Dragons & Jetpacks discussion

I wonder if anyone listens to Podcasts?

I've recently found one called Myths and Legends, and so far have been really really enjoying it. It's ideal for when I'm walking around with Ivy in the pram, when she falls asleep i stick the headphones in and have a listen to an episode or two.

He covers things from Russian folklore, origins of disney stories, King Arthur, Saga of the Volsungs... all sorts!

Myths and Legends Podcast on iTunes

Myths and Legends Podcast Website

Have you guys got any recommended podcasts you want to tell people about?

Geek's Guide to the Galaxy is very good. It has a focus on speculative fiction, and is hosted by David Barr Kirtley and John Joseph Adams.

Dan Carlin's Hardcore History is obviously about history. Dan Carlin is a historian with a background in TV and radio, so his presentation is highly polished and very interesting.

I dont follow any but have heard that nerdist does a decent podcast

There's one I listen to every now and again called authors and dragons.
its just a group of authors playing a tabletop game but it's pretty funny.

drew Hayes
rick gualtieri
and a few others I can't remember the name of

Lately I've been listening to Kevin Smith's "Fatman on Batman" podcast. The first...50+ episodes are mostly about Batman, interviewing different writers and artists and the like. Sometimes venturing into other comic territory.

More recently he has been increasing the release of the episodes, and they are about all superheroes, sci-fi, movies, tv, etc, along with co-host Marc Bernardin. I find it pretty funny and informative (for the topic at hand), but I should warn it uses lots of vulgar and juvenile language--and more importantly, SPOILERS on whatever they are talking about.

I've also been listening to Kevin Smith and Matt Mira's "Talk Salad and Scrambled Eggs: Frasier Reconsidered" which is....exactly as bizarre at sounds :D Kevin and Matt watch Frasier and talk about it. Only they spend more time talking about anything and everything else. I have to assume this is a pretty niche market, but it makes me laugh and is great for dog walks ;)

I'd be interested in checking out some book podcasts :)

Thanks for the suggestions. I've been listening to a few by a friend who published a book recently and several by Patrick Rothfuss which were funny.

My absolute favourite is Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor.

It's a very odd, but wonderful, mix of sci-fi and horror that is quite difficult to explain without someone trying to have you committed.

I think the best description is to quote the intro bit of the first episode:

"A friendly desert community where the sun is hot, the moon is beautiful, and mysterious lights pass overhead while we all pretend to sleep. Welcome to Night Vale."

The podcast tells stories of the little town in the form of a broadcast from the local community radio station, complete with news reports, really odd traffic reports, words from the sponsors and weather featuring interesting songs from some obscure bands.

There's also some really amazing fanart out there.

The podcast is free and can be found on various sites, including iTunes, but I download my episodes from Libsyn: http://nightvale.libsyn.com.

There are also the occasional live shows done.

A Novel based on the podcast was published last year as well: Welcome to Night Vale

DO NOT GO NEAR THE DOG PARK

Elma wrote: "My absolute favourite is Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor..."

i'm not the best at keeping up with podcasts (i tend to lose focus, tune it out, and miss half the story) but i love & adore welcome to night vale.

is the novel any good? i saw it in the store but was skeptical bc so much of why i love WTNV comes down to cecil's voice and how soothing/haunting it is...

brittany wrote: "Elma wrote: "My absolute favourite is Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor..."

i'm not the best at keeping up with podcasts (i tend to lose focus, tune it out, and miss half the..."

The book was really good, I quite enjoyed it for a lot of the same reasons that I loved the podcast. Some of the book is narrated by Cecil, and I'm so used to his voice that it sounded like him. The "narrative" voice was similar enough that my mind just conjured up his physical voice to match. It was definitely worth reading, though I was skeptical at first. (It's hard to switch mediums!)

I used to play WTNV to help me fall asleep, and even my sister says that she can't listen to it and drive at the same time.

They're new show, Alice Isn't Dead is a lot creepier and more upsetting and amazing, but still very obviously Joseph Fink's work.

Bookarcana wrote: "brittany wrote: "Elma wrote: "My absolute favourite is Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor..."

i'm not the best at keeping up with podcasts (i tend to lose focus, tune it out, ..."

I have to agree that I was also a bit skeptical at first, especially since the book isn't about Cecil as much as I had initially hoped, but I was really pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it regardless.

And yes, you do end up reading a lot of the book in Cecil's voice - amazing how your mind auto-completes like that...

You also get to explore Night Vale in depth a bit more than the radio broadcasts let you and get to know some other characters as well, and there's just enough of our favourite radio host to keep the true Night Vale feeling going. Plus, who can resist the mystery of the Man in the Tan Jacket with the deer skin suitcase?

If you're worried about missing his (gorgeous) voice, the audio book is narrated by Cecil Baldwin himself, so there's always that option!

I've downloaded the first episode of Alice Isn't Dead, but I haven't gotten around to listening to it yet - maybe I'll do that in the car on my way home this afternoon.

i'm glad to hear the book is good -- i just want joseph fink & co to have all the success in the world. i'll have to check it out once i've caught up with the podcast.
(i've got a long flight coming up so that might be the perfect time, since i usually can't sleep on planes)

brittany wrote: "i'm glad to hear the book is good -- i just want joseph fink & co to have all the success in the world. i'll have to check it out once i've caught up with the podcast.
(i've got a long flight comi..."

Enjoy! And good luck with the long flight...

ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY GLOW CLOUD!

I second the Geeks Guide to the Galaxy. The Sword and Laser podcast, which also is a group here on Goodreads, is also good. It is geared towards Sci-Fi and Fantasy books.

You know, I've never really given Podcasts a chance, but I'm getting into this Welcome to Night Vale! I can only imagine what kind of dreams it might give you if you listened before bed. ^_^ I'm definitely interested in Myths and Legends as well. This isn't SFF-related, but if I'm going to start listening to Podcasts, I may have to check out one a friend recommended ages ago: Serial, which is a true-crime kinda thing.

Susie wrote: "You know, I've never really given Podcasts a chance, but I'm getting into this Welcome to Night Vale! I can only imagine what kind of dreams it might give you if you listened before bed. ^_^ I'm de..."

yes! I once woke up in the middle of the night in a terror, I checked all the doors and windows, grabbed my can of mace, and slept with it under my pillow

I haven't listened to Serial, but there's an interesting YouTube channel (pbsideachannel) that does a whole thought piece/video on it and I'm intrigued. the host has good taste, so i've been meaning to listen to it

Oooh once I'm up to date with my myths I'll deffo check out this Welcome to Night Vale - sounds intriguing!

A colleague recommended Serial to me before and I completely forgot about it - thanks for the reminder, Bookarcana :D

I was obsessed with the first season of Serial. It is enthralling.

I have to second Myths and Legends. And Welcome to Night Vale is always a laugh!

I'm going to have to check out Geeks Guide to the Galaxy!

I would also recommend Lore! It's chockful of intriguing tales, legends, and some creepy stories. Great stuff!

Loving this thread. Stacking up the podcasts for when I'm done with Myths. That Lore one looks rather good!

I've listened to a good number of Tea and Jeopardy by authors Emma and Peter Newman. They interview authors in imaginary tea lairs - often humourous and around 20-40 mins long each :)

Oooh, I'll have to check that one out too!

And yes, Lore is great. My favorite episode is 15, but I would work up to it...and then listen with the lights off for best scary effect! :-D

Love Geeks guide to the galaxy!

Need to check these out - they all sounds great.

I'm totally hooked on Welcome to Night Vale <3

Kirsty wrote: "I'm totally hooked on Welcome to Night Vale <3"

Glad you're enjoying it!

It's amazing how quickly the strange town draws you in and you become invested in the lives of the people there...

Okay, I have a vague idea what podcasts are...
other than they are like a tv series but only audio...
can I know any good ones , sites and for sci-fi and fantasy themes?

I just subscribed to all the ones mentioned. Getting ready to listen to an episode on my run. I wonder which one I'll pick!

Nice one Ashley! Update us on your verdict :D

Oooh lots I haven't heard of here! I'll have to explore some of these :)

A colleague mentioned one to me today called 'Nerd Podcat' which is apparently only every 6 months or so, but a good 3 hours or so long.

Oooh lots I haven't heard of here! I'll have to explore some of these :)

A colleague mentioned one to me today called 'Nerd Podcat' which is apparently only every 6 months or so, but a good 3 hours or so long.

I'm up to date on Myths and Legends, and totally addicted to Welcome to Night Vale. But i have also started listening to one called Lore. I've listened to 3 episodes so far, and it's pretty good!

I guess i'll start listening to welcome to night vale

Hi, does anyone here know about "The once and future nerd?"

I have been listening to Welcome to Night Vale at work today - up to about ep. 7 of Year One. So funny and strange :D

Kushal wrote: "Hi, does anyone here know about "The once and future nerd?""

No, afraid i've not heard of that one!

Freya wrote: "I have been listening to Welcome to Night Vale at work today - up to about ep. 7 of Year One. So funny and strange :D"

yay! It's so so weird, but I already love it!

Really diggin' Myths and Legends and Lore!

Ashley wrote: "Really diggin' Myths and Legends and Lore!"

Brill! I want more Myths and Legends, boo to being caught up! Lore is quite different, but I still like it. I prefer Myths voice to Lores :D

Lore seemed alright, But Night Vale is pretty amazing.
I just happened to try out The once and future nerd, In the second episode, and it pretty much seems cool! Checked the stats, It one a few awards as the best podcast last year!
I guess I am not getting my expectations a bit too high!

Currently I listen to the British History Podcast, which is pretty decent. For fiction though I'm listening to Wolf 359, the Bright Sessions, and EOS10 (though this one is on hiatus). They're all pretty awesome sci-fi/fantasy dramas.

Thanks to you guys, I also got my fiancé hooked on Welcome to Night Vale, and we're going to go see a live show next week! We're not caught up yet on all the episodes, but I'm excited. :)

Susie wrote: "Thanks to you guys, I also got my fiancé hooked on Welcome to Night Vale, and we're going to go see a live show next week! We're not caught up yet on all the episodes, but I'm excited. :)"

Amazing! Let us know how it goes :D

Ooh I have heard the live shows advertised Susie - sounds like it will be pretty cool! You'll have to report back :)

...Oh and apparently there is a Welcome to Nightvale novel!

Nightvale live was a lot of fun! Lots of people dressed up in cosplay (not me, haha). As could be expected, Cecil has a lot of charisma, and great facial expressions. I want to say Megan is the name of the girl that does the proverbs at the end... anyway, she hosted it and was also awesome. I guess they do a final recording of all tours when they're done and make them available online. Also definitely interested in reading the novel sometime!

The 50 podcasts you need to hear on The Guardian

A few I've heard of on there, but lots I haven't!

I can recommend a crap-ton of great basketball podcasts if you wa...

Wait, where are you all going?

(On the real, I'm a FIEND for good podcasts, so this is super helpful. Thank you!)

Just started to listen to podcasts and loving Myths and Legends!

Yes Lel! Good choice <3

I hope that necro-posting is okay.

Do you folks know of any good podcasts on Spotify that are focused specifically on fantasy and sci fi books?

I used to listen to some podcasts but I've fallen off the bandwagon and I'd like to get back on it. 😊

I don't but I'm interested as well.