PODCAST · fiction
Writing Alchemy
by Fay Onyx
Writing Alchemy is storytelling that centers intersectional characters, including a fairy tale series that combines humor and magic with serious topics, and a tabletop role-playing series about the adventures of disabled and mentally diverse heroes.
Episodes
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Unfamiliar Heroes 22 – Inside the First Responders Training Program Part 2
Awkward meetings abound as our heroes are drawn together. Gail writes an email. Vanessa is standoffish, but she really cares. Janus decides to not back down. And we are all certain that Gail’s shack is not a love shack. Cast and Crew: Game Master: Jordan Green (they/them) Vanessa the Witch...
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Collaboration 4 – Chimera: Friendship Is Music
Writing Alchemy Collaboration 4 Summary A record shaped world, where music is magic, is under threat by evil corporations! These corporate villains are trying to control the magic and destroy musical freedom. Can our mixed-gender team of magical girl superheroes stop their plans in time?! Cast…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 21 – Inside the First Responders Training Program Part 1
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 21 Summary We return to the First Responder’s Training Program to catch up with Vanessa the Witch and Janus the Ghoul. In this sequel adventure, meet Gail the Ghost and follow the drama that swirls around the popular Chaz Drakon, as everyone prepares for another...
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Bonus Cast 9 – Anxiety Tools: Orienting
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 9 Summary Today I’m sharing some tools I have been using that have been extremely helpful for dealing with anxiety. I’ll also be giving an update on what is going on for me, and I’ll wrap up by sharing some of the projects I’ve been working on. The goal of this tool set...
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Collaboration 3 – Into the Research Garden
Writing Alchemy Collaboration 3 Summary Bob the slime-person druid, Nikau the parrotfolk rogue, and Aery the animated statue athlete are part of a team of investigative journalists working for the Crossroads Observer. The Observer has obtained a sample that could finally expose the dirty dealings...
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Calming Moment – The Pacific Ocean
Writing Alchemy Calming Moment Summary This is an experimental episode of Writing Alchemy where Fay describes five beautiful photographs of the Pacific Ocean in detail with the soothing sound of ocean waves in the background. This is an internet hug going out to all of the people who want a few...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 20 – Janus’ First Tarot Reading
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 20 Summary This is a special scripted crossover episode between Writing Alchemy and Kalila Stormfire’s Economical Magick Services where we return to Sylvan Community College as Kalilia gives Janus her first tarot reading, foreshadowing the events which will take...
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Bonus Cast 8 – Thriving While Trans Stand Up Comedy
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 8 Summary This Bonus Cast features stand up comedy that the amazing Tobi Hill-Meyer did for Thriving While Trans. Afterwards, there are some announcements about upcoming audio and text games. Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes. Photograph of a...
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Crossroads Story Time 1 – The Story of Creation
Summary Crossroads Story Time is a new series that explores the myths and lore of the Crossroads Setting. The four short stories in this episode delve into the cosmology and magic of Crossroads through the story of its creation. Content warnings are listed at the bottom of these show notes....
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Collaboration 2 – Pandora Files: The Case of the Missing Hope
Writing Alchemy Collaboration 2 Summary Several storybook characters have gone missing from the kingdom of Tome. Making things worse, a Storyteller has just disappeared. Frecka and Salvinia, Agents of Pandora, were assigned to the search for Loren Hope. Will the two agents be able to crack a case...
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Collaboration 1 – Accessibility in RPGs
Writing Alchemy Collaboration 1 Summary In this episode, Fay, Mimsy, and Rhi dive deep into how the RPG community can become a more accessible and welcoming space for disabled players, GMs, and designers. Learn about some of the excellent work that Fay and Mimsy are already doing in this space…
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Bonus Cast 7 – Creating Accessible Settings
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 7 Summary In this episode Fay talks about something ze thinks about a lot—creating accessible settings. This topic was started by the question, “How Can I Make My World Accommodating to Disabled People?” which Fay answered on the Mythcreants blog. Photograph of a silver...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 19 – The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Part 6
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 19 Summary That creepy feeling is back, Willa is impressed, and a character from a beloved childhood story makes an appearance. Join us for the long-awaited conclusion to the Owlbear Reintroduction Program in the nineteenth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes!…
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Bonus Cast 6 – Sound Effect Stories and Updates
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 6 Summary In this Bonus Cast I share the stories behind three of the sound effects I used in the most recent episode of Owlbear Reintroduction Program Game. Following these stories are updates on what is going on for me, what I’ve been doing for the past two months, and...
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Announcement – “Making RPG Podcasts Accessible” at PodCon2
Writing Alchemy Announcement Summary I will be leading a workshop about “Making RPG Podcasts Accessible” on January 20th at PodCon2 in Seattle. For those who can’t attend this workshop in-person, it will be in the remote attendance feed for PodCon2. As an accessibility feature, I have created...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 18 – The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Part 5
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 18 Summary Zombies are coming toward our three heroes. Join them in the eighteenth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes as they struggle to get to the shelter of the Inn on the Bridge! Willa the gecko lizardperson rogue, Tarragon the orc bard, and D’Zân the…
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Bonus Cast 5 – Transcripts and Accessibility
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 5 Summary This Bonus Cast is about the new podcast transcripts and ways I’m trying to make them accessible. TeePublic Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/writing-alchemy?ref_id=8162 Illustration of a brown owlbear sitting in the back of a wagon. They have a…
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Bonus Cast 4 – All the Updates
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 4 Summary This Bonus Cast has all the updates, including the unveiling of Writing Alchemy owlbear merchandise, updates on Magic Goes Awry, when The Owlbear Reintroduction Program is going to return, and some news about big events in Fay’s family. TeePublic Store:...
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Bonus Cast 3 – Neurodiverse and Neurodivergent Language and Identity
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 3 Summary This Bonus Cast delves into the nuances of language, its dynamic nature, and how that intersects with personal experience and identity through a focus on my personal relationship with the terms “neurodiverse” and “neurodivergent.” Photograph of a silver and...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 17 – The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Part 4
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 17 Summary Our three heroes begin their negotiations with the owlbears in the seventeenth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes. Join them for the excitement of river adventures and camping with owlbears! Willa the gecko lizardperson rogue, Tarragon the orc bard, and...
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Bonus Cast 2 – Player and Character Introductions for The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Game
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 2 Summary This Bonus Cast starts with a behind the scenes discussion about this change in format, then jumps into the player and characters introductions for The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Game. Photograph of a silver and black desktop microphone sitting on a white...
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Bonus Cast 1 – My favorite LGBTQ+ Role-playing Game Character
Writing Alchemy Bonus Cast 1 Summary My first ever Bonus Cast is on the topic of my favorite LGBTQ+ role-playing game character. Inspired by the prompt for the I Am Hear Pride Month special episode, in this bonus cast I share my full response. Photograph of a silver and black desktop microphone...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 16 – The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Part 3
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 16 Summary Our three heroes finally reach the owlbear den in the sixteenth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes. Join them as they have their first encounter with wild owlbears! Willa the gecko lizardperson rogue, Tarragon the orc bard, and D’Zân the weredragon…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 15 – The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Part 2
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 15 Summary In the fifteenth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes, our three heroes arrive in Islandtown, the home of the Crossroads Wildnerness Keepers. Join them as potions are brewed, paper is shuffled, and a wagon is wreathed in flames! Willa the gecko…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 14 – The Owlbear Reintroduction Program Part 1
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 14 Summary In the fourteenth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes, our three heroes get their first internship assignment from The Adventurers Academy. Join them as they start out on their journey! Willa the gecko lizardperson rogue, Tarragon the orc bard, and D’Zân...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 13 – D’Zân and the Sky Sharks
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 13 Summary Meet D’Zân the weredragon druid in this character introduction episode of Unfamiliar Heroes. D’Zân is a student at the celebrated Adventurers Academy, and right now xe is studying creative problem-solving. Join xem for a surreal training exercise where...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 12 – Tarragon Songsteel and the Underwater Maze
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 12 Summary Meet Tarragon Songsteel the orc bard in this character introduction episode of Unfamiliar Heroes. Tarragon is a student at the celebrated Adventurers Academy, and right now they are studying creative problem-solving. Join them for a surreal training...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 11 – Willa and the Rubble Robots
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 11 Summary Meet Willa the gecko lizardperson rogue in this character introduction episode of Unfamiliar Heroes. Willa is a student at the celebrated Adventurers Academy and right now she is studying creative problem-solving. Join her for a surreal training…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 10 – The Renegade Starship Part 3
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 10 Summary Captured by rebels, our three heroes are fighting back. Malena, Adre, and Mariah have incapacitated the rebel captain and four guards. Now they are taking the fight into the shuttle bay, where they are causing havoc. Join them in the tenth game episode...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 9 – The Renegade Starship Part 2
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 9 Summary In the ninth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes Malena, Adre, and Mariah have been captured by rebels. Join them as they meet the rebel captain and implement their desperate escape plan. Malena the intellectual scientist, Adre the hot-shot engineer, and...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 8 – The Renegade Starship Part 1
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 8 Summary In the eighth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes meet the crew of the Raptor as they defend their test shuttle from the renegade starship Sojourner. Malena the intellectual scientist, Adre the hot-shot engineer, and Mariah the alien doctor are all…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 7 – Cat’s Paw Ghost Control Adventure 2: The Backyard Mystery
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 7 Summary In the seventh game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes the paranormal detectives of the Cat’s Paw Ghost Control agency investigate some disturbing, supernatural growls that have been plaguing a small Seattle neighborhood. Maybe it is a were-raccoon, or…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 6 – Cat’s Paw Ghost Control Adventure 1: The Lederhosen Sprites
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 6 Summary In the sixth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes a Seattle grocery store is plagued by mischievous spirits with a special resentment toward lederhosen. Meet the Cat’s Paw Ghost Control team as they tackle this challenge together. Tabitha the space alien...
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Second Anniversary Special – Terrible Lyrics to Brighten Your Day
Writing Alchemy Second Anniversary Special Summary This second anniversary special episode includes behind the scenes updates, outtakes, and six very silly bad poems that were composed for a Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Vogon poetry competition in which the goal was to make poems that were as...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 5 – Welcome to the First Responders Training Program Part 5
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 5 Summary It is finally the day of the Full Moon Ritual, but as the heroes prepare, they discover that something isn’t quite right. This episode is the conclusion to the first game of Unfamiliar Heroes. Underneath the facade of ordinary reality lies a hidden…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 4 – Welcome to the First Responders Training Program Part 4
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 4 Summary In this fourth game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes the humor and drama continue as Tamara confronts Vanessa about her spying, Janus tries to figure out what the First Responders Training Program really is, and Vanessa has a vision that leads to an…
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Unfamiliar Heroes 3 – Welcome to the First Responders Training Program Part 3
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 3 Summary In this third game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes the humor and drama continues as Shanda gives Vanessa some subtle guidance and Tamara confronts Janus with an unexpected truth! Underneath the facade of ordinary reality lies a hidden world of monsters and...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 2 – Welcome to the First Responders Training Program Part 2
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 2 Summary In this second game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes we learn more about Sylvan Community College, fill in a few key pieces of character background, and then jump into Vanessa and Janus’ awkward first meeting in the Pagan Student Association! Underneath the...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 1 – Welcome to the First Responders Training Program Part 1
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 1 Summary In this first game episode of Unfamiliar Heroes we meet Vanessa the judgmental witch and Janus the slacker ghoul, learn about Sylvan Community College, and discover the mysterious event that connects Janus and Vanessa. Underneath the facade of ordinary...
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Unfamiliar Heroes 0 – Foundations and Ground Rules
Writing Alchemy Unfamiliar Heroes 0 Summary In this foundational episode of Unfamiliar Heroes, which I’m calling Episode Zero, I start off with a discussion of disability representation and the reasons why I feel that this project is so needed. Next I go over the ways that participants who live…
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Fairy Tale 13b – Chronic Illness with billie rain
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 13b Summary We continue the discussion as artist, activist, disabled survivor iconoclast billie rain shares hir Chronic Illness Bill of Rights. Then we jump into a conversation about societal response to chronic illness, myths about disability, ways of supporting people...
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Fairy Tale 13 – The Wishing Dildo Series #4 with billie rain
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 13 Summary In the fourth segment of The Wishing Dildo Series, the adventure continues as we find out more about the mysterious and regal Jewel. Then the six companions take a secret detour to the Kingdom of Waterfalls. This story is followed by a discussion about trauma...
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Fairy Tale 12b – Diverse Minds with Kathleen Lamothe
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 12b Summary Today’s discussion with spiritual atheist Kathleen Lamothe is a deep and far ranging Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) inspired conversation about music, addiction, anger, health, diverse minds, psychology, and happiness. Guest: Spiritual…
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Fairy Tale 12 – The Wishing Dildo Series #3 with Kathleen Lamothe
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 12 Summary In this third segment of The Wishing Dildo Series, the adventure continues as we get to know Anissa, and then the five companions visit the temperamental rulers of the Gilded Kingdom. The story is followed by a discussion about brain diversity, mental health,...
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Fairy Tale 11b – Sex Work Myth and Reality with Vee Chattie
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 11b Summary Today’s discussion with activist, comedian, and sex worker Vee Chattie focuses on the lived experiences of sex workers. In this conversation we talk about the performative aspects of sex work, emotional labor, myths, stereotypes, stigma, and empowerment....
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Fairy Tale 11 – The Wishing Dildo Series #2 with Vee Chattie
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 11 Summary In this second podcast segment of The Wishing Dildo Series, the fairy tale continues as Prince Hart, Tala, and Tomas meet two new companions, each with a unique magical superpower. Then activist, comedian, and sex worker Vee Chattie joins Fay for the…
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Fairy Tale 10b – Art, Activism, and Disability with Lector Morales
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 10b Summary Today’s discussion with hesitant art activist Lector Josue Morales focuses on the topics of art and activism and how they intersect with disability, community, and race. In this conversation we challenge ourselves to expand our ideas about what activism is…
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Fairy Tale 10 – The Wishing Dildo Series #1 with Lector Morales
Writing Alchemy Fairy Tale 10 Summary We return to intersectional fairy tales as hesitant art activist Lector Josue Morales joins Fay for the start of The Wishing Dildo Series in which Prince Hart and Tala embark on their quest for The Wishing Dildo and meet a surprising new companion. The...
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Interlude 2 – Intersections with Kristina Gibbs-Ruby
Writing Alchemy Interlude 2 Summary This interlude episode is all about intersections, with a focus on fatness, disability, gender, and queer identity. Guest Kristina Gibbs-Ruby reads a powerful spoken word piece about bullying and fatphobia while Fay reads hir popular article, “Why Having...
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Interlude 1 – Contemporary Lesbian Romance with Yolanda Wallace
Writing Alchemy Interlude 1 Summary In this romance-themed interlude episode, Yolanda Wallace reads from her contemporary lesbian romance 21 Questions, in which Kenya Davis meets bartender Simone Bailey for the first time. Then we delve into themes, representation, and inspiration in Yolanda’s...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Writing Alchemy is storytelling that centers intersectional characters, including a fairy tale series that combines humor and magic with serious topics, and a tabletop role-playing series about the adventures of disabled and mentally diverse heroes.
HOSTED BY
Fay Onyx
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Writing Alchemy have?
Writing Alchemy currently has 63 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Writing Alchemy about?
Writing Alchemy is storytelling that centers intersectional characters, including a fairy tale series that combines humor and magic with serious topics, and a tabletop role-playing series about the adventures of disabled and mentally diverse heroes.
How often does Writing Alchemy release new episodes?
Writing Alchemy has 63 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Writing Alchemy?
You can listen to Writing Alchemy on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Writing Alchemy?
Writing Alchemy is created and hosted by Fay Onyx.
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