The Worldbuilder’s Tavern
A podcast in which three nerds read sci-fi and fantasy novels, talk about their worldbuilding, and then guide you through building magic systems, monsters, spaceships, and more for your own stories.
Whether you're constructing your next novel, RPG setting, or just love speculative fiction, pull up a chair at the tavern!
A podcast in which three nerds read sci-fi and fantasy novels, talk about their worldbuilding, and then guide you through building magic systems, monsters, spaceships, and more for your own stories.
Whether you're constructing your next novel, RPG setting, or just love speculative fiction, pull up a chair at the tavern!
Episodes
Jun 8, 2023
Jun 8, 2023
29 min
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 Leckie
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Support us on Patreon to access bonus content.
Jun 8, 2023
29 min
May 24, 2023
1.11 Worldbuilding Fun in the D&D Movie
May 24, 2023
May 24, 2023
34 min
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, dear listeners! Cast your vote on Twitter here. If you're a patron, vote here instead, and your vote counts as double!
Intro and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Support us on Patreon to access bonus content.
May 24, 2023
34 min
May 10, 2023
1.10 Dystopia in The Hunger Games
May 10, 2023
May 10, 2023
38 min
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 Lakshminarayan
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
May 10, 2023
38 min
Apr 26, 2023
1.9 Politics and Society in The Mandalorian
Apr 26, 2023
Apr 26, 2023
48 min
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 and outro music: "The Tavern" by Michael Ghelfi
Proprietor's Pick: The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
Apr 26, 2023
48 min
Apr 12, 2023
1.8 Familiar Worlds in The Mandalorian
Apr 12, 2023
Apr 12, 2023
36 min
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.
Apr 12, 2023
36 min
Mar 29, 2023
Mar 29, 2023
35 min
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.
Mar 29, 2023
35 min
Mar 15, 2023
Mar 15, 2023
25 min
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 and access bonus episodes.
Mar 15, 2023
25 min
Mar 1, 2023
Mar 1, 2023
33 min
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.
Mar 1, 2023
33 min
Feb 15, 2023
Feb 15, 2023
35 min
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 Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
Feb 15, 2023
35 min
Feb 1, 2023
Feb 1, 2023
35 min
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 the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi (March 21, 2023).
Visit the Tavern: Twitter | TikTok | Discord
Support us on Patreon to vote on topics and access bonus episodes.
Feb 1, 2023
35 min








