We stopped calling them myths. We started calling them blockbusters.

This week: how Superman is just Hercules in a cape, how George Lucas built Star Wars directly on Joseph Campbell’s research, why the MCU might be the most sophisticated mythology ever constructed, and why stadiums function like temples. Then things get darker — the eerie structural overlap between ancient myths and modern conspiracy theories, and where they part ways.

Plus, a Writer’s Corner breakdown on why the “reveal” in your story should never be the ending.

Pull up a chair. 🔥

Is being "chosen" actually a curse? Mike Gardner traces the Chosen One trope from ancient Egyptian god-kings and Moses to Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, and Paul Atreides — unpacking why the best stories aren't about destiny, but about the choice to act anyway. Plus: a Writer's Corner look at why Mike wrote his own hero to reject the trope entirely.

Can one book really change your life?

Out of the millions of books ever written, only a handful stay with us forever. In this first episode of The M. Gardner Show, author M. Gardner explores why certain stories become unforgettable, how books shape who we are, and what separates a good story from one that changes a life. From timeless classics to modern masterpieces, we’ll look at the power of storytelling and why the right book can arrive at exactly the right moment.

So pull up a chair, and let’s start at the very beginning.