Best Xen Podcasts (2025)

1
UNEND Season 2 | Official Trailer 4:38

5d ago4:38

4:38

UNEND Season 2 premieres June 4th with new episodes releasing weekly on Wednesdays. Learn more at https://critrole.com/season2unend/ SEASON 2 DESCRIPTION: After their voyage of exploration goes awry, the crew of the Ship find themselves adrift in an unfamiliar realm where everything they know is called into question. With their beliefs, their bonds…

1
Our Story with Maxine Chi

8d ago

—

On this episode of Women on the Line we chat with Maxine Chi (Chai) who is a contributor to the Our Story: Aboriginal – Chinese people in Australia, an exhibition that has been curated by Zhou Xiaoping and held at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra until 27 January 2026. Maxine is a Bardi Aboriginal woman who has Chinese, Japanese and Sco…

1
Xendependently Minded #118 Peace Be With You | US-China | Biden Has Cancer | Big Beautiful Bill | Ukraine & Russia to Exchange Hostages | Israeli Embassy Attack 34:39

8d ago34:39

34:39

In this episode I discuss the tariff deal between the US and China, Biden being diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer, the Big Beautiful spending bill, Ukraine and Russia set to exchange prisoners, Kyiv being attacked, and the tragic Israeli embassy attack. Merch: https://xendependently-minded-merch.myspreadshop.com/ Where to find me: Apple Podcas…

1
Episode 155: The Rule of Cool, ft. JIM C. HINES 1:03:09

12d ago1:03:09

1:03:09

We often think about "making things make sense" in worldbuilding and building internal consistency, scientific realism, and other logic-based considerations into our fiction -- But what happens when your worldbuilding principle is “What would be awesome?" Jim C. Hines, who embraced this principle for a forthcoming book, joins us to explore the poss…

1
Motherhood in the Colony

15d ago

—

On this week’s program we speak to Genevieve Grieves and Wejdan Shamala about their project, Motherhood in the Colony. Genevieve is a proud Worimi woman and respected artist, educator, field builder, film director and oral historian. She is also the co-Creator and Creative Director of GARUWA, First-Nations owned and led storytelling agency. Wejdan …

1
Weird Kids X Third Person Crossover! 1:52:48

20d ago1:52:48

1:52:48

Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe welcome the creators of the Midst Cosmos and fellow weirdos Matt Roen, Sara Wile, and Xen to their Weird Kids table! From role-playing games to nostalgic artifacts to neat gadgets to just a shared love of scents, this motley crew of magnificent misfits has plenty of delightfully strange topics to show-and-tell. Use…

1
The Story of Rice

22d ago

—

On this episode of Women on the Line, we speak to Burmese artist Yim about her book The Story of Rice, a colouring book that preserves traditional Burmese farming methods. We also speak with Lisa, Yim's friend, translator and founder and owner of Free Bird Cafe in Chiang Mai, Thailand, about her work supporting Burmese refugees.Follow Yim's work on…

1
Episode 154: Judge Worldbuilding by Its Size, Do You? 1:15:23

26d ago1:15:23

1:15:23

We often think of worldbuilding happening on a grand scale, with huge maps and the sweeping narratives of nations and world-changing events. But that's not really the stuff that makes a world feel lived-in. The granular choices are what show day-to-day life, and day-to-day life illustrates so much about how a world has developed, how a culture has …

1
Xendependently Minded #117 Canada, Oh Canada | China Caves | Massive Manufacturing News | EU Tyranny | Peacekeeper Trump | RFK Jr. & Autism | US-Ukraine Mineral Deal Signed 37:32

29d ago37:32

37:32

In this episode, I discuss the Canadian election results, China caving to US tariffs, the EU's tyranny knowing no bounds, Trump seemingly alone in the battle to prevent war with Iran, people up in arms over RFK Jr.'s autism comments, and the recently signed US-Ukraine mineral deal. Merch: https://xendependently-minded-merch.myspreadshop.com/ Where …

1
Third Person on Party of One with Jeff Stormer! 1:55:03

1M ago1:55:03

1:55:03

Join our Midst Cosmos creators Third Person as they sit down with "Party of One" host Jeff Stormer to discuss RPGs and play "See Issue X", a solo RPG about superheroes and the incredible absurdity of comic book continuity. Get ready for the epic showdown between Captain Cardboard, Mirror Man, and Humanity! What's Party of One? Party of One is an ac…

1
Episode 153: A Long, Skilled, Satisfying Cunning Linguist Session 1:29:28

1M ago1:29:28

1:29:28

How can language help shape your worldbuilding? We're not necessarily talking about conlang here -- that can certainly be part of worldbuilding, but it doesn't have to be, and many works of speculative fiction manage perfectly fine without invented languages. But the words you choose in description and dialogue will also communicate something to yo…

1
End the Raids! Full Decriminalisation of Sex Work Now!

1M ago

—

On this week’s program, we hear from Bee and Rory about the targeting of Asian-migrant sex workers, increased raids committed by Australian Border Force through Operation Inglenook, and the ongoing violence and surveillance of street-based sex workers. First, we’ll hear a conversation with Bee on 3CR’s Tuesday Breakfast. Bee is a migrant sex worker…

1
FEED DROP: Desert Skies 29:43

2M ago29:43

29:43

Since we're taking a quick break to prepare for UNEND Season 2 (it's coming we promise!), we wanted to introduce you all to another otherwordly audio adventure, Desert Skies! On a lonely highway between life and the next life there's one last stop that we all have to make. Desert Skies Astral Plane Fuel and Service Station serves travelers as they …

1
Rebuilding Myanmar through a feminist revolution

2M ago

—

On this episode of Women on the Line, we speak with Thinzar Shunlei Yi, an award winning Myanmar Democracy Activist well-known for her public advocacy against Military supremacism and oppressive systems for ethnic and religious minorities. Shunlei tells us about military rule in Myanmar, the devastating impacts of the recent earthquake, the added t…

1
Episode 152: Setting the Scene, ft AI JIANG 1:05:56

2M ago1:05:56

1:05:56

Sometimes, people will say of a book that "the setting is another character". But what does that really mean, and how can a writer craft it? Ai Jiang joins us to discuss creating worlds and settings that have their own personalities! From the physical geography to the architecture, from the scale of the location to its dynamism, writers can make a …

1
Midst Messages : Comics from the Cosmos 1:28:38

2M ago1:28:38

1:28:38

In this special episode of Midst Messages, Third Person takes a deep dive into the Midst comic books with guests Will Kirkby, Aviv Or, and Kendra Wells. Check out our comics! Midst: Address Unknown - https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3013-738/Midst-Address-Unknown Midst: The Valorous Farmer - https://www.darkhorse.com/Comics/3013-739/Midst-The-Valor…

1
022 - Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes) on Mental Health & Making It Early 9:15

2M ago9:15

9:15

Brian Ritchie from Violent Femmes talks about how mental health was approached when he was starting out, the impact of breaking big early on his identity as a young musician, how he manages his mental health and lots more.By Christina Rowatt

1
Resisting US militarism in South Korea

2M ago

—

In this episode, we speak with Jeju-based peace activist Sung-Hee Choi, who has spent more than 15 years resisting U.S. militarism, weapons manufacturing, and the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island, South Korea.Sung-Hee is a board member of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space and a participant in the Pacific Peace…

1
Xendependently Minded #116 Trump Terror Tariffs | Stock Market Chaos | Signal Gate 1:04:42

2M ago1:04:42

1:04:42

In this episode, I discuss my trip to America, tariffs, and "Liberation Day," the stock market seeing volatility and big drops, and Signal Gate. Merch: https://xendependently-minded-merch.myspreadshop.com/ Where to find me: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/xen-podcasts/id1476108045?uo=4 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.…

1
086 - Phillip Golub and Joseph Branciforte 51:08

2M ago51:08

51:08

Come check out Phillip’s new composed album with us, “Loop 7,” featuring his characteristic style but infused with 22-tone equal temperament. Grammy-award-winner Joseph Branciforte joins us as well to share how the acoustic pianos were recorded and treated as “one instrument” in the process. Find “Loop 7” here: https://phillipgolub.bandcamp.com/alb…

1
Trans Day of Visibility with Aisya Zaharin

2M ago

—

On today’s show we are marking Trans Day of Visibility (31st of March). We will be hearing snippets of a rich conversation between 3CR’s Sally Goldner and Aisya Zaharin. Aisya is a trans advocate from Meanjin Brisbane and is currently in Narrm as a special guest for the Women’s Iftar hosted by Queer Muslim Narrm and Trans Sisters United. She has al…

1
Episode 151: Everybody’s Working for the Worldbuild, ft AUGUST CLARKE 1:15:57

2M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

In amazing fantasy and science fiction worlds -- Who's doing the work? Where does the food come from? The clothes? Who does the caregiving? Guest august clarke joins us to discuss the hands and bodies that create a society. Labor is something that’s often sort of invisible in stories if it’s not explicitly the driving focus of a book – So, why is t…

1
Poccum's Law Now - Bail Saves Lives

2M ago

—

On this week’s episode, we bring you speeches from the snap action for Poccum’s Law - Bail Saves Lives that took place outside Parliament House in Narrm on Tuesday 18th March 2025. We hear from Nina, a member of Formerly Incarcerated Girls Justice Advocates Melbourne (FIGJAM) and then from Sarah Schwartz, Legal Director of the Democratic Freedoms t…

1
Xendependently Minded #115 Is Department of Education Finished? | Antisemitism Executive Order | JFK Files | Al Qaeda and Julani Continue Slaughter | Israel - Palestine Ceasefire Over 1:07:58

2M ago1:07:58

1:07:58

In this episode, I react to and discuss the latest Trump executive order to dissolve the Department of Education and reallocate programs to be merged with other departments, the antisemitism executive order being utilized in a high profile deportation, Al Qaeda and Julani in Syria slaughtering minorities, the Israel - Palestine ceasefire expiring w…

1
UNEND | S1 Roundtable 1:17:30

3M ago1:17:30

1:17:30

Join Xen, Sara Wile, and Matt Roen (The creators of UNEND) as they discuss the mind boggling events of Season 1 with our official Midst Cosmos Lore Keeper, Jared Deiro! You'll learn all about their process for expanding the Midst Cosmos and their inspirations for creating UNEND. Several decades after the events of MIDST and Moonward, a supernatural…

1
085 - Julian Woods 1:28:44

3M ago1:28:44

1:28:44

Microtonal jazz extraordinaire Julian Woods shares with us his methodology for re-tuning classic standards into JI and what it’s like playing in a live band. Topics include playing songs, composition directives, microtonal setups, and guitarists’ advantages for frets, fretlets, and fretless, Philipp Gerschlauer has collaborated with Julian on his o…

1
Combating the patriarchy & climate crisis through regenerative farming

3M ago

—

Avika is a regenerative farmer in Chiang Mai, Thailand, passionate about regenerating soil. She works with farmers across the country to make regenerative farming tools and techniques more accessible. In this episode of Women on the Line we hear from Avika about combating the climate crisis through regenerative farming, the role of women in sustain…

1
Worldbuilding for Masochists || Team Efforts, featuring THIRD PERSON (Xen, Matt Roen, and Sara Wile) 1:23:31

3M ago1:23:31

1:23:31

Third Person met up with the incredible folks from Worldbuilding for Masochists to discuss what it’s like worldbuild as a team. Worldbuilding means getting to “play god” – so how does that take a different shape when you’re part of a pantheon rather than the One True Ruler of your world? Xen, Matt Roen, and Sara Wile, the creative trio behind Midst…

1
Episode 150: Team Efforts, ft. THIRD PERSON (Xen, Matt Roen, and Sara Wile) 1:22:01

3M ago1:22:01

1:22:01

Worldbuilding means getting to “play god” – so how does that take a different shape when you’re part of a pantheon rather than the One True Ruler of your world? Xen, Matt Roen, and Sara Wile, the creative trio behind Midst, a surreal sci-fi fantasy audio drama now produced by Critical Role Productions, join us to discuss co-creating a world and the…

1
Anti-nuclear now for nuclear free futures

3M ago

—

In this episode, we bring you voices from the Nuclear-Free Gathering held in Naarm in February 2025.We hear from Dr. Margie Beavis (Medical Association for Prevention of War) on the dangers of nuclear energy, Dimity Hawkins (ICAN) on Australia’s role in global nuclear militarisation, Aunty Sue Coleman on the colonial violence of uranium mining, and…

1
Xendependently Minded #114 German Election | Syria | Georgescu Arrested | Zelensky White House Blowout (VIDEO) 42:11

3M ago42:11

42:11

In this episode, I share recent Ukraine-Russia war footage obtained from an anonymous source, discuss the horrors of Syria under Al Julani, discuss Romanian democratically elected leader Georgescu being arrested, and react to the Zelensky meeting/blowout in DC with President Trump and VP Vance. Merch: https://xendependently-minded-merch.myspreadsho…

1
Xendependently Minded #114 German Election | Syria | Georgescu Arrested | Zelensky White House Blowout (AUDIO) 42:12

3M ago42:12

42:12

In this episode, I share recent Ukraine-Russia war footage obtained from an anonymous source, discuss the horrors of Syria under Al Julani, discuss Romanian democratically elected leader Georgescu being arrested, and react to the Zelensky meeting/blowout in DC with President Trump and VP Vance. Merch: https://xendependently-minded-merch.myspreadsho…

1
UNEND | S1: Interlude 1 14:39

3M ago14:39

14:39

If only he knew then what he knows now... Journalist Kanneken Hartevelt interviews an optimistic and eager Merlin Vot about his upcoming voyage across the highest heights, deepest depths, and furthest reaches of the known cosmos. Kanneken Hartevelt by Sam Riegel Merlin Vot by Matt Roen This officially concludes Season 1 of UNEND! Thank you for list…

1
084 - Subhraag Singh and Infinitone 2 1:30:33

3M ago1:30:33

1:30:33

Subhraag Singh, creator of the Infinitone, graciously agreed to discuss the updated software with me! The update uses many new features such as dynamic re-tuning, visuals, LFO control, key triggers, and more. We go on a magical quest to discover Stephen’s xenharmonic tomato, and dissect the ethics of advertising radical new microtonal morphing soft…

1
Episode 149: Especially the Lies: Building Unreliable Worlds, ft. MARINA LOSTETTER 1:11:21

3M ago1:11:21

1:11:21

What happens when the world your characters -- or your readers -- first find themselves in turns out to be not quite what it appears? Marina Lostetter joins us to explore the different ways that a writer can play with an unreliable world. Maybe it means a story of scientific discovery that reshapes how their characters perceive their place in the u…

1
UNEND | S1 E18: Homeward 43:35

3M ago43:35

43:35

Accept the journey. Several decades after the events of MIDST and Moonward, a supernatural ship and a remarkable crew set forth on an expedition to explore the highest heights, deepest depths, and furthest reaches of the known cosmos. But their journey is fraught with peril as they discover truths and realities far stranger than any of them could e…

1
083 - Richie Greene 1:30:20

3M ago1:30:20

1:30:20

Richie and I discuss phonorealism (pioneered by Peter Ablinger), 41-tone equal temperament, and his collection of instruments and live performances, such as “Six Monologues.” Sam Reflecting on the First Time He Heard Her Sing (2017) - phonorealism ludus vocalis (Burp) - Felipe Tovar-Hevao Dream Hangover - !mindparade Six Monologues (mvt. 3 - Traged…

1
Empowering First Nations Women with the Kimberley Aboriginal Women's Council

3M ago

—

Listeners are advised that this program includes references to violence and suicide. If you need to talk to someone about the issues covered in the program you can contact: 13 YARN (13 92 76) which is a dedicated 24/7 national crisis support line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Yarning Safe'n'Strong 1800 959 563Lifeline 13 11 14Su…

1
UNEND | S1 E17: The Limits of Reality 36:40

3M ago36:40

36:40

So close, yet so far. Several decades after the events of MIDST and Moonward, a supernatural ship and a remarkable crew set forth on an expedition to explore the highest heights, deepest depths, and furthest reaches of the known cosmos. But their journey is fraught with peril as they discover truths and realities far stranger than any of them could…

1
Gaming as a woman of colour

4M ago

—

In this episode of Women on the Line, we speak with Twitch streamer Moon Bear who tells us about her experience gaming as a woman of colour, the repercussions of right wing politics for women in online spaces, and creating safe communities for other gamers like herself.Find Moon on: https://www.twitch.tv/moonbearryhttps://www.instagram.com/moonbear…

1
Xendependently Minded #113 Millions Effected with USAIDs | Media Lies | Trump 1 Month In | Keir Starmer Sucks | German Terrorist Attack, Election | Gaza Rebuild By USA? | Tulsi and RFK Jr. Confirmed 31:18

4M ago31:18

31:18

In this episode, I discuss media lies around aircraft accidents, USAID fake outrage, Trump getting so much done in one month, Keir Starmer threatening to uproot Democracy in the UK, Germany's latest terrorist attack, their upcoming election, and their two-tier justice system, Trump considering rebuilding Gaza and what I think that means, and Tulsi …

1
Episode 148: Horny on Main: Smutting Up Your Worldbuilding 1:49:10

4M ago1:49:10

1:49:10

In honor of Valentine's Day, the season of Carnivale, and our own amusement, we bring to you this extra-long episode, where we heat things up and get a little down and dirty with our worldbuilding. What role does sex play in the world you're building -- and how do you depict that? This comes up a lot, obviously, in romantasy and other related subge…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Xen Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen