Podcasts about Worldbuilding

A new chapter begins as we build our world for Stars Without Number! Buy Stars Without Number here! Buy The Perilous Void here! We have a Patreon! What to support us? Click HERE! You can find us on: Instagram Bluesky Youtube You can also email us at chaosenginepod@gmail.com We have a Discord now! Feel free to stop by if that interests you! Check out our friends: Pretending to be People! Stories & Lies Sorry, Honey I have to Take This Tabletop Talk Wilderspace Gaming Doomed to Repeat The Great Old Ones Gaming Negative Modifier Chaos Springs Eternal The Black Flare Podcast 9mm Retirement Radio Suffer Not

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What if history, but dragons?

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Some games just stand out from the pack, and with its episodic anime structure, QTE-heavy cutscenes and South Asian religious inspirations, there is nothing quite like Asura's Wrath (CyberConnect2, Capcom, 2012). A quintessential flawed game that everyone should try, Asura's Wrath overcomes its bad combat and dated approach to player engagement by just simply being cooler and more hype than basically every other game. Listen in to find out more! Guest info: Nick (he/him) and Will (he/him) of Friday Night Gamecast * Check out Friday Night Gamecast https://fridaynightgamecast.buzzsprout.com/ * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/fngcpod.bsky.social * Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fridaynightgamecast/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:27 Introductions * 5:17 Our Histories with Asura's Wrath * 11:16 Top-Level Thoughts * 19:44 Story Setup and Worldbuilding * 28:47 Episodic Anime Structure * 37:03 Presentation and Spectacle * 43:48 More QTEs Than You Can Shake a Stick At * 51:33 Action Gameplay * 1:14:00 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:17:26 Friday Night Gamecast * 1:20:28 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous * 1:22:32 Spoiler Section- Hype Moments, The Gohma and the Demigods * 1:46:55 Spoiler Section- Asura's Revenge & Epilogue Music used in the episode is credited to Chikayo Fukuda. Tracks used: Main Theme, Furious, Orphan Wolf Legend - Fang, One Who Spins Ideas, Option, Asura's Wrath, In Your Belief, Trembling Belief Catch Dave on Geeks & Grounds all of November and December for a deep dive into Final Fantasy X: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/ Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Malka Older makes a life at the crossroads of our existing and future worlds. Between research into the sociology of organizations, on-the-ground work in humanitarian aid and disaster risk reduction, and acclaimed writing of speculative and science fiction, Older brilliantly, beautifully, uncommonly lives the great paradox in front of us all: to hold at once the two truths of lived experience and imagined future. Origins Podcast WebsiteFlourishing Commons NewsletterShow Notes:the immigrant sensibility (05:00)belonging (07:20)exile (09:00)Danielle Allen's theory of justice (15:00)A Paradise Built in Hellby Rebecca Solnit (16:00)Malka's work in the international space (16:20)Global Voices (19:15)Where are you REALLY from? (19:40) The Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion (20:30)'Great Asking' (22:30)Positionality (23:00)Mu - unask the question (23:20)the opportunity in disaster (27:10)2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean Tsunami (31:00)psychological distance (34:40)Malka's book ...And Other Disasters(35:30)the importance of improvisation (43:00)David Whyte - the conversational nature of reality (46:30)Malka's book Infomocracy (49:00)the adjacent possible (53:45)The Crisis of Narration by Byung-Chul Han (59:15)The Sociological Imaginationby C Wright Mills (59:30)what does it mean to flourish? (59:45)the generative narrative of our time (01:08:30)Lightning round (01:02:00)Book: The Lord of the RingsPassion: Hearing a new languageHeart sing: Global VoicesScrewed up: relationshipFind Malka online:WikipediaArizona State ProfileLinkedInLogo artwork by Cristina GonzalezMusic by swelo on all streaming platforms or @swelomusic on social media

This binge compilation contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. The Loremaster and the Crown (November 17, 2025)2. Four Guildmasters (November 18, 2025)3. Safe Houses (November 19, 2025)4. The Missing Piece (November 20, 2025)5. The Long Walk (November 21, 2025)---Episode 1: The Loremaster and the CrownWant to experience The Thieves Guild without ads? Want exclusive member-only episodes? Want updates from showrunner/writer Jake Kerr?Then join our Supporter's Club! You can find more information here:https://www.spreaker.com/podca...━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Summoned to the highest chamber of the Seat, Kray faces a tense interrogation from Wilhelm, Crown of Gaotteland, about his true motives. With maps spread across the war room table, the dwarf must carefully navigate between truth and deception.Episode 2: Four GuildmastersWant to experience The Thieves Guild without ads? Want exclusive member-only episodes? Want updates from showrunner/writer Jake Kerr?Then join our Supporter's Club! You can find more information here:https://www.spreaker.com/podca...━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━The aftermath of the council vote is seen through the eyes of the four guildmasters, from Ralan's urgent escape to Polo's rage over the results, to a surprising turn of events that Quinto discovers.Episode 3: Safe Houses

This week Erin M. Evans, B. Dave Walters, and Treavor Bettis Revisit Worldbuilding! Lots of Tangerinos wrote in with their questions and there are plenty more to answer next week!Join our Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/writingaboutdragons Starring:Erin M Evans (Empire of Exiles, Brimstone Angels)https://bsky.app/profile/erinmevans.bsky.social B. Dave Walters (A Darkened Wish, Black Dice Society)https://bsky.app/profile/bdavewalters.bsky.social Treavor Bettis (Difficulty Class, Champions of Lore)https://bsky.app/profile/thetreavor.bsky.social Join the Discord!https://discord.gg/MdSVsfpTzu Buy Relics of Ruin!Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Relics-Ruin-Books-Usurper-2/dp/031644104X Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/relics-of-ruin-erin-m-evans/1143299833?ean=9780316441049 Check out B. Dave's Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/bdavewalters Enroll in B. Dave's 14 Day Writer:https://www.theundisputedacademy.com/14-day-writer-home-pagePlay in a game run by B. Dave:https://ko-fi.com/bdavewalters/shop

Hello everyone, I'm not a huge fan of these sort of admin episodes, but there's enough going on I figure it'll be worth it. So here's an update on three fronts: first, the upcoming consistory, which may be on your radar already since you listen to my show, second, what's been going on at the USCCB this past week, and third, some show updates, including something I've put together to feel a bit better about having these admin updates periodically. So first, CONSISTORY Those of you already familiar with the word will know why it grabbed my attention earlier in the month, when various sources announced that Pope Leo was calling the Cardinals together for a consistory in January of next year. You see, it was a consistory that threw a wrench onto my daily show plans in 2023, and in 2024 it was another consistory that sent me back into a hiatus I'm still recovering from.   For those not in the know already, a consistory is a meeting of the Cardinals of the Catholic Church, a group so particular they have multiple terms even for their administrative meetings, the other being a conclave, and which, well, if you're listening to this, I'm just going to assume you're already familiar with the idea of a conclave, if only because that's what I spent most of my air time covering the first half of this year. So enough about conclaves. Those are different from consistories.   The type of consistory that gets me scrambling when I see the word is a consistory for the creation of new cardinals. The consistory that showed up on our radars earlier this month shows no particular signs of being one of those, though stranger things have happened and I'm fully expecting Pope Leo to hand out some red hats and titles sometime in 2026. I just don't think it'll be at this promised January 8th meeting, since that's usually included in the description—often with names—right from the start when we've got that on the docket.   Don't be disappointed though—we can still expect this to be an extraordinary consistory, and not least because “extraordinary consistory” is the technical term for this specific type of consistory and I enjoy punning with ya'll. You see, an “extraordinary” consistory is when the Pope calls together all the Catholic Cardinals around the world for a meet-up in Rome, as opposed to an ordinary consistory, which is typically just a meeting of the Cardinals resident in the Eternal City, which are generally unremarkable enough that they don't get reported on, unless he's creating new Cardinals. Oh, and by the way, I kind of had a hunch about this but this research is where I first confirmed Cardinals are actually *required*  to live in Rome unless they're serving out and about as a diocesan bishop somewhere. Which makes sense given their role as an advisory body for the Pope. It's clear there are exceptions—the Argentine Capuchin priest Cardinal Dri, may he rest in peace, died in Buenos Aires a few months ago. He's the one Pope Francis elevated at the age of 96 in 2023, we did an episode about him. Nor are such exceptions particularly new–Saint John Henry Newman, who Pope Leo recently proclaimed as a Doctor of the Church, became a Cardinal late in life and travelled to the Eternal City for the occasion but continued to reside in England. All right, enough about what older Cardinals get up to. How common are these extraordinary consistories? Well, these meetings are unusual, but not unheard of. According to the incredible Gabriel Chow of GCatholic.org, Pope Saint John Paul II held seven of them, all but one within a few months of him creating a batch of new Cardinals, something he tended to do every three years. It seems like he got Cardinals on his mind and liked to both create new ones and catch up with the old ones as a group in the same general stretch. Cardinal season, if you will. A lot of the reporting on this upcoming consistory notes that Pope Benedict, JPII's successor, never held an extraordinary consistory, and that might technically be true if we're only counting things officially declared “extraordinary consistories”, but GCatholic disagrees, counting the meetings of cardinals held the night before his first creations of new Cardinals as extraordinary consistories. I'm not sold on that interpretation, as from what I've seen those gatherings were not as well attended as a typical extraordinary consistory would be, since again, those are mandatory. But they did seem to be private affairs of the Cardinals, which is one of the hallmarks of extraordinary consistories and another factor that distinguishes them from ordinary consistories, at least as far as the Code of Canon Law is concerned. Put a pin in that.Also, even though, yeah, it was officially a pretty minor meeting, the consistory where Pope Benedict announced that he was going to be resigning the Papacy–yeah– I mean–wasn't officially an “extraordinary consistory”, but it was an *extraordinary* consistory.   As for Pope Francis, most of the coverage agreed he held two extraordinary consistories: one in 2014, with the topic of the family, which was part of the ramp up to Amoris Laetitia where communion for divorced Catholics was the apparent hot-button subtext. He also held one in 2022, where they discussed the new Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium. If that's not ringing a bell, that's the one where pretty much every Vatican department got renamed to a Dicastery. If it's still not ringing a bell, don't worry about it. For what it's worth, both of these were either right before or right after new batches of Cardinals were made. I think if I got made a Cardinal the day *after* a two-day closed-door meeting of all the Cardinals I'd feel a little bit left out. Though maybe the Cardinals who formally joined the body just in time to hear two days of explanations of that new Constitution changing all the department names would have preferred to have been left out of that one. Either way, GCatholic counts a third Extraordinary Consistory for Pope Francis, a two-day affair right before he made a batch of new Cardinals in 2015. But like the ones GCatholic reported as happening in Pope Benedict's pontificate, this gathering didn't have all the Cardinals–or at least it didn't have enough Cardinals around that it had a “mandatory for everyone” vibe like an extraordinary consistory is supposed to. According to Catholic News Agency, 148 cardinals made an appearance, and because I'm the sort of nerd I am, I can tell you that that was out of a full college of 212 at the time, and yes that includes disgraced Cardinal Keith O'Brien, because he never renounced the Cardinalate itself, only renouncing the rights and privileges associated with it, and it also incidentally includes Mr. Theodore McCarrick, who would go on to renounce the Cardinalate in later years and would wind up deservedly laicized, but who was still a Cardinal at this stage.You probably didn't need me to mention all that, but just in case, there you have it. It's worth noting that one of the reported topics during the 2025 conclave, at least during the meetings in the leadup to the conclave, was frustration from the Cardinals over a general lack of consultation of the Pope with the College of Cardinals as a whole, i.e. they wanted more extraordinary consistories. I wouldn't be too shocked if we saw such gatherings in say, January and June, fit in between the end of Christmas and the beginning of Lent and around the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, respectively, become a regular thing, if Pope Leo does want to lean into these big extraordinary consistories being a regular thing.   Now, it's fun and all to hear reports that the expected meeting is a response to popular demand by the Cardinals, but what will it actually be about? Why is Pope Leo apparently calling a closed-door meeting of all the Cardinals of the Catholic Church? Well, first off, despite all my talk, and despite a lot of other people's talk, no such meeting has actually been called yet. What we have at this stage is a letter that went out from the Secretariat of State stating that “Holy Father Leo XIV has in mind to convene an Extraordinary Consistory for the days of January 7 and 8, 2026.” Which, admittedly, is pretty straightforward, and is coming from an official source. But Pope Leo having that “in mind” is not the same as actually announcing it, which matters because the letter goes on to state that “In due course, the Dean of the College of Cardinals will send to Your Eminence the relevant letter with further details”. In other words, watch this space. And yes, it's entirely possible that “further details” could still include noting that by the way while everyone is in town Pope Leo's going to create some more new Cardinals too. I don't expect that since my read on him is he's going to want to be more respectful of the official 120-elector cap than his predecessor was, but it wouldn't be the first time they've covered multiple items while the Cardinals were gathered. It's probably more efficient from a travel cost perspective, anyhow. By the way, if they DO create more new Cardinals, it won't be right after the Extraordinary Consistory On An Unknown Topic, because Pope Leo is already booked for the next day, when he is due for his annual meeting with diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, followed by him meeting with all the ambassadors from the 184 states that have full diplomatic relations with the Holy See. With that context–while recognizing those are regular annual meetings so it could be a coincidence–I am tempted to think there *will* be something big Pope Leo hopes to talk about with all the Cardinals and then all the diplomats. Maybe something going back to my hope–and the hope of many–on Catholic-Orthodox relations, some fruit of Pope Leo's visit to Turkey to mark the 1700th anniversary of Nicea later this month, a council which Catholics and Orthodox agree on, and which helped set the date of Easter. To speculate one step yet further, if they were looking at something relating to the dating of Easter, the timing would be pretty good, a few months out.   ***To complicate matters further, *** the day *before* the expected Extraordinary Consistory, Pope Leo will be closing the Holy Doors to finish out the Holy Year. So yeah, that date's booked too, unless he wants to multitask, which given all he's got going on, he doesn't seem opposed to doing.    *** IN THE END, it's likely the bulk of the discussion will be the fruit of the “study groups” that came out of the Synod on Synodality, which are meant to reach some form of consensus on a number of active topics discussed over the course of the synod during the last few years. The study groups are so idiosyncratic and generally wonkish that even I, who love listing off obscure stuff at you, refuse to go through them in detail, but they contain are hot button issues  such as women deacons and polygamy alongside, uh, cold-button topics such as canon law and the role of nuncios, although I suppose it depends on what you're into.   Anyways, it's worth noting that—following what has proven to be a pattern for the Synod on Synodality with extension after extension—the end-of-the-year “deadline” for the study groups doesn't seem to be a hard deadline and at least some of the study group discussions may well still be ongoing past the time of the Extraordinary Consistory, so really, who knows? Again, time will tell.***   Ok, time for the second promised topic: the USCCB, that is, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. They had one of their Plenary or General assemblies this week–I believe they use the word interchangeably–-which, now that you're hip to consistory talk you can think of Plenary Assemblies as the US Catholic Bishops' version of an extraordinary consistory with everyone gathered to chat about whatever. In this case, a major order of business was the election of new leadership, especially a new USCCB President and Vice-President. When it comes to the USCCB, often the Vice-Presidency is the real election to watch, since unless they've hit retirement age the Vice President usually gets elected the President after putting in their three-year term as VP. But in this case, both President and Vice President were retiring, so this was one of the more open election years, with ten candidates nominated by their peers, including Bishop Barron of the Word on Fire media empire which will be printing breviaries for Americans in the coming years–more on that lucrative endeavor some other time. In the end, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City was elected USSB President, and will serve in that capacity until 2028 when, if tradition holds, he will be succeeded by the man who was runner-up this time around, Bishop Daniel Flores of Brownsville, Texas. We'll see if tradition does hold, as it's not really a secret that US politics is deeply divided and the shift would be from a perceived conservative to a perceived liberal if that's the way it goes, although yes, both are Catholic bishops so there's a lot of agreement between the two. One bishop who was not particularly agreeing with the rest of the body present was  the emeritus bishop of Tyler, Texas, one Joseph Strickland. I've discussed Bishop Strickland here and there, and he seems interested in continuing to pop up, despite his removal from his see a couple years ago after publicly endorsing a video calling Pope Francis a “diabolically disordered clown”. In any case, he is apparently still part of the USCCB–which makes sense as he's still a bishop, though I'm not going to act like I expected him there. From what I can tell, since he's officially an emeritus bishop, he does not get to vote. But he did have some floor time, and used it to try to add condemning Fr James Martin's outreach to LGBT folks to the docket, a plea which went unanswered. There's video of this online if you want to find it, and sure, a link in the notes for your convenience. Don't get the wrong idea though, the bishops actually have been pretty active since the new USCCB President took up his role, on the one hand banning gender-affirming care for transgender patients at Catholic hospitals, something which I honestly was  surprised wasn't already done, and on the other hand speaking up pretty loudly about all the deporting going on around here. It's the latter topic I'm going to focus on for today, no offense to my friends who might love a word on the former, but I'm trying to stay positive, you know? Plus there's more meat on the immigration side of the discussion, specifically my favorite thing: a statement short enough to read in its entirety for ya'll.Yes, for the first time in over a decade–since their Special Message on the contraceptive mandate in the Affordable Care Act–the Bishops overwhelmingly voted in support of releasing the following Special Message, and by overwhelmingly I mean 216-5 with three abstentions. Without further ado: “As pastors, we the bishops of the United States are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones.  Despite obstacles and prejudices, generations of immigrants have made enormous contributions to the well-being of our nation. We as Catholic bishops love our country and pray for its peace and prosperity. For this very reason, we feel compelled now in this environment to raise our voices in defense of God-given human dignity. Catholic teaching exhorts nations to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation's immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together. We recognize that nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good. Without such processes, immigrants face the risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation. Safe and legal pathways serve as an antidote to such risks. The Church's teaching rests on the foundational concern for the human person, as created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). As pastors, we look to Sacred Scripture and the example of the Lord Himself, where we find the wisdom of God's compassion. The priority of the Lord, as the Prophets remind us, is for those who are most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, the poor, and the stranger (Zechariah 7:10). In the Lord Jesus, we see the One who became poor for our sake (2 Corinthians 8:9), we see the Good Samaritan who lifts us from the dust (Luke 10:30–37), and we see the One who is found in the least of these (Matthew 25). The Church's concern for neighbor and our concern here for immigrants is a response to the Lord's command to love as He has loved us (John 13:34). To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone! We note with gratitude that so many of our clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful already accompany and assist immigrants in meeting their basic human needs. We urge all people of good will to continue and expand such efforts.  We oppose the indiscriminate mass deportation of people. We pray for an end to dehumanizing rhetoric and violence, whether directed at immigrants or at law enforcement. We pray that the Lord may guide the leaders of our nation, and we are grateful for past and present opportunities to dialogue with public and elected officials. In this dialogue, we will continue to advocate for meaningful immigration reform.  As disciples of the Lord, we remain men and women of hope, and hope does not disappoint! (cf. Romans 5:5) May the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe enfold us all in her maternal and loving care and draw us ever closer to the heart of Christ.” Alright, now for the final topic, PODCAST ADMIN. Assuming you've been around for a minute, you've probably noticed that Popeular History is approximately eight projects in a trenchcoat. You might think that sounds like an exaggeration, but I did wind up with 8 tabs when I organized all my episodes i  nto a spreadsheet I plan to use as a roadmap for the show. The Cardinal Numbers tab even has info about the Cardinals in question from my cardinals database. Not all the Cardinals, mind you, for now it's focused on the current cardinals since that's where the show is focused. Eventually the full database will be made public-facing in some form, minus perhaps some embarrassing scribbled notes like instructions on how to pronounce names that will only make sense to me since I'm bad at phonetic alphabet stuff. Oh, and the Worldbuilding section has the epitomes next to links to the episodes they're summarizing! Cool stuff like that, and as an added bonus I'll even be putting things like when I expect to get to the next episode or two of a particular series, that way if you want an answer it's there without relying on me randomly mentioning on the show at some point. I'm even including notes about things like when I have something recorded and am just working on editing it. So that's all exciting! Check it out!–I'm putting that link at the tail end of the show notes for your convenience. It should be publicly accessible, let me know via email to popeularhistory@gmail.com if you hit any snags. Also, jubilation! Popeularhistory.com is back up, and I have no idea how that happened. My ability to make changes to it directly went away about a year ago, hence all but the RSS feeds being frozen, zombie mode, but now it's back. I didn't even have to log in to anything. I think St Carlo Acutis just did another miracle (miracles effect from Pontifacts). So that's an unexpected plus that literally only came up when I googled up the name of my old host as part of an explanation that the spreadsheet I just described was going to replace the website moving forward. I guess it isn't? We'll see–I am very confused, I was already prepared to move on–but I'm not mad about it. Finally, one more last-minute thing has popped up. Our hero, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, will be visiting Detroit December 4th through 7th, raising funds for the struggling Christian remnant in the Holy Land. Detroit is a manageable trip from my home base in Ohio (go Bucks) and I'd love to meet Pierbattista Pizzaballa. But I don't plan to crash Pierbattista Pizzaballa's fundraising trip emptyhanded. And so, I've created a gofundme to raise money so I can give Pierbattista Pizzaballa a real check for a grand in addition to a comedically oversized check made by my children, which I'm sure Pierbattista Pizzaballa will really truly appreciate as a Franciscan friar. Obviously December 4th through 7th is soon, so act now via the link in the show notes if you'd like to contribute to what is already my most successful fundraiser to date. And don't worry if you miss the deadline, I still intend to forward funds to him and his cause as appropriate, whatever way I can. Full disclosure: I'm setting aside $200 of the funds for travel expenses for me getting there, and giant check. Thank you in advance and remember: prayer support is just as welcome and is even more important than financial support. Alright, that's all for tonight! November's Habemus Pointsam is coming out soon, I just need to edit it! Of course, you already knew that, because you saw it on the database, right? Thank you for listening, God bless you all! Thanks, Joe! LINKS: Early reporting on upcoming extraordinary consistory: https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2025/11/08/pope-leo-to-call-college-of-cardinals-to-rome-for-a-two-day-january-meeting/ https://thecatholicherald.com/article/pope-leo-to-call-cardinals-to-rome-for-extraordinary-consistory-amid-speculation-of-first-encyclical https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pope-leo-xiv-to-convene-extraordinary-consistory-of-cardinals-in-january-report/?utm_source=lsncathfb&fbclid=IwY2xjawN_jjJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR7SwHBdI9sPFNkrmLzutgXvu6eUyuUQPNbHpBxEEej8S63RLNA83qCYOPDyqQ_aem_kfnzrdO3vyL7EE2rqlgcWg https://www.ncregister.com/news/pope-leo-calls-january-2026-consistory Gcatholic.org consistory notes: https://gcatholic.org/documents/tag/consistory CNA Reporting on 2015 consistory: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/31501/a-reform-to-promote-harmony-%E2%80%93-pope-francis-opens-a-much-debated-consistory Bishop Strickland at the USCCB: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OU0i97XFTlw USCCB Special Message: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/us-bishops-issue-special-message-immigration-plenary-assembly-baltimore Popeular History Episode Spreadsheet link (feel free to share, this should give public access) https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17NFWcln6CA8yjH96-bORP2G3HA2ct331E6Zi880BewU/edit?usp=sharing Pizzaballa Trip Gofundme: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-gregg-bring-pierbattista-pizzaballa-a-giant-check?fbclid=IwY2xjawOKzAVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR4IokJTnLt5tbazv1IuHqeQowX8-horhHZ0HRkHo5beXwCliQi3avOZ4LXDaA_aem_Lsc6fiO4LRUoTq6WizJ3fQ

In this Mere Mortals book review, I dive into Secret Weapon, the 12th entry in the Alex Rider series, but not a traditional one. Instead of a full-scale mission, Horowitz delivers seven short, fast-paced stories set early in Alex's spy career. It's action-packed, easy to consume, and offers small bursts of worldbuilding without fundamentally shifting the universe.(00:00) - Welcome & Book Intro (01:17) - What Makes Secret Weapon Different (02:39) - Horowitz's Intentions Behind The Stories (02:53) - High-Paced Nature of the Book (05:27) - Will I Re-read It? Probably Not (05:55) - Worldbuilding at the Margins (07:16) - Overall Enjoyment & Final Take Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

This week on In Bed With Books, I'm joined by author Kait Ballenger to talk about her dark and sexy paranormal romance, Original Sinner. The book follows Charlotte, a budding PR agent for a luxury company in NYC, who finds herself thrust into the middle of her boss' sibling rivalry. Except that her boss is Lucifer and the siblings are the other 6 deadly sins.Kait and I start the conversation by looking at the books and myths that influenced Charlotte and Lucifer's story. She let us in on her writing process, explaining why this story makes the most sense as a dark romance, since we get to see them explore their trauma through kink and BDSM dynamics (it's a spicy one, folks!), letting the dark romance context exist as a space for healing, empowerment, and emotional honesty. Kait also discusses her worldbuilding process, how the idea of the seven deadly sins as billionaires came to be, and how this all helped balance out the emotional side of Charlotte's healing arc. To round things out, Kait gives us a sneak peek at where we can expect to see our lovers go in books two and three! You'll see book three on shelves in May of next year!If you're still trying to scratch the Hades/Persephone itch, love paranormal, dark romance, or a (genuinely!) morally gray love interest, then add Original Sinner to your tbr.For more information on Kait:https://www.kaitballenger.com/Original Sinner (The Original Sinners #1):https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781662528873Wicked Believer (The Original Sinners #2):https://bookshop.org/a/54661/9781662528880If you have an author, book, or topic you want to hear about on the podcast, then don't hesitate to slide into my DMs on Instagram or shoot me an email!Subscribe to my newsletter to keep up to date on the latest podcast happenings: https://in-bed-with-books.kit.com/76d11f1d51Where else to find me:IG: @inbedwithbookspodYT: https://www.youtube.com/@InBedWithBooksPodEM: inbedwithbookspodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, I'll be reviewing the Malayalam Viral Hit Lokah starring Kalyani Priyadharshan, Naslen, Sandy, Arun Kurian, along with a ton of big bill cameos. It is written & directed by Dominic Arun & produced by Dulquer Salman.To help the creator, Kishore Ganesh out:Follow this podcast on YouTube by just searching (because links don't work): "Vocal About Visuals Podcast".Follow this podcast on Instagram by just searching (because links don't work): "Vocal About Visuals Podcast".Thanks a ton!

When it comes to writing a book, there are 5 key differences between good fantasy worldbuilding and bad fantasy worldbuilding. Understanding these differences will help you write more immersive, interesting fantasy worlds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This binge contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. The Stillness and the Burr (November 10, 2025)2. Opening Pleasantries (November 11, 2025)3. The Vote (November 12, 2025)4. Chaos in the Council (November 13, 2025)5. Escape From Harvest House (November 14, 2025)---Episode 1: The Stillness and the BurrIn a rare moment of peace at the Tower, Maela struggles with the unfamiliar comfort of domestic life alongside Darla. What should be a perfect respite becomes a source of internal conflict when a simple request to help the mysterious Prosper reveals deeper tensions.Episode 2: Opening PleasantriesVesper and his allies arrive at Harvest House for a crucial guildmaster council, only to face immediate resistance at the door. When Tim, the Harvest guard at the entrance, attempts to block their entry based on selective rule enforcement, Karch demonstrates his mastery of political maneuvering with a calculated power play. But that is merely a prelude to the surprises and political lies that occur as the council dinner begins.Episode 3: The VoteDuring a tense dinner gathering of guild leaders, Ralan discovers that Captain Rogers has masterfully infiltrated multiple powerful guilds while secretly serving the Thieves. As allegiances blur and tensions rise, suspicious glances between Rogers and the supposedly unshakeable Guildmaster Quinto hint at deeper conspiracies. While Karch seethes with barely contained fury and Vesper watches the chaos with calculated interest, Ralan must make his choice: The loyal captain Rogers or the former Blade that tried to assassinate him.Episode 4: Chaos in the CouncilA crucial vote for the new guildmaster explodes into near-violence when Polo demands Ralan's arrest. As swords are drawn and guards advance, only the respected Quinto's intervention prevents bloodshed in the guild hall. While immediate conflict is avoided, the simmering tensions set the stage for a political powder keg that could re-ignite the city in violence at any moment.Episode 5: Escape From Harvest HouseAlard plays a masterful long game, fooling his captors with weeks of calculated deception. As he finally makes his move, slipping through Harvest House's defenses with the grace of a predator returning to its hunting grounds, he ponders the new era of peace now secured for Ness' future with Rogers installed as Guildmaster Craft.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

It's time to talk about Cults, what they are, how they have always been part of the Warhammer World, and how to write them. This is a Purity Seal Episode, so strap in as the Under the Hive of Madness crew takes a bit of a dive into the weird world of Cult activity! Under the Hive of Madness is a Warhammer 40k Podcast diving into the Horror and Grimdark elements of the setting, so expect some adult themes, adult language, and more than a handful of Khorney Jokes!“I heard you can fly after the 5th meeting...” Email the show! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UndertheHiveofMadness@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join us today on Discord! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Under the Hive of Madness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MERCH!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patron⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Find our cast through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkTree⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Underthehiveofmadness.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Are you repeating the same writing mistakes without realising it? In this episode, writing coach and author Suzy Vadori reveals the biggest errors she sees in authors, and how to avoid them.Join Richie Billing and Suzy Vadori as they explore Suzy's journey from businesswoman to bestselling YA fantasy author and coach. We dive into her unique approach to character creation, immersive world-building, and the crucial missteps that hold writers back.In this episode, you'll learn:Why so many authors struggle with character arcs and how to fix them.Practical world-building strategies that bring your setting to life without slowing the story.The top three mistakes authors make when switching from business mindset to creative craft.How Suzy's coaching practice and author experience provide clarity, structure and growth.How to build your author brand and writing career from the ground up.Whether you're working on your first novel or deep into your series, you'll walk away with actionable advice.✍️ More from Suzy Vadori:Website: https://suzyvadori.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyvadori/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzyvadoriauthor/✍️ Join our community & writing tools:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshedWebsite and writing classes: https://richiebilling.com/

World Building Done Right This week on If You Give A Dad A Podcast, Jared sits down with Nicholas Keating Casbarro — the creative mind behind the sci-fi epic Vitalerium: Descent into the Void. From crafting deep universes and morally gray heroes to turning his vision into both a novel and comic series, Nicholas shares what it really takes to build a world that feels alive. They talk about: The origins of Vitalerium and its futuristic setting How Nicholas balances storytelling across books and comics The challenges (and rewards) of indie sci-fi creation Why world building is at the heart of every great story If you love sci-fi, storytelling, and creative passion, this episode's for you.

Richard Francis-Jones is one of Australia's most distinguished contemporary architects. As Design Director of fjcstudio, he leads the design of the practice's most significant projects, recognized nationally and internationally for their architectural excellence and contribution to the public domain. Richard has been the recipient of numerous international architecture awards, including World Building of the Year (World Architecture Festival), multiple WAF Office and Exhibition awards, the AIA International Architecture Award, the RIBA International Award, the NZIA Architecture Medal, the International Public Library of the Year Award (Danish Agency of Culture), and multiple International Architecture Awards from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design. Projects under his direction have been published widely in leading Australian and international architectural journals and books. In addition to his practice, Richard has contributed significantly to architectural discourse. He was editor of Content, a critical review of architecture published by UNSW Press, and Architecture Bulletin. He has written extensively on architectural theory, most recently publishing Truth and Lies in Architecture (2022). In 2008, he was Creative Director of the Australian Institute of Architects National Conference and has convened numerous architectural forums and events. Richard's leadership at fjcstudio is defined by a design philosophy grounded in site-specificity, cultural sensitivity and a deep commitment to sustainability and the public good. Under his direction, the studio continues to shape some of the most thoughtful and impactful architecture in Australia and internationally.More form Richard Francis-Jones Website: https://fjcstudio.com/ YouTube:  ⁨@francisjonescarpenterstudio⁩  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fjcstudio  More from us: Website: www.adppodcast.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/adppod_ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/architecture-design-photography/id1447381737 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5qTtT0lpXkVGyksEkN57VS

In this episode, Dialogue Doctor Coach Laura Humm sits down with author Liz Woodiwiss. They look at a Call to Action scene Liz has written and discuss how to make world building more engaging by leading with emotion. For more on the craft of writing, check out https://dialoguedoctor.com/ To join the community, come to https://www.patreon.com/JeffElkins  

This compilation contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. A Vote Secured (November 03, 2025)2. The Summons (November 04, 2025)3. The Gilded Leash (November 05, 2025)4. A Man To Be Feared (November 06, 2025)5. A Cornered Rat (November 07, 2025)---Episode 1: A Vote SecuredVesper secures the Guildmaster's crucial vote, but victory comes at an unexpected cost when Maela chooses to remain behind. As Ralan prepares to depart, Vesper's cold pragmatism clashes with personal loyalties, forcing him to confront the true price of his vengeful mission.Episode 2: The SummonsGuildmaster Karch, trapped and powerless in his tower, receives an unwelcome visit from the pristine Guildmaster Quinto bearing the news he feared: The crucial Guildmaster Council will convene tomorrow at Harvest House. With his guild in shambles, his allies scattered, and the city's main bridge destroyed, Karch must navigate both physical and political obstacles to attend a vote that could determine the future of the Craft Guild. But as the deadline looms, his desperate gambit with Vesper hangs in the balance, and time is running out for everyone.Episode 3: The Gilded LeashRogers finds himself trapped in a gilded cage as the Harvest Guild prepares to crown him Guildmaster of the Craft Guild. What should be a moment of triumph becomes a crisis of loyalty as he stands caught between his true allegiance to the Thieves Guild and the powerful masters of Ness who would make him one of their own.Episode 4: A Man To Be FearedAs Guildmaster Polo orchestrates a historic council meeting that will reshape Ness's future, Alard's carefully crafted plan faces a challenge. The supposedly broken advisor has been biding his time, a secret strength waiting for the perfect moment. But when Polo unexpectedly invites him to attend the celebration, Alard's meticulous escape plan threatens to unravel.Episode 5: A Cornered RatIn a tense confrontation at Karch's fortified tower, Vesper orchestrates a masterful reveal of Ralan's true authority as Guildmaster. As a desperate and disheveled Karch grapples with his crumbling control, young Ralan steps into his power with unexpected grace and command, and the Guildmasters Thief and Merchant head to the Guild Council meeting with hours to spare.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

So, you've decided it's time to turn up the heat on your worldbuilding. Maybe you're writing a full-on romantasy, or maybe it's a smaller component of your overall plot, but if your characters are getting down and dirty, how do you make sure they're getting their freak on in a way that reflects the culture they exist in? Guest Nia Davenport joins us to explore all the angles -- and positions. When we're thinking about the culture of sex (and sexy cultures), there's a lot to unpack, particularly because of our own society's various hang-ups, preconceptions, and puritanical history. So how have social forces exerted pressure on ideas about the expression (and perhaps exhibition) of desire within your invented world? How can you use your characters to challenge or subvert conceptions of promiscuity, chastity, gender roles, and power dynamics? [Transcript for Episode 167] Our Guest: Nia "N.E." Davenport is an award-winning Science Fiction/Fantasy author who writes stories that blend magic, mayhem, and deadly heroines. She attended the University of Southern California and studied Biological Sciences and Theatre Arts. She also has an M.A. in Secondary Education. She teaches English and Biology to amazing students. When she isn't writing, she enjoys vacationing with her family, skiing, and being a huge foodie. She's an advocate for diverse perspectives and protagonists in literature. You can find her on Twitter @nia_davenport, or on Instagram @nia.davenport, where she talks about binge-worthy TV, killer movies, and great books. She lives in Texas with her husband and kids.

Production Designer Kasra Farahani breaks down Fantastic Four'- First Steps's retro-futurist language: the Baxter Lab's white-with-primaries palette, dimensional-printed mosaics, and a New York that's two-thirds period, one-third future. We cover Yancy Street's realism (40 storefronts), early-color playback graphics, and how the art department's graphics threaded into marketing. Perfect for designers and cine-nerds hunting practical methods and color/finish logic.

Tired of losing your notes or forgetting key lore details? In this episode of The Bearded Nerd Podcast, Brian shares the ultimate toolbox for world-building GMs. From dynamic campaign wikis like World Anvil to powerful mapping apps like Inkarnate, this episode walks you through the best tools to plan, store, and spark creativity for your campaigns.

We have a very special guest this week: Lee Isaac Chung (Minari, Twisters) brings one of his favorite movies of all time, Steven Spielberg's Artificial Intelligence, to the podcast as his Deep Cut Pick! Isaac chats about his awe and love for the film, what he's learnt as a filmmaker from working with Spielberg on Twisters, and his own transition into blockbuster filmmaking. We also discuss Hayley Joel Osment's all-timer of a child performance, the film's divisive ending, Spielberg's masterful blocking, and the film's worldbuilding and depictions of the future. Find the blue fairy at our FREE patreon, discord server, and our socials @ www.deepcutpod.com Timestamps:00:00:00 Introducing Lee Isaac Chung00:01:50 Introduction to Steven Spielberg and our connection with his work00:09:02 Why Isaac chose AI as his Deep Cut00:13:46 First reactions to AI00:18:04 Plot summary and production context00:20:19 Kubrick00:24:48 Minor Barry Lyndon spoiler00:26:24 Spoiler ends00:28:12 Love/hate and Spielberg's touch00:35:38 Hayley Joel Osment's performance 00:41:53 Strategies for directing children00:46:29 Act 2: Jude Law and Flesh Fair00:52:03 Worldbuilding and depiction of AI00:55:46 Ending01:01:13 Spielberg's blocking01:09:24 Isaac's experience moving into blockbuster filmmaking01:13:46 Outro

This binge compilation contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. Reunion (October 27, 2025)2. The Disturbing Truths of a Vacant Mind (October 28, 2025)3. The Empty Box (October 29, 2025)4. The Burdens of Leadership (October 30, 2025)5. More Than an Ally (October 31, 2025)---Episode 1: ReunionAfter her harrowing mountain journey and subsequent adventures, Maela returns to find more than just shelter within the Thieves' Tower. As she reunites with a transformed Darla, who has flourished in her absence, the weight of recent confrontations and dark promises made to Karch threaten to overshadow their tender moment. While Darla excitedly shares discoveries about their new home, Maela must reconcile the exhausting reality of her mission with the unexpected comfort of finding her own place in this fortress of secrets. But can this moment of peace last when shadows of conspiracy still linger?Episode 2: The Disturbing Truths of a Vacant MindDarla struggles to understand Prosper, a mysteriously damaged man whose seemingly innocent words may hold devastating power. As she divides her time between her love for Maela and her duty to watch over this enigmatic man, disturbing questions emerge about his true nature. Could his vacant-eyed observations about 'sad stones' and casual encounters be more than the ramblings of a broken mind? When Prosper speaks of the ancient Wizards with unexpected clarity, Darla must confront the possibility that his apparent madness masks something far more dangerous—and perhaps intentional.Episode 3: The Empty BoxLocked in Pietro's study, Raef and Kray wage war against an unbreakable cipher protecting a lifetime of secrets. As the frustrated dwarf tears through ancient texts, Raef's thief instincts lead him to an intriguing discovery - an empty box frame that might hold the key to cracking the code. But in a room full of hidden meanings and cryptic marginalia, could the absence of something be more important than what remains?Episode 4: The Burdens of LeadershipRogers, now hailed as the Hero of the Pit and future Guildmaster, confronts the uncomfortable reality of his new position within the Craft Guild. During a tense meeting with the imprisoned Alard, he wrestles with his identity as a thief forced to lead a bureaucratic organization he barely understands. As the political landscape of Ness teeters between Karch's maneuvering and Polo's revenge, Rogers must decide if he can transform from a master of shadows into the stabilizing force the city desperately needs.Episode 5: More Than an AllyFaced with an impossible choice, Ralan seeks counsel in the dead of night—from the one person who isn't entangled in Ness's web of politics. When Vesper proposes an alliance with his longtime nemesis Karch, Ralan must confront both childhood trauma and present-day political necessity. As he stands in Rebecca's candlelit doorway, the weight of the Guild's fate collides with unexpected feelings, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew about enemies, allies, and his own heart.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Thank you to our sponsor World Anvil! Check out World Anvil to use their Worldbuilding, Writing, and Game Master tools for free! If you like what you see, use code "RAMBLE" at checkout for 51% off a yearly subscription! https://www.worldanvil.com/?c=2ToRambleOur episode with Thomas -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxDEROAtSG0&t=17s⭐️ Exclusive Book Club! Join/Support on Patreon

How does a creative professional build a portfolio of 18 books? My guest today, Navi' Robins, is a Chicago-born author and graphic designer who does just that. His creative perspective was shaped by a childhood spent living across five continents. In our conversation, Navi' shares the inspiration behind his new Black Lotus trilogy, a futuristic world where men have been eradicated, and how real-world political events sparked the idea. We dig into his process as a "freestyle writer", his secrets to dynamic world-building, and the fearless habit he relies on to push the boundaries of his imagination. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Navi' Robins 01:47 - Releasing the Black Lotus Trilogy 03:08 - The Inspiration: From Trump's Escalator to Roe v. Wade 04:41 - Inside the Black Lotus: A World Without Men 07:56 - Early Influences: Reading Stephen King in Secret 10:31 - Writing the First Book: Combining 10 Stories into One 15:32 - The Approach to World-Building 19:00 - What Frightens People the Most? 20:38 - The Habit of Being Fearless 22:17 - Daily Routines: Afrobeat and Freestyle Writing 26:39 - Overcoming Writer's Block 28:00 - Finding an Artistic Voice Connect with Navi: Follow Navi' on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/navirobins/ Navi's Website: https://www.navirobins.net/ Support the Show Website: http://www.martineseverin.com Follow on Instagram: @martine.severin | @thisishowwecreate_ Subscribe to the Newsletter: http://www.martineseverin.substack.com This is How We Create is produced by Martine Severin. This episode was edited by Daniel Espinosa. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts Leave a review Follow us on social media Share with fellow creatives

STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME ONE: A blind teenage girl from North Pole, Alaska learns her true destiny as she realizes the full potential of her vast dark energy powers shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Is she really the legendary Aurora the Angel, or something far more sinister? Will the President of the United States ultimately serve as a mentor, or use her as a pawn to become ruler of the world? STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME TWO: Stella Scura impulsively goes on a mission that becomes nothing short of disastrous as she is aided by a long-forgotten group of fourth-rate 1990s TV superheroes in a quest to learn more about her abilities and those of the strange young man from the Netherlands known only as The Orthoman. Along the way she learns of her famous heritage and that her parents are not who they seem to be. Can she develop a relationship with her newly-found friends and family while retaining her humility? Or will she become the greatest "rock star" of all time when fame goes to her teenage head? STELLA SCURA: DARK STAR RISING VOLUME THREE: In the conclusion of Dark Star Rising, the amazing Stella Scura must confront her own vast potential for destruction and once again save a major city from nuclear devastation - but at what cost? And who close to her will make a tremendous sacrifice? TOPICS OF CONVERSATION Origins and Themes of Stella Scura – How the story began decades ago, the evolution of Paige Marshall as a character, and the central theme that real strength comes from moral choices rather than superpowers. World-Building and Political Parallels – The novel's setting in Alaska and its expansion into cosmic and political territory, including commentary on power, leadership, and modern-day parallels. Power, Morality, and Humanity – Exploration of what power truly means, Paige's moral restraint, and how humor, empathy, and logic play roles in resolving conflict instead of force. Family, Mentors, and Relationships – The influence of Petra, Jack, and President Wendy Mendoza on Paige's growth; how family secrets, loyalty, and differing beliefs shape her identity. Series Continuity and Future Works – Connections to Neal's earlier novels (Specific Gravity, Ontario Lacus, etc.), plans for a sequel, and upcoming unrelated projects including a romance and an Amalgam Man spinoff. ABOUT THE AUTHOR J. Matthew Neal is a physician (endocrinologist) and medical school assistant dean residing in Muncie, Indiana. He is the author of five problem-based endocrinology textbooks, and began writing fiction in the mid-2000s. His first novel, Specific Gravity, was published in 2007. His other fiction works include its sequel Ontario Lacus (2008), the young adult novel Americium the Beautiful (2010), and medical mysteries Amalgam-Man (2022), and Amalgam-Man: Burnt Crispy (2025).   LEARN MORE ABOUT J. MATTHEW NEAL AND HIS WORK AT: https://www.jmneal.com/ 

This week, we talk about dialing into a feature / detail (3:30), a Kickstarter launch delay and the reasoning (11:15), flatting pages once they're complete (18:05), returning to a daily writing routine (25:40), deciding to go with a pop culture reference (37:30), and getting your first feedback on drawing (41:00) before Part Two of the "Making your First Comic" series: world-building (52:30).

The host of the Null comes forth!JOIN OUR DISCORDHelp support the show by visiting our Patreon and find even more content on our Website!Intro/Outro Music “Jotunheim (Chiptune Version)” Courtesy of Rush CoilOriginal Composition by Serpent Sound Studios

The host of the Null comes forth!JOIN OUR DISCORDHelp support the show by visiting our Patreon and find even more content on our Website!Intro/Outro Music “Jotunheim (Chiptune Version)” Courtesy of Rush CoilOriginal Composition by Serpent Sound Studios

Cold Open It's the end of the world as we know it—and the party's still arguing about who's carrying the rations. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we prepare for the Fall of Humanity the only way we know how: by taking notes, rolling dice, and arguing about whose apocalypse prep list includes “50 feet of rope” and whose just says “vibes.” Whether your campaign ends with zombies, eldritch gods, or a total collapse of civilization, we're here to help you face the end times like true heroes—confused, underprepared, and hilariously optimistic. The RPGBOT.net Christmast Gift Recommendation Are Coming! Fall is in the air, and that means two things: pumpkin spice and impending doom in your campaign notes. But before the frost settles and your dice freeze in place, don't forget—the annual RPGBOT.net Christmas Gift Recommendations are just around the corner. We've scoured the multiverse to find the best gifts for your favorite gamer, GM, and dice-hoarding friend, so keep an eye on RPGBOT.net for the upcoming list! Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew explores how to prepare for the fall of humanity in tabletop RPGs—and how to do it with style, panic, and at least one functioning flashlight. We dive into post-apocalyptic campaign design, survival mechanics, and how to create compelling worldbuilding after the apocalypse that still leaves room for hope, laughter, and player chaos. We discuss how to run post-apocalyptic campaigns in D&D, Pathfinder, or other TTRPG systems, how to integrate survival challenges and resource scarcity into storytelling, and how to design meaningful player choices in settings where civilization has completely collapsed. Expect dark humor, dramatic flair, and at least one debate about whether your cleric can purify canned beans. This episode is packed with game master advice on creating factions, managing tone in grimdark worlds, and finding emotional balance between despair and determination. We'll also talk about how to keep your players invested in a setting that's literally falling apart around them—because even after the world ends, you still need teamwork, trust, and a good initiative roll. Topics Covered: How to run post-apocalyptic campaigns in D&D or Pathfinder Preparing players for civilization collapse and survival challenges Building believable factions after the fall of humanity Integrating scarcity, resource management, and desperation into storytelling Balancing tone and tension in grimdark and survival RPGs Creating hope and emotional stakes in despair-driven worlds Using worldbuilding to reinforce narrative consequences Why the end of the world is the perfect time to make new friends (and enemies) Key Takeaways Survival is more than hit points. Post-apocalyptic storytelling shines when moral dilemmas and emotional endurance matter as much as physical survival. Factions are the new nations. The fall of humanity gives rise to new power structures, ideologies, and conflicts that define your worldbuilding. Hope matters. Even in despair-driven worlds, small acts of kindness or faith can make your campaign unforgettable. Tone is everything. Knowing when to inject humor—or withhold it—keeps players engaged and the story grounded. Scarcity drives creativity. Limiting resources forces inventive problem-solving and adds depth to gameplay. Player agency is crucial. The choices your characters make when everything is lost reveal who they truly are. And While You're Thinking About Gifts! While you're thinking about the perfect gifts for your favorite gamers, don't overlook Randall's novella Malecon—a thoughtful, evocative story about identity, reflection, and finding light in the darkness. It's the perfect stocking stuffer for anyone who loves a good narrative arc—and it pairs nicely with a warm drink and the quiet hum of a dying generator. Pick up Malecon today, and remind yourself that even after the end of the world, good stories endure.

This Friday Binge contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. The Dead Past (October 20, 2025)2. The Long Shadow of the Dead Tree (October 21, 2025)3. Decisions (October 22, 2025)4. A Single Day (October 23, 2025)5. The Money Counter (October 24, 2025)---Episode 1: The Dead PastRalan ventures alone into the haunting ruins of Harvest House, a once-magnificent living tree turned lifeless husk at the edge of the Ash Fields. As he explores its decaying halls and treacherous staircases, he confronts unsettling parallels between this fallen guild house and his own responsibilities. What mysterious sickness could destroy something so powerful? And why does the thought of making his fortress worthy of Rebecca's return keep surfacing in his mind? Among the poisonous dust and splintered wood, Ralan discovers that this dead monument may hold vital lessons about power, leadership, and the price of failure.Episode 2: The Long Shadow of the Dead TreeRalan returns from the mysterious Harvest House with he weight of leadership even heavier. An unexpected arrival threatens to pull him away from his immediate concerns: the Outlander Rebecca has returned. Now Ralan must choose between unraveling ancient secrets in Gaotteland or facing the pressing challenges of a city still reeling from Larsen's attempted purge.Episode 3: DecisionsRalan's quiet contemplation in Raef's library is interrupted by the shocking return of Maela and Vesper, who bring news that threatens to upend everything he thought he knew about Ness's fate. As the new Guildmaster wrestles with conflicting reports of murder and imprisonment, he must navigate a web of loyalty and deception while maintaining control of the conflicting personalities within his own guild.Episode 4: A Single DayAs Karch stares through his broken office window, a city's fate hangs by a thread. When Guildmaster Quinto arrives demanding an immediate council vote to fill the Craft Guild's vacant seat, Karch must navigate a dangerous political minefield. With his assassins still in the field and Polo's growing paranoia threatening to upset his carefully laid plans, Karch finds himself in a desperate race against time. Will his gambit to delay the council succeed, or will his schemes crumble before Vesper and Maela can complete their mission?Episode 5: The Money CounterAs Karch awaits news that could save the guild, he seeks refuge in mundane tasks - only to discover a horrifying truth. The guild's chief money counter arrives bearing news that threatens to shatter the very foundation of the Merchant Guild. With Quinto's ultimatum hanging over his head and time running out, Karch must now face not just external threats, but the possibility that the guild's power has been quietly crumbling from within.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Day 5 is Friday, so I'm chatting concepts rather than a particular world. Today: Gundam.

Day 4! Characters! Magic!

Title: Episode 78 – Circular economy in a volatile world: Building resilience through circular systems Author(s): Worm, Loa Dalgaard Description: In this special episode of Forest for the Future, we dive into the intersection of circular economy, forest resources, and global resilience. Host Loa Worm, in her role as leader of the FSC Circularity Hub, convenes an expert panel to discuss how circular thinking can strengthen resource security in an era of geopolitical volatility. Guests include Luisa Santiago from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Nina Grießhammer, Sebastian Mandiola of Arauco, and FSC's own Fabian Farkas—each bringing a unique perspective on how industries, NGOs, and certification systems must evolve to drive a regenerative, bio-based future. The discussion touches on everything from the 45% of emissions linked to production and consumption patterns to the urgent need to use wood more wisely and the pivotal role of FSC in enabling circular transformation. This episode is an honest, forward-looking conversation about how collaboration, innovation, and leadership can turn the circular economy from theory into action. Topics Covered • The key role of forestry and agriculture in building economic resilience • How companies like Arauco are turning circular principles into practice • The risks of overreliance on virgin wood—and how to rethink its use • Policy gaps and the need for better alignment on circularity incentives • The role of FSC's Circularity Hub as a driver of systems change

Welcome to Autumn-ish Book Club! In this flash analysis series, we take an academic approach to some of the most talked-about books in Romantasy and fantasy today. With over 13 years of combined academic literary training, we bring a critical lens to fandom favorites while keeping the discussion fun, thought-provoking, and accessible. In this episode, we're discussing The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem. We explore how Hashem intertwines Egyptian-inspired mythology with epic fantasy politics to tell a story of rebellion, identity, and survival. Through Sylvia's journey as the last heir of a fallen kingdom forced into hiding, we analyze themes of legacy, vengeance, and the tension between duty and desire. We also unpack how Hashem uses slow-burn romance, political intrigue, and moral ambiguity to craft a richly layered debut that challenges traditional hero narratives within the Romantasy genre. This episode is perfect for listeners looking for a Jasad Heir book discussion or in-depth Sara Hashem analysis, as we explore how her world-building, magic system, and character dynamics position her among the next generation of standout Romantasy authors. Whether you're drawn to stories of secret royalty, forbidden love, or morally gray magic, this conversation dives deep into what makes The Jasad Heir a must-read for fantasy fans and BookTok readers alike. This season, we'll be covering:The Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsA Cruel Thirst by Angela MontoyaWhen the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. ParkerWhere the Shadows Meet by Patrice CaldwellBlood of Hercules by Jasmin MasBlood Over Bright Haven by M.L. WangRed Queen by Victoria AveyardThe Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem And when book club wraps up, get ready—our next full literary analysis will dive into Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas. If you're new here, we also have full seasons analyzing A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Wings and Ruin, A Court of Frost and Starlight, House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, Throne of Glass, and Crown of Midnight. Go back and check those out to see how we break down metaphors, symbolism, narrative structure, and character arcs through multiple literary lenses. If you love Sarah J. Maas, Sara Hashem, and smart, accessible Romantasy analysis, you're in the right place. The Subtext Society Journal: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://thesubtextsocietyjournal.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠  We're thrilled to announce our newest venture: The Subtext Society Journal—the first of its kind, dedicated to Romance, Romantasy, and fandom with an academic yet accessible voice. We're publishing original essays and thought pieces, and we encourage listeners to submit their own articles for a chance to be featured. Sponsor: Vionic Use code BOOKTALK at checkout for 15% off your entire order at www.vionicshoes.com when you log into your account. 1 time use only. Share your thoughts for a chance to be featured! Submit them at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠booktalkforbooktok.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a future mini-episode or exclusive Patreon discussion. Support the Show:  Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/booktalkforbooktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Merch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Etsy Store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us on Social: Instagram: @BookTalkForBookTok TikTok: @BookTalkForBookTok YouTube: @BookTalkForBookTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Worldbuilding is how humans make sense of the world. It's how we learn to play.” — Chris Eyerman Worldbuilding is how imagination permeates and becomes culture. It's the practice of creating meaning people can experience and belong to. In this episode of Object Subject Form, Simon speaks with Chris Eyerman, creative director, worldbuilder, and business architect shaping the future of storytelling through sport, media, and technology. As the founder of TRBLMKR Sports and creative lead for Luka Dončić's brand 77X, Chris is redefining what it means to build worlds around athletes, bridging creativity, commerce, and community. Before founding TRBLMKR, Chris helped pioneer transmedia storytelling alongside Ridley Scott at 3AM, turning films like Prometheus and Alien: Covenant into immersive digital experiences. He later led TikTok's Creative Lab, guiding the platform's creative direction during its rise to a billion users and changing how culture spreads online. Together, Simon and Chris explore how worldbuilding extends beyond film and gaming into fandom, brand ecosystems, and personal identity. They discuss the tension between creativity and business, the power of empathy in leadership, and why understanding both emotion and structure is essential to meaningful storytelling. The episode centers around the athlete-creator economy, the psychology of building trust and lore around people, and how new technologies, from AI to social platforms, are expanding the relationship between creators, culture, and ownership. This conversation is about designing culture, and how the worlds we build shape what people believe in, belong to, and build next. – Chris' Website: https://chriseyerman.com/ – Connect with Chris on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriseyerman/ – Lore Drops Substack: https://loredrops.substack.com/ – TRBLMKR Sports: https://www.trblmkr.co/ – Connect with Simon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonclowes/ – Object Subject Form on Instagram:  https://instagram.com/objectsubjectform

[Worldcon] was my first convention where I went to panels, gave a reading, and had a big party. It made my sweet little book feel like the huge thing it is in my heart and mind. -Tim Chawaga S21 Ep18 In this episode, we welcome Tim Chawaga, author of Salvagia, as we dive into the depths of his near-future science fiction mystery set in a flooded Florida. Tim shares the inspiration behind his book, where a freelance Salvagia diver uncovers a dead body while searching for valuable artifacts from the past. We explore the blending of genres in Salvagia, from climate fiction to humor, and discuss the delicate balance between plot and world-building in writing. Tim reflects on his debut at Worldcon, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and the importance of building connections within the writing community. (This post went live for supporters on October 16, 2025. If you want early, ad-free, and sometimes expanded episodes, support at Patreon or get my newsletter at Ghost!) Download Transcript Links Tim Chawaga Salvagia Seattle Worldcon Evergreen Links See all books from Season 21 Like the podcast? Get the book! I Should Be Writing. Socials: Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Focusmate Theme by John Anealio Savor I Should Be Writing tea blends Support local book stores! Station Eternity, Six Wakes, Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition and more! OR Get signed books from my friendly local store, Flyleaf Books! — "From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia" is brought to you in large part by my supporters, the Fabulists, who received an early, expanded version of this episode. You can join our Fabulist community with a pledge on Patreon! Some of the links above may be affiliate, allowing you to support the show at no extra cost to you. Also consider leaving a review for ISBW, please! CREDITS Theme song by John Anealio, art by Numbers Ninja, and files hosted by Libsyn (affiliate link). Get archives of the show via Patreon. October 16, 2025 | Season 21 Ep 18 | murverse.com "From Idea to Ink: Tim Chawaga on Crafting Salvagia" by Mur Lafferty is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 In case it wasn't clear: Mur and this podcast are fully supportive of LGBTQ+ folks, believe that Black Lives Matter, and trans rights are human rights, despite which direction the political winds blow. If you do not agree, then there are plenty of other places to go on the Internet.

Thanks to our sponsor of the episode! Don't forget to get your copy of "A Charge to Keep" now!https://www.amazon.com/Charge-Keep-Immutable-Leadership-Lessons/dp/B0FKLRLMGCAward-winning screenwriter Leon Chills joins host Manika to discuss his new screenplay "Believe in the Boy Who Dreams" : a moving, anime-inspired story about family, love, and self-discovery. Known for his work on The Wilds (Amazon Prime) and Shadow Force, Chills dives deep into how parenthood, mental health, and representation in storytelling shape his creative process.In this episode, Manika and Leon explore how Believe in the Boy Who Dreams bridges anime influences like Paprika, Demon Slayer, and Bleach with powerful themes of family therapy, black fatherhood, and healing through imagination. Leon also opens up about leaving a corporate career to chase creativity, how storytelling became his therapy, and why animation may be the future of emotional storytelling.

This Friday Binge contains 5 episodes.Episodes included:1. A Carriage Ride (October 13, 2025)2. An Old Quarter Welcome (October 14, 2025)3. A Thief at Heart (October 15, 2025)4. A Single Life's Work (October 16, 2025)5. The Missing Key (October 17, 2025)---Episode 1: A Carriage RideThe journey to find Ralan begins with a debate over his reliability. As Vesper and Maela cross the lawless Great Bridge, they are forced to deal with the desperate chaos of the city, clearing their path with the cold, brutal efficiency that only two Blades can command.Episode 2: An Old Quarter WelcomeAs Vesper and Mayla enter the Old Quarter, they discover not chaos but a surprisingly organized refugee operation run by mysterious figures in black. Their reunion with Captain Coode reveals shocking developments: Rogers has somehow become a captain for three opposing guilds, while the Guildmaster himself has vanished into the Upper Quarter with an enigmatic Outlander woman.Episode 3: A Thief at HeartAlard challenges the established order from within Polo's magnificent rooftop garden. During a routine agricultural report, Alard's careful questioning exposes troubling inconsistencies in how resources are distributed between the Inner and Outer Fields. As tensions rise between the former guildmaster and Polo's trusted deputy, the conversation turns to Rogers, whose place as Polo's choice as Guildmaster Craft no longer seems certain.Episode 4: A Single Life's WorkKray drives his prison guards to the brink with increasingly absurd demands for assistance. What seems like the petulant complaints of an elderly prisoner masks a cunning scheme, as Kray orchestrates a calculated campaign of annoyance from within his luxurious cell. But beneath his theatrical helplessness lies a deeper purpose - one that could reunite him with a certain assistant. As the guards' patience wears dangerously thin, Kray's true objective begins to take shape.Episode 5: The Missing KeyRaef and Kray uncover Pietro's hidden journals, only to find their pages filled with an indecipherable code. As they pour over volumes of encrypted text, mysterious margin notes begin to reveal themselves - including an enigmatic symbol of a serpent devouring its own tail. What secrets did the former Guildmaster lock away in these coded pages, and what do his increasingly urgent margin notes warn about?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Raef and Kray uncover Pietro's hidden journals, only to find their pages filled with an indecipherable code. As they pour over volumes of encrypted text, mysterious margin notes begin to reveal themselves - including an enigmatic symbol of a serpent devouring its own tail. What secrets did the former Guildmaster lock away in these coded pages, and what do his increasingly urgent margin notes warn about?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

In this episode I discuss running D&D and other RPGs at high level. It's often not as fun as we think it'll be, especially for the GM. A lot of the issues with high level play and advancement are baked into the games, but sometimes we as GMs make the situation even worse through our approach. I talk about some ways to handle powerful PCs as a GM—what to do and what not to do. I also share things I've learned running Blood of the Avatars and other high-level campaigns. Hopefully you can learn from some of my mistakes in your next high-level game.Check out my sci-fi novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Check Out my NEW PODCAST - Lex Out LoudCall the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951-GMJ-LEX1 (951-465-5391).If you're a new listener, and you'd like to go back to the beginning, here's a link to Episode 1.If you're interested in worldbuilding and/or my D&D campaign setting of Primordia, check out the first worldbuilding episode. You can go to this page to see all the episodes that discuss worldbuilding.Check out my latest D&D supplement, Adventurers of Primordia.

Discover what makes romance and cozy mysteries two of the most successful and reader-loved genres in publishing. In this episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, host Richie Billing sits down with bestselling authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett to uncover what all writers can learn from these powerfully engaging genres.Jami Albright is an acclaimed romance author known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies and bestselling indie success stories. Sara Rosett is a prolific cozy mystery writer whose books are filled with charm, suspense, and unforgettable characters. Together, they share a wealth of knowledge on writing craft, book marketing, and building a long-term career as an independent author.We explore:How to write a book series that keeps readers coming back — from character arcs to emotional payoffs.The secrets of romance and cozy mystery writing, including reader expectations, tone, pacing, and genre tropes that build loyal audiences.Worldbuilding techniques that keep continuity consistent across multiple novels.How to plan a successful book launch and make your release stand out in a crowded market.Developing an author brand that feels authentic and memorable.Book marketing strategies that actually work — from mailing lists and newsletters to podcast appearances, social media engagement, and creative promotions.Writing productivity and mindset tips to help authors finish series and sustain momentum.This conversation goes beyond genre to deliver universal lessons for storytellers. Whether you write fantasy, science fiction, romance, or thrillers, you'll gain actionable advice on how to design stories that hook readers, market your books effectively, and build a lasting author career.Key takeaways:Learn how romance and cozy mystery writers use structure, reader satisfaction, and emotional beats to keep fans invested.Understand why character-driven plots and series planning can transform your writing into a sustainable career.Discover how to create a strong author identity that readers instantly recognise.Find out how Jami and Sara approach marketing, launches, and branding from a professional and personal perspective.If you've ever wondered how to write a romance novel, how to start a cozy mystery series, or simply how to build a loyal readership, this episode is packed with real-world experience and practical strategies.FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed ⁠⁠⁠JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ABOUT JAMI ALBRIGHThttps://wishidknownforwriters.com/https://www.jamialbright.com/ABOUT SARA ROSETThttps://www.sararosett.com/GET IN TOUCHthefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.richiebilling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ RESOURCESDiscover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ hereAnd learn more about⁠⁠⁠ writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here

As Vesper and Mayla enter the Old Quarter, they discover not chaos but a surprisingly organized refugee operation run by mysterious figures in black. Their reunion with Captain Coode reveals shocking developments: Rogers has somehow become a captain for three opposing guilds, while the Guildmaster himself has vanished into the Upper Quarter with an enigmatic Outlander woman.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-thieves-guild--6141933/support.Some secrets are worth dying for. Some are worth killing for.Want to binge The Thieves Guild with fewer ads? Every Friday night we release a bonus episode of the week's previous five chapters, with fewer ads in between chapters and a seamless listening experience! Perfect for a weekend binge! ---If you would like to view a map of Ness, you can find it here.---Check out our other audiobook podcasts!Artifacts of the ArcaneA historical urban fantasy set at the beginning of World War Two. The world has abandoned magic, but magic  hasn't abandoned the world.ThursdayA cyberpunk VR thriller.No one can be trusted when nothing is real.---Find out more about writer/show runner Jake Kerr: https://www.jakekerr.comFollow Jake on Bluesky @jakekerr.com

Geoff Cook's career took off the night he met MoMA's CMO—and helped create the iconic MoMA QNS brand. Since then, he's shaped brands from MILK and NeueHouse to Times Talks, JFK Terminal 4, and the Prince Estate. Partner at Base, mentor at TechStars, and global culture expert, Geoff shares how bold branding can leave a lasting cultural impact. What You'll Learn in This Episode - How a single encounter can launch a career and define a creative trajectory - Why human connection is at the heart of every successful brand experience - The concept of “world-building” in branding and how it fosters community - How to balance AI as a tool without losing creative originality - Key considerations for branding early-stage companies and preserving cash Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:33) Jeff Cook's career breakthrough at MoMA (02:10) Early lessons from DKNY and international branding (04:07) Culture-driven branding from Milk to global institutions (07:40) Translating cultural expertise to JFK Terminal 4 (10:09) World-building brands to foster human connection (12:19) AI in creative work: opportunities and guardrails (20:12) Mentoring early-stage companies and branding pitfalls (26:27) Brands that make Jeff smile About Geoff Cook Geoff Cook's career catapulted on the night he met MoMA's CMO at a Base party in Manhattan, where he discussed developing the institution's new branding for its temporary museum in Queens. The project, MoMA QNS, was the first in a string of iconic brands he has helped to create, including MILK, NeueHouse, JFK Terminal 4, Iconiq, The New York Times' Times Talks & Food Festival, the Prince Estate, and countless others. Geoff approaches branding with a sharp understanding of business strategy and a finger on the pulse of global culture (he speaks four languages and savors local flavor everywhere he travels). As a partner at Base, Geoff asks companies big questions and helps answer them with unexpected, visionary solutions. The result is very often a profound cultural impact. Geoff also puts his branding acumen to use as a mentor at renowned tech accelerator, TechStars, and serves as a board member at Sentral. What Brand Has Made Geoff Smile Recently? Geoff is impressed by On, a Swiss-based athletic brand. He admires how On builds a cohesive, coherent world through product design, store experiences, and creative campaigns that surprise and delight. The combination of Swiss precision and playful, culturally relevant marketing makes On a standout in his eyes. Resources & Links Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn. Check out the Base Design website and Instagram. Here's the Design Week article on AI we discussed. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From beer to gin, from caffeine to tobacco, from mushrooms to hallucinogenic snails, a culture's options for achieving altered states of consciousness through consumables are vast! So when the people in your culture want to get blitzed -- How do they achieve that? The choices can communicate a lot to your readers about your world's technology, climate, and topography, as well as their ideas about health. Alcohol and other intoxicants also tend to accumulate lots of social apparatus around them. Unspoken rules might dictate when it's okay to get intentionally impaired and when it's unacceptable, or what forms of booze are considered high-class or low-class; actual laws might regulate both creation and consumption. You can also explore why your people partake of such things: Just for fun? Are there religious associations, like offering libations to a god or putting a prophet into a trance state? Do they think that inhaling ash is good for them? As always, we advocate both doing the research and looking for creative choices! Can you give your culture a unique intoxicant of some kind? In this episode, we also take a moment to practice what we preach and discuss the inebriating habits of the cultures in our co-built world! [Transcript for Episode 165 TK]

The host of the Null comes forth!JOIN OUR DISCORDHelp support the show by visiting our Patreon and find even more content on our Website!Intro/Outro Music “Jotunheim (Chiptune Version)” Courtesy of Rush CoilOriginal Composition by Serpent Sound Studios

286 / What happens when a fantasy author brings a soundtrack to storytelling—and what can writers and readers learn from merging music, world-building, and social themes? Richie Billing shares his innovative journey blending original soundtracks with fiction, the challenges of marketing across genres, and the lessons learned from a decade of writing.✨Podcast Sponsor: Ingram Spark: https://www.ingramspark.com/learnmoreTopics discussed in interview:Writing social justice and controversial themes and underdog stories in fantasyWhen to get feedback on your draftsSubscription model using novelettes and connecting directly with readersIncorporating soundtracks into fantasy booksWhere to start with wordbuilding in fantasy

In the new novel Archive of Unknown Universes, author Ruben Reyes Jr. allows his characters to literally explore alternate versions of history: one version where the Salvadoran war ends in a peace treaty, and another where the government wins. Reyes Jr discuses the novel, his debut.

Things heat up in this thirty-ninth installment of fictional horror written and narrated by Dan Cummins.  Lizzie travels to Alabama to learn more about the origins of Samael Orcas. And what she finds out is anything but comforting. Meanwhile, Sam seems to be losing his cool in Portland.  Finally, for Dark World fans, more Myrkeer Haymur lore is revealed here than in any other previous episode. Enjoy! For Merch and everything else Bad Magic related, head to: https://www.badmagicproductions.com Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.