Afleveringen
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What if the universe isn’t just vast and indifferent but actively hostile—a cosmic battlefield where silence is survival? Welcome, friends, to an exploration of The Dark Forest, the second volume in Liu Cixin’s masterful Three-Body Problem series. 🌠
In this episode, we journey into a future where humanity faces an alien threat so advanced they can intercept every communication—except our thoughts. Enter the Wallfacers, an elite group tasked with devising strategies in absolute secrecy. Sounds hopeful, right? Well, it’s complicated. 😬
We’ll unravel the chilling “Dark Forest Theory,” which reimagines the cosmos as a predator’s den where every signal is a death sentence, and explore the moral and existential dilemmas of survival in such a world. What happens when trust, love, and community collide with the cold logic of cosmic sociology? And does the series leave room for hope—or is this truly the bleakest vision of a post-human future?
Grab a drink and let’s dive into the dark. ☕️
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This is a special repost of one of my Craftsman’s Workshop Patreon streams, where I dive deep into a pivotal question: What makes a story truly life-giving? 🌱
Join me as I open up about how storytelling keeps us grounded, and share thoughts on what it means to build a meaningful creative life amidst a chaotic world. We cover everything from my evolving Patreon tiers (and why I shifted them) to my journey through Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity and how it’s reshaping my approach to writing, storytelling, and community. 📚✨
In this episode, I also reveal exciting plans for 2025, including the triumphant return of the Fantasy For Our Time podcast, new short stories through mentorship with celebrated author Kristine Kathryn Rusch, and a revitalized approach to the Patreon community.
And, of course, a huge thanks to all of you who keep this journey alive. 🙏
Timestamps:
00:00 - Opening Remarks: What Makes a Story Life-Giving?02:15 - Patreon Changes and a New Direction05:30 - The Influence of Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity08:45 - The Challenges of Creative Work and Family Life12:00 - Introducing the Concept of a Deep Life15:20 - Finding Purpose in Storytelling18:40 - Rediscovering Focus and Quality in Creativity22:00 - The Most Important Question: What Story Would You Die For?25:30 - Update on the Podcast and Upcoming Themes29:15 - Short Fiction Mentorship with Kristine Kathryn Rusch"32:40 - Recommitting to Writing and Upcoming Works36:10 - Cantos of Arcadia and the Future of Fantasy Sci-Fi39:50 - The Revival of In A Certain Land Podcast43:00 - Final Reflections
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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🔥 Imagine America’s collapse into myth. Today, we’re exploring “Cantos of Arcadia”—my sci-fi project that merges epic story, future-archaeology, and existential dread. This is the story behind the story, the uncharted process of weaving America’s “what if” into a future epic that merges apocalyptic ruin with ancient myth.
Expect discussions on myth, storytelling’s power, and crafting worlds through sound, faith, and speculative history. Whether you’re a sci-fi fan, a storyteller, or just curious, prepare for the resonance between the old and the eerily possible.
⏰ Timestamps:
0:01 – Can a future civilization survive through story? A mythic retelling of a crumbling world 🌍3:14 – How a composer’s commission and the Akathist prayer inspired a sci-fi novella about American mythology 🎶12:45 – Translating faith, collapse, and survival into post-apocalyptic legend 🌌22:30 – The weaving of America’s fractured past into an Arcadian future
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Join me as I dive into Shards of Honor, the first book in The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold! 🚀💫
From the depths of autocratic heroism to the ideals of speculative fiction, we'll explore it all: grimdark versus high fantasy ⚔️, reflections on repressive political systems 🛡️, and the intrigue of intergalactic escapades 🌌.
If you’ve ever wondered about the possibility of a speculative fiction canon 📚 (yes, I’m serious), you’re in the right place! Stick around as I delve into characters who battle both societal expectations and personal demons, exploring everything from political dilemmas to daring prison escapes in a sci-fi romance setting.
Don’t forget to check out my ongoing journey on The Wood Between Worlds Substack for all things speculative! 🌲✨
https://thewoodbetweentheworlds.substack.com/
Timestamps:
0:00 – 🔥 Intro to The Vorkosigan Saga and a speculative fiction canon2:15 – 🎬 Why start with Shards of Honor?5:35 – 💖 Sci-fi romance, plot, and initial impressions9:25 – 🛡️ What defines heroism in a repressive society?14:50 – ⚖️ Comparing autocratic and democratic extremes20:15 – 🌐 Political parallels: Barrayar and our world today24:05 – 🤝 Characters’ personal journeys and political alliances28:30 – 📖 Key scenes: Violence, heroism, and implications for honor35:10 – ⭐ Final thoughts: How fiction shapes our view of reality
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Welcome, fellow book lovers and sci-fi enthusiasts! In this video, I have the absolute pleasure of chatting with none other than Adrian Tchaikovsky—an international sensation and the brilliant mind behind Children of Time. This conversation is a treat as we dive into Adrian’s creative journey, his love for speculative fiction, and, of course, how a weird book about giant space spiders launched his entire career!
From his science background to his fascination with spider evolution (yes, really!), Adrian shares how Children of Time almost didn’t see the light of day, but then skyrocketed to success, winning awards and readers' hearts alike. 🕷️ We also explore his thoughts on fantasy vs. sci-fi, why humor makes Grimdark more digestible, and what it’s like writing deeply relatable characters in the most epic of universes.
Whether you’re an arachnophobe or an avid sci-fi reader, this conversation is packed with insights, laughter, and Tchaikovsky’s trademark brilliance. Come along as we talk about writing, world-building, and why you should always root for the spiders. 😉
Timestamps:
0:00 How Giant Spiders Launched Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Career5:30 Children of Time and Why It Took a Year to Get Noticed15:00 Fantasy vs. Sci-Fi: Adrian’s Unique Approach25:20 Humor in Grimdark and What It Adds to Complex Worlds35:10 Spiders, Evolution, and Writing Non-Human Characters
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Hello, fellow wanderers! 🌟 In this video, we’re diving deep into the heart of fantasy and the curious intersection between Grimdark and Tolkien’s mythopoetic storytelling. Yes, you heard that right—me, the self-professed Grimdark skeptic, is about to unpack this genre that I once claimed was something we should avoid (gasp!). But things have changed, and I’m here to explain why.
I recently dipped my toes into The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie, a book that was supposed to be drenched in moral grayness, blood, and nihilism, but it surprised me. I found characters I could root for, humor, and even empathy! So, what is Grimdark really? And does it belong in the canon of speculative fiction?
Join me as we explore the nuances of modern fantasy, Tolkien’s lasting influence, and how these stories help us escape—not in the “dull the pain” kind of way, but in a way that strengthens us for the real world. We’ll touch on the works of Abercrombie, Richard Swan, and, of course, Tolkien himself. Expect musings on the nature of escapism, the moral compass of Grimdark, and whether we’re still capable of writing hopeful, heroic fiction today.
Timestamps:
0:00 Let’s Talk About Escapism: Tolkien, Transcendence, and Resilience5:10 My Grimdark Journey: From Skeptic to The Blade Itself15:20 What Even Is Grimdark? A Look at Modern Fantasy’s Moral Landscape25:45 Tolkien vs. Modern Fantasy: Heroic Escapes vs. Bleak Realities35:30 The Justice of Kings & More Grimdark Reads: Where Does It All Lead?
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Hey dear friends! In this video, Richard and I dive deep into the evolving worlds of science fiction and fantasy. From Tolkien's carefully restrained magic to today's cosmic horror and existential threats, we explore how modern storytellers like Adrian Tchaikovsky are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be human in a vast, often terrifying universe. 🤯
Together, we’ll unpack how the "what if" scenarios of classic speculative fiction are running up against the limits of our current worldview, where space isn’t just empty—it’s often hostile, dark, and filled with lurking horrors straight out of Lovecraft’s nightmares. 🐙 But here’s the thing: amidst all the bleakness, we’re also talking about how these stories can still uncover beauty, hope, and purpose.
I reflect on how storytelling, whether in epic space operas or grounded fantasy, is about rediscovering meaning beyond the nihilism, and how we might re-envision the cosmos not just as cold space, but as a light-filled place of mythic possibility. If you love world-building, cosmic philosophy, or just geeking out over sci-fi and fantasy, then grab a cup of tea (or something stronger, perhaps . . . ) and join us! ☕️
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction & Overview2:35 From Tolkien to Tchaikovsky: The Shift in Storytelling8:50 Cosmic Nihilism & The Lovecraftian Turn in Sci-Fi16:22 The Search for Meaning in Modern Fantasy and Sci-Fi25:00 Why We Need to Re-Envision Space as the Light-Filled Cosmos33:45 The Future of Sci-Fi: From Found Texts to New Mythic Worlds
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Could this be the Star Wars of our time?! . . . . no. Definitely not.
Together, Richard and I discuss the final episode of The Rings of Power and, yet again, it's mostly a ranting session. It seems as though this entire venture has been set up as a cinematic prequel to the Peter Jackson films, and - if that's the case - it's supremely disappointing.
It's clear that the writers don't trust their audience. Between the wizard dual and the way in which Galadriel has done nothing essential to the plot, there seems to be a sense that, as long as they're writing about something "worthwhile", quality doesn't matter. There also seems to be some attempt to articulate a theological vision, but it's lacking. The pacing is arrhythmic and strange. Seemingly there is some effort to be reminiscent of medieval storytelling, but it falls short.
Also, what's with all of the sympathy for the devil? This, above everything else, is a departure from Tolkien. This seems to be an issue of art vs propaganda disguised as entertainment.
Will we watch season 2? We'll see . . . maybe we should just focus on Andor.
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In this episode, dear friend Richard Rohlin and I continue our discussion on The Rings of Power, picking up with episodes 6 and 7. We try to open up by focusing on the positives, but, as per usual, chaos ensues!
While there does seem to be minimal progress in the maturation of the show and its characters, we still see forced romantic tensions where friendship would do - is this a painful display of our current culture? Yes.
After a large detour where we blame Peter Jackson for everything, criticize cinematography, and obsess over Christian Bale for some reason, we finally get to the question of why the showrunners are so obsessed with the Orcs? The creators of the show are very keen on giving these characters, evil characters, a culture, and a story covered in optimism while they clearly give characters like the elves a pessimistic treatment, portraying them as the antagonist oppressors. Again, has society inverted so far as to make this a normal means of storytelling? Yes.
At last, we close with some predictions and hot takes. Please, let us be wrong!
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Once again I'm joined by Richard Rohlin for a lively discussion about the Rings of Power! Together we discuss . . . well, many things; but, perhaps most peculiarly, whether elves are more like rechargeable batteries or glow-in-the-dark frisbees.
While the series is wrought with problematic elements, we do manage to find genuine moments of delight. Design, art, music, and story - all give us some consolation. Seeing the writers allow an active god to be the motivation for a character is a huge deal!
The ultimate question we must ask ourselves throughout this show is, would this authentically fit in the Tolkien legendarium? There are many issues within each episode where it seems that the writers are trying to build a tower with no foundation, reducing the mythos to the bare minimum and making tone-deaf statements about current politics.
While we may be hyper-critical of the show, we hope you find some encouraging material to enhance your reading of Tolkien.
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At last, what you've all been waiting for . . . I discuss The Rings of Power!
My friend Richard Rohlin joins me for a wonderful conversation about the new series: what we like, what we don't like. Like so many of us, I was set up to hate the show on the front end; however, I must say - it's not THAT bad.
Sure, parts of it feel like an AI rendering of a Tolkien story. Sure, the show has little grasp on symbolism or transcendence. Sure, there are issues with conflicting types of journeys. But, all in all, I did find myself rooted in this world and even moved at certain points.
If you've been hesitant to give it a watch, I say go for it. As this is the first installment of my series on The Rings of Power, make sure you come back to work through it with us next time.
Oh, and, yes, every episode from here on out will be fresh, exciting content - I even open up with some life updates from yours truly. I will be having plenty of adventures coming up!
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This is the final video of my series on accepting unexpected hardships and using stories to help overcome them in a lasting way.
Using Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings as our model, we've finally come to the crux of the matter. Time to accept our quest.
But this is a delicate and difficult thing. It can only be done after you've finished the first six steps of becoming a deeper person. And there are plenty of temptations to power and pride along the way.
As usual, Russian fairy tales give us subtle and wise guideposts on how to extend our deep hearts outward to others and accept our quest to live the deep life, as Aragorn did, with humility and purpose.
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Welcome to week three of our series exploring how good stories can help us survive difficulty and come out stronger, living a deeper and more fulfilling life.
In our first two videos, we discussed how to find a mentor and the importance of solitude for the deep life. Continuing using Aragorn's life as a model, we're entering the danger zone: how to engage with ideas you don't like or disagree with.
This can be like entering the woods of Baba Yaga in the Russian fairy tales. And so, no surprise, the stories can help us a great deal in getting through this particularly dark wilderness...
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Welcome to the second episode in my series on finding resilience and courage during unexpectedly difficult times, all through the wisdom of fairy tales and classic literature. Last week, we discussed how we can find a mentor. But find him or not, the next step in overcoming difficulties is harder. We must embrace solitude. The stories have much to say about this, but not all of what they say is easy to hear...
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In an age of information overload, we need, more than ever, to find someone to help us make sense of it all. But there are self-proclaimed experts, life coaches, and just plain hucksters everywhere! What're we to do? Well, maybe we need to take a page out of Russian fairy tales. Just as Ivan the Prince found his frog princess in a swamp, our answers just might be found in the place we least expect...
In this episode, I talk about expert fatigue, our desire to optimize everything and how it might be impacting our lives negatively, and how stories teach us the proper way of working on ourselves so that when the mentor we need does show up, we're ready to listen.
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One of the biggest questions of our age is what we are to make of ourselves in a post-pandemic reality. If we allow it, hardship can unlock a deeply satisfying way of living; however, it requires an ability to live in the tension of survival and progress. When we are no longer reacting, there comes a moment where we commit to transforming our life into something deeper.
In this episode, I'll look at Aragorn, son of Arathorn, King of Gondor and Arnor, and share 7 lessons from his life story that can help us complete this transformative quest.
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We all have questions about what is the right way to live. Popular narratives seem to push a worldview of self-preservation no matter the cost. Is it better to avoid danger and difficulty? In our family lives? In our spiritual lives?
Choosing the difficult path and engaging in self-sacrificial behavior benefits those around us. This is the story of history's greatest saints from time immemorial. As the world continuously goes deeper into insanity right outside our own windows, we need to rethink how we relate to it.
Today I look back on what Lord of the Rings taught me about embracing difficulty. When we find Sam & Frodo in the seemingly hopeless situation of Mordor, they don't shy away from it. Why? Sam recognizes this path is the right one because of the stories he read growing up.
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I've noticed a trend in entertainment recently. It seems as though some strange anachronistic lens has been placed over history regarding faith and religion. People of a Christian faith are often depicted as weak and feeble, while people of pagan religions are shown as powerful and successful.
Why does entertainment depict the Christian God as effeminate and impotent but the pagan god(s) with power? Where is the honesty of history, showing the reality of faith in all people in the ancient world? Martyrdom and bravery - across the board - were rather ubiquitous.
Don't get me wrong, I am a man of conviction; however, I think what we need is a nuanced, balanced approach to stories. We need to see an authentic battle between light and dark. We need to see the reality that all sides of the spiritual equation are laden with some level of power (for why else would anyone put their faith in them?)
We need complex characters with a message of hope that doesn't preach.
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Today, I continue my examination of time in fantasy and sci-fi literature. What is time? Is it a line, a circle, or some combination thereof? Historically there are many ways to view it and interact with it; modernity seems to be much more concerned with managing it than experiencing it. Our current approach to time seems to be a revival of stoicism with a twist of fatalism.
The 2016 movie Arrival has a fascinating treatment of time which left me pondering how God's relation to time comes into play and those classic questions of human free will. Ultimately, it seems that - given omniscience - it is still better to experience life as it is. The acceptance of reality is liberating and beautiful.
When asked what we would do if we knew every event in our lives before it happened, I hope we would all answer the same: I think I would love everyone a little bit more.
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Today, in this old recording from 2019, I present an honest look at the concept of time as I reflect on a few pieces of fantasy literature. More specifically, we look at the idea of cyclical time and how it presents a highly depressing worldview where there is little to no way to redeem your own personal journey or that of your society, race, or anything. One where you are doomed to repeat past mistakes and forced to adhere to the pattern woven by the wheel of time. The only way to escape it . . . is to destroy it.
Now let's juxtapose this with, say, a Christian view of time (one which Tolkien espouses beautifully in LOTR, by the way) where time is a helix, a constant progression in a circular motion with an ultimate end in the eschaton. Here free will reigns and redemption is possible.
I've found that most people today view time in the first way - a constricting reality that forces us into certain boxes. Yet, the irony is that we are more fixated on choice than ever before. What is identity? Is it fated or is it chosen?
Perhaps this is why we need to read good fantasy literature more than ever. We don't need mere escapism; we need hope.
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