Podcasts about protagonists

Kat Crosswell is based in Oakland. Her novel is about a Black family living in  Chicago in the 1970s. It's called, “Pieces of Eight: A Harper Family Mixtape.” It came out earlier this year. 

This week we're throwing it back to season 2. Valerie is studying The Hero's Gift Expressed and Melanie is studying Forces of Antagonism. Legally Blonde is a beautiful example of both! Get The Fundamentals of Storytelling today! Go to storynerd.ca/courses and use coupon code CANADA50, now through July 7, for 50% off. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.

Piše Marija Švajncer, bereta Maja Moll in Igor Velše Vsebinsko in sporočilno bogat roman Marija Čuka Zlato zrno je večplasten. Zgodba o iskanju ljubezni in hrepenenju po njej je napisana v tretji osebi ednine. Tako imenovani vsevedni pripovedovalec razgrne čustveno doživljanje Leopolda Teofita, moškega srednjih let, ki iz Milana pripotuje v Trst. Mesto ni imenovano, iz opisov pa je mogoče razbrati, da teče beseda o prav tem obmorskem mestu, ki slovi po svoji bogati zgodovini in notranjih nasprotjih iz preteklih in sedanjih časov. Leopold se, poln upanja, da se bo srečal z novo ljubeznijo, sprehaja po ulicah in pripoved dobi novo razsežnost: zvrstijo se spomini na preteklost, oživljanje političnega dogajanja in nasilje, ki ga zlepa ni mogoče prekiniti. Leopoldovo pričakovanje ljubezenske pustolovščine prekine pretep mladeničev. Vse skupaj močno spominja na fašizem ali pa je kar njegova nova pojavna oblika. Glavni literarni lik Leopold je nekoliko naiven in konservativen moški. Opravlja delo direktorja poštne izpostave, bere poezijo, s prijatelji navija na nogometnih tekmah, politično je usmerjen nekoliko levičarsko, vendar se volitev ne udeležuje. Zavezan je tako pokojnemu očetu kot umrli življenjski sopotnici Nevii. Protagonist se poglablja vase in razkriva svojo notranjost: »Nor sem! Vse se mi dozdeva. Življenje je privid, beseda privid življenja. Nisi mi dal svoje besede, oče, a slišim jo, kako odmeva po teh ulicah in po tem mestu, kjer tvojo besedo potiskajo v temen kot, pa je ne morejo utišati. Leopold je čutil, da je to posebno mesto, da se po njem pretakajo mozaiki usod, obrazi različnosti, da ni ednina, marveč množina.« Oče je kot Slovenec zaradi nesprejetosti in nestrpnosti moral Trst zapustiti in oditi drugam. Fašistični pritisk je bil premočan. V očeh oblasti je bil pritepenec in ščavo, njegov jezik je bil ogrožen in preganjan. Oče še vedno živi v njem in Leopold občuti z njim posebno vez, hkrati pa sluti, da beg ni rešitev. Marij Čuk z učinkovitimi literarnimi sredstvi, bogatim besediščem, poetično obarvanimi odlomki in rahlo ironijo razgrinja slovensko-italijanske odnose, težaven položaj ljudi onstran meje in trdoživost fašizma. Njegovo prikazovanje ni črno-belo, temveč objektivno ter tako kritično kot tudi prizanesljivo, zlasti do Leopoldovih značajskih lastnosti. Pisatelj omenja, kako se današnji Slovenci zaradi cenejšega življenja iz svoje države preseljujejo v Trst in Gorico ter zaživijo v novih okoliščinah, kakršne koli že so. V Leopoldu so ohranjena čustva, ki jih je gojil do Nevie. V dolgem obdobju njene bolezni ji je stal ob strani in ji izkazoval iskreno naklonjenost ter ji pomagal premagovati telesne bolečine: »Vse bo dobro, ljubezen moja, vse bo dobro. Jaz sem ob tebi in v tebi.« Nič na tem svetu pa ni idealno in popolno. Bolehna Nevia, profesorica klasične filologije, se je za kratek čas zaljubila v sodelavca. Kar tako, kot se to pač primeri v življenju. Rahločutni Leopold je trpel, toda sčasoma se je Nevia otresla zagledanosti v drugega moškega in spet je Leopold postal središče njenega življenja. Kako tudi ne, saj ga je zaradi pogubne bolezni potrebovala. Spomin nanjo je živ in močan, zato se Leopold celo vpraša, ali je Nevio zaradi iskanja nove ljubezni morda izdal. Veseli se srečanja z Irmo, njegovo pričakovanje se sveti kot zlato zrno. S skrivnostno žensko se je seznanil na spletu. Osamljenost ter hrepenenje in želja po novi ljubezni so ga prignali v Trst. Ali se je ljubezen uresničila? Ga je Irma, ki mu je v pismih obetala toliko lepega in ga z izbranimi besedami začarala, osrečila? Vsega nikakor ne bi bilo primerno razkriti. Spletne seznanitve in vabila lahko prinesejo nove ljubezenske zveze, nič presenetljivega pa ni, če se iz njih izcimi tudi kaj drugega. V romantičnih in s čustvi nabitih Irminih pismih je večkrat omenjena beseda denar. Kakor koli že, bilo je vredno, da je Leopold pripotoval v Trst. V tem slikovitem mestu je marsikaj izvedel tudi o sebi. V romanu Zlato zrno je veliko filozofskih spoznanj in življenjskih modrosti. Avtor med drugim pravi, da je življenje vedno uganka, ki ljudi postavlja pred preizkušnje; obrnjeno je v prihodnost in ne v preteklost. Dokler traja, je tudi upanje, še več – možnost lepega in dobrega: »Tudi iskanje nevidnega in nedosegljivega je čas, ki ga velja živeti.« Usodo Leopold sluti kot neotipljivo čarodejko, proti kateri nima moči. Morda pa sploh ni usode in so namesto nje pravzaprav samo izkušnje in izzivi ali celo učinkovanje nevidnega bitja, ki mu nekateri pravijo bog. Pomisliti bi bilo treba tudi na smrt. »Škoda, da polagamo čas v varstvo zrahljanim živcem, hudobiji, egoizmu, diktatorjem. Ko bi razmišljal o svoji minljivosti, bi bil človek le dobro bitje brez hudičeve zlobe.« Morda je vse naše početje zatekanje v prostore upanja in iskanje trikov, da bi se izognili smrti. Velikokrat ljudje sploh ne vedo, kaj bi radi. V romanu se poraja vprašanje, ali se lahko zgodi, da vsemogočna, drzna in močna ljubezen omaje celo besedo in narod. Ljubezen je po eni strani galerija izgubljenih priložnosti in žalost, po drugi pa tudi poskočnost, presenečenje in veselje. V ljubezni ni treba besed, zadošča jo začutiti, toda ne gre pozabiti, da življenje ni le idila in prav zaradi ljubezni je treba prestati marsikatero neprijetno preizkušnjo. Ljubosumje in strah jo slej ko prej uničita. Leopold vzame s seboj psa Rončija. Med potjo ga spravi v kovček in med nastanitvijo v hotelu kuža potrpežljivo in po pasje vdano spremlja vse, kar se dogaja lastniku. Ljudje pač potrebujemo nekoga, ki nas razume in je na naši strani. Ne nazadnje ni brez pomena, kaj je o svojem novem literarnem delu povedal Marij Čuk sam. Vrsto let smo po radiu lahko poslušali njegovo poročanje o dogajanju onstran meje, zlasti v Trstu. V zadnjem času spremljamo njegove načrte, poslanice in ukrepanje v zvezi s položajem predsednika Društva slovenskih pisateljev. Sprejel je izziv in že zdaj njegovo prizadevanje za slovenski jezik in kulturo ter angažiranost odmevajo v slovenski javnosti. Na predstavitvi romana je Marij Čuk povedal, da je Leopold Teofit naivni človek, tak, ki išče svoj izvor in identiteto. Tako zelo verjame v dobro, da njegove vere ne more prav nič omajati. Zlo mu ne pride do živega, toda vse to je za današnji čas, je pripomnil avtor, že kar problematično. Sodobni svet je namreč kaos posameznikov, družbe in vrednot. V človekovi glavi vre spopad realnega in virtualnega, tako da sploh ne ve več, kaj je on sam in kje je meja. Pisana beseda naj bi v razburkanih časih, je pribil pisatelj, vseeno ohranila svojo moč. Besede Marija Čuka jo vsekakor ohranjajo. V romanu Zlato zrno prepričljivo in z notranjo napetostjo slika posameznikovo doživljanje in družbeno dogajanje. V tretjeosebni pripovedi, protagonistovem izpovedovanju in vsebini poslanih pisem, tako Leopoldovih kot Irminih, je veliko življenjskih resnic, kritičnih spoznanj in moralnih dilem.

Anyone who loves a strong female lead will enjoy listening to this episode. In addition to talking about why it seems unlikable older women are getting thrown under the literary bus lately, hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist delve into these six novels:  The Satisfaction Café: Kathy WangBug Hollow: Michelle HunevenAt Last: Marisa SilverFonseca: Jessica Francis KaneA Dog in Georgia: Lauren GrodsteinSeduction Theory: Emily Adrian Here is Fall into Fitness: Harvest Your Strength.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! Put Currex insoles in all your shoes:Get 15% off w/ code AMR15 at Currex.com   For $25 off your first order, use codeAMR25 at GOSleeves.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special guest John Howard-Fusco joins the show to talk all things USL women's soccer. USL Super League and W League talk throughout this episode. Plus so much more!

Do kin 21. srpna vstupuje film Velký vlastenecký výlet, který zachycuje reakce zastánců Ruska na realitu války na Ukrajině. Štáb na cestě doprovázela tlumočnice Lucie Řehoříková, která je hostem podcastu Novinek Zbytečná válka.

Josh and Dan take on the biggest news in the American game (and beyond) and bring their own dynamic approach and perspective to discussing it. 

Schlecht klimatisiert, aber immerhin gut beleuchtet: So könnte man das weitläufige Tunnelnetzwerk beschreiben, auf das unser Protagonist und sein Kollege Danforth in der Antarktis stoßen. Denn in den Kapiteln 4 bis 6 von H. P. Lovecrafts Berge des Wahnsinns ist Schluss mit dem Vorgeplänkel. Gedney ist verschwunden – genau wie der letzte überlebende Schlittenhund, den die Expedition von der Miskatonic-Universität zur Erforschung der Antarktis mitgenommen hatte. Was genau mit Gedney passiert ist, erfahren wir noch nicht – nur dass er (aufgrund welcher Beweislage auch immer) nicht für den Tod seiner Expeditionsgruppe verantwortlich ist. Was wohl dahinter steckt? Um mehr zu erfahren, machen sich Danforth und unser Protagonist auf in die Tiefen der ehemals blühenden Großstadt auf dem antarktischen Hochplateau. Ihren Wunderkräften sei Dank, reicht ein Blick auf die Wandfresken der „großen Alten“, um deren halbe Kultur und Denkweise zu verstehen. Und gerade die in den Abbildungen festgehaltene Geschichtsschreibung der Alten verheißt nichts Gutes für die uns Menschen als „Krone der Schöpfung“. Wir bleiben gespannt, was der arme Danforth denn tatsächlich gesehen hat und worüber er bisher noch mit keiner Menschenseele sprechen wollte ... --- In der nächsten Folge lesen wir die Kapitel 7 bis 9 von Berge des Wahnsinns (At the Mountains of Madness) von H. P. Lovecraft. Hier geht's zur digitalen, kostenlosen Version auf Deutsch: http://www.hplovecraft.de/pdf/bergedeswahnsinns.pdf Und hier zum englischen Original: https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/70652/pg70652-images.html --- Unterstütz uns auf Steady für noch mehr Content abseits der Literatur

In Episode 49 of Undercurrents of Romance, Tracey Devlyn sits down with New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer to discuss her new adult romantasy, WARRIOR PRINCESS ASSASSIN. A deceitful princess. A haunted king. A conflicted assassin. Brigid Kemmerer weaves a richly layered romantasy bursting with political stakes, tangled loyalties, and burning chemistry. With deadly magic and forbidden longing on every page, this is the first book in a fierce new trilogy you won't want to miss. Love this episode? Rate it ⭐️ Thumbs Up

In Episode 49 of Undercurrents of Romance, Tracey Devlyn sits down with New York Times bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer to discuss her new adult romantasy, WARRIOR PRINCESS ASSASSIN. A deceitful princess. A haunted king. A conflicted assassin. Brigid Kemmerer weaves a richly layered romantasy bursting with political stakes, tangled loyalties, and burning chemistry. With deadly magic and forbidden longing on every page, this is the first book in a fierce new trilogy you won't want to miss. Love this episode? Rate it ⭐️ Thumbs Up

Dive into the world of 2000s fantasy and uncover what makes the protagonists of this iconic era so brilliant! From incredible wit to mind-boggling courage, we're exploring the characteristics that make these heroes unforgettable. Join us as we delve into the world of fantasy and discover what sets these 2000s protagonists apart. Whatever your fantasy subgenre preferences, this episode has something for you! So, sit back, relax, and get ready to revisit the magic of the 2000s fantasy protagonists.#FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #SFF #FantasyFiction #BestFantasy #BookRecommendations #TBR #ReadingRecommendations #booktube #booktuberWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Abhorsen: https://t.ly/6tFVmAmerican Gods: https://t.ly/e_8taCatching Fire: https://t.ly/DUcyADevlin's Luck: https://t.ly/Ad5YiDragons of a Vanished Moon: https://t.ly/xTcnOElantris: https://t.ly/1l0VREragon: https://t.ly/nxt-RFablehaven: https://t.ly/iahqyGraceling: https://t.ly/jOinHHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: https://t.ly/7CZTXKnife of Dreams: https://t.ly/cLSQzMistborn: The Final Empire: https://t.ly/ErX1KMortalis: https://t.ly/OnntmThe Name of the Wind: https://t.ly/ndJbgPaladin of Souls: https://t.ly/t7UugRed-Headed Stepchild: https://t.ly/xwt1VServant of the Shard: https://t.ly/JFv2-Skulduggery Pleasant: https://t.ly/zyojpStorm Front: https://t.ly/eJ5CQThe Way of Shadows: https://t.ly/jfqhzWolves of the Calla: https://t.ly/a3XOLWays to connect with us:Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim's Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 ————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

In a month where we hoped not a lot would happen, a whole lot happened. Xbox went on a massive spree of layoffs. Nintendo has broken records with the Switch 2, and a bunch of mobile games keep happening, despite our wishes.Our main topic is a discussion of protagonists we despise! Please stop making us play as these lame characters!Theme Song by David WiseTo support our show and get exclusive access to over 75 bonus episodes, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/hairofthedogcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Contact Us: Blue.Sky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/hairofthedogcast.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Mail: Hairofthedogcast@gmail.com Write us a review! We appreciate your support!

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Madeleine Thien, author of the novel THE BOOK OF RECORDS. The novel tells a time-bending, seven-year philosophical journey of a young girl named Lina, who is taught by her father and neighbors about the lives of three historical figures. They live in a surreal enclave, where Lina and her father have sought refuge after escaping a disaster in China. In the interview, we talked about how she weaves together the stories of three historical figures: Du Fu, an 8th-century Chinese poet; Baruch Spinoza, a 17th-century Dutch Jewish philosopher; and Hannah Arendt, a mid-20th-century German-American Jewish philosopher and political theorist. Lina learns about their theories and ideas and the grief, love, and tragedy they have experienced. Madeleine Thien is the author of four books, including Do Not Say We Have Nothing, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Granta, The New York Review of Books, and elsewhere.  Diverse Voices Book Review Social Media: Facebook - @diversevoicesbookreview Instagram - @diverse_voices_book_review X - @diversebookshay Email: hbh@diversevoicesbookreview.com 

Quintin, Tristan, Andrea, and Welling rank the top 12 movies with a villain protagonist in honour of Bad Guys 2 releasing in theatres. Which movies will make the list out of American Psycho, The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange? Find out now.

Find the 9 Points Rating system here: https://www.alostplot.com/9-points/ In this episode of A Lost Plot, the hosts review the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe release, 'Fantastic Four First Steps.' They discuss their initial reactions, character dynamics, and the overarching themes of family and sacrifice. The conversation delves into character development for Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and The Thing, as well as the portrayal of villains Galactus and Silver Surfer. The hosts critique the film's climax and its lasting impact on the franchise, ultimately concluding that while the film has its merits, it falls short in character development and thematic depth.----------Highlights:0:00 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Introduction5:53 Opening Scene10:58 Protagonists and Themes16:19 Reed Richards or Mr. Fantastic21:15 Sue Storm29:07 The Human Torch and The Thing36:31 Galactus50:00 Silver Surfer58:45 Themes Revisited#fantasticfour #fantasticfourfirststeps #mcu #marvelreview #characteranalysis #galactus #suestorm #reedrichards #alostplot #storytelling #film #filmthoughts #superherofilms #silversurfer 

Explore the epic fantasy heroes of the 1950s era! Join us on a thrilling journey through the most iconic characters that shaped the fantasy genre. From legendary warriors to mythical creatures, we'll delve into the fascinating world of fantasy heroes that captured the hearts of readers and audiences alike. Get ready to revisit the golden age of fantasy and discover the heroes that inspired generations of writers, artists, and filmmakers.#FantasyForTheAges #Fantasy #SFF #FantasyFiction ##BestFantasy #BookRecommendations #TBR #ReadingRecommendations #booktube #booktuberWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?The Fellowship of the Ring: https://t.ly/DYEYOThe Last Battle: https://t.ly/AzermThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: https://t.ly/RhkALThe Once and Future King: https://t.ly/veIkRPrince Caspian: https://t.ly/WkBdpThe Return of Conan: https://t.ly/kpqicThe Return of the King: https://t.ly/JWFUqThe Silver Chair: https://t.ly/F9asPTitus Alone: https://t.ly/gxoa2The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: https://t.ly/if6EVWays to connect with us:Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim's Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 ————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

Episode Description: In this special bonus episode, Claire shares practical, story-focused advice for one of the most common (and frustrating) issues writers face: not knowing their protagonist. Whether your main character feels flat, unmotivated, or like a stranger you just can't crack, this episode offers a clear path forward—with help from the Enneagram, of course. Claire explains how understanding your protagonist's core fear and desire can unlock their behavior, clarify their voice, and get your story moving again. She also walks you through the process of choosing the right Enneagram type for your character, using concrete examples to show how motivation drives everything from plot to emotional depth. Plus, she shares an exciting update about her new book, Write Iconic Characters, and its currently-running Kickstarter campaign! In this episode, you'll learn: Why some protagonists “refuse” to follow the plot—and how to fix it How to use Enneagram types to shape character motivation What to do when you've blended multiple Enneagram types by accident The simplest way to start creating a protagonist who feels authentic Why writing your own Enneagram type can actually be a storytelling superpower How to reverse-engineer your protagonist based on your story world or theme What to do if your usual character-building methods aren't working Back the Write Iconic Characters Kickstarter (ends Aug 8): https://liberatedwriter.com/kickstarter Support the Show: If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource. Access the transcript here. Happy Writing!  

Messi skipped the MLS All-Star match and now all hell is breaking loose. Does this spell the end of his time in the States? Probably not, but we discuss it regardless. Plus NISA 3.0 and season two of the USL Super League.

Die Geschichte davon, wie eine Naturkatastrophe vor 200 Jahren den Menschen Angst vor einem Weltuntergang bereitet. Und wie zwei sehr unterschiedliche Männer ein altes Rätsel lösen. Der Klimaphysiker Michael Sigl erforscht das Klima auf der Erde zu längst vergangenen Zeiten. Walter Bersinger verbringt seit seiner Pension viel Zeit mit einem privaten Recherche-Projekt, das sich um die Schweiz-Reisen eines seiner Lieblings-Komponisten dreht. Der Komponist - der dritte Protagonist dieser Geschichte - heisst Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy und reiste im Sommer 1831 während fünf Wochen einmal quer durch die Schweiz. Eine Reise, die gezeichnet ist von heftigen Unwettern und rätselhaften Phänomenen am Himmel. Durch einen Zufall lernen sich Walter Bersinger und Michael Sigl kennen. Es gelingt ihnen schliesslich, die Ursache hinter dem katastrophal schlechten Wetter im Sommer 1831 zu lösen und zu erklären, warum Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy damals dermassen verregnet wurde. Das Ende. Die letzte Sommerserie der Radio Wissenschaftsredaktion. Folge 3/7 In der Sendung zu Wort kommen: - Michael Sigl, Klimaphysiker, Universität Bern - Walter Bersinger, früher Verwalter einer Pensionskasse, seit einigen Jahren pensioniert Publikation von Michael Sigl: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2416699122 Webseite von Walter Bersinger: walterbersinger.ch/mendelssohn-reise-1831/ Hörpunkt-Stunde von 2011 zu Felix Mendelssohns Reise von 1831: srf.ch/audio/hoerpunkt-toene-aus-dem-reisekoffer/felix-mendelssohn-zu-fuss-durch-die-schweiz?uuid=46d1bcc7-45fb-4660-ab17-77345138fff6

The author of This Love is Not For Cowards: Salvation and Soccer in Ciudad Juárez sits down with Josh and Dan to discuss his book, his time in one of the most dangerous cities in the world, and how soccer inspired his work. 

We're just days away from the Wallabies v British & Irish Lions Test Match, but why haven't the protagonists on each side emerged yet? Lee Calvert from the Blood & Mud podcast joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones on The 8/9 Combo Rugby Podcast to ponder what the series has so far missed. Tidbits about the teams are starting to filter out. The Coach may not pick the Son. Storylines of heartbreak and triumph are emerging, and Exclusives will be claimed. Some will even be actually exclusive. But there is still a treading-water feel about this build-up. Maybe that changes when the teams are announced on Thursday. Games of the Week: • New Zealand v France, Hamilton SAT • Australia v British & Irish Lions, Brisbane • South Africa v Georgia, Mbombela (Nelspruit) • Argentina v Uruguay, Salta • U20s World Championship finals, Italy #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #British&IrishLions #Lions2025 #internationalrugby #Wallabies #AllBlacks #Springboks #LosPumas #U20sWorldChampionship Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, Protagonists!My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Hattie Williams, a former book publicist whose debut novel, Bitter Sweet, is about... a book publicist who falls for a legendary author she's working for.Hattie has not only worked in publishing as a publicist but also in marketing and editorial, and before that, she was a musician and songwriter who has toured across Europe.Today, we talk about:* how Hattie fell into writing as a young mother,* her experience in the publishing world and how that informed the settings and stories in Bitter Sweet.* writing complicated, toxic relationships without veering into judgment of the characters,* how her background as a book publicist has helped her publicize her own book on both Instagram and Substack,* whether songwriting affects her novel writing,and so much more.Want more of Hattie?You can find Hattie on Substack and Instagram. Bitter Sweet, is available in bookstores everywhere or from your favorite online retailer!

Just before last weekend's matchup between El Paso Locomotive and San Antonio FC, Dan sat down with the two founders of Copa Tejas, Steve Arters and Danielle Gawronski. They explain the competition, the important role it plays for Texas soccer clubs, and how they'd love to see it expand.

With the news bring dominated by Cup competitions, Dan and Josh break down the state of play and what they are watching.

We invited Danielle & John from Protagonist Soccer to talk about DC Power's first year...

Hello, Protagonists,Welcome back to Letters from the Creative Life. These occasional essays explore the quieter corners of living: small reflections on art, ambition, and the tender balancing act of building a meaningful life in a noisy world. Think of them as letters from my life to yours. Enjoy!The Invisible Thread: What Authors and Readers Offer Each OtherYears ago, when I was still unpublished and hungry for any connection to the literary world, I had the opportunity to be the conversation partner for a well-known author visiting our local bookstore. I spent hours preparing for the event, and on the day of, I asked thoughtful questions and felt genuinely excited about the discussion we had on stage.But afterward, when she didn't follow me back on social media, I felt stung. Didn't she appreciate what I'd done for her as host in our local community? Wasn't I worth a simple follow?It wasn't until years later, when I was published and began experiencing the reality of public-facing author life, that I understood. That well-known author wasn't being snobby—she was protecting her sanity. The event we'd done together was just one stop on a long tour, one conversation among dozens, not to mention all the press and interviews online. It wasn't mentally healthy for her to follow every bookseller, every conversation partner, and every reader who wanted a piece of her digital attention without drowning in the noise.Then vs. NowThere was a time when a novelist's job was simply to write novels. Authors like J.D. Salinger and Harper Lee could disappear from public view entirely, letting their work speak for itself. Readers had to seek out authors through carefully crafted interviews or rare public appearances, if they encountered them at all.Today, the expectation is radically different. To sell books in the current market, authors are expected to be accessible, relatable, and constantly engaging. We share glimpses of our writing process and our daily routines, and some of us—like me here on Substack—build communities around our creative lives.This intimacy is beautiful, in many ways. But there's also a shadow side to this accessibility.When Knowing Becomes ClaimingThe challenge with parasocial relationships—those one-sided connections where someone feels like they know a public figure personally—isn't that they exist. Parasocial relationships have always existed. People have felt connected to actors, musicians, and even authors for as long as we've had public figures at all.The difference now is proximity and expectation, because digital platforms create the illusion of personal relationship. When an author shares a photo of their morning coffee or talks about their writing struggles, it feels like a text or video call from a friend. The human brain, which evolved for small communities where we actually knew each and every person we interacted with, struggles to distinguish between true intimacy and technologically-enabled accessibility.This confusion can sometimes lead to a sense of ownership over an author's time and attention that feels different from other relationships. Almost every author I know has, at some point, been on the receiving end of a reader lashing out because they were disappointed/upset that the author didn't respond to their email, DM, or social media post.But if we step back and try to look at this objectively, isn't this strange? For example, if a friend recommends a restaurant to you, the friend doesn't expect the chef to come out and personally thank them.Yet, in a world where technology creates a parasocial mirage, it's easy to forget that authors might be fielding hundreds or even thousands of similar messages, or simply taking a much-needed break from being online.The New RealityI think about Suzanne Young, who told me about co-authoring a book with Tom DeLonge from the band Blink-182. During a book signing, a fan approached with scissors because he wanted to cut a piece of Tom's hair to keep as a souvenir. Tom's bodyguard intervened, and afterward, Tom turned to Suzanne and said something like, “Isn't it crazy when that happens?” She laughed and told him that that doesn't happen to authors, it only happens to rock stars.That conversation happened years ago. I'm not sure it would be as clearly true today.Recently, bookstores have had to implement security policies that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago. At some events, signs now explicitly state that authors “do not owe fans access, attention, or physical proximity simply by virtue of being public figures.” The fact that this needs to be spelled out shows how normalized certain expectations have become.What We Already Give Each OtherInstead of focusing on the negatives, though, I now want to turn this around and look at the wonderful things we all do for each other. I think it's good to remember that, above all, we love books and we love storytelling. That beautiful common ground is what brings readers and authors together in the first place.What strikes me most about the author-reader relationship is how generous it is on both sides. Readers invest their precious time and emotional energy in our stories. They champion books they love, create communities around shared reading experiences, and offer the kind of support that sustains authors through the inevitable challenges of creative life. This generosity moves me every single day.And authors? We keep showing up to the page, sometimes when inspiration feels elusive, because we know there are readers who need the stories only we can tell. We share parts of ourselves through our work, trusting that these offerings will find their way to the people meant to receive them.The invisible thread between author and reader is real, and it's powerful. Despite what I said before about parasocial relationships, platforms like Substack, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc. are great for allowing us to connect like never before. We just all need to remember to set and keep respectful boundaries of mutual admiration. When we honor both the magic of that connection and the humanity on both sides of it, something extraordinary happens. The stories we share and love become bridges between us—not because we know each other in real life, but because we recognize something true and universal in the work itself.What we offer each other—story and attention, creativity and care—is already enough. Everything else is simply a gift.What brings you the most joy in your reading life? I'm always curious about the moments that remind us why we fell in love with books in the first place. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.creativeinspiredhappy.com/subscribe

We invited Danielle & John from Protagonist Soccer to talk about DC Power's first year...

One of the best features from the Gen 2 Pokémon games was getting the chance to battle Red, the protagonist from the Gen 1 game. To this day, players have yet to experience that charm with the other protagonists we got the chance to play as over the years. If the others were given the same treatment as Red, what would their teams be? That's what Eric is here to discuss in this hypothetical scenario!Join our Discord server: https://discord.gg/9uqjdDFollow our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/geeks_crossing/Subscribe to EmantheLegendary: https://www.youtube.com/@emanthelegendary3775Subscribe to Frofrokacho: https://www.youtube.com/@frofrokachoIntro/Outro done by BKNAPP: https://bknapp.bandcamp.com/#Pokemon #postgame #teams #hypothetical #comedy #entertainment #geeks #geekscrossing

Ben has TOO MANY game codes, so Aunt Norah is here to help! This back to back episodes… episode contains two conversations themed around the games Ben has been playing for review purposes. In the top half, they talk about the representations of the mental ailments in the games Next of Kin and RATSHAKER™. In the latter half, they talk about the handling of the animal protagonist in Spirit of the North 2.  *** PART 1 - The portrayal of mental fitness topics in and opinions about Next of Kin and RATSHAKER™ 00:00:20 - Going global-ish and an explanation of the next batch of Norah episodes Next of Kin by Spelkväll Games - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmMrdlVPC4M 00:02:23 - Story description and the trailer, and Norah's thoughts on the trailer…text box speed  00:05:27 - Her interest was piqued, solving the mystery, in-game trigger warnings, and not light  00:07:40 - Mental disorders, differences between dementia and schizophrenia, and trivializing 00:10:00 - Excellent mental health focused games, and generational perspectives on sharing 00:15:27 - Life experiences with schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, and the garden hose RATSHAKER™ by Sunscorched Studios - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIrYRaWOdt8 00:18:07 - A horror experiences, trademarked, and trying to be clever with the description 00:20:25 - The controls and game mechanics, a schizophrenia simulation, and the trailer  00:23:38 - Effective scares, cracking the rat for a light source, and it's normal for horror  00:26:47 - Final thoughts on the importance of mental health awareness and empathy  *** PART 2 - Telling a story with a silent animal protagonist and opinions on Spirit of the North 2  00:30:43 - Welcome, figuring out the topic, and an appetizer for the word folklore Spirit of the North 2 by Infuse Studio - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK3x3bmaWQA 00:31:34 - Being a fox in Iceland, similarities to Stray, and Norah's thoughts on the game trailer 00:33:37 - The technical trailer, a disagreement on feedback, and complaining in social media 00:37:15 - Finnish folklore, Icelandic settings, a fox's mental faculties, and game description  00:40:11 - Customizing your fox, and Ben gets excited about… VIKING HELMETS ON CATS?! 00:43:00 - Boss fights, waiting for the giant bird in the coliseum, and lots of running around 00:45:42 - Not an observant animal, a silent protagonist, and no connection to other foxes 00:49:14 - Zen and the art of being a fox, from a previous generation, and total playtime hours 00:51:21 - No detectable side-quests, de rigueur, the perspective, and some camera problems  00:53:58 - The delicate balance of game design, thoughts on adding a narrator, and beauty 00:56:00 - The internal monologue of animals, cozy camping does not exist, and show closing  *** Follow Two Vague on… Our website: https://www.twovaguepodcast.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/two_vague_podcast On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@twovaguepodcast On Substack: https://twovaguepodcast.substack.com/ On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/twovaguepodcast.com For show appearance and other inquiries, contact us at: twovaguepodcast@gmail.com -AND-  …for all of your PRI and 2VP merch check out the Partly Robot Industries store at TEEPUBLIC! https://www.teepublic.com/user/partly-robot-industries *** References, Links, and Tags For more information about Next of Kin from Spelkväll Games… https://store.steampowered.com/app/3027980/Next_of_Kin/ For more information about RATSHAKER™ from Sunscorched Studios… https://sunscorchedstudios.co.uk/ratshaker https://sunscorchedstudios.co.uk/ For more Information about Spirit of the North 2 from Infuse Studio… https://www.playspiritofthenorth.com/ https://infusedstudio.com/ #Podbean #DIYPodcast #ApplePodcast #VideoGames #Trivia #Comedy #Talkshow #2VP #TwoVaguePodcast #PodernFamily #InterviewShow #GamersofThreads #Gamer #PartlyRobot #PartlyRobotIndustries #TeePublic #NextofKin #NextOfKinGame #SpelkvällGames #RATSHAKER™ #SunscorchedStudios #SpiritOfTheNorth2 #InfuseStudio 

This week in the Wrap Party, Zeth and Jake are talking about John Holmes, Boogie Nights, commercials from the ‘80s and ‘90s, Gen X, the difference between Eddie and the Hot Rods and Eddie and the Cruisers, summer playlists, and washed-up protagonists. Next week, get ready for our episode on Roman Polanski. In the meantime, Zeth and Jake want to hear from you. What are you watching and listening to? What did you think of the John Holmes/Wonderland Murders episode? Join the party and give us your recs and reviews! Call or text (617) 906-6638, email disgracelandpod@gmail.com, or reach out on socials @disgracelandpod. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jess and Trisha talk about Jane Austen feelings - yours and theirs! - and then get into Kamila Knows Best for book club. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News: We got all caught up in Jane Austen and forgot to talk about it, but check out the After the End Kickstarter! Books Discussed: One and Done by Frederick Smith Whenever You're Ready by Rachel Runya Katz Jana Goes Wild by Farah Heron Daughter of Tides by Kit Rocha Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron Northanger Abbey, Persuasion, Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, and Lady Susan - all by Jane Austen Let us know what you're reading, what you're thinking, and what you're thinking about what you're reading! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does your protagonist's final choice resolve the plot, character arc and theme? In this episode, Stu and Chas focus solely on the final choices made by protagonists and how that reflects their character journey and successfully, or not, dramatises the internal. We compare and contrast different uses of narrative POV in respect to these final choices, in particular whether and when the audience is made aware of the options available to the character, the act of making the choice, and the consequences of the choice. We breakdown examples from DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, FINDING NEMO, MICHAEL CLAYTON, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN and TALK TO ME. As always: SPOILERS ABOUND and all copyright material used under fair use for educational purposes.  CHAPTERS 00:00:00 - Opening 00:00:18 - Why Final Choices? 00:10:45 - DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES 00:19:09 - FINDING NEMO 00:28:45 - MICHAEL CLAYTON 00:53:11 - PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN 01:16:38 - TALK TO ME 01:41:45 - Key Learnings 01:50:13 - Thanks awesome patreons! RELATED EPISODES DZ-04: Catharsis and the Poist-coital Cigarette DZ-84: Choices & Decisions DZ-87: Keeping Genre Fresh DZ-33: Protagonist vs Hero DZ-58: Game of Thrones - Character Exposition DZ-34: Game of Choices LINKS MICHAEL CLAYTON by Tony Gilroy PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN by Emerald Fennell TALK TO ME by Danny Philippou & Bills Hinzman based on a concept by Daley Pearson Michael Arndt: What makes an insanely good ending Every Frame a Painting: Snowpiercer - Look Left or Right   RELATED EPISODES DZ-04: Catharsis and the Poist-coital Cigarette DZ-84: Choices & Decisions DZ-87: Keeping Genre Fresh DZ-33: Protagonist vs Hero DZ-58: Game of Thrones - Character Exposition DZ-34: Game of Choices More Draft Zero is brought to you more often by our awesome Patreons. Especially Lily, Paulo, Alexandre, Malay, Jennifer, Thomas, Randy, Jesse, Sandra, Theis, and Khrob. Please considering rating or subscribing to us on Apple Podcasts or sharing us on the Social Medias! We like finding new listeners. We are @stuwillis, @mehlsbells and @chasffisher on Twitter. You can find @draft_zero and @_shotzero on Instagram and Twitter. BUY DRAFT ZERO MERCH via TeePublic SUBSCRIBE TO SHOT ZERO via Substack

This one's another conversation with Runeslinger, aka Anthony from the Casting Shadows blog, podcast, and Youtube channel. He hails from South Korea and, having just enjoyed a week off work, I was able to cue up some chats with him.This conversation is essentially the third part that began in Episode 6, The Story Divide, and explores - through the lens of D&D - the process by which the character became a protagonist… and the impact this change had on play.Big thanks to Anthony for coming to talk. We do hope it helps to illustrate the Story Divide that we spoke about some weeks back and offers some insight on different ways of approaching roleplaying games.Game on!Casting Shadows: castingshadowsblog.com/The Accidental "Lie" in RPGs:https://castingshadowsblog.com/?p=13470Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialMeWe:https://mewe.com/p/roleplayrescueLogo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one's another conversation with Runeslinger, aka Anthony from the Casting Shadows blog, podcast, and Youtube channel. He hails from South Korea and, having just enjoyed a week off work, I was able to cue up some chats with him.This conversation is essentially the third part that began in Episode 6, The Story Divide, and explores - through the lens of D&D - the process by which the character became a protagonist… and the impact this change had on play.Big thanks to Anthony for coming to talk. We do hope it helps to illustrate the Story Divide that we spoke about some weeks back and offers some insight on different ways of approaching roleplaying games.Game on!Casting Shadows: castingshadowsblog.com/The Accidental "Lie" in RPGs:https://castingshadowsblog.com/?p=13470Roleplay Rescue Details:Voice Message:speakpipe.com/roleplayrescuePatreon:patreon.com/rpgrescue Email:roleplayrescue@pm.meBlogroleplayrescue.com Bluesky Social:https://bsky.app/profile/ubiquitousrat.bsky.socialMeWe:https://mewe.com/p/roleplayrescueLogo and artwork by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello, Protagonists!My guest today on CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY is Adam Met, multi-platinum recording artist (he's the A in the band AJR). He is also a professor, and now author of a new book, AMPLIFY.Today, we talk about:* the kinds of books Adam likes to read* the process of co-authoring a book with another writer* how to outline a non-fiction book* breaking rules to build fanbases* storytelling in songs vs in books* avoiding burnout in creative careers, and* how to find your personal happiness and fulfillment in life

In this episode, author Katherine Marsh discusses her Medusa series, focusing on themes of empowerment and representation for young girls in literature. She shares insights into her writing process, the importance of world-building, and her research into Greek mythology. Katherine also reflects on her journey as a writer, the evolution of middle grade literature, and offers advice for aspiring writers.From the Publisher: From National Book Award finalist Katherine Marsh: Percy Jackson meets Wednesday in this fantastical adventure series about 12-year-old Ava, who attends a boarding school for the descendants of Greek monsters and uncovers a terrible secret that could change the world forever.For bonus content and info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a rating and review (thank you!).

We have the privilege to discuss 95 Theses on the Reformation of Football: Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Global Football Governance with author, Dr David Kilpatrick. Over two parts we discuss the state of the sport, how we've come to adore it, and how to best preserve association football, or soccer. World Cups, Promotion & Relegation, Closed Systems, and Women's access to the sport are all covered. It's a long listen, but incredibly informative and full of ideas and opinions which might engage your intellectual mode.

Weekly Spooky is proud to present you with the first episode of Valmont: The Black Raven Chronicles:After being jolted awake by 50,000 volts in a grim interrogation room, Afraig Valmont — a former Marine turned private investigator — finds himself caught in a web of shadowy conspiracies and supernatural secrets in the city of Black Raven. Bloodied, bound, and bewildered, Valmont races to uncover the truth behind his mysterious resurrection, a cryptic transfusion, and a city that may not be entirely human.In this premiere episode of Valmont: The Black Raven Chronicles, experience a gripping blend of dark fantasy, noir detective drama, and supernatural horror. With cinematic sound design and a suspense-laden story, this audio drama will pull you deep into the shadows — and leave you questioning what's real. Listen & Subscribe:Search Valmont: The Black Raven Chronicles on your favorite podcast app — including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Google Podcasts

Discover the connection between archetypal arcs and Enneagram insights for transformative storytelling and character growth.

We have the privilege to discuss 95 Theses on the Reformation of Football: Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Global Football Governance with author, Dr David Kilpatrick. Over two parts we discuss the state of the sport, how we've come to adore it, and how to best preserve association football, or soccer. World Cups, Promotion & Relegation, Closed Systems, and Women's access to the sport are all covered. It's a long listen, but incredibly informative and full of ideas and opinions which might engage your intellectual mode.

With the last USL Championship club out of the US Open Cup, what's a lower league soccer fan to do? Plus, Liga MX getting litigious and USL Super League about to be playoff happy! All that and so much more.