

Exolore: facts-based fictional worldbuilding
Multitude
Have you ever wondered what life would be like on a planet different from our own, or how writers create your favorite fictional worlds? Well, wonder no more because we have the facts for you! Every other week, astrophysicist/folklorist Moiya McTier explores fictional worlds by building them with a panel of expert guests, interviewing professional worldbuilders, or reviewing the merits of worlds that have already been built. You'll learn, you'll laugh, and you'll gain an appreciation for how special our planet really is.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 14, 2023 • 56min
Rerun: Building languages with Dr. Jessie Sams
Moiya returns to her conversation about constructing languages. They talk mouth and nose shapes, the relevance of trees, and the brain-melting subject of sentence word order in different languages. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUESTS
Dr. Jessie Sams is a linguist and conlanger who has helped make languages for shows including Motherland: Fort Salem and Vampire Academy. MESSAGES Listen to TELL ME ABOUT IT every other THursday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 30, 2023 • 56min
Rerun: Building a Three-Parent World
A sociologist, a biologist, and an astrophysicist walk into a zoom room and discuss what it would be like if everyone had three parents. Here's a hint: it gets complicated real fast. We discuss speculative science, the difficulty of large collaborations, mating types, and ~bedroom activity~ HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUESTS Dr. Tamara van der Does is a computational sociologist who studies how environment shapes beliefs and identity. You can learn about her work on her website tamaravanderdoes.com and follow her on twitter at @tam_does. Dr. Albert Kao is a biologist who studies collective decision making. Learn about his work and his lab at thekaolab.com and follow him on twitter at @albert_kao. MESSAGES Listen to GAMES & FEELINGS every Friday Design your own mini statues at heroforge.com
HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 16, 2023 • 59min
Rerun: Building Cultures
What does it take to build a fictional culture from scratch? How can you respectfully draw inspiration from real-world cultures? Two anthropologists join me to share their tips! HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUESTS Dr. Carole McGranahan is an anthropology professor at UC Boulder. You can follow her work on her website. Liam Gleason is a PhD candidate in evolutionary anthropology at ASU. You can follow them on twitter at @anthro_outlier and stay up to date with their work at their website. Liam also founded anthroillustrated, which provides free digital illustrations of diverse anthropologists. MESSAGES Listen to SPIRITS every Wednesday Design your own mini statues at heroforge.com
HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 2, 2023 • 58min
Rerun: World of Migrating Spider Crocs
What causes seasons on Earth? Our planet's axial tilt! But what might life be like on a world with no tilt at all? HOSTED by Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUESTS Maureen Kahiu is a Masters student of plant sciences at Penn State with a focus on turf grass pathology. She also has experience working as a golf course supervisor, a field dominated by men. You can follow Maureen on twitter at @MaureenKahiu. Ferris Jabr is a science writer who has contributed to the New York Times and Scientific American. He's also currently writing a book about the coevolution of Earth and life! You can follow Ferris on twitter at @ferrisjabr and learn more about his work at ferrisjabr.com
SPONSORS Get high-quality puzzles at Ravensburger.us
HOUSEKEEPING Listen to BIG GAME HUNGER every Monday Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 19, 2023 • 56min
World of compassionate feather squid
Moiya is joined by squid scientist Dr. Diana Li to imagine a marine world where everyone gets to find their own meaning of life... and it gives them magic powers! Did you know squid brains are shaped like donuts?!! HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Diana Li is a science communicator and public engagement expert who studied the neurophysiology and biomechanics of squid swimming. Follow her on social at @dianateuthis and check out her website dianahli.com MESSAGES Listen to JOIN THE PARTY every Tuesday Design your own mini statues at heroforge.com
HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 5, 2023 • 1h
World of Grumpy Mutant Bony Crabs
Moiya is joined by lung scientist/cancer researcher Em Costa to imagine a world that is annoying, but not dangerous to its inhabitants. They end up creating a crabby species who need to be near each other, but complain about it all the time. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Em Costa is a lung scientist who studies genes related to cancer. She's also a trivia host and 1/3 of the Facts Machine Podcast team. Find her on twitter at @_emcosta HOUSEKEEPING Listen to Moiya's astronomy podcast PALE BLUE POD every Monday Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 24, 2023 • 57min
World of gentle capybaras
Moiya is joined by bestselling author Alyssa Cole, who wanted to imagine a world inhabited by giant gentle rodents. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Alyssa Cole is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of romance and thrillers like When No One is Watching, An Extraordinary Union, and A Princess in Theory. SPONSORS Design your own mini statue at heroforge.com
Get high-quality puzzles at Ravensburger.us
HOUSEKEEPING Join the Multicrew at Multicrew.club
Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sep 7, 2023 • 59min
World of water and magma whales
Moiya is joined by geneticist Dr. Alex Dainis to imagine a friendly world where life evolved two separate times. They talk DNA, folklore around food, crystals storing information, and wide-orbiting moons. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Alex is a geneticist and science communicator on all the platforms. Find her on social at @alex.dainis and watch her new PBSDS show Hungry Planet on PBS Terra! MIDBREAK Listen to Tell Me About It every other Thursday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 24, 2023 • 54min
Analyzing Janelle Monae's New Dawn
Moiya is joined by biochemist Dr. Anicca Harriot to discuss Janelle Monae's multi-media afrofuturistic worldbuilding. They talk about Monae's inspiration and New Dawn nuances, while mostly gushing about how talented Monae is. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Anicca Harriot is a biochemist, molecular biologist, and chief of community development at Vanguard STEM. Follow her at @13adh13. MIDBREAK Join the Multicrew at multicrew.club
HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Aug 10, 2023 • 59min
World inside a brain
Moiya is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Paula Croxson for a trippy exercise where they imagine the "world" of an animal brain. It doesn't get as weird as you might expect. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Paula Croxson is a neuroscientist, storyteller, and science engagement expert. Learn about her work at paulacroxson.com or @paulacroxson MIDBREAK Listen to Tiny Matters from the American Chemical Society every other Wednesday Listen to Queer Movie Podcast every other Thursday HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/9781538754153/
BUY EXOLORE SWAG: store.dftba.com/collections/exolore
FIND US ONLINE patreon: patreon.com/exolorepod
twitter: twitter.com/ExolorePod
instagram: instagram.com/exolorepod
website: exolorepod.com
subreddit: reddit.com/r/ExolorePod
CREDITS Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Cover art: Stephen J. Reisig, http://stephenjreisig.com/
Editing: Mischa Stanton, https://www.mischastanton.com/ ABOUT US How would you like to swim in an ocean ruled by matriarchal squid, or fly over a planet as it rotates with a swarm of migrating wasps? No, it's not the latest VR craze (... yet); it's Exolore! Exolore helps you imagine other worlds with the help of facts and science. Every other week, host Dr. Moiya McTier invites experts to build a world from scratch or sits down with a fiction fan to dive deep into their favorite worlds. Every episode will make you laugh, go "huh?" and appreciate how special our world really is. Exolore is a member of Multitude Productions, an independent podcast collective and production studio.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.