Imaginary Worlds

One Piece's top-notch creator, Eiichiro Oda, combines humor with emotional gut punches, emphasizing tragic backstories. Shannon Strucci, Jordan Silva, Steve Yurko, and Daniel Dockery explore how fans relate to characters' fantastical yet relatable storylines.

My guests from the previous episode, Carolyne Larrington and Ada Palmer, had so many interesting things to say about Norse mythology and how much of it is still a mystery to us, I decided to compile sections of their interviews in this bonus episode of outtakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guests Ada Palmer and Carolyne Larrington discuss the impact of Norse mythology on modern fantasy, the misinterpretation of Norse myths, the portrayal of Thor in pop culture, and the relevance of Viking values in our world. They also explore the depiction of Norse mythology in films and the reflection of fragility in ancient stories.

Authors Kritika H. Rao, Shveta Thakrar, Roshani Chokshi, and Ram V discuss the challenges of incorporating Hindu mythology into their fantasy books for a Western audience. They share their favorite deities, the Hindu comics they grew up reading, and the questions they've faced about who gets to tell their stories. They explore themes of love transcending lifetimes, the power of mythology in storytelling, and the conflicts between religion and creativity. They also discuss the complexities of Hindu mythology and its portrayal in fantasy worlds.

Authors Alexandra West and Dahlia Schweitzer discuss the portrayal of haunted homes in movies and its connection to the real anxieties of home ownership. They explore the economic desperation behind buying unaffordable houses and critique the lack of diversity in the genre. The podcast also delves into the factors contributing to the haunted housing market and its reflection in haunted house movies. Realtor Cindi Hagley shares her experiences selling haunted houses and the need for compassion. The episode concludes with a chilling paranormal encounter recounted by Cindy.

John Roesch is a legend in the field of foley sound effects. He mastered the art of creating bespoke sound effects using props or just his body on films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Back to the Future, Frozen, Toy Story, The Matrix, The Dark Knight, Inception, and much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And John was at the forefront of a revolution in foley sound effects starting with his work on classic Lucas and Spielberg films. We talk about the art of acting with props, the challenge of building upon sounds in an established universe like Star Wars, how they found the sound of Thor’s hammer, the grind of playing Batman’s body double in a video game, and the famous sci-fi film he wished he had worked on.Today's episode is brought to you by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh.com/50imaginary and use the code 50imaginary for 50% off plus 15% off the next 2 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

35 years ago, Doug Naylor co-created a sitcom called Red Dwarf; Red Dwarf's challenging success with the mix of sci-fi and comedy; The introduction to the main characters of the show; The difficulties in casting and the importance of chemistry; Character development and favorite episodes including Camille and Meltdown; The successful revival of Red Dwarf; The challenges of returning to the show after a break; The strong chemistry among the actors and the show's popularity among younger audiences; Discussions about potential future revivals and a TV film with the cast as fictional versions of themselves.

Discover a list of unsung gems of sci-fi and fantasy, including The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Odyssey 5, Spaced, Erik the Viking, John Carter, Centaurworld, and Wendell & Wild. Dive into the beauty and cancellation of Dark Crystal, the cult following of Spaced, the appreciation of film adaptations, the themes in Centaur World, and the frustrations working on Wendell & Wild.

The podcast explores the disappointment felt by fans when their favorite TV shows are cancelled, highlighting specific examples like Firefly and Carnival. It also discusses the impact of cancellation on the audience and the challenges faced by creators. The chapter explores different shows, including The Owl House and Penny Dreadful, and reflects on the frustration of disappointing endings. It also touches on the joy of watching favorites and the phenomenon of unsung gems.

Who wouldn’t want a fairy godmother to solve our problems with the flick of a magic wand? We know that’s not a healthy fantasy and yet, fairy godmothers aren’t going away. In fact, they’ve been proliferating in contemporary fantasy novels and reinterpretations of Cinderella. But they don’t look or act like you might expect. I talk with Butler University lecturer Jeana Jorgensen and PhD student Abigail Fine about the origin of fairy godmothers and why they’re ripe for reimagining. And I talk with author Gail Caron Levine about her groundbreaking novel Ella Enchanted, which broke the mold on fairy tales. Featuring readings from Aliza Pearl.Jeana Jorgensen's latest book is Fairy Tales 101: An Accessible Introduction to Fairy Tales.In this episode we discussed Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron and Kissing the Witch by Emma Donahue. Other contemporary novels with fairy godmother-type characters include Geekerella by Ashley Poston, Shadows on The Moon by Zoe Marriott, Ash by Malinda Lo, Ash & Bramble by Sarah Prineas, and Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices