
The Worldbuilder's Tavern
At The Worldbuilder's Tavern podcast, we like to kick back with a drink and chat about the storytelling in science fiction and fantasy books, movies, and TV shows. Your hosts are three nerds—writer Emma Maione, editor Allison Alexander, and academic Christiana Jones—who love breaking down tropes, examining plot, and questioning the status quo. If you write novels or just enjoy discussions about worldbuilding, you're in the right place.
Latest episodes

May 10, 2023 • 38min
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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Apr 26, 2023 • 48min
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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Apr 12, 2023 • 37min
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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Mar 29, 2023 • 35min
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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Mar 15, 2023 • 26min
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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Mar 1, 2023 • 33min
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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Feb 15, 2023 • 36min
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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Feb 1, 2023 • 36min
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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Jan 18, 2023 • 29min
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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Jan 4, 2023 • 26min
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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