Best Merle And Dante Podcasts (2025)

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#90 - Fan Prompts! Slippery Cities & The Eldritch Elderly 45:30

16d ago45:30

45:30

It's time to close out Season 8, at long last! Join us as we tackle fan-submitted wordbuilding prompts, provided by listeners like you :D

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#89 - Storytelling in a World of Green! ft. The Wildsea 54:14

1M ago54:14

54:14

How would you adapt to a world drowned in endless greenery? Today we tackle the challenge of navigating the realm of "The Wildsea", a setting where travel is nigh impossible except for the most innovative of explorers. Prompt: Travel gets dangerous! How do you protect what matters most?

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#88 - Decay, & The Little Guy Problem 42:44

2M ago42:44

42:44

Time is a slow and deadly killer, and the world changes even as no one is looking. Today we talk through the impact of decay on stories and settings, and why the untold stories of long-since-lost artifacts are so "steeped with stuff" to be curious about. Today's Prompt: Explorers find a rotted locale, and a single curiosity that surely isn't the pr…

1
#87 - Ability Scores, & Other Game Design Ramblings 41:00

4M ago41:00

41:00

A blur of an episode as we talk about designing games with intent, and how "ability scores" play a role in that - how do game designers convey themes and genre through the mechanical aspects of their game? Prompt: What if everyone had their highest ability score floating above their head?

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#86 - The Good Kind of Sad, & The Wedding Crash 48:33

5M ago48:33

48:33

Tragedy is a tale as old as time. How do we write melancholy in a satisfying and meaningful way? How far can we push tragedy before we lose the favor of the reader or audience? In this episode, we discuss what makes sadness "good" and how to use it to enhance our storytelling. Prompt: Start and end a (sad) story with the same sentence.…

1
#85 - Fan Prompts! Camp Crusades & Critter Unions 51:35

6M ago51:35

51:35

One of the more unhinged episodes of ours, surely - welcome back to fan prompts, where we take your one-sentence ideas and improv with them off the deep end!

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#84 - Death Games, & The Cost of The Fight 37:45

6M ago37:45

37:45

Twenty contestant, one prize, and a brutal path to victory - sound familiar? The thrill and horror of a well-written "death game" resonates in a morbidly exciting way. Why are we intrigued with these type of plotlines, and what themes does it distort? What is unique about this plotline that ultimately always leads to revolution? Prompt: Create your…

1
#83 - Immortality, & The Color of Life 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

We've got a sleepy episode today about immortality! We're specifically focusing on the perspective of a timeless being in a world that relentless move forward without them - what values do they hold, how do they carry themselves, and how do they view their fleeting compatriots? All this and more on today's episode of Your Rivers Are Wrong c: Prompt…

1
#82 - Dialogues, & The Strongest-Worded Email 32:01

8M ago32:01

32:01

What goes into a well-written dialogue? Well, it's gotta be snappy but subtle, concise but emotional, and informative but not too informative. It's complicated! Let's break down the nuances of an effective dialogue in all sorts of media, and how you can improve the conversations between multiple characters. Prompt: Write a very conclusive email!…

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#81 - Reputation, & The World's Best Interview 47:38

9M ago47:38

47:38

We're back at it! Jumping into Season 8, we talk about reputation - how does it inform the reader of a world, and how does it function differently in a living, unfinished world as opposed to a published story? Finally, does a reputation drive or inhibit a character's progress? We talk Mistborn, Rebecca, and lots of other updates on ourselves in thi…

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#80 - Fan Prompts! Crab Villains & Good Zombies, Actually 47:28

12M ago47:28

47:28

Welcome to the season finale! We celebrate the close to season 7 (finally) with four fan prompts submitted by you! Join us as we improvise the lives of failed underwater scientists, magic hat dimensions, space refugees and the perks of zombification. All this and more, tune in!

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#79 - Big World, Small Heroes! Improvised Worldbuilding Challenge 42:47

12M ago42:47

42:47

We're back with a big story! The whole episode is a prompt, with the goal to build a world for heroes to explore. We choose the tiniest of adventurers to make our world seem ever larger, and we improv a scene with what we've built! Join us on a haphazard adventure on this episode of Your Rivers Are Wrong.…

1
#78 - Revenge, & The Morning After 34:10

1y ago34:10

34:10

You've waited your whole life for this moment, the pinnacle of justice served...but who am I, to deliver judgment? Today we talk revenge stories! Why they work, why the aftermath is so important, and what it means for characters who journey down that road. Prompt: Describe the morning after revenge.

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#77 - Monsters, Why? & The Maw of the Pond 41:14

1y ago41:14

41:14

Monsters! You know 'em, you love 'em, but why? Today we breakdown the purpose of monsters in literature, how to give meaning to form, and what makes some monsters so memorable. Prompt: Create a monster that lives in a randomly-generated setting.

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#76 - Can Story Exist Without Worldbuilding? & The Watchful Room 32:48

1y ago32:48

32:48

Can worldbuilding and storytelling exist without each other? We dive into examples of each on its own, how they stand alone, and when they demand the presence of the other. A fun dive into truly breaking down the definition of story. Prompt: Describe a scene that involves no people.

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#75 - Fan Prompts! Black Holes & Happy Cultists 39:31

1y ago39:31

39:31

We're cruising through our first Fan Prompts of 2024! Join us as we take on your story ideas from Youtube and Twitter.

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#74 - Power, Structure, & The Loudest Voice 44:54

1+ y ago44:54

44:54

Today! We reflect on a quote from the Grishaverse author Leigh Bardugo, and the establishing of powers in worldbuilding. How do you demonstrate setting through power dynamics, or utilize mystique to get your players invested? A complicated talk on the essence of storytelling that was very fun to dive into. Prompt: "Create a prologue that explains t…

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#73 - Solo Journaling TTRPGs, & A Mundane Gal's Diary 40:35

1+ y ago40:35

40:35

Is a TTRPG really a TTRPG if you play by yourself? Today we discuss the increasingly popular solo journaling genre! A niche within a niche of tabletop games, we break down the boons and banes of a story improvised entirely on your own, and name a couple of our personal recommendations. Prompt: A journal entry of a mundane girl in a magical world.…

1
#72 - War, & Sounds We Never Hear Again 35:46

1+ y ago35:46

35:46

What is it good for? Well if anything, it makes for lasting stories. Why do people write about war, and why do we connect to such tragedies? Today we're examining the literary weight that conflict brings, and the aftermath that inevitably follows. Stick around for one of our favorite prompts ever! Prompt: A slo-mo moment in an intense conflict.…

1
#71 - Session One, & How Not To Do It 47:08

1+ y ago47:08

47:08

You've got your players, your characters, your side-table snacks, everything's primed and ready to begin your awesome adventure. But how do you make sure it goes off without a hitch? We kick off Season 7 with our tips on a successful "Session One" for any tabletop campaign. Prompt: Now again, but notes-less!…

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#70 - Fan Prompts! The Monsters Next Door! 51:54

1+ y ago51:54

51:54

Happy Halloween! We close out Season 6 with a fan-powered prompts episode, tackling the many monsters you all have concocted. Have a wonderful holiday and rest of the year, we will see you again in 2024!

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#69 - Worldbuilding from Past to Present! ft. An Altogether Different River 51:58

1+ y ago51:58

51:58

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#68 - Vessels, Vehicles, & The 30-Year Wish 40:14

1+ y ago40:14

40:14

What is the purpose of a vehicle in a story, or lack thereof? We discuss the surprising gravity of mobility, its link to authority and autonomy, and how to best make use of one in your own writings. We're close to the end, so stick around! Prompt: A genie's plan to escape its lamp.

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#67 - Robots, & Baby Robo's New Gig 41:28

1+ y ago41:28

41:28

Hello, fellow humans! Today we talk robots - how to define them, the potential of their character arcs, and why they are keystone entities in every setting they exist in. This episode gets more and more chaotic as time passes, so stay til the end! Prompt: The first day of a robot's new job!

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#66 - Breadcrumbs, & The Culprit All Along! 38:29

1+ y ago38:29

38:29

Gasp! A old janitor was the mastermind the whole time! Who could've guessed? Well, you did, probably, if you followed the breadcrumbs! Today we discuss the highlights and challenges of setting up meaningful clues, and what it takes to establish a meaningful mystery in an improvised setting. Prompt: The villain is revealed!…

1
#65 - Fan Prompts! Weather Babies and Slenderwolves 40:53

1+ y ago40:53

40:53

Back at it again with fan prompts, written by you! A handful of wacky ones as we do our best to not make all the prompts sky-themed. Join us for this episode of Your Rivers Are Wrong!

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#64 - Wordless Characters, & Now He Speaks 29:29

1+ y ago29:29

29:29

Hello all, this is the sleepy after-vacation episode~ Both of us were super exhausted and decided to talk a little less today, and sticking to the theme, we're discussing silent, mute, and wordless characters! Are there any benefits to a character never speaking, and how do they communicate otherwise? Join us for another laidback episode of Your Ri…

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#63 - LIVE! Travel, & Two Samurai Train Riders 36:59

1+ y ago36:59

36:59

Reporting in from the Netherlands! Dante and Merle meet in-person for the second time ever to talk worldbuilding and storytelling face-to-face. Speaking of travel! Is the journey as important as the destination? How does the accessibility of travel affect the story's pace, and how is travel a measuring stick of power? All this and more in a very sp…

1
#62 - Movement, & The Sick Shredder 45:27

2y ago45:27

45:27

This is the episode we got wildly off-topic! A conversation about movement in media branches off to all sorts of motion in media, soliloquys about subtitles, and the art of implied movement. If you like ramblings tangents, you'll love this episode. Prompt: Make up a story based on a guy famous for his one move!…

1
#61 - Game Masters, & The Perfect Accounting TTRPG 40:17

2y ago40:17

40:17

We're back at it! The dynamic duo is reunited for the formal kickoff of Season 6! We talk shop about the art of game mastering, the importance of collaboration, the challenges of improvisation, and how to tie it all together. Prompt: Pitch me your best campaign idea, using these three randomly generated words!…

1
#60.5 - Folk Horror ft. Cassi Mothwin! 33:56

2y ago33:56

33:56

The first episode of season 6 kicks off with a special guest! We're joined by Cassi Mothwin, esteemed TTRPG author and designer of several award-winning games, and resident expert on the motifs of folk horror. Check out her published work on her website! cassimothwin.com Both Merle and I will be back to formally start the new season next week, so s…

1
Season 6's Exciting News! 2:00

2y ago2:00

2:00

We're back! As the summer cools down, we've got a couple of announcements for you. Our first episode drops August 15th, featuring an interview with TTRPG designer Cassi Mothwin! Episodes will be released weekly every Tuesday following. We've already got a handful of episodes recorded, including a special LIVE episode recorded in Europe! We meet in-…

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#60 - Fan Prompts! Sword-Wielding Dinos & Dead Oceans! 47:32

2y ago47:32

47:32

It's the end of Season 5! Join us in celebrating the start to summer with one-sentence worldbuilding prompts written by you and improvised by us. The prompts just get crazier and crazier, so stick around until the end!

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#59 - Let's Make a Flying City! (and film a chase scene) 46:05

2y ago46:05

46:05

Sometimes we leave the bloopers in. Chaos ensues on this episode of worldbuilding and storytelling, as we collaborate to create a flying city! Where, how, and why does it fly, and what worlds are explored as it journeys across the horizon? Enjoy our full meltdown on this almost-end to season 5 of Your Rivers Are Wrong! Prompt: Make a chase scene in…

1
#58 - Coming of Age, & The Scribe's Last Story 32:37

2y ago32:37

32:37

Adulting! We're all doing it...right? What does it mean to "come of age" in stories and in life? Join us on this very special episode where we talk about growing up in both life and literature, and why that process is different for every person. Prompt: Make a coming-of-age story for the oldest character.…

1
#57 - Session Zero, & The Worst D&D Game 47:17

2y ago47:17

47:17

The internet is full of nightmarish D&D games, terrible DMs and horror story situations. How can you make sure your games are a good fit for your time, energy and storytelling? Well, join us at the transatlantic table to talk about Session Zero, a game-before-the-game that effectively irons out or brings to light problems before you have to experie…

1
#56 - Comedy, Tragedy, and Teddy the Jokester 37:35

2y ago37:35

37:35

Polar opposites, or two sides of the same coin? Books, movies, plays and even actors often choose to prioritize one or the other, but must they exist separately? Or rather, *can* they ever be separated? We talk about personal writing challenges, the mediums within which both are best conveyed, and close on a heartwarming tale of a tragic comedian. …

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#55 - Fan Prompts! Heavy Rain and Heroic Sandwiches 46:05

2y ago46:05

46:05

Every five episodes we tap into fan prompts! One-sentence worldbuilding foundations that blossom into beautiful (sometimes), chaotic (always) stories and setting, written by you!

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#54 - Cliches, and The Most Generic Space Fantasy 40:46

2y ago40:46

40:46

Stop me if you've heard this before - cliches and stereotypes are often frowned on in modern media, but once upon a time every popular idea was seen in full for the first time. There's a reason cliches work, and we break down when you should use cliches in your own stories, and how the mastery of the storyteller comes into play. Prompt: Describe th…

1
#53 - Foils, and the Two Villains, Maybe? 38:17

2y ago38:17

38:17

What's a foil? Originating from a proper metal that refracts light through a gemstone, it's taken on its own meaning in literature. We break down what foils are, how they've been utilized, and how to properly play as a foil when the situation calls for it. The prompt that follows is a strange sort of meltdown you'll have to listen to to understand,…

1
#52 - Sudden Change, & The Star Who Found Himself 37:02

2y ago37:02

37:02

In stories, we speak of change as the driving force of a story. But what if it happens all at once? A drastic shift, a physical transformation, a world-altering moment, or simply a change of clothes - a lot can happen in the blink of an eye. How do stories utilize sudden change to bring color to a plot, and how do their characters respond? Find out…

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#51 - Lasting Impact, & What The Adventurers Left Behind 36:49

2y ago36:49

36:49

We're back! Today we talk about what it means to leave behind an impact! From past to present change, how do we create a world that characters can interface with, and how do we add gravity to their changes? Join us as we kick off Season 5 of Your Rivers Are Wrong! Prompt: The adventurers have come and gone. List three things that have changed about…

1
Your Rivers Are Wrong in "30" Seconds 0:50

2y ago0:50

0:50

Check us out here, or on any other streaming platform, or on Youtube and (sometimes) Twitter!

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#50 - Fan Prompts! It's All Connected! 45:01

2y ago45:01

45:01

This is the end of Season 4! We tie it all up with another episode of fan-submitted prompts, provided by you! Thanks so much for listening, we'll be back in April :D

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#49 - Giants, and the Biggest Hero 39:53

2y ago39:53

39:53

A huge topic for our penultimate episode of Season 4 - we talk giants! Who they are, what they stand for, and how they impact your stories just by existing - a quintessential "monster" personified. Join us as we fee-fi-fumble through another topic and make for ourselves the hero nobody ever expects. Enjoy!…

1
#48 - Building Upwards, and Villains on the Roof! 43:44

2y ago43:44

43:44

Warning: Light Snowpiercer spoilers! All sorts of worldbuilding in this episode, as we tackle the challenges of verticality! How does skyward structure change the landscape of a setting, the dynamics of a community, and the development of hierarchy? And stick around for life tips and unhinged prompt work towards the end, on this episode of Your Riv…

1
#47 - Sports, and The Girl Who Falls 43:21

2+ y ago43:21

43:21

We like sports and we don't care who knows! An unlikely topic for two worldbuilding nerds, but a welcome one. What stories do sports lend themselves towards, and why are they so popular? What is it about sports that naturally builds storylines, and brings out the best in each of the characters involved? We break it down here on Your Rivers Are Wron…

1
#46 - Geniuses, & The Red-Handed Prodigy 39:47

2+ y ago39:47

39:47

The world conspires against us as fire and construction threaten our audio quality, but nonetheless! Another episode drops where Merle introduces the concept of geniuses and prodigies, and the role they play in their respective stories. What does it mean to be highly regarded, and how does one handle the burden of expectations? Prompt: Describe the…

1
#45 - Fan Prompts! Cheese Wizards and Vanishing Dragons 41:52

2+ y ago41:52

41:52

It's that time again! Bringing back the channel's favorite episode, we improvise the prompts you send in! Stick around as we build worlds and stories out of one-sentence ideas, provided by you. Enjoy!

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#44 - The Chase, and Panic at the Plaza 41:29

2+ y ago41:29

41:29

Please listen to this episode, if only for the wild prompt at the end! Today we break down chase scenes, the rise and fall of tension, and how often having less details can amplify a scene. We talk TTRPG debacles, Nicholas Cage, and how drama is poignantly found in the second to moments. Enjoy! Prompt: Paint a chase scene collaboratively.…

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