Novelist, screenwriter, and father Jonathan Lee joins us for a riveting conversation about family dinners, storytelling, and the surprising parenting lessons hidden in Taco Night.

From the “perils of precedent” — why kids love Tuesday Tacos but not Monday Tacos — to writing about real-life tragedy in High Dive and The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Jonathan shares insights on parenting, trauma, and the role of food in stories. Plus, a hilarious dinner-table storytelling game you'll want to try at home.

In this episode:

• Why “branding” dinner matters for kids
• Jonathan's journey to becoming a full-time writer
• The realities of writing about trauma, and the self-care it requires
• How food shapes storytelling even in moments of crisis and connection
• Talking to children about difficult topics
• Behind the scenes of The Bombing of Pan Am 103
• A playful dinner table storytelling game

Mentioned in this episode:

• Jonathan’s website and books: www.jonathanleewriter.com
• Episode 09 of Dinner Last Night with his wife, Amy Lee
• Television Show: The Bombing of Pan Am 103

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Credits

• Produced: Wombmate Productions, Inc., REP Studio, and Stuart Hetzler
• Editing: REP Studio and Stuart Hetzler
• Music by: ⁣Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett (feat. Drew Martin on Saxophone)