521: Storytelling & Identity with Ryan Maldonado (Part 3 of 3): On Code-switching, Photographing Living Rooms, and Growing up Not-Rich in Miami

The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions

In this three-part series, Ethan sits down with his screenwriter friends to do a deep dive into the creative process, the power of storytelling, and how identity plays a role in both. In Episode 3, Ethan is joined by screenwriter Ryan Maldonado, known for his work on AMC’s Parish, Hulu’s Death and Other Details, Amazon’s Hunters, Chicago PD, FBI, and Grey’s Anatomy.

Ryan and Ethan talk about, among other things:

• Ryan’s origin story, how he identifies, and how he became a storyteller
• What Ryan’s writing process is like and what it’s like working on a TV show
• How Ryan shows up in characters that may seem very different from who he is
• What he feels Hollywood is doing well in terms of representing diverse voices, and where there’s still work to be done
• Advice to students going through the personal statement writing process
• And more.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Ryan Maldonado is a writer and producer who currently serves as Executive Producer and Co-Showrunner of AMC’s crime series Parish, starring Giancarlo Esposito. His previous credits include Hulu’s upcoming Death and Other Details (starring Mandy Patinkin) and Amazon’s Hunters (starring Al Pacino). Before moving to Los Angeles to complete his MFA at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Ryan worked as a reporter for The Detroit Free Press, St. Petersburg Times and Variety. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.

We hope you enjoy!

Play-by-Play:

• 2:00 - Ryan’s origin story and what it was like growing up in Miami in the '80s
• 11:18 - When did Ryan start writing?
• 15:10 - How has Ryan’s interest in writing shifted over the years?
• 19:47 - Where does “Ryan” show up in his writing and storytelling?
• 26:12 - How might personal experiences influence writing, especially in TV dramas?
• 33:00 - What is Ryan’s writing process like?
• 38:50 - What is it like working on a TV show?
• 44:56 - What lessons from film school still apply to Ryan’s work today?
• 54:33 - How has representation in Hollywood improved? What still needs work?
• 59:23 - What are some roles Ryan identifies with and how have these manifested in his life?
• 1:08:56 - What advice would you give to students working on their personal statements for college?
• 1:18:49 - Wrap up and closing thoughts

Resources:

• College Essay Guy’s Roles and Identities Exercise
• College Essay Guy’s Personal Statement Resources
• College Essay Guy’s College Application Hub