The Role of a Showrunner in Television

About Jesse Alexander

Jesse Alexander is an Emmy award-winning screenwriter and producer with over two decades of experience crafting iconic television series and groundbreaking game content. If you've watched TV over the last 20 years, you've likely seen some of Jesse’s work. His television credits include Alias, Lost, Heroes, Hannibal, Star Trek: Discovery, American Gods, and Citadel.

A pioneer in transmedia storytelling, Jesse has designed award-winning content that extends narratives across multiple platforms. His work in the gaming industry includes contributions to LucasArts, Predator VR, and animated trailers for Blur, as well as narrative design consulting for Valorant and other Riot Games titles.

In this episode, Jesse shares his incredible journey—growing up immersed in film and game culture, hustling as a screenwriter, and navigating the ever-evolving landscape of TV and interactive storytelling. We discuss the impact of AI on the creative process, how he channels ADHD into productivity, and the lessons he’s learned from decades of freelancing across television, film, and games. Jesse’s relentless passion for storytelling, genre innovation, and collaboration shines through, making this an insightful and inspiring conversation for creators of all kinds.

Find more about Jesse Alexander at: https://www.scribblejerk.com/

Ah-ha! Justin’s Takeaways

* As Creators, We Are the Product, Not What We Make: Jesse’s perspective on creativity was a huge lightbulb moment for me—he emphasized that formats change, tastes shift, and technology evolves, but the one constant in a creative career is you. Instead of being overly attached to any one project, Jesse has focused on honing his craft, staying adaptable, and evolving with the industry. This reminded me of how essential it is to keep learning and growing, no matter the medium or platform.

* Ikigai—Finding Purpose in Creative Work: Jesse’s career embodies the Japanese concept of ikigai—that intersection of passion, skill, and purpose. He spoke about staying humble, not taking creative work for granted, and grinding relentlessly to turn his love of storytelling into a career. It reinforced something I’ve long believed: success in any creative field isn’t just about talent—it’s about the work. If you love it, you have to show up every day and put in the effort to make it sustainable.

* Not Fearing Feedback is a Superpower: One of the biggest takeaways from Jesse’s story was how he developed an immunity to criticism early on. He grew up making Super 8 films with his friends, and the brutally honest feedback they gave each other shaped his ability to iterate without ego. This fearlessness allowed him to refine his skills, take risks, and navigate the competitive world of Hollywood and game writing. It made me reflect on how fear of judgment holds so many people back—if you can embrace feedback as a tool for growth, you unlock a creative superpower.

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Show Notes

“People started seeing that they could rely on me to generate content of a certain level of quality within a window of time.” (00:12:16)

Jesse reflects on his early screenwriting hustle, explaining how his relentless output and consistency helped him break into the industry. He emphasizes that success in creative fields isn’t just about raw talent—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and proving you can execute under pressure. This lesson is invaluable for aspiring creatives looking to establish credibility and build momentum.

“The truth is, you just have to decide how badly you want to succeed at the thing—and then turn everything else off.” (00:29:06)

Discussing the impact of ADHD on his creative process, Jesse shares how he managed distractions by eliminating them entirely. He credits his ability to stay hyper-focused on writing by avoiding TV, video games, and unnecessary noise. His disciplined approach serves as a powerful reminder that deep work requires conscious effort to remove obstacles and stay committed to the craft.

“I was the guy willing to talk back to executives and say, ‘You guys don’t get it, man—this show is great.’” (00:44:32)

Jesse recounts his time working on Heroes and how the network initially didn’t understand its appeal. He explains the importance of being an advocate for creative vision, even when facing skepticism or resistance. His willingness to challenge industry norms and fight for bold ideas is a valuable lesson for any creator looking to push boundaries.

“I just want to keep that beginner's brain activated—because we, as creators, are the product.” (01:03:45)

Jesse describes his philosophy of lifelong learning, from experimenting with AI to studying new storytelling formats like screen-life movies. He emphasizes that the entertainment landscape is always evolving, and staying relevant means continually pushing yourself to learn, adapt, and innovate. This takeaway is crucial for creatives who want to remain at the forefront of their industry.

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