Story x Story
by mayamada
Welcome to the Story x Story podcast! We're having great conversations on stories we love plus giving you tips on creating your own.Join mayamada co-founder Nigel and gaming lifestyle content creator Tazziii every week as they talk about stories across pop culture. From deep dives into the most interesting film, TV, comics, anime and video game stories, to interviews and in-depth discussions with incredible guests each time!
Episodes
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Story x Story #267: Behind The Story With Q-Games (Video Games)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Technical Producer Janavi Padala and Character Animator Ario Dianto to explore their different paths into the games industry and how two non natives came to work at Q-Games, a Kyoto-based studio founded by a another non native, British game developer…
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Story x Story #266: Behind The Story With Sara Veal (Video Games)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Sara Veal to explore her journey into the games industry and how it compares with working in publishing. As Chair of Games Aid, Sara shares her perspective on the state of the industry and why initiatives are so important to the future of games. The...
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Story x Story #265: Your Father Is In Another Castle (Blue Eye Samurai S1)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii revisit season 1 of Blue Eye Samurai (starting at 24:18) with guest Des Gayle, founder and producer of Altered Gene. Ahead of the second season arriving in 2027, we look back at the first season of this Edo-period adventure, exploring its revenge narrative and Mizu’s...
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Story x Story Rewind: The Disc-less Roundtable (Video Games)
In this Rewind episode, we're sharing the audio from our autumn video game roundtable discussion with Link Up London team members and twitch Streamers JaysThatGirl and Jo-Jo London. We catch up on games we’ve been playing before diving into some gig news stories across the industry, including the...
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Story x Story #264: Behind The Story With Greg Donert (Comics)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Greg Donert, an illustrator, developer and comic creator to discuss his journey from Software Developer to creating his own world through the Riff Reality series of comics, combining his love of music and 80s neon aesthetic. We get into what it's like to...
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Story x Story #263: A Nickel Slick & Penny Change (Spider-Man: Brand New Day)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into the latest Tom Holland Spider-Man outing, Spider-Man: Brand New Day (starting at 28:00), with our guest and filmmaker Jed Shepherd…who also shares a brilliant Tom Holland story (stay tuned till the end!). We unpack a more grounded Spider-Man story in…
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Story x Story Rewind: Rhapsody on the Outlaw Ocean (Story Club)
In this Rewind episode, we’re revisiting our Story Club livestream on Rhapsody on the Outlaw Ocean with Ian Urbina, director of The Outlaw Ocean Project and Will Segal, composer, educator and project’s co-executive producer. We unpack how the production came together, then dig into the project’s...
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Story x Story #262: Behind The Story With Breeton Boi (Music)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Breeton Boi, a UK-based rap artist and entertainer, to talk about his journey into music and how he’s built an independent career by combining formal education with a lot of self-learning. eyond the music, he gets into what it takes to stay grounded in…
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Story x Story #261: Hold My Beers (Supergirl)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii don the spandex and dive deep into Supergirl (starting at 27:07), with guest Vik Deluca, comic creator, historian, and scholar at Forbidden Planet. We unpack why DCU Kara Zor-El’s introduction had a less than solid landing, with a story short on emotional punch even…
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Story x Story #260: Behind The Story With Marco Ng (Video Games)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Otterweave Games Studio Director and Founder Marco Ng to explore his journey into indie game development! Marco shares what inspired him, how he keeps the journey sustainable, and takes us inside his current project, EMITIME. From the impact of…
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Story x Story Rewind - Casual Conversations With Cat Aquino & Dominique Duran (Comics)
In this Rewind episode, we’re revisiting our conversation with Cat Aquino and Dominique Duran from Casual Conversations With Comic Creators Episode 48. Nigel digs into the origins of their new release, *Champion of the Rose*, discovering what it takes to build a compelling world for your story…
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Story x Story #259: On Yer Bike Son (Akira)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii get on their bikes and dive deep into Akira (1988) - the cyberpunk anime classic that still resonates today - with our guest Daniel Morrison of Creative Genius Games. It’s an anime classic and we unpack the film’s heavy themes and the characters that carry them with...
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Story x Story #258: Behind The Story With Seraphina Bewick (Animation)
Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Animator, Producer and Storyboard Artist Seraphina Bewick to hear the early-stage story of developing her independent anime, Magic Gyaldem - an idea she’s been carrying since the age of 15! Seraphina shares the realities of bringing animation to life while juggling...
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Story x Story #257: You Got A Friend In Meat Space (Toy Story 5)
We're back from our mid season break and recording new episodes of Story x Story! This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Toy Story 5 (starting at 28:26), asking the big question a fifth film has to answer: after 30+ years, does this franchise still have something new to say…and does this...
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Story x Story Rewind: "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" 2026 Campaign Launch Part 3 (Video Games)
We've been on a recording break over July and will be back with new episodes in August! In the meantime, we're bringing you Rewind episodes to enjoy as we revisit the great conversations from our "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" representation campaign launch livestream back in April. Each segment is...
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Story x Story Rewind: "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" 2026 Campaign Launch Part 2 (Video Games)
We're on a recording break over July and will be back with new episodes in August! In the meantime, we're bringing you Rewind episodes to enjoy as we revisit the amazing conversations from our "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" representation campaign launch livestream back in April 2026. Each segment is...
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Story x Story Rewind: "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" 2026 Campaign Launch Part 1 (Video Games)
We're on a recording break over July and will be back with new episodes in August! In the meantime, we're bringing you Rewind episodes to enjoy as we revisit the amazing conversations from our "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" representation campaign launch livestream back in April 2026. Each segment…
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Story x Story #256: Behind the Screens With Leah Dungay (Video Games)
This week, Nigel sits down with Learning & Community Curator Leah Dungay to explore Behind the Screens, the National Videogame Museum’s new exhibition opening in summer 2026, which aims to transform how UK videogame heritage is collected and understood. It’s a response to the challenges of...
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Story x Story #255: Roundtable Surrounded By Rakes (Video Games)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii are joined by Community Manager of Out Making Games Dan Finch and GamesAid Vice Chair Dom Shaw for our summer video game roundtable (from 26:19). We dig into the newly revealed Steam Machine pricing, whether the hardware is worth it, and what it says about gaming...
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Story x Story #254: Behind The Story With Nareice Wint (Video Games)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Nareice Wint, a producer and game developer at Miami Avalon, to discuss her journey into games and finding her way from AAA to indie development. We look at the differences and realities of two very different landscapes, from the structure and scale of…
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Story x Story #253: Horticulture Soldier, Roguelite Rasta (All You Need Is Kill)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii live, die, and repeat once more for a dive deep into All You Need Is Kill (from 25:06), with Comic Creator and WIP Comics Member Lara Callaghan. We compare this new anime adaptation to earlier versions (including Edge of Tomorrow) and explore whether it brings…
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Story x Story Special: Anime in the Mainstream Panel (MCM Comic Con)
In this special episode of Story x Story, we’re sharing the audio from our Anime in the Mainstream panel at MCM Comic Con London (May 2026). Anime is no longer as niche as it once was, and is now defining entertainment for a whole generation. Our panel explores what makes anime land emotionally,...
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Story x Story #252: Stretch Before Listening (100 Meters)
Nigel and Tazziii head to the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham for a special in-person episode recording! We're hitting the track for a deep dive into 100 Meters (the anime adaptation of Uoto’s manga). This is an existential story that asks one central question: “Why do you run?” and then...
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Story x Story #251: Growing With The Mass Appeal (Anime Industry)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii are joined by executive producer Jerome Mazandarani - the producer behind Cannon Busters - for a behind-the-scenes industry look at how anime has gone from niche subculture to mainstream global entertainment. We dig into Jerome’s journey producing Cannon Busters, what...
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Story x Story Rewind: Casual Conversations With Rachael Smith Podcast Audio
In this Rewind episode, we’re revisiting a great conversation from Casual Conversations With Comic Creators with Rachael Smith who is back for her third visit to our livestream series. Rachael breaks down what goes into making a successful Kickstarter, with the recently funded Nap Comix as a...
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Story x Story #250: The Right Kind of Pantomime (One Piece Season 2)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii set sail into One Piece Season 2 (from 26:11), joined by our crew of guests Dom Shaw, Lao K and Louise Karunwi. It’s a wide‑ranging discussion with some views you might not expect, as we get into how faithful the live‑action adaptation feels, what changes land (and...
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Story x Story #249: Behind The Story With Mereida Fajardo (Comics & Events)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Mereida Fajardo, a Bristol-based comic and zine-maker, illustrator, and arts facilitator, to explore her journey and deep relationship with the physical medium of comics. Mereida shares how The Dark Knight first got her into comics, and the critical...
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Story x Story #248: Loose String of Fun Moments (The Super Mario Galaxy Movie)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (starting at 25:29) with script editor Sashi Gopalakrishnan and Games Aid chair and member of Games London's Ensemble Sara Veal. We talk about the franchise’s incredible success in film form, even as the sequel’s narrative…
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Story x Story #247: For The Exploration of Culture (Video Games)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii are joined by CEO of Kunta Content, Dean Gichukie, for a conversation about video games as a way to explore culture. We get to dig into the legacy of games that take players into worlds inspired by diffeent places, histories, and mythologies beyond our own, and what…
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Story x Story Rewind: We Came Here For Crime (The Last Blossom)
In this Rewind episode, we're sharing the audio from a Story Club livestream where Nigel and Tazziii break down a great story with guests live. This episode sees us revisit the 2025 anime The Last Blossom with guests Lara Callaghan and Rayna Denison, exploring a film that moves with a thoughtful...
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Story x Story #246: Small Boers Can’t Jump (GOAT)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into GOAT (starting at 29:28), with animator and illustrator Fahim Motahar. GOAT is a sports animation that feels nearly there with strong individual elements, but they do not always click together into a fully satisfying whole. We get into where the…
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Story x Story #245: Behind The Story Episode With Alizée Musson (Publishing)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Alizée Musson to explore her internationally winding path to a career in animation, and the making of her first published book, The Art of Writing Animation: Storytelling Craft for Writers & Animators. We dig into why she took on the challenge of...
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Story x Story #244: The Nuclear Element of Cosiness (Fallout Season 2)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii do a retrospective of Fallout Season 2 (from 14:35) with Content Creator Jack Mullen. After an excellent first season, we explore what makes the series so consistently high quality, from its world-building to its craft, and how season 2 adds depth to its protagonists…
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Story x Story #243: Behind The Story With Raquel Turner (Comics & Mental Health)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Raquel Turner, Corporate Strategy Manager at Talkmind, to discuss her journey into mental health work and her passion for creating accessible mental health resources for people across pop culture. We get to explore her experiences creating the Talkmind...
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Story x Story #242: Antro Ships and Gigs (Zootopia 2)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Zootopia 2 (starting at 24:05), with writer and producer behind the Write for Animation channel, Pietro Schito. Disney's sequel to the wildly popular 2016 film returns with Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde facing new challenges. We focused on how the film...
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Story x Story Rewind: Spring's Creative Renewal (The Studio77 Report)
In this Rewind episode, we're sharing the audio version of The Studio77 Report livestream. It's our seasonal gathering where the creative community can check in on progress, celebrate wins, and learn from challenges on the creative journey. Nigel and Tazziii explore the spring theme of Renewal,...
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Story x Story #241: The Roundtable in the Naughty Corner (Video Games)
NOTE: We recorded this episode before Phil Spencer and Sarah Bond left Microsoft. For Nigel and Tazziii’s initial take on that news, watch The Studio77 Report for Spring 2026 on the mayamada YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9Tw-70R9as4?t=1805 Our first video game roundtable of 2026 sees Nigel…
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Story x Story Rewind: Casual Conversations With Corey Brotherson (Comics)
In this Rewind episode, we've got the audio from the February 2026 episode of Casual Conversations With Comic Creators, where Nigel talks to comic creators around the world to explore their work and the craft of making comics. This series is all about highlighting the people behind the art as we...
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Story x Story #240: Behind The Story With Jade Leamcharaskul (Video Game Music)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Jade Leamcharaskul, a composer and game audio producer, to discuss her journey from game development to focusing on music composition. We get open and honest as we talk about dealing with imposter syndrome, knowing your worth, and the value of networking...
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Story x Story #239: Supercali-APXGP-alidocious (F1: The Movie)
Were back from our recording break with Season 8 of Story x Story! This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into F1: The Movie (starting at 23:53) with our guests: content creator Mavitivo plus filmmaker and inventor Jabril Muse. We explore how Brad Pitt's role in Hollywood may be reflecting the...
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Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Building Game Communities & Education (Livestream)
This week, we're sharing the closing roundtable from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream. Nigel and Tazziii are joined by three prominent voices from the gaming community: Sally Sheppard (game educator and founder of Wyrdren Games), InDeeDee (content creator and...
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Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Indie Dev Gameplay Interviews (Livestream)
In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting three gameplay interview segments from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream, where Tazziii played indie games live while Nigel interviewed the developers behind them. First up, Vicky and Luxille from Studio Lavacado showcase...
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Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Lessons From a Year In Video Games (Livestream)
In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting the first roundtable discussion from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream, where Nigel talks with three super supportive voices from across the games industry. Joining the conversation were Jarvs Tasker, Head of…
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Story x Story Rewind: Next 1UP 2025 - Dean Gichukie on African Game Development (Livestream)
Happy New Year! In this Rewind episode, we're revisiting the opening interview from the 2025 "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" Next 1UP: End of Year Livestream, where Nigel sat down with Dean Gichukie, CEO and Game Producer at Kunta Content. Dean shares his journey founding an African game studio with a...
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Story x Story #238: 2025 Wrapped (Our Favourite Stories)
It's the final episode of 2025!! For our Season 7 Wrapped episode, Nigel and Tazziii are back with their personal top five favourite stories of the year. And this year we're adding some new categories including 'In Memoriam' for stories we've said goodbye to, and 'Personal Story Highlight' for...
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Story x Story #237: Best of the Year 2025 (Season 7 Highlights)
The end of another means it's time to look back at the past 12 months of incredible story discussions! This special episode brings you the best highlights, pre and post-show chats, and (many, many) bloopers from Season 7 of the podcast, featuring Nigel, Tazziii, and a brilliant line-up of guests...
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Story x Story #236: Behind The Story With Inel Tomlinson (Acting & Hosting)
This week on our final interview episode of 2025, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Inel Tomlinson, a multi-talented actor, comedian, gaming host and presenter. We had a wide-ranging conversation about making a creative career across stand-up comedy, hosting, video games and acting. Inel shares...
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Story x Story #235: Jungian Fascist Puppet (Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (starting at 31:40), with guests Sky Tunley-Stainton from Safe in our World and comic creator Pigeon. Del Toro's darker retelling of the classic tale brings stop-motion craftsmanship and new emotional depth to Carlo...
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Story x Story #234: Gathering For the Fun of It (Events)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii sit down with Martha Julian from Thought Bubble and Abi Wright from Festival of the Girl, two event organisers running national events at large scale. We explore what drives them to create these community spaces and the impact events can have on attendees across...
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Story x Story #233: Pixar, We Have A Problem (Elio)
This week, Nigel and Tazziii dive deep into Pixar's Elio (starting at 26:45), with guests mayamada illustrator Pinali and Lao K, the other mayamada co-founder. Pixar's latest animation didn't receive the warm reception the studio might have hoped for. We explore the off-screen drama that impacted...
About this show
Welcome to the Story x Story podcast! We're having great conversations on stories we love plus giving you tips on creating your own.Join mayamada co-founder Nigel and gaming lifestyle content creator Tazziii every week as they talk about stories across pop culture. From deep dives into the most interesting film, TV, comics, anime and video game stories, to interviews and in-depth discussions with incredible guests each time!
Hosted by
mayamada