Speculative Sandbox

Author and ghost writer Leslie Baird joins the podcast to talk about her debut novel "Salomé", genre blending, marketing for authors, and the difference between retellings and reimaginings.The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Scientists make technological advancements...science fiction writers explore what happens when those technologies go wrong. But what happens when the fiction inspires the science? Science fiction author Michael Bland joins the podcast to talk about the disappearing line between fiction and reality and the predictions he's made that have since come true. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

How well does fiction capture devastating levels of mass emergencies? Guest author Helen Hynson Vettori, a former EMT/paramedic and retired senior medical intelligence analyst at the Department of Homeland Security and author of the Black Swan scifi disaster thriller series, joins Vickie Lan to answer this question. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

It's time to cozy up near the fire with a mug of coffee/tea/hot chocolate as Vickie Lan and author Garrett K. Jones talk about the cozy fantasy book genre. Garett K. Jones can be followed on Instagram at @gkj_publishingSpeculative Sandbox can be followed on Instagram at @speculativesandboxSpeculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Authors L.L. Madrid and Lora Durance take over the podcast this week to talk about horror, rage, and what it's like writing and reading dark content while living in an unsettling world. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Follow L.L. and Lora on Instagram: @llmadridwrites and @lroseriverRead the mentioned Book Riot article "Dystopian Books Have Taken Over the Bestseller Lists…That Can’t Be a Good Sign" at https://bookriot.com/bestselling-books-february-6-2025/

Alisa Alering, author of the book Smothermoss and this week's podcast guest host, interviews author Gloria Munoz about her book This is the Year and what it's like to write a dystopian fiction. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Garrett K. Jones guest-hosts the podcast to talk about writer's block. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Hunger Games, Squid Games, Dungeon Crawler Carl...Hayley Chow joins Vickie Lan on the podcast to talk about Death Games! From real life to fiction, we cover the social commentary that centers around systemic oppression, world building, society's attraction to violent spectacle, and the importance of relatability in the main character when they're up against equally oppressed opponents. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

What should novel writers know about screen writing? Author Luis Prieto joins the podcast to talk with Vickie Lan about the basics of writing a screenplay (or an audio drama!). Note: Sorry for the less-than-perfect audio quality from Vickie's mic! There were technical difficulties and the recording came from the desktop instead. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Mysteries, suspense, thrillers...how can writers use secrets to advance their plots? Author Teddie Peacock joins the podcast to discuss the many ways to build intrigue and keep your readers (and characters!) guessing. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Avitus B. Carle joins Vickie Lan on the podcast to read her story How We Survive, and to provide insight on the 'flash' side of fiction writing. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Damien Alameda returns to the podcast to discuss with Vickie Lan the Avenging Angels trope! Learn what drives these "angels" and distinguishes them from a classic hero's journey, whether they need to have a bigger impact than just their self interest, and much more. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Emily Colin joins Vickie Lan to discuss the building blocks of romance in speculative fiction, including how to keep momentum after the couple gets together, how character development and plot progression impact the relationship, and the way authors can manage expectations when it comes to reader responses. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover photo by J.D. Fitzgerald.Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. 

Author and dream interpreter Megan Mary joins Vickie Lan to discuss the Fated Destiny, Discovered Magick, and The Chosen One tropes. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Where are the aliens? While NASA and military officials provide testimonials on the world stage, author Grace Richard joins Vickie Lan to discuss the ways science fiction writers have answered this question. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Alisa Alering, author of the book "Smothermoss", joins Vickie Lan in a discussion about the ways authors use pieces of themselves to make authentic characters, including characters with opposing viewpoints. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Becca Mionis joins Vickie Lan in a discussion on uncanny fiction, which, similar to the uncanny valley, leaves readers in a state of unease or confusion. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Brent Miller joins the podcast to talk about the perceptions of tropes, the slippery slope into cliches, and whether or not it's actually possible to write a trope-less story. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

It's the blurring of fact and fiction as author Garrett K. Jones joins the podcast to talk about Gonzo Fiction, known for its unique narrative style as seen in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and American Psycho. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Lauren Teffeau joins Vickie Lan to discuss non-theistic mythical archetypes in fiction, including Carl Jung's 12 brand archetypes and the way archetypes can be used to form the foundation of societal values and laws. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author J.D. Estrada joins the podcast to talk about authenticity in writing and the ways authors can tap into personal experiences to inform an otherwise unfamiliar scenario. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover photo by J.D. Fitzgerald. Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. 

Horror Author John James Minster returns to the podcast to talk about paranormal places located around the northeast region of the United States, as well as the Christian belief system of demons, ghosts, and spirits that fuels the local lore. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Neal Holtschulte cycles back to the podcast to talk with Vickie Lan about time loops! From "Groundhogs Day" to "The Flash", how can time loops be used to propel character growth, and what can writers do to avoid falling in a plot spiral? The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Are antiheroes just villains with too much credit? Damien Alameda, host of The_First Pages on YouTube, joins Vickie Lan to debate the characteristics and motives of the antihero and where they fall on the spectrum of good and evil. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

What could possibly be worse than death? Storytellers will tell you! Author Matthew C. Brown returns to the podcast to talk about all the various ways authors can torture their characters. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotifyand YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcastare their own.

In honor of Halloween, guest Michael Crawford and Vickie Lan sit down to watch and unpack the tropes found in the classic 2000 horror movie American Psycho, including 80s yuppie culture, the unreliable narrator, psychopath characteristics, and the purposeful ambiguity of its characters and settings. Rewatch with us! "American Psycho" is currently available on Netflix. Rated R. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover photo by J.D. Fitzgerald.Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. 

Angela Alvarez joins Vickie Lan to talk about Latinx representation in speculative fiction and the powerful story opportunities that come from writing through an authentic lens. Note: "LatinX" in the context of this episode is used to to inclusively refer to all genders within the community. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotifyand YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcastare their own.

Crispin Jeffrey-Franco, owner of Stacks Book Club, joins Vickie Lan on the podcast to talk about tropes from a bookseller's perspective. Learn which tropes are tired and which tropes are on the rise, what booksellers look for when curating their list, and how indie authors can build relationships with their local bookstores. Note: Stacks Book Club will be hosting in-store novel writing events in November of their own design, unaffiliated with the NaNoWriMo organization. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover art illustrated by Sofia HanssonIndividual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. 

It's time to unpack spicy books with Wendy Dwan, LAC EMDR Therapist and smut expert! Wendy and Vickie Lan talk trigger warnings, societal impressions and taboos, and the mental health impacts of spicy fiction. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover art illustrated by Sofia HanssonIndividual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. 

John Wick, Dexter, James Bond. Rob Hart joins Vickie Lan to discuss the Lawless Lawman character archetype in fiction as well as his book “Assassins Anonymous”. What makes operating outside of the law so attractive? And is this character truly lawless, or does he just have a personal code that he holds above the law? The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover art illustrated by Sofia HanssonIndividual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva. 

Wife-swapping, traditions, religious identities, and self-exploration. This episode was filmed live at Stacks Book Club with Vickie Lan as part of author Jessica Elisheva Emerson's debut book tour for "Olive Days", now available!VIDEO: Watch the video interview on Spotify!Stacks Book Club is an indie bookstore located in Oro Valley, Arizona. Husband-and-wife owners, Crispin and Lizzy, believe in the importance of community and supporting local businesses. Learn more and order books by visiting https://www.stacksbookclub.com/. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson

Vickie Lan returns to Speculative Sandbox with a new format! Learn what's new, what's changing, and what to look forward to. Episode note:- 4:42: I mention “industry professionals” in the context of working on contract within for a publishing house or movie studio, but but this term definitely shouldn’t minimize the professionalism and hard work of indie/self authors and artists! Need to update my vernacular 😅.

[Originally aired February 6, 2023] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our BEST episodes! Award-winning Author Nicholas Eames kicks off the spring 2023 season with a deep dive into the ensemble cast in his novel "Kings of the Wyld." Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠

[Originally aired March 23, 2022] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our BEST episodes! Not all Dystopian societies are terrible...right? Guest writer Brad Allis joins me in a discussion of the dystopian trope, why we love to read and write them, and their small silver linings (if any!)  Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠

[Originally aired March 16, 2022] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our BEST EPISODES. Good protagonists, evil protagonists, evilly good protagonists? Author Matthew C. Brown joins Speculative Sandbox in a chat about complex protagonists, the appeal of evil characters, and how story telling has evolved as our interactions on social media take center stage. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠

[Originally aired December 6, 2022] Happy holidays! We're revisiting our TOP EPISODES. Jason Pargin, New York Times Bestselling Author of the John Dies at the End and Zoe Ashe books series, joins the podcast to talk about the end of the world. What is it about this trope that has a hold on society? And is our worldwide demise enough stakes to get the audience truly invested? You won't want to miss this one. Your survival depends on it.  Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

Welcome to Speculative Sandbox's first live recording, in partnership with Stacks Book Club and Pine Reads Reviews. Author Matt Mendez talks about his new book, "The Broke Hearts", and unpacks the heartbreak of intergenerational trauma, father and son relationships, and the importance of male friendships. VIDEO: Watch the video interview on Spotify! Stacks Book Club is an indie bookstore located in Oro Valley, Arizona. Husband-and-wife owners, Crispin and Lizzy, believe in the importance of community and supporting local businesses. Learn more and order books by visiting https://www.stacksbookclub.com/. Pine Reads Review is an online children’s and young adult literature publication run by University of Arizona undergraduates in Tucson, Arizona committed to showcasing a combination of debut, diverse, and established authors. For more information, visit https://www.pinereadsreview.com/. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠

Author Daniel Bautz returns to the podcast in this Author Takeover to walk you through the book cover design process. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

Is Moby Dick one of the greatest secondary world fantasies ever written? Author David Hopkins takes over the podcast to discuss this classic novel through a new lens. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

Author Vanessa Thurgood joins the podcast in this Author Takeover to discuss the "Deals with the Devil" trope. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

Happy Halloween! Author John James Minster returns to the podcast to share his experience with the paranormal and how he instills authenticity in his horror writing. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Do you have difficulty starting your manuscript? You may remember Author and Roundtable Radio podcast host Odin Halvorson from our episode on Maps. He returns in this Author Takeover to discuss the ways writers can channel their creative muse. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Newcomer and author D. A. Randall joins the podcast to talk about the Birth of a Superhero. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Please welcome newcomer Author Katee Stein to Speculative Sandbox, where she walks us through the importance of creating safe spaces and communities as writers. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Author Garrett K. Jones from our episode on “Unreliable Narrators” takes over the podcast to examine the evolution of storytelling in media, from the episodic format of early sitcoms to the long-form storytelling of today. Examples include the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends, and How I Met Your Mother. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Drag Queen and Author Joshua Valentine, the "Lady Gaga of the Writing World", joins Speculative Sandbox to unpack symbolism in storytelling. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Fantasy author and Shakespeare teacher David Hopkins joins the podcast to talk about the twisted paths of succession. From George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” to HBO’s “Succession”, what makes an effective succession story? We’ll discuss the types of characters that make good contenders, real-life succession stories, and the ways writers can make the succession journey as messy as possible. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠

Continuing our talk from our episode "Madness", Ian Young returns to the podcast to talk about "Mass Hysteria." What did the term "hysteria" originally mean? And does a panic on a large scale always have a scientific explanation? Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

What is scifaiku and astropoetry? Wendy Van Camp, Poet Laureate for the City of Anaheim, CA, joins the podcast for a poetry reading and lesson. Participate in the lesson! Read the words submitted by our listeners below, write your own scifaiku, and send it to [email protected] or direct message Speculative Sandbox on Instagram. We'll share your poem on social media! Sci-fi trope: Cybernetic implants Aliens are humans Time travel AI goes rogue Fish out of water Robots Evil aliens The ghost in the machine Emotional words: Tearful Distraught Horny Anxiety/Anxious Somber Exhausted Season/time: Serendipity Birth Spring Winter Autumn Dusk Crack epidemic Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠

Could we one day customize our own bodies? Author and podcast host Jordan Griffin joins Speculative Sandbox to talk about gene-editing. How close are we to science fiction? We break down the science, including CRISPR technology, genetically-modified foods, and the ethical concerns of human experimentation. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover art illustrated by Sofia Hansson Individual episode covers feature royalty-free photography from Pexels.com or Canva.  Links: ⁠⁠Guest form⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Merch store⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Curated episode playlists on Spotify⁠⁠ Social media: Follow on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ Follow on ⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on ⁠⁠Twitter⁠