Janet Forbes, co-founder of World Anvil, podcaster, and author, joins a discussion delving into the fascinating concept of 'Golden Ages'. They explore how these periods are perceived, from prosperity to oppression, highlighting examples like La Belle Époque and the Pax Romana. The conversation also tackles the complexities of conspicuous consumption and the subjective nature of nostalgia, challenging idealized views of the past. Moreover, they investigate how cultural artifacts reflect varying perspectives on these golden periods across generations.

Sean Fallon, CEO of Smunchy Games, joins the discussion with Adam, Red, and Ianara to dive into the captivating world of creature design in tabletop RPGs. They explore how marketing research shapes storytelling, touching on the roles of nostalgia and innovation. Fallon emphasizes the importance of subverting traditional tropes for richer narratives. The group humorously critiques cat characters in fantasy, discusses the significance of mythical creatures like gargoyles, and reflects on personal experiences with dragons in media, all while celebrating the intricacies of world-building.

Former Writing Cartel Discord Server moderator, Devin Pigman, joins hosts to discuss magic systems in fantasy. They share favorite systems, creating their own, and best practices. Cathy suggests a second axis for magic system discussions. The episode explores the intricacies of magic in storytelling and role-playing games, emphasizing unique creation and alignment with narrative context.

Jacob Waterman, lead game designer at Smunchy Games and President of Nerdolopedia, joins the hosts to discuss organizing and running tabletop RPG campaigns. They explore different approaches, creating memorable campaign themes, using organizational tools, integrating world building into campaign planning, creating unique encounters, and the joy of player reactions.

Emory, a dark fiction enthusiast, joins Taylor, an expert on trauma in storytelling, Inky, who navigates violence and hope, and Adam, who highlights hope in darker narratives. They explore what makes dark fiction resonate, discussing the balance between violence and hope in storytelling. The team dives into how humor can coexist with fear, the emotional weight of character arcs, and the necessity of hope amidst despair. They argue that, even in grim tales, there’s room for transformative experiences that evoke resilience and moral complexity.

Tim Hickson from Hello Future Me joins the hosts to discuss weaving themes into world-building. They explore adding mythical elements to modern America, delving into class divides in 'The Great Gatsby', and embracing flexibility in creating fictional worlds. The conversation also covers the importance of incorporating meaningful themes in creative work.

Adam, B.H. Pierce (Hexarch), Red, and our guest Chris Solo, founder of the Fabled 42 network discuss the usefulness of maps, as well as the drawbacks they present. Learn about the first known map created for fiction, become inspired by their ramblings, and steal their ideas for a story about a cartographer who illustrates the map throughout the story! This episode was edited by Enrico Carli.

Angela Abreu, Creative director of the Dominican Writer’s Alliance, discusses the importance of representation in literature and challenges faced by authors of color. They explore cultural contrasts in storytelling, frustrations with high school literature curriculum, and the power of self-publishing. Insights on publishing and social media round up the engaging conversation.

Join Inky, Emory, Lizy, and Red as they unravel the fascinating tapestry of clothing in storytelling. They discuss how garments shape character development and reflect cultural values, diving deep into the significance of costume design in film and literature. The conversation examines the evolution of corsets, the art of undergarments, and how vibrant colors symbolize class differences. They also highlight the challenges of representing scent in narratives and champion inclusivity in textile arts. It's a colorful exploration of fashion's narrative power!

Nicholas Eames, author of 'Kings of the Wyld' and 'Bloody Rose,' shares his insights on success in writing. He delves into the balance between personal fulfillment and commercial appeal, encouraging writers to set achievable goals. The discussion touches on the influence of childhood literature on crafting stories and the significance of blending genres in fantasy. Eames also emphasizes authenticity in LGBTQ+ representation and the evolving landscape of storytelling, highlighting humor's role and the importance of creating relatable narratives.