Best Worldbuilding wizard Podcasts (2025)

1
Salute 52, Landmarks, and Escape Arcade - Ep222 1:01:56

2d ago1:01:56

1:01:56

It’s all the twos on episode two two two, as two of us chat about… uh… two times two (four) big topics. The chaps talk about football (!!!) and why it’s so neat to go to events you might not normally attend. Back in much more familiar territory, we bring you a battle report from Salute 52; a miniatures wargames event run by South London Warlords. I…

1
Worldbuilding Factions with Martha Wells (Part 1) 29:15

3d ago29:15

29:15

How do protagonists and villains get things done in your world? Probably not all by themselves! Factions - whether they're religious, corporate, political or trade organizations - are a VITAL part of your worldbuilding, adding spicy conflict when interests don't align. Join Janet and the AMAZING Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) as they discuss …

1
Worldbuilding Factions with Martha Wells (Part 2) 30:12

3d ago30:12

30:12

How do protagonists and villains get things done in your world? Probably not all by themselves! Factions - whether they're religious, corporate, political or trade organizations - are a VITAL part of your worldbuilding, adding spicy conflict when interests don't align. Join Janet and the AMAZING Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries) as they discuss …

1
SF-06 | What Changes When Rampires Turn? 56:33

3d ago56:33

56:33

This week we're covering Storm Front chapters 10, 11, and 12. In these chapters, Harry follows up on some leads, gets a concussion, ruminates on the case with Murphy, and passes out. Brian and Adam dig in to the interesting questions these chapters present. Why did Linda Randall change her mind about talking to Dresden? Why was the Three-Eye junkie…

1
Crafting Creatures That Make Scientific Sense with Shirin Sheppard (Part 2) 26:37

10d ago26:37

26:37

We're joined by illustrator and creature designer Shirin Sheppard to talk about making monsters that make scientific sense! How could dragons actually breathe fire? When do you reference real-world biology - and when do you leave it behind? Bring your creature questions to this fun interview! https://www.facebook.com/shirinillustration/ WORLDBUILD …

1
Crafting Creatures That Make Scientific Sense with Shirin Sheppard (Part 1) 31:06

10d ago31:06

31:06

We're joined by illustrator and creature designer Shirin Sheppard to talk about making monsters that make scientific sense! How could dragons actually breathe fire? When do you reference real-world biology - and when do you leave it behind? Bring your creature questions to this fun interview! https://www.facebook.com/shirinillustration/ WORLDBUILD …

1
Why Monster Hunters Matter with Laura Anne Gilman (Part 1) 32:32

17d ago32:32

32:32

Join us as we chat with best-selling fantasy author Laura Anne Gilman about writing MONSTER HUNTERS. Whether you're talking historical fantasy, urban fantasy or gothic horror, these iconic characters stalk the night. Let's discuss tropes, tips, and what these archetypal heroes add to your games and stories. https://www.lauraannegilman.net/ WORLDBUI…

1
Why Monster Hunters Matter with Laura Anne Gilman (Part 2) 33:24

17d ago33:24

33:24

Join us as we chat with best-selling fantasy author Laura Anne Gilman about writing MONSTER HUNTERS. Whether you're talking historical fantasy, urban fantasy or gothic horror, these iconic characters stalk the night. Let's discuss tropes, tips, and what these archetypal heroes add to your games and stories. https://www.lauraannegilman.net/ WORLDBUI…

1
SF-05 | Is The "Doom" the Best Option? 1:19:40

17d ago1:19:40

1:19:40

This week we explore chapters 8 and 9 of Storm Front; asking questions like: "Why do potions get phased out of the series?" and "What limitations does Bob have with regard to Harry's control?" We also spend some time exploring Murphy's flaw in this early book before moving on to one of the most impactful scenes in the series: Harry's first confront…

1
Transhumanism and AI ft. Robert J. Sawyer 1:00:03

18d ago1:00:03

1:00:03

It's been an entire year of Wizards & Spaceships! Thank you for coming along with us on this wild and magical space ride. You can't turn on the news or doomscroll social media without hearing about how AI will revolutionize everything. Unfortunately, the worst people in the world seem to be in charge of it. In this episode, we talk to sci-fi legend…

1
Captain Flip, The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide, and EXIT Kids: Riddles in Monsterville - Ep221 1:04:32

18d ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Head to the tabletop with us, as we review the piratical Captain Flip from PlayPunk, and the fiendishly family-friendly EXIT Kids: Riddles in Monsterville from Kosmos. Plus a dissection of what makes The Ultimate RPG Game Master's Worldbuilding Guide from James D’Amato such worthwhile advice to read. All that, and what Jurassic Park is really all a…

1
Witchy Worldbuilding with Rachel Aaron (Part 1) 24:14

24d ago24:14

24:14

Join us for a spooky season interview with author Rachel Aaron (Hell of a Witch), as we explore the scary practice of worldbuilding with witches. We’ll discuss how witches are often treated differently from other magic users in fantasy and TTRPGs, the tricky aspects of crafting believable witches, and how to create a witchcraft-based magic system t…

1
Witchy Worldbuilding with Rachel Aaron (Part 2) 28:14

24d ago28:14

28:14

Join us for a spooky season interview with author Rachel Aaron (Hell of a Witch), as we explore the scary practice of worldbuilding with witches. We’ll discuss how witches are often treated differently from other magic users in fantasy and TTRPGs, the tricky aspects of crafting believable witches, and how to create a witchcraft-based magic system t…

1
Cozy Fantasy Worldbuilding with Caitlin Rozakis (Part 2) 33:41

1M ago33:41

33:41

Join Janet and Caitlin Rozakis, author of The New York Times-bestselling novel Dreadful, for a delightful discussion of all things cozy fantasy! How do you create a setting that feels both cozy AND exciting? What are the essential elements of a cozy fantasy world? Bring your questions (and a cup of your favorite hot beverage) to this fun interview.…

1
Cozy Fantasy Worldbuilding with Caitlin Rozakis (Part 1) 30:35

1M ago30:35

30:35

Join Janet and Caitlin Rozakis, author of The New York Times-bestselling novel Dreadful, for a delightful discussion of all things cozy fantasy! How do you create a setting that feels both cozy AND exciting? What are the essential elements of a cozy fantasy world? Bring your questions (and a cup of your favorite hot beverage) to this fun interview.…

1
SF-04 | Is Monica Morally Culpable? 1:08:40

1M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

In this episode, Adam and Brian delve into chapters six and seven of Storm Front. They explore the intricacies of Dresden's investigations, the introduction of magic, and the moral implications of character actions, particularly focusing on Monica Sells. The discussion also touches on the fourth law of magic and the concept of the Doom of Damocles,…

1
AireCon 2025, Daybreak, and Tales from the Loop - Ep220 1:21:22

1M ago1:21:22

1:21:22

It’s a bumper episode, so let’s get straight into it: we played so many games and saw so much stuff at AireCon, so Ep220 is all about it. There’s dexterity push-you-luck Strike, Witcher spin-off Gwent: The Legendary Card Game, the gorgeous Australis, nostalgic Divide & Conker, and smile-inducing board games like G.R.I.M. INC. and Things in Rings. A…

1
How to write Audio Drama with Emily Inkpen (Part 1) 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Emily Inkpen is the co-creator of the award-winning Dex Legacy, an incredible audio drama about to enter its 3rd season! Learn Emily's process for writing and creating an audio drama that wins awards in this episode of the World Anvil worldbuilding podcast. https://www.emilyinkpen.com/thedexlegacy-home WORLDBUILD WITH US! Create a ✨free✨ World Anvi…

1
How to write Audio Drama with Emily Inkpen (Part 2) 27:48

1M ago27:48

27:48

Emily Inkpen is the co-creator of the award-winning Dex Legacy, an incredible audio drama about to enter its 3rd season! Learn Emily's process for writing and creating an audio drama that wins awards in this episode of the World Anvil worldbuilding podcast. https://www.emilyinkpen.com/thedexlegacy-home WORLDBUILD WITH US! Create a ✨free✨ World Anvi…

1
Worldbuilding a Generation Ship with Michael Mammay (Part 2) 29:51

1M ago29:51

29:51

What are the unique worldbuilding challenges (and opportunities) presented by a generation ship? This week, Janet sits down with Michael Mammay, author of the popular Planetside series, to explore the corridors and cultures of this unique scifi subgenre! https://www.michaelmammay.com/ Reviews of Generation Ship: Lightspeed Publishers Weekly Library…

1
Worldbuilding a Generation Ship with Michael Mammay (Part 1) 30:52

1M ago30:52

30:52

What are the unique worldbuilding challenges (and opportunities) presented by a generation ship? This week, Janet sits down with Michael Mammay, author of the popular Planetside series, to explore the corridors and cultures of this unique scifi subgenre! https://www.michaelmammay.com/ Reviews of Generation Ship: Lightspeed Publishers Weekly Library…

1
SF-03 | How Noir Is Dresden? 1:07:12

2M ago1:07:12

1:07:12

During the chapter discussion, we examine Monica Sells and her case, followed by our introduction to McAnally's and Susan Rodriguez. This conversation delves into the themes of noir literature and its influence on the Dresden Files series. We then explore the distinctions between noir and hard-boiled tropes, analyze the character of Harry Dresden, …

1
Captain America: Brave New World, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and Pacifica - Ep219 1:04:26

2M ago1:04:26

1:04:26

On the tabletop, us four oldies take to the battlefield with the deeply strategic and surprisingly accessible Battalion: War of the Ancients from Osprey Games, and dive beneath the waves in Pacifica from Thames & Kosmos. Meanwhile, in the courtroom, we take a look at Capcom’s shockingly generous compilation Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy, and…

1
TTRPG Design ft. Jesse Pohlman 36:31

2M ago36:31

36:31

There’s a huge crossover between tabletop role-playing game players, genre fans, and genre writers, and many of us fell in love with genre fiction by playing D&D in the basement. In this episode, we're joined by author and game designer Jesse Pohlman to talk about the considerations that go into building your own TTPRG. Show notes: Jesse’s website …

1
Making Magic Schools with T. Alexander Stangroom & Amanda Hamon (Part 2) 33:42

2M ago33:42

33:42

Join Janet with industry experts T. Alexander Stangroom & Amanda Hamon (Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos) to talk about MAKING MAGIC SCHOOLS, as we bring World Anvil's INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING challenge to a close! https://koboldpress.com/the-kobold-team https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahamon/ https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/sacoc WORLDBUILD …

1
Making Magic Schools with T. Alexander Stangroom & Amanda Hamon (Part 1) 31:33

2M ago31:33

31:33

Join Janet with industry experts T. Alexander Stangroom & Amanda Hamon (Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos) to talk about MAKING MAGIC SCHOOLS, as we bring World Anvil's INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING challenge to a close! https://koboldpress.com/the-kobold-team https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandahamon/ https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/sacoc WORLDBUILD …

1
SF-02 | Is Marcone Actually Preferable? 1:20:57

2M ago1:20:57

1:20:57

In this episode, Adam and Brian delve into chapters two and three of 'Stormfront' from the Dresden Files series. The discussion highlights Harry's observational skills, his interactions with law enforcement, and the moral complexities surrounding his interactions with characters like Marcon. The episode also touches on themes of sexism, leadership,…

1
Historical Fantasy Worldbuilding with Chloe Gong (Part 2) 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

Join Janet and our guest, award-winning author Chloe Gong, to talk about using history - and Shakespeare - as a jumping off point for fantasy worldbuilding. https://thechloegong.com/ WORLDBUILD WITH US! Create a ✨free✨ World Anvil account today! Worldbuilding software, campaign manager and novel writing software. Created by two nerds, run with love…

1
Historical Fantasy Worldbuilding with Chloe Gong (Part 1) 30:21

2M ago30:21

30:21

Join Janet and our guest, award-winning author Chloe Gong, to talk about using history - and Shakespeare - as a jumping off point for fantasy worldbuilding. https://thechloegong.com/ WORLDBUILD WITH US! Create a ✨free✨ World Anvil account today! Worldbuilding software, campaign manager and novel writing software. Created by two nerds, run with love…

1
Katmai: The Bears of Brooks River, The Plucky Squire, and Wizards Cup - Ep218 1:04:34

2M ago1:04:34

1:04:34

Having your world turned upside down is one thing, but having a whole new dimension added? That's tough! The Plucky Squire from All Possible Futures digs into this idea with approachable puzzles and tricky action. Meanwhile Wizards Cup from Pandasaurus Games is a two player magical duel with gorgeous art and a tight little footprint. Speaking of fo…

1
How Does Collaborative Worldbuilding Work? with Owen Greenwald & Paul Kivelson (part 1) 32:06

2M ago32:06

32:06

What are the benefits of collaborative worldbuilding? Who handles which part of a shared world? What mistakes did you make along the way? Janet is live with authors and worldbuilders Owen B. Greenwald and Paul Kivelson, discussing how they collaboratively built their world on World Anvil, for their latest novel, Weapons of the Mind! https://www.owe…

1
How Does Collaborative Worldbuilding Work? with Owen Greenwald & Paul Kivelson (part 2) 27:48

2M ago27:48

27:48

What are the benefits of collaborative worldbuilding? Who handles which part of a shared world? What mistakes did you make along the way? Janet is live with authors and worldbuilders Owen B. Greenwald and Paul Kivelson, discussing how they collaboratively built their world on World Anvil, for their latest novel, Weapons of the Mind! https://www.owe…

1
SF-01 | Why Doesn't Harry Prove It? 1:00:22

2M ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Storm Front - Chapter 1 In this episode of Recorded Neutral Territory, we explore the characterization of Harry Dresden, the noir tone of the narrative, and the public perception of the supernatural. The discussion highlights Harry's unique identity as a wizard, his relationship with technology, and his moral compass. The episode concludes with a t…

1
Modern Mythic Fantasy with Abigail Owen (part 1) 26:00

2M ago26:00

26:00

Storytellers have been remixing tales of Greek gods since... well, ancient Greece! Kat chats with award-winning author Abigail Owens, whose new release Games Gods Play retells the Hades/Persephone myth in present-day San Francisco. Let's talk about worldbuilding a mythic fantasy setting that blends ancient and modern elements! https://abigailowen.c…

1
Modern Mythic Fantasy with Abigail Owen (part 2) 19:35

2M ago19:35

19:35

Storytellers have been remixing tales of Greek gods since... well, ancient Greece! Kat chats with award-winning author Abigail Owens, whose new release Games Gods Play retells the Hades/Persephone myth in present-day San Francisco. Let's talk about worldbuilding a mythic fantasy setting that blends ancient and modern elements! https://abigailowen.c…

1
Civilization, The Roottrees are Dead, and The Gang - Ep217 56:39

3M ago56:39

56:39

Is Civilization from Avalon Hill and Gibsons Games still able to command 10 hours of your attention more than 40 years after its initial release? Can The Roottrees are Dead outdo Hypnospace Outlaw at Internet nostalgia and Return of the Obra Dinn at amateur sleuthing? Blending poker and heists, do we have a good enough hand to win The Gang? Are Rit…

1
Toxic Schlock Syndrome ft. Shawn Whitney 40:41

3M ago40:41

40:41

Pulp fiction is a cornerstone of the genres we love. In this episode, we talk to screenwriter, ghostwriter, and author of the new zombie novel Deads Rise, Shawn Whitney, about manly men doing manly things, the perils of writing romance, and close encounters with sexy lizard aliens. Show notes: Shawn's website Shawn's Twitter The Pulp Magazines Proj…

1
Adapting Life to Creative Capacity with Sandra Tayler (part 2) 32:43

3M ago32:43

32:43

How do you fit creative work into an already jam-packed life? Especially when you must account for things like physical and mental health challenges? Join Janet and author Sandra Tayler, whose new book Structuring Life to Support Creativity tackles these questions and more! https://www.sandratayler.com/ https://structuring-life-to-support-creativit…

1
Adapting Life to Creative Capacity with Sandra Tayler (part 1) 30:51

3M ago30:51

30:51

How do you fit creative work into an already jam-packed life? Especially when you must account for things like physical and mental health challenges? Join Janet and author Sandra Tayler, whose new book Structuring Life to Support Creativity tackles these questions and more! https://www.sandratayler.com/ https://structuring-life-to-support-creativit…

1
Comedy Science Fiction with Andy Law (Part 2) 33:04

3M ago33:04

33:04

To celebrate Douglas Adam's iconic "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" we're talking about Comedy Science Fiction. Comedy Scifi is an oft-forgotten genre, but from "Galaxy Quest" to "Rick and Morty" to "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi, it's an increasingly popular take on far future worlds! Join Janet Forbes, Kat Bradbury and Andy Law as we delve de…

1
Comedy Science Fiction with Andy Law (Part 1) 25:11

3M ago25:11

25:11

To celebrate Douglas Adam's iconic "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" we're talking about Comedy Science Fiction. Comedy Scifi is an oft-forgotten genre, but from "Galaxy Quest" to "Rick and Morty" to "Starter Villain" by John Scalzi, it's an increasingly popular take on far future worlds! Join Janet Forbes, Kat Bradbury and Andy Law as we delve de…

1
Nosferatu, My First Castle Panic and Civilization - Ep216 1:01:47

3M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

We find out why Fireside Games’ co-op boardgame Castle Panic remains a masterpiece and how its wonderfully welcoming all-ages version My First Castle Panic brings in younger players while remaining entertaining for adults. Then a look at why the sheer amount of planning for a weekend playing Avalon Hill’s Civilization has been an early part of the …

1
Anthologies - What, Why & How with Bona Books (Part 2) 29:38

3M ago29:38

29:38

If you're writing short stories, it's good to know what an anthology is, what different kinds of anthologies exist, why people produce them, and how to write for one! Janet & Kat are joined by writing partners Trip Galey and Chris McCartney of Bona Books, who are publishing a themed anthology. https://www.bona-books.com https://www.tripgaley.com @c…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Worldbuilding Wizard Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen