Best Beth Barany Podcasts (2025)

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155. Tips to Transform Your Novel Into Trilogy 26:18

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1d ago26:18

26:18

“Be here, be now. Be with your project as it exists right now.” — Beth Barany In this episode of How To Write the Future podcast, host Beth Barany answers a readers question on “Turning one novel into a trilogy.” She shares advice on how to start the process all the way how to enjoy your finalized, polished book. Beth also dives into topics such as…

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154. World Building with Women Warriors, Interview with Pamela D. Toler 20:36

8d ago20:36

20:36

“There's been a long tradition of saying that women that women who ruled were exceptions, that women who fought were exceptions. That, you know, it's Joan of Arc, it's not GI Joan.,And that trap gets us over and over again, not just with women warriors.” — Pamela D. Toler In this episode of How To Write the Future podcast, host Beth Barany intervie…

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153. Science Fiction Brainstorming: Two Essential Tips 6:11

15d ago6:11

6:11

“Just really let your creativity flow. No censorship, no stopping to, is this right? Is this wrong? It doesn't matter.” — Beth Barany In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host Beth Barany answers a question from a listener and shares her advice for those in the brainstorming stages of their novel. In “Science Fiction Brainstorming: Two …

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152. Create An Original Religion for Your Story 10:55

22d ago10:55

10:55

“A well crafted religion can really add depth to your world building and create some incredible conflicts and tensions that can move your story forward.” In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host Beth Barany discusses creating original religions in fiction, emphasizing the importance of core beliefs, rituals, and the impact of religion …

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151. Writing Inclusive Fantasy for Modern Readers with Sci-Fi Fantasy Author, Aspry Jones 23:33

29d ago23:33

23:33

“If I could go back in time and tell 22-year-old me not to go into TV, but instead to center on what your heart was, the writing, and the creating stories, and creating characters and people. Do that instead.” — Aspry Jones In this episode of the How To Write the Future podcast, host Beth Barany talks to sci-fi fantasy author Aspry Jones, about his…

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150. Creating Authentic Science Fiction Universes with Devin Blair’s Chemical Rocketeers Show 9:13

1M ago9:13

9:13

“Even if I didn't have this entire podcast structure, which thank God I actually do, so I can actually focus on something during my travels.“ — Devin Blair In this episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany talks to Devin Blair, the creator of the sci-fi podcast Chemical Rocketeers. Together they discuss Devin’s current adventures in Afgh…

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149. Balancing World Building Elements for the Reader Experience with Jasper Ezekiel 5:48

1M ago5:48

5:48

“I'm always really fascinated by what gets trimmed off the edges. And because there's gold in there sometimes. And why would a creative professional choose to include this, but not that?” -- Jasper Ezekiel In this How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany chats with speculative fiction writer Jasper Ezekiel, and talks about what parts of ou…

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148. Fantasy Character Groups Made Simple with Ezra Barany 9:13

2M ago9:13

9:13

“The really cool thing about character groups is if you're making worlds, let's talk about the situations where worlds are in demand in genre, and that would be fantasy. If you're making a world like that, it's good to get a whole bunch of different character groups.” — Ezra Barany In this episode of How To Write the Future podcast, titled “Fantasy…

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147. How to Ask Powerful Questions to Unlock Your Creativity (and Your Life) 10:09

2M ago10:09

10:09

“As a storyteller, WHAT IF is fabulous. What if it was like this? What if it was like that? What if I did this? What if I put it this way?“ In “How to Ask Powerful Questions to Unlock Your Creativity (and Your Life)” podcast host Beth Barany, explains the power of asking questions that include effective questions for creativity and how they can hel…

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146. How Ancient Female Warriors Shape Our Future 14:30

2M ago14:30

14:30

“Women have had an impact in world history throughout the ages. We just haven't been told those stories. So one of my missions in life is to bring these stories to life, both through fiction and through nonfiction.” Dive into “How Ancient Female Warriors Shape Our Future”, an episode for How To Write The Future podcast, where host Beth Barany share…

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145. Women in Science: From Ancient Times to Modern Breakthroughs 7:14

2M ago7:14

7:14

“Did you ever wonder who invented Kevlar, the coffee filter, the car heater, or liquid paper? Would you be surprised to find out that they're all invented by a woman?” In this podcast episode, titled “Women in Science: From Ancient Times to Modern Breakthroughs,” host Beth Barany shares 3 books, great learning resources to uncover the history of wo…

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144. African Heritage Meets Interstellar Travel: Why Nnedi Okorafor's Binti Trilogy is Essential Afrofuturism 4:48

3M ago4:48

4:48

“I think it's really important that we read books and reread authors who aren't similar to us, who are very different from us culturally come from different backgrounds, different parts of the world.” In this How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany explains in detail why you need to read the “Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor,” plus why she…

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143. Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction 6:02

3M ago6:02

6:02

“So I highly recommend Elizabeth Moon, if you like military ship captains who are these strong, interesting women. I also really adored her fantasy.” In this episode, titled “Elizabeth Moon: Crafting Strong Female Protagonists in Science Fiction” host Beth Barany shines a spotlight on one of her favorite science fiction and fantasy authors and shar…

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142. How Science Fiction and Fantasy Can Change the World 8:13

3M ago8:13

8:13

“ I would say I live in this space with my Janey McCallister Space Station Mystery series. I think a lot about the sweet spot between current technology and future speculation.” In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and award-winning science fiction author, Beth Barany, discusses how science fiction and fantasy can inspire social ch…

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141. Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (part 2) 5:45

3M ago5:45

5:45

Science Explainer: That is a term that has come out in the last bit of years to explain someone or to describe somebody who shares about science to the general public. In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and science fiction author Beth Barany shares more of her “Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 2)” and the types of sci…

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140. Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 1) 5:36

4M ago5:36

5:36

“As you may have noticed, these are all women science explainers and scientists, because I really want to highlight women doing science.” In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, host and science fiction author Beth Barany shares her “Favorite Science Explainers on YouTube (Part 1)” and the types of science they share including physic…

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139. Simple and Powerful Storytelling Structure with Leon Conrad 26:43

4M ago26:43

26:43

“Because It's grounded on a very simple principle. Story, well told, well crafted, well structured, will have a pattern of ebb and flow. The ebb is where the tension builds up, and the flow is where it releases.” -- Leon Conrad In this episode of How to Write The Future podcast, host, Beth Barany talks to award winning author and tutor Leon Conrad …

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138. Building Authentic Stories: Real-World Elements in Fantasy and Sci-Fi with Lewis Jorstad 26:24

4M ago26:24

26:24

“I really enjoy leaning on real world history to write my stories.” -- Lewis Jorstad In this episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany chats with bestselling author and editor Lewis Jorstad about how to incorporate real-world elements into your speculative fiction stories. They discuss drawing from historical events and share practical a…

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137. The Art of Editing Speculative Fiction with Kristin Noland 22:43

4M ago22:43

22:43

”What if we could travel to a different galaxy? And then that's what the book is about. What if there were superheroes in the world? What if women ruled the world? Those types of things— It's the what if question and the answers.” — Kristin Noland In this episode, How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany, talks to developmental and line ed…

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136. Exploring Futuristic Events in 2025: A Guide for Science Fiction Writers 5:14

4M ago5:14

5:14

"Once or twice a year, I like to do an episode about upcoming events that you can participate in. And this is especially helpful if you're looking for inspiration about how to think about the future, whether you're a science fiction writer, you just want to get ideas, or you're somebody who cares about the future and wants to come at it from a crea…

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135. Creative Writing Resources: Power Up Your Fiction in 2025 8:35

5M ago8:35

8:35

“All I have to say, I know it can take a long time. And I really respect that it takes time to be ready to take the next step.“ In the first episode of 2025, How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany shares creative writing resources to help writers kick start their 2025 by focusing on their craft. From free downloadable workbooks, virtual …

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134. Top 6 Most Popular Episodes in 2024 14:59

5M ago14:59

14:59

"From planning your writing life to exploring tropes, storytelling, and world-building, these episodes showcase the diverse topics we've covered this past year to help you write positive futures." In this episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany shares clips from the “Top 6 Most Popular Episodes in 2024.” From delving into the how, when…

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133. You did it! You've a finished science fiction or fantasy novel you’re proud of. (Step 8) 7:52

5M ago7:52

7:52

“I want you to really deepen into what this experience could be like. What would it be like to hold the book in your hands?” This episode is last part of a 9-part mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses her method to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In this fi…

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132. Launch and publish your novel (Step 7) (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap) 6:07

5M ago6:07

6:07

“There's a lot of ways to launch a book. And you get to decide what is the way that feels the best for you.” This episode is part of a mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses the method she developed to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In “Launch and publish y…

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131. Trust-Your-Heart Marketing (Step 6) 8:52

6M ago8:52

8:52

“It helped me see that marketing is really about you offering your gift, your book, which is your gift.“ In "Trust-Your-Heart Marketing (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap, Step 6)" podcast host Beth Barany explores how sharing your story can create meaningful change, provides tools to help clarify your values, and examines the emotional impact you …

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130. Take 2-95! Revise for your readers. Writing is rewriting. (Step 5) 8:20

6M ago8:20

8:20

“We write for ourselves, And we revise for our readers.” In “Take 2-95! Revise for your readers. Writing is rewriting. (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap, Step 5)" How To Write The Future podcast host, Beth Barany focuses on the art and craft of revising and editing your novel and shares key tips on how to approach your messy first draft, from word…

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129. Take 1. Write Your Messy First Draft. (Step 4) 6:14

6M ago6:14

6:14

“Give yourself an opportunity to be perfectly imperfect.” This episode is part of a mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses the method she developed to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In “Take 1. Write Your Messy First Draft. (Trust Your Creative Heart Roadma…

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128. Story Development (Step 3) 8:31

6M ago8:31

8:31

“Get to know your characters and really understand how they perceive the world. So that you can write the book in their voice.” In this latest episode of How To Write the Future, host Beth Barany continues to guide listeners through her Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap as she explores step 3 and discusses the different types of writers, core eleme…

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127. Writing practice. "I can do this." (Step 2) 7:02

7M ago7:02

7:02

“To write a novel, you really need to be able to already be able to sit down and write. Even if it's just a little bit at a time.” This episode is part of a mini-series based on the “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap” where Beth Barany discusses the method she developed to help writers go from idea to published science fiction and fantasy novel. In…

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126. You are Here: Take an Assessment and Clarify Your Goals (Step 1) 6:32

7M ago6:32

6:32

“I help you go from idea to finished science fiction or fantasy novel that you are proud of.” How To Write the Future host, Beth Barany kicks off her first episode based on her Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap method called, “You are Here: Take an Assessment and Clarify your goals (Step 1)” where she explains why it’s important to clarify your goa…

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125. Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers 7:50

7M ago7:50

7:50

“I really recommend that you trust your own style and voice. Don't let anyone tell you that what you are trying to do is wrong or bad, or that you're wrong or bad for doing it. Trust yourself, trust your heart.” In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, “Trust Your Creative Heart Roadmap for Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers (Ep. 125…

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124. Interview with BookFunnel creator Damon Courtney, part 2 16:00

7M ago16:00

16:00

“I want you to own the relationship with your reader. It should be your website they're buying on, not mine. So they're buying on your website. They're experiencing your process.” -- Damon Courtney In “Interview with BookFunnel creator Damon Courtney, part 2” How To Write the Future podcast host, Beth Barany continues her interview with Damon Court…

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123. Interview with Bookfunnel creator Damon Courtney, part 1 16:34

8M ago16:34

16:34

“I set out really just to write myself a set of instructions that I could give to readers who joined my list. And ended up building BookFunnel.” -- Damon Courtney In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, “Interview with Bookfunnel creator Damon Courtney” host, Beth Barany interviews Bookfunnel creator Damon Courtney where Damon shares the i…

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122. Interview with Science Fiction Western novelist, Rachael Clarke, Part 2 12:32

8M ago12:32

12:32

“What I'll tell people is to find your writing group, find your writing family.” -- R.A. Clarke In this episode, “Interview with Science Fiction Western novelist, Rachael Clarke, Part 2 Part 2” podcast host Beth Barany continues her interview with Rachael Clarke where they discuss Rachael’s writing process, including one of the biggest points of st…

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121. Interview with Science Fiction Western Novelist, Rachael Clarke, Part 1 13:04

8M ago13:04

13:04

“I'm passionate about sci-fi and I was thinking, I just I love horses so much, and I started thinking, what would horses be like in the future? What does that look like? What would happen? My brain started like kind of spiraling and brainstorming with this, what would a horse be like in the future?” -- R.A. Clarke In this episode, “Interview with W…

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120. Using Games to Design our Futures with Randy Lubin, part 2 16:03

8M ago16:03

16:03

“I know for me what I'm working on, especially at the beginning of creating a story I'm asking, because stories have to have escalating conflict, I ask: What is the worst thing that could happen now to my dear lovely character? And now what?What's worse than that? And what's worse than that? And that's how I build my plot.” -- Beth Barany In this e…

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119. Using Games to Design our Futures with Randy Lubin, part 1 13:20

8M ago13:20

13:20

“I think games are excellent at building intuition for complex systems, and if you're trying to think through the future, trying to get a grasp of the system dynamics and second order effects and points of leverage are all super helpful.” --Randy Lubin In this episode of How To Write the Future podcast, host Beth Barany interviews game designer and…

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118. Dealing with Perfectionism, Interview with Melissa Dinwiddie, part 3 16:20

9M ago16:20

16:20

“If you are having fun and you're playing and you're experimenting, it is all gonna feed into what you're doing.” -- Melissa Dinwiddie In this How To Write the Future episode, “Dealing with Perfectionism, Interview with Melissa Dinwiddie, part 3” podcast host Beth Barany wraps up her interview with former professional artist and trained improviser,…

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117. Let's Play A Game, Interview with Melissa Dinwiddie, Part 2 12:28

9M ago12:28

12:28

“I'm leading people through some kind of an activity. So often when I tell people that I use play-based methods, or particularly if I tell people that I use improv, they will often jump to the conclusion that I'm doing some kind of role playing.” -- Melissa Dinwiddie In this How To Write the Future episode, “Let's Play A Game, Interview with Meliss…

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116. Bring Improv to Your Life, Interview with Melissa Dinwiddie, Part 1 18:53

9M ago18:53

18:53

“So every day after breakfast, I lead these creative catalyzing sessions, which is basically a bunch of improv games to get people laughing and moving. And people will say often that it's their favorite part of the retreat.“ --Melissa Dinwiddie In this latest How To Write the Future episode, “Bring Improv to Your Life, Interview with Melissa Dinwid…

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115. How to bring magical elements into your contemporary story (Q&A) 6:39

9M ago6:39

6:39

“It's very common in the urban fantasy genre for there to be a group of magical beings of various kinds.” In the latest How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany answers a question from a listener on “How to bring magical elements into your contemporary story (Q&A)” and shares what elements to consider. Beth also shares about her gift, the …

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114. How do I rein in all my ideas? (Q&A) 5:15

10M ago5:15

5:15

“Do you need to think bigger? Do you need to think of a map that would encompass all of your story worlds, and maybe they're all connected.” In this How To Write the Future episode, “How do I rein in all my ideas? (Q&A),” host Beth Barany answers a listener’s question on how to manage so many ideas for your story and hint: it has something to do wi…

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113. Where to insert backstory (Q&A) 6:13

10M ago6:13

6:13

“You want the reader to experience backstory from the perspective of your point of view character, who is living in the present and responding and going after their goal and accounting obstacles.“ In this podcast episode of How To Write The Future, host Beth Barany answers a question from a listener on where and how to add the backstory in your nov…

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112. How do I know if I’ve added too many details to my novel? (Q&A) 5:38

10M ago5:38

5:38

“How do you tell if there are too many details? It all comes down to the reader experience. What is the reader experience that you want your readers to have?” In this episode of How To Write The Future podcast, host Beth Barany answers a question from a historical romance writer about how to strike the right balance of detail in your novel and how …

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111. The Challenge of Imagining Thrutopias with Jennifer Browdy, Pt. 2 of 2 12:25

10M ago12:25

12:25

“I think maintaining our own individual health is a really important part of being able to contribute to broader social health.” -- Jennifer Browdy In this latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, host Beth Barany continues her conversation with Jennifer Browdy, PhD Professor of Comparative Literature & Media Arts, publisher of Green Fire Pr…

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110. The Challenge of Imagining Thrutopias with Jennifer Browdy, Pt. 1 of 2 13:51

11M ago13:51

13:51

“Human creativity, the amazing thing about it is that we can come up with a thought that's never been thought before. We have these dreams that come to us that are totally unique and nobody but each one of us can have that particular perspective tied into our life experience and our culture and our location and who we are uniquely.“ — Jennifer Brow…

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109. Interview with Michael Kilman, Co-Author of Build Better Worlds, part 2 of 2 14:44

11M ago14:44

14:44

“Every culture is telling different stories to some degree. And when we share our each other's stories and we read and learn and engage and practice empathy, then we stand a better chance of understanding the ways in which our diversity is a tool for the future.” --Michael Kilman Follows on from the mini-series where host of the How To Write The Fu…

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108. Interview with Michael Kilman, Co-Author of Build Better Worlds, part 1 of 2 11:21

11M ago11:21

11:21

“I think if you're writing truthfully, because that's what we're trying to do a lot of times as author, telling a good story, but being honest in our writing and in terms of the human experience, I think it really helps to have some sort of guidepost for how do we build these human experiences?” -- Michael Kilman Following on from the mini series w…

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107. The Name of the Game is Change 8:24

11M ago8:24

8:24

“I want to encourage you to have it rooted in heart. In fact, I bet you, it already is. What you care about is what you're writing about. So, Where is the heart in your work?” In “The Name of the Game is Change” episode, novelist and podcaster, Beth Barany, reflects on her two-year anniversary of How To Write the Future podcast and shares what she …

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106. Books to films: Why the Switch 11:26

11M ago11:26

11:26

“Humans have been shaping culture from the very beginning. And we are obviously continuing to do so even today. And. I really believe that through the stories we tell ourselves, through the stories we tell each other through our art and all the mediums of art, we're actually impacting what is possible for the human race, for human culture, and in a…