
Intentionally Blank
Join bestselling authors Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells as they search for the perfect podcast name and talk about the weird things they love—such as food heists, the perfect popcorn salt, and whether any art can truly be perfect. Listen for commentary on movies, TV shows, books, video games, and wherever else their conversation leads them.
Latest episodes

7 snips
Sep 18, 2024 • 32min
Who's Your Elden Ring Waifu? — Intentionally Blank Ep. 172
Dive into playful debates about marrying your waifu in Elden Ring and the intricacies of Sudafed regulations. Laugh along as they uncover the bizarre $1.5 million chicken wing heist and its quirky characters. The conversation also touches on unique salt collections and the hosts' blind playthrough of Elden Ring, packed with explosive potion strategies. Plus, reflections on a Mediterranean cruise and the film industry's resurgence post-pandemic keep the banter lively and entertaining!

20 snips
Sep 12, 2024 • 30min
Losing Your Audience - Intentionally Blank Ep. 171
Brandon Sanderson, an acclaimed fantasy author, and Dan Wells, a popular thriller writer, dive into the intricacies of storytelling. They discuss how authorial intrusion can break immersion, with examples from films and literature. The duo highlights the joy of spotting character actors and how familiar faces impact viewer experience. They also analyze the quirks of fictional devices, like 555 phone numbers, and the challenges of word choice in fantasy writing, emphasizing the importance of cultural nuances and thoughtful details in world-building.

12 snips
Sep 4, 2024 • 34min
Intentionally Gifted — Intentionally Blank Ep. 170
Brandon Sanderson, a renowned fantasy author, teams up with Dan Wells, a celebrated author in horror and speculative fiction. They delve into the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in Disney films with humor and insight. The joy of gifting leads to nostalgic anecdotes about fan connections and celebrations. Their love for role-playing games takes center stage, along with engaging discussions on patent law in gaming. They also share their passion for LEGO, imagining creative designs inspired by their works, adding a playful twist to their engaging conversation.

8 snips
Aug 28, 2024 • 31min
Young Adult Publishing Vs Adult Publishing w/ Brandon Mull — Intentionally Blank Ep. 169
Brandon Sanderson, a bestselling author known for his epic fantasies, and Brandon Mull, celebrated for his children's literature, delve into the vast differences between young adult and adult publishing. They share candid tales of navigating feedback from editors, revealing how emotional the editing process can be. The duo discusses balancing artistic integrity with commercial demands and their experiences collaborating with publishers. With humor, they explore the challenges faced when transitioning beloved stories into trilogies and the impact of market trends on publishing.

9 snips
Aug 21, 2024 • 29min
My Thoughts on Oppenheimer.... w/ Brandon Mull — Intentionally Blank Ep. 168
Brandon Mull, a bestselling author known for enchanting young readers with fantasy adventures, joins in to discuss the film 'Oppenheimer' with Brandon Sanderson. They dive into Christopher Nolan's unique storytelling techniques and his refusal to rely on CGI. The conversation explores the intricacies of sound and music in film, as well as the disparity in recognition between superhero and dramatic performances. They also analyze the achievements of the highest-grossing directors, pondering the art of cinematic storytelling and its moral dilemmas.

12 snips
Aug 14, 2024 • 31min
The Price of Creation w/ Brandon Mull — Intentionally Blank Ep. 167
In this engaging sit-down, Brandon Mull, the acclaimed author behind the Fablehaven series, joins fellow fantasy novelist Brandon Sanderson. They share humorous book signing stories and discuss the evolution of author events from simple signings to lively launch parties. Mull and Sanderson delve into the price of creativity, addressing the sacrifices authors make in their journeys. Their banter also touches on family life, reading habits, and their recent adventures in Hawaii, offering a delightful mix of personal anecdotes and writing insights.

9 snips
Aug 7, 2024 • 40min
What Makes a Good Villain? — Intentionally Blank Ep. 166
The hosts kick off with a hilarious tale of avocado thieves, blending comedy with serious themes. They then dive into what truly makes a compelling villain, analyzing iconic characters like Gollum and Captain Hook. Visual design and character depth take center stage, as they dissect monsters from movies and discuss how their design can sometimes overshadow narrative. The conversation flows through the evolution of beloved villains, exploring their origins and cultural impact while maintaining a witty and engaging tone throughout.

Jul 31, 2024 • 33min
The Future of Gaming — Intentionally Blank Ep. 165
Brandon Sanderson, an acclaimed fantasy author, joins Dan Wells, a master of horror and science fiction, to discuss the evolution of gaming. They reflect on the impact of youth gaming habits and the nostalgia of the Wii era. Virtual reality intrigues them, especially its potential beyond entertainment, while they critique the exploitative nature of mobile gaming. Recommendations for quality mobile games emerge, alongside a discussion on the balancing act between productivity and gaming. Their insights blend personal anecdotes with thoughtful commentary on the gaming landscape.

Jul 24, 2024 • 33min
The Console Wars — Intentionally Blank Ep. 164
Authors Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells discuss the history of gaming, including the rivalry between Nintendo and Sega, memories of classic video games, evolution of consoles, childhood friendships, and design challenges in gaming.

Jul 17, 2024 • 34min
The Origin Of Gaming — Intentionally Blank Ep. 163
Bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson and Dan Wells reminisce about their favorite arcade games. They discuss the puzzle-like formulas in Nolan movies and reflect on the evolution of gaming from arcades to home consoles. The conversation covers flawed arcade incentives, timer mechanics, and the nostalgic rise and fall of arcades versus home gaming.