Story Secrets

Story Secrets

Hosted by: Fr. Roderick Vonhögen

Fr. Roderick Vonhögen explores the deeper layers of the stories that you love.

All Episodes

Episodes

The Story Magic Behind My Book

At the start of this year, I took a crazy leap: I began writing my first fantasy novel. I was scared — but some friendly fantasy writers encouraged me to just start writing, no matter how imperfect it would be. And...
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Did Twisters Blow Me Away? (Spoiler: Nope)

I finally watched Twisters, the sequel to one of my guilty pleasures: the 90s classic Twister. And honestly? It left me feeling... underwhelmed. Just like the original, Twisters is a popcorn blockbuster full of...
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Sacrifices That Break the Soul (Andor Season 2, Episode 3)

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When Star Wars Becomes Uncomfortably Real (Andor Season 2, Episode 2)

There’s this one scene in Andor Season 2, Episode 2 that made me laugh out loud… and then immediately feel bad for laughing. It’s the moment when Cyril Karn, overwhelmed by his controlling mother, just collapses face...
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Why This Star Wars Story Hits Harder Than Ever: (Andor Season 2, Episode 1)

The first three episodes of Andor Season 2 are out—and wow, they remind me why this show might just be the best Star Wars we’ve ever had on TV. What makes Andor stand out? It dares to slow down. It gives space for...
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What The Predator Gets Wrong About Autism

The other day I watched The Predator—not the classic one with Schwarzenegger, but the confusing 2018 sequel that somehow ended up in my Netflix queue. The film tries to tackle neurodiversity, with a young autistic boy...
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Why I'm Publishing My Book One Chapter at a Time

At the end of the first quarter of 2025, I'm ready to take the next step in my creative journey. For the past three months, I’ve been working hard on writing a fantasy novel – a project I’ve dreamed about for years...
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What Went Wrong with Your Favorite Movies

Have you ever wondered why some of your favorite movies feel so authentic, even when you know it’s all make-believe? Take Titanic, for example. Part of what made the acting feel so real was the genuine fear of the...
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Shadowlands: C.S. Lewis's Love and Loss

Here on the Story Secrets podcast, I’ve reviewed movies, TV shows, books, and even video games. But this time, I’m diving into something I’ve never talked about before: a theatre play. And not just any play, but...
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A Spooky Adventure with Heart: City of Ghosts Review

What if you could actually talk to ghosts? Not just in some spooky, fake haunted house on a Halloween night, but for real—crossing over into the world of spirits, building friendships with the dead? That’s the...
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My VR Adventure in Assassin’s Creed Nexus

Yesterday, I experienced something truly amazing. I played the first stage of a VR game on my Quest 3, based on the legendary gaming franchise Assassin’s Creed. Now, I’ve played parts of previous games, but this was...
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The Mind-Blowing Finale of Severance Season 2

Wow. The Season 2 finale of Severance was nothing short of brilliant. Apple TV+ has done it again, delivering a masterpiece that feels like the best thing since Lost. But unlike many mystery-box shows, Severance gives...
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