Podcast appearances and mentions of Harry Potter

What makes a character so compelling that readers will forgive almost anything about the plot? How do you move beyond vague flaws and generic descriptions to create people who feel pulled from real life? In this solo episode, I share 15 actionable tips for writing deep characters, curated from past interviews on the podcast. In the intro, thoughts from London Book Fair [Instagram reel @jfpennauthor; Publishing Perspectives; Audible; Spotify]; Insights from a 7-figure author business [BookBub]. This show is supported by my Patrons. Join my Community and get articles, discounts, and extra audio and video tutorials on writing craft, author business, and AI tools, at Patreon.com/thecreativepenn This episode has been created from previous episodes of The Creative Penn Podcast, curated by Joanna Penn, as well as chapters from How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book. Links to the individual episodes are included in the transcript below. In this episode: Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' trifecta, how to hook readers on the very first page Define the Dramatic Question: Who is your character when the chips are down? Absolute specificity. Why “she's controlling” isn't good enough Understand the Heroine's Journey, strength through connection, not solo action Use ‘Metaphor Families' to anchor dialogue and give every character a distinctive voice Find the Diagnostic Detail, the moments that prove a character is real Writing pain onto the page without writing memoir Write diverse characters as real people, not stereotypes or plot devices Give your protagonist a morally neutral ‘hero' status. Compelling beats likeable. Build vibrant side characters for series longevity and spin-off potential Use voice as a rhythmic tool Link character and plot until they're inseparable Why discovery writers can write out of order and still build deep character Find the sensory details that make characters live and breathe More help with how to write fiction here, or in my book, How to Write a Novel. Writing Characters: 15 Tips for Writing Deep Character in Your Fiction In today's episode, I'm sharing fifteen tips for writing deep characters, synthesised from some of the most insightful interviews on The Creative Penn Podcast over the past few years, combined with what I've learned across more than forty books of my own. I'll be referencing episodes with Matt Bird, Will Storr, Gail Carriger, Barbara Nickless, and Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. I'll also draw on my own book, How to Write a Novel, which covers these fundamentals in detail. Whether you're writing your first novel or your fiftieth, whether you're a plotter or a discovery writer like me, these tips will help you create characters that readers believe in, care about, and invest in—and keep coming back for more. Let's get into it. 1. Master the ‘Believe, Care, Invest' Trifecta When I spoke with Matt Bird on episode 624, he laid out the three things you need to achieve on the very first page of your book or in the first ten minutes of a film. He calls it “Believe, Care, and Invest.” First, the reader must believe the character is a real person, somehow proving they are not a cardboard imitation of a human being, not just a generic type walking through a generic plot. Second, the reader must care about the character's circumstances. And third, the reader must invest in the character's ability to solve the story's central problem. Matt used The Hunger Games as his primary example, and it's brilliant. On the very first page, we believe Katniss's voice. Suzanne Collins writes in first person with a staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short declarative sentences—that immediately grounds us in a survivalist mentality. We care because Katniss is starving. She's protecting her little sister. And we invest because she is out there bow hunting, which Matt pointed out is one of the most badass things a character can do. She even kills a lynx two pages in and sells the pelt. We invest in her resourcefulness and grit before the plot has even begun. Matt was very clear that this has nothing to do with the character being “likable.” He said his subtitle, Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love, doesn't mean the character has to be a good person. He described “hero” as both gender-neutral and morally neutral. A hero can be totally evil or totally good. What matters is that we believe, care, and invest. He demonstrated this beautifully by breaking down the first ten minutes of WeCrashed, where the characters of Adam and Rebekah Neumann are absolutely not likable, but we are completely hooked. Adam steals his neighbour's Chinese food through a carefully orchestrated con involving an imaginary beer. It's not admirable behaviour, but the tradecraft involved, as Matt put it—using a term from spy movies—makes us invest in him. We see a character trying to solve the big problem of his life, which is that he's poor and wants to be rich, and we want to see if he can pull it off. Actionable step: Go to the first page of your current work in progress. Does it achieve all three? Does the reader believe this is a real person with a distinctive voice? Do they care about the character's circumstances? And do they invest in the character's ability to handle what's coming? If even one of those three is missing, that's your revision priority. 2. Define the Dramatic Question: Who Are They Really? Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling, came on episode 490 and gave one of the most powerful frameworks I've ever heard for character-driven fiction. He explained that the human brain evolved language primarily to swap social information—in other words, to gossip. We are wired to monitor other people, to ask the question: who is this person when the chips are down? That's what Will calls the Dramatic Question, and it's what he believes lies at the heart of all compelling storytelling. It's not a question about plot. It's a question about the character's soul. And every scene in your novel should force the character to answer it. His example of Lawrence of Arabia is unforgettable. The Dramatic Question for the entire film is: who are you, Lawrence? Are you ordinary or are you extraordinary? At the beginning, Lawrence is a cocky, rebellious young soldier who believes his rebelliousness makes him superior. Every iconic scene in that three-hour film tests that belief. Sometimes Lawrence acts as though he truly is extraordinary—leading the Arabs into battle, being hailed as a god—and sometimes the world strips him bare and he sees himself as ordinary. Because it's a tragedy, he never overcomes his flaw. He doubles down on his belief that he's extraordinary until he becomes monstrous, culminating in that iconic scene where he lifts a bloody dagger and sees his own reflection with horror. Will also used Jaws to demonstrate how this works in a pure action thriller. Brody's dramatic question is simple: are you going to be old Brody who is terrified of the water, or new Brody who can overcome that fear? Every scene where the shark appears is really asking that question. And the last moment of the film isn't the shark blowing up. It's Brody swimming back through the water, saying he used to be scared of the water and he can't imagine why. Actionable step: Write down the Dramatic Question for your protagonist in a single sentence. Is it “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you brave enough to love again?” or “Will you sacrifice your principles for survival?” If you can't answer this with specificity, your character might still be a sketch rather than a person. 3. Get rid of Vague Flaws, and use Absolute Specificity This was one of Will Storr's most important points. He said that vague thinking about characters is really the enemy. When he teaches workshops and asks writers to describe their character's flaw, most of them say something like “they're very controlling.” And Will's response is: that's not good enough. Everyone is controlling. How are they controlling? What's the specific mechanism? He gave the example of a profile he read of Theresa May during the UK's Brexit chaos. Someone who knew her said that Theresa May's problem was that she always thinks she's the only adult in every room she goes into. Will said that stopped him in his tracks because it's so precise. If you define a character with that level of specificity, you can take them and put them in any genre, any situation—a spaceship, a Victorian drawing room, a school playground—and you will know exactly how they're going to behave. The same applies to Arthur Miller's Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, as Will described it: a man who believes absolutely in capitalistic success and the idea that when you die, you're going to be weighed on a scale, just as God weighs you for sin, but now you're weighed for success. That's not a vague flaw. That's a worldview you can drop into any story and watch it combust. Will made another counterintuitive point that I found really valuable: writers often think that piling on multiple traits will create a complex character, but the opposite is true. Starting with one highly specific flaw and running it through the demands of a relentless plot is what generates complexity. You end up with a far more nuanced, original character than if you'd started with a laundry list of vague attributes. Actionable step: Take your protagonist's flaw and pressure-test it. Is it specific enough that you could place this character in any situation and predict their behaviour? If you're stuck at “she's stubborn” or “he's insecure,” keep pushing. What kind of stubborn? What kind of insecure? Find the diagnostic sentence—the Theresa May level of precision. 4. Understand the Heroine's Journey: Strength Through Connection Gail Carriger came on episode 550 to discuss her nonfiction book, The Heroine's Journey, and it completely reframed how I think about some of my own fiction. Gail explained that the core difference between the Hero's Journey and the Heroine's Journey comes down to how strength and victory are defined. The Hero's Journey is about strength through solo action. The hero must be continually isolated to get stronger. He goes out of civilisation, faces strife alone, and achieves victory through physical prowess and self-actualisation. The Heroine's Journey is the opposite. The heroine achieves her goals by activating a network. She's a delegator, a general. She identifies where she can't do something alone, finds the people who can help, and portions out the work for mutual gain. Gail put it simply: the heroine is very good at asking for help, which our culture tends to devalue but which is actually a powerful form of strength. Crucially, Gail stressed that gender is irrelevant to which journey you're writing. Her go-to examples are striking: the recent Wonder Woman film is practically a beat-for-beat hero's journey—Gilgamesh on screen, as Gail described it. Meanwhile, Harry Potter, both the first book and the series as a whole, is a classic heroine's journey. Harry's power comes from his network—Dumbledore's Army, the Order of the Phoenix, his friendships with Ron and Hermione. He doesn't defeat Voldemort alone. He defeats Voldemort because of love and connection. This distinction has real practical consequences for writers. If you're writing a hero's journey and you hit writer's block, Gail said, the solution is usually to isolate your hero further and pile on more strife. But if you're writing a heroine's journey, the solution is probably to throw a new character into the scene—someone who has advice to offer or a skill the heroine lacks. The actual solutions to writer's block are different depending on which narrative you're writing. As I reflected on my own work, I realised that my ARKANE thriller protagonist, Morgan Sierra, follows a hero's journey—she's a solo operative, a lone wolf like Jack Reacher or James Bond. But my Mapwalker fantasy series follows a heroine's journey, with Sienna and her group of friends working together. I hadn't consciously chosen those paths; the stories led me there. But understanding the framework helps me write more intentionally now. Actionable step: Identify which journey your protagonist is on. Does your character gain strength by being alone (hero) or by building connections (heroine)? This will inform every plot decision you make, from how they face obstacles to how your story ends. 5. Use ‘Metaphor Families' to Anchor Dialogue and Voice One of the most practical techniques Matt Bird shared on episode 624 is the idea of assigning each character a “metaphor family”—a specific well of language that they draw from. This gives each character a distinctive voice that goes beyond accent or dialect. Matt explained how in The Wire, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time, every character has a different metaphor family. What struck him was that Omar, this iconic character, never utters a single curse word in the entire series. His metaphor family is pirate. He talks about parlays, uses language that feels like it belongs in Pirates of the Caribbean, and it creates this incredible ironic counterpoint against his urban setting. It tells us immediately that this is a character who sees himself in a tradition of people that doesn't match his immediate surroundings. Matt also referenced the UK version of The Office, where Gareth works at a paper company but aspires to the military. So all of his language is drawn from a military metaphor family. He doesn't talk about filing and photocopying; he talks about tactics and discipline and being on the front line. This tells us that the character has a life and dreams beyond the immediate scene—and it's the gap between aspiration and reality that makes him both funny and believable. He pointed out that a metaphor family sometimes comes from a character's background, but it's often more interesting when it comes from their aspirations. What does your character want to be? What world do they fantasise about inhabiting? That's where their language should come from. In Star Wars, Obi-Wan Kenobi is a spiritual hermit, but his metaphor family is military. He uses the language of generals and commanders, and that ironic counterpoint is part of what makes him feel so rich. Actionable step: Assign each of your main characters a metaphor family. It could be based on their job, their background, or—more interestingly—their secret aspirations. Then go through your dialogue and make sure each character is consistently drawing from that well of language. If two characters sound the same when you strip away the dialogue tags, this is the fix. 6. Find the Diagnostic Detail: The Diagonal Toast Avoid clichéd character tags—the random scar, the eye patch, the mysterious limp—unless they serve a deep narrative purpose. Matt Bird on episode 624 was very funny about this: he pointed out that Nick Fury, Odin, and eventually Thor all have eye patches in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Eye patches are done, he said. You cannot do eye patches anymore. Instead, look for what I'm calling the “diagonal toast” detail, after a scene Matt described from Captain Marvel. In the film, Captain Marvel is trying to determine whether Nick Fury is who he says he is. She asks him to prove he isn't a shapeshifting alien. Fury shares biographical details—his history, his mother—but then she pushes further and says, name one more thing you couldn't possibly have made up about yourself. And Fury says: if toast is cut diagonally, I can't eat it. Matt said that detail is gold for a writer because it feels pulled from a real life. You can pull it from your own life and gift it to your characters, and the reader can tell it's not manufactured. He gave another example from The Sopranos: Tony Soprano's mother won't answer the phone after dark. The show's creator, David Chase, confirmed on the DVD commentary that this came from his own mother, who genuinely would not answer the phone after dark and couldn't explain why. Matt's practical advice was to keep a journal. Write down the strange, specific things that people do or say. Mine your own life for those hyper-specific details. You just need one per book. In my own writing, I've used this approach. In my ARKANE thrillers, my character Morgan Sierra has always been Angelina Jolie in my mind—specifically Jolie in Lara Croft or Mr and Mrs Smith. And Blake Daniel in my crime thriller series was based on Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy. I paste pictures of actors into my Scrivener projects. It helps with visuals, but also with the sense of the character, their energy and physicality. But visual details only take you so far. It's the behavioural quirks—the diagonal toast moments—that make a character feel genuinely alive. That said, physical character tags can work brilliantly when they serve the story. As I discuss in How to Write a Novel, Robert Galbraith's Cormoran Strike is an amputee, and his pain and the physical challenges of his prosthesis are a key part of every story—it's not a cosmetic detail, it's woven into the action and the character's psychology. My character Blake Daniel always wears gloves to cover the scars on his hands, which provides an angle into his wounded past as well as a visual cue for the reader. And of course, Harry Potter's lightning-shaped scar isn't just a mark—it's a direct connection to his nemesis and the mythology of the entire series. The rule of thumb is: if the tag tells us something about the character's interior life or connects to the plot, it's earning its place. If it's just there to make the character visually distinctive, it's probably a crutch. Game of Thrones takes character tags further with the family houses, each with their own mottos and sigils. The Starks say “Winter is coming” and their sigil is a dire wolf. Those aren't just labels—they're worldview made visible. Actionable step: Start a “diagonal toast” notebook. Every time you notice something strange and specific about someone's behaviour—something that feels too real to be made up—write it down. Then gift it to a character who needs more texture. 7. Displace Your Own Trauma into the Work Barbara Nickless shared something deeply personal on episode 732 that fundamentally changed how I think about putting pain onto the page. While starting At First Light, the first book in her Dr. Evan Wilding series, she lost her son to epilepsy—something called SUDEP, Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy. One day he was there, and the next day he was gone. Barbara said that writing helped her cope with the trauma, that doing a deep dive into Old English literature and the Viking Age for the book's research became a lifeline. But here's what's important: she didn't give Dr. Evan Wilding her exact trauma. Evan Wilding is four feet five inches, and Barbara described how he has to walk through a world that won't adjust to him. That's its own form of learning to cope when circumstances are beyond your control. She displaced her genuine grief into the character's different but parallel struggle. When I asked her about the difference between writing for therapy and writing for an audience, she drew on her experience teaching creative writing to veterans through a collaboration between the US Department of Defense and the National Endowment for the Arts. She said she's found that she can pour her heartache into her characters and process it through them, even when writing professionally, and that the genuine emotion is what touches readers. We've all been through our own losses and griefs, so seeing how a character copes can be deeply meaningful. I've always found that putting my own pain onto the page is the most direct way to connect with a reader's soul. My character Morgan Sierra's musings on religion and the supernatural are often my own. Her restlessness, her fascination with the darker edges of faith—those come from me. But her Krav Maga fighting skills and her ability to kill the bad guys are definitely her own. That gap between what's mine and what's hers is where the fiction lives. Barbara also said something on that episode that I wrote down and stuck on my wall. She said the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul. I've been thinking about that ever since. On my own wall, I have “Measure your life by what you create.” Different words, same truth. Actionable step: If you're carrying something heavy—grief, anger, fear, regret—consider how you might displace it into a character's different but emotionally parallel struggle. Don't copy your exact situation; transform it. The emotion will be genuine, and the reader will feel it. 8. Write Diverse Characters as Real People When I spoke with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673—Sarah is Choctaw and a historical fiction author honoured by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian—she offered a perspective that every fiction writer needs to hear. The key message was to move away from stereotypes. Don't write your American Indian character as the “Wise Guide” who exists solely to dispense mystic wisdom to the white protagonist. Don't limit diverse characters to historical settings, as though they only exist in the past. Place them in normal, contemporary roles. Your spaceship captain, your forensic scientist, your small-town baker—any of them can be American Indian, or Nigerian, or Japanese, and their heritage should be a lived-in part of their identity, not the sole reason they exist in the story. I write international thrillers and dark fantasy, and my fiction is populated with characters from all over the world. I have a multi-cultural family and I've lived in many places and travelled widely, so I've met, worked with, and had relationships with people from different cultures. I find story ideas through travel, and if I set my books in a certain place, then the story is naturally populated with the people who live there. As I discuss in my book, How to Write a Novel, the world is a diverse place, so your fiction needs to be populated with all kinds of people. If I only populated my fiction with characters like me, they would be boring novels. There are many dimensions of difference—race, nationality, sex, age, body type, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, class, culture, education level—and even then, don't assume that similar types of people think the same way. Some authors worry they will make mistakes. We live in a time of outrage, and some authors have been criticised for writing outside their own experience. So is it too dangerous to try? Of course not. The media amplifies outliers, and most authors include diverse characters in every book without causing offence because they work hard to get it right. It's about awareness, research, and intent. Actionable step: Audit the cast of your current work in progress. Have you written a mono-cultural perspective for all of them? If so, consider who could bring a different background, perspective, or set of cultural specifics to the story. Not as a token addition, but as a real person with a real life. 9. Respect Tribal and Cultural Specificity Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer on episode 673 was emphatic about one thing: never treat diverse groups as monolithic. If you're writing a Native American character, you must research the specific nation. Choctaw is not Navajo, just as British is not French. Sarah described the distinct cultural markers of the Choctaw people—the diamond pattern you'll see on traditional shirts and dresses, which represents the diamondback rattlesnake. They have distinct dances and songs. She said that if she saw someone in traditional dress at a distance, she would know whether they were Choctaw based on what they were wearing. She encouraged writers who want to write specifically about a nation to get to know those people. Go to events, go to a powwow, learn about the individual culture. She noted that a big misconception is that American Indians exist only in the past—she stressed that they are still here, still living their cultures, and fiction should reflect that present reality. I took a similar approach when writing Destroyer of Worlds, which is set mostly in India. I read books about Hindu myth, watched documentaries about the sadhus, and had one of my Indian readers from Mumbai check my cultural references. For Risen Gods, set in New Zealand with a young Maori protagonist, I studied books about Maori mythology and fiction by Maori authors, and had a male Maori reader check for cultural issues. Research is simply an act of empathy. The practical takeaway is this: if you're going to include a character from a specific cultural background, do the work. Use specific cultural details rather than generic signifiers. Sarah talked about how even she fell into stereotypes when she was first writing, until her mother pointed them out. If someone from within a culture can fall into those traps, the rest of us certainly can. Do the research, try your best, ask for help, and apologise if you need to. Actionable step: If you're writing a character from a specific culture, identify three to five sensory or behavioural details that are particular to that culture—not the generic version, but the real, researched, lived-in version. Consider hiring a sensitivity reader from that community to check your work. 10. Give Your Protagonist a Morally Neutral ‘Hero' Status Matt Bird was clear about this on episode 624: the word “hero” simply means the protagonist, the person we follow through the story. It's a functional role, not a moral label. We don't have to like them. We don't even have to root for their goals in a moral sense. We just have to find them compelling enough to invest our attention in their problem-solving. Think of Succession, where every member of the Roy family is varying degrees of awful, and yet the show was utterly compelling. Or WeCrashed, where Adam Neumann is a narcissistic con artist, but we can't look away because he's trying to solve the enormous problem of building an empire from nothing, and the tradecraft he employs is fascinating. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, readers must want to spend time with your characters. They don't have to be lovable or even likable—that will depend on your genre and story choices—but they have to be captivating enough that we want to spend time with them. A character who is trying to solve a massive problem will naturally draw investment from the audience, even if we wouldn't want to have tea with them. Will Storr extended this idea by pointing out that the audience will actually root for a character to solve their problem even if the audience doesn't actually want the character's goal to be achieved in the real world. We don't really want more billionaires, but we invested in Adam Neumann's rise because that was the problem the story posed, and our brains are wired to invest in problem-solving. This connects to something deeper: what does your character want, and why? As I explore in How to Write a Novel, desire operates on multiple levels. Take a character like Phil, who joins the military during wartime. On the surface, she wants to serve her country. But she also wants to escape her dead-end town and learn new skills. Deeper still, her father and grandfather served, and by joining up, she hopes to finally earn their respect. And perhaps deepest of all, her father died on a mission under mysterious circumstances, and she wants to find out what happened from the inside. That layering of motivation is what turns a flat character into a three-dimensional one. The audience doesn't need to be told all of this explicitly. It can emerge through action, dialogue, and the choices the character makes under pressure. But you, the writer, need to know it. You need to know what your character really wants deep down, because that desire—more than any external plot device—is what drives the story forward. And your antagonist needs the same depth. They also want something, often diametrically opposed to your protagonist, and they need a reason that makes sense to them. In my ARKANE thriller Tree of Life, my antagonist is the heiress of a Brazilian mining empire who wants to restore the Earth to its original state to atone for the destruction caused by her father's company. She's part of a radical ecological group who believe the only way to restore Nature is to end all human life. It's extreme, but in an era of climate change, it's a motivation readers can understand—even if they disagree with the solution. Actionable step: If you're struggling to make a morally grey character work, make sure their problem is big enough and their methods are specific and interesting enough that we invest in the how, even if we're ambivalent about the what. 11. Build Vibrant Side Characters Gail Carriger made a point on episode 550 that was equal parts craft advice and business strategy. In a Heroine's Journey model, side characters aren't just fodder to be killed off to motivate the hero. They form a network. And because you don't have to kill them—unlike in a hero's journey, where allies are often betrayed or removed so the hero can be further isolated—you can pick up those side characters and give them their own books. Gail said this creates a really voracious reader base. You write one series with vivid side characters, and then readers fall in love with those side characters and want their stories. So you write spin-offs. The romance genre does this brilliantly—think of the Bridgerton books, where each sibling gets their own novel. The side character in one book becomes the protagonist in the next. Barbara Nickless experienced this firsthand with her Dr. Evan Wilding series. She has River Wilding, Evan's adventurous brother, and Diana, the axe-throwing research assistant, and her editor has already expressed interest in a spin-off series with those characters. Barbara described creating characters she wants to spend time with, or characters who give her nightmares but also intrigue her. That's the dual test: are they interesting enough for you to write, and interesting enough for readers to demand more? As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, characters that span series can deepen the reader's relationship with them as you expand their backstory into new plots. Readers will remember the character more than the plot or the book title, and look forward to the next instalment because they want more time with those people. British crime author Angela Marsons described it as readers feeling like returning to her characters is like putting on a pair of old slippers. Actionable step: Look at your supporting cast. Is there a side character who is vivid enough to carry their own story? If not, what could you add—a specific hobby, a distinct voice, a compelling backstory—that would make readers want more of them? 12. Use Voice as a Rhythmic Tool Voice is one of the most important elements of novel writing, and Matt Bird helped me think about it in a technical, mechanical way that I found really useful. He pointed out that the ratio of periods to commas defines a character's internal reality. A staccato rhythm—lots of periods, short sentences—suggests a character who is certain, grounded, or perhaps survivalist and traumatised. Katniss in The Hunger Games has a period-heavy voice. She's in survival mode. She doesn't have time for complexity or qualification. A flowing, comma-heavy style suggests someone more academic, more nuanced, or possibly more scattered and manipulative. The character who qualifies everything, who adds sub-clauses and digressions, is a different kind of person from the character who speaks in declarations. This is something you can actually measure. Pull up a passage of your character's dialogue or internal monologue and count the periods versus the commas. If the rhythm doesn't match who the character is supposed to be, you've found a mismatch you can fix. Sentence length is the heartbeat of your character's persona. And voice extends beyond rhythm to the words themselves. As I discussed in the metaphor families tip, each character should draw from a distinctive well of language. But voice also encompasses their relationship to silence. Some characters talk around the thing they mean; others say it straight. Some are self-deprecating; others are blunt to the point of rudeness. All of these choices are character choices, not just style choices. I find it useful to read my dialogue aloud—and not just to check for naturalness, but to hear whether each character sounds distinct. If you could swap dialogue lines between two characters and nobody would notice, you have a voice problem. One practical test: cover the dialogue tags and see if you can tell who's speaking from the words alone. Actionable step: Choose a key passage from your protagonist's point of view and read it aloud. Does the rhythm match the character? A soldier under fire should not sound like a philosophy professor at a wine tasting. Adjust the ratio of periods to commas until the voice feels right. 13. Link Character and Plot Until They're Inseparable Will Storr made the case on episode 490 that the number one problem he sees in the writing he encounters—in workshops, in submissions, even in published books—is that the characters and the plots are unconnected. There's a story happening, and there are people in it, but the story isn't a product of who those people are. He said a story should be like life. In our lives, the plots are intimately connected to who we are as characters. The goals we pursue, the obstacles we face, the same problems that keep recurring—these are products of our personalities, our flaws, our specific ways of being in the world. His framework is that your plot should be designed specifically to plot against your character. You've got a character with a particular flaw; the plot exists to test that flaw over and over until the character either transforms or doubles down and explodes. Jaws is the perfect example. Brody is afraid of water. A shark shows up in the coastal town he's responsible for protecting. The entire plot is engineered to force him to confront the one thing he cannot face. Will pointed out that the whole plot of Jaws is structured around Brody's flaw. It begins with the shark arriving, the midpoint is when Brody finally gets the courage to go into the water, and the very final scene isn't the shark blowing up—it's Brody swimming back through the water. Even a film that's ninety-eight percent action is, at its core, structured around a character with a character flaw. This is the standard I aspire to in my own work, even in my action-heavy thrillers. The external plot should be a mirror of the internal struggle. When those two are aligned, the story becomes irresistible. Will also made an important point about series fiction, which is where most commercial authors live. I asked him how this works when your character can't be transformed at the end of every book because there has to be a next book. His answer was elegant: you don't cure them. Episodic TV characters like Fleabag or David Brent or Basil Fawlty never truly change—and the fact that they don't change is actually the source of the comedy. But every episode throws a new story event at them that tests and exposes their flaw. You just keep throwing story events at them again and again. That's a soap opera, a sitcom, and a book series. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, character flaws are aspects of personality that affect the person so much that facing and overcoming them becomes central to the plot. In Jaws, the protagonist Brody is afraid of the water, but he has to overcome that flaw to destroy the killer shark and save the town. But remember, your characters should feel like real people, so never define them purely by their flaws. The character addicted to painkillers might also be a brilliant and successful female lawyer who gets up at four in the morning to work out at the gym, likes eighties music, and volunteers at the local dog shelter at weekends. Character wounds are different from flaws. They're formed from life experience and are part of your character's backstory—traumatic events that happened before the events of your novel but shape the character's reactions in the present. In my ARKANE thrillers, Morgan Sierra's husband Elian died in her arms during a military operation. This happened before the series begins, but her memories of it recur when she faces a firefight, and she struggles to find happiness again for fear of losing someone she loves once more. And then there's the perennial advice: show, don't tell. Most writers have heard this so many times that it's easy to nod and then promptly write scenes that tell rather than show. Basically, you need to reveal your character through action and dialogue, rather than explanation. In my thriller Day of the Vikings, Morgan Sierra fights a Neo-Viking in the halls of the British Museum and brings him down with Krav Maga. That fight scene isn't just about showing action. It opens up questions about her backstory, demonstrates character, and moves the plot forward. Telling would be something like: “Morgan was an expert in Krav Maga.” Showing is the reader discovering it through the scene itself. Actionable step: Look at the main plot events of your novel. For each major turning point, ask: does this scene specifically test my protagonist's flaw? If not, can you redesign the scene so that it does? The tighter the connection between character and plot, the more powerful the story. 14. The ‘Maestra' Approach: Write Out of Order If you're a discovery writer like me, you may feel like the deep character work I've been describing sounds more suited to plotters. But Barbara Nickless gave me a beautiful metaphor on episode 732 that reframes it entirely. Barbara described her evolving writing process as being like a maestra standing in front of an orchestra. Sometimes you bring in the horns—a certain theme—and sometimes you bring in the strings—a certain character—and sometimes you turn to the soloist. It's a more organic and jumping-around process than linear writing, and Barbara said she's only recently given herself permission to work this way. When I told her that I use Scrivener to write in scenes out of order and then drag and drop them into a structure later, she was genuinely intrigued. And this is how I've always worked. I'll see the story in my mind like a movie trailer—flashes of the big emotional scenes, the pivotal confrontations, the moments of revelation—and I write those first. I don't know how they hang together until quite late in the process. Then I'll move scenes around, print the whole thing out, and figure out the connective tissue. The point is that discovery writers can absolutely build deep characters. Sometimes writing the big emotional scenes first is how you discover who the character is before you fill in the rest. You don't need a twenty-page character worksheet or a 200-page outline like Jeffery Deaver. You need to be willing to follow the character into the unknown and trust that the structure will emerge. As Barbara said, she writes to know what she's thinking. That's the discovery writer's credo. And I would add: I write to know who my characters are. Actionable step: If you're stuck on your current chapter, skip it. Write the scene that's burning in your imagination, even if it's from the middle or the end. That scene might be the key to unlocking who your character really is. 15. Use Research to Help with Empathy Research shouldn't just be about factual accuracy—it's a tool for finding the sensory details that create empathy. Barbara Nickless described research as almost an excuse to explore things that fascinate her, and I feel exactly the same way. I would go so far as to say that writing is an excuse for me to explore the things that interest me. Barbara and I both travel for our stories. For her Dr. Evan Wilding books, she did deep research into Old English literature and the Viking Age. For my thriller End of Days, I transcribed hours of video from Appalachian snake-handling churches on YouTube to understand the worldview of the worshippers, because my antagonist was brought up in that tradition. I couldn't just make that up. I had to hear their language, feel their conviction, understand why they would hold venomous serpents as an act of faith. Barbara also mentioned getting to Israel and the West Bank for research, and I've been to both places too. Finding that one specific sensory detail—the smell of a particular location, the specific way an expert handles a tool, the sound of a particular kind of music—makes the character's life feel lived-in. It's the difference between a character who is described as living in a place and a character who inhabits it. As I wrote in How to Write a Novel, don't write what you know. Write what you want to learn about. I love research. It's part of why I'm an author in the first place. I take any excuse to dive into a world different from my own. Research using books, films, podcasts, and travel, and focus particularly on sources produced by people from the worldview you want to understand. Actionable step: For your next piece of character research, go beyond reading. Watch a documentary, visit a location, talk to someone who lives the experience. Find one sensory detail—a smell, a sound, a texture—that you couldn't have invented. That detail will make your character feel real. Bonus: Measure Your Life by What You Create In an age of AI and a tsunami of content, your ultimate brand protection is the quality of your human creation. Barbara Nickless said that the act of producing itself is a balm to the soul, and I believe that with every fibre of my being. Don't be afraid to take that step back, like I did with my deadlifting. Take the time to master these deeper craft skills. It might feel like you're slowing down or going backwards by not chasing the latest marketing trend, but it's the only way to step forward into a sustainable, high-quality career. Your characters are your signature. No AI can replicate the specificity of your lived experience, the emotional truth of your displaced trauma, or the sensory details you've gathered from a life of curiosity and travel. Those are yours. Pour them into your characters, and they will resonate for years to come. Actionable Takeaway: Identify the Dramatic Question for your current protagonist. Can you state it in a single sentence with the kind of specificity Will Storr described? Is it as clear as “Are you ordinary or extraordinary?” or “Are you the only adult in the room?” If you can't answer it with that kind of precision, your character might still be a sketch. Give them a diagonal toast moment today. Find the one hyper-specific detail that proves they are not an imitation of life. And then ask yourself: does your plot test your character's flaw in every major scene? If you can align those two things—a precisely defined character and a plot that exists to test them—you will have a story that readers cannot put down. References and Deep Dives The episodes I've referenced today are all available with full transcripts at TheCreativePenn.com: Episode 732 — Facing Fears, and Writing Unique Characters with Barbara Nickless Episode 673 — Writing Choctaw Characters and Diversity in Fiction with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer Episode 624 — Writing Characters with Matt Bird Episode 550 — The Heroine's Journey with Gail Carriger Episode 490 — How Character Flaws Shape Story with Will Storr Books mentioned: The Secrets of Character: Writing a Hero Anyone Will Love by Matt Bird The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger How to Write a Novel: From Idea to Book by Joanna Penn You can find all my books for authors at CreativePennBooks.com and my fiction and memoir at JFPennBooks.com Happy writing! How was this episode created? This episode was initiated created by NotebookLM based on YouTube videos of the episodes linked above from YouTube/TheCreativePenn, plus my text chapters on character from How to Write a Novel. NotebookLM created a blog post from the material and then I expanded it and fact checked it with Claude.ai 4.6 Opus, and then I used my voice clone at ElevenLabs to narrate it. The post Writing Characters: 15 Actionable Tips For Writing Deep Character first appeared on The Creative Penn.

Jay's YOUTUBE Channel HERE!! https://youtube.com/@schwedelson?si=xh3t_FkFtqCSMd1dA quick movie debate somehow turns into a really useful reality check on modern marketing, which feels exactly right for this series. Jay Schwedelson and Daniel Murray get honest about what is actually moving the needle right now, from YouTube frustrations to why one-off influencer buys usually fall flat. The best part is how practical it gets once they stop pretending every channel is a guaranteed win.ㅤFollow Daniel on LinkedIn and check out The Marketing Millennials podcast for sharp, no-fluff marketing insights. Subscribe to Ari Murray's newsletter at gotomillions.co for sharp, actionable marketing insights.ㅤBest Moments:(02:10) Jay shares that 300 YouTube videos brought views, but barely any meaningful conversions.(03:03) Daniel says one-off influencer deals are usually a weak bet if you want real impact.(04:45) Bigger creator partnerships work better when they are built like a strategy, not a single post.(05:00) March Madness references can give boring content a timely lift in opens, clicks, and engagement.(06:15) Daniel makes the case for building an AI brain with customer data, reviews, and brand voice now.(07:45) Jay says testimonial-only subject lines are quietly driving strong backend conversions.ㅤCheck out Jay's YOUTUBE Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@schwedelsonCheck out Jay's TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@schwedelsonCheck Out Jay's INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jayschwedelson/ㅤPre-order Jay Schwedelson's new book, Stupider People Have Done It (out April 21, 2026). All net proceeds are donated to The V Foundation for Cancer Research—let's kick cancer's butt: https://www.amazon.com/Stupider-People-Have-Done-Marketing/dp/1637635206

Send a textIn this episode, Harry finally sees the Burrow for the first time and meets the entire Weasley family. They go shopping for their Hogwarts supplies at Diagon Alley, and meet Gilderoy Lockhart for the first time. Finally, Harry and Ron miss the Hogwarts Express and have to take the Ford Anglia to school. Enjoy!Topics/Summary:·      3:10 Quick recap and life at the Burrow. I want to see what a wizard family does in a day. How do they live? This is Harry's first time seeing a magical dwelling like the Burrow, and I want to make the most of it. The Weasley family is a lively bunch and that should come across.·      9:59 Off to Diagon Alley! Harry's mistake with the floo powder sends him to Knockturn Alley and he sees Draco and Lucius shopping for some dark artifacts.·      16:48 Flourish and Blotts. Now that Harry has escaped, we get to see the famous Gilderoy Lockhart in his element. He is a rambunctious idiot. We officially meet Lucius, and he plants the diary with Ginny.·      27:07 Trip to Hogwarts. They cram their car full of things and people and the rush to the platform. Harry and Ron can't pass through to Platform 9 ¾! They are stuck so they have to make a decision. They decide to take the flying Ford Anglia to Hogwarts. The episode ends with Hogwarts fading into view and another year on the horizon.Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text. ThePotterDiscussion@gmail.comthepotterdiscussion.comNox

Examining everything from popular novels to politics, an investigation of persistent fascination with Nazis—and where it might take us. We live in an age where Hitler and the Nazis dominate our cultural imagination, shaping values once defined by religion. Historian Alec Ryrie explores why society remains captivated by this struggle, from history and fiction to modern myths such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. He examines the costs of our Nazi obsession and questions what will come as our anti-Nazi moral consensus frays and both the Left and Right begin to move on. With a fresh take on modern history and pop culture, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It (Reaktion, 2025) offers a thought-provoking look at the culture wars and our shifting political crises, challenging assumptions on both sides and asking what a new moral vision might look like. Alec Ryrie is professor of the history of Christianity at Durham University and a fellow of the British Academy. His previous books include Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt. He lives in rural County Durham. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Examining everything from popular novels to politics, an investigation of persistent fascination with Nazis—and where it might take us. We live in an age where Hitler and the Nazis dominate our cultural imagination, shaping values once defined by religion. Historian Alec Ryrie explores why society remains captivated by this struggle, from history and fiction to modern myths such as Star Wars and Harry Potter. He examines the costs of our Nazi obsession and questions what will come as our anti-Nazi moral consensus frays and both the Left and Right begin to move on. With a fresh take on modern history and pop culture, The Age of Hitler and How We Will Survive It (Reaktion, 2025) offers a thought-provoking look at the culture wars and our shifting political crises, challenging assumptions on both sides and asking what a new moral vision might look like. Alec Ryrie is professor of the history of Christianity at Durham University and a fellow of the British Academy. His previous books include Unbelievers: An Emotional History of Doubt. He lives in rural County Durham. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature. YouTube Channel: here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

On Episode 495 we discuss...→ Weird Baby Form→ "He's British"→ Dumblestore→ Disney discussion galore→ Harry's dreams underwhelm→ Tropical bird delivery→ Unsubtle expositionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/alohomora-the-original-harry-potter-book-club--5016402/support.

Ваш любимый канал «ВОТ ЭТО английский» — теперь в аудиоформате!Попробуйте и научитесь понимать английский на слух с удовольствием

Nous vous proposons une petite pause dans notre relecture avec un épisode spécial Podcasthon !Le Podcasthon est un événement caritatif ouvert à tous les podcasts volontaires afin de tendre le micro vers une association. Pour notre première participation, nous avons invité Alysson Sallandre, la présidente de l'association Handi'Cats qui vient en aide aux animaux handicapés, blessés et/ou malades… principalement des chats mais pas que ! L'occasion de faire un pont avec la saga Harry Potter et le traitement réservé aux créatures qui peuplent le monde magique.0:00 Présentation Handi'Cats27:02 Le soin aux créatures magiques dans Harry Potter

Grab a butterbeer and sing with us: Snape, Snape, Severus Snape! Join Sam, Taavi, Irvin, and our guest Luke, in discussion of Harry's first week at school in Chapter 8 of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone! Join the discussion on our website In this episode: Are there Fitting Charms on Mrs. Weasley's sweaters? Madam Malkin's clever marketing ploy! Hermione's parents would be appalled at Quirrellmort's dental hygiene Did Dumbledore know that Voldemort was possessing Quirrell? Can you make a map of Hogwarts for the first years? The Victorian language of flowers Can Snape's behavior be excused or just explained? House point inflation Does Hagrid save his favorite newspapers? A wizard is never late, except to class Pub's Jukebox: Potions with Neville by Seamus and the Finnigans Seamus and the Finnigans on Facebook Contact: Website: https://threebroomstickspod.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/threebroomstickspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threebroomstickspodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/threebroompod Email: 3broomstickspod@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/3broomsticks 

Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/SUPER This episode is sponsored by Shopify - Go to http://shopify.com/SCB to sign up for your $1-per-month trial period. Today Ben dives into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to determine if Dolores Jane Umbridge was actually a poltergeist.  The literal manifestation of the Ministry's fear and desire for control.  Is it any coincidence that FILCH is her greatest ally and Peeves her greatest foe at Hogwarts?

Joe, Alex, and Brent try their hand at Renaming the Harry Potter Series from Neville Longbottom's Perspective! Open Butterbeer or Butterbeer NOT News You Can Use Giveaway Renaming the Series from Neville Longbottom's Perspective Bossengamot Spellio Revelio - Flying Charm Community Emails   Joe - @CustomVinylLush Alex - @AtariAlex Brent - @BrentAllenLive Show - @TalesFromGH TikTok- @TFGHshow   Tales from Godric's Hollow is your One-Stop Shop for ALL things magical in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!   Email - TalesFromGodricsHollow@gmail.com Facebook - www.facebook.com/talesfromgodricshollow  Instagram - www.instagram.com/talesfromgodricshollow Podchaser - www.podchaser.com/TFGH   Special Shout Out to our Producers/Sponsors AND Headmistresses, The Mysteriously Haunted Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy and our Headmistress of Ilvermorny, Kori A!   Thank you to ALL of the Patreon supporters!!! We can't do all of this without you all!   Support us on PATREON! www.Patreon.com/TalesFromGodricsHollow   Spellio Revelio and E-Mail sounds/beds came from https://musicradiocreative.com/

The Mandalorian Chapter 13: The Siege.Counting down to The Mandalorian & Grogu, Matt & John delve into the Season 2 episode of The Mandalorian, Chapter 12: The Siege. We learn the Empire is not dormant at all, but rather active in trying to resurrect itself…and maybe someone else!HostJohn Mills and Matthew Rushing You've found the best Star Wars podcast with one-of-a-kind discussions in the spirit of fun! While you're here, look around our creator-focused network of podcasts with all the best of Star Trek, a deep-dive read of Harry Potter's magical world, analysis of film's greatest directors, and breaking news from top names in international film festivals, and so much more!Send us your feedback!Twitter: @TheJediMasters   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty.com/contactSubscribe in Apple Podcasts

In the next chapter of our Epic Universe Saga, we explore the oh so problematic land, Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic. Join Jasmine and Michelle as they discuss ridiculously long lines, Butterbeer, and how no one wrote Harry Potter; it just manifested. Support the show

Honestly, there is too much news today. I can't even type this out! Mario, profits, F1, Botanical, Ideas, etc. etc. etc.! Just listen and learn from the past 2 weeks of news!FOLLOW my YouTube channel: Back 2 BrickSet Review: 11389 Project Hail MaryRebrickable Review: Imperial Star Destroye r Avenger (Midi Scale) by NopingridFormula 1 helmetsMini-build instructions - LEGO.comBrickset x Brick OwlStore ExclusivesJapan RestaurantSmarter Brick useAI F1 HelmetDark BotanicalTarget cuts the ToysSpongeBob is backDragon Ball rumorIdeas Project removedPoké Ball rumorDroid WorkshopBotanical Picture frameSpiny Shell Insiders RewardPokemon rumorsEmmy Award setPoke Polybag1:8 Technic record breakerAudi raffleBillund SignTruly accurate Model TRecord sales - *surprised face*crescent moon free buildPlay Bricks Star Wars instructionsLuigi Mach 8 Mario KartGum Gum FruitMario Minifigure!!!!!!Record visitorsTintin Moon RocketKoenigsegg technicOne Piece rumorsPokemon RurosOil prices - expensive LEGOIran LEGO PropagandaPS1Nike Air MaxOlivia RodrigoIcons we know are comingGosling and his minifigF1 metro takeoverEaster decorSmart Brick torn apart!Thank you, Patrons! - Bellefonte Bricks Studio, Jimmy Tucker, David, Paul Snellen, Lee Jackson, Pop's Block Shop, Steve Miles, David Support the showSee some of the designs I've built - REBRICKABLE.COMHead over to Back2brick.com for links to the latest LEGO set discounts!Support the podcast through our affiliate links AND join the Back 2 Brick Patreon!Have a question? Want to be a guest? Send me a message!backtobrick@gmail.comBack 2 Brick Podcast is not an affiliate nor endorsed by the LEGO Group.LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Minifigure, and the Brick and Knob configurations are trademarks of the LEGO Group of Companies. ©2025 The LEGO Group.

Pink Sheet Executive Editor Derrick Gingery, Managing Editor Bridget Silverman and Editor-in-Chief Nielsen Hobbs discuss potential directions for the US Food and Drug Administration's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research after the departure of Director Vinay Prasad (:32), including similarities between the center's leadership issues and the staffing problems in the Harry Potter saga's Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (7:48), as well as the potential policy implications (10:11). They also discuss the contributions of the agency's Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR) pilot program to the quick reviews of two Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) awardees (17:19). More On These Topics From The Pink Sheet US FDA's Vinay Prasad, Controversial CBER Director, Leaving In April: https://insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/agency-leadership/us-fda/us-fdas-vinay-prasad-controversial-cber-director-leaving-in-april-DJO7ACE73RCNTLZKQWCN2S26LM/ US FDA's CNPV Approvals Ride RTOR Pilot's Coattails: https://insights.citeline.com/pink-sheet/pathways-and-standards/review-pathways/us-fdas-cnpv-approvals-ride-rtor-pilots-coattails-3HEGU5MDWJEG7OYHSZQR6TE5NM/

Chaque matin, l'équipe vous parle du con du jour.Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

Our hosts return to the podcave and give real magic a spin, as they sit down to review the episode, The Demon Within (Oh no, I'm speaking in rhymes!)Alex and Will share their thoughts on real magic existing in the DCAU and why it's spell conjuring rhymes are very lame. They also talk about the introduction of Etrigan the demon, his medieval backstory and his Jack Kirby comic book origins. Plus, Bruce drops a milli on an auction item for a guy he barely knows, Jason Blood forgets his demon conjuring spell, and Batman fanboy's for magic and Harry Potter. Tip Jar: https://buymeacoffee.com/batmantaspod ThreadHeads 20% Off: https://www.threadheads.com/BATMANTASPOD87466Buy Our Merch: https://www.bleakworld.store/category/btas-podcast-collaborationOutbreaks Issue 4 Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/speechcomics/outbreaks-1-4-an-ongoing-zombie-anthology-seriesMobster Mash 1-2 Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/speechcomics/mobster-mash-1-2-classic-movie-monsters-as-mobsters Join Our Discord - https://discord.com/invite/bQF76V3nUs TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.tiktok.com/@batmantaspod?_t=8zn1yhsgnfz&_r=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@batmantaspod Follow the Pod on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/batmantaspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the Pod on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.facebook.com/BatmanTASPod Follow the Pod on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://twitter.com/batmantaspod1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to Will's Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.patreon.com/willrobson Speech Comics Website⁠ - https://www.speechcomics.com/ Will's WhatNot Page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.whatnot.com/user/speechcomics

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks just told the anti-Harry Potter activists to kick rocks on a podcast — the company is keeping the Wizarding World toys and games alive no matter how loud the outrage gets. Meanwhile on Bluesky, the usual suspects are already threatening to boycott Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons because Hasbro won't cancel J.K. Rowling. Clownfish TV breaks down the latest episode of cancel culture failing spectacularly and why these massive franchises keep surviving the mob.Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify.CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles.Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://more.clownfishtv.com/On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTVOn Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvgOn Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629

Step into the Wizarding World like never before with this immersive audiobook-style reading of the Harry Potter fanfiction masterpiece, All The Young Dudes.Written by MsKingBean89, All The Young Dudes has become one of the most beloved and widely read fanfics in the Harry Potter fandom, telling the story of the Marauders—Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, James Potter, and Peter Pettigrew—through the 1970s and beyond.✨ What to Expect:A chapter-by-chapter reading in audiobook styleThe full unabridged fanfiction text brought to lifeA relaxing, immersive listen for Harry Potter fans of all ages⚡ Credit:All writing belongs to MsKingBean89, the brilliant author of All The Young Dudes. This channel is simply providing an audio reading for fans to enjoy. You can read the original story on Archive of Our Own (AO3).

This episode is sponsored by Factor – Head to factormeals.com/jvsb50off and use code jvsb50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year! HEM-HEM! Today J and Ben face off once more to find out who knows more about everyone's least favorite character: Dolores Jane Umbridge. Play Along with us :: https://supercarlinbrothers.com/the-ultimate-umbridge-quiz/ 

✨ Can you ask for a booty call using only Harry Potter references? Danny tried to do exactly that in this hilarious round of Call of Booty on The Jubal Show. With her firefighter boyfriend on duty

✨ Can you ask for a booty call using only Harry Potter references? Danny tried to do exactly that in this hilarious round of Call of Booty on The Jubal Show. With her firefighter boyfriend on duty

Join me for a break down of Chapter 16 of Midnight Sun, 'The Knot', in which Edward gets his arms out, Bella is a goldfish serial killer, and Stephenie continues to blue-ball us with this darn meadow... 'Breaking Down Bad Books' is a podcast analysing trashy bestsellers from a literary perspective. Currently breaking down Stephenie Meyer's Midnight Sun - a re-purposing of Twilight from Edward's POV.Sign up to be a patron at www.patreon.com/breakingdownbadbooks for access to exclusive bonus episodes breaking down Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets every week, as well as a back catalogue analysing Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner.Read along with me and let me know your thoughts on Instagram @breakingdownbadbooks or email me at breakingdownpod@gmail.com.Hosted by Nathan Brown, who you can find on Instagram @nathanbrown90 or YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@nathanpatrickbrown. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/breaking-down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we're joined by the hilarious (Blessdtoaster just avert your eyes) Rogue_Roxy. The creator behind Oops! I Joined The Good Guys, Where The Duck Is Minerva McGonagall and more. Thankfully, Roxy agreed to a take two of our conversation, after the first one was plagued by sound/delay issues. It took (not a lot of) convincing and here we are! You're in for a treat because this one takes quite a few twists and turns. We get to yapping about Smut, LOTR, Drag Queens, Mint Body Wash (IFYKYK), Draco in braces, the absolute brilliant binding community and SOOO much more. You can find Rogue_Roxy on AO3 and Instagram.If you love our show, don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share your favorite Dramione moments with us on social media. Follow us on ⁠TikTok⁠, ⁠Instagram,⁠ and ⁠BlueSky ⁠for updates and behind-the-scenes content. **JK Rowling created and owns the Harry Potter series. We do not own the rights to the series or any of its characters. This podcast offers views and opinions and is meant to be a fun discussion about our love for the Dramione fandom. Fanfiction is an entirely voluntary pursuit and is not meant to be reviewed as a published work.Please do not engage in buying or selling fanfiction. It is illegal and also assholery.Warning: This episode contains explicit adult content. Please be advised.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks just told the anti-Harry Potter activists to kick rocks on a podcast — the company is keeping the Wizarding World toys and games alive no matter how loud the outrage gets. Meanwhile on Bluesky, the usual suspects are already threatening to boycott Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons because Hasbro won't cancel J.K. Rowling. Clownfish TV breaks down the latest episode of cancel culture failing spectacularly and why these massive franchises keep surviving the mob.Watch the podcast episodes on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify.CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles.Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://more.clownfishtv.com/On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTVOn Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvgOn Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629

Cindy Pearlman Gaber, senior writer for the New York Times and entertainment columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, joins Bob Sirott to talk about a tribute to Rob Reiner, a list containing some of the Oscars presenters, and a possible Bon Jovi biopic. She also shares details on the progress of HBO’s Harry Potter series […]

Auch der Stein der Auferstehung ist eins der Heiligtümer des Todes - aber eigentlich einge ganz schöne Mogelpackung. Wieso es nicht funktionieren kann, Tote wieder zum Leben zurück zu holen und wieso es bei Harry aber am Ende so gut klappt, besprechen wir in dieser Folge. Es gibt neuen Merch: https://www.seedshirt.de/shop/schokofroescheshopIhr wollt uns FanArt schicken oder Sticker von uns bekommen?Schreibt uns an:Postfach 71053281455 München

Harry Potter has been brought to life on page and screen. But what would it take to make the wizarding world come alive using sound alone? In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the new full-cast editions of the Harry Potter series, where a team of sound designers spent eighteen months crafting 130 hours of immersive audio. From the whistle of the Hogwarts Express to the rasp of the Dementors, every spell, creature, and location had to sound tangible and emotionally distinct. Featuring Will Cohen and Lawrence Kendrick of String and Tins. Twenty Thousand Hertz is produced by ⁠Defacto Sound⁠. Support the show and get ad-free episodes at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠20k.org/plus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Subscribe on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to see our video series. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mystery.20k.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow Dallas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Join our community on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Reddit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow You'll Hear It wherever you get your podcasts, or subscribe on Youtube. Explore incredible speakers, soundbars, and more at ⁠sonos.com⁠. Get 3 months of free payroll at ⁠gusto.com/20k⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hasbro might be a toy company, but CEO Chris Cocks has spent the last several years pushing it more and more into the digital media, gaming, and collectibles space. That makes sense, since adults have money and kids don't. All those IP and licensing deals are working out for Hasbro so far. But Hasbro is also facing a lot of risk from instability: in trade and tariffs, in politics and culture, and in the video game market, which seems to be in a more or less permanent state of crisis.  Links:  Chris Cocks on Decoder (2023) | The Verge Hasbro just made a massive ‘Harry Potter' Announcement | Parade Businesses push for tariff refunds as Trump aides hint at fight | New York Times We're finally seeing more of Hasbro's forgotten space game | PC Gamer Xbox in is danger. Will Microsoft save it, or kill it? | The Verge OpenAI's billion-dollar deal puts Mickey Mouse in Sora | The Verge A comprehensive timeline of JK Rowling's descent into transphobia | Them Subscribe to The Verge to access the ad-free version of Decoder! Credits: Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network. Decoder is produced by Kate Cox and Nick Statt and edited by Ursa Wright. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane.  The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When we think about heroes, the names that come to mind are often male. Yes, in history books, but also in everyday pop culture. From Neo in The Matrix to Luke Skywalker in Star Wars to Harry Potter himself, many of our most celebrated hero narratives center on a single “chosen one”. But when we look more closely at those stories, we often discover something important: heroes rarely stand alone. In this episode of the Advancing Women Podcast, in Women's History Month, we revisit the wizarding world of Harry Potter and shine a light on the women whose courage, intelligence, leadership, and moral conviction helped save the wizarding world. From Lily Potter's sacrificial love to Hermione Granger's strategic brilliance, from Molly Weasley's fierce protection to Minerva McGonagall's steadfast leadership, the women of Hogwarts repeatedly demonstrate that heroism takes many forms. We also explore the courage of Ginny Weasley, who grows into her voice and leadership, the quiet wisdom and authenticity of Luna Lovegood, and the surprising role of Narcissa Malfoy, whose love for her son leads her to defy Voldemort at a pivotal moment. Together, these characters remind us that the most powerful acts of courage are not always the most visible. Sometimes heroism looks like sacrifice. Sometimes it looks like preparation. Sometimes it looks like standing your ground. Sometimes it looks like finding your voice. And sometimes, it looks like simply refusing to stop being yourself. In the end, the wizarding world may have been saved by the “chosen one”… but he was never the only hero. Key Takeaway: There are different kinds of courage. Different kinds of leadership. Different kinds of heroism. And when we start to recognize them, we begin to see the extraordinary women who may have been saving the world all along. Listen if you enjoy: • Harry Potter analysis • Women's leadership stories • Feminist perspectives on popular culture • Character-driven storytelling • Women's History Month reflections #HarryPotter #WomenInLeadership #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenWhoLead #advancingwomenpodcst Let's Connect: ·        Instagram: @AdvancingWomenPodcast  ·        Facebook: Advancing Women Podcast  ·        LinkedIn: Dr. Kimberly DeSimone 

The Harbinger ep. 818 Quinn J. Graham is a nerd's nerd from Ontario, Canada. An avid reader, writer, video game enthusiast, and hobbyist game dev, a significant portion of their day involves bouncing between  the words on a screen and those on a page, and trying to sort out which is which. Their fiction has previously appeared in Wyldblood Press, Factor Four Magazine, and On Spec Magazine; with their story "The Necessity of a Shepherd" being a finalist in the 2023 Alberta Magazine Awards. You can check them out at @officialqjg.bsky.social   ---- Listen Elsewhere ---- YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/TallTaleTV Website: http://www.TallTaleTV.com   ---- Story Submission ---- Got a short story you'd like to submit? Submission guidelines can be found at http://www.TallTaleTV.com   ---- About Tall Tale TV ---- Hi there! My name is Chris Herron and I'm an audiobook narrator. In 2015, I suffered from poor Type 1 diabetes control which lead me to become legally blind for almost a year. The doctors didn't give me much hope, predicting an 80% chance that I would never see again. But I refused to give up and changed my lifestyle drastically. Through sheer willpower (and an amazing eye surgeon) I beat the odds and regained my vision. During that difficult time, I couldn't read or write, which was devastating as they had always been a source of comfort for me since childhood. However, my wife took me to the local library where she read out the titles of audiobooks to me. I selected some of my favorite books, such as the Disc World series, Name of the Wind, Harry Potter, and more, and the audiobooks brought these stories to life in a way I had never experienced before. They helped me through the darkest period of my life and I fell in love with audiobooks. Once I regained my vision, I decided to pursue a career as an audiobook narrator instead of a writer. That's why I created Tall Tale TV, to support aspiring authors in the writing communities that I had grown to love before my ordeal. My goal was to help them promote their work by providing a promotional audio short story that showcases their writing skills to readers. They say the strongest form of advertising is word of mouth, so I offer a platform for readers to share these videos and help spread the word about these talented writers. Please consider sharing these stories with your friends and family to support these amazing authors. Thank you!   ---- legal ---- All stories on Tall Tale TV have been submitted in accordance with the terms of service provided on http://www.talltaletv.com or obtained with permission by the author. All images used on Tall Tale TV are either original or Royalty and Attribution free. Most stock images used are provided by http://www.pixabay.com , https://www.canstockphoto.com/ or created using AI. Image attribution will be declared only when required by the copyright owner. Common Affiliates are: Amazon, Smashwords  

Tahra Zafar is a costume and creature effects designer. She designed the Paddington Bear puppet featured in the hit West End production Paddington: The Musical.Born into a theatre family, she grew up with an Armenian American father who worked as a choreographer in the first West End production of West Side Story, and a mother who moved from a career as a ballerina to theatre work around the world. Her interest in making began early, helping her father with practical projects such as restoring their house, even learning to build walls and spending her spare time model making, with Airfix creations suspended from her bedroom ceiling.After studying theatre design at Central Saint Martins, she began her career making theatre costumes. She spent some time at the Jim Henson creature workshop where she made some of the creatures for the first Harry Potter film including Hedwig the owl and Scabbers the rat.After her daughter was born, Tahra worked on some of the characters for In the Night Garden with her daughter, a willing judge of what worked for toddlers. In 2012, Tahra was in charge of 23,000 costumes for the London 2012 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. This role included an audience with the late Queen to ensure the wig and dress were correct for Her Majesty's stunt double when that iconic skydive was performed at the Olympic opening ceremony. Tahra lives in London with her daughter.DISC ONE: Thunderbirds (Main Theme) - The Barry Gray Orchestra DISC TWO: Gee, Officer Krupke. Composed by Leonard Bernstein and performed by Leo Kharibian, Norman Furber and Vince Logan DISC THREE: Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 In D Minor (movement six) Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven and performed by Berlin Philharmoniker, Wiener Singverein and conducted by Herbert von Karajan DISC FOUR: Brazil – Geoff Muldaur DISC FIVE: Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder DISC SIX: Groove Is in the Heart - Deee-Lite DISC SEVEN: Eclipse - Pink Floyd DISC EIGHT: Take Five - Dave Brubeck BOOK CHOICE: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Complete Books by Douglas Adams LUXURY ITEM: A set of art materials and a storage box CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Eclipse - Pink Floyd Presenter: Lauren Laverne Producer: Sarah TaylorDesert Island Discs has cast other costume designers away to the island over the years including Oscar winners Jenny Beavan and Sandy Powell. You can hear their programmes if you search through BBC Sounds or our own Desert Island Discs website.

Send a textIn this episode, we examine characters like Dobby, Petunia Dursley, and Severus Snape and discuss how their defining moments differ between the Harry Potter books, films, and what we should hope for in the new Harry Potter TV show. Enjoy!Topics/Summary:·      Listen to episode 322 Tea Leaves S2 E2 here!·      2:10 Dobby. He's the foundation for this episode. Dobby has his big moment at the very end of his arc when he sacrifices himself for Harry and friends to escape Malfoy Manor. That shouldn't be his moment to shine! Earlier on, perhaps he runs into Draco at Hogwarts and refuses some ridiculous order. The TV has room for moments like these.·      13:49 Petunia Dursley. She is Harry's last connection to his family, and it's super easy to forget that when she's being mean to Harry. But a few moments earlier in the story when we see Petunia's softer side would go a long way. She really wanted to go to Hogwarts, and her refusal is why she's so bitter. We should have an opportunity to see past that ice wall. ·      20:19 Snape. His story is truly heartbreaking story, and his love for Lily just wasn't meant to be. But I don't want to see that side to him only after he has died. The climax of his arc should be his death and the memory he shares with Harry, but we should see little hints of that emotion behind the greasy hair.·      24:18 Horace Slughorn. He needs more screen time! After the Half-Blood Prince, Slughorn falls into the background. In the Harry Potter TV show, there should be no characters looked over for the sake of time. He has such a heartwarming story, and he showed real courage in overcoming his shame. We should see more of that!Having anything you want to hear or say? Click here for a voice submission or here for text. ThePotterDiscussion@gmail.comthepotterdiscussion.comNox

On Episode 494 we discuss...→ The Aural Library→ Exploring Harry's Recklessness→ The Complexity of Patronuses→ Harry's Recklessness and Emotional State→ Snape's Cruelty and Its Impact→ Legilimency and Misunderstandings→ The DADA Curse and Harry's ReactionsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/alohomora-the-original-harry-potter-book-club--5016402/support.

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey kick off a packed episode of the Epic Universal Podcast while preparing for an upcoming trip to Universal Studios Hollywood. Along the way, they dig into current park news, new Wizarding World treats, and construction updates affecting CityWalk. The back half of the show dives deep into the surprising origin story of the Fast & Furious franchise and how it eventually made its way into Universal's theme parks.  NEWS • King Kong 360 3D on the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour temporarily closes for refurbishment through March 14, meaning some guests may miss the massive Peter Jackson–inspired attraction sequence featuring Kong battling V-Rex dinosaurs. • Sidewalk and infrastructure construction is underway at Universal CityWalk Hollywood near the security checkpoint as the resort continues repositioning its entrance and preparing space for a future on-site Universal hotel. • Butterbeer Season expands across Universal parks worldwide, bringing themed treats like butterbeer waffles, cookie sandwiches, cupcakes, candy apples, and new merchandise including Butterbeer spirit jerseys. • Wizarding World snack lineup grows with new Hogwarts house-themed “ice lollies” (popsicles) available at Diagon Alley's Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Counter and the Hopping Pot area. • Jim and Eric discuss planning tips for first-time visits to Universal Studios Hollywood, including how the CityWalk layout and security process differ from Universal Orlando. FEATURE • The unexpected origin of the Fast & Furious franchise, inspired by a 1998 Vibe magazine article about illegal street racing in New York City. • How the first film's $38 million budget turned into a $200+ million worldwide hit and launched one of Universal's most valuable film franchises. • Why Vin Diesel initially refused to return for the sequel despite a $25 million offer and how the franchise nearly shifted direction without its biggest stars. • The surprising role Universal Home Entertainment played in pushing for additional sequels after massive DVD and VHS sales. • Early theme park integration of the franchise, including the short-lived Fast & Furious Extreme Close-Up Experience on the Universal Studios Hollywood tram tour. • How that stunt demonstration used early KUKA robotic arm technology, which later powered Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. HOSTS • Jim Hill - IG: @JimHillMedia | X: @JimHillMedia | Website: JimHillMedia.com • Eric Hersey - IG: @erichersey | X: @erichersey | Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: JimHillMediaNews• Instagram: JimHillMedia• TikTok: JimHillMedia SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at Patreon.com/JimHillMedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave GreyProduced by Eric Hersey - Strong Minded Agency SPONSOR Planning your next theme park vacation? The experts at Be Our Guest Vacations can help you plan the perfect trip to Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood, Disney destinations, cruises, and more. Get started today at BeOurGuestVacations.com and be sure to mention the Epic Universal Podcast. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by Ellen and Abigail, we embark on a magical journey through the pages and frames of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In this episode we cover the first half of Chapter 10: Kreacher's Tale and the streamlined corresponding film scenes. While we love Harry Potter, we do not condone or agree with its creator's ignorant opinions. We stand with the trans community.  We post weekly podcast episodes comparing and contrasting the Harry Potter books to the movies. Please subscribe and join us as we delve into our favorite book series and the films that brought them to life.  Follow us on Podbean: https://fawkessakepod.podbean.com/ to get the episodes as early as possible and get a leg up on answering the trivia question! Check out our website at ForFawkesSakePodcast.com for all of our latest news, blogs, and more!  Find us at the handles below: Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @FawkesSakePod and Reddit @ r/forfawkessakepodcast Join us on TikTok to stitch Potter Pondering responses and see other random videos! If you would like to share your own Sorting Hat Story with us to read on a future episode or have any other questions, email us at FawkesSakePod@gmail.com. Don't forget to subscribe so you can get the episodes sooner! If you have Apple, please Rate and Review us! (send us an email to let us know you did and we will also send you a sticker!) If you don't have Apple, you can leave us a recommendation on our Facebook page to get a sticker. We also have a Patreon Program. Become a patron for extra podcast perks, including swag, monthly Potterheads, A History episodes, access to our Discord Channel, and more! Check it out here: https://www.patreon.com/fawkessakepod. As always, any support you can give is greatly appreciated!

This week on the podcast, Bob is joined by Matty Bonez for a passionate, hilarious defense of Scream 7 — or at least the idea of Scream 7 — as they unpack franchise loyalty, Ghostface obsession, sequel burnout, and whether this latest entry is truly as bad as the internet says. From AI-fueled plot complaints and trailer oversharing to the enduring appeal of a good whodunit slasher, it's a fun conversation about why some horror fans keep coming back no matter how messy it gets. They also close things out with a chaotic blind ranking of major movie franchises, forcing Matt to stack Scream, Rocky, Harry Potter, Fast & Furious, Halloween, Star Wars, and more in real time. It's part horror debate, part franchise therapy session, and fully the kind of movie-nerd chaos we live for.

This audio clip from Erik Qualman's #1 bestselling book The Focus Project highlights the importance of sleep quality and shares practical ways to improve your sleep habits.   5x #1 Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman has performed in over 55 countries and reached over 50 million people this past decade. He was voted the 2nd Most Likable Author in the World behind Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling.   Have Erik speak at your conference: eq@equalman.com   Motivational Speaker | Erik Qualman has inspired audiences at FedEx, Chase, ADP, Huawei, Starbucks, Godiva, FBI, Google, and many more on Focus and Digital Leadership.   Learn more at https://equalman.com

Dawn's excited for a Dr. Phil doc that apparently tells the terrible truth of the TV guru. And then she's got a couple stories about reality TV lawsuits that are heading to trial. Food Porn Friday finds us trying a couple Easter treats and a Harry Potter sweet. Plus, the latest on Britney Spears' DUI arrest earlier in the week. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Derelict ep. 817 Roger Ley has self-published eight novels and one anthology of speculative stories. He was born and educated mainly in London, but spent some of his formative years in Saudi Arabia. Later, he worked as an engineer in the oilfields of North Africa and in the North Sea before starting a career in higher education teaching computer-aided engineering. His early articles appeared in publications including The Guardian, Reader's Digest, The Oldie, and Best of British. His short stories have been published on a multiplicity of websites and broadcast on BBC Radio. He lives in Suffolk (UK). Visit his website at rogerley.co.uk His Amazon author page is at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Roger-Ley/author/B01KOVZFHM More TTV Stories by Roger ley: https://talltaletv.com/tag/roger-ley/   ---- Listen Elsewhere ---- YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/TallTaleTV Website: http://www.TallTaleTV.com   ---- Story Submission ---- Got a short story you'd like to submit? Submission guidelines can be found at http://www.TallTaleTV.com   ---- About Tall Tale TV ---- Hi there! My name is Chris Herron and I'm an audiobook narrator. In 2015, I suffered from poor Type 1 diabetes control which lead me to become legally blind for almost a year. The doctors didn't give me much hope, predicting an 80% chance that I would never see again. But I refused to give up and changed my lifestyle drastically. Through sheer willpower (and an amazing eye surgeon) I beat the odds and regained my vision. During that difficult time, I couldn't read or write, which was devastating as they had always been a source of comfort for me since childhood. However, my wife took me to the local library where she read out the titles of audiobooks to me. I selected some of my favorite books, such as the Disc World series, Name of the Wind, Harry Potter, and more, and the audiobooks brought these stories to life in a way I had never experienced before. They helped me through the darkest period of my life and I fell in love with audiobooks. Once I regained my vision, I decided to pursue a career as an audiobook narrator instead of a writer. That's why I created Tall Tale TV, to support aspiring authors in the writing communities that I had grown to love before my ordeal. My goal was to help them promote their work by providing a promotional audio short story that showcases their writing skills to readers. They say the strongest form of advertising is word of mouth, so I offer a platform for readers to share these videos and help spread the word about these talented writers. Please consider sharing these stories with your friends and family to support these amazing authors. Thank you!   ---- legal ---- All stories on Tall Tale TV have been submitted in accordance with the terms of service provided on http://www.talltaletv.com or obtained with permission by the author. All images used on Tall Tale TV are either original or Royalty and Attribution free. Most stock images used are provided by http://www.pixabay.com , https://www.canstockphoto.com/ or created using AI. Image attribution will be declared only when required by the copyright owner. Common Affiliates are: Amazon, Smashwords  

-Join Our Patreon And Over 50 Exclusive Episodes In 2026. All Episodes Ad-Free & Early Access https://www.patreon.com/GeekVerse-Find Our Discord, Podcast/Video Feeds & Social Media In The Link Below! https://solo.to/geekverseBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/geekverse-podcast--4201268/support.

'The View' co-hosts and guest co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck weigh in as administration officials come under fire for their comments following the deaths of six American soldiers killed in combat, while Pete Hegseth criticizes the media's coverage of the U.S.–Iran conflict. Daniel Radcliffe joins the show to talk about taking on a new comedy role in the series 'The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,' returning to Broadway in the heartfelt one‑man show 'Every Brilliant Thing,' and reflecting on what it meant to step into Harry Potter's shoes all those years ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An unlikely Hero emerges as Joe, Alex, and Brent analyze a great chapter from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 10 entitled "Kreacher's Tale"! Open News You Can Use Giveaway Major Moments - Kreacher's Tale Potterwatch Community Emails   Joe - @CustomVinylLush Alex - @AtariAlex Brent - @BrentAllenLive Show - @TalesFromGH TikTok- @TFGHshow   Tales from Godric's Hollow is your One-Stop Shop for ALL things magical in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!   Email - TalesFromGodricsHollow@gmail.com Facebook - www.facebook.com/talesfromgodricshollow  Instagram - www.instagram.com/talesfromgodricshollow Podchaser - www.podchaser.com/TFGH   Special Shout Out to our Producers/Sponsors AND Headmistresses, The Mysteriously Haunted Headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy and our Headmistress of Ilvermorny, Kori A!   Thank you to ALL of the Patreon supporters!!! We can't do all of this without you all!   Support us on PATREON! www.Patreon.com/TalesFromGodricsHollow   Spellio Revelio and E-Mail sounds/beds came from https://musicradiocreative.com/

Ungefähr ein Jahr haben wir geackert, geplant und auf diesen Tag hingefiebert... Anfang Februar 2026 startete mit ABENTEUER: FILMMUSIK! unser ganz besonderes Live-Event, das wir gemeinsam mit Dominik Porschen, dem WDR Funkhausorchester und der Dirigentin Sarah Hicks ins Leben gerufen haben. Wir sind unglaublich stolz, ein kuratiertes Programm zur Filmmusik der besten Abenteuerfilme aller Zeiten präsentieren zu dürfen. Der Abenteuerfilm ist eines der ältesten Genres auf der Kinoleinwand. Vom strahlenden Erlöserthema bis zum düsteren Gefahrenmotiv, von FLUCH DER KARIBIK bis BATMAN: Gemeinsam mit dem WDR Funkhausorchester (https://www.youtube.com/@ARDKlassik) ziehen wir das Helden-Cape über und kraxeln die Wolkenkratzer hoch. Lasst euch von den Lieblingsstücken eurer Kindheit verzaubern in diesem besonderen Livestream mit Jonas, Marius, Lenny, Xenia und Alper, hier auf Cinema Strikes Back! Dieser Reupload wurde technisch und inhaltlich optimiert.

This show is sponsored by BetterHelp: Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com/SUPER Today J and Ben are drawing more randomly viewer submitted theories from a hat and must defend them on the fly with no preparation and no book to guide them!  Can they improvise a compelling case for an idea they've never heard before? Did Umbridge Love Dumbledore? Is Hermione the Narrator? Did Voldemort kill Caractacus Burke? 

Hollywood is consolidating at lightning speed and franchises are expanding everywhere — but not everyone's happy about it.This week on The Nerdpocalypse Podcast: Game of Thrones is getting a theatrical movie (yes, really), the God of War TV series creator just called his the upcoming show "dumb" and "terrible," based on seeing a first image released and Paramount just won a $110 billion bidding war for Warner Bros Discovery, beating out Netflix in one of the biggest media mergers in history. **GAME OF THRONES MOVIE** Warner Bros is officially developing a Game of Thrones theatrical film. After the divisive final season and the House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms successes, HBO is betting big that audiences will return to Westeros on the big screen. We break down what this could mean for the franchise, whether fans will show up after Season 8's backlash, and if this signals a new era of prestige TV-to-film adaptations. **GOD OF WAR SERIES - CREATOR CALLS IT "DUMB AND TERRIBLE"** The God of War TV series for Amazon Prime just got its first look, and the game's creator David Jaffe is NOT holding back. He went on record calling the show "dumb" and "terrible," criticizing Amazon's approach to adapting the beloved PlayStation franchise. We discuss what went wrong with the image release. **PARAMOUNT WINS $110 BILLION WBD BIDDING WAR** In one of the largest media mergers in history, Paramount has signed a $110 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, beating out Netflix in a months-long bidding war. This massive consolidation means: HBO Max and Paramount+ are merging into one streaming platform - Warner Bros film slate now under Paramount control - Major concerns about release schedule conflicts and studio layoffs - Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos explains why they pulled out of the bidding We break down what this means for streaming competition, theatrical releases, legacy franchises (DC, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings), and whether this signals the end of the streaming wars or just a new phase of mega-consolidation.Trailers: Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, Scary Movie 6, and Mortal Kombat 2Industry analysis: Are we entering an era of 3-4 mega-studios controlling everything? From franchise expansion to industry consolidation, Hollywood is changing fast. We're breaking it all down.The Nerdpocalypse is a weekly podcast covering the latest movie news, TV show news, trailer reactions, and pop culture commentary. We break down Marvel MCU updates, DC Universe news, Star Wars, superhero movies, sci-fi, horror, streaming wars, box office results, casting announcements, and everything happening in Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Hosted by Jay, Micah, and Terrence. A TNP Studios production since 2011. New episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms. Premium content at TheNerdpocalypse.com/premium. For more TNP Studios content, check out Black on Black Cinema (Black film reviews), Dense Pixels (video game news), and Look Forward (progressive politics).

Paramount Skydance is making a $110 billion play for Warner Bros. Discovery, and with it intellectual property like Harry Potter, Batman, and subsidiaries HBO and CNN. On today's show, who is the man behind the deal? Does he really want to make movies? Will any regulators try to stop it? FYI, we are going on a book tour! Planet Money's first ever book comes out in April. We'll be celebrating in about a dozen cities. There's a limited edition tote bag included with your ticket, while supplies last. Details, dates and how to get your ticket at planetmoneybook.com.Related: The Warner Bros. curse (newsletter) Coyote vs. Warner Bros. For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Fact-checking by Sierra Juarez. Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.  To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

On today's daily comedy show, we bravely tackle one of society's most sensitive topics: not every baby is cute. There, we said it. Inspired by the newly announced Gerber “Behind the Baby” photo search (yes, it's back and yes, parents now get included), the gang debates the real question — do “ugly” babies actually grow up hotter? Is there a cosmic trade-off system? And should Gerber lean all the way in and create an “Ugly Baby Line” just for the laughs? We're asking the real parenting questions here.The 2026 Gerber Baby contest is officially open, offering $50,000 for ages 0–3 and $10,000 for ages 3–5. You just need one photo and a 200-word story about your kid's “everyday victories.” Simple. Unless your baby peaked at three weeks old and now looks like a tiny angry accountant. Then what? We break down the new twist, the stage-parent energy, and why shaped heads apparently matter more than anything.Then it's time for Simpleton Trivia — aka 45 seconds of public humiliation. Listeners can either answer 10 rapid-fire questions themselves or gamble on Moon, King Scott, or Jamie pulling it off without spiraling into chaos. Spoiler: thermostats are not thermometers. Chloroform is not what plants breathe. And Madonna being called the “Queen of Pop” caused way more tension than expected.We run through baseball questions, St. Louis pride, rock trivia, Harry Potter, sports, and enough pop culture curveballs to make everyone sweat. Some callers bet for the guys. Some bet against. Some sound like they're about to cry on live radio. It's beautiful.We also celebrate a buffet of random March 3rd holidays — National Cold Cuts Day, National Canadian Bacon Day (which Canadians insist is just ham), Soup It Forward Day, and the deeply terrifying “What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day.” Because nothing says a responsible daily comedy show like imagining your dog opening cabinets.And of course, we wrap by debating the greatest TV show of all time (Breaking Bad? The Wire? Fight about it in the comments) before pivoting into which U.S. state is the fittest — because we like to emotionally damage multiple demographics per episode.It's celebrity gossip, weird news energy, trivia chaos, Saint Louis pride, and pure Rizz Show nonsense — exactly what you expect from a daily comedy show that refuses to take itself too seriously.Laugh with us. Roast us. Bet against us. Just don't submit your baby unless you're emotionally prepared.Follow The Rizzuto Show → https://linktr.ee/rizzshow for more from your favorite daily comedy show.Connect with The Rizzuto Show Comedy Podcast online → https://1057thepoint.com/RizzShow.Hear The Rizz Show daily on the radio at 105.7 The Point | Hubbard Radio in St. Louis, MO.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Mandalorian Chapter 11: The Heiress.As we continue our countdown to The Mandalorian & Grogu, Matt & John delve into the third episode of Season 2 of The Mandalorian, Chapter 11: The Heiress. This episode roots the series even further into the larger Star Wars lore, bringing in Bo-Katan Kryze, a core legacy character from animation, showing clues of the Imperial Remnant's increasing vitality, and having The Child learn a valuable lesson about respecting life.HostJohn Mills and Matthew RushingYou've found the best Star Wars podcast with one-of-a-kind discussions in the spirit of fun! While you're here, look around our creator-focused network of podcasts with all the best of Star Trek, a deep-dive read of Harry Potter's magical world, analysis of film's greatest directors, and breaking news from top names in international film festivals, and so much more!Send us your feedback!Twitter: @TheJediMasters   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNerdParty/ Email: http://www.thenerdparty.com/contactSubscribe in Apple Podcasts