpZcGZ3SXZyVnp3TzRQQWYzN2lVRkN5TGV6eGtjNEQ0dTJXUHpNVGx2RlV4bjIxeUFDM1M2MTBRRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2Ftalkingstory] Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory] Strange Eons, Book One: Discovery, in paperback, ebook, and audio: ⁠https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2⁠ [https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2] Music Credit: “New Echota” by Galapaghost via Uppbeat.io

6: High-Water Mark Stories

Sleep is optional. Art is not.   In this episode of Talking Our Story, John and Amy trade war stories from the theatre seasons when the casts and budgets are getting larger and the time together was getting shorter. They laugh about creative endeavors achieved on zero sleep. Somewhere between tech week and diaper changes, they stumbled into some of their most honest, focused, and surprisingly powerful artistic moments. A funny, frazzled, and very real look at what happens when ambition, parenthood, and sheer stubborn love for storytelling all pile on at once—and somehow, the show still goes on. Join the Story YouTube: “Talking Story: A Fantastical Fiction Channel”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story] Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok: @jajminton Website: ⁠https://www.jajminton.com⁠ [https://www.jajminton.com/] Discord: ⁠discord.gg/talkingstory⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmFRT3pKUXRkdnZUTVNLU1gwNDZnUDVnZXl2QXxBQ3Jtc0tuaUFTSFNzbXh2MVItRDRBcklrQmR0ajFHdTJXZURTbXB2RHR4dDdBUWF0aFVKMDRjSTdzWk9pMHpZcGZ3SXZyVnp3TzRQQWYzN2lVRkN5TGV6eGtjNEQ0dTJXUHpNVGx2RlV4bjIxeUFDM1M2MTBRRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2Ftalkingstory] Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory] Strange Eons, Book One: Discovery, in paperback, ebook, and audio: ⁠https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2⁠ [https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2] Music Credit: “New Echota” by Galapaghost via Uppbeat.io

5: Nation of Three Stories

When did you realize your family was different?   In this episode of Talking Our Story, John and Amy sit down with their adult son Jakob to unpack what it was really like growing up in a family that didn’t do “normal.”  Jakob shares when he first realized that his upbringing was unconventional, how storytelling was taught as a way of life, and how his parents’ intense work ethic became his artistic inheritance. This conversation explores family dynamics, creative identity, and the long-term impact of an upbringing centered on storytelling and imagination. Join the Story YouTube: “Talking Story: A Fantastical Fiction Channel”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@Talking_Story] Instagram, Twitter/X, and TikTok: @jajminton Website: ⁠https://www.jajminton.com⁠ [https://www.jajminton.com/] Discord: ⁠discord.gg/talkingstory⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=channel_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmFRT3pKUXRkdnZUTVNLU1gwNDZnUDVnZXl2QXxBQ3Jtc0tuaUFTSFNzbXh2MVItRDRBcklrQmR0ajFHdTJXZURTbXB2RHR4dDdBUWF0aFVKMDRjSTdzWk9pMHpZcGZ3SXZyVnp3TzRQQWYzN2lVRkN5TGV6eGtjNEQ0dTJXUHpNVGx2RlV4bjIxeUFDM1M2MTBRRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2Ftalkingstory] Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory⁠ [https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingStory] Strange Eons, Book One: Discovery, in paperback, ebook, and audio: ⁠https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2⁠ [https://a.co/d/0e1qP6e2] Music Credit: “New Echota” by Galapaghost via Uppbeat.io