Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail: A Writer’s Guide to Lasting Change

December 31, 2025 No Comments

Every year, writers make New Year’s resolutions with the best intentions—only to watch those resolutions crumble under real life. The problem isn’t discipline or willpower, but the same structural mistakes that cause character arcs to collapse in screenplays. Learn how to build 2026 resolutions that actually work by drawing on the same techniques writers use to create journeys of lasting change for their characters.

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On this podcast, rather than reviewing movies and TV shows “two thumbs up, two thumbs down” Award Winning Screenwriter Jacob Krueger shows you what you can learn from them as a screenwriter.
This podcast is offered absolutely free and with no outside advertising, so if you like what you hear, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts and write us a review.
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This is by far the most insightful and consistently rich-with-advice podcast I’ve found. Krueger has such a surgically clear understanding of what makes a story work on the screen that he’s able to crystallize the problems or successes of a film/show in the most helpful and practical ways.
I listen primarily to film-related podcasts and this is far and away the best one dedicated to the art and craft of screenwriting. Many times I found my options for insight limited to either outdated or just plain nonsensical “rules” of screenwriting gurus or non-specific if not jaded advice from even some of my favorite working writers. This podcast provides honest and nuanced lessons that can be applied to every aspect of the writing process. I can not recommend it highly enough.
Whenever I get stuck, I listen to an episode and I can write again! Thanks to Jacob, I've finished three short screenplays in three months. That's a big leap for me. He offers a lot of amazing techniques and concepts that I've never thought of before but are absolutely useful. Thank you!
Listening to Jacob is like taking a masterclass in screenwriting and having your head cleared in a therapy session at the same time… Next level, consciousness-raising stuff.
For three decades, I've aspired to write screenplays. However, as a single mother and the owner of an agency that books professional speakers, celebrities, and notable presenters (I'm an expert in the industry), along with one challenge after another, life kept getting in the way. Still, I immersed myself in the craft whenever I could. I own practically every book ever written on screenwriting and had a couple of screenplays in the works. Finally, I was able to get serious. In doing so, I recently discovered screenwriting podcasts. Without a doubt, Jacob Krueger's "Write Your Screenplay" podcast is my absolute favorite. Within the last month, I've listened to every single episode. I truly appreciate Jacob's unwavering wisdom, his uncanny ability to dig deep into the psychology of a film, the spiritual way he looks at things, and his infectious voice.
As a wanna-be screenwriter, I find the way the films are broken down in these podcasts gives me great insight for my own writing.
Jacob Krueger is very insightful and truly knows how to break down a film, whether it was good or not and helps you understand the elements that either make or break your script. I also have to say that after listening to his podcasts more and more, I have felt the urge to write more, no matter how bad my writing might be at the beginning. I know the more I write, the closer I’ll get to my best material as well as where I need to go.
I absolutely love this podcast and look forward to every episode. Jacob breaks down films and explains why they worked or why they didn’t work like no other. Each podcast inspires me to keep writing. Even if you are not a writer, this podcast will help you enjoy films more.
I have been listening to Jacob's podcast for a couple years now and finally started taking his classes. I have learned so much and have become a better writer picking his brain. They work with you every step of the way, I would highly recommend this class for anyone who wants to take their writing further.
I'm so grateful to have found Jake and the wonderful community he has built. I recently took his Write Your Screenplay class where he teaches the fundamentals in a highly entertaining way. I'm now enrolled in a Workshop so get the best of both worlds - personal instruction and peer mentors for encouragement. I also highly recommend listening to Jacob's podcast, Write Your Screenplay. It's hours of free, really high quality instruction.
I have been listening to Jacob's podcast for a couple years now and finally started taking his classes. I have learned so much and have become a better writer picking his brain. They work with you every step of the way, I would highly recommend this class for anyone who wants to take their writing further.
I don't have words for how incredibly special this studio is. As a baby writer I was so nervous, and everyone has been nothing short of wonderful and encouraging. I found Jacob through his podcast (which I also HIGHLY recommend) and I have learned so much in the short amount of time I have been in class. Not only the vast knowledge, but Jacob and everyone he has hired care so much about writers and artists and helping you in the way you need along your journey. Part professor, part mentor, part cheerleader...every artist needs a studio like this in their life!
Jacob is giving away gold.

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Last Updated: May 13, 2025 2:00 PM EST

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By registering for the course, you are agreeing to the following terms, which form a legal contract between you and Jacob Krueger Studio, LLC (“Company”) and govern your attendance at and/or participation in Company’s course (the “Course”). 

  1. Course Participation.
    1. Admittance.  Your registration entitles you to admittance to the Course.  Any and all other costs associated with your attendance (including, without limitation, any travel or accommodation expenses) shall be borne solely by you and Company shall not be liable for any such costs.
    2. Media.  For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, you grant Company the right to record, film, photograph or capture your likeness in connection with the Course, in any media now available and hereafter developed (“Course Footage”).  You further grant to Company in perpetuity the rights to use, license, edit, copy, distribute, publicly display and make derivative works of the Course Footage, including exploitation for marketing, advertising or merchandising related to the Course, throughout the universe.  You hereby waive any and all approval rights you may have over Company’s use of the Course Footage and acknowledge these rights are granted without any payment, including royalties or residuals, to you.
    3. Conduct.  You acknowledge that Company reserves the right to request your removal from the Course if Company, in its sole discretion, considers your presence or behavior to create a disruption or to hinder the Course or the enjoyment of the Course by other attendees or speakers.
  2. Fee(s).
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  3. Intellectual Property. All intellectual property rights, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and patents, in and to the Course, the Course content and all materials distributed at or in connection with the Course (the “Course Materials”) are owned by Company. You may not use, license, copy, display, or make derivative works of the Course Materials without the prior written permission of Company.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this agreement shall be deemed to vest in you any legal or beneficial right in or to any trademarks or other intellectual property rights owned or used under license by Company or grant to you any right or license to any other intellectual property rights of Company, all of which shall at all times remain the exclusive property of Company.
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    participants the legal standing to remove unauthorized content from platforms such as YouTube and social media sites, you agree that

    (1) you are prohibited from recording any portion of the Course;

    (2) in exchange for the opportunity to participate in the Course, you assign to Company your verbal contributions to the session discussions.

    To be clear, you assign to Company only your oral statements during recorded Course sessions. You retain all copyright to any and all written materials you submit to the class and the right to use them in any way you choose without permission from or compensation to the Company.

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