The Worldbuilder's Tavern
Arts
The Worldbuilder's Tavern
The Worldbuilder's Tavern is a bi-weekly podcast for sci-fi and fantasy writers. The hosts (writer, makeup artist, and dungeon master Emma Maione; writer and developmental editor Allison Alexander; and marketing manager and academic Christiana Jones) break down the worldbuilding of speculative shows, movies, and books, sharing insights into how creatives can apply professional storytelling techniques to their own projects.
Total 42 episodes
1
3.3 Space Opera: All Systems Red
In this episode, we're talking about the novella All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells.
Proprietor's Pick: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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45:0630/10/2024
3.2 Science Fantasy: Arcane
In this episode, we're talking about how science and magic intertwine in the Netflix show Arcane.
Proprietor's Pick: The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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39:3916/10/2024
Worldbuilding Workshop: Building a Magic System
This season, we're introducing a new type of bonus episodes for our patrons: worldbuilding workshops! In these episodes, the hosts pick an element of a world and build it together. You can use whatever we build for your own stories, or take the questions we ask and build your own.
These monthly bonus episodes are exclusive to our Patreon, but the first is free for everyone to listen to!
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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Listen to more Worldbuilding Workshops by joining our Patreon
The questions we asked about building a magic system:
What is the basis of the magic system (colour, nature, time, space, elements, etc.)
What are the abilities and limits of the magic?
What are the costs and consequences of using the magic?
Who can use the magic?
How does society view magic and magic users?
36:2609/10/2024
3.1 Superhero Fiction: The Umbrella Academy
In this episode, we're talking about superpowers, secret identities, and characterization in the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy.
Proprietor's Pick: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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39:4602/10/2024
3.0 Season Three is about Genre!
Season 3 is coming! We've added a couple new segments and will be talking about worldbuilding through the lens of genre.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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10:1825/09/2024
2.22 Comedy and Characters in Pirates of the Caribbean
In this episode, we're talking about humour, character arcs, prologues, pirate mythology, and more in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Proprietor's Pick: The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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40:2824/07/2024
2.21 Mechs and Feminism in Iron Widow
In this episode, we're talking about mechs, feminism, disability representation, and more in the novel Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao.
Proprietor's Pick: A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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51:3610/07/2024
2.20 Science in 3 Body Problem
In this episode, we're talking about nanofibers, science as a weapon, and supercomputers in the TV show 3 Body Problem.
Proprietor's Pick: Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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44:1526/06/2024
2.19 Tension in 3 Body Problem
In this episode, we're talking about science gone haywire, confusing vs. interesting worldbuilding, and tension in the TV show 3 Body Problem.
Proprietor's Pick: Exordia by Seth Dickinson
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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44:0912/06/2024
2.18 Mythology in Song of the Sea
In this episode, we're talking about sense of place, metaphor, mythology, and symbolism in the movie Song of the Sea.
Proprietor's Pick: The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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39:3029/05/2024
2.17 False Utopia in Pet
In this episode, we're talking about writing a story based on a theme, age categories, oppressive systems, and utopian societies in the novella Pet by Akwaeke Emezi.
Proprietor's Pick: Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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37:3515/05/2024
2.16 Retro-Futurism in Fallout
In this episode, we're talking about factions, over-the-top worldbuilding, and retro-futurism in the TV show (based on the video game) Fallout.
Proprietor's Pick: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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35:5801/05/2024
2.15 The Afterlife in The Good Place
In this episode, we're talking about humour, morality, and the afterlife in the TV show The Good Place.
Proprietor's Pick: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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42:4817/04/2024
2.14 Gods, Realms, and Portals with Trudie Skies
In this episode, we're chatting with author Trudie Skies about deities, races, domains, magic, and expansive worldbuilding in The Thirteenth Hour, a gaslamp adult fantasy and the first in The Cruel Gods series.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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Find Trudie Skies trudieskies.com
46:2703/04/2024
2.13 Environment in Princess Mononoke
In this episode, we're chatting about historical worldbuilding, weirdness, anti-capitalism, and ecological themes in the Studio Ghibli movie Princess Mononoke.
Proprietor's Pick: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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33:4320/03/2024
2.12 Time Loops in Edge of Tomorrow
In this episode, we're chatting about situational humour, aliens, montages, and time loops in the movie Edge of Tomorrow.
Proprietor's Pick: The Misfit Soldier by Michael Mammay
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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37:4706/03/2024
2.11 Blood Magic in Heartless Hunter (with Kristen Ciccarelli)
In this episode, we're chatting with author Kristen Ciccarelli about blood magic, witches, and witch hunters in Heartless Hunter, the YA fantasy romance inspired by the The Scarlet Pimpernel.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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Find Kristen Ciccarelli at kristenciccarelli.com
The Universal Fantasy Workbook by T. Taylor
The Psychology of Fiction with Jennifer Lynn Barnes
47:0021/02/2024
2.10 Adaptable Storytelling in Baldur's Gate 3
In this episode, we're chatting about worldbuilding in the shadows, how actions matter, and adaptable storytelling in the video game Baldur's Gate 3.
Proprietor's Pick: The West Passage by Jared Pechaček
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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40:1307/02/2024
2.9 Religion, spirits, and dark magic in Vespertine (with Margaret Rogerson)
In this episode, we're chatting with author Margaret Rogerson about religion, spirits, and dark magic in the YA fantasy novel Vespertine.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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Find Margaret Rogerson at margaretrogerson.com
51:4324/01/2024
2.8 Stitchpunk, Giant Worlds, and Gender Dimorphism in 9
In this episode, we're chatting about the worldbuilding in the movie 9.
Proprietor's Pick: The Last Human by Lee Bacon
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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37:4011/01/2024
2.7 Superpowers and Society in My Hero Academia
Listen in as we chat about superpowers and superhero society, having a large cast, and female characters in the anime My Hero Academia.
Proprietor's Pick: Saving Fable by Scott Reintgen
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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42:1027/12/2023
2.6 Worldbuilding in The Book Eaters (with Sunyi Dean)
We've got fantasy author Sunyi Dean with us on this week's episode of the podcast! Listen in as we chat about her 2022 debut novel, The Book Eaters, how to decide what worldbuilding details to include and what to cut, oppressive societies, the goal of your story, and the power of books.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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Find Sunyi Dean at sunyidean.com
Check out the Publishing Rodeo podcast
48:0613/12/2023
2.5 Comedy in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Listen in as we chat about how to write comedy and action for different age categories, traditional vs. self-publishing, the "sucked into a video game" genre, and the movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
Proprietor's Pick: Rainbow in the Dark by Sean McGinty
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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34:1429/11/2023
2.4 Revealing Worldbuilding through Character in Avatar: The Last Airbender
In today's episode, we're chatting about bending, magic rules, disability, and how to reveal worldbuilding details as they relate to character via Avatar: The Last Airbender!
Proprietor's Pick: Wingbearer by Marjorie M. Liu and Teny Issakhanian
"Five Tips for Writing Disabled Characters in Speculative Fiction" by Allison Alexander
"How to Escape the Show Don't Tell Trap" by Jeni Chappelle
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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32:4722/11/2023
2.3 Fake Science and Villainy in The Outside (with Ada Hoffmann)
Join us for a chat with author Ada Hoffmann about their sci-fi horror novel The Outside. We talk about how to choose narrating characters, writing antagonists, writing nonbinary characters, and making stuff up when worldbuilding.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
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Find Ada Hoffmann at ada-hoffmann.com
43:5001/11/2023
2.2 Dark Weird in Over the Garden Wall
Join us for a chat about Over the Garden Wall, the animated series that you have probably never heard of! We chat about dream sequences, leaving clues, over-explaining, and trusting your readers.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things by Rob Renzetti
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30:0718/10/2023
2.1 Gendered Magic in Wheel of Time
Season Two is here! In this episode, we talk about the TV series Wheel of Time, adapted from the novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. We chat about complex worldbuilding and how to distill it, why it doesn't matter if the show is different from the book, and gendered magic systems.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
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42:4104/10/2023
1.15 Gritty Storytelling in House of the Dragon
It's the Season One finale! In this episode, we talk about House of the Dragon, so be prepared for some dark and disturbing topics. Allison gives her top seven horrifying moments from the show, and we give some tips on how to write your own grimdark worlds.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Sword Defiant by Gareth Hanrahan
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50:4119/07/2023
1.14 Open Worldbuilding in Tears of the Kingdom (with Jeni Chappelle)
In this episode, we talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with guest Jeni Chappelle! We talk about how to immerse readers in your world, telling information out of order, and how to write interesting puzzles.
Jeni is an independent book editor, a co-founder and editor for Twitter pitch event Revise & Resub (#RevPit); and co-host of the Indie Chicks and Story Chat Radio podcasts. Find her at Jeni Chappelle Editorial.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
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48:0205/07/2023
1.13 Horror and Narration Style in Annihilation
We discuss Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer in this episode! We talk about how weird it is, the unsettling narration style, and how to worldbuild according to genre.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: Lone Women by Victor LaValle
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37:1321/06/2023
1.12 Subtle Worldbuilding in This is How You Lose the Time War
As per Bigolas Dickolas's recommendation, we're discussing the novella This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone! Learn how to use worldbuilding as a backdrop and subtle ways to deliver worldbuilding in this week's episode.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: Translation State by Anne Leckie
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29:5008/06/2023
1.11 Worldbuilding Fun in the D&D Movie
What is worldbuilding without fat dragons, magicless bards, and birdfolk named Jarnathan? Join us for a discussion about the fun romp that is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
And don't forget to vote on the topic of our finale episode! Will we discuss the worldbuilding of Wednesday, The Last of Us, or House of the Dragon? It's up to you, dear listeners! Cast your vote on Twitter here. If you're a patron, vote here instead, and your vote counts as double!
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
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34:4424/05/2023
1.10 Dystopia in The Hunger Games
In this episode, we rant about capitalism and unfair political systems. We dig into the dystopian world of The Hunger Games (both the movies and the books by Suzanne Collins) and argue about whether Snow could have ever been a good person.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan
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38:2510/05/2023
1.9 Politics and Society in The Mandalorian
In this episode, we discuss season three of The Mandalorian. Hear us chat about the writing being more disjointed this season, the strange episode with Doctor Pershing that shows the world under the New Republic's wing, and the differing cultures of the two Mandalorian groups. Also, is Din Djarin even the titular Mandalorian in this season?
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
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48:1326/04/2023
1.8 Familiar Worlds in The Mandalorian
In this episode, we discuss seasons one and two of The Mandalorian.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: Star Wars Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade by Delilah S. Dawson
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36:5812/04/2023
1.7 Disability, Villainy, Magic, and Technology in Nimona
Join us for a discussion about the graphic novel Nimona by ND Stevenson.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
Proprietor's Pick: The Tea Dragon Society #1-3 by Kay O’Neill (July 5, 2022)
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35:1029/03/2023
1.6 Multiverses, Metaphors, and Absurdity in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
Join us for a discussion about the very weird, very wonderful movie Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
Proprietor's Pick: Multiverses: An anthology of alternate realities by various authors (March 28, 2023)
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25:3615/03/2023
1.5 Beautiful Worlds and Video Game Writing in Ori and the Blind Forest
Join us for a discussion about the gorgeous and heartwarming video game, Ori and the Blind Forest.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
Proprietor's Pick: The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (January 1, 2023)
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33:2601/03/2023
1.4 Science, Language, and Aliens in Project Hail Mary
Join us for a discussion about science in hard sci-fi, how to communicate with an alien, alien physiology, and alien culture in Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern by Michael Ghelfi."
Proprietor's Pick: Secret Project #3 by Brandon Sanderson (July 1, 2023)
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35:4915/02/2023
1.3 Subtle Storytelling, Slang, and Society in Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max: Fury Road takes place in a gritty, unforgiving, and weird world. In this episode, we discuss how the movie is masterful at showing vs. telling, uses slang and names effectively, and establishes a fascinating society based on vehicles, blood, and water.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi.
Proprietor's Pick: The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi (March 21, 2023).
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35:4801/02/2023
1.2 Humour and Fashion in Good Omens
Heaven, hell, and humour—the key ingredients for the hit TV show Good Omens! In this episode, we discuss how the show uses the unexpected to create humour, the casting choices, fashion, and makeup.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi.
Proprietor's Pick: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (August 23, 2022).
"Through the Glass" by Shaneen Thompson is the flash fiction at the end of the episode, read and edited by our wandering bard, Kyle. Join the tavern's Discord to participate in the monthly flash fiction challenges for the chance to have your story read on the podcast!
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28:5018/01/2023
1.1 Mythology in Good Omens
Heaven, hell, and humour—the key ingredients for the hit TV show Good Omens! In this episode, we discuss how the show treats Christian mythology, angels, demons, and more.
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi.
Proprietor's Pick: The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher by E.M. Anderson (April 21, 2023).
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25:3204/01/2023