Cultural Inspirations Episodes

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to lay a curse on a book or library?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place for giving a lecture on dragons?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to meet your fate?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be rescued by pirates?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be turned into a vampire?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place for a foundation/creation myth?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a cartoonist?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a mermaid?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to go through a wardrobe?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a villain?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to stage a heist?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to set up a speakeasy?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to have ESP?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to go to revisit memories?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be Robin Hood?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to go on a caravan holiday?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place to be a horse lord?

Where in all the fantasy worlds is the best place for fantasy island?

Today on Mythmakers we enter into the second part of our discussion of evil in fantasy stories, progressing on to contemporary fantasy stories, and beginning with Harry Potter. Who is the most interesting evil character in Rowling's world? See if you agree with Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker’s picks! The discussion moves on to mad scientists, space operas, Star Trek, Dr Who, and Star Wars. While we can't cover everything, we do hope that you enjoy this in-depth tour of fantasy evil! Take a lis...

Terry Pratchett famously said that “dark lords should be rationed” - but there is so much more to say about evil in fantasy than the cliche of the dark lord in a sinister tower at the bottom right of your map! On today’s episode of Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker look at the philosophical underpinnings of evil, starting with the Inklings. Moving from a discussion of the importance of the Fall in C.S. Lewis, to the purgatorial world of choices in Charles Williams, we complete this pa...

Join us on today’s episode of Mythmakers where we've boldly picked our top five moments in The Lord of the Rings novels! Have a listen as Julia Golding takes a closer look at each moment, diving into what exactly makes these five the top contenders. Agree with our choices? Let us know! For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome social media content visit: Website: https://centre4fantasy.com/website Instagram: https://centre4fantasy.c...

What's all this fuss about romantasy? Accompany Julia Golding on today’s episode of Mythmakers on a quest for the origin of this sub-fantasy genre, and for the subsequent deep dive into Rebecca Yarros' breakout success: Fourth Wing. Can you find the recipe for a successful romantasy? Is it too late to join in the craze if you are a writer whose book fits in this genre? Listen now to find out! For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, and to check out our awesome...

Netflix’s 3 Body Problem has raised some questions as to whether or not it is right to move a story’s adaptation to a different country. Is it cultural appropriation or a justifiable reinterpretation? On today’s episode of Mythmakers, we’re taking a journey through Blade Runner, Matilda, and Wonka to HG Wells. Join the discussion as Julia Golding considers the pros and cons of moving a story to another cultural context. For more information on the Oxford Centre for Fantasy, our writing courses, ...

What makes for a good adaptation of a beloved book series? Today on Mythmakers, Julia Golding and Jacob Rennaker discuss the latest fantasy series to undergo a significant adaptation: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. What are the strengths of the book? What went wrong - or right - in the movie adaptation in 2010? And what has Disney made of the challenge, particularly as this time Rick Riordan, the author, was part of the production team? Join us for this intriguing discussion! For more in...