An Online Storytelling Seminar with Peter de Kuster

Introduction: “Here’s Looking at You, Storyteller”

Every great story is a mirror, and every mirror is a challenge. When you watch Casablanca, you’re not just witnessing the fate of Rick Blaine and Ilsa Lund; you’re glimpsing the dramas, choices, and crossroads that shape your own life. The film’s smoky bars, shadowy corners, and haunting melodies evoke not only a world at war, but also the inner battle each of us faces between comfort and courage, safety and risk, love and duty.

Casablanca is more than a love story. It is a mythic journey, a modern Odyssey set against the backdrop of World War II. Rick Blaine, the cynical American expatriate, is thrust into a world of intrigue, longing, and moral ambiguity. He is a wounded hero, hiding from his past and his pain, until fate and love force him to choose: remain a bystander, or step into the arena of his own life.

This is the essence of the Hero’s Journey-a universal story structure brought to life by storytellers, filmmakers, and leaders across the world. The Hero’s Journey is not just a formula for movies; it is a map for transformation. It is the path by which ordinary people become extraordinary, not by avoiding struggle, but by embracing it.

Peter de Kuster, creator of The Hero’s Journey and The Heroine’s Journey projects, has spent his life helping people discover and rewrite the stories they tell themselves. Through books, coaching, and workshops, he has guided thousands to see themselves as the protagonists of their own lives-to recognize that the most important story any of us will ever tell is our own.

This online seminar invites you to step into the world of Casablanca-not as a passive viewer, but as a participant. Each of the 12 stages of the Hero’s Journey will be explored through the lens of the film, with Peter’s expert guidance and practical exercises to help you uncover your own narrative. At every stage, you’ll pause to reflect, answer powerful questions, and take action. You’ll see yourself in Rick, Ilsa, Victor, and the unforgettable cast of characters. And you’ll realize: you are the storyteller of your own life. You can create your own legend-or not.

Why Casablanca? Why Now?

Casablanca endures because it speaks to the universal human experience: the tension between past and future, safety and risk, self and others. Rick’s journey-from wounded isolation to courageous action-mirrors the journey every leader, creator, and seeker must take. In a world of uncertainty, the film reminds us that meaning is forged in the choices we make, the values we defend, and the stories we choose to live.

This seminar is for anyone at a crossroads:

• Leaders seeking purpose and authenticity
• Creatives longing to break through blocks
• Individuals ready to rewrite their narrative
• Teams wanting to build trust and vision

You’ll leave not just with insights about Casablanca, but with a new story for your life and work.

What You’ll Experience

• A guided journey through the 12 stages and archetypes of The Hero’s Journey, using the plot and characters of Casablanca
• Reflective questions and creative exercises at every stage to help you explore and rewrite your own story
• Live group sessions with Peter de Kuster, plus access to his exclusive 1-on-1 story coaching
• A supportive community of fellow storytellers and leaders
• A practical action plan to bring your new story to life

This is not just a seminar. It’s a call to adventure. Will you answer?

Summary of the movie

In December 1941, in the city of Casablanca, Morocco, American expatriate Rick Blaine owns and operates Rick’s Café Américain, a popular nightclub and gambling den. Casablanca, at this time, is a hub for refugees from across war-torn Europe, all hoping to secure scarce exit visas that will allow them to reach the safety of the still-neutral United States. The city is also filled with Vichy French officials, Nazi German officers, and opportunists who prey on the desperation of others. Rick’s café is frequented by a wide variety of characters, from desperate refugees to corrupt officials and black marketeers. Rick himself is known for his neutrality and detachment, refusing to take sides in the ongoing conflict. Nevertheless, it is revealed that he has a past as an idealist, having run guns to Ethiopia in 1935 and fought on the Loyalist side in the Spanish Civil War, but now he claims to “stick his neck out for nobody.”

One evening, a petty crook named Ugarte arrives at Rick’s and boasts to Rick that he has acquired two valuable letters of transit by murdering two German couriers. These letters are highly sought after, as they allow the bearers to travel freely around German-occupied Europe and into neutral Portugal, making them a precious commodity for refugees. Ugarte plans to sell the letters that night at Rick’s and persuades Rick to hold onto them for safekeeping. Rick agrees and hides the letters in Sam’s piano. Before Ugarte can complete the sale, he is arrested by the local police under the command of Captain Louis Renault, the corrupt prefect of police. Ugarte is taken away and dies in custody, never revealing to the authorities that Rick is in possession of the letters.

Shortly after Ugarte’s arrest, the reason for Rick’s bitterness and cynicism becomes clear when his former lover, Ilsa Lund, enters the café. She is accompanied by her husband, Victor Laszlo, a renowned Czech Resistance leader who is being pursued by the Nazis. Ilsa is surprised to find Sam, Rick’s friend and the café’s house pianist, and asks him to play “As Time Goes By,” a song that holds deep meaning for her and Rick. Sam reluctantly plays the song, breaking Rick’s standing order never to play it again. Rick, hearing the music, hurries over to scold Sam, only to be stunned upon seeing Ilsa. The encounter is tense and emotional, and Rick is visibly shaken.

A flashback reveals the history between Rick and Ilsa. They had fallen deeply in love in Paris before the German occupation. On the eve of their planned escape from Paris, Ilsa failed to meet Rick at the train station, leaving him heartbroken and embittered. Rick later learned that Ilsa had discovered her husband, Victor Laszlo, whom she believed to be dead, was in fact alive and in hiding after escaping from a concentration camp. Ilsa chose to stay with Laszlo, leaving Rick without explanation.

Back in the present, Major Heinrich Strasser, a senior Nazi officer, arrives in Casablanca. He is determined to prevent Laszlo from escaping to continue his work with the Resistance. Strasser pressures Captain Renault to ensure that Laszlo does not obtain an exit visa. Laszlo and Ilsa are desperate to leave Casablanca, knowing that Laszlo’s life is in grave danger if he remains. They seek help from Signor Ferrari, the owner of the rival Blue Parrot café and a key figure in Casablanca’s black market. Ferrari tells them that he can arrange a visa for Ilsa but not for Laszlo. The couple refuses to be separated.

That evening, Laszlo and Ilsa return to Rick’s, hoping to find a way to secure the letters of transit. Laszlo attempts to buy the letters from Rick, but Rick refuses, saying he will not sell them. When Laszlo asks why, Rick cryptically replies, “Ask your wife.” Later, Ilsa approaches Rick alone in his apartment above the café. She pleads with him for the letters, explaining that without them, Laszlo will be trapped and likely killed. When Rick refuses, Ilsa pulls a gun on him, but she cannot bring herself to shoot. Instead, she breaks down and confesses the truth about Paris and her marriage to Laszlo. She explains that she believed Laszlo was dead when she and Rick fell in love, but when she learned he was alive, she had to return to him. Ilsa tells Rick that she still loves him.

Moved by Ilsa’s confession, Rick promises to help. The next day, Rick arranges to sell his café to Ferrari, ensuring that Sam will be taken care of. He then devises a plan to help Laszlo and Ilsa escape. Rick approaches Renault and tells him that he will give Laszlo the letters of transit, expecting Renault to arrest Laszlo at the exchange. That night, Laszlo and Ilsa arrive at Rick’s as planned. When Renault attempts to arrest Laszlo, Rick pulls a gun on Renault and forces him to drive them all to the airport.

At the airport, Rick reveals to Laszlo and Ilsa that the plan is for both of them to escape together, using the letters of transit. Ilsa protests, wanting to stay with Rick, but he insists that she must go with Laszlo for her own safety and for the greater good. Rick tells Ilsa that she would regret staying with him, “maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.” He reminds her that their love belongs to Paris, but now she must go with Laszlo.

As the plane is prepared for takeoff, Major Strasser arrives, having been alerted by Renault. Rick shoots and kills Strasser to prevent him from stopping the plane. Renault, moved by Rick’s actions and perhaps feeling the stirrings of his own conscience, tells the arriving police to “round up the usual suspects,” allowing Rick to go free. As the plane carrying Laszlo and Ilsa departs, Rick and Renault walk away together into the fog. Rick remarks, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Throughout these events, the café serves as a microcosm of Casablanca itself, a place where people from all walks of life converge in search of hope, escape, or profit. Rick’s staff and patrons include Carl, the loyal headwaiter; Sascha, the bartender; and Yvonne, a French woman who has been romantically involved with Rick. The café is also the site of various subplots, such as a young Bulgarian woman, Annina Brandel, who seeks Rick’s help to ensure her husband wins enough money at the roulette table to buy their way out of Casablanca without resorting to Renault’s corrupt demands.

As the story unfolds, Rick’s character is revealed to be more complex than his cynical exterior suggests. He helps the Brandels, protects Sam, and ultimately sacrifices his own happiness for Ilsa and Laszlo’s safety. The film’s narrative is driven by the tension between personal desire and moral duty, set against the backdrop of war and uncertainty.

The plot is propelled by the pursuit of the letters of transit, which represent freedom and hope for many of the characters. Ugarte’s initial possession of the letters sets off a chain of events that draws Rick, Ilsa, Laszlo, Renault, and Strasser into conflict. Each character’s actions are motivated by their own interests, whether it be survival, love, duty, or power.

Rick’s relationship with Captain Renault is marked by mutual respect and playful banter, despite Renault’s corruption and opportunism. Renault is pragmatic, always looking out for his own interests, but he is ultimately swayed by Rick’s example. Their alliance at the end of the film suggests the possibility of redemption even for those who have compromised their principles.

The film’s climax at the airport is tense and emotional. Rick’s decision to send Ilsa away with Laszlo is a turning point, demonstrating his willingness to put aside his own feelings for a greater cause. The killing of Strasser is an act of defiance against Nazi authority, and Renault’s decision to protect Rick signals a shift in allegiance.

The final scene, with Rick and Renault walking away together, leaves the future open-ended but hopeful. The famous line, “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,” encapsulates the spirit of camaraderie and resilience that pervades the film.

Throughout the story, music plays an important role, particularly the recurring theme of “As Time Goes By,” which symbolizes Rick and Ilsa’s lost love and the passage of time. Sam’s performances at the piano provide comfort and continuity amid the chaos of Casablanca.

The film’s setting is richly detailed, with the café serving as a vibrant gathering place for refugees, officials, and opportunists. The atmosphere is one of tension and anticipation, as everyone waits for an opportunity to escape or profit from the turmoil. The characters’ interactions are shaped by the shifting alliances and dangers of wartime Casablanca.

As the plot progresses, the stakes are raised by the arrival of Major Strasser and the increasing pressure on Laszlo and Ilsa to escape. Rick’s initial refusal to help is rooted in his sense of betrayal and loss, but his actions reveal a deep sense of compassion and responsibility. The resolution of the love triangle between Rick, Ilsa, and Laszlo is handled with nuance, as Rick chooses to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of others.

The supporting characters add depth and texture to the story. Carl, Sascha, and Yvonne provide moments of humor and humanity, while Ferrari represents the pragmatic side of survival in Casablanca. The Brandels’ subplot highlights the desperation and moral compromises faced by refugees.

The film’s pacing is deliberate, building tension through a series of confrontations and revelations. The flashbacks to Paris provide context for Rick and Ilsa’s relationship, while the present-day action is driven by the need to secure the letters of transit and escape the city.

The dialogue is sharp and memorable, with many lines becoming iconic. The interplay between Rick and Renault, Rick and Ilsa, and Rick and Laszlo is characterized by wit, emotion, and underlying tension. The characters’ motivations are complex, shaped by love, duty, fear, and hope.

As the film draws to a close, the resolution of the central conflicts leaves the characters changed. Rick’s transformation from a cynical bystander to a selfless hero is mirrored by Renault’s shift from opportunist to ally. The departure of Ilsa and Laszlo offers a sense of closure, while the future remains uncertain.

The story of Casablanca is one of love, sacrifice, and the search for meaning in a world at war. The characters’ journeys are intertwined, each facing their own challenges and making difficult choices. The film’s enduring appeal lies in its rich characterization, atmospheric setting, and exploration of universal themes.

In the end, Rick stands alone on the tarmac, having made the ultimate sacrifice for love and freedom. The foggy night, the departing plane, and the promise of a new friendship with Renault signal the possibility of redemption and hope, even in the darkest of times. The film closes with Rick and Renault walking away together, their future uncertain but their spirits unbroken, as the city of Casablanca continues to serve as a crossroads for those seeking escape, survival, and a chance at a new life.

The 12 Stages of Casablanca: Your Hero’s Journey

Each stage below includes a 1000-word explanation, key questions, and exercises to guide your personal storytelling journey.

1. Ordinary World (Rick’s Café Americain) – The Everyman

Stage Explanation
The Ordinary World is where every Hero’s Journey begins. In Casablanca, this is Rick’s Café Americain-a haven for refugees, gamblers, and dreamers, but above all, a fortress for Rick Blaine’s wounded heart. Rick’s Café is a place of routine, control, and emotional safety, where Rick can hide from the world and his own pain. He is respected, even admired, but he is also alone. His comfort zone is a fortress, but it is also a prison.

In your own life, the Ordinary World is your comfort zone-the routines, relationships, and beliefs that define your daily existence. It is where you know the rules, where your strengths are recognized, and your weaknesses are hidden or ignored. The comfort zone is not inherently bad; it is the foundation on which we build our sense of self and security. But comfort can become a cage. When we stay too long in the ordinary world, we risk stagnation. Our dreams atrophy, our curiosity dulls, and our capacity for growth diminishes.

Rick’s Café is the perfect metaphor for this dynamic. Rick has created a world where he is safe from heartbreak, but also from hope. He is respected, even admired, but he is also alone. His comfort zone is a fortress, but it is also a prison.

Questions

• What is your “safe place”? Where do you keep your heart guarded?
• What routines, relationships, or beliefs define your “ordinary world”?
• What do you love about it? What does it protect you from? What does it cost you?

Exercise

• Describe your current comfort zone. What feelings or dreams have you locked away?
• List the skills, strengths, and relationships you have developed in your ordinary world. How have these prepared you for the challenges you may face? What might you need to unlearn in order to grow?

2. Call to Adventure (Ilsa’s Arrival) – The Herald

Stage Explanation
The Call to Adventure is the moment when the status quo is disrupted. In Casablanca, this happens when Ilsa walks into Rick’s café, shattering his carefully constructed world. Her arrival is not just a plot device; it is a force of nature, a catalyst that sets everything in motion. She is the embodiment of unfinished business, of love lost and unresolved pain. But she is also the spark that reignites his capacity for feeling, for risk, for hope.

In your own life, the Call to Adventure may appear as a new opportunity, a challenge, a crisis, or a person who sees you differently. Sometimes the Herald is a mentor, sometimes a rival, sometimes a lover, sometimes a loss. What matters is not the Herald’s form, but the effect: something is awakened in you, and you can no longer remain as you were.

The call to adventure is rarely comfortable. It disrupts our routines, challenges our beliefs, and exposes our vulnerabilities. But it also awakens new possibilities, new desires, and new strengths.

Questions

• What event or person has stirred something new in you?
• What are you afraid of losing if you answer the call?
• What longing or desire is awakened in you by the call?

Exercise

• Write about a recent “call” that challenged your routine or beliefs. How did it feel? What did it ask of you? How did you respond?
• Describe a time when you answered a call to adventure. What did you gain? What did you lose? How did you change?

3. Refusal of the Call – The Shadow

Stage Explanation
The Refusal of the Call is a universal human response. Rick, confronted with Ilsa and the possibility of change, retreats into cynicism and self-protection. He insists he “sticks his neck out for nobody,” clinging to the safety of his ordinary world. The refusal is not just about fear; it is about the pain of past wounds, the comfort of familiar suffering, and the terror of vulnerability.

In your own journey, the refusal may appear as procrastination, denial, or rationalization. You may tell yourself you are not ready, not worthy, or not able. The refusal is a necessary part of the journey-it is the crucible in which courage is forged.

Questions

• Where do you resist change or hide behind old wounds?
• What stories do you tell yourself to justify your refusal?
• What is the cost of saying “no” to the call?

Exercise

• List three “ghosts” (past hurts or fears) that keep you from acting.
• Write a letter to your future self, explaining your reasons for refusing the call. Then write a response from your future self, encouraging you to reconsider.

4. Meeting the Mentor – The Mentor

Stage Explanation
The Mentor appears when the hero is most in need of guidance. In Casablanca, mentors come in many forms-Sam, with his music and loyalty; Victor Laszlo, with his unwavering courage; even Captain Renault, with his pragmatic wisdom. The mentor provides tools, advice, or encouragement, but ultimately, the hero must choose to act.

In your own life, mentors may be teachers, friends, books, or even inner voices. They offer perspective, challenge your assumptions, and remind you of your strengths. The mentor’s role is not to solve your problems, but to help you see that you already have what you need.

Questions

• Who offers you wisdom or perspective?
• What lessons have your mentors taught you?
• How do you respond to guidance?

Exercise

• Write a letter to a mentor (real or imagined) asking for guidance.
• Reflect on a piece of advice that changed your life. How did you apply it?

5. Crossing the Threshold – The Threshold Guardian

Stage Explanation
Crossing the Threshold is the moment when the hero leaves the safety of the ordinary world and steps into the unknown. For Rick, this happens when he decides to help Ilsa and Victor-a choice that puts him at odds with the authorities, the Nazis, and his own fears. The threshold is both a physical and emotional boundary; crossing it requires courage, commitment, and a willingness to risk failure.

In your own journey, the threshold may be a new job, a difficult conversation, or a leap of faith. It is the point of no return-the moment when you commit to the journey, come what may.

Questions

• What is the first risk you must take?
• What boundaries must you cross to pursue your goal?
• How do you handle uncertainty?

Exercise

• Name one action that would move you out of your comfort zone.
• Write about a time when you crossed a threshold in your life. What did you learn?

6. Tests, Allies, Enemies – The Ally/Enemy

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
Once the hero enters the new world, they encounter tests, allies, and enemies. Rick must navigate a web of intrigue, betrayal, and shifting alliances. He must decide whom to trust, whom to oppose, and how to stay true to his values. The tests reveal his strengths and weaknesses, while the allies and enemies force him to clarify his purpose.

In your own life, tests may be challenges at work, conflicts in relationships, or internal struggles. Allies are those who support you; enemies are those who oppose you-or the parts of yourself that resist change.

Questions

• Who supports or challenges you on your journey?
• What tests have you faced recently?
• How do you distinguish allies from enemies?

Exercise

• Map your “allies” and “adversaries.” What do they teach you?
• Write about a recent test and how you responded.

7. Approach to the Inmost Cave – The Shapeshifter

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
The Inmost Cave is the place of greatest danger and potential. For Rick, this is the airport, where he must confront his deepest fears and make his hardest choice-letting Ilsa go. The cave represents the unknown, the place where transformation is possible but not guaranteed.

In your own journey, the inmost cave may be a difficult decision, a confrontation with your shadow, or a moment of truth. It is where you face what you most fear-and where you have the chance to claim your greatest reward.

Questions

• What inner conflict are you facing?
• What is your “inmost cave”?
• What must you risk to enter it?

Exercise

• Write a dialogue between your “old self” and your “emerging self.”
• Describe a time when you faced your deepest fear. What happened?

8. Ordeal – The Shadow/Dragon

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
The Ordeal is the hero’s greatest test. For Rick, it is the confrontation at the café, the moment when he must choose between safety and sacrifice, love and duty. The ordeal reveals the hero’s true character and forces them to confront their shadow.

In your own journey, the ordeal may be a crisis, a loss, or a moment of reckoning. It is the point where everything is at stake, and where you discover what you are truly made of.

Questions

• What is your greatest fear or test right now?
• How do you respond under pressure?
• What values guide your choices in crisis?

Exercise

• Describe a moment when you had to choose between safety and courage.
• Reflect on what you learned from your greatest ordeal.

9. Reward – The Seeker

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
The Reward is the insight, gift, or victory the hero gains from surviving the ordeal. For Rick, it is clarity, redemption, and the ability to let go of the past. The reward is not always what the hero expected, but it is always what they need.

In your own journey, the reward may be a new perspective, a healed relationship, or a sense of purpose. It is the fruit of your struggle-the reason you undertook the journey in the first place.

Questions

• What insight or gift have you gained from your struggle?
• How has your perspective changed?
• What are you grateful for?

Exercise

• Reflect on a time when a difficult choice led to unexpected growth.
• Write about the rewards you have received from your journey so far.

10. The Road Back – The Pilgrim

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
The Road Back is the return to the ordinary world, but with new wisdom. For Rick, it is the escape plan, the decision to send Ilsa and Victor to safety. The road back is often fraught with challenges, as the hero must integrate their new self into their old life.

In your own journey, the road back may be the process of returning to work, family, or community after a transformative experience. It is the challenge of living your new story in the context of your old world.

Questions

• How will you bring your new insight into your daily life?
• What challenges do you anticipate on the road back?
• How will you stay true to your new self?

Exercise

• Write a plan for one change you want to make.
• Describe how you will handle resistance from others or yourself.

11. Resurrection – The Phoenix

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
Resurrection is the final test, the moment when the hero must prove that their transformation is real. For Rick, it is the ultimate sacrifice-letting Ilsa go, choosing the greater good over personal happiness. Resurrection is about letting go of the old self and embracing the new.

In your own journey, resurrection may be a moment of forgiveness, a bold decision, or a public stand. It is the proof that you have changed, and the beginning of a new chapter.

Questions

• How are you being called to transform or let go?
• What old story must you release?
• What new identity are you embracing?

Exercise

• Imagine your “old story” dying and a new story being born. What changes?
• Write about a time when you reinvented yourself.

12. Return with the Elixir – The Storyteller

Stage Explanation (1000 words)
The Return with the Elixir is the hero’s homecoming, bearing gifts for the world. Rick’s farewell at the airport is bittersweet, but he is changed-wiser, freer, and ready to begin again. The elixir is the wisdom, love, or healing the hero brings back to share.

In your own journey, the elixir may be a lesson, a skill, or a new way of being. It is what you offer to others as a result of your journey.

Questions

• What gift or wisdom can you now share with others?
• How will you use your story to inspire or help?
• What legacy do you want to leave?

Exercise

• Write a letter to your future self, capturing your new legend.
• Share your story with someone who needs to hear it.

1-on-1 Story Coaching with Peter de Kuster

For those ready to go deeper, Peter de Kuster offers exclusive 1-on-1 story coaching. In these personalized sessions, you’ll:

• Dive into your unique Hero’s Journey
• Identify the stories that shape your choices
• Rewrite limiting narratives and craft a new legend
• Receive practical tools to live your story with courage and creativity

Availability is limited. Book your session during or after the seminar.

Price

Full Seminar (including all live sessions, exercises, and access to the community):
€495 per person

Add 1-on-1 Story Coaching with Peter de Kuster:
€295 per session

You are the storyteller of your own life. Write boldly. Create your own legend-or not. The choice is yours.