“Whatever my life story is, the last line cannot be: ‘And then he died in Texas.’” — Alex R Johnson

In this episode, I’m joined by filmmaker and debut author Alex R Johnson to unpack the story behind his debut novel, how screenwriters are robbed of creative ownership, and what it takes to push past imposter syndrome—even at 50.

Show Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

3:11 – Leaving Brooklyn for Texas and the problem with copyright laws for screenwriters in Hollywood

5:41 – What inspired Brooklyn Motto?

12:04 – What Brooklyn in the '90s still teaches us today

13:39 – Exploring the father-son relationship

17:44 – Unearthing the works of forgotten artists and New York reinventing itself

20:04 – Aging artists and forgotten dreams

24:04 – How race, memory, addiction, and family shaped the world of Brooklyn Motto

30:39 – The impact of drug addiction on romantic relationships

34:43 – The role of illegal systems on the infrastructure of Brooklyn

39:26 – How gentrification contributes to the high housing costs in Brooklyn

44:00 – Advice to writers trying to overcome imposter syndrome

47:11 – Appreciation and end

🎙️ Journey of the Art is a podcast about the messy truth of creative work — hosted by Lola. Subscribe for honest conversations with artists, authors, and filmmakers making their mark.

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Listen on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9yCLVeo-0S0

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Guest’s links

📚 Brooklyn Motto is available now — a gripping literary mystery set in 1990s Brooklyn. Get it here: https://www.brooklynmotto.com

Follow Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzYcweSAKj/?img_index=1

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Host’s links

Find out more about the show: https://www.journeyoftheart.com/

Follow the show on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/journeyoftheartpod/

Book a one-on-one with Lola: https://wordcaps.com/coaching/