Best Vickie Lan Podcasts (2024)

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[REWIND] Ensembles: The "Kings of the Wyld" character development tour 55:42

7M ago55:42

55:42

[Originally aired February 6, 2023] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our BEST episodes! Award-winning Author Nicholas Eames kicks off the spring 2023 season with a deep dive into the ensemble cast in his novel "Kings of the Wyld." Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individu…

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[REWIND] Cautionary Tales: Dystopian Societies 52:11

7M ago52:11

52:11

[Originally aired March 23, 2022] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our BEST episodes! Not all Dystopian societies are terrible...right? Guest writer Brad Allis joins me in a discussion of the dystopian trope, why we love to read and write them, and their small silver linings (if any!) Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is …

1
[REWIND] Am I the Drama? Problematic Protagonists 1:00:29

7M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

[Originally aired March 16, 2022] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our BEST EPISODES. Good protagonists, evil protagonists, evilly good protagonists? Author Matthew C. Brown joins Speculative Sandbox in a chat about complex protagonists, the appeal of evil characters, and how story telling has evolved as our interactions on social media take center…

1
[REWIND] The End of the World: How to elevate the stakes beyond global annihilation 1:08:45

7M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

[Originally aired December 6, 2022] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our TOP EPISODES. Jason Pargin, New York Times Bestselling Author of the John Dies at the End and Zoe Ashe books series, joins the podcast to talk about the end of the world. What is it about this trope that has a hold on society? And is our worldwide demise enough stakes to get t…

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57. LIVE RECORDING: Father-and-son relationships and male friendships with Matt Mendez 41:08

8M ago41:08

41:08

Welcome to Speculative Sandbox's first live recording, in partnership with Stacks Book Club and Pine Reads Reviews. Author Matt Mendez talks about his new book, "The Broke Hearts", and unpacks the heartbreak of intergenerational trauma, father and son relationships, and the importance of male friendships. VIDEO: Watch the video interview on Spotify…

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Author Takeover: Can you judge a book by its cover? 29:48

8M ago29:48

29:48

Author Daniel Bautz returns to the podcast in this Author Takeover to walk you through the book cover design process. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature r…

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Author takeover: Moby Dick, a fantasy novel? 18:58

8M ago18:58

18:58

Is Moby Dick one of the greatest secondary world fantasies ever written? Author David Hopkins takes over the podcast to discuss this classic novel through a new lens. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by …

1
Author Takeover: Deals with the Devil 7:53

8M ago7:53

7:53

Author Vanessa Thurgood joins the podcast in this Author Takeover to discuss the "Deals with the Devil" trope. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-…

1
Author Takeover: Finding authenticity in horror writing 19:12

9M ago19:12

19:12

Happy Halloween! Author John James Minster returns to the podcast to share his experience with the paranormal and how he instills authenticity in his horror writing. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by S…

1
Author Takeover: Ways to channel the writing muse 14:07

9M ago14:07

14:07

Do you have difficulty starting your manuscript? You may remember Author and Roundtable Radio podcast host Odin Halvorson from our episode on Maps. He returns in this Author Takeover to discuss the ways writers can channel their creative muse. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expresse…

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Author Takeover: Birth of a Superhero 19:51

9M ago19:51

19:51

Newcomer and author D. A. Randall joins the podcast to talk about the Birth of a Superhero. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography fr…

1
Author Takeover: The importance of community 14:35

9M ago14:35

14:35

Please welcome newcomer Author Katee Stein to Speculative Sandbox, where she walks us through the importance of creating safe spaces and communities as writers. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia …

1
Author Takeover: The evolution of storytelling in media 31:11

10M ago31:11

31:11

Author Garrett K. Jones from our episode on “Unreliable Narrators” takes over the podcast to examine the evolution of storytelling in media, from theepisodic format of early sitcoms to the long-form storytelling of today. Examples include the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends, and How I Met Your Mother. Speculative Sandbo…

1
56. Symbolism - the hidden layers of storytelling 52:11

10M ago52:11

52:11

Drag Queen and Author Joshua Valentine, the "Lady Gaga of the Writing World", joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack symbolism in storytelling. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual e…

1
55. Succession: The race for power 51:08

10M ago51:08

51:08

Fantasy author and Shakespeare teacher David Hopkins joins the podcast to talk about the twisted paths of succession. From George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” to HBO’s “Succession”, what makes an effective succession story? We’ll discuss the types of characters that make good contenders, real-life succession stories, and the ways writers can mak…

1
54. Mass Hysteria 51:13

10M ago51:13

51:13

Continuing our talk from our episode "Madness", Ian Young returns to the podcast to talk about "Mass Hysteria." What did the term "hysteria" originally mean? And does a panic on a large scale always have a scientific explanation? Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individua…

1
53. Scifaiku and Astropoetry 50:00

10M ago50:00

50:00

What is scifaiku and astropoetry? Wendy Van Camp, Poet Laureate for the City of Anaheim, CA, joins the podcast for a poetry reading and lesson. Participate in the lesson! Read the words submitted by our listeners below, write your own scifaiku, and send it to vickielan@gmail.com or direct message Speculative Sandbox on Instagram. We'll share your p…

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52. Customized Humans: Gene-editing and mutations 1:01:10

11M ago1:01:10

1:01:10

Could we one day customize our own bodies? Author and podcast host Jordan Griffin joins Speculative Sandbox to talk about gene-editing. How close are we to science fiction? We break down the science, including CRISPR technology, genetically-modified foods, and the ethical concerns of human experimentation. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment p…

1
51. Female Sleuths 1:07:09

11M ago1:07:09

1:07:09

From combatting systemic oppression to leaning into gender stereotypes to solve the case, female sleuths tend to find themselves in interesting situations. Author Brittany Sweeting joins the podcast to talk about female sleuths! We discuss famous characters like Nancy Drew, Enola Holmes, and Jessica Jones, as well as break down the difference betwe…

1
50. Robots: A Character Study 54:33

11M ago54:33

54:33

Author and robot enthusiast Mara Lynn Johnstone joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack the character development opportunities of fictional robots. From killing machines to tools and the childlike mind, what kind of character arcs can authors explore to give their robots depth? And does a self-fulfilled robot serve humanity's needs? Speculative Sandbo…

1
49. Unreliable Narrators 1:02:34

11M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Can we always trust what we read? Author and podcaster Garrett K. Jones joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack the unreliable narrator. Whether it’s due to exaggeration, madness, naivety, lying, or having an outsider’s perspective, the unreliable narrator will leave the reader guessing and, to some extent, questioning their own sanity. Memory lapse: W…

1
48. Redemption: When bad characters turn good 1:09:43

12M ago1:09:43

1:09:43

Author Matthew C. Brown returns to the podcast to discuss the redemption character arc! We cover the important characteristics of a redeemable villain using examples in fiction, as well as discuss characters who didn't deserve their redemption arc and characters who should've been redeemed, but weren't. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purp…

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47. RUNAWAY A.I. PART II: ChatGPT and what it means to be a writer 1:12:11

12M ago1:12:11

1:12:11

Author Neal Holtschulte returns to the podcast to discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT and its impact on writers and industry professionals, how A.I. is portrayed in speculative fiction compared to real life, and whether or not A.I. has actual feelings. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only.…

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46: Whodunit? The usual suspects 58:49

12M ago58:49

58:49

The butler did it! Or...did they? Author Gabrielle Chmilar joins the podcast to investigate the usual suspects in a "whodunit" mystery, as well as the plot structure that allows authors to truly surprise their readers in the second-half of the story. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions e…

1
45. So You're Writing About Paranormal Investigations 1:02:59

1y ago1:02:59

1:02:59

Whether you're writing about paranormal investigations or are simply curious, author and paranormal investigator Daniel Bautz joins the podcast with a wealth of information that will inspire even the non-believer. We'll walk you through the investigative process, including what to expect when you're on a haunted site, the best tools to use, and the…

1
44. Music and Storytelling 50:28

1y ago50:28

50:28

Fantasy Author and Podcaster Richie Billing joins Speculative Sandbox to talk about music and storytelling, where we cover musical history, character leitmotifs, genre sound coding, and the psychological benefits of music. MUSIC NOTE: It wouldn't be an episode about music without music! As much as we would love to feature the actual music mentioned…

1
[REWIND] The Immortality Dilemma: Legacy building gone wrong 1:00:54

1y ago1:00:54

1:00:54

[Originally published March 30, 2022] Ghostwriter and editor Leslie Hinson joins Speculative Sandbox on the search for immortality. Like Dorian Gray and his aging portrait, how do different characters avoid death? How does legacy building ensure our future? And what happens when someone else takes control? Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment p…

1
[REWIND] Love and Death: Greek Myth Tropes and Archetypes 54:21

1y ago54:21

54:21

[Originally published April 20, 2022] Greek mythology set the standard for many story tropes and character archetypes seen in today’s fiction. From tragedies to triumphant battles, petty arguments to unrequited love, the Greek Gods continue to leave a lasting impression because they are undeniably relatable. USA Today Bestselling Romance Author Car…

1
[REWIND] Corporatocracy: "The Warehouse" world-building tour 1:01:29

1y ago1:01:29

1:01:29

[Originally published September 13, 2022] Author Rob Hart explores the horrors of working in an Amazon-esque corporation in his dystopian thriller “The Warehouse”. Learn about the real-world conditions and events that influenced this book, Rob’s world-building strategies, and how to create a complex billionaire villain. How far away are we from a c…

1
AUTHOR TAKEOVER: Examining Edgar Allan Poe 38:17

1y ago38:17

38:17

Author John James Minster takes over the podcast this week to examine Edgar Allan Poe. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pe…

1
Speculative Sandbox Trailer 2:24

1y ago2:24

2:24

Take a sneak peak.

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[REWIND] Chasing Utopia: The Horrors of Perfection 44:47

1y ago44:47

44:47

[Originally published April 6, 2022.] Thomas More coined the term "Utopia" in his 1516 book of the same name, but is it really the ideal place to live? Author Jacob Devlin joins Vickie Lan in a discussion about fictional utopian societies, what makes them wonderful at first glance, and what makes them terrifying once you read between the lines. Spe…

1
[BONUS] Playing God: A short look at "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" 6:34

1y ago6:34

6:34

What does the High Evolutionary and Nazi Germany have in common? The "playing god on society" trope is prevalent in both fiction and real life, and for speculative fiction writers, it's an opportunity to examine the systems and world-building that enables such villainous acts. Disclaimer: this episode briefly summarizes some of the horrifying event…

1
AUTHOR TAKEOVER: Stop being an "aspiring" writer 32:10

1y ago32:10

32:10

Got a graveyard of WIPs in your Google Drive? #WriterProblems Caitlin Fisher first came on the show to discuss time travel tropes and is back again to talk about the process of writing a first draft and how they help coach beginner writers to finish their first drafts in the face of imposter syndrome, comparison, and self-doubt. Listen in to learn:…

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43. Single-Biome Planets: Desert, ice, swamps, and beyond 49:45

1y ago49:45

49:45

Author Neal Holtschlute joins the podcast to take a tour through the universe to hunt for single-biome planets. These are staple locations in science fiction, most notably used in Star Wars, where a single eco-system wraps an entire planet. How realistic are single-biome planets? And do we have some right in our own solar system?…

1
42. Mind Control: From conditioning to the hive mind 1:05:46

1y ago1:05:46

1:05:46

Is mind control REAL? Author A.R. Mirabal joins the podcast this week to talk about all the ways a mind can be controlled in fiction and in real life, including conditioning and the hive mind. We even go into the challenges of overcoming a very real form of mind control - the algorithm.

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41. Castles: A writer's world-building tour 50:07

1y ago50:07

50:07

You have your King. You have your Queen. Now what? Learn from S.G. Blaise the ins and outs of castles. From defense and court life to waste management (or the lack thereof), S.G. takes us on a tour of anything you may want to know for your storybook setting.

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40. Dogma: Systems of authority 1:00:35

1y ago1:00:35

1:00:35

"You can't have fantasy fiction without some sort of dogma, it seems." Author Quillem McBreen has a wealth of knowledge on the topic of dogma in speculative fiction. Learn about the different guiding principals explored in fantasy novels like "Game of Thrones", "American Gods", and "Wheel of Time", as well as the dogmatic systems that have a impact…

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39. Madness: Mental health in speculative fiction 39:26

1+ y ago39:26

39:26

How is madness portrayed in fiction, and what impacts do our stories have on the real world? Author Ian Young joins the podcast today to talk about his personal experience with madness, the importance of mental health education, and the ways writers can use madness effectively in their stories.

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38. Corporate Colonialism: Systems and motives of exploitation 47:34

1+ y ago47:34

47:34

The Avatar movie franchise is just one of many fictional works that explore corporate colonialism, the practice of a corporation maintaining or extending its control over other countries, especially in establishing settlements or exploiting resources. Writer Lindsay DeFrates join the podcast today to talk about what drives corporate colonialism, ho…

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37. Folk Horror: The horrors of nature and humanity 58:48

1+ y ago58:48

58:48

Isolated settings. Superstitions. Natural forces. Author Kacey Rayburn joins the podcast to talk about folk horror. What makes this sub-genre so chilling? We cover the common elements and themes, unpack some of well-known titles (Midsommar anyone?) and ask ourselves the big question: Is the scariest part of folk horror the demon in the woods....or …

1
36. Time Travel: Paradoxes and time loops 1:00:33

1+ y ago1:00:33

1:00:33

If you could travel back to any time period, when would it be? Writer Caitlin Fisher and I discuss this question, as well as tackle the tangled and complex topic of Time Travel. From the MCU’s multi-verse to the Grandfather Paradox, how can writers explore time travel in their work? And can we do our own time-travel right now, with our memories?…

1
35. Resurrection: When death can't hold you down 1:06:20

1+ y ago1:06:20

1:06:20

Author John James Minster joins Speculative Sandbox to discuss all the ways we can come back after death: resurrections, reincarnation, realistic revivals, ghosts, and more. Have a taste for the horror? John also gives some advice on how to make your story particularly terrifying.

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34. Food in Fiction: A menu of culinary literary devices 51:42

1+ y ago51:42

51:42

Author J. Dianne Dotson joins the podcast to talk about food in fiction. We’ll start off with an appetizer of rapid-fire questions, followed by a starter salad of literary devices, then the main course meal of food across different genres. Then, for a little dessert, we tease a future of lab-printed food.…

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33. Magic Systems: Should magic users be forced to reveal themselves? 1:11:15

1+ y ago1:11:15

1:11:15

Matthew C. Brown returns to the podcast to talk about Magic Systems! We discuss the fundamentals of magic in fantasy, whether or not science fiction and technology are magical, and how we can challenge the traditional light versus dark in binary magic systems. Stick around until the end, where we debate the classic question: if magic users existed …

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32. Spaceships: From take-off to "ludicrous" speed 1:02:47

1+ y ago1:02:47

1:02:47

U.S.S. Enterprise. Millennium Falcon. Battlestar Galactica. Author and aerospace engineer S.J. Schauer takes our listeners to school with a discussion on spaceships. How can writers apply real-world concepts to their spacecrafts? Is light-speed travel really possible? And what is the most impractical spacecraft seen in fiction?…

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31. Meet Cutes: From the serendipitous to the sinister 59:09

1+ y ago59:09

59:09

Author Salem Miles joins the podcast to talk about Meet Cutes! What happens when two potentially-romantic characters cross paths? From character dynamics to real-world experiences, this is an episode you won't want to miss this Valentine's week.

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30. Ensembles: The "Kings of the Wyld" character development tour 55:39

1+ y ago55:39

55:39

Award-winning Author Nicholas Eames kicks off the spring 2023 season with a deep dive into the ensemble cast in his novel "Kings of the Wyld."

1
AUTHOR TAKEOVER: Writing Tie-In Fiction 20:05

1+ y ago20:05

20:05

Author Marsheila Rockwell takes over the podcast this week to talk about tie-in fiction. Speculative Sandbox will return to our regular interview format in February. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for information on episodes and soundbites.

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AUTHOR TAKEOVER: A journey from plotting to pantsing a novel 12:50

1+ y ago12:50

12:50

Author Andrew Dart takes over the podcast this week to talk about plotting and pantsing a novel. Speculative Sandbox will return to our regular interview format in February. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for information on episodes and soundbites.

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Vickie Lan Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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