PBNN Series: E13156 – DREAMS

Episode Summary: Dreams and the Stories They Tell

Steve Harper interviews Michelle Tamara Cutler, a storytelling coach and screenwriter, about the fascinating intersection of dreams and storytelling. Cutler explores how dreams act as a gateway to the subconscious, offering insight, creative inspiration, and emotional processing. She reflects on her past practice of keeping a dream journal, the cinematic nature of some of her dreams, and the connection between dreams and her work in film and nonfiction. The conversation delves into meditation, David Lynch’s dream-influenced storytelling, and the balance between embracing absurdity and finding meaning in dreams. Cutler also discusses practical ways writers can harness their dreams to enhance storytelling, whether through private journaling or integrating dreamlike elements into their work. See more at www.michellecutler.com 

How Dreams Shape Our Stories and Creative Process

We often think of dreams as fleeting, surreal experiences—strange stories that fade as soon as we wake. But what if we could capture them? What if our dreams could help us process emotions, spark creativity, and even shape the stories we tell?

In this episode, Michelle Cutler, a storytelling coach and screenwriter, explores how dreams influence storytelling, why they often reflect our subconscious state, and how we can use them as a creative tool.

The Power of Dream Journaling: Unlocking the Subconscious

One of Michelle’s key insights is the value of recording dreams. She shares how, during her twenties, she kept a dedicated dream journal—a practice that revealed recurring themes, characters, and unresolved emotions.

“Even if I only had three words, I wrote them down,” she explains. “That act alone encouraged my mind to keep dreaming, and I started to notice patterns over time.”

She also discusses how dream recall can improve simply by inviting dreams in—through journaling, quiet reflection before bed, or avoiding distractions like scrolling social media late at night.

The Role of Dreams in Storytelling: When Surrealism Meets Reality

Dreams aren’t just abstract—they can be structured, cinematic, and deeply influenced by what we experience in waking life. Michelle describes a time when she was writing high-concept commercials and noticed her dreams took on camera angles, rigs, and production design—essentially playing out as miniature films.

Many artists, including David Lynch, have drawn on dreams for storytelling inspiration. Lynch, who practiced Transcendental Meditation, often structured his films in a dreamlike way, reflecting the absurdity and hidden logic of subconscious thought.

“Dreams are stories,” Michelle says. “They just follow different rules than our waking life. And sometimes, those rules can help us write more compelling, emotionally honest stories.”

Dreams as Emotional Processing: When the Mind Does Its Own Housekeeping

Beyond creativity, dreams help us process emotions—often surfacing unresolved grief, fears, or anxieties. Michelle recounts working with a writer who experienced vivid, almost psychedelic dreams while clearing out her deceased father’s home.

“She was sleeping in her childhood bedroom, surrounded by objects from her past, and her dreams became an extension of her grief,” Michelle explains. “Objects triggered memories, and her subconscious wove them into a visual, emotional experience while she slept.”

Steve and Michelle also discuss how traumatic life events, stress, and even daily worries can shape dream content, offering an opportunity for self-reflection.

Harnessing the Power of Dreams in Writing

For those who want to capture their dreams for creative purposes, Michelle offers a few key takeaways:

• Keep a notebook or voice recorder by your bed to document even fragments of dreams before they fade.
• Observe recurring themes and symbols, as they may reveal deeper emotions or creative inspiration.
• Use dreams as a structural tool in writing—whether integrating dream sequences into fiction or allowing dream logic to influence storytelling.
• Accept absurdity—not all dreams need to make perfect sense. Sometimes, the most disjointed images can be the most powerful.

Conclusion: Why Dreams Matter in Storytelling

At its core, storytelling is about making sense of the world, and dreams offer a unique, unfiltered perspective on our inner lives. Whether used for self-reflection, healing, or creative inspiration, dreams provide access to narratives we may not otherwise uncover.

“Dreams don’t always give you clear answers,” Michelle notes, “but they do give you pieces of a puzzle—it’s up to you to decide what to do with them.”

For writers, artists, and anyone curious about the connection between subconscious thought and creativity, exploring dreams can open new storytelling pathways—ones that might not be visible in the waking world.

Find out more about Michelle’s storytelling coaching and upcoming workshops at michellecutler.com.