The Worldbuilder's Tavern is a bi-weekly podcast for sci-fi and fantasy writers. The hosts (writer, makeup artist, and dungeon master Emma Maione; writer and developmental editor Allison Alexander; and marketing manager and academic Christiana Jones) break down the worldbuilding of speculative shows, movies, and books, sharing insights into how creatives can apply professional storytelling techniques to their own projects.
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In this episode, we're talking about deconstructing tropes, dark fairy tales, costs of magic, monsters, and more in the dark fantasy TV show The Witcher. Proprietor's Pick: Foul Days by Genoveva Dimova Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Disc…
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In this episode, we're talking about the novella All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries #1) by Martha Wells. Proprietor's Pick: The Mercy of Gods by James S.A. Corey Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord Access bonus conten…
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In this episode, we're talking about how science and magic intertwine in the Netflix show Arcane. Proprietor's Pick: The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and support us on …
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Worldbuilding Workshop: Building a Magic System
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This season, we're introducing a new type of bonus episodes for our patrons: worldbuilding workshops! In these episodes, the hosts pick an element of a world and build it together. You can use whatever we build for your own stories, or take the questions we ask and build your own. These monthly bonus episodes are exclusive to our Patreon, but the f…
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3.1 Superhero Fiction: The Umbrella Academy
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In this episode, we're talking about superpowers, secret identities, and characterization in the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy. Proprietor's Pick: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord Access …
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Season 3 is coming! We've added a couple new segments and will be talking about worldbuilding through the lens of genre. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and support us on Patreon…
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2.22 Comedy and Characters in Pirates of the Caribbean
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In this episode, we're talking about humour, character arcs, prologues, pirate mythology, and more in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Proprietor's Pick: The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | …
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2.21 Mechs and Feminism in Iron Widow
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In this episode, we're talking about mechs, feminism, disability representation, and more in the novel Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. Proprietor's Pick: A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | D…
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In this episode, we're talking about nanofibers, science as a weapon, and supercomputers in the TV show 3 Body Problem. Proprietor's Pick: Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access b…
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In this episode, we're talking about science gone haywire, confusing vs. interesting worldbuilding, and tension in the TV show 3 Body Problem. Proprietor's Pick: Exordia by Seth Dickinson Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord…
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In this episode, we're talking about sense of place, metaphor, mythology, and symbolism in the movie Song of the Sea. Proprietor's Pick: The Selkie's Daughter by Linda Crotta Brennan Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Ac…
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In this episode, we're talking about writing a story based on a theme, age categories, oppressive systems, and utopian societies in the novella Pet by Akwaeke Emezi. Proprietor's Pick: Hell Followed With Us by Andrew Joseph White Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok…
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In this episode, we're talking about factions, over-the-top worldbuilding, and retro-futurism in the TV show (based on the video game) Fallout. Proprietor's Pick: Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord…
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In this episode, we're talking about humour, morality, and the afterlife in the TV show The Good Place. Proprietor's Pick: How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content…
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2.14 Gods, Realms, and Portals with Trudie Skies
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In this episode, we're chatting with author Trudie Skies about deities, races, domains, magic, and expansive worldbuilding in The Thirteenth Hour, a gaslamp adult fantasy and the first in The Cruel Gods series. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Acce…
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2.13 Environment in Princess Mononoke
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In this episode, we're chatting about historical worldbuilding, weirdness, anti-capitalism, and ecological themes in the Studio Ghibli movie Princess Mononoke. Proprietor's Pick: Godkiller by Hannah Kaner Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Acce…
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In this episode, we're chatting about situational humour, aliens, montages, and time loops in the movie Edge of Tomorrow. Proprietor's Pick: The Misfit Soldier by Michael Mammay Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and support us o…
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2.11 Blood Magic in Heartless Hunter (with Kristen Ciccarelli)
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In this episode, we're chatting with author Kristen Ciccarelli about blood magic, witches, and witch hunters in Heartless Hunter, the YA fantasy romance inspired by the The Scarlet Pimpernel. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and supp…
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2.10 Adaptable Storytelling in Baldur's Gate 3
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In this episode, we're chatting about worldbuilding in the shadows, how actions matter, and adaptable storytelling in the video game Baldur's Gate 3. Proprietor's Pick: The West Passage by Jared Pechaček Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus cont…
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2.9 Religion, spirits, and dark magic in Vespertine (with Margaret Rogerson)
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In this episode, we're chatting with author Margaret Rogerson about religion, spirits, and dark magic in the YA fantasy novel Vespertine. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and support us on Patreon Find Margaret Rogerson at margaretro…
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2.8 Stitchpunk, Giant Worlds, and Gender Dimorphism in 9
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In this episode, we're chatting about the worldbuilding in the movie 9. Proprietor's Pick: The Last Human by Lee Bacon Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and support us on Patreon
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2.7 Superpowers and Society in My Hero Academia
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Listen in as we chat about superpowers and superhero society, having a large cast, and female characters in the anime My Hero Academia. Proprietor's Pick: Saving Fable by Scott Reintgen Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content and support us on Patre…
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2.6 Worldbuilding in The Book Eaters (with Sunyi Dean)
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We've got fantasy author Sunyi Dean with us on this week's episode of the podcast! Listen in as we chat about her 2022 debut novel, The Book Eaters, how to decide what worldbuilding details to include and what to cut, oppressive societies, the goal of your story, and the power of books. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit th…
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2.5 Comedy in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
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Listen in as we chat about how to write comedy and action for different age categories, traditional vs. self-publishing, the "sucked into a video game" genre, and the movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Proprietor's Pick: Rainbow in the Dark by Sean McGinty Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | Ti…
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2.4 Revealing Worldbuilding through Character in Avatar: The Last Airbender
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In today's episode, we're chatting about bending, magic rules, disability, and how to reveal worldbuilding details as they relate to character via Avatar: The Last Airbender! Proprietor's Pick: Wingbearer by Marjorie M. Liu and Teny Issakhanian "Five Tips for Writing Disabled Characters in Speculative Fiction" by Allison Alexander "How to Escape th…
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2.3 Fake Science and Villainy in The Outside (with Ada Hoffmann)
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Join us for a chat with author Ada Hoffmann about their sci-fi horror novel The Outside. We talk about how to choose narrating characters, writing antagonists, writing nonbinary characters, and making stuff up when worldbuilding. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Access bonus content …
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2.2 Dark Weird in Over the Garden Wall
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Join us for a chat about Over the Garden Wall, the animated series that you have probably never heard of! We chat about dream sequences, leaving clues, over-explaining, and trusting your readers. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Proprietor's Pick: The Horrible Bag of Terrible Things by Rob Renzetti Visit the Tavern: Twitter | T…
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Season Two is here! In this episode, we talk about the TV series Wheel of Time, adapted from the novels by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. We chat about complex worldbuilding and how to distill it, why it doesn't matter if the show is different from the book, and gendered magic systems. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Pro…
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1.15 Gritty Storytelling in House of the Dragon
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It's the Season One finale! In this episode, we talk about House of the Dragon, so be prepared for some dark and disturbing topics. Allison gives her top seven horrifying moments from the show, and we give some tips on how to write your own grimdark worlds. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Proprietor's Pick: The Sword Defiant b…
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1.14 Open Worldbuilding in Tears of the Kingdom (with Jeni Chappelle)
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In this episode, we talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom with guest Jeni Chappelle! We talk about how to immerse readers in your world, telling information out of order, and how to write interesting puzzles. Jeni is an independent book editor, a co-founder and editor for Twitter pitch event Revise & Resub (#RevPit); and co-host of t…
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1.13 Horror and Narration Style in Annihilation
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We discuss Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer in this episode! We talk about how weird it is, the unsettling narration style, and how to worldbuild according to genre. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Proprietor's Pick: Lone Women by Victor LaValle Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Support us on Patreon to access bonus …
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1.12 Subtle Worldbuilding in This is How You Lose the Time War
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As per Bigolas Dickolas's recommendation, we're discussing the novella This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone! Learn how to use worldbuilding as a backdrop and subtle ways to deliver worldbuilding in this week's episode. Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi Proprietor's Pick: Translation State by Anne…
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1.11 Worldbuilding Fun in the D&D Movie
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What is worldbuilding without fat dragons, magicless bards, and birdfolk named Jarnathan? Join us for a discussion about the fun romp that is Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. And don't forget to vote on the topic of our finale episode! Will we discuss the worldbuilding of Wednesday, The Last of Us, or House of the Dragon? It's up to you, …
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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 Laks…
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1.9 Politics and Society in The Mandalorian
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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 a…
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1.8 Familiar Worlds in The Mandalorian
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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 Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.…
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1.7 Disability, Villainy, Magic, and Technology in Nimona
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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) Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.…
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1.6 Multiverses, Metaphors, and Absurdity in Everything, Everywhere, All At Once
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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) Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Support us on Patreon to vote on topics a…
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1.5 Beautiful Worlds and Video Game Writing in Ori and the Blind Forest
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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) Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.…
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1.4 Science, Language, and Aliens in Project Hail Mary
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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) Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord Support us on Pat…
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1.3 Subtle Storytelling, Slang, and Society in Mad Max: Fury Road
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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 th…
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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, 202…
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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). Visit the Tavern: Twitter | …
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Welcome, worldbuilders! Here's what our podcast is all about and what you can expect for Season One. Cheers! Find Us Elsewhere: Support us on Patreon Follow us on Twitter Join our writing community on Discord Watch our videos on TikTok
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