Jonathan Lee: Novelist and Screenwriter on Taco Tuesdays, Trauma, and the Power of Stories

<p>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.</p><p>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&#39;ll want to try at home.</p><p><strong>In this episode:</strong></p><ul><li>Why “branding” dinner matters for kids</li><li>Jonathan&#39;s journey to becoming a full-time writer</li><li>The realities of writing about trauma, and the self-care it requires</li><li>How food shapes storytelling even in moments of crisis and connection</li><li>Talking to children about difficult topics</li><li>Behind the scenes of <em>The Bombing of Pan Am 103</em></li><li>A playful dinner table storytelling game</li></ul><p><strong>Mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><ul><li>Jonathan’s website and books: <a href="http://www.jonathanleewriter.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.jonathanleewriter.com</a></li><li><a href="https://emmafrisch.substack.com/p/episode-09-dinner-last-night-amy" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Episode 09 of Dinner Last Night with his wife, Amy Lee</a></li><li>Television Show: <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002cfrz" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">The Bombing of Pan Am 103</a></li></ul><p><strong>Subscribe</strong></p><p>Never miss an episode: Follow <em>Dinner Last Night</em> and <a href="https://emmafrisch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review, tap “like”, and share it with a friend! It helps more people discover the show. 💛</p><p><strong>Giveaways</strong></p><p><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScN3ZQCUTgDYa_rx3gUinh_jgs-4-f-Ki-1NEeOZrLvxXFnPg/viewform" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE</a> to enter the giveaway for any episode!</p><p><strong>Follow Us</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Substack</strong>: <a href="https://emmafrisch.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">subscribe to our newsletter</a></li><li><strong>YouTube: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@DinnerLastNightPod" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@DinnerLastNightPod</a></li><li><strong>Instagram</strong>: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/dinnerlastnightpod/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">@dinnerlastnightpod</a></li><li><strong>Website</strong>: <a href="https://dinnerlastnightpod.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">dinnerlastnightpod.com</a></li></ul><p><strong>Credits</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Produced</strong>: Wombmate Productions, Inc., <a href="https://repstudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">REP Studio</a>, and Stuart Hetzler</li><li><strong>Editing</strong>: <a href="https://repstudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">REP Studio</a> and Stuart Hetzler</li><li><strong>Music by:</strong> <a href="https://whiskeyclass.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁣</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/longstory_music/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Emerson ‘Longstory’ Bartlett</a> (feat. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/idrewmartinmusic/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Drew Martin</a> on Saxophone)</li></ul>