Best Worldbuilding Podcasts (2024)

1
Superhero Worlds with Eric Silver 1:02:37

1d ago1:02:37

1:02:37

Moiya and fellow Multitudian Eric Silver discuss their favorite and least favorite Superhero worlds, plus best practices for building your own. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Eric Silver is a writer, podcaster, game designer, and head of development at Multitude Productions. Follow him on X at @El_Silve…

1
Episode 127: Expanding Worlds 1:06:19

2d ago1:06:19

1:06:19

It's been a while since we spent some time in the world of the MNG! So in this episode, we apply some topics from recent episodes as well as some worldbuilding staples to the cultures we've been developing in our ongoing co-created world. We play with nifty biology! We consider the monstrous! We think about love and education and phases of growth! …

1
Episode 245: A Fresh Springtime Jam 53:51

7d ago53:51

53:51

In this episode, we're breaking out a newly-expanded genre list for two randomized worldbuilding jams! Suit up for some soft sci-fi plane-hopping, or perhaps joining up with dragonriders is more to your liking? Remember to spay and neuter your dragons and other pets, folks! And: do you have opinions about Worldbuild With Us? We'd love to hear them …

1
Episode 244: Concordant Conflux (Land of a Thousand Planar Borders) 53:08

14d ago53:08

53:08

Witness as the planes rend themselves apart and converge on the material plane. What will happen when Chaos suddenly has to play by the rules? How will planar entities adapt to their new surroundings? Find out on this week's episode! Do you have a setting you'd like us to build? Send us your worldbuilding prompt! https://forms.gle/F4SNMH3k7ea5fr1F8…

1
PALISADE 45: Where They Are Pt. 3 1:57:24

15d ago1:57:24

1:57:24

As Palisade eases into its new orbit, the people below face a new marker of evening. Yes, the dual moons of Chimera’s Lantern and Travertine remain above them. But now night brings a new absence: Gone are Gift-3 and Seneschal, Altar and Moonlock, Skein and Crown, Brighton and Thrysus, and of course the new dark sun, Volition. And so, at night, with…

1
Adapting stories with Victoria Male 57:25

15d ago57:25

57:25

Moiya and writer Victoria Male talk about best pracices for adapting old stories into new versions and discuss their favorite/least favorite reboots. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Victoria Male is an award-winning writer and multimedia producer. Find her on IG at @victoriamale1 and learn more at her we…

1
Episode 126: When Worldbuilding Gets Wild, ft PREMEE MOHAMED 1:25:35

16d ago1:25:35

1:25:35

Critters, creatures, and things that crawl -- part of the fun of building a new world is getting to populate it with not just sapient characters, but all the flora and fauna. And sometimes, that means the things you find in the smallest corners and crevices. Guest Premee Mohamed joins us to talk about the role of bugs and other biology in worldbuil…

1
PALISADE 44: Where They Are Pt. 2 1:51:09

21d ago1:51:09

1:51:09

With the initial shock of arriving in the Twilight Mirage starting, slowly, to fade, the people of Palisade and the Quire System leap into action. General Tomorrow Mourning turns to the only person she believes can quickly give her the authority to build a net to catch Bilateral Intercession war criminals. Gucci Garantine orders supplies be deliver…

1
Episode 243: An Imperfect Alloy (Universe of a Thousand Tributes) 49:48

28d ago49:48

49:48

Adamantium? Unobtanium? Pfft, whatever, we've got SPACE BRASS! Tune in for a listener prompt about a massive space station that travels around gathering tribute from planets! We try to figure out just what exactly that tribute is as we explore the station's origins, the nature of its mysterious pharaoh, what a thousand years of built-up anger does …

1
PALISADE 43: Where They Are Pt. 1 2:16:30

28d ago2:16:30

2:16:30

So, with one loud sob, the galaxy shifted. But as with all widespread changes, this one was unevenly distributed. Few places changed as totally as Palisade, once just beyond the edge of the Twilight Mirage, now brought into orbit around the pseudo-sun of Volition as the new, ninth planet of the Quire System. And as above, so below: The change in th…

1
World of curious leggy seahorses 57:21

29d ago57:21

57:21

Moiya and astrobiologist Dr. Seven Rasmussen imagine life on some distant gas giant's moon. What they come up with is cute and curious and exceptionally weird. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Seven Rasmussen is a writer and astrobiologist whose debut science book LIFE IN SEVEN NUMBERS: THE DRAKE EQUA…

1
Episode 125: Monstrous Worldbuilding, ft. JOHN WISWELL 1:26:52

1M ago1:26:52

1:26:52

From the Minotaur to xenomorphs to the undead, monsters and their ilk have long been a staple of the sci-fi and fantasy genres. But what exactly is it that makes a monster? Guest John Wiswell joins us to discuss how monsters in fiction often reflect not only our primal fears, but also the people that society seeks to Other. When monsters reflect wh…

1
PALISADE 42: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 4 2:47:56

1M ago2:47:56

2:47:56

This episode carries content warnings for discussion of death, imprisonment, slavery, medical experimentation, and mind control. In the depths of the Temple of the Threshold, a moment passes, a hero dies, and the world begins to change. But Thisbe, Cori, and Brnine—standing in the heart of Exanceaster March’s most advanced research facility—don’t k…

1
Episode 242: The Jam Out of Space 40:29

1M ago40:29

40:29

This week, we're jamming out with guest Jonnie Law to create two brand new mini settings on the spot! Our interpretations of random dice rolls take us in very different directions, featuring Lovecraftian horror, Neanderthal thots, dragon movies, social media, old man rants, and so much more, for better or worse. Editor's Note: Courtney's recently-a…

1
AP #85: Aging Like a Walnut 1:29:37

1M ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Subscribe: iTUNES, RSS Support Us On Patreon Discuss This Episode Email Us LINKS: Spice Bag Saint Patrick Podcast Email The Art of Language Invention, Episode 8: Consonant Cluster and Coda Evolution Irish Referendum Referendum Results A Town Hall Debate Abheski Reference Grammar Abheski Livestreams (Patrons Only) Leipzig-Jakarta List Lexifer Navajo…

1
AP #85: Aging Like a Walnut 1:29:37

1M ago1:29:37

1:29:37

Subscribe: iTUNES, RSS Support Us On Patreon Discuss This Episode Email Us LINKS: Spice Bag Saint Patrick Podcast Email The Art of Language Invention, Episode 8: Consonant Cluster and Coda Evolution Irish Referendum Referendum Results A Town Hall Debate Abheski Reference Grammar Abheski Livestreams (Patrons Only) Leipzig-Jakarta List Lexifer Navajo…

1
PALISADE 41: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 3 2:00:50

1M ago2:00:50

2:00:50

This episode carries content warnings for discussion of death, imprisonment, and slavery. At the center of the Lone Marble Group's main campus stands a corkscrew-shaped building with no name. A sphere slides down its long external groove, serving as sentry and, perhaps, more. Behind it: The secrets of Exanceaster March. At the center of Palisade's …

1
Episode 241: The Last Song (Land of a Thousand Voices Part 2) 41:38

1M ago41:38

41:38

Symphony of the earth, blood of the ocean...In this episode, we wrap up this sentient planet and its musical inhabitants by reconciling with unreliability and venturing through air, land, and sea. There are totally no dwarves in this setting, totally. But if there were dwarves, how would they feel when they realize the true nature of that Big Dumb …

1
Book update bonus 27:47

1M ago27:47

27:47

Moiya's here with a little update on her second book, a history of invention written by the Greek Muses. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist MESSAGES Join the multicrew at multicrew.club HOUSEKEEPING Order my book, THE MILKY WAY: https://www.grandcentralpublishing.com/titles/moiya-mctier/the-milky-way/978153875415…

1
Episode 124: Worldbuilding in Review, ft. PAUL WEIMER 1:18:25

1M ago1:18:25

1:18:25

We spend a lot of time thinking about how to work with worldbuilding as writers -- but how does a reviewer approach the topic when they're reading works of sci-fi and fantasy? Guest Paul Weimer joins us to share his insights as a prolific consumer and critiquer of speculative fiction! Paul talks about the details that he pays attention to, the thin…

1
PALISADE 40: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 2 2:01:51

2M ago2:01:51

2:01:51

As the tournament to determine the next era of the Altar continues at the Lone Marble Group's headquarters, the Blue Channel's infiltration team finds itself backed into a corner. As they try to push their way forward, their allies in the Temple of the Threshold find themselves up against a different sort of wall. In just a few hours, this would al…

1
Episode 240: Imperfect Harmony (Land of a Thousand Voices Part 1) 36:27

2M ago36:27

36:27

This week, patron Sundji invites us to explore a mystical, musical world where the planet itself is sentient and its indigenous tribes use acoustic magic! Listen in to hear how social structures and relationships work, what rituals take place when groups communicate, what a Big Dumb Object might have in store for this realm...and how the planet fee…

1
PALISADE 39: A Mechanical Whine Pt. 1 2:19:29

2M ago2:19:29

2:19:29

Across Palisade, Millennium Break and its allies launch into action. One after another, the Frontier Syndicate’s egg-like power plants came under direct attack. With enough of them brought offline, the group’s ploy to revive Motion would be halted—at least temporarily. That is where the Blue Channel would do their work: Infiltrate the campus of the…

1
Episode 239: The Psychopomp Speaks (Realm of a Thousand Shades Part 2) 43:54

2M ago43:54

43:54

In the second part of this shadowy setting, we embrace the darkness and introduce factions and entities that don't always get along. Join us as we discover truth and myth, with healthy servings of spiritual cleansing, Taoism, and divine churros! Do you have a setting you'd like us to build? Send us your worldbuilding prompt! https://forms.gle/F4SNM…

1
Episode 123: Worldbuilding in Your Underpants, ft. JOHN HARTNESS 1:06:43

2M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

When you're creating your world and bringing it into a story, how much do you let show? Guest John Hartness joins us to discuss balancing the off-page and on-page elements, and how that balance might shift based on what kind of a world you're working in and what sort of a story you're telling. How do you ensure that the worldbuilding serves a purpo…

1
No Palisade Announcement (sorry!!!) 6:38

2M ago6:38

6:38

Hey everyone, As this short audio announcement explains, there is no new episode of Palisade this week. We apologize for having the show on delay for as long as we've had but a combination of scheduling + story . .. . . .. + production decisions hanging in the air means that releasing an episode today wouldn't be to our usual standard. We FULLY int…

1
Episode 238: What We Do in the Shadow Plane (Realm of a Thousand Shades Part 1) 41:49

2M ago41:49

41:49

This week, we're joined by guest Jonnie Law for the first part of a prompt from patron James: with their sun on the verge of a supernova, the population of a world flees onto the plane of shadows, which is supposed to be a reflection of the material plane. But how accurate is this reflection after all? How did this mirrored universe form in the fir…

1
World of the Original Humanoids 56:06

2M ago56:06

56:06

Moiya and neuroscientist Devon Collins build a homeworld for that species in sci-fi that spread its humanoid DNA around the galaxy. They end up being curious amphibious with grander memory palaces than you can imagine. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Dr. Devon Collins is a neuroscientist and science comm…

1
Episode 237: The Divine Puzzle (Land of a Thousand Souls) 57:30

2M ago57:30

57:30

The wheel of fate is turning...At long last, we return to listener prompts with a soul-focused setting from a first-time submitter! Tune in as we infuse this world with theosophy, spirit photography, conspiracy, and the pursuit of perfection. Don't mess with destiny, folks. Do you have a setting you'd like us to build? Send us your worldbuilding pr…

1
AP #84: Rock of the Pigs 1:21:12

2M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

Outlander, Collectives, A Colonial Mutiny, Abheskii Number, Irish Referendum. Subscribe: iTUNES, RSS Support Us On Patreon Discuss This Episode Email Us LINKS: Outlander Number (Greville G. Corbett) A Colonial Mutiny Welcome to Nightvale Carrignamuck Abheskii Reference Grammar Gender (Greville G. Corbett) Irish Referendum Amendments to the Constitu…

1
AP #84: Rock of the Pigs 1:21:12

2M ago1:21:12

1:21:12

Outlander, Collectives, A Colonial Mutiny, Abheskii Number, Irish Referendum. Subscribe: iTUNES, RSS Support Us On Patreon Discuss This Episode Email Us LINKS: Outlander Number (Greville G. Corbett) A Colonial Mutiny Welcome to Nightvale Carrignamuck Abheskii Reference Grammar Gender (Greville G. Corbett) Irish Referendum Amendments to the Constitu…

1
Episode 122: Now Kiss: Building Romance into Your Worlds, ft. GWENDA BOND 1:06:43

2M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

We've talked before about the difference between aesthetic-driven genres, like sci-fi and fantasy, and structure-driven genres, like mystery and romance. So what happens when you want to build a world just ripe for all your favorite romance tropes? How can your world create the obstacles to your characters getting their happy-ever-after? Guest Gwen…

1
COUNTER/Weight 0.5: Thrilled Enough 1:19:47

3M ago1:19:47

1:19:47

Aria Joie has a song stuck in her head. She knows all the lyrics. For a long time, whenever she thought of a song, she could hear the guide track too. Her own voice in her earpiece, peppy, encouraging, saying “One fifteen BPM! One, two, three, four!”, counting her through the dance break. That’s mostly faded away now. “Open up my heart,” she sings,…

1
Episode 236: Jamming Out in the Meatspace 1:01:39

3M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

This week, we're joined by magic engineer and body horror aficionado Clark Rowenson for our first worldbuilding jam episode of the year! Random dice rolls direct us into genres like urban fantasy and cyberpunk, and we even break out the Monster Mash list for a little help along the way. Tune in for these three mini settings and their tales of contr…

1
UNBOUND with Christy Healy 52:44

3M ago52:44

52:44

Moiya talks with debut author Christy Healy about UNBOUND, an exciting new twist on Beauty and the Beast. They chat character creation, irish folklore, and whether Happily Ever Afters are really necessary just in time for V Day. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Christy Healy is an English and Rhetoric pro…

1
COUNTER/Weight 0.4: New Perspectives 1:36:28

3M ago1:36:28

1:36:28

The robot didn’t want to wear the hat: and that’s fine. All you can do is try. All you can do is hack the machine that prints the hats and go skipping through it’s kaleidoscopic innards. It’s a wave of a hand. It’s no time wasted, if there’s such a thing as wasted time. They said that if you kept being late to class there’d be consequences, but you…

1
Episode 235: Monster Mash - The Vampire 1:01:09

3M ago1:01:09

1:01:09

In our first Monster Mash of 2024, we're joined by guest Jonnie Law to reimagine vampires, everyone's favorite blood-sucking goths! We roll up three random sets of genres and features to create mini-settings on the spot, with everything from vampires in space to Bathory-style bloodbaths to medical mysteries. If vampires aren't your thing, fear not:…

1
Episode 121: Brave New Worlds, ft. FONDA LEE and MELISSA CARUSO 1:05:39

3M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

When you've put your heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into building a world -- what happens when you then have to leave it behind? Most SFF authors will, at some point, close up their work in one world and start building a new one, but that comes with its own set of challenges! You know the old world so well; it's become comfy and familiar. The…

1
COUNTER/Weight 0.3: Under the Bus 1:20:09

3M ago1:20:09

1:20:09

Cass had not brought their big medical bag. There was the box in the ship, of course, with the mint-coloured lid and little trays, but their black bag hung where it always did: on a hook beside the door, back in Centralia. In the inside pocket of their jacket was a fabric pouch, folded over and sealed with velcro. A thin tube of medical sealant, a …

1
Episode 234: A Conglomeration of Souls (World Under the Veil of Rains Part 4) 49:50

3M ago49:50

49:50

In our last(ish) visit to this longform setting, we pit an unknowable force against an ancient evil, and build out the magic types of the world to unexpected results. Also: the mystique of Cillian Murphy's cheekbones. Do you have a setting you'd like us to build? Send us your worldbuilding prompt! https://forms.gle/F4SNMH3k7ea5fr1F8 And if you're f…

1
Bioshock with Roux Bedrosian 1:08:29

3M ago1:08:29

1:08:29

Moiya invites musician and writer Roux Bedrosian to gush about a world they love: the video game Bioshock! Long live Sander Cohen, the little sisters, and the big daddies! HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Roux Bedrosian is a musician, writer, and a multi-talented creator. Their website is rouxbedrosian.co…

1
COUNTER/Weight 0.2: Valuable Connections 1:32:52

3M ago1:32:52

1:32:52

Sometimes, AuDy had found, people asked them to wait. This was transparently an exercise of power. Sit in there. I’ll be right through. Flat silence as minutes passed. There existed a line of tension between one human and another and as one person wound it tauter and tauter - with distance, or silence, or an enforced period of waiting - certain use…

1
Episode 233: The Persistent City (World Under the Veil of Rains Part 3) 52:02

3M ago52:02

52:02

It's the third week of January, which means it's time for the third part of our 2024 longform series! We spice up this mystical setting with new conflicts and layers upon layers of intrigue. That Stag clan is awfully suspicious, don't you think? Do you have a setting you'd like us to build? Send us your worldbuilding prompt! https://forms.gle/F4SNM…

1
Episode 120: World Bibles and the Gospel According to Tolkien 1:11:12

3M ago1:11:12

1:11:12

When you're creating tomes of information about your world -- spreadsheets of demographics, maps at every level of geography, tomes of lore -- how do you keep tabs on it all? How much can you keep in your head, and how much has to be written down, codified, and carefully tracked? In this episode, we explore our tools of worldbuilding. We use all so…

1
AP #83: Between a Baguette and a Soda Bread 1:26:04

3M ago1:26:04

1:26:04

Subscribe: iTUNES, RSS Support Us On Patreon Discuss This Episode Email Us LINKS: AP #82: Christmas Quiz 2023 - ft. David & Jessie Peterson Name Explain Conlang Year Langtime Studio After the Liberation Abheski Reference Grammar Voiced Alveolar Fricative Trill Number by Greville G. Corbett Podcast Patreon Main Channel Patreon Outlander Baldur’s Gat…

1
AP #83: Between a Baguette and a Soda Bread 1:26:04

3M ago1:26:04

1:26:04

Subscribe: iTUNES, RSS Support Us On Patreon Discuss This Episode Email Us LINKS: AP #82: Christmas Quiz 2023 - ft. David & Jessie Peterson Name Explain Conlang Year Langtime Studio After the Liberation Abheski Reference Grammar Voiced Alveolar Fricative Trill Number by Greville G. Corbett Podcast Patreon Main Channel Patreon Outlander Baldur’s Gat…

1
COUNTER/Weight 0.1: The First Bell 2:29:10

3M ago2:29:10

2:29:10

By two o’clock in the morning, Orth Godlove of the Consolidated Counterweight Technocracy had chosen four names. Cassander Timaeus Berenice: an Apostolosian medic with a cool head and a noble background. They’d be able to use their connections, Orth thought. Speak with the Ithikos in a register others wouldn’t. Then there was Mako Trig, some bright…

1
COUNTER/Weight Prequel Debut 8 PM ET 1/12 on twitch.tv/friendsatthetable! 5:41

4M ago5:41

5:41

Hello hello hello everyone!! Instead of a new episode of PALISADE, here is YOUR announcement that TOMORROW AT 8 PM ET we are going to be DEBUTING THE COUNTER/Weight PREQUEL OVER ON TWITCH.TV/FRIENDSATTHETABLE!!!! Can't make it to the Twitch stream?? That's okay, it will also be released in the RSS feed!!! The next few weeks will be THE CHIME'S FIRS…

1
Episode 232: The Border of Death and Life (World Under the Veil of Rains Part 2) 53:29

4M ago53:29

53:29

In the second part of this month-long series, we introduce druid-based factions to this strange world, which, yes, may involve cute animals. We also explore the magical connection between the lands of the living and dead, which is perhaps less cute. For the record, Courtney only has 300 hours in Planet Zoo. Do you have a setting you'd like us to bu…

1
World of crafty beetles 54:20

4M ago54:20

54:20

Moiya invites game streamer Jenna Stoeber to imagine a world and it gets crafty fast! The Great Crafter invited some beetles to their word of yarn and glitter, and the rest is history. HOSTED by Dr. Moiya McTier (@GoAstroMo), astrophysicist and folklorist GUEST Jenna Stoeber is a podcaster, twitch streamer, and internet personality. Find her on soc…

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